tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29498517531008715162024-03-12T19:13:15.080-04:00Crafty ScrappersOne Crafty MamaShelley Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110058008014619741noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949851753100871516.post-56018242738024297662012-11-25T22:23:00.000-05:002012-11-25T22:24:21.328-05:00Fall Means It's Crochet Time, Folks!Well Hello, everyone! It sure has been a long time since I've posted, hasn't it?! I can't even begin to tell you all about the life that has gotten in the way over the last year ... you wouldn't believe me if I tried, LOL! The Reader's Digest version is that I turned 40, my middle child joined the Army, and I seem to have had one health issue after another, including a nasty bout with impetigo (or as I like to call it my bout with Flesh Eating Diesease) on my face which landed me in the hospital. Gross, huh!<br />
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But with all the down time, I've had plenty of time to get back to crocheting - something I haven't done in a very long time! I've been on a kick of making shrug sweaters and hats lately - mainly because they are fast projects, and y'all know I'm an instant gratification kinda girl :). With my daughter now active duty Army, and my sone going to be in just a few months, I've been drawing alot of inspiration from my status as a military mom. Here's a little beanie I whipped up - it's the first pattern I created on my own. The green, black, and grey colors all represent Army colors, and the two rows of circles represent the wonderful circles of friends I've found within the Army mom communities. I finished it off with a little ruffle instead of a traditional cuff (which makes it look like an old granny had according to my college student daughter... but what does she know!).<br />
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One of the Army moms ordered one of these ruffled beanies with only 1 row of circles (in white), so here's a picture of the one I made for her:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEium65Wb2YEuFRaMT-XgkBQz-AUePF_nANso2C41FFokiIcOLDA5nLHfRA9aZS3vyZS7HRhbuinFJ_m2U16RvSKgWWhY98vh38l51c157CTPYi9urYteaxn-Qco70SItHbFfqlrkcELlsow/s1600/Beanie+2+stripes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEium65Wb2YEuFRaMT-XgkBQz-AUePF_nANso2C41FFokiIcOLDA5nLHfRA9aZS3vyZS7HRhbuinFJ_m2U16RvSKgWWhY98vh38l51c157CTPYi9urYteaxn-Qco70SItHbFfqlrkcELlsow/s320/Beanie+2+stripes.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you want to order one for yourself or as a gift for a military mom, grandma, sister, aunt or daughter that you know, please let me know - they whip up pretty quickly and are a steal at $22, which includes the shipping!<br />
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If you want to whip one up for yourself, I've done my best to write out the pattern. If you notice something not written out properly, please do share your feedback! But remember, be kind since it's my first pattern :)<br />
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<u>Circle of Friends Ruffled Beanie (2 Rows of circles)</u><br />
I used worsted weight yarn in 3 colors (A, B, & C) and hooks sized H and G.<br />
Start with Color A and H hook.<br />
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Ch2<br />
Row 1 - 6sc in 2nd ch from hook, sl st to join in 1st sc. Ch1.<br />
Row 2 - 2sc in each sc. Sl st to join in ch1. Ch1. (12 st)<br />
Row 3 - *2sc in 1st sc, 1sc in next sc*, repeat from * all the way around. Sl st to join in ch1. Ch1 (18 st)<br />
Row 4 - *2sc in 1st sc, 1sc in next 2sc*, repeat from * all the way around. Sl st to join in ch1. Ch1 (24 st)<br />
Row 5 - *2sc in 1st sc, 1sc in next 3sc*, repeat from * all the way around. Sl st to join in ch1. Ch1 (30 st)<br />
Row 6 - *2sc in 1st sc, 1sc in next 4sc*, repeat from * all the way around. Sl st to join in ch1. Ch1 (36 st)<br />
Row 7 - *2sc in 1st sc, 1sc in next 5sc*, repeat from * all the way around. Sl st to join in ch1. Ch1 (42 st)<br />
Row 8 - *2sc in 1st sc, 1sc in next 6sc*, repeat from * all the way around. Sl st to join in ch1. Ch1 (48 st)<br />
Row 9 - *2sc in 1st sc, 1sc in next 7sc*, repeat from * all the way around. Sl st to join in ch1. Ch1 (54 st)<br />
Row 10 - *2sc in 1st sc, 1sc in next 8sc*, repeat from * all the way around. Sl st to join in ch1. Ch1 (60 st)<br />
Row 11 - *2sc in 1st sc, 1sc in next 9sc*, repeat from * all the way around. Sl st to join in ch1. Ch1 (66 st)<br />
Row 12 - *2sc in 1st sc, 1sc in next 10sc*, repeat from * all the way around. Sl st to join in ch1. Ch1 (72 st)<br />
Row 13 - *2sc in 1st sc, 1sc in next 11sc*, repeat from * all the way around. Sl st to join in ch1. Ch1 (78 st)<br />
Row 14 - *2sc in 1st sc, 1sc in next 12sc*, repeat from * all the way around. Sl st to join in ch1. Ch1 (84 st)<br />
Row 15-17 - sc in each sc, all the way around. Sl st to join in ch1. Ch1 (84 st)<br />
Row 18 - *dc in next 3sc, sc in next sc, sl st in next 2sc, sc in next sc*, repeat from * all the way around until last 7 st. Dc in next 3sc, sc in next sc, sl st in next 2sc. Sl st to join in ch1. Change to color B and ch1<br />
Row 19 - Sl st in all stitches around. Sl to join. Ch1 (84 st)<br />
Row 20 - *Sl st in 3sl st, 1 sc in next sl st, dc in next 2sl st, 1sc in sl st*, repeat from * all the way around until last 7 st. Sl st in next 3 sl st, 1 sc in next sl st, dc in next 2 sl st, skip 1sl st, sl st in ch1 to join.Ch1. Place stitch marker in loop on hook. <br />
Row 21 - *Sl st in 3sl st, 1 sc in next sc, dc in next 2dc, 1sc in next sc*, repeat from * all the way around until last 7 st. Sl st in next 3 sl st, 1 sc in next sc, dc in next 2dc. Sl st in next sl st to join. Change to color C. Ch1<br />
Row 22 - Sl st in all stitches around. Sl to join. Ch1 (84 st)<br />
Row 23 - *Dc in next 3 sl st, sc in next sl st, sl st in next 2sl st, sc in next sl st*, repeat from * all the way around until last 7 st. Dc in next 3sl st, sc in next sl st, sl st in next 2sl st, sl st in ch1 to join. Ch1<br />
Row 24 - *Dc in next 3dc, sc in next sc, sl st in next 2 sl st, sc in next sc*, repeat from * all the way around until last 7 st. Dc in next 3dc, sc in next sc, sl st in next 2 sl st, sl st in ch1 to join. Change to color A. Ch1<br />
Row 25 - Sl st in all stitches around. Sl to join. Ch1 (84 st)<br />
Row 26 - *Sl st in next 3sl st, sc in next sl st, dc in next 2 sl st, sc in next sl st*, repeat from * all the way around until last 7 st. Sl st in next 3sl st, sc in next sl st, dc in next 2sl st, sl st in ch1 to join. Ch1<br />
Rows 27-30 - sc in each st around. sl st in ch1 to join. Ch1. Switch to G hook.<br />
Row 31 - turn, and using back loop all the way around, sc all the way around. Sl st in ch1 to join. Ch1<br />
Row 32 - *sc in next sc, ch2*, repeat from * all the way around. Sl st in ch1 to join. Ch1.<br />
Row 33 - *sc in next sc, ch2, sc in next ch2 space, ch2*, repeat from * all the way around. Sl st in ch1 to join. Bind off. Weave in loose yearn ends and voila!<br />
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Again, if you try out the pattern, please share your feedback!<br />
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Happy Crafting, everyone!!!Shelley Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110058008014619741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949851753100871516.post-87674365001493982422011-08-02T19:46:00.041-04:002011-08-04T21:23:57.617-04:00Blessings in Blue Ridge - July 24, 2011You all know that this race season just did not go off as hoped. I had all these grand plans of doing my first half IM this year, among many other key race milestones, and had scheduled all my events months in advance to make sure everything was in place to make that goal a sweet reality. But then, one medical thing after another started popping up, along with some fairly big life stressors, and pretty soon it all started falling apart. Missed trainings, abandoned races, and a whole seasoned chalked up to a big fat "do-over"! Aside from the physical setbacks with losing some speed & strength, it has really taken an emotional toll. I've never been an athlete, I'm overweight, and I have to work extremely hard just to keep up with the back of the pack. Let's face it folks, I'll never be in it to win it - I am in it just for the pure glory of being in it! So to lose ground has been really discouraging!<br /><br />The race on my calendar for July was the Tri the Mountains sprint in Blue Ridge, GA - I had not done this race before and was looking forward to it. But as it got close, I wasn't sure I was going to actually make it to race day in light of everything. I almost caved - almost just threw in the towel and gave in to the weight of the discouragement. The rest of my season had gone down the drain, why bother trying to salvage what was left? But, at the last minute, I decided to go ahead and pack the old gear bag, load up the old carbon steed (at least I think it's carbon, LOL), pick up the Sherpa (a.k.a. my mother, who incidentally still doesn't quite grasp that the title of Sherpa is not an insult, LOL) and head south. I mean, I figured the worst that could happen would be I didn't finish, but I knew for certain I wouldn't finish if I never got to the start.<br />On Saturday night, we had the most absolutely divine, hands down, amazing pasta dinner this side of the Mediterranean at Cucina Rustica. This charming little place is tucked back in a little hidden hideaway, and if you didn't know it was there, well.. you wouldn't know it was there. But not only was this place classy (they even *snapped* the cloth napkins and placed them in your lap for you!) the food was just indescribably good! Even my mother, a.k.a my Sherpa, a.k.a the biggest pasta snob EVER (we lived in Italy for several years, so she's spoiled), still has not stopped ranting and raving about the place! After a big massive carb-loading feast, it was back to the hotel for a sleepless night - not sure if it was the stress or the fact that I was sharing a bed with my mom and was afraid to move... So the alarm went off and raceday began on only about 2 hours sleep.<br /><br />When I loaded my bike onto the rack at the hotel, I noticed that one of my plugs had come out and the handlebar tape had started unwrapping. Don't ask me why I didn't notice that when I took my bike OFF the car the night before, but I didn't, and somewhere along the highway between Chattanooga and Blue Ridge, that dang plug just jumped right on out of my handlebar and made a break for it. It's only a little tiny piece of plastic, but that little thing will keep you off the course. No one wants to lose a core sample of oneself if you should fall on that unplugged handlebar :) Anyway, luckily the race directors had a whole container full of plugs and a roll of duct tape, so I was good to go. Yes, folks, duct tape really does fix ANYTHING!<br /><br />The swim was really nice - the water was a little warmer than I'm used to, but it was so clear and really smooth to swim in, despite dodging all the feet and elbows flying all around my face, but that's what happens when you're not the fastest.... Combat swimming at its finest, folks :) but again, the water was wonderful, and I had a great steady swim, although slower than what I was used to.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637172461245074962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6seQeRnASDYC0py_JefbWe9kO07zDEVXhbjnKgOhu8tXtsSx-stU4lkvwTos97qSW-josKZ1vyqOKwrHm4K3903uIrOJQ40NYdCQEU07MFSf0XEh7FTTkPH913kXFnm4vOVu4lMEqMvv/s320/634473092608035771.jpg" /><br />T1 was pretty smooth as well - no fumbling around, and managed to avoid forgetting any critical pieces (like my race number, LOL! I forgot that once during a race). I headed off on the bike to see if their definition of "rolling hills" was the same as mine, LOL... Well, it wasn't, LOL... That bike course felt like sheer DEATH on WHEELS! I mean, it was the hardest 18 miles I've ever ridden... EVER. I know alot of that comes from my setbacks, but holy moly those were more like mini mountains than rolling hills, LOL! My legs very quickly wore out, and I ended up walking up a fair amount of the hills. Folks, if you think walking uphill is tough, you oughta try it in bike shoes, LOL! I also experienced my first technical difficulty during a race - my chain came off and it got jammed up and stuck behind the rear derailleur somehow. I got it back on, but it kept popping off and it took me a good 10 minutes to get it squared away enough to continue riding. Once all the "competers" passed me on their return trip (while I was still making my way to the turnaround), it became a pretty solitary environment out there, LOL! The SAG truck passed by routinely to make sure I was ok and didn't need anything, but for the most part, the only time I saw anyone else was a couple of times I saw a male racer ahead of me that always stayed too far ahead of me to catch. I'd get close on the downhills, but just as soon as I'd get within a few bike lengths, there'd be another daggum hill and I'd have to get off and walk. He and I did that little dance for a few miles until he finally had to start walking some too - and I started closing the gap! It only took a few more hills, and then it happened! I got to chick me another dude, folks! I was humming to the tune of Katy Perry in my head "I chicked a dude and I liked it", LOL... and yes, I liked it as much as the first time :) </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637172466603077138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQInbSMho3CJIZrxDEEBhVMn7KWRk9gQDhYgx5qL6rKWZyKSIAn74uSS9a_JauWcn-XHliV-hYvdseO8rcW4WKzuRjsD6-6KKqUz43Zcg-EbruoxV6rk1wYQBOkWdd3XA3I0rZFMrRUzJ9/s320/634473093873501600.jpg" /><br />I finally got back to T2, and man, I was glad to get off my bike! I strapped on my Sauconys and headed out for the last 3.1 miles of the course. There was a little uphill right out of transition, but then there was a nice long downhill, which was mostly in the shade. This thankfully afforded me the ability to catch my breath a little and actually jog really slowly (although I'm pretty sure I wasn't moving any faster than most people can walk). Of course, after about the first mile, I had some moments of deja vu, the shade disappeared and more hills swelled up right out of nowhere. Now, mind you, I had been out on the race course for well over 2 1/2 hours by this time. At every other race I've ever participated in, the course has cleared out and there really is no one left to cheer us stragglers on. Most all of the "competers" have packed up,and even the spectators have headed for home well before we get to the run course, because, well, let's face it - it's hot and those people have already accomplished what they showed up to do. But not in Blue Ridge! There was more support along the entire course than you could shake a stick at... even by the time I got there! Not only were there aid stations at every mile, there were spectators cheering, people parked along the road honking their horns, early finishers hanging around to shout in support and hand out bottles of water in between the aid stations... it was really overwhelming to see!<br /><br />Shortly before I reached Mile 2, I saw this really cheerful volunteer named Jenna at the top of the hill, and as soon as she saw me coming, she ran over to me and asked if I minded if she walked with me for a little while. I almost could have hugged her - no one has ever done that for me before! She was so supportive and poured out so much encouragement - she never let me give up, even though it was a thousand degrees and I was hurting so bad! She was my saving grace that day - if it wasn't for her, I would have sat down on the side of the road and just cried. I don't know her last name, but Jenna-in-Blue-Ridge, from the bottom of my heart I thank you and will always remember you!<br /><br />As I rounded the last big turn to head onto the main drag of Blue Ridge towards the chute at the finish, I saw something that almost made me burst into tears. There were SO MANY PEOPLE... it looked like hundreds of people - lining both sides of the street, filling the park, screaming, shouting, cheering, ringing their cowbells.... all for me - a straggler, a slowpoke, the second-to-last-place finisher. And when I actually crossed the finish line, the actual professional race photographer was there waiting for me! I couldn't believe it! You can believe I cheesed it up big time - I never get that opportunity, because the photographers usually jump ship once the big dogs finish, just like everyone else. But this time, I actually got pictures - PROFESSIONAL PICTURES - on every leg of the race! Good thing too, lol, cause my Sherpa was so caught up in worrying about me that she forgot to take pictures LOL! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637172469722228962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXl5jtYA9vw2Uqz1OQbfBzRgSXPvRR52CPINTJchyphenhyphenMMhjXt9aURivZLVHgJI4jVM5W5tEUv8v54Jf2d4A1lK0Muj_Ri4ixIt4QUqncRND6x4DrWXKmFmRBcssLQE3D6BMm9gqTPYqKohN/s320/634473093464595350.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637172473212954658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_coeeMY8Kp1TBc-8BAsaiztnhzNYnGOjK1a-qo8Q16quGH1NsflsCDnlrkeMsSjRMPnECz_rD6O8BQvb5L5em957Je1edhyphenhyphenUjUUOyfnmEVc7OfoI8DC5UuypW1rtLXP61_tcq9RK6vxr7/s320/634473093764751600.