Tiny Update

No video this time, I am sitting at the VW dealership while the van is being serviced, but I thought I could write about some of the latest things going on.
Still have to spend a bit more time in the aircast. I'm a bit bummed, but I know that I have to keep being patient about letting the healing continue & finish. It will happen sooner or later. It will happen. It will. (really trying to convince myself here....)
The time is closing in on Ironman - the thought of doing all the distances in one day is really starting to sink in. I am anxious yet looking forward to it all at the same time.
2.4 miles of swimming.
112 miles of riding.
26.2 miles of running. (God? Will I run? Will my foot be healed? Will I be able to actually RUN at all?)
I really want to be able to run!
The next cool update is that Matt did so well at the Ft. Davis hill climb race this past Sunday. He got 2nd place out of more than 100 men! It was so cool to see him do so well! He has worked so hard training over the summer to be able to do well here. The training has paid off!
Finally, Jonah & Ella are losing teeth LEFT & RIGHT! Ella finally lost her 2nd tooth over last weekend & Jonah his other top front tooth! So cute!!!
Ella is now being called "Gappy" & Jonah is called "Gumball" for obvious reasons!
They are both now in gymnastics - Ella loves it & Jonah will be starting this week. Hoping Jonah likes it as much as Ella does.

Video Blog #1

First video blog post:
CLICK HERE
OR just press play down below...
or directly on my blog (if you are viewing this on Facebook):
HERE

Update 9/15/09 from Christina Barkley on Vimeo.

Update, folks:

52 days to Ironman. Just sayin'.


ps - I am thinking about doing a vlog (video blog) from 50 days out: getting my thoughts, plans, & excitment about my journey to Ironman on video - also getting some video of the actual race itself so that ultimately I can put a video/picture collage together.

The more challenging the course, the more rewarding the victory!

Yes....my newest fashion accessory...the AIRCAST!!! SWEET!!!! (yeah - not really)
But hey - I'm gonna do my best to keep a good attitude through this. It is only (hopefully!!!) for 4 weeks & it is NOT the end of the world.
So, how the heck did this happen??? Well, after seeing the podiatrist this past Monday, August 17th & getting an X-ray & then an MRI on Tuesday the 18th, I was told that I have 2 stress fractures in my left foot (in the 3rd & 5th metatarsals). Basically, they happen as a result of overuse -- repetative pounding & being on your feet all the time.

The doctor did say, though, that we caught them early enough that only 4 weeks in the boot should be enough to get me back going again.
During that time I am allowed to swim & be on the bike trainer (with no/light resistance & no standing up out of the saddle). So, YAY! That is good!
Making the best of it, yesterday, we went to Lake Travis & I walked on the sandy shore in the boot! I did take it off so I could get in an open water swim while were there...do you see the boot sitting there next to me on the left?
A girl & her boot...

So what does this mean for Ironman training? I have NO CLUE! HA!
I know it means I am obviously not running for 4 weeks. I know it means that I will not be doing the races I had planned for September:
The Austin Triathlon (Olympic Distance)

and
The PrairieMan 1/2 Ironman
Matt & I also have planned to go the Fort Davis, TX for a bike ride/race the 3rd week of September & I am hopeful to be able to do the ride & race (since I sould be out of the boot right before that weekend). Just crossing my fingers for that!
But again, I have no idea how this will play out in terms of Ironman Florida (race is on 11/7/09). I am basically in "trust God will work out the healing & details" mode.
This is a good place to be in, though, right???? :o)
I could be in stress out, anxiety mode & be getting NO WHERE fast!
If I do heal quickly - after 4 weeks in the aircast - I should still be able to get in 4 or 5 weeks of training for Ironman.
Do I see this whole situation as a hurdle or challenge? Absolutely. But, the doc said had I not come in when I did, I would have, without a doubt, completely broken the bones in my foot & consequently, would not have been able to do Ironman at all (or worse yet, been completely out of the game {working-out-wise} for months or a year!).
Probably a good thing this happened when it did & God willing, I will still be able to give 100% at Ironman in November.
And, when I do get through this challenge, the reward of finishing Ironman will be my victory!

Yes, it is official.....

