13 years ago
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Saturday, November 07, 2009
We meet again...in Gearhart!
Such a wonderful weekend in Gearhart! Most of us had not seen each other since our last retreat in May! Great times, great food, great laughs! Love these ladies! Enjoyed a great weekend studying and reviewing a book by Gary Thomas called, "Saccred Marriage"! Great book!
Sunday, November 01, 2009
A Day at the Park!
We had a fun day in the park a month or so ago! Great day to take some pictures of the boys! They are getting so big!!!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Much to Say, so little time!
Some great highlights in the last couple months:
Max has started school and doing well. So happy with our new school. Looking forward to the year ahead for him.
More to come but only had a few minutes!
- Cole Pulled himself up
- Cole stood on his own
- Cole took some steps all by himself
- COLE STARTED WALKING and WALKING and more WALKING!!!!
Max has started school and doing well. So happy with our new school. Looking forward to the year ahead for him.
More to come but only had a few minutes!
Monday, September 07, 2009
My FIRST Triathlon!
Another dream/goal achieved and completed! I don't have any pictures yet due to my brother and step-mom taking all the pictures with their camera. Hoping to get those from them soon.
I was hoping, like the rest of the week the forecast would be wrong and not rain, but that did not happen. I was nervous about the rain not just because it can be annoying but mostly because I haven't spent as much time on a bike as I would like and I have done ZERO training on the bike in the rain. Wet roads, wet bikes...I was a little nervous. The thing about triathlons that make it harder is the transitions from each sport and with the rain it turns an already difficult situation into more of a difficult situation. This being my very first I was unsure of what to expect and the best way to do things. Luckily we are friends with others who have gone before us so they gave us some tips like bring big garbage bags to keeps your transition items dry and don't ride your bike on the white lines when wet because they are slippery...those definitely helped. When I registered I chose to compete in the Athens category...didn't really know what that meant until a few days before the race. I chose to stay in that category since I thought I might have a chance to place since there weren't as many competing in the category. My other option was the age group category.
I woke up early to get to my dads house by 6:30 am so we could bike to Allen York to set-up our transition area. It was pouring. Luckily I layered so I could stay warm before the swim started. Little did I know they close down the transition area before our part of the race started. There was an Olympic distance (double the distance of the sprint) and a Sprint distance...we (my dad & I) competed in the Sprint. The Olympic swimmers started before us so we were out in the rain in our swim gear for about an hour and half. My dad started with all the males and then I had to wait for 2 other waves before my group started. I was told that strong swimmers should start in the front so I decided to go to the side on the front. I have never swam with a lot of people and was a little scared what that would be like! Right before I was to start my swim I found my brother who was taking pictures on the dock. That was fun to see him and also that he was going to see my start was great. I didn't think I was cold until a few seconds into the swim and then it hit me. I had a strong start which was great since the swim portion was going to be my strongest out of the three sports. I fatigued early due to the weather. I forget how much energy you use to keep your body warm. Plus .32 miles seems a lot longer when you are looking at the whole course...wow! But I did it and the best part of the swim was coming to shore and seeing my family cheering my on! Loved that.
The bike felt good. I was hoping to find my dad...wasn't sure if he was in-front of me or behind me. I figured he was strong on the bike and would catch up to me if he wasn't in front of me already. My dad and I had just road the course a few days before which was good so I knew all the hills that were ahead of me. I really need to train on some hills on the bike. It takes a lot of strength. My dad caught up to me about 3 miles in which was fun...but that was the last I saw of him as he disappeared in front of me. My shoes got wet...really wet. I was tired due to the cold, swim and the quick transition. It wasn't raining which was nice. The miles went by quick and I was eager to get over all the hills. The harder one was at the end but after that it was smooth sailing. I kept thinking about the lobster dinner I was going to have later on! Yummy! As I came to the end of the bike I got to ride by my family waiting as the cheered me on! Again...loved it! So fun to have familiar faces at racing events.
I was hoping, like the rest of the week the forecast would be wrong and not rain, but that did not happen. I was nervous about the rain not just because it can be annoying but mostly because I haven't spent as much time on a bike as I would like and I have done ZERO training on the bike in the rain. Wet roads, wet bikes...I was a little nervous. The thing about triathlons that make it harder is the transitions from each sport and with the rain it turns an already difficult situation into more of a difficult situation. This being my very first I was unsure of what to expect and the best way to do things. Luckily we are friends with others who have gone before us so they gave us some tips like bring big garbage bags to keeps your transition items dry and don't ride your bike on the white lines when wet because they are slippery...those definitely helped. When I registered I chose to compete in the Athens category...didn't really know what that meant until a few days before the race. I chose to stay in that category since I thought I might have a chance to place since there weren't as many competing in the category. My other option was the age group category.
