2013.

2013 was a year of learning. It was a year of many firsts such as my first half Ironman, first half marathon and first time climbing major hills on a bike. As a "back to middle of the packer" athlete, this was my year to try things out and to see what I can do differently in the years to come.

Lessons from 2013:

Climbing up to 10,000+ feet on a bike is exactly as HARD as it sounds and don't let anybody tell you otherwise. My ride this past May worked me. It humbled me. It also had me in tears and laughing all at the same time, or perhaps that was the lack of oxygen to my brain?

Take the time (away from races and training) to spend quality time reconnecting with your spouse. I admit P and I can get so caught up in our training that often times our romantic date nights all get put on the back burner. It's a constant juggle to figure out who can train in the morning while one watches the kids and who can train in the afternoon while the other does. And before you know it you are pooped and the day is over. While our Jamaica week away together was pure bliss it's not something we can do yearly. Next year I hope we can continue to spend more quality time together whether it's a short little trip away with the help of grandparents or a day of mountain biking together while the kids are in school.

Sometimes I act like a middle-schooler and should probably grow up. I've been in the tri industry a few years now and there are still a few things that make me crack up like a pre-teen: when athletes use the word "fartlek", someone wearing an aero helmet and the outline of a butt in wet white tri shorts. But come on...how can you not laugh at that?

Embrace that nauseous feeling you get just before a race. You know the one where you have to visit the port-a-potty 50xs before the gun goes off to start? It's those butterflies and stomach acid all churning inside. But you know what? It just means you care about what you are about to do! The feeling subsides and before you know it you'll be wishing for that feeling again. Don't believe me? Ask any runner or triathlete.

Try new things even if it freaks you out. Mountain biking was something that always freaked me out in the past and I have been reluctant to do it for fear of getting really hurt. However living in the mountains surrounded by fabulous biking trails has finally rubbed off on me. This past summer I got a mountain bike and am loving learning to ride it. It's just recently connected P and I a little more (see above). He's so passionate about the sport and it's been great having him show me the ropes and all the trails to explore. It's also been a true test to our relationship as he has to be patient with me, I'm a slow and cautious learner. But he's been great and I am really excited to do the Whiskey Off Road next year with him.

I need to have a little more faith in myself. I tend to beat myself up really hard on the inside. I over-analyze things and can really be a Debbie Downer to myself. I need to stop feeling like I am going to fail just before every race. Sure it could happen but so what, I tried and that's what matters. I need to stop putting myself down and comparing myself to others. I also do this when it comes to my kids. There are times when I feel like the biggest "Mom Failure" out there and wonder what my kids must think of me. But I have to go back to that moment a few weeks ago when my son was asked, "what he was most grateful for in 2013?" His answer: "my Mom."

As we head into 2014 I am excited to continue with my triathlon training. I am also eager to start mentoring a "newbie" to triathlons. Although I am sure she should be mentoring me when it comes to running. She's fast, really fast.

It will be an honor to represent these three amazing companies in 2014: Nuun, Headsweats and Coeur Sports. 

And I look forward to continue teaching my indoor cycling classes at PUSH. Every week it's been a blast putting together playlists and rides to entertain my students with. 

So rock on 2014!

Retro toys.

Toys that I played with as a child are making a comeback. My son received Lite Brite for Christmas.

Me: "Hey I had this as a kid except it didn't run on batteries. You had to plug it in."

D: "Really? They had plugs back then?"

Me: "Yes son we had electricity back then."

How old does he think I am?

Merry Christmas

Coeur Sports

Have you heard of Coeur Sports? No...well it's a new line of triathlon clothes for women that are so very stylish but even better though, is a company that gives back to an amazing foundation. Keep reading to find out which one.

So guess who will be a part of the Coeur Team next year? 

Take a look at this page and tell me if you recognize any names?

Coeur Sports Ambassadors

Their tri gear is amazing and it is with a huge honor that I get to wear it next year!

