2.28.2011
#5 - Gluten Free
Tomorrow, March 1st, 2011, will mark the first day of my gluten free month - the first on my '30 While 30' list that I intend to check off. I have to say that I'm pretty excited about this challenge. I am hoping that this change in diet will not only give me a boost in energy but also a necessary kick in the pants to finally get a better grasp of nutrition. Sure, I've read the books, the studies, the endless articles on what I'm 'supposed' to be eating but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE anything with carbohydrates in them - which more often than not contain gluten. Cupcakes, fresh bread, cereal, pasta, cookies...these are staples in my diet. But, for the next month they are gone. Well, unless I happen to stumble on a gluten free cupcake, or gluten free cookies, or rice cereal...you get my point. I'm not cutting out sugar from my diet (yet). Anyway, the point really is to cut out all the excess gluten. It's a start. Bring on the Thai food!
2.23.2011
Training - 2011: Base Building
Training for Ironman Canada officially began in October for me. Yes, that is indeed 11 months prior to race day. And yes, that's a long a** time to focus on ONE race. However, I work best when there is a plan and something to follow. More importantly, I wanted to make the most of the off-season so I called up Coach Daryl and put him to work.
Base training. Let me first explain what that means and how that differs from any other training period. Basically it means training at slower speeds and lower heart rates over longer distances. The point is to train the body to burn stored fat for fuel so you can maintain energy throughout an entire day/race. All, or at least most, workouts are done at a level (in most cases determined by heart rate zones) that is aerobic and fat burning. This is in contrast to anaerobic workouts (carbohydrate burning) - intense bursts to promote strength, speed, power, and muscle mass. The theory is that over a period of time your aerobic strength/stamina (not sure about the right terminology) will improve and your speed/pace will gradually get faster while your heart rate will stay relatively stable. Essentially getting faster will get easier on your body. Behind the scenes your body is more effective at breaking down stored fat for energy.
Here are additional articles that are way more informed than my short little paragraph above.
http://www.markallenonline.com/maoArticles.aspx?AID=4
http://www.trifuel.com/training/triathlon-training/aerobic-base-training-going-slower-to-get-faster
Sounds like a great idea right? Of course! The problem for me, and for most athletes I think, is having the patience to actually go SLOW. I hated it. I've always been of the mindset that if I go faster in my training I will 1) be faster in the end and 2) finish my workout sooner (well...if you're training by distance that is). In addition, Gabe hated it and I don't blame him. It wasn't very fun to run with me. Every time I hit a hill, even a bump, my heart rate would skyrocket. Granted, my heart rate isn't super normal. I have a hummingbird heart. To put that into perspective, my heart rate starts at 180 when I start running and typically averages around 195 for a normal run. I can still hold a conversation between 190 and 195.
The first several months were miserable. Initially, Daryl used the generic calculation to get my heart rate zones set up. This resulted in me going for runs at a 12 min/mile pace which in and of itself isn't a terrible idea since I should be training slower than my pace but it literally became painful to run that slow. I was changing my stride and was basically just jumping up and down in place. After a bit of whining, Daryl assessed my stride, form and heart rate, and adjusted accordingly. Since then the training has been fine and at times I've even enjoyed the comfortable pace. It's like I'm getting away with something. Not to mention I have noticed a slight increase in my pace since the beginning of this training without an effect on my heart rate. More importantly to me, I haven't slowed down. In fact, in early January I had a solid 7:45 min/mile 10k.
Does it work? Well, I won't really know until August 28th. So until then I guess I'll just keep at it.
Base training. Let me first explain what that means and how that differs from any other training period. Basically it means training at slower speeds and lower heart rates over longer distances. The point is to train the body to burn stored fat for fuel so you can maintain energy throughout an entire day/race. All, or at least most, workouts are done at a level (in most cases determined by heart rate zones) that is aerobic and fat burning. This is in contrast to anaerobic workouts (carbohydrate burning) - intense bursts to promote strength, speed, power, and muscle mass. The theory is that over a period of time your aerobic strength/stamina (not sure about the right terminology) will improve and your speed/pace will gradually get faster while your heart rate will stay relatively stable. Essentially getting faster will get easier on your body. Behind the scenes your body is more effective at breaking down stored fat for energy.
