To Judy

I had a large package delivered to my home on Friday. I was racking my brain trying to figure out what I had ordered from where. For the life of me I could not remember ordering anything. I double checked the label to make sure the package was addressed to me. Yup, the package was addressed to me. Then I checked the return label to see if I could determine where this package came from. Still no luck figuring out the from whence the package came. So I grabbed a knife from my kitchen drawer and opened the package. And what did my wondering eyes behold? PINK. The package was an IRON GIRL care package, from THE Iron Girl, herself. I have no idea how to thank her. Based on what I know about THE Iron Girl, here is how I have decided to thank her:

1) I am going to add strength training to my workouts

2) I am going to find a nutritionist to work with

3) I am going to purchase a heart monitor to assist me with making my workouts more effective

4) I am going to begin to log/journal my workouts, my food, my feelings, my victories, and not-so-victories

5) I am going to finish the Aflac Iron Girl Lake Las Vegas happy and smiling

Judy, I hope that someday I can thank you in person for the package that arrived on my doorstep on Friday. Until then, I hope this post will have to do. Your heart is truly in the right place and your support is exactly what I needed when I needed it. THANK YOU!!! (The collars went snowshoeing yesterday and a pair of socks went for a ride and a run today...)

Shark Attack Tri

Not to get too ahead of ourselves, Dennis and I have registered for another race in May. (May 31, 2008) We are racing in northern Utah in the Desert Sharks Triathlon Club annual Shark Attack Triathlon. Should be fun! More details to follow!

The Romping and Stomping of it All

We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day for snowshoeing!!! It was absolutely gorgeous for the Romp to Stomp this morning. It wasn't long before I was sweating and really enjoying the event. Some good friends, Josh and Melissa "HenderMillerson" joined us. They are great company and even better friends! I made a LAME BRAIN mistake and didn't eat anything before the race this morning. Not so bright on my part. Note to self: You can't expect your body to want to do what you want it to do with no fuel. Lucky for me, Josh had a granola bar in his parka which he graciously gave to me. Another note to self: You will need fuel before and DURING the upcoming tris you'd like to do. I should probably do some reading on sport nutrition. You'd think...after being an athlete for most of my life I would have learned a thing or two about sports nutrition. One way or the other, I need to educate myself. Today was a wake up call. I have a great deal of training to do to ensure that I will cross the finish line in Vegas. One way or the other I WILL cross the finish line in Vegas.

Here's to more days of snowshoeing! Is there such a thing as a snowshoe bunny?

What Lies Ahead...

It's a new year which means mapping out a tri season! Dennis and I are both signed up for races early this year. Dennis is first up in the 2008 TimpTriClub Icebreaker Triathlon. Saturday March 29, 2008 beginning at 9 am. Swimming will still be indoors. Dennis will tell you that I am kicking his butt in the pool...But I can tell he is improving!!!!

I will be appearing in my first sprint distance triathlon a few weeks later. Saturday April 12, 2008 beginning at 7 am I will be hitting the OPEN water in the 2008 Aflac Iron Girl Lake Las Vegas Triathlon. I am really excited about this race! My "training partner" in Idaho, Sharma, is also doing the race...her first as well! I can't wait to experience the "girl power" in this race and all the fun stuff that is associated with a trip to Vegas!

Dennis and I have looked at other races this summer and are looking forward to what should be a really fun summer! At least we're gonna "TRI"!!!!

The Triathloners and The Turkey Trotters

Dennis and I both decided that maybe reverse triathlons were not "our thing"...

The T3 Turkey Trot Tri and 5K was November 3, 2007. I think the best thing both of us can say about the experience right now is that it was an experience to be had.

I was recovering from a cold and figured there was no way in you know what that I would be able to do the entire tri. I "turkey'd" out and completed the 5K.

Dennis completed the whole race! It was his first tri and I am SOOOO proud of him! He can't stop talking about his "next race" and what he will do differently next time.

We need to get on Active.com and see when our next race will be and get out the ol' training calendar and get up to speed. I have committed to working on my core muscles and seeing how that will help with overall training, endurance, and all the rest. I'd like to think that I am disciplined enough to make it to a spin class once a week...Oh yeah, did I tell you that the class is at 5:45 am? We'll see how many times I get there.....UGH.

The pedals keep moving forward...the pools are being drained...and the running shoes are still drying out from a walk...And so goes the life of budding triathletes...

Turkey Trot Triathlon

A Triathlon in NOVEMBER???? Are you kidding me???? No! I am serious! I am doing my second race on Saturday November 3, 2007. It's the T3 Turkey Trot Triathlon. It's another fundraiser...You know me and working out for a cause! This race raises money for a residential treatment center in Utah county that uses triathlon training as part of the modalities for treatment. I LOVE that idea! Maybe I can talk to the race director (who is an MFT) and see if I can do some of my internship hours with their group! Wouldn't that be cool?!??! The GREATEST thing about this race is that Dennis is going to do it with me!!! YEAH!!! I have printed our workout schedule from now until race day...Not only that, I have paid his entry fee...so he is doing this for sure!!! I know he will do great! This is a reverse tri, so that should be interesting. Someone asked me why it was a reverse tri...I responded, "Would you want to finish your swim and then bike and run soaking wet in Utah in November?" Pretty good point if you ask me... Here's to the next few weeks of training! Can't wait to TURKEY TROT TRI!!!! See you at the finish line!

Dismantle your bike HERE!!!