Meet My Double Ironman Crew Part 5 (Crew Chief!)

Meet Anne--

Anne is my crew chief for the double. There is a reason we get along. I asked her for a picture of herself for the blog, and she sent me an email with the subject "only one I have," and attached was this (with the sentance, "clearly I'm Luigi).

Clearly.


If you want to recognize her out on the course instead of in a video game, she might look more like this.

Except that she will have a clipboard and binder. We are both pretty sure those are important parts of being a crew chief. Neither of us know why, but it seems integral to the roll.

All right, enough of my commentary, here's Anne!

1. Give a quick introduction of yourself:
I'm Anne.

2. How do you know Kacie?
We wrangle, and sometimes teach, Middle Schoolers together. 

3. What is your favorite type of ice cream?
Green mint-chocolate chip ice cream at the beach.

4. If you could fill an empty swimming pool with anything, what would it be?

JELL-O, to see if I would float or sink and possibly drown.  All in the name of science.

5. What is your greatest athletic accomplishment?
Nothing compared to what Kacie does! 

6. What is one "creepy crawly" animal that you can't stand?

Those scary fast centipedes that charge you and rear their heads up. They are terrifying.

7. Give us 3 words to describe you:
Crazy, Sexy, Cool.  Just kidding. That was TLC.

8. If you were stranded on a desert island, who would you bring with you?
I've given this a lot of thought.  If I could choose anyone, living or dead, it really might be Jesus.  I'd like to believe that we'd get along, and he could turn water into wine.  Also, he can walk on water if need be and give me a piggy-back ride off the island, like those postcards where he carries you on his back on the beach and there's only one set of footprints.  Also, he could multiply any food we have, and I think he would give me a back rub anytime I asked.  All in all, I think he's a solid pick. 

9. If you could only eat 1 meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Rainbow trout in lemon-chive butter sauce, with mashed potatoes and green beans from Greenwoods.  Or guacamole.

10. Do you have any secret talents? Party tricks? Hilarious jokes?  Tell us!

I can lick my elbow and I'm really flexible.  I am preternaturally good at finding four-leaf clovers.  The only hilarious jokes I ever remember are too dirty to be shared in a public forum. 

11. If you were given a yacht, what would you name it?

The Dreadnought - sounds so scary!

12. What do you think is the worst Halloween candy?

The cheap stuff.

13. If you could have one super power, what would it be?
To be invisible at will.

14. If you were a professional wrestler, what would your stage name be?

Kung-Fu pANNEda.

15.  Crunchy peanut butter or creamy?

Creamy. No question.

16. Would you rather spend a month in Antarctica or Death Valley?
Antarctica.  I'm a Shakleton fan.

17. What is your favorite kind of music? (there might be a playlist in the making, so feel free to add all you want!!)

Somewhere between pop and un-pretentious. 

18. What is your next athletic adventure?
Hmmm.  I don't go on athletic adventures.  I'm working on becoming a human weapon though.

19. If Kacie were to make a treat during her taper, what would you like to have around for 24+ hours during the race?

Rice Krispy Treats - and any of your delicious healthy snacks that I covet and you share when I forget to pack food. 

20.  What are you most looking forward to on the crewing adventure with Kacie?
The whole experience!  I'm excited and feel fortunate to be a part of it!

Meet My Double Ironman Crew Part 4

Last night at our cycling class, my coach came in with some GREAT news! He said that his wife, Nancy (who you are about to meet) had taken off of work so that they could both come to my race next month!!! I am really excited about this! Nancy is a blast, and will bring such a great energy to the race.

Here's Nancy!!!

1. Give a quick introduction of yourself:

                My name is Nancy. I am evidence of Late On-Set Athletics and became a distance runner at the age of 35, gravitated to Triathlon a few years back, engage in other physically challenging activities, and possess a philosophy and a passion for living to the fullest extent possible. Aside from occasional distractions, I do my best to maintain an adventuresome attitude and a willingness to push the limit to what I can accomplish.

