It's Confirmed...My Bike Hates Me

I love Blue.. I really do, but lately, she's just not happy with me.

I'm not sure what I did. Was it not riding her enough.. oh wait.. that can't be true, I've been really good at getting her outside seeing the sites! We've had dates every Wednesday and Saturday since I can remember!

Is it that I haven't gotten her serviced enough (as we all know that can make anyone a little cranky :) Nope, I just had her into the shop about three weeks ago. She had a new cassette put on, a back tire changed (my first flat of the season while out on a Wednesday night). She got lubed and ready to ride again?!

What the heck is the problem I ask?!

Maybe she needs some moral support, some encouragement perhaps (you look great blue, really shiny, very sleek - is that a new cassette your wearing?)

Whatever it is, I had better figure it out because our last three weeks have been really rough. Ever since her shop experience she has been having some issues. Let's just say I've replaced 3 tubes and one tire since then. Last Wednesday (after getting back from Denver and hitting my house at 4:15pm), just when I thought I had everything under control, I tried to pump my tire and I was on schedule to get my whole ride in by 6:30 (aka PITCH BLACKNESS). As soon as I removed the pump I could hear air leaking rapidly from the valve and I thought "you bugger" as I moved it around trying to figure out what the problem was. It seemed to be bent and after 10 minutes of messing with it, air just wouldn't stay in so I knew I would have to change the tube to get a new valve. I start changing it, and my neighbor decides it is the perfect time to carry on a full-on conversation with me. Considering I am not that savvy at changing a tire in the first place, this is not my ideal time to chat it up. Finally, I had to let him know that I'm just not that good at this and it would require every ounce of my concentration to get it changed. Wouldn't you know, I fight to get it on, check to see that it's seeded. It looks good.. and then BAM the thing blows with a loud noise as I pump it up.

I'm sure the neighbors loved that - crazy biker triathlete girls at it again!

I rip it off, now 25 minutes late, and take a few deep breaths. After some positive self talk, I go at it again. I really work to do everything correctly. While pumping it up I get really excited, it holds and I throw everything back in the car and head down the road. Till I hear something hitting every time it goes through my break - wham, wham, wham - it almost knocks me off my bike. After taking a closer examination I realize I did not get the tire completely in right at the valve and it has blow up like a growth unable to pass through the narrow space. Already covered completely in grease I whip off the wheel while saying a few choice words and let most of the air out. I grunt, scream a little and finally get the tire pulled on and then promptly bust out my CO2, say a prayer, and let er rip. The freezing cartridge fills my hand but I do hear air going in...

And it stays..

and I'm thankful.. very very thankful. Now 5pm, I wonder if my training partner is even still in the vicinity. I may not make it to meet him, but at least I will get to ride for a little. PLUS that was really really good practice and I'm actually feeling a little hard-core by the end of it! Like a real biker chick! Finally!!

Needless to say when I found a rip in my back tire before Saturday's ride I was not happy. Everything worked out (again), and I was back on the road and ready to ride in no time.

So, hopefully whatever is wrong with Blue lately will resolve itself. Or maybe she just wanted to get all of that out before Clearwater so we wouldn't have any mis-haps. That's just fine and dandy with me!

Ahh..we meet again...

Last night's trainer ride! Not to many more of those to go (this season anyway!)

Speaking of Halloween costumes, I'm ready! I'm not going to reveal what it is, but I'm pretty excited about it. I didn't make it (like I have in the past), but it's still a great fit for me and I can't wait to put it all together.

This picture is from two years ago. I like to do a little karaoke on Halloween if possible so hopefully this year will be no different. I had already changed out of the rest of the costume but the hat remained..not sure why.. but it did!

Happy Halloween everyone! Have fun and be safe out there!

You've Gotta Believe

1. To have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so: Only if one believes in something can one act purposefully.

2. To have confidence or faith in the truth of (a positive assertion, story, etc.); give credence to.

3. To have confidence in the assertions of (a person).

4. To have a conviction that (a person or thing) is, has been, or will be engaged in a given action or involved in a given situation: The fugitive is believed to be headed for the Mexican border.

