HORNETS ROCK

'nuff said.

It's late, the Hornets won their first playoff game, and I have to....i mean i get to run and swim...again...in the morning!

Test...Test 1, 2, 3

Another great training weekend - ending up with a good strong long run on somewhat tired legs -and topped it off with the Pelicanman Duathlon down in whats left of St. Bernard Parish where Louisiana literally drops off into the Gulf of Mexico...
The morning started out humid and suprisingly a little cool as Ryan and I got to the race site way early. The only other cars on the pre-dawn road were hauling boats to launch. Immediatley we got the "OFF" out to spray the 4 hundred mosquitoes that attacked us as soon as we opened the car doors (gotta love the swamp). There are still some flying around in my car this evening!! so anyway, we both wanted to run long today and I thought it would be fun to do a small local race too (a 2-10-2...and for those of you not into the lingo, that would be a 2mile run, 10 mile bike, 2 mile run). But in order to "get" to do the fun thing - I had to get the more serious stuff in first - and thats why we were there so early...at least so I could hang out afterwards for some beer and chee-weez. The pelicanman duathlon has been around for a long time and I began going to their races in 2002 when I began my journey in triathlon - and I raced as a "Big Chick" there for the first 2 years. Ooh, it was ugly!! But, like I told someone there today - we all start somewhere - and the slower we are, the more room we have to grow. and don't I know it....

So the race went off without a hitch, and I had a great time regardless of the training I had already done this morning and the brick the day before. I wasn't far off the lead, 1st female - 5th overall - and the kicker - I felt great the whole way. It was a great test to see where I am, and I'm happy with it so far. It just seems like my run has been much easier latley - I mean, it's still hard, but it's more comfortable - if that makes any sense! I just have a lot more confidence running these days - no doubt from the training I've been getting in. I look forward to when I get to taper for a big race and see what I can really uncover....

After the race, we went to the Hornets Game in the city- these games have been great lately. A lot of excitement and fun to watch and be a part of...and a great way to break up the monotony of eat, sleep, train, coach, eat...now off to sleep...

Pancakes and Beer

Yummmyyyy

I don't know what came over me.....

Ryan went off to the hornets game and I spent my Friday evening alone cleaning up around the house and unpacking (yes, still) and I just had one of those cravings. not the healthiest dinner, but it was sure good!


I got some good news from my friend and supporter Chris Boggs (http://www.tri-ingfatman.blogspot.com/) - he and his wife Amanda are coming to St. Anthony's to watch me and Phillipe in our first big race of the year. If you don't know Chris, you need to check out his blog - he has struggled with weight his whole life and has lost a lot (145 lbs) so far and stll looks to lose more. He had hit many a road block in his attempts, but has pushed through and is finally seeing the positive results of his perseverence. I can totally relate - I must have quit smoking a hundred times before i finally managed to pull it off...


anyway...off to ride this morning...

Weekend with ZOOT

What a fun weekend at camp - great to meet everyone else on the Zoot Ultra Triathlon Team (at least those who made the trip to Carlsbad) and the top Brass at Zoot . We spent the majority of the time in meetings and presentations of product from Zoot and some of the associated team sponsors - Gu, Suunto, Scott, and Fuel Belt. We also took some solo and team pictures - here's hoping my lovley "hat-head" doesn't show too badly.....I'm not optimistic about that... :-)
The highlight of the weekend was learning more about Zoot - how it began, where it came from, and how it has grown over the past 25 years into the most dominant triathlon apparrel company in the world. It was especailly great to learn about the new shoe line and the construction of these tri-specific shoes and what went into their design and purpose. I also learned a lot about the WetZoot - and that when i tried one on a year back, it was actually too big, and that's why the water got in !!! I know that sounds stupid.....and I guess I could have figured that out if i tried on a small - but i never guessed I would fit in a small anything, much less a wetsuit made to fit someone who weighs a max of 120lbs.(I'm 130) - so i didnt even considder it. but it fit me after all, and although the chart reads a max height of 5'7", it also fit another girl who was a thin and tall 5'9". so why am i telling you this?? well, if you are loking for a new wetsuit, and you give the WetZoot a try - think small - especially if you are between sizes. I think this will give you the best result and a comfy fit.
anyway, I'm not trying to sell you anything (ok, maybe a little...)......but those were just some of the many things i took from the day.
4 days in California, and for four days I ate mexican at least once. Man, they do it right out there. Here in Louisiana, it seems mexican and grease go hand in hand. But out there, mexican and fresh go together. Everything I ate was so good - and I never guessed I could have eaten mexican that often and had my tummy not go sour! That would never happen here. Everything I ate out there felt healthy - even the Pizza! I still can't get over it.
On monday it was finally time to say farewell to the cool dry air and head home to the sticky muggies - a long day waiting in the LA airport with a 3 hour layover and a midnight arrival in new orleans. It was back to reality after a nice break - back to training and daily life as I know it. I jumped right back into a hard day on tuesday, and was quickly reminded that I had been sick and my lungs were still not normal. I guess I hoped the time in Cali would completely cure me....i was wrong. These things take time and patience - more than just getting rid of a cold....But i do think the trip helped overall. I am definately motivated to train harder and am more excited about the year and the opportunities I've been given. I have been truly blessed....
So this morning, after 12 hours of sleep on wednesday and some lower intensity stuff since, it's now friday - and this is the first day my resting HR is back to normal. Life is GOOD.