Scary Fun Halloween!

Smurfin' Hot!

This Halloween season has been one of the best!  Now that our little guys are old enough to get into the "spirit" of Halloween, we've had such a great time picking out costumes, decorating pumpkins, and eating "scary good" treats that Kevin's whipped up for us!

Matthew was Darth Vader and spent the last month saying "Look I am your Father!" (Father pronouced "Faaver")

Michael was Buzz Lightyear and when 'in costume', he would shoot everyone and everything in site, with the imaginary laser button on his arm....That is until Kevin bought him a Buzz gun that had real sound affects, and since then, everyone has been turned into a zombie!

GreenMan and Smurf - post race

On October 17th, GO St Louis hosted their annual Halloween race in Downtown STL.  This year Kevin decided to participate (at the encouragement of his good friend Albers - shown on the right).  The weather was amazing, the costumes were fantastic and for the Trapp family supporters, the morning was TONS of fun!

Had I thought about it, I would have taken an autograph book to the race, and will definitely do so next year.  The boys had stars in the eyes as they were FACE 2 FACE with Superman, Batman, Mr. Incredible and every other super hero you can think of.  They walked around the downtown area giving high-5's and yelling out hellos to all of the masked super heros as they began and finished their race.

In fact, Matthew had the opportunity to meet Spiderman, after Spidey finished the race.  He came back a little disappointed though, when I learned that Spiderman wasn't wearing his mask.  The facts that this was not the REAL Spiderman, and that running a 10K wearing a mask is NOT the most comfortable, are lost on a 4 year old! ;-)

Like sands through the hourglass....

These are the days of our lives! (queue music)

Kevin has decided to race in the St. Louis Halloween race on October 17th -- http://www.gostlouis.org/, (while he's still nursing a sore foot and muscles from Ironman Wisconsin) and now it seems that our lives are nearly as hectic as before.
  

The love between doggie & daddy

So far in life, I have learned that there's never enough money OR time to do everything we'd like to do.  And just when we have completed 1 task, there's a dozen more waiting in the shadow's to jump out with a sense of urgency! (sigh)

Between my coordinating a lot of upcoming work travel and Oskar's emergency surgery (our 8 year old Weimarainer), we've yet to have dull moments in the house....yet.  I still have the hope to one day look around and think "hmmm...I have NOTHING to do!" (A gal can dream, right?)

I AM happy to report that we have successfully worked out a solution to send both of our little guys to school a couple of times each week....yay!  As Kevin pointed out recently, our little guy could use some help in differentiating between food and phones (but honestly, phonetically they are VERY similar).


Hello?  Hello? I need more watermelon!


I'm still so amazed at how big my little ones are getting, now 4 and 2-1/2 and how NOTHING gets past them....

I know, all of you mommies and daddies nodding your head like this is common knowledge.  And even though everyone says things like, "Kids are like sponges" or "Kids say the darndest things"...it can still catch you by surprise.


Just the other day...I picked the boys up from the baby-sitter's house, and I was trying to hurry Matthew into his car seat (WHICH he now buckles all by himself), saying things like "hurry up guys, let's go home and see daddy!". 


Matthew stopped what he was doing and with a straight face he asked "is daddy still sore?" When I responded with "yes, a little" he asked... "is he home cooking dinner?"  Which I was HAPPY to respond with "Yes, he IS cooking dinner, so let's go!"...ahhh....dinner waiting for me at home.  


I realize I can't get used to this, since he's already mapped out the 10K in 2 weeks, 2 1/2 Ironman competitions he's planning in 2011, and the handful of 1/2 marathons, 5K's and other various shorter races that will inevitably be scattered throughout the year.  Right now... I'm LOVING it! ;-)

The evenings when we're both able to sit down on the couch, catch up on TiVo and ice our various ailments, are times I'm enjoying immensely.

So, stay tuned to find out the costume Kevin will run in during the Go St. Louis race, just how far Michael will take his "monkey see, monkey do" routine he has recently started with his big brother, and the other dramas that unfold as we take the days of our lives, one day at a time.
 

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Been There, Done That, Made the T-shirt!

Disclaimer and note: The following post has excessive use of "!", so be forewarned.  I've yet to find another way to finish some of the following statements without its use.  So, if you're sensitive to this, please prepare yourself accordingly.  :-)

In case anyone missed the updates this weekend...Kevin's official finishing time -13:10:38

Breath-taking start to Ironman Wisconsin

Well, the family is back from Madison, and we're now trying to get into our Post-IM routine....  It's going to be kind of weird, and unfamiliar having him around so much on weeknights!    The past 5 days have been a whorl-wind of activities!  And it feels like we've been gone for weeks, not days.

