Where I'm at With Food

I would like to start this post by making sure you know how much I love donuts, and cake, and cookies, and especially brownies, and ice cream, and all of the delicious things that normal people like. And I eat them. I don't know people that do not like these things. I'm actually really glad that I don't know people like that. Because I would not trust them. Not one bit. Because they surely would not be telling the full truth...

Next I want to make sure that you know that I am not an expert at anything. I am just passionately curious :)  And I've found some things that work really great for me. I have never taken any nutrition classes. All of my knowledge comes from wanting to know more, and searching for answers, mainly online, or from other people that I think are really healthy and knowledgeable about health.

About a year and a half ago, I got invited to do one of those free Beachbody clean eating challenge groups. I was hesitant, but needed some motivation, so decided to go for it. Through the process, I really felt that 100% clean eating WAS NOT FOR ME. I thought I was going to die without my hazelnut coffee creamer and my strawberry greek yogurt and cottage cheese...and on and on. I did the best I could, but there were just certain things that I wasn't willing to part with. I felt that I could eat really healthy (MUCH healthier than I'd been eating) without going completely clean. And, I was right. 

Since that time, I have done a few more clean eating challenges, and I've learned that I CAN get rid of some things that I thought I couldn't survive without. I now use unsweetened almond milk instead of creamer (gasp!), and I've even cut out my 80 calorie Light and Fit Greek yogurt. Don't get me wrong, I would definitely still eat/drink those things, but I have learned that I don't have to buy them every time I go to the store.

As a distance runner, I was always a girl that literally ate whatever I wanted and never had to worry about it. But...now I'm 35 and that doesn't seem to work so well anymore. Just before I did my first 21 day clean eating challenge, I got the MyFitnessPal app and started logging my calories for the first time ever. Wow. I couldn't believe how many calories some of the things were that I was eating. I tracked my calories regularly for a few months until I really figured out what worked for me for regular meals. I'm REALLY good at eating the same exact thing for breakfast and lunch Monday - Friday. And I find it much easier to make good choices when I know exactly what I'll be eating and only bring those things to work with me. 

As for dinner, that is an area where I still struggle. I live in a house full of super picky boys that don't care one bit whether they're eating healthy meals or if their meals consist of bacon dipped in syrup and wrapped in bacon. So, dinners can be tricky. I often find myself making a variation of what everyone else is eating for myself...or at least eating a very small portion with a large side salad. 

So, when it comes to eating, overall, I feel like I do pretty well when I'm on track. But, I get off track a lot. And then I get back on track, and then on, and then off. Are there people that ALWAYS stay on track? I doubt it. And if so, I don't want to meet them either. Because then I'll feel bad about myself. HAhaha!

Okay, this is long. Sorry! I'm going to go ahead and show you what a normal week looks like for me with what I eat.

Monday - Friday:

Breakfast: currently I eat banana cakes every day for breakfast. They are perfect. The perfect amount of food, calories, protein, and carbs :)

1 banana - smashed
mix with 2 eggs
make like pancakes
amazing

Snacks:
celery with all natural peanut butter
carrots
cucumber slices
sugar snap peas
apple
hard boiled eggs
stove popped popcorn with salt and pepper 

lunch:

sweet potato chopped and steamed in the microwave in a Ziplock steamer bag
grilled chicken breast (which I prep on Sunday)

Dinner:
varies greatly...hoping for some input on this one. Always love new ideas!

I have found that if I stick to this food during the week, and I exercise regularly, and don't go overboard with dinner, I can eat much more leniently on the weekends and not worry about it so much. Because, honestly, I don't want to be that person on the weekends that worries a ton about what I'm eating. I want to work hard during the week, and then indulge a bit on the weekends when there are normally some kind of social event.

And that, is my food plan :)  I don't do shakes, and I try to eat "clean" Monday - Friday for all snacks, breakfast, and lunch. And I keep my portions in check and count calories if I am trying to take weight off. 

That's where I'm at with food :)

-Kendra

Hard is What Makes it Great

Do you remember how I decided to do that November 90 Challenge and run 90 miles in November? It was a great motivator to keep me moving through a very busy and stressful month. Well, it also kind of burned me out and left me with the attitude that I deserved some time off in December. And with the holidays and all, I also thought it was just fine to eat whatever I wanted. By the end of December I felt AW-FUL. Literally. This was me.

 

 

It wasn't good. 

 

But at the same time, it wasn't all that bad. It helped me to realize how I don't want to feel. I don't want to feel bad about what I see in the mirror. I don't want to feel guilty about what I eat. I don't want to be short on patience with my kids because I haven't had any other outlet for my frustrations. 

 

So, as the new year started I got all of these great ideas of ways to stay motivated. Once again, I signed up for the Polar Bear Century Club Challenge. It's a challenge to run 100 miles in the month of January. (I'm more than 1/2 way there!) 

I also decided that I wanted to give Crossfit a try. I've been wanting to try it out for a long time, and I finally had the nerve to give it a whirl. I liked it, and I LOVE the idea of getting stronger, but I just couldn't really figure out how it could possibly fit into my schedule, or my budget. So...I decided to join the weight lifting club at my high school instead! Am I running the club? Nope. I'm just crashing it! I may have even been accused of "reliving my glory days," but the kids seem to like having their old 4th grade teacher hanging out and lifting weights with them after school. (Yes, there are seniors there that I taught in 4th grade. Sigh.)

Overall, 2014 is starting out fantastic. I have worked out nearly every day this year and I feel awesome. The difference that it makes in how I feel physically and emotionally can't be topped. People ask me how I have time for it. Honestly, I'm not sure. I'd say in the winter the one thing that allows me to have the time for it is my treadmill. (Tonight I actually got back on it for just one more mile because I really wanted to see what was going to happen next on "Breaking Bad"! - That's my best treadmill tip. Find an awesome show and don't allow yourself to watch it unless you're on the treadmill. I just got done watching "Lost." It took me one and a half winters of treadmill running!)

 

I'm sure that I won't stay this motivated for all of 2014, but a girl can hope! 

 

 

 

Sparkle. Pounce. 

You Think You Have Time

 

I'm really not even sure where to start with this one. I feel like the last few days have been full of events/situations that have caused me to stop...and think.

On Saturday night in church, our Pastor double dared us to complete five random acts of kindness this week. He also challenged us to spend more time stopping and appreciating things instead of being constantly on the go. AND, he gave each family a devotional book about living a life of generosity. Those things by themselves don't seem like much, but then the week started.

Monday I got an email about a fundraiser that my son's elementary school is holding for their former principal who needs a double lung transplant. He will not survive without the surgery, which will cost $25,000. This man was only my son's principal his kindergarten year, but he still talks about him. I know he's a special person, even though I do not know him personally.

