My September

I know that a lot of people write all about their workout summaries every month.  I wish I had something stellar to write in regard to fitness, but well, I don't.  I've biked a little.  I've swam once.  I even ran a little on Saturday, but I'll get to that.  So, here's what's been happening in my world. Grab a cold one... it's been a busy month!

REV3 Cedar Point

Tom raced the full at REV3 Cedar Point.  I was supposed to race the half, but since I couldn't run or swim, by default I became a cheerleader for the day.  I had a freaking blast.  We got up there Thursday, putzed around Friday, went to the amusement park (although I couldn't ride the rides, but had fun walking around with everyone) had some people over Friday night for dinner, Saturday got Tom and his teammates and my friends ready for the race, met up with my awesome Trakkers teammates, and then Sunday spent the day screaming my head off for all of my friends.  I'm so blessed to be surrounded by such inspiring people.  Holy smokes they did awesome!  It was so fun to hang out with Annie, Kelly, my family, and Heather's mom, and then as everyone finished, to have them join the party.  It was by far one of the best events I've spectated (and believe it or not, I have spectated my fair share).  I was a little bummed that I didn't get to race, but cheering was SO fun that I got over it quickly!  I'm so happy that I got to see Matt, Heather and Kristin finish their firsts.  It was fun to cheer Tom on to his 5th finish.  My teammates did amazing as did Tom's. And REV3 - kudos to you for a spectacular race.  Everyone I talked to has loved it!  And I got to finish with my hubby... what more could I ask for?

 

Interbike
After getting back from Cedar Point, Tom and I turned around and flew to Vegas for a few days.  We went to Interbike.  I have some thoughts on Interbike.  So everyone told me that it would be the most amazing experience in the world and that I needed to sneak my camera in there to see all the technology that is going to be introduced in 2012.  I had my expectations set high... probably a bit too high.  Although it was cool, and it was overwhelming in terms of "stuff" to see, it wasn't all the latest and greatest that I thought it would be.  It was very retail oriented... in that all of the exhibits had mini conference rooms set up so that a retailer could have a one on one meeting with the brand, order stuff, etc.  I could have taken pictures (it was banned, but EVERYONE was), but honestly, there wasn't much that I HAD to have pictures of.  I walked out knowing that I do, in fact, love my Kestrel 4000 Pro - not that I was ever questioning that. :)  Vegas was super fun though... I stuck to the penny slots and played for 3 days on very little money!

Fitness
Okay, so I'm still healing.  It's going to be a looooong process.  Tom drained my leg (gross, I know, but I couldn't take it anymore) but I still have a lump there and a big ole' divet and lump on my back.  I've been biking since two days after my accident and actually went out with Keith last week to bike for a while.  It was awesome to catch up with him.  We both decided to brave the Thursday night ride together this past Thursday.  It was a bit eerie to be out with the group, but I'm so glad that I went.  And they are such an amazing group - decided we would "conquer some demons" by bringing Keith and I to the accident scene.  As we passed over the dip in the road that caused it all (thankfully I have answers now), we totally missed the chalk outlines of Keith and I that a few in the group had taken the time to draw earlier that day, complete with Keith's glasses and my ponytail.  We turned around as a group and inspected the "crime scene".  Keith and I are good for some entertainment and he and I both laughed a lot about it.  Glad that we're at that point now! :)  I feel like my confidence grows more and more on the bike!

Akron Marathon
Yesterday was the Akron Marathon. First, let me just say that this is the most amazing marathon - top notch in EVERY sense!  I can't rave enough about it and if you are looking for a great course, great expo, great swag, a race director that shakes EVERY ONE'S hand as they finish, amazing organization from start to finish and an all around great time, do this one! Okay, so I was scheduled to run the full and decided that I'd walk the half.  On Friday night, I bandaged up my body and realized that with everything securely in place, I could run with very little pain.  This was HUGE!  In my fit of excitement, I decided that maybe I'd try to run walk the full.  Thankfully I texted Matty-O because we were going to meet he and Heather in the morning (they were doing the half) and he talked some sense into me.  He told me that Heather would walk the half with me.  I was super excited to have the company.  So Saturday, I bandaged everything up, met up with Heather and we started running.  I was freaking running.  We made it about 4 miles and then both she and I started to have some pains here and there.  So we run/walked the rest of the way.  And let me tell you - I freaking hurt.  Walking is so much harder than running.  But, I finished and was so excited. Tom cranked out his second fastest marathon every (just two weeks after a 140.6).  The perfect way to celebrate his birthday. I'm now putting Chicago back on my calendar in two weeks.  I can't run the whole thing - because of fitness and the injuries, but I'm going to finish that darn race.  You just watch me!






