Hello sports fans and Happy Thanksgiving from me out here somewhere in the Drake Passage,
 
As you know, the race has been over for almost two days.  The last day was a test of one's endurance, spirit and hunger to finish. We all pushed on trying to get in as many laps as possible.  There wasn't much running being done as a good portion of the laps involved slogging upward through knee deep snow at times.  The scenery was no less beautiful as in the prior days.  Again, I must say how fortunate I feel to have been a part of this incredible journey. My equipment was spot on and amazingly I ate almost none of my food.  I have enough left over to do another week long race. The only thing I would change is my training. I would have incorporated more hill training into my program.  The ascents were many and my calfs were protesting quite loudly at times.  As in the other races, the friendships which have developed will last a lifetime.  This world of snow and ice has left an indelible image in my mind.  This boat journey back to Uschaia has been quite rocky and several are battling nausea.  The food has been exceptional but unfortunately in my case I had to skip several meals as I wasn't certain how long it would stay down. We do have showers in each of our cabins but i am going to forego one as I am certain I will end up up with several broken bones as I am not the most coordinated of individuals even on dry land.  I don't think that the true magnitude of what I have done will set in for another few days. Once on land, I will indulge in some pampering such as purchasing some fine moisterizer for this wind burned face of mine which has started peeling.  and a large bowl of pasta.  Yummmmm.  So until next time, enjoy your Thanksgiving of delicious food and football.
cheers, Jacqueline

Hello sports fans, 
What a positively gruelling 11 1/2 hours yesterday.  We started around 6am in the midst of falling snow.  The googles came in quite handy as did the gortex outer layers.  Eventually the snow stopped and the sun came out.  The first time  I looked at my watch, it was 8:30 am.  OMG I thought, we have 12 more hours to go!  My calfs were protesting quite loudly every time I ascended Neptune's window.  Once at the top, one had to make sure that one didn't venture over the top as there is a 400 ft drop down to the ocean.  Brrrr.  So once at the top, one had to carefully descend the rocky dirt/snow covered trail.  This path was were one could easily twist an ankle or take a tumble and probably in my case, my head would meet and greet a rock, which frankly might knock enough sense into me so that I give up ultras and take up bocce ball instead.  Although the route was only approximately 2.5 K, it wasn't boring in the least.  Family and friends who came on shore, were treated to a the delights of the thermal waters which was the crater of the volcano.   Truly incredible to think that is where we were actually running.  Around 11:30 am I stopped for about 20 minutes to have a hot meal  Wild Mushroom Couscous.  It had stopped snowing so I removed my gortex pants and traded in my googles for sunglasses.  For some reason on the next loop I felt so tired as if I could just drop down and sleep in the snow.  I took a sugar tablet which seemed to help immensely.  As I ascended Neptune's window around 3 pm, I was informed that we would  be done at 5:30.  Thank goodness!  I was thinking that I would change out of my damp three layers and put on some dry clothes, but I decided not too as I knew I needed to push on  to make up for a slow first day.  Amazing how one can push on through discomfort when one must.  Ah yes, I neglected to mention that the night before, the ship was underway, leaving King George Island, the seas were quite choppy and it was the first time I felt sick.   So at the expense of not taking in any additional calories, I skipped dinner and just went to bed.  I felt that anything I took in  wouldn't stay down very long anyway.  I did put a new patch on, but for whatever reason I was feeling a bit green under the gills.  By breakfast, I was much better managing to down several pancakes and take along some for the day.  Mother Nature made certain that the last two hours of the race would be nothing short of memorable.  It started snowing once again and with the wind blowing at 37 knots, not kidding, we all tried to squeeze in as many loops as possible.  I feasted on gummi bears for those last two hours as anything else did not seem appealing in the least.  Continuing on for another 3 1/2 hours would have been challenging for each us.  The wet, heavy snow, volcanic ash and mud were taking a toll on our calfs and thighs.  It's quite interesting to see how everyone at the beginning of each day, is quite chatty and saying hello, how's it going etc.  Three hours later one can barely grunt out a greeting and the wave of a hand is replaced by the briefest nod of a head.  I will say that once I removed my gortex pants, I felt less like an OOMPAH LOOMPAH and more like a cheetah!  HA HA you can see by that last statement that the cold has affected what functioning brain cells remain but hey whatever keeps me moving forward even if the thoughts are slightly dillusional.   This morning we were treated to an amazing site.  A pod of killer whales along with a humpback where chasing down a batch of seals. I am sure you will be treated to a fantastic picture of a killer whale flipping a seal in the air right before gobbling it up for breakfast.  Antarctica is a most beautiful continent and I feel most fortunate to be here and experiencing all it's beauty.  So, today will be  bitter sweet as it's our last day of running.  I am sure our bodies will be grateful but for most of us we know that visiting this continent is a one off.  Until later, greetings from a far off land.
Cheers, Jacqueline

