Knock Knock! Who's there?

"It's your fitness calling."

Fitness??  Where the heck have you been all these weeks?  I've been searching and searching for you.

"You kicked me out!"

What are you talking about?  I did no such thing!  You left!

"Let's be honest here Jill.  For the past three weeks you have replaced me with beer, suckling pig, Pot Luck Lunch, Reindeer Holiday Party, a ton of pasta and countless glasses of wine... maybe even whole bottles!"

oh, um, errrrr..... *sorry*

Yes people, I have succumbed to the holiday madness.  All my motivation for swimming, biking, running has been replaced with dinners, drinks, lunches, and just sheer laziness.  Awesome.  I thought that being scared sh*tless of doing an IM would make me work out.  But when I'm not on structered training, have all these amazing temptations, and want to be able to hang with friends... I kind of slack off.  Until today.  (Plus, I didn't totally slack off... there were a couple of runs and one trainer ride.... geez)

This morning I slept in til about 9 and walked the dog.  On my way back into the building I saw a girl coming back from running.  I've seen her and her husband going out for runs during the week while I walk Ollie.  So I decided to strike up a conversation with her.  I asked how the park was running this morning since I was about to head out as well.  She said it was really nice, not too windy and not too packed with people.  Great!  

Once we got in the elevator I asked the normal type-A tri person question... "so are you training for anything? "  Nope, just did the Philly half-marathon so I'm just running to stay in shape.  How about you?  I paused... and said "I'm actually training for the Lake Placid Ironman. My structured training starts in January but I'm trying to keep up with all the holiday food & drinks."  Holy cow.  This is the first time  that I actually told someone I'm training for it, like, right now.  Since I signed up way back in July, I had other goals like the Mighty Hamptons Olympic Tri and then the Chicago Marathon, so I was technically training for those things.  But now?  It's all Placid baby!!!

I'm happy I struck up a conversation with the runner girl today.  I wish I got her name.  I got back up to my apartment changed and went out for a nice 4 mile winter run.  My pace is slow, but I know it'll get back up there.

Enjoy your off season... and remember your goals.  I am.  I'm training for an IRONMAN!!!