Fire and Rain Rap

Saturday morning was pouring and dreary-
STUR and BLUR had outdoor plans-they weren’t leery.
Met at Fort Hunt Park for individual activities…
Biking and running in the rain they will remember vividly!

Still smiling!

Meanwhile, PBun was headed to Audrey Moore
For Masters swim practice with L4!
After that she headed back home
A bike run brick was up next, you know
After all was said and done
She did an indoor triathlon

The Tune Inn is always a good idea!

Next up so many rabbits and friends gathered at the traditional Tune Inn -
Got one of the big booths for the win!

Just one shot?

Shots of fireball...

Cheers to STUR!

...and beer sprinkled with pepper -

Pepper in beer? Sure!

Play some tunes on the jukebox? You betcha!
A pint of beer might have gotten knocked over…
Got a pile of napkins to clean it up after!

They held on to the napkins, just in cases!

Sunday morning PBun got up to run
Just 50 minutes of treadmill fun!
Afterwards she did a strength workout
Squats and deadlifts without a doubt!
Sunday afternoon STUR was surprised she was up for a swim -
The Ironman swim of 2.4 miles is what she got in!
Sunday night PBun went to a Christmas concert
Her aunt was singing at church and after they had dessert!

The concert at St. John the Evangelist is always wonderful!

Snowy Santa Rap

For workouts STUR had kind of an open day-
So she went to her CrossFit box to play!
Per usual on Saturday it’s a partner WOD-
100 reps each of some tough exercises - oh my gawd!
She and her partner made it through in the 40 min time cap -
They were thrilled, how ‘bout that?
Saturday morning PBun was up early but not for a race
Flying out to RNO for a family event in this case
Cut the connection close at SEA
But made it in the end thankfully
Family dinner later that night
Good food and company was out of sight
Sunday it was time to get in the holiday spirit
This STUR bunny wanted a medal not a carrot!
Picked up her CrossFit Kingstown mates,
To the race site they were most definitely NOT late!
Stayed warm in the car then picked up their issued Santa suit!
Just a 5k - didn’t really have to study the route.

Keeping warm is good!

Finally time to get moving decked out as Santa
Started off slow - lots of fun banter.

You've heard of Santa Claus...what about Santa Bunny?
#SantaRuns

Then her friends took off like a shot-
STUR dug in and gave it all she’s got!
In the end they all got extra bling-
Placing in their age group was the thing!

#SantaRuns

Yay for podium bling!

Later STUR peeled herself from the couch in time for swim practice -
A lot of meters was her final status!
BLUR kept her early winter workouts close to home-
With solid trainer and swim workouts, she didn’t have to roam!
KBun had a 'special' kind of session
It wasn't tri related, but about her profession!
CBun was having fun with her fam
Seeing Elton John - he's the man!

Happy to be seeing Elton!

Sunday morning PBun was up early again
And a bike run brick was her plan
But the seat on the bike was too slanted
So the elliptical was the alternative
She followed that up with a short treadmill run
Happy she got a workout done!
That afternoon was the family affair
It was a wonderful event - she does declare
Later on it was a smaller family dinner
Miguel's Mexican Restaurant was the winner!

Walking up to Meguel's from the back lot!

Monday morning she was again up in the dark
Headed over to the Northwest Swimming Pool, it wasn't on a lark
Dropped in to the welcoming Sierra Nevada Masters practice 
Got in 3900 yards - including a lot of kicking - but it wasn’t a fuss!

Thanks for the welcome, SNM!

After a snack and short recovery
Headed to the Tom Cooke trailhead you see

Hello, Tome Cooke!

Went on a little hike and run
That included a steep climb to start but it was fun
Connected with the Steamboat Ditch Trail
Turned around before she got lost – oh well!
She got to run on packed snow
Thankfully she didn’t slip and slide don’t you know?

Running on packed snow is fun - the views were worth it!

The views were spectacular - that’s a fact
And hopes one day she will get back!

PBun's route!

PBun's heart really got pumping on the ascent!

