Fairport Triathlon

I'm a triathlete.

aka ~ Lake Erie v Me.

I think the score is even.  Lake Erie - 1/2; me - 1/2.  In practice I could finally swim in Lake Erie... Game day came & I was a bundle of nerves.  Self talk was all about going out slow in the water.  The race started with the kayaks going out at 8:00, followed by four waves of swimmers every five minutes.  Being an old lady, my wave was at 8:20.  The water was perfect ~ no waves, good temperature ~ and I was going to start slow.

Mike, Rick, me & John ready to start

And 8:20 came and I got 10 strokes in & couldn't catch my breath...so I started breathing every stroke...so I started hyperventilating...so I started the breast stroke...so I went slow!  I kept trying to swim...and kept failing.  I got to the turn and stood up, talked some sense into my head, and swam back.  Got out of the water & everyone was running to the transition...I didn't want to run, that swim was hard.  But I bent to peer pressure & ran to the bike.

Yep, that's how my swim went & "Why is everyone running?"

Being the last wave, the transition area was basically empty when I got there to get my bike.  Dodd & Mike were both long gone, so my bike was the only one on the rack...and I had no idea what I was doing except hurrying to get my socks & shoes on...helmet...gloves...pull on my flipbelt & bib...eat the gel...get out.  I guess I did ok, because I had all my stuff.

Rode up the hill (oh my, what a way to start the ride) and got going.  My speedometer wasn't working ~ so I moved the sensor...too much.  It was clinking and dinging the spokes the whole time.  UGH.  Tried to move it back, but kept pinching my fingers (can't stop and fix this)  Luckily I threw chapstick into my flipbelt...pulled it out and used it to push the sensor out of the way.  Didn't know my speed the whole time, but it stopped clanking.

Passed people the whole ride.  My quads were working, but I remembered what Dodd said about doing each event well...and holding back didn't really equate to better times in other events.  So I rode hard.  I averaged 17 mph, above what I did in training.

talking to someone, I'm sure

So thankful to have so many people fanning ~ it's motivation to see a familiar face & someone yelling your name. And, there lots of pictures of the adventure afterward.

The transition to the run went much faster ~ no shoe change.  Threw off the helmet & gloves, chugged some water and off.  On the way into transition John yelled, "power walk the hill."  I ran out of transition, and he yelled it again at the bottom of the hill.  So I walked it.  I think that really helped, because I took off at the top & passed a whole bunch of people.  He had told me to not get passed, and I didn't.  Not a single person passed me on the run ~ and I ran it negative.  I never run a race negative.  I felt very strong on the run.  It was one of those moments when it hurt & I was working hard & I KNEW I was strong enough to maintain and finish strong.  The 5k was 3.29 miles (UGH) I ran it at an 8:04 minute pace according to my Garmin.  

the final turn to the finish

I missed 3rd place in my AG by 26 seconds (Lake Erie's final word) but I'm really happy with my first tri.  Sat at the award ceremony (I beat Mike timewise, and he placed 3rd in his AG) saying to myself, "well, that was fun & I don't ever need to do it again."  It was HARD.  Not as hard as a marathon, but hard.  By Sunday night Mike & I were both talking about next year.  What is wrong with us.

Woke up Monday with really sore shoulders and tight hips.  Weirdest after race aches I've ever had.  This tri stuff is taxing on the body.  I can't even imagine what Dodd will go through with his full ironman in October.  Total respect.

Mike's finish

PR ice cream

The gang ~ minus BJ

Mike's award

Could not have done this without my friend Leslie & Brenda

Rounding out July & run log

Back on July 9 the Barton Family (minus the one in Cincinnati) went to see the Tall Ships that were docked at Fairport Harbor.  It was a day of waiting in line...but it was cool to see.  We found a great parking spot (avoiding the $20 parking lot) and walked to the entrance on the Grand River...then walked a mile to the end of the line.  An hour later we made our way back to the entrance and got in.  Then we stood in line to get on a Tall Ship.  And remained in that line as they snaked us around the whole ship.  It was really neat.  The crew are college kids on an adventure.  They sleep in little hammocks ~ which would be the best night's sleep ever.  After that ship, we stood in line to get on another ship.  This was the one that looked like the pirate ship in The Goonies.  There were cannons and all sorts of cool stuff to see.  When we got off that ship, Jacob wanted a lemonade.  So we stood in that line ~ only to find out, they don't take cash, "You'll have to go get tickets."  seriously? yep.  Went to the ticket tent & stood in that line so we could return to the lemonade line & get a lemonade.  At least it was good.

