June is always a transition month. The boys are ending yet another year of school and I’m beginning my racing season. As you may imagine, things become a bit hectic as everyone transitions from one routine to another. As in triathlon transition (moving from one discipline to the next i.e. the swim to bike and then bike to run) there is anxiety, some confusion and then ultimately, acceptance and happiness, as we flow into a new normal for the summer. Here’s to surviving the transition and trying to make both the beginnings and endings as smooth as possible.
“T” is for transition…and also my taper week last week.
WEEK OF MAY 29, 2017
RUNNING
This past week was a taper week, meaning I did about half to a third of the training I normally do in preparation for my race this past Saturday. Tapering also means I go a little nutty with nerves and anxiety since I’m not sweating it all out. I managed to hold myself together and did a few short runs with pick-ups which just left me wanting to run longer. Of course I would get my chance in the 10K portion of the triathlon…
Tuesday – run off the bike | 20 minutes | 2.50 miles
Thursday – 20 min shake out run with 4 x 30 second pick-ups | 2.29 miles
CYCLING
Of the two rides I had last week I was only able to do one outside. We have had a ton of rain lately but luckily it held off for the race on Saturday, which was all I really cared about!
Tuesday – 30 minute easy ride with spin ups | 10.3 miles
Wednesday – 30 minutes race prep | 6.34 miles on the trainer
I also snuck in some IronStrength training since I’m dedicated to keeping it up. Meanwhile Star is dedicated to making me insane whenever I attempt to get on the floor or do burpees. She goes nuts when I do the workout and I either have to distract her with a bone or toy (or have the boys distract her) or put her outside.
Strength training with a dog usually ends up with a butt in your face.
SWIMMING
If you read the blog last week then you already know I did my first open water swim of the season in 60 degree air and water. It honestly was not that bad and made me feel 100% more confident about jumping in on race day.
I also saw this guy trying to make his way back into the lake across the street from where I live. I really did not need to see him…and his claws. I wanted so badly to put him in my truck and take him to another lake! I hope he made it across the street…kind of.
Hey big fella. Please don’t eat me when I swim in your lake. Thank you.
Tuesday – open water swim
Friday – warm-up then 5 x 50 at race pace, cool down | 1,250 yards
FUEL
A new breakfast and lunch place has opened in our town and this is big news people. There is literally no other place like it and the food is amazing and healthy. Luann’s started as a stall in the local farmer’s market and was so popular, they opened a whole restaurant in town.
My favorite salad by far is the Cherries Jubilee. My husband loves the cookies (did I mention it’s also a bakery?) and I have to avert my eyes from the rows of cake pops, brownies and cookies, freshly made and in your face daily.
Feast your eyes.
THINGS I LOVE
Seeing my boys running track!
I was one proud mama when Vaughn decided to just jump into the mile race. He did so well and paced himself perfectly, as I ran back and forth across the infield so I could encourage him every 200 meters or so. Miles stays with the shorter distances for now and flew down the track for the 100, coming in third in his heat. And Vaughn came in next to last I think but he couldn’t have cared less.
Let’s just say Miles had some regrets about not doing the mile, hence the different body language and expressions in this picture. I’ll let you guess who is who.
Needless to say, when I posted this picture to Instagram, my shirt received most of the attention. My husband thought it would be hilarious to get it for me when he recently visited a popular BBQ restaurant (Midwood Smokehouse) in North Carolina. My first reaction was “there is no universe in which I am wearing that shirt.” And then, two days later, I wore it to a children’s track meet.
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH
My husband’s luck. It’s seriously ridiculous and most of the time I do not benefit from it.
When six of us traveled to Spain for my duathlon race everyone’s luggage was missing when we arrived…except his.
The exact same thing happened when the two of us went to Omaha for nationals last summer.
Mailboxes pop up out of nowhere when he needs them, reservations magically open and parking spots nearly pull his car in when they sense his approach in an otherwise packed lot. It’s truly ridiculous. So, it should have come as no surprise when, a few weeks back, he won $1,000 with almost no effort.
This sums up how he feels about “luck” too.
How did he win this large sum of money you ask? Oh simple. He placed a bet on the horse Cloud Computing three minutes before the Peakness started. Yep. No prior analysis of stats, no prior knowledge of any kind on horse racing, he just turned on the tv, saw the name and placed an online bet. Five minutes later, he won $1,000.00
My aunt likes to say “God wakes up in the morning and asks ‘what can I do for Mike?'” #truth
VIDEO
Since I didn’t have time to read very much this past week, I give you the gift of video. I saw this advertised in Bicycling.com (yes, I read bicycling.com) and could not stop laughing at what they called a “Pro Cycling Mockumentary!” It’s being produced by HBO and has a ton of celebrity appearances including Orlando Bloom, Mike Tyson and Kevin Bacon. Oh and wait for Lance at the end, it’s worth it.
TRIATHLON RACE SPOLIER ALERT
I have mixed feelings about my first triathlon race of the season which took place this past Saturday. I’ll just give you the best part for now and save all the juicy details for later this week.
Unbeknownst to me, my husband was preparing my kids near the finish line to run with me down the finisher’s chute. As I rounded the final turn, I barely heard my husband say “there she is – GO!” and the next thing I knew, my boys were running with me toward the finish. It was absolutely the best finish of any race I have ever had!
I will write a full race recap for Wednesday so stay tuned…
[Tweet “The Rundown is transitioning in the month of #June with the first #race of the season and last day of #school. #train4life”]
How was your week?
