A year

What a difference a year can make. A year ago, Eric and I were working in jobs that weren't making us happy. We were grateful to have income to take care of our family but we weren't feeling joy in our work. We decided we needed to make some changes and find jobs we loved. Eric had been applying with fire departments and I wasn't really sure what I was going to do.

Today, Eric started his first shift at Boeing Fire. I am so happy for him. Every day he went to his volunteer shifts, he was so happy to put on his uniform. Seeing him do this job as a career is wonderful.

There have been times in the past year, we didn't think we were going to find things we loved to do. We had to have faith that God would guide us. Many times it's been hard and I've had troubles being patient. Now I'm just grateful to God. I'm grateful he continues to provide for us and look to how we can use our new careers to serve him well.

Elma, race report...don't blink, you are in Elma

We had a great time in Elma yesterday. Elma is super small but a beautiful place. I heard the lake was cold but was just fine when I got in. Of course a wetsuit is very helpful and I was amazed by the people out there without them. What I found funny was that this was probably the worst race I have been in as far as getting pummeled while swimming. Fortunately, I've done enough that I didn't care and just kept swimming. The great part was the length of the swim which was only 250 yards. It was over before I knew it. Cycling through the farmland on pretty much totally flat roads was great. The roads were chip-sealed so I'm not sure if my bike will ever be the same. Running felt great and I was able to gain at least one spot to finish forth place. Thanks Elma for a fun day and Eric for driving me around all day. I'm officially ready for this season!

Wenatchee Race Update

An update on my last post: Karie had Sam on May 5th. He is beautiful and healthy and I can't wait to see him in person! Congratulations Karie and Aaron :) The 1/2 marathon went well. Kurt, who just began training with me had a great race. I was impressed after a physically rough week, he rallied and put in a great time. Howard completed his first 10k and also put in a very impressive time. When I saw him at the end of my race, he looked great! Congratulations Kurt and Howard. My race was a little rough. Apparently, my cold wasn't over and I learned the next week had turned in to a sinus infection. It's disappointing to get into a race and realize your racing isn't reflecting your training. I did have a good time and met some fun people. Wenatchee was fun and I time to meet up with my friend Heather who was my roommate at the police academy. I'm looking forward to some tri training with her this summer. The kids had a blast at the hotel pool and loved sleeping in a big hotel bed.

Today is dedicated to Karie and Sam

It's 6:01. I've been up for awhile a little nervous for my first race since last season. I've been working through the positive mental thinking I tell my jr team to use. It's working and I'm starting to feel ready. I have a bit of a worried heart today because my sis-in-law today who is weeks away from having a baby boy, had to stay in the hospital last night. I don't think I've given her proper credit for introducing me to this blogging thing or being a huge part of my coaching inspiration. I had lost some of my triathlon fire last year when Eric and I went to Tucson to surprise Karie who was completing her first triathlon. It was so much fun to watch her race and she did great! Being in the Tucson mecca of triathlon and watching Karie really fueled my fire again which I know lead me to compete in the half-iron last year, become a coach and enjoy where I am in my life now. Karie introduced me to blogging and I now have a place to document and share what I'm doing. So a huge thanks to Karie who is going to be an amazing mom! Even though I'm just running today, I dedicate this race to she and Sam.

I also find it interesting that this morning I was reading in my bible study about Jesus healing in Capernaum. The Lord's healing powers are amazing. I'm praying for Karie and Sam to be healthy and strong!

Pool time...

The kids I train are soooo wonderful. I always look forward to Thursdays at the pool. There is just something about the pool that brings out the kid in all of us, especially the kids. I think their favorite drill is making basketballs out of each other in the water. I think it's pretty fun too! Tonight we ran into one of Eric's cousins and I told her she could join our practice. My team didn't skip a beat and practiced with her as if she had been at every other practice. At the end I looked over to see legs sticking up out of the water. I told them they could do what they wanted as long as it was slow and easy. This was interpreted into underwater handstands. I LOVE IT!!!

This week

It's been a great week so far, despite the hour of sleep that I seem to have lost. Getting up at 4am is a little nuts for me when I realize it is the old 3am. That for me is really the middle of the night. Eric and I had a weekend together at home. It was really nice to have nothing to do except figure out what movie we wanted to watch. We actually went for a great bike ride and Eric worked on the bathroom. We are keeping with the theme of "finishing" projects in the house this year. It's a close as we have come to a resolution for the year.

The girls have been swimming each week. After a not so good experience, she decided I need to teach her to swim. Ok, I can do that! I have mostly been having them just play and have fun, because that's what it's all about. Marley has been jumping in, putting her head under water and coming back up with a big smile. Payton is a little more hesitant. Last week I taught her how to float which was great. She tried it a few times with me and decided she would try on her own. Life jacket on of course, she went to another part of the shallow pool and before long was floating. It's fun and interesting to watch how my kids learn in completely different ways.

I've finally registered for my 1/2 marathon in April. I'm getting excited for this race and can feel my training taking shape. Only 4 weeks left! I'm looking forward to a weekend in Wenatchee, celebrating my mom's birthday, seeing an old friend and playing with my kids. Oh yes, and the race! I think I'm about in the same condition I was in 10 years ago, if not better.

The team is wonderful as usual. Inspiring me in new ways each week. I'm sending my 70.3 shoes off to Guatemala with John. Those shoes should have a pretty interesting story in the end! I'm loving watching the progress everyone is making. We are getting faster, stronger, more fit and most important, laughing a lot.

The Team

When I started this blog, I had a dream of starting a Jr girls triathlon team. Tonight we had one of our first practices together. This Sunday, we have our first team meeting. It amazes me, this dream has come to reality so quickly. It has kind of taken a life of it's own. It's personality will reflect the members of the team. I am so excited to see what is in store for this triathlon season.

I don't think I could have ever imagined, when I thought of doing my first triathlon, it would lead me to this place in my life. I can only thank God for leading me here and know I must be doing something part of a greater plan.

More to come.....