I do not have to go back to see the Tall Ships again, but I've very glad we saw them this one time.  

Landon had a themed birthday party.  Can you guess the theme?  #twinning for me and Mike.

On July 21 Mike and I celebrated 26 years of marriage with very good steaks from Bendelewski's  

And then I went to Michigan.

We went in Bean's new car & she let us eat messy things like Combos and popcorn and Pringles in her new car.  It took hours upon hours upon hours to get there because of stopped traffic (construction) on the turnpike & driving through storms ~ but we got there & had our customary dinner at The Roadhouse.  Yum.  The waiter whom Kirsten outed years ago is now a manager type...very in charge.

It was HOT.  Friday we spent at the beach and ate burned to a crisp steaks for dinner, which were not AMAZING. Saturday I took my 12 mile run into New Buffalo down past all the beautiful houses.  There's lots of new construction...building these million dollar houses right on the sand.  Seems silly ~ like I learned a song about that in Sunday School as a child ~ but they are beautiful with AMAZING views.  We spent Saturday in the Lake as it was too hot to be anywhere else (unless you were Bean, but that's not a story for here)

The steps to the beach

My turnaround point on my run Saturday morning!

On July 27 I joined the MHS XC team on their annual Cedar Point "team building" trip.  SO MUCH FUN.  Got there right at 10:00 and headed to Valravn ~ sat in the FRONT ROW & it was AMAZING (to use a Union Pier word)  We waited for Valravn about an hour & that was the longest line of the day.  Rode Millennium Force, Magnum, Top Thrill Dragster, Max Air... all the awesome stuff.  And it was HOT.  The girls wanted to go on the water rides, so we split up & let them have at it.  John, Kelly & Becca spent the day catching Pokemon.  SO FUNNY to watch them.

My Name's Not Jenny

We ended the day at Starbucks & the Distler/Chandler clan have a rule that you have to give a Harry Potter name.  I chose Ginny.  The rest of them picked long obscure names (well, Becca was Luna) and everyone had theirs close enough...

Here's a drink that is better than an iced Chi Tea Latte from Starbucks...a Corona-Rita from Compadres

Saturday, I was dressed and waiting for Mike to come home so we could go grocery shopping.  He came home, ate and went upstairs to change his clothes.  This is what he comes downstairs in.  #twinningagain  This time, I made him go change (after taking a picture & sending it to Jake...as this is his band's t-shirt!  #icecreammilitia

Four different Beach Glass Adventures.  LOTS of beach glass.  I think today was a record amount.

Now that I've done my July Life Recap...I can get to the running.  It's been rough this month.  It's been HUMID.   If you remember, I hurt my calf at the end of June & ran 12 miles the first week in July.  After two weeks of taking it easy & not really running...it's better.  I also have had three visits with the Chiropractor & I think that will help me overall through this training.  I have to be good about my stretching & strengthening & core work.  I'm really good at saying that...not so good at doing it.  I noticed last Thursday that my shoes are starting to fall apart.  The sole is detaching from the shoe part.  I called Brooks running and the lady told me they could help.  I filled out a form...waiting to hear if I'm getting a new pair.  She was very nice and helpful...and we'll see what happens.  I usually can get well over 350 miles out of a pair of Brooks Glycerins, so it's disappointing that these are destructing at just under 250 miles.  My big fear is this is the end of Brooks running for me.  I can't spend $150 on a pair of shoes if they aren't going to last.  And I LOVE my Brooks Glycerin shoes.  So I hope it's an anomaly and not the norm.

Running has been Tuesdays with MMS, Thursdays with MHS & NERC, Saturdays with MGR ~ mostly me and Mike.  

July Running Log:

JulyTotals:

117.03 miles for the month 
826.2 miles for the year 

242.32 miles in my Gortex Ghosts ~no Gortex runs this month

431.67 miles in my Old Brooks Glycerin 13 (the gray ones)

251.60 miles in my PINK Brooks Glycerin 13 ~ that have a defect going on...

Training for:     MARINE CORP MARATHON, October 31, 2016! and along the way ~ Rock Hall Half Marathon, August 14  & Northern Ohio Half Marathon, October 2.

