Goals or Lack of...

I have been struggling with writing a post for a while because I decided to do my A race (that looked more like a C race) so early in the year.  I initially was motivated by the fact that my fitness is better than it usually is mid-summer and I am still debating another half-ironman this year but since a couple races I would like to do don't workout date-wise...I have just been in limbo...I have no plan, I have been winging it, which in one respect is nice, almost calming.  I haven't rode or ran with my Garmin at all.  The real reason is I need to erase the data and I am too damn lazy to do it.  On the contrary, I don't do well without plans, I need something to keep the ADD (by the way this is not a medical diagnosis just my own) in check, otherwise I am all over the place.

I have an Olympic distance race next week and I have no plan.  It's odd, yet I feel ready as anything and interested in what I can do.  I have been working my ass off since November and maybe this little "no plan thing" will work out and maybe not.  I am still getting in my quality workouts, like my 9 mile runs in mid-morning when the heat is blazing, humidity is ridiculous and the only thing to look forward to is wearing a new lululemon outfit that I bought as my prize for finishing Mooseman.

New speed shorts and sportbra!!  Love them!

Every week, I muster up a schedule that gets shot down usually by Tuesday.  Partly because there is so much on my mind lately with my father-in-law and everything going on.  My husband, God bless him, has been there almost daily and nightly at the hospital with his sister and mom that is an hour away.

When your heads not in the game its time to call a break.  So after some deep reflections and looking at the positives in our lives, I decided to get some workouts in, sign up for some races with friends, get fast and have fun for the rest of the season. I signed up for Splash-n-Dash in Marlton, NJ and was able to knock off a few seconds of my swim time (albeit not great, but I'll take the improvement), improved my t-time (although I will never beat the transition ninja, Christine and her 30 seconds) and improved my run time in the 5k with 8:44 min/miles. 

Had a blast racing with my Team Triumph crew!!

In other news, we had our 2nd Annual Christmas in July shindig!  I was so glad we had one day to escape everything going on and that for one day Mike could relax !  We had a wonderful Christmas in July - there was no snow, but poolside fun, tons of fireworks, and plenty of beer and I was even able to get in a 45 mile ride with Yasi that morning....

Mad Elf aged for 2 years, Great Divide Collette, and DFH World Wide Stout!!

Xmas montage

Fireworks display compliments of Bill

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!

Who Doesn't Celebrate Christmas in July?

Been having a productive week training in my last real week before I taper next week for Vineman 70.3!  I sort of tapered unintentionally last week since I had to travel for work to Mexico and got a "little" sick because I had something to drink with ice....ugh...when I tried to do my swim/bike/runs when I got back it was not good, I was highly dehydrated.  I am happy to report that by Tuesday I was good to go from some Cipro, lots of probiotics and electrolyte drinks...
So when I got home we had big plans for Saturday that my little sickness or training would not get in the way of....Christmas in July Shindig.

Mike (husband) and I have two favorite things:  Christmas and Beer.  This past Christmas, we scored a keg of Scaldis Noel but we also got a keg of Troeg's Mad Elf that came in and unfortunately, could not be kept at the beer store till next year.

Troegg's Mad Elf tastes like cherries, honey and chocolate--delish

So Mike brought the keg home put it upside down and figured we would wait till next year.  UNTIL...the smarty pants bassist from Beyond Dishonor (have to give them a plug), Nick Petti said "why don't you have a Christmas in July party."  And we replied..."hmmm....how could we not!"

4th of July weekend was the only weekend we could do it.  So Mike and I LOVE having parties, but being that this was going to be a crazy busy with work travel for both us, my training, Mike's band gigs/practices/writing, we decided to NOT go overboard for this.  Especially since we have the 5th Yr Beerathlon Party coming up on Labor Day.

So here is a quick photo trip of the festivities and just how we roll....

we played Xmas music and grilled all day

we had fireworks complements of Bill

Christine made her and I Elf hats and Brad and Mike Santa hats

 

Even Axl got a hat

 

Meg and I looked like we were going out for the Christmas track team....

The tree was decorated with canned beer

The infamous Nick Petti to the left...

hehehe

No comment - his "nose" fell off...

Chrismas Pjs

Bobby looked like he was celebraing Xmas with the Irish Soccer team

the parentals and Chris and Brad

Merry Christmas!

My sister and I

Drunk watermelon...Enough said

To prove that I did train - we had a relay of beer

Noel de Calabaza is by Jolly Pumpkin Artisan - Great beer - sour almost a wine taste - little bit of granny smith apple taste

La Rulles Tripple is a really nice beer - it tasted lightly malty and somewhat grassy and hoppy.

Southern Tier Krampus - great lager with brown sugar and caramel on the front

An amazing lambic brewed with strawberries, tart beer but crisp for summer

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!