Yo Adrian...........

This is how I felt today, I felt like Rocky Balboa climbing up the stairs in downtown Philadelphia, successful because I've worked hard, successful because I finally didn't let my head play me, successful because I did it myself. Now, lets get this straight, I'm no speed demon ( not yet anyway) but I'm not getting slower, I'm getting a bit faster and more consistent. Maybe this year has taught me a lot about me and my body, maybe taking some time for so many other things, not making training such a big focus and actually liking what I'm doing again has made a big difference, I don't know, but whatever it is I'm happy and that's all that matters. It also might be because I'm not in full ironman training like I have been for 2 years for IMLP, those 10 extra hours a week available to my job and family makes a difference, however, I might feel differently come the fall when full IM Arizona training comes into play.

That being said, going out today and nailing a TT ride and mile repeats at the track all by myself in the rain made me smile, nobody around me and I did it, so proud today. Time to go to bed with a happy face. Night all. Happy training.

Life just passes you by sometimes

Sorry for my delay in posting, life just passes by and things get so busy. I have so many things to talk about and trying to figure out what to write sometimes slows me down, so I'll break it down into parts.

1. Family: LIfe is crazy, end of school craziness for 4 kids, two schools, being the class parent in 3 classrooms ( and you know what that means, gifts, party planning, etc...) Its nuts. I thought having 4 kids under 4 was hard but as they get older it gets harder, so many things going on, so little time.

Also, we are in sports hell right now. Actually, I love the fact my kids are sporty and that they love to compete and play in everything, however, trying to cooridinate 4 soccer games, 3 flag football games,throw in a swim meet to Dover, NH for two kids and music lessons its crazy. This past weekend we had 4-5 hrs of flag football on saturday ( All Stars) and then on to Harvard Stadium for the finally on Sunday for 6hrs. My 9yr old's team won the whole thing and my 8yr olds team came short by one game. It was a very long and rainy day and trying to entertain my 5 and 6yr old was trying for 7+ hours.

Anyhoo, if life wasn't busy I don't know what I would do with myself.

2. The house.We have our house under agreement, so great and after only 2 days. It was hard to keep it clean and keeping the kids from destroying the place, I can't imagine what it would of been like to do this for a long time, I would of went insane.

3. New house- Fire trucks at new house today, alarms went off, security system activated, my GC called and asked if I knew the code, I had no clue, the previous owner didn't give me anything. Anyway, firefighters were able to fix it. I went to the house, introduced myself and said, " IM SURE THIS WONT BE THE LAST TIME YOUR AT MY HOUSE,YOU HAVEN'T MET MY KIDS BUT IM SURE YOU WILL DEVELOP A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM OVER THE YEARS-HE DIDN'T LAUGH". Anyhoo, I dislike people who don't have a sense of humor.

4. Training: Things are getting done, here and there, when I can, doing the best I can. Satisfied is all I can say. I miss some of my training partners and working out with people but hopefully come fall when we move into the new house and the kids are back at school life will slow down a bit and I can get back on schedule.

OK Conundrum: 5yr old still wetting bed at night. Holding fluids at 5pm, making sure he goes potty before bed and sometimes waking him up when we go to bed to just make sure-still wetting bed. So, he's back in diapers at night and looking for any other solutions, would love anyones input.

Hope all is well with everyone, getting a bit distracted with the Bruins playing in the background.Gotta go, they are up 3 nothing, lets GO BRUINS

F'in Mooseman, F'in Bronchitis.......

This is what I would like to do to the Mooseman race. I swear this course will be my demise. As I wrote a few times before it was the first 1/2 ironman that I signed up for 4 years ago of which I registered, sat on the beach and then freaked out and walked away. I have since had a wedding, 2 ironman training camps that have prevented me from doing it since and now I have bronchitis and will not beable to race at my potential on Sunday so I decided not to do it. I feel like this is so unfair, friggin race. Anyway, after not being able to sleep, having difficulty walking up stairs to try to breathe I think I'm making the right decision.

I wish all my friends luck who are racing this weekend, Keri, Mary, Ange, Pete, Thomas. Enjoy the course, kill it, have a great time.

My wishes for this race: keri to either win her age group, 35-39 or place top two to go to las Vegas, and have Mary and Ange have Stellar performances and compete with the elites, make our 40-44 year old girls proud ladies.

I wish my friend Pete a great first olympic triathlon experience, he has trained so hard and has made such great strides this season, I only think great things are ahead of him in his future in triathlon. Good luck my friend.