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637172479364063186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFvbE5HfM_BWJqmzDsXwqTSg2oSu8xeLCaQPx4w0aB6o1J4zInSa4w2tBBqTijqPLERPfNSsETaFH4B8PHe4SKcRNffy5Q0yx_w1aG7V6dyNTVt31MJhVHzBnjhnzcjZT7_cdOC35Gv4p/s320/634473094008657850.jpg" /><br />And if all of that was not enough - there was actually a TON of food left too! It was catered by a fabulous restaurant, and it was beyond delicious. And they even held the awards ceremony until the very last racer crossed the finish line, which was about 2 minutes behind me. I know I'm going on and on and on, and probably not communicating eloquently enough to impress just how big of an impact this race had on me. Most of the time, by the time I cross the finish line, I feel like an afterthought. Spectators are gone, some water stops are already abandoned before I get to them, only crumbs left in the food line, and the announcers say "oh yeah, racer # so-&-so crossed the line" as the tumble weeds blow by ... one time they had even deflated the arch and had actually packed up the finish line equipment... that was really depressing!<br /><br />But not this race. Not at the Tri the Mountains Sprint. I cannot impress just how much of a class act the GA Multisport organization is and how welcoming the entire town of Blue Ridge, GA is. They celebrated every single racer that stepped foot on the course, and they did it with fervor and passion and generosity that I've never experienced before. At the awards, the last two finishers (me and another lady) were awarded $100 gift certificates to applaud the fact that we were out there twice as long as most everyone else, that we ran in the hottest part of the day, and had the guts to just keep going, even though we were suffering something awful.<br /><br />Here are my splits:<br /><br />Swim: 18:05<br /><br /><div>T1: 2:48</div><br /><div>Bike: 2:04:02</div><br /><div>T2: 3:03</div><br /><div>Run: 55:07</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>My total time was 3:23:02, and I finished 362/368.<br /><br />A couple of weeks ago, I got my Summer issue of USA Triathlon, and on page 112, there is a phenominal article titled "What Triathlon is All About". This article talks about how we all celebrate the prize winners and would never want to take any glory away from them - I mean, they have earned it! But the author, Jeff Matlow, states in the article that "it doesn't matter how far or how fast you get to the finish line" but that "Maybe what matters is that you dared to toe the start line and to give it your all". He also champions the back-of-the-packers by saying:<br /><br />"To everybody who doesn't come in the top 10 of their age group, and those who cross the finish line with their hands raised high despite the fact they've missed the race's official cut-off time - we are the people that triathlon is really about."<br /><br />Here's a link to the digital edition of the magazine - not sure if you can view it without becoming a member, but if you can get it to work, you won'd be disappointed!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.usatriathlon.org/news/2011/06/30/digital-edition-of-summer-magazine-now-available/43176#.Tjs9bpJyxiI.blogger">Digital Edition of Summer Magazine Now Available News USA Triathlon</a><br /><br />Anyway, I wanted to share that little bit about the magazine with you all, because the race in Blue Ridge was the total embodiment of that article. So to the GA Multisport club, the town of Blue Ridge, Jenna-Volunteer-Extraordinaire, all the other volunteers, all the sponsors,my fellow racers, and to my Sherpa - I tip my visor to all of you... we are all what triathlon is all about!</div></div></div></div></div>Shelley Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110058008014619741noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949851753100871516.post-85161116590033065342011-06-18T21:39:00.002-04:002011-06-18T22:55:39.984-04:00What a Day!The last few weeks have been a total whirlwind around here - work's been insanely busy, the kids are all but on their own, and then there's all the mess with the doctors & hospitals... I've hardly had time to catch my breath! Today was really no different. You'd think that since it was Saturday there would be some <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">chillaxin</span>' time... I really had my heart set on sleeping in! I never get to anymore, and it double-sucks since I've never NEEDED to more in my whole life (at least it feels like it, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">LOL</span>). Between working the long hours, and Kurt's incessant snoring, I can't remember the last time I had a night filled with mouth-open-drool-inducing-rip-van-winkle slumber that lasted well into the next day... Even with his surgery (which only seemed to turn down the volume, not cut out the snoring altogether), the fan on, and me being doped on hefty <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">antihistamines</span>, I still get woke up when he comes to bed at 3 or 4 am and jump-starts the chain saw!<br /><br />I tossed and turned from about 630am or so until about 830am, elbowing with every toss and kneeing with every turn - I mean, it's only fair right? If he sleeps just right on his side and keeps his shoulders pulled back, he doesn't snore much. Only problem is that I have to stay awake to hold his shoulders in just the right position - and that, well.... that just defeats the whole purpose, now doesn't it? Anyway, I went ahead and got up, watched infomercials for awhile, then I got my sweet Bailey up out of bed to go cycling with me. I haven't ridden in weeks with all this cardiology crap happening - partly because of the chest pressure, and partly because I'm afraid I'll cause it, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">LOL</span>, even though the doc has said I could do "light" exercise. Anyway, we got two hours in and I tell you, it was awesome! It was freaking AWESOME I say! It was really nice to get back out there, and Bailey was the best <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">training</span> partner today. We sang some cadences, braved a dog, a horse & dog combo, and managed not to get hit by any cars.... Heck, I even rode standing up a bit... GO ME!!!! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">WOOT</span>! <br /><br />We had to take her bike down to the Hub for a tune-up, and then we headed over to PF Chang's for some <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kung</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pao</span>.. man how I love me some <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kung</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pao</span>! That's one dish that never fails to make me happy :) We got in the car, looking at the sky which was getting blacker by the minute. We barely got in the car and pulled out of the parking lot to drive to the mall, which was just across the parking lot mind you... (we could have walked), and the freaking SKY OPENED UP! I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">mean</span> it was a torrential downpour!!! We thought about waiting it out in the car but decided to make a mad dash for the building instead - throwing all good sense down the tubes, since we left the stinking umbrella on the front porch at home, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">LOL</span>! Smart people would have went home, but I was on a mission to buy a cute frilly sundress for the anniversary photo shoot I booked for Kurt & me on Monday. In the short minute or two it took us to run from the car to the building, Bailey and I looked like we had been run through the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">car wash</span>! I mean we were S-O-A-K-E-D with a capital DRENCHED! We got into Barnes & Noble, and had to stand in the entryway till we stopped dripping, then headed to the bathroom to dry off with paper towels, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">LOL</span>! So, off we go into the mall, up and down each hall, covering the entire upstairs and downstairs, scouring every stupid store that had anything REMOTELY <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">girly</span> but came up empty. After more than 2 hours of steady walking, we did learn a thing or two about mall shopping.<br /><br />1. Sundresses do not exist for people with boobs bigger than apples<br />2. People let it all hang out at the mall... I mean, these folks around here give those obscene <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wal</span>-mart folks a run for their money!<br />3. Do NOT go into ANY store with "New York" in the name of it, unless you want to spend $168.00 on a long tank top (yes, I said one-hundred-sixty-eight-dollars!)<br /><br />We ended up leaving the mall with nothing but <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dippin</span>' Dots! Mani-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pedi's</span> made it a little better though, even though it was a "my-color-looks-better-in-the-bottle" kinda job, but oh well! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">LOL</span>! Topped the evening off with a frozen <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">lemonade</span> & burgers & fries.... sinfully good! It was almost 9pm by the time we got home, and I've sat here for an hour and a half trying to get my blog on. Kurt's gone on a play date to the movies, so I'm thinking I'll hit the sack and HOPE and PRAY that I get some good sleep tonight. Or else Father's Day might start with a very unpleasant surprise for my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hunny</span> Man, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">LOL</span>!!!!Shelley Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110058008014619741noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949851753100871516.post-70863314271967551832011-06-01T20:32:00.004-04:002011-06-01T21:31:10.778-04:00It Can't Be Time for June Already!I can't hardly believe that it is June already... I mean it seems like just yesterday that we were trying to get through the holidays and then my birthday in February and my fabulous trip to California to visit the fabulous Mackay family. And all of a sudden I wake up and it's June already and the temps are creeping up almost to the triple digits. I feel like Rip Van Winkle - I blink and months went by. Before I knew it, I had a high school graduate living in my house, and it seems like the other two are running out the door too. I know they're still in school, but it feels like I'm going to blink and they'll all be gone. Of course I'm a little sad, a little homesick for the good ol' days when my babies were babies, all cute and cuddly, when the house smelled like baby powder and kool-aid instead of Victoria Secret body spray and butts & feet. It seems like the last two decades went by in the blink of an eye. But then again, I am really looking forward to when life becomes all about me again, LOL! When my kids all fly the coop, I will actually be able to take vacation days to... (wait for it)... actually..take..vacation... instead of run a kid here or there. I can't hardly even fathom it!<br /><br />But I guess I shouldn't get ahead of myself, should I? I mean, one never knows what will happen from one day to the next! SO much has happened over the last few weeks that has really shaken things up and threatens to throw my vision and goals into a blender and hit puree. Take my triathlon season for instance... Initially I had planned to start the season with the Rev3 Olympic in May, which I had to cancel because Andria was graduating. Then I had to cancel the Tour de Cure to participate in the Dragon Boat Race - both of which were entirely worth it! Then a couple of weeks ago, I get derailed by some pesky chest pain and now am strapped to this stinking monitor for two weeks. Most of my training has been grounded until they do more tests, which also means I'm going to probably havbe to miss the River Rat swim on the 11th ... SNIFF! I've had so much down time, that it's that much harder to do even the simple training. My coach still thinks he can whip me into shape in time for my Half IM in September, and he probably could, but the longer I am out of commission now, the harder I'm going to have to work in a shorter period of time to get there. At some point I'm going to have to decide whether it's worth pushing that hard or whether I should push that half back to the beginning of the 2012 season. I really really wanted to do it this year... to have 2012 be the year of the big Kahuna - the whole shebang - my M-dot-tat-earning IRONMAN... but I may just be better off making this another sprint/Olympic year and just use this season to get back to full speed instead of pushing too hard.<br /><br />I don't know if I can bring myself to do that though... I don't know if my coach would forgive me... I don't know if I would forgive me.... I mean, all I know is "balls to the wall" - push as hard as you can from start to finish, go big or go home, heck... just down right get-er done! Imean, for Heaven's sake - I'm the girl who sewed my own wedding dress in two days because I couldn't stand to stop in the middle! I'm so afraid that if I stop in the middle of something, that I'll get distracted from it and won't follow through in the end. I've done that too many times in my life - always stopping just short of what I really wanted to accomplish, and I really want not to do that. I mean, I'm at the point in my life where if I can't reach a goal, there better be a dad-gum good reason!!! And not one of those shrugging "eh, oh well" reasons neither... I mean like a house fell on me or I got struck by lightning 10 times in a row (I've already knocked on wood though, so don't worry) kind of reason.<br /><br />I guess I'll just have to wait and see what the doctor says after I go for the nuclear stress test and echo... but it just chaps my rear end to have to be still... I't makes me absolutely insane - I don't know how to downshift... The only gear I know in my day to day life is all-out, sprint race pace, big ring, all day every day... too bad I can't really do that when I cycle, LOL!!!<br /><br />I'm going to spare you any more ramblings, at least for the night. And I promise to type my next blog post in the day time when my mind is clearer and I can edit it in Word, LOL!!!Shelley Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110058008014619741noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949851753100871516.post-4671798147226902892011-04-19T20:53:00.002-04:002011-04-19T21:11:54.192-04:00Out of the Mouths of Babes... or Kurt (Unless You Think He's a Babe - Which I Do)LOL.... Long title, I know, but I wanted to clarify to prevent any smarty tarty comments that Kurt wasn't in the "babe" category :)<br /><br />Anyway, so on Sunday, I was logged in to Training Peaks to get a view of this week's schedule that my Oh-So-Fabulous Coach uploaded (he does this every week ya know). I got a look at Tuesday (which is today) and said "Holy Crap, He's trying to kill me!" There was a 2700yd swim this morning and then a 30 minute time trial bike ride this evening, on the heels of Monday night's nearly 4-mile run and will be followed by another 4 mile run tomorrow. I didn't realize I had said it out loud, until I heard my fabulous husband say "You did this to yourself. He is only steering you on the path your put yourself on. He is just making sure you get there!" WHATEVER KURT! LOL... Kurt is usually a man of few words, but every so often he comes out with a hum-dinger and just makes me want to pop him in the chops, LOL!!!! I just wanted to tell him to stuff it in his pie hole, LOL... but I couldn't because he is absolutely right. Well, I could tell him to stuff it in his pie hole, but not with a clear conscience. I mean, after all, no one is forcing me, and my coach is doing what he does best. But I need someone to blame when it hurts so bad..... so I embraced my unclear conscience and told him to get to stuffing... LOL<br /><br />All in all, I'm thankful for a coach who drags me kicking and screaming out of my comfort zone and a wonderful babe of a hubby (with a newly stuffed pie hole) who supports me in everything I do!Shelley Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110058008014619741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949851753100871516.post-71166475276365351642011-04-14T20:16:00.009-04:002011-04-15T07:41:04.953-04:00No Cause Necessary!Here lately it seems that everyone, myself included, wants to help and support people who are involved in a specific cause... like all of the efforts to raise money for cancer research, or children's hospitals, or diabetes, or this-or-that kind of tragedy. But I think we often forget the opportunities we have each and every single day to honor those that aren't capable of doing the things we can do. We whine and complain and look for excuses not to take care of ourselves - I'm too tired, I have a headache, I just don't feel like it, I know this isn't healthy but I'm going to do it anyway... and so on. I decided today that I no longer need a formally organized event to champion the cause of health and wellness. I don't need to wait for the Race for the Cure to honor my dear friend Andrea who has suffered through the darkness of breast cancer. I don't need to wait for