Because I Knew You ... For Good ...

I'm limited
Just look at me - I'm limited
And just look at you -
You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda
So now it's up to you.
For both of us - now it's up to you.

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you...

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the Better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for Good...

It may well be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the Better?
But because I knew you ...

Because I knew you...

I have been changed for Good...

And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame for

But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share

And none of it seems to matter anymore

Who can say if I've been changed for the Better?
I do believe I have been changed for the Better.

Because I knew you...
Because I knew you...
Because I knew you...
I have been changed for GOOD

One of my favorite songs from the Wicked: A New Musical soundtrack is "For Good." Elphaba (Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda (Good Witch of the North) are about to part ways after having been thrown together as roommates in "college" and discovering that they could actually be friends. The lyrics are magical and sentimental and bring tears to my eyes every time I hear them.

Yesterday I rode to "Mac Land" most commonly known as Georgia for my training ride. I was about mile 8 or so when I looked up and saw a gorgeous, grand, majestic white egret - one of the BIG ones. I frequently see water birds along this route but they usually fly out of the bushes or the marshes and get away from me very quickly. Not so this bird - and I will call it a boy now. He stayed fairly close to me for quite some time. He never got closer than 15 or 20 feet, but he wasn't further away than 30 feet or so. He circled and flew "with" me for nearly two miles before he turned south and left me to the rest of my ride. I realized that I had not been fully enjoying the scenery and splendor of God's world until he showed up so I made a note to be more aware as I continued the rest of my ride.

As the egret left my peripheral vision, "For Good" began playing in my ears via my iPod. I knew then that it was Mac. People who knew Mac have said that he "visits" them and almost always as a bird, although usually and eagle or a hawk I think. As I listened closely to the words I took to heart that it had to have been Mac. I don't believe in coincidence, only in God-incidence. I reached the Florida/Georgia state line and called Maggie. She needed to know. I believe that Mac was the egret to show me - just me in my weak human neediness - that after nearly a year away from us he is happy, comfortable and BEAUTIFUL with his new life. Heaven must be "the bomb" for Mac to show up on my ride as a snowy white, perfectly crafted egret. AWESOME!

Thank you, Mac for coming into our lives however briefly. Our lives have been changed for GOOD because we knew you and because we are blessed to still have your family in our lives today.

The Most Awesome Parents ... EVER!

For those of you who don't know Mike's and my parents (Colin's Grandparents), they are absolutely wonderful, awesome, supportive, generous active people who are TRULY experiencing athletics vicariously through their grandsons. Mike's parents do their best to see the boys compete when the competitions are close or "at home." They time when asked, and they follow the boys' progress and success in the water nearly religiously while always cheering them on from afar when they are unable to be present on the pool deck.

My parents have been at BOTH of Colin's trips to the Junior Olympics: February, 2009, in Gainesville, Florida; and July, 2009, in Fort Myers, Florida. They have flown into where ever the competition is being held for a total of maybe an hour's worth (not even that much) of competition time. Make no mistake, they have watched several of Colin's teammates grow-up, and they enjoy watching those "kids" nearly as much as they do Colin and Aidan. Nonetheless, they travel to small southern towns like Dothan, Alabama, to watch the boys swim; to feed them endlessly; and to meet new people and make new friends and camp along the way. They suffer through hard bleachers ("bench butt"), standing around for hours, chlorine gas at indoor pools (Dothan and Gainesville), blazing sun, cold, rain, storms, and what I swear were the hottest 4 days in Fort Myers history! They sweat buckets alongside all the other parents; they follow the heat sheet; and they cheer for all ATAC swimmers at all times. They truly are among the best out-of-town ATAC support team.

Below are my parents "sweating it out" under the tent waiting for one of Colin's events at the Summer 2009 Long Course Florida Swimming Junior Olympics held just this past weekend in Fort Myers. Did I mention that it must have been the hottest four days in Fort Myers' history?

At Last - The Florida Swimming Junior Olypics

Last week marked Colin's second trip to the Florida Swimming Junior Olympics. He and I made the 6+ hour drive to Fort Myers, which is officially considered "South Florida" for the 4-day competition. This time around he had posted qualifying times in the 50 Meter, 100 Meter, 200 Meter, 400 Meter, 800 Meter, and the 1500 Meter (aka The Metric Mile) freestyle events. He was also chosen/assigned as the Anchor leg in the 200 Meter and 400 Meter Medley relays as well as the 200 Meter and 400 Meter Freestyle relays. This means he swam 10 events total - ALL freestyle stroke.

