I know I have talked about it before…. but I have to say it again. If my journey of weight loss was to help ONE PERSON… than I have done it for a good reason. Thats what I told the reporter when she was asking me all those questions about why I was willing to talk to her and why I had done it. And and and. Here I am a year out. And I have met people all along the way. I have been blessed to personally help some. While others have done it on their own. I met just one of those women this past Saturday.

D~fly and I have been training for our Triathlon together. Rain or shine we try to get out and well, TRI! This Saturday was no exception when it came time for our run. The difference was that we were in a race. The Family fun in the midnight sun. FUN RUN! It is done on Solstice morning every year about 17 miles from our house.

He was so nervous. Talked to me all week about how worried he was that he wouldn’t place. I kept telling him. “It isn’t about win or lose. This is about doing YOUR PERSONAL BEST! You haven’t done a race this long before so let us just get out there and do it with a smile.” Also there was the reminder that his age group was 18 and under.

I have always looked at changing the lives of others…. BUT I never looked right inside my own home. I have changed lives here too. Most of it for the better. they all eat healthier. They all take the time to eat their veggies first. They would rather have the leaner meat than that of the normal COW! They take their OWN lunches because of the unhealthy choices that are offered at school. That was all because I CHANGED the way I eat. The way I think. The way I DO THINGS. It has changed THEM forever. : )

They are more active and that is why D~Fly has made the decision to try out Tri’ing. So I know you are wondering were all this is going… it sounds like a big loop of nothing…

D~Fly ran that race with a furry that I have never seen. He was worried in one spot but I cheered him on from my side of the loop …2 min behind him…. He had an older man behind him wanting to know if all that cheering was for him or my son. I told him it was for BOTH of them. They were doing wonderful and I was proud of them.

D~Fly came in with a screaming 25:32 second time for a 3 mile race. His longest race so far. He was able to pull out a 3^rd place win in the 18 and under group. I am so proud of him. And were I came in 4 minutes and 10 seconds behind him, I was fast enough to pull out a 1^st place in my “Old lady” age group. Am I happy with the time? Sort of. It wasn’t what I wanted. But the trail wasn’t all that I expected either. Wasn’t what I trained for. A LOT OF HILLS! But I wasn’t ready to stop running either. It was a great pace for a marathon. that is what I have been training for. So … might have to rethink all that… LOL…

Now before the race ever began a friend of mine from High school came over and asked if she could pray with me. That made my day. And with her came someone new that I had never met. She said she had been reading a lot about me and was so proud to say that she had lost 40 pounds so far. That she couldn’t wait to be a runner…. But I have something to say here….

SHE IS A RUNNER!!!!!!!!!!!!

She ran the race with a great time. And she had a smile on her face. When she was running the home stretch I was there with J. and we were able to yell her in. and when we said run it in hard. SHE DID! So my dear. If you ever get to read this. KNOW that you are a runner. You are a WINNER. Your life is changing and you are the one in control of that. Congratulations on the success that you have had… and for all the future success you CREATE! I wasn’t kidding when I said you can and should compete in the tri. I know that you will do amazing in it.

Thank you for letting me have some small part in helping you make the change.

As soon as the results are up on in the newspaper. I will let you all know.

Momma~Fly Out

Peppermist

and her friend

the Additive….

Have decided that I am the town idiot. I was thinking I was all smart and started a snark contest. And we must remember that Peppermist. She is the daughter of none other than the SNARK QUEEN. I didn’t have a chance. So now when things are said.

“I know it is because Auntie is the town idiot! ask her how it feels.”

Whatever

The other little turd niece the Pup… she was here for a few day’s last week. And they found the cherries that I thought I had hidden well enough for dinner.

WRONG PRONG! So when she came running over to let me know that it “LOOKS LIKE A HEART AUNTIE!” I was told I MUST take a picture to share…..

Not sure if that is a heart or a butt…. But she looks happy about holding a butt.

Here is why it is hard to get any chores done in my house. LOL… not the kids. It is because the Dog tells me what I can and cannot do…..

Not that I mind. Look how cute she is….Vaccuming can wait!

I shared a while ago how cool my oldest Dude is getting…. well look at today.