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I like like number 2 the best... More on this later.

So the news is...I'm toast.

My neck is tight, my legs are aching, my arms are throbbing and that could only mean one thing.

I nailed it. Last week, and this week, have been the way I was used to training all last year. I was consistent, I was sleeping (because I was training so dang hard) and I put 150% into ever last workout. I prepared for each one, and I executed to the best of my ability (with just a bit of help -understatement-and encouragement from The Man & my training partners).

I usually take Friday completely off from working out. Not last Friday though. I had missed a swim earlier in the week and I wasn't missing one more swim darn it! So I got up and did my thing.

After a fairly low key Friday night (tomato pie for dinner & then groceries- yes, I am leading the house party, kegger at my place, 007 kind of life these days!), I was at the Wexford YMCA to meet some of my fellow freakshow triathletes at 7:00am.

My Lovley Pool

We even stole some from other areas of the burgh (Matty & Chad), and had a really great swim. I did NOT participate in the insane IM workout they were doing..um..no thanks..I'm about to ride 70 miles after this?!
Chad getting ready to Ride

We hopped on our bikes and were off by 8:50am. It was about 55 degrees and overcast. The roads were wet, but no rain was in the forecast, so we were hoping for a dry day. Let me tell you, these three boys had me working! I managed to keep my heart rate MOSTLY in check and we had some fun cracking jokes and making fun of one another (ok.. I was the one getting made fun of.. but whatever, the only girl, what can you expect).We pulled in at 3 hours and 59 minutes..and 70 miles, just like I thought. My legs were tired, but I wasn't giving up yet. Chad, my fellow Mark Allen Teammate, agreed to run with me so we set off to do loops around the parking lot for about 3 miles or so. I was glad he was there to chat and take my mind off of the fact that it was almost now 2pm and I'd eaten a bunch of bars, gels and drinks so far today! I didn't even opt for the candy bar or coke on the ride like my fellow riders so I could stick with my race day nutrition plan!

Let's just say by the time I hit Eaten Park, I thought I was going to eat my silverware. Our server couldn't bring the chocolate milkshake fast enough, and I devoured a very large chicken & portabella sub with fries in about 10 minutes. Burning somewhere around 2000 calories will do that to you. I'm pretty sure everyone else there thought there was something wrong with me!

It was great day, and I was so thankful to have people still training to swim, ride and run with me! Thanks guys!

The rest of the weekend was just as productive - laundry, making good healthy food for the week and 13 mile run & raking leaves on the most gorgeous Sunday ever.

I took some pictures in the park while I ran on Sunday mid-morning. It is so pretty this time of year. I loved every second of my run which brings me to the title of this blog "You've Gotta Believe."






I remember when it started to happen last year. It was about 4 weeks out from Hawaii and I was on a long run of somewhere between 2.5 & 3 hours. It came out of nowhere, hit me like a ton of bricks, and I started smiling uncontrollable. I knew it, I just knew it in my heart. Without a shadow of a doubt I knew I was going to finish the Ironman. In fact, I started to feel like I might actually do well there if all factors went my way and the stars aligned.

Yesterday, I had it again. I was clipping away at the miles. My legs were tired and sore, and yet my pace was still right on point. The only thing that would send my heart rate over was the visualization of the race where I could see myself biking with power and then running with a strong, smooth stride. It started to well up inside of me...


Belief

See that little smudge at the bottom of my running shirt from yesterday. That would be blood from my heart rate monitor rubbing me raw. I guess when they said blood, sweat and tears to achieve your goals - they weren't kidding! It's a powerful thing when it happens. When it does, all you can do is be thankful that you recognized it and hope that you remember it when the going gets tough on race day. It doesn't mean things will go right, or that you will PR or anything else really. It's merely a knowing that you're prepared, ready and that maybe, just maybe, as Lauren said to me last year, I just might "have a day" on November 14th. So, we'll see what happens. The taper is almost here and I can't wait. I can't freakin wait.

