San Diego International Tri - training ride...



Look at my cute husband... and you
wonder why I train so hard...? :-)

Today is eight weeks (and counting) until the San Diego International Triathlon. 
 
So, a few of the Palomar YMCA Tri Club members (my friends) decided to go on a trial run of the bike course...

... and, of course, Jeff was right there riding along with us!

Now that I've seen the course, and I've done the downhill...

I am SO GOING TO REPRESENT THE ATHENAS...

...and stand on that podium!!! 

8 weeks of physical and mental training = a podium finish. 

And I am going to fight to the end of this race...

...after all... look at the cute husband that will be cheering me on...! :-)



Matt (my new inspiration), Briony (HELLO, Director of Fitness for the
Palmoar YMCA... and me... ;-)

Now I've done it...



I SOOOOOO want to look like this...!!!

So we all know I've gone back to work...
... and my hours are crazy long at the moment...

... and fitting in my workouts has been a chore in itself, not to mention eating right or, ummm, taking care of my family... and then there is the sleep issue...

So I took a step today to help me accomplish several of my goals. 

1.  I need to add weight training to my workout schedule.  I HATE weights and have 100% concentrated on running... cycling... swimming... for the past 2 years.  I need someone to push me to the next level of racing, and I know that weight training is a big key!

2.  Getting up at 5AM... take in calories... bathroom... to the gym and sweating by 6AM.  I only have 1 hour in the morning so I have to make every second count.  In the next few weeks, this schedule will back up to 4:30AM, but I am so lacking for sleep at the moment, that 1/2 hour makes a big difference!  I need to be accountable to someone else to get me to the gym right now...

3.  Back to a minimum of 5 workouts a week... actually, I would be happy to get back to a maximum of 5 workouts a week... accountability to someone else is the key...

So, tomorrow, I start a regular twice a week small group (2-3 of us) training group at 6AM... we will be doing TRX, boot camp style training, and weights, mixing it up, but still getting the weight training and cardio that I need... and by paying for 10 weeks in advance, I'm assuring that I will get my butt out of bed because my trainer and fellow "pain-mates" will be waiting for me.  Add to that a swim mate at 6AM on Wednesday or Thursdays and long runs and rides on Saturday and Sunday and I have my 5 workouts... and, hopefully, enough training to keep my weight in check and me prepared for the San Diego International in June and the Cool Breeze Century in August!

No matter what your goals are... and no matter how out of reach they seem... YOU CAN find a way to make it happen.  Make the sacrifice and take the next step toward your goals!

First Dance...

This is an amazing and beautiful story... and so totally worthy of the tissues you will need by the end!  We all remember our first dance... only the two of you on the dance floor, holding each other close, and swaying to your favorite song as all of your family and friends watch the special moment. 

You are going to love this story from a Good Morning America segment...

Make it an amazing day... pull out your first dance song, grab your husband, and dance in the living room.  The kids might think you're crazy, but who cares! ;-)  There is NOTHING more powerful than LOVE!

Still going down... PHOTOS!

What a whirlwind life is at the moment!  Jeff and I are still on the get up, work until you can't keep your eyes open, go home and go to bed schedule with all the changes going on at the office.  And trying to fit in my training has become very difficult.  Friday I am going to start some small group training at 6AM (TRX, WOO HOOO!) that I hope will get me back on track since the San Diego International Triathlon is only 10 weeks away!  But for now... and I'm not sure how... I'm losing weight!!!

195.4 pounds

194.4 pounds

It's 5:30AM... time to get on my bike and get in a good spin before heading back to the office... with my cute husband... I mean, boss! :-)  Have a great day, everyone!

...the color of EASTER!

Happy Easter, 2012...

"May the Lord be with you."

"And with your spirit."

I'm still trying to get used to the change in the English translation of the Catholic Mass...(and I'm trying REALLY hard!) But after 40 days of no soda, meat less Fridays and Anna's first Lent observance, the 40 days preceding Easter were interesting in our house.

Is there anything cuter than
Easter egg coloring... AHHH, memories!

Lovin' the fresh dyed eggs... :-)

Easter morning started with my getting up at the crack of dawn for a 5 mile run... getting dressed... baskets with the kids... church... and the drive up to Orange County for the family event.

I'm not sure who loves their baskets more...
the 7-year old, or the adult kids... ;-)

Jess, Chris and Anna after Mass...

We had a wonderful day at my sister's house... food...drinks... egg hunt... and my favorite, the telling of old family stories... Happy Easter, everyone!

... see the egg in the palm tree...?

Mary, Jess and Me... so Springy...

I love a good 'ole fashion
egg hunt on Easter morning!

... so I went shopping today...

... for something to wear for Easter.

