Good things

It's amazing how much appreciation for health one gets after being sick! I am sublimely happy to wake up every morning healthy and energetic. I am so excited about starting training. My running is back on track. I ran 38.5 miles next week split between 5 days: 8, 5, 5, 8 and 12.5. On Saturday I met up with a few friends for an easy 6 miler to which I added some progression miles. FUN!
Winter has made its appearance and it reminded me how much I love running in the snow and cold. I am lucky that the bike-path near my house gets plowed and I have 18 miles to run on no matter the weather. The only problem is when the path is icy, but that is not that often. Running in the snow and cold makes me feel so bad ass, so invincible. The air is fresh and sometimes I am the only one out on the path that is super busy in all other seasons. I often have these moments that everything is perfect as is when I run in the snow! It's mesmerizing.

My body seems to be adjusting to the 5 weekly runs. Granted, I ran fairly slow, but I would say at least 33% of my miles were 7:30-7:50, so that is good. I need to figure out how to incorporate more biking and swimming in my plan. The other day I tried one of Matt Fitzgerald's bike workouts (from Triathlete magazine), where you do 20 sets of 20 sec all out and 10 secs rest, and wow, that was tough! I have a hard time staying on the trainer for more than 30min, but I don't really need more than that at this point. On Sunday I went to the pool first time in 2 weeks. I did not sink!!!! I actually had a great swim. My free style is definitely improving, and I felt so happy in the pool. I had a lane to myself which helps a lot, since it is much easier to follow the blue line, rather than worry about bumping into the person who shares the lane with me. Swimming in a straight line is so hard!

We are having an "open Christmas" here, meaning, we tell each other what we want, and get everything on line. So easy! My husband and I have a $50 budget for each other - I really feel I can buy myself whatever I want, I don't need him or anyone else to get me stuff. I often get so many things that end up becoming clutter. This year I am telling everyone to not get me things! Hopefully it will work!

Three more weeks 'till Miami. Although I love winter, I don't love it as much as sitting at the beach, with my face in the sun and a book in my hand, while the entire extended family drools over my son!