Homeward Bound!

I have really loved being in (or around) Scottsdale the last 10 days. The weather, all the bike trails, the weather, parks, the weather, tons of tri clubs. But of all the things that I loved the most, I would have to say that it was the weather. But alas, Monday morning it ends as we are flying home to cold weather (however, we were fortunate enough to miss the coldest of the cold).

Here is the family with Grandma (my mom) and Grandpa B.



Before we finished packing, we had to celebrate my oldest daughters' 10th birthday. It's amazing to believe that she is 10. It just seems like yesterday, when she was 3, not talking and as it turns out, malnourished, due to a condition called celiac disease. She is amazingly smart but not always able to express it due to verbal developmental delay. The delay is related to being malnourished for up to 2 years of her life. She's a superstar, graduating from Occupational Therapy as well as Speech Therapy except for some ST in school. She is also so dearly loved by anyone that gets to know her. Incredibly giving, loving and empathetic. Unfortunately this leaves her vulnerable too.

Well, enough of introductions, I am sure that I will talk about celiac and more in the future.

Happy Birthday eldest Jumper girl!



After visiting the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and the London Bridge, we decided to head back to Scottsdale to relax and go to the Phoenix Zoo. I love the Phoenix Zoo, by far my favorite zoo since being a kid and spending summers at the DC zoo.

Here is youngest Jumper girl with her scary cotton candy fingers.



And my favorite exhibit



Well, I am resting. Looking forward to working on my swim and rebuilding a bike and run base starting at about mid February. My A-race this year is likely to be the Pigman Half-Ironman Tri. I will also be running my first marathon.

In preparation for the Pigman, I will race Chisago Lakes 1/2 Ironman. However that will be to just going through it. No time goals, just strength, endurance and technique goals.

Speaking of strength and endurance, take a look at some comparison pictures here. I do not do this to deride myself or be negative in any way. I am actually encouraged.

The reason is that seeing how weak I was validates how I felt after the race.
I know I am stronger than this, so I know I have lots of improvement to show.
My struggle is visible but I made it anyway.

Another reason, is that I see Common Man as kind of a role model if its ok for a 40 year old to have one. I want to cross a 13.1 finish line looking this strong with a great time.

And it will happen!

Comm



me



Comm


me


and finally Comm




me
As Teddy Roosevelt said: "Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat".

I will triumph! But in my case (our case), I get to enjoy the process because I have already triumphed in the fact that I already dare these "mighty things"!

I know that I get all serious sometimes, but I am having the time of my life. I am having fun.