2. How do you know Kacie?

We met through Coach Will and was immediately drawn to her terrific personality and her infectious enthusiasm and zest for taking on new challenges.

3. What is your favorite type of ice cream?

Chocolate – is there any other flavor?

4. If you could fill an empty swimming pool with anything, what would it be?

Jello – Why? Because all my life up until I was 48 years old (which is when I learned to ever swim), I dreamed of being able to swim but never could due to a terrifying experience when I was very, very young that left me phobic. This was a recurring dream which always had me swimming but I merely bobbed on top of the surface like the water was “jello”. Weird, huh?

5. What is your greatest athletic accomplishment?

My first 5K; I was not athletic in school and was a former 4-1/2 pack per day smoker, weighed 220 lbs., and drank like a fish. When I had health challenges at 35, I took up running and this event changed my entire life forever.

6. What is one "creepy crawly" animal that you can't stand?
Snakes

7. Give us 3 words to describe you:
Determined
Loyal
Stubborn

8. If you were stranded on a desert island, who would you bring with you?

Probably no one

9. If you could only eat 1 meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

NY Strip and steak-cut fries – of course, calorie-free

10. Do you have any secret talents? Party tricks? Hilarious jokes? Tell us!

… absolutely none; I’m street smart but I don’t think that is talent – just survival.

11. If you were given a yaht, what would you name it?

~ All Mine ~

12. What do you think is the worst Halloween candy?

Candy Corns

13. If you could have one super power, what would it be?

Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound – oh wait, I think I do that in my job every day.

14. If you were a professional wrestler, what would your stage name be?
Thor

15. Crunchy peanut butter or creamy?

Creamy

16. Would you rather spend a month is Antarctica or Death Valley?
Death Valley

17. What is your favorite kind of music? (there might be a playlist in the making, so feel free to add all you want!!)
Everything but I am kinda hooked on The Dave Mathews Band these days.

18. What is your next athletic adventure? ½ Iron Man

19. If Kacie were to make a treat during her taper, what would you like to have around for 24+ hours during the race?

Chocolate anything

20. What are you most looking forward to on the crewing adventure with Kacie?

Aside from the obvious seeing Kacie cross the finish line, it is feeling the energy from her throughout the event.

Random Assortment of Training

So I had these grand plans of posting up the training I've done every week for this double ironman thing.

Turns out that training for a double ironman means you are busy :-) Who knew? And tired (this is me trying to cactch a nap on the trainer--terrible idea, but it was worth a shot.

 

But it also means that you get to have some pretty wonderful adventures with some great people too!

The weekend before (I told you this was random!), George, Laura and I rode for quite a while on the silver comet trail. While at a stop, George was rocking a ninja outfit and a true ninja spirit when he took his jacket off. He wouldn't let me take a real picture, because that's how ninjas roll. Sooo...this is as close as I could get. I ran 3 hours after the 5 hours on the bike.

The next day I did about 22 miles on the trails at Kennesaw with Laura and David. They ran 17 with me, and then I finished it up on my own.

That workout was followed up with a chocolate mini cupcake (or two). And my pj's say "One tough cookie" in case you were wondering. Sparkles gave them to me!

20 miles running with Dani, who is a very tough chic. She'll be racing in the double too, and I am excited to run with her again (I don't think I can keep up with her on the bike! She just broke the record for a cross Florida ride!).

After she left, I ran another 9 for 29 miles on Saturday!



 I've got a lot more fun adventures on tap before the race, which is next moth!

This weekend, I'm running the Callaway Gardens Marathon:

And next weekend, I am planning to go back to Florida to train with Laura!

This has been tough, but the truth is that it has been really fun too!!!

Meet My Double Ironman Crew Part 3

Now appearing is my friend Sparkles (yes she has another name, but why disclose it? I've called her Sparkles for over 10 year now!!). Sparkles has been an incredible cheerleader for me SO many times (like in Louisville!) and I feel incredibly lucky that she is coming down to Tampa!

1. Give a quick introduction of yourself:
I am called Sparkles.

2. How do you know Kacie?

We met in College on a study around the country. We made up a lot of songs about Native dwellings, hiked across the most beautiful Nat'l Parks and camped for 6 weeks. 

