The Road To Tri

I'm Back

2008-08-08T08:28:00.002-05:00

Hello. Again.
I've found my password again. I still have a presence in cyberspace. I still love triathlon. I have finally found some motivation. Yeah.
So the last year has been a long one.
No regrets. Time to start again. Time to find the love of sport. Time to find the love of health. That feeling that your lungs aren't going to burst even though you've just run ten miles. Time to feel the muscle ache from lifting weights rather than the stress of the world.
Time to swim.
Time to bike.
Time to run.

Soccer Season-Done

2007-05-27T12:14:00.000-05:00

Another soccer season has come and gone. Both Alex and Arianna had a great time and both did really well and scored lots of goals.

Alex's team had a really slow start. They came together as a team after about a half dozen games and then finally started to tie and win a couple of games. This team struggled for a while, but in the end totally redeemed themselves in the tournament. All the soccer teams play tournaments at the end of the season. The regular season's standings are wiped out and everyone starts fresh. Each game is sudden death, if you don't win, you don't go on. Alex's team....the one with some pretty bad regular season standings....WON the Championship tournament! These kids really wanted to win and it showed. The picture above is Alex taking a shot on goal...yes, it made it in. Next year Alex will move up to U16. I'm not sure if he will play High School soccer next year, he's already committed to football and hockey. I do hope that he sticks with the rec league next spring though.

Now Arianna.....Well, let's just say "she's good!" She was one of the oldest girls on her team and will definately move up to U12 in the fall. She scored every goal that her team made this season....I'm not kidding here. She has been watching her brothers play from the time she was an infant and it is unreal how good she has become. She was invited to join a National AYSO team and travel to Hawaii in '09 for the National Tournament. We're still thinking about it. She will be playing at a regional tournament in a couple of weeks here in Michigan with some girls that she played with over the winter. I am looking forward to seeing this team play, they were really good and were beating some of the local travel teams.

This years medals are already adorning the bedroom walls. Nice job.

Cool Things

2007-05-08T14:31:00.000-05:00

Sometimes when you bike you get to see some pretty nasty things. Country roads are full of road kill that one must be adept at riding around and forcing one's self to, at all costs, not look at. Yes, there is always the bad, but then there is the good too. And when we get to see the cool stuff it just makes riding all worthwhile. Today I got to see the good and the bad, but mostly the good. I always ride in the country. Not too much traffic, some bumpy roads and mostly beautiful landscape. About twenty minutes into my ride I spotted a small yellow plane. It was flying close to the ground, about 100-200 feet, really close. My first thought was, this guy is either goofing off or crop dusting. Once I crested a small hill, I found myself right in front of a vineyard, I could see him come back around making a tight turn and then diving once again over the grapes. Crop Duster. I watched him swoop down and then quickly back up and around again over and over for about five minutes. I took a few photos with my phone and really wish I had had my camera with me. It was really fun to watch. Just one of those cool things.

Hey Rocky Raccoon

2007-05-07T09:32:00.000-05:00

This is who came for dinner last night.

Blossomtime Race

2007-05-07T09:18:00.000-05:00

First let me just say that yes, I am alive and well. Spring has been fine, but....I'm ready for summer :0)

I ran my first 5k of the season on Saturday. Our local YMCA puts on this race and does a really nice job. It runs the route of the Blossomtime parade which is a big deal here in our little town. The race takes place about an hour and a half before the parade. The route is an out and back through the Twin Citys of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor. It includes running over the Blossomtime bridge....which I've discovered, people really do not like to run over the grating on this bridge. A lot of people scramble to get up on the sidewalk edge, which is narrow, so they don't have to look down at the water far below. There is a great hill that we ran down at the very beginning of the race....but wait, there is the same killer hill that we have to finish with on the way back. The official results aren't posted yet, but I think I ran a straight 30. That gives me about a 9:30 pace. Pretty normal for me. I didn't push. I didn't stop either and I especially didn't stop on that hill and was still able to sprint the last 100 yards to finish up. It looks like I was about a minute slower than last years race. I'll just have to make it up later this summer at the Venetian 5k.

We stayed after for the parade. The weather was perfect and we had a great time with lots of friends and kids!

Fixed Tire & Flip Turns.....a little bike porn too

2007-03-01T16:22:00.000-05:00

There was blood involved, but more on that later.

I'm not really that girly (I hardly ever even wear lipstick) and yes, I knew I could do it. I took the wheel off the bike after disconnecting the brake...no problemo. I popped the tire off with the little tool that I have, once again, no problemo. I stuck the new tube in after I had inflated it a little and then put the tire back on the wheel. I did struggle just a little with the last bit of tire over the rim, but my brute force conquered and it went on, no problemo. Then I went to pump up the tire....problemo....the stem was not coming out of the rim far enough and I could not get the pump to attach. I have deep dish rims and bought a puny stem. oops, that won't happen again!

Since today is a swim/bike day I thought I would hit the bike shop before going to the Y. I went to pack up my gym bag and looked at the place where my suit hangs in the bathroom....no suit. This is the actual thought that went through my head..."who the heck took my suit!" I live with two teenage boys who are not going to take my Speedo, ever. My husband is not even in town (like, he would take it, NOT) and my ten year old daughter will not fit in the Speedo probably even when she's forty. What was I thinking?? No one took my suit. I had left it in my gym bag. Since I swam yesterday the suit was wet. Not just wet, but wet and cold. Great, that's gonna feel real nice. I can't wear my old suit cuz it I wore it out and it shows the crack in my behind....yep, that's nice too.

So, I got to the bike shop and got my new tube and some new clipless pedals. Way cool. I love them! See picture above.

I got to the Y and had a great swim. Actually it was just great getting into the water after putting on a freezing cold, wet suit. I was able to swim my main set with flip turns all the way through...how cool is that!! Some of my flip turns are still a little rough, but most are spot on. They are definately teaching me what it feels like to miss that breath and to control my breathing more going into the turn.

