Jen's Training Log / June 30

There was a lot to fit in today, but doggone it, I got that workout in! I did a 30-minute run tonight while Jay, Christian and Bergen biked along beside (and most-often in front of) me. It felt good.

Yesterday was a day off, and tomorrow is a swim day. I know there's a possibility of Foster Arends after the Tri Chicas get-together at Binkies, but I think I better hit the pool during the day just in case...

Looking forward to tomorrow's "meeting!" -- Jen

Russ and Sarah Married! Christian turns 10!

The last few days have been crazy. Our friends Russ and Sarah got married - didn't rain as predicted. The wedding was fun - the food was good - the company was great. The boys were well behaved.

Tuesday (today), Christian turned 10 years old! 10 years, four hours and 4 minutes ago I cut the cord and Jen and I had a lil' squirt in our lives.

Christian got cranberries, saltines, noodles with white sauce and Pepsi for dinner (all the things he likes). He also was taken to his favorite lunch spot, the HuHot, for lunch.

Later
Jay

Jen's Training Log / June 28

I'm just back from doing 12 miles on the Douglas Trail with Lisa. It was a pretty ride and not too tough -- unless you count the "hills" up to the overpasses.

Even more exciting was going down to the Rochesterfest Tri this morning. I watched wave after wave of swimmers jump into Foster Arends and swim their hearts out before embarking on the bike portion. What a rush! It was reassuring, too, to see hundreds of triathletes of all ages, all sizes participating. I almost cried while watching children hug their moms and say, "Good luck!" Such power!

I'm so excited to be one of those women in August!! :), Jen

Jen's Training Log / June 27

I did it! I did all three sports today! And, man, do I feel GREAT! (Sweaty, exhausted, ravenous, but great!)

Step 1: Rode my bike 8.2 km (5 miles) to the gym

Step 2: Ran 2.5 miles on the treadmill

Step 3: Swam 10 laps (equiv. of quarter mile + 2 restful back stroke laps)

Step 4: Rode my bike 7 km (4.3 miles) home from the gym via a different and apparently shorter route.

WHEW!! Tomorrow, Lisa and I are doing 12 miles at Douglas Trail. Anyone care to join us?

Camp Invention

Christian and Bergen finished Camp Invention today. Both Jen and I were able to make the closing program. I bet both boys will want to go again next year.

Jay

Jen's Training Log / June 26

Man, this weather is not making it easy to be self-motivated! This morning I did a 6-mile bike ride. Tomorrow, I'm going to get up EARLY and do something multi-sport. Maybe including a swim. If I can buck up and handle Foster Arends.

Jen's Training Log / June 25

My day "off" -- did a two-mile run while Jay rode his bike along to keep me company, and went to the pool with the kids. Didn't do any laps, but playing in the water WIPED ME OUT so that it felt like a work-out!

Tomorrow, I hope to get up early enough before Jay goes to work to get a bike in. We'll see... :), Jen

Bergen goes castless

I think a day at the pool is planned now that Bergen finally had his cast taken off. They will pull the rod out of his arm sometime this winter.

Jay

Jen's Training Log / June 24

Well, today was one of those training days that just feels... inept. I swam, as planned, but I did it in the outdoor pool at the gym while Christian played. I swam for 30 minutes... but you must factor in the times I stopped to fix goggle straps, find torpedo toys and dodge other swimmers. It was a less-than-stellar session. Next time.

How are my fellow tri-ers doing?! -- Jen

Camp Woodtick

We finally opened the cabin and fun was had by all. PICs say it all from hotdogs over the open fire to cousins playing cowboy and Native Americans.

One of the blurry photos is a small porcupine that walked trough the yard and hid under Grandma Wanda's truck from the rain.

Even though I lost and repaired two belts on the lawn mower and it poured rain for a few days - I miss the cabin the moment I left the driveway.

Jay

Jen's Training Log / June 23

What'd I tell you? I was going to get serious! So here's what I did tonight: 8.5-mile bike ride (including a jaunt up the "Century hill" on 37th Street) followed by a 1-mile run. The run was just to see how it felt to run after biking. The verdict: It feels weird, like running on stumps. I was warned about this and figure it can only get easier.

Tomorrow, I'll have to hit the pool. Woohoo!! It will be such a nice break from our hot weather! :), Jen

Jen's Training Log / For reals

Okay people. I have been going about this thing way too casually. The triathlon, on August 2, is dangerously close and it's time for me to get serious. (Actually, I think the time to get serious was several months back, but...)

While Christian, Bergen and I were on vacation with my parents last week, I did practice some technique at a campground pool, do 3.5 miles on a treadmill in a hotel fitness center, and buy new running shoes at a mall in Dickinson, ND. Tonight, Christian and I did 6 miles on our bikes.

But these steps are going to seem woefully inept when I'm faced with the quarter-mile swim, 13-mile bike and 4.4-mile run BACK TO BACK that I'm to do in August.

So. Tomorrow. Hitting it hard. I'll keep you updated. Smooches!! -- Jen

New tree

Blurry photos of our new backyard tree. It was delivered (and buried) while we were at the cabin this weekend.

Jay

Last day of school '09

Both boys had the last day of school outside at local parks yesterday. Both Jen and I joined them for lunch.

Jay

Christian Delights!

Christian and I are thinking of entering another BBQ competition this August. This time with a serious entry in the ANYTHING SEAFOOD category. We came up with a bacon wrapped clam meat number that actually tastes really good. We made a batch tonight in the garage as the weather turned foul. My friend Stewie came over to BBQ some burgers before he headed over to the movies. Good times. Only thing missing was my friend Will and a dead battery (somewhat of an inside joke there).

Christian and I will keep you posted as we refine CHRISTIAN DELIGHTS - actually we don't have a name yet. I made CHRISTIAN DELIGHTS up on the fly.

Later
Jay

Pimped out ride!

Finally got a new hitch put on the CR-V. I had the boat and trailer weighed at a public scale - to be sure I was within towing limits. According to the Honda manual... I can still add 1,120 pounds of leeches.

- Jay

Jen's Training Log / June 6

Yeah, I know, it's not June 6 -- but seeing as I'm sick in bed, I'm reliving yesterday's work-out. :)

I ran my first trail-run 5K yesterday. The brilliant race organizers provided baseball caps instead of T-shirts, which was perfect for the rainy day. I really liked running through Chester Woods park (as opposed to running on pavement); the scenery was fantastic.

Also, I'm excited that my last two swims went really well. I was able to swim 1/4 mile on both w/o stopping. I've been following those 1/4-mile swims immediately with another 1/4 mile of leisurely, stop-at-will swims. Feels good.

Things are looking up on the biking front, too. Yesterday, Christian and Jay both got new bikes. So now I have even more people to coerce into training jaunts with me!

Training -- and life -- is good. :), Jen

BK first grade CD

Bergen was given a nice little CD from Mrs. Hansen, his first grade teacher. It contained a PDF slideshow of all the kids in his class. The PICs above are Bergen's images taken directly from that PDF. Stay tuned as the end of the school year will surely bring lots more photos.

Jay

CAST #3 FOR BERGEN

Today's checkup went well. All bones are in place. The next checkup would be in 3 weeks. It is to the point now that we are making new friends in the "cast room." Bergen was brave and got a frozen treat from the cast room fridge. As you can see he went from black with yellow stars to blaze orange with a barber style blue stripe.

Both kids are getting a cold. This cast will come off in three weeks. The titanium rod will come out sometime this winter.

Jay