February will be over in 3.5 hours

Phew! February was an extremely busy month for me...as you can tell by the lack of workouts and blog posts. The Special Olympics Polar Plunge and Frost Bite Run went off without a hitch. We had 97 registered participants of the run/walk and raised over $30,000 with the plunge. Team Scotland was once again the highest fundraising team and we are quite proud of that! Our team's plunger numbers was down but oh well, we still made headlines.

Just three short days after the plunge I boarded a plane to Georgia and then on to Florida. After plunging in ice cold water on the Saturday prior I truly enjoyed the warmth the south had to offer. Although it was nice and warm and the sun was shining I missed my family a lot. I was very ready to return home and see them all. I, of course, did not get any workouts in. I had even told myself that I was going to hit it hard the week I returned...HA! I instead spent the week struggling to catch up from work, home, plunge/run, etc. I thoroughly enjoyed the last 2 days at home (Saturday and Sunday) with my kids. I was able to get almost all the laundry done and the house picked up. Now the real work must begin...

If you remember back to the beginning of the year I had mentioned my resolutions. Well, not much work has been done on them yet. But it started today, well, actually last Friday morning. Craig and I decided that we would run the Go STL! half marathon on April 10th. I got us registered later that morning and we're all set. Now we have just 6 weeks to train...we can do it.

Then today I found out about an all women's sprint triathlon being held here in Kirksville at the end of April. Here you can read more about TriFAHL. It is for women just starting out with triathlons or women competing in their 1000th triathlon. I am so excited! They are even holding swim clinics every Saturday at the Kirksville Aquatic Center. My swimming abilities stop at not drowning...past that I am a novice.

My training for my half and triathlon began today. Today was my run day, and after wearing a walking boot all last spring, I am easing myself back into it. I only ran 2 miles on the dreaded treadmill today but I mixed up speeds. Below is what I did.

1/4 mile at 6.0 MPH
1/4 mile at 7.0 MPH
1/4 mile at 5.5 MPH
1/4 mile at 7.0 MPH
1/4 mile at 5.5 MPH
1/4 mile at 7.0 MPH
1/4 mile at 5.5 MPH
1/4 mile at 7.5 MPH with the last bit at 8.0 MPH

I read that interval training is the best way to burn fat. It apparently speeds up your metabolism to the point that you even continue to burn extra fat after you're done working out...who doesn't want that!

Tomorrow I will be starting P90X over AGAIN, but this time I have a buddy. My co-worker, Andrlynn, will be joining me Tuesday-Friday on our lunch breaks. I think this will be great for both of us as we will be pushing each other to "keep pushing play". My plan, once again, is to do the P90X resistance workouts but replace the cardio workouts with running...this will allow me to train for my half marathon, triathlon, and cross train for the best results...remember the ultimate goal here is to LOOK BETTER NAKED! I've also revisited the meal plan that accompanies P90X. Today I had 2 packets of oatmeal for breakfast, a dreaded salad, small steak (left over from supper the night before) and a banana for lunch, and fish and asparagus for supper. Right before I started my post I also ate some strawberry yogurt with granola as my nighttime snack. Now if I can just hold off any cravings til tomorrow I'll be set.

So there's your update...take it for what you will. I will post pics from the plunge when I get a chance later. Thanks again to all of those who donated or plunged with Team Scotland. We greatly appreciate your care and support!

Never-ever go sports bra shopping...

Sports bras are made to fit snug and tight. They hold everything in...thus letting your fat overflow. I don't think I'll ever go sports bra shopping again.

The SOMO Polar Plunge is in 2 short days. My plan was to hit P90X hard so that by the time the plunge got here I'd be a good 30 days into the program and seeing results. Things have not gone according to plan. Work has been super busy and I've been skipping my lunch breaks...don't get me wrong, I'm still eating just not working out. Therein lies the problem!

I am now the fat kid who wears a t-shirt into the pool, except I will be wearing mine into the lake...again. I wore a t-shirt during the plunge last year and swore I'd never wear a shirt again. The shirt just holds the freezing water up against you longer. It is much easier to plunge in a bikini or sports bra...hence the sports bra shopping. The lack of a t-shirt makes the changing process much less painful...you can simply pull on sweats and go about your way. With a shirt on you have to make your way into a pitch black tent with other freezing ladies. Some talk, some don't, some pull dry clothes on quickly and some just strip down and show you what they're working with (just close enough to the door that when someone new runs in screaming about how cold the water was the light reflects of their pasty blue cheeks.) So, a t-shirt it is for this pasty, blue-cheeked lady.

If I can survive the next week and a half I'll be alright. Work is busy, the plunge is Saturday and then I'm in Florida next week. Upon my return from Florida I will be working out daily while eating a salad for lunch and a sensible dinner. No-holds-barred, I've got to get this body in shape for bikini season. I can't wait for sunshine and 70+ degrees.

I've said my peace...