An Update

"I acknowledge that a Multi-Sport Event is an extreme test of a person’s physical and mental limits and carries with it the potential for death, series injury, and property loss. I HEREBY ASSUME THE RISKS OF PARTICIPATING IN THIS EVENT. I certify that I am capable of completing all disciplines of the event, and that I am physically fit and that I have sufficiently trained."

Well, maybe not sufficiently trained yet. But I still check 'I agree" and registered for the Olympic Distance Triathlon! Eek! 

I've been training slow and steady. I took a weekend off for my ski trip, which was both awesome and painful, and I've had a chest cold that's kept me on my butt for 5 days and counting. But I've passed the time by scouting out bikes and clip-less pedals/biking shoes to buy for my birthday and I joined a local triathlon club. 

The kids are growing like weeds. They love to take family bike rides and watch Spiderman cartoons. I found Liam having a solo tea party in the play room before bedtime. He told me, "Tea parties are only for big boys." Not quite, dude. Rosie loves to color and is talking so much. On the way home from our ski trip, we picked up some burgers. A few minutes later, Rosie said, "It came apart! Oh goodness, momma!" I love these crazy kiddos. 

The aftermath of my attempt to ski.

a confidence boost

I had a nice conversation with an old friend a few nights ago. I confided in him my hopes (and fears) of doing an Olympic distance triathlon this summer. He was very supportive and encouraging.

I also had my first long swim of training this morning before work. The kids were already at daycare, so I wasn't as conscious of my surroundings as I usually am when I swim half expecting an interruption from the gym's kids club. I was totally focused on my swim and it was awesome! My training called for swimming for 40 minutes to build endurance, but didn't provide any additional guidance, so I took it one lap at a time. I felt good enough to swim free style without any breaks the entire 40 minutes. I really pushed myself the last 8 or 10 laps so that I could swim an even mile (32 laps). I'm really impressed with myself and feeling much more confident about an Oly Tri.

Happy 2015!

I'm not going to get all sentimental about the new year, but 2014 was so full of changes for me that it is worth a recap and the opportunity to put some of my goals in writing.

Fitness. 12 months ago, I would have never believed that 2014 would be the year of fitness for me. I discovered my inner athlete and haven't looked back. Even though it scared the pants off of me, I am so glad that I put myself out there and signed up for that triathlon. Since I started keeping track in September, I have run 113 miles, biked 89 miles, swam 6 miles, completed a triathlon and 2 5ks. I probably did 50 hours of yoga this year, too, including learning to do headstands, side crow and bird of paradise.

I've come a long way with learning to play the piano this year, too. I am still not good enough to share on the interwebs, but I'm getting there. Maybe this year.

Work was another surprising addition in 2015. It was one of those things that just happened so unexpectedly and with miraculous timing. I'm so grateful for my job and the wonderful people with whom I work. Ask me how I feel after tax season though. :)

Goals for 2015

Play the piano 15 minutes per day. (I'll give myself a little bit of leeway during tax season though.) I'd really like to learn "Do You Want to Build a Snowman" and a nice version of "Come Thou Fount."

Scripture study or similar every day with no exceptions. I started listening to readings on my phone while I would get ready for bed. That really helped me. I could also start listening in the car on the way to or from work.

I feel kind of sick to my stomach to write out my fitness goals. They become official when I put them in writing. My big goal is to do an Olympic distance triathlon. (Eeek!) 0.93 mile OPEN WATER swim, 25 mile bike, 10k run. I've only found one race that works for me. The Clackamas Cove Triathlon is June 21st. Tax season is going to be hard on my training, so I'm starting tomorrow.

I would also like to do 2 more sprint triathlons, the annual RS tri at the end of September and the Wahine Women's Tri (also an open water swim) at the beginning of August. The Wahine Tri also has an option for a kid's triathlon. That's going to be amazing for Liam. He will be so excited.

I may run the Lake Run 10k in May if I feel up to it. I don't know yet. It's not a priority, but would fit with my training. I'd mostly do it so that Liam could do the kid's run. If we go to Florida for Thanksgiving, I would LOVE to do the Space Coast Half Marathon. Mostly for the bling.



I don't know if I can make that happen this year. We'll see.