Love

Love

Sunday, January 24, 2016

The struggle is real

Back on the run training after a long lay off of just being run focused.  First track workout today.  I forgot how tough those can be.  By my 7th and 8th repeat i was about to fall off the treadmill.  I'm not normally a treadmill person, but with track workouts it makes you stay on pace. 

Honestly, it took everything I had to get up and get off the couch today.  After working all night sometimes I just don't want to do anything.  I'm glad I did though.  I needed to.  Not that work has been incredibly stressful these last couple of days.  We did have a 7.1 earthquake last night that was pretty exciting, but nothing else too bad.  Thank goodness because last weekend wore me out.  Things won't get done sitting on the couch.  Back at it this week.  So much to do, but this week should be a little more relaxed than last.  Still lots to accomplish, but at least I'll be at home and can stay on task.  Painting the living room will be my major task!

Making progress on my fitness goals though not as fast as I'd like to.  With that said, my progress or lack thereof  is purely my fault.  Even though progress is slow, it's progress and I'm making mental gains daily.  I feel myself getting stronger both physically and mentally.  Breaking years of bad habits is a struggle and doesn't happen overnight, but it's happening.  Back to work tonight.  I should go and get ready. 

Friday, January 1, 2016

2015 Review....2016 plan

Me posing in front of our garage right after we moved in
My first trip to Kona.  It was pretty awesome and is probably my favorite island.  Nice to see where Todd did the Ironman race and got to run the pit!
Got to meet Kona legend Wendy Minor.  She's a true inspiration for life and sport
My sister was able to get up here for her birthday and experience a little of Alaska winter
Ahh work.  This is the aftermath of a trauma.  I enjoy my job and the folks I work with.
A man and his cabin.  It's a beautiful thing.  We love our little getaway.
Starting midway through since I can't seem to move the pictures I've added down.  Was looking through pictures and decided to just do a recap of the year.  Some years are good, some aren't as good as others.  This year was pretty awesome for me.  We started off in a new house and area of town and have had some great adventures and tests this year.  As I went through here and am adding captions to all the pictures I can't help but think, "What a year!"  So many amazing things we were able to do.  I feel so blessed to be alive and live in the amazing place I do. 

Were there some rough times?  Sure!! Like when I had a bike crash on the 2nd day of my Ironman training plan that put me out of my favorite race of the summer and threatened my training.  Hello bummer!  However, it's all what you focus on.  I could have focused on that and the other negative, but I choose to focus on all the other great things that happened this year.  Plus I learned so much from that too.  Overcoming, pushing through pain, focusing on the goal.  When I finished my race it was that much sweeter.





Relaxing upon our arrival at the cabin. 
Got to visit Austin and reunite with some of my South Austin coworkers.  So nice to see everyone
Looking down on lake Eklutna.  Just one of our many amazing adventures this year.
The pups love each other and are happy and healthy.  What more can you ask for.

Midnight sun anniversary paring with Ansley.  Fun times

Just a couple of the great OB nurses I work with

ATV trip with friends
Ladies of Anesthesia!
One of my favorite pictures of the year.  It just sums up our epic summer trips
Todd achieved something great by being hired as an Alaska Airlines Pilot.  This is a job that most want to get to their whole career.  So proud of his achievement.  He works so hard!
Another visit from my sister. This time in the summer.  This was after a big shopping trip. Thanks Ansley for coming with us.  Fun times
My work partner in crime Lois!  So great to work with her!

A true Alaskan Tradition.  This is me and Todd standing in the Kenai Rive Dip netting.  Alaska Residents are allowed to use a large net to catch Salmon in the river to fill their freezers for the season.  Pretty awesome.  Thanks Lois for the picture from her boat.
Hammerman 2015!  Always a great race.  This time I was hurt so put together a relay.  Nate biked and Todd swam for us.  We came out right behind the team with professional athletes on it so I'm going to call it a win.
Was able to travel to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists national meeting in Salt Lake City this year.  These are 2 of my good buddies from Texas!  So proud to be a part of such a great profession

A bit of hiking in Salt Lake

We can clean up pretty good too!
More Salt Lake hiking.  This was at the end of a hike we did.  Amazing scenery

Reunited with some more Texas friends.  So many good little brew pubs...even with the strange Mormon rules
A first for me.  Moose processing in the garage.  Fun times.  Moose tastes so good!

Getting the final grind! Yum
After not boarding at all last year finally got out to the mountain

Me and Ansley at hilltop enjoying the slopes
Crossing the finish line at Ironman 70.3 in Austin.  My first, but not my last I think.  This was an amazing experience and I look forward to testing myself again.


Race Morning with my friend Christine

Race morning with my sister.  She was a trooper and hung out all day with Todd to support me!
Right before the finish line.  Still smiling.  So nice to have so much support all day. 
So what will 2016 hold?  I don't know! Does anyone?  I hope that it can only be 1/2 as good as 2015 was to us.  Todd begins his journey of a new job.  We are continuing to work on our house updating and keeping things up.  As for me I don't have any big plans for this year except a little bit of travel and healthy living.  Signed up to run 1000 miles this year so that will keep me on track.  I plan to do Hammerman solo again this year.  Hoping for no injuries that prevent that.  I also have plans to go down to Louisiana for the Cajun Man triathlon.  It was one of my first I did a long time ago and I look forward to going there again.  Looking forward to seeing if it's as good a little race as it was all those years ago.  So no big crazy races, but a few smaller fun ones!

Well, I know for most this may not have been a thrilling year or update, but for me it was pretty satisfying.  Looking to this year with positive thoughts and a hopeful spirit!