What it takes

I completed my fourth triathlon today.  I'm very proud of this, however, I would like to say I completed it at a faster time than I actually did.  We swam 300m, biked 15miles, and ran a 5K.  I did this in just over an hour, I wish I'd done it about 10 minutes quicker, but in the world of triathlons, that's a HUGE difference!  I ran into some obstacles like our very foul weather over the last 2 months here in West Virginia and since I don't have a swimming pool, indoor bike, or a treadmill at my home, I definitely missed some workouts.  I will plan these next 5 weeks before the next race to do more brick training and pray for better weather.
My ultimate goal is to do my first outdoor triathlon.  I've only ever done indoor races because I have an unnecessary fear of open water and road rash from a bike spill.   I am hoping to do the Charlie Williamson Memorial Triathlon here in West Virginia, but I will cross that bridge slowly.

I love doing tri's and I think that anyone can work toward it.  Sure, you won't come in and smoke everyone around you right away (or even after 1 year and four races), but it is a goal, it's something to get into the gym for besides a smaller jean size.  I also feel like I'm setting a good example for my daughter by showing her that fitness and health are a way of life.  My husband and I usually like to train together, even though he's a lot faster than I am, but this is a great bonding time for us too ( the picture below has him in the pool and on the right). He actually raced on a team this time because he injured his knee.

 

 

So, how do you get into them? Look for a tri-club at your gym or YMCA, talk to your personal trainers, or even pick up a book (I like Triathlon Training in Four Hours a Week by Eric Harr).  The triathlons are so popular these days that there is almost certainly a way to become involved in your area.  I personally got into it while in spin class at my YMCA, our instructor asked my friend and me if we were going to race and well, the rest is history!

I encourage everyone to find an active outlet, it is extremely rewarding and fulfilling!

Randee's Procreation Project part Deaux

Randee is my sweet friend whom I met while we were working as night shift labor and delivery nurses. She is one of the sweetest people that I know and I'm a better person because she's my friend! So when she had her first little boy (3 years old now) it's no wonder I made her a special "custom" bag that I've never made before or since!  When she came to me last fall and requested that I make another bag the exact same way, but out of different material for her new little one I couldn't remember what I had made the first time, so she sent me the bag (made with a Michael Miller fabric) that I had made 3 years ago.

It is so cute and luckily I used the same pattern I use for my big diaper bags (see Lotsa Dots for a Girl or the Roll Tide Bag), but I made it out of cotton! So I had to dig through a less experienced me from 3 years ago and make her a new bag from Sock Monkey Fabric that she is doing his nursery in.

I took some tips (mistakes) from the past, such as the falling ruffle, and reinforced this new bag with stabilizer on EVERY piece of fabric. I then used a heavier fleece stabilizer inside to give it body, I also used a fusible fleece in the handles. This bag took about 7 hours and 3 orders from my favorite fabric store to complete. But I have to say, I'm pleased with the result! I really like it!

I also added a burp cloth and bib (a free pattern I'll revisit as a tutorial later) from some leftover fabric.

Well I hope she loves this bag and I can't believe I recreated it!

And the winner is......

Alicia Johnson!!!

Alicia, Sam LOVES board games, that was the closer.  She liked the ones that mentioned hot chocolate, but her favorite ended up being the idea of making sweets and playing board games.   So congrats! Get with me and we'll decide on your monogram!

I have to give Honorable Mention to Erin's idea of spray bottles full of colored water to paint the snow with.  I think I would like to try that, what a creative idea!

Here is a picture of what Sammy and I were up to day.  And thanks for those of you who entered this little blog contest.  I've got a super fun one for next time too!

 

 

My First Blog Contest!

Well this weekend we had another big fat snow dump; this resulted in the cancellation of our Saturday triathlon, thus resulting in my being bummed out. On the plus side, we're rescheduling the triathlong for 2 weeks from now and this might actually give me a chance to increase my swim time! Yay!

Since I couldn't do a triathlon I've decided to do a give away!!!! This is my very first give away! I wanted to do something that would be simple and cute and personal. I worried a bag would take too long and I've got other orders awaiting my attention, I didn't want to do a child's outfit because I worried that maybe the winner wouldn't have a child (or grandchild), so I decided that to go along with Valentine's Day I would embroider some cute hand towels for the winner!

I am going to embroider these towels you see in the picture with the winners Last initial and either the married monogram or the winner's monogram--their choice-- in red!

I know I should probably be MAKING something to give away, but I thought these would be a nice trade for my time.

So, if you'd like to enter to win these oh-so-cute towels here's how, just write in the comments section your favorite snow-day activity to do with the kids! I'm running into a lot of these snowy days and I'd like to know your favorite way to beat the bordem!

Good Luck! I'll post the winner on Friday!!!!!!