the next PanCan walk to honor my great aunt, and second cousin who were all ravaged by pancreatic cancer. I don't need to wait for an American Cancer Society race to honor my sweet uncle who was taken from us way too soon by esophagus cancer. I don't need to wait for the Tour de Cure to honor my grandpa, my uncle and my stepdad who struggle every day with diabetes. Instead, every single day that I can wake up and move forward on my own two feet, I am going to be grateful that I can do all the things I complain about. I am going to run with commitment, pedal with determination, and swim with resolve, because I have been blessed with the ability to do it. I know that all of the people who can't would give anything to be able to depend on their own bodies, and it would be such a shame to waste the gifts I've been given - it would be dishonoring to those beautiful people. You know, I think it's funny how God works - His ways are so mysterious. He must have known I needed a reality check and reminder that I should be grateful that it hurts when I run because I have 2 legs to run on, and that I can only go 11-12mph on my bike even though I'm pedaling for all I'm worth because I have 2 arms and 2 legs to operate the bike, and that I feel like I'm going to pass out when I swim sprints because I have 2 arms & 2 legs with which to propel myself through the water, even though I look like an "angry squirrel". I've been listening to my ipod alot lately, and it has a ton of music on it from various sources - Kurt actually preloaded it for me, LOL! But these two songs keep coming up... The first is Melissa Ethridge with "I Run For Life": <iframe title="YouTube video player" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LgiwrvEX8wY" frameborder="0" width="480"></iframe>and the second is Rob Thomas with "Her Diamonds"... <iframe title="YouTube video player" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yDFhgSC2Zow" frameborder="0" width="640"></iframe>I've tried to link to YouTube, but if they are having problems you won't see the links to the videos :( Anyway, they hit me so close to home. They remind me that I have a duty every single day to honor God for blessing me with good health and a strong heart and a duty to honor all of those who are not able to enjoy the things that I call "torture". I won't be waiting anymore on any organized "cause" to motivate me - I am going to sim, bike, and run in tribute to my loved ones and everyone else's loved ones who can't. I will keep them with me every day and do my very best not to take anything for granted. I am going to swim, bike, and run for life every single time and do my best to endure the pain & struggle, because one day it just might be my own life and sickness that someone else is running for. Andrea, Tim, Betty, Jim, Robert, and Jerry - you're with me always!Shelley Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110058008014619741noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949851753100871516.post-27011529733611733312011-04-07T21:02:00.002-04:002011-04-07T21:47:10.971-04:00My Hunny Man is HOME!He's here! He's here! He's finally here! No, not Santa - my hunny man is home! Kurt is finally back from his trip to Colorado, and I know he's only been gone 2 1/2 weeks, but I tell you it has been the most stressful and eventful 2 weeks of my young life... I think nearly all areas of my life have been put in the blender and puree'd, but now that he's home it's all going to be better :) but SHHHHH! Don't tell him, or else he'll get a big head about it, LOL! Now that he's home, I don't have to get up extra early to make sure the dogs get to eat and potty before work. Now that he's home, I don't have to stay up late to make sure everything gets locked up when the kids get home well past my bedtime. Now that he's home, I don't have to do my own laundry, and I can stop buying new clothes because I'm tired of doing my own laundry. Now that he's home, I don't have to pump my own gas or check the oil in the car, the van, or the lawnmower. Now that he's home, I don't have to watch movies by myself, and our DVR can finally be emptied of all the shows that I couldn't watch because we only watch them together. Now that he's home, I don't have to let the girls have a slumber party in my room to keep me company. Now that he's home, I don't have to bear the weight of sadness and hurt feelings all by myself because there's no one else to talk to. Now that he's home... well.... the list just goes on and on and on. Now that he's home, I don't have to leave all the empty spots in my life open, because my better half (he truly is what makes me a better person) has finally come back home :) Ok, ok, ok... enough of the smushy stuff... :) I'm sure the harping and nagging will kick into overdrive as usual first thing tomorrow, LOL!Shelley Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110058008014619741noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949851753100871516.post-17451786994910610772011-03-24T18:27:00.002-04:002011-03-24T19:45:22.206-04:00And the Race is On(and here comes pride up the back stretch)... Oh Sorry! I was hearing George Jones in my head :)<br /><br />Over the last couple of weeks I've been working on getting my race schedule lined up and I started registering for things left and right! I had planned to race the Rev3 Olympic in Knoxville, but a few days after I paid for it to the tune of a couple hundred bucks, I learned that my first-born's high school graduation is that day :( BOOO! So I had to back out. BUT, luckily the folks at Rev 3 are giving me credit against a future race so all is not lost. Even if it would have cost me the entire entry fee, I couldn't miss my baby's graduation, now could I?<br /><br />In addition to all the racing I'm doing, there's alot of things I'll use as "training events" as well as a team-building day for work. After all was said and done and my debit card stopped smoldering, here is what 2011 looks like for me:<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>April 9th</strong></span> - 65 Roses 5K race<br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">May 1st</span></strong> - Scenic City Sprint Triathlon (doing this as a relay with my girls, and I've got the swim leg)<br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>May 21</strong></span> - Dragonboat Race (I actually signed up to ride 62 miles for the Tour de Cure, but I forgot that I had already signed up for the Dragonboat Race)<br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">June 11</span></strong> - Chattanooga Rat Race (1.2mi swim in the Tennessee River)<br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>June 26</strong></span> - Tellico Sprint Triathlon (800m swim, 16mi bike, 3.1mi run)<br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">July 24</span></strong> - Tri the Mountains Blue Ridge Sprint Triathlon (600yd swim, 18mi bike, 3.1mi run)<br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">August 21</span></strong> - Fall Creek Falls Olypmic Triathlon (1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run)<br /><br />and then....<br /><br />the big Kahuna...<br /><br />the Mack Daddy of my 2011 season....<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">September 25th</span></strong> - Ironman Augusta 70.3 - this is my very first 1/2 Ironman and will consist of 1.2mi swim, 56mi bike, and 13.1mi run.... yes folks that is a 1/2 freaking marathon AFTER the swim and the bike! YIKES! I'm really nervous, but I've just got to look at it the same way as all the other races.... one foot in front of the other! <br /><br />Also this July, it looks like I'll be registering for a full Ironman in 2012. I almost peed my pants just typing that, but hey... I've come this far, right? There is no going back now - I mean, there's no other way to earn that IM tattoo, so I've just gotta do it. Unfortunately IMs sell out quick - some within minutes - so I'll have to be poised and ready when the registration opens, which will be the morning after this year's race. Can you believe it? I'll have to register a year in advance, which will mean I will have 365 full days to freak out and think what the heck have I done! LOL But with any luck, come July my new motto will be Lake Placid or Bust!Shelley Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110058008014619741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949851753100871516.post-84873390924331675362011-03-20T15:23:00.003-04:002011-03-20T16:25:44.684-04:00Pressing the "RESET" Button<div>Well, hello again, my bloggy friends! It's been quite a little while since I've blogged about anything, and it's just been because I've been feeling like my life was put in a blender turned on "puree". Somewhere near the eand of January, I started feeling out of sorts - nothing I could put my finger on specifically, but just "not right". I assumed it was because I was getting close to needing another dose of my hormone pellets, so I just did the best I could with trying to force my way along "business as usual". I was able to take a fabulous vacation at the beginning of February to see my dear friend Shell in San Jose, and for the record, Shell, I will be forever indebted to you... You'll never know how very much I enjoyed that trip! It really helped me to remember to put "First Things First" and take time for joy! So when I got home, I tried to cut back on some of the things that were overwhelming me, and essentially I "uncommitted" myself to all of those activities I'd been trying to cram into those 2 spare minutes I'd find along the way. I thought it would help, but nothing seemed to make any difference. As a matter of fact, I just started feeling worse and worse, spiraling farther down to a place where motivation and desire and appreciation just seemed to disappear. I gave up on healthy eating, training, spending quality time with people I care about, and all that just broke my heart because it wasn't that I didn't want to do those things... I mean I wanted to want to, but I just couldn't make myself really want to enough to get up and do them. Sounds like jibberish, I know, but there's not really an easy explanation for where I was.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>When I went to the doctor, hoping for more pellets to end this madness, we learned something completely unexpected. Oh, before I forget to mention, I decided to change doctors - I didn't like the old one anymore (really cold bedside manner), and the search for a new one just made me even later for pellets. Anyway, because I was a new patient, they had to do the whole "how do you do" blood work up and physical, and would not just slice-n-stuff my pellets like usual. I was so frustrated and sad, and at this point in my journey I was just a mess.... crying over every little thing, just desperate to find me again. but I'm telling you, it was a good thing they insisted, because getting those pellets at that time would have had really big consequences. We thought my problem was lack of hormones, but in reality, when my bloodwork came back, my levels were OFF THE CHARTS high for both the estrogen and testosterone. I was so shocked! I've been on the pellets for years, and no one had ever bothered to check them along the way. It's no wonder I felt like I wanted to do pinch somebody's head off and then felt horribly emotional and depressed at the same time! It was like Roid Rage, PMS, and Postpartum Depression got together and had some kind of hay day with my body.... brutal I tell ya! So, my new doctor (nurse midwife actually) has made a plan, and we're changing some medicines around to help me get back to normal. Subtract the pellets, add in progesterone, multiply all that by a little less hectic schedule and more sunshine, and we've got an equation for health with any luck!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>After almost 2 months off of training and eating right, I'm finally starting to see the light! I've been out on a few runs, a swim and a couple of bike rides, and although I can tell I've lost some speed and it hurt really bad like I when I just started working out, but admittedly it is feeling really good to start making my way back to the land of the living! A couple of weeks ago, I got my Road ID in the mail. In the midst of my chaos, I had forgotten that I'd ordered it. And it was waiting for me when I got home one day. Once I looked at it, I couldn't help but feel that little spark ignite way down deep. I remembered the thrill I felt when I pedaled past that guy at the Tellico Sprint last year, and instantly knew whatever it takes, I'm going to get back in the race to the rhythm of Katie Perry (not that I advocate her views at all, but her song inspired the catch phrase on my Road ID).... </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586259879931430498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAHkBFJTfOepdRnhhjdrlcDJystd83UGCe_K2l6q9Yn7eKIsObfquF9jG0s8eqZHH40knmoWVYBsQuD9iVKZ24v1deiY3TGx8xgh7MV9L9T5RyTrfg7ob1KDou1UKbg3sDU_huAlUiFGH/s320/Road+ID.jpg" /></div><div> </div><div>Thank you all for being patient and compassionate and for not giving up on me!</div>Shelley Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110058008014619741noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949851753100871516.post-57801549021067048212011-02-19T10:03:00.006-05:002011-02-19T11:46:45.500-05:00Happy Birthday to Me!<div> Yesterday, I turned 39, and I have to say that it was up there in the top 5 birthdays I've had in my whole adult life! The entire day was full of loving friends and family, warm sentiments, thoughtful gifts, and more delicious food than I should have eaten in an entire week. Kurt gave me his gift a couple of weeks ago so I could take it on my trip to San Jose, so really, I've been celebrating for weeks now *big cheesy grin*! The fun hasn't stopped yet, cause as soon as I'm done playing around in Bloggy Land, Kurt's going to take me out to lunch at Famous Dave's (never been there) and then on to shopping for a new couch & loveseat! But wait! There's more! If we get back from shopping in time, we'll be headed over to my sister's house for a good old fashioned weinie roast... I'm going to need a vacation from all the celebrating :) <div><div> </div><div>Anyway, I just thought I'd share a few of my favorite birthday things with you!</div><div><br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575439077701677330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibF9JWH2zIhwmHKucXH78ihiFIWTyr8_ed_YbWx1xdwgV7qD6AQaIqxTAyTm2rkHavTUoyZnyPWNexOb9_C1AvC2ZjJ8CMD1gH7cPz9XkoEMqZ2I0MyFpzt4ukpqiN82vPcad9XK0aG-a6/s320/Paw+Print.jpg" />This is a dry erase board eraser shaped like a paw print (like you couldn't tell, LOL) that I got from one of my employees - and it's magnetic too so it sticks to my cubicle wall :)</div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575439084222861970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3ehXFI-OXL8PDCUVwpqixxyK5rn7V9Ihs-WoApDBLvq1J_f8b3k-DoZZDTjIfJw_4TaYaNa44l97zacq5U9Txz_05TyM-Q88nfIKo1-1Bla7aw3lQXPCXIofbW__spp8NFdwPWUAl9aK/s320/Red+Lobster+Before.jpg" /></div></div><div>This is my dinner from Red Lobster last night - that's right folks... you're looking at a pound and a half of snow crab legs WOOO HOOOO! Funny thing is, that was the second time I went to Red Lobster... yesterday :) My fabulous boss took me there for lunch and then we went again last night for dinner... MMMMMMMMM</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575439092796089730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4DWWhNs_mnMtW3etU2uZL1EsUO4f3CSAjUhZPLceL8CZELf8FMeiI1fKPUIKhS9CHKO8xvI9ZGjMnDa5tt-Mgap1A4XZ5uI59uLG_ma_aeoNCOljfqMtgcA7cEVDmLUCHwgP397oHRgz/s320/Red+Lobster+After.jpg" /></div><div> </div><div>This is the aftermath, LOL! Little bits of crab & lobster everywhere :)</div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 180px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575439097356038450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mToOH973ihRNqChpTcpq3fJlzMZQFHd7BJkaSWrO4Up5_cEpFG-J-R6V8jwPU_Ron53vT9hbx6AF7uC2vzb0donhpi6X9kXM7ecwmb2C_HmUgPnzUjdtWiiIm422OI2dZn625K5J3MFE/s320/Windchime.jpg" /></div><div>This, my friends, is the latest edition to my windchime collection - this was a gift from my favorite Kiwi fruit, Shell. She's the one I went to visit in San Jose, and this windchime came from New Zealand where a really uber talented craftsman hammered and pounded and twisted ordinary kitchen forks, spoons, knivees and fishing line into such a sweet sounding work of art... it's the coolest thing I've ever seen, and it has now assumed its rightful place of honor hanging above my back porch. Big huge sloppy wet hugs and kisses, Shell! Can't tell you how much I love it!</div><div> </div><div>I received so many wonderful blessings on my birthday, way more than I could blog about, so please know that I loved every bit of it from every single one of you... God really gave me so many gifts and made it clear that I have infinitely more things to be thankful for than I have fingers and toes to count on. Thank you all for helping to make the last 39 years more than a girl could ask for!