A year for changes

I know I talk a lot about what changes I'm going to make and as the year winds down, Tom and I have really had a good chance to examine where we want to go next year, and I'm not talking vacation (although there are a few of those thrown in the mix just because!) We're really going to focus on making this a Captain year and that's very exciting. We've decided to make a lot of lifestyle changes in terms of eating (we're not dieting!), exercise, relationships with family and friends, personal changes and things together. 2008 will be an exciting year and I'm looking forward to it.

As for 2007, I guess I can't say that I'm glad to see it go. A lot happened:

• In March, Grandma passed away and there isn't a day that goes by that something doesn't remind us of her. She sure is missed, but I personally gained such a different outlook on life just from watching her and I can't thank her enough for that!
• Tom and I had some great vacation - we went to Vegas to see the our niece and nephew(and to gamble of course!), we went to Hocking Hills for some hiking, we went to Panama City Beach which quickly turned into our new favorite beach, and we went skiing in West Virginia.
• The Ironman... need I say more?
• Tom and I organized our first (and maybe last for a while) 4 mile race. We learned so much about ourselves and the world of race organizing. It was fun... at times! :)
• Friends had babies (that's a scary thing... I guess first it was friends getting married, now I'm one of the only ones without a child! EEK! Although I do love being a pseudo-aunt)
• Family had babies (two new cousins, although I forget if they are first or second based on their parents relationship to me)
• My sister and I renewed our relationship which was a big turning point for me. I need her so much and I know that she's needed me. I'm so lucky to have her as not only my sister, but more importantly my friend!
• My love for trialthon grew exponentially - it's something fun that Tom and I share together and not many people can say that their spouse makes the best training partner!
• We got a new car! :)

I'm sure there is so much more that I could post on, but those are some of the major things that come to mind. 2008 will definitely not be dull in comparison. Between my Ironman, our next trip to Vegas, my sailing trip to Tahiti, the business and everything else, it's bound to be a good year!

Happy New Year's!!

Great Holiday

What a great holiday! We had a fantastic couple of days. Christmas morning we woke up and did something that we've NEVER done in the past... we went for a run! It was great. It was only about 22 degrees outside, but we bundled up (in our new fleece lined long underware that Janet gave us) and just hit the roads. We didn't have a particular route in mind and it was perfect! There streets were silent and you could see people just waking up or sitting by their lit Christmas trees. When then came home and proceeded to pig out on egg casserole and monkey bread, opened our 40 gifts (Tom spoiled me to death) and then walked the dogs at the park. Before we knew it, it was time to head to mom's for more spoiling and dinner with them. We were both so sleepy when we finally got home and agreed that it was the best Christmas ever!

Finally... Christmas is here (well almost)

We had Christmas with Janet and Jay today and what a great time! It's the first time that we've had Christmas here on Christmas Eve and I really liked the tradition that we might have started. We weren't rushed at all, like in years past and really had a great time. They spoiled up like always... and I even got a running skirt which to this point, is one of the highlights of the holiday. Tomorrow morning we're going to get a run in and then relax to open our gifts, then head to mom and dad's to spend the day with them and the Juth's. I'm looking forward to it.

I broke down and made sugar cookies - well kinds of made sugar cookies. I tried something new and the verdict is out on them. Tom loves them. Janet commented that the icing really helps get them down. :) I made them with half whole wheat flour, splenda, egg beaters and light butter. That helped me feel like I wasn't doing a bad thing by making them. I think that they turned out relatively good. They don't taste like cookies. Well maybe cookies, but not sugar cookies. Tom things that they taste kind of like oatmeal cookies. I think it's a sign that maybe I shouldn't experiment with cookie recipes. If I can't make them healthy and tasty, then I shouldn't be having them! Ha, oh well. It was worth the try!