Thomas enjoy your first 1/2 ironman, take it easy up that climb and enjoy the downhill. The water really isn't that cold, just believe.

Have fun guys, I will be racing with you in my hearts and looking forward to my first 1/2 of the season at Providence 70.3 in July.

The Heart of the Matter

Its been over 20 years that I've been diagnosed with Familial hypercholesterolemia. I got this wonderful disease from my mothers side of the family. One uncle died at 39, one at 49 and mom has had 2 heart attacks and an angioplasty before the age of 55. The highest my cholesterol has gone has been 256. What's also wonderful about my family history is that we have elevated levels of lipoprotein A which increases our risk for plaque build up in our vessels as well as blood clots. Unfortunately, their is no treatment for elevated lipoprotein A levels so you are either put on strict dietary control with exercise or put on medication.

Over the past 5 years I have done everything in my power to not be put on medication. The Statin medication for high cholesterol can cause severe muscle pain especially in endurance athletes and unless my cardiologist tells me I have no other choice I will do my best to not go on the pills.

3 yrs ago I underwent a stress test to see whether or not I was in immediate danger or heart issues. i also underwent a calcium ion CT scan to check for plaque build up in my vessels. Both tests came back great and along with my blood work my cardiologist gave me a 3 year bye on pills.

Last week I went to see my Cardiologist, Dr. Sydney Alexander at the Lahey in Burlington, he again told me that he expected to put me on pills by the end of my visit. My blood work showed:

TC-228
HDL-80
LDL-138
Triglycerides-48

All other blood work including CBC and electrolytes, thyroid, etc.. were within normal limits.

My examination was normal, my weight was lower this visit than last and my body fat percentage dropped to 14.3%. Again, Dr. Alexander told me that since I am an endurance athlete and the risks associated with taking the Statins outweighed the literature to support me going on it right now isn't good, I got yet another bye for 3 years. He even told me that there was no literature to support me taking a baby aspirin a day. Good for me.

However, even with this good news with my family history and my still borderline blood results I get a bit nervous that I may still be building plaque and could have an early heart attack based on my family history.

Whats even more sad is that all 4 children of mine carry an elevated lipoprotein A level as well as being diagnosed with high cholesterol at the age of 3. They are also followed by a cardiologist in Boston who has been monitoring them since that age and with dietary changes ( except for one child) they are doing great and only need to be seen every 3-5 years.

Its so hard to know that as a parent I passed on this potential deadly disease that if you don't watch what you eat, if you don't exerise and even if you do all the right things in life, you may still be subjected to having a heart attack. Its very scary. That being said, I don't live by this disease and I do everything in my power to fight it everyday and to educate my kids, family and friends. Life is too short to not do something that you may have control over. I want to be around for many years and I want my kids to be around much longer than myself.

To my friends and family, do what you can to be healthy, enjoy your treats but get good exercise, eat well, get your yearly physicals and blood work so you know both your inner body and outer body are doing well and most importantly educate your children about health. We all want to live a long time.

ROK-a-5K Road Race | Hamilton, Massachusetts 01982 | Saturday, July 16, 2011 @ 7:00 AM

ROK-a-5K Road Race | Hamilton, Massachusetts 01982 | Saturday, July 16, 2011 @ 7:00 AM

Kids-ROK Off-Road Triathlon | Hamilton, Massachusetts 01982 | Saturday, July 16, 2011 @ 9:00 AM

Kids-ROK Off-Road Triathlon | Hamilton, Massachusetts 01982 | Saturday, July 16, 2011 @ 9:00 AM

JCC sprint Tri, as a spectator

It was soooooo much fun to be on the sidelines this past weekend watching my dear friends race, I also loved being able to give pointers, help change flats, blow up tires that were low, etc... I get so excited watching that it always reminds me why I love this sport and the people in it. I want to congratulate Kevin Reen, the 1st male overall, Vinny and Marty Misrendino, 2nd and 3rd overall and my good friend Marnie who got 2nd overall female, just a tremendous effort out there by these amazing athletes.

I also want to congratulate my friends, Erica, Jason, Nicole, Keri, Jill, Christine, Dean, Josh, Stacey and many more I'm sure I'm forgetting for putting in major efforts, some PRs and just showing me again why I love this sport and that each and every one of them showed the true spirit of competition and good sportsmanship and even with the terrible elements that were handed to them on Sunday they raced their hearts out.

Thanks guys for continuing to inspire me and making me want to be a better athlete and person. Here are just a few pics.