Sports Illustrated called...

They want their money back! A Sports Illustrated Model I AM NOT! Mostly I couldn't stop laughing long enough to get a picture... between that and my kids running in and out of the shot it was pretty histerical!

A little friendly banter started amongst the Team Rev3 crew about how much money people would donate if I promised to expose myself post a picture of myself in our new shimmery Rev3 suit ala Tim Andrus (aka Mr. Wiggles)!

This was all happening behind 'closed doors' in our google group when Jamie (aka J Balls.. yea I said it) posted it on the Team Facebook page and said... 'why keep it to the team'. Thanks J Balls!

Then Holly jumped in and said that if we got to $1000 she would do one too! Thanks Holl for jumping in with me. I don't think she really thought we would hit that though because it turns out she has ONLY THE BOTTOMS. Well, we hit $1000 so now she's got to make it work. MAKE SURE YOU CHECK her blog today!

So excited that this little endeavor earned the Ulman Cancer Fund $1000!! You can STILL donate! We'd love it! We are not quite to $12k and our GOAL is $100k... um, we have a ways to go.. and at the risk of sounding like a broken record... EVERY DOLLAR helps!

Thanks both to the Rev3 crew and our non-Rev3 donors for chipping in and making it fun.

Okay.. I'll stop dragging my feet and get to the photo already!

 Doesn't little miss look like an 85 year old granny that lives in Daytona? 

Mr. Man is hiding behind a bottle of SBR TriSlide!

So you can see that the shimmer is pretty sweet! :) And the suit fits great. I will get it in the pool... um, probably sometime in APRIL.. post Run Across America!!!

Thanks again to everyone that played along. It was fun... even though I had to wear a bathing suit, in February, have my photo taken, and post it on the internet. I'll live I suppose. It's not like the internet is forever! ha ha :)

Stay tuned or a fun filled RAFFLE coming soon.. read: next week or so. You'll be able to win some COOL prizes! I'm getting excited!

Don't have to look far for INSPIRATION!

I teach Cycling at a local gym. It's so fun! I mentioned that Rev3 is Running Across America last week and a lot of people came up to me after class to tell me how amazing this was or to tell me that I am certifiably insane. :) They asked a lot of questions about the logistics and the training and that was that.

This week after class I was on the floor doing some strength training and a couple named John and Lois approached me. They are fairly new to my class so this was the first time I was really talking to them. John wanted to tell me that he looked up the run online and was impressed and thankful. He lost both his sister and his best friend many years ago when they were all in their late 20s.

Doors are opening and connections are being made because of this run. It makes me feel even more motivated to get out there and train, to work out the logistics and to ask.. over and over for your generous contributions to this cause. I know that each of you has had an experience with cancer whether directly or indirectly.

Please share your stories if you wish! And stay tuned for opportunities to get even more involved in this crazy adventure! We want everyone to feel like they are part of this. We are ALL in a battle against cancer whether we like it or not!

Rev3 Runs Across AMERICA!

This last couple of years more and more people that are close to me have been diagnosed with various types of cancer. This disease does not discriminate and finds many different angles with which to strike.


When I heard that Rev3 was planning something truly epic that is way outside my comfort zone to raise money for the Ulman Cancer Fund I knew it was exactly what I needed to do for the physical challenge and to give back in the process. I am running all 21 days with the Rev3 Staff.

We are running from Oceanside, CA to Washington, DC.

There will be 10 people on the core team doing 15 miles a day each to get from coast to coast in 21 days. Along the way the age group team will fill in days where they can. I am more the excited about this opportunity. I’ve always wanted to do an across the country voyage - not involving a motorized vehicle - and to be able to do it with the Rev3 crew is just AMAZING! We will depart on March 26th and arrive on April 16th. In true Rev3 fashion we will be tweeting and facebooking all along the way! And I’m sure blogs will be firing off all over the place!

We aim to RAISE $100,000 for Ulman Cancer Fund!

The Ulman fund was started by Doug Ulman and his family after his cancer diagnosis while in college. Since its inception in 1997, UCF has worked tirelessly at both the community level and national level to raise awareness of the young adult (ages 20 - 39 years old) cancer issue and ensure all young adults and families impacted by cancer have a voice and the resources necessary to thrive. As we run across these great United States of America we will strive to spread their good word and give many children and families inspiration and access to the services provided by the Ulman Cancer Fund.

Cancer is the leading killer among 20 - 39 year olds!

While the Ulman Cancer fund focuses on young adult cancers I will be running to support and honor all people with cancer and to support and honor the people in my life - some of which are not young adults - that have been touched by cancer. These include, but are not limited to my Dad (prostate cancer), my Mother in Law (Lymphoma), my sister in law (breast cance), Louise Sweet (breast cancer), Suzanne Chamberlain (breast cancer), and Amanda Bostick (Breast Cancer).

Young adults diagnosed with cancer today have a worse prognosis than those diagnosed 25 years ago.

I hope that you will join me in this journey by supporting the cause of the Ulman Cancer Fund through a donation. No amount is too small. Please donate HERE!


For giggles.. if you wish to pledge per mile: 15miles/day x 21 days = 315 miles!!!! OR if you are feeling extra motivated... 150 miles/day x 21 days = 3150 miles! Thank you for whatever contribution you can offer!!! 


