IM Arizona

Congrats Ann on the great IM Arizona finish!!! Sorry it doesn't look like anybody's been on the blog lately but I was thinking of how cold that swim must have been!!

IM Florida

Yess!!!  I want to wish a congrats to Matt and Aimee for finishing IM Florida tonight!   I had the laptop on from about 2pm on to track them.   I am happy to post that Matt finished around 13:05 and Aimee 13:51:40!   Sadly, I missed Matt crossing the finish line somehow, but I did mange to see Aimee cross and she looked so happy!   She should, because Aimee "you are an Ironman!!"    Once again, I want to wish Matt and Aimee a huge congrats to their accomplishements today!  Hopefully we will get to hear a firsthand race report before too long! 

IM Florida

Best of luck goes out to Matt and Aimee on Saturday as they both compete in thier first Ironman competitions!

Remember: Pain is Temporary!

Columbus Marathon

Congrats to Aimee and Ann on running the half marathon! Not to mention that they did it after a cool, windy 70 mile ride the day before! Cudos to you both!

IM Wisconsin

Wow! What a day! After a week of recovery, I'm still not sure what to think about this race?

First, I guess I should say that the race venue was not what I expected. Probably a result of not reading enough online about the race prior to getting there. I knew that it was an "in-water" start, but I didn't know that there was barely a boat ramp size area for 2700 people to enter the water! I didn't know that we'd have to exit the water in the same small area we entered, and run up a garage exit ramp (they call it the "helix") for 3 stories on cement with no shoes on to enter transition. The simple fact that a swimmer drowned in Lake Monona 4 days prior to the race, and the body still hadn't been found until 2pm race day (long after we exited the water) was just a bonus! I have to add that the convention center was a beautiful building, (if you enjoy architecture) designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and provided plenty of space for changing areas and 26 minute transitions. Ha!

The funniest thing I can remember about the swim is that every time I went to turn left on the swim course and glanced behind me, I found Laura waving at me and telling me she was "still here!". Can you imagine it? 2700 racers and Laura manages to follow me for 2.4 miles. Amazing.

Always confident about cycling, I quickly became terrified about cycling after we drove the bike course on Saturday prior to the race. I had looked at the race profile, but had convinced myself that the profiles are never really that accurate...how hilly could it be? I mean, I've climbed a "beyond category" climb in the Pyranees...I've climbed up and down the hills in Acadia National Park...I'm in Wisconsin...how hilly can it be? Well, I can now tell you. IT WAS HILLY!!!!

It wasn't so much that the hills were unmanageable, the first loop really wasn't so bad. I got a little boost when I saw the Kuhn clan and Amy McNeal while riding through Verona. It wasn't until after I picked up my special needs bag that I really started feeling spent. With every hill there after, I became a little weaker. Seemed like if I wasn't going 35mph down a hill, I was going 8-10mph up the next hill. I noticed that I probably wasn't eating as much as I should, but I was trying to make a conscious effort to drink. It didn't take long, but by mile 75ish, I felt spent. I rolled into a aid station, sat on my top tube, (afraid to get off for fear I wouldn't get back on!) and laid on my aero bars. One of the volunteers who must be an athlete came over to me and started asking me questions and consoling me. She asked someone for some electrolyte pills and gave them to me with some cold gatorade...I sat there, with a thousand thoughts rolling through my head while the volunteer rubbed my back...just like Mom when you're sick. It seemed like I was there forever, but it was probably only about 5-10 minutes before I decided to roll on. (literally) The rest of the way was painful. I'm now dry-heaving. (I'll spare you my thoughts about this!) With every hill, I became a little slower. At mile 92, I could not get my bike to go any faster than 10mph, and my only wish was to be done. I actually got off my bike and walked up a hill. First time EVER in my LIFE, have I walked my bike up a hill.

At this point, I have it in my mind that I am done. I will see Jim on my way into Transition, I will give him my bike and pass my timing chip to the nearest official.