With the new year upon me, I want to take the opportunity to talk about my goals for the coming year. I know that this blog was supposed to be weight loss related and I'm going to make sure that it gets back on that track for 2008. It's kind of like my online journal of a never ending battle and even if there are only a handful of people that read it, it does what it's intended to do, which is keep me honest and accountable. So here are some goals:

1. Write in my blog at least 3 times a week. My blogs will be more of check ins for my accountability. Thank you for reading, it helps me a lot.
2. I'm going to start a food/exercise journal on paper. I need to identify what's holding me back in terms of weight loss. I have some ideas, but haven't taken the appropriate action to fix it. Maybe seeing it will help.
3. I'm going to make sure that I do my weight work out at least 3 times a week, if not 4 since that's going to make me a better triathlete, and overall, I stronger woman.
4. I'm going to take more time for me. Be it reading, maybe taking a walk alone, getting a massage, whatever. I want to learn to appreciate the woman that I am and the gifts that I have. I'm my biggest critic and it's keeping me from being 100% happy with EVERY aspect of my life.
5. I will complete the Ironman... in a skirt... with everyone watching... in under 15 hours (well at least in a skirt and with everyone watching... the time things is just a thought for now! ;)

I'm sure my list will continue to grow, but for now, that's a good start.

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope your holiday is the best yet!

Chistmas is coming...

Laying in bed last night, it dawned upon Tom and I that Christmas is only a week and a day away. How very exciting! We have almost all of our gift wrapped, most of which are under the tree and I have to say, we've done a darn good job of not opening them! There have been the occasional "can you have Christmas now" conversation, but I think we can hold off!

So I've decided not to bake any cookies this year. :o( I'm kind of bummed because I love baking them, but baking them means eating them, especially when you are married to a diabetic. I've been pretty bummed about my weight lately. It just seems like when I get in the right mindset, something sets me off and I am on an endless downward spiral to rock bottom again, where I just have to start from the beginning. I started this blog as a useful tool to track my progress and I haven't kept up on this either. So no waiting until January 1st to make resolutions here. I'm starting today. I've been really good about getting 45 minutes of cardio in at least 5 times a week, I've been lifting (and really enjoy it) at least 3 times a week, and I filled my fridge this weekend with everything I need to stay on track through the holidays. heck, if I can do it now when temptation is at it's highest, I can do it anytime!

Watch out 135, here I come! :)

Great Morning!

Although the weather is less than perfect (closer to crappy than anything!) Tom and I got out for a good 10 miler this morning. It felt so good to get a good run in and I often forget the power of a good sweat session! It was only about 30 degrees and they were calling for rain but we were able to get away with not an ounce of precipitation which made for a good run. We always have a good time talking about the coming year and what our plans and goals are. Just really clears your mind and I like that. We're just having a lazy day today though, in fact Tom's sleeping now with the dogs! :o)

The other thing that I started this week is my strength training program. I hate lifting weights... they aren't fun and are often intimidating. Tom and I took a lot of time coming up with the perfect routine for me. It's all using resistance bands and although I've only done the routine 4 times (which is how often I'll do it every week), I love it already and know that I'm going to stick with it. I'm sure it'll help me get closer to my Ironman in a skirt (or at least my 135 goal!)

Hope you have a good week!

I'm still here..

Although I don't blog much, I'm still around! :) In case any of you were wondering where I had gone of course, which is highly unlikely! Things have been so busy around here. Our 4 Miles 4 Diabetes race is on Sunday and for my sanity and the sake of my marriage, I can't wait for it to be over! Let me tell you - running races = fun, while organizing races = VERY not fun! I feel bad because I think Tom's really into it and for once there is something that the two of us don't enjoy and it's causing some friction! But, we're going to be stronger for doing it, we're going to be better people for doing and I know that it'll end up being a good time come Sunday! :)

Otherwise not much is new here. I'm ready for the holidays... sad, since they aren't for another month. I have a good chunk of my gifts bought which is nice, although I'm anxious to get them wrapped and out of my closet. I think by December 15th of so I'm going to be so sick of the holidays because I have such a huge jump on them now! Hehehe... oh well!

