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........