Enough Alida!!!!

Ok....let me explain the lack of posts. First...I traveled to Salt Lake City last week, got back on Friday....hit the ground running and right now, I have NO internet at mi casa. I mean...NONE. I had a 4.5 hour ride on Sunday, absolutely BEAUTIFUL day and got to ride with some folks from the Cap Tex and Wildflower teams. (TNT folk) Got in a few hills, mainly rollers and just enjoyed being outside. (you jealous now Alida? Was it above 28 in Chicago?)

After biking it was onto church for a last minute rehearsal for Easter services on Saturday night and Sunday morning.

After that was completed on Sunday...I then came home for a 1.5 hour run (where my legs felt like lead). Drove up north to get my dog from Miss T. and finally got into bed exhausted at around 1030 PM.

Start of a new week.....Monday was a day off (went to Core class where my Monday night date put a hurt on)

Tuesday- Swim at 545 AM, felt great!!!
Texas Iron run practice tonight

Wednesday- Swim at Barton Springs 6 AM
Core class and 30 minute tempo run

Thursday- Swim at 545 AM
Bike workout in the evening

Friday- day off!!

Saturday- 2.5 hour ride

Sunday- LONESTAR Half Ironman!!!!! GET READY!!!!!!

Sunday afternoon, nap and a few beers.

I will try to get on the computer, download some pictures and tell you all about my adventures in Salt Lake (through pictures and a few other updates on life)

This post was boring....but if I didn't post, Alida might hurt me.

I ain't slacking...if you were wondering.

I am in Salt Lake City for a few days...new job could be on the horizon. And yes, I did the research and got in the training I needed to. However, I did NOT have a good time in the pool I went to yesterday. Let me tell you my story.

I found the Steiner Aquatic Center (has a 25m indoor pool and a 50m outdoor pool, heated and the view of the mountains is amazing from either indoor or outdoor) I arrive, purchase a new pair of goggles from the front desk as I realized I forgot mine. Found my way to the pool.....my first 1400m went really really well. I was swimming in a lane with one other woman when a third entered and asked if we could circle. We say, sure and I quickly realize they are not there to SWIM, they are there to be recreational. I see that the man in the lane next to me is by himself. I say...I am just gonna move over to his lane and share with him. The woman says, "oh, you are not Mormon." I say "nope." She says, "I can't share the same lane as another man." I decide it is best to just leave this alone and I continue my swim. I was following the workout per Texas Iron, and getting into a rhythm when a big hairy man in a speedo enters my story and my lane. We begin to circle and about 200m later, Hairy Man #3 asks to enter the same lane. (the first man in the lane was also hairy. By now I am severely disgusted as hairy backs make me want to vomit.) We are now circling except that 2 of these men put fins on and start to swim all over me. And I am being serious...one of them swam right over me. I am not quite sure what pool etiquette is but this can't be right. I mean, I was here....FIRST!!!???

At this point I was beyond frustration and didn't want to be in the Salt Lake paper for cussing out one of these individuals so I gracefully get out of the pool....go shower and make my way to City Creek trail. Now this was BEAUTIFUL!! It was right at sunset and I was running along this creek that was in between two mountain passes and all you could really hear was the creek running. I wanted no iPod, just wanted to take it all in. I only ran 40 minutes, but my lungs felt like I had been running 90. A little altitude training never hurt I guess!!

Today...Thursday I didn't get in a workout...it's ok, I did some Trigger Point and will enjoy a good meal with a really great friend. I will get back to Austin tomorrow and will run 60 minutes. Saturday is a bike ride and Sunday is a long run!! Hoo-yah!!

I am sad to say good-bye to Salt Lake....I seriously need my own TV series of showing people where to train while on vacation or on business in other areas. I have found, I can make it happen anywhere. Who wants to fund my show?

On the Road Again...

Off to Salt Lake City, Utah tomorrow through Friday morning. I have found a pool to swim in on Wed. afternoon, and I am going to get in a spin class on Wed. & Thur. Of course, I got the running shoes, cause if it's not toooooo cold, I will run!!! (Eric, I better not get called a wuss for writing that!)

Back on Friday and in for a great week of training!!

Swim and a bike on Saturday.....run on Sunday!!

Happy Easter!!

R.I.P Kit, my most favorite bike.

So you all know I am a proud member of Team FELT. I love my bike. I named her Kit because she was certainly an upgrade from my first entry level Giant. And sometimes, she talks to me....I digress.

Maybe it's that "16 year old, you worked a summer job to get a car when you turned 16 feeling." I bought this bike right after cancer. I bought this bike right after a really not-so-fun break-up. (are they ever fun?) And 7 weeks after treatment, this is me racing my first Half Ironman in Florida. I had already signed up for the race 9 months prior, I was going to finish it no matter what.

