Girlfriends Are Cheaper Than Therapists & A Lot More Fun…!

Or so the saying goes…but I have to say I certainly agree!  This weekend I raced in a sprint triathlon with 6 other girlfriends. Some I work with, some I work out with, and some I just met.  Regardless, we entered this race with different aspirations and goals–to win, to place, to better our last time, to finish, to conquer and overcome….but most of all to have fun and celebrate life.  We met at Jayne Ann’s at 4:45 for last minute prep and our “before” shot. We were excited, anxious, tired (me…yawn) and ready to take on this experience.  We couldn’t have had better weather. The pool was comfortable–not too hot and not too cold.  The weather warmed up enough so that no additional layers were needed after the swim. The bike route was hilly and beautiful. And the run was off road, through some woods, on trails and along side a small lake.

You know the poem that talks about friends who come and go. Some are for a lifetime and some for a period of time. No matter how long, each brings a special gift.

My Saturday morning friends are amazing. One has a fear of water…and yet, that does not stop her from swimming several times a week and racing.  One of them has never run before, yet she put everything she had into this race, finished it and did fantastic. Another one I want to be like when I grown up. She runs a 6 minute mile and has a rock hard little bod.  Several of these ladies beat their best times and set personal records. Another one still looks like an amazing beauty after an hour and a half of strenuous racing!  These ladies are so motivating, so encouraging, so STRONG!

Here’s to a great weekend, a lot of fun, girlfriends who rock & more PRs!

I don’t really call my goal setting process “New Year’s Resolutions”….I don’t know, I guess because it sounds so…temporary. Like the term “diet” which really isn’t temporary, but is often treated as such. Every year beginning around Thanksgiving and ending by mid January, I look back at the year. I say a lot of THANKS–truly– I am so blessed and SO glad I am still here (more on that later) . I also take an objective look at how I am spending time, how I would PREFER to be spending my time. Are my actions lining up with my life goals? And then, if not, what changes do I need to make?

Here are some of my goals for 2008: I want to get to bed sooner and finish the 3 books I am in the midst of reading. I want to increase my fruit and veggie intake from what has dropped to 5-6/day to a more regular 8-10. I want to slow down more with my kiddos and enjoy their precious personalities. I want to talk to my mom more. She lives in Florida and she’s just the most incredible woman I know. I miss having her closer. And I want to help anyone who is interested in getting healthier–whatever that entails. Training wise, I want to increase my 5k time. For years I have described myself as a “recreational” runner with slow twitch muscles. Well, if I want to be faster, I have to work at it. I’ve always enjoyed running because I didn’t push much. I pushed on the bike. I pushed at the gym. I didn’t push it on the pavement. This year, I plan to amp it up. I want to place top 3 in my triathlons (my age division, of course!).

For some reason, health changes can often seem daunting. But you’re not in this alone. There is an entire cyber world of sisters (and brothers) interested in helping you make the changes you want to make. So, right here, right now, DECIDE to change. Get healthier. Take small steps. And partner up, if possible. And remember, EVERY little bit helps. It truly does!

What are YOUR goals? Lose weight? Run a 5K or marathon? Eat healthier? Get your partner to eat healthier? And what cyber tools and websites have you found that are helpful?

“No matter our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born.” –Dr. Dale Turner