My New Pocket Video Camera (see comparison to cell phone for size proportions)- Thanks American Dietetic Association! Look for video's on the blog very soon!


ONE MORE HARD WEEEK. I loved the donation idea to the Hoyts so I'll be taking you up on it! Great thoughts!

Plus it's Halloween this weekend..and I need a costume. Any thoughts?

Running Through Denver

I knew something was up when I got in the elevator and turned around only to see Dick Hoyt standing behind me. I did a double take just to make sure I hadn’t lost too much sleep from traveling on a Saturday to mistake someone else for the man with one of the biggest hearts I’ve ever encountered. As he spoke to a lady beside me I knew, without a doubt, it was really Dick.

I said a quick hello, but was too awestruck to actually get a picture (and I hate bothering people for things like that when I see what my boss goes through). “What could he be in town for?” I thought, as I strolled through the lobby of the Sheraton Denver last Saturday.

Then I saw my people milling around the lobby. Yes, you know your people wherever you go. You all know what I’m talking about here. They have high quality running shoes, they wear spandex and running zip up fleeces, and they have the body type that could go out and run 10 miles on a whim.

The guy at the front desk didn’t help me out at all when I asked, “So what’s going on here in town? An athletic event? Marathon perhaps?” He just gave me a blank stare and said “uhh yeah, I think the Denver Marathon was today.” Now 4pm, I was all dressed in business attire and on my way to see one of my favorite speakers of all time in the financial realm – Suze Orman- at the opening session (who was AMAZING by the way - two words - ROTH I.R.A.). I have to admit I was a bit bummed I had just missed the marathon. Not that I would have ran, but it would be fun to see it and cheer at least. "O well", I thought, I had places to be.

After the evening’s events, I ran into a couple of “my people” in the elevator. I asked them how it went today and they responded “Oh..We’re doing the half marathon tomorrow.” What..! It’s tomorrow! Really?! I inquired about the start location and thought about running my long run around while watching the marathoners pass by. It was only 8pm, and I still had plenty of time to get some rest and be up by a 7am start time. After seeing the mass exodus from my hotel lobby at 6:35am, I knew I was headed in the right direction. I had my MP3 player, two gels, my phone and a smile on my face. People were everywhere, music was blaring, and the nervous anticipation could have been cut with a butter knife. Then I started to get a crazy idea…what if I just ran…ran with the rest of them. I would have loved to realize this was going on a bit earlier so I could have registered and officially entered. No time for that now, it was time to decide what was going to happen here. I wanted to run so badly I could taste it.
It was 5 minutes to the start, the helicopters were buzzing overhead, and as the national anthem sang I stood along the highway looking at the faces of those who were about to do their first marathon. It was a combination of complete petrification and utter elation (a face I actually know pretty well).

The gun went off and I started running a bit further up along the course as 10,000 people crossed the starting line. When I saw the 4:00 hour group I couldn’t help myself, I just jumped in the middle of the masses. I know it wasn’t the smartest decision, or even the right thing to do, but I didn’t think…I just acted.
After a few miles of warm up I started dropping the pace per mile. It was like a wall of people but I snuck along the side making up ground. I saw the 3:30 group, the 3:20 group and it finally thinned out.

I didn’t take anyone else’s water, or Gatorade or gels, because I didn’t feel like that was for me (ok, well, maybe like one cup). You know when your body just doesn’t feel right…well, that started happening about mile 6 and I didn’t even think about the altitude change. I was pushing so hard and barely running 6:30-6:40 pace. Eventually I couldn’t even hold that (it wasn't until much later it occurred to me - helloooo Mcffllyyy it's the MILE HIGH city - aka ALTITUDE)! Needless to say, when 13 miles came, I was ready to cool down and run back to my hotel. I peeled off on a side street and avoided the finish line about 400 feet away.

