Sing Me a Song

“It's now or never
I ain't gonna live forever
I just wanna live while I'm alive
It's my life” 
― Jon Bon Jovi

Just 11 days and race day will be here. Can't believe it's less than two weeks away after 8 months of training. The time has gone fast and at the same time very slowly. Taper time is finally here and wow my body is happy! I think this taper and I are going to get along pretty nicely. 

Over the past few months and especially the past few weeks I've spent some quality time on my bike. Whether you're out with a group of people or not, riding for 6-7 hours leaves you a lot of time to think and you get tired of yourself pretty quickly. Everyone does something different to pass the time. I like to sing songs. Shocker. But usually I get stuck on not just one song but one lyric. Sometimes just one word. And I repeat it, for miles and miles and miles. Now that gets old. And no matter what you try, it won't leave your head. Lately, I reach mile 40 and all I bust out with is "C is for Cookie..." Where that came from I don't know but that is not ideal to repeat for 2 hrs. 

Another gem that has been popping into my head lately is "The sun will come out, tomorrow...." That's it. Just those six words. On repeat for hours. I love little orphan Annie but not on repeat in my head for 3 hours.

So as I get ready to leave next Wednesday for CdA, I'm thinking ahead to the many hours I'll have by myself on June 23, not just on my bike but swimming and running as well. So how can I distract myself? Easy. Sing songs. But don't risk the one liners I come up with. Enlist the help from everyone. I have 140.6 miles to do - 2.4 swim, 112 bike, 26.2 run. That's 140.6 DIFFERENT songs that I could sing. But rather than come up with them all on my own, I'd love for everyone to help me. Not only will it give me options to turn to if I become a broken record in my own head, but every new song will make me think of a different person that I know somehow and that is sure to keep me happy for 140.6 miles.

Here's how you can help. Send me the name of a song or send me a few. It can be any song - your favorite right now, something you listen to to pump you up, something that puts your kids to sleep, something that reminds you of me or a time when we had some fun. Anything. If kids want to participate (you know who I'm talking to..), awesome. I'm not above singing the ABC's or Mary Had a Little Lamb for a mile, especially if I am reminded of toothless grins :) I want to get 1 song for every mile of the race. That's right - I need 140.6 songs. I'm going to put them on a piece of paper and laminate so I can carry them with me all day. It'll be hard to carry with me on the swim so hopefully I can remember 2.4 songs. I'll attach to my bike so they're in eyesight the whole ride, and I'll pin to my run belt for the marathon.

How can you send me songs? A few ways....

• Shoot me an email
• Send me a tweet to @hesort
• FB message me or post to my wall
• Comment to this post

A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.

~ Lou Holtz

I look forward to all the new songs (or old ones) that come my way and help me on race day!

Desert Tri: Mission Accomplished

Desert - A large, dry, barren region, usually having sandy or rocky soil and little or no vegetation. 

Last weekend marked a milestone for many of our participants - they became triathletes. Not only was it the first race of the season, but it was many participants' first triathlon. It was so amazing racing alongside them and watching them all cross the finish line. 

To avoid the unavoidable LA traffic, we headed out around 9pm on Friday. Got there late but practice didn't start til 10am on Saturday so no early wake up call. The Embassy Suites was our home for the weekend, and the added bonus of living room with kitchen made it that much better to accommodate all the crap 4 people have when traveling for a triathlon. And that doesn't include the bikes!

Saturday morning. 10am. Arrived at Lake Cahuilla for practice. A reverse tri was on our schedule. Did the race course that we'd be doing on Sunday - 24 mile bike then 6 mile run. We didn't start til 10:30 so by the time we were running, it was blazing hot. This was the second time I had an issue training in heat, and it's not fun. Now I know I gotta watch out a bit and get ahead of it before it takes me down. But our day didn't stop there. Race prep meeting, packet pick up for Sunday and then a swim in the lake. It was great to finally get to dinner and be able to chill out with the team. 

Sunday morning. Wake up - 4:30am. Oh...the season has officially begun. Most race mornings I'm a bit nervous but not that day. This was a training day and I took it at that. And I was excited to see all the new participants complete their first triathlon and cross the finish line. Plus, how could I be nervous when I was dressing up in a costume?

We headed out to the Lake at 5:15 and arrived to the most amazing sunrise. 

Set up transition, walked around and checked in with peeps, did a little warm up run, then suited up for a practice swim before my wave start at 7:42am. 4 Goals of the day: get to 1st swim buoy before the second (unlike last year), work the bike hard, don't melt on the run and most importantly, have fun.

