Oklahoma City Here I come...

I know I have not been good this week about posting. I wish I had a valid reason but alas I do not. This week has been slower than last week so my numbers will be down but that is okay. I think I am slightly down because I am headed to OKC tonight but yet I am not running the 1/2 marathon as planned. I am about ready to blow this whole year off and it is only April, well soon May. Anyway, my brother and his girlfriend are running the 1/2 marathon so I will don my best cheerleading skills and cheer them on from the sidelines. I wish them both the best of luck! Plus, if anyone else is racing this weekend. You go get 'em!

Until later, keep riding, running and swimming to your personal greatness!

Operation Iron - Week 16

I had a great training week. I saw improvements in my swimming. As mentioned in another post I was able to swim a 1:48/100 yards. I also posted my biggest swim mileage to date with 10400 yards. Woo Hoo! But I also had some great workouts on the bike and wait for it... I also ran 3 miles pain free! I was able to get on the bike twice. I did one trainer workout and I also went riding on my day off. I met Jill from Run with Jill and we hit part of the Elephant Rock Ride course. The wind was hideous but the company was awesome! Though, I don't know if Jill will want to ride with me again as I did take her on one of the hilliest rides and I did take us on a slight detour when I missed one of our turns. Whoops! Sorry Jill!

Overall, an awesome week and I can't wait to see what this week holds!

Bike: 51.4 mi 04:28 mins
Elliptical: 17.4 mi 02:16 mins
Run: 4.0 mi 00:48 mins
Swim: 10400.0 yd 04:06 mins
Total Duration: 11:38 mins

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to all my family, friends and bloggy friends!

Friday Lyrics

I heard this song on the way into work on Thursday and I was impressed by the lyrics. I think many musicians think way to much about the money and the bling. I am not going to pick on any specific genre because I think it happens across the board. So I was very happy to hear these lyrics. There message is positive and I think we need more influences like this for our young people. Okay, now I am sounding like an old lady. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this song ( Price Tag by Jesse J)




Price Tag
--Jesse J with B.O.B

Seems like everybodys got a price,
I wonder how they sleep at night.
When the sale comes first,
And the truth comes second,
Just stop, for a minute and
Smile

Why is everybody so serious!
Acting so damn mysterious
You got your shades on your eyes
And your heels so high
That you can't even have a good
Time.

Everybody look to their left (yeah)
Everybody look to their right (ha)
Can you feel that (yeah)
Were paying with love tonight...

It's not about the money, money, money
We don't need your money, money, money
We just wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the Price Tag.

Ain't about the (ha) Cha-Ching Cha-Ching.
Aint about the (yeah) Ba-Bling Ba-Bling
Wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the Price Tag.

(Listen, Okay.)
We need to take it back in time,
When music made us all UNITE!
And it wasn't low blows and video Hoes,
Am I the only one gettin... tired?

Why is everybody so obsessed?
Money can't buy us happiness.
If we all slow down and enjoy right now
Gurantee we'll be feelin
All right.

Everybody look to their left (yeah)
Everybody look to their right (ha)
Can you feel that (yeah)
We'll pay them with love tonight...

It's not about the money, money, money
We don't need your money, money, money
We just wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the Price Tag.

Ain't about the (ha) Cha-Ching Cha-Ching.
Aint about the (yeah) Ba-Bling Ba-Bling
Wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the Price Tag.

Yeah yeah
Well, keep the price tag
And take the cash back
Just give me six streams and a half stack
And you can keep the cars
Leave me the garage
And all I...
Yes all I need are keys and guitars
And guess what, in 30 seconds I'm leaving to Mars
Yes we leaving across these undefeatable odds
It's like this man, you can't put a price on life
We do this for the love so we fight and sacrifice everynight
So we aint gon stumble and fall never
Waiting to see, a sign of defeat uh uh
So we gon keep everyone moving there feet
So bring back the beat and everybody sing
It's not about

It's not about the money, money, money
We don't need your money, money, money
We just wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the Price Tag.

Ain't about the (ha) Cha-Ching Cha-Ching.
Aint about the (yeah) Ba-Bling Ba-Bling
Wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the Price Tag.

It's not about the money, money, money
We don't need your money, money, money
We just wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the Price Tag.

Ain't about the (ha) Cha-Ching Cha-Ching.
Aint about the (yeah) Ba-Bling Ba-Bling
Wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the Price Tag.

Delete Cancel

Celebrate the Small Things!

