The first weekend of many more firsts to come!

First, let me start this post w/ a picture of my friends Lynn & Misty. I promised them they would make my blog and so now they have! ;)

Holy training Batman! Coach G gave us all the heads up the last 12 weeks of training would be the most critical but would also be full of firsts. She wasn't kidding!!! To spare you a little boredom, I'll just cut to the chase. I posted my first 16 mile run, swam my first long staple workout of 30x100's (ouch) and topped it off today with 86 miles on the bike followed by a 30min run (at a 10:43/mile pace which yes, is respectable for me)! As I sit here at nearly 6pm on Sunday night, I can't help but feel extremely proud of the work I've been putting in and the progress I'm making. I still have 10 weeks until Ironman and A LOT of work to still do but each week I see myself getting stronger and feel the confidence building. Now, this confidence isn't building to the point where I'm saying I'm going to finish in 14hrs but it's building in a way that makes ME believe I will do this. I am my own worst critic and it's so easy to find something wrong with each workout and feel it's not good enough compared to others but that's when I have to check myself before I wreck myself (hahahaha, I couldn't resist). It doesn't matter who I can & can't keep up with. All that matters is that each week, I build on the week before and prove to myself I'm improving. What a great, great feeling!

I haven't weighed myself b/c honestly, I try not to do that as the scale is just another tool the devil likes to use. :) My jeans are fitting different though, as are my work slacks. I made my sister grab my butt the other day too b/c it was feeling good. Hey, she's lucky I didn't drop my sweats and make her look at it (as I've been known to do). I'm getting a lot more definition in my arms and I'm noticing my legs are toning up more. I'll never be skinny minny and that's fine by me but I must admit I am enjoying the perks of training like a crazy woman. The best perk of all though is that I just feel strong & I love that feeling!

Well, that's about all I have to report on the training front. Keith's daughter, Heather, is due next week and we've all been anxiously awaiting the arrival of Baby B (we don't know the gender yet)! Heather & her hubby Mike have just purchased their first home and have been busy trying to get it ready for Baby B. Crazy kids!! They moved from Arizona to Chicago, bought a house and are waiting to pop out their first kid...all inside about a month! I don't think they could've put more "life events" in such a short period if they tried! Keith & I are super excited for them though and can't wait to meet Baby B and see their new home. Congrats guys!!!!!

With that, I'm off to finish relaxing. Sophie & Leia are acting like they biked 86 miles today as Sophie has already put herself to bed (in my bed) and Leia is laying at my feet snoozing.

Before I forget, a week from today will be my longest ride before IMTX AND my first century (100 mile) ride! I am beyond excited for this ride and will spend the week resting and watching my nutrition so I can have the best possible ride!