Do you have any beginnings or endings coming up?
Ha your husband and mine seem like they share the same wave of luck. It was a transition week for me if that counts. I’m getting back into running so everything is rusty and weird. LOL
So much good stuff in here (per usual). Although running across the finish line with your boys is the very best. LOve it to pieces!
OMG I LOVE that your kids ran down the finishers chute with you!! What a great way to finish a race. And the track meet! It’s so amazing to see the kids start to come into their own as little athletes. And can I have a bit of Mike’s luck?! Congrats on your first race of the season. Can’t wait to read about it.
Hey, I would just be happy that SOMEONE in the household had luck. And he can use that $1k to buy you guys some new clothes when your suitcases are misplaced next time, lol. My heart was so full when I saw the picture of you running with your boys (with their ears covered because of the music) across that finish line. It reminded me of the last half marathon that my mom did (she’s a walker, and I paced her the whole way) where we finished together. There is just such joy in a shared finish line.
There is SUCH joy in a shared finish! I love the way you captured that and rarely do I get to share my finish. xoxo
See what your hubby did there with winning the money randomly is what dreams are made of. If you can tell him to text me Powerball numbers I’d be forever grateful!! I love that the boys ran with you! My eldest keeps begging me and I need to finally sign him up! Looking forward to the recap!!
Seriously, did your husband read my post about being married to a non-runner? Sounds like he rose to the occasion in a big way! It really is the little things, isn’t it? What a nice happy ending!
I cannot wait for that HBO special–that snarky humor is right up my alley. Who me?
OMG I know! Truth be told, my dad and stepmom first offered to take the boys so my husband was either going to be alone with the dog or he could join in. BUT the idea to have the boys run to the finish with me was all his and I love him for it. He’s learning Wendy 🙂
Awwww I love how your kids ran with you through the finisher’s chute!! Congrats on your first race of the season. That salad looks delicious!!
Love the picture of you and the boys at your tri….. I start Chicago marathon training this week and have to ask myself why did I sign up for a race where all my long runs will be in August/Sept heat of LA…. All 3 of my kids are officially on summer break now….sigh….
OMG I was equal parts frightened and laughing when I saw your Insta story about nearly drowning!!! OMG woman – be careful out there!!! And yes, the sucky part of triathlon is training and racing in the heat of the summer. #whine
AWWWWW!!! I LOVE THAT PHOTO OF THE FINISH! And I feel bad that I gave your shirt all that attention and ignored the boys. They did great at their first track meet! Isn’t it cool to watch our kids run like that? It’s awesome. My boys played rugby and soccer and I LOVED watching their games. I get to do it all over again now with the two little boys! Except I’ll probably be watching from my wheelchair on a daypass from the Old Folks Home.
LOL – no worries and I somehow doubt you will EVER be in a wheelchair. You will be on the sidelines, running up and down while swigging a beer and eating a cinnamon bun from Tim Horton’s 🙂
Oh my stars what an amazing finish!!! That’s so incredibly sweet I’m almost getting weepy. I also love that the boys are into running. I’m kinda looking forward to Lulus physical activities. I’m like dorky excited to see her discover fun physical activities. She’s so active I love it.
Lulu is starting a new daycare tomorrow. Two full days a week and our beloved nanny will cover the other days. We are so lucky to have an amazing nanny and this little school is one I’ve been waiting for. It’s small and sweet and I’m anxiously excited. I know Lulu will love it. She loves changing atmospheres and people. Her little church teacher told us she’s a little bossy and that’s just fine by me. She’s an ALPHA baby. She’s confident. I ain’t upset about that at all.
I’m hoping my ending is in the form of getting over this stupid cold. Babies and their germs. Bless.
My husband is ridiculously lucky as well. I will spare you the annoying details but yeah I get it. Ugh. Lol
It was amazing. Your adventures have only just begun! I hope she enjoyed her new school!!
That photo of you and the boys needs to be framed immediately – how sweet! We are in transition here too – the college kid has been home for two weeks, and the high school kid finishes next week. I didn’t realize how used to the quiet I had become!
What is this quiet you speak of?
And yes, that photo needs to be framed for sure!
AHHHHH….I love that your husband was planning for the boys to finish with you!!! Super sweet and the picture is awesome!!
How is Mike THAT lucky?! I thought the name of the horse was a typo or a joke. Lord. You should rub his belly for good luck or something.
I want that shirt. If he goes back, I wear a medium. 😉
I have no clue and it’s truly annoying. He owns a technology communication business which is why he took the name as a sign. He was correct. And we need to get you that shirt!!
Always love reading your posts 🙂 Totally jealous that Ellington has a track program for kids, is it through the school or the Rec Dept.? Would love some info to try and get it started here in Tolland!
I emailed you all the info! Let me know if you didn’t get it 🙂
Re: Your Husbands luck! Lets start a support group. Maybe there is something to be said about “winging it” more often and not putting pressure on yourself to constantly tackle the never-ending to do list and scheduling and just letting things “flow”. It will all work out, right? :).
OMG, I am loving everything about this one. Of course I love the lard tshirt, but I love that the boys are doing track! Ryan can not pace himself to save his life. He is definitely the sprinter and then crashes and burns. Have you been working with him or it’s just a natural gift that he is able to do that? And love that your husband was at the race and let them finish with you!! That would be a dream of mine!! So fun!!!