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."

Happy Rap

Gina aka BBun headed to Happy Valley P-A
Time for another 70.3 race? You don’t say!
She’d scoped out the venue three weeks before
After a successful Tour de Fred metric century - score
The drive was a smidge long but overall wasn’t too bad
Arrived in time to hit up the Ironman Village - pretty rad

Triathlon Explosion!

First she’d checked in her hotel and unloaded the car
The venue was just up around the corner- not too far

After visiting the Ironman store and knocking out athlete check-in
Was able to attend one of the athlete briefings for the win!
Did something a little different during the wait
She drank an ABC beer for goodness sake!

She also took time to get a Berkey Creamery treat
Ginormous vanilla ice cream cone can’t be beat!

 

The next day she had loads to do
Get Trixie cleaned up was one thing it’s true
 

 

She did a partial preview of the run course by bike
Then dropped off her T2 bag - starting to get psyched
 

 

Next it was time to drive Trixie to T1
Then a very early dinner picked up from the Olive Garden
Race day of course came earlier than she’d liked
But was out of her room headed to the venue lickety split. Yikes!
Got to the parking lot over by T2
Managed to catch the second shuttle bus, it’s true.
Got to ride with Meg, a soon to be pro
Who said ‘Pennsylvania - where the hills have hills’, don’t you know?
Waiting for the start passed pretty quickly.
And gave up a water bottle for a karma boost you see!
Lined up in her normal rolling start place
Sans wetsuits even though the swim was wetsuit legal in his case. 

She dropped off her glasses at the handy table
The swim volunteer captain was very helpful!
The water felt perfect and she sighted quite well
Felt like she could’ve swam all day - swell
After exiting the water she remembered her specs
No turning back like at IMChoo - what the heck?
Her transition 1 was particularly long and slow
Between the porta potty and glasses situation don’t you know

Finally made it out on the course
Short out and back in the park to warm up first
As she started to make her way to the main road
That’s when she saw Stilt and Marcy - hold the phone!
They really gave her a fun little boost
Helped her up the silly short incline, too!
Once on the main road things moved along nicely.
Before she knew it 15 miles had flown by
At some point she got to see Stilt and Marcy again
It really was so great they traveled partway across the state of Penn
The next time she saw them on the bike course
Was the start of THE really big climb - the second - it would be adverse 

It seemed to go on and on and on
But she did reach the top - she was feeling strong!
Then had a downhill with a speed limit restriction
Feathered her brakes the whole way down without opposition!
She must make a note about all of the bike course spectator support
There was a crazy amount - especially for a new race she must report!
There were lots of Amish families out to spectate - literally throngs
And in Mill Hall among other things a lady walking her cat - is that wrong?
Finally made her way back to the PSU campus
And one more stupid climb - at least it was shorter but - no fuss?
Finally rolled on into T2
And they were there again - it’s true!

A slightly faster change into run gear
Porta potty stop then in 13.1 the end would be near!
Off on a two loop course around the campus ground
Some hills and a visit to the Nittany Lion shrine that you had to go around
A sighting or two of her Sherpa friends again
One step closer to the end

Finally it was time to run through the tunnel to Beaver Stadium
Then down to the 50 yard line - unlike game day no real pandemonium!
The announcer definitely liked her bunny ears
Best hat of the day - never fear!

BBun says it’s probably the hardest bike course she’s ever done
Made it all in the nick of time, son of a gun!

The official climbs!

Cool shot of the swim from the Facebook page!

Photo cred: @swimbeckrun

Hilarious post on the Facebook group!

Pistol Party Rap 2023 Edition

Team Rabbit headed to Knoxville T-N
Back to race the Pistol Ultras again
STUR, Stilt, and KBun were down for 50K
And Richard from T-X, oh by the way
BBun was in for a half marathon
But KBun was prepared to go really, really long…
Packet pick-up literally was a breeze!
Dinner at the Blackhorse Pub and Brewery? Yes please!
KBun had a little mishap with a forgotten leather pouch-
Had all her GUs and credit cards - ouch!
Worked it out with her sis and Richard to get it returned back to her possession!
What’s next for the rabbits? That’s the question!
The answer is bed time for the rabbits four -
Did watch #16 FDU beat #1 Purdue - score!
Rabbits got up before the crack per the norm
Quick drive to the race site - it was a beautiful chilly morn

Three rabbits and Richard lined up for the 50k
After the anthem they headed out on their way

Just three loops to knock out
BBun was confident in their ability no doubt!
In the morning it was a tad chilly Willy -
Some people wearing shorts?!!! Don’t be silly!

