In October we almost moved out of the state of Pennsylvania. It would have been a big adjustment for all five of us, but something we were excited about. After meeting with a realtor and home inspector, we decided we need to take some time and make some changes in the house before we could sell it in a reasonable time. Selling a house and moving in Nov/Dec is tough, so we decided to make the improvements then we could move when we are ready.
We had two new roofs put on in November, a new roof on the house and a new roof on the patio attached to the house. A new floor in the basement, and minor changes to outside electrical systems that were no longer to code. I rebuilt the closet in the basement. We had HORRIBLE popcorn ceiling removed from all three bedrooms and the hallway upstairs. What a mess that created! I also painted the girls room, nice purple for them.
The holidays flew buy and we had a terrible winter. My training went into the tank. The bad weather made me sleep in and not want to train in cold, freezing rain, ice, and snow. Last winter I trained all the time, but this year was one of the worst winters in Philly's history, and I suffered through it.
When I finally got back to training I was an easy 20lbs heavy. Slow and painful on runs and tough on the bike because my legs always felt heavy. I did a nice local 5 miler in March, and was embarrassed by my results. I am not an olympian by any stretch, but I was used to being a little faster. I did an Xterra race for the first time in 17 years back in April as a tune up for Challenge Atlantic City. The race was great, the Jersey Devil, but I broke my toe during it. I was laid up with no biking and running for 4-weeks. My motivation was in the crapper at this point. Four weeks of not biking and running was a demoralizer for me. I had to withdraw from the Devilman Triathlon and the Dirty German Endurance Festival Trail Run in May. I also deferred to next year for Challenge Atlantic City.
In June I went after the Escape the Cape Triathlon in Cape May just to see were I was physically and mentally. The results were OK, the race was awesome, but I felt demoralized again. I slugged it out, but it hurt. Last year I did not hurt after any race other than Eagleman 70.3 and Ironman Lake Placid. I had not hurt after a smaller triathlon in years. WHAT A TOTAL BUMMER!
Jumping off the ferry is awesome.
In the hurt locker at the end.
The GOOD part of the year was raising money and supporting special needs children. This year we did awesome at the Beef and Beer and our Golf Outing. Here are some photo's of the camp we sponsored this year. It looks like the kids are really enjoying it.
Maybe the kids can help me on the bike.
Trip on the train we had sponsored as well.
Looks like a good story.
Now I have Ironman Maryland in just a few weeks and I need to get motivated and focused.
