Back at the Track

Speed work.


It's been a long while since I've done any real speed work. I ran Yassos like a boss while training for Marine Corps. It's no coincidence that I PR'd the crap out of that race too. What is it that I always say? You have to run faster to run faster.


Welp, I'm ready to run faster. All winter and spring I focused on endurance and distance. These short, sturdy little legs are built for distance. Run for six hours straight? Sure! Run a 5K? Eh, not so fast. (heh)


Everything in my marathon brain says, "Hold up! Save it for later!" But in a 5K, there is no later. I have to tell my brain to "HTFU, it's only going to hurt for a few minutes." Indeed, 5Ks hurt if you're doing it right.  There may even be barfing at the end.  Or at least some really dramatic dry heaving.  (I'm just so freakin eloquent, aren't I?)


In the back of my bird brain I had the notion I might just race this weekend to see what I'm working with.  Surely I can find a 5K somewhere!  So tonight I planned on running three single mile repeats to gauge what kind of 5K shape I'm actually in. Then a little pink light came on and I had a realization. What in the Sam Hill pace was I going to base my mile repeats? Dumb, dumb, dumb idea. Instead, I picked an arbitrary number and decided to run a Magic Mile. All out, fast twitch muscles engaged, let's see where I am.


Well, I hit my arbitrary goal and then some. So that's a relief I guess. I guess. Just pulled that number out of my, er, hat.  Honestly, I'd like to see a full minute faster than that.  I've got it in me, this I know.


Now it's time to set some real goals for where I want to be by the end of summer. I'd like to arrive at Chicago's doorstep lighter, leaner and faster than I've ever been. That's going to take a lot of discipline and a lot of time at the track. Every workout has to count; no "junk" miles. Yikes!


I've neglected my strength training this year. And it is evident. I can tell the weakness in my arms and in my lazy glutes. (can't remember the last time I did a squat) And my six pack has turned more into a bag of marshmallows. Running alone isn't going to get me the numbers I want to see on the clock.


So I'll finally make a training plan and find time for lifting and yoga amongst the swim drills and cycling. And you can be sure that each week I'll be circling that track, over and over.


Yassos, ladders, intervals, strides, plyometrics, hills and mile repeats.  Oh have mercy, mile repeats.  


Cause we all know, you have to run faster to run faster!


What's your go to speed workout?  Got any secrets to shaving minutes off my 5K?

Ride for Heroes

Saturday, we woke up to a surprising and very welcome 47 degrees.  Whaaaaat?  Oh it was a gorgeous day for cycling!  We couldn't have ordered better weather.  Sunny, not a cloud in the sky and a high in the upper 60's.  The lows at night have been in the low 70's lately so this was a gift and a blessing!

Securing our bikes on a borrowed bike rack (thank you Drum!) we headed out in the darkness to Aledo, Texas, over 50 miles away.  Remarking on what a long drive it was, Violator commented that we'd be cycling much farther than that. Yep.

We arrived with plenty of time to blow up our tires, visit the porta potties and find a few friends.  We also make a few parking lot friends.  Funny, the cyclists I encounter in town (at my local bike shop, ahem) are always really snotty, yet when I meet riders at rallies they are always super nice.  I think part of it is the Dad effect.  Dads dig me.  It's the younger guys that are so rude.  (said in a Stephanie Tanner tone) Guess I don't look legit. They can see through to my real runner self!

Anyhow, we were excited to be off for 73 miles!  Oh and it was tedious.  It's been a long time since I've ridden in a rally and it is a totally different atmosphere than a race.  Duh.  There are all types of bikes, ages and abilities.  And like a footrace, there are plenty of people who don't know proper safety and etiquette yet. We tried to negotiate as much passing as we could, safely getting around the slower riders.  Unfortunately, not everyone knows what "Passing on your left" means.  I'd gear up to pass and they'd swerve uncertainly in my path.  This was NOT a closed course. The riders who didn't give you room to pass were really putting the rest of us in jeopardy, while we were trying to gauge how quickly we could get around in the small space available to pass.  Yeep!  Eventually we got around all the 8 and 22 milers and settled in a nice sweet spot.  

Violator at the first rest stop.  Several nice young men stopped to admire her ride.  I tell ya, she gets a lot of attention with her fast red bike.  It's a dude magnet! 

At another aid station.  She lost her long sleeve shirt and I had rolled up mine.  Fortunately, I never got hot.  Man, it was a perfect day!  I introduced Violator to ride glide this weekend.  Lemme tell you ladies, a happy hoo ha makes for a happy cyclist.  Although I desperately wish I had a photo of her face when she came out of the porta potty.  I forgot to mention that it is um, minty.  Surprise!

