Ironman a Big Success in Cozumel

Dailene Erickson (photo courtesy of Scuba Tony Anschutz)

Ironman Cozumel is now over for 2011. A good time was had by all. The winner of the Triathalon event was Michael Levato, who is a professional triathlete. More information on Michael can be found here.

Mike & Amanda Lovato (photo courtesy of Madeleine Mason)

It is so exciting that we now have Ironman in Cozumel, and next year we will have two Ironman competitions, including a 70.3 Ironman in September and the full event again in November.


The women's competition winner was a woman from Switzerland. Ironic as I have been reporting on Switzerland this week on my Gargoyles & Graffiti blog. 

Simone Benz, winner of Female Ironman 2011 with Luisa Prieto, our mayor's wife

Congratulations again to Dailene who keeps up with the pros. She placed very well again this year. Go, Dailene! Dailene has a shop, Cabrilla's Cozumel, that repairs bikes, sell sportswear (great shirts and shoes) and other items. They even have Ironman T-shirts. Her shop is located on 11 between 10 and 5. And if you have any questions, you can reach Dailene on her facebook page at http://facebook.com/cabrilla.cozumel

Love the sombrero (photo courtesy of Amber Hightower)

Tony Anschutz was too busy this year to compete, with his dive business and getting married!! But he was still there cheering the contestants on, and taking photos and video. And if you would like to get in the water and dive with Tony, his website is:
http://www.scubatony.com

Everyone I know who dives with Tony has nothing but great things to say!

Ironman swimmers

Thanksgiving Cozumel Style

We just got back from our fourth year eating at Rock 'n Java for our Thanksgiving Day feast. Turkey, ham, green bean casserole, both sweet and mashed potatoes and pecan pie for dessert. I took my dessert to go; I was so full. More information on all the great things at Rock 'n Java can be found here.


I don't call Cozumel Mexican Mayberry for nothing. As we arrived at the restaurant, one of my friends Nancy was outside with her husband, son and some friends. I already knew she would be there as we spoke in the afternoon. While eating, we saw at least ten people we know ... from good friends to acquaintances and I even got to meet someone new on my way out. So great to live in a small town!


I remember Thanksgivings from my childhood at my grandmother's house. Her furniture, inherited from Uncle Joe, was too big for the room so we had to squeeze around the heavy antique chairs to get in them. Once seated, you were there for the duration. The only one getting up was my grandmother and maybe one of her friends. My grandmother had a habit of asking someone she knew (usually from her Church) with nowhere else to go to spend Thanksgiving with us. They always volunteered to help and since they were seated next to Grandma, they were the only two who could get out of the room until it was over. 


I remember the smell of the turkey, sage stuffing, spaghetti and cheese (nobody has ever made it better than my grandmother.) It was the one day every year that I ate too much.


Now most everyone is gone - my grandmother, my parents, and all my grandmother's friends. My brother is in Florida. My nieces are in California and England. 


But this year, like the last four, I spent with my husband and a good friend, DeLea.  My husband's niece joined us for the second year running. For me, Thanksgiving is a day of remembrance and giving thanks (and enjoying friends and family!) 

me after Thanksgiving dinner

P.S. Happy Thanksgiving from Cozumel!

Ironman Coming to Cozumel Next Sunday

The test run for the roads of Ironman will be tomorrow. For about two hours, all the roads that will be closed for the event will be closed to see how we can do a better job of traffic flow. There will be some people that will need to leave the island that day on flights and by ferry, and last year proved especially challenging. A few renters in the south were desperate enough to try to get a boat to get to the airport.


After the test run, my husband says there will be a parade in honor of 20 de Noviembre, which is Revolution Day, so it should be interesting. Then next Sunday we will actually have Ironman, at the tail end of the Thanksgiving weekend.


Our very own Dailene Erickson will be competing in the women's competitions. We wish her all the luck in the world, not that she will need it. She has trained all year and is in tip top shape. Go Dailene!!!

Dailene Erickson from Cozumel on the right

My New Lenovo Desktop Computer

 

So psyched! Just bought a new Lenovo desktop computer for my home office. I do at least 50% of my work at home and I've been struggling with an old HP desktop that I bought at the beginning of 2007. Good when I bought it, but really not up to the task these days. I knew when I couldn't even download one disc of Fringe Season 3 for my husband, it was time for a new one.


I found it at the new Sam's Club and I love it. It is cream and white and goes so well with the decor. Has 500 GB and I have figured out how to make Lenovo's fast. Use Google Chrome or Firefox as your browser, instead of Internet Explorer. Now I can post twice as much! Guess what? It is wireless to boot and I bought it for under $7,000 pesos. What a great deal!