Bree Wee

Jump On In...

2012-01-28T20:53:00.004-10:00

I'm not sure what your family does on weekends, if you are reading this I'm guessing you swim, bike, run, or maybe none of the above, you just blog creep on a girl who does. The past 6 months of life have been very much "enriched" with boys. It's now me and 4 boys, not just Kainoa and I. That means more farts, more burps, a lot more nose picking, and way less time to pout. It's truly teaching me to keep up, hang on, and hold back the pity party. In small ways and big ways there is no doubt these lessons will carry over into triathlon, don't ask me just yet, I'm only 6 months deep, but I know lessons are daily filling my life...
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Today it was all about jumps. With just some blue painters tape the Masuda boys & Kainoa had a full on jump event similar to the Olympics down the hallway. They took it to the point of actually googling the farthest standing jump by a man and discovered, we are no where close. BUT, we did not stop trying. What a brilliant lesson, sometimes being so far away from a goal, a long shot if you will, it is never worth not trying...
Of course I played too. The floor was soon covered in blue tape to mark our landings, several tries later we tried again, and again, and again. Do boys never give up? Do they ever give in? It was a nonstop afternoon of try, try, try again. And despite adding all our jumps and still not breaking the world record, we still played, we still toed the line, we still gave it our best efforts. It was hilarious, if you saw more than the pictures you would buy tickets to the jumping showdowns we had happening.

Perhaps Kainoa has been teaching me the best lesson in all of this. He is by far the youngest, the shortest, and maybe even takes longer to finish then the other boys, in everything. It never stops him from getting in the game, from trying to keep up, trying to go as long and be as strong. Life lately, with 4 boys, sure has had me on start lines I've only dreamed of for my life. It has also been teaching me in all my unwanted moments of change, to shake off my bad landings, to wipe away tears, to rub out the bruises, and most of all to keep showing up to life and jump on in...

Have a good weekend!!

Bree

Panama Bound...

2012-01-25T16:06:00.002-10:00

Break out the Maseca, time to make some empanadas because I am going to Panama! Sheesh, these close calls to making it to a race sure have me on the edge of my seat, (not in a fun way). This race was on my wish list since it was posted but living in Hawaii far away, being FLAT broke, and well, being broke mostly, Panama seemed to fall off the race list. It's now on and empanadas were celebrated with the boys at dinner last night!!

Training is so much better when you actually are TRAINING FOR A RACE. It felt different on the bike today, images of Panama were lingering in my mind, thoughts of Spanish phrases filled my head, and GETTING to race had me so happy and fired up. Yes, I already know this race is the Central American Championships and the start list is fully loaded with flavor, (you know what I mean), and perhaps I go all the way there and return with a payday similar to that of the cost of a coconut, but....at the end of the day...this is an opportunity and I am going.

Last year I thought was my last season in sport and I was ready to land back into teaching, knowing, er thinking, I maxed out my credit card to support the travel habbits of a pro in this sport, one on an island FAR away to be more specific. BUT...Swift Bikes paid for my pro card so here I am. Broke, working on side gigs, but still doing what I love! This will in no way be an easy season of swimbikerun for me. In fact, Kainoa and I will be moving up the hill soon and off our beloved Ali'i Drive. However, it's going to be better and it will let me stay in sport a little longer. Who knows, one day I might even get really fast and win some actual prize money to support this life. At the moment, I'm just thankful, truly thankful, that the race is working out and I get to race. Nobody ever said having a go at a dream is easy or that it wouldn't mean some massive sacrificing. Another season in sport, here we go...

Thanks for all the support that always seems to help me land on my feet, appreciate it big time. See you all at the races, Kainoa and I are so ready for 2012! It's going to be a fun one, full of our usual swimbikerun, travel nightmares, tears, sweat, achievements, hopes & prayers, those rough days you need your mom, some beach too, and if you haven't heard we have the Masuda boys along for the ride this year too ;)

LOTS of ALOHA, Bree!!

For The LOVE of Cookies...

2012-01-22T19:51:00.002-10:00

Sunday, THANK YOU for going so good and topping off the week with cookies! Tomorrow is a DAY OFF. The entire week was fully loaded with a lot of swimbikerun, focus, concentrate, believe, push through, trust, and just about everything in between. Today was a ride then a half marathon off the bike.
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After the run I knew I was done, making it count was mandatory. Lately I've been given workouts that I've yet to do before or have yet to hold the pace given for the duration expected. My personal quote of the week was, "Just because I haven't done it before doesn't mean I can't do it". While some workouts still have yet to be tackled with flying stars, a few are now part of the "I CAN do that" now. Today's run is one of them...
I landed in Masuda's drive way after the run, chocolate milk coming up and out from sheer exertion and exhaustion. The sun, the pace, all of it left chocolate milk where chocolate milk does not belong. In return, he made me lunch and fixed the breaks on my truck. NOT EVEN KIDDING. Seriously, life has been handing me a ton of lemons lately but every time I'm tempted to get sour about it Masuda seems to make lemonade out of my life...sweet.
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Back to the cookies, you simply must try the new coconut sugar, (maybe not new to you, but it just landed on our island). It's ONLY coconut! With the coconut sugar, a banana, a cup of peanut butter, an egg, a little bit of earthy pastry flour, (don't ask, I found it in the fridge and used it), a sprinkle of sea salt, cinnamon, and baking powder, you can have the BEST, most soft, butterless coconutty, peanutty cookies ever to hit the spot after a good run!
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Aloha ahiahi!
Bree

60 Miles later...

2012-01-21T19:51:00.002-10:00

If a picture can tell a story, I'll let these few fill you in on today's big ride...

Queen K Kind of Day...

2012-01-17T21:43:00.002-10:00

The morning began here, it kept on going here, and then it finished here, just before sunset. It was a ride, short rest, run day...

...and now, I feel like this. I ate my weight in eggs today, drank enough berries in a smoothie to make jelly and jam jealous, and I used an entire bottle of sunscreen. I'm still thirsty. If I was a beer drinking kind of girl this would be a beer kind of day, er night.

You won't find me complaining though, to have the Queen K as my office, daily, still excites me. Sitting on a bike, running, or landing in the ocean still has yet to land me complacent that THIS is what I get to do, everyday. I'm pouring over Training Peaks right now, coach has just updated the rest of this week and Monday. Monday the 23rd says, "Day off". The last time my schedule said that was the day after a race when I was stuck on a plane flying 15 hours home.

Monday will have to wait though, now till then will land me my biggest week of 2012, so far. Each day till then has so many goals as they are all the kinds of workouts that repeat where I started so I can see improvement, or they are testers to see what still has to happen to get my okole moving. Despite my eyes wanting to roll over in my head, I'm more excited than tired.

Last week I watched the LeBron James Documentary, (really good by the way), one line stuck out, "plan to be surprised", this week I am planning on being surprised...

Good night from a girl who spent most the day riding and running The Queen K,

Bree

You are my shining star, sing it...

2012-01-16T20:06:00.005-10:00

Yesterday Wendy and I were talking about what matters most. We came to an agreement, the people in our lives. At the end of everyday we are left with the moments that filled 24 hours, some good, some bad, some we don't even remember. To sum up, the moments, however great or not-so-thrilling, are made better by those we shared them with. This weekend was for sure enriched by people that are my shining stars, like Wendy who has allowed me to girl talk her ear off in all things life, love, and sport all weekend long...

My little sister! Holy cow this woman amazes me, forever driven and always looking out for me. Pretty sure God meant for her to be born before me because she does far more looking out for me than I do for her. My Sunday long run is made possible by her looking after Kainoa while I pound pavement all morning. Then she runs her own sun, amazing...

Today was my BIG swim/ride day. After a loop with Wendy, a loop with Wendy and the high school swim team, it was bike ride time. I rode the hills down South to where Mike and his buddies were doing the "Long Weekend Campout" , he had food waiting to save me after the swim and ride, THEN kept me company for the final recovery swim of the day.

Kainoa, by far my favorite shining star! Every run, swim, and bike this weekend he has told me, "Good job mom", "Hope you are happy about that one mom", "Mom that was so fast", and, "Mom, I love you". Endless support by a little boy who gets equally caught up in believing in me as he does climbing trees.

REV3 & Swift Bikes have came through for me big time too, making it that much easier to continue the climb through triathlon. Swift Bikes paid that whopping $795 pro card fee to enter the races, so I can actually enter the races, MAHALO Swift Bikes!! I'd have to sell a bike to enter a race if it weren't for them, sorry to unleash as I feel bad for even moaning about that one time fee when I know it's pretty much that fee every race for a majority of the triathletes all over the world, really am sorry.

Also, REV3 who so graciously let me be part of as many of their events for 2012 as I want, no strings or money attached, really! I will land at least 4 this season thanks to them!! AND Bike Workswho worked, freely, on my bike mid ride for me!! Talk about help out in the lava fields!!
At the end of the day, or a good training weekend, it's pretty easy to count up good memories or moments, but it's even better when there is a face behind each of the moments that made them possible. And I know without a doubt, somewhere in her classroom, my older sister is feeling left out, (she always tells me I forget to mention her when I mention the little sister), that each of us has a handful of other faces making our lives a little more possible, like my older sister and of course my coach who writes up these training plans that have me all over the island.

BIG Thanks to those that have kept me moving this weekend!!

Bree

Round #2, Maybe it was the Cereal...

2012-01-12T12:31:00.004-10:00

Last week I had intervals, you know, adding some speed back to the body after some rest and recovery of 2011 season. It was ugly. It was not speed. It got me grumpy. It was just a start up, some 6:15 pace stuff. More than the legs, my head was not ready to get the legs back into quicker turn overs. I got mad, wait, I got sad. After a mini pep talk to myself, something like this, "Bree you kook, you ran a 5:02 mile 5weeks after having Kainoa and peed your pants all the way to the finish line, you can certainly hold a minute and change easier, get your rear into gear you big kook". So I ran a mile at 6 minutes and felt grumpy, still. Coach said next week we try again and that it will come back, patience.
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Today was the day. Me VS my intervals. The beautiful thing about intervals are that they are made for you, your goals, and they challenge you more than those nice trail runs. Except next week the boys get back into intervals and then they will be made for them and I'll have to chase all morning long, but for today, they were made for me.
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Today, (not that you asked my workout, as we are all different paces), I'm just giving you an idea in case you are self coached and want an interval workout to try early season. After a warm up it's 8x800 with a minute rest between each. The goal is to use your stand-alone half marathon pace (not off the bike) for 1,3, 5, 7. For 2, 4, 6, 8 you go 15 seconds faster. The cool thing about this workout is that it makes the odd intervals actually feel easy because the even ones are a bit quicker.
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I was 6 minute pace on odds and 5:45 on evens. Today it was cake, I blame last night "Sunset Cereal". In fact, by round 2 it looked like I had botox because I could not wipe the smile off my face!! After last week it was about time my legs woke up. The last round I made my #7 my 5:45 pace and #8 I just ran as hard as I could go till snot and spit was flying out of my nose and mouth, it wasn't my 5:02 with peeing my pants but it got darn close. Anyways, I blame the cereal, sugar high??

Kainoa and I made this "Cereal Sunday" weekly tradition a few years ago, we'd just sit in the sand and eat cereal till we both felt like 2 year olds. Last night the girls and I decided to bring it back, "Cereal Sunset", we just ate cereal, the bad for you kind, till we felt like kids again...

Try the intervals and cereal combo, bet it works for you too!

Bree

Social Ride, Let's Talk...

2012-01-11T14:19:00.002-10:00

Today I was given a 4hour ride that had a big note: Keep it social, talk, just ride chill, for 4 hours. There was no other goal than to keep it social. No speed, no drills, no climbs, no pace to hit or miles to rack up. Sit on my bike, pedal, chill. TALK ABOUT EASY! I can totally handle that, but what's the purpose?

Riding easy teaches the body to burn fat for fuel rather than tap out your glycogen, nice to practice early in the season if you plan on long distance racing later on

Teaches patience

Improves cardiovascular function

Less likely to wear you down and beat up your immune system

Use it as a day to enjoy the sport as it allows the mind to relax without tapping into those mentally taxing days when you are pushing to reach HR goals or other time goals, helps with mental burn out

How easy is easy? You are most likely going too fast, it's that easy

Less than a mile into my ride I land behind my brother n' law towing the nephew. I actually ride with them for a while, it's THAT EASY. There is now landmark to reach before I turn around, there is no speed limit to break, no sweat.

About 90 minutes into the ride Matsumoto finds me, stops, invites me to Waipio for a hike. Now THAT is social! BUT it's not riding, so I ditch her, actually she ditches me-it's not THAT easy, you actually have to move the bike.

From there on out it's pretty chill. In fact you feel like you can make the ride on bananas alone! It doesn't take much to convince me that EASY should be EASY, especially when you know tomorrow is going to be HARD, and anyone who might struggle with burnout mid-way through the season can take a day like an easy ride or run to settle back into the passion that first got them into sport...

Cheers to easy days,

Bree

Happy In The Day...

2012-01-10T19:39:00.003-10:00

I have a VERY cool tip to share. It's not freeze your bananas before putting them in your smoothie to make it more thick, it's not that you can use a gel wrapper in your bike tire if you blow a hole too big to ride home, and it's not that a 30 minute run is better than doing nothing at all if you are in a serious time pinch, (I mean 30 minutes, really...). Its....TAKE PICTURES TO FIND HAPPY.
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There was a bit of sad lingering back in 2010 and a friend told me, "Bree, go take some pictures, you like that, pictures always make happy because you see what you appreciate". His advice was awesome, haven't forgotten it since. Today I decided to pull out the ol' "take pictures" plan for the sole purpose of seeing things around me that I'm happy about. You should try it if you have a sour attitude one day, just go snap photos and you can't help but discover things that make you happy.
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Thankfully for me it was a VERY FULLY LOADED day, lots of opportunities to see HAPPY & THINGS I APPRECIATE. Of course I didn't get to see all my friends or snap photos at my sisters house, but they should be on here if I was with them all day.
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Happy found #1. HOME. Being a Kona girl makes me really happy!
Happy found #2. Wana. It always reminds me of fireworks under water. Talk about a beautiful ocean swim this morning!

Happy found #3. Masuda. He is training for his first ever Olympic Distance Triathlon. Love seeing his excitement for a first big race and that kick...need I say more?

Happy Found #4. Smile fish. Take a close up look, these fish ALWAYS have a smile on their little gill scaled faces! The dolphins and whales were out too, if I was close enough for a picture that would have made me happy too...

Happy found #5. My Bike. Plenty said, I just love riding my bike. 3 hours today with intervals thrown in and one round of 20 I have Thomas Von, (not sure the rest of spelling his last name) pull me.

Happy found #6. THIS!! I got back to my truck after the swim and ride, had about 4 minutes to get on the run before needing to get Kainoa from school and THIS was waiting! Masuda knew I was in a time crunch, knew my favorite "between bike/run" go-to fuel, and it was waiting for me!! Of course 4 minutes was not enough time to let any of it settle and I had major stomach bubbles happening on the run, but it settled after a few miles and I was golden!
Happy found #7. Kindergarten drop off and pick up. Ahhh, the days when it's cool to have mom around and kiss her goodbye and hug her hello!

Happy found #8. Sunset. Home sweet home always gives me a reason to be thankful at the end of a day...

Go find your happy,

Bree

Take it from a child...

2012-01-09T19:00:00.002-10:00

What would the child you once were think of the adult you have become?

I'm not really sure who said that quote, I heard it from my mom, and love it. Right about now I am knee deep-take that back, chest deep, in such an adult like lifestyle. It's fully loaded with choices bigger than if I want chicken nuggets or hamburger in my Happy Meal. It's got real life worries, beyond if Barbie Doll hair will grow back if I cut it. At this moment in my life I feel like running home and crawling into the bed I grew up in waiting for my mom to knock on the door and fix it all. At 32 I don't think that's an option, at least not the best one.

Tonight I did homework with Kainoa, it was all about the letter F. We were making F words on flowers. Usually that would be something I'd laugh about, I mean F words on flowers! I did not laugh. Looking at him I saw me, the 5 year old me, and I was reminded of the way I used to approach my troubles, worries, challenges, problems. Somewhere between worrying about a flight to Panama 70.3, what weekend Kainoa is at his dads or home, if I have to rob my sisters fridge this week or actually buy my own groceries, and other big kid things outside of running miles and miles, I forgot all about..."When I grow up....".

It is entirely too early in the brand New Year to forget about dreams, goals, and having that child like faith that makes us feel as if we can run a marathon faster than the kid next door, swim with sharks and collect their teeth, (that was something I wanted to do as a kid), and ride our bike with no hands. Oh believe me, believing that things will get better the next day, (or as Masuda told me today, in 2 weeks), is not always easy, but we have too, because what would that little girl or boy we once were think of the grown up we have become??

Bree

Snap Shots...

2012-01-07T20:58:00.003-10:00

Click, click, click! Snapping away with the camera is my most favorite way to savor a memory, a reminder of where I have been, where I'm going, and of course those along with me. However, snapping away on the camera has simmered down for a tiny, tiny, tiny minute. I'm just really focused right now. Not a day slips by that I don't appreciate the opportunities I have been given in sport, with the people I call family, with all that I have been given-simply put-a photo is a beautiful way to share a life that others would love to have an opportunity to know as well.
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I know I LOVE looking at pictures of the Oahu girls surfing around the world on pro tour, man I would LOVE if that was an opportunity I knew, their photos share moments with us living out different opportunities, (because you know we all have them in some unique way). Anyways, despite my major moments of focus I have snapped a few from training the past couple days...
Today was a ride I am VERY proud of. It was a loop that includes a pretty nice sized climb. It's not super steep but it's long, hot, and depending on the time of day-WINDY. On my way up a man turned back down, it was abnormally windy. The loop takes roughly 4hours and every time I have ever ridden it I take the road bike and the boys. This morning I was feeling especially brave and took the tri bike and no boys. I saw things I never see, hills, cows, chickens, barns, and paid more attention to the details-like how I felt and when to mix up the gears and drink. It was pretty awesome looking out for myself...