So, that's my last month in a nutshell.  It's getting crazy around here... I'm super behind on blogs and will try my hardest to get caught up soon.  :)

***  oh... one last thing.  Are you interested in being part of an amazing triathlon team?  Team Trakkers is going to be Team REV3 Racing next year and they are accepting applications for new teammates.  Let me just tell you - I've been part of other sponsored teams before and they don't even compare to the awesomeness of our team.  We are truly like a family and I've met some of the most amazing athletes and more importantly friends from being part of the team.  I'll be back next year and can't wait to see some of you at the races!  Visit this link if you are interested in applying:  http://rev3tri.com/news/rev3-is-now-accepting-applications-for-our-age-group-team/

Proud wife

We had an amazing weekend in Cedar Point.  I laughed, I cried, I screamed like a wild woman.  It was awesome!  I will post pictures and whatnot when I can.  But, I have some important things coming up... like and MRI this afternoon on my back (hoping to get some answers!!!) and then I'M GOING TO VEGAS BABY!!!  Heading out for a little R&R and some Interbike.  So, I promise to post tons of pictures from both, as well as try to catch up with blogs as soon as I get home.

But I leave you with this... yeah, I'm a proud wife!

Team Type 1 Announces Ten Athletes with Type 1 Diabetes Will Embark on 3,000 Mile Cross Country Run From Oceanside, CA to New York City

Athletes will run 24 hours per day in relay format to finish on World Diabetes Day, November 14, 2011

ATLANTA -- 

Team Type 1, a global sports organization dedicated to radically changing the lives of people around the world with diabetes, today announced ten runners from its world class athletic program will undertake an ambitious 3,000 mile run across America. Powered by global healthcare leader SANOFI, supporting partner of the organization’s racing teams totaling more than 100 athletes, the run is an initiative devoted to spreading the message of better health through proper diabetes management, increasing awareness of the growing diabetes crisis in the U.S. and promoting prevention through exercise. It is the first-ever such effort by a team of runners with diabetes.

The trek will begin on Friday, October 28, 2011 in Oceanside, CA and will continue in a relay style from coast-to-coast. Running 24-hours per day, through varying weather and terrain. The team’s goal is to complete the journey in New York City around World Diabetes Day on November 14, 2011.

In 2005, Team Type 1 took on the Race Across America (RAAM), and has since won the event dubbed “The World’s Toughest Bicycle Race,” four times with a team of type 1 cyclists. Team Type 1 holds the record for the fastest trans-continental crossing in just five days, nine hours and three minutes.

“Since the inception of Team Type 1, our athletes with diabetes have been shattering the limits of what is possible,” said CEO & Founder Phil Southerland. “We’re so proud of our athletes for dreaming big and taking on the run of a lifetime in an effort to inspire others living with this disease. We are also promoting exercise as a measure to prevent Type 2 diabetes and better manage Type 1 diabetes. We can’t wait to watch them cross the finish in NYC. Our organization, fans and friends around the globe will be cheering
them on.”

Led by Tom Kingery, a four-time Ironman competitor and Director of the Team Type 1-SANOFI Running & Triathlon teams, the 10-man roster includes athletes whose accomplishments span top finishes in the Ironman World Championships, the New York City Marathon, the Boston Marathon, multiple ultra-marathon events and an NCAA Final Four Soccer Champion.

The full Team Type 1 roster includes the following:
Tom Kingery, Delaware, OH
Casey Boren, Boise, ID
Brian Foster, East Amherst, NY
Tom Grossman, Midland, MI
Ryan Jones, Morrisville, PA
Jon Obst, Kennesaw, GA
Matt Patrick, Larchmont, NY
Kevin Powell, Verona, NJ
Ben Semeyn, Rockford, MI
Eric Tozer, Los Angeles, CA

“We are thrilled to have an unparalleled team of endurance athletes for our first ever run across the country,” said Team Director Tom Kingery. “These accomplished runners are not only amazing athletes but they are great people and role models in the diabetes community. They carry with them a powerful message of empowerment that instills hope and inspiration in those struggling to live a positive and healthy life with diabetes. We are very excited for this challenge and the opportunity to spread the message of hope from California to New York City.”