Hello sports fans,
 
What an amazing day on so many levels.  Due to the 35 mph winds, the 6am start was cancelled and instead we started about 11:00 am. We started out on a mandatroy section of the course then continued on runnning, jogging walking, wading and generally just trying to keep moving so as to get as much mileage covered as possible.  My gortex shoes and seal skin socks worked splendidly as my feet did not feel cold until the last hour.  Without exception, the terrrain was undulating, wet, muddy and just a chore to get your feet out ...with the shoe that was in it.  Heck it was down right wet and narly.  After 8 1/2 hours, several others and I boarded the zodiac back to the ship in the company of a curious seal.  The wild life here is spectacular!  Penguins greet us at the shore when we arrive and even an elephant seal made his appearance.  Have to say that my gear selection has served me well so far. My gortex Norrona jacket and mittens are the bomb with aregard to insulation.  I only ate a few almonds after two hours, some seasame crunch and gummi bears to pull me through my last loop.  It was without a doubt a tough day for all.  Already two individuals were pulled due to frost bite.  Tomorrow the route will be the same and if the weather allows, we will start at 6 am.  ughhhh It's after midnight now and must go as tenatively we will be up at 4 am.  Must say, that regardless of my placing today, I am so happy that I made it through without injuries.  Until tomorrow, i hope you have enjoyed following the race so far and oh yes, if you happen to see pictures of me with my white waterproof pants, no need to tell me that they make my butt look big.  I already know that and feel like an Oompa Lumpa in them.
Good night from Antarctica.
Cheers, Jacqueline

Hello from somewhere in the Drake Passage,
First, I must say, this scopolmine patch is truly amazing.  I typically get very sea sick but feel positively great.  The water is teasing us with bigger swells and white caps as if to say,  "yesterday was a warm up for what's to come. Everyone is just hanging out reading, sleeping, playing games and in my case kniiting buffs for all.  : )  We were briefed this morning and after a description of the first day every one realizes the magnitude of what lies ahead.  we are expected to hit land around midnigt, then will have to wake up at 3:45 am, breakfast, gear up, board the zodiacs and head off to land for the 6 am  start.  They have planned to front load the race which means tha tomorrow they have us running  6am until 9 pm. Kid you not!  I must say that this is a fantastic group of individuals and I know that anyone of them would stop and pull me out of a snowdrift or stand between me and a penguin  if necessary. Okay, hopefully that thought won't need to be tested. : )  So enjoy the race and know that I truly would rather be here than at work today.   Although after tomorrow's stage I may be thinking otherwise.
Cheers, Jacqueline

So very ready although, wondering why so many have already left for the race?  Was there a change in schedule, an e-mail I accidently deleted stating that we needed to be at the dock by Monday morning 8am?  I am very much looking forward to leaving tomorrow as I can't possibly face going into another Sports store, and walking out with stuff I thought I had and realized I didn't and now my bank account has dwindled...yet again.    Seriously, how did I manage to pick up SPF 20 instead of 30?  Would they really ban me from running because I was 10 SPF short of the required amount?  I have taken to bringing the mandatory equipment list with me wherever I go.  By the way, if you are ever looking for something to do on a rainy Saturday, buy yourself a vacum sealer, open a bottle of wine, invite over a few of your friends telling them to bring their favorite snack food and have a blast!  Once you have vacum sealed a small bag of gummi bears, there will be no turning back.  It's truly hilarious to see the state food is in once you have sucked all the air out the packaging.  Animal crackers, you can almost hear the animals begging to be released. 
So, I need to pick up the seasickness patch from the pharmacy, send out good-bye e-mails and pick up another recovery package to replace the one I drank this morning from my race stash. 
I'll do my best to keep you entertained throughout the race.  Good-bye for now!

