Triathlon

A few months ago, this was inconceivable! I didn't think I could do any sort of Triathlon. Then I started working for it. I trained with my bike on a trainer for a long time and I started walking with my sister up some pretty good hills. I got more confident and started running a little just to see if I would die or not. I didn't! In fact... it kinda felt good (until my knee started hurting).
Then, I started swimming. Swimming didn't go so well. Everything else was getting better... so i stuck with this, despite my minimal improvement over time.

Finally, race day! I committed to giving it 100%. I was a little intimidated at first, but soon felt at ease... here is my day in photos...

This is just before the race...

yup.. barely making it here! I resorted to the breast stroke after awhile since the freestroke could only take me so far.

I have never been happier to be on a bike!

Emile is chasing me down here and thought a video might be fun.

Here is a picture of him filming me. Kinda cute. He's barefoot... this must be love!

My run went better than I thought.. and soon enough... I was there! Finished!

These here are my biggest fans!
They supported me, cheered for me, and helped me all the way!
Thanks boys!

Here is a picture of my great friend and fellow athlete Vixie. I wouldn't have done it without her!

My parents came to support me and even made signs for me! They were so wonderful for driving, getting a hotel, and waiting in the hot sun just for ME! Wow!!!

It wasn't just my race! The kids had a mini race as well. They got to swim, bike and run. Here we are at their transition area after their swim.

Simon is working hard here. :D

They were both fabulous! They got metals, shirts, and numbers. They won in their minds!!! It was such a great day!!!

Pre-school

Off to Preschool. Just two days a week, but he is certain he is the big man on campus.
I hope they are ready for him. He has a big opinion about things.
He knows his likes and dislikes.
He only likes the color green.
He sings a lot and well.
He is smart and a great hugger!

Kindergarten

It's here.
School.
I hear it will stick around for awhile... so I will have to get used to the idea that he is growing up. For now, today was all sorts of fun for him, and a bit of emotion for me.
I love this special little man! I dream big for him... and he is so capable!
I hope school, friends, and learning come easy for him.

Why ride a bike?

If you find yourself saying.. "I like your rack!" and "How's your saddle?" you might be into cycling.

Marcie and I keep managing to get back on our bike! I am LOVING it! I am inspired by it, I dream about it, and I am upset when I can't ride my bike. I want to pedal further, faster, and find the next route that will be beautiful beyond description. I LOVE riding my bike!!!

The first picture is me after some pretty big hill climbing. We went up over North Plains and the views were emotional with the sun coming up over the valley.

Before the hill climbs (not the same day).. I rode 65 miles from Beaverton to Vernonia! It was my favorite ride yet, and I am most proud of it! It was so much fun to be with a bunch of other cyclists, and really push myself.
I fell more in love with my bike on this ride then I ever thought possible.

I have done a few other rides, each with it's own unique flavor. And the best news for me is that I convinced Emile to get a bike, and he found one tonight. I'm sure there will be pictures to follow soon.
Oh, and if anyone has read this far... don't worry I will be getting a new helmet soon. I know it is kinda silly looking. :D

First big ride

This is me after my first BIG ride! I went nearly 40 miles this morning at the break of day! I couldn't have done it alone though. My friend Marcie is an all-star biker, and is showing me the ropes. I feel... amazing after it is all done. Can't wait till next weekend's 62 miler!

We started by riding the ferry....

avoiding some low flying aircraft...

riding some hills past the cows, farms, llamas and watching the sun come up...

Rode a 130 ft elevator (only outdoor municipal elevator in US)

Cruised down some monster hills (after climbing them of course)...

Ended up walking the freeway to cross the river ...

Crossed through some of the most scenic parks around...

And ended up back at my doorstep!!!

My new bike

Maybe I'm a racer... maybe a cyclist... maybe a wishful thinker... but for now, I'm hitting the road! I finally got my new bike and I couldn't be more excited! !!! !!!! (hence all my exclamation points!!!!!)!!!!

The bike is perfect. Perfect size, perfect color, and buying it from really nice people made the experience even better. They took pristine care of it.

So, this weekend a friend and I went out and rode 24 miles at about 5 in the morning. It was out on a beautiful country road on an island. It was euphoric and I can't wait to go out again! The views were beautiful, the smells were a nice blend of cows, flowers, berries and fresh air right off the river. The picture below isn't me... but this was the road and one of the views that I had on Saturday morning.
When I figure out how to take pictures while riding... then I'll add more shots.

North Oregon Coast

Camping at the coast must start with salt water taffy and Seaside was the perfect stop before we set up our site at Ft. Stevens SP. We each picked lots of our favorite flavors and ended up with sick tummy's from all the sugar!

We went on the bumper cars....

And when we got to the ocean... we found some good friends there who taught us a thing or two about skim boarding.

We played around sunken shipwrecks...

Spent the evenings and mornings here...

Ate a new treat called "Woofums"...

Master Chef...

Hiked the Astor column to launch glider planes.
Who would have thought the kids would end up in tears after they threw their planes off?

Played into our inner child and gawked at the Goonies house...

Waited for the Trolley to come and take us on a grand tour of Astoria...

Believe it or not... this is the place to get the best Fish and Chips you'll ever eat! We waited for 30 minutes in line.. and I'd do it again!
Played as a family...

Ate some sand for dessert...

Found "Battle stations" to let our imagines go WILD!

And had special time on "Simon and Mommy's" beach!

We didn't even get to see all that we wanted to. I guess we'll save the rest for next time!