Saying Yes to Life...

And we're (almost) a 2nd season triathlete ;)

2011-07-16T13:59:00.003-05:00

It's going to be a warm one tomorrow morning... a little bit different from a year ago when I was ready for my very first triathlon EVER!

This year I feel much more relaxed and ready to truly enjoy the race. The real goal of tomorrow is to

1. have fun

2. cross the finish line

it's going to be hot. i have swam twice, yes, twice, since last august (rookie mistake). i haven't been on my bike/practiced a brick since the duathlon in the end of may, but i HAVE been running... running a lot. i've been to spin class, i've at least put goggles on my face a couple times in the last week... so i'm set.

packing up the car and ready to play with mama tonight.

below is the weather forecast. i'm hoping the weathermen are wrong and it is shockingly "cold" tomorrow... crazier things have happened in MN this summer :)

cheers to truly living life and embracing every single moment!

Du / Tri Season: Round 2

2011-05-22T05:53:00.000-05:00

Round two of races begins today!

I'm not nearly as nervous as I was a year ago at this time. The only thing this year is the ridiculous rain we had last night = trail run will be VERY soggy...

I've got my bike loaded, my water bottles filled, my shoes ready to rock and we're set, right?

Just run, bike and then run some more and we'll cross that finish line. Easy.

Excited to start the season. Let the games begin!

Ananndale Tri: 7.19.2010 (short course)

2010-08-28T16:41:00.000-05:00

Total Place: 92
Division Place: 2/32
Place: 90
Swim: 8:59
TRAN1:2:33
Place:135
Bike: 28:09
mph: 19.2
TRAN2: 1:13
Place: 120
Run: 21:07
pace: 8:27
Total Time: 1:01:59

Maple Grove Tri: 8.28.2010

2010-08-28T16:33:00.002-05:00

No: 487
Div: F2529
Overall: 70
Div Pl: 2/30
Sex Pl: 18/211
Swim: 9:27 (.3 miles / .48 km)
TRN1: 2:10
Bike: 46:32 (14 miles / 22.5 km)
TRN2: 0:56
Run: 25:39 (3 miles / 4.8 km)
Time: 1:24:41

YWCA Tri: 8.15.2010

2010-08-28T16:30:00.005-05:00

No: 113
Division: F2529
Overall: 84
Div Place: 13/146
Swim: 12:09 (500 yards) (w/out Wetsuit)
TRN1: 2:09
Bike: 48:28 (15 miles)
TRN2: 1:27
Run: 26:49 (5K)
Time: 1:30:59

How in the world...

2010-08-27T20:37:00.001-05:00

Is it already August 27?

I seriously can't believe that it is almost September. That I have a triathlon tomorrow morning and that it is already Friday in the week.

What a week.

Monday: Linchpin Meetup
Wednesday: Target National Sales Meeting & Dinner with Seth Godin & the team
Thursday: A Day with Seth Godin
Friday: Tri Packet Pickup
Saturday: Maple Grove Tri
Sunday: Target Tri Club 20 Mile Group Ride & Romantica @ The State Fair & Joy Williams @ Sauce in Mpls.

Monday: Exhaustion.

I can see it now. I will be needing at least 12 hours of sleep a night for a week pretty soon here...

but I do believe I'm "saying yes to life" which is really the ultimate goal.

Off to go get my stuff together for another morning of fun. PRAYING that this tri is wetsuit eligible :)

xo
kp

Tri #2!

2010-08-14T21:11:00.001-05:00

Tri #2 tomorrow morning!

Third Annual YWCA of Minneapolis Women's Triathlon

8:00 a.m., Lake Nokomis, Minneapolis, MN
Sprint Distance: 500 yd swim/15 mile bike/5K run

1000 women coming together to celebrate health, movement, community...

The ultimate "packing list"...I think I'm set.

And I have my #1 fans with me...mom and dad. Best friends (and fans) in the entire world.
So blessed to be able to compete in these races.

Can't wait!