Later after checking out of her hotel
An adventure to Virginia City sounded just swell
Thankfully tire chains or snow tires weren't needed
If so her drive out yonder would’ve been a dud!
More amazing scenery to be had along the way
And of course historic markers, you don’t say

Marker for the Old Geiger Grade
An old toll road that ran from 1862 to 1936.

Made it to the old-school town with no gridlock

View from C Street

And walked back in time on the wooden sidewalks

Walking along the wooden sidewalks was cool!

Lunch in the famous Red Dog Saloon
And a visit to The Way it Was Museum

Looking up at the old Piper Opera House

The town was a big deal back in the day
Because of the big silver Comstock Lode - no way! 

This lode was a mother!

The miles of mining tunnels were truly crazy
It was like an underground multi-level maze!

Virginia City sites!

A little history!

Mucking Regal Rap

Saturday morning the rabbits took off
Headed to Akron O-H, sure enough!
As they got going the rain began
But a little Team Rabbit theme song was in the plan
Made a stop for lunch in Hagerstown M-D
Chick-fil-A was the place, you see
Dinner that night was at Macaroni Grill
Create your own pasta? They think they will!

What type of pasta would you choose?

Caught a little NCAA football action
Darn-it - those teams that won!
An early night as they needed to get going before the crack
You know the drill – this is not whack!
In the morning, parked the car in a field in the dark
Jumped out into a puddle – where’s the ark?
Packet pick-up check – and borrowed a marker
Want to personalize your bibs? Why sure!

Beagles, formerly known as Rabbits!

FFO and FunSize beagle opted for the early 7am start
In the end the beagles thought that was very smart.

They thought they wouldn't need a headlamp...

On the first loop, FFO got a tad confused...
Cut off two miles - she wasn’t too amused!
Jay Beagle and Fleagle Beagle were surprised to see her so soon -
She will admit she felt like a buffoon :)
Dave from Toronto had the same plight -
But when they returned to the lodge together he took flight.
For loop number two, FFO got the directions right -
Followed the BLACK arrows - out of sight!
Fleagle and Jay started with the group at 8am
After a nice little live version of the National Anthem!

Sun is coming up - nice!

Got going and didn’t take long to step in the muck
Keep moving forward or you might get stuck!
Could only imagine how messy the course would become
Later on after hundreds of shoes went through and several loops were done!
You got to run by Sled Ride Hill
Play at your own risk – sounds like a thrill!

This looks SO FUN! But not in the mud!

Runners went by Chief Logan twice on each loop
If you were lucky you’d spot him – that’s the scoop

Chief Logan was pretty big!

After loop two, FFO Beagle knew the drill -
Of mud and muck she definitely had her fill!

They didn't think the bridge was actually slippery!

A sign warned runners that the bridge was slippery…
What about the actual course? In places it was tricky!
Be careful on some of the downhill path
Don’t want to slip and fall on your @$$!

It was nice to be warned!

During Jay's loop two she slipped in the mud and went squoosh
Mark and Alyssa were there to give her a hand and a push!

So much mucking fud!

Not long after she stepped out of her shoe
Had to back up - what else could she do?

Vertical Runner guy thanked two bunnies for the Easter weather -

They were both happy - it was their pleasure!

Harley Beagle appeared to cheer on FunSize after loop five -
She was so excited - she got quite the rise.

It's Harley Beagle running FunSize in at the end!

But FFO and FunSize had more work to do -
They had just one more loop it’s true!
With a mile in a half left they have to encounter the HILL
Unfortunately FFO took a slow motion spill.

The finisher medal is so cute!

Post race they had chili and  R. Shea Red Ale -

Brewed especially for the beagle race on the trail.

Happy Beagles, aka Rabbits!

If you did not get the drift, this race was pretty muddySomeone even pitched their shoes at the end, you see!

The mud was so gross!

As they were leaving, Fleagle got some good news:
First in her age group in the 8K – it’s true!

Way to go Fleagle Beagle, the BLUR!

The Regal Beagle Ultras was a super fun event
Despite the mud that was in spots like cement!

It's the Regal Beagle Lodge!

To cap off the weekend they ate Dewey's Pizza
And also salads and chocolate cake they did feast on!

