Luca is 2!!!

Luca's been hitting the bottle hard!

There is that happy boy!

My First Triathlon

I woke up this morning at 3:30 to let Tiger out...I knew I could sleep for another hour...I laid in bed and listened to The Weather Channel...HOT...HOT...more HOT. The alarm went off and I bounced out of bed and ggrabbed a cup of coffee. Then I headed to the bathroom to French Braid my hair. After my braids were finished I made my peanut butter and blueberry jam sandwich. It was yummy! I got dressed and headed to the Downtown Y. I was one of the first people there (imagine that). I got my bike and other items all ready and picked my spot in transition for my bike. I laid out my hot pink towel (thanks, Yvonne). I had all my items just so ont my towel and I went to race packet pick up and to get body marked. My race number was 134 and my swim was 1st heat, shallow pool lane 8, I wore a black swim cap. I went back and put my number on my race belt and chatted with other membersof the Tri Club. Everyone kept telling me I looked like I was going to throw up. I actually felt fine...I guess I looked scared. I went inside and went potty and checked out the pool water. It was 'really' warm...yuck. But what are you going to do.

SWIM
I made my way to lane 8 and met my lap counter who was a hoot. She made me feel very comfortable. I chatted with my lane partner. She was a seasoned triathlete but had just signed up last night. I had my swim cap on and the woman who was 'in charge' of the shallow pool lanes gave instructions. When she blew the whistle we go. I just wanted to get this done! The whistle sounded and we were off. I was breathing every stroke. I was trying to keep my head down and my butt up, but I know it wasn't. The swim wasn't pretty. But I got it done. I went over on my back a couple of times and regrouped and kept swimming. I think my swim time was about 13 minutes. I headed out to transition 1. The swim was over.

T1
I headed in transition and wiped my face put on my socks and running shoes slapped on some chapstick, put my helmet and sunglasses on and headed out to the bike course.

BIKE
I mounted my bike and tried to get my breathing back in check. I traveled down Commerce and made the turn onto Fifth Avenue. OH that hill. I switched the gears and found one to sustain the uphill. I was so happy to make the turn around and then it was downhill. I passed a couple of people I was happy abou that. I came into the Y and did the turn around...almost finished. I went back out and BOY that hill got steeper. I had to go over to the curb and get a drink of water. My heart rate was out of whack again. Must do more hill work. I got back going and did the turnaround and then downhill! I came into the Y area and was greeted by fans again.

T2
In T2, I just needed to grab my sunvisor, chapstick and gatorade. I got my bike racked and helmet off. and away I went.

RUN
I walked out of transition and decided to do 1:1 intervals. I had a horrbiel cramp on my right side. I kept trying to get rid of it...but it didn't want to go anywhere. I had to go back up that damn hill. I walked it - my heart rate was out of control again. i got up to the park and realized that I was just about finished. I switched to 2:1 intervals. The rest of the race was literally downhill. Ahhh, My first tri is almost over.

FINISH LINE
I could hear Yvonne and Karen yelling. i just couldn't wait to be done! I crossed the mat and wanted to collapse. I am so glad I finished. I am so glad I completed my first triathlon. I believe my time was 1:38.

Well, I am doing it!

I went to my pre race meeting for my very first TRI! I paid my money...I have my bag packed and my bike is all ready to go.

For all my tri friends...have I forgotten anything?
I will be wearing my Tri-race suit...but here is the rest of my list:
Bike
Helmet
sunglasses
running shoes
balega socks
water bottle to attach to bike filled with nuun
small towel
race belt
sun visor
GU
Gatorade2 Grape for run
Hot pink towel to 'mark my territoty'
goggles

I don't have clips yet for my bike, so I will wear my running shoes...

Last night after the meeting Cindy, Janet and I drove the race course bike and run....nice up hill.
I worked a half day today and went to the pool and practiced my swim...with stopping, talking to people and cleaning my goggles (anyone have any hints for stopping that) it took my 20 minutes...so I am hoping if I do it without chatting, I can do it in 15...would love to be faster...but honestly I have no real expectations. I am also going to breathe every other stroke. I am guessing the 10 mile ride at an hour(which is so slow...) and my run at 30 minutes...so I am guessing this event will take 2 hours...that way if I come in under that I will be better than I thought.

I will post tomorrow after the race...I am so nervous and scared.

Happy 2nd Birthday Luca Mario!

I know I won't have time tomorrow morning to type up this post but two years ago the most beautiful little boy was born. I was so excited and carried my cell phone around with me all morig until Tony called me back to tell me that Baby Guido had been born. I couldn't wait to get over to the hospital to see Baby Guido (Luca didn't have a name for a little while). I remembber what I was wearing, I remember this sweet little bundle that I was honored to hold. I couldn't beleive that my friend had actually given birth to a human being (as if she was going to have an alien - although Tommy would have LOVED that!)

Luca Mario may all your wishes come true....

