"Glutton for punishment"

Yes, that is what he called me! One of my old coaches from ski racing and former Pike's peaker called me a gluttton for punishment after seeing me at the bike race on Saturday. I know, I know it is possibly partly true. Most people do rest after doing the Pikes Peak Marathon rather than going out to do a bike race six days later. I had to do it though! I couldn't hold myself back. I was in second in the series and if I didn't do the race I would have been taken out so I had to hold off the girl behind me. I didn't go out to win or anything I figured I wouldn't do very well, it was the King of the Rockies: Tipperary classic race, which is almost 26 miles of mostly great single track riding. However, I started up tipperary I started slow and continued to feel surprisingly well! I ended up 3rd in my division and held onto my second place overall for the series. Also, I won the "road rash award" and got a $50 gift certificate to the Wild Creek/Untamed. Yes, that does mean that I crashed again. Don't worry I have not bumped my head at all. Now to add to my skinned knee from Pike's I have a skinned elbow and side, I am a little bit of a mess.
Here are my pics.

I Did It!!

Yep, that's right I successfully completed the Pike's Peak Marathon! I took 3rd for my age-group! I had one crash on the way down but I took Matt Carpenter's advice and got right up and ran really fast on the drenaline before the pain set in.
I was surprised the whole time that my head didn't hurt any worse than it had in the last two weeks and probably even felt better (or maybe I just had too many other things to worry about) Well, I made it to the top in 3:50 which was 5 minutes ahead of my goal time and I finished in 6:05. I wanted to break 6 hours but considering that I didn't even know if I was going to be able to do it a week ago I was very pleased. I ended up 24th overall. Here are some pics of the day.


This is me climbing right near the top...


And now we get to run down! Feels so much better!


This is my third-place award.

Yes

Well, the doc said I could run! Under one condition, that I am very prudent and if I experience any vision/balance problems or headaches I must call it and not push. I just really hope that I don't have any problems and I feel great by Sunday.
I just am so darn competitive that it is my downfall sometimes.
So, up up and away I will go...only 2 Days 12 hours and 55 minutes to Pikes Peak.

Oh, today was my first day back on the river as well!

Pike's

Yes, I suffered some other sort of brain disfunction back in March (other than concussion) and I signed up for the Pike's Peak Marathon. Yes, that is right...in less than 4 days I am going to run up Pike's peak and not only that I am going for the round trip and running back down to make it a full marathon.
I don't really think I have trained enough but I am still excited and nervous and wondering about my sanity all at the same time. Also, now, there is this whole concussion thing. I think I should be okay to run but I am getting so many different opinions from people. Some think I should not try to do it 2 1/2 weeks after my concussion and others think I will be okay. I am going to the Doc tomorrow for my follow up so we will see what he says. I can't not do it!! I have to do Pike's and it has to be this year!
I know I may be crazy....please don't tell.

Only in Colorado

So I had to post this because Drew and I found so much amusement in it. When I was in the hospital they give you all these papers...you know so you know what happened to you and how to take care of yourself and all that stuff. Well, they gave us this sheet on concussions. What is a concussion and what you need to know and all that.



Yeah, sorry it is a little blurry... If you can't read that it says
--Avoid any activity (including skiing) that could cause a blow or jolt to your head for at least one week.

Yes that is right they had to include in perenthesis skiing. We laughed and thought only in a Colorado ski town like Vail would they have to clarifly that in the things not to do.

Ambulance!

Wow it has been awhile since I have written in here sorry I have been so busy working. Well, I have some time now because I have a few days forced off of work.
Yep, Thursday when we were throwing boats onto the trailer at the end of our trip apparentlly I didn't duck enough and it took off my head. Well... at least it slammed my head into the trailer and then to the ground maybe. I don't really know I don't remember any of it. They had me on a backboard and an ambulance almost there by the time I remember anything. Apparently I didn't blackout but I was only A&O x 1 which means I was only alert and oriented to who I was. I didn't even remember the last 20 minutes of the raft trip or the fact that it was August until about the time we got to Vail Medical clinic. Well, there was a lot of blood for a very small cut of course, I only have two stitches in my head but it is very bruised and hurts. So, because of secondary concussion possibilities I am not allowed to do much for a few days, which meant I couldn't do the bike race today and I have missed a couple days of running for Pike's.
I am okay if anyone was concerned. My head hurts!

Aunt!