We came across a field of cows with big white cow birds standing all around them.  Of course, the birds flew away when we got close to take a pic.  The cows just looked at us.  Oooh, there were so many fuzzy calfs.  I just wanted to run out there to hug one!  (but I didn't; I don't want chiggers!)

A van of mechanics stopped to ask if we were okay while we were on our cow photo shoot.  

"Oh, don't mind us, we're just two crazy girls who like to interact with livestock on rides."  And yes, we are both from Texas and yes we have seen thousands of cows in our lives.  But still, love to check them out.  Moo.

Okay y'all, this was a hilly course.  The hilliest I've ever ridden and we all know I'm not a strong climber.  Not even a little bit.  But Violator, dang, that woman is a BEAST on hills!  She would positively attack every hill and there were a lot of them.  She says it's because she has a big butt, ha!  A. She doesn't have a big butt and B. I've heard that before.  Is that true?  Cause if so, I'm really in trouble.  I ain't got NO booty in the pants.  

But  yes, this was a killer course.  There were a few really steep hills, so steep I witnessed cyclists actually get off their bikes and walk uphill.  The steep ones didn't bother me much, I'd just get up out of the saddle and huff and puff until I was at the top.  It's the long, gradual hills that got to me.  I just run out of steam!  Not Violator, she'd charge up each and every hill, pulling me far behind her.  But eventually I'd catch up.  Me, I'm much more reckless aggressive on the downhill.  I'd throw it in my hardest gear, tuck into aero and scream the whole way down.  I LOVE TO GO FAST!  The whole ride was like that...fly downhill then come to a screeching halt because there was another hill to climb immediately following.  There were no flat stretches to speak of.  

Don't be fooled.  That only looks decent.  And that's a false summit you see too.  You'd finally get to the top and it would just keep going.  Urg.  

I had my bento box crammed full of food.  I really struggle with nutrition when I'm hot and working; this ride was no exception.  The first 55 miles I had about a fourth a bottle of Gatorade, half a Lara bar and two Oreos.  Nutrition FAIL.  Wearing my Camelbak, I did drink a lot of water, draining it a couple of times.  At the last aid station we stopped for, around mile 60 or so, I had half a banana and an orange slice.  

Violator, filling her Wink.

At one point Violator mused, "What are the chances there will be any food left?"  There weren't many people doing the 73 mile course and we were certain to be some of last finishers.  She went on to question, "I wonder what the chances are that there will be anything for you to eat?" I assured her that I'd be able to find something.  But honestly, I got so hungry all I could think about for the last 30 miles or so was a hamburger.  My tummy was growling but my bento of crap did NOT sound good.  I have GOT to figure out what I like to eat on these long rides.  

Eventually we did make it to the finish (thankfully NOT last) and not only was there food left, they had VEGGIE BURGERS!  Oh my good golly Pete, that was the best news I had heard all day.  I piled it high with lettuce, tomatoes, onion and PICKLES, yummy salty pickles!  Ha ha, normally I'm not a pickle girl, but they sounded sooo good right then.

We had SO much fun.  Met a lot of really encouraging people on the course and after.  I saw one woman wearing a Longhorn jersey that I immediately began to covet.  It shall be mine Oct 28) We ate with Longhorn lady and Dennis, who we visited with on the ride.  (incidentally, Dennis is training for RAAM, hello, can I please crew for you?)  He met her two years ago. Came across her lying face down in the road. She had been hit by a drunk driver during a rally.  So scary!  But she's better now and off and riding again!  

Aledo did an incredible job. All the drivers we encountered were so courteous, giving us wide berth when passing us.  I never once felt unsafe, not even when we were riding on the highway.  I really enjoyed watching the countryside go by and waving at the trucks as they passed.  We even got a few honks on the highway, ha!  Every time a semi would honk I'd raise my hands and cheer.  Mostly because it makes Violator nervous when I take my hands off my bike!  Told you I was reckless.  (nah, I would never take my hands off my handlebars if there were other bikes around or if I was on gravel.  I am in complete control of my ride at all times.  Step back safety patrol.)

  

At just over 73 miles (we turned around a few times for photo opportunities and once because I thought I dropped something) this was the farthest either of us had ever ridden. 

