My morning swim workout was joyfully improved by my 10 year old daughter.

Each time I reach the wall, I look at my handy workout scrap of paper to see what’s next. This is what I saw today.  Hannah had embellished. I smiled each time.

It wasn’t just that these little guys (called “gazintas”) are cute.  It was the amount of love that she had poured into the making of them and onto the piece of paper. Being a working parent and a triathlete means there’s a lot to balance.  There are trade-offs.  There are moments of guilt – for missing breakfasts and not having enough time to do her hair the way she likes it every morning.

These “gazintas” are a new at our house.  We created them to add fun to long division. (yes, “fun” & “long division” in the same sentence) We use them to figure out  how many times 7 gazinta (goes into) 35, etc.  But now there’s gazintas on my swim workout .  And what have I figured out?  There’s much love that gazinta me and my workouts from my family.  Every time they’re ok with me doing what I love – their love gazinta me.

I couldn’t do all of this without my family’s support and I can’t tell you just how lucky I feel to have it.