My sister had her baby! I am an aunt for the fourth time. It took me awhile to get this post up. She had another beautiful baby girl on Monday June 25th. She beat out her brother and sisters weighing in at 8lbs 3oz and 20 inches long. I have had the privelage of being present for all but one of the births and that was due to a winter storm and we didn't make it till the next day. I am going to post some pics soon.

2nd!

Yep, I got second in the bike race I did yesterday. I was very happy with this improvement over last weeks last place in the hill climb. Apparently I do much better when it is single track and I get to race up and down. Yesterday was the mountain circuit race in the Winter Park Mountain Bike series. I had been planning on doing my second Xterra yesterday but when I wnt to register for the race I couldn't get in because it was full. So, I did the bike race.
The really great part was that I actually won something in the raffle! I am one of the people who never wins anythiing. So they were getting down to the last three prizes and I finally won! Guess what I won...
A half-day raft trip with our competitor guide company. Oh, the irony. So, being that I spend close to every day on the river and I have done that trip at lest 13 times in the last 3 weeks. I traded the girl behind who had one a gift certificate. She had never been rafting and really wanted to go.

Well, in other news the guiding is going really well especially now that the weather is getting nice. I have actually had 3 really warm days on the river now!

Time...?

On Saturday I had a great day it was almost perfect. I got up and went to my swim class. We had a really good workout and my stroke has really improved. Then I came home relaxed a little got into the Word then I went for almost a 3 hour bike ride. I got on some of the trails that are almost clear now. Still some snow but they are looking pretty good, wont be long. By then I hadd made it home before the weather got real ugly so I showered up and finished my book while it rained and relaxed for the afternoon then I went for an evening movie. I was a great day. But I was thinking the whole time... ahh, I have to start working on Monday and be a real working person so i won't get many more of those. :(
Well, as you can see I did start training and haven't even had a moment to get on here and post anything since then. I am having fun though. We have been on the river everyday. Yesterday we did three runs on Clear Creek and I got to get on a guide the bottom part. It went really well for my first time on the stick. they gave us a couple of hours off this morning before we head to Ft collins for the weekend. I will be doing swift Water rescue training. Hope things go well and the weather is warm cause that water is NOT.

Ouch!

Well, I made it. That is all I can say. The marathon did not go as well as I would have liked. It was one of those where within about the first 5 miles I knew that it just was not going to be my day. But I tried to get on pace and hoped that I would just run throuhg it a little and start to feel better... didn't happen. my stomach was hurting most of the way, my calves cramped like crazy and it just kind of hurt. So, I did not get my qualifying time :( Oh, well... I think I like the variety of triathlons better.

I am so sore. yesterday I could hardly walk because my calves are so tight. I definately wasn't this sore the other two times, i don't think. not even after the first one.

Kayaking

I now have already two days on the river this season. We went and ran Fraser canyon on tuesday. It was actually alot of fun even if it did rain on us a little. It was alot more fun than our Saturday run on the Colorado which was mostly flat with a few little rapids. I am enjoying it quite a bit. I don't know that I will be quite as crazy about kayaking as Drew but it is alot of fun. I think as I become more and more confident with my roll it will be even better. I rolled in the river for the first time in Fraser Canyon. I don't know that I would even call it a roll though. I got flipped over because I hit a rock sideways and then as I was upside down I was thinking I needed to roll but instead, because it was pretty shallow I pushed of my hands on the bottom. Ha!

Also, I am running my third marathon on Sunday. Yes, I am running Ft. Collins marathon again. So, today I am trying to do nothing but be lazy. It is actually kind of a perfect day for it because it is all dreary and trying to snow outside. That makes it easier for me to just sit inside and read or watch movies.
Well, my goal is to run a 3:40. So we'll see how it goes. Wish me luck.

Vacation?

Yep, we are back. We came back early because the weather is lame. But, I suppose I need to start from the beginning.

Springs
We left last Tuesday and went down to colorado Springs. We had some meetings at navigators headquarters. We met with the Asia director to talk about some of our dreams and it went very well. Lets see what happens in the future there are so many descisions.
The best part, however, was getting to see all our friends. We saw Jake & Jamie, Aaron, Janice, & titus(what a cutie), Matt, Tye, Sheryle, LeighAnn... and Of course we stayed at tim and Amy's and stayed up too late talking. Miss all you guys.
Next day we headed down to New Mexico and stayed with Samuel, Susan, Meagan, Sam and Eleri. That was another great time getting to spend the evening with everyone. I can't believe how big Eleri is already!

