I'm not talking about separation from a husband, a boyfriend, a fiance, kids, a best friend, a favorite television show, or whatever it is you get anxiety from. I had some serious separation anxiety from the woman who puts "kelly" in teamdawnkelly. This situation is one of the times I spoke of previously: this summer of training isn't always roses and sunshine.
"Chicago", as I referred to her this weekend, took a MUCH NEEDED adventure to the Windy City for some R&R and alone time. While she was vying for some time away, I was needing a training partner. But I think we both fared very well...
While Chicago was a few hundred miles away, I took to my first loner 60 mile bike ride with a few celebrities; Ludacris, Justin Bieber, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, T-Pain and Sugarland, just to name a few. Although they just sang to me through a thin wire into my right ear, I took the majority of my 4 hour trek and thought about a few things:
* I am sick of people saying "you are crazy" when I discuss my Ironman training and adventures. I know we are entitled to our own opinions, but frankly, I think they are crazy for DVRing EVERY television show and putting them on repeat. There are so many better and more stimulating activities than setting up in front of a TV. So, with that being said, I judge those who judge me.
* Is it weird that I am cruising right along to my 31st birthday and I am still single and haven't ever lived with a boyfriend?
* What will it be like if we don't finish biking 112 miles in 8 hours?
* If I had another hour in the day, I would spend it eating soy ice cream. Yum. (I was really thirsty for something cold at that moment.)
* Why does my water bottle constantly over-spill and simultaneously leak all over me?
* Padded shorts - they can range in price, and the $70 ones that are covering my ass right now are not making this ride any more comfortable.
* If I was riding with Kelly right now, we would be laughing at something - like Julie Hintz's husband and the straw that kicked his ass.
And those are just to name a few. What I most certainly thought about and what I do know for sure is that however long, exhausting, mentally defeating or highly entertaining any Ironman Training adventure is, I will always chose the woman who puts "kelly" in teamdawnkelly over any celebrity, any day of the week.
In the coming days: A bit of a taper week leading into our Half Ironman in Minnesota the weekend of the 24th. Taper meaning what? a 3.5 hour bike ride instead of a 5 hour? Hell, maybe we are crazy after all.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
Beep beep...beep beep...beep beep...
Running just rose to a new level. All for the price of a $20 watch from Target (another reason why Target is so fabulous)! And listen, we aren't trying to kid ourselves. teamdawnkelly knows that this marathon we have to run after the swim and the bike isn't going to be a walk in the park. Or actually, it will be a walk with a bit of running. With a watch set for 7 minutes of running and 3 minutes of walking, we were in "running" heaven. Our lives are now determined on the sound of a beep.
Before the discovery of the beeps, teamdawnkelly ventured out on a 1.2 mile swim across Elkhart Lake and back. It was a boat-free day with buoys set up for our sighting. Although a tri team from some other land intruded on our lake, we still started and finished before them. And the end of our swim/run lead us to our favorite destination - Thyme Savours (the elusive coffee shop) for Heath Toffee drinks. YUM.
Summer school has ended and Fourth of July Weekend has arrived. We celebrated the end of school and the 2nd official kick-off to summer with a 50 mile bike ride on Friday morning. It came complete with ridiculous wind, an odometer that wouldn't function and some other negative aspects that I can't even remember. Once we got to our half-way point, we had a snack to lift our spirits. Because, as we know, "140.6, It's all about the snacks."
Ironman Cash Box Update: $76.50
We have a big weekend ahead of us. Plenty more laughs to enjoy as we swim, bike and run our lives away....
Before the discovery of the beeps, teamdawnkelly ventured out on a 1.2 mile swim across Elkhart Lake and back. It was a boat-free day with buoys set up for our sighting. Although a tri team from some other land intruded on our lake, we still started and finished before them. And the end of our swim/run lead us to our favorite destination - Thyme Savours (the elusive coffee shop) for Heath Toffee drinks. YUM.
Summer school has ended and Fourth of July Weekend has arrived. We celebrated the end of school and the 2nd official kick-off to summer with a 50 mile bike ride on Friday morning. It came complete with ridiculous wind, an odometer that wouldn't function and some other negative aspects that I can't even remember. Once we got to our half-way point, we had a snack to lift our spirits. Because, as we know, "140.6, It's all about the snacks."