7:42am - horn goes off and we're in the water. Thanks to the race officials for changing up the swim course so we didn't have to swim straight into the sun this year. YAY for getting to the first buoy before the second. Goal 1 accomplished! I forgot how awful the first open water race feels. Arms & shoulders were not in wetsuit shape and wow did my arms feel so lethargic and dead weight. Can't wait to get those OWS back in the weekend rotation! 

Swim was done and now time to bike. The course is super flat so it was go time. Glutes were a bit tired from Saturday but wanted to hammer it as much as I could. Managed to shave a few minutes off from last years time. Goal 2 accomplished!

Now it was time for some fun. Running in costume always makes things better. And if I can make others happy, then that's a win. So off I went...all dressed as Luigi.

The first person that saw me running out of transition as she came off the bike was Christine. All she could say was "O dear, mentor. O dear." But then she smiled. Next one that came up on me was Beth. We had just started running and it was her first triathlon. And hearing her say "Oh my god Holly you are f'ing awesome for wearing that!" made me happy. I knew it was gonna be a hot 6 miles but that was ok. Making people happy was what it was about that day. 

It was a 2 loop run so that made it so easy to see lots of people. It was great catching teammates as I rounded my second loop. Chatted with lots of participants along the way - Tiffany, Rona, Sheree, Mary, LDV, David just to name a few. Everyone was in great spirits and having a great time. It was awesome! And I considered it a bonus that the sun was not as blazing as it was last year. I finished a few minutes faster than last year with a one-up jump as I crossed the finish line. Goal 3 accomplished - do not melt!

The best part of the day was cheering everyone in. Lots of PRs, lots of first time triathletes. All in all, super successful and fun day. Goal 4 accomplished!

Way to go Ironteam!

Long and tiring weekend but worth it! Great job Ironteam. Happy to be a part of such an amazing team. 

#2500 Crunches: Day 9 Results

It's crunch time....only one day left in the challenge. Who's gunning for more? Don't stop just because you're already there. If you've already hit it, see how far over you can get!

Everyone's doin what they can to get these last few in. Rockstar Kelli dropped for 50 in the park on the way to work. Anyone else stop, drop and roll in public and crunch out a few?



Crunching Kelli headed to work

Check out all you superstars on your way to abs of steel. 

Click for larger image.

Look how far you've come in just 9 short days. Who's thinking about the next challenge already? We'll give you a little break...just til Wednesday. But get ready. The real fun is about to begin. 

#MissionPossible. 7 days of mini-challenges filled with all kinds of magic. Should you choose to accept the daily challenge, you will be sent a 10 min. workout to do any time over the course of the day and report back when finished. Goal: to unlock all 7 challenges. You can't get the next challenge until you've completed the one before it. 

Are you up for it? If you want in, send us an email at poundchallenges@gmail.com to be put on the list!

The fun starts on Wednesday. Don't miss out!

#2500 Crunches Day 6 Results

Crusin
Rockin
Unstoppable
Not stopping!
Competitive :)
Hardworking
Extraordinary
Remarkable
Stupendous 

All words to describe how amazing you all are. We've got 4 days left - who's gonna surpass 2,500? Set your mind to it and you can do it. 

Check out the results from Day 6.

Click to make larger.

How did you do with the mini burrito challenges yesterday? We saw some of you adding in those planks. See if you can keep that up today. And if you feel the burn, then you're doin' something right! So while you're crunching away and it's getting harder, just remember....

#2500 Crunches: Day Three Results

We're just a group and we're on fire.

Crunching each and every day, til our abs are hurting and in pain

We're living in a world and it's on fire.

Feeling all the pain and burn, but we know we can still keep crunchin

Oh oh oh oh oh, we got our ass on the ground

And we're burning it down

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh, we got our ass on the ground

And we're not backing down

These ABS are on fire.
These ABS are on fire.

We're crunching on fire.
These ABS are on fire.

3 days down, 7 to go. You. Guys. Are. En. Fuego! Keep it up crunchers. You're kickin ass. And I bet it's getting a little easier every day. All you over achievers out there...who's aiming to break 2500? Seems like a lot of you are on track to blow that goal out of the water if you keep this up. 

Here are the results through Day 3. If you're not on here or your numbers are wrong then we didn't get your crunches in time. Make sure to message us by 10pm PST every day if you want to be in the daily update. 