Arizona
We took a leisurly pace over to Arizona and stopped at some cool ruins. Of course, I like that stuff being an Anthropology major. This is the pic of Montezuma's Castle. these were ruins of the Sinagua people.




Xterra Triathlon
I know, I know the most exciting part... Well, we finally made it down to Mesa and the race venue and got the last little cabin right there at the sight. Mostly because Drew didn't want to drive all the way back in to mesa. So, have to say that I was a little nervous. Let us count the ways: 1)first triathlon ever 2)only trained about a month 3)first open water swim 4)hadn't ridden my bike outside yet...
5)Its a race!!
Well, when all was said and done. Things went well and I am hooked! I think I should be a professional and take on Jamie Whitmore and Melanie McQuiad :)
but really, it wasn't too bad for my first go. I got 14th over all and 4th in my agegroup. Now with some hard training and experience I should be able to imporve on that. Actually the bike portion was the best part of my race I 7th overall in the thta. So I am pleased. I guess I will put up some pics but they aren't very good. I am racing!!



Cheese! I am ready to go!






Swim, bike, run (after the takedown)


Well, after that it all went downhill. The plan was to go up and take an overnight into the Grand Canyon. But when we got up it was snowing on the rim. We didn't really want to hike.


That's us trying to look happy anyway.

So we just continued on up to Canyonlands where we were going to spend some time. woke up to a sunny day...an hour later, big, wet, snowy blizzards! So...we continued on the Moab...pouring rain. We were very upset by this time. The whole point was to go away somewhere warm. so much for that. Being utterly depressed and defeated we just came home. Next day, winter storm warnings and a foot of snow.

The Real Plunge

Yesterday was the annual Spring Splash at Winter Park. This has become an end of the season tradition for me as it is for many. I had to race to defend my title. I am a 4-time champion.
The Spring Splash is a race held on closing day at Winter Park. Competitors are pushed out of the start gate backwards then they turn around and rush into a bamboo jungle, then they race down through an obstacle course to the bottom where they fly into an icy pond and try to make it as far as they can (or not). The finish line is about 3/4 of the way across the pond.
This was pretty exciting. Rather than the normal small lip that you ski off right into the pond it was built way up. So, my regular method of just skiing right into it would rather drop me at least 7 ft. probably more which only allows sinking and not skimming. As Erik (brother-in-law and 7-time men's champion) and I stood on the launch we decided the only way to go was to pop the jump and try to fly as far as possible, then he tells me that I am his guinea pig. Great! I was the last girl to go and, of course, none of the other girls went for it or did anything but crash right into the water. So, I came guns blazing and launched! Crowds went wild because that was the first big one they had seen. you should have seen the faces. I did make it past the finish line aiborne and was only about 4 ft from the end of the pond.
I defended my title well and won $350 and a season pass (not sure what I can do with that since I am an employee). It was a fun day. Erik won as well, we like to keep it in the family.
Here is a little video clip. Unfortunatly it is not the best (not sure what my dad was thinking where he was standing). make sure you look hard when I go over the pond I kind of blend in with the snow and the crowd...



Well, tomorrow we are off to the south for a little warm vacation fun. We are heading to Albequerque first to see Samuel and Susan (Drew's brother) then it is over to Arizona where I will take on my first Xterra triathlon. Just a little nervous.

I took the plunge...

Okay, I got my hair cut yesterday. I got a little daring and they cut a little more than I might have wanted. Still deciding how much I like it. So, here are the before and after pictures.

Before

After

So today I also did my longest run for my marathon now I get to taper! That is pretty exciting. My legs were hurting alittle at the end of my 20+ miles. But now I am feeling good relaxing after a good long run.

This weekend is the end of the ski season for all of us here in Winter Park. My athletes have their last race, the Loveland Derby. I will be going to that on Saturday and then on Sunday I willrace in the Spring Splash, an event that takes place at Winter Park on closing day every year. I have to defend my title. I will update you all after the events!

Oh, I almost forgot to put this up! This is the view from our front window...

Welcome!

Okay, here it is. I have been persuaded by a few friends to come back to xanga or to blog again. So here I am. I am taking over this blog that never really worked for both of us and making it my own fresh blog.

