the unexplained and totally random...

I almost forgot...uh...can anyone explain why this was there at the Bataan Memorial Death March? Was somone planning on doing some reps before and after running/walking 26.2 miles. Now I did see a few bodybuilder types but uh...I don't understand and it was totally random. Every time I passed by, no one was around it, it was just sitting there. I had to take a picture.

By far...the TOUGHEST marathon ever...no joke

The day began with the sound of the alarm at 2:50AM. Travis and I got up, got ourselves ready, bags packed, and the woke up the kids to get them changed and dressed. We headed to White Sands Missle Range and we entered the gate at 4:30AM, temperature was about 30'. We headed to the staging area where we found the rest of the team. This marathon is unlike any other. This one was a team of 5, in full military uniform, carrying a 35lb pack.

Here we go again...

It's always interesting when Travis calls me from work and says..."Hey"...hmmm...that usually means something interesting is about to happen...So this time it was, "hey, some people are getting a team together to do the Bataan Death March in March, what do you think?" What do I think? uh, are you asking me to participate because I can tell you right now anything with the word death in the title, hmmm...no so much. He wasn't asking me to participate but more what I do best, being a sherpa. What is a sherpa? By defination it is ...A member of a traditionally Buddhist people of Tibetan descent living on the southern side of the Himalaya Mountains in Nepal and Sikkim. In modern times Sherpas have achieved world renown as expert guides on Himalayan mountaineering expeditions. Basically, they carry all the crap that one would need to climb up Mount Everest. Well, in triathlons or marathons, everyone needs a sherpa and for Travis, it is I. I actually do not mind being a sherpa because it usually means, I'm not participating and sometimes, thats okay. But it does give me the bug to actually participate but thats a whole other story. We are headed to White Sands Missle Range so Travis can be one of the 5 on his team to carry a 35lb pack, 26.2 miles. This isn't your ordinary marathon, this is the replicate the Bataan Death March.

The Bataan Memorial Death March is a challenging march through the high desert terrain of White Sands Missile Range, N.M., conducted in honor of the heroic service members who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II, sacrificing their freedom, health and, in many cases, their very lives.

Better get to it...I've now got to pack for myself, Isaiah and Iris. And yea, they are kids they don't need too much but again, they are kids...and well, I'll stop short of taking the kitchen sink but uh, I'll be taking a lot with us...Here we go again...

Makin' it look good...

Once again, I've taken forever to blog. I won't catch up, I'll just start with today. So in my circle of friends and family we have babies due almost every month this year. WHOA!! I'm so excited. For most, it's their first and we all know how exciting that can be and also extremely terrifying. No words can really describe what's in store but maybe that life truly is changed,
F O R E V E R.

I vaguely remember what life was like without children. Maybe, partly, because I drank a lot, hahaha, just kidding. Seriously, though, what did I do with my time then vs. what do I do with my time now? Completely different. Everything is centered around whether or not I can get myself and the two kids ready in time for what the day holds. I'm getting a little better but I still feel like a fish out of water. And just when I think I have it down, something is thrown in the mix to keep me on my toes. I still wonder how my mother had 7 children.

That thought is also a motivator for me...I can do this, my mom had 7 kids and we all turned out okay...YOU CAN DO THIS!! I'm not going to lie, some days, I want to have my own pity party and just do nothing. But most days, I try to put on my big girl panties and get to it. But I can still admire the moms that make it look good...I strive to be that mom some day...but I want people to know that well, at least for me, it's a struggle and challenge every day but the reward is to watch the kiddos do something new every day and I wouldn't trade that for anything.

What's in store for 2010

WOW, it's 2010! I can hardly believe it. I remember when I was little, thinking, 2010 was FOREVER away and now here it is. So what does 2010 have in store for The Hinkle Family. Well, to begin, I will start training for a marathon and a few triathlons. If it weren't for the encouragement from Travis, I do no know if I would be doing any of it. I love to swim, I like to bike but as for the run, well, it's okay. Combine all of those together and viola, I'm doing tri's...really? me? I'm impressed, hahaha. By no means am I fast, or will ever win a race, it's more important for me that i'm doing it and having fun.

For Christmas I received a fabulous gift, an indoor bike trainer. While the kids nap, I jump on my bike and ride. I'm up to 1/2 an hour. My friend Matt was right, I do have to admit, running sucks, especially when you have an indoor bike trainer! But I will still have to run. The indoor bike trainer is like having my very own spin class in our sun room. It's awesome!

I'm also looking forward to watching Iris and Isaiah grow and meet their milestones. It's been fun to watch and listen to Isaiah, I still cannot believe that in a year Iris will be doing the same things. She is just so small right now and I remember thinking the same thing about Isaiah and then poof, it happened.

I'm also hoping to blog a bit more only to keep myself on track with my goals. If I put it out there that I am training for stuff then I will feel that everyone is keeping me accountable and I won't be a slacker. I need to stay motivated!

Whatever goals you have and you need me to help you meet them, I would be happy to but not annoyingly so, does that make sense? I won't constantly ask, but I will ask. I also know that things don't happen overnight, unless it's your child, and one day an outfit fits, and overnight, it does not. I am very excited about this year, I hope you are too!

What should have been in the Christmas cards...

Born October 20, 2009 at 4:26pm...Iris Irene will be two months old in two days. Time sure does fly, that is no joke. I'm slowing getting it together. And after speaking to many moms I've got plenty of time, if ever, that I get it together.

The past two months have been a blast, maybe it's the lack of sleep, but fun nonetheless. Isaiah is a great big brother. He now says "good morning iris" every morning or even when she wakes up from a nap. He is growing so fast and talking so much it's wonderful.

November 22 we watched and cheered for Travis who competed in his 2nd Ironman. When I was on bedrest, that set his training back a bit, but he still did well. He was happy with his time of 13 hours 48 minutes, only 20 minutes slower than his first so I can only imagine what he would have done had he been able to train like he wanted. Guess we'll see for the next one but he hasn't decided when that will be.

As for me, today was the first day I have run since I found out I was pregnant. Over nine months ago...it wasn't pretty...and it's cold out, not freezing Minot cold, but still cold for running. I am contemplating doing a half marathon in May in Ft. Collins, Colorado. I got sucked in by the scenery. Our friends Ashley and Tim have signed up for it and when I looked at the "slightly down-hill" course, I thought...hmmm...I think I could do that. So we'll see...I need to get up to running 30 minutes straight before I can even think of running a schedule for the half. But I truly hope to get there by the end of January to start the actual training in February. I also want to start training for some sprint tris just to get me going but we'll see. Two kiddos and Travis' crazy schedule has me trying to be creative with training.

This is crazy...

Monday I went in to have an ultrasound, baby was head down...my ua was up but not bad...went in on thursday and my blood pressure was high. DR sent me to the hospital to induce. They started the process and then did an ultrasound to make sure she was still head down...of course she wasn't...so they stopped the process. Drew more blood another ua and then in the morning they were going to try to turn her. Well, turning her was not successful but my labs came back fine. Which in the grand scheme of things is great news.

She will come in her time. I am now convinced more than ever we have a very strong-willed girl on our hands. The more time she gets in the oven the better off she will be. I am however frustrated only because I'm having to go back & forth to the hospital and Isaiah is being shuffled around. Thank goodness for the help we have recieved and I do not know why I worry about him because he has so much fun hanging out with everyone. He's a trooper!

I'm not going to post anything until she finally here. I'm sure some of ya'll might think i'm a bit crazy...lol...but thank you for your wonderful thoughts and prayers.