Quick Look at Nation's Tri Course

Some completely unexpected donations came in this morning! Mike Cayce, Jessica's dad, blindsided me with a big donation- So, a big Thank You goes to the one and only Mike FRESH (his rap alias)!

My Very first corporate donation came from NovaCopy. Jason Levkulich made that happen and I am so grateful. On a side note, Jason was Nebraska's team photographer during their back-to-back title runs in the mid-90's. No joke! I'm talking exclusive access to one of the most dominant college football teams of all-time. Jason has got some really cool stories for football fans. Visit NovaCopy if you have a business in Nashville.

And Andrea Kamer, our very own AK-47, checked in with a donation this morning as well! Thank you, Kamer!

Now, onto the race. Here's a quick look at the course in D.C.

 The 2010 Nation's Triathlon course is one of the most spectacular and athlete friendly courses in the world winding past monuments, memorials and history through the Nation's Capital. The swim takes place in the scenic and calm Potomac River where you will swim past Arlington Cemetery and under the Memorial Bridge twice. The swim start is next to the transition area and the finish line so family and friends can watch more of your race. The bike route is flat and fast winding past the Potomac River, the White House, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, WWII Memorial, United States Peace Institute, Kennedy Center and over the Memorial Bridge. There is no bike course like it in the world. The run route is a challenging and beautiful single-loop that takes competitors past the Tidal Basin, Jefferson Memorial, National Holocaust Memorial, US Mint, Haines Point and more.

Above: Racers line up, waiting to meet Justin Bieber. Below: Honest Abe watches you swim, mocking you with his knee slapping laughter.

 Below:After the swim, taking on the 24 mile bike

Below: Finishing the Nation's Tri. Washington Monument takes 3rd place.

Thanks for checkin' out my training blog! Speaking of training: Tuesday AM & this AM began with a 5:45 spin class followed by an hour of weights. Wednesday we swam 30 minutes then I did a 3-mile run. Tomorrow I'll probably lift and run. Just want you all to know that I'm working for you! I'll represent my family and friends to the best of my ability on 9/12. Thanks for the donations, keep it up! Click here to visit my fundraising page. Holler!

Slow Ride

Good, hot weekend in Nashville. Caught some rain on Saturday during our ride on the Natchez Trace which kept it about 10 degrees cooler than last week. I initially thought that the bike portion was going to be a strong suit for me. *Wrong*. I am significantly slower than the rest of the training group. In an effort to change this, I'm taking a spin class at 5:45 tomorrow morning followed by weights.

What I lack in skill, I make up for with grit and determination (slow people say stuff like this).

Sunday I ended up running 4.2 miles by myself around East Nashville. Going to move my runs up an hour to avoid the heat next weekend. That way I can make it to church on time. (I've been taking money out of the collection plates to fund this extravaganza)

Here are some awards I need to hand out:

Sugar Mama Award: Tincy Crouse. I told Tincy she almost made me cry with how generous she was with her donation. Tincy hasn't made me cry since our office team building trip to the LaVergne Boxing Gym.  Tincy has worked with Team In Training before when she completed the Music City Marathon last year! She really stepped up for me!

Sprechen sie Deutsch Award: Todd Frakes. Todd wins this one for donating all the way from Germany! Todd is over there spreading democracy and American-style football to the natives.

I can't give out awards to everyone. Those of you who have donated so far helped jump-start the fundraising much quicker than I expected. Thanks You! It really does mean a lot. I'm sure the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society appreciates it as well.

 Click Here To Donate. Let's Attack The Capital on 9/12/10!

Flying Out of the Gate!

6/18/10   
You all have completely blown me away with your generosity. It took just two days to surpass $500. My friends and family are crazy- I love it!

It's going to be HOT this weekend (mid-upper 90's). Saturday morning I meet with my training group, it's about 5 of us, and we'll do 15 miles on the Natchez Trace Parkway. It is absolutely the best place to ride! Here is a quick history of the 444-mile parkway:

 Natchez Trace State Park is named for the famous "Natchez to Nashville" highway, an important wilderness road during the early 18th century. A western spur of The Trace ran through a portion of what is now the park. The park was built as part of President Roosevelt's "New Deal" program. The land was bought from residents who could no longer make a living farming the land because of extensive erosion problems.

 We'll pass over this bridge a couple times

And a lone ranger biking the Trace...





Sunday morning I'll get up and do a 4.2 mile trail run through Percy Warner Park with the East Nasties. What is an East Nasty you ask? Well it's a group of crazy people who ruuuuuun early, often, and whenever they can. They're certainly out of my league, but running with them will help improve my stamina. It's supposed to be 97 on Sunday... perhaps I'll wear a turban.

Visit my Fundraising Page. Let's Attack The Capital!

Shoutout to my very first blog followers: Nichola Spencer & Christy Wilson!!! Thank you, ladies!

It's begun!

Visit My Fundraising Page

Almost a week through training and fundraising just began today. If you see this Meghan Floyd character, give her a pat on the back for being the very first donation!

This morning, training went: 30 minutes in the pool then a 30 minute/3mile run... all before 7:30!

Tomorrow I'll lift weights before work and get a 40 minute bike around Shelby Bottoms Park after work.

It's like this about 6 days a week, but I love it. I'm still far from being able to do the 1.5k/40k/10k.

Here is a photo of the bike I'm using. A 2009 Cannondale Caad9. Not exactly a triathlon bike, but a nice beginner road bike. We'll call her "Petunia."