Jim's not there? I couldn't of passed him...I'm not going fast enough to pass anything! (I find out later that he was drinking beer and eating pizza...It's been a long day for him! Ha!)

I, surprisingly, ride back up the helix and pedal to the dismount line. At that point, my mouth feels like it's stuffed with cotton. One of the guys sees that I'm a little distressed. Two of them help me off my bike and take me inside to the medic. She asks me about salt and electrolyte pills, when I respond that I've only taken a few from another competitor she continues to scold me for not regularly training with them...I sit there with the medic and volunteer who has gone and gotten my run bag and opened it. At this point, I don't see how it could be possible for me to feel good enough to even walk 26 miles. They have fed me a few more electrolyte pills, a salt pill and are having me sip gatorade. She says I have until 5:30pm to leave transition and that I don't have to make any decisions about the run yet. (At this point I look at my watch and it's 5:15pm...and my thoughts immediately turn to Laura, who I haven't seen into transition while I've been sitting there? Where could she be?) I actually eat a couple of small cookies after I've been sitting there for about 20 minutes, and I decide to change my socks and put on my running shoes.

I'm thinking mostly about Laura, because it's so close to the cutoff. The medic gave me another electrolyte pill and told me to take it in 30 minutes...not to drink anymore water, chicken broth or gatorade for me on the run. I didn't know where to hold onto that capsule that it wouldn't dissolve right away so I popped it in my mouth and decided that I should probably start walking.

The rest really wasn't all that bad. I walked the first 2 miles. Consumed chicken broth two-handed at every aid station and figured that if I could manage 4 miles an hour I could finish under midnight. At first it was run 1 minute, walk 3 and make sure every mile is in under 15 minutes. My brain finally started to function around mile 3 where I realized that when I looked at my watch in transition I was looking at Ohio time...NOT Wisconsin time and Laura really had 1 hour and 15 minutes to make it off the bike...which also meant I had an extra hour for the run!

By mile 13, I was actually feeling better and decided to run all the downhills and flats that I could. I flew through to mile 18 in an hour! There's no stopping me now!

To be honest, I haven't even looked at my results yet. I know I came in sometime around 15 hours 30 minutes (give or take 10 minutes? - 20 minutes, I don't know?) and I'm now pretty happy about that. I never would have forgiven myself if I had quit after the bike. So, thank you Jimmy for taking a break to drink some beer! I'm sure I would've broken down into tears and found comfort in a hug from him...but I'm really happy that I found a way to move forward.

Thanks to everyone for your phone calls, thoughts and prayers. I was too nervous to chat with anyone before the race, but I listened to all your voice mails and read all your texts...It's always a motivator to have so many people "on your side".

IM Wisconsin

I just wanted to put out a big congrats on what sounded like a challenging day!  Despite a few obstacles thrown in their way, Laura, Jeremy, Natalie, and Mario are all IM Wisconsin Finishers!  Hopefully Natalie or Jeremy will post a race account from their perspective, but from my understanding it was a hot (86 degrees) and hilly day.   More than a few people had trouble keeping food down! 

FYI, Mario didn't meet his 10 hour goal.  Per his report, he drank too much lake water on the swim, couldn't keep anything down for at least the first 3 hours on the bike, subsequently became dehydrated, and completely locked up on the run after 13 miles.   So, Mario walked the last half of the marathon portion, but was still able to come in at a respectable 11:30.  Maybe next year Mario! 

Again, congrats to all!  I am completely in awe of your athletic abilities and also completely jealous that you are done with your big race for the year! 

IM Wisconsin

Just wanted to wish Natalie, Jeremy, Laura, and one of my boyfriend's training buddies,  Mario Desiderio best wishes for the IM tomorrow. If anyone wants to follow you can go  here and look under "race day coverage" to track anyone you would like!  You can also go to this link to watch the racers coming in live, which is pretty inspiring.  I am not sure what goals everyone has in mind, but Mario  is aiming for a sub 10 hour finish!  Best wishes to everyone!  Looking forward to doing some cyberstalking on the internet tomorrow! 

