Some serious thinking going on.

How is training going? Good.

Barb is trying to talk Linda and me into doing Ironman Canada 2012. Because Barb and I will be turning 50 next year and Linda will be 49. We aren't getting any younger, that's for sure so wouldn't now be the time to do it? That's what I'm thinking.

I know its going to be expensive, extremely expensive. Signing up is only $650 but I'd need a new wetsuit, swim lessons (serious ones, maybe with Ryan Chapman) and I'll need a coach. Lan can coach me on the bike, that wouldn't be a problem.

Lisa Ballou said she would think about coaching us for this endeavor so I would be happy with that. I know Lisa, I trust her to do her best, I know she has experience and knowledge because shes a 6 time Ironman already herself.

There will be many other expenses, like the fees for other races we would need to be in beforehand to prep ourselves. I've got a perfect Half Ironman chosen, more later.

I can go to the YMCA and use their pool all winter for laps so I'll need a lap counter of some sort. I figure I'll go through at least 3 pair of shoes and I'll need new Superfeet insoles.

Yesterday Lan and I went out to Ocean Shores and were volunteers at the TriFreaks Multi Sport Weekend. 5k, 10k, Spring, Olympic & Half Ironman triathlons, marathon & a half plus kids sports.

These are the men from the 1st wave of Half Ironman participants just minutes before they started the swim.

 They had to swim all the way to the other end of Duck Lake and back, 1.2 miles.

They then rode their bikes 56 miles on a perfect course.

All the roads in Ocean Shores were just repaved so they are all nice and smooth, no potholes or cracks. And the entire course is flat except the one bridge they went over. Half Ironman'ers had to go over this 'hill' 4 times but it was just a bump, maybe 10-15 feet in elevation.

Here is one of the tables we manned. This was the 4.5 mile aid station along the Half Ironman run route, which was 13.1 miles; it was 1.7 miles to the turn around and about 5 miles on the way back to the finish. Water, HEED, bagels, bananas, Gel and lots of cheering and moral support. We did lots of cheering, clapping, yelling, joking, water pouring, cup picking uping.

This guy was in first place on his way out but he was in pain. All he wanted was water. On the return he was in about 6th place and much slower.

This was a fun time, Lan had just snuck off to the bushes to go pee and I had 6 people returning. The 2 guys in the red shirts didn't need anything but some of the others did. 

It was a real kick in the pants to assist TriFreaks and all these runners. There were 64 who started, I don't know how many finished. There were a few who were questionable.

The last place finisher was a woman who weighed 350 lbs a couple years ago, shes lost 80 so far and she was bound and determined to finish this race. she didn't make the cut off time but she did finish. Her goal is to go to Kona Ironman in 6 years. YOU GO GIRL! Lan and I stayed at the aid station till we were relieved at about 3:30pm and she was the only remaining runner. I wanted to stay and cheer for her but we had to leave but as soon as we turned the corner, there she was. She was hoofin' it!

Once I find a way to pay for all my Ironman Canada expenses I'm going to go for it. I have until August 29th and I'll have to be there in person IN CANADA to register. I could TRY to register online but last year it sold out in hours so that might not be an option. Linda and Steve are going ot be up there for that weekend to cheer on Sarah McCoy so shes got it covered.

But Linda doesn't want to do it.

I agree with Barb, this is our year, I need to do this for me, because I can.

Other news: I have registered for the Tacoma City FULL Marathon in May 2012 so I can get the full medal. Wish me luck.

First tri of the year

How is training going? Much better today.

I just got done with an easy 2 miles and it was nice and easy. Just up the road to the end and back. I was able to run the entire distance without having to stop to walk or breath hard and that makes me feel good.

I did the Five Mile Lake Triathlon in Auburn, WA. last Saturday and I didn't do so hot there.

Swim start; there's me, right in the middle of the photo looking like I know what I'm doing. Except I did exactly 2 strokes and then breast stroked for the rest of the first half of the 1/4 mile swim. I HATE swimming. The water was dark and murky, almost black. Freaks me out.

Start time 8:06am

Thank GOD I finally got out of the water. Here I am pulling my swim and neoprene caps off but they got stuck in my hair. My hair is only 2 inches long, NO reason for it to get stuck but it did and on both sides of my head. OUCH.

