tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14755622509201976102024-02-07T19:50:12.655-05:00...laced with joy...bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076664674696079633noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475562250920197610.post-83273647463700367742015-03-28T15:13:00.002-04:002015-05-04T14:48:19.972-04:00March 2014 - March 2015<div dir="ltr" id="yiv8762605398yui_3_16_0_1_1425963364997_2284" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
365 days can hold a lot of changes! I'd better hurry up and write a blog post before the forgetful hormone totally kicks in! My last triathlon race was exactly a year ago...and about a month after it, I had come to grips with it being the indefinite end of competition...although my heart catching up to my brain took a bit longer. The end of a dream was really sad, especially when it didn't pan out the way I'd hoped and thought was realistic. Ahh, life. At the end of the day, I knew that <i>"...the Lord works everything for good for those who love Him. Romans 8:28" </i>...and if I understood everything, that would seriously minimize an all-powerful God.<br />
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<b>April 15, 2014</b></div>
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This was my 33rd birthday. It was also the day after I found out from a foot doctor that my MRI showed results interpreted that it would take about a year to fully recover from the injury - and that's if I was obsessively rehabbing. When I considered that I had <i>already been</i> obsessively rehabbing, and it wasn't getting better, this was not news I had hoped for...Not a great birthday present! In my family we always joke about the random statistic that when you're 33, it's (supposedly) the happiest year of your life...I think I laughed through a tearful statement that my 33rd year was starting off pretty rotten! So much to be thankful for, though, in the 2007 - 2014 stretch of competing in triathlons...I didn't want to lock the door and throw away the key, but definitely move on...<br />
Whenever a girl goes through a major life transition, it's always a good idea to get a haircut! :) I wanted to try a really short 'do, but never had the guts...and always liked and felt the need to have a pony tail option for running...but that wasn't necessary any more. Some day maybe I will try highlighting or coloring my hair...but I left that for the next life transition ;)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chop chop (with Tessa's bootie in the pic too)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is what I would look like if made into a cartoon...or...short hair bedhead</td></tr>
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<b>Mid May 2014</b></div>
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I got pregnant! What a gift!!! And what a shock that I got pregnant that quickly.<br />
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<b>Pregnancy: The Good</b></div>
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There are some perks to being pregnant:</div>
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1. Double the blood flow. This is probably the reason (in addition to time off and resting) why my body healed faster than normal.</div>
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2. Related to #1...Better circulation, so it was the first time my feet and hands were warm in the winter!</div>
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3. My nails were stronger.<br />
4. Feeling Jillyn kick was the sweetest feeling...</div>
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5. Twice I parked in the special "Expecting mothers" parking space...yay.</div>
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I wasn't someone who loved being pregnant...But, so very thankful that I was pregnant!<br />
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<b>Pregnancy: The (not so?) Bad & Ugly</b></div>
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<b>Week 8</b> I was dragged to the life-sucking machine on <i id="yiv8762605398yui_3_16_0_1_1426040300801_3472">The Princess Bride</i>, and it was cranked up to the max. I felt horrible and remember a close relationship to the couch. I never threw up, but had some serious nausea....I think the hard part is always <b id="yiv8762605398yui_3_16_0_1_1425984838043_4126">uncertainty</b>...many told me that it would go away after I got to the second trimester....so weeks 13 - 23 were especially hard since I kept thinking that the next day, I might feel better...it just kept dragging on.<br />
The <i>bright spot and turning point was when I felt her kick</i> during week 18! It made me cry all morning. What an amazing miracle. 2 cells to a bubbly kick in my belly?! Incredible.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">almost 18 weeks, a few days before I felt her kick:) </td></tr>
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At <b>19 weeks</b> we found out the gender...We loved the fact that we get to find out if it's a little girl or a little boy, and see that little munchkin! It went from talking about "it" to talking about Jillyn Sue! And praying for her by name, and talking to her, & about her! A boy first seemed normal to both of us, just with our own family orders...but when we found out that she was a little girl, it was like I realized that I wanted a girl! haha. I'm so glad we don't get to choose! I'm glad I got to transition my constant sense of wonder into knowing it was a little girl. When she was born, there were so many other surprises and things to enjoy other than her gender! ha.<br />
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We didn't realize we'd see her in 3D, so it was an extra fun surprise for us in addition to finding out her gender. We knew that we were her parents because we thought this pic was completely adorable!! haha. I made a pavlova dessert and we took it to Spemilies' house to reveal the surprise gender and share her name, but it kind of all melted together and was hard to see the strawberries at the bottom, signifying a girl. Ha! Oh well, mission accomplished even if it wasn't perfect:)<br />
Tessa was getting even more clingy than normal...<br />
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Although pregnancy wasn't a totally feel-good experience for me, I never threw up. I despise throwing up - but who likes the jaw-watering, nauseous feeling?! And I've heard that it doesn't even make you feel better after you throw up (unlike if you have food poisoning or a virus...), so...I guess feeling rotten on the couch was a step up from feeling rotten next to the toilet! (It can alllllways be worse!!!)<br />
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<b>Perk of Having More Time: Art!</b></div>
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I was able to do some art work...I've always liked art, and wished art classes in school were longer and also wished that there were more of them! I sort of wanted to major in graphic design when I was in college, but some of the classes were twice as long, and right smack in the middle of swim practice, so I decided to go the logistics route (I wanted to swim for Tennessee, and besides, it was paying for my education!).</div>
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I have taken only a few classes in high school, so I think abstract art is what's best for me right now (seems like there are less rules and critiques on what is a "good" piece of artwork). I made a few pieces for my little nieces and nephew...and a couple for Jillyn...it was so much fun!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">for Andrew</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">for Kaitlyn</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">for Aimee</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">for Mabry...still needs a verse:)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise for Jillyn</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">for Jillyn...still needs a verse:)</td></tr>
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<b>29.5 weeks</b> was my first baby shower. This was special because it was at my parents' house, and so many sweet friends were there...some I had known since birth and others were new friends, and many in between. Stephen's mom was able to come all the way from MO, which was also special, along with his aunt and cousins. My mom and Emily put it together, and Kathy also helped get things ready before the shower while I was in bed resting. My favorite part of both showers was when we prayed for little Jillyn Sue...(and for Stephen and me as parents!)...that she would know and follow Jesus with all her heart...the sweetest, best prayer! My heart was so full!! Here's a pic of many who were there...some had to leave early...my face is teary after such sweet prayers!<br />
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<b>Christmas Day was 34 weeks!</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jillyn's first Christmas:)</td></tr>
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Every appointment after week 34 showed that Jillyn measured the same 32cm...the doctors kept saying it wasn't a big deal, because she could be in a different position...I'd been feeling "little zingers" as the doc described them of just feeling like she was moving down, so it wasn't a huge shock that my belly didn't continue getting bigger. Boy did I feel big though!! Another valid reason I kept the same measurement was because Christmas night, I came down with the stomach bug, and was in my bed for 36 hours straight (unless I was on the toilet or puking in the trash can)...it was horrible! I have never felt so horrible in my life. Dry heaving and 34 weeks pregnant is seriously rotten. I told Jillyn that if she decided to come during that time, she would kill her mommy! I really couldn't get out of bed, and was so thirsty, but couldn't keep it down. Finally after 12 hours of puking and dry heaving, I could sip a little water and later had a popsicle. Oh, man! My mom stayed with me in Townsend and kept me hydrated and alive. Here is a pic of the rainbow in the sky when she drove me home 2 days later:)<br />
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<b>36.5 weeks</b> was my other baby shower, thrown by Joy, Katie, Kim, and Rachel. What a sweet, fun, delicious day! Again, we prayed for little Jillyn and laughed and smiled all afternoon! My heart was exploding - I felt so loved and am so thankful for such sweet friends that God has given me!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet hostesses - we'll have had 5 babies in 5 months!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not everyone was in the pic, but here are many who came:)</td></tr>
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<b>37 weeks and 5 days</b>, my water broke at 11pm. We were in Townsend making sure our new phones work there...In hindsight, I realize my body had been prepping a bit, but nothing too crazy to tell me I would have her the next day! I went on a jog with Stephen and we had a sweet date at a delish Mexican restaurant in Townsend.</div>
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I heard a pop when my water broke! And it leaked quite a bit, but kept leaking for the next hour or so.<br />
Dr. Eaton was on call when we arrived, and was there until 8am. She checked and verified that my water broke. She also told me that I was GBS positive and because of that, she wanted to start inducing me sooner than later. I was having very light contractions, but not making progress yet. Around 2am, she started me at level 2 pitocin.</div>
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My mom arrived around 1am and brought soothing Christian music that helped me all night. The music was so sweet to focus on and hum. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my fav pic from the hospital:)</td></tr>
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The uncertainty was what was the hardest. Within a couple hours, they put the pitocin to 4, then 6. At 6, I was having some serious contractions! Pitocin was a b-e-a-s-t. Okay, actually I have <b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1426693237506_175629"><i id="yui_3_16_0_1_1426693237506_175628">heard</i></b> it is a beast. I don't have anything to compare it to. I thought I might pass out from pain...which honestly could just be labor, but people tell me that pitocin revs up the pain train more than without it. The pain was intense, but the uncertainty behind the pain was the worst... I remember being at 3cm at 9:45am, and asking Dr. Shirk when he thought she would arrive. At this point, I was having intense contractions that lasted 2 minutes (!!) and occurred every 2 minutes. There was a clock on the wall in front of my bed and I remember looking at it....and then having 3 intense contractions, and then looking at it again and it was barely over 5 minutes later! ...I couldn't believe I was only 3cm still... I really wanted to have Jillyn naturally, but I was getting worried that I wouldn't be able to push her out if I kept this 2min/2min schedule up much longer. I asked the Dr. and nurse what time they thought she'd come, and he guessed maybe around 3p...At that point, I was really worried. I knew that in the transition phase, it was typical to think that I couldn't do it...but I was 3cm, which was far from transition!!! How could I do that for 6 more hours and <i><b>then</b></i> think that I couldn't do it?!?!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my two amazing helpers all night!</td></tr>
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Nurse Lindsay was amazing! She knew I didn't want any anesthetic, and told me that based on how I had acted until that point, I could do it. It was one thing to hear that I could do it from Stephen and my mom, but to me, the nurse carried much more weight in this situation!! ha. She sees births every day, and I felt like I believed her more than anyone else in the world in that moment. The next check about 40ish minutes later, I was five cm, and then right after that, I felt like I had to push - I couldn't not push (sorry for the double negative, but it describes it better!)...And then I pushed 10 minutes and she was born at 10:44am! All that time I was most concerned about transition and pushing, and those were the easiest for me. The hardest hours were 2am - 10:30am...pushing was the easy part since I felt her moving down, making her entrance...I knew she was so close, and I was so close to holding her! She came so fast that the doctor missed her, which was not a big deal. Nurse Lindsay was my coach, and Stephen and my mom each had one leg. I knew it was special when I looked at Stephen and my mom in between pushes and they were both teary and almost crying! Babies are truly miracles! Going from 2 cells to a precious little baby is beyond this world, a work of the Lord Most High. It is just amazing. I never want to forget those sweet moments before and after she was born. Wow....and at 37 and 6 days, our precious little girl was born!<br />
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I wondered if I would be loud, like in movies or TV shows, or even watching births on the internet...it seemed like women screamed or moaned loudly or deeply. I never screamed or made lots of deep moaning sounds - who has the energy for that?! Giving birth was so hard! I was just trying to focus on relaxing, breathing in steadily, and exhaling. When I exhaled, I often softly moaned, but I didn't have the breath to push out lots of crazy loud energy. I knew I needed to conserve everything for the end! Another myth-buster was that I never lost modesty...I mean, sure, do what ya gotta do to get that sweet baby out, but there was never a point that I didn't care.</div>
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Stephen and I took Bradley Method classes for 3 months of Monday nights...our last class was the night before my water broke! How nice of Jillyn to wait until we were finished! ;) We really enjoyed the classes and learned a lot and met new friends - I would recommend it:)</div>
