Sunday, November 16, 2008

Ironman one week out

With a chest cold keeping me home for the morning (Coach Taconite insisted) I thought I'd catch all two of you still reading the travails of "Trimama's blog" up to date on life with The Tribe. I am one of those of the persuasion that we make time for the things that are important to us, so I can't really say that my reluctance to blog is strictly time related. No, I'd attribute it more to a long season of keeping life closer to the vest, or chest as it might be. I believe now there are seasons for healing and growth which are precious and tender and private in contrast to those that are meant to be lived out loud and with more public support and input. I've enjoyed this season, focused on friends close at hand, virtually and proximally. It's been a long but fruitful struggle from broken body to restored faith, and someday I might share more of it out loud, but for now I am content to prepare myself for this punctuation mark of a race. In terms of grammar and racing, I would love an exclamation point, but feel as though I am more poised for a period; merely the end of one chapter and the start of another. I sort of prefer periods to exclamation points, they are easier on the soul. It does seem as though there should be something in between. I suppose that is why they invented fonts. Life lived in Arial is so much preferred to Times New Roman. It would be fun to be all Chalkboard all the time, but enough of that, although it is curious that Blogger defaults to Lucinda Grande. Blogger, the Grande ultimate in narcissism. Of course saying that tongue in cheek as Blogger has been a fantastic means of finding wonderful friends and soulmates.

Tac and I met up with Ironmom Jenny, Laura, Nick and many others at our annual Tri Night Banquet. Very fun and good to see friends in clothing that is not spandex. With the exception of Jenny who was modeling some of the greatest race wear I have yet to see. Hopefully I’ll be able to sport some on the AZ race course ☺. Tac actually told me that I need to spend a few minutes in transition fixing my hair and looking nice for the run. He’s that worried I am going to best his time- I saw him packing lipstick in with my transition gear. I’m not sure a race photo would be complete without my hair spazzing out of my braides from every side, but I’ll see what I can do. I am planning to wear my sexy socks on the run- they made a huge difference at Whistlestop, I love em! And that is explanation point worthy.

We returned home to find Chopper asleep in our bed. He is insisting that he only sleeps well in our bed, and needs to repose right between Tac and I. I have taken great pains to explain to him that though he is small he really doesn’t fit. He wants another mattress, I think we will comply soon. He gave me a long hug on his way up to bed and it occurred to me that it will be a miserable week when my little boy no longer wants a hug from mom. He is my snuggly one and life will be very empty without that. One more plus to fostering and adoption.

That is what I am liking about this race, it is a period. It is the end of one thing and the beginning of another. Florida was a much needed exclamation point. It was the closing of something greater, a relief, a celebration of how far I’d come. There is something to be said when you don’t have to travel quite so far to go 140.6. There is something very tranquil in a period. Something wonderful when there is room in your mind to do something you love, and still have space for exclamation points. How blessed am I?

We arrive in Arizona on Thursday, looking forward to seeing Commodore et al, Momo, Fe Lady (perhaps) and many others. Shoot us an email so we know who to look for and contact with dinner plans etc. We have a pool and plan to use it accordingly-especially Monday after the race.

Until then....(how wonderful, a string of periods that says precisely what I mean)

22 comments:

Unknown said...

Feel better Tri-Mama. I wish I could be at IMAZ cheering you on --but you know the virtual cowbells will be ringing in Canada, don't you?

TJ said...

Looks like all 2 of us are here.
:-)
Good luck in Tempe Trimama! Will be following along online.

Mel's Blog.... said...

I saw your blog and amazed upon your accomplishments. Good luck in Tempe! My blog is borntoridemel.blogspot.com- check it out!

Fe-lady said...

It's in the 80s here-so bring your sunscreen along with that lipstick! :-)
Hope we can hook up but if not...best of luck!!!!! (Many exclamation points!)

Cy said...

It was great to see you last night. REST up and safe travels to AZ.

I'll be cheering for you...with a big exclamation point!!

Danielle in Iowa in Ireland said...

Good luck!

rocketpants said...

Good luck next week! I've actually been following your blog for awhile. I'll actually be in AZ cheering for some friends so maybe I'll spot you somewhere. :-) Never know. So if a random red-head tries to introduce herself...try not to freak out. All the best.

Jumper 2.0 said...

I work til 730 pm. Then I plan on getting home and plugging in at ironman.com.

Will tac keep us posted via his phone and facebook? It would be cool to know when to expect to see you at the finish.

I wish I could be there.

Big time.

Have a great time!

Afternoon Tea With Oranges said...

Ironman Arizona + Trimama.

Somehow I just can't see that chapter ending with a period.

I will be praying for you,tracking you and looking forward to hearing from you. Enjoy the day out there - you've earned it!

~~~Great big hugs!!~~~

Comm's said...

shaping up to be great weather. The high will be low 80's, maybeeeeee high high 70's.

The wind has been hit and miss. More miss, so that could be very good in your favor.

Not sure on water temp right now.

Pharmie said...

Feel better soon, and have a great race! Oh, and well-behaved hair is overrated.

LBTEPA said...

best wishes for that cold to begone! And then best wishes for a great day at IMAZ. As a Mum I really find your posts very inspiring, thank you

Trisaratops said...

Thank you for writing something so eloquently that I haven't been able to say. I had an issue I've struggled with for twenty years finally end with a period last week. It was very hard, but I'm ready to write the next sentence, and move on...

Have a wonderful race! Sending up prayers for you and hugs to you.

Totters said...

I've been reading your blog for a few months...it was one of the blogs that gave me that little extra push to give Ironman a whirl! Good luck next weekend...and thank you for the encouragement that you didn't even know you gave me:)

TriShannon said...

Good luck. You deserve this period, but I have a feeling it will be an exclamation point!

Ryan said...

Have a great race, I'll be watching.

Oh, don't let Tac buy any IMAZ schwag...doesn't he have enough?

IronTriTim said...

Good luck Trimama, we'll all be thinking of you from up here in Chicago :-)

Mel's Blog.... said...

Again, good luck!!! Let me know how it went!

LBTEPA said...

Congratulations double-iron trimama!!

Unknown said...

WELL. DONE. TRIMAMA.

TriShannon said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Ironman again!

Fe-lady said...

SO great to see you and Brian again! You are an awesome couple!
(And Tac is the king of wetsuit strippers! Really!)

Congratulations on a great race in spite of your getting taken out on the bike! (hope you aren't bruised up too much!)
MWAH to you both!