Back in the Saddle Again

It has been awhile since I've updated my blog; spending most of my creative computer time on facebook. Yeah, I know - pretty sad.

The summer is over and the kids are about 2 1/2 weeks into school. We are still homeschooling, but are using Bob Jones University online & DVD curriculum which is much better for everyone involved. Now if we can get Travis to just follow the syllabus & complete his work - life would be great. I don't understand him sometimes. I never would've dreamed of turning in work that was incomplete. Some of that stemmed from a fear of my parents' wrath, but a lot of it was my OCD need for straight A's. Morgan has made a complete turn-around from last year. She began seminary at church, which is Monday through Friday at 6 a.m. She has been a lot more focused since seminary began.

I'm still doing what I do. Training at the Y and at the studio; running, cycling, swimming, yada yada. I have one more sprint triathlon in September (Tie-Dye Triathlon) and then the Tulsa Route 66 Marathon in November. I've been keeping pretty close to the training schedule, but "stuff" happens. I really hope all goes as planned - no injuries or anything. I've trained for several full-marathons, but have yet to run one due to injuries. I'm trying to be really smart with my training, but I have the tendency to overdo things. I'm trying to drop some more weight as well which tends to make me obsessive. I'll probably go to my grave stressing about my weight.

Scott is doing well. He is such a saint to put up with all my crazy stuff! Job things are still up in the air, but prayerfully we'll have answers soon.

I really need a vacation. NEED!! Not just a want - because I'm reaching burn-out! Finances won't allow too much right now so I'll have to hang in there and be patient.

Life has been relatively boring, but I'm not complaining! I've been running, riding & swimming with no injuries or issues (knock on wood) & have been feeling great! (If I could just get my nutrition in line . . . ) Something about the 7 p.m hour has been bewitching to me - a.k.a. carb fest.
Have a few events lined up for the summer - Draper Duathlon (on road), Norman Conquest, Lighthouse Triathlon, Midnight Streak, Spin your Wheels (hopefully my first century ride) and Tie-Dye Tri. A pretty ambitious schedule considering my work schedule, but I'm up for it! I love doing competitions because it keeps me focused during my daily training.
The kids are pretty bored & sick of being at home. I don't know what to tell them. It is what it is!

I completed my second triathlon last weekend (albeit a sprint distance, but a triathlon nonetheless). It was the OCCC Super Sprint. It was much more fun than my first one last year. I felt a lot more comfortable in the pool and my bike was pretty good. I managed to finish 3rd in my age bracket (out of 10, I think). It was wonderful to have my parents there at the finish line. They don't usually attend my events so it meant a lot to have them there.

Today was the Oklahoma Baptist Children's Ride. I have done 44 miles the last two years, but didn't today. Today is Morgan's 15th birthday!! I wanted to be home and still conscious! I ran 8 miles with Cori this morning so I definitely got my workouts in today!

We bought Morgan a cell phone for her birthday. She's been begging for one for almost two years so it really was a special gift for her - one she really appreciated. She's been texting almost all day!

Our church pioneer trek is this week - we leave on Thursday. I love to hike and camp, but I am concerned about the heat. I've been really hydrating and encouraging all the kids to do the same. Wish us luck!

End of May update

Kids are pretty much done with school - some loose ends to tie up. This first semester of homeschooling has been a learning experience. I'll be more organized in August (I hope). They will be doing some more co-op classes next semester.

I love the warmer weather - getting to ride and run outside more is wonderful!
I began advanced swim lessons on Friday and after one lesson I feel more empowered. I signed up for the OCCC sprint triathlon on June 13th and feel ready to go!!! We'll see how things go. I want to conquer my fear of the swim!

The shifters on my bike had to be replaced to the tune of $275! UGH! What can you do? I love my bike and am not ready to replace "LANCE".

Scott, Randy and I did the Tour de Meers last weekend. It was wonderful! I love scenic rides. I saw buffalo, long-horns, etc. My shifters officially died during this ride so hills were a challenge, but it was still a great ride. I look forward to all the upcoming summer rides.

OKC Memorial Marathon

Sunday was the 9th Annual OKC Memorial Marathon. As I posted earlier, I had originally planned to run the full 26.2 miles, but an unexpected knee snafu took me out for a little over a month. After the death of my friend, Craig, I re-evaluated doing the marathon, why I run and what I wanted to accomplish. Cori and I decided to run/walk or a combination of the two for the half-marathon instead. We got in a few "long" runs (for me 8 miles post-injury was long) and away we went.

The weather was not optimal running weather, to say the least. It was hot, humid and windy, but as runners, we pushed through. Cori and I stayed together through the good, bad and ugly (did you see those belly-dancers??). I'm so glad I decided to run it & we did run most of it with a few (ok - several) walking breaks. We finished with a time of 2:20 which isn't horrible.

I'm so proud of all my running pals who ran or walked on Sunday. It is an accomplishment that no one can take away from you! Special props go out to Mike, Josh and Stephanie who all ran their first full. Way to go!!

If you can believe it, I'm planning on trying again to train for the full marathon which seems to elude me. Now it has become an obsession to be able to complete a full marathon without injuries getting in the way of my training. I'm "mentally" registered for the Tulsa Route 66 Marathon in November. I hope health and good luck are on my side. We've got several months to see. Just taking it one run at a time. On a side note, I'm so glad that cycling season is here.

It's Almost Time!!!

The last few weeks have been chock full of ups and downs - just like life, right??
I've been able to run a lot more which has been wonderful!!! I'm so grateful for Cori running with me on Thursday mornings and the Southside Group on Saturdays. I ran just over 8 miles today and it felt beyond awesome!! I'm running the half-marathon next weekend and am really excited. I still really miss Craig, but I know he is with our Heavenly Father. To be honest, I've never really lost someone close to me. All my grandparents are gone, but I was young when they passed.

Homeschooling has been a challenge. Scott does most of the work to be honest. I get really distracted. I'll be glad for summer break so I can get re-organized. The kids are doing really well despite the inconsistency of their parents. I had the best of intentions when we began - but life happens.

We're planning for the church "Pioneer Trek" in June. I will be a 'ma' for a family of 8 kids. (I only had two for a reason . . . ) It will be fun and a great experience, but the logistics are a little challenging. The food will undoubtedly be awful so I'm sure I'll lose some weight - a plus!!!

I'm so proud of all my friends who have been training for marathons, etc. They inspire me!

More than you can bear??

The last week or so has been an emotional roller coaster. One of my dear friends, Craig, took his own life on Friday evening. I don't think any of us will ever fully understand all the "whys". I wasn't the closest person to him, but he definitely made an impact on my life. I began running with the Southside running group almost two years ago (?) or so. For those of you who are not runners, you cannot fully understand the camaraderie that goes along with the sport. Even when you are injured and cannot run, you still feel the connection with everyone else as they continue to pursue their goals.

When someone dies, it inevitably makes you look at your life. I have realized that I am not easy to be friends with and tend to push people away. What kind of legacy do I want to leave behind?? Certainly not one as unapproachable and/or unfriendly. I vow to change those things and try to be more involved with people -if it isn't too late.

To make matters worse, I've been dealing with yet another medical issue. Test results will come back this week so I will not mention the nature of it here, but suffice it to say, I'm sick of dealing with medical things! God isn't supposed to give us more than we can bear - this week is pushing that limit.

On a brighter note - a few of the girls and I went to a pole-dancing class on Friday. It was a blast!! Everything I do is rigid and scheduled and I was able to let loose and have fun. I was definitely sore the next day though. I have a new understanding of the struggles of the "working girls".
God Bless!!!