I love what the last few  years of training have done for my body. But I still have this belly. Continue reading →

Short version: Another awesome race at RtR. I’m not quitting. I’m still a triathlete.

Long version: How much time ya got?

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Race the River is in 2 1/2 days. I’m anxious, but I’m hopeful. With the exception of another open-water swim – which will be for the purpose of just practicing, not working out – I’m done working out. All that’s left for me to do is relax, eat healthy food, and get as much sleep as I can. Continue reading →

Along my triathlon journey, several people have told me I’ve inspired them. That’s nice, but I haven’t put much thought into it. Yesterday, I chatted with an acquaintance about her triathlons — she’s done one — and I described my three-year struggle with swimming (still struggling!) and why next weekend’s race will likely determine how much longer I continue trying. At the end of our conversation, she thanked me, and told me it really inspired her. Continue reading →

I decided to try another “last” Brick workout yesterday. My race bike has been tuned up (still waiting on the stem riser to get it dialed in for fit, but I can ride it). My water bottle that sits between the aero bars was delivered. I figured it was a good chance to try another ride before the race. Also, it was fairly windy. I’d rather deal with ‘glitches’ while training than have training be flawless and then deal with problems while racing. So, off we went. Continue reading →

I have to start by pointing out this is July. July is the cruelest month. Why? Le Tour de France. I want to watch all of the stages. I want to immerse myself in it. But the weather outside is perfect, and I’m training. What ends up happening is I don’t get enough sleep.

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Monday was a busy day. I watched the Tour. I picked the remaining beets, and then prepped and canned all of the beets. (My first time canning beets – here’s hoping they’re delicious!) I ground wheat and made pizza crust. (We grilled pizza for dinner. Yum! I made mine with fresh-picked Sunsugar tomatoes and basil, a bit of home-grown onion, and store-bought sausage & cheese. Winner!) I prepped a few pounds of bananas to dry them. (They’re pretty delicious, too.) I did laundry. Bottom line: I never got around to working out.

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We were planning to spend this weekend on the west side of the State. Given Jim’s commute, three-day weekends are the only times we can visit both my parents & Jim’s mom. We headed over Saturday, but had car trouble. We ended up coming home to spend the weekend by ourselves. Continue reading →

My first race is in twenty-three days. It’s the only triathlon I’m doing as a solo entrant this year. (I’m riding the bike leg of Titanium Man.) Race the River was my only race with an OWS in which the swim went well: no panicking, no back-stroking. I wasn’t the last person out of the water. All this, despite the fact I was freaked out by the wind chop and swell on Lake Coeur d’Alene and almost didn’t start (this was six weeks after a horrible swim and a horrible race at Pine Hollow), and I was in a swim scrum – something that has never happened to me – and I was kicked in the chest and swam over. Continue reading →