More biking, more sunshine, more forests and more OJ than a girl can handle in one day!

Today was absolutely spectacular!! I rode for over 2 and 1/2 hours! It felt like 30 minutes. I wanted to keep going, but I promised to be back to take the boys to "Cold Stone Creamery". Some amazing ice cream for a protein recovery meal and I was good to go again. Unfortunately the sun was setting and I also promised to be back to help with dinner. Tomorrow we plan to ride Mt. Lemmon early in the morning so we can play at the pool during the "UTP" times ("Ultimate tanning position"). I haven't used that term since high school! Then some shopping and a run in the afternoon! Happy New Year!!!! I am feeling very spoiled, but I am also so appreciative of my life. I am very lucky!! I have to come back at spring break. Nana Cindi has welcomed us back with open arms! Sorry Shawn, me and the boys are Tucson bound come spring break whether you are off work or not!

More cactus!
More sunshine and blue sky than a girl can handle!

The cactus are absolutely amazing! They have to be 70 years old before they start growing one of their arms, so this one is ancient! They are also only native to this desert here in the "Arizona Sonora Desert".

This one is just a baby cactus! But still bigger than Brady!

Of course our day would not be complete without the fresh squeezed OJ. We have added some delicious grapefruit that we got at the "Sunflower Farmer's Market". (3 for a $1) They are blood red and very juicy! Hope everyone has an amazing New Year's Eve tomorrow!

Cactus Forests, fresh sqeezed oj, and beautiful bike rides!...

We have had amazing weather for two days!! Highs of 22' C and lots and lots of blue sky! We took the kids to see the cactus forests and the Tucson zoo. There were so many cyclist on the road. It was awesome. They were climbing huge climbs through the winding desert roads. So cool. I was drooling... Shawn and I have been juicing oranges and tangerines from the trees in the back yard every day! Delicious!

I have been taking too many pictures. They are getting a little tired of me. Well, mostly Shawn. He gave me his typical smile while talking to me at the same time "OK, are you done yet, just take the picture"

Tomorrow we plan on riding for at least three hours and a run to follow!!! I feel free again! Thank you Tucson for giving me some sun!

It's Freakin Cold Here!!!

Christmas day dinner at the Erlandson's in frigid Tucson Arizona!!! We have woke up to frost on the grass and snow in the mountains! I haven't rode my bike yet... I'm starting to feel like a loose canon!... We have 6 days left and I am hoping the outside air temps are warm enough to ride, cause I'm going no matter what!! We are only 10 minutes from the famous Mt. Lemon. Apparently if you are a real triathlete you will ride Mt. Lemon while you are here training. I have yet to get there! Hoping to go today! It is supposed to get up to 14 C by 3pm.

We had a rare family photo opp! Way too much turkey and stuffing!!!

The Grand Canyon!!! Yes, we were slipping and sliding along the trails in the snow!!! I guess we should be thankful that we are not in 3 feet of snow!

-31 C Oh My!

My Olympus camera used through the back seat of the Toyota Tundra!  Pretty sweet shot of the Rocky Mountains!  We are packed liked sardines, but have survived the trip so far.  

My youngest boy in the back seat.  He has the greatest lips!  We are so jealous!  He thinks we are teasing him, but man, those lips are just fantastic.

We started our Journey from Comox in the pouring rain (+6 C) and arrived in Kamloops to 20 cms of blowing snow and temperatures dropping to -20 C with the windchill!!!  AAAHhhh!!!  We spent a couple of days visiting friends, family, eating early Christmas dinner, and celebrating Poppa Brian's 60th birthday! The next day, after much deliberation, we decided to venture out into the frigid temperatures and travel through the Rocky Mtn's to Calgary for the next leg of our Journey!  We watched the thermometer drop to -31 C and rumor has it, with the wind chill, it was -45 C.  Thank goodness we were in a truck!

My boys gave us about 30 seconds to shoot a couple of family pics in the snow.  Notice we are not really dressed for the cold temperatures.  We are spoiled on the Island!

For those of you that don't believe I really have a husband!  There he is!!  I had seconds to get this shot.  He really does not like getting his picture taken!

My last one!!!!!!!!

My last 3 hour Compu Trainer ride of 2008!

Yes, I did this! I know, I know! No one admits to riding on their trainer for 3 hours! But, I know there are a lot of 'Closet' trainers out there that do. I'm just crazy enough to actually tell someone I do this... Hey, if Lisa Bentley can take her Compu Trainer with her on a cruise ship, this is nothing!...

