For the past three weekends, as we get closer to Ironman, each weekend has featured a long segment of one of the three events...two weeks ago we rode 110 miles followed by a short run (in the heat). Last weekend we just roade 30 miles (in the thunderstorm), but that was followed by a 20 mile run (in the extreme heat). This past weekend- a long (2.4 mile) swim, followed by a 30 mile bike ride, followed by a 6 mile run. Or that was the plan...
We got to Devils Lake at 7am yesterday morning- after driving through several heavy downpours. Laura was ready to kayak along. Until she got out of the car and looked out at the lake. The rain was coming down. The lake was choppy. Laura's NOT going out in the kayak. Laura's sitting in the shelter and holding everyone's car keys while we swim.
The swim iteself went fairly well- the water was choppy and it was raining, but you really don't notice rain while you're swimming and you get used to the choppy waters. You get into a little bit of a rhythm- as you feel your body come to the top of a wave, you breathe. If it's time to breathe and you're not at the top of a wave, you wait until you are at the top of a wave. Sounds relatively simple- but it doesn't always work out right.
About half-way across the lake I went to take a breath and sight on the small shelter on the other side of the lake and instead took a BIG mouth-full of water. I tried just spitting it out, but eventually had to completely stop swimming and cough a bit until everything was cleared out. And then the panic hit. I'm in the middle of the lake and it's storming (thankfully no lightning- or I really would have freaked out). Eventually I calmed myself and started swimming again. Made it across the lake and turned around and came back.
Over the past year I have really improved my sighting technique. I usually swim 4 strokes, breathe to the right, take 2 more strokes sight forward, 4 strokes, breathe to the right, etc. I have real trouble breahing to the left, so unless I absolutely have to, I skip it. That pattern of breathing right, then sighting has turned me into a really straight line swimmer. To the point where other slow swimmers (fast swimmers can't do this) will sight on me. The problem on Sunday was that my goggles fogged and I could just make out the outline of the trees on the shore of the lake. Those on shore were watching me and said I was swimming perfectly in a straight line towards the shelter, when suddenly I took a hard right and started heading way off course. I knew exactly what they were talking about. I was probably 1/4 mile from shore, when a couple of cars pulled into the parking lot to the right of the shelter- and all I could focus on was the headlights of those cars. So I headed straight for the lights. And away from the shelter.
By the time I finally did make my way to the shelter- it was still raining. Hard. And windy. About that time we all decided that we have had enough practice riding and running in the rain. So we called it a day and headed home.
The Broadway musical Wicked has flown back into town, thrilling fans at the Overture Center now through June 9th.
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The Broadway musical Wicked has flown back into town, thrilling fans at the Overture Center now through June 9th.
I got a chance to see the production for the 2nd time last night, and once again was blown away. Even though I saw Wicked in 2010, I had...
Today we traveled back to 1975 for a Rendezvous with The Hudson Brothers. This song didn't make it to high on the charts, but Kitty enjoyed it. Her favorite brother was Brett. She also loved their television show. We've included a skit from...
I'm not sure why Pete Yorn decided to name his new music project after a European cave dwelling aquatic salamander, but if he stops by to play us some songs in Studio M, we'll have to ask him.
The Olms is a collaboration between Pete Yorn and...
Today's song was written by Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary. It was inspired by the 1957 novel Doctor Zhivago. No one was inspired by the song this morning. It was rejected by almost all the listeners.
Today is World Goth Day, a day to celebrate the post-punk, anti-establishment, dark clothes-wearing subculture.
I'm pretty sure I was a Goth for at least for little while, for two reasons.
1) I almost hardly ever wear pastels.
2) I used to...
Hello to all from Nfusion. Another round of challenges has moved beyond us all. Congrats to those of us lucky enough to have survived to this point. Sad to see the others eliminated as they were all very creative and talented. Good Bye to our new friends...
This morning it seemed like just about everyone was in the mood for some Funky Cold Medina...except Kitty. This ridiculous song made it all the way to number 3 in 1989. Jonathan says any song that references advertising dogs from the 80's has got...
Madison's summer music festival season kicks off this weekend with Brat Fest at Willow Island, where there are more bands than you can shake a bratwurst at! Check out the Brat Fest website to plan your itinerary.
Next up is the Marquette...
