Friday was time for an annual event
The
kickASTtri is the one that we meant!
A
great way to start off a special holiday
A
little swim-bike-run in a casual way!
EBun
swam 750 meters in the pool
The
water was kinda warm but that's cool
After
T1 everyone left on the bike in a group
EBun
wouldn't get lost because she knew the route
The
ride was along lots of familiar streets
This
is where EBun does her rides mid-week!
Everyone
made it back to the pool for T2
A
leisurely transition then you know what we do
The
day had started out a little bit cool and cloudy
By the
time we started the run it was nice and sunny
A run
loop around Annandale and back again
Refreshments
for all and that's it. The end!
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2014 kickASTtri Finishers!!
(Photo Credit Tammy) |
Thanks
to Mike and Joe for hosting the 'race'
It's
always fun and AST is a kick @$$ place!
Saturday morning STUK and SRab headed to Vermont on a jet plane-
They
were going to the Mad Marathon - that's just insane!
Easy
travel and an airport pick up from Jeff and Andy;
So happy to be in Vermont - feeling dandy!
 |
SRab and STUK Feeling Dandy!
(Photo Credit STUK) |
Whisked
off right away to the race expo;
So
quick and efficient - small races are the way to go!
Had a
photo op with running legend Bart Yasso -
He
said the marathon's pretty challenging - we knew that was true!
After
lunch - did a little preview of the course-
Jeff
knew much of it - he was our course source!
They had
to see a famous part called "the Dip."
They hoped they wouldn't trip and slip!
Straight
down a steep hill then immediately back up high -
Worried
them a little not gonna lie!
Played
tourist for a bit by taking a ride on a ski lift-
Off
the mountain they hoped they wouldn't drift!
Great
views and saw some crazy mountain biking-
Going
down that hill on a bike would not be to their liking!
Early
dinner with pasta and straight to bed-
So the
wake up alarm they wouldn't dread.
Popped
up the next day to make the 7am start-
First
to the port potties they would dart!
Time
now to line up on the road they couldn't wait-
Lots
of Marathon Maniacs trying to get in another state!
Hard
to get into a groove as the hills started right away-
It's going
to be an entertaining day!
Weather
was nice and the scenery first rate-
Made
climbing those hills worth it- no debate!
SRab
kept a steady pace-enjoying all the cows;
Her
bunny ears certainly got some "wows!"
SRab
and STUK kept pretty much in sight of each other
So
staying motivated was really no bother!
The
aid stations were friendly and ready to assist-
Watermelon
at one was really pure bliss!
One
point saw a lady riding on a bull (?!)
Seeing
all the farm animals out and about was really very cool!
Made it through the Dip (both times!) with very
little fuss-
Staying
calm on the hills definitely is a must!
Started
to get really warm around mile twenty-one...
All
the hills were becoming a lot less fun!
But they kept shuffling along and what do you know?
Just .2
miles was all they had to go!
Saw
the covered bridge and all the waving flags -
SRab’s
27th marathon finished she could brag!
The
finish line announcer called her a "funny bunny"
It's
Silly Rabbit - don't you know anything dummy?!
Just
kidding as the Mad race was just great-
Hardest
one SRab’s done so far it will rate!
Rabbitear STUK, AKA Sally
Was happy to be in Mad River Valley.
The race would be hard, a roll of the dice
But at least the scenery would surely be nice!
Maybe she'd finish in 7 to 8 hours?
Anything less would take superhuman powers!
But like SRab said, this was all just for training
We new in advance it was going to be draining.
Cruising along on the highest runners' high
STUK was smiling and chatting and slapping high fives!
The aid stations were stocked, the volunteers cheery
Except for this one guy-- he was grouchy and dreary!
The ultimate Scrooge --with a scowl and a frown
But STUK wasn't about to let him get her down!
"Hey thanks for waiting!" She jovially shouted
But Scrooge said nothing -- just stood there and pouted!
"Did you see a rabbit run by?" STUK asked with a grin
Scrooge looked at her like he just lost his best friend!
She spotted some salt and said "I'll have some of this"
"All I need is a shot of tequila --now that would be bliss!"
But with Scrooge looking scroogier, STUK said "See ya later!"
And she thought to herself: Ain't nobody got time for this hater!
Up, up, up to the top of the mountain they climbed
Until STUK finally said, "What the heck? Am I blind?"
"Where's the big downhill? WHERE IS IT?!" She cried
She was starting to think that maybe they lied!
With the sun beating down at mile 22
She gulped down some Gatorade and popped another GU.
And before she knew it, she was feeling just fine!
Finally, the big downhill-all the way to the finish line!
SRab was waiting to give STUK her cool bling
Mad Marathon in the books--and another state too! Cha-ching!
 |
Mad Finishers!
(Photo Credit STUK) |
Jeff and Andy had a awesome experience in their half marathon loop-
Andy ended up winning first in his age group!
After legs in an ice tub they headed straight for some ice cream-
Yes that's right - Ben and Jerry's is a dream!
Other folks were there with their marathon medals -
Stories of races they all would peddle -
Met a man of which this was his 456th!!
He didn't even seem tired like us - not a lick!
Celebration next with pizza, beer, and fried Brussels sprouts-(?!)
Very yummy SRab and STUK would shout!
The Mad Marathon is highly recommended
Even with all the hills the race is not to be dreaded!
SRab is very pleased with her training run success-
And her brother Andy's hospitality was the best!
While SRab and STUK were ‘Mad’ in Vermont
EBun herself took a little jaunt!
She did another tri of sorts
Thanks
to a last minute OWS of course!
Lake Montclair just after the crack of dawn
Coach Melissa in a kayak to keep us from harm!
From
West Beach to Dolphin Beach and back
The
water temp was nice, that's a fact!
Then
off to a favorite Rabbit hangout - PWFP
EBun needed
to bike four laps you see
The
temp here was cool - hard to believe it was July!
EBun's
kind of weather that's no lie!
On
loop two she spotted two young deer
They just stood and watched without any fear
Squished
on the road was a big box turtle
I hope
it wasn't on purpose as that would be evil.
Bike
speed work with hills wasn't the plan originally
But EBun got it done and with a top speed of 43!
After
all that EBun just had to do a little run
Two
tris in one long weekend? What fun!!
A
little over a half mile is all it took
Just
to get the third leg in for that impromptu tri in the books!
