One more sleep ......

One more sleep.....and you're off!!!

We never know where, exactly, our journeys' might take us to, but we do hope that it lands us at a place we had hoped for....or at least pretty close.  We make these crazy decisions in life, then sit, with baited breath, waiting to see if it was worth it.  Well, in Brett's case, I damn well hope so!!

Our family have the most wonderful 'surrogate' family members here in America.  We are one very fortunate family to have family both far and near.
On a whim, I decided to give Brett a little send-off.  He had NO idea, I had it all sorted as a surprise, and everything went way too smoothly, until we drove up to the side of the house and Brett was getting window replacement lessons from Noah, and saw the cars pull up.  A very confused Brett, wondering why Ed was following his wife in her car, finally put it together and laughed his ass off.   The day was filled with conversations with his 'peeps', wine, beer, laughs, hugs and many cheers.  Oh ...... and possibly the BEST poster ever...Thanks Jess!!!  You rock star!

What's not to love, right? Right!  Jess is the pro at making any occasion just that more special by throwing in a completely unexpected twist!

CHEERS BRETT!!!


I ordered the cab for 4:20am tomorrow morning.  Brett should get to the airport with some time to spare.  I just couldn't face driving him at such an early hour and being an emotional mess all the way home, then having to get the girls to school and me into work for a long and stressful day.  Belmont taxi - you better get him and his luggage there on time!! Just saying..... LOL

Shelley did not do well with her bedtime tonight.  Daddy put her to bed and little sobs came from the purple girls room.  It was sad....daddy is her hero.  Brett tucked her in, chatted to her, consoled her, and then I took over.  I finally had her giggling at the fact that daddy has a 'golden speedo' that he has to sport somewhere in Africa for the BTT team!  Thank you, golden speedo!!!!

It's 10:25pm and Brett is in bed, asleep.  I'm sad but happy.  My soul mate is about to embark on a dream.  I have to make sacrifices too in order for him to do this.  A small price to pay in order for your man to fill that bucket list....yes.....alas.....that freaking bucket list!!

Thanks for following......please sign up as a follower.  Brett will be able to view his followers while in Johannesburg and Cape Town...

Love and Peace
T

Four days and counting (dreading)!

Four days and counting (dreading!)

Four days from now Brett will be in-flight, South Africa bound.  Doing a mental check of all the things he needed to pack – what he might have left behind (c’mon, everyone leaves something behind) and hopefully sleeping on that long and torturous flight.

Four days from now I will be at work, fighting back those dreadful tears.  Brett and I do not do well apart, never have, and never will.  I remind myself every day that this ‘thing’ he is doing is a happy thing (for him!) and to be happy for him.  So far, I’m getting there ;)

It seems race registration is set up and ready to go at the Augrabies Falls Lodge.  The race Director’s have been hard at work every day setting up for this 6 day stage race.  When I look at the pictures they have taken so far, I see all the flags representing the various Countries of corresponding runners, the American flag is there J  These people are no ordinary gals and guys, (obviously, coz they’re all crazy for doing this) instead, as they put it, are a family.   I follow their posts each day on Facebook and am reminded that many of them have never met yet each day they are sharing tips, new-finds and sending encouraging words.  Today they posted pictures of the sandy river beds.  “Sandy river beds”?  Seriously?  A river of sand perhaps but no water to be seen!  Holy hell…perhaps someday I will find where the fun factor is in all of this…. just haven’t found it yet!

In his final days of prep, Brett will do a run tomorrow (Saturday), vacuum seal all his meals for seven days, pack and then hopefully chill as much as he can before he leaves early on Tuesday morning. 

This poor man’s toes!  I have never seen such messed up toes in all of my life.  They’re black and blue!  I see pictures of the other runners taping their toes (each toe is individually wrapped) but when asked he says not yet.  Well, OK then…..

He will certainly see some amazing sunrises and sets, thats a guarantee.  African sunsets will send shivers down your spine they are indescribable.  He's also bound to meet many a 'friend' as he turns corners like others did last year (photo borrowed from a previous runner).  Imagine his surprise running straight into this?!

Well this is about all for today.  This evening we are having our last date night before he leaves.  Monday night he has requested a family dinner (the four of us) and then off he goes.

Watch this space for more to come!

Thanks for following!

Love and Peace,

T

T Minus 14 days ... and counting!!

It's true..... Brett is experiencing his mid-life crisis!  Or so I am convinced.  No-one can tell me otherwise since this is just insane to me.  Then again, doing a triathlon is unfathomable to me, too.  My mid-life crisis is/will be a purse dog, new kitten or a camping camper.  But this?  Well, as my brother would say "All my life!!!"

But alas, being the wifey that I am, I encourage and support him all the way, although it will be virtual support this time :(  Nicole, Shelley and I (and the cat - Weeties) will stay behind in the cold fall weather while Brett experiences an average temp of 105 degrees F, daily!

This Blog will include the daily update from the race Director's, as I receive them.  Usually once a day.  I will also write from Brett's girl's perspectives, all four of us!  At times the Director's will send along YouTube clips and I will post the links to those, too.  I hope you become a follower to support Brett and enjoy the posts I do to keep you all informed.  For me, for 7 days, no news is good news.  There is zero contact between Brett and I in that time.  So you can imagine, I will be sitting with baited breath until he arrives in Johannesburg after the race so that we can communicate.

So, let's begin.....

THE PREP AND TRAINING.....

On January 3rd this year, Brett did his first trail run, ever (thanks Jorge!).  He fell in love instantly.  Every few weeks a boxed package would arrive on the front door step.  Nicole and I secretly hoping he had ordered something fun, only to find very brightly colored trail running sneakers!  Major disappointment!  First ones were too big, next ones were not comfortable, others were OK, then he needed extra's.  Cha Ching!

As the time has drawn nearer, the time spent running has intensified.  As all you triathlon/runners will agree, the time spent training increases ten-fold as you near a race date and for us wives and families, it means daddy is away more and schedules become more of our responsibilities than usual.  But again, if we can accommodate his desire to fill that bucket list, then we support it.  I just hope he supports my purse dog, kitten or camping camper!!!!

Today, I post my first picture.  This is his back pack that he will be running with each day.  It weighs 25lbs.  It consists of all his food for seven days, bedding, emergency supplies, medical supplies, clothing (minimal) and titanium cup (used for bowl as well) and utensils.  Every ounce counts!

As Shelley would say "Daddy, you're cray".....

Am I nervous? Yeah I'm nervous.  Running a marathon every day and on other days just under that distance is grueling and especially in that heat.  But this blog shall be my therapy.  My girls, being a single parent and my job will keep me focused on other things and when I hear his voice on November 4th, all will be well :)

GO BRETT GO!!!!!  JY IS MAL.....