Gobble, gobble gobble . . .

Or should I say, "ho, ho, ho". . . because - let's face facts - it is 4 days away from Christmas!!

Where does the time go?

So, let's do this . . . my first triathlon in 7 months, my first triathlon since my knee surgery, 5 months post-op.

I did the Turkey Tri at Bonelli Park. It was on 11/29/09. Let's do a "dream sequence" a la Wayne's World. do-dil-e-do . . . do-dil-e-do . . . do-dil-e-do

I slept pretty well the night before, but as usual, I had to get up at the "crack o' stupid" to get there & pick up my packet. Oh, and because I am neurotic about getting to transition to set up. More so on this day because I was a bit anxious since it had been a while.

I got my packet, set up my area & got my wetsuit on to go check out the water.
Well, to my surprise, the water that was supposed to be 62 was a balmy 58!!! Didn't seem so bad until I tried to put my face in and actually swim. Oh, and the fact that there was SNOW on the mountains!!

But, I don't want to get ahead of myself. Let me talk a moment about my emotional state.

I was not really feeling too nervous - unless you count the fact that I pee'd in my wetsuit about 15 times! I was actually excited to be there, to support Vit & Pimp Daddy J-Z. . .screaming & clapping every time someones's "wave" started.

Time for me to go. I got in the water and made several attempts to swim with my face in the water, take strokes, kick, etc. BUT to no avail!! I found my heart rate shoot thru the roof. I felt as though I could not get any air. My wetsuit was choking me. My husband said to kick my legs for a bit to get warmed up. I just could not do it.
I looked over to see a woman roll on her back & just lie there.

I have never had to do that in my short triathlon career, but today . . . it was the perfect thing to do today.

So, I rolled over on my back, kicked my legs like crazy, looked up at the sky & told myself to relax, take a deep breath, roll over & friggin'- swim - beyotch!! "You got this!" "It's not like you haven't ever done this before!" "Just because it is freezing doesn't mean anything!" "Swim now, woman!" "It is only half a mile!"

Once I had made this decision, all bets were off. I went ahead & just did my swim.

Got into the transition area (after a lovely run up a hill) jumped on the bike and took off.

It was a 14 or so mile bike - all of which was like riding with lead legs!!! It was not terrible, just felt like I was dragging my bum. Bike done.

T2 - time to run. Down stairs!! My knee(s) loved it. Just as much as they love to run in the first place. Thank goodness it is only 4 1/2 miles.

I had on my beautiful new Garmin that my hubby got me for my birthday. And, I was excited that it buzzes when you reach each mile. AND, it tells you your time for that mile. I was sure my miles would be 13 to 14 min. each. So, I was thrilled when the first mile was 12 something, mile 2 was 11:48 & mile 3 was just slightly faster than that. The last mile was back to 12 & change. I was in a decent amount of pain with my knee - the one I did not have surgery on!! It was hurting a lot. Thanks so much to my good pal Vit, who managed to show up for the last bit of the run & he ran with me & gave me lots of words of encouragement.

Finally, the finish line. It was over. I was thrilled to do it in 2:13 . . . since my goal was 2:20.

All in all, I was happy to have done the tri, finish it & feel pretty good.

Until the next day!!! I felt like I had been hit by a Mack truck. I was very sore. But within a few days I was feeling better. Lots of stretching, hot baths & Ibuprofen!!!

In the past month I have continued to train. I have some big goals that I have set for myself. I have registered for Wildflower Long Course & IMAZ, again. And, for fun I have signed up for a bunch of 1/2 marathons. I am sure there will be more but I will decide as things come up.

Everyone have a joyous holiday season & a happy new year. Here is to an injury free 2010!!

P.S.: the director of Wayne's World was a woman whose name is Penelope.

Much Peace & Love,
TracerX

I am here to pump (hands clap) . . .

you up! This means that I have started a 6-week program titled "one hundred push ups."

The challenge was "thrown down" by Pendong!! I - along with some of my favorite boys, Vit & G-Money - was ready, willing & able - sort of - to accept this little challenge.

After all, I did just complete my first triathlon in 7 months . . . my first one since my knee surgery. So, why not give these push ups a try?

Wait, go back . . . you did a triathlon? Why, yes I did. I did the Turkey Triathlon in San Dimas.

I promise to write a race report soon, but for now, I gotta run.

So for now. . .

Peace & Love, TracerX

I have been thinking long and hard. . . .

during my walk today, given that it was hot, my knee hurt & I was trying to break in some new shoes and ended up developing a freaking blister!! Make that "blisters"!!

So what does this have to do with thinking?? Well, first of all, when you are out there having a "not-so-great" workout, your brain (well, my brain anyway) goes through several versions of how things should be and how you should feel about those things. Second, anyone who does any kind of long workout, be it an Ironman, a marathon, a century ride or a long training day, knows that you have lots of time with YOURSELF!!

So, here is my brain on this particular walk:

"Oh, God, I just started & this knee brace is bugging the shit out of me . . . if I can't keep this little tag tucked in, I am going to just stop & go back home. Uh, no you're not . . . stop your whining and walk! It is hot!! This sucks! O.K., I am going to walk for only 30 mins. & have my husband come pick me up! O.K., I am feeling pretty good, Bob Marley is doing it for me . . . so I will keep going . . . OMG, this hill is so steep!! What the hell is your problem . . . stop being a wuss & push thru this & get up the hill . . . fine, but I am going to sit down on this person's shady wall & have some water. Oh, great, here comes some lady who is cruising pretty fast . . . hurry up, get off your ass & look like you "got this". . .

Am I getting a blister??? I really need to hit the pavement more. My feet think they are princesses who just get to lie around & not have to work, Well feet, you are wrong!! Screw you, blisters! I should have my hubby come get me. After all, I do have a half marathon to do next Sunday . . . having a blister will not be good . . . Oh yeah, just rely on your husband to come pick you up! You have only been out for an hour. Fine. Besides, what about Vit & Lola?? They are having a really tough time right now, so why don't you just suck it up & keep going? What the hell? Why are you getting all choked up & starting to cry?? Duh . . . my heart is broken because Vit & Lola had to make such a tough decision to put sweet Stewie down. That just sucks shit. No matter how you look at it, it sucks. What do I say? What do I do? You asked Vit how he was doing!! Dumbass, of course he is not doing well . . . shut up & just keep going. I have no words other than I love Vit & Lola and whatever they need, they can just ask. TIME!! It will take time. Doesn't time heal all wounds?? It does, mostly. But sometimes it seems that days, weeks, years will go by & something will happen and now the pain comes back. What the hell is that all about?