And THANK YOU to my mom and dad for stepping up to help with my kids and to my husband for allowing me to live such an amazing life!

Impossible things!

I stumbled up on Joel Runyon's Website Impossible HQ and was immediately intrigued!

Then my friend Christine (check her out. She organized a 5k last year and earned $20k for Haiti) sent a Facebook message to a bunch of us listing the 10 impossible things she did in 2011 and the 10 impossible things she wanted to do in 2012... all based on Joel's Impossible HQ site.

I decided to play along.

10 Things in 2011

1. Completed a half distance triathlon. 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1mile run
2. Became a sponsored triathlete
3. Worked at two Rev3 events and had two of the most epic weekends of my life
4. Moved my Great Uncle into a home and organized his entire portfolio of
art - including 150 canvases and nearly 1000 pieces of original art on paper.
5. Simplified our belongings and donated thousands of dollars worth of stuff we did NOT need.
6. Completed my 4th marathon despite fighting an injury
7. Rode the MS150 with my family from Houston to Austin
8. Tried my hand at Personal Training & eliminated another thing that does not quite express my passion
9. Kept pushing through physical obstacles to keep on running.
10. Discovered that I am physically and mentally stronger than I thought I was.

on Tap for 2012

1. Run Across America with Rev3
2. Raise $100k for Ulman Cancer Fund w/ Rev3
3. Race my 2nd 70.3 at Rev3 ME
4. Start ECH Fine Art and Designs and sell my Great Uncle's Art
5. Send 1 hand written card every day for 365 days
6. Do 52 Random Acts of Kindness with my kids
7. Compost {Again}
8. Downsize our house
9. Return to my {mostly} vegetarian diet for my health and the environment
10. Go 1 month, 2 months, 3 month w/o purchasing anything BRAND new. (except running shoes)

As the year goes on I will be constructing a "life long" list of IMPOSSIBLE things. Like a bucket list, but, like, way cooler! :) I encourage you to reach for the stars. To put that thing out there that rolls around in the back of you mind.... that you never speak. SPEAK it... to the world... and watch impossible things happen! Make IMpossible POSSIBLE!

Speaking of impossible things. Here are something to inspire you to think of IMPOSSIBLE things and walls YOU can shatter!

Jim Wilkes a Team RWB triathlete. His doctor USED the word IMPOSSIBLE when he asked if he could ever do a triathlon. Look at him now! Like him on Facebook!!!

The big REVEAL!

I keep talking about this huge goal I have for 2012.. one that requires a lot of running.... drum roll....  

Rev3 is RUNNING across AMERICA!!!! 

And I'm joining them!

10 people (plus some) x 15 miles a day x 21 days = 3,150 miles!!!

You read that right. We'll have some RVs, Some vans, a core group of 10 runners and other Team Rev3 athletes, friends and family meeting us along the way!

Why in the WORLD would we do this?

Raise Money for the Ulman Cancer Fund! 

 I told you I wanted to be more involved in fund raising for this organization!!! And we aren't just raising SOME money... we are aiming to raise $100,000 as a team! Yes, $100,000 in just about three months. Our fundraising site will go live on January 2nd. You WILL get a link.

 So let's see ... 21 days x 15 miles = 315 miles. I will be running 315 miles. So don't you think you could donate just $1/mile? Okay make it $.50.... $.25? In all seriousness every dollar/quarter/nickle/penny helps! 

The number of people I have personally known just in the last year that have been diagnosed with one form of cancer or another is just FLAT OUT unacceptable. We need to make strides to not only fight and stop this disease, but to support people in fighting when they do get the BIG C diagnosis. 

Stay tuned for more information as time goes on... like on January 2nd when the fundraising link goes live! :) I'll post about my training, our planning and when we are out on the road there will be a veritable BLITZKRIEG of information for ALL of you to follow.

So ... now's your chance.

Fire away with the questions. What types of info do you want me (us) to share as we are going through the journey of preparing, fundraising and completing this event!? Any fundraising ideas... fire away! :)

I'm beyond excited to be involved with both Rev3, the Ulman Cancer Fund AND this Run Across America!  

I've was tagged by Miles, Muscle and Mommyhood

My brand new Teamie Jen tagged me! :) Check her out at Miles, Muscle and Mommyhood!!! Thanks Jen!

I'm a rule follower so here goes: I give you 21 random bits about me and then I tag 10 other bloggers that I want to learn more about!! (that should be easy with so many new team mates!)

1. The longest I've ever lived in any one place is 4 years... and that wasn't until I was married.

2. I was vegan for a year then raw vegan for a year after that. During that time I was never able to give up coffee or chocolate (no no's on the raw vegan diet).

3. I have a ridiculous jar collection. If I buy something that comes in a jar I have to FORCE myself to put it in the recycling when it's empty. My temptation is to keep it... to use for leftovers... to NOT put it in the garbage/recycling.

4. I once read The Story of Stuff (which is a very good read) only to be paralyzed at the grocery store. "I know I need the organic broccoli, but it's wrapped in plastic and the conventional broccoli is not!" I went home w/ no broccoli.. or meat because it came in a styrofoam tray and was wrapped in plastic. Had to send the hubs out to get the things I couldn't buy.

