It was the Dam Good Run and more importantly, It was Damn good to be back racing! Since the Covid Craziness hasn't gone away yet and races are still CANCELLED or postponed, I took advantage of a trail run taking place. With it being upwards of 90 degrees and being held at Lake Pleasant, didn't take much convincing to sign up. Being totally honest, a little out of my comfort zone  as I am a  runner turned triathlete and this off road trail stuff is all new! I didn't have high socks, no hydration belt or vest and totally rocking my regular Asics. Luckily for me, I am the worlds worst runner regarding smart hydration so I am used to running upwards of 10 miles with no nutrition or liquids. I know, I'm an idiot but at least I am not in denial which means I can work towards fixing the issue right?!

I was assigned wave 5 which at the time Seemed ok but once the race started I quickly realized that was a brutal spot. I found myself the lead runner in that wave after a few hundred feet and missed the second turn on the course and had a nice little scenic run along the shoreline for a bit. Sorry to anyone who followed me! Other than that, I spent the rest of the race passing people from the first 4 waves and honestly think I could have performed better with similar athletes to help pace the run. O well, learning curve!

I really can't remember the last trail run I actually raced. Sure I scoot up Camelback and Piestewa Peak but nothing that resembles trail running. So, with that, I will take 7th OA for having no clue on what was going on. The trophies Aravaipia hand out are killer and I need one. So, Time to polish up the trail running skills along with marathon and IRONMAN training!

Take a look at that killer glass! Aravaipia put on a killer race, the T-Shirt was killer and this glass. I just happened to pack a "soda" for the post race party and enjoyed it down at the lake. Same place next year?! Sounds good to me!


​#WattieInkHitSquad #WattieInk #FindYourMoxie #Runner #Triathlete

Wow, what a total slacker! Turns out I haven't posted in like forever so apologies. I know that nobody missed me but in the rare event that you thought the desert got the best of me, no WELFARE check needed. I've still been occupied with the running, biking and photography...A different kind of triathlon! I did manage to fit in a race, well kind of, with the virtual version of the Rock N Roll marathon. Being a virtual race I elected to "just" do the half over the full that I usually kick off the season with. While my training has been far from structured i did manage to throw down a decent time anD of course, think i could have Performed better but dizzam...its hard to push yourself when you don’t have anyONe to chase down! To keep it sort of real, i ran in Tempe and was surprised there was no finish line chOcolate milk, what a bunmer!

​As for training, well therE aRe no rest days and somedays consist of 2 or 3 different run and bike workouts or the occasional run up the camel. I mean, just hiking it is too boring! With Grandmas creeping up i’Ve started to crank up thE mileage and will be doing 15-20 mile runs Until i’m happy with my pace.

to keep you in thr loop with the photography gig, take a look at this album from the Sonoran 100 TT put on By Tri Scottsdale. Some of these boys...and girls really Pushed some serious watts and killer times! Pedro drUG out the PG Squad as well as a training day and he was no snail either!

I need to circle back and also mention this killer kit from Wattie Ink! THe Hit Squad gear this year is flippin' amazing and even has some orange on it! Our Wattie family is seriously the best out there and they make incredible clothing. If you ever want to belong to a supportive group, reach out the Hit Squad and join the team! If nothing else, try on some of thier gear and enjoy your training and racing a little more.

Everyone was so flippin' excited for 2021 to arrive. Well, so far it isn't much of an improvement. It might actually be worse or a continuation at best. For those who thought flipping the page on the calendar would resolve anything, how's that working for you? They say the happiest people don't have best of everything, they make the best out of everything. Also, the grass is greenest where it gets water/nutrients. So, either sit there and have a pitty party for yourself or forking do something about it!

As far as racing and my fellow athletes, yes 2020 sucked. Races were canceled and trying to maintain fitness or a training plan was difficult. To the ones who wanted to, we joined Swift races, virtual races and still managed to get those miles in. I was able to crank out over 4,000 miles in 2020 and also set a new marathon PR before COVID took over so I really can't complain. An added bonus if these crazy times is that I saved a crap load of money from the lack of entry fees! Speaking of entry fees, were you aware of the lawsuit against IRONMAN?

I was impacted myself as I was signed up for IRONMAN Wisconsin in September. While I had my doubts, I still was training towards racing the event. ALright, maybe like a 75% effort but I was still bummed when it was cancelled. Shortly after a few things came together and I made the move to AZ so I was thinking I could race IMAZ. Seems simple right? Well my first attempt was to race the 70.3 race but after countless calls and emails to IRONMAN both contacts from Wisconsin and Arizona not one person got back to me. SO there I was, willing to race a 70.3 and let IRONMAN keep my full entry fee for a 140.6 and I wasn't even worth an email response. SO those who handed over thier hard earned money to IRONMAN and unable to race in 2020, I 100% understand your frustration!

On the other side, I can't be that upset with IRONMAN as we all have the option to purchase insurance for our entry fees. We also have to keep in mind that IRONMAN did not ask for these races to be cancelled either. If they had decided to not hold races on thier own while state and local AGENCIES made it clear it was safe to do so, that would be different. Given that everything we took for granted and our daily lives were also cancelled, I guess we just have to suck it up and race in 2021. WOuld just have been nice if thier customer service team didn't complete ignore us. Maybe some healthy competition from Challenge and the PTO will make IRONMAN appreciate the athletes a little more. I have raced enough IM races and Rock n Roll events (IRONman & Competitor Group are partners) to know that they really don't give a crap about us, it's the almighty dollar that is important.

If it isn't on Strava it didn't really happen. As you can see by the first image there, living proof of the 4,000+ miles in 2020. Huge kuddos to Strava, Swift and all the VR racing that kept us athletes from going insane during these Covid times. We all found new ways to get and keep the competitive juices flowing. With all that "trust the science" talk and "social distancing", I think I have mastered that with countless rides with Stealth in the desert. Usually not another person within 500ft and lots of vitamin D which you know, helps our immune system. You should really try it out rather than locking yourselves in your home with your mask. The mask, God I hate those things especially when the gym makes you wear one while working out. I attempted that twice and thought I was going to die. No I am not being INSENSITIVE to those who contracted the virus or to the countless lives lost but they can maybe admit they have no idea what is actually going on as the story changes by the day. Lastly, just get out there and enjoy your life. Suck it up buttercup! I said it earlier, you can either have a pitty party and complain about anything and everything or you can go out there and live your best life.
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Lastly, some of the best news ever...

HOCKEY (NHL) FLIPPIN' STARTED TODAY!!!