Then, Monday evening I found out that a friend of a friend's running partner was struck by a drunk driver and killed while she was out on a run with her husband at 8:00am. The man who was driving the vehicle is a doctor of internal medicine and was on his way to work. Ironically, his own wife was killed in a drunk driving accident just two years ago.

Today, I received an email that a family member on my husband's side has to have open heart surgery this week. This man isn't even 40 years old and he has to undergo an intensive surgery that will leave him unable to work for three months.

Then, after work I was reading the day's news when I read the story about another school shooting in New Mexico. It occurred at a middle school, leaving one student in critical condition and another in serious condition. (Note...I NEVER read the news. I try to avoid hearing about all of the horrible things that are happening in our world.)

I stopped at the bank on the way home to deposit a couple of checks, and noticed a man sitting outside the bank in his car. He looked a little suspicious to me, but I went inside. Just after I walked in he walked in behind me. I got chills. Why you ask? Because all of the garbage that has happened this week has left me completely on edge and full of fear! And I can't stand it! After I finished my banking and realized that I was completely crazy, it struck me that it is only Tuesday and I have "stopped" to listen and look and hear about a lot of really crappy things happening. 

Luckily, these events have left me with some great opportunities to complete my five random acts of kindness. And they have really gotten me thinking about the fact that we need to live life today. And every day. 

Sometimes living life means that we stop and appreciate everything we have in this life. Other times though, we really need to grab life with both hands and live it full speed ahead. Work towards what you want. Don't wait for a better time to reach your goals. There isn't one.

Sparkle. Pounce. Live.

 

2014: Turn Your Dreams Into Plans

 

How do you figure out what races to sign up for? What are the best races to do? It's funny that my cousin asked me to write about this, because I have spent the last week frantically trying to figure out what my game plan is for 2014 when it comes to races. 

Here are my three most important pieces of advice for choosing races for the year:

1.) Make sure to sign up with at least one good friend. There is a lot to be said for having a buddy at the starting line to help calm some fears, but just as important is having a training partner. Even if your training buddy doesn't live close by, you can still text and chat about what your training schedule looks like, what workouts you're not feeling motivated for, and how much you hate each other for making you do the stinkin' race. Believe me, it's important.

       ***So, my own personal dilemma with this strategy in 2014 is that some of my favorite go-to racing buddies are pregnant or are going to be pregnant (fingers crossed) and therefore, aren't signing up for any big races! And my sister just had a baby, so her racing season is still a question mark. Although I did sign up to run the Lansing FULL Marathon with her on May 4! (NOTE...this race definitely follows advice tips #1 and #3, but I'm not so sure about #2.) And I just sent her a text today letting her know that if she decides to do a 1/2 Ironman I will be joining her. Yup, that's how important having a buddy is. I absolutely will not sign up for any hugely terrifying races without one!

2.) Sign up for a race that's in a location you are excited about. I have found that my favorite races have been in beautiful places where I enjoyed the view during the race. The Bayshore Marathon in Traverse City is a great one for this! Also, Back to the Beach 1/2 marathon, 10K, or 5K at Stoney Creek Metropark is a beautiful race in Southeast Michigan. You don't necessarily have to travel far, but I do think it's important to pick a race that has a great setting. This also makes it more fun if you want to try and convince the whole family to come and cheer you on!

          ***So, my own personal scheme for this in 2014 is that I am dropping hints to my husband about taking a family trip to Grand Island at the end of July. Why, you ask? Because there is a FULL TRAIL MARATHON on Grand Island on July 26! It would be the perfect family vacation AND I could do a race in a beautiful place! (NOTE...I have myself convinced that this would NOT be a hugely terrifying race and I would sign up without any buddies. Insert super scared face...)

3.) Sign up for at least one race that scares the bageezers out of you. This will keep you motivated to stick to your training. If you don't have any races planned that require you to train hard, you might not train hard. Plus, let's be honest, there is a definite amount of added excitement when we are scared of something! So, step out of your comfort zone and try something new! Maybe it's just a longer distance, maybe it's a trail race or a duathlon or a triathlon. Whatever it is, make sure you're excited and pretty stinkin' nervous about it. That's what makes it a good race.

      ***In 2010 I signed up for the Bayshore Full marathon. I was TERRIFIED. I hadn't run a marathon in 8 years because I was THAT scared to run one again. Also in 2010 I signed up for my first triathlon. Then, for 2011 I signed up for my first Ironman, and in 2012 I signed up for my second Ironman. In 2013 I signed up for a 50K trail ultramarathon. All of those races scared the pants off of me and made me work my butt off to ensure that I would be successful in reaching my goal of crossing the finish line. And it worked. And I loved every second of it.

       For 2014 I am signed up for the Lansing Full marathon. I'm definitely nervous about it, but I will be much more nervous if I decide that I want to run it fast. I am still debating on that. I haven't decided how uncomfortable I want to be...

        But, I am also planning on signing up for an additional race in 2014 that scares me. I'm not sure what it's going to be yet. It will most likely be a 1/2 Ironman, a 50K or, gulp, maybe even a 50 miler. I'm just not quite sure yet.

I really think that if you can stick to those three things in choosing your race/s for 2014, you'll have a good year! Get your races on the calendar, then make your training plan and get to it!

Happy training!

Sparkle. Pounce.

Loving Yourself in Your Own Skin

Take a minute and think about all of the girls you know. Think about the women that you work with, exercise with, have as friends, and have as family. Now, think about what makes these women beautiful. Who are the most beautiful women you know, and why do you think they're beautiful?

When I think about these things, I realize that the most beautiful women in my life are the women who think they are beautiful. If I took pictures of 15 women that I come into contact with on a regular basis, and had someone who didn't know them order them from the most beautiful to the least beautiful, based solely on the photographs, I am confident that the pictures would not be arranged in the same order that I would arrange them in.

Why is that? Because being beautiful involves so much more than what you can see in a still photograph. These two quotes are what first come to mind when I think of beautiful women:

   

Both of these sayings are so very true. Woman who think (and KNOW) they are beautiful are so much more beautiful than women who are not comfortable in there own skin. And knowing that you are beautiful does not mean that you think you are perfect or that you think you're better than everyone else. It doesn't make you conceited or arrogant. It means that you are happy with who you are, flaws and all! Think about it, when was the last time that you heard a beautiful woman talk about her love handles or her flabby arms? Can't remember?! That's because those women don't dwell on their imperfections. It's not because they don't have any, it's just that they choose not to bring them up in conversation.

"Happy girls are the prettiest."  AMEN to that!!! I know some girls that could be really pretty if they would ever have a smile on their face! There really is nothing prettier than a happy, confident girl who loves herself.

