Stormy Swim SUP Rap

This weekend STEB took a little trip to see her God Child
Just like last time a good time was had by all - it was wild!
Started things off with at an amazing breakfast joint
#BreakfastRepublic loves bacon is their point!

This place was amazing!!

STUR once again awoke on a Saturday at the crack-
She had to wear a headlamp at first- no way Jack!

Lovely views on STUR's run!

So many large groups on the Mt Vernon Trail running-
Since a lot of fall marathons will soon be coming!
She ran from Belle View to almost Fort Hunt -
There's just a couple of hills she had to confront!
Once done she settled by the river on a bench -
Did her burpees and in sweat she was drenched!

Burpees - check!!

STEB even went by Verona but not by bus

This was a different Verona....

She ran there Saturday, it was really no fuss

Tana's boyfriend took STEB for a run...
Thanks, Justin, it was really fun!

They did an out and back next to Mission Beach
Followed by breakfast and then a scenic bike tour - neat!

Nice point to point ride - the shuttle to the start / top of Mt. Soledad was nice!

Got to see some pretty cool sights and sounds
Including seals and sea lions, just swimming around!

Seals are so cute! And the scenery was lovely!

Ended with a walk down 145 steps to La Jolla's Sunny Jim Cave 
But coming back up after was not STEB's fave!

The La Jolla Cave and Matt the awesome bike guide!

Saturday night was a really cool themed event
An avant-garde costume gala fashion show is where they went!

Some sights from the Vanguard Culture event!

After a stormy night STUR headed National Harbor on a less humid day -
CBun was there to swim, too. Yay!

Mermaid selfie - it's tradition!

Last open water swim before a race next weekend -
Three rabbits will attempt the 10KEH- throwing caution to the wind!
Sunday afternoon STEB finally got to try SUP and it was a blast…
Except for the dude in the no wake zone going too fast!

Crazy SUP route in Mission Bay!

Sunday was an outdoor concert - The Mighty Untouchables were fab
But forgetting dessert at home made everyone sad!

Gorgeous rose gardens! STEB was lost in there!

Monday STEB and her God Child went on a 2 mile walk

A nice little loop!

Through Balboa Park - that place rocks!

These tree root systems were amazing!

One part of the park had a super steep path
When they got to the top they were out of gas!

Seriously steep path up!

Tana took STEB to a hidden San Diego spot -
The Spruce Street suspension bridge really rocked!

Suspension Bridge Selfie!

Final dinner was at a place called Hodad’s
They weren’t pretending to be surfers, but it was pretty rad!

License plates everyone! Even some from Virginia!

STEB was excited to do a bunch of fun stuff
Looking forward to her next trip there - she can't get enough!

Lovely SD sunset!

Swim For Your Life Rap

On Saturday, Team Rabbit participated in the Swim for Life
It was good but at times there might have been some strife...
They got to the race venue in a timely manner
Scored excellent parking not too far yonder
Packet pickup and body marking – check
Nabbed a good picnic table pretty quick

This was also the finish!

Finally it was time for the safety briefing to start
There was lots of good advice the race director did impart!

Thanks to the kayakers and other safety folks!

The race got underway just a smidge late
And the waves went off about five minutes apart – no debate

Goggles at the ready!

Four rabbits were in wave number three
They were swimming 3 miles, you see!
STUR, STEB, CBun, and The Beast,
They were prepared to say the least!
KBun was doing the 2.4
Perfect for Kona training, sure!
And BLUR was ready for her 2 –
Double from last year is what she decided to do!
Ran into some old Team Z team mates
It was fun chatting with Donna before the race
Made a new friend named Meico
He was doing the 1 mile, don’t you know?
One dude had on a T-shirt with a message that was really funny
"That’s a horrible idea! What time?" Sounds perfect for these bunnies!

Hmm, this could be the new tag line for Team Rabbit!

The rabbits agreed, sighting can be a chore…
Just 6 buoys – why can’t we have a few more?

Don't let this calm looking water fool you!