...I have fallen off the face of blog-earth.
Quite a bit has happened since my last post...including a 5 hour 52 minute HALF-IRONMAN! WOO! Here's a link to my pics from this race on Facebook:
Lonestar Triathlon 2009
We also got a new roof on the house and a new fence in the back yard.
So....thanks to the flood this past fall (that forced us to gut practically the ENTIRE inside of our house), the hail storm a few months ago (that destroyed our roof), and the crazy wind storm a few weeks ago (that completey obliterated our fence) - we practically have a brand new house!
I'll tell you what -- 2008 & 2009 have certainly provided us with some craziness!
So many times I repeated Romans 2:28 to myself:
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
And now that we have weathered these storms, I can really see all the blessings that God has provided to us in them. Even during our challenges - He is so good to us!

Let's see...what else?
OH! My girls that have been training since March for their first triathlon (TEAM BOOTY!) did finish their first sprint-distance race - THE ROOKIE!
I was so thrilled for each & every one of them -- Melissa (who I have been working with for over a year now & who has gotten to be super-fit), Angie (who has so much spunk & determination & who just got her very first ROAD bike from the great guys at Spin City Cycling), Lizzi (who I've also been working with for a year & who has completely TRANSFORMED herself into a NEW human being!!), and last but not least Kristi (who, unbenounced to herself, has had a fierce athlete hidden inside her for God-only-knows-how-long!! She managed to take 10th place in her age group at her very first triathlon! WHO KNEW?!)
Anyway....bottom line....I am so very proud of each & every one of them on their hard work, determination, and their commitment to get healthy & strong!
You are being excellent role models for your family!
Here is Team Booty:

I also did The Rookie myself....coming very close to my goal time (I did 1:01:31 & was hoping for 1:00:20), but manage a PR (personal record for this course, none-the-less & came in 6th out of 67 in my age group, so I was happy about it.) That is always a fun race!
I did a Splash n' Dash, (a 750m open water swim & then a 3k run right after) too, the other night & had a decent swim (for me) and a decent run. Finishing 1 minute faster than my last Splash n' Dash, so that was good.
Finally, I am starting to be in "prep mode" for the summer. The kids have just 9 more days of school left & I am trying to think up some fun things for us to do during their time off. It will be so nice to let them stay up a bit later than usual & sleep in! I am looking forward to the summer!
For those of you that will read this today, have a GREAT Memorial Day loooong weekend! Enjoy the time off & be safe!
Also - good luck to everyone that will be racing the Cap Tex Tri this weekend! May the force be with you!!

What my God does for me...

I was reading this Psalm this morning. It is, of course, one of the most well-known passages in the Bible, but it is one that I think we pass over very often simply because we have heard it so many times before.
But recently, our pastor gave a message and talked about this Psalm & it inspired me to take a look at it closer.
In it, I found what He does for me...

He is my shepherd - my leader.
~ He shows me the way and protects me.

He is my provider.
~ He gives me everything I need.

He gives me rest.
~ He gives me times of peaceful refreshing, if I will slow down & listen.

He restores my soul.
~ He is faithful to renew my body, my mind, and my emotions when I seek Him.

He guides me in righteousness.
~ He alone gives me the desire to love & serve Him and others.

He is with me - always.
~ He never leaves me, even when I am at my lowest low.

He is my protector.
~ His embrace helps to keep my fears away.

He guides me with his rod & staff.
~ He shows me the way, disciplines me, and sets boundaries for me.

He comforts me.
~ His soft words and forgiveness show me the love and acceptance that I long for.

He is my advocate.
~ He vindicates me when I follow after Him and love others.

He annoints me.
~ He has blessed me abundantly so that I may share those blessings with others.

He has imprinted goodness & love in my heart and life.
~ His gift of grace enables me to give grace to others.

He has prepared a dwelling place for me with Him for eternity.
~ His sacrifice has given me all that I need.

15 YEARS!!

 

After being together for 15 years, Matt & I know a LOT about one another!
We started out as naive teenagers and now, here we are in our mid-30's...still a bit naive perhaps, but still sharing our lives together. We have certainly grown & now have 2 children, of course. So much has changed...but, on the other hand, a lot has stayed the same.
I continue to love those things about Matt that drew me to him all those years ago - his personality, his heart, his looks. And, I love the man he has evolved into.
Recently, we shared 15 things that we love about one another. What Matt gave to me was the most precious thing he has ever given me.
Here is what we shared:

