I'm a blessed girl....

[Running Mommy]

Ahh I must have the Ironman hormones raging (yes I think there are special IM hormones) because I'm feeling rather emotional today.
I'm just feeling incredibly blessed this week.
The shop has been busier that ever. We are actually running low on bikes! Our sales have been phenomenal, our service department is packed, and I met a wonderful new friend. Actually opening this shop has been a blessing,as I have met many new friends.
Had we not opened I would not have met my two new friends Chris and Michelle. They are both the most kind, giving people I have ever met. And I just love being with them. Chris got me through my hundred miler with a base of only about 40 miles in his own legs. We even have some summer vacation plans.
I've also become closer to other Ironman athletes that I used to see on the roads. Now I know their names, their stories, and when I see them on the road I can greet them by name- not just a nod and smile.
And as I said in a previous post, I met a wonderful English gentleman this past week. He's in town for the race and staying at the local airforce base. Apparently he ran into one of our customers who was on a tri bike. He asked for a bike shop recomendation and was told he HAD to go see us. He popped over and the rest is history. Not only are we making sure that his Pinarello is in top shape for race day, I took him for a drive of the race course today. We drove over to the lake and I showed him around the area, and then we drove the bike course. When we got back to the shop he insisted on taking us to dinner. It's so nice to sit and speak w/ someone who is sharing your passion. Albeit he's MUCH faster! I believe he will finish in around 10 hours, but he still treats me as an equal, and that means something. Actually he recognized me from my you tube video and calls me the "famous Denise from you tube". I have to wonder if this year will be a repeat of last. ha ha ha
But anyway, I'm really starting to get excited for next week. I have this feeling that race day is going to rock. The weather today was perfect and I'm channeling that for next weekend. So far so good on the forecast front. Plus this year I will have so many more friends racing along side me. And I'll have my AV jersey on, so it'll be like having ya'll right there with me..
Ahhh I'm just happy in my heart right now. And I want to thank all of you for coming along for the ride with me. You are a HUGE part of the reason why I feel so blessed.
Thanks all, and have a good night!

[Tuckervill]

I can hear your contented sigh from here. :)

Savor it.

Karen

[Tri Girl]

Sometimes enormous amounts of stress comes with tremendous blessings.
Your life has changed so much in the last year, and I'm so pleased that it has been such a great year for you!!!
Hugs to you! You deserve all the wonderful things that have come and are coming your way. :)

[Red Rock]

RM-Congratulations on your great accomplishments in life and at the shop so far. May they continue!!

Red Rock

[Wahine]

Denise - you brought tears to my eyes!! I'm sooooooo happy for you.

[snapdragen]

Denise - you brought tears to my eyes!! I'm sooooooo happy for you.

Me too! Enjoy!

[Velobambina]

As T would say, the butterflies are surrounding you! Enjoy.

[Starfish]

What an uplifting post and report. I had a stressful day yesterday, and I have been trying this morning to shake it off. Your post is a wonderful blessing to me this morning. A reminder that circumstances and stress come and go, but that remembering my blessings (and for me, remembering the Blesser), brings me back to the truest reality, which is not the stress, but the good stuff.

Enjoy!!! And, congrats on your shop's success. I LOVE hearing from business owners. I love that you took the risk, you're working hard, and you're building something there. Big pat on the back, and here's to many more years of success, personal and professional. (Lifting a glass to you...well...it is early...how about a glass of OJ? :p )

[LBTC]

Yes, Velo beat me to it! Those butterflies you have are spectacular!! I can see them from here! :D

Thank you for sharing your blessings, your butterflies and your uplifting story! I am sooooooo happy for you!

(and, yes, tears in my eyes too)

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[ehirsch83]

I am so glad to hear everything that you just said! I am ecstatic for you, with the shop, the new friendships, and everything inbetween.

Good luck at IMAZ Denise- we will all be rooting for you:-)

[ClockworkOrange]

Hi Denise

Yes, you sure made me fill up! http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Missbe/crying.gif

Not had a very good time lately, however, after reading your email and now your post, you have made me cry and smile lots.

I can only repeat what everybody else has said, you so deserve things to go well.

Well, I always say 'what goes around, comes around', and you are a true friend and deserve lots of good things to happen.