One of the best parts of the ride was getting to the hill top and seeing the homeward bound sign! 31 miles away baby!!

Training has truly uncovered some new territory so far into 2012. Living on a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean hasn't exactly limited my search for the occasional swimbikerun off the beaten path. Trail runs have kept my passion for simply running-simple. Whenever coach puts up a recovery run or something that speed isn't part of it a trail becomes my Heaven on Earth.

...and then there are the swims. Same big, blue, beautiful ocean. BUT every single swim is different. The swims are probably my favorite part of being back into full time sport, they are the time of day I have the most company and it feels as if I share this opportunity with friends.

My final snapshot is of my hot date night, because a girl has to get out of those sweaty sports bras every now and then...

Happy Training!!

Bree

30 Push Ups Later...

2012-01-05T13:21:00.002-10:00

Someday's you simply can't help but feel undoubtedly tough. Like after a 2 hour run, the finish of a long ride with the boys, or lifting weights in the gym. You know the things that personally give you that sweaty feeling and make it feel okay to go polish off a cheeseburger, (loaded).
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Then there are those days where you realize you have a lot of work to do on the way to where you are going. I've been very honored to swim with the younger bunch of speedo wearing, chlorine loving, lap counting swimmers heading into 2012 season. This part of the year I face bravely. After a few good workouts we can pretty much sum up what needs to be done, where to put focus, and what it will take to go from couch and fruitcake to bike and speedo.
For me, it's stretch, strengthen, core, flexibility, and those arm busting push ups! A week into the new year and the endurance still feels intact, but that other stuff, speed & super hero muscles, are MIA. It took a handful of 10 and under swimmers to show me how to get fit again. No intimidation whatsoever, I could just run away from them if I had to. But when it came time to hold in a plank position, lay on our backs with our feet just slightly off the ground, and stand in stream line position forever, I had LOADS of work to do.

It has been awesome basking in the Kona sunlight on a pool deck with the youth. 3 days in a row I made my 10 push ups, 30 in a week! It seems like so few, but that my friends is A LOT when you spend no time whatsoever working on your strength. In fact, I feel strong now, all it took was 30 push ups and a bunch of little tadpoles! Don't worry, I spend time getting my okole kicked by people my own size....yesterday it was behind Lieto and his friend for warm up.

Where to now???? More push ups? Sit ups? I'll toss in both to my consumption of swimbikerun. Good luck on the starting up of your season, don't be shy to use the youth to inspire, motivate, or teach you a few good things, like push ups...

Bree

Bright Start....

2012-01-03T13:58:00.003-10:00

ALOHA 2012.... so far so good. I have a brilliant new thing added to my "to do and to dream" list for the year, it's good. Sort of like a bright thing shining through a bit of dark, like a star.

Yesterday was DAY 1 of the 2012 triathlon season. Despite it being day 2 of the year, it was day 1. We camped for the New Year and let that linger into last minute Sunday evening when it was time to put the smores away and land back into reality, (camping is a vacation). Swam for an hour, rode for an hour, ran for an hour, then surfed for an hour. 4 hours of my most favorite sports on Earth, not sure if there could be a better beginning to the new season. That wasn't exactly the plan, Coach was updating it Monday evening so the morning/afternoon was mine-I coached myself those 4 hours!! Last night the PLAN arrived and it was a very good thing I left it at those 4hrs and nothing more, in fact it was a good thing to add in that hour of surf. Not only have my hiking island adventures been put on hold, it looks like my surf adventures are now "out of sight out of mine". I'm cool with that, bring on TRIATHON....

New Years, (because I know my mom reads this and actually cares about my life outside of sport), was spent at the beach. Everyone surfed! The entire island was out there, rookies, professional surfers, dogs, grandmas, kids, tandem, and solo. It was pretty awesome if you don't mind sharing waves and seeing an ocean enjoyed to the fullest!

Fireworks lit up the sky towards town, along the beach it was stars twinkling to bring in the New Year. Full on time with friends and family, free of Internet and phones. I'm pretty sure we saw more shooting stars than fireworks and I actually made it to midnight!! We woke up to eggs, rice, avo, papaya, and everyone out for a surf. Simple life at it's finest. Even Chris Lieto landed at the beach, running as if Panama 70.3 was his for the taking in a few weeks! It's nice having Lieto out here with his family, he is such a refreshing reminder that life can be beautifully balanced with swimbikerun....

Alright, time for swim practice then that run coach has on my plan. Start lines are on the way!! Cheers,

Bree!!

2011...

2011-12-31T10:28:00.002-10:00

It's been said that we learn the most when we struggle, fall, trip up, and don't win. We learn when we suffer, sacrifice, and give with all our hearts. In all things life, love, and sport, 2011 has been a season of scars from the past healing, hurts un-hurting, and little beams of hope shining through on dreams set off in such a far, far distance.
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This was a season of no DNF's in sport, quitting was not an option this year in anything. This was my season of some friendships fading away and those that I held most dear to me glowing bigger than ever thought possible. The year my son went from child to boy, (remind me to not race with his name on my okole next season, he is just too big for that). The year one of my sisters had her first baby, another sister graduated college, a brother had his first daughter, and with everything new, losses to the family as well.
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After handfulls of mission trips throughout the world in my youth, this was the season I needed someone to rescue me. Bob Marley played throughout my head and heart all year long, "Everything's gonna be alright....". Beyond humbling, this season has been beautiful in that bitter sweet way, in all things life, love, and sport.
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2011 I stood on top of podiums (and the bottom), stood on mountain tops, snow covered volcano tops, and climbed to places never imagined existed in this world. I swam to ocean floors, floated with fish, and lolly gagged with dolphins. I held hands, fell in love, and made wishes on stars in hopes of making life even better in 2012. My bank account saw a negative balance, somedays it saw more than I needed, and most days found enough to share with those more in need of me. My legs ached, arms got sore, the body got tired, but it was a year of never ending strength to keep on going, in all things life, love, and sport...
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The only way to take on 2012 is with my heart as wide open as my eyes, embracing the challenges, welcoming the new starts, and clinging to what is already good and possible. To those that have held my hand, grabbed hold of so many days with me, and reminded me of whats important, thank you. To REV3, Swift, KSwiss, Kona Aquatics, Coconut Girls, Bike Works, Splish, Travis Blanton, Coach Jimmy, Coach Steve, and the great people I've been fortunate to train and race with, thank you for making me better at sport and love what I am blessed to do. To my family, Brooke especially, Wendy, Kainoa, Mike, Thursday Night Bible Study Girls, Kawika, and Lane 1, my days have been beautiful, (even the horrible, cloudy, rainey, tear filled, thunderstorms), because of you all... 2011, phew, survived it.
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Happy 2012, hope nothing breaks your stride on the way to where you dream to go in all things life, love, and sport! Now that my run is done, time to set up some camping on a beach, under stars, with the people I love most in the world...
Bree

A Bowl of Carrots...

2011-12-28T18:18:00.004-10:00

Guarenteed this might sound a little gross for the non-carrot-loving person, however, carrot lovers WILL love this! I'm not really sure if it was the bike ride or having to jump in a freezing pool, but somewhere between my ride and swim today I fell in love with a bowl of carrots!!

Carrot juice, about a cup.

2 frozen bananas

1 papaya

Ginger juice (I juiced a big chunk with my carrots, add as little or much as you want).

Blend all the above, not too long, you want it to stay thick

Pour into a bowl, top with fresh granola, fruit, and honey. No kidding, this tastes so much better than it looks...

Other than discovering carrot bowl smoothies, I found a setting on my camera that turns our faces into balloons, that running in the sand feels just like mile 25.2 of a marathon, a new sea cucumber, and how to catch a fish without a fishing pole, (don't ask).

Hope the holidays are bringing you some new discoveries too, big and small kind!

Bree

Christmas...

2011-12-26T19:39:00.010-10:00

Christmas covered the island from sea level to mountain top. Perhaps one of the most beautiful holidays I have ever, ever seen. Along the coast the sun was always shining, tropical days in bikinis and sun drenched runs, swims, and bikes. Up above the clouds was nothing but white, pure as snow, snow white. To the eyes, beautiful...

My heart was a little heavy from time to time as I missed Kainoa dearly while he was with his dad this holiday and of course last years big Marshallese holiday had me longing to take focus off my wants and needs to get caught up in giving to others who may be more in want and need. I say "may" loosely as it seems I'm learning sometimes having less really is more and often times just to be alive is enough for some...

This Christmas I got adopted by Mike and his boys. They welcomed me (and my bike) into their home with open arms. For the 2 weeks Kainoa was/is away their home became mine and it sure helped keep my Christmas spirit less Grinch like. After a warm ocean swim we landed on top of Mauna Kea for some snow games. The laughter sure caused me to let go of all the little things that are not intended to clutter Christmas...

Back on the beach for Christmas Eve the friends and I gathered for sunset and some hilarious gift giving. It sounds so cliche to say, but really over the years my friends are always the best gifts every single Christmas.

Christmas would not be complete without some sister, brother n' law, and nephew loving! So we did the big Christmas dinner and filled the room with laughter like always. Thankfully they did all the cooking as the morning was a long run followed by a Christmas hike, so much activity that by the time we landed at their home my stomach was growling for the goodness they were serving up.

Hiking so happy. This is most likely my last hike for a while as it's time to get the legs more focused on the 2012 triathlon season and less on the "off season/recovery" adventures. Living in such a beautiful spot on Earth it's really difficult to not get caught up in the surroundings...

It's now Monday, back to the grind, a grind I am above and beyond thankful to still hold gently as my job. My day was 4hours on the bike and 2 hours with the Kealakehe squad. It feels very much like falling back into the rhythm of training, travel, racing will be smooth as I'm pretty refreshed after a Winter of hikes and simple sunsets.

Hope your Christmas was a good one...

LOTS of Aloha,

Bree

Christmas List...

2011-12-22T19:49:00.004-10:00

Today I made a very important list, no not the Christmas wish list, my 2012 race list. It's been written, redone, and finally today I think it is "the one". On my run I ran it through my mind over and over, I love it, I'm ready to pack some bags and my bike and get back into the groove. Of course nothing is ever as simple as just making a list and watching it all fall into your hands.
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Much like those Christmas lists of our youth, we don't always get everything we want and sometimes we only get what we need and absolutely nothing we wanted. But it always seems to work out in the end. My entire run I had to keep reminding myself, "its going to work, it will work, there is a way, the list will happen, ect...". My list feels like being 10 and asking Santa to bring me my own pet dolphin or something!! It's a bit risky to hope the jolly old man will make it happen, but it never hurts to write it down and BELIEVE. That's the beauty of Christmas miracles if you ask me!!
Not sure what you were asking for 20 years ago but my list was AWESOME! A new bike, a trip to Sea World to visit the dolphins, and of course new CD's, the Cool Runnings and La Bamba soundtracks to be exact. Nice. Santa did in fact come through. Now a days the bike comes lovingly from Swift Carbon, ITunes fills my IPOD, and well, my reality is ocean swims with dolphins just about any day I want. No, I never ever take the dolphins for granted. Today I basked in their beauty for most the late morning and felt as awe inspired as I did on my first Sea World trip!!
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Life is not that simple as you grown ups all know. Today If Santa was in fact going to grant my Christmas list it would be things like all my bills paid on time, a trip to visit my birth dad with Kainoa so he could meet his grandpa, and much like a young girl, to live happily ever after with the man of her dreams. Hey, big girls still dream. Anyways, today I let all my big kid wishes linger on as I soaked up actually living a childhood desire come true, the dolphins so close they let me reach out and touch them...

3 more nights till Santa arrives, sure hope you get all the things you want on your list. If you have yet to make one, I dare you to believe again...

Bree

Dear Santa...

2011-12-21T21:51:00.004-10:00

I've been running so happy, running on sandy white beaches, trails along the waters edge, up volcanoes, and when I'm naughty-the treadmill. But Santa, mostly running in nice spots...

Keeping my island bikini on is no problem, but I've been naughty, caught in the snow wearing too little and almost catching a cold....Sorry Santa, can't explain that one.

December has not been all Joy & Peace on Earth, but when the "not so nice and naughty" happens, rainbows always pop up to remind me nice is on the way...

This was a nice day...

Of course Santa, I only play after the work and chores are pau...

Very nice, I always eat my green veggies...please Santa be good to me this Christmas!

It's all her fault Santa, really....

Nice and naughty....

Alright Santa, I'll save you the trip over the Pacific, with friends like mine there is no way to stay out of trouble...

My most favorite time of year, all the smiles, all the happy moments with friends and family, it is so much more than what's under the tree and this season especially, has taught that to me...

Santa, if you make the trip I'll save hula girls for you and the reindeer...

4 more days till Christmas, it can happen...

And Santa, Kainoa is with his dad this season, so please visit him for me, he's been REALLY good this year!! As for me, I understand...

Bree

Holiday's with a side order of sport...

2011-12-18T18:46:00.004-10:00

The holidays bring so much to do, so many people to see, and a million reasons to sleep in, stay up late, skip a swimbikerun, and every other excuse you can imagine. But I have found holiday balance like no other season before!

When everyone decides to plan a beach day, run to the beach! Have them drive out your change of clothes, bikini, some refueling snacks, and of course your surf board.

Ride your bike to the picnic.

Count a 14 mile hike as your easy run so you can be part of the Mauna Loa trip!

Eat the holiday cookies you bake instead of the gels and sports drinks.

Day 2 of running to the beach. A half marathon one day and 8 miles the next. Both days landed me in the ocean with a nice Winter swell, my training was not missed and the holiday fun was enjoyed with my friends...Not only did they drive out my surf board and everything for the day at the beach post run, I had water pit-stops!

The late nighters, I know, those are hard ones for some of us triathletes that go to bed early (insert nerdy me). BUT you can make them happen this Holiday Season.

Nap before you go.

Let yourself sleep in a little the next day if possible, (then you don't feel junk the upcoming days).

DO NOT keep checking your watch! Such a bad idea, just enjoy, our friends/family put up with us crazy triathletes all year needing our rest, give them THIS TIME this time of year.

During the holidays let OTHER sporty things count as training. Thursday we hiked up Mauna Loa. It is nothing short of breathless, literally. 13,760 ft had me gasping for air, freezing, and the 14 miles up uphill in the dark all for a sunrise felt like an Ironman, (it took nearly 10hrs).

I wanted to hold a sunrise this season, found one...

It has been a great 31 years, 32 is going to be EVEN BETTER!

Stop and smell the snow! Actually, this is the perfect time of year to truly reflect on all the good things that have happened. Reaching goals, overcoming hard times, the people in our lives, and of course setting out some new mountains to climb. Going into the next year it's a good time to see where you are coming from...

In a week it's Christmas, my focus from now till then is to truly let the good times roll. Make way for all the holiday happy, each and every invitation from friends and family will be enjoyed, with of course swimbikerun sprinkled in...

Hope you are enjoying the Holidays and spending time with the people you usually ditch on Sundays for long runs, the friends you ignore on week nights because you have swim practice in the morning, and the invitations for adventures because your legs are tired from a long day on the bike....go enjoy.

Bree

Middle of it all...

2011-12-14T19:54:00.002-10:00

Middle of two spots once again. A happy spot as the holidays are here and I enjoy them SO MUCH. More free time to paint and play with Kainoa has been happening as training has been a little less than usual. BUT a very hard spot, the ol' switcherooooo that comes every other Christmas. Last year Kainoa was with me, that means this year he is with his dad for Winter break. Tomorrow starts 2 very long weeks of missing my son...
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ALOOOOOOHA lots of swimbikerun, focus-a-plenty...
Tonight was also the last Kona Aquatics swim practice of 2011. That lands me in the ocean for the rest of the year but also missing my team. Our final 2011 practice coach gave us relays, you know the kind that hurt because you swim so hard trying to beat your lane mates that are spread out into the other lanes as the team is meshed up. The kind where you swim with balls, fun noodles, and do odd things...

Tomorrow is going to be DAY1 of training my okole off to numb the holiday longing for Kainoa. It's also the start of tackling the final things on my 2011 "must do" list, one of them includes a sunrise that we plan to go after starting at midnight tomorrow. I'll keep you posted on that one...

Happy Holidays,

Bree

25 Days of Island Kalikimaka...

2011-12-12T21:30:00.006-10:00

It's almost Christmas! Life on the island has been filled with sunny skies, grey skies, snow, rain, heat, surf, swimbikerun, and everything in between. Soaking it up describes this holiday season best, and the lack of keeping in touch better. In no particular order, 25 days of Christmas, (so far), in pictures...

Pulling Up My Big Girl Pants...

2011-12-06T20:53:00.005-10:00

There is no better way to begin writing about "pulling up your big girl pants" than an embarrassing story about, pulling up your pants. Early in the "swimbikerun" chill out I was doing a lot of hiking to keep active. On one such hike I snuck behind some bushes on a very slopey part just off the trail. Pants down, and there I go, down the hill. I was sliding down the hill with my shorts at my knees. Yes, my okole landed some very nice cuts, scrapes, and a bruise. Hiding did me no good as I slid right out from behind the trees and into the view of a friends camera. That was a real moment in my real life and I had to brush it off, pull up my pants, and take the laughter like a woman...

