Race Weekend!

Well...it was another successful weekend of racing. Mason and 1 ran a small 5k that was run by a church near our house in effort to raise money for kidney transplant/donors...which is always a good cause.. So we ran that race....and both won our age groups! Ha ha... I was the 1st female to cross the 'big finish' with only 1 guy and 1 kid (yes, kid...he passed me at about the 1/2 way and stuck right in front of me the rest of the way.. I just didn't have the heart to get competetive with a 13 yr old...especially at a church event!) in front of me. And Mason was right with me in his stroller with no one his age in sight! So that was a nice saturday morning.. My coach had recommended we do a short 'brick' that day, so I did a little bike ride prior to the run.. So that was a nice little warm up day to our 1st tri of the season, which was the next day (sunday). Most of our tri team went to do the Carmel Sprint Triathlon this morning... It was BRISK!! To say the least.. The swim was indoors in an amazing high school pool.. Then it was a chilly jog to get on our bikes, just a 10 mi bike and then off for the 5k run! I did well... I actually wound up getting 2nd (or 3rd.. .not sure...it said 2nd on the results at the race, but on-line says 3rd... either way, I'm OK w/ it) in my age group. As it turns out, if I'm ever going to really be up there in the ranks.. I'm going to have to start caring about those darn transitions! I always view them as "oh, what's a few seconds for taking my time getting shoes, socks, etc (and chatting a bit w/ folks around me)" But...from looking at the results...it makes a difference. SO. I don't know... I guess I'll start thinking about it more. But at least I know my actual events (the swim, bike and run) are going well.. I did a 7 min mile average on the run! I think that may be a PR even when I have fresh legs! So that's kinda cool. I like to see improvement! So that was that. 1st tri of the season down... Next up is either an olympic distance in Bloomington (back to those hills!) in early June, or maybe a mid-range distance (just short of olympic) in Terre Haute at the end of May. As usual...I'm itchin' for that next race, so I'll more than likely go for the earlier date. But, again... I'd say this season is off to a good start! My wonderful husband and Mason were there, of coarse, to witness it all... And Matt took some stunning video that I'll try to edit and add something from it.. either pics or video.. so stay tuned!

Fundraising update!!

On the fundraising front...I MUST update you all that I have (since my previous post not even a month ago) reached 100% of my minimum fundraising goal!!! YAY!! That's really exciting...and again, I have all of you to thank for that.. So, THANK YOU ALL!! This is my first foray into the world of fundraising and it has been a great experience. All the money I have raised so far has been from individual donations (and the couple events that I did...but those were still individuals participating and donating..), so it's truly been a 'power of one' situation and it's inspiring to see, to say the least. I also must add, however, that this doesn't mean I'm done collecting donations for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society... the $4200 personal goal that I had set was my minimum requirement for the event that I chose (Steelhead, in case ya forgot), but now that I've reached that, ALL donations/money raised above that goal will continue go to LLS and their efforts to cure blood cancers and improve the quality of life for patients and their families... So please don't hesitate to continue to add your donation, if you haven't already. ALL of your support means the world to me and I'm honored to be able to do my part to help raise money for all those that are so greatly in need. Please remember that with these tough economic times, we all struggle, but charities and medical research continue to need our help!... So please just keep that in mind. As always, I thank you for checking in with me and I thank you for your support.
So keep on keepin on! (I feel like I should have a 'catch phrase' or a 'signature sign off'...how do ya like that one.. No?? Too much?? ah..I'll keep working on it..)

Ready. Set. GO!

Hello! Well...race season is now in FULL SWING, so 'ready, set, go' is something heard a lot around here these days (actually, we hear it mostly from Mason who has taken a liking to 'racing' himself just about anywhere..any time... dr's offices, through the house, any ol' place will do! I'm pretty sure he always wins, too, which is good for the self esteem..). My 1st race o' the season was the IU Mini (or 1/2, to most) Marathon, which was a HILLY half, to say the least, and was on a rainy day (luckily I didn't start in the rain.. That's always a bummer... I just got caught at about mile 8 and then it didn't really get pouring until I was less than a minute from the big finish, which was therefore dramatic, for sure!) the 1st weekend of April.. I'd say it went well. Other than the weather, everything else was smooth as butter! I felt pretty good the whole race, except for my legs getting a lil tired by the end due to those hills! But for not really following a training plan, I fared purty darn well. In fact, I ran this one faster than the 'oh, so flat' Indy Mini Marathon just a little less than a yr ago! (my time at IU this yr was a 1:52 and I think, if memory serves me, the Indy mini was about a 1:56) And the hills, I must elaborate a bit to give you folks that are going 'hills in Indiana??'...trust me.. These folks were serious about giving us midwest runners a hilly challenge. It was pretty comical, actually (at least I thought it was). Most of it would be long, gradual climbs and then you turn a corner and BAM! a short steep son-of-a-hampster right there waiting for ya! And in the last mile of the race... TWO more hills packed in there! And if there was a downhill...I don't remember it. But anyway, it was fun. Matt and Mason were there with their new (courtesy of my fabulous husband) 'Team Blunck' shirts on to cheer me on. It's always so amazing to see them...and Mason's really starting to recognize me more as I come running by! The down side of that... he started calling 'up' when I came by the 2nd time and then started crying when I passed?! Oh, dear...we'll have to work on that one... Any way. So racing has started and is going well. Training is still fun and going well... I was even able to get some good runs and trainings in while we were out in Baltimore visiting family and watching the O's home opener (don't ask... for those that are fans, they were a bit bitter about the finish..), which was fabulous fun. We (being Mason and I..Matt has to work) have the Komen Race for the Cure 5k this saturday.. Mason will be riding in style in his stroller, which I will push while I run the 5k (even though they'd prefer we stick w/ the mile family walk...but if I'm going to get everything together and get out there by myself on a saturday morning... I'm running 3 miles darn it... So LOOK OUT! Here comes Team Blunck!). Then this sunday I have my 1st tri of the season! It's a sprint...the swim will be in an indoor pool, but the ride and run are outdoors... I'm looking forward to it! I'll let ya know how all of that goes... Here's some pics of the IU Mini and our trip out to Baltimore..