Above, Colin is spotting his "hand-off" swimmer as he readies for the last leg of the 400 Meter Medley Relay.He held his own for most of the meet; swimming personal bests in the 50 M and the 1500 M events. He also swam personal bests in the relay events. All-in-all, a good experience for him. Below, Colin is well into the 1st 50 Meters of his relay leg: 100 Meters Freestyle in the 400 Meter Medley Relay.

We were fortunate enough to be able to stay with friends of ours while we were there. Let me tell you, that made the entire heat and sun filled trip a bit more relaxing. Not-to-mention, my parents flew in for the competition and were able to spend a lot of quality time with us and all of Colin's team mates and their parents. It must have been the HOTTEST 5 days in history in Fort Myers. And, I joke that I am still suffering from the effects of heat stroke and sun poisoning. Not in reality, but definitely in my mind. Oh, my gosh, I literally sweat buckets upon buckets this weekend.

What a Weekend and My New Motto - Maybe

I have had a great weekend with my family!

It all kind of started Thursday on a "date" of sorts with my awesome hubby. We were able to squeeze in a ride (Mike Style on the mountain bikes) before he left for TAC practice that afternoon. It was really nice to ride out with him while the boys were otherwise occupied, and it didn't cost much: the entry fees into the state park and the calories burned to pedal up and down and up and down and through the muck and mire.

Friday dawned with the temperatures near 70 instead of 80. I had not planned a run, but I simply couldn't pass up the great cool weather. So, off I went for a "short" 5K jaunt. 25 minutes later I was home. WOW that felt GREAT! Aidan had his last day at Camp Bark-ly and a little skit presentation for the parents. It was very cute, and a lot of fun to see him enjoying camp so enthusiastically.

Saturday was good. Started early with a 10+ mile run with some of my favorite running buddies EVER. We ran in the same state park I had ridden in on Thursday. It is a completely different feeling on foot. But, it was very enjoyable and the fellowship was wonderful. I spent the remainder of the afternoon and evening playing board games with The Boys; practicing piano; and grilling dinner with Mike. We lounged on the new deck; sipped adult beverages; and in general just enjoyed being home and together.

Today began with a bang as Colin and I headed to the St. Mark's Trail for a 32-mile ride on the Rails-to-Trails path with one of Colin's swim team buddies, his parents, and my Sunday ride partner. 32 miles, one bagel sandwich, a cup of coffee, and a great deal of sweat later, we were on our way home to see what the rest of the weekend has in store for us besides 2000 yards of swimming for Colin, a lengthy trail ride for Mike, and some time with friends for Aidan.

This coming week holds in store Colin's second (and final) trip to the Florida Swimming Junior Olympics. Stay tuned for those updates. Hopefully to come regularly from Fort Myers.

I borrowed this from my rockin' friend Lisa's Facebook page. I just loved what it conveys to those who might be behind me. That doesn't happen too often as I am usually the one behind the crowd. But, I liked it nonetheless.

Freedom Springs Triathlon Results

I just love race directors who are on top of their "game." Terry Edwards, race director Freedom Springs Triathlon, has already e-mailed the results of yesterday's event to the participants. Colin finished NINTH (9th) over all if you don't count the relay team that came in first. And, Aidan finished with a smile on his face.

2009 Freedom Springs Triathlon
Cumulative Results
Adult Race: 1/4 Mile Swim, 10 Mile Ride, 3.1 Mile Run

Name - Gender or Relay - Time
Robida, Bowman, & Bowman - Mixed Relay - 0.53.22.40
1. Brecht Heuchan - Male - 0.55.07.60
2. John Seppala - Male - 0.55.49.90
3. Scot Ewing - Male - 0.56.51.70
4. Mike Bonn - Male - 0.58.20.70
5. Travis Blanton - Male - 0.58.44.30
6. Christopher Thorn - Male - 0.59.24.00
7. Alan Swigler - Male - 0.59.42.50
8. Brian Bowden (16) - Male - 0.59.48.60
9. Colin Abbey (14) - Male - 0.59.51.40
10. Chris Coutts - Male - 1.00.00.30
11. James Phillips - Male - 1.00.17.09
12. Steve Gandy - Male - 1.00.29.40
13. Gary Cox - Male - 1.00.33.10
14. James Stinson Male 1.00.47.80
15. David Shaw - Male - 1.01.05.60
16. T. Alan Cox - Male - 1.01.31.20
17. Jerry Armstrong - Male - 1.01.42.10
18. Christine Bosau-Slater - Female - 1.01.42.60 - First Female Overall
19. Andrew Howard - Male - 1.02.10.50

2009 Freedom Springs Triathlon
Cumulative Results
Kids Race: 100 yard swim, 3 mile ride, 1 mile run

First Timer: Aidan Abbey (8) - Male - 31.29.70

Celebrating One's Independence

Wow!
Can it possibly be the Fourth of July already?
Where did June go?

