2011 RACE SCHEDULE

5/1 Palos Half Marathon

6/12 Batavia Sprint Triathlon

7/16 Evergreen Olympic Triathlon

8/21 Pigman Half Iron Triathlon

11/5 Ironman Florida


Waddling into 2011............

(CANDY) HEART RUN

>

Our Tri Club had a fun run for Valentine's Day. We went to the 40 Acre Woods. Prior to us getting there one of our team members scattered candy hearts along the trails. We were all provided with sandwich bags and maps. The time limit was 90 minutes. Off we went into the woods. The weather was sunny and in the mid-30s. It was a perfect day.

I was with a group of 7 friends. The scenery was beautiful. It was hard to focus on looking for the hearts. We did find several in the Horse poop along the way. I opted to leave them behind. the laughter continued the entire 90 minutes. Our goal became just to find our way back. None of us were experts at the map. Once we realized that the star which said "you are here" did not move , it improved.

The was no thought to how far or how fast that we went. The amount of fun and memories were priceless.

Waddling after a fun run....

SWIM-A-POOLOOZA 2011

The options:

100 laps of 100 every 100 sec. = 10,000

100 laps of 75 every 100 sec. = 7,500

100 laps of 50 every 100 sec. = 5,000

My choice was the 5,000. I did the 2.4 mile swim in the Iron but could I do this? Then I looked at the worst that could happen possibilities. The worst of all would be drowning. I decided that Snips would be in my lane and other friends close by so they would not let that happen. The least of the worst would be that I snuck away from the pool and quit. I knew that once I started quiting was not an option. So after a sleepless night I grab my bags and got to the pool by 7am and prepared for the 730 start.

The photo on the left is of me and my lane-mates and on the right it's me. The time actually flew by. We did 50 laps and then had a 15 minute break. I was starving. I grabbed a bagel and it tasted like a steak dinner. Quickly it was time to jump back in and finish the other 50 laps. There was load music playing. In the few seconds rest between laps, we sang and danced. Before I knew it there was under 10 laps to go. I was getting tired but not ready to stop. The 5,000 was within my reach. With a pool-wide "Woohoo" , we finished the 100 laps. Alot of high five's and big smiles could be seen all around.

After a shower, many of us headed out for a beer and burger to celebrate! I can't beleive it--5,000. My confidence had a big boost and a great deposit in the IM training bank.

Waddling with sore shoulders.................

PICKING RACES FOR 2011

I am in the process of getting my 2011 calendar together. This year I want to do it differently. Usually is pick several races that I would like to do and it ends up being a hodge podge. This year I want to pick races that lead up to IMFL and fit my training. An added aspect will be financially. I want to stay close to home with little or no travel.

Tomorrow, I plan on sitting down with Snips and looking through the calendar.

Waddling to sketch in 2011.................

FIRST EVENT

Besides IMFL, I have signed up for my first event of the year. It is not a race but it is called Swim-a-pooloza. Sound like a fun party by the pool. The reality of it will be different.

The format calls for swimming one of 3 distance in the lap pool. It is 5000,7500, or 10,000. Obviously, I signed up to attempt the 5,000. It is set up that you swim either 50,75, or 100 every 100 seconds times 100. It actually boggles my mind but I am always up to give it a try. It is hosted by our Tri club, TriSmart and it is in our home pool. I have 2 weeks to get my mind ready for this.

I am seeing that this year is going to have alot of new fun experiences ahead and I am ready!

Waddling with an open mind...........

ON MY WAY

The time has arrived with no more excuses but to face what I need to do in my training for IMFL. The first thing is to address my weight gain and metabolic syndrome. I began by cleaning everything evil and life-threatening out of my kitchen. (except the Diet Dew). Then came the grocery shopping. It's amazing how long it takes and the cost of shopping healthy. Also I began weight watchers. My first weigh in was yesterday and there is alot of work ahead of me.

Also this week, the intensity of the training increased. By Friday, the were many aching muscles. It felt good though. This added to my better eating habits made me feel changed in a good way.

I realize this is only my first week. I also know how many first weeks there have been. I am now heading into week 2 and let the changes continue and bring on the challenge.

Waddling with determination..............

2011 -A NEW YEAR

LOOKING BACK-2010

I was very quiet in 2010. No matter how many time that I would restart my mojo -it never stuck. That led to a year with not much to write about.

LOOKING FORWARD-2011
My A-race of the year will be Ironman Florida on November 5th.

Now begins my most favorite part which is the planning. I love to look at the different race options. I want a sprint, Olympic, and a Half.

The other part will be my training. I have begun swimming with the TriSmart Masters group. It fit better into my schedule. I also am doing Indoor cycle training with TriSmart. What a great group which includes alot of my regular tri-buddies.

Other exciting news for 2011 is that I was asked to be a member of Team Luna Chix. I am lucky that it is not necessary to be fast just love the sport. I am looking forward to meeting the other members of the team.

Waddling into 2011...........