Thanks Saucony! I have been a fan of Saucony Pro Grid ride shoes and yesterday this package came in the mail from them. I didn't get a sponsorship, but instead they sent me Sacu-Fit Power Grid pink and black shoes which are amazing. Then I got a 2nd package that has 2 jackets (one winter, one spring) running shorts and two tops. This so generious and nice!

Today I ran in the new Sauc-Fit 4mm shoes. They really felt great! They will also be good on a hot day with the big vents in the outside of the shoe. See all the products at www.saucony.com

My running partner and I got in 6.7 miles today, in 19 degree weather. The only thing cold was my face. I need to get a face/chin protector to stay warm on days like this.

This week I signed up for Leon's olympic distrance tri June 3rd in Hammond, IN. Endure it races this as a team.

Happy Holidays to your family!

CDO.1 Quintana Roo

Thank you Urban Tri Gear and Quintana Roo for helping me get the CDO.1 tri bike. Luke did a great job setting me up at the Burr Ridge location. The bike is a camouflage design in pink. I really like the size too, its a 52 Medium. My last QR was a small. It's really exiting to ride. Today I did the 90 min CompuTrainer class at Endure it (like I do every Saturday morning). I could already tell my threshold numbers are higher than before because this bike is pushing more power.

Yesterday neighbor Dave & were outside running right after the 1st snow fall. The neighborhood looked beautiful with the white snow on the houses and streets. Last week I was wondering when the 1st snow would fall. For Chicago it has been pretty mild weather until now. As long as the sun is out, I'll take the weather we get. As for running in the snow it felt harder. I would say much harder, but not everyone would agree. By the end my chin was numb. A nice cup off hot green tea was perfect afterwards.

Today I ran across this quote: "Success is is not a destination that you ever reach. Success is the quality of your journey" -Jennifer James. I like to apply that to life, it's all about the journey we each go through everyday. Let's make the most out of our days and lives. Enjoy the little moments!

I am overjoyed and proud to say that Quintana Roo is sponsoring me. I have loved my QR bike. Their products are top of the line, reliable and fast. You can check out the bike and accessories at http://quintanarootri.com You can check out a slideshow of bikes out on the road at http://www.flickr.com//photos/quintanarootri/show/

"I do Ballet"

"I do Ballet" says my 2 year old, and apparently so do I! Annabelle has been asking to do ballet since her big sister's ballet outfit became part of her fun at home. So I caved in to try it out, my high school friend's daughter has been enjoying this class as well. Dance Dynamics has adorable music to go with each dance concept they learn.

It's been a fun couple weeks getting Annabelle use to her tap and ballet class. The last two weeks I've been doing 1st position, running on tip toes and front back stomp. This week Annabelle got it that Mom's don't have to do the whole class. So by the last 20 mins she was not noticing that she was on her own.

Our excitement yesterday was that Elizabeth, my 4 year old passed the swimming test at Lifetime. She had to swim 2 laps. This means she can go down the 2 story slide. We were so proud of big sis!

This week I'll be doing to Columbus Thanksgiving Day 5 miler with lots of family. My sister in law just said, "I hope you get in the 1st 1,000 women to get a free pumpkin pie." That sounds good to me, but I asked, "How many people are partaking?" 5K runners. So I'll keep you posted if we get an extra dessert.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Hot Cider

Today was the Hot Cider 8 Miler in Wheaton, IL along the Danada-Herrick Trail. I ran with my old running buddies Betsy Kowal, Lisa Jonkheer and Jessy Milonas. Betsy, Lisa & I started running together 10 years as part of LifeTime fitness running club. The running club helped us find a wonderful group of friends for life.

Today it was nice to catch up during a very scenic fall run. The leaves were falling a beautiful yellow and orange color. This is a race I would go back to, you even ran around the old horse track. At the end we weren't excited about the grassy path, but it sure was easy on the knees today. The whole path around Danada is crushed limestone. My husband and kids joined met us at the race, the kids were excited that I said we could go to the Cosley Zoo afterwards. I think Annabelle ate more post-race food then most racers. The hot cider was very good (pictured here)

Yesterday I did my first 90 min Computrainer class at Endure It. Some how that 90 mins was 1:45 when we got off the bike. I did meet some nice folks that workout at LifeTime, which will come in handy this winter.

Hope you had a good weekend!

Fall Day in Chicagoland

Thank you for all the wonderful birthday wishes today. It's so great to read all the messages from my family & friends! This morning, my sister & I had a nice CompuTrainer ride at Endure It with Sarah Fix leading us.

Today, we are so lucky to have the sun out! It makes for another beautiful fall day in Chicago!

I thought I would post a couple of our fall family photos that my sister took. Cherie does all types of photography, you can reach her at ccmcphoto@yahoo.com.

For the first time ever, I started drinking alkaline water. I'm still in the learning process with this water. But today my sister & I learned from Dr. Jim Kowal, at RUAH Center, that a completely healthy body is suppose to be 80% alkaline & 20% acidic. Dr. Kowal said we should be eating a good base of alkaline foods, such as vegetables, fruits and alkaline water. However, as Americans we typically eat a lot of acidic foods, such as red meat, chicken, potatoes and alcohol. Dr. Kowal said even the water we drink from Lake Michigan has a lot of acid in it (from the rain). We really enjoyed our visit with Dr. Jim Kowal at his RUAH Center. He is a wealth of knowledge in regards to how to live a healthy life. I highly recommend checking it out.

Hope you enjoy the rest of your fall day!

1 year anniversary

Today mark’s 1 year of being cancer free. Last year, 365 days ago I was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. I want to thank each and every one of you for how you have touched my life and my family lives. As one friend said to me today, “I remember telling you a year ago that this was just a bump in the road. With you signing up for Ironman it’s how you are paving all of those bumps into one smooth and majestic “Freeway” I love that.

Today is my first time blogging. I'm still trying to figure out how blogspot works, I'm at the point of learning as I go. But today was a great day celebrating 1 year of being cancer free. I did a some spa treatments and then lunch with a couple friends. Life is too short to not have good friends. I really cherish my times with friends. We all look forward to the ages when our kids will be in school and we can go to lunch anytime. But then we will all miss those days when the 2 & 4 year olds are pulling at our sides.

Hope to chat with you soon!

October 13, 2011

Today is a good day! Yesterday I had a clean mammogram J I only had to be in the screening room one time. Then Adam and I went to have my check-up with my Surgeon Dr. Nora Hansen. She was pretty backed up, but we enjoyed our time. I went and said hi to Laura my favorite nurse. I felt sad while waiting to find Laura and catch glimpses of people hooked to their chemo IV. I know all those ladies will be okay, it’s just a bump in the road. I have to say it felt good to also walk out of there cancer free.

This weekend Adam & I are celebrating our 8 year wedding anniversary. We are heading to the New Buffalo area, not too far away. I have been blessed to have had a wonderful partner thru all of our highs and lows. I couldn’t imagine going thru all of this without him. He has mastered the art of staying calm under circumstances that had me on the floor. I can always count on him. Love you!

Fun note- I got an email from Rudy Project yesterday that I’m part of their Amateur Sponsorship program. It’s a 3 year contract. Bring on the Tri training, I’m so excited!

Love to you and your family.

Diana