3. What is your favorite type of ice cream?
Ben and Jerry's Oatmeal Cookie in a sugar cone with sprinkles

4. If you could fill an empty swimming pool with anything, what would it be?
water and Chad Ochocinco

5. What is your greatest athletic accomplishment?

Completing 5 marathons in my first year of running and still enjoying running and not getting injuries.  

6. What is one "creepy crawly" animal that you can't stand?
little tiny yappy dogs, so creepy and crawling all around all the time

7. Give us 3 words to describe you:
girly, goofy, shy

8. If you were stranded on a desert island, who would you bring with you?
Superman

9. If you could only eat 1 meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Berries, oatmeal and yogurt in a glass also known as "sass in a glass"

10. Do you have any secret talents? Party tricks? Hilarious jokes?  Tell us!
I can sing rap songs in an Operatic voice .

11. If you were given a yaht, what would you name it?
"Your Mom" or "I CAN AFFORD A BOAT!"

12. What do you think is the worst Halloween candy?
Tootsie Rolls

13. If you could have one super power, what would it be?
the power to make everyone feel loved

14. If you were a professional wrestler, what would your stage name be?
Cruela De Kill

15.  Crunchy peanut butter or creamy?
crunchy

16. Would you rather spend a month is Antarctica or Death Valley?

Antarctica, I want to go whale watching 

17. What is your favorite kind of music? (there might be a playlist in the making, so feel free to add all you want!!)

Coldplay, Adelle, Florence + the Machine, Bob Marley, Nina Simone, Mary J, Stevie, John Legend, NSinc  

18. What is your next athletic adventure?

Ballroom dancing and 1/2 marathon in ATL 

19. If Kacie were to make a treat during her taper, what would you like to have around for 24+ hours during the race?

Choc. Chip Oatmeal Cookies 

20.  What are you most looking forward to on the crewing adventure with Kacie?

Making inappropriate signs to help distract Kacie from pain, singing songs with George, the all you can eat buffet at our party tent ( i mean serious training refueling station), and watching Kacie finish.  

Meet My Double Ironman Crew Part 2

So this is a crew member can't actually be there in Feburary. Apparently traveling with the Atlanta Hawks on their jet and keeping them going trumps my race. I get it Sara, everyone's gotta pay the bills, and that is a TOUGH way to do it :-) heheheh

Nonetheless, Sara is a very important part of my crew. She is my massage therapist. When I tweeted that my neck was hurting from putting on my bathingsuit (hey--getting dressed is dangeous business!). She tweets right back and tells me to come on in. I mean, how much better does it get than that. I don't even call her and she is ready to fix me!

Ok--here ya go!!!!

 

1. Give a quick introduction of yourself: Hi, i'm Sara.


2. How do you know Kacie? I'm her massage therapist.


3. What is your favorite type of ice cream? Chocolate Chip


4. If you could fill an empty swimming pool with anything, what would it be? Water, Georgia summers get pretty toasty...


5. What is your greatest athletic accomplishment? Completing my first half marathon last November in Savannah, GA


6. What is one "creepy crawly" animal that you can't stand? Snakes


7. Give us 3 words to describe you: Ambitious, Loyal, Stubborn


8. If you were stranded on a desert island, who would you bring with you? Since you didn't give me a limit to a certain number of people, i'm gonna go with my dog Bailey; McGuyver (very handy to have in an emergency situation i'm told); Tina Fey (gotta laugh at some point); Oprah (she probably owns a home on this deserted island); Someone from Top Chef (obvious reasons); Jason Statham (man candy)


9. If you could only eat 1 meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be? Chicken Parm


10. Do you have any secret talents? Party tricks? Hilarious jokes? Tell us! Beer Pong


11. If you were given a yacht, what would you name it? Therapy


12. What do you think is the worst Halloween candy? Nerds


13. If you could have one super power, what would it be? To beam myself places in an instant


14. If you were a professional wrestler, what would your stage name be? The Massage Terrorist


15. Crunchy peanut butter or creamy? I actually like both, and consume both on a regular basis.


16. Would you rather spend a month in Antarctica or Death Valley? Antarctica


17. What is your favorite kind of music? (there might be a playlist in the making, so feel free to add all you want!!) Pop/Gangster Rap


18. What is your next athletic adventure? That I know of... my first time doing the Peachtree Road Race will be this year. For fun, not time.

