No, I'm not dead

I'm back. For real this time. I swear! It has been a lazy, joyous year of sitting on my butt getting fat. Well, that may be an exaggeration. But it has been nice not doing anything. Obviously I wasnt ready. Moved into a new house, Court got married, lots has been going on. So it's not like I've been bored.

But for some reason, when it started getting close to IMFL this year, I started getting that itch again. Wishing that I was doing the race. Wishing I was in good enough shape to even THINK about doing the race. Plus, Court's wedding was that same weekend, and Robyn was back for it. So between Court and I reminiscing and talking to R about her experience at IMLOU this year, it got me excited about racing again next year. I had forgotten how much fun it is to have races to look forward to!

So I got my ass in gear and signed up for the winter session of RE. I picked a spring marathon, and made out a training schedule for myself. Last Saturday was the first day of RE and it was GREAT to be back. Lots of familiar faces, lots of new ones, and best of all....I finally got to wear my IM finishers jacket that I bought last year! Yup, I bought the damn thing and then never ran last winter so I never wore it. It's the little things :) I only went 4 miles, but I have been running MAYBE twice a week, like a mile and a half each time. So I felt good about that. It was a little frustrating because my heart and lungs used to far outlast my legs. Not so much anymore! I was having a hard time carrying on a conversation by the time I turned around at 2 miles. But I did it, and it felt good, and I enjoyed it. So that is the important thing. And I know my body knows what to do, so the fitness will come back quickly. I've also been lifting twice a week, which I love. I didnt life AT ALL while I was training for Florida, so it's nice to be back in the gym. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed it. So now the plan is to concentrate on running and lifting, then start adding in some biking and swimming after the first of the year. I'll be back to my old self in no time!

Without further ado, I present Julie's Tentative 2009 Race Schedule! Of course, I havent completely gone over this with the hubs yet. I think he enjoyed a summer of not being drug along to a race every weekend :)

April 26: Oklahoma City Marathon
May 17: Heritage Park Triathlon
June 6: QuarterMax Triathlon
June 14: Kansas 70.3 Triathlon (Alcatraz is also this weekend, and I considered throwing my name in the hat for the lottery, but that can wait!)
June 28: HyVee Triathlon
July 12: Shawnee Mission Triathlon
August 1: Steelhead 70.3 Triathlon
August ???: UltraMax event in KC - I am SO excited about this, now they just need to announce a date and venue!
September 12: OMC Women's Triathlon

I'm also kicking around the idea of the Chicago marathon, which would be mid-October. I'm still thinking I want to do the 50 States, so getting 2 marathons a year would be a good pace. And Court is trying to talk me into doing the Redman Full with her in Oklahoma on September 19th. MAYBE the half if they have any general entry slots (it's the Halfmax National Championship next year, another good reason to do it since UM is putting it on). Since I'm already doing the OKC marathon in April, I dont want to waste 2 races on one state since full IM distance races count towards the 50 States :)