Seven years ago, I had an idea for a book. The idea grew, slowly and cautiously, with increasing amounts of research and time and thought. I worked on it slowly, in fits and spurts. I put it aside, then went back to it. I did this over and over again until I finally began working on a book proposal in earnest.

After a solid year of work, a long and detailed proposal and three sample chapters (adding up to almost 100 pages in total) the dream was one step closer to completion. Then, I got breast cancer and most of that year was a blur. A year later than I had originally planned, I sent my proposal to three small, niche publishing houses. My top choice responded. They liked my book idea. After signing the contract I had five months to write it.

That five months was intense. I've never done anything like that in my life.

Last week, two boxes of books arrived at my doorstep from my wonderful publishing house, VeloPress. My personal copies of Women Who Tri: A Reluctant Athlete's Journey Into the Heart of America's Newest Obsession was here. I wasn't looking at it on my computer screen, staring at a digital image of the cover art, or reading it as a print out on a stack of computer paper. It. Is. A. BOOK. A book, that I can hold in my own two hands.

Women Who Tri is here, and it's available for pre-order right now. I'm grateful. I'm excited. I'll be honest and say I'm a little overwhelmed with all the things I should be doing... but, mostly I'm filled with happiness and accomplishment. I can't wait to share it with you all!