We're planning a trip out to Vegas to see Tonia and the babies. I can't wait! Richard will be in England visiting his family so it'll be a good time for us to go out and help Tonia with her little ones. From what we hear, they are a handful! They are both walking and starting to talk more so Tom and I are anxious to get out there. And of course, we can't wait to buy them something totally unpractical from Christmas just because it's from Aunt Colleen and Uncle Tom! I love having a niece and nephew! But I know that paybacks can be hell! :)

It's Official...

Tom and I are registered for Ford Ironman Florida 2008. Guess there's no backing out now... although I wouldn't want to do that even if I could!

In the spirit of triathlon and Iroman, here's a good list for you.

You know you ARE a Triathlete when:

• Your favorite clothes contain the words "Cool" or "Max."
• At work you realize the reason your under-arms feel remarkable smooth, free, yet stinky, is that you've mistakenly applied Body Glide instead of Deodorant
• Transitions are not a type of prescription sun glass or time of profound personal change
• You know precisely what size of wet suit, running shoe, bike shoe fits you to the exact half size
• You know the name of several bike seat manufactures
• You know how to change a bike tire
• You have a multi-colored collection of swim caps
• An easy swim is any distance less than 1500 yard
• You know the difference between an A, B or C race and plan your vacations around them
• You're favorite bar has the word "power", "cliff" "energy" and not "Cheers"
• You know what Plantar Fasciitis, and how to pronounce it
• You know your resting, max, and zone 1-4 heart rates
• Spending $2000 on a bike seems reasonable
• Helmet head is your most recognizable hair style
• You shave way too many body parts for a guy
• Bloody nipples are something you know all too much about
• You know how to easily remove permanent black marker from your skin
• You've had a recent conversation that contained the words, Aero, PB, PR, Split, diarrhea, rack, goggles, non-stick Pam, butt burn, black toe nail, Bento
• You can swim a sub 1:00 minute 100 yards without flip turns
• That something hard between your legs is usually a pull buoy
• Drafting is not a football or baseball recruiting term
• You have the word "Triathlon" on your Tivo's wish list
• Your car has a USAT sticker
• Your car has a bike rack
• Your friends and family think you are a complete exercise fanatic
• When asked, how old you are you answer 35-39.
• When asked how long your training was today you answer: three to four hours.
• You think an Ironman is easier then a Marathon because you don't have to start by running fast.
• You think it's natural to do your 'business' behind a tree in the woods.
• Nobody believes you when you say 'Never again'.
• You go for a 5 km cooldown run after a 5 km race just so that you can call it a training session.
• You consider work, regeneration time between training sessions.
• Your friends don't ask you if you're going to train this weekend, but how long and how far.
• You know inside out how much Protein each energy bar has.
• In the summer your legs are smoother then your girlfriend's.
• You need a picture for a job application and you only have race pictures.
• You use running T-shirts to clean your bike.
• You think there are only two seasons during the year, racing and off.
• Yyou can't change the oil in your car but you can completely rebuild your bike in 45 mins and You clean your bike more often than your car
• You spend more $ on training and racing clothes then work clothes
• When a co-worker asks if you are racing this weekend, you say "yeah, but I'm just running a 10K, so that is not REALLY a race".
• You have more water bottles than glasses in your cupboard
• You consider you bike saddle your "couch"
• You consider Clif Bars as one of the four food groups
• Your bed-time reading on your night stand consists of a pile of: DeSoto catalogs; InsideTri; Triathlete, VeloNews, USMA Swim, etc.
• You haven't bought work clothes in two years, yet you own bike shorts made by every manufacturer under the sun and can recite the merits of CoolMax, Supplex, etc. in your sleep!
• You wave at other cyclists, because all triathletes are friendly and if they are not, they are probably purist cyclists trying to get into triathlons and they do not know that triathletes are friendly.
• The one "suit" you own has a QR on the chest.
• You’re tempted to do your long rides in a speedo so that you don't have a stupid tan for your next race.
• You get done with a hard workout and drink a recovery drink while on the toilet and in the shower.
• When non-racer friends tell you they ran/rode you automatically calculate their pace to see if you're still in better shape.