Here are a few things I learned:

1.  I suck at climbing.  This is not news.  Must work on hills this summer.

2.  I suck at eating on the bike.  Cram food in cake hole. Do it.

3.  I got a hot spot on the seam of one of the panels of my shorts.  That has never happened before.  Need to remember extra glide on that seam.

4.  I need to have my fit adjusted.  I have a great deal of discomfort in my traps when in aero.  Also, when I'm in aero, my saddle and my lady business disagree.  Must fix this.

5.  My triceps are weak.  My core held up just fine, and I think we can all agree that I have freakishly strong biceps for someone my size. But my triceps really grew weary.  

All in all it was an incredible experience!  And I'm SO thankful I got to share it with Violator!  We shared some great conversation and I learned a lot of new things about my sweet friend.  Riding a rally is such a different experience.  I get a little antsy at the start; it makes me nervous to be with so many people.  (just like the start of any footrace) But once it thinned out and we were on open road, I was all smiles.

And isn't that the best way to live?  Thrown into our highest gear, screaming down the hills of life, having a blast with a good friend.  

I Will Run to You

I've been in kind of a funk since Galveston. Feeling lost, goal wise. Taking it easy, my workouts are short, slow and far between. That lack of training, lack of motivation has left me grumpy and confused.


The store where I coach a learn to run clinic is just a few miles from my home so I usually run there and back. Tonight I ran TO my job, hard. Stopping for traffic and neighbors I managed a solid 8 pace for 5K. No PR but a decent return to training. We got in our run and after some stretching I waved my goodbyes and headed home. But not before doing something I rarely do. I put in one earbud, selected a favorite slow song and set my iPod to repeat. Last time I plugged in to train I ended up taking all of the skin off my palm, with a tetanus shot and a sprained wrist. See? Danger. Do as I say kids, not as I do.


But tonight I needed the distraction. Tonight I wanted a metronome to slow my steps and my heartbeat along with my mind. And even though I indeed ran slow, I was home much too soon.


I've missed running. Running long that is. Running is my therapy. I run when I'm sad, when I'm lonely, when I'm angry. And when I'm running, I'm not so much those things. I'm just...running. I sort things out, I talk things though, I make plans. While running.


My favorite time to run is at night. Not the evening, the night. Hours later, still feeling like I had miles to cover and things to think, I climbed out of the biscuit and got dressed. It's not like I was sleeping anyway. Slipping into the black of night, I ran. I ran until I wasn't in my town anymore and then, resigned, headed home. Selfishly, I love to run in the middle of the night. The town is all mine at 2 am. Not a creature is stirring, even the crickets are quiet.


My footfalls softly breaking the silence I thought about goals. These days my only goals are tied to racing, to running, to going further. I thought about my next marathon. I thought about running a 50 miler and 100 miles. I thought about Ironman and Furnace Creek. About RAAM. All of these things are a real possibility before dawn, instead of utterly ridiculous.


They say most endurance athletes are running away from something. For me, that couldn't be more true. And I wonder, will I know when I'm far enough away? Will I recognize that moment when I start running towards something instead?


Dean Karnazes ran 50 marathons in 50 days. Charlie Engle ran across the US. What would it feel like to not turn around at the city limits? What would it feel like to run a hundred miles, a thousand?


In the middle of the night, these dreams seem plausible, even reasonable. They just make sense in the dark emptiness.


And maybe that's why I love to run at night. Because alone out there without the distractions of the everyday, all my dreams seem like they could come true.


So you never know, wherever you are, one day, one tired, filthy and entirely elated Pink Girl might just show up on your door step. I just might run to you.


I hope you have what I'm searching for. Or can at least point me in the right direction. After all, what's another few hundred miles?

Solo in my lolo

I have never taken a vacation solo. Ever.


I've traveled for work alone. But that doesn't count; I'm there to work and I'm the client getting shuttled around and entertained.

This was a work trip, believe it or not.  

I've traveled for races by myself. Camped on my own.

I've taken a few trips to visit friends.

Morgan, me, Katie and Lauren  Love these girls!

But I've never taken a vacation alone. Like, alone alone. A real vacation.


I had a pretty big trip planned for this Spring. For this week actually. Was supposed to race a marathon in Paris then poke around Europe. And every time someone would ask how the planning was going, I'd brush them off with "Eh, I'll get to it." But I never got to it. Relieved when I finally admitted to myself that I simply did NOT want to go, I cancelled what few plans I had made. Whew. The thought of spending 9 days In a foreign country, all by myself...well, that feels overwhelming right now.


I'm such a wuss.


Let's be clear, I am an introvert. Being around others for long periods of time just wears me out; I need my space. But I actually do *really like* my friends and spending time with them. But you have to be on the same page to travel with someone.


