OK- this isn't ME all inked up but I can appreciate a colorful tat ;) I haven't blogged in a long while so I thought I would at least drop a very quick blog to update folks-

It has been a busy winter! My better half is still hanging out in Afghanistan, which limits some activities. My munchkins and I managed to take a few trips over the holidays and made it to Oregon/Washington State in late fall, up to my in-law's place in Northern IL for Thanksgiving and out to my mom's place in SC for Christmas. Both January and February up to this point have BLOWN by and it seems like I find one more thing/project/report that I have let slip through the cracks for a time and I need to action NOW. Crazy!

Fitness and racing. I managed to achieve a class 2 tear in my right calf in November and spent most of November and ALL of december recovering from that. I walked a 5k the first week in December and thought I was going to die but recovered enough to run well and place second in my age group in a 5k I ran later that month. I have been plugging away at my training too. I have too big races coming up soon. The Alabama Powerman duathlon 10k/60k/10k run bike run at the end of March and my first Olympic Distance Tri is schedule for 19 April 2012 in St Petersburg, FL. I'll detail both races more in a future blog but I just wanted to get that down so I would remember to mention them later. I'm also supporting a friend of mine who organizes and directs a benefit 5k here in town. I'm really excited because it is my first opportunity to help out with a race like this. I'm hoping I learn enough that I can organize and put on a race of my own in the future!

All else is going well. My organization will be moving us this summer. I will have to reach out to my HSV team members and my co-team leaders to ensure our little Sparkteam finds or re-energizes a super team leader :) I'm going to miss you guys!!!! I don't punch out till late summer though so you guys are stuck with me for a BIT longer ;)

ANYWHO! I promised this would be short... Happy Sparking!

Noel