where to start

It has been so long I dont even know where to start. No thats not right. I do.

I will start with a huge THANK YOU to all of you for so much support over the last 2 weeks. I am Happy to say all things considered my dad is doing very well and I am returning to Maryland. I am thankful I was able to be there for him. As of now he will not need any further treatments just follow up exams. He will have ups and downs but for now he will continue to return to himself and that is what matters.

I also want to Thank all of my Team in Training family For all of your dedication, time and effort you all put in to finding a cure. I, as everyone who is affected by Cancer are grateful. I am proud to call you all Teammates but more important Family.

I am happy to say while I was back homeI was able to continue training and had the great pleasure of running on the Lake shore Trail. Lake shore Trail follows Lake Shore Drive in Chicago and is great for the heart, mind and soul. I was going to the ICU every morning so I needed to get my runs in early. It was truly beautiful to run alon Lake Michigan with the sun rising and the Chicago Skyline in front of me. It wont happen but it is enough for me to want to move back.

I dont have anything to report re swimming and biking as that is because they both have come to a halt.I am dealing with a very painful, unknown shoulder injury. I havemy thoughts as what it is but will see a shoulder specialist next week. Shoulders are very common injuries among firefighters and Paramedics and I think going from 0 to 2 mile swims in 7 weeks was the straw that broke the camels back. I am trying not to worry about it and have stopped the swimming and biking to prevent further injury if the damage is not already done.

I have always had the attitude that the next race is more important. I am ok missing one but dont want to miss them all. I am super psyched for my upcoming Marathons and that is what I will concentrate on. Plus I have 2 fancy pairs of running shoes that I need to break in.

So I will keep you all updated buy again I thank everyone for their overwhelming support.


2012 Calander

March 17th- DC Rock and Roll Half Marathon (2:45)
April 8th- Charlottesville 8K Road Race (55:36)
April 27th/28th- American Odyssey Relay- Gettysburg to DC (32:04)
Sept 9th - Nations Tri Washington DC (TNT)
October 28th- Marine Corps Marathon #2
November 18th - Philadelphia Marathon
December 8th- Seashore Marathon, Rehobeth Beach. De.
January 13th- Disney World Marathon #3

The other day I heard the news my Honored Teammate passed away from her battle with Leukemia. I was deeply saddened to hear the news and my commitment to the fight against Cancer is stronger than ever. Sarah was my Second Teammate to lose their battle this year. Earlier Joey passed away at the age of 12 after the bravest battle I have ever seen. My thoughts and prayers are with both families and every step I run will be in your Honor and Memory.  Next week I will travel home to chicago to help my father who will begin his battle. I hope and pray for him and will be fighting by his side every step of the way.

 

http://pages.teamintraining.org/md/nattri12/ddushkin. Please help me continue the fight against Cancer and make a donation to the leukemia and lymphoma society

 

I Have finished another excellent week of training although today was a tough day after a sleepless night at the fire house. I will start again strong tomorrow with a 3200 meter swim and 2 hour ride. I have a long, tough week ahead as this is the 3rd week and the current buildup phase and will have a rest week coming up. I still will train although the milage and time will be less.

 

I mentioned my joining of Team Firefighter and have included the link to the team blog where you can learn about the Team, its members and Team mission.

 

http://teamfirefighter.blogspot.com/

 

I wish everyone a wonderful week ahead.

Team Firefighter

Another good week almost in the books. I will finish out the week just about 50 miles and still filling strong. I did have a poor long run this week. I chose to run a new route with a 14 mile out and back. Bad choice! It was hot but not to bad, no shade and I under estimated the hills. They were long and with just enough incline that I really had to work getting up them. My legs were and are hurting like never before. With the added swimming and biking and longer runs early in the season my legs are taking a beating. I managed 10 out of the 14 miles and happy with that. I am on pace with the TNT team and have no worries. They have not failed a runner and Kerri has me ahead of the game. I am still learning this endurance athlete game and still working on nutrition as a plant based eater and need to work better on my post training recovery.  Making all a routine is just as hard as the training.

Ironman Lake Placid is Coming up and for some reason that specific event keeps poping in my mind. The olympics there were very influential to me as a kid and as always been a very special place to me. I am going to try my hardest to get into this event for 2013.

