Monday, June 30, 2008

BSS #1 & #2

No, BSS does not mean bullshizzle stupid, it's the Boulder Stroke and Stride. I finally did one and then one the next week. The BSS is either a 750 or 1500 meter swim and a 5k run. You also have the option of only doing one of the swim distances or only the run or a relay. For the first one I chose to do the swim distance only and of course the shortest distance, 750 meters. It's been a while since I did an "open water" swim (it cracks me up that lake swimming is referred to as open water swimming, I'm used to the ocean as open water swimming). It was a blast. I swallowed a bunch of icky Boulder Rez water, had to tread water several times to clear my goggles, pissed people off around me as I swam breakstroke to look for the buoys and still managed to come out of the water third. I felt like such a wimp not running so I knew I had to suck it up for the next one.... BSS #2.



I was third out of the water again for BSS #2 (and my time was the same as last weeks!) and good thing because I am the worst runner. To be honest, I'm just happy I can run again. Walking and not being crooked is pretty darn fabulous too. I'm a run/walker because I'm just not there yet in my fitness or back strength to go all out running. Or so I thought during this BSS. The person who came out of the water second was not very nice in the water as she totally slammed me against the buoys on one of the turns. Really, is that necessary when it was just the two of us next to each other. Sheesh! I saw her on the run and noticed she walking too. I thought she is definitely swimmer based like me and can't run, like me. So I thought I had a chance to catch her. I finally did in the last 1/2-mile. But only because I chose not to do my run/walk and I ran almost the entire 5k except for 3 minutes of it. Did I pay for it afterwards, a little, but I could still walk and that is all that mattered.



Next Thursday is BSS #3. I hope to be consistent in my swim time and maybe just a smidge faster in my run. It's hard to walk when you are getting passed by a ton of people running. It is frustrating. They probably would pass me anyhow if I was at my best running pace, I just hate to walk. It feels so great to be racing again, even if it is super short distances.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

OMG!


Jordan Summits Denali!

Congratulations to Jordan Romero, age 11, on his successful summit of Denali (aka Mt. McKinley). He is attempting to become the youngest person to successfully summit the eight highest mountains in the world (I thought there were only seven, but apparently there is some controversy about this so he is covering his bases and climbing them all). Five down, three to go. Props to Karen and Paul on summitting with Jordan as well.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Two years ago...

yesterday, Dan and I arrived at my sister's house, who lives south of Denver. I can't believe it has been two years since we moved out here. The minute we got here it felt like home and that we had lived here for years. That is always a good sign. I still get excited when I see the Rockies on my way to work as well as all the farms and horses. It is just so pleasant and beautiful and peaceful. I hope I never lose that lovin' feeling.