Fast forward to this evening...working on my weaknesses. I've always had it in my head that I would be a good swimmer if I could do a pull up. Yes, a single pull up. For years I have tried thinking a single pull up would make me super fast. Last Summer I had the personal trainer help me, swim coach has helped me, friends have held my legs to support my extra weight-never even one. Not a single pull up, chin up, nothing. Tonight I was in the gym trying to get my arms stronger, you know, New Years Resolutions are about to expire folks! I have like 25 days to make a pull up, right!? I begged my MMA friend to help me tonight, he was doing like 2 million in a row. We had a great laugh at my kick, swing, grunt, groan to attempt a pull up. So I went back to assisted ones with the knees held, I did 2x12. Then I tried AGAIN. AND you would never believe what happened, with the MMA fighters help, I Bree Wee did my first ever pull up of my entire lifetime! New Years Resolution DONE! Heck ya, big girl pants are so on!
This girl happens to be a book nerd, since 4th grade to be exact, when Mrs Succi made me read for free pizza, I had a dairy allergy growing up and couldn't even eat cheese, but those pizza awards were so cool. I fell in love with books, my mom would buy me like 6 a month. This month already she mailed me 2 more to add to the 2 she gave me last month! Such a nerd, I know. But I have to share, these are all so wonderful! In fact, I'm half way through all of them. Bet if I was like a normal person and read a book (or 2) at a time I'd be done with at least 3.

Measure of a Man by Sidney P. I recommend to everyone, its awesome. Reminds me so much of the way my travels as a young girl to developing countries shaped my life appreciation today. The divorce book my sister gave me, I began it thinking I could help Kainoa "just in case" even though he is doing amazing with the support his father and I give him, but its actually ended up helping me! Act Now, Love Now & the Sex and Money book are eye opening! Both are books some missionary's created about their travels where children are used as sex slaves and how they live with aids now. The stories open your eyes and 'cause you to truly embrace how good we have it even when life is SO HARD it seems, and the photos they took will just pull tears from your eyes. I can't put them down. The last book, Married for Christs Sake I got because the author is part of YWAM, the Christian University on our island and I LOVE supporting local, I was hanging out there Monday and well, turned out one of my dear friends got engaged and recommended it to every girl ever. I been married and divorced, lovely. BUT I picked it up and it totally resparked my "love is so real" beliefs, the one I held so dearly and well, maybe it has me believing again, so I'm nearly done with it now...

...and the hard part, sandy landings. Oh, no, not the view or a warm beach being hard to handle. It's the "chill out". Once again, I worked on my weaknesses today. I had bike, run, swim all on the plan, full time again here. I'm trying so hard to not fill my"recovery"time between sessions with "adventures" or "Major home projects", so learning to minimize my between-session-activity I landed in a cool spot, out of suns draining harm, and chilled out, (feet up with a book of course). Just like those pull ups I'm convinced relaxing will help me be better too!

Not much to say here, Big girls who pull up their pants have to stay healthy in the Winter- orange, carrot, ginger, banana juiced. Yum.

Finally, This one is the reason this momma has to keep going, working on her weaknesses, learning new stuff, and finding ways always be better in all things Life, love, and sport...

Good Night from the middle of the Pacific,

Bree

Bows on Gift Boxes...

2011-12-04T19:53:00.003-10:00

Holidays have such a cool way of bringing people together. Sharing moments, making memories, and just being in the company of people you truly love, IS what makes the glittery things sparkle and those bows actually look cool on top of gifts. Today was an unbelievable example...
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I run. I bike. My feet are in shoes a lot. They sweat. Toe nails fall off. I pee in my shoes on race days. I hike and get muddy volcano mess under my toe nails. It must be Christmas on the horizon because my sister "asked" if she could give my feet a make over! And she did...
Notice both of our looks of, "Oh my gosh, this is a BIG JOB". LOTS of 2011 miles in those feet...

The sister also called in a what sounded like an emergency during church. Kainoa and I rushed to her home as soon as we were out only to discover she was playing Santa's Elf, early. She had gifts under her tree, (well, they didn't even make it that far), that she was SO excited to give us. That runs in my family...

We get so excited around the holidays that we are horrible secret keepers and surprise holder. It began when we were 6, 7, and 8. We would unwrap things our parents wrapped when they were in the shower or sleeping, take a peek, then tape them back up, and act totally surprised on Christmas morning! Some things will never change. She gave me new kitchen rugs, (very needed with all the cooking we do), and Kainoa some bead mess art activity knowing I LOVE cleaning up those things.

I've been holding onto some surprises, trying my best. It's hard though, holidays take an already excited for life person and make them THAT MUCH MORE EXCITED.

Holidays also have a unique way of making more time in a single day to just BE with loved ones. It's like a 24 hour day gets 28 hours or something. Not sure how that happens, we forget to rush, hurry, and cram things in exchange for taking time to listen, talk, and hug. It's so cool. Once again, my super busy sister made extra time for Kainoa and I, she even took Kainoa during my run today despite her and the brother-in-laws massive GB Packers afternoon. I think they won. I was there, during the game, but...

...and of course the food. Seriously! It's sort of weird that food brings people together, but it does. Around a dinner table you are without so many distractions that you are left with only good conversation and many opportunities to laugh, really bond, and of course get a little full (optional). I encourage you to keep those at least-30 minute runs going throughout the holidays if your family & friends do as much "holiday-food-bonding" as mine do. It's for sure an island thing. Someone brings the rice, someone else brings the fish, and somebody better have some veggies and all of a sudden a holiday get together is full blasted...just like that...

Tomorrow is Monday, a December Monday, that makes it better. Despite the busy that happens in my Monday life, it IS DECEMBER, complete with bows on gift boxes!

Hope you are getting your jingle out :)

Bree

Cloudy With a Chance of Christmas...

2011-12-03T19:55:00.002-10:00

Our day was INSIDE almost ALL day. It was so cloudy and cold, (Hawaii kind of cold). That sort of forced us into doing inside stuff. It began with dehydrating coconuts, 5 of them chopped and ready to make into Christmas Coconut Cookies. We may have eaten half the coconut chunks...

Kainoa made soup at 5:40am. I woke to find him chopping cucumbers and egg plant with a butter knife. He put them on top of seaweed flavored Ramen noodles, and said it would make us feel better since it's so cold out. The soup was cold and the noodles were firm, but it made for good laughs.

After almost 6 hours of cleaning and making a donate pile, (no kidding), I finally went for my run at 3pm. It was cool out, cloudy, and perfect for a run under no sun. Directly from run to smoothie I went...

I'm beyond addicted to blueberry, seaweed, spirulina smoothies right now. I also had a very hot date with my 5 yr old to see "Arthur Christmas", so time to change and eat had to be as fast as race day transitions. We made it to the theater with 2 minutes to spare!

...yes, we showed up in matching blueberry mustaches and similar shirts, like mother like son I suppose. The movie was "okay" if it's on your holiday movie list check it out knowing it doesn't feel as good as the Rudolph and Frosty movies we grew up with. I actually dozed off, Kainoa took up four seats trying to find a spot to keep entertained. The ending was the best part, it made you really hold onto your Santa faith. The rest of the movie you kind of wanted to shout at the screen that the Santa's in real life don't act like that.

Of course that Christmas movie then inspired Kainoa to make his Christmas Wish List, love it! Every year I am so thankful that his lists are so short and so easy to tackle. A mom can hope this lasts through high school, right?! Hope your holidays are starting to fill with family and good times, and maybe a nice run...

Bree.

Simple As A Sunset...

2011-12-01T22:01:00.004-10:00

This my friends is the BEAUTIFUL sunrise I woke up to and enjoyed all bike ride long. Hualalai was unveiled, no clouds, no vog, pure and simple. That was my entire day, enjoying the "pure and simple". If only life really were as pure and simple as Hualalai not being disturbed by clouds and vog, I just overlooked the not so pretty parts of life today...
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In 15 days is the Christmas moonlight hike up that very volcano. I'm so excited. You leave in the darkest part of the night under only a starlit-moonlit sky and arrive on the top with a view of the sunrise over the island! Count it down...15 days. That made for a good thing to focus on. AND January 22 Maui Half Marathon (Coach decided) is where I will land, phew, first race on the map!
Tonight's sunset was SO beautiful Mike texted me this (see above) photo of it, even though he knew I was on the way to beach Bible Study and would see it for myself (see my picture from the beach below). Got to love him for that photo though...

This gets me every Thursday, Kainoa praying during Bible study! If it really would always be this simple for him, I love it... just love it!

...and this made my day. Kainoa was on the purple leaf at school today! (He is never on purple leaf, notice it was only "some" of the day), but he made some purple leaf time! He has my blood running thick in him, he gets so fired up on every little and big thing that within the walls of the classroom he just wants to explore beyond what only books hold...so purple leaf was a great happening for a Wee.

...and this. Mike chopped up 5 coconuts for me so I could have ALL the yummy white stuff and of course fresh juice. Simple, from a tree to me!

...and this. A beautiful wave from Playa Hermosa, my beloved second home. I always enjoy seeing my favorite back yard even if it is miles away from my home now.

...And this. My 2 favorite guy friends that I got to share happy texts with throughout the day. When I got bombarded this morning with a to-do list the size of Mexico it was so wonderful being able to write Kawika about future hikes to tackle (we have 5 things left to do in 2011). And Mike making me get my okole running and to the gym because I AM A DREAM CHASER and GOAL GETTER! Love having great friends, simple to be me with them...

...and this. Reminder that I have only 30 days left in 2011 to get my hike on!

Off to bed now, 2011 has plenty left to do and I need all the energy I can find to make it a good strong finish! 2012 is going to be amazing if it continues to have simple sunsets and moments strung throughout chaos, like today.

ALOHA AHIAHI,

Bree

Low Tide...

2011-11-29T10:57:00.004-10:00

It's low tide right now, not full on anything just yet. Christmas is around the corner and the triathlon season is also just around the corner. Both on the horizon yet neither taking over fully. It's a weird spot to be for me. I'm such an all or none kind of girl, so I struggle a tiny bit during low tide. Low tide feels like PLAY TIME to me, go out and live it up, jump in, get into innocent trouble, and have some fun. But it's weird because when the tide rises you have to have things somewhat ready. Not sure how to explain this, it's like Christmas will be here and so will triathlon season soon enough, now in the middle of playing "some" work has to be done, but not too much or too little. What a funky little balance.
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I'd do great to just dive into holiday shopping, light hanging, tree decorating, and cookie baking. Or swimbikerun all day everyday. But this low tide thing, where you start some holiday stuff, (like hanging lights last night), but not baking yet. And "some training" but not too far, too hard, or too fast yet, is a little rough for me. It's as if you have to live in the grey. It's not black but not white. I bet I have you so confused...sorry.

I have been getting back into the "work mode" of swimbikerun in some beautiful spots. Places I love most around the island but during high tide I am limited with training time when in full motion. It's been refreshing. When you feel so good, so happy, so re-energized though, (like on this mornings run), it's hard not to help think about the first race of 2012, to want to go blast some miles or something...so I just take in the beauty right now till it's HIGH TIDE baby.

During this lower tide it's been wonderful to catch up with friends, take in longer sunsets, girl chat, play with my son till we are both tired, kiss under stars, and clean parts of my home that I neglect when the roller coaster of life is speeding. Also taking more time to talk to strangers in the shopping lines, hug friends a little longer that I haven't seen in a while, and of course pick up the hitch-hiking children all taking advantage of the holidays...

I love winter time around the island, just taking in the hikes and happenings under the ocean. Today January 22 became the date to slowly begin working towards. It will be the first race of 2012 for me, a run race. Not sure what run, yet, but a run to kick start the season. Either the Maui half marathon or the Hilo t0 Volcano ultra relay. I have ran Maui bunches but never the run up the volcano, on a relay. Hmmm...not sure what one coach will let me do but I will be running on that day and happy to be getting my legs going again. From there into triathlon season, I picked the first swimbikerun of the season. I'll see a start line in February, so excited. I've actually mapped out all of 2012 and will share it sooner than later, till then I'm supposed to be just focusing on physically & mentally recovering from this year while enjoying the holidays...

Have a good day,

Bree

Getting My Hike On...

2011-11-27T19:15:00.006-10:00

Adventures have been calling my name and I have been answering, all of them. This weekend was a double hike, both worth writing home about, but yesterdays 17 miler is the one worth showing you tonight...

These Hawaiian adventures have totally been off season "keep active". It feels like base-training-at-it's-best!! I don't have much to say that you can't see for yourself in a photo. Waimanu is a hidden gem tucked away between Waipi'o and Pololu. Those are the two main valleys, after yesterday I can now say I have hiked my way through ALL the valleys! Enjoy the views, I sure did...

I have to tell you the best part, well, one of the top 10 best parts. I was swimming in the stream and you would never believe who was in that stream while we were all lounging around...A HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL! He was beautiful...
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Tomorrow back to some more swimbikerun, the adventures will continue through the holidays, and this girl is SOAKING them up! Have fun,
Bree

Turkey Triathlon...

2011-11-25T19:27:00.003-10:00

Yesterday was more than Turkey eating (but there was PLENTY of that too)...
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The Kisers put on the annual Big Island Turkey Triathlon and everyone who planned to stuff more than a turkey showed up to swimbikerun, (or one of the 3 in a relay). I love this, it's such a great way to kick the holiday off with a little twist. It feels like the entire town shows up to race, support, volunteer, or cheer. In some small way it keeps the holiday light hearted because you are more concerned with spending time with the people you love than getting the pie crust just right...
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Even the Lieto family showed up, that meant a new course record to the Big Islands beloved Turkey Triathlon.
The entire race for me was "raced", but of course it hurt more than expected, chasing Lieto added to the cranberry sauce I felt like, but man it was so much fun. Not sure if he was pouring gravy on his stuffing or what, but I beat him out of swim-bike transition. From there it was onto the bike where I could "see him" for maybe a mile, then he was going, going, gone. Always wondered what it would be like to see him up close and personal out on the bike during a race, now I know...

I had a mission on the bike, to go as hard as I could for the 16 miles so Lieto wouldn't be finished with the 2 mile run before I even get off the bike! In a race this short with a man that fast on a bike it could happen. Thankfully it didn't. I tried to break the hour mark but was 18 seconds short, I blame having too much fun. It was a holiday after all, this race was filled with smiling, laughing, high-fiving, photos, and fun. But I did go hard. Lieto-speedy pants but the hurt on the field as the only one to break an hour, he did a 53 or 54 and some seconds. So much fun chasing him...

You better believe Kainoa was there for the action! He wanted nothing to do with triathlon though, just the jumping that comes after all sporting events at the pier. Fine by me, we jumped and swam our hearts out with all the friends and family till we had nothing but hunger for a turkey and everything else that lands on a Thanksgiving table...
It was a day full of things to be thankful for. Mostly thankful for the people in my life, thankful for a great day doing what I love and having the good health to be able to do it, and of course home...

Hope your Thanksgiving was incredible too. Next up, Christmas....

Bree

Merry Christmas!!!

2011-11-22T20:16:00.005-10:00

Last night was sunset in the snow! There is never a shortage of adventures on the island and the best part is they only cost gas money and are worth every penny. Every winter I crave a trip to the snow, it's unbelievable being able to swim in the ocean and ride bike under the sun during the day, then land in the snow in the evening-freezing. Maybe it's easy to enjoy because you know you can escape the winter in an hour drive.
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It has been a great couple days, the kind of days that you have to work hard to enjoy. At the same moment so many beautiful things are happening there still float around above me some ugly grey clouds. BUT... it's in the choice of choosing to find the good stuff that the grey stuff sort of seems less to stress about. Anyways... I wanted a snow filled sunset to fill the night and that's just what I got.
The entire drive up Mauna Kea Mike kept telling me to take out his camera. To borrow his. (Remember mine is at the bottom of the ocean and I've been too broke to even think about buying a new one). The entire drive I was doing the usual "Bree Wee ooooo and aaaaaaa" at all the beauty my eyes were seeing and he kept telling me to JUST USE HIS. I refused to turn around because I get super car sick and couldn't imagine looking in a bag for a camera.
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We get to the top of the mountain and Mike says, "This was in the bag, it's your camera". It was a BRAND NEW WATERPROOF, SNOW PROOF, DROP & SHOCK PROOF camera! Just for me! Merry Christmas, thank you Santa in advance, thank you Mike! I was jumping up and down like a little girl who just got her first Barbie under the Christmas tree. Okay, so it may have been just a camera to you, but to me it was so much more. It was something I use EVERYDAY, the way I treasure my moments and share my life. It was Mike thinking of me. It's so hard not to believe in holiday cheer and happiness when the season is just filled with moments like this!
...and this.

I didn't need the mistle toe in a moment like this, I could just kiss him anyway!
It felt like Christmas just keeps on getting more AWESOME. Today I woke up to an ocean swim where the company was on fire and I hung on, then I rode happy, landed my first 8 mile run since tearing my calf and IT DIDN'T HURT ONCE! Then I lifted weights. It was a full day training, getting sweaty, working hard, dream chasing, goal seeking, and I AM BACK! I wanted back so bad, I love sport SO VERY much and days without being able to do it are hard for me. Do not worry, I am not full blasted swimbikerunning in what some call the "off season", I am harmonizing with the holidays, trust me.

