But what does it really mean to you?

It's been a slow week and I can't say that I have a whole lot to blog about with respect to triathlon. It was a recovery week and Monday I will start my peak training before the taper begins.
Let me take this time then to wax philosophical about what this whole thing called triathlon means to me. On the surface it seems like a bunch on nonsense and an obnoxious, obsessive habit. And I'm sure to some people that is exactly what it is. But for me it really is much more. It's a source of stress relief, an identity, a motivator. It's a way for me to step away from the daily grind and obligations for complete and total me time.
I get ribbed a lot for being so meticulous about recording my times, heart rates, and paces or for rearranging a whole week's schedule to accommodate lap swim hours at the pool. And I laugh about it because why shouldn't I? I know I'm obsessive. I know it's all way over the top. The thing is, I don't care. The feeling I get when finishing a race or a hard work out or simply by identifying myself as a triathlete to someone I've just met are irreplaceable. Cheesy? Well, of course it is. Over the top? Perhaps. Do I want it to change? Hell no!
I think about the people that do tease me or don't understand why I spend the little spare time I have on the road or in the pool and all I want for them is to find something in their lives that can bring them as much joy and inner peace as triathlon brings to me. I don't care what it is (aside from obvious horrible choices like prostitution or running a meth lab), but if everyone had that one thing to escape into I cannot help but think that we'd all be a little better off.
Making it happen...
Bree

Hungry?

Saw this fella (lady?) gorging this morning. I feel like this after my long runs sometimes, only I much prefer to engulf ice cream.
It's beautiful here today. The sun is shining and I believe we broke another temperature record. It's such a stark contrast to just a few weeks ago. I don't think anyone has expected this turn around in the weather pattern. I will certainly take what I can get though.
I'm enjoying my recovery week. It's amazing how much my perspective has changed since beginning this triathlon/endurance training journey about 4 years ago. Yesterday, my schedule called for a 30 minute run. Four years ago that would have been my long run and now I think it's hardly worth lacing up for. Got to love the miracle that is adaptation.
Making it happen...
Bree

Harumph

On Saturday, it was 72 degrees. Mild by many folks' standards, but damn right sweltering here. In fact, we broke a record for that date. So, I was pumped on Saturday as I thought ahead to my long brick on Sunday. It was going to be sunny and warm and great training for the weather conditions I will likely face in Fairbanks next month. I should have known things were not going to go well as soon as I woke up and saw fog and drizzle. Crap.
I ditched the shorts and short sleeve jersey I had laid out and upgraded to the longer, warmer version of both and dug out my gloves. Harumph. I was already grumpy.
I have been experimenting with nutrition during these long bricks. This week was a 3 hour bike and a 1 hour run. I mixed a Perpetum paste to last me on the bike and poured it into two gel flasks. I filled a third gel flask with two servings of gel for the run. I filled my two rear mounted bottles with water and clif electrolyte. Hurumph.
And then I was off. It was cold and wet and I was irritated. My feet were numb and there was a head wind no matter which direction I went. Hurumph.
At the start on hour 3, I reached for my second flask of Perpetum and it fell out of my hand into the road. Double harumph. I turned around to get it and just as I was getting ready to cross the road to pick it up...SMASH! My poor little gel flask (which was brand new, by the way) met its fate by means of 4 wheel drive. Hmmm....how desperate would I look if I start lapping up nutrition from asphalt? Triathletes are known to be a little obessive compulsive, right? OK, I'll let it go, I won't be happy about it. Poor little gel flask. Never had a chance to shine. And not sure now if Perpetum is the way to go since I didn't get to execute my full nutrition plan. (Hee, hee. Execute my nutrition plan. What a freak! Who says stuff like that?)
After returning home, I took my time in "transition" because I was soaking wet and freezing. I changed into dry pants and socks and went out for the run. Ten minutes in, my iPod died and I was sans "ear company" for the next 6 miles. Harumph, harumph, harumph.
To make matters worse, I just felt flat all day. It was not a great brick and I was completely exhausted that night and this morning. Thank goodness I am now on a recovery week. I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised that I'm feeling a little worn out. Though volume wasn't at a peak during this cycle, intensity definitely was and my bricks were the longest of the plan.
I know that I am grumbling about the brick, but it wasn't really that bad and I'm still just grateful to be out there day after day.
Another thing I'm thankful for...my BRAND NEW BIKE WORKSTAND! Wahoo! Thanks to my hubby for that one. He surprised me with it after being out of town all last week. It seems that Mark had time to buy me a little happy in between rubbing elbows with the Gov and accepted praise and accolades for his marketing genius.
So, blog entry recap:
Saturday-Sunny and warm
Sunday - Rainy and cold
Brick- Crappy
Gel flask - Smashed beyond recognition
Attitude - Superficially grumpy, but quite content in reality
Husband - a freakin' super star

Making it happen....
Bree

Team Solstix

Check this out!

