24 days

All the photos -
I guess I wanted to post what I think is my support team and show that in the end
we still have fun.... even when the race is hard or the cause is heart breaking.

Someone ask me yesterday - How I got started in TRIATHLON....
It all started in 2004 when Paula Braxton persuaded me to sign up for a Olympic Distance
triathlon to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society... I thought it was crazy
and I was so overwhelmed at the idea of swimming a mile, riding 25 and running 6.2 but the cause was worth it and I figured I had nothing to loose. As some of you know my life at that
time was a bit out of control and I was really having a hard time. So I signed up and dug in !!

Just a side note - if you ever think you might want to try to do a endurance event but your scared and don't know where to start .... go to www.teamintraining.org and check it out.
I truly believe that "TNT" saved me from falling apart in a time where it would have been easy to go the other direction it gave me a healthy alternative and made me believe in myself again !!

Now - the photos

Stefanie Mastos ( Beckner ) My best friend from Junior High and high School - She has made me laugh on days that I totally wanted to give up...she's my drinking partner and she and her husband "Hot Diggity Dave" are making the trip to Placid to cheer me on and I am so thankful to them for that......

My Dad and I - No explanation needed however I will tell you that when I told him I was doing a IRONMAN - he told me that I had to have been switched at birth !!!!!


Arlene Klauber - is a amazing woman who I have become close friends with over the past several years. She has been a honored team mate of mine as well as a team participant. She is battling returning cancer after being in remission for 9 years and she has amazing spirit and will. Every time I think I can't I think of her !!!!!

Team Pink - My bestest of bestest group of friends. The women and men who keep me grounded (Heidi) and encourage me even when I think I want to qive up.(Steve)

COACH BRYAN - Bryan has was my TNT coach and our official Team Pink coch for Timberman 1/2 Iron.... he IM's me off the legdge at least once a week.... and he just has twins that are destin to play BUCKEYE FOOTBALL some day !!

Jenni Banks - The uber athlete in my life - the one who makes everything seem EASY but always finds time to help me when I need it ~ she has taught me so much about the sport from riding technique to bike maintenance she is the one I go to for it all. ( Thanks Jen if you read this)

Team in Training - My St. A's team this year - a great race and a such a good group... they were very patient with the fact that I was training for the IRONMAN and not always doing the same work out.

The boa's and the plunge - Just making a point that I'm still having fun !!!!

Bart & I at St. A's - OK so this is personal - I beat him and I PR'd the race ( personal best )
now it was his first race and probably my 13th or 14th but I still beat him and I know that drove him mad so I had to post that picture !!!

Mooseman - this picture was taken before the most miserable race I have had to date....
water was 60 degrees - my feet froze while swimming and the air temp by the time I was running was in the 90's - all I can say is it SUCKED !! but I finished !