SWIM, BIKE, RUN

Well after an emotional night... it's time for a moving day!

Early start, breakfast is next, should be at the race site by 5:30 am.

Ummm.... Hmmm....

Just came back from the Team in Training inspiration dinner and I'm having stomach cramps.... I hope it's nerves.

I'll tell you one thing for certain. I'm feeling a lot, I mean A LOT of emotion right now. I keep thinking of all the people who this means so much to, and I keep wishing that completing this Tri could bring Angela's dad back.

It's stormy weather right now, supposed to be nice for the race though.

Time to pack my race bag.

Those of you who make it out to watch me cross the finish line tomorrow. There's a pretty good chance you'll get to see some water works. And by water works, I mean crying. And by crying, I mean... crying.

Confession Time- Day 1 - running

Here I am on day one:

159 pounds
41" around the hips
30" around the waist
37" around the bust
25" around each thigh
16" around each calves
11.75" around each bicep
14" around my neck

I'll spare you the official before picture in bathing suit until the after shot is comlete... in other words race day.

Well... I have successfully lied to everyone and particularly myself it would seem. Convinced I've been eating healthy and that the dryer was shrinking my clothes, I've been avoiding setting foot on a scale for quite a few months. Since June 27th I have gained a total of 15 pounds and I did it at a rate of roughly 2.5 pounds per month. That is assuming I didn't just wake up 15 pounds heavier one morning. That'd be crazy right. You go to sleep a size 6 and wake up a size 12. How do you explain that one to the doctor?!

So I figure... I'll just confess it all. Right here. Right now. I'm gonna purge... figuratively speaking. Here are the things that have contributed to my weight gain.

1. not enough sleep and too much stress - check it out these factors are clinically proven to increase weight gain.
2. I have been snacking non-stop on chips mostly, and other goodies occasionally... all those calories count apparently.
3. I've been eating two of things at breakfast. Two breakfast tacos, two pastries, two eggs, too many...
4. I've been eating bigger meals and haven't worried about the nutritional balance of the meal
5. I've been sitting on my ass convincing my self that walking up and down the stairs from my living room to my bedroom, or walking up a ramp to get to my car at the end of a work day counts as "working out."
6. I'VE BEEN MAKING EXCUSES

Ok... there we go. I feel better. Purging is good... in this sense. I gotta follow it up though. My dad would kill me if I didn't make a list of what I was going to differently (I can just hear him saying "I raised you to take responsibility for your actions.")

So here is what I'm going to do differently

1. obviously the biggest thing on this list is going to be EXERCISE. I'm training for a triathlon for heaven's sake!
2. If I'm having something balanced and healthy like salad and rice and veggies... I'm gonna eat as much as I want. If I'm having a less healthy choice... I'm only allowing myself a little.
   
3. I will keep healthy snax around. I'm a snacker, so I have to be prepared for that. Either plan to have a small yogurt and piece of fruit mid-afternoon, or celery stix and hummus, or maybe just a plain rice cake (yes I like the way they taste)... but no more foods from the vending machine.
   
4. I will commit to cooking at home more, so I can get a good nights sleep!
5. I will not have pastries for breakfast anymore.
6. I WILL BE HONEST WITH MYSELF

There you go! Remember I will be taking donations through May 1st. I really appreciate your support in this endeavor!! So does Angela. This triathlon means a lot to her and her family as you are surely already aware.

I signed up to do what?

My friend Angela and I have decided to train for and complete a triathlon with Team in Training (LLS). Angela's dad has been fighting Leukemia, so we decided to do something to make ourselves better, while trying to support the cause. We'll lose weight, feel great and accomplish an impressive goal, and at the same time we can raise money to try and find a cure for blood cancers. It's a win win!

I'm not gonna lie though, I'm really scared. I tried training for a marathon once, and my knee got really pissed at me. So, yeah... I'm worried that my body won't let me do it. I'm also taking time off from performing to pursue this, so I'm worried that my skills will get dusty while I'm pursuing more athletic interests. I'm also completely freaked about swimming in Lady Bird lake!!

So, to accomplish this goal I'm gonna have to overcome a few personal demons. Wish me luck!

No promises on how often I'll update this blog. My goal is to hit it at least once a week, but we'll see how it goes.

Training begins January 31st, and the race is on May 25th. If you're interested in donating (no pressure... but seriously do it. No really... money please...) you can do that here: Aden's fund raising page