I had just the most amazing day today! 6:30am I swam with Masters for the last time in 2008. I am looking forward to swimming in Arizona next week. (Maybe I'll find an outdoor pool to train in!) Then, I had coffee and exchanged Christmas gifts with the most fantastic, generous, enthusiastic and inspiring 40 year old Mom's (my athlete's training for Victoria 1/2 Iron) They spoiled me beyond words!!! Then I met up with my Need For Speed Thursday Night group with Sarah and the gang to do some serious hills! I finished the night with our farewell dinner and drinking a bottle of the best wine ever!!! with my Mom and Dad. ("Beaufort 06 Cab-Sauv") from the Comox Valley!!! (given to me from Sandy and Trish) Woo Hoo!

Now I am off to bed, to wake at 6 am, to start our journey through Kamloops, Calgary, and down to Arizona! I promise, I promise to try and blog my way down and back!!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!!!

It's Like Christmas.... Again!!

I am one lucky girl!!! Christmas has come early AGAIN! for me! Well, really I worked pretty hard for this one. All my shopping at Safeway, collecting airmiles actually paid off. I probably spent way more in groceries getting those airmiles, but now I have a brand new WATERPROOF Olympus Camera! With just a few clicks on the airmile's website, I redeemed some miles and was given free shipping to boot!.. 10 days later it's here.

I have been wanting something small and easy to carry in my run pack or on the bike to capture those "I wish I had my camera" moments! Just in time for our cross country journey to Arizona! Now I just need to figure out how to use the little thing!.... Woo Hoo!!!!

Birthdays, Boys, and Bathing Suits!

Birthdays! I love them! We get to have the most amazing desserts on these special days! My Mom's 61st birthday. Had to have the dessert from down under. Usually we make this one in the summer with all the fresh fruit. I just couldn't resist. So I paid a little more for the fresh raspberries and blueberries, it was worth it. Now, the "fresh whipping cream", ya I had to have that too. What's a Pavlova without fresh cream. Notice the recycled birthday candles. Must have been from Braydan's sixth b-day cake!

The boys and their Gramma Connie... Need I say more. Other than my Mom after 57 years!!! is not wearing glasses anymore. She had two lens transplants and now has better vision than me. She has been clinically blind without her glasses since she was 4! My Pavlova was looking even more fantastic to her this year. She says she can't believe how bright and colorful the world is! Happy Birthday Mom!

Merry Christmas to me!!!...
Well, just a little pre-Christmas gift to get a girl excited about going into a cold pool at 6 am! I received my first of 3 Splish suits that I ordered for myself to help keep the winter swims more enjoyable! A girl has to do what a girl has to do.... I remember when shopping to perk yourself up in the winter was a fancy new party dress for the Christmas and New Years Eve Bash! Nope, not that girl anymore. Just bring on the Tri gear! That's way more healthier!


We will be venturing off on a 3 1/2 week cross country road trip from Vancouver Island to Kamloops, to Calgary, to Tucson, Arizona next week! I am so looking forward to riding my bike in warmer weather and shopping at the sweetest Triathlon stores around! Again, Merry Christmas to me!!! I hope to post our adventures of the Erlandson family of five doing the USA tour in a mini-van when we get to Tucson and settled there for a couple weeks! I am sure it will be an adventure!!!

My life in 24 hours!...

24 hours in the life of a Mother of 3 boys!...

