The Coldest, Snowiest Winter

Everyone in the midwest is fed up with this winter, and I'm at the front of the line standing there with my picket sign which says: "Please, Bring me Some Warmth".

I have been out twice on the Katy Trail in the last month as we have had two breaks in the weather.

The Katy Trail is very muddy right now, and hard to push through. Still, it was good exercise. 

My bike alone by the tree- nothing is alive or green now. It's pretty desolate out there, but it is good to be in the sun, for any amount of time possible during this time of the year. 

I'll keep everyone posted on when Biking Club will meet again, however, I'm thinking things will get going again after Spring Break at ASH. 

Number 326

In an effort to update my blog, I will tell you about something crazy I did on August 24th:


I completed my first triathlon ever just 7 days after my 40th birthday. I didn't want to blog about it when I was training for this triathlon last summer, because honestly I wasn't quite sure I could finish. I can't believe I am posting this picture either, however, you have to remember that was taken after 3 hours and 55 minutes, some of which was in the lake, and the latter of which was spent running in sweltering heat. So, I'll give myself a break on the 'au natural' look.

Last summer, my younger brother (by 8 years) started his first triathlons. He did a few in spring, and I'll admit that I got a little jealous. I wasn't necessarily jealous of 'him' I will just say that I was inspired by what he was doing, and I wanted some of the thunder. (Plus, my parents were giving him a lot of attention.) I had an generally adequate base for everything and just went with the attitude that the worst thing that could happen would be that I would have to quit somewhere along the race. It seemed like the worst case scenario of not being able to finish, wasn't that bad, and I went with the goal of wanting to finish with integrity and not be completely wiped out in the end.

I wish I had written about it a little sooner than this point (Feb 2014), as it would have been fresh in my mind. This triathlon was probably the hardest thing I have ever done, besides of course delivering two babies.

My foot gives me trouble, but it held out all summer up until the race and I hope I can be this blessed in 2014 because I want to do it again. I'm addicted now.

I ended up finishing most definitely in the latter part of the race, however, I was really proud that I did something so magnanimous. I felt like afterwards I could do pretty much anything.

The stats:

Long Course Distance (Olympic Distance Triathlon): .93 mile swim/ 24 mile bike/ 6.2 mile run

Number of Finishers : 315
Number of Females: 83
Number of Males: 227
Average time: 3:03:47

11/13 in my age group and total time: 3:55:53


Then, I did the Rec-Plex Triathlon the next month which I will tell you was about 1000x easier.

The stats:
The course: 500 meter swim/ 21 mile bike/ 5 mile run
Number of finishers: 236

12/16 in my age group and Finishing time: 2:45


* I am really hoping and praying that my foot holds out for next season as right now it is really hurting through the long, cold winter.