Of course some grey clouds kept floating and I wanted my mom here to make them go away, but life goes on and the holidays make them all less grey ('cause that is where I choose to look).

Sunset in the snow, winter wonderland in paradise!! Last thing, remember I'm a girl. Just when I thought a good day was ready to call "good", it got hilarious. Mike took a song and made it for me. Don't know about you, but I've always daydreamed about having a song for me. Tonight I got it. That song, "She looks wonderful tonight", sing that but change all the words around to fit my life. He sung it something like this, "Its getting late now, 6:30, she has to go home now, shes running at the butt crack of dawn in the morning". "Her hair is always a mess, she doesn't brush it...", "We go to a BBQ, everyone is staring but she's here with me, and I say, yes, you look wonderful tonight". You have to know the song, it was a favorite of mine back in the day and NOW I love it even more. His words were so worth hearing. I am so blessed...
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Okay, now to bed, I really am getting up at the butt crack of dawn.
Merry Christmas!
Bree

A Best Weekend...

2011-11-20T21:36:00.004-10:00

Every so often a moment in motherhood totally captures your heart and makes all that you do, sacrifice, and feel for your child melt away any moments of doubt in your parenting skills. Because of course those days happen, the ones where you wonder if you spent enough time playing, truly listened to the story about the bug for the 100th time, and of course if you are making their lives truly worth living.

Tonight after kissing Kainoa good night and turning out the light, he calls me back into the room, "Mom, this was the best weekend of my whole life". It meant the entire world to hear that, a simple reminder that despite a child not coming with a book of directions, you are indeed raising them in such a way they are enjoying being your child. Believe me, his life is not filled with toys, gifts, and such to the plenty. My prayer has always been for him to appreciate a simple life, the life I grew to value during my time in Costa Rica, a life where you find happy just to be alive and have moments with good people. He discovered that more in depth this weekend, it made me smile...

Our Saturday began bright and early. There was no bike ride for mom, no swim, and no run to tackle. My leg is fully healed and I'm back to business, however, this weekend was all about "family" as the holidays are looming. 7 of us made a drive to the most Southern point in the USA. There we found caves to swim through, cliffs to jump, and green sands to explore. It was beautiful in so many ways.

Of course I enjoyed all of it equally as much as the children on the trip...

But the weekend belonged to Kainoa. He wanted to do all the big kid things, taste life to the fullest. Of course there was no way in the world I'd let him jump from the 40fters even if he has my sense of adventure running deep in his blood. He cried about it so I promised when he gets just a little bigger he can jump bigger. He agreed and found plenty of fun on a "mini big jump".

The list of laughing, jokes amongst everyone, and new memories made will forever be etched in a moment worth remembering. Perhaps the best part for me was seeing Kainoa grow up before my very eyes. He really never looked for my hand on this trip. He had that sense of confidence you hope to instill in a child, that look of wonder and amazement that every parent can only hope to encourage, it was him being a big kid right before my eyes...
It may have helped that the weekend was spent with 3 older boys...

From a distance I watched and smiled, trusting that each step he took was a safe one, a brave one, and one where the path he chose would lead to a place of appreciation for all he was seeing and experiencing. It was inspiring and reminded me to continue to follow my heart...

From cliffs, big ocean swims, sands of all colors, trails touched only by foot, papaya pancakes, church Sunday morning, birthday party Sunday afternoon, and hard laughter Sunday evening as the sun was fading into the ocean, Kainoa had one of the best weekends of his life...

As he is fast asleep now, my job has been packing his lunch and washing his karate clothes for tomorrow. Our swim clothes are set out for 6am practice, and a new week awaits us. Confidently this momma will hold her head high, beyond thankful for the beautiful life her son is knowing...

Aloha ahiahi,

Bree

So Good...

2011-11-16T14:41:00.005-10:00

It is SO good to feel the holidays lingering in the air. The flowers are not changing colors too much here, bright as ever, but you can feel winter wonderful on the way. The sun is still in full shine and shimmer, it's pretty warm, not hot, hot anymore. The first round of Christmas lights have been put up in town too, turkeys are on sale at the grocery, and Kainoa bought egg nog Monday. I love this time of year. It's Movember this November. You know, celebrate men's cancer survival-show your support and wear/grow a mustache if you can! Gotta love the men in our lives right. I know I am super thankful for the great guys that make my world a better place, (and open jars for me).
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It's also SISTER week. I've got 6 sisters, lucky girl, lots of clothes to borrow! Celebrate your sister or the girls in your life that you claim as sisters this week. I truly need a photo of all 7 of us, but everyone is married, mothers, or moved. This one I like for now and I'll pretend the other 2 are in it as children, (they came later).

As for the lingering holidays, other than mustaches and sisters, we are in the middle of Thanksgiving plans and hanging Christmas lights. I KNOW, how ridiculous to rush to Christmas till after eating the turkey. BUT hear me out, it's a must every other year to get a head start. Since '08 Kainoa has been celebrating the holiday with me one year then his dad the following, this happens to be his dads year. SO....we hung the first strand of lights and plan to dive into Christmas now. Life is good. (I gently remind myself of that ALL the time when holidays wind themselves through life and I land missing my son).

...another celebration was Kainoa's DATE! I was the proud parent on an "ice cream" date. It was all smiles for the two of them that have been best buds since preschool. I saved all the photos and can't wait to show them to his first REAL DATE when he drives and picks her up...hahaha!

Being a day closer to Christmas also means I'm a day closer to Santa bringing me a new camera! I stole this one from Coach Steve, he took it during swim practice in the ocean with HIS CAMERA! (Very jealous of all my friends swimming with cameras while mine is on the ocean floor).

In sporty news.... Santa dropped off new shoes JUST in time for Friday. Friday I get to run again after letting my calf heal. Thought tomorrow would be the day but we are playing is safe and waiting one more day. Might have to celebrate with a run on a cool beachy loop or in the volcano. hmmmm....

Alright, get your holiday happy on, it's never too soon to start celebrating all things LIFE, LOVE, and SPORT!

Bree

10 Bucks?

2011-11-13T19:50:00.006-10:00

This has been one of the greatest weekends ever. Ever. Usually the week after a big race is very full of the "I want a redo, what happened, how can I fix it, that was awesome, let's do it again, I hurt...". This week was mostly all good n' positive post race, that's usually how things go when you give them your all until the very last moment. Of course I did spend a lot of time thinking about the race, wishing my right calf would not have froze and held on for a run. Then I made the 2012 plan. After that I turned off my tri-brain and said, "chill out, recover".
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With that, it was a full weekend of island life. My friends and I are seriously broke. It's not even funny the crew I roll with, together we might have a total of $300 bucks at any given time, 10 of them from me. What we lack in money we MORE than make up with all sorts of adventures and moments you just can't buy. Thankfully the friends are the outside type, the get dirty type, the lets spend all day finding more ways to live out loud type. So we did that all weekend long...

My right calf is getting better but it's still so upset I tried to swim through a a frozen charlie horse then bike and run on it. It's good enough to kayak up a river, so a couple of the boys, (one of whom grew up in Honoka'a), had a great idea to go play in his old back yard...they promised I wouldn't have to walk much or at all and it would be "good for me". So we loaded kayaks on the truck and drove through mud, dirt, rocks, and a river. Then got out to discover the river was RAGING!

6 days of Hilo rain made it a crazy, beautiful, waterfall! But...not possible to kayak to. Nor drive, 4x4, ride horse, or any other way than by foot. And swim, yes, lots of swimming through the river was happening. Once I thought for sure I was going over the falls. This counts as part of my rough water practice in advance for the 2012 season!

When all was said and done we landed at the biggest waterfall in all of Hawaii. Holy cow, it was unreal. I just smiled, feeling unbelievably rich!

The weekend also had some paddle action! A little swell rolled in so we decided to surf it one man style. The dolphins were out in full force playing in the waves too. It was one of those moments in life when you just feel so happy and so alive that nothing can stop you from believing that you are in the right spot at the right time and everything is the way it's supposed to be, all of it. The dolphins jumping waves had me clicking away on the camera some shots I knew would just blow your mind, paddling my heart out to keep up, and of course just laughing that laugh that you wish would happen more often...then this...

I tried to catch a wave and sometime after it rolled by me and I went right instead of left, I let out one ugly huli. The camera also landed on the ocean floor, the floaty thing that is always attached to it on all swims, surfs, paddles, that was floating. Ugh...dolphin pictures and good memories captured-Adios. Aloha. Good bye. Come on Santa, hook me up with a new camera PLEASE, i've been so good this year!

We also jumped cliffs, because when you can't run you have to jump...

The weekend wasn't all paddle, waterfall, jump, and kayak. One night I rode bike to the beach (see the wheel in the back ground??), and yesterday the leg felt WAY better, I rode 30 miles!

Mostly floats and swims filled my swimbikerun addiction/sport life this weekend. No complaints when ALL of them were in the ocean!

This weekend will take A LOT to top. It was so jam packed with good people, good moments, and memories that will not fade or be worth more than anything money could buy. Some of the weekend will remain top secret, because what happens in Hawaii has to stay in Hawaii...

Tomorrow will ease back into more sport, I'm ready for that action too. And the calf, fingers crossed it's ready for more! Have a great week...

Bree

Back to the Rock...

2011-11-09T19:44:00.004-10:00

Middle of the week, it's swim practice night and I didn't go. It has officially started the "rest up, recovery, prepare to repeat triathlon season". Actually if my calf wasn't still in a funk I would have went. No walls for me for a while, so I swam in the ocean. You can swim wall-less forever in the ocean! My left leg feels like a rock star, like it wants to go run Honolulu Marathon next month! The right leg, that calf, it still doesn't even want to walk properly yet.. I'm most certain it is just fine, just recovering from the miles I made it do last Saturday while frozen stiff in a Charlie Horse.
Being home has sent me into a whirlwind of happiness and thankfulness. It's so warm and sunny here, all my friends have hugged the breath out of me after the tears of last Saturday, and of course...sushi, the really good stuff, has made it's way back to my belly!! As for the feeling post race, I took time to really embrace my emotions. After a couple days my heart has officially decided it is really happy.
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The hard work came out to play and payoff on race day, it has helped my confidence tremendously. As for the run, I know it is there too. More than the swim or bike we have worked on my run. It just didn't play on Saturday, I won't let myself get disappointed, I'm just going to cling tight to the training days that brought me to believe in my running improvements and trust it is not going away. Patience. The good news, I'm truly learning to fight till the end. I knew that calf wasn't going to get any better as the miles went on but I kept fighting in hopes it would right until the finish line, because that is when the race stops right, the finish line.
Now what?? Today I picked all my 2012 races, they are on the list that I'll pass over to coach and see what we decide to do. Some of the favorites that are always there are THERE, a couple new ones, and one that I'd usually shy away from but instead want to take on the challenge of. Talk about growing up...

I am in the mood to race still, I've just loved it this season, and still want to squeeze another race out this season. If the calf warms us now that we are home I might land at a start line around here. If not, focus on next season will begin promptly. For now...recover.

Chat soon,

Bree

2011-11-06T15:04:00.003-10:00

Ironman finish number 10 is in the books, another very hard fought finish and yet another bajillion lessons learned on the way to a giant serving of humble pie. Like studying for a Spelling test, I believed if I did all my homework I would pass the test, not a doubt in my mind that I would get my Ironman PR on Ironman #10. Yesterday’s Ironman was far from a failure but far from the PR…
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There was not an excuse in the universe to not finish the race, believe me, I know how easy it is to chuck in the towel when things don’t go according to plan, but I had no excuse. I gave it my all for as long as I could, as strong as I could, doing all I could, but at mile 11 of the run my right calf was done. It gave out long before my head and heart were ready, and sadly, it was a long fight to the finish.
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Summing up the 140.6 miles, the swim went off and I did my usual kick to keep up with the pack I wanted, slowed it down for the lovely, much appreciated free ride, (draft). Then it happened, kicking to keep up, even a little in the cold water, sent chills and Charlie horses into my legs. New plan, stop kicking. At this point I was still very calm, an Ironman is a long day and patience pays off. Just go with it, relax, and don’t fight the cold water, let my body warm up. Running from lap 1 to 2 in the sand I knew it was going to be a matter of “when, not if”, the legs would tighten to the point of not functioning without razor pains. Sure enough, lap 2 I looked like a manatee floating out in the Gulf of Mexico. They tightened so bad I couldn’t move, but I refused to stop, so I rolled over and swam backstroke two times for just a few yards each time till the flare up went away, yes that was me dragging my legs, fighting for the swim finish.
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Running up the beach is always a happy moment to me after a swim race, yesterday was even more enjoyable after the swim. Then it happened, they announced I was first girl out of the water, literally in shock after what felt like a frustrating swim, pride set in…

Being first out of the water I wanted to be first on the bike! I skipped the gloves Caroline gave me, passed up the bike jacket Ben gave me, didn’t put on socks, and I left T1 in a soaking wet, freezing cold suit and arm sleeves. .
That was so dumb. It took 2hrs to feel my legs dethaw, I called it good and safe because it helped me not take the bike out too fast the first half. However, my right leg had a Charlie horse so bad that it was locked in place on my cranks, unable to move it from the bike without crying, it tore up my entire ankle and left my back wheel and crank a bloody mess. I was too cold to really notice the pain in the ankle until I warmed up and by then the calves were loose and warm, so I was counting it ALL GOOD. In fact, 2 hours later I was loving the bike, feeling strong, in the zone, and just truly enjoying the Ironman 112 miles. I’m talking, loving the race. A very good lesson learned, it was perhaps one of the most patient bike starts ever in my 10 Ironmans and left me with one of the most energy filled bike finishes ever felt off the bike. Patience at its finest happened for me on the bike yesterday…

Off the bike I could not tell if my ankle or calf muscle hurt worse to run, maybe my face! I was so happy to be first girl off the bike that I could not stop smiling, okay, without a doubt my face hurt worse. Within minutes I was into the run pace coach and I set in training, the one I did the homework for. And then I had a choice to make. #1 Run my goal pace despite the horrible pain and hope and pray it goes away, I worked so hard and came all the way to Florida and everything else was fine. # 2 Slow down the pace and hope it won’t aggravate my calf worse by running a little easier. If you know me at all, you know my choice. I am a girl who follows her heart and lives and breathes by chasing my dreams, goals, and every hope for my life. I went with choice #1 and ran my heart out for as long as I could, as best as I could, as strong as I could. My right calf ended up getting so tight that I was running goofy, (but aren’t we all at some point in an Ironman), it made my left leg get tight too, and from there I ran into a tree. It felt crippling, it looked like I had a stick up my butt, but I didn’t want to stop. From there it was just a matter of getting passed by girl after girl. One of whom I knew would run me down even if I ran my goal pace, Jess is just that incredible and it was an honor to have her fly by on her way to her second IM FL victory.
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Making the most of the day, I was very happy to have finished my 10th Ironman, landing 6th girl, humbled that it wasn’t where I wanted to land. On the bright side, I learned a lot about myself, met some incredible people out there, (I could write a book on that marathon!!!), and made some friends too. In fact, the 3rd place lead girl biker I had with me for most the day, we became buds. Her name is Cari and without a doubt that run would not have been as tolerable without her. I don’t think we can really use the lead bikers for pacing, trust me you can’t pace a girl wobbling into trees and ditches. At my lowest point, I’m talking the point I was in tears and ready to fall over, she told me to name the top5 things I’m most thankful for at this point in the race. (Kind of like how doctors ask you how many fingers you are holding up). I said:

1. My family was all at the finish and Kainoa too.
2. My supporters
3. That I didn’t poop my pants (A LOT of athletes were yesterday)
4. That I wasn’t on my period, (I REALLY don’t like racing Ironmans with that thing)
5. And for someone special back home that said he is proud of me no matter what

She said at number 5 my face lit up huge, so we talked all about number 5 till I was wobbling into more grassy yards and limping around like a goofball, then I lost her and got a new biker as more girls started to outrun my wobble. The final miles of the run were the most painful, more painful than actually running fast miles! In those miles I had plenty of time to let all the emotions I was dealing with settle in my heart. I was sad, no way to pretend or fake that I was okay with just finishing. The race felt like it was going to be the day I had been dreaming of and it landed in such a way I could not gut it out any faster than the way I did. It was humbling to limp, to hold onto trees to keep me from falling over, and to even land on my knees twice in such a frustrating pain that I didn’t know how to shake out. Seeing the finish line was beautiful, there stood my family and Kainoa. By that time I was done sobbing over the heartbreak of not being able to run the way I was ready to run, but it still hurt to even walk. Today I’m not able to move my right leg at all either, but by the looks of all the athletes nobody is walking very well…that is Iron distance.
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I’m incredibly thankful for the support I’ve been given in the way of family, friends, my coach, and sponsors. This day was not exactly as I had dreamed, but it was awesome having you to thank for it. In no particular order, Charlie and the team at REV3, it’s unreal having your unconditional support night and day. Coach Jimmy, the world is a much more entertaining place with you in it and you never stop believing in me, so thankful for that time you invest into my training/racing life. Coach Steve, today for teaching me to swim back stroke, it sure paid off yesterday!! Swift Carbon for the most amazing bike my okole has ever had the honor of riding, I just love how it loves to be ridden, KSwiss for the most functional, fun, and well fitting shoes and sport clothes, Blue Seventy for keeping a warm water girl “warmer” in the cold water with those wetsuits, Splish for the most motivating swimwear ever, and Bike Works for looking after my bike as if it were your own. Life and sport work so much better with you as a part of it!! Family, friends, you know who you are and how you help me…love you!
For now, that’s a wrap. Family time is taking over and Kainoa and I are loving these moments with the cousins...
Thank you so much for the continued support and taking the time to read this,
Bree

140.6 Time....

2011-11-04T10:34:00.003-10:00

I have no clue on how my 140.6 will unfold tomorrow. Of course I have dreams of how I want it to unfold. My heart has been poured into training for the day that awaits me, the miles, the sweat, the tears, the hours and hours of passion put into play-it's been done. The opportunity given to me has been close to heart too, full on knowing those that have made this possible for me, and I mean possible as so many things have flown out the window like a crazy breeze sweeping through, great people have helped me stand strong in the breezes...thank you.
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Having Kainoa along for the race has been so special, the way he reminds me to breathe and enjoy this time. I forget sometimes to enjoy prerace. The race, easy to enjoy despite the hard moments, and the post race, again, more easy to enjoy, but the before stuff Kainoa has helped me to EMBRACE...
Having Kainoa here has also made home feel close. Home is where the heart is, right? I love home...

