Progress

So....yeah....my New Year's resolution to update the blog more often isn't really going as planned. But then again, what New Year resolutions actually stick past the first 2 weeks?! I will blame my lack of posting on work and training.

In the athletic world, my training is progressing. I asked Jeff to help coach me again this year since last year seemed to be successful. Not only do we have a successful marriage, but we have a successful coach/athlete relationship as well. I went to the track last week to complete my first MAF test of the 2010 season. I have not done a MAF test in about 9 month, so I was anxious to see where I was (or was not) based on my fitness. MAF stands for Maximum Aerobic Function. It was developed by Phil Maffetone. To perform an MAF test, you run the same distance at the heart rate every few weeks to assess where you training is at. Ideally, each time you perform the test (external factor/conditions should be minimized) you should see yourself getting faster at the same heart rate. Check out this article on MAF training. Surprisingly, it was one of my best MAF tests. 2 years ago at this time I was 45-50 sec slower at the same heart rate. That is progress.

On the biking end of things, I am making progress there as well. Sitting inside next to 2 sweating men really makes you mentally tough-especially when the spin instructors ask the class not to wear perfume. I have been trying to build up my bike frequency and have some aerobic interval in there so when I do head out on the road, my body is not in complete shock!

With swimming...well..there is no progress in that field. But I look at it as making progress in other areas (my running and biking). I have been out of the pool for about 3 months. I do miss Wolfgang and his sarcasm. I don't miss hitting the water at 5.30 am and my hair being a constant fire danger because it is so dry. I plan to go back to swimming toward the end of spring, but right now I am content leaving it behind.

Jeff and I are still in the process of pounding out a potential race schedule for this year. It will be different then then the last couple year, but I am excited. There will be some great things in 2010.

Rock On

JK2

Dissapointment

I moved to Colorado about 10 years ago and was disappointed in the first winter I spent here. I grew up on Pennsylvania and has experienced some harsh winters. I figured by moving to Colorado, where there are famous ski resorts, I would be in for LOTS of snow. The first winter came and went and now major snow. No snow days at school. When it did snow it would disappear the next day in a 50 degree sunny Colorado day. I was disappointed.

10 years have passed and I continue to be disappointed-but in a different way. I got used to "mild" winters. To riding outside almost year round. I enjoyed watching it snow and then saying good-bye to it the next day. I got used to temperatures that rarely dipped below 30 degrees for extended periods of time. But I secretly still wanted a snow day-it is a great feeling waking up prepared to go to work and then rolling across the TV screen comes your schools' name-NO SCHOOL!

In any case, I am disappointed now because the snow IS staying on the ground. The temperatures ARE staying below

30 degrees for extended periods of tine. I am NOT riding outside (sometimes I can't even run outside). What is happening to my mild Colorado winters?! We are in the midst of an arctic cold blast where the high tomorrow is suppose to be a whopping 12degrees...doesn't sound too appealing for a progression run eh? I have spent more time at Lakeshore this winter then I have in previous winters. Don't get me wrong, Lakeshore is amazing, but I want to be OUTSIDE.

So with Jeff and I snuggled up with two daschunds, we prepare for more indoor training, more layers and layers of clothing, and more white views. At least we still get the benefits of altitude!

Stay Warm~

JK

Since 2000....

I have been reading in the news lately about the "Best of the Decade" (music, men, movies etc etc). It never really

dawned on me that a decade has past until I woke up this morning and thought about the fact that my birthday is coming up and I don't know where the time went. Somehow between 2000 and 2010, life has changed and I someone ended up in my 30's. I have had many adventures in the span of 10 years, come which lead to life changes. Here is a small sampling of some events during the past 10 years:

January 1, 2000-Fresh out of college and took my first job as a formulation chemist in the R&D department at Proctor and Gamble in lovely Cincinnati, OH.

June 2001-Quit my first job and moved to Boulder, CO

September 2001-Started teaching chemistry at Montbello Highschool in Denver.

July 2002-Was training to try an qualify for the Olympic Marathon trials when I ran across (literally) a guy named Jeff. He was a triathlete.

July 2003-I completed in my first duathlon.

October 2003-Jeff and I buy our first house together. My parents were not to happy with this decision since we were not married or engaged.

September 2004-Jeff and I are engaged.

October 2004-Jeff's first attempt at Kona. Finishes in 10.30

December 19, 2004-Jeff and I get married at Peaceful Valley Ranch among great friends and snow capped

mountains.

December 28th, 2004-My 1st nephew is born-Cole

February 2006-My 1st niece is born-Amelia

May 2006-My grandmother passed away

June 2008-My 2nd niece is born-Callie

October 2007-Jeff finishes Kona in 9.30 (59th overall)

October 2007-7 days later I win my age group at the World Duathlon Championship. I retired from duathlons that

day.

January 2008-I start swimming

May 2008-I complete my first triathlon.

October 2008-Our dog Rocket passed away.

October 2008-Jeff finishes Kona in 9.04. (39th overall, 2nd in his age group, and 1st US amateur.)

November 2008-Jarvis comes to our family.

December 2008-My 3rd niece is born-Casey

June 2009-I race Buffalo Springs and turn down my Kona slot.

November 2009-Jeff completes in 1st triathlon has a Pro-IMAZ- 9.02 (with a flat)

February 2010-My last nephew will be born.

Looking back on it-alot has happened I haven't even mentioned-these are just the bigger moments. But it is the smaller, everyday actions that make my life amazing. It is my friends, family, an incredible husband that have made the last 10 years my best decade.

Rock On and Happy 2010.

JK2

Welcome 2010!

Slacker is an understatement when it comes to Jeff and I updating this blog! Life got busy and the priority of this got pushed further and further down the list. But with a new year here, Jeff and I are committing to update and write useful piece here. And Jeff said he would help this time!

We are looking forward to 2010 and the opportunities it holds for the both of us. 2009 was a year of changes and challenges in many aspects. There were the ups and the downs-as with any year-but this year felt like a roller coster! 2010 was welcomed in with open arms, minds, and hearts!

So there you have it. A new years resolution to the blog-among other things!

Looking forward to a great year and more often updating.

Rock On 2010,

The JK's