Here's Mason and I before the start at IU Mini in Bloomington, IN

blowing kisses to my little man! (this was before the tears started...Mason's, not mine..)

Here's my guys! 'Team Blunck'..FULLY decked out in O's gear..

Much needed update..

It's been a while! I almost don't even know where to start... I guess, 1st..let's talk fundraising. So I've made it to 70% of my goal...which is awesome... but I must say, I had my goals set high and I'm a bit bummed that I'm not just a wee bit closer to my minimun by now. Well, let me rewind a bit... I'm 100% greatful to all of my friends and family who have already donated and lent their support to both my fundraising goals and my training...it means so much to me and I thank you all so much! I have also seen a lot of great things that companies in the community have been willing to do to help support the cause as well, which is very cool. For example, if you've never been to Chick Fil-A (which I never had before this..), they. are. amazing. First, they have awesome customer service in their restaurants (what other fast food joint has people walking around the dining room asking if you need any more napkins, sauces or a refill??)..which it seems lots of people already knew about that. But they were also SO supportive of my fundraising efforts and they donated a BUNCH of chicken nuggets for my Gymboree event last weekend...all with really no questions asked...just 'when do you need them?'... I just think that's awesome... They have a fan for life in me, for sure! So with all of this fundraising, it's definitely been a learning experience... I've learned that there is a lot of good out there and a lot of willingness to support a great cause. I've also learned that sometimes, even with the best laid plans...an event can be a bit of a flop. Again, I've had a lot of amazing supporters, but it's hard to not be a tad disappointed when you spend an entire afternoon at an event that you organized...only to have ONE person show up. Ah... Live and learn, I suppose.. (in fairness...I had the Gymboree event on both friday and saturday, and friday was pretty darn successful.. And I should also add that Gymboree has been amazing in that they offered their facilities and supplies and such ALL for the event and ALL for nothing in return...so that was awesome, too!) So anyway, that's how fundraising is going. I don't have any other events planned at the moment... But I'm still happily collecting any and all donataions at the website/link at the top of this blog! Again...I cannot thank all of you enough for donating and supporting me, my goals for training and fundraising, and the cause. I guess my husband, Matt, helps to keep things in perspective and reminds me that I have raised over $3,000 for LLS in just a couple short months, which is GREAT! ...but when I'm training along side the moms of our teams 2 honored heroes and hearing them talk about their 1st time hearing that their child has cancer...about the long years and struggles and ups and downs of treatments... about how they started in with Team in Training not quite knowing what event they could do...but just that they needed to be a part of something to do whatever they could to try to cure their babies... I just want to do more. I want to do my very best to get them and their families the treatment and care and CURE that they so need and deserve...
My training is still in full swing, too, of coarse. My race season officially kicks off this saturday with the IU half marathon...so...let's get this thing started! I'm trying to taper a bit this week to have my legs nice and fresh for the run...but training still goes on. Last weekend, on saturday, our team met up for a lovely brick workout at Eagle Creek. I was only able to stick around for part of it because we had Mason's 1st egg hunt to get to! But I did get in about 10k run, 15k bike, and then a few minutes of hill repeat runs (just for good measure) before I hit the road and raced over to the church for some good family fun!...which was great, by the way... Mason got 3 whole eggs in his robot basket (he picked it out...nice one, Dad!)... He was a bit unsure of the whole things and kept putting the eggs that I was encouraging him to pick up...back into the grass, like "what do I want with that thing??". But then...he opened one to find a mini candy bar...and THEN they were worth holding on to! He did get to take a bite of his 'treat' and he was more than pleased with the mornings events! So that was my saturday morning..then off to my Gymboree event... And that's a day in the life of a fundraising triathlete!! It really is fun, though... I promise!!

I'm FREE!!!

Woo Hoo!! We got outside on our bikes today for the 1st time this season...and though it was only about 30 degrees when we started, it felt GREAT! It's been a long, cold winter of indoor cycling, and there's just not much (that I can think of at the moment) better than getting back on the road. Our trusty tri team met up at 8am today and the group I rode with made it 9 miles on the bike in about 30 minutes (not super fast, but OK for our 1st time out in a while), and then my teammate, Ashley, and I ran a lovely, leisurely 9 miles after! I must say... I love tri training! I do. I really do. And having a team to get out there with (and to help justify riding your bike in 30 degree weather!) helps so much. So that's been my day here so far.

