Happy Friday!

A classic, still makes me laugh every time!



So now that I've pretty much ended my tri season (I might sneak in a few at the end of the season but just for fun).  I've transitioned over to my half marathon training and along with that I've re-incorporated 2 days a week of weight training and am loving getting back in the gym it feels good to build the muscles I don't normally use during the summer season, but some of the things I didn't miss about the gym:

1.  The "macho" singer - this guy is hillarious he's really big and tough and tries to accompany that by listening to tough music on is ipod but what he doesn't realize is that by singing outloud to this he doesn't sound as macho as he probably does in his own head...

2. The foot slapper - I'm sure there is a perfectly good explanation for this but I still don't understand what happens when there is REALLY loud foot slapping on the treadmill, it seems like it would be painful for them and it throws my rythm off...

3.  The I'm too old to have any modesty left dresser - You know this person the one that doesn't care if they are naked and will walk around the locker room putting themselves in positions you don't want to see a naked person do, reminds me of the Seinfeld episode.  I've heard horror stories about the guys locker room and on more than one occasion where they've seen someone actually put a leg up and dry their "privates" with the blow dryer!!!! No Way!!!

What are some of your favorite gym rats?

P.S. On a side note my mom called me the other day and told me that after they went to see me do my triathlon last weekend it sparked something in my dad and ever since he's been swimming, cycling, hiking and looks like he is full force on this recovery/get back into shape thing.  I'm so happy and proud of him!  He's been looking at a new toy bike because apparently after his crash the carbon fiber on his old bike isn't safe to ride on any more...

GBBPX Guest Post, say hello to Marisa

Hi, I’m Marisa and I blog over at The Pace of my Life.  I am a wife and mom of two wonderful kids, as well as, a full-time teacher to 32 six-year olds, and I love to run (among other things)!  I am currently training for The Giant Race, a half marathon in San Francisco and will be running my first marathon in December, Rock n Roll Las Vegas.

Why I Run...

Over the last eighteen months, running has become an important part of my life and it has change my life in many very positive ways.  

There are many reasons I run, here are a few:

1. To be fit...running has helped me shed over 25 pounds.
2. To be healthy...running has kept me healthier than I’ve been in year.
3. To lower my stress levels...when I feel stressed, I run.  I feel better almost instantly!
4. To be a better wife...a happier, healthier, more fit me makes for a better wife.
5. To be a better mom...if my patience are low, I run.  My patience return.  Running also gives me some “me time!”

Running makes me a better me!  

Do I think everyone should run?  No!  Of course, not.  

I do think there is value in finding that “thing” that produced the same results for you!

A big thank you to Natasha for letting me invade her space for a day!

Thanks for reading and come on over and visit The Pace of my Life when you have a chance!!

Happy Running!

Race Report

 Chile Harvest Sprint Tri Race Report 2011

Best Cheerleader ever!

The one who got me started on all this 20+ years ago..

Results:    OA = 111/281,   OA F = 22/107,   AG = 2/13  (NM has a fairly small field)

Swim 9:28 for 400 m (slowest ever for me in a race)

Bike = 38:27 for 20k 19:51 mph ( fairly decent considering there was a hill and some bumpy roads)

Run = 27:03 for 5k Pace 8:44  (I felt really good on the run and I so wish I had worn a watch I think I would have pushed myself a little harder, this is where I really should have picked up the pace)

Overall Time =  1:17:36  I missed 1^st place by a minute, she was about 30 sec  faster than me on the swim and run.  I wish we hadn’t had a seated swim start and I would have seen her on the course :-)  But I’m not at all competitive… I’m doing this for fun!  :-) 

Sunday we all went for a hike with the doggy and called it good.  I love it when my mom comes to visit because there is always plenty of good food and usually enough leftovers to carry me through the week.

My parents went for support and I had my own professional camera crew so the rest of this report will be in pics:

Nice overcast sky to start which helps make the run cooler when it's a seated swim.

T1 trying to remember where my bike was...

Had to avoid several potholes and a car in front of me for what felt like forever and I couldn't pass him....

Trying to look good for the finish!

Is that really all I brought?

Don't we look excited, especially the mayor I don't think he's sure why he's there :-)

Not sure how I feel about the pin vs. a medal....

Today I start my ½ marathon training for the Disney Half girls weekend Oct. 1^st!!  Did I mention I don’t like running!  I’m easily convinced by peer pressure to enter races.  My true love is cycling but racing on a bike other than in a triathlon is very scary!!!  How did your races/training  go this weekend?

Happy Friday!

