The offers on the table

Earlier this week I was approached and offered a job at a law firm. When I was contacted I was told that they were considering offering the job to a couple of people and wanted me to think about it. A couple of days later they called back and said that they really want me and if I'm interested they would like me to start ASAP. I was offered a job by Mark (same person) a couple of years ago and had to tell him no due to some insurance/medical issues at the time. I have often thought back and played the "what if" game. Mark volunteer's as a Pro Temp Small Claims Judge at the court where I currently work. I have totally enjoyed working with him over the past seven years in that capacity. Now that the offers on the table again I'm seriously considering taking it. I told him that I would get back to him on Monday with a decision.


Life's what happens when your not looking.

Viking Man Half Ironman (Race Day)

Allen coming across the finish line
Total time: 7 hours 11 minutes
As Ashley (member of the club) came across the finish line her boy friend (Matt) purposed

Nice nails Ashley! Oh ya, and nice ring too!

It happened, it really happened! Lindsey and I finished!

Allen and Noreen (Alive and smiling)

Well, I made it. It took me 8 hours and 51 minutes. I truly thought that I would get the race done under 8 hours but gave myself a cushion. Apparently the cushion wasn't big enough. The weather was so bad!

Swim: Allen - 44 min 11 sec Noreen - 48 min 06 sec
We checked out the river (Snake River, ID) last night and there were white caps. We thought for sure that the wind would calm down but when we got there it was worse. There were more white caps and the waves were still being blown against the current. I got dressed in my wetsuit and headed down to the river. As I got closer, I was adjusting my wetsuit, pulling up my sleeves so I could have a nice relaxed stroke and RIP! My right shoulder seam burst open (looks like I'll be getting a new wetsuit). When we got in the water it was soooo cold. As soon as I started swimming, I lost my breath and had a panic attach. I have never had that happen before. I thought about pulling out of the race right then and there. It was so bad. But I was able to calm myself down. It took me somewhere between 5-10 minutes before I was able to feel confident enough to continue on. As I was swimming I looked up to sight and saw Lindsey. She had a look of panic on her face. I asked her if she was okay and she said that she had just taken eight big gulps of water in a row and wasn't doing to well. After talking to her for a while I asked if she wanted to draft. She agreed and I took off swimming. I'm not sure where I lost her but when I looked up to sight again I saw Sabrina. I asked if she was okay. She is a much faster swimmer then I am. She said she was okay so I kept swimming. I just sighted off of her for the rest of the swim. The waves were so big that it was hard to tell where we were going. I have never drank so much water during a race. It was so bad.

T1: Allen - 6 min 56 sec Noreen - 9 min 30 sec
By the time I got out of the water I had lost all feeling in both my hands and my feet. I was able to take off my wetsuit but it wasn't easy or fast. The hardest part was putting on my socks, gloves and zipping up my shirt. But the thing that was the hardest was putting on my helmet. I had to have Kim buckle it for me. I couldn't see or feel it. By the time I was done in T1 Allen was out of the water and ready to bike so we left T1 together.

Bike: Allen - 3 hours 36 min Noreen - 4 hours 35 min
Allen and I rode together for a while, then he took off. The wind was still blowing strong. I had gloves on but without feeling in my fingers shifting was close to imposable. I wanted to eat some gu but I couldn't get my fingers to open the bento box. All that keeps it closed is a little strip of Velcro. The wind was so strong that I couldn't let go of the handle bars for longer then 15 seconds at a time. I knew I had to pace myself but I felt like I was still putting out a decent amount of energy. I was trying to determine how far I had gone when I saw a mile marker coming up. I had decided that I had gone somewhere between 20-24 miles. When I got close enough to read the sign I just started laughing. I had only gone 10 miles. I knew at that moment that this was going to be the longest 56 mile bike ride in my life. The wind was just killing me. I did have a good pick me up when Lindsey came behind me and patted me on the butt. It's hard to ride by yourself. She said that she was going to stick with me the rest of the race because she would rather have a slower time and do it with someone then do it by herself. We drafted off each other as best as we could. With that wind it was hard to draft. We sang songs and played games with the cows. Every aid station we got off our bikes and stretched out. My lower back and butt were killing me. There was one time that we even got chased by a couple of dogs. We were on our bikes for over 4 hours. OUCH!

T2: Allen - 3 min 03 sec Noreen - ?
We (Lindsey and I) took our sweet time in T2. I ate a bar and laid around trying to stretched out my back. It didn't feel windy in T2 so I took off my jacket. Bad idea!

Run: Allen - 2 hours 41 min Noreen - 3 hours 25 min
As soon as I got to mile 1 I regretted not having my jacket. I was okay and upbeat until mile 3 but then I got depressed. My body was so tired and I didn't know if I could make it to the end. Lindsey convinced me that we were going to make it and we walked and jogged for the next mile. Then I broke down and started crying as I told Lindsey just to leave me and finish the race strong. When I started crying my through started to close up making it hard to breath and I had to calm myself down again. She refused to leave me. For the remainder 10 miles we did more walking then running. What a physical and emotional draining day! WOW!

