tri-happy

Saturday is here! Normally, I leave the weekend free of blogging because it’s the weekend!  But, I thought I would make an exception because I have some fun pictures to share.  Not to mention, letting you all know that I got to put a little big check on my 2010 list.  Actually, I’ve had this on my “to do” list for quite a while and even pony-ed up during debriefing from my internship last year by letting all my interns know that I planned on completing one before doing a few other things. So, what did I do!? I completed a triathlon!  In lieu of competing in one and spending a ridiculous amount of money (some were like $90), I decided to save my money and make my own course. Here’s a little proof.

This would be my nervousexcited face with a “Am I really doing this?”

my attempt at getting a picture of my super cute swimsuit. took me forever to find one but I love it and i LOVE wearing swim shorts. if you had told me 5 years ago that i would think a bikini was immodest to wear…i would have laughed and said it’s just fine–not anymore! hello, change!

my little transition station. complete with my beautiful bike and bike shoes (i LOVE being clipped in). plus, i’ve got my bag full of stuff (towel, bike shorts, running shorts, camera, cell phone, running shoes, bike helmet, bike gloves, ipod).

why, yes, that is a creepy fake swan that gets to swim with me today…at least he keeps away the geese.

now this. this is beautiful. i seriously love lakes in the summertime. water like glass that is perfect for water skiing or wakeboarding on or well…swimming for 20 minutes. did i mention that i didn’t train for this part of the triathlon? at least i did a bit of swimming at camp. but yeah…..definitely should have! probably should have trained in general…

this would be my smile that means i’m so incredibly thankful that the swim part is finally done! I am so not a swimmer compared to biking and running. love it, but it wore me out!

and this here. is my I’m so tired, but I’m done look!!!!

Swim: 20 min.

Bike: 53 min. (12.4 miles or 20k)

Run: 27 min. (3.1 miles or 5k)

What did I learn?

• God provides cute little things to keep me going–like watching a bird swoop down to eat a fish while I’m swimming…at least it was a little bird.
• Swimming is hard. really hard. refreshing, but the time sure goes slow.
• I love creating new paths and ways to go with God–I biked a totally new trail.
• My legs felt so weird when I started running. I’m pretty sure that little 5k felt longer than the 20k I did before, but I finished while running in the woods which made my heart happy.
• Tweeting while doing things helps provide little goals and encouragement.
• When I’m focused on God and doing things with God, quitting or walking or slowing down may fleeting cross my mind, but leaves quickly.
• Gotta love the…what’s next/now what? that comes after completing a goal. Yeah, I’m achiever at heart.
• My body may be tired, but my heart is happy.

I Can.

Running on base proves to be a little tricky here because I’m not a huge fan of hills.  I avoid them if at all possible.  I much prefer running downhill or on flat ground.  Lately, running proved to be a struggle since I took a week off for Cape Town and then was sick for a while during Family Days.  I’m just now trying to get back into the groove of things.  Though, I’ve been frustrated with my lack of motivation and lack of results.  I hadn’t ran in two days and then started talking with another intern, Allen, about running last night and the upcoming Flatberg race (15k including going up a mountain…).  The conversation gave me the drive to finally get out and complete a “good” run.

I started out this morning determined to get up and go.  I set my alarm and was out the door by 6:05 a.m. with my iPod Nike+ set to a distance of 7k.  About 2k into my run, I got this ridiculous idea that I shouldn’t just run 7k, but, no, I should run a 10k.  Mind you, the farthest I’ve ran in the last week or two has been around 35 minutes.  But, when I decide something that’s that.  So, I kept running and running.  Being bored, I did some run there and then run back along with some circles in the field.  Basically, I did everything possible to not go up hill and still complete a 10k.  All of that to say that I did.  I ran 10.02k in 55:30 min. which translates into a 5:32 min/km pace or a 8:54 min./mile.  This was only 1 minute slower than the 10k I ran in July. Woot!  For being out of practice, I was happy.  Also, I was reminded of the power of determination, persistence, and the need to set my eyes on an achievable goal while not letting my feelings get in the way or let my mind start believing the lies of “I can’t.”

So, what’s been your greatest accomplishment this week?

Good-bye 2008 (in 25 days)

25 days left in December. This year has gone fast!  Last year when I first started blogging, I added a page called Hello 2008 with a list of things I thought could be fun to accomplish or focus on.  The list was a little long.  Some of it was realistic, some of it was hard to measure, some of it was accomplished.  All of that to say, that I found myself looking forward to 2009 today.  A few months ago, I found a website that chronicled someone who took a photo every day for a long time (years…I don’t remember the exact amount).  I haven’t fully decided, but that might be one of my goals for 2009 since I will be in Africa for most of it and because I think it would be fun to look back on all the chosen pictures.  

So, do you have any other great ideas or normal ideas for what else could be on my list for 2009 or a catchy name?  Let me know!

Ragamuffintop Week 2

Here you go!! 

Sunday, June 1, 2008:

Bike: 10.0 miles in 44:30

Run: 10 minutes

Walk: 20 minutes

Monday, June 2, 2008

Biggest Loser Workout–Cardio Max Week 5/6

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Biggest Loser Workout–Power Sculpt Week 1/2

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Biggest Loser Workout–Cardio Max Week 5/6

Run: 20 minutes

Walk: 20 minutes

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Biggest Loser Workout–Power Sculpt Week 1/2

*:( sad day.  I ate after 9:00pm.  Granted I didn’t know it was after nine until I looked at my watch.  I was hanging out with people and of course there were snacks.  Oh well 🙂  Could have been worse!

Friday, June 6, 2008

Walk/run: 25 minutes 

Mowed the ENTIRE lawn yikes! I’m impressed with myself! Plus, the lawn mower isn’t a self-moving one…so it’s harder 🙂

Biggest Loser–Cardio Max Week 1/2