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Happy 50th Birthday Karel!

Today, Karel celebrates 50 years on Earth. Fifty years of cycling, training, racing and traveling. Of immigration struggles and eventually becoming a U.S. citizen. Of adopting animals and having to say goodbye to several of them. Of getting married (to me!). Of working his way through different jobs and industries, starting a small business, moving to a different country and then a different state. Fifty years of exploring, adventuring, failing, struggling, succeeding, taking risks, starting over, figuring things out—and experiencing all that life has thrown his way. Fifty years of his favorites: croissants, cats, ice cream, chocolate and coffee. Fifty years of becoming the person he is today. On Saturday afternoon, I surprised Karel. I don’t know how I got away with it but it was my 3rd time throwing him a surprise birthday party (I also surprised him on his 30th and 40th birthday). Knowing that Karel is not excited about turning 50, he thought that I “forgot” about his birthday. Litt...

Happy 40th Birthday Karel!

It was an interesting summer in 2006 as I was very much into my routine of working and training and I didn't want anything to get into my way of training for my first Ironman. I was living with my parents but I was only there to sleep as my life revolved around training, working and training. I resisted the invitation to meet a "talented cyclist, from Europe with a sexy accent" as a training partner of mine described, as she wanted to set me up with a nice single guy. A few weeks went by and I finally accepted the opportunity to meet him.  It was 10.5 years ago when Karel and I were set-up on a blind date on a group ride. We met on my birthday, May 31st, 2006. The next few months were rocky because as I mentioned, all of my energy went into training. The thought of balancing a boyfriend while training for a 140.6 mile event was overwhelming so I entertained the idea of getting to know Karel as a training partner and possibly we would become good friends. At...

Discover your (natural) talent

From cyclist.... To triathlete..... To runner..... I can't help but smile when people ask me if I get jealous or upset about Karel's "natural" talent to go from 20+ years as a competitive cyclist to a triathlete who can run crazy fast. Karel and I both grew up as "athletes" so we both understand what it means to work hard for results. Of course, 6.5 years ago, when I met Karel on the bike, I never thought that I would now be married to a triathlete. It's often said that cyclists can run.....but I would have to disagree that just because a cyclist is fit on the bike, it doesn't mean that fitness will transfer over to a weight bearing activity like running. Karel found running uncomfortable and often unbearable during the off-season in years past but then again, he only liked to run for beer and he never "trained" for running races, just used it as "exercise". Since starting a new multisport lifestyle in June...