100th Post

This is my hundredth post.  Doesn't sound like much but I like to celebrate milestones and so I'm throwing myself a bit of a party today.  Extra coffee, time for training and a bit of trying to pat myself on the back without dislocating my shoulder.

As part of my first post, I wrote:


"I have been looking for a place on-line to connect with triathletes that are like me and have to balance really important commitments with the triathlon hobby.  Since I couldn't find the place, I created this blog."

A couple questions?  Do I feel more connected?  Yes, in a small way I do.  While the number of followers (12) is small and the people that comment are few and the stats are disheartening (1700 page views), I now know there are people out there that struggle with the same things I do. 

They care a lot about their families AND want to be improving triathletes.

Now the harder question, is this blog helping me and others with balancing our priorities?  Not sure, but I do feel much more purposeful and appreciative of my life than when I started 100 posts ago.  I've noticed more, remembered more, and cracked myself up more (yes, I think I'm kind of funny).

So, thanks Google and Blogger for providing an easy way for me to write and occasionally connect with people. 

Thanks to those that read for keeping me writing.

Now for the sap, thanks for my family that puts up with and encourages my training and racing. 

Whats next?  Life is just getting more hectic.  My girls want to race more AND I just signed up for Ironman Canada (August 26, 2012).  Lots of suffering on horizon.

Fear of matching

For some reason, all my new gear is the same color.

• 2010 Felt B2 (Bright Red)
• Long Sleeve Nike Running Shirt (Bright Red)
• New Shoes - Nike LunarGlide +2 (Bright Red)
• My Triathlon top (Bright Red)
• Bike gloves (Bright Red)
• Running Socks (Black/Bright Red)

For those of you who are perceptive or have super powers or insight- you already know that I am cheap.  I also tend to be a bit practical.  When I shop for tri related stuff I will buy using the following guidelines.

1. Is it on sale -  preferably clearance.
2. Is it NOT the color of pavement.
3. Fits reasonable well
4. Does not make me look feminine.

That list has resulted in me wearing all sorts of colors and styles but all in all has served me well.  My last pair of shoes were am amazingly ugly green and blue - people would stare in shock as I passed by (or maybe they saw me as a predator).

So for some reason everything is going bright red.  Maybe I'm red is out and so now it is IN my closet but my problem is that I don't want to match.  It kind of goes back to #4 above.

If you enjoy coordinating or looking like your favorite pro...I have no problem or judgment of you doing it.  I just personally have a fear of matching too much.  Because of this, I will purposely wear the bright orange University of Oregon sock whenever I can to demonstrate that I believe in form over beauty. 

Maybe I'm under some sort of spell to only buy a certain color.  Maybe living in a home with three girls (2 little, one an adult) is moving me subconsciously toward pink.  I don't know but I do know that I am afraid.

Any ideas?