Race Day

Mia excited about the day to come.


Our day started out bright and early to catch the start of the race. Ironman races are a mass start so it's pretty unbelievable watching all of the participants enter the water at once.



Here's a video from my camera.


Killing time...the day can be long but not when you have Papa. He's great for a game of walking along the curb and trying to not let the crocodiles get you.


David on the bike course.




It of course started raining around 4:00pm. I felt bad for the athletes that still had a lot of the race left.


Olivia was so excited to see her dad. David however was just trying to stand up with out falling over. I of course made him pose for a picture. I mean he is an Ironman stop complaining!


As always I'm blown away by the strength and dedication this sport takes and by the variety of athletes it attracts. From the 78 year old Nun doing the race to the man that had a heart transplant (he's the first with a heart transplant to complete an Ironman) it's truly an inspirational day. We are of course most proud of our Ironman.

Ironman Canada Race Report

David writes a race report to his coach and I thought I'd insert it for those interested in reading his take on the race. I edited some of the that's way too much information details. I have a ton of photos and even some video of the race that I'll insert soon!

Ironman Canada 2008 Race Report

2.4 Mile Swim: 1:09:12, PR by 2 minutes
112 Mile Bike: 5:58:16, PR by 18 minutes
26.2 Mile Run: 4:31:30, PR by 28 minutes

Overall Place: 624/2065
Age Division: 86/194

I woke up Sunday morning (3:45 am) feeling fully rested and relaxed. Followed my breakfast nutrition plan, consuming 1000+ calories, and drove to the race start. After dropping off my special needs bags and having my body marked I donned my wetsuit and headed for the water.

The swim felt great overall. I seemed to find open water for most of the swim with the exception of the last 200 yards where I was punched a few times. I kept my stroke smooth and just kept counting the buoys as I passed them. I made the first turn at 28 minutes, the second at 36 minutes, then back to the beach at 1:09. My stroke did not seem to deteriorate and I felt pretty fresh as I entered T1.

Off to the bike portion of the race. The first 40 miles or so went by pretty easy with one small climb and another few efforts to break out of a pack of 20 other riders while the marshal drove past. At this point the first major climb, Richter pass was approaching and my stomach was starting to feel bloated. The climb was tougher than perceived while driving the course, but I soft peddled the entire way being conscious of the rest of the course. The downhill and rollers presented a nice recovery. Even after several repeated doses of Tums; by the time I got to the beginning of the out and back my stomach was really starting to disagree with me so I decided to dial back my effort even more than I planned until I got to my special needs bag at the turn. After downing half a Pepsi and eating a snickers bar my stomach was feeling good. So from mile 75 to 85 I went back to my plan of riding up to my caps and was feeling good. I also resumed my nutrition plan. At the base of yellow lake my stomach issues came back full force but this time I also started to feel both my hamstrings twinge like they were about to cramp. I dropped a nuun tablet (360mg sodium) into half a water bottle a grinded my way up the climb thinking that I was cooked. By the time I got to the top I realized that both of my issues were not going to go away and that in order to get the cramping to go away I had to unlock my stomach. As I started the downhill I forced myself to throw up. The rest of the way back into town I abandoned my nutrition and only wet my mouth with water.

