Week 7 and St. Paddy's Day 5k

 

It is amazing how fast the time is flying by. Mark and I are already about to start week 8 and have just completed another packed week. Week 7 has been quiet the week along with a 3 hrs bike ride as well as our first race as Pacific Team members.

 

This week started off a little weird. I was supposed to head for an outdoor bike ride, which was unfortunately cut short since something went wrong with my back breaks. The good part was though that I was still close to Pacific and I was able to head out for a run with coach Jason instead. It was so nice to finally be able to run outside and also get some good advice from our coach. It is always nice to get feedback and things that you can change and work on for a better outcome in the end.

 

After coming back from our run my bike was already fixed and I was able to still get my bike ride in.

Otherwise this week has been quiet crazy. It felt like a long workweek and training has increased by about two hours. Personally I would have never thought two hours can make such a difference. Even though I am single and do not have children of my own yet it is not always easy to find the time for the full training schedule. Therefore I am always happy to have my schedule for the full week in order to make arrangements just in case if there is something that I will not be able to fit into my schedule.  

 

Other than trying to arrange my schedule each day we had our first 5km race Sunday morning with Team Pacific. It was a tad cold this St Paddy's morning but lots of fun.

 

It was nice running together with fellow pacific members as well as other who wanted to start their day off with a great run. Overall the run was a great way to start the morning and another chance to meet new people who like to run just as much as I do!!!

 

 

 

Looking forward to see what week 8 has to offer!!!!

 

- Jeannette

Its only the beginning...

So week 6 is already finished and I am feeling better this week than last. This week we had a few workouts that were longer than the once before and I got my butt kicked a few times. It was the first time I was swimming 3400 yards in the pool and biked over 2:30 hours and ran right after the bike ride. Yet I know this is only the beginning of our journey and the hard part is still to come.

This week has not always been easy but I have been able to push myself a little more which has proved more positive results. I also started eating much healthier and have been to the store to make sure I have a larger variety of healthy food products and snacks available to myself.

I somehow have the feeling that our challenge is still in the starting steps and that it has not yet started to the fullest. Regardless I can already see a little change and I am excited what the next few weeks and months have in store for us.

Every new week and every Monday morning I am excited to see what Jason has in store for us this time and how our training schedule looks for the week. The past two weeks have already increased but two hours per week. And I have to say it is surprising to see what a difference two hours can make.

As to everything else…. I am so in love with my new bike that I cannot wait to hopefully be able to start riding outdoors with it!!!!! Lets get week 7 started!!!!!

- Jeannette

With The Support Of My Friends

Time seems to fly by. I cannot believe we already just finished week 5. This week has been a little crazy and I am realizing more and more what I got myself in to. And I mean this in a positive way. Even though it is not easy at times I am sticking to my training plan and routine and I am looking forward seeing more improvement. It is not always easy to say No to my friends especially if I have not seen them in a while. My training is coming first and I have to put my friends second at the moment. I am just very lucky that I have amazing friends. They are all very understanding and are there for me when I need them. They are the ones who tell me yes you can when I think I cannot. They are the ones who also tell me don’t worry about missing the brunch with the girls there will be many more but right now training comes first.

I have to say I already know if it weren’t for my friends I would not push myself to my limits.

This week I also started training with my new Tri Bike and I have to say it has been quite interesting. It seemed like I was pushed back to the beginning and I was getting frustrated about it. I wasn’t as strong on my bike, was recovering from a cold and also struggled with my saddle. But a few days later, some friend time, and a new saddle, things are looking better again. I had a great Sunday late afternoon ride and felt great during and after. It was my first ride over 2 hrs and I can say that I did well even better than I would have expected.

So yes with good friends, some patience and dedication I will be able to accomplish everything and I will be able to push my own limits.

I am looking forward to hopefully also see some change in my running, which I would say I am struggling the most. I cannot wait for better weather to come around the corner and start running outside on a regular basis.

- Jeannette

One Month Down…

Wow out first month of training is already over and we slowly our bodies are getting ready for the big challenge! 

This week I had a few things on my mind that seemed like little obstacles we all go through! I was doing well with my training and felt strong and excited about this weeks workouts. Well this all came to an end when I got sick right before the weekend! I had a stuffy nose and even a fever for two nights. Despite the weather outside I thought I would take a day or two off and then come back stronger... Well this actually did work and once Tuesday came around I felt 90% better. So this past weekend was not about training but more about relaxing drinking lots of tea and just getting better.

It was bothering me not being able to work out but on the same side I knew I would rather get better soon in order to start the next week fresh! 

And oh wow did this fifth week of training start amazing!!!! I finally got my bike fit and will be using it tomorrow for the very first time!!! 

Other than being sick I had lots of thoughts about my nutrition! I wonder what is good for me to eat and what is not. I am such a sweet tooth that I find it very difficult to say no to sweets! I am therefore also looking forward to talking to Jason and Mark, and a nutritionist in the near future!!!

Other than this I am still super excited about this experience and can't wait to push myself!!!! 

- Jeannette

Facing Challenges and a New Bike!!

I just finished my second week of training! The past two weeks have been already very different than from any training that I am personally used to. I am getting used to using Training Peaks which gives me exact information and detail on my daily training routine. It is definitely very helpful to be able to see exactly what I have to do and also give feedback to my coach.