Here's a few more pics for inspiration as you crunch away. If you take any photos or videos send them along and we'll include in our updates.

Jason crunchin after practice in the parking lot.

Rob & Naomi on the deck before swim practice.

No I didn't eat the bar!

Keep it up crunchers. It's inspiring to see you all workin hard and having fun doing it (for the most part!). What's a few crunches amongst friends?

Birthdays, Vegas & Training Oh My

What a busy two weeks it has been. From birthdays to Vegas to the P!nk concert....and somehow fitting in all the training. It's been fun but busy so I'm happy it's a recovery week.

Feb. 9 
Happened to be my birthday and what better way to start the weekend than with a freezing cold bike ride in Westlake with the team. When we started, it was a balmy 29 degrees. For those of you that think LA can't get cold, think again!

But all was made better with a decorated bike and helmet for my ride compliments of some great teammates.

Stingbee all decked out. Thanks +Christine Concepcion , +Emily Conlon  & +Clare Ryan .

We headed out on our crazy cold ride - it was a 50 mile day followed by a 5 mile run. Couldn't feel my fingers until 10 miles in, then my toes went numb. Needless to say it was a hard day but every time I saw the shadow of the bow on the road from my helmet I smiled and took the day for what it was, lucky to be celebrating it with so many of my friends. 

Thanks for the awesome shirt Em!

Then rushed home, headed to the airport and off to Vegas for the weekend with friends. Great time with two great ladies. Maybe not the typical Vegas weekend that most have, but we had fun. The 75 minute massage on Sunday was much needed after a pretty miserable 10 mile run.

How I wore heels I don't know!

My birthday fruit cup with gold pieces.

Feb. 16
This past weekend was a pretty epic training weekend to close out our second build week. Thank goodness for recovery weeks! A hilly 56mi ride in Malibu followed by an hour run. And what a change from last weekend - the weather was beautiful and warm. Too bad I forgot to sunblock my arms...great start to some awesome tan lines. Then that night, it was off to the much anticipated P!nk concert. What. A. Show.! Absolutely amazing and totally worth it as tired as I was. 

Yes...P!nk was flipped upside down, spinning, AND singing.

Feb. 17
To close out the weekend, we had an 11 mile run up to Inspiration Point. I ran a few bonus miles with some teammates and capped out at 15.25. Tired legs but nothing a little stretching and compression socks couldn't fix.

Week of Feb. 19

So that brings me to this week. Recovery week. Workouts may be lighter but the intensity is up. And although I'm not working out as much, I'm more hungry. Good thing we started 2 core challenges - Challenge 1: 60 minutes of planks in 7 days. It ended on Tuesday. I had to cram 40 min in two days but I got it done. Challenge 2 - (to begin Thursday): 2500 crunches in 10 days. So my abs have not been recovering this week but how could I not participate?!

"Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did."

Birthdays, Vegas & Training Oh My

What a busy two weeks it has been. From birthdays to Vegas to the P!nk concert....and somehow fitting in all the training. It's been fun but busy so I'm happy it's a recovery week.

Feb. 9 
Happened to be my birthday and what better way to start the weekend than with a freezing cold bike ride in Westlake with the team. When we started, it was a balmy 29 degrees. For those of you that think LA can't get cold, think again!

But all was made better with a decorated bike and helmet for my ride compliments of some great teammates.

Stingbee all decked out. Thanks +Christine Concepcion , +Emily Conlon  & +Clare Ryan .

We headed out on our crazy cold ride - it was a 50 mile day followed by a 5 mile run. Couldn't feel my fingers until 10 miles in, then my toes went numb. Needless to say it was a hard day but every time I saw the shadow of the bow on the road from my helmet I smiled and took the day for what it was, lucky to be celebrating it with so many of my friends. 

Thanks for the awesome shirt Em!

Then rushed home, headed to the airport and off to Vegas for the weekend with friends. Great time with two great ladies. Maybe not the typical Vegas weekend that most have, but we had fun. The 75 minute massage on Sunday was much needed after a pretty miserable 10 mile run.

How I wore heels I don't know!

My birthday fruit cup with gold pieces.

Feb. 16
This past weekend was a pretty epic training weekend to close out our second build week. Thank goodness for recovery weeks! A hilly 56mi ride in Malibu followed by an hour run. And what a change from last weekend - the weather was beautiful and warm. Too bad I forgot to sunblock my arms...great start to some awesome tan lines. Then that night, it was off to the much anticipated P!nk concert. What. A. Show.! Absolutely amazing and totally worth it as tired as I was. 