That is my husband (blue shirt) with his business partner accepting an award for achievement in marketing. And, by the way, the woman in the picture is the governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin. Big time baby! The award was given by Global Food Collaborative and it is in recognition of Kodiak Solstix. WHAT?! You have not heard of Kodiak Solstix? How can that be? A Solstix is basically a "slim jim" made out of salmon. We make them in two flavors: spicy pepper and teriyaki. They are a great source of lean protein and omega-3's. Obviously I am bias, but they really are perfect nutrition for athletes. I eat at least 2 a day, sometimes more.
Needless to say, I am bursting with pride. Starting a business is a tremendous amount of work and to see it finally starting to pay off is incredibly gratifying.
Making it happen...
Bree: Fueled by Solstix
UPDATE:
You can buy Kodiak Solstix at www.kodiaksolstix.com or www.wildrivergrilling.com

How I know it's summer...

The season doesn't officially start for me until I can get out on the water and play around with a few old friends. This here is whale #083 and I encountered her on my first field day of the summer feeding season this afternoon. The weather has finally given me reason to smile; blue skies and calm seas. It's still only 50 degrees, but we take what we can get around here.
I've gotten over the Bree Pity Party that resulted from my failure to win the Trek contest. Not that it wouldn't have been nice, but let's not dwell on what might have been. Instead I shall refocus my energy on the Sourdough Half Iron I will be doing in one month from tomorrow! I'm starting to get a bit nervous about the event itself, but am feeling good in my training. My long brick last weekend was a killer and I was a bit worried until I woke up feeling relatively good the next day. One thing I need to spend a bit of time on is race day nutrition. Any tips? I'm thinking on using Hammer Perpetum and sticking to gels on the run. I would love to hear what has worked for y'all in the past.
Just got some brilliant news on the Kodiak Solstix front, but I will need to dedicate some more time to updating with respect to that. Oooooo, that's like a little teaser, isn't it? Stay tuned!
Making it happen,
Bree: who's happy to be on the water again

The "Selection" Process

I'm really trying my hardest not to be disappointed. You see, I had applied for the Trek "Women Who Ride" contest. Yesterday they sent out an email saying that today would be the day that the winners of the contest would receive the news. I did not receive a phone call. I'm bummed and realize it's silly for me to be so. Over 2,000 women applied and I knew going in it was a long shot. But isn't there always a part of you that holds out hope until there is nothing to hold on to anymore? It's 5:30 here, which means it's far later in the day in Trek Land and winners have been notified.
I would have been nice to win, but really it's pretty selfish of me to feel down about it. There are probably hordes of others who are far more deserving than I and I need to just buck up and get over myself.
The good news is, the sun is out and things sound sort of promising for a decent weekend. This excites me even more than usual because I only have a few more long bricks to get in before I start my taper. An interesting brick is scheduled for Sunday...4 hours total with 2 on the bike and 2 on the run. Coach Lisa wants to make a final push to improve my run, so this is what we are doing. So far my June workouts have been much more intense, but less volume which is exactly how it should be at this point.
So, what's on tap for everyone else? Anyone racing? If so, good luck. If not, happy training.
Making it happen...
Bree

A 45 second distraction

A very short video of my cat and pup. It's only 45 seconds and will hopefully give you a chuckle. Enjoy!

It's cold, but at least my sister is famous

My sister is a movie star! A movie she filmed was shown at the Seattle True Independent Film Festival on Sunday. The movie is called Ben's Plan and is actually quite good. It nearly killed me to not be there for the screening, but she knew I was there in spirit. I guess the whole thing was quite an event, complete with a question and answering period with the stars and director. I hope she really enjoyed being in the spotlight! I'm so proud of her.

I'm really trying hard not to bitch about the weather, but it isn't easy.

... Daily record low temperature tied...
the low temperature on the 3rd was 33 degrees. This
tied the current daily record low set in 1973.

We did get a brief reprieve from the rain on Saturday, but it's back in full swing this morning. The good news is I was able to get in my long workouts despite the weather. A long run of 9.5 miles on Saturday and 50 mile bike yesterday. I've entered my last training cycle before my first half IM in July. I can't believe how fast time is flying by.

I've posted this picture to remind us all that size and talent don't always matter as long as you've got the right attitude!


Making it happen,
Bree