Ironman Wisconsin

Wanted to wish Natalie and Jim a safe trip to Wisconsin as they depart tomorrow. Hopefully we will all come back to Ohio with a good finish!

Pelotonia 2009

Christopher and I at the Kick-Off Ceremony for Pelotonia on Friday night.

I am happy to say that Christopher and I both finished our goals for the Pelotonia ride and it was a successful weekend!  I did the 100 mile down to Athens, and then completed the Spirit of Columbus 1/2 Marathon on Sunday.  Christopher opted to just do the 180 mile ride for Pelotonia - which consisted of 100 miles down to Athens on Saturday, followed by a return trip to Canal Winchester on Sunday.  Way to go Christopher!  The course map looked like this:

The ride was hilly, but I think the scenery made up for some of the hills.  Although there were definately some challenging climbs, I don't think any of them compared to Corkscrew Hill! 

For all of you bike riders out there, here is a video that I found to be quite funny! 

Sylvania Tri

Congrats to all of the finishers for the Sylvania Tri; Natalie, Laura, Jeremy, Matt, Jimmy, Allison, and Aimee! Can't wait to hear all of the details!

Steelhead 70.3

Congrats Anne on your half-iron finish! Too bad the swells made you sea sick!

Much luck to all racing in Sylvania this weekend...Sorry my posts are so mundane as of late....too much Haunt flowing through my head...just want everyone to know that I'm thinkin' about cha!

Lima YMCA Sprint Tri

Congrats to Anne who finished first in her age group this past Sunday!

Iron Man Lake Placid 2009

No pictures, but CT finished Lake Placid in 11:51:25!! His goal was to finish under 12 hours and he PR'd by at least 45 minutes. If you would like to see more details see the following website (bib # 569) www.ironmanusa.com

Good Luck CT!

Best of luck to CT this weekend as he travels to Lake Placid for the IM!!!! I don't really believe in luck, so really I want to say "Trust your fitness and enjoy the ride!"

O/W Swim

Aimee has kindly organized an open water swim tomorrow night around 7 pm. Just wanted to let everyone know. It's suppose to be warm so a wetsuit shouldn't be needed! See ya there

Breakfast Ride

Planning a breakfast ride on Saturday, June 27 @ 8:00am. Leaving from Jim and Natalie's, we plan to ride out to Plain City (approx. 15 miles) and chow at the Dutch Kitchen. On the calorie burning 20 mile return we'll participate in some after breakfast banter! Let us know if you're interested so that we don't accidently leave you at the start! This might be the first breakfast ride of the year, right? You surely don't want to miss the fiasco of Jimmy ordering breakfast! It's amazing that it can be so difficult and entertaining all at the same time!

Deer Creek Tri/Du: June 7, 2009

Congrats to Bill Heck, John Walters and Tom Clancy for competing in the Deer Creek Race.  John Walters dominated his age group with a first place finish.  Tom Clancy finished third in his age group in the duathlon, and Bill Heck...well, he just finished the race.  "nothing to brag about" I think were his exact words.

Sorry about the late post guys, my computer has been on the fritz!

Congrats Laura and Jeremy!

Well we're a week or so late on this but CONGRATULATIONS to Laura and Jeremy on their wedding. It was an absolutely gorgeous day, setting, ceremony, bride, groom. We are all so excited for you and can't wait to hear about your trip to Mexico!

Cap City 1/2

I was down cheering at the Cap City 1/2 for my MIT friends when I turned around and saw someone who looked a little familiar. Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be Matt! I made him pose so I could post another picture of more team members after a race! I believe he just helped to get his friend Megan(?) a sub 2 hour - 1/2 marathon finish!! Rumor has it that Aimee also tried to keep up but bailed before I could get a picture of her! Way to go TeamFIT!

Shorts and Vinyl Decal

Here's the shorts and a vinyl decal that Vince has designed for us.  

