2011... the year of progress

I think it will be hard to top our 2011. Seriously, it has been a year of big changes. If someone were to tell me last new years eve how awesome this coming year would be I probably would have put in the effort and stayed up until midnight to ring it in; instead of passing out with Ben at 10:30 pm.

In fact, we have done 9 life changing things this year starting with getting engaged in March, then moving back to Calgary in June and Ben starting a new career, then competing in and finishing the Ironman in August, followed by our amazing wedding and honeymoon in September, the day after getting back from our honeymoon I started a new career… and just because we didn’t think that was enough for the year we bought a house, and I got my mutual fund license. WOW. It has been a good one. I have no idea how 2012 plans on topping this past year, but it is starting big with us moving on January 12th! woot!

It only took 10 months...

When we moved in to our place, there was this family that lived down the street. We would see the mom out running every morning and biking every evening. We figured she must be training for something. Then when we volunteered at Ironman Canada we saw her in the race! I wanted to mention something, but it never seemed to be a good time. I walked past her house every morning on my way to work, we would do the friendly wave thing, but I never said anything. She would come into my work buying dog food and I'd want to mention something but didn't. I used to be really outgoing, but in the last 10 years that has changed alot. I haven't really had to make friends since I have my best friend around all the time and I guess I've forgotten how. Then as more time passed I figured it had just been too long since the race to say anything and if I did it would be all awkward because I had seen her tons since and never mentioned anything. So the awkward waves to eachother persisted for the last 10 months, until last week. We both happend to be walking, on the same side of the street, she was without kids. I bit the bullet and stopped her and asked "did you do ironman canada last year?"

"Yes?" she replied, somewhat cautiously thinking I was a crazy stalker.

"That's awesome! we volunteered and I thought we saw you! We were about 10kms from the finish line."

"Really?"

"Yeah we volunteered so we could sign up! My finance and I are doing it this year!"

"That's awesome! have you done many triathlons?"

"Ummm, well not really just an olympic and a sprint when I was like 14, but I do have the oliver half ironman this weekend!"

"Really! I did that one last year! it's really fun"

"Really! I was supposed to do it last year but then I broke my foot, so they transferred me to this year."

"Well good luck!"

"Thanks!"

And that was that, we had had finally had our first converstation. Something that I should have done along time ago. I had a zillion questions to ask her about the race, but I had to get to work so we said goodbye.

Then I was walking to work today, and she pulled out of her driveway, and I saw her reverse down the street. I wondered what was going on and she stopped beside me and rolled down her window and asked "how did your race go!"
I explained to her that it went really well and I was pretty happy with my time.

"Congradulations!" she replied "but Ironman is way different than the half. It is way slower. So if you were dead like I was after the half just don't worry, you'll do fine in Ironman."

She went on to ask if I wanted to go for some training rides with her to which I explained that we are moving on friday. She stared at me in shock like most people do when they hear we're moving away, but I explained that it is a good thing. She wished me luck in the Ironman and moving, and said she'd keep an eye on the results to see how I did and we went our seperate ways.

It's just one of those things. I should have said something months ago! But I'm glad I eventually did, even if it was 10 months too late.

Final Thoughts

Well, I'm leaving for Osoyoos in about an hour. I am both excited and nervous, which equals a very upset stomach. I prepared for this race last year, then was devastated when I broke my foot 2 weeks before. Then, this past month has not been without its struggles as I battled pnumonia for a month. But I have learned that all I can do is my best despite any obstacles that may come up. However, I think that will make crossing the finish line all the sweeter, overcoming all the hurdles and doing it anyway. My mom isn't gong to be able to be there this weekend but I can hear her in my head with something that she has told me a million times:

VIA

So, with that, my nerves ease little. Have a great weekend!

Wishing Wednesdays

Well since my wishes have been coming true lately I thought i'd keep this going. So this week i wish:

1) To finish the half ironman this weekend, yep I'm just focusing on finishing the darn thing since I have been riddeled with sickness the last month. Just going to be a good experience and a good training day for the big event in august.

2) That my googles don't leak/fog on the swim. I just bought some decent ones because my dollar store speedo ones were already fogging in the swimming pool. And that I dont get kicked in the head during the swim, as it feels like a washing machine! Probably my least favorite part of the race.

3) That my bike doens't break during the bike, such as a flat tire or broken chain. I am not mechanically inclined and it would be the end of the race for me. I'd look like this guy:

4) That I don't get injured and my lungs hold up.

5)That I get a niiiice huuuuge beer after to celebrate being done and my birthday which is on monday!

As you can see all my wishes are regarding this race on the weekend. I may be just a little bit nervous, but I'm also excited at the same time. That's just part of why I love racing! But I cannot wait to get across that line on Sunday! Ben and my Dad will be there cheering me on!

Oliver Race Weekend

So this weekend is going to be another BIG weekend. We're headed down to osoyoos because I have the Oliver Half Ironman! it's half the ironman distance so: 2km swim, 93 km bike, 21km run. I've been pretty nervous for it since I was so sick for the last 5 weeks and have not been really training, but it will just be a good and fun training day for Ironman Canada in 3 months. Last year I had trained to do this race in under 6 hours before my foot, this year I am not thinking about time. Infact I dont even plan on wearing my watch, that way I will not feel like I'm behind or be thinking about my pace. I am just going to listen to my body throught the day and do the best i can.

We have had beautiful weather here in Revelstoke, and I got out for a short 30 minute run this morning in the sunshine and I felt great! What a good way to start your day! This week I'm just taking it easy, as I dont want to burn myself out. I'll do a short bike tomorrow, another short run thursday, and a short swim friday before we head out of town. Just relax on the boat saturday, race sunday, and then it's my bithday monday! And the best part is my dad is coming down with his boat too!


PS I am so glad I stopped the CFA course, the exam would be this Saturday! AHH! it would have been just another stress ontop or moving, wedding, and training.