Long Branch 1/2 Marathon

This year instead of participating in the annual Broad Street Run in Philadelphia we registered for the Long Branch 1/2 Marathon and New Jersey Marathon in Long Branch, NJ. As you can tell by the pictures, it was a rainy, wet day. We didn't let that bother us, even after we arrived at 5:30 am and had to wait an hour for the buses to bring us from the lot to the start line. The start of the race was delayed because of traffic for about 20 minutes or so. I felt great for most of the race but did have some tight quads starting around mile 8, but nothing that couldn't be stretched on a few occasions around the route. I'm thinking the legs were still recovering from the Bassman Triathlon the weekend before.  It was actually a really nice/fun course despite the weather. We felt good enough to go for a PR . . . and we ended up getting our PR - 2:15:41 :) Very happy indeed. It was a long day with the trip back to Philly by train but very happy with the results!

First Triathlon of the Season!

So I completed my first Tri of the season last weekend. It was the Bassman Triathlon in Bass River State Park in NJ. The race was a 1/2 mile swim, 29 mile bike and 4.2 mile run. I finished in just over 3 hours. Unfortunately, I had set my goal as 2:50 and missed the goal. I fell behind at the very beginning because I had a mini-freak out/panic episode during the swim portion of the race. We swam in Lake Absegami which was not as cold as I had expected (60 degrees) and it was clean and clear. Only problem with being that clear was that you could see all the lake weeds and debris, which by the time I started swimming with the women's wave that went off last, had been kicked up close to the surface. So every time I put my head in the water I saw all of this "stuff" in my face and it just got to me. I thought I was prepared for the swim, but I guess I was not. I can swim over a mile in the pool - easily! But it's a whole different game in open water. The bike and run went well but I lost too much ground in the swim to make it up on either the bike or run to meet my goal. So  overall I was disappointed in my performance, but if I learned anything from the first race of the season it is that I have alot of practicing to do in all 3 sports to meet my goals for the races I have scheduled later in the season! :) 

I ♥ San Diego!

I made it back to San Diego (finally!) this morning. Our flight from Newark was relatively smooth, although I forgot my dramamine and still have a dull headache as a result, 7 hours later! We went up to La Jolla to view the scenery and take some pictures! Now, it's off to pick up Steph and Bruce to eat at Pizza Port and drink some of their awesome beer! :) 

FARC's St. Paddy's Day 10 miler

I had a great time running the St. Paddy's 10 miler put on by Freehold Area Running Club on Sunday March 22 :) It was a little chilly to start but warmed up as the race went on . . . too bad the wind was a little frigid! Overall it was a great training run in preparation for the New Jersey Half Marathon that I am running on Sunday May 3rd in Long Branch, NJ! 

Here's pictures of Dad on his way to a 1:18 finish and me on my way to my 1:39 finish! 

I'm officially an AUNT!

 Here's the official announcement! Luca David Frangella was born at 7:26pm on Friday March 13, 2009 to my sister Jaime and bro-in-law Dave. I was lucky enough to be in the delivery room to witness the birth! My sister was awesome . . . and I was honored to be able to be there. Luca is beautiful and healthy. He weighed 6lb 11oz and baby, mom and dad are doing well. So excited to have a nephew and am so excited to watch him grow!!! 

Here's a picture of me and Luca a little after his arrival :) 

Cleared for takeoff!

I followed up with my Ear, Nose and Throat doctor today and was cleared to return to all of my everyday activities after my tonsil surgery. I am feeling really great and eager to get back to training for a very busy spring/summer/fall running and triathlon schedule. I think it's a pretty ambitious schedule, but I am determined to do it! This is what I have planned so far:

Sunday, April 26th - Bass River State Forest, NJ

Bassman Sprint Distance Triathlon

Sunday, May 3rd - Long Branch, NJ Branch Half Marathon
Running with: Jackie, Colleen, Kacy
Dad is running the NJ Marathon

Monday, May 25th - Bolder Boulder 10K - Boulder, CO
I'm a little nervous about the altitude for this race, but it is a very large field of people and should be alot of fun!

Sunday, June 28th - Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon - Olympic Distance Triathlon
Philadelphia, PA

Sunday, July 26th - New Jersey State Triathlon - Olympic Distance Triathlon
Mercer County Park, NJ

Sunday August 2nd - SheRox Women's Triathlon - Sprint Distance Triathlon
Philadelphia, PA

Sunday September 13th - Nation's Triathlon - Olympic Distance Triathlon
Washington, D.C.

POSSIBLE: Sunday, October 25th - Marine Corps Marathon - 26.2 miles of fun!
Washington, D.C.

Wish me luck! :)

MacBook

One thing I've done really well since I have been home recovering from my tonsil surgery is spend money! I bought a MacBook Pro 15" laptop for myself on Valentine's Day. I really, really love my new toy! I'm just learning all the mac shortcuts with the keyboard. I love it for all the media stuff and because it's so great for my photo editing with Photoshop. Can't wait to get really good at it!! Being a PC user for most of my life, venturing to mac is a challenge . . . and challenges are what I love!!!

- Kel