Let me say I am in no way endorsing banditing, or saying I made the right decision. I’m not overly happy with myself for doing it, as I understand why race fees are in place and that I should have spent the $100.00 to enter and have an official time. I promise you that if I would have realized the race was going on I would have paid, in full, to be a participant like everyone else. If this situation ever comes up again, I think I’ll make the right decision and stay strong. In this case, being in a strange city where I thought I might have to do my long run on the treadmill because I didn’t know the neighborhoods or their safety for running in partial darkness, influenced my decision greatly. Knowing my people were out there to run running alongside each other, encouraging each other, was just too much to handle. We all make mistakes, and I would consider this one on my part. Just to acknowledge that I do believe in doing the right thing - I'm going to write out my check and send it in with a note explaining what happened and an apology. It's the right thing to do even if I didn't get all the perks of being a "real racer." I don't want to start a trend of people thinking that I think this is totally cool. I strait up don't..(although it is the closest thing I've ever done to something illegal so I did have a little high for those first few miles thinking I might be tackled at any moment by a race official or police officer).

So, that was the start of my time in Denver. The rest of the day my legs ached and I still had to walk around in heels, which was not the smartest move (in addition to my morning decision). The conference was exceptional, and I interacted with so many wonderful people on both a personal and professional level. I learned so much, got some credits (and even ate some great sushi).

The first two days I was there it was 80 (that’s right, I said 80), so I high-tailed it to our 5th floor pool deck to make some much needed Vitamin D for an hour over lunch. It was a pretty cool place to have a pool deck right there among the skyscrapers.
Now I’m flying back, most likely without my luggage due to a 10 minute plane change, to good old Pittsburgh, PA. I hear its 60 degrees at home and it was snowing as my plane left Denver this morning, so I think there might be a two hour long bike in my future this evening.

The goal is to finish out this week’s workouts with some real diligence and get a great long ride/long run in this weekend (while relaxing and catching up with friends). I feel like I’ve been working for 9 days strait even though this conference was a great investment in me and my company (but it is really hard to not have a weekend).

I really want to nail next week’s workouts too and then, let the taper begin.
Will I make it? gosh, I hope so.

Hope everyone had a great weekend/week!

Go West

Well, the chill is officially here and let me tell you... It's freakin cold.

This week has been insane work-wise, throw in training and it's pretty much a freak show. Even among the craziness, I've still managed to get most of my workouts in and am exceedingly happy about it. I'm not going to lie, it's about all I can do to tackle each week and just swim three to four times, run three times, and bike three times. Forget lifting.. I've been off that horse for about two weeks now. I'm just hoping my functional strength will carry me through! I don't know how people do Ironmans at this time of year living up North. It's going to snow tomorrow and guess who will be on her trainer (most likely) for at least three hours in the afternoon.

Some things must be going right about training though. I'll tell you how I know. I've observed the following:

- I have no skin under my left arm (similar to most of last year) from being in my suit and sports bra for an inordinate amount of time

- All my trashcans that don't have bags (bathroom/office) are filled with gels..not the wrappers - mean gel itself that has leaked out and that I don't have time to clean (anything)

- I'm tired. Not just from lack of sleep (which I have done some of, but mostly I've gotten my 7-8 a night!), but actually physically tired. My arms hurt, my legs ache and I've been fighting to get my heart rate up on limbs that are just plain tired!!

- My car is filled with wrappers, gels and all the equipment to swim, bike or run at a moments notice

- People are remembering that I go to the gym again

- I'm hitting a heart rate of 180 on all of my speed bikes and 190 on all of my speed runs..and it's taking me running myself into the ground, huffing, puffing, snarling to get there.

- I'm running 15 miles without feeling that bad until the last 4, and even then, it's still do-able

- I road with Beth - for 3 and a half hours on Saturday, and didn't die, so something must be going right (oh..and we had a lot of fun..and ate at Subway - yummy!)

Let me tell you some good things about the cold - high boots, corduroy, and cute coats. I really liked my outfit the other day and it was the first time I had put it together (all by myself) so I had Tamie take a picture! I know.. I'm cool.. what can I say. I love my new suede brown boots though.. so freakin cute. Not so freakin cute when you wear them to the mall on Friday night and walk in them for two hours.. then.. NOT so cute!

