Amazon Strength

Hawaii is Hot like the Amazon

2008-07-18T16:32:00.002-04:00

So I did my first road race in Hawaii the Lanikai Bike Path 8k. And let me tell you my results are pitiful. I have a hard time running in this oppressive heat. But alas I am determined to gain speed and eliminate the chub rub.
Here check out my sad race results http://www.mprrc.com/r08lanikai.html

Mudders and Grunters 08

2008-04-12T19:21:00.007-04:00

I forgot that I was supposed to post these pics over a week ago. They are form my favorite race to run: Mudders and Grunters! There is a lot of prep work involved...and a ton of post run maintenance to be done...as you can see in the pictures below of poor Amazon Hill:

Dress in layers and bring a ton of extras

Duct tape your shoes on. It's a must!

Post Race Clea-up:

Un-tape your shoes, if you're lucky enough to still have both on.

You might consider throwing out the socks.

Caked on mud is not a real problem...just never wear your good shoes.

The reason for this mess? (Sorry that it's sideways...it's still fun though!)

Amazon Revival

2008-04-11T17:27:00.006-04:00

I know you're busy preparing for Amazon Babies, but I was just checkin' to see if there were any Mudders & Grunters pics. My training has taken a downfall (as usual). My Jorge Posada thighs aren't enough to motivate me to hit the track. Arggggg....what to do. I don't want you Amazon Baby to kick my arse.

Click her to see what your baby will be like - http://content.ll-0.com/vitalchoiceseafood/vitalchoiceseafood_e_a000798999.JPG?i=042007011353

Time to get Amazon!

2007-08-06T15:43:00.001-04:00

I think it's time to get back on the Amazon trail! I bought some motivating new gear....athletic skorts! I love that I'm not the only one wearing skorts these days. And I can even run in them now. The black one is nice enough to wear to work and then go running after! Awesome!

Gearing up, getting ready

2006-12-28T20:03:00.000-05:00

Still posting mainly on Tri like you get paid, but I'm planning and scheming and scheduling gym sessions so I can post all about my strength training plus whatever other workouts are going to lead me to Amazon Strength!

Now to find Amazon Hil...

Where are the Amazons?

2006-12-21T20:16:00.000-05:00

I'm still around, but just not posting here because I'm not feeling very Amazon-like, and I know Amazon Hil has been working her tail off doing her Reading Teacher thang.

I hope to be back next week once I survive Christmas! Maybe I'll see whomever then!

Restarting the Amazon Within

2006-09-09T22:30:00.000-04:00

I think I'm finally going to kick myself into gear again. I have an appointment with my mom to go to the gym to lift weights. We haven't done in about 3 months and it's about high time we get back on that horse and ride.

So tonight, I'm packing my gym bag complete with brand spankin' new weight lifting gloves so I don't develop painful, peeling calluses this time around.

Muscles...here I come!

I feel a race coming on...

2006-09-05T17:54:00.000-04:00

Hey, Amazon Hil, we haven't done this one in a while: Albany Race for the Cure!

Why don't we check our schedules and see if it's a match!

Aaaaaw, maaaaaan

2006-08-23T21:12:00.000-04:00

You think a girl would learn. I officially declare it out loud, in writing, on a public blog that Panera Bread is the enemy. I've eaten there twice in my life and let me tell you, sister...I got screwed both times. Sadly, by the same sandwich: The Portabella and mozzarella Panini....heavenly, divine, 17 friggin' Weight Watchers points.

I think I need to make that more clear. 17. Friggin'. Weight Watchers. Points. Points that I will never see again. Points that I didn't even have. I had 10 flexies left in my core week. I am dead. Dead, I tell you. Gah!

I don't even know what to do with myself I am so flabbergasted. I think I might try to recoup my losses and be as strict as possible for the rest of the week with out going so strict that I explode into a binging frenzy. (If only my frenzies were exercise related.....ahhhhh, one can dream!)