Look at this water running down the hill. Lots of it. It just runs right over the leaves, pine needles, Jack Daniels bottle that some dick threw out in the street. Nothing can stop it. Wow, what a metaphor for how we feel when we are sad. It just rushes over us. Hard to stop. Tears just rolling down our faces. It just has to happen. Hey, life is not always peaches & cream. Well, it is . . . but sometimes those peaches are rotten & that cream is curdled!

Oh lordy, lordy . . . is this walk over yet?? I am definitely getting a blister. Look, it's Balboa Blvd. Ooooh, I am getting close. An hour and 38 mins. I'm hungry. Ya know what, I am gonna stop, sit on this bus bench & eat my Accel Gel. Enjoy the cars going by. Life is pretty good. I see Stewie in my head . . . he is running & tussling around with other dogs. He can walk & run & piss and shit all by himself!!! He is really happy. And, he gets to hang out with Jerry Garcia!! Not to mention Janis Joplin, my grandpa, my grandma, my other grandpa . . . lucky dog. Some people say that we have to be baptised & accept Jesus Christ as our Lord & Saviour in order to get to heaven. But I think that is crap!! Stewie was not baptized and I"m not sure how he felt about Jesus, but I do know he is in heaven . . . so there!!

Time to get off the bus bench . . . get to the gas station to go pee. I am out of water. I'll get some at the gas station. Ooooh, The Black Eyed Peas. I can really boogey to this. I better not sing too loud. There may be someone behind me who hears me & thinks I am crazy. Hell, I think I'm crazy. I am having a full conversation in my head. Other people MUST do this?? Right?? Who cares.

Thank goodness my bladder is empty & this nice cold water tastes so good. I can keep going for sure. I wonder if Vit did his run?? He is probably done. Good for him.
This street is all up hill . . . ever so slightly. I am really hungry now. Let's see, it has been over 2 hours of walking . . . I still have a mile & a quarter. Hey, honey, can you come get me??? I am done.

No, I do not feel that bad. We all need a lift from time to time. I worked hard. It's okay to ask for help. That's what makes life so great. Yes, it does suck shit sometimes, but there is nothing that can't be done with the help of family & friends. Or even strangers for that matter.

Oh good, here is my hubby with the car. 2:14:31. Burned over 830 calories. Not sure how many miles I did, but I feel good. Thankful. Blessed. Tired. I want ice for my knees!!

Well, that is the 2-plus hours in my head. I can barely handle it. I appreciate your time & patience.

I guess I wrote this today to just let everything out. My sadness, my frustration, my elation . . . and whatever else.

So, I have iced my knees & fed my stomach and I am lying on the couch watching football. And I know that my next workout will be different. However that looks. Because it is life and things change all the time. For now, I am done thinking so damn long & hard. Let's go Eagles.

And for Vit & Lola & Dynamite . . . all the love you have for Stewie will forever be in your hearts & he is looking down on you sending all his doggie love. He knows how much he means to you, to all of us who knew him & love him.

Much Peace & love, TracerX

First and foremost, I'd like to thank God. . .

Next, I'd like to thank the throngs of fans - both of you - who wanted me back - the two of you who wanted me to post something new on my blog.
I feel so wanted, so missed. Oh, it does feel good indeed.

So - let's just do a short recap of the past - gulp - three months: I am now almost 14 weeks post-op!!!! Time does fly.

I had resumed my swimming 3 weeks post-op, started biking approx. 6 weeks post-op & still no running. The biking was "no out-of-the-saddle" type of biking. I was to stay seated. Which I did. I was even doing hills - in my granny gear, but hills all the same.

So this was going along pretty good . . . until the end of August, at which point I developed some abdominal pain with "rebound tenderness" in the right lower quadrant. Well, you know what that means, right? Yup, you guessed it . . . appendicitis!

So, I went to my doctor, who sent me to the E.R., where the surgeon ordered a CT scan of my abdomen. They took me down to get the scan, the tech asked me if they told me that it was a "contrast enema CT?" HELL, NO!! They failed to mention that I needed to have a TUBE stuck up my butt & have my abdomen filled with a few liters of fluid!!!

At this point I am going to err on the side of decorum and not describe this feeling to you!!!

Anyhoo, the test was not 100% conclusive so they admitted me to the hospital for observation, kept me NPO & decided to let me go home the next day with a diagnosis of chronic appendicitis. In other words: "We're not sure what the hell it is; come back if the pain comes back. Have a nice day."

After a couple days rest at home, it was back to getting back to getting back to working out!

Swimming, biking & some very short walks. Until the itchy, watery eyes & sore throat hit me. Then it was the chest cold - to bronchitis & a dose of antibiotics. Lots of Dayquil, Nyquil & Kleenex. That bug knocked me on my behind!

After a couple more days of rest at home, it was back to getting back to getting back to getting back to working out!!

Here it is Saturday the 10th of October & this past week I've gotten a decent amount of working out done. Here is a rundown:

10/3-swam & walked 5 miles.
10/4-swam 2,400 yds. & rode 19 miles.
10/5-rest day
10/6-swam with Masters . . . good strong workout!
10/7-back on the trainer for a session with Coach Troy. "Enter the Red Zone - Anaerobic Training" Yeah, that was tough.
10/8-hiked 5 miles. That was tough, too.
10/9-swam with Masters . . . yucky slow workout!
10/10-hiked/walked over 7 plus miles.


Well, those are a few of the things that have happened in the past few months.
OH, one more important thing . . . I am now the proud parent of an 18-yr.-old!! That's right, my firstborn baby girl turned into an adult. Eighteen yrs. old!! Yet again, time flies.

Oh, and one more thing . . . I would like to thank Vit, Lola & my hubby/editor for being some of the best people in my life!! The best support a gal could ask for!


Peace & love, TracerX

No holding back . . .

KNEE SURGERY SUCKS!!! Especially the 4th knee surgery. . .the 2nd anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction on my right knee.

Let's back up: in September 1998, during a karate competition, I tore the ACL and medial meniscus on my left knee. Six weeks later I had reconstruction of that knee. A year later almost to the day, in September 1999, I tore the ACL in my right knee during karate class. (I got mad because a kid who was 'way taller than me punched me in the chest, so I threw up a beautiful roundhouse kick to the head, planted my knee back on the ground & that was all she wrote.) I originally was scheduled for surgery six weeks later. I ended up getting a nasty cold/bronchitis so I had to reschedule. I waited until January 2001 for the reconstruction of my right knee - pretty much the same procedure as the doctor did on the left.

