I've been enjoying the week having my dad at my house so with that and the increased training I haven't had time to write. I did a great 10 mile run yesterday and a 62 mile bike today. Feeling great!

Waddlingto enjoy the 4th.................

As I continue in my training toward Steelhead, I have one question that hangs with me. I began this journey as a runner. When you train for a race at some point you either run that distance or come close. I understand how to do that.I looked at several different plans for HIM triathlon training and one thing I noticed is that is not true. With only 4 weeks left until my HIM, am I where I should be to be ready? I know that I can can do the swim. I know that I can do the bike. I know that I can do the run. My question is -Can I put it all together?

Waddling out for a bike ride...........

JUNE TOTALS

Bike: 169.31 Mi

Run: 63.2 Mi

Swim: 14050 M

CLIFF NOTES

• Training going good with only 5 weeks until Steelhead HIM
• Weekend workouts : Sat. Brick= 36 mile bike & 30 min. run / Sun 8 mile run
• MIL in hospital -everything is checking out OK.
• Leaving for Ohio to pick up my dad to spend the week with us here.
• Hooch survived 18th birthday in Chicago

Waddling to Ohio..............

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOOCH!!!

#18

I can't believe it but my little girl (the one in the pink shirt) turned 18 today! For her big day her and her friends are taking the train into Chicago to go shopping on the Magnificient Mile, dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, and a night in a hotel.

Time goes by so quickly. I can remember the day she was born at 2:41am. She was exactly on her due date. Not early but right on time. She is still like that today.

Today- another one of those milestones. Too many emotions to express right now. So I'll head for a swim then run to keep my mind on other things.

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

1750m = swim / 20 mile = bike / 3 mile = run

PHENOMENAL

PRE-RACE : Bino and I left the house at 5am. The morning was looking beautiful. It was nice to only have a 20 minute drive to the start. I had no idea how many were in this race until I got there. It was announced that there would be 2400 racing. I looked at the board and I was in wave #5 of almost 30. They were starting from older to younger. I was psyched. The beginning of the race announcements began and the elite lined up for the start. The sky became black. The rain poured down. Lightening lit up the sky. The race was put on hold and would not start until 30 min. after the last lightening or thunder. After 45 min., the skies cleared and everyone went back to the beach.

THE SWIM(750m)

I decided to wear my wetsuit. The water temperature was 77 so it was legal. After my swim on Monday, I decided start in the back of my wave of 60. It was a strange swim course. On the beach side, it was about waste deep. The far end was about 15 feet. When the gun went off, I could not get to a point to actually swim until halfway to the first turn around. Then it opened up some. I was bumping and hitting alot of people. As I got close to the beach I stood up and could run around the turn. It was then that I relaxed and could swim. It was my longest swim in a tri. As I cam up the beach, I looked at my watch and it was 17:00. I was amazed. The wetsuit came off easy and I headed for the bike.

THE BIKE (14.5 MILES)

The course was 2 loops. I headed out and felt great. I heard my name and a cow bell ringing that signalled me the Iron Snoopy and Moose were there. I was pumped up for sure. I fell into a comfortable cadence on a flat course. I felt like I was flying along and picking off quite a few riders. As I headed for the second loop, there was hubby volunteering by directing bikers which way to go. The second loop went as smooth as the first with more bikers being passed. I knew this was my strongest part. As I entered transition, a glance at my watch told me my time was 44:00. I was thrilled. Transition went smooth. I popped a gel into my mouth and headed out.

THE RUN(3.1 MILES)

The sun had come out and things were getting hot. I walked through the first water stop to catch my breath. As always many of those that I passed on the bike were now returning the favor on the run. I was running at about a 11:00 pace. The race numbers had our names on them and it was great to hear the spectators cheering your name. I passed 2 miles and turned onto a path through the woods. I picked my pace up to 9:30. The path went on forever. I was slowing as I got closer to the finish. The spectators lined the path and kept you going. Finally there was the finish. I hit my watch. My 5k was 33:?? and race time 1:43. Everyone received a really cool medal.

Offical result:
age: 52
overall place: 881 out of 1919
division place: 36 out of 113 ( 50-54)
gender place: 881 out of 1920

time: 1:43:20
swim: 16:50
trans 1: 5:01
bike: 44:42 (19:46 ave mph)
trans 2: 3:35
run: 33:13 ( 10:41 min/mile)

Waddling after a great day.............

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................