At times the Rabbits had some trouble finding the stinking buoys -
That's okay since the post-race cookies were chewy!
The current was really cranking after the turn around point -
It was really bumpy and wavy up in this joint!
All the Rabbits survived their respective swim distances -
Then had to clear the beach at the race director's insistence!
They ended up blowing the born three times - it was not a drill
Inclement weather approaching don't want anyone to get killed!
CBun had not yet come up thru the finish chute
But before the next horn blast she was there - no fluke!
STUR was happy with her decision to do the three mile race-
The water conditions and nausea messed with her pace!
STEB got a little foot cramping on the out and back
And nearly ran head first into STUR by the turnaround – how about that?
As she neared the 2 mile point of her race
She almost wished she’d signed up for that as was the case
She learned how to time her strokes with the waves and chop
Because clearly she could not make those stop!
After when all the rabbits regrouped
And learned a tornado warning was the scoop
They hurried over to the amazing buffet-
So many yummy dishes- you don't say?
A water spout had been spotted at the mouth of the river
The possibilities of bad weather made them shiver!

This photo credit / update was from the Maryland Swim for Life Facebook page!

After they ate and STUR and STEB did their burpees -
Then they stayed to listen to the awards if you please!
Good thing they did as one rabbit was award winning!
KBun heard her name called and she was grinning!
She got first in her age group for the 2.4:

KBun keeping Team Rabbit 'award winning'!

Got a cool Swim for Life mug - score!!
Looks like Swim For Life turned into Swim For Your Life
CBun didn't realize all the drama that the conditions were so rife!
The swim RD sent out a nice recap email...
It was crazy after so many years at the end they had to bail!
Usually the current there is VERY calm and mild...
But the chop and rollers made it pretty wild!
The Rabbits all agree in the end it was fun!
And would they do it again? Yes, son of a gun!
On their way home - the Rabbits must stop for a Slurpee -
All that sugar attempted to make them perky!
That afternoon STEB headed with Riley to P-A...
What’s wrong with driving 380 miles in one day?
Wanted to visit her cousin Stilt and Riley’s mom Izzy –
Made it there lickety split – no time for a tizzy

Izzy and Riley - together again!

STUR started her Sunday at the harbor - it's become a habit-
With a run before the harbor swim for that rabbit!
The air was cooler and the day was quite sunny -
Ran about halfway over the bridge – ‘twas lovely!

View from the WW Bridge! Nice  calm water here!!

Got back in time to swim clockwise in the river -
A very calm swim this day it did deliver!
Meanwhile STEB and Stilt took a nice walk on the track
But it seems that Stilt’s GPS is all out of whack!

Nice view from the Mt. Pleasant Area Jr./Sr. High School track!

The difference between hers and STEB’s Garmin data
Makes you wonder what the heck is the matter?!

STEB's on top, Stilt's on bottom...just a little whack!

After a nice breakfast with her cousin, aunt, and uncle...
She and Riley headed home – no time for a lull
STEB’s weekend tally of driving miles was 590
That’s a piece of cake, she does decree!

Muncie to Colonial Beach Rap

On Saturday morning STUR and STEB had to get up at the crack-
Waking up at 3:00 AM is really really whack!
Once they met up they STUR and STEB hopped in the car
Headed out to a race venue - not too far
Even though it was only a mini rabbit road trip
Having Good & Plenty for the ride is legit!

"Official" snack food of Team Rabbit!

They were going down to Colonial Beach -
Where a sprint triathlon/aqua bike was in their reach!
Arrived at the venue in good time
Loaned Leanne a pump - that's not a crime

Sheila and Trixie - just hanging around!

After they checked in they set up transition -
Going to the porta potty more than once was a good decision!

It's hard taking selfies looking into the sunrise!

Of course there was time for a photo op...
Hit the beach for the pre-race briefing where The National Anthem rocked
STUR took some time to look at the swim map-
Maybe it didn't sink in since she had a small mishap...

