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Updates!

WOW - it's been a while since I blogged. I suppose when I'm not devoting my life to Ironman training I don't feel the need to vent on here!

2017 has been a great year so far! I've stuck to my goal of running one race a month. Although I can't say that I've overcome my fear of racing, I've been meeting some awesome trail runners through the NW trail run series, so enjoying that at the very least and running in some new places! Isaac and I joined the Washington Athletic Club - best pool in the city, no doubt. Also, incredible amenities and community - we have really enjoyed spending time at the SAME gym together, which we haven't been able to do since 2010.

A couple months ago I started thinking more about my long term racing goals. What kind of triathlete/runner do I want to be? Someone who just survives the endurance races - or someone who gets faster every year? I'm not saying I anticipate I'll start winning races like Isaac does, but someone who's PR's and is always improving. I want to be faster, more competitive (if you didn't know that I'm pretty competitive, then you must not know me...) One of the easiest ways to do that in triathlon besides really pushing your intervals - is to drop weight. I've started counting macros, monitoring my diet pretty closely, and I'm already starting to lean out and drop lbs. I feel awesome, I can see my muscles starting to pop, and I'm loving it. My mile time on normal runs is starting to drop, because the fewer pounds you're carrying around, the easier it is for your legs to run all over the place! I've been regularly going to a bootcamp at Seattle Movement Project right by my work (Xplore Crossfit formerly) and they've really helped me make strength gains, which isn't hurting either! I've always loved bootcamp type classes - but I SO love this gym. I've somehow tricked half of my work friends to go there too... it's been fun to share some workout camaraderie, and not always be working out by myself. On top of counting macros and working out all the time, I've started doing more and more research on what my ideal competitive weight is and body comp to race efficiently but also effectively for endurance racing. I've been reading "Racing Weight" which is going to help - I'll keep you posted on what I learn!

I also got LASIK a month ago. I wish I could say it was AMAZING, but I'm one of those people that is unfortunately going to have to get it done again soon. Apparently I have underperforming eyes or something... go figure. So likely having it done again on June 16th, at which point I'm hoping to finally see 20/20 or better without contacts or glasses! Since surgery, I see kind of double at mid distance and can't really see faces or read at a distance. A little frustrating. But, it could be worse. I can see WAY better than I could before surgery. I'm not wearing contacts or glasses and I'm getting around, so that's a massive improvement!

I think that about sums it up. Running, bootcamping, biking, practicing yoga, counting macros.... my life in 2017. Shaping up to be a great year so far!

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