Thursday, May 24, 2012

Three Things Thursday - The Race Edition

1. Today is May 24. Why is that significant?  June 24 is one month away.  So what?  Believe me that is a very big deal because it is the date of my first triathlon.  When I did my first marathon I counted down the days for months! I......COULD.....NOT.......WAIT.  I can't say I feel the same way.  Often I can't wait but equally often I don't want it to come. I don't generally get nervous before races but all bets are off for this one.  I expect to be MEGA nervous!
Find the fastest looking swimmer and it's me. HA

2. This weekend is the Vermont City Marathon.  This is the best race in the world. I am not excited about doing another half marathon but I am excited about VCM. It was great to bike and run on the bike path this week and get in the excitement mode for this race. I am doing the 2 person relay with Jameson, my son.  Emily, my daughter, is running it too.  So it is a real family affair.  The crowd support for this race is unbelievable and so much of it is on my beloved bike path.  Until this year when I  have done the relay I have run the first half. This year Jameson wants to so I will do the second. I will miss running on Church Street - twice. I will miss the excitement of the start. I even like the beltway where you do an out and back and see everyone. Many people don't like this but I always do.  I will miss doing it when it is cooler.  But I will like running on the bike path and I will like finishing at Waterfront Park which I haven't done in a long time. I won't miss trying to find a good spot to watch the finish in the crowd.  VCM - heat or not - I'm getting ready!
This is after the race last year.

I was having so much fun here. Jameson ran the whole 
thing. I ran the half and at this point he was running
with me. Bliss. Two years ago.
Jameson ran the half with me and EM the whole 
thing three years ago.

Church Street

3. Guess what the next race is the 3 of us will race together?  I could just as easily ask guess WHERE the next race the 3 of us will race together.  It is Garden of the Gods Ten Miler in Colorado.  Woot! Woot!  This is a race I have wanted to run but generally my school gets out later than this year and I can't.  I still wasn't going to but Emily signed up as she is near there for work and then she is staying with my friend. The two of them worked on me and I signed up and then Jameson jumped into the fun and is staying with a friend of his in Denver!  This will cover many of my goals: 
Race with family - CHECK
Race a new race - CHECK
Race in a scenic location - CHECK.
I had said I was overdoing it leading up to my triathlon (I am) but I couldn't resist this.  I will do more than one triathlon this summer (gasp, I think) and life is too much fun to not participate when you can!  
The day after school gets out I am heading to Colorado!  
That's me in the pink on my last visit.


23 comments:

Fran said...

What a lot of great races you have to look forward too. I look forward to your reports of them too.

A Prelude To... said...

ohhh - our big races are on the same day!! I'll be thinking about you at my race!

middleagedrunner said...

Ohhh exciting weekend coming up! It's so great that you get to run with your family- you guys look like you have so much fun together. I'll have to adopt you guys and we'll form a kickass relay team... :-)
GOOD luck and have FUN!!

HappyTrails said...

You've got a great looking schedule coming up - wonderful variety! And a bonus that we can hopefully share a bit with you - the whole AJH clan visiting Colorado (what about Mr. AJH?)! Woo-hoo!!! We'll be looking forward to it! :-)

christa said...

Yay! That's so awesome. The photos look beautiful. Good luck at VCM!! I am sorry to miss it, but will be spending so much needed away time camping with the fam.

Johann said...

One month, yay! Local races are always great fun. I still have that 100 pencilled in on my list. Garden of the Gods! You will meetup with HappyTrails, awesome!

Ewa said...

You are one racing machine! Good for you!
I am especially excited about the Garden of the Gods one. It is such a spectacular place. Last time I was there, I was in no shape to run.
Don't sweat about your tri. You'll do great!

Amy said...

Wow! You've got some really exciting things coming up!!!

Darlene said...

You are one busy lady. Hope we can meet up this summer or fall.

Jill said...

I just read your comment on my blog this morning about doing Garden of the Gods - whoohooo! That's one mother tough race, it is majorly hilly. I may do it, but if so just for "fun". Hope we can meet up before or after.

Good luck with the half this weekend. Looks like a gorgeous course...it is one on my bucket list (they need to do that in the fall though, when the leaves are gorgeous). Just enjoy it, don't stress about "over doing it". What doesn't kill ya makes you stronger, right? :). So fun that your family is all there to do the race, too....I couldn't think of anything more precious in life!

Char said...

It's just so great that your kids want to race with you over and over gain. I've convinced two of my boys to do half marathons with me but I think they'll be once-offs. Your kids just keep coming back for more.

Generation X (Slomohusky) said...

what a wonderful three things this Thursday. fun!

i too am starting too feel i need to find a Colorado race to do. all those Colorado running bloggers to meet. Too fun!

Ransick said...

So cool you get to race with family and in Colorado! Good luck and have fun this weekend!

Ransick said...

The trouble I had with my wet suit was getting it off my ankles. I usually pull it down as far as I can then step on the wet suit with the opposite foot and pull the other foot through. Once or twice usually does it but this time it seemed like four or five times. Regarding mid race nutrition, it really depends on how long you will be out there and what your body likes. There is a difference between need and want too. Most people can go two hours with no nutrition if your fuel stores are topped off. Most people don't want to go that long. How long do you go between calories on long runs?

Kate Geisen said...

I'm so jealous--that race looks AMAZING!

I'm really excited for your triathlon. Easy for me to say, huh?

I LOVE that your family runs together. You have the coolest kids, they have the coolest mom. Really wonderful. My mom asked me to get her bike in shape to ride, and she's doing a 5K walk this weekend. I'm so excited for her and proud of her! On my trip to Wisconsin, she and I went to the bike path, and she walked while I ran.

Average Woman Runner said...

I can't wait for your CO trip!
I hope my James runs with me someday. Right now, he really enjoys the jogging stroller so I'm taking that as a good sign.

Kate Geisen said...

Oops...I forgot to answer your question. You can get chamois butter/chamois cream at bike shops. Maybe elsewhere as well, but that's the only place I've seen it. It definitely helps with chafing...or with preventing chafing I guess.

Kandi said...

Your tri is on my birthday!!
VCM sounds like a great race. I like that you always race it with your kids.
That 10 miler looks beautiful! I know how much you like 10 milers too. Have fun!

Tara said...

You are coming to Colorado? Whoohoo! I've ran at GOTG, love that place, but never done the race. Would love to meet you, maybe I will travel over and watch.

So exciting about your first triathlon. I had so much fun doing mine last year, so very different than a running race, they are much more exciting (and confusing).

Good luck this weekend!

Katie said...

june 24th! ack! also a big day here :)

Liz said...

I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time with your family! Enjoy the relay.

Lindsay said...

good luck to the halnon fam this weekend!! :)

Black Knight said...

The 3rd picture is priceless!!!!