So, how do you get to the place where you love yourself in your own skin? I'm not an expert, but I think there are a couple key factors in getting to that place. First, you need to take care of your body. Treat it like you love it! That involves eating a healthy-ish diet, getting some exercise, and getting enough sleep. Those three things will help your body and mind feel good and give you more energy. When you feel good about the healthy decisions you are making for yourself, it is so much easier to be confident and happy, which is what truly makes you beautiful!!

I cannot summarize it in any better way than using the quote I already used.  "Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful."-Sophia Loren 

Love yourself in your own skin. Love yourself. Really, you can forget about the skin part all together. Just love yourself. Be the person that you want to be, and love that person.

You are beautiful.

Sparkle.

Pounce.

 

The Person You Want to Be

Guess what. Today I am having a day where I am proud of the person I'm becoming. I feel like I am always changing and trying to become a better version of me. Don't take that the wrong way, I realize I'm far from perfect, but I'm having little moments of, "Hmmmm...the younger Kendra wouldn't have had the courage to say/do that." And I like it!

I started to notice this more assertive side of me come out when I became a mom 8 years ago (EEEEKKK!). And I think that happens with a lot of moms. They are willing to do anything to defend their children. And that is awesome. And often necessary. 

But slowly, over time, this assertiveness has spread to other areas of my life and I'm not only sticking up for my two wonderful children, but I'm sticking up for myself! Suddenly, (but not really suddenly since it's taken 8 years!) I feel like I can hold my ground and not back down on things that are important to me. This is true with situations at work, with friends, and with family. 

So, where did this assertiveness come from? I think it's been growing in me steadily with each new challenge I tackle. Every time I set a new goal for myself, and then I reach that goal, I am filled with a little more confidence. Through hard work in all areas of my life, I have taught myself that I CAN do the things I want to do. 

Today I challenge you to start being a more confident version of yourself. Set goals for yourself, and then prove that you can reach those goals. Your confidence will grow with each challenge you tackle.

Continue to grow into the person you want to be.

Sparkle. Pounce.

Getting Comfortable With Discomfort

Today is Wednesday. On Sunday night, during the annual Fall wind storm, we lost our power. This morning when I woke up and left for work, the power was still out. No power = no heat, no water, no lights, no internet, no heat, no lights...you get the idea. Luckily, we have a wood burning fire place to keep one room in the house nice and warm, and we've been camping out in there.

From a distance, it looks as though I have been taking this whole situation in stride and not letting it bother me one bit. But, to be honest, there was a desperate, whiny group text that went out to my sweat sisters yesterday informing them that I wasn't handling the situation well at all and someone needed to help me snap out of my funk because all I wanted to do was run away. 

In response to my whiny, emotional text, I got exactly what I needed. This quote: "Adversity does not build character, it reveals it." And then a prompt to face my frustrations head on in the form of a growl, a Miley style twerk, or a run. And if that didn't work, wine was recommended, in addition to offers of hot showers and warm houses to stay at. How could you not love these girls?!

Luckily, I had already packed my running clothes and knew that that was the only thing that was going to help me feel better. Unfortunately, I got stuck at work late and only had 45 minutes to get in a run, take a shower (at my sister-in-law's house), and dry my hair before I had to pick the boys up from daycare. As I was driving to start my run, I was contemplating whether or not it was even worth it. The most I'd have time to do was 3 miles, and that was if I was pushing it. I was having a little pity party (for the second time in one day) when I suddenly just decided I needed to suck it up and get comfortable with being uncomfortable. I decided that I was going to run those 3 miles as fast as I could and really push myself (which I really dislike doing). After all, it was only 3 miles.

So, that's what I did. I parked my car in my sister-in-law's driveway (which just happens to be my old house), got out of the car, started my Garmin, and took off. I had decided to do an out and back in the subdivision because I knew I could run that faster than heading into the park and running through the woods. I was pushing it pretty hard. When my Garmin beeped for the first mile, my time was 7:35. Wahoo!!! I was pumped, but immediately thought I was going to die. It's that whole mental game. I wonder if I would've started feeling that awful if I hadn't looked at how fast I was running...

Anyway, I continued on as fast as I could without hyperventilating. And it was hard. Really hard. I kept telling myself that the more uncomfortable you are with something, the more you need to do it so that it gets easier. By the end of 3 miles it did not feel any easier. But, I was able to finish all 3 miles in under 8:00 min each. It felt awful, and yet so good. And although it wore me out physically, it gave me the mental toughness to go home to my dark, cold house and enjoy the evening stress-free with my family.

What an amazing thing to be able to do. I love when I can recognize my bad attitude and fix it! That is what running can do for me. And that is what makes it so amazing.

Today, after work, I came home to a house that was lit up and being warmed by more than just the wood burning in the fireplace. That was pretty amazing too. Because even though I am pretty good at handling discomfort for a short time, I certainly wouldn't say I'm comfortable with it.

 Sparkle. Pounce. Boom.
 

You vs. You

Today is November 4. Over the last couple of years, my running (and all fitness related activities really) have taken some significant time off throughout the fall (namely, September, October, November, and December). That's because the last 2 years I spent 6 days a week from January through August preparing for Ironman races. As you have noticed, I didn't do that this year. I did run the 50K at the end of September, so that helped keep me on track. But if I'm being completely honest, my fitness is no where near the level it was at when I was in Ironman training.

So, what's the point? Well, a few weeks back I had a revelation that I was a real runner. I was so excited to have motivation to run just because I loved it so much! Finally, I didn't need a race to train for, or a goal to reach. I was running solely because I love the way it makes me feel and the energy it gives me. 

And then, about two weeks ago my schedule got tight and I didn't find the time to run once. Not one single time in a whole week. I didn't have a training schedule to follow. I was busy with the day to day things that all moms with kids in school and full time jobs have to manage, and I just didn't plan running into my days.

Obviously, this isn't how I want things to go. I'm happier when I'm sticking to a running schedule. But it's not easy. October has passed, and the wonderfully stress-filled holiday season is upon us. And I have been having an inner battle for the last 4 days. On November 1, I had an idea that I should do a running challenge for the month of November and call it the November 99. It sounded kind of catchy and I was pretty sure that it would keep me motivated to run. But the more I thought about it, the more I thought that I just didn't have time in November to fit in that much running. My son's birthday is this month, there are parent teacher conferences, and of course, Thanksgiving and all of the family gatherings that go with it.

So, I decided that I would change my challenge to the November 90. That sounded just as catchy, and somewhat more manageable. The problem? I wasn't sure that I really wanted to do it. (You read my list of excuses above, right?!?) And I definitely wasn't ready to commit to it out loud. I tried to recruit my sweat sisters, and didn't have much luck. But I did get a response of "tempting" and a reassurance that 90 miles is only 3 miles a day, which is doable. 