He was taking time to share with the little ones how to beat something on a D.S.!  I don’t have one of these in my house. Don’t like them! BUT the kids have played with them in many places. And when the little one G~bear comes over. He brings his. so…

that means the kids pile around it and enjoy laughing and learning together. But how cool that he is even letting them into his space. SO NEW!!!!!!! He is growing I tell you. Growing and changing.

I hope that you all have a wonderful day. I know that I have had an amazing week. And it is only going to get better.

Momma~Fly

When I started to believe that the life of a triathlet was the life I wanted to lead. I had JUST lost 60 pounds. thought … YEAH that is were i want to be…. Not sure why I thought that. BUT MAN I AM GLAD I DID! Beaker was the first to welcome me into the family of crazies. you know those people that you sit back and watch and wonder what was in thier OATIES that got them out of bed to make them go and run 20 miles in a day. or the crazies like me that will swim a few miles a day, AND LOVE EVERY MINUTE!

I am so thankful for her. She was the one standing on the deck with my first tri there staring me in the face and my stomach was in my throat. I remember she looked at me and asked me with calm eyes….. “you ready for this?”

“UM NOPE… I am scared out of my mind and I cant stop thinking about all the things that can go wrong and what about … and what if…”

I didn’t get all that out of my mouth. I mean it was all there in my eyes… she knew the look. so when I said no… not realy… I am scared. it was…

“D~Fly… you will be just fine. enjoy it. you are ready!”

And ready I was. I thought of her through the race. her calm eyes. the eyes that had been looking at me every time I came to “big city USA” she would stand in her office and talk to me for a while. Now never had I thought to be in her RELM of greatness. I mean she has been doing this for so LONG. I learned a lot about her over those months of training. I thought of all the things that she had overcome to be were she is. She like my husband had cancer. and had overcome. look at were she was…? I mean realy. I could do this right? and I would push a little further. THAN… I would remember all those emails of enchoragment when we were all doing the USAT competition. (my first year before the Tri) and how she would gently push you… on the bike… in the water….on  the trail. or sometimes how she was GUILTING you into it. LOL….

All those times.. with all my ?’s she had been there. answering or helping me find the right people to ask. Like the El Presedente of the Club.

I mean he is AMAZING TOO! I have been blessing with great people….

so you are wondering were this is going … RIGHT? I know you are….

after the USAT this year. my Beaker, she fell off the internet face of the world. I figured no biggy. she is busy training like all of us and we will get back in touch and the GNT… well… there I was on Deck. Dear K. was there. BUT NO BEAKER. that scared me.  A LOT. and so I took the time to DEMAND an answer for her abscence write a nice letter and ask her if all was okay.  I redived the COOLEST letter ever…..

she was fine. surprised and happy that we all loved her in “small town USA so much” Inoright….?

so with that letter came the knowledge that she was headed off to HAWAII in a short time to be in the 1/2 iron man. I have to tell you I was so happy for her I could bairly keep it quiet. ask anyone here… I didnt keep it to myself at all. I was TELLING EVERYONE! I thought it was so cool to know someone there. and than came my good friends to bring in the reality… yeah, cool, why aren’t you there with her? should be. will be… someday.

So, I wanted to make sure that she knew we were there for her. I told her EVERYTIME she saw a camera to know that we were watching her LIVE FEED on my computer. and that we were there cheering her on. I have to tell you… this GIRL DID AMAZING. I mean she beat out all the guys that I could see from ALASKA….
:::::EDIT:::::::
I looked and looked… and I COULD NOT find ANOTHER ALASKAN NAME ABOVE HER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SHE ROCKED THAT COURSE~! gonna have to ask her to train me.

I will post her times again…

BIB AGE STATE/COUNTRY PROFESSION
921 37 ANCHORAGE AK USA BUSINESS OWNER

SWIM BIKE RUN OVERALL RANK DIV.POS.
35:48 2:46:44 1:46:56 5:14:17 169 7

LEG DISTANCE PACE RANK DIV.POS.
TOTAL SWIM 1.2 mi. (35:48) 1:53/100m 346 16

BIKE SPLIT 1: 4 mi 4 mi (14:15) 16.84 mph
BIKE SPLIT 2: 56 mi 52 mi (3:25:24) 15.19 mph
TOTAL BIKE 56 mi (2:46:44) 20.15 mph 288 12

