HERE I AM!
GEEZ! I am just having so much fun this summer. You know, a lot of us Midwesterners wait and wait for our summer – so when it is here, we try to jam in everything you can imagine! We have been to the Dells (think huge water parks), friend’s cabins on the lake, pools, lakes….just trying to live it up and soak it up. The kids start back to school in 2 weeks from today …and as soon as Labor Day is here, well….our summer comes to a screeching halt! So, that is why my blog has been so quiet!
And, I am getting down to business! No messing around in July and August! Ironman Wisconsin is just over 1 month away and I have a big group gearing up for this race! I am so excited to see everyone race. This past Sunday Jerome and I took a large group – about 30 – up to ride part of the IMWI course and do a little run. I didn’t order up the nearly 100F degree temps, but they decided to show up to the party! Great! We had a ton of fun and it was nice to connect a lot of JHC athletes and see them suffer = I mean have some fun!
It is race season! Everyone is racing and it is awesome and the highlight of my year.
Other than that, let’s see. I have been doing NOTHING. Eating bon bons and shopping. OHHHHHH wait a minute, that is my other life. Nope, just putting my head down and training. If I am not training or working, I am at a water park with the kids this summer. Those 3 options are not too bad in my mind.
Now, training…things are really good. I raced a ½ IM 2 weeks ago and had a great race – even in temps at 100F. I think I am finally acclimated to it now. PERFECT – because it will be gone soon! LOL…And, I am racing next weekend at Steelhead 70.3. I have never done that race and it is somewhat local – just over in Michigan! So, I am looking forward to that race. As I have mentioned before, I switched coaches…and I am very happy now. I don’t take that decision lightly or easily, but something needed to happen. I was over-worked and under-paid (kidding). No, seriously, since I coach and have LOVED my past coaches – I really wanted to have a great fit with my new coach. I was lucky enough to work with Mary HW, Ange B and Elizabeth W for a few years (Elizabeth since she was born, but who is counting) and they recently moved over to Kurt P…so last month I decided to go and work with him (and he has NOT fired me yet). At first I thought that was nuts to work with someone who is working with my athletes (not “my” athletes, but you know what I mean) – but then I said, “I DON’T care what anyone thinks (you stop giving a shit at 40, BTW)!” (except Jerome). So, I went with my gut. And, now we are one big, happy family again! I always say, it is the cumulative coaching in your life that makes one the athlete they are….and for that I am always grateful for some great coaches I have had over my entire life – and now moving on to another opportunity.
THE one exception: I had to get a power meter. I KNEW this would happen. HA. Of course I have a computrainer and powertap, but I HATE HATE THE POWERTAP (personally as an athlete) so I got the QUARQ (Jerome loves this one best) and I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE IT. WOW. Simple and easy – which I need. If anyone is thinking about the QUARQ – we love it!!!! I did my bike test on it today and had the best result EVER. So, all is good in power land.
And, that is all she wrote. I have my head buried in Training Peaks lately, so I apologize for blog slacking…and with the kids going back to school in 1.5 weeks (who’s counting?), and we have been gone enjoying life every weekend…. summer is moving fastly and before I know it, I will be training in winter gear. GASP. So, until then, I am enjoying the 100F temps and hot hot hot days! J NO complaints from me! Even our water in the lake was 90F 10 days ago! YES!!!