The bike has been checked, number 7 is ready to swimbikerun. It's been very cold here for me, but nothing I can't handle, just going to have to wear more clothes than the races back home. In fact, I put 4 tops in my swim to bike bag! Not sure if I'll put any or all of them on! Sleeves, socks, and gloves are in there too. Never race in those things but I'm not afraid to bust them out and be warm...

6:50 this is where the race will get going, plan to land here post race too! ALOHA ICE BATH! No kidding, going to bust out a bikini (because I packed them and yet to wear them) and ice my legs for the LONG flight home, and Kainoa is begging to go all the way in!

...and the bike! My bike will endure it's first race, it's longest ride, and my third time on it. Maybe not ideal to have limited rides on the new bike, but baby, WHEN I KNOW LOVE AT FIRST RIDE, I KNOW IT!! hahahaha... we will ride!

...and all those bags. Packed. Checked. Ready.

Again, blessed is how this girl is feeling. Another day doing what I love, surrounded by people I love, with support I am thankful for! Those out on the course cheering, those waiting behind a computer for updates, and those calling and texting around the Florida spectators, THANK YOU for being part of tomorrow's race. I will have each of you out there with me. The training partners that have spent hours swimbikerunning with me, thank you! It has truly been a blast and I love having you as even a small part of this day.

To my beautiful mother and poppy, thank you so much for being here to help Kainoa with school work, watch him while I train a little, and support what I do. I know I always told you when I grow up I want to be a veterinarian, well, I changed my mind (7 times), and love that you supported all the times I did and now support this life too!

ALL the best to everyone racing tomorrow, have a great (warm) day! See you out there, we got this!

Bree

Sea Shell Creatures, by Kainoa...

2011-11-03T06:19:00.002-10:00

My mom is really busy, sitting on her okole doing much of nothing, I Kainoa, am taking over the computer. Part of the deal going on this “business trip” with my mom is that I keep up with my school work. My grandparents are doing a good job of running my day much like my teacher back in Hawaii. We have Math time, Reading time, writing time, art time, play time, but…no nap time. AWESOME.
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I’ve got to share the coolest art project of the week, shell creatures! Mom used to always tell me stories growing up on big white sandy beaches. Grandma would take her and the sisters to collect seashells before the sun would come up, they would spend hours along the coast. They had a sailboat too and would sail to little islands and explore old hideouts, secret places, and find sea shell treasures people only dream of. She lived on the beach with sea shells sprinkled throughout her life.
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Yesterday while mom was on her bike grandma and I gathered shells, the brightest colored paint I’ve ever seen, and some little eyeballs. We painted them to look like shell creatures. When mom saw them she busts out in laughter, they reminded her of growing up with grandma. She still thinks the shell creatures are about the most delightfully tacky, touristy looking shells she has ever seen. Of course I love them, in fact I’m bringing them home to Hawaii for every auntie and uncle!

Okay folks, that’s about all the computer I can handle. It’s a beautiful day in Florida and I’ve got some exploring to do. Mom has a meeting and a swim with her coach & a stop watch. She seems pretty calm, hard to believe the race is just 2 days away. She loves what she does, its fun to watch her enjoy her sport and this life. I like when she makes me part of her job, I know I’m forever her favorite so seeing her swimbikerun is exciting for me. I can hardly wait to be at her finish line with the grandparents, aunties, uncles, and my cousins. From there I’ve got to beg her to take me on the go carts!!! Have a great day, love Kainoa!!
PS. The water is cold here.

Florida...

2011-11-01T15:16:00.002-10:00

It doesn’t feel like Ironman Florida is only 4 sleeps away, it feels more like I’m on a family vacation. At the moment I’m thinking this is a good thing, very good. Surrounded by family and having Kainoa along this race has created that focus and distraction that blends together nicely for me. Butterflies are in full bloom and of course that prerace fluster is lingering, (has been lingering since Sunday). As soon as I have too much time to over think “swimbikerun-taper-training”, Kainoa’s child like passion for life calms my uneasy heart or the parents are busy catching up with the most recent happenings of my life. It’s good stuff for this tri-momma being consumed with family at just the right time.

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My bike has just arrived, 10hrs after Kainoa and I, aloha time was fine for today. After tomorrow it has to be on Florida time. Today was a nice run near the beach to shake out the jet lag. It felt so good to run in this crispy, cool air. It’s not warm in the least and my toes are numb at the moment, forget bikinis and frolics in the sunshine. The endurance felt just fine, good timing for an Ironman if you ask me. As for pep, it was missing in action on the run, slugggggggggy. I’m no stranger to these 14hr flights and left over slug-like feelings, it will come around in about 14hrs…right? Right.

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Most of today was just trying to move around and shake out the flight. Eat some quality food and breathe some fresh air. That meant the beach for us. We took a little walk at the water’s edge, collected sea shells, spent moments admiring the sunset, and let our feet touch the ocean, just our feet. Tomorrow I’ll actually swim in the ocean. Till then that cold water can stay unfamiliar to my warm water loving self. I plan on riding too, I miss my bike actually. As for this time change, let’s not even go there, I am optimistic that 5 or 6 hours is nothing more than the difference between breakfast and lunch or lunch and dinner…I’m just a meal off.

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We are here and happy. Not much left to do but rest and recover. Of course another sunset wouldn’t hurt either. Aloha ahiahi from Panama City Beach!
Bree and Kainoa.

Mike Tyson...

2011-10-28T20:41:00.004-10:00

This is the morning that greeted a brand new day. It was gorgeous, the swim went well, and of course it made for a nice start to whatever the day was going to bring. From here it got even better (then it got not so better).

I landed here. Well, the monk seal did, not me, but I landed just like that seal into full on taper mode. If it weren't for the guard on the beach I would have been snuggled up to the seal too, because REST n' RECOVER days/week are all about chilling out...

This was my morning spot...under a shade tree, gently tucked out of the sun, yet enjoying some fresh air with a friend and her baby while the boys paddled. Of course I wanted to paddle but that is not part of swimbikerun and this close to race day it is all about swimbikerun. My friend Kara sent me a note earlier this week with a quote from Mike Tyson. I've been a Tyson fan since I was super young, when my dad bought my sisters and I boxing gloves for Christmas. Anyways, the quote came in more handy today than ever imagined. You ready for this???

..."Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face". PERFECTLY said Mr. Tyson! Seriously, almost all things on this IM Florida journey have not went according to plan, and I planned gooooooood. I love plans and believe in them, however being flexible is always cool too, but a punch in the face sure and knock a plan out the window! Today's black eye was caused by Kainoa and I's flight totally falling through. Without major detail we landed no flight to Florida and looking at a last minute flight was causing me more tears than probably healthy for a girl.

I did what I hardly ever do, reach out for help. It's humbling and hard but I was at a loss, (not just lost tickets). My heart and soul has been poured into training for this race, my family would be there, Kainoa was looking forward to a 14hr flight, and this triathlete needed to race-it's her job right?? Well, swimbikerunning, even driving to Florida is not possible from here, so the punch knocked me out and I asked around for help. You know who came running!? The REV3 crew. I'm not kidding in the least. I'm heading to an Ironman race and the REV3 crew is making it possible. Talk about big hearts and well, REV3 is out of this world not just for the races they put on, you've heard athletes all over the world boasting about them, but they genuinely care about athletes and triathlon no matter who-what-where-when. So...Kainoa and I will fly to Florida thanks to them.

As for the bike, he will fly too! Yesterday the new cranks were put on, (after a handful of boys handled it), you know it takes A LOT of man-power to get a bike to fit me! Anyways, I am happy to have it ready to race and trust the Bike Works crew and Swift crew enough to just roll with it...

Tomorrow will be my first big go on the set up, on the real road, yikes, then in the box it will tuck. Talk about getting excited. Nervous? Not yet. The work has been done, I trust my coach, the training, the taper, and the people that have helped me get to this point. Perhaps I got yet another punch in the face too close to race day, but with every plan thrown out the window a new one comes into action...

Happy Weekend!

Bree

Unique...

2011-10-25T17:26:00.003-10:00

After a little research I discovered "unique" means: Having no like or equal; unparalleled; incomparable. Ahhh, perfect, sounds exactly like the life I live. Unique, aren't all of our lives unique?? I think so.
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Monday had me reflecting on all the dreams I held as a little girl. You know, be a veterinary, have a horse, 4 kids, a husband, and of course a monster truck like the big blue Chevy my dad had growing up. Monday I was watching my son take a shower at 7am at the Kona Pool. Never in a million bajillion years as a young girl would I think I'd be showering my son at 7am at a pool, on the way to school. BUT that is part of my unique life and I would never change or rearrange it. We woke up at 5:30 for swim practice, he watched me swim (helped coach), and did a little swimming of his own , he ate breakfast at the pool and mom "worked". It's our life...
Sunday we did the local Peaman Biathlon together too. Never in a bajillion million years would I have imagined I'd be running down Alii Drive with my 5 yr old, hand in hand, racing. Never would I have imagined it would be my job and one if his favorite family activities. It's a big part of our life, the life we have without horses, the giant Chevy monster truck, and well... you know the rest. I love our unique life...

I had another relay partner that biathlon too. I swam and he ran. It's about time this momma is getting her heart back into shape with all things life, love, and sport. We took 4th, I think Kainoa maybe outran him...haha. Not really, but it was new and fun for us to share this day with another someone...

One of the greatest things I have learned lately is trust. I am telling you so many things have flung upside down, to the left, to the right, and all over the place in this journey towards Ironman Florida. Things I don't even want to write involving sport stuff, bike crank demons, and family too. BUT you know what, I am totally trusting that when you have a life like no other, a unique one without a bunch of pre-written rules on how it will all workout or unfold, you just have to trust. Sort of like Kainoa trusting us when we tell him it's ALL GOING TO BE OKAY TO JUMP INTO THE OCEAN OFF A CLIFF. He goes, I'm going too...

Today was the final LONG ocean swim. I had 8 great people with me. One on the SUP board and 7 swimming alongside me. To arrive at the ocean and see your friends ready to take on your big swim with you meant the world! I'm the one heading to the race and they are the ones helping me get the most out of myself for a good race day. It was awesome. The swim was incredible. Long, super choppy, some dolphins of course showed up, and we had a few good laughs at the expense of climbing a buoy. You better believe race day will not be my own, it will belong to the handful of people that have swam, ran, and biked with me...

...Then this. To get out of the ocean and find your most favorite drink and a handful of kiwi to bust your prerun kiwi craving, you have to believe you have it good even while the other stuff is somewhat sour. I was super blessed. What a surprise and what a thankful heart I'm now holding.

Tomorrow will be the final big ride and more swimming. The bike still is not set for me but again, I am not stressing. It's unique right?! I mean, life on an island sometimes means you have to wait a little, er lot, longer for things to happen and as I have learned, they don't always happen the way you imagined they would when you were 13. But as Bob Marley sings, "Don't worry, every little thing is gonna be alright..."

Bree

Days Like These...

2011-10-22T20:50:00.005-10:00

Yesterday came at perfect timing. A few days had rolled into what reflected a mess. The cranks did not work on my bike, my bike is not ready to roll (but I rolled it anyways). Thursday, 4 days before flying to Florida the cranks (that work for my bike) should arrive. Stress, who me? No. Am I happy about it, not really. BUT worry never made anything better...

THEN I felt like a mess. All my awesome rides, great runs, and fabulous swims seemed to feel "off". OH MY GOSH, really now? Why now? Why so close to my race? Stress, no. Talked to coach, the work is done, he pulled the plug on a longish ride and gave me recovery fun day yesterday morning to de-stressorize and take a mini-mental break from thinking too hard on how my body is feeling, you know-not panic! That sent me to a "beach training day" with the paddler boys, nice. It was a run on the beach, an ocean swim, then paddle. Let me tell you, it was the most refreshing, rejuvenating workout in a very long time. The long runs and rides have had me loving largely, but it was awesome to mesh in with people I never train with and do a real beachy workout. Coach and his buddy Lance-fast-on-a-bike also landed there for ocean swim and paddle, it must have been the right thing if they landed there too. Finally I was feeling back to normal, happy and calm. BUT the crank thing was still lingering... The evening sent 5 of us families to the beach. This evening would roll into a sunset that would roll into a sunrise that is exactly 2wks out from race day. SO exciting. 2wks out is when I am most eager, too long drives me crazy and too close gets me goofy, ready now. The night was brilliantly painted with blue waters and orange sky. What a dream to land in such a spot, still so much in love with a sunset as ever...

Kainoas Beach house...

A night under a star filled sky left open plenty of moments to day dream, make wishes on stars, and just keep the focus positive despite the previous days of crank-disaster. You know keeping calm is a must when 140.6 miles are about to look you in the eyes and ask you to take them on. Other than a hug, a beach night was the only thing to chill me out.

Loving my friends and beyond thankful for them...

...and what girl doesn't love waking up with bed head overlooking the ocean? Feet in the sand is such a cool way to wake up, I highly recommend it if you need a little breathing room from all things life, love, sport. There was a bike ride to tackle on my plan so the morning had to get rolling...

It rolled into the ocean where belly flop contests, swimming, and lots of children played. Watching Kainoa have that much fun made it all so worth it, he really is a strength for me these days. Then it was time to pack up and roll out and tackle the bike. The bike was not that wonderful as it was missing my cranks and then a drunk driver road me off the road. Me and the bike stayed upright and all my lucky stars were shining as it made me get back my super happy attitude, funny how freak out like that can challenge you to just keep it all in perspective and drop the stuff that causes a mess. Ah, 2 more weeks till the big day, I'm feeling better for it, days like these happen...

Tomorrow some final middle distance run miles and a little biathlon for Kainoa, it's Sunday. Sundays are good days, right? Have a good Sunday!

Bree

Bike.

2011-10-18T20:28:00.002-10:00

This is going to be short and sweet because I am so ready for bed. My new bike touched down on the island, the crank was too big for my short legs, the part will arrive in Kona on Friday, I took the bike out anyways! Oh believe me I was nervous about a new bike and the cranky position so close to Florida. ALL has been going so good, I mean I rode more miles on the old bike in that position, with those baby cranks than I've ridden in my entire life. But I could not NOT ride, so I rode the new bike with "sort of set up position and giant cranks for a 6'5 man".
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I LOVED EVERY MINUTE of that ride! That bike is going to be AMAZING, more AMAZING than ever....I just know it. You know when you "feel" something, you just "believe" something to be good?? I have that happening about this bike, it's more than love at first sight n' ride, it's mine, for me. Friday the new cranks will get on the bike, (we were not able to switch the old ones over in case you are wondering, something with the bottom bracket??). Oh gosh I am a very happy girl...
The first ride was on my most favorite loop...

Of course the loop had one pit stop. It was short, sweet, and to the point.

A little over 3 hours later it was time to run. That's like another test in itself, running off the bike. You can totally tell the bike position, bike, and everything else when you hop off to run. I could tell I was doing the giant step thing I used to do TOO much when running off the bike. With my old cranks it was so easy to take giant steps because my legs were working that way on the bike. After going to the smaller cranks the running stride shortened so much, it helped me pretty darn well. So today, off the bike, I had the legs going long steps off the bike after riding again with the long cranks. Thankfully I noticed it and was able to fix it up, but its so much easier to do when you ride for hours with little spins. Friday my friends it will be all good again...

I'll be honest, I am SO TIRED. In a good way, the way you need to be a little worked so when taper happens you actually have something to taper from. Now is time to bank up the sleep, our pre-sleep happened in the dark, under stars. Kainoa and I just had to chill out near the ocean and let the sound of the waves sing us a lullaby...it worked wonders.

Happy training...

Bree

Floating Above...

2011-10-17T09:37:00.005-10:00

It's been a week above the clouds over here. Another big training week survived, enjoyed, and everything in between. The load is getting so much more manageable, my life harmony is all starting to sound so pretty as motherhood, sport, and family/friends find their way to blend together. Less than 3weeks to go now...

The focus this week was running. Lots of it. Different speeds, different company, and different spots around the island. Last night was the final run of the week, it landed at a sunset in the sand. 62 miles of happy. I asked coach for another hour so I could make 70, I've never even ran more than 60, but 70 sounded so cool that I wanted it. He told me not to get greedy, I'm healthy, uninjured, and there really was no need...

...so I stopped in the sand and called it a run week.

Below the surface...

