Tueday's Hero

I am resurrecting my Tuesday Hero post for a great individual. She has inspired me all summer with her willingness and determination to train for her Ironman. She trained day in and day out because she knew that it would be necessary so that she could meet her goal. And I hope that someday I can be just like her and fulfill my IM dream. Susan, thanks so much for being my inspiration and congrats on a job well done. You are a rock star and I can't wait to see how Kona goes! I know you will rock it!


And yes, I shed a tear or two when I saw this picture!

Friday Lyrics

Great Contest for a Great Cause

Please, please, please go check out "Enjoy the Ride." Scott Austin is giving away a pair of H20 Audio Headphones and they are a gorgeous pink color. But the best part is that he is raising money for a great cause, The Hands and Feet Project. Please help with a great and honorable drive to raise money for a great foundation. I know I will be donating and I hope that you can as well!!!!

Friday Lyrics...

Bubba, this one is for you! I hope you find a '...country cutie, with a rock n roll booty...' just remember she has to pass the Mama test!!!! Oh yeah, one other thing. Notice how he is partying on the WEEKEND! Just sayin'!

Hey Christi, What's Up?

So I have been really lax in my blogging lately. I don't read as many blogs and I don't comment as often as I used to do. I don't know what has changed. I still love reading every one's stories and great adventures. I guess life has just gotten in the way. Well, if life has been in the way what have I been up to? I apologize in advance if you don't like the bullet thing but that is all I am feeling right now!

1. I had a great one-on-one chat with my boss. He reassured me of some things and now I am ready to really focus on my career for awhile. Great things could arise from this adventure so I don't want to miss a chance. If anyone has any study tips for the Series 7 Financial Exam, please do share!

2. My son has moved out. WOW! This is bittersweet! On the one hand, I am happy that I have my house back. No more Animal House. But on the other hand I miss my boy terribly. He is great company and I miss his sarcasm! Love ya bubba! You are going to do great at Fort Collins. Just remember to be patient and make the right decisions. Everyday does not have to be a party!

3. I rode 100 miles on Sunday! What a great day! Susan and I had great weather. My friend Susan is a parathlete headed to IM Louisville! This will be her first long distance IM and she is going to kill it! Then she is off to IM Kona! YAY!! I am so proud of her and all that she has accomplished. I am also honored that she lets me ride with her during her long training rides. Interesting to note on this ride, we were actually charged by donkeys! They are naying at us and everything. VERY WEIRD!!! Thanks goodness there was a fence between them and us! Oh yeah, have I mentioned that my biking is great this year?

4. Yesterday my hubby and I celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary. Celebrating being a loose term. We had lunch together. Of course, after 22 years together we are used to the simple celebrations. Love ya Brad!

5. I am racing on Sept 11. Yes, you heard right. I am going to race again this summer. I am doing the aquabike at the Harvest Moon Triathlon. I am very excited to do something! My running is still not on track. I am still having shin pains when I run too long and my coach says I pronate all over the place in my new shoes. I guess I should focus on correcting this but I need some more motivation to get there. Does anyone have any to spare so I can conquer this damn running issue?

6. In anticipation of my race, I swam for the first time in a long time yesterday. Wow, I need to get back into the swing of things there. Yesterday, was just to remind me of how comfortable I am in the water. I will work on time and speed in the coming weeks.

7. It's official I have gained back all the weight I had lost earlier in the year. However, I have had a good time putting it back on. I have enjoyed some great food and some great parties. Now its time to get off my lazy ass and lose the weight again!

I guess that is all I have for ya right now. I wish everyone who is racing the Pikes Peak Ascent or Marathon, good luck! May the weather gods smile on you!

Ciao lovelies!

Hey Steve this one is just for you, MWAH!

Copper Triangle!

Copper Triangle Ride Profile

I have completed my final weekend of travel until Labor Day. This weekend was a trip to Copper Colorado to hang with my best friends and ride the Copper Triangle. This is a bike ride over 3 mountain passes for a grand total of 78 miles. I have done this ride 2 times previously and I always enjoy it. Well, at least, until we hit Vail Pass! And this time was no different!

