Racing 2012!!!!

Before Ironman last September I really thought that I was going to take it easy in 2012, do some short local races, and just enjoy time (not spent training). Funny right? Who was I kidding...it took everything in me to not sign up to do Wisconsin again the day before I actually raced it. I actually made the decision to sign up, but I was about 45 minutes late in getting to the registration table. I figured it was a sign to NOT sign up for 2012. I then get home the Monday after Ironman and of course look online, expecting to see that registration was closed, somehow it wasn't. Ugh...I had to have Matt take the computer away from me and turn it off, I'm NOT doing IMWI 2012. Tuesday morning, I check online again, it's still open, SERIOUSLY!?!? Once again, I had to put the computer away and go to work...if I get home tonight and it's still open I'm signing up. Thankfully it closed about noon on Tuesday, and I'm so happy I'm not doing Ironman this year. It has allowed me to do a lot more racing this year that I may not have otherwise. Plus, there's always 2013 ;)

So...what am I doing this year???? I'm racing a LOT more than I ever have in one year. I'll be moving out of my comfort zone and trying out some new races and distances. Some of the races are SUPER small which I love, and I'm doing some big events too which I also love.

My "A" races are Ironman 70.3 Muncie AND Steelhead as well as the Chicago Marathon. My year of "short races" somehow turned into 2 70.3 events and a marathon! Truth be told, I love to train. The thought of not having some really long, intense weeks and months this year made me sad. I love the feeling of exhaustion a build week brings. I love the time to myself during long rides and runs to think and enjoy being outside. I love pushing my body to new limits, times, paces which I'm doing a ton of already...I can't wait to see where I'm at later in the year. I love the hunger and all the food being an endurance athlete allows me to eat ;) And most importantly...I love the lifestyle that this type of training brings.

I designed my race calendar to include 2 events that are also family vacations. We rarely travel together, but whenever I race in Michigan we all head up to our family's lake house and just enjoy time together. That's where Steelhead came into play. I love that race, but I love it even more because it means a 3 day weekend with my family. I'm also doing a really small Olympic Tri in July called Sister Lakes Tri which will be another family weekend in Michigan!

Besides those, I'll be doing the Galena Duathlon, Soldier Field 10 Miler, Lake In the Hills Sprint Tri, Tinley Park Metlife Duathlon, Oak Brook Half Marathon, and the Fox Valley 20 Miler.

SO excited for this year. I'm hoping to have lots of fun, and spend a lot of time with my loved ones at each event.

And yes...I will be registering to volunteer at IMWI when the system opens up in April. Girls gotta have options!!!!

My Favorite Breakfast :)

Greens for breakfast?!?! YEP! I have one of these green shakes every morning, so I thought I would share the recipe. It is filled with ingredients that are good for you, give you tons of energy, and YES it's delicious!

Ingredients

* 1/2 cup Coconut Water

* 1 Ripe Organic Banana

* 2 tsp. Sun is Shining

http://www.sunfood.com/food/green-superfoods/sun-is-shining-green-superfood-10oz- raw-organic-wildcrafted-ingredients.html

* 1/2 scoop Lifetime Life's Basics Plant Protein Vanilla Flavor

http://lifetimevitamins.com/products/lifetime_plantprotein.html

* 1/2 tbs. Raw Almond Butter (I like the brand Woodstock)

* 1 tbs. Organic Chia Seeds

* Organic Cinnamon to taste

* Ice Cubes

In a blender, mix all of the ingredients above with water. Play with the water ratio, I like a thicker shake so I just add a little.

Enjoy :)

A Little Reminder

" Most people never get there. They're afraid or unwilling to demand enough of themselves and take the easy road, the path of least resistance. But struggling and suffering, as I now saw it, were the essence of a life worth living. If you're not pushing yourself beyond the comfort zone, if you're not constantly demanding more from yourself-expanding and learning as you go-you're choosing a numb existence. You're denying yourself an extraordinary trip."

Dean Karnazes

I received an email from one of my best friends with this quote about an hour after I finished Ironman Wisconsin back in September. At that time, it brought tears to my eyes. It was obviously a very emotional day for me, but it was more than that. I had finally done something that I had to work HARD for, the training was beyond demanding...Ironman scared the crap out of me. I had days and weeks that I struggled to keep balance in my life, I suffered through grueling workouts, I was way out of my comfort zone...but I cannot put into words how much I learned about myself throughout the process.

I kept that email with this quote and have it saved both at home and at work to refer back to when I'm having a tough time. I stumbled across it this week, and it still has the same effect on me that it did the first time I read it. If I can do an Ironman, I can do anything. If I was able to get through all of the challenges last year handed me, I'm ready to take on new goals this year.

They are a little different than last year, I'm not doing an Ironman (although I'm thinking I will in 2013), but I am racing. Muncie 70.3 and the Chicago Marathon are my 2 big races so far. I still need to plan some races around those, I just haven't gotten that figured out yet.

I've also been talking about getting my Anusara Inspired Certification for a few years, I'm doing it this year. Studying Anusara has been a life shifting experience for me, and I want to share that with as many students as I can. It's truly the way I live my life, and I cannot wait to go to all of the workshops and classes I have planned for the year!

My last big goal of this year...USAT Level 1 Coaching Certification! Scared to death of this, but this is a huge desire of mine. I have to wait and see which one I can get in to, but I'm so excited! I'm not quite sure where I want to go with this once I have it, I'll figure that out down the road.

Looks like I have another busy year ahead which is just the way I like it!

What are you doing this year that scares you????

A Fresh Start

The end of 2011 was a VERY busy time for me. In a matter of 6 weeks I moved to a new city, started working in a new location with a new job title (yay!), found a new gym to workout at, put my house up for sale...you get the point! I can't say that those 6 weeks were easy (not even close to be honest) but they were exactly what I needed. I learned a lot about myself, what I want, and where I want to be going which is something I might not have been able to say had I not decided to do this.

The beginning of 2012 has been busy, but in different ways. It started out with an amazing "vacation" to Florida. I wouldn't say this was a relaxing or traditional vacation, it was actually quite the opposite. It started with a late flight out Thursday night getting into Miami about midnight with a quick turnaround Friday morning to get started on the Miami to Key West Ragnar Event. Pretty much means I lived in a van with 5 awesome people while we took turns running from Miami to Key West (in total just under 200 miles). No sleep, showers, running anywhere from 23-42 miles each...26 hours later we were on Duval Street in Key West at the finish line! Wait...it gets better. Two of my van-mates got married on the beach after a quick shower...awesome (congrats Ty & Kim)! Something about this trip sparked something in me. Having some really amazing miles to run at all times of the day and night gave me a lot of time to think. Why have I been complicating everything? Why all of these expectations? Why can't I just enjoy what life is offering me? Why do I figure this out at 11am while I'm running mile 22 of my last leg after I haven't slept in over a day?

It's so simple, figure out what you love, who you love, I've got that down...then figure out ways to make those things and people a bigger part of your life...that's what I'm working on.

I'm SO excited about this year and the possibilities that it can bring. I have a lot of plans, ideas, thoughts, and goals for this year which will all help me spend more time being with those people and doing those things I love. As the year goes on I will keep you all updated on where I'm at and how things are going.

First things first, a full weekend of Anusara Yoga with Desiree Rumbaugh at the beginning of February. Can't wait!