• 6 am - Make and apply frosting to Christmas square for cookie exchange.
• 7 am - Make breaky and lunches for boys and drive them to school.
• 9:30 am - Volunteer guide for trail Running Adventure group.
• 11:00 am - Cookie exchange and wrap up get together post trail run.
• 2 pm - Arrive home and unload $150 of groceries, ice cream cake, party supplies for 12 year old b-day sleepover party.
• Dishes/Laundry
• 3 pm Set up "Dance Revolution 3" dance mats for XBox 360 and watch 9 boys compete and then move on to ACDC World Tour Rock Band "Highway to Hell", and then ride dirt bikes and skate boards in yard while I prepare chicken strips, french fries, seven layer Mexican bean dip, bagel bites, fruit plate with yogurt dip, veggie plate, dry ribs, and "Virgin Tequila Sunrises"!!
• Dishes/Laundry
• 6 pm - Serve and wait on 9 hungry boys.
• 7 pm - Act as professional photographer for Candle Blowing moment!
• Dishes/Laundry
• 9 pm - Sit down for a few minutes and watch "WAL-E" with the crowd.
• Dishes/Laundry
• 11:30 pm - Clean up 5 sets of sheets, pillow cases, pillows, mattress covers, mattresses, and blankets that were used as a slide down 2 flights of stairs... Remake all 5 beds for boys to sleep on!
• Dishes/Laundry
• 1:30 am! - Attempt again to get 9 boys to bed and over hear one of them say something about someone "doing the reverse cowboy position"! HUH????....
• 2:06 am! - Stop sleep over guests from writing with red ink over birthday boy's face while sleeping... Nathan made the mistake of telling his friends he was born at 2:06am on the 25th.
• 6:30 am - Wake up with first set of boys wanting to play ACDC rock band!
• 8 am - Shower/Dishes/Laundry
• 8:30 am - Gramma Connie arrives just in time to help make 50 pancakes!
• 9:30 am - 1st parent teacher interview!
• 9:50 am - 2nd parent teacher interview!
• 10:30 - Home to laundry/Dishes/starting lunch for crew.
• 12 pm - Serve and watch another fruit plate, veggie plate, more chicken strips, box of girl guide cookies, plates full of Quesidillias, and 18 Japanese oranges be consumed with a matter of minutes!
• 2 pm - Attend another parent teacher interview!
• 2:45 pm - Say good-bye to last party goer and drive boys to dentist appointments, call best friend and have a small cry over disappointing parent teacher interview!
• 4 pm - Buy another $125 worth of groceries, as the fridge is now empty again!
• 6 pm - Pick up husband from being in Camp all week, give him a big "Big High Five - Tag Your It"!! and run as far and as fast as I can!!!

So much fun!! Now it's time to take and break and start training again!!!

"Free Speed!"

If I haven't told you the storey yet... I have to tell you again! "I won a Compu Trainer" !!! http://racermateinc.com/

How long have you been submitting your name into that "Compu Trainer" draw box at Race Expo's?... I know it was 6 years for me! So, when I had the phone call from Racer Mate in Washington at the end of June this year, I felt like I had won the lottery!! I was an absolute looser on the phone. Of course, I was screaming with delight and kept asking the guy if it was a joke. I told him "I have had a Compu Trainer on my Christmas wish list for the last 6 years" He kinda laughed... After I hung up the phone, I couldn't go 5 minutes for the next week telling someone... "I won a Compu Trainer"...

So today, I rode the Ironman Arizona Race course, while watching it on Ironmanlive.com!! I absolutely love it! I am hoping that this "Free" gadget will give me the "Free Speed" I am looking to gain to step it up for next year! I will keep you posted on the progress!

7500 meters!!!

https://www.swimming.ca/swimming.htm

6:00 am Saturday morning!!! :))) What are we getting ourselves into!

So it wasn't 100 X 100 on 1:30, those guys were in the next lane over! Whew! The best this little triathlete could pull off this morning was 100 X 75's on 1:30!!! 7500m, 7.5km, 8202.1 yards, 4.66 miles! Doesn't matter which one you use, it was a long way for me! It took our lane 2.5 hours. My shoulders are killing me!

We were mixed in with the swim club kids, and the guys in the 100 X 100 lane did Fly for their last 100. They did 10,000m! The little 14 year old chic in our lane decided that after 25 100's on 1:30, she would join us and do 75 X 75 KICK on 1:30. She lead the lane and got 20 seconds rest each time. We all thought, who needs arms when you can kick like that! We were in awe! Now I am going for a run. The storm has passed, the sun is out and the trails are calling me! So is Hana! I must not let her down.

Rainy Days and Rest Days!

Nothing like a full on West Coast winter storm to get everyone into the full swing of power outages, 'take out' Chinese Food, and REST DAYS!! We have be SO lucky this fall... I think it was just three days ago that I posted a picture from this same beach in short sleeves and beautiful sunshine!!!

So, yes I am human, and I do take rest days! Lucky for me it was today! It is always so challenging to not do ANYTHING on a rest day when the sun is shinning and you just want to bike or run for hours. Nope, not so much today! So I took it very seriously and decided to pamper myself at the salon, drink coffee, and read rag magazines! (What, no Tri mags, what is that?) Except I did pick up the latest Triathlon Canada mag at the grocery store when I stopped for Chinese Food. I told the kids that I was going to haul out the camp stove and candles for dinner. They laughed and called Grandma's and asked if she had power... She did! So THEY made the plan that I was to pick up take out and bring it to her house! Huh?...