Pre-mid week long ride I had all this gear on the ground and it couldn't have been over 47 degrees. I was looking at it and really thinking that this was going to my first really chilly ride f the season. I was right (and I forgot my long tights...darn it). My feet were like blocks of ice and I was in complete darkness riding around North Park at 7pm. I mean, couldn't see 5 feet in front of me darkness. I guess I need a bike light.. yeah, yeah Mom.. I'll get one!

This is my "a little sad the cold weather is finally here" face. I know... I'll stop complaining. I finally gave in and turned on my heat last night. It said 50 degrees.. I thought it was time!!

In other news, I'm headed to Denver for the American Dietetic Association's conference for the next 4 days. It should be interesting and fun (plus I need credits to keep my Registered Dietitian status!). I've been chosen as one of five videographers for the week so I will be armed with a pocket cam and my charming personality hoping to make something they can use for next year to promote the conference. The good news is I get to keep the camera so hopefully my blog will be showing some videos once I figure out how to use it!

I hope everyone has a great weekend - happy training! We can do it!! TWO MORE HARD WEEKS.. AHHHHHH!! I can do it!!

You Are An Ironman...

Over 50,000 people attempt to qualify for a race each year that has approximately 1700 people in the bay when the cannon fires. If you're one of them, you know exactly what I'm talking about. It's been called everything from the big show or the big dance to the hardest race in the world. It's the Ironman World Championship - 140.6 miles of blood, sweat and tears. It's where the world's best athletes at the ironman distance get to compete alongside the best professionals in the world. How many times do you see amateurs and pro's alike in the same sport, competing in the same conditions on the same day? Pretty amazing if ask me.

Each year people make it a quest to qualify, and obsession even as they pick their races while paying meticulous attention to the stats from previous years, type of course, timing of the race within the season and a whole host of other factors. Come on.. you know you do!!

I've seen athletes crushed under the weight of qualifying. As if it's some sort of reflection on their self worth or caliber of athlete. The crazy part is, you don't have to just have a good day.. a majority of the time you have to have your BEST possible day, on a particular day that also happens to not have any outside factors creeping in that have nothing to do with your own personal fitness (bike mechanical, bottles falling off your bike, nutrition errors). Everything has to come together, and it has to come together pretty perfectly. That's just the breaks. Some things you can recover from and maybe still make it happen if you have enough time on the other athletes and the fortitude to never give up. Other times, you just have to chalk it up...it wasn't your day. Better luck next time.

Why do we try to hard to get there? Why has Kona become such a magical holy grail to most of us? I think it's interesting and I can't help but think about it as we've all had a chance to see a host of outstanding performances on Saturday that made us cry, shout and relish the experiences of many of our friends who were out there experiencing 140.6 miles on the big island.

I know I was... and I almost felt like I was right there with them!

It may be that we all just want to go to the next level and having a goal that is lofty is a fun thing to try and achieve. Anyone who finishes 140.6 miles - if it's on a training day, in a non-ironman sanctioned race, or at the world championships is an Ironman in my book. Saying that you're an ironman is a really special thing that I think anyone is lucky to be able to accomplish. There is something about the conditions on Hawaii that separate it as the hardest of the events. The elements are so brutal, and so unforgiving that to have a good day there is not just impressive, but really really difficult!

I'm so happy that every one of the close personal people I was following made it to the finish. Not everyone had their best day, but that's not really the important part. The real spirit of Ironman is pressing on when things get tough and realizing the fact that you even made it to this particular race is a blessing. Seeing the faces of those that cross the finish line makes you realize just how much it took to get there. This one day is the culmination of days, weeks and months of sacrifice - time away from friends, family, early mornings, late nights, eating right, sleeping right, and really putting in the time to go the distance. I love watching the finish line during the broadcast.. it always makes me cry - I mean every single time.

My friend Jim emailed me on Saturday and the title was - a year ago today. It of course brought me back to thinking about my experience there and what it was like. It's amazing how time dulls the painful parts and exasperates the positive parts.