Good luck at IMAZ, sounds awesome.


2191 = 13.................that's a lucky number! What more do you need, it's even being held on the 13th!

Can you give me the best website to follow what will be going on, I have tried searching but not really found anything of any use.


2.4 mi. swim • 112 mi. bike • 26.2 mi. run...............http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Missbe/cool2.gif, now that's going some.......and some more!


My goodness, that's amazing, Denise..............you really rock.

Big hugs from over the pond.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2142/2389760805_ee661c3c1b_o.gif

Almost forgot, good luck to Spencer from Cally.


Clock http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Missbe/images.jpg

[Running Mommy]

Sorry to hear you haven't been well! That's stinky! We need to send some of LBTC's butterflies to England.
I'll have to make sure your box is extra special.

[crazycanuck]

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :D

Denise, you're one awesome chickie! Third time lucky i say!!!

Remind me..whén's de big day? April 13th?

[RoadBunner]

I think it's amazing that you get to do something that you're totally passionate about all day. We should all be so lucky!

[Trekhawk]

WOW Denise life sounds great.
Enjoy!! From reading your posts I know you really deserve it.
Good luck for the IM your AV mates will be thinking of you.:)

[Running Mommy]

Pic to share...

Today was the 2.4 mile swim at the Ironman site. I didn't swim, but went to support my friends. I actually rode early, did a small brick run, and then finished my run at the lake.
Here's a pic of all of us at brunch afterwards. AV represents!:D

http://s11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/tony66denise69/IMAZ%2008/?action=view&current=IMAZ08033.jpg

[Running Mommy]

I was tuckered out earlier, so I cut the last post short.
As I said, today was the 2.4 mile open water race. I haven't been to Tempe for a race in awhile, so it was good to see everyone. When I walked over to the site I was greeted by many many friends. It was nice. All were asking if I was swimming today...:o alas, no. I had no desire to do that swim w/ only one week to go. My friend Chris decided at the last minute to swim. Now mind you he's only been in masters for a couple of months, and I don't think he has swam for an hour straight yet- much less 2.4 miles. He finished in just over 2 hours. I'm VERY proud of him!
Also there were George and Jane Esahak-Gage. They are the couple that were nearly killed a year and a half ago by a red light runner. In fact how George survived is a MAJOR miracle. Last spring he was just getting back to running, today he knocked out the swim in less than an hour. He's an ANIMAL! And HE is my inspiration. I am in absolute AWE of him! It was an honor to get to speak with him.

http://www.ahwatukee.com/news/george_1712___article.html/says_jane.html


There were lots of IM racers swimming, so the IM vibe was in full effect. Today is our new British friend Adrian's birthday, so we surprised him with a card and maple cupcakes. After the swim we took him to brunch and had a fabulous time. I left the restaurant feeling so full of that good ju ju I call the "Ironman vibe". For those of you who have raced an IM, you know what I'm talking about. There's NOTHING like the buzz surrounding an Ironman.
Oh- and the lake temps- 68 degrees! WHOO HOO! Weather forecast is for 90+ degrees next weekend, and so far no mention of "breezy conditions". That's coming mid week. So it should be done and out of here. Let's hope that forecast holds. I do hot, I don't do wind.
I'm gonna rock next weekend. I just know.... I'm gonna rock!

Thanks again all. I'm feeeling your love and giving you a cyber hug!

[Tri Girl]

You go, girl! You look especially great this year, btw. You look fantastic in your IM outfit!!!! :D

[jesvetmed]

Thanks for sharing the story about George. AMAZING MAN.

AND you know what? YOU ARE GOING TO ROCK! :cool:
Good luck to you all!
Jes

[firenze11]

This is so cool and inspiring RM. I'm getting so excited for you and IMAZ now. I'll be sending whatever "strong, fast, powerful, determined woman" vibes I have during the race. . .not that you even need any.

And it's so great that your shop is doing so well and you love it so much. I only wish I lived in AZ so I could come to your shop. :)

[ClockworkOrange]

You go Denise, will be thinking of you on Sunday 13th

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2200/2404652271_08f6064dc1_o.gif
2191

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3155/2404652269_06e0f16316_o.gif

Sending you a super duper lucky black cat, to wish you loads of luck, not that you will need it with all the arduous training you have been doing.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2330/2404625339_6f1e91035a_o.gif


I cannot even begin to tell you how proud I am knowing you, I cannot be there but will be thinking of you every cadence of the way!