Ironman Cash Box Update: $76.50
We have a big weekend ahead of us. Plenty more laughs to enjoy as we swim, bike and run our lives away....
Thursday, June 24, 2010
It's Like a Million...
"How hot do you think it is out here?"
"It's like a million."
Our first "vacation day" was on Wednesday when Kelly and I embarked on our journey down to Verona for a hilly loop of fun. It was fun once we FINALLY got there. Not so fun driving up and down the highway in confusion. So far we are 0 for 2. In our total of 2 adventures down to Verona, we have gotten lost both times; however, Kelly and I are confident that trip #3 will be a complete success. We'll take the correct exits. We'll find the train depot park. And we'll find the course. All in one try. I always think I am correct, especially when it comes to directions and exits. "The exit numbers will just change and we'll be on track." For future reference, exit signs just don't magically change.
Sunshine - a lot of it. Wind - even more of it. Hills - we couldn't even pedal anymore. The Madison IM bike course is crazy hilly. But we had crazy fun. Ants in the peanut butter. My shoes wouldn't clip in. Kelly lost a couple crackers. But after 2 hours and 48 minutes, we biked 40 miles, then put on our shoes to finish it off with a 20 minute run, which we call 2 miles. To finish it off, the biking gods shined down on us as we ventured to Einstein Bagels for a post workout sandwich and fountain drink. After our first Einstein visit we were CONVINCED Einstein was full of slow idiots. Visit number two drastically improved our impression. Bagel sandwiches make the world go round.
The "teamdawnkelly" shirts have made their official appearance! teamdawnkelly participated in the High Cliff Triathlon last weekend with, again, more wind making an extremely rough swim and another tough bike ride. After crossing the finishline (2 hours and 6 minutes) teamdawnkelly made a PB & J and threw on our new shirts. They are fun and fashionable and EVERYONE is going to want one.
Finishing off the past 5 days of our lives was a planned Aloft Wxyz bar Happy Hour which was truly amazing. After an entire day in the sun and on our bikes, nothing sounded better than several Mojitos on the infamous Mojito Wednesday. Yum.
Ironman Cash Box Update: $55
See you at Elkhart on Sunday for a little swim and a little run. Most importantly, delicious Almond Joy lattes from the coffee shop (of which I still don't know the name).
Cheers.
"It's like a million."
Our first "vacation day" was on Wednesday when Kelly and I embarked on our journey down to Verona for a hilly loop of fun. It was fun once we FINALLY got there. Not so fun driving up and down the highway in confusion. So far we are 0 for 2. In our total of 2 adventures down to Verona, we have gotten lost both times; however, Kelly and I are confident that trip #3 will be a complete success. We'll take the correct exits. We'll find the train depot park. And we'll find the course. All in one try. I always think I am correct, especially when it comes to directions and exits. "The exit numbers will just change and we'll be on track." For future reference, exit signs just don't magically change.
Sunshine - a lot of it. Wind - even more of it. Hills - we couldn't even pedal anymore. The Madison IM bike course is crazy hilly. But we had crazy fun. Ants in the peanut butter. My shoes wouldn't clip in. Kelly lost a couple crackers. But after 2 hours and 48 minutes, we biked 40 miles, then put on our shoes to finish it off with a 20 minute run, which we call 2 miles. To finish it off, the biking gods shined down on us as we ventured to Einstein Bagels for a post workout sandwich and fountain drink. After our first Einstein visit we were CONVINCED Einstein was full of slow idiots. Visit number two drastically improved our impression. Bagel sandwiches make the world go round.
The "teamdawnkelly" shirts have made their official appearance! teamdawnkelly participated in the High Cliff Triathlon last weekend with, again, more wind making an extremely rough swim and another tough bike ride. After crossing the finishline (2 hours and 6 minutes) teamdawnkelly made a PB & J and threw on our new shirts. They are fun and fashionable and EVERYONE is going to want one.
Finishing off the past 5 days of our lives was a planned Aloft Wxyz bar Happy Hour which was truly amazing. After an entire day in the sun and on our bikes, nothing sounded better than several Mojitos on the infamous Mojito Wednesday. Yum.