All was well in my little knee world until March 2007, when I tore the medial & lateral menisci on my left knee. I was so disheartened. After all, I was scheduled to do my very first triathlon in April!!! The doctor went along with my grand plan to rehab the hell out of my knee . . . do the triathlon . . . then have the surgery in May.

So that is what I did. When the doctor went in to operate on the left, he found a LOT of arthritis and osteochondral defects in my knee. Bad news for me. Running was not my friend & he said I really should not be doing it.

Needless to say, I was not great at heeding that bit of info. But, I was diligent about really strengthening my quads and stretching & I even started aqua jogging, which is much easier on your joints. Good for my horrible back & my horrible knee.

Again, things in my little knee world were . . . well, just o.k. After any long run I would get a swollen, painful left knee. It eventually would get better within a week. The cause of this was the osteochondral defects that I had. But whatever - I can deal with that. Just keep aqua jogging, hit the trails & run on hard surface only when I was racing or really had to do a long run.

I mean, I had to train . . . I had IMAZ coming up in November. Remember - my very first Ironman-to-be??

Or not to be?? It is not a question really, but rather a concrete statement that my doctor made after we found out that indeed I had torn my ACL - during the Mud Run - see my last post.

So, on July 6th I had a re-do ACL reconstruction with a medial & lateral menisectomy & chondroplasty!!! They also removed a staple that was still in my knee from the last surgery. That involved a saw blade, hammer & chisel! No, I am NOT kidding!! I have the bruise to prove it.

Overall, the surgery went very well. They found some arthritis, but not as bad as in the left knee. So, guess what? This right knee of mine. . . now with 2 ACL surgeries, is my good knee!! ha ha ha

Yeah, I'm not really laughing.

Well, I am being a good patient - despite what some of you may think - and everyday I am getting better. It will be a long rehab, but I am in for the long haul!

IMAZ 2010, here I come. See you there.

Much peace & love, TracerX

Talk dirty to me . . .

I am so very overdue for a post here. And I really mostly need to talk about my fun day in the mud!!

Not only was June 6th, D-Day, which of course stands for "Vit's Day" - his 40th to be exact - but it is also the day our troops invaded Normandy. AND, it was the day that my buddies & I did the Camp Pendleton Mun Run!!

Not quite the same as invading Normandy, but trust me, there was one part that felt like HELL (more on that later).

It was a really fun day. We had these great matching t-shirts for the 9 of us who did the run & a few of our support team who also wore them. The shirts showed a big yellow smiley face with a camo bandana around the head & mud splattered on the face. The back of the shirt read, "A race only a mudder could love". The shirt was white, of course - well, at the beginning, anyway.



So, we headed toward the run with the possibility of rain looming over us. That in and of itself is not a bad thing for a mud run, but I just did not want lightning to ruin our day. As it turned out, we got no rain - only nice cool weather with a touch of sun peeking out every now & then.

B-Meister was down from Washington, along with his beautiful wife, Southpaw Mama, who happens to be Vit's sister - and a gaggle of their friends. B-Meister was very patriotic and carried the American flag with him for the entire race. He even passed it off to a volunteer to hold while he went thru the mud. (By the way, the volunteers are the Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton!)

Most of us girls stuck together during the run/walk, even though one of our gals was injured. T2 sustained a foot injury a few weeks back & could not run on her heel. So, she had finally had enough after mile 4 and ended up dropping out. (sad face)
She was a total trooper for those 4 miles! I can't believe she even started the race.

We had so much fun. Until IT happened. It was mile 4 1/2 at the second mud pit with a 6 ft. wall to go over. I hoisted up Lola & Southpaw Mama over the wall & then got over myself. I threw over one leg then the other and was going to turn around and lower myself down - given that I have a bad back & knees - but I started to slip so I just had to jump down. 6 feet of wall plus another foot or so of mud & water & me landing with my right leg hyperextended. I felt and heard that sickening pop that I have had two other times in my life, when I blew out my right ACL & a year later, blew out my left ACL. I knew that I had done something very wrong to my knee.

I tried to take a step and was unable to. I waited until Lola & Southpaw saw me. They came back and helped me out of the mud pit.

I tried to shake it off & tell myself that I just "bruised" the bones in my knee.

Needless to say, I just had to finish the last mile & a half. So I did. We got some great pictures in the last long mud pit where you have to crawl on your hands & knees. That felt good - NOT.



But with the kind helping hand of a handsome Marine, I made it over the last little hill, ran into the finish chute with my buddies Lola & Southpaw.

We had Vit, B-Meister & gang there to cheer us on at the end. It was one big dirty family. No more white shirt.



I had to tell my hubby that I hurt my knee. He took me over to the medical tent for some ice & an Ace wrap.






Keep in mind that at that time I was still in denial about my knee, despite the amount of swelling that was going on. It was time for a beer & a change of clothes.

A walk back to the car, El Pollo Loco & a nap was what was needed before we went to dinner for Vit's B-day.

Despite the injury, I will be back next year for the Mud Run. Maybe I will get help going over the wall - I will definitely take it easy next year.

For now, I must focus on healing, keeping myself strong & getting back to my training.

for now . . . Peace & love, TracerX

Let's get back to basics. . .

Just a week of review for some "not-really-training-for-IMAZ" training:

5/23: Rode for 2-plus hours with Vit. We did hills, hills & more hills. It was fun.

5/24: Walked/ran/hiked for 2 hours with Lola. Nice little workout.

5/25: Rode with Vit & Pimp Daddy J-Z. We did about 34 miles. A nice easy ride since Pimp Daddy has not been riding much. Still, a good ride all in all. Then Vit & I lifted.

5/26: Swam approx. 2,000 yds. I even beat Vit to the wall a few times - a rare occurrence, one I will relish.

5/27: Water walking with Lola. Do not let this exercise fool you; it is a tough workout AND it is easy on your joints.

5/28: Yet another ride with Vit. We did more hills . . . about 20 miles' worth. Boy, are my legs feeling tired!!

5/29: Swam . . . okay, I'll come clean - we did approx. 1,000 yds. until I talked the coach into letting us quit practice early to drink beer. So the 3 of us swimming took our coach out to eat & have a beer.

I love corruption. I am so good at it. hee-hee

5/30: Went for a 7.30-mile walk with Becky C. Nice & casual . . . ya know, just us girls gossiping.

5/31: Oh, and I end my 9 days in a row with an hour swim & another ride with Vit & Pimp Daddy J-Z. I had a headache & was extremely hungry, so I only lasted 1:45 and change. Then got back to my car only to find out I locked my key in there. So I had to ride the extra 2 miles home!!!