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I hope I don't have to get induced for #2! I remember thinking that Jillyn was going to be an only child. Haha! </div>
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Dad visited during labor and then of course after she was born....so sweet:)</div>
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Emily came with lunch - yay! (and with Andrew, Kaitlyn, and Aimee, but they were banned because of the flu outbreak (all kids under 12)). Spencer also visited and met little Jillyn Sue. Sweet to have fam so close and able to be there and visit.<br />
Stephen spent both nights with me...after the first night, he went downstairs to tell his coworkers the news:) and that he wouldn't be coming to work for a bit.</div>
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She was itty bitty, 6# 2oz. And such a sweet little snuggler from the start. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">itty bitty lovins!</td></tr>
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I was scheduled to have an appointment with Dr. Shirk at 1:45 that day, so we all laughed that I wouldn't make it...and he said he'd tell them not to call me to tell me I was late...ha.</div>
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Hard parts in the recovery room: she latched on great, would suck three times, and then fall asleep. Sweet baby was soooo tired! It'd been a long night! They kept checking her glucose levels since she dropped to 43...and to leave the hospital, she had to be at least 45! The lactation consultant kept coming to help me, but she just wasn't interested, and then would start screaming. It was sad and broke my heart! They had to keep pricking her little heel to check the glucose level...uuugh.</div>
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The next Monday, we had an appointment with our pediatrician, and he said not to worry about her first couple days - most babies don't come out knowing they need to eat...they've never eaten before! He was so great at reassuring us, and said she needed to lose weight first to know that she was hungry, and then she'd be just fine. He was right, and she has been a nursing all-star since day 3. Watching her eat is so adorable.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">snuggles with daddy:)</td></tr>
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The first month was h-a-r-d. Wow, starting off the birth experience with no sleep (we arrived at the hospital a little before midnight) is not recommended!!! I felt like I was in the twilight zone for the first month. </div>
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Jillyn loooves to snuggle. When we first put her in her crib, she acted like we had abandoned her on an island. Figuring out what made her happy was hard in the first month...but the second has been a lot easier, and she even seems to be in her own little groove and schedule. She loves to be walked around the kitchen island...probably because I jogged a lot during the time she was in the womb. Another thing she is pretty obsessed about is a black/white picture. There are a lot of printouts that she loves staring at.<br />
I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have survived the first month without her swing! Even now when she is over 2 months, she still loves it although sleeps most of the time in her crib.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAAELmAFkUmOG9F6vPBX-z8NDWHqZ3_ySxg961gtNEp7WBy8dt40N5hCynLkTJ39A8rtXGn8mH0leF8al7mVV8UPw2ePrOkxTm4RT_kYxqagjQ8NwAZArfgxGKUHsmM5hgrDW2OSaFw/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAAELmAFkUmOG9F6vPBX-z8NDWHqZ3_ySxg961gtNEp7WBy8dt40N5hCynLkTJ39A8rtXGn8mH0leF8al7mVV8UPw2ePrOkxTm4RT_kYxqagjQ8NwAZArfgxGKUHsmM5hgrDW2OSaFw/s1600/2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">love the pic of Jesus in the background - the perfect example of Love:)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rozWTeNXGZ0ziruvdxMPZ4-mjkfpcC-SJqzE9drioKiFxVDqRSHUY-i9_VjlNetsJKf_v0QqzJ7Re2ynyqlwyPKf0ike3CIiBcHr5IQEJtsHO9kF_xRH3vg6fiLDnxyLI8sw3R_AfA/s1600/2mo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rozWTeNXGZ0ziruvdxMPZ4-mjkfpcC-SJqzE9drioKiFxVDqRSHUY-i9_VjlNetsJKf_v0QqzJ7Re2ynyqlwyPKf0ike3CIiBcHr5IQEJtsHO9kF_xRH3vg6fiLDnxyLI8sw3R_AfA/s1600/2mo.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJ_i7DxuUJMihYCdVNm8En55rbbi6KndG2M46WFCRtS_rC4NrNYtGomRGWmW0wiDZd-JxPBWe4EhlxP8-Y5KFNGGhL__5h-bWI15v83W5kDCqALxQVGggJXSsgogKXIrzTEO64r6EAg/s1600/2m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJ_i7DxuUJMihYCdVNm8En55rbbi6KndG2M46WFCRtS_rC4NrNYtGomRGWmW0wiDZd-JxPBWe4EhlxP8-Y5KFNGGhL__5h-bWI15v83W5kDCqALxQVGggJXSsgogKXIrzTEO64r6EAg/s1600/2m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">love her!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Family and friends have been incredibly helpful and have blessed us with many gifts and words of encouragement! We are so thankful and praise God for giving us such a sweet blessing from Him! Thaaaaanks!!! I feel like I've only blinked a couple times, and she's already over 2 months old!<br />
XO's,<br />
bethany</div>
bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076664674696079633noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475562250920197610.post-7345983637803743072014-07-15T13:39:00.000-04:002014-07-15T15:54:20.363-04:00...and then the story twists...<div class="" id="yiv7411646046yui_3_16_0_1_1403009068348_30329" style="font-family: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif;">
...and then, the story twists in an unexpected way that sent me into unpredictable (not to mention unwanted) circumstances beyond my control. </div>
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<br class="" id="yiv7411646046yui_3_16_0_11_1403009068348_35" /></div>
<div class="" id="yiv7411646046yui_3_16_0_11_1403009068348_32" style="font-family: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif;">
I wouldn't have written this order of events if I was in total control of my life, but...I'm not. As a disclaimer, this blog post isn't the common "Dream Big" type motivational, "You can do anything that you set your mind to; just believe." message. In my experience, my core hope in Christ is unchanged even if everything I want to do doesn't end up the way I dream & hope for. Sometimes I feel more deeply encouraged when life throws its biggest curveballs and leaves me weeping. Those moments, (or sometimes I have to wait after the nasty storm clears), I find the Lord's sweet mercies and protection, and feel like I know another piece of Him that I wouldn't have discovered had I not been through the rotten trials.<span class="" id="yiv7411646046yui_3_16_0_12_1403009068348_28"><span class="" id="yiv7411646046yui_3_16_0_12_1403009068348_26"><span class="" id="yiv7411646046yui_3_16_0_12_1403009068348_25" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;"> 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 reminds us of this short life on earth... <b>"</b></span></span></span><span class="" id="yiv7411646046yui_3_16_0_1_1403009068348_41387"><span class="" id="yiv7411646046yui_3_16_0_1_1403009068348_41389"><span class="" id="yiv7411646046yui_3_16_0_12_1403009068348_22" style="font-style: italic;"><b><span class="" id="yiv7411646046en-ESV-28859"><sup class="" id="yiv7411646046yui_3_16_0_1_1403009068348_40952">16 </sup>So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self<sup class="" id="yiv7411646046yui_3_16_0_1_1403009068348_40951">[<a class="" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+4%3A16-18&version=ESV#fen-ESV-28859a" rel="nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: blue; cursor: text !important; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup> is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.</span> <span class="" id="yiv7411646046en-ESV-28860"><sup class="">17 </sup>For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,</span> <span class="" id="yiv7411646046en-ESV-28861"><sup class="">18 </sup>as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."</span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<div class="" id="yiv7411646046yui_3_16_0_1_1403009068348_30385" style="font-family: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif;">
If you need to be kicked in the bootie to work a little harder, this blog post might not hit home for you, but if life right now is more underwhelming than sky-high-high sailing with your potential met, then by God's grace, He might let me articulate a little of what is going on in my heart that might resonate with yours.</div>
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<br class="" id="yiv7411646046yui_3_16_0_11_1403009068348_30" /></div>
<div class="" id="yiv7411646046yui_3_16_0_11_1403009068348_27" style="font-family: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span class="" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405429505397_31151">I really wanted to win races and point to Jesus and thank Him for giving me the insane talents, abilities, & opportunities to compete at the highest level. As I've learned through the past 6 years, even the </span><span class="" id="yui_3_16_0_6_1405429505397_93" style="font-style: italic;">opportunity to work hard</span> in training is a <span class="" id="yui_3_16_0_6_1405429505397_96" style="font-weight: bold;">gift</span>! Oh, the many days I would've loved to train hard but was sidelined. And to compete is a gift - it's so much fun to feel the surge of racing well. What a contrast the last 4 years of my tri career have been to the end of 2009 when everything clicked, & I won 2 national amateur championships. Those were 2 of the most fun races I'd ever had the opportunity to compete in! What a thrill. It gave me joy to train hard and compete with fierceness. </div>
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<br class="" id="yiv7411646046yui_3_16_0_11_1403009068348_74" /></div>
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On the other hand, the past 4 seasons, I've dealt with several serious injuries. The most recent was last October - during a race, we were delayed 10 minutes in 65 degree water. For a girl with poor circulation, ain't nuthin good about a pre-race ice bath. I finished the race, and after it, I knew my achilles wasn't well. I nursed it all winter, barely running yet making great improvements in biking...At the end of March, I raced. After the painful race, my ankle (which usually is quite bony) was so fat that I had to guess where the ankle bone was. I got an MRI, and the doctor said it'd take a year of obsessive rehab to get it back, and then after that, would take more obsession to keep it healthy while training. At that time, I knew it was time to move on. I'd already worked through 4 seasons of obsessive care.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFR0ipiglCuUjZD0NsshrfNrvR926xmB2AYdCiM3dnQ1GzAyShceBaZAXfFG8537m7XhWjSrSUcrRBO6_qVCvCa0DssNIkb-SgQ736ud38IV6Jd_ikGClz_sPYp9O_keuJj7osONYyUQ/s1600/nolatri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFR0ipiglCuUjZD0NsshrfNrvR926xmB2AYdCiM3dnQ1GzAyShceBaZAXfFG8537m7XhWjSrSUcrRBO6_qVCvCa0DssNIkb-SgQ736ud38IV6Jd_ikGClz_sPYp9O_keuJj7osONYyUQ/s1600/nolatri.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stephen took this right before I crossed the finish line at NOLA 5150 :)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="" id="yiv7411646046yui_3_16_0_11_1403009068348_23" style="font-family: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif;">
The first couple weeks were especially sad. I let myself be sad and cry to Stephen, family, and friends. And still today, I might get teary a bit if I talk to the right person in the right moment. At the same time, though, it's also an answered prayer. I prayed that the MRI results would be conclusive. And another encouraging part is that I know that the Lord wanted me to be in triathlon these past years, and I know that it would have been so easy for Him to heal me and enable my body to click into top form...yet, it didn't happen, and I know that He always has His BEST for me, therefore....everything went as planned, and the very best happened to me (although it didn't feel like the best!!!). I know I did everything I could with the available resources to enable myself to be in a position to compete at the highest level. </div>
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<div class="" id="yiv7411646046yui_3_16_0_11_1403009068348_58" style="font-family: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif;">
I want to be a reason that others believe in Jesus. In my thinking, I would put myself as the best in the world with a gold medal and have that platform to tell others. But it seems like an underwhelming 4 seasons as a pro triathlete who stays close to God and points to Him in the good and the bad is the ideal message that the Lord has given me...So, whether I won a gold medal or had 4 unsuccessful seasons as a pro, it's encouraging to me that my most important bottom line is the same: Jesus Christ is alive! And I know that everything that happens in this earthly kingdom (that doesn't last) refines me and brings me closer to the Lord. What a treasure that is! </div>
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<div class="" id="yiv7411646046yui_3_16_0_1_1403009068348_32459" style="font-family: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif;">
Starting a new season in life doesn't take away the sting of unfulfilled dreams, but...having a relationship with the Lord Most High sure does make the transition sweet & gives me joy although sprinkled with mourning. My new season has started with lots of fun times although a different style of life. I go on walk/jogs with Stephen...quite a change from a lifestyle that used to sort of revolve around my job as a professional, mastering 3+ sports! I've been able to spend more time teaching ESL, helping friends, with my little nieces and nephew, calligraphy and art projects, finishing up the house remodel, and hanging out with Stephen. Also, I am excited keep the books for my parents' property in Townsend, TN, aka "The Peaceful Side of the Smokies". If you have an upcoming family reunion or executive retreat that you are planning, you should look into the <a href="http://www.vrbo.com/455720" target="_blank">Wellspring Retreat on the Little River</a>. It's uniquely beautiful and definitely a one-of-a-kind getaway that sleeps 30!<br />
<br class="" id="yiv7411646046yui_3_16_0_1_1403009068348_44505" />
Although I have been sad, I've been slightly surprised that it hasn't been harder. I know that many family and good friends have been praying for me when they found out a new chapter in life had started...THANKS! There are many who know how much I enjoyed triathlon, so a complete change like this is only smooth with love and prayers. I still love watching a great race or game - and I still think there are so many parallels in sport and life - lots of the same lessons! </div>
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As for triathlon and competing again in the future....I will cease to predict that! Up until this point in my life, I have been a horrible fortune teller - ha! </div>
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<div class="" id="yiv7411646046yui_3_16_0_11_1403009068348_98">
Thanks for reading and I pray that whether you are having the "season of your life" or not, (and whatever that would look like, athletic or not), you will know Jesus is alive! My relationship with Jesus is the only way I can truly walk away with joy and gratitude in my heart. Although this earthly kingdom doesn't last, events that happen here sure teach priceless lessons.</div>
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<div class="" id="yiv7411646046yui_3_16_0_11_1403009068348_98">
Reading the Bible every day has been the single-most comfort and piercing healing! **Highest recommendation**</div>
<div class="" id="yiv7411646046yui_3_16_0_11_1403009068348_98">
Reading it with an open heart changes my life every day!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="" id="yiv7411646046yui_3_16_0_11_1403009068348_98">
With a grateful heart,</div>
<div class="" id="yiv7411646046yui_3_16_0_11_1403009068348_98">
bethany</div>
</div>
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<div class="" id="yiv7411646046yui_3_16_0_1_1403009068348_32459">
