Goodbye Moon, Hello August

Usually August is not a month I took forward to, but this year I am embracing the eight month of the year!  

July started out with so much promise.  I was strong with my tri training; my health was improving; my schedule was in place; and my family was strong.  Then, my iPhone died.  In the future if the iPhone goes again, I will start becoming concern. After the phone, my health was next.  Due to an increased tri training schedule, my body's weakness were exposed, my pain increased, and I had to make the choice to drop out of my upcoming sprint tri. Then at the end of the month, I unexpectedly had to say goodbye to my oldest dog, Dolce.  

I could write a lot more about the month of disappointment, but I am ready to mentally move on. Reflecting back on the month, I know there is nothing I could do to change what happened.  My motivation was there; there were just some strong setbacks.  I have had setbacks in my journey before and will again in the future.  Each time I get thru them.  So for the month of August, I am working on a couple of goals.  

1) My blog: The first weekend of August I am attending my first blogging conference in Kansas City (www.goblogosocial.com).  I hope to learn how to utlitize social media and the resources which are out there.  In addition, I have purchased my own domain so I would like to move this page to the new address of www.betterjnel.com.  Hopefully by the end of August, you will be reading me at a new location.

2) My running: Since I had to make the difficult decision on stepping away from the sprint tri this year, I am fully focused on improving my run/walk intervals.  Before I was injured, I started seeing improvements already with being able to run longer, and I felt stronger.  So with the help of my new running coach Rachel (http://drrachelruns.com), I have a new plan in place to improve my intervals and distance. Still planning for two more half marathons by the end of year with a full next year

3) My diet: I have to eat more!  My daily calories is about 200-300 short of what I need for my activity level.  I am improving on increasing my calories and making sure they are quality calories.  There is always room for improvement.  With the encouragement of my trainer, I am adding new veggies as well as learning how to cook them!  

So here's to a better August and a Better JNel.