Woke up feeling under the weather today.  Sore throat, cough.  Just the beginning of what could be some sort of virus.  So I decided I will just lay low today.  Drink tons of water, take zicam and emergen-c, and drink immune-boosting tea.  I'm determined that this will not progress.  Otherwise I feel just fine, but I decided no working out today.  Which sucks for me, but this is also part of taking care of my body.  Recovery and rest, am I right?  I'm not much good if I get sick.

I was talking with my sister over the weekend about my upcoming Iron Man 70.3.  She asked me, "What's your motivation and goals in doing this?"

Many things of course come to mind.  But the first thing I thought of was the sense of purpose and fulfillment I get out of training for something that is physically demanding.  Proving to myself each day that I'm stronger than I think.  Fighting through the hard days where I feel weaker than I am.  Being better than I was the day before.  Getting stronger.  I don't know, there is just something that has been so amazing about the past three months for me in lifting and training for the half marathon.  I have gotten a taste of what that life is like, and I want more.

I spent years thinking I couldn't do big things.  I always had a desire deep down to do things like this, but I wasn't "that girl."  I was the one who ate junk food and abhorred exercise of any kind.  That was me and it was the box I felt like I was stuck in.  I still feel like I'm that same person, and it comes out in the things I say about myself.  My friend called me out on it the other day.  In conversation, when running and lifting come up, I constantly tell people that I'm really not that fit, or strong, or athletic.  And Haley said, "You've got to stop saying those things because you are really fit!"

It was something I needed to hear, because I still have the bad habit of tearing myself down.  Of down-playing the things I have accomplished.  It is good to acknowledge that.

I'm chomping at the bit today because I feel like a day of rest will set me back, but that is a toxic mindset I must rid myself of.  Rest is an essential part of training.  Especially on days when you are sick.  Pushing through that will do no good in the long run.

Half Marathon and New Goals

Well, I finished my very first half marathon on Sunday!

Official time: 2:05:37.  My goal was 2:10, and I beat it.  Crossing that finish line was exhilerating.  One of the best experiences I've ever had.

And I'm not stopping there.  I am signed up for the Iron Man 70.3 (that is a Half Iron Man) next summer.  And there's no off-season for that one.  Pre-training already started.  I have more strength to build before then, more endurance to work toward.  I can't get complacent for the winter.  Each day is going to be one step closer to the 70.3 and I am excited.

It's going to be hard, I know that.  I already spent two hours of my morning in a kick-ass spinning class followed by weights.  It was hard.  And that's only the beginning.

But I'm so excited!  Learning my limits and then pushing past them has been amazing!  I want to keep getting better and I can't wait to see how the next nine months goes!