My poor thumb!

Day before yesterday, I took the bike out for a ride. It was chilly brisk cold. I wanted to get it out before the rain arrived. I've been lax over the holidays about exercise. With my foot still not 100% and family coming in an out, it's ready made for excuses...

(this is me sighing and eye rolling at myself while I try to justify my laxity laziness.)

if i could have, i would have thrown my truck.
 i was that angry. never throw my bike,tho.
btw, if you don't read comics, you really should.
the Hulk is AWESOME!

After a few minutes on the bike path, I noticed the tires were low. (who didn't check them before the ride? who didn't bring spares? i may have left my helmet at home, but i will neither confirm nor deny this.) I went back to the truck to pump them up. Except my bike pump, and my spare bike pump, let the air out of both my tires and wouldn't pump them up! I fought and fought with the pumps. I couldn't get the presta valves to seal. I ended up covered in grease and sliced my finger open. I'm not even sure how I sliced my finger open, but I bled all over everything. The fit I threw then was both loud and embarrassing. The only saving grace was it was too cold for any sane person to be riding a bike so no one was around to hear my Hulk-like fit of rage.

Ride over. I went home to put the bike on the trainer (it's too cold outside anyway-- grump grump). I got new tires for the bike this year and kept the old ones for the trainer. I want to get a set of wheels just for the trainer, but it'll have to wait until next season (I am not made of money). Changing the tires would give me much needed practice. Much. Needed. Practice.

If I'd gotten a flat during a race...

It doesn't bear thinking about. I'll have nightmares of being choked by tubes while dancing tire levers poke my eyes out.

The valves on the new tubes sealed up nicely. I got both tires changed, the bike on the trainer and the DVD player hooked up to the TV. Of course, I haven't ridden on it yet...

I'm still recovering from the trauma of a tire change.

12 Things Tuesday

1. I drink tea several times a day: black, green, herbal. I love them all!

2. I want to do a 70.3 in 2013

3. I hate running.

4. Leverage is my favorite show. You should watch it.

5. Fast food is bad for me. It's bad for you too, just in case your waistline forgot to give you the memo.

*le sigh*

6. I'm still waiting for my Chuck Connors as the Riffleman to fall madly in love with me.

7. I love running.

8. I've never needed glasses.

9. When I'm 100, I still won't need glasses.  

10. I'm writing this on a 6 year old laptop. I love this old laptop.

11. I got a running coach. 

12. Core work is fun! (this is a lie I tell myself every time "core work" shows up on the calendar.)

Stuck on Snack

I've probably mentioned this somewhere before, but I LOVE Dannon's Oikos key lime Greek yogurt. It's sweet and tart just like key lime pie should be and thick and creamy and delicious like a sinful snack should be. You know the commercial with the 2 crazy ladies who see John Stamos when they eat the yogurt? I don't see John Stamos, but I do scrape/lick the carton until it's clean. It keeps me from ripping into the chips and ice cream sandwiches the rest of the yahoos around here insist on eating. And the 11 grams of protein more than cover the 16 grams of sugars.

I pretend it's vegan, organic, and paleo.
I have the best imagination!

It's my go to snack when I'm stuck at work- like today. Not that I'm being all that productive. It's a rainy Sunday morning and I'd rather be curled up in bed finishing the book I started last night. I just feel lazy. I want to rock on the porch with a cup of tea. Instead, I'll eat my yogurt, watch it drizzle, then get back to work. I'm thinking of it as a willpower workout.

This afternoon, I promised my nephew to fix a few things on his bike. I'll put mine back on the trainer (haven't ridden since Thanksgiving! BAD ME!) and crank out some miles.

Do you have a go to work snack? Do rainy days make you feel lazy?

Giving Thanks

Yesterday, I took my dad to 2 doctors. When he worries about things, it doesn't come across as worry. It comes across as mean. Being the person confined in the vehicle with him means I'm often the target of his meanness. You do not get used to this, you just deal with it. He's been grumpier than usual lately and I wasn't looking forward to the trip, especially when I made the call to take him to the podiatrist before we left for the cancer doc in the city.

