Introducing the Crew - Part III

This is Firemark's AC Cobra - we call her Essie.

Essie is the newest member of the crew and technically, she is Grumpy's agility dog. She has boundless energy, turned 6 months old this week, and learned to swim today.

2011 Splash & Dash Weekend Series - 1 Mile Swim/3 Mile Run Race

This was a well organized training race with 1 mile swim, 1 mile swim + 3 mile run, 2 mile swim, and 2 mile swim + 6 mile run options. I chose the 1 mile swim + 3 mile run option for more OW swim practice to improve my sighting and more practice at bricks. I hadn't tappered for this race and I ran Shelby at the agility show the day before. My legs were already tired.

There was no age or gender separation for either group -- all the 2 milers lumped together and all the 1 milers lumped together. The 2 milers went first and we went 10 minutes later. I thought maybe I could hang on to the feet of one of 1 miler guys but, as the horn sounded, the bodies crushed together and the negative voice in my head was screaming. By the time it cleared up there was no one near me -- they were far to the left or far to the right. I was going to have to do this on my own.

As I got to the first turn buoy, I finally found my rythmn and the negative voice in my head shut up. From then on, it was stroke, glide, stroke, glide, sight, rinse and repeat. I got to the boat dock and click my Garmin marking the entry into transition. However, it seemed like I hadn't clicked it hard enough so I clicked again. My transition was 2:15 which is the fastest I've done yet.

As I left for the run, I clicked my Garmin again and that was it for the timing on the Garmin. I had planned to try to go hard on this and was doing fine early on. And then, the heat got me. I hate heat. 75 is hot for a run - no, don't argue with me - it's hot. I managed to get to the turn around point and some where out at mile 2, I heard a very friendly voice - "Good job runner", "Good job team <>", etc. She kept going and when she finally passed me, I decided to keep her in sight. As the finish line came into view, we exchanged encouragement and went on the attack -- ok, SHE went on the attack. I just got it done.

I ended up 5th in my AG! Solidly in the middle of my age group which is where I'm shooting for this year. It's all good.

Introducing the Crew - Part II

This is Hall's Canine Armada Shelby Cobra RE, PDI, PKII, CL3,CGC - we call her Shelby.

At almost 4 years old, Shelby is not a morning dog and can be obsessive about tennis balls and don't even mention water. But she tries hard to please even if she can't figure out what I want sometimes.

Introducing the Crew - Part I

This is C-ATCH2 Hall's Canine Armada Razzmatazz RE, PKII, PJII, CGC - we call her Tazzy.

At 8 years old, Tazzy is the gentle alpha of the crew. She loves agility, hiking, and cuddling. If you're feeling down, she's there to give you a hug.

You've got to start some where...

The idea of doing this blog came to me during my last GYN visit. I was 2 days away from doing my first Duathlon and didn't want to do the TDAP booster in case it made me a little ill. She was shocked that at 50, I was doing such a thing. She said many of her patients come to her saying life is almost over! Really? I never got the memo that life was over at 50. Far from it. The older I get, the more fun and adventures I have.

Yes, there are a lot of blogs out there dealing with the "normal" triathlete. How about the Grand Masters out there?

So, I guess this blog will chronicle the adventures of an aging wanna be triathlete and her adventures with her Golden Retrievers. I hope it inspires you at whatever age you are.