Wetsuits

I guess mom and I are official triathletes. Well, at least we might look the part...or partly the part! I found a screamin deal on XTerra wetsuits and figured I would give it a shot. My Sergeant is a major deal finder and think he is starting to wear off on me! As soon as I ordered our suits and received the notice that they were on back order, I became a little nervous. The cop, who lectures people on bad internet fraud moves became concerned when the backorder email which said my bank card wouldn't be charged until they were shipped. My card was immediately charged. So I called and spoke with a very nice man who told me, no the email was sent out by mistake. After a check of my bank account to see we hadn't been drained of funds, I became excited again at the prospect of being one of those cool-wetsuit wearers. Then I realized I better get moving in the pool so I can actually swim the mile I've committed myself to! The suits arrived yesterday and mine, so far, fits just right. Mom gets hers tomorrow. I can't wait to give it a try, but will probably have to wait for a bit warmer temperatures. Finally, I thought about a few years from now, when I get the team going and some amazing kid is going to get to use this suit and realize they can do great things!!!

Happy Birthday Margador!!!

I woke up early this morning, as I do many mornings, and REALLY didn't want to get out of bed. But I did, because I told my mom I would meet her for a swim. As I told my husband I was leaving, he rolled over and said in a slurred tired voice, "Tell your mom I said happy birthday". How does he remember these things when he can't remeber to put down the toilet seat?

I set off for the pool trying to wake up and excite myselft about the day. It didn't happen until I saw my mom getting out of her car, ready for the swim. She had no idea I was going to give her sprints as a workout for her birthday, but took it on with joy and vigor as she does all of her workouts.

This is her second season of triathlons. At 62 years old, my amazing mother completed her first triathlon. Alghough she will never live down the world record time she set in "slowness" for her transition, she did fabulous! I am constatnly amazed by how fast she can swim. I actually try not to leave the wall when she does so I don't have to realize she beats me all the time! Her first race of the season will be the Moses Lake Triathlon in June. I loved watching her race last year but am even more excited to be in the same race with her.

I posted the photos of the horses "rears", because about thirty years ago my mom and dad bough me my first "Orange Pony". My mom was really into raising and showing horses, a passion she passed along to me. Peaches was my pony and she taught me how to ride, fall off, and the joy of laying on your soft fluffy pony on a warm summer afternoon. My mom and I rode, showed, cleaned stalls, gave shots, carried water, threw hay bales, spent nights in pick-up trucks, and had some amazing years enjoying our four legged friends.

We both went our separate ways from the horses and I think really missed those lazy rides and days of hard work. Now that we train for triathlons together, I have found myself comparing triathlons to horse shows. Although expensive, they certainly fit into the budget better than the horses and our bikes don't bite as often as Mr Todd did. Most importantly, we have found a passion both can share and experience again together. We have learned, it isn't the ultimate events that we love, but the mornings together in the water or day on the trail, spending time, laughing and loving.

Happy Birthday Margador! You are beautiful and amazing. You inspire me and make me aspire to be like you each day...Geeze :)

The Season Begins

Last season was a season of watching my Mom, who was 62 years old, complete her first triathlon. It was a completely fulfilling experience as she let me be her coach. I think personal training and coaching in kind of like counseling and you really shouldn't coach or train your family. Well, we certainly broke those rules! I have loved the races I have completed, but last year, it was an even better feeling watching Mom finish her first race. The best part is, she wants to do more. She is now training for the Moses Lake Triathlon which looks to be an entire family event. Of course, I am breaking the rules again and training my husband.

This year's season began with watching again, which I completely loved. My sister-in-law, Karie, completed her first triathlon in Tucson last weekend. Eric and I flew down and suprised her two days before her race. I wans't sure what would stress her out more, knowing we were coming or being suprised with the fact that we were there. I knew if she knew we were coming, she would spend time worrying about whether or not her house was clean. Seeing as we don't care too much about clean houses, we chose the suprise route. I really enjoyed spending the two days prior to the race with Karie and Aaron. I think I gained a few pounds pre and post-race eating for her! Of course, I was completely teary eyed as she started, transistioned and finished her race. And she ROCKED!!!!!

Now that observing is over, I'm ready to begin a new season of triathlons. I'm looking forward to trying out the Olympic distance at Moses Lake this year. Mom and I ordered new wetsuits...we will see how that goes. I'm mostly looking forward to racing with my husband, mom and two sister-in-laws!