I remember the buzz of the week, everywhere you looked places were crawling with the fittest looking people you've ever seen. I remember the checklists, the planning, the NO air condition rule I put myself through for 7 days prior to that race. I remember race evening, the simple meal of spaghetti with a little meat sauce at 5pm and hugging my coach in the kitchen of our house for a final good luck wish. I remember not really calming my Mom's fears so much when I said (and I quote)

"I know you're scared, I'm a little bit scared too. I want you to know I'm prepared Mom, I've done everything I can do to be ready. Now I have to let it go, leave it to God. If something happens out there, I want you to know without a shadow of a doubt there is absolutely nothing I would rather be doing on this very day..nothing. I'm so grateful for every last second of my life up until this point and to get a chance to race in the World Championships. I love you...don't forget I said all this"

I remember the feeling of calm that came over me and that I slept the best I have ever slept before a race in my entire life for a whole 8 hours. That I have never been more nervous while treading in that bay with the other swimmers kicking me and scratching me. I remember looking up in the swim to see only people as far as I could fathom. I remember seeing my family briefly coming out of T1 on my bike and not believing this was really happening. The heat from the Queen K, the thousands of volunteers that I actually said thanks to when I was almost unable to function during the marathon. I remember feeling a knife shredding my quads to bit and thinking 6 more miles.. a 10k..and you'll be coming down that finish line. I remember Lauren, a fellow Pittsburgher, yelling "have a day, Kim, have a day" as I passed her and somehow finding a smile among all the pain. Finally, I remember knowing with two miles ago that I was falling apart, but that I was going to make it as the crowds and the love for my family lifted me up and I started almost watching the whole thing unfold from the outside in. The last thing I remember is pushing forward to the ramp, hearing the echo of "you are an ironman" coming from somewhere in front of me...and knowing that I was finally there after all these miles...finally hearing my name. It was such intense joy and so surreal. I'll never forget it.

When you're stripped down to the very core and the pain of taking one more step seems insurmountable...that's what I love the most. There's no amount of money, or prowess, or accolade that can motivate you to press on. It has to come from somewhere else..somewhere much deeper, and it's different for each one of us. That's when you find out just what your really about...and that's the beauty of ironman. I felt God like I've never felt him before or after that day welling up inside of me and carrying me when times got tough. Like no race I've ever experienced, Ironman has the ability to take you on a journey you've never known.

Either way, it was a dream come true.. an item crossed off my bucket list. If I never go again, or even do another ironman, I feel so thankful I got to see the highs and lows first hand. A huge Congrats to everyone who finished on Saturday and also those who gave it their best and unfortunately, had other issues that didn't allow them to make it down Alii. I prayed, I cheered and I even shed a tear for a few of you...mostly I was just thankful that you made it..safe and sound. You are an Ironman..

Here We Go!

I'm rooting for every last person who will be lining up on dig me beach tomorrow while the drums pound and make you feel like your heart might actually jump out of your chest. However, a few are very near and dear to my heart and I will be saying a prayer for a each of them to have a safe and fun race tomorrow!!!

For starters - my BLST 70.3 compadre, Gary. Gary you are so amazing and just the fact that you are still racing competitively and with such a vivacious zest for life will forever impress me. Thanks for making me laugh. Go get em tomorrow - thinking of you!!

Ahhh.. Marit..

I know in my heart that you are ready. Just trust yourself and have fun - you'll be fine! Can't wait to see you cross that finish line!!

Charisa you are such a great athlete and your attitude is amazing! I can't wait to see you rip it up tomorrow!

Bree you are one of my favorite pro athletes of all time! You have learned so much and now you're ready to put it all into practice. I know you'll love every minute of it and I got a feeling (whooo hooo)- that tomorrows going to be a great day!!

To all the Mark Allen Online Athletes - You're training with the best coaches in the world. It's time to go show everyone just how hard you've worked! I'm thinking of all of you.. I can't wait to cheer you on the whole way to the 140.6 mile mark!!!

