Ironman Season

My life is seasonal. The year starts with “busy season.” (That’s what auditors call “tax season” because “audit season” sounds like the subtitle for a bad movie sequel. -Wall Street 3: Audit Season) Given that I’m an accountant – a certified professional one – I know I’m going to spend the first couple months of every year buried in work. Lucky for me the weather is usually as miserable as my workload, so I don’t really feel like I’m missing out on much.

About the time the mercury starts creeping up I start spending a little less time with my calculator and a lot more time with my bicycle. That’s when I know it’s “training season” – the time of year when I try to regain the fitness I lost while fulfilling my financial Kona qualification standard during busy season.

And now I’m on the cusp of “Ironman Season.” It’s a short season – just under two months – but it’s my favorite time of year. This is when I get to dig into the inner reaches of my soul. I get to learn about myself – How do I react when things go right? How do I react when things go wrong? Am I stronger than last year? I think I have the answers to those questions, but there’s really only one way to find out.

I’m headed to Louisville tomorrow and I could not be more excited. Ironman Louisville starts in the Ohio River at 7am Sunday morning. With 7 athletes racing, and even more on cheer duty, it’s going to be a Dynamo Multisport party for the whole 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run. Combine that with the all the awesome people following online and on Twitter and I’m predicting a massive amount of positive GREEN energy directed toward Derby City on Sunday.

No wonder I’ve been looking forward to this all year! Bring on the heat! We are ready!

Birthday Weekend!

Last weekend I had a LOT to celebrate! It was my 26th birthday and I made whole weekend of it!

My mom surprised me with the most beautiful and delicious birthday cake

And with all that fruit, it must have been moderately healthy, right?

I celebrated with friends AND family since my awesome cousins Karen and Collin were in town.

Collin, who braved the crazy trail run with me in Montana last month, actually just moved to Atlanta. I've promised to show her some of our Georgia running trails - which I've told her are completely wolf free!

My top birthday weekend priority was seeing the new Harry Potter movie! My friends Alexis and Loren joined me for the Potter Party - and Loren even dressed the part!

And of course I did plenty of swimming, biking, and running - all fueled my my latest shipment of Element Bars!!!

Cake, friends, family, Harry Potter, and Element Bars - sounds like the perfect birthday weekend to me! Thanks to everyone who made it so great!