Almost exactly 6 months ago ...

I had two major ligaments repaired in my knee.

Almost exactly 9 months ago ... I cut out sugar and flour from my diet and lost 70 + lbs.

So this triathlon was kind of a big deal for me. I wanted to beat my previous times in each of the three events and I sorta did ... 

The weight loss was going to make it easier and the knee was going to make it harder. I took an ibuprofen before the race and was able to run. The knee definitely hurt especially because they had us run up and down a bunch of the hills behind the state mental hospital and that was not good for my knee. Running and biking and swimming have been so much easier and enjoyable now that I'm carrying 70+ less on my frame.

These boys (including baby Milo who is behind Van) and their mom came to support me. Although after the bike they were waiting for me to cross the timing mat but I got confused and missed the mat and just hopped the fence so I could go directly to the pool. So they waited and waited for me and never got to see me jump in the pool ... but they did get to see me run out and to the finish line.

I did well on the bike and I really tried to push it. As I was finishing and turning back into the park, I saw a tall man walking along Seven Peaks Drive in a red baseball hat, listening to his ipod. I yelled out at Larry who wasn't even there to cheer me on but just happened to be on his regular morning walk. It was sorta like I was cheering him on. 

Here are my times:

Somehow, even though I missed the mat, they came up with a swim time for me. I did really well on the swim although it was quite annoying because I couldn't really get in a rhythm with the narrow lanes and all the bodies in my way. I literally passed at least 10 people and no one passed me. So although I was slower on the run, I made up some time on the bike and swim and passed quite a few people. 

Here are my other sprint triathlon times ... the 5K on the Telos triathlon is much easier than this one and the bike ride is only 10 miles, not 12 so ...

My favorite part of the race was as I turned on to Slate Canyon Drive and at the top of the hill I looked out as the sun was coming up. I saw dozens of bikers pushing up the hill with the fields of gold behind them. It was beautiful ... I wish I could have taken a picture but I did take a mental picture that I hope never leaves me. I'm so excited for more beauty and fun in my future!

I'm not a wuss

Feeling like a wuss
For the last two months since my knee surgery (ACL & LCL repair), I've felt like quite a wuss. I was still on crutches and after faithfully going to physical therapy and working hard, the progress was minimal. In fact, my bend actually got worse. Although it grossed me out to think about what they do to my knee during the manipulation surgery, I really wanted to do it. And yesterday they did it.

Helpful Niece
My niece, Kari took care of me for those first 24 hours that you are not supposed to be alone. She had to drive me to physical therapy twice and sleep over and basically babysit me. It was very kind of her. This is Kari with her new cousin, Milo:

New Nephew
Ann Dee also had her baby yesterday. Little Milo has red hair. It is pretty light so it could go blonde but I hope it stays red.

First Place
Since the beginning of January, I've started a new food plan which includes cutting out all sugar and flour. It is an amazing program and I've lost over 40 lbs in 3 months. Most of that time, I was unable to exercise, so there is your proof that weight loss is mostly about what you eat, not how much you exercise. I entered a contest sponsored by triathlon coach, Keena. Anyway, I won first place and the price money was $350 which will help tremendously to pay for this second surgery. I would like to spend the money on new clothes but that'll have to wait.

Spices
I'm still finding things to organize in my house. With my new food plan, I've been cooking so much more and I finally got frustrated enough with how my spices were organized that I found a system that works for me and my kitchen.

FHE is back
With this injury and surgery, my FHE schedule was messed up. I am happy to report that I have started it back up and my Monday nights are starting to book up again. Last Monday was FHE at the Browns. Amy's mom gave a great lesson about the ressurection and then we colored eggs. Did you know that you can decorate hot eggs with crayons? Totally cool. This most recent Monday, I went to the Carl Bloch exhibit at the MOA with a singles group and my friend Angela pushed my around in a wheelchair. It was a very cool exhibit and I was happy to be able to attend.

Turns out I'm not a wuss 

After the manipulation, my surgeon came to see me and told me that it was a good thing we decided to do that surgery because he was able to break through scar tissue and heard popping etc. It made me feel so much better because it means I'm not a wuss. I have been able to move my knee so much better in both directions ever since. And yes, I'm on pain killers and yes, I have months and months of rehab ahead of me but this will save me so much time. This is one of my favorite T-shirts designed by my brother-in-law, Doug. Check out his other t-shirts: http://www.wussywear.com/ This is me and my cousin, Ann back in 2005 before the Provo Freedom Run.