I woke up early to get to my dads house by 6:30 am so we could bike to Allen York to set-up our transition area. It was pouring. Luckily I layered so I could stay warm before the swim started. Little did I know they close down the transition area before our part of the race started. There was an Olympic distance (double the distance of the sprint) and a Sprint distance...we (my dad & I) competed in the Sprint. The Olympic swimmers started before us so we were out in the rain in our swim gear for about an hour and half. My dad started with all the males and then I had to wait for 2 other waves before my group started. I was told that strong swimmers should start in the front so I decided to go to the side on the front. I have never swam with a lot of people and was a little scared what that would be like! Right before I was to start my swim I found my brother who was taking pictures on the dock. That was fun to see him and also that he was going to see my start was great. I didn't think I was cold until a few seconds into the swim and then it hit me. I had a strong start which was great since the swim portion was going to be my strongest out of the three sports. I fatigued early due to the weather. I forget how much energy you use to keep your body warm. Plus .32 miles seems a lot longer when you are looking at the whole course...wow! But I did it and the best part of the swim was coming to shore and seeing my family cheering my on! Loved that.
Swim Stats: 12:25.6
Rank #: 3
Distance: .32 miles
Next was my first transition to get ready for my 12 mile bike. Luckily the rain had stopped and I had to run from the water across the street to the transition area. I had planned to wear some old running shoes and save my good running shoes for the run so I would have dry socks and shoes...but when I got the the trans. area I changed my mind because I wanted to hurry. A little mistake that I would regret. I thought that since the rain had stopped that they wouldn't get as wet. Surprising how the brain isn't thinking as clearly in a moments time. Jill...did you think that the road would be wet which would splash water onto your shoes from the tires??? Again...didn't have experience on wet roads with the bike!!! Lesson learned!
Transition #1 : 3:23
The bike felt good. I was hoping to find my dad...wasn't sure if he was in-front of me or behind me. I figured he was strong on the bike and would catch up to me if he wasn't in front of me already. My dad and I had just road the course a few days before which was good so I knew all the hills that were ahead of me. I really need to train on some hills on the bike. It takes a lot of strength. My dad caught up to me about 3 miles in which was fun...but that was the last I saw of him as he disappeared in front of me. My shoes got wet...really wet. I was tired due to the cold, swim and the quick transition. It wasn't raining which was nice. The miles went by quick and I was eager to get over all the hills. The harder one was at the end but after that it was smooth sailing. I kept thinking about the lobster dinner I was going to have later on! Yummy! As I came to the end of the bike I got to ride by my family waiting as the cheered me on! Again...loved it! So fun to have familiar faces at racing events.
Bike Stats: 48:07.4
Rank #: 7
Distance: 12.23
Transition 2 was going to be a lot easier since I wasn't wet and all I had to do was remove some things and then I could start my run. It was nice to not have to change my shoes but I would have loved a dry pair of socks and shoes. Oh well! As I was running out I saw my dad which was great!
Transition #2: 1:17.6
My dad and I started the last leg of the race together. I was very tired at this point and knew I had a VERY HILLY course in front of my for the next 3.1 miles. It was fun to do it with my dad. I kept asking my dad as he ran ahead of me..."How does it feel to kick your daughters butt?"...my dad is 54 and was doing amazing! I was so proud of him. The first mile of the run I knew would be hard and it was. Every part of your body and mind tell you to give up, stop...walk, but I knew in 30 minutes I would be done and I didn't want to give up. During the run I kept thinking to myself...This is not Fun! Why do I do this? I have always wanted to to a triathlon and had thought about it and talked about if for the last few years...and here I was doing my very first with my dad in my hometown! It was fun to think about. I kept thinking how my 30th year has been amazing...I have ran 2 half marathons and was about to complete my first triathlon...that is pretty cool! Oh and I just had a baby a year ago!!! Sweet! We saw people walking up all the hills but I just didn't feel like I could do that...I wanted to but I didn't want to regret it later. Did I mention how hilly it was...yah I think I did. I think they looked at all the hills in the area and said...lets have them run it all! My dad and I decided to run through the finish together with our hands high...together!!! We finished together.
