Holidays 2010

It has been a fantastic holiday season here in Colorado. It was our first Christmas in our new house and as an old married couple. I can't believe it's already January 1st! Where did 2010 go?

Christmas was a quiet one here at home. I must have been a good girl this year because I got one heck of a surprise on Christmas morning:

It was a HUGE surprise and I have to say that I'm not sure how I 've lived without one (or an iPhone) for so long! I LOVE IT! The kids were good as well and were blessed with some treats in their stockings! This bone was actually Lucy's but Peanut didn't get off this dog bed the entire day claiming it for himself. I'd like to see him actually try to eat it.

Later in the day our good friends Jill & Matt and their 2 furry kids came to spend the day with us! While most people have a full house with kids running around hyped up on sugar we get our brood of dogs together run and play in the yard. I wouldn't have it any other way. One day we'll add some real kiddos to that mix!

The day after Christmas I had a late flight into San Antonio to celebrate my dad's retirement. It was a small affair with some of their closest friends and family. More on that in the next blog post! It was a quick trip home, just 2 days, but it's always good to be back in Texas and get my fill of Mexican food. On Monday I ate breakfast tacos in the morning, met the family for lunch at a mexican joint, and my dad's party was a Mexican buffet downtown! Yum Yum!

New Years was quiet. The weather turned nasty on the 30th and dumped about 8 inches on the ground. It was in the single digits and the roads were icy. We had no interest in getting out on the roads so we stayed in and enjoyed each others company. I don't need much to be happy. A quiet night at home with my best friend makes me a happy girl! New Years Eve day we ventured out to the annual Boulder Beer Mile. I tried to talk Kevin into racing but he couldn't be convinced. With temps hovering around 9 degrees it was bad enough standing on the sidelines just watching the crazies strip down to speedos and sports bras to run a mile on the track while chugging a beer each lap. If you can believe it, the winner still ran a 6:37 mile. Welcome to Boulder folks!

Happy New Year! May it be your best year yet!

2011 Goals

Coach asked us to share our goals so I thought, why not share them with the world-the more accountability the better:

Goals:
1) Qualify for Kona again
2) Win an ironman (age group)
3) Improve my running and Run a 3:30 marathon in March AND in Canada, qualifying for Boston
4) Defend 1st place AG in Boulder 70.3, win series again
5) Podium at all my races (except maybe olympics bc I suck at that distance)
6)) Keep a job that still allows me to balance training/racing
8) Stay healthy and injury free
9) Don't drink too much vino on nights before a long run
10) Don't get knocked up before I accomplish these goals :)

9 and 10 might go hand in hand!

I'll keep you posted on whether or not I accomplish them this coming year!

2011 Race Plans

I've finally settled on a race schedule for 2011 and I am so excited about it. I'm feeling super motivated. My foot isn't bothering me even with all the running I've been doing. And I'm already fitter than I was this time last year! The biggest change for next year is that we've (Kevin & I) decided to take the plunge and try a coach this year. I have this love/hate relationship with coaches and I really believe it's an art & science and not many coaches pull both off well. I really feel like too many coaches just give templates and don't take the time to really understand each individual athlete and what makes them tick. I've never wanted to spend the money on a coach and have continued to improve on my own the past few years so never felt the need. However, I've got one or two more years/seasons until we want to start a family and I want to make the most of it. I'm also aging up this year to 30-34 and I might be facing a bit tougher competition, maybe? I'm pretty confident I would improve again this year doing it my own but I want to improve faster and I know that with a bit more help on my bike and run I will! Yes, I'm impatient!

I've never spent the money on a power meter for my bike but coach wants me to have one so I started asking around to buy a used one. Come to find out a friend of mine who hasn't been able to ride in 2+ years decided he wanted his to go to someone who would use it and he just GAVE it to me! My lucky week! The money I just saved on that device alone made me a little less resistant to spend the money on coaching.

I'm really excited about working with Brandon. He and I get along really well and seem to have very similar methodologies and opinions on training. I wanted someone who would work with me rather than just dictate to me what to do. I think it's going to be an excellent partnership. I have some ambitious goals, I think we're on the right track.

Here is what we've settled on. There might be a few others thrown in but for the most part this is it!

2011
March 6 - Napa Valley Marathon

May 15-Disney 70.3

May 31 -Bolder Boulder 10k

June 19 -Boulder Sprint

June 26 - Buffalo Springs 70.3

July 10 - Boulder Peak Olympic

Aug 7 - Boulder 70.3

Aug 28- Ironman Canada

Sept 11- 70.3 World Championship (TBD)

Oct 8- Ironman World Championship (#1 goal this year)