Heels and Hills????

Courtney found this one... click the logo for the details.

WildRide! 2009

Join more than 2,000 cyclists for the 6th annual WildRide! Against Cancer on May 16, 2009. The event is projected to net more than $110,000 for Richardson Regional Cancer Center, an affiliate of UT Southwestern Medical Center and home of the Lance Armstrong Shaped Beam Surgery™ program. WildRide! is the only bike ride to allow riders across the long stretch of the beautiful Lavon Lake Dam, closed all other days of the year! Enjoy rolling hills and scenic byways through small North Texas towns that open their arms to this annual event.

Oy vey! Of course the morning started with heavy rain. I prayed that we'd be spared...no such luck! There were 5 Tri Divas doing this event (including Julie who rode her bike from Oklahoma to be here! Ok, she drove...but still a rock star). At 7:45am it was still coming down (ride started at 8), so I decided to stop bitching and just get the damn thing done (how is that for positive attitude? LOL)

The Divas split up on the course and Julie and I ended up riding together. We're rolling along (at a nice pace, I must add...despite the sequel to "Waterworld" playing out in my contacts), chatting and having a good time. After awhile we realize we're in heavy traffic and there are no other cyclists around. Umm...WTF?!? Julie and I were apparently having so much fun that we completely missed our turn. The mishap only added an additional 2 miles to our total, but it was still a tad bit annoying due to the rain. We missed the rest stop (not that you really need it on a 16-mile course), but y'all know I'm all about the snacks! *stomping foot*

The ride itself was pretty good. A few rolling hills and a couple of slow climbs and a nice downhill that took my bike to 28mph...woohoo! Probably wasn't smart in the rain, but I survived. Don't tell my mom, ok?

I think all of the Divas enjoyed themselves despite the shiteous weather and meeting Julie was great! She's a very cool girl and I can't wait to see her again next month for Danskin! I must give a shoutout to Alana (Super Mom of Multiples!) for completing her first event of the year! As if birthin' twin boys isn't impressive enough, the girl is still a cycling machine. I also have to give love to Drea. She's totally embraced cycling and her enthusiasm is contagious. Congrats on finishing your first organized ride!

Wet and smiley after the ride...Julie, Drea, Court, Alana (I always feel like freakin' Gulliver in group shots..LOL)







One for pinot grigio, One for tequila. Gatorade is for rookies!

Corn

"Can of corn. Can of corn and I'll be fine. Can of corn."

Fat-free, calorie-free, taste-free cookie to the person that knows where this quote came from...LOL

Training...I'm still trucking along. Today's swim was 1000 yards. Small for the "real" triathletes, but excellent for me. Where's my damn medal?!? This weekend should be action-packed. Tomorrow is G's 2-hour spin class, Friday is a cycling date, Saturday is the Fort Worth Zoo 5K and Sunday's craziness involves a hike. Why am I still fluffy with all of this activity? Because Coco likes her food and booze. The scale isn't moving nearly as fast as it should could be, but I'm ok with it. I live the healthy lifestyle 85% of the time and that's a passing grade. LOL

In other news, I've fallen in love with my new Pearl Izumi Attack cycling shorts. I think we'll be very happy together. Nice padding without feeling like a diaper. On the flip side, I wasn't too thrilled with the Lands End Aqua Terra top. :( I'm a super tall chick and the garment just isn't long enough. LE offers long torso options, but not in their plus size line. Apparently "plus size" still equals "short" in some designer's minds. Hello? What about the Amazons?!?

Anyway, I returned the top to my friendly neighborhood Sears today (thanks for the tip, Donna!) and I'm back on the hunt for tri separates. I may check out the Junonia top next. If all else fails, I'll be back in my trisuit from last year.

I hope you're all having a great week! Happy Training!

Postcards from the Injured Reserve List...

I had a fabulous hike on Sunday until I managed to twist my ankle. I don't know what my issue is with foot injuries before the triathlon! Last year was a stress fracture 7 weeks out (complete with doctor's "gentle" orders to skip the Danskin Tri). We all know how that story ended...I did the tri, foot was in pain, got a finisher's medal. Happy Triathlete.

I'd like to take the less dramatic road in this year's Danskin, so I promise to be more careful from this point on (i.e. less hikes down steep paths with loose rocks/mini boulders).

The ankle is feeling better today, so the plan is a mini-tri. I now have Wednesdays off, so I may be doing gym sprint triathlons mid-week. Today's super sprint will feature a 500 yard swim, 15 mile bike and 2 miles on the dreadmill. Next week, I'll increase the distance in an effort to torture myself improve my overall performance.

Hope you're all having a great week!

Friday Cycling and Bug Swallowin'

Today's ride was fantastic (for calorie burn), but the wind made it a tad bit miserable and I swallowed a bug. Mandatory positives: I did 22 miles and maybe the bug has fat-eating powers and I'll be at goal weight on Sunday. Hey, it can happen!

Tomorrow's plan is a group ride with RBM.

Hope you all have a great weekend...
C

Just Keep Swimming...

My plan for this morning was a hike after my Weight Watchers meeting, but I switched gears (i.e. came to my senses) and headed for the pool instead. I did the Week 1 workout of the Zero To 1650 program. I'm pleased that I got some pool time...now it's time to put in serious work. Great workout...not too keen on the ravenous appetite that follows. At least there's a bit of science behind my morph into Hungry Hungry Hippo.

Anyway, I hope to do another couple of sessions of Week 1 over the next few days. I'm also going to take full advantage of the warmer weather (and the fact that I leave the office by 3pm) and rack up some outdoor cycling miles.

I hope everyone has a great weekend...Happy Training!