I ate toast & eggs. YUMMY.

Well, tomorrow I rest. Finally.

So, for now . . .

Peace & love,
TracerX

Let the insecurities begin . . .

I am not a Marine battling for my life & my country. Nor am I someone battling cancer. I do not have to battle an abusive relationship, or drug or alcohol abuse . . . maybe an addiction to training. BUT, hey - I know I'm not the only one.

So why is it that when I get a call from a writer for the New York Times - to follow me for a story about the leadup to Ironman - I get worried that I am just a 44-year-old, plain suburban mother, married with two teenaged girls, who averages 15 miles per hour on her bike? That I feel like a pimple on an elephant's ass?

Seriously, are there not hundreds of thousands of people just like me trying to get by in life & train for an Ironman, too???

This is where the insecurity lies: that I am a nobody! Average Jane! Who would be inspired by me and my training for an Ironman?

And the answer comes to me: Perhaps other Average Janes or Joes. Perhaps some of the people I work with who think it is "insane," but who have a certain respect for me knowing what I am doing. Or maybe my daughter's friends who think I am "awesome"!

What does it all mean, Basil?

Maybe that I need to just accept it that I am signed up, gonna do the training & do my best to kick some Ironman ass!

And by "kick ass," I mean, "get to the finish line with some semblance of a huge smile on my face & try to do 'the running man' down the finish-line chute!
My daughters get really embarrassed by my dancing when I do it . . . so I thought it would be appropriate. I may just forget &/or fall on my face. We shall see.

Well, gotta get going - tons of errands - then dinner with Vit & Lola.

Much peace & love, TracerX

Girls gone Wildflower. . . .

Or in my case, GIRL gone to Wildflower.

I had a different title, but I forgot what it was. I saw this saying on a T-shirt the past weekend at "Wildflower".

So, I got back the other night after having spent a lovely weekend with the boys. Again, it was just me & my boys. It was not too bad, but I did miss Lola, who had a nasty case of lymphangitis.

I had decided to take a bunch of testosterone (I know, I have enough already . . . ) and just get up to the triathlon & camp like a real man!! That included eating dinner at Big Bubba's Bad BBQ, having it rain on us, setting up my own tent, farting & belching. All of which I managed to do very well. I also got to share a tent with G-Money, & my hubby was O.K. with it. He even really likes G-Money.

Well, Friday night of the weekend was a bit of a restless night - no, not because of G-Money - because I just have a difficult time sleeping when I am camping. OH - and also because Vit's bro-in-law, B-Meister, snored louder than a cat in heat.

Anyway, got up early Saturday & had a great breakfast made by Vit, gathered my gear & took off to the transition area. This was going to be my first-ever sprint triathlon done on trails using a mountain bike. I was nervous & excited. I had done some riding with the bike to get used to the gears, etc. And since this was a .25-mile swim / 9.7-mile ride / 2-mile run, heck, I was just gonna have fun.

I racked my bike like they told me, got my gear in order, chatted with some of my fellow 45-49-year-olds & even had the dumb chick (bitch) that knew everything tell me that the bikes were racked wrong & it was triathlete preference - coughbullshitcough - but she really was trying for a podium spot & has been doing this for 10 years .. . . blah blah blah . . . you get the picture. I told her not to give me any attitude, just explain how she wanted my bike & hers to be placed, since I was just here to have fun and was NOT "going for a podium spot." She did settle down & it was off to the swim.

It was a fun swim start, but I felt so cramped in. I did O.K., felt decent when I got out - thank God, because we had to run up the boat ramp to transition, boogied thru that & jumped on the bike & took off. The bike was 9.7 miles and I had a complete blast!! I just felt good and was having fun! Now onto the 2-mile run. Back into transition, change & get out . . . and up!! STAIRS??!! I love Vit for these little tips he keeps hidden from me. Oh, well - it's only 2 miles & I just go. Again, thank God it's only 2 miles.

I ended up with a total finish time of 1:23:09. And - I had a really fun time! Met a nice lady that I ran with to the finish line & just enjoyed the race.


I reunited with Vit & B-Meister & we hung out in the spectator stand to watch the pros finish.









Andy Potts redeemed himself with an overall win. Nice job . . . and he looked good doing it - I mean he really "looked good."

And I got a picture with him:


He is super nice. Did I mention that he is really good-looking??











After the pros came in we made the long haul back to the campsite to watch the rest of the "age-groupers" run through the campground - it's around Mile 9 for them on the run. I got a great picture of G-Money, who was kind enough to stop & pose.


And, as it turned out, G-Money finished in under 6 hours!!! A PR for this course for him . . . go G-Money!

Saturday night we all had a nice spaghetti dinner & went to bed early. Keep in mind that B-Meister & Vit had a race to do on Sunday.

Sunday morning we all woke up, packed our gear & headed down to the race. I got to be the photographer for the day. I was busy running all over the place to get the best shots I could.

Here is a good one of Vit & B-Meister -



Vit took a minute-plus off his time from last year, & due to mechanical difficulty, B-Meister had to DNF. BUMMER . . . but I must say he took it very well. When he finally came in off the bike he decided to do the 10K run anyway . . . just for the workout aspect of it. Good for you, B-Meister!! Way to get it done!

All in all it was a great weekend with great friends.

I will be going back next year . . . maybe a longer distance?? The long course perhaps?? We shall see. But I will be bringing Lola with me next year. And my hubby, too.

Quite frankly, I love my "boys," but I want some estrogen with me next year. Missed you, Lola.

Here are me & my boys:



Well, that's all she wrote . . .

Peace & love,
TracerX

Oh, by the way - I podiumed with a 4th place finish in my age group!

Hills?? Nobody mentioned hills to me. . .

1857 07:22:17 TRACERX W45-49 61/78 39 1325 39:46 2:06 5:10 59 1814 3:37:26 15.5 3:52 70 2:56:04 13:27

O.K., I'm a little late in getting this race report done. But, hey - I had to go on a mini-vacation with my family over spring break and then I went right back to training. Well, not RIGHT back.

It did take a week-plus to recover. So, without further ado . . .

It was a cold Saturday morning in April. I had slept well the night before, but the alarm went off at 3:30 a.m. Oh-so-comfortable in bed. . . but, I must get up because I am one of those neurotic people who must get to the transition area pretty much the minute it opens. And, I might add, I am not the only one!

So - up I go, get dressed, try to eat & call Vit to ask him a question. Well, guess what? He's not even up yet! GET UP, VIT . . . you're one of the neurotic ones, too. Let's go!

