Me? Diet? Hell no. I'll eat as many deep fried chocolate chip cookies as I want. And I'll drink as many beers as I want.
But I do realize that I'm trying to be healthy, so maybe my lunch won't consist of a burger and fries everyday.
I've downloaded an app to track what I eat. Yes, it counts calories, though,I'm not really paying attention to that unless I've had too few. What I'm concerned with is the nutrients and fulfilling my daily values. Turns out I suck at eating the recommended amounts of everything.
CVS was having a sale on V8 and I decided to pick 2 pints up unsure of how it would taste sans vodka. Turns out it tastes pretty damn good and about the same as a Bloody. And the low sodium version fills a few gaps in my system.
February = 1 year anniversary of running
Do I run every week? No. Do I run fast? No, I'm a frickin' tortoise. Do I run far? Not yet...
The Goal: Door County Half Marathon The Date: May 4, 2013
I have 12 weeks. Fuck me. Remind me why I'm doing this.
To answer my own question - I'm not really sure. I think it's for several reasons that just keep multiplying. I started running because I saw myself becoming unhealthy and I really wanted to keep eating boxes of cookies and drinking lots of beer. Therefore, moderation is key and exercise will help to balance it out a bit. Another reason is because I don't see myself as good at any physical activity. For me, I can be good at running. I don't have to constantly compare myself to others; I simply want the damn finishers medal.
I'll be logging my runs and training here while being brutally honest.
Luckily, my gym is down the street, so weather is no excuse. That's not to say that I won't be running outside.
I won't be training with CARA or any other organization quite simply because I can't afford it. Though, I will be doing a few races and the Six Leaf Series along the way.
I need to have fun, eat chocolate and drink beer, otherwise I'm going to quit tomorrow.
Week 1 Day 1
First day running since December's Rudolph Ramble 8K. Like I said, I'm a frickin' tortoise. No, I am The Tortoise. Considering my Ramble pace was 11:00, I was pretty disappointed when my body just told me "no." Upon realizing this, I came to the conclusion that I'd go with 4:1 intervals. There's no shame in walking.
It's been so long since I've ran that I totally forgot about chafing. The inside of my thighs were burning thanks to my too short shorts, and I wasn't near halfway done. There are eucalyptus scented cooling towels on hand that sounded like a lot more relief than they really were. Lesson learned, bring the deodorant.
Distance: 3.14
Pace: 13:15
Week 1 Day 2
Okay, I get it - I'm not in the same shape that I was last fall. At least my thighs weren't burning; though, clearly I didn't use the deodorant high enough. I didn't think I had to worry about it so close to the bikini line!
Distance: 3
Pace: 12:30
Week 1 Day 3
The Door County Half organizers make no secret of miles 4-7 being a bitch. And these are seasoned, experienced, good runners saying this. Why is this my race of choice? I googled some treadmill hill training, but it seemed a little intense for my just beginning.
Anyone want to take me back to grade school? All I see is hell.
So, I decided to start easy... or so I thought. It was supposed to be my "easy" run of "2miles."
I started with the plan of warming up at 1% incline, going on for a bit and then doing a half mile of 2%, winding back down to 1% at an even slower pace.
Why didn't anyone tell me that this was going to hurt so much? I was going even slower than my other paces and I wanted to ball my eyes out and quit within 1min of "running." I'm pretty sure my body was telling me to stop, but the gloom-and-doom of miles 4-7 are just haunting me. Also thought that maybe it was just a threshold that I'd just have to push through. And push through, I -kind of- did.
Everything hurt with every footfall until 1.25miles. After that, turning up the tunes seemed to help. Last night, I read an article about how to hold your hands while running. The basic elbows at your side, loosen up, and then "picture yourself holding 2 butterflies." Admittedly, the butterflies helped. The damn flutter-ers occupied my mind long enough to finish (without walking).Then, everything resumed hurting.
Tomorrow, I'm going to figure out how to make that foam roller lend some relief to my thighs. And why do my shoulders hurt?
Distance: 2
Pace: 13:00
Distance Climbed: 119feet
It’s COLORS time again! Columbia Yacht Club says, “It’s time
to shake the sheets and sweep away the cobwebs.”
The ebb of entrants
over the past few years due to the economy put a damper on the event, but now a resurgence of 77 boats is a promising turn.
This is the highest number of entries in the past three years.
COLORS has traditionally been a locals-only event with a few
boats from across the northern border, but Race Chair Olof Andersson says, “Not
for long.” This year the Race Committee has made the ambitious decision of
adding a second race circle. “If you want to be a big racing Club, you just
gotta do it.” In the past years, Columbia’s
hosted 60+ boats all on the same circle. “It gets too crowded at the leeward
mark.”
