No one can really pull you up very high–you lose your grip on the rope. But on your own two feet you can climb mountains.
 - Louis Brandeis

How can I wrap up the season when I feel like it never got started? 

Triathlon Race Results:  One DNF (hypothermia), a top 10 finish at Ironman Florida 70.3 and a “What the hey happened” at Buffalo Springs. 

Life’s Results:  More free time on the weekends to spend with the kids…I did not realize just how much my girls noticed that I was out training until my youngest daughter would repeatedly say to me, “Mommy, what’s wrong with you?  You sure don’t exercise that much anymore.”  

Lessons learned:  We will keep having the same experiences in life until we finally learn and apply that which is trying to be taught. 

Life’s Goals:  Balance, health.

Race Goals:  I will define my goals.  I will NOT be defined by my goals.    

I am so grateful to Timex and our sponsors.  I almost felt bad for my beautiful red hot Trek Equinox 7.0 WSD…it screams fast, sleek, and ‘race me!’  But, it had to settle for training rides.  My Spenco Ironman Cycling Gloves made all these training rides a bit more  enjoyable by making the ride more comfortable.  My Timex Heart Rate Monitor has kept me in-line making sure I am working at the correct intensity and it also lets me know when my resting heart rate is elevated.  In addition, not only does it help me in training, but it is the first thing I hear in the morning with its trusty and faithful alarm. 

I did get to use my Blue Seventy Helix wetsuit and PointZero3 swimskin once this year…note that I WISHED I had my Blue Seventy Helix when I took to the chilly waters at California 70.3 earlier this year!  In addition, I am SUPER excited to hear that the PointZero3 was granted approval by FINA for open water swimming at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.  My 13 year-old daughter is anxious to try her hand at an open water swim event in the near future, and is looking forward to trying it out…she will do the suit justice.  This suit, similar to the Trek, says “fast-only please!” 

My every-day attire includes my Wigwam IM socks and Rudy Project sunglasses (ok, not just the two of them, there are other things on too!).  I don’t know what I would do without these things.  Even though I was not racing for most of the season, I still felt like a racer, and was easily targeted as ‘a triathlete or cyclist or some sort of athlete’ whenever I wore the Rudy Project glasses.  And, last but not least…Fuel Belt, Gatorade Endurance and Headsweats…what can I say except that I know there is NO way I could make it through a Houston summer of running without them.    

Congratulations to my fellow teammates…it was always fun to watch and cheer for you online.  It helped to fill the void of not being there in person.  Looking forward to 2008!