Before I ever write one silly word, I want to give a HUGE thank you to Meredith, AKA SWIM BIKE MOM, for giving me a chance to be the voice of Swim Bike Kid. I consider this to be an honor above all others. Though my husband called me the “Queen of Hyperbole,” I am not being hyperbolic when I say that getting this opportunity is an absolute THRILL to me. THRILL!!

I do have to laugh at the “Meet Virginia” title. Did anyone else think of the Train Song? “Meet Virginia, I can’t wait to meet Virginia…yeah, yeah.” The song goes on to say that “she wants to be a queen,” and since that is pretty true, I guess it’s a fitting introduction. Thanks to you all in advance for reading my random musings.

I thought I would write this first blog entry with a summary of my day. I hope by giving you that and letting you know how sadly nuts-o I am, I will give a little away about myself:

As background, I am training for Ironman Florida 70.3 in May. I am trying to be a good little athlete and I’m using a training plan from the web. Since I am a teacher/program director and my husband is also a teacher, AND since we have four kiddos, hiring a tri coach is not something I have splurged for (as of yet). I do like my web-based training plan, though. So today the plan called for a 60 minute bike ride and a 30 minute run. Obviously there are more details than that, but that’s the basic idea. I woke up at 4:40 and did my 60 minute bike ride outside. That is a January miracle, as normally it would be way to cold to ride that early. Today it was 65 when I was riding. CRAZY. I got home a little before 6:00 and started the morning mad dash (lunches, dishwasher, breakfasts, etc.). The hubby left at 6:45 and I was out of the door with all kids by 7:15. A full day of work followed and I got back home around 4:45. I then sat down with the 7 year old to help with a book report while the hubby entertained the others. At 5:30 the 9 year old left for soccer and I left for a 30 minute run with the 7 year old (pushing the 2 1/2 year old “cheerleader” in the stroller.” The “baby” kept yelling to Darden (7 year old), “Dar, you are my hero.” Absolutely precious. We got home around 6:00, jumped in the car to pick up dinner, and then came home for baths, etc. FULL OUT CRAZY DAY! My hubby teaches a night class tonight, so he won’t be back home until 9:00 pm. FULL OUT CRAZY.

SO, if you have read that full boring paragraph, you have an idea about the crazy life of Virginia.

Yes, mother of four. Yes, working full time. Yes, I want to be an IRONMAN. Yes, I’m nuts.

Here’s the thing, though. I’m super happy. Two years ago…..even a year and a half ago…..I wasn’t sure that I could get through a normal day, even with no exercise at all. Now, I have an amazing pride in myself and my family. I have a 9 year old who can run a 24 minute 5K. (YES HE CAN…kicks his mom’s booty.) I have a 7 year old that can go out on a 30 minute scheduled run with his mother. I have a two year old that asks me all of the time, “Did you have a nice race, Mommy?” I feel like a ROCKIN’ example for my kids and my kids are a rockin’ example for me. I feel like I make my hubby proud. I know I’m proud of all of them.

SO, being a triathlete ROCKS and is like breathing to me — absolutely necessary for life.