RUN SPLIT 1: 3 mi 3 mi (24:57) 8:19/mi
RUN SPLIT 2: 9.75 mi 6.75 mi (55:51) 8:16/mi
RUN SPLIT 3: 13.1 mi 3.35 mi (26:08) 7:48/mi
TOTAL RUN 13.1 mi. (1:46:56) 8:09/mile 169 7

TRANSITION TIME
T1: SWIM-TO-BIKE 2:52
T2: BIKE-TO-RUN 1:57

I had sent a note asking her if I could blab about her. and well I kinda did without her permission. I gave you her cool times without her name… But with the go ahead I want to share with you a little thing that she said in her email… remember the cameras….

I thought about you!

And your family more than once today, I SWEAR I DID!  And it gave me strength!

Than she sais….

tell everyone that your cheering from all the way in Alaska helped me have the most amazing day ever!!

Love You Beaker

What is so cool about that …. she did it for me just a year ago. and now, I was able to be the one in the Camera… screeming for her. Not that my screeming made her go any faster… she was more than capable to begin with. But it is great to have a friend that is in your mind that helps push you….

SO go find a friend that you can help today. find out what it is that they are doing/striving for in thier life…. give them strength in Words … and encorage them through HIM.

Beaker you are amazing. and I know that one day I will be with you training for the same event. maybe JUST maybe we will fight it out in the end as to who will get thier  first.

Most of all I want you to know I am PROUD OF YOU!

D~Fly out

BIB AGE STATE/COUNTRY PROFESSION
921 37 ANCHORAGE AK USA BUSINESS OWNER

SWIM BIKE RUN OVERALL RANK DIV.POS.
35:48 2:46:44 1:46:56 5:14:17 169 7

LEG DISTANCE PACE RANK DIV.POS.
TOTAL SWIM 1.2 mi. (35:48) 1:53/100m 346 16

BIKE SPLIT 1: 4 mi 4 mi (14:15) 16.84 mph
BIKE SPLIT 2: 56 mi 52 mi (3:25:24) 15.19 mph
TOTAL BIKE 56 mi (2:46:44) 20.15 mph 288 12

RUN SPLIT 1: 3 mi 3 mi (24:57) 8:19/mi
RUN SPLIT 2: 9.75 mi 6.75 mi (55:51) 8:16/mi
RUN SPLIT 3: 13.1 mi 3.35 mi (26:08) 7:48/mi
TOTAL RUN 13.1 mi. (1:46:56) 8:09/mile 169 7

TRANSITION TIME
T1: SWIM-TO-BIKE 2:52
T2: BIKE-TO-RUN 1:57

WOWSA!!! I have a dream. A dream that will help me get to this place. I wish for her splits… in time I tell myself … in time…. I will be there. I trained today But nothing like what she did… BUT I did! and I will do more… and than I WILL GO HERE!!!!!!!!!

Well done sis! well done. it was great to see you crank it out…. You and Ruby are a perfect FIT!
D~Fly out!

With much thinking and figuring out…. This is what we came up with….

graham crackers with White chocolate over it.

Cut into the right sizes so that a box can be made out of it.

Than a double layer Half sheet cake is made

cut out and frosted

than the pool is dropped into the layers.

All the decorations for the inside of the pool are done

than the icing is added so that the pool deck is coming together.

While that is all coming together pretzel people are being made and a score board as well.

 Than the pool water is poured in

And lane lines made…

ending with the score board on…..

The PERFECT Pool cake with her Honor time on the score board for everyone to see. Happy birthday Pupperonie!!!!!

Love your Auntie D~fly

Missy got to get a new bike today!!!!!!! it is HERS ALL HERS!!! and it is MOST beautiful… just like the bikes owner!

My kids FIRST question!!!!!!!!

SOOOOOOOOO, What you gonna name her!?!?

Day 246!!!!!!!!! What a DAY TO REMEMBER!!!!!!

D~FLY OUT!

What an AMAZING two day. I think I am going to take you through the whole thing, From the beginning. You see…there was good and bad that happened up there. There was disappointments and elation. I think overall it was a GREAT learning trip for both of us. For all of us. BUT there was rough things that happened. EVERY RACE CANNOT BE PERFECT! Or we wouldn’t learn how to Over come.

