trying to get it together-getting back to basics

hey yall! im still alive and kicking!
still getting things settled in the new house, and trying to get the whole gym/workout/running routine thing together.
it hasn't been easy. the gym we joined has a child watch,( a small room for 8wk -4 year olds)and M hates it. I have been a few times with the little ones and Elijah has done well half the time and screamed the other half. M  misses 'her' Ms. Angel,her favorite person at the old gym.
I am actually looking into joining the local YMCA,just for a different child watch area that is a little bit more interactive and stimulating for her.? maybe that will help get her mind off the old gym?
I have to get it together ASAP.

I am tired of feeling so out of shape! I did another 5k race over the weekend, and while I was 30 seconds faster than last race,(I made it to the line at 22:08 by my watch) I couldn't help but tell myself I would have won overall if I were in running shape! Instead, I placed 4th overall female and 13/800. (did get 1rst in AG)
AND the humbling part was that the 3rd place gal,(who I tried to catch the entire race, I kept her in sight,but she beat me by 15 seconds!) she was 3 months pregnant!!!!!!!!!
 I talked to her and a few other gals after the race and she is planning on running Boston in April! while I wanted to complain about how out of shape I felt, she was feeling humbled bc she was used to running in the 18-19's for a 5k.
yeah.
I didn't have room to complain.

But it didn't stop me from feeling like it totally sucks working to get back into condition!!!!
the past few workouts have been humbling. I feel like im starting from square one!  I tried not to compare myself to others, but while I was doing only 30lbs on the smith machine for reverse lunges and front squats, some chic was getting 150 up in the squat rack.
ugh. I remind myself I will be there again soon.
 im getting back to the basics.
nothing ever gets done sitting around complaining and talking about it.
ive always said don't talk about it,be about it......

SO, im putting all my pride aside and just getting the work done, rebuilding my base and conditioning and then taking it from there. muscle memory is a good thing and im hoping it kicks in soon!!!I cant wait to get strong and fast again!!!
I still need to decide on a Pro show date. one is middle of April, in FL and the other is end of September in GA. the GA show would be less of a drive, so im looing at that one more.

I have 5 summer races already lined up and maybe one next weekend, one or two next month and 2 in March. there are several triathlons in this area in the summer so I just need to pick a race and do it!
im looking at July or August?
another reason I want to join the Y is because they have a local triathlon training group that meets a 2-3x a week. ive never done group training before, but that may be what I need to get myself to break past barriers?
yeah,im really needing to get it together!!

happy Monday!

 has anyone utilized group training runs, or workouts before? if so, what is it like?

oh and a pic of what I won at the race-(a framed picture )

and king Elijah/super baby says hello!

Starting over...starting off on the right foot

Its time to start all over again
on so many levels.
A new year,
a new town
a new state......

time for new opportunities!

I started the new year off on the right foot-literally.
I ran my first 5k race in this new state!

was not my best time, actually one of my slowest times, but it was enough for 2nd place overall female!(smallest race ever! I was 11/43)
it was bitter cold-mainly the wind chill is what got me,
the course was pretty flat
I didn't run with music
I stayed with a pack of men who pushed me during the race to not slow down I couldn't let a pack of boys beat me,right? and also I had to stay with people who knew where thet were going I was so worried I get lost!
but we stayed together at a comfortable pace. I knew I couldnt catch the lead gal,she was off like a race horse from the git go. but it was nice to be in the running environment here!
the last 300 yards, I try to draft off the tallest guy in the group when the winds really picked up, while it block the wind briefly, he also saw he was ahead of me and took off. I didn't catch him at the line!
my mistake though.....
I cross the line at 22:35
not bad considering the lack of training
(I did get a brand new treadmill for xmas though and the other day I got in a decent tempo run! love it!)

having said all of this,I have a base line of where im starting from.
I have been frustrated to say the least with the lack of consistency I have had with lifting and running. the past 4 months I have done sporadic 5ks and sporadic workouts....
and my lack of conditioning is showing.

this year I will focus on having a stronger competitive racing season with a few triathlons thrown in and a pro show in the summer.

my goals are to do the work necessary to be more competitive ,be faster, be stronger and finish with no gas left in the tank.
I ran much too conservatively in 2013. not pushing myself to get to the next level.

so 2014 will be all about breaking past barriers!

hope all are having a great start to the new year, its back to getting things organized here at the new house. Next week the kids start their new school. they are both nervous, as am I!!!!
little M will be starting preschool as well,
and as for the hubs and I, our school starts next week too! I am 1 year through the Masters program and am 6 classes away from my MHA!
: )
looking forward to getting the ball rolling!!!!!