5. I make my own milk out of hazelnuts. I don't do the dairy thing (Ok that is a bold faced lie.. I put cream in my coffee when I am out and don't have my home made milk.)

6. I struggle w/ staying positive and seeing the silver lining.

7. After a years long struggle with infertility we did IVF. It changed the course of our lives in more ways than we could have imagined.

8. Every two years I get an itch to change pretty much EVERYTHING... yet it all remains the same. I blame it on my army brat years and moving every two years.

9. I donated my wedding dress to Goodwill. Apparently I'm not that sentimental.

10. I'm an only child... and it has ill prepared me for the SHEER volume of my kids.

11. I spend WAY TOO MUCH time in my own head! Help! It's scary in here!

12. I don't have favorites... no favorite movie, color, song... I change my mind a lot.

13. I was a maid at a hotel for ONE day. YES ONE! Summer job... I hate to clean so I'm not sure what I was doing there in the first place.

14. I consider myself a Seattle-lite even though I spent only 7 of my, um, 36 years there.

15. I'm not a morning person... and am no longer a night owl either. So I'm not sure what that leaves me with. I'm on fire at 9am... after that all bets are off.

16. Part of me wants to be a vegetarian, part of me wants to be an omnivore... right now the omnivore is winning.. guess it's her turn.

17. Tom and I got married in Hawaii... and have never been back. Boo!

18. My head is always spinning and headed in a million different directions. It's amazing that I get anything done. Must practice SINGLE tasking!

19. I like to sleep... and function best on 9 hours a night. Bummer for me. I wish I could function on more like 7 hours.

20. I really want a small(er) house. 1600 square feet max!

21. It seriously bums me out that I have to drive EVERYWHERE!

And I tag.... the get to know the Rev3 AG team edition!
1. Anne: Anne'sIrondream
2. Tonya: The Journey
3. Alisa: Ambitious Aspirations
4. Daniel: dziubski
5. Chloe: Running with a bottle of wine
6. Josh: There is no Spoon
7. Erin: Erin Holmes Swims
8. MJ: How far is that ironman
9. Andy: Tri Andy
10. Jeff: Jeff Vanis' Blog

Planning 2012? Take advantage of early bird pricing!

What are your 2012 race plans!?

If Rev3 isn't on your schedule - it should be! Now is the time to get in... and get a discount! 

Merry Christmas to YOU! 

Both Rev3 Anderson and Portland are OPEN FOR BUSINESS! W/ special early bird pricing!

It ends MONDAY 11/21!!! 

So get on it! Details BELOW!

Click to register!

Click to register!

IF you need convincing you can check out some race reports from both races. (mind you the Portland course will have some changes: COURSE MAPS.)

Michael Hutto: Portland Half Rev Race Report

Ryan Oilar: Portland Half Rev Race Report

Derek Garcia: Portland Half Rev Race Report (check out the sweet hardware)

Patricia Brownell: Portland Half Rev Race Report

TriMadness: Anderson Half Rev Race Report

Jill Poon: Anderson Half Rev Race Report

Ben Berry: Anderson Oly Rev Race Report

Kacie Darden: Anderson Oly Rev Race Report

Ulman Cancer Fund - Team Fight

Frankly I'm embarrassed! Ulman Cancer Fund is the charity partner for Rev3 Triathlon... and I've never even talked about it. There's no Ulman Cancer Fund logo or Team Fight logo on my website. That is 100% UNCOOL! (well, there is now!)

I talked a big game this year about how I was going to fundraise for UCF because that's how I got started in this sport, but I just never 'got around to it'. I'm ashamed.

That is going to change in 2012! I do love the endurance thing, but it really hits home more and becomes about something more than myself when I have a bigger reason.

Did you know that cancer is the leading killer among 20-39 year olds?

As many of you know I have a long history of fundraising for another cancer organization - Team in Training/Leukemia and Lymphoma Society - and while I still believe in what they are doing I also believe in sharing the wealth! UFC targets a largely under served population of cancer victims.. and we are talking any and all cancers.

Young adults diagnosed with cancer today have a worse prognosis than those diagnosed 25 years ago? 

Examples of some of the programs they run include:
Support and networking groups
College Scholarships
Survivor networks
A speaker Bureau for cancer awareness
Patient Advocate/Navigator programs
Education and prevention programs

The UFC strives to empower young cancer victims and survivors. To teach them how to navigate the system and support them through their diagnosis and treatment!

Please go to this FB link and VOTE for UCF to get a piece of a $3million pie being given to chosen (aka voted for) charity organizations!!
http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/522057636-ucf?src=vote_share

Check out this amazing video!


Please check out Ulman Cancer Fund and expect to be hearing a lot more about them from me in 2012... and if you are 'on my list' be expecting your 'letter'... it's been a while so get that check book out!

If you are looking to gain a charity spot to a Rev3 event check out TEAM FIGHT and get the details on how to get there!

Was 2011 AwEsOmE!?

I set 2011 up to be a BIG year! Let's review all the AWESOMENESS I had set out to accomplish:

1. Um, 140.6 at Rev3 Cedar Point.
2. TRAKKERS
3. Recertifying for Spinning with Madd Dogg
4. Actually using said Spinning cert
5. Hiring a tri coach
6. Qualifying for Boston
7. Entering the NYC lottery
8. Some other mystery thing that I can't even remember the details of - I never revealed it. I don't think.

