Tri's are calling me!

I'm trying to get some sort of tentative race schedule formed as race season is fast approaching! I have finally gotten close to back on track with my 5k time since I took that big November/December training break, so I'm ready to do a race and feel like I've gotten a real start on the season. Also, my bike was all fixed up yesterday and is now in my possession! It's beautiful! I'll be sure to post some pictures this weekend when I get back to my camera. However, my cleats are still not here, so I may not get to ride it until next weekend :(

Training has been a little bit slow this week for Scarlett and I both, so we're kinda just taking it easy. Last night I ran my second 5k of this week, and bumped my time down by about 4 minutes, so that was exciting! I AM still aiming for a marathon by the end of the year, probably focusing on serious training once tri season is over (probably about September for me). It is a lofty goal for me and my abilities, but as I read my Bible everyday, the strength of the Lord and how He gives strength and endurance to those who love Him and trust Him allows me to keep faith that it is not an impossible goal.

My nearest big goal is the Run Thru History on March 5th. Every year since as early as I can remember, my family has participated in this race. It started with my aunt, who has either run the 10k or walked the 5k every year for, like, twenty years or something. Soon after she started, my mom, and later my sister and I have also done this race, beginning with the 1 mile fun run for me and my sister. For about the past 6 or 7 years, I've walked the 5k, but this year, it is my goal to run the 10k. Now, I don't doubt that I can build up my distance to 6.2 miles in just over a month. I do, however, have some apprehensions about running a 10k in the hills of the Vicksburg military park. But again, I will not say "impossible."

Anyway, here are some race in which I am interested in participating:
Do it for Duffy 5k - Starkville (Feb. 12)
Run Thru History 10k - Vicksburg (March 5)
St. Paddy's Day 5k - Jackson (March 19)
Rebelman Triathlon - Oxford (March 27)
Run-N-Tri's Tradition Triathlon - Tradition near Biloxi (April 2)
MS Grand Prix - Brookhaven (April?)
Los Locos Duathlon - Lakeland (April 9)
Renaissance Half-Marathon - Ridgeland (April 30)
Soak up the Sun Triathlon - Madison (May?)
Heatwave Triathlon - Ridgeland (June 4)
**OR**
Grandman Triathlon - Fairhope, AL (also June 4)
Dragonfly Triathlon - Sardis (June 11)
Race of Grace - Philadelphia (June 25)
**OR**
Tomato Festival 5k - Crystal Springs (June 25)
Heart O'Dixie Triathlon - Louisville (July?)
RiverCities Triathlon - Shreveport (July 31)
Tri4Life Triathlon - Brandon (September 10)
Mighty Magnolia Triathlon - Hattiesburg (October 8)
Run for Life Half-Marathon - Madison (October 15)

There will be changes to this list (hopefully only additions) in the future as official race dates are posted. I'm really hoping for a busy, exhausting, awesome first season :)