Miami 70.3 #1

Well, having completed my first triathlon and having new goals in mind, I was all ready to start a new training plan to get in shape for the next race.  However, fate would take its turn as I got very sick in March and April of 2012.  I had an allergic reaction to Penicillin and was down for the count for a couple months.  Not working out or being able to merely walk around was a very difficult adjustment.  But by the time May rolled around, I had far too much pent up energy to sit around any longer.  The erythema nodosum that had riddled my legs with curious bumps and swelling was nearly gone and I was determined to jump back into training.  I participated in a 100 mile relay race from Key Largo to Key West for fallen Coast Guard members, running 24 miles.  The next day I biked 100 miles back.  I am always looking for something unique to do and that definitely counted.  In June, I played volleyball with the All Navy team and come July I was underway for over a month on a foreign vessel on a transatlantic voyage.  Training was hard to manage when confined to a container ship.  As soon as I was back on dry land in September I did three-a-days until the Publix Escape to Miami Triathlon, my first Olympic.  I finished it in 2 hours and 39 minutes, but incurred a 2 min penalty and was bumped into 4th place in my age group.  But I was happy with the results.  October, I drove 15 hours to training in Virginia and trained every day for the Miami 70.3.  Two days before the event, I drove 15 hours back to Miami and made it just in time for the expo and bike check-in.  I was incredibly nervous for the race, however I knew I had done everything I could despite the limited training.  

Thoughts while qualifying for Ironman 70.3 World Championships:

What if Kevin was here and I was walking?? He would be so mad!!
That cute guy might judge me if I slow down...
Oooh Camera! Photo Op! I will not let Tommy judge these pictures!!
This time baby I will be-e-e, Bulletproof
Hmm 28 minutes at the 4 mile mark...if I walked the rest I could still finish in the time I want...
No walking! We trained too hard for this and I feel fine!
Am I going to die any minute?
Heather's going to be so proud
Is that girl younger than me? She looks young!...oh wait, 45...nevermind
What should I post on Facebook at the end of this?
It would be so incredible if I was first in my age division...but probably not
If I walk, that girl from the bike will pass me in no time. No walking
What should I do for the next picture...?
Ooh that water and Gatorade looks yummy...but no more until the end...wasting time!!
Geez, this is the fastest half marathon I have ever run...weird.
Finish line is soo close! (turn around) And there is no one behind me!!! I don't have to sprint race to the end!!!!!
Finally...I did it! Omg I did it. Omg I did it in 5 hours and 6 minutes
OMG I qualified for the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!!!!!
SOOO THIRSTY, SOOO SUNBURNT, SOOO TIRED

Best day ever!! Personal record of 5:06 in a half ironman...shattering my first one by over an hour and a half. First place in my age group getting a plaque and jersey and....Qualified for the 70.3 world championships in Las Vegas in 2013!!!!! And had the best friend anyone could ever have cheer me on to victory 

http://uscgasports.com/features/anderson

Keys 100

2 new challenges completed: Saturday - Keys 100 relay race in memory of fallen CG mbrs completed in 15hrs8min (I ran 24 miles); Today - I biked the 100 miles back to Key Largo (nearly doubling my longest bike distance!!). Most amazing thing about this weekend??...seeing ultra-marathon runners do the 100 miles solo and still running 24 hours from the starting time. What an inspiration!!!

First Triathlon

Alright, so I just went into the marathons...I did Long Island, then Disney Goofy Challenge because people call me crazy when it comes to sports, and then the Miami ING Marathon so I could do two marathons in one month.  Not too sure why, but that sounded like an awesome thing to do.  Anyways, another thing that I decided to do on a whim was to register for a triathlon.  I had never done one, hadn't ever really done much in the way of swimming and didn't even have more than a hybrid bike.  I had biked back and forth to work for a few months, but aside from that it sort of was a long shot to just jump into a triathlon.  Me being who I am though, I chose my first one to be Panama 70.3.  I borrowed my brother's bike, drove it to Miami from Michigan, wore his clip in shoes that were size 9 men's when I wear size 7.5 women's and biked it a total of 45 miles two weekends out to prepare.  As for swimming, I swam a mile a few times in the weeks leading up.  Running was already something I was decent at, but after the two marathons in the month prior, I was not too confident.  Regardless of nerves, lack of knowledge of bricks and transitions, and going to a new country, I went for it and competed almost a year ago today.  I finished in a super slow time, 6:42, but I fell in love with triathlons and was determined to do a whole lot better at my next one.

Successful weekend...visited a new country, visited a new continent, ran my first triathlon, which happened to be a half ironman...with Lance Armstrong and Miss Panama, and met some amazing people along the way!!

Go Panama 70.3!!

Miami Marathon

Feel like I just died, probably did. Must be getting close to 9 lives...2 marathons completed in three weeks. Just proved to myself nothing is impossible and to never give up. This quite possibly was one of the hardest things I have ever done. Thanks to everyone who believes in me!!!

DIsney Goofy First Timer

13.1 miles and Disney world yesterday, 26.2 miles, PR, and Animal Kingdom today...great weekend!!!! I survived the Disney goofy marathon challenge!!!!