The Unofficial Start Of Summer

People seem to forget the real meaning behind Memorial Day and that includes me. I must admit my weekend did not have anything to do with remembering those that have died in the line of duty. Should I feel guilty about this? I don't know, I'm not sure that I do. Most people seem to have a BBQ or they go to festivals to ring in the unofficial start of summer.

My weekend didn't include any BBQ's or festivals. What it did include was a 3-mile run around Green Lake, a 2100-yard swim, a 40-mile bike ride and a relaxing weekend with my husband. We didn't do very much and we were both very happy to be doing just that. With 4 prior weekends that were booked solid and the next 4 weekends being booked out of our whoha this was a refreshing time for us both.

Welcome to summer folks...I plan on making it the best one yet.

Another Update

Tim and I will be competing in a sprint triathlon on June 3rd in Issaquah. After that race I will have 22 days until the Pacific Crest Triathlon.

How is my training? Here is the latest: On Saturday we had a multi-brick workout which included a 10-mile bike ride, 2.5-mile run, 10-mile bike ride, 2.5-mile run ending with a 8-mile bike ride, whew, it's just as hard typing it as it was doing it. It was a long training but it felt really good. Monday I had my 2-mile time trial and I was 30-secs off of my best time...YEAH! I'm feeling more and more ready for this race.

I'm only $410 short of my $3,000 goal. If you have not made a contribution to Team in Training do so today. If you have THANK YOU!

Family in Town

It's been quite the weekend and now quite the week. Tim's niece was married on Saturday and so a part of the Canadian crew came out to visit. Tom and Jen are staying with us this week. We enjoyed the wedding on Saturday, spent sunday at Gramee, Mom, Donna (it depends on who she is to you) for Mother's Day and last night we went to watch the Black Eyed Peas. They were good, really good. Today we are heading down to Mt. Saint Helens and the rest of the week is packed with ferry rides, tours under the city of Seattle and horseback riding.

During all of this I must keep up with my training. So Sunday I went for a run, with Tim, and the rest of the week will see me in the pool, on my bike and running. I tell you, there is no rest for the weary.

Training Update

Last week started out with a bang. I went for my usual Monday run at Green Lake, we were doing mainly hills. I was feeling good until my right knee buckled under me. I wasn't in any pain so I kept on running. The following morning I went for a run around my neighbourhood, feeling no pain but having an odd feeling in my knee, it was a pretty good run also. On Tuesday night after a late night meeting my knee was killing me, I was in pain. I had difficulty walking down stairs and it was slightly swollen.

On Wednesday I gave it a rest as well as Thursday. Friday I was heading out of town to Orcas Island and although my knee was feeling good, I was beginning to feel a little stick with flu like symptoms. Saturday I worked all day, walking at least 3-miles around Camp Orkila and on Sunday I had all the faith in the world that I could do a work out but my heal was now giving me trouble....oy vey.

Not a great week of training, I'm hoping this will be my only set back until the big day on June 25th.

Orcas Island

If you come to the great NW it is important that you make your way to the San Juan Islands. Lucky me, once a year I have the opportunity to go to Orcas Island, a place I would like to explore with a little more time. However, every year as a part of my job at the YMCA I get to go to Camp Orkila with our Adventure Guides group. It was a fun experience, as usual, but this year they have added a new chanllenge. It's the giant swing and it is fun, fun fun. Check out the pictures of me on the swing with Lydia, one of the kids in the program. The next time I'm going it alone.

Suiting up for the big ride and Lydia and I hanging out

That's My Timmy

I was looking at Calabash Yard today and realized that I hadn't uploaded a picture in a long time. This was one of my favorites from our weekend with the Moriarity kids. Tim took over the playground and as you can see by the smile on his face, he was a happy little boy. That's my Timmy.

Weekend Continued...

As I had said in my previous blog, Sunday was going to be our day to spend with the Moriarity Kids (Quin and Colin). The kids got to our house around 11am, we sent their parents on their way and then it was our turn to have some fun. Nick, Simon, Colin and Haylie had joined us for the majority of the day.

Our first stop was the Sea Aquarium. After 1-hour of kids faces lit up with smiles we were all hungry and so we headed to The Old Spaghetti Factory for lunch. We ended our evening with the kids at the BF Day school park followed by Gas Works where we met Colin and Quin's parents.

Our evening wasn't over. As Tim and I were driving home we were passing Green Lake Pitch and Putt and decided to play a round of golf on the 9-hole, 3-par course, it was a fun way to end our weekend.

Busy Weekend

Saturday morning I went on what was to be a 45-mile bike ride. Well, it turned out to be 52-miles, partially because there were a few turns we made that were wrong. Our ride took us from Marymoor park east on 202 to Fall City north on 203 through Carnation winding our way back to Marymoor via one bitch hill, it was the Snoqualmie Valley experience.

