Well hello there world. It’s been a while since I’ve been around here, but I am about to embark on one grand adventure and wanted a place to share my experience. So what better way than to reactivate a blog that has brought me so much joy in the past?

Let me catch you up since I was last here in November of 2016. Has it really been that long?  2017 sucked, was difficult. So many negative things happened, several of which aren’t my battles to share publicly and two which are.

My father passed away in April after fighting off Parkinson Disease for many years. My mother passed away in July after battling Ovarian Cancer for two years.

My mom and dad back in the late 90s when they first purchased their home in Key Biscayne, Florida. They both passed away in that same home they loved so much.

Having both of my parents die within three months of each other was a challenge. But here’s the thing. I was completely at peace. For most of 2016 and until the last day of their lives, I felt my life was on hold because I was “taking care” of my parents. I wasn’t their primary caretaker, fortunately we had all sorts of help, but I was very involved with doctors and spent a lot of time with them. My life, in big and small ways, was centered around them.

And it was the best present they could’ve given me.

There were ER visits, doctor visits, chemotherapy, a stint at a nursery home, hospitals, legal marijuana, and home hospice. Twice. Being able to be there for them, each in their time of most need, is a gift. I was able to show them, before it was too late, how much I loved them. Not just by telling them, but by my actions. I was there, I was present, and the world stopped for about six months while they were my focus. Once they left, I felt no regrets. I had no pending conversations to have or apologies to make.

Then there were funeral services, wills, lawyers, bankers, estate sales, garage sales, apartment sale, movers and more.

My sisters and I the day we finished cleaning the apartment and handing it over to the new owners.

Fortunately, there were also my sisters and the three of us came together like never before. I’ve heard nightmare stories of siblings arguing over money, things, and memories. My sisters and I did not have any arguments. In fact, we have grown so much closer and together that I know they will be my best friends forever (cheesy, I know, but true). We spent our first “orphan” Christmas all together and it was one of my favorite vacations ever.  My husband and boys were also troopers during this whole process as were other family and friends who held my hand through this tough time. I could write a whole post on this, maybe another time, the point here is I am at peace with my parents passing. As difficult as it was, I know they are free from pain and I know I did everything I could to be a good daughter in their time of need. I can’t ask for anything more.

As all this was happening, my business was growing. I began I’mPossible Run Club, an afterschool enrichment program that uses running as a tool to empower children. Don’t get too attached to the name. It will be changing soon as I can’t trademark it.

We are now in five schools in Miami with over 160 kids participating in the program and the lessons I have learned with the kids are many. I have spent the last six months or so writing it all out as a curriculum and soon anyone will be able to implement a Club in their community.

Here is what the paper says “I can do this, I will do this, this is good, I am strong, I am powerful, I am fast, I am strong, I am good, I am sort, I will run, I will do it, I am midy (mighty)” One of our lessons is teaching children a vocabulary of empowerment.

And because we love road trips, last summer Joe, the boys and I, drove from Miami to New Mexico. I thought of writing about it at the time but didn’t. My son who is now twelve years old did a couple of YouTube videos you can check out the first one here. He never finished his series as he got distracted with middle school, but his skills have dramatically increased so if you are up to it, please subscribe to his channel! On trip we spent two days in Taos, New Mexico.

It was love. LOVE. I tell you.

Taos is quaint, artsy, hippie, bohemian and traditional all in one. It mixes native American culture with old Spanish culture. Joe and I looked at each other and said … what the heck, let’s move here.

Boys in their element at the super cute cafe Taos Cow.

Okay, so we spent a little more than five minutes talking about it and in the end, we decided we were going to move our little family to Taos, New Mexico for the 2018-2019 school year. Both Joe and I can work from home, so we can do it without interrupting our businesses.

From the time of making that decision to now, we have seen a flurry of activity. We have put our house in Miami on the market to rent (any interest?), we decided on an online school option for the boys, we all got mountain bikes and ride every weekend, and soon we head to Taos for Spring Break to finalize our living arrangements.

Regarding triathlons, well, there have been none. My highlight was being part of Team LC and meeting some pretty incredible women. One was fighting cancer while on the team, and that woman gave me an example of what I hope to be like if faced with something like that. Another woman lost her child who was a triathlete and passed away after being hit by a car on his bike. He was in high school. She is another inspiration of how to handle real problems with grace and faith. I am forever grateful to Leanda Cave for starting that group and hope to see it continue to grow. I had to forego my spot as I am not focused in racing (like, at all) and someone else out there would do a much better job with the support Team LC offers.

I’m 45, my hormones are out of whack, and I am sort of out of control with my diet and exercise. I have been learning how to mountain bike, and it is not easy for me as I am such a whimp. I enjoy flowy trails, but my boys want technical obstacles. I have found myself on the ground more often than I care to admit. But it looks to me like that is where I will most likely be getting my exercise this year. This summer, after the Taos move, we will be roadtrippin’ around the West with our bikes, so keep an eye out for that.

Biking with my sister in law at a trail here in Miami

I still work with my friend Kerry Gruson, from ThumbsUp International. She has been kicking butt and finished yet another Ironman.  She is also part of the I’mPossible Run Club and we had came to practices so children had a chance to work with her. Kerry, my family and I all got to have some fun together doing a commercial for Stouffers Lasagna.  That was SO. MUCH. FUN. This is the Spanish version, but you will begin seeing us later this Spring on English language television. I cannot explain just how weird it is to see yourself on TV.

Some of the Run Club kids racing in late 2017

And that puts you rather up to date on life here, at TriathlonMami. I hope you follow along this wild adventure that we are embarking on. If you are from Taos, or from that general vicinity ANY tips or information is welcomed. Also, we are planning lots of trips (hence, the online school for the boys) with our bikes so if you have suggestions on where to go … those would be wonderful. You can comment here or shoot me an email at triathlonmami@icloud.com

Feels good to be back.