He has a foot infection and the home health wound care nurse was worried that the infection was in the bone.  I rushed him out of the house (I was running late). He was cranky (I was cranky) when we got to the office and asked if I'd grabbed the antibiotic and home health notebook. I'd forgotten. But when I pulled out a book to read he made me close it! Like I was 10 and failed a math test (the only math test I ever failed was a calc 1 final-- calculus is hard!) If this was going to be an indication of the day to come...

We waited in the lobby. We waited in the room. Crankiness was the rule. Then he saw the doc, who said it was actually healing, had good blood flow, and while it is a nasty infection and we have to keep a close eye on it, it is healing...

And the day was suddenly better. The trip to the city was pleasant. Dad told vampire jokes to the lab techs, ate pizza and didn't throw my Hint of Orange tea out the window. Why he doesn't love this stuff is beyond me...

A Favorite Thing

Doctor Says

Went to the doctor. He said I could start running!(in 3 weeks)

He also said the bone spurs were not going to go away, surgery is still an option but it wouldn't really fix anything, and then he spent about 4 minutes saying I probably shouldn't run without actually saying I shouldn't run. At least my doctor knows me :D

Anyway, I'm supposed to spend the next 3 weeks in "light" activity and trying to gently stretch the tendons in my foot and ankle. I guess this beats cutting and reattaching them.

I solemnly swear to rebuild slowly and do fewer idiotic things.

On a side note, I had to fill out new paperwork with the doctor's office. One form wanted to know my RACE and ETHNICITY. I thought those were the same thing and really, what business is it of the office to know these things. So to this first, I answered SLOW and to the second, I answered HUMAN. The nurse was not amused. She waved 2 laminated sheets under my nose with the only acceptable options. There were a lot of options. My eyes glazed over staring at these ridiculous lists! "It's required for reporting," the nurse insisted. WTH is my doctor's office reporting and to whom? The answers were unclear and I didn't feel much like fighting today. I am HUMAN. We are all HUMAN. There is only one RACE of people, not 3 dozen (That I know of. There could be aliens or X-Men among us. I'm not giving up hope!)

Planning the Start of a Season

Part 2 of my plan to keep my focus while my foot is out of commission is planning next year's races. Winter races are out. Some of my favorite races have been the winter races. The Knoxville Tack Club has a fantastic winter long course series. However, I am going to try to volunteering for at least 2 races this winter. I really enjoy volunteering. My winter plan is hibernating riding the indoor trainer and working on my core. GRRR! Go get it!

The race I really want to be ready for this spring is Rev 3 Knoxville. This time I will conquer the cold Tennessee River. May 6... Five months to be ready. And I don't know when I'll be able to run. And I have no idea when the pool will open (it's closed due to mechanical issues; we can check back January 7). Uncertainty. Life isn't perfect. I can't predict the future. Still, signing up for it :D

The Knoxville Marathon 5K race is April 7. This will be a perfect check on my running. Hoping for a PR! I'll  fit in a pool sprint between the 5K and Rev3 as a transition practice. I suck at transition. But that's another blog post. Three races for the spring, think I'll stop there.

I do have 1 summer race already on the calendar, Amica 19.7 in Lenoir City. I did this race last year and it was the most fun I had at a race all year. Some of my tri friends are doing it again this year it and I can steal borrow a boat and make it a weekend :D Or we could rent a house on the golf course. Have I ever mentioned how bad I suck at golf!

Me on a golf course would be endlessly funny... unless, you're a serious golfer and then you'll probably just want to bury me under the course...

How do you plan your race calendar? Are there any races you have to do every year?

Shh! It's a Secret!

Training has been depressing. My foot doesn't feel like it's getting any better and now the pool is closed until at least next year. No more aqua-jogging for me. Boo! Lost in the morass of self pity and the depths of rehab despair, I've come up with a plan to survive the winter/rehab blahs.

Step one of the plan is positive thinking. I need to do things that keep me motivated to run again. Things like Volunteering! While watching others run is somewhat depressing because I can't run, it also reminds me that if I stick to "the plan," I will be doing that soon. Fast, slow, run, walk-- I love watching the people go. I wonder at the motivation for each runner.

