32 Thank You's For 2009

I turned 32 this week. I actually thought I was turning 31 but then did the math and realized that it was actually 32. After a few tears and some bon bons, I'm finally o.k. with it and ready for a great year. But before the New Year, I have come up with 32 thank you's for 2009. And, without any of these people/products listed below this year would not have been possible or as successful as it was. So, in no particular order. Here goes...

1. Family and Friends: For everything.

2. HIT Center of Austin: Dec.- Mar. Brandon and I trained at the HIT Center to get buff. We did their Boot Camp and it was HARD.

3. Dr. Seller's at Performance Wellness: For keeping me in-line (no pun intended) and all the painful A.R.T. work that has kept me injury free this year.

4. BRANDON: For his support.

5. Homestays: We have been so fortunate this year to have some amazing homestays at a few of our races this year.

6. Longhorn Aquatics: For kicking my butt. Anyone who knows me knows I can't swim on my own.

7. My Co-worker JB: For listening and being so understanding of my racing.

8. BRANDON: For his patience.

9. Minnesota/Boulder 'Travel Club': You guys are the best!

10. Team Larabee: A local sponsor that was so generous to help us out for the year...just because.

11. All the other 'Pro' Women out there: For the great competition and always upping the ante.

12. BRANDON: For his coaching.

13. Dr. Elspermann at Airrosti: Keeping my feet plantar free with lots of kinesio tape.

14. John Cobb: For providing me with the most comfortable bike seat a girl could ask for. Those long rides have never felt so good!

15. My Loyal Blog Readers: (mainly my mom) but to the other two out there, thank you for all the kind comments, e-mails, and tweets throughout the year.

16. Performance Wellness Massage Therapists: WOW...you guys are good. Always keeping me loose for those big races. You all know where to find the pain!

17. BRANDON: For believing in me.

18. Austin Tri Cyclist: For all my triathlon needs. Can't thank you enough!

19. Rogue: For their shoes and triathlon/swim programs.

20. JW: For being available to sub all of my swim classes when I'm out of town racing.

21. TP Therapy: For my love/hate relationship with their products.

22. Pure Sport Recovery: For sponsoring us in the beginning of the year and also sponsoring some local events here in Austin.

23. George and Austin: For keeping my bike in good working order...and clean!

24. TYR: For providing me with the most comfortable race clothing.

25. First Endurance: For my nutrition and supplement needs. All I can say is what did I ever do without the Cappucinno Recovery drink?

26. Xterra: For hooking us up with some great wetsuits and speedsuits this year.

27. Red Licorice Events: For their fun unique events. Look for us at their Open Water swims for 2010.

28. Our Athletes: We are so happy you have chosen us to help you achieve your goals.

29. Volunteers: Without all of you none of these races/events could happen.

30. P.T. Dr. Phil at Performance Wellness: For all the rehab exercises to keep me healthy.

31. BRANDON: For putting up with me.

32. The Big Guy in the Sky: Enough said.

Well, there you have it folks. So, I know Brandon ended up on the list a few times but hey...he's my biggest supporter. I'm looking forward to continuing some of these relationships above and am in the process of finalizing some new potential sponsors/supporters for 2010. Should be an exciting year!

Since IMMOO I have been dealing with some tendonitis and partial tendon tear around my ankle. The off-season may be a bit longer than expected. Just taking it one day at a time right now. Again, the people above have been helping/supporting me to a quick recovery.

Thanks for reading. Enjoy the holidays and I will be back in 2010!

Just A Few Of My Favorite Things...

-The month of November. Time to celebrate Thanksgiving with our families and also Thanksforgivingamyday (aka...my birthday). Glad our families live close.

-Fall Back. Love getting an extra hour of sleep. Why can't every weekend be Fall Back.

-The cooler temperatures although not too cold! The weather is beautiful these days.

-My new mini. Yes, an early Thanksforgivingamyday present. Actually we both got one.


-Peanut butter swirl ice cream. You must try this ...so good.

-Yogurt, frozen berries and some maple syrup on top is my new snack.

-Batman and Superwoman.

-Vacations. This week we will be heading to Panama City Beach, Florida for IM FLorida. B will be competing and I will be spectating on the beach! Kind of a mini vacation. Although PCB is not an ideal vacation spot, there are beaches, sun and palm trees so what more could I ask for! It's been a long time since we've taken a vacation so I'm looking forward to getting away for a few days.

Time Off

Longhorn 70.3 is this weekend. Unfortunately, I will not be toeing the line this year. I had what I thought was a little 'niggle' in my ankle a few days after IMMOO. It has progressively gotten worse over the last few weeks. So, I am playing it safe and not going to race to prevent any further damage. It's hard not to race in your own backyard, but feel that I'm getting wiser in my old age of 31 to know what my body is able to handle...and right now my body is telling me to stop. I've been enjoying some time away from triathlon the last couple of weeks to recover mentally and physically from the long season. Good luck to all those racing this weekend. We will be out cheering somewhere along the course!

Best Wedding Entrance Ever

Saw this posted on a friends facebook page and loved it. Wish we would have done this at our wedding...

Kona 2010 (not...2009)

I just want to thank everyone for the nice messages the last couple of weeks wishing me luck in Kona this year. I hope everyone can keep those good luck wishes coming for the next 12 months because that is when I'll be racing Kona. IMMOO is the first qualifier for Kona 2010. So, I have one year to prepare for the big show (thank goodness!). What about my Buffalo Springs win for Kona 2009? Well...unless you win 70.3 Worlds there are no 'pro' slots for Kona at other 70.3 or half ironman races.

Up next...Longhorn 70.3 and then another break.

Two Reviews

Titaya's Thai Restaurant. Probably the best Chicken Pad Thai that I've had in Austin. B had some coconut curry (crap...I'm not a big fan of curry) and said it was really good too! Pretty clean place on North Lamar near 2222/Koenig. It was a small restaurant with a lot of tables and it was FULL. The service was moderate to bad, but it was crowded on a Friday evening. We'll go back.

"Little Miss Sunshine" meets "The Cleaner" and equals "Sunshine Cleaning". I think that it was the same producer LMS, it certainly had the same feel and filming. I'd give it two thumbs up. At least it didn't make me cry like "Hope Floats" did this afternoon on TV...good thing B wasn't here to see that! We should have been riding, but the couch looked more inviting than my bike seat.

Past Two Weeks Highlights

Already October. Where did September go? Just thought I would post some highlights from the last two weeks. Nothing too exciting but was nice to take some much needed recovery.

1. Ate a whole pizza by myself. This occurred after the race. I actually didn't eat the whole pizza in one sitting though. I took home the leftovers and ate the rest of it a couple of hours later. Was quite proud of myself.

2. Visited B's parents for a weekend. Celebrated his grandmother's 87th birthday. Enjoyed a relaxing weekend away from triathlon. Played on the 4-wheeler.

3. Lunch with a good friend of mine who I haven't seen in months. We've both been busy and she has been out of town for most of the summer. It was great to finally catch up face to face.

4. No planned workouts. Just did what I wanted and when I wanted...if at all!

5. Celebration dinner with friends and 'sponsors' at Manuel's. Was surprised to see so many folks come out and join us. Fun times.

6. Sleeping in and taking a few naps here and there.

7. Weekend at SeaWorld with my family. Exhausting but so much fun.

Pictures from our SeaWorld adventure...

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Someone was excited about SeaWorld...so was Mackenzie


After lunch


Sweet Bowen


Mom not wanting to get wet!


Mackenzie and Andy

Also, wanted to share a couple of links...

First Endurance posted my race nutrition report on their website. Check it out here.

Race recap can be seen here.