Time to make a change

It's the end of 2011- time to refocus on next year and set goals to work on. I am not a big believer in new years resolutions but I do believe in changes. This year we are removing all processed foods from our home and no more sodas.

This year is about making changes and do more for me. Focus on just me and the goals I want to accomplish. I am still planning on doing the triathlon this year and my focus will be on being fit and healthy this year. Happy New Year!

Kona

Today is the Ironman championships in Kona. I remember as a kid I would watch it on TV wondering what pushed these athletes that hard, to do what they are doing. And here I am thirtysome years later wanting to be one of them.

Good luck to everyone competing & maybe some day I will get to race with you....someday.

1st Ride

Took the new bike out for it's first ride this weekend. Only went about 10 miles but it was a nice ride. Really went uphill on the way home but this bike must have some better gears because I was really able to slide up each one without much of a problem.

Few times I was able to get into the aerobars to see how they fit but it wasn't the right type of ride for that.

Felt good..just have to keep getting in the saddle. The plan is that I will keep riding until the snow hits then I will take the bike indoors and put it on the trainer. Can you imagine doing all 3 events back to back? yikes!

Picked up a new ride

Turns out the repair is more than my old bike is worth so I replaced it! I pick it up tomorrow with my aerobars on & pedals switched out!!

Just a little tune up

So I figured I should bring my road bike in for a tune up, mainly because it has not been ridden in a while, has some bad tires and really just needs to be checked out. Now remember this is my "for now" bike until I get a few tri's under my belt and can invest in something nicer this will have to do.
So they check it over and tell me that I need new brakes, 2 new tires, tune up, new chain, new cassette, and a new bike computer. I also added aero bars as well because I am testing this out so I will be losing my nice 2 breaks up top but gaining a more comfortable position on the bike.

For now my total is $495. YIKES! Of course I quickly started thinking of how much that new Triathlon bike I really want is, if I should just invest in that instead...but I will get the tune up and still give it a go.

This spring I will need to actually have the new chain and cassette but I should be able to make it through the winter on my trainer now.

Sheesh and I thought it would be just a little tune up..

A family that tri's together...

Oh my I have a new reason for wanting to get going on some triathlons, my brother just emailed me and said that when he gets back to the States he wants to do one together. See this is a special thing for me, my brother is a Marine and is currently deployed.

Motivation just jumped up!

Yesterday I did about an eight mile bike ride, but because my road bike was not quite up to snuff I had to use a mountain bike. YUCK! I need to get my bike fixed asap...I think this weekend I will be on a mission!

What do I need??

Okay so part of the puzzle is what do I need for this activity. Remember I am just starting in some sprint triathlons not doing the IM just yet.

Obvious needs: Bike, swim gear, running gear

• I have a bike, Giant OCR3 actually - I am going to try to look at installing some aerobars & getting another good tune up. I haven't been on the bike in a while so this winter will be able getting the trainer set up and putting some more miles on it. Its logged about 2500 miles so plenty to go.
• I have fallen in love with my new Nike LunerGlide+ 3. So full of cushion and bouncy. These have become my overall go-to shoe these days.
• Swim gear has me stumped. I have goggles, not a huge investment or anything but I have been told that in sprint triathlons you don't change from swim to bike to run. What?! I am told that I need to trade in my trusty super padded bike shorts for some thinly padded tri shorts. Now only that, I swim in them and hop right on the bike in them and run. Um okay. Then I also found out that I need to have either a swim suit (hell no) or some kind of top that I can also do all the events in. Hmm..I will have to do some research on this.
• Run, I got that covered, just need to learn how to run without music.

I found a cute list of So you want to be a triathlete? check it out here

Another great inspirational video, check out the 2 older folks at the end, AWESOME!

It takes a lot of courage or a little bit of crazy to do something new- but sometimes you find that you are not alone. There are many just like you, not willing to give up & ready to keep pushing for the next mile.

I want to be an Ironman

There is an old saying that states the journey of a thousand miles begins with just a step. I am ready to begin my step, to start on my own iron journey. Or as the best spectator t-shirt I have seen yet said from Fat ass to bad ass. So here I will chronicle these steps - my journey from triathlete nobody to Ironman..it's an Iron Journey.

"Anything is possible, but you have to believe and you have to fight"

I am lucky enough to live in a city that I have the most inspirational even held each year - Ironman WI. Every year I run down to the lake with my coffee and watch these athletes work for hours and hours, pouring everything they have into this event. A few years ago I said- I want to do that. No, I want to BE and Ironman. Now as anyone can tell you it's just not that simple. One does not wake up one morning and do the Ironman. There is this thing called training, and preparation. So that is what I am going to do. Over the next who-knows-how-long-this-will-take amount of time I am going to share my ups and down, my  insightful thoughts, and hopefully my journey to my own Ironman completion.

Here is the video for IM WI last year - I will share the video from this year, SO inspirational, once they put it up!
"A person fails to reach their potential when they fail to pay the price"

Better to aspire to Greatness and fail, than to not challenge one's self at all, and succeed