So we all traveled up. And it wasn’t a small amount of people. There were LOTS of friends from Kenai going. But with JUST OUR GROUP, we had, my 4 kids, hubby, my mom/dad,and my niece. Than with Missy she had her two kids, her hubby, her mom and dad too. Once we were all up there.

Missy and I were able to get over to work on getting bikes turned in. we went out on the trail just about a miles worth.

 To make sure that bikes were geared and ready to get up that hill.

(isn’t she beautiful!)

Once we made sure all the gear was there, we were off for fun and DINNER with our families. Missy’s mom’s birthday was the 16^th and they were off to celebrate together. From what I hear. They lived it up! My kids/ hubby and me … we all went back to the hotel….that they LOVED by the way….and we all heated up burritos and I had spaghetti. It was a great time of sitting and talking and enjoying one another.

 Next morning… I got up at 0330 sick to my stomach. Tell you what. I didn’t care that I was throwing up I was going to the race no matter what. Okay that is what I was saying while I was praying that it would JUST STOP! I was in the shower from 0430 till around 0515. Trying to bring up my core temperature and see how I was feeling. Decided that it was time to get out get dressed WARMLY and head over to pick up Missy so we could head to the transition area… get things ready and get into the pool for a quick swim. Make sure that the BOTTOM of the pool wasn’t too far away causing stress for her. And it was ALL SHALLOW!!!!!!!… after a lot of hooting and wonders of how wonderful that was. Someone let us slip into the pool for a few laps just to get the barrings on what was to come.

 After a dip and a talk with such an amazing good listener…. Missy. We were back with our families to get some food in and get our kids ready to head back. We had our times sat and we were ready to hit the pool swimmin’ * G*

We got there and watched an wrung our hands. And thought OH LORD DON’T LET ME HAVE TO SWIM WITH SLOW SWIMMERS! I put the call out to God and than realized who all was in Missy’s heat and in MINE! She was with those that were in her range. I cheered and danced with her from the upper deck while she was in line….Until it was time when I needed to disappear. I was headed to the deck to now get my turn in line. Guess what….?

 I got to see THIS! (taped by my 10 year old son)

 getting her breath I got to yell for her. Tell her to get her breath and go. It was so COOL! When she was at my end for the last 25… I got to say. IT’S ALL YOU!!!!!!!! I have been saying that for the last one in EVERY practice and this time it was the real deal and I got to be there. I was so EXCITED for her. Her first Tri and there she was the swim under her belt and was on her way to the amazing bike ride she had waiting for her…..

So enter me.

Once I saw her out the door I went and got my chip and got in line. Got to talk to A. for a while. I haven’t seen her in a long time. It is nice to hitch up with all the tri’sters. I teased her a bit, and let her know i was gonna try to catch her out there that I know she will be hard to get. But you know. I saw her. But not were I wanted too. LOL.

We all did a bit of a warm up.

So my wonderful swim was taped by my 10 year old son…just like Missy’s… He did An AMAZING job.

The swim felt good. Passed only one in the pool. That is a good thing. It means that we were all placed well. It meant that it was a successful swim for all of us.

Than it was a mad dash out the door. Off I go… I had it in my mind that I might not catch her. BUT A. was in my sights. And I wanted her. So when I got to my station it was all business. I had trained for this transition. I knew what would make it faster this time. I had sat on my bucket and thought long and hard about this. I had visualized it over and over again. I was in and out in no time at all. My swim from the video was about a 4:25. great time. I am looking to see what the full transition time is. It will give a better idea of how that transition went.

After the transition it is over the pad and ready to get on the bike than off…. up the hill and keep going. I have this thing I like to do. Count how many I pass and how many pass me. It is my little thing. BUT I do have blinders on my eyes this year…. I am so competitive. ; ) So, here is how it went. I got up the hill without issues. Got all the way to the turn around SAILING by people. It was great 14 down. How many more could I catch. Viola (my bike)  and I were in PERFECT SINK…. Or were we…..? up a huge hill I was gearing for it and THUNK….spin and stop… “UNCLICK FAST” CRUD. Oh NO!!!! okay this isn’t the end… your hubby taught you how to fix a chain. Come on D~Fly you have a race to go….No stopping. Get back on the horse. HILL? Oh crud what am I going to do now? Walk it up the hill. ARGGGGG! Talk about frustrating. RUN … RUN D~Fly… Run that bike up the hill. There there it is … the top get on .. get one. 9 people are past you…. get them….

