Birthday weekend...part II

What else does one do on their birthday? How 'bout a triathlon?

Who wouldn't get up at 3:45 a.m. on their birthday, drive 50 miles, ride a bus to the venue, freeze in their little tank suit at the start and take off into a lake to swim a 1/2 mile?

See me? I'm 3rd on the left on the beach at the far side of the lake...

Now for the start...

It was my first open water swim...quite an experience on a windy day...

I noticed that it's really difficult to swim in a straight line in the middle of a choppy lake. So did everyone else...I knew one chick was off course when she swam across my path perpendicular to the swim finish...the swim "angels" got her herded back the right direction. Who wants to swim an extra 1/2 mile by going off course?

The swimming frenzy is followed by a run into the transition zone to slap on your helmet, socks, shoes, get a drink then head out on the bike...

...rolling hills, beautiful day, and brutal cross and head winds greeted us on the course...

...I had to use my mountain bike for the tri since I lent my road bike to the guys riding the Tour de France...hope they appreciate it...


...next comes the run...back into the transition zone

...ditch helmet, bike and the wind (okay maybe not the wind...)

...grab running hat, gatorade...

and try to convince legs to keep moving...repeat mantra in mind (borrowed from Finding Nemo)

"just keep running...just keep running...just keep running..."

Looking desperately for finish line...seeing mirages of Starbuck*s drink in the distance...

...finally...

The best part was seeing Runner Boy at the finish...he supported me from the day I signed up...encouraging...making time for me to train...and cheering me on throughout the course.

Thank you...I could not have done it without you and seeing you at the finish was wonderful.


What a wonderful experience...and fun birthday...I might be hooked.

birthday weekend...part I

This past weekend was my birthday...I love birthdays as long as they are celebrated, but the years are not counted.

Runner Boy decided to make this birthday special...and he was successful.

He invited friends and family for a barbecue on Friday night and it was fantastic. The group included very special people from my childhood, years past and today--it was a lovely evening.

Now what birthday is complete without a cake? It was a carrot cake and it was delicious. Now the benefit of a carrot cake is that it really encompasses the four food groups...veggies, carbs, dairy (cream cheese frosting) and protein (the walnuts). Ahhh...so good. I think I personally ate 25,000 of the 37,000 calories found in this beauty. (I was storing them for later in the weekend...more on that later.)

Kate was in her element--she had cousins and her friends to play with. When everyone was leaving she broke down into tears and wailed "No! no! no! I don't want them to leave..."

It was also Sam's first experience with a fudge bar...Kate's a pro at them and ate 2 in no time.

Sam on the other hand, was a bit troubled by the frozen aspect of the treat, but tried. The chocolate seemed like a good idea...

Then he offered a lick to the photographer...who politely declined...

So, he thought he'd give it another shot...

The love affair didn't last...he tried to use it as a shovel around the hosta 2 minutes later. yum.