Thank you Fred

From The Prophet , a beautiful gift from our dear friend Fred Schmidt.

on Marriage
"Then Almitra spoke again and said, And
      what of Marriage, master?
      And he answered saying:
      You were born together, and together you
shall be forevermore.
      You shalle be together when the white wings
of death scatter your days.
      Aye, you shalle be together even in the silent
memory of God.
      But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
      And let the winds of the heavens dance
between you.
     Love one another but make not a bond of
love:
    Let it rather be a moving sea between the
shores of your souls.
   Fill each others cup but drink not from the
cup.
   Give one another of your bread byt eat not
from the same loaf.
   Sing and dance together and be joyous, but
let each one of you be alone,
   Even as the strings of a lute are alone though
they quiver with the same music.
   Give your hearts, but not into each other's
keeping.
   For only the hand of Life can contain your
hearts.
   And stand together, yet not too near together:
   For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
   And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in

each other's shadow."

What a perfect evening, I am now a wife, he is now my husband, and we are now a family.

Many posts to come, but for now I leave you with the above words.

Wedding update:

Its done! Everything was perfect.

2 Weeks Notice

Exactly 2 weeks and 10 minutes from now I will be getting married. All the planning, table naming, dress fitting, will culminate into an evening of grand times and lifetime memories. As I sit waiting for Todd to come home from being race support to our good friend Dirk ive realized many things about myself that has come about in the past couple years.

First I can not sleep in a house by myself anymore. Its been a week and my parents couch last night was a welcomed bed. Second, I enjoy making dinner for 2. Lastly theres something more enjoyable about watching shows and being able to share good and bad comments with someone who may test your theory but does not judge your opinions.

Last nigth I was lucky enough to have some great one on one time with my favorite girls in the world who I dont see nearly enough. Thank you so much to Katie Scales, my best friend and bridesmaid for getting it coordinated. To my friend Amanda, whose life is changing, life is wonderful and long and everything, and I mean everything has a reason. Thank you to Whitney for making sure we had a last stop shot at the Munkle for old times sake. Who knew rootbear could be so dangerous!

As for the next 2 weeks take note, its going to be crazy, fast, and planned.

Wedding update;

All paid up, ceremony words selected, Todd may have us entering into the Bonanza theme, and I got WEAVE! I cant wait for the Honeymoon and to start my life and every February, have my Valentine.

Flowers from Todd

Todd's great about surprising me with flowers, these are some of the latest! Ive been having some rough weeks between work and the wedding and everything that comes along with those two things in life and when I find these in my office or on the front steps it always reminds me im not alone anymore.

Tri-geek? Perhaps

The white Specialized Allez is mine

A couple months back I decided to take on the road biking as really another way to spend more time with Todd who has retired from competitive marathoning and back on the bike. But the ignition switch, the gas on the flame, the moment of no return, had to be watching Libby Bergman and Dirk Bockel rock the 70.3 in Disney.

So I decided to take on my own triathlon in the form of Jax Sprint Series #3 in Fernandina! While no where near the 70.3 my 13.25 was the first for me and boy was that a race. The results even amazed me, 7th in my grouping! Cant argue with that. Todd and I both hoped for under 1h30m and I finished 1h15m. For all you non trigeeks out there, or runners looking to convert here are a few things I learned along the way from friends, Runners World, Libby and Dirk.

First is you need to train consistent and combos. For example a swim and a ride in the same day, not necessarily together(although a BRICK, covered later, is the ultimate prep) but a dual is so important for transition purposes.

Second, do the BRICKS!!! A brick is a bike, run, bike, or combo of 2 disciplines back to back. I did a 15 miles bike and 3 mile run every Wednesday for approximately 4 weeks with the St Augustine Cycling Group in the Shores. Basically I warmed up with the group, then when they went to sprint I held on for as long as possible, one time almost 2 miles at 27 mph! Then would finish the loop do a transition and run 3 miles. I think this was key to my strong finish.

For the swim I really wish I had done a little more. I did 2 swims a week for about 3 weeks, mostly just to get the laps in, with some side/rescue/relief swimming to practice.

The day before I put aero bars on the bike, this was awesome and difficult, so I suggest maybe a little more training for that. I also got the opportunity to chat with Dirk out in CO doing his training for Kona and got some great insight(all top secret, but one important part, have fun and race)



Notice all the gear, water bucket, lucky sumo wrestler, and Gatorade
absolutely necessary!





Lastly the gear. Todd surprised me with a 2Xu one piece so I didnt have to even think about transition. With Libbys advice I wore a sports bra underneath and I was good to go. I put no tie laces on my shoes, and braided my hair, ate a banana, and there I was.



