Tri Report

So I did it. Just a week ago. And now I can't wait to do another one!

All in all it went really well. Like most races, when I got to the end, I felt like I could/should have pushed harder. Oh, well. The only goal was to finish, and I was faster than I expected! The swim was my favorite event. I finished in the top 20% despite a very relaxed swim (I kept imagining that it was just an easy morning swim with my sister-in-law in Lake Damariscotta). The bike was fine, but I should have been hydrating while riding. By the time I got to the run, I was hot and thirsty, and my quads were burning. I started out a little too fast and took walk breaks when I really didn't need them. But I felt great when I finished.

I can see why people say triathlons are addicting. I actually thought about doing another in September, but I think I'll wait until next summer. I'd like to actually train for the next tri since the 2 weeks home before the race after being on vacation for 3 weeks didn't allow for much (I think I only did 8 bike rides total this summer!). Thanks to my friend Jill who inspired me to to a triathlon!

A few photos...

My little set-up

Markings

(Did you know that they put your AGE on your leg in permanent marker?? Argh)

And I snagged this one from the half marathon in July (did I mention all the horrible hills in that race?!?). I like it because I look so funny!

And one more from last night. My friend Ashlee and I ran the Skirt Chaser 5K together. I bet we looked super cute crossing the finish line together!

50lbs

of apples sitting in my kitchen!!

The kids (already!) had a day off from school this week, so we went apple picking. And, yes, it does seem early but apples ripen earlier in Colorado than they do in other parts of the country.

We invited our friend Miss D to go along with us. I keep meaning to blog about Miss D and what an important part of our lives she has become. Last winter I was feeling that I wasn't making much of a difference in the world and applied to be a volunteer senior advocate through a local agency that provides for the elderly. I went through some training in January, but it wasn't until late spring that I was finally matched with my client - Miss D. It is a match made in heaven! We have so much in common - travel, quilting, gardening, etc. Her life stories are so inspiring to me. Plus she loves the kids, the kids love her, and I love her! My intention was to spend 1-2 hours a week volunteering, but I sometimes spend 8+ hrs a week with Miss D. I hate to even call it volunteering since I enjoy it so much. I hope to be as positive and active as she is when I am in my 80's. Actually... I strive to be more like her now!

Back to apples. It was a miserably hot day, but we picked and snacked and picked and climbed and picked. Everyone was so enthusiastic about picking that I didn't have the heart to tell them (including Miss D!) that enough is enough. So we brought home far too many apples (I was also intending on Miss D taking a bag, but she didn't want to peel them!) It was worth it as we all had a marvelous time, and Miss D wants me to take her back next week to pick blackberries!

In the meantime, I have to figure out what to do with these 50lbs of apples!

1st Day

So, so, so busy the last week or so. Plus I think I'm still adjusting to being back at this altitude. All I want to do is sleep!

School started today, and Jack is now a big kindergartner! He was so impatient to start all last year when Kate was there, but as the big day approached, he got more and more nervous (which manifested in some not-so-lovely behavior!) Fortunately the transition has been made easier by having the same teacher that Kate did, and once we were at school, he did great.

How can someone be so big yet so little

all at the same time??

Adjusting to the surroundings

Getting down to business

And my big 1st grader.

Styling all by Kate.

She did great. I knew she would.

Tomorrow I have a hair appointment. I've been pondering a pixie cut all summer (I had one post college and loved it!) but haven't been able to pull the trigger. I watched The Greatest a few nights ago, and Carey Mulligan's cut in the film has inspired me to go for it. Something like this...

Can't wait! Hopefully it will be easy and cool (so hot the last few days!) AND cute for my first triathlon this weekend! I've been a bit of a slacker since we got back from New England. Maybe good hair will help me slog through it? Ack!

Home Sweet Home

After 3 weeks away, the kids and I are finally home. Can't wait to update and post some photos (hopefully just a few of the 900+ photos I took!). But it is all going to have to wait while I catch up on email (500+) and enjoy the last week of the kids' summer vacation.