Yes, this was the brief moment, captured on film, of me sitting still for just over two hours. Now I am off to bed! We are celebrating the 100th anniversary of Swim Canada in our Master's workout. Something like 100 X 100m on 1:30 was mentioned.... There might be a typo, but rumour has it 10,000 meters in 3 hours is the goal!!! AAAAHhhhh! I will let you know if I survive!

She Keeps Me Honest!

Hana!

My training partner...

Always willing and ready to run. Dependable. She is so fast through the trails, she keeps me on my toes, chasing her faster and faster. When I feel like I want to quit, she gives me the inspiration to race up the hill again. She keeps me honest, as I would feel guilty if I didn't give her one more hill repeat. She is always waiting for me at the top smiling. She never complains. She is also patient when I am slower to the top than her. When she doesn't see me coming, she always comes back to make sure I'm safe. She never criticises. She doesn't complain about the pace. She never gives up on me. She accepts my speed, and runs beside me, protects me, and loves to be with me.

Thanks Hana for a great run today!

Rainy days and compression socks!

So what does a girl do when it is absolutely pouring outside and you gotta get your track workout done?.... Thank god for the garage tread mill! Gotta love the "look". Yes they are knee high socks, but they are to die for!! Sugoi Compression Socks are my new best running friend. I picked up a pair just before Ironman in the summer. I had been doing a lot of reading on these socks and had to get me a pair. They work to help reduce fatigue and if you have a second pair, wear them to bed and you recover quicker after a hard training run! I totally recommend getting a pair. I thought I was going to look like a dork in Penticton walking around in these things, but to my surprise, EVERYONE had a pair! Except, I think the men can pull off the look better than the girls. Especially when we have our skimpy running shorts on, we kinda look like, well... You know! Trust me, you'll love them!

I'm so excited!!!

Approximately 6 years ago I begged my girlfriends to enter as a team for the Kamloops Y Mini Tri. I was going to swim, Rhonda would bike, and Sarah would run. It would be a 700m swim, 20km bike, and an 8km run. The deadline for the race was coming close and my friends couldn't commit to the race.... We had talked about doing it now for a couple of years, and I had always wanted to try this "Tri" thing. So secretly I submitted my application, signing up to doing the entire distance myself. OMG! What was I thinking. I had always been sporty. I competitive swam, ran track, and raced BMX growing up with the guys.... No problem! Unfortunately that was over 15 years ago and three babies later, my body was not exactly what they call a "Triathlete's physique"... I searched the net and found a "Beginner's Sprint Triathlon" training program. I remember doing my first "Brick" workout. I was to bike 60 mins and then get off my bike and run 20 mins!!! I remember thinking that was the hardest thing I had ever done in my life!!! I guess the rest is history. I went from a 165 lb Mother of three, to a 133 lb "Triathlete". Thank you Sarah and Rhonda for jamming on me! I believe things happen for a reason, and that if you believe you can do something, "Anything is Possible"! Now, I feel guilty if I don't get my swim, bike, run, weights, yoga, and stretching in every day....

So now on to why I am so excited!!! Last week, I had a message on my answering machine. The women's name was Sandy. Sandy went on to say how she and her best friend just turned 40 and they had signed up for a Half Ironman for June 09. They wondered if I would be interested in helping them get prepared for the race!!! I was nearly busting at the seams!!! I am always so excited when women, men, and kids decide to participate in Triathlon. I love inspiring others to do things they never thought possible. Their excitement for training and racing next year has also inspired me to take it up a notch and pursue the coaching side of this sport! If I can compete and help others to compete, that is so cool! I signed up for my first Tri-specific coaching course, and have already mapped out my future courses! Below is my Lottery Ticket that was released in 2006! Just before the interview, I had met a 75 year old man in Hawaii at the Age Group World Championships we were racing at. He was sitting there with his grandchildren. He told me that he had now done Ironman Hawaii World Championships 6 times! I think about that man and what he has achieved alot.

So here's to you Sandy and Trish!!! I am so looking forward to watching you guys transform yourselfs into an Ironman athlete! Maybe you will be inspired to go on and tackle the full distance.... "Anything is Possible" You are an inspiration, and your family will be so proud of you!!