Here is a little more about Coeur (from their website):

 "Coeur is French for heart & the root of the word courage. And that’s what we put into our collections and our sport. As an athlete, you know that athletic performance is about so much more than genetic talent. Its also about heart. Heart is about digging deep and being mentally tough. Heart is what gets you to the finish line when all the body wants to do is lay down.  Heart is at the center of the community and the friendships you find in sport. Heart is what makes you give back to the community that has given you so much. the  Everything we do at Coeur - from our designs to how we play a role in our community - should reflect our values and how we aim to conduct ourselves. This is one of driving factors that led us to our decision to give 1% of each of our sales to the Challenged Athletes Foundation."

As you can see I am very excited about this opportunity to represent this new brand! And another thing I am enjoying is getting to know all my teammates. The coolest part is that we are a team and the brand is all bonding us together. I can't wait to see my fellow sisters out there on the course and cheer them on!

Climbing, ice, snow-It wasn't my idea.

Today P and I had some extra time to ourselves so we decided it would be a great day to hit some trails on the mountain bike. We started out with a 5 mile climb to the top of Copper Basin. We hit some ice and snow but it wasn't that bad (at first). We got to the top and turned off to head down on the single track portion. This was supposed to be the fun part.

What we didn't realize was how much snow was still at the top on the North facing side! It was rough with lots of ice and snow and had you slipping and sliding all over the place. And if it wasn't ice or snow it was mud that slowed you way down. We made it partially down the mountain but had to look for a way to bail out into paved roads as we were coming up on steep drop-offs that were most likely covered with ice. We were able to bail out early and ended up in some residential neighborhoods of Prescott. I knew we were far from our truck but I was so happy to see asphalt at that point, it didn't matter!

Spin Class with Holiday Tunes.

Today I taught a Holiday Spin class. I was nervous at first because I wasn't sure if I could pull-off 50 minutes of Spinning entirely to Christmas music. But I did, I survived and got some great feedback from it too! It was so much fun creating a ride profile to these awesome tunes. And just these are not your average Christmas carols, they are different. Here's the list because it would also work as a great Holiday party playlist:

Do They Know It's Christmas.....DJ Moonraker

Underneath The Tree.....Kelly Clarkson

A Great Big Sled....The Killers

Oi To The World....No Doubt

Jingle Bell Rock....Blake Shelton

Sleigh Ride.....DJ Kee

Christmas/Sarajevo....Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Nutrocker....Trans-Siberian Orchestra

All My Bells Are. Ringing...Lenka

12 Days of Christmas....Relient K

Winter...Tori Amos

I Want You For Christmas....Cheap Trick

Let It Snow, Let It Snow....Jessica Simpson

Christmastime....Smashing Pumpkins

Christmas Lights....Coldplay

Hands....Jewel

And if anyone wants the ride profile, leave me a comment and I can post for you. 

Is it the most wonderful time of the year?

My triathlon season has wrapped up and right now I wish I could say I am finding the time to get things done. But with the holidays, school events and two birthdays in two months it's just not happening. Why didn't I space my children out a little better?

Oh well at least I am not in peak training mode right now. It's been nice to focus on more strength training at the gym as well. I am also still teaching my Spin classes and with the weather getting colder classes are really filling up. I still get nervous every week when I teach, not sure if that will ever go away. But I will say it has been a blast so far! 

Silverman 70.3 training will start in the spring. I hope to shave off about 50 minutes of my time from last year. It seems like a lot but I think I can do it. It's going to take a lot of effort but it's not completely out if the question. 

The giveaway I just held on this blog was exciting and I plan to have more for my readers in 2014! Thanks to all who entered and thanks to the fabulous sponsors who contributed. 

That's all because really that's all I can handle, but I hope to see you in the New Year.

But for now I'll leave you with this photo. The kids have been wonderful the last few weeks, decorating and getting ready for Christmas. It is magical witnessing the joy Christmas brings to their faces. Or perhaps it's all just a ploy to get more presents...