Yeah! I was this happy! - Source

I went swimming yesterday and I came out of the swim with a big win. Let me go back a bit. In my mind I am not a good swimmer. For a long time my 100 yard time was 2:00 mins or more. I have worked on my stroke, tried Masters Swim and listened to my Coach L about correcting my form. I knew I was getting better but consistency didn't seem to be falling in place. Well, last Saturday I was swimming with Coach L. We were both doing our own thing. But at the end of my workout I had to do a timed 100 and Coach L happened to be watching me do it. She asked me at the end what my time was. I didn't really time my 100 so I had no clue. She said "Well, it looked like about a 1:45." Immediately, my first thought was BS! I didn't believe her so I just blew it off. I should point out that Coach has been swimming all her life and swam at University of Michigan in college. Guess, what she has experience in this field.

Now fast forward to yesterday. I had another workout that required a timed 100. Well, now my curious was peaked and I had to time it. I swam the 100 in 1:48:54. YES!!!!!!!!!! You read it right. I am now an average swimmer and not a slow swimmer!!! I was so stoked. So I am going to take this win and add it to my portfolio and revel in the victory that is mine. Woo Hoo! Guess what maybe I will do that open swim series up in Denver this summer!

Until later, keep riding, running and swimming to your personal greatness and remember to celebrate the small things!

Tuesday's Award Hero

I don't think I really need to say anything about why today's hero was chosen. She is one of the greatest marathon runners in the sport and sadly she has passed away today. My heart and thoughts are with Grete Weitz's family and friends. Grete will be missed!




Amby Remembers Grete

Operation Iron Week 15

I had a great solid week of workouts. I need to get the weightlifting back in the rotation but with the craziness of work it just isn't happening right now. I will try again this week to change that situation.

Bike: 11.3 mi 00:48 13.9 mph
Elliptical: 25.8 mi 03:50 6.6 mph
Swim: 4000.0 yd 01:32 02:19/100yd
Total Duration: 06:10

In other news, Coach L and decided that I will not be running the OKC 1/2 marathon this year. I am going to defer my race until next year. But have no fear! I will be in OKC rooting on all the runners! I also asked Coach L why my biking speed is so slow. She indicated it is probably because I don't get out on my bike enough. So I will be spending more time on the bike. YAY!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes! I had a great time with the girls. We had great food, great company and a great day at the spa. My toes are now purty and ready for sandals. Now bring on the spring weather!

Good luck Boston runners!

Friday Lyrics

Wow, another great weekend of racing is on tap. IM NOLA 70.3, Boston and many other races are occurring. So many people are racing this weekend and I am so happy for ya'all. I wish I was racing. I had every intention of racing IM NOLA because the race falls on my birthday. Unfortunately, my body and my pocketbook had other ideas. But don't worry about me. I am still celebrating my birthday in style with my best friends! Can you say girls weekend?!

But anyway, I wish I could list everyone that is racing but there are so many of ya'all and I would feel horrible if I missed anyone! I will just say "Good Luck and Kick Ass!" I will be cheering you on from the great state of Colorado and waiting patiently impatiently for your race reports. And without further adieu here some music to get ya pumped!



Remember The Name
--Fort Minor
Songwriters: Shinoda, Mike; Bashir, Takbir Khalid; Maginn, Ryan Patrick;

You ready? Let's go
Yeah, for those of you that want to know what we're all about
It's like this y'all come on

This is ten percent luck, twenty percent skill
Fifteen percent concentrated power of will
Five percent pleasure, fifty percent pain
And a hundred percent reason to remember the name

Mike, he doesn't need his name up in lights
He just wants to be heard whether it's the beat or the mic
He feels so unlike everybody else, alone
In spite of the fact that some people still think that they know him

But fuck 'em he knows the code
It's not about the salary it's all about reality and makin' some noise
Makin' the story makin' sure his clique stays up
That means when he puts it down Tak's pickin' it up, let's go

Who the hell is he anyway? He never really talks much
Never concerned with status but still leavin' them star struck
Humbled through opportunities given despite the fact
That many misjudge him because he makes a livin' from writin' raps

Put it together himself, now the picture connects
Never askin' for someone's help, to get some respect
He's only focused on what he wrote, his will is beyond reach
And now when it all unfolds, the skill of an artist

This is twenty percent skill, eighty percent fear
Be a hundred percent clear 'cause Ryu is ill
Who would've thought he'd be the one to set the west in flames?
And I heard him wreckin' with the crystal method, name of the game

Came back dropped Megadef, took 'em to church
I'm like 'bleach, man, why you have the stupidest verse?
This dude is the truth, now everybody givin' him guest spots
His stock's through the roof I heard he fuckin' with S-dot

