I can NOT believe I won the lottery!!!! My friend Bond called me to tell me: I cried in happiness for the entire morning. Tears, laughter and a huge disbelief! EIGHT YEARS trying to qualify and win the lottery and just when I let it go and retire from the sport that formed me for my middle years...

So much has happened in the past month. Graduation from Massage School and Equine studies.  I decide not to compete in triathlon and to spend time with a quality young horse. Annie, a young QH  at Kalpowar Quarter Horses in Stephenville was purchased by me at the end of March. Royally bred on the lines of Reminic, Doc's Remedy, Col. Freckles and Superhorse Rugged Lark, she is an amazing little bay. I love her dearly and best yet, she returns it. We make a good team but she needs guidance, as I do.  I want to be good at this new discipline of reining!

Back to Ironman..I can hardly contain the excitement. A dream, goals fulfilled, expectations, enjoyment.  Fear, yes, but mostly of the unknown...there can be no accidents, no injuries, no setbacks as this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Even money can not be an object! I will not walk these steps again and want to enjoy EVERY moment of the coming 6 months.

The biggest dream of my adult life..the biggest goal and I CAN achieve it. It's been given to me after I tried so hard to win it.

I know how busy I will be, and even more so when I have Jose, my Arabian, back in 2 weeks.  Great, two 3 yr old horses, Nick and Ironman training. Let's throw in building a business and making a living on top of all that!  Good thing I have no personal life!

I biked hard hours after I found out that I won. The next day was a brick (run/bike)and it's been so hot...like putting your head in an oven...

Building a training plan and now getting ready for the 1/2 Ironman in June in Lubbock. How my life changed in a split second...I have to do the 1/2 Ironman to show I can do the training for Ironman or they will not allow me to compete.

Tonight though..I tried to catch a run inbetween storms. I had already been through a hailstorm in my truck but things looked safe. I stopped by Lake G'Town to head past the dam.

Returning to the dam I was running through a shady grotto..it was almost dark and fireflies were EVERYWHERE! It was stunning but above me, in the tops of trees, the winds were whipping in every direction. A distinct change to the peaceful scene below.

As I climbed the hill to the top of the dam, huge branches were covering the trail that minutes before had been clear. All of a sudden, rain and wind blow sideways, the wind so strong it stopped me for a moment and then I could not see because the rain was driving at such an angle. I continued running as I could, becoming soaking wet, shoes heavy with water.

The lightening was close, too close, and the thunder loud and all I could do was sprint as hard as I could back to my truck. I admit, I was afraid of the lightening and ran close to the bush line so I was not in the open. The wind must have been 30-35 mph in gusts! Storm running...fun once in a life time but not something I want to make a habit of!

I returned home to no electricity and after shedding sodden clothes curled up to candles and read(now with glasses on, I'm afraid) 

8 hrs of training this week..next week has to be more of 12 and maintain it for a month, to bring it to 15 by first of June. I am taking Annie camping in Bandera this weekend...just the two of us to explore the rugged landscape there. Our last break for a while...

I'll try to update the training blog here every week! Thanks!