Cheers, Jacqueline

Food for the day:  Mac and Cheese Pizza - My favorite training food! 
Song for the day:  The Living Years - Mike & The Mechanics
Quote of the day:  Do not pray for dreams equal to your ppowers.  Pray for powers equal to your dreams. - Phillips Brooks

I woke up at 4am craving pancakes, having a brief dialog with myself as to whether or not I was allowed to have syrup given my one month deprivation of sweets and then just lay completely still as the following thoughts flashed across my mind as if a plane had flown by sky writing the following message just for me:  (i) do you have your visa (ii) did you get your shots and (iii) pack your snow shoes!  OMG!  Really, I don't need a visa or shots...right???   I don't remember reading anything about that but maybe I should have read all of Sams e-mails alot more carefully and all the way to the end!  Who cares about pancakes with syrup when what I may need is a visa and shots.  As for the snow shoes, I have them, but do I need to pack them???  Fast forward to 12:30 in the afternoon.  Just arrived at work to finalize some work matters before leaving, but first..you guessed it.  Check the race site, google "Do I need a visa for Antarctica?"  "Do I need shots for either Argentina or Antarctica?"  Phew, negative on both counts.   Now, I need to move on to that other outstanding item.  Two Hypodermic Needles.  When you see this on your mandatory equipment list, well, it does make one wonder.  I can't recall Shakleton and his men mentioning a need for hypodermic needles while out there.  Something to eat other than fish and seal, was what they wanted and oh, maybe a rescue boat, but they never mentioned needles.  Oh well, something else to throw in the wee little pack.  Speaking of  pack, it was ever so much easier to pack when running in the other three races.  I figure that maybe if I wear everything, at least there will be room for all that other mandatory stuff they are asking us to bring along.
So, I must go and procure the remaining items, maybe knit up a buff and stick my head in the freezer for a spell so that I get the sense of what's coming.
Until next time, enjoy your Saturday evening and remember me when you're at the bar having a beer. 
Cheers, Jacqueline

Song of the day:  Sinnerman by Nina Simone (Thomas Crown Affair) et tres belle chanson : >)
Food of the day:  Cheesy Gnocchi
Quote of the day:  The mind determines what's possible.  The heart surpasses it. - Pilar Coolinta

Yes, this is it.  My last day of work until December.  I am quite excited to be trading in my work clothes for training clothes.  Tomorrow I head to the mountains for one last day of training at a bit of altitude and snow.  Really excited.    I only have a few things to puchase still, SWEETS, a balaclava...stilll, sun screen and oh so very important, sea sickness meds.  Would be positively awful to be god awful sick on the way over, and while spending the nights on board the boat.  I for one have been sick and know that when I get sick, it's like watching Linda Blair in a scene from the Exorcist.
I also want to drop another five pounds to compensate for the clothes I will need to wear and the St. Nick pack I will be carrying on my back. This means making no left or right hand turns into the choclolate shops and scrumptious bakeries, holding my nose to block out the divine smell of Pommes Frites and staying the course by avoiding the libations which flow so freely over the weekend.
I must say however, I have so enjoyed training for this race.  I rarely felt unmotivated about getting out and running or doing some type of physical activity.  I did watch the tail end of the New York marathon and was positively stunned by the finishing times of 2:10 for the men and 2:28 for the women.  Maybe in my next life, my legs will be like those of a gazelle.  Although, it's kind of nice seeing the scenery pass by slowly before my eyes instead of a blur.

Unitl next tine.
Cheers, Jacqueline
Book of the week:  Same as last week.  It's a thick book.
Song of the Week:  "I'm so excited..."  Le Tigre
Food of the week:  Fresh baked bread with real creamy butter.  Yummmmm
Quote of the week: 

