Watch Out It’s Messy In Here

I got a swim in tonight.  I kept putting off going to the Y.  Coming up with excuses not to go.  Almost accepted an invite to meet friends at a movie that I really want to see.  But, then I remembered that I have some accountability this season.  I need to show my good friends at Train-This that they didn't make a mistake with their generous gift.  Sitting home, watching crappy re-runs, and eating pumpkin pie are not going to make me a better triathlete.  My boys were at their fathers, so I really had no excuse not to go jump in the pool.  So, I packed my bag, and off I went.  My biggest problem with swimming on my own is that I never can keep track of what I've done.  Was that 50, or 100?   So usually, I just pick a time limit and swim until the designated time.  Another problem I have is I think too much.  That might be why I lose track.  Tonight's train of thought was, how the heck am I going to do this wit...

I never used to make New Year's Resolutions.  I found them silly.  A waste of time, since few people ever stuck to them.  Then, in 2009 I made a two part resolution.  Part one was to put myself first, to make 2009 the year of Caroline.  Part 2 was to run a 5k by years end.  The two relied on each other.  I needed to make time for myself in order to start running.  And having a goal made sure that I was actually doing something for me for a change.  My boys had always come first.  As did my husband.  I never made plans for myself without first making sure that everyone else was taken care of.  If the husband wanted to go out, I would just stay home.  If there was a birthday party to go to, I would make sure they got to the party.  New clothes, kids come first, I can wear whatever fits.  You get the point.  I needed to start worrying about my own happiness as much as everyone else's.  I needed to remember...

Here is a rambling, post full of unconnected paragraphs: I ran yesterday.  It was freezing, but my no excuses plan had to stay in place.  So I bundled up, laced up, stretched, and headed out for a run.  I had decided to do my short, 2 mile loop.  That way, if I started to hurt, I wouldn't be too far from home to walk back, regardless of where I was in the run.  But the pain never came.  My knee held out the entire time.  My face was frozen solid, but there was no pain.  This is such a relief!  I was so scared that even after over a month of rest, I would be hurting still.  I will ease back into it, but hope to be running every day very soon. My parents got me a head lamp for Christmas.  I'm looking forward to using it soon.  But for now, Bubba has claimed it as his own.  He is blinding me with it on an hourly basis.  Now I'm worried that it might temporarily blind oncoming drivers and make them hit me.  It ha...

Today I will end my "off season."  It has been over a month since I last attempted to run.  I've been swimming several times, but haven't biked at all.  Now that the craziness of the holidays is over, I will not allow myself to have any more excuses.  I don't have an indoor trainer or a treadmill, but the Y has spin bikes and treadmills.  I'm going to search for an online training program, and start following it.  Today will be a simple, short, easy run.  To make sure the pain is really gone from my knee.  Of course it's only 10 degrees out with a windchill below zero.  That will either make me run really fast, or cut my run really short.  Only time will tell! I'm also going to get back on the healthy eating band wagon.  I have a confession.  I've lost over 10 pounds in a little over a week.  I went days without eating a meal.  I had small snacks, but there were several 24 hour periods when I didn't have anything mo...

I am filled with the Christmas Spirit this year.  There are lots of reasons I shouldn't be.  But even more reasons that I should.  I didn't send out cards, and I've only purchased two gifts this year (one for each boy).  But Christmas isn't about things.  It's about people.  It's about God's gift to us.  I have two wonderful sons, who fill my life with joy, and pride, and love.  Who make me realize every day how needed I am.  They are the two greatest gifts I have ever been given. I have wonderful friends.  Friends who know when to call, or write, or stop by.  Friends who make sure I am never alone.  I am healthy.  And so are my boys.  What more could I ask. I have triathlon.  And a race schedule.  Now I need to come up with a training program, so I can set a few PRs this year.  I have hope.  Hope that my future will be happy, and successful.  Merry Christmas my friends.  May ...

My last post was asking for advice on which of two triathlons to register for first, knowing that both will sell out.  I got advice from lots of people, via twitter, comments, and emails.  Of course, the advice was about 50/50 as to which one to take a gamble on.  One comment, however, was the decision making comment.  Not at the moment I read it, but not long after. ironmomma.com said... PS; Can you send me your email? maryeggers@gmail.com...... I have something for you :-) So, curious, I sent Mary my email address.  We exchanged a few pleasant emails, and she let me know something was on it's way.  Just the fact that Mary reads my blog is overwhelming.  I admire Mary greatly, not just as a triathlete but as a person, and a mother.  I read Mary's blog every day.  The first time she commented on my blog I was "star struck".  We've never met.  She is Coach Kelly's coach.  That's how I found her in the first place, by cli...

Two races that I very much want to do open for registration next week. Syracuse Iron Girl opens on December 31st.  Green Lakes Sprint Triathlon opens January 3rd.  Both will sell out.  The question is, which will sell out first.  Or, which one am I more willing to not get in?  I only have the money to register for one with next weeks pay check. How do I decide which one to register for first? Iron Girl was my first ever triathlon.  I loved the event both years I've done it so far.  I have made some wonderful, lifelong friends because of Iron Girl.  Plus, it's only guaranteed to come to Syracuse for three years.   This could be the last year I can do Iron Girl. I've never done Green Lakes.  But I really want to.  It would start my tri season this year (unless I can do Rev3 Quassy).  It's a great course.  And I've wanted to do it for the past two years, but it sold out before I could register both years.  What shoul...