Me to Matt -
15 Things that I love about you, Matt Barkley

1. You are very smart. I really admire how intelligent you are. You have always had a strong desire to learn and to educate yourself. I have always loved that about you.
2. You are gorgeous! From the first moment I saw you at Penn State, I thought you were beautiful. I still do! You have the most beautiful blue eyes and the perfect nose!
3. You take very excellent care of your body & physical health & you have an awesome body to show for it. You have been this way for many years and I appreciate that you care about your health. I want you to continue to be healthy so that we have many, many more years together.
4. I love that you love to exercise & workout. As silly as that may sound, I am so glad that I am married to a person that enjoys being outside and physical activity. You have never been lazy.
5. You love God. I know that you really do. It is important to you to put your faith first and make God & church a priority for yourself and our family. I am watching you everyday evolve into the man/husband/father God has called you to be. I am so thankful for that!
6. You are an amazing drummer! God has given you the gift of music & I am proud of your talent and your desire to share that with others and in praise to God.
7. You are a man of integrity. You have always been this way. I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that you are trustworthy. You also do what you say you will do. I never wonder if I can count on you. There is never a question.
8. You are a great provider for our family. From the day you started your career, I knew that you would go places! Very few people give their employers 100% -- you do this & more!
9. You are incredibly funny! Your sense of humor has always been one of my most favorite things about you. You can make me laugh even when I am grumpy! And, yes, I do love & appreciate your sarcasm!
10. I love the way you love me. You are “into me” and I can totally tell! You show me that you love me with your words and your actions.
11. You are an awesome dad. Not only because you provide for our kids financially, but because you provide for them emotionally and spiritually. You are one million times the dad you had. I also love how you love to spend time doing fun stuff with them! Those are the memories that they will remember forever!
12. You are respectful of me. You realize my needs and always you do your best meet them. You are understanding & love me even when I am not-so-nice, sad or quiet.
13. You are a great friend – to me & to others. I am always impressed that you keep friends for the length of time that you do. You still have relationships with people you’ve been friends with for decades. This is because you are thoughtful and caring.
14. You are a wonderful protector. You always make me feel safe – physically & emotionally.
15. You are, hands down, the most loyal person I have ever met. You have loved me & stood by me for 15 years. That takes a very strong, loyal person!

Matt to me:
15 Things I Love about You Christina Barkley
1. Your imprint on the lives of our kids. Every day I see things in Jonah and Ella that I know come from you. From a certain look, to things that they say, to their love for other people – I see you.
2. Your drive for results. Over the last several years I’ve watched you come alive, dream and chase those dreams with unwavering dedication and determination. When the going gets tough you find a way to not only keep going but to keep going with joy in your heart and a smile on your face. It inspires me.
3. Your dedication to our home. Laundry, groceries, dinner, cleaning, dogs, kids to school, paying bills, decorating, rearranging, ironing, landscaping, working, etc. - The stuff life is made of that gets little attention and few thanks. Consistently and without complaint you take care of our house and all that comes with it.
4. Confidence in yourself. I’ve seen you grow into a confident woman repairing damage done during your younger years. I know that confidence and your faith in God can see you through even the most difficult circumstances that life offers.
5. Faith in God. You’ve grown so much in your faith over the last several years. I admire you faith and it gives me strength when I am weak.
6. Kindness to others. I watch how you treat other people - imparting what you know to help them overcome their challenges and struggles in life – genuine concern for others. Love is kind.
7. Pure, natural beauty. A gorgeous woman when we met, a gorgeous woman now, and a gorgeous woman in the future – time seems to only improve what I think is impossible to make any better.
8. Your patience. You may not think of yourself as patient but I see your patience with other people, our kids, and most often with me. Love is patient.
9. Commitment. Till death do us part, through good times and bad, through sickness and in health – thoughtless, rehearsed words to the vast majority but to me they mean what they say. Your commitment to me and us makes me strong, confident, and secure even in the worst of circumstances.
10. Integrity. You do what you say and say what you do. I know where I stand and I know where you stand – we stand together.
11. Your willingness to let me be me. I am far from perfect but I expect perfection - you deserve more and I give you less. I am me – a changing person, a different man - a work in progress. With you I am better today than I was yesterday and I will be better tomorrow than I am today.
12. Your understanding. You understand our children, my family, and you understand other people. You understand me, how I work, why I am who I am, and why I am changing. You understand my perspective and make me want to better understand your perspective and the perspective of others.
13. Your strength. To do the right thing all of the time, to suffer for gain, to sacrifice self for others - you live strong.
14. You compassion and passion. You care about yourself, other people and are passionate about what you do.
15. Your love for God, our family, and me.

Honey - when you read this - please know that I love you more than words can say. Thank you for being you!