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A Good Day

Today was a good day. I took yesterday off as to be super fresh for my biggest workout since Honu, the only Half Ironman I've ever undertaken to date, and awoke rested and ready to go. As I do every morning at 4:30am I checked my e-mail on my phone as I made the coffee, trying to be as quiet as possible so the boys would stay asleep. In my inbox was an e-mail from Meredith Atwood the Swim Bike Mom. I had written to her seeking sponsorship and her response blew me away. In the e-mail was a proposal to be the first Sponsored Athlete Swim Bike Mom has ever had. What an honor this would be to represent the tri moms out there, and to work with a woman who has already done what I aspire to do. She started with a blog, wrote a book, and has created a fun company with her success as a triathlon mom. This is such a great opportunity and I can't wait for the months to come with this new highlight to my Ironmom journey.

I was out the door by 5am, to stash a few bottles of water and Gatorade out at Scenic point for my 50 mile ride. Just as I passed the airport a giant owl coasted over the road in my headlights. A good omen. I have seen owls from the first day I decided to try for Ironman.  Al, Susan, my brother Bryan, Jason, Evan, and I were volunteering at Ironman 2015 at the timing station at NELHA. As I was pushing Evan to sleep on Old OTec Road in my Ironman Bob stroller, a baby shower gift from Chris and Peaman when I was pregnant with Jason, an owl swooped over my head then, just as it did over my car this morning. At that moment I was daring to think, "why not me?" The owl sealed the deal. I was going to go for it.

The ride went well, and I made it all 50 miles with a cross wind the whole time, except for the headwind the last 10 miles. 3 hours and 30 minutes for the ride, and then on to a 9 mile run/walk in one hour an 47 minutes. I figured I would try and use Jason's gummy snacks and applesauce packs to fuel up and it worked well enough, but won't cut it for the real deal. Nutrition is key they say in endurance sport. I am so lucky to have my support team helping out at the gym so I can do this. Plus all of the healthy food from Son of a Bistro. Today was an ahi avocado salad with quinoa. It is so much easier when you don't have to think about lunch. There is so much to do when training. The workouts, the food, the recovery, and the rest of life. But this is a special time and I am all in. I am so fortunate everyone else in my life is too, because I couldn't do this alone. Nor would I want to. Honu 2017 here I come. This year I'm going to be READY!

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