</div><div></div>Shelley Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110058008014619741noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949851753100871516.post-90788480435324025122011-01-25T20:17:00.005-05:002011-01-25T21:07:52.892-05:00Single Digits, Baby!The countdown to madness is down to single digits now! In just 9 more days, I leave the Scenic City of Chattanooga for sunny San Jose, CA where I'm going to spend 5 whole days with my soul sister, my favorite Kiwi (ok, so she's the only Kiwi I know, LOL), my dear friend Shell Mackay!!! WOOOO HOOOOO I cannot wait!<br /><br />We haven't seen each other since October of 2007, when Shell came to one of my scrapbook retreats back when I ran them in Colorado. It was so much fun, because we got a "surprise" blizzard the weekend of the retreat. And Shell still insisted on wearing her freaking flip flops with her green toenails hanging out in the snow, LOL!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFH5guQKqI-aTfBeM67tfoLaYhEDPZ-TQ1lQ1FS_fSJNCvrgPSag4osiYhpJYuXpXSTHzVHQPHab97EeF9pR6kvQNICjrTMU9W5HUpk8xJMx0QqfeEFep4xZVXUJhnWB24YQl-93aywp4/s1600/101_5131.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566301041446604994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFH5guQKqI-aTfBeM67tfoLaYhEDPZ-TQ1lQ1FS_fSJNCvrgPSag4osiYhpJYuXpXSTHzVHQPHab97EeF9pR6kvQNICjrTMU9W5HUpk8xJMx0QqfeEFep4xZVXUJhnWB24YQl-93aywp4/s200/101_5131.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEget0lzOX0-9-CiimWq2ONdc0KBaVeK5b0fK0zeUgouDKCfE9xPCoENKc9uFVmhAS7jq2EqDx22_vRN0oQ462bWmU-UTV7LcXggUsKrugBqq6pXe_eMW5TzYxBYbcWpBH9_mPCajjRfw4g7/s1600/101_5132.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566301045348823474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEget0lzOX0-9-CiimWq2ONdc0KBaVeK5b0fK0zeUgouDKCfE9xPCoENKc9uFVmhAS7jq2EqDx22_vRN0oQ462bWmU-UTV7LcXggUsKrugBqq6pXe_eMW5TzYxBYbcWpBH9_mPCajjRfw4g7/s200/101_5132.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I'm so excited, because now I finally get to attend one of her world famous Scrapgrlz retreats. Been trying to get there for years, but life has just gotten in the way! It has gotten so much in the way that I haven't scrapped more than 2 layouts in the whole 2 1/2 years I've lived here in Chattanooga. Isn't that just a crying SHAME?!!! I am barely going to be able to hold my head up and look my fellow retreaters in the eyes from all the shame! But, scrapbookers are generally a forgiving lot, so I should be okay :)<br /><br />I've already warned my coach that I'm going to be spending 5 days... count 'em ONE-TWO-THREE-FOUR-FIVE DAYS.... of sitting on my rump eating absolutely NOTHING good for me and doing NOT ONE squat, NOT ONE single stroke in the pool, NOT ONE single step in the running shoes, NOT ONE single rotation of a bike tire... there will be NO FITNESS involved whatsoever, LOL!!! I'm going to be in culture shock, but it will be a fabulous change of scenery and hopefully will be just what I need to refuel. Of course I'll probably be begging Coach Andy for mercy when I see the workouts he's planned for me when I get back, LOL.... but it'll totally be worth it :)<br /><br />San Jose better hold onto it's shorts, cause the Shellbillies, along with a Flat friend or two, will be tearin' it up... WOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO!!!Shelley Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110058008014619741noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949851753100871516.post-63416310430050386842011-01-21T19:08:00.003-05:002011-01-21T19:18:44.974-05:00Widgets, Countdowns, & Tickers... Oh MY!Ok - I'm just going to come right out and say up front that this has absolutely nothin' to do with nothin' LOL, except for some whining and griping! I have been working on my webbin' and bloggin', and just trying to get back into the technological groove lately by redoing my blog site, working on some new graphics, and actually making a point to post more. However, I have forgotten most everything I know about PSE, so the graphics are coming along VERY slowly.<br /><br />SO I decided to work on posting instead, and actually have quite a bit to blog about... New race schedule starting to fill in for this year, some neat family things, and just general who-knows-if-it's-blogworthy stuff. I logged into Blogger to start drafting a new post, and I was really bummed to see that my countdown widget has stopped working - you know, the one for the Ironman Augusta 70.3?! I was proud of that one and one I really want to keep right at the top of my blog for inspiration and accountability, but the stupid thing stopped working... kicked the bucket... bought the farm... bit the big one! The website where I created it isn't working either! I've tried looking for other websites or ways to learn how to create my own, and I'm still coming up empty *sniff*.<br /><br />I just don't understand in this day and age how I can be so technologically challenged! I want my widget!!!!Shelley Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110058008014619741noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949851753100871516.post-87073131809540220312010-12-20T07:05:00.003-05:002010-12-20T07:08:49.787-05:00My Favorite Christmas CarolI was reading over some friends' blogs and posts and have been enjoying some Christmas songs that they've shared, and I thought I'd share my favorite! Martina McBride's version of "O Holy Night" is so soulful and has me in tears and covered in goosey bumps every time I hear it.<br /><br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PWfuoAmBgEs?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PWfuoAmBgEs?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />What's your favorite song of the holidays?Shelley Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110058008014619741noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949851753100871516.post-87362416269755955322010-12-11T08:43:00.008-05:002010-12-11T09:51:59.807-05:00I've Come A Long Way, Baby!Since I finally have a Saturday where I'm not being pulled in a 1,000 different directions, I decided to take this opportunity to be completely selfish and work on some "me" things that I've really been putting off for lack of time. Planning my 2011 race schedule, printing out some pictures and actually getting them in the frames, working on Christmas gifts, etc.... all stuff that makes me feel good and like I have accomplished something! And as I'm sitting here in the total quiet except for the snoring sounds from the dog curled up next to me on the couch, and Kurt curled up in the bed in the next room (yes folks - he can be heard through layers of drywall), I had some interesting revelations that made me realize how far I've come since I've started this whole journey into the multisport arena.<br /><br />For example, although I did not have a goal of weight loss in mind when I started almost a year and a half ago, I was hoping that my fluffiness would be an incidental casualty. A long time ago I learned that the number on the scale is not as important as the overall health and fitness, but still.... a girl loves to see that number go down, ya know! Anyway, I have not lost any weight... as a matter of fact, I gained about 10 pounds. Lots of speculation about why - maybe some of it's muscle, maybe going from eating absolutely no sugar and no white flour to incorporating some of those things back into my diet (gels, fuels, recovery foods, etc), maybe all the stinkin' pills for this-that-and-the-other... any one of those things (or all of them) can do a number on a person's weight. Feeling a little discouraged, I decided to break out the tape measure and compare to the measurements from <a href="http://craftyscrappers.blogspot.com/2010/02/letting-it-all-hang-out.html">10 months ago</a> just to see if anything had changed. As of this morning:<br /><br />Bust - unchanged (Kurt's thrilled! .... what a pig!)<br />Waist - 38" @ belly button... that's 3" down! WOOO HOOOOO!!!!!!<br />Hips - unchanged<br />Thighs - 25 1/2... 1/4" down! I'll take it!<br />Biceps - 12"... 1/4" up<br />Calves - 14 1/2"... 1/8" up... I'll take those too! <br /><br />All of that means muscle baby! WOOT WOOT! Although those changes are not Biggest Loser huge, it is definitely clear that my body is getting healthier and is responding to all the hours and miles I'm putting into training.<br /><br />Speaking of training, I was reading back through some of my <a href="http://craftyscrappers.blogspot.com/2010/01/tri-ing-to-train.html">old blog posts</a> this morning, and I was amazed at the difference in my training. As Coach Andy keeps telling me, it's never going to get easier, you just get faster! Of course, I had my doubts about that, as I keep waiting for the day when it's not so hard... cause let me tell you, training has not gotten one bit easier! It's always hard! But some things I realized are:<br /><br /><ol><li>I swim more now in 2/3 of one training session that I used to in a whole week.</li><li>I can ride more in one training session that I used to in a whole week</li><li>I run more before walking in one training session than I used to in a whole week.</li></ol><br />I'm anxious to see how that translates on the clock come race day - I want to do some of the same races as last year to see if I've gotten any faster. Personal records are soemthing I desperately want to say I have... I mean the proof is in the numbers! Not to mention, there's dudes I want to chick and a couple of chicks I want to catch. Nothing like spite and competition to get one motivated, LOL!!! But races will be selected much more carefully and deliberately this coming year to keep in line with training for my big race of the 1/2 IM in Augusta. And I think, after taking this little trip down memory lane, I think I might maybe just maybe actually come in before the cutoff time in Augusta! 2012 is going to be BRUTAL, as that's the year of the full Ironman distance race.... I try not to think of that too much right now, as it makes my insides start quivering with fear at the thought of 17 straight hours of cardio and sheer exhaustion. But it's all something that must be done if I want to earn my IM tattoo!Shelley Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110058008014619741noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949851753100871516.post-36384534199563093722010-12-05T19:16:00.003-05:002010-12-05T19:55:03.527-05:00Overhaulin' My Bloggin'Well hello there, everyone! No, contrary to what some of you might think, I have not fallen off the face of the earth, but life has been sorta pedal-to-the-metal since the end of summer. I can't believe we're in December already - just seems like last week I was doing my first Olympic distance tri (which was back in August, LOL)! Since then, I've done another sprint tri and a whole crap ton of off-season training to get ready for the main event of next season... my first Half Ironman. Crazy huh? Well, if that's crazy, then 2012 will be COMPLETE insanity since that's the year of "I'm Freaking Fabulous at 40 and I'm NUTS Enough to Tri a Full Distance Ironman"! But that's another story for another blog post, LOL!<br /><br />Between writing checks for Andria's college applications, getting my heartrate back to normal after seeing the Sheriff's radar that clocked Bailey going 67 in a 45, and trying to understand how Tyler can still breathe in a bedroom that reeks of butts and feet, I haven't had much brainpower left to devote to proper blogging. But, as you can probably tell by sloppy looks of my little plot of cyber-realty, I'm trying to overhaul my blog! My graphics are so outdated, and it is just time to give the old page a facelift. However, I've run into a snag! There are no really cool blog graphics out there for triathlon, so I thought... Hey, I'm a Crafty Mama... (I know this because my blog header says so, LOL) I can create my own! Only one problem... I have changed laptops since I bought my Photoshop Elements, and I cannot find my disk to save my life! I can't remember if I actually bought a hardcopy or purchased it online, but either way, I can't find it. Really hacks me off, too... GRRRR!!! I hate to think I'm going to have to buy the stupid software again.... that'd hack me off even more. It sure wasn't cheap! I'm hoping that it miraculously appears out of nowhere and just falls into my lap, cause I really want to get some graphics for a new blog header. And since I'm going to a <a href="http://www.scrapgrlz.com/Retreat.htm">Scrapgrlz retreat</a> in February and will actually have some time to SCRAP (egads - I know it's shocking!), I think I might want to design some triathlon/multisport graphics, papers, and other scrapbooking doo-dads to play with.<br /><br />Anyhooooooooo.... I better get back to wrapping up the day! Tomorrow's going to be jammed packed: full day of work, kickoff weigh in at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chattanooga-TN/HUB-Endurance/128431573870223">Hub Endurance </a> for the Littlest Winner, deep-cleaning chores, and an epic "I-BROUGHT-YOU-INTO-THIS-WORLD-I'LL-TAKE-YOUR-BUTT-RIGHT-BACK-OUT" meeting with all the kids... Anyone wanna trade me? LOL!Shelley Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110058008014619741noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949851753100871516.post-91671713489361894102010-09-10T08:52:00.005-04:002010-09-14T20:18:27.975-04:00Fall Creek Falls Race Report - I'm an Olympic Distance Triathlete!!!Man, I know I am WAYYYYY late on getting this race report blogged, and I really have no one single excuse other than life has SOOO gotten in the way lately, especially now that the kids are back in school. Matter of fact, in 45 minutes I have to leave to go on a camping trip with the SDHS Raider team (JROTC) for a competition.. GO TROJANS! But I thought I'd make use of a little time and see about getting a blog post done.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>**UPDATE** I started this blog post last week. Didn't finish before going out of town, and so here I am making myself late for work trying to get it finished. Blogspot is on the fritz and it won't autosave or regular save, so I'm trying to finish and publish wo I don't have to start over.... or you guys will NEVER get this race report, LOL!!!</div><div><br />So anyway, race day came on August 15th, and it was just BEAUTIFUL!!! We did not go up the night before to spend the night, since Fall Creek Falls is on central time, which means I got an extra hour of sleep anyway, lol... so it was just like going to a local race for my biological clock. Gotta love that! Of course, when we got up there and got stuff in trasition, Andria did my body marking and Kurt was the perfect spectator-slash-photographer.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1J4y06MLzoxiaanaBZUDlII-f0U87Wy0jjmHIh_8gOE_lWt5iGJ6-RcLp3OpxebfsjqinfOam-yMlVwA8mlV6uBXK58KkiZuP0W2pHO8SOVUQSxfXjyhZzohMrFXL2KZU5IgMBylDSNy8/s1600/IMG_0020.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 288px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 209px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515271057537899618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1J4y06MLzoxiaanaBZUDlII-f0U87Wy0jjmHIh_8gOE_lWt5iGJ6-RcLp3OpxebfsjqinfOam-yMlVwA8mlV6uBXK58KkiZuP0W2pHO8SOVUQSxfXjyhZzohMrFXL2KZU5IgMBylDSNy8/s320/IMG_0020.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDDxPf0LCWPXlKqDKVg9FKQDY9ulsS8tL6T760rSuNhO9YYgK35AQnXIA5XY65fESP1C4VCdRfGufSaXzQkrbekJUf2p1ZVdrEN6DNcnHZwdtyuE98ao9mkHjRzq8jeUvxlNtKoK9klQd/s1600/IMG_0025.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 207px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 287px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515271061590470162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDDxPf0LCWPXlKqDKVg9FKQDY9ulsS8tL6T760rSuNhO9YYgK35AQnXIA5XY65fESP1C4VCdRfGufSaXzQkrbekJUf2p1ZVdrEN6DNcnHZwdtyuE98ao9mkHjRzq8jeUvxlNtKoK9klQd/s320/IMG_0025.JPG" /></a>Normally Kurt's not the greatest photographer, but he actually did a fantastic job this time! I mean, he was able to spot me in the sea of swimmers and get some pretty good action shots! Thanks Kurty Wurty!</div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoxzm7wmXqxAOPtsy6isMLuKmi4AcEwUxkWxohlVBhMl_WB8O1Q65iqEBtYCx3Yh-jkkTJ40fl_zG4RAZPHeUS7WQ091QAyMN8UIhpkAZIq7ZWVFR_71BR3Nhhxfs7i5FCq6y9XkxOZSU/s1600/IMG_0026.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 282px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 201px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515271068522470498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoxzm7wmXqxAOPtsy6isMLuKmi4AcEwUxkWxohlVBhMl_WB8O1Q65iqEBtYCx3Yh-jkkTJ40fl_zG4RAZPHeUS7WQ091QAyMN8UIhpkAZIq7ZWVFR_71BR3Nhhxfs7i5FCq6y9XkxOZSU/s320/IMG_0026.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LOi3vFyVSwWnqISAjxY1Ge2QK4tjf0mXM-wmMhtQrsysNoo1XXsY1gViUez30hK6ecjv_0POdEpqbpQWe8dZN-vIxY9QqxU5xBb3hsz4PDdANouf9-CyKPbhywQO84RveCPwXuBUDLEE/s1600/IMG_0035.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 281px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 201px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515271073831790578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LOi3vFyVSwWnqISAjxY1Ge2QK4tjf0mXM-wmMhtQrsysNoo1XXsY1gViUez30hK6ecjv_0POdEpqbpQWe8dZN-vIxY9QqxU5xBb3hsz4PDdANouf9-CyKPbhywQO84RveCPwXuBUDLEE/s320/IMG_0035.JPG" /></a>I felt super strong in the swim. the .9 mile seemed to pass fairly quickly, as I just kept reaching and passing buouy after buouy - and a couple of other blue caps too,, LOL. When I reached the exit, I really felt like I could have swam alot more.