Triathlon Training: Week 2

Wed: 20 min run
Fri: 20 min swim
Sat: Chaires Ride 1 pm with Emma, Marguerite and Neil
Sun: Mini Tri with novice group at Premier 9 am

The Caboose

My friend, Richard, was a big guy. I don't mean in terms of physical size, although to look at him, you'd never guess he ran three marathons within one year.

My friend, Richard, was a big person. Everything about him was big: his smile, his laugh, his appetite, his hugs, his love, his friendship, his heart, his soul. His life.

My friend passed away yesterday at the age of 28. He was doing what he always did--living big and having a good time. That's how I choose to remember him: laughing big and enjoying his friends.

"Just stay in front of me," he'd say to his fellow back-of-the-packers. "Stay in front of me and you'll finish. I'll be the caboose."

Some people dive into life; Richard did a full-on cannonball. He seized every opportunity to make his life richer. He ran marathons despite all apparent physical limitations. He crocheted blankets for new babies in his family. He took 30-mile bike rides, if only to spend time with friends and enjoy the food stops. He just learned to play golf and looked forward to his first game on Saturday, even though it would be in the freezing rain. He touched the hearts of each person he knew, and the world is a better place for having had him in it.

And now I know he's up there, at life's finish line, cheering us all on. He's got his medal already, just waiting for us all to finish, too. And when I get there, and God gives me my finisher's medal, Richard will be there to give me another big hug.

Update: Robin made a great slide show of some of Richard's photos. It can be found here.

You better work

Not to brag, but how awesome is this picture?


Have you ever seen someone working so hard in a race photo? Cammaaan!!






More awesomeness from the Gulf Winds 15K/30K:



I love this picture of Jennifer. Go ahead, girl!

Just so you know

Triathlon training is hard. I went to the pool for the first time in years Tuesday. I managed two laps without stopping--but just barely.

I keep reminding myself, though, that this is the exciting thing about learning a new sport. When I trained for my first marathon, I achieved new goals every week. Five miles, then ten, then twelve, and fifteen...every long run brought a new sense of pride and accomplishment.

That is why I'm training for a triathlon: to achieve a whole new set of goals and prove to myself once again that I can do anything I set my mind to. I can do it!!

If I don't drown first. I know that lifeguard was thinking, "If that jerk goes under and I have to get into that pool in this 40-degree weather..."

River Roots & Ruts Half Marathon

We did it! Our entire team finished the River Roots & Ruts Half Marathon at the Caloosahatchee Regional Park, near Ft. Myers on January 6. Let's celebrate with a photo post...

We begin with dinner at Bianca's "Ristorante Italiano" or, as it turned out, Bianca's "Ristorante That Did Not Honor its Deal With the Race Director." Our $10 special runners' menu was nowhere to be found. My mushroom spaghetti, though, rawked!

Race day: Amy and I speed past photographer Emma, followed closely by Berinice. The course was gorgeous--lots of different types of South Florida terrain. The trail was a challenging mountain bike course which brought some large rises and dips. Very, very tough.

Soon after, Robin, Kay and Mark came along. This is how they want you to think they feel:

This is how they really feel:

Berinice double-fists. That's right.
Don't hate.
Berinice finishes with a smile!
Congrats to Mark on finishing his first half marathon!!
Guess who took 3rd in her age group!
And I even got a poop trophy (thanks, Jodi).
Congrats to Aubrey--another first-timer!

Another great race with a great group of people.
The race experience is always better when it's shared with friends.

Triathlon Training: WEEK 1!!!

It's time to start training for my first triathlon! Training starts Monday and goes as follows:
Mon: 30 min bike
Tues: 15 min swim w/ Emma at Trousdell 5:30 am
Wed: 30 min bike
Thurs: 20 min run
Fri: 20 min run
Sun: 15 min swim/20 min run at Trousdell



my bike <3

Looking for a race?

Now is the time for racing in Tallahassee. If you aren't getting out there, then shame on you! Check out the Gulf Winds Track Club race calendar at www.gulfwinds.org and pick a race. Or if you're like me and Robin, pick two or three or all of them.
You can catch us at:
Gulf Winds 30K/15K
Tallahassee Marathon/Half Marathon
Run for the Cookies 5K
Thomasville Road Baptist Church 10K/5K
Shamrock Scurry 5K
Springtime Tallahassee 10K
Red Hills Triathlon
...or can you?

Commit me!

My name is Erin, and I'm a runner.
Acknowledging the problem is the first step to recovery, isn't it? Then why does my sickness grow worse?
I've committed to leading the 2008 Tallahassee Rock & Roll San Diego Marathon Team in Training team. Does Nike make dryfit straight jackets?
Okay, so let's put that metaphor to rest--Tallahassee is seriously going to have a killer TNT team this spring. Robin is on as coach, and she is pumped and ready to go. I'm team leader, so already the group has class. Join us, won't you?

Tallahassee TNT info meetings:
Thursday, January 17: 6:30 pm at Healthsouth
Friday, January 18: 11:30 am at Premier Health & Fitness
Friday, January 18: 7 pm at Premier Health & Fitness