Iportion Tip

2006-08-17T18:22:00.000-04:00

On Iportion's blog I was given the challenge of putting a tip on my blog...so here's my Amazon tip o' the day:

If you can't fit in 30 minutes of cardio at one time, you can break it up into 3-10 minute mini session...walk up a few flights of stairs at work...take a few brisk walks during the day. It all adds up!

I'm not feeling it

2006-08-17T17:59:00.000-04:00

I'm not feeling the Amazon within these days. It's very sad. I've got to get up off my butt and get to the gym. I don't have to do everything, I just have to do something! I can't even seem to get outside for a walk that lasts more than 5 minutes. Gah!

Are there any lurkers out there that can help me get out of this stubborn rut?

Amazon Sleeping Sickness

2006-08-07T17:27:00.000-04:00

I'm sorry to say that I wasn't around this past weekend, Amazon Hil. I was in too many places in too short of a time period. If you're daring, you can read about it here.

My Amazon-ness is taking a slow turn for the worst. I have been so crazy busy that I have not gone to the gym except to bring stuff to Chris while he's working.

We need an Amazon Pact! But not until I'm done with this week long class I'm taking. It's a ton of work and it's only day one!

I'm still here

2006-08-03T14:21:00.000-04:00

I just wanted to write to let you know that I have not forgotten our blogs and that I am still here. I am practically done with my first semester. ANd that paper on Interventions for children with autism got a good grade. I got a 14.5 out of 15. Not too shabby! I got .5 off only because of some rules of APA citing that I didn't do properly. Not because of the context of the paper, so that's cool.
Amazon training has taken a plunge, although surprisingly the scale is reading lower than ever! That might just be because all that dense muscle is oozing into lighter softer blubber that doesn't weigh as much. Anyhow, I would like to get a merlot and chat. Are you around this weekend?

Say what?

2006-07-27T20:07:00.000-04:00

I am the first person to be uninvited to a wedding in the history of the world. I'm not at liberty to discuss this in detail. I have made mention of it on my other blog: here. If things settle out the way I'm hoping they will, I might share the sorted, bizarro, story with all of you during an evening of imbibing. (Makes me think of the TLC commercials about life lessons: Merlot and email don't mix)

Anyway, I have done a whole lot of nothin' in the way of training, becoming Amazon strong, or even driving any where close to the gym. I have been L-A-Z-Y, and frankly, I ain't got no alibi.

I have the day off tomorrow, so I'm hoping to get some restful sleep, get in a decent (for me) run, and treat myself to a yoga class at the gym tomorrow night. I need the exercise, but I desperately need the stress release as well.

Here's to beginning again!

Couldn't I just rub some cream on it?

2006-07-21T13:43:00.000-04:00

I went to the dermatologist today for a little hanging thing on my eye lid that I was lid would probably be nothing and would just need a little cream or a little snip. I'm smart, I should have realized that a diagnosis over the phone from the receptionist probably wouldn't be accurate. Turns out that I had a small cyst on my eyelid and that if he didn't burn it off, it would keep growing and possible become infected.

That's right, he said those words: BURN IT OFF

I have a recommendation for all of you out there in blogland. If you can avoid having any sort of needle stuck into your eyelid, run away as fast as you can. It is incredibly painful, not to mention your natural reflex is to twitch out, and tear up. Also, when your doctor tells you to close your eyes as he's prepping the needle, do it. Long needles that are intended for you eyelid should be kept secret.

The swelling has gone down significantly, plus the fact that I have to rinse my eye with an eye cup every 15 minutes, so there is less blood in the area.

It won't be long 'til I'm Amazon Strong

2006-07-19T19:44:00.000-04:00

I just made that up, but I think it's going to be my new mantra. I ran on my birthday despite crazy temperature that just kept rising and rising. (I was smart and went in the morning before things got too bad). I'm hoping that the weather is going to get a little cooler in the next couple of days so that I can run again. I just can not run outside, in the afternoon after work, when it's over 93 degrees out. I would get up early to run, but I'm lazy...that and the humidity makes it feel like it's 90 degrees out. No go there, either.

