Racing season has begun....

First race of the season is done. Well, I only relayed both days (Rumpass in Bumpass International and Sprint) but it felt great to get into race mode. Posted my best 10k time yet! The first open water swim of the season was a bit rough (literally it was wavy as all get up) and I was disappointed with my time, but I'm glad I did it. First full race is this weekend - St. Anthony's Olympic Distance Triathlon in St. Petersburg Florida. Denise (and her puppies) and I leave Wed for a 15 hour drive. It will be great to have company on that drive, even though Denise insists we stop at South of the Border and take a picture with the big sombrero. HAHA

I need to get to CFW more. I plan to hit Crossfit St. Pete while I am down there - I'll be sure to wear my CFW shirt!

It seems the only time I get to update this blog is when I am traveling. I am currently sitting at the airport waiting for my flight to Columbus. If only this trip could have happened in 3 weeks I could have gone to see Dan at Regionals!!

Time to get serious!

OK, serious training has officially started. So far it's gone good. Didn't get my run in yesterday but worked hard at XFit!! I swam this morning and biked this afternoon. I plan to go to CFW in the morning cause I have to fly to Dallas tomorrow. Not sure I'll get my scheduled run in tomorrow but I'm certainly going to try.

Rumpass weekend is coming up and I'm relaying both days - swim for the Oly and run for the Sprint. Excited to start racing.

Transition Week

This week is transition so things are pretty chill. I did a swim workout this morning but that was it for the day. I feel guilty when I only do one workout a day, but I also know my body needs the recovery time. I'm doing relays both days for Rumpass in Bumpass next month - swimming one day and running the other. Then it's time for my first Oly for the season- St. Anthony's Triathlon in Florida. Doing it with 3 of my lady soccer friends.

Thinking I'll go to Crossfit in the morning, and really hoping there are some other people there!

Today.....I ran......

Today I ran the National Half Marathon in DC. Yesterday I sat on an airplane pondering if I should really do the race, due to my lack of training because of work. Then I opened my Runner's World magazine and read the article about Kara Goucher and the self-doubt she has had to learn to overcome. It was perfect timing. I knew I could finish the 13.1 miles, but I was equally sure I couldn't do it in the time I was hoping for. But instead of avoiding what I was knew was going to be a lot of disappointment in myself, I decided that I would run the race and I would run as hard as I could, on that given day, under the given circumstances and I would see what happened. No, I didn't get the time that I was hoping for but I also knew that was an unrealistic hope. But what I did get was a PR and the self-satisfaction that I ran my best.

It's been a long day and I am ready for bed!!

Paleo Challenge is done....

But Paleo eating as a way of life is not! My goal is to stay away from processed food as much as possible. Nutrition is going to be HUGE for me as I prepare for my first Ironman. Finding the right things to eat and drink before, during and after my long workouts is going to be key. And I feel that natural (Paleo) foods will be a much better option. I will have to throw in some non-Paleo stuff, like gels, mainly because they are easy to carry on the bike and run.

As for IM - I am excited and terrified all at the same time. Right now I feel like I can't do it, but I'm hoping that as the time gets closer and I have done my workouts I will feel ready for the race and that the excitement will override the fear. Right now, if I even think about the race while I am running I hyperventilate. My weakest event is the bike, so I'll be spending many, many hours in the saddle this summer. I know I can do the swim, but can I do it fast enough? Same with the run, I can do it but can I do it in the alloted time?

Race goal - FINISH, preferably BEFORE they take the finish line down. Time limit - 17 hours!

Work is.....

BUSY!! Travel has picked up again so I have to make sure I am prepared with the right foods that I can take with me. This past weekend was rough, between kid issues and having to put a dog down and being disappointed in my Paleo results, I really "fell off the wagon". I had several meals that were well outside the scope of Paleo. I am starting to get back on track thought. Sunday's Crossfit Total was better than Cindy. I managed to go up 40 pounds total - 30 in the back squat and 10 in dead lift. No improvement in the Press.

Disappointed...

I am very disappointed in my results from the Paleo Challenge. I lost 4 pounds, but 3 of them were muscle and only 1 was fat. Shelby says it's because I'm not getting enough protein. I really thought I was getting enough, but I guess I need to add in another protein shake during the day. I'm still going to make life-long changes based on this challenge and I know in the long run I'll be better for it. I just wish I knew where I went wrong. But as we discussed this morning - no excuses. Time to suck it up and drive on! Crossfit total tomorrow, and hopefully some improvements there!