55 Miles

Here are a few reflections from my 55 mile ride today:

• Riding a bike is fun
• I love the sun
• Riding a bike in the sun increases the fun of biking
• I need new bike shorts
• If it's sunny, you should wear sunscreen 
• If it's a beautiful day, chances are you won't be alone on the trail
• Around mile 48, I wanted to punch people in the face (I was hot and tired and hungry)
• A lot of people roller blade
• I need new bike shorts
• I have met some great people out here (Lindsay who rode the last 25 miles with me (I didn't want to punch her in the face), and Jennifer who picked Little Dude up from school because my bike took longer than expected...to name a couple)
• Riding 55 miles in the sun will cause me to be useless for the rest of the day
• Did I mention I need new bike shorts?

Important Things

Sometimes I lose track of what's really important in my life.  This time of year I get so focused on my training schedule, I forget it shouldn't always be my top priority.  Sure, it's more important than laundry, making beds, doing dishes......but there are other things that should come before it.

I blew off my training yesterday and today, and I don't feel one bit guilty.  These two days have made it clear how, although training is important to me, there are many things that are more important.

Yesterday Brian had the day off.  I had a run and a swim on my training schedule.  I decided some alone time with Brian was more important that training.   We had a great day.  A lunch date and movies on the sofa.  I know, we're wild and crazy.

Today I had a run/swim (moved it over from yesterday).  Instead, I ran errands so I could donate food to a friend who is cooking for the rescue workers at the Oso mudslide.  Then I volunteered at Pnut's school.  I'm pretty certain both of those things are more important than training.

I could have done something after I got the kids from school, but we had pizza and game night.  Again, family time is more important than training.

I'll be back at it tomorrow, but for now, I'm going to pretend I'm Darth Vader and let Little Dude kill me with his light saber.

11 weeks to go

I haven't been writing much recently.  No time, no energy, nothing of any importance to write about.  Then this morning I realized I have 11 weeks until Boise.  I started thinking about how unprepared I'm feeling. Then I went back to my blog posts from last year.  It made me feel better knowing I had the same fears last year.  SO....I decided I'd start writing again.  Not because there is anything exciting to say, but so I will be able to look back next year.

Up until this week, my training has been pretty good. I've missed some days here and there, but overall I've been pretty consistent (compared to last year).  My swims have definitely been lacking.  I've started to do yoga and Pilates one a week and swimming has taken the hit.  I will get back into it soon....I hope.

My running has improved over last year.  I've been doing speed workouts once a week. I think they are really helping.  I'm also enjoying my long runs more.  Hopefully this is a good sign for Portland.

I'm feeling OK on my bike.  So far all my "rides" have been on the trainer.  I guess it's to be expected in Seattle, in March.  Hopefully I will get outside soon.

I'm already stressing about Spring Break.  I'm going to Phoenix with the kids. Super excited to be in the warm sun and spend the days by the pool, but with Brian working all day, I won't have much time to do any training.  I'm hoping I can get in a couple runs.

After Spring Break I'll have 7 weeks.  Plenty of time....right??

Here's how the week went-

Swim-0
Bike- 61 miles
Run- 11 miles (once I do my 7 miles this morning)

Whole30 Day 17

I seriously want to throw in the towel, and I have no idea why.  I feel amazing, I look better, my workouts are awesome, but I'm so sick of thinking about what I'm going to eat and what I can't eat.  I just want a glass of wine and to put some kind of sweetener in my coffee.  I want to go to a restaurant and not stress out about what I can or can't eat.

I feel like the strictness (is that a word) is smothering me.  I plan on eating like this from here on out (except the wine and some natural sweetener) so why do I need to wait 14 more days?!?!?

That said, I've told myself I will at least do 21 days.  Maybe by then I'll feel differently.

Whole30-First 15 days

I started the Whole30 New Years Day.  For the last few months I've been feeling gross and all around unhealthy.  I'm hoping this "reboot" is what I need.  The plan is pretty restrictive, but I'm focusing on the good.  Trying to keep my eye on the prize.  In 30 days, I should feel better.

My goals:

• Be less bloated.
• Have more energy.
• Reduce inflammation.  I have a lot aches and pains.  I'm hoping this will alleviate some of them.

How have the first 15 days been???  Pretty amazing.  The first week was tough.  I was SOOOO tired and I was stressed about what to eat.  I was so afraid I was going to screw up.  I also REALLY missed (still do) wine and coffee. You can have coffee but not the milk and sugar that makes coffee worth drinking.  I have had a couple cups mixed with coconut milk and cinnamon.  It's not bad, but not great. 

I have definitely had some ups and downs but so far, I'm really happy with the program.  At this point, I really don't see why I'd go back to eating the way I was before.  Except for wine.  Have I mentioned that I miss wine?  I do.  A lot.

As for my Whole 30 goals, I'm definitely way less bloated.  My clothes fit so much better, which is fabulous.  I'm starting  to get more energy and feel more productive.  It's hard to tell about the aches and pains.  I'm 5 days into triathlon training, so everything is kind of achy.

I'll check back in on the 31st and let you know how the rest of the month went.  It's all downhill from here!!

Happy New Year

Since I'm having a "me week" I figured I'd start thinking about 2014 goals.  I'm sure I should talk about last years goals, but I don't feel like rehashing 2013 just yet.  I think I need more time to reflect on the year.  For now, I'm ready to move on to 2014.

2014 goals

Family Goals-(If you read last years goals, these are basically the same.)

• Have at least one family adventure a month. (This was so much fun!)
• Have date night once a month.
• Help kids become more independent.
• Have family dinner every Sunday.
• Create recipe binder.
• Plan and prep meals for the week on Sunday.

Personal Goals

• Find out what foods are not helping my body and eliminate them from my diet. (unless it's wine.  Then I'll suffer.)
• Continue my strength/stretching from PT.
• Go to yoga once a week.
• Finish Boise in 6:30.  Last years finish was 7:16.
• Run and finish my first marathon with a smile.  
• Finish in the top 10 at Iron Girl Seattle. This might be tough, considering it will be in the middle of marathon training.  

What are your goals for 2014????  

False Start

Sunday I announced to the world (my friends on Facebook) that triathlon training started.  I changed my profile picture to my Boise finish.  I was ready to go.

I'm not sure what happened, but I haven't actually started training.  I mean, I got on my bike and rode for 45 min, but it felt horrible.  To be totally honest, I'm tired.  I'm not sure if it's the fact that I'm a week into Whole30 (more about that later), or if it's a post holiday hangover, or what.  Whatever it is, I'm tired and not ready to start.

I'm ok with this.  I'm going to give myself a week to relax and enjoy.  It's my first week alone in what seems like forever.  I'm going to do laundry, go to Costco, take a nap, swim,bike, run, relax, and enjoy my week alone.

Next week....I will be ready!