For STUR the first 10 miles were very doable
Fueled by lucky charms and other things chewable.

STUR enjoyed cheers from Tim and BBun via the RaceJoy app-
Made her keep going and not take a nap
Stilt unfortunately got another blister on her first loop
Had to get the foot taped if you want the scoop 

BBun tried to surprise the crew out on the course
Kept missing KBun to her remorse

Even missed when she was coming to the finish line
Got a call when she was in the lavatory it was not the right time!
If you remember last year the rabbits might have crashed a prom
Well this year BBun crashed a pep rally. Is that wrong?

After BBun and KBun caught up they waited for Richard to finish
Then headed to the hotel where she was supposed to replenish

 

 

That is - relax and eat some food
So she would be ready for the 50 miler starting soon!
A quick soak and pretzels would have to do
Then a change of clothes but wear the same shoes
Stilt and STUR were surprised to see BBun about halfway through loop two-
Gave them a lift in spirits- it’s true!
The tracking made it a little easier in most cases for BBun know where to be
Except in the above situation with KBun you see!
After loop two STUR hung out with BBun in the restroom-
For charging devices you’ll presume
STUR tried to make the last loop her bitch!
But most of the running she had to ditch
After dropping KBun and Richard, BBun skedaddled back to the race site
Didn’t want to miss more rabbits cross the finish line!!
Shuffle and pump was the way to go-
Hoping not to be too slow..
One last push around the pond
Got to the finish line relatively calm!
As a reminder of last year BBun yelled out to Stilt “Run, Lynn!”
She didn’t have to outrun any people in pink That’s no sin…

 

 

After all the rabbits were back in one place
It was almost time to get KBun back to the 8pm race

 

After she took off with all the 50 mile runners
The rest went off in search of some dinner
Stayed up too late watching more men’s basketball
Then on Sunday morning it was BBun’s turn to race y’all!

She was happy when at around mile 2
Ran into a familiar face - guess who?

It was KBun on her way to completing her fourth loop
Then only one more to get done - whoop !
Not long after that she got a surprise
STUR and Stilt at the leprechaun station - all right!
She continued on her way and they hightailed it to the start / finish
Hoping to catch KBun before she started her final loop was their wish
After breakfast Stilt and STUR found their way to the shamrock aid station-
Missed KBun but found BBun doing some racin’!
BBun continued on her merry way
Remembering more of the course along the Greenway
Brief stop in the Trail Winds tent
Gummy Worms and PB Pretzels were heaven sent
Happy to see the Leprechaun tent again
Gotta get a cup of Lucky Charms, yeah man!

Next up she saw KBun on her FINAL loop
She was going to get that Double Barrel loot!! 

Cruised through the finish area and grabbed a pancake
Just a short out and back left for goodness sake
Managed to stay strong to the actual finish
Might have been a tad famished

STUR and Stilt were ecstatic to cheer BBun onto her excellent half marathon finish -
Then back to the hotel to shower and replenish.
Next BBun tried to drive STUR and Stilt around
They found KBun with about 4 miles left and out of the car they did bound
The rabbits were able to catch up with KBUN on the way back on the trail -
It was a tough section for her but they knew she’d prevail!
The rabbits definitely had her back -
And they jumped in to keep her eating, resting and on track!
Meanwhile, BBun grabbed some coffee and lunch
Then headed back to the hotel to munch
Needed assistance as she’d locked herself out of the room
Wouldn’t make that mistake again any time soon
Caught up with everyone around mile 47.34...
And the leprechaun station to the rescue, for sure

KBun with her Pacer Peeps!

Even though KBun was resistant to rest she still had oodles of time-
A little bit to go and one more tiny climb!

Duck Version!

She stepped it up big time and picked up that pace-
It would be soon that she conquered the double barrel race!

Tears and emotions were the rule as she crossed the official line-
Now in a chair with a Mylar blanket she can recline!

 

After the rabbits relaxed and cleaned up
It was time for dinner and such

Celebratory Margaritas. And a Diet Coke!

Mexican food was BBun’s perfect plan-
They deserved that margarita for as far as they ran!
Had to get technical support back at the hotel
So they could get truTV - swell
Thought FDU might pull off the upset again
But it was not in the cards. Aw man. 

Double Barrel Bling!!

Would you believe KBun had to go to WORK the next day?
The rabbits thought that was a little cray-cray…
KBun woke up 38 minutes before her flight-
Can you believe she made it? Well ALRIGHT!!!

 

 

Stilt got to  ring the PR Bell!!