On another note....I worked up the courage and I am going to complete in my VERY first Triathlon on Saturday morning. I am very nervous. I am very excited...Come back Saturday and read how I did...My plan is to just complete!

3rd place Relay Team

Today was the 2nd annual Milton Man Triathlon. It is sponsored by our tri club. Yvonne, Karen and I signed up for the relay team. Karen doing the swim, Yvonne heading out on the bike and Me doing the run. It was Olympic distance.

I woke up this morning to thunderstorms and was concerned about this race. Yvonne picked me up at 5:45 and we headed out to the lake. Yvonne and I were all jittery about the event...but we all agreed that we were just going to have fun.

Karen got the wetsuit on and got in the water for the 1500 yard swim (which seems like a LONG distance to me)...she did great finished in about 34 minutes. AWESOME JOB!

Yvonne headed out on the bike and she kicked it in gear. Averaging a 17.8 minute mile for 24.7 miles. You Rock! While Yvonne was out on the bike a big black cloud came over the area and we were all hoping that the storm would hold off until after the race. I said that running in the rain was okay by me....HA. Famous last words.

I got the timing chip and started out on the road and the downpour began. Oh my it rained. I just kept it slow and steady. For the first loop I averaged a 9:11 minute mile. I was thrilled. I slowed down just a touch on the second lap and finished the 6.2 in 54 something. That is my best time for a 10k. I am proud of myself. I had a good time.

We placed 3rd in the relay division...BUT the second place team finished in a photo finish with me....drat. I was so close. I thought I could do it.

So, first tri andI brought home hardware. Not too shabby.

Nerves

So, as I have mentioned I am doing a triathlon as a relay tomorrow. I am doing the run portion. It is a 10k. I have run 6.2 miles so many times I can't even count....why am I so nervous. I know I can do it. I am just so used to running for ME, just relying on ME...but because this is a TEAM I don't want to let anyone down. I spoke to the other two girls and we are doing this for fun. We are just considering this to be training. No big deal. We are going to have fun. I MIGHT sign up for the YMCA tri next weekend. I have until Thursday to decide. I like the fact that it is a pool swim.

It has been a LONG week

Let's see...the week has included:

• running
• yoga
• gin and tonic
• work
• my dad is going back to work next week no restrictions
• dad got a new car
• had to teach dad how to use remote start
• Tiger has had 2 seizures
• work
• my cousin got married this morning on a beach in Destin, Florida
• Found out the manager in Boardman is now engaged to a 26 year old...(he is 67 anyone have problems with this....I admit I do)
• I am getting nervous about the run on Sunday...what if I am not fast enough? I hope I can keep up to be competitive.
• Why can't I be rich enough to adopt children...I think that all children should have forever families...
• Dara Torres a 41 year old woman made the olympic team for swimming. I am so proud. I am so jealous. She has a fabulous body!

Tri-Tri-Tri

So, I am going to dip my toe into the world into the world of Triathlon. I am going to be part of a relay team on Sunday at Milton Man. I am excited. Karen is going to handle the swim, Yvonne and yours truly is going to handle the run (10k). I am looking forward to it. I went out tonight and run a quick 3. I felt good. Granted it was hot~but it felt good to get out and run and burn some aggression. I think our team name is going to be Tri-Angels!

Ten Miles

Cindy and I went out and ran our ten miles. OUCH. It kicked my booty. Okay, so we did wait until 3:00 to go out...probably not a smart move...but boy it was humid and hot. Luckily, there was some shade and thankfully we got the 10 miles in. I did switch to the Galloway 1:1. I just kept thinking I can do anything for one minute...I felt okay when we finished...thirsty...I ran out of hydration...but I felt okay. I need to pull out the training and see what is for next week. Let the games begin...

Ride to Lake Milton

I read yesterday that Corky was going to ride to Lake Milton this morning at 7:00am. I typed a message on the boards saying that I was in...So, the alarm went off at 5:30 (yes an hour earlier than I get up for work) and I got up and ate peanut butter toast with honey and a cup of coffee and got myself dressed. I left the house with two water bottles and some sharkies and hoped for the best. I have done this ride once before at an average pace of 13. So, I was hoping for a bit better. I got to the Farm and got Wildcat all ready to go and was getting nervous because no one else was coming and I thought maybe I misunderstood the message. I was all ready to head back home and climb back into bed...all of a sudden I heard Corky's laugh and saw the riders coming...It was Corky, Marvin and Moira. My first thought was 'Oh my...I am never going to keep up with them...they are WAY faster than me." But then again here goes...so I hopped on Wildcat and off we went. I was a bit slower on the way out but I got there and I did it. Once at the Lake they talked me into getting in the lake...so I waded a bit and then got out and rested to prep for the ride back. We took a different route back with rolling hills...I nailed the hills. I need to work on being quicker at changing the gears when going up and down. It would help with my speed. I really enjoyed myself and I can't wait to do it again. It was a challenge and I stepped up. I worked in aero, I played with gear...I even got my feet wet in the lake...It was a good day.