TRI-TRI

Sunday wil be my third triathlon. It is the Subaru Women's Triathlon in Naperville,IL. I have alot of mixed feelings going into this one:

*It will be my longest open water swim (750).

*It will be close to home with no travel. Quite a few people that I know will be there competing and watching.

*I know the course and for the first time on the bike and run I will not be facing hills.

*I am starting to have expectations of time goals and I don't want to fall into that.

*This is my last tri befor Steelhead HIM. There is only 6 weeks left.

Besides my OW swim on Monday, it was a good week for training. I backed it down alittle but not alot. My legs are not as tired. After Sunday, the next 3-4 weeks I need to push myself harder and increase my hours.


This weekend also is our Relay for Life.Our team will set up at the local High School track with many other teams. It is a celebration of life and a major effort to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Our team has raised almost $2,000. Alot of the participants spend the noght at the track and someone is always walking. My favorite part is the survivors lap. The most touching part is when they read off the names of the loved ones who have died due to cancer and light candles around the track. It will be a special night.

Good Luck to GeekGirl, SW TriGal, Sweet Baboo, FeLady, and all the others at IMCDA.

Waddling into the weekend................

Beautiful Evening

Brick Completed: bike 15 & run 3

Waddling to watch the sunset........

OPEN WATER SWIM

Tonight there was an open water swim at Naperville's Centennial Beach. It was being coached by Experience Triathlon. My main reason for going was that the Tri I am doing this weekend is there.

When we began, we swam in the lap lanes to warm up. Next we divided into 2 groups: 1- A group comfortable with the deeper, open water and 2- Another to keep swimming laps and work up to the open water. I went with the group to the deep water without a second thought. Coach Patty told us to swim to the other side of the swim area (about 250). The group took off. I looked up and they were swimming so much faster that I was left by myself. OMG. Anxiety & panic began taking over. Coach Patty came back and stayed close. I made it with everyone else waiting for me. It was time for the swim back. We all took off again. I got about 2/3 of the way and did not think that I would make it. I treaded water for a minute. One of the other guys swam out next to me. He explained that he knew how I felt and would just stay beside me until I got back so I was not alone. What a blessing. I made it back with much appreciation. I headed to the lap lanes to swim and calm down. I felt better and went back with the group. I swam across several more times not panicing.

I was glas that I went to the swim. I can't say it gave me a world of confidence. I wish water wings were legal. I am able to wear my wetsuit but there is no need. I am not sure what I am going to do.

Waddling...........

Happy Father's Day!!! I talked to my dad in Ohio this morning and he is doing great. At 86 years old - he is my hero. I can't express how much I love, admire, and appreciate everything that he has done for me. Thanks Dad!

This mornings workout was cut short due to weather conditions. We took off to run and our group decided to go 6 miles. When we reached the 2 mile mark the sky began to turn black. The question was to go to the 3 mile mark and take cover in the parking garage or turn around. We opted to turn around. Within minutes, big drops of rain began to come down. We picked up the pace alittle. Then I heard a loud crack like lightening had hit something. With .5 miles to go, the wind and rain picked up in a scary way. We made a dash for cover at the Glen Ellyn Library. I could barely see and one gust almost knocked me over. So I ended up with a 3.5 mile run.

We began to worry about the other groups still out there. One other runner joined us and told us the a tree and transformer had been hit by lightening and fell across the trail where we turned around. Shortly several other groups of runners went by running in the street which was flooding. Soon the weather let up and we headed back. I called hubby to let him know that I was OK but he had slept through the entire storm.

In news from Ironman Kansas 70.3, my friend Dan made it out of the swim fine and was on the bike. The next text that I received from Iron Snoopy said that the race was cancelled. I am anxious to hear the story.

Waddling and watching the weather...........