INSPIRATIONal words

Flipping through a Chicago sport magazine, I came across a Cannondale advertisement (kinda' partial to this brand). The ad: "Test Ride Reason #40: It Has Heart, Ready To Attack." I tend to be a sucker for inspiring words, mantras & quotes.

A few years ago, watching a Navy Seal documentary, one man interviewed said "mind before matter - if you don't mind it doesn't matter." This quote inspired us through several long marathon seasons.

Back in high school, our swim coach used a visualizing technique combined with a self selected buzz word. His intent - to power us through our race. Kirstin's buzz word: "SNICKERS." Yes, the candy bar! But don't laugh, she qualified for state & maintains a huge sweet tooth. Curious about her ironman word/quote? Ideas are welcomed!

Anyway, we're in need of buzz words & suggestions to power us through the next several weeks of our training.

joining the club

This morning we completed our second 56 mile ride on the Racine 1/2 Ironman course. While we didn't master the course, we definitely improved from our first ride. We didn't end our ride with an empty parking lot. We're speeding up! We were part of the fast bunch of the slow group. VICTORY! Maybe not, but we're feeling much better about our cycling progress. And now that we're feeling more comfortable, it's time for aerobars. We're going to look more tri-spiffy, and that's what is important to us :)

Highlights:
-During our Saturday morning ride, we passed a large group of Harley riders. The most bad a*& looking riders of the bunch waved at us (in their cool way). Love of the open rode, fresh air...I guess we have something in common with them. And of course, we're "cool," too.
- Walking 4 miles on Saturday with our mom & younger sister.

Learnings:
-Our cheap (functioning) bike rack doesn't remain attached over bumpy train tracks. We almost endured a major catastrophe - thank goodness the bikes didn't drag on the ground & there wasn't a driver following us!
-Red vines are power fuel candy
-Warm Accelerade isn't the most enjoyable drink

i can't...i have to workout

WOW...an intense week! Following an impressive Sat. & Sun., we turned up the heat. Pay close attention to Wednesday - 3 hour 40 minutes.

RECAP
Monday - a.m. bike (1 h 25 m)
Tuesday - a.m. swim (1 h) & p.m. run (1 h 10m)
Wednesday - a.m. bike (1 h 40 m) p.m. run (1 h) swim (1 h)
Thursday - run (1 h 45 m)
Friday -with full intentions to swim - we changed our plans due to pool over crowding. Plan B - relax outside over a cup of coffee. It was worth it.

Tonight we're off to Wisconsin to celebrate our father's 61st birthday. We'll see the nutritional effects of a true Friday night fish fry. Tomorrow (Saturday) - BRICK - bike...run...swim. Then, on Sunday, riding the Racine 1/2 ironman course - 56 miles.

GO 140.6isters!

"it's not easy"

time: 3:10:23 total distance: 31.9815 miles

Bigfoot was our triathlon season's kickoff. We shaved 23 (LONG) minutes off our last year's time! We should have since we've been training for an ironman & have road bikes (versus mountain bikes). Not as strong as we would have liked, but coming off a 3 hour 50 minute ride...not bad.

Today's quote: "it's not easy."

max speed 33.7

Today's accomplishment: completing our LONG RIDE! We were worried with this morning's rain, clouds & thunder as well as weather.com's report of continous t-showers. However, once the sky cleared up - we began pedaling.


RESULTS
Time: 3:49:46
Distance: 49.95 miles
Average Speed: 13mph
Max Speed: 33.7 mph (faster than posted speed limit signs)

As for the dog walker who yelled & the grandpa-like driver who beeped - (because we're uncertain about your frustration) we'll view this as signs of support & encouragement...thank you!

what's up?

After hours of frustration, online research, negotiations, and contacting our local multisport store (who were also out of our desired wetsuits - not surprisingly); our expensive purchase was finally & officially accomplished. PHEW! On Wednesday (6.18.08) we purchased a Blue Seventy 2008 Reaction wetsuit from an online retailer for $269.10 (10% discount, no tax, shipping and/or handling). The cutest part they created our own personal promotional code - "Brittany08." Now, we anxiously await the arrival of our wetsuits; unfortunately, not in time for this weekend's Bigfoot Triathlon. Therefore, we won't be sporting wetsuits making us look (hence feel) unprepared & inadequate for the swim portion. All we know - it's gonna be CHILLY!

A quick recap from 2007 Bigfoot Triathlon. We participated in the Olympic distance - 1.5K swim, 40K cycle, 10K run. The 10K run was a hilly trail run which we considered difficult & long, 10K run = 6.21 mile run. It wasn't until March 2008 we learned the course was incorrectly marked - actually the run was over 8 miles. Hopefully, this year they get the mileage right...go GPS systems! Last year we finished in 3:33.05 (we're not time focused; however with running fewer miles - time is on our side).

Kudos to Kirstin for a hard training week! Unlike Britt (who began her 10 1/2 summer break) - Kirstin continues to work full time, crazily train, & remain motivated (with a gigantic SMILE :) I'm impressed!

For this weekend's crosstown classic: GO CUBBIES...make us northsiders proud!

ok...we're swimming naked

After contacting 2 more online companies, I GIVE UP! I know your asking, "Why not purchase a 2008 wetsuit which fit perfectly & be done?" Because that's not our style, we're bargain shoppers, deal finders, obsessive researchers (at least that describes Kirstin) & we typically get our way.

My advice to future wetsuit purchasers: order clearance wetsuit in the fall (off season)!