How did she go? Well, I took her into Jack & Adam's bike shop yesterday for a fit. See, my girly parts when riding?....not so good. As Jack began to examine the saddle and switch a few things out, he noticed the frame was cracked in a part that makes the bike not safe anymore.

Moment of silence please.

Of course, why do I love Jack Murray and his shop? Because not even 24 hours later, Jack had my problem solved. I have a Half Ironman next weekend, I need a bike for that. He got my frame warrantied, and I will pick up a new and improved Felt S22 on Friday, ready to ride Saturday for training.

And then he went even further.....Jack asked if I could keep my old frame (explaining the story to his FELT dealer) just because it symbolizes so much more than a bike to race with. It reminds me of a time when I fought like hell for each day and won. It reminds me that nothing can hold me back and that I beat the odds.

I won't go anywhere else in Austin. Jack & Adam's bike shop has taken care of me since I got off the plane from Florida last year and needed my bikes put together. I love those guys because they understand the small stuff does matter at times.

R.I.P Kit....you were super good to me for 2.5 years of racing. What shall I name my new bike????

The disappearing act of Colleen Renee'

First, I am sorry Alida for no updates since last week. I do have a few reasons.

Saturday- ran 1.5 hours & helped a friend at her TNT fundraiser, then worked at Jack & Adam's for 4 hours, then went directly to Mama T's to begin the move of all my larger items to my new South 1 bedroom Apartment!! :) Yes, I am now a true Austinite! I live about one mile from Town Lake....a few blocks from South Congress. It pretty much rocks. I got all that stuff moved and finally tucked myself into my new digs at 1030ish.

Sunday- got up for one of the BEST bike rides to date. Met Maggie & Jeff W. for the Fitzhugh Ride. We got out about 22 miles and turned around....Jeff says, "You and Maggie want to do Barton Creek and Lost CreeK? I don't like to do 71/Mopac Feeder going back to the city." Colleen & Maggie very excited, "OK!!!!!"***

***What we did not know. We had never done Lost Creek in its entirety. (is there a reason why it's called Lost Creek? Is it because we aren't supposed to find it??) Uh huh. There was some pain involved and maybe a few random/snide remarks towards Jeff. We finished up the day with a 50 mile ride- 3 hours and both Maggie and I felt tired and good.

Jeff is so damn awesome to ride with, (and you too Maggie!!) I learned a lot about my pre-race & on the bike nutrition. I also got some cycling tips and he is just super positive and pushes you to your limit. (I am glad Ed left him for T3, cause that means I get to ride with him!!!)

After the bike, quick 40 minute run and then I had a few other random things that afternoon I had to do.

Got some things unpacked in my new place and had a few beers to celebrate some more incredible change in my life. I love this town! I love where my training is right now!!

I Like Swimming!!!

I will begin with letting you know there is NO sarcasm in the title of this post. Read on.

So this week I made it to both T3 swims on Tues and Thur morning, swimming 2700 m both days! And then today, Friday I got up and went to meet the TNT group for swim and did another 2600 m. 8000 m total for this week and I am feeling a rhythm in the water that I have not before! I was weary of finishing the 2.4 mile swim but I am super confident that the swim is something I am going to ENJOY!! I will say that again for all my friends that have listened to be bitch about the swim.

I am going to ENJOY the swim at Ironman CdA!!

I look forward to 545 AM, three days a week and I can see myself getting stronger. I even moved up a lane at T3 on Thursday and my 100 time was 1:51. I know, not super fast but hey....when I started this whole swim clinic thing about 5 months ago, my 100 was well over 2 minutes, so I have improved friends!!

The weather is perfect in Austin this weekend!! I am moving to a new house today and tomorrow. I will run 2 hours tomorrow and ride 3.5-4 hours on Sunday!! Can't wait to be outside.....those you that are venturing outside, load up on the SPF, hydrate and live it up in this weather. (except for you Alida, cause you are in Chicago...I will ride a few extra miles for you outside. Please move back to Austin. I think I speak for a few of us)

Today.

I was still sore from Core Workout yesterday. Thank you Josh.

Got up for 545 AM Swim....Yes, I made it this time Eric!!! Swam 2700 m

Went to work, was hungry every 1.5 hours. Almost ate my shoes.

Left work at 4, went to Town Lake, did a 1 hr run with 15 minute warm up, 20 minute tempo and 10 x 1min fast with 1 min ez between. Then 5 minute cool down.

I am now home, going to make dinner, sit my ass on the couch and do some Trigger Point Therapy and oh yeah, have a BEER!!

Yum!!!

Happy Training!