 So I was off again and it seemed that Viola and I had figured out what was wrong and we were determined to catch people on the trail that had JUST passed us. Not okay. So we were on the trail. Oh boy there goes the 7 mile and there is the 8 mile. ONLY one more BIGGUN to go and we are off the hills. I got passed 14 more people and there it was…. the derailment happened again. THIS time I didn’t stop to think I ran for a while. Flipped her up got her chain on… got into a place were I could mount again. Cursed as people flew by and than ran up part of the hill again. Up there. I was on her and you know what. GUN IT ALL THE WAY! I know this is rough but forget it. No changing gears again. Just get home… and there it was the finish of the bike. I gunned it in till it was time to dismount.

Once I was off I ran her into the transition and I took off again. It was smooth didn’t even sit. I stood got the shoes off/on got the helmet off grabbed a piece of gum and took off on the trail running. It was beautiful (insert hot as you know were) and I was enjoying how many people knew who I was. I was passed 6 times running. But I passed 15 myself. It was great. And about ¾ mile away was A. IF ONLY my bike hadn’t had the problems it did. She and I would have been a lot closer. But she is an amazing runner. And you know that is were she would have got me for sure. BUT here is the thing about it. If I would have run with her. I would have been hot on her heals just to stay close. I love to be pushed by someone like this….

So not only was I looking for Miss A. I was looking for Missy. While I was running I couldn’t find her and it was really getting to me. I kept thinking. WOW! This woman has SMOKED ME! I was searching so that I could find her and give her a HARD love tap and get her to run after me. I know evil right. But than I never found her and never found her… and my worry turned into HOLY CRAP SHE REALLY BEAT ME. I am gonna have to train EXTRA hard next year.

Yet at the finish line I was to find out that were I was able to overcome the chain falling off…………

Missy had something happen that was not able to be over come. I want you to know that this is trainer error! She didn’t have a tube in her pack to change her tire. And she had a flat. Two miles in. She turned and walked her bike home and scratched.

Trainers are supposed to do Just that. Train for anything that could happen. And I will be getting her versed on this one…. in a few days. I figure we will change the flat she has together. Than she will be ready in a pinch if it is needed. But I don’t think it ever will be.

For Missy this was her first race. And for heavens sakes it was supposed to be perfect. The one that made her love this so much that she would NEVER EVER look back and would be in the game forever. That isn’t always how it happens. This time she will overcome, she will work hard, and the same course that she just did…. will be the same course for her in August. I know one of the biggest things she feared was letting people down. I want her to know. And you out there reading this. That there is ABSOLUTLY NO WAY THAT SHE LET ME OR ANYONE ELSE DOWN! Things happen on the trail things we aren’t expecting. (remember the pretzels from heaven I told you about) you just never know what day is going to be SPOT on and what day is going to make you FIGHT for it with all your might.

You Missy, swam like a Michel Phelps, you biked like Armstrong, (he gets flats too) and if you could have. You would have run like you stole something. Remember, Philippians 4:15 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. This too will strengthen you. God made me realize that were I was training your body/mind, I forgot to train your hands for breakdowns. For that I am sorry. BUT in AUGUST I am going to have to watch out. You are going to own this course. It will be yours. I see it in your eyes. You wont be able to let the road beat you. You need to beat the road.

I love you my friend. And I can’t wait….

  To get out and TRI something new….. WITH YOU!

My unofficial time is a 1hour 10 min. 10 second. We will see what they have to say Tonight and I will get it posted.

D~Fly out

I took my time and made it all colored this year. I figured that I couldn’t let missy out do me and all…. But she did anyway.

DIDN’T SHE DO AWSOME!!!!

So as you see our numbers are 115 people apart. we are starting every 15 seconds… so IF they do it in number order I will be ABOUT…28 min and 45 seconds apart. NOW I don’t know that this is right. it is my GUESS! and I am hoping it will be…Because since we will both be DOING AWSOME! (power in words) We should get to the line at about the same time. WAHOOOO!

