Swim Half Cat Rap

Friday STEB headed to Chattanooga
Was she excited for her race on Sunday? Duh!

And happy to be here!

But first, she took an important phone call:
LUNA the kitty has turned up, y’all!
She traveled about 25 miles over 3 months
We bet the path she took was a labyrinth
From Huntsville ending up in Ardmore, A-L
Like her Instagram account says, she was raisin’ hell!

Luna, being assisted by the wonderful folks at Berry Animal Hospital in Ardmore, Alabama!

Packet pick up was pretty much a breeze
Half the distance means half a back pack if you please!

The half back pack is pretty cool!

That afternoon STEB dropped off her bike to be tuned
Then drove the bike course which was nice to see what loomed!

Course preview: The town of Chickamauga is very cool!

There was one particular sharp left turn
That had a short and steep hill – nice to learn
STUR had a Saturday that was pretty low key -
3500 meters at the pool was all it was going to be.
This means she had time to hit her CrossFit box…
A partner WOD with rowing and kettlebell swings? That rocks!!
Meanwhile, Saturday morning STEB went out for a run
Then rode the bike trainer for a few – what fun!
Later that morning her younger son arrived in to town
They dropped off her bike and checked out Lookout Mountain – wow!

Trixie, just hanging around!

They got an amazing view of seven states
And Rock City – boulders all over the place.

Scenic Selfie at Rock City!

Views of Seven  States
(VA-TN-NC-SC-GA-AL-KY)

See Rock City!

We saw Rock City!

STEB chickened out of the Fat Man Squeeze
She kind of had a panic attack, if you please!

It was pretty narrow in the Fat Man Squeeze!

Stopped on the Northshore side for lunch
Taco Mamacitas had tacos by the bunch!

All kinds of fun tacos here!

Saturday night it rained and rained buckets
What would race morning be like? Hope she wouldn’t have to chuck it!
In V-A, Sunday morning dawned cool and cloudy -
But STUR and BLUR strutted up to the Potomac River proudly!
They were to do a WaveOne open water swim practice
It’s that time of year again – always an oasis!
Learned the water temp was 70.4 -
STUR thought jumping off the dock might be a chore.
She opted for the ladder to ease her body in the river -
Took off like a shot though, no time to shiver!
Both she and BLUR stayed in the entire 75 minutes -
Showed they both have good swimming fitness!

Bad @$$ OWSers!

Getting out of the water was the hardest part of the day…
STUR had her heater on as she was leaving? No way!
Two hours after a lovely nap that was 2 hours in length -
She was going to meet the Beast at the pool - would she have the strength?
Another long swim - it wasn't shorter -
If you're measuring in total miles, about 4 and a quarter!
Down in T-N STEB's race day dawned cloudy, cool, and humid
But things were a go – the course was not flooded!

Pre shortened swim!

The men's and women's pro waves went off without a hitch
But the age groupers got a change, there was a little glitch!
See, the 1.2 mile river swim is current assisted
And on this morning, the TVA did not fix it!

There was a bit of flow before the swim start!

The river was flowing quite heavily
And the pros even had trouble you see
So the age groups got a little swim break
And only had to swim the downriver part for heaven’s sake!

70.3 Chattanooga Swim Course!

STEB had an effortless .8 mile swim -
Except for her goggles fail - for the win!
On the way to T1 she got to see Patrick
That was exciting even though it was quick!

T1!

Then heading out on the bike Lookout Mountain was covered in a foggy shroud
Returning though the sun was out - blue skies with some clouds
Got passed by a dude who was wearing a Speedo brief
It said ‘budgie snuggler’ on his butt - oh good grief!
Turns out he had raised funds for charity
Children's Hospital in Mississippi
STEB had a nice and uneventful ride
Got up the crazy steep hill in stride
Enjoyed and appreciated all the lovely scenery
Chattanooga really is a nice place to be!
Rolled in to T2 ready to run...
Then saw Patrick again – son of a gun!

Early on the run!

The run course did not make a lot of sense before the race
But no matter - STEB planned to do a run / walk pace
The volunteers and spectators were all super nice
And the rabbit ears were a hit and always suffice!
On the run she got to see Pat thrice
And while on the pedestrian bridge? Make that twice!

Second time seeing Patrick on the bridge!
(Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge!)

Approaching the finish line chute area was really nifty
Down a hill around a corner – here STEB was running swiftly
The announcer gave her rabbit ears a shout out
And they were a hit on the run course without a doubt!

Nice view of the John Ross Bridge!

By the way, who doesn't like hay?
KBun having fun at her run turnaround on Sunday!

KBun and her new friends!