<span style="font-family: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif;">PS: Here are a few juicy things I've come across lately:</span><br />
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<ol>
<li><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405429505397_48488">
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405429505397_48492" style="font-family: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<a href="http://www.faithandwork.org/a-biblical-perspective-on-risk/" target="_blank">Sermon by Tim Keller with the topic = Risk (given to an audience of entrepreneurs)</a></div>
</div>
</li>
<li><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405429505397_48492" style="font-family: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/fake-papers-chastened-pride" target="_blank">Article by John Piper on pride being love of praise & fear of ridicule</a></div>
</li>
<li><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405429505397_48492" style="font-family: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<a href="http://utmost.org/gracious-uncertainty/" target="_blank">Oswald Chambers' thoughts on "Gracious Uncertainty"</a></div>
</li>
<li><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405429505397_48492" style="font-family: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<a href="http://www.cspc.net/ministries/worship/sermons_archive" target="_blank">Any sermon from John Wood</a>...What a gift to grow up hearing him...and now again the past couple years have been able to hear him teach since we moved back to Knoxville!</div>
</li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076664674696079633noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475562250920197610.post-71957542362967651742014-03-13T11:05:00.001-04:002014-03-13T22:39:21.156-04:00Knowledge vs. Experience<u>Spiritual Parallels Physical = Great Learning Tool for Me </u><br />
God teaches me about the spiritual realm as I live in/through the physical. I see the parallels all the time, and could go on..and on...but lately I've been thinking most about the similarities of having a strong core.<br />
<br />
As I grow in my core strength physically, everything else in my body works better. It's the same with God - Jesus is my Core, and when my relationship grows with Him, I can better handle whatever happens in life.<br />
<br />
Sure, I've lived quite a while without properly engaging my inner core. I'd heard a LOT about the importance and benefits of "having a strong inner core" and "exercises to strengthen my inner core"<i> </i><i>...I knew about the concept and could explain it to you, I just never experienced it!</i> I completed (consistent!) "core workouts" - still completed the movement that my brain told my body to do, but used other muscles to get 'er dun. Now that I am getting better at using my core, my body works better, and I have a ridiculous amount more power. Even my coach commented after a workout a while back, "Was that you? :)" <br />
<br />
Of course, I'm thrilled to learn how to have an ultra dose of power during training/racing! ...but infinitely more important to me is to have Jesus at my inner Core. When I live my life with my inner Core activated with Jesus, it does not mean everything in life turns to smooth sailing (!), it just means that He is always strong and can use my weaknesses when I live my life engaged in Him....to the point that others who know me well & know all my shortcomings might say, "Was that you?"<br />
<br />
Godspeed,<br />
bethany <br />
<br />
<br />bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076664674696079633noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475562250920197610.post-7142501723290940582014-02-12T18:07:00.000-05:002014-02-12T20:02:29.258-05:00My winter highlight...what's yours?Small head cold => forced rest and....extra time to write a blog update!<br />
<br />
The plan for the first 3 pro races of 2014:<br />
<br />
March 30th: 5150 Series: <a href="http://neworleanstriathlon.com/" target="_blank">New Orleans</a><br />
April 27th: 5150 Series: <a href="http://www.satriathlon.com/" target="_blank">St. Anthony's </a><br />
May 18th: <a href="http://rev3tri.com/knoxville/knoxville-news/" target="_blank">Rev3 Knoxville</a><br />
<br />
Winter training is going well! I've had a few challenges with my achilles this winter, but overall everything is looking good to have a true peak in my racing season! Continuous thanks (!!) to <a href="http://www.promptphysicaltherapy.com/" target="_blank">Prompt Physical Therapy</a> and <a href="http://sportandwellnesschiropractic.com/" target="_blank">Sport & Wellness Chiropractic</a> for helping me get/stay healthy. I'd classify myself as "high-maintenance"...and what a huge value to work with such amazing healthcare providers! I don't take it for granted and know how fortunate I am to have found the <b>best</b> (& they haven't <i>yet</i> locked their doors on me)!<br />
<br />
Last year, I gained a lot of experience and was thankful to get to the start/finish lines & try to be in the mix. This year, I can't wait to <i><b>race</b></i>. Training and racing as a professional triathlete gives me such joy! What a gift.<br />
<br />
Probably the highlight of this winter training has been to enjoy the trainer. It was always my least favorite part of training. Lately, it's been fun, in a torturous type of way;) ...and my watts keep increasing, which is a very good thing!<br />
<br />
What's your winter highlight? Be sure to tell someone about what made your heart sing lately, including the bumps along the way. "Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body." Proverbs 16:24<br />
<br />
Happy February & God bless you!<br />
Cyberlovins,<br />
bethany <br />
<br />bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076664674696079633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475562250920197610.post-46724620691262254272014-01-16T13:46:00.000-05:002014-01-16T14:33:21.808-05:002014 Sponsors!!<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.pilotflyingj.com/?ASP.default_aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Carlito;"><u>PILOT FLYING J:</u></span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Carlito;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Carlito;">PFJ is Knoxville-born
(just like me!) and has given back to this city so much support. The
people I know at the company and work with are incredible! I love
what PFJ is doing to help their employees and also their
customer-focused efforts on healthy food and workout opportunities.
On average because of the nature of their job, truckers live 7 years less than others. PFJ is working hard to add workout
facilities and healthy food choices for the truckers. It is an honor
to be part of Team Pilot and their concern for their customers'
health. PFJ is taking care of my logistics and transportation. What a
gift to not have to worry about means to get to the race to compete!
Thank you!</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<a href="http://www.promptphysicaltherapy.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Carlito;"><u>PROMPT PHYSICAL THERAPY:</u></span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Carlito;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Carlito;">Steve
Bailey was seemingly the only person on the planet who had insight
into what was going on with my chronic neck/back dealio. He's the
reason that I was able to have even an abbreviated season last year,
and has an amazing gift. I love going to his office still for
maintenance – it's like 90 minutes worth of PT exercises, hanging
out with good friends and therapy...walking out always feeling
better. What's there not to love?! Thanks!</span></span></div>
<a href="http://sportandwellnesschiropractic.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></a>
<br />
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://sportandwellnesschiropractic.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Carlito;"><u>SPORT & WELLNESS CHIROPRACTIC CENTER:</u></span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Carlito;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Carlito;">Dr.
John has helped me learn how to activate my hamstrings and butt as I
ride my bike and run. My back doesn't feel as stiff, so I can freely
move and have a better rhythm. He has really helped my achilles
recover - I had achilles tendinitis, and he used ART to break up the
knots in my calf and release the tension. Adjusting my hips relieved
my lower back tension. I'm feeling much better now, and so thankful
for his help!</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<a href="http://cedarbluffcycles.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Carlito;"><u>CEDAR BLUFF CYCLES:</u></span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Carlito;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Carlito;">What
a fun, knowledgeable store! They've helped me maintain my bikes and
have answered lots of questions for me! Lately they gave me 5 saddles
to try out. My bootie didn't like the 2 saddles on my bikes from last
year. Ouch! Developing saddle sores and cysts on my bum was not a
highlight of last year, but(t) (hehe)...there are other saddle options! I have
since realized that if a saddle still isn't super comfy after a few
months, try a different one. At this point, I've weeded out 4
saddles out of...thousands! ha. Thanks, CBC, for your patience and
help!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.seriousretirement.com/index.cfm" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Carlito;"><u>RETIREMENT PLANNING SERVICES:</u></span></span></a><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153575" style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153574" style="font-family: Carlito;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153573"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153577" style="font-variant: normal;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153576" style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153575" style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153574" style="font-family: Carlito;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153573"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153577" style="font-variant: normal;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153576" style="font-style: normal;">Also known as "The Dream Team"...seriously. I'll admit, RPS is a
somewhat unusual sponsor for a pro triathlete...but there are
actually a lot of parallels and ways I can learn from a company like
RPS. </span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;">In
their core values, you'll see: “</span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Excellence:
</span></span>We strive to honor our God, our families, and our
clients in everything that we do.” Sure, we have very different jobs,
but using our God-given gifts in whatever our daily work looks like
can have the same core values! I've learned so much from my dad and
brother in their top-level athletic careers, their values in their
workplace, and have benefited immensely by their choices to love
their families well, and honor God first always. Thanks for your
encouragement and support!</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
<br />
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153570" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_110425" rel="nofollow" shape="rect"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_110426" rel="nofollow" shape="rect"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_110419" rel="nofollow" shape="rect"></a>
<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153569" style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153568" style="font-family: Carlito;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153567"><u id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153566">COACH
CLARK & THE UT TRACK/XC TEAM:</u></span></span></span></span><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153565" style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153564" style="font-family: Carlito;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153563"> </span></span></span><br />
<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153565" style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153564" style="font-family: Carlito;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153563">I
am so thankful to have the opportunity to run with the UT track/XC
team </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Carlito;">for
some key workouts</span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Carlito;">.
Coach Clark lets me tag along with his speedy team, and being in the
midst of a team is of such great value whenever I run with them.
Thank you!</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153562">
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153561">
<br />
<u><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153559" style="color: black;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153558" style="font-family: Carlito;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153557">COACH JAMIE INGALLS</span></span></span></span></u></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153551">
<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153556" style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153555" style="font-family: Carlito;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153554">Last
but certainly not least, I'm thankful for my coach! He's not necessarily a
"sponsor" but has my best interest at heart and adds value every day
to my triathlon career. I have data that shows what I'm doing on a daily
basis is significantly faster than just a few months ago, and that's exciting!
Coaching an athlete to master 3 sports isn't easy, and I really
appreciate his time, energy, patience, and wisdom on helping me get the
most out of myself. Thanks!</span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153550">
</div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153549">
<br />
<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153548" style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153547" style="font-family: Carlito;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153546">Next post, maybe I'll share a tentative race schedule....oh boy!</span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153542">
<br />
<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153545" style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153544" style="font-family: Carlito;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1389667141223_153543">Thanks for reading, and God bless you today!</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Carlito;">bethany
</span></span>bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076664674696079633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475562250920197610.post-77583963417031086342014-01-02T13:41:00.000-05:002014-01-02T14:05:44.171-05:00Old, new, life, death, seasons, years, earth, heaven...<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Whether I am in a seemingly perfect season or whether it is a survival
mode season, I always find myself saying, "There must be more!"</span></span><br />
<div class="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1388634929046_4346" id="yiv8659339634yui_3_13_0_ym1_7_1388349692535_45" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><i><b>Grandma Hall</b></i></span></span></div>
<div class="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1388634929046_4346" id="yiv8659339634yui_3_13_0_ym1_7_1388349692535_45" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A
little over a year ago, I witnessed my grandma breathing her last
breaths in the house I was living in (3 generations were living in my
parents' house)...and just a month before, I held my niece moments after
her birth. Life is short. James 4:14 says, "...yet
you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you
are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.<span class="p" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_7_1388634929046_76">" </span>C.S. Lewis said, “100 per cent of us die, and the percentage cannot be increased.”