We took off Friday night to get checked in and pick up packets. We had a great dinner at this wonderful Belgium restaurant. Mmmmm... delicious!! They know their food and they know their Belgium beer. Too much fun. They also know their American pop culture as they had a lamp just like the one from "A Christmas Story." So yes, my husband had to fondle it!



Saturday after our good meal and conversation we were ready to ride or should I say Nic, Den and I were ready to ride. Brad was there as moral support. The day started out very chilly!!!! And the genius that I am came unprepared. For some reason, it didn't occur to me that I was going to the mountains and may need some cold weather gear. DUH!!!! Luckily, I was able to squeeze myself into one of Nics long sleeve shirts to keep partially warm. The first mountain pass, Fremont, was not easy for me but only from the breathing point of view. I had a wonderful asthma attack and had to stop and catch my breath and calm myself. This, of course, freaked Nic and Den out so they started to ride faster. I needed to slow down to keep my breathing under control. I also had a very nice man help calm me down and get my breathing in check. He just reminded me to think happy thoughts. Thanks random kind man. Before I knew it we were over the pass and hitting a nice descent. Christi was tucking and going...and before I knew it I was back in touch with Nic and Den. Just in time to hit the first rest stop!



The second pass was much easier. First we had an AWESOME descent into Leadville and then we killed it up Tennessee Pass. This time my breathing was controlled and I felt like a bike god. Plus, the sun was coming out and so we were starting to warm up! In fact this is my favorite part of the ride so I was having a great time. However, it was soon to be tempered by the dreaded Vail Pass!



Vail Pass and I have a storied past. The first year I did this ride Vail was the site of my undoing. I walked much of it and was actually passed and beat to the finish line by a guy on a unicycle. Devastated does not even come close to how I was feeling. I was crushed particularly since they were taking down the finish line when I finally finished. However, the second year, I came back with a specific mission, to make Vail Pass my "b8&(*&!" I succeeded! I had a great ride that day and finished strong. My goal for this year. Just finish and that I did. Vail was hard but not as hard as it has seemed in the past. My biggest problem was that my knees were killing me. I didn't want to pedal at all but I had to so each pedal stroke was agonizing. However, I knew if I could just get up the Pass that the last 6 miles were all downhill and that I would not have to pedal! Well, I did it and I did not pedal but maybe three times on the downhill! Thank you Jesus! I crossed the finish line, turned immediately around and found my hubby at the Belgium restaurant where I proceeded to celebrate the ride by drinking this fabulous Belgium beer made by monks with an alcohol content of 11.3%. Yes, I napped after that!


I had to borrow this pic as we don't past this on the ride.

All and all the weekend was great. I got to spend time with my favorite people doing things we all love to do. I couldn't have asked for a better weekend. I am, however, very excited that I am not traveling again for a couple of weeks because this girl needs a vacation to recover from all my traveling as of late!!!

Oh yea, I want to give a big shout out to my bro and niece. My brother not only finished his first triathlon but he also placed 3rd overall. You go boy! My niece had a hard time of it but she prevailed and finished. That is awesome little one and I love ya!


My bro killin' it on the bike!


My niece running her heart out!

Friday Lyrics!

I was in Tex-as this week! Yee Haw! I had such a great time hitting my old haunts and going to some new ones. This despite the heat that has settled over Texas. Personally, I thought it was refreshing but then I didn't spend a lot of time in the heat because I was working in the office. The trip was VERY productive and I can't wait to go back in September and November! Someday Texas I will move back, I promise!

The songs I am going to share today were brought to my attention by some of my colleagues. The first song is a rock-a-billy type group. I really love them and have downloaded their album. The second song is a cover for a Chris Brown song and I just love the video. Each song is very unique and I am really digging them! I hope y'all do as well.





I also want to give a big shout out to all my friends that are doing IM Boulder 70.3 this weekend! I would list each of ya but there are too many of y'all and I don't want to miss anyone! Good luck and have a great time! I also want to wish my brother and niece good luck. They are both doing their first triathlons in Kansas this weekend. Git 'er done!