Tri-Dogmom

Every run that I go out on lately, I try to add some hills. Lately, I've been trying to find some that have more of a downhill at the end, to practice my turnover for the St. George Marathon.... I thought Iwas doing pretty darn good. Until I did THIS... 1644ft of climbing.... with the majority of the descents in the last 2 miles. A good friend Mike invited several of us that have been running together for years now up to his new home in Cottonwood, AZ. Him & his wife Susan have building this home for the past couple of years. Cottonwood is a small little town NorthWest of Phoenix. Mike wanted to take us on a new run route and enjoy some slightly cooler temps. So, Stacey, Sara & I headed up there on Saturday evening to join them. When we arrived (after several wrong turns do to the directions linked from the EVITE ) we shared some wine and started chatting. There was another couple already there, Angie & Michael. They actually came up on Friday to join Mike for

Today was Shane's surgery to repair his hernia. I'm not sure who was looking more forward to hit, him or ME? I know what it's like to have training taken away. To have to sit back and watch and support and cheer on all the people around you that are doing all the things that you want to be doing. Thankfully, S's time was only a short month. Which is FAR too long in my books. He's actually done pretty well over the past few weeks. Maybe it was because he was pretty burnt out with the training, work, new businesses ...... life. Or maybe it's because he was trying pretty hard to not make me crazy? Either way, I have to give him props. There were only a couple of times where I was ready to lock him up. Or drug him.... We headed to the hospital at 6am today. His surgery was scheduled for 8:45, so if all went well, he'd be out of there by 11ish & I would still have time to get to my real estate class (oh yah, I started real estate school this week, b

As I've mentioned before, I grew up in the Pacific Northwest. While, I wouldn't trade my home in Arizona for anything, there are some things, particularly the beauty of the area that I just can't help but miss. Being back in CDA for the Ironman reminded me just how beautiful the area is. Actually, it was even more pretty than I remembered. Maybe it was just that I hadn't been back for so long, other than a quick weekend, but I remember walking along Lakeshore drive a couple days after the race & not being able to take my eyes of the beautiful clean, clear (and glass calm) water surrounded by the huge evergreens..... Believe it or not, you can live in Phoenix where it's dry & brown over half of the year, yet still have the opportunity to drive just over an hour up North to some of the most beautiful places you'll ever see. There is Sedona and the famous Red Rocks There is Flagstaff, a small hippy -like town with outdoor adventures all over, like, Mou

I've yet to have this pulled on me...... but oh yes, it happened yesterday. And, yes... I answered... and yes, I am PAYING FOR IT TODAY! It was another afternoon with my trainer Daniel. You know, Daniel the one who doesn't train, but then can still bust out a 6:30mile 10k? Yup that's him... He ran a couple of times.... over several months, but there he was leading our relay team to 24 hours of anaerobic 10ks during the Ragnar Relay . I had a few weeks hiatus from working out with Daniel at the end of training for IM CDA . I was tired, my whole body was tired... and it was time to taper. But, believe it or not I was actually missing the torture. The feeling of legs burning, shaking, etc. And, as I signed up for the St. George Marathon with momo , and a lot of the course is downhill, I really needed to get back to strengthening my quads. With a history of IT band issues, this is essential. So, 2 weeks ago I went back to Daniel. Since I've been resting my shoulder it'

You would think after being so run down, tired and in need of a break 6 weeks ago, I'd be 'living' it up... It's just not what is going on with me. It's so weird. So not what I thought I would be like after doing an Ironman . I was sick of getting up so early, sick of not having energy or time to do anything 'fun' outside of training. Funny how things change... This weekend was a perfect example of how I NEED the training. I need the endurance exercise..... However, I like not feeling like I HAVE to do it. Friday I did a 10mile run. I did the first 7.5miles with my dogs, and it was fantastic. It was hot, of course here, but for the most part the sun was behind some clouds so it wasn't so bad. I wasn't worried about my pace, I just followed my HR, took extra stops to give the dogs water & completed the run. Later that afternoon I went to masters to swim so I could loosen my legs. S & I met for dinner that night and had a drink, pizza

I can't seem to get them posted so they look right, so here are a few links.. Pre-Race Race Morning & Swim Bike & Run Finish & Post Race

