The past two weeks

I can't believe it's been almost two weeks since I posted on this blog!  I'd like to say I was too busy working out, but that's not quite true...  A few weeks ago I had Jason print out blank calendars so I could write down my workout plans for the week and then check them off when I do them.  Looking at the calendar now, there are more blank spaces than ones with writing...  Needless to say, I need to get on a schedule!
We traveled to Marion for Thanksgiving, bringing our bikes and trainers with plans to do a group ride in the basement.  The weather turned out to be great though so after stuffing ourselves on Thursday, Jason and I took off on a little ride outside.  It was a beautiful day and my legs felt great, but not long into the ride my whole midsection cramped and was very uncomfortable.  I guess Thanksgiving meal and a glass of wine wasn't the best pre-ride meal...  But it was nice to get out and do something.  Friday morning I was up early and in the pool with the LASO swimteam.  I'd like to think it wasn't that long ago when they were all looking up to me thinking how fast I was (actually that was very long ago...)  Now I think there were looking over at Lane 1 wondering what I was doing over there!  I realized I now have just one pace, and it's not very fast!  After an hour with them (and about 2,000 yards) I headed up to the gym and did 30 minutes on the elliptical and ran a mile on the indoor track.  Jason was planning on getting to the pool at about that time so Makayla could swim, but the plans changed.  We did come back with them a little later in the day (Jason rode his bike into town to meet us there!) and Conner was able to come too.  Makayla hopped right off the steps and loved swimming around (with her life jacket on).  Conner took a little longer to warm up but was happy to play on the steps with a ball.  I am so thankful they both love the water!
Yesterday I planned on working out while the kids napped, but I was just too tired.  I was tired again today but headed down to the basement anyway.  Did about 30 minutes on elliptical (with a few sprints up and down the stairs as it took Conner a little while to finally fall asleep) then lifted some weights.  It's amazing how much better I feel after a little workout!

A cold run!

This afternoon I took off on a run as soon as Jason got home from work.  At least I thought it was the afternoon - it was freezing cold and almost pitch black as I started - and it was only 5:30!  I thought about turning around and skipping the run, but before I could, my legs just started going.  I felt great and ran the 3 mile loop pretty fast (at least I think it was fast, I forgot to start my watch).  I warmed up quickly but still didn't like how dark it was and next time I need to remember to wear something reflective. 
Yesterday I did an hour on the stationary trainer.  My legs feel strong, I feel I am in great cardio shape, even my butt does fine for an hour on the bike.  But boredom is starting to settle in...  I usually ride in the afternoon while the kids sleep and for those that work all day, trust me, you aren't missing anything on TV!  I listen to music but that's becoming pretty repetitive too.  Going to need to find a way to tolerate several hours down there!

A run and a (short) ride

It was a beautiful day yesterday so I went for a run on the trails at the battlefield.  I felt great as I ran and enjoyed seeing all the other people out for walks or rides.  The trails are nice, mostly gravel, with two pretty steep hills that I ran the whole way up (but may have been faster if I had walked...)  I finished feeling strong and was really excited when I saw my time of 46 minutes because I thought I had just run 6 miles.  I glanced at the sign as I left the trail and it said the path was "about 5 miles."  I wasn't as excited about that, but decided to be happy that I felt strong and nothing hurt.  If I keep that up, I know the speed will get better.
This afternoon we broke out the mountain bikes (and had to dust them off!) and went for a family ride around the neighborhood.  Makayla is a great bike rider and this was Conner's first ride in the seat on my bike.  He was ok at first but made it known he would prefer to be on his own bike!  I love that our kids love being outside and that we are going to be doing a lot of family bike rides in the future!

Feeling good

I took yesterday off from working out to get ready for a Pampered Chef party I had last night.  I thought about my priorities and contemplated getting my workout in and then having a little less time to prep, but since my commission is going towards new tri gear, I thought that was a good enough reason to spend the time getting ready!
Today I took a break from the basement and did a Jillian Michaels workout DVD.  Her workouts are pretty good but I like to mute the TV and listen to my own music.  I haven't done one of these in several months and remember what a butt kicker they were when I started them last year.  My legs were still a little sore from my ride two days ago but other than that, I felt great.  I was able to do all of the exercises and only took very short breaks for a quick drink of water.  I'm sure I'll be sore tomorrow but hope to loosen up with a run outside as it's supposed to be sunny and 60's here!