This morning I volunteered at the Secret City Half Marathon in Oak Ridge, TN. It's a beautiful place and just over an hour away from home. One catch, the quickest way for me to get there is all two-lane roads loaded with switchbacks. I made myself carsick driving there. I dragged my mom with me and she took over the driving just in time for me to toss my breakfast. All of it, on the side of the road. I do not travel well. After that I felt better. Bundled into multiple layers and wearing 2 hats I was ready to course monitor and of course cheer! More cowbell! Woo Hoo!

I only had 1 runner go a bit off course. He got away from me! He was the second fastest runner. People of all shapes, sizes and speeds were running. Several ladies were wearing the Secret City T-shirt with black sunglasses attached to a shoulder, with neck ties, black and white checkered stockings, and cute skirts. They made excellent Agent Provocateurs. Not only did I get to people watch, I got to learn a little about traffic control. As in, some people really shouldn't be allowed to drive! What part of "no turn" is unclear? I am certain that this handful of drivers are the ones who hit runners and cyclists. The only time I felt my heart leap was when an SUV decided to go when the officer directing traffic had to turn his back to yell at the car in the turn lane. This impatient driver nearly hit the cyclist that was leading the lead runner.

With that catastrophe adverted, the rest of the day ran pretty smooth. The last walker just made the course cut off at the turn to Emory Valley. After that we packed it in, returned to the start, ate pizza and cookies and met up with a few friends. I even earned a blister on my finger from all the cowbell. It was a brilliant Sunday morning.

My foot may not feel better but my spirits do.

Now, it's time for some core work. GRRR! Go get it!

No Injuries 2013

My new mantra for the fall/winter is "No Injuries 2013." I want to have an awesome race season with PR's all across the board. I want to be fast, for me anyway.  And I am tired of being injured. I'm tired of the bone spurs, the tendonitis, the fasciitis. All caused by improper training.

The ball

I tend to push until I hurt and then I sit. I'm terribly inconsistent in all my habits and it shows in my past training. The new training plan demands consistency. It's based on max aerobic heart rate training. No intervals, fartleks, hills, sprinting, fun stuff... That's what inspired my first Garmin purchase. It's the 405. I know it gets mixed reviews, but I'm willing to give it a try. Training with it is eye opening. I didn't think I was working hard on the bike, but the heart rate monitor said otherwise. A weight workout also pushed me out of that zone. This week I got to walk twice and my average speed was like 17 min miles. What!

The one thing the doctor told me I had to do if I wanted to succeed was, "Follow the plan. No cheating!" It's so frustrating to hear the beep and have to slow down. Of course, I can't wear it in the pool, so I have to manually check my heart rate at the end of each set. No annoying beeping there! Another eye opening and humiliating experience. I'm used to swimming about 1000 yards in 30 minutes. Now, it's closer to 600.

Everything about this is humbling. Is my fitness really rubbish? What have I been doing for the past 4 years? Does this thing even work!

Though I do have to admit, I get a kick out of uploading my data and reviewing it.

So, for now, the next few months anyway, my workouts will be short and boring and no cheating! (except maybe one Gran Fondo, but just the piccolo) The doctor promised I would start seeing improvements sooner rather than later, if I stuck to my plan. Thirty minutes, 5 times a week, 10 minute warm-up, 10 minute workout, 10 minute cool-down. I can do that for 2 more weeks. Right? Right!

Have you tried max aerobic heart rate training or zone training? Did you see improvements?

Part 4 Nation's ~ Final Thoughts

Location: DC is a fun place for a visit. A lot of my team did touristy things. I did not. My leg wouldn't stand a race and touring. The Hilton Hotel was very posh and comfortable. The maid service came while I was napping and I told her, I didn't need her to clean my room or give me fresh towels. This was post race. I left the room for a few minutes to pick up my bike and when I got back she'd cleaned the room, made the bed and left me fresh towels-- dedicated, takes pride in her job and on the sneaky side. I approve :D

Course: Swim: The Potomac gets a bad rap I think. The water was warm, the visibility was nil, but that's what I expected from a river being churned by thousands of bodies. I really wish I could have gotten in the water on Saturday so I could have gotten a feel for it. There was some chop, but no foul odors. The course was the best marked I've swum. However, the corrals need some rethinking. I know the intent of planning things the way they did. While the idea was good the execution wasn't great. The race really needs to get outside the box to make the swim newbie friendly.

