Penticton Day #2,#3

We hosted a Tri Fusion BBQ Potluck Thursday night at our "Shotel" (as Emma calls it)!

We all enjoyed some delicious food and fellowship and laughter, and with 6 families packed in our Shotel I think we got close to breaking the noise ordinances a few times.

Friday morning was the Ironman Famous "Underpants Run"! Last year Roger talked Jessi and I into doing it and because we didn't agree until the last minute we were scrambling for underpants the night before.

Being veterans, this year would be different. We planned and shopped for our Underpants race attire and decided on going with a color theme of Black and Red in honor of our Tri Fusion Teammates we will be cheering for on Sunday!

Here we are before the race, it took Jessi and I a few minutes to coax Tanya and Daryce into taking off their warm-ups!

These are 2 Ironman Canada participants from who decided to go all out with the Drag Queen theme!

Here is a mommy to be who was proudly showing off her baby bump in honor of the group she would be cheering for!

After lunch Jessi and I went on a 2 hour bike ride. Kevin and Roger joined us for the 1st 30 minutes, we tucked in tight behind Roger and drafted our hearts out as Roger was doing an "easy" ride to just spin his legs out!

The afternoon was filled with visiting local farmer fruit stands, we purchased fresh peaches, nectarines, apricots, blackberries and several varieties of plums, all mouth watering delicious!

We topped that off by visiting some more local wineries for wine tasting.

Tri Fusion Support

One of the benefits of being part of a team is support! Support can be a powerful thing in life but becomes like a drug in athletics! It can cause you to dig deeper than you ever thought that you could, it can create energy inside you to go faster than you ever thought you could go!

Part of the "Power" from a team comes from the synergy derived from having passion for the same thing. Knowing without words what it means for the other person because you have personally experienced it for yourself.

Support for Triathletes becomes like a drug, one that you crave, because the "high" is so amazing! Support is very affirming and can give you "wings" that can carry you through the difficult times!

We even had a large cheer squad show up at the Coeur d' Alene Kids Triathlon which several of our club members kids were racing in! Go Tri Fusion-The next Generation!

If you have ever been supported in a race by the Thompson or Best family...you know you felt the love in a big way! When we formed our Tri Fusion Club we modeled that kind of support from the beginning. Now as the entire club follows that lead, the support within the team and for the team is electrifying and you cannot help but notice and feel the energy!

Here is some major guy support at Wunder Woman Women's only Triathlon last week! This support gave Rachael and Mary the "wings" they needed to finish their first Triathlon in the 60-65 year age group, WOW!

So here we are in Canada, 4 days before Ironman Canada and we are already planning out cheer and support stradegies! We will be cheering for 8 Tri Fusion teammates and the people who are riding or running around them will be blessed by the overflow of cheering!

Several of our teammates are hoping to qualify for Ironman World Championships in Kona Hawaii, so we have pulled out all the stops to make sure they are supported and "feeling the love" big time! Jessi and I even got "Tri Fusion" Pedicures, now that is support over the top!

Jessi just got back from her swim and had the perfect story to give you a clear vision of what I have been trying to say.

As she was walking back to the Hotel in her wetsuit she met Jorge from Portland from the local Gecko Tri Club and he was sharing with her how this would be his first Ironman. Then he asked Jessi if she was doing the race and she said no, that she did Coeur d' Alene Ironman and that she was here cheering for some of her teammates. He asked Jessi where she lived and when Jessi said Spokane WA, Jorge said: "Oh you guys have that club, "The Tri Fusion"! We saw you guys at Blue Lake Club Championships, ya you guys were the ones with the cool Jerseys and all the cheering! Jessi flashed her beautiful big smile and said, "YES"!

Penticton Day #1

Our first day in Penticton was fabulous. We started it by sleeping in, which was like a little piece of heaven on earth. Then we enjoyed our favorite coffee drinks in our own room, because we brought out espresso machine with us...Shut up Josh (smile)!

Then we took a walk down to the Ironman Village and checked out the Ironman Canada Apparel. Wow we scored the jacket to beat all jackets, Roger spotted it in someone's hand about 3 seconds after we entered the tent and he, Jessi, and I all purchased one. It is soo cool looking, red and black with a big Iroman M-dot on the back!! Kevin found the perfect T-shirt for himself with the graphics of "Iron-Fan" on it!

Then Jessi and I went for a nice long run, along the lake at 12:30 in the heat of the day and had an amazing 2+ minute negative split. Whahoo!!

Then we had some amazing lunch, followed by some even better pool time, life was feeling really good. We felt on a mission to try to even up a few of our tan lines from all our different lengths of running and cycling shorts.


Kevin and I took off and visited one of our favorite Winery's, did some wine tasting and purchased a case of various delicious and award winning white wines from Red Rooster Vineyards.


