I did it. Last week I completed the She-Rox Tri and had a blast doing it. It was a gorgeous day adn Frank, my niece and good friends came out to cheer me on, I did the race with my sister who also had a good race. I am definitely doing it again next year! I had no pain until I finished, and then the pain just consumed me, but that's ok, I had no pain during the race. Next up, the MS City-to-Shore ride. I just got to get back on my bike. :)
The pictures are linked here http://picasaweb.google.com/andrea.mannino/Triathlon
Monday, August 11, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
1 Week to GO
The SheRox Tri is next Sunday. I am pretty much sh*tting my pants. I am so unready, but then gain, I ma way further along than I thought I could be last year. I am still dealing with tons of orthopedic problems, and they will hold me up next week, but I know I can work through some. I know that sounds bad, but after close to 4 yrs of chronic pain, it's the best I can ask for. I am even starting plans for after the triathlon; I want to do the 45 mile segment of the Shore to City ride in September and the Lupus 5k in October. Having something to work towards and focus on helps me. I don;t do all I can to help myself and I know that, but I am doing more than I have in the last 4 yrs. And that's better than where I have been.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
She-Rox Triathlon
It's in two and a half weeks and I am so screwed! I did not train up to the level I wanted to/needed to and my body is not cooperating. On the upside though, I have reached new levels of exercise that I have not been able to get to in the past three years and it is really nice to know that if my body behaves, I can go out for a nice bike ride for an hour or put in a half hour at the pool. The trails here are very scenic so it is very relaxing to be on them.
Hitting the Town
Frank and I have not been out in Center City and what feels like forever. Friday we are hitting the town. I am very excited. Now if only I get to choose where we go...
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
SheRox Triathlon
So I have committed to something I am not even sure my body will allow, but psychologically, I need it.
I have signed up for the SheRox Triathlon here in Philly in August. The all women Sprint Triathlon along West River Drive will help me prove to myself, maybe my body doesn't actually hate me, and maybe I can work towards a positive goal.
To help get me psyched I bought a brand new kick ass road bike. Who knew that on a road bike, (vs. my ten year old hybrid) that I am always afraid of going over the handle bars. I am so high up and flying and I feel like that the smallest uneveness in pavement is my enemy.
Also my enemy are people who do not follow trail rules. People don't stay to the right (I do tell people I am passing but half can't hear me because of their IPods), other bikers don't tell you they are passing, and bikers and runners with their friends take up the entire trail going in one direction. It's just dangerous and inconsiderate. What I have also noticed over the years is that runners are way more friendly than bikers. Two runners coming at each other will usually at least nod or smile. Bikers totally ignore each other, bitch when cars don't see them, but bikers don't follow the rules of the road either, so why should the cars respect them? I am excited for myself to be biking a lot now, but am anxious of getting into this biking subculture that I don't care for, again, rude, dangerous and inconsiderate.
Enough ranting aside. I am very excited to be doing the triathlon. I just need all of my body parts to get excited too. Right now I can't walk so biking is good. Swimming is the hardest thing for me to get into. It actually aggravates some of my injuries and I find it takes a lot more motivation (and planning) for me to get into the pool.
I want this triathlon to go well because I want to be able to do at least one a year. Sprint triathlons should hopefully less stress on my body than some other activities since you spread out the pain to using all muscle groups at different points.
So we shall see what will come of all this. My hope is proof that I can get back into all physical activity without being in pain or injured every other day.
I have signed up for the SheRox Triathlon here in Philly in August. The all women Sprint Triathlon along West River Drive will help me prove to myself, maybe my body doesn't actually hate me, and maybe I can work towards a positive goal.
To help get me psyched I bought a brand new kick ass road bike. Who knew that on a road bike, (vs. my ten year old hybrid) that I am always afraid of going over the handle bars. I am so high up and flying and I feel like that the smallest uneveness in pavement is my enemy.