Oh yes, the blood. That had nothing to do with the tire, but it had everything to do with the pedals. I seemed to have punched a small hole into the pad of my index finger while trying to remove the pedals on my bike. I think it got pinched in the wrench. Bike pedals are weird. Left pedal is loosened to the right and the right pedal is loosened to the left. Once I got the direction correct the wrench and rubber mallet did the trick and they loosened easily. I am so gonna be a bike wiz this year!

Today was a good workout day.

Flat Tire

2007-03-01T09:30:00.000-05:00

My bike has a flat tire.

This might not normally seem unusual, but it's been on the trainer since Christmas. What? Did I run over a toy? Did I hit a dog, cat, kid? Did I run it off the carpet and into the TV?? Nope. It has not moved! Now it has a flat on the front tire.

I picked up a new tube at my local bike shop. I told my devoted husband that I would fix it. Cuz I really need to learn how to fix a flat. Yes, that's right, I have never fixed a flat before. Not even in a car. I know a bike should be easier than a car, but, but... I confess, I'm girly when it comes to tires. Flat tires spook me. I can kill big, fat, hairy spiders, but start to sweat when I have to touch a tire. Go Figure.

I have a bike workout scheduled for today so it looks like I'm gonna have to tackle this tire thing. Wish me luck!

Countdown

2007-02-28T13:16:00.000-05:00

13 weeks until Sunburst Half Marathon

22 weeks until Steelhead 70.3 Triathlon

My training plan is written. My goals are written. I know the exact hours that I will be putting in each week. My motivation is finally up. I am ready for another year of racing.

(my kids still think I am a crazy triathlete) :0)

Ski Bums

2007-02-23T08:41:00.000-05:00

Yes, we are back from our Colorado ski trip. It was fantastic.

It was a busy travel weekend due to the holiday, but we eventually got to Colorado and then spent two days hitting the slopes. We stayed at my parents cabin in Frisco and the first day we skied at Copper Mountain. The snow was fresh with several inches of new powder, but the lines were really long. It was, after all, the biggest ski weekend of the year....it was the only time we could go....so we braved the lines and still had a great time. The second day we decided to head toward Leadville to check out Ski Cooper. This is a smaller mom and pop operation situated in the middle of national forest land. The powder was even better and the lines....none! We really had a blast and by the afternoon our legs were burning by the time we got down the mountain! We even got Arianna to do a couple of black diamond runs. Afterwards she would say "ok, now lets go back to the blue" and we did. This was the first ski trip that she has not done ski school the whole time. She was a trooper putting up with her kamakazee brothers and actually trying some of those jumps too!

The Pier

2007-02-14T16:23:00.000-05:00

Scott and I went to the pier the other day and took some photos.

As you can see, the river is frozen and so is a good portion of the lake.

In the picture above, Scott is standing on the left side pier. The right side pier with the lighthouse is where triathletes jump into the water to begin Steelhead. In the middle is the St. Joseph River.

The lake is frozen so far out that we cannot see waves anymore. We haven't been above freezing in over three weeks now. I am starting to wonder when the thaw will come. As we were on the pier we laughed...in just three months time there will be kids jumping off the pier into the still fridged water. Last year we saw some kids from the Catholic school come down to the pier and jump, it must have been some rite of passage, they jumped with all their clothes on and had no towels to dry off with. In the end, they were freezing and running around laughing and playing. Oh, the joys of spring....soon.

..we will be out in that lake soon thereafter (with wetsuits) to begin getting used to open water swims again. It's hard to imagine right now with all the ice and snow, but I can't wait to get those open water swims going again.

I pounded out 4+ miles on the treadmill today. I keep thinking more and more about Steelhead and what I want to accomplish. First and foremost, I want to finish. Secondly, I want to finish sub-7. I've got plenty of work to do to make that second goal, but that's half the fun....training.

I think I have finally chosen a half marathon to do. It's the Sunburst down in South Bend, Indiana in June. Close to home and two months from my A race.

We are off to Colorado tomorrow to visit my mom and then two days of sking. It's been four years since I skied last. I cannot wait! I'll post pics when we get back.

Lake Effect

2007-02-01T09:10:00.000-05:00

It stopped snowing yesterday for a few hours....then it started again last night.

It all began on Saturday. The snow started coming down and my kids and I were pretty excited. We had not gotten any snow at all in December and come on, we live in Michigan, so we like the snow. So, like I said, it started on Saturday. By Sunday morning we had 20 inches....did I just say we like snow?? Cuz that's a lot to like! But it never stopped on Sunday either. By Monday it was a no brainer that we had a snow day. The roads were impassable unless you had a four wheel drive. The plows could not keep up with falling snow. Tuesday - snow day - now I've got some really happy kids who aren't even setting their alarms for school. They spend most of the days out side sledding, building forts, throwing snow and then coming in and dumping heaps of sopping wet clothing on the floor. It snowed all day Tuesday. But thankfully Mother Nature in her infinate kindness decided that mother's all along Lake Michigan needed a reprive and the snow stopped at 9pm Tuesday night....and the kids went back to school :0)

It was actually a beautiful day yesterday, clear and unbelievably freaking cold. The roads got cleared pretty well and I saw pavement in some places too.

The kids have school again today, but as you know, all good things must come to an end. Yes, it is snowing again. A lot.

Here's the recap:

Sat-Sun: 20 inches

Mon: 8-10 inches- snow day

Tue: 4-6inches- snow day

Wed: none

Thur: Snowing again-I'm going back to bed

Fri: more snow likely, probably another snow day...I'm not getting out of bed.

Friday's Feast #127

2007-01-19T11:28:00.000-05:00

Yes folks, it's that time again. Another Friday, another weekend.

Appetizer
Which television shows do you just refuse to miss?

24- Jack's my man, I mean come on....how many people can have a bad day and I mean a Really, Really bad day and just keep moving on....the guy has got some serious balls!

Soup
Who did you last speak to on the telephone?

Denise....we also just finished a 5 mile walk together.

Salad
How many pillows do you keep on your bed?

Too many. I think 5 or 6 and that doesn't include the two that get thrown to the floor every night cuz their just pretty ones.

