Feeling it in the end! But I did it.

Today was a glorious day. For those that don't know I accomplished a duathlon today. it consists of run/bike/run. I hate running so this was a challenge. I love biking and swimming. The race was in Tuacahn in southern Utah. Absolutley gorgeous.
Yesterday I left and had Madi, Abbie, Luke, and Mom with me. Preston stayed behind to go ice fishing with Uncle Mike. I think I would rather run than freeze. Anyways it took about 4 1/2 hours to get to St. George. We then went to check in for the race. I saw the map and decided to drive it to get a feel for it. Let's just say I was not excited and thinking what have I done. Lots of hills and 2 different canyons.
So this morning I got up and loaded up the bike, took my friend who came down for the race and we headed off. Mom decided to stay back with the kids because I was thinking it would take 2 hours with all the hills. We got there in time to see that it was not going to be crowded and that it would be a very relaxed environment.
They gathered the crowd explained the rules and then we were off. First was the 1.5 mile run. I accomplished that in 14 minutes 30 seconds. Very proud considering you run part way down a canyon and then run back up. Then got on the bike and was off down the canyon. This time all the way down, went through town then headed back to the canyon. Get to the road and it forks and you go up another canyon. Imagine a steep climb for over 2 miles. That's right uphill. I just put my head down and pedaled. Where I train is mostly flat so it was a good ride. (I am thankful however because about a month and a half ago I bought an exercise bike so that I wouldn't get any flats 10 miles away from home and have stranded kids. It really helped me for the race.) Coming down was the fun part. I didn't have to pedal. I just let my bike take me and my legs were able to recover. I figure I was going about 30mph down. It was freaky fun. After coming down you then make a quick right and go back up the other canyon to the transition. Problem is I missed the right and kept going. About a hundred feet after I realized what I did and had to turn around. Totally stinks. Oh well, at least I didn't fall. Then made it back up the canyon in all took me about 50 minutes to bike 12 miles. Wish the time was better but at least I wasn't last. I kept having dreams about that and a very hungry mountain lion attacking. Then comes the fun part. I got to run; again. Yeah! (sarcasm) This time it took about 18 minutes. At least I ran the whole time. I didn't stop. So proud. Close to the finish you have a big hill then dip and then another big hill and at the top is the finish. My mind kept saying, "There it is, see the finish," but my legs were saying, "Are you crazy! What are you thinking?! Just stop!" I tried to sprint to the end and thought I was then realized I was going in slow motion. Still running though. You know those dreams or on cartoons where you are running fast but the place you want to get to is getting further away? Well that is what I experienced today. BUT I DID IT!

So in all it took 1 hour 22 minutes and 7 seconds. Awesome! I am so proud because I really did want to come in under an hour and a half.
Just one side note. Mom and kids didn't make it to the race so I have no pics. I know; I can't believe I went somewhere with Mom and no pics to prove it. I do however ache in the end so that is my proof I accomplished my goal for the month. I also did it beacause time goes by when I am training for a race, which in the end means we are closer to Chris being home.

Overall, the best and funnest race I have ever done. I can't wait until next year. I have decided this is a new Tyler Family tradition. Even though I maybe the only one doing it. Who cares? It was worth it!

A Mother's Love

I have been touched many times in my life by people I may have only met once or by someone I have never met. When I was 8 months pregnant with Preston I was working the ER one Sunday morning. Paramedics called and said they were coming in hot with a full arrest. They then said it was an 11 month old boy. It was all I could do to work. The nurses saw my face and got me busy doing other tasks. They came and pronounced the death of this beautiful boy. How he died is another story. I was always touched by the Love his Mother had. I will never forget this beautiful boy or his mother's grief. She had a love only a mother could. I was beginning to understand because I was 1 month away from giving birth to a beautiful baby who may or may not live. We all know that outcome.

Two years ago while Chris was in California for training his Mother called me to let us know that little Tabitha had passed away. So heartbreaking. Chris' brother Matt had lost his precious 3 month old to sids.

This past week another beautiful child returned to our Father in Heaven. Chris' cousin Heidi had a baby the day Grandpa Young died. The family considered him a gift from Heaven. So when this beautiful child passed it was a shock. He was 10 weeks old and beautiful, healthy, happy and oh so loved. His mother knew the minute she walked into the room he was gone. She had felt his spirit, felt love, and peace. Even though she knew he was gone she still tried CPR. She later stated that she didn't know why she did it because she knew he wasn't coming back. I know why she did. A mother's love.

A mother's love is something that no one can take from you. It is a love that not everyone gets to experience. It is a gift from GOD. With a mother's love you will sacrifice, you will give up your wants and needs for theirs. As my heartaches for these mothers I hope that they have or will find peace to carry on only the way a mother could for the love of their lost child.

Pictures

Chris out on tour. About once a month he goes around and inspects other posts offices. He has been safe so far.