A good ride

This afternoon I headed down to the basement with the plan to ride an hour and maintain about 90 rpms.  I don't mind riding on the trainer (I actually prefer that instead of the road) but I am very aware that biking is my weakness and I want to make sure I push myself through the winter so I don't find out in the spring I got really good at riding at 14 mph!  I felt really good while riding and actually did about an hour and 15 minutes, and held 90 rpms most of the time.  My legs felt strong but my butt alternated between numb and sore.  Right now I'm having a hard time imagining being on the bike for 7ish hours!

Priorities

You would think with me being home all the time, my house would always be nice and clean and organized.  Well, you would be wrong!  It seems like there is always something to put away, clean, or prepare and as soon as I do one of those things, the other two need to be done.  Fortunately Makayla and Conner both take afternoon naps and usually go to sleep at about the same time.  It's very easy to start to clean the kitchen (I say start because I never really feel like it's done), check my email, or sit on the couch.  Then before I know it they are up and my "me time" is gone.  Today as soon as they were down for nap, I grabbed the monitors and headed to the basement.  I did an hour on the elliptical, 5 minutes of abs, and about 10 minutes of weights.  I felt awesome.  I finally put some good music on my IPOD and I even danced around in the basement for a bit after my workout (go ahead and laugh out loud if you want to :)  I came back upstairs to a messy kitchen, toys everywhere, emails to respond to, and nothing prepped for dinner.  But I feel great!

Fabulous weekend

The kids and I headed up to New York on Thursday afternoon (Jason was already up there for work).  We enjoyed some chill time on Friday and then the kids stayed with Mary and Ed so Jason and I could go explore NYC for the weekend.  We had a great time and although our eating choices were not the healthiest (but delicious!) we did a lot of walking so that should balance out right?  We both realized that our "casual" shoes are not the greatest and we really need to think about taking care of our feet when we do a lot of walking.  We drove back yesterday and I'm ready to get back to working out this week!

Happy Birthday to me!

Today is my 35th birthday.  Wow, that sounds old.  I have done some pretty amazing things in my first 35 years and the plans for this year will help to make the next 35 even more amazing. In addition to doing a half Ironman in May, and the Ironman in August, I am going to put my name in the lottery to be chosen to do the Chesapeake Bay Swim (4.4 miles) which takes place in June.  I hope I win :) 

Frustrations

As soon as the kids were down for nap, I grabbed the monitors and headed to the basement to workout.  The plan was an hour on the elliptical then weights.  About 10 minutes into my workout I got a phone call and the conversation really bothered me.  I no longer felt like working out and instead went back upstairs, ate candy and watched TV.  Lesson learned:  there are going to be frustrations and distractions every day, probably even several a day.  I can not let those things get in the way of my training.  I know it's ok to skip a workout every once in a while, but I will have to stay focused to not let that happen too often. 

Biggest Loser Kick Off

I decided to organize a Biggest Loser contest for the MOMS club that I am a member of.  Today was the initial weigh in and we have 9 people participating.  Two teams of husband/wife, one father/daughter team, and 3 individuals.  Everyone seems really excited and I hope to keep that motivation going! 
My own motivation for weight loss is to reduce my risk of injury as I start piling on the miles and, to be honest, to look cute in one of those little triathlon outfits! 
My stats today are:
Weight: 166.5 pounds (which I have to admit I am pretty proud of.  I was about 185 this time last year when I ran a marathon!  I can't help but think how much easier a marathon would be 20 pounds lighter!)
Waist: 38 inches, Hips: 41 inches, Arms: 12.5 inches, Thighs: 24.5 inches

I thought about posting a "before" picture but decided I will hang onto that until I have an "after" picture to compare it to.  Until then, this is what I am hoping to look like-

Ok, maybe not quite like her...