And I was so excited because EVERYTHING in my favorite store was 50% off...

... but THAT was not what made me cry in the fitting room...

... THIS was...

Going from a size 20 to a size 12...

... YEP... that will bring a PROUD (and well deserved) tear to you eye!

I can't wait to show you what I bought to wear for Easter!

Back to work... and losing weight... PHOTOS!

... so, I'm back to work... and (surprise, surprise) I've jumped in with both feet. My job training for the past 6 weeks was tough, but finally moving into and becoming the new 2nd in comand behind Jeff at our office has meant that in the past 16 days, we have had 1 day away from the office, spending an average of 10+ hours a day at work (yes, that includes weekends.)  Our schedule at the moment is get up, work until you can't anymore, dinner, a few quick chores... and bed.  Thank goodness that Jessica is available and doing a great job taking care of/playing with Anna for her 2-week spring break so our poor little bug isn't spending 10+ hours a day at her "new office."

This is a pretty big transition time and fitting in proper eating and training has been very hard... THANKFULLY, Jeff totally understands and supports the work I've already put in and is doing what he can to help me around the house so I can get quick workouts in.  I've started doing my runs on the streets around our house (to cut on the drive time to the gym) and I've started spinning on my road bike in our garage at 5:30AM... again, to save some time.

... no words...
and the last 2 photos are a 1 pound, but 6 month difference...
the numbers might not change, but the body sure can!!!

So...(drumroll please...) I am pleased as punch to say I've finally broken through my plateau... it might be by 1/2 pound, but with everything else going on, I'M THRILLED! To be losing weight with all these challenges... HOLY COW!!! :-) This is really working... but can I keep it up...? Hummmm....

196.0 pounds

195.5 pounds

Best "Back to Work" job EVER... because I get to sleep with the boss...and it's OK!

You KNOW you are not going to get a quick explanation of that post title! If you read my blog, you know I love to write, and this is a pretty great story! Yes... after being a "stay at home mom" for the past 8 years, I am back to work full time. The past 8 years has been full of not only the normal mom duties, but I was very involved in the scrapbook industry... as an internationally published designer and author, I was hired around the state to teach at scrapbook events and represent several manufacturers through design work and personal appearances (me... seriously... how weird is that!?) You can check out some of my work at my other blog, "WOOOOO HOOOOO!"

I've also spent the past 8 years volunteering like crazy at the kids' schools and our local YMCA (usually a minimum of 20 hours a week), blogging, training and "becoming my husband's girlfriend" and working at Anna's elementary school.

What most of you don't know is that before I stayed home, I was a Community Manager for homeowner associations in Orange and San Diego Counties. Although my job locations and titles changed a few times, I specialized in on-site management... accounts where my office was located within the on-site facilities in the community. I mention this because in addition to handling the business of the associations, I had to deal with staffing, recreation, hosting events for up to 500 people and being organized and ready for impromptu visits from homeowners/board members needing documents on the spot (my fault... I always had an open door policy with my clients). My favorite account was Glenwood in Aliso Viejo, my most notable account was as Assistant Manager for the Aliso Viejo Community Association (15,000 units back then), and my most difficult account as a General Manager, Canyon Crest Estates in Mission Viejo.

Jeff and me... in front of Three Phase Electric, San Diego!

And in the 14 years that I was a HOA manager, one of my favorite vendor companies was Three Phase Electric. Not only was it the company that Jeff and fraternity brother Scott (and wife Kim) started almost 25 years ago, they understood the HOA industry and were the only electricians I would use on my accounts.

So... what does this all have to do with "sleeping with the boss!?" Jeff and I always knew that I would have to go back to work, but we did not want to have to put Anna in daycare... and finally, an offer came up that we couldn't turn down. I started training to become the new "Hub" position for Jeff's San Diego Three Phase Electric office about 2 months ago. I was brought in to move the office in a new direction... using my knowledge and understanding of the manager side of the HOA industry, they were confident I could up the level of service to their clients and bring something new to the San Diego market.

"Anna's Office"... still looking for that great bean bag for comfy
TV watching and chapter book reading!

And daycare for Anna... not needed. We have an extra office in our suite that we have converted as "Anna's office" for the days/holidays that we need to have her with us at work.

Now you know why I have been so absent here and why I am thrilled that with the 10+ hour days that we are currently putting in... new eating schedule... new workout/lack of workout schedule... and my weight is still down!  But the best thing is that I get to work with Jeff every day. I have a lot more to say about that topic, but will save that for another post.

Things are going great so far... long hours and lots of days, but it is all good! And oddly enough... interesting results tomorrow for photo day!!! Stay tuned... this journey has just gotten much more interesting!!!