Swim time 14:29.

    

 Look, there were like, 3 people behind me coming out of the water!

The bike was two laps of 7 miles each. Oh, did I say it was raining? For the entire race it was coming down and you can see it here at the end of my bike leg.

Bike time 52:18

When I got done with the bike Linda was still in transition, I'm pretty sure she waited for me so we could run together. I don't like running with other people because I don't like feeling like I'm holding them back. And I did hold her back. Linda literally took my hand and pulled me along several times. I had side aches that wouldn't quit so had to walk and she walked with me.

Run time 33:18

See our cheerleader at the finish?

Official finish time 1:45:18

That's not my best finishing time, not by a long way but I haven't been running enough and I know it. I got caught up in the moment when I saw the half price Groupon. Oh well, I know now.

Here is Linda seconds after the end, she looks like a drowned rat. Sorry Linda.

 And here's me, happy to be done.

Should I call this blog Tri to Work and Ride?

How is training going? NOT.

I haven't had time nor the energy to train at all. I missed the last BRICK so I went out with Lan and did my own on Sunday morning. I had to babysit Tuesday so couldn't make it to Torreys class and worked 4am-2pm today so was too tired to run or ride and went to bed after I got home. I slept for 4 hours.

Tomorrow, Thursday, Torrey hopefully will be back in class at the YMCA. I plan on joining in for a good workout. I miss her classes and if she is there I'm going to be hurting Friday.

I'm also scheduled to work 2-7pm tomorrow so if I time it right I can ride my bike to the 1:10pm Southworth ferry, change on the boat, work, change again to ride home and get in a good ride that way. Coming home will be harder than getting there since its mostly all uphill. I can do it.

We have a new horse in the barn, a mini mare named Cookie. Shes 8 years old and being leased for the summer by Sarah and her daughters, Heidi and Reagan. We put Cookie and The Pie out together and she makes him look huge!  But they get along well and I'm very happy about that. 

This is my baby, Wildfire. Shes 3.25 years old now, time to start her official training.

Wifi went to Vickis barn for her 60 days of training.

I'm concerned about her but just need to relax and let her be. I'm scared shes going to get hurt on a crappy fence. I'm scared she'll get cut up and scarred for life on her perfect body. There are so many things at Vicki's barn that can hurt a horse.

I sent Vicki an email today asking when she will work my filly and she never got back to me. I'd like to stop in there tomorrow after the YMCA in the morning but Vicki won't even be out in the barn yet. But I could totally take her out into the arena and work her a bit myself or just groom her for a while. I miss my little girl.

Wifi and Meghan

How is training going? Good.

This morning I got up early and went to the YMCA for Torreys class but found her gone to HAWAII for her 40th birthday.

 Humph.

Bud lead the class but hes nothing like Torrey but he still kicked my butt since I haven't been there in 3 weeks. One lady was nagging him, wanting him to be more like Torrey but that's not his style. I think he was offended by the lady, I know I was. He wasn't leading Torreys class, he was leading his own class. I still was really ice to him, thanked him for the good class and wished him a wonderful weekend.

Meghan came over and worked Wifi again today. This time Wifi was sporting the bit and actually had contact, not just holding it in her mouth. Her mouth is very soft, she responds very easily and didn't freak out at all. She turned to the left and right easily enough and seemed curious about this new thing she was doing. I just wanted to get up on her back and ride off into the sunset.

I'll be starting on the dock tomorrow, 1-7 but I need to leave home at 11 in order to get on the ferry in time. Its going to be a long day.  I'll park at Southworth if they let me and walk on the 11:35 ferry then catch the 7:40 ferry home, getting into my car at about 8:25 and getting home at 8:45. If I have to drive around its 1.5 hours and 60 miles each way, $12 each way in fuel + $2.75 for the bridge toll so almost $30 round trip. I'd much rather leave early and catch a ferry if I can even if it means sleeping in my car overnight.

On Saturday I get to work 6:40am-2:40pm. I'll have to leave here at 4am, catch the 4:30am ferry, it takes 40 minutes to cross, arriving at 5:10am. I'll have to find a place to park then I sleep in the car till 6:20 or so. Coming home I'll just catch the 3:00pm boat.