**********************************************

SWIM
- Swimsuit
- Goggles
- Towels (sit on in transition area, dry off, wipe feet)
- Bucket (with water to wash sand off feet) (most people don't bother)
- Wetsuit (not required, many/most won't have one)
- Swim cap (provided by the race)
- Sunscreen

BIKE
- Helmet (required!!)
- Bike shoes (if your pedals require them)
- Socks
- Bike shorts
- Bike jersey/singlet
- Gloves (probably not in a short race)
- Cycling glasses
- Water bottles
- Spare tires/tubes
- CO2 cartridges
- Tool kit
- Floor pump
- Frame pump
- Bike lube

RUN
- Running shoes
- Socks
- Shorts
- Singlet
- Hat/Visor
- Sunglasses

MISC.
- Watch
- Race number (provided by race)
- Race information
- Writing instrument
- Identification/passport
- Money/credit card
- First aid kit
- Fluid replacement drink
- Energy food
- Misc. warmer cloths (tights, jacket, helmet cover, etc.)

Triathlete

2010-07-18T04:43:00.000-05:00

I'm becoming a triathlete today...I can't wait.

I am so excited to be a part of the race vs. being a spectator.

I have everything I need to cross the finish line...at least I crossed everything off the list Chris sent to the Tri club...

As long as I survive the swim with all of my teeth and limited water up my nose the swim will be a success.

If I don't drop my water bottle on the bike the bike will be a success.

If I can run under a 9 min. mile the run will be a success.

We'll see how it goes!

Off to Annandale...

Red, White & Boom Half Marathon Results

2010-07-05T17:29:00.003-05:00

7.4.2010: 2:02:24

Minneapolis Half Marathon Results

2010-07-05T00:33:00.000-05:00

06.06.10: 2:06:21

Red White & Boom Half!

2010-07-04T05:12:00.000-05:00

it's 5am and 78 degrees outside!
80% chance of thunderstorms.
i don't run in the rain...maybe this will teach me to run regardless of the weather conditions.
i'm excited about this run...another run with a goal to cross the finish line.
the first ever red, white & boom half.
3000 people.
st. anthony main.
minneapolis.
4th of july.
start time: 6:30am.

I've got my Shot Bloks, my running shoes, some good tunes and a goal to run 13.1 miles...

So thankful for health, for passion & for movement.

Half Marathon #2 less than a week away.

2010-06-28T20:28:00.000-05:00

I signed up for another half next sunday...the inaugural Red, White & Boom Half Marathon. We'll see how it goes! I was in town anyway so might as well continue the trend of running a half marathon in the morning and then listening to live music all afternoon, right?

I've loved this summer of training and continue to pray that amongst all the training and races I don't get hurt and feel healthy and strong.

It's so cool to see goals accomplished, things I thought I could never do be done and friends I never knew before this summer.

After this half I need to actually get in some lake water to consider swimming in the lake...in 3 short weeks. Looking forward to experiencing a Tri.

Through races you have so many opportunities to say "Yes to Life" even on those days that all you want to say is "No, one more hour of sleep." "No, I don't want to move my body." The "after" of that long run or bike ride or swim class is so good...and the training is so worth it.

Life is good and fun and exciting...more so every day.

God is good.

First Minneapolis Half Marathon today!

2010-06-06T05:28:00.002-05:00

the weather looks great.
i have a yellow hat on.
i slept well last night.
i have a chip on my shoe and i'm ready to go catch the bus.
can't wait for today.
and yay for my sis who is running a half today as well - the rock 'n roll half in San Diego.

we get to "run together" for a little bit!

here's to a day surrounded by people who care about health, well-being, setting goals and accomplishing them!

off to the bus!

1 Duathlon Down, 1 Half Marathon Coming Up

2010-05-23T20:45:00.000-05:00

Today was awesome. I met some great people, I ran into old friends I haven't seen in forever and I finished the race!
I love the community of people in the Tri / Duathlon world...and I'm sure all other "health / fitness worlds" - everyone is so friendly and looks out for you - everyone wants you to achiever your own personal goals.
I am loving the start of this "Summer of Races" and am looking forward to June 6 when I get to run on pavement (no more trail runs for awhile)! Minneapolis Half Marathon here we come!