I've got to get my gym routine back into full swing. I've got to get the running thing back into full swing. I've got a ton to do, and less time that I thought I would have considering it's summer. My parents are away on vacation, so I've been working my mom's hours down at the yacht club she manages. Plus, I had to fill in some snack bar hours on my last day off. I'm not lyin', it was at least 109 degrees in there on Monday. I thought I was going to get heat stroke. Thank goodness the pool wasn't crowded so I got to jump into the pool a couple of time before things go to awful!

As for training, I've got to make a better plan and actually stick to it.

DOWN BUT NOT OUT

2006-07-11T11:37:00.000-04:00

All work and no play makes AMAZONHIL a dull girl.
My one professor is a total amazon, it must come with the literacy territory. Although, she's special ed actually.
Anyhow, I have gotten in some runs and I am going to try to join the moms for soccer this wednesday. My calves are killing me from running two days in a row, even though they were only 20 minutes runs. It's so much harder to run in this heat. ANd I have fallen so far off the wagon it's hard getting back on. It's like a mount everest climb getting back on that wagon. I did yoga and pilates this week as well. But that's only two days so I can't brag yet. Not until I keep it up for a few weeks. There's a race I want to do this weekend but it conflicts with a huge MExican Wedding that I am invited to. The race is the Indian Ladder Trail run at Thatcher Park, nice venue.
I was getting slim, I saw the 130s!!!!!! And it was great. I was so proud of myself, and I rewarded myself by not excercising and not eating salads. And now that number is a distant memory, but I am working my way back to it. I love my thighs so much more in the 130s. And I was sticking to a half marathon training plan, and I don't know what happened. I just stopped. Now I am trying to start again. I want to do the Schroon Lake Half Marathon in September. That would be cool. Any tri's you want to do Alanna? I haven't got any yet!

Back, with a vengeance!

2006-07-06T18:46:00.000-04:00

I'm back, after a week or two of class, puking and back troubles, I made it back to the gym for a half hour of light cardo. Okay, so 30 minutes of cardio may not be vengeful, but you gotta wade back into these things...especially with the way my back felt yesterday!

I'm trying to decide what kind of workout I'm going to do tomorrow. I've got other things already on my plate. For example, I'd like to take my dog for a swim. For him, swim=fun. For me swim=an easy way to give him the "bath of shame"...once he's out of the river, he's to tired to fight the hose.

I think I might also get a haircut. It's about time. I've been putting off for about 8 months now. Pretty sad.

I know Amazon Hil is around here somewhere, but she recently started a MPS in Literacy, so I think her Amazon training time has been decreased. Let's just cross our fingers for her and hope that she can get some runs in!

Oh where, oh where have the amazons gone...

2006-06-29T18:43:00.000-04:00

I'm not even sure where we could be....it's a change of work season for me, and I still can't get it together! School is out, although, I'm taking a class on Reader's and Writer's Workshops...fun, but leaves little, or actually with homework, no time to be a full Amazon!

Next week will be different. I'm working 18 school hours a week, instead of the school year 35.

I wonder what Amazon Hil is up to.....

One more thing.....

2006-06-18T14:44:00.000-04:00

After all that talk about feeling like a lady sumo...I lost 2.4 this week. Sick, right?

New word : Orthorexia Nervosa

2006-06-18T14:39:00.000-04:00

I just learned about this eating disorder today. It's not an "official" eating disorder as of yet, but I think it might warrant some looking into. How many of us obsess about what we put into our mouths until the point that we lay awake at night trying to figure out what we are going to eat at a party that will be healthy, and not go over "points".....I'm still just learning about this term.

Here's an article on Orthorexia Nervosa. Enjoy!

Where did the wagon go?

