Return of a gym rat. Come on, you didn't think it would end there, did you? I'm done sitting on my couch and watching made-for-TV movies on Lifetime while eating easter chocolates. I'm sick of being lazy. Plus, my 3,000 calorie appetite has not disappeared despite my lack of activity. If I continue this behavior, by the end of the year I'll be 300 pounds.

So what now? It is kind of a let down to be working for this goal for so long, pushing so hard everyday, achieving that goal and then left to sit on your arse. I've got the Wildflower Olympic triathlon in May, though suddenly that doesn't seem as intense after the Half. So I'm pondering the idea of signing up for another Half - My brother pointed me to another Half by Seattle at Lake Stevens in July. Sounds fun... Am I stupid enough to go for this fete again? Perhaps... I will ponder a few more days and then decide. Maybe I'll be doing this all over again.

One thing is for certain. No Full Ironman just yet. I'd like to get my times down on the Half and get a few more years under my belt before I attempt that fete.

So last night I returned to the gym. I did a quick 25 minutes on the elliptical. Didn't realize it until I was exercising again, but my joints are still a bit sore and inflamed. After 25 minutes headed to the pool - Imagine my excitement when I arrived to find it totally revamped and redone! I was so happy! I swam a slow 1000 yards. It seemed so far. Seems like years ago that I was swimming 2500. Oh well. Having fun and that is all that matters.

So I'm back to my life at the gym.....

I made it!!! 70.3 miles that is, last Saturday, March 31. It took me 6 hours 42 minutes and 30 seconds - I couldn't be happier! :)

I don't know what to say about it. I am still riding the endorphin high almost a week later. My body is getting back to normal and so is life (if there is such a thing).

As I sit here on the couch eating chocolate eggs and reflecting on the past weekend, I feel such a warm fluttery feeling - it all is so surreal. I have never felt so loved. I have never felt so happy. I have never felt so high. I have never felt so proud.

I set out to accomplish this goal many months ago and I accomplished it, and so much more! Across the country my family and my friends came, from Seattle, from Ohio, and from San Francisco. New friends, old friends and family spread about the course. I heard them call my name and I never felt so happy and so alive. I smiled the whole time.

I thought when I first began that this race would be about defeating the negativity that has surrounded me in the past year. That negativity has long since disappeared. I can let go now and move on and live. I realize how lucky I am. I can do anything. And most importantly, I am loved.