And yes, I am fully aware that in any pair, I'M the difficult one with whom to travel. Let's be clear. I don't like to eat out, I won't stay at nasty hotels (and yes, I bring Clorox wipes and wipe down the entire room before settling in) and my idea of "resting" is sleeping past 6 am.


It's been a long time since I've had a big vacation. Since I've gone somewhere new to explore. And I'm ready to get away. Yes, I've taken a lot of short weekend trips this year, and have several others planned but I want to really get away.


Do I want to go camping? Sure! Glacier National Park is high on my list. But am I ready to camp on my own with bears and moose? Hmm.


Do I want to go hiking by day and relax in town in the evenings? Mt. Elbert has been on my mind. Not too many moose on CO. Just bears, cats and well, that's scary enough don't you think?


Do I want to explore a big city? Well, even though I've been there before, I've got Chicago this fall. (hi Meghan!) One thing is for sure, I'd like it to be somewhere at least a little cooler than Texas in summer!


Tired of sitting around, I've got some decisions to make.


Do you travel alone? What are your tips for not getting lonely when riding solo in YOUR lolo?

Riding the Range, Texas Style

The plan for Saturday was simple: ride 65 miles. Easy enough, right? Oreos purchased, water bottles half frozen then filled, we were set.


And then they issued this high wind advisory. Uh, 40 mph?  We decided to go out and back for 24 miles and see just how awful it was.  

It actually wasn't that bad. The wind, that is.  Okay, yes it was like getting punched in the face a little but it hadn't yet picked up to the "blow over SUV" force.  Unfortch, someone's brakes were rubbing causing her to ride with great effort.  (me it was me) I just Could. Not. Keep. Up.  I was in my big chain, complete out of gears and struggling on uphills.  Downhill, Violator would be coasting and I'd be pedaling as fast as I could to try to catch her. DOWNHILL.  Urg.  After 24 miles of torture, it started to rain and we called it a day. We'll just call it a step back week.  Next week we are riding 73 miles.  Taper, that's right.

 

Violator at the turnaround.  Sadly we didn't ride long enough to need those Oreos.

We did ride long enough to come across some Texas Longhorns!

Look, it's Bevo!  I actually DID get to see him hook 'em to another bull. Right in the heiney.  Ouch!

 

I love living in Texas, where even in the city you are likely to come across a heard of cattle!  

I did get my brakes adjusted so I should be good to go for next weekend's ride.  So thankful to my friends at the bike shop for helping a sister out.

Okay, a note to the VERY aggressive Saturday drivers.  Yes, I know it is annoying to be behind a cyclist.  I know.  I'm going less than 20mph and you want to go 45. I get it. But it is simply a matter of hitting your breaks, throwing on your turn signal and changing lanes.  After all, there are THREE LANES of traffic from which to choose.  And buddy, I may be slowing you down, I may be annoying the tar out of you, but you are going to be A LOT more annoyed if you hit me.  And BTW, IT'S MY LIFE.  If you so much as clip me, you could kill me.  And that is going to slow you down all that much more.  

Sheesh.  So many close calls this weekend.  I've never seen such aggressive drivers.  It was early in the morning, we were in the right lane, you know the one marked clearly that cyclists have the right to the entire lane and yet still they would cut between us, come up quickly behind us...like a game.  Except this isn't a game.  

Drivers, please, give cyclists some room.  

We can all ride this range together in peace!

Do you have dedicated bike lanes in your community?  Our "shared" lanes are pretty new and the drivers aren't accustomed to sharing.  Sadly, it's the minority of lane hogs that stick out.  Even more sadly, those aggressive drivers who think they "own" the lanes are risking a real tragedy.  I prefer to ride out in the country where there are fewer drivers and they all seem to be more sane.  Plus, donkeys.  Be safe y'all, share.  

What now?

For the first time in a very long time, I'm not training for a race.


There is no pink training schedule taped to the inside of my pantry. No goal race driving me to accomplish a workout. The other day as I lay in bed exhausted, wondering, "What do I have on the schedule for tonight?" The answer? Nothing. Nothing but rest.


I'm enjoying this week of rest; my body certainly needs it. But I'm not sure what next week should look like. Or the next.


I'm keeping my promise to rest my legs and really focus on getting faster. NO distance running! My triathlon schedule is starting to get full but all sprints. Speed, speed, speed. Since I've only done one sprint (and two total!), a new PR shouldn't be too difficult, right?


