A First for Me

As a professional photographer I have had the opportunity to shoot weddings, events, portraits, products, etc. This weekend I had the chance to work my first maternity shoot with a couple who's wedding I captured end two years ago. Here are a few teasers from yesterday.

Weekend Recap: Muddy Edition

This past weekend I completed my first Tough Mudder with two active clients and one former client of mine. The four of us set out early Saturday morning to concour the event that last year jacked up my ankle, cost me a pair of Vibram Five Fingers, and had me carted of the course. At 8:20 am we set out for the 11-mile run riddled with over 15 obstacles - and we concoured! Two hours forty minutes later we crossed the finish line covered head-to-toe in mud, shocked (electrically), and in dire need of a hot shower. Unfortunately, the sweatband you receive as a finisher medal was lost, so I guess I will just have to do it again next year!

With the conclusion of the Tristate Tough Mudder, this year I have completed four races which is the most I've done in one calendar year. It all started with a Spartan Race in June, Warrior Dash in August, Nation's Triathlon in September, and most recently the Tough Mudder in October. What's on the agenda for next year, you ask? A 50k in February and then onto the Spartan trifecta - the sprint, dash and beast all in one year. Yes, I am crazy.

Now Playing Silverstein - In a Place of Solace 

Guess Who's Back....Back Again

Wow it's been a while since my last post and things have been crazy, but are finally settling down! I did miss writing and now seems like a great time to bring back the blog.

Since I last wrote, I did compete in my first triathlon (the Nation's Triathlon in Washington DC) back in September, went to Riot Fest in Chicago and most recently got two new tattoos. Every weekend in September was spent living out of a suitcase and it's good to be done with that!

This upcoming weekend I'll be looking to complete my first Tough Mudder in Englishtown. Last year's attempt didn't go so well as I was carted off the course at mile four with a major high ankle sprain. It wasn't until June/July this year that the range of motion in that ankle really started to improve. Hopefully Saturday isn't a repeat of last year and I'll be able to write a new entry with some completion pictures!

For now, I leave you with my new ink!

Song of the Week

This week's Song of the Week is chosen because one year ago today we were seeing these guys in NYC... turned out to be an awesome show... with a bloody ear.

Escape the Fate - The Aftermath G3

19-Week-Out Training Update

As of this past Sunday, the triathlon is 19 weeks out and I still need a pool to swim in. The YMCA seems to be a bit pricy so I might have to look elsewhere... possibly the West Orange Community Pool. By next week I'd like to have this little "issue" settled so I can really start locking in on training.

Today was a bit light - lift session this morning and a 20 minute bike ride this evening. I was able to maintain an average of 16 mph on the bike for the 20 mins and got in just under 5.5 miles. I'd like to get my average pace up around 18/19mph as I feel I could make up some time on this part of the race.

Starting next week I will be locking into a new diet from our gym nutritionist Laura. We will be taking some before pics and then updates every few weeks. Ever since my body building competitions last spring I have been finding it hard to focus on my nutrition so I'm hoping working with Laura will be able to realign me.

Tomorrow calls for sprints with a chance of a light run at South Mountain Reservation!

Now Playing - Moving Mountains - Tired Tiger

137 and Counting

So I did the math today, and as of this past Sunday we are 20 weeks out from the big day. Most training programs range from 20 to 16 weeks out. Within the next month we'll be really kicking it up. This also means I might have to join a pool earlier than mid June. Those are precious days to train and I really don't have much time to waste. A YMCA membership might be in the works.

Today's workout was rough and it seems like that is going to be a common theme throughout the next 20 weeks. My goal was to keep the legs fresh for tomorrow's speed workout so I wanted to focus on upper body today, and here is how it went:

• 15 Bent Over Rows
• 15 Overhead Presses
• 10 Pull Ups
• 15 Push Ups

- No rest between each exercise
- 2 mins rest between sets
- 4 sets total

After the circuit I biked just under seven and a half miles in 30 minutes.

Tomorrow I'll be repeating the fartlek workout form two weeks ago and possibly adding an outdoor run since the weather will be nice.

Now Playing - Set Your Goals - This Will Be the Death of Us

Song of the Week

This weekend didn't go totally as planned, but it was a much needed few days off.

I picked another song from this album a couple of weeks ago. If you like both, give the whole CD a listen... it's awesome.

This week's Song of the Week - Silverstein - Massachusetts