Bike: There is no confusion about where to ride on this course. It had cones almost the entire way. There were a couple of pot holes that weren't marked that I wish had been, but most were and I've done races where none were marked. While, I'm still complaining and pondering how a course can be uphill both ways, I thought it was a fun ride. I wanted some downhills with technical turns and there was none of that, but if you're scared of hills and downhills, this is a course for you.

Run: Easy peasy. No hills, stops every mile, lots of spectators. I enjoyed it. :D

Swag: I'd have preferred a visor or hat over the lunch bag and the medal was just okay. The T-shirt was UT orange which would rock if I was still a UT fan and the shirt was men's and women's specific. Wish I'd know that when I'd ordered as I'd have gotten a different size. This isn't a swag race; it's a purpose race so no worries. It was fairly good overall.

Expo: You know what would have really made the expo perfect? If I'd won the $7,000 bike Dox-shots was giving away. There were some great deals on gear and ART people were there-- greatest peeps ever and there are none close to me. It was a nice expo. I got a TNT cycling jersey for $20 and some great compression socks for less than $30. I saw one t-shirt I really wanted, but didn't get as I'm on a T-shirt diet.

Should you do this race? Of course you should! It benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. It's newbie friendly even with it's massive size. The only part of the course that needs work is the swim and I think that's a dilemma only a logistical pro with UPS can solve.

The biggest thing I take away from the Nation's Triathlon to Benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is I control the spirit of quit. It does not control me. All the plans in the world are useless if I don't remain flexible enough to work around an obstacle. That most horrible, terrible, mean swim that almost made me cry was probably the best thing that ever happened to me. It wasn't easy. It took me way outside my comfort zone. It humbled my spirit and made me stronger to remember faith.

I've started my rehab training plan: lighter workouts focused on aerobic heart rate training with absolutely no running. This is terribly frustrating, but I have faith that this slow rebuilding will heal my body and make me stronger for next year.  There can be no spirit of quit, only patience, diligence, and faith. My challenges are lesser than many people I got to speak with over this weekend. To everyone who told me a story of survival or loss, you are in my prayers. Your stories inspire me to be stronger. Thank you. And GO TEAM!

Oh, and I never did get that doughnut... 

Part 3 Nation's ~ Up Hill Both Ways

I've never been so hungry as when I came out of the water! I ate a honey stinger before I put my bike shoes on. I even sat in the grass to eat, drink and put on my shoes. I needed a moment to gather myself before hitting the bike course.

THERE IS NO DOWNHILL

I admit it. I like to complain. I'm good at it. Of course, Coach Richie says I only complain with a smile on my face so it's hard to take me seriously...

But there was NO DOWNHILL! None, none at all. I was still a bit energy depleted at the start of this ride, but I kept up a good cadence, kept eating and drinking. About mile 6, I started to feel like I had some more to give and cranked up the speed. The course itself was well marked and rolling to flat. There was one section that was a long, gradual incline and on the other side of the road were cyclists going down and I was really excited to get to that part for some free wheeling. Except, there was no free wheeling! What the heck happened to the DOWNHILL! 

I've described routes I've ridden around home as having "no hills." But there were times I was still able to get low and go fast and free wheel. This course I didn't find any of that! It felt like a really long spin class- I hate spin class. My ride wasn't consistent. I would have loved to have a bike computer to give me my stats on this course. I'm still learning when to eat and what gear is most efficient. But as a race, it was my best to date.

Socialcizing!

Before the race, I told Richie I was setting my watch to run 40 seconds and walk 1:25. I was fudging what the doctor said would be acceptable- as long as my tendon didn't hurt. I pre-cut some kinesio tape to apply for the run and tried to get it on like the PT showed me. That didn't workout so well... but anyway, I was feeling all HTFU! I wanted to be done and I was 6.2 miles from a doughnut.

