Here It Is

My off road tri is this weekend. It is upon me. Do I feel some anxiety- yup. Probably a good thing. But I am more nervous cause I have to go by myself, race, and then drive myself home. That is not appealing to me. I like the conversation on the way to the race...working out last minute jitters and such.

Mike and John will be racing Winter Park at the same time. I will miss out seeing Mike when I cross the finish line. I love that. And I won't get to talk about the race on the way home.

But, back to the race. It's an off road sprint....at altitude. New for me. I do the swim at 9200 feet with the water temp measuring 61 degrees. Wetsuits are mandatory. Then I have an 11 mile mt. bike ride and a 3.1 trail run. Sounds fun. But again about the altitude. That will change things I'm sure. I haven't ever swam at altitude and in water that cold. Oh- and it's a time trial start. Different again. All new things to look forward to. I can't believe it's this weekend, and I just want it to get here. My mt. bike skills have improved- I am stronger. My running and swimming are better- but any given Sunday. Anything can happen. And I guess that's what I love about this sport. The different disciplines add a leveling power. It's better to be a good biker than a super fast swimmer. But to be good at all three...ahhhh, what a combo. As I go into this tri, I will learn for next year. The harder I work, the more I understand that I have to work harder. But smarter. Whatever, whatever...the weekend will be a good test of the months of training behind me.

Over and Done

So the Danskin was two weekends ago. It was a bit of a mess. I planned to arrive at my pre-racked bike (mandatory) an hour before my wave started. The event organizers decided to have us rack our bikes the night before and bus us to the event. Duh. It was chaos. Instead of an hour before warm up time, I had about 10 minutes to get my transition area ready, pee, and start. I was able to swing my arms about 3 times to loosen up my shoulders before starting. It was tough to start that way. My swim was 2 minutes slower than last year, but I truly believe the course was marked incorrectly this year. Every swim was 1.5-4 minutes longer this year???

My bike was much better. I averaged 18.1 mph on the hilly course and came in 109th overall out of 2300 in the bike. I shaved 2 minutes off my bike time. And it was totally climbing. I felt strong. Then, I had to get off my bike and run. Ha. I felt sluggish and slow, but still shaved 4.5 minutes off my run. I moved up from 100th last year to 40th this year. My goal was top 50. Overall, I came in 261st out of 2206. My end time was 1:34:38. I have decided to get coached for each of the three sports now, so I hope this will help with my remaining tris this year. I bought a wetsuit. Good god it's tough to put on. My next tri is an off road tri and I am really looking forward to it. I just hope I don't get stuck in my wetsuit!

Anticipation

Ok- so here we are. 3 days from my first triathlon of the season. The Danskin was my first tri ever and it's finally here again- 1 year later. I had high hopes last year. When I first contemplated doing the race, 2 months pregnant with a 3 month old son in my arms, I had high hopes. I split the field, looked at things realistically and chose an ultimate goal. I wouldn't beat myself up if I didn't quite make it; it was my stretch goal. I wanted to come in at 1:40.

I stayed active through my pregnancy but put on some good feeling baby weight. I gave birth to Luke at the end of September and wanted to begin right away. Although, I had to catch up on some sleep and wait for my chest to decrease to a reasonable size. I was HUGE! So, in December, I started boot camp and did that through mid-March and then began swimming and riding. I substituted roller blading for running most times, but ran some to.

The Danskin was on July 16th 2006 and I was so excited and felt ready. I completed the race in 1:40:32. My swim was 18:20, bike was 41:13, and my run was 34:57. My transitions were good. I felt like I left everything out on the course.

And here we are- 2007. I am about 10 lbs. smaller and training harder and smarter...I think. How did I choose that time last year. Now I have a base to go by and I have no idea what I'm going to do. I hope to be 5 minutes faster on the run. I hope to be faster on the bike- I mean I am racing mt. bikes this year and did the Cherry Creek time trials. That should help. I swim with the masters now....I should be faster. I hope. Ugg. I am questioning my race wear. What about my pre-race breakfast? So silly, huh? Any advice...probably just shut up and race, right? Well, we'll see how it out shakes out. Faster hopefully.

Winter Park #3

What a great day. I got to race with Mike and my brother John. The day was hot and there was 3300 feet of climbing. I race against some pretty amazing girls. I will look for a top 10 finish next year when I am buff and super strong. For now, I am just stronger than I have ever been and that's ok for now. Everyone needs a starting point. I came in at 1:51:59- my goal was to be under 2 hours. I beat John by 6 seconds. Ha. So funny. I am quite sure that won't happen again. It was his first race in 11 years! And he had such a great attitude. Just wanting to get out there and enjoy the day and race hard. I am so fortunate to get to share this sport with my husband and brother.

I have a triathlon on Sunday. Again- not a priority race- but still important to me. This was my first tri last year and I want to see some improvement. But I get no downtime for this race. My rest week starts after the race. I will need it. I am feeling pushed to the max right now. And that is so cool.

And it between this and the last sentence, my two year old proudly dropped a matchbox car in the toilet. He wanted it to swim. Never a dull moment. I love it!

Enjoy the moment

What do I have to complain about? Really? I have an amazing husband, great home- great location with the best two kids ever! I got to enjoy a group mt. bike ride on Wednesday with about 10 people- that was so much fun. And I cut 10 minutes off my 5k run time from the same time last year. I have a run coach, my husband gets my insane need to be competitive, and gets when when I freak about a bad training week.

