What's my cookie?

You know how some people need the promise of a reward - like a cookie - to do something that they don't *really* want to do? Well I need to find my cookie. I have always been highly motivated by sticker charts, little toy surprises and even cookies, but given that the goal is weight loss and fitness, perhaps cookies are not the best way to go.

I do plan on putting together a training chart and then getting some pretty colored stars or stickers to affix to it every time I complete that workout. Yes, it's juvenile but it makes me happy. I also, however, need a prize. Sure the ultimate prize will be a skinner, rock hard body, BUT I need something a bit more tangible.

At this moment, my intermediate goal is to get under 150lbs. That will represent an approximately 15lb loss from where I've been the last year or so and get me closer to the realm of my 140-143lb pre-Gremlin weight. Once I get below the 150lb mark I will reward myself with a spa day! I love me some spa treatments but I haven't allowed myself the indulgence since long before Gremlin came. I think this will be a great motivator and a great prize. I'm hoping to be there by the end of July.

As for longer term goals, I want to be at my pre-Gremlin weight by my birthday which is in early September. I would love nothing more than to get some new skinnier clothes and a birthday is just the time for sure things.

In regards to fitness, I am going to train for an October sprint triathlon. I had *really* wanted to get back into multisport this season but apathy and lack of motivation got in the way. When I saw that there was a race about 90 minutes away and 13 weeks down the road, I knew I had to commit. I'm working on my training plan now and will start it next week. It's going to be more of a challenge to get all my workout in with the Gremlin but I'm thinking that I've got my bike trainer and the jogging stroller so that just leaves the swims. I know I can do it .... don't you agree??

Let's Get Ready to Race!!!

It finally occurred to me that if I'm going to actually DO a triathlon this year, it will require my getting on a bike and jumping in a pool. In the past, I found the best way to motivate myself is to find a goal race, make a plan and then do my best to stick to it (or in general to not deviate so far as to injure myself!!)

I did actually go for a run yesterday .... though I do use the term "run" loosely. Even though I was ridiculously slow, I need to remind myself how quickly I can get back in shape if I just put forth the effort. I really do enjoy running, but nothing has been as fun and challenging for me as triathlon. I also think it keeps me in better shape because it forces me to cross train and get outside of the box.


With that in mind, I was looking at some tentative plans for races. I have already promised my old college roomie Liz that I would do a women's tri in the Chicago area with her this summer. We're thinking either the Danskin Chicagoland (which was the goal race that started my quest way back in 2006) or the Suburu Women's Tri Series in Naperville. Both are large women's only events and based on my experience at Danskin and reading the forums and race reports on Beginner Triathlete, it sounds like the Naperville race is better organized. I have to say I really like doing women's only races, there's just a vibe that makes it so rewarding.


So for 2008, here are some potential things on the tri list ...


Tri Little Rock Super Sprint 6/1
Suburu Women's Tri Naperville, IL June
or
Danskin Chicago 7/13
Iron Girl Texas Sprint Tri, Dallas 7/20
Degray Lake Sprint, Arkadelphia, AR 8/17

As for running events, I'm already committed to the Little Rock half-marathon on
3/2. ... Yes, I had registered for the marathon but there's no way in hell I'll be in shape to safely complete the full. Don't give me grief!!

I'd also like to do a trail race sometime this year - there's a 20K not too far away from here on 3/16, but that time frame may not work with Little Rock, my wedding etc. I'm sure I could find some sort of race - maybe in the fall??

So my goals for this week?

1. Run THREE times
2. Put my bike on the trainer and ride it ONCE (you gotta start somewhere)
3. Visit the two public pools convenient to work and join one
4. Visit a gym and look into joining. I need to STRENGTH train!

I'll update you on my progress on Monday

Tweaking the Race Calendar

I've been very fortunate as to have no problems with my knee since my visit to my "psychic" massage therapist so it's time to seriously figure out what my upcoming race goals are gonna be. As my faithful readers know, I had originally planned the St Louis Half Marathon in mid-April, but decided to cancel in lieu of potentially injuring myself. Given that I had done really well in my training, it's time to find an upcoming half to challenge myself!!

The winner is the Colorado Colfax Marathon/Half-Marathon on May 20th. It sounds pretty boring and brutal given it's a straight shot down Colfax from downtown Denver to the Colorado Mills Mall in Lakewood, but it's the only race that works with my schedule. I would have LOVED to do the Steamboat Half but it's full, and the other two I wanted to do (Colorado Marathon/Half in Ft Collins, and Mickelson Trail Half in South Dakota) are both on weekends that I work.

I did a 10 mile long run yesterday to prove to myself that I'm in half mary shape, I'm still pretty slow but I'm hoping to at least do a 2:45. Of course I don't know how acclimated I'll be by then, so I think I'll just have to accept whatever I get as far as time.

Beyond that, it's time to start TRI TRAINING!! I've only been outdoors on the bike once and I loved it so I don't understand why it's so hard for me to get out there. My apartment is going to be right on the Cherry Creek Trail so I'm hoping the fact that I can just go out my front door and not worry about traffic will induce me to ride. There's a Y pretty close to my place that I'm planning on joining for the summer so I have a place to swim. I WILL get in the pool my first week in Denver if it kills me!! My first race that's planned is the Danskin Sprint Tri July 15th and though I won't be in optimal shape with 8 weeks training ... I don't think I'll embarrass myself.