Take that crap weather!

Facebook is such an AWESOME tool when it comes to scheduling group rides/runs/swims. You put out one posting...and look how many people show up for a Saturday morning ride!

20+ people showed up on Saturday for a 30-40 mile ride which is awesome! Even though the sun did not come out - everyone had a great time. I am looking forward for these group rides to start up again - and I know our weather does not get to cold down here, but still, when it's below 40, it's cold on the bike!

Random thoughts:

I wish I liked oysters. Really wished I like them. Jason could eat a sack of those guys every day. But me - not so much:



Here is a photo that I found from Christmas - my sister and I totally in the holiday mood as you can tell:

I think my brother said something that REALLY pissed me off - as you can tell by my evil look I'm givng him. :)

But I do really miss my sister since she moved back to St. Louis. But I'm also really proud of her for signing up for the GO! St. Louis marathon!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

No, I do not have a shopping problem!

BUT if there is a LULULEMON OUTLET, I'm there!


I was in Orlando all week for work. I don't know if you've even been to Orlando, but it is a town full of nothing but tourist goodness. Lots of large restaurants full of kids, rental cars driving like mad men all over the place, a few theme parks, and OUTLETS. You name it. They have it. Coach, Dior, Nike...and LULULEMON! Whoohoo! This heavenly store just opened up before Christmas, so I have not been in the dark on this one. I know, I know, I ranted about how expensive this brand of clothing is - but for Christmas Big J surprised me with a pretty nice gift card (smart smart man) so I've been all about it. If you are ever in O-town, I would suggest hopping over to Premium Outlets and checking it out!



Ultra Run Short II (this is my 2nd pair and I LOVE them!) They have great 'secret' pockets to store gels as well as a zipper pocket in back for keys/etc
Regular $54/OUTLET $29
5YR Tee Pima Any t-shirt that looks cute I'm all about it
Regular $48/OUTLET $29
Hatha Henley - Cute long sleeve shirt - good for workout or just to wear with jeans
Regular $68/OUTLET $39

To be honest, I'm just happy to have a store somewhat close to me. Well, 6+ hours and a time change. But I'm in O-town every 4-6 weeks for work. I'll be sure to take orders next time I head that way :)

In other news - Big J left today to do tuna fishing charters down in southern Louisiana for a month. Possibly longer. Ugh. I hate this time of year. But it's ok. I'll probably be posting every freaking day and become a total workout nazi to keep me busy. Plus this house will be spotless :)

Oh yeah - and THIS:

came in today as well. Big J's birthday gift from me. Man I love E-bay! I'll let you know how it works out. When he gets back, I want to see if he'll let me post a 'before' and 'after' picture of him. We're working on getting in shape for the best beach bodies contest at Club Lavela over spring break. Look out you college kids! (Just kidding - but we get a giggle out of it!)

Race Report!

First of all I would like to apologize about my rant on the $80.00 half marathon. It does go for an excellent cause, and 'little' Chloe is one of the students who does directly reap the rewards of the the race. She is such an AMAZING person (as well as her whole family)who does tris, swims, runs, tennis, and every other awesome sport out there. If I would have put her first instead of the cost, I would have already signed up for the race. I seriously feel really bad about my decision. And to my luck, it has already filled up. So if any of the readers out there decide to sign up for this race next year, let me know and I can offer a free place to stay! But on the other hand, I do get frustrated with the cost of all races these days. I want to do all of them and not have the cost hold me back.

Big Chloe and Little Chloe

Anyway - yesterday I ran a half marathon in Pensacola Beach. This race was not a race for time, but more of a character builder race. It was rainy. Very rainy. It was windy. VERY VERY windy. But the 30+mph wind gusts would not stop me from running this race. And please remember - this race was pretty much right along the coast which means it is extra, superdooper windy with sand involved with the gusts. I'm surprised I don't have bruises all over my body.



Hadley, Dave, and I before the race

So me, Hadley (3:04 marathon runner) and David (Kona and Clearwater qualifier) headed that way in the FJ at 5am. For the weather, the race was surprisingly full of runners. There was a 5K, 10K and a 1/2 marathon and everyone started at the same time. With this you can turn around at any time. I needed the mileage - so I was all over the 1/2.

Too keep this race report short - here are my splits:
1 -8:16
2 -8:37
3 -8:38
4 -9:12
5 -9:39
6 -9:57
7 -9:07
8 -8:15
9 -7:59
10 -7:57
11 -7:57
12 -7:58
13 -7:43
Total time 1:50

So I'm sure you can tell where the turn around was. Into the wind out and your back to the wind on the way in. I seriously felt like I was running in place on the way out and flying heading back in. My body felt awesome and I am very happy with the way I raced. 7th female overall and 1st in my age group. Now I'm totally pumped for Miami!