Also my enemy are people who do not follow trail rules. People don't stay to the right (I do tell people I am passing but half can't hear me because of their IPods), other bikers don't tell you they are passing, and bikers and runners with their friends take up the entire trail going in one direction. It's just dangerous and inconsiderate. What I have also noticed over the years is that runners are way more friendly than bikers. Two runners coming at each other will usually at least nod or smile. Bikers totally ignore each other, bitch when cars don't see them, but bikers don't follow the rules of the road either, so why should the cars respect them? I am excited for myself to be biking a lot now, but am anxious of getting into this biking subculture that I don't care for, again, rude, dangerous and inconsiderate.
Enough ranting aside. I am very excited to be doing the triathlon. I just need all of my body parts to get excited too. Right now I can't walk so biking is good. Swimming is the hardest thing for me to get into. It actually aggravates some of my injuries and I find it takes a lot more motivation (and planning) for me to get into the pool.
I want this triathlon to go well because I want to be able to do at least one a year. Sprint triathlons should hopefully less stress on my body than some other activities since you spread out the pain to using all muscle groups at different points.
So we shall see what will come of all this. My hope is proof that I can get back into all physical activity without being in pain or injured every other day.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Center City Pub Crawl
So Frank and I did our own pub crawl of Center City this past Saturday. We actually started at the Rangers v. Flyers game in the afternoon. We very graciously had our tickets changed to the club boxes because by accident they had us seated in the all you can eat section and if you don’t purchase the all you can eat plan you can’t sit there, so they moved us to very expensive seats with a private bar, bathroom and waitress. Pretty kick ass, as was the game. Rangers handed the Flyers another shutout. It’s been fun going to the games lately. The last game here the Rangers beat the Flyers 4-0.
From there we headed To Tria’s Wine Bar at 18th and Spruce. It is definitely smaller than their other location. I started off my wine drinking with a nice relaxing glass of Cabernet.
Next we went to NoddingHead where I was very disappointed with the wine. I know I am coming from Tria’s, but it was still sucky Shiraz, I didn’t even finish the entire glass.
After the disappointment we went to Mahogany, which is a scotch and cigar bar. I picture places like these all around the Capitol building in DC with Senators making back door deals. It was pretty cool. I sat in a big chair in front of a fire. I had a good glass of Cabernet and I want to go back and try some of their port.
After all of that drinking we needed food. We went to Jose Pistola’s. We were smart and sat at the upstairs bar where we watched G4’s imports of crazy Japanese game shows with some of the other patrons and manager. I did not drink here, but had a very tasty and filling spicy meatloaf dinner. As one of the patrons was leaving the bar he said “Go Flyers,” well I countered with a “Go Rangers” and he came back up the stairs saying, “Who said that.” So we got into an interesting hockey conversation.
After the food and fun we headed towards Chick’s Café and stopped at a random bar on South Street where the prices were way too high for a dive bar. We got to Chick’s wine bar and I enjoyed a nice, oaked, Chardonnay. Chick’s was small and the man behind me had way too much cologne on, but other than that, it was fun.
So next on our stop was to be O’Neal’s Pub which I have wanted to try. We walked in and it looked like your run of the mill crappy bar. Not many people were there and I was getting tired so we left two seconds later and went to Beneluxx. Beneluxx is a bar where they allow you to buy wine, beer, chocolate and cheeses in small portions so you can sample many things. I decided to sample a Barbera D'Asti and knowing this was my last drink of the night, I lived it up and ordered a $14 glass of this oh so yummy wine and some dark chocolate.
Frank and I had a lovely time on our pub crawl. And for all of the wine I drank Frank had many strong beers and a cask strength scotch. There is always something for everyone.
From there we headed To Tria’s Wine Bar at 18th and Spruce. It is definitely smaller than their other location. I started off my wine drinking with a nice relaxing glass of Cabernet.
Next we went to NoddingHead where I was very disappointed with the wine. I know I am coming from Tria’s, but it was still sucky Shiraz, I didn’t even finish the entire glass.
After the disappointment we went to Mahogany, which is a scotch and cigar bar. I picture places like these all around the Capitol building in DC with Senators making back door deals. It was pretty cool. I sat in a big chair in front of a fire. I had a good glass of Cabernet and I want to go back and try some of their port.
