3 Things Made Me Blog Again.

Sorry for not posting sooner but it's been hard to post. I couldn't really find an appropriate way to follow up after Jimmy died but today seemed like a good day.

3 Things made me blog today.
- Yesterday I did something that I know would have made Jimmy proud.
- Today Nett is doing a few things that would make Jimmy proud
- Today a long-time family friend got in-touch with Jim & I and read this blog. He was pleased to see the pictures of Jimmy (and his family) and that made me feel like I had some unfinished business here.

So for those 3 reasons, I will blog today and elaborate on the making Jimmy proud stuff too.

I've had months to reflect since Jimmy died and I have come to the conclusion that I don't want to just exist in this world, I want to own my time in it and make my kids proud (since I don't have Jimmy anymore)

I tried to own myself yesterday by completing first triathlon. I swam 400 metres, rode 10 K and ran 2.5 K. Those aren't tough distances but when you group them together and swim in a cold lake on a windy June day, it makes it more interesting.

I'll back up for a moment and tell you that I have a "Someday list" (list of things I want to do "someday") and completing a triathlon was on my "someday list". (among many other crazy ideas but you'll have to wait for those). Last year I started to really consider doing a triathlon, I went to watch one, I read material about them, I found friends that do them. Basically, I surrounded myself with triathlon information but didn't actually do one. Well, fast forward to this year and remember that I'm trying to own my life so, I signed up for a few. Actually, I bought a new fancy fast bike and then signed up. ha ha.

I've been asked by a few friends to tell them about my triathlon experience but I'm not sure I want to because I am disappointed with myself. I had a tough swim, average ride and brutal run. I can make excuses but they are just that...EXCUSES. I didn't own that experience, the triathlon owned me. During the very tough swim I vowed that I was never doing it again and was already lining up a buyer for my wetsuit (the things you think about while swimming - swimmers know what I'm talking about). Then when I was on the bike I was a bit happier and thinking that maybe duathlons (run/bike/run) were the way to go. Then it was time to run. Well, I pretty much walked. I had nothing to give and my feet were killing me (more excuses) and I wanted to puke in the trees. Hundreds of people passed me while I was walking and I didn't really care. That race was over for me because I lost myself back in the lake. I walked / ran to the finish and put on my happy face because it was over. Triathlons didn't scare me before I did one but now they do. They are hard, plain and simple.

Lesley & I before the swim.

Finished and really really happy about it.

(notice that I'm not even sweating..evidently I didn't run enough to sweat).

Lesley & I with our bikes after the race

Here is my results:
148 (out of 296) ANNETTE SMALL SCARBOROUGH 1018
54:39 Time
19/48

Swim 21 155 12:00 3:123 (12 minutes to swim and 3+ minutes to wiggle out of wetsuit)
Bike 31 21:48 27.5 37 (21:48 to ride)
Walk ...I mean Run - 235 20:51 8:21 (20 minutes to cover 2.5 K - SERIOUSLY NOW)

I would like to thank my running (RM) friends for all their support, encouragement and for answering my never ending slew of questions. Special mention to my friend Lesley (by the way, it was her idea to do the early June triathlon and I'll get you back for this - PROMISE).

As I reflect on my Milton triathlon I will sum it up as a "character building experience". It's over now and I'm ready for what's next. BINBROOK Triathlon. (yes, I'm not selling my wetsuit yet)

Lastly, I'd like to say that I'm super proud of my mom today. She is owning her life too. She is out sailing with Jim tonight. Not a casual fun sail a RACE! Go Nana! By the way, I told Jim (the super competitive sailor guy) that he wasn't allowed to yell at her. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out. ha ha As an added bonus, Nett is driving herself there and back (this is a huge deal for her)

Jimmy's family are out doing things they love because that's the way he would have wanted it.

Thanks to Gene Thompson for the blog nudge. It's a good day to blog!