What I've been up to

I know, I know, I've fallen off the blogging. I hope there's still a reader out there. It's been a roller coaster ride since my coach passed away. This is going to be a long one so pull up a comfy chair and something to eat. I finally moved out of the house into a cute little place by a giant park and the boys love it. It's the first time in my life I've had my "own" place. I don't even get scared at night and I sleep like a rock. Who knew? Here is a picture my dad took of me and the boys on our new front porch. Tabor on the left, Hayden on the right. These boys take good care of their mom.


March and April were tremendously stressful and I ended up with a whopper Lupus flair up. I had finals, moving and a knee injury all come together in a perfect storm. But quite honestly, I love storms. I love the dark clouds rolling in, the drastic change in temperature, the cracking of thunder and wind that sounds like it will pull the roof off. All the while trusting I'll be just fine. I've always been like this. I think in life, I enjoy enduring storms to prove that I can make it through anything. It's a confirmation of survival. This is not to say I like drama, it's quite the opposite. But I believe there is beauty in challenge, in fear: not knowing but getting through all of that with my head high. I sometimes wonder if I do this purposely to test myself. Now, let's see here...how much can I put on my plate before I explode? But I can honestly say, I love my life. I love that I'm struggling to pay the cable bill but keep cable for the kids (because I never watch it), I love that I often eat scrambled eggs for dinner because that's all I can afford and I love that my boys love me for who I am and how I love them. This is the life I want for myself and the journey is incredibly rewarding. And someday, I will be done with school and be a real-live grown up! Well, kind of.

I made the honor roll for the first time in my life and got a cheezy certificate in the mail the other day. I might just frame it. I actually laughed out loud when I opened it. Shocker, I know. It's an "honor" quite literally and I am grateful to be recognized for my efforts. But, for some reason, I found it humorous that an honor roll certificate actually had my name on it. I was never a good student growing up, making friends was way more important at the time. To add to the excitement, I have decided not to go into nursing. A friend told me that the average person changes their mind 7 times while in college. That made me feel better. I am really trying to be smart about what direction I go. I need to follow my passion. I have great interest in medicine but also have tremendous passion for health, activity and nutrition as well as the affect that has on others. But I also need to make enough money to support two kids and not be working all of the time. So, at this point, I'm clueless. All I know is that I want a Bachelors in something and not be in school for longer than 4 years. Please feel free to share any thoughts or suggestions. What am I going to be when I grow up???

I had to forfeit running track for the remainder of the season because of my knee injury. However, due to my change in school plans, I will be staying at the local community college next year and running cross country in the fall as well as track in the winter/spring. I'm especially excited to run cross country, that's my favorite type of running! I'll still be dropping lungs left and right while training with the wrinkle free, dewey-skinned, invincible girls with lungs the size of garbage bags and asses you can bounce quarters off of. And you wonder why I'm motivated?

The knee surgery has delayed the start of my triathlon season and I'm disappointed that all that speed I was gaining has now been lost due to a 6 week running hiatus. Once again, I am reminded of how grateful I am to have the ability to do the things I love; this is only temporary.

I plan to be up and racing by late June. More to come...

Timex Camp

I thought this topic deserved a separate post. Even though camp was over a month ago. I arrived on Thursday night and Shelby picked me up and Haley was already there. Rachel arrived later that night. The craziness began. Friday, we went over to the expo so the girls could pick up their packets. I was registered for this race (it's a half iron) but because I was focusing on speed and track through the winter I decided I wouldn't be ready for a half this early. Not to mention, I ended up injured anyway. Shelby and I went over to the Timex set up at the hotel and I picked up my HUGE gear bag full of all kinds of goodies. I also met my new, orange TREK equinox: his name is El Torito. Here's me being a total geek with as much gear as I could get on. Notice my "time pieces".

I have no words. The helmet says it all. This is Haley and Shelby...being themselves. This is after the ceremonial dance routine they performed for me which was choreographed before I got there. NICE.

Here's Rach wearing her Obama shirt and trying on her swimcap.

Saturday morning came quickly as Shelby and I were volunteer body markers for the race. It's a dirty job but someone's gotta do it. We had to arrive at the race at 4am. Brutal. Here I am placing Haley's "P" for pro on the wrong calf. woops. It was early, I was tired and Haley likes to be different. At least that's what I told myself.

