January:
I ride the Casa Grande Century bike ride with my
Team Soul cyclists. The temperature starts at 32 degrees. It is so cold but
worth it. It makes me feel tough. I probably won’t do that one again in 2014 but
will do another GABA Century.
February:
I run my first 50K at Pemberton (click to read race report post). I
meet my friend Rosie in Sedona and run a half marathon with her. I don't PR. However, Rosie and I explore Sedona and we have a great time (link to post). I mountain bike with a team of three other
women in the 24 hour race at the Old Pueblo. My first 24 hour race. I complete two
loops. We are riding again this year and I want to complete four loops.
March:
After trail running at White Tanks in January, (near
Phoenix) I sign up for another trail run in these mountains. After running half
the distance (race course was 13 miles) I fall three times. I am cut and bruised but continue
on. I find out four days later I broke my toe. I am really surprised when the
doctor says the Xrays show the big toe is broken. It hurt but broken - really?! - I cry a lot.
April:
Not much running but I swim. After two weeks of not running, I can run again. I begin serious training for the Triple T in Ohio.
May:
I travel to southern Ohio with my friend Joanne on a
triathlon adventure. Columbus is confusing, Joanne’s plane is delayed, but we
make to the venue on time and have a great race (link to post)
June:
A short trip back to Colorado to get the rest of my
personal things from my condo. It is amazing to feel so winded and have such a dry
mouth the entire time at 8,000. I never felt that living there. Daisy-dog has a
great time off leash and running around. I’m not sure she remembers the place.
July:
Winnie-dog comes into my life and wrecks havoc with my Ironman training, but I just love her. No
more swimming at lunch. Lunch time consists of coming home to give her a crate break. I reconfigure my swimming, biking and running while caring for a puppy and trying to get enough sleep.
August:
One month away from Ironman and my training isn’t
going well. My longest bike ride is 55 miles and my feet and back are killing me.
I buy new biking shoes and they are stiff. I like them but my feet hurt
in a different way - mistake number 3 with my training.
September:
Ironman Wisconsin (link to race report)
October:
Work, Dogs, and my book is published. The first
printing has a lot of typos and errors. The second printing is better. I try to
find a venue for a book launch without success. I’m proud of my book and can’t
wait to talk about it to a group of people.
November:
I finally start biking and running again but not
consistently. I’m frustrated with weight gain and lack of mental clarity. I
watch El Tour this year and will add it to my race calendar for 2014. It is fun to cheer on
the cyclists in the rain, but I rather ride. I hike my first big peak
in the Catalina Mountains Pusch Peak.
December:
I join the YMCA and start swimming again. OMG –
it takes three sessions to feel good in the water. I start trail running again
in Catalina State Park. I’m afraid of the mountain lions that I know are in the
park, but recruit my friend Kassandra to run with me. It’s so fun. I am
mountain biking and road riding again with my friends. I join the Triple Threat Triathlon Team (link to post). It is fun to watch and cheer
on Tucson Marathon runners, but I will do it next year.
This year has had its ups and downs: work, finances,
training, dogs, friends. The one constantly good thing in my life: my family. I
sure do love them.
Life is good. I feel fortunate. I pray a lot. I’m thankful for everything I have.
There is so much I want to do in 2014. I want to train and
race. Take a graduate level writing class. I want to excel in my job. I want to
write and publish. I want to be a better person than I was in 2013.
2014 Life and Athletic Goals:
- PR on the Half Marathon 2:00 or lower
- PR on 70.3 course 5:30
- Hike Mount Lemmon
- Publish 5 articles in Literary journals
- Take a graduate writing class at UofA
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