For you!

I ran across this today in an office at work, I thought right away of all the bloggers in my life and I just had to dedicate this to all of you!

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go.

Some move our souls to dance.

They awaken us to new understanding

with the passing whisper of their wisdom.

Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon.

They stay in our lives for awhile,

leave footprints on our hearts

and we are never, ever the same.”

Misc

I was going to take ____ out for her maiden voyage today but it was cold, windy, and SNOWING! Saw a couple people on their bikes and they looked miserable! I thought Bigun might like to ride in this weather LOL!

The other day I e-mailed Pete (my coach)telling him I wanted him to step up next weeks workouts, I mean after all, I have Monday off and only about 7 hours of workouts next week! He wrote back and told me he had taken everything into consideration and to enjoy the recovery week. Well after today's 2 hour ride on the dreaded stationary bike, and then 15 minutes on the treadmill, I suddenly realized that after tomorrow's 7-mile hike up Waterton Canyon and a one hour bike on ____, I am really going to love having Monday off! I think my total for this week will be about 12.5 - 13 hours with some really intense workouts (10% incline on treadmill, etc). I think my OCPDness was showing.

I was talking with a friend today and she said to me (after hearing I had done 2.25 hours of aerobic work today), "don't you think you are a bit obsessive about this triathlon stuff?". I had to laugh. I know this triathlon lifestyle must seem absolutely bonkers to non-triathletes, but to us it is quite normal. What will she say next year at this time when I am up to 18-20 hours a week? She might think I need a referral to a mental health counselor!

I have not been sleeping well, my new bike takes up a lot of room in my bed! (JK!) Tomorrow she's out in the sunshine for a workout. Her name? It hasn't quite hit me yet, there are some great suggestions:

Hammertime <--Click here

Mellow Yellow <--Click here


Miss Bee (Killer!)


Miss Daisey

NOPE!

Not that one either!

Yes, that one!

Thanks again to you bloggers! Have a grrrreat week!

Prayers and Vibes

Please drop over and give some love to Megan, who donated a kidney today to her brother.

Naming the New Ride

Okay, I know I am supposed to name my new bike. I thought I would open it up for suggestions. Danielle said: "In a somewhat gross name, my friend who has a yellow bike calls is "Ducha de Oro" which means "Shower of Gold" in Spanish. (If the double meaning isn't already clear, he pees on the bike :-))"

Now I have never peed on a bike and I really am hoping there is a porta potty around when I do an IM! I was also contemplating "Mr. Bee" as in bumble bee. Why? Well bumbles bees aren't supposed to be able to fly and looking at me, I'm sure the same scientists would say I shouldn't be able to Tri. But they are wrong on both accounts!

Then maybe just "Amigo", as in friend, as in the friends I have in this tri-blogger community who blessed me with the bike.

So go ahead and throw out some suggestions! I will be back to blogging Tuesday so I look forward to hearing what you come up with!

Take care!

IM AZ Report #2

First off, please say a prayer and/or send positives vibes to Commodore who is still in the hospital! Heal up Comm!

In addition to the "Reveal" that still has me in shock, elation, and an spilling an occasional tear, what a weekend! I got to stay with GeekGirl and Baboo on the way down to IM, stayed the entire weekend with Andy and Dana (thanks guys!) and stayed with Cody on the way back through Albuquerque.

Andy and Dana threw a great blogger party where I finally got to meet Megan, Cheese, Tridog Mom. And as always, it is great to see Carrie and the kids (her daughter has stolen my heart!), Bold, Momo and family (I think I am going to get Big J to commit to a super sprint hopefully!), Nytro and Benny, Commodore and family,and more.

Saturday Andy took me for a bike fit, we got organized for Sunday and hit the hay. Sunday was hot! Hung out with Rainbow, got to meet Megan's sisters (Hotter than AZ was!) and brother, watched the race, then went and helped make snow cones for the runners which was a huge hit! Andy, Carrie and Momo did good on that idea!!!!

Here are some pics from the weekend:

Richest Man in Arizona? IM AZ Report #1

I dont know if I can really convey in words how I feel right now, but I will try.

Yes, I feel like the richest man here at IM AZ. Last night, at the tri-blogger party, hosted by Andy and Dana Shetter, Stronger herded everybody outside into the back yard. She wheeled out a really nice looking Cervelo tri bike and started talking about how she had posted on her web site something about a drawing for the bike and all those who had paid a fee had their names in the hat for the drawing. She brought the pot over to me and had me draw a name out of the pot.

I drew a name out of the pot and the piece of paper said "Your blogging buddies bought you this bike. We love you Duane." I was stunned. All of a sudden everyone was grinning and I knew I had been set up. I don't think I was very coherent after that for a long while. Bigun and Taconite were on the phone and I remember talking with them, but I am not sure if I said goodbye or not. I was really in La La land. (Bigun and Tac, if I didn't finish the conversation with you I surely apologize!).

Apparently Stronger and Commodore had organized this and even my coach and trainer knew about it! As I have said before, I never knew what I was getting into when I signed up for my first Tri and started blogging. The training is great, the races are great, but the people who are now in my life blow me away. I am truly rich with love and friendships.

After I came to my senses, I enjoyed the rest of the evening. I had planned to sleep in till 7 am but woke up at 5:30 thinking about what I wanted to say on my blog. Then the tears came and an incredible feeling of gratitude washed over me. You know me, Im a softy and I am very touched. I will try to be worthy of this gift from my friends who continue to touch me in such an incredible way.

Tri-blogging, who knew it would be so life enriching? Carrie, Commodore, Megan, Momo and Big J, Pirate, Andy, Tri-dummy, IronShelly, I'm Able, Brent, IronWill, Bold, Bigun and Di, 21st CM, TriMama and Tac, Nytro and Benny, Krista and Shane, Renae, Kim, Jenny, Chris, Laura, Lana, Dr Bubba, Hillary, Lauren, TryGreyhound, Donald and Tiffany, Wylee,and Molly, I have not met some of you yet,but I will! In the meantime, I thank you from the bottom of my heart! You have blessed me greatly and
I will follow through in my quest to get healthy, become an Ironman, and help others get healthy. I will pass on your kindness to others. (I hope I did not miss anyone!) Love you! ("oops. I'm leaking again)

Left to right: Megan, Momo, me, Andy, Carrie, Big J, Benny, Nytro and Krista

Swimming Videos

Here are a few Pete directed me to:

Basic Triathlon Pool Touch

High Elbow Catch

Efficient Swimming

Tips for Open Water Swims