Our new closets

These shelves, baskets, and hanging rods were installed today in our bedroom closets. Pretty exciting after living out of a suitcase on the floor for a few months!
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I switched

Thank you so much for the feedback, everyone. I really do appreciate you taking the time to consider my dilemma and think it through with me.

I have confirmed my switch to the half-iron distance at Beach 2 Battleship triathlon on November 7, 2009.

I do apologize to those who have already donated to the Challenged Athletes Foundation that I won't be completing the full distance this time around - I'm sorry to disappoint you. I hope that those who have pledged find it in their heart to still consider a donation to this extremely worthwhile charity: https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=156947&supid=237467547

My training had not shown the volume nor the results in improving my endurance or speed that I had hoped this year. I realized during the Chesapeakeman Aqua Velo last Saturday (when I stopped after one 1.2-mile loop of the swim and one 66-mile bike loop) that my body wasn't cooperating well enough for a strong iron-distance finish, and consequently my heart just wasn't in it. I felt a huge sense of relief when I learned that Setup Events would very kindly allow me to change to the half.

I'm feeling a greatly renewed sense of enthusiasm in completing my training for the 70.3 distance in Wilmington on November 7, and look forward to a strong race performance there at distances my body is much better trained to handle with the training time I have been able to invest.

Thanks again for all your faith in me and your feedback! I'm very content with this decision and I'm looking forward to race day and being able to cheer on my Ironman friends over the finish line that night!

The Return of Chesapeakeman

Holly and I are doing the Chesapeakeman iron-distance aqua velo on Saturday, in training for Beach 2 Battleship iron-distance triathlon in November. (Swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles.) Weather forecast (*knock on wood, obeisance to the Tri Gods*) looks near-perfect: Cloudy. Highs in the upper 60s and lows in the low 60s.

I just cleaned up my bike Buttercup, checked her all out (yes, the new red tires look fine), took off the behind-the-seat chandelier bottle holder for race day, and restocked the under-seat-pack. She looks ready to rumble.

Predictions? I haven't done a huge amount of swimming this year, but instead of an extra-long mid-river point-to-point, it's a 2-lap course in a shallow protected cove this time around. Shouldn't be too bad.

Of course I'd like to beat my 2006 times:
SWIM 2.4 miles: 1:52:11 (2:39/100 yards) (8/11 women)
SWIM TO BIKE TRANSITION: 11:51 (10/11 women)
BIKE 112 miles: 6:58:50 (16.0 mph average)(8/11 women)
FINISH: 9:02:51 (10/11 women)

Let's say for 2009 goals:
SWIM 2.4 miles: 1:45:00 (my typical pool pace would give me about 1:48 for 2.4 miles)
SWIM TO BIKE TRANSITION: 10:00 (try not to collapse in a chair and start chatting this time) BIKE 112 miles: 6:48:00 (16.5 mph average)
FINISH: 8:43:00

Not sure I can do that, I've been slow lately! Race day will tell the story!

I've got a few friends doing the full - the plan is to slap on my running shoes and go out on the run course after I finish to the first mile marker and back just to test my legs and warm down and see if I can spot them.

Any last-minute recommendations for me?

SSDD

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Vanishing landscape

My town just issued a building permit for a house right where this majestic tree stands. Criminal! Three lots down from our house.
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Galloping girl

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