New Workouts!

I keep changing my mind about my goals and the best way to get there. I just started a new workout program today. Lindsay Brin's Pretty Fierce: Lean Out. It is NO joke! The reason I decided to switch to this workout is it is built to help people lose the last of their weight and really lean out their bodies. It is also built to build endurance and improve vo2, both things that I desperately need in order to do my races. I'm really excited for the change and looking forward to seeing how it will change my body. I've been stuck on my plateau still, so a big change was in order again. The nice thing about this program is its built to have the option of running a few days a week, which is exactly what I need to do for my half marathon. So i'm going to follow the schedule as closely as possibly, only changing things around when necessary for my long runs. I finished my first official week of half training last week, I felt fantastic during my "long run" which was 4 miles last week. We'll see how this week goes!

Race Schedule

Here is my current race schedule for this year! I'm sure I will change my mind a few times, and I always end up adding a race or two, but this is the plan:

Jan 1- Revolution Run (complete! 6 miles)
Jan 19- JL Sorenson Indoor Super Sprint Triathlon (complete! 58:00)
March 23- Purple Day 5k
April 13- Wonder Woman 1/2 marathon
May 18- Woman of Steel Triathlon
June 29- Run for Grief 10k
July- Larson Cup Triathlon
Aug 23- Mapleton Midnight Half

I'm also thinking I might try and squeeze in the rest of the JL Sorenson Race Series (a 5k, 10k, and an outdoor triathlon), it was fun to do a local small race...and they do finishers medals. Sweet! Here are some pictures from the indoor triathlon:

I realized this was my first time racing in the 30-35 age group. Weird.

One of my fellow Triple Threat Triathletes. She kicked my butt. :)

Yay for a medal! I'm hooked now. MUST. EARN. MORE. MEDALS. :)

The race was a good eye opener of how much training I need to get in before my real tri in May! I was happy with the swim, the bike was brutal, and as always the run was a little brutal too, but once I got over the jello legs from the bike it wasn't quite so bad. Lots of work to do though! I have my plan all ready to go and this is my first official week of training, so here we go! I need to get a 3 mile run in today! 

Running base

I've been working my little tail off trying to get my running base back (did I ever have a running base? hm...) I don't think i've actually run 3 times a week ever. :) Its been tough! Its frustrating since I feel like I'm actually in shape, but running still makes me feel like a huffing puffing wimp! But I do remember when I couldn't run a half mile, and i've been running 2-3 miles 3 times a week. I do have to take walk breaks, or I do intervals, but I think i'm improving. I ran 2 1/2 miles on the indoor track at my gym today and only walked 2 of the 28 laps, so I'm happy with that! I've been having issues with side aches that i'm trying to work out, but I managed to avoid one today, so hopefully i'll figure it all out! I'm still working hard at my weights 3 times a week too. I love that i'm starting to see muscle definition all over my body. I just need to keep working on losing my fat layer so I can let my new muscles shine! It's hard, but that's ok! I can do hard things!

In other news...I was hired yesterday as a swim coach for JL Sorenson Rec Center. I am SO excited about this! I have always loved swimming and have a pretty natural talent for it. I've never been super fast, but I can hold my own, and I love being in the water. I am so excited for the chance to help others enjoy it too! I will be working with the junior swim league (Squids) and I will be teaching a Master's class. I think i'm most excited about the Master's class. I've seen a lot of adults realize that its not too late to learn to swim, and a lot of runners and cyclists learn that they CAN actually do a triathlon by learning to swim. I've improved a ton by attending these classes, so it'll be great to help other people feel the same! Its a really part time job just 4-6 hours or so a week, which is perfect for me! Just enough time to get some adult interaction and some self improvement, but not so much that I will be neglecting my little family. :)

I am a Runner

I love this. I posted on Facebook a while ago that my goal for 2013 was to feel like a runner. I had several wonderful friends who commented and told me that if I ran any distance at all I was a runner. I still have trouble saying i'm a runner if people ask or if they say "you are a runner, right?" but I'm getting there. I've been shopping this week for the perfect running shoes to help me reach my goals this year. I thought I found the perfect pair but decided after my first run they weren't for me. So back to the drawing board! Luckily the people at Rungr8 Running Center have been fabulous to work with and super helpful!

Resolutions

Here are my physical New Year goals:

Run a 1/2 Marathon (I'm actually signed up for 2. ACK!)

Improve my Sprint Tri time

Hit my goal weight

Be PROUD of my body

Eat better- Reduce my sugar intake.

I pick a word every year to be my focus. This year my word is PROGRESS.

I want to focus on making positive progress, not on being perfect. I want to worry less about how far I have left to go and celebrate more how far I have come! What are your goals for 2013??