Thursday, April 30, 2009

April Is Freely Flowing into May Flowers

April was VERY good to the Abbeys, I have to admit. Colin had a splendid showing at the Red Hills Triathlon again; all four of us got to see Wicked: The New Musical during Easter weekend as well as visit with my parents; we hired a wonderful contractor (Lone Wolf, Inc.) to begin work on our deck/french doors/hot tub/screen porch remodel project; and Colin earned two new Junior Olympic time standards (100 and 200 Freestyle Long Course) in Panama City where he placed 10th in the 13-14 Boys age group; and Aidan has really begun to enjoy swimming with ATAC 3 or 4 days a week in the Novice program. He even "won ribbons" a couple of weekends ago at a "practice meet."


Above: Chillin' (with a minor showing of attitude) in the shade between events. Below: Warming up for the 200 Free.

The deck is looking mah-velous. It is somewhat semi-circular (sort of half of an octagon) with benches and railings on two sides. It will also have some very nice lighting, furniture and hot tub/spa when completed. The french doors are ordered and on the way. The entire project should be finished in under a month - total time from first post hole to filled up hot tub. I can't wait.



Above, I have included photographic documentation of the current state of the deck-building, a couple of pictures of Colin at Panama City Long Course meet in what he is calling his "fast pants" and a video (sideways - Sorry) of Aidan swimming the breast stroke on April 18th.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Marvelous Milestones

Not much in the way of excitement happened around here this week. Aidan had a little "practice swim meet" where he bested two of his times: 25 yard free style and 25 yard breast stroke. He really needs to learn how to NOT "pinball" his way across the pool during the back stroke, but it will come - I have been promised. Colin had a great swim practice on Saturday while Mike made phenomenal strides in his continuation of "taming" and landscaping the back yard.

The only thing I did of note, besides being the mom, was to crest the 1000 mile mark in training for the year. As of Saturday evening, I have logged 1,062.37 miles of running and riding for the year 2009. I sort of, kind of, set a goal of 2,000 miles riding this year, and I am at about 900 right now and could actually achieve that goal if I keep going at the rate I am currently. I don't plan to ramp up the running beyond maintenance and shorter runs/races until August or September when I start looking at marathon season. Right now, I'm happy with where I am and how I feel and how the feet are. Yippee!

More later .... See you on the streets.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Red Hills Pictures

I have "borrowed" these from BB Action Photo (.com) because I have also purchased them to hang on my wall next to last year's wonderful photographic documentation. Enjoy!




And, remember to subtract 3 minutes from the finish time shown for being in the second swim wave.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Triumphant Return to Red Hills Triathlon

More of a complete run down later, but let it be common knowledge that Colin finished 17 minutes faster this year than last year (1:38:06 in 2008), and that the winner finished in 1:09:35. The future is very attainable for Colin. He is already talking about next year and upcoming 70.3 relays and the possibility of an Olympic Distance Tri (.9 mile swim, 25-40 mile ride, 10K run). Yikes!

Final results of the Red Hills Triathlon 2009: 1/3 mile swim 16 mile bike ride 5K (3.1 mile) run

Overall Finish: 31st of 245 finishers

#211 Colin Abbey age 14 from Tallahassee, FL

Finish Chip Time - 1:21:44

8th overall in the swim - 8:07
Transition #1 - 0:42
64th overall on the bike - 49:13
Transition #2 - 0:52
44th overall on the run - 22:51


Colin's swim team mate Colby Allen finished 20th over all with the times shown below.
#212 Colby Allen age 17 from Tallahassee, FL
Final Chip Time - 1:18:14
Swim: 3rd 7:36
T#1 1:40
Bike: 36th 46:18
T#2 1:03
Run: 22nd 21:39

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Revising the Dreams and Schemes

March was busy, busy, busy on the bike - I logged more than 400 miles last month. I am darn impressed with myself. My plan now that I am back to running is to manage 3 days of riding and 2 or 3 days of running until my body is back on track with the whole running plan. Once I am back in "the zone" running wise I am hoping to successfully juggle 3 days of riding and 3 days of running. We shall see what we shall see. With that in mind, below is a somewhat revised goal and dream calendar up through Donna 2010.

April, 2009
4.24-26.2009 - Panama City Long Course Meet (ATAC event)

May, 2009
5.16.2009 - Missionette 10K (Cairo, GA)
5.16-17.2009 - GPAC Distance Invitational (ATAC event)
5.17.2009 - Red Hills Kids Triathlon
5.20.2009 - Momma's Birthday
5.30.2009 - ATAC Long Course Developmental

June, 2009
6.6.2009 - Capital City Ride for Hope (100K)
6.11.2009 - Tanya's Birthday
6.16.2009 - Aidan's 8th Birthday!
6.21.2009 - Father's Day! Look out Mike, we have big plans...
6.26-28.2009 - ATAC Long Course Invitational

July, 2009
7.3-5.2009 - Dothan Summer Swim Meet
7.4.2009 - Freedom Springs Triathlon
7.16-19.2009 - Long Course Junior Olympics (Fort Myers, FL)

August, 2009
8.1-2.2009 - Area 1-4 Championships
8.15.2009 - Breakfast on the Track 1 Mile Time Trials
8.18.2010 - Dad-in-luv (Stuart's) Birthday
8.22.2009 - Miller Landing Madness (8K)
8.22.2009 - Tri States 100 (Dothan, AL)
8.24.2009 - Our 18th Anniversary!!!

September, 2009
9.2.2009 - Daddy's Birthday
9.13.2009 - Assault on Sugar Loaf Century (Clermont, FL)
9.19.2009 - Women's Distance Festival 5K
9.30.2009 - Mike's 46th Birthday!

October, 2009
10.3.2009 - Atlantic Coast Triathlon (70.3)
10.10.2009 - Spaghetti 100 (ride)
10.17.2009 - Race for the Cure 5K (Birmingham, AL)
10.31.2009 - Boston, GA Mini Marathon

Just before the Boston Mini Marathon - 10.25.2008

Diana Hunter, Kay Posey, Me, Jodi Chase,

Rhonda Cooksey, Jennifer Winegardner

November, 2009
11.22.2009 - The Women's Half Marathon To Benefit LLS (St. Petersburg, FL)
11.26.2009 - Turkey Trot 15K

December, 2009
12.5.2009 - GWTC 10 Mile Challenge
12.13.2009 - Jacksonville Marathon

January, 2010
1.8.2010 - Colin's 15th Birthday - OMG, he can get his driving permit...
1.16.2010 - GWTC 15K/30K

February, 2010
2.7.2010 - Tallahassee Marathon and Half
2.18.2010 - Mom-in-luv (Nancy's) Birthday!
2.21.2010 - 26.2 with Donna (3rd Time's the Charm)

Coaches for a Cause

Mac's "SwimSTRONG" Foundation

Mac's "SwimSTRONG" Foundation
Love this art work. Click for link to the web site. And follow Team TRI Mac at www.trimac-competingforareason.blogspot.com