Partners

I came home. It was dark, dreary and cold. I was exhausted and feeling low because I still needed to workout. As I opened the back door and tripped over the cord I'd left out, it suddenly hit me. I'd worked out this morning! I did 24 laps. It was amazing. I added 4 laps from the last workout and took 2 seconds off each lap and I could've been faster. If only running and biking were going as well...


But no matter those worries, I could go home, sit on my couch, do the fund raising webinar, then catch up on some work. Guilt free Wednesday evening!


Halfway through the webinar I remembered my friend is running a half marathon Sunday. I get to be a spectlete for the first time! She's been feeling blah, meh, and all around ugh. Training has become something she dreads and I've not been as supportive as I could be. Our training focuses have diverged, but we will find some common ground. I think we are both going to need it. She's training for a PR at the Disney marathon this winter and I'm training for the triathlon. Her weekend runs are 15-20 miles. Mine are 4-6 and I'm not increasing that distance until spring. 


With darkness swallowing the world at 5 each evening and both of us working very different training plans, it's hard to be training buddies. I think I see some evening weight training sessions in our future, compromise is the key to every friendship. Have you lost a training partner because of divergent training goals?

Building a Base

I want to ride the bike like Julie Dibens. She's unreal on the bike! And I want it! Can someone get it to me without me having to get off the couch? No? *le sigh* Didn't think so. I haven't gotten a road bike yet, but I am actively trolling used ads looking for one. I think I've found a bike trainer that I hope to pick up this week. It's supposed to work with my mountain bike. As long as I can pedal in the dry and warm.

I'd forgotten how much of a fish I am. I love going to the pool. I hate having to get up early to go. Yet, like every thing else in my life, I'm a lazy swimmer. Much better floater than swimmer and I'm all kick and no arms. It's been a bit of a challenge learning to kick less and focus on a smoother stroke. I've already increased my distance  with no extra effort. Technique makes all the difference.

Running is proving to be more of a challenge than I thought it would be. My knees hurt! All the time. I think they're just being cranky pants because they love the pool so much.

Too bad, Knees! I own you! Quit your bitchin'!
That's right. I told them. Please, please listen!


Ah, food. You are my downfall. After weeks of not getting the scale to move, I pulled out a tool that guarantees success-- if you use it. My food journal! It's day 2. So far, so good.

Consistency isn't my strong suit. But I have my wing man, before he decided to be all independent and pout-y like old Bats. He's too cute to leave at home, all alone.

It's also easy to spot the diet derailleurs (ha! bike humor). 

December Goals

Finding an excuse to skip a workout has become too easy. My weight has spiraled out of control, again. I've dusted off the journal. It's a useful tool when used. I mean to be a using it! 


I control my actions, not the universe. These are the things I'm tightening the reigns on this month:

• I'm going to journal all my food and exercise, which I intend to pre-plan to prevent the easy excuses. 
• I'm going to get a bike trainer and maybe even a decent road bike.
• I'm going to attack every workout with a purpose.

I've been accused of not setting very clear goals, but these goals, vague as they may seem are actually very specific for me. They are the lifestyle changes I must make, if I want to achieve my ambitious goal of a 3:30 triathlon.