We load up the car with the gear and it's off to the race we go.

With my husband & Vit's wife, Lola, in tow, we get down to the parking area & take off on the bikes to the transition area. I'm feeling pretty good. Only mild anxiety at this point. I think the outfit Vit is wearing is keeping my mind off my fear, with his compression socks & his camouflage shorts. (Thanks for the laugh, Vit. You always cheer me up.)

Into transition, find my rack, locate a nice spot where I can't get my gear thrashed by some dumb chick who shows up late & feels it is her prerogative to fit her bike and her gear into an area that is already filled. It is one of my biggest pet peeves when people do that. BIG.

I'm happy to be near some really nice ladies. Most of them are veteran 70.3 triathletes. All of them are super nice . . . until the dumb chick who shows up late and decides that she'll stuff her bike into a space that doesn't exist. She knocks off the helmet that's on the bike & feels obliged to tell us all how the bikes need to be stacked! Well, kiss off, bitch! (I didn't really say that, but I did think it.)

Now that my area is ready, Vit & I head out to find G-Money & H.R. Pufnstuf. Oh, and to check out the competition. ha ha

After a chat with my friends I'm ready to put on my wetsuit & pee. Yes, pee on myself, in my wetsuit. If you do tri's, you'll understand. If not - well, you might find that gross. Sorry!

The really funny thing is that I REALLY have to pee . . . a lot! So when I finally let loose, at first there's a nominal amount running out the bottom of my wetsuit. Then, it's a large amount forming a pool of urine around me & running across the asphalt. I have to tell the ladies I'm talking to what I've done. The comments they make are not of disgust, but instead they say things like, "Great! That means you're hydrated!" & "Oh, you must be warm!"

I'm still a bit embarrassed, especially for the woman sitting on the ground next to me. She didn't get it in her direction. Once the line moves forward, it's kinda funny to see other women having to stand in my "pee puddle." hee, hee

Enough!!! On to the swim. My group of white caps - Wave 13 - enters the water to swim out to the starting buoy - only 100 yards or so - I'm excited more than nervous. I know I have to "just keep swimming." And that is what I do! I have a really nice swim. Find a nice clean line without a ton of people to crawl over or hit in the face, etc. I do get kicked in the face once, causing my goggle lens to be dislodged from my eyeball. No biggie - I'm able to get it back on without a problem.

Out of the water & into T1 . . . I run into the transition, grab my gear, make a decision to take off & try to get my gloves & arm warmers on while I ride. Which I manage to do, thank you very much. I probably look a little silly.

The first 10 miles I feel like my legs are made of lead. I push on & finally find my groove. At mile 29-ish, I need a pee break, take it at a porta-potty (the one with the Marine yelling the entire time, "Ooo-rah!").

When I get back on my bike, when . . .

what to my wondering eyes should appear? A rather steep hill that would require a small gear!

I don't get discouraged . . . I'm excited to just take the hill as it comes. "Live in the moment," as Vit says.

I have fun with that hill. I talk to other people, watch them go by me, watch them as I go by. Watch one gal hit the curb & almost tip over! Glad she doesn't. I don't think I can stop because it will be too hard to get started! Nice altruistic me . . . thinking about others.

Onward & upward . . . the rest of the ride is uneventful. Except for the head wind that we all have the last 11 or so miles back to the beach. It's just time to put my head down & keep pedaling.

Back at the transition - into T2 - and I cannot run with my mostly new shoes & cleats. I just cannot do it. I also have some horrible back pain. So, I stop in the transition area, take off my shoes & walk at a moderate pace to my area to get ready to "run." I think I will just take my time & not really care about my time. (As it turned out, I learned later that my T2 was faster than T1!! Go figure.)

As I head out for my "run," I'm experiencing a great deal of pain in my right low back with every step, so it's time for some medication. Take some, do my walk/run, hit the wonderful sand, for quarter of a mile (x4) . . . all I have to say is YUK. What a pain in the butt.

By mile 1, I have to take more medication - yup - I'm doping!! But I don't think it helps my performance at all. (Although I did my run/walk in 2:56:04, which is my best half-marathon time.)

It's two loops on the run, so I'm happy to see all my boys - Vit, H.R. & G-Money. I'm also thrilled to see some great friends on the course out there with their big smiles, cheers & kisses.

(Thanks for coming out, Big Daddy D, VAD & their nephew. It was nice to see all your smiling faces.)

Overall, I end up having fun on the run. The support crew, AKA volunteers, are awesome, the woman with the dog who keeps encouraging me & the stoners in front of their house with their cowbell, all keep me going.

When my two loops are done I get to make the left-hand turn into the final stretch to the finish. Oh, boy, does that feel good. I see my hubby, tons of people cheering for me & coming over the finish line feeling delirious & having H.R. there to put my medal around my neck. "What are you doing volunteering?" I think. Even though he's done and finished the race . . . I'm a bit loopy. Vit is there. G-Money, too. And there are hugs & kisses all around. I'm extremely happy to have my 1st 70.3 under my belt!!

What an amazing feeling. One I won't forget - until the Alzheimer's kicks in. Seriously, great feeling. Plus, I got a medal.


OH! - did I forget to mention the blisters? Yes, I got two beautiful blisters on the bottom of each foot. Those were no fun. They squished with every step.

Also, I told everyone after the race that I did not think I would be able to do the Ironman. I said it was going to be too hard & I was going to be unable to deal with it. Everyone said not to think about it, just enjoy the moment.

It wasn't 'til dinner - well the cocktail part of dinner - that I was ready to go do Ironman!! Yeah, baby, let's do it! IMAZ November 22, 2009, here I come!!

Well, I think that is all I have to say . . . except a special thanks again to Lola & my hubby. You two are the best jock straps!

Sorry it took so long to write this, but hey! I've been training for my Ironman.

Much peace & love,
TracerX


Note: Photos will be added soon.

How about a quickie? ? ?

I finished my first-ever 70.3 Ironman on Saturday!

I am sore, sunburned & have two big blisters . . . one on the bottom of each foot.

So, suffice to say that I will write a complete race report as soon as I return from my wonderful family getaway to a lovely spa & resort in Avila Beach. I am looking forward to a nice, relaxing mineral hot springs with a deep tissue massage!! Oh, my . . . it sounds so good.

The quickie is that I am done blogging for now. Good night & talk to ya soon.

Peace & love, TracerX

p.s.-let me give it up for my boys: Vit Tornado, G-Money & H.R. Pufenstuf who kicked butt at the triathlon! Way to go boys.

It's off to the races I go. . . .

Well, the time has come. Only tonight & one day to go . . . T minus 31 hours. Can that be right?

