Lake George Olympic Triathlon...

Over Labor Day, we headed up to Lake George, NY to participate in the Triathlon Festival they have each year.  Mitch and I had both completed a couple sprint distance triathlons in the past, and decided we were going to try an Olympic distance this go-round.  It ended up being really fun, and we're excited about doing another.  I was nervous for the almost-mile-swim, but since I survived it, a half-ironman seems very do-able.  Did I just say that?!  We're both hoping to make that our next big race together! 

 

Lake George just happens to be one of the most pristine bodies of water in the WORLD!  It is fed by natural springs below the surface, so the water is super clean.  It was the perfect temperature for swimming, and super clear.  I kept thinking I was going to see a big huge pike swim underneath me.  I would have freaked out!

We both finished at or below goal time, so we can't complain about that.  We weren't quite sure what to expect, and will definitely push ourselves a bit more next time.  We were so grateful for Mitch's parents and that they were able to join us on our road trip and watch our kids that morning. 

 

These kids stole our swim caps and goggles and used them in the hotel pool.  They were hilarious, and kept us laughing.  The next day we took a tour of the lake and headed home.  It was such a fun, short trip, and we hope we have time to check out more of Lake George in the future!

Timp Half Marathon

 

While I was in Utah in July, I decided to run the Timpanogos Half Marathon.  It was such a great half, so well organized, and absolutely gorgeous.  I had a great run and ended up with a personal record, which I can't complain about.  It was fun running into friends at the finish line and quickly catching up.  I miss doing beautiful runs in Utah, so I was thrilled about being able to squeeze one into my crazy action-packed week.

It doesn't get much prettier than watching the sun rise and hit the top of Mt. Timp and then running down American Fork Canyon with a light drizzle.  Perfect run, perfect day, perfect place.  I'm going to have to make sure and hit this one again next year!

New York Half Marathon...

My sister Sara came in town a week and a half ago with her son Rex.  I was so excited for her to visit, and my kids were in heaven playing with Rex.  She had flown in to run the New York half marathon with me in Queens.  It has been so cold here, and I was praying it would warm up for the race.  Unfortunately, it was still dang cold, so we bundled up as best we could and gave it a go.  It was a great race and so much fun to be with Sara.  It was the first long run I'd done in almost two years, so finishing strong was the goal.  

After the race, we quickly changed our clothes and headed into the city.  Our first stop was the Shake Shack for a nice, big, juicy burger.  It definitely hit the spot.  From there we headed to Levaine Bakery for a Walnut Chocolate Chip cookie and realized then and there that we were bound to eat our way from uptown to downtown.  There is just way too much good stuff to eat in NYC!

We headed to Madison Square park next where we hit up Fish's Eddy (best store) and ABC Home.  We soaked up all the inspiration we could handle and drooled over all the gorgeous furniture and accessories.  

Next was Washington Square in Greenwich Village where we heard the "Crazy Piano Guy" play on his baby grand.  It was one of my favorite city experiences to date.  From there we walked through SoHo to China town where we stopped for a Chinese massage to ease the pain of our throbbing feet and sore legs.  It worked!  After an Italian dinner in Little Italy it was time to head home.  It was a perfect day, and I was so glad we were able to do and see all that we did.

Thanks for the fun day Sara....and thanks for watching all four kids Mitchie - You're the best!

St. George Triathlon...

Ready or not, It was time for the annual ladies triathlon weekend with my friends.  Last year's was my first triathlon and I loved it.  I didn't want to miss out on this year's trip, even though I didn't have much of an opportunity to train, and I'm so glad I went down and did it.  Not only is the whole experience a blast, I got to hang out with some of my favorite people as well.

The swim was 750 meters in Sand Hollow Reservoir, then a 12 mile bike ride, followed by a 3 mile run.  A few of the girls in our group did the Olympic distance, which was everything doubled.  Whew!  I'm hoping I can work up to that for my next one.  The weather was perfect, the water was calm, and I had the best little cheerleader greeting me at the finish line.  

