2012 Racing Schedule

With the Penguins finally adding to the 2012 "W" column, Tim Tebow out of the playoffs (some please let ESPN know this) and my husband (the NY Giant's fan) happy, it's time to get around to setting my race schedule for the new year.

Typically I've done my "big" race in the Fall, but this year, things are going to be different.  Upon finding out that the swim would be cancelled during the 2011 Poconos 70.3, I made a knee-jerk reaction and registered for the Syracuse 70.3 which is being held in late June.  (In my defense, I couldn't wait a full year to put that 70.3 sticker on my car and since they don't make 69.1 stickers, I had to do what I had to do.)  

A few things about the Syracuse 70.3... 

1. It's the same weekend as the Philadelphia Triathlon, an event that my tri coach usually places highly in, the event all of the people I train with will be doing and basically the highlight of the summer for triathletes in Philly. Very sad to miss this.
2. The first 12 miles are a hill.  Including a 3.57 mile 3.5% grade hill.
3. I've never done a big event this close to winter.  Loving the weather so far, but nervous about Feb-March and getting long runs/rides in. 
4. My husband has family around Syracuse and I'll have a ton of friend support having gone to college so close, this is a huge bonus! 

Here's what I have leading up to the Syracuse race...so far...

February

11 - Cupid's Chase 5k - Philadelphia (goal = sub 26 min)

March

18- Anthem Half-Marathon - VA Beach (goal = sub 2 hours)
24-25 - UWHL Hockey Playoffs (goal = UWHL Championship)

April

1 - Cherry Blossom 10 miler - DC (goal = sub 1 hour, 30 min)

26-29 - Over 30 Women's Ice Hockey Nationals - Tampa, FL (National title)

May

6 - Broad Street Run 10 miler - Philadelphia (goal = faster than Cherry Blossom)

13 - Komen Race for the Cure 5k - Pittsburgh (goal = sub 27 min)
20 - American Zofingen Duathlon - Catskills (goal = finish)

June
3 - Nav-E Sink or Swim 2.4 miler - Jersey Shore (goal = sub 1 hour, 20 min)
24 - Syracuse 70.3 - Syracuse, NY (goal = finish)

In addition to my full book of resolutions written for 2012, I've written a few that relate to my athletic endeavors.  Right now, I only have two races on my schedule that I did in 2011...that will be the Cupid's Chase and Broad Street Run.  While I've run other half-marathons and 10 milers, those are the only two races that can be fairly direct comparisons.  Sadly, I will only have one triathlon to compare (NJ State Triathlon in July) and that's only if I chose to do the Sprint.  I will do Poconos again this year, however without the swim last year, it'll be hard to compare - sadly given my luck it could turn out to be a 69.1 again anyway.

None the less, here are some of my resolutions.

• Record all workouts and nutrition on Training Peaks.  I pay enough for this awesome tool, that I should use it more.  Just hoping my coach doesn't read my nutrition log and request I either go to Cheese-aholics Anonymous and/or the Betty Ford Clinic for Winos.
•  Break 25 minutes in a 5k.
• Average no less than 16.5 mph on the bike in all races.
• Finish in the top 50% in my age group in all races.
• Win at least 2 games at the National Tournament with my Over 30 ice hockey team, the Philadelphia Voodoo.
• Finish my hockey season averaging a point per game for both of my teams.
• Get back to my post-San Francisco Marathon weight prior to the Syracuse race.  (As of this post still 10 lbs over.)

I'm sure there and will be many are more..  Those of you who know me know that I revise my resolution book at Chinese New Year, Jewish New Year, Dawali and most Mondays.

Happy Racing in 2012.

The Winter Classic

So I had intended to keep this blog up a bit more regularly, but it's been a little rough with The Holidays.  Alas, tonight is Game 2 this season of the Battle of Pennsylvania, so time to get writing.

Most of you that know me, know that I love the game of hockey.  I play on not one, but two teams in Philadelphia.  I stay up late to watch the West Coast Games, pay extra for both the NHL Package on Comcast, as well as, Satellite Radio (okay, that's just so I can hear Mike Lange call goals) and generally, love all things hockey.  As you might expect, I was thrilled for HBO's 24/7 to launch this season.  While I despise the Flyers,  Talbot is always good for a laugh, and while not so much anymore, the Rangers have always been the dumping ground for some of my favorite former Pens.  This year I couldn't watch the debut episode of 24/7 live, so I DVR'd it.  And you know what?  It's still sitting there...only one episode recorded...30 seconds watched.  As soon as the opening footage started to roll, tears welled up in my eyes and I suddenly got nauseous.

Last year's Winter Classic was great!  I watched every second of the HBO footage from the Greatest City on the Planet, laughed my ass off at Boudreau's chicken sauce soaked face and clung to every word Danny Disco said in the locker room.

Winter Classic Weekend I met Brendan Shanahan...

made 2 out of 3 shots in Sidney Crosby's dryer (would have been all 3 but I rushed #2)...

attended the Alumni Game and saw my childhood heroes skate again...

And this year?  Well, I don't care.  Okay it's not that I don't care, it's that I get too nervous watching the game.  I used to be nervous about the outcome of the game and now I'm holding my breath for what's going to happen next.  2011 couldn't have been a worse year for hockey and I can't wait for it to be over.  I feel like since January 1 of 2011 we've been taking some really hard hits, some, unbearably tragic.  The rain that day should have been a sign.  Being a Yinzer (read: highly superstitious) and also a hockey fan (read: believes in Hockey Gods) I have to believe that 2012 will be better.  I'm not someone who believes the game should be "soft" (I firmly believe that fighting has a place in the NHL) nor do I believe that every injury is avoidable, but I have to believe that the Worlds Greatest Player will return to the ice for good in 2012, and that Yaroslavl Lokomotiv will continue to find strength to play the game, and that Shanny's explanations will help future generations of young players understand what will and won't be tolerated, and that the tough guys on the ice make the right tough decisions on their mental health.

I have hockey practice with my Nationally Bound Over-30 team, the Philadelphia Voodoo, at 9pm and will miss the end of the game tonight.  Rest assured I'll spend periods 1 and 2 in the car listening to Bourquey and Lange and wildly taunt my Flyer-loving teammates.  But the outcome of the game?  The return of Talbot and Jagr?  Yeah, in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter all that much...that is...until 2012.