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Me, myself and I, a/k/a Coach and Trainer, impose upon myself this rule of no alcohol or sweets a month before a race. Why you ask? Well, the deprivation of sugar, means that having been without it for a month, my body responds pretty quickly to it when I have anything sweet while racing. This is a good thing. No alcohol, that's just for cleansing purposes and to amuse the Italians who are downing the Chianti as if it were water the night before a race.
So where have I been working the past few weeks? Austria and Germany. Where the wine, beer and sweet confections flow aplenty. It's crazy this rule of mine I say to mysel. Can I fire myself as a coach? I think so. The main reason I do this, is to test my commitment. If I make just one exception and indulge myself, to me that means I will always make an exception and an excuse not to stay the course. Anyway, if interested in being my coach and trainer for the next race, let me know.
To "sweeten" things up a bit, snow has fallen in the mountains. So far we have had six day work weeks so that we can finish up our assignment but on that one glorious day that we have off...it's off to the snow capped mountains which beckon only a few short train hours away. I feel most fortunate to be able to do some training at altitude and hearing the sound of snow crunch under my feet and the sting of cool air filtering through my lungs. I have to work harder than when at sea level to cover the same mileage but I am also afforded a good five hours of rugged training with the beauty of the Bavarian Alps as witness to my slog up the mountain. The down side of working here, is that it doesn't get light until about 7 am and it is dark by 5:30 pm. This doesn't bode well for running outside especially when one isn't too familiar with the area. Typically at home, I can run in the dark on my familiar trails as I feel as I know where the bumps and ruts are that need to be avoided. Two weeks away from the start of a race is not a good time to have an injury. So, this is where the treadmill comes in. I have run on the treadmill more the last few weeks than I have in my entire life time. Not a fan of the machine as I find it incredibly boring and dangerous to one such as myself, who can rapidly be drawn in towards the mid-waist level bar as soon as an image of Russel Crow or Sean Connery come on the big screen.  Fortunately for me, the European TV channels are very limited here and I haven't seen any Bond or Gladiator type movies although they were airing in German, Rambo III.  Visually capitavating, which is good as the dialogue leaves somehting to be desired.  Ever since working over here this summer while the World Cup was going on, I have become quite the fan of soccer. So, that's what I watch and besides, I have yet to see one soccer player who is not easy on the eyes.  Last night, I did manage to feel sorry for myself for about 30 seconds, as it was after 10 pm and I was the only one in the gym. Duh, it's Saturday night and why would anyone with any kind of life be hanging out in the gym on a Saturday night except if one was going to be running with the penguins in two weeks.
I only have a few more small items to purchase, such as my sweet treats, balaclava or as i keep calling it, due to my insufficient sweet intake, "baklava".   My goal is to say healthy, train sensible and keep visualizing the race to come. 

Cheers until next time, Jacqueline

Book of the week: The Fall of the Roman Empire by Peter Heather
Song of the Week: "Man on Fire" End Theme by Lisa Gerrard
Food of the week: Spaetzle with extra cheese. yummmmm
Inspirational thought for the week: Overcome the task of beginning and you have already accomplished the most.

Stroke, stroke, stroke, breathe, stroke, stroke, stroke breathe, turn and follow the black line at the bottom of the pool to the other end. Lap 1,562 or something like that. Counting laps is not even a consideration. Swim for ½ hour, take a twenty second feed break and then keep going. It’s all about simulating what I’m going to be doing for most of the day on April 17th. As I take a gulp from my water bottle, I notice two other people who are now sharing my lane. A young boy and a man who I later learned is his father. The child stops at the wall. He and his father study the paper taped to the kick board sitting on the deck by the water. I say hi and ask him if he’s on the swim team. “No.” he says. He has pushed his goggles on top of his head which results in him sporting a very punk look, befitting his gung ho attitude. “I’m swimming so that I can make the team in a couple of months. I have lessons which ended but swim about four days a week.” Wow. That’s awesome. Truly, the commitment and enthusiasm this young boy has is refreshing. We chat some more, I offer some suggestions which he incorporates in his stroke for the next few laps. Then he jumps out and says he’s going to the gym to try some of those core exercises I suggested. Yea, this is definitely one of those moments I am going to reach back for during my swim to motivate me.

On Saturday, April 17, 2010, I will be swimming 24 miles in lovely Tampa Bay, Florida. Three miles further than the English Channel but much warmer come race day…at least I hope as wet suits are not permitted. I thought I would give my feet a rest before I start pounding the pavement endlessly in preparation for Antarctica. They are most happy at the moment, as aside from swimming, working out for long periods of time on the elliptical and weights have dominated my workout routine. I read while on the elliptical so I have been going through about two books a week which makes me a weekly visitor to our local library and I think a “nerd.”

I am really quite excited about this event as I will be battling with my old friends pain and fatigue on the water while moving and trying to ensure I’m not oxygen deprived. While running, breathing is automatic. Oxygen was there for the taking. While in the water, breathing is another task, just like kicking and pulling.

So, between now and next week, my goal is to keep training, stay injury free and make certain I don’t gain weight as it really would be embarrassing if my bathing suit split during the event or as I was getting out of the water.

Will write more next week. Until then good bye from sunny Philadelphia where it's almost 90 degrees today.