But seriously- give me a break. I am living the sweet life. No- we are not going to Uganda this year and no, it doesn't look like we are adopting two more kids this year, but timing is important. Maybe this isn't the best time. It may be my time- but not the best time. Relax. Why do I need MORE? I just need to be great at what I have. Spend the extra time with Joseph and Luke. Enjoy more rides and swims and runs. How cool is that? I am 33 and racing better than ever. I am out there doing it- not just on the couch contemplating it. I want to be racing when I'm 60. Well to do that, I have to be racing now. Slow down, shut up, enjoy the ride!

Head wind

There are have been days even months lately that I have felt I've been sailing by. A Breeze. My home life, my training.

Now I feel like I've hit a head wind. I don't know what is going on with Uganda and adopting. My training is going well, but I feel sluggish this week. Am I in good shape? Will I do better this year? What about Mt. biking? I am so unsure. Mike said that's what racing is for...and I guess they are right around the corner. But I hurt this week. My right upper arm muscle is sore from swimming and my right groin muscle aches. And I am so sad about our trip to Uganda being pushed back.

I need to go full steam ahead. With training, with my spiritual walk. I just need to keep chugging along and not get discouraged. I need a training partner.

Anyway- head winds are tough. But a little push back could be good. It will only make me stronger..right? Ahhh. My head needs a rest. And I need a good laugh with the kids. I love being a mom. The kids keep me motivated.

We did do a camping trip for my birthday. We camped at Buffalo Creek CG Saturday- Monday. What an amazing time. This is why we moved here. I know what heaven will look like to me. And I live here. Amazing. I think I need another run in the mountains.

No agenda- only competition

So I am now not sure where we are with adopting Charlie and Molly- or when we are going to Uganda.

This is what is going on...I have a running coach- yeah! And I am working towards my athletic goals. I improved this week in the time trial. We have three more. Then I have 6 mountain bike races and three triathlons- 1 sprint, 1 dirt sprint, and 1 olympic distance.

Mops is almost over. Then my summer is just open. Besides planning for Mops- wanting to adopt, and planning for Uganda. I want to put a lot of energy into training. I have already noticed a difference in my body and performance which is great. My swimming technique needs a little more work again. I need to put all of this together. I can't even imagine after swimming 1 mile- biking 26 miles then running 6.2 miles. Instead of an all out race- I am going to have to pace. This will be different. I am excited though.

Joseph and Luke are wonderful. I love being a mom- their mom. They are so mobile now and I can hold a conversation with Joseph. My heart overflows.

A bit of uncertainty right now- but I have to keep my head down and focus on what is happening....

Charlie- ours to sponsor

Wow! Mike and I left the benefit knowing that we wanted to sponsor a child. The sponsorship would enable a child to go to school. We were very open about age and gender. But at the end of the request I happened to ask about Charlie. He, as they wrote it, had somehow slipped through the cracks and is not sponsored. We are now Charlie's sponsor! How exciting.

Mike and I are now trying to find out Charlie's and Molly's story to see if they are even available for adoption.

I am just so excited because we are now part of their lives!

Desires of My Heart

Psalm 37:4-6
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your casue like the noonday sun.

I have to remember to "Delight"- worship, respect, honor & recognize the Lord....
Then His ways will become my ways- the desires of heart will be fulfilled.

I have a lot to figure out. Mike and I went to the Come Let's Dance benefit. I have had this brother and sister on my heart since then...well- even before then.

Mike and I want to adopt, but I was thinking next year- and we were thinking about adopting a 2 year old. Is God just opening up my mind to an older child? Or is this it?

Charlie is 5 years old- his name means Free Man.
Molly is his 3 year sister- her name means Wished for child.

We have not met them. I have only seen Charlie's eyes.

Mixing my Passions

Is there a way to combine my old passion for Starbucks and my passions for Come Let's Dance? I have always had a heart for Africa and for orphans. I loved Starbucks because they gave me the opportunity to contribute positively to our communities and our environment. The company was amazing at allowing their partners to work at what they were passionate about.

I am writing this blog to record my intentions. I want to be held accountable. Even if I am the only one who reads this. My goal is to meet with Shana and talk about her needs for the kids. Not as much as financial needs, but other types of needs. Clothes, shoes, art supplies, books....whatever. Then I want to meet with a Distric Manager- Steve perhaps. He is John's DM. Is this a project that the HR stores could take on? Come Let's Dance is non-profit. This would be dealing with the pillars that are important to SBUX. Aids, Art, Literacy.

Then perhaps Mike and I could carry this to Uganda when we go. OH- we plan to go in the fall- September maybe. Wow- not much time. I need to get working....

ps- Happy Birthday Mike! Yesterday...

Guiding Principles

So Mike and I bought and cancelled the purchase of a time share this past weekend. It got me thinking. Companies have mission statements and guiding principles that help them measure the appropriateness of each decision. Our family does not have a mission statement or guiding principles. I thought I would wait to start this blog til I had a statement with which to judge our decisions, but I am coming up blank. So, instead of a statement, this is where I want to write our intentions. At least the near future intentions. We'll see from there where God leads.

• Mike and I plan to go to Uganda this year & somehow work with comeletsdance.org
• We would like to try getting pregnant (and all that it entails) this fall
• We would like to start the adoption paperwork for a child from Uganda next year
• I plan on doing 3 triathlons this year including an Olympic length and some mt. bike races
• Spend lots of time with Joseph & Luke- they are so cool!

That's it. That's my first blog. Intentions. We'll see how it all goes.