So let's just review each of these a little.

1. Nope. No full for me. And I'm good with that. I put it out there, but the time wasn't right. I completed the half at Cedar Point instead and am SUPER happy with my time and effort! WIN!- ish
2. Yes yes yes.. I finished my first (hope it was just my first) year with TEAM TRAKKERS and it was BEYOND awesome. Blew my mind and exceeded my expectations a million times over. WIN!
3. Recertified ... and it was EASY! WIN! 
4. Got a job. Taught spin 3x a week through the entire season. Enjoyed it.. though I KILLED myself and shot a lot of my running to hell killing myself on the spin bike, but I LOVED it so it's all good! WIN!
5. Hired a rockin' tri coach that worked with me as my schedule changed and helped me work around the crazy spinning... and helped me process the choice to drop the full.... this year. WIN!
6. FAIL! It was a fail before I hit the start line because I had an injury. I didn't even try... just ran it. Huge bummer, but it is what it is. I said FAIL, but don't think of it that way really... I RAN the race.. which I wasn't sure I was going to be able to do and I had an AMAZING weekend in Austin (love love love that town) with my bestie from Madison, WI. WIN!
7. Entered the NYC lottery. Didn't get in.. probably a good thing w/ my injuries and the fact that the marathon was just two days ago and I was really thankful to NOT be running a marathon. Not a win.. not a fail.
8. Fail.. on my memories part anyway. No idea what that was!

So while I did spend a bit of time dwelling on the fact that I didn't - REALLY - accomplish my BIG goals (140.6 and BQ) and have said more than once - in a mocking tone - "2011 was really more the year of MEDIOCRE than it was the year of AWESOME." as it comes to a close 2011 was TOTALLY AWESOME! It was just awesome in surprising - and unplanned - ways.

I could go on and on and on and on about my experience with Rev3 this year and that alone makes this year one for the record books! I am beyond proud of myself, my team and the Rev3 crew for everything that has gone into the racing season! This opportunity has been nothing short of amazing! I thank EVERYONE that had a part in my getting accepted. Thank you to all the 2010 team members that put in a word for me! I am touched and honored! I'm so thankful to Carole for telling me that Rev3 was looking for a local volunteer coordinator for the Quassy race and for LJ for hiring me. The Rev3 family for accepting me for open arms. MOST EPIC weekend I have had in a long time. And I got to do it again at SC. SERIOUSLY. Who has the most fantastic life ever... THIS girl!

I am working just enough to satiate my need to 'do something' ... and to provide me w/ fun money to buy things for my chosen addiction!!!

In just the last couple of months I have met some amazing people right in my own backyard... that means SO much to me!!! Tara of Mommy's a Runner is one such lady that I have only scratched the surface on.... she's gonna make me run trails I know it... and I love it! Crossfit is going well.. after a rough start... my mind is clearing and I see 2012 taking shape before my eyes.

My kids and husband are amazing and supportive of all of this craziness. My parents are always there to help. I ONLY lost power for a total of 2 weeks this year.. I mean come on .... lots of people live their whole lives w/o power and running potable water. Right? Okay ... I jest. That part was less than awesome... it was even less than mediocre.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that while 2011 wasn't AWESOME in the way I had defined it sure was even awesomer than it would have been had I ONLY accomplished the goals I set out to do. 2011 have much more depth than that.

Thank you to all who helped make it happen to include my great sponsors!!! Rev3/Team Trakkers, First Endurance (Kept the fire burning on all the long stuff!), TYR (that Cat5 Wetsuit made a HUGE difference in my OWS!), All3Sports (Your one stop tri shop! and the people there are awesomesauce!), Avia (Love my bolts!), SBR Sports Inc (OMG, Can't say enough about how much I love this product. I hate the chlorine.. hate it, but I didn't have to smell like a pool with this stuff!), Recovery Pump (kept the back to back workouts coming), Canari (my kit was alarmingly small at first, but surprisingly comfy to race in!)
The other highlight is that I feel like I have my mojo back!!! Let's do this thing 2012! What you got!?

2011 rolling into 2012 and self doubt

Meh.. it's the off season. While I'm excited to play around with other aspects of my fitness I'm feeling very meh. I LOVE this time of year. The close of summer and things slowing down a bit. The last couple of years I have taken this time to dumb down my schedule and train for a marathon... leaving me much time to reflect on last year and dream of next year. I decided no winter marathon this year. I won't be opening 2012 with a marathon because I feel like it hasn't set me up well for a good tri season the last two years. I've hit tri season already feeling a bit stale and burnt out... not to mention all my injuries. (Yes I will stop talking about these soon.)

I'm not sure if the not running a lot is related to my inability to concentrate or not, but every time I try to reflect back on 2011 (my proposed year of awesomeness - another post on my feelings about the awesomeness of it... or not... later.) I stall. I can't go there. So then I try to switch gears and start dreaming about 2012 and (aside from my one big Goal of being more involved with Rev3 - another post on this soon too) I can't really get my mind around the year laid out ahead of me.

Good thing I've got a few more months in 2011 to get in the right frame of mind.