</span></span><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Watching/living
with someone I love in the last 5 weeks of her life didn't necessarily
always leave me with "Life is so good!" type sentiments. My parents
graciously opened their home, energy, resources, & time to serve her
as she approached the end of her life, not knowing whether it would last
a month or a couple years. It was hard caring for her, watching her
mind slip, teetering back and forth from a gentle, lovely demeanor &
dry wit, to a grumpy, "whatever" type mentality. She absolutely loved
my mom. (Of course she did! Who doesn't?!) My mom was the all-star
care-giver, for sure...and I was the 2nd string; probably more like the
8th string in my grandma's eyes...So when my mom was out on an errand or
busy with something then I was on duty:) I would come into my grandma's room and enthusiastically ask if she wanted me to make her breakfast...And she'd growl, "Where is your mother." Every. time. HAHA! It took me off guard
at first - like, "Aren't grandparents supposed to <b>adore </b>their
grandchildren?!" ...But after her almost daily question, I started smiling
and holding in a chuckle when she said that, although she just peered
at me even more perturbed. I knew that wasn't my grandma! It's just her
mind & body dying... and the filter of niceness/appropriate behavior
dropping to zero and her true desires transparent. I knew she loved me
but it still completely shocked me the first time she said that, and
then continued to say it! But even just a few hours later, she would
joke with me or say something sweet, and I knew she had snapped back
into herself.<br /><br />It was such a tender, heart-heavy day when she died
- it took us all by surprise since she had sort of perked up and been
jolly. It wasn't graceful nor elegant, but such is life sometimes. She
completely lost control of her body, as it was shutting down for good, and her
tongue was hanging out of her mouth. My dad got to hold her hand during
that time and thank her for being his mom!! I wasn't in the room, so I
don't know exactly what he said, but before her pulse shut down for
good, she had a tear drop from her eye. Ahh, what a sweet ending to her
earthly life and such a gift that he had already come home from work and
could be there with his mom! I think her tear was especially sweet because she wasn't the typical teddy-bear type grandma. She was a tough one - grew up in a family of 6 on a farm during the depression...Very loving and ultra supportive, but not gushing, ya know? I had never seen her teary, much less cry. What a sweet day the Lord gave us all. And how thankful we are for her life and love!<br /><br />Death and new life are a definite part of this gig we're born into! I have no hope to share other than hope in Jesus. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />I know for Stephen and me, we couldn't be more excited to start a new year. Thank you, Lord!<br />I'll be posting soon about my 2014 sponsors - stay tuned! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm thrilled with how 2014 is already starting out. Thanks for reading, and God bless you today.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">bethany</span></span>bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076664674696079633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475562250920197610.post-40445155615742251612013-11-04T09:58:00.002-05:002013-11-04T10:04:50.127-05:00When life gives you rotten lemons...give thanks:)<br />
More-than-gutting a house is the most challenging thing we've ever
accidentally signed up for! We're truly thankful for it...and PS: not every moment has been a giving-thanks-type moment! That refining fire has singed a few hairs! ha;) <br />
<br />
Hey, when life gives
you rotten lemons, throw 'em out in the compost, mix it around, plant
some seeds, water it and you'll get some juicy fruit [eventually]!<br />
<br />
...thankful for my parents' generosity since we've been livin' the dream in
their basement (hahaha. Well...one thang's fer sure: inside jokes will last through eternity
after 1.5 yrs in the basement!)<br />
<br />
...thankful for reaping the
grandiose benefits of having them on our work crew! ...they've renovated
[a few] houses;)<br />
<br />
Here's a pic of our front yard...I love how Kaitlyn is looking at "Uncle Steebin" & Andrew has his feet up as they all laugh at Pappy being silly. :) <br />
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bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076664674696079633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475562250920197610.post-7282204468000307522013-10-23T11:04:00.000-04:002013-10-23T13:18:18.932-04:002013 race season: 4 pro races: Check!<u><b>Lifetime Fitness Oceanside, CA</b></u><br />
<b>Swim:</b>
65 deg water temp, delayed ~10 mins in the water at the start which numbed
my hands & feet to the point of no return; there's nuthin' good about a pre-race ice bath, but everyone had the same conditions to deal with; had a decent wetsuit swim<br />
<b>T1: </b>Not swift - couldn't feel hands, so had trouble clipping bike helmet & taking off wetsuit <br />
<b>Bike:
</b> So cool literally; not so much figuratively! Thick marine layer fog; freezing; no function in hands...close to not
being able to brake/shift; fog felt like a constant ice-water mist room...the cold cloud layer was a complete
surprise to some others as well. I felt like I belonged in <i>DumbnDumber </i>with
snot freezing down my face - I couldn't wipe it off though because my
hands couldn't squeeze my nose - haha. (Sorry, too much info) ;) Every once in a while I'd put my hands in my mouth to try to regain feeling, which didn't really help my aero position. Another
bummer for the non-functioning hands on the bike was that I couldn't
grasp my water bottle, so I didn't drink a sip of it but rather carried
it as cargo for the whole 40K.<br />
<b>T2:</b> Not swift but I was <b>so</b> thankful to get my helmet off and running shoes on! I'm still not sure how I did that! This was a huge answered prayer going into T2.<br />
<b>Run:</b>
I felt like I could run off the bike for the first time! Fun stuff.
Every other race, I've felt like death after biking. This time I felt
decent & it's always fun to catch & pass someone!<br />
<b>Overall:</b> 11th out of 14 girls who started, 13 finished. No part of it was incredible, but I made good progress.<br />
<br />
<u><b>That's a wrap!</b></u><br />
I haven't had an impressive first-year pro season with my race
results, although I have made steady progress that isn't necessarily immediately fruitful. It's been a goal to <i>reduce </i>the amount of mistakes each race weekend rather than being upset if I make <i>a </i>mistake!
Hanging out in the lower tier of all 4 races is the reality of where
I'm at right now. And that's fine; I won't stay there, but I
knew going into this season it was going to be about managing
expectations. I'll target weaknesses & build on strengths this off-season & am
excited to continue my momentum into 2014.<br />
<br />
It's absolutely true to say that I wouldn't have been able to be a pro if it wasn't for my sponsors. THANK YOU!!! And what an unexpected gift to be able to meet and work with such amazing people and companies! It's so easy to get excited about my sponsors (check 'em out on the right!!).<br />
<br />
By far the most tender & meaningful take-away this year for me is how the Lord has gone before me and been with me through the details...Clearly, (if you've checked any results), I don't mean that the Lord went before me and I beat all my competitors! I mean that my relationship with the Most High God has become more intimate through this year's chaos, quiet, & everything in between. It's the sweet, secret moments in relationships that are the most special - the ones I can't fully describe that grasp the total multi-dimensional packed beauty that exists. Do you know Him?! Isaiah 55:6 says, "Seek Him while He may be found; call on Him while He is near."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friday: After we drove the course, ended w/ a gorgeous sunset - perfect timing!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oceanside harbor: swim start...no sign of fog yet, but...it's a comin'!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oOVfdyNDr1BnP_tqgf2B8e7qPRgie4jxqUOfMMBi8sXQYsYozGm1GSNo3y8vfeCsN8DCXY7OzmGEk6f5ASMlComheEgbb2MOJsgSeDID5mLugTOxNDpx5ct7cdEP7CaFW00tnvAkFw/s1600/photo(17).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oOVfdyNDr1BnP_tqgf2B8e7qPRgie4jxqUOfMMBi8sXQYsYozGm1GSNo3y8vfeCsN8DCXY7OzmGEk6f5ASMlComheEgbb2MOJsgSeDID5mLugTOxNDpx5ct7cdEP7CaFW00tnvAkFw/s320/photo(17).JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just out of T2; this fog was nuthin' compared to the bike!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn80KWZmxvVf5v2_i26VDj9tx128De93igJj5_tMtCepW8WVpoob_5FAcMx8hBDthvTK3t1KtqBcOxJ7Eh_4JSEcjvCvg4e3tOaOhSNa18dXw84UL5XmRMYDJvBpJVLxpPzBr-nDofjg/s1600/photo(18).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn80KWZmxvVf5v2_i26VDj9tx128De93igJj5_tMtCepW8WVpoob_5FAcMx8hBDthvTK3t1KtqBcOxJ7Eh_4JSEcjvCvg4e3tOaOhSNa18dXw84UL5XmRMYDJvBpJVLxpPzBr-nDofjg/s320/photo(18).JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The run! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxhYFUZNcLFkA1L7cU6X295IRwJKiF0i5U4x6rUiS0Sflb1wN0avYBISattCuhH-JvhHVHMDPIGsgj6dW1HIrz9TBJQ1OP-JYNO72xM5IDy-N4zk9qWXYwzBNN-D34thvCTu3gEY5HQ/s1600/photo(19).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxhYFUZNcLFkA1L7cU6X295IRwJKiF0i5U4x6rUiS0Sflb1wN0avYBISattCuhH-JvhHVHMDPIGsgj6dW1HIrz9TBJQ1OP-JYNO72xM5IDy-N4zk9qWXYwzBNN-D34thvCTu3gEY5HQ/s320/photo(19).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Succulents = so pretty & unique</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Fg3GXRHsdiWl18ybWGgVzMfDDg6seUuvSwcoOK_yPVUwT8CWQfKq-0SvjvHHoF1JXOER3yx9iVTyHW3lJU0Es8McgQd6EcMrJuN5oatsYi6oQBDp2y1cAftP4QQshWJH0jZ2Pl3P5w/s1600/photo(20).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Fg3GXRHsdiWl18ybWGgVzMfDDg6seUuvSwcoOK_yPVUwT8CWQfKq-0SvjvHHoF1JXOER3yx9iVTyHW3lJU0Es8McgQd6EcMrJuN5oatsYi6oQBDp2y1cAftP4QQshWJH0jZ2Pl3P5w/s320/photo(20).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Went to a cute outdoor coffee shop after the race & succulents lined the <b>entire </b>space.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKg_-iQqRiirRQF3Y1caDwcDjM1Ayy172kKPj5b5zBbYEj3lPauxjxvmEFRoPxWZWOl-WJx7rbVxeJsZofF30qXiGVJp5yG0c5kl86m1Z5EtD5rdfPro2eXppGpyhFUNLU4tGoNRMkQ/s1600/photo(21).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKg_-iQqRiirRQF3Y1caDwcDjM1Ayy172kKPj5b5zBbYEj3lPauxjxvmEFRoPxWZWOl-WJx7rbVxeJsZofF30qXiGVJp5yG0c5kl86m1Z5EtD5rdfPro2eXppGpyhFUNLU4tGoNRMkQ/s320/photo(21).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I swam with the seals! So cute, fat, & friendly. ARRR, ARRR!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9swteGxMXI_v_ePf7cAFR6IbvrUghm_Ua9n-dLmsNFp3kHWrqqq8Zjv-rFyYv6td8KgamKDTjhrXB8u5v8AsCNuRyu42Vs8aufdqcSrRsyWJbZwyJ2W0zPeRP97SVXO9M2J3iyXxbFQ/s1600/photo(22).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9swteGxMXI_v_ePf7cAFR6IbvrUghm_Ua9n-dLmsNFp3kHWrqqq8Zjv-rFyYv6td8KgamKDTjhrXB8u5v8AsCNuRyu42Vs8aufdqcSrRsyWJbZwyJ2W0zPeRP97SVXO9M2J3iyXxbFQ/s320/photo(22).JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post-race chillaxin' w/ the best massage therapist in the wooaarrald! (& ma) ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxMppuCeajP8FKvYibwxDpuo2PDfcns0beYStMlfdtfmXFg8rKhID6n1VnKEOYDwDALcSMVUyQi0qEieCQWyl-p4gKIftNM13b3lDMQ_f0AtVYfPQHLYdVB2mQT7IniTPs0S3x8N03g/s1600/photo(23).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxMppuCeajP8FKvYibwxDpuo2PDfcns0beYStMlfdtfmXFg8rKhID6n1VnKEOYDwDALcSMVUyQi0qEieCQWyl-p4gKIftNM13b3lDMQ_f0AtVYfPQHLYdVB2mQT7IniTPs0S3x8N03g/s320/photo(23).JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wetsuit: 1 Me: 0</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Forgot to use lube for my neck... Doh! I'm pretty
sure (from the looks I got) that more than a few people on the day-long
trip home from Cali thought I had been involved in some extra-curricular
activities...ie, they probably didn't guess wetsuit chaffing...aNyhoo...<br />
:) bethanybethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076664674696079633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475562250920197610.post-53037513759791075172013-10-09T14:52:00.002-04:002013-10-09T15:30:51.335-04:00Zoomin' in Dallas<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidiuB39itfyzsqx-UGOtBkGuurxU6VOOg8SiEV9MRajQw7UI3qHLWXkTssRWrrQE0_NFFkLb67iKAT2B5XzxVOz8Omk0qbfJF0cSl8y1I8xESzblLuIRaU9VsYVzsTIenh_Gi8RzSAXA/s1600/photo(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidiuB39itfyzsqx-UGOtBkGuurxU6VOOg8SiEV9MRajQw7UI3qHLWXkTssRWrrQE0_NFFkLb67iKAT2B5XzxVOz8Omk0qbfJF0cSl8y1I8xESzblLuIRaU9VsYVzsTIenh_Gi8RzSAXA/s320/photo(7).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The weekend started off a tad bit more swift than expected when
I was escorted to my options for a rental car, & this one proved to
have the largest trunk. OH yea. This thing has a couple “blowers”
(nephew's term) and looked exactly like a few of his favorite toy
cars that he zooms around the house...I felt like it was missing some eyes on the windshield though. ;) The correct driving swagger
doesn't really mesh with slow driving around a big city & on the
brink of getting lost at every turn...hmm....but every time I merged
onto the interstate, I did it with confidence & some killer
pickup!