As I left T2 I knew I was behind on sodium as well as calories so I started my gels early. Surprisingly besides my stomach issues I was feeling okay. My heartrate was a bit high when I saw my coach Mitch, who recommended that I just slow down a bit, drink cola at the aid stations, eat some Tums, and that I had a long ways to go to make up some time. I followed this plan taking in cola and water at most aid stations intermixed with my gels at every third mile. By mile 8 my stomach was not letting up so I heaved for the second time. For a brief 2 minutes I felt like a million bucks. Soon I was at mile 9 then 10 and 11 and started to see a few of the other Ironheads coming back the other way. I could feel my hamstrings tightening again, and also noticed my right forearm cramping so I made 2 more concentrated bottles of nuun tablets. Just before mile 13 the wheels fell off completely and I thought I was done. Both my left quad and left hamstring locked up at the same time. A fellow runner helped me to the curb to stretch briefly then she ran to her special needs bag and came back with an entire water bottle full of real chicken noodle soup--I was stoked! For the next 3 miles it was a run, walk, stretch and I was drinking 2 cups of soup at each aid station. By the time I got to mile 16 I felt like a new man and started calculating splits to break 12 hours. My legs had strength, my heartrate was right where it was suppose to be and I was passing people like they were standing still. Each mile went by and I was putting time in the bank and was hopeful that I had the strength to run the rest of the way. I actually found myself running each mile a bit faster than the last. The last 3 miles I averaged 8:30 pace, and miles 16-26 I averaged just over 9 minute miles, and were some of the most enjoyable miles of the race. I finished a few seconds past 11:48, which was a PR by 1 hour and 6 minutes exactly. I am very excited about the race and my season. If not for the stomach issues I know I had the strength and endurance to cut another 30 minutes off my time. I am looking forward to taking the next month off then figuring out this nutrition thing before IM CDA in June.

Ironman Canada

Well, here we are again heading to our 3rd Ironman Experience. My husband is well on his way to completing his goal of participating in all the North American Ironman races by the time he is 40. It’s been a busy year and he has dedicated this year to training and becoming stronger for Ironman Canada. He started the year off with a marathon in January, a ½ marathon, a sprint, an Olympic, 2 ½ ironman races, and a 10-day training camp in Palm Desert in July. It’s no wonder he’s dropped 15 lbs. this year. He’s very eager to get to Canada and see all his hard work pay off. I know he’s very thankful to his coach Mitch Gold, Counterpart Coaching. I’m thankful too, as he understands that David not only has a job to balance but a family too! Also, all his training partners with Ironheads of Portland. They are an inspirational group and clearly all overachievers.

We are heading to Penticton, B.C. this week with my parents in tow. I’m looking forward to having people to cheer with us and also cheering for the other Ironhead athletes. They’ve changed the rules a bit this year and are only allowing one child to cross the finish line with the participant and they have to be between the ages of 6-15. I’m sure Olivia will be able to pass for a 6 year old but it’s a bummer as Mia picked out her shoes to cross the finish line back in April. She calls them her Ironman shoes for when she runs with daddy. I think I’ll hold off on breaking the news to her that will be a fun meltdown.

David will be wearing blue and orange Ironheads gear (see picture below). His bib number is #408. You can also check the status of his results and see a live feed of the race via the Ironman Website.
The race begins at 7am PST and David should finish sometime between 6-8pm. We hope all is well with you and your families and I’ll try and update our blog during our trip.

Thank you to everyone for your continued support!
Love, the Christians

Mia's Birthday Celebration

We had family over to celebrate Mia's birthday. She was pretty excited about the ice cream cake. Surprisingly she chose the exact same design as Olivia did for her 3rd birthday.





Thank you Zoey & Avery for the baby carrier...I love it!


I had to put this picture in from her actual birthday when I asked her to pose with her new house. I like how mad she is apparently I was asking a lot to smile and stand next to the house.

1st Annual Bergler Invitational

Tim & Sonia live across the street from the East Moreland Golf Course. They decided to have an afternoon with friends and a little golf. Well I haven't golfed since 2002 so it was interesting. Luckily, we played a scramble so I didn't completely embarrass myself. David tried to boycott playing but I signed him up and I think he even enjoyed himself. The weather decided to be hot so it was toasty hitting the course at 3pm but at least it wasn't raining. Here are some pictures from the day.

The hosts of the day. Check out their outfits!


Sonia and I clearly taking everything very seriously. We got in trouble a few times because we were talking when you are supposed to be playing...who knew!


Tim giving us his best Tiger pose. He had a lot to live up too as recently had a hole in one at a golf tournament and won a car. It's a Pontiac Vibe if anyone is interested in buying it.


David showing us his best swing.


Our foursome - we didn't win any crappy prizes and I'd like to blame my team mates for that one. As you can tell we laughed a lot!


