There's a lot going on haha

 A lot has happened since I last wrote in January. A few items of note:

1. I officially started working with a triathlon coach. I had this planned already but it has been even more impactful than I would have realized, based on item number 2 below. Her name is Jennifer and she is based out of the DC area, so it is virtual coaching. It has been great. We have all my races on the calendar, she goes in and adds my workouts, and then after each one I share details about how it went and she will comment, ask questions, give guidance. I was able to send her a video of me swimming and she gave me a few tips on my swim form. I am doing that with running soon. I am so thankful that I made this decision because I really don't know how this would be going based on the new job if I didn't have someone leading me along this path.

2. I started a new job. In the past, a life change like this has been the thing that has thrown me off course. Well, I have officially learned that about myself and I am bound and determined that won't be the case this time around. No part of me had a new position on the radar. I was perfectly settled and confident in my current role. I have been at the CU for 12.5 years, and in those years, my role of Branch AVP was the role I was in the longest (it would have been 6 years in July). With the amazing growth opportunities at the CU, I had never before really settled into a role and gotten really good at it. So when the VP of Call Center position posted, I truly saw it and just kept going on about my day. But when my boss, and her boss, both shared their confidence in me that I would be a qualified applicant, and when I learn more about what the Call Center needed, and I knew I could do it, I had to take the chance. I am officially 3 weeks into it (unoffically 5 weeks, because as soon as it was announced things started coming my way) and while I do have a ton to learn, I do feel like I can do this job. When I moved positions in the past, it was always before I was really ready professionally. But this time I do know I am ready. 

My branch team. I have been with the 5 branch managers since March of 2020. Our team of Assistant Branch Managers are all new to their roles as of September 2021. That team of branch managers is amazing, and we went through likely the hardest times any of us have ever experienced professionally. Our branches faced insane challenges and rapid and constant change during the pandemic because we as an organization made the hard but right choice to make sure we could still serve members in person, when all other FI's were closing their lobbies and keeping them closed for a long time. I am forever grateful to this team for going on that journey with me. 

3. I got my new bike. I ordered my bike in October of 2021 from my local bike shop, and at that time it had an anticipated delivery of June. I was expecting it would be a few months since the cycling supply chain, like so many others, blew up during the pandemic and is still experiencing many delays. When I checked on the order in early March, I learned I was pushed out to 2023. And so the search began for my bike at other shops. I found my exact bike at a shop in Grand Rapids and went that day to buy it. I've got it pretty much all set to go now and now I just need the weather to cooperate. This week, if I can find a pocket of time without rain, looks promising :)

When I last wrote I was just two weeks into leaving WW. I am now 3 months into that journey. It in no means has been perfect. I have gained some weight but nothing crazy. My clothes still feel pretty good and this is my gauge that I am trying to go based on. I have gotten on the scale once so that is how I know I am up some, but it truly is manageable and nothing that has me concerned. In those 3 months, a couple other things related to food have continued to happen:

1. I truly feel freedom around food. I continue to realize how much I truly was limiting myself or beating myself up for choices. When I was in the thick of it, I had no idea. 

2. I am definitely learning about fueling my body. I've noticed days where I feel sleep in the afternoon is usually if I didnt have carbs at lunch. Or if I don't eat enough before a workout/during, I feel like a slug for the next few hours. So its just been super interesting to learn and understand more about my needs. 

So, that is about all for now. I am 10 weeks out from my first triathlon of the season. I have 6 races on the schedule :)

• Izzo Foundation 5k on April 16 - I am excited to run hard and fast and see what I can do
• Grand Rapids Olympic Triathlon - June 12 - My first Olympic distance! Olympic distance is typically around 1500 meter swim, 40k bike, and 10k run
• Tri Goddess Sprint - June 25 - I did this race last year and I loved it. Looking forward to doing it again.
• Ride Around Torch Lake - July 17 - a 63 mile bike ride - Sarah and I are making a long weekend of it and camping up north. We are going to go see the course for my Half Ironman. I will be able to do a swim in the lake, and ride some of the bike course to get a feel for it.
• Swim to the Moon - August 21 - 1.2 mile swim - this is the same distance as my Half Ironman Swim
• Michigan 70.3 - September 11 - the big one to end the season. (although knowing me I will probably end up wanting to put a fall half marathon in there somewhere in October or early November).

Well, thats all for now. Thank you all for continuing to come along this journey with me.