It was a good ride, I felt good and I worked hard to maintain my speed while keeping bikers ahead of me and behind me, mainly because I do not know that area very well. I knew getting lost was inevitable, I just didn't want to do it on my own. I will tell you that it was one of the most beautiful rides I have been on in Seattle. I rode by places I have been to before but I got to see places that I never even knew were in Seattle such as the Nestle Training Center. I wish I had my camera with me.

For the record, Tim went on a 14-mile ride from home.

Later that afternoon it began to rain, missing me on the bike - yeah. Phillip (Tim's nephew) visited us and took us to North Face to go shopping. He works for a store that owns NF and we got to get ourselves a few items at a 50% discount. We couldn't resist. Check out our new tent and backpack. Then we had dinner with our friends Kevin and Michelle.

Today, Sunday, we are taking the Moriarity kids for the day. It's thier Christmas gift. We'll let you know what we decided to do with them. The good news is the sun is shining.

Hump Day

The middle of the week. It can be the greatest feeling in the world OR it can feel as if the week is just dragging along. This Wednesday is a good one. I've just returned from a run that felt really good and I'm about to cook my husband and I some cod. Although cod is some of the cheapest fish you can buy, it is probably one of my favorites. I suspect that it is because cod or salt fish as we know it in Jamaica is a part of our national dish and I ate it a lot growing up.

Monday Tim and I went for a 2500m swim. Tuesday was an off day because we decided to go watch the Everett Silvertips play in the playoffs. Thursday will probably be a run/bike day. I'll let you know what we do on Friday. Saturday I'm going for a 45-mile bike ride. Sunday, well Sunday may just be another rest day...we'll see.

First Game Of The Season

It was a beautiful day in Seattle with temperatures in the 70's. Tim and I finally went to a Mariners Game yesterday and even though they lost it was a perfect day for baseball. When we got home we headed out on a 20-mile bike ride, with a pit stop at the Dey's house.

Training has been going well. Last week I did a run that I was not happy with but having bad days are expected. Tim and I will be doing a sprint triathlon on June 3rd, he's doing it to support his lovely wife and I'm doing it as a practice run before the real thing.

If you have made a contribution to Team in Training, thank you and I look forward to swimming, riding and running this race because of your support. If you haven't made a contribution...do it now!

Happy Easter

I hope everyone had a peaceful and safe Easter. Tim and I went to Olympia on Saturday evening and spent the night at his moms. Sunday we went to church and then headed down to Chehalas to have lunch with the rest of the family at Paul and Maries.

Thank you for the good food and fun time.

Out With The Old, In With The New

I'm in the process of renewing my Jamaican passport and I have to tell you it has been as painful as getting my teeth pulled. This process started about 4-weeks ago and I am still trying to make the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington, DC happy. Seattle does not have very many Jamaicans living here so we have one consulate that is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays ONLY and she's in Kent. Mercy!

Hmm, I wonder if I could become a Jamaican Consul?

Confused

That's what I am. I kept getting my training weeks mixed up. Finally, I think I have figured it out. I am currently in my 11th week of training. My 9th and 10th weeks were consistent and this week I must say that I have stepped it up a notch. Well that's what my butt, back and legs are telling me.

Sunday I did a 1600m swim. Monday was 1-hour running hills. Tuesday I went for a 3-mile run and I played a serious game of floor hockey. Wednesday I will be swimming, Thursday I plan on doing a 17-mile bike ride. Friday I plan on doing a 4-6 mile run and Saturday we have our second multi-brick (run/bike).

Go Team!

How About A Good Cry

On Friday April 7th Tim and I had a wonderful opportunity to tour the Oncology Unit at Children's Hospital. We were taught and reminded of how a child with Leukemia lives day to day. Not to mention their parents and siblings. Rosanne Feder, our tour guide, showed great passion in the work she does with the kids on the unit and it made us have an appreciation for the work that hospital staff and volunteers do everyday. I left realizing that I have a sweet life, I'm healthy and I'm free to be who I want to be and go where I want to go. Become a blood or bone marrow donor today or support Team in Training. These are just the easy ways to help make a difference!


The weekend continued with a few more tears when we went to Tim's brother in laws retirement from the Washington State Patrol. Craig has served 37 years in Washington State and it was Saturday night that showed me a little bit more about the man himself and the work he did on a daily basis. Craig is not a man that likes to have the attention placed on him. However, as we listened to the speakers we learnt how much he is respected, loved and will be missed. They ended the evening with a salute to the longest standing trooper to serve in this state. Congratulations Craig and Good Luck!

Week 9 of 21

I'm not even half way there, I have to admit that I have a far way to go. My runs are still feeling a little sluggish, my bike rides could certainly use a little more power and my swimming, well I just need to get into the pool more than once a week. Even though I am feeling this way, I promise all of you that have made a contribution to this wonderful cause that I will be completing this triathlon.

