I DID IT!!! Triathlon No. 1

So I did it! I completed my 1st Triathlon!! April 26, 2008!!

I can't believe I went from No swimming and No running to a Triathlon is 3+ months! If I can do it...You all can do it!

This one was a "Sprint" triathlon, which involves...3.1 mile run, 10 mile bike, and 350 meter swim. I definitely wasn't the fastest one on the course, but I did finish. This was a good practice for the big one I will be doing in Idaho the end of July. That one is a 1 mile swim (1600 meters), a 26 mile bike, and a 6 mile run!! I'm starting to panic. It might be hyperventalation, I'm not sure, but it happens every time I think about this. But, I am getting better.

It was a little different than in training. Running outside on the road is totally different than running on a treadmill. Same with the bike. I am so glad I did this one, just so I know what to expect.

This Triathlon was backwards from how they usually are. We started out with the run...

Then we went to the Bike ride...

And last, but not least...The Swim!

Then the best part of the whole Triathlon... THE FINISH LINE!!!

Then the three of us showed off our numbers.

What fun I have had training and getting in shape. Now I know where I need to improve and push myself that much more. Thanks Dan for the great pictures!!

Salem HERE WE COME!!!

Dry Spell

I have been in a little bit of a blogging dry spell. I guess I'm not one to just sit down and share my thoughts about random things. But that is really what blogging is. When I read blogs, it's usually about children, trips, or random thoughts.

I guess I could write about the ups and downs of dating, but that probably doesn't interest anyone. I could write about the Triathlon, but that's all I've written about lately...Don't want you to get bored. (I'm still a sinker!) I could write (and show pictures) of my patchy, white covered tongue that was totally gross for a week and my super sore throat and how I couldn't eat solid food for a whole week. But that would probably just grose you all out.

So...I guess I've just been waiting for something blog-worthy to write about before I blog something. Maybe I need to just write what's on my mind and totally random thoughts. Join the trend and try something I've never done before.

So let's see how this goes...
The last couple of weeks, I have been in a situation that has made me think a lot about how important the church is to me. It always seems that things just happen "coincidentally", but the older I get, I'm starting to realize it isn't really a coincidence. Over the last month, everything I have thought about or have maybe felt challenged on, has somehow come up in a talk or a church lesson of some sort. Helping me better understand a different viewpoint, or confirming my feelings about that topic. Maybe I'm just noticing it since it's been on my mind, but I can't help but think of how precisely it has been happening. Heavenly Father knows us so well...that perhaps he can inspire people to create lessons or coordinate topics for Sacrament meetings far in advance, but somehow those lessons/topics end up on the days that we need to hear them. Or maybe it's that the situations in our lives are being directed in a way that these situations happen to occur right before those lessons or talks are going to be given. Who knows. But somehow, miraculously, it all works out perfectly.

He also knows exactly what we need in our lives. And if we are willing to ask for help, or for direction, that he will give us answers. And very specific answers. Then if we are willing to listen and respond to those answers, great things happen to us. I have felt it happen to me a couple of times over the last couple of years. And one answer seemed so crazy to me. But because of that answer and because I tried to listen, so many opportunities have been opened up to me. I have made great friends that I never would have made, and have done and will do many things I never thought I could do! And best of all??? Now I know that I can do them.

So there you go...My random thoughts! I hope they can help someone else!

HAPPY EASTER!

Weather

The weather here is funny. One minute it is beautiful and the next minute...Well not so beautiful.
One night I was sitting at my table and looked outside and the mountains looked soo beautiful. There was a pinkish glow around them (that is my favorite time of night), but with the snow on them they looked really cool. I ran to get my camera hoping to get a good shot of them.

Too bad all the trees are blocking it, but it was soo pretty.

Then just now I was looking out because I have to go get a Heart Monitor and this is what I saw!

The snow was blowing sideways! It's cool to watch from the warmth of your home, but I had to go out in it. I seariously could have blown up the street!! AAAAAAHHHHH

I'm still alive!

Well....I've been swimming 4 times now and I haven't died. This is a good sign. Although, something else happened which I can't imagine is a good sign.


I went swimming that Monday with two other friends. And a lady who was teaching a water aerobics class came over to us and said "I was watching you swimming {then gave that cringing look with her finger tips to her lips}. I just need to say that the only way you will improve in swimming is if you buy goggles and put your face in the water. You will never improve if you don't." Well other than the cringing, that was nice of her to stop what she was doing and give us some tips.


But...then we went back the next week and all had our nifty goggles and we were swimming around with our faces in the water, when she came up to us again. This time she said "You know, I don't know if you're interested in this, but I would be happy to come teach you all to swim on Wednesday and Friday mornings". HAHAHAHA


I'm not sure how we should take that. I'm guessing that we weren't doing such a good job on our own. BUT...Now we have our own personal swimming coach! This is awesome! She can watch us individually and help us each improve. I'm actually excited to swim now. Except for one minor little thing she told me. Every time I try to swim on my side to practice my kick, I sink. I was asking her about it and she just looked at me with a grin and said "Yea, you're a sinker".


WHAT??? A SINKER???? I can't swim a mile if I'm a sinker! haha I guess it's time to bust out the weights and start getting that kick stronger and my upper body stronger.


Everyone please pray for me. I don't want to die swimming (or sinking)!

Triathalon Registration

I am sitting here looking at the website of a Triathlon I am going to do (this is my positive thinking). It is time to register for it and if I don't sign up right when registration opens I won't be able to do it (because it fills up in like 20 minutes!) And guess what else? No refunds!! So that will be a good incentive to work really hard and acutally do it!

I'm feeling like I'm getting in a little over my head, but you know what? I'm going to try anyway!

I'm going swimming with some friends (who I'm doing the triathlon with) tomorrow! I'm dying... I don't know how to swim. I was going to take a swimming class at BYU, but it is full. I'll try to add it, but if I can't I'll have to learn to swim on my own and that is a daunting thought!

But we'll see how swimming goes in the morning. If I live through it, it can only get better right? With the support of my friends we'll be able to do it! I am doing it with two girls who have alreay done 5k's, half marathons, and one just finished the New York Marathon!! What am I thinking??? haha

Anyone want to join??? Registration is tomorrow (January 7, 2008) at 12:00 noon!
http://www.burleylions.org/spudman
The more the merrier!!!!
If I can do it, ANYONE can do it!!!