Ironman Cash Box Update: $55
See you at Elkhart on Sunday for a little swim and a little run. Most importantly, delicious Almond Joy lattes from the coffee shop (of which I still don't know the name).
Cheers.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
This frickin' week sucked...
We aren't always very lady like. And on a Saturday morning after a really sh*tty week, vulgar language can be abused and we don't feel bad about doing it.
On a serious note (just briefly) the previous and future months of LIFE and ironman training will probably bring more swearing, some tears, and most likely some pissed off and angry conversations because Kelly and I are human and not every day is rosy. But what is wonderful about the major, minor and life changing drama that takes place in our lives Monday through Sunday, a laugh and a smile and a good friend is ALWAYS guaranteed when we are swimming, biking and running together. Thank you Kelly, for being such a wonderful friend. And on a side note, we are really awesome when we aren't "triathlon-ing" too!
Today was one of those "not so lady-like" days. There were some F-bombs, some hatred in our words, but after about 8 miles into our bike ride, we experienced the icing on the cake. And this aforementioned "icing" actually came to be a blessing in disguise. My tire went flat. It was very silent this time, unlike when my tube and tire blew and I thought I got shot on the east side of Green Bay. All of a sudden I couldn't steer and I look down and say "Shit. My tire is flat." As I struggle to slow down and get off my bike, my brain didn't communicate with my right foot. Needless to say, I couldn't clip out and I crashed in some woman's driveway. I say to Kelly, "My tire is flat." Three seconds later I say, "And I just fell." Kelly says, "What?!" As I lay in the driveway, I threw off my sunglasses and as Kelly wheels around this is what comes out of my mouth. "F*ck. First it's my car and now it's my f*cking bike." (In my head I was thinking that I wanted to cry, and about how I just squished my strawberries.) In true teamdawnkelly form, we look into our "tool bags" to find a way to fix this silly mess I got us into. I have tools and a CO2 cartridge. Kelly has a tube and a million CO2 cartridges. And this combination is what makes teamdawnkelly survive and achieve greatness. Apart, we would have been screwed. And actually, together we were screwed too because although we have the tools, we have NO IDEA how to change a tube.
To make a long story short, while we stand on the side of the road, we are approached by a neighbor trying to offer random services. A woman on her bike inquires if we need anything. But then our magical little bike angel came from the skies. Karma has found us today. A voice from a boy says, "Hey, do you need some help?" And immediately, Kelly picked out the bike logo on his shirt and noticed his "mechanix" gloves. Yes. We need help. He says, "I work at a bike shop." BEAUTIFUL. I wouldn't say this nice young man was any older than 18 years old. He randomly happened to be at his girlfriends parents' house helping to lay mulch. He saved our day when we would have thrown in the towel. Kelly made sure to mention to him that he was a good, good young man for his two good Samaritan tasks of the day. We will never forget our little friend. His name was Taylor. (he wasn't a werewolf, but he was our hero.)
As we move into week 4, teamdawnkelly is proud to announce the t-shirt delivery has been made (a thank you to Kelly for organizing everything with the shirts. i have to admit i just sent my check, Kelly did all of the work) and also we can put in a total of $26.50 into our Ironman boxes :-)
On a serious note (just briefly) the previous and future months of LIFE and ironman training will probably bring more swearing, some tears, and most likely some pissed off and angry conversations because Kelly and I are human and not every day is rosy. But what is wonderful about the major, minor and life changing drama that takes place in our lives Monday through Sunday, a laugh and a smile and a good friend is ALWAYS guaranteed when we are swimming, biking and running together. Thank you Kelly, for being such a wonderful friend. And on a side note, we are really awesome when we aren't "triathlon-ing" too!