First Duathlon Tomorrow...

2010-05-22T19:51:00.001-05:00

Who am I kidding? My first RACE tomorrow...

I am not that nervous about it - just more anxious that I won't remember everything that I need.

Really all I need to have are some running shoes, a helmet, bike, bike shoes, hat to put on after helmet comes off and my running shoes again. And my bib number and sticker to put on my bike. And then probably some sunglasses and if music were allowed there would be an iPod in the pile as well. I'm sure there's a list of what to bring somewhere online....that would be what someone who plans ahead would do.

I guess I could stop writing this blog and start some research, but part of me says that I'm 12 hours from being a part of my first event I should just embrace the unknown and enjoy it. I think that's what I'll do...

Make a pile of stuff to put in the car tomorrow morning and take off around 6:15am... will be a very cool morning. Can't wait to report back on how Race #1 (of hopefully many) goes!

Praying for no rain, no humidity, no heat....a perfect 58* and calm would be great tomorrow. :)

mama's in town!

2010-02-06T11:28:00.000-06:00

i am so blessed. for so many reason.

i have a job i love.

i have a family who loves me.

i have friends who are always there for me.

i GET to live in this beautiful city in a wonderful neighborhood and embrace all that Minneapolis offers.

Life. Is. Good. and I'm honored to share this life with so many amazing people.

off for another day of adventures with mama!

Thoughts

2010-01-04T20:47:00.002-06:00

A lot of thoughts go through my head in a day and today one prominent one was that I am so blessed to have authentic friendships. That we get to journey through life together...through all of lifes ups and downs we get to "do life" together. What a blessing.

Another thought is that prayer is so powerful. Not only does it bring you closer to the Lord but it brings you closer in friendship. That I have the honor of praying for Becky and Sarah and Cathy and my sister and Kelly's friend and so many others...that I am honored that they trust me enough to share their struggles and pains. So cool.

God continues to teach me lessons and this is just another one. What an honor to be walking this journey...

God is a good surpriser...

2009-06-07T21:26:00.000-05:00

so I'm a pretty bad blogger...maybe someday it will become more second nature for me, but until then I'll keep processing life through a pen and paper.

anyway, this last month has been interesting. I don't know if I didn't think that God would surprise me if I actually said those three words "Surprise Me God." but He has and continues to. He is stirring in my heart and I don't know what it all means, but it is good. It makes me feel alive. That I am living each day. Breathing in each day. Reminding myself to live one day at a time...which is so hard to do sometimes. It's so easy to look at next month, next year, in 5 years...

How do you continually remind yourself to live each moment of every single day?

Something I'm interesting in pursuing.

Ready for more surprises this week.
God is good. All the time. Every single moment of every single day.

kp

a surprise through a quote

2009-05-11T21:19:00.000-05:00

i received an email from a friend today with a great quote in it. i dont think he realizes how much that quote fed me. really made me think.

Life is too short to wake up with regrets.So love the people who treat you right. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands.If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.
- Unknown

it's true. life IS too short to wake up with regrets. to question yourself. to not believe in yourself.

i am trying to believe that everything and every feeling happens for a reason.

and yes, life is not easy but it is worth it. even those moments where you question and wonder why. why me? why my grandpa? why my cousin? why my best friend? there are so many things to wonder why and we GET the chance to ask these questions and wrestle with the whys...but at the end of the day we also need to remember that there is something so much Bigger out there...someone who knows the whys and is waiting for the perfect moment to give us the answers and the reasons.

all of my love and prayers to the Corwins, to the Mesnas, to my Grandpa...you mean the world to so many...

xoxo

surprise me God!

2009-05-10T21:57:00.000-05:00

here we go...ready for the 30 days of surprise :)

exactly enough time...

2009-02-15T20:36:00.000-06:00

Everything changed the day she figured out there was exactly enough time for the important things in her life.