Truthfully, I thought June would be much more laid back and relaxed considering I was (am still) unemployed. It seems, however, that June turned into a summer storm of fun in the sun for me and all of The Boys.

We kicked it into high gear right away with two-a-day swim practices for Colin, the Pre-Senior swimmer, and one-a-day practices for Aidan. Colin is coming quite into his own in the pool and the rest of "them boys at JO's" better just buckle up. It is going to be one hellacious ride before August rolls around. Tuesday evenings hold ATAC Developmental Swim Meets for Aidan, and he has been performing quite well while improving each time he dives off the blocks. Colin's big show of skill and talent fell during the last weekend of June at the annual ATAC Long Course Invitational Swim Meet. He earned three more time qualifications toward competing at the Summer Florida Junior Olympics: 400 meter Freestyle, 800 meter Freestyle, and the 1500 meter (The Metric Mile) Freestyle. He has now qualified for a total of six events that he may compete in at the Junior Olympics in 12 days in Fort Myers.

I have been earning a bit of what I call "Happy Meal" money by doing some summer camp driving for an organization here in town (The Oasis Center for Girls). It is only girls that I get to hang with for a couple of times a day, three times a week. So it is VERY different from being at home with my Boys all the time. In addition to the driving, I have been trying to be very committed to my training schedule (I know, I know it has not been updated here in weeks. I'm sorry. It will be current from now on....). I am running mid-distance two days a week and getting in one long-ish to truly long run on the weekends. I have been pretty good about logging two 20-35 mile rides during the week (off days from running) and getting a 40 miler in on the weekend. It is all good. So far the heel and hamstring and ankles are good and nearly almost always pain free. They twinge occasionally, but I slow down or change stride and that usually manages to solve the problem.

Aidan has been to two Vacation Bible Schools and loved them both. Friends abound where Aidan is concerned. He is the child who has the ability to make friends with the rocks. He can arrive at any location and leave having just met his "new best friend." God Bless Him! Next week he is off to Camp Bark-ly run by the local 4-H, where he is sure to make countless new friends and beg for yet more needy creatures to become members of our family. What was I thinking? Dain Bramaged, I am, I swear it.

But, getting back to celebrating one's independence. This is the third consecutive year that we have begun our Fourth of July celebrations with a healthy dose of triathlon. Yes, I know, some of you may think that is just about the farthest thing from healthy one could get, but we - yes, we - love it. This year I was "The Mom" rather than the athlete. I stood on the beach waiting for Colin; ran him into T1 (transition from swim to the bike); and then cheered madly until he came back through the finish chute after the run leg. This year his goal was to finish in under an hour. Based on previous years (2007 - 1:17:48, 2008 - 1:06:34), and his drastic improvements overall, this was very doable from the start. He was FIRST out of the water for the 1/4 mile swim today and I am pretty sure was in the top 10 returning from the 10 mile bike ride. I don't know exactly where he finished overall (full results to be posted soon), but he hit his goal with a finish time of 59:50 and 2nd in his age group by only 2 (yes TWO) seconds to a boy nearly a year older. I am estimating based on my Seiko watch that his swim time was floating around the 6 minute mark; his bike time was pretty darn quick at 31 or so minutes; giving him roughly a 22 minute 5K run time. The run happens to be his weakest leg, but after his fabulous swim and bike I'll give it to him. Way to go my boy!

Aidan launched his triathlon career today with the kids' version of the Freedom Springs Triathlon. He made friends along the way - how unusual - and finished running strong with a smile on his face and a big brother beaming proudly from behind him as he ran him down hill into the finish chute. Mike was able to go this year and witness all the hype. Many of his friends and/or co-workers and their spouses were competitors. Not-to-mention, I don't think he could have been any prouder of The Boys ever.

We shall see what July has in store: Camp Bark-ly; Summer Junior Olympics; visits with grandparents; visits with friends who have moved away; and more swimming; more swimming; and some job searching.

Stay Cool, it's hot out there!
Blessings!