The running team will be backed by several partners including SANOFI, VSP Vision Care, Newton Running Footwear, ShareCare, Hammer Nutrition, RoadID and the American Diabetes Association NYC Chapter. All will play a major role in ensuring that the Team Type 1 runners receive proper care during the 15-day haul.

To learn more about Team Type 1 and the Run Across America Team, visit www.teamtype1.org and connect on Facebook or Twitter. The Team Type 1 runners also plan to hold a meet & greet event during the Chicago Marathon on October 8^th and 9^th, details will be available at www.teamtype1.org in the coming weeks.

An update

Why hi there... yes, it has been a while.  The last time we spoke, I told you about a bike crash.  So many of you have asked how I am (which I am so very blessed to have so many caring people in my life).  I figured I might as well give you an update.

First and foremost, I'm good.  On the mend.  Some days I feel like it's slower than hoped, but really, we can't all be super picky can we?   I wish I could say that the swelling and bruising has subsided, but it hasn't... to the point where I'm a little concerned and heading to the doctor in the morning. I was going to post pictures, but my husband advised against it.  I think he knows best.  Let's just say that my upper thigh ranges in colors from red, purple, blue, green and yellow and my back is kind of the same.  Remember hypercolor shirts (am I dating myself because I used to think those were super cool and thinking about them now... gross?  They changed color when your body got warm.  So places like your armpits were always a different color.  Or under your boobs.  Luckily I didn't have to worry about that when they were in style - phew... that makes me feel a little better).  In any event, that's kind of what my "spots" remind me of.  And of course they have all kinds of weird marks in them because I've been icing, or wear clothes that used to fit but are a little tighter now due to the swelling.  It pushes all that "stuff" around.  Anyway... I'm getting off topic.

Because of the location of the two impact points (my thigh and my lower back), sleeping has been uncomfortable.  Which makes me cranky.  And I can't confirm or deny that I haven't cried more than once looking at myself because, well, it's not pretty.  I used to cringe at the permanent white tri suit I wear (does anyone else don one of these?) and now I wish that's what I was looking at. I have to keep reminding myself that these aren't permanent (cause that white tri suit doesn't ever go away...)

But then I think about it and I'm pretty damn lucky.  Nothing is broken.  I didn't lose layers and layers of skin from skidding across the pavement, which burn every time I shower. Heck, my clothes didn't even rip (although Tom doesn't want me to wash my jersey because of the cool crank mark implanted on the back of it).  My brand new Kestrel that I love so dearly - one little scratch on the brakes and Oval bars (always fall under the bike so that it doesn't get damaged... you can heal, carbon can't).  So why am I getting all crappy about the way I look?  So vain...

I guess I'm a little bummed that a week out, I haven't bounced right back.  The trainer riding is going fine, but no chance I could run or swim.  That's a bit rough because of the half marathon that I was hoping to run this weekend.  I think I'm going to walk it because the medal is kind of cool.  Oh my gosh though... have you ever walked a half marathon?  Yikes... I may need a stiff-drink after that! :)  And the REV3 Cedar Point half is still up in the air.  I guess we'll see what the next week brings.  I might be a cheerleader the entire day.  And if you know me, I'll have a blast doing that too.  :)

I'm not looking for sympathy because it's all a little pathetic, the way I'm feeling.  I know that.  But this is me... being honest.  Next time, I hope to have a better update!

Oh... and all of you asked about Keith.  I know he reads this blog (he said my last post actually helped him piece some things together about it all).  He's doing awesome and I can't thank you enough for your extra thoughts and prayers for him.  No broken bones after all for him (which is shocking).  Already has the stitches out from under his eye.  Nice little shiner though.  And lots of bruises and road rash.  He was clear to get back on his bike once he feels up to it.  He said that he doesn't remember anything after thinking he was going to hit me which quite honestly I'm thankful for.  I know that he and I will soon ride again together.  Probably side by side. But for now...we're healing together and I know that I'm glad to have him as a friend! :)

August randoms

I swear I'm going to go to bed tonight and wake up tomorrow and it'll be December.  Seriously, how can I make time slow down???  Ack...

