Well…. It has been 6 weeks and each week I thought about updating this, but was either too tired or out training and so here I am finally back…….

Last time I was on here I was about to celebrate a birthday and June was about to come to an end – I had a fun time out to dinner with friends and then woke up a year older, likely with another wrinkle and more grey hair, but young enough to take on the Loveland Lake to Lake Triathlon in Colorado as a training day that morning when I woke up (oh boy have times changed when this is now a training day)

Had a great day in Loveland – ran a better pace on my run than normal and finished overall in 02:48:56, I will never be the best, but when I get better than ‘myself’ from the day before, I am happy!!! There are days I am still shocked that at 30 years old (a long time ago.. haha) I could barely swim (okay I sucked let’s be real) and didn’t run a mile without some level of pain or whining. Today I am only proving to myself that you don’t have to be 20 or even very in shape to do this, you just have to put your mind to it and believe in yourself. There are still days I need to keep my mind in check, but it IS DOABLE!!

JULY 2012  -  A new month – one of chaffing & a new found love of Aquaphor!!

Well July was a trying month – did my longest training days ever in my life.. had several weekends of 6-7 hour work out days and LOTS of chaffing, which normally you don’t even know until you get into the shower, the water hits it & you scream like a baby!! I also managed to keep my butt on a bike for 100.16 miles one day too (oh yes I counted that .16 – ha). This was something that I have never done (came VERY close a few years ago and only once, but this one took the cake)… yes my ass hurt big time when done and I preferred standing, however that was even a challenge with my sore legs, but NO CHAFFING – thank you Aquaphor!!! One week in July I did almost 18 hours of training and with work and life that week I thought ‘what the hell did I sign up for’ – but I kept moving forward, which is what I also hope to do on race day – NEVER GIVE UP was in my mind and HTFU (let’s be real) and thoughts of those I admire most that aren’t healthy enough to get out there with me and therefore I am blessed to do in their honor!!

On July 29^th (the day after I rode that 100 miles) I went with friends and teammates and did the Rocky Mountain Triathlon in Silverthorne. Swimming at 9000ft. elevation was definitely an eye opener…I couldn’t breathe and boy was I slow, got through the bike, not so fast, legs were tired from the day before, but then on the run, I was SHOCKED.. had my fastest run to date and did it at altitude, I thank the cooler temps for sure!! Fun weekend but exhausting!!!!

The entire month of July proved to be trying and I wondered a lot of times if I could do this, but I am still here & sharing this with you and hope to make everyone proud in 22 days when I make it through the hardest day of my life both physically & mentally!!!

OH WAIT --- before I leave July - I met Craig Alexander (IronMan WORLD Champion) AND won a new pair of Newtons from him that night (well he said my name & hearing it with that accent was a great win in itself)

RACE MONTH HAS ARRIVED – HOLY SHIT J

11 months ago I registered for IronMan Canada, which will take place on August 26^th 2012 – I paced for an hour before hitting submit on my computer, I might have gotten sick and my nerves were shot and that was simply registering. I have had my struggles over the 11 months with life, school, work, traveling internationally which interfered with training and simply believing in myself. There were days I wanted to just give up, but I didn’t. June was truly the FIRST full month of training (due to so much work travel) where the IM was the focus and if I didn’t have a coach who was also one of my greatest friends & believes in me & support of others, I may have walked away thinking that wasn’t enough! Well here I am, so close and about to start tapering until race day. So I am as ready as I am going to be.

I may not be fast, I may not be the visual athlete people may think, but if I believe in myself and keep moving forward, I am DETERMINED to get to that finish line before midnight (which is the 17 hour cutoff) – Keep your fingers & toes crossed and positive thoughts that day!!!! I have decided not to give myself a time and be disappointed if I don’t hit it. This is huge to even attempt for me, and if I can swim the 2.4 miles that morning, follow it with 112 miles on the bike and then jump off and run a full marathon, all I care about is crossing the finish line and not giving up without any pressure of time.. as long as I actually get a time (which means being done by midnight)

Tomorrow I will take a short mental break & go watch my precious goddaughter and her amazing sister compete in IronKids in Boulder, CO in the 3-5year old age group.. ADORABLE.. I am going to make them signs and go support them – I can’t wait!!!!

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS………………(okay who the hell am I kidding it started in August of last year) but now reality hit me and this shit is getting close J