REPEAT IN 2011

2 weeks ago in Florida, I volunteered at the finish line. The next morning, I found myself in line with my friend Flipper registering for IMFL 2011. Here we go again.

Waddling to another Ironman.........

PERKING ALONG

I know that it is only day 4 into my personal reboot but I feel good. I am focusing on 3 things:
1. Nutrition - I am using SparkPeople.com to track my eating and meet daily goals.
2. Sleep - I am making sure to attempt 8-9 hours of sleep per night.
3. Workouts - I am keeping to a schedule and using Training peaks to log and make me accountable.

Waddling to come back....

10 on 10-10-10

After spending the entire day yesterday watching Ironman Kona, I was ready to run this morning. Temperature at sunrise was 51 and there was not a cloud in the sky. I got up and headed for Springbrook Prairie. On my mind were my friends running Chicago Marathon today. This was one of the few years that I did not go down. I just needed my own run today.

I got a comfortable 10 miles in. Would not have wanted to go much further. My pace was very slow. I did a 1 minute walk every half mile. I was happy with that ratio.

This afternoon I need to spend some time mapping out a food plan. My diet has been my downfall.

Waddling slow after 10 miles.....

RENEWING

A year ago at this time, I was in the final panics of training for my first Iron triathlon. Now I have begun pondering doing another one next year when I turn 55.

Since that day when I crossed the finish line, I have been floundering. I have tried to set many goals and signed up for quite a few races. 2010 was a series of cancelled races. The motivation was gone and apathy replace it. Proportionally I gained weight and felt crappy. My metabolic syndrome has become out of control. What happened? I could not imagine any better feeling or race than what I had experienced.

Where am I now? Starting to dig deep to find my tri-self and become the person that I knew last year.

Waddling to come back.

STILL DOING GREAT

For the next few months, the updates will be few. Everything in my life is going fine but the have been limits to my time. I am now teaching 3 spin classes per week on top of my full-time job and my training. By the time I get to my computer, I am exhausted. I check my e-mails and facebook then it is game over. Another focus has been spending time with my son who will leave for the Army on June 3o.

Training has begun for my half Iron and will be followed by training for the Goofy.

Everyone know that I will check in when I can.

Waddling..............

TASTE OF SPRING

After returning from Orlando, the weather in Chicagoland has been giving us a taste of the spring ahead. Even though the forecast in 2 day says snow in it. I am savoring every moment. This morning Snips and I got out for a 4.5 mile rune as the sun was coming up. Wow. It almost seemed effortless because of the great company and great weather.

My motivation has come back and I am trimming off several pounds put on over the winter. Next race is a half marathon on May2 followed by my first tri of the year 3 weeks later. I am pumped.

Waddling in the sun.....

PRINCESS HALF MARATHON

There could not have been a better start to the year. Flipper, Snips, and I got up early and donned our tutus and princess hats. At the start we looked around to see 13,000 other princesses ready to run. The outfits were all fun to look at. While running we saw many Cinderellas, Belle, Jasmine, and Sleeping Beauty runners. It was such a party and celebration. Disney had all their princess characters along the course along with bands. The turnaround was in the Magic Kingdom in the castle.There was never a dull moment along the 13.1 miles. I would definitely recommend this race especially for a first timer.

My time was exactly where I thought it would be. It was my best early season time @ 2:48:33.

Because of the good time that we had, Snips and I have decided to add another Disney weekend to our schedule. We plan on returning in January 2011 to do the Goofy !!!

Waddling wearing my crown........

LET THE SEASON BEGIN....

Snips, Flipper , and I are in Orlando at Disney ready to begin our 2010 Season. Tomorrow we are running the Princess Half Marathon. The weather is fabulous. Sunny and near 70. I have to say that I have not been too pumped up or motivated to beging this season but since we are here, I've been sucked in.

Our outfits are set out and ready to go. We are relaxing and kicking back for the rest of the day.

Waddling in to the first race of 2010.......

STILL AROUND.....

Despite the way it seems, I have not fallen of the face of the earth. I am doing good just extremely busy.

I just got back from a short trip to Ohio. I was spending time with my dad who was having some tests run. Everything is wonderful and OK.

I have be getting alot of training in for no reason except that it feels good and makes me feel good. I do not have a plan but I am still at the gym everyday for some good workouts.

I did get a position teaching spin class and will be starting next week. I am excited to give something back to others.

Next weekend- Snips, Flipper and I go to Disney to run the Princess Half marathon!! Should be alot of fun.

Waddling and rambling.....

LOVE THE OLYMPICS..

Waddling and cheering for my team.....

SPINNING....

Life has become a blur. I feel like a hamster spinning on a wheel. Several things that I have been working on are in process.

First, one of the things on my BUCKET LIST is to be on "The Amazing Race". The first step to doing that was to get a partner. Snips of course jumped right in. Next came going to an open casting call which we did last week. We went to Michigan on Wednesday. The ride was alot of fun and laughter. Snips driving only got us lost twice. We did 2 minutes in front of the camera. Our plan of what to say fell apart in the first 15sec. so we proceed to joke around and the camera guy was laughing too. We will find out something in a few weeks. Keep your fingers crossed.