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QSk8nCW9e3Ruo33J8q2hgIju7jJ3HeOk4dwxTe95W1D68m_FEgWMqQ06v02WcJ61PLaGUjz1m9mrVb6JK1H42mvRCd6JZYAZQmWXrPMWWj2U2wJ0PbSb8Au3x6YiHkClpfPJlLhDUW_z/s1600/IMG_0038.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 287px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 208px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516719192639101202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QSk8nCW9e3Ruo33J8q2hgIju7jJ3HeOk4dwxTe95W1D68m_FEgWMqQ06v02WcJ61PLaGUjz1m9mrVb6JK1H42mvRCd6JZYAZQmWXrPMWWj2U2wJ0PbSb8Au3x6YiHkClpfPJlLhDUW_z/s320/IMG_0038.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkR7OO_zENPOyTc79j0Et75E21d3vigB0YzN1d7eKnwalk9vQY0wyQzOCMWMY-9I5jj146TGaIMn37OR06cacR_udG4d6zDyaM3MmAfTAjOX6qSGLBPLpDCwF4ahhrAFf6FE9LfrjTK2c/s1600/IMG_0039.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 290px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 208px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516719202108381922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkR7OO_zENPOyTc79j0Et75E21d3vigB0YzN1d7eKnwalk9vQY0wyQzOCMWMY-9I5jj146TGaIMn37OR06cacR_udG4d6zDyaM3MmAfTAjOX6qSGLBPLpDCwF4ahhrAFf6FE9LfrjTK2c/s320/IMG_0039.JPG" /></a></div><div>Instead I did my best to walk that terrible rocky bottom and get to the shoe staging area. Yep they had a shoe staging area with numbered spots and everything because there was about a 300 yard run back UPHILL to transition. But I was still pretty pumped from the swim that I jogged the whole thing! WOOT WOOT! </div><div><br />However, it seemed that the residual fire quickly faded as I mounted my trusty red steed to pedal off into the sunshine.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBl-OpCA-VvhwRnps3RkXexCwwKcg7okDuFwSLhwVuwcGAhS4UK7aOIkyv3H8Kx2_g6CeSprdFSRMmbTZ7etRuPiOPqWTHIW7aGzNGaxAx3-MAvci5BMxjOU6Z6n9tzmy3HklpDQ3kHLJ/s1600/IMG_0047.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 286px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 207px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516719213275954226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBl-OpCA-VvhwRnps3RkXexCwwKcg7okDuFwSLhwVuwcGAhS4UK7aOIkyv3H8Kx2_g6CeSprdFSRMmbTZ7etRuPiOPqWTHIW7aGzNGaxAx3-MAvci5BMxjOU6Z6n9tzmy3HklpDQ3kHLJ/s320/IMG_0047.JPG" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2U_UiBYb2QybSynPmYqO7pOn6BNN-vqFQkXxw6iWYwd5SaBQwBBLkfH1qjs9F-hZktN-GFOF2l230Y_kNX0EBvQ9IwPafHgHALyqYayxCqb7j-vCxo9UPCmiPfI0dGcfvhYTkey7bFdk/s1600/IMG_0045.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 289px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 209px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516719211142767362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2U_UiBYb2QybSynPmYqO7pOn6BNN-vqFQkXxw6iWYwd5SaBQwBBLkfH1qjs9F-hZktN-GFOF2l230Y_kNX0EBvQ9IwPafHgHALyqYayxCqb7j-vCxo9UPCmiPfI0dGcfvhYTkey7bFdk/s320/IMG_0045.JPG" /></a></div><div>The course was really nice, not too many little rolling hills, but I must have used way more energy on that swim than I thought. I just couldn't seem to get my legs working - they felt like I had been dipped in cement! And to top it off, about a mile or so into the bike course, I freakign DROPPED my Powerade bottle, and I couldn't stop for it, since there was a car and another cyclist on my heels. So I had to ride the entire course without any calories.... BIG BUMMER! The course was well marked with lots of marshalls along the way, and I promise you I propositioned every single one with the distinct priveledge of giving me a piggy back ride through the course. The closest I got to acceptance was a little old man who said he would if he could LOL! I was so stinking tired, and due to the mental frustration, I did get off and walk for about 20 feet. But I quickly put my big girl panties back on and got back in the saddle. I truly am so grateful for some of my Tri Club pals (like Ed Rusk, although he doesn't read my blog and won't know I mentioned him, lol) who saw me along the course and gave me just the right words that got me through. Thanks Ed... you're really the best!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8znFnPyXLcTSyeTYc1TS6hbyq6xEQEdcZd9SyQ5SGB3naGYgnx5493GnARpizdORq1XxMQJN8UZyZMOR9FzzFIiTXptf6CmE4X8yIGlYIPIVhJJ4byUpO2rT9qs-LZMBW9HSxUSbboyL/s1600/IMG_0053.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516719224642620194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8znFnPyXLcTSyeTYc1TS6hbyq6xEQEdcZd9SyQ5SGB3naGYgnx5493GnARpizdORq1XxMQJN8UZyZMOR9FzzFIiTXptf6CmE4X8yIGlYIPIVhJJ4byUpO2rT9qs-LZMBW9HSxUSbboyL/s320/IMG_0053.JPG" /></a>Anyway, I was never so glad to get off a bike as I was that day. 25 miles really took it out of me, and at that moment, I really didn't care to sit on it.... ever.... again. LOL! </div><div><br />I limped and whimpered all the way through to my spot in transition, racked my bike, and was so thankful to reach in my little insulated lunch bag to find another bottle of powerade. Normally I make it a point to jog out of transition and not walk until I'm out of sight of the spectators... I mean it's not like anyone can see my fluid graceful gazelle-ish gait turn into that of a wounded water buffalo that's just had a leg gnawed off by an alligator... right?? LOL Anyway, that's not the way it worked this time.... I was SO exhausted and SOOOOO miserable, that I made no bones about it and just blantantly walked right out of transition and right through all the spectators... that's right, the wounded water buffalo is on the move! I walked past this guy, who was clearly one of the early finishers, sitting under the shade tree, saying, hey go for it girl! Walk if you have to! It was somewhat uplifting, but a split second later, when that guy was out of sight and I was headed down the hill on the main part of the run course, I really started getting depressed. I saw all of those people already heading back in to the finish line - I mean dozens and dozens of them, some sprinting up the hill and some walking up, and I had some tearful moments of "what the heck am I doing here?" and started to cry a little. I think it was mostly just the exhaustion talking but, it was a really hard few minutes. Once I got some electrolytes and calories in, I started to feel a little better, and decided that there is no room for crying out on the race course. I mean after all, I worked really hard to get out there, and no matter what, come hell or high water, I was going to finish that dang race! So I wiped my face, took another swig of Powerade, and just kept walking. </div><div><br />I decided to try to find the humor in it all - I mean it's the small things that crack me up and keep me going :) Again I propositioned everyone at every water stop and tried to solicit a piggy back ride, but again no takers. The closest I came was a lady who offered to pimp out her husband for the job, lol, and some little kids who offered to run the rest of the distance to keep me company. Really sweet, but I couldn't bear to look at those little pip-squeaks, even as sweet and thoguhtful as they were, running effortlessly beside me not even breaking a sweat. Would have hated to have "accidentally" hip-checked them into the lake, LOL!</div><div><br />Even though I was passed at mile 5 on the run by a 69 year old lady, I still felt a great sense of resolve that I was going to finish. I did jog a few times for a few minutes, but decided that I was going to save whatever tiny little ounce of gusto I had left in me for the finish chute. So I just kept saying "only 4 more miles between me and a chair, only 3 more miles between me and the chair" and so on. My legs were kind of numb, and I was pretty much on auto pilot throughout the remainder of the course, but slowly and surely, I kept rounding curves and passing landmarks until that last turn was in sight. As I walked up that final incline and rounded the corner to head into the chute, it was like someone flipped the NOS switch! I'm telling you I took off like my butt was on FIRE, and I ran down the chute and through the arch faster than I have ever ran before in my life!!! I have no clue where it came from, but as soon as I crossed the threshhold of the big blue arch, Kurt was there with an ice cold water bottle and towels soaked in ice water, and Andria was there snapping pictures.</div></div><div></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsr24YYWo-SFd_6gDQWDmK6Chl3-51Sm-lwGFiEIybSlLd5ZQXbw96abbtv2ayV-jf4vSTlwTdACpZU5rtELbzUP9IFBtQ4_BNOSEyQ4sx-5ItUmU1VZNG4s_cykcz56sAQScuh1mo3KAR/s1600/IMG_0074.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 288px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 210px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516921060952196914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsr24YYWo-SFd_6gDQWDmK6Chl3-51Sm-lwGFiEIybSlLd5ZQXbw96abbtv2ayV-jf4vSTlwTdACpZU5rtELbzUP9IFBtQ4_BNOSEyQ4sx-5ItUmU1VZNG4s_cykcz56sAQScuh1mo3KAR/s320/IMG_0074.JPG" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVwxZUiyOtfJVrxd0TXQCCG5Nb_b8PJEOv2ANK2tVo7k7KQvHj7G352mjOjfMwJ8uxQLJ0jXfLwyhqRvrnJIfX3b_okVTjSo2W-8NS6PjPf7Jk3mTvD6YNfT-xrI1JJm4_DMVvsyP-77N/s1600/IMG_0077.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 288px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 211px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516921173090448418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVwxZUiyOtfJVrxd0TXQCCG5Nb_b8PJEOv2ANK2tVo7k7KQvHj7G352mjOjfMwJ8uxQLJ0jXfLwyhqRvrnJIfX3b_okVTjSo2W-8NS6PjPf7Jk3mTvD6YNfT-xrI1JJm4_DMVvsyP-77N/s320/IMG_0077.JPG" /></a>My official finish time was 4:35:29. My swim time was 32:26, T1 7:51 (including the 300m jog), bike was 1:59:01, T2 - 3:35, and I finished the run in 1:52:18. I finished 302/310, and all in all surpassed my overall goal of finishing in under 5 hours. It was a fantastic race course, lots of volunteer support and soothing shade, and I'm really glad I made Fall Creek Falls my first Olympic experience! </div><div></div><div>I'll be finishing out the race season this coming weekend with a Sprint, which will bring me to a grand total of 5 triathlons in my first year! I'm really excited, and really proud of myself... I mean who the heck would have thought that I, me of ALL FREAKING PEOPLE, could ever be able to do anythign like that??? I'm telling you - I'm living proof that ANYONE can do ANYTHING they set their minds to!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Shelley Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110058008014619741noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949851753100871516.post-59741483751496514682010-08-11T18:28:00.033-04:002010-08-11T22:15:07.767-04:00Tellico Sprint Race Report - July 18th 2010Ok, so I'm almost caught up on race reports, LOL! To date I've done three triathlons, all sprint distance. For the record, a sprint distance is anything less than an Olympic distance (which incidentally is .9 mile swim, 25 mile bike, and 6.2 mile run). The Tellico Sprint was the longest sprint of my career, as it was 800m swim (about 1/2 a mile) then 16 miles on the bike, and a 5K run. So I was pretty nervous - mainly about the bike since me and hills.... well, let's just say we have a love hate relationship. I hate them, and they love to mock me, which makes me hate them some more! Coach Andy asked me to set three goals for this race, 1 goal that I was 90% sure I would achieve, 1 goal I hoped to achieve, and 1 goal that "AHHHH would make the angels sing from Heaven above" if I could achieve. Goal #1 = finish under 2:28. Goal #2 = Run the whole 5K without walking, and Goal #3 = Ride all of the entire bike course without having to walk any of the hills. <div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div></div><div>Anyway, Andria and I went up the day before, since it's a 2 hour drive from here, and we just got a hotel room to just stay up there after packet pickup. We got my packet and got the arrangements made for Andria to volunteer, and then we drove the bike course to get an idea of what I was in for. I wanted to preview the run course too, but they didn't have it marked yet when we were there. We thought about driving back out there after dinner, but by the time we ate, that was all she wrote, and we just went back to the hotel and crashed, LOL! On race morning, of course we were up and at the race site bright and early... or should I say, dark and early, cause y'all know how I hate to be late, LOL!!! I got all my stuff set up at my spot on the rack, and then went down and got my body marked.</div><br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJM5Bku4Aka3J-kEWQPat45YMKpxKxd5tGh8rOGjlWf7nWcK-a2NITGl6_twQjETR5SkPT5WoIEWq7D7Kjiy-HarRJ-Czu1HI0oir4c_dy9u2wLMHNkmVzX8XZCKmRV8SLSk6g94NF7TV/s1600/106_0100.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 289px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504319422763523202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJM5Bku4Aka3J-kEWQPat45YMKpxKxd5tGh8rOGjlWf7nWcK-a2NITGl6_twQjETR5SkPT5WoIEWq7D7Kjiy-HarRJ-Czu1HI0oir4c_dy9u2wLMHNkmVzX8XZCKmRV8SLSk6g94NF7TV/s320/106_0100.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8a2JF7kBv4ruW_oysewpwH5QuNalN1o04CiuttIthyphenhyphengbwI9MCd2uJ4-Q3pWN4j_IP7kQefz5EI07-xcbFzqc0HHBZgK-QS6mcvbSHGWaybTS9hcwewpSB_lz9KFD8hW6IXPhim0dwkFB/s1600/106_0099.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 207px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 288px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504319433900496514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8a2JF7kBv4ruW_oysewpwH5QuNalN1o04CiuttIthyphenhyphengbwI9MCd2uJ4-Q3pWN4j_IP7kQefz5EI07-xcbFzqc0HHBZgK-QS6mcvbSHGWaybTS9hcwewpSB_lz9KFD8hW6IXPhim0dwkFB/s320/106_0099.JPG" /></a>The awesome girl at the body marking station was sweet enough to Sharpie my uncle's and great aunt's names on the back of my calf, as they both are cancer patients and very dear to me. I wanted to race with them and in honor of them, and I think they would have liked that! Just a week after the race, my uncle passed away from his cancer, so I'm really glad I had the opportunity to do that beforehand.</div><br /><div>Anyway, I was really hoping for nice cool water, but knew it would be like swimming in a hot tub since it has been so freaking hot here this summer! However, I was pleasantly surprized to find it right in the middle, and the swim went pretty well for me. Andria tried to take pictures of the swim start, but she took them of the wrong lady, HAHAHA! Anyway, I felt pretty strong in the swim... well, at least not 100% zapped by the finish, and I finished the leg quite a few seconds ahead of Sarah, who is my rabbit! She always is just ahead of me, and (here's a real southern expression fer ya) by cracky, I'm a'gonna ketch me a rabbit one of these days :) However, I digress.... Once the swim was done, I managed to jog all the way to T1, and felt pretty strong as I headed out on the bike.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1X6a4RtNU-Uifwu8S4a8hmCSBswTEqEChj1izCQh-i3zIC1-c3ls-YHU0bi6M0tOPZkBII-FW_I0jMtlx55j6ZGuwgLNffDhCso4holwiryINd4Ws7lIJNPVzWOjWuQMxKc3kvRerrgc2/s1600/938950707_card_1_345.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504325023497250994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1X6a4RtNU-Uifwu8S4a8hmCSBswTEqEChj1izCQh-i3zIC1-c3ls-YHU0bi6M0tOPZkBII-FW_I0jMtlx55j6ZGuwgLNffDhCso4holwiryINd4Ws7lIJNPVzWOjWuQMxKc3kvRerrgc2/s320/938950707_card_1_345.jpg" /></a>Since we had previewed the course, it really helped me to pick milestones and carve up the course to make it seem like it was passing faster... ok, just gotta make it to this point, just gotta make it to that point, etc. And I was feeling pretty strong! Right up until I got about half way through the bike course, and I was getting tired. The hills weren't as steep as some I've walked, but I was really getting worn out. And I was sooo close to just caving and getting off the dang bike to walk the hills... just to stop the suffering. But I really really wanted to reach that goal and bust through the wicked mental block I'd created for myself. So I came up with a new race mantra on the fly and was screaming it out loud! "Damn you, Hills... You can't frigging BEAT ME!!!" And just kept telling the hills off over and over out loud, and getting mad and just "screw you, hills!!!"... I sure was glad no one was around to hear me, LOL!!!! And somehow, I was getting up those hills... on my bike! And then it happened... I saw a dude just up ahead, pedalling away on his carbon steed. According to USAT rules, you have to stay 3 bike lengths apart, unless you're going to pass, cause they consider that the draft zone, which means you can cheat and not have to work as hard agains the wind resistance. Anyway, when you pass, you have 15 seconds to do it. I toyed with the idea for a few seconds, and thought - what the heck, I'm a hill-destroyer, I'll give it a shot. I pumped the pedals a few times and there I was right on his heel! So with a valiant, in-your-face, loud-n-proud "ON YOUR LEFT", I zoomed right by him! I freaking CHICKED that dude! WOOT WOOT, go me! I'm a dude chicker :) Apparently, guys hang their heads in shame when girls pass them, and Coach Andy says they call it getting chicked. :) He tried to regain his manhood by passing me, which was ok, because it was short lived. A few moments later I promptly revoked his man card once again, and chicked him a second time! It was simply glorious. Before I knew it, I was back at Transition, having successfully ridden the entire bike course .... YEHAWWW! </div><br /><div></div><div>The run course ended up being quite a nice layout. There were alot of loops and such, but it was a really nice setup, with plenty of water-bearing volunteers who were full of encouragement and smiles. There was even one cheesy guy who said "oh I see they saved the best looking for last" hahaha, that made me laugh and almost pee my pants, but it was the push I needed to kick it into gear and keep jogging a little farther before walking. I did have to walk, unfortunately, but I am pretty sure it's because my legs were just spent after working so hard to ride the entire bike course. Plus, my knee and hip started giving me a few fits, so I was ok with walking when I had to. Did I mention that Sarah got ahead of me on the bike? So I spent the run a few minutes behind her, once again, but it was nice to see her doing well. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUL6YwAGQxVnh5Sd4EX4uP1P1okNfVpXWmAxoXZwBjN3Tru2NT4UAkmVEz6k04eAeNtwQcP_Bl8DAz0-9IBddPJuGY8bHpBu_OvFaU_s5F5TGncMcCRcVL8yJ04Ifxku-8oIp9Ye8fNdVA/s1600/106_0107.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 295px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 205px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504335576448008386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUL6YwAGQxVnh5Sd4EX4uP1P1okNfVpXWmAxoXZwBjN3Tru2NT4UAkmVEz6k04eAeNtwQcP_Bl8DAz0-9IBddPJuGY8bHpBu_OvFaU_s5F5TGncMcCRcVL8yJ04Ifxku-8oIp9Ye8fNdVA/s320/106_0107.JPG" /></a></div><div>When I rounded the corner to the finish, I see Andria holding this sign! Apparently it was one of the cool little extras that the race organizers made available to spectators... they provided poster board and markers for anyone who wanted to make signs to cheer on their racers! Isn't that the coolest thing you've ever seen????</div><div> </div><div>All finishers got really nice medals, so it was cool to walk away with some bling! Especially since I finished at the back of the pack :) Here's the final breakdown of my performance: 800 meter swim - 22:23. T1 - 3:41. 16 mile bike - 1:15:15. T2 - 3:41. 5K Run - 48:16. Overall time was 2:33:14, and I came in 7th of 7 in my division, and 198/200 overall. As far as the goals go, I was 5:14 over my time goal, and I certainly didn't run the whole 5K, but I freaking made the biggest goal of the three with riding the entire bike course. And as I looked at the overall standings, the chick right above me in 6th place only had me by 32 seconds! 32 freaking seconds!! That waskully wabbit, however, took 5th place by finishing 5 minutes ahead of me. LOL! Good thing I like her :) All in all, it was an awesome success, and I was really thrilled with my performance! I'll leave you with a few random post-race shots :) I'm off to fret about the Olympic Distance race I have coming in 4 days!</div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6U1i6xyn6sDyod3eGf7601BEROn1GESU01kaLlr_yvSeEub8tEGxavyLInRo1UjhXt8g917gL5Hj4IuDfYvg5sQtzzxbAjsSblkiqRQYjhBMDQCIX2nXOCHgvJx1lkCLoCNDgn7ucoGGv/s1600/106_0116.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 292px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504335597362059778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6U1i6xyn6sDyod3eGf7601BEROn1GESU01kaLlr_yvSeEub8tEGxavyLInRo1UjhXt8g917gL5Hj4IuDfYvg5sQtzzxbAjsSblkiqRQYjhBMDQCIX2nXOCHgvJx1lkCLoCNDgn7ucoGGv/s320/106_0116.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSs-wkbRb2KTRueP_M5t69vB1T6n7P2sPABootzVUtj0euv25d8i4DXYsJb-rIlJGUfTe9j6weVRnSxaDSEaTf8a7m52SPfJio8xmnST3jw66LJRxNoga6kGBFla-wJv_KwDZ1y2_jS_zT/s1600/106_0117.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 293px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504335590122441314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSs-wkbRb2KTRueP_M5t69vB1T6n7P2sPABootzVUtj0euv25d8i4DXYsJb-rIlJGUfTe9j6weVRnSxaDSEaTf8a7m52SPfJio8xmnST3jw66LJRxNoga6kGBFla-wJv_KwDZ1y2_jS_zT/s320/106_0117.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgy9HwDV2H_TcAX5PfbmqDvHqLWLxIa_5-IKzzIPNNBbQJ_H-rh0iDtQLxjmU0oeedjiYGBPa2vLghvn-rtkjQxBfh96tHnJ3sFnptiDPq2Qjn-OcL4srjxcLA98wZ3g9MyWv_VyOGOR-/s1600/106_0106.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 270px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 185px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504335581471477538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgy9HwDV2H_TcAX5PfbmqDvHqLWLxIa_5-IKzzIPNNBbQJ_H-rh0iDtQLxjmU0oeedjiYGBPa2vLghvn-rtkjQxBfh96tHnJ3sFnptiDPq2Qjn-OcL4srjxcLA98wZ3g9MyWv_VyOGOR-/s320/106_0106.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Shelley Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110058008014619741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949851753100871516.post-12597494681398948232010-08-01T09:50:00.038-04:002010-08-01T11:40:20.828-04:00Race Report #2 - Cysco Cycles Sprint June 13, 2010After my first race experience, and the shock of completing it without the aid of an ambulance, I knew I wanted to see what else I could do... how much farther I could ride the Tri Train. After all anything can be done once. But to only do it once doesn't rule out the possibility that the success was just a fluke. I mean even scientists know (ha - I say "EVEN" scientists, like they're the last people that would know, LOL! Shame on me!) anyway, even they know that any good experiment must be repeated more than once to be considered credible. SO I set my sights on the Cysco Cycles sprint triathlon - it's local, and small, and run by the same organization that directed my first race. And bonus - it was a teensy bit shorter :). (the first one I did was 600m swim, 14 mile bike, and 5K run... this one was 400m swim, 11 miles on the bike, and 5k run) I took about a week or so off of training after my first race and didn't do a dadgum thing! For all you non-southerners, dadgum means cotton-pickin', or gosh darned, or *&%* for those of you who want to insert a swear word, LOL! And once I got back to training, I kind of felt a little lost, because my focus had changed a little from just surviving the experience to improving a little. So I made the decision to hire a training coach. Crazy huh? I decided to go with <a href="http://www.gaiafitness.com/">Gaia Fitness</a>, and I'm so glad I did! It has been the most helpful to learn more about the why's behind things and learning how to train smarter, not harder! Anyway, I digress.....<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div></div><div>With Andy's help (my coach), I trained and worked, and got ready for Race #2.... THe extra exciting part about this race is that Bailey decided to tri, and she chose this race to make her triathlon debut. Unfortunately we don't have as many pictures this time, but I'll share what I have.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZwaHSfWQn-5rXH8Il9Nk178veV6rIwbRpnWt5DbU3tYXvoVzmQ3xY-s-D19-tw7JlY_Lbviv-8aH6W9AuUHNti3TPokxL79NOtlk_oijHVFjfCkd1HddIVPiCMROtZkbnbXojLjhek89/s1600/mombailey.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 208px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500447060165857138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZwaHSfWQn-5rXH8Il9Nk178veV6rIwbRpnWt5DbU3tYXvoVzmQ3xY-s-D19-tw7JlY_Lbviv-8aH6W9AuUHNti3TPokxL79NOtlk_oijHVFjfCkd1HddIVPiCMROtZkbnbXojLjhek89/s320/mombailey.jpg" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjq6-XvdYibPwpgUD6zchBg_TMB9ulN1P3lEmA9cIHydZPt8TkOLO6rHBSjtSuM6Epvat2KLwV9S2U1fLH-h7AdZoyR6AdziG-6cGIrKjAnXqR4WOJqG1FnD6RNDhLlXaQr-WKdNk5CTt/s1600/bailey.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 202px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 283px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500447060926691826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjq6-XvdYibPwpgUD6zchBg_TMB9ulN1P3lEmA9cIHydZPt8TkOLO6rHBSjtSuM6Epvat2KLwV9S2U1fLH-h7AdZoyR6AdziG-6cGIrKjAnXqR4WOJqG1FnD6RNDhLlXaQr-WKdNk5CTt/s320/bailey.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RTbolk9Nl4zvzf2Dnaofikw76ZCrOU6PKfpfffR_xkYr7X0ixZCbA1knKrGL2quwpag_MQ2XOEVkty1KaNRWf2nh3zJpE_mILAc7R8VwMc7cOdVSTfQUxg28dnEEg4GaMhdO50R79oGL/s1600/transition.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 290px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 205px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500447053288326594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RTbolk9Nl4zvzf2Dnaofikw76ZCrOU6PKfpfffR_xkYr7X0ixZCbA1knKrGL2quwpag_MQ2XOEVkty1KaNRWf2nh3zJpE_mILAc7R8VwMc7cOdVSTfQUxg28dnEEg4GaMhdO50R79oGL/s320/transition.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>Here we are, me and Bailey, after body markings and check-in, and here is all our gear in transition. I have an obsession with getting to everything early since I'm still so new at this - I don't want to be late and risk missing a crucial detail or update, LOL! So Transition was pretty well a ghost town when we got there, but it filled up a bit, even though this was still a pretty small race.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Another difference in this race is that it was a mass start at the swim, which means everyone starts at the same time, and it can turn into a frenzy which looks remarkably similar (and feels that way for us slower swimmers) to a school of pirhanas chowing down on some poor unsuspecting mammal that drifted into the Amazon. But again, this is where the small numbers make it easier, as does staying to the outside and letting the crazy folks get on out front :). Did I mention yet that Bailey's #1 goal was to come in ahead of me? LOL, big surprise, huh? She couldn't stand the thought of her old lumpy mama being faster than her - so she was determined to give it her all. Anyway, you can see us all here waiting on the swim start - Bailey and I are in the middle, although you can't really see me.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqU36_vOL2XRWA6S-HU8bMUjhLlvv1oEsteTD2AG5L0G0iN-tjJJpPE9A5gnPhuJ81hXoqryS0v6oT4BieQ7IRQWb9uScyM9aIWl90SGD4amvRKrHAHPWZfCuxLyKESGaCFFkhulBWTug/s1600/SwimStart.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 288px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 184px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500451193654909602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqU36_vOL2XRWA6S-HU8bMUjhLlvv1oEsteTD2AG5L0G0iN-tjJJpPE9A5gnPhuJ81hXoqryS0v6oT4BieQ7IRQWb9uScyM9aIWl90SGD4amvRKrHAHPWZfCuxLyKESGaCFFkhulBWTug/s320/SwimStart.jpg" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHoKxjAAgPeLnpRO5nmcXkovTYv0IWIVapnfbwsxBPxRtZQycRyQCL0K3U2RXvwog1qDBlV1R51oTKvqyXpBk5kKbWNqRBnctJRrcrBe6l4lrWVH7_2S9rAmegbYrAbBlQYE5Sd9PJsx3/s1600/SwimStart3.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 291px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 185px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500451197232923586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHoKxjAAgPeLnpRO5nmcXkovTYv0IWIVapnfbwsxBPxRtZQycRyQCL0K3U2RXvwog1qDBlV1R51oTKvqyXpBk5kKbWNqRBnctJRrcrBe6l4lrWVH7_2S9rAmegbYrAbBlQYE5Sd9PJsx3/s320/SwimStart3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyaSakXOBJTNn3yl31HSojTBYvF2zKTQU4fqjK44xsbbtmlhnjqMVR0rGP8O8RFlqV1yfbRP5aTAgZpvGvHu3l-ev_xmqg1KXdkwb5C2K8ZvbO246gUw-_P2v9NrJfeinhslxuO0920Bla/s1600/swim1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 291px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 182px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500451204674997378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyaSakXOBJTNn3yl31HSojTBYvF2zKTQU4fqjK44xsbbtmlhnjqMVR0rGP8O8RFlqV1yfbRP5aTAgZpvGvHu3l-ev_xmqg1KXdkwb5C2K8ZvbO246gUw-_P2v9NrJfeinhslxuO0920Bla/s320/swim1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>Once we got in the water and the horn sounded, of course we fell to the back of the pack and just did our thang. Much to Bailey's relief, she came out of the water about 30 seconds or so ahead of me and was able to run it back up the steep hill to T1 and she was off an gone on the bike before I even got there. Naturally I had to walk - that hill looked like Mount Everest when I got out of the water, and for the record - that water was SOOO WARM! For me, it's so much harder to swim in warm water - your body already heats up from the activity, and then the high temps just make it feel like you're swimming in a hot tub. Not fun. Plus wetsuits are not legal above a certian temp, so no help there either. But, I did manage to make it out of the water and get to transition to head out on the bike. Similar to the last race I did, there was a nice hill (and I do say nice with sarcasm, LOL) only this time it was UPHILL out of transition. But I figured I'd been training more with a coach and hoped that hills should be easier on this race, especially since I'd previewed all but about 1 mile or so of this course and did just fine. I was so freaking tired from the warm swim and that hill right out of the gate... well, it was a toughie. But I managed to get to the top of it, and after that the ride got a little easier, especially when ..what? What is that??? What do I see ahead of me... Could it be.. BAILEY??? MUAAHAHAHHAHAHHA I saw her and it was like somebody hit the NOS on my bike, LOL!!! I was determined to get ahead of her and show her the old lady CAN out do her, LOL... Aww cmon, now, I wouldn't have rubbed her nose in it.... much, LOL! I passed her and man - that was the best, LOL! My goal for the rest of the ride was just to STAY ahead of her, LOL. I was doing so well, riding comfortably, except for when I had to grab water. I meant to bring my CamelBak, but figured I'd look like a geek. See, the problem is that I'm still unsteady and have a problem tring to take a hand off the handlebars to grab the water. Couple that with having to look at my hand grabbing the bottle... well you can imagine what a one-armed blind man might look like trying to ride a bike - that's me! And remember that 1 single solitary mile that I didn't preview? Well, guess what was hiding on that mile... a freaking MONDO hill!!! Well, it's not really mondo, but still - sure felt like it to me in that heat, and I had to walk it. Was awful. But it is what it is, and ain't no way back to the finish line but to get over it :) Besides... Ain't no way I could let Bailey catch me, lol. So I took the walking times as opportunities to drink water, and I did actually manage to grab my water bottle and drink and put it back once without wrecking or dropping the bottle. WOOT WOOT! Once I got back into the park, I headed down that big hill right into transition, although I had a moment or two where I didn't think I was going to get slowed down enough before making the turn in. It all worked out though, as I got my bike racked and number on and headed off on the run.... all before Bailey was anywhere in sight hee hee hee. The first half off the run was on a trail, and I have to admit, it was a nice change of scenery and a break from the sun beating down. But it was still BLAZING hot, and I had run out of water on the bike. The first waterstop was said to be 1.25 miles into the run, but it felt like 10 miles when you're overheated and dehydrated - it didn't seem like I'd ever see it. About half way to the water stop, I glanced back and saw Bailey ... she was gaining ground on me, dangit! I tried to dig in, but finally I just succumbed and let her pass me, LOL... As if I wasn't suffering enough from the heat and exhaustion, the unsavory gifts of childbirth started rearing it's uglyhead again... Cmon now - I thought being this dehydrated would save me, but nope! Apparently I still had some moisture in my body, cause I could feel the leaking with every pound of my feet, LOL! GROAN - how embarassing! Luckily I was in black this time, and sweating like a hog, so it wasn't as noticeable. And then, like an OASIS in the desert, there is the water stop, and all I could see were the giant coolers full of Powerade and ice cold water. So I drank a few, and poured what felt like gallons over my head. It felt SOOOOO good to cool off, and, with the effects of motherhood nicely camoflauged now, I was re-energized to go a little bit farther. Of course, my shoes and socks were soaked, but whatever! We got through the race, and Bailey came in about 5 minutes ahead of me, so she was THRILLED about that! And I was not last - I came in second to last ahead of a man! WOOT! Nevermind the fact that he was only a few months post back surgery... so what? Why do you want to rob me of this little shallow victory? LOL! Here are a few pictures of us coming up on the finish line, and then us getting our awards. Bailey won her division, and I took 4th in mine. How do ya like my muscles?</div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTFlbQsRjQ6aZMGrFzrS_u40ZPSeoJAq1jhs8EL7ybMKRMaq8gvMLPcTkF9yRSiHvjQZ4dKcB2pJSuLObDj_caY5RWus2EqNcKFkPzYWYE8Sx5HLNUFw_3pstET1pIPzvo8p9SsWvlcnK/s1600/run2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 288px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 177px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500464546560037026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTFlbQsRjQ6aZMGrFzrS_u40ZPSeoJAq1jhs8EL7ybMKRMaq8gvMLPcTkF9yRSiHvjQZ4dKcB2pJSuLObDj_caY5RWus2EqNcKFkPzYWYE8Sx5HLNUFw_3pstET1pIPzvo8p9SsWvlcnK/s320/run2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgPKNMAuqI5VSGOYIMCYv4CCXLvbrzWM_ZbAH3wUx8TY2_97hPLiYakPaOg5olhe95lHxfgIn3VLlgMSlmXVe2PzfgO4Wu_rfjk4HMsHQNe3AcBzH0Kb01DgflfRsW2P7qkky-ngCOVYH/s1600/run1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 290px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 179px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500464543011176178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgPKNMAuqI5VSGOYIMCYv4CCXLvbrzWM_ZbAH3wUx8TY2_97hPLiYakPaOg5olhe95lHxfgIn3VLlgMSlmXVe2PzfgO4Wu_rfjk4HMsHQNe3AcBzH0Kb01DgflfRsW2P7qkky-ngCOVYH/s320/run1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5jweG3KzKzMOTDGzdFeCqmCGwvhO5XDNSZ8hnOKJpmOLZWK07tq73PLtTYZ5NuWflIhsz45F4iEhN3shK5cYXxmFU5pAUdhfG27nYBckU0iAea_ydfTXEvvk_Y78MdlWEFc0nFL8ESCT/s1600/baileyaward.