I went to pick up Mini-Me and "X" Road bike today. Unfortunately my road bike wasn't ready yet, but Mini-Me was all set..... I guess she just had a lose bracket. Total Cost $15. Now THAT might be an all time LOW $$ spent.... Of course I haven't paid for the other bike yet.... **Update** Good news, as I am writing this I just got a call from my LBS - the other bike is ready! New Bar Tape, Old fit measurements back, new chain & tune up. He said the chain was BAD, but other than that it just looks like it has not been ridden a lot lately..... Phhhewwww.... Pretty sure that will tally up to $150... The owner said it happens on Carbon Bikes, and it's a good idea, at least once a year to strip it and clean it all up, then put it back together. Sounds way over my head, which doesn't take much. About all I can do is; pump up the tires, change a tire, put some white lightening on, and hose her down. This is in fact why I have my own personal 'bike biat

of a LaPan dog... Pretty sure it's not so tough... Pretty sure they are spoiled as hell... Pretty sure they run the house.... Pretty sure they have to work hard... Pretty sure they barely even moved when I took these pictures.... And I didn't even RUN them today. Can't wait to see what it's like tomorrow after they run with me :-) This was good enough to add an extra post for today! Here we have Princess Abigail .... Yes, she thinks this is comfortable And, Sir Baxter .. He is the KING And, Sassy Pants Sara. I think she's in a coma. She sleeps, and snores with her eyes open Ok, Abby moved a LITTLE... And Baxter decided to POSE, he's cool like that multiple poses even... And Sara is still in her coma. She didn't move....

So, many of you are going to think this is corny, but I.don't.care!!!! You all know about mini-me, the super fast, super small QR. She's my girl. Well, today I finally got my butt outside to take her for a ride. The first time since I got her back from Tri Bike Transport. Well, I for some odd reason decided to ride up Via Linda Hill.... at 7am... when it was already 90 degs and climbing. Sometimes I just don't learn.... But, anyway.... When I stood up to climb she started screaming at me. Like, Sit your FAT A@@ down, I'm going to fall apart kind of scream. So, I listened.. and she shut up. That is... until I stood up AGAIN. We tried this several more times, until I finally quit pissing her off and just stayed in the saddle, spinning up hill in my granny gear. So, I was planning on taking my road bike into the shop anyway. She (or he) is in desperate need of some TLC. Poor thing sits in the garage, while the fancy new tri -bike gets a place in my office. The only time

Don't I have the BEST FANS EVER?!?!?!?! P.S. I'm working on creating a slideshow ..... But for now, Stacey & Dave THIS one is for YOU!!!

Current Temp for Scottsdale, Az 105deg Current Temp for Coeur d'Alene , Id 88deg See what I'm saying? There is just nothin else to be said for Phoenix right now. Hot. Hot... and some more Hot.... This am, Stacey came up to meet the dogs and I for a run. Shane decided to try to join us for some of it, but well, lets just say that didn't go so well. I think he made it about 20yards before turning around. He saw the doc yesterday, and will be having surgery to repair the hernia in a couple of weeks. Pretty sure he's ready to exercise. Pretty sure I'm ready for him to exercise too :-) I bet he had fun when I was injured for 3 years.... Anyway - Stacey arrived at 5:30am. As I opened the door to let her in it was like a freaking sauna out there. Usually you have to step outside the door to get the total feel for it, but not today. A few minutes earlier I had gone to weather.com. It said 92degrees. I thought, oh, something must be wrong and that's fro

As a last minute decision, I just registered for the AFC Half Marathon in beautiful San Diego. The race takes place on August 18 th , and will be a perfect training race for St. George. The race starts at Cabrillo National Monument, and ends in Balboa Park. The first 5miles are rolling downhill, cool, shaded and FAST. Then, you have a couple of flat miles along the water, as you make your way back through town and up to Balboa Park. The race ends with a 1.25mile UPHILL stretch starting at about mile 11.5-12.75. It's tough. A lot of people blow up on this section of this race. I've done this race twice before. Once, I was still in denial of my IT band Injury and the severity of it. At about mile 7 my knee started hurting and I had to walk run the rest of the way. I think my finish time was about 2:14..... Right before the big hill there were folks offering up beer & M&Ms. I almost took some. I guess I should have... Then next year I registered, I actually wa

Can anyone argue that a good run, must also entail a good running outfit? Well, I can't - and, as my dear friend Tonsa would say, "It's ALL about the GEAR!" Not only would Tonsa display it, but she would OWN! What I wouldn't give to raid her workout closet...... I have to admit that lately, now that I'm working from home and no longer have to dress to impress anyone, I am much more inclined to hit the Nike Store, Sports Authority & browse the sale racks at Nordstrom for workout attire vs Anne Taylor, The Gap and Banana Republic. I'm pretty sure I've even spent more on sports bras and new socks than my usual obsession of the latest cute shoes (3"heel minimum of course). But, IRONMAN has brought this addiction to a WHOLE new level. I think that my race jitters were actually overcome by my excitement to hit the Event Store at the Ironman Village. In fact, as soon as we checked into our house it was the first thing we (let by ME) did! An ho