December 2013 – moirahoran

December 31, 2013December 31, 2013

2013 Comes to a Close

I can’t possibly write enough to cover what has occurred over this last year. Ups and downs, but definitely more ups. Joys and sadness, but definitely more joy. I feel that my life is more than I ever could have imagined, and more than I ever deserved — my family, my friends, my Club members, my training partners, my business partners — life is good. I truly love the life I live, and I live the life I love.

Although not sunny in Florida today it’s still warm. I enjoyed a steady paced 5 mile run and thought of other runs I’ve been on while traveling. The abandoned orange groves remind me of my training trips to Clermont, Florida. The cows and other wildlife remind me of runs in Costa Rica — especially the cows — which led me to think of my friends Mary Lynn and Bryan and the debate over skinny cows vs. healthy cows.

Quiet night tonight, I don’t expect we will be still awake to ring in 2014. Tomorrow I plan to join in the TI Virtual Swim, still need to decide on a practice but I am looking forward to the beauty of the outdoor long course pool!

Skinny or healthy cows ;-) — Skinny or healthy cows 😉

He was definitely checking out what was going on!

December 30, 2013December 30, 2013

My 2014 Season Starts Today

I am going to keep these posts short as I’d like to keep up with a blog on my training at least for the next two months while I am traveling.

I looked forward to swimming this morning at the North County Aquatic Center.

North County Aquatic Center, Sebastian, FL

I will most likely be in the Vero Beach area for the next three weeks so it made sense to invest the $16 in a pass for the month instead of paying a whopping $3 per session (senior citizen discount LOL!)

There were long course lanes available so I took the opportunity since it is something I never get to do at home. I’ve also decided to go back and start with the first tempo trainer practice I did in the pool a couple of weeks ago.

I realized I was very tense, maybe a result of three days driving. So, I focused on relaxed head, relaxed arms, breathing thru my 400 tune up. I’m slow, and seem to be taking more strokes than I remember in the past (40 +/- for each 50 meter length). I’m hoping to see improvement over the next few weeks.

I took the easy way out and rather than write everything down I’ll rely on my Garmin 910XT file for feedback. I did not “rush” to mark laps, I’m hoping to see myself get back closer to a 1:50 hundred with practice and focus on my form.

Healthy breakfast and off for some exploring of the area. I hope to get in an easy run later today of about 4 miles.

UPDATE:

In spite of an afternoon of exploring and a margarita at lunch, I did come home and get that 4 mile run done. Felt pretty good, found a hard packed dirt road through some abandoned orange groves and totally enjoyed an easy, steady build run.

Came home and made dinner from my favorite site — 5 Ingredient Monday: Seared Chicken Thighs over Cauliflower Puree!

December 13, 2013December 13, 2013

2nd Annual JGSSM Club Gala

Can’t believe that another year has passed so quickly, but that is the way life goes. I’ve turned into my mother and my grandmother for sure . . . . . . what do I want for Christmas? More time — more time to do all the things that I love to do. More time to spend with my family, to spend with my friends, to train, to coach, to blog, to travel, to laugh, to dance, to sit on the beach, I could go on forever!

I wish I could acknowledge all the amazing accomplishments that have occurred over the last year by our Club members. So many that I know about, and I’m sure there are even more that I don’t know about. For a group that started out as a 12 week training group to cross the finish line of a local sprint triathlon to a Club who sent over a dozen members to complete their first half Ironman. Along the way how many of us learned to swim, ride a bike, run long distance, or just show up and do something we’ve never done before. As a group we are an amazing force, we show others that they can do things that maybe they never thought were possible. Take a risk, we may not always succeed but at least we tried.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

It means so much to me to be able to celebrate the end of the season with you. How nice to dress up and look beautiful . . . . perfume, and not sweat and chlorine. Style our hair instead of helmet head, put on makeup and high heels . . . . . and no compression! What I especially enjoy is seeing our spouses or partners. Their love and support is what makes us what we are.

Time to thank our sponsors and supporters. What makes our Club such a success is also having the support of the triathlon community, locally and nationally. Our supporters are all products and services that I believe in, the best of the best. And “there is no promotional consideration needed”.

Thanks to Cycles 54, hands down the best bike shop in the area. Thank you to the Atlantic Club, and Frankie Browne . . . . . where else can you get breakfast, yoga and three pools. Total Immersion keeps us all inspired to improve our swim practice, and to exercise more than just our arms. Infinit Nutrition is there to answer our questions, tweak our nutrition and make sure we are all fueled and ready to go — contact Ashley and don’t forget our discount code, “mhoran” for 10% off every order! HUUB has not only given us access to a fleet of demo wetsuits to try but has the best wetsuit that I’ve ever worn. Trouble with your run? There is nothing to compare to your local running shop, and the personalized touch we get from Craig Segal and the rest of the crew at Runner’s High. Dave Stretanski has given us his time and expertise to improve our running form through Chi Running skills. It’s tough to be out all day training and come home to try to rest and recover if our home isn’t in order. Thanks to Jessica Carroll and Club member Eileen Flaherty for their support with services by Organize by Design and Home Enhancements.

And what would we do without Bar Anticipation — we’d be huddled in our cars on the ocean in Belmar with no bathroom and no place to chat and have a beer after our runs!

We have developed an amazing relationship with race directors. From Ironman to CGI to DelMo Sports to DQ . . . . . entries to Syracuse, Irongirl, all the CGI event, all the DelMo events, Vincentown Sprint, we make a statement with our presence and spirit and support at races.

Special thank you to the Manser’s and Paddle Out . . . . how much fun did we have paddling? Thank you Paddle Out for you generosity!

Thank you to so many of our members also, for supporting us through their own local businesses. Thanks to Sandy Carlin, Michele Paul, Colleen Klein, Joanne Hedinger, Carolyn Zilberman, Marcie Jannetti, Susan McCabe, Jen Twomey, Amy McLaughlin (Amy McLaughlin Photography), Ginny Peppler, Devin Peppler Photography, Terry Quinlisk and Danielle Wooley.

Let’s not forget that we also formed our own charitable foundation, the Jersey Girls StayStrong Foundation, to allow us to support local charities 100% with whatever support we are able to offer!

Don’t forget to support our supporters, and make sure to have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!