Race report #2

Race Note: for some reason my timing chip didn't work for the end of my run. I am sure it was some user error on my part. Luckily I had asked Madison if I could borrow her watch when I realized my batteries were dead the night before. So my final time, run split and placings are based on my unofficial time. I promise I am being as honest as possible. I will admit that I am much happier with my unofficial times though. I was almost in tears when I looked at the postings at the race and saw I was at the bottom of the pack. I didn't realize the error until this evening.

Today I participated in the first Lake Meridian Triathlon. It was a fantastic race put on by the fabulous Raise the Bar crew. Hoping this will become an annual event. They had a great turnout and it was a really fun and challenging course. Weather was a bit cool for my tastes but not bad. Luckily the forcasted rain stayed away and the water was nice and warm, so much better than my race in June.

The swim started out with my first experience for a deep water start. I wasn't sure about it before the race but enjoyed it and felt strong on the swim. My time was 16:53, a bit slower than my goal but I was ninth out of the water for all 73 women so I am happy with that. Then came the transition with big goals of improvement. I skipped the socks and peeled the wetsuit off quickly with great results. 1 minute 41 seconds. WAHOO! Compare that to my other 3 races with times of 6+, 4+ and 5+ minutes. No complaints there, though I should have had it even faster since I took time to wrestle with a long sleeve shirt that I ended up not needing.

Onto the bike ride. The problem with coming out ninth from the water is that you get passed ALOT on the bike, even when feeling strong. It was a bit discouraging, but I still felt good about the ride overall. My legs will be reminding me of all the hills in the morning. I felt good on the hills and was able to pass some people but got passed on the flats more than I would have liked. Time was 1hr 1 min 7 secs for 15.8 miles, 28th place for the women.

I wish I had photos of my cheering section on the bike ride. Tom and the girls were so sweet and drove to multiple locations along the bike course to cheer me on. Tom would park the minivan and open up the back for the girls to sit and watch, ringing their bells and cheering me on. They looked so adorable and definitely gave me a boost. Then they went to the run turn around to give me some more energy. The only unfortunate thing is that they then had to rush to the finish line and missed my finish by minutes. I still appreciate their efforts of waking up early on a Sunday morning and putting in the extra effort to go to multple locations along the route.

Then into the run transition. Again, I had my best ever transition for T2 with a time of 1:26. My new fancy shoelaces helped with that and I am happy to report that going sockless was quite successful. Only one small blister to show for it.

The run is my nemesis and I am happy to report that I feel like I made a little progress with this. I actually ran the entire course, which is a first for me. YIPPEE. Now, don't get too excited it was still a fairly slow pace (10.16 mile) but I will take it. Especially with the big steep hill towards the end.

I still have plenty of room for improvement but am really happy with the progress I made. Unofficial final time is 1 hour 53 minutes and 26th place out of 73 women. Hoping to get one more race in this year before making goals for the off season training. Thanks so much to the Raise the Bar crew for not only a great race but for all the support and help you have given me with my journey into the world of triathlons. I never thought I would grow to love waking up at 5:00 2 mornings a week to be tortured in the pool. I am so crazy I think I will add the morning run workouts to my routine this fall.

Beach Favorites

We were at the beach last week and I am just getting time to catch my breath and post some photos. The weather wasn't what we had hoped for but we still had a great time. I especially was happy with some family photos, which is a rarity.

Along with all the of our usual beach favorite activities like wave jumping, sand castle building, tide pool exploring and kite flying we added a few new activities to our fun including kid burying, tag on the beach and the highlight of the trip bonfire and smores on the beach.

Preparations

Only 2 weeks until the first day of school. Definitely bittersweet emotions for all of us as the summer vacation quickly slips through our fingers. But one highlight is always the Back To School shopping that we are stretching out as long as possible.

Backpack shopping at REI

Then today Grandma Peggy took the girls to Target for their school supplies with lists in hand. Bonus of shopping with Grandma is they were able to sneak a few goodies into the cart too.

You know the girls are excited about their new supplies when they spend the next hour organizing

or you find them asleep with the items!

We still need to squeeze in shopping for their first day of school outfit. Traditionally, I have taken Madison on a Maddy and Mommy date night before the first day of school. This year I hope to take each girl on their own date for shopping and some special treat but looking at the calendar, I am not sure how we are going to squeeze it all in. So many things to do and so few days to get it done!

Progress

It all started with this in April

After looking like this forever

And then looking like this for the past 6 -8 weeks

Our front yard transformation is finally making some progress. I am sure our neighbors are happy to have the sandpit gone!!

We still have a LONG ways to go. Imagine a water feature, lots of new plants and trees, new windows with nice trim, new front door and getting rid of that horrendous amber window, different lighting..... It will take awhile but I think it will make a huge difference in the end. I am anxious to get the next phase underway!

And just in case you are wondering, no we did not do this portion of the project ourselves. It is a long story but lets just say that we realized we were in a bit deep and it was time to call the professionals!!

She TRI'd!!

Madison competed in her first triathlon last Saturday and had a great time. It was made more fun by having friends to do it with. A big thank you to my friend Karin for capturing the photos for us. It is a bit hard to take pictures when the memory card is in your computer at home. OOOPS!!!

Ready to start the swim in cold Lake Wilderness. Madison was really excited about the swim cap. I think it made her feel very important and professional:-)

The "swim" was 75 yards through waist - shoulder deep water. Madison could have easily swam it but said she thought it would be faster to walk because the water was deeper. Not sure that is very logical, but the majority of kids did walk. I think putting their face in the cold, murky lake water may have been a bit intimidating. Something to work on for next time!

The bike portion was next with a 2 mile ride. Our Lopez Island ride was good preparation for that. Click HERE to see a good picture of her ride.

On to the 1/2 mile run. She started out strong but then a side ache slowed her down a bit.

Congratulations and the post-race talk with daddy

Thumbs up for a fun race. I think they definitely will be doing more in the future and Nora is excited to participate too.

Lazy Days of Summer

After 3 weeks of action packed adventures the girls and I took full advantage of our clear calendar this week. Yesterday we didn't get up until almost 9:00 (I thought the day would never come when my girls learned to sleep in!!!). We had a day full of board games and crafting. Tom came home to find me cooking dinner like this

Yes, that is me barbecuing in my flannel Christmas pajamas:-)

Today was a good day lounging by the lake. I only ask, why do moms spend so much time lathering sunscreen all over their children to then not apply it to themselves???? OUCH!!!

Riding in Style

Nora has been asking for her training wheels to be taken off for awhile but we just haven't had the time to invest in the process. While camping all the kids were riding around the campsite but she didn't have a bike since she was on the tag-a-long attached with me. So she decided she wanted to borrow Levi's bike and try riding 2 wheeled. Tom took her out and within 5 minutes she was riding!! What a perfect place to learn to ride her bike. We will never forget how she learned!!