Luckiest.Boys.Ever.

I am so excited for Booker and Bodey. They are lucky enough to get to live by all 4 grandparents! I just think that grandparents are the most special things in the whole world. I got to grow up near all of mine and loved every minute of it. I have such great memories of them. I have constantly stressed about the fact that the boys don't live near many relatives. My parents (and most of my family) all lived in Wyoming and then 2 years ago my parents moved even farther away to Alaska. My fear was that they would never know my parents. Luckily, we live 10 minutes away from Dusty's parents and they couldn't ask for any better grandparents. But deep down I was very sad that my parents lived so far away. Well Grandpa Mike and Grandma Jenean came to visit for Thanksgiving and decided that they were going to pack up and move to KC. They are on their way down here as we speak. They don't have a house yet, but are looking for a place with around 10 acres. This will be soooo much fun for the boys to go be boys! Now, hopefully they will continue adding memories of growing up with all of their grandparents. I hope they realize how special this is and how lucky they really are.

Not So Much a Soccer Mom

So, as much as I wanted it to happen, I am not a soccer mom... yet. We signed Booker up to be in soccer this year on the 3-4 year old team. We went to the first practice and watched Booker wander off many times and eat dandelions. When they tried to have an organized session in a circle of cones, Booker just went around stacking all the cones. That’s what we expected him to do, considering he’d never touched a soccer ball before. Practice #2 was horrible though. He just didn’t want anything to do with the ball, the coach or the rest of the team. He cried, he wandered, he ran away. He’s just mentally not there, not old enough. It was a bad experience for him... and me. So, we yanked him from the team until next year. We decided that we don’t want to force anything on him and don’t want him to remember this as a negative experience. Honestly, he has no clue. He hasn’t even brought it back up. Not time to put the soccer ball decal on the minivan yet! :)

My First Triathlon

Well, I guess now I can officially say I have completed a Triathlon. And, yes, I say this with great pride. Even after all the training it was probably the hardest thing I've ever done, physically and mentally. I have never pushed myself so hard. I kept thinking that I wanted to quit, or walk, but then I would remind myself that this is what I trained for and it won't kill me.

It started Friday night when Cori, Jen, Kristin, Kelly and I headed up to the Ft. Leavenworth base to pick up our packets and scope out the course. I was in shock as we drove around... actually I was scared to death. I started to get really nervous and sick to my stomach. Friday night I think I got about 2-3 hours of sleep and started my day Saturday at 4:45am. I gagged my peanut butter toast and banana down, wanting to throw up the entire time. We got to the base about 6am and set up. We spent the remaining time until 8am being sick, nervous and going pee about every 10 minutes.

The swim was first and as we were standing in line to get in, I finally settled down. My swim time was 3 minutes 38 seconds, which I was very happy with since it was a serpentine style swim and I couldn't do flip turns. I ran out of the pool to the transition area. I really had all this stuff planned out that I was going to do during my transition, but it turned into just the basics of taking my swimcap and goggles off, putting my capris and tank top on, then socks, shoes, helmet and sunglasses. Then I was off. I wasn't that scared about the bike ride, but honestly, it was the hardest part. You really have to push yourself hard on the bike. I was totally blown away by tons of "real" bikers on "real" bikes. When I was pedaling really hard, they would just coast right by me. I learned that in a triathlon, the bikers usually have the best times overall. That is where you can make up the most time. Oh, and the worst part about the biking? The ginormous hill. I mean, this thing was scary going down. People wiped out because they got to going so fast. Then all I could think when I got down was that I had to make it back up. I would say that about 30% of people walked their bikes up this hill. I wanted to so bad because I was barely moving, but I just kept thinking of how proud I would be if I could make it. I pushed and pushed, and my legs BURNED, but I made it. My bike time was an even 1 hour.

Finally, on to the run. I could barely walk after I got off my bike. My legs were truly jello. The first part of the run I felt like I was barely moving and it was uphill. Once I got up that hill, the rest was relatively flat. I feared the run; it is my weakness. I don't really enjoy running and my mind hates it. Physically, I don't feel that bad, but mentally I want to quit the entire time. When I finally got about a mile away from the finish and could see the end, I was completely relieved and pushed my way to the FINISHLINE! My run time was 29 minutes, which completely shocked me. Usually on fresh legs I run it in 30-32 minutes. I was sooooo happy to be done. Dusty and Booker were at the finishline waiting for me, and it was so awesome to have them there.