Main Course
Name one addition to your computer (software, hardware, etc.) that you'd love to have.

Well, I just get a new laptop last week for my b-day and I'm pretty happy with it so far. But if I could add anything I wanted to it....does it have to be real?.....I would add some software that would beat my teenager senseless and make him quit being a butthead to his parents. Yes, we are having issues, can you tell?!

Dessert
What is your favorite foreign food?

Mexican and Indian. Which is why I have to workout seven days a week and still have a fat ass :0)

Play hard, train hard. I'm still working on the flip turn...more on THAT later.

Swimming & Flip Turns

2007-01-17T10:52:00.000-05:00

I had a swim lesson last night. It was the first swim lesson I have ever had. See, I am a natural in the water. I love it and always have and I swim pretty well too. The lesson was basically a stroke critique and the chance to watch Tri-Hawg thrash around in the water, gasp for air and practically drown....we shared the lesson. Now I have to say that within about 15-20 minutes he had drastically improved and was able to breath again. I also had smoothed out my stroke and relaxed. All good things....until....
Something I learned: I. Hate. Flipturns.
I told the instructor (a high school kid) that I wanted to learn flip turns. I Did Not tell her that I wanted to ingest five gallons of clorine water through my nose, which is precisely what I did. I suck....I'm not even sure at this point if I am willing to make the flip turn a goal, challenge or more probably nemesis. My nasal passages have been burned and scarred by the Y's super, extra ordinary amount of clorine chemicals in the pool water. I am just not sure if one can recover....maybe I'm suffering from post tramatic water up the nose stress disorder??!!??
I'm off to the pool soon. An embarassing episode of gasping, choking and clorine snorting is sure to follow.

Friday's Feast

2007-01-12T11:06:00.000-05:00

Before we get to the feast, I just want to say thank you to everyone who has left comments. A difficult time is made easier by the consideration of others.

Also....Happy Birthday to ME!! Yes, I am officially another year older today and my sister's birthday is tommorrow. So, Happy Birthday Jess!

I did not move into a new age group slot this year, but I will next year. I'm not 29 and I'm not 49, anyone care to guess how old I am today? :0)

Now, on to the Feast....

Appetizer
What comes to mind when you see the color orange?

Lake Michigan sunsets in the summer. Absolutely beautiful.

Soup
Did you ever get in trouble while you were in school? If so, what was it for?

Yes. At the begining of my junior year of high school we moved to Denver from a small mountain town. Some of my friends from my old school came to my new school. In the middle of an assembly they found me and told me they wanted to take me to see The Go Go's concert at Red Rocks. I HAD to skip my last class (french) because it was just too amazing that my friends even found me during that assembly and had free concert tickets! My french teacher saw me leave (I didn't know this) and called my mother. When I got home that night I was promptly grounded for two weeks and ended up missing another concert that my boyfriend had bought tickets for way in advance.
It was worth it though. The night was amazing and so was the concert...Red Rocks is the best place in the world to see a concert!

Salad
Which topping(s) make up your perfect pizza?

Veggies and gyurere...no meat.

Main Course
Do you believe in UFO's/aliens/etc? Why or why not?

Yes. Are will really arrogant enough to believe that we are the only form of life in the universe? Besides, they tried to land at O'hare just the other day.

Dessert
What color is your bedspread/comforter/quilt?

Well, since I live in Michigan I always have a comforter on my bed and on really cold nights I throw on a quilt too. The comforter I have on it now is white with blue hydrengeas. It's light and bright and helps to counter the gray days that make me want to gouge my eyes out :0)

Enjoy.

New Page

2007-01-11T19:52:00.000-05:00

I took Alex to the visitation tonight. It was incredibly hard to see the kids there. They were distraught.
I am really having a hard time putting any of my thoughts into words.

Tomorrow is a new day.

Saying goodbye to Tiffany

2007-01-11T09:42:00.000-05:00

I've been feeling not quite up to snuff lately. I'm not sure what it is. The weather probably. I always get the doldrums this time of year. I was thinking about how crappy Michigan weather can be, gray all day, for days on end. Yes, the winter has been mild, but the sun still doesn't want to come out and play.

So....while I was lementing the weather and my training, someone was in terrible pain. It makes me sad.

Tiffany was an eighth grader. The same grade as my son. They were on the same soccer team last year. I can still picture her running around in her green jersey playing defense.

Tiffany took her own life Monday.

We are heartbroken. I am crying now. My heart aches for her Mother and Father. I am praying that some way, some how, God will ease their pain.

Hug your children, tell them how much you love them, tell them that no matter what they can always come to you....tell them until they are sick of hearing it and then tell them again.

Tiffany,

You will be missed.

Friday's Feast - Land of Koz style

2006-12-23T09:23:00.000-05:00

I love this idea http://fridaysfeast.blogspot.com/ I'm an old restaurant owner, manager, pee on....now that I'm out of the biz I am still drawn to it and food.
Yes, I know today is Saturday....but in the land of Koz it really doesn't matter :0)

Appetizer
What is one of your Christmas traditions?
Making gingerbread houses with my kids and getting Christmas cards in the mail.

Soup
Who is the easiest person on your list to buy presents for?
Arianna. She writes about a dozen lists/letters to Santa and reminds me non-stop immediately after Halloween

Salad
What is your favorite Christmas scent?
Cinnomon and cloves

Main Course
If you could give a fellow blogger a Christmas gift, who would it be and what would you give them?
I would give Flatman a race application :0)

Dessert
What's something on your Christmas wish list this year that you need (not just want)?
I don't really need anything, but I really, really, really want a bike trainer.

