Storage Space!

Yeah!  I didn't think I would actually start accumulating items for Orange Pony Tri, but when they present themselves, I purchase!  I especially love garage sales of my friends.  We now have one bike, one wetsuit, and one bike jersey.  I really want to find a way to provide equipment for girls on our team, so there are as few roadblocks to their success as possible.  Thanks Gibsons, and I love the healthy lifestyle your family leads :)

Video

This is my favorite "GodTube" video of all time.  It was sent to me by a friend on a particularly difficult day in my life.  

http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=8cfo8faca5dd9ea45513

Triathamom

Ok, so I have always said I would not push my kids to do my sports. I will have to admit, I was a little excited when my four year old asked to go for a run after we finished a bike ride the other day. Naturally, I said "Absolutely!" We quickly transition, ate a snack, removed the helmet, and gathered little sister. It was an amazing transition, faster that that of Grandma "C" a the 5-mile Lake Triathlon.

We were off for our run, which turned into a nature hike, looking out for "scary monsters" in the woods, walking on bridges and wondering why people litter.

Just to keep me in check, Payton was not to excited to swim at Great Wolf Lodge this weekend. I can settle for duathlons!!

February Biking

Brrrrr.....I made it out for the first outside bike ride of the year.  I figured "pre-superbowl" would be a safe time to brave the roads.  It seemed to be a good choice as I was not honked at or run off the road even once!  It did feel great to have the wind in my face.  I was pondering the state of my tires as I went down the first steep hill.  I found myself thinking, a 20 mph crash won't hurt as bad as a 25 mph crash so I will keep my brakes on.  I seemed to find all the uphill roads in Marysville and was proud of myself when I didn't have to walk!  The best part was seeing my tiny fans jumping up and down in the living room as I returned to our driveway.  

Running is....

The brief space in the day when the only person yelling at me is myself to make it up the next hill!  

I had one of those uniquely great days where I felt as thought I was able to run again.  It's the first time in months, where I have completed a run without stopping or walking.  It's all downhill now...ok, maybe a few uphills!  

The start

I decided to put together this blog because I believe if you put a goal or dream down on paper (or screen), your odds of making it happen significantly increase.  God has blessed me with good health and an obsession to pass it along to everyone around me.

I ran my first marathon about ten years ago in Dublin, Ireland.  I was then hooked on running. I have finished two more since then; Olympia, WA and New York.  While I was pregnant with my second daughter, Marley, I told myself I was going to finish a sprint triathlon.  It was mostly a way to make myself feel better about my upcoming weight gain.  After finishing the Moses Lake Triathlon, I was again hooked!  

I noticed something different about triathlons though.  People were really out there having a great time.  There were some serious competitors, of course, but the majority of the people smiled and encouraged me not to drown!  

Somewhere in there I decided to became a personal trainer and had the pleasure of coaching my mom through her first triathlon.  She will be completing her second this spring.  (she is now hooked too!)  She has inspired me to get my triathlon training certification, which I will do once they offer it in the northwest.

My dream is to put my experiences to work, helping young women and girls in my community.  In my journeys as a police officer, I have seen so many kids who have made poor decisions or who are headed in the wrong direction.  My favorite line is, "there is nothing to do in this town".  

Look out girls...I'm about to give you something to do!  I am going to put together a triathlon team for girls in Snohomish/Lake Stevens.  It's going to take me a few years to make this happen but I'm passionate about making a positive difference.  I believe triathlons can empower girls and give them tools they need to live a clean life and make good decisions.

This can be an expensive sport, so I will be out there looking for sponsors in a couple of years. I welcome any ideas.  To be sponsored, the girls will have to prove good grades, stay out of trouble and show a commitment to themselves, the team and their training.

This blog will be a lot about my family and training for awhile but will lead up to the formation of the girls triathlon team.

What is "Orange Pony Tri"????  Orange just happens to be my favorite color.  Pony represents the girls (ponytail), although a ponytail is not a requirement.  All hairstyles are accepted!  Tri - triathlon.  

I hope you enjoy reading.....