HHHmmmm...what to do? I could continue with my little inner battle and just decide as the month progressed whether or not I was really doing it. (Yes, I know that wouldn't end with me reaching 90 miles...) Or, I could put it out there, and tell people that I was working towards that goal.

Well, today our family schedule worked out just right for me to fit in a 6 mile run after work. And I had run 6 miles on Sunday. That's 12 miles done on November 4. Are you doing the math? Yup, that's an average of 3 miles a day. After my run I was pretty sure I was ready to make the commitment to my November 90 Challenge. 

And then, the craziest thing happened. I got an email from a guy in my triathlon club saying that he decided to start a November 90 Challenge to keep his running going through the month of November as the days grow shorter, darker, and colder. Are you kidding me?!? How awesome is that?! And he even shared a Google doc where I could input the miles that I've already run. Wahoo! It's officially out there. I'm officially committed. November 90, here I come!

Man, I am thankful to have people to push me in the right direction. And at the same time, I have to admit that I am a bit frustrated with myself about my unwillingness to commit to a goal that I know will be good for me. 

 

May the better you win! 

Sparkle.

Pounce.

Boom.

 

Volunteering at the Detroit Marathon

Today I had the honor of being a bike escort for a hand cyclist (wheeler) in the Detroit Marathon. That means I got to ride my mountain bike along the 26.2 mile course that winds through downtown Detroit, over the Ambassador Bridge, through Windsor, Ontario, back into the USA through the tunnel, more through the streets of Detroit, around Belle Island, and then across the finish line. This was my third year in a row of having this privilege, and this experience was much different than the first two. 

Two years ago I was paired with a 22 year old veteran who didn't even know how long a marathon was. He pushed very hard through the first half, and I remember him asking me how many miles a marathon was when we were around mile 15. He slowed down after that, thankfully! It was hard to keep up, but manageable.

Last year I rode with a 17 year old girl. She had done many races and was very pleasant to ride with. I think we finished in around 2 hours and 45 minutes. Still a work out, but very enjoyable.

This year, I was assigned a 61 year old gentleman who competes in many races and does the Detroit Marathon every year. He had reported to the organizer that he would finish in about 2:15, but when I met him this morning he told me he hoped to be just under 2 hours. I was nervous. I haven't ridden my bike much at all this summer, and 26.2 miles is a long ways to ride my mountain bike at a consistent 13+ miles hour with no training.

So, when I spoke to him one last time at the start line he told me that he'd prefer that I ride behind him and he'd give me a wave if he needed anything. This made me feel a little better. All I had to do was keep him in sight so that I could see if anything went wrong. 

And then it was time to go. Instantly, 40+ wheelers and 40+ cyclists began moving forward at full speed. It's like this every year, and normally everyone settles into a manageable pace and spreads out. Well, this year, my guy did not settle into what was a manageable pace for me. I spent the first 6 miles pedaling with all of my might. I literally thought I might vomit and I'm pretty sure I peed my pants a little. Yes, it was that bad. I could see him the whole time, but I could not catch him. 

Finally, on the way up the Ambassador Bridge I caught up with him and joked that I wasn't going to be of any use to him if he didn't let me catch up! He laughed. And then it was time to fly down the other side of the bridge, where once again, I couldn't keep up. I was back to riding my heart out and feeling like I was going to puke. As we passed a slower guy who was escorted by a man on a road bike, he asked if I wanted to switch wheelers. Yes, please. 

Ahhh. For a few moments I was with someone that I could keep up with. I started talking with him casually, and then all of a sudden he told me that he was hoping to finish around 1 hour and 40 minutes and he needed to speed up. NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Panic. Mode. I rode with him for as long as I could handle it until a floating escort on a road bike saved me and took over. 

So, I was about 1/2 way through the ride and I no longer had anyone to ride with. I started feeling like a total slug and wondering why I had gotten up at 4:00am to come down and "help" out when I was helping NO ONE. I kept trying to ride at a pretty fast speed, hoping that maybe some of the wheelers ahead of me would begin to slow in the second half and I could catch back up. I was riding through the streets of Detroit at 9:00am on a supported race course ALONE. Literally alone. There weren't any runners around yet. There were no wheelers in sight. It was just me. Volunteers at aid stations gave me odd looks and I just smiled as I rode by. I felt like I could drink a gallon of water, but felt too foolish to stop and get a drink when I wasn't even with a racer!

Just as I was having another moment of "What am I doing out here?", a disheveled looking spectator yelled out, "Congratulations, Super Hero!" I smiled and thanked her. (I think maybe she had super powers and was able to see my invisible cape!!!) She got me out of my funk and I started to just enjoy the moment. I was lucky enough to be riding the course on a beautiful morning. I meant to help out, it just hadn't really worked out that way.

So, that's how my ride went. Occasionally I would take breaks and wait for other riders to catch up and ride with them for a while. I even saw the one Detroit Police Officer that I know, and stopped to chat with her for a few minutes. It was a great morning. But it was not the morning that I expected.

Sometimes things don't go how you think they will, and it takes a while to realize that different doesn't necessarily mean bad. It just means different. That was me this morning. It took me a while to get over the fact that this year's volunteering experience was not going to be the same as it was the last 2 years. But once I got over it I was able to really enjoy my morning ride.

Be Excited.

Last night as I sat at the kitchen table helping my boys make rubber band bracelets, I was feeling a little mopey about the monotony of my daily routine throughout the week. There isn't much that I enjoy about emptying backpacks, reading notes, filling out papers and forms, making dinner, cleaning up dinner, packing lunches, doing laundry, setting out clothes...and on and on. It's tiresome. And boring. And blah.

But this morning I woke up excited. The reason? I have an hour in my schedule today after work and before I pick my kids up that I get to do whatever I want. And do you know what I decided to do with that hour? I packed a bag with my running gear and I'm going to go for a run! 

Now, you might be wondering why this is so exciting. Well, let me tell you. First, it's really hard to get out the door in the morning on time. And today I was not only on time, but I also put dinner in the crock pot before I left, AND I packed my running gear! The last two Tuesdays I had every intention of packing my stuff, but I didn't remember it until I was half way to work. Once I leave the house without running gear, that one hour of "me" time that I get on Tuesdays cannot be used for running because it would be wasted driving all the way home to get my stuff. So, I am giving myself a little pat on the back just for remembering my running clothes.

Next, I'm excited that I'm excited to run today! HA! I do love to run, but all days are not created equally when it comes to being motivated to do so. But today, I am thankful that my mind and body agree that it's the perfect day to get out there after work and hit the pavement (or the trails...not sure yet!). And I just know that after my run, I'll have more energy and motivation to complete the evening's monotonous tasks that will be waiting for me.