Yes...P!nk was flipped upside down, spinning, AND singing.

Feb. 17
To close out the weekend, we had an 11 mile run up to Inspiration Point. I ran a few bonus miles with some teammates and capped out at 15.25. Tired legs but nothing a little stretching and compression socks couldn't fix.

Week of Feb. 19

So that brings me to this week. Recovery week. Workouts may be lighter but the intensity is up. And although I'm not working out as much, I'm more hungry. Good thing we started 2 core challenges - Challenge 1: 60 minutes of planks in 7 days. It ended on Tuesday. I had to cram 40 min in two days but I got it done. Challenge 2 - (to begin Thursday): 2500 crunches in 10 days. So my abs have not been recovering this week but how could I not participate?!

"Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did."

Ode to the Tempo Run

It’s tempo run Thursday

What’s that mean, you ask?

45 minutes of hell

Oh what a daunting task.

I wasn’t feelin the need

For a whole lotta speed.

My legs heavy and tight,

This may be an ugly sight.

So off I went

On this beautiful day.

Let’s get this over with!

So it’s outta the way.

A 5 minute warm up,

The pace was slow.

But it got the legs movin

And the blood to flow.

Then for 8 minutes

The pace picked up a bit.

Thru the 2 minutes of recovery

I kept repeating “Oh shit!”

Only 15 minutes in

And I’m asking “How much longer?”

But I had to remember

This just makes me stronger.

It was time for the set

That was gonna hurt the most.

But I knew once I finished

I would be able boast.

4 sets of 6 minutes

At race pace or faster.

And I’m happy to report

It wasn’t a disaster.

Two sets were done,

Only 2 more to go.

“This I can finish,”

For that I know.

Dear Run Gods, I said

Thank you for allowing me to run.

But please help me push through

And let this be done.

For I’m not +Adam Hill

And this is no fun!

BEEP! Goes my watch

I finished, I’m alive.

So happy to be done,

I gave myself a high-five!

It was warm and sunny

As I started to cool down.

And I thought wow -

I’m lucky to live in this town.

So on this day

Of my tempo run

I can definitively say

This time I won!

It's Just A Hill...

Lots of fun and training this past weekend to finish up Build Week 2. This past Saturday we had our first team ride at Zuma Beach. Finally weather was on our side. Sunny and warm 2.5 hour ride along the coast followed by a 30 min run on the beach. Makes training that much more enjoyable! 

Saturday night brought some murder mystery fun, 1920's style. Such a great time! I didn't solve the murder but got to dress up in fun flapper attire and even got to play dead. Thanks +Jennifer Fidelman and +Jennifer German for a fun night!

     

Sunday came early - 4:30am wake up call to head to the Tinkerbell 1/2 Marathon to cheer on some friends. Then had to get in a hilly, trail 9 mile run when I got back. Starting at 2pm makes for a hot and difficult run but I made myself do it and luckily had some company - +Brad Hall, +Holly M, +Elizabeth Ryan, +Elisabeth Waller-Scott . It wasn't pretty getting up to Inspiration Point but the view was stunning. 

"It's easier to go down a hill than up it but the view is much better at the top." - Henry Ward Beecher

Now headed into Build Week 3 and started out with a rockin swim set thanks to triathlete Andy Potts. Got some tired arms and tired legs but recovery is just a few short workouts away...

High Fives & Hot Springs

It's hard getting up early when it's still dark, cold and you don't really need to be getting up. The luxury of working from home is working out when you want to. I didn't want to get up. Then I saw a post from a teammate from 30 min earlier with a virtual high five from a fish as she was getting ready to lead the charge with several other teammates at a different pool. So I got up. Put my suit and parka on and headed to the pool. In the dark. And the cold. But I knew my teammates would be waiting for me and that's motivation to get yourself there.

Friday High Five. Happy Swimming! 

Motivation at its best compliments of +Emily Conlon 

Luckily the splash pool at SMC was like swimming in a hot springs. Balmy 90 degree water temps this morning. Way too hot for a swim but if you want to just hang out, it's great. But alas we swam anyway because that's what we do. We swim in the rain. We swim in the cold. And we swim in hot water temps! It's the middle of January and I'm swimming outside - life could be worse!

Timeout is O.V.E.R.

This week I was struck down with the plague that everyone else seems to have. And when I say plague I mean the nasty cold and cough that doesn't seem to want to go away and is just annoying enough to take you out for a few days. 

