13.1 + 13.1 = 26.2

Well, I have gone about a month without a race. I've been jonesing for some competition, I won't lie. In the past month, I have added that 13.1 sticker to my car with pride. I have let my knee rest a bit and really worked out my IT band and hamstring issues. My second half-marathon is in a few days, so I quickly jumped back into training w/ some longer runs. I feel a little bit less prepared for this one than I was for the Publix half. However, I am more confident than I was because I know I can do it. I want to beat my previous time, that's my main goal.

Not only am I running my 2nd half marathon this weekend, but I've signed up for number three in the fall (the Atlanta 13.1). As if that's not crazy enough, I also may have jumped the gun by signing up for next year's full marathon, but I think that by this time next year, I can turn taht 13.1 into a 26.2. We will see how that goes. For now, I have other things to focus on.

I still have a hard time believing how much I love running. I have been running once a month w/ the Beltline Running Club and have met some great people through that club. I also run once a week with the a group that runs from the Phiddippides store. These shorter group runs have been great b/c my speed has increased for the 3-4 mile range. I'm looking forward to my first Beltline 5k race in a couple of weeks. I haven't done a 5k since the fall, so I am amped to see how my time has improved since then.

As much as I love running, the time has come for me to start cutting back on running (after this weekend's 13.1) and increase time in the pool. My triathlon is 1 month away. I am scared to death. I know I can do the 5k run. I am fairly confident that I can handle the 19 mile bike ride, once I get off the stationery bike and get back on the road. Biking is a fun social thing too, so I know I'll get some training in on the bike. The swim is scaring the crap out of me. I am not at all comfortable in the pool. I struggle through my 450m practice swims in a lap pool, and I have to be able to do a 1/3 mile open water swim (about 550m). I know I'm just getting started, but I have one month to comfortably be able to swim that distance. I want to train for 1/2 mile distance just to be confident that 1/3 is do-able. The bad part is that I love running, I am beginning to love the bike, but the swim is where I need to spend most of my time training.

I'm just praying that my swimming experience will be much like my running. A year ago I didn't like running, and until 6 months ago, I didn't consider myself a runner. I have been in pools since I was 3 months old, so I know that I can pick up the swim if I just try. I will be an Iron Girl. I will not rest until I can swim 1/2 mile with confidence.

Ok, now for a moment of pride...where I should be humble, but I just have to have a moment of shallow pride here. I have been extremely self-conscious about my stomach ever since having surgery 2 1/2 years ago. It left me w/ a 6-inch long scar and a little bit of loose belly skin. I have been kind of obsessed over it for a while. I have worked hard because I am determined. I'm not sure why, but I want to be confident I guess. I want to no longer think about my scar and my weakness. I want to look in the mirror and see strength.

Well... I am finally getting there. The hard work is paying off, so I'm going to pridefully post the photo.