Stuff I'm Diggin'

Welcome to the first edition of 'stuff i'm diggin'/love/need/want! 

I am currently IN LOVE with ALL the Betty Designs gear! I've been a fan for some time of the styling, bright colors and general awesomeness but only got my first gear recently.

For Christmas, my wonderful husband bought me exactly what I asked for...The Betty Designs pink tri kit. I debated about sizing for a long time, luckily I have several lovely ladies in my life that were more than willing to help start the obsession by allowing me to try their Betty gear on for size. 

For the record, this is a Large in both pieces. The shorts are a little snug but I wouldn't want them any bigger either. (side note: i'm a lulu 6-8) 

Both are nice and thick (no see thru here), well made material. the shorts stay in place and the tank is cut perfectly for a female...no chafing here either! I love love love the wide band at the bottom of the shorts. so many times you get a narrow sticky band and it's annoying and  leaves a mark.

After getting this awesome gear I took advantage of a couple sale items that I thought were essentials. The team vest in black and a basic racerback logo tank. I ordered a large in both and and am satisfied with the fit. The vest is a tad on the short side and I don't have room for much underneath. I have worn it running and it was that perfect outer layer for a warm winter day!

Lastly...today they re-stocked the Specialized Keg gear holder, which i've been waiting a month for! Another xmas gift I received was a rear waterbottle cage set up for my TT bike (once again, EXACTLY what I asked for!) Upon receiving I went to order the Betty holder and it was sold out. And rightfully so...how CUTE is this??? Not to mention functional.

Lastly, I ordered a pink truckers hat with logo because really, everyone needs a couple trucker's hats and why not the hot pink one to match everything else? I can't wait to see what Betty comes out with next! #pinkisfaster

Goal setting updates

Well I never thought I'd be adjusting my goals this early but that's how it works sometimes...

Life has been super busy the last few weeks and the weather hasn't been helping either. I'm dropping down to the 13km Birkie because I just haven't been out on my cross country skis. It's sad because I hate giving up but I can't see myself even finishing 31km at this point. 

I had a minor hiccup in my 'staying injury free' goal but I decided to deadlift my body weight last week and it was a little much. I'm fine now but I have to get back to work on my rehab exercises. So my new goal is to be more diligent at preventative medicine. 

My CSIA level 1 was amazing! Aside from having gastritis and being doubled over in pain for half the course....I've already been offered 2 ski school positions and been 'promoted' within the CADS program! I'm now a senior instructor in a fancy red jacket and I got to teach all the ski progression training to the new CADS instructors! 

As for racing, I've already signed up for GWN half and Coronation. AND....the GWN training camp weekend with Jeff Symonds! 

2015 is looking pretty amazing so far!

2015

New Year's Day. I'm sure there will be more than enough of this going on and even though I set my training goals in October when I'm planning my next race season it's a good time to put them out in the universe and make myself accountable to my goals and intentions for the year ahead.

In no particular order....
1. Sub 6 hour half ironman. I'm so close, with a few minor tweaks, this is more than achievable.

2. Squat my body weight. I have some work to do here...currently at #105 for 5 reps...in theory my 1RM based on that is about #130, 30lbs to go

3. Blogging more (oh heeeeyyyy). I've had this blog for some time, it's a good outlet, great place for race reports and gear reviews, might keep me out of trouble

4. Finish the 31km Birkie...Feb 14

5. Stay relatively injury free. Do my rehab exercises before I'm forced to, listening to my body.

6. Strength train all year. I normally take a break from May to Sept, just because of the volume of training and lack of time. My goal is one good lifting session per week.

7. Run my first full marathon. On the road. I've done an ultra on the trail, it's time to run the 42.2 on the black top. Edmonton Marathon.

8. Complete my CSIA level 1 and use it with my CADS training to make a big difference. I'll be doing that this weekend so watch for a course review!

9. Be more involved in my volunteer activities. I could seriously just do these as a career but as all of them require money I don't think that's going to happen. CADS and CSP are all taken care of but I'm looking forward to becoming more involved with the ETC.

10. Continue to have fun with my training and racing, I'm a better athlete when I'm relaxed and enjoying life...I'm not aiming for a sponsorship or worlds so why not be a happy gal and sing karaoke in transition, bike for beer, and run with a smile on my face.