2006-06-15T19:32:00.000-04:00

Okay, I have fallen off the wagon. I don't know where it went. I don't know how the Mike's Light Hard Lemonade got into my fridge. I'm not sure who ate all those cookies, but I'm pretty sure it was me. I just can't seem to get back on track. I'm starting to feel like a sumo wrestler. I haven't gained all my weight back or anything like that, but if I can't get a grip on what I'm eating, I'm done for!

Super Zen

2006-06-01T20:11:00.000-04:00

I am super Zen. My husband and I have a date to go to Rest and Relaxation yoga tomorrow night! Hopefully my brittle twig arms can withstand the poses... I know I can absolutely do Shavasana, the corpse pose, which is what ends every class!

Not very Zen

2006-05-25T20:07:00.000-04:00

Recently, I've been thinking about the rest and relaxation yoga class that I used to attend on Friday nights at my gym. I used to tell people that class was the only reason I survived working in the Bronx Public School system. I miss that class. I miss the total relaxation of of that class. The peaceful sleep that washed over me in the evening after that class. The calm feeling the class provided me with that lasted at least until Wednesday of the following week.

So, the big question is: Why can't I seem to get my behind back into that class? I have no excuse...except maybe that the class is at a weird time, but hey, I could actually deal with that if I had to.

I need a yoga-minded drill sergeant to kick my arse back into that class!

BACK ON THE WAGON

2006-05-22T11:26:00.000-04:00

I was doing great in my Amazon Training and sometime around when the rain started coming everyday, my exercises petered out and the numbers on the scale started to climb.
Now after these weeks off I feel like I was never in shape in the first place. I have to start from scratch. My goal now is to dedicate at least half an hour everyday to exercise. Today I started out with yoga. And I might run with Ryan after work. At least by dedicating some time in the morning, I have accomplished something. ANd If I go for a run, then that is an added bonus.
Since I stopped being on a health kick my head has hurt everyday and my body is crying for me to love it again. Last night I watched Desperate Housewives Season Finale and ate cream puffs. Now its time to substitute cream puffs for dried fruit and stretch while I am watching TV.

A brief interruption

2006-05-18T10:55:00.000-04:00

Last night while my mom and I were lifting weights, I got a wicked headache in my left temple. I thought I was going to die. Did I weenie out and stop? No way, Jose! I kept going and pushing and I made my head ache worse. Aren't I the smartest person ever? Well, yes and no. I did decide to skip spinning, which would have raised my heart rate considerably and possibly made my head explode, literally.

The spin bike pic I posted here is actually the same model my gym has. It's awesome. So much better than the old ones. The seat has more range of motion forward and back with millimeter increment, instead of plugs an inch from one another. It makes for a very exact fit. I really like that.

Booger-ific

2006-05-11T20:23:00.000-04:00

I now have a myriad of new excuses for why I am not able to run outside:

I am boogerific. For those of you who are blessed and do not have allergies, you may not know what it is like to be boogerific. It is the state of being in which your cranium has a very high mucus to brain ratio. I think mine is currently 3:1...Mucus is winning.
The pollen in the air is giving me a rash on my face. If I don't look good at the end, it ain't happening.
I am way too tired from work. The teens on my campus (think alternative high school) are extra cranky and work resistant due to spring fever. I think they might even be in heat, but I'm not going to do any studies to follow up on that statement, so don't ask.
I am obsessed with World of Warcraft. I must get my character past sergeant! I've been playing most evenings for at least 45 minutes and doing battlegrounds whenever I can. I need to kill those stupid Alliance characters and build honor within my army, but I digress. (And I'm going to play when I get home tonight!)
I need, need, need new running shoes. Like now. I have not one dime to put towards this for another couple of weeks.

If, on the off chance I develop more excuses as to why I am not running outside, I will surely keep you all updated!

Behind the Scenes

2006-05-08T12:15:00.000-04:00

Yes, I have not been blogging as much as I should lately. I think it's because of my fear of lackluster blogging. I have no triathlons to train for. I'm not really running outside because of all the stinkin' pollen. All I've really been doing is weight training. That's not all that much to talk about.....

