Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Ironman Coeur d'Alene 2013






                                                  I have decided on a goal...a BIG goal...
                     IRONMAN COEUR D'ALENE 2013
                                                         Anyone care to join me?!?!?!

My husband and I are going to Coeur d'Alene in a couple of weeks to volunteer for Ironman.  I will sign up for and complete Ironman Coeur d'Alene 2013!!  I am VERY EXCITED about this feat!!

Goals for Ironman Coeur d'Alene 2013:
1.  I am going to have a better and more enjoyable experience than Ironman Wisconsin 2011. 
2.  I am going to focus on improving my swimming, cycling and running legs.
3.  I will put even more emphasis on my nutrition, mental game and race day execution.
4.  Time Goal C:  Break 16 hours
     Time Goal B:  Break 15 hours
     Time Goal A:  Break 14 hours

Why Ironman Coeur d'Alene 2013?  That's easy...I want a new challenge and I need something that is going to take dedication and focus (since I am lacking both at the present time).  The swim is a mass beach start with very cool water temperatures, the bike has a few good hill climbs with what appears to be beautiful scenery and the run has a couple of good hill climbs with scenery from the lake that we swim in.  I am very excited about the challenge of this new race, getting the opportunity to race in a new and beautiful location and pushing my body to new limits!!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Fish out of Water

I have come to realize I am like a fish out of water flopping around and floundering for life.  Stress has me down and out at the present moment.  I have WAY too much on my not so large plate to try and juggle.  I know I need a solid schedule that allows me to get all of my workouts in (I feel better about myself when this happens) and allows me to have time to spend with family and friends.  I need to incorporate better habits into my life, such as going to bed at a more consistent time, eating healthier and not consuming as many unnecessary calories.  I also know that I need support and encouragement to get to the point where this better lifestyle is routine.  With the end of the school year so close, I am currently lacking motivation and am struggling with adjusting my lifestyle right now.  I am going to cut back on the number of hours I spend working part time, which will help tremendously, but for now I am that fish flopping around searching for the water. 

I will be starting anew next week with a new schedule, new habits and accountability.  I am planning to meet a friend twice a week at the gym for strength training early in the morning and I am planning to swim early in the morning the other three days a week.  I am only planning to work at my part time job only a few hours each week and taking a couple of days each week completely off.  I also plan to be completely done working by 1 pm so that I can enjoy my afternoons and evenings with my family and friends.  I plan to take control of my eating options and regain control of my life.  I am hopeful that in a couple of week, I will no longer be that fish out of water, but will have found my sea and am not just surviving, but am flourishing!!

Friday, May 11, 2012

Change of Plans

Well, some of the races I was planning to participate in this year have been changed.  Here is an updated list of races already done this year as well as where I am going until Ironman Coeur d'Alene.

I have already competed in the following events:
Marshalltown My Y Tri - February 2012
Magnolia Triathlon in Louisiana - March 2012
Fort Dodge 1/2 Marathon - March 2012
Drake 1/2 Marathon - April 2012

Upcoming races:
Madison 1/2 Marathon - May 27, 2012
Dam to Dam - June 2, 2012
Holiday Lakes Triathlon - June 9, 2012
Iowa Games Triathlon, July 8, 2012
Chisago Lakes 1/2 Ironman Distance - July 22, 2012
RAGBRAI (not the whole week) - July 2012
Peregrine Triathlon - August 19, 2012
Ironman 70.3 Branson - September 23, 2012
I am looking for a 1/2 Ironman distance race in April of 2013
Ironman Coeur d'Alene - June 2013

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Schedule Change

This week my husband started his "new job," which means he goes back to the 5 am to 1:30 pm shift.  I am thinking this will be a GREAT schedule for us to keep (as we have done so in the past), but I am not acclimating to the 4 am alarm clock very well.  I am hopeful that by the end of next week I will be acclimated to the new schedule as it will be great to get my workouts in at the start of my day instead of always at the end of my day!!  I am also looking to cut back my hours with my part time jobs soon so that I have more time to focus on my training and our family life.  I am REALLY looking forward to these schedule changes to have a more "normal" life where I can get my workouts in and enjoy life!!

I am so excited to have the opportunity to take the dog for a walk, go for a leisure ride through the park with my husband and dog, or just relax and enjoy life if that is what I choose to do at the end of my day!!  Life seems to have taken hold over us lately and I am ready to grab the "bull by the horns" and get control of my life back!!