Prolly should run a 5K to see where I'm at with that. Last summer my 5K PR was 24:01. I'm going to lay down and cry if I see a big number in front of my 5K time. Ugh. But it is what it is. I can always get faster with some hard work.


I've sat down a few times to write out a training plan but unsure of what I really need, I just stop around Thursday.  As in Week 1.  Here is what I know; I want to have fun.  I want to run because I love it.  I want to giggle as I snap on my pink sheep suit.  I want to enjoy every workout and feel like I'm investing in me, not just paying the man to make it alive on race day.  Cycling is going to be a big part of my training and I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday morning than riding all over creation with friends, all while cramming Oreos in my face.  I mean seriously, does it get better than that?  


I read your posts on Daily Mile.  I see your tweets about your track workouts, long runs and intervals in the pool.  And part of me is excited to get back to basics, to sweat again.  


But a bigger part of me is happy parked right here on the sofa, cuddling a fat kitty.  I'm still resting. As in doing pretty much nothing resting. And I'm okay with that.  Training for Galveston wore me out.  And while I'm eager to jump back in to the hurt box, that can wait a few days more.  A few more days of naps and just hanging out on the back porch. A few more days of sleeping in and watching Netflix instead of swimming. A few more days of mental recovery.  I'll be ready in my own time.  


Promise.  


But for now I'm enjoying this part of my training plan; do nothing.




At least until Saturday.  




Have you ever taken an extended break?  Did it make you nervous or rejuvenated?

Random Friday Facts

1. I've had the same comb since 8th grade. It's great at detangling this rat's nest of hobo hair I have. The only downside is that it's not pink. But it gets the job done.


2. If you give me a hotmail address, I assume it's your fake/spam email. Who doesn't use Gmail? Dumb theory, I know.  


3. I'm not a beach person. The ocean is fascinating to me but once I see it, I'm like, well, there it is. What now?  


4. Give me a mountain any day! I can't wait to get back to the mountains this summer. Mountains are for camping and climbing and hiking and biking and running and...living.

5. Although, I do love the flat prairies of North Texas. The fact that I can stand in a field and see nothing but waving grass for miles & miles...I imagine that's what people love about the beach? Cept, no drowning. Just the occasional snake.  

Source: Uploaded by user via That on Pinterest

6. The first concert I ever attended was George Strait at the Starplex Ampitheater. I think I was 14 or 15.


7. I own four pairs of "western" boots. And although I don't wear them anymore, I also have several pretty big belt buckles. Yee haw y'all.


8. I'm starting the Hundred Pushup Challenge. Again.


9. Twice this week I was in bed by 7pm. All those other times I thought that I was tired? I was a wuss. So exhausted.


10. My favorite Christmas song is Silent Night.  I know it is April.  This is a fact, the season doesn't change that.


11. I can't comment on any Wordpress blogs right now. I'm not ignoring you, it's just that Blogger & Wordpress are apparently in a fight and aren't speaking.


12. Blowing out candles on a cake you plan to serve to others is just unsanitary. Spittle. Eeewwww.


13. I buy a jar of salsa every other week. Right now I'm loving Ole Chipotle by D.L. Jardine's made in Buda, TX.


14. I held a brand new baby recently. (I usually don't - I'm afraid I'll break them) She is so teeny and perfect. Did you know they come with fingernails? FINGERNAILS! I am in awe of how God crams everything they are going to need into such a itty bitty package.


15. I'm looking to buy a lightweight, yet strong camping knife. Last time we camped I was the ONLY ONE, man or woman,  with any kind of knife. Seriously, if I didn't love pink & glitter so much, you might think I was a dude.


Are you the prepared one when you go camping?
What is your favorite vacation destination?

Ironman Texas 70.3 Race Recap

First off, thank you for the dozens of emails and texts sent out this weekend. I understand there was a lot of love on the Twitters too! Y'all really know how to make a Pink Girl feel loved!


I had only two goals for this race: don't freak out during the swim and finish before the cut off. No time goals at all. Oh, and keep up with my nutrition because I struggle with that when it's hot.


Saturday morning started early, around 4:30. I ate a bowl of Cheerios and made a peanut butter/honey sam for the swim line.  Our condo was super close so we were able to get there right as transition opened at 5am. We got marked, set up our stuff and headed over to the start.

Nutria powah!

Brian and I watched his wife, Heidi, jump in right after the pros. My wave wasn't for another hour so I wandered over to pier and plopped down, going over the swim portion in my head.