Me stretching before at the gas station, in a sundress, yes im awesome



The swim is scary as hell. When we began the master of ceremonies had everyone raise their hand who had done an open water swim, amongst the 100 people in my heat there were 3 of us! 3! WTF, sorry for the extreme language, were these people doing running into the ocean! With that I moved to the front of the group, but when the gun went off you would think everyone of them were being chased by savage beasts and they sprint all out into the waves, once there they fell like dominoes!



Im in blue onesie



After a lot of trouble, I made it through the riffraff to have a close encounter. I kept feeling someone grabbing my ankle which I shook off a few times. Finally I flipped over, began to backstroke, and asked the guy what his problem was, "Help me! Im drowning!" was his response. Was this guy serious? So lifeguard training kicked in! "Sir let go of my foot and I will help you." This happened to at least 3 other people, I would turn to breath and just hear "help!"

                                               
  




Wall of reasoning



Anywho, after I get my own heartbeat under control and realize no, drowning is not normal, ok, or even happening to me, I finish the swim about 1.5 minutes slower than desired but happy to be out of the

water. I also exit about 50th due to the altercations.



Revenge Suckas



So I go and jump on the bike and man was that fun. I went out a little conservative as it down poured all morning and the ride to the race earlier was sketchy with some areas having as much as 6 inches of standing water. Seeing that it was out and back style I figured get comfy out, then blitz back, so 18mph out, 23mph back, did my 10mile TT right at 30 minutes, Todd wasn't even ready with the camera because he expected me to be at least another 5 minutes and I must admit, passing all the jerks who tried to drown me was one heck of a fun time! Left, on your left, coming on the left, have a great day, scum-os!

Lastly we are at the run. Now under Todds direction, which more than likely should have listened to myself, I didnt wear socks on the run. If I knew then, what I know now, OYVAY! First of all, I wear road bike racing shoes, not tri-shoes. Tri-shoes do this awesome thing call draining! Heard of it, well its really useful when you are soaking wet and you ride 10 miles sweaty and dont wear socks. So now that my feet are all moist a supple lets stick them in stiff racing flats with not socks and see what happens! SURPRISE blisters and cuts mimicking my Adidas stripes! ARGH! Slowest 5k ive done in 3 years, !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was slow my roll or spend the next 2 weeks in Europe with jacked feet! SO 27 minutes on the run

But all in all, good experience! Im crushing my bike right now( 60 miles last weekend avg speed 21mph) and swimming a couple times a week and race training for a couple halfs this fall(really aiming for that 1:45 or better half) and looking forward to a full sprint season next year, and who knows, maybe an Olympic distance?

I know, I know, its been far to long my friends

I realize it has been entirely to long since my last post, but so much has occured from traveling to Europe, my first triathalon, the Hursh-Fowler merger, Nannys Birthday in CT, going Paleo and so much more!

I have actually been writing quite a bit but my pics are on a seperate computer, so with that said please look for a lot of updates in the next couple weeks! So much to share!

Just an update!

Today the bill and contract was due for our wedding reception! Its an exciting time and a very confusing time. Family(not close) has been somewhat of a blockage in the persuit of happiness, and selfishness has caused some frustration, but Im standing strong, Todd at my side, and moving forward.

Im hoping to have at least one finished blog tonight on my triathlon, followed by a glimpse into returning to troop 255/211, then Europe, Work, CT, and finally run training.

Thanks for reading, exactly 2 months from tomorrow left!

Mugs and Magnets

Growing up in Jacksonville Beach Florida I never understood the need or necessity of the mug or the magnet besides function. When we would venture for the daycation to St Augustine, Daytona, or the likes, there were rows and rows of mugs and magnets at every gas station, Mcdonalds, and shell shop, why would anyone want these things? My father being the minimalist he is, never had novelties around. Also doesn't everyone get away to the same summer vacation destination each year? What about the movies, and their summer homes, why would you need a magnet at your winter home to remind you of where you know you're going, its the same every year!

Until 2001 I had never stepped foot on a plane. The Sutherland's vacation each year consisted of hauling our boat, Whipit, down to Marathon Florida to enjoy the snorkeling, fishing, diving, key lime pie and fried lobster tails. I can still remember my first trip, I was 8 my brother was 2 and they had mosquitos the size of taradactyls! We only ever went between the 2 places and approximately 49 weeks after we left we went right back, same fishing holes, same smells, same people! So whats with all the mugs and magnets everywhere!?


Fast forward to today and I go to grab a mug from the kitchen and my coffee from the fridge, I see NYC, Key West, Boston, CT, Las Vegas, and on and on. I get to walk down memory lane every morning. They are the sweet tokens to remind us of where we have been in case we never may go again. Mugs and magnets are specifically designed to reflect the region, with the colors, tastes and sometimes smells.

