New Challenges

I have to share with you how challenging it has been for me to know that the Arnold Fitness International is coming up in about a month and to not be competing there. To be honest, I had BIG plans for that show. Top 3 kind of plans - OK, so top 2 plans really, but that was one of those private goals you hesitate to share in case it doesn't happen ... Since my knee injury and subsequent surgery 10 weeks ago, I have made huge strides and am happy to report that I am right about 80% on that leg. My workouts are strong and I feel really, really good. While I am still not approved for jumping and running yet, I am lifting heavy and doing cardio. One thing I have come to know about myself is that I function much better when I have a solid goal - a time line if you will.

The other thing I have come to accept is that I am EXTREMELY competitive. Ok, so this is not news. To any guy that has lifted next to me in the gym, I am sorry, but yes, I do try to lift heavier than you. If I am on the stepper, you can bet I am trying to go harder than anyone in the room. And in an aerobics class...well, you get the point. Is this a flaw? Maybe. It is me, yes! I have this deep desire to be, not just good, but the BEST I can possibly be. I have cutely described it to my son in the past that, "Mom really likes challenges". I love it when someone tells me that I cannot do something and then I prove them wrong. Or better yet... a GIRL can't do it :lol:

So, where does this leave a woman who has been told she cannot do her sport of choice for a few more months. Oh sure, I could let me body rest more, I could actually get my house really, really clean. Or maybe I could take up something 'soft and soothing' - I have thought about yoga and belly dancing several times - even done a few classes and while I enjoyed them, I just didn't see how I could 'beat' anyone there. Then I had an epiphany. Rick was doing a very cool photo shoot with a woman from Dayton that is a Triathlete. She is going for a sponsorship and truly loves her sport. Hmmm....swimming, biking and running. That sounds hard....

Which leads me back to my original point of this post. I am ready for a new challenge - even if it is just to hold me over until I can be flipping again. I am going to do a Triathlon. And when I say 'a', more than likely this will be come a 'thing' for me.... Went out today and bought a one piece bathing suit. Funny, but I have not worn a one piece (sans a rhinestoned one) since I was 12. Anyhow, I also did something for the first time today. I swam 1/2 mile. On paper that sounds pretty easy... Seriously how hard can 1/2 mile be. Well, it took me 30 mins of swimming and a whole lot of gasping for air. 32 laps took longer than I realized.

All of my life I have been a 'sprint' athlete. Diving, cheerleading, gymnastics... all things that you go as hard as you can for right about 2 mins - tops. And more often it is one big burst of power - over in less than 2 seconds. I can lift more than most boys. But ask me to run a mile and well, that could take some time. So, this is COMPLETELY out of my element. Not to mention that technically I have not been 'approved' for running yet with my knee. Hopefully in the next month....

Yesterday I started my 'training'.
- 5 miles of biking
- 1/2 mile of really fast walking
- 1 full body weight training circuit (I fully intend to keep lifting through this)

Today
1/2 mile swimming
Ab workout

The caveat is that I have no intention of looking like an endurance athlete. Not that there is anything wrong with that, I just like the lean, feminine muscle look instead of the skinny fat long distance runner look. So, I have a plan. A very carefully thought through diet that is high in protein (still) so I can maintain muscle while I train a balance of great supplements (Thanks Beverly) and a workout schedule that balances weight training with cardio.

Typically this thread would be a contest countdown and in some way, I guess it is. Only this contest has more to do with how fast I can go than how many millimeters of fat are on my butt. I am excited about the new challenge and comforted to know that the way I plan to tackle this adventure will help me with my sport - Fitness that is. I need to build back and swimming is awesome for that. I want a little more stream lined look for my legs - running & biking. Not to mention what it will do for my cardio vascular endurance. So, here we go again. God love my husband. He is so encouraging. Although I have a feeling when he tells me "you can be the best at whatever sport you want" he had in mind something more low impact...like archery. No, I either want to go hard or go home. Maybe there will be an Ironman in my future... Ok, so maybe I should try to make it through my first race before that.

Welcome to my new contest countdown. Now I need to set a date.
Julie