19. If Kacie were to make a treat during her taper, what would you like to have around for 24+ hours during the race? I'd want Kacie to sleep and get massage during her taper, truthfully :)


20. What are you most looking forward to on the crewing adventure with Kacie? The moment when she crosses the finish line!

Meet My Double Ironman Crew Part 1

Before my double ironman next month, I am going to post up interviews with my few awesome crew! I have seen others do this, so I know I am stealing it. I think that they are working as hard as me to get me ready for a successful race.

I am going to start with my amazing husband George.

 Without any further wait, here is my husband, George:

1. Give a quick introduction of yourself:

I'm George, your husband.  Nice to meet you.

2. How do you know Kacie?

We met when she was working at GHP in 2006.  We went for a walk together with our friend Marcie.

3. What is your favorite type of ice cream?

Ben and Jerry's Half-Baked.

4. If you could fill an empty swimming pool with anything, what would it be?

Motivation.

5. What is your greatest athletic accomplishment?

Winning the first Crisman Memorial 5K (2003)

6. What is one "creepy crawly" animal that you can't stand?

I am simultaneously scared of and fascinated by snakes.

7. Give us 3 words to describe you:

Hardworking, patient, curious 

8. If you were stranded on a desert island, who would you bring with you?

Kacie

9. If you could only eat 1 meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

beans, rice, tortillas, salsa, and cheese

10. Do you have any secret talents? Party tricks? Hilarious jokes?  Tell us!

Parallel parking, picking the right toolbooth, and pill swallowing.

11. If you were given a yaht, what would you name it?

Kacie  (like Jenny in Forrest Gump)

12. What do you think is the worst Halloween candy?

Candy corns.

13. If you could have one super power, what would it be?

Fly.

14. If you were a professional wrestler, what would your stage name be?

One of the most famous pro wrestlers of all time was Gorgeous George, so that one's taken.  I can picture myself as part of a tag team called the Young Money Gettas.  We would be two skinny, nerdy white guys who acted like gangsta rappers.  My name would be G. Money D.  My finishing move would be the Night Train--as inspired by our local fire truck--where I would just run through my opponent.

15.  Crunchy peanut butter or creamy?

Creamy.

16. Would you rather spend a month is Antarctica or Death Valley?

Death Valley

17. What is your favorite kind of music? (there might be a playlist in the making, so feel free to add all you want!!)

Pop

18. What is your next athletic adventure?

Ironman Coeur d'Alene, 2012

19. If Kacie were to make a treat during her taper, what would you like to have around for 24+ hours during the race?

Diet Coke.  But if you're making something . . . those homemade protein bars with cherries.  

20.  What are you most looking forward to on the crewing adventure with Kacie?

Watching Kacie finish.  

Double Scoop Training Weekend in Florida!

This last weekend, I was SO lucky to fly down to Ft. Lauderdale to train with my buddy Laura! She has been working very hard out of town and wanted to take a weekend to recharge! So I got to be the battery!

Since I had a double brick, we named it the Inagural Double Scoop Race! We stayed at the "host hotel" of our own race!

Here is an adorable picture of the two of us--just so you have a picture in your mind!

There was some pretty fantastic swag at our race!

Saturday, was the double scoop. Here's the workout:

3 Hour Ride
2 Hour Run
2 Hour Ride
1 Hour Run

The ride was simply beautiful. Tons of people on the A1A riding on a beautiful Saturday morning.

I actualy think that the first run was the hardest. It was near 80 (I know I know--I am not complaining!!!), and we made a handful of stops--incuding the canteen for water in the hotel. Pretty nice actually!

