Fundraising is DONE!

Dear Family and Friends,

With your help I exceeded my goal of $2940 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. I am so pleased! Now I will be able to raise more money for patients, families and research. THANK YOU so much for your support both financially and emotionally/physically. I can't wait to race!!!

Hills are Hard!

So, our ride this weekend was in Poolesville, MD. The weather was supposed to be horrible but it turned out to be a sunny day--hooray! This was only my 3rd long ride on my new bike, and apparently I still haven't really learned how to shift. On the first really steep hill, I came to a hault as I couldn't move anymore! Apparently I have more gears to shift into to make this easier. I would figure this out on like the 4th or 5th hill...brilliant.

Also, I am only 50% of the way to my goal for fundraising. Please help me out by donating to my training! I so appreciate your support!

http://www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaEEastwi

The sun is out!

Well, sort of...but spring is here which means that training starts to get easier. No more gloves, hats, etc. Well, that hasn't happened yet but it will. I can feel it!!!!

2 weeks ago Christina, Ted, Noble, Shannon and I ran the VA Beach Shamrock half marathon. I thought I would hate every minute of it but it was actually really fun! I would actually do another one. I ran a steady pace for 10 miles, then stopped at the aid station at mile 10 for some water and a gel. Yum. And then it was just 3 miles to the finish line. Psychologically it feels better to have 3 left. And when your hotel is at the finish line, you gotta get there somehow! And running is the fastest way. As you know, I hate running, but this gave me more confidence in my abilities and hopefully this will make the run at the tri much easier this year.

I am also psyched because I am guaranteed in the top 8 in my category. That would be because there are only 8 people in my category. But hey! Top 8 and I get a prize. Now I just need to come in at least at 7 or else I will be embarassed!!!!

The photo from the top is from Shamrock at the finish line party. The finish line is always the best feeling ever. This weekend I am running the Scope it out 5k!

Brrr...it's cold in here!

Another cold week--where is the warmth when you need it? Oh well.

Can't believe we are halfway done training--I am starting to freak out a bit! I am excited but nervous. I really want to do well this year!

On Saturday, we had a training ride at the caboose in Vienna. It was about 2 degrees outside. I was super super cold. However, I finished the ride and run and then got to go to the Vienna Inn for the first time ever! It is a TNT tradition, apparently...although I never went last year! Basically, the Vienna Inn has cheap cheap food (my meal was $3 for eggs, hashbrowns and hot cocoa). Enjoy some photos from the day!

Team Eastwick!

We had a great Team Eastwick happy hour last week with about 20 teammates showing up! Here are some photos from the fun event!

First Hard Cycle Finished!

So, we have finished our first 3 week hard build cycle! I have to say, being a veteran in this whole triathlon thing makes all the training 100 times easier...I know I will finish! And I actually think I will do well! What a difference! :) My goal is to place in the top 10 for my Athena division...hopefully this is do-able.

This past weekend was the honored teammate picnic...no, not an outdoor picnic...but indoors at George Mason High School somewhere in VA. It was really nice to hear from fellow teammates about why they are training, either to honor or in memory of a patient. It was really inspiring.

Yesterday, I had one of my best runs yet in Rock Creek Park. It was a beautiful afternoon and I felt pretty warmed up after a morning swim and some yummy omelettes courtesy of Chef Ted Eastwick. I ran about 6 miles in 60 minutes--woohoo! To make it even more picturesque, there were some horseback riders on the trail. Lovely.

Psyched for an easy week this week!

Run Clinic

Today we had a great run clinic with pro-triathlete Margie Shapiro at her store, Potomac River Running, in Reston VA. I am really trying to make my running more efficient this year with a goal of finishing the run in 1 hour. It is ambitious but I am hopeful that with hard work I can do it!

After, I was fitted by Margie for a new pair of kicks. I am so excited to try them out! New season means new shoes.

Finally, we rode for 65 minutes today (or a little longer--lost count!). It was a great day for a ride. Really sunny and not too cold. I felt great. I think I did about 15-16 miles, but I have no clue--I forgot to set my odometer on my bike! HA! What I do know is that I felt great after taking a few month hiatus on the bike.

Still trying to figure out gluten free nutrition--especially when the post workouts have been at Cosi both weeks! Oh well...not many popular gluten free restaurants.