Today is recovery day. Phew. Swim practice this morning filled a little excitement in Kona Pool. Coach and Speedy pants on a bike (and in the pool) showed up. In order to keep the "recovery" in my recovery day I had to get wise, it was then my plan of attack included "working my draft". I'd leave so close on Lance's feet that they were honestly shoved up my nose. He never told me to chill out or leave 5-10 seconds back, so I hung as best as I could swallowing his feet. It was that or throw the idea of any sort of recovery out the window. He's really fast in the pool...
The other, equally exciting part of today will be getting my hands on that new 2012 Swift bike of mine! It's not ready, sadly there is a problem with the cranks I have (the little ones I changed to) fitting into the new bike. Friday they will arrive in the island, till then I'll ride it with the big strong man cranks. Sorry the photo is so odd, the bike is hanging on the wall till they change out my saddle and fit it up to my shorty legs and long torso self.
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Have a good week wherever you are reading this from,
Bree

20 Miles With A Nerd...

2011-10-14T21:25:00.006-10:00

I'm a firm believer all long runs feel better when they land in the ocean. Would be best if it was skinny dipping style, but a bikini works too. Today was 20 miles, the last long one before Florida and it finished in the ocean. In no particular order, (I'm too tired to actually arrange photos), here is a photo a mile for you courtesy of "Dolphin Boy Productions".

The neon blue Quicky Blade Lights are AWESOME! I even wore them IN THE OCEAN on my last mile and they let go of all the water as soon as I climbed up the rocks...

Half way, the "focus" was starting to get serious at this point and the "ooooh this is fun" was starting to take the back seat as I need to brush up on my long running focus.

Such a beautiful sunny day for a run. It was unbelievable out there and THANK YOU to those that honked, tooted horns, and some weird cheer from a red truck...

Busted. Laughing out loud when the question was asked about a ceratain boy...

13 miles pau, 7 to go, still loving the run, the pace, the fuel...

...more about him. This was a real "laugh out loud moment" and I loved it, but it made me run too fast for a few minutes, had to dial it back.

This time I was singing, nearly caused a car wreck with the screaching, squeling sounds I tried to sing.

Digging deep, pretending to be running in the race. It felt so real, I could hear all of it and feel all of it.

Every long run is that much better when you have your own personal aid station! Thank you Pat so much for riding along with bottles and pacing me...

GREAT hair day!

No stopping at the beach, run momma, run...

Enjoying the morning, at this point there was no place I'd rather be than the Queen K with run shoes on while chasing my goals...

Almost pau. Happy to have hit my goals for the run...

Had to pull the hair way back, it was getting serious...
Coconut water, all of it in a breath...
A very good day at the office, so thankful for my job and those that make it possible...
Heck ya momma! Stoked.
And into the ocean, shoes and all....
What a great day for a 20 mile run.

Bree.

Lucky Stars...

2011-10-12T14:02:00.015-10:00

You know how people always talk about thanking their lucky stars? I am doing that, thanking my lucky stars. I don't even know what that means and I've always believed the good stuff in life was 'cause I'm blessed, in fact my luck is sort of crappy, if a bird flies overhead there is a good chance it will poop on me from above.
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My lucky stars are shining pretty bright right now. Ironman Florida training is going so smooth, usually there are so many bumps on the road to an Ironman, you know...life happens. In hopes of not jinxing myself, things have been smooth sailing, or maybe I'm just getting better at rolling with the bunches. I'm back on a big week after a week of serious school holiday. Most people were here last week for the Ironman, my plate was fully loaded with Kainoa's 10-day holiday break from school! That meant training flew out the window and kid-stuff had us flying all over town. In the midst of these moments leading up to 140.6 miles I have some stars twinkling and these are a few of the moments I have been thanking my lucky stars about...

Surviving the High School swim practice

The Ride down Hualalai when I ran off the road and my rear wheel locked up sending me into the road without harm, phewww.

My first flat tire of the season. 41 mph skid out going down Napapoo and I didn't even get a scratch!

Kainoa earned his yellow stripe in karate

Babysat my sisters 1yr old for 3hrs and he only pooped once

Camping under stars

Kainoa's first sleep over, I didn't loose the little buddy he had camping with us!

Great people on the island to train with and keep me focused

My coach is in town

Kainoa's step mom gave us a Jamba Juice card! How cool is that?!

My IPOD has the best music ever right now

My secret crush made me dinner after a 7hr training day (I eat a lot)

My 2012 bike has arrived and will be race ready by Ironman Florida

Kainoa has begun packing for Ironman Florida...

Blue Seventy is sending me a cute little practice suit, blue!!

There were 6 bike accidents during Ironman week and nobody died

The dolphins are out in full force

I made a really good mom-friend in Kainoa's Kindergarten

My new run shoes are magic!

Nutrition-NAILED, locked in for the long days

My little sister is a rock star of a babysitter when I have to trainToday I get a massage!

Tomorrow I get to watch Footloose

This is most likely too much info for you, but that lovely time of the month will not come with me to Florida, it will be the FIRST race of this season that I won't have to deal with that woman thingy. Detouring on the ride...
Sunsets galore.... Love this boy! Camping moments... Surviving the sleep over under stars! Children of the island, enjoying the lives they have been given...My new bike! Okay, time for swim practice in the OCEAN, I'll let you know if the dolphins are out and about....

Bree

A Wonderful Day...

2011-10-09T00:04:00.003-10:00

Today was so incredible in so, so many ways. I didn't even race and it was a darn near perfect day, unbelievable. Last night began with a slumber party, who slumber parties the night before an Ironman?! Me. It had to be done. 3 friends stayed over and filled Kainoa and I's little home with a lot of happiness, it was a brilliant distraction from the race about to fill the following day, the race I would be watching. Only once did I get sad last night. That's good, it means I care and really love what I do. It wasn't too much of a wuss that I messed up an entire day crying over spilt milk, just enough to know something matters to me.
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While the mass of athletes were filling Kailua Bay we were making breakfast, a big one. That was a first too, on a race day. And from there directly to the beach. I live at mile marker 2 of the run so getting to the beach was a little bit of a circle to loop through. We made it just in time to unload and break out into cheers.
Boom! Upon hitting the white sand here was Lieto in the lead. It was of course very cool to see him winning the whole Ironman, it gave everyone chills! The entire day began to give me chills, all day. The race was filled with so much drama, excitement, and gutsy performances that if ever a day to sit out had to happen, today was worth watching!

A few minutes later Crowie came jamming along and I told anyone and everyone within distance that he would win the race. It was so very clear to see upon his face that he had it in him and would make it happen. You can tell so much by a man (or woman's) face what is happening during a race. The blank stares on some of the front leaders gave us a pretty good sign that by the end the positions would all be changed. And they were. So many men near the front landed in the back and women from the back landed in the front. It was determination, pacing, guts, and glory all poured out for us spectators to see.

That top photo is a real gem to me. After watching the first 50 or so we jumped into the ocean. Before long the man on the far right jumped in too. He was running down Ali'i, got off the road and into the sand. Took off his shoes, race number, and humbly fell into the ocean. It was exactly where he wanted to be mid 140.6 miles. Don't we all sometimes?! Then he rolled around, got out, put on the shoes and race number, then began to run down the street back in the game. It was actually very cool to see it all unfold.

Kainoa and his buddies played in the ocean most the afternoon, until the first couple men crossed the finish line that is. In that amount of sun drenched time he finally rode his own wave! It was so awesome to see him just floating along the ocean with a smile. It made the day so very worth it to me. I got to learn so much from the sidelines, more than I could ever write down. Enough to give me a few more lessons to take into my next Ironman.

The other very cool high-light of the day was my friend Kawika. He was racing his first Ironman. Kawika was also the first person to take me on a bike ride. We were paddling partners and I got a bike, he busted me skipping paddle practice to be on the bike and the rest is history. His day was wonderful. A smile from ear to ear kind of day and he made it in 12:15, how exciting! At mile 2 of the run I found him on the road walking, about to stop for a breath it looked like. We wrapped arms around each other and walked. In few words I told him no matter what he has to finish for me because he is in the race, a place I want to be. He would never quit anything he ever started, but I knew guilt tripping him because he loves his friends so much, would ultimately send him into a more positive zone. He recovered from that massive bonk with flying colors and took off down the road and 24 more miles happier than I have ever seen him.

That moment with Kawika was the final touch on being okay with not racing. If I were in the race I would not have had that opportunity to be there for a friend, and my friends have ALWAYS been there for me...

To all the finishers, congrats on tackling 140.6 miles. It was very cool to be part of your day, even if it was from the sidelines. You were inspiring...

Bree

2 More Sleeps...

2011-10-06T19:47:00.004-10:00

Yesterday was the Keiki Splash and Dash, 2 more sleeps and it's Ironman Hawaii. Between the complete excitement from the children to the full on thrill of the adults about to race, I'm stuck in the middle. But Okay. It's cool to see both races just days apart and how the little kids go about it compared to the adults. Both set up transition areas (or pack bags with gear) and both enter into a frenzy of a swim start with the unknown of a long day (er, not so long for the kids), awaiting them...

Watching Kainoa's race was perfect for me. It reminded me of the sheer passion I have for this sport. A kind of passion that means being able to love watching it almost as much as racing it. That's been a new kind of passion I'm developing. I used to get bitter about it and not want to really be anywhere near the mix of Expos and athlete functions unless I was in it too. Selfish? Maybe a little, but who likes to be on the sidelines when they feel as though they were meant to live in the game. But like I said, I'm growing up a little and watching Kainoa race was a big deal.

In fact, this was his FIRST ever race where I had NO PART of swim/running with him. He did it without his parents. The entire swim my little 5yr old tackled, last year I pulled him through it. Well, he wasn't alone, lots of kids were out there and his best buddy swam next to him. He was a BIG kid all on his own. He even went into transition and put on shoes alone, ran alone, went to the turn without me! I waited (and waited, and waited) at the finish line! Shoes untied and he made it! It was an incredible thing to see my son do his first race without me pulling, pushing, tugging, and walking or jogging next to him. So very cool. And very cool of his buddy Sammy to be there all the way too. Thanks Sammy.

You will never believe the ending of this race. Kainoa gave me his medal. He was so proud of it. He owns every single one of mine and now I have his. (Of course I gave it back to him). And now the test really takes over, the BIG kids (adults) are doing the prerace dinner tonight, athlete check in, and bike check tomorrow. As the race gets closer I get this urge to get sad, then find some inner strength to get strong again, it's Ironman Florida lingering that helps me.

Yesterday was the Swift Carbon "meet the team" session. What a great group of guys. Seriously I am so thankful to be on the Swift team. Never once did the managers make me feel guilty about not being in the race, never once was my bike sponsor upset or disappointed. He made me feel as if I belonged there doing the autograph thing just as much as the boys next to me that are likely to smash the field! It is one of the best feelings in the world to have that kind of support and love lavished upon you. To belong when you feel sidelined. And to all the athletes and friends that came to meet us, thank you, so much. I met so many cool people that shared their stories, or introduced themselves, or talked about following my tri-life. It was so neat and helped me a lot to focus ahead in a moment like this. Really, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I also got to be part of a photo shoot this morning! The 2012 Swift Carbon is even more awesome than the 2011. If you know me at all, you know I never stand behind or beside something I don't believe in, I've never been much of a follower or say it just to say it. So for real, I love this bike, this team, and the company. They care so deeply about the rider and making something worth riding. The photo shoot was good times, anytime you are at the beach times are good!

...and then there is Guy. He was found goofing around down there.

After the photo shoot and KSWISS run it was time to play. The morning work was so much different than the training work that accompanies this job, but I loved it. With Kainoa on holiday and no school for a week we had to find a field trip. The beach. The waves were beautiful, the sun was out but cool, and the company was perfect. One more big day out here till the race. Then things will simmer down and the island will be back to normal. I'm going to keep soaking it up, taking it in, and of course keep looking forward. To those racing, hope you are getting good rest and keeping those prerace butterflies under control, almost show time and I am excited for you...

Bree
PS.... all you athletes wondering about the swell, it's supposed to simmer down by Saturday.

Quick....

2011-10-04T12:26:00.005-10:00

This is going to be a quickie, the keiki race is starting at 4pm today, (come watch the mini-triathletes have fun!!), I need to get my little buddy to the start line. Last week was so incredible, it landed me a day off yesterday. Kainoa and I spent the day laying in shallow water watching surfers-not a bad day at all! The only "training/exercise" was a little walk along the beach, till sunset. Yes, we spent a long time there...

Last week was my first 30+ hour training week of the season and if I remember correct, the best job I've done maximizing the training/life/motherhood since 2009 or something. It was a good, GREAT, week to be me. In fact, my bike and I spent more time together than ever. 422 miles we rode in a single week! I don't drive that much in a month on this little island and you better believe that was a bike mileage PR by over 100 miles! It was a big girl week for sure. It took 9 boys and Staci to keep me rolling. For sure I could have tackled it solo, but the 10 of them sporadically placed on rides throughout the week kept the motivation, the focus, and the pace pretty solid.

When the week was all said and done, after a final run, I landed at one of the MOST AMAZING sunsets my eyes & heart have ever seen. It was unreal. The colors, the ocean, the sky, all of it just meshed together in the most brilliant possible view! Landing in the sand after a week like that made it all the more gorgeous! It's pretty easy to enjoy the simple things when you have worked so hard for them.

Kainoa has this entire week off school. Fall Break is in full swing. I suppose it's a good thing the break landed on a recovery week, it will make recovery happen all the more smoothly. With my face in a book yesterday, I read something pretty cool regarding training the body and mid...."Stress it, rest it, best it". Sounds like a good idea! The chapter was about how recovery/rest is so overlooked and how if we just respect the rest the work load will actually pay off bigger than the job done. Yeah, Fall Break for Kainoa will mean rest on the way for me.

So, again, we stayed till sunset....why not?!

This was the end of the 422 mile week. HAPPY GIRL! Seriously, I needed that in so many ways. It felt like truly a pro-life. 2 massages even happened last week courtesy of the Coconut Girls! I'd ride like that ALL the time if I knew my legs would get rubbed like that 2x a week, actually I'd ride like if coach gave me more weeks like it and they fit motherhood. For now, it was a great big start!

And in Island News that is not so fun. I saw an accident. 5th one in 10 days. Not so cool at all. Felt so bad for the rider and driver. Almost race day, be patient, you can ride in the middle of the road on Saturday when the traffic is closed.
In Ironman EXPO news, tomorrow at 2pm the Swift Carbon team will be doing their "Meet the team" event. Come join Joszef Major, Sergio Marques, and I for some fun. Thursday join Kelly Liljebald and I at the KSWISS booth, 9am! We are hosting a "Run with some of the KSWISS girls". Just an hour, (more of less if you want), super chill pace. Hope to see you all at the expo this week and during the run!!

Time for some Keiki racing!! Whooop, whooop!

Bree

My Date With Super Mario...

2011-10-01T19:51:00.007-10:00

First, I must begin by telling you the title, "My Date With Super Mario" was not a date. It's for entertainment purpose only, because talking about a 112 mile ride is just so boring, I have to spice it up. I'd also like to interject that Super Mario has a beautiful girlfriend and I have a beautiful bike, 2 bikes actually. Finally, I am sure my mom will read this title and piss her pants, she has in fact tried to get me on the Bachelorette, gave my number to a boy at a race she thought "was so cute and nice", and even told me she would still love me if I was a lesbian because I'M STILL SINGLE. Dear Mom, it's going to take an incredible man to handle me "AND" Kainoa, I'm waiting for him, and I don't like girls-like that. So anyways, here was my 112 mile date with Super Mario...
Super Mario told me to meet him bright and early at the beach! Right away I knew he was going to be perfect for me! The beach, ahhhh, my sweet spot. Most boys I ride with tell me to meet at the pool, kind of like taking a girl to MC. Donald's! Instantly it was time to roll and away we went on 2 wheels, actually 4, we rode separate...

For those of you that think I choose my 112 mile partners purely based on their backside you are wrong, I mean they maybe have a good backside because they spend so much time on their bikes, but I look for more in a man. Super Mario was more-he had very nice wheels. I focused on those, check them out for yourself! HOT, HOT, HOT wheels...

Like most dates, ours started off slow so I just admired the views. STOP already girls, look beyond Super Mario, I was admiring the sun coming up over Hualalai. Waking up to ride bikes all morning long is a beautiful thing to do and I was appreciating this life I've been given. The conversation also began like most dates, a little fumbled. We just smiled a lot. Maybe the fact he spoke German and I spoke English was to blame, but good ol' smiling everyone can speak. Sometimes we laughed too. Every now and then he caused me to lose my breath. Is that normal on a date or what?! Men making girls loose their breath, got to love it. For me it only happened when he would pick up the pace, holy cow my breath was GONE and my legs burned. But I hung on and never thought of letting him out of my sights. I planned to make all 112 miles with him if it meant running out of things to say and my breath...

Super Mario was a perfect gentleman. He pointed out every stick, dead animal, rock, and pot hold in the road. He made sure I was safe at all times. Even when we had to go into the traffic he was sure to check on me, kind of like having a bodyguard. And each and every hill he would turn back to make sure I was on his wheel. Only once did he drop me and you know what, he came right back for me! Guess, he couldn't resist my awesome singing with the IPOD, or maybe it was the way the Hawi winds blew my hair all over my face and the sun gave me an incredibly ugly set of new tan lines from bike shorts and a jersey. Anyways, he made sure our date wasn't over till 112 miles, not a mile too early...

This was my favorite part, other than the sunrise. He finally took me to eat! As soon as I saw Nakahara's I knew he had good taste in bike-refueling! Man after my own stomach! I didn't want him to think I was a one of those girls that just order a salad but I couldn't have him thinking I order the entire menu and dessert and eat half of his, so I got advice from my coach. He said, "Bree eat what you would eat on race day, practice race day fuel". SO I did that...