We also trained with some Zotz! Remember that candy! Fizzy Fun!

So then we got out on our bikes again! I was actually really glad to be back on my bike.
And I got a flat. We fixed it.
And I got a blowout.
So we put a dollar in (but it was realy the sidewall where the hole was), and we patched a tube.
And then I got another flat.
So we patched the other tube and rode for a while.
And then 1 mile from the hotel, I got a last flat.
I give up! Laura went to get the car and bring me home so we could get ou run on!

So then we went out for our last run. The last run was actually strong. Laura got quiet, and I got chatty. When I get chatty, it is usually a pretty good sign for my fitness!

So then we were done! YIPPIE! The double scoop is complete!

We went to this very fun resturant for tacos:

Then, what better way to celebrate the double scoop race, but with a double scoop of ice cream!

 

In a chocolate dipped cone!

That was about all I could handle for one day!

So Sunday, we got up and went for an 1.5 hour run. I felt really good!

We ended our in an Italian bakery, where I got gelato (single scoop this time!)

Then, we headed out for a swim!

Pretty good form, huh?

Ok, well on my real 1 hour swim, it was really choppy! Realy really choppy! But the wate was clear and beautiful!

But, I was swimming along, and saw a big brown blob under me. Great.

So I dove down to see what it was of course!

And it was a Manatee!!!! Big blobby fat chunky cute manatee!

I said, "Laura, come look! It's a manatee!"

She said, "will it hurt you?!?!?"

I said, "It's too fat to do anything to you!"

She glanced at it, and I started diving down trying to get closer to it.

And then it swam away....sad....

We got out of a pretty rough swim, and then it was time to kick our feet up.

We made reservations at the huge and yummy buffet for lunch!

It was awesome!

Ok, just one more!

We sat on the beach for about an hour.

And then, we had a massage overlooking the ocean!!!

Tough life.....

In other words, I had a really amazing weekend! It was great training, great food, great weather, and a wonderful time with an amazing friend!!!!





Reflecting on....the past week

While everyone else is in reflection mode on the year, I am very focused on my current double ironman goal, so I really can only think about one week at a time. In fact, one day at a time is probably better for me. Every time I look at my schedule, I start to freak out a little bit. So, lets reflect on the past 7 days....

A glimpse into the life of Kacie:

Monday


2 Hour Run: Went with my mom, who is an awesome training buddy. Headed home from my family's feeling very sick, so I just laid around feeling sick and gross.

Tuesday


2 Hour Swim: Kickin it in the pool. I do 2-1 hour sets. They very between 3000 and 3300 yds per 1 hour set.

3 Hour Ride: It was raining, and I don't like that, so I did it on my trainer. Bridesmaids was pretty funny!

Wednesday


2 Hour Run: Did this one on some trails to mix it up.

Weight session: Gotta work on my guns. Not really, I only do leg stuff right now.

Thursday


2 Hour Swim: More time in the agua.

3 Hour Ride: Rode with my homeslice George. I did NOT want to go on this ride. I might have moped for the whole first hour. Then I pulled myself together and had a good time with him!

Friday


2 Hour Swim: More fish time.

Meeting with my crew chief Anne to start talking logistics. It is going to be awesome!

Saturday


Brick:
5.5 Hour Bike: Rode on the Silver Comet Trail. Got a flat. Daydreamed. The usual.
2.5 Hour Run: Out and back. Got tired in the last 30 minutes

Sunday


3 Hour Run: Skipped through some trails and ran into Andree, who lifted my spirits SO much!



See, when I look at it from here, it doesn't seem like that big of a deal. No single workout was really all that tough. Mostly, I am just REALLY worried about going back to work and maintaining this kind of training. I am certainly not bragging. Most of it was all really slow.

So, tonight, I skipped yoga (I will go to an extra one, I already have it planned!) and cooked a great deal of food to help me get through the week in a healthy and well fueled kind of way. To be honest, I have eaten pretty much anything I want for the past two weeks, but to keep this up with more work and less sleep, I can't cut any corners.