Katie and Christy were nice enough to watch Remmy for me while I did the tri.  She was such a good little babe and just went with the flow of the girls trip.  It was fun to see a lot of people from BHS and Sandy that I hadn't seen in a long time.

The rest of the trip was spent laying by the pool, seeing movies, talking, talking, talking, eating, and staying up way too late talking some more.  I loved it!  Remmy loved the pool and just kicked and coo'd until her toes were raisins.  It was the perfect little getaway.  I hope I can make it out for next year's trip!  Thanks again ladies.

RAGNAR 2011 - SoCal...

SoCal Ragnar 2011 from Matt on Vimeo.

Better Late than Never!

I Finally Tri'd It...

I realize this is a little overkill on the running pictures, but I'm waiting for my mom and sister to email me the rest of our spring break pictures still. HINT! ;)

I have been wanting to do a triathlon for a long time, but for fear of the unknown I couldn't get the guts to sign up for one. Thank goodness my friends Amy and Courtnie talked me into doing the Lake Las Vegas Iron Girl last weekend. It was seriously awesome. We loaded 6 bikes onto Court's little SUV and headed south. It took us forever to get down there. We had already made 3 pit stops by the time we reached Payson. I guess that's what happens when you're traveling with 11 girls!

Mary, Amy and Court

We swam one 1/2 mile, biked 14 miles, and ran 3
It was really fun and I loved it. I'm excited to try another one - this time an Olympic.

Me and Amy Rosevear at the finish line!

The whole group!

Kimi, Amy and Courtnie

So Cal Ragnar 2011...

I'm so glad Jenny Dannels decided to put together a RAGNAR team for SoCal. It was a blast and I loved hanging out with these ladies for two days straight. We seriously laughed so much and had a great time. The run started in Huntington Beach, went inland to Corona and then ran down I-15 to Carlsbad where we followed the ocean until we reached Coronado Island past San Diego. Over 200 miles total. Everyone had difficult legs, and I was so proud of everyone on our team.

Our team name was "I'd Rather Be Shopping" (and at some moments we would have), but to be honest, running was just as fun as a good day at the mall and even more rewarding.

This guy ran the entire thing in these nasty cotton Superman tighty-whities. Don't you love the spectator giving him a nice slap on the booty! "Go Romney!"

South Pas Girls - Jordan and Kate. Jordan filled in for us last minute, thank goodness, and ran a mere 21 miles with a week's notice. Kate, mother of a FOUR month old, also ran 21 miles. Seriously? Who are these women.

I think midnight to 2AM was the most fun - that is until we found out we were at the wrong exchange - but before that we were having a PAR-TAY! We put on our glow sticks, pulled out our iphone stereo, and had our own little dance party in the parking lot. When that got old, we took my fart app around and stuck it in people's car windows or next to the porta-potty vents. You'd think we were 13, but we thought we were hilarious.

Day two started off with only one hour of sleep under my belt, and another dry, hot day. We had fun at the last big exchange (Torrey Pines) running into friends and taking way too many pictures. I think we took twenty jumping pictures alone.

USC Dental Wives: Kate, Me, Sara, Lindsay P., and Jenny

My Newport Mommies Pals: Britney, Me, Karen, Katie, and Nikki

Starting my third and final leg: 9.8 miles down the coast of La Jolla. It was a beautiful run past sea lions, crowded beaches, and gorgeous vistas. Thanks goodness my car kept me hydrated and wet or I just might have melted! I ran over 25 miles total...whew...killer.

Kate, Me, Jade, Jenny and Megan

A few of the husbands came down to help their wives run their last legs. Wyatt helped out Jenny and here Pehrson is running with Kate. It made me miss Mitch big time - and the whole fact that I didn't know where he was at the moment or how to get a hold of him didn't help one bit.

And 35 hours later we were finally finished! I joked with my friend Jordan that we had to be finishing in the bottom thirty, but we actually did pretty good. What a great group of WOMEN I got to run with. Its just too bad you have to split up into two vans; I would have loved to spend the entire time with the whole crew.

Until next time...