Santa Baby

2006-12-22T10:17:00.000-05:00

Santa baby, slip a Cycle Ops Trainer under the tree, for me
I've been an awful good girl
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa baby, an Endless pool too, light blue
I'll wait up for you dear
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Think of all the fun races I've missed
Think of all the medals that I haven't kissed
Next year I could be oh so good
Cuz Steelhead's right in my neighborhood
Boo doo bee doo

Santa honey, I wanna Cervelo bike and really that's
what I like

I've been an angel all year
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa cutie, there's one thing I really do need, some speed
To get me a good PR
Santa cutie, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa baby, I'm filling my stocking with some Gator Aid and GU
I'll share some with the reindeer and you
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Come and trim my Christmas tree
With some decorations bought at Ironman 70.3

I really do believe in you
Let's see if you believe in me
Boo doo bee doo

Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing, some bling
A finishers medal will make me sing
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight
Hurry down the chimney tonight
Hurry down the chimney tonight

Musician Progeny

2006-12-22T09:55:00.000-05:00

Only 3 more days till Christmas!

This time of year is always busy. Add kids to the mix and you might as well block off your entire December calendar a year a head of time.

The end of our busy schedule came to a head last night. The Christmas music recital. This is the recital where you get to be a good parent and sit an hour or more listening to other people's children. Your own child only takes about two minutes to play their piece. This recital used to last upwards of two plus hours until the teacher split the group in two (small miracles are the best). Thankfully, I love Christmas music. It turned out to be a nice program and as always I am proud of my little musicians. Austin played What Child Is This on the violin and Arianna played I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day on the piano, which I have heard about a million times....priceless.

Christmas break has officially begun. The kids are off of school for the next two weeks. I love this break....now we need some snow. It has been pouring rain here all morning! Not very Christmasy. I guess we'll have to start baking to get the spirit flowing...yes, yes, I know...I'll try not to eat too many cookies.

Next week back to training.

Ready for a wild ride

2006-12-21T10:51:00.000-05:00

This picture from Sports Illustrated depicts pretty much how I feel.

Looks like I need to get some things under contol....like eating chocolate, lazing around, eating cookies, not working out, eating candy canes, procrastinating, eating big fat starchy meals....you get the idea.

It is now official. I am registered for Steelhead!!!! Yes, I have committed (or should be committed) to do a half Ironman. I am excited, but as you can see feeling a bit out of control....I have a teenie bit of anxiety too. Seven months. Sounds like a long time. That is until I have to actually drag my ass down to the beach and swim 1.2 miles, bike 56 miles and then top it all off with a 13 mile run.

Piece of cake.....no, no, no. No more cake :-) I think my brain is lapsing into some kind of diabetic diatribe. I may need an intervention. If anyone knows how to get me off of this sled, please, please let me know immediately!!! Come on, there will be dire consequences (heart attack, exhaustion, butt blisters...) if I don't get off soon...see the above paragraph. Yes, registering was supposed to kick me into gear, but I'm just not feeling the fear yet. I know it will happen. I just think it's going to take a week.

In any event. It is done. Steelhead here I come.

Age, Wisdom, Happiness

2006-11-16T11:46:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Tri-Hawg. Another day older, another day wiser, another day of happiness. Life is good. I love you!!

Driving Miss Kim

2006-11-06T17:35:00.000-05:00

This is a post I'm not quite sure about....my feelings on the subject of driving...not my driving, but that of my Son. Austin got his license today. I am happy for him, really I am. But I am also melancholy. He's been driving me around for the last year. Now he wants to be alone, to drive alone. I like when Austin drives for me. We get to talk. Sometimes I read a book or the paper, but usually we talk. That I will miss. I will miss the easy car banter after school. The trips to Starbucks or panera for coffee with silliness and laughter in his voice. The general errands we ran and the occasional serious conversation. I will miss that alone time with Austin. I'm sure we will still find time to spend with each other, I just have a feeling that this is one more step to letting go. To giving up some of the power. To giving a nod to youthful independence. One more step to realizing that our children grow up and there is nothing we can do about it. I watch, I listen, I encourage, I discipline, but most of all....I am thankful. I am thankful for the time we have and the time to come.

Sweet 16 & Happy Halloween!

2006-10-31T21:25:00.000-05:00

This is my scary, spooky and super sweet 16 guy. Austin is the best! He is just the greatest kid. It's my blog and yes I'm gonna brag all I want. Austin is the kind of kid that comes into a room and makes people laugh. He is easy going, smart and fun to be around. Happy Birthday Austin!!!

Say Chee

2006-10-24T14:51:00.000-05:00

Well, I finally ran today. After screwing up my back again I am now feeling pretty much back to normal....yes, I know, I know...that's relative for me. But even in my usually abnormal state, I am not a normal runner. Did that make sense? I have crappy form, gasp for air, am prone to injury and I'm not even talking about when I fall on trail runs! Since TriHawg runs with me on occasion, he has seen the scary running form...not a pretty sight. In fact he just recently pointed out how bad it all is and mentioned the funny way I point my toes too. To be completely fair he is just looking out for my well being....he thinks mobility in old age is a good thing.
So, he brings home a book for me called CHI RUNNING (pronounced chee). Now I believe in the whole mind/body thing, really, I do....I even do yoga....and I picked up on when my appendix was going bad really fast...and I usually can predict when I am going to throw my back out (this usually involves a lot of stress). So what does all this have to do with running and running better?....cuz, I really need some help or my knees are going to completely disintegrate one of these days! According to the book (I'm halfway through it) we must focus, body sense and relax. Sounds easy right? Riiiiggghhhtttt. I know that there are plenty of people out there that are great at multi-tasking.....and they love to toot their own horn about it too...."I closed five deals, read the paper and had outpatient surgery and THEN I went to lunch, what did you do today?"....I really don't like these people. I am not a multi tasker, but I digress....that would probably make a great blog post though.
So, since I'm not great at multi tasking, focusing, being aware of body sense, and trying to relax while running is downright hard.
First I would get down the focus part....I'm leaning and my body is going forward (physics at work here). Now I am trying to sense what my body is telling me. Pain somewhere, what...is that my ankle? Do I need to relax that a little? Now I've lost my focus! That's just great, back to focusing. There we go, just concentrate....I think I'm finding a groove here. Now I've forgotten what pain I was having! Jeez, I need to be relaxing here people!
Okay, If I can just get my legs and arms to feel like cotton and my core to be the steel that moves my body I just might fly. That's what the book says...I may not ever be a gazelle, but then again, I just might find my Chee.

