Massive apology for completely disappearing.   Changed jobs almost 2 years ago, more soccer mom duties, even busier training schedule.  I have been posting some picture updates on my facebook page so i know I haven’t completely abandoned my blog.

The past 2 years I have done some pretty epic things for me.  I’m going to try and step through chronologically but if I wander, sorry.  Just trying to get all the things that are in my head out and on paper so to speak.

I did my absolute favorite job – marathon support for my friends at the Donna.  Rain, thunderstorms, course closures, yet I was still there and loved every minute of it.

So what do I do next – I run for 2 days straight in the Ragnar Relay.  3 loops – 4 miles, 5 miles and 6 miles (that were really more like 5 miles, 6 miles and 7 miles).  Hard to run multiple times a day, hard to do this at night when it’s pitch black and only a head lamp to see.  My last loop was the longest.  I tripped and fell on my knees after about 1.5 miles.  But I just kept going.  The last 2 miles hurt, everything hurt but I kept going.

I finally decided that I wanted to run a half marathon.  So with at least 100 of my friends we all ran the Diva Half Marathon.  Crazy weekend, hot temperatures, super high humidity, but I got to run with two of my besties, they were my course angels.  Did the race go how I wanted it to?  No, not at all, because of the humidity and temps, even I was miserable.  This is with training on the course.  It was just bad.  I fell apart at mile 7 but put myself back together with the help of my friends.  I got it done!!!

Do you know what one of the main things I credit my continued success, is my friends.  Surround yourself with people that are positive, lift you up and cheer you along.

So my circle of friends is getting bigger.  The more triathlons that I have completed, the more amazing people that I find and love having in my life.

Last year I did the Chattahoochee Challenge Sprint Tri with a big group from my PTC Triathlon Club.

I really enjoyed having such a great group to race with.  Makes the race fun, when you find them along the course and hear the screams of your friends as you approach the finish line.

So after all that, what kinds of things did I decide to do next?  I thought it was a great idea to run a half marathon down a mountain.

I might have walked funny for an entire week, but it didn’t matter.  I did something wonderful – I ran down a mountain, I cut off 45 massive minutes off my half marathon time, I did it almost entirely by myself and I had these wonderful friends at the finish line cheering me in.  They were as excited about my PR and I was about their age group awards.

I then joined up with this group, we did a 12 week triathlon training program.  All local ladies that are all so supportive of each other.  We helped each other do epic things.  Do you want to know what this program did for me? in 12 short weeks: I lost 6 inches mostly from my legs, increased my biking speed from an average of 13mph to 16.9 in my triathlon yesterday, decreased my running pace from high 12’s to consistently running 11’s and I’ve seen some 10’s, I’ve learned that training by heart rate is good for me because I ran a 10k (the loop in PTC) without stopping and set a new PR for a 10k. Do you know what the best thing is? I gained new friends and learned to trust what my body can do. that gives you confidence in your every day life.

I also got 3rd place in the Athena class.  I have never won an award at a triathlon.  Best day ever!!

For a piece of inspiration, I put together a picture of me at my first triathlon to my most recent.  The changes are just amazing.

On the right is me after my first sprint triathlon in ptc, I finished that race in 1:54. I completed the Acworth women’s tri and I believe the run course is harder than the PTC race in 1:37. So set goals, surround yourself with people that will support you and lift you up and you will do great things. I’m shocked at the difference!

So you see the theme – do epic things, do things that scare you, surround yourself with people that are positive, good for you and encouraging.  You will be surprised and what that alone will do for you.

For the third year in a row, I rode at the Bike MS Atlanta.  This year I trained like I have never done before, got in multiple long rides to be ready.

I spent two Saturdays on my bike for 3.5 hour and 4 hour rides.  The 4 hour ride, I got in 65 miles all while watching movies and riding in my living room.  Took about 6 hours total with breaks.  But I did it and felt ready for my 2 day bike weekend.

I pedaled my heart out, I felt much more prepared than I ever have.  This course is very hilly, they did not beat me.  I attached each one and made it up each and every one.  I also got to add more people to my ever growing circle of friends.  

This fall I started half marathon training for Soldier’s half in Columbus.  I decided to attack training differently.  Over the summer I did all my running and biking based on heart rate.  My body apparently does really well.  I rapidly increased endurance, speed and I am starting to see this “groove” that other running friends talk about.  They say they just went out for a run and felt so good, got in a groove and just kept going.  I wont’ say that I have done that, but I am seeing times when it clicks.

So I’m in the last few weeks of training for Soldier’s.  Last week was a train wreck, mommy duties had me missing workouts but I got my long run in on Saturday.  This week has gone downhill with me being sick.  But as several of my running friends have said.  The hay is already in the barn, my training in essence is done and I know i can do the distance.  So I focus on getting better and take advantage that I can write this really long and picture overload blog post.  🙂

My half marathon PR is 2:48 from the Tear Drop.  My big scary goal is 2:30.  I will be thrilled with anything under 2:48.  I am not the fastest out there, nor the slowest.  What I am trying to do is be better than I was yesterday.  That’s all the matters.  I know that I am faster, stronger, leaner and just overall better than i was back in the spring.  This race will be fun because I will have friends running the half and full and I know that my body can do this.  I’m ready!  just maybe not today.  I’m going to go take a nap.