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Winter Meltdown

Well, more like tear down, but the work continues! After that last track day of the year, getting moved, and finally getting settled in, it was time to get started with the winter tear down. Parts began to be ordered, the bike got tore down, and eventually I started putting it back together. Finding random things that needed to be replaced that I hadn't counted on - always a blast (insert ironic tone). 

And then I have the exciting realization that as I ordered stuff I forgot some random part here or there that I forgot. Ugh. Another order to be placed! This coming week we'll be heading up to GP Wheel and Frame to get the bike checked out, fairings will be off to the painter, and hopefully suspension off for it's annual refresh. So basically about the time I get the bike slightly back together it will be tore all back apart again.

Oh well, good thing is that it will be ready to go for the first race of the season in March!

The bike, however, is nto the only thing that is getting some attention. After the last races of the year I realized that in the upcoming 2016 season I wasn't going to be content just "learning" to race - I actually want to be competitive in my classes. This meant that I had to do something about my lack of fitness. The truth of the matter is that I'm overweight, and additionally my fitness was non-existent. When I had races close together my lack of fitness would have me feeling "gassed" throughout the second race, and my times and results were brutally honest about that fact. 

So, with a determination that I haven't had in years, with the realization that it was going to suck, period, and that the excuses just couldn't survive any longer, it was time to change my lifestyle. I was back in a town with easy access to a Planet Fitness (a gym that is simplistic but offers everything I need in an environment I found comfortable in my condition), I had access to some great challenges and support networks, and with my BF who was also focused on health for racing, so it was time to get to work.

I crunched the numbers, started tracking my food, and started with a workout plan. It sucked. I knew it would suck though, and for the first time in nearly 6 years I gave up on the excuses. It'll happen regardless of the suck. There are times when I'm at the gym, putting in the work on that cardio that I find horribly boring, telling myself that when I'm out there racing my body won't care how I feel during this workout - only that I did it. So I do it.

Surrounding myself with like minded people is extraordinarily helpful, as is being able to share my small accomplishments with groups who are also excited by changes and victories, no matter how small. I still have a long ways to go, but there has been remarkable differences already made. While the scale isn't moving quite as fast as I'd sometimes like, my fitness is my primary goal. It's been a bit odd trying to find ways to celebrate those victories, but I've had some measurable changes made, so that is helpful. I'm trying to recognize those victories over scale victories this time around since that will make the biggest difference when it comes to the racing.

So my life is work, work, more work, work out, work on bike, work out, more work LOL - but every second is SO worth it!

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