Summer, Triathlon and Football!!!

Well Summer has come and gone. I look back and think what did I do this summer? Well a large part of the summer was spent training for my first triathlon. I had so much fun doing the Never Quit Challenge, I decided to conquer my fear of bikes and start training. I joined a gym and started doing spinning classes. I love them!! As time got closer to the Tri, I started getting out on my 1980 bike I bought last summer and it was so difficult to ride. I decided to go out and buy a new bike. NO, I haven't invested big bucks into a road bike yet. I wanted to see if this was something I really wanted to do. I bought a hybrid bike,
which is a road bike and mountain bike combined. I love riding it, it is definitely much easier to ride than my 1980 bike!! I decided to name my new bike, Hullabaloo, since it is maroon. Hopefully, Hullabaloo will treat me well!!!

After a

fun June and July, which by the way I dont know where they went or really what I did during them. Ryan came to visit for a week in June and then a few days in July since the NFL had the lockout ( which I will get to later). It was so great to have him here for those weeks. We had a great time on fourth of July with some great friends. I took Ryan to see Fireworks and the Falls lit up at night on July 3rd. We had a blast. Also, in July i went

recruiting in Cleveland and went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!

Well now here we are in August. The first weekend in August I went to Pittsburgh for a swim meet to recruit and also watch some of my current swimmers race. It was a great experience because I got to see alot of fast swimming including one of the girls making her First Olympic Trial Cut. It is so awesome to have that experience as a swimmer and a coach. In Pittsburgh, I discovered a new yogurt place I think every city needs. It is one where you serve the flavor of yogurt you want and then put on your own toppings and the charge you by the amount it weighs. Trying to be healthy, I had mango yogurt with blueberries, strawberries, mangos and kiwi! Yes, I had this on more than one occasion since it was right down the str

eet from the pool and on my way to my hotel. I think I worked it off in the walking the mile to and from the pool every day with THE HILL!!! I also had Permanti Brothers in Pittsburgh, ( a place featured on Man vs Food). That show definitely grosses me out but since i was there I had to try the sandwich with coleslaw and french fries on it. It was alright. I cant say that I would eat that again.

Now onto the second weekend in August. Boy! the week leading up to my first Tri, I was so nervous. I don't think i have ever been that ner

vous even with the many years of swimming. But there I was on Grand Island last Saturday morning ready to plunge into the water. Mom came up to cheer me on and spend the weekend with me. Well the swim went really fast, I was like really that is it! Then a

fter hopping out of the water, you ran up a hill and into the transition area. I quickly( or so I thought ) changed into my biker shorts, shoes and top and hopped on my bike. After looking at my transition time, i was not so quick, oh Well something to work on for next time! The bike was the most frustrating part. I was pedaling as hard I possibly could and getting passed by all these people , QUITE Frustrating!! But I made it through the 11 miles on the bike and transition to my run! i actually enjoyed the run! I was scared bc I am so used to running with my ipod and couldn't do that on this one. But I was GREAT! Well I finished the whole thing in an 1 hour and 17 min. Definitely setting some new goals for my NEXT ONE! and yes everyone was right, I think i am a

ddicted!!! It was great having people I knew there as well and of course my number cheerleader with me that day as well! Well Next up is the DIRTY GIRL MUD RUN!! Mom is flying up here in a few weeks and we are going to share some quality Mother Daughter time in the mud! 5 K race with 11 obstacles. I cant wait to show pics! Then Maybe the Jax Half Marathon on Thanksgiving. Sometimes I think I have lost my mind. It defintiely keeps me motivated because I have lost 27lbs since April!!!

One last note: I am so excited Football is back!! Hence the Background! I don't know what I would have done without being able to see my Jags!! I know Ryan enjoyed the time off because now he is putting in about 12-18 hours a day! But I say at least you have a job!!!

Cant Wait to see watch my Aggies as well!! Ranked 8th!

School starts next week and I am excited to have 17 new faces on our team!! Plus New Coaches to our Staff! ( I will miss our old coaches terribly as they made it a GREAT first year in Buffalo!)

Here we go! Let's GO BULLS, AGGIES and JAGS!!!