I apologize for the length of my inital posting...I felt like I needed to lay the foundation for this journal.

I’ve toyed with the idea of creating my own blog for a few months now and every time I seriously consider it I’ve stop because I know it will require me to spend more time in front of my computer and I wonder who wants to read anything I have to write about anyway. Then I consider my family and friends around the country who don’t really know what my life looks like since I’m not married, I don’t have kids and I prefer to spend most of my spare time in water, on trail or spinning on a bike.

So today I am sitting on a plane between Bob and Edith Johnson. I am headed to Cleveland and they are headed home to Jamestown NY. They don’t like to sit together because he prefers the aisle and she the window…so I am plopped right down between them. Bob and Edith live not 20 miles from my cousins in Clymer NY. They know more of my family than I do and we had a grand ole time chatting about horses, dairy farms and their kids. They are happy and gracious people who enjoy every aspect of their lives and it hasn't all be easy. When I started my day I wouldn’t have said today is the day I start my blog however Bob and Edith reminded what a small world we live in and how short life really is.

Since turning 44 last month I'd begun to reflect on what I want the next 44+ years to look like. Since I don’t buy Powerball tickets I think we can be sure that I will continue to work hard for quite a few more years, travel the world for races and adventure, and try to be a better daughter, sibling, friend and aunt and kick butt on the triathlon circuit until there is no one left in my age group!

This October will be 3 years since my mother passed away. I still miss her very much although I know she is with me every day. I will always regret that I didn’t have more time to learn from her; she was the smartest people person I've ever known.

The rest of the Tennant clan is cruising along. My brother Scot and family have become a “professional soccer” family. They are traveling all over the mid-west so the kids can play soccer. Benjamin is 13 and growing fast. Madeline and Sarah are 16 and busy as ever. Soccer, school work and maintaining their social circle seems to consume them 24/7. I think Angela is the most amazing person because somehow she manages to coordinate it all and still keep everyone fed, clothed and work full-time. I don’t know how mom’s do it!

Margaret and Jerry continue to circle the globe. This year they are 3 weeks in Alaska, a couple weeks in Hawaii and plenty of time in Myrtle Beach building their new home. Margaret is still my amazing big sister and she makes 50 look HOT. On her 50th birthday this summer she actually knocked out 50 pushups and a workout at the Y in New Canaan. Her photography and jewelry keep her busy when she isn’t at the nursing home spreading joy with her cats or at the local high school teaching Chinese.

Walter is more my hero than ever. Since March 08 my father has had 3 major surgeries only 1 of which was planned. His knee replacement surgery went well and he is walking better and stronger every day. I have to say that there were a few very stressful months in there for all of us. I think Margaret, Scot, Angela and I all did the best we could with lots of help from Diane and Phil, Mimi and Paul and many other friends in upstate New York. I will forever be grateful that Pop lives in the same community he was born in and that he has always surrounded himself with such wonderful people. It makes the guilt and anxiety of being so far away much easier to live with.

I still work for DAXKO selling software products to YMCA’s. The company is based in Birmingham, AL and continues to grow through new products and new markets. I am learning a great deal about selling, working remotely and how to manage my own needs for people and input. It has been hard for me to be alone so much and not have people to share ideas with. You know how it is when you have a situation and you just need to bounce it off someone??? I can honestly say that my cats Chaos and River have become very tolerant; they sit patiently while I dial the phone, wait for a call or rant on about something or someone. It would be nice to have people for this however it has taught me to be more selective in what I really need to share and what I can resolve on my own. I am constantly building character.

I guess now is as good a time as any to share what I am most passionate about…an adventurous, healthy life style that allows me to do triathlons, trail runs, long bike rides, short swims in swamps and play with some of the most amazing people I have ever met. This summer is my 5th full-triathlon season and it seems to also be my best so far. Even with a small set-back last fall with shoulder surgery I seem to be rising to the challenges presented me each day. Admittedly I don’t always rise as far as I should but rather than beat myself up about that I simply try to learn from the experience and make up for it next time.

I have raced in Moab, Austin, Boulder, Denver and Steamboat this year. My race times are better than ever and each race I finish I can feel I had more to give. I love to hate that feeling. I need to learn to leave it ALL out there.

My teammates and the fun we have create the best training environment I have ever experienced and my pit crew keeps me healthy and focused. Steve Pye is an intuitive and experienced coach who knows when to throw the bullshit flag on me and when to cheer me on. Ken Sheridan and Lori Stewart from Active Care have been treating me for more than 7 years now and no matter what stupid injury I come up with they are always there to get me back on my feet and moving ahead. Andrea and Lindsay are the 2 best massage therapists I know and trust me when I tell you I have seen my share!

John and I have been together for almost two years now and he has brought more balance to my life than I ever really thought I needed or could stand. His relaxed demeanor and ability to enjoy each moment is so good for me…hard but good for me. We have so much fun playing, riding, running and racing together. I never really believed I would meet a man that enjoyed the things I do or who could appreciate my commitment to whatever it is I do. John is the best thing that has happened to me in a long time and I am forever grateful that he has stayed around long enough to see that I am not completely nuts….only a little.