Offer a Girl Donuts & She Can Do Anything

So here's the latest from this morning:
A few months ago Kyle had Elizabeth & I do a 1 mile predictor set: 30 x 100 on 1:30. I was able to do 1:19's for ALL of them- a HUGE milestone for me. Since then, I can do that pace on a moderately-hard effort most days, but haven't been able to really pull it together for a longer set.
This morning: 8 x 300's, descend 1-4 & 5-8. I had a big weekend, so I was feeling a bit tired & pretty much blew off the first several (not that I'm stubborn, but fatigue just wears me down mentally as much as physically). Needless to say the descents were larger than they should have been. The last few I started feeling pretty motivated. The 8th 300, I knew I was pushing pretty hard, & I convinced myself that if I went under 4:00 Kyle might let me have donuts for breakfast. I descended to a 3:56!! That's right, 300 under 1:19 pace. K-Jop was PUMPED, and I was treated to Krispy Kreme.

I AM L-A-Z-Y...or maybe I just work too hard! I am way behind on blogging. At first I didn't feel bad, but then one of our customers at Runner's High came in and asked me to do a better job of maintaining my blog. It seems some people actually enjoy reading about my experiences & following the progress!

Here are some updates:

• Half of my Hattiesburg friends have moved away over the past month. First Ginger, who I spent 50% of my workout times with. I didn't realize how much time we actually spent together until she left. I have other training friends that I'm grateful to have, but losing Ginger has been a huge blow. After that, Shelly & Nicole. Both have been awesome coaches for our 5K training and great friends. Lauren is next. Sad to loose friends, but excited for their opportunities ahead! Then Doug, who I didn't realize was moving until he visited the shop to say farewell on his way out of town. I don't know why, but this one made me tear up. Probably because I think he works the hardest out of ANYBODY at masters, and I felt like I was losing someone who would inspire me on the days I just didn't want to work (which is 90% of the time at the pool, which is why I need him!). Doug trained throughout the winter & missed very little workouts. He worked hard to be a distance swimmer, but was a strong sprinter. Kyle would seed us in comparing abilities to race when we have to do sprints, & Doug & I frequently swam in opposing lanes. I could swim circles around him in longer sets, but he usually beat me in sprints, then would fist bump me & say thanks for pushing him. I will miss his attitude!

Now for the positive:

• Team HAMR: Hattiesburg Area Multisport Racing. This was Hattiesburg's Tri club, which I was somehow appointed to get restarted. We had our first meeting last week with what I consider to be a successful turnout. Since then several people have expressed interest in the club. Team HAMR is joining forces with Hub City Velo, the cycling group. We're forming a combined organization with 3 racing teams: Hub City Velo, Team HAMR, & Hub City Mountain Biking. I'm excited to see the collaboration among organizations, and am more pumped to see endurance athletes in this city unite to try to do some great things. It's gonna be a fun ride!
• Inaugural Epley Challenge 10 mile TT & Du: Some of the guys active in the community organized a grassroots training effort here over the weekend. The event was free, $10 donations accepted, so it was an awesome (cheap) way to get a race in. Best of all, they're trying to make a series out of it. I see great potential in this event! I participated in the 10 mile Time Trial. I was nervous going into it because I registered kind of late & was 3rd position from going last, with a "time trial specialist" following me. Oh yeah, & I was the only girl, so I thought it would be really uncool to be the very last one on the course. I actually didn't do half bad. I passed several guys in front of me, and finished with a time of 25:43. I was told the course was short, which would have put me at 22ish mph- not bad, but not stellar. The official results have it listed as 10.3 miles, which puts me RIGHT at 24. I'll go with the latter. This chick is pleased. Results here. P.S. Training partner Brinn Strange kicked butt at the du. First female!
• Tri Optimum Performance has kicked off! Team T.O.P. uniforms are in, and they look SHARP.
• We just started back with speed work sessions last nigh. I didn't feel great, but I'm happy to be back to working hard, & running pain-free!
• Music City Tri coming up. MY MOM IS GOING WITH ME! I'm excited to get some girl time with her, & it should be a great race for me, so she'll get to see what I can do!