Alcatraz!

I love a challenge!  Last night at the gym I saw my friend Doug.  He was super excited to tell me that he got into the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon.  What?  What's that you say?  You're going to swim in shark infested waters with 2 ton sea lions?  Me too!  Me too!  How sick is that?  This is something that I definitely have to get in on. 

There is a lottery, which is closed for 2010.  Can I do 2011?  Maybe 2012.  California is a lot different than New Jersey.  They have hills & cliffs & aren't just at sea level!  I am definitely going to have to ramp up the fitness for this for sure!  I wonder how you would even being to train for something like this.  Lots of swimming I am guessing.  It's a 1.5 mile swim through the San Francisco Bay, 18 mile bike through the hills & area around Golden Gate Park & an 8 mile run.  I believe there's a 1 mile run from the water to the bike transition area as well.  The 8 mile run includes a run up these stairs:

Crazy, right?  I don't care.  My new motto is never stepping down from a challenge.  Not that anyone has challenged me lately, but that's not the point!  At least I think that's my new motto.  But who cares!  What else is a single girl to do?  As I near my 40th (gasp!) birthday I'm all about accomplishing goals.  Every year has to be bigger than the last!  This year it's my first 1/2 Ironman.  Next year?  Maybe Alcatraz, if I can get in.  The only thing that's going to hold me back is the damn Alcatraz lottery!

Six Months To Go

Six months seems like a long time from now, but I know that it has been 2 months since I signed up for New Hampshire & that time has flown by.  I swam last night, only 1,000 meters.  The pool smelled like a wet dog & I was cramped in by the water aerobics geriatrics.  OK, I know that is a little harsh, but they get 2/3rd of the pool & they all look like they are about to drown. Can't they have one lane instead of two? 

The problem was that I thought water aerobics ended at 7 pm, so I waited around to go to the gym.....but water aerobics started at 7 pm.  Great.  So much for planning.  But I did get in a quick swim.

Tonight I got in 3 miles, which brings my total to 7.25 miles.  Wow, only 12.75 more to go to reach my 20 miles for this week.  I have to plan for longer workouts, these short ones are supposed to only be once or twice a week.  Come on sun help me out here.  It's always so much easier to go for long runs outside!

At least I have skicross and figure skating to watch tonight.  The Olympics are coming to and end, which is sad because it's nice to watch all these sports in prime time.  Go USA!