Crabby Double Rap

After a nice short walk with Lazlo, STUR headed to Arlington
The Clarendon day 10K/5k would be fun!!

Someone got a new bed!

Got her number and slid into the 5k pack-
Planning for just time on her feet so she got in the back.
After finishing the 3 miles she hightailed it back to the 10KEH start line-
She still had to hike 1.5 miles up a mile? Oh fine!
Started the 10KEH all by her lonesome -
Ended up getting back with the pack of runners -don't be glum!

STUR, killin' the hill!

Spotted David on the out and back-
He was way ahead-she won't make up the slack.
Got humid and sunny - STUR was glad to be done-
She was excited when she got her medal- just like she'd won!

Clarendon Bling!

BLUR was there to cheer them on!
They encouraged the rest of the runners- until they were all gone!

Thanks for being the Sherpa, BLUR!

STUR had to scoot- she had more to do-
Intended on at least 6 more miles- it's true!
Took the metro to the airport stop-
She got on the trail- hop hop hop!
All in all 16.5 was the distance she covered-
Pretty tired afterwards  she discovered!
PBun's weekend training started on Thursday night
With a marathon session of spinning on her bike!
Afterwards she went on a short brick run
And with a bit of walking got it done!

Crabtree Falls is amazing!

Saturday morning PBun went on a hike
To Crabtree Falls if you like!

Crabtree Falls selfie!

She had to use some walking sticks
It was steep in places and kind of slick!
Found the sticks along the trail
At the end left them for others, without fail

Different view of the falls!

Followed the instructions and stayed on the designated path
Didn’t want to be a statistic -- natch!

And apparently dogs have also died! :(

Also saw a small old family cemetery
This family lived there back in the 19th century

The Fitzgerald family raised 10 kids at Crabtree Falls!

At the bottom of the trail there was a cool pedestrian bridge

The bridge came from New York!

And a working phone booth? You've got to be kidding?

I guess hikers could call for a cab...or a pizza?!

Saturday night she might have had fun singing some campfire songs*
Practicing for the Rabbit camping trip in November -- it won't be long!
On Sunday morning she went on a run for recovery
She avoided a flooded road it seems!

PBun's feet did not get too wet!

Ran under a one lane underpass
An old railroad bridge as a matter of fact!

No trains went over while she went under.

Noticed a vine with a hanging water drop
And shortly after that it was time to stop!

PBun thought this was pretty cool!

Later that day on did a make-up spin session,
Then getting a good night's sleep was her mission!
Lazlo is ready for football season
And Halloween too, he is ready for Trick or Treating!

Lazlo the Linebarker!

*Girl Scout songs!

Sippin' Cider

I Met a Bear

Thunderation

The Clash Rap

STUR had a little bit of trouble getting up on Saturday morning-
She's pretty nuts about her new dog Lazlo - fair warning!

Lazlo is so cute!

Stayed up late on Friday getting to know him a bit-
He's pretty cute and fun - she must admit!
Got a little later start than she wanted for her run-
Three plus hours until she is done.
Started from Fort Hunt and first ran towards DC -
She had a series of out and backs planned you see!
Back to the car and next out towards Mount Vernon -
Going to be slow and steady - that's for certain!
This time back she meets up with BLUR who is ready to ride -
STUR will finish her run on the Fort Hunt side.
BLUR fought some wind to get in her miles -
STUR finally finished 16 and was all smiles!
Meanwhile PBun headed to Masters Swim at Audrey Moore
It had been a while since Saturday morning practice there for sure
Afterwards headed home to get started on her run
Just an hour and a half – she was not feeling good in the sun
Saturday afternoon some rabbits gathered for a college football game
The Clash of the Tigers would prove to be insane!
Even got to see Spirit’s War Eagle pregame flight

War Eagle and Go Tigers! Or Geaux Tigers?

Then the teams were geared up - ready to fight!
CBun's team started out on top...
Then PBun's came back and she thought that rocked!
But in the end CBun's Tigers prevailed
With a field goal as time expired, oh well!

