AND SO IT BEGINS....

First, I would like to thank Jack and the rest of the "judging panel" for selecting me as one of the Driven 5. This gift has allowed me the opportunity to again be the athlete I have so long to be. As a stay at home mom with two children I have put myself at the bottom of the totem pole and made sure that everyone else is looked after. When I received the call from Jack my world changed and now I am going to work my way back up the totem pole.

I received an email from my "driver"Laurel on December 28 and I was excited to be working with her. Everything was to begin at the start of January. So I didn't really have to worry about setting a new years resolution, it had been made for me. On January 5th, Laurel and I had a chance to sit down and chat about what would be expected me and basically what my workouts would be. When she asked me about my split times for running, biking and swimming I was surprised to see that she plans to take all kinds of time off all three events. Yeah!! Just to run a faster 5km and I would be happy. The fact that we were both on the same page training wise made me excited about the next 8 months. Everything was great then she told me about the TESTING and NUTRITION. It wasn't as bad as I thought it might be and I was happy to have a baseline. The nutritionist Kelly was great, she understands that a mom with two kids means different schedules and meals and is helping me to work around that. Maybe eating healthy won't be so hard this time. I received my first 4 week workout plan and was surprised to see that it was something that I was going to be able to manage.

The workouts are set to be the same for the first 4 weeks. It was nice to have a routine and going to the gym 6 days a week wasn't so bad.

The bike training was not as bad as I thought it might be. Because I am weak on the bike, Laurel has set up a great workout so that I can get the feel of the ride. I am still nervous about the clips (falling off three times in one ride doesn't help). I keep hoping for the "I get it phase".

The swim was like coming home for me and I can’t wait for the Tuesday and Thursday workouts. I have a great sense of accomplishment when I have finished and all the old feelings come back.

While I have taught running for the last couple of years I have never really run with a purpose. With the workout that is set for me I know that I have a set workout and enter the track with a goal in mind.

About 3 weeks in I was approached by Laurel and she told me that I was the only one of the five not doing a half iron man. Personally I didn't have a problem with that as I had set my goal of a sprint in August. But after much thought and discussion with not only Jack, John, Laurel, and others in the ETS programs I have decided to attempt the half iron man in Sylvan Lake. My thinking was that I couldn't not take up the offer and it has motivated me to work harder.

The last 4 weeks have been amazing. I have seen a change in myself and I walk into the Talisman just a little taller. The support I have been getting from the staff at the Talisman and the other coaches, and just the regulars in the Monday and Friday bike classes have really helped my on this journey.

Please continue to watch for more updates. I hope that you will join me on this journey.