I met this awesome lady, Theresa from Baltimore who decided to hang with me on my intervals. We talked the entire way. I forgot I was "racing" and just ran or walked when the watch beeped. I also remembered to eat my last few chews, sugar really makes a difference! The course was fun, even though I didn't notice any of the monuments. ADHD or exhaustion?

Because I had someone to share the miles with, it didn't feel hard at all. Theresa, if you read this, THANK YOU SO MUCH! The only time my tendon hurt was the last little bit when I decided to run to the finish line for over 3 minutes... My tendon hated that and let me know just before the finish line. Ice and compression socks helped :D I felt great after this race, mentally and physically. Well, after the ice bath and a nap. GO TEAM!

Part 4 ~ Final Thoughts

Part 2 Nation's ~ The Terrible, Horrible, Mean Swim That Almost Made Me Cry

Wetsuit illegal!

Before we lined up, after transition closed.
Me trying to pretend I'm excited to race.

The morning was cool and clear. The water was 81 degrees! Water temp was big news over the weekend  and a lot of new athletes opted to wear wetsuits anyway, but they had to start last. My friend Dawn, total badass and all around hero, was really counting on wearing the wetsuit. She's not a strong swimmer and enjoyed the buoyancy the wetsuit provides. She told me, with complete confidence, that she didn't need the wetsuit; most of her practice swims had been without it anyway. She was going at this with absolutely no fear and I was already doubting myself. We left transition, to line up close to our corrals. Of my teammates, I started last. The first wave started at 7. I didn't start until 8:15. I did not plan to stand around that long. I ate my pre-swim food too soon. And in the chill dawn, my nerves came back three-fold! I was sitting by myself on the curb, when a queasy feeling settled in my stomach. I got up to work out some of the nerves. I watched the guys head to the ramp. I took my flip flops and shirt to bag drop. Then the ladies headed to the ramp. My leg started hurting, my stomach was still rumbling. For the first time in my life, I thought, "you don't have to do this."

WHAT!???!!!???!! 

I had wrapped my arms tight around me and not because of the cold, but because of fear! Drama queen much? Then my group was heading to the ramp and it was too late, too hectic to back out and I was in the water. The warm, surprisingly pleasant waters of the Potomac. The course was the best marked I've ever been on. Every 100 meters a big orange buoy marked down the distance. It should have been an easy swim.

Should've, could've, would've. 

I couldn't find the right body position. I had no rhythm and I was drifting way outside the course at the first buoy, before I over-corrected and a kyaker had to bring to attention that I was now inside the buoys at 150.  The next 50 meters was a mental nightmare. By the 200 meter buoy I was ready to wave my cap in the air and call it a day.

I was filled with the spirit of quit. Quit is easy. Quit is comfortable. Quit is my enemy. I had to suck up the quit and spit it back into the river and swim. And then things got really hard. At the 400 meter buoy the next wave group, the most competitive group of women, those 30-34's caught up with me and the swim went from a mental challenge to a straight up Royal Rumble.

People were slapping, elbowing, kicking, grabbing, climbing over me instead of swimming over me. I've never had my ankles grabbed a tugged on while swimming. Not a touch, a tug. Every time this happened, I stopped to tread water, regroup, look for open water and start up again. It was too much stopping and treading and restarting. I was tired and hungry and expending energy on going nowhere. I stopped again at the 900 meter buoy and was ready to cry. This was my worst swim ever. I didn't want to be here. I didn't want to fight any more. Quit was looking good.

Selfish much?

Why was I thinking of quitting because it was hard? If there is one thing Team In Training has taught me, it's we don't quit. There's no quit in TEAM! I was uncomfortable, not dying. If Anna can fight cancer as a kid, I can finish a swim that hurts my feelings. This race wasn't all about me. Quit had no business on the course. Quit is the Devil. Besides that, I said a prayer and recited Philippians 4:13 over and over, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."



See? Easy Peasy.

I finally got mad, mostly at myself, partly at the meanness of the other swimmers. I stopped stopping with every kick, tug, elbow and kept moving. I was getting out of the water and on with the weekend. I never found that sweet swimming spot, but I did make it out of the water. I have never been so happy to on dry land!