And because of this, you get some bullet points (you know you love my random bullets!)

• Training is kind of catching up with me.  A little.  We had a 40 mile run week this past week (along with two swims and three bikes) and by today's run, it wasn't totally pretty.  I may or may not have thrown a little fit and told the hubby that I wanted to finish my last 2.5 miles alone because I was frustrated.  Um, yeah.  Sorry about that Brady... you know I love you.  But in my defense, I had a bad night's sleep and it was 12:30 pm and hot.  I don't handle that well.
• So when I started overheating, Tom tells me to take my shirt off (get your mind out of the gutters... I had a sports bra on of course).  I'm still not there... I still struggle with body image issues.  I know I shouldn't care... I mean hell, I'm running through neighborhoods where IF we see anyone, they are out smoking on the porch and probably haven't run 9 miles in their entire life, but I just can't bring myself to do it.  I hate being self conscious.  It's a downfall of mine.
• With that being said, I bought jeans yesterday in a size smaller than I wore last year!  One of two things will happen... I'll be rocking my smaller jeans all year or I'll be stuffed like a sausage in them when my training decreases.  Talk about motivation to not gain weight in the off season.  
• Said jeans were only $15 too... of course I bought two pairs because they were a size smaller so cheap.
• I have some kick butt athlete friends.  A bunch of people raced at USAT AG Nationals this weekend.  I know that Jamie and Shannon both PRed their races - you guys rock!  My dear friend Tracy won her age group, her hubby Jim came in third in his and their son Zach came in seventh in his.  All of them are heading to New Zealand next year (and both Tracy and Jim are racing in Beijing this September for Team USA and they both raced in Budapest last year for Team USA and Tracy won her age group... yeah, she's a world champion). Congrats Team Austome!  And then there's Jen... Miss Jen rocked her first 70.3 and then posted pictures on Facebook of her chumming it up with the one and only Chrissie Wellington, who happened to love Jen's "I pee on my bike shirt".  Love it!
• I can't imagine not being able to be up and about. I'm visiting my friend Sarah tomorrow in the hospital.  Sarah's pregnant with twins (her first kids), who aren't due until the middle of November.  She was put on bedrest IN THE HOSPITAL until she delivers - they are hoping she can make it until mid-October.  Oh boy.  I'm bringing her lunch, as well as all of the magazines that I can find in my house that I've already read.  Can you imagine being in a hospital for multiple months at a time?  Poor thing... please keep her in your thoughts.
• Will you leave me a comment and let me know if you are a.) going to be at Cedar Point or b.) racing in the next few weeks.  I need to make a list for my own reference.
• Oh... and Cedar Point - for those of you going, are you planning on doing the park on Friday?  All the cool kids are (aka, Tom and I). Hahaha... we'd love to meet up with you and scream like 10 year old girls on the roller coasters.

That's all I've got...

Did I make the right choice?

We have 27 days until the half Rev at Cedar Point.  More than one person has asked me if I'm happy with my decision to switch from the full to the half.  Heck, I've asked myself if I'm happy that I switched many times over.  And the answer is always the same.

Yep.

Now I'd be lying if I said that I didn't feel like a bit of a failure at times.  I started something and I'm not finishing it.  And how much of a hypocrite am I for preaching that times will get tough but you can get through them to all of my friends that have been or are training for their first, second, tenth Ironman?  I know all about the peaks and valleys, the walls that need to be overcome.  It's probably 75% mental. I know first hand how hard Ironman training can be and that yes, sacrifices need to be made, times will be tough, but in the end, there's no greater glory than crossing that finish line.  It all comes together.

So how can I be happy with my decision?

I know that my heart wasn't in it, I wouldn't have been able to honestly give it everything it deserved.  I have done the Ironman training and races three times now... I have a HUGE amount of respect for the distance - enough to know when I'd be foolish to half ass my way through it.  I'm loving training right now.  I still do long stuff - 40 miles of running planned this week, a 17 mile run last week that was by far the best run I've had in a loooong time, 85 miles on the bike last Sunday, etc..  But I'm doing things on my time because I want to, not because I have to.  I'm going into the half in better shape than I've ever been, and I know that my fitness will carry me to the finish line, and then to the finish line of the two marathons in the following 4 weeks, and then to the goofy in January.

