Birthday, Salt, and Sunshine: None of It Synchs

I teach high school literature, and so I'd like to think that life just fits neatly into a story with all elements synchronizing thematically, like a novel or a short story or even a television drama or sitcom.

But it doesn't.

How busy moms train when dads escape for the weekend. 

As a result, we have weeks like this week where notable things happen by none of them have a common thread. They're just reality for us. And because this blog works more like a journal than a sitcom, I offer up no apology.

This week was overshadowed by one big event: the seven year old's birthday. Our (now) seven year old turned seven on Wednesday and celebrated her birthday on Friday, so we purposefully modified our training schedule to make sure she knew triathlon really does not trump family. And we didn't want to miss out on a really fun week.

Yes, we missed some workouts. And yes, I'd be lying if I said this did not bother us a little.

But not celebrating with the seven-year-old would bother us more. When I think about the week and look at the pictures from it, two words come to mind: no regrets.

Jason also had a pleasant surprise this weekend. Back in September we took  a risk during our first Ironman and did something no one should ever do: we tried something new on race day. The day before the race Jason learned about Base Performance products--in particular their electrolyte salt. I hadn't had a whole lot of luck with traditional salt pills, so really trying this left little to lose. In short, Base saved our bacon that day. This week Jason received notification that Base chose him among others for their ambassador program.

This means that this year we will do what we do best: promote a product that we love. We both use the salt still and love it. Additionally, as an ambassador, Jason will have discount codes for friends and family that we will gladly share here and through social media. We LOVE Base.

The paparazzi view of Pro David Thompson

This last weekend Jason and three fellow triathletes took 36 hours to go on a "boys' weekend" to the Cities to attend Gear West University. Jason came home with a bundle of education from David Thompson, the featured speaker and a local pro triathlete. Never before have either of us had the opportunity to attend a seminar focused solely on triathlon training. So, according to Jason, he thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to rub shoulders with other triathletes and to learn from someone who is far more advanced and gifted than we are, who's been around the sport a long time, and who, by his own admission, has failed and succeeded.

Meanwhile, back on the ranch I tried to take advantage of living out some of the new things that I'm learning. I am believing more and more in living with no regrets. But I also believe in no excuses. I've said this before, but I believe we've had the blessing of doing what we've done in life because we've done what we could with the parameters that God has given us. Sunday we had an unseasonably warm day. Incredibly unseasonably warm.

So one of my biking buddies who was also a triathlete widow for the weekend brought her seven-year-old over to hang out with our three minions while we set the trainers and bikes up in the driveway and pedaled in the beautiful sunshine with a beautiful view. Really, it was the best that we could have hoped for (minus the sunburn foolishly incurred).

This next week is looking more hopeful as far as training goes. Mr. T. is home and fast asleep before 10pm, which means he'll resume his 5-ish am schedule tomorrow and most likely through the week. Looks like a GREAT week ahead.