Kevin was telling me on the drive home, that it's not uncommon for Ironman Triathletes to become depressed after their race.  The reason being, that they have spent the better part of the last year working toward that goal, and now some may feel a little lost!








I imagine that this is one of the reasons that the number of participants increase so much from year to year and why the available slots for the Madison race, at least, are known to fill up in a matter of days, if not hours! 

Between the triathletes completing their awesome achievement and the experience, as a supporter, in following the emotions of the day; I'm not surprised that so many people want to try to become an Ironman Finisher, again and again! 

Small but mighty Team Trapp supporters!

The planning and logistics behind the event is awe-inspiring!  I'm sure my numbers aren't exact, but there were approximately 2,800 athletes this year and the number of volunteers were in excess of 8,000!  That's a great ratio, in my opinion!

It truly is an event that caters to the triathletes, as it should be, and Kevin remarked the next day (Monday) that it was almost a spa experience....(note to self:  sign Kevin up for a day at the spa). 

The point he was getting at, was that the Ironman planners and volunteers do EVERYTHING for the athletes - they have it down to a science.  From efficiently stripping off wet-suits and equipping the athletes with their packed gear for the next leg, to getting motivational messages to them at the perfect time on the course.  And as Kevin pointed out "Don't forget my two lovely ladies that caught me at the finish line and literally held me up and walked me over to get my medal, then my picture, then food, then the med tent.  Best volunteers on the entire course."

There wasn't a single area on the entire 140.6 mile course that wasn't packed with volunteers to support, inspire, assist and prepare the triathletes! 

Boys on bike leg, cheering on riders and waiting to see daddy!

There are stories shared of the amazing journey of these athletes: their motivations, experience, attitudes and life-changing results.  And I'm very proud of the achievement my hubby has accomplished.  The outpouring of support from family and friends has been fantastic! 

Our boys were there every step of the way and Matthew was so excited to see his daddy cross the finish line!  (Michael stuck with it as long as he could, but fell asleep mere minutes before Kevin turned the final corner.)  Just last night Matthew told his brother, Michael,  that "when he grew up, he was going to be an Iron Man, just like daddy, and Michael could turn into the Incredible Hulk".  Michael, incidentally, was happy to acquiesce to this suggestion, as he LOVES the hulk!

Resting after incredible finish! 13:10:38

So even the boys understand that being an Ironman finisher is no easy task.  Only the super motivated, and super determined individual can achieve this super hero status! 

Are you ready to get Smoked?!

Today is the day that Matthew has looked forward to all week.  The day where HE got to race.  This morning the city of Madison, along with some other local sponsors, hosted an Ironman Fit Kids run.  The run consisted of a 1K course that circled the Capital Building (approximately 3/5 of a mile).   There were raffles, t-shirts, finisher medals, lots and lots of kids and nutritious snacks at the end. 

As we woke in the hotel room, at 5:45am this morning, I recognized the steady sounds of raindrops hitting the window, and the sounds of 2 little guys ready to start their day and get out of the hotel room.  So after we dressed in the warmest clothes we had packed (naturally, we didn't pack NEARLY the clothes we should have for our trip), we headed down to fuel up at the complimentary continental breakfast.   

Luckily by the time we ate, loaded into the car, drove downtown and parked, the rain has mostly stopped.  The weather at this point (7:15am) was simply windy, chilly and "misty"...but at least the rain had slowed down substantially. 

The question of the morning was "Hey Daddy, are you ready to get "smoked"?"  Because as Matthew told him every few minutes.... "I'm gonna "SMOKE" you!".

With most things in our lives now-a-days, it's a philosophy of divide and conquer (the children that is), so since Matthew wanted to "smoke his daddy", I had the privilege of running with the little guy.  Everyone lined up at the starting gate, and the announcer counted down and started the race.  What seemed like a hundred kids and their parents all started their race, in the inside lane around the Capital Building. 

The street was lined with spectators, supporters and local vendors (as there is a local farmer's market in the square on Saturday's).  So with everyone there, we were rallied on by cheers and claps. 

Matthew is happy to say that he ran until "he got a little tired", but then he finished strong, running across the finish line and receiving his finisher's medal.  Michael, on the other hand, started really strong, until he lost site of the local college mascot, Eddie the Eagle.  At which point he decided he'd prefer to be carried the rest of the way.  So, for what I'm guessing was all but 100 ft. of the race, Michael was carried on the hip of his momma, me ;-)

As Michael and I sprinted (OK more like slowly jogged) across the finish line, we were cheered on by Matthew's voice shouting "Suck it up Buttercup!".  And as we made our way back to the games and snacks prepared for the finishers, the boys wore their medals with pride...which made us so happy that they truly enjoyed their first race experience. 