Cheers, Jacqueline

Book of the week: Endurance: “Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage” by Alfred Lansing
Song of the week: “Wishing it was” by Santana (…Pain never makes me cry, but happiness does.  )
Drink of the week: Odwalla Super Food (It's delicious but  pukey, gross green in color so no one will ask you to share)
Food of the week: Peanut butter and banana sandwiches made on pancakes

Hello sports fans,

  Last Tuesday night I was asked to speak to a group of men several of whom were there with their young sons.  Well, if you don't know me, what you do know now, is that I am passionate about ultra endurance races and thoroughly enjoy hanging out with a roomful of men.  : >)  I brought my DVD of the 2006 Jeep Wide World of Sports 4Deserts Sahara Race.  Unfortunately there was a wee bit of a malfunction part way through, so the group did not get to see all of the footage.  Not too worry, I just started chatting away about the seven day event and before I knew it, my friend Sandy who had arranged for me to speak that evening was signalling me from the back that it was time to stop talking as people had to go to school and work the next day. 
  Aside from training, I really enjoy sharing my race experiences with anyone interested in listening.  It's as if I am an explorer who returns from visiting a far off place and the journey, all on foot, allows me to see so much more than if I had gone to that place and traveled through it by car, bus or train.  Even when I train, I like to watch those who go by and make up stories about why and what they are training for.  This amuses me to no end as I often get quite carried away with my own imaginary story line and before I know it, several miles have gone by.    Thinking, creating solutions to problems and reliving conversations I had through the day is what I do in lieu of listening to music.  All day, I work and talk to people, that I look at my work out as my time to decompress and just be. 
  Today I came upon a folder containing letters from some school children to whom I spoke several months after my Sahara Race.  These words and thoughts are priceless and I would like to share one letter with you in each of my next several blogs.  Here is the first of several:
  Dear Ms. Eastridge,
       Thank you teaching me how I can follow my dreams and make them come true.  I liked how you made us close our eyes and have our dream picture in our head.  My dream is to find the biggest treasure in the world so that would be in Egypt.  I am going to be an archeologist.  Remember my name, because I am going to remember yours.  I am going to watch the race.  Good Luck!  
       Sincerely, Maggie

My swim race is about two and half months away.  So aside from the pool, I go to the gym for some cardio and weight workouts and then of course visit the trails and open road to remind them of what they will need to do come November.

Until next time, be well.   Cheers, Jacqueline

Book of the Week:  Never the Last Journey by Felix Zandman
Song of the Week:  "Now we are Free" by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard (from the movie "Gladiator"
Food of the Week:  Dried Kiwi
Gear of the Week:  Pearl Izumi Infinity Tight 

Greetings from a continent that is still in the throes of global warming!  Not!  It's been in the twenties here in Philadelphia not to mention that the residents of Florida are walking around thinking they have most certainly been abducted by Aliens and deposited in Iceland!    I positively love the cold but this, with a bit of wind tossed in makes me hesitate to put on my cold weather gear and head out for a run.  So, while waiting for the sun to hit it's zenith so that I will benefit most from those weak winter rays, I stay inside, patiently grating lemons for some homemade Limoncello, whilst imagining that I am on the coast of Amalfi.    As patience is one of the key ingrediants in making this savory liqueur, I look at this task as part of my training.  Patience is most definitely what one needs when running any 4Desert race.  The days are long and the night on the long stage, is even longer.  Last Friday I was in Boston for work and before my 7:30 pm flight, I headed out for a quick run.  The snow was falling and yes it was very cold but invigorating and hey where else would I rather be at that moment but running in the snow while the minutes ticked by bringing me one day closer to Antarctica.  Saturday I was back home in chilly Philly.  I went for a four mile swim and woke up Sunday with chlorine fumes still hovering around me.  Sunday another run and lots of fun with friends.  Fun is essential and key in my training program.  Oh, by the way, drinking Limoncello is not recommended if one intends on going for a run later on.  The effects will not enable you to run faster but may be responsible for getting you lost and later found to be asleep in a snow drift. 
Until next time enjoy the day and oh yes, you will see that my song of the week is "I Can See Clearly Now."  If you can, check out the YouTube video of Jimmy Cliff singing this song.  Many of you will recall it was played in the movie "Cool Runnings."  The video shows clips from that movie.  Truly an inspiring, fun and often laugh out loud movie.  I have seen it numerous times and it always leaves me feeling good.  There are a few brief clips in the video which show children running.  I try to keep those images in my mind because it helps me with my running style.  Children run effortlessly and with such enthusiasm.  That's how I always hope to run. So watch and listen and drink a little bit of Limoncello now and again, after your run, to remind you that is sunny and warm somewhere in the world. 