Followed that by eating one of my favorite dishes that Jessi makes called Thai peanut chicken pasta, yum yum!

Then of course we had to top that off with a 2-scoop ice cream cone from the nice lady from South America down at the ice cream shop!


Ended the day by having Jessi help me give my Blog a new face lift, I love it and look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Vacations are Gifts to my Soul, Attitude & Mental Clarity!

Nite....Nite.....

There is no "TRY"

You either "DO"

or you "DO NOT"

There is no "TRY"! - Yoda

This is a life wisdom that I learned before I completed my 1st Triathlon. It is the philosophy of the person who was my initial inspiration to become a participant in the Sport of Triathlon.

I had been spectating and cheering for this person and kept feeling this inner longing that seemed to be drawing me toward this sport. And the first time I expressed interest “out loud” in possibly attempting to do a Triathlon I said something like this “ya, I'd like to TRY one some day” and the person I had been cheering for said to me, “You will either DO one or you WON’T, there is no TRY”!

That person would eventually become my Coach (Roger Thompson) and that Philosophy would eventually become mine and that paradigm shift got me moving in the direction of taking the actions necessary for me to prepare me for my first Triathlon!


That philosophy has also become an integral part of how I live my life and how I mentor those close to me to live theirs! Here is a beautiful example of what that looks like in action.

I got a new client about 6 years ago, her name was Rachael Norton. We had an "immediate" and “trusting" connection, I knew it-got it and I knew why! Rachael, although she sensed something, was unaware of what specifically was happening and the fact that she was a flaming Frontal Right who’s life had collided with another flaming Frontal Right! It has been very entertaining, and rewarding journey over the past several years to have Rachael be open to learning about the Innate Giftedness of her brain and to watch Rachael as she has learned to use this information to live her life by design, and move forward each year with more joy, energy and efficiency in her life.

Rachael and I share the same Brain Lead and therefore we like a lot of the same things and are inspired by a lot of the same things. Back in the day Rachael ran Marathons, which use to be an important part of her life and health. Then an unfortunate injury to her knee prevented her from running. Life goes on and a gradual loss of fitness snuck into her life. In 2003 Rachael Norton came across the love of her life, became Mrs. Rachael Michaels and her desire for health and fitness and longevity began to rekindle.

She has been living vicariously through me as she has followed my entire journey from running my 1st Marathon all the struggles and growing pains I experience getting into the sport of Triathlon! Her interest in my journey was continually a gift to my life. She was always encouraging me, filling my cup with words of affirmation, coming to cheer for me in races, sending me notes of encouragement, standing in the rain to support me, interested in hearing every detail of my trainings and races. Rachael has been a great supporter of me all along.

Over the past year I could see her interest peak about the sport and her health and fitness in general. I kept planting small seeds of “participation” in her and continued to fertilize them every chance I got. Sometimes we never know how our actions, words or experiences affect the lives of others. But on this day Friday December 29th 2006, I would know! I did a post on my Blog about “Training vs Working Out”

This post ignited the "fire" within Rachael. She e-mailed me and told me in very passionate and determined words that she “Got It”! And she was no longer going to be “working out” but rather that she was going to be “training”! She told me she went to her fitness center, passionately imparted her new revelation to the women in the fitness center, recruited 2 of them and to sign up as a team with her to do their first Triathlon! And this was because she got that when you are “Training” for something, it gives “Working Out” a purpose!

You have a GOAL, you have a DATE, therefore you have a PURPOSE!

What an event...hopefully, her transforming story will come through as inspiration for you, in some area of your life................ "enjoy".

Here is where it all started, as told by Rachael..................

Mary, Kathi and I before the start of "it" all.

Here are the 500 women at the begin of the 0.25 mile swim.

Kathi giving me some calming words of encouragment before the start of the swim.

I am last in the swim...but not forgotten!
Here I am starting the bike part of the triathlon, 12 miles.
Here I am at the end of the bike, very happy, Kathi was impressed that I got a police escort
Here is the transition area for the swim to the bike.
Here is my #1 fan, welcoming me back from the bike ride.
Of course, this picture doesn't need any explanation.
Mary and I at the end of her fabulous walk/run - she was absolutely fantastic.
Mary, Kathi and I - Kathi was my awesome coach and wanted to "coach" Mary too, not allowing me to do the ride along or for Mary to walk alone.

Life was an extreme trial for Mary and I, but we had wonderful support from our husbands and our family, friends that we knew and made on Sunday, Ironman/men who told us we were fabulous, doing our first triathlon, and then, there was Kathi, riding her bike while I was on the course and walking with Mary...

