2015 has been The Year Of Lisa.
Last year when I began thinking about turning, as they say, the big 4-0 I thought about what I wanted to do. I wanted to make some memories and have something accomplished. Little did I know how big the year would be!
In 2014, I had seen a neurologist about my back. I wanted some up to date answers and know for sure what I could and couldn't do. I found out that I could do anything I wanted but hold 30 pounds above my head. Shockingly, the 30 pound thing doesn't affect much of my life and I was released! For the first time in 13 years I felt FREE!
But uh oh. Shoot. That means I didn't have an excuse. I had always said I wanted to run a long race but couldn't because of my back. Now I couldn't say that. Did I really want to run? Honestly, I have no idea if I did. But I thought to myself, "Self, if you want to say you've done something, you're turning 40 soon and it would be good timing."
So, thanks to my friend Kim who found a local race, off on a training schedule I went.
On January 31 I ran a half marathon!
After that was over, I was not active for a while. It was cold and yucky for goodness sakes! Being lazy never felt so good!
At that same time, I also was ready for a hair cut. But in the spirit of 2015, I decided that I would wait until my birthday to cut it. So it grew. And grew. And grew.
Then I got the itch to do something I had never thought about before. A triathlon. Again, Kim comes in the picture with a list of local tris and volunteered to do it with me. Well, one night I may have had a couple of glasses of wine and was sitting on the couch with my computer. (Not always a good combo. Anyone with an 'amen'?) Anyway, before I realized what I was doing, I had signed myself up. So, again with a training schedule printed out, I planned out my calendar. As it turned out, I needed to begin training in July.
So, what happens in The Year of Lisa before all that swimming, biking, and running? A European vacation! Chris and I found ourselves able to take a trip of a lifetime in June. We spent two weeks together traveling through Rome, London, and Paris. I never EVER thought I would be one to have done a vacation like this!
(A post all on it's own will talk about that trip!)
So, now summer vacation is over and school has begun and my training wraps up. Off to Lake Lanier I trot for the triathlon. Know what? I had SO MUCH FUN! This particular tri is a 400 meter lake swim, 13 mile bike ride, and a 5K (or 3.1 miles).
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| that was one painful hill to run up after my swim! |
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| transition 1 |
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| got some protein shoved in the mouth and gloves on |
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| off I go |
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| follow the cones the CORRECT direction for the run |
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| made it back! |
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| here I come |
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| my personal cheering section |
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| FINISH!!!!!! |
And I was super excited that Mama and Daddy got to be there to watch. I guess a girl can't be too old to have her parents cheer her on!
A huge shout out to Abby for the fantastic pictures she took! She did a great job!
Thank you, sweet pea!
Now, remember all that hair that has been growing for 2.5 years or so? It's time!
Nineteen inches were cut off. 19!!!!!
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| before |
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| donated to Locks of Love |
Honestly, I don't have a good photo of what the final cut looks like. I actually went back a 2nd time to have her cut more. The stylist was so afraid to cut it as short as I wanted. You'll have to use your imagination with this cropped shot.
Now it was time to have a little shin dig! Chris did so much for me to get this celebration happening and despite Joaquin trying to make an appearance when he wasn't invited, it turned out AMAZING. All that rain made us have to go to Plan B but it worked. Chris rented one of the last tents in Georgia :) and we had a dry dance floor!
Got a little surprise visit from some of my favorite people!
Thank you Kristine and Ron for being the wild and crazy people you are and coming up here! I can't believe it!!!! (Still super sad I didn't any photos of the 4 of us!)
Chris told me that when Ron and Kristine left on Sunday morning, it was over.
Apparently The Year Of Lisa has come to an end.
*sigh*
I want to make sure Chris gets the kudos he deserves for all the fun he packed into this year for me. You went above and beyond, honey. I am grateful. I love you!