CBun walked into enemy territory!!!

The rabbits had a grand time of course
With a little talk of future races, and no remorse.

Race planning is the most fun!

Sunday morning alarm arrived way too early
It was going to be a long day, surely
Met up with Jeff then headed out in the dark to get KBun
They headed to Cambridge, MD for some bike fun
Was not sure what the weather or the course would hold
They weren’t too worried, truth be told
Crossing over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge it was really foggy
But as they continued on the sun started peeking out you see!
They arrived in Cambridge around 8:30 AM
And before 9:00 AM wheels were down and they were rolling

Look at that blue sky!

Temp was a comfortable 72 degrees
Along with a light breeze
Around one mile before the ‘hill’
Things got interesting if you will:

Jeff paddling - err pedaling through the drink!

They biked a mile through some pretty high water, no jest!
A guy in a truck coming the other way said “get a life vest”

Flood Area - Really?

Once they got over the top hill to the other side
Quick rest stop at the porta potty was nice

Well hi there, Floyd Frog!

Share the facility with a cute little frog
Guess he did not want to get waterlogged!
The group continued on their way
Only one more high water spot to traverse through that day!
Jeff and KBun previously stated that IMMD loop is easier than Eagleman
PBun now agrees with that, understand?
Once they arrived back at the Rabbit-mobile
Decided a modified loop would be a better deal
Did not want to go swimming on the road again
Because more water IN the wheels might not be a good thing!

This pavilion would be really cool for a party...without the wasps!

On the second loop took a rest at the Harriet Tubman Visitor Center
But when the wasps started circling, they high-tailed it away from that danger!

PBun's bench selfie?

Finally arrived back at the car
KBun and Jeff decided to do a little bit more
PBun started on her brick run
It was hot on the blacktop in the sun
After KBun finished her brick
Off to Goose Creek Market real quick
Then over to Great Marsh Park for a short swim
But PBun stayed in the car instead
On Sunday a small mix up had masters starting late-
But STUR swam like a crazy bunny and 2.4 miles was her fate!

Bad Ass Rap

STUR wanted to get a swim in on Saturday-
Since there would be no swim in her tri- no way!
She got in a short swim at Mount Vernon Rec -
Crowded because Chinquapin was closed she suspects!
Met CBun for lunch and Reston Tri packet pick up -
Did they have a view of Lake Thoreau as they ate? Yup!

If they can't have blue skies they'll take blue shirts!

Pasta dinner and early to bed -
If you thought the next day would be sunny, you were misled!
Saturday morning PBun had a plan
Walk a lot of miles in 3 hours, understand?

Riley, always happy for a walk!

Took Riley out for the first mile
The headed to Lake Accotink with her water bottle and a smile
Her route included a creek that she went over

Over Backlick Run...

And then the Beltway – which she went under

And under the Beltway!

Along the way she added an extra mile-ish loop
On Long Pine Drive if you want the scoop
Once she arrived at the lake she took a quick pic
Then it was time for her return trip
Skipped the extra part on Long Pine
Returned back home with a solid nine!
Later that day she met up with the Beast
To head to Richmond for a catered training day to say the least
Arrived at the hotel and got checked in bikes and all
Then off to find some food and perhaps a side trip to Marshall's?

The Specialized Mafia!

Errands all done, they settled in for the night...
Wondered what the morning weather would be like
STUR woke up to a nice steady rain -
Put the bike on the car and sped away, feeling insane!
The day reminded STUR of Lake Placid '08 -
Rain, rain all day would be their fate!
For a completely different reason the swim was a no go:
Apparently some dangerous algae had begun to show.
STUR found CBun and all they could do is laugh -
They were feeling somewhat stupid but mostly bad ass!
Therefore the athletes would start on the track -
A 2.4 mile run they would do - and that's a fact!
Started off in waves and got it done -
Now time to bike in the rain - this would be…fun?
STUR had heavily considered not getting on her bike -
But peer pressure got her to do it - psych!
Three loops was a challenge to see the least…
Especially when these rabbits trained very little - sheesh!
STUR breezed into T2 - so happy that was done…
CBun was there too- they were ready to run!
One problem is their feet were frozen solid -
Nothing you could do - so on they plodded!
The trail was full of leaves and super slippery
For STUR going down the hills was extra tricky.
FINALLY STUR and CBun were on the South Lakes track-
Unbelievable weather - totally whack!
Received their medal, towel and a hat -
Even had pizza left over, how 'bout that?