Colonial Beach Sprint Swim Course
(approximate)

The swim course was sort of a rectangle
Had to swim it clockwise and not get mangled
Going around the final turn buoy that is
STUR and STEB both caught the cable - gee whiz!
STUR had to swim a bit back to that final buoy -
But she could see the finish - the yellow waving man was groovy!
Took her time in transition - that's what she does,
Time to put on the biking gloves!
Ahead of her was a 14 mile jaunt -
You can take your time if you want.
That's exactly what STUR decided to do -
Just her second time on the bike this year - it's true!!
STEB forgot to switch her watch as she came out of the water
Swimming on the land? No bother!

STEB was doing the sand crawl....

Because she was doing the aqua bike and would not run
STEB was prepared to bike hard and have some fun!
Caught up with STUR around mile five…
They discussed IMWI's Stagecoach Road - no jive!
Finally made it back to transition
Checked in at the aqua bike finish tent then learned her position
Turns out she was first in that category
Got a cool blanket if you want the story!

Winner, winner chicken dinner -
STEB was the first female aqua-bike finisher!

STUR made it through the 14 miles - whew!!
Now it's time to look for a running shoe or two!
Saw STEB who was done with her Aqua bike-
She'll take a picture of you in transition if you like!

STUR in T2 - looking for her other shoe!

STEB accompanied STUR for the first part of the run -
It seemed all of it would be in the direct sun!
STUR enjoyed many comments about the ears this time:
"You better hop, hop, hop to the finish line!"
Or, "Oh no! I forgot MY bunny ears!"
Then this dude passed her and disappeared!

STUR, coming down the home stretch!

All in all STUR was happy with her experience!
Sprint tris are fun and not too serious!

Post-race - the happy finishers!

They had Ledo's Pizza at the finishers party
But still hungry so had Chick-fil-A on the way home smarty!

Cute sign in the Waldorf Chick-fil-A!

Saturday evening STEB headed over to her pool
She was doing the lap-a-thon with the swim team - cool

Ready for the lap-a-thon!

Swam 200 lengths in about 2 hours - no trouble
Got pizza after so it was a pizza day double!
Sunday morning STEB started her ride around 7:00 AM
The weather on this day was her friend

STEB and Trixie - ready to roll!

Starting from the upper lot at Lake Accotink Park
Did the loop of North Springfield that she modified on a lark
On her ride STEB saw some squirrels and one black cat
She was happy that he didn't cross her path!
After Saturday's effort she was happy with her pace
Though her legs felt a bit tired as was the case
Sunday morning STUR headed over to National Harbor -
Time to don the goggles and swim cap armor.
But first a short 30 minute run will happen...
Swim starts soon so she got cracking!
Met up with BLUR right on the dock -
Such a beautiful day out - it rocked!
BLUR swam and swam to the bitter end -
STUR got out at 9 loops - that's what she did intend.
The water temp was perfect and a bit choppy -
Neither rabbit was bothered that it was rocky.
After STEB's ride it was time for a little run -
A loop around the lake - it was nice to be out of the sun

Lovely view of Lake Accotink!

Lots of people were out and about -
And she ran by a little dog party without a doubt
Running by the train tracks is always pretty cool
Especially when one comes barreling through!

No playing on the tracks!

Managed to run up the dam hill
At the top tripped over something but didn't take a spill

The dam hill is short but steep!

Finishing up she saw a cute chipmunk
Always thankful not to see a skunk!
After an afternoon nap STUR was back at the pool again -
Both she and the Beast got in over 3000 meters for the win!
Sunday afternoon STEB stayed cool inside
Decided watching "Jaws" then "Soul Surfer" would be wise!

KBun and friend!

Meanwhile, KBun was out in Muncie, Indiana
To do the 70.3 there as part of her training for Kona

CrAzY rain!!!

The day before she got caught in weather like a monsoon...
Maybe it had something to do with the coming full moon?

The rain washed all the mud off the car...

The road was flooded by her hotel...
What would race day be like? Hopefully swell!

Ahh race morning! So much better!

Saturday morning her wave went off around 8:00 AM
KBun finished the swim bike run - and that's a win!

Happy 70.3 finisher!

Afterwards she celebrated with a cone from Dairy Queen -
Which is a perfect post-race treat if you know what we mean!

Another half Ironman for Team Rabbit?
Another half backpack!