This is ten percent luck, twenty percent skill
Fifteen percent concentrated power of will
Five percent pleasure, fifty percent pain
And a hundred percent reason to remember the name
[| From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/f/fort-minor-lyrics/remember-the-name-lyrics.html |]

They call him Ryu the sick and he's spittin' fire an' mike
Got him out the dryer he's hot found him in Fort Minor with Tak
A fuckin' annihilist porcupine he's a prick, he's a cock
The type women want to be with and rappers hope he gets shot

Eight years in the makin' patiently waitin' to blow
Now the record with Shinoda's takin' over the globe
He's got a partner in crime, his shit is equally dope
You won?t believe the kind of shit that comes out of this kid's throat

Tak, he's not your everyday on the block
He knows how to work with what he's got
Makin' his way to the top
People think it's a common owner?s name
People keep askin' him was it given at birth
Or does it stand for an acronym?

No, he's livin' proof got him rockin' the booth
He'll get you buzzin' quicker than a shot of vodka with juice
Him and his crew are known around as one of the best
Dedicated to what they doin? give a hundred percent

Forget Mike, nobody really knows how or why he works so hard
It seems like he's never got time
Because he writes every note and he writes every line
And I've seen him at work when that light goes on in his mind

It's like a design is written in his head every time
Before he even touches a key or speaks in a rhyme
And those motherfuckers he runs with, those kids that he signed
Ridiculous, without even tryin', how do they do it?

This is ten percent luck, twenty percent skill
Fifteen percent concentrated power of will
Five percent pleasure, fifty percent pain
And a hundred percent reason to remember the name

This is ten percent luck, twenty percent skill
Fifteen percent concentrated power of will
Five percent pleasure, fifty percent pain
And a hundred percent reason to remember the name

Tuesday's Hero Award

I am sure everyone in the blogging world would agree that the person I am honoring today definitely deserves it! I have only been reading her blog for a short time but I am enthralled. She is a generous person, awesome mother and a rock star of a runner. You guessed it I am talking about Run EMZ!



She is going above and beyond her rock star status real soon. She will be a mega star because she is doing a 24 hour run for charity, the Sojourner Center. The Sojourner Center's tagline is "Overcoming the Impact of Domestic Violence One Life at a Time." I can't even begin to imagine running 100 miles and doing it on a treadmill, well, that is unthinkable! Emz, I take my hat off to you.

Please get out there and spread the word and if you can, please donate!

Emz, I am also posting this video just for you. Say the words a couple of times and then you will understand why! Or if you are a faster thinker than I, you may have already figured it out!

Operation Iron

Week 13:
Bike: 10.0 mi
Elliptical: 19.9 mi
Hiking: 5.0 mi
Total Duration: 04:54


Week 14:
Bike: 28.7 mi
Elliptical: 25.1 mi
Swim: 3000.0 yd
Total Duration: 07:07

Yesterday was a big day of training for me. I don't know what came over me but I decided I was going to swim 3000 yards. Mainly, just to prove to myself that I could do it. And yes I did do it and I loved every minute of it. I am really starting to love swimming. Did I just say that? There is something very calming about the way the water envelopes you and shuts out the world. After my swim I still had to do my bike ride. I was scheduled to do 2 hours but the wind was horrid. I tried to back out of going outside but Mike called me out on Facebook. So I packed up the mountain bike, Rizzo, and headed to the Santa Fe trail. I was hoping the trail would shield me somewhat from the wind. Yeah, not so much. So I hopped on the trail and headed south. I made it past El Pomar park which is 15 miles in an hour. Rockin' time for me especially on my big girl. However, I was aided by a tailwind and the way back was difficult. I had a head wind and cooling temps on the way back. My total ride time was 2 hrs and 20 mins but damn I had a blast. Just me and the wind fighting it out. I am shredded today but I am happy! I love training! Let the week and training begin because I am ready to kick ass!

Congrats to all my blogging buddies who raced this weekend! Everyone killed it! You guys are awesome!

Friday Lyrics!

Today's song is technically a love song but some of the words just really remind me of what you have to do during a triathlon. Plus, this song was used for the Olympics so I must be onto something! I am dedicating "Unstoppable" by Rascal Flatts to everyone that is racing this weekend!

Annie, don't worry girl you have got this!

Jeff, stick to the your plan!

Jon, you are going to kill the swim!

Go Shannon Go!

Liz, stay loose and easy and enjoy the day!

Kenny, Emily and Kelly, go kill that small race in Rotterdam!

Branden, go show them what Coloradans can do at Xterra!

