A Speedy Spaniard

After all the tri hullabaloo in our family, my fabulous sister-in-law Linda (Chris's wife) decided that she wanted to get in on some racing action herself. When she was younger, she cheered her father on in Spanish Fork's "Speedy Spaniard" 10K road race, and always wanted to follow in those footsteps, so to speak. In high school Linda ran track as a sprinter, so the 6.2 mile distance was a little daunting. I was looking for a way to step up my run, so I told her if she'd sign up, I'd do it with her.

So on July 24th, Linda & I officially became speedy Spaniards! It was a great race, and we both had great times-- both sub-hour, which was our goal.

In some ways, this race meant more to me than Salem. While I ran cross country in junior high, throughout high school I was plagued with knee problems and really learned to hate running. When I started running the beginning of this year, I could hardly run longer than 3 minutes on the treadmill without having to stop and rest. Running 6.2 miles seemed an absurd distance. But I guess it all just goes to show that if you have a dream, and put the work in, anything is possible.

The Creamsicle

Racing at Salem was eye-opening in many ways, but perhaps the greatest insight I had that day was, "Holy crap!!! I need a new road bike!"

Now, I have had the same 10-speed since I was twelve. It is the original blue Panasonic I used to ride to my friends' homes way before I had a driver's license. It has seen many good times, and frankly I am quite attached to it. But it does have its quirks. The handlebars are just ever-so skewed after a crash many years ago, the seat has a tear, and one of the wheels is also in less-than-desirable condition. My maximum speed on that bike was also a "scorching" 14 mph. But like I said, I am fond of it. When the mechanic at our bike shop told me that "there was just only so much they could do to help an old bike like mine," I was a little miffed. Just you watch who are you calling old, buddy! : ) However, after seeing the beautiful road bikes at Salem gleaming like jewels on the black asphalt, I had serious bike envy. I was a little relieved when they cancelled the bike!

After Salem, Bryson and I decided that if we were going to really delve into the world of triathlon we would need better wheels. And so the search began. We brought Chris along for his encyclopedic knowledge and experience. We spent the greater part of an afternoon looking at Specialized, Felt, Scott... and I was getting a little frustrated because nothing was feeling "just right" for me. The final stop of the day was at the Trek store. And this is where I found her:

At our house we call it the orange creamsicle. Technically, it is a Trek 2.1 WSD. After my poor little ten speed, it has been a revelation. It is amazing the difference a good pair of wheels makes. Bryson decided on the Trek 2.1 as well, so most Saturday mornings you can find us

around West Mountain... two blurs in orange and blue. ; )

We took our new aquisitions to Lake Tahoe recently and had a blast riding the trails and roads there. I am slowly gaining confidence on the bike... It is my weakest link of the three triathlon disciplines, but I am steadily improving. Of course, the creamsicle is helping. : ) Currently my average speed hovers around 16.5 mph. The greatest challenge for me is simply trying to find the time to ride. With two toddlers at home, it is fairly simple to take the jogging stroller out or go to the gym (they have a kids' club there.) But despite long hill climbs on the stationary, it doesn't quite replicate the experience of being out on the road. Cruising on the rural routes with the wind rushing by... it is a fantastic feeling. I highly recommend it! 

Reaching Salem

With the arrival of June, thoughts in our neck of the woods turn to the Salem Spring Triathlon. A sprint tri, it consists of a 750 meter swim (1/2 mile), 20K bike (~12.5 miles), and 5K run (3.1 miles). Since the new year I had been brainstorming various punishing ways to whack myself back into shape, and training for a triathlon seemed to be just the ticket. Back in the day I used to be a fairly decent swimmer, and when I was in high school I did a super sprint with a girlfriend of mine. But 15 years and two complicated pregnancies later, well, let's just call a spade a spade and say that I was seriously overweight and totally unhealthy.

This is a picture of Bryson (DH) and I at my worst back in 2006. I was two weeks post-partum, and still dealing with issues from toxemia (preclampsia). Pregnancy, so far, does not appear to agree with my body. I gain weight rapidly despite a controlled diet, my blood pressure increases, and I become a swollen monster. I am hoping if we decide to try for no. 3 here in the near-ish future that the cliché will hold true & it will be "the charm."

By the beginning of 2008 I had lost most of the weight, but still was feeling terribly unhealthy. I had always been athletic growing up, and wanted to regain that part of my life. I swam competitively for over ten years, and coached in the sport for another nine years after I had hung up my goggles. I wanted to get back in the water.

Now, to add to the mix, I have a great brother-in-law named Chris that is seriously hard core when it comes to athletics. He does triathlons, century rides, road races... a little bit of everything. At the time I was in the process of goal setting he was training for the Napa Valley Half Ironman. He was the one that finally convinced me that I could conquer Salem. And so the training began... and I fell in love with competitive sport again. This past weekend I crossed the finishline in style, even beating Bryson in the process! Although I don't expect that will happen again... I think I've ignited the competitor in him just a bit! ; )

This is our crew at the finishline at the Salem Spring Tri-- Matt, Bryson, me, & Chris. It was a great experience. Despite the cold and rain that shortened the event (bike was cancelled, swim changed to 500 meters) I was really proud of myself. I have found that by finding the time to doing this for myself that I have the strength and energy to give more to my family. In addition, I feel more balanced, more whole as a person. I have found a new passion, and I couldn't be more thrilled!!!!! ♥

The Marrow

Did you ever read Walden back when you were in school? Thoreau is truly one of the greats. I really appreciate his yearning to live life to its fullest. He remarks, "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, to discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life." I love that. This has been a banner year for me-- turning 30 has led me to evaluate things in my life and reflect on who I am and what I truly want out of life. And I want The Marrow. I want to experience the depth that life has to offer. I don't want a robotic existence, leading my life simply out of habit or obligation. I want to reach for something expansive and beautiful. To experience joie de vivre as a constant state of living. The world can be disheartening and corrupt. But life does not have to be that way-- I truly believe that.

And so we begin... ♥