Good LUCK everyone - even though it's not about that. May you have blessings tomorrow beyond your wildest imagination!!

October 11, 2008 - No Words Needed.

The Video Speaks for Itself. Good Luck to all those who will be embarking on the journey this Saturday. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.




Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure...than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.
Theodore Roosevelt


Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
Ralph Waldo Emerson


Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.
T. S. Eliot


Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.


I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move.
The BibleMatthew 17:20

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

I dare you to move

I dare you to move

I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor

I dare you to move

I dare you to move

Like today never happened Today never happened before

Switchfoot, Dare you to Move

Thank you to Kyle, who did this amazing video for me last year and for helping me achieve my dreams. Regardless of where we end up, we are always thankful for the journey.

What a Weekend!

If you've learned one thing about Pittsburgh, it's that we love our sports teams. People are FANATICS about the Pirates, Penguins and Steelers. They will dress up, cheer, drink and yell alongside any other fans and will be louder and more obnoxious than all of them. We are loyal, and we are tried and true in good times and bad! This weekend was a tribute to that (along with some amazing training, which I will get to shortly).

Friday night started out with watching the Pens game at a lounge by my house with a good friend that's here for a few weeks from Norway. We had a blast cheering on the Pens and they won..Go Pens!

On Saturday I got up bright and early to meet Heidi and go out for a ride in the beautiful October sunshine. The weather was perfect. Although we had arm warmers and gloves on, it was spectacular riding weather! She was willing to do another alpaca run with me to the 2:20 mark and then I dropped her off an kept going till I reached my four hours! We had so much fun and the last two hours I really really pushed my heart rate and focused on high cadence. I ended up having the best ride of the whole year and my heart rate was right on point! I got off the bike only to have the best transition run of the whole year. My legs were light and I could have ran another 10 miles easily (but I didn't, no worries coach!).

My bike still has the my Ironman sticker from last year! Just as a little reminder that I am an Ironman.

Joselyn and I pre-long run on Sunday. We were easy to spot in our bright tops. Chatting away we got in ten miles together before she split off to pick up the pace for her marathon training and I plugged away at my 7:30pace to get 15 miles in! I was so happy and my legs (although a bit tired at the end) were really in pretty good shape.

Have fun in Hawaii Joselyn. We are thinking of you and Jeremy and praying for a great race for him!

I went home to shower, nap and make a Alfredo/veggie/chicken lasagna to eat this week! Then it was GAME TIME again!!

Steelers VS. Chargers Sunday night at 8:15pm! This was a late night for me but when Heidi said she had tickets I was all in!! I met Heidi and her whole family at the best tailgate ever! The food was amazing and the company was even better. We waved our terrible towels, ate peroigies and laughed a lot!

How appropriate - a pink Newton visor was my belated b-day present from Heidi! Thanks so much! I love it!! It was breast cancer awareness night so all the players were sporting a little bit of pink here and there. They would either have a pink wristband, or pink shoes. It was soooo cool. I felt right at home with my pink visor! I love it! Thanks Heidi!

I adopted Heidi's Grandpa or "POP" as they call him. He was very sprightly and made me laugh! I miss mine sometimes so he had no problem giving me hug and being a substitute for the evening!

As if you weren't sure before, you will be after seeing this picture. Yes, this is a man in full WWF wresting attire..and four other men dressed in some sort of plaid big pimpin zoot suits. The moment we saw them on the way into the stadium we KNEW we had to be in a picture with them. This was actually one of the tamer pictures if you can believe that!

Our seats were on the visitors side but only 6 rows from the field. We were so close we could smell them.. or spit on them...or something! We cheered until I lost my voice! It was amazing!

What a night and what a weekend! It was jam packed with both fun and hard work (just the way I like it). Now it's time to focus people - It's Iroman time. Get your game faces for cheering on. I'm going to spend my week yelling at the computer for 5-10 minutes at a time to practice for Saturday. Don't forget hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!! It's GO time!

Fighting the Darkness...