Part 1 Before the race      Part 3 Ride and Run

Part 1 Nation's Triathlon ~ Before the Race

Nation's Triathlon to Benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is in the bag. My second time with Team In Training was another wonderful experience, even though I haven't met my fundraising goal, yet. I know the summer has been hard on America financially, but we are fighting cancer here and making huge strides in treatments for blood cancers. DONATE :D Give a dollar or 2 and reap the benefits. You'll feel like a hero, you'll stand taller, you'll be faster, stronger, able to leap buildings in a single bound... I may have gone a bit overboard on that one :D

Scott, the masterful DC driver and tour guide,
with me race morning.

Our weekend in Washington, DC was busy! I owe major thanks to my teammate, Scott, for giving me a ride to and from DC. If I'd had to drive in that nightmarish muddle of downtown traffic, I'd have had to shoot someone! Thanks also to my sister's friend, Katie, for letting me stay at her place Friday night and giving me a ride back to the Hilton. Speaking of the Hilton,  I was told at least 3 times within the first hour that this was the hotel Reagan was shot at or this was the "Hinckley Hilton." Filed under useless facts or needless conversation starters. I don't need anymore of those!

Jim "The Mentor", Coach Richie, me, "The Amazing" Dawn,
 Kristen "The Mermaid" and Scott "The Unbreakable"

Saturday, the local TNT chapter organized a group ride from the hotel to transition. The 3 mile ride was eye-opening. First, I'll never ever be a kamikaze city cyclist. My nerves were all kinds of shot to Hell! Second, clipped in for city riding equals never again! I'll keep my country lanes, thank you very much. The ride wasn't terrible, I kept up with the group, I didn't fall off my bike, I didn't even come close to being hit by a car. There were just so many cars, road hazards, stop signs and lights! It was also my first ride in a large-ish peloton. A large group of strangers of unknown bike handling skills is a bit unnerving. Actually, the closest I came to having an accident was when a cyclist in front of me fell off his bike. I really need to ride in a group more often. Plus side, you can chat on rides in groups :D

I got a touch of sunburn on this ride, which gave me a headache. My leg was also starting to hurt. So I went back to the expo and let the ART people work on my leg. ART should be called MAGIC. That and Ginger's generous donation of ibuprofen saved me by the inspiration dinner.

The amount of money raised, the research it is accomplishing, the support and encouragement of the TEAM lifted all the doubts that'd were nagging in the back of my mind. I drank a gallon of water and tea, I ate, I cheered. I was ready for the 4:00 wake up call.

Except I woke up at 3:00. My leg was stiff, my head was hurting, I was more nervous than I'd ever been before a race. I foam rolled for 30 minutes, I did yoga for 30 minutes, and then I followed "the plan." That was my goal from the first for this race. "Follow the plan." I knew what I was going to eat and drink and when I was going to eat and drink it. I visualized every stroke of the swim, every push and pull on the bike, every step on the run (walk, per doctors orders, mostly walk cause IRC!)

TN TEAM at 4:30
Enthusiastic! H~A~P~P~Y!

My team was happy, anxious, excited, and optimistic. I smiled and joked and drank a coffee with 3 sugars and kept my nerves to myself. We were already champions for fighting cancer. This race was just our reward. I was about to learn that some rewards require a bit of extra effort to enjoy.

Go TEAM!

Part 2 ~ Race Day Swim

Second Group Ride

Sunday was a beautiful day! Beautiful! When I woke up Sunday morning, the last thing I wanted to do was exercise. And then I got to the park, got on the bike, and felt like a triathlete-- a beginner one.

Richie, TNT mentor, switched out my regular pedals for toe cage pedals. These pedals made a big difference to my ride. Lara, coach, worked me through gear changes, that I'm finally becoming more comfortable with. She also helped with some tricky form issues that I'd have never seen myself.

I learned that I pedal toes down (very bad), I'm right side dominant (right quad is still sore), and I like going down hill fast. Oh, but I lack control on the descents. New things to learn each time.

This was a brick day. Brick days teach you to transition from sports. Trying to run after coming of the bike is a strange and uncomfortable thing. For me, it was painful. Cramping along the shin bone is unpleasant. And the cause of such unpleasantness was all my toes down, right side dominance pedaling. Going fast down hill has no influence on my achy leg. I foresee hours of circular thinking, worrying that my toes are pointed down.

