This year has flown by so fast I can hardly believe it. Talk
about an awesome life I have. My amazing family allows me the freedom to be me,
while making my life full and rich with limitless potential. My work is never
work, but an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of already
incredible people. I got the chance to do something I have dreamed of for 10
years by competing in Ironman. None of this could happen without the most
loving and supportive people for whom I am completely and entirely grateful.
My Family
I have the best husband EVER. He has sacrificed so much for
our family and allowed me to stretch my entrepreneurial legs creating Trunk
Trainers Inc., my personal training company. We serve the everyday person in
our community and beyond. This makes me responsible for a lot of people and
takes a lot of hours for the company to be successful. Hours upon hours he spends with our two boys
while I am working or training. He has sacrificed his job as a woodworker so
that our boys can always have a parent at home raising them. When he does squeeze
work in between Kindergarten drop-off and pick-up my in-laws Al and Susan take
over the role of childcare provider watching Evan. They cook and play games,
read books and learn colors. I get to come home at the end of the day to boys
who can’t wait to see me and a husband who appreciates me as much as I
appreciate him. He supports me whole heartedly and I ask a lot of him. He
always delivers and I am the luckiest wife in the work. The boys are so lucky
he is their dad. He loves his family with everything he’s got and I know he
would do anything for us.
While training for Ironman these folks picked up the slack
for me when I could not be there. I am forever grateful for their willingness
to do whatever it took for me to make it across the finish line. Without them
there would have been no way.
My parents have also supported me from the beginning, not
only for Ironman, but my entire life. Jason and Evan’s new favorite book before
bedtime is The Polar Express. The particular
copy we have is from Christmas 1989 where my mother wrote on the inside cover a
note to my brothers Bryan, Alex and I… “May you always hear the bell.” She
taught us to believe in the impossible and to never give up. My dad gifted us a
sense of humor and the ability to make the most of every situation. What great
role models to have, and they continue to support me and my family in so many
ways big and small.
My Trunk Trainers
Family
I spend as much, if not more time in the gym as I do at
home. I have a revolving door each day that delivers the most interesting,
successful, and determined clients who support me whole-heartedly and work hard
to reach their own goals. How did I get so lucky to be surrounded by the best
clients, members, trainers, and people every day. We have so much fun, and I
get to make a living doing it. I am so glad we have created a safe place for
people to come be themselves while improving their fitness and state of
wellbeing. I am proud of our members who are respectful of each other, encouraging,
and dedicated to making themselves and their families better.
My Self
It’s hard to even put it down, because I don’t want to sound
self-absorbed or braggy, but I am super proud of myself for pushing the limits
and going outside of my comfort zone this year. I have done so many things
physically, emotionally, socially, and technically that I never would have
tried if not for deciding to go for Ironman. I had to be bold, ignoring the
fact that I could be criticized (or self-critical if things didn’t work out).I
created a YouTube channel to audition for Quest for Kona. I made Twitter and Instagram
accounts and created this blog. I sought sponsorships and shared my journey
with the world. All parts of it, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Being the mother of
two strong-willed boys is hard, even with the amazing help of my husband and
family. You have to be fully committed 100% of the time when they are super
little to make sure nothing goes wrong. I am at the point where they don’t need
me 100% of the time, so I was able to do something for myself and stick to it
until the end, although at times (like every other Ironman out there I
suppose), I felt like quitting to make life easier. Everyone survived while I
was doing Ironman, if just barely. I need to remember to continue to take care
of myself like I did then.
Although the year is not quite over yet I want to say thank
you to 2017 for giving me so many awesome memories and experiences. I will
never forget my year 33! It’s runner up to year 26 (First Home, First Marathon,
Married!). If the rest of life is half this good I’ll be a very happy camper.
Can’t wait to see what happens next. A hui ho!
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