Every color sports drink I could find (just like the aid stations in a race), a bar, and a Red Bull. I don't actually ever drink Red Bulls but Super Mario ordered one so I did too. Perhaps it's a good idea to pretend you have an interest in what the other person likes??? Good idea. It worked too, I actually took the lead down Hawi hill, that might be because my okole is bigger than his so I can fly or maybe he was doing the "gentleman thing" again and letting "ladies first". I think the Red Bull spiked my energy level 'cause I never felt like that down that hill in my life!

You know what else I liked about Super Mario? He is so good to people! We saw my friend Staci and he let me bring her along on our date up Kawaihae hill. Some men really don't like third wheels, but he was all about the threesome!
...then Super Mario and I were alone again, so romantic, I mean sweaty and windy! A few miles later we rode into a friend of his, he won one of the Challenge Iron distance races or something like that. My mind started to wonder if this would turn into a typical guy thing, you know what I'm talking about. One man trying to show off or out do the other, a little macho action if you will. Of course that freaked me out. I was already out of breath, out of my league riding with Super Mario in the first place. The last thing I needed would be the pace to get pushed and I go flying into the ditch with the goats! Guess what, Super Mario let his buddy go flying down the road and stayed with me! No joke, he meant what he said, 112 with me. Got to love a man that keeps his word...

The date was coming to an end. It was bitter sweet. I had so much fun, probably my favorite long ride of my lifetime so far. It challenged me, got me out of my comfort zone, took me to new places and faster speeds. It gave me loads of confidence and broke down some of my old bad habits. I was a very happy girl. If you are wondering, we never got to 2nd base, well I don't even know what first base is, I don't think we made it there either because my hands stayed on my bars the entire time and his hands stayed on his bars the entire time, plus he is a perfect gentleman with a very cool girlfriend that let me borrow him just for 112 miles...

Finally back home. I did what all girls do after a date with a guy, replay it over and over and over in your head. The good, the bad, the ugly. Yes, even that beautiful 112 miler with a great cyclist had some ugly. I threw up climbing a hill behind him. I was that serious about not wanting him to drop me, I just hung on. When I tell you I was committed, I meant it. Push came to shove and I hung tight! After that coach gave me a run. Runs always make life sweet so I more than welcomed it. And like every girl, I wondered if Super Mario would write or call me again! I didn't stress it during the run, in fact I didn't even think about it, I just ran. And you know what, I did get a note, he said, "Thanks Bree, looking for a repetition". I think he means, "repeat". Remember he speaks German. He also told me he would send me a massage, I think that meant message??

That my friends, is 112 miles with Super Mario! Time for bed so I can wake up go for more miles!

Bree

Kook...

2011-09-30T20:52:00.004-10:00

If you ever been surfing you know about the kooks. The odd fish out, sort of like a rookie, clueless and just not getting it. Don't worry, we are all kooks at some point, some just way more than others. BUT today, I saw KOOKS above and beyond anything I've ever seen in my life. You better believe every local in the traffic had the word, "koooooooooooks" rolling out their mouths when this bunch came rolling down the street. (I tried to crop off the heads so I don't embarrass anyone too much, my apologize).
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Look super close at the picture, kooks right? I'm the car on the right side, you can see bottom right the "S" on my blue shirt in the rear view mirror. On the left of the photo is the oncoming traffic. And you guessed it, a nice line of kooks were riding bikes down the middle of the street, on the yellow line that divides North bound and South bound traffic. Man did I feel bad for them, clueless. I understand mixing up right side and left side because you came from another country that rides on the opposite side of the road, but the MIDDLE of traffic, no.
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Anyways, we have had 3 bike accidents now that the Ironman athletes have rolled in. In fact, Tuesday my sister picked one of them up and gave him a ride home. He was so busted up and the bike was a mess. He didn't want the car that hit him or police to come, so she gave him a ride home. Of course I feel bad for the accidents, really I do. So to make sure anyone reading that isn't sure, on the island we bike on the right side of the road. We ride in the shoulder if possible, and for sure on the side of the road, not the middle. Okay, now that we cleared that up, please be safe out there...
In my bike news, 5 rides done, 2 to go. It's been very fun riding (as you have read recently). Today I scored another wheel, just not for long. He dropped me good and never looked back, suppose a girl can't always get a free ride. When he rolled up to me I was jamming pretty good to a favorite tune on the IPOD, oh yeah. Out loud singing. He did wave and smile, maybe hiding laughter or wishing he had ear plugs. I grabbed the wheel for as long as I could and had a blast for as long as it lasted. Tomorrow is my 112-er. Nobody wants to roll that long, wonder why? Maybe because NEXT week they will be racing that, hmm, so I'm pretty much solo and ready for it. NO WORRIES.
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It's bed time, again. Hope you are having a great start to a good weekend! AND please ride safe... PS. Check out the bottom photo, its a great shot of not just the wheel I hugged, but check out how far over he is riding from the white traffic line. AWESOME, safe. Lots of kokua to the local traffic and pretty smart dude to keep his life a little safer out there...copy him. He was MUCH faster too...
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Bree

Pro Spotting....

2011-09-29T20:31:00.003-10:00

Can you guess who this is? Here are some hints, he is super tall, he's a daddy, and I caught him out running in the review mirror driving to swim practice last night. Yes, I snapped that photo from the reflection of my mirror, he busted me. It's Matty Reed. I also saw Potts biking up Kawaihae and one female pro standing in the lava field during a photo shoot. They think she has a chance to win it so they put her in the lava field. Seriously considered taking photos of the action for you, but it wasn't that exciting watching a girl standing in the lava field.

At swim I spotted plenty more pros, here are two of every one's favorites. Can you guess? I'll give you a hint, the man on the left is an Aussie, the woman on the right crosses finish lines with a cowboy hat on, and they both ride Scott bikes really fast. Its Luke and Linsey if you had no idea. Yes, the excitement is still pouring on thick around here. The BEST for me was a 100 mile ride with a few talented men that I hope have their perfect race...

It began with a pace that wasn't too bad but it wasn't easy and it wasn't my solo riding pace. It also gave me no hope of ever having them stop so I could take a quick pit stop. THEN, one of them got a flat! I ran to the bushes, gave a sigh of relief, and felt amazing no longer having to ride holding it! Back on the bike it was all business. I sat in the back sucking wheel as if my life depended on it.

Can I just tell you it was the most fun 100 miler of my life, really. It was a blast that these guys let me tag along, I mean they are incredible. One of them won IM Korea, the other was 2nd in Cancun last weekend, and the rest all have results that make me hurt on the bike just wheel sucking! It's not everyday men that are so much better than you let you join along, it truly made me love triathlon even more. Good people all over in this sport.

My entire week as been sitting in the back, on a wheel, holding on, or throwing up. Yesterday they caused me to barf chocolate milk all over my bike and top. Maybe not smart to drink that stuff on a hot ride with fast men?? Not smart...

Yesterday hurt so bad I figured it kicked me to the next day, so I made breakfast for dinner. I have 3 more training days left in the week, 3 more days on the bike, and some swims and runs tossed in there. I feel unbelievably smashed but I want this so much. It will be my biggest training week and most bike miles, Im almost there...

Then I got a note, like 5 minutes ago...

"Sleep girl, you've earned it, and while you're at it dream of your perfect race in Florida"-Coach.

I'm for sure ready for bed, ready to have good dreams & thoughts about a good race, and ready for another 3 days. Like I said, these pros in town are inspiring and motivating this week more than ever...maybe having to sit this IM Kona out as taught me a valuable lesson I wouldn't have seen if I were racing. Eyes wide open...

Bree

My Cards To Play...

2011-09-27T20:42:00.003-10:00

The day began on the bike at 6:10am. It was such a perfect start to the day as the streets were so empty and silent, as if the day had not yet began. The big orange buoys lined the path all the way out to the swim turn around. It was the first big look I've taken at the course and not felt that sadness for missing the race. A very good friend told me something wonderful Sunday, he said, "Bree you have to play the cards you are holding, the ones you aren't dealt you can't play". It really helped. I've had an unbelievable season of racing, lots of REV3 fun, a 70.3 win, some very good results and a few new PR's. It just doesn't end with Kona, it will end with IM FL. Those are my cards this season and it has been great playing them, holding onto my IM FL card is pretty exciting too...
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The bike ride was all sorts of exciting! A few of the fastest men in triathlon, on bikes, were motor pacing. Queen K was a lot like NASCAR today with the zipping around and all the race kits flashing sponsor logos from all over the world. It excited me so deeply. It reignite my already lit up desire to ride my bike! For those of you not here, I'll fill you in on the legs I saw moving bikes like they were toys, Bink, Lieto, Corbin, Cave, Hoff, to name a very few. And then, Crowie. He was motor pacing like a rocket and slipped past us with a few words, "Thank you Dear". I said his words 88x over to my riding partner till he started making fun of me, I was the kid in the candy store today. I am very much LOVING this Ironman despite the fact I am not racing. I'm just enjoying the energy here and using the motivation it's bringing me while I train to play my Florida card...
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After a few hours on the bike it was my favorite time, run time. The sun was blazing, Alii drive was buzzing with runners, cyclists, and sight see-ers. It made for a very good run. The spirit of racing and triathlon is so evident right now. I really, honestly don't think I've felt it this thick since 2003-2006, before I did my first Ironman. It's SUCH a different feeling to be here, around the race and not be racing. Everyone else's prerace nerves and jitters are set free and its actually fun to be part of it without having to contain your own jitters. Anyways, the run was a record setter for me on the loop I ran even with the sun in full force. Good. It then wore me out beyond any training run this season.
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The day was wrapped up with a swim. It's a very big training week I'm attempting to tackle this week, maybe the biggest of my life in sport and I have to thank the athletes in town for making it so darn fun to train right now! It's hard to believe it's only Tuesday, yikes. Okay, bedtime for this wahine. Happy training...
I love home.
Bree

Out & About in Kona...

2011-09-26T19:54:00.009-10:00

This is one of my ultimate, most favorite posts to write each October. It's a mini collection of my favorite spots out and about in Kona for those visiting the island for Ironman. In no particular order...

Eats:

Freshest poke: Da Poke Shack

Sushi: Sushi Shiono

More fish, boating marina style: Bite Me

Fish with a zip and twist: Ceviche Dave's

Unbelievably good Thai: Krua

Freshest garden style Asian goodness: Lemongrass

Fresh fruits n' Veggies: Farmers markets are sprinkled throughout the island. Some are just off the side of the road, some are just a tree that has a sign saying, "pick and pay" trusting you to leave a few bucks. It's always COOL to buy local, so hit up any of these markets. My favorites are Waimea on Saturday, Kona Market in town Wed-Sunday on Ali'i Drive, and Kawaihae Market open everyday of the week.

Body Health & Fitness:

Massage & ice baths, you can EASILY book online too: Coconut Girls
Acupuncture: Denice Murphy

Chiro/ART: Makai Chiro

Gym: The Club In Kona

Pool: Kona Aquatic Center

Favorite chill out and chat spots:

Acai smoothies & bowls: Basik

Frozen Yogurt: Tropical Frozen (right in town and super friendly!!)

Sporting Goods & Activities:

Bike Shop/Tri shop: Bike Works
Run Shop & Local Run Club if you want run company: Big Island Running

Surf Shop: Pacific Vibrations

SUP Rentals, lessons, and sales: HYPR Nalu Hawaii

I KNOW all you girls coming to the islands are going to buy a new bikini. PLEASE BUY LOCAL. Seriously consider buying a bikini hand made on the island by local girls, buy here what you don't buy back home. OKAY, I know, on the island we do it island style, "less is more", try it for your Hawaiian vacation, you might like it...

Locally made clothing and bikini's from Kona girl Kelsey (the girl in the bottom photo wearing her own hand made suit): Kailani Surf Co.

Braylene from the swim team, $18 dollar bikini's that each piece can be worn as a bottom or a top in 3 different ways!! Buy online at: shipsinthenight etsy.com we tested these little suits (top photo) in the surf and ocean swim workouts, they really will stay on!

Get out of town:

Waimea to the North if you are in search of good ol' country style and cool weather. Horse back riding, ATV's, good run trails, cute restaurants and shops can all be discovered here. Kainaliu to the South is very small but so cute! Unique gift shops, some little eateries, coffee spots, and the great Aloha Theater are found here. Or you can drive all the way to Hilo, on the other side of the island... Rides:

Waimea loop or Kohala loop are both good ways to ride the Queen K on the way North then take a different trek back towards town. You can easily get over a 100 miles on both loops and expect some good climbs and nice winds.

South Loop takes you South out of Kona, through Kainaliu town, then down Napapoo. Here you can check out Captain Cooks landing, the bay, Painted Church, coffee shops all over, plumeria gardens, fallen mangos, and climb out of there with sweating your brains out and busting your quads!

.Kaloko climb is just a hill. Roughly 6.5 miles up, just up. AND very fast on the way down.

Swims:

Kailua Pier, everyday there is a group going out. You can swim the 2,000 loop to King's Swim buoy or the full 2.4 miles to the Ironman Buoy.

Magic's-Bring a crew for this. It's a little frisky and has been our most shark populated swim this season. BUT the views are incredible, its a way more quiet swim as most don't swim this on. Head South to Kahalu'u. It's a good 2 mile round trip swim.

Captain Cook Swim: Round trip it's the Ironman distance BUT way deeper, darker, dolphin filled, and out of town.

Hope this helps, enjoy the island and have a GREAT race to those racing! Those here to cheer, check out this link if you need some ideas for other things to do while your athlete is doing their swimbikerun thing.... Go Hawaii. AND if you need a ride anywhere, ALOHA Taxi can help!

Bree

2011-09-24T12:50:00.004-10:00

This was my Friday. A good chunk of the day was spent on the bike chasing my friend from Argentina. Not that it matters where he is from, but for some reason the Latino boy was riding as fast as the Latino girls shake their hips while dancing salsa. My ride was only supposed to have an hour and a half section "fast n' hard", but I did 4 of them "fast n' hard". Following a plan works well for the busy life I lead, I see it, do it, find a way to make it happen. However, its not often I get behind a very fast wheel on just any ol' training day. Much like when an opportunity knocks, take it. I took it.
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It took every color sports drink under the rainbow, all my guts, and all my leg strength to hold on. He was sort of all business and spit the other 2 riders out on one of the climbs, that was that. Being that today felt more like "race day" than a "training day", I was sure to use all the colorful stuff we drink and grab from aid stations. My teeth felt like they were rotting out with all the stuff I was filling up on, but you know what it worked really well and my body could use a little more practice with actual race day nutrition.
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Well beyond done at the finish of the ride, I now have a new appreciation for "race day nutrition at race day pace on a training day". Like I said, that doesn't happen too often on the bike for me, (and I need it), so I snagged that opportunity right up! From there I was THANKFUL it was Friday movie night with Kainoa.
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Feet up for "Dolphin Tale", sitting in the cold movie theater was the perfect recovery! If you are wondering about the movie, it's alright. Really good story, just LONG for a children's movie.
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Today was wake up and wait to run. In fact, I waited till it was gross hot out and forced that gear that is easier found when the sun hasn't popped up yet. Talk about 4 new tan lines, severe loss of sweat, and then the sun hid behind the clouds. Not even kidding. The very instant I finished the run it got more than cloudy out and sprinkles of rain began to fall from the sky. I got what I wanted, the VERY hot run. This week I've more than discovered we usually end up getting what we want, it often comes disguised though, or sooner or later than we are hoping for it, but it happens...
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Enjoy your weekend!!
Bree

Coconut Wireless, Calling Out...

2011-09-22T20:10:00.002-10:00

Depends on if you are a fan of not having everyone know your business or not, but the coconut wireless often rings loud and clear on all things, people, and what not that happens throughout the island. I got permission to pass this on and totally believe it's far more important to share than the miles I swam or ran today (even though I like talking about miles)...
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You all know of the great ocean swim that takes place across the channel from one island to another, the Maui Channel swim?? Horrible news, John Coughlin was making his first solo crossing, he finished it twice before on a team, and nearing the finish was ran over by a boat. He gave the okay to pass on the gross details that his right arm above the elbow is gone and his entire left arm is a mangled mess from the boat propeller. After 11 hours of surgery the left arm is somewhat attached. At the moment he can't use the left arm though, as its all, (including a couple fingers that were saved), broken. He needs 24/7 care as he gets his life back together. Doctors are expecting 12 months, possibly more, of surgery's, rehab, and everything in between. Of course blessed to be alive after all that...
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Here is where you can help. His sister is taking all support at this address:
Jennifer Dorsey
1210 Green Orchard Place
Encinitas, California 92024
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If you just read all this and feel even a tiny bit pulled in the direction to encourage John he would be so thankful! Any letters, stories, or words of encouragement on his LONG road to recovery will help! He is swamped with doctor bills too, so if you aren't good on supportive words but can offer any medical financial help he would probably love that too.
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Bree

I Love Aqua Jogging...

2011-09-20T14:37:00.006-10:00

Aqua Jogging and me became friends in 2006, when I was pregnant, and today we are STILL very good friends. Without a baby in the belly and injury free, the lovely waist belt still makes it's way around my belly. Today it did and I LOVED IT. Whenever I feel "just not right" on a run day I swap for the belt, "just in case". The effects of last weeks training topped off with an attempt to sucker punch my way through a fast half marathon landed my legs TOAST today. After a recovery spin they weren't any better, so today's run was in the pool. And I liked it.
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Why do I like it? I mean with all the beaches, trails, and other cool spots to run, why in a pool?? For starters, it's great for recovery. It moves around a ton of blood without any impact and pool running is in fact the most run-specific form of run cross training. It gives massive relief to any leg ailments, you get to work against resistance, and thanks to the resistance it's still neruomuscular training, (so you get a workout). I like it.