As I blog about the old days and drink from my Nashville mug my in-laws found me on a trip last year, im admiring all my mugs!!It keeps it simple, a small token to stir up emotions and memories. And I know they clutter the fridge, but when I wake in the morning and see my magnets as I take the creamer out, Im reminded of the girls trip to NYC(and my first ever to the big city) and Jersey Boys on Broadway, I think about taking Todd to the Keys for the first time and all the fun we had running from Tornadoes and snorkeling the reefs, my magnet of CT is a reminder of the first time I met Reina and Nanny in North Haven and seeing Yale which everyone must visit in their life. I cant wait to fill the cupboard and fridge doors with Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn, Kona, St Lucia and who knows where else this year and beyond!

So cheers to Mugs and Magnets, SALUTE!

Holy Fromers.........

So lets just say I've spent the last few days immersed in travel planning!!! Todd and I have spent a lot of time thinking about the Honeymoon, and other travel plans and last Thursday we received some news that would change our next 4 months!!! But where to start the story. I guess with the bad news.

Bad news is we will not be doing a 2 week honeymoon, just 1 in St Lucia. Ok enough bad news.

Here's the Fab news; we are going to the BALTIC SEA!!!! That's right I made Presidents Club at ADP and we get to go to Stockholm, Tallinn, Helsinki, St Petersburg, and Copenhagen!

But the news gets better, we are starting that trip in INDY so we can fly back there for Fowler and Hirsch's nuptials and see all our favorite CUTTERS!

Then the news gets even better, and this is a BIG SURPRISE FOR THEM, we are heading to KONA to see Dirk compete in Ironman World Championships and help Alicia cheer him on, that's right HAWAII!!!!!!!!! We were going to make it a real surprise, but of course Dirk has goated Todd about us coming and now Todd thinks we need to tell them! Where better than a blog?(for those who dont know the Bockels, they live in Luxembourgh so we only see them when Dirk comes here to train, we met them recently but they have become great friends quickly)

Then is gets even better, as a compromise for the abbreviated Honeymoon, we are going to the Tour de France 2011!!!!!! WOOHOOO

Ok so heres how it all went down. Todd decided after many frustrating weeks running that he is retiring from racing the marathon. Being 73rd in Chicago with a time of 2:30 is definitely a way to go out on top!! With that said he made the side comment; Todd "You know since we arent going to Chicago we could go see Dirk?" Me "We could". SO the wheels begin working. With the waiting game of finding out if I was indeed top 15 in the country at ADP(ended up 9th, whoop whoop) it was difficult to make any plans between now and the wedding.

As I booked a night with the Hilton Castle at Universal and was sent over to do a "survey", not really paying attention I find myself listening to some guy named Ricky in a very KY accent tell me about Teluride, Chicago, and Disney packages. Me, "Hold up, what is this for?" Ricky "This is a special package we have for you to buy today with a great savings" Me "Listen Ricky, unless you have a package in Madrid or Kona, im booked for the year!" Shouldn't of opened my mouth, "Why yes Ms Sutherland, we do!" Next thing I know I have purchased a 7 day 6 night stay at Waikaloa Village, with rental car, 2 luau tickets and a $200 gift card for, get this $799!!!! So I did it, but, and big but, didnt ask Todd, but hey, he wont be mad right? It was his idea to go to Kona in the first place.

Well in my enthusiasm I had neglected to think about time off work. Since at that time I didnt know about club, we were already looking at 3 weeks out of work in the next 6 months. John Hunter, a good friend of Todds and a fellow Starbucks connoisseur, had said there is a splurge threshhold, and you have to find it. Well I dont know if I found the splurge but definitely the time away from work. EEEEEEEK

Debate ensues, Todd" Heather we will just have to go after Little 500, there is no way I can take more time off work." Me, "Come on, it will be great, Baltic Sea, Hawaii, St Lucia and Madrid/Lux, we need to take advantage of time now."

Compromise, Baltic, Hawaii, St Lucia, all just one week and then next summer FRANCE AND LUX!

So, I cant wait!!! I cant wait to see the Baltic, I cant wait to see the Bockels and watch Dirk crush the Ironman, I cant wait to get married and then St Lucia!!! What a ride this will be!!


Wedding update:
Plans are set, now just the execution of the plans made

Taking my dress to the seamstress week after next to start the fitting process

Started a second round of P90X to ensure no back boobs(thank you Tosh.O for making me aware)

Biking is going awesome, 47 miles last Sunday!!