During the first week I already had my first challenge. While getting ready for my run I somehow hurt my leg and was not able to run. Yet I would not let this bother me. Instead of running on the treadmill I decided to do my 90 min run on the elliptical; which worked out perfect.

And how else could it be but during my second week of training we had a tremendous blizzard hitting the tri state area. There goes my run and bike for one day and also my swim. Being snowed in is definitely not much fun but very pretty to look at.

My absolute highlight of this week was my new Tri Bike. I was able to see it, and hopefully be able to first ride it coming next week. Having a tri bike will hopefully make things more comfortable and faster. I am super excited about it and still have the biggest smile on my face.

Overall I am feeling great today. I took the 10:30 am Computer training class and was able to finish it all without being too exhausted. It is nice to already see a little change in endurance and I am excited to see a bigger change in the long run.

- Jeannette

Prepping for Ironman Training

Hello everyone who is following us through this amazing journey!!!

It has almost been two weeks since Mark and I have been introduced to the team of Pacific and so far it has been a great ride. I am enjoying meeting new members and getting advice from all the great athletes. Slowly reality is hitting me and I realize what I have gotten myself into- but I am still beyond excited to see what this challenge is all about and I won’t ever give up.

I am excited to meet more members and to learn how to train for an Ironman. You can always prepare yourself for an Olympic Distance Triathlon but once you decide to train for a Full Distance Triathlon I can only advice everyone to do it the right way and to train with others who have been through the same experience. Having a trainer and having this great opportunity I believe is the best thing that has happened to me in a very long time. A dream is coming true and will change my life forever. 

I already know I will make new friends, will be a changed person after this, and will be able to push myself to my limits!!!! 

This is the beginning of a new path in my life and I want to thank the Team of Pacific and all members who will have to listen to my complaining for making this possible!!! Now off I go to bed because I have an early start on my second day of training for the first full week of training. 

- Jeannette

Introducing Jeannette

My name is Jeannette Dudda and I am originally from Frankfurt, Germany. I am a child of the 80’s and can clearly say that I am very happy to be born in those years.

I grew up in a small village but moved to Frankfurt when I was in the age of 9. Once I finished High School I decided on a career of childcare and teaching. At the age of 23 I graduated with a degree in teaching and made the decision to move to the USA for a chance to become fluent in English and to learn other ways of raising and teaching children. It was the end of October 2003 when I first moved to Connecticut to a family in Darien to became an Au Pair.

After several conversations and sleepless nights I decided to extend my stay and begin studying. I attended Norwalk Community College as well as UCONN and graduated with an associate in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor
Degree in Human Services.

While being able to study and exploring this country I made many new friends. I became very close with a group of people who have been involved in different sports such as running and biking. It didn’t take us long to become closer and to set ourselves some goals for the future.

It was in 2009 when two of my friends started training for their first Half Marathon. It was exciting to see them train and to eventually be able to accomplish something so big. They were able to run the full distance and finish. They automatically became my role model and a year later I started training for my very first Half Marathon as well. Up until then I never thought I would be a runner.

Well after my first Half Marathon it became more or less something regular in our circle of friends. We signed up for different races, participated in lotteries and also became member of the NYRR in order to eventually one day be able to run the
New York City Marathon.

While training and running I talked to one of my very close friends and we decided to give triathlons a chance. We thought, “Hey we prepared and trained for a half marathon, why not change it up a little bit and challenge ourselves.”

Well I am always up for a challenge and faster than I was able to realize I had finished my first Mini Triathlon. I immediately fell in love and knew right away that this is something I see myself doing more often.

Thanks to a spot with the lottery I was able to participate in last years NYC Aquaphor Triathlon. Ever since being able to finish this race, my friends and I have talked about what could be next for us. What are our goals for the future and what would we like to be able to accomplish.

Our dream is to eventually, and one day in our lives, be part of the Ironman in Kona, Hawaii.

Every time I would swim, bike, or run I would try to vision myself doing all three sports in one huge event.

When in the beginning of December I saw the challenge of Pacific Swim, Bike, Run I called my friend Karoline and I asked her: “ Please give me an honest answer and tell me if you think I will be able to do this?” Her answer was “ Well Jeannette, to be
very honest, did you think you would ever run a half marathon; an Olympic distance triathlon; You were able to train for these events, and you did it all on your own. See how far you have come. If you think you have the time to train then yes do it.” It
was then when I already had made my decision to apply.

Once the essay was written and handed in I kept on thinking about the event and if I am really able to do this and to give it my all. But I already know the answer. And the answer is Yes.Yes I am able to give it my all- even if it will be painful at times.

This event and the next eight months will change my life and will give me an opportunity that is just out of this world. I am beyond excited to start training and to get the experience every athlete has when training for a race that will push your body to its limits.

I am looking forward working together with other athletes and trainers who are able to teach me everything they know and help me become a better athlete. Even though I know that times can get tough and I might be ready to throw the towel I know I will push through and keep training. I want to be able to not only finish this race but be better than ever before.

My goal is to be in a shape that my body and soul have never been in before. And my biggest goal is not only to finish the race but also to be able to keep running for 26.2 miles without having to stop and walk.

I am beyond thankful to Pacific SBR and them making a dream of mine come true! I will make sure to not disappoint but to make you proud of me!