The Farr 40’s preparing for Worlds in September make up just one
of eight one design fleets on the two courses tomorrow. “This is their first
big chance to feel each other out and test their new gear,” foresees Andersson. The J/111’s are all registered,
several of the Beneteau 40.7 and 36.7’s, three Flying Tiger 10 Meters and most
of Chicago’s
traditional Tartan 10 fleet are all showing up. Compared to past years the PHRF
and ORR sections have nearly diminished, but this regatta began as a one-design
event for “level” racing so it doesn’t have the race organizers concerned.
All the boats will be testing new gear, breaking in new
crew, and, simply, getting back into the swing of things. Where do most boats
get it wrong? The leeward mark. “We expect to see a large shift in talent from
Saturday to Sunday.”
Results will be posted on a live basis on Yachtscoring with
Twitter updates from the race courses @ColYC.
Columbia One-design Level
Offshore Racing Series has been hosted by Columbia Yacht Club in Chicago since 1995. It is
identified as the kick-off race for the season as well as the tune-up for the
NOOD the following weekend.
Congratulations to ISAF Match Racing Champions Ian Williams, Malcolm Parker, Gerard Mitchell, Matt Cassidy and Bill Hardesty. After defeating Johnie Berntsson 3-1 at the Monsoon Cup in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, Williams was awarded his third championship crown.
While reigning as one of the US’s top match racers, Hardesty has had a successful 2011 winning the Etchells Worlds as well as the Chicago Grade 2 Invitational this summer. I had the privilege of speaking with Hardesty for a quick moment while he continues to catch up with his life in San Diego, CA.
MK: Obviously you’re an accomplished racer. Does this championship rank as your favorite title, though?
BH: We did the same accomplishment in 2007 winning both the WMRT and Monsoon Cup so we knew what it was like. I think the biggest accomplishment to date was either winning the Etchells Worlds earlier this year with one race to spare. Or winning Key West Race Week in the Melges 24 as helmsman when it came down to the last race to beat Spithill.
MK: Do you have a higher goal in mind or do you plan to keep winning the WMRT?
BH: I would really like to start sailing on the bigger catamarans. It’s a tight market and that sort of commitment needs to be carefully considered. It needs to be with the right team and in the right position.
MK: How do US match racing events compare to those held in Malaysia?
BH: Match Racing in the US is strong with events now taking a more commercial outlook. Its about a lot about having a great venue with public exposure. The US is close to the level now that Chicago Match Race Center is running their big events off Navy Pier.
The biggest difference is where the money comes from. In Malaysia it appears the money comes from the government in an effort to raise tourism. The business models in the US have little to no government backing and rely on either private money or money from commercial sponsors.
MK: What’s your fav US event?
BH: In the US my favorite event has historically been Key West Race Week. It has a good destination feeling and the competition is fierce. Lately, that has changed drastically reduced participation.
Now the Chicago Match Race Center events off Navy Pier are leading the list of favorites. CMRC is bringing sailing to the public without sacrificing the quality of the sport. There is great energy surrounding the CMRC regattas and I see a bright future ahead for the organization.
MK: What’s your next event?
BH: From Malaysia, I flew straight to Fort Lauderdale where we are starting our 2012 Melges 32 Worlds campaign. Its tough to say how we will do but it will be a good journey.
MK: What is your boat of choice in fleet racing events?
BH: In fleet racing its more than just the boat but also your position on the boat and the strength of the fleet. The Etchells is one of the best fleets in the world with great tactical sailing and is a relatively comfortable boat to be crew. The Melges boats are great to drive but the hiking we developed over the years has made crewing a real chore.
The best boats have strong fleets with good racing. Second factor is a toss up between speed/excitement and comfort while sailing. The Melges 20 has found a nice Niche with legs-in sailing, good excitement, and a strong and now growing fleet.
MK: Who is your largest personal supporter?
BH: It’s a close one between my girlfriend Mandi and my Father.
MK: Do you get to settle down and spend some time on Firefly now? what’s your plan for the down-time?
BH: In the winter I spend my downtime I living aboard my cruising sailboat Firefly. She is a 1980 Wauquiez Hood 38. I left Boston in September of 2009 and we are now through the Panama Canal and headed to Costa Rica. As a professional sailor it is common to have weeks of downtime so I like spend them exploring remote tropical islands.
Several years ago, I swore that I would never return to retail.
After it was re-confirmed that I was soon to be let go from the Chicago Match Race Center, I applied to over 100 firms, agencies, corporations and small businesses. In one day, I received 56 rejections.
Rock bottom came to mind.
By chance, I found an undisclosed yacht yard seeking a retail associate. The ad boasted that it is the "largest yacht yard in Chicago." Dead giveaway. The ad was 6 days old; chances were the yard had already found their store associate. I applied anyway and received a call a few days later.
