Double your pleasure. Double your fun.

August 9th. I'd been awake for nearing 20 hours, was still on the high of earning a 3rd place age group and top ten overall place at Nationals, and was now in line for Customs in the Toronto airport. "Well...there is this guy here....(huge stupid smile) we met after a race in April, (smile gets bigger) and I'm hear to spend the month with him (giddy sigh of elated happiness)...." This was most certainly not the answer the unassuming customs agent was expecting when she asked "What is the purpose of your visit". I'm sure "vacation" would be been suitable. Anyways. I couldn't help it and for better or worse with a confused blank stare she stamped my passport and let me in.

First off. I must be honest and admit....I wasn't looking for it, didn't think I wanted it and still don't really know what 'it' is....but looking in the rear-view mirror of this year. Man, am I glad that I stumbled upon 'it' at the St Anthonys race. People often say "things happen when you least expect it" I guess there could be some truth to that statement after all. Who knew, eh?

Anyways. Back to Nationals. The morning started around 4am, eating a tupperware of white rice and smashed up bananas in a dark hotel room...I mean if that doesn't sound f-ing exhilarating all in itself you don't know what you are missing. Race morning was pretty typical....except for the 2 1/2 hour wait between transition closing and my wave start of 9:25am. I'm usually done racing by that time....but not this morning. Swam well, was able to get out ahead of the messy start and be up around the front group of girls - what a great place to be. Cranked on the bike (The bike leg is soooo my heroin), got into transition to a practically empty bike rack, a huge empowering indicator of where you stand. Run felt good, built throughout. It wasn't anything spectacular but it got the job done. I say it often (almost after every single race) but
"I had never had that much FUN racing before"

After Nationals there was no time to waste! It was a quick breakdown of the bike, a far too aggressive attempt of scrubbing off my race tattoos (I think I will end up with a scar of my left calf.....) a cup of coffee and off to the airport! A 4pm international flight on race day might have been a little ambitious but we made it happen. Oh did I mention that my 48 hour whirlwind in Milwaukee was another race that I got to do with my Dad? #coolestthingever #he'sprettybadass

Canada is incredible.

Crazy beautiful. Fantastic training.
Great company. Insane laughter.

The grotto. Water as clear as the Caribbean, except slightly cooler.....48 degrees

Training has been great. Always nice to get away from the routine. I love Boulder and I miss my Rallysport...but man, a get away and spice up to training has been fabulous. Open water swimming is a 10 minute walk, pool and track 5 minutes, cycling along the coast, brick workouts by the beach that end with a farmers market stop, sunset swims and long trail runs.
Everything is right at your fingertips here.....
I did not expect to genuinely love the area, but I can't deny it.

Race #2

Parry Sound Triathlon
The perfect tune-up for Hyvee next weekend. Pretty course, nothing but fun and a new 5k PR (18:58) ...finally. RJ won the race by...I don't even know...a lot! He'll be in good form next weekend for sure. I finished 1st woman and 3rd overall....it's pretty damn fun to beat the boys. Nice little cool down after the run, ate some homemade cookies from heaven, then took a cruise in the 1966 Galaxie convertible to spend the afternoon playing on the worlds longest fresh water beach (Wasaga Beach). Yeah...this life is certainly not for everyone.

Things I Think:

1. Time is the most valuable thing you can give to someone
2. If it isn't fun, don't do it. Life is too short.
3. Small steps forward are still moving you forward. Keep at it.
4. Stop yearning for perfection. Perfect is boring. Embrace the crazy, the complicated and the challenging. #liveboldly

Quote of the moment:

"Ambition is the path to success, persistence is the vehicle you arrive in"

That's all for now.

Cheers to peace, the simple things and sunshine,
Aubs