It's been awhile!

Hello! I have a few minutes of uninterrupted time to update my progress... I'm in the thick of training for Ironman Lake Placid again, (currently 8 days until Mooseman 1/2 Ironman, and 57 days until IMLP). The past several weeks have been increasingly intense as far as training, and family requirements. As always, my family comes first, and it's been a real challenge getting in even 75% of the training... Rides and runs have ramped up in both time and intensity. I've actually been swimming a bit, which is not something I've been good about doing prior to my first two IM events.

I'm enjoying the new bike much more this year. I am hopeful that by riding the Cervelo for the entire training season, I will feel strong and confident on race day. Last year, I was fitted for the bike only 3 1/2 weeks before IM, allowing my body very little time in the saddle to adjust to the new muscle recruitment patterns the new bike required. I'm feeling much better about "lil speedy" so far this year. I just hit the 1100 mile mark yesterday on the new wheels... and I LOVE IT!

I ran the Shamrock Marathon in VA Beach in March again this year as a training race. Mom and Dad drove from D.C., & met Romi, my friend Tammi & I at the airport. We had some St Patties Day fun, bought and lost a hermit crab, drank a little too much too close to the race, and had a great time. I hadn't trained very hard for the distance, and had technical difficulties the morning of the race, which added comedy and new challenges to the day. I will continue to do this one as many years as I can, as it is my favorite marathon venue.

Coach Krista is still steering me and my training in the right direction. I saw her in February for fitness testing on both the bike and treadmill. We have been using that data for my training this spring, and I feel pretty good about how things are going. Krista will be leaving Baltimore In June for a great job opportunity with a race team in Boulder CO. Thankfully, she will continue to coach me. She is one of my idols, and such a positive influence in my life. I love her, her positive energy, and her confidence in me. Hopefully I'll still get to see her a few times a year.... She is an amazing woman and athlete.

My sister Auntie Em, (or M, or however you all want to spell it), continues to be a great support. She is becoming a triathlete herself, with a few races on her schedule this summer. I will keep everyone posted on her progress through IronKip.

Scottie, my sweet Scottie... he continues to be my very significant other half, in so many ways. Lots of encouragement, ideas, suggestions, and support. I couldn't do any of this without him.

I continue to draw strength from my kids, who are the breath in my sails. They are all busy with school, friends, and activities which include baseball, hip hop, ballet & tap, lacrosse, gymnastics, and school ... I think of all they do in a week, and I laugh, and shake my head. We all are looking forward to summer vacation, and some unscheduled fun.

And so it begins...

While she's been out and about running around Mirror Lake, down Route 11 narrowly escaping the wrath of snowplows, and pumping away on her bike in the basement for months now, it seems that training season is ramping up and the snow is melting away.

On Sunday March 21st, KI finished the VA Beach Shamrock Marathon! Here, in her own words, is what she learned from this "training run":

Note to self: never run a marathon without your HR monitor, or at LEAST a pacing device. Never wear a new storage contraption on race day, and never run the 1st 16 miles without nutrition. Having said that, had a GREAT day, hit the wall at mile 14ish, but muddled through & finished just in time for some beer, Irish stew, and a kickin' band at the finish party!

And so it begins! We'll get KI to start getting on and providing updates regarding her training some time soon. It's not easy when you've got 3 super busy kids and are sneaking training in whenever you can, but we know she can do it. It's time for a 3peat and I'm hedging my bets that she shaves more time off her Ironman finish again this year....for she IS IronKip.

Love,

Auntie M

Scotty is a Tri Guy!

Well, folks, Scott completed his first triathlon on Sunday, September 20, 2009! ( If you are wondering, the meaning of "first", it most definitely implies his intentions to compete in MORE races!!!)

Here's kind of how it went:

Immediately following Hunter's soccer game on the afternoon before race day, we drove to Honeyoye Falls, outside of Rochester. We met up with Dan, Berta, & the boys for a carb-load dinner at Bugaboo Creek, then went to see Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 3D with the entire gang. He went to bed at 9:30, with a full belly, & visions of sugar plums dancing in his head.

The next morning, I woke him at 5:15, he showered, dressed, & we hit the road for a 1'/2 hour drive to Canandaigua, NY, where he would race in the sprint. Wearing a hot pink cap, at 8:36a.m., the 40-44 males took off. The air temp was roughly 43 degrees, water temp in the low 60s, but neither seemed to bother the big guy. He acted silly & excited, posing for IronAndy & Cherstin, who surprised him at the start, (with camera & enthusiasm at the ready).

I had registered for the sprint race as well, for the sole purpose of running it with Scott. Earlier in the week when the swim wave times were posted, we discovered that Scott would be starting 40+ minutes ahead of me. Although this was a bit of a letdown, it afforded me the ability to be there for him in a different way. I was able to see him off on his swim, watch him come out of the water & enjoy his leisurely walk to transition. He put on quite a performance for the audience on several occasions, before my wave was corralled for a pre-race head count.

He appeared to walk most of the swim leg, as the water was extremely shallow. He recalls feeling like he really didn't need to swim more than maybe 1/4 of the course.

By the time I finished my swim, got through transition & headed out on my bike, Scotty was already back from his 13 mile ride, & headed for T2, to start the run. He had a big grin on his face, and was still full of infectious positive energy.

Andy & Cherstin, Dan & Berta, and the gaggle of kids they had in tow, were all over the place hooting and hollering. Scott appeared to eat this up, as can be seen in the photos Andy has shared with all of us.

I didn't get to watch His run, as I was on my bike, & in T2 for most of it. I passed him as he stood on the curb .3 miles into my run, and still, he was grinning ear to ear. As I ran my 5K, I knew he'd finished, & was happy. My run was coming to an end much quicker than I'm used to, so once I realized I had only a few hundred yards to go, I turned on the engines, anticipating the reunion with my triathlete husband. I was ambushed, & nearly tackled by Scott, (who had stopped and waited just short of the finishline), so we could finish together! What a cool surprise & experience that was!

I, as well as his friends & family, are so incredibly proud of his accomplishment! As a former boaster of the following, "I'll never ride a road bike or do a triathlon!", he impressed all of us, (and I believe himself), with his ability to think outside his comfort zone, set this kind of a goal, & achieve it. WOOT! WOOT! ATTA BOY, SCOTTY!

Enjoy the pictures, and if the chance presents itself, drop him a line to let him know that you're proud of him too!

Scott LaClair, from Watertown, NY, YOU ARE A TRIATHLETE!!!!