Been a while

Wow! It sure has been a  while since Ive updated this blog. I am back on track and thought I would just update on whats been going on.

The Team Firefighter 90 day challenge is in full swing now. We are just over 3 weeks in and at my third weigh in I was 9 pounds down. I am still maintaining a plant based diet although I do fall off the wagon at times. I find it hardest, as I always have at the firehouse. My crew is supper supportive but there is just to many temptations.

I recently ran the 9-11 heroes run 5k in Annapolis. Except for a very poor speech by one person, it was a great day. Farica and Braeden weent to the race and it was the first time for each of them at a race of mine. The on duty crew from my station was there as well. It was a very moving day and I was very honored to be a part of it. It was a little warm and the course will hilly but to my surprise I had my best time to date with a 10:26 average for a 5k time of 32:26. It was so special to cross the finish line with Braeden and Farica waiting.

I have been running for a couple years now and have always avoided hills and the especially the Naval Academy Bridge. I dont know why but for some reason the always seemed impossible to me. Yesterday after work I decided to take it on. I set up a 5 mile run and crossed the bridge twice! It was not hard at all and I just laughed at myself for avoiding it for so long. I am adding alot more hill work into my training and I will answer why at another time.

Training is in full swing as my fall race season is just a few weeks away. I added a another half and ready to get it on. I read so many race reports I just want to finally right my own.


Calander

2012
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 - Heroes Run Annapolis, Md (32:26)
Oct 21st - Blue-Grey Half Marathon, Gettysburg Maryland
November 18th - Philadelphia Marathon
December 8th- Seashore Marathon, Rehobeth Beach. De.

2013
January 13th- Disney World Marathon #3
Febuary 2nd - Fight for Air Stair climb. Boston, Ma
March 16th/17th Shamrock Marathon Whale Challange. 8k and 26.2
April 26th/27th - AOR #2 Gettysburg to DC
May 19th - Columbia (Md) Tri
Aug 23-24th - 24 Hours of Booty, Columbia Md
June 23rd - Rev3 70.3 Williamsburg, Va
Sept  Its a surpise!

Post #1 Team Firefighter 90 day challenge

http://teamfirefighter.blogspot.com/2012/09/team-firefighter-90-day-challenge-kick.html

Here we go again! I am back on another weight loss challenge. I am tired of this life long struggle and hoping in combination with my running, plant based diet, and the tremendous support of TF I will finally beat this.

If you dont know I am a member of Team Firefighter. The ling to our team block is attached. TF is a group of male and female firefighters across the country who strive to promote health and fitness in the fire service through Sports. ie running and tri's. We all know what the new fire service is and part of that is the leading cause of death is cardiovasicular. I will argue that some of this is due to cyanide but this is not the forum for that but the truth is we are out of shape. Of course "we" is a very general term but we have all seen the guys the make me look thin doing the job.

I learned how tough it is last night on a CO call that reguried me to gear and pack up for an extended amount of time. It was Hot, and it was humid and I was beat. No hard work, no fire nothing taxing. Just venting and monitoring. I have run 4 marathons, run 4-6 days a week and was beat. With my gear and pack on I weigh over 300 pounds. That my friends is no good.

So our challenge stated on Sept 1st. I tipped the scale at 255. I weighed 283 when I went plant based, lost 40 pounds with that and lost focus. So 4 days in I am 100% plant strong with a new vigor and comittment to a plant based diet. I feel great, already my mood has changed and I am sleeping better. I am hitting my race season and as you can see it is a long one.

I posted a shirtless picture on the team blog and it is the most embarrassing thing I have ever done and even worse it is now public. I am focused. I am determined and with the great brother and sisters of Team Firefighter I will stand on the mountian top and lead by example to improving our health and fitness so we can enjoy life after our career and much as we do live the dream everyday.

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 - Heroes Run Annapolis, Md
November 18th - Philadelphia Marathon
December 8th- Seashore Marathon, Rehobeth Beach. De.
January 13th- Disney World Marathon #3
Febuary 2nd - Fight for Air Stair climb. Boston, Ma
March 16th/17th Shamrock Marathon Whale Challange. 8k and 26.2
April 26th/27th - AOR #2 Gettysburg to DC
May 19th - Columbia (Md) Tri
Aug (tbd) - 24 Hours of Booty Columbia Md
June 23rd - Rev3 70.3 Williamsburg, Va
Oct 2013 Beach to Battleship 70.3
Jan 2014 Bone Island Full Distance Tri 140.6

A new day

Today is a new day. For the last 3 weeks my diet has gone to shit. Eight days at the beach and laziness at the firehouse has taken its toll. I fell like a truck hit me. I have a constent headache. I dont sleep well, just in a sour mood. I can say without a doubt it is because I have strayed from my plant based diet. Thankfully Team Firefighter is having a 90 weightloss challenge and I am taking part. The disipline and plants start again today. With Happy Herbivore, Eng 2, and FOK in hand I will get back on track and feeling like a person again.