So, first I better rewind to tell you all what has happened this last year. Drew returned from Iraq in October and we decided it was a good time for a change to something we have always wanted... So, in December we packed up our house and moved up here to Winter Park in a week. Kind of funny how things just fell into place for us. We are living in the condo that I grew up in till I was about 9. I love being back home in the mountains!
Before we moved I knew that I could have a job coaching, so that is what I did. This winter I was an alpine ski racing coach for JIV's (11-12 year-olds). It has been alot of fun. I had a great group of kids and I love coaching! The only hard part is it makes me crazy because I want to race again with them...argh! Anyway, the season is pretty much to the end. We only have one day left that is a family party thing and the the end of the year awards and Derby next weekend. I can't believe how fast it has gone!
For the summer we will be staying here and working on the river as whitewater guides for MAD Adventures also known as Rocky Mountain Adventures. I am also looking forward to testing my competition skills in some Xterra triathlons and on Pikes peak. Thats right!! you heard me I got in to the Pike's Peak marathon! I am excited but some days when I am out running I wonder if I really am crazy. Oh well.

So there you have it. I am going to try to be better about keeping up on this kind of thing this year.

Oh. and if you stopped by please leave my a comment because I usually feel like nobody reads this thing anyway and that is often why I don't write. Later

Finishing Strong

Yeah!
I ran my second Ft Collins marathon on Sunday! I dropped 15 minutes off my time from last year and ran it in 3:57. Not too bad, if I just drop 17 more I'll qualify for Boston... Really, I felt so much better this time around. Even in those last miles when it was difficult it doesn't compare to the first time! We'll have to see what is next.

My summer news: I will be going to Wyoming for a month to become a Wilderness EMT. I am excited that I have the opportunity to do this. It will be really good but I know the course will be pretty intense as well. This seemed like a very strategic time to go ahead and take the course.

Advance is officially over... kind of crazy they have finished their time here with us and are all headed out for their summer trips this week. It has been a good first year and I think we have some good input on how to continue to improve the program. We still need students for next class.

Drew's birthday was on Tuesday! He did get to call so I wished a wonderful birthday! He is doing well. He recently was helping out with a recruiting drive for the Iraqi army. Please continue to keep him in your prayers.

Fun times...

It is a beautiful day. Some great people are getting married today and I get to join the fun!

I have decided to go and take my Wilderness EMT through NOLS. I will be going to Lander, Wyoming for most of June. This should be really good. I think it will be very valuable with all of the things that we do even with Advance but also when we go to crazy places in other countries. I am excited but I know that it will be an intense month.

Drew is doing really well. I got an email from him yesterday. He switched jobs. Rather than doing prisoner detention he is now on a Military Transition Team working with the people to train up the Iraqi police. I think this is really a good change for him that he feels is much more valuable and strategic. Keep praying for him and me... I miss him alot!!

Not Bad...

4th place is not too shabby for my first solo adventure race. I finished in 7 hours and 3 minutes and that was running my bike the last half mile due to a flat tire and passing a checkpoint. Areas for improvement, right. I had alot of fun! I am now putting my energy into getting ready for my marathon on May 7.

Well, I have talked to Drew twice now since he made it to Iraq. He is doing well but he is a little bored on his 12 hour shifts at work. Apparently prisoner detention is not too engaging. Boy do I mis him!!

Here are a couple picks from my race. (You have to click on the blank ones, I don't want to pay lots, sorry)

Gone

Well, Drew is off to Iraq. He finally left California the other day. I spoke to him for the last time while he was on the plane. That was hard. But Ijsut got word that after much travel they have arrived in Kuwait. Things are good and I am hanging in there. I think these first couple weeks may be some of the hardest.

I am keeping busy and gearing up for my Adventure Race this weekend. I am doing the Moab Adventure Xtream on Saturday. I will be doing the rae solo since my usual teammate is in Kuwait. Exciting but a little nervous not bad. I know it will be alot of fun! Wish me luck!
I finally found a support crew too. My wonderful parents are going to go with me. Yeah!

Doing well

Things seem to have been a little crazy lately. Not too bad, just a little. I have now more thouroughly defined my role with USIMG. My new title there is the Mobilization and Recruiting Project Manager. Basically I am just going to be in charge of a lot of the small yet strategic projects for recruiting with the Navs. Right now I am working on recruiting for the next class of Advance. I think it will be good.
Things in the bookstore are going really well and our Reliv business is also getting going. I went to a Reliv conference last weekend and it was so amazing! I was so encouraged in the way that the Lord is using this company and met some great people.

Drew is doing well, I just talked to him. He is on light duty right now because his back has been giving him a little trouble so that is a good prayer request.

I feel like I really don't have a lot to say and that is why it has taken me so long ot post in the first place. But anyway, things are great!!