My Baby

2006-10-23T10:47:00.000-05:00

My baby is 10 today. Happy Birthday!!!
Arianna is second from the right in the picture. She is in the fourth grade and has more energy and stamina than anyone I have ever met in my entire life....I hope that never leaves her! I am so lucky to have such a beautiful daughter.
I love you Puggo!

Weather PR....SNAIL

2006-10-12T20:21:00.000-05:00

I keep telling TriHawg that this winter is going to be a cold one...just a hunch I have. Well, today we have our first official snow of the season...the fall season that is. Today was a weather record breaking day. Snow records that is and nearly half an inch. The weather guys were probably giddy with frontal boundry excitment.

It is what I have dubbed "SNAIL". An absolutely biting mix of snow and hail that whipped up and around off of the great Lake Michigan to sting cheeks and freeze the little fingers of elementary school children eager to see winter's first sign.

I like the snow. I don't mind the cold weather, as long as I'm prepared. A long coat, gloves, scarf, hat...all the necessities to keep one comfortable. I love the rosey cheeks and the steaming breath that winter brings. I love sking and tubing. I love walking in the snow at night with TriHawg...that is one of my favorite things.

While I do love winter and snow, I probably could have waited another month or two until its descent. But, since that's not a decision that I got to make this year, I guess I'll just have to be happy with what's been dealt....Sometimes, even in the throes of winter, we should just stop and smell the roses.

More Football

2006-10-08T17:48:00.000-05:00

We had a great time at the game. The weather was perfect, so nice and sunny that we had to ask to borrow some sunscreen. Notre Dame, as predicted, trounsed Stanford. But it was still a fun game to watch. We ate far too much junk food and just kicked back and relaxed...a nice way to spend a Saturday.

TriHawg is home for a couple more days and that means workouts together, yeah. If the nice temps hold out we may hop on the bikes tomorrow....I'm just not ready to take every workout indoors yet.

Notre Dame Football

2006-10-07T11:21:00.000-05:00

So, Tri Hawg is at the local supermarket with the Boy Scouts selling popcorn this morning and up walks a gentleman with Notre Dame tickets that he wants to give away. Since none of the other scouts wanted them Tri Hawg snagged them up thinking he would give them to a friend...someone who actually likes Notre Dame. Said friend already had tickets and is going to the game with his son and now we are going with them too.

It should be a fun game, even though Notre Dame will probably beat the pants off of Stanford. We haven't been to a college game since we lived in Colorado and used to go to all the Air Force Academy home games....Tri Hawgs alma mater.

Sometimes things just seem to fall into your lap....so unexpectedly. It's a treasure when they are the good things in life...like a game with the one you love...not a bad way to spend a Saturday!

It's a good life.

140.6

2006-10-03T11:34:00.000-05:00

I've been working on goals lately. That M-dot really intrigues me. I have a tattoo on my foot, a Japanese character that means love. What do all of these things have in common??
I've written down my goal....Ironman Florida '08.
After I've completing that goal.....said M-dot to be tattooed on my @ss, or very close to it....actually lower back, so that when you see me get out of the pool you can't help but notice the little guy right there just above my suit. Why do I think about these things??? Maybe because I have felt for so long that I can't do it, and by "it" I mean anything athletic. This year I have finally put that notion to bed, kicked it to the freaking curb and said "leave me alone, I can do it because I am strong!". I want a visible remembrance after I have traveled those 140.6 miles, something to remind me that my lungs were strong enough, my arms were strong enough, my legs were strong enough....my mind was strong enough. I want people to ask "what is that?" so I can tell them how incredible this sport is, how it feels to be free, to feel pain and be happy with it.
I'm in. Florida 2008.

Cancer

2006-10-01T16:47:00.000-05:00

My Dad's birthday was the 28 of September. He would have been 58 years old. He died when he was 55. Hodgkins Lymphoma. I still find it depressing. I don't think there will ever be a cure in my lifetime. I am just too skeptical when it comes to cancer. I've seen what it does to people....it's just not right...just not fair!
I run to get away, to beat the odds, to laugh in the face of a disease that is horrifiying and prolific. I run and I pray.

Road Rash

2006-09-08T08:01:00.000-05:00

Here's a nice pic of some of the road rash I sustained when I sprained my ankle. This actually hurts more than the sprain. It stings like hell. My ankle has gone down a little in swelling and is starting to bruise up really nicely. I should have several colors of the rainbow on my ankle and knee in a day or two. I am still thankful that I am walking around with some stiffness and not in a cast and on crutches!
Guess who's coming home tonight???? Tri hawg!!!!

Sprained Ankle

2006-09-07T13:05:00.000-05:00

If you look closely you might be able to see that my right outer ankle is swelling/blowing up to the size of a golf ball.

One might ask. "How in the heck did that happen!?!" I myself ask the same question.

I was all geeked up to go on a nice long run. The weather was beautiful and I wanted to get close to the lake. To run and see the sun glisten and sparkle like diamonds across the waves, to see the boaters and sun bathers enjoying the day....that was the plan.
I parked on the bluff and crossed over the train bridge to start my run, planning on going plus 6 miles, got the ipod ready and started pounding the trail. Not pounding the pavement, but pounding the trail. A trail the size of a six pack in width. Yes, it's a little narrow I realize this, but the views are incredible and I just love running off the beaten path with no one else around. I got to the end of the trail and turned around. The plan was to continue down the "paved" path, down to the beach, down the pier, into town and then do it all over again...2 loops. That was the plan. Once I had doubled back on the trail my muscles were warming up nicely and my legs were feeling great, this is gonna be a nice run I told myself.
I'm not sure what exactly happened, but I went down. HARD. One moment I looked up and the next I was on my hands and knees and in a lot of pain. The swelling was instant, which scared the crap out of me....I've never seen a body part swell that fast. I pretty much got up/ brushed off and started walking/limping about a third of a mile back to my car. All the while of course trying to assess what the hell just happened and how hurt am I? I was dirty and had road rash on my knees and hurt hands as well. I didn't think that I had any broken bones, but like I said, the swelling was freaking me out. The worst part out of all of this: only 1.7 miles run!!!
I called Tri Hawg when I got to the car. He's still in Florida so he couldn't come pick me up :0( I just needed a loving voice to get me through the car ride. I did almost go to the ER, but just could not stomach the thought of a three hour wait. The next best thing---->I called my neighbor...her husband is an orthopedic surgeon...how handy is that! But he happened to be in surgery...aahrrgg. She did say that she would have him stop by though after work.
Well, the good news is that the Doc says it is a sprain, but not a major one. Yeah! Rest, ice, compression and elevation have been prescribed. I am trying to be a good patient, but I am already sick as all get out of having my foot in the air. That might be easier once Tri Hawg gets home tomorrow!!! ;-)

