IMTX, it's that time of year again!

So, what do I have to tell you about?  I think a bullet pointed list will suffice!

• CB&I was a success although looking at my time, you may not think that.  I had been sick for a solid 2.5 weeks and debated if it was worth racing.  Well, yes, of course it was.  I did a little better than I hoped and felt good at the finish.  I felt the stingiest on the bike which I had expected.  This race will be on my calendar for years to come I'm sure!
• Baby brother Doug graduated with his Masters from Texas State.  I wonder if we'll have to call him Master Doug?
• Work has been busy which I like.  I'm still learning a ton in my new role!
• Tejas Sprint Triathlon is next up for me and I'm so pumped!  Keith, Luke & Dorina will be racing as a relay team again and should do really well. 
• At the end of June, I'm signed up for Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Triathlon as part of a relay team with Keith & Hannah!  We are so excited!

Yesterday was IMTX and it was an awesome experience.  This year I was a volunteer and spectator vs participant so that was a little tough but I really had such an amazing day.  I looked at these athletes and was so inspired by them all.  It is hard for me to believe that I am one of them.  I looked at Keith at one point and asked him how in the world I did it last year.  After my volunteer gig in the morning along the swim course, I joined Keith & Hannah on the bike course for some major cheering.  Y'all, how many 15 year olds do you know who would want to hang out with dad & his girlfriend all day, cheering on strangers?  Not many!  Hannah is an AWESOME spectator and I know the athletes appreciated her funny antics.  We were busy yesterday!  We made it up to Drifters (off 149) to catch folks as they approached Richards and the 1/2 way mark just beyond.  We then high tailed it down to the 80ish mile mark to cheer folks through a crazy busy intersection.  Temps were hot, winds picked up and the race was ON!  On our way out to Drifters, we saw the lead male pro getting ready to turn on to Jackson Rd (what I consider the home stretch at 80+ miles).  Dude was rockin' that bike course.  He didn't go on to win but he did set a bike course record from what I understand.  I had so many teammates and friends out there and I'm so glad we got to cheer them all on!  We made it out to the 102 mile spot as well and got to see a lot of folks we had been seeing all day.  A girl crashed approaching the turn on to Branch Crossing.  I don't know if they let her continue but hope they did if she was up for it.  You could see the heartbreak in her eyes at the though of not continuing. 

After a quick pit stop home, we made our way to the run course and had the most amazing spot thanks to Spencer Chase (whose wife Val was racing).  Tent, beer, chairs and spectating!  IMTX is a tough course primarily due to the conditions.  We were at a spot where we could see most folks 3 times on the run course.  It was awesome!  And of course, we finally made our way to the finish line where I got to see SO many friends and teammates hear those magical words and join the Ironman club.  We cheered on strangers just as much as friends and to me, there was nothing better to see than a big smile on someones face b/c we were there cheering them on!  It was a truly amazing day and one I won't soon forget!

I was asked more than once if this made me wish I was racing.  Umm, do you know me at all?  Of course it did!  I was smart in taking a year off from Ironman distance races BUT I know now, more than ever that I MUST do another one (or two, or three).  I'm not fast and will probably never see a finish time that starts with 12 (or even 13) but I LOVE this sport and the challenges it presents.  The feeling you get from achieving something you shouldn't be able to is awesome.  I just hope that the rumors aren't true and IMTX will remain in The Woodlands.  More than anything, family support is big to me and especially for a race like this.  I want to have a HUGE support crew next year.  HUGE.  That's right folks, if I cheered you on yesterday, you owe me.  :)  

Ok, so this wouldn't be a "Jenny" post if there wasn't some type of mishap right?  After CB&I, I decided it was time to get really serious and start tracking my calories and slim down a bit for my races this summer (I have 6 coming up that are confirmed).  Not only have I been tracking calories, I've been eating clean.  Energy wise, there is a huge difference.  I have felt really good and have managed to drop 7 lbs since CB&I.  I didn't eat breakfast yesterday b/c frankly, nothing sounded good at 4am.  It was nearly 2pm before Keith, Hannah & I could make our way to food due to our spectating.  By then, I was famished!  We went to Sonic where I had a burger.  I'll spare you the details but let me just say that my stomach has clearly gone on strike.  By the time dinner rolled around, I couldn't touch anything b/c I felt so darn sick.  I looked at Keith and told him that had I known eating clean would cause my body to reject delicious food, I would've never started eating clean.  :)  Ok, that's a lie.  I was able to wear white shorts yesterday that I bought months ago that I haven't worn b/c they didn't fit.  And ladies, you know full well you don't wear white on the bottom unless it fits.  :)

So with that, I'm outta here.  I'm going to make my way to Ironman Village and pick up some mDot stuff.  It's nice being an Ironman now b/c I can buy Ironman stuff whenever I want and know I'm not jinxing myself!  Woo hoo!!