So, um, yeah. It was brought to my attention last week that I've been neglecting the blog. Oops. Sorry about that. Things have been a bit busy in these parts, mostly due to the fact that I'm going back to school. Those two little pre-requisite classes that I took this summer just completely took over my life! I literally didn't even turn on the tv for weeks, and if you know me, that's a big deal. :-D
With that in mind, here's a (not-so) little recap of what we've been up to this summer, with pictures...
I went whitewater rafting for Myka's 30th birthday
We went to the pool
And the zoo...
I introduced another friend, Jenn, to the addiction that is triathlon at Danskin. And had an awful race at Boulder Peak.
I joined my friend Sonja and her training partners for part of a 17 hour training day as they prepare for Ironman Canada (which is this weekend).
I biked 50 miles, my longest distance to date.
And then ran 10.5 miles with Andrea. And felt really good, like I could keep going. So I signed up for a half-ironman.
We went to Ohio for my 15th high school reunion, which I forgot to take any pictures at, but we also got some good visiting in with family.
Tyler learned to eat corn on the cob
He had a great time at Grandpa's car shows
He took lots of pictures with the camera he got for his birthday
Cousin Kallie taught him how to jump on Grandma's bed
Tyler got to feed the lorakeets with Grandpa and Judy
And a giraffe!
He got some quality time in with Uncle Kevin
And Aunt Amy
And Grandma Lois, too, although somehow I didn't get any pictures of that.
We rode bikes. We went running. I raced the Rattlesnake Olympic triathlon, and felt good, although I was pretty slow. We ran some more and biked some more. I biked to Myka's house in Parker for a playdate and back. 40 miles, roundtrip, pulling the trailer.
I finished my summer classes, microbiology and anatomy & physiology I, and got A's in both.
Tyler got into the preschool that I fell in love with in the spring.
We tackled potty-training, and so far it's been mostly successful. I took the front off of Tyler's crib so that now he's in a "big boy bed". And turned his carseat around to face forward, since he finally hit the weight limit for rear-facing.
And that's about where it stands at the end of August. It's been a crazy, busy, but fun summer. I'm doing a 65 mile group bike ride this Sunday, and my half-ironman, Harvest Moon, is in just over two weeks. I'm a little freaked out, but I'm just out to finish, so as long as I beat the course cut-off time (a little over 8 hours), I'll be happy. Tyler starts preschool on the 10th, two afternoons a week. And I start up with classes again on Monday, statistics and A&P II.
Just one more note, before I wrap things up for this ridiculously long catch-up post. My good friend Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer three weeks ago, at 36 weeks pregnant with her second son, Ty. Her son, Drew, will be four in about a month. I met Amy through the hiking group that Tyler and I spent so much time with, and she has become a good friend. Sonja said it much better than I ever could in her blog (here), but Amy has been such a wonderful addition to my life. She helped bring me into the whole triathlon thing, and I've had the joy of racing with her several times.
From my very first tri, Danskin (she's the one on the far left)
To the Highlands Ranch sprint tri last year
At the Fans on the Field 10k last fall
And even the Cherry Creek Sneak this year, pregnant and all
Amy has been an incredible friend to me through everything I've gone through over the past couple of years. I know I can always count on her to listen, offer a few choice words (but no advice unless asked for, which is SO refreshing!), and love unconditionally.
She is, quite honestly, one of the strongest, most amazing women I know. If anyone has the right attitude to kick breast cancer's ass, it's Amy. Her son, Ty, was born last Monday, and Amy will go in for double mastectomy surgery tomorrow afternoon. The outlook is very hopeful, but she has a long road ahead of her, and tomorrow is just the beginning. As soon as Amy is sufficiently recovered from the surgery, she gets to start chemo, which will last several months. Her upbeat, optimistic attitude has been a huge inspiration to me, and I know she's going to come through this with flying colors. Please keep Amy and her family (husband Brian, and sons Drew and Ty) in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow and as she goes through this process.
Love you, Amy!