My one man crew...smile

I was reading over some old posts on my FSQ blog and I ran across one in 2008 where I noticed the Iron Man was in town.  I'm wondering if this was some sort of seed that was planted for my triathlon dreams.  It sure has been a journey for me and my husband, Bob, over the past year.  Since September of 2011, he's gotten up early for me to race all over the country.  What a lucky woman I am.  I wish he was interested in participating with me, but, he's got arthritis in his feet and can't.  In all we've raced 6 triathlons, the last being in NYC which was an Olympic distance triathlon.  All because I watched Sanjay Gupta report about it on TV.  It's funny what motivates us.  This last race was in July 2012.  Since then, I've kidnapped my daughter from Oregon.  Helped her move in with my folks and get her scans which she has needed for over 2 years, but, I can understand the dread of knowing.  She is currently cancer free!!!  Maybe the triathlons were getting me in shape for the ordeal to come.  Because boy it was some kind of ordeal.  I've had to quit being the leader of the best quilt guild in the world, Northeast Quilting Friends.  This was hard to do, but, I was gone from Kentucky too much.  Now we have the best leader for a quilt guild, Linda.  

My one man crew has given so much to our family.  I am a lucky girl, I'll say again.  Now as we look to retirement in the near future, I think he's tired of me racing practically every other weekend.  Because besides the 6 triathlons, I ran 10 foot races, 5K's, 10K's a 15K at the Biltmore estate, and a half marathon, which I would say was the most difficult of all the races for me.  Life really is full of seasons.  I'd like to think I have another season of triathlons to do, but, he's not down with it, so, it's going to have to go on the back burner for a while.  We need to downsize our house and prepare for the future.   

Jennifer has a clean PET Scan...smile

I've returned from Oklahoma where Jennifer is living with my Mom and Dad in the boundary of the Cherokee Nation.  Over her long battle with cancer, our insurance has racked up almost 800,000.00 paid out for her cancer treatment.  Worth every penny.  Thank God for insurance.  She was living in Kentucky at the time, about 5 years ago when she was diagnosed.  She was 23 and on our insurance.  Now she's 28 and can't find a job.  We paid the Cobra for the maximum allowable years.  She has moved in with my folks because she can get benefits from the Cherokee Indians.  Thank God for the Indians.  Cancer treatment at a young age can really take a lot out of a person.  There is a protocol that is followed.  When you are dealing with "freak cancer" as Jeni likes to call Ewing's Sarcoma, there are set procedures.  These procedures include radiation and chemotherapy enough to make you live 50 more years...so you know it was rough.  

The good news is the PET scan is clear.  Hallelujah!   Now, if she can just get herself back to some sort of normal in Oklahoma...smile...whatever that is...

It's Training Time Again...smile

Yep, the weather is warming and the pony tails are bobbing.  Such is the scene of those that are the back of the pack runners...smile.  I get out there and run in the sun when I can.  The treadmill has become my friend lately as it tells me how fast I am running.  I can't/won't/don't want to run fast, hmmm which is it.  I think if I wanted to be first in my age group, I should spend the money and invest in a coach.  But, you know, making quilts and being at the back of pack is where I'm happiest.

Cliche's and Landsharks, Oh my...smile

What are the goals for the new year?  How can one decide?  I've had so many over the years.  The same cliche's apply, lose weight, eat healthy.  When will it finally click.  I certainly did go on an exercise bonanza, running 14 races, of which 6 were triathlons and one half marathon.  The rest were 10 miles, 10K and a variety of 5k's.  That was a huge boon for me.  I've always been into sports.  Growing up in my small town in Oklahoma, only 85 were in our graduating class.  I went all 12 years at the school, and the last were spent as one of about 10 of us that rotated and played every sport for the school.  Volleyball, softball, track and basketball are all represented on my letter jacket.  

Now what.  Well, first up, I'll be making a T-shirt quilt using the shirts from my races.  I guess they don't expect someone to make that many races, and to be a collector of so many t-shirts.  But, here I am with enough for 2 quilts.  I've come up with a most ingenious way to border my quilt, I'll have to show that later. 

Right now, I'm enjoying hanging out with some pretty neat people I've come to know through my exercising.  There really is a whole community of support out there for people willing to put in the effort to participate.  These folks are the Landsharks.  It's a triathlete club here in Louisville.  I joined so I could do an open water swim for my NYC Olympic distance triathlon, July 8th, 2012.  For a few months I was swimming in a lake in Indiana with them.  They are very accomplished athletes, many being in the top 10 if not top leader of their age group.  But, they take time to encourage and pull me along, sometimes a bit reluctantly.  But, a lot of them are single and it's a bit easier to go out and socialize when you don't have anyone at home that you also enjoy spending time with...smile.

Sweaty Sheep 5K for the Homeless.

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012312220066

We made the paper!  What a fun day with friends exercising on the Waterfront in Louisville, Ky.  This town has a fabulous waterfront development.  You can listen to great music and watch fireworks while watching the lazy river move boats along.  We are blessed in Louisville. 

My friend Patti and I ran in our Santa suits.  We brought potluck to the event.  My sugar cookies were a hit!  Patti's macaroni and cheese mysteriously disappeared.  I suspect someone wanted a treat all to themselves!!

NYC Triathlon

They say that endurance runners are running from something.  Maybe it's old age?  Are we resisting the  years that are sure to bring the layers of life we don't want.  Could it be the layers we've already run up, like stairs to some magic window?  I think a part of me loves my quality time with myself, where I can talk to God or just run and cry and no one knows but me, myself and I.  Maybe I cry because I am happy and in my own way, whether I win a race or not, it's just the fact that I got to the starting line is all that matters. 

 My white Vita Wildcat didn't make the whole race with me.  I had a flat tire on the back of my bike.  Luckily a nice New Yorker felt she couldn't finish the race and loaned me her bike.  It was way too small, but, I finished the race on a hybrid.  I'd done 5 triathlons up to this point on my Specialized Vita Hybrid bike.  I was hoping to finish on it, but, instead, I chose to swap bikes on the road.  

 I love a wet suit!! It makes me so buoyant and really do float somewhat.  But, it's still a workout to swim for .9 miles in the Hudson river in NYC.  You have to dodge a lot of people and try to stay away from the rocks!!

Elephant quilt for Taya!

Blogs are good for nothing, if not for reminding you of what you've done.  I thought I was over due for a baby quilt for Taya, who is soon to be 2.  But, after searching this blog I've found I made one for her!!! I completely forgot...thanks old age...smile.  

Well, I know she likes elephants, so I'm making it anyway.  I have another baby in the family about to be born, but, it's not until April, so I'm almost finished with this one. 

I'm auditioning fabrics for borders.  I think I like the "harder" border on the right as opposed to the "floaty" border on the left.  It is a great study in how much the border effects the quilt.  You can look at one side and see how they pull that color out of the quilt more strongly than the other.