The Blog World...

I've been writing this blog since mid-2008 - right after I signed up for Ironman Lake Placid (I think it was still called Ironman USA Lake Placid then). Writing in my blog was a way to document training leading up to the 'big race'. Well, after IMLP 2009 I went on to do three more Ironman races and a whole lot of other stuff! 

On my blog, off to the right, I list a number of other blogs that I like to read. The list changes order by which blog has been most recently updated. I just added a new blog to that list: The NHL Files. Seems kind of different from most of the running and/or multisport related blogs that I follow, doesn't it? Well, my younger son has taken on writing the NHL fan blog for the Phoenix Coyotes! I think that is pretty cool! This is his first time at blogging so I thought I'd put it out here in case any of my followers are into hockey! The blog covers all the teams and keeps a running list of recent posts. My son is a Capitals fan and thinks that writing for the Coyotes is good because he has a less biased opinion of them! 

Back to my regularly unscheduled multi-sport blog...

I've kind of been a slug this week. Did not feel well on Sunday/Monday. Actually still not quite 100% it seems. My left shoulder is very tight, too. I'm taking an unplanned rest week. 

Speaking of Sunday, Carol and I - along with Carol's swim buddies Margie and Jim - swam in the Tropical Splash meet! You can read Team Rabbit's rap about it here. I got out of my comfort zone of long distance swimming and spent the morning sprinting by doing the 100 free, 50 fly, 100 IM (that is Individual Medley, not Ironman!), and 50 free! Not only was I sprinting, I was also doing strokes other than freestyle! As a summer swimmer in my youth I was all about butterfly as it was my regular event; and of course the IM at divisionals! But as an adult... Yikes! I still really love doing fly though and still always worry about getting DQd (disqualified not Dairy Queen) in breaststroke! But all worries aside - I managed to place in all four events! They give ribbons for first through third place and they were fun-themed colors. Instead of blue-red-white for first-second-third they gave aqua-orange-purple. I came home with one aqua, two orange, one purple. I'm actually looking forward to the next swim meet! 

Next Up: Run Your Heart Out 5K with my old friends Kim and Katy! By old I mean I worked with them way back in the day at Hechinger! This will also be my baseline 5K for this season as I plan to work on my speed and need to start somewhere! 

Happy and Healthy Training!

Exciting News!

Yesterday I said to stay tuned for exciting news.. Well, the exciting news is that yesterday I got picked in the 2014 Bay Swim lottery! I was picked in the first round, too, so I don't have to wait and wonder! And last night I officially entered, so I am IN for 4.4 miles of fun! My friend, Sally, successfully completed the swim in 2012 and I've read her blog post about it at least twice. I'm sure I'll read it again and search for other blog posts. I have another friend who has done it several times so I can always turn to her for advice and information as well! 

So on May 11 when I do the 100 100s with Carol, and whoever else wants to join in on the fun, the training will have a true purpose! Of course, I'd do it just for fun! 

Happy and Healthy Training! Today is about staying warm. Yikes - is it ever cold here today!

Back-to-Back New Years Races Recap

This was my third year of the Back-to-Back New Years Races! Well, as stated the other day, I had not been running in nearly a month prior to these races. How bad could it really be? 

First up - the Fairfax 4 Miler, which is a great way to kick off New Year's Eve if you ask me. It starts and finishes at the Old Town Hall in Fairfax and then there is pizza afterwards! What's not to love? And I *love* pizza! My TrainingPeaks schedule said to run this one fast and hard. Oops. How fast and hard could I actually go after my lack of training? Well, it turns out, just about a minute slower than last year. I'll take it! I had fun and wearing my AUsome rabbit ears got some shouts out. Saw a few friends/Team Z peeps before and after as well. And of course went with my Rabbit-mate Carol and Rabbittears Lisa and Steve! Race one - a success! 

Second - the Resolution Race 10K, again a great way to kick of the New Year. Even more so if you ran 4 miles hard the night before! Seriously, this course is a hard one! But it feels so great to finish it! There's the start and finish which is on a grass hill. Downhill to start so uphill to finish. Sweet! Then there is some regular road, some gravel road, and some muddy road! And more hills! After my lack of running prior to the race I decided I would not have a time goal but a goal of a different sort. This goal was to not walk any of the hills! Well, not to walk any of the course! Aside from a moment at the beginning  where I walked a couple steps to fix my watch and then the two water stops on the course, I did not walk! Went to race two again with Rabbit Carol, and our friend Kathy! Race two - also a success! Team Rabbit made their website on the registration page!

Goal for next NYE: don't stop running after the fall racing season ends! 

Stay tuned for some exciting news! 

Next up: Auburn Half Marathon, 1/18