I'd love to report all the awesome people watching that took place during this hour of pool running too, that will wait for future comedy. It's unbelievable what you get for entertainment stuck in the same 25 yards back and forth. Had a handful of Ironman-ers to watch too. Okay, so you aren't convinced it's worth the suntan you might get with that thing around your waist. No problem, do it with the HR monitor on!! You can get super fancy and sprint laps, make intervals, and of course race a friend. One of the things this lovely blue run belt has helped me noticeably, is my form. I run sort of like a chicken with my arms out like wings, it gets ugly, I'm trying to clean it up. In the pool you notice it, the water resistance proves to you all the bad run posture, arm form, and hip position. Of course you have to actually focus on this sort of thing and care to do it right, or you can look like the ladies at the 7am class using fancy floaty belts just to hold themselves up. Yeah, you have to actually try to do it right for it to work best.

There is a woman who held a 5k record for a while that had sever run injuries and was forced to do all her running 6wks prior to her race in the pool. The final 3wks she was strong enough to replace one aqua belted run a week with a run on the road. On race day she had only 3 road runs and all pool runs for training in her 6wks up to the race. You know what her time was? The same PR she had pre injury. I loved that story, it makes going back and forth in the pool seem like so much more than just a bad tan waiting to happen...

You know what else looks horrible but is so good? Blueberry kale smoothies. If you have a good blender, like the Vitamix or Blendtec you can seriously throw an entire garden in there and make a mess of your salad real fast! It's good for moms too. Tonight I made a blueberry smoothie with Kainoa watching, told him to go grab a towel, tossed some kale in, mixed it up, and BOOM! He never knew and drank all that green seen above!

Alright, off to bed. Tuesday and I'm already feeling like Friday....

Good night!

Bree

...Another Run Done.

2011-09-18T18:18:00.005-10:00

I liked that one! It was a quick 24 hrs on the beautiful island of Maui for some running. The entire trip was smooth sailing, that alone was enough to know it was all good timing and I was where I was meant to be. I had a free flight to use up, a long run to do, and never pass down an opportunity to be in that "pressure spot". I don't like pressure, not even going to pretend I'm one of those girls that thrive under pressure and rise to the boiling point of getting the most out of me. It makes me too messy inside and out. However, pressure is part of this sport, this life. To better embrace in I'm always on the lookout for opportunities of little to no pressure to put on the pressure and learn to better make peace with it, so when the BIG pressure day come I've got plenty of practice...
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I read a story about a pro gymnast that struggled with it too. She would nail landings over and over in training then fall off the beam most every meet. Sounded all too familiar. She wrote about how she decided to stop pretending she does well under pressure and came to the conclusion that having fun will never make her any worse in gymnastics. Enjoying her sport more would never make her fall more, from there she became one of the best. That is my newest adopted theory too. Having more fun, enjoying something I love even more, like swimbikerun, will not make me slower. It's just going to let me breathe under pressure. Anyways, I found a half marathon on Maui and used it as part of my Sunday long run.
The week up to the race was a load full of training. This meant PRACTICE running tired. The 13.1 was incredible from start to finish. Immediately I saw a runner in those little bum shorts, the kind the marathoner girls where, I claimed her as the way to get the best out of me. I hung as best as I could for as long as I could. Each time my legs tried to remind me of the load in them I would try to go even faster. It actually worked at mile 4, I ended up passing her and set the pace for almost 2 miles. Then we turned back and she went full blast to the finish. Oh believe me I knew the race was hers but I was determined to go as fast as I could for as long as I could and not settle for 2nd until the finish line.
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The pace 6;15-6 minutes actually never felt that bad. I could have handled maybe 2-3 more miles like that. The IM Florida training for sure has helped make me stronger mentally and physically. However, I could not run any faster. I tried so hard to turn the legs over more quickly but it never happened. I'm pretty sure in a flat out mile they might just be glued to that pace at the moment too, not cool. Um, no, that is not my Ironman marathon pace (I wish!), its just for some reason all I got with the long run training that is in my legs. I'm okay with it. It's where I am, but I was sad. I wanted a 1:18 and thought I could grab it despite the week load and lack of half marathon training. That is what putting no pressure does to me, I believe ridiculously and just have fun running, believing, like a kid not knowing her limitations...
The finish line did not disappoint. The top 3 of us, (an Oregon girl, me, then a California girl), all broke the female course record which was pretty cool. The course was for sure fun, but depending who you asked it was either super hard with too much wind, too hot with the humidity, or the hills sucked. Then you got someone loving the flatness (A Colorado man), and 3 girls, (pictured above), all from the islands saying the temperature was perfect. It was a really good day and a pay day! Yes, that race has prize money! I was stoked to get paid on a long run :)

Maui is always good times like that and I'm so thankful for another opportunity to race. Thankful for KSwiss sending me new run shoes just in time, too. Thankful for Coach letting me use training days on race courses! And for the girls that pushed me to run a 1:21 on that course even though this little girl thought she had faster in her despite it all...one day.

Boom! 21 minute flight back to my island and tomorrow starts another week, another day closer to Ironman Florida. I'm searching for more practice races to put the pressure on and not call it pressure before then! Have fun, enjoy what you do, and thanks for reading!!

Bree

Ever Get Tired?

2011-09-16T19:47:00.000-10:00

Do you ever get tired of sunsets, dolphins, and the beach? No. Not really. Can't say I have. When you love something SO MUCH it's pretty hard to get tired of them. Get tired "from" them?? Oh yes. Today I am so tired from swimbikerun. The big week caught up to me and while my sanity is in tack, I hurt. Good. On my run, my arms hurt. Just hanging there both arms were sore. The thought of tucking them into my sports bra crossed my mind, talk about an ugly looking run.

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I'm not tired of sport, just really tired from it. You know what has kept me going pretty strong this week? The Ironman-ers in town. Shhhhhhh, I'm sort of scared to write that as I know some locals read this and it's split 50-50 by the people in town, equally annoying as awesome. On the awesome end, for me this week, has been the fast ones that have been kind enough to let some of us locals tag along on their sessions. Phew, talk about talent on 2 legs and it sure is pretty cool seeing the work ethics surface.

Yesterday was another day that really helped me focus on my IM FL goals. I was finishing a run mid day and Luke Mckenzie rolled past me on his bike, did a wave, rolled on. (I know it was at least decedent size ride because I saw him roll out before I left for my run and I was running a long time). I literally ran into my house, grabbed keys, got Kainoa from school, and we were off to Karate. AND Luke was STILL out there, this time running. I'm not stalking, I promise, it's just that town is that small and he was ALL over it ALL day. It was so motivating. And it reminded me this kind of work-hard-don't stop thing is what it takes. I'm pretty sure he was wanting to tuck his arms in a sports bra too, so it gave me the motivation to tuck my arms wherever I need to, just don't give up, give in, or stop...

Today's highlight however, belongs to Mr. Lieto. This is not a joke, he was on his bike and passed another guy on 2 wheels like he was standing still. Not impressed? It was a moped he passed, one that was flying. My jaw dropped, it looked fake but it was real. I was driving fast enough to know this was a very good working moped and a very fast working pair of legs on Lieto...

Yes, training is going well. Yes, everything is sore just right. And thankfully at a time when motivation needs to be high I've got a town slowly filling with a bunch of people that ride in the middle of the road with socks pulled up to their necks, about to race 140.6 miles.

For those of you that are "tired" of dolphins and sunsets, check out the new KSWISS run skirts and dresses! I got a little help testing them out from the boys... they work. And for those of you "tired" of kale raw, bake it! At swim Karolina helped me spruce up my kale with an idea. Super easy, buy kale, smother it in coconut oil, sprinkle it with sesame seeds and sea salt, bake on 375 for 15 minutes and eat. It's the best green chips you will ever try, seriously.

Good night from one tired girl...

Bree

Like a Kid Climbing a Cococnut Tree...

2011-09-14T16:15:00.006-10:00

That day off is still lingering within me. It was 3 days ago and I can STILL feel the effects of taking a mental & physical day away from swimbikerun. Crazy how simply stepping back can do that and even more crazy how I try to resist a full on rest day. Smart man, that coach!
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If I liked candy the expression, "Like a kid in a candy store" would be appropriate, but I'll go with, "feeling like a kid climbing a tree". Day 3 of a 2 week smashing and I'm pretty thrilled. Perhaps I should not speak too soon, as there is still a workout tonight and 4 more days to go. Who are we kidding though, I'm an optimist and I want to roll with the happy for the time feelin'...
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After a good sized Monday and Tuesday I woke up to a ride to Hawi. Good stuff. It's never happened, ever, to me, but today I had either no wind or tail wind. Cross wind-zip. Head wind- so little that I can't claim any. Seriously first time ever and surprising due to the WINDY season we have been having. It made for a quick trip and just when the ride began to get "long" a German boy from the Commerzbank Triathlon team road into me and pulled me home! Talk about setting a record. Thankful, thankful, thankful for all the Ironman-ers rolling into town, all smiles...
Oh, it wouldn't be normal day in my life if it was all island breezy, I seriously almost fell over after a gel that tasted EXACTLY like the inside of my run shoes. My parents raised me with a little more class than to repeat the brand, and I like their other flavors, most times, but today was an all time nightmare in my mouth. In an attempt to use only "triathlony stuff" and practice race-day nutrition I used gels. Downed the gel, road on, and then it all came flying up in an instant gag reflex. Trying not to get it on my bike, I turned to the left and let it fly into traffic and all down my arm, without stopping. Didn't even have time to stop it came back up so fast. Very good thing I tried it in training and not race day. One point for using my brain today...
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Okay, it's swim practice time. Hoping my "tree climbing" feeling will come along to the pool and tomorrows runbikeswim, and Friday, Saturday, Sunday for that matter...
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Keep on keepin' on,
Bree

PS..... I have to leave you with a song, I LOVE it. Add it to your long run IPOD mix, how can you resist some island style :) Here ya go....Check it here.

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A Lesson From My Favorite Teacher...

2011-09-12T17:00:00.002-10:00

The ocean has been one of my greatest teachers, at all the stages of my life, and in so many different seasons of my life.
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The ocean was absolutely beautiful yesterday and this girl had a free ticket to enjoy it all I wanted. Those days do happen, but rarely. Every now and then my training plan has a full day off and in return it usually has some form of "keeping active enjoyably". These days are super important when you take something you love, like swimbikerun, and turn it into something you must do, no matter how much you want to do it. Refreshing, yes. Mentally reviving, yes again.
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Yesterday happened to be the last day of a beautiful South swell, all week I had been admiring it from ocean swims, on views from a run, and along the coast line by bike. I don't surf much anymore, at all. But I think surfing is SUPER important for a girl like me. The thing about surfing is that it's the one spot you do not have to involve any numbers. You are measuring nothing, comparing nothing, pacing not a single thing, and relying on zero feed back. You simply do the thing you are doing, surf.
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When you spend your days looking at counting laps, reading clocks, checking pace, watts, duration, miles, and calories. When you are following beeps, splits, send offs, and using all these numbers to tell you how on or off you are sometimes its easy to get lost in numbers. Honestly, I've learned to embrace all these things as I'm discovering they can make you SO MUCH BETTER. But like everything, sometimes its so sweet to return to doing what you are doing without over doing it.
Last night around sunset the family and I set off to enjoy the beach. JUST in case Kainoa got busy building sand castles with his cousin, I brought the board to find a wave or two. Sitting out there without having a set time, an amount of miles to cover, a pace to follow, I truly felt the numbers I'd been chasing all week just fade away. Honestly, they just dripped off my salty surfery self and faded into the ocean. Carefree I was. As a girl that has come to love the thrill of chasing time goals, meeting paces, watching numbers, this felt so incredible to not measure or compare myself to anything...
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After my ocean moments I came back to shore totally refreshed and ready to tackle a new block of swimbikerun. While out there I learned something worth sharing, "Patience gets rewarded, trust where you are waiting, it's okay if the boys take the set waves, the reef isn't always as close as it appears, and salt water makes life sweet." Surfing is such a good teacher! It's perfectly clear why this ocean day off was on my swimbikerun plan, the next 2 weeks are supposed to be very, very challenging. I'm ready. Revived. Refreshed. A surfer girl at heart eager to ride her Swift bike, run in some KSWISS, and swim in her Splish!

Oh, oh, oh, one more thing the ocean held...a WEE RELAY! I did the adult swim of the local 9/11 Peaman Biathlon and Kainoa ran the keiki mile as my team mate. It was so much fun to swim my heart out, (remember I didn't have a swim on my plan, it was a swimbikerun day off), it felt incredibly freeing to be doing an ocean swim for the sheer fun of it!

Once out of the swim I high-fived my partner and he took off running! The hardest part of the day was catching up to him! He took off so fast with that fire in his feet that happens when you TRULY love to run! He finally stopped at the turn around, proud he made it that far!

After the turn he was all focus to the finish! I'm talking head down, digging deep, FOCUS! It was beautiful in that sport loving way that parents admire their little athletes.

Post race was spent with friends diving off the pier. Yesterday was a perfect day off from watching any numbers and keeping any pacing goals in mind. Of course having a bunch of children on the course made it very easy to remind us adults the simplicity of sport. Today is Monday though and I'm back on the clock. In fact I chased numbers in the pool all morning, road a bunch of miles, and this weekend I plan to chase a pace too! Balance, harmony, it's life at it's finest...

Have a beautiful week!!

Bree

Counting Blessings...

2011-09-10T20:28:00.006-10:00

Today had that unexplainable, hard to put into words, almost at a loss for words, type feeling. All day. It did make for a really strong run though, perhaps faster than some races ran. With this lingering feeling hanging overhead there was only one thing to do, get outside and count some blessings...
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My sister and I loaded our boys on the bikes and rode to the market where we over dosed on the fruits and veggies of all colors of the rainbow. We were so thankful to have each other, our health to ride bikes, live in a safe spot in the world where we can be outside anytime we want, and have such easy access to good food and beautiful places all around us. The list went on and on of how we got to spend Saturday in such a state of appreciation and well, simple.
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We had been talking about the 9/11 events and know all too well of those hurting around the world as they remember loved ones lost and moments taken too soon. I don't even know what to say, feel, or think. I'm just thankful that despite knowing anyone personally involved I can feel some pain for them, that my heart works strong enough to love despite not even knowing personally any of them, I just love the people that reached out to help, to save, to risk their lives, and those that can stand tall and brave even after loved ones have been taken from them. I can't even imagine.
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I was in college when 9/11 happened and remember our school being asked to send our Bibles to NY. I'm not kidding, my sister and I were at Palm Beach Atlantic University (a small Christian school), and dozens of families involved in 9/11 all wanted Bibles and asked some of the campuses to send theirs. You know what? I'll never forget this moment, I went to the store to buy a new one because I loved my Bible too much to give it away. I stood in line to pay and seriously got this jolting shock through my entire body like I was being really selfish. Of course I didn't know why, I was buying something new for someone rather than giving my own ripped up, torn cover, marked all over, grubby thing. Then it hit me, they wanted "ours". They asked for ones with hope and love already touched on them. You better believe I about cried! If you have ever seen my Bible, my friends know, it's a cluster of my life with photos, letters, special dates, super personal. But it landed in the box to NY for a special family that wanted it. Of all the things to ask for after losing their family members I couldn't hang on to it if I tried.
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Some of the survivors and those who lost family members had written letters about how much they hated God and lost faith or are glad they never had any. Others had nothing left so clung only to their faith. And some wrote that they saw God as they stood in the building as it crumbled around them but not on them. After some letters I didn't know if my Bible would be going to a family that wanted to burn it or one that needed to hold tight to it, it's safe in NY at this moment...
Over fruits and vegetables so much went on in my head. If it wasn't 9/11 it was REV3 Cedar Point tomorrow. I was on that start list and today I am home in Hawaii, not racking my bike for 140.6 miles of swimbikerun. Oh man I wanted to cry. It felt horrible to not be there for the REV3/TRAKKERS family who has supported me so much since getting full blasted into triathlon. And I wanted to race, I love to race, it runs deep within me. But how can I be sad about missing a race when tomorrow is 10 years after 9/11 and people will be missing way more than a race...? I just can't be. I counted MORE blessings...

Pineapples affordable, 10 papayas for 2 bucks, the prices were good today. Then Vegas 70.3, the world champs popped into my head. I've actually been fortunate enough to qualify for that each of my years in sport, but this year was different, this year I had to pass up the slot (not because I didn't want to race), but in some part it's not as affordable as the papayas and pineapples. Again, I had to get over the racing, move beyond not racing, and focus on something more, WHERE I AM NOW, WHO I AM WITH NOW, AND WHAT I AM DOING NOW.

On this weekend I am with Kainoa, riding bikes, playing at the beach, training for another start line, and spending time with my sister. I'm with them, I'm here, and if 9/11 wasn't a big enough reminder to appreciate each moment even if we don't understand them, then I'll just count my blessings till I figure it out...

The sister and nephew, counted them!

To all those touched, taken, and given to the 9/11 events, my heart goes out to you. Despite not having the words to say or even know how to really help, here are some lei's from Kainoa and me, we appreciate you and have counted you as a blessing. To each of the triathletes racing, I hope you have a strong day out there, good luck and have fun!!

Bree