Lots of exciting changes in 2012!

Look like John and I are going to be more involved in our tri club next year. Actually a LOT more involved. More on that to come, but suffice it to say I have been working very hard over the holidays! So far just a few of the main things I have been helping with are the 2012 training schedules, lining up club sponsorships, and putting together a more formalized race team. All very exciting stuff! I’ve been trying to do as much as possible before ‘real’ work starts and I only have nights and weekends to work on things.

Other exciting projects- John and I have done a lot of scheming, and meeting, and dreaming about other exciting projects. These aren’t quite ready for the blog yet, but it’s always important to have big dreams and goals that may or may not pan out.

Individual coaching- I am going to start doing individual coaching more next year. Although I have done a lot of personal training, general fitness training, wellness coaching, and even individual run coaching, this will be the first time I am making the shift to individual triathlon coaching. I am ready. I have actually been a certified coach with USAT for almost two years now. When I first took my certification class, I was really just beginning to learn what I needed to know. Since then I have learned so much more, and as the saying goes, the more you learn the more you realize you have to learn. I am excited to continue this process of learning, and applying what I have learned so far in 2012.

Giving back- for a while now I have been informally involved with helping out animals as I come across them. I have a true heart for animals and 100 percent believe that his eye is on the sparrow I always believed that when I found the ‘right’ place to help in a more formal position, I would just know, and that’s how I feel about this cause. I felt like I couldn’t NOT help and I guess that’s how you know.

People have a heart for for all different things, that’s what makes the world go round. Helping animals is my true passion. All that said, my dog, Sadie is taking the lead on this one. She will be raising money for the barking village foundation rescue. You can read more about it here.

All I will say is that she is a dog with a BIG dream.. to raise 5000 dollars by may 5 to help them build a new adoption center. In fact, if anyone reading this (mom) has ideas to help me figure out how to raise money, I am all ears. So far I have been talking ot all my friends and family but I don’t want to be the person who constantly badgers others for money! (That being said, won’t you donate, please? Just 10-20 dollars makes a difference!)

Why is my sister getting all the attention? Look how cute I am!

Training and racing- This is a triathlon training blog after all, so 4 out of (the) 5 people reading this are likely mega-bored! Next year I will still be training under Meredith at Purplepatch. I really enjoyed working with this group last year and had big improvements to show. Coach believes I will make some big gains in swimming and cycling and I am holding her to that!

My big races are New Orleans 70.3, Ironman St. George, possibly Augusta 70.3, and Kona. I have BIG goals for these races that will get more specific as they get closer and I get a better idea of what is possible.

I actually have a bunch of ‘fun’ races coming up and the first one is this weekend at the Disney half in Florida. I am ‘really’ out of shape after my nice long rest, so this is not a PR race. I am all about ‘races are for racing’ nearly without exception. BUT if you are in no shape to race, have no shot at a PR, and have a big training week after your ‘d’ priority race, that is The exception to my rule! Therefore my main goal is to have fun with our family and friends that are also participating, not hurt myself, and be ready to hit it hard again for Monday!

I also have some big goals and additional responsibilities for my ‘real’ job next year, so we’ll have to see how that unfolds.

My goals as far as day to day are

– Not getting so stressed about time and efficiency. This is the way I’ve been my entire life and so it’s not going to be easy to change. I’ll have to settle for more of a management of this. I get stressed out about getting everything in and set myself lots of deadlines, real and artificial to make sure I’m on track. For sure it’s a good strategy if you tend to be a big procrastinator, but if you are constantly doing that for everything in life.. ie I have to start my bike workout by 6 pm.. even if you technically have till six am the next morning to get it done, it can start to suck the fun out of life (and other’s lives) really really quickly.

– Being more patient in general- this is closely related to the time thing. It is sometimes a shock to me to realize that not everyone is on the same time schedule as I am. Example- the light turns green and someone takes ten friggin’ seconds to get going! Or, say if John and I plan to leave at ten till eight and actually leave at 8:05. I need to get over it and be more gracious and considerate and patient. Note to self: get a xanax prescription 😉

– Pay attention to the little things as far as recovery and training. I’m not one to get all militant about eating perfectly or going to bed at 9 0’clock. However, there are definitely a Few things I could work on that would probably help me recovery better, and consequently be able to train more consistently, which will lead to being faster! 

– Getting more involved in our church- we have started checking out a new church in Atlanta that I am really excited about. I loved our old church but it was so huge and crowded that it was easy to get lost in the shuffle, not really get involved, or develop any real relationships. This other church that we have attended a few times is smaller, MUCH smaller so I am hoping we can be involved in numerous ways as a result.

– Make more of a difference in my friends’ lives. If someone tells me they need help, I am all ears and will do what I can (or at least I like think of myself that way!) BUT, in day to day, when I come across people that do need help, I doubt I even notice it or them half the time. That’s just honesty right there. I am always thinking about 10 million different things and I know I overlook a lot in the process. Lord help me with That one!!

Looking at this list is rather daunting, so I’d better get on it!