I cant believe I started writing this while sitting outside on my back porch. I was not expecting to be able to stand the cooler weather. The tree’s may be bare and we may have to layer up a bit more but  Chicago weather really is beautiful right about now. I have to admit though- I have definitely taken for granted the luxury of being able to train outdoors since I have been in Tucson. It was a good preview of what is to come while I’m home for a month during Christmas. Having to swim indoors and being on the bike trainer is so different. Anyways, a lot has happened since the last time I wrote-

Yes, Melissa Stockwell is an IRONMAN!!!! For those of you who don’t know, an ironman consists of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 bike bike, and a 26.2 mile run! I was lucky enough to be able to watch her accomplish her goal and let me tell you- it was amazing! I got the chills watching her run down the shoot – holding the flag above her head with a big smile on her face. I’m so proud of everything she has accomplished and to be able to call her a friend.

I’m so excited to announce that I have teamed up with PR Nutrition to be one of their brand ambassadors! PR Nutrition Bar’s are the official Performance Bar of the U.S Olympic and Paralympic Teams. If you haven’t already, go out and try the bars! They are so delicious and are perfect for before or after a training session! Their website is prnutrition.com and if you order online- you can use the promo code mkcallahan15 to recieve 15% off your order!

Being home and seeing all my friends and family was so refreshing… just what the doctor ordered. I tried to see as many people as possible since its been a whole 3 months since I last saw most of my friends! I had so much fun with them while I was home and cannot wait to be able to spend more time with them over winter break. I was reminded that some friendships are just too important and that even though we were gone for 3 months, it seemed like no time had passed when we were all back together.

I couldn’t go home for Thanksgiving and not participate in some kind of Thanksgiving Day Race. My dad and brother always play football in the morning on Thanksgiving Day so the girls decided to do a local 5k. The 5k was right in La Grange, I didn’t even have to get on a plane or in a car to get there!! I was also lucky enough to have my mom and one of her best friends there with me! While I was racing, they both walked the 5k. It was nice to be able to go out at race pace and see where I was at in my 5k. Dont worry, I made sure we were home in time to watch Keri in the Macy’s Day Parade 🙂

With being home, I had to be somewhat productive with checking things off my “to-do list.” I went to The Bike Rack in St. Charles, IL and was measured for my new hand-cycle! As some of you know, my hand-cycle that I have now doesn’t always like to cooperate with me. |’m hoping since we placed the order before December, it will be in mid-January, before I head back to Tucson from Winter Break. The plan is to get in some solid training and work out all the kinks on the new bike. I want to be able to both  Tritonman (San Diego)  and South Beach (Miami, Fl) on it before Nationals in May- fingers crossed that all goes as planned. Let me tell you….the hardest decision was picking out the color. I couldn’t have it clash with my racing chair color so you’ll have to wait and see what the final decision was.

I start my training with Mark Sortino tomorrow and I could not be happier. Going over  my training plans for the next weeks is already bringing my training anxiety down.

CONGRATS TO THE FENWICK SWIMMERS FOR HAVING AN AWESOME 2013 SEASON AND A GREAT STATE MEET! I can’t believe it has already been a year since history was changed in Illinois, allowing disabled swimmers to be able to compete in the state championship! Although I was still in Tucson for the meet, I proudly wore my Fenwick shirt watching them dominate the meet online.  I did get a little teary eyed when the meet started. That meet will always hold a special place in heart.

Well… finals start next week which means I should probably get back to studying! Cant believe my first semester of college is coming to an end! It’s been a whirlwind but I cant wait to see what’s next! Sometimes I catch myself thinking about the future too much. I came to a conclusion: I have to worry about the present and doing what makes me happy now, everything else will fall into place. With New Years just around the corner, has everyone been thinking of some New Years resolutions? I know I have!

To my college friends reading this: stop procrastinating and get back to studying for your finals… love you guys though!

The International Paralympic Committee released it’s new video today celebrating the Paralympic movement. Click Here to view the amazing video.

“Set your goals high and don’t stop till you get there”

MK