Okay . . . I may have oficially lost my mind

So I did it, I signed up for my very first Ironman. 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike followed by 26.2 mile run. It has been my dream since I moved to Kona, and watched the Ironman finishers run, walk even crawl across the finish line on Alii Drive. I am scared. . . terrified actually for what my first Ironman distance race has in store for me. But hey, if I can milk a trip to New Zealand out of it, why not? So am I crazy? Probably. But it's something I want so deeply I can't live with not trying. So wish me luck. Because for aproximately 11 hours in March of 2009, I'll really really need it.

Out With The Old . . .

What's new in my life? A new bike and running shoes thats what! I finally gave in and listened to Pat and my friends when they told me my Nike's were on their last legs like 100 miles ago. They were junk-y to say the least. We went through so much together it was sort of sad to say goodbye. And unexpectedly I got a new bike and was able to ditch my slow road bike which I didn't have nearly as hard of a time saying goodbye to.

And this beauty is my new tri-bike! One of my best friends gave me this bike! It is so beautiful and incredibly fast. And I mean fast, my first ride and I was squealing and giggling because this baby flies! It's built for the infamous Kona winds too. I couldn't have dreamed about anything more. They even have the shifters built into the aero bars so you have to leave your aerodynamic position as little as possible.


This is me being a dork showing off my new ride. I have to name her. Everyone has names for their bikes. She's so pretty and sleek she needs a really good name. This old man that was in the bike shop when I picked her up suggested Ms. Universe, awesome, but I'm not sure she's that glitzy. She loves to compete and is quite shiny, but I like to think she's a little more rugged. I was thinking maybe Lola or maybe Gretchen? Anyone that's struck or inspired and thinks of a name let me know.
These are the shoes. Nike's on the left. They have been with me through a marathon, an Olympic distance triathlon (my first), two Kukio challenge races, a Half Ironman and miles and miles, probably hundreds of pavement pounding, hot, sweaty, crazy training. They were tired, they were old. I never could quite get out the bloodstains from the marathon. It was time for them to retire. They've had a good run, pardon the pun.
I was laughing because this picture makes the New Balances look kinda grungy too, but that's because Pat and I have taken up a new hobby of running our dog off the trails in Waikoloa's open land and it's dusty out there.
These are amazing, it's the first time Ive ever gone to a running store, where they watch to run, diagnose your stride, and then fit the perfect shoes for you. So basically I have to be as close to barefoot as possible to get the most out of my shoes for my body and stride. And when I put these on it was almost like running on clouds. They're amazing and yes . . . they are bright orange. I had myself convinced they were pink, but Pat informed me that no . . . hot orange. They are awesome and I'll give them a good life. I don't think they know what they are in for. . . Ironman . . . here we come.