Today was one of those "not so lady-like" days. There were some F-bombs, some hatred in our words, but after about 8 miles into our bike ride, we experienced the icing on the cake. And this aforementioned "icing" actually came to be a blessing in disguise. My tire went flat. It was very silent this time, unlike when my tube and tire blew and I thought I got shot on the east side of Green Bay. All of a sudden I couldn't steer and I look down and say "Shit. My tire is flat." As I struggle to slow down and get off my bike, my brain didn't communicate with my right foot. Needless to say, I couldn't clip out and I crashed in some woman's driveway. I say to Kelly, "My tire is flat." Three seconds later I say, "And I just fell." Kelly says, "What?!" As I lay in the driveway, I threw off my sunglasses and as Kelly wheels around this is what comes out of my mouth. "F*ck. First it's my car and now it's my f*cking bike." (In my head I was thinking that I wanted to cry, and about how I just squished my strawberries.) In true teamdawnkelly form, we look into our "tool bags" to find a way to fix this silly mess I got us into. I have tools and a CO2 cartridge. Kelly has a tube and a million CO2 cartridges. And this combination is what makes teamdawnkelly survive and achieve greatness. Apart, we would have been screwed. And actually, together we were screwed too because although we have the tools, we have NO IDEA how to change a tube.
To make a long story short, while we stand on the side of the road, we are approached by a neighbor trying to offer random services. A woman on her bike inquires if we need anything. But then our magical little bike angel came from the skies. Karma has found us today. A voice from a boy says, "Hey, do you need some help?" And immediately, Kelly picked out the bike logo on his shirt and noticed his "mechanix" gloves. Yes. We need help. He says, "I work at a bike shop." BEAUTIFUL. I wouldn't say this nice young man was any older than 18 years old. He randomly happened to be at his girlfriends parents' house helping to lay mulch. He saved our day when we would have thrown in the towel. Kelly made sure to mention to him that he was a good, good young man for his two good Samaritan tasks of the day. We will never forget our little friend. His name was Taylor. (he wasn't a werewolf, but he was our hero.)
As we move into week 4, teamdawnkelly is proud to announce the t-shirt delivery has been made (a thank you to Kelly for organizing everything with the shirts. i have to admit i just sent my check, Kelly did all of the work) and also we can put in a total of $26.50 into our Ironman boxes :-)
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Lattes and Aprons
The love of lattes in our world has been around for quite some time. However, the love of almond joy lattes came to be last summer and their popularity hasn't ceased. Thankfully, a sunny and warm Saturday morning brought on the above. And some additional fun activities mixed in between.
Our great minds thought alike on this most recent Saturday. Throwing down a quick 5 mile run separately, Kelly and I joined forces for our first Elkhart Lake Open Swim (which was just added to our training schedule the weekend prior. No need for premature planning on our worlds.) After swimming just shy of 1 mile, we took a stroll to the coffee shop at the old Feed Mill building (the name of the coffee shop is still a mystery to me) to enjoy a very delicious lattes. And lucky for us, the Farmers Market was in full swing - creating a new need for fun aprons. Another latte and new aprons will be in our possession on the next Elkhart Lake adventure.
To date, Kelly and I have logged in a 56 mile bike ride and 1 open swim, which brings our IM money box total to $19! We are going to be so rich, so soon.
Upcoming this week is the delivery of our "teamdawnkelly" shirts and a 3 hour ride on Saturday.
Here's to IM Training Week #3.
Our great minds thought alike on this most recent Saturday. Throwing down a quick 5 mile run separately, Kelly and I joined forces for our first Elkhart Lake Open Swim (which was just added to our training schedule the weekend prior. No need for premature planning on our worlds.) After swimming just shy of 1 mile, we took a stroll to the coffee shop at the old Feed Mill building (the name of the coffee shop is still a mystery to me) to enjoy a very delicious lattes. And lucky for us, the Farmers Market was in full swing - creating a new need for fun aprons. Another latte and new aprons will be in our possession on the next Elkhart Lake adventure.
To date, Kelly and I have logged in a 56 mile bike ride and 1 open swim, which brings our IM money box total to $19! We are going to be so rich, so soon.
Upcoming this week is the delivery of our "teamdawnkelly" shirts and a 3 hour ride on Saturday.
Here's to IM Training Week #3.
Monday, May 31, 2010
I'm just keepin' it real...
It is inevitable. A group ride will have a mixture of abilities of riders. But it is also guaranteed to offer up a bit of humor. Or a lot, depending on who you are with.
