4th Annual AZ weekend

Yo Yo,

So last week we had our 4th annual trip to AZ. It was a blast as usual and here is the low down...

We just had to start the fun early with a drop into Gordon Biersch before heading to the airport.Then it was off to a late flight into PHX which of course began with IN-N-OUT the second we landed.Note: the first portion of this trip tends to look like we have a junk food problem...haha

So might as well continue with the next part and just get it all out...we woke up and went straight on a mission to find krispy kreme. We finally found one but it wasn't your typical one with all of the bells and whistles of watching the doughnuts come out or the "hot now" button but it was still pretty dang sweet and delicious.We ventured on to see our friend Ryan for lunch (yes more food), and then I dropped the boys off at Nate's house for some guy time and gaming...I am just so bummed I missed out on this portion of the trip! hahaThey had a blast! It is always fun when they can all play in the same room vs. online against each other. I spent the evening with my brother and had amazing sushi and passed out pretty early.

And meet Dex (Emily's dog). This made me want a puppy very very badly.So Emily and Ryan took me to my very first Bikram Yoga class. It was a bit overwhelming at times during the class but afterwords the detox was totally worth it. I felt great. I am actually looking up a studio in Denver to go a couple times a month to just let it all out. It is very rejuvenating. I was very nervous going into the class but in the end with Ryan and Emily's support I really enjoyed it. And they even gave me a present...The rest of the day was spent catching up with my friend Crystal and then hanging with the crew at Nate and Michelle's. We had a pre race dinner at Gordon Biersch (go figure) again and it was amazing as usual.

Sunday was Irongirl day. I have been a part of this race every year for the 4 years that we have gone. First year I got 4th place, second I got 1000th or something (haha), last year I was a spectator and this year it was used as a launch pad for beginning my Triathlon journey again. It has always been a perfect gauge of where I am with my athletic career which has been spot on each year.

For the boys, they have grown to have a different mission for this race. I wont go into much detail beyond there are 4 boys with cameras and I have this one photo of me and they each take hundreds of photos. It is a photo scavenger hunt...end of story.

So here is my one photo coming to the finish shute from not my husband but Ryan Parker's camera...For myself, I was pleased with coming off of a horrible IT issue and the sickest I had ever been in my life to deciding to train again for triathlon officially on November 1st and finishing in a decent time for where my fitness is about now. We strategically did the race on HR caps for the first 7 miles (8:17 pace) and the last 3 miles (7:39 pace) and finished up with a 1:20.57. 12th in my age and 46th overall. Not as splendid as 4th but I will actually be excited to finally loop back around in year 5 and really give it my all next November. The Photographers: Kyle, Nate, Mario and Ryan Parker (not present)

Might as well take an opportunity to get my photo taken. haha

After the race, there was the judging portion of the scavenger hunt, time well spent with good friends and then we were already back off to the airport.

Once again, it was a really fun trip to AZ. I really enjoyed seeing everyone.

And yes, the boys made it to IN-N-OUT 2 of the 4 days. haha

Cheers!

Jax