The Finish Line

On Sunday, June 25th I competed in the Pacific Crest Olympic Distance Triathlon. It didn't go as well as I had hoped but, I did finish and that's what was important.

I woke up on Sunday morning at about 2:45am with a not so pleasant stomach ache. I think it was partially nerves and partially something I ate the night before. I completed the race on an empty stomach, making it a very difficult race to swim, bike and run. I was also dealing with 98-degree temperatures and an elevation of 4200-ft.

The .9-mile swim went fairly well finishing in about 0:29:33. The 28-mile bike ride was beautiful, however it felt more like a leisure ride than a race (I just didn't have it in me to power through those hills). I finished the bike in 1:52:51. And the run, well with my quads cramping and my body lacking nourishment let's just say it was probably the second worst 6-miles I have ever run - the first being the last 6-miles of the Chicago Marathon. I must admit that with 3-miles to go I wouldn't have been able to continue if it wasn't for my wonderful husband. Tim rode a bike and walked beside me to the finish line and it was his encouragement that kept me going. I completed the run in 1:16:53. This gave me an overall time, including my transitions, of 3:46:19.

This race may be over, but I am encouraged to do many more. I think doing triathlons are my new sport of choice. I'll let you know when the next one is.

Thanks again for all of your support. The Leukemia, Lymphoma Society raised over $103,000 with our team - Thank you! I encourage all of you to support Elizabeth.

Let the Races Begin

This is it folks, the moment of truth. Think of me on Sunday morning at 9:00am (pacific daylight time), give me about 4-hours to complete the entire course, I'm shooting for 3.5-hours however finishing will be a bonus. It's a 1.5K Swim, 28mi Bike and 10K Run.

Thanks again for all of your support. Your next update will be on Tuesday.

Soltice Parade

I've lived in Seattle for 3-1/2 years and this was my first time going to the parade. Not so bad since my dear husband has lived here all of his life, except when he moved to Philadelphia, and this was his first time at the parade.

What a fun event and a must see for anyone visiting at this time of the year. It's the beginning of summer and the longest day of the year so why not celebrate with a parade and the annual Dey Soltice party.

Renee's Visit

It's been a fun, filled week with Renee in town. On Monday when she arrived she had the honor to spend her first day watching me put about 25 kids up a climbing wall. Tuesday we headed over to Port Townsend, Wednesday I took her downtown to enjoy Pike Place Market, Thursday Tim and I took her to Mt. St. Helens, our second trip in a month - third trip in a year. On Friday we went back downtown, enjoyed a movie and then went to the Mariners game for some good American fun. On Saturday we spent the entire day in Fremont enjoying the Soltice Parade...lots of naked people to be seen.

She has to go home today and I will miss her. It has been nice having her around.

12 Days to My Big Race

That's right people I have less than two weeks before I swim, bike and run the Olympic distance triathlon in Sunriver, OR. Am I ready, not really but I will be in 12-days...right.

Make final donations at my Team in Training page. Thank you for all of the support you have all given me. I love you and if I don't see you at the finish line, I promise you will hear from me when I get back.

Race Information

Fantastic Website

I have found the best website for runners, bikers and even walkers. It allows runners to map and measure their favorite running routes and then save them to the largest searchable database of running routes in the country. It is done through USA Track and Field.

Anyone that considers themselves a runner will love it. Check it out today.

Sprint Down...Olympic To Go

Tim and I completed the Issaquah Sprint Triathlon on Saturday with our spirits high. We felt we had worked hard and done really well. It was good for me to do this race as a practice run for the big event coming up in Bend, OR. I must admit it seemed to be the perfect distance. To think I will be doing twice the amount in less than 4 weeks.

Tim was thinking about doing the Pacific Crest Tri and he had told me that he would make the decision at the end of the sprint triathlon. His first words to me as he crossed the finish line were, "honey you are on your own". He enjoys racing and competing and I believe he will do another sprint race with me at the end of the summer. It's the 6.2-mile run at the end of an olympic event that doesn't thrill him too much. He loves to swim and bike, running is just not his thing.

Laud it Cold

So I did it, on Wednesday night I went to Luther Burbank on Mercer Island and plunged into Lake Washington. It was my first open water swim wearing my wet suit. It went really well for me. The initial entry took my breath away, literally, then it got much easier. I was alot warmer than I thought I would be and I wasn't as freaked out with not seeing the bottom, as I thought I would be. Hey I'm Jamaican what do you expect.

Our sprint race is tomorrow...wish us luck.