My overall time was 1 hr, 36 minutes, which I was very pleased with. My goal was 1:40, so I couldn't be happier. I thought by today that I would be back in the motivated, pumped up mode of wanting to do another triathlon, but it hasn't fully hit yet. However, I am very proud of all of us that did this. It is a huge accomplishment and I couldn't have done any of it without them. I'm sure we'll do it again next year.

Countdown

Well, here I am, 3 days away from my triathlon. It seemed so far away not so long ago... back when I "challenged" myself to see if it was possible for me to run a mile on the treadmill without stopping. Let me tell you, that was no easy feat. And the first time I rode my bike 12 miles around a lake - up and down, and up and down - not easy either. Then, to try to ride my bike 12 miles and then go right into running 3 miles? One of the hardest things I've done. Am I crazy? Yes. But I love it! I feel the best about myself that I have since high school. I'm also in the best shape I've been in since high school. My adrenaline gets to pumping when I think about what lies ahead of me on Saturday. I can't wait to say I did it. I can't wait to see my husband and my son at the finish line. I can't wait to see the smiles on Jen, Kristin and Cori's faces when they have accomplished it too. I have been very anxious all day today, just starting to sweat the small stuff. Like, am I going to get a chance to do one last brick today, or is the weather going to stop me? I've decided that I don't even care what the weather is, as long as I don't get struck by lightning. That's pretty much the only thing that will hold me back. Truly, I just want to finish. But lately, my competitiveness has been coming out and I want to try for a good time. I know it is physically possible for me to do this, now I just have to convince myself that I won't die and I can push myself. Now all I have to do is put my gameface on, because it's showtime!

And The Winner Is...

Anyone who participates! Sunday was the Trolley Run and Sharon, Kim, Peyton, the boys and I walked 4 miles. It was great. The weather actually turned out to be really nice and at the end the boys got to participate in the kids Trolley Run. They ran about 25 feet to a finish line where they received their blue ribbons. They had sooo much fun! Booker was excited that he won!

Cushman

Saturday morning Dusty and I decided to drive out to Clinton Lake in Lawrence to a farm where we used to store our old boat and store Dusty's duck hunting boat. This old couple lets people park their boats, campers, trailers, etc. in one of their pastures for a more reasonable price than anywhere in the city. When we were tarping up the boat the old man wandered out to talk to us. He started sharing with me all the things he has built in his woodshop and asked me to come look at them. So I went and checked out a cedar chest and a little kids bed in his garage and basement. When we were getting ready to walk back he said, "Here, we'll just ride this," and he pointed to this 3-wheeled motorized thing. I asked him what it was and he said a Cushman. It was a pretty neat little deal. When we got back to the car he said he'd be willing to take the boys on a short ride. What harm could it be? So I let him take the boys for a spin. I think it just made his day.

Catching Up & Randomness

Last Friday we finally got our new puppy, Avery. It seems like in the last week she has already doubled in size. And, she is a true lab puppy and chews on EVERYTHING. Not so sure I love that part. She is doing really well with sleeping through the night and potty training. *Side Note: Notice how much she is like a baby? I think Dusty was trying to put an end to my baby fever. Not working, but that's besides the point.* Anyways, she is just a sweetheart and the boys love her. Well, Booker loves her. Bodey has found a new appreciation for Harley and is sick of Avery nipping at him all the time.

Which one is she? See, she fits right in!

Ok, so this is the first time I have blogged about my upcoming event. I have been putting it off. Why? So I wouldn't disappoint anyone if I decided at the last minute to drop out. May 2nd is the day of my first triathlon. I have been somewhat training since about February. This week I hit it pretty hard, but I still have such a long ways to go. My body is pretty much in shock. I can hear my legs yelling at me, "What are you doing to us! Why are we burning? We don't like this, we like to sit on the couch and get chubby." Well, sorry legs (and butt), but we are going to get through this. Anyways, the tri is 200 meters swimming, which I've got in the bag. It is 13 miles biking, which may be difficult at times, but I know I can do. And, 3.1 (yes, .1) miles of running. Ug. This is my weak area. Although, with the help of my dear friends that are brave enough (or stupid enough) to do this with me, I think I can survive it. I may not be riding my bike or running the entire thing, but I've come to terms with the fact that it is OK to walk. All I want to do is finish this. I never pictured myself doing anything like this, but has become quite addictive. Who knows what lies in the days beyond May 2nd. Cori, any ideas? :)

Here are my biking buddies (an extra 75 lbs!)

Booker, Reese & Bodey having a little movie night.