53 Rap

On the way to STEB's first birthday swim STUR spotted a rainbow -
The morning sky was really putting on a show!

This picture doesn't do the rainbow justice!

It was cool and cloudy first thing -
But swimming in an outdoor pool is King!
STEB had to use her windshield wipers along the way
But by the time she got to the pool the rain went away
It had been a while since STEB swam long course pool
It seemed so far to the other end - almost cruel!
But pretty soon she got into a rhythm
And she was happy with the 2800 meters she swum
Turns out it was broken 700s times four
She didn't have time for the 400 IM - score!

Swim #1 - check!

After 3400 meters done STUR was happy that the traffic home was light -
Excited because having STEB at Crossfit would be a delight!
After swim STEB got a birthday treat from Starbucks
Didn't have to pay for it either - aww shucks!
A short break then time for workout number two
Met STUR at CrossFit Kingstown for some snatches and KBS but no DUs

CFK here they come!

Coach Cedric gave them the scoop -
Two of STUR's favorites - KBS and jump-rope - whoop!!

Coach Cedric rocks!

After another short break it was the lunchtime swim
She met up with the Beast and STUR again!
STEB had fun swimming in the short course pool -
Got in 2400 meters this time and that was pretty cool
Didn't fit in the final 1800 straight
But getting in a straight 1600 was great
After lunch swim, STUR  was way over her intended meterage for the day:
Turns out 6400 meters was her final count - no way!
But while she was swimming there was only one thing she could think about:
Lunch at Chick-fil-A - let's give a SHOUT!!

Swim #2 - check!

Next up was the last part of the tradition
Yes, Chick-fil-A for a late lunch was their mission!

And that's a wrap!

It was a successful birthday swim day
STEB was happy that STUR and the Beast came to play!
STUR always enjoys the birthday tradition -
So fun to see how many meters in the pool they can fit in!

OWS SUP Rap

Ready to rock! PS - It's sunny!

Friday night some rabbits headed over to Wolf Trap Farm Park
They were going to see Sgt Pepper music performed not on a lark!

Enjoying the lawn!

STEB brought something to play with - bubbles!!
A dude asked to borrow them - he might have been trouble.
He later offered JRab a swig off his flask...
What was in it? We were afraid to ask!
Later on he got in trouble for waving a lighter -
It seemed security could have been tighter.

The Sgt. Pepper musicians rocked!

The Beast and STUR swam indoors on a beautiful summer Saturday -
They still managed a good amount of "meterage"- you don't say?

Road bike selfies!

STEB and Jeff went to ride the W&OD Trail
Managed 33 miles total out and back without fail.

Scenes from Herndon!

Photo ops were at both the Herndon and Vienna caboose
And during the ride lots of little chipmunks were on the loose!

The Vienna caboose!

Forgot to take a picture when they stopped to turn around
At Smith’s Switch Station is where they could be found!
There have been changes since STEB last rode on the trail path
Going under Church Road is good because one crossing caused a bloodbath!
Also there was the addition of new trail crossing lights
Helped getting across some streets to STEB’s delight
There was at least one rude cyclist when they were almost done
Nearly took out an inline skater – that would not have been fun
That dude was funny though and they chatted with him a bit
He was skating with some coffee - what a fun way to stay fit!
That afternoon STEB met up with RBud for some coffee
It had been a while since they had done that you see.
They had a nice time catching up
STEB wished RBud luck for Sunday and the SUP!
On Sunday morning STUR once again got a ride to the harbor from STEB!
Was Jeff along for the ride this time? You bet!

Sunglasses selfie!

From National Harbor they did a run over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.
Did they run into Virginia? Just a smidge.

Welcome to Virginia!

STEB giving 'ears up' after her run was complete
On the way back you went by some funny smoke - it was WEED!

Happy she did not have to run through a cloud of cigarette smoke?

Next up they all jumped into the Potomac!
Was the water flat as a pancake? No such luck.

The water temp was nice, but it was choppier than it looks!

