Change...Part Two

Last week I said I had decided to make a major change.

Well the "change" went well.

Very well so far.

This coming week, the change will get even BIGGER.

All the plans are made, it's all in writing and it.looks.good. (not to sound braggish)

I am seeing things a bit clearer, a bit brighter, a bit, well, better.

I sat down today and went over the last week and had a huge sigh of ---

Of---

Relief?

Nah, not really relief - more like focus, if that makes sense.

Although I am not ready to COMPLETELY unveil the change, let me just say,

things are lookin' up!

Run safe, run happy!

-d

Two Announcements! (sound the horn, drum roll please!)

I have two things to share tonight! 

One that I have been stuck on for a few weeks, racking my brain...

Another one that was really easy...

Some of you may know that I recent retired Trina the Triple Allez (my Specialized Road Bike) 

when my hubs surprised me with a new bike! (see her below)

She's a-ma-zing...perfect I might dare say, BUT she has been nameless...sigh...

I chose not to just go with the first thing that came to mind just because, well, because she deserved a good name. A cool name. A name worthy of my "HCB" behind riding her for miles and endless miles. 

So, when momof3 offered to post on FaceBook for help with a name, I accepted.

Well, we have a WINNER! I cannot get it out of my head...

So, let me introduce my new bike - "Technicolor Blue"!

And a big and happy thank you to JFG for the name! <3

On to number two:

I know this amazing girl, perhaps you know her to?

She's pretty GBA, no lie. Yep,that's her, momof3, with me after a bike ride on our new bikes.

I think she's pretty awesome. Ask anyone.

Super supportive, dedicated and all around, well, Galatically Bad Ass.

I decided to give her a present and I figured I would share...

Welcome to the "Dark Side" G!

Anyone that works this hard totally has to be in a kick-ass event on their BIRTHDAY!

So, mark your calendars girls and boys and come out and cheer on G in the:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, G!

Are you ready to rock?

Yea, I pretty much think you are!

Run safe, run happy,

-d

Change.

Today I made a major decision - "choice" is a better word - for change.
For me.
Too soon to share the details but I am EXCITED.
It's going to be tough.
It's going to be challenging.
More to come...

Run safe, run happy.
-d

I'mmmm Baaaaaaaaaaaccckk! Quite A Big Bite!

Well, yes, I am back...
I going to attempt to share and blog on a regular basis. (Insert shocked looked here)
I decided after my "big step" today that adding blogging back to my routine would be the cherry on top of the proverbial sundae.
Today I laid out my race calendar for 2011 AND let me just say, I.am.going.to.be.busy!
I am fortunate enough to be a "sponsored athlete" again this season...thanks to the awesome Dr. G I will again be sporting about in my Active Chiropractic kit all over the state...
I kinda don't get it...why he would sponsor me.
I am NOT an Elite. I am NOT even a ranked athlete, but he told me today, after he registered me for my sponsored races, "You embody everything that is wonderful in the endurance world and races are much better with your passion and energy present." 
Compliment, yes. Am I lucky, yes.
I just told him that at least he will get some killer advertising since I am out on the course so long. :-)
Anyhoo, I hope you hang out some on my page and maybe, in the words of momof3 (one of my fav bloggers) show me some love and leave me some comments and spread the word.
So, for tonight, I will leave it at that.
I am back.

Run safe, run happy,
-d

Three Things Thursday - Support!

Well, I had some many things to tell so it was tough to pick just 3!
So I will tell you about 3 important things to me and some of their recent developments.

SUPPORTing my HUSBAND- Within the last few weeks my husband has started a new routine. After about 3 months off from working out, he decided he wasn't happy. When he was combat-wounded in the Marine Corps, he was in the best shape of his life. 165 pounds, 4% body fat, if you know him (right now he is hanging onto 140 with dear life) back then, he was, well, a rock.
So he decided that cardio workouts weren't what he needed. We made him an appointment with the YMCA to be setup on their new ActiveTrax system, where he would warm up with cardio and then do weights, with the goal of adding some bulk back to his frame.
So, now, as I get up at 4am daily, I brew his coffee, prep his protein shakes, pack his lunch and wake him up before I head out. I am a morning person and he...well...ISN'T. I want to make this process as easy for him as possible. We are in the middle of week 3 and he's going strong. He takes one weekday am off and makes it up on Saturday. I am so proud of him and I want to support his goals as much as he has supported all of mine.

Being SUPPORTed by FRIENDS- I am so fortunate for my friends. I have made some major changes in my workout routines and running lately and having their support has meant the world to me. I don't know if they know how much sanity and peace they bring me, but I am thankful for each and every minute I spend with them. They make me stronger, they keep me honest and they are all in my heart. Some of them I see and/or talk to every day, others I do not get the time with that I would like...but let me say this - they know who they are, and I am thankful for each and every one of them.

SUPPORTing of myself - It's tough. I am my own worst critic. I expect the best of myself. Lately I have seen so many things so much clearer. I have seen my value, my goals and my spirit. I have realized that I am worthy of the good things in my life and that I need not waste time on the bad and the negative. Sometimes "cleaning" out the closets, so to speak, is difficult to start but immensely cleansing once it's done. I have decided to stop struggling over the worries I cannot control and focus that energy on positives and the future. It's been an amazing wake up call.

Run safe, run happy.
-d

Wordless Wednesday! (ok, ALMOST wordless...)

Pictures from ACAC Napier Sprint Tri 10-10-10

Look at me! I told Dr. G (my sponsor) I "look" fast! Whoo hoo!

Total action shot turned pose and poster model for AC!

Run safe, run happy!

-d

Sometimes Crying is a Good Thing....

I knew Saturday morning was going to be a challenge.
I had some demons to deal with and I would be dealing with them on a 20 mile run...alone...
Not "alone" because I was with 300+ other people, but alone.
I was running on Saturday instead of Sunday; I didn't have my usual running partners; and I was worried.
I have had some issues with this distance, I wasn't confident and frankly I felt this was a make or break run for me.
I went out not intending to run anything other than a pace where I was comfortable...
4 miles in and I was the front of the pack for the Novice running route.
When the Intermediates stayed straight on Grove and Novice's route turned on Maple, I was all alone.
Not. Another. Runner. In. Sight.
I had one pass me while running thru U of R, but that didn't matter.
I was smiling, I felt GREAT!
I rounded the ramp onto Riverside Drive, blew thru the SAG and soaked in some beautiful scenery.
Here I am around mile 9...

I was in my "zone" and I felt amazing.
12, 14, and 16 came easy and I knew - I knew I was doing well.
The Lee Bridge wasn't even bad, and that is a great sign.
As I glided thru Monroe Park I had a suspicion about was what happening...but I decided to wait to look.
As I turned the corner onto Boulevard for the final mile, all I could do was smile.
I hit the Sportsbackers Hill and started to slow down BUT I quickly served up a few choice curse words and hit it.
As I rolled into the stadium, a Plum coach approached me to ask if I was okay...
WTH?
Apparently I was crying...
Yep...
Then I tried to answer and couldn't speak - except in one word sentences - it went like this...
"Most - Prefect - Run - Ever..."
Yep, 20 miles...3 hours 5 minutes...PR and euphoric moment!!!
I did it. I ran in a pocket all alone, I ran well, I succeeded.
Worth every second!

Run safe, run happy!
-d