Today we had three 1-mile repeats, tomorrow I will run about 3 miles, Wednesday I will be doing an hour of boot camp and then swimming for an hour. Thursday I plan on doing a 17-mile bike ride, Friday I will do a 4-6 mile run, Saturday we are doing a 1-hour trail run and Sunday I plan on resting. I will let you know what really happens and how it really turns out.

Thanks for all of your support.

Time Together

Tim and I had a very full yet relaxing weekend. On Friday evening we headed down to Olympia to spend the night at his moms place. Saturday morning Tim went to do the MS Walk with Dan and Paul while Donna and I headed to Erin's wedding shower. By 2:30pm we were heading back to Seattle.

Sunday morning came around and Tim had a hard time getting out of bed. Well, he got out and then went back. By 4:30pm I convinced him to come out with me for a walk at Golden Gardens. We had a lovely evening walking on the beach, having dinner at Madame K's and attempting to get in for a round of bowling. That didn't happen due to a league being played and all of the lanes being used.

All in all it was a wonderful time together.

Go, Go, Go

Saturday morning I had my usual Team in Training workout. This week it was an out and back 35 mile bike ride from Marymoor to Matthews Beach. It felt great! I think I'm finally feeling good on the bike. I'm getting use to using my gears the correct way, I'm feeling much more efficient on the bike.

At the end of practice I rushed home, took a shower and at 1:00pm I kissed Tim goodbye (He worked deligently in the garden all day Saturday). I had to make the 1:30pm ferry to Kingston. I was heading over to Fort Worden which is in Port Townsend. I was meeting up with our Adventure Guides group (work stuff). The best part is that I made it back to Seattle by about 6:30pm, that's right it was a quick trip.

On Sunday morning I felt that my house needed a little attention so I cleaned it. I love a clean house! My reward was brunch at one of our favorite spots- Wild Mountain. We hadn't been there in a while so we spent most of the time catching up with friends, we know the owner and the ladies that work there.

It's Been A Long Week

Monday was a beautiful day in Seattle. It was the first day of spring. I went to Green Lake and did my timed 2 mile run, this is my second time doing it. The good news is that after two weeks of vacation my time was 2 seconds faster. I would've liked to have been at least 30 seconds faster but at least I am consistent.

The rest of my week included a swim and a soar knee taking my running out of the training plan for this week. Haven't had much else going on. Just hanging with the hubby and reading alot. I tell ya, it's been a long week.

My Weekend Workouts

Saturday, March 18th 2006:
I woke up at about 5:30 this morning, I have practice at 9am and I would love to get just a little more sleep. It's not happening, so I jump on my computer and take care of some reunion business.

My Team in Training practice this morning is at Seward Park. I will be doing my first multi-brick training. When I get to Seward it is cold, very cold but I know that my bike/run will soon warm my body. We bike a 5 mile loop, then run what I believe was 1 mile. Everyone was to complete 4 transitions, I only completed two and a half. I was close to stopping at two but, with the help of my coach I did the bike one more time and it felt good to do that. After two weeks of vacation and my lack of training, I was hitting a wall very early on.

Sunday, March 19th 2006:
It's a gorgeous day in Seattle. If you had a chance to be outside, I hope you were. I went to church in the morning then Tim and I decided that we needed to be outside so we went for a bike ride. We headed from home down the Burke Gilman Trail to the UW, about 12 miles round trip. I don't get enough time on my bike and although my legs were certainly feeling it, it was nice to be out there - so this was a nice bonus.

The Jamaica Trip Continues...

On Monday morning Tim and I headed down to Negril. I'd never been to the place we were staying at so we were a little worried. However, Catcha Falling Star ended up being wonderful. Our first evening in Negril we swam in the beautiful Caribbean Sea, had dinner from a roadside diner and drank wine under the stars. We were in heaven.

On our second day we decided to go snorkeling. I must admit that I got a little bored and I drove Tim crazy. After some Ackee and Saltfish for breakfast, we headed into town to look for a game of beach volleyball, we came up empty. Instead we got into a minor fender bender. So, we ate lunch at Cosmos, bought some local art and then headed back to our abode. Tim spent the evening jumping off the cliffs, I read my book. That evening we ate at the Rockhouse then relaxed in our patio hammock listening to a concert at Ricks Cafe (4 doors away).

The next day we lazed around, read and played cards. We were having the time of our lives doing whatever WE wanted to do.

Thursday morning we headed to the south coast to stay one night at Jakes in St. Elizabeth. Although we were not as happy with our room, the place is a great little hide away. Their restaurant Jack Sprat (near to the beach) played some really good music so that's where we would spend most of our time.

Heading back into Kingston, the following day, we stopped at Lovers Leap and we ate lunch at Little Ochi. Our final weekend in Jamaica was spent with the family. We even had an opportunity to take the kids to Dunns River Falls, we did have fun.

So that's our vacation, it was a time we both deserved and we both enjoyed.
Mi cay wait fi go back home.
For more pictures check out Shutterfly.