hello world

Meet the newest addition... Annalise Hall.

weight: 7lb 5.5oz

length: 19.5in

T-24hrs

We're inside 24 hours from "baby A" arriving and we still have a few things to get finished up...

From the Race

Here's a recap from Saturday's race, Buster Britton Sprint Triathlon (400yrd swim, 13mi bike, 3.1mi run).

Swim - 400yards

It went well enough. Minor problem getting started though. I took out from the beach, took my leap into the water to get going, and had to quickly pop back up and start over. My goggles decided to come off, leaving me blind on the swim. After fixing the goggles, I went into cruise mode and felt good. Started making my passes and gaining ground the best I could.

Since we were seeded based on our projected swim finish time, it was easy to determine if I was making ground. When I saw that I was catching #106 out of the water, I knew immediately I had gained 6 places and felt really good. Time: 6:50.

T1

Took my run out of the water, up the stairs, and to my bike getting ready for the ride. Felt really good and tried to get my heart rate settled. Threw on the bike shoes, helmet, sunglasses, and out I went. I really need to work on having the shoes already attached to the bike.

Bike - 13mi

Absolutely hammered that course. Felt great on the bike, and took full advantage. Passed numerous people, put distance on several others and couldn't have gotten too much better. The only issue I had is that somehow my bike chain had come off while my bike was sitting in the transition area. A minor fix at the beginning and I was back in business. Regarding hammering that course, I averaged 18.8mph, where my best Time Trial was barely 18mph and had a time of 41:48.

And how good looking is that bike?

T2

Here's where I had a few issues. Remember that Garmin that I had, that got run over a couple weeks ago? Well I haven't gotten it set back up on the quick release (call me gunshy) yet, so it took some time to get it loose from the bike. I also came in to the rack too fast and overshot my transition spot and had to backtrack just a bit. I still managed to get out in 1:23, so it wasn't too bad.

Run - 3.1mi

It went downhill from here. It was hot. The first and last .75mi were in the sun, along the road, out of the shade. I took off well and felt good. I hit the water stops and started putting water on me to help cool down because it was HOT. Followed the crowd and just tried to keep it together. Everytime I looked down at my watch, I noticed I was losing pace and wasn't meeting the goal I had set, but it was all I had. Hit the turn around, started the downhills, and then the heat really did me in. Stopped a second or two to relieve my stomach contents and then I finally felt better, but not great. Just held it together to get in and definitely didn't put up a great split. Finished in 30:40 (4:40 slower than 5k personal best)

Overall - 1:24:27

Finished 17/37 in the Male 25-29 age group and 124/290 among all males

Time to get ready for the next one!

That's going to hurt

Tour de Suisse 2010 - Stage 4

 

Photo credit: SJacob/PezCycling

Nursery continued

And now for a few more photos...

The quilt was handmade by my Aunt Diane and Grandma Crean...we love it and it matches perfectly!!

nursery teaser

Just a few quick photo from our latest work in the nursery.

Don't worry, more will be coming very soon...

Race Prep Workout

This is race week. I've been a little worried about my upcoming race, mostly because it will be the first triathlon for me for this season. I guess that shouldn't matter, but it does.

Last night was a bit of a race prep workout to see where I am and guage what I could do during the race. I have to say, it brought my spirits up a bit.

Here's why...
Ride. The idea was to mimic the race to the best of my ability. Go hard, but do not max out. Keep the pace up. Get in the red line and hold it.
Distance: 17.02mi, Average Speed: 18mph, Max Speed: 36.9mph
Oak Mtn Race Prep Ride

Run. Transition quickly. Run. Shoot for half the race distance. Don't blow up.
Distance: 1.5mi, Total Time: 13:38, Average Pace: 9:03min/mi
Oak Mtn Race Prep Run

Maybe, with that, I do have a chance...

accident part II

It's been some time, but we've been informed the fate of the Jeep Cherokee wasn't good. Initially, we spoke with the body shop and insurance and learned that the damage was minor and could be repaired farily easily. That was a relief.

Well it was until lat last week.

The body shop came back and informed us that the frame had been bent and the damage was too severe. They could replace it, but then the repair value would exceed the car's worth and insurance wouldn't go with it. Instead, they totalled it out.

So, last week and into the weekend we wound up doing some car shopping. Friday, we came to a decision. With a little help from some friends, they pointed us toward a car dealer here in Birmingham that has decided to really help us out. They had a nice 2005 Honda Pilot sitting on the lot that we decided to look at.

The only dowside, another couple who drove down from Huntsville, Al were doing the same. I guess we got lucky by beating them on the lot and taking it for a test drive. The rule was "first come first serve" but then the pressure was on. Knowing that if we walked away, we could and probably would lose the deal, but then again, the deal was pretty good.

So, we now have a 2005 Honda Pilot to replace the old Cherokee.

accident

Toward the end of May (the 20th to be precise) there was a minor fender bender with one of our vehicles, the Jeep Cherokee. During the accident, the front right section of the bumper took the brunt of the damage.