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmY4ap7EmtQ15S4VpbQAuIsRnAr7ecg-ScBaBWmUh8u9W_uLo1JnW8FIxN6g2nk5Wk6DB5ow19VTeL5vi5Cvjr0jYHKEZ-11Z7lS78VaUdNoE9XZQ0uqpGs-DymK-fle_YOtkKs7Ug8g/s1600/photo(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmY4ap7EmtQ15S4VpbQAuIsRnAr7ecg-ScBaBWmUh8u9W_uLo1JnW8FIxN6g2nk5Wk6DB5ow19VTeL5vi5Cvjr0jYHKEZ-11Z7lS78VaUdNoE9XZQ0uqpGs-DymK-fle_YOtkKs7Ug8g/s320/photo(9).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Driving around made me smile more than
a few times...The stereo was amazing and the car handled really well!
One time I came back to my parked car to witness some people drooling
over it, looking inside, and one of them sort of jumped back when I
unlocked the car and said, “Ooooh girl is this your car?! It's
niiiice! Is it so smooth? It looks so good, uh!?” hehehe.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Dallas Lifetime Fitness Triathlon was a
great experience! I am so very thankful for the opportunity to
compete and glorify the Lord with all that He has given me!
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Shortnsweet: </b>Made progress in
all 3 sports. I still have a lot of work to put in, exclamation
points, and need to get faster in everything, exclamation points, but
definitely encouraged by the progress and excited to keep on
chuggin'! A big Thank You!! to all my sponsors (located on the right
side of this blog :) - check 'em out!! :) 3<sup>rd</sup> pro race:
complete! Taking today off and ready to put in some work and race
again at Oceanside in 2 weeks! </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Details, details...(or not so much,
actually...)</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Swim: I was in the mix on the swim!
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Bike: My average power was a bit better
than the last couple races – I'll take the progress, for sure!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Run: Hilly hilly! (and that's coming
from an East TN girl...)<br />
And making good progress on the experience side of racing. Although I have an undergrad major in logistics and transportation, I've definitely had my fair share of fail moments in all the logistics of everything being race-ready the moment the blow horn sounds! ...gettin' better though :)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Post race band was so good! Super fun
to zone out, pig out, & chill out as they entertained us.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Next up, and last hurrah for this year:
Oceanside, CA on October 20th. Should be another stacked field,
especially since it's the finale for the series!
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Godspeed!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
bethany
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076664674696079633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475562250920197610.post-27507739290257786262013-09-30T18:35:00.001-04:002013-09-30T18:39:35.496-04:00<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent">I'm thankful for the church bells ringing praise hymns to the Lord this Monday morn..."Oh praise Him, Alleluia!" Yes!</span></span></span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent">Psalm 113:3 "From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised!"</span></span></span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KR-IIIciP6zluwxzt4mSmjJFS8ZErxC5jlW_hQO2vKIDgUqJK9hjKBBkbxQpKF2DcazdyxnnEbjkTsy0kuz5sEEyY5ucRVing5u5TrXGLzcgZp-dHaMsKVh6h2wTbolH1X3fkw4ydg/s1600/photo(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KR-IIIciP6zluwxzt4mSmjJFS8ZErxC5jlW_hQO2vKIDgUqJK9hjKBBkbxQpKF2DcazdyxnnEbjkTsy0kuz5sEEyY5ucRVing5u5TrXGLzcgZp-dHaMsKVh6h2wTbolH1X3fkw4ydg/s320/photo(6).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a Pacific Grove sunset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></span></span></span></h5>
bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076664674696079633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475562250920197610.post-74381308992909600472013-09-26T14:39:00.001-04:002013-09-26T14:57:42.877-04:00Clipless coupons: I'm a fan<b>Just a thought: </b><br />
Although it's sort of creepy that Kroger knows everything we buy at the grocery store, the coupons that come in the mail are actually useful! Last time I went to the store, I used them & saved $35! Yes, I was the crazy coupon lady...& I admit it was slightly awkward for a minute with the line of people staring at my wad of coupons as they were getting scanned...but it was worth it.<br />
<br />
The only prep I did was get the mail, and...I think most people do that on a regular basis anyways. The great part was that I bought things that were already on my list. <br />
<br />
<b>Flashback:</b><br />
It reminds me of when I shopped in China. Since my teammate & I were the only 2 foreigners in the district, people always watched us closely...to the point that the shop owners would actually hand us items in the store that we frequently bought! haha.<br />
<br />
<b>Let's see...what is the moral of the story? Options include:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Use your Kroger Plus card!</li>
<li>Check your mail! </li>
<li>Coupons in the mail shouldn't immediately be thrown into the recycle bin.</li>
<li>They're watching you... </li>
<li>Just like we have so many time-saving mechanisms these days, the clipless coupons are keeping up with the times! </li>
</ul>
Cheers,<br />
bethany bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076664674696079633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475562250920197610.post-24924541939946100212013-09-21T11:24:00.002-04:002013-09-21T11:27:58.549-04:00XC workout added: 2 enthusiastic thumbs up!Yesterday, Coach Clark let me run with the UT XC team. We drove to a trail at Norris Dam and did some quality interval work - super fun stuff & I'm so thankful to tag along!<br />
<br />
I might've also discovered a new open water swimming option at Norris Lake. That's 2 in a week! Fort Dickerson park has a quarry that is also open to the public. Its water is turquoise & feels like an exotic getaway...almost...haha. Check it out if you live close to Knoxville.<br />
<br />
UT is gaining momentum - had a great 2nd meet & tied for the win with Florida! Here's their <a href="http://www.utsports.com/sports/c-xctrack/sched/tenn-c-xctrack-sched.html" target="_blank"><b>schedule</b></a> if you want to cheer them on & follow their upcoming races...Go Lady Vols & Vols! <br />
<br />bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076664674696079633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475562250920197610.post-33462050718948068522013-09-18T22:48:00.003-04:002013-09-19T12:41:44.491-04:00From Gollum to Einstein, of course...<div class="yiv2502962148yui_3_7_2_49_1379495754007_58 yiv2502962148yui_3_7_2_103_1379495754007_58 yui_3_7_2_170_1379334886918_59" id="yiv2502962148yui_3_7_2_134_1379334886918_283" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My
theme from the last
race report was Gollum/LOTR, so obviously the next logical parallel to a
triathlon race is...Einstein. Physicists can be extremely insightful
and/yet/but in a different way than a creepy hairless corrupted
hobbit...</span></span></div>
<div class="yiv2502962148yui_3_7_2_49_1379495754007_59 yiv2502962148yui_3_7_2_103_1379495754007_59 yui_3_7_2_170_1379334886918_60" id="yiv2502962148yui_3_7_2_134_1379334886918_126" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br id="yiv2502962148yui_3_7_2_134_1379334886918_131" /></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv2502962148yui_3_7_2_49_1379495754007_60 yiv2502962148yui_3_7_2_103_1379495754007_60 yui_3_7_2_170_1379334886918_61" id="yiv2502962148yui_3_7_2_134_1379334886918_128" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><i><b>Short version:</b></i></u> Some of my Gollum feelings still resonate with my wetsuit experience (i.e. we [still] <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">hates</span></span>
them) but I have not lost hope that I will conquer the wetsuit swim. I
really enjoy open water swimming, & I am going to figure this out. Went a little faster in all 3 sports. Makin' progress in the right direction, but still have a ways to go...definitely!!! Skip to the pics or read more of the juicy triathlon/physicist parallels... (um...spoiler alert: it's a stretch but hey, it works!) </span></span></div>
<div class="yiv2502962148yui_3_7_2_49_1379495754007_61 yiv2502962148yui_3_7_2_103_1379495754007_63 yui_3_7_2_170_1379334886918_64" id="yiv2502962148yui_3_7_2_134_1379334886918_173" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br id="yiv2502962148yui_3_7_2_134_1379334886918_178" /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><i><b>More Scoop:</b></i></u></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv2502962148yui_3_7_2_49_1379495754007_62 yiv2502962148yui_3_7_2_103_1379495754007_64 yui_3_7_2_170_1379334886918_65" id="yiv2502962148yui_3_7_2_134_1379334886918_175" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span id="yiv2502962148yui_3_7_2_103_1379495754007_203" style="font-weight: bold;">Swim:</span>
It's true that I came out of the water an unacceptable 3+ minutes
behind the leaders....again....but I changed my wetsuit which means I'm
taking Einstein's advice and keeping out of the "Insane" category...
(Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting
different
results. ~Einstein)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Last race, I wore a full wetsuit size W Sm,
and this time I wore a sleeveless one, unisex size 6... Although my arms
enjoy the freedom ("don't clip my wings!!"), they actually never warmed
up since the water was in the upper 50s....It was like a 10 minute
pre-race ice bath and then
sprint a mile swim out of the gate. Literally "cool"...but definitely
not figuratively! The swim at Pacific Grove is called the "Kelp
Crawl"....and my raw arms had bruises on them from wrangling with the
kelp. It feels as if you're swimming in a pool with 100 pool vacuum
cleaner hoses (the rough plastic tubes). If you hit the tube, it hurts
and is somewhat stiff, but if you try to grab it to give you momentum,
it just floats with you and ends up being worthless. Moral of the story =
the shortest TIME between buoys on the race course is <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">not</span></span> a straight line. It's following someone who previewed the course and knows where to avoid the kelp. Doh! My course preview was cut way short due to the icy take-your-breath-away-but-not-the-romantic-type feeling I was getting from that cold water. Maybe sleeves aren't such a bad thing...</span></span></div>
<div class="yiv2502962148yui_3_7_2_49_1379495754007_64 yiv2502962148yui_3_7_2_103_1379495754007_65 yui_3_7_2_170_1379334886918_69" id="yiv2502962148yui_3_7_2_134_1379334886918_246" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br id="yiv2502962148yui_3_7_2_134_1379334886918_253" /></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv2502962148yui_3_7_2_49_1379495754007_65 yiv2502962148yui_3_7_2_103_1379495754007_66 yui_3_7_2_170_1379334886918_70" id="yiv2502962148yui_3_7_2_134_1379334886918_250" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span id="yiv2502962148yui_3_7_2_103_1379495754007_207" style="font-weight: bold;">Bike:</span>
At the race, I took my bike to the local bike shop and asked them to
look at a couple things, one being my shifting. They couldn't figure out
what was wrong, so I ended up riding a bike that had a shifting mind of
its own. #notgood. A girl in our bike group told me after the race, "I
was thinking, 'Gosh, she's shifting a whole lot!'...But then I realized
you weren't trying to shift!" Well let's just call that not ideal during
a race. Now, I know that I attached the derailleur
incorrectly. Grrr. Does it make me feel better or worse that the 3 bike
mechanics at that store couldn't figure out my shifting problem?
