RunningAHEAD love.

I use the website RunningAHEAD for my workout log. In the past few months, it has been upgraded to much better handle multisport training/logging.

And this week, it went over the top with Garmin integration. I am OCD about tracking my workouts, etc, and now I don't need to have multiple separate logs, or use the Garmin Training Center, which I really didn't like, or rely on another website to hold my data. I can upload my Garmin data straight to my RunningAHEAD log. And it spits out a Google Map and multiple graphs for each workout- pace, elevation, speed, HR, etc.

Love, love. And to top it all off, it's a FREE website.

Funny enough, I have been doing a lot of running along the West Side, as I am 1) too lazy/cold to walk the entire 1/2 mile to Central Park, and 2) bc it's pancake flat.

However, google maps is telling me it's not pancake flat (from today's run):

(these are the automatic graphs, that come with a simple 'embed' link..so so great!)

I was so confused, but when I realized where those 'hills' were in the actual run, it's a new section of Riverside Park South that has just opened in the last few months. I am pretty sure it is not yet updated in Google Maps yet, and is freaking Google out. Funny stuff.

Because no schedule is ever final.

I have to be in Cape Town for work through July 23rd (I am NOT complaining).

However, the NYC Tri is July 26th. You lose a day traveling back from Africa. So I would likely get back about 24 hours before the race.

To defer? To withdraw? To suck it up buttercup and race? ugh. I just emailed about a refund if I withdraw, which I am sure is not happening.

What to do, what to do.

Something to be happy about!

February 25, 2009

Congratulations SARAH!

You're eligible for guaranteed entry to the most spectacular marathon in the world, the ING New York City Marathon 2009, on Sunday, November 1. To claim your guaranteed entry, you must apply.

So excited to kick my own 2008's ass!

In a Funk.

This is the first time in my life I truly believe in SAD- Seasonal Affective Disorder. I think it may be a whole combination of factors, but I am in a huge funk, and think the only thing that is going to help is some warm sun.

I thought my trip to Cali would do it, but a lack of sun didn't help matters, and seeing my friends made me miss them all that much more.

Rant on:
-I think my management company has turned the heat of the building off/on low. I wake up with frozen fingers/nose. This does not help with my desire to get out of bed. Ditto with lack of hot water.
-I want it to be sunny before 7am so I can run. In the morning. Outside.
-I'm sick of the treadmill.
-My gym smells
-My head hurts
-I am CONSTANTLY tired (even only after running 2/x last week for a whopping 8 miles)
-I hate my hair right now. ha
off.

I also think the fact that I basically missed two months of winter last year with my trip to India/Africa is contributing. I am trying to keep my head up and get back into a groove, and look forward to a few things I have coming up, including a trip home and a trip to Miami for work (play), then it will be APRIL!! Spring!

Hysterical.

In other news, I got in my second NYC-cab accident today. I walked away with a fat, bloody lip, but I hit my face so hard on the partition I am lucky it wasn't my nose, cheek or teeth. It will be interesting to see how black/blue it is in the morning. Of course, when 'the boy' may be coming tomorrow night. SOOOOO typical.

Triathlon Season...starts NOW (tomorrow)

It rained EVERY SINGLE day I was in California. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? It did allow lots of quality time with my friends, but REALLY!?!

On Valentine's Day, after a long walk up and over Coit Tower and a fabulous Ferry Building brunch, the rain regulated us to baking and wine drinking.

Mmmm Apple Galette.

OK, no more bitching allowed. The rain and crap weather, in addition to my brother now living there, means I just have to go back.

Bay to Breakers is OUT, so I am thinking.....maybe I will go for a little swim if my work travel schedule allows it???



In other news...

I decided triathlon training officially starts today. As in, some biking and swimming will be added back into the schedule. I won't admit how long it has been since I did either...Nothing crazy right now, just one or two spin classes per week and a longer trainer ride on the weekend, and one swim per week.

Oh, and when I say 'today', I obviously mean 'tomorrow', as my bed was way more comfortable than my trainer this morning after the red eye monday night.**




**This was obviously the correct decision, as I woke up to NO HOT WATER this morning and am a stinky, pony-tailed mess at work right now.

Staying positive...

Despite rain soaked days and temps colder than NYC, I have had a randomly-amazing trip so far...

It has included white (albino?) peacocks..

Freshly picked avocados...

Rainbows...

And endless views.

Peanut Butter in SOUP!??!

ZKD, can we make this next week please??

East African Groundnut Soup*

(found via apartment therapy)

3 cups chopped onions

3 celery stalks, diced
1 Tablespoon oil
2 bell peppers (any color), diced
1 dash cayenne (more for hotter)
2 Tablespoons curry powder
1 cup brown rice
1 28oz can diced tomatoes
6 cups water
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1 Tablespoon sugar
Juice of one lime

Chopped cilantro, chopped scallions, and/or ground peanuts for toppings (optional).

In a large pot, saute the onions and celery ~10 minutes on medium heat. Add the bell peppers and saute ~5 minutes more. Add the cayenne and curry powder. Add the rice, water, tomatoes and salt. Stir well. Cover the pot and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and let cook ~40 minutes, until rice is tender. Whisk in the peanut butter, lime juice, and sugar. Add water if soup is too thick. Taste it, and add more salt or sugar as needed. Serve topped with chopped scallions, cilantro, ground peanuts, lime wedges, etc. This recipe makes approximately 12 servings. 

*This recipe is totally veg friendly, but I think I would add some shredded chicken to make it a bit more substantial.  Or maybe some type of neutral tasting bean??

I will def. post a review once I try this out.

Three more days...

and I will be replacing this....

grr more snow in NYC

with this....

Sunset in Santa Barbara!

..and then this!

yay for long trail runs on the Dipsea!

New Loves.

Cute.

Comfy.

and $36.99

If I'm not spending the money on life-long shoes, I try to be as cheap as possible (while maintaining comfort) because most shoes get trashed after 1 season from all the walking you do in NYC. 

I have found that Gap Flats fit the "comfy/cheap/one season" rule, especially because you can always find them on sale.  

(Oh, and the skirt? Total steal because of a broken zipper...nothing a few safety pins can't fix!)

Pardon the Interruption...

...I really need to get TV back into my life :)