Welcome to the newly improved VITA Train 4 Life blog! All the content is basically the same, but I have combined my freelance writing site (allieburdick.com) into one gorgeous new package right here. Please take some time to browse and let me know if there are any glaring mistakes or broken links so I can yell at my web designer.
These past two weeks have all been about life after big goals, moving slowly into summer, surviving two nights in a tent and embracing change as best as any die-hard, type-A woman can. Cheers!
RUNNING
There has not been very much running or anything else that involves serious physical activity around here and it’s been amazing. First of all, it took about two weeks for my cold to finally leave me. After the 70.3 my body was pretty pissed at me and showed it in the form of a hacking cough, extreme fatigue and massive congestion. At least I finished the race. #priorities
The running I have been able to do has been easy and short and absolutely lovely. I’m enjoying the lull in between race and relaxation.
And, of course, I keep replaying this moment in my head…
Thursday – 5.88 miles with 3 x .25 hard before swim | 48:44 | 8:15 average pace
Sunday – 7 miles with some hill repeats | 56:47 | 8:11 average pace
Total = 12.88 miles
CYCLING
There is no better time of year to get out and ride! I have been enjoying some shorter, easier, smell the flowers kind of rides and even some with my kids, and it’s been great. I’m dying to check out some routes in Vermont since every time we are there, there seem to be cyclists everywhere! Show me your ways green mountain cyclists!
Wednesday – base build ride | 24.8 miles | 1:34:42
Friday – long ride to pick up my father’s day gift | 30.2 miles | 2:01:13
Total = 54 miles
SWIMMING
Would you believe I’m swimming in the lake for fun? I have no idea how I made this transformation but I’m so happy I did! I’m also enjoying some SUP and kayaking while I’m at it since you don’t have to always be fully submerged to get a great workout.

My dad and brother putting the fin on my dad’s new fishing SUP. My dad is searching YouTube for a tutorial, naturally.
Monday – endurance form after strength | 2,000 yards
Thursday – form + 100s and 25s after run | 2,100 yards
Total = 4,100 yards
CAMPING
I’m adding it as a physical discipline because it absolutely is! My dad and brother love camping and, I love them, so off we went to Vermont for three days of living in the woods like heathens. The campsite was fantastic, complete with a gorgeous lake and shallow river bed which the boys used as their personal lair. My sons and nephew only emerged from said lair to fish and get marshmallows. It was truly a boys heaven and I was just happy to be there.
One of the highlights was Vaughn catching his first fish! He was so excited but wouldn’t go near it! Luckily, his younger cousin is obsessed with fish and fishing and was more than happy to help.
Like anything else, camping can be great if you have the right equipment and right people. Check and check. Oh and hot coffee and a campfire first thing in the (freezing) morning!
THINGS I LOVE
The story of Tim Don, the man with the halo.
Great Britain’s Tim Don is a three-time Olympian and World Champion in Duathlon and Triathlon. This guy is a beast and dominated the triathlon world until, in May 2017, just days before he would race the Ironman World Championship in Kona, he was hit by a car on his bike.
The documentary created about his journey back, and the seemingly medieval torture device he chose to wear for months, culminating in his first ever running of the Boston Marathon this past April is nothing short of astounding. Need some motivation? Watch this two minute trailer then go to YouTube and watch all 28 minutes.
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH
If you’re having a bad day, just be thankful this is not your bathroom. It was mine for the three days of camping and there are things I will never be able to unsee.
READING
Just before my first Half Ironman I was a mental mess. I was mostly confident until I starting coming down with a cold. I immediately flooded my consciousness with nothing but mental positivity and that’s when I came across the story of Jesse Itzler and his detailed (and hilarious) account of living with a Navy Seal for a month.
At the time the book was written (2010), Itzler only refers to his new roomie as “SEAL” which makes passages like this that much funnier:
“I’ve never been the greatest flier (which is ironic since I started a private jet company)…to say the takeoff is bumpy doesn’t capture the experience…it’s a nauseating roller coaster…the plane is being tossed around like a pinball from side to side…in between free falls I glance over at SEAL, he’s still in the same running shorts and t-shirt his ran in this morning and he’s reading Sports Illustrated…I’m not sure SEAL realizes we even took off yet as he casually flips though the pages of his magazine, he is unfazed…20 minutes in the turbulence is so bad I’m convinced we’re going down, beads of sweat are pouring down my forehead and my palms are drenched but SEAL doesn’t flinch, he’s just reading, casually flipping though pages and yawning…finally we are wheels down and I’m ecstatic we are on the ground in one piece…SEAL couldn’t give two shits…he turns to me and says, “Great flight.”
Itzler is one of the wealthiest people on the planet and his wife happens to be the creator and founder of Spanx. Together these two have more money than the Kardashians and SEAL is great at making Itzler comfortable being uncomfortable which is exactly what I needed.
“Enjoy this shit,” SEAL says as he is dressed in shorts, a t-shirt and gloves for a run in 16 degree temps, “If you want it to be 70 and sunny…it’s 70 and sunny. Just run. The elements are in your mind. I don’t ever check the temperature when I run. Who gives a fuck what the temperature on the computer says? The computer isn’t out there running is it?”