I am getting stronger, though. I'm seeing occasional changes in my body.

I've got to get on the ball with the running. Then I'll have lots to post about!

SEE SPOT RUN

2006-05-08T09:47:00.000-04:00

I ran the Literacy 5k on Sunday and posted my BEST TIME EVER!!!! My time was 26:47 (or something close to that, I have yet to check the official results), but it was DEFINATELY in the 26's. I told Ryan from now on I am going to try to run my age or better.
I think doing speed exercises with Ryan helped me to run a good time. Because I am used to the feeling of pushing myself and so it's not scary. I just kept thinking, this is like a speed workout and I survive those. Awwww, this is killing me, but I remember this feeling and I remember it going away. I know that I can do this. I just kept talking to myself like that and really pushing myself. After the initial pang of death, IT WAS GREAT!!!!!!!!

LAW DAY RUN

2006-05-01T16:05:00.000-04:00

GUESS WHAT!!!! I ran this 5k and got my 2nd best time EVER!!! http://www.hmrrc.com/View/PDFs/Results/06lawday.htm
I ran 29:20! I am super proud to have broke that 1/2 hour mark!!!
The trick was running next to a woman who was obviously faster and fitter than me. It made me push myself. Without her I would have ran slower to avoid that feeling of your chest imploding! But what I realize now, is that chest implosion means your about to break your usual time...and that ROCKS!!!!!

1/2 Marathon Training for the Novice Runner

2006-04-26T11:16:00.000-04:00

Even though we've been running for awhile, I still think this looks like a good plan because it doesn't seem back-breaking.http://running.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=running&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.halhigdon.com%2Fhalfmarathon%2Fnovice.htm

RACE FOR LITERACY

2006-04-26T10:03:00.000-04:00

Hey Alanna,
Do you want to get together next weekend for some AMAZON FUN! Should I sign you up for this race http://www.lvorc.org/LitRun06.htm $15.00 or $20.00 on race day. I will pay your registration if you make the trip :-)
Let me know if you're down!

Amazon Kryptonite

2006-04-23T13:28:00.000-04:00

Girl Scout cookies. 6 boxes. Need I say more?

"I can run for miles and miles"

2006-04-19T16:53:00.000-04:00

So...I am doing this training schedule from Runners World magazine that gears you up for a half marathon. It's 3 runs a week. One for speed, one for tempo, one for distance.
So Monday night I was finishing week 3 (a day late because I was busy pigging out on Easter weekend). Each week finishes with a distance. So this one was 10 MILES!!!
I sort of cheated because I had my friend Holly with me the first 5.8 miles, she is a new runner so I was running really slow and keeping her going. Then Ryan met up with me as she was getting tired and it was getting dark soo that I wouldn't have to run alone in the dark (awwwww, what a sweetheart). So I ran only about 4 miles or so with him (maybe I only ran 9.8, I don't know for sure). And that part was at a good pace for me (which is 10 minute miles on distances over 5k). But I certainly had a lot of energy because I wasn't even working up a heartbeat for the first 5.8 miles. But the distance is still the same so I couldn't have cheated myself that much! Tonight are my speed exercises, those make me want to cry.

A Possibility of Race?

2006-04-18T12:53:00.000-04:00

Hey Amazon Hil! Are you going to be visiting your mother on Mother's Day? If so, do you wanna do the Taconic Road Runner's Mother's Day Race? I'm just putting it out there.....

2006-04-14T15:25:00.000-04:00

OH and here's Irene, if you click on the X it shows you the picture.

MY FIRST ACTUAL POST!!

2006-04-14T09:59:00.000-04:00

Look Alanna I am making a Post. There should be a picture of me falling into the mud. It's so precious! I only know it is me, because I recognize the my shirt.

Where does the time go?

