In 2 days....

In 2 days, I will undertake a challenge that has been 5 months in the making.  There is no turning back now!  

My race will be run in honor of my uncle who lost his year-long battle with cancer a couple days ago.  Uncle Toney, you fought cancer for the last year, I can DEFINITELY fight fatigue & exhaustion and push through this swim, bike, and run. 

My motivation will be a combination of three things:

~ Love for and from my family ~

 
~ Tremendous support from my Tri It For Life sisters ~

 
~ I want to be an example to anyone who cringes at the thought of getting in a pool and swimming, coming out to bike, and enduring "jelly legs" to run. ~

Sunday will be a day of duality for me.....I will have accomplished something I never remotely thought I would only to leave and bury a dear family member.  

I sincerely hope and pray that someone will read this and be encouraged or inspired to live a healthier life, become more active, and LIVE!!  Live in such a way that you are proud of yourself and an inspiration for others to follow suit. 

I have loved this journey and to make it with such a wonderful group of women has been worth all the days of being ridiculously tired. I will do my best on Sunday to make my family and friends proud to call me Wife, Mommy, Daughter, Niece, Cousin, Sister, and Friend.  Thank you to EVERYONE with Tri It For Life who had supported me and offered encouragement (Even when I didn't want it...Crystal, Heidi, Kazzie, Laurie, and RJ), the Tri It Mentors have been AMAZING!  I'm excited to see my personal cheering squad running through the finish line with me....I love those little men!  Jeff, what can I say babe......you ARE the best! You've loved me enough to push me to be my best, now I can show you what your hard work as done and FINISH! DeeDee! Keep those 5am words of encouragement coming, we'll be up your way next!  Then it's IRONMAN HAWAII, Woohooooo!!!!!!

COUNTDOWN TO RAMBLIN' ROSE CHARLOTTE:

2 DAYS 

Patiently waiting......

I finally got a tri suit!!!!! Yippee! My better half is so good to me....he went on the hunt and found JUST what I had been looking for!  I am way more excited than I should be, but I've been so looking forward to having one like the rest of the jazzy ladies I train with! Will post a snapshot when it comes in!

19 Days and counting.....!

Volunteers are GREATLY appreciated for the Ramblin Rose Charlotte.  Have fun, volunteer, and cheer on some of the most motivated and encouraging women EVER!  

WWW.RAMBLINROSEEVENTS.COM!

NEW PERSPECTIVE, NEW CONFIDENCE!

On Sunday, myself and over 100 other women completed the mock triathlon that is hosted by Tri It For Life each year as part of the preparation process for new athletes. We began swimming  the 250m at 0800 and proceeded directly to the transition and 9 mile bike ride, and on to the finale...the run.  I was TOTALLY shocked when my dear hubby informed me that I finished in roughly an hour and 15 minutes. WHAT!?  ME?!  WHAT!!!

I must say........WE ALL ROCKED IT!!!!!  Putting all three events together was a totally awesome experience!  The water was as cold as who-did-it-and-why, I about wrecked my bike when a bug flew in my eye, and the 2 mile run seemed much longer than the 3.1 miles I am used to running at 5am every Monday and Friday.......

But BOY!  The finish line was a thing of beauty and to see my biggest fan/husband/friend and partner in crime at the finish line waiting for me was the best treat EVER! I was so happy to see Jeff  that I didn't really know what to do with myself!  He was with me the WHOLE time.....he motivated me, encouraged me, laughed with me, pick on me, and stood in the hot sun to photograph me........I think I'm in love!!!!

Be sure to stop by my gallery to see more shots my main squeeze took....just note, there's lots of pink, black, and white in them!

It was really great to see everyone and a real treat to have the Powerade Zero folks out there to help us replenish.

I think I can speak for the most of us when I say C'MON SEPT 25TH!!!!!! We've got our warfaces on and are getting ready for ya!!!!! We're cranking up the training!

Countdown to Ramblin Rose Huntersville:

24 Days