Down in Mississippi and up to no good...

I'm baaaaaacckkk!!!  After a week long hiatus, I figured I was overdue for an entry.  I just got back from visiting my family in Mississippi for the past week and I have been extremely busy spending time with them.  However, just because I was on vacation, that didn't mean my training was also.  Last week I officially started my training with my triathlon coach.  His workouts are definitely pushing me with intense interval biking and running but intervals are an excellent way to help improve your speed and stamina.  I've mainly been doing biking and running the past week.  The two highlights of my week were when I had the opportunity to go running with my sister and go biking twice with my dad.  I cherish the moments I have to exercise with them because I don't get to do it often.  My dad received new tires for his road bike while I was home so he put them on the bike and then we went out to ride bikes together.  It had been several years since he had ridden his road bike and he was tickled to death with how smooth the ride was on it.  I can't tell you how much it thrilled me to see my dad get so excited about riding his bike again. He loved it so much that we decided to take one last ride yesterday morning before I flew back to Houston.  We went up to the Longleaf Trace in Hattiesburg. The Trace is a 41 mile paved trail that follows an abandoned railroad line.  It's so quiet and peaceful while riding out there and I must say, yesterday's ride was one of the best I've had yet.

The Longleaf Trace

Well, my first of many big days is only a few days away.  My first triathlon is this Sunday morning and I am getting so excited!  It's a sprint length tri (300m swim, 11 mile bike ride, 3 mile run.)  It's at moments like this I say to myself, "This is why I do what I do.  This is why I get up while most people are still sleeping so I can get my training on and bust my bottom so I can be the best that I can be out there on race day."  All of the sweat, tears, pain, and dry heaves become especially worth it on days like this coming Sunday.  I could use all of the encouragement and motivation I can get when I head out Sunday morning :)  I'm nervous, yet excited all at the same time. The thrill, nervousness, and excitement is why I absolutely LOVE trying new things and stepping out of my comfort zone.  I love the saying, "If your dreams don't scare you then they aren't big enough."  Remember, YOU are your only limitation.  Discover your dreams, set a goal to make those dreams happen, and work your you-know-what off to achieve those goals!!!

I'd like to say CONGRATULATIONS to my partner in crime, Ashley, for being selected to be in next year's Chevron Houston Marathon!!!  Whoop! Whoop!  You're totally going to rock that marathon!!

I'm doing my first triathlon Sunday and Ashley's been selected for the Chevron Houston Marathon...we're adding more bricks to our building of Rome!!

Happy training everyone :)