Race Uniforms

Vince has finalized the race uniforms and I thought he did a really nice job giving us something unique!  I'm posting a shirt with the panels.  "A Ta Gauche" means "on your left" in french!  Placed appropriately on our right.  The shorts will match the shirt design on the side panels and be black in the middle.  (When I say they will "match" I mean that they will have the sunburst, bubbles and flames on the side.)  

I wanted to make sure that everybody has an idea of what they're ordering.  No surprises.  We'll also be making a "cycling kit".  So if you'd like to have a set for training or in the case of John Price, racing, we'd like to make that happen.  Also, it's a great opportunity to get some quality cycling clothes at a reduced price.

Speaking of prices.  Once I take all the orders, I will post the prices.  Obviously, the greater our volume, the less we pay.  Right now, our initial quote (based on 20 sets)  will put you at about $110.00 for the Tri-kit.   (We will also be reducing the cost when we figure in what our sponsorships are contributing)   We are buying race quality clothing.  If you want to look before you buy, stop in at Tri-Tech.  They carry the Louis Garneau clothing.  We'll be getting a slightly different set of clothes, so if you try them on there, you'll want to "size-Up" for our clothing.  (for example, if you would wear a medium, you would want a large in our stuff)

Thanks for your patience on this.  My cell is 740-272-3746 if you'd like to call in your order.  OR, you can email me at nkherring@gmail.com.

Olentangy Duathlon Cancelled!

As most of you know by now, the duathlon was cancelled at the caverns.  Maybe I should correct myself here...I guess at this point, it's officially "postponed".  In an attempt to save the day, we'll be doing a little "training day brick" from 7077 Concord Rd. on May 10 at 8:00am instead!  It's going to be approximately a 20 mile bike and 2 mile run.  Starting and ending at our house.  Remember boys, we're "training" not "racing"!  Everybody is a winner!

Let me know if you'd like to participate!

Herring Picnic

The picnic on May 9 is still a go!  Please come and eat all the food that we've prepared!  It'll start around 2pm and ends when everybody leaves!  Bring a side dish to share if you like.  We'll have pop, beer and the grill fired-up all day long!

Late Entry for the Boston Marathon

Sorry this blog is a little late. Please cut me some slack as I am new to blogging and it took me awhile to figure out how to do this. Although I didn't actually run the Boston Marathon, I was there to witness and spectate this awesome event. I even managed to take a few pictures along the way, which I wanted to share with the rest of the team!

Another Marathon . . .

I finished the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon in Louisville on Saturday - it was HOT and hilly. Unfortunately it was one of my worst times, a 4:14, but at least I got through it. We ran Mile 9 inside Churchill Downs on the infield, while the thoroughbreds were doing sprints on the track getting ready for the Derby - very cool. It was my 16th marathon, and 14th state! Congrats to all of you who had great times in Boston last week!

Congratulations Aimee and John !

Congrats to Aimee and John on their recent engagement!   I find it hard to imagine that John has finally found someone as competitive as he is, but I think he's finally met his match!  (literally)  I could jab and make fun of both of them, but I'll let them "live in bliss" for the moment.   (Lord knows, you have to take marriage moment by moment if you want to survive!)

Did you hear that Laura and Jeremy?

Way to go Aimee and CT!

Aimee has had a BIG week!  Congrats to both for putting in an awesome Boston Marathon!

I think someone told me that it was a PR for CT?  You crazy running people...I'm envious!  Good job, and I can only say that I'm happy it's almost Tri-season!

Thanks Jeremy!

Thanks to Jeremy for organizing and getting everyone to the Mid-Ohio 67 miler...It was HOT, It was WINDY, but it was all fun and a great time for "bonding".  KUDOS to Anne who put in her longest ride EVER!  Next year, we skip the road with all the pot holes, I'll take my chances on St. Rt. 42! 

