Multi-tasking, TriMommy style

I have taken multi-tasking to a new level. My awesome husband got me an indoor bike trainer for Christmas (ok, so I picked it out, bought it, and started using it in early December, but it was my Christmas present). Since he works long shifts, I often do my long indoor bike ride while watching a movie with the kids. This Sunday, after a marathon cleaning session to tidy up the Christmas "toyplosion" (as my friend Stephanie says), I hopped on the trainer. The kids were playing,and I had football on the television. About an hour into my ride, my daughter wanted an apple to eat. I really didn't want to get off the bike, so I had her bring me the apple, a bowl, and the knife (she is 7, and did this safely). I cut the apple while riding (without sustaining any injuries). I also managed to play a game with my son (or coach him through playing a game). The only time I had to stop was to let the dogs out (they are slightly less self-sufficient).

The most entertaining part of the ride was when I heard the sound of light sabers from the other room. Apparently my little Jedis were getting a workout, too. Needless to say, it may not be the most focused training session, but better to get in a Mommy training session than no session at all. (When people I work with ask how I find time for training, these are the stories I tell!).

What a difference a buoy makes!

Swimming is my weakness in the sport of triathlon. I was a lifequard in the Chesapeake Bay in High School, but never swam competitively. I've got the open water piece down pretty well, but not the speed piece. I don't do flip turns (my lack of coordination and the fact that most tris are open water swims led me to decide not to waste time learning them and flailing like a crazy fish). I swam about five times leading up to my first tri last year.

My goal for 2010 was to work on the swim over the offseason. I got a coach, who has developed "the plan" for me. My need to meet my goals and not fail is great motivation for those 6am swims when it is 27 degress (11 with wind chill this morning). Some people love to swim in the pool. I have always loved the water, but don't loooooooove the swim workouts. I feel good once I'm in the pool, but get lapped by so many people that I have to tune it all out.

A lot of my workouts this month have involved paddles and pull buoys. I did not have a pull buoy, and used a kickboard between my legs the first couple of workouts. This is NOT an advisable way to do this. Maybe for those more coordinated, but after getting popped once in the chin by the kickboard I realized I needed a pull buoy STAT!!!! It is amazing how much smoother (not necessarily easier, but smoother) the workouts are now. I still don't love the swim, and I am still sloooow, but I've already been in the pool more times this month than I was for all of last winter, so that is progress!

Discount on Rev3 Tri Series

Interested in a a fun and challenging race for 2010? I am so excited about entering my first Rev3 race this year. The Rev3 race series was designed to make the race experience more enjoyable for families and spectators. The race venues are awesome locations, including Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio. The Quassy event takes place at Quassy amusement park in beautiful Middlebury, CT. The University of Tennessee and the World's Fair Park play host to the Knoxville, TN Olympic distance race.



For the Cedar Point Half Rev (half iron distance) and Full Rev (full iron distance), the swim takes place right off of the amusement park beach. What more could you ask for?! There are fun activities during the race that my family can enjoy while waiting (and waiting, and waiting) for me to finish the swim, bike, or run. I am competing in the Half Rev (half iron distance), and looking forward to being part of this great event.



If you use the code Trakkers116 when you register, you will get a $10 discount off the cost of registering.



Rev 3 has three race venues this year:

Knoxville, TN May 9 (Olympic Distance)

Quassy in Middlebury, CT June 5&6 (Olympic and Half Iron distance)

Cedar Point September 12 (Half and Full Iron Distance)

Seriously?! I'm old enough to have a seven-year-old?

This Friday my daughter turns 7. Seriously?!?!?! I can't even wrap my brain around it. The best part is that she is an amazing, beautiful, super smart little lady (perhaps I am a bit biased). She has been asking a lot lately about competing in a Kids Tri next year, and about running with me. I am excited at the prospect of common interest. I got into distance running and then triathlon as a means of getting "me time", after years of feeling like "the incubator" and then "the milk lady". I loved it all, but was excited to focus on personal goals while being Mommy. The fact that she might also share these goals is so exciting. Happy Birthday sweetie!!!!!!