One of my favorite little says is, "Wake up and be awesome." And today, I think that's definitely on my "To Do" list!

 

 

The Best Version of You

Today was my first run since the 50K. As I've mentioned before, I'm not very good at feeling motivated to work out when I'm not training for a race. So, last week when I didn't feel like doing anything more than walking to the mailbox, I started to worry that my motivation was going to be MIA until I signed up for another event. (NOTE*** One of my so-called "sweat sisters" did, in fact, try to get me to sign up for a 50 mile run this November. But so far, I have held my ground with a firm..."I don't think so.")

Actually, on the drive home from Vermont last week, all of us talked about how much we were looking forward to sleeping in on Saturday mornings and not "having" to get up at 6:00am to go for long runs. That was on October 1. Today is October 9. We have "slept in" a total of ONE Saturday, and this afternoon we made plans to meet up at 7:30am this Saturday for a trail run. Why? Because we miss it that much. I think that after 12 years of practice, I might actually be a real runner now! I was really excited to go for my run today and I can't wait for my 7:30am run on Saturday! And do you know what I'm training for???....NOTHING! 

I think this perfect fall weather has something to do with my reclaimed inspiration to be outside running on the dirt roads, but there's more to it than just that. During my 4 mile run today I felt like me again. Nine days without running had already given me time to forget just how awesome I feel when I'm out there. Everything makes more sense when I'm running. And all of the overwhelming things that happened during the day are distant and not nearly as bad as they seemed at the time. I'm overcome with the confidence that if I can summon the energy to go for a run after a long day at work, I can do anything!

So, I'm wondering if everyone has a "thing" that makes them feel awesome? And if so, why don't they do it more often? It's like we know the secret to how to be a better version of ourselves, but we don't always have the energy to make it happen. And WHY don't we have the energy to feel awesome?!?!  It's a mystery. I think it goes back to the fear of not living up to our own expectations. Every effort we make towards our goals doesn't feel awesome. Some days what is supposed to make us feel "awesome" will make us want to puke or cry or crawl or give up. But in the end, when we're done for the day, we'll still be glad we did it. Because it WILL make us a better version of us.

 

The Journey is the Reward

On Sunday, I ran the Vermont 50, a 50K through the mountains of Vermont. To say that it was amazing is an understatement. 31 miles of the most beautiful landscape that I could have imagined, and I was blessed to run it with four of my favorite girlfriends by my side the whole way. It was a blast.

Was it hard? Yup. 5600 feet of climbing that we were no where near prepared for. But to me, it really didn't matter. I had been looking forward to this journey for a while, and it was everything I'd hoped it would be.

From the second our car crossed the border into Vermont, we really just couldn't believe how picturesque the state was. Every beautiful picture that you see of Vermont and its adorable covered bridges, stunning mountain views, quaint small towns, and brilliant fall colors are spot on accurate...through the WHOLE state! And getting to see it up close and personal through 31 miles of mostly private trails was an experience like no other.

The pre-race scene that we are used to at triathlons and road races is much different that what we experienced before the 50K ultra. Everyone seemed much more laid back than what we were used to in some ways, but in others, it was obvious that everyone else there was taking the race a bit more seriously than we were. I think it had something to do with the matching "Sparkle. Pounce." tanks and sweatshirts that we were sporting. And the fact that we really weren't taking the race seriously at all. Our day consisted of two goals. First, we wanted to finish. And second, we wanted to stick together through the whole race.

From the get-go I loved this race. As we jogged through the start line and up a small hill I already started joking about being out of breathe and noted that we had gone 0.22 miles. And as we reached the hill at mile 1, EVERYONE started walking up it. Not just the five of us, but every racer that I could see. It was awesome! It took the guess work out of the equation. These "hills" weren't hills. They were mountains and no one was running up them. 

And that is how the race continued. I kept track of the distance and time, and we ran in between mountains, and walked up them. And the whole time, I noted how "pretty" everything was. And I kept reminding the girls how "pretty" everything was. And I can't remember what mile it was that one of them told me they really didn't need to hear how "pretty" everything was anymore, but I reminded them anyways. You're welcome ladies! 

Note...I kept track of the distance. For some reason, these girls trusted me to be the sole barer of a Garmin to track our distance and average pace. Mua ha ha ha ha! I had a plan that worked like a charm...for a while.  Starting around mile 4, I kept telling them that we had gone a little less than we had really gone. This wasn't a typical road race course where the miles are marked, so they had no idea. So, when we had run 7 miles I told them we were at 6.5. When we were up to 10 I told them we were almost at 9 miles. By the time we got to 18 miles I had them tricked into thinking that we had only gone 16.5. It was awesome!!! And then we hit the aid station at mile 18 that said we were at mile 18.... For a while I tried to get them to think the sign was wrong, but in the end I just told them that I had been lying to them all day. At first they were pretty mad, but I got them to admit that it felt pretty amazing to be 1.5 miles farther than they had thought. Mission accomplished.

In my opinion, the race flew by. There were parts when I could tell it was hard for some of the ladies to stick together, but for me, the journey was the reward. I was soaking in every moment of our time on that mountain. Did I want to be done? Yes. But did I realize that once I was done I wasn't going to get to spend anymore time out on those beautiful trails? Yup. So, I was really in no rush. And I didn't mind when we stopped for photos in the middle of the race. Or walked even when there wasn't a hill. Because pictures like this don't take themselves, and the action shots of us running just aren't nearly as cute!

In the end we were able to reach both of our goals. We finished together. And we spread quite a bit of sparkle on the way. Lots of other racers commented on our "cute" tops and we were welcomed with a cheer into every aid station as the "Sparkle. Pounce." team. We were pretty hard to miss.

So, will I do another 50K? I think most definitely. Will it top that one? Probably not. 

That journey was my reward. And I loved every second of it!!!

Do It For Yourself

I returned to work on Friday full of motivation. My three-day reading training had left me feeling like I could make a profound difference in the lives of my students. So, when I found myself face to face with a class full of 8th graders that did not share in my eagerness for their success and learning, you can see how I would've been a bit upset.

I have worked pretty hard over these first few weeks of school to build a relationship with this particular group of kids. You might classify them as "rough around the edges," and I find myself appreciating their uniqueness. But, Friday morning when I was riding my "I am going to teach you SO much this year" high, they totally knocked the wind right out of me. And, instead of the hour ending with a sense of success, it ended with me giving them a firm lecture. It went something like this...."I cannot make you learn anything. This is a choice you have to make. If you want to get anything out of this class, you are going to have to work at it. I cannot do this for you. You have to do it for yourself."  GGggggrrrrr. Notice that this ggggrrrrr is not in quotes. But man, I was feeling it.