We got back after our long weekend in Playa Del Carmen, MX late on monday, so I kind of crammed a lot of training in to those shorter weeks. I did train while I was away (I know...most call that crazy, but it really was enjoyable), but not quite the same as I do when I'm home. I did get some great runs in on the beach, which is always a welcome change of pace. In fact, here's a little snapshot of what my morning runs looked like last week!

Pretty nice, huh... See, now I don't seem so crazy for wanting to get out to enjoy this scenery, right?? Anyway, it was a great time, but I did miss my little guy, Mason, whom we left at home with his Grandma Bucher. Aside from all the great training I got in this week, I must add that Mason had quite the accomplishment, too!... he's now a proud, official member of the 'no cavity club'! He made it, quite successfully, through his 1st dentist appointment

So that's been our week! All in all, I think it's going well. Fundraising is still going; it's stalled a little bit, but there's still time to donate, so never fear! The link is still at the top of the blog (aptly titled 'my fundraising page') if you want to add your donation. I still have my Tastefully Simple fundraiser going on...feel free to order on-line and add me as your host and your purchase will go towards the fundraiser. Also, if you're in the Indianapolis area and have little ones that like to run and climb and have lots of fun, we're having a Gymboree Playgym for LLS coming up on friday, 3/26 from 4-7:30pm and saturday, 3/27 from 2:30-6pm where donations will be collected, there will be items up for silent auction, food, games, fun, come join! So that's what's coming up with fundraising. I thank all of you so much for the support you have offered. I continue to think of my honored heroes and all of those suffering through treatments and rough times as I head out for my trainings, and it keeps me focused... My eyes are on the prize and every little bit that we all can do to raise money to help these folks helps so much, so thank you for joining me in this great cause!

25 miles by 8am!

Well, I'm heading off on a little vacation this weekend...a trip to Mexico to see 2 of my great friends get married, which is exciting... But that also means a little extra training in the early part of the week to get ready for some lighter days while I'm out and about.. So I did a little impromptu backwards tri this morning...20 miles on an indoor bike, straight to 4 quick miles on the treadmill, then on to a mile in the pool. Good times! And to think, all of that and only moving 25 meters! Really makes me look forward to getting outdoors and getting to the 'real' training and racing. But for now, it'll have to do. The ol' bike is in the shop getting it's spring cleaning and hopefully this snow will clear out soon and let some sun and warmer stuff in. Last weekend we had a lovely, chilly, snowy run followed by a team breakfast where our honored heroes were able to join us! I must say, they were a bit overwhelmed by the 30+ of us that were there, but they smiled and nodded as they tried to learn our names... So great to have the chance to get to know them a bit more, as I'm sure there will be plenty more chances to get to know these 2 great kids as we go on with our training this season. After what is starting to feel like a long winter of bundling up to get out for runs, I'm definitely looking forward to the spring... Here we go March!!

Snow, snow, snow...

Well, it's snowing again, here in Indy. The snow and cold actually haven't held me back too much with my training so far... I've still gotten my runs in every weekend (NOT on the treadmill... Something about doing more than 40 minutes or so on the 'mill just isn't appealing to me anymore..). But the one thing that does bum me out is when the roads are too bad for me to safely get out for my practices or trainings. I went out early this morning to my 5am spin class without even thinking about the roads because all they had called for (last I had looked) was an inch of flurries over night... Well, about half way there I started thinking that it was a really bad idea for me to have gone that morning. Now, mind you, I still did make it to my class and I made it home safely...but it made me ponder a bit about my common sense. But anyway. All is well. I had a decent weekend of training... If anything, I'm having the strange issue of having too many training opportunities and not enough time to get them all in! I met up with my usual running group early on saturday to get 6 miles in... and then went back out to meet up with the tri team to run another 4! Then sunday I had a good swim workout and did my own indoor bike training. So that was that! We had a great valentines day weekend... Just made dinner and dessert (which Mason was a big fan of!) at home. It's low-key, but that's the way we roll these days!
The latest on the fundraising front... Donations have slowed down a bit, but there's still time to get in there and join me in my fight against blood cancer. My first deadline for meeting my goal is in April, so the more donations I can get in by then, the better. I am hosting a Tastefully Simple party where the more orders I receive, the more the company will donate to LLS... So if you haven't already gotten my emails on this, you can visit www.tastefullysimple.com to browse their products; then when you make your purchases and proceed to check out, there's a spot to 'search your host'...so look for my name there and add me as the host so any purchases you make go toward my total and will increase the amount that Tastefully Simple will donate. Or, if you prefer to just donate straight to me, the link is still at the top of the blog page and you can add your donation there. I still have a few ideas rolling around, but I'm really hoping to kick start the fundraising again. I greatly appreciate those that have already contributed and I appreciate all the support and well-wishes as my training has started to take off! Here's hoping I can continue to train hard through these darn winter snows...