WOW! So great to hear from you! I have a smile ear to ear as I read your e-mail. Thank you so much for your support and “understanding” in so many ways. 2006 was such an amazing year in many ways I knew 2007 was going to be even better. I am not going to lie, getting pregnant in 07 was not in the “plan” and I definitely went south with my mental processing; being very selfish in my thinking. But once I took my own advice and “let go” and just rolled with it, everything was great and I embraced my “earlier than planned” pregnancy and couldn’t be happier to be a mom of two. Blaisen is the sweetest little dude, and I just LOVE having a boy and and a girl for a big sister. I have been blessed and I hope to raise two wonderful people in this world who can grow up and add a positive to our society. 2008 was a struggle, the balance, but Michael was great and I just did what I could with the training. It was challenging in more ways than one, I worked a lot on my “head” and just went all in. I had higher expectations for Kona but in the end it was all I could do. I hope to be able to help other moms out there try and get the balance-family, self, work. I feel all 3 segments work together to create what I like to call “flow”. You know, that humming feeling when all cylinders are working together. I embrace you and your family with another one on the way, you truly put yourself in another league; four children; I am in awe. When I was pregnant they kept putting me in this category of AMA (advanced maternal age). I use to hate it but now as an AAA (advanced athlete age) I love it. I can train less and be faster. I love being a “seasoned” athlete so that 42 age is nothing. I can tell you from experience you can get it all back when you want to and baby girl will give you all that extra inspiration. I bet you and I will see each other again-maybe it will be on the Kona start line but I would love another ride down the coast Best to you and your family.

Gina

What up? This is S2 (steven speights…..one of the Mississippi guys who rode with you (a stretch) in September 2006). I see that our picture is still on M2’s website. I talk to him often and we remain friends. Was just goggling around and got to your website. So glad to see that you did Kona in 2008. Of course, 2007 was awesome but then Larkin, one of the Mississippi guys in the photo that day, told me you were pregnant. Bummer, but blessed, and I know you know what I mean. I know that 2008 might have been a WIN for you with continuous training. Oh well, children are such a blessing and what else do we really have to do besides raise kids and perhaps change this world. I am sitting here in bed, typing this blog at 41 with my 4th on the way. I will be 42 when she is born. Finally a girl, due August 17, 2009. Got off my bike there in September 2006 as a reasonably competitive age grouper to save my marriage and have not done much since. Soft (physically) now, but happy. I truly wish you the best and hope to return one day for a weekend of riding. I hope you are able to train and I truly wish you the best in 2009. I will sign up for the lottery again which is my ONLY chance to get to Kona. Please let me know if I can help you in any way.

steven speights (s2)

Thrilled to be a part of Team Gina,

t
xoxoxoox

I’m watching and cheering for you from afar. Great job and impressive finish for anyone much less a woman who has job, two kids and one still a little baby! Congrats on another great Ironman!!

Kara

Sean Sweaney sent this to me and I just wanted to take the time to tell you how amazed I am. Not with the fact that you did so well in Kona but how you have stayed true to your fitness dreams. Congrats!!!!! You were always the best when you put your body and mind into your goals. It makes me happy to see all your dreams come true. Keep the dream alive and keep working hard. Best of luck!

Chad Logsdon

Andy & Jen