Podcast Rap

BBun did a thing the other day...
Guest on a podcast? You don’t say!
Yes! The Triathlon Age Group Journey
Hosted by Jay, Jillian, and Matt you see!
Thanks so much for giving her the time
And of course she had to write a short rhyme!
She was pretty nervous beforehand as it turned out
But she needn’t be - as the hosts made her feel comfortable no doubt
She’d been following the show pretty much from the start
But first reached out after the haiku discussion on a lark
So 33 episodes later here they all are
Happy to share her triathlon journey - she’s come pretty far!
 

Click here to link to the episode!

Triple Upright Rap

BBun went on three days of hikes - the Virginia Triple Crown
Where the scenery was sure to not cause a frown
Her main goal was to stay upright
Because a tumble would have hurt, that’s right

Dragon's Tooth!

First up was a hike to Dragon’s Tooth
BBun thinks rock scrambles are fun if you want the truth 

The rock scrambles were more fun than the stairs!

One person in the group was really brave
And went all the way to the top - no way!!!

And she climbed all the way up!

On the way back down they saw a huge rat snake
He moved through the leaves quickly, for goodness sake 

The foggy view from Tinker Cliffs

The second day was to Tinker Cliffs
Rainy and overcast if you want the drift

A couple of bridge crossings and past a cow in a pasture
Happy it wasn’t a bull - of that you can be sure!

So many stairs had to be climbed
Going back down them would be a grind!

They couldn’t see the Murder Hole or Scorched Earth views
So BBun Googled them later - what else could she do?
A couple of dudes on their way up said they were living the dream
As BBun struggled to make her way down she could see what they mean! 

Saturday afternoon BBun revisited the Roanoke Star
After a burst of rain the sky cleared and you could see kind of far

The third day brought chilly but more clear weather
And the hike to McAfee Knob would sure to be a winner 

At McAfee Knob!

BBun has to admit, going in she was pretty beat
But didn’t want to miss it as she heard the view was sweet
They got started just before first light
Should have had a head lamp - but no need for a fright!

Sunrise on McAfee Knob...next time!

On the way they passed lots of folks on their way back
They’d been there to see the sunrise - that’s NOT whack

Hiking with friends is the most fun!

They all agreed that that would be cool
But it was nice to preview the hike mostly in the daylight - they aren’t fools

Thanks for the cool picture, Tracy!

Bottom line, is BBun stayed upright all three days
Though a few close calls might have been made!

Army 10 Rap

Team Rabbit took on the Army 10
STUR, KBun, Stilt, and BBun together again!

They all met up at STUR’s house before the crack of dawn
Then caught the metro over to the pentagon 

They arrived in time to see the Army’s Golden Knights
Coming down with red smoke - it was quite a sight

It’s was kind of chilly while they waited to start
And in the porta potty line - that can be the worst part

The bunnies started the race in one of the last waves -
It’s almost 9am - they will start one of these days!

 BBun and KBun were back and forth for a bit
But BBun almost never saw the others - no need to get in a snit
She did see KBun do a bit of a striptease…
KBun had finally warmed up and took off some layers you see!
Apparently Stilt saw her while she waited in a potty line
Stilt decided she could hold it - she was almost halfway there at the time
Out on the course wind was definitely a factor -
From the pain of the last couple miles it was a distractor.
They talked about how the wind was blowing off their ears
Had to hold them in their hand on the bridge or lose them never fear!
STUR ran into BBun while listening to her favorite tune -
They were happy as they would be finishing soon!

The rabbit girls all finished pretty much in a row -
1. 2, 3, 4 - get that medal don’t you know!

 Made the obstacle walk back to the metro station
Back to STUR’s then breakfast at Bob & Edith’s - it’s their tradition!

 

 

Alligator Free Rap

BBun took a road-trip to Augusta G-A
To do the 70.3 on a sunny Sunday 
It had been on her list for a while
So getting it done made her smile
Arrived to the venue in a timely manner 
Packet pickup and pre-race brief? Yes sir!

Always exciting to go to the Ironman Village!

Then got sorted at her hotel and ready for Saturday activities 
There’s always so much to do you see
Quick shake out ride on Trixie 
And one of the first for bike drop woo wee

Trixie wasn't lonely for long!

Walked the swim out and checked out transition
She thought she’d scored a pretty good rack location 

Transition is starting to fill in!

Fun hill up to transition from the swim!

Finally it was time to drive the bike course 
After a false start she got going - no remorse 
Realized she should have brought a drink and some snacks 
And found a convenience store along the way so she grabbed some, natch
Afterwards she picked up an early dinner from the Olive Garden as per the usual
Then was in for the night and thought a good night of sleep would be doable
Morning came - it was still dark
But BBun got going and headed out to park
Short walk down to transition for last minute prep
Then a shuttle bus to the swim made it easier to shlep 
The staging was at a minor league ballpark stadium
The Greenjackets offered actual toilets versus porta potties and use of the Jumbotron 
First met a lady local to the D-M-V...
And was impressed with her car camping set up on the cheap!
Athletes could sit in chairs while watching the start of the pros race
Before the age group rolling start began which was nice
She got in the water about when she’d thought
And made sure she knew the time on the clock
That way she’d know what time of day she had to be done
In case things came down to the wire - ho hum
She had fun chatting with others during the stroll to the river
And met two ladies doing their first triathlons ever!
Finally time to jump in the water on three
A little sunshine in the eyes but had her tinted goggles you see
It was a pretty smooth swim from the start to the exit
And thankfully no alligators were seen - that’s legit
As BBun made her way up the swim exit chute 
Had to double back for her glasses again - oh shoot
Then a quick stop at a porta potty
Then bike gear on and was ready to jump on Trixie
 

Random Rabbit graffiti at bike out!

