happy 2013

Today I was feeling very productive so I thought it would be a good time to update the blog. Still working out a possible big move (both literally and figuratively) that is still a little up in the air--as a work in progress- I have, however,  had some great happenings going on so felt it a good time to UPDAAAATEEE.

First off, I GOT A 78% in my first big CALCULUS test. whoop whoop. Okay, 78% isn't THAT great...but considering I studied two days total on all the material I was pretty stoked. I found this AWESOME website www.coursera.org that offers FREE college courses taught by REAL professors with REAL tests that are graded. No, you don't get credit towards a degree but I've always found myself to be someone always seeking knowledge ----and what do you know---all free- year round- variety of topics.

My next course is The Social Context of Mental Health and Illness   out of the University of Toronto which starts Jan 28 and is 6 weeks (if you want to join me for study groups :))

And THEN Introduction to Biology: from DNA to Organisms out of UCIrvine this class is yet to have a date---

I just can't believe how many classes you can sign up for....for free. OKAY----enough of that....I was excited about it.... :)

I decided that 2013 is going to be a happy year. This sounds so tacky, but a lot of my year last year was spent just so down in the dumpies. There was no real reason for this, other than my mind taking over and absorbing me with negativity fueled by more negativity. This is not allowed, 2013 Erin.

So far, 2013 has been absolutely amazing. Ive been spending a lot of time for lack of better words "soul searching" and luckily for me...my swimming biking and running have given me time to do that.

I've been swimming quite a bit more than I have in the last 5 years. I feel almost as if I'm back to my collegiate swimming shape (which is awesome because it is not requiring 22 hours a week in the pool to get there) Another reason why I LOVE triathlon (cross training ROCKS). I seem to be hovering around double the yardage I was doing last year in Prep for St. George and it doesn't feel overwhelming. It feels nice to belong back in the "fast lane" at Channel Cats without feeling like I'm "hanging on" to the end of the lane.

Also, after figuring my mystery situation from last year seemed to be stemming from my time on la bicicleta, i have comfortably picked back up my indoor cycling LOVE with la Omar and am building back in those hours. I am sooooo excited about this.

And -----to my biggest news and excitement for the day---- I finished my first 2 hour treadmill run this am. This is my 3rd longest training run ever...on a treadmill. I was feeling near the end of this run (and my blurry AWFUL picture of the last :43 sec) like I am officially back to my old self. I not only felt like this run was do-able on a treadmill, but I found myself thoroughly enjoying every second of that last hour (this was completely unexpected).  I may be completely psycho...but life/time/stressesoflife just seemed to go away for that time. I completely enjoyed just being during that run- and it just made me smile (like I said I probably looked psycho) (I wonder if this is what fueled Chrissy's smile during all those IM wins...haha).  I didn't think I would say this...but I'm genuinely excited for the next treadmill (or i guess road) challenge. I have to thank Hillary for this... :)

MY NEW WATCH my momma got me for xmas. Long story short- I regretted not buying this while we were in Kona 2011----and they sold out after the first day. My mom found one online! Has the date also 10-8-11! I was so excited.

Any day that Im just not feeling it I'm going to watch this. Im pretty sure this is my bike handling also. Awesome.

Over xmas we went to PDX for some family time and got to spend the morning running these awesome trails. If you are ever in Portland---check out Forest Park (I'm double checking thats the one) they have over 70 miles of trails....just minutes from Downtown. We ran from our hotel roughly .6mi and were in the middle of the forest....get it....forest park. Anyway Heres a couple shots of that.

Mother and I 

Truly unreal out there. Plus, so quiet. I didn't mind the rain one bit.

I wish they wouldn't build on top of little badger. We were enjoying the view before the houses start to get built.

The mother and I over Xmas with our friend.

XMAS DOG. 

Getting back into the swing of the Vitamix Love. My mother got us back having daily shakes----my favorite the last couple of weeks has been

1 cup frozen dark cherries

handful of broccoli

half a banana

3/4 of a cut up apple

spinach 

pineapple

flaxseed (sometimes a scoop of soy protein also)

watttterrrr

View of Rattlesnake from my house. It's been super pretty lately. I'm hoping we can make it out there for a trail run soon before the snakes come back!

Oh, and just for fun....im starting to get this hair- curling down. practice makes perfect, right?

love, Erin