You should have seen our sunset tonight

This was the sunset at work today, absolutely gorgeous.

All the customers getting onto the ferries couldn't miss it, I saw several people getting out of their cars to take photos and I just had to stare. We have a lot of perfect evenings here, being near the water, but this was extraordinary.

Big bad bummer day

How is training going? The pool was closed.

Linda and I went to the Bremerton YMCA tonight for our first Masters swim class but the pool was closed. I guess someone had a little accident...  So we drove all the way out there for nothing. I was bummed because I didn't want to go in the first place but I knew I had to and we had planned on going to that class because we need to learn from better swimmers.

We also need to save money, Marilyns masters classes are excellent but the yearly fees of $130 plus $40 per month are just out of my league. The class tonight has a once yearly fee of $30 plus your monthly YMCA membership, which is already being paid for. And most of the people in the masters class at the Y are in West Sound Tri Club and we want to be really friendly with them because they are going to Ironman CDA too.

Yeah, so both of us were bummed. I could have gone to the Y in Gig Harbor at any time today but didn't because I was waiting for this. SLACKING.

Good swim workout today

How is training going? I had a good swim workout.

Linda and I went to the Silverdale Y to swim. We knew we had to swim 26 laps with warm up, drills, swim & cool down so we did it all. Drills need to be more serious but at least I got my butt to the gym and into the water.  We did all 26 laps in 1:13:00 which for even me isn't bad, considering we chatted between every single lap.

Then I was supposed to run 45 minutes but the dang high school kids got there and were running backward on the track, chasing each other. Annoying, irritating, stupid kids. I'll go earlier next time.

Linda needs to stop running so she can save her knees for Ironman. She can run once in a while for short distances and do more spin or actually getting her butt onto her bike and riding it. This is all my opinion.

Woke up sore.

How is training going? I'm a little sore.

My shoulders and back are a little sore, maybe from the bike ride, maybe from my bed. We've got a new mattress but if I'm waking up in pain almost every morning then somethings wrong.

I now have to go swimming, called & made plans with Linda to get to the Silverdale YMCA pool. If we hurry there won't be any bratty snot faced kids there. Then we might be able to get into the lazy river...

Nice sunny day for a ride

How is training going? Very good.

Lan and I went for a ride on the Felt bikes today. The temps were in the high 40's and it was sunny all day long so we couldn't stay indoors and do house stuff.

Here's Lan, we're about 2 miles in to the ride and he had to adjust his seat. I am using a TEST seat, a Cobb Flow, to see how I like it. Its way better than my own old seat but I'm not 100% that this is the seat for me. We'll ride a couple more times and see how it fits & how I feel then we'll go exchange it for another one. I can't ride well with parts going numb.

Lans riding on peacock Hill Blvd. We were still in Kitsap county at this point so there wasn't much of a shoulder but Pierce County had nice ones.

We stopped by to see Linda in action. She got a job as sign spinner for those new houses in the back ground.

Here is the  man I love, who loves me back. Lan is awesome.

And me. I had a good time on our ride.

We went a total of 18 miles and I was good with that, we had planned on going farther but Lan thought we should turn back so we don't overdo it on new bikes we're not used to. Good idea. I got home in time to clean my barn and ride Sunshower.

Yes, I actually saddled up my mare and rode her in the arena for about 15 minutes. We did a little walking & then a nice slow (almost a walk) trot. Perfect. I miss riding my horses.

After June 25th I'm going to be riding my horses a whole lot more than I will up until that point.

New Saddle to Tri

How is training going? Slow this week.

This is where I was for most of the week, at Fauntleroy dock. They said they needed to lay me off then I got 40 hours this week and almost overtime. I did have a good time and I was able to rest after the Marathon so it wasn't all bad. Plus I got double time for working on the New Years Day holiday.

Lan and I went to several bike & tri stores today looking for a new seat for my bike. Tri & Bike in Covington has a bunch of test saddles & you don't have to pay anything for the testing time. I got a Cobb Flow Max. I need to go on a nice long ride to see how I really like it & to make sure its comfortable before I decide if its right for me or not.

We also checked out the Terry line of saddles.

 and the Adamo saddles. I think I'd like to test out one of these after I bring back the Cobb.

I like how the front is split for comfort and I thought it might be too wide in the seat but it didn't feel so wide when I sat on it.

We took our bikes because we were going to go ride but it got too dark, too fast.

See that 13.1 sticker? I forgot to buy my new one the 26.2 sticker so I still have something I need.

These shoes are not only pretty but would be a good choice for the race. can't justify that price, yet.

This is what I want on the seat of my riding shorts so everyone knows it is me ahead of them.

Yukon Do It Race Report

How is training going? I'm a little sore.

Yesterday was my first full marathon,

the

Yukon Do It

in Port Orchard.

This was the 2nd annual Yukon Do It.

Here is the medal, its the largest one I've ever received.

Tony Seabolt at the beginning of the race

Ready, set, GO!

The temperature at the beginning of the race was 31* so I wore layers. It was a perfect combination as I wasn't too cold nor too warm.

HI!

We started at the local high school because there is tons of parking there, ended at a strip mall down the hill about 4 blocks so the race had a negative elevation gain.

Cheerleaders

Barbara, someone I don't know, Linda & Barbs 2 daughters

This section of the road was solid ice, people were peeling off to the sides and several people fell. You can see the first runners at the top of the hill. They were the half marathon runners and they were hauling ass.

There I am in the yellow jacket. this is just past the 1st turn around at about mile 6.5, out at Manchester State Park.

I like this part of the road, the trees grow completely over the road and its nice and quiet in there.

about mile 7. I removed the neck buff and the gray shirt and gave Lan my gloves and hood.

About mile 9. My left hip flexor was really starting to be a pain but I ran through it. The guy behind me was with me throughout the entire race, he and another guy would run past me then walk, run past, walk. For 3/4 of their half marathon. They called me their pace bunny.

My first split was 2:34 and I was seriously considering quitting but I wanted that marathon off my bucket list SO BAD!!!

This camel and another one were at the 1st & 3rd turn around area. They live here.

I passed them 4 times. At this point I was at about 18 miles and still felt good. I hadn't walked more than at aid stations for water and I did drink at each one. if they offered electrolytes I drank them. I was also feeling a little dehydrated here so I drank more than at the previous aid stations.

I stopped at this aid station for over 5 minutes because Lan, Linda & Steve were all there so I was chatting. Linda walked back up the hill with me.

Lan had to make sure to give the camels treats and the camel tried to eat the camera.

Then suddenly I was finished.

But in between I had to walk a couple times, just for about 100 yards. Linda and Steve stopped a few times to offer moral support and water. Linda walked a lot of it with me as I drank water.

My watch said 5:42:28.

I felt better at the end of this marathon than I did at the end of my first half marathon.

Here's Linda and Steve with me.



Here's my husband, Lan. It was our anniversary.

I love you Lan!

He said the race was Yukon Do It and

"Yukon DID It!"

On the way home...

I had a lot of dried sweat on me but not as bad as previous races. I'm eating better.

And the surprise injury, both of my 2nd toes had blisters.

Next time I'll try using anti-chafing stuff on them.

The sun was out almost all day, the temperature got up to about 43* or so, warm enough to run very comfortably but not too warm. I was encouraged to keep running, that's for sure.

The weather report had called for rain but we were lucky and had a beautiful day instead.