Here are additional articles that are way more informed than my short little paragraph above.
http://www.markallenonline.com/maoArticles.aspx?AID=4
http://www.trifuel.com/training/triathlon-training/aerobic-base-training-going-slower-to-get-faster
Sounds like a great idea right? Of course! The problem for me, and for most athletes I think, is having the patience to actually go SLOW. I hated it. I've always been of the mindset that if I go faster in my training I will 1) be faster in the end and 2) finish my workout sooner (well...if you're training by distance that is). In addition, Gabe hated it and I don't blame him. It wasn't very fun to run with me. Every time I hit a hill, even a bump, my heart rate would skyrocket. Granted, my heart rate isn't super normal. I have a hummingbird heart. To put that into perspective, my heart rate starts at 180 when I start running and typically averages around 195 for a normal run. I can still hold a conversation between 190 and 195.
The first several months were miserable. Initially, Daryl used the generic calculation to get my heart rate zones set up. This resulted in me going for runs at a 12 min/mile pace which in and of itself isn't a terrible idea since I should be training slower than my pace but it literally became painful to run that slow. I was changing my stride and was basically just jumping up and down in place. After a bit of whining, Daryl assessed my stride, form and heart rate, and adjusted accordingly. Since then the training has been fine and at times I've even enjoyed the comfortable pace. It's like I'm getting away with something. Not to mention I have noticed a slight increase in my pace since the beginning of this training without an effect on my heart rate. More importantly to me, I haven't slowed down. In fact, in early January I had a solid 7:45 min/mile 10k.
Does it work? Well, I won't really know until August 28th. So until then I guess I'll just keep at it.
2.16.2011
Waterfalls, Waves, and Warmth in Winter
I'm quite creative when it comes to 'W' words apparently. I must admit, it does sum up our vacation to Kauai nicely.
This winter, our chosen warm-weather destination was Kauai. Back in late Summer/early Fall I recall dreaming of meeting friends in Belize but as is always the case with lofty destination ideas the prices for tickets were unreasonable. So we canned the friendcation idea and selfishly stole off for the Hawaiian Islands where a free condo room awaited. Our timing could not have been more perfect. The entire week before our arrival the island saw rainfall after rainfall. The week we were there - pure bliss at a comfortable 80 degrees with sunny skies.
Kauai is known as the garden island. It's lush, less populated, and more 'outdoorsy'. My itinerary had us hiking, snorkeling, swimming, lounging, and helicoptering - in no particular order. And that is precisely what we did. It was awesome!
Like most warm and tropical vacations there really isn't much to tell. We slept, we ate, we sunbathed - story over. But, there was the helicopter ride. Everyone I talked to before we left for the island said that the helicopter ride was worth the money. I figured 'why not'. So on the second day of our trip Gabe and I went on an hour long helicopter tour put on by Safari helicopters. It was spectacular. We got an up-close look at magnificent waterfalls (including the one from the opening scenes of Jurassic Park), the jagged cliffs of the Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon, Waialeale Crater, and all the gorgeous scenery in between. I think what made the tour worthwhile was the fact that Gabe and I got to sit in front with the pilot. We had the best seats in the house.
On that note - here are the pictures of this island paradise. Definitely my favorite island to date.
2.14.2011
Hosting Turkey Day
Last year my brother hosted Thanksgiving...so...that meant that this year was my turn. The guest list - Mom/Dad, Collin/Demetra/Baby Zoey, Jeanette, Tricia/Chris, Gabe and me. There was a lot of work before hand to get our house 'hosting' ready. Gabe painted 3 rooms (pictures to come later) and I cleaned like a mad woman. In the end, the meal turned out excellent, the company was great, and the snow beautiful! I would do it again...in a few years - it's EXHAUSTING!
The Menu
Appetizers:
Crackers and Assorted Cheeses
Wanton (Collin)
Dinner:
Blue Cheese Pear Tart (Tricia)
Three Bean Salad (Jeanette)
Macaroni and Cheese (Collin)
Rolls (David)
Mashed Potatoes
Stuffing
Turkey
Dessert:
Apple Pie (Mom)
Pumpkin Pie (Mom)
Drinks:
Wine
Beer
Pomegranate Martinis
And now for the mouth watering pictures!
Night before prep work - making 'the stock' which totally made the meal.
My Mom taught me well - it's all about presentation.
Stuffing prep
Snowy day
Constant basting
Salad and appetizer prep
DELICIOUS!
Appetizer spread - I think I was full before we even ate dinner.
Tater on time out.
Gorgeous bird!
Sitting down to eat.
Five minutes later.
I had to try both pies.
Maxing and relaxing post meal.
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