Podcasts I'm listening to: Marathon Training Academy, Dear Sugar, & Story Corp, Untold: The Daniel Morgan Murder, More Perfect, Invisibilia & Reply All

My WEIGHT: 141 at the doctor's office.  The only time I've stepped on the scale this month.

Some interesting facts:

Longest run this month:   14.45 yesterday.  The longest I've run since the 20 Mile Drop

What hurts?: Thank God the calf is better & the hamstrings are working out.  Cora (dear masseuse Cora) found a spot in my back...it's working itself (with her help) out.

Highest  weekly mileage this month:  34.10 July 17 - July 24

Favorite place to run this month: The little bit of hill work I did at Lake Erie Bluffs...finally didn't hurt. & it was my fastest run all month.  Not telling the pace (S. L. O. W.)

Monthly mileage record: 156.69 ~ March 2015 {purposely ran 8 (on a treadmill) on March 30 to beat the August 2013 record}
Highest mileage ever-at-one-time:  26.36 ~ May 17, 2015 The Cleveland Marathon

PR's:
5K: 22:30 (Run For the Grapes 9/28/14)
10K:  49:40 (Greenway 10k 3/20/16)
10-miler: 1:21:29 (Hermes Cleveland 10-miler 4/28/12)

20-miler: 2:45:15 (20 mile Drop 4/10/16)
half-marathon: 1:44:42 (Northern Ohio Half Marathon 10/4/15)
marathon: 3:57:31 (The Cleveland Marathon 5/17/15)

Pretty garden

Love the big peonies.  They remind me of my grandma's backyard.  I wish I had some pink ones, but I think the touch of red in these white ones is beautiful.  The only flower I've cut & brought into the house as they are laying on the ground outside!  I need to cage them or give them something to hold up the huge flower.

My favorite...poppies.  I love these giant red flowers and all of my poppy pictures look the same, but I continue to take them.  I have them growing in three different places in my yard & they continue to make me smile every time I look at them.

Pink carnations.  Last year the chipmunks ate every single bloom.  This year, they seem to be leaving them alone.  {I hate chipmunks}

These are pretty in my container. 

The iris.  Such a delicate and beautiful flower .  These are going crazy in my garden...and I need to think the plants, but they are so pretty!  It's hard to dig some up.  

School's Out

 Monday was the Memorial Day parade ~ always fun to see the Blue Streak Band one last time.

On Thursday we took the 8th graders to the Outdoor Y ~ Where we walk around and enjoy the kids having fun on their last day.  It's a great spot because kids can swim, and play volleyball, frisbee, soccer & football.  They hang out & have a good time...just like teachers!

Then the important people come over to my house for my annual end of the year party.  We celebrated Erin's two years with us by giving her framed pictures of each of us!  HA!  I will miss Erin & her Awesomeness.

The end of a year is always fun, but it's also always difficult (more so as I get older)  People leave & retire & move around & nothing is ever the same.  I guess I'm noticing the change more as my friends are retiring!  I will miss Cheryl, especially as she and I were the constant at run club!  I fear I will run alone many weeks.

Yesterday was the kids last day...but it was also Happy Poppy Day!

The most beautiful flower!

celebrating 50

On August 8 my parents will have been married 50 years.  Quite an accomplishment & a great example for me and my brothers.  This past week we all gathered in Colorado to celebrate.  It was an adventure filled weekend starting with a scary plane ride for my brother's family.  Their plane from Dallas lost an engine, had to turn back & thankfully landed safely back in Dallas.  It took three hours to get another plane & crew.  They got on that new airplane (not sure I would have) and flew out to Denver, just a little later than planned.

While they were having their airplane 'adventure', we were having a boat adventure.  Lake Dillon is a beautiful place & you can take three hour tours on a pontoon boat.  This time we couldn't get as close to the glory hole, so there was no fear of being sucked in.  Unlike the first time we took a boat out...when Uncle Bill scared little Patrick & then got yelled at.  Everyone remembers that story, except Patrick.










Then we celebrated with a fondue dinner at the top of Keystone Mountain.
Patrick said it not only was the best meal he'd ever eaten, it was the best meal he will ever eat.  We had cheese fondue, salad, lots of meat, and chocolate fondue.  Oh my.  It was so good I didn't want to stop eating...even though my stomach hurt!