Mid-Ohio Century

To all who are interested there is a “budget” ride on Sunday April 26th leaving from Mingo Park in Delaware around 7:30. It’s the 36th Mid-Ohio Century and it offers routes of 35, 65 and 100 miles. If anyone is interested let me know, I’m thinking about doing the 65 or 100 mile route. I think it costs $4?!

Boston here we come!

Ok so I'm new to this blogging thing, but here goes...

John and I (Aimee) are heading to Boston tomorrow morning for the 113th running of the Boston Marathon! While I'm not expecting to set the world on fire, I am planning on taking in everything about the race including hopefully getting my picture taken at various points including: with the girls from Wellesley, at the Citgo sign, ...oh yeah and at the FINISH! Weather looks perfect, at least for me. High 40s and cloudy, couldn't ask for much more than that! After all the attempts at qualifying, this is simply a victory lap. Thanks to everyone who's helped me train through the rough Ohio winter! I'll see y'all on Wednesday, hopefully with a new finisher medal...

Team FIT Training Ride

Thanks to everybody who showed up for the ride on Sunday afternoon!  It was a beautiful, sunny 60 degree day.  Kudos to Ann who started and finished the ride by tacking on an extra 6 miles at each end.  Kudos to Jeremy for inviting Christoper...an extra rider for the rest of us to hide behind in the wind, and kudos to Aimee who toughed it out after running 22 miles on Saturday. 

Beyond Aimee falling on the railroad tracks while standing (yes, she was completely stopped, with her feet OUT of the pedals!) over her bike to pick up my water bottle (it ejected out of my holder as I rocketed across the tracks) in front of moving traffic, the ride was fairly uneventful.  Matt and John couldn't resist some sprints to the nearest signs,  and all the boys sprinted over the quarry hill...I was happy just to make it up quarry hill.  That hill is neither steep, nor long, but at the end of the ride always seems tough.  (and in March, April and May we always seem to have a head wind)

Vince Is At It!

Vince dropped off some initial artwork for our uniform design today.  I plan on taking a gander, scribbling out what we don't like, and getting it back to him tomorrow.  We may not have the uniforms for our May races, but hopefully by June!?  Now that he has the creative juices flowing, I'm sure the turnaround will be fast.

Mid Ohio on Two Wheels!

from the voice of "Farmer John"  (and posted by Natalie)

Well, I felt pretty good at MidOhio today after about the 6th lap.  Stayed with the pack and even lead the pack to close a small gap that had opened.  I'm still learining to race with the cat 3 - 4's, but I couldn't contain myself again and went off the front on the back stretch with a pretty good gap.  The peloton caught me on the sweeper leading to the finish straight.  I think had I been a little more patient I could have taken 3rd in the sprint.  There was a 2-man breakaway that stayed away with 2 laps to go.  Live and Learn!

Peachtree Sign-up Successful! (actually by Natalie)

Whew...I crawled out of bed at 6am after a 2am bedtime.  (I know, I know...that's way, way past my bedtime, but it couldn't be helped...we had company and Jimmy had already hit the hay and left me with the entertaining!)  After a quick playtime with Zoe, I left for the local Panera Bread for Cocoa, a delicious Pecan tart, and a faster internet speed than I could ever hope for at home!  Before I could get the computers (yes, that's computers plural,  I went armed with 2 for greater opportunities to get in.) laid out on the table the manager yelled over that their wireless hadn't been working!  I'm thinkin'..."you gotta be kiddin' me?  It's already 6:55am...do I have time to go anywhere else?"  As I hit the ever infamous power button on my Apples, (famous because of the movie WALL-E) luck must have been with me because my computer was connected to the powerful world of the web in no time!  (that's the "whew" part)  After approximately 1 hour of hitting the "sign-up now" button icon and getting the response that, "we're experiencing a high volumne of activity, there are still spots available, please try again later." I finally got a blank entry form.  Oh my, the fun didn't stop here!  I filled out that stupid application a bazillion times only to receive:  "an exception has occured, please try again."  I called my friend Sue in Kansas...same thing....called Aimee (who by the way didn't get out of bed until my phone call at 8am!)...same thing.  Furiously, I tried for the next hour!  When I was almost at my wits end, my application was finally accepted!  (another "whew")  I worked as fast as I could to finish Jim's application...accepted!  Whew!  Called Matt...he wasn't in yet so as he was workin' it on his hi-tech apple phone, I started putting his info. in my computer.  Called Aimee...she was in, working on John.  Did a quick Text and phone call to Matt...hit the "submit" and "accepted"...he was in...

