My Dearest Niki

As I write this blog today it has been a little over a week since my dearest sweetest Niki has passed. She was the light of my life and I loved her more than life itself. She was there to greet me everyday when I came home from work and was there every morning before I even woke up. She was my best friend and has been there for me when no others could.

She lost her battle with seizures. We helped her with these as much as we could and she finally couldn't fight it anymore. They got the best of her and they did alot of damage. The brain damage was so bad that she wasn't herself anymore. She couldn't see or walk. Poor Rex wanted her so badly to see him she just couldn't. I cried that Tuesday and Wednesday. I was not ready to let her go. But just as I wasn't ready to let go she was ready to let go of the battle she had fought for so long.

She was the best thing that had ever happened to us. She made the house fill full when it was empty and gave Rex the best friend he never had.

Funny story about her, we got her because Collin really wanted her and wanted a big dog and was hell bent on have a shepherd. I just went along with it and was like ok, hopefully she won't eat my baby Rex. We rescued her from people who didn't love her. We have her shelter, food and love. And wouldn't you know, she became my dog! She was mine and we laugh about it to this day. I was the one who showed her what real love was when there wasn't anyone around.

She has been laid to rest and is now rest in the living room watching over us and protecting us. Collin swears he heard someone creepy around the other night at 2:30am but I really think it was niki wondering around making sure we were ok and protecting us. I know that sounds crazy but I really think she is. I do find comfort knowing she is at home with me now and knowing that one day we will all meet again at the rainbow bridge. I hope she is healthy and running free and making new friends in heaven.

Here's to you Niki, the best dog that has ever entered our lives! We love and miss you and will never forget you miss beautiful!

Just happenings...

So I don't get alot of things going on right now. Maybe I'm not suppose to. Maybe it is my time to sit back, shut up and just lay low and that is what I'm doing now.

Seems there are some hawk eyes watching my facebook these days. If people actually believe anything on there is true for one minute, then you need to check yourself before you wreck yourself. So I've started cleaning house on facebook, really setting privacy settings and deleting those hawk eyes that are bothering me so much. I do facebook for fun and once the fun is taken out of it, well I'm done with it.

I'm trying to get back to the fun things in life. Trying out new fitness classes. Trying to get back in better shape and just lose some pounds. As much as it is killing me, it is good for me.

Ok, here is to hoping and praying that other things in my life start improving and things start moving in a more positive direction.

No desire...at least right now

I just have no desire to do a triathlon. Over the last month I've said I would enter Galveston Half Ironman and as the new year rolls around and I have to face getting on the bike and doing spin class in the evenings, I'm really not liking it all that much.

I kinda feel that I'm almost done with triathlons. I want to ride my bike, but I want to do it outdoors and the weather right now is not allowing me to do that.

If I do a tri, I just want to to keep it short and simple. I want to have something to train for but nothing long.

I really enjoy my life right now of going home and doing P90x or running a few miles in the hood and that is about it.

Lets see what 2011 will bring.....

Wow...2010 was a was a great year. Of course, just like everything else it had its ups and downs, but overall it was a great year. Collin and I made new friends, caught up with old friends, found out that we love "camping" on the Frio and that I don't have to train for a triathlon or be a part of a group do exercise all the time.

So now that 2011 has started I'm going to see if I can better a few things in my life. I need to eat better a few times a week. I'm always complaining about my weight...well I need to drink less vodka and eat less burgers and fries and eat more fruits and veggies. This mean that Collin and I will have to cook more at home. But I'm going to make an attempt at this a few times a week and on the weekends.

Encourage Collin more to workout. He complains just like I do about weight, being out of shape and whatever else, so I'm going to start encouraging him to workout out with me. Doing the workouts together will also help both of us.

I've already signed up for a few events just so I will somewhat train. I'm doing the Tough Mudder on January 29th. 10 miles, 16 obstacles, I think I can manage this. On February 20th I'm doing a half marathon. Even if I have to walk part of it, I'm doing it. It is about having fun and doing my first half marathon that isn't tied to a swim and a bike before hand. On April 10th I'm saying I'm doing Herman Memorial Half Ironman. I haven't signed up, don't know why maybe I'm trying to fight that inner demon that says why do this when you don't have to and fighting the other one saying go ahead you will already be trained for the running portion.

I'm hoping we will get to make it to San Francisco in May for Bay to Breakers. With the way gas prices and airline tickets are going up, who knows if we will be able to.

