December 31st

New Year's Eve Training

• End of Week 5 Pushups test - still couldn't get past 30. Will repeat Week 5 again to get stronger.
• Upper body workout - did the usual
• Abs - 4X30 crunches
• Core workout - various exercises using my new stability ball.
• I thought about doing other stuff but felt pretty laid back today and just want to chill.

Final installment of my "Year in Review"

I learned a lot this year, but first and foremost, I learned that I still have a lot to learn. Not surprisingly.

Here are just a few of revelations I've had in 2008.

• I can do things I never imagined I'd ever be able to do. I know that's cheesy but it's true, what can I say?

• I can set goals and actually meet them. Finally.

• I need to keep adjusting my goal plan as I learn more about what my body can and cannot do.

• I have to listen to my body sometimes, and ignore it other times, but I haven't quite figured out which is which yet.

• I need to alternate between hard and easy weeks when I'm in the heaviest of my training.

• I don't give up very easily. I keep finding ways to try, try again.

• There is no challenge so great that it cannot be met by breaking things down into smaller steps, and in the case of open water swimming, micro-steps.

• I can swim! OMG, I can actually swim pretty well! (In a lake, over my head, without a wetsuit, even thru weeds - yes I can!)

• I AM an awesome biker (16/113 last summer)!

• I can run pretty fast but if I do, I suffer for weeks after. Running is my biggest challenge and will likely continue to be a challenge over the next few years.

• I am way more competitive than I ever thought. *sheepish grin*

• I am much more interested in doing really well on a sprint triathlon, than "just finishing" a longer tri.

• I still may do longer races but will hold off for at least another year.

• I can wear a bikini again - OK I'm not a 20 year old but I look pretty damn good for my age anyway. July - first time in a bikini in 30 years. (That may have been my biggest achievement of the year, LOL..)


• I feel a WHOLE lot better when I eat a healthy diet - trying to aim towards a quasi-mediterranean diet most of the time.

• I can eat under 2000 calories a day, exercise an hour a day, and STILL not lose weight (argh).

• I still don't drink enough water or get enough sleep.

• I have a tremendous support crew - family and friends (real and virtual), who have supported and encouraged me all the way along this journey. I cannot tell you how many times I did a workout simply because I didn't want to let people down. What an amazing motivator! Thank you all so much - I could not have accomplished so much without you!

• I am a very lucky girl who happens to love life!

Happy New Year everyone!