I hope everyone had an excellent weekend!!

Is there something odd...

With this picture?

This is a photo from the wonderful world of cyclocross. I do not know much about this crazy sport, but I do know it's suppose to be a pretty darn good time. It's always fun to read about the crazy adventures of Judi as well as my friend Dishman (who is in that photo somewhere!)

Here are a few more photos that I stole from Dishman's facebook page:

Dishman and I before Beachblast last year

Yep...he raced like a princess for an event

Crown and all

And this photo was just too funny

This sport seems awesome...people involved in this sport seem not to take them selves to seriously, but will race their ass off. So cheers to anyone who decides to dress up like a beauty queen and ride like the wind. In the mud. And probably with a slight beer buzz.

In other random news:

My tri schedule as seemed to take a slight change this season due to weddings - so I will be racing the full Gulf Coast! Whoohoo! A race in my back yard! As well as some olys and sprints in the area. And we have a group who is planning to make the pilgrimage up to Chicago for the Chicago Marathon in October!

I feel bad about my previous post - the race is for a good cause. But I will no doubt find another way to help out that school. On the cost factor of races...I found a half marathon over on Pensacola Beach this weekend what ended up costing me a whopping $25.00 (including that darn Active.com fee!)

Thanks everyone for your feedback on the post! I truly appreciate the comments. Again, I'm all about paying for a good race :)

How much would you pay for a 1/2 marathon

The charter school in Seaside, FL has an amazing 1/2 marathon for a fundraiser every year. It's a super boring course (up and down 30a which is our typical training route) but the after party is great and the money does to a good cause. Not to mention they give out Vera Bradley bags at the end. (here is my race report form last year) But this year is it $80.00. Yes, $80 bucks to run up and down the same road that we freaking train on. Come on now. The race sells out every year, and the school is not hurting THAT much for money (they have food delivered every day for lunch!) And beacuse of the price, SEVERAL local runners are 'boycotting' the race. So, I e-mailed the race director seeing if they will allow some type of local discount. To be honest, they can keep their Vera Bradley bag (Amy got mine last year...fist pump!). I do want to run the race and help out the school, but the cost is just too high.

(photo from last years race where I got my PR)


So, how much would you pay for a 1/2? The Disney Marathon last year cost me around $110 and the same for the Miami ING this year - so why charge $80 for a 1/2? Thoughts? Feelings?

Ok. Done ranting.

Florida is Frozen!

Like the rest of the country...Florida is frozen. And guess what we had on Saturday? I freaking triathlon! Yes, we are hard core triathletes here in Panama City Beach. The local Triathlon store, Freedom Sports, planned a pretty awesome event Called the Frozen Floridan. It was a 400 meter swim, then we hop in our cars and drive to another location for a 10 mile bike, and then drive to another spot for a 4K. I don't know about you, but I have never done a race like that - but it was so much fun. Not to mention that Saturday morning was one of the coldest mornings in PCB history! Awesome planning Freedom Sports! Here are a few photos from the event:







And the best part of the race? Coming home with this:

Yep...instead of metals, they gave out blankets! In fact, I have it wrapped around me right now! Love it! Congrats to everyone that came out and raced that chilly day!!

Random thoughts:
Biggest Loser? Anyone watch it? Holy cow those are some big people! This season should be interesting!

My full 'I Will' list

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and a happy New Year! I have some pretty awesome pictures to post from Big J's and my time in St. Louis, but I will get to those tomorrow. Since today is the New Year, I wanted to share my "I Will" list for the year.

* I will send out 'Thank You' notes more often
(I'm not bad at it, but everyone likes nice notes in the mail)

* I will keep a DEATILED planner for my workouts!

* I will attend mass at least once every two weeks

* I will dive back into yoga


* I will make at least one 'raw' meal a week (hey, it's a start!)

* I will find a local charity to volunteer for

* I will try not to consume a full bottle of wine in one evening :)

* I will be more active in the local tri/running/maters swim groups.

* I will try to cut back on my swearing (Big J and I are both going to work on that one..it's a hard one)

* I will get a sub six hours for my 70.3's of the year and under four hours for my marathons :) (ohhh..I can't wait to check those off!)



I know I don't have a time frame on these goals, but these are small things just to help better myself physically and mentally. The last part of 2009 was amazing - and I really want to keep the good karma up :)

So cheers to everyone to have a great 2010!!!