2012 Look back and even more to look forward to in 2013

As the New Year approaches I tend to look back and think back on what I did and what I can't wait to do in the coming year.  There were SO many great things that happened in 2012, but the biggest thing also led me to my number one plan (I don't like resolutions because I nail down things that don't have an end date).  After being chosen to be a ENERGYBits Brand Ambassador, I was able to connect with some pretty amazing people!  One, in particular, was Sloane Pitman.  A bright young, fit freak like myself. After reading her story, I realized we had more in common than just fitness.  We both battle with our relationship with food.

(FYI- THIS IS WHERE I GET A LITTLE MORE SERIOUS..Skip these next paragraphs if you don't like serious talk and feelings..)

Ever since I can remember I've always had a little "extra."  I've never been overweight or anything, but I've never had a flat stomach or felt 100% comfortable in a bikini.  So starting at a young age I would try and run extra or cut back on food.  Other times I would have a bad day or stressful week, so I'd binge and feel like even more crap.  I'd always tell myself that I'm going to stop and just eat healthy, then the "fluff" would definitely come off and I'd look like all the girls in the fitness magazines I read.  Well, strange thing happened...it never really happened.  I'd eat healthy, but then I'd indulge a little around birthdays or holidays, enjoy a cocktail or two, and I'd be right back at it..trying to analyze everything that went into my body, counting every calorie, measuring EVERYTHING.

It wasn't until after I read about Sloane's "freEDom" (freedom from eating disorders or disordered eating) and I was thinking really deeply, this past week, about what I really wanted to change in myself.  The number one thing that coming back was I wanted to eat and feel good, eat a piece of pie at Thanksgiving and not regret it, or have a margarita and not secretly hate myself for it because I knew exactly where it was going.  So this year instead of a weight loss or fitness related goal for 2013, I'm going to NOT diet.  Does this mean I'm going to stuff my face with whatever I want?  No, it just means I will eat what I know my body needs to complete what I demand of it and not worry if I indulge a time or two.  I want to get back to being able to go out with my friends and enjoy myself, instead of stressing so much and staying home to avoid temptation.

Okay..feelings and seriousness is over, so here's my main highlights from 2012 in pictures :)

My first duathlon

My 5th Full Marathon

I started CrossFit

My first Warrior Dash

I lost my best friend

My first vacation since I can remember that didn't involve a race..or any agenda

My first triathlon

My first Ragnar! RagnarGR

My first CrossFit Competition

Sub 25min 5K with my amazing cheerleaders

My boyfriend got to come for the first time to one of my races!  (he was a collegiate baseball player)

Being chosen as an ENERGYBits Ambassador

Being chosen as a Girls Gone Sporty Ambassador

While that's great and all; I CAN'T wait for what fate has in store for me in 2013...Here's a few things I have on my schedule and I'll see what life decides to throw in between..

3rd Half Marathon (February)

2nd Duathlon (April)

GRADUATION (May)

CAMPING post-graduation in Colorado (May)

4th Half Marathon (June)

2nd Triathlon (August)

Ragnar Las Vegas?! (October)

What're your highlights from 2012? What's on your goal list?  Do you have any plans for 2013? 

Gotta Tri

Today I survived AND LOVED my first triathlon in my hometown.  It was an amazing experience that I won't forget and plan to go back for more!  It was not only a very well run race, but everyone was so positive and we were all cheering each other on, especially during the bike ride.

The race started pretty much the day before.  I had to attend a race briefing to learn about the course and rules since it was a USAT sanctioned race with USAT officials attending.  I also had to set up my bike in the transition area before I could go home to relax.

After relaxing and icing sore muscles I decided to try and catch some sleep (it wasn't very successful).  I was up again at about 3:30am because I had to be at the race course at 5am to get chipped and marked up and to finish setting up my transition area before the area closed at 5:45am.  The transition area I keep referring to is pictured above.  It is the area that is blocked off from spectators and it is where the athletes keep all their gear for each of the legs of the race (bike, helmet, towel, bike shorts, run top/shorts, shoes, etc.).  Here's some pictures pre-race!!

Transition all set

The lake right before we got in..a lot prettier than it was when we got in!

Getting body marked

Me right before the swim

Then we lined up at 6am (yes, it was still dark) at the edge of the water according to our swim caps.  I had a pink swim cap since I was in the women's sprint division.  After waiting about 15mins and trying to keep myself warm because it was finally a little chilly in the morning. We walked down the ramp into the water (which was 80 degrees, so it felt like a hot tub!) and took off!  I had practiced in a pool since January, but unfortunately never got the chance to open water swim.  It was eye opening!!  Water constantly in your mouth, having to avoid people's flailing feet, and getting used to not being able to see anything whenever I put my face under the water.  I had practiced a freestyle stroke and also practiced a little side stroke and breath stroke in case I got super tired.  Well after about 5 feet I took to the breath stroke.  It was much harder, but it kept me calmer because during the freestyle I kept running into people and was panicking every time my mouth because filled with nasty lake water.  I tried to keep my mind off the fact that I had .5 swim in front of me, so I just counted strokes.  I would do 10 breath, 10 left side, 10 right side, and it actually went pretty smooth and quick from there.  It took me about 25min to get through the water.  

Next, I ran out of the water and back into the transition area to get ready for my 12.4 mile bike ride.  It was going to be hilly, but they got the course closed (the streets were not open to drivers).  It was a rough route with all the hills, but I am so glad I had been training on the hills around my house because, man did that pay off today!  I was on my little Walmart mountain bike, but I could tell how much stronger I had gotten because I would fly by other people on mountain bikes, especially on the hills. 

Transition #1: swim to bike

Hoping on my bike!

After getting back from the bike ride; I hopped off and ran through the transition and off to my last leg (and what I was most looking forward to), the run.  It was just a 5K, but it was on an unpaved trail, which was great for my knees, but was a little rough on my ankles since I haven't gotten to train on unpaved trails in a while.  It was awesome though and my favorite part!!

Transition #2: bike to run

FINISH

Overall, it took me 1:57:32..I'm not sure if that is good or not, but I'm just so excited I finished!!  I was even more excited that I didn't need help from any of the staff in kayaks during the swim..I did it all by myself :)  

Days like these (where I push myself to limits I didn't think I could pass) make all those months and bad days of training worth it.  It was worth all soreness, training injuries, EVERYTHING.  Will I be signing up for another...you bet!!  Unfortunately, it probably won't be until next spring because the season is winding down since it gets harder due to water temperatures.  

I don't have any races on my calendar for the rest of this year (crazy to think that since I haven't had a time of year I haven't been training since my freshman year of college..maybe??) so I am going to focus on my strength and speed.  I want to be conditioned enough to be able to run a 10K whenever I want, so I will keep at least one longer run a week.  I will also keep up with the running and swimming because the cross training has kept me injury free better than anything else.  I'm also going to work extra hard at CrossFit.  I am LOVING that as well.  I love the feeling of getting stronger!!  

Since my workouts will not be so cardio focused my nutrition will also be adjusted.  I'll move to more protein and fat and less carbs.  I'll keep updates on how that is going, but now I will finish and leave with some finishing pictures!!

My best cheerleader!   She comes to all my races.

The night before the race: apparently they didn't get that we were trying to relax!