"Lottery tickets featuring a photo of Comox triathlete Audrey Erlandson have hit the stores. The tickets, which went on sale Monday, are part of the SportsFunder Homegrown Heroes fundraising campaign.The campaign, focused on raising funds for amateur athletes in B.C., directs its proceeds into a variety of amateur sports organizations across the province. Erlandson is a mother of three and a labour delivery nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital. She lists her family and fellow triathletes as major sources of inspiration. "I got involved in triathlons because I wanted to set a positive example for my kids," said Erlandson, adding that she is motivated to train hard by her family. "We have faced some major health issues - and a healthy, athletic lifestyle is the best way to overcome them," she comments. "When I was in Hawaii, I met a 75-year-old man who had competed in the Ironman for the past six years and that inspired me.I want to be able to race far into the future and be there for my kids as they grow up." Along with other athletes displaying her competitive drive, Erlandson is appearing on tickets which feature over $1 million in prizes, says the BC Lottery Corporation.

Happy November 1st!!! Already???

Happy Halloween!!!

Nothing like bags and bags of candy to keep a kid going till after midnight!

Nathan and his friend Cade decided riding their bikes this year would get the job done faster! After the trick or treating was over, we all headed over to the neighbourhood block party for more treats, hot apple cider, fireworks and a good old fashioned tractor ride around the farm fields. Jordan decided this year, he was too old for the trick or treating, so he was at home handing out handfuls of candy. The weather was windy and drizzly, so not as many kids made the trek down the long driveways in the Sand Pines area. They were lucky, all their bags of candy looked just as big as last year!

Hannibal, Cade, and Nathan post "bike tricking"

Can I carve a pumpkin or what??? Even after waking up from night shift, I can still get the pumpkin carved before the first kid comes knocking on the door!

The little kids at the door thought I was a great looking "rock star"! My husband's comment was "Brunette!"... Huh?! Unfortunately I do not have the legs to go with the hair!

This would be post candy, fireworks, and fun! Braydan, needing a little pick me up, after he realized his hockey game was to start at 7:45 am, (this means waking at 6:45 am). There was a whole lot of whining going on! Braydan said, "awwwwhhhh, it's not fair that they make us play hockey so early in the morning on Halloween!!! We should have a holiday, it's not fair" Mom says, "But Brady, just think, in the morning you get to sit in the dressing room and brag about how much candy your scored"... Brady: "Oh yeah!! OK, goodnight!" Wow, competitive or what. So what does he do at his game today?!!!.... He ramps it up and scores the tie breaker goal to make it 6-5! Then turns around 1 minute later and scores another one on an empty net, after the other team pulls their goalie to try and tie it up. He carried that puck all the way to the net, just to make sure it went in. He said he was just shaking, remembering a you tube video of an NHL player that had an empty net shot and missed! Ha Ha!! I love it!!

CAN

I "CAN" JUST BREATHE!

Some days I find being a Mom one of the most immense challenges I have EVER attempted! Some days it feels like there just isn't enough coffee, wine, or chocolate to make anything better! The morning war zone of making lunches, finding hoodies, fighting over "Tech Decks", begging for brushed teeth, combed hair, wearing clean clothes, using our "nice" words, and getting out the door on time can make a Mother want to just fly far, far, away!!! Then, as you are driving like a maniac to get them all to their schools, so that teachers can continue the madness with them, you see this....

Nothing like a good old sunrise over the Georgia Strait to brighten any ones day!!! That is when I say to myself, "Just Breathe, you are so lucky to be alive and to have the gift of sight, movement, and three amazing boys... Breathe!" (My mantra!)

Then I come home, pour myself another cup of coffee... This time it is hot! I have a piece of chocolate, log onto You Tube, and get my daily reminder of how much harder motherhood could be! This video is my most favorite, and I cannot ever get through it without getting a knot in my throat!

Have a beautiful Tuesday! and remember to BREATHE!

I LOVE MONDAYS!!!

I LOVE Mondays because I get to meet up with great women that LOVE running in our spectacular trails we are so lucky to have!

At 7am our day was looking pretty wet. It was absolutely pouring rain! I had been anticipating our trail run today all weekend hoping for sunshine so that I could take some great photos. Fall is always a great time to do the Trent River trail because you cannot describe the colours! Just fabulous!

It was our lucky day!!! The rain stopped and the sun was out in full force! I am so sorry for the other trail running women that didn't make it today! You missed a great morning trek!! So here are some pictures for you to drool over!

Beautiful Monday Morning Adventure Running women!

Entering the trail at Trent River

Moe's Misery sign at the turn around.

A rare 'Old Growth' beauty!