As you know I've been doing more weight training and got started with Crossfit recently... and my start has been, um, rocky. The first week was AWESOME! Though I got lot's of 'why the hell are you doing this' from the world. The second week quickly slid downhill as I started the week with my awesome collision with a box.

This second week of crossfit was also the second week in a two week trip for Tom (so I was single momin' it), I taught two extra spin classes (one the night of the box jump fiasco), returned to CFD for the MONSTER workout on Wednesday, then another big (scary) workout on Thursday. The Thursday workout was really heavy deadlifts and overhead squats. I was basically SHOT physically and mentally after the Thursday workout. I was so surprised at how much the accident was affecting me mentally. All the while people continuing to ask me WHY?

Friday was my day off... Saturday Tom came home... Sunday we had a massive snow storm, tree limbs down and POWER OUT!

WOW! Slammed while I was down.

As the week wore on my morale was headed toward the crapper. Had to drive around a lot and felt like I was on a hampster wheel.

Started wondering WHY myself.

Showed up for Crossfit yesterday and I gotta say... I felt really timid and a bit scared. I seem to hurt myself every time I walk into that place. (me not them) What did I do yesterday? Cracked myself in the chin w/ the bar as I was doing a push press. I'm fine.. thank god no blood. I don't want to be the lady that always bleeds when I show up. Seriously!

And guess what... my leg is infected. PERFECT!

So the doubt... creeps in... little by little.

I continue to assess my goals and the reasons I started on this crossfit thing.. on this exercise thing... I have a lot of balls in the air right now. Nothing big.. but they are all pulling me in different directions and I'm feeling spread a bit too thin. Time to assess some things.

I WILL continue with Crossfit as I do see the benefits of it. (Even though some - and sometimes even I - think I'm crazy.) Everyone told me there is a month (at least) learning curve. We practiced the clean and jerk A LOT yesterday and I think that was VERY good for me. I'm starting to feel my body get used to the movements. And ya gotta love when you walk into the workout look at what is prescribed, think "there is NO way I'm going to be able to do that, but I'll give it my best" only to complete the workout.

Running NEEDS to start happening. I WILL find some time for it... though it will require some adjustments to my life and schedule. A good talk w the hubs last night helped me get back on track and I think if I can get a few runs a week into the schedule the mind will clear and things will come together!

When you have self doubt where do you turn? What drags you out of it and gives you the clarity you are looking for!?

Here's a little motivation to keep me hitting CFD!

Revolution3 South Carolina - Working report!

First off.. I must learn to stop and take more photos!! This weekend was - once again - Epic! I can't even begin to describe to you how proud I am to be associated with Rev3. Not just because they put on a good race, but because they are just so damn AWESOME! I really mean that! I'm not just saying it. We show up and work our BUTTS off and manage to have a good time in the process. How is work fun? This is an entirely new concept to me!

Ashley - aka Rev3 EVERYTHING Girl

Chris and Ashley - separated at Birth. I mean ... who couldn't have fun with this group!?

Chris, Charles and Nick - some of the boys/muscle

I rolled into Anderson around 11:30am and jumped right into helping wherever I could with set up until after lunch when my volunteer partner in crime, Jefferson, and I went back to the hotel to 'dial for dollars'... um, basically calling people I don't know to ask them to come out and support us.. when they really weren't 100% sure what I was talking about. 1. I don't like the phone, 2. I particularly don't like to talk to people I don't know on the phone, 3. conquered a huge fear/hurdle and talked to A LOT of people I do not know. And GUESS WHAT! I am alive to tell the tale. It actually was kind of fun after I got rolling and people were fairly nice so that helped!

We rocked that Volunteer thing then returned to the expo for some more set up then off to Applebee's (everyone's favorite place) for dinner! :) I was so excited to catch up with the people I hadn't been able to talk to earlier in the day. After dinner we rolled to DOWNTOWN Anderson to check out the town and unwind...

Kat having a little fun!

The rest of set up is a blur between dialing for volunteers and helping with set up.. laughing uncontrollably and having a flat out BLAST!!! I can't even begin to describe how I feel working with Rev3. They are AMAZING!

Set up seemed to go smoothly and without incident.. well, there are always incidents, but it went really really well!

Race day was much the same! From my perspective it all went really well. I so enjoyed working with the team, the volunteers and the athletes.

One of the most touching moments of the weekend was when the final finisher came across the line. All of the spectators were gone - aside from his Team Z folks and the Multisport Ministry (they always provide a 'last place' finisher to take that 'last' spot) team.

When we all got word of the final finisher getting close we all congregated at the finish line that was STILL standing aside from the snow fencing. Team Z, the Rev3 staff, the 4 remaining Volunteers (that mind you were told they could go, but wanted to stay. I had a great video of them, but lost it.), Multisport Ministries, All3Sports and Recovery Pump all lined the finishers shoot and made a tunnel for him to come through. (I wish I could remember his name.) It was very touching and emotional. I congratulated him after the race and he was so thankful that we stuck around, shared his moment and captured his final words! He had tears in his eyes... as did the rest of us. He will remember that moment for the rest of his life and I'm so honored that I got to be there as part of the Rev3 crew to bring him home!

Getting our line ready waiting for the final finisher.

Getting the interview

My main girl LJ and I at the finish. We wore our pink compression socks for Breast Cancer Awareness month!