Back to swimming and biking once the swelling goes down and then run on the pavement...no trail...at least for a while. Doctor's orders.

School Night

2006-09-04T09:42:00.000-05:00

Tonight is a school night! This is a very exciting night for parents and kids too. Mine are ready to go back...I think they are sick of me and need a change of pace. Now I could easily spend another three months with all of them in a one room hotel room with out going completely insane....not. We have had a great summer, but there is something about the night before school starts that is just ripe with anticipation. All the back packs are ready and school shopping complete, we've done this many times before. The kids just know the drill. I remember each time my kids entered kindergarten. What a huge milestone in their lives, it really marks a journey that will not end for more than a decade. It is also a huge milestone for a parent as well. It forces us to let go, to let them have a little independence...to walk away from us when we still want to hold their hands all the way. We cry because we know this day will never come again...it is a turning point in our child's life, in our life.

I have three children. It has been many years since I escorted them to a kindergarten class, yet that feeling of something new in the air, a new start, a fresh chance is ever present on this day. There aren't as many tears...maybe some. Maybe now the tears are for a different reason...or maybe not. My oldest is only two years away from graduating from high school. This feels harder than any good bye at the kindergarten classroom! My heart wants to break at the thought of him leaving. The journey that we as parents have prepared is nearly over for him. But the journey of his lifetime is just beginning.
We reach a point as parents when our children no longer depend on us for everything. They want their independence, they want us to know that they can make it on their own. I can only hope that we have given them the tools to make the important decisions, to make mistakes and learn...to come home when they need to feel safe and loved.

Life is worth the journey, we just need to sit back and enjoy the ride.
KO

Mickey and Company

2006-09-01T11:17:00.000-05:00

I am finally back and looking forward to staying home for a while!
The kids and I took a trip to Florida to visit Tri Hawg...he's training on a new aircraft down there and has been gone for several weeks.
We spent a couple of days at Disney World. Went to the Magic Kingdom...saw lots and lots of princesses and rode space mountain too many times to count. The next day we went to MGM and rode the Aerosmith rollercoaster too many times to count. The tower of terror was my favorite though. The animation studio was very cool...we got to draw winny the pooh and Goofy!
We also got to spend the day at Cocoa beach. The waves were great! We played in the ocean for two hours straight....we did not get out at all! pruny fingers all around. Unfortunately, the shuttle launch got scrubbed and we weren't able to see it. Oh, well. We still had a really great time.
Now school starts next Tuesday and Tri Hawg gets home next Friday....that will be nice!

Back to training.

Race Day Lessons

2006-08-22T19:34:00.000-05:00

Things I learned at the Three Rivers Triathlon.

1. Getting out of the water dead last sucks! Yes, I know the concept of waves...I wasn't really last....but it still stinks.
2. My wetsuit chafes....I'd never swam that far before, so who knew. ouch.
3. TriHawg and kids ate a nice big breakfast after seeing me through T1.
4. Dogs on a wet road make cyclist swerve and go down :-(
5. Watch out for ambulances trying to get to downed cyclist! (not me)
6. New/wet asphalt is very, very slippery.
7. Slippery pavement= my first fall on the bike. ouch.
8. Michigan ski areas don't have mountains, but they do have big hills and make my legs really, really burn. ouch.
9. I possibly went slower and faster than I ever have on a bike....lots and lots of hills!
10. I live to see my families smiling faces as I come into T2!
11. Running feels great after sitting on a bike for 26 miles.
12. Friends can be made anywhere...even at mile 3.
13. New found friends are the best at helping you get through that last mile...thanks Martha!
14. Finishing is Awesome!

So, these are a few of the things I learned at my first olympic triathlon. I finished in exactly 3:30. I am still pretty excited that I finished and didn't go have breakfast with the kids ;-) just kidding. I had never actually done any of these distances in training...not the smartest way to race, but I really just ran out of time to train with vacations and all. I am really still pumped up that I had such a great run. This has always been the hardest for me and was the easiest durning the race! Once again, you just never know how you'll do until you tri!

Hills and Mountains

2006-08-21T15:57:00.000-05:00

Without hills the earth would be as flat as Nebraska and Kansas, big sky, but not very exciting. We as humans are drawn to these hills. Go west young man, caught the imagination of adventurers in an era gone by. So enchanted are we by hills that they pervade our society, instill patriotism and entertain...we all know the words to John Denver's "Rocky Mountain High" and are familiar with those "Purple Mountains Majesty". We glide, slip and slide all over them. We summit fourteeners for fun and we "conquer" Everest.
I was lucky enough to have a training run in Colorado last week. I say lucky not because of the thin air (not cool) or the incredible amounts of bike/run paths available (very cool), but because of those hills. Yes, I know that they are mountains, but I'm also pretty sure that about four billion years ago they were just hills....or under the ocean. See, even mountains must start somewhere, they must begin as something humble, but they become majestic. A transformation of multitude proportions. We are not capable of glimpsing these historical flickers of time, our lives are just too short, but we are capable of creating our own hills...transforming them into mountains.
I ask my self, what hills should I climb today?
Will this hill become my mountain?
Am I Ironman material?

