mini milestone

I kind of surprised myself today.

I ran 4.5 miles!

I don't know how, it just happened. I'm ecstatic.

Can I tell you something...? I wasn't even tired. I mean, my legs hurt. But I wasn't gasping for air. Who knew?

Yay me!

it's official

I am now a registered participant in the Reeds Lake Triathlon! No backing out now!

I can't wait to put all of my training to the test.

So, let me share one very disturbing facet of the whole training process. I have not lost one pound! Not a one! What the?

And I'm working my butt off. Oh, how I miss my 20 year old metabolism, or whatever. Seriously, if that damn scale doesn't move, I'm gonna lose it.

can i get an advil?

Today was indeed a tuffy. Swam 18 laps in the pool - which is a wee bit over my half-mile race distance (wee). Followed by a three mile run. My calves hurt.

Now my "coach" - a true Ironman himself - has suggested I gear up further. Apparently I now need Aero Bars for my bike. I have no idea what they run, but I'm guessing they're not cheap. My little personal challenge is becoming slightly pricey! I better be sure to finish the race!

in training

Sorry I have been absent as of late. I've been just slightly consumed with a new goal I set for myself once my birthday hit. Milestones tend to do that to you, don't they? Anyway, I have decided to partake in a triathlon in September - and have been training for the last month+!!!

I am nervous and excited all at the same time. The course is considered a "sprint" of sorts - half-mile swim, 17.2 mile bike, and 4.9 mile run. Although certain elements of the race are a bit daunting, I know now that physically, I can do it. The race is September 12, so the next few weeks are critical!

I rode my bike for 20 or so miles today, but I'm not sure if I can count it. It was on a flat trail, and really, not that hard. Oh, and I stopped for lunch halfway through. So no, I guess that doesn't count - which means tomorrow is going to be a killer!

wanted

A good Pad Thai recipe. Anyone?

goal setting

What are your goals? Do you write them down? Are you like me - write them down, and then neglect to check in on them?

Today I am recommitting to getting my act together! I will identify five goals that are important to me, get specific, make them personal, and most importantly, write them down. The big 4-0 is fast approaching, and I want to be sure that this next decade is spectacular!

Here are the categories I will choose from:

• social
• financial
• family
• physical
• mental
• spiritual
• career

It has been said that a goal is a dream with a deadline. So, time to get to work.

wash your face!

Consider this a PSA.

Removing your makeup at night is a must! This regime is important because when we sleep with our makeup on, the damage that is inflicted to our skin is equivalent to aging 7 DAYS.

When we sleep, our skin naturally heals itself from the stresses of the day. Clean skin that is prepped for healing excretes oil, and new cells develop. This process forces old skin cells to die and sit on the surface of the skin. If our skin is not prepped properly for sleep, all of yesterday's makeup and pollutants are added to the dead skin cells. As the pores open up, all of the debris on top of the skin is now deposited deep into our pores. We wake up to start a fresh, new day - but yesterday's skin cells are trapped in our pores. Just waiting to create lovely little blackheads and whiteheads.

Now, are you really too tired to wash your face at night?!

Thanks to professional makeup artist Krista Embry for sharing this little gem of wisdom!