Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and such

Wow...what a holiday season. Things have been relatively quiet around here lately, and it's been really nice. I usually get really stressed out around Christmas because I never can get it just like I want it. You know, where I'm off work, the house is clean, the Christmas music is playing in the background, I'm playing games with the kids...and I guess the meals just magically get cooked or something...I don't know. But I tried to let all that go this year, and somehow everything just fell into place. I got a few days off of work, I got to two rooms completely cleaned out, I played some Christmas music in the background, and I cooked when I could and didn't when I couldn't. I ran when I could and didn't when I didn't want to. I got a nice 2 hour bike ride in the other day. I haven't done enough swimming. But I think I've done enough resting. Oh, and I ran 16 miles in 2 hrs 17 minutes the other day. I've played lots of Guitar Hero III and Dance, Dance Revolution, too. I've helped mix colors and make crystals in a Chemistry set. We've spent some good times with family, and some more good times with just each other. Life is certainly good. More pics to come later.




I signed up for the Gulf Coast 1/2 Iron Triathlon (in May) and finally for the Rock N Roll Marathon in AZ which is less than 2 weeks away. I've looked at several different half iron plans, and finally decided on the 20 week plan from BeginnerTriathlete.com. I'm not really following that plan very carefully right now, and I don't plan to until after I finish RNR Arizona on Jan 13th.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel a little strange right now about the new year. I don't feel a good, solid end to 2007 and a new beginning for 2008 like I had planned. I had planned on sub4'ing in Huntsville on Dec 8th, then kicking back and enjoying the holidays, and starting anew today, Jan 1st. By demanding a marathon rematch, though, I haven't really been able to just kick back. I have definitely slowed down, but I wouldn't call it "kicking back". Two rest days in a row, though, has not been something unheard of for me, lately. Anyways...

I expect big things for 2008. We're gonna start her off with RNR AZ on Jan 13th, where I'm gonna have a rockin' good time with Trimama, TriDummy, IronJenny, and all the rest of the bloggers heading out there. I'm gonna allow for some recovery time, maybe run the Country Music 1/2 mary, and hit the BT half-iron plan hard, leading up to the Gulf Coast Triathlon. Then I'll do my very favorite triathlon, the Mach Tenn Triathlon . After that, I'm not sure what I'm going to do before going full-swing into IMFL training. I might do another sprint, but I might not. I have never done even a half iron, so I'm leaving my options open and will go with how I feel mentally and physically. Most of our summer time is spent at the ballpark, so I'll have to wait and see how that goes, too. I expect Ironman training to be as much of a challenge of time management as of physical endurance. That's fine. I intend to rise to the occasion.

Anyways, I have lots of pics to post later, but I just want to say a few things to you guys who read this blog -

Thanks for sticking with me in 2007. Thanks for your support, your encouragement, and your wisdom and advice. Thanks for your friendship. Your comments and your emails inspire me to press on and step out into the unknown. And to be brave. And here's to an even bolder, braver, and exciting 2008! Say it w'me now - Bring. It. On.

11 comments:

Joe said...

Lana, you are flexing well...sounds pretty awesome to me what you've done and are doing!!

Great pix...and did my baseball-loving heart good to see your hubby in a Cubs shirt!!

Bo is awesome on his bike!!!

Have a great '08!

Tri-Dummy said...

That was a great video!

Looking forward to RNR!

You're gonna have an awesome 2008!!!!

Taconite Boy said...

Good to get to know you through your blog this year.

Have a rocking good time with Trimama!

Steve Stenzel said...

OOooooo.... Guitar Hero and DDR. What a great way to spend some time!

Happy 2008!

Runner Susan said...

Happy new year to you Lana!

streak said...

Happy new year to you and your family! Have a great year with accomplishing your goals.

Lance Notstrong said...

All that's really important is playing games with the kids :-)

jahowie said...

I'm new to your blog. It looks like you had a very nice holiday. :-)

:) said...

Happy New Year! Great photos....

David said...

Isn't it funny how sometimes when we don't try, things fall into place. Glad you had a good Christmas.

Thanks you to you too, for your friendship and support. 2008 will be a super year!

Rae said...

Happy 2008!!! We have DDR for our Xbox (old school, not 360) and it's so much fun. Good cross training, right??