What a finnish that will be. For BOTH of us and ALL THE FAMILY there. It will be fun… wonder who will kick it up more? I know she is competitive enough to catch me. we shall see….

So the bike stands are done. game plan is starting to get into our heads. the pump is bought. THANK YOU SECRET SISTER AT CHURCH! and we have emergency kits on the bikes for flats. All the tires are trued and ready to go.

All that is left …. Pack us up, the kids up, get into the hotel, get the bikes into E.R., get a quick ride into get the feeling of the road, get stands all fixed, dinner eaten, alarms ready and the BUTTERFLY’S OUT OF MY STOMACH… Oh boy here they come again….

Once we are on the shuttle to get there… I will be worse. ready to pee I am sure…

Just keep us both in your prayers as we are out on the trail. I will have a link to you (Through the web GODDESS of COURSE) So once we are both safe I will TXT her and have her give you an idea of how we are all doing. THAN…

Once we stop to get our massages and we use the rolling pins while we shuttle back to the cars. we have a BIG surprise for allt he kids that have been sacraficing for us … while we train. These kids have been great.

Mine are used to it from last year. and all this winter. But Missy’s parents and KIDS. tehy have done so much for her to get where she is right now. Little J~boy… He is so sweet. I asked him to remind mommy when she hurts that I love her. So she would remember that I really am doing all this for just that. I push her in the pool because I KNOW she can and because she is ABLE…. and he…c ame through for me… and STILL DOES!

Little N~girl… Oh that sweetie. she has taken my daughter and I to a prom night with her mommy. made a bracelet for my daughter while her mommy made one for me. She has been quiet but yet supportive. While she worries that mommy WONT WIN…. We tell her. Momma has ALREADY WON…and will do so again on Sunday. she has been such a wonderful girl to me.Thank you to both of you babies. YOU ROCK MY WORLD!

Now Hubby…. took a while for you to come around and know that she was making this change weather you were on board or not. so when the truck started rolling away…. YOU RAN AND JUMPED AND HAVEN’T LET GO YET! thank you for doing that for her. Thank you for pushing her (even when I am not.) You have been instrumental for her. I notice that you always were and you continue to be so. THANK YOU

Now onto mom dad and sister…. WOW! you have ALL just pulled together to show her such AMAZING love and support. I CANNOT wait to see you and to thank ALL OF YOU IN PERSON!

My family…. YOU ALL KNOW YOU ROCK…. I probibly don’t tell you enough. so listen u p because I wont remember to tell you latter…. You all have been there. mom in the pool with me every morning. getting on me for talking to much… *BLECH* but making me move. you have been at every swim meet… Dad you are going to MY FIRST race as an adult. THANK YOU. You really don’t know how much that one means. Sis. all those swim meets and helping me here and there. and well… my family wouldnt run the way it does with out you in the back ground. someone should throw you out front more often. including me. so there… thank you sis…..

the kids. of my sister… OH BOY How do I start. from watching the kids to taking care of the house and the dogs…a nd the … and the… you get the idea. Thank you,  you are each one of a kind and thank goodness I got to keep you.

My kidoes. you deal with me being asleep before you at night. you guys put up with my clanking aroudn in the house at OH NO YOU DIDN’T 30 int he morning (4:30 for htose of yout hat don’t know) when I get home from training at 7:45 you are all up dressed and have eaten on your own. you are all ready for me to take you to the bus stop. I don’t say this enough. But thank you for growing up so fast….. just so that I could train.

you all help me in so many ways. from my web site.  To being a GREAT MOMMY! To being AMAZING and GOOFY KIDS!!!!

Not pictured is “the BOY”and Peppermist… My sisters oldest two.

Thank you kids…. Thank you to Missy’s family. we are two of the LUCKIEST GALS AROUND!

Now enough of this gushy crap… I am off.

D~FLY OUT

 Yup that is my kids.

 IN swim trunks and suits.

 Outside, running through sprinklers.

 And as if ONE hose wasn’t enough… They broke out another one. and all the water guns…. Just so that I could see this….

 That evil little IMP want’s a HUG…

A  WET HUG!!!!!!!!

Enjoy your summer day. WE ARE!

D~FLY out