....not
sure.</span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span id="yiv2502962148yui_3_7_2_103_1379495754007_210" style="font-weight: bold;">Run:</span>
First 2 miles were conservative...Second 2 miles I had a horrendous
gut/lung cramp & had to go slug pace...Last 2 miles I could finally
go semi-strong but it was too late to catch anyone. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">That
particular swim-bike-run landed me 7th place out of 10 pro ladies, with a
fun check from the wonderful Tri-Cal, who put on an amazing race! I
hope I get to race many more TriCal events! I'm a huge fan of TriCal!
Thanks!!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm
going in the right direction, even if it is by smaller steps than the
leaps I was hoping for. I knew that I wouldn't be performing like I did
before I had the downward spiral of 3+ yrs of injuries...but every time I
race, I don't go into a race thinking that I'm going to have a poor
race! So it's kind of a mini battle of the will/mind/heart for a couple
days post race....which is normal, I'd say, for competitors! We race to
win, right?! I always have a post-race list of what to fix & focus
on next time, and start chuggin' at it! I'm a list girl & love
crossing items off. The theme of patience came up a few times in my discussion with my coach, Jamie, at HUB Endurance. :) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This week I get to add a UT XC workout to my
training! I love trying to keep up with people. Woohoo! And UT Masters
swimming is picking up, with more & more former Vols who can still
kick some tail! So much fun to be in that mix...as well as the many good
group rides around here. I'm really thankful for the opportunity to be
with people and work hard. What a gift.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Also - I'm still healthy!
This is largely because of Steve Bailey,
who owns and works at PROMPT Physical Therapy. And neat that we originally met because he and his wife invited a bunch of random 30-somethings over to their house for a Bible Study last year. He should
seriously be a famous guru of body work sorts. I had a neck/back injury on and
off since 2009, (mostly ON), and he is the only
person who has gotten to the bottom of the problem and
nixed it, and maintained an effective nixing! I even ride a bike
that has a seat higher than the handlebars. This is good! He is very talented and has a gift of understanding of the
body & how it works. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Whew, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">so</span></span></span> thankful to be healthy! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Other Random Highlights:</span></span></span><br />
<ul id="yui_3_7_2_170_1379334886918_124">
<li id="yui_3_7_2_170_1379334886918_123"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lover's Point Inn - stay there! Perfecto.</span></span></li>
<li id="yui_3_7_2_170_1379334886918_128"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pacific Grove, CA is gorgeous!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What's there not to love about a place where you enter & instantly get 3 hrs of extra life?!</span></span></li>
<li id="yui_3_7_2_170_1379334886918_131"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2 loop swim, 4 loop bike, 3 loop run. Fun stuff!</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Next race = Dallas on October 6th!
Thanks for being curious, caring, praying, &/or cheering for me!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">THANK YOU (!) to my amazing sponsors!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">God bless you,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">bethany</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PS: Einstein has many more great quotes! If you also like him, we should chat more sometime... </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6NMtxqL1AbSkfTDcG817QPIZRh4bXAK2-UfaGUA_O2IjQR14ba5XW31FQ3LOkEc8JRjLclKx84Z1qwus3ug7zxZKFtZFck0MDS_7St8JNC_h0EHtdNtgVkIqx_rSXgOmFXeVewHJQg/s1600/wetsuit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6NMtxqL1AbSkfTDcG817QPIZRh4bXAK2-UfaGUA_O2IjQR14ba5XW31FQ3LOkEc8JRjLclKx84Z1qwus3ug7zxZKFtZFck0MDS_7St8JNC_h0EHtdNtgVkIqx_rSXgOmFXeVewHJQg/s320/wetsuit.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lap 1 of swim w/ purple-red arms...check! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipV5ERG6e5q_QfwLYbs5A-ej_Z-4fz14Z35zF5e0niGfp_23mju3-zR3B7WIG2ZTYaE6wDz0t9Wx4O7Hn0DoWZzckzFObG3qyAKJgdiP3uCn-XM7y_YuGXceAnjiNeh_J5fn9XRu6o1g/s1600/bike.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipV5ERG6e5q_QfwLYbs5A-ej_Z-4fz14Z35zF5e0niGfp_23mju3-zR3B7WIG2ZTYaE6wDz0t9Wx4O7Hn0DoWZzckzFObG3qyAKJgdiP3uCn-XM7y_YuGXceAnjiNeh_J5fn9XRu6o1g/s320/bike.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our little bike pack. I'm leading here, but wasn't always leading.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijt3PFSY2XjAFA1ljXKFXyETcToiiQx9MrRwLMPVVKSsqycFR9xX3REuUt4FYDQTOwzG10dJEb5S5Ne7BDEtnvPApMOyPGE62C_HTgwh5zF6abwvKOzoTgGqqot6cQIG_-akhNmQ029A/s1600/cramp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijt3PFSY2XjAFA1ljXKFXyETcToiiQx9MrRwLMPVVKSsqycFR9xX3REuUt4FYDQTOwzG10dJEb5S5Ne7BDEtnvPApMOyPGE62C_HTgwh5zF6abwvKOzoTgGqqot6cQIG_-akhNmQ029A/s320/cramp.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cramp...grrrrrr</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjto7l_z2x4ELmJE48_UEEA1GEY457Ka6hpdRJz9Udpeh9JKW-WWzvDdndGvmihtJNIOgh6wzS7RnYwODjUjO7WMWMZgLVeyYm0FlqIVJpKd9Ni1DzcLFyO-FLsHwOivPvbKKKEsYYUxQ/s1600/run.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjto7l_z2x4ELmJE48_UEEA1GEY457Ka6hpdRJz9Udpeh9JKW-WWzvDdndGvmihtJNIOgh6wzS7RnYwODjUjO7WMWMZgLVeyYm0FlqIVJpKd9Ni1DzcLFyO-FLsHwOivPvbKKKEsYYUxQ/s320/run.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Probably good to not see my facial expression at this moment in my life ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOWtPCTR6uCvmEgja4ftF9NZ1DvhPK0PMjNPJCmjCOzCK1PM87IllZJgI7pfd0_ooQP8sdRP0G4bNBv7MNpd3AhdgzCjG0Stv7GbWK12dwWJiIrraugnOOAApHTa-IJoYyNkK7fBrYQ/s1600/loverspoint.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOWtPCTR6uCvmEgja4ftF9NZ1DvhPK0PMjNPJCmjCOzCK1PM87IllZJgI7pfd0_ooQP8sdRP0G4bNBv7MNpd3AhdgzCjG0Stv7GbWK12dwWJiIrraugnOOAApHTa-IJoYyNkK7fBrYQ/s320/loverspoint.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go Team Pilot & Truckers to Triathletes (T2T)!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLICCx2Tb3lcvuMgZnh-WmizsWqM9taCdzBAisYPy5oL4K-YwgyGRMPvmJAvlBwQ7gUq6dMpcRLlGX8QkTQsUgyF9Yc3XfIsOBx5vCbEUnL3CPy9kiQuGdQAGNXAbam91LvhUaHFlYzQ/s1600/prov.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLICCx2Tb3lcvuMgZnh-WmizsWqM9taCdzBAisYPy5oL4K-YwgyGRMPvmJAvlBwQ7gUq6dMpcRLlGX8QkTQsUgyF9Yc3XfIsOBx5vCbEUnL3CPy9kiQuGdQAGNXAbam91LvhUaHFlYzQ/s320/prov.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gettin' ready for a bike warm-up :) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KVwxiW0wbNQVOyFfvKR_POGYs-R_NrXIwlBxedEk7ztQ6mfk9Rk0j_falE_86EGFgPXDM390WNUScs_IcGRFj0q7-uz16gQkuEI14G0XY1t7Keg_twUK5PDukaSkImlX5MmQODu-7A/s1600/Image%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KVwxiW0wbNQVOyFfvKR_POGYs-R_NrXIwlBxedEk7ztQ6mfk9Rk0j_falE_86EGFgPXDM390WNUScs_IcGRFj0q7-uz16gQkuEI14G0XY1t7Keg_twUK5PDukaSkImlX5MmQODu-7A/s320/Image%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Love all the Cali trees, crazy beautiful aloe plants, vegetation, sunsets & more! Puuurty purty.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076664674696079633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475562250920197610.post-38529196468390863312013-08-27T17:47:00.001-04:002013-08-28T11:19:08.099-04:00Lobster flavored Humble Pie<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_12017" style="font-size: small; font-weight: bold;">Rev3 Maine</span></span><br />
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_12017" style="font-size: small; font-weight: bold;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Short-n-sweet race report:</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Well I definitely wanted to race faster last weekend! There are a
couple key things I'd change if I could do it over, and the rest is just
part of the getting-race-fit process that will improve as I continue to
up the intensity in training. Read more to get the detailed scoop, or
skip down to the pics to get some of the Maine moments of the weekend.
(Haha, yes pun intended.) :)</span><br />
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_11860">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_11859" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_11996" style="font-weight: bold;">Reality/Reflection:</span></span></div>
<ul id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_11855">
<li id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_11858"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">This race was my first Olympic distance triathlon since last
September. Most athletes are close to peaking at this point in the
season, but my body is still going through the shock of getting race
fit. It's a process.</span></li>
<li id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_11857"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I haven't been training with intensity very long, & that's something ya can't win without.</span></li>
<li id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_11856"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Finished w/o any injuries; gained a lot of experience; was in the
mix (although I was sort of the clump that didn't really mix in well -
ha) </span></li>
<li id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_11854"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">For the 1.5 weeks before the race, I was sick, so my training
leading up to the race was sleeping 12+ hours & sitting in the
sauna 20 mins. Not ideal but at least I was healthy by race morning.</span></li>
</ul>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_11853">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_12170" style="font-weight: bold;">The Bad & Ugly:</span></span></div>
<ul id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_11849">
<li id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_11852"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I have come to realize that full wetsuit swims are (for me) synonymous to Gollum's statement "We <i><b>hates</b></i>
them!" I came out of the water 17th out of 19. And swimming is my
strength! Yikes! Swimming in a full wetsuit makes me feel like I'm
slow-motion, spinning my arms in molasses. I have a long torso, long
stroke, & broad shoulders. I feel like there are bungee cords
attached to my arms when I wear a wetsuit. Maybe sleeveless is a better
option for me - as long as I keep my core warm, I can also keep my own
swim stroke.</span></li>
<li id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_11848"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">*T1* was not my friend. I've read that some athletes said it was 800m
from the swim exit to get to our bikes, others said 400m. I have zero
fat on the bottom of my feet (genetic), so my nerves are separated from the
pavement by a layer of skin. Ouch. If I do this race next year I'll put shoes by the swim
exit to protect my feet. The bottoms of my feet are still bruised.</span></li>
<li id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_11850"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">My bike watt avg was ~45w below what should've been reasonable for
me. Double yikes. The run was survival. Perhaps the bike & run
were sub-par because too much life was sucked out of me from the swim & T1. </span></li>
<li id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_11851"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">TSA inspected my bike box and then crammed everything back in there.
