Dear Molly,

One year ago today you came into our lives. I now can't imagine what life would be like without you. Since you have come into our family we have all become better at what we do. Noah has turned into the best big brother. He sings you songs when you cry in the car to calm you down and gets you your pacifier when it falls. Your Dad has evolved in so many ways. He is more sensitive now and much more willing to jump in to hold you then ever before. (he was a little more nervous with your brother). He adores you and is always kissing you. Because of you he is a better Dad to Noah. My Mom would always tell me there is nothing like having a daughter. I think I now understand what she is talking about. I can't wait to watch you grow up and become a strong women. And go shopping with you and hang out. You are already a strong independent little baby always pushing yourself away from us trying to do it on your own. You are so determined at one I can't even imagine what you will accomplish!
Happy Birthday Molly!
Love, Mom

In other news....
Only 10 days left until New Orleans 70.3. Yikes is all I can say. I hope the moon and the stars align that day for a great race. I am so excited and nervous to finally race! I haven't even been outside yet on a bike to ride! Gotta love Chicago. Every day that seems a little nice I can never get out due to babysitting issues. Go figure. I don't care I am ready for that race. I have put in some LONG trainer rides and pushed hard on freezing cold days running for this.

What does it all mean?

My husband asked me today, "What are you contributing to the family with all of this training?" Good question ehh? I think it is one that a lot of families with triathletes ask each other. It hasn't been all peaches and cream since we had kids. It has been HARD. It is a struggle everyday to train, be a Mom, clean, work, and be the best wife I can be. Up until last year I have been an amateur triathlete. Really there is no difference from amateur to professional other than a card and the tiny possibility of making money at it. So what is the purpose? I struggle every day with that. I spend half of my weekends away training trying to become a faster triathlete. The key there is away. When my husband, Bill, goes away to work he brings home a paycheck. I bring home sweaty clothes and an insane hunger for anything edible. OH, and no money. Or not much at least. Truth be told, I would still train like this even if I hadn't turned pro. I know more than my share of triathletes that are not pro that train WAY more than me. And for what...
My answer to him. (I have not told him this yet it has been stewing in my head). I contribute a mom and wife that is happier, healthier, and excited about life! Training for triathlon gives me fulfillment in areas that I need. Sure my kids give me tons of fulfillment but I need something for ME! Training is my time to reflect and enjoy life. I'm not sure if this is fair or how it is perceived but that is the truth. I want to know if this is a question that anyone's spouse has ever asked them? And if so, what is your answer?

St. Patricks Day and a CRAZY hilly half marathon

What a weekend! Saturday started out with a bang. I woke up super early (like everyday) to get in a 3 hr trainer ride so that we could all go to the St. Patrick's day parade together! I LOVE parades and I think my kids have caught the bug too. Who would want to miss men walking around in skirts, people throwing candy at you, and getting tons of green beads. All for free I might add! Perfect entertainment for the family. It was Molly's second parade, last year she got to see the labor day parade. Not sure if she was actually awake for in a baby coma though. I walked about 2 miles that day carrying Noah on my shoulders, all 40 lbs of him. Ugh. Saturday afternoon we took the double jogger out for a 30 min run for the first time of the season, yahoo!
We mad it an early night with Pizza and then all in bed by 8:30 b/c both Bill and I were running the March Madness Half marathon in Cary.
This IS the hilliest half marathon or running race of any kind in IL I think. We have bumps in the road but no hills. This town seems to have them all. As I warmed up for the race I knew my legs were dead from yesterday. I silently cursed my coach but I knew the big picture wasn't this race. At the start lined it was full of all of the skinny runner types in the short shorts and tank tops. I will give you it was nice but PLEASE it was still in the 40s! Put some freakin clothes on. My short course competitive side came out in the first mile as I looked at my watch and saw 6:18, oops. I was trying to run 6:45 pace. The pace I want to race in New Orleans. The first 5 miles I was probably in the 6:30s then started to taper off with the big climbs. Ended up finishing 1:28 and 6th overall. I was happy with that given what was before this and it was just a small piece of the big picture. Every time I do this race I think that I will never do it again b/c it is so painfully hilly. But I seem to keep signing up!
Congrats to everyone who ran as well! There were tons of triathletes there racing soon. Good job Doug, Todd, katie, Caroline, and tons of other people. By way we have a triathlete that does Kona every year here in Naperville, Bob Scott. HE is in his upper 70s and finished the hilly half in 2:05. HOLY cow that is incredible! I want to be like him one day:)

Skunks

I haven't blogged in a long time b/c really there is nothing to blog about. It seems like the winter is never going to end. Day after day the same thing happens, feed kids, swim, treadmill, feed kids, computrainer, change diaper, feed kids, bathtime, pass out. Not always that order AND not always everything! But it really isn't that interesting. I can feel change coming. The weather is actually starting to break. Today I didn't even have to wear a hat or ear warmers! What a great surprise! 2 weeks ago on my normal morning loop with Janeth I was doing a tempo section and lost her. I turned back to find her but instead literally ran into a skunk! 5:45am and a skunk comes walking out into the street about 10 feet in front of me as I am running towards it. I stopped in my tracks and stood there. It has to be some sort of omen to run into a skunk. This NEVER happens. I always smell them but never see the stinky guys. He just stared at me then eventually waddled away. I was a little spooked but more interested at what this might mean. Flash forward to today. I was out doing a LONG fartlek run with Janeth. While we warmed up I was telling her about the run in with the skunk a few weeks back. Low and behold we turned the corner and I ran right into one, AGAIN! He even sprayed his stink. He was too far from us but you could still smell it, yuck. But this seriously has to be some sort of omen or sign. I am taking it to mean that spring is finally coming and the skunks are hungry. Either that or something big is coming! I feel it. Training sometimes hits cruise control and you have no big major break throughs just lots of the grind of work. Well it is time my friends. I have put tons of time in on the computrainer this winter. I am ready to get outside and see how this has paid off. Watch out you stinky skunks, I might run over you:)