2006-04-13T19:07:00.000-04:00

I can't believe I haven't posted in a week! I'm on vacation, so it's not as if I don't have the time or anything! I think I've just been spending too much of my allotted computer time playing World of Warcraft (aka, Warcrack, Warcrap, or Dorkcraft)

So Amazon Hil wants to run the Race for Literacy. I might be up for that. I think my Sunday job at the library might see that as a valuable race to run...now to check my calendar....

Amazon Mud!

2006-04-03T10:37:00.000-04:00

It all started out fine.....but then,

Amazon Hil apparently fell into the last water hazard head first! Meanwhile, I sank into 12 inches of mud and had to squish my way out!
The aftermath was also stunning...I had fallen while in the woods, thank God Amazon Hil did not see that, or else I'd never live it down (I still have a photo

from Teatown of me lying prone on the trail floor) I came out of the woods with cuts and bruises.

Fortunately for all of us, I don't have a picture of what Amazon Hil came out of the woods with....dirt in her nose! WOOOOOO..this photo might be why...look behind the upright woman:

All in all a success. So, when is our next race, Hil?

Time is a-tickin'

2006-03-29T12:24:00.000-05:00

Mudders and Grunters is coming up fast and furious...don't even think about backing out, Amazon Hil, you invited other friends to go!

Did I mention that you should wear old clothes? Also, we're gonna need some shower time before we go for drinks...you did invite Renee and Kate to drink, right?

Mudders and Grunters

2006-03-26T16:20:00.000-05:00

Amazon Hill and I are going to get to see each other for once this upcoming Sunday so we can do Mudders and Grunters together. I just hope she remembers to bring veggie bags and duct tape or else she'll be losing a shoe!

Where do I get my Amazon Strength?

2006-03-17T08:57:00.000-05:00

SUSHI...made with brown rice, of course. It's Friday and it's the day I and a co-worker treat ourselves to Tuna maki made with brown rice. It makes the work week ever so much more livable knowing that if I can make it through to Friday I get yummy, yummy sushi.

Not only does sushi give me Amazon strength, but it's helping me blast the fat off of my Amazon rump!

Spinning

2006-03-16T08:07:00.000-05:00

I went to spin class last night, and the chart above is my evidence! I remembered to wear my heart rate monitor to class and recorded the whole class. I'm also very excited that I figured out how to get the chart in here.

If you look towards the middle of the class,you can see the time where I was actually feeling dizzy and ill.....I looked down at my watch to check my watch to check my heart rate: 187. A tad high. Okay, okay, before you freak out, let me assure that I wasn't feeling super dizzy, only a little...and it was a though part of the class. Cadence on a very steep simulated climb.

I'm feeling great this morning, although a bit tired. I went to bed late for a school night. Thank God Thursday is usually a day of rest for me. I am tempted to try to get a 20 minute run in between job number 1 and job number 2...but that really depends on how long the student discussion meeting lasts at job1.

Ain't liftin' a biotch?

2006-03-15T12:32:00.000-05:00

My running is not up to par yet, but I have been lifting weights like a pro. By the time Mudders and Grunters rolls around, I am going to be buff! Slow and tired, but buff! I might even flex for you, Hill!

For the race, don't forget to pack duct tape and veggie bags.

I really think that this blog thing is going to work for our long distance training partnership!

Amazon

2006-03-15T12:25:00.000-05:00

So, let's see if this works...
My eating plan needs improvement but my exercising is fairly good.
Ryan brought home a RunnersWorld Magazine, with a training plan for a half marathon. It's three days a week and looks doable I can make you a copy and mail it to you. Then we can maybe do the Virginia Beach halfmarathon in September or the one on The Big Sur in October.
Today I had Garbage Bread for lunch (booooo)
But I have a doubleheader soccer game tonight (yaaaaaaa)
Can't wait to see you for Mudders and Grunters. Maybe my nephews can come cheer us on if the weather is not too bad. And then you'll see how cute they are.