And while I guess I could feel like a schmuck for telling people not to give up when the going gets tough, I feel like I've finally made a smart decision that will help me in the future.

I mean, Ironman Florida 2012 is already in my mind and I'm going to blow the socks off that race.   

Teetering is over and other tidbits

Thanks so much for everyone's comments on my Teeter-tottering post.  It was amazing how many of you said to go with the full! :)  Easy for you to say, right?  Now, I'm kidding.  I thought about it a lot and I'm following my heart and gut and sticking with the half.  I really do want a year to just recharge and I have some things lined up for 2012 that I'm super excited about.  Not to mention a crazy fall ahead of me.  So I'll do the half at Cedar Point (which means that for all of you doing the full, oh yeah, my cheering is going to be super obnoxious!), and then I'll run both the Akron and Chicago Marathons.  I'm really excited about things and can't thank you all for your support.

So, for the other tidbits of info...

Today I ran 135 laps around the track at my gym.  Ha, talk about monotony... it wasn't too bad, but holy crap, why do the personal trainers have to be such numbnuts?  Tom and I were running for a while... you knew that. You saw us. Why did you have to do your boxing lesson on the middle of the track?  Really?  It's a two story gym and on a Sunday, you couldn't find a single other place to do that?  Humph...

I have a girl's trip planned to Panama City Beach with Mandy (Caratunkgirl) and Kristin (Ocular Triathlete).  Um...yeah, I'm super excited!  We have already had a blast planning it, got a condo on the beach, will be cheering our butts off at IMFL for our friends and all the complete strangers.  I'm sure there will be multiple adults beverages consumed and maybe even a trio of airbrushed teeshirts purchased.  PCB won't know what hit them when we roll in! 

I ordered a new Road ID last week.  I needed one and they have so many great designs out now.  I decided to go with the Wrist Slim ID and let me tell you, YOU NEED ONE OF THESE!  They freaking rock.  They are simply those little rubbery bracelets with an id tag on them.  Genius.  Best part is, the ID tags can be used on any rubbery bracelet that you already wear (this was a great thing for Tom since he wears one that says "Running On Insulin").  Anyway, I ordered both of us one and got them in the mail on Thursday.  I love them!  Mine is the kids size in pink (don't judge... I have little wrist and I'm damn proud of that).  It's way littler than Tom's:

I personalized it to say the following (I know there's a glare, but do you see the "No Quit in This Body"?  I love my Trakkers girls... thanks Jill and Andree):

Even at the kids size it's a bit big, but whatever (this is my "don't mess with me, I know taebo" pose!)

And Tom loves his:

So we're happy and now a bit safer on the road.  Buy one people.  Here, I'll even help.  Use the code ThanksColleen8164167 and you can take a dollar off.  So it's like $15 shipped.  Can't beat that!

I'm all over the place with this post, aren't I?  :) You know you love my randomness! Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Teeter-Totter

Remember the teeter totter on the playground as a kid?  Looking back, now as a triathlete, what better form of exercise for a kid.  I mean, you get a friend to sit on the other end (hopefully someone heavier than you so you fly up in the air) and go up and down, up and down.  Talk about quad workout!  If I had only known that I’d love biking so much as a “grown-up” – chalk that up as a “if I knew then what I know now”. 

Anyway, I’m stuck on a teeter totter of life right now.  Standing in the middle of it like that bratty know it all punk on the playground - balancing.  I’m standing in the middle and the two “people” on either end are fighting for my attention.  But which way do I sway?

On one side, I have the REV3 Full up at Cedar Point.  I signed up for this race back in February after yet another round of the old “I don’t want to do a 140.6 distance race this year”.  My intention after last year’s miserable fail at the distance was to take a year off, regroup if you will, focus on some short stuff, maybe some speed and then pick back up, if I felt like it, in 2012.  Then Trakkers came along, the lure of a 140.6 in my home state, with so many blogger, teammates and real life friends.  How could I pass that up?  I jumped on it and was chugging along just great until about a month ago.  Then it hit.  Maybe I need to refer to the email advice that I shared on this post so lovingly (it’s easy to give advice, but to listen to your own, eh… you know).  I was in a low point something fierce.  It helped that the hubs was with me.  After a few “failed” workouts (it’s hard to call 12 mile runs and 95 mile bikes failures, but I did), we just said we needed to recharge.

