Adventures of Iron Girl

Back From a Break

I am sorry I have been MIA for a while...there's been so much going on! My Granddaddy Harkness passed away on July 31st. As I mentioned in my last post, I had just been to see him a week earlier for his 96th birthday, and he didn't look good. While his passing wasn't a shock to our family, it was still very emotional for all of us, especially my Dad. His service was awesome, a real celebration of his life! My Dad asked me to speak on his behalf. I don't know why I thought that I'd be able to keep it together, even for a second! Yes, I was a blubbering mess, but at least I spoke from the heart and was able to give a little bit of my family's perspective on his life. It was really cool to hear some of the stories from people who knew him differently than I did. Overall, the service went really well. It was hard for all of us to lose the patriarch of our family, but I am so glad that he's no longer suffering!

After the funeral, I had to come back to my house for work for a couple of days. It was my first week off orientation and everything went really well! That Saturday we had a baby shower for my friend Nicky. She is pregnant with her second girl, Annabelle Grace. The shower was a good time with friends and a great way to celebrate the coming bundle of joy. Some people think that you shouldn't have another shower for the second baby and so on, but I think that is silly. I am just as excited about this new little one, as I was for the first, and I want to make sure Nick knows that!

As for my training, I have been doing pretty well, besides taking last week off due to an insane work schedule. My knees are feeling so much better and I am so thankful for that! I think they are better just because I have continued to exercise, but am trying not to do anything too strenuous. I also started taking Glucosamine and Chondriotin on the recommendation of my cousin (thanks Dave!). This week I started adding in the running with the walking and so far so good. I'm finally getting my heart rate up to where it needs to be. And, surprisingly, the running didn't ACTUALLY kill me! Keep in mind I'm taking it slow...that means 27 minutes of walking and 3 minutes of running. I'll amp it up next week. My mini goal is to be able to run StrongLegs in November (it's a 5K that benefits Children's). Keep sending the positive and encouraging thoughts my way...I need all the help I can get.

I am still so motivated and feeling great! While there have been some minor setbacks lately, I keep pushing on. That is one area that I have failed at miserably in the past...I let one little thing, whether it be failing on my diet plan, rain, or just plain being tired, knock me off track. But, I am dealing with that so much healthier now, and not letting those little things keep me from what I'm after. Even better, I've lost 4 lbs. since I last weighed myself! Wahoo! Although I have a long way to go, I think things are finally moving in the right direction!

Slowly but Surely

I am well into week 2 now, and feeling much better. I raided DeKalb Farmer's Market last weekend and am fully stocked with good for me food. I've really been trying to improve my eating habits with tons of fruits and veggies, but, my digestive tract is not thanking me yet. I felt a little lighter, so decided to weigh myself at work. I had gained 4 pounds! I couldn't believe it, but I'm trying to not let it get me down.

I moved to the night shift this week and have been really tired. Luckily, I did my walking on Monday, because I was exhausted this week with my body still trying to adjust to the new schedule. So far I'm really liking night shift at Scottish Rite. The staff is a lot more laid back than day shift, and they seem more interested in getting to know me. Only 1 (or possibly 2) week of orientation left! I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. My night shift preceptor is awesome! She's been a nurse forever, and has some of the best stories. She's kind of like the "mama duck" of the night shift.

I walked again on Friday and it was by far the best day I've had, as far as my knees are concerned. Maybe it's because the pups were at the groomers and weren't there to pull me around. Without them I was able to go faster, improving my time and my heart rate. However,

I am between a rock and a hard place now. I feel like I get more accomplished when they don't walk with me. But they really need the exercise, too. Especially Georgia. So I guess I'll just have to see how it goes. As I get further along, I may have to leave them at home, or drop them off half way. On Monday, Georgia kept stopping anytime we got to a patch of grass, and laid down. She is so crazy!

Speaking of Georgia...I have a dog trainer coming to the house on Monday to address some of her behavior problems. I don't want to jinx her, but she's done a much better job with going potty in the house the last couple of weeks. I've started putting a puppy pad right by the door to help bridge the gap between the house and outside. She has about an 80% success rate with the pads, which is astonishing.

Friday was my Granddaddy's 96th birthday! I went to see him at the nursing home. He is looking very different these days...very frail. He hardly opened his eyes the whole time I was there and was struggling just to eat pudding. I feel like he doesn't have much longer as he is bed ridden now. At least I know he has had a long, fulfilled life. I will always have good memories of him!

Looking forward to the rest of the weekend...back to work on Sunday!

Exciting New Endeavor!

Those of you that have seen me recently know that I am very overweight. I'm not ready to divulge the actual poundage at this point, but it is the heaviest I've ever been. It has been within the last year that I have put back on all the weight I lost in 2007, plus some. I can't really pinpoint it to anything specific, but there are a few things that stick out. Another bad break-up, being unsatisfied in my job, almost daily headaches, and just being over all unhappy.

Although going to Texas rejuvenated me emotionally, I am now physically bogged down with this weight. My body has never felt so bad. I feel like an 80 year old woman with all the aches and pains that come along with old age. Now that I am mentally ready to live my life to the fullest, my body is holding me back. The urge to get myself in shape has never been so strong. And, the most awesome part, is that I want to do it for ME. So that I can continue to feel great and live a long, healthy, happy life. So...

I have decided to train for a triathlon!

I know, I know....what am I thinking? If you're anything like my mother, you're probably saying to yourself (or out loud and to my face) "don't you have to be in shape to do that?"! The answer is yes, and that is exactly why I am setting my goal for 11 months from now.

Why a triathlon, you ask? Well, I have a few friends that completed their first triathlon over the past few months. Hearing them talk about what an awesome experience it was really inspired me. I can't imagine how great it must feel to complete something that physically grueling. I also feel like I need to set the bar really high for myself, something that I will have to work very hard to achieve.

My goal is to compete in and finish the Iron Girl Women's Triathlon in June of next year. It will most likely be a 1/3 mile swim, 18 mile bike, and 3 mile run. Since I am "newbie", I don't feel like it is realistic to set any sort of time goal.

I do have a swimming back ground, but am totally new to running and biking. I'm probably the clumsiest person I know, so this should be quite hilarious. Against the advice of some of the resources I have searched, I am starting with running. With lack of a gym membership, I am using my neighborhood as my treadmill. I am using an online resource that gives a 16 week training schedule called "Couch to 5K" (very appropriate for me because that is literally what I'm starting from). I am on week one, and so far, so good. The only problem I'm having is that my knees are really bothering me (I think mainly because of the extra weight). I am trying not to push it too much, but I am really motivated and ready to get out there and do it.

I think the best thing for me to do is pace myself, take it slow, and see how my body reacts to the change. I know I will need all the advice and encouragement I can get! I'll keep my blog updated as to how it's going. Feel free to drop me a line anytime!