For whatever reason, there was a series of events that led to everyone on the road slamming on brakes. Unfortunately, she couldn't stop and wound up sliding into the back of another vehicle damaging her car. During this ordeal, the vehicle she hit had a trailer hitch, which did most of the damage. It managed to break loose some brackets, bend up the headlight and grill, and deem the car "immobile" because it even took out the radiator.

Well after a couple of days, the body shop has gotten into the vehicle and has determined that the frame is now bent. And as we all know, with a bent frame, the vehicle is a loss. So, what looks like a simple repair, actually has quite a bit of hidden damage and it puts us back at square one...shopping for yet another vehicle...

Oh, and the vehicle she hit:

Yea, not so much damage.

The insides of a Garmin Forerunner 305

I've read about the possibility several times, but honestly thought I was good. I even read some comments from the manufacturer that there is a possibility of "ejections" and to check routinely. Last night, I thought I had done so. It's possible that it was secure and the road just caused it, or I missed and didn't get it securely fastened. Instead, my Garmin 305 decided to take a "faith jump" from the quick release strap and wound up not doing so well.

I heard it bounce a couple times and thought it would make it, right up until I heard it crunch from the car that ran over it. Apparently, it was no match for the Lincoln Navigator that ran over it.

Now it lays in pieces.

So, think I can call Garmin and tell them that it "fell apart"?

Photo Update

From the Nursery:

There on the left, you'll see a mark on the wall. We'll be hanging a pinkish (coral color) mirror there. Also, the curtains are a little long and still need a hem, but at least they're up.

The crib with all of "baby girl's" goodies. And, after hanging our curtains, we've made the realization that the sponge painted wall, will need to be repainted the same blue as the other walls. It's just too busy with all that's going on.

And the much requested 34week pregnancy photo...

More to come.

TransAmerica

Some may be interested, most not, but I still thought I'd share. I've added a new blog listing to the right called "No Direction Known" and strongly encourage you to scan it and check it out.

The basics: A woman named Noodle is cycling completely on her own along the TransAmerica Cycling Trail from Yorktown, VA to Astoria, OR. Everything she needs is attatched to her little trailer, which she's pulling the whole way.

Pretty impressive.

We've been busy...

There's been some good progress throughout the house in preparation for "baby girl's" arrival. We just haven't really had the opportunity to get pictures up, which we will, soon.

So far we've managed the following:
-Curtains have been made, sewn, and some are hanging. Some need a few touch ups.
-The valences have been cut and we're finishing those up.
-New blinds have been installed in both windows in the nursery (and throughout the house)
-The glider and ottoman have been delivered
-The clothes hung in the closet and organized (There's a whole lot of pink!)
-The garage has been cleaned out, emptied, and mostly organized (now Bethany can park in it)
-A bookcase is currently being built to go under the long window for use as a library
-A mirror is being re-trimmed and getting ready to hang for decorations
-The stroller has been assembled and is ready to go.

We've done pretty good. We really don't have a whole lot left to do, and what is left, really shouldn't take too much work really. We'll just have to see how it all plays out and how much actually gets finished...

Ok. So pictures will follow very soon...

dark and tan

A photo of my feet from Saturday...

And I'll give you a hint, that color line is not from a good dark tan. Instead it's from the dirt that was attached to my legs after an afternoon of yardwork...

At least I got the yardwork done.

Mileage Monday 5.3.2010

Last week was a huge week and I was feeling great. It's weeks like that, that will have me ready to race in August. The only thing though, it was a bit much and I need to move some workouts around to get some recovery time in, or I'll wind up overdoing it and not racing.

Here's how it went:
Monday 26th - extended day off
Tuesday 27th - noon: 45min weight routine, 2.25mi run with 1.5mile for time (12:18). pm: 22mi bike ride
Wednesday 28th - am: 4000yard swim; noon: 3mi run
Thursday 29th - am: 2.6mi bike, 5.15mi run; noon: 45min weights
Friday 30th - am: 4600yrd swim; noon: 36mi bike
Saturday 1st - am: 7.5mi run/walk (4.5mi running)
Sunday 2nd - recovery

I went hard Friday on the bike, then had no energy left and had some very sore hips for the run on Saturday morning. That run was supposed to be at a 9:00-9:45min/mi pace, but it turned into a disaster. I made the pace on the first 4miles, then the hips just wouldn't take it. I started jogging the flats and walking the hills, and again, soon I just turned to walking.

Next week, I have determined that I'll switch my Tuesday night & Thursday night rides so that I'll have a little longer time to recover before the long run on Saturday mornings. It'll just take some moving around and it will all work out pretty well...

For April, I finished with:
Swim: 37900yards
Bike: 147.9mi
Run: 59.17mi

And the 20week training plan starts now. My "A" race this year: Rocket Man Olympic Triathlon - August 29th.

Here we go.