Links of The Week

Links of the week- it seems there are a lot of contests going around this time of year.  I have posted a few below, as well as a few other good things.

• Jen and Liz talk tri again, and this time the podcast is about coaching.  I am a big believer in having a coach if you are training for triathlon.  I originally utilized coaching as a "plan to Ironman."  But over the years, I have found the real value is not in someone helping you with one race or one period of time, but in working with someone for the long term to develop as an athlete.  As always, this podcast has a lot of good information and makes you think.

• In addition, Jen Harrison is Paying It Forward again this year with a chance to win one year of free coaching with her.  This is a great opportunity to work with a great coach, and don't shy away if you are a beginner!

• Free Shipping on Enell Bras through Dec 31 with code FREE14

• And, Enell Ambassador Jill Angie/ Running With Curves is hosting a virtual 5k, of course with a finisher medal and a chance to win an Enell Bra.  This looks like something fun for everyone, and it would also be great to pass along to a beginner who might be intimidated to go to a race or a youngster that would love to run for a medal.  

• Oh!  And one more Enell give away.  Check out Kelly Walker's Blog/Living The Before for a chance to win an Enell Sport Bra.  You guys know how I feel about these bras- still the ONLY bra I will run in.  Try your hand at winning one!  

• And, look what I get to race in for 2015- another knockout by Wattie Ink.  How can I not be excited for my upcoming race season when I get to wear such a beautiful kit?

• Now, I kind of didn't want to post this, because I don't want to decrease my chances of winning. But, let's just say that if you win, you pick me as your friend to get bike #2?  Does that sound fair?  Check out Diamondback Bikes for a chance to win 2 bikes.  Like I said...one to me, please, since I sold my road bike when I got pregnant and don't have a replacement yet!  

• Rappstar's World Bicycle Relief Charity is always good to check out this time of the year if you are looking to be generous and help provide bicycles to those in need.  $134 provides one bicycle to a person in need....and so much more than that in way of food, transportation, and improved quality of life.  

Have a great week!  

17 Months

17 months!  I figure it is only 216 months until she is 18 years old, and time is moving very quickly when you think in those terms.   

So what is my little spreaglet doing these days?  For one, she is talking up a storm.  She probably knows 100 words or more at this point, and I am always amazed at what she actually retains and understands, not just repeats.  She puts together 2-3 word sentences, which blows me away.  "I want xyz." Or, "Throw ball Caya." Or, "Thank you mama."  Or my favorite, "Share mama.  Share (whatever it is that she wants me to give her.)"  She loves to sing, too.  Her favorite is Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and she knows quite a few of the words.  She also makes up words to songs too, which is really funny.  I have a song that I sing to her which goes, "Caya Papaya...Apple Pie-a."  And she sings it as "Caya Cabaya...Apple Caya!"  I know all of this is so boring to everyone that has watched their own kids learn to talk, but it is so exciting to me to be able to communicate to her.  Just the fact that I can tell her what I need her to do and watch her do it is incredible.

Isla spectated her first marathon this past weekend at the St Jude Marathon and absolutely loved it.  She is now constantly saying "go go runners!"  And she literally cried when we left the course, asking for "more runners." 

 Isla offering her bunny to passing runners. 

Spectating is hard work!

Training is really starting to pick up now for me.  I am not doing a ton of hours, but it is getting consistent.  And consistency is the key!!!  For the first time in 17 months, I completed a trainer session while she took a nap this weekend.  She now takes 1 nap, pretty routinely, for about 1 hour or so in the day, so I am able to try my luck at a little bike riding while she sleeps.  This is such as gift, because as a baby, she only slept in 20 minute increments, and I couldn't train while she napped. 

One day Isla even let me finish up a trainer ride when dad had to leave for work.  She entertained herself for the extra 10 minutes by stealing my water bottle. 

 Isla has also discovered my swim equipment.  She put my fins on the other day and walked around saying "quack quack."  It was so funny...and where did she learn that or make it up?  I love it! 

Ah sleep.  So, here is the new night situation.  For one, I am still breastfeeding.  I never thought I would be breastfeeding after 12 months, but I am.  It is worth it.  It is extra work, and no, I don't sleep a whole night.  There are times when I am very ready to wean and have my nights back.  But, I continue to take a big picture view of parenting and remember that this time will go by so quickly and I doubt I will regret any extra time I spent with my kid.  

The good news is that I get her down around 7:30-7:45 every night.  She does wake up sometime in the middle of the night, and I usually end up in bed with her.  If I am trying to swim the next morning, Dave and I play a game of musical beds to make it work. 

So, that is 17 months in a nut shell.  It is wild, fun, crazy, tiring, and amazing.  I am so grateful every day for my time with her, and I think she is an amazing person.    

Blogging

The blog is falling by the wayside not because I am losing interest, but because my bedtime is now 8:00pm.  Sometimes 7:45pm.  I know that I will have to get up at least 1 x a night, if not more, so I go to bed immediately after I get Isla down to maximize my 1st leg of sleep.  Blogging = minutes of precious sleep!  :)

Updates:

I love Enell.  I just had to say that again.  I am so lucky to have a women's specific brand sponsor me in 2015.  The stories of the athletes are so inspiring.  There are so many beginners in the group, and it just reminds me daily of why it is so important to keep your motivation and goals intrinsic in nature.  It is all about comparing yourself to you, and only you.  Thank you, Enell, for having me on your team!  

I ran the Memphis Turkey Trot for the first time ever.  I was glad to see that even splits in the race.  I was also pretty glad to not be stuck at my half marathon pace.  However, I am still just moving at this 7ish something pace for everything that I do, and I will be happy when I finally see some 6s in front of my splits.  For me, getting faster at the short stuff requires speedwork.  It just doesn't magically come to me.  I can go long with no specific training, but I can't go fast.  So, if I want those 6s, speedwork has to happen.

I am starting to plan out 2015.  I am placing some fun runs at the beginning of the year- trail runs and my favorite half marathons- just to give me something fun to get started.  Then, I think April will be go time.  I am already envisioning my races and thinking about goals.   

I am really motivated right now to have some good races next year.  People make mention that mothers become faster, and that maybe childbirth helps with athletics.  Whenever I hear that, I want to gag.  Mom's have wrecked bodies and fatigue that will last a lifetime.  This first year of motherhood, I had a broken rib that took forever to heal, peed on myself constantly, fought insane back pain that still won't go away, and was am tortured with sleep deprivation.   BUT, what is starting to happen now that is different from my former, non-mother self, is my motivation to get the most out of every workout.  If I only get a chance to train once a day, I make the most of it.  Only have 40 minutes to swim?  I make the most of it.  If my plan says x intervals at y pace?  I do exactly that.  I am forced to have even more focus than I did before.  I thought I did this before.  I thought I was focused.  But, I see now, I am able to put a different focus on it.   And, as I am starting to get in more workouts and more routine, my motivation is starting to climb.

And with that, I am off to bed.  Every minute counts these days before I hear, "mama mama mama!"  sometime in the middle of the night.... :)  And I wouldn't trade it for the whole world.