Rev3... Thank you! Thank you for inviting me to be a part of the AMAZING Trakkers team and THANK YOU for allowing me to be a part of the staff at TWO events. My life - SERIOUSLY - has been changed forever because of you. And I know I'm not the only one. Keep doing what you are doing and I'll see you in 2012. Wild horses couldn't keep me away!

And I can't close without a big HUGE thank you to Anderson, SC and Kathy Benson for welcoming us into there town and giving us a chance. I hope you were not disappointed... I know we were thrilled to be there. As I knew they would the southerns showed us their hospitality and we are forever thankful!

If you have not come out to a Rev3 race yet... you truly are missing out. I mean that from the bottom of my heard. Check them out. You WILL not be disappointed!

Super exciting Changes at Rev3 Cedar Point

This blog is like the REv3 show lately huh? Sorry. Life has been super busy lately... to include prepping to go and work at the Rev3 South Carolina race! Yes, I drink the Kool Aid!

Rev3 has made some really exciting changes at the Cedar Point race (that I know ALL of you will hope come to the other Rev3 races!!)

They are adding both a sprint and a kids tri!! How exciting is that!? Taking the 'family friendly' aspect to a whole new level! The Sprint Rev will be for athletes 14 and up. It will be a half mile swim, 14 mile bike, and a 3 mile run. The kids triathlon will be for kids 7-10 who will be doing a quarter of a mile swim, two mile bike, and a quarter of a mile run. Kids 11-14 will do a one hundred and fifty swim, four mile bike, and a mile and a half run

AND with that big announcement!!! REGISTRATION IS OPEN!! And they are offering EARLY BIRD PRICING!

Early Bird Prices for Cedar Point:

Full: $425 until November 1st
Full Aquabike: $410 until November 1st
Full Relay: $474 until November 1st

Half (prices will go up by $50 on October 8th):

Half: $210 until October 8th
Half Aquabike: $250 until October 8th
Half Relay: $260 until October 8th

Click right ====> HERE to register!

So GET ON IT! 2012 is going to be ROCKIN' at Cedar Point in September!!

Rev3 Tri Team is Accepting Applications

Trakkers will be no longer next year. Next year we will be THE REV3 Team. And if you want in.... now's the time. You can follow THIS LINK to get to the application!

I can't even begin to tell you how much I have thoroughly loved being part of this team. Even in the last couple of months I have felt tremendous amounts of love from the Rev3 team. Going to the races and being part of something bigger than myself is amazing! The love and support (along w/ the ribbing, fun poking and laughs) has been truly amazing! See if you can see it in the following photos!

Rev3 Cedar Point - HALF

What an amazing weekend! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Rev3 and this was my first time being out on the course instead of working/volunteering and let me tell you it did not disappoint.

Tom and I headed out for our 10 hour drive right after putting the kids on the bus and rolled into registration right as they were closing. No worries I got all checked in and got my race packet w/ my visor, tshirt, goodies, number, cap, timing chip etc etc.

Things were winding down and my team members had a long day of coastering so we decided to take advantage of a kid free night and go have a nice dinner just the two of us.

As an aside Tom said his burger in SANDUSKY, OH was better than any burger he has had in Connecticut. (I can confirm this... I had the same burger Sunday post race.)

The next morning I was all set to go to the practice swim and help the team do a trislide pit. Basically we accosted people with cans of trislide and sprayed them down. (we were nice about it) And I think it worked. From what I heard All3Sports (hook yourself up: for 15% off go to www.all3sports.com and use GOTRAKKERS at checkout)sold out of trislide by the following morning! YEAH!

Mark needed to stay off his feet so Kelly graciously offered to carry him around!

Upon arriving at the beach we saw that there was a good 2 feet worth of sludgy sediment leading into the water. Apparently the huge storms they were having while trying to set up the expo area had stirred the water up pretty good and when the ocean calmed it deposited this loveliness for us to walk through. Along with making the water BLACK as NIGHT. I kid you not it was like someone turned the lights out when you put your face in the water. Weirdest swimming experience to date. I wish I had gotten a photo of us coming out of the water with the brown gunk up to our knees.

The good news is that later that day they were out there with a bull dozer cleaning as much of it out as they could so it was much better (you could actually run into the water) in the morning for the race.

My swim was short, but it confirmed that I can indeed swim. Okay I knew that, but it's always a nice little reminder the day before the race.

Bike wracked and ready!

Then we met up with some team mates and bloggers at the expo.

And we got to chat with Kacie and her hubs George (who WON his AG at his first 70.3). They stayed at our house for Quassy, but I was so busy I didn't get to hang too much. Below you will see why I just LOVE them! These might be my favorite photos from the weekend. Seriously!

Turned out that we were able to score some park tickets for the afternoon (yes, the DAY BEFORE the race) so Tom and I hit the coasters for about 4 hours. All the while I'm looking around wondering why I see no other Rev3 racers. Thinking, "Am I preparing for a 'what not to do' blog post?"

If you ever find yourself at Cedar Point you MUST hit the Millennium Force and the Top Thrill Dragster. The Millennium Force is super fast with many HUGE ups and downs. The Top Thrill Dragster sits you on a straight away like a drag race. Thrusts you forward at about 120 miles per hour shoots you straight up into the sky and then straight back down. It was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!

