Yellow Crayon

Cliff Notes You Can Use

Let me preface this post by saying that I don’t have a particular love of The Karate Kid. Any chuckle that I get at seeing a pop culture reference to the movie is solely based on the fact that two of my dearest friends are WILDLY obsessed with the movie. So much so that a few years ago for Halloween, Amanda and Dal tried to convince me to dress up as the skeleton gang from Karate Kid. When I told them that slapping on a skin tight unitard didn’t sound like a barrel of fun they suggested that I go as Daniel...complete with the shower costume. As you can imagine, that plan didn’t really pan out.

They also have a fondness for the Karate Kid soundtrack. Amanda has been known to reenact, with admirable accuracy, some of the fight sequences. It is truly a site to behold. I’m pretty sure that one day she’s going to accidentally give me a black eye.

Once they went to the Bahamas (oh, don’t feel bad for me, I was invited, but I had to work) and the FIRST thing they told me upon their return was not of the beautiful beaches but of meeting a Johnny look-a-like at a casino. They took pictures to prove it.

So when I come across something like The Karate Kid Cliff Notes, I simply have to share it. How could I not?

Less Tortoise, More Hare

My latest post for Mamas In Training...

For me, training for the triathlon has never been about speed. It’s never been about beating my “best time” or improving my technique…let’s be honest…it’s been about groping around in the dark to FIND a technique. My goal for the TriUtah Women’s Triathlon has been very simply to finish the race (without walking during the run.) I don’t care how long it takes.

That’s not to say that I’m not attempting to move quickly. It’s just that when you choose to train with two women that are in considerably better shape than you are, you spend an awful lot of the training time coming in last. My times are consistently the least impressive of the group…but don’t cry for me Argentina…I’m okay with that because most of the training sessions with Coach Dave have been TOUGH and for me, the mere completion of his regimen has been extremely gratifying.

Just as I was getting comfortable bringing up the rear I got to sample the sweet taste of victory. During swim training I, Erin-the-Athena, managed to land at the end of the lane…wait for it…FIRST!

Okay…it wasn’t even one lap, it was only one length of the pool and I was “first” by one measly second (I’m tall so I’m pretty sure that one second was in body length, but whatever). Coach Dave told us that we’d be doing “speed work” that morning which consisted of five rounds of the following; 100 meters at our regular pace then two 25 meter sprints. I finished my first 25 meter sprint swim in 20 seconds. Hell, I don’t think I could run 25 meters in 20 seconds. I wish I would have had a camera to capture the look on Coach Dave and Stephanie’s face – to say that they were stunned would have been an understatement!

Now don’t worry, I’m not delusional…I DO realize that a quick 25 meter pace won’t amount to a hill of beans on race day. But it is sure nice to keep up with the group every once and awhile.

Erin