For now, these are just some of the things that I have in mind for 2011. I'm not making them a resolution, goals, or whatever they are suppose to be, but something I'm just hoping I can do and if not, well I did my best and I have to forget the rest.

Wowwzzzzaaaaa

Well what can I say. I haven't been on here in a while. I haven't really had much to blog about these days. Kinda crazy for me.

Well since July, I really haven't accomplished much. I've manged to pick up shooting a shot gun which I LOVE! I love trap and skeet shooting. I have my own gun and I have all the gear to look the part I'm just not that great. Better than the boys I go with but hey, that's a woman with a gun for you. We are just better :)

I've managed to go camping at Garner State Park twice. And when I say camping, I mean, staying in a full air conditioned cabin with full kitchen and bath rooms and beds. So I'm not roughing it.

We have started hanging out with some of the best people ever. Cliff and Jessica mean the world to us and I'm very grateful for their friends.

After much though over the last month and watching everyone finish Ironman Florida, Arizona and Kona, I'm committed to signing up for another half ironman in Galveston! That's right, and actual official MDOT sanctioned race! I've completed two halves before just not the official ironman backing it. So it will be fun to do. It isn't until the end of April, so I have lots of time.

I've also committed to running the Austin Half Marathon. I figure what the heck, I can do 13 miles in my sleep, ok I used to could do 13 miles in my sleep. But I think it won't be much of a problem. I'm just out there to complete it and have a good time.

As for everything else, I'm getting ready to put of the Christmas Tree (pictures to come), help with Christmas Affair in Austin with Hillary, travel to Tempe, Arizona for IMAZ, do the Turkey Trot and Thanksgiving, enjoy lots of food with the in-laws, shop, go to Christmas parties, travel home for the holidays, camping at Garner State Park for the New Year, travel to New York for my first ever Jewish Wedding for my dear penpal, Austin Half Marathon, Hermann Memorial Half Ironman, Bay to Breakers in Cali.

WOOWWWZZZZAAAAA...that is alot to do in the next 6-7 months but hey, it will keep me on my toes and hopefully help me lose my weight and get to enjoy some of the best friends in my entire life.

Been a while...but here it goes

So back in May I did two races...I did the Rookie Tri once again. I completely surprised myself with my time! 1 hour and 8 minutes! WHOOO HOOOO! I beat my time from the last two times I did this race. I had a good race and a good run.

Then came Bay to Breakers in California. This was the best race, funniest race I've ever done. I am going back out next year just to do it again! Plus I just love Cali.

In June I did Pflugerville Tri. I did good. The swim and bike were great for me and the run, well, it could have been better. It was hot and humid and I was just hurting. I had dehydration that week so I was going into this not feeling 100%. But I finish in 1 hour and 33 minutes. Not bad, That was my best overall sprint distance time.

July 5th, well, not such a good day. I was hit by a car on my bike. She was turning into whataburger and nailed me. Still nursing the scrapes and bruises, need to get the bike fixed but other than that I'm fine. Thank God she wasn't moving any faster than what she was. Stupid woman.

So I sit here now and say "Now What"? Well I'm for sure doing the Austin Half Marathon on Feb 20th. I'm also going to do Austin Tri to finish the season up. I can't decide if I want to do a tri in August or not. We will see what happens.

LoneStar Sprint Triathlon

Wow, what a weekend. Thursday night, my pen pal Leslie came into town for a bachelorette weekend with other friends. We were able to spend some time together which was great. Friday we dropped her off downtown and we headed to Galveston.

We get down there and of course the wind is blowing. Go figure. I have yet to be down there and it not blow it's butt off. Friday night I went to bed to wake up sweating at about 2am. The electricity had gone out. They were having 75mph winds that night. So 5am came early and quickly after that point.

I get up get dressed, eat and we make our way down to the race site. I set up my transition and meet up with Collin and we make our way down to the swim start. I did my warm up swim and get out and think well, it's only 500 meters I have to swim in this rough water, I can do this.

We wait around and it starts raining a little. Then the wind just gets worse and wave are rolling in now in the bay. They delay the start 15 minutes. Before I know it they cancel the swim and we all head back to transition to get on our bikes to do a bike and a run.

At this point, I'm mentally over this race. I pack up all my gear and hand it to Collin and get my bike and head out and make it back to the motel.

I came in FIRST...first one back to the hotel from the race I think as I just bailed. I didn't want to ride in the wind with those rookies and have my race wheels and the wind yank me all over the road.

So there it is. The no race race report.