So, all in a morning at Panera and two hours of Cocoa and a couple of Mt. Dew's... 5 of us will be traveling to Atlanta on July 4 th for the biggest 10K in the US.  (which is really just a fun party!)

Olentangy Duathlon and Herring Picnic!

Don't forget about the Herring Picnic on May 9th. at 2:00pm!  If nothing else, come for the cake!  It's worth it.  (I'm really just trying to slow down the competition)  Bring your family!  If you haven't been, or don't know, my house is full of games that children love to play!

If you plan on doing the Du...let me know early this year.  We have a new race company putting on the race this year and I want to give them plenty of time, in advance, to know who I have on my list of racers.

John Price Races Again & Atlanta Here We Come!

John Price participated in a 40 mile road race in Mt. Vernon last Saturday (March 7).  After a long fought battle of the wind and hills he finished 9th out of 16 in the CAT 3-4's.  

Peachtree Again?

Some of us will be traveling to Atlanta for the annual July 4 Atlanta Peachtree 10K.  I'm sure it still probably holds the record for participants in any 10K around the country at 55,000!  For the first time this year, the Atlanta Track Club will be accepting online registrations to the first 45,000 entrants.  For those of us who have had and experienced "application anxiety" in this particular race entry process it's going to be a race at the keyboard and moments of stress once the "enter" button is pushed!  I, for one, can't wait!  I hate running...but I love doing the Peachtree!  (probably because it's difficult to actually "run" with 55,000 other people, hence my enjoyment)  So....if you are interested, registration for Peachtree and an opportunity to get the coveted Peachtree t-shirt begins on Sunday morning, March 15 at 7:00am.  Grab your coffee cups and start typing.  Entry form is at:  www.ajc.com/peachtree.  The entry fee is $33.00.

Let me know if you get in!

New FIT Team Member

Meet Zoe Herring, newest member of team FIT.  Zoe runs a sub 6 mile and chases a tennis ball like it's her job!  

Correction for Bill Heck and John Walters.  They were NOT soaking up any sun in Houston...instead they were battling 30mph winds and a cold start at the Ft. Worth Marathon!  

Both were hoping to break the 4 hour mark on Saturday, but the hilly course and windy conditions were their nemesis.  Bill Heck finished in 4:09:50 and John Walters in 4:12:21.  Good job guys!  Way to tough it out!

John Price wasn't able to melt the competition on Saturday either.  Cold temps. didn't keep the front of the pack from traveling at 31 mph from the start.  Unfortunately, John didn't have those kind of speeds under the hood yet.  It's just a matter of time and a few interval workouts behind the trailblazer and he'll be back on his game!

We're FIT! Are you?

2009 Team Members as of February 26, 2009 include:  Aimee Bross, Tom Clancy, Bill Heck, Jim Herring, Matt Herring, Natalie Herring, Randy Jewell, Laura Kuhn,  Anne Kurtenbac, Paul Kyser, John Price, Jeremy Tiller, Barb Walters and John Walters.

Racing starts this weekend!  

John Price will be competing in the Frosty Toes 40 mile road race on Saturday in Croton, Ohio...and I expect "frosty toes" may be an issue?  We'll see if he can melt the competition?

Bill Heck and John Walters, on the other hand, will be soaking up the sun at the Houston Marathon on Saturday!  "Running never takes more than it gives back."  (I don't know who said that, but I saw it once and believe it to be true.)  Good Luck Guys!