A storm cloud – some sunshine – and a rainbow!

Warning – the following is a run-on stream-of-consciousness about my day and the goodness of book bloggers!

Let’s start, as they say, at the beginning.  The beginning in this case, is about a year ago, when I decided to train for a sprint triathlon to be held this year on Mother’s Day.  A friend said in an off-the-cuff manner, “you can’t do that”, which I took as a challenge … ordered a couple books on training for a triathlon, enrolled in adult swim lessons, and started hiking around town on my bike with LM3 in tow in the trailer.  In fact, the first book review on my blog is for a wonderful book called Slow Fat Triathlete, which was a huge influence and encouragement to me (note:  I am not slow or fat, but I am a 43-year-old mother of four who had never before done anything remotely athletic, I like to say that before training I had never voluntarily perspired in public    I could use all the inspiration and motivation that I could get!)

Fast forward to May 11, 2008, Mother’s Day.  Four friends from back in Connecticut joined me, as well as a new local friend.  It was a great experience!  The word “triathlon” can sound impressive; let me emphasize that this was a sprint distance – 250 yard swim, 12 mile bike and 3 mile run.  Not the Ironman, but still a good deal to put together.

High on the success of the Mother’s Day race (Triathlon by the Sea in Marblehead, Mass.), I registered for another sprint to be held at Hopkinton State Park on September 7.  This is where the STORM CLOUD comes in … mid-June I fell and sprained my knee (and big toe, isn’t that pathetic!).  I still haven’t completely recovered; can’t yet kick to swim, I’m walking not running, and the bike – no way!  I’ve known for over a month that this race wasn’t going to happen for me, but apparently I still hadn’t accepted it.  I was in a dark mood this morning, moping around feeling sorry for myself.  I was like Eloise‘s turtle, Skipperdee, when his ears aren’t braided!  Those who race understand this feeling; for those who don’t … I didn’t “get it” either, until my first running race back in February.

Now on to the SUNSHINE … I got an email this afternoon from Tina at Bookshipper.  She let me know that I won a box of books in the Back to School Hachette Giveaway she was co-hosting!  Ten beautiful brand-new books are heading my way.  Who wouldn’t smile at this news?!?  I actually shouted, “Ooh Hoo!  I won” (image Homer Simpson) when I read the e-mail, which had the effect of five extra pair of feet making their way to the kitchen to see what I had won!  One of the books is Vicky Myron’s Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World; this has been on my wish list!

RAINBOW time:  Spurred on by this great news, I hopped in the car and drove to Hopkinton to pick up my race packet.  Yes, 30 miles each way.  Don’t talk to me about the price of gas … I’ve already paid $130 to register for USAT and the race, what’s another $10 for gas?!  Even though I won’t be racing tomorrow, I was able to see the site and scout it out for next year (thinking positively that I’ll be back in 2009!), I cleared my mind during the long drive, I’ve got the pity party behind me, and I’ll be able to cheer on my friend Ori.  And since I picked up the packet, I can wear my race t-shirt and clang the cowbell!  The race is a benefit for Rosie’s Place a volunteer only sanctuary for poor and homeless women in the Boston area.

And at the end of the rainbow … probably some books for readers of She Is Too Fond of Books.  That box of ten books from the Hachette giveaway may contain a book or two that I won’t get to right away, if it’s not in my immediate area of interest; I’ll be able to share the bounty with you!  Thank you, Tina and Hachette!