So, Cali 70.3 here I come.

Gonna set a PR!! (That is the good news.)

Gonna have to deal with gnarly back pain . . . That is the bad news.

Gonna be surrounded by friends & my husband. That is the fantastic news.

So, the time has come to get to bed.

I will have a race report next week for y'all.


Peace & love, TracerX

Doctor, doctor! Gimme me the news . . .

As you may or may not know, I have some pretty bad, kinda severe back problems. I have been battling with them since last August when I found out (after the Santa Barbara Long Course) that I had a sacral fracture. I did that triathlon in lots of pain!

I was told not to run while the fracture healed, not to ride out of the saddle, and go ahead and swim but no flip turns. (Thanks for that last one, doc, since I don't freakin' do those anyway.)


So, I abided by the rules and got that sucker to heal. I had an MRI taken of my lumbar spine & my sacrum - that's how I found out it was fractured. It was also noted that I have severe degenerative disc disease at L3-4 & L4-5.

Which translates to bone-on-bone, no cushion, disc dessication & arthritis!!! I know, I know: hang up the damn running shoes & just ride the flats, right? The problem with that? . . . I DON'T WANT TO DO THAT. I want to keep on training & racing even though it is really kicking my ass! Well, my back, actually, which then radiates down to my butt cheek & hamstring. Especially with the running.

So, just walk . . . right? Yes, that is a possibility, especially given that I am not really a runner anyway. . . it just means I will be that much slower during the "running" portion of my triathlon - also known as My Quest Not To Be The Last Person To Cross The Finish Line.

Are these all crazy thoughts? Maybe, but it is how I feel. . . but I do suffer after a training run/walk.



So today I went back to see Dr. Steve for some updated radiographs of my lower back & sacrum.

It still looks crappy!

Again, I was told that running is not that good for me.

Again, I feel like crying & feel like I really picked a bad sport to fall in love with.

Again, I decided that I don't want to do that. After all, I am signed up for my first Ironman! Remember that is what this blog is all about! My road to Ironman. . .

So - keep taking my anti-inflammatories, go to physical therapy, ice my ass, take narcotics & alcohol together. . . ooops - maybe not that last part, but it sure does help. There's nothing like a Darvocet & a Bloody Mary. ****kids: don't try this at home.

K - that's all for now. . .

Peace & love, TracerX

I'm back in the saddle again. . .and again. . .

So, if you read my blog about my new accessories, you will know that I got a new saddle. Well after approx. 90+ miles it was quite clear that my saddle & my "girlie bits" were not getting along. So, back to the cycling store - Helen's - to try something else.

Again, they were extremely helpful . . . and I ended up with a Selle Avant saddle.

I rode for just over an hour tonight & so far, it seems to be working wonderfully. The girlie bits were very happy & I was able to get in the aero position, which I could not do on my long ride 3 days ago!!!

I will put it to the test this weekend with another long ride.

Peace & love, TracerX

You give me fever . . . fever. . .

. . . when you infect my inner ear. Oh my, what does it all mean? It means I had just gotten over a cold/bronchitis . . . had a good week or so. . . then started having headaches, dizziness & nausea. NO, I am not pregnant!! On Wed. I started with the low-grade fever, so I went to the doctor & it turns out I have otitis media.

I was put on antibiotics & am very pleased that this can be over soon. No swimming for a few days, though.

Now, the problem with all this is that it has put a little crimp in my workouts. Not so much the walking or biking, but the damn swimming!! Puking in the pool is not a pretty sight. Not that I did throw up in the pool, just really felt like it.

I guess I'm writing this because I'm feeling nervous about my upcoming 70.3. I feel like my training is not where it needs to be.

Maybe it's just that I have only 3 weeks left. And, I am going to ass-u-me that it's normal to feel some anxiety.

That's all I really have to say. Oh, except that I had a really great hilly ride this week. It felt good. . . oh, wait - maybe that's hope that I detect?

Peace & love, TracerX

America's Next Top . . .

Mountain Biker??? NOT! I feel positive that I will never be America's Next Top Model or Mountain Biker. Maybe just plain "Cross-Training-Mountain-Biker-Who-Is-Not-Very-Good-At-It" would better explain my situation.
















Also, I have not been mountain biking in about 20 years. Which begs the question: why today? Well, let me start at the beginning: I went out yesterday to Helen's Cycles in Santa Monica & got new pedals & a seat for Penelope. (OK, the seat is really for me.)














I also got a nice, new pair of triathlon bike shoes!! Carbon fiber!! And the best part? They didn't cost an arm & a leg! Those I bought at Cynergy Cycles.

Let me say that I had incredible assistance from the general manager at Cynergy!

I also had amazing help with everything at Helen's from a sales assistant named Joe . . . he is their triathlon specialist and was oh-so-helpful. I also bought new tires - or so I thought - for Penelope. Joe offered to have the new tires put on, but being the big girl that I am . . . I needed to do it myself.

So I got up this morning & headed for the garage to put on my new tires. Well, I found out I only bought 1 tire!! OK, I'll just start with that on the back, since the front tire wasn't really that worn.

This is my first time putting on a new tire. I have my cup of coffee, my bike pump & my new tire. I am ready to rock n' roll!

Boy - it would have been easier to wrestle an alligator! Not that I've ever done that . . . I just imagine that it would have been.

So, I get the tire on with the tube in it & start to pump it up. Huh, what is that hissing sound? OH, it is a hole in my freakin' tube!!! Not to panic, I have another tube available . . . I get the new tube out of the box & proceed to use it, when I discover it is the wrong size - it's too big! (that's what she said)

So, now I am stuck with 1 tire & 1 tube. Now how am I going to get my ride in???

Wait just a minute . . . I can use my mountain bike!! (actually not mine, borrowed from a friend.) But a bike ride is a bike ride.

I get ready & somehow wrangle my husband into going with me . . . he is a mountain biking expert, after all. Alright, he used to ride a lot 20-plus years ago, but he is still a great resource & he can identify my body if I fly off a cliff. A win/win all the way around.

I really only have one thing to say: mountain biking is way different than road biking!

I can't navigate creeks with difficult rock crossings. I can't get the gearing right going up a hill & when I do it feels like I am pulling too hard on the handle bars & popping a wheelie up the hill. My center of gravity is all off. And falling hurts like a son of a bitch!

I ended up taking two spills causing a nice big hematoma on my knee, a painful hip & a banged-up elbow! Lucky for me no one saw me fall.

I had to walk across a couple of creeks with a difficult single track & walked up one big hill. I still feel like I got in a decent workout. Just a bit banged up.