After all of that drinking we needed food. We went to Jose Pistola’s. We were smart and sat at the upstairs bar where we watched G4’s imports of crazy Japanese game shows with some of the other patrons and manager. I did not drink here, but had a very tasty and filling spicy meatloaf dinner. As one of the patrons was leaving the bar he said “Go Flyers,” well I countered with a “Go Rangers” and he came back up the stairs saying, “Who said that.” So we got into an interesting hockey conversation.
After the food and fun we headed towards Chick’s Café and stopped at a random bar on South Street where the prices were way too high for a dive bar. We got to Chick’s wine bar and I enjoyed a nice, oaked, Chardonnay. Chick’s was small and the man behind me had way too much cologne on, but other than that, it was fun.
So next on our stop was to be O’Neal’s Pub which I have wanted to try. We walked in and it looked like your run of the mill crappy bar. Not many people were there and I was getting tired so we left two seconds later and went to Beneluxx. Beneluxx is a bar where they allow you to buy wine, beer, chocolate and cheeses in small portions so you can sample many things. I decided to sample a Barbera D'Asti and knowing this was my last drink of the night, I lived it up and ordered a $14 glass of this oh so yummy wine and some dark chocolate.
Frank and I had a lovely time on our pub crawl. And for all of the wine I drank Frank had many strong beers and a cask strength scotch. There is always something for everyone.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Restaurant Week
So Frank and I participated in restaurant week. We went to Mercato http://www.mercatobyob.com/. For our appetizer we got a plate of Italian meats, sundried tomatoes, roasted red peppers and crostini. Our kind of food. The problem with it was that the meats were a plain salami and a prosciutto that was not sliced thin.Frank's meal was not properly described. What sounded like meat with a side of pasta, was more of stew with meat and pasta. I got a flavored pasta but it turns out the pasta with Franks dish was more flavorful. But after all is said and done we enjoyed ourselves and the food very much. After Mercato we continued on the town and went somewhere I have been wanting to go to for a while, Tria's. We went to the location at 12th & Spruce. I am in love. If Tria expanded to Manayunk, we'd be broke. Frank and I had contests to see who could order the better tasting wine. We split. And since they have good beer there too, if I drag Frank there a lot, he won't get overloaded on wine. We joined their club and I am eager to try 25 different wines so I can win my club prize.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
New Year's Resolution Day 3
Flossing and the gym are going very well. My eating habits are not, but that may be why I did not make a New Year's resolution about them.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
New Year's Resolutions Day 2
So yesterday I went to the gym, I cleaned my closet, did laundry and put all of the clothes away, flossed, am looking into joining a wine class, and may be interested in volunteering at a hospice. So not to shabby for my first day.
Today I got into work at 8:30. I went to bed too late to wake up any earlier, I need to work on that tonight.
Yesterday we went to the Mummer's Day Parade. It was packed and it was impossible to see the performance at City Hall which kind of sucked because that is the thing to see. I believe when we were there the Comics were going by. Next year I want to see the Brigades and I want to go to the Fancy's show at the Convention center. That way I can see some of the actual performances. It was mobbed and Frank and I bumped into the Police Commissioner by accident. Some of the groups we saw go by were sad. Unorganized, talking on their cell phones and not interacting with the crowd in anyway, whether it be shaking hands or exuding enthusiasm for the crowd. I am excited about the parade for next year, but will go with a better game plan.
Today I got into work at 8:30. I went to bed too late to wake up any earlier, I need to work on that tonight.
Yesterday we went to the Mummer's Day Parade. It was packed and it was impossible to see the performance at City Hall which kind of sucked because that is the thing to see. I believe when we were there the Comics were going by. Next year I want to see the Brigades and I want to go to the Fancy's show at the Convention center. That way I can see some of the actual performances. It was mobbed and Frank and I bumped into the Police Commissioner by accident. Some of the groups we saw go by were sad. Unorganized, talking on their cell phones and not interacting with the crowd in anyway, whether it be shaking hands or exuding enthusiasm for the crowd. I am excited about the parade for next year, but will go with a better game plan.
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