There’s an inherent problem with scheduling workouts, I’ve found. It tends to revolve around bridges being out, earthquakes and other responsibilities that might just mean you didn’t go to Staples to buy a planner. I suppose the counter is that this happens to everyone. But I’m wondering how other residents work around sudden influxes from their career, and what strategies they use to stay healthy. I have, at least, finally gotten the okay to return to training from my doctor. The unintended break isn’t all bad—with everything going on, it’s not like I had time to work out anyway. I’m back to…

Hillsborough residents—and fellow triathletes—Carole Zydiak and Linda Rapacki both shared the same get-fit advice with me when I interviewed them about their races. Working out, it seems, needs to be a priority. It’s a basic principal (at which I’ve been failing this week), but it’s their suggestion that’s the key: both said to physically schedule workouts in a phone, online calendar, planner, what have you. It’s also something I’ve not tried before, but makes sense. If I look at it, the workouts I’m most likely to make are the Team in Training practices where I have to RSVP to an attendance …

Linda Rapacki was one mile from the end of the 10-mile bike course at the Jersey Girl Triathlon when her tire went flat. Determined to finish the race—and get started on the run—she rode the flat for three quarters of a mile before picking up her 18-pound-bike and running the last quarter mile of the course. Still, the township resident managed to beat her 2010 bike time by one minute, and her total race time by four minutes during the Aug. 7 race. “You get a few under your belt,” she said. “What I found that happens is you think you can do better. I still shaved four minutes off my time but …

It was a combination of determination, athleticism and friendship that led Hillsborough residents Carole Zydiak, Lisa Medawar and Robin Crispin across the finish line at the Jersey Girl Triathlon in Long Branch on Aug. 7. “We’re not super women,” Carole Zydiak said. “We’re just doing it.” All members of the Hillsborough Racquet and Fitness Club, Zydiak, Medawar and Crispin’s introduction to the sport came from an instructor at the club, Lori Butterfield. Butterfield hosts indoor triathlons every so often that the women signed up for, they said. After considering it for about two years, the …

I did it. I finished the New York City Triathlon. Not well, comparatively, but under my maximum time limit of five hours and seven minutes over the four hours I hoped to make.  The break down is a 31 minute, 44 second swim (needs improvement), 12 minute, 10 second transition one (needs major improvement, but having the swim-to-bike transition half a mile from the swim exit probably contributed), 1 hour, 54 minute, 11 second bike, six minute, 30 second transition two, and a 1 hour, 22 minute, 42 second run (will improve!) It is was it is, and can only get better—especially since the cold I …

 As I’m writing this column, I’m three days away from the first of my two triathlons for this year and nursing a cough that (I hope) won’t keep me from participating. That’s right, the New York City Triathlon is this Sunday, and I hope to get my swim, bike and run on as one of the participants. Unfortunately, I know I’m not where I wanted to be as far as my running goal. It’s my weakest event, though admittedly, none of the events are terribly strong ones. My goal is to finish the race in under five hours (assuming I’m well enough to race), though we’ll see if that happens. Under four would …

Four weeks into the Patch Takes It Off journey and, as far as I can tell, the scale hasn’t budged. I suppose the good side is that it hasn’t gone up. But the downside is that it hasn’t gone down either, which is the entire goal of Patch Takes It Off. I’m not quite sure why, as I’ve mostly been successful at upping my activity. For instance, this week meant three runs—though two were on the elliptical at my gym because of the heat—totaling three miles for the road run and a little over seven and a quarter miles for the elliptical workouts. I should note that the road run is about half an hour …

I’ve been working (out) all week when my work's pushed aside. Really. Despite time constraints, family reunions and regular work, I managed to hit the pavement for three runs this week—two three-mile runs and an unintentional four-mile run that was mostly the result of getting lost in Brigantine. Biking was a lost cause however. Getting out to the team ride was not an option this week because of time conflicts and a 7:30 a.m. roll-out time coupled with location that’s an hour from Hillsborough. Bad, I know, but I’m hoping to add some spin classes for weeks when I can’t make a weekday ride—…

Lazy summer mornings—and evenings—aren't a part of Hillsborough athletes' summer plans. That's because many of them, ranging from high school seniors to fifth to eighth graders, spend at least part of the time at the Hillsborough High School field house, perfect strength workouts that translate to better performance on the field. Led by Hillsborough High School Health and Physical Education teacher Jim McFarland and several high school teachers and coaches, the focus is on ensuring athletes are fit, strong and prepared for their sports. The summer courses meet on Monday, Wednesday and Friday …

A combination of allergies and family obligations meant slow start to the workout regime, so I’m taking a point from Warren Patch Editor John Patten—time to step it up. Really. And, as our Audrey and my fitness tour proved, the key is mornings. I said that last week, I know. But this week, it materialized in the form of Garden State Adventure Boot Camp, an hour-long exercise class held at the Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center on Talamini Road in Bridgewater. Did I mention that, like real boot camp, it’s held at 6 a.m.? Luckily Sheree Hoskins, isn’t the screaming drill sergeant …

To quote my coworker (and cohort in many things Patch) Audrey Levine, “Walking is really one of the best, and easiest, ways of getting exercise.” That brought both of out to Duke Island Park last week, to meet with the Duke Island Walkers—a group that takes to the parks trails at 9:30 a.m. every Wednesday. Luckily for me, the group’s very accommodating toward Patch editors who run late and gave me directions (via Audrey) on how to reach them. The weekly walks total between one and two miles, though the group sometimes does three with advanced planning, they said. Though the walk begins as one…

To (badly) paraphrase Mick Jagger, time is not on my side. This week marks the start of Patch’s summer series on losing weight and getting healthier, and that means it’s time to handle that pesky schedule thing. As most can guess, being a Patch editor is an experiment in being busy. Between meetings, events, phone calls and writing articles, staying active and eating right end up lower on the priority list than I’d like. The Patch Takes It Off series will help change that, I hope. Prior to the challenge, I’ve been logging at least one swim per week (as dictated by Team in Training’s triathlon…

I will admit it: I could stand to lose a few. Isn't that what everyone always says? There's a reason "lose weight" is always at the top or near to the top on people's New Year Resolution lists. But, those lists are fleeting. It's not just about what the scale says. What about real change? That is what "Patch Takes it Off" is going to be all about. Starting July 4, participating Patch Editors throughout the state (including myself) will begin chronicling their fitness exploits in their coverage areas. Expect profiles on local businesses whose goal is to get people in shape. Expect editor …