I am proud to announce that I have become a member of Team Firefighter. Team Firefighter is a coed mix of Firefighter from all over the county who are dedicated to promoting Health, Wellness, and Fitness in the fire service through sports and endurance events. It is an amazing group of people and am proud to be a part of them and continue to inspire others.

I am getting nervous as Nations is 57 days away and Disney is 180 days away. with 3 marathons in between.

I have not failed before and dont plan on it anytime soon

http://pages.teamintraining.org/md/nattri12/ddushkin

2012 Calander

March 17th- DC Rock and Roll Half Marathon (2:45)
April 8th- Charlottesville 8K Road Race (55:36)
April 27th/28th- American Odyssey Relay- Gettysburg to DC (32:04)
June 16th- Baltimore 10 Miler
Sept 9th - Nations Tri Washington DC (TNT)
October 28th- Marine Corps Marathon #2
November 18th - Philadelphia Marathon
December 8th- Seashore Marathon, Rehobeth Beach. De.
January 13th- Disney World Marathon #3

Back in the game!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/md/nattri12/ddushkin

Well this has been a productive week despite the heat! Last week my milage was 0 due to back issues and happy to say this week my milage tops 60! I was inside on the trainer and treadmill more than I like but safety and injury prevention is paramont.

I reached to milestones this week as well. I swam a total of 2 miles during my first swim session of the week through the many drills and sets planned by Kerri. My second swim session I swam 1 mile straight no breaks. those were 2 huge goals met and my next swim goal is to swim a straight 2 miler.

I am back to a plant based diet full time and although I am very happy to have lost 5 pounds I dont think I am eating right for the amount of exercise I am doing. I am continuing to research the diets of Dave Scott and Brendan Brazier. Both profession Triathletes who are plant based.

Biking is coming along well and havent reached any big milage yet. I am still at about 15 to 25 miles per session but I know that will change soon.

Running is going well despite the heat and I am up to 13 miles now on my long runs and that also will increase. I am getting into the prime of my training season and I am feeling good and confident.

I have made the huge step to confirm my place in the Nations Tri. I made my recommitment to Team in Training. I have attached my link to my fundraising page and ask if you please make a donation if you can.

recently Cancer has struck my family again. Another diagnosis of Lung Cancer. The 3rd time this has happened. My young friend Joey recently passed away at the age of 12 after a 5 year battle. My honored Teammate Erin is fighting Cancer for the 4th time and she is just in her 20s. Sarah and local Annapolis Senior in HS is at St Judes makeing an epic battle against Cancer.

I hope and pray for them everyday and will not continue my fight for them till there is a cure and they can have a worry free day.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/md/nattri12/ddushkin

set backs

There is not a time while training for an endurance event that there wont be a set back or two. This is my week. I started the week off with my families 1st trip to OC and we had a blast. Sometime during the trip I must have tweeked my back and by the time friday came along it was difficulty to move.

After 15 plus years working in kitchens and 12 years in the fire service has taken its toll on my back not to mention a weak core.. It is not difficult for a little thing to turn big. I have been injury free for 2 years and very thankful for that. That is due to amazing coaching and great teachers.

I have missed this weeks training with the last of the spasms being yesterday. I spent the last couple days resting, stretching, and taking anti inflammatory meds. I am feeling better today and will get back into the swing with some swimming tonight and a couple days of lite running 4 and 6 miles and back to the bike on wed. I am going to shoot for a 30 and 35 mile rides this week with another 2-3 pool sessions and a long run of 13 miles.

Races are just a 2 months away and if I am going to have a set back I am glad it happened early in the season.




2012 Calander

March 17th- DC Rock and Roll Half Marathon (2:45)
April 8th- Charlottesville 8K Road Race (55:36)
April 27th/28th- American Odyssey Relay- Gettysburg to DC (32:04)
June 16th- Baltimore 10 Miler
Sept 9th - Nations Tri Washington DC (TNT)
October 28th- Marine Corps Marathon #2
November 18th - Philadelphia Marathon
December 8th- Seashore Marathon, Rehobeth Beach. De.
January 13th- Disney World Marathon #3