My interviewers spoke of this position like it was the most-desired thing ever. It was all a sham. They were pleased with my interview and one showed me around the place. I was grateful that it was still nice out, but regretted my choice of Ferragamo kitten heels on the rough pavement.
A familiar face -of sorts- produced a genuine smile from me for the first time that day. There sat Momentum on a cradle surrounded by a hundred boats. I don't even know how I picked out Skipper's old boat amongst the others. It's not like she was special or stood out. Just an old girl with fading paint and antique lines.
I interpreted Momentum as some sort of sign and took the job. I now work retail at Chicago's largest yacht yard. Not exactly PR.
Most days I'm disappointed with my situation. I've even been reminded of my failure by a select few individuals. Remember the skipper from Richardson who was upset about his coverage? Yeah, that asshole. "This isn't exactly a step up from CMRC is it?" No, shut your trap. "You're no longer doing PR?" he asked with a twisted smile.
Things look up, though, I'm moving to Lincoln Park with Ipo next month. The 2hour commute to-and-from the yard has been doing me in quickly.
The yard has also had me working on some PR and marketing projects that I'm pretty excited about. Top secret of course ;)
Skipper's friends from back when help me get through the really hard days. An old gent who I had spoken to briefly about the weather stopped mid-sentence, "I know who you are." Okay, sure old man, who am I? "You're Gene Kinney's granddaughter." I choked on my own tongue. "How did you know?" - "I just knew," he said as he walked out. Eerie, right?
Apparently, Devon and I haven't been flying low enough below the radar with Maneater either. I was speaking with a man who I thought was talking about T-10 racing. I confessed that I was only out for one event last season and needed to find a new ride. "Oh, did you sell your boat?" - "I don't have a T-10, I just sailed on one," I explained. "No no. The big red one. You still have it don't you?" I'm still trying to place who this guy is. Was I really that drunk on Mac Island? Don't answer that.
For those of you who are unawares, I finished up a highly successful season as Press Officer for the Chicago Match Race Center in mid-October. I learned a lot and loved the position along with all its up's and down's.
Here's a glance at some of the projects we worked on there that you haven't seen:
GRADE 2 INVITATIONAL
August
Chicago Grade 2 Invitational Promo
Grade 2 Wrap-Up
CHICAGO MATCH CUP GRADE 1 INVITATIONAL
September
Chicago Match Cup Promo
The Grade 1 Chicago Match Cup was by far my most notable event in regards to media relations. The event gained more coverage than any other event in CMRC history.
For reasons most likely related to my writer's block and giving seniority to another professional, I was not to be authoring releases for the event. Instead, I spear-headed the mainstream media efforts, video coverage and social media. I was pretty bummed over losing my release-writing duties, so I put everything into ensuring the best coverage we've ever had.
Along with hiring Matt Knighton - a highly desired Chicago videographer and editor - we brought in my sister, Devon, to run a live camera. Devon gained new insight to my daily likes and gripes! But what is PR if not an emotional rollercoaster! So long as you're pleased after the project is over or at least learned something, I think it's the right place.
Who cares about sailing in the US? How do we get the general public to give a damn about match racing? We face the same problems again and again.
The crazy fall weather made my job significantly easier, though. Dogs off chains being the appropriate phrase throughout the weekend. Broaches, men overboard, tight finishes all appealing to the eyes of the non-sailing community. It didn't hurt that the first big break was because ABC's original 5 o'clock feature didn't turn out to be that intriguing.
Mr. Frank Mathie, a 79-year-old veteran anchor, came dressed to impress and was drenched from head-to-toe before I was even able to gather his interviewees on Day 1. You see, it was pouring rain and fairly chilly that morning. Phil Robertson, Alvaro Marinho and Mary Anne Ward were the lucky candidates for air-time. It was a good combination of foreign flair, handsome men/beautiful woman, experience, and humor. Okay, the humor may have come from the bit where Frank couldn't get over that these sailors try to screw each other over to get ahead - not very "gentlemanly" at all:
The next couple days were absolutely off-the-wall with the houseboat having to be relocated, boats all over the place and all just more crazy, fall noreasters. This led to further coverage by Fox News, NBC and WGN on the days of the 26 foot waves. Originally WGN wanted to interview me, but being more of a behind-the-scenes person, I opted to introduce my boss as he walked towards me.
By the ends of these days, I was just done for; Devon was as well. It was the best event put on and exhausting to the very end where I slept for 3 days straight.
Chicago Match Cup Wrap-Up
AUTUMN OPEN A+B
September
Needless to say, this event took me by surprise. I didn't ever anticipate that I would be match racing; especially not with British Olympians Lucy Macgregor, Annie Lush, Kate Macgregor and, their coach, Maurice Paardenkooper.
I was confused and immediately reluctant to actually sail with these girls. I mean really, me? Sail with a team of that caliber? Not to mention me match race in general? Please!