Itzler and SEAL after he made Itzler run in a blizzard at his lake home in CT. Source: jesseitzler.com
It’s a quick read, so interesting, inspiring and funny that you can breeze through it on a summer day. A word of caution: SEAL will haunt you. I found myself thinking about him, the man we now know is David Goggins, throughout my Half IM!
RANDOM ITEM OF THE WEEK
Vaughn came home with this last week, a sure sign that school is almost out for the summer:

I will not arm wrestle during math x 50
Obviously he’s not slowing his roll anytime soon. Gold help me.
[Tweet “The Rundown has a fancy new site design, is slowing down after a #goal #race and camping in the woods!”]
A huge shout out to my web designer Tony Pallotta of Up Early Designs who makes the magic happen here and who led me though every step of the technologically laden process of updating VITA. I cannot recommend him highly enough!
Next stop – Colorado! I’m off to Denver with my husband for a short trip. Check out my Instagram this week and see if you recognize anyone in my feed…I have big plans for high altitude training! < – – They mostly involve not vomiting but maybe I’ll surprise myself.
Are you slowing down for summer?
Thoughts on my new site design?
What’s the last best motivational book or video you have seen?
I need to read more about Seal! I love the quote – who gives a fuck what the computer says? The computer isn’t out there running! Lol! Have fun in Colorado!!!
You MUST read it because the book is FILLED with similar quotes. It’s really a hilarious read and so interesting because this guy Jesse and his wife know all these famous people and Jesse’s history is just absurd.
Love the new site! Should I pick Seal for August’s book club selection? I think I must…
So I’m not much of a camper…those latrines certainly reinforce why. Glad you had a fun time! Enjoy Colorado!
100% YES to picking Seal for book club – you will love it!!!
So, I have not gotten your last 2 posts in my email despite being a subscriber… not sure if anyone else is having that problem. The site looks great. I’ve been thinking about doing something like this for myself where I can link any future writing, however sparse it may be, to my old blog…. just need to find the time and I am NOT tech savy… I’d definitely need someone to do it all for me.
Definitely working on the email issue – well, my web guy is 🙂 He actually lives in Colorado so I met him for a run today. It was pretty cool! When you’re ready I would highly recommend him!!
Nice website! Camping?!?!?! That’s why there are Marriott’s.
HAHAHA – I only do it for my kids!! And, I actually enjoyed most of it and would do it again but two nights is my limit!
Looooooove the new site! and love that finish moment with your boys!!! LOL about the camp bathroom, at least you weren’t having to go in the woods for 3 days?? Although maybe that would have been better?
Thanks so much Sandra!
And yes, it was better than the woods and, during the day we were able to use flush toilets so it wasn’t too bad…
Your new site is beautiful!
OMG campground/trailhead latrines are the worst. The images (and smells) are terrifying and haunting. I’ve voluntarily peed in the woods to avoid some really nasty ones. But like you said, camping can be fun with the right equipment, people, and coffee.
Enjoy Colorado!
Totally!!! We did have access to flush toilets during the day but honestly, two nights is my limit with camping!!
Your new design looks fab!! That is all I have to say right now. 🙂 I look forward to continuing to read about your adventures.
Thanks so much!!
1. Please tell Miles and Vaughn I said “Hi!!!”
2. LOVE the new site. Its so fresh and clean. LOVE.
3. The camping looks like so much fun – except the bathroom! ;0
1. I will as soon as I get home from Colorado 🙂
2. Thank you!!
3. It was and yes – LOL!
I am a horrific arm wrestler. I have a ridiculously weak rotator cuff, and well, I’m just weak in general. But I’ve never been good at it.
I actually like camping. It’s something that is rather weird about me–I don’t like being wet, dirty, around bugs and wildlife, etc. And I’m a city person who like her technology. But with camping, for some reason, my brain just accepts it, and I have rather fond memories of the camping excursions I have done!
Also: S’mores and trail mix.
I’m sure you could hold your own in arm wrestling 🙂 And I hear you on the camping. I’m so not a “camper” but somehow I really enjoy most of it – especially when someone is there to help me with everything and the kids are having an amazing time!
The new site looks fantastic!
I have definitely entered slower summer mode… struggling with motivation to blog lately but this always happens, and then it comes back.
I love that you took the boys camping! We’re going with the girls for the first time (for them) this summer. I love the idea of screen-free, all outdoor days… hoping they agree. 🙂
My motivation is totally waning too but then I will get inspired!
I’m excited for you to take the girls on their first camping trip!! OMG you will create so many memories. Have fun!