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 286px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 204px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500464537380473906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5jweG3KzKzMOTDGzdFeCqmCGwvhO5XDNSZ8hnOKJpmOLZWK07tq73PLtTYZ5NuWflIhsz45F4iEhN3shK5cYXxmFU5pAUdhfG27nYBckU0iAea_ydfTXEvvk_Y78MdlWEFc0nFL8ESCT/s320/baileyaward.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKmQ-3NA8M0LWJO5BtOvsuqvUjSv5l9lNPUZLWmK3wKJmya_XkQfeWR79ZqNUvVoxDtD_b5nlSrp7DL-rpQugumpsVY4vdO5ff9Wrs542tlgvDNMNs7W0DtjK3rGzQT7T1zqzU5lLK9cg/s1600/muscles.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 216px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 294px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500464542625167058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKmQ-3NA8M0LWJO5BtOvsuqvUjSv5l9lNPUZLWmK3wKJmya_XkQfeWR79ZqNUvVoxDtD_b5nlSrp7DL-rpQugumpsVY4vdO5ff9Wrs542tlgvDNMNs7W0DtjK3rGzQT7T1zqzU5lLK9cg/s320/muscles.jpg" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Shelley Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110058008014619741noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949851753100871516.post-46128734253376734872010-07-31T07:32:00.027-04:002010-07-31T15:33:35.133-04:00My First Race Report - Better Late Than Never, Right?<div><div><div>I am a bad bad blogger! In fact, I should probably be shamed from the blogger community - I am sure Shell would agree. She's even given up on nagging me to post something to my blog - she hasn't done that in MONTHS... is that like when you keep turning down invitations to freinds' activities and then they just stop inviting you? Oh well... even if my blogger friends give up on me, I'm going to try to keep blogging stuff cause I am going to make a scrapbook of all of it one of these days and I guarantee I won't remember all the juicey details without having it documented somewhere. :)<br /><br />Anyway, after all the months of training and working so hard, race day finally came and I was up and at 'em EARLY in the am. After packing and repacking my bag a bazillion times the night before to make sure i had everything, we headed out to Chester Frost.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500068350816577538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-s9NlI13yKiSf7KJWFuiht9iAUEO4tsQLhT-D0zxGdlXDSFS_F6muEIT_CSpuWWU6qBVhE_bnvOhzm6iYHITmnlUmekjpaj0XfmM3WQ4uJRGOzuj1ZfjTafSgIheFmIkQIzEup6AdMk9w/s320/SNC00314.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500066144299947410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnYzgdbY62LGwMfNUD8S0i-_VW2PT7CiUsFvz4FZLsBNa3oVy4Kd4una4an8pcVayu8Gs9UIm62ls27NOV6aHSwFh9OCWFWaptwHm_pcb-WltcV3f6VEO-1nQAcwQEu6DCmi0JSlEu4qb/s320/SNC00311.jpg" />This is me and Kurt after picking up my timing chip and hitting the body marking station. After all those years as a kid of being told not to write on yourself, who knew it would become cool to let people use Sharpies on you?!<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500068360496748306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QoXfxDDyIstn4NlF12xl8LXkR_8tMIvqDUOoEKqehIhwXZ_Lh4fxITn-4ujmnuC_4cUuwf13Dr3_2MpjGuurT78BpC2581WiVkSzJT0mHw5QxjzCYxGnX6Uc138OhAGFdUhcYirRYyJ9/s320/SNC00318.jpg" />And here is all my stuff set up in transition. I didn't have hardly anything on my towel, lol, cause I didn't have much to change since I am not into all the fancy schmancy gear at this point. Most of the other athletes have way more stuff out there, and it's set up in specific order that you're planning to use it so it'll be that much faster to just grab and go each time you're in transition.</div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500072340009432482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZEdPiSef6mV8OJT5eCDhWyMrpR4VUAEqqZLaXq49nMNAre4Q_caO971unuQhN-FzOnq6-Ugygx-bXwOfQlhdv6_WyZ_5XEC5wnXY3i4ghmaLN1-QeE4KBul2cE1IOhteXDD-1-EqGb7m/s320/SNC00317.jpg" /></div></div></div><div>Once all my stuff was set up, I sat around wondering what the heck to do next. Some people didn't put their wetsuits on until the last minute, but with at least 30 minutes before my wave start, I decided to go ahead and slide into mine just so that I'd have something to focus on besides my nerves! That took all of about 3 minutes, so then I just stared off at the water, LOL, and finally decided to go down and get acclimated in the water a bit before the horn went off. I was SO NERVOUS, but amazingly enough, as soon as I heard the sound and started swimming, I felt calm and focused and just put my head down and went.</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvOmuCn8JQxDEVjwNMSA5VsC6XImJtj_nnCB7bD549jXAk296jaXZLoCoa1VFUXr85df4JYWXac7cuNyIytU_r9lAVcWKLF1ws4A9vEb-y45MhNzgK17rkiwzSs20mptloHyjltf0PooZ/s1600/SNC00323.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 271px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 192px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500074135288712706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvOmuCn8JQxDEVjwNMSA5VsC6XImJtj_nnCB7bD549jXAk296jaXZLoCoa1VFUXr85df4JYWXac7cuNyIytU_r9lAVcWKLF1ws4A9vEb-y45MhNzgK17rkiwzSs20mptloHyjltf0PooZ/s320/SNC00323.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqOSVNqlR4aSJy_B9CYxPdJITO-HXtb3LDiXDVKvRyhc9haVeE6wAFR8lgZ98UqcQTbg_zrN-MipeHLOWQojmtN8b-96V4hEs2HxZS1q09qkkG1WJ-TBUlu36VbYjNot1SGWekUyEsIWt/s1600/SNC00324.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 192px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500074140247960146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqOSVNqlR4aSJy_B9CYxPdJITO-HXtb3LDiXDVKvRyhc9haVeE6wAFR8lgZ98UqcQTbg_zrN-MipeHLOWQojmtN8b-96V4hEs2HxZS1q09qkkG1WJ-TBUlu36VbYjNot1SGWekUyEsIWt/s320/SNC00324.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMxEJR7Gzp2-GbyVixHgZZLrEVkFbrziaz9gtSLEc9J9yxwMTpdm9EyOxVwwk6xGLXfdWlBlgXkR-4AczePWal-QzX9MuOcTyfwV5YjeBNgfCewpQ3Sn3E33ktQT6frF353-wLV3-4d_O/s1600/SNC00325.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 272px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 192px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500074147508144034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMxEJR7Gzp2-GbyVixHgZZLrEVkFbrziaz9gtSLEc9J9yxwMTpdm9EyOxVwwk6xGLXfdWlBlgXkR-4AczePWal-QzX9MuOcTyfwV5YjeBNgfCewpQ3Sn3E33ktQT6frF353-wLV3-4d_O/s320/SNC00325.jpg" /></a></p><div>These are not the most flattering pictures, I know, LOL, but what can I say! It's like saying "Dang she looks rough" about a picture of a woman who just gave birth, lol. It is what it is, folks - there I am in all that black neoprene chubby glory :) Anyway, I came out of the swim with several people still behind me - and I was so freaking excited! It was shortlived however, because there was quite a hike up a big hill to get back to transition, and since I was in no shape to run it, they all quickly overtook me. My wetsuit is a littel too big, since I have to go with a man's suit, so it was easy to peel off and toss on the ground by my bag. I put on my socks and shoes, quickly grabbed my hemet & sunglasses and took off with my bike. My husband and oldest daughter Andria were there right outside transition shearing me on and taking some pictures and it was so awesome to see them there!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKrOZ9sD1q1oMfgo_JcRO3I8wHlUNq3DWOAtEXCQRrdxVYvhDujHYmKHHDdvoYc8vAXbUFtzK0P8mVw7Mryd1LZ9QgdonBmx9MOsT5hiF1rgAZQzmFto4h7RE3Y_CBmEj1tbiyjjIkOY-/s1600/n1373088209_8844.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 268px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 199px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500080013164916930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKrOZ9sD1q1oMfgo_JcRO3I8wHlUNq3DWOAtEXCQRrdxVYvhDujHYmKHHDdvoYc8vAXbUFtzK0P8mVw7Mryd1LZ9QgdonBmx9MOsT5hiF1rgAZQzmFto4h7RE3Y_CBmEj1tbiyjjIkOY-/s320/n1373088209_8844.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWiNmPfhZxvi_AcsEE8QOmAdqKnesLhXbyrCfEl8zTjEOpiGaRHwT-ydJhsVZI_5Xcz9BeE56m9TKY_V0hRGkFwTDcZ9pcrcu0HUyNKkFWoWsHW0yvPWu-6a8fTFOGzvVrowQLW5YrDdY/s1600/SNC00333.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 282px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 199px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500078868146586546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWiNmPfhZxvi_AcsEE8QOmAdqKnesLhXbyrCfEl8zTjEOpiGaRHwT-ydJhsVZI_5Xcz9BeE56m9TKY_V0hRGkFwTDcZ9pcrcu0HUyNKkFWoWsHW0yvPWu-6a8fTFOGzvVrowQLW5YrDdY/s320/SNC00333.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_1iL1iNoGFN-d5K7bvM_NyM-txXYpL_7v-ksOTYYIJI9mr08-HBDaAsyvq-EQoMct_oNdN1yaJF8W0OC61iVEYF_pAsPmGzlPIE1hhxSrPd7L2n_jYO4BMX0idUag4N9JvN1AEs3suKI/s1600/SNC00335.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 271px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 197px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500078878418564290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_1iL1iNoGFN-d5K7bvM_NyM-txXYpL_7v-ksOTYYIJI9mr08-HBDaAsyvq-EQoMct_oNdN1yaJF8W0OC61iVEYF_pAsPmGzlPIE1hhxSrPd7L2n_jYO4BMX0idUag4N9JvN1AEs3suKI/s320/SNC00335.jpg" /></a></div><div></div><div>The bike was a little scary for me, as right out of transition is a big hill, and man you can really pick up some speed going down it! I get all paranoid of going to fast and wrecking, considering I'm still fairly new at cycling. But I just decided to ride the best I could, including if that meant riding the brakes, LOL! As I crossed out over the main road, I look up and see a silver Honda CRV, and I thought - haha wouldn't that be funny if that was my bff Rena - and then I looked up and it WAS HER! She was headed into the park to cheer for me for a little while. I was so excited I took one hand off the handlebars to wave to her and almost wrecked! LOL! I rode over the rolling hills ok, but the course has a couple of mean wicked hills... and I had to walk those. The comforting thing was that I wasn't the only one. There was a chick in front of me, my rabbit if you will, that I could almost pass on the rolling hills and flat parts, but when we'd both have to walk up the hills, she'd be off again on the downhill... I bet she didn't ride her brakes! Everytime I'd get real close enough to catch her, BAM there's another hill, lol... Just wasn't meant to be. Anyway, I was really excited because I did manage to ride the hill back up to T2, and not everyone did that. I reracked by trusty steed, grabbed my visor, and off I went for the run, feeling on top of the world, because I managed to actually jog out of transition like a rock star! Only to realize that I went out the wrong way, dang it! So I had to go back in, which turned out to be a good thing cause I forgot to grab my race number belt. Got my head screwed back on right and headed out on the run. I jogged for a little while until I was out of sight of most of the onlookers, and had to walk. There were no delusions about being able to run that 5K, and actually there was alot of walking involved. I tried to save the running for when there was a crowd of people, LOL!!!! Ya ain't got nothin' if ya ain't got pride, LOL!!! I was doing ok until a little over half' way through, and I was hurting so bad! I've never been so exhausted and just 100% completely physically and emotionally spent! My 16 year old Bailey was manning the last water stop, and she was ready to run the last mile in with me and keep me going... "Get it moving Mom, C'Mon Mom you can do it, Let's GO Mom!" etc... and I was just in tears from the exhaustion - back was hurting and I just had nothing left. But the sound of her voice convinced me I couldn't stop... had to keep going to get to the finish line just so I could shut her up, LOL!!!! Just Kidding... sort of.... she really saved</div><div>me!</div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmMdTlO3T54NmumDGxLaGnJhrGNEDpcCE1TnChVdjpm82ziEkGEAVq9u0G9zrsBFtw87YbtFVZ7VgarMxp9wSt4eoT__HzSleSSCg48M2Yo4mlzO8OxVurQnbF49mU6r-EA5DyI_VA7jY/s1600/SNC00338.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 289px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 209px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500148594449265698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmMdTlO3T54NmumDGxLaGnJhrGNEDpcCE1TnChVdjpm82ziEkGEAVq9u0G9zrsBFtw87YbtFVZ7VgarMxp9wSt4eoT__HzSleSSCg48M2Yo4mlzO8OxVurQnbF49mU6r-EA5DyI_VA7jY/s320/SNC00338.jpg" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBBgH3ze_kDyenijcqIt65SIaA5Q24mZ_EyIqwLPXJoGkXEaz-rPCxCsSiAiXBxj8X17b6C3KOKNrCEQeIzSyJWkNTdyjQnFGVL2wGWtXc67M87Is4Jgq4z5d2U0vW3FVUikEqlKWt3v0/s1600/SNC00340.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 289px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 210px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500148592907774818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBBgH3ze_kDyenijcqIt65SIaA5Q24mZ_EyIqwLPXJoGkXEaz-rPCxCsSiAiXBxj8X17b6C3KOKNrCEQeIzSyJWkNTdyjQnFGVL2wGWtXc67M87Is4Jgq4z5d2U0vW3FVUikEqlKWt3v0/s320/SNC00340.jpg" /></a></div><div>So here we are rounding the last curve before the finish line, and there I am jogging across the mat. WOOT WOOOT I finished! I did it I did it!!! My official time was 2:18:02 and I was SO THRILLED! I even won the Athena division... although I have to confess that it's because I had no competition, LOL! But that's ok - it sure was great for the ego boost! Here is my moment of podium pride!</div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sNhg8dG4SQk82Dg3OIFnJQxhyphenhyphennaownOfeEGAJcvHdojoMpMpyho8776HSw4JCIOM3RL7uEhp5TjBFPxNK_oIFIRLyLhNoeMXNz0JYqHdRVwQmFxPtwcdCA9bbZFmFcYw0oKZMVHO-Hl5/s1600/SNC00341.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500148772467857346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sNhg8dG4SQk82Dg3OIFnJQxhyphenhyphennaownOfeEGAJcvHdojoMpMpyho8776HSw4JCIOM3RL7uEhp5TjBFPxNK_oIFIRLyLhNoeMXNz0JYqHdRVwQmFxPtwcdCA9bbZFmFcYw0oKZMVHO-Hl5/s320/SNC00341.jpg" /></a></div><div>Anyway, I can't even describe to you what an impact this race had on me... I did something I never ever thought I could do, and I learned that I could push through anything with God leading me!</div><div> </div><div>Stay tuned, cause I've done two more races since then, although I'll give your eyeballs a rest before posting aout those, LOL!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Shelley Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110058008014619741noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949851753100871516.post-42898561217085716582010-04-10T11:32:00.005-04:002010-04-10T12:51:05.580-04:00Duathlon = Near Death ExperienceOk, I know it's been awhile since I've made a blog entry, but really, honestly, I do have a good excuse. I mean, once I catch you up on the last few weeks, you'll wonder how I even manage to stay vertical!<br /><div></div><br /><div>So I think I've mentioned before that I joined the Chattanooga Triathlon Club to learn about the sport and to be able to train with experienced triathletes in preparation for my first race, which, incidentally is only two weeks from tomorrow. They do alot of mock races, which is great because it helps to ease some of the fears of the unknown. And a few weeks ago, one of the training events was a bike/run/bike duathlon. The course was 10 mile bike loop, 3.7 mile run loop, and then the 10 mile bike loop again, and I have to say it was a beautiful day! Nice, sunny, and greenery starting to bloom everywhere... Perfect day to be inaugurated into the world of multisport. And let me just say that Ken, the president of the CTriC, stayed back and ran the entire race course with me to help put me at ease... I was really impressed by that! So anyway, we start out on the first bike loop, and Ken stopped to talk to someone but told me to go on ahead that he would catch up. So I do. And I must admit, I was feeling pretty proud of myself, because even though I was riding a less-than-ideal mountain bike, I was RIDING it, and the breeze was blowing across my face, and I was really pedaling at a steady decent pace. It was so freaking peaceful and awesome! Right up... until... I hear "Hey - Shelleyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!" Apparently I made a wrong turn, and Ken had to chase me down to get me back on track. LOL! Yeah, it was great. So we get back on course, and we ride up and down the little baby hills, and I'm feeling pretty good, even though all of the experienced athletes were leaving us in the dust, but that was ok, because at least I wasn't alone. And I was learning about how to shift the gears on my bike, which is a must here in TN - there isn't a flat spot in this entire state. Here a hill, there a hill, everywhere a hill hill... Anyway, we get about a half a mile from the turn around point on the first bike loop, which is up this rotten big old hill, and my head started spinning, mouth started watering, guts started wrenching, and I had to stop for a minute before I dropped. Sat down on the ground, drank some water, and slowly I started coming back to reality. Apparently I got too hot and heart rate too high too fast, but quickly recovered. So we decided to turn around instead of trying to push me the last 1/2 mile up the steepest part of the hill, which made it a 9 mile loop for me instead of 10. But that's ok. So we get back to the transition point, and rack our bikes (yeah like I know what I'm doing at this point, LOL) and we take off on the "run". Just can't tell you how absolutely GORGEOUS it was - there I was feeling all accomplished with just having completed my very first road ride, and now I'm headed out on a run with real athletes! Woo Hoo I am just livin' large for sure, because it was even ok to walk run walk run as needed, and Ken was totally encouraging the whole time... right up until the reality of having children comes crashing down on me... or should I say leaking out of me. UG can you imagine how embarassing it is to see a little dark wet spot growing in the front of my grey shorts, expanding each time my foot pounds down on the pavement? Then I suddenly realized that it would have been better to be raining, LOL... at least there would be camoflauge! Instead, I'd run a few seconds to get a short-but-decent distance ahead of Ken, with the evidence ever expanding, and then walk to stave off the all-out flood until Ken got close, end then off I'd go again. This was the vicious cycle for at least half the run. Finally, the hot sun started proving beneficial after all, as the heat helped to evaporate all the moisture, sweat or otherwise LOL! And while I walked at least half the total distance, we pulled back into transition, mounted the bikes, and headed back out for the second installment of the cycling loop. All in all, I did 18 miles on the bike, and 3.7 miles on foot, and even though I came in nearly an hour behind of everyone else, I felt pretty dang accomplished! In the picture below, Ken is the big guy second from the left, standing in between the little short blonde lady and me.