November 6, 2010

So I got some very good news today. Remember when I mentioned this blog is going to be back into triathlon mode and that exciting things where happening? Well, I signed up for IMFL. Double fist pump! I am so freaking excited that I can't stand it. (note to self, bookmark this page and refer back in Aug, Sept and Oct) So you, as a reader, will be able to go through all of my highs and lows though out the next seven months. And there will no doubt be a bunch of bitching rants thrown in there as well.



But just the thought of crossing that finish line with my friends and family cheering me on gives me goose bumps. So hang tight guys, it's going to be an interesting ride!

Ok - this time of year in my hood is interesting. The snowbirds are flying out as college kids are rolling in. Oh yes, it's spring break time. A fist pumping good time. No doubt that where ever I go, I will have Iphone in hand ready to take some crazy pictures. But today on my run I ran into these guys:



I LOVE LOVE LOVE Westies. I would like to consider my parents westie more of a sister then a dog. But as I was chatting with the older man who was walking the dogs, a car pulled into the driveway next to us and 5 drunk kids literally fell out. All dressed in full spring break gear: cowboy hat, short shorts, tank tops, and Sonic cups full of who knows what. Oh yeah - it was about 45 out today. Awesome. Just a preview of the next month.

Hope everyone is having a great week!!

Watercolor Run

I have been doing the Watercolor loop for a few years now. So often in fact, that I can probably do it in my sleep. It's about a five mile loop that takes you around Seaside and through the neighborhood of Watercolor. There is a great mix of road and trails which is easy on the body. Today I was heading back to Panama City Beach after working in Fort Walton Beach - and thought to my self - I would love to get a loop in on this wonderful sunny day day. And low and behold - I had a bag of running stuff (thanks to KIM's post!) in my car.

So here are a few photos from this run:






In the morning when we do this run, I can't even explain how beautiful it is with the sun rising.

And of course the end of the run is not that bad either:




Hope everyone is having a great week so far!

Nerds and Roller Derbys

It's finally happened. After having the red garmin for three years now - I have finally used it to it's full potential. Using the heart rate monitor. Coach Scott -yep, I now have a coach! - wanted me to strap this bad boy on. To be honest, this is something that I've been interested in, but did not know what to do with the numbers. Anyway - it was fun training with it this weekend. Even though I still don't know what to do with the numbers :)

So, Coach Scott just moved into the area from Wisconsin. I am so excited to start working with him in March. Right now we're doing the fun 'run on a treadmill up hill as fast as you can' tests to see what my max HR is. But again, I can't wait to dive into this heart rate world and work with a coach!

On Saturday we had an AMAZING 60 mile hilly ride (the few we do have in this area.) It was so nice to be outside in the sunshine and warm air. We were back on country roads rocking up and down rolling hills. Being chased by large dogs who's owners seem to let them run free and chase anything that moves. But, I would rather deal with crazy large dogs then crazy snowbirds that have flocked down here for the winter. :) I must add that I have some pretty killer tan lines now.

Quick question - I always bike with glasses. But does anyone else get the 'red eyes' after riding?


Really - have I been cycling or something else?

Saturday night we decided to check out one of my life long dreams. Not really, but it would be fun to do. We went to the Panama City ROLLER DERBY match. Long story short. I'm way to small and way to nice to be on this team. Also. I don't own any fishnets.



Today Kelly and I had a WONDERFUL 8 mile trail run in the state park. I love it back there. We don't see a sole and just enjoy the views of the weird salt water lakes and the wonderful forests that northern Florida has to offer. Next time I'll be sure to bring my camera!

This weekend was pretty stellar. Hope everyone else had a good one as well.

PS - I'm still wine-less. whooho!

Ohh..the Norwegian

This is a good one today guys. Aksel Svindal. Alpine skier from Norway. In 2007 he had a very nasty spill but came back with a vengeance. Just in the Vancouver Games he has won a silver in downhill and a gold in the super 'g'. But I have to note - even thought he's super hot, he beat out Bode in both of those races.





In TRIATHLON NEWS - race season is staring up here soon, so I PROMISE thie blog will be more triathlon goodness. Promise. Lots of good stuff going on right now and I can't wait to talk about it!!

Happy Friday everyone!

Yes, I listen to the readers!!

Due to requests from Melissa and Amy (whom both I respect and think are totally awesome) I am going to RETRACT my 'hottie of the day' Dale Begg Smith and replace him with Jonny Moseley. Jonny won gold in the moguls in 1998 and is now a commentator for the current games. I'm not going to lie - when I posted that post it was fat Tuesday - and I'm giving up wine for lent. If you catch my drift :) Anyway - here is some Johnny Mosley goodness!