And that brings me to the other side of the teeter totter – the Half Rev up at Cedar Point.  I’ve gone as far as changing my registration to the half, convinced that I needed to recharge the batteries.  I’ve been doing a lot of short races and loving it.  I’m seeing huge improvements on my bike, my run is coming along, swimming (wait, that’s part of triathlon???), it’s going okay.  I’m having fun.  The prospect of doing the half has been a sweet relief.  I think I can do it and have a good race.

But lately, I’m finding myself standing in the middle of that teeter totter, wondering if I should go back to the full.  I’m in the best shape of my life.  I’m at my race weight today, 7 weeks out from the race.  I’ve done a century, a 95 mile bike and have a century planned this week.  Heck, by the end of the month I’ll have logged 700+ miles on my bike.  My running is feeling good.  We had a killer run on Saturday and when Tom texted me to say “what’s up” my response was “my confidence”.  It just felt good.  I have a 15, 17, and 19 miler already planned before Cedar Point because of my marathon training (did I mention I’m running Chicago in October???).  So I sit here wondering… if I’m putting in the miles, why not do the full?

How can I be 47 days out and teetering still? I know I can do it, but who registers for a full, then a half, then a full?  What if I have a crappy race and regret not doing the half?  What if I do the half, but see all my friends and regret not doing the full?  The course will be filled with tons of familiar faces, all facing the same struggles that I will that day, but we’d be in it together, cheering each other along.  Then again, I could be plopped on my butt with two Texans (yes, I’m admitting that), drinking some cold ones, screaming like a little kid after my 5.5 hour race.

At some point I’m going to need to take that first step off the center of the teeter totter toward one direction.  And we all know that once you start leaning toward one side of a teeter totter, you must commit to that side.  Trouble is, I don’t know which way to go…

Ack...

Just when I think I'm catching up, a million things get plopped down in front of me.  I swear I love you all, I'm just WAY behind. Quick update...

• Feeling a ton better - this cold lasted about a week and after taking it really slow last week, I feel like my head isn't in the clouds.
• Tom's Achilles is healing.  The swelling is totally down.  He ran two miles on Monday and five with me yesterday.  He said that he doesn't even feel a twinge when we run fast.  Great...
• We're heading to Napa tomorrow and I can't wait.  One of Tom's teammates is getting married and I absolutely love Matt and Steph so it should be fun.  Plus it's in Napa... I've never been, but I'm super excited.
• I honestly can't believe that it's almost June.  Where did January, February, March, April and May go?  I'm getting excited for some small local races, although I'm kind of worried if my sprint/olympic speed is there.  Guess I'll be testing it soon enough.
• We had two great rides this last weekend and I can't believe how awesome my Kestrel fits.  We did a 60 mile American Diabetes Tour de Cure in Louisville this past weekend (seeing signs for La Grange made me throw up in my mouth a little... which is a shame - I like the IMLOU course a lot) and then we did another 70 on Sunday in Columbus.  I'm thinking we'll do our first century on Memorial day. Ice cream festival time and that's the best motivation to ride!!!
• My countdown says 109 days until the Full Rev Cedar Point.  I'm so freaking excited for that race!!!  

Sorry for the bullet points.  That's kind of where my mind is these days...

Have a great holiday weekend everyone - BE SAFE!!!

