Avail Alliance (2009) - 2010 Bikes | Giant Bicycles | Canada

Avail Alliance (2009) - 2010 Bikes Giant Bicycles Canada

Happy New Year.. 2009

Where has the time gone? One minute it is August, then it is January. Yikes. Happy New Year to all.

Been spending the day trying to figure out what I want to accomplish in the coming year.
A 10 K, an Olympic triathlon? I am very excited to be here in 2009 having just reached my Weight Watchers goal on 12/24/08. YEA... Almost a two year journey and I look back at how much my life an physical activity has changed. Who knew?

I have still been training, but not at the levels as I once was. Been spending most of my time cycling and doing more and more running since that is my weakness. Looking at 2009, this is what I have planned so far with a few 5K runs in between the madness.

May 9, 5/3rd run, Grand Rapids...10K
May 31, Hawk Island Triathlon, Lansing
June 28, She Rocks Triathlon, Waterloo/Jackson area
July 5, Howell Aquathon, Howell
August 9, Lansing Legislature Triathlon, Sleepy Hollow-----OLYMPIC DISTANCE EVENT!!!!

Thats all for now.

Michelle

3rd place in my 2nd Triathlon!!!

Today was triathlon #2 at Sleepy Hollow State Park in St. Johns. While I was looking forward to this event, I was also dreading it. My wonderful family was there in support and even got up at 5 AM to make the journey to St. John's ( they were not too happy for me at 5 AM). We woke up to a very chilly morning. The last reading I saw was 52 degrees.. burr!!!! Luckily the water was alot warmer than the air and felt great.

Started out the swim and did awesome. I was the second fastest women's time out of the water at 9:27. Although the official stats show me 1st, according to my people, there was a very large, broad shouldered woman a bit ahead of me. Anyway, I was very happy with the swim and I will take the 1st on paper:) The kids were there for a quick high 5 when I got out.

Transition was quick and easy, no complaints.

The bike went well. It was a rolling hill course with some flat roads. We had to go out and turn around and come back. The good thing was I could see who was in front of me and there were not many. I was 5th in the bike leg--- at least all those spin classes are helping, but I need to work on my bike split.

Transition again was quick and easy. I think I am getting a hang of it.

Then there is the run. While I still hate running, it is getting easier. The transition from biking to running on my body continues to be painful. It's like you don't even feel your legs until the first mile has come and gone. On top of that you have to try to regulate your breathing from biking to running and that is also challenging. This course was gravel and uneven grass/dirt for the first 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile. Kinda like a cross country course. All I could think of was, "please don't sprain your ankle. Please don't sprain your ankle." Then it was on to flat road and turning back for more of the same. I was 6th in the run split.

With the finish line up ahead I was greated by Don and the girls. The girls even took the time to make me a wonderful bouquet of "weeds" to give me at the finish line.

Afterwards, we talked to friends and fellow triathletes and discussed our results. As the results were not posted, only the swim times, it was time to leave with the thought that we could check the official results on the net later. Knowing I hadn't placed in the top 3 in my age group, there was no reason to stick around. Well, to my surprise, I just checked the official results and I placed 3rd in my women's division. YEA!!!!

3rd place in the Aquathlon...

in my division that is. 39th overall. Hoping there was a 4th, 5th and 6th place in my division:)

Went to Howell and competed in the Independence Aquathlon. I had a great time today. There was about 100 people in this small event. I don't think many people know about it yet so I think it will soon grow. It is a 1.24 mile run (2K), 1000 meter swim and another 1.24 mile run. Completed it all in about 37 minutes.. I think. The swim was great, the run was hard. There were lots of small hill and uneven surfaces, but I conquered it all. Don and the kids came out to cheer me on. I look forward to participating again next year.


Up next, Lansing Legislature Triathlon... August 10th..

Aquathalon

Wow, it's been a few weeks since I checked in. Time flies!!

Was supposed to do the 5K run at the zoo last weekend ,but dh did not get back in town in time. I did sign the girls up for the mini 1/2 mile sprint run and did that with them. They were so excited and even got a medal. Their 1st of many hopefully. It was nice to see them get in the active spirit.

Training is still going well. On June 9th I began a Cycling Bootcamp class at the Y. This is in addition to my regular class on Monday nights. With this boot camp class it is 1 1/2 hours of intense cycling mixed in with it is weights, cardio and core. It's pretty fun, but tough. Been working alot on the running. Ran 3 times this past week and each time ran 3.1. Even got up at 6 AM and ran one morning before work. My husband almost passed out in shock. I mapped out a route near the house that works great www.mapmyrun.com , part flat, part hills. I have also been swimming with a friend who has a house on Lake Geneva. Thanks Kathy!! It is a great lake and one time across is about 400 meters. Unfortunately I got "swimmers itch" from the lake last week and have been unable to get back in for a few days.

Next mini goal is set for July 6th, Howell Aquathalon. It's their 6th year of the event. It is a 1.2K run, 1000 meter open water swim, 1.2 K run. It sounded fun and has alot of swimming which is my strength. Still working towards the next Triathalon on August 10th.

Michelle

Up next, August 10, 2008

Lansing Legislator Triathlon at Sleepy Hollow State Park, I am officially signed up. I am looking forward to this next challenge. It has a 500 meter swim, 20 K bike and 5 K run so it is a little longer than the one I just did. Should be fun!!!

Photos from the big day

It was a little chilly in the morning. The water was warmer than the air.

Checking out the competition.

Ready, set, GO!!!!

That was a quick swim

Back from the bike.

Running toward that finish line.

Happy to be finished. What a great accomplishment!!

My brother John and I after the race. Nia and Elyse stand close by and happy to see their mom complete the race.