Yeah, that's what I say now, we'll see how it really goes down. Probably a lot of noise and lights all over the place over there.

Wifi's training is now paid for

How is training going? Mine is OK for now.

I took payment in full over to Vicki for 60 days training on Wifi. I want her started under saddle and ridden and ridable when she comes home. Vicki shouldn't have to do much with her before she actually gets on Wifi's back so I hope to see her ridden very fast.

Wifi hasn't tried to buck with the saddle, ever. Shes always interested in work and loves the attention. Shes never let any of it bother her.

I just hope nothing happens.

First BRICK of the season

How is training going? GREAT.

I. KICKED. ASS.

The Kitsap Tribabes had their first BRICK today (B ike, R un = ICK  = BRICK)  I had everything ready last night, or so I thought. Just as I was dozing off I startled myself awake and remembered that I need to take my Bib number. That's how our leader, Lisa, knows we're true TriBabes. Then at 5am sharp I startled awake again, thought I heard the phone ringing but it wasn't and it was too late to go back to sleep.

Lan and I got to the staging area in Seabeck right on time, at 8am. I had plenty of time to get my shoes, helmet & other things and get to the church where we all start. Linda, Steve and Brayden got there shortly after we did so we hung out and greeted old friends. Last year Linda and I had started out in the 2nd wave but today we were in the first wave and I KICKED ASS. Lisas son, Dane, is a hard core 17 year old triathlete who is GOOD. He led our wave around the 5 mile bike course and I discovered that he is a Chatty Cathy, lol.

Dane didn't even break a sweat on that ride but I did. Linda was right behind me and another lady was behind her and right at the end the other lady tried to pass me, I mean, with only 100 feet to go she was on my ass but I jumped on it. NO WAY was I going to let her pass me! I was barely able to breath when I got off the bike but I WON.

I'm just a little bit proud of myself.  :)

Then we had to run a mile. I haven't run since the half marathon a month ago and ended up getting a side ache, every time I would start jogging it would happen again so I walked about half of it. Then Linda and I did a 2nd BRICK and then ran an extra mile on top of it. Whew. I've been slacking for the last 3 weeks, first Vegas then 2 weeks of training at the Ferries so I was a little out of shape.  I mean, I have been out on a few good mtn bike rides but no road rides and no spin/core classes either.

Lisa sent out her email and she mentioned both Linda and I in it for being first to complete the double brick when Linda was done with it before me, she ran better than I was able to.

Buts good that I was able to go, this might be the only brick I can make it too all summer. I'm sure I'm going to work weekends and every holiday but I don't know if they will have me working mornings, evenings or mid days. Sigh.

HORSES

Wifi is going to the trainer on Wednesday. I'm SO excited for her but scared too. I don't want her to get hurt, what if she rolls in her run and gets her let caught up in the fence?? What if Vicki does something that ends up hurting Wifi? What if??

This evening I put Sunshowers bridle & bit on Wifi in her stall for a half hour. Shes got to learn what it feels like to have the bit in her mouth. I think tomorrow I'll actually attach something to the bit rings so she can feel that, shes had the bit a few times now but never had contact. I don't want Vicki to surprise her with that. Shes never been turned around, lead or anything with the bit.

Joey and I are supposed to go trail riding in the morning with Abby and Bonnie out at Green Mtn. I have to enjoy this last weekend and riding Joey on trails is one of my favorite things to do on Earth.

Finally, a horse back ride

How is training going? Ho Hum.

It felt SO GOOD to put this sticker on my car.

I haven't done much, come home from work, clean the barn, eat dinner and go to bed.

I was able to ride the horses on Sunday and it felt so good. Bonnie, Sarah and I took Kari, Joey and Sunshower out to Banner forest for about a 5 mile ride, most of it on side trails instead of the service road.

Sunshower does NOT like Kari and let her know it in no uncertain terms. She also let Kari know that Joey is Sunshowers man even though at home Sunshower and Joey HATE each other. Its so weird that my horses act like that!!

Wifi is scheduled to go to the trainers next Wednesday for her 60 days of saddle training. I'm scared and excited for her, can't wait to see her in a month.