"Born to Run" Freehold, NJ

Hmmmmm....does anyone really feel "Born to Run" the day after Thanksgiving? This was definitely not my best pre-race preparation, but I have wanted to run this race for a few years. This was the 25th Annual Born to Run (held in Bruce Springsteen's home town, also hometown of my cousins and Great Uncle- owners of Ballew Jewlers on Main Street in Freehold). For years we have seen runners go through town on the day after Thanksgiving, and this year I decided to join them. The race goes past my cousin's house, and through the park behind their house. It is hard to wuss out on a run that starts less than a mile from where you are staying.

Pre-race preparation was nonexistent (aside from packing lots of gear to ensure I had the right clothes for the weather). A couple of frosty beverages and a huge Thanksgiving dinner were less than ideal. I did make sure to hydrate with lots of water, but ate a heavy breakfast casserole (yum!) and had coffee the day of the race (something I never do). It was an 11am start, so I made sure to stop eating at least 2 hours prior.


Tommy dropped me off at the race site, and I spent pre-race time hanging with family at the jewelry store (about 50 feet from the start-can't beat that). There were almost 700 people in the race, so I had no designs on an amazing finish. My goals for the race were:

1. Finish
2. Avoid revisiting Thanksgiving dinner
3. Run the whole thing (I sometimes lose the psychological battle with myself).
4. If successful with 1 through 3, finish in under 45 minutes

The race was an out and back, with a fair amount of downhill on the first half (leaving lots to look forward to on the return). The halfway point was in the park behind my cousin's house. My initial mile was in line with my goals, so I was hopeful that I could keep it up. Entering the park after mile 2, I was pleased to see my Aunt Marianne and cousin Mark cheering me on. A little further down, my uncles Rob and Doug were there cheering me on. I think I had more of a cheering squad than anyone else in the race! The wind picked up around the lake, but I kept it up. I had on my Army Ten Miler shirt, and ended up running with a girl who had the same shirt for much of the race (the back says "I will never quit!"...good motivation). My family was there on the return leg...still hanging out to cheer me on. One of the dreaded hills on the return leg ends right near my cousin's driveway. I was pleasantly surprised to see Tommy and the kids, my Mom, and my cousin Danielle with her daughter there to cheer me on. I high-fived everyone and got a good dose of oomph! There were lots of retired Marines (in their 70s-80s) manning the road blocks as we got back to town. I always make sure to thank as many of the volunteers as I can during a race, and these guys were great. I did my best to kick it up at the finish, but definitely felt a bit whipped. Thankfully, I met all my goals (my family later reported that someone lost their turkey dinner right in front of them as they were cheering me on). The only thing I need to remember for next time is to look like I am having fun when I finish! It was a great race, good support, lots of nice runners, and I had an awesome cheering section. A great way to work off all the food!





Result: 42:18


12/65 (Females 30-39)


77/267 (Total Females)


282/657 Overall

I'm on Team Trakkers!!!!!!

A month or so ago, I submitted an application to be a part of Team Trakkers 2010. Trakkers is a GPS system that allows family/friends/fans to track a triathlete during an event. It provides real-time information on their location, speed, etc. Apparently, 500 or so people applied for the team last year. The team spans the range from Pro triathletes to newbie triathletes like myself. Some of the team members have been to Kona more times than I have been to the grocery store! :) I am so excited to be a part of such an amazing team!

Trakkers and Rev 3 are our main sponsors. "The Revolution3 race series was created to change the way athletes, family members, and spectators view and participate in triathlons of all distances. One of our immediate goals is to make triathlons a more interactive, enjoyable experience for spectators by providing fun activities for children and family members during the race. Revolution 3 is about change! Change for the age grouper, change for the professional athlete, and change for the spectators."

More to come, but this is an awesome opportunity and I am really excited! Now to get my rear in gear with offseason training!

Scott Doyle 9/16/1974-11/18/2009

Scott Doyle was a Firefighter with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue. He suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) during a BASE jumping accident in May of this year. Scott succumbed to those injuries on November 18, 2009. His send-off this weekend was one fitting of a man who made so many smile. Scott was a vibrant personality....always joking, always smiling. He will be missed.