STUR made it around 10 times in the chop -
Until they made her - she was not going to stop!
KBun was there and joined the crew in the water -
She's on fire with her Kona training - couldn't be hotter!!
STEB was happy with her six loops around the loop
Which totaled just over a mile if you want the scoop!

We did it!

Next up STUR continued with her very active day-
Meeting CBun in Reston for a SUP lesson with Surf Reston no way?!!!
The "lesson" was to the point and very quick -
STUR was really hoping in her brain it would all stick!
First you paddle out on just your knees -
Then stand up when you please!
STUR lost count on how many times she went in the drink -
She's glad to be a good swimmer - she doesn't sink!
Getting back on the board was actually a breeze -
She may have fallen in on purpose once or twice - geez!!
JRab announced, "I just turned this thing like a BOSS!"
Next thing you know into the lake he was tossed!
CBun and RBud managed to stay completely dry -
On that board they both had skills and could fly.
In the end STUR and JRab had a blast -
If they both practice - they might get fast?
STUR is definitely anxious to do it again -
So much fun taking the board for a spin!!
Meanwhile STEB met up with NanWa and her man
They were headed to the Nats game, understand?

STEB was lucky to enjoy lunch under the tent!

First they got to partake in the special pregame food tent
Lots of burgers and dogs is what that meant!

Nationals sunglasses were handed out in the party tent!

The sun was nice but the clouds were our friend!

NanWa's friend from work was right behind us!

Inside there might have been some Cracker Jack going down
Sadly the Nats lost, but a good time was had all around!

What a fun afternoon!

Reston Harbor Rap

STUR met CBun on Saturday morning in her new town -
At Lake Thoreau Pool they could be found!

A two hour swim!

Reston Masters has a two hour swim practice-
Both Rabbits swam the whole time- there was no slackness!
Saturday morning STEB did a bike run brick
Trainer and treadmill inside can be pretty slick
Later that day she was out in the heat
Working on her yard, planting flowers is neat
Sunday morning STEB went for a short pre swim run
First mile was with Riley who of course had fun
STUR was happy on Sunday morning to get a carpool ride-
STEB was taking her to the harbor for swimming outside.
Picked up STUR on the way to National Harbor
Got there in no time, not like the hot chocolate race ‘disaster’! 
BLUR asked STEB if she was living out of her car
Guess she’s never seen a triathlon explosion before
Selfie with the mermaid – its tradition
Next, the open water swim was their mission!

Mermaid selfie!

CBun rolled in as they were hanging around
Another selfie and one with the hands is where they could be found

Pre-swim selfie, minus KBun!

Body marking for safety!

There was some talk of swimming 1000 1000's!?
Everyone thought STEB must be clowning!
Two miles solid was STUR's final tally -
Having four Rabbit teammates there made her rally!
Water temp was pretty nice without a wetsuit
They had a safety rule for that, too!
Only one lap if donning that protection
Then it must come off – any questions?
STEB was very happy with her tally of nine loops
Kept a consistent pace and no seaweed entanglements, that’s the scoop!
Turns out KBun had made it to the practice, as well
Five rabbits total – isn’t that swell?

Post-swim selfie, minus BLUR!

Then the founding Rabbits hit up Panera for a bite
And they made the breakfast cutoff time, all right!

Pick a number!

After even though a nap was calling her name…
STUR felt like missing masters practice would be a shame.
So she rallied again and swam another two miles…
Then hit the Wonder Woman movie with JRab - all smiles!
Meanwhile STEB had more planting on tap…
Is she happy with her efforts? Natch!

Lilac Track Rap

Thursday STEB headed back to the mitten…
Seems that she is a little bit smitten!
Arrived at DTW airport right on time
Read while she waited for RBug – it was all fine

And they are off!

Friday morning, they headed up to Mackinac Island
Had to take the ferry to get there, understand?
STEB kept singing Ferry Cross the Mersey
They were on the Star Line crossing Lake Huron you see
Docked and took a short walk to the Small Point B&B
They had a lovely view of the lake and could hear the bell of a buoy!

