Just Like an Old Friend...

I have resumed my workouts, beginning training for the race season this year. I walked into the gym and the guy at the counter inquired about where I'd been. They noticed? Cool. Ready for warming up, I headed for the stairmaster when my headphones just broke. Bummer, but I wasn't about to let that get in my way.

I had a great workout. It's always busy in January. I saw the old regulars and some new faces. I wonder how long they'll be around? People always start out in January and drop off as the weeks go by. The weights, machines and workout felt routine, like home. I've missed it... I've been working my core at home and running when not at the gym. I've realized that I much prefer running "somewhere" than on the track. The track is rubberized and "safe" for my joints, but it's boring. I realized I spend my time wondering when this interval is up, thinking about how hard I'm breathing, can I stop now, etc. I ran to pick up Sienan from daycare and ran back and loved it. It's rougher surface, but it was much more interesting. I'm definitely going to be mixing it up this year to avoid the burnout I experienced in October. I'm taking the slower, more scenic route this year, and I'm OK with that.

I've been roping in the diet as well. Lots of veggies, really focusing on the veggies. Lean protein and not too many treats (starches, sugars, etc.). I'm looking forward to burning the fat off my body and really shaping it up this year.

The race calendar isn't set in concrete yet, but there are 2 identified thus far:
1. First is the River Cities Sprint Triathlon in Shreveport, LA. I heard about this one in Austin last year and it's supposed to be really fun and has one of the best goodie bags around. I want to do a total of 3 sprint triathlons this year, so the other two will be spaced out with at least a month in between them all and what works in the schedule. If I'm lucky, one of them will be the sprint triathlon on Providenciales, Turks and Caicos in July.
2. Second, I am going to train for the 1/2 marathon at the White Rock Marathon in Dallas in December. I know I will be doing other small races along the way, they just aren't identified yet. I am looking at joining a running group at Luke's Locker that will run 4 or 5 months or so to learn more about running and doing it better.

One interesting tidbit from my past: I heard from my mom that an old acquaintence from Ashworth Golf Company has gotten fit and now does triathlons. Liza, if you're reading this: you go girl! And thanks for being my learning permit "chaperone" when I was learning to drive.