Some other "spokanites" showed up to race. From left to right, Matt, Craig, me and Erika. I'm glad I got to send off some friends from home with some expertly placed digits.

Here's Trevor, getting ready to rock his first half ironman. And he did. woop woop! I know I look like I'm 300 lbs but it's just because I had about 4 layers on. Well, and I've been grounded from running as well.

This is after the race. Danielle, Ben, me, Shelby and Haley. Good times. The waitress thought Ben was THE Ben Harper when she saw his credit card (obviously she hasn't ever seen the real one) and she just kept bringing free sake. Bottle after bottle. hilarious. There was something else that happened which is a little foggy but I think one of us peed our pants in the parking lot. It wasn't me. Good times. Just trying to represent.

Once the race was over, it was time to check in at camp. Rachel and I roomed together which was good entertainment. The keebler and the 6ft bombshell. We stayed in a very nice hotel with a beautiful pool and the bar was the same one Shelby and I got everyone kicked out of last year. It was surely just a misunderstanding. It was a simple test of brute strength...just trying to seperate the men from the boys with a barstool swinging contest. For some reason, the management thought it was unsafe. They didn't understand that these were professional strong people. Albeit gullable show-offs...but strong. They let us back in this year with no mention. I think they realized the entertainment far outweighed the risk. Just for the record, the original incident was Shelby's idea (shocker) and I just encouraged them.

Below: Dan & Paul from Lifesport, Shelby, Andrew, me and Haley with the demon eyes. These photos are never good taken with a blackberry but they are necessary.


We spent the days meeting and learning good information about our sponsors. I was especially impressed with the benefits of Trigger Point. I lack patience and am horrible at stretching but this is right up my alley. It's important to hydrate your muscles but also "kneed" the muscles to keep them soft and supple and in good working shape. I'm in fo sho...and have my own little kit at home. LOVE IT.

A few of us were asked to do a photo shoot for Timex. What?? LOL. I just do what I'm told and love every minute. We had a blast and the below photos were taken after the photo shoot. They are my favorite. Here's Ian and I doing a ballerina lift. Well, he's doing the lifting and I'm faking the ballerina-ing. I was reminded once again why mom pulled me out of ballet in kindergarten.

Here's me and Alex going for a running high-5 although Alex got caught up in the moment and went for the finish line shot. I felt totally dissed.

This is my favorite shot though. This is me and Ian doing a running high-5 and he actually hit my hand. Good times.
Camp was a blast. We have an incredible team and I'm blown away by our sponsors. Here are just a few below:

Timex, Trek, Bontrager, Sram, Sugoi, Nathan, Training Peaks, Power Breathe, Trigger Point, PowerBar, GAIAM, Aqua Sphere, Rudy Project, Headsweats, CycleOps, Nuun

I am so grateful to be a part of Team Timex.

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Gimpy on the mend

In the middle of March in the peak of my lupus flair up and finals, I ran a 5k in complete exhaustion which sent me over. I haven't run since then although I've made many attempts. Yesterday, I went in for knee surgery and I'm stuck on the couch with nothing to do but watch tv (depressing) or write. I have missed blogging so this seemed like the perfect opportunity. The surgery was not horribly invasive. The Dr. performed a scope, cleaned out debris and inflammation and did a "fat pad" resection as well as removed the synovia plica due to thickening and inflammation. He did say I have a beautiful, healthy ACL and meniscus :). Haley dropped me off for surgery, Klaire picked me up and then Haley brought me dinner, totally pampered me and spent the night. She even rubbed my feet! I'm so grateful for my friends. Below is a picture of me, totally bored, waiting to get hawled into surgery. Shad made me take it. I'm such a dork.

I plan to recover quickly and be up and running in a few weeks. The doctor told me that's a realistic expectation if I take it easy in the next week. LOL. I have school and 2 kids and am taking a trip to California on Thursday. But I am glued to the couch all weekend and the boys are taking great care of me as well as ravaging the tulip beds to make sure I have fresh picked flowers, dying on the coffee table next to me as I lay and recover. Sweet little men. I guess those tulips wouldn't have lasted much longer anyway. LOL.