Nice Arms

2006-08-17T17:03:00.000-05:00

I had a nice short run today with Alex, my middle child. He is conditioning for the upcoming football season. They will actually start the week after next with non-contact practices and then full on practices once school starts after Labor Day. He's been all geeked up about getting back on the field and has been running and strength training everyday for the last two weeks. This kid loves sports, and not just watching them, he has to be out there in the action. I cannot even count the number of games I have sat though watching him play. He is turning into a great sportsman....this has taken years....Alex loves to win and losing makes him very grumpy, or it used to that is. This year was the year of his maturity to a degree, kids are so amazing, he finally learned that losing isn't all that bad if the team still has a good time playing. What??!!! Now it's all about the fun? Maybe some of what we were trying to parent has finally sunk it....could that be possible? I and my family seemed to have gained some interesting things from all this tri-ing.
Insight
Health
Happiness
fulfillment
Patience
Peace
Perserverance
Accomplishment
just to name a few.....And we all don't look too shabby any more either!
I race again Saturday...my second time around.
I think I'm learning that this lifestyle is very addicting....I like it. I like getting up early and watching the sun come up on my runs. I love the feel of the warm lake water and watching the sand beneath me. I like biking alone and feeling like I'm flying. I like when I reach the top of a hill and my legs burn...I know I am doing something...I'm tri-ing

Cowgirl

2006-08-17T09:46:00.000-05:00

We are finally back from our western adventure. We flew to Colorado and then drove to South Dakota with my parents for a few days. We camped at Custer State Park, situated in the middle of the Black Hills of South Dakota. Really beautiful land! We saw lots of buffalo, deer, antelope and wild turkeys. We visited Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial...must see's if your in the dakotas. Truly inspirational.
Here's my little cowgirl....now a Junior naturalist at Custer.
Believe it or not, I did get in a few workouts while we were gone. I had a really great long run while in Denver. I ran along Little Dry Creek path which is mostly dirt and runs along a canal. I saw a raccoon and her baby down near the water. It was beautiful looking at the mountains with the sunrise reflecting on them....purple mountains majesty.
It was a really nice trip, but I am glad to be home again.
I only have two more days until the Three Rivers Tri. I'm feeling good, strong and didn't eat too much junk while on vacation. Ready to race.

Three Rivers Tri- Olympic

2006-08-08T18:14:00.000-05:00

We drove out to Three Rivers this afternoon to take a look at the course. It is about an hours drive from here. The lake looks nice...Calm waters, which will be a nice change after all the open water workouts I've been doing in Lake Michigan. Some times I just get pounded by the waves and usually I can never bilateral breath because of them ( neck kinks...not fun). The bike and run look very, very hilly. I think I am already psych-ing myself out over all those hills. I know I can ride hills....it's just seeing them that gets to me. I am planning a long hill ride tomorrow to get over some of the paranoia.

My workouts the last couple of weeks have been intense and heavy. I am leaving for Colorado to meet my Mom and niece for a trip to the Bad Lands in South Dakota for a week and I know the only training I will be doing while there is running. I only have three days after I get back before the Three Rivers Triathlon. I should be able to get in one easy bike and swim. I am a little freaked that I won't be ready. I know my training has been good, let's just hope that an early taper is just what I need to finish!

Tri Hawg's first half Ironman

2006-08-07T16:01:00.000-05:00

So, the reason that I was about out of my mind at Steelhead, in reference to my two sons, is that their Dad was racing. I was very concered that they would not see their dad finish the race and that I would then have to beat them. Just kidding. Anyways, they did make it after all and the world still turns as it should...and our family is still intact.

I quicky update on Tri Hawg. He did great!!!!! He even got a big fat kiss in T2 :0)
With out going into all the details (about the race, not the kiss)...that's for him to write.....here are some highlights. I was extremely thankful when I saw him after the swim! I'm really not ready to lose my sweet husband to drowning. He didn't do that bad! I just give him a hard time cuz I like to swim. He was fast on the bike and looked great in Transition (remember big fat kiss?) The run was good, with a little pain and suffering during the last three miles....but not significant walks. His time was just under 7 hours. Great job Tri Hawg!!! The good news is that his is talking about doing next years race already....yeah!

Unfortunately I won't be volunteering next year.....I'll be racing too!

Steelhead Revisited

2006-08-07T15:39:00.000-05:00

Steelhead was a blast. No, I didn't race this year. Watch out next year though. I am so inspired! My little girl and I worked the swim aid station. It was fun seeing everyone after the swim...still feeling good and looking cool. After most of the athletes had exited the water we went over to the trasition area and set up camp. It was amazing to see the first racers back from the bike, the Pros....omg these guys are sooooo fast! 47 sec in t2! They were coming in with their bike shoes hanging on the pedals and then throwing on their running shoes and then they were gone. If you blinked, you missed them! Of course after a while all the non-pro triathletes were a little slower in transition, but not less determined.

It was humbling to experience the gratitude that was displayed by many of the athletes as well. A cup of water or clapping and cheering were given many thanks by many kind folks. After the swim and bike it was so cool to hear the thank yous given to the volunteers. Many thanks to all the Steelhead triathletes too....with out you there would be no race.

After we left the transition area we kind of milled around for a while. I bought my little one a very sporty shirt....she told her dad that it's her new "tri" shirt! I can't wait to see her do her first tri! The boys eventually made it to the race....after a little distress on my part ( I was afraid they weren't going to make it).

Watching the race finish was by far the best part. The reactions were Kodak moments over and over and over again. We saw so many smiling.... actually make that beaming, as they crossed the finish line. There were many who were in pain and saw the line as an end to it. We saw racers stumble. They walked. They sprinted. We saw some fall.... We saw courage. We saw determination. We saw perserverance.
It was a beautiful day.