I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.

I'll get back to you when I know I can.

Not Quite Ready for the Races

First group ride was a success! I didn't kill anyone! I didn't die! (my idea of success)


This was the first group ride and my fist time training with the team. I can't wait to get faster, stronger, better on the bike! WooHoo! Time for some hard work! (don't get cocky, kid)


As always, you can follow my training on daily mile and please support my fund raising mission on my Team in Training page.

Doubting Chorus

First group ride! Woooooo!!!Xscary! 


Will I run over someone? Will someone run over me? What if I can't keep up? Why am I doing this again? I can't change a flat tire! I don't really feel well this morning. Maybe I'm getting the flu? What if my knee starts hurting? Am I forgetting something else I need to do this afternoon? Anything?


Doubt and repeat. This soundtrack is getting stuck in my head. 


Pshew! Like I'm going to let the Doubting Chorus sing-a-long overcome my awesomeness. If I fall, I'll just get up and try again. I don't have to be Julie Dibens today. I can give myself at least a week a couple thousand years to ride that well. I don't have to be perfect. I think it's enough for me to work towards perfection, whatever that is. Maybe, I'll just take perfect/perfection out of my vocabulary. One less hangup for me this afternoon. I'll just do what I do and next time I'll do it better. (that's a perfect example of wordy, for any English teachers that read this).

Not the End of the World

I skipped a workout! Gah! The world is coming to an end!


Okay, not really. NO EXCUSES. No worries. I made it up this morning. Yep. Made. It. Up. Just a bump on the path of excellence, not a derailment. I'm usually the train wreck person, but I've set that drama diva aside.

I wasn't driving this wreck.

Yesterday, I woke up at 4:30, drove 40 minutes to and from the pool I'm using this month, swam, biked and opened the store. It was a great day. Got groceries, cooked supper, visited my brother and nephew. And then, instead of doing my workout, I turned off the TV, picked up a book and read until I feel asleep. It was blessedly wonderful. I too often spend free time with the distraction of the TV or laptop. Turning them off, turning me off was just what I needed.


Yesterday is accounted for and today is on track. Skipping workouts is not something I want to get in the habit of, but ignoring me isn't something I'm going to do either. No excuses, just do it, make it work-- whatever catch phrase you use, get your plan on!


Why are you working out? What's the point of your workout? Have a dream? Get a goal. Then, have a clear reason you are working towards that goal. Coming up with a reason is not easy. And, if you're like me, the reasons will change over time. I think that's a good thing.

Work for It!

It's a new year and I hope it brings exciting and wonderful things for everyone. The exciting and wonderful things I want aren't going to magically appear. If I buy a lottery ticket and win a bajillion dollars what would that mean? I didn't earn it, don't deserve it. There's a Proverb for that, 'Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labor shall be rewarded.' Proverbs 13:11. Yep, hard work is the only viable avenue for me.


There are 16 weeks left to prepare for my first Olympic distance triathlon. Just saying, "first Olympic distance triathlon," fills me with terror and thrills. There is so much training to do and so many skills I have yet to learn.


I spent November and December playing at training. There was no push. Workouts were being lost to the avalanche of excuses: too cold, too busy, too tired, the holidays! Pick your excuse, I used it. But I want this. I want to be a triathlete, to excel in all three disciplines. It's time to compete, not just complete.


Every workout, every minute of every workout matters. Even girly push-up count.


The ridiculous amount of miles I'll be driving to get to the pool or a training session is worth it. And there will be a lot of miles (Drawback of country living. Can someone get that pipeline sooner, so gas becomes reasonable again?)


This triathlon isn't just for me. This one is to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. If you want to help (and you know you do!), please check out my Team in Training page (see the widget on the right). You can also follow my training on Daily Mile (widget to the right). (I guess I really like widgets.)


My exciting and wonderful things are better, faster, stronger! Better person, faster runner, stronger competitor. Better biker, faster(as in truer) friend, stronger Christian. And I'm betting all the betters will make 2012 the best year yet. All will take hard work. The reward will be worth it. What exciting and wonderful things are you working towards?