Starting off the New Year

Happy New Year All!!!!

 

It's been awhile since I have blogged, but I decided today to come out of hiding.

 

I started 2013 with a fun 5k yesterday and a bike ride around Hains Point.

 

The 5k was a small race and only cost $5 to get into! I loved the cost and the low key race. I actually wish more races were like this. At any rate though my running was less than exciting. I have been struggling big time lately with it. I keep getting slower rather than faster and can't seem to get it together during a race, which sucks. Even though I had fun I was still flustered at the end of day and talked poor M's ear off about it.

 

Maybe I will be able to get it together by Feb 9th for my 14k or by March 16th for my half. I would really hate to have two more races were I am no where even close to my PR. But then again all running is good running and I always need to remember that.

 

Anyhow, 2013 will be well about the same as 2012. ha. My main focus will be on getting myself across the finish line at IM Mount Tremblant along with learning how to spell it so I don't have to look it up every time :) This year though I would like to improve on my IM time instead of just worrying about trying not to die. In addition, I would like to keep a positive outlook about training and not let a bad training day or race get me down. There are worse things in the world besides having a bad day. So yeah. Stay positive.

 

Well I hope everyone had a great 2012 and started off the new year with a smile.

 

Happy Wednesday All :) 

Guest Post ~ My Sister's First Race

My sister, Rachael,  is my best friend and I have always looked up to her my whole life and still do. But I am glad I have been able to pass on a little inspiration to her. She just recently ran her first ran her first 5k and I couldn't be more proud of my sista!

So folks, without further ado, here is Rachael's race report: 

OK, at the request of my dear sister Sarah I am writing a race report on my very first running race (The Jingle Bell 5k in Columbus, OH). I had never considered running since having several knee surgeries as a teen. Then working out all together went to the way side after having 2 little girls taking up all my time. But, after watching Sarah at her Ironman I decided its time to stop being lazy and push myself. I have missed working toward a goal and actually participating in an athletic event. I think it has been at least 15+ yrs since my last gymnastics meet J

So I bit the bullet, registered for a 5K and started the couch to 5K program.

The first few weeks sucked big time, I felt very out of shape and discouraged. However, I kept plugging away with each workout. I kept thinking how I am going to run 3 miles when 1 min seems like too much. Before I knew it I was running for 30 min and it wasn’t so bad J

On Race morning I felt nervous, like I had a gymnastics meet (I missed that feeling). When they said start I was just hoping my legs/knee would have a good day. 

After the first ½ mile my right foot decided to be numb for no reason and I was a little worried I would want to walk. But I quickly got distracted watching everyone run by in their Christmas costumes and wished I had dressed up more festive. Before I knew it I only had another ½ mile to go. 

To my surprise I actually finished (in a rather slow time 32 min) but I finished without walking. It was so much fun to hear people cheering through the finish line! I am very happy I decided to try something new and it feels good to have accomplished something. My goal was to just finish, but soon after I just felt a little mad that I didn't go faster ( guess I will have to sign up for another race!!!!) So looks like a 10K is in my future in March! It is nice to be out doing something for myself again J 

Once again I am so proud of my sista and hope to run a race with her in 2013. Hint Hint - Cleveland RnR Half marathon Rachy :)

Happy Wednesday All 

USAT Challenge Kick Off

So December kicks off the start of the USAT National Challenge. I had so much fun last year with the DC Tri that I chose to do the challenge again this year. It's a great way to get motivated and get your butt off the couch in the off season.

Now of course with it being the off season and all, I allowed myself to have a little too much fun on Friday night which left me struggling with a hangover all day on Sat Dec 1st.

I had big plans to get in some miles on the first day of the challenge, but yeah. I took naps, ate bad food, and watched movies instead. I did manage to drag myself to the pool and get 3000 yards of death in

I was feeling much better on Sunday and kicked the day off with a 10k. It seemed pretty cold out even though I didn't start until 8:30am. After my run, I curled up on my couch freezing. I really couldn't get warm and figured a swim would be the best thing. So off to the pool both Jason and I went. It was one of the worst swims ever. I was breathing hard and struggling through sets of 100s. I finished out my mini tri with taking boomer out for a 26 mile spin. I over dressed and was hot most of my ride but hey I was riding outside so I was happy.

After basically doing an oly tri with food breaks in-between each sport I was dead tired. I wanted a nap, but I still had to take stuff back to Ikea. The worst store ever. After ikea and taking another food break. We made it home around 8pm. It was a long Sunday.

Lesson Learned. Don't drink on Friday night and ruin your Saturday. Although I think I will be saying the same thing next week while I'm having fun at some x-mas parties. After all it's the off season and I'm allowed to drink, right? But don't worry I will still get my miles in :)

Happy Monday All. Hope you had a great weekend :)