EARLY SATURDAY

At 5am at the Waddler house, everyone was up. Mr. Waddler couldn't sleep and was watching old movies. Hooch had to be at work at 530am at Caribou Coffee. Bino's team was sponsoring a bowling invitational and he had to help set up. So much for sleeping in.

After dropping Bino off, I heading to the gym for a swim. I had decided to make today an endurance ladder workout. After a 3 x 50 warmup, I did a ladder of 50,100,150,200,300,200,150, 100, 50. I then did a 3 x 50 cooldown. I felt great. The total of the workout was 1600m. The most that I have ever done and the first time that I have swam 300 without having to stop.

What a good feeling to have my workout in and be home by 8am. It's going to be a good day.

Waddling into Saturday.............

January will be a continuation of my base building. My basic plan for a week is:

Monday : Strength or short run
Tuesday: Swim & Spin or Bike trainer
Wednesday: Run
Thursday: Swim
Friday : Spin
Saturday: Run
Sunday : Swim

As always,this is written in pencil.

Waddling through winter.............

Thursday : Swim = 900m drills / 15 min. Core & Arms / 70 min Bike trainer
Friday : Run = 30 min. treadmill

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

Today at the gym, it was obviously January 2nd.

The first thing that I noticed was the free valet parking. It amazes me that you go to workout but cannot park your car and walk into the gym.

Next , as I was walking down the hall, I saw that every membership advisor offices was full. People motivated and wanting to join to change their lives.

I then went upstairs and grabbed a treadmill for our Team workout. I looked around and every piece of excercise equipment was taken. That's awesome to see. The only problem is that on March 1 the gym will have returned to the same look as before.

Lastly, I noticed the personal trainers walking around like vultures ready to take advantage of people new to working out. I have never seen so many trainers. The were even handing out towels to people on the treadmills.

I once read that 90% of people who make New Year's Resolutions never stick to them. I am not making any resolutions but I do have goals.

I did 60 min. on the treadmill tonight. I varied the incline up to 15 . I added weights and bands to increase my heart rate and work my upper body. I felt good when I left the gym.

Waddling toward my goals...........

DECEMBER NUMBERS

Run: 4h 30m

Swim: 9h 40m - 10950 M

Strength: 45m
Bike Trainer: 1h 15m
Spinning Class: 7h 00m

LOOKING AHEAD

Now that I have looked back, it is the time to look forward.

My #1 goal of 2008 is to complete a triathlon. The base has begun to be laid. I have learned how to swim. I have lost 18 lbs. Santa brought me a bike trainer for home. Now to remain injury free and take it up a notch.

I ran into my swim coach at the pool. Master's swim is going from 1 day per week to 3 days per week. I was excited. That is just what I need. Now add my bike at home with spin then add some mileage to my run. This will take me to March 24 when my half-ironman plan kicks in. Oh, also I need to lose15-20 more lbs.

Waddling forward..............

A LOOK BACK AT 2007

Looking back at 2007 , there were several different perspectives.

On the professional side, we installed our new linear accelerator. I helped set up a new procedure at our hospital (stereotactic brain radiosurgery). We were the first hospital in Will county to do this and one of a few in the Chicagoland area. Our department underwent several other changes- physicians and added staffing. The were alot of challenges but we made it through and are much stronger for it.

On the family side, my MIL moved from Cleveland to Illinois to be closer to us after the loss of my FIL. My daughter Hooch got her driver's licence and her first job. My son Bino played football for the first time and made th JV team in his High School. My dad who is 85 is doing great.

For me, the spring found me completing my 3rd marathon in Cincinnati. The Flying Pig was a great experience. Then I turned to the duathlon. I did Galena, Batavia, Waterloo, and Sylvania. I finished the year a half marathon. I recently found out that I took first in the USAT Mideast Duathlon series for my age group.

The outstanding event of 2007 was volunteering at Ironman Louisville. The emotion stirred up was overwhelming. It gave me the motivation to learn how to swim. Also the incentive to sign up for a half-Ironman in 2008.

I thank God for being so blessed in 2007.

Waddling in to 2008.............

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

It's official. I did get a bike trainer for Christmas. Santa was so good to me. Not only that--I have a new CD player and speakers for the rec room. I am going to rock. The trainer is just what I wanted.

The first priority today is to get the kids electronics set up though. Hooch got a new laptop which she loves. Bino got an I-Touch. Oh- and Mr. Waddler got an MP3 player.

We will take a break in the middle of the day to go to my MIL's house for dinner(lunch). We have even gotten a present for her dog Scooter.

When we get home this evening- time to set the trainer up? Now I am ready for 2008.

Waddling to enjoy Christmas day!