They did it!

Insane? Or bad ass? A little of BOTH!

Morning arrived in Richmond – they had some rain and wind
But things were a go, and they headed out - without chagrin!
The plan originally was a full distance swim and bike
Biking one or two loops - you decide
Both were opting to skip the swim
Then indecisionitis hit and they did it on a whim!

A little view of the James!

The shuttle boat actually had to turn around to get the wayward swimmers
Then 2.4 miles up under the WWII Veterans Memorial Bridge is where they entered the water
Nine brave souls started on their way
A swim with the current, you don't say?
The had an escort of the shuttle boat and three kayaks
Everyone pretty much stayed in a line. Fact.
PBun had her fastest 2.4 mile swim ever
And she didn't even give it much effort
After the swim, just four remained...
These were the ones headed out to bike one loop in the drizzly rain

The Beast and PBun, ready for Hammer time!

PBun made it to the first aid stop
And decided she did not want to go on
The Beast continued with their new friend Brian
Who Saturday just happened to race 40 running trail miles!

The Beast and Brian soldiered on!

PBun took the sag back to the parking lot
Resting and warmed up till the others returned - that hit the spot.
Jay and Peluso Open Water Swimming really made it a fun training day
Despite the weather, PBun and the Beast were glad they went down to play!

Thanks for the support out there, Jay!

After trainer time on Saturday KBun rode over on the Eastern Shore
Where she went about 25 miles, and not one more
She and Lionel got a shuttle driver for the bridge
So she could do the supported ride in Cambridge
It was chilly and windy with a little bit of rain
But she got some time in the saddle on the road, just the same.
There she saw a few familiar faces and made a new friend
Hopefully next weekend she and PBun will be out there again!

Reston Repeat Rap

Saturday STUR had a pretty low key day-
She had meant to take the entire day off but "hey...."
Ended up on her trainer for an hour-
For that amount of time she had the power!
Next morning STUR went over to Reston-
The practice tri swim would be lots of fun.

Lovely day for an open water swim!

She met up with CBun in line for registration
Then listened to the pre swim talk - LOTS of information!
FINALLY got to swim on a brand new route
The course was longer than a mile - nobody would dispute!
Time to dry off and hit the bikes...
Two loops on the Reston bike course- they are psyched!
Both rabbits breezed through with no problem at all-
They remembered the hills - they had good recall.

Reston Oly, here they come!

They hope they are ready for next weekend -
The Reston Olympic Tri is just around the bend!
Later that day these two rabbits schemed to watch some football-
CBun knew about an LSU alumni event y'all!
JRab joined them to cheer on the Tigers -
Could their spirits have been any higher?

The Tigers beat the 'Canes!

The Beast got a super early start as per the usual
With Morgan, tackled repeats of speed and hills - they were able!

Way to go, guys!

STUR popped up on Labor Day to get to work -
But the weather was really being a jerk!
She melted as she stepped out the door -
But all this free time to run she couldn't ignore!

It was a hot one!

Ran from her door to National Airport -
She meant to go further but cut it a bit short -

But this looks nice!

Had to make a stop at CVS for some items:
Water and Advil were definitely vital!

Water and Advil - check!

Made it home where the Farmington hill was a killer -
She did feel a bit better after some painkillers!
Decided to extend time on feet by a walk to 7-Eleven
One more mile for a Slurpee equals heaven!
For the entire weekend PBun ended up laying low
Seems she took an unscheduled recovery weekend, don't you know?