Time to get off my feet and get some GRUB! Might not be your 'typical' prerace grub, but it works for me! Dark beer is LOADED with carbs. I love this beer and couldn't resist! I normally would not have a beer... also wondering if I was setting myself up for the 'what not to do' post.

On race morning I was a bit nervous, but surprisingly calm. I really didn't know what to expect from this race. It's been two years since I road my bike anywhere remotely flat, my running has sucked hugely with battling injuries all season and I have never completed this distance before. I suspected that I could complete the distance (even if I had to walk a lot on the run), but was unsure of my performance. As I've stated before one of the differences between racing with kids vs without is that I don't have weeks and weeks to think and ponder my race day. I save all of that for right before the race. I do my work and I'm set up fairly well mentally, but the details of how I'm going to attack the race. They wait. It's less stressful for me this way. Coach had sent me an email saying and I quote:

"Here is my thoughts: 1) swim hard. Start near the front too the side
and swim hard the first 300m and see if you can find fast feet. Your a
tuff chick so don't get pushed around. You push people around in the
water. And your a strong enough swimmer to race the swim. Be tactical.
If you find some good feet save your energy and draft.

Bike: controlled rage. Go hard but one step below drilling it. Fuel
according to your death brix. Last mile on the causeway spin a higher
rpm and do a few standing intervals to get the run legs warmed up.

Take the first half of the run chill. All-day pace. Don't despair if a
person or two passes you. Run hard the second half."

I almost laughed out loud at the swim advice. Maybe he sent that to the wrong athlete? No, he clarified for me saying, "I didn't say you were a GOOD swimmer. I said you were a tough chick." Okay then. Thanks.. I think?

Anyway. I thought a lot about what he said. I'm kind of internal about this part of my racing. I don't talk to a lot of people about my 'race plan'. I'm not sure if it's my fear of failing in others eyes... that if I put it out there that I'm going to try to 'kill it' and then can't. Okay, let's face reality. When I race I'm always trying to kill it. Anyway. I don't talk a lot pre race... I'm all in my head. I like to be there.

I told Tom that I thought the swim would take me 45 mins, not sure about the bike maybe 3.5 to 4 hours, and the run - IF the leg held up - I suspected maybe 2 hours.

Swim: 43:39 (2:16min/hm) AG: 21/34 OA: 110/220

I decided that coach was right about the swim in that I would start toward the front but on the outside to try to avoid contact. It worked pretty well. I was able to avoid the thrashing around that occurs at the beginning of every race. SCORE! I went hard to the first buoy then tried to find my pace. Worked to the first turn then I went in and out of 'got my groove' and 'what the fuck' through the back side. Hit the turn and was doing okay, but kept finding myself further out on the left than I wanted to be... thus not taking advantage of whatever current might be created by all the swimmers so I fought to get back in there, but never got as close as I wanted to be. The last two buoys were just okay. Lot's of siting to make sure I was on track and that slows me down and frustrates me. I'm happy with my swim in that I swam the whole thing. I swam fairly straight and didn't get involved in any skirmishes. I know I pushed as hard as I could and came out at 43:39

T1: 2:56
Everything was all good. I was all set to run out with my bike when a lady crashed and burned. I stopped to see if she needed some help then stood there like a dolt waiting for her to get up to make sure she was okay. She was... we were off.

Bike: 2:48:26 (19.95mph) AG: 9/34 OA: 45/220

As I'm heading out on the bike I see Bill from CREW! He says, "Hey maybe we can hang out!" I looked over my shoulder as I got in the saddle and said, "Only if you can keep up!" Guess I was feeling good about the bike now! (I did see Bill a number of times out on the course!)

I stuck with this plan, but I gotta say the first 20 miles my belly was NOT loving it. I'm not sure if it was the half a banana I stuffed in my banana hole IMMEDIATELY on the bike or what, but I was worried. Thank God it subsided after mile 20.

I had decided that I was going to race the bike since I wasn't sure how my run would turn out. Who cares if my legs are cooked if they weren't going to work anyway right? Prior to this race I wasn't sure I had what it takes to RACE that long. It's one thing to go out and complete the race (and that is an awesome accomplishment in and of itself. I am NOT downplaying that approach at all!!! I have done it many times myself.) and going out to RACE it. Meaning try to damn near red line it the whole time. I've always said that the thing I like about endurance stuff is that you don't have to red line it. I've only done it one other time and it didn't work out as I had hoped! I chose this route and I stuck to it through the entire ride. I'm not going to lie. It hurt!