This one is for the guys...

So I'll throw this Oylompic Hottie(S) of the day out there for the guys - How about Lindsey Vonn and Julia Mancuso? Not only are they georgous - but they are some kick ass Alpine Skiiers bringing in the gold and the silver yesterday for USA.







And for the ladies...

Remember to check out my friends E-bay store for some awesome buys!!

Eye candy of the day

Hottie Olympian of the day - Dale Begg Smith. This eye candy is from Australia and won Silver this year beating out Bode Miller. He's a bit more 'dirty hot' then the figure skater I posted yesterday :) Thoughts?

What did you do for the beads?

This guy was not playing around with the beads!


Thankfully everyone that I train with also likes to have a good time. And since we live in the Red Neck Riviera, there seems to always be something going on. So here are a few pictures with the Mardi Gras parade:





Carla, Lisa, and I at the start of the day....

And us at the end with our 'accessories'







And even the snow birds came out for the party :)



In other news - another wonderful woman that I have been recently blessed to have in my life, Eberle, is an amazing triathlete. Has done 13+ Ironmen ALL OVER THE WORLD!! Anyway - as well all know as triathletes, we seem to have too much stuff. Well, Eberle is selling a bunch of her awesome goodies on E-bay. So check out her E-BAY STORE

Yeah, she's THAT badass:


Hottie in Vancouver - figure skater Evan Lysacek. I like the 'dirty hot' guys, but this guy is not hard on the eyes at all. Thoughts? :)

The King Cake

I'm not trying to 'milk' the recovery from my marathon - BUT I like taking time off of running. LOVE it actually. I don't hate running by any means, but sometimes I just need a break :) Anyway, I ran for the first time on Thursday and felt great. So, we've made up. But I'm still waiting for a few toe nails to fall off. Next week - back at it full force since my first Tri of the season as in a MONTH! Bring on the wetsuit - I'm ready.

Big J tried to pick up a king cake for me last week on his way home for a two day visit. But since the Saints won, NOTHING was open. So I had to settle for one from Winn-Dixie. Which was still pretty darn good. Let me tell you about my love for the Kind Cake. I'm not a huge sweets person. Chocolate Cake? No thanks. Ice Cream? Umm. Nope. Candy bars? Pass along. But a KING CAKE with cream cheese filling? YES YES YES! I could sit town and eat the whole thing. Which I did. Ok, it took me two days. But it was AWESOME! Thank goodness they are only around a few weeks out of the year.




Speaking of Mardi Gras - that means that lent is right around the corner. Last year I gave up FACEBOOK AND WINE. Not so much this year. But I will give up wine. Well, overall liquor. I can do it.

Random picture:



This is my cutie brother with his 'South Butt' shirt. As you can tell it's a spoof of North Face, some kid in St. Louis decided to sell some of these fun shirts to make $$$ for college, and it took off. Well, the North Face is now suing him. Interesting. And the best part - is that a friend of mine's father is one of the top dogs for North Face. Needless to say, I give him a pretty hard time for suing a kid just trying to better his life :)

Since the Olympics have started - I'm going to have to start throwing out Olympic Hottie of the Post. And today's eye candy? Only the HOTTEST SKIER ever - Bode Miller. Yum!

A 'bridge out' sign will not stop us!

Since I've wrapped up my marathon training (for now) I have been able to spend this past week in the pool and on my bike. Thank goodness. I don't know about you guys, but I get so burnt out on running the last month of marathon training...I just want to spend some time floating around in the water or cruising around on the princess!!

Now, for all of those guys up north, I'm so sorry about the snow. But that is why I live in the 'sunshine' state, to avoid all of that goodness. And I'm not trying to rub it in that we got in a pretty darn good 60 mile ride yesterday :) But we did run into a slight issue - bridge out. But did that stop us? No way. Specially with an adventure racing junkie with us.


As you can tell - I was not too excited on the idea






Yeah. We're a bad ass biker gang.

How about those Saints? Ahhh..New Orleans fans. They just want to get drunk and have a good time. The best fans ever - just excited to be down in Miami. Big J is still down in Louisiana tuna fishing and will be partying with all of the crazy fishing Creoles munching down on 200+ lbs of crawfish and a smoked pig.

Hope everyone had a good weekend - and try not to each too many chicken wings tonight!!