37 Haendel Christmas Party

There's only one word for the Christmas Party at 37 Haendal: Epic.

Snowflakes hanging from every Ceiling! These snowflakes ranged from basic cutouts to incredible designs of Christmas Trees, Presents, Bells, and Holly. There were talented snowflakes in the batch, and like we learn in elementary school, not one was identical to the other.

As for Steve's Labrecque's Wild Ride, there was some sweet decoration placed on the Band's equipment. The set list was tight, especially with Guest Trombonist, Drew Howard who stepped in for "Santa Wants to Know."

BURC once again did their Secret Santa and I must say, everyone outdid themselves for creative gifts! There were Legos, Nerf Guns, Aerobic Striptease : In the Bedroom with Carmen Electra, and even a Papaya! (What do you do with a Papaya, I have no idea, but what an awesome Gift!)

Other hits of the party included 6 Batches of Christmas Cakies, Beer Pong and a Christmas Keg! With over 70 attendees this was definitely an awesome End of Semester Christmas Party!

Go to The Gawors' Homepage!

Lake George Triathlon!

So the Lake George Triathlon went amazingly! That is... I FELT great. My times don't show the fastest my body theoretically could handle. 2:11, 25, 66, 37. The main good point about this race: Throughout the race I didn't feel horrible. I felt like I wanted to continue. I felt light on my feet and in the water. I felt strong. And yet... I could be faster.

Throughout the season I had been focusing on recovery, racing, quality workouts, and more recovery. Not the worst plan ever. But I had neglected my turnover, I had neglected my cadence, and I had neglected a natural efficiency skill that I took for granted. My muscular system could handle the high impact during the few races I did but I could not sustain a relatively low turnover rate over long-term training. After Age-Group nationals I switched to high cadence (and for swimming, efficiency) training. I felt my body jump start and knew I had done something correct. I shouldn't have overlooked this aspect of my training, but we all make mistakes. Hopefully I can gain some efficiency and speed for the ITU World Championships in November.

Make a Plan But Don't Be Made By That Plan!

So it's been a while since the last post. I may have already posted about the importance of a schedule before, but I cannot emphasize that enough. I used my summer creating a Triathlon Team, taking Classes, setting up a Textbook Selling Agency, training and traveling for competition and spending time with my parents, friends, and Sweetheart Dog. Unfortunately I didn't have a set schedule to do things. I proceeded day after day doing "what I felt" I'd like to do at that moment. I always had the next task on my mind, not allowing myself to function to my utmost efficiency. It was a whirlwind of papers, frustration, and angst (Though I really did enjoy spending time with those I saw).

Now that I'm back in school, I'm back on a schedule, and able to have set (yet flexible) times in which I do the tasks that need to get done. I feel lighter, and more energetic. I am still as happy that I was before (I take everything in life as a gift), but I'm less frustrated with tasks because I am able to take that first step of recovery, first click of athletic research, or write that first word on a blog. Set schedules are necessary. As the old BURC President David Malinowski once said "Make a Plan, But Don't Be Made By That Plan!"

January Freeze 10k - TCRC Binghamton

So this may be a little late, but o' well. The 10k went alright in Binghamton, NY. 37:14. Not the greatest time in the world (considering my triathlon 10k time is 35:11). Though it was a good sight to see all three laps evenly spaced. I couldn't produce a great deal of power but I was consistent. It's still pre-season, but I need to start and get my butt going if I am to do well this year. I'm strong. Now it's time to convert that strength to power. Consistent power. I came in forth during the race. I raced against some good runners who pushed me along. It was a coldish day, but not too bad. I felt slightly fatigued going into it.