Where do I start?

Trying to fill in all the gaps since May would leave even the most dedicated blog-readers bleary eyed and yawning. So, I will avoid that course and take the Cliff Note route!
Though I can't promise no yawning on your part.
My memory is failing so you'll definetely get the shorty version.

June 2007
-Went to Portland, OR and did some swim and bike training with tri pal and coach Mark Kendall of Speedshot Racing.

-Raced the Pacific Crest Half Ironman. Set a career best bike split and finished 3rd.

-Got cheers and support from friends, Scott & Julie Gix of Oomph! (that was such a treat)

-Bella has overcome her car sickness. She joins Zola as a well-traveled chihuahua.

July 2007
-Raced the RoadRunner Sports Firecracker 5k at midnight in Seattle with Phil.
Won my age group and finished 9th female, getting spanked by the youngsters.

-Later that morning, we drove to Elma, WA and I won the sprint triathlon there. Had a blast hanging with the local folks. It was the smallest tri I have ever had a pleasure to be in. Loved every second of it. The kids race was one of the biggest I have seen...our future looks bright (and really cute)

-Raced the Lake Stevens 70.3 - Frankly, it was the first race I ever remember where I woke up and decided I didn't want to race. I went back to sleep. Phil didn't take too kindly to that. He loaded the bike and came back to the hotel room. He reminded me that we had spent the week in Everett...enough said, I got myself together and on to the transition area. There aren't a lot of great things to say about my performance that day. However, we all have to overcome our demons. I did just that. Ironically, my original goal for Lake Stevens was to secure a slot for the Ironman 70.3 world championships. It wasn't pretty, but yes, I did earn my slot! Phil will be joining me in Clearwater in November.

-We ate some great food at several Seattle restaurants including a local joint, FivePoints Cafe and the Steelhead Diner. The food was so good I can't remember what I ate. I eat too fast anyway.

August 2007
-Spent the month training in Ventura, Santa Barbara and Ojai. I joined members of the Rincon Triathlon Clubs for a few swims, a run and a ride to Malibu. I saw coyotes on several rides while in Ojai...I just get downright giddy when I see wildlife!

-Accompanied Shirleymom to a meeting of the Ventura County Professional Womens Business Association.
Shirley (Phil's mom) is an amazing woman and a terrific role model. I met so many interesting, intelligent and successful women that night. I am looking forward to attending similar types of functions in the Bay Area.

-Spoke at Flavio's office (Flavio's Tax Service, Camarillo, CA) to members of his staff and of the Rincon Triathlon Club. Flavio is a new sponsor and a wonderful man. He finished 4th in his age group at the Full Vineman and 4th at the Clearlake 101. His wife, Cindy is training for her first ever marathon. Go Cindy! I feel so fortuneate to have met such an upbeat, positive couple.

-Raced one of my favorite triathlons, the Santa Barbara Long Course. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting up with old friends, racing some old nemesis and meeting new folks, as always. Appreciated some nice comments by race announcer, Sean English (thanks, Sean!) I finished 6th with a PR swim and a solid race, especially given my heavier training load leading into race day. Lara Brown had a stellar race to win - way to go Lara.

September 2007
-I celebrated my 33rd birthday on 9/1. Phil surprised me with a fun indulgence...a Gameboy DS Lite and the Brain Game versions 1 & 2. Fun puzzles to 'train your brain'.

- To celebrate my birthday morning, I ran the Malibu Oceanside Open XC race at Pepperdine University...what a treat! I met some awesome folks and placed 2nd to the tune of Happy Birthday.

-Finally had a meal at Neptune's Nest in Malibu - saw lots of sweet motorcycles parked in front that morning. Started thinking about learning how to ride.

-I went to Disneyland the next day 0n 9/2.

-Before the fireworks, I got diamonds! Phil proposed and we are now engaged.

-On Sat 9/9, I ran the Golden Gate Open XC race in Golden Gate Park.

-Had my bank card stolen and someone used it! Luckily I figured it out quick and minimal damage was done. Whew...just a minor inconveinence.

-Raced the next day in Ukiah and won the Ukiah Triathlon. It finished with an awesome 3 mile run on the Mendicino College XC course....so two XC races in 2 days.

-Went to S.O.A.R in Redwood City and had a 2nd treatment of epidural cortizone shots.
I won't bore you with that 'stuff', but its been 5 years of pain. I love triathlon and am lucky that I can do it at any level.

-I watched both the mens and women's World Cup triathlons in Beijing - so cool that we can watch races anywhere in the world in real time. My heart was racing just listening to the audio....the video was awesome.
Congratulations to Laura Bennett and Jarrod Shoemaker on earning the first slots on the US Team for 2008 Olympics...absolutely incredible!

-Sad news...Duathlon great, Benny Van Steelant passed away as a result of complications of injuries suffered in a bike crash. Only 30, Benny, a super star from Belgium has dominated the sport of duathlon for much of the past decade. I was thrilled to meet him back in 2001 and always in awe of his talent. He will be greatly missed.

-Took Zola Budd to the neurologist for an opinion on her doggie back problems.

-9/19 - My former Boston roommate, Kirsten Beal, welcomed her daughter, Lilliana Elouise Beal into the world. She weighed in a 6 lbs, 12 oz and 18 inches. I just got back from picking out adorable baby clothes to send...pink, pink, pink!

Basically since the engagement I have been feverishly working on research for wedding ceremony and reception locations. I tried on some dresses already and have been thinking over all of those types of details. I have to call Alexis (waddel) and ask how her plans are going for her wedding next month.

Good Luck to everyone racing at the Sentinel Triathlon in Santa Cruz this weekend.
I'm headed to Las Vegas for Interbike in a few days, then a brief stop in Ventura and Santa Barbara to scout some wedding locations. In between I will be trying to get in some workouts...since Phil has just disassembled my T14 to rebuild it (all new SRAM groupo and some S-w-e-e-t carbon cranks)soooo I'll be working on my run legs until the T14 is reborn.

I'll be back on it with regular updates and photos...savor life!
:) Rachel