Cheers, Jacqueline

Book of the Week:  City of Thieves by David Benioff
Song of the Week:  I Can See Clearly Now by Jimmy Cliff
Food of the Week:  Smoked Salmon and Spinich Filled Crepes - Great breakfast food!
Gear of the Week:  Raidlight Trail Raider Tights

Global Warming??  Where??  Not here in Philadelphia...maybe in Copenhagen.    I think Mother Nature is sitting back having a good, long chuckle whilst watching many of us run around with icicles hanging from the tips of our nose.  Seriously.  This weekend I was running in temperatures which hovered at 25 degrees for all of probably one hour before plummeting once again.  Oh and the winds were howling incessantly for two days.  So at one point, I do believe I was running backwards much to the amusement of those driving by.  I felt like I was in a scene from "March of the Penguins."  Great movie by the way for those who haven't seen it and I will watch it again right before I leave for Antarctica.  I think it will put me in the right frame of mind.  In fact, I think this time I'll eat a pint of Ben & Jerry's to make certain I'm as cold on the inside...as those penguins are on the outside.

It's January 5th and so far, I've trained every day this year!  I'm on a roll and dedicated to the core to be at my absolute fittest for this race.

Ah yes, I will be giving my feet a bit of race in April as I have entered a 24 mile swim competition in Tampa, Florida.  Quite an exotic little community for those who have never been to Tampa.  It's one of those places I can go to where I won't need my passport.  Unlike my other races, this one will be over in 10-14 hours.  The race will be held in Tampa Bay so where am I training you ask?  At my local YMCA pool.    Ah the sweet smell of au du chlorine.  What a change, to race in nothing but a swimsuit.  To make it interesting, I could do the swim with a backpack on.   A warm up of sorts for Antarctica.  Well, I will be blogging more regularly, but for now I must go as it's time for my work-out.  After all, I don't want to break my streak and I just checked the weather report.  The temperature is at a high of 29.2 degrees.  

Cheers, Jacqueline

Book of the week:  Lone Survivor:  The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of Seal Team 10 by Marcus Luttrell

Song of the week:  Sinnerman by Nina Simone (The famous song played in the final heist scene of the 1999 film"The Thomas Crown Affair."

Food of the week:  Cheesy mashed potatoes   Yummmmm

I love to train .  Am truly addicted.  Then again, I love Nutella, Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream and Macaroni and Cheese Pizza!  So having said that, yes, I love to train because it lets me indulge in all of those delectable edibles.  Yummmm.  Without a doubt, the hungriest I have ever been, was in the Sahara race.  That memory has never left me and I hope to never be that hungry again, especially in the midst of a race.  My next event is a weekend of dragon boat racing in Montreal in July.  It's a fabulous venue and as the Canadians are right in our back yard, we are constantly competing with them for first place in anything.
The Mt. Tubkal Trail Race in Morocco in October is my next ultra.  120 km non-stop.  It is called the World's Hardes Trail Run, starting at an elevation of about 7,000 ft., and forcing the runners to ascend to the top of Mt. Tubkal, which stands at 13, 651 ft., the highest mountain in Northern Africa.  Oxygen is optional. 
There is no way for me to train at altitude, other than take alot of time off and go somewhere higher than sea level, which is where I am at.  Here at home, I can do hills, lots of them.  When I train indoors for diversity, I am on the elliptical for about 90 minutes with the setting at the max incline of 20 and resistance at 9.  I read while I am on the machine , so those of you following my blogs, will be the proud recipients of my book recommendations.
My days currently are up at 5 am, paddle from 5:45 am to 7 am, go to work and either the gym, run or paddle some more.
In May I took three days off from training.  In June, I will take two days off.  Any two days I want, but only two days.  I also only allow myself sweets, one day a week.  Any day, but once I indulge, that 's it for another six days.
My new best friends are the road, trails and water.  They never chastise me for not visiting, but always welcome the soles of my feet or the pull of my paddle.  In my mind, I have a to-do list of events that I want to experience.  I embrace each day and am truly grateful for this body which sees me edge one step closer to each of these dreams.
Have a fabulous week and chat with you soon.
Cheers, Jacqueline
Energy food favorite of the week:  Pancake sandwiches w/peanut butter and jelly.
Book of the week - Skeletons of Zahara by Dean King - true story
Song of the week - Sandstorm by Darude