Second, my pursuit of becoming a spin instructor. On Saturday I spent 9 hours at a YMCA in Chicago. And I am now certifed to teach Spin. I was at least 15 years older than anyone in my class. I stayed awake and survived 2 sessions on the bike. Now just to find somewhere to teach.

Training has been bumping along and I haven't missed a day in 2 weeks. I am so excited to go to Disney with Flipper and Snips for the Princess Half. Just hopin' the cold does not follow us down there.

Waddling to pack my bag for another busy day.........

WINTERIZED

The end of January always brings the huge desire for spring. Every weekend the decision becomes outside or inside. It becomes exhausting to pile all the clothes on. I do love to run outside and this year have ran over 7 miles with the temp at

-2.

Training has been going good. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday are swimming. Monday has been spinning. Running is Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Once the Princess half is completed in March biking will start increasing to get ready for the Easter Ride in April. I am getting anxious for things to begin!

Waddling through the winter.....

WAKE-UP CALL

Today, started off great with a 2 hour run at the gym on the dreadmill. You probably wonder how that can be great but when you have 5 friends lined up chatting, the time flies. While running, I could tell that I was due for some new shoes. I put that on my list of stops for today along with looking for a sleeveless tank or 2.



I found my shoes (Saucony Hurricane) on sale $50 off. Now I noticed the tops on sale also. I tried several on and OMG. Bad News.My thoughts of rewarding myself at Mcdonalds with a Sweet Tea went right out the window.

I proceed to the grocery and took 2.5 hours to shop. Because of the thought of me in that tank, there was much more healthy food in the cart than usual.

Waddling to get a piece of cheese....

NO EXCUSES..

This morning after working out for 1:45 at the gym, Snips and I rewarded ourselves with Smoothies at the Cafe. We sat and chatted and looked over our plans for 2010. We both have unique goals but will start and finish 2010 together. As we talked , we found a familar theme to all our thoughts. That brought us to deciding on our Motto for 2010--"NO EXCUSES".

We did edit the schedule a bit but we are very excited. In August , we added the Muddy Buddy race. How fun will that be!

Part of the discussion included goals. I usually do not set time goals but this year will include a few which I feel a attainable.

• Half Marathon- break 2:30
• Half Iron - under 7:00
• Marathon - under 6:00 ( I have never been able to break that fall--this is the year in Vegas)

Waddling with "No Excuses"..........

DETOX

As per everyone's New Year ritual, it is necessary yo get on the scales and face the music as to what we have done to our bodies post-holiday. For me it me not pretty at all. Granted it was still 20 lbs. lighter than the beginning of last year but the additional 10 lbs. post Iron were irresponsible. I have metabolic syndrome so it is even more irresponsible.

I am on Day 2 of detox. For everyone this is different. For me it begins with getting sugar out of my system (daily McDonald's Sweet Tea) and cutting back on the diet Dew from 6-7 cans per day to 1-2. Also let's increase the water consumption. Did I mention no more fast food drive thru? Sounds simple but for me it will be a big challenge for the week.

Waddling and wishing for a sweet tea............

SO FAR , SO GOOD.....

It's been a very busy 2010. I keep grasping for time to write something and get caught up in quick messages on facebook.

I am thrilled that master's swim has begun. Coach is training for IMFL this year and I feel it in th challenge of his workouts. It's actually a bonus. Everyone in our group is awesome and the motivation and support in the pool is overwhelming. Just a note to IronSnoopy- thank for the swim cap when I showed up with my biking shoes.

My first race is the Princess Half Marathon in March and I am trying to build up my long runs on Sundays again. It's been a challenge with our weather. Last Sunday, Snips and I headed out with a temp of 3 degrees to run 8 miles. We achieved 7.5 and called it close enough.

I am excited about 2010 because the focus is fun and meaning to all my races. This year I hope to support others as they supported me in 2009.

Waddling and feeling good.......

SO EXCITED...

Tomorrow is the first day of Master's swim for 2010. Yeah~


Waddling to pack my bag..........

CHILLIN'

This morning I rediscovered something that I love. My planned training was a 6 mile run with Snips. I always check the weather channel as soon as my feet hit the floor. There was a chill advisory until 10am and the actual temperature was -2. You could hear the crunch of the snow under your feet(Yak Trax). I love running in winter. The air is so fresh, crisp and clean.

Now that the holidays are over, it's time to get my nutrition back on track. The cabinets and frig were cleaned out and it was a family trip to the grocery. There has been too much eating out. As always, the new year brings better eating habits.

Waddling into the first week of 2010.........

RESOLUTION TIME

It's that time of year when you begin to think of New Year's resolutions. I never keep them so I was reading Charisa's blog and saw this quote:

"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a attractive well preserved body; but rather to skid sideways,champagne in one hand,strawberries in the other, body thouroughly used up,totally worn out and screaming Woohooo... What a ride!."

I want to add to this---I want to do everything to make my skid last a long time.

Waddling and wishing everyone a great 2010..............