Tiiiiiiiiiiimberman 70.3 (Plus More)

I really need to stop waiting 3-4 weeks in between each blog post.

Let's see, in the last few weeks, I raced twice.  YES!  I didn't get to race much at the beginning of the season so I'm making up for lost time now!

First, I did a local sprint triathlon.  I haven't raced that short or that close to home in 3 or 4 years.  It was awesome.  Also, I out split my coach on the bike.  Goal accomplished.

I did NOT out split anyone in the swim though.  Shoulder is getting stronger but we still got a ways to go.  Also, I'd like it to be known that I did not steal this picture (I have a pet peeve about that), but that each athlete got their choice of one free one!  Cool.

1:13 isn't a very long time to race but oh man was there a lot of pain packed into that 1:13.

It was a good, fun day with my teammates and friends.

And then we rode our bikes for 3 hours after the race because Ironman is stupid.

But then we got to the post-race BBQ and all was right in the world again.

The same week/weekend of the sprint race, Kim, my sister from another mother, was visiting me.  Kim and I have been friends for the majority of my life and so it was great to have her in town and be able to hang out like old times.  She has seen me through thick and thin and been there for me every step of the way.  Super cheesy and cliche, but good, true friends really are like gold.

And of course we ate ice cream.  Duh.

The following weekend after the sprint, Kait, Matt and I loaded up the minivan and headed north to New Hampshire for Timberman 70.3.

If these two ever get sick of their third wheel, I'm in serious trouble.

I was pleased with my race in Timberman.  I don't quite know what to expect from myself these days, other than a good, hard effort.  But what I've found is that letting go of the expectations can be a very good thing.  My swim at Timberman was improved (still bad, but improved).  I biked better than I ever have and rode my way into 3rd/4th into T2.  And then, after falling to 5th on the run, I clawed my way back into 4th at mile 12 and held it to the end.  It was a strong field and I was pleased.  And most of all, it was just fun to RACE.  When the WTC restructured the pro races this year, removing pro fields from some races and thereby concentrating the fields at other races, I wasn't sure how I felt about it.  I knew it would likely mean less prize money for me.  But in reality, I absolutely love it.  Each time I've raced this year, it's been a big, strong women's field and it has been AWESOME.  Each race has felt like a RACE with people to go after and chase or try and hold off.  That is why we do this!  I race triathlon because I love to race other people and see where I stack up, not because I like to see how fast I can go in a TT effort.  Anyway, I've gotten a bit off topic, but suffice it to say, I have really enjoyed racing some great gals this season, thus far!

And if you ever get the chance to go to Timberman, do it.  Because this is where you get to race.

Post race we went to an OAR concert in Portsmouth, NH.  I had so much caffeine in my system from racing, I never skipped a beat.

After Timberman it was back home and back to work.  This past week I swam the most yards I have since breaking my shoulder - 16,200.  Yup, that's pretty pathetic!  HA!  But I also can't express how amazed I am at how well the body can heal itself.  It wasn't long ago that I could barely swim a 100 with FINS!  And this past week I did one 6K swim and also a set of 50s with ankle bands.  The amount of pain that would have caused just a few weeks ago is absolutely off the charts.  But this week my shoulder handled it with barely a squawk.  Thank you, body.  You rock.

Riding bikes in the summer.  Not a bad gig.

Also, you should know that I've become a bit obsessed with goats.  Because look how cute this is.

So when we were in Hartford, CT yesterday to speak at a QT2 continuing ed seminar, and I saw that they have a baseball team called the Yard Goats?  Well, let's just say I know who I'm rooting for from now on...

And yes, every blog post should end with a watermelon picture.  #fact