The track this morning at 6:30am (well, what you can see of it!)

Ok.. So it's a funny post name. I realize that. That's exactly what I've been doing though lately, in more ways than one!

If you live anywhere in the Northeast the reality of winter is upon us. I love the fall, the changing leaves, the smell of crisp fall air, and even jeans and little jackets coming back into style. With this change comes the long hours of summer sunshine waning away in both the evenings and mornings.

Last night I rode the trainer for my two hour longer mid-week ride because I couldn't get started until 6pm and I knew I would loose the light (plus the trainer turns me into some sort of a crazy women so I ride like mad - who knows!).

After my warm up it was starting to get a little bit lighter. How funny - That's steam coming from my body in this picture!

This morning I pried myself out of my nice warm sheets into the 60 degree chill of my bedroom and threw on the Newtons to hit the track at 6:30. It was really really dark when I started but I could see the lines and that was enough to get it done.

At the end of the workout the sun had finally come up and I got to see yet another sunrise!

Afterward, I headed to the pool to attempt to get 3000 yards in during the 50 minutes I had left before having to get ready for work. This time of year I think you have to fight it off. I just hate how at 7pm it already feels like the night is over and I'm not even done with my workout yet.

I'm trying to stay positive though. I'm fighting off the darkness in more ways than one.

My Mother always told me when you start feeling negative or having that depressed sort of feeling you have to fight it off with thankfulness. I had a rough start to the week because of some emotional things and I've been fighting it ever since.

So, here's my list of things I am thankful for today!

1. My Faith - even when it's tested it is always the thing I come back to and believe that will guide me through my life. It will never fail even when I do, big time..and that is a relief.

2. My family - I have nothing without them. They support me, believe in me and love me no matter what. We are so lucky to have them! All of us!

3. My friends - I'm so lucky to have people all over that care about me! From high school friends, to college friends, to work friends, to gym friends, to friends on my Mark Allen Team to blog friends - I am always trying to make a list of people to call because I'm always behind in catching up with them but I know you're on the list and I'm happy I have people to call and talk to in good times and bad. Here's a picture of Janine, Megan and I at a new bike shop opening a few weeks ago - TOP GEAR. It's a great shop! I'm excited about it (it's so close!)

3. Racing/Triathlon - I love competition and have for as long as I can remember. I love the buzz around race day and the feeling of not knowing what will happen. I'm thankful for a special race I did last year around this time and had such a positive experience that I will never forget.

4. My cute little house I live in right now. It's decorated so nicely and I do like it.

5. My career - I've had a lot of luck in this area and I have a great job that isn't too stressful and gives me lots of opportunities to create products for kids that are better for them and impact their lives. I meet lots of food service directors that feed the children of our nation and that's a pretty important job!

6. My Heath - which shouldn't be this far down on the list but I just thought of it! It really is a blessing to be healthy and have no major issues or injuries!

7. The little things: a.k.a.

- wearing socks to bed so I go to sleep faster

- good songs that come on the radio spontaneously that I can sing to

- fall shopping (which I'm trying not to do much lately to save $ to race)

- funnel cake (which I hope to eat this weekend if I do jet home for the ALF festival again)

- Steeler Football (going to the home game this Sunday night with the Chargers - GO Black & Gold!)

- New recipes - I'm attempting to learn how to expand my cooking horizons and it's fun

- The leaves changing

- Three days in Florida to chill on the beach after Clearwater 70.3

- Good smelling body lotion

- Beyonce, my new mascot

- My new computer from Dell that was just delivered today

- Blue, my Cervelo P2, who has been trusty and true (and paid off!) for 3 years now

- Singing in the shower (and praying in there too..it's my favorite place to do so)

- Getting all the money raised for Play By Faith - Thank you Donors! I made my goal!

- My counselor - she's amazing and I am so happy to have her

- Hot Chocolate

- Apple Cider

- My blog friends!

- Getting to watch IM Hawaii online next week and cheering my head off for everyone!

OK...that's enough. Time to go home! I hope everyone has lots to be thankful for today!