Small Point B&B is just lovely!

They had to use steep stairs to get to their room

These steps were steep but the view from the top was worth it!

Up on the third floor -  they could spot the water and lilac blooms!

Nice views from every angle!

It was also time for the Lilac Festival
They were blooming everywhere and smelled wonderful

Lovely lilacs - everywhere!

That afternoon RBug had to do some work PR
So STEB biked 8.2 miles with T, on a beach cruiser!

STEB's and RBug's bikes for the weekend!

Stopped a couple of times for the view and to dip her toes in

Arch Rock from the road!

Along the East side of the island!

To Lake Huron that is - they were not frozen! 

STEB had to put her toes in!

Dinner that night was Island Slice

Down town Mackinac Island was so neat!

The pizza there is quite yummy – how nice!

Truth.

STUR started her Saturday with a track workout of sorts -
A 3 x 800 was the final report!
She ran another 4 miles at just a cruising speed
Was it feeling very warm at the end? Indeed!!
Next she hit the pool with the Beast -
It's recovery week so the "meterage" is somewhat decreased!
In mitten land Saturday morning started off a little bit lazy
STEB had waffles for breakfast – how crazy!
Rode their bikes to the start of the Lilac 10K
They were nice to have after the race ended by the way
Start time was not until 9:30 AM
T was their sherpa and cheer crew - amen!

Rabbits are ready!

The race started off flat for a half mile or so
Then a turn went uphill for about a mile, don’t you know?

There were a lot of cool things to view if you want the scoop

This was quite peaceful.

Just be sure to be on the lookout for clumps of horse poop!

The airport on Mackinac Island!

Then the reward was a nice stretch of downhill - yay

Which turned out to be their fastest mile split of the day!

Downhill to a lovely view!

Another turn then they ran along the water
Got to see the Mackinac Bridge over yonder!

There's the bridge - all 5.5 miles of it!

Some of the B&B guests were racing, others were spectating
It was fun when they cheered for Team Rabbit while they were running

It's T, the DJ!

T caught up with RBug and STEB and played his boom box
Other runners liked his music selections – it was the tops!
Then they made a new friend in the final mile,
After they finished the three were all smiles!

They did it!

She was from a familiar town up in the U-P
STEB has other friends there in the town of Menominee!
That afternoon they took another trip around the perimeter of the island
STEB climbed 207 for the view - this panoramic is inspiring!

Only 207 steps up - not too bad!

Panoramic view from Arch  Rock!

Arch Rock was cool and looked a bit like the Natural Bridge in Virginia!

Saturday night the island crew went to dinner with their host
At the Yankee Rebel where STEB had the pot roast!

The pot roast was yummy!

There was some shopping fun after dinner
Caddywampus had some neat stuff – it’s a winner! 
But lo and behold Sunday begins the count of a new week of swimming-
20,000 meters this week is what STUR and the Beast'll be hitting!
Started the count off right with 2 miles in the National Harbor -
Would anyone wear a wetsuit? Hardly anyone would bother!

Calm harbor water!

The water temp was a perfect seventy-six -
And the Potomac was calm - not up to any tricks!

Happy swimmers!

Later that day she was back in the pool…
Finished up with 7000 meters for the day and stayed very cool!
Sunday morning STEB and RBug took a little jaunt
Up into the town to see a couple of haunts
First they checked out the fort on the hill
At that hour it wasn't opened...oh well!

STEB would like to check out the fort from the inside, next time!

Next they headed over to the check out the Grand Hotel -
Bet staying there would be pretty swell!

Side view of the Grand!

Sadly for STEB on Sunday things had to come to an end
Took a horse drawn taxi to the dock to catch the ferry again

Views from the horse drawn taxi!

She really enjoyed her time in Michigan

Oh the ferry back to the mainland!

And was happy to visit her friends
She got to check off new state number two for the year
And is looking forward to the next one – never fear!