Triathlon!!!

I competed in my second triathlon yesterday, a sprint-length race consisting of a 1/2 mile swim, 12.5 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run. It is sponsored by Danskin and is open to women only - about 4000 of them! I did the same race in 2006 (pre-Madeleine) and thought I was going to die! So after training this year for only about 8 weeks my goal was simply to beat my 2006 time, if only by 1 second. I kicked that goal's ass and rocked it - finishing a full NINE MINUTES under my 2006 time!!! I finished in the top 750 swimmers (of about 3700) and shaved minutes of my bike and run times. The best part of all is that I had a great time doing it! My friend Marti did it with me for the first time and she rocked it too! I am so proud of her! Maddie joined us for the whole weekend as our cheerleader, tagging along to all of the pre-race events on Saturday and even helping set up my transition area on Sunday. I think I distracted the competition because people aren't use to seeing a baby slung to her mama on race morning, and such a cute one at that!


Pre-race. Maddie fell asleep in the sling because it was so early!

There are not actually any pictures of us during the race because Bryan couldn't man both the baby and the camera. The race had official photographers so when I get their pics, I will post them (only if they are flattering and make me look like a stellar athlete of course!)

Post-race. Marti was waiting when I crossed the finish line.

My inspiration!

Quick Bit

So, my sister says I should write more on my blog. Something about me being more witty...I don't know what she is talking about (check out her blog at www.evermanfamily.blogspot.com). At any rate, I promise I will start writing more after the triathalon on Sunday. In the meantime, Madeleine will do the writing for this week's entry.

l.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, b bfvdd,.... .,/////// lkjcxz

(translated: I got a new kickin stroller, figured out how to scoot across the living room on my butt and grab the candlesticks, and started pulling myself up in my crib)

Michigan

Madeleine and I made a trip to visit my dear friend, Donna, and her family a couple weekends ago when Bryan had to work. The drive is about 5 hours each way, during which time Maddie kept her feet hoisted up in the air above her head for 90% of the trip. I snapped this pic while driving (hey, there may be a law against cell phones but I have never heard anything about camera use!). We had a wonderful, relaxing trip and Maddie loved hanging out with Matthew (22 months).

BOOM!

After an awesome hike, we took the kiddos to this little petting farm. It was Madeleine's first time seeing real farm animals. Judging from how she reacts to large dogs (she screams at them until they lick her in the face, at which time she laughs hysterically and begs for more), I knew this would be a fun trip.

Right after this photo op, I turned to see a goat had approached and had Maddie's entire right arm in it's mouth. After I made sure she was okay and while I was looking for the hand sanitizer, Maddie was squeeling with delight. I think she is going to be a farmer!

At the end of our weekend, we got to hang out with our friends, the Sarafa's, for a few hours. It wasn't long enough!

Mark & Erin - I promise we will get back soon!

Luckily, it was long enough to snap these two pictures below. The first is JT and the second is Grace, both of whom I babysat for when Bryan was in law school....long before Maddie was born. It was so fun to see them growing up and hanging out with my little one!

On the way home, Maddie and I stopped at Culver's for a Butter Burger (if you have been, you are salivating right now; if you haven't been, come visit and I will drive to to Indiana or Wisconsin for one). She sat in the high chair and talked to this lovely elderly couple. I had to snap a picture because she just looked so big to me!