Best of Both Worlds

TRIgirls could easily undertake this type of training camp.

Though it seems this clip is missing the most important feature????

Could’ve, Would’ve, Should’ve

I am a little annoyed at myself.

With a bunch of TRIgirls off drinking wine for charity (twinge of jealousy), the lanes were a bit more empty than usual at Wednesday’s Masters class. The remaining attendees were juggled around so that a couple of super speedy swimmers, including TRIgirl KB, were placed in the LoJ2 . Looking at the whiteboard, the theme for the workout was painfully clear - “hard and fast.”

Uh, yeah, fast is not really my thing.

The tough workout started off fairly well. The fast 200 had me wondering if I incorrectly read the clock or calculated the wrong time because the interval seemed too good to be true. The descending 150s made me think I may actually have more than just one speed. For the first set of 3 100s – on an interval that leaves me breathless - I was fortunate to draft off Dr. Joe, finishing with about 15 seconds of rest between 100s.

But it was pretty darn hard and I had to fight to keep that draft off the good doctor.

Then there were a few more challenging speed and non-free sets.

So, when the second set of 3 100s (on an interval that was 5 seconds faster than the first) came around, I chickened out. I jumped behind a girl who I knew would be slower and would allow me a break.

I was quite happy for the first 100. But, as I cruised along comfortably during the next two, I realized I could have pushed harder.

It may not have been pretty – and I may not have hit them all - but I should have at least tried.

I hope next time I'll remember this feeling and won't take the easy way out.

I Am Cute, Too - By Buttercup

You know, I used to be the "cute one."

And for a woman my age, I know I look pretty darn good.

But I had a hard start and a few obstacles to overcome in my life.

And now I have fear.

Fear of lightening.

Fear of flashes, which remind me of lightening.

Fear of cameras that flash, that remind me of lightening.

But every once in awhile, while being safely held by my Uncle RJ, someone like Aunt Mel, can catch my beauty and sweetness, too.

I Am Not a Stuffed Animal - By Fezzy

Nor a girl.

Though I tolerate being called both for all the cuddles I receive...

because I am...

SO CUTE.

When you see the pictures my Aunt Mel took of me, how can you argue?

Future Fly Girl?

Tonight's Masters class was flippin' great.

I love our Lane of Joy II. All the mean boys (well, just one really) have been replaced by nice girls. TRIgirl JH has joined us. TRIgirl BL was back from her Pirate Anniversary, looking tan and fit. TRIgirl Fave and I took turns drafting off both of them. TRIgirl KO deserted us for another lane and TRIgirl SQ, though spotted in the locker room, was MIA from the LoJ2. We did have another new female swimmer join us - who said we were the best lane - we worked hard, but were the most polite, encouraging and supportive.

Exactly!

Ironwoman Canada's whiteboard for the evening included an interesting mix of drills, speedwork and other strokes.

Which leads me to a reticent announcement...

I think I could like butterfly.

I don't have it quite right yet - and it completely wipes me out.

But there is something about it that I really enjoy.

Back stroke frustrates me. I am constantly getting water in my face and can't seem to figure out where the pull belongs, not to mention I seem to zig zag across the lane like a pinball.

Breast stroke is fine, but I do feel kind of dorky and froggish.

But, as TRIgirl JH pointed out tonight, there are moments when doing fly, you can feel like a dolphin.

I like that analogy.

What Should TRIgirl 40 Do?

Oh my, I have a dilemma.

Coach G posted the following on our forum the other day:

ChesapeakeMan Aquavelo
Saturday September 27
2.4 mile swim
112 mile bike https://www.tricolumbia.org/ChesapeakeMan/

Sweet! Tempting! After preparing for the Chesapeake Bay swim, the swim training will seem like a breeze. I wanted to do a bunch of centuries on the bike this summer, anyway. How fun would it be to participate with the TRIgirls using this race as IMFL training?

And, oh happy day, no run!

The problem. It is one week before MightyMan.

I don't think I can do both (though folks, who shall remain nameless, but have done a marathon the week after Ironman, may disagree). I'll be taking this to friends, training buddies, coaches and family members for their thoughts...

Do I want to be a ChesapeakeMan or a MightyMan?

How crazy would it be to become a MightyChesapeakeMan?

Not So In Tune (Not Just My Singing)

I'm the kind of person who often walks around with bumps and bruises wondering how they ended up on my body.

For example, the other morning, I glanced in the mirror while crossing the bathroom and noticed this weird, dark mark on the inside of my thigh.

I paused, tried a few poses, then took a closer look. Hmmm. Some type of bloody, angry scab. About an inch in diameter.

Interesting.

I pretty much forgot about it until I went to the doctor later that day. "What's this?" she asked.

"Oh yeah, that thing, I don't know - maybe my thighs have started to rub back together when I run?"

"Well," my doctor said, "you need to watch this and if it doesn't go away in a month - let me know."

Yikes, I guess I need to actually think about this.

I dug out some of that stuff they always put in the triathlon race bags for "dry, cracked skin." I've used it for blisters before and it always seemed to help quicken the healing process.

The next day, I ran, and, thankfully, noticed that my thighs had not blossomed a few inches to cause some type of new chaffing.

Then I went home to bike on the trainer. Maybe my bike shorts were the problem. I put them on. Nope, they didn't seem to hit the aggravated spot.

I started riding. About ten minutes into the workout, the spot felt a little itchy. I scratched it thinking it was just starting to go through that bothersome, healing stage.

Still itchy. Dang it. Leave me alone.

I checked out my shorts, they hadn't ridden up.

I pulled them down further anyway.

Itch, itch, itch.

Finally, I looked down, the Velcro attaching my bike backpack to the seat post was a little loose and had been rubbing the spot on my thigh with every pedal turn.

Oh yeah, I replaced the bikepack last weekend, before the two and a half hour ride of joy.

TRIGirl 40's Word Cloud

Thanks to my newest visitor, TRIgirl Thea (go check out her witty blog), I stumbled upon a way to create a cool word cloud:

...And the Ride of Joy

REB60, Popsrcr and me.

Shorts and only one shirt layer.

Upper 50s, sunny, vibrant blue skies.

Route to and through Ashland.

Taking the long way back to add a few miles.

Stretches of quiet, great paced riding.

Easy breaks with silly conversations.

Rural homes, tree buds ready to burst, the smell of horses.

Friendly dogs visiting during a water stop.

Feeling like the wind is with you the entire time.