Evotri Youth Triathlon Sunday

Okay, back to a little regularly scheduled triathlon talk!

So, I had really high hopes for the Evotri Youth Initiative this year. I started a blog here, and contacted 28 different coaches in 5 school districts to recruit new triathletes. But I found that the whole concept of "summer training" seemed to scare a lot off. The coaches were afraid that they'd have to do something, despite my insistence that I would take care of the workouts. The 42 kids I had express interest managed to find excuses of why they couldn't make it--many legit, but excuses nonetheless. And then, to top it all off, one of our most dedicated awesome kids from last year got a nasty injury and has had a boot all summer--poor girl...ugh. So I was kind of bummed out.

But, I keep trying to remind myself, that this is why everyone in the world is NOT a triathlete. It is not easy. It requires hard work and consistent dedication. And to that end, I have three very persistent, talented, dedicated, all-around awesome girls who are making it to the starting line this Sunday.

And I'm so proud of them.

Brittney is a runner who is wicked talented. She's put a lot of time in on the bike and done awesome at the open water swims we've held this year. She has a borrowed road bike to ride on courtesy of some awesome people and I have a feeling she's just going to smoke this course. She's a super coachable kid, and is always willing to put in extra time and effort to make herself better and encourage others.

Ashley is a repeat from last year, and she's so excited to do her second triathlon! She bought herself a nice bike because she enjoyed the sport so much and really wants to continue it (yay! one of my goals) and has bounced back from an injury requiring surgury and a wheelchair this winter. Ashley always has a smile on her face and approaches each workout with determination. I can't wait to see how she does Sunday!

And Madison is a freshman from another school district that joined us this year. Here's a girl who doesn't know me, doesn't know Ashley or Brittney, and just pours her heart and soul into training. I am SO PROUD of Madison! She has come so far from our first open-water swim. I know she'll do so well this season in Cross Country (even if it is for our rival high school!) and I can't wait to see all her hard work pay off Sunday!

So there is one more thing we're doing--a pasta dinner tomorrow. We're going to pick up packets and then meet for some pasta, garlic bread, and other goodies and talk about race day. It will be fun to celebrate all the hard work the girls have done and live vicariously through them as they get to experience a race. I can't wait!

Last but not least, I have to say HUGE UPS to my triathlon big bro and sis, Eric and Aimee. They have been phenomenal this year and not only have trained for major races themselves, but given their time and energy to training with these three girls. I simply can't say enough about the selflessness of these two people. There is no way I could have done this without their help.

No way.

I know the girls appreciate everything you guys have done, but that pales in comparison to how much I value your friendship and your help this summer. Thanks for everything. To the millionth power.

Now, onto race day...and can I just say how excited I am, despite the fact that I'm not racing?! This is going to be awesome. I'll report after the race Sunday with lots of pictures and stories!

GO GET 'EM, LADIES! :)

From June 10th...

Got home from the doc's this morning--with a picture, a heartbeat, and lots of smiles. So I can tell you now. :) Sorry--had to pull it until we told one more family member! No more secrets. hee hee
________________________________________________________
from June 10th...

"Sixth Sense"

I knew it.

I just knew it.

Two days ago, I did a run with Matt and Bug, and I could barely. keep. up. I was like, uhhhhhh, what is this?! Struggling for a 9:45/min mile? Are you freaking kidding me?

Last night, I felt all huge and bloated after a delicious lunch of peanut butter chocolate chip pancakes with my work buddies (gotta love final exam week!), and I was disgusted with myself. It was a lovely evening, so after I put Bug to bed, I thought I'd go out and hammer a few miles.

Or so I thought.

The first mile felt like I was laboring, so I expected to see a sub-9. It was 9:15. And it went downhill from there. I struggled, and I mean struggled, to stay around 9:40s. And after a half hour, I was DONE.

What was happening? How on earth did I go from running 13.1 miles at a pace of 8:10/mile THREE WEEKS AGO to THIS?!

Wait....really?

We're not THAT lucky, are we?

Come to think of it...I have been pretty freaking tired the past week or so.

Noooooo.....really?

*gimme the stick...where's that stick thingy...*

PREGNANT

And suddenly, it all made perfect sense. And I was overwhelmed with a sense of joy and excitement and fear and love and here we go again no turning back now and sheer and utter amazement.

This time, I really know what this means. And although part of me is scared, because let's be honest, I feel like I'm just starting to get the hang of this thing...the thought of my little Bug being a big brother just makes me feel more love than I can explain.

Time for the next journey...destination, February 17, 2010.

I realize this goes against the entire concept of a blog...

...but this is actually pretty funny.

It is funny, because we all probably know "that guy" (or girl to be fair) that totally does it. And I think to a certain degree we all do this on our blogs, right? But if we all ONLY talked about it all day long forever and ever and ever...man, we'd be boring peeps, yo.

It kinda made me think how my blog, although I try to keep as honest and real as possible, is really only a small chunk of me. Perhaps it's this whole yin-yang of an introvert/extrovert thing I've got going on. Most people think I am quite extroverted upon meeting me, but only a choice few know me very well. I do admire those who can truly blog about EVERYTHING. Cuz that is so not me.

Anyway, thought it would be good for a chuckle, no? Now get out there and RUN. But for cryin' out loud, please talk about other things too, K?

:)

Here's a topic I love: ENCHILADAS. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMENCHILADAS. Got to share it with the family on Sunday, and this included Bug's First Sombrero Experience.
Time to go (attempt) to burn off those calories...!

July 5, 1984

What the Red Ryder BB Gun was to Ralphie, so was the Thriller Tape to 7 year old me.

It remains one of my most memorable and favorite birthday gifts ever.

Kickin' it old school and toothless,

TST

Somewhere, a cracked out mouse is RUNNING

So I just went downstairs to get my stuff ready for tomorrow's brick, and lo and behold.....

A FREAKING MOUSE GOT INTO MY BENTO BOX.

And apparently has a thing for Chocolate Gu. Not so much the Apple Cinnamon Hammer Gel, which is rather surprising.

LITTLE REMNANTS OF CHOCOLATE GU PACK EVERYWHERE.

Arg!

Somewhere, there is a mouse running a marathon now and setting a PR...