Especially since I despise screamers and d-fleeters and I had no idea what I was in for with these people. After enough flack from the rest of the staff and the pleading of the team, I decided to actually do it. I totally caved. At least they needed my weight, so there was no starving myself as I shook in anxiety on the scale.
The weirdest part of the whole event is I don't remember it very well. I was overwhelmed so everything is in bits and pieces.
I became dizzy in a couple of the pre-starts, specifically in those against Brad Funk and Don Wilson. It wasn't that I was sea sick or motion sick, but it was like when you keep spinning and spinning around in a room and then you fall down and the room still spins. It all happened so fast and I was thrown right into it.
It took a few races for me to realize that I could not understand a word these girls were saying to me unless they spoke really slowly and loud. They all had thick accents and used words that I've rarely heard on the boat. "Can you understand a word we're saying?" Annie asked after the first race. Well, no and my hearing hasn't been the best out of my right ear either.
Not only was it difficult understanding what they were saying, but ruling out the screamers from other boats just did me over. I couldn't figure out what the hell was going on.
What happened at that bottom mark? Goodness! I was being told to put the spinnie up, pull it down, up, down. Finally, woof, round the damn mark. I must have had the look of an exasperated dog chasing my tail because Maurice looked at me, laughed, and said, "You're doing great," with a pat on the back.
I knew we made it to the Finals against Funk, but I was so tired, I just went through the motions. The wind had picked up in puffs and my muscles were screaming. Too many times while hiking, I had to remind myself not to let go. I so wanted to just fall in the water.
We passed through the finish line with a puff. The team was congratulating each other and I saw Isao on the photo boat broadside. I thought it was a little early to take a team picture. Maurice had to inform me that we won the event.
Exhausted would be an understatement.
The ladies were a treat to sail with. I'll be forever grateful to them for bringing me aboard and teaching this bum a thing or two.
RICHARDSON CUP
October
The Richardson Cup, a 73-year-old Great Lakes Match Racing Championship, was extremely relaxing with the gorgeous October weather and good company. It was solely a social media, photos and release package for the YRUGL.
The only rough bit was when I had written that one boat crashed into another on Day 1 (which did happen) and the assaulting skipper was upset that I had noted it and wanted a retraction. Seriously, dude? Don't crash into other boats if you don't want it to be written about. Not-to-mention that I had noted that he led the day in points and was sailing well otherwise.
Other than that sole incident, it was the perfect end to the season.
Continued to dominate Round Robins, got challenged in Semi’s, but went 2-0 in Final for first 2011 Season Grade 3 win
In another wild day of greatly varied conditions off Chicago’s Belmont Harbor, US Virgin Islander Taylor Canfield and his team of Alden Reid, Matt Clark and Tod Reynolds have won the Eurex Match Cup. The 22-year old Canfield gained not only Grade 3 points on the ISAF World Match Race Ranking List, but an automatic invitation to the Chicago Match Race Center’s Grade 2 event being held next month over August 12-14th.
This team led the competition from start to finish, showing incredible consistency and poise under pressure amongst a talent-stacked final four today.
“I was thoroughly impressed with how our team pulled things off. This is the first event that we’ve been reunited for this season,” said Canfield, Sailing Director at CMRC and recent Boston College graduate. “I look forward to doing some more racing soon.”
While the winning record throughout the event was impressive, the wins did not always come easy. Perhaps the toughest opponent Canfield faced was not runner-up Don Wilson in the Finals, but his 3-1.25 Semi-Final series opponent Jordan Reece and his young Australian team. In the first match, the Australians traded leads several times with Canfield proving that races are not won at the start. In the second match, Canfield was hit hard enough by Reece in a pre-start incident that the Aussie team received a ¾ point deduction despite winning the match.
In a must-win situation, Reece was against the wall sitting at 2-1.25, but still came out fighting, showing a skill level far beyond the team’s adolescent years. Reece, though, was still unable defeat Canfield, who has the second highest-ranking of any North American-based skipper.
“We really enjoyed our first event here in Chicago,” said Reece, “While we didn’t qualify for the Grade 2, we’re looking forward to our North American match race tour. We hope to come back to CMRC whether it is to race or train; this place is great.”
In the defining second match of the Finals between Canfield and Wilson, Wilson owned the start forcing Canfield to be late across the line. Both upwind legs were littered with tacks, but it was one bad tack that probably cost Wilson the race. “Our twang line actually got caught in the winch with the jib sheet forcing an override,” explained Wilson’s tactician Steve Hunt. One punch led to another on Wilson, with Canfield on starboard and Wilson on port, the CMRC founder tried to leebow his young opponent and cut it too close earning himself a penalty. The teams were still neck and neck on the final downwind with Canfield’s team rejoicing as they crossed the finish.
