Fat Wednesday

Tonight is the last night of my old life ... Tomorrow is the first day of my new life. Tomorrow my rut will end. I will begin my journey to achieve my new goals. I will move forward and not look back. I am the most important thing in my life. It will be hard but it will be worth it.

Decisions, goals and a funk...

Sorry for the delay, life has been a bit busy. I actually made a decision based on my last blog a couple of weeks ago. Two weeks ago I ran in a five mile race. I felt great that day. I ran the entire race and kept a steady pace the entire way. A week ago I did my long run leading up to my half marathon which is scheduled for October 10th. This past Sunday I walked for about 40 minutes after working all weekend. The problem is that I haven't done anything else. I have been in a funk or a rut. But I digress, I will get back to my decision and share that first. During the two runs I made the decision to go back to basics. I will sign up for two triathlons like did back in 2001. The first for the 2016 season will be in June and the second will be in July. I am still deciding on exactly which triathlon race I will do but I have it narrowed down to just a few. I also decided that I will complete the 3 mile swim again in August and of course try and beat my time. And the final thing that I decided was I want to participate in the Diabetes Ride (cycle) in Syracuse (no I haven't decided on the distance yet). So there it is my schedule and goals for the spring/summer of 2016. Now back to my rut ... I don't know what is going on. I lay out my gym clothes every day but I either don't get up in time or I don't go to the gym after work. The scale hasn't looked good and my diabetes numbers are paying the price. I will say that by not working out it affects so much ... my mood, my self esteem, my sleep and so much more. I know I want to work out but something is keeping me in this rut. Tonight I told myself that I had until September 30th to continue to feel sorry for myself but come October 1st that was it ... I had to get moving. Training must begin and I physically can't afford to continue this. Tonight I went onto Pinterest and read my board on motivation. It helped a bit, I saw one post that said, "imagine yourself in 6 months from now, don't stop it will be worth it". Six months from October 1st is April 1st ... can I do it? Another one read, "look in the mirror, that is your competition". That is so true ...The person in the mirror can be my best friend or my biggest rival. Will she hold me back or will I pass her? The final post I read was, "God has a purpose for your pain, a reason for your struggle and a gift for your faithfulness. Don't give up". AMEN!!

Stay tuned!!

What to do??

15 years ago this month I started training for my first triathlon. I worked so hard for that first event and the second one I did that same summer. I had a fire in me that drove me to complete that event. I will admit that some of the fire in me was fueled by people who doubted me. I was out to prove them wrong! I worked hard week after week and I enjoyed the process as I saw myself get better and stronger. Since that first summer I have completed several other triathlons as well as countless half marathons, a marathon and several open water swims.   

When I started this blog several years ago (2012) I was training for my half Ironman (70.3 miles). Which although it wasn't pretty I completed the distance. In 2013 I completed the 70.3 as a member of relay team and did a few other sprint triathlons. Since the summer of 2013 I have not completed one triathlon. I have done a few open water swims and a few runs but I haven't completed a triathlon. I do miss it.

This summer I had planned on doing two, the first was going to be in July but do to some GI track problems the morning of the race I couldn't do it. I wasn't totally disappointed because my heart wasn't in it completely. The second one I wanted to do in August but I had to back out due to a work conflict. Instead this summer I did an open water swim (5K) and have been training for a half marathon this fall.

Recently I was riding my bike, on my trainer. Yes I have put my glutius maxiumus on the saddle a few times since my last post, most recently this morning. And it occurred to me that it had been 15 years ago this month since the first time I trained for a triathlon. I thought about my desire and dedication to accomplishing that goal. I want to be that girl again! Although I am 15 years older I know I can be that girl again!

So this is what I need to decide ... do I sign up for a 70.3, set my sights on that goal and start training now? Or do I go back to basics, get my fire back, fall in love with triathlons again and focus on some sprint triathlons next summer?  I need to make a decision soon but I would love to hear your thoughts. 

September 2nd

I biked today! I actual got my bike shoes on sat in the saddle and peddled. It wasn't a hard ride but it was a ride. Sometimes slow and steady wins the race. Every journey begins with the first step. Or in this case the first turn of the crank!