You are great

I just have to say, you are all great. I loved the comments about my need for a vacation, as well as the good thoughts during our ski/casino trip. Here's an update for you - the vacation idea kind of came and went. We booked a cruise and then proceeded to cancel it less than 24 hours later when my voice of reason kicked in. Damn it sucks being responsible! Honestly, it would have been heaven to sit in the sun with an umbrella drink and read trashy educational magazines, but the cruise lines get ya, hook line and sinker. I booked this great 3 day cruise for an unbelievably low price (like too good to be true low price). Then it happens - you find out that it's going to cost $170 to get from the airport to the boat, $200 to get my passport renewed and to me in less than 4 weeks, $60+ dollars in tips, who knows how much $ for beer and soda, $ for a dog sitter, $ to park out car at the airport while we are gone, etc. I guess I was having an airhead moment when I booked and thought that I was actually getting off that easy. So being a grown up, I realized that wasn't a smart choice and canceled. We're traveling to some great locations for races this year - Knoxville, Portland, Chicago and Sandusky (what, you mean the beach and water at Lake Erie aren't like that of the Bahamas?) so I need to just suck it up buttercup and realize that if I want to spoil myself in the sun, I can move out of Ohio. :)

As for the casino and ski trip - great time! BUT... we didn't ski (which was good because that means I didn't have a chance to break my face, and yes, you can totally break your face). My poor momma has been in PT for some hamstring problems for quite a while now and she was really scared to risk hurting herself some more (not to mention she has a bum back). It would have been hard for all of us to enjoy the day, knowing that she was trying to be a tough girl for us, or worse, sitting in the "lodge" while we were having fun. We opted to stay in the casino and blow through some more money. Honestly, I didn't lose much (although I didn't win much either... penny slots are not big payers). There was a lady at a machine down from us that was all nonchalant when the bells started ringing above her machine. She won $82000 on a quarter machine. $82000! She just sat there and smiled. Hello - Tom and I said that we would have been doing carpet angels and running around like we just struck gold. Hell, I almost did that when I won $50 on the Zeus penny slot game. I was big time people...

Okay, so that's that. I have other exciting news and needed to wait to tell you because I needed to break it to my mom first (no, I'm not pregnant).

I've decided to do another 140.6. I know. I know. What happened to the "I'll never do that again" statement? If you know me, you know that it's total BS and to never listen to me. I said that after my first marathon (and I've since done another 6) and my first three Ironman races. I'm super excited though. I've decided to race the full at Cedar Point for a couple of reasons:

• It's a REV3 race and we know that it'll be top notch (and they won't run out of water on a 96 degree day)
• My teammates will be there and many of them will be racing - and I'm sure the smart others who raced the half will make it a party, cheering all of the long distance course people.
• Three words - BLOGGER MEET UP (I mean, hello so many of us will be there - Sunday night could get crazy!)
• It's in Ohio. A 140.6 in Ohio!
• I totally feel like I got robbed at IMLOU. That's all I need to say about it.
• I honestly enjoy training for an Ironman in the summer. Yes, I bitch about it. I'm not going to lie because there are days when it sucks. But in general, I love knowing that my body can do what it does and training for an Ironman distance race tests your body to the fullest.
• I have some goals. Some time goals. I want to see some results of my hard work!

And speaking of Team Trakkers, they introduced the pro team the other day.

Team Trakkers/REV3 2011 from REVOLUTION3 Triathlon on Vimeo.

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! The full professional team includes:
Hillary Biscay: 2008 Ironman Wisconsin Champion; 15-time top-three Ironman finisher
Courtenay Brown: Danskin Tri & Silverman Half winner; Inside Tri columnist
Kathleen Calkins: 2010 REV3 Cedar Point 3rd place; Top Amateur Kona 2009
Richie Cunningham: 2x 70.3 Champion; 4x Top-Five 70.3 World Championships
Brian Fleischmann: 1st World Team Champs; 2x 2nd place USAT National Champs
Jacqui Gordon: Multiple Ironman and 70.3 Top-Ten finisher
Amanda Lovato: 2010 Pucón 70.3 Champion; Multiple Half Ironman Champion; Multiple Top-Five Ironman finisher
Michael Lovato: 2x Ironman Champion; 3x Top-Ten Kona; 3x National Champion
Chris McDonald: 3x Ironman Champion
Jessica Meyers: 2010 Augusta 70.3 Champ; US National Team; Armed Services Champion
Matt Sheeks: 2010 Duathlon Pro National Champion; 2009 Duathlon AG World Champion

I know that I've said it already and I'll say it again and again - it's still kind of unreal that I'm racing for a team like Trakkers. Our sponsors are amazing (REV3, Kestrel Bikes, Avia, Canari, TYR, All3Sports, First Endurance, SBRSports).

It's going to be a good year... a very good year!