Making it up as I go along

As I mentioned in my training update yesterday, since starting the triathlon training program I've really slacked in the strength training department. Prior to starting the training program I had completed 2 cycles of P90X, the first following their plan pretty closely, the second subbing in my own cardio days.  I really enjoyed P90X and definitely saw the results but got bored after a while.  The month or so before starting the training program I was doing 6 minutes circuits that consisted of 3 minutes of full body strength moves, 2 minutes of plyometrics and 1 minute of abs; I usually did 6 complete circuits.

But none of that has been happening lately! I mentally committed to doing strength training today when I bailed on doing it yesterday.  As for what that strength training was going to be, I had no grand plan. This morning I sat down and came up with a routine:

Definitely not nearly as effective as spending an entire workout on chest/back, shoulder/arms & legs/back but given I don't have that kind of time, this works for the few strength training workouts I'll get in.

One of the things they harp on in P90X is writing down what you do.  It shouldn't surprise anyone, I really attached to that. I like data. I like that I can track my progress. When I first started I was doing maybe 10 real pushups/10 pushups on my knees, now I'm up to 25 "real" pushups. Not too bad since I haven't done any in a month!

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Quick update on the crazy schedule I posted yesterday, looks like I won't be starting my new job in Baltimore until the first week in March. So February will still be a bit crazy, especially at the end but only as crazy as the calendar yesterday shows, no additional crazy to add (so far).

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Training plan - off

My plan - strength training + cardio

Actual - just the strength training detailed above, took longer than I thought it would!

Something may need to give?

This first month of school has flown by! Not only that but school has almost been an afterthought. The coursework has been pretty light, we haven't had many assignments, and I have a lot of other things going on!  Currently I'm training for the triathlon, taking 6 classes, work as an independent contractor for two different consulting firms, and have a Graduate Assistant position through my program. Occasionally I attempt a social life.

Unfortunately it's all about to get a bit more crazy. We have a few big assignment/exams coming up between Feb 20th and Feb 28th. Plus training ramps up to 6 days a week soon.

Oh, and I'm about to start a new internship...in Baltimore...

It's possible something may need to give?

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In less stressful news...

I made this for dinner...and it was delicious

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Training plan - off

My plan - reintroduce strength training to my life (I've been bad about this since starting the triathlon training!)

Actual - reintroduce strength training to my life...tomorrow.

Lest you think I've changed

Anyone who read the previous iteration of this blog might remember my semi-crazy schedules and calendars.    While I haven't changed, the focus of my calendars/schedules certainly have.

I like tracking my workouts on a calendar so I can look back and see what I've done/how many days I ended up taking off/how many days of strength v cardio/etc. I've also always needed a plan so I usually sketch out my workouts a week or two in advance.

Speaking of needing a plan...I may or may not plan almost every minute of my week on Sunday evenings. It's just a rough guide. I promise I can be flexible...sometimes?

I've been a bad blogger...Part II

I'm sorry I've been neglectful! In my defense, I've been busy! I don't think my September calendar accurately reflects how busy I felt. I was back and forth to New Jersey a few times. I had one last trip to the beach, enjoyed a great party at my parent's house, spent 10 days in row away from home (more than that total across the month), 8 days in row out of the office, got caught up in a riot in NYC, went to a lovely engagement party, had my parents visit, etc. October is only looking busier! I'm flying out to California twice and Jenny and I start our road trip TODAY!!

More on the road trip later today. I'll be updating throughout the week for sure.

June Calendar

Happy Summer! I hope you're enjoying the 90+ temps that seem to be taking over the country.

Well May just got more complicated...

I wasn't, initially, supposed to travel too much in the month of May. This was fine by me as I'm moving and that can be a process! However I was staffed to a new client. This one out in Visalia, CA. It looks like I could be spending at least a week, if not 2 weeks in California every month! This month I'm going out for the week of May 16th. I have movers coming the 17th! Fortunately I have some great friends. Jenny has graciously volunteer to supervise moving my furniture. That means I have to have everything else done on the Sunday prior, which is the first day the space will be available. My sister was also supposed to come out and visit me the 21st/22nd but arrive on the 20th. Now we're not sure what is going to happen because I likely will not get back until late the 20th or on a red eye arriving the 21st.  So many logistics still to figure out!

I travel for work...this is not news...

 

Are kickball leagues popular outside of DC? Having only lived here since graduating I'm not really sure. I don't feel like I hear of friends from high school joining them...

Regardless...they're popular in DC and after 3 years I finally decided to join one. After paying the requisite $50 entrance fee I thought it might be a good idea to compare the Kickball schedule to my travel schedule.

Right. I travel for work. Excellent. Good bye 50 bucks.

As of right now I should be able to attend approximately half of the season, although only sporadically across the spring. Oh and I'm about to kick off another project or 2 (possibly 3) so we could see a few more of those Tuesdays disappear. 

This is the price I pay for all those frequent flyer miles...my social life.

For Paigey

My sister came to DC for lunch today! We went to the restaurant where my other sister works. I had the Chicken Ciabatta sandwich. As Paige said "Allison basically does a CRTL-F for goat cheese on a menu". And that was the only item with goat cheese. Paige also said that I have been ignoring her.  Apparently I have failed to follow through on her request for my schedule, as she had requested when I solicited blog ideas.

So. For Paigey.  Please see my schedule below:

What a difference a month makes!! January looks deceivingly light. But don't be fooled. There a few "in-days" that kept me from traveling and plenty of work that needs/needed to get done in the office (and in my apartment all weekend long). February on the other hand will be much  more traveling. I'm also beginning my vacation in February!

So now you know where I'm going to be for the next few weeks Paige!

Going to be over before you know it.

Where did 2010 go!! I know technically there is still a month left. But I basically consider it over.

I updated my calendar for December today. The green flags are for work travel. The red flags are for paid time off (PTO). Between work travel, fun travel and PTO it looks like I will only be in DC for about 9 days this month!

I know this month is going to fly by! Fortunately it's mostly fun things. Today is my uncle's birthday and tomorrow is my sister's birthday (although she's celebrating it all week). I'm headed to Atlantic City for the first time this weekend. Our company Holiday Party is coming up and that is always fun! And of course I'm looking forward to a full 2 weeks off and the ski trip I'm taking with my dad and sister. Not to mention Christmas!! I've spent most of the day listening to Christmas music and I am definitely in the holiday mood.