Up for a Challenge

I can't believe I haven't blogged since last November. What a slacker I am! It's only been a couple weeks though since I've been able to get back on SP since moving and being without internet for what feels like forever.

I'm almost all moved into my new house. There are a few boxes in the basement that have yet to be unpacked, but all the important stuff is put away. The first month was really rough, living in a hotel and trying to get used to it here. Things did get better once we moved into our house, but I can't say it's been terrific. I've been in a huge funk lately and it will probably take a long time for this to feel like home. The town is up in the mountains and is small and isolated. We have to drive over two hours to stock up on groceries and other necessities. There is a grocery store here, but the prices are ridiculous and the selection is extremely limited. Being a vegetarian has made it challenging since a lot of the food I'm used to eating isn't available. I've leaned my lesson though and last time we went to the city I stocked up huge on veggie products.

It's only about 85% horrible here though. I've been including fitness classes in my routine which I haven't done in probably 8 years. I've been going to step class and kick boxing every week and I'm loving it. I've also learnt that Aquafit does not consist of elderly ladies in swim caps dancing around. It's actually hard work and a nice change of pace. I'm still running, trying to find a couple races to do this year. I'm so used to being able to drive 30 minutes to a race and now it's probably going to involve a plane ride. A huge bummer, but I guess I'll just have to really make the races I end up doing count. I've been kind of lost with running goals since I don't have any definite races in mind, but I'm hoping to do at least one half this summer and a fall marathon.

Now the challenge part.....I've committed to doing a triathlon in June with a couple of the wives from DH's work and I'm so nervous/excited. I've got the biking and running thing down no problem, but the swimming, not so much. Up until a month ago the only swimming I'd down in the past 10 years consisted of wearing a bikini and usually just lying on the beach. The first night I attempted to do laps I was surprised that the life guards didn't try to rescue me because I'm sure I looked like I was drowning. After four laps my heart rate was out of control and I was gasping for breathe. It's so funny how fitness abilities in one sport do not translate to other sports. After that horrible attempt I considered not doing the triathlon at all, but talked myself out of quitting. What fun would life be if we only ever did things we were good at? Okay, it might still be fun, but definitely not as satisfying. There was once a time when running left me feeling the same as swimming and I'm so glad I persevered and didn't give up. I've been swimming twice a week trying to improve my skills, but I really think that lessons are in order.My self assigned homework is to look into that. I would definitely feel a whole lot less nervous about the triathlon if I could improve my swimming skills.