Oh, one more thing to say: No more mountain biking until after the 70.3. Then I have to keep it up for my Wildflower Sprint Triathlon. I only need to manage 9 miles on the bike portion, but I don't know what the route looks like. So I will be doing a lot more practice.

Well, it is time to go soak in the tub!

Much peace & love, TracerX

p.s. Helen's Cycles offers 20% off on accessories for L.A. Tri Club members.
Cynergy is 15% off. I was very happy with my discounts. Thanks LA TRI.

Only 5 weeks to go til California 70.3.......

and I am feeling kinda nervous. After my wonderful ride last Saturday . . . then a nice long swim Sunday morning, followed by a 60+ minute walk, I ended up getting a freakin' cold!

- which has turned into bronchitis & has caused me to miss an entire four days of training.

So, I feel like I am starting from scratch . . . it's a bitch getting sick & being old. OK, I am really not that old. But all the same, I have 5 weeks to just keep plugging along!

I am going to try to make a time prediction for my 70.3 (my 1st one ever!!):

1.2-mile swim: 40 mins.
56-mile bike ride: 3:35:00
13.1-mile run: 2:45:00

Well, that adds up to right about 7 hours!! YIKES . . . seems like a long time, but I want to be realistic. So, what the heck . . . at least I'm doing the sucker.

OK - that's it for now.

Peace & love,
TracerX

Here are a couple of pictures for clarification.....

TracerX & her Trek Madone named Penelope Marshmallow Creampuff Pitstop


For my good friend Pendong...this is a picture of Penelope.

Hey kids - cover your ears, there may be some foul language . . .

F#$@ son offa B@#*% . . . . OK, got that out of my system! Why do I have to curse, you ask?

Well, as you may or may not know, the ToC (Tour of California) came rolling thru our wonderful state. And due to the fact that I love guys in tight shorts & shirts, I wanted to see the tour fly right by me. So Vit, H.R. Pufnstuf & I decided to ride the route, or at least Stage 7, from Santa Clarita to Pasadena. Well, actually just to the top of the climb at Angeles Crest Highway.

So Vit & I started out in Granada Hills & rode to Sierra Canyon & San Fernando Road to meet H.R. (he drove his car out there - thank GOD). We took off from there to Soledad Canyon to ride uphill and see the tour come by. (We were several hours ahead of the game, but I know Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer & the gang were much faster than me, so I needed a head start.) We got to Sand Canyon and Vit had us turn right.

What a beautiful ride up Sand Canyon - the homes are gorgeous, lots of space for horses to roam & it was a beautiful day. So we continued upward - we even rode past a sign that said, "Angeles National Forest." It was just a matter of 11-plus more miles of hill climbing to get to Mill Creek Summit.

Or so I thought.

We were supposed to be riding up to 4,900 feet, give or take a few. So, here we are riding along up a nice steep hill, then down a bit, then up some more. And I'm talking kinda steep here. I am only cruising at 5-something MPH on Penelope.

Slow enough to notice mile marker 12. And 12.34. And 12.75, And so on. Now I start thinking to myself, "Self - does this seem right to you?" But I ignored my Self & started another long downhill roll. Now I know something is wrong. Why the hell am I going down again? Where is all the snow??? Where are all the people who want to see the ToC?

Where the hell are Vit & H.R. Pufnstuf?

And, why the hell is it hot out here? Aren't we gaining elevation?

Well, I drop on down to my boys, who agree that something is wrong, given that we are back in the FRIGGIN' San Fernando Valley (basically) at the Wildlife Waystation!!

F@#$....F#@%...F$#@!!!!!

It is NOON. They start at NOON. But we can't make it back in time because we have to climb out of this hellhole!

It took me a good little while to adjust to the fact that now I was just on an average little training ride. That I would not have that thrill of the peloton speeding by me. To shout, "woooo hoooooo!" or to run alongside some rider clad in tight shorts & shirt. I was pissed!!! Dang it!

I had to get over it. I mean, there are times in a race where you feel frustrated, tired or that you just don't have it in you. You need to mentally pull it together & get your mind around what you are doing in that moment!

(Oh, I sound like I know what I'm talking about. I like it.)

Back to the ride . . . we basically went back the way we came. Made it back to Carl's Jr., where H.R. Pufnstuf's car was parked . . . ate lunch, discussed what the heck went wrong (yes, both Vit & H.R. had directions for the ride) & I hitched a ride back to Granada Hills. Vit was a stud & rode back the 7 miles. I was spent - my thighs were done - plus, we needed to get back to watch the ToC.


That was just salt in the wound. So many signs, literally, that we missed . . . like: where was the writing on the ground that all the fans do in chalk? Of course - the snow!? And all the people who come out to watch??

F#$%.....F#$%.....F@#$

Sorry, that is it.

Now some stats, according to Vit's Garmin: we rode 53 miles (45 for me) & climbed 7,600 feet (approx.7,300 for me) . . . no wonder I was spent - major climbing!!

All in all, I had a nice day with my friends.

Peace & love,
TracerX

It's been such a long time...no see

Hello all (all 4 or 5 of you)...I just wanted to say the The Surf City Half Marathon was a blast. No rain this year. It was the perfect temperature, sunny with beautiful ocean views!

My final time was: 2:59:06 Pace: 13:40. That is 6 mins. faster than my time last year.


Well, that is all for now. There are lots of updates & I will get to all that a bit later.

Peace & amp;love, TracerX

I'm gonna need a gallon of K-Y to ease into this . . .

. . . that was my response to Vit when he told me - like he always does - that I needed to "ease into it" when we were trying to run some hills.

I am sure y'all know what K-Y is - !!?

If not, go to your local proctologist for an exam. Or watch Deliverance and see what happens when you don't have any!

I digress . . .here are a bunch of workouts that I did. I threw in some new stuff like trying a spinning class! That was tough . . . I was shvitzing by the end of class.

I tried the class with a colleague . . .he is Fine. No, really - he is Fine!

Let's see what else . . . Oh! I did a nice bike ride in the RAIN. By choice, I must admit. Vit was not happy with me. He wanted to turn around - girlie man - but I was having fun, so we rode on. We were soaked to the bone & filthy dirty - and we hadn't even started the ride!! ha ha . . .just kidding, Lola.

Again, I digress. Here is the week (plus) of workouts:



1/19: Rest day

1/20: Took a nice hour-long ride outdoors to ride the hills around my house.

1/21: GULP . . . I did nothing - get off my ass, Pendong.