Then, Saturday morning I had another great run with my sweat sisters. We always come up with new things to chat about over the miles, and this run was no different. One of the topics that came up was how many moms get so caught up in their new role as moms that they "let themselves go." And not just in how they look, but that their whole sense of "self" is literally gone after they have a child. None of those girls are moms yet, and they all have the fear that that could happen to them. What if they don't have the motivation to get up at 6:00am and go for runs after they have children? What if they just don't care about their clothes or their hair or what they look like anymore after they have kids? And, through the conversation we decided that is all comes down to the fact that you have to do it for yourself. No one is going to do it for you, but if it is a part of what makes you you, you will still do it. It's what makes you happy and it's time to dedicate to yourself that will make you a better you for everyone else.

So, I had two very distinct "do it for yourself" conversations/talks on Friday and Saturday. Then, this morning I was feeling somewhat guilty on my way to church because deep down I hadn't really wanted to go to church. I just had a lot of things left on my "to do" list for the weekend and I was worried I wouldn't have time to get them all done. So I said a little prayer on my way to church that I would be receptive to the message and not distracted by my own agenda.

And, what do you know?! The pastor had his own little lecture to give to me this morning. (Well, not just me, but it sure felt that way!) One part of the sermon was about developing a closer relationship with God. I could tell that the pastor was getting pretty fired up as he told us that he could not make our relationship with God stronger. We had to do it for ourselves. Wow. I felt like he was giving me the same talking to that I had just given to my group of 8th graders, and he was dead on. It is time for me to do the work in that area. Just showing up on Sunday morning isn't making my relationship with God any stronger. If I want that to happen, I will have to do it for myself.

And so, my friends, that is the moral of today's story. Whatever it is that you want or need, it's time to do it for yourself. No one else can do it for you. 

Pretty Much Perfect

Over the last 5 days I have found myself really thinking about things more deeply than normal. I like it. I'm not sure exactly what has brought about this change, but I hope I linger in this place for a while. 

It started on Saturday, after my long run. The schedule said we were supposed to run 9 miles on Saturday, which seemed a bit too short to us. So, we decided we'd do 14. Well, we ended up running 11. It was probably the most entertaining training run of my life. All 5 of us that are running the 50K ultra marathon together in 9 days were there, plus another friend who just finished her first 50 mile race (WOOT! WOOT!). It was a 7:00am Saturday morning run, which no one was thrilled about, but we're busy girls with more on our weekend schedule than running, so ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Luckily, LA showed up with a dozen donuts! Granted, no one really wanted one before the run, but I at least pretended to be excited and ate half of one before we headed out on the trails. Immediately upon entering the woods it was obvious that this wasn't going to be a quick run through the forest. There were trees down blocking the trails all over the place. We were doing an equal amount of obstacle course climbing and running. 

 

Here's a picture of some of the girls trying "really" hard to move a fallen tree. Hahahahaha! Yup. We are dorks, and we love it. We also found a man-made rickshaw on the trails and decided to try it out. It was all fun and games until LA fell out. Oh wait. That was fun too! And it marked her second major fall of the day. 

After we finally completed our 11 miles of running, we celebrated in the parking lot with delicious donuts (that really did taste good at that point). And we talked about our upcoming trip to Vermont and all of the logistics. We even planned out our matching outfits. Oh. Ya.

On the drive home I couldn't help but smile as I thought about how lucky I am to A) have such an amazing group of girls to run with that are constantly making me laugh and B) be healthy enough to be able to literally enjoy an 11 mile run. 

So that was Saturday...

Then on Monday, as I ran laps around the driveway after work, Liam started talking to me about the weather. "Is it hot?" he yelled. 

"NO, it's not hot," I yelled back.

"Is it cold?" he asked.

"Nope. Not too cold either."

"It's pretty much perfect," he said.

And once again, I just started thinking about how perfect it really was. Yes, the weather was perfect, but not just that. Everything. My new home is pretty much perfect. My new job is pretty much perfect. My family is pretty much perfect. Ah....another moment.

Then on Tuesday I started a 3 day training called EBLI (Evidence Based Literacy Instruction). There were only about 12 people there for training, and before the class started I noticed an old woman standing in the back of the room. She seemed too old to be a teacher and I watched her husband (I assumed) tell her to take good notes, and hug her, give her a kiss, and walk out. Hmmmm....that was odd for a teacher training...

Once the training began, everyone had to take a turn introducing themselves and tell what school they were from and what grades they taught. When it was the old woman's turn to share, she stated that her grandson was having a very difficult time with his reading and that she was there so that she could help him. 

Gulp. This was a $1500 training, and this old woman was there solely for her 9 year old grandson because nothing else has helped him successfully learn how to read. My heart was so happy for that little boy, and once again it got me thinking. The first thing that I thought about was a different little boy that I tested last week on his letters. When I pointed to the letter "F" he told me that he didn't know what the letter was called, and he didn't know what sound it made, but he knew it meant Facebook. Now, you might laugh about that, but really, it's not funny. If we were all as concerned with the learning and development of our children as that grandmother is, the world would be a better place.

I must say that after 2 days of EBLI training I finally feel equipped with the skills necessary to help struggling readers! And that has also left me thinking... I have been a teacher for 11 years, and for the first time I really feel like I am going to be able to help that group of kids that just doesn't pick up on reading as easily as other kids. That is an awesome feeling!

So, for those of you who have been asking, "How's the new job?" "How's the new house?" "How's the new school year?"

The answer...pretty much perfect.

 

 

 

 

Laugh About It.

After last weekend's 18 miles of running torture, I was understandably dreading the 20 miler that was on the training plan for Saturday morning at 6:30. First off, I feared a repeat of unexpected emergency potty breaks in the woods. Next, I was really quite sick of getting up before the sun every single day. And finally, it had been about 3 years since I'd run 20 miles and I could still remember just exactly how uncomfortable my body is with that distance. It hurts. And if anyone tells you differently, they are lying.

But it didn't really matter that all of those fears and complaints were going through my head. I was going to do the run because that's what I do. Sign up for races, write out a training schedule, then stick to it as closely as possible. So far this plan has gotten me to every finish line I've been up against!

And thank goodness I have friends that are just as crazy as me. Three of us met up at 6:30 for our 20 miler. We kicked out the first 11 miles with ease, and even picked up a 4th friend for the last 9 miles. Things were pretty relaxed and I was honestly feeling like I was on top of the world. Then, around mile 15 the aches and pains were starting to set in. Every walk break made the aching more prominent. One of my sweat sisters was having an especially difficult time. Running long distances can do this to you. It can take every ounce of self confidence you have and stomp all over it, leaving you questioning what in the world you were thinking and how in the world are you ever going to reach your goal. This is where she was at mentally. 

