Friday, March 09, 2007

NEW INSPIRATION


This post is the tale of a Romantic Story. After 29+ years of marriage my husband still has it!

Those of you who know me know about the “5 Love Languages” because we have talked about it and spent time discovering each others Love Language and have spent hours communicating love to each other using them.

My primary “Love Language” is “Words of Affirmation”, my Second is “Quality Time” and my least is “Gifts”.

It is the meaning behind the gift, and the thought that goes into the gift that is a “Love Tank Filler” for me.

Well unbeknownst to me, my husband had done some amazing research and secretive work for the past 4 months on acquiring a new Triathlon Racing Bike for me. I had absolutely no idea, which made the gift even sweeter.
Cervelo P3 Carbon: This bike is manufactured in Canada. It has the record by Team CSC's David Zabriskie for the fastest-ever Time Trial in the history of the Tour de France in Stage 1 of the 2005 race. Where he averaged 54.676 kph ( that is 34.17 mph!) for nearly 20 km. The frame is Carbon Fiber and every tube of the P3 Carbon has been sculpted to accomplish two things: Reduce drag and increase stiffness. Air flows over the P3 Carbon and hardly knows the bike is there.

In my mind I thought that if I finished my Ironman Race in June that I would maybe consider getting a new bike. Well Kevin thought different.

He shared with me tonight that he was so proud of all the effort and hours that I had put into training over this past 2 years. He said that he wanted to be supportive of my Ironman Goal, beyond cheering and taking pictures. He decided that his contribution would be to provide me with a bike (here is the romantic part) that would take the least toll on my body during the 112 mile bike ride, so that I would have all that extra energy to put into the 26.2 mile run that followed!

Wow! That is ultimate support and communicated Love to me in a big way!

All along my 3 year journey in the sport of Triathlon I have said that Kevin is my biggest fan. His support and encouragement are huge confidence boosters for me.

I had the AMAZING blessing of riding my new bike outside today for the first time and all I can say is WOW!

I have never been into technology or equipment. I am so highly relational that I tend to be very uninspired by technology. I am a person who sometimes doesn’t even notice when Kevin takes the snow studs off my car.

Today was different
Today I noticed
My 1st ride was incredible
My new bike feels so much FASTER
It felt so smooth
I noticed there was so much less vibration
It felt sooooo light
It shifted so much easier
It pedaled so much easier
The crank seemed to go around so much smoother
It seemed so quiet
And it is so gorgeous looking

When I returned from my ride today Kevin said, "honey I watched you ride all the way down the street, that is a HOT bike and it looks really fast"! What a gift to my ears!

This is definately a gift that will keep on giving, the best kind of gift!

I am so affected by Kevin’s confidence in me, it gives me great strength and self esteem.

So much that today I say with confidence “Ironman Coeur d’ Alene 2007”
Bring it on………………

Consider marking your calendars for Sunday June 24th @ 7:00 a.m.

I hope to see you at the swim start.............

I will be the one in the wetsuit with the swim cap and goggles :o) ………

The one crying because the fruits of my 3 years of labor will be about to be reaped!

6 comments:

Linda Seppa Salisbury said...

Kathi-
Oh my gosh!! I can't stop crying after reading this post!!

Sometimes I think that the TRUE love and knowing, the deep caring, the deep "seeing you for you and totally loving YOU" moments we experience with our husbands are "corrective experiences" for when we are little.

That kind of love feeds our souls, boosts us to great new things, and gives us HOPE that we can do the impossible.

Bert is that kind os rooter for me. When I spoke at the CCS Orientation to a gym packed with people and got a standing ovation, the first one on his feet was Bert. Afterwards he said, "I will ALWAYS be in your corner! I will ALWAYS believe in you! And I will ALWAYS see and know that you are capable of whatever you put your mind to!!" I know that's true because he does that every day!

That kind of love, the kind that takes action, the kind that reaches out, the kind that watches you ride down the street, the kind that is always there, no matter how quiet, well....what a BLESSING!!

I am SO thrilled for you...and as I watch you start the swim and pedal by on your new bike on June 24th...you'll hear me yelling...

"I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT!!!!"

GO GET 'EM!!! Love, Linda

jessithompson said...

I am so excited for you GG - and I must admit I am so proud for not leaking this secret - man, was that hard! You DESERVE this amazingly gorgeous, fast bike! You should have your cute fanny riding this hot steed... you are an amazing athlete (time tested and proven). I applaud Kevin for not only seeing this in you, rewarding you for your hard efforts over the last 2 + years, but also for being able to verbalize it to you.

Can't wait to stand next to you (probably crying and hugging) at the Ironman start line. What a journey, GG... I am so excited for you!

LORIE said...

I'll be there to cheer you on . . . . you a re truly blessed with a fantastic family, good health, and a thrist for life!

Kim Herring said...

Well, I'm with Jessi in that it was SUPER hard to keep this one a secret! I didn't even ALMOST slip at all and I'm not sure how I did that except knowing that Kevin was VERY excited about this surprise and I knew how it would bless your life - not necessarily the *gift* but the *gift* of the time and effort it took on Kevin's part to accomplish this amazing surprise and how proud he is of you. I wish you could have been blessed by the look on his face when he told me his plan - it was priceless!

I am so proud of you and the committment that you have through this journey. I know that it has taken some sacrifices as well as some pretty amazing scheduling to fit everything in. It's a good thing you're an extreme extrovert.

I look forward to being out on the bike course for Ironman CDA and watching you wizz by - hopefully I will be able to see you - that bike looks FAST.

And I will be there before you hit the water to give you one last hug before the start of the race - and I will also shed some tears of joy for you during the day and meet you at the finish line. Even though I don't aspire to complete an Ironman I find your journey to be a great inspiration in effort and determination.

I love you sisty ugler!

tak2lmt said...

All the warm heart feelings and words aside, the only thing left to say is that bike FRICKEN ROCKS!

Ya BABY, you are riding the number 1 triathlon bike.

Anonymous said...

I like that comment by Jessi about riding that new steed -- it's a beauty, no question ... what a terrific gift and relationship festival! You guys are an inspiration and joy.

June 24 -- I'll be there!

Tim