Here are the actual winners of the event. Minus Tim who was with us and Christine who I think actually drove their cart. My favorite was when Christine was surprised they got the lowest score because she thought the team had played so well...she cracks me up!


Thanks to the Berglers it was a fun event. Looking forward to next year!

Happy Birthday Mia Belle!!!

Our little Mimi turns 3 on August 11th. She was so excited for her birthday to finally come. She got a doll house from us. I didn't quite realize it was so large as she can't really reach to the top floor but I guess that means it will grow with her. I still like to think of her as my little peanut but she is determined to show us she's a big girl now. I'm having a hard time realizing she'll start preschool in the fall. However, I realize each day she's ready for that step. It's great to watch her grow and she really is becoming quite a little girl.

Our favorite things about Mia...
*She always has a bright smile on her face.
*She loves to sing songs - her newest is "I'm bringing home my baby bumble bee..."
*She will continuously pretend and play house...her imagination is so vibrant.
*She lives to dance around the room. She has requested to take a dance class.
*She loves to wear dresses, pretty shoes & carry a great purse!
*The way she asks for lemonade - this is Olivia's favorite.

Well there is just way too many but you get the picture - she's a gem!





I'll post some more pictures later from her special day.

Camping at Keeps Mill

We headed to Keeps Mill (east of Timothy Lake) with 3 other families this weekend. We have to give credit to Tim for researching and finding the PERFECT spot. It was a bit of a gamble as it's first come first serve & there are only 4 spots but we all left early Friday morning for our adventure. We made it there and were in our own world. A few people came later in the evening on Friday but the camp sites are completely separated so we felt like the only group (8 adults & 8 kids) there. Each family took a meal to prepare so it was really relaxing and the kids were completely entertained with each other and the entire experience. Here are some pictures.

On the road there is nothing like cold pizza at 10:30AM. Mia wanted some since she missed dinner from the night before - see previous post.


Is that a moose, a bear??? NO, a cow...apparently we need to get out more.


The view of the canyon as we are driving down to the campsites.


Our large campsite...


The roaring river from behind our tents. It was very peaceful.


Olivia, Evie and Ella keeping entertained by watching a dragon fly.


Tim, Reed and David keeping entertained by a little game of world domination.


Nothing but class! Sonia having a glass of wine - check out the bottom of her glass.


Mia enjoying a mid afternoon donut.


Anders taking a nap or we thought he was but instead decided to empty all their stuff out and brush his teeth. Reed was so proud!


Dinner time and they all sat on one side of the table.


Olivia's bottom tooth was so loose it was hanging by a thread. She wouldn't let David and I get close enough to see it but Tim walked up asked if he could see it and just got a hold of it and out it came. She was a little in shock initially but then was so excited.


Getting ready for bed. Kira was exhausted with having Henry chase her that she'd go to bed when the kids did.

This is why we take naps!

Mia kept telling me all day no nap, I not tired. So, I decided to let her skip the nap. This is where we found her while we were making dinner at 5:30PM. Luckily, she slept through the night but clearly naps are a must!

Pool Party

Lisa had a pool party with all our friends to celebrate the Rosario's big move. It was great to have all the kids together and I got some cute photos of them.

Mia relaxing in the pool.


The girls having so much fun together.


The gang - Mia, Anders, Jake, Zach, Olivia, Joey, Evie, Isa & Noah


Group Hug -


The three amigos - Isa, Olivia & Evie


I had to put this picture in. Oliva and Isa were almost 1 1/2 in this picture and Evie was almost 2 1/2. TOO CUTE!!!

Swim Meet

Olivia had her first swim meet on Saturday. She did three different events; the 100 meter medley (where she did the backstroke), 25 meter backstroke, and 25 meter freestyle. She did great! I think she was nervous when it first started as she kept telling David she was ready to go home. It was fun to see the older kids (up to the age of 15) competing they were very good. Here's a video of the relay.



Here are some photos from the event.


Warm-ups...


A little pep talk from her relay buddy.


Waiting for her next event.