A dark and stormy night

2006-08-03T21:04:00.000-05:00

Well, the temp finally fell and along with it the sky....or so it seemed. Yesterday we rode up north of Muskegon to visit the boys at camp for parents night. On the ride home we could see the clouds to the south. We watched as they moved over the lake and darkened the sky to nearly pitch when it should still have been light out. First there were the innocent sprinkles and then after another 60 miles we really drove into it. The lightning was unreal. It was so constant at some points that the road way was completely illuminated. We drove for about 30 miles in nearly zero visablility, the rain coming down in sheets. This was the first time I have ever heard the Emergency Broadcast System actually used on the radio, not just the test. Once we were fairly close to home, the storm still was not letting up and my little girl was getting completely freaked out, there was a huge bolt of lightning and enormous thunder right after. At this point she was terrified ( and this is a kid who is not afraid of anything). I had to reach into the backseat to hold onto her...all the while my body is in a contortionist state....for the rest of the ride.
Suffice to say, we made it home in one piece.
The thunder did wake me up over and over again all throught the night. I woke up late for my run with my training partner, but after calling her I discovered that the storms were still going strong this morning and the news was telling us to stay indoors. No run in the morning for me.

This afternoon the temp was slowly returning to hot. I did get in a nice long run and had a great breeze the whole time, a nice relief!

Hopefully the lake didn't turn too much...the wind was never really bad durning the storm so I'm hopeful that it's still nice and warm.
Steelhead forcast for Saturday is 85 degrees and a lot less humid than it has been in a week...all good!

Tomorrow is registration. Tri Hawg has his list and all of his gear set up on the kitchen table all ready to go. He's ready to race and put all that training to the test. New tire on the bike...hope nothing else needs repair until after the race!

The boys will be home on race day and had better get there before their dad finishes...or else :0) !
I'm excited!

Goodie Bags

2006-08-01T18:02:00.000-05:00

I just got back from Jean Klock Park, home of the Steelhead Tri. A bunch of us got together to stuff goodie bags for all the athletes. We even had some kids come and help out, how nice is that?! Well, the goodies consist of lots of info/ad papers, a recipe, a towel, socks, key chain, power bar, gu, pen, and gator aid bottle.

It was blazing hot out while we were stuffing bags and the lake sure looked nice, a lot less chop than this morning when I did my open water. The water temp is balmy at 74. I'm leaving my wetsuit home tomorrow for my swim.
I'm hoping that the weather man gets it right and the cold front that is west of us actually gets here in the next couple of days.

back from vacation

2006-07-30T14:23:00.000-05:00

We are now back from our yearly jaunt to the upper peninsula...the bridge is long, but the drive is worth the gas. The UP is always beautiful and peaceful. We spend lots of time on the beaches of Lake Superior where Tri Hawgs parents live at White Fish Bay. Talk about seclusion...you can walk miles in either direction and not see a soul.
I kept up my running schedule with a few easy runs and Tri hawg did a couple of long rides on the bike to get a feel for Steelhead distance. Although we took the wet suits, we never did get in the lake. Just a little too cold. The kids DID put the suits on and played in the waves and freezing water plenty.
So, we pared down the exercise a bit and really threw in the towel on the nutrition angle of our diet. We actually ate FRIED white fish....while this is really, really delish....it is also really, really bad for you.
Oh well, we don't do it every day and I think any weight I gained on vacation was sweated off After my run today.
When Am I Going To Learn To Get Out of Bed Earlier To Beat The Heat?????!!!!!!

Lake Michigan temps are nice and warm right now. We did an open water on Friday with a short sleeved wetsuit and it was perfect, a little choppy, but not too wavy. Tri hawg hit the water again this morning and ran into some other Steelhead racers getting in one last open water before next week.
The weather for Steelhead looks like it will be pretty nice after a grueling 90+ degree week. The temps are supposed to start dropping on Thursday and then even out by Saturday.
With any luck the lake will NOT turn in the next week and Steelhead race day will be sweet!

Ah yes....since I am not doing Steelhead this year as I am just a newbie I signed up for the Three Rivers Triathlon on August 19. I am going to do the olympic distance 1500 meter swim, 24.9 mile bike & 6.2 mile run. Now I have something to train for again!

2006-07-11T19:27:00.000-05:00

It rained all day today.

Alex my middle child and I went to the soccer fields early this morning to meet the team. They are on their way to Chicago for a national tournament. They will be playing teams from all over the country including Hawaii, Florida, and California to name a few. He was pretty pumped up about going. The kids decorated the cars that were making the two hour drive to Chicago with team colors, names and region. About that time the rain started, really it was just a sprinkle. Within a few minutes the sky opened and it really started to come down....all the paint ran and dripped to the parking lot. The kids were still in good spirits, had their pictures taken in new team t-shirts and were ready to hit the road. Me and company are planning on joining Alex on Thursday and Friday for lots of soccer and to be good cheerleaders.

The weather is supposed to clear up and get hot, hot, hot. Perfect midwestern beach weather.

Baptism by Firecracker

2006-07-10T17:52:00.000-05:00

My smiling family
Me and Trihawg--------------------->

The Firecracker Sprint Triathlon was a week ago yesterday. It was a wonderful first and I am still smiling. I still cannot believe what a great time the entire experience was. About half way through the run I said hello and goodmorning to some onlookers and was given the "Cherriest person" award . I could'nt stop thinking that I was almost done and that I was actually going to finish this race. It was a fun day....I am totally hooked.

The waves on Lake Michigan were pretty big. Yes, we've played in them, but never tried to swim in them. After fearing a bout of seasickness, I stuck my head in and swam....I did beat trihawg by four and a half minutes :0)

The bike was good, but the wind on the bluff is brutal. I managed to keep passing a guy on the hills (he would get me on the straightaways) including the last one on the bluff. At that point not only did the wind pick up once again and the rain came a tumbling down. My first time riding in that much rain and wind.

The run, as I have already mentioned, was just fun. I really could not stop smiling.

So, now that I have popped the proverbial cherry....and damn it was good :0)......I have made a list of races for the rest of the summer and fall.

Steelhead tri

2006-07-10T14:21:00.000-05:00

The kids and are are signed up to volunteer at the Steelhead triathlon next month. We will get to watch trihawg in all his glory! Let's hope the weather is good and the Lake Michigan waves are low. I might just do some pier jumping with the kids when it's all over.