As Matthew retold the story to his grandparents, who were there to cheer us on, he walked with pride and stated...."I smoked daddy!".

Gettin' the party started

It's been an exciting week!  This past Saturday, Team Trapp held a little soiree to help motivate our future Ironman triathlete.

A Lexington BBQ pork and vinegar recipe from the pages of a Steve Raichlen cookbook, several pitchers of Mojitos, yada, yada, yada...boy were we tired Sunday morning! 

I know Kevin had a great time and hopefully everyone in attendance can say the same. It was so much fun having friends and family there, and amazing to see the number of children that are now part of the "group"!  I'm sure there are a number of his fraternity brothers (and their wives) who would have NEVER guessed that Trapper would be training for an Ironman!

As I was putting his "love me wall" as he likes to call it -- or wall of fame -- together, it was hard to not reminisce about how far he's come over the past 5 years.  As part of the party decor, I had pasted up all of the bibs, medals and ribbons that I could find; and the framed collages I had put together early in his racing career, so that everyone could have an idea of his journey.  (I have tried to be somewhat organized with the race collateral**). 

His very first race was in St. Charles, MO.  It was a 5K, in conjunction with a small fall festival.  His sister decided to drive down for the weekend, from Chicago, to spend time with us and run the race in support of her big bro....  I remember it was pretty cold out and they had no coffee (lesson learned there....bring own coffee, just to be safe!)

He ended up coming in 1st in his age group!  I was so proud of him and knew at that moment, as he waited in line for his name to be called, that he wasn't going to stop at a local 5K.  So, 5 years and about 30-40 pounds (depending on his training) later, here we are... 4 days away from Ironman Wisconsin.

Look for some more frequent updates on our family TriSupporter blog as we plan, travel and prepare for Ironman Wisconsin.  And for those of you with speakers, here's one of the songs on Kev's playlist, enjoy!  http://www.markwinholtz.com/triathlon/index.cfm

**Incidentally, the shadow boxes and framed images of his races were quick to end. I still take pictures and have good intentions, but the organizing, framing and hanging has unfortunately dropped lower on my wifely duties (sorry, Hun, I promise to do MUCH better).  And maybe one of my readers will have a suggestion on a great scrapbooker who's looking for a little "project" ;-)

A rose by any other name...

Ok, so maybe this isn’t a Shakespearean play, but Kevin received his official bib number last week (#739) and that is another step closer to the upcoming race! Ford Wisconsin Ironman in Madison, WI on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010!!

This past weekend I was talking to a new found friend, @lisaontheloose (via email). She and I were writing about several topics, but the parallels of endurance training and success in corporate America came up. Mostly how committing yourself to such an undertaking and doing all of the activities required to ensure success is something to be proud of and really shows some moxie (for lack of a better word). And how that could easily translate to your professional career.

Hope she doesn’t mind me quoting her, but here’s what she wrote: “I think his triathlete training will be a huge asset. Shows he has a lot of energy, drive and commitment. He's not scared to take on a challenge.”

And after she wrote that, I was nodding my head and felt a little swell of pride in my chest (because we should all have realized by now that I’m living vicariously through Kevin). I agreed, and I hope that anyone out there who has publicly announced a dream that makes you a little sick to your stomach, can also relate.

So I started thinking of his training in terms of a job and how that might translate:

Goal setting

• Setting the overall Goal and all those milestones necessary along the way.

Research and alignment of goals with company mission

• It’s important to have a full understanding of the impact a project/job will have on the overall organization.
• Does it fulfill the corporate MVV (mission, vision and values).

Planning/Organizational skills

• Create task list and associated milestones to reach goal.
• Regular and consistent checking to ensure that project is moving forward at the correct pace.

Creating and managing of a budget

• Making sure your project doesn't break the bank, so to speak, and that your goals are met within the resource limits set.

Implementation

• Ensuring that the milestones are met and making any necessary tweaks along the way to ensure overall success.

Supervision and managerial tasks

• Including those in adjacent or supportive departments within your company (Even though the primary person being managed/supervised is YOURSELF, you also need to look at those indirectly involved who can get in the way of meeting goals (family ;-))

When I think about all of the things that have gone into his training, over the many years; and especially this year, I recognize his desire to follow his personal dream. His commitment to see it through and his determination to be the best he can be….basically that he has found a passion! (Well, a second passion as I’LL always be his first passion, right?!).

Regardless of whether or not a goal is personal or professional, if there's no passion behind it, then the journey becomes all that more arduous. 

Kevin has decided to become his own "champion" and thereby has become our "family champ"!  Which I'm not sure where that leaves me....hmm....because another "Trappism" passed down generation after generation is "You're either house champ or house chump"...  (I'm learning there is no "gray" when it comes to competition in his family! ha!)