As a result, my wheel and shifting on the bike arrived with problems. Even the bike
support at the race tried to help but sort of made it worse, but Alex
Poon w/ Rev3 helped me out a lot! Thanks :) To avoid those atrocities on
the way home, I Fedex'd the "precious" back (keeping the theme
LOTR)...and it was cheaper than Delta's ridiculous $150 fee for checking
a bike. </span></li>
</ul>
<div id="yiv9078946458yui_3_7_2_38_1377301958858_61">
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_11997">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_12169" style="font-weight: bold;">The Good: </span></span></div>
</div>
<ul id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_11999">
<li id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_12018"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Race course (*minus T1*)</span></li>
<li id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_11998"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Rev3 staff acts like they'd put on races for fun w/o pay - great atmosphere</span></li>
<li id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_12000"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Beach start & open water swimming</span></li>
<li id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_12001"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Volunteers - thanks!</span></li>
<li id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_12002"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Waves Oceanfront Resort = ideal</span></li>
<li id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_12003"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ocean - salt water - beach - air quality - sunsets: nice!</span></li>
<li id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_12004"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Food: blueberries, grilled haddock sandwich, lobster </span></li>
<li id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_12005"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Stephen was so much fun to be with and so helpful & encouraging :)</span></li>
<li id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_12006"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Showing up at the start line healthy is a huge blessing - so
thankful to have the opportunity to compete & use the
gifts/talent the Lord has given me. After several injuries, a surgery
& a procedure, I also know it's a true gift to be able to work
hard! </span></li>
</ul>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_12007" style="background-color: transparent; color: black;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">All in all, there's more good than bad. And the bad will be
remedied! As a competitor, it's just not fun to race when I'm not quite
race fit (& then added mistakes to the day). I mean, that's pretty
obvious, right? ...whatever we do in life, it's way more fun to be
excellent and if it's a competition, winning is the goal! But it's also
important to maintain true perspective on reality & manage expectations.</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_12008">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_12009">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">On
a personal level, I'm confident that this earthly kingdom is not
eternal, there is more, and no matter what happens in my *mist* of a
life here, my story has the best, most happy ending beyond anything I
can imagine with Jesus my Lord! </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_12010">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_12011">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I am so very thankful
for all the support I've been given from Pilot Flying J, Provision
Performance Lab, HUB Endurance Multisport Shop, & Retirement
Planning Services. It's truly fun to represent these companies &
know people who work there who are top-notch! At the Rev3 race, I was
wearing a Team Pilot shirt one day. A lady (Jean) approached me as I was
waiting on my bike to be fixed...She said, "Is there a Pilot booth? I
love Pilots! We always stop there - we've travelled all over the US,
even Alaska with our family...love their coffee! Please tell them hi
& pass it on!" I feel like that scenario could happen with all 4
companies that support me. Thankyouthankyouthankyou. </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_12012">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377605166529_12013">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Here are a few pictures from the weekend...Cheers!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">bethany </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">building bike...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">moment before I turned around and put on my wetsuit for a warmup swim</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stephen had a Lady Vol swim cap sighting in the Atlantic on Friday ;)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise race morn!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off to do a pre-race warm-up</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jogging to the start line...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCsqWP-Imt09Vx16nxaQQUMn_tbEk0k1s_xo48Auh6JgOhxm6frqvms6w_OaVXhg7b7MDbRTWcelPxkrX5DBNYjIlIxrFCQqhTKTLAsFJ2ZuexYIgVPMSyfIIz3yCm2C5nnpxVrfONA/s1600/07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCsqWP-Imt09Vx16nxaQQUMn_tbEk0k1s_xo48Auh6JgOhxm6frqvms6w_OaVXhg7b7MDbRTWcelPxkrX5DBNYjIlIxrFCQqhTKTLAsFJ2ZuexYIgVPMSyfIIz3yCm2C5nnpxVrfONA/s320/07.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Right before the horn...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-7x-Hz1mw3suBvzBlaBo-052t3oTiEFk66C6KYUm-rdeylybEzRX8khMdpybn4riyc7dr_xOGoyx5ssKEVPhL8KZfhu9Q2noceQlIbtLhYYDES8Tt1lAiInPdBpp87cGUYag0TbYwQ/s1600/08.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-7x-Hz1mw3suBvzBlaBo-052t3oTiEFk66C6KYUm-rdeylybEzRX8khMdpybn4riyc7dr_xOGoyx5ssKEVPhL8KZfhu9Q2noceQlIbtLhYYDES8Tt1lAiInPdBpp87cGUYag0TbYwQ/s320/08.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I look like I came from the life-sucking machine in <i>The Princess Bride</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">time to ride</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">about to dismount into T2</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">a few more steps to the finish line...(clearly a good thing!)</span></td></tr>
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bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076664674696079633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475562250920197610.post-1723905590171553172013-08-21T18:02:00.001-04:002013-08-21T18:08:10.039-04:00New & ImprovedWhat happens when...all the pics & images on my blogspot are deleted? ...A new look, of course. :)<br />
<br />
We still have the pics on the computer but it might take a while to find them and re-post them. I think I'm of the mindset of "forgetting what lies behind, pressing on towards what lies ahead..." :)<br />
<br />
I very much appreciate Stephen's dislike of clutter, so I guess it translated to deleting a [not-so-random] Google folder of pics. haha. Oh well. I'm not all that sentimental anyways. And who wants to live in the past, right?!<br />
<br />
I'm sure we'll get some new fun pics at Rev3 Maine this weekend!<br />
Cheers!<br />
bethanybethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076664674696079633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475562250920197610.post-90853644839285208082013-08-14T16:59:00.000-04:002013-10-01T11:06:55.072-04:00The Mermaid-Cheetah Hybrid...I competed in the Springbrook Sprint Tri. Since it was a sprint, it's fitting to describe the details in a sprint fashion:<br />
Swim: 200 yd snake swim was interesting (but hey - thankful to have a swim!).<br />
Bike & run amounted to a good workout and a reminder that I still have a ways to go, yet also great confirmation that I'm healthy and getting more fit every week - Yay!<br />
<br />
Everyone was very friendly and lots of people who I didn't know cheered for me - thanks! I also loved seeing my brother, sisinlaw, & their 3 little munchkins cheering for me, along with my parents! (Before the race, my 2 yr old niece told me she wore her mermaid shirt for me & my 4 yr old nephew told me to "zoom like a cheetah"...That combo sounds like a pretty solid goal for a triathlon: the mermaid-cheetah hybrid. I'll definitely have to remember that!)<b> </b>Stephen was out of town, so he was cheering from his medical physics conference in Indy. ;)<br />
<br />
I got 4th overall & won the women by 5 minutes. It was fun to meet people & enjoy the beauty of East TN! Emily took some sweet pics from the race morning & posted them to her blog<u> <a href="http://www.spencerandemilyhall.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a></u>... <br />
<br />
<u><i>Other note-worthy headlines in our lives:</i></u><br />
1. We s-o-l-d our house in Tulsa! (For real this time!) Thankful for that process (actually produced some sweet treasures!)...and/but also thankful it's OVER! ha. Onwards...<br />
2. We gained a new bro-in-law! It was fun & special to celebrate with fam & friends to see Stephen's lovely sis tie the knot last weekend! Cheers to the newly-weds!<br />
3. First pro race comin' up at Rev3 Maine! It will also be my first Oly tri of the yr...pretty exciting! Thankful to be able to jump into the mix!<br />
<br />
:) bethany bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076664674696079633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475562250920197610.post-71399337089495115892013-07-30T15:31:00.001-04:002013-08-14T19:02:20.633-04:008k Road Race...baby steps!Only in TN would a state championship race take place at midnight in the midst of a hoppin' Pigeon Forge. That's my home state!! :) haha. I was encouraged to go 31:22 in the 8k (5 mile) race. It landed me 3rd behind 2 super swift pro runners...one (Sarah Brown) who finaled in the Oly Trials last year and just ran in the semi-finals in Moscow World Champs!<br />
Starting a race at midnight definitely makes you feel like you can't get out of the twilight zone for a couple days. It's like jogging into the land of Jetlag...and getting lost ;) <br />
Thankful for another good workout in the bank (or hay barn) & more baby steps toward fitness and also mature racing. It was also particularly fun because it was the first time I've made $$ as a profesh athlete.<br />
Pilot Flying J sponsored the race - thanks! A few pics...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my man! xo (we sort of look like we should be asleep - haha)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FLbgzDiWizw/UfgP6h0KK9I/AAAAAAAAC4M/O3Lck1z8D90/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FLbgzDiWizw/UfgP6h0KK9I/AAAAAAAAC4M/O3Lck1z8D90/s320/014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dad's helpful words right before the start = "I'd like to see you negative split..."</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wheelchair race w/ background of Pigeon Forge's "neon jungle" (surprisingly hoppin' at the midnight hour! ha)</td></tr>
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<br />bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076664674696079633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475562250920197610.post-26464595217706625642013-07-23T14:15:00.000-04:002013-07-26T12:30:52.923-04:00First Race: Check!<br />
It was so much fun to finally get to represent my sponsors at the Chattanooga Waterfront Race!! I am so blessed to be supported by <a href="http://www.pilotflyingj.com/" target="_blank">Pilot Flying J</a>, <a href="http://provisionperformance.com/" target="_blank">Provision Performance Lab</a>, <a href="http://www.seriousretirement.com/" target="_blank">Retirement Planning Services</a>, and <a href="http://hubendurance.com/" target="_blank">HUB Endurance Multisport Shop</a>. What a neat and unique opportunity to meet incredible people from all of these companies. Wow, I'm so thankful!!<br />
<br />
Chattanooga Waterfront was pretty brutal, but on par with expectations. I got 8th overall, behind 3 pros and 4 amateurs. It was a duathlon because of the high water level, dangerous current, bacteria-infested TN River. Of course any race w/o a swim is a bummer, but the goal was still achieved: A really good workout.<br />
<br />
My runway to take off into fitness land (yes, that is a real place; wink wink) is an extended one but the benefits of taking longer will give me a much better chance of being faster later, as well as healthy along the journey. I haven't done race-pace or above training, so....racing for over 2 hours was a form of torture (that I chose). Racing without being in really good shape is never fun!! But there's no way around that in order to get fit and back in the hunt.<br />
<br />
Experience is valuable yet it takes time to gain it! During this race, I realized that I don't like my new cycling shoes I got last fall...nor my new saddle that came with my TT bike. Both sort of wooed me with "latest, greatest, favorite" type adjectives...and since many pieces of equipment need adjustment phases, I just kept thinking I'd eventually love them like many others did! Not so, but...No big dealio - trial and error is part of the job. Also I still need to figure out a good race running shoe for my feet
that I can run sockless in w/o the result of my feet resembling raw
hamburger meat post-race. The past 2 races, painting my feet with NewSkin hasn't done the trick. I'm sure I'll figure it out soon.<br />
<br />
My first group ride since early March (when I had an injury flare-up) was last weekend, and boy was that fun! I love training with people and trying to keep up. It sure makes the pain fun and I love getting to know really amazing people. I'm excited to keep on adding social torture rides and runs, & getting fit and racing more!<br />
<br />
Below are a few pics of the Chatt race...so much fun to have my hubby and parents there to cheer me on! ThankFULL!<br />
Bethany<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warm-up ride Saturday</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gettin' ready in the hotel room...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">off I go into the 42K bike course...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pDCIvXYB-Eg/Ue7F9YvfRWI/AAAAAAAAC2k/Yb36bTNGmhk/s1600/chatt10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pDCIvXYB-Eg/Ue7F9YvfRWI/AAAAAAAAC2k/Yb36bTNGmhk/s320/chatt10.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start of run #2...here come the hills again!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...almost there!</td></tr>
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<br />bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076664674696079633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475562250920197610.post-74740804218937380912013-07-01T12:07:00.002-04:002013-07-01T12:07:34.159-04:00First race around the corner!My first race of the season will be Chattanooga Waterfront in 2 weeks. I'm so thankful to be healthy & get the season rollin'!!<br />
Training is progressing at a normal speed. I'll take normal after having a few months of backslide! :)<br />
Cheers!<br />
bethany <br />
PS: On a side note, happy birthday to my phenomenal dad! What a courageous, hilarious, tender, tough, wise, strong (ie, wiry! ha) guy! ...not to mention swift ;)<br />
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<br />bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076664674696079633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475562250920197610.post-90972834969138652692013-06-11T10:39:00.003-04:002013-06-11T11:03:04.158-04:00Seasons<br />
Life definitely has its variety of seasons.<br />
<br />
I'm continuously learning a lot about waiting, patience, and probably more importantly how the Lord sees my life's daily, mundane, agonizingly frustrating means/tasks = to the end. The means (ie, the journey) IS the end - those are the juicy parts of life that end up being the significant & transformational parts (or <i>just </i>as meaningful as the goals that were realized later)...I learn more about the Lord and who He is in my journey rather than if I had no struggle and instantly had perfect success at whatever I was doing! ...similar to the caterpillar's journey/struggle to become a butterfly. If anyone cuts the cocoon early, the caterpillar ain't gonna have the strength to fly<i>...And the Lord loves me way more than a little worm! Yahoo!</i><br />
<br />
This season of waiting is seemingly super-glued to Stephen and me.