Run Stats: 30.04.4
Rank #: 3
Distance: 3.05
I placed 4th in my category and missed 3rd place 7 seconds...Yes I am happy to get 4th on my first tri, but to miss placing by 7 seconds...that's a bummer. My dad got 4th place in his category too! We were very impressed with our results. Ranking 3 in the swim and the run was exciting too.
Total time: 1:35:18
Place overall: 89/172 total sprint participants
(I was hoping for 2 hours...maybe 1:45 minutes...I really had no idea how long it would take! So my final time was great! I was very happy)
And it was the end of my FIRST triathlon! Loved it...I was very tired...exhausted. I can't wait to do another one. I didn't train as much as I could have which makes me more excited at what I can do to improve my times. Loren asked me which is harder...my half marathons or the tri...I don't know. I trained so much for my half marathon and I felt really prepared so I didn't feel as tired so I am not sure if I had trained more if I would have felt as tired. We will see next time. Training for 3 sports is hard to do...finding the time for 1 is hard, but 3...that is challenging. The thing that is hard about the triathlons is you you are moving from one sport to the next without much rest and then using different muscles. When you run a half marathon you don't stop and you keep going...if you stop sometimes it can make it harder.
There is something about competing in organized races that give you a high...its such an amazing feeling. Completing something, not for the competition of placing or anything just for the sense of completing something you have wanted to do and completing it...finishing it. It is the BEST feeling!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Oh Summer...
I am not ready to say goodbye to summer yet. We have had such a fun, packed summer. The weather is as good as it has ever been...or at least since I can remember. We have a very full calendar the next few months as we get ready for summer to come to a close and fall to start!
Max is starting in a new school which we are excited about. We will miss his old school and friends but I think it's going to be great for him to be in a preschool with a little more structure. I am excited that I will be teaching swimming lessons a couple days a week. I have always wanted to teach swimming so this will be a great start. Oh and Loren and I are both really looking forward to a few days in Vegas at the end of September to celebrate our anniversary and Loren's birthday. We have never been so it will be fun to relax and spend some time together, just us.
September 5Th my dad and I will be doing our very first triathlon in Bonney Lake. We had a training earlier this week and I loved it. I am so impressed that at 54 my dad is in such good shape...both my parents really. It will be fun to do this with my dad. We have a training on Saturday which will be nice to work on the transitions. I think I have my outfit...oh shoot I need to go buy some running shorts today for that!
Cole is doing well. We are going to physical therapy weekly for him because he is lacking in his gross motor skills which means he is not walking or pulling himself up to stand. In other areas he is great. He has improved since we have been going to PT which has been fun to watch. As much as I wish he could just do this stuff without the PT visits I am so grateful for for a healthy boy. There are so many kids that we see there that struggle with way more things than Cole does and it makes me put it all into perspective.
Oh and tomorrow my sister-in-law Railene is throwing an 80's party...can't wait! It's sure to be fun. I have the most tubular outfit that is so RAD!!! Can't wait to post some pictures. Sure to be a rock-in time!
So that is it for now. Haven't been posting much so thought a little update would be good. Enjoy the last few weeks of summer!
Max is starting in a new school which we are excited about. We will miss his old school and friends but I think it's going to be great for him to be in a preschool with a little more structure. I am excited that I will be teaching swimming lessons a couple days a week. I have always wanted to teach swimming so this will be a great start. Oh and Loren and I are both really looking forward to a few days in Vegas at the end of September to celebrate our anniversary and Loren's birthday. We have never been so it will be fun to relax and spend some time together, just us.
September 5Th my dad and I will be doing our very first triathlon in Bonney Lake. We had a training earlier this week and I loved it. I am so impressed that at 54 my dad is in such good shape...both my parents really. It will be fun to do this with my dad. We have a training on Saturday which will be nice to work on the transitions. I think I have my outfit...oh shoot I need to go buy some running shorts today for that!
Cole is doing well. We are going to physical therapy weekly for him because he is lacking in his gross motor skills which means he is not walking or pulling himself up to stand. In other areas he is great. He has improved since we have been going to PT which has been fun to watch. As much as I wish he could just do this stuff without the PT visits I am so grateful for for a healthy boy. There are so many kids that we see there that struggle with way more things than Cole does and it makes me put it all into perspective.
Oh and tomorrow my sister-in-law Railene is throwing an 80's party...can't wait! It's sure to be fun. I have the most tubular outfit that is so RAD!!! Can't wait to post some pictures. Sure to be a rock-in time!
So that is it for now. Haven't been posting much so thought a little update would be good. Enjoy the last few weeks of summer!
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