Now y'all know I worried about the swim. I spent a lot of time visualizing and praying. I kept waiting for the nerves to set in and they never did. It was kind of surreal, standing on the pier with dozens of other wetsuit clad women my age, all wearing the same bright orange swim caps, painted toenails tapping to the rock music. As I stood on the edge of the dock, waiting to jump in, Cake started blaring from the speakers. She's going the distance. Yes she is.  I.Love.Cake. And I knew, everything was going to be okay.


And it was. No panic, none! At 71 degrees the water was almost 20 degrees warmer than my previous lake swims. Salt water + wetsuit makes for one floaty Pink Nutria so I just concentrated until the gun went off. Then I deliberately swam my swim, held my space and made my way buoy by buoy. Lemme just say, it looks a lot farther than it feels in the pool! And 1.2 miles sounds a lot further than 2000 yds so I went with that number in my head. Eventually, I saw the exit. Everyone around me was walking but I remembered two things my coach said: swim until your hands brush the sand and don't walk, there are oyster beds in the shallow end. Thunk, I hit carpet, stood up and relieved, ran to see a stripper. As I was exiting the water I was so stinkin proud of myself for not panicking! I thought, "TPN, you've been through so much worse than this. This was a cake walk!"


And yet, I was never so happy to get on my bike. (so excited I put my helmet on backwards - thank you Brian for letting me know!) Bicycling is fun! I ate part of a Clif bar in transition to hopefully soak up any salt water I swallowed during the swim. Note: salt water makes for very chapped lips.

There it is folks, the Texas Gulf.

The flat, windy ride was uneventful. I wasn't really sure how fast I could go and still have legs for the run, so I rode much slower than I should have. Lesson learned. I got passed by everyone. I counted three people that I passed. Three. Yet everyone was so encouraging!


The bike course went up and down the Seawall so the crashing waves were always in sight. Every now and then I'd glance over at the ocean and remind myself how lucky I was to be participating in this event! (and really lucky I swam in the bay and not the ocean proper - those waves were big!) Also, I got really bored so I sang, out loud, as I cycled. You know what? Turns out I can only sing along to pop music if I have the song playing. I don't know all the words! So I sang Beatles' hits. Yes, people would be passing me and I'd be declaring that eights days a week were not enough to show I care. Poorly and loudly. That's what we pink nutria do on the bike, sing.

On the bike I ate: several tums, two Clif granola bars (one package), a handful of Pringles (thank you Karen) and a few Clif shot Bloks. No, this post isn't sponsored by Clif. But I do love their products. Especially the white chocolate macadamia Clif crunch bars. Even when they are soaked through from being in my sweaty jersey. Nom nom nom.


When I racked my bike to run it felt like every bike but mine was back in transition. I'm not used to being in the very back of the pack; it was humbling for sure. But I'm new, its okay! (for now)

Heading out for my first of three run loops. So excited to run!

Immediately the run felt hard. It was 80 degrees and 88% humidity and I was tired. But I managed to keep at 11 min pace alternating with walking. Then I met Noelle. She'd been injured on the bike course in a crash and was really hurting. I walked and talked with her a while and finally decided to stay with her and I'm glad that I did. The day was about finishing and if I could come alongside someone and encourage her, that was worth more than cutting 15 minutes off my run! Plus, she was interesting to talk to! (hi Noelle!) Pace thrown out the window we just wanted to be done. The run course was a little short. The finish line surprised me - I wasn't expecting it for another 3/10ths of a mile! Before I knew it they were calling my name. It was over.


I did it.

Startled by finish, I didn't have a chance to gussy up. Sponge still stuck in my bra, top not zipped up.  I'm a hot mess.

I had an amazing time and I can't wait tackle this distance again, next time really racing! I have to say, Ironman puts on an incredible event; they thought of everything. The volunteers were FANTASTIC! I am so thankful to the little guy who put sunscreen on my ears, for the bike course volunteers who squirted me with water, to the kids with the cold, wet sponges, for every last volunteer who stood out in the hot sun and hollered their heads off all while being such a servant to all the athletes. Y'all ROCK!


I'm tired but not sore. That's a testament to how slow I went. I'm rocking an ugly sunburn and my appetite hasn't returned just yet. But I'm smiling from ear to ear.

My number is sunburned into my arm.  Ah, souveniers.

And yes, I've already registered for #2.


Pink Nutria fo life!

Ironman Texas 70.3

Well, I didn't die. Instead I had an incredible time and SO MUCH FUN!
More later but I'll leave you with this momento of the day.
I can't wait to do this again!!!