We had ample amounts of support from the volunteers and other competitors, but our family and friends showered us with great love - they carried us through the rough spots. Wish you could have been with us for this momentous occasion. I believe that Mary and I were the second and third oldest women there - I saw only one woman older (71) and she was doing the entire event on her own - talk about inspiration.

Enjoy - Love, Rachael

Triathlete

You either "DO" or you "DO NOT"...There is no TRY!

Rachael and Mary chose to "DO" and that decision will transform their lives forever.....................

I am so proud of them and inspired by them............

That Philosophy I desire to apply to every area of my life and I find the more I apply it and allow it to permeate my life the more productive and rewarding my life becomes!

There is no TRY in life…..

you either "DO".....

or you "DO NOT"!

~You either “Take Action” or you DO NOT

~You either “Make Progress” or you DO NOT

~You either “Learn” or you DO NOT

~You either "Have Faith" or you DO NOT

~You either “Loose Weight” or you DO NOT

~You either “Move Forward” or you DO NOT

~You either “Save Money” or you DO NOT

~You either “Forgive” or you DO NOT

~You either “Change” or you DO NOT

.....and the list goes on....................

Maybe I have just given the words “I DO”
a rebirth to a greater meaning (smile)

13 Things I Value in a Friendship

1) Having a relationship that is Loyal No Matter What

2) Willingness to be Spontaneous in Different Ways

3) Integrity that is Strong enough to be Honest At All Times
4) Having a Sense of Humor that is Shared

5) Being Generous with Compassion, Understanding and Grace
6) Knowing when to be Supportive and when to Allow Space

7)The Connection of two Innate Brains that Defies Adaption

8) The Gift of Sharing & Valuing Quality Time
9) Being Invested and taking Genuine Interest in one another’s life
10) Dependability

11) Not keeping Score about Anything
12) Having Enthusiasm, Optimism & Passion about some common things

13) Feeling Safe enough to be Vulnerable to allow for Mutual Teach Ability

Above all those 13 would be.... Authenticity

I've been tagged!

I have been tagged by Kimmie...................

Jobs I have held:

-Babysitter
-Receptionist
-Dental Assistant
-Mother to Adam, Noah & Paisley
-Domestic Goddess
-Stained Glass Instructor
-Japanese School Bus Driver
-Japanese Pre-school Conversational English Teacher
-Systemic Health Consultant
-Massage Therapist

Movies I can watch over and over:

-Most all of them recently because I seem to never remember that I have watched it?

My Guilty Pleasures:

-I choose not to feel guilty about the choices I make, if I make a wrong choice it was my choice to make and I see it as a valuable learning experience

Places I have lived:

-Eugene OR
-Roseburg OR
-Florence OR
-Springfield OR
-Corvallis OR
-Sacramento CA
-Merced CA
-Yuba City CA
-Okinawa Japan

-Montgomery AL
-Spokane WA

Shows I enjoy:

I am assuming this is referring to T.V., but for the record I would prefer any kind of “live” show over anything on T.V!

-The Office
-Thank God you’re here
-So you think you can Dance
-24
-Entertainment Tonight
-American Idol
-The Bachelor

Places I have been on Vacation:

-Disneyland
-Oahu Hawaii
-San Diego CA
-Aspen CO
-Sun River OR
- Tijuana, Ensenada, & Cozumel Mexico
-Florence, Newport, Cannon Beach and Tillamook OR
-Salt Lake City UT
-Cleveland & Northfield OH
-Purdue Indiana
-Birmingham AL
-Disneyworld
-Fort Walton Beach FL

-Korea
-Maui Hawaii
-Philippines
-Hong Kong

-Singapore
-Kona Hawaii
-Vancouver, Penticton & Nelson Canada
-Jamaica
-Leavenworth WA


Favorite Foods:
-Most any Salads, greens, grains & pasta
-Mexican
-Italian
-Nuts of any kind

-Heavy multi grain breads
-Seafood
-Cheese of all kind
-Pizza

Websites I visit daily:

-There are none

Awards I have Won:

These are the ones that have had significant meaning to my life

-Adam, Noah & Paisley (most meaningful “living awards” of my life!)
-Vision, Vitality & Contribution Award (work related)
-Ironman Finisher Medal (personal achievement)


Nicknames:

-Kackie (Emma)
-Kathryn Louise (Paisley & my mom as a kid when I was in trouble)
-Lander-dum (high school friends)
-Sisty Ughler (Kimmie)
-Momma (Noah)
-GG (Jessi)
-Lady (Adam)
-Boom Boom LaDrum (college friends)
-Honey (Kevin)
-Vagina Girlfriend (Tiffany)
-BBF :o)(Cheryl)
-Sexy Bitch (Tena, Diane)
-Booger-fart-head-nose (my sister “fatty patti” when she was mad at me in grade school :o)Ha!)