For probably the first time in my life I followed the right path and fought the urge to workout. I put myself in timeout for 2 days. Drank lots of tea, got some rest, took the occasional cold & sinus drugs (although that didn't do anything). And what do you know? I was back in the saddle this morning. Was it a great workout? No. Was it awful? Not at all. Maybe taking it easy isn't such a bad idea. Better to learn late than never. 

The morning started out a brisk one - a whole 37 degrees out in Griffith Park. I had no feeling in my fingers and toes for most of the morning. Trying to brake going downhill proves a bit challenging when you have no feeling in your fingers. 

It was triple brick day - 6 mi bike/3 mi run. And...repeat 3 times. But in the midst of all that, we flatten everyone's tires as they're out running. Seems mean, sure. But it provides the coaches lots of pleasure and of course gives the 'pants great experience changing a tire under pressure. I made all 3 bikes and runs although not speedy. Took it slow as the cold air induced the lovely cough I have goin on, but just told myself to keep moving forward. 

Motto of the day.

Now on to an evening filled of TNT friends at the infamous Man v Bar fundraiser. First time being able to go and I'm not up to normal standards. So early night for me but it will be amusing for awhile :)

"Oh What A Night"

Saturday, Jan. 5 was a long day but great day. It started at o'dark thirty up in Westlake Village for Ironteam practice in 33 degree weather. Frozen fingers, frozen toes but that doesn't stop us from biking and running. 24 mile bike followed by 2 mile run and we finished just as the sun started to thaw us out. Then it was time for the Justice League of Coaches to make an appearance. Work hard, play hard...that's how we roll. 

Whoever thought it was a good idea to run a half marathon at 9pm should be shot. Oh wait...it may have been me...along with 50 of my friends. But what makes it better? COSTUMES! Superheroes were in full affect. Definitely the most fun 13.1 miles to date...if that's even possible.

Robin (me), Batman ( +Emily Conlon ), Wonder Woman ( +Elizabeth Ryan )

The race was in Downtown LA and who wants to deal with traffic, road closures and expensive parking. So we took the metro. This was my first metro experience and coming from a city where I relied on public transportation, I decided to give this a shot. And what a surprisingly great easy and great experience it was. Can't wait til they build the line further on the westside. Definitely will start riding it more. 

Race goal: have fun! No pressure, just go out and have a good time. And that's exactly what I did. It was a TNT reunion out on the course. Peeps were all over the place. Lots of high fives going on...especially while climbing all those mountains! And running alongside Batman, Captain America (decked out in TriTrain gear) and Wonder Woman couldn't get any better, especially as we got several shout outs along the way. 

And of course we can't forget our amazing Mile 11 Angry Bird Cheer Squad. Great boost to get us the last 2.1 miles home. Thanks +Elisabeth Waller-Scott and +Holly M for making the trek to cheer on all the crazy people who thought it was a good idea to run a late night half marathon dark streets of shadyville LA. 

All in all it was a successful weekend. Sure my glutes and hammies and quads were barkin on Sunday but after a little Monday spin and Tuesday swim, all is back to normal. 

First NYE 1/2 Marathon: 0    Holly: 1 

2012 is out...2013 is in!

A new year is here. Things are ramping up and it's only the third day. After 2 weeks at home for the holidays with the fam in NY and a great new years in Atlanta with friends, it's good to be back and get back into a routine. Lucky for me my parents have a midgie gym in the basement equipped with a stationary bike and treadmill so I didn't have to brave all those 30 degree days outside. But there's nothing fun or glamorous about 2 hr bike rides and 9 mile runs on equipment that doesn't go anywhere. Thank goodness for TV and SVU marathons!

Yesterday was a long day. Up at 5:30am east coast time to head back to LA. Worked the rest of the day, got in a swim before coaching swim practice and finally got to bed at midnight - west coast time. Yes that was almost a 24 hr day but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Today shaped up to be a good one too with a little double workout action. Great 18 mile bike ride this morning along the ocean with my mentee +Christine Concepcion...and ended the day with the weekly glow run and extra bonus - some celebrating for +Marvin Tabangay b'day! Yay for tacos and ice cream! 

Looking forward to a weekend of craziness...team practice bike ride on Saturday and the first annual New Years half marathon Saturday night with probably 50 of my friends. We're gonna take this one easy and have some fun. I'm sure a costume of sorts will be sported!

So the year has started off crazy but fun. And it's only gonna get crazier. Bring. It. On.