things to not forget again

Now...I love that we get a free 3-month membership to Bally's while training. I do not however love Bally's. It is swarming with 20 something, toned, perfect bodies and I mean swarming. I have never been there when it isn't crazy. Usually when I go to swim I can get away from all the craziness, but yesterday I went to bike (because Chicago finally decided to have winter) and I had to wait in line to use one of the bikes. Then I realized that Bally's doesn't give out towels for your workout. I thought that this wouldn't be so bad, until about 20 minutes into my workout. I was sweating like crazy and totally embarrassed because the other 20somethings in the gym don't seem to sweat. I just kept reminding myself that sweating is normal, it should be celebrated even. So I kicked the 40 minute bike rides ass, dripping sweat and all. But I won't forget a towel next time.

okay...to be perfectly fair to Bally's, some of the locations do have towels and plastic bags for wet swimsuits. But NOT the Diversey and Clark location.

motivation

The best motivational qoutes so far...I swear I repeat these to myself when I feel like I can't keep going.

"float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. your hands can't hit what your eyes can't see."

"weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character."

"pain is nothing, pain is in the mind. if you can walk you can run."

"love life, engage in it, give it all you've got. love it with passion because life truly does give back many times over what you put into it."

"every accomplishment starts with the decision to try."

"success is how high you bounce when you hit the bottom."

City Running

Today on my break at Time Out I went for a run. Running in downtown Chicago is always an experience. Dodging people, cars, and lights. I totally feel llike I am in a Nike ad and I understand where the phrase 'just do it' came from. Today I forgot my sweatshirt when I left for work and I could have let that stop me from running on my break, but I sucked it up and ran in my tshirt. It was freezing, I couldn't feel my elbows or hands. But I pushed through it. I think I am really gaining a mental strength, running for 30 minutes on my own doesn't seem that hard to me anymore. And I am running faster and harder than I ever have before. I find I have a more intense determination to push myself than I have ever felt before.

On Saturday, before our group run we had a TNT moment and one of the girls talked about her friend who passed away from Leukemia the day after Christmas. It was so inspirational to hear her talk about her friend. I get goosebumps whenever I think about it. Raising this money is one of the coolest things I have done so far in my life. It means so much to me to think about all of my friends and family who have been so generous in donating, not only money but time and inspiration. I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

the drills actually matter!

I had a swimming breakthrough! Originally I really wasn't too worried about the swimming component of the Triathlon...and then I went swimming. Apparently swimming doesn't quite come back as easy as riding a bike. Needless to say, the past few swim trainings have been TOUGH. I have an old habit of keeping my head up and breaking that has been difficult. But anyway, the other day I was swimming and suddenly everything clicked. All the drills we do, they all made sense and I was actually swimming like a real swimmer. I was just zooming through the water and I wasn't exhausted! Now I look forward to my next swim training. I still can't really imagine what swimming in open water will feel like with hundreds of other people by my side. CRAZY.

AND GUESS WHAT! I have raised $1,025!!! Woohoo! What an amazing feeling!