1/22: Ran 6.5 miles. O.K., ran 3.5 & walked the other 3 w/friends. BUT, we did a big ol' hill!!

1/23: Swam 2,100 yds. & lifted.

1/24: Rode 57.48 - this was the ride in the rain. It rained from Granada Hills to LAX. We did continue on to Huntington Beach. Just when the ride starts to look pretty & the ocean is off to the right, we had to be picked up. No injuries, flats, etc. It was just time to get down to Carlsbad so Vit could pick up his race packet. He & some of his family & friends were going to do the Carlsbad Half Marathon the next day; I had to take my PALS course. Bummer.

The ride around LAX is nasty & scary & just no fun. I don't recommend it.
Also, Wilmington is no pleasure cruise either. Too many potholes which equals a massive headache for me! AND, nuts & bolts in the street. I thought I was at Pep Boys. If you're gonna steal a freakin' car tire, take the damn nuts & bolts!

1/25: Ran 6.8 miles of trails near my house. I did this after my PALS course. I needed a tension release.

1/26: MONDAY!!!! My rest day . . . I love you, MONDAY.

1/27: Vit & I took a nice 5-mile brisk walk. It was very windy & we headed up a lovely long hill.

1/28: Swam 2,150 yds. & lifted.

1/29: 55 mins. of shvitzing spin class at The Ride.

1/30: Well, this was supposed to be a swim & lift day, but NOOOOO. Instead, I had to deal with some wonderfully idiotic jackasses at work. I ended up doing, basically, a 12-hour shift. It was not a horrible day, but I did, at one point, want to beat the crap outta someone. AND, I like the guy . . . but boy, was he a "male genitalia"

Again, again, I digress . . .

Finally, today, 1/31, the end of the month - Vit & I rode hills for a couple of hours. It turned out to be a nice day.

I do need to give a shout out to my Vit for his patience & friendship. He is a tolerant kinda guy.

Most days.

Seriously, THANKS VIT.

Also, to his wonderful wife, Lola, she is just as amazing! Thanks to you both.

Well that is all, folks.

I am off to do the Surf City Half Marathon tomorrow with Lola, Becky G, & G-Money.

Peace & love, TracerX

Just another manic Monday, followed by a bunch of other stuff . . .

Mon. 1/12: As usual, Monday was my rest day.

Tues. 1/13: SICK

Wed. 1/14: SICK

At this point, I am not a happy camper! I do not like missing out on training - let alone "just laying around doing nothing." I feel so helpless & pissed off all at the same time. (Yes, it is possible!)

Back to the training . . .

Thurs. 1/15: 51 mins. with the wonderful Coach Troy doing my Spinerval session, then lifted for 1/2 hour.

Fri. 1/16: Ran 1.25 miles on the treadmill, then swam 2,050 yds.

Sat. 1/17: Got to go on a great bike ride with two of my favorite guys - Vit, of course, and my buddy G-Money! G-Money is the best! He is such a talented athlete - the guy was a golf pro. He kicks booty in a triathlon and runs ultramarathons - well, you get the picture. He is a stud. Much like Vit & Pendong & Big Daddy. AND, G Money is an all-around nice guy. Much like Vit, Pendong & Big Daddy.

So, back to the ride: we rode 47 miles in just under 4 hrs. We did some hills, Woolsey Cyn. & Mulholland & got some flats & some rollers.

All in all the day was beautiful & I had two handsome men to ride with!

Sun. 1/18: Swam 2,750 & r/w 4 miles.

Well, that's all, folks.

Peace & love, TracerX

Tonight after swimming, I was standing in the shower with water running down my body....

Sorry, no picture attached!! But it hit me that I am signed up to do an IRONMAN this year!! WTF did I do? Seriously? And, I paid for it!!!

I had a bit of an anxiety attack, which I'm sure I will have plenty more of in the future.

So back to the shower (still no picture).....I just sorta stood there thinking, "Can I do this? Can I sustain 14, 15, 16 hours of a triathlon?" YES, of course I can! I mean, "I think I can"? Right? And, I was not really sure what part was freaking me out: the swim with a couple thousand of my closest friends - who, by the way, are punching & kicking me? Or is it the 112-mile bike ride, where I get to pee on myself & my sweet Penelope? Or is it the 26.2 miles of running/walking/crawling? (Yes, you are allowed to crawl; it's in the official "Ironman rules"!! Tanks God for that.)

I think it is the run/walk/crawl-that is causing my high anxiety. OH - and the nutrition aspect of it all. * * * note here: I am definitely experimenting with different sources of nutrition. Right now I am trying Hammer Sustained Energy. I will let you know how it goes.

Well, I just decided not to dwell on it & move forward & take it one day at a time!
Wish me luck.

So, that's it for now.

P.S.: I was wearing my swimsuit in the shower, as I had just finished a 2,050-yd. swim workout!


ha ha









Peace & love, TracerX

A week of workouts...

Well, I am going to make this short & sweet. Let us start with:

Mon. 1/5: NADA-rest day

Tues. 1/6: Rode the trainer for 47 mins., then lifted. Just a note here: I like to follow Mark Allen On-line training.

Wed. 1/7: I walked the dog for 30 mins. - pretty pathetic, I know. BUT, Vit & I were supposed to swim & he called to say he was sick...I just decided that I needed Vit with me to swim (not really, but it was a good excuse!).

Thurs. 1/8: Did a 6 mile run...aka run/walk.

Fri. 1/9: Lifted, then swam. I had a 3,500-yard swim workout planned, but when I got ready to get in the pool, I realized that I had no swim cap!!! Suit - check. Goggles - check. Cap for my long hair - NOT!!! So, I tried but there were just too many hairs flying around. I kicked, did backstroke, breaststroke etc. And, I was just getting too pissed off. I managed 800 yds.

Sat. 1/10: Coach Troy & his Spinervals to the rescue: I did "Hillacious" for 62 mins. then "Suffer Fest & Threshold Test" (sounds fun) for 58 mins. This was followed by a 31 min. run - again, please read that as "run/walk".(r/w)

Sun.1/11: Swam 3,100 yds. and ran 4 miles. r/w

Oh, and here is a picture of me & my beagle, Stella Blue. Yes, she is named after the Grateful Dead song.


















It was a good week except for my training buddy, Vit, being sick...get better soon Vit.

Time to go....peace & love, TracerX

Sorry I have been a blog slacker...

I want to wish you a Happy New Year!!
Vit & I have been training & we did a nice hilly ride on 1/1/09. I promise to post a blog with all the details of my training. Soon..I really mean it, but for now, please accept my Happy 2009 wishes!

Peace & love, TracerX