Luckily, I was not in that place at that moment. I was still feeling pretty good about this whole thing (heck, I hadn't even had one "use the woods as a toilet" emergency yet!). But really, my friend was struggling with her confidence on this run. So, what are we to do in this situation? Well, if you're me, you try to talk about lots of things that will change the subject and take everyone's mind off of what exactly is happening at that moment. And what, you may ask, would I bring up? Well, how about the time I literally pooped my pants on an 18  mile run and had to walk home the last 2 miles quite uncomfortable? Yup, that'll do it! Because you may feel pretty bad on this 20 mile run, but you probably aren't going to poop your pants. And, to make it even better, I was not the only one who had a fantastically funny story about the time that, as an adult, she pooped her pants. Yup. It happens.

Lots of crappy stuff happens to us. And, when it does, we have the option to laugh about it, or cry about it. Believe me, when that actually happened, I didn't think it was all that funny. But it sure made for a comical and distracting story at just the right time. And yes, I've known, and run with, these girls for about 3 years and it's the first time those stories have been brought to the table. So let's keep that on the DL. (***Insert winking emoticon...) 

In the end, we all finished our 20 miler feeling extremely happy to have it over with, and entirely proud to have done it. It was just a training run, but come on now, who really gets up at 5:30am on a Saturday to run 20 miles in the woods?!?!

Do what you love. Love what you do. 

Don't be afraid to make mistakes, have bad days, be crabby, or just feel defeated. But get back up and get back at it.

And most of all, don't be afraid to laugh at yourself. It's so much more fun than the alternative.

I Think I'm Done...

Sunday morning I did something I thought I'd never do. I set my alarm for 4:30 am and got up in the dark to go on a headlamp run through the wooded trails. If you're wondering why this is such a big deal, the answer is quite simple...I'm afraid of the dark. Yup. I admit it. Being outside in the woods at night when the sun is still sleeping totally freaks me out. But that was the only way that I could have company for my 18 mile training run, so I sucked it up and never let anyone know that I was completely terrified about the whole thing.

So, when the alarm went off at 4:30am and I wasn't feeling well, it did not help the situation. Once again, my vertigo was giving me problems. I decided to start my morning off with some Alka Seltzer to help alleviate my spinning head. Unfortunately, my stomach didn't like that idea and I ended up in the bathroom a few times before walking out the door at 5:00am. Ugh. That was not the start I was hoping for.

By the time I got to the trails to meet the girls I was feeling very anxious (aka...unsure and wanting to crawl back in bed) about the whole adventure. But their enthusiasm wore off a little and I was ready to hit the trails, headlamp and Camel Back in place. 

 

Once we started running, I have to admit that the dark woods hardly bothered me at all. We heard an owl in the distance, a deer ran across the trail ahead of us, and we even heard coyotes howling! But our lamps lit the way enough to ease my fears. The biggest problem was how awful I felt. After only 7 miles of running (and 2, YES 2!, unplanned emergency potty breaks in the woods, IN THE DARK) I was ready to say the words I had been thinking for about 6 miles, "I think I'm done." I couldn't stop thinking about how badly I did not want to be running anymore. I felt horrible and I just wanted to go back to bed. 

But the fact was, I was already out of bed and out in the woods running. I needed to get 18 miles of running in, one way or another (because this 50K isn't going to run itself!). So, I continued on, thanks to the support of my sweat sisters! Let me tell you, I was NOT the most fun running buddy that morning. 

Finally, after only 13 miles of running (and 3 emergency potty breaks), I really was done. The clock said it was time for me to head to church. Once again, all I wanted to do was go back to bed. I still felt miserable. But, being a girl who likes to stick to her plans, I headed to church. Then I went home and back to bed. Two and a half hours later I woke up feeling much better and headed out to finish the last 5 miles of my run solo. I did it. 18 miles logged on Sunday, and I really was done. 

 

 Don't stop until you're done.

What Inspires You?

Over the last week, a few things have happened that are really leaving me questioning what inspires people. What makes people want to do their best? What makes them get out there every day and push themselves beyond their comfort level? Just what is that motivating factor?

I first started pondering this thought last Sunday during my long run. I had been dreading that particular run because I had to do it solo. 13 miles in the middle of the day, by myself. Yuck. But, to my great joy, just shortly after hopping on the running path, I caught up with a girl and invited myself to run with her. (Yup, I totally hijacked her run for my own selfish needs. And it worked! At least 4 of my miles went by fast!) While we were running along chatting it up, I asked her if she was training for a race. She said, "No, I just run for fitness." Ok. Fair enough. Then she asked me how far I was running, and I said 13 miles. She responded, "OH! I've done that once! It was so much fun. I hope to do it again some day." My response, of course, was to ask her what race it was that she had done (since a half marathon is 13.1 miles). She laughed and said, "It wasn't a race. It was just for fitness."

In that instant it hit me that my biggest motivating factor for running is to be able to complete (and sometimes even COMPETE in) races. If I didn't sign up for races and have an end goal in mind, I would not continue to run. I sure as heck would not be going out and running 13 miles for fun, or simply for my "fitness." It honestly leaves me flabbergasted that someone could be that driven by an end goal of maintaining fitness. Yes, that's an awesome goal, but where is the fun in it?! I guess I need a fun factor, and a specific date to be aiming at to keep me going.

And, it just so happens that while I was out there doing that mostly-solo run on Sunday afternoon, there were A LOT of people out there completing Ironman events at the exact same time. In fact, Ironman Louisville and Michigan Titanium (both of the Ironman events that I have completed) took place last Sunday. So then, of course, I started thinking about what even led me to sign up for my first Ironman. What was that motivating factor? I'd say that the number one thing was that my sister wanted to do it, and she wanted me to do it with her. (I am really big on doing races with family or friends!) And probably the second biggest motivating factor was that when I told my mom I might sign up for an Ironman, the first thing she said to me was, "You can't swim 2.4 miles!" HA! I quickly learned that the fastest way to get me motivated to do something is to tell me I can't do it! That might have been the first time that anyone had ever told me to my face that they didn't think I could do something. I didn't like it! And at that moment I had something to prove. (Please note that my mom has always been my biggest cheerleader, and she has always led me to believe that I can do anything I put my mind to. She supported me through all of my training and I think deep down she knew I could do it. It was just a moment of fear. No one wants their child to set a goal they can't reach! And the Ironman is a HUGE goal to set!)