Delicious!

Team Rabbit had a great time on the planet AK-RON

They were really glad all the spacemen were gone!

More muddy shoe shots!

FFO Beagle's shoes!

FunSize Beagle's shoes!

Turkey Rap

Turkey day morning STUR hopped out into the cold-
She got in about 5 pre turkey trot miles all told.
PBUN was at her house and ready to go-
They were going to run the Alexandria Turkey Trot - don't you know?
Hopped on the metro and grabbed their race number at the school-
Waited inside for the race to start- they ain't no fool!!

Gym selfie while they stayed warm!

PBun had a funny conversation with another runner
The porta potty didn't flush? What a bummer!!
He said he could've said it's urine turn, though...
And wished her a good trot - don't you know!
She said same to you as long as its not the runner's trots!
They had a good laugh and went off to find a starting line spot

Ready to turkey trot!

Once the race began it was easy to get warm
Seeing lots of turkey hats, dogs, and strollers was the norm.
STUR feels like the pace was a pretty good push
She just told her legs and lungs to shush!
PBun did a 10 minute warm up then into a 5k time trial
The balance of her run was at an easier pace - for about a mile.
Once STUR got home she wasn't done yet -
Did she run 1.8 more miles by way of Dunkin Donuts? You bet!
Friday morning PBun was up early
For L4 swim practice at Providence, surely!
Afterwards a bit of holiday shopping on the spur…
Then off to NYC with Stilt - for Harry Potter
Went up by Amtrak train number 136
The northeast regional was pretty slick

Excited about their HP adventure!

Of course it wasn't the Hogwarts Express...
Leaving from Platform 9 3/4, but they digress
Once they arrived a brisk walk to the hotel
Straight down 33rd if you will
Their hotel bar had the bar for Oklahoma University
Partying football fans woke them up in the middle of the night - oh jeez!

Good thing OU won!

They were celebrating the big win over WVU
And you could hear them at 4:30AM on the 18th floor, it's true!
Saturday morning STUR had a longish run in mind…
Wanted to beat the rain and got out of the door on time.
Half mile in - she was feeling great!
But rolling her ankle badly on the sidewalk was her fate
The event actually gave her some pause…
If she was limping she’d stop - that’s the law!
Seemed okay so she kept going -
Six more miles and the sweat was a glowing!
But later in the day it really started to swell.
RICE was he mantra for the rest of the day - oh well

Saturday Stilt and PBun were off to their show
Walk up Broadway through Times Square - let's go!

Stilt and PBun did not look out of place with these characters!

PBun and Stilt got odd looks as they walked along...
A boy pointed out they were wearing Harry Potter clothes...is that wrong?

OK, so they are fans of Gryffindor House...

Arrived at the Lyric Theater in plenty of time
Believe it or not they were third in line

The outside of the theater was amazing!
#KeepTheSecrets

PBun had visited Will Call to pick up THE tickets
Wanted to have actual ones - no ifs, ands, or buts!

She HAD the tickets!

Cloakroom - check, then visit the gift shop
Then the refreshments room was their next stop
Next found their seats and then the show began
Part One kept them on the edge of their seats, oh man
They had a couple hours between parts one and two
Grabbing some pizza seemed like the thing to do
Before Part Two they were standing in a little bit of rain
Hoping later it wouldn't be too insane
Part Two was even more amazing
Especially before intermission - it was crazy
They really enjoyed the production of the Cursed Child
The special effects were pretty wild
They'd consider going to see it again
They don't want the Harry Potter fun to end

Ready to attend the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!

After they got out of the show
It was pouring down rain, wouldn’t you know
Bolted into Walgreen's to buy umbrellas
To walk back to the hotel and not get too soaked, duh!
Over the weekend they had pizza at three different places
Luckily they didn’t tire of it, goodness gracious!!
Sunday they stopped in Macy's for a quick gander around
The Godiva counter is where they could be found!
Sunday after all the RICE STUR could take she headed out to the pool
The Beast was also in attendance which was very cool!
The masters group continued without a coach...
Read the workout on the board - that was their approach!!!