The bike course was basically a lollipop loop
With three climbs and an out and back section if you want the scoop
The climbs were manageable and came in the first half
And three aid stations and plenty of volunteers to match 
There is nothing of significance to report
Though one section reminded her of Stagecoach Road and made her head hurt
However, bike aid station number three had
A military memorial section that was inspiring but sad
Finally it was time to get off the bike 
Just a half marathon to go if you like 
Not gonna lie it was a warm and tough affair
But she kept to her plan and made it not without a little prayer!
Made sure to get ice at every aid stop
And met a fellow TriDot athlete and they talked shop
Would you believe it was her first triathlon ever, too?
She was impressed with all of these ladies it’s true!
Finished right behind her
And then hung out for a bit after

BBun - the happy finisher!

Then BBun was ready to go pick up her gear
The walk wasn’t too bad compared to the past hear
Before she knew it she was loaded up and back in her room!
And not long after that she was ready to snooze.
The trip home on Monday went nearly as smoothly 
And got home in the early afternoon - sweet!
Happy to check another race off her bucket list
That’s three in one year, if you get the drift!

Triple H Rap

Four rabbits met in Annapolis for some hills, heat, and humidity…
It’s the ten mile race - there’s no stupidity!
The A10 race really is a triple threat
Three H words make it quite an accomplishment!

Had to get the obligatory porta-potty pic...
And believe it or not, those lines moved pretty quick!
Most of the group got in line for the potties twice -
Nobody having to stop along the way is nice 

Multiple rabbits gathered at the start
With a friend of KBun’s to take part

The message on BBun’s favorite sign said
On a scale of 1 to 10, You’re A-10 you can bet

It was fun taking selfies on the out and back hill
Thankfully BBun’s ears didn’t block Stilt!

About when they were halfway there…
Some guy was playing Living on a Prayer!
After the last rabbit crossed the finish line
The announcer asked if they’d multiplied on the course - no lie!

During the race Marcy had been napping in Stilt’s car
But woke up in time for the finish – rock star

In the end the group had to go separate ways -
For BBun and STUR at bob and Edith’s they would graze!

Half Moon Rap

Three rabbits decided to travel up to The Mitten -
With the Swim to the Moon* race they were smitten!

Two traveled by car and one by plane…
Fact that nobody traveled by train.
The three had a brief encounter at packet pick up -
Was it a pretty easy process? Yup!
Met up later for an Italian meal -
Sitting outside with Tim’s family was ideal!

First, on Friday BBun traveled to PA
Was she going to Stilt’s house? Definitely!
On Saturday they headed out this time in Stilt’s automobile
BBun giving up driving duties seemed ideal!
Headed straight to the packet pickup place
Happy to see STUR and Tim in this case
Then they walked down to see the 10k turnaround point
Things were about to go down in this joint!

Headed to check in to their hotel
And getting the lay of the land was pretty swell
After the meet up with Tim’s family
Did a quick drive by The Big House you see

Always hoping for a good night’s rest
BBun was pretty nervous she did confess
Saturday morning they lined up with Dan from L4
He had swum a lot longer races, for sure
Christy was there to do the 5K
And Stilt was in for the half mile, by the way

STUR and BBun casually walked into the lake
Since it was being timed by chip for goodness’ sake

BBun felt like the creature from the black lagoon
That is part of swimming to the moon!
The lakes got a little low in places where they connected
And there were grasses and such with which to be subjected

STUR smacked her hand on the inside of the tunnel -
She might have said a bad word before out of it she did funnel
STUR’s hands remained cold throughout the swim -
At least they never turned white or grim.
As STUR and BBun approached the 10k turn around
Would you believe there was a guy dragging an inner tube with flags - it did astound!

BBun saw the unicorn float only on the way out
STUR saw it both times, no doubt
Meanwhile, back on the Halfmoon Lake Shore,
There might have been some napping going on – don’t snore!
Stilt was doing her first open water swim
Doing it on 6 weeks of training for the win!

Her group was the last to go in the lake water
Helped an older gentleman with his timing chip - he could've been her father!
The cold water was at first a bit of a shock
But she adapted quickly - you know that she rocks!
The half mile turn around was at the big yellow duck
Stilt touched it before she turned around for luck!
Her mission was to beat two particular guys
She kept her head down and did it - no surprise!
The 2023 Swim to the Moon was a swimming success
BBun was happy to check it off her race bucket list

After Stilt and BBun cleaned up
They headed to Washington Twp

They were there to hang out with BBun’s B-F-F
That would be RBug – she and her husband were our chefs!

They cooked us a really great dinner
And we relaxed and hung out – it was a winner.

~~~~~

*The Swim to the Moon is "an extraordinary open water swimming adventure through the picturesque Hiland Chain of Lakes near Hell, Michigan."