And the final thing over the last week that led me to question the whole idea of motivation was talking to a coworker and being elated to find out that she has been inspired by my blog to start training for her first 5k! How awesome is that?! She said that knowing it's not easy for me either has helped her to be more accepting that it's not easy for her. So my whining and complaining about how hard it is has actually been useful! Wahoo! Just knowing that I am doing something to motivate anyone out there to get up and do something is enough to keep me going. 

So, with some self-reflecting this week I have come to the conclusion that I am motivated by races, people challenging my abilities, and knowing that I am inspiring others to set and reach new goals. But there are lots of other little things that help me stay on track. Reading motivational books and blogs helps me. I love Kristin Armstrong's writings! Searching Pinterest for inspirational quotes sometimes gets me excited for a run.  And sometimes I just need to recruit friends to run with (or to call me out for not running!).

What motivates you? Think about it. Figure it out. Then use it to your advantage. The more tools you have in your tool box, the more likely you are to succeed. Set yourself up for success!

Sparkle. Pounce. Boom.

     

Changing My Attitude

Yesterday was my first official day to report back to work. Summer vacation is officially over. As you can imagine, I have been filled with many moments of self pity and feelings of "poor me" over the last week. To all of you teachers out there, you get it. To the rest of you who want to throw things at me right now, I'm sorry. But it really is tough to say good-bye to the lazy days of summer and say hello to 8 hour days full of professional development. Yesterday was especially rough. I was in a room with about 260 other teachers and administrators who were all feeling the same as me...sad that summer is over, still half asleep, anxious for the new year and all of the stresses that it brings. Basically, by the end of the LONG day, I wanted to crawl in a corner and hide. I was not feeling at all ready to face the challenges that the year is going to bring. 

Then, last night, something inside of me decided that I would not accept today's professional development (or really just the fact that we are back at work) to bring me, or any of my coworkers, down. I was going to be the sparkle that brought a smile to my coworkers face and just made the day happier. I made a plan of attack and went to bed.

The first essential step to my diabolical sparkle and sunshine plan was to make sure I looked as cute as possible. Now, you might be laughing at this, but I assure you that it was an important and successful part of the plan. When you try your best to look your best, you exude a certain amount of confidence that draws people to you. Plus, you get compliments on how cute you look and that makes everyone happier! 

The next part of my plan included a quick stop at Tim Horton's to pick up 3 dozen donuts for my coworkers. Bam. I just brought the sunshine. Who doesn't love a surprise donut for breakfast?! I could tell that everyone was already happier than they were yesterday.

The final part of my plan to make today a better day was that I made a conscious decision to remain actively involved in today's professional development, to take notes, and to stay focused. And it totally worked! I had meaningful discussions, I learned new things, and the time flew by! I changed my attitude, and everything changed.

And then, as if just to reward me for being such a sunshine spreader, we got out an hour early!!! And then, on top of that, when I was driving home I got a surprise text from one of my sweat sisters asking if I could go for a run. And I COULD! Honestly, I don't think that second days back to work after summer vacation get much better than that. But I can guarantee you that if I would have gone in to work today with the same attitude that I had yesterday, nothing about today would have been any different.

 

 Even as adults, we sometimes need an attitude check. This could be with work, fitness, eating habits, relationships with family and friends...so many things! Make sure that your attitude matches your desired outcome. It's really hard to have a fabulous day when you are in a sour mood!

As my sweat sisters would say...

Sparkle. Pounce. Boom.

And remember, everywhere you go, it's important to bring your own sunshine!

Opportunities

After I had to bail on my trail run Saturday morning, my weekend ended up getting substantially better. 

Getting the boys ready for their triathlon and listening to them voice their anxieties before the race was absolutely priceless. You would have thought that they had stood next to me and listened to every word that has come out of my mouth before every triathlon that I've done. When in actuality, they have never been to one of my triathlons. Here are some of the things they were saying:

How far do we have to go after we turn the corner?

How long is the run?

That swim looks REALLY long.

I think the water is going to be freezing!

How deep is it? What if I can't touch?

They were so cute talking about all of the things that worried them. I assured them that everything would be fine and that all that counted was that they had fun. And they did! (Although the whole time that I ran with Finn from the swim up to transition 1, he told me about how much seaweed there was and how it kept grabbing his legs and making him get stuck. Man, was I laughing inside. I HATE seaweed!!!!)

Both boys had a great race and have been talking about it for the last two days. I love it!!!

But I have to admit, I was completely jealous of their triathlon! (Childish?.....YES!) I haven't done a triathlon since my Ironman last August. I didn't even think I was missing it that much, but watching them out on the course (and seeing the course for a triathlon being set up right next to theirs) made me have an urge to get out there and race! So, I got the details about the race that was being set up. It was an off road triathlon/duathlon the next day at 8:00am. Off road?!?! PERFECT!! It was as if the whole weekend was falling into place!

I waited all day Saturday before I talked to anyone about possibly doing the race. I wanted to make sure that I REALLY wanted to do it. Yup. I sure did! So Saturday night I got approval from Will and loaded up my car. The duathlon was my choice for the race for two reasons. First, I was supposed to be running 12 miles, and if I did the duathlon I would get in 6.2 instead of just 3.1 in the triathlon. Next, I still haven't developed a love for swimming! Hahahaha! Even after Finn's description of the weeds grabbing his feet, it didn't sound like fun!

Race morning I was a little nervous, but I wasn't feeling very well (my migraine induced vertigo has been surfacing again over the last week...ggrrrrr!), so that is really what I was thinking about. I was concerned that I wouldn't even be able to finish the race if the vertigo got any worse, let alone actually do well. But once the race got going I was able to manage fine and could tell that if I maintained a good speed, I would have a chance of placing (duathlons are typically much smaller than triathlons....ssshhhhh!). 

So I pushed through the race as fast as I could. There were points on the course when I literally thought I would never catch my breathe. It was hard! On the second run (it goes run, bike, run) with about 1 mile left I passed the woman that I had been trying to catch for the whole race. There's a chance she swore as I ran by, and I knew I couldn't let down my pace for the last mile. She was ticked off! So I continued to give it my all and finished as the 1st place female for the duathlon, less than 1 minute ahead of her. What an amazing feeling! It has been a LONG time since I've pushed myself that hard, and it felt awesome. (Well, it actually felt like I might throw up, but my heart was happy!)

I got to go home and show the boys my 2 medals (1 for finishing and 1 for placing) and my check for $100! Finally, when they asked how I did I got to say that I won!! It may never happen again, but it happened yesterday.

If I wouldn't have had to cancel my 12 mile trail run Saturday morning I definitely wouldn't have done that race. It just goes to show that everything happens for a reason. Always have your eyes open to other opportunities. Something amazingly fun and awesome is out there waiting for you!