Last but not least, take care.

Big hugs.

Clock http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3097/2404652267_7600ab695d_o.gif

[Running Mommy]

I'm all registered and ready to go. Hit the water yesterday and today. It's cold, but manageable.
Yesterday:
Jumped in the water and got an ice cream headache. It was windy and choppy so I didn't linger.
Stood in a heinus line for registration- you would think they would have this down to an art??
Got my sparkly participant bracelet.
Bought a couple of cute tops and a jersey from "IM swag R us"- aka the merchandise tent.
Had a couple recognize me from my you tube video
Chatted with Michelie Jones ( LOVE HER)
Went to a talk given by Michael Lovato (hottie) last evening. Spoke w/ him briefly afterwards and told him about the video- he's actually in it as well. DANG he's a funny guy! We were laughing the entire time.
His take away message was "it's suppose to be FUN! So if your not having fun, why do it??!!"

Today:
Back to swim. Much smoother today, but lots of traffic- had to watch for oncoming traffic.. ugh
Talked to some reps. Being a bike shop owner now you kind of have to.
OH-
This morning I was chatting w/ the Quintana Roo guys when Heather Golnick came by. She's sponsored by them and they have her on a custom pink and grey Dolce- which is the new womens version of my bike. I got to chat w/ her (LOVE HER TOO), and even had her autograph something for the shop.
I WANT her bike in a serious way! Even the ZIPP stickers on her wheels are pink! SWEET!!!
Had some Bakers double chocolate granola - YUM- Paula Newby-Fraser likes it too! She was having some for breaky.
decided I needed to wonder home to get my bags ready. Tonight is the dinner, and tomorrow is bike/bag check in.
So just had some lunch, and now I'm off. My friend Michelle is a professional photographer. She was with me yesterday and captured my day on film. She added them to my IMAZ 08 album on photobucket.
I'll also add my Heather Golnick pics.

http://s11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/tony66denise69/IMAZ%2008/

if you have trouble go to photobucket.com and my username is tony66denise69 and p-word is spencer97

[Running Mommy]

Just got this email from a friend of mine. I had to share what he wrote. LOVE it!!

Another “ism” to keep in mind:

The pain will go away…braggin rights are forever.



So push through the pain, you can rest when it’s over. Don’t think about lack of training, think about it as you trained but a lot of the training was rest. Resting is when you get stronger, not when you’re out there suffering. Don’t discount the miracle race. Like they say in football, “…On any given Sunday.”, meaning it can happen when nobody excepts it.



You don’t need prayers, you need to get your azs out there and move…..and keep moving till it’s done. Remember, “There’s no f'in crying in baseball” (or tri’s). if you need to throw up, do it while you’re moving. No luck needed…see you at the end.

[Wahine]

Denise, I am sooooooooo excited for you. You're going to have a great race. I can't wait to check up on you online. I'll be in a conference all day, arrrrrrrgggggghhhhhh!!! But I'll be able to check later.

[maillotpois]

Good luck!!!

[jesvetmed]

Just wanted to tell you I'll be thinking of you and GOOD LUCK... both KSH and RUNNING MOMMY! GO GET EM!!!!!!!
Jes

[Tri Girl]

What a great day you must've had! Those goose bumps were HUGE! :p
Gotta love that wetsuit neck chafe- and I even saw the pic of you putting on body glide. What's up with that??


I'm sooooo excited for you! I can feel you excitement all the way over here. Can't wait to hear all about how much fun you had out there- cuz he's right- if it's not fun then why do it? :D

[spindizzy]

RM - I have been thinking about you all week.This is the culmination of a dream for you. I wish you strength, perserverance and tenacity. Every time we push ourselves, we learn something new. I believe.




To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.
Anatole France

[Grog]

I'm thinking about you!

[firenze11]

I just wanted to come wish you and Knapplaura a great race tomorrow. I will be thinking about you and hope you have an incredible day. Good luck, good luck, good luck (3 is tradition in my family)!