Full Steam Ahead!!!

Life is freaking busy!  With a new project at work, my schedule is just as intense as it always is this time of year.  I'm not sure why I kid myself and ever think that "this year will be different".  It's never different!  I'm not complaining....don't get me wrong.  I love my job and love that I get to do new things.  It's just tough when you're training for an Ironman.  Getting it all in is really, really hard.  

Training is going pretty darn well given the hours I'm working and the minimal amount of sleep I'm getting.  I feel like I'm ramping up faster than I did 2 years ago when I last trained for this distance.  This past weekend, Keith & I had a 60 mile ride and this coming weekend, we'll be tackling 70.  I am so freaking excited.  I really love my time on the bike.  Riding with Keith is still awesome too.  We're getting so good at helping each other out by taking turns pulling (although I think he always makes me pull up the hills).  :)

Here are some pictures from our most recent 60 miler.  We had a great, great ride.  The route was pretty hilly but super fun.  We'll be doing most of this route for our 70 miler too.  When Keith learned we were going 70, he wondered if Ana was trying to kill him.  :)  Well technically, she's not giving him workouts...he's just tagging along to keep me company.  Love my man!

Ironman is just over 3 months away.  Which means Galveston 70.3 is just under 2 months away.  Oh sweet holy Mary. I am very excited, yes but also a bit nervous.  I know I'm stronger than ever and I know I'll be ready. When you race these distances, I don't think you ever go into completely at ease.  I mean, anything can happen (oh how I learned that lesson a time or two). 

I've already started visualizing my IMTX race.  Yep, I'm that anal.  Seriously though, with my new assignment at work, I find myself with a longer commute since I get to go to the Galleria area every day.  What else is there to do when you find yourself in traffic for 2 hrs?  I turn on Eminem and visualize my race...every leg.  I picture myself getting out of the water and smiling b/c I'm SO happy the swim is done.  Then I picture myself having a kick ass bike.  I'm strong, steady & smart.  Then I picture myself running just like I did in the Houston Half (ok, I probably won't run that well on race day but a girl can imagine).  When I finish, my time is always in the 13hr range.  Yes, another dream.  LOL.  

So there you have it.  IMTX training is here and before I know it, I'm going to be packing my gear bags and bursting into tears when I have to check my bike in.  I am SO ready for this!

Happy Hump Day!!!!

Our chariots.  Have I mentioned I love my bike?

3 layers on top = not too cold.  Enjoying the day!

View of Johnson Rd from the rest stop.  I just liked how the sun was coming through.

Leaving Dacus, heading towards Richards.  I stared in this direction for a bit, thinking about IMTX.  :)

My man is enjoying the day too.  :)