</div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458549107926635042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTn6P8satPeyMZmuKDX6TYBkfQMCWLRN6d71qXWsBoMf3sYGBOjXuE_JbuVrfvR6l6Ftt9yoDeYZYybgcj_X9WDw0lUBm25U4EKrHqJcqSf4FVcapZNjjYrnq-phxlLd1PJC8DKI2cYJeU/s320/duathlonHarrisonBay032010.jpg" /></div><br /><p>I must say, for several days after the duathlon, I really felt like I'd been hit by a train! Physically exhausted and hurt in places I didn't even know I had, LOL! And as the clock counts down till raceday, I ponder all the things I'm thankful for. Like a great group of people to train with and learn from, the physical ability to be able to even attempt this stuff, and for my race suit to have black bottoms to camoflauge any leakage that may sneak up on me during the race :)</p>Shelley Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110058008014619741noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949851753100871516.post-1860452857829520362010-03-12T20:57:00.003-05:002010-03-12T21:21:26.597-05:00It pays to Blog!It's good to blog, to share your stories and have a place to archive your moments.... and whoever said blogging was "wasting time" on the internet just doesn't know what the heck they're talking about! It definitely pays to spend a little time on the net visiting your friends' blogs! THis is what I won by visiting and commenting on my friend Shell's blog, and I was randomly picked to win stuff she got from Plaid paints!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447933688997295410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzNczvsJ7S3XTPUzrGkwp9GWgcDMZol2anTqMLJMuPjcOjxP9C09tBDNFUalp2KQEiHYOwNN5YRIg5slhZFrbxjt6T8eavFdtbhcBud_NICEPBZRZWDNY5WYJ82Wgj0KjpFlivma_Ysz0/s320/shell_blogprize.jpg" /><br /><p>Here's a list of the stuff I got:</p><p>7 acrylic paints<br />2 balsa wood shapes and boxes<br />14 fabric paints<br />1 screen print paint<br />1 screen print stencil<br />4 glass paints<br />1 glass bottle<br />1 glass bowl<br />1 pack foam tape<br />2 iron on transfers<br />1 green card kit<br />1 journal square notebook<br />1 spiral notebook with pen and post-it notes<br />1 journal<br />1 craft magazine<br />2 idea books<br />beads and rhinestones<br />1 "Slice" Making Memories apron<br />1 "Plaid" drawstring tote<br /><br />I don't know how she got it all in that box, LOL!!!! But Shell, thank you so much for the goodies!!! I'm going to have the most fun EVER playing with these new toys!<br /></p>Shelley Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110058008014619741noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949851753100871516.post-33647483267611123052010-03-08T18:39:00.003-05:002010-03-08T18:50:59.608-05:00I've Been Derailed!Ug - I think I am drowning in mucus! Yeah that's right, I just jumped right out front with the TMI, didn't I? Well, there is just no nice way to describe what I've been through this last week. Training was going so well - I was up to running 27 out of 35 minutes, and I got the bike tuned up, and I was just feeling fantastic! Well, naturally, as it always does just when you think you are about to crank it up and get ahead, I got punched right in the face by the Snot Monster. I've had a sinus infection for the last week, which finally landed me at the urgent care clinic on Sunday, because my lymph nodes went haywire and my neck looked like that of a very beefy Olympic wrestler. Soooo not pretty! So I got a steroid shot in the bootay, some antibiotics, Mucinex D, and cough syrup with Codeine, and am hoping to high heaven that some part of that cocktail will be able to slay the Snot Monster! I have missed a week of training, which is bad news since there is only just over 6 weeks before Race Day!Shelley Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110058008014619741noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949851753100871516.post-88084990451656434222010-02-26T21:29:00.005-05:002010-02-26T22:02:40.745-05:00Fear the She-Beest!So I went today to the bike shop to take Bailey's bike to get a tune-up and cleaned up to make it work for the race, cause I just want to be sure I live through this first triathlon before I plunk downa bunch of money for a new road bike. And I thought - well, I better buy my helmet, cause I'm going to need one of those, LOL! First, let me just back up a second and say that the guys down at Owen Cyclery in Hixson, TN, are just top notch! They didn't try to talk me into the $190 helmet - they were very straight forward and honest, and came right out and told me that the $49 helmet passes the same safety ratings as those high-dollar ones, and the differences come in just that tad bit improved aerodynamics and teensy bit lighter weight. So since, at this point I am more concerned with avoiding a skull fracture than I am with shaving 1/2 an ounce off the weight of my head (which according to the little blonde kid in Jerry Macguire weighs 8 pounds), I got this way cool pink one! AND... Kurt thought I should get some bike gloves, and the guy did say that the padding in the gloves would make it easier to grip the handle bars and be more comfy on the paws... so we were looking at different ones, and there were foam pads and gel pads and no pads nad all these different things... and I looked and tried on and just couldn't decide... until I saw these puppies... I just KNEW I had to have them because they had "SHE-BEEST" on them, LOL!!! They weren't the cheapest pair, but I absolutely was not leaving the store with out my BEEST gear :) Cause I am SHE-BEEST hear me ROAR!!! :) <div><div><br /> </div><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyjCx-jASVeKihyrjtlvDTf8i1kC9WVTh_IGawT-wZ3ojs9QJsOFHguFPwuNI7F7LIucqeUi7TAFTLyInBQg2k7L2jdHkzLdtSf7CpDWnUG_DKRwFWUf_4TlLnGNdeOtg2dgNy3DOTrSn/s1600-h/helmet.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442752185895675634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyjCx-jASVeKihyrjtlvDTf8i1kC9WVTh_IGawT-wZ3ojs9QJsOFHguFPwuNI7F7LIucqeUi7TAFTLyInBQg2k7L2jdHkzLdtSf7CpDWnUG_DKRwFWUf_4TlLnGNdeOtg2dgNy3DOTrSn/s200/helmet.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmQpObVPiDGP0LH-h494a1xXLWboZjoprWUGm3WCBe2IIU_kfnUA77gBPLYFb7QURbemH5Ns55UpucgtZwhs2JYvNHiv1TZnP5LUeEvxzHqfd34liqMXXYA33V7r_U3KwlSelBSvog16s/s1600-h/she_beest_gloves.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442752367528519762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmQpObVPiDGP0LH-h494a1xXLWboZjoprWUGm3WCBe2IIU_kfnUA77gBPLYFb7QURbemH5Ns55UpucgtZwhs2JYvNHiv1TZnP5LUeEvxzHqfd34liqMXXYA33V7r_U3KwlSelBSvog16s/s200/she_beest_gloves.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>And the even most bodaciously exciting news of all is that I think I am actually going to be able to afford a real bike in the very near future! Thought for sure I'd have to spend thousands of dollars, but I can really get one for under $700!!!! I am so freaking excited I can't hardly stand myself, cause... guess what?! They even have LAYAWAY!!!!</div><div> </div><div>WOOOOP WOOOOOP!</div></div>Shelley Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110058008014619741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949851753100871516.post-54106293509494544642010-02-21T14:12:00.007-05:002010-02-21T15:06:42.517-05:00Letting It All Hang OutWell, hello my blog readers... all three of you, LOL! It's been a couple of weeks since I've updated you guys about my training, and it's really too bad too, cause I really had some hilariously witty posts mulling around in my mind, but unfortunately those moments will be forever lost in the cobwebs of my memory, LOL! So instead, you get to enjoy a post full of the nitty gritty, unglamorous, low down reality of my journey.<br /><br />In honor of my birthday, I took my measurements so I could at least start tracking some progress since the dangblasted scale hasn't budged! I swear that ridiculous hunk of digital technology has it out for me... otherwise, with all this running, swimming, and biking I've been doing, you'd think the numbers would be going down. But I digress... Anyway, whilest these may not be 100% accurate since I did it myself, here are my measurements such as they are... Oh, I was in my swimsuit, for the record, LOL!<br /><br />Bust - 40", Waist - 41" at the belly button, Hips - 46 3/4", Thighs - 25 3/4", Calves - 14 1/8", and Biceps - 11 3/4".<br /><br />In all honestly, I don't care so much about the number on the scale, as I do about changing my shape a little. Weight loss was not a part of my decision to take on this triathlon, but I'd sure like to go from looking so much like a cylindrical baby rhino on it's hind legs and a little more like a shapely gazelle, LOL. I would really honestly just like to midsection to diminish some -you know, for my waist measurement to be LESS than my boob measurement. I mean cmon, folks! The front on view isn't so bad, but the profile is a killer, LOL!<br /><br />The disappointing part is I didn't have the presence of mind to take measurements when I started. But the good news is, I think something is happening! Not sure quite what it is, but some of the blubbery junk is nomadically moving out of the trunk and settling somewhere else, leaving no return address I hope! To test it out, I went to Old Navy yesterday to spend a Christmas gift card. Convinced I was just going to go in and get another pair of the size 16 Sweetheart jeans, I was surprized to find my hands grabbing differend pairs to try one. I went into the dressing room, and much to my shock, both pairs fit! I tried on size 14 Sweethearts and size 14 Dreamers, and they fit!!! And I didn't even have to pack & cram the chubby glory into the jeans - I just pulled them up and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzipped them up! YEEEHAAAAAAAW! Even took the following picture to commemorate the moment:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_faLiQnX-Bwvo5gXfSbP0blzBlCnS4cc6EO03D7RV4fV5ltD1U3MCamZ4TYA3obgUmsfImHu012VbpfHusrp4h-tZ7OJtj82-zJSEja-4SD-Ws09YoiOKosAD9493iLP97aTNVeXwbfi/s1600-h/jeans14_022010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440786446100936370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_faLiQnX-Bwvo5gXfSbP0blzBlCnS4cc6EO03D7RV4fV5ltD1U3MCamZ4TYA3obgUmsfImHu012VbpfHusrp4h-tZ7OJtj82-zJSEja-4SD-Ws09YoiOKosAD9493iLP97aTNVeXwbfi/s200/jeans14_022010.jpg" border="0" /></a>Doesn't this just scream "KISS MY BADONKADONK?"<br /><br />Anyway, now my sights are set on those elusive size 12's... really I'd settle for for some muscular definition, cause right now the only definition I seem to have is the lumpy cottage cheesey fatness :)<br /><br />Oh, I did have to decrease my training just a little. Going so hard-core 6 days a week was really a bit much... I mean, I was doing it, but it was all I could do to get through the training. Since I've scaled back to 4-5 days a week, I have noticed a big difference. I am actually making more progress and feeling stronger than when I was killing myself and barely able to get through. Maybe there is something to the old notion that rest time is necessary. Can't help wanting to go full bore though, because time is running out. Race Day is fast approaching - only 62 days, 15 hours, 25 minutes and 5 seconds to go... I just hope I'm ready!Shelley Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110058008014619741noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949851753100871516.post-39518464321656198552010-02-09T18:02:00.011-05:002010-02-09T19:12:09.274-05:00Orca LIVES!Ok ladies 'n' gents, I know you have been following some of my training ups and downs and crazy adventures, but I'm about to give you a visual treat to go right along with all the mental pictures. The triathlon I'm doing is wetsuit legal, and all of the reasearch I've done has told me that wetsuits are definitely beneficial to give you extra bouyancy (sp??) and warmth. And I need all the help I can get - my back end sinks like a freaking ANCHOR in the pool, LOL! So I searched and searched online for a wetsuit, since there is no place in Chattanooga that has them in person that I could find. I went to a bunch of manufacturer websites, and apparently, we are right in between seasons. All of the 2009 suits are sold out, and the 2010 haven't come out yet, so all that's available is a stray clearance suit here and there. Oh did I mention that I have turned into a cross dresser? Yeah - get this! They only make womens suits to fit up to about 170lbs - that's the largest I could find. So I had to go with a men's suit. But the good news is, I got a FANTASTIC deal online at Ebay, from the seller "ediscountbikes", and they have STELLAR customer service! I highly recommend shopping with them if, after seeing the photos below, you get the sudden urge to follow in my smokin' hot trend-setting style footsteps! <div><div><div><div><div> </div><div>Anyway.... without further ado, I would like to introduce you to Orca :)</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSqyBjYrcfSBc9-d45BhVRWmHRTOrEQ3Vs-jBbvTKimDRw9Pk0wxjYi5z9ZECeVAWVadUijh2UF1aqNfIM14-KtjWNdIieDhBOsq0zuDM-kTu_I7ckOJTGl3NPemvfWIIPu0qeNlrnJH_/s1600-h/105_9359.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NxMozwV8yFKQr10VS2O_0GZUWsZ6qBaQA9TrV3yGEwacn4NOwyWLsUknx1WuPS3CUIosDIICHkF4av1rlU6GFlqhyphenhyphenKmieUHA_5r1uGbR_hwUjkEwu9stBuFgKk9gdMNWWUjjh7d3Ejeg/s1600-h/105_9357.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436394454167795266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NxMozwV8yFKQr10VS2O_0GZUWsZ6qBaQA9TrV3yGEwacn4NOwyWLsUknx1WuPS3CUIosDIICHkF4av1rlU6GFlqhyphenhyphenKmieUHA_5r1uGbR_hwUjkEwu9stBuFgKk9gdMNWWUjjh7d3Ejeg/s200/105_9357.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMesAnQDqrKePKLcRCR8mFDVb0L3wDj85jP4wUVoKhgNNzboBAX04FV-oGwkuWEUoqr7uz2vOKgZK0XVUxY5c8-WlyvfzFtCmk7jQyPAZtxb8H8S8uMCaxDTS-GewFswWVyiNXNR1WkohA/s1600-h/105_9358.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436394126891589650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMesAnQDqrKePKLcRCR8mFDVb0L3wDj85jP4wUVoKhgNNzboBAX04FV-oGwkuWEUoqr7uz2vOKgZK0XVUxY5c8-WlyvfzFtCmk7jQyPAZtxb8H8S8uMCaxDTS-GewFswWVyiNXNR1WkohA/s200/105_9358.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuQrVTMh3NawclMyTp75ZlU3XZ2MoI8vIk2t5mwqm8THEB7D_VjlOflFfNIslUSUf1xdL46XmTzfN6EoudcFyB3IyHvoc_CAgClVQYUP6BNTlmTEuHWAlx5Cwl3inzEwNGjDufKxBSk4m/s1600-h/105_9360.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436395486889200226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuQrVTMh3NawclMyTp75ZlU3XZ2MoI8vIk2t5mwqm8THEB7D_VjlOflFfNIslUSUf1xdL46XmTzfN6EoudcFyB3IyHvoc_CAgClVQYUP6BNTlmTEuHWAlx5Cwl3inzEwNGjDufKxBSk4m/s200/105_9360.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Now, mind you, I was not going commando under that wetsuit... you can probably see the lines from my underpants :) On race day, I'll have my race suit on under this - I ordered that one online too, and it should be here this week too. Don't worry - I'll post pics of that too, LOL! And really, I am hoping that, by posting these pics online, I get all the shame and embarassment out of the way, so that I could give a RIP what people think of my smokin' hot blubber butt on Race Day, LOL!</div><div> </div><div>Anyway, that's the latest, folks! Now I'm off to watch Biggest Loser! How appropriate, huh?!<br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><p align="left"></p></div></div></div></div>Shelley Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13110058008014619741noreply@blogger.com2