Waiting on our house to sell in Tulsa, waiting on the house in Knoxville
to be liveable, waiting on my muscles to adapt to my new healthy
body/new bike positions/new aerobic work... Each of
those categories have multiple subcategories under them that
involve sloth-like slow happenings and it's down-right refining to choose to trust the Lord & follow Him in the midst of foggy uncertainty. <br />
<br />
It's true that in our desert seasons in life, we're learning lots of treasures that we'd
never learn if we hadn't been locked in a waiting hold for all this
time. But, boy this life would be depressing if we were <i>only</i> out to seek success
by the world's definitions. FAIL!<br />
<br />
Although I'm not completely free of the waiting zone for training/racing, I'm feeling healthy (!!) and can swim, bike, & run...and even sweat - this is a
good thing for a professional triathlete! ;) The start line is in sight!<br />
<br />
Thankful to the Lord for all His gifts, even the not-so-fun ones!<br />
bethany<br />
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bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076664674696079633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475562250920197610.post-6896080188955199482013-05-21T11:37:00.000-04:002013-05-21T20:46:26.435-04:00OK TornadoesMy heart is aching for the people who lost everything in the tornadoes this week.<br />
<br />
My friend, Beth Pickard, (who lives in OK) posted this:<br />
<i><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">"I
know I'm a disaster worker has-been but I hope you will consider this.
Though it's hard, and though it isn't very appealing, financial giving
is the best way to help in a disaster. Collecting and sending
toiletries, clothing, food, furniture, etc, can be such a hardship in
recovery. It takes a tremendous amount of space & manpower to sort
clean and distribute these items. I have seen piles and piles of these
items abandon on road sides because some well meaning people gave
generously from their hearts, and yet there was no way to deal with the
massive influx of goods during the recovery. (This is a first for me,
but I would be thankful if you would share this post.)"</span></i><br />
<br />
<u><b><i><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Salvation Army's video says the same thing:</span></i></b></u><br />
<i><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na3j8T_tFCw" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na3j8T_tFCw </a></span></i><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">My severe lack of experience in things like being a victim to acts of terrorism and also weather/natural disasters doesn't leave me much in knowing how to help...but...</span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Money, prayers, listening ears, time, energy & a shoulder to cry on...Lord help me love others better!</span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">~bethany</span>bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076664674696079633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475562250920197610.post-15155403081506678542013-05-13T19:41:00.001-04:002013-05-13T21:00:51.504-04:00Rev3 5K Glow Run, Rev3 Knoxville, Mother's Day<br />
May 3rd was the Rev3 Glow Run. All the $$ went to the Gross/Brannock families, injured in the Boston explosions. Yay! Team Pilot had a bunch of participants, and the Lady Vols & Vols past and present were also there! It was so much fun to briefly see and catch up with some old friends and join together to support Nicole, Michael, & Erika! They have a Be Strong Stay Strong account set up if you want to still donate to them.<br />
<br />
That weekend was the Rev3 Knoxville triathlon. It was disappointing to not race, but it was in my best interest, and confirmed by a doc, PT, coach, and family! ...I listened :)<br />
<br />
Pilot Flying J had a tent set up Fri/Sat/Sun, and I happily hung out there for a chunk of the weekend! What fun, great people to be with! In addition to PFJers in the tent, also great people - the Truckers to Triathletes team & Pete Thomas - were there too. Although it was quite a soggy time, it didn't dampen our spirits under the tent! It reminded me that it doesn't matter where you go or what you do, it's all about who you're with! Definitely.<br />
<br />
We were excited to host my pro triathlete friend from Tulsa, Jessica. It was great to have her stay with us! She got 6th place in the race - woot! It was nasty weather - hard rain, cool temps; a job well done!<br />
Just cheering in it wiped me out ;)<br />
Magali's mom was so generous to give me a poncho to put over my raincoat - boy was that a lifesaver! It was fun to chat with her and cheer on Magali.<br />
<br />
Sunday, Provision's tent was ready to attract a lot of people, but it was so nasty outside that even standing under the tent was slightly miserable. We had fun for a bit, but the weather made the event short-lived. Next time, it'll be a great set-up!<br />
<br />
Mother's Day was yesterday - yay! So much fun to celebrate the mothers in our lives! Wow, I am so thankful for amazing acts of love that I have been shown from my mom, Grama, Stephen's mom, Emily, and so many other family & friends! Thaaank you for your amazing examples to learn from. XOs<br />
<br />
Happy Mid-May to yas!<br />
bethanybethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076664674696079633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475562250920197610.post-62492217929624214762013-05-01T12:31:00.002-04:002013-05-01T14:27:41.698-04:00East TN springs of color & Truth<br />
I'm now realizing that East TN is overwhelmingly gorgeous with its many flowers, green things, & singing things that bud, grow, live (& thrive!) around here. Perhaps it was living in Hohhot, China (near the Gobi Desert) for 3 years & then Oklahoma for 4 years that finally opened my eyes & ears to the winter-to-spring transformation of colors, chirps, and songs. <br />
<br />
Similarly, maybe basement-life (we like to call it cave-dwelling, haha) for a year+ will snap us into realizing what a huge <b>gift</b> it is to have a house! (As in, "Wow! We have a HOUSE!" as well as "Wow! We have ONE house!") Besides, in terms of caves, it's pretty much the most luxurious cave, <i>EVER</i>...better than 99% of the rest of the world's accommodations. <br />
<br />
More than anything right now, it's the surplus of indefinite circumstances that really drains on us. I'm pretty sure that if you originally told us it would be a year in the basement, we'd be feeling less drained than we are now. Ahh, the parallel to trusting the Lord and also having faith in Him alone! The latest indefinite circumstance that seems to drag on is that our electrician is over a week late - he always has an amazing excuse for not being able to come. Hmm. This sort of thing is starting to feel like the norm and not surprising. I guess in an exaggerated way, it makes us realize that the only one who is 100% reliable, trustworthy, dependable...is Jesus. <br />
<br />
There's joy in the journey - especially when there are significant perspective shifts & reality checks, which healthily chip down things until you get closer to the things that really matter. <br />
It was good to be reminded by our Bible Study leaders, Steve & Mary Bailey, that although the Lord doesn't give us more temptations than we can handle, He allows more challenges than we can handle so that we are forced to depend on Him! What a delicious Truth nugget :) And since that's where we are, we can cling to the Lord and be refined in the fire! All good things.<br />
<br />
Cheers!<br />
bethanybethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076664674696079633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475562250920197610.post-78463534152671316442013-04-20T12:56:00.000-04:002013-04-25T20:15:14.279-04:00Making Sense of the Sensory OverloadShew, this week has been nothing short of a sensory overload.<br />
<br />
Starting out with Monday morning - it's my birthday! ...finished with taxes, fun lunch date with my main squeeze, heard from some sweet fam&friends, family coming for dinner...thankful for so much lovins!<br />
<br />
Then news of the Boston marathon hit - what in the world? A Lady Vol friend, teammate, and overall generous, positive, helpful
person and her family were devastatingly affected by the Boston
explosions. And then the TX explosion occurred later...uuuugh. <br />
<br />
The past 6 weeks, my neck has been healing from a set-back that I thought was a silly, no big dealio thing at first and then it gave me some deja vu feelings of 3 yrs ago. Triple yuck.<br />
<br />
Thursday I had to tell Rev3 Knoxville staff I couldn't race on May 5th. This Knoxville race was THE race I was most looking forward to all year for so many reasons! Ah, the week is spiraling downwards....and then I'm reminded that the background of my life the past year is still chugging along in below-par circumstances. We're still the couple that's paying for 2 mortgages while living in my parents' basement. Next month will make a year of this situation. Yes, if we were omniscient, we would have made more than a few different choices!!<br />
<br />
Originally, we sold our Tulsa house for a great price in the 1st week it was on the market, but the buyers' financing fell through a weekish before we closed. The past 11 months have included with that house enough drama for a part-time job. Last Fall, we bought a house in Knoxville with the professional inspector's vote of confidence that it was "a great house!" with no major problems...so we plan to move in on day 2 (day one was ripping up the carpet) and meanwhile our handyman fell.through.the.floor. Currently, our new house has no working bathroom nor kitchen and lacks ceiling and all insulation. So, needless to say...we have 2 houses that are taking the time of 2 part-time jobs, not to mention some brain power, sweat equity, and cash. And along the way, we haven't kept a perfect record of dealing with the building-on-each-other nightmare situations as we would have loved to take pride in...but by the Lord's grace, we're not able to take pride in decisions we make that turn out well - we can only boast in the Lord and His goodness for being with us always, through the good, the bad, and the ugly. We have more than enough and are so thankful for my parents' generosity of letting us live in their basement!! <br />
<br />
I'm so thankful that my neck is healing, and I'm getting back into all the sports. I've started working with a local-ish coach who I'm excited about (<a href="http://hubendurance.com/" target="_blank">Jamie Ingalls at HUB Endurance bike shop in Chattanooga</a>). I'm so very encouraged about the big picture of the season, and so thankful that Pilot Flying J, Provision, and Retirement Planning Services are all so supportive of not racing too soon with the potential to re-injure my neck. Better safe than sorry, and then have to re-set back to zero...or worse, ruin my season altogether.<br />
<br />
Friday there was an <a href="http://www.charter.net/news/read.php?rip_id=%3CDA5P9B7O2%40news.ap.org%3E&ps=1018&src=facebook" target="_blank">earthquake in China</a> that caused more devastation and killing 156. NO! ...As well as catching the 2nd suspect of the Boston explosions - YES!<br />
<br />
Highs and lows. I read <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2013/04/19/the-marathoners-fragile-glory/" target="_blank">this article</a> this morning and thought it was insightful about events and life, although I never want to ask for tragedy, trials, or suffering...<br />
<br />
In the midst of the sensory overload, only enhanced by social media, I know that God is trustworthy and faithful...and unchangeable. He is with me always and lives inside me. And when life doesn't make sense, I'm comforted that my human, imperfect brain can't always wrap itself around the "Whys?!" of this short life. <br />
<br />
Bethanybethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076664674696079633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1475562250920197610.post-76421093722450769862013-04-19T14:55:00.000-04:002013-04-19T15:05:05.369-04:00The Dream Team<a href="http://www.seriousretirement.com/" target="_blank">Retirement Planning Services, LLC</a> is made up of a team of people synonymous to The Dream Team, and what an honor to be supported by them!<br />
<br />
I don't know how to more accurately describe RPS than to say that the success of their business depends not only on making money for their clients, (or sometimes saving their clients from losing money!), but also depends on the personal trust and relationship that is built over time.<br />
<br />
I've worked at the office, and also have attended some client banquets, and I can wholeheartedly say that RPS clients are more than satisfied with the services provided to them! Every member of RPS's staff is "in their element" in terms of their job position at RPS. It's no surprise why their clients love them and completely trust them! Their conservative, proven approach is refreshing and timely, especially with the economy in the state that it is right now.<br />
<br />
RPS has my highest recommendation!<br />
Bethany<br />
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<br />bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076664674696079633noreply@blogger.com0