As riders keep a NORMAL and average pace, there are others who will speed ahead. And sometimes you can even count on them to wait for you at a stop sign. At this particular instance, and actually the first stop sign, a relatively important question was raised by DK, "What is everyone's plan for the ride?" My humored response was, "I'm just gonna keep it real." What that really means to those, specifically Kelly, who know me is "I just want to pedal, laugh, snack and get through this 56 mile ride without racing the deer running along the side of the rode." I'm pretty simple.
The Annual 56 Mile Memorial Day Bike Ride (newly named the "teamdawnkelly" bike ride) went off without a hitch. And what these riders don't know about teamdawnkelly is the importance of snacks - and these snack breaks were genius-ly scheduled at 15 miles, 30 miles, 45 miles and then we are done. But "done" also means a blanket and medley of snacks at the end. It is lovely and delicious.
We, teamdawnkelly and the other riders, finished in a respectable 3.5 hours and soon parted ways. Others chose to go home and take a nap, or spend an afternoon with family. teamdawnkelly finished up that 56 mile day with a trip to the Regal Cinema to take in the just released SATC 2.
Everything about today was amazing - including our immense speed and desire to soak in hours of shoes and fashion.
As riders keep a NORMAL and average pace, there are others who will speed ahead. And sometimes you can even count on them to wait for you at a stop sign. At this particular instance, and actually the first stop sign, a relatively important question was raised by DK, "What is everyone's plan for the ride?" My humored response was, "I'm just gonna keep it real." What that really means to those, specifically Kelly, who know me is "I just want to pedal, laugh, snack and get through this 56 mile ride without racing the deer running along the side of the rode." I'm pretty simple.
The Annual 56 Mile Memorial Day Bike Ride (newly named the "teamdawnkelly" bike ride) went off without a hitch. And what these riders don't know about teamdawnkelly is the importance of snacks - and these snack breaks were genius-ly scheduled at 15 miles, 30 miles, 45 miles and then we are done. But "done" also means a blanket and medley of snacks at the end. It is lovely and delicious.
We, teamdawnkelly and the other riders, finished in a respectable 3.5 hours and soon parted ways. Others chose to go home and take a nap, or spend an afternoon with family. teamdawnkelly finished up that 56 mile day with a trip to the Regal Cinema to take in the just released SATC 2.
Everything about today was amazing - including our immense speed and desire to soak in hours of shoes and fashion.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
It's the Eye of the Tiger
It isn't every day that a person can frequent a local city festival AND watch Survivor do their rock n' roll gig - for just $5. This new SURVIVOR obsession began with a phone call, a conversation with Frankie Sullivan and an article. All of these acts transpired into a perfect TRAINING opportunity for teamdawnkelly. The training portion being getting margaritas and guacamole and then seeing the show.
Of course, of the 6 band members, my man, Frankie Sullivan, had to be the most "hardcore" looking of them all. Striped pants. Opened button down shirt. Blond stringy hair. It was meant to be. Although we didn't roll into the presence of their backstage activities, we did watch from just a handful of rows back, the band sing all of the songs we know, plus a couple of surprises mixed in.
Ironman fits well into this mix. Kelly came fully prepared with calendars and training schedules. I came with myself. We did lay down some serious swimming, biking and running into our weekend lives. Along with planning a long bike ride around my "boating birthday fun". That is VERY responsible of us.
Just two days until the teamdawnkelly Memorial Day 56 Mile Ride. We are in heaven.
Pictures to come! Congratulations to teamdawnkelly for actually taking photos.
Of course, of the 6 band members, my man, Frankie Sullivan, had to be the most "hardcore" looking of them all. Striped pants. Opened button down shirt. Blond stringy hair. It was meant to be. Although we didn't roll into the presence of their backstage activities, we did watch from just a handful of rows back, the band sing all of the songs we know, plus a couple of surprises mixed in.
Ironman fits well into this mix. Kelly came fully prepared with calendars and training schedules. I came with myself. We did lay down some serious swimming, biking and running into our weekend lives. Along with planning a long bike ride around my "boating birthday fun". That is VERY responsible of us.
Just two days until the teamdawnkelly Memorial Day 56 Mile Ride. We are in heaven.
Pictures to come! Congratulations to teamdawnkelly for actually taking photos.
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