43 days

43 days.

43 blog posts. 

43 years.

It all starts today.

 

so what happens within the next 43 days?  a lot. 

For one, I turn 43.

and today starts a 43 day countdown to finding my speed legs for

 The Shamrockin 8k in New Orleans. 

It's on.

SWF ISO 2014MOJO

anyone seen my MOJO?

So far, I think I'm on the right track. 

Life is good.  New influences in my life are positive and exciting, and it's doing me a lot of good.  only had one night of drinking since Jan 2nd...and I've been laying off the chocolate... most of the time.

The hip/hamstring seems to be on the mend as well.  It's still there, yeah, but I actually did my first run speed workout in who knows how long - and it hurt so good.  It was only 200's, but just having those legs move fast was awesome.  And the hammy didn't scream back.  I have Drew (massage therapist) at Franco's (www.myfrancos.com) to thank for a lot of that too..thanks Drew!!

I've increased my bike mileage (although indoors because I'm a sissy with all of my toenails right now) trying to regain some strength in my legs I've lost over the past year while tending to this hip.  I miss my squats and my strong quads and hamstrings dearly - one day they will be back.  Right now, I'm happy to do bridges and leg lifts and feel some fatigue...but it's nothing like that burn I felt when my legs were shot from climbing....one day hopefully.

As of 2 weeks ago I was down 4lbs since Christmas, which is another good sign that my MOJO is close by somewhere.  I haven't been on the scale since because numbers really don't matter to me, but I can tell you this - I have some more work to do since I still can't comfortably button my jeans.  I hate that.  That keeps me on track if nothing else.  Well, kinda. 

So the schedule is working itself out now.  Here's the plan thus far: TO GET MY RUN BACK!

Shamrockin' Run 8k - March
Crescent City Classic 10k - April
St. Croix 70.3 - May
Gulf Coast Tri (half)  - May
Buffalo Springs 70.3 - June

2014.  Here we go.

I have not been blogging as much as I wanted to over the past few years - so I will use the new years resolution thing to light a fire under me and get me talking and sharing.

Some really good things happened in 2013, but nothing to brag on about or desperately hang on to.  I had some good races and some not so good races, met some great people, navigated through injuries, and kept moving forward.  That's a pretty good year I'd say.  Just moving forward is a blessing.

There is one thing from 2013 I hope to kiss off however.  The extra pounds I have crept on over the year as I have been consuming LIFE.  It seems as if the sweets and booze from the holidays made it all that much worse too,  so my new year will be starting like most others - with a weight loss goal.  A little less (or different rather) life consumption for now...I understand that saying I need to drop a few pisses off a lot of people.  You see, although I am carrying extra pounds around, I know I am still fit, and healthier, and smaller than the average Jane....and my spitting out that I need to shed a few lbs seems to get people agitated.  whatever.  Remember, I used to be a big girl.  I will never go back there....

Here's what I know.  I am running slow.  I feel sluggish.  I don't fit in my jeans.  My jogbras are tighter.  My boobs feel huge (control the laughter) and move too much when I run.  yuck. 

So here's my goal for January - 8 servings of fruit and veggies every day.  If I can hit that mark, I'm gonna be ready come March.  It's out there now, and I'm on it.  Enough about that. 

Onto what's important...

TEAM ZOOT 2014! 

I have been blessed to be asked to continue on with ZOOT as a team captain for the Southeast/Gulf Coast Region of Team Zoot.  Myself, along with co-captain Kerry Mowlan in Florida, will be leading 20 of the most awesome ZOOT teammates/representatives across the region and we will be out in full force this season!  This is an awesome way to start the season! 

It's no secret I am a fan of ZOOT, as I have always loved the company, the people, and especially the product.  Born in Kona, ZOOT IS the sport of triathlon.  They have been there from the beginning - long before most everyone in the sport today ever heard of a triathlon.  I am honored to part of it.