Feeling it come back!

This week was a new week for me! I looked at my workouts on Monday and was sooo excited. I had more time to commit to training and boy did Barb (coach) take advantage of it. Today I had to run a tempo run at 5am with my brother who is a ton faster than me, fun! Then mid morning I did a bike with a mini brick at the end. There were a bunch of 6:20 pace running that ended at 5% grade on the TM. I was worried that I would bonk b/c of the run this morning. But I didn't!!!! It actually ended up being a great workout. I felt like I could run that pace forever. I am getting more excited now about training that I see small improvements every week. It is soo much fun to see how far you can push yourself and what the return is for your hard work. So then I jump of the TM and have 20 min of leg strength!!! OHHH I love it. She it totally into strength training. I used to skimp on it but now I am a true believer! It has really helped my power on the bike. I am excited to race a local tri in a week and a half. Jen H will be there. I don't think we have been at the same race in a long time.
SO Bring it on Barb!

Surrounding Yourself

Because of my situation with the kids being so small I do a lot of training alone or with one person every now and then. That leaves a LOT of time to think. This past week I have been thinking about how lucky I am that I have so many great people surrounding me. I don't know how I could train the way I do without the support of my family and friends. And also my sponsors that send me awesome stuff. I have to pinch myself when I get a big box of running shoes from Avia that I love or more fun suits from Splish. It has been so amazing to me that so many people still wanted to support me even though I was pregnant over the winter! I will forever be loyal to them. I think some of the best athletes are ones that have the best support crews around them.
When I decided to turn pro this past year I knew it would take a village to make it work. Last week I realized that it will take a freakin nation. To train like a pro is going to be a 20+ hr a week commitment that I want to follow through with. Let alone my coaching job, being a mom, and a wife. That is actually in reverse order of importance ironically. But when I have a goal I stick to it until it is done. Last week everything caught up to me. I think the lack of sleep with the baby, trying to train, work and run a house was way too much. I wanted to throw in the towel and forget the whole triathlon thing. But after talking to family I worked it out so that I can train and commit myself to this without taking away from my kids and husband. Thanks to Aunt Gail (Bill's Aunt has a home daycare) the kids will be there a few hrs every morning! So starting next week I am officially going to start training like a pro. If that means sleeping more so that I can have more quality sessions then that is what I will do. I am sooo excited about this new chapter in my life. I know my kids would understand if they were old enough. I will be a better Mom and wife if I can have more balance and accomplish goals that are important to me.
So now it is time to pick those goals! My first big pro race is Chicago Triathlon! I can't wait. I think I will be like a little kid in the transition area setting up by the people I read about. Then I am doing Nautica Malibu triathlon (I have family out there). Not sure after that for this season but I know next season will start early b/c I can't wait to kick butt!!!!

Quick post

It never seems to let up. You try to get ahead by getting up at 3 or 4am to get in your workouts but then your immunity goes downhill and you get sick! So here I am with the flu for the 2nd time this year. I EVEN had a stinkin flu shot! I was sooo pumped about having a great ride yesterday. But I really think there is a purpose for everything. I think God wanted me to take a few days easy b/c my legs are killing me from training and I feel some injuries coming on. It was a forced time out but one that I will take with stride!

Thought this was a fun article that Windy City Sports did:
http://www.windycitysports.com/training/fast-in-chicago/Page-2.html

Aren't they cute!

Noah and Molly had their first picture taken last week together! I had to post it. He is 3 and she is 3 months.

Elkhart Lake Triathlon-Yikes!

I decided a few weeks back to do this race in Wisconsin that I have done several times for fun. I don't think I realized how hard an Olympic distance tri would be with no base training. It was HARD. And did I mention it was unbelievably hilly! Elkhart Lake is part of Kettle Moraine which is a really hilly part of southern Wisconsin and northern IL that was cut out by glaciers years ago. I actually really enjoyed myself. I was totally laid back and relaxed about the whole thing. It is a beautiful course that I really enjoy racing plus the hotel for the race is part of the transition area! You really can't get more convenient. Bill and I did this race when we were dating 9 years ago so it holds a special place in my heart.

As I was setting up my transition stuff I had no idea there were so many girls there registered in the elite wave! I think there were 10. That is a ton for a local race. Overall it was a great race. They changed the course from the last 2 years and made it more challenging in both the bike and run. With no base training I had NO last gear to push. It was as if I could run forever but couldn't get into that fast gear. The one that makes you feel like barfing. I didn't have that. So instead of spent the entire run telling all of the volunteers thank you and cheering on the sprint distance people. I really just enjoyed the atmosphere which I know won't happen as I get back into racing. My Mom came with me so I could bring Molly and feed her. It was awesome having her there, thanks MOM! She was so cute telling me where I was at in the race. I even think Molly enjoyed watching Mommy:)

After the race I decided that I need a month or so of good training before I do that again!