My Yay! I get to do a triathlon tomorrow song:





So tomorrow will only be my 2nd triathlon of the season but I am so excited even if it is just a sprint.  It is not a reverse even though the swim is in a pool which means if you are seated in the middle, like me, by the time you get to the run it's usually pretty hot!  The last time I did this one was 2007, I got 1st in my AG, and I puked at the finish from the heat.  So I hope to have a good performance on this one!  I found out that they recommend you wearing a shirt during the bike because if it rains tonight our bike route will have gravel on it that they won't be able to sweep so they are telling us that if we wreck the shirt my help!!!

I borrowed this list I found let's see how many I can relate to:

Top 10 Reasons You know you are a Triathlete 

1.  You have a $4000 bike strapped on top of your $2000 car. 

 I think at this point both my car and bike have lost most of their value but at one point yes, that may have been true.  I love my bike so much I've had it for over 10 years and hope I never have to replace it.  I also lucked out and got to buy it at cost from a friend of the fams!

2.  You have more water bottles than glasses in your cupboard!

I had to move the water bottles into the closet where I know have them in 2 large mesh bags!!

3. During the vacations, when everybody else is partying, you go to sleep at 10:00pm because you're going for a long ride the next day. 

I've done my share of partying but I've also done my share of skipping vacations in order to get my training in.

4. You think an Ironman is easier then a Marathon because you don't have to start by running fast. 

HAAAA!  I've totally said I would do an IM again before ever doing another marathon.  I swear a marathon hurts much worse than an IM...

5. The dog runs away when you get the leash! 

I wish!! I haven't gotten there yet that monster can run like there's no tomorrow!!!

6. You're always wet! Either sweat, pool water, sea water, shower water, bath water or its p*****g down outside! 

Or how about I'm always in workout clothes...  (people see me on the weekends and always assume i just got done working out.

7.  Your company announces mandatory unpaid shutdown days - every other Friday thoughout the summer - in order to cut costs and stay in business, and your response is;Great - now I can do two long workouts on the weekends and still have an easy day. 

I would LOVE this!  I already tried to negotiate for 4/10s and all I got was 1/2 shift to an early start and end but that gives me a little more time for longer workouts!

8. You were awake for the Northridge quake (4:30 AM) because you were out running ... and you showed up for 6 AM Masters swim workout and wondered where everybody was. 

N/A 

9. Nobody believes you when you say 'Never again'.

:-0  Guilty hence I did another marathon.  But never again on the IM.... hmmmm

10. You take part in the corporate challenge to improve your base speed. 

I totally took part in our "Spring Into Motion" event!

 What would you add to this list?

Roller Blading with the dog!

I so wish I had a picture to post with this but let me tell you there was no way I was gonna get to do a self portrait while I was on wheels and my dog was on a leash!  A coworker of mine said she had seen on the dog whisperer that he would roller blade with the dogs to get all their energy out because that way he could let them run faster.  Ok sounds great in theory right!?  There are a few caveats to that however!

1.  Make sure you remember how to roller blade if it's been more than 5 years since you strapped a pair on, specifically, if you remember how to stop!  My roller blades don't have breaks on them so you do the whole T stop where you drag one foot side ways to slow down.  Later f asked me "Don't you know how to hockey stop?"  Not on roller blades maybe on ice skates but on roller blades wouldn't that just send you tumbling?

2.  Make sure you have a flat area to start on.  From my house we started on a downhill and let me tell you as soon as she got going and realized, hey there's no resistance I'm free! She went for it full speed ahead!!  I'd try to slow down but that's hard to do with a dog that is way stronger than she looks and with oncoming traffic.

3.  When you are finally going up hill and wouldn't mind her pulling is when she stops pulling.

4.  People in cars will slow down to laugh and stare and won't think to keep going so they are out of the way in case your dog decides to drag you in the middle of the street.


5.  The roller blades will freak her out a little at first and I should have worn pants not shorts because now I have some wonderful bruises and scratches from her jumping on me.

6.  Don't be afraid to let go, of the leash that is.  I had to let go 2 x on the downhill luckily when I called to her she actually came running back to me with the leash in her mouth.  She was probably thinking, come on mom do I really have to do this myself. 

Was it a success?  She was very tired so yes and in half the time it takes to walk her and not as challenging as on a bike.

Was it scary?  You bet!  I was so scared with her pulling me down hill and the possibility of a car coming and I knew I wouldn't be able to let go of the leash in that case.

Will I try it again?  Yes, I'm a little crazy and I tend to forget how scary something is until I try it again...

Lexi with her bff and partner in crime Lola