As part of the challenge I posted a shirtless picture and my measurements on our team page. This single act is possibly the most embarrassing thing I have every done. I will use it as my motivation and hopes that positive results will inspire others to take that first step to improve their health and change of lifestyle. Farica is right by my side and will be plant based with me for all our meals at home so I dont have to cook different meals for each of us and to make this easier for me. Together we will continue to improve our health and be an example to Braeden so he will never have these struggles.

As you can see I have have added ore events to my calander and have made Disney My A race. I am setting a time goal for this of 5:00- 5:15 for the race. My running has continued and am super psyched for fall running.

I am starting rehab this week for my neck and shoulder and that only means I can get back in the pool and bike and get back on track so I can finally enter the world of triatlons. My first was sposed to be this weekend and sad that I wont be able to do it. That is ok because I will continue to fight another day. I wish all my TNT family a great race at Nations. You have trained well and I have no doubt you will finish the race.





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 - Heroes Run Annapolis, Md
November 18th - Philadelphia Marathon
December 8th- Seashore Marathon, Rehobeth Beach. De.
January 13th- Disney World Marathon #3
Febuary 2nd - Fight for Air Stair climb. Boston, Ma
March 16th/17th Shamrock Marathon Whale Challange. 8k and 26.2
April 26th/27th - AOR #2 Gettysburg to DC
May 19th - Columbia (Md) Tri
Aug (tbd) - 24 Hours of Booty Columbia Md
June 23rd - Rev3 70.3 Williamsburg, Va
Oct 2013 Beach to Battleship 70.3
Jan 2014 Bone Island Full Distance Tri 140.6
(and What ever else I can add on)

one step back, 140 miles further.

Lets see if I still remember how to write. It has been a while and alot has happened. If you follow my calander you can see some key events are gone and alot more events have been added.

I finally have an answer to my shoulder injury and I was very surprised to figure out what it was in some ways and others not to much. So it turns out I have 2 injuries, 1 is the neck and 1 is the shoulder. My shoulder injury is called Impingement syndrome, there are 3 levels of this and luckily I am in the middle and do not need surgery just 4-6 weeks of rehab. The second injury whuch was a surprise is a compression of c5 - c7 causing a pinched nerve which is the reason my arm is always numb and the extreme shoulder blade pain. This also requires some meds for a week and rehab which will be done together with the shoulder. So with great news comes the bad news and since I have not swam in a month and cant swim for another month I have scratched Nations. I am still fundraising for it so please consider a donation. Even though my Tri is done the fight for a cure continues

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

I also am going to scratch Marine Corps Marathon. I was scheduled to run 4 marathon in 4 months  with just 2 weeks between the 1st/2nd and 3 weeks between the 2nd/3rd. So that is done. My goal is to continue racing and not injur or wipe myself out before it even starts.So MCM is gone, Philly is a half and Disney becomes my A race with a goal time of 5 hours and Rehobeth is a tune up to see where I am at 5 weeks from Disney.

There are tons of new events and as you can see my focus for next year is Triathlons. I am super excited to get back in the pool, getting on the bike for some real distance and finally make the transition to triathlete from runner.

So enough typing for now, Time to hit the pavement.



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 - Heroes Run Annapolis, Md
November 18th - Philadelphia Marathon
December 8th- Seashore Marathon, Rehobeth Beach. De.
January 13th- Disney World Marathon #3
Febuary 2nd - Fight for Air Stair climb. Boston, Ma
March 16th/17th Shamrock Marathon Whale Challange. 8k and 26.2
April 26th/27th - AOR #2 Gettysburg to DC
May 19th - Columbia (Md) Tri
June 23rd - Rev3 70.3 Williamsburg, Va
Oct 2013 Beach to Battleship 70.3
Jan 2014 Bone Island Full Distance Tri 140.6
(and What ever else I can add on)

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