freaking awesome weather

I took this picture as I was headed to meet Judith this morning...it is actually a picture of the full moon.  It does not look like the moon which is why I felt an explanation was necessary.  I am not a professional photographer (shocker), so I'm not sure how this happens but I like the way it looks.  I am working on developing my skill at taking pictures while riding my bike... so far, so good.

This is the moon as you might have guessed.  My picture does not do it justice ...the mist was hanging over the fields and the moon was still up while on the other side of the road....

this was going on..

In addition to major scenery, the weather has turned positively blissful and I could have used arm warmers this morning.  It's been a long time since I felt under dressed but, note to self, add a layer of clothing when heading out to ride this Friday morning.  The forecast is for even lower humidity and temperatures through the end of this week...Tennessee is truly heaven on earth right now.  

The 7th annual Cedars of Lebanon triathlon is this Saturday and conditions should be perfect....maybe even a little cool at the start of the pool swim. I love this location and this course.  If my schedule allowed I would love to be racing this weekend...instead I am working with Team Magic the event sponsor. 

I am still dragging major ass from the bike/run powerhouse workouts last weekend....I want to take a nap every afternoon.  I have heard people who are training for full Iron distance races moan about being tired; I guess training for a half makes one tired, too.  In addition to exhaustion, I brought back a nice case of poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) from Fiery Gizzard.  How does one get poison ivy through socks and shoes??

trashed legs...

South Cumberland Recreation Area- pre-Fiery Gizzard trail run

Fantastic weekend!  The weather in middle Tennessee has been beastly all summer... hot and humid without end it seemed.  The last few days have been a welcome change around here and contributed to some really great workouts this weekend.  Having said that, my legs are trashed..worn out...toast!  Judith and I rode 48 miles on Friday and then I did a short walk "brick" with Hannah when I got home..Saturday we were all up at 3AM (%$#&) to head to Fiery Gizzard for a 13 mile trail run in preparation for Rim2Rim.  We gutted through but it was tough and I could barely get out of bed this morning....

I have no idea what was so damn funny....giddy from lack of sleep, no doubt.

looking for inspiration.......

The Fall Creek Falls triathlon put on by Race Day Events was so much fun...I wish all races felt like this one.  I was comfortable and relaxed from start to (almost) finish..the last 2 miles of the run were a little ugly but everything up to that felt good great!!  I had my best swim time ever at this distance (25:39), best bike (1:21) and the first couple of miles on the run even felt good.  When I started to get tired I kept thinking about swinging my arms and remembering that "this too shall pass..."  I don't know about anyone else but I go from feeling good to feeling bad and back again in mere minutes.  I slogged through the last couple of miles (behind the guy who pulled over to throw up..eeww) and finished the run in 1:08....I am not a 1:08 10k runner...not that there is anything wrong with that but I am not that person. 

From the looks of next weeks upcoming workouts running and endurance bricks appear to figure prominently in my plans.  The coach and I exchanged a few emails (me: whine, whine, whine...she: details, details, details) and from this she produced my training plan which includes a run-bike-run on Wednesday, a 60 mile bike/4 mile run brick on Friday and an 8 mile negative split run on Saturday.  I love the strategy behind workouts...the idea that if you do the work as prescribed you are prepared to go out and reap the reward.  I am ready to reap the reward... I am ready (or will be come September 26th) for Augusta and while I know it won't be easy, there is no doubt in my mind I can do the work.  I can put all of this swim-bike-run together and bring it in under the 8 hour cut-off....

think cool thoughts...

Hot today...again...

In trying to change my thinking, I found some pictures from cooler times and places...

Jackson Hole, WY - 2007

Fall Creek Falls State Park - TN - 2006

Snow King Resort, Jackson Hole, WY- 2007

Penguins - Antarctica

Yummy!

Happy Anniversary to Brad (and Me)!!!  9 years ago today ...10 if you talk to Hannah (wink, wink) xoxoxo

looking forward.....

"When you're not afraid to fail your chances of succeeding are greater".   Gary Mack

Yaay!  Friday is here and that means tomorrow is Saturday....one of my favorite days of the weekend.   The festivities start at 5:15A with a long run followed by breakfast at Bread and Company...the consensus favorite part of the workout.

The Fall Creek Falls triathlon is a week from Sunday.  I feel like I have my head screwed on more tightly than a couple of weeks ago.  I am looking forward to this race... I enjoyed the swim, bike and run in 2008.  I think this was my first Olympic distance ever and so I just hope to beat my previous time on this course.  I have gotten in the habit of having 3 goals for marathons...an A Goal where everything is perfect and I blow away all expectations; my B Goal is a new PR at whatever the distance and my C Goal is to finish.  I read this somewhere and I like the positive reinforcement of at least meeting one of my goals (previous race not withstanding).  Some people may think it's hokey but I believe in taking something positive away from each race if possible...who wants to put all of the hard work and time into training and then walk away castigating yourself??   When we are consistent in our daily training and then show up on race day what we do is amazing...that kind of effort and accomplishment is a huge victory and something to be proud of .... and none of us should believe anyone who says otherwise (even if it is the voices in our own heads).

I AM AERO!

As of 5:30 this morning I am aero...Judith and I parked at the bottom of the Highway 96 entrance to the Trace to start our ride out to Fly and back..... I wanted to say "Out to hell and back" but it was not that bad (80 degrees at 5:21AM according to NPR) and the route was pretty shady!  Aside from some loose gravel where Caney Creek Road is being rebuilt post the flood of 2010, and one very scary dog, all 42 miles ROCKED!!  I love training with Judith...she has a great attitude and makes me laugh.  Both of these qualities are imperative in a training partner!!