Total times:
Allen: 7 hours 11 minutes
Noreen: 8 hours 51 minutes
Lindsey: 8 hours 51 minutes
Sabrina: 7 hours 57 minutes
Kim: 9 hours 18 minutes

After relaxing and getting in the hot tub, Lindsey, Allen and I went out for a nice steak dinner. I think we were all to tired to enjoy it.

PS the winds got up to 35 mph

Count down - 1 day to go

This morning the Timp Tri Club did a swim/breakfast at Utah Lake

Allen heading out to swim

Eric and & Allen showing off their two piece wetsuits

Natalie strutting her stuff

Breakfast was served after the swim. We had a great turn out, about 40 people came. We have such a great club.

After cleaning up we (Allen, Lindsey, Kim, Sabrina and I) drove to Idaho for the race. After registering we headed down to the river. We were all a little confused as to which way the river was flowing because the waves were being blown against the current of the river. What's up with us doing races with crappy swims? The water was a bit chilly. Can you tell by the concerned look on my face?
Carri & NoreenAfter checking out the water we had a great carbo load dinner provided by the race.
Left to right: Sabrina, Lindsey & KimThen we went to check out the swim start

Sabrina, Perry, Lindsey, Kim, Mat and some lady that happen to be thereCheck out how choppy the water wasKim has a little problem staying on her feet and took out Allen. We couldn't stop laughing. If Allen wasn't there she would have gone right into the water.Perry tried to pull her out as Allen tried to pull her in.Left to right: Noreen, Kim & LindseyThe race is tomorrow. Ready or not!

Jumping contest part 1

We were invited to Lindsey's to celebrate Chad's 27th birthday.  After a nice steak dinner we played in the gym.

Jumping contest part 2

Noreen and Lindsey throwing contest

Balancing act

What's hanging?

Wakeboarding inside

Lindsey and Allen duct taping Bret into the wakeboard

Count down - 2 days to go

Last night Natalie called and said that she wanted to come over and bike for two hours. I was hoping to do a run but the weather was supposed to be bad again. So I was up and almost ready to go at 5:00 a.m. when she showed up. She and Lindsey started to bike as I got bit by the cleaning bug. I went around the house picking up and did a load of laundry before I got on the bike. I only lasted 50 minutes before I lost all interest in it and went to find something else to do. Not that it matters. I only had a average speed of 11 mph and only went about 10 miles. Ya, that's encouraging! Oh, well.
My goals/to do list for the day are:
*Eat properly (NO COOKIES, no cake and ice-cream at Chad's party tonight)
*Get more magic water
*Get to work on time (and look good - makeup on, hair done)
*Pack for race
*Take care of all YW/Girls camp stuff (find a sub for my primary class, nail down what will be addressed at the meeting on Sunday, contact DeLonne about the music and sharing time ideas, e-mail Denise)
*Buy a present for Chad
*Go grocery shopping (for the club meeting in the morning)
*Get to bed on time
*Breath

2 days until race day

The cout down begins - 3 days till race day

This morning Lindsey came over and we biked. We were supposed to do a brick (Bike about 30 minutes + run about 15 minutes.) but after the bike we looked outside and it was raining and decided just to go back down stairs and do another 30 minute on the bike. I ate so poorly today. I've been a bit stressed out and quite unmotivated to do anything about ......well anything. I've had great intentions with my nutrition but at one sight of a cookie I give in. Ya, I ate one cookie and three hunks of cookie dough. I have no one to blame but myself. But on a positive note, I've been drinking a lot of water and getting to bed early.
3 day's until race day.

I can't get enough of Utah Lake

Lindsey and I went for an early morning swim today before work. The water was wonderful! It's amazing how the water feels warm when the air is cold.

We were cracking ourselves up. (We have to do that every once in a while when Bret isn't there to keep us laughing) We were singing "This is why I'm hot" by Mims.

We looked like such dorks! It was awesome! The swim portion of the race (Half Ironman) on Saturday is going to be FREEZING! So we practiced swimming in our caps, full wet suits, and some sweet booties. Oh ya, by the way... "This is why I'm hot!"

As we turned back for shore, Lindsey stopped swimming and started walking when she hit the bottom of the lake with her hands. The lake is so shallow! We had such a good time. She is getting me excited again for the race. I'm so grateful for good friends.

Family Home Evening with the Bushman's

We had family home evening with the Bushman's tonight. After a nice BBQ we headed out to Utah Lake. Hayley & Emily wake boarding. Noreen & Bret just look goofy.

The water was cold but Allen convinced me to jump in and swim with him. After I got in we played around for a while. The water wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.

Allen enjoyed swimming around. He's getting ready for the Half Ironman this Saturday.
Wyatt & Bret did some wake boarding.

When Wyatt got out of the lake, Allen wrapped him up like a burrito keeping him nice and warm.