I am sorry if I missed anyone!



Yeah yeah yeah..
Hey

So, so you made a lot of mistakes
Walked down the road a little sideways
Cracked a rib when you hit the wall
Yeah, you've had a pocket full of regrets
Pull you down faster than a sunset
Hey, it happens to us all

When the cold hard rain just won't quit
And you can't see your way out of it

You find your faith has been lost and shaken
You take back what's been taken
Get on your knees and dig down deep
You can do what you think is impossible
Keep on believing, don't give in
It'll come and make you whole again
It always will, it always does
Love is unstoppable

Love, it can weather in a storm
Bring you back to being born again
oh, it's a helping hand when you need it most
A lighthouse shining on the coast
That never goes dim

When your heart is full of doubt
And you think that there's no way out

Like a river keeps on rolling
Like the north wind blowing
Don't it feel good knowing
Yeah

Love is unstobbale
So you made a lot of mistakes
Walked down the road a little sideways
Love, love is unstoppable

Catch Up Thursday!

The Real Miss America! She protect us and looks good doing it!
1. I have been really busy at work but my test plans are done. The downside is that I have no website to test!
2. I have started the "Balanced" approach to eating. So far so good! As of today, I am down to 134 lbs which is a lost of 6 lbs. Not to mention the stress has been released and I am feeling so much more relaxed.
3. My workouts over the last 2 weeks have been mostly on the elliptical. One, because that is the best equipment we have in the office gym that I can use. Two, I haven't had time to make it the pool. Three, my husband has infected me with some kind of sinus infection and that is all I can bring myself to do.
4. I am too old to go out drinking and dancing! I just hurt too much the next day! Upside, I had an awesome time!
5. I have loved all the great Oceanside 70.3 race reports. Wow, you guys are awesome!
6. I have received some great presents in the mail the last couple of weeks. I will be doing my shout-outs real soon!
7. A little over one week until my birthday and my girls weekend at Blackhawk. I can't wait to hang with the girls and hit the spa and the video poker machines!
8. IM Boulder 70.3 is 122 days away and that freaks me out! I don't know if I have it in me?!
9. So many great people are racing this weekend. I want to wish you all the best of luck! For those racing in Texas, I hope the winds are not as bad as predicted. For the Training Goals athletes (WCAP) athletes racing in Rotterdam, go get those "A" Olympic marathon standards!

Until later, keep riding, running (elliptical) and swimming to your personal greatest! And don't forget to "Ignite the Light!"

Friday Lyrics!

I am going to be lazy today because I am very busy at work. Sorry guys! Have a great weekend and know that I love ya'all!



"1985"
-- Bowling for Soup
Woohoohoo
Woohoohoo

Debbie just hit the wall
She never had it all
One Prozac a day
Husband's a CPA
Her dreams went out the door
When she turned twenty four
Only been with one man
What happened to her plan?

She was gonna be an actress
She was gonna be a star
She was gonna shake her ass
On the hood of Whitesnake’s car
Her yellow SUV is now the enemy
Looks at her average life
And nothing has been alright since

Bruce Springsteen, Madonna
Way before Nirvana
There was U2 and Blondie
And music still on MTV
Her two kids in high school
They tell her that she’s uncool
Cause she's still preoccupied
With 19, 19, 1985

Woohoohoo
(1985)
Woohoohoo

She’s seen all the classics
She knows every line
Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink
Even Saint Elmo’s Fire
She rocked out to Wham
Not a big Limp Bizkit fan
Thought she’d get a hand
On a member of Duran Duran

Where’s the mini-skirt made of snake skin
And who’s the other guy that's singing in Van Halen
When did reality become T.V.
Whatever happened to sitcoms, game shows
(on the radio was)

Springsteen, Madonna
Way before Nirvana
There was U2 and Blondie
And music still on MTV
Her two kids in high school
They tell her that she’s uncool
Cause she's still preoccupied
With 19, 19, 1985

Woohoohoo

She hates time make it stop
When did Motley Crue become classic rock?
And when did Ozzy become an actor?
Please make this stop
Stop!
And bring back

Springsteen, Madonna
Way before Nirvana
There was U2 and Blondie
And music still on MTV
Her two kids in high school
They tell her that she’s uncool
Cause she's still preoccupied
With 1985

Woohoohoo

Bruce Springsteen, Madonna
Way before Nirvana
There was U2 and Blondie
And music still on MTV (woohoohoo)
Her two kids in high school
They tell her that she’s uncool
Cause she's still preoccupied
With 19, 19, 1985