Bear Lake Brawl

Mike and I did the biggest Triathlon we have ever done. We did the Bear Lake Brawl, Olympic size. So that is a one mile swim in open water, 26 miles on a bike and a 10k run(6.2 miles). This was our moment the race we had been training for all summer. 

The first day we were at Bear Lake we woke up early not by choice but by the crazy lightening and rain storm. After the storm passed we went for a run. Mike and I have never run before nor have I ever kept a 11 min. mile pace. It was fun though to run with Mike. He likes to talk while he is running and since I sound like I'm in labor while I run, I just listened to him talk about how cool it is that we were running. We ran 3.5 miles in 43 minutes. I wanted to run part of the course so that I was familiar with it and could know when to push myself and when it was okay to slow down. After we got back from our run we decided to go on a short bike ride into Laketown to stretch our legs on our bikes. We rode around looking at property that was for sale. Someday I will live up there. 

When were all done we took a rest out on the beach. Enjoying the sun. The water felt good on the warm skin. Mike's parents and sisters all came to Bear Lake. We enjoyed our time together laughing and eating and playing games. The kids really enjoyed digging in the sand. 

On the morning of the race I couldn't sleep. We were up early. We wanted to get a good spot for our bikes on the bike racks but little did we know there were numbers already placed on the bars of the racks that coordinated with our bib numbers. So we racked our bikes and tried to go back to our tent to get some sleep. The race was taking place at the same camp ground that we were staying at. So we didn't have to travel very far for the race. After going back to the transition area again, this time with the rest of our stuff, shoes, towels, helmets, gloves, glasses and water buckets. We got our wetsuits on and went out towards the lake to watch our neighbor who was competing in the half iron man part of the race. Just watching those competitors started to make me nervous and my stomach start to squirm. Then it was Mike's turn to get in the water for the men's Olympic. I could see he was nervous but he was trying to remain calm. He did a great job on his swim and he was on his way to the transition when the gun started the women's Olympic part. I started to get nervous that I was going to not get around the buoys fast enough. While I was swimming, I was feeling good that I could do this, I could finish this race. Then it was time to get out of the water. I was a bit slow on doing that. I didn't want to get all wobbly as I was walking on the sand to transition area. In transition area people were moving so fast. I wanted to move fast but at the same time I wanted to make sure I was set up for my run after the bike. So I made sure my feet were sand free and I had some band aids on my feet for my blisters that I continue to get. Then I was out for the bike ride. I was feeling good until I came to the turn around point for the sprint riders. I still have 21 left. I didn't want to go further. I did of course. I saw Mike at one point on the ride and he was finishing, I also saw my neighbor and he was finishing also. I felt better and knew I could finish. Then came the run. It felt like the longest run of my life but it was also the fastest run too. My SIL was a volunteer at an aid station where she was handing out water. Her encouragement about my time and that I was doing a good job help keep me going. 

I wanted to finish this race in under 4 hours and I didn't want to be last with the safety vehicle behind me. I accomplished all those goals but finishing in 3 hrs and 43 min. I wasn't LAST!!! Mike did good as well in finishing in 3:03. I felt really good afterwards. Now onto the next race.

Summer don't leave

We went to Bear Lake to celebrate the end of summer. I can't believe it's ending. It doesn't seem that long ago that I was wearing winter clothes and the short summer months are now fading into the sunset. 

a view from our campsite onto Bear Lake.

My sweet girl loves the beach

We have had a great summer with swimming, training for races, playing and having a long school break. I'm happy that I got to spend a lot of time with kids. They are growing up so fast and it's just not fair. I love the sun and the warmth that this summer has given. I am not looking forward to my tan fading by mid-September. Oh why must it get cold. I can already feel that autumn nip in the air.

Diving runs in the family

Jersey loves going off the diving board. She was so excited that she could turn 8 for more reasons than one. She would be able to go off the 3 meter diving board. Last year I was trying to teach her an approach off the board with a dive. She got it down really good. 

I thought it was time for Phoenix to try going off the diving board too. He is a good swimmer so I knew once he went off he could swim to the side without help. 

On Saturday we were at the pool and when I was walking back from the bathroom with Phoenix, 

I said "do want to try jumping off the diving board?" he looked at me a bit funny but really wanted too just like Jersey. To my surprise he did it! 

I was at the side telling him to swim and I helped him out of the pool. 

He definitely shock Grandma who didn't know what he was doing until we went back to our chairs. 

He jumped a few more times and I got it on video to show Mike since he wasn't there with us. 

(I wish the diving programs here were as good as the ones I worked with growing up. 

Or that I could coach again.)

Cowboy Up!

The rodeo never seems to disappoint for family fun. Cheering for the cowboys and cowgirls, listening to the corny jokes the announcer says along with the rodeo clowns. And my all time favorite, the crazy people that come and get really mad when they get touched or bumped accidentally. I'm amazed at the reaction people give when something like that happens. We are all sitting on bleacher and trying to maintain our inches of personal space. 

I also love that my nephew has great moves and was bustin' a move every time the music was playing. There was a section of the Rodeo where one of the clowns did some Michael Jackson moves and while he was working with a lasso. He had moves but I will say Miles's were better. We laughed so hard our sides ached with pain. 

Sing the Star Spangled Banner, always gets me too. The love I have for my country is great and that song expresses exactly how I feel. I have to say that it is said that we don't sing more than one verse in public arenas. The rest of the song has such a good message about standing for the right! (We sang the whole song on Sunday and I cried like a baby) 

Snowbird summer fun!

Snow still at Snowbird. Longest season on record.

I teach a jewelry making class on Tuesdays up at Snowbird. Since the kids are out of school I try to bribe them that if they are good, we will do some fun summer activities. Last Tuesday, Mike was off of work, we took advantage of our Snowbird benefits and did some of the summer activities. 

Jersey on the ropes course

First we did the ropes course. The ropes course from the ground looks silly and childish. Not when you are dangling up there do you realize that isn't the case. Jersey did a good job walking on the all the obstacles. Mike took Phoenix and I went by myself. I am scared of heights.  I was so nervous. I had to do it ,since there were a bunch of teenage boys pushing you along on the course. My heart was racing. All I kept thinking about, was that I wore the wrong shoes. 

Look at my little monkey, she is in pink.

Gearing up for the rock wall

Looking up at the task at hand.

Jump jump around

After the ropes course we moved onto the rock wall. I wanted to do that but again the wrong shoes. Jersey was the only brave enough to do the rock wall. She made it close the top. She tried a few times but we had to tell she was done since there was a long line waiting for her to finish.

reliving the glory days

what are my parents doing to me?

Next, we went on the Euro trampolines. I don't know why they are called "Euro" but basically you are strapped to a belt with ropes on it and they pulled to you up some and let you go to bounce really high. I did a few backflips, Jersey did a few front flips and Phoenix just bounced. I haven't jumped on a trampoline like that in a long time. Last time was when I was in diving and we practice certain tricks on the tramp. After awhile I was very winded. I forget that the high mountain air can throw me into a asthma attack if I'm not careful. 

Can I hang on for 8 seconds?

While I was recovering from my asthma attack, Jersey took some spins on the mechanical bull. We headed home for some lunch. We stopped at Pei Wei for some delicious Chinese. A great way to finish the day together as a family.