Oct. 5, 2010 There is always a first.

I am back form my kids competitions at the Ironkids National Championships.  We had a super time and many new and good things are coming soon.  Jochi and Gabi did terrific and Jochi was awarded the Team Winter award.  What an honor.  I am so proud I can barely contain my self.  This little girl and her family is so remarkable it is hard to get away from.  Winter beat Jochi at the Nationals so he will not be hearing the last of that issue for a while but it is all in good fun.  Jochi and Winter are becoming friends and that is something I am very happy about.

Saturday morning I met with Dawn who is the mother of Winter and who I will be racing the Ironman Canada with.  We talked about some plans and other stuff for a good two hours as we saw the Susan G. komen race for the cure go by.  I won't discuss the specifics of my conversation but I will say that my apreciation of what this family is all about is right on.  Cancer is the same no matter where you live or who you are and destroys in the same way.  I did confirm that Dawn has not crossed the finish line with a Cancer survivor yet so I hope I can be the first.  I would be so honored and so proud as will my whole family.  I choose right no question.

After a whole weekend of misbehaving I gained three pounds.  I think coach K is mainly responsible but we will let him by this time.  I am glad Coach K will oficially join Team Winter for Ironman Canada.  I got back to training hard.  I swam my assigned workout and for the first time ran after my swim.  I started out a little fast and ended up hurting me in the end but I am getting better.  Yesterday I did my bike ride and went thru the course that I Will have to do for the Oct 17 triathlon.  My first.  I think I will be fine.  I had to cut my ride short yesterday because I left my water botttles home and as usual left with no money.  I am training what do I need money for??  Well, water is the correct answer. 

For the first time I was able to go run for 30 minutes after swiming.  I had to stop because of a bad judgement call on the pace.  I will learn from that but for me completing my run was a big step and a first.  Even in the Ironman there is a first time for everything and I can now run after swiming.  That is another huge step in the right direction.