I had chosen to bring my road bike instead of my tri bike and I did second guess it once or twice when I wracked my bike and when I was in transition the morning of the race, but that thing was AWESOME. I couldn't get aero, but would just ride the drops when I was going down hill or in a nice open space. It was fine. That bike fits me like a glove and it's what I've been riding. I passed PLENTY of people on their tricked out tri bikes. I would say that the one and only bummer was that I only had two water bottle cages. I had double strength First Endurance EFS in one cage and water in the other. I was planning to stop 1 hour in (planning to get an entire bottle of water down by then) at a water stop to get a new bottle. I wasn't sure how this was going to go down because I've never done a race with a bike water stop. SERIOUSLY! Do I grab a bottle while in motion and risk taking out one of the lovely volunteers? Do I stop and throw my bottle away and take another? I didn't want to put my feet on the ground, but I opted to take a few minutes to refill my water bottle (didn't want a disposable bottle rattling around in my cage). This is when Bill caught me and we leap frog much of the rest of the course. I also saw my team mate Jeff go by at this point. I tried with all my might to catch him, but couldn't. I kept him in my sites, but couldn't quite get to him. Another woman came up beside Bill and I and said, "hey, think we can catch those men up there?" HELL YES we can and off we went! :)

I continued to switch between the EFS and the LS (Liquid Shot) I also snagged a GU Roctane that had 2x the caffeine on the course. Did I mention that I had somehow managed to give up caffeine over the weekend ('what not to do' post still creating itself). I never did touch the rest of that banana... or any other solid food for a solid 5.5 hours!

I surprised myself with that ride. I knew I could hold a decent pace (aka 20ish miles per hour) for an Olympic, but wasn't sure I could maintain it for a half. I got to the Olympic distance and thought... "Here goes nothin!"

T2: 1:41
In and out!

Run: 2:02:00 (9:19 min/mi) AG: 6/34 OA: 39/220

The run started... my plan was to follow coaches advice to basically negative split the thing. In the first mile every time I looked at my watch the pace was between 8:05 and 8:30. Come on Laura.. this is NOT your I could do this all day pace. Why is it so easy to run fast right off the bike? Guess it was that quick turnover spin out I did at the end of the bike (per coaches direction). Side note: My heart rate monitor must need a new battery because my heart rate never got over about 85. Pretty sure that's not accurate. So I hadn't been using heart rate at all.

I kept trying to get myself to slow to more like a 9 to 9:30 min/mile. Though my ego really wanted to see a nice solid 8:45 min/mile. At about 1 mile my stomach started to act up again. I had to pee at the start, but didn't get it done in my wetsuit for whatever reason. I HAD TO GO NOW! And I had to do other things? WHAT? I NEVER have this problem ... not ever. So as I'm heading to the second water stop I see that there is ONE port-a-potty. I'm HOPING against hope that it is empty. I wouldn't have stood there waiting.. I would have tried to get to the next one and that might have gotten ugly! I see someone come running out so I look to my left and right and see some people there. I picked up the pace as much as I could just in case they had the same idea. I was going to BEAT them there. OMG that was the best port-a-potty stop I have EVER made! MUCH better. Back to focusing on running instead of clenching my butt cheeks... while running.

I had chosen not to carry anything with me. I knew there would be GU out on the course so I relied on that. I stopped at ALL but one of them. I ran through the first 4 or so and walked through the rest. Drinking and throwing water on myself.

I saw Carole (aka Mama Bear to us Trakkers) at around mile 6 or 7 and when I saw her I know I gave her the look of 'please have mercy on me and make this end'.. she asked if I was okay and told me to get some coke. I never drink the stuff, but between the chance meeting with Mama Bear and the next water stop I remembered others telling me that that stuff was like crack and really gave a nice kick. I sure could have used a nice kick. So at the next two water stops I had some coke. I'm sad to report that while the change in flavor was welcome it did not give me any more kick.

This run HURT! HARDEST run ever.. okay maybe outside of the Miami Marathon. That was pretty hard too! (only other long race I've actually RACED!)

It took everything in me to keep going. The good thing about that is that when I'm hurting I want to push as hard as I can because the faster I go the faster I get to stop! I struggled and pushed this entire run. I KNOW I could not have gone any faster. Yep, makes me feel pretty good. Bad news is that 1 mile AWAY from the finish I HAD TO poop again. SERIOUSLY!? Fine! FINE! FINE! So I hit the port-a-potty AGAIN. Again, much better. And on to the finish I went as hard as I could!

At the finish line we were given the opportunity to run down the shoot with an American flag in HONOR of the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. I thought we were going to get little dinky "4th of July" style flags that little kids play with. No way man. I should have known better. That's not the way Rev3 Rolls! I got a big huge flag to run down the shoot with! It was GREAT!

Overall: 5:38:43 AG:6/34 OA: 39/220 (not too shabby for starting out AG: 21/34 OA: 110/220 out of the water. Hmm where do we think I need to put most of my effort?)

Tom had just missed my big finish and he was disappointed that he wasn't there to get my photo, but he made his way back very quickly and I was so glad to have him there to be my support, my bike mechanic, sherpa, masseuse and bestest buddy in the world! Thanks honey! I truly appreciate your support!

We went and grabbed A Delicious burger and beer right on the course then came back to cheer on the Trakkers!

I got to see Kacie and Kristin finish their 140.6 almost together. It was Kristin's VERY FIRST and it was very emotional. They ran a lot of the run together and were able to push each other to THIRD in their Age Groups! So proud of my teammies!

And a quick PSA: Don't forget your sunscreen... even if it's supposed to be overcast. I'm not sunburned.. it's red because I SCRAPED the numbers off to see if they were going to be staying for a while. My arms look pretty much the same. NICE!

I'm so honored to be a part of the Trakkers team and to be affiliated with Revolution3 Triathlon. They put on a stellar event and as I've said one million times before they are all just great people!

Congrats to all my team mates and all the other athletes out there!!!