Mad Manatees 2015.4 CLOSED (or Poptart/pet pic ticket) (Page 15)

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Can't wait to read about it!  And I agree, not losing any runners is a win!!

My van was a little bit better about it than the others.  We even picked up a stray from another team!

A gorgeous trip! Some snags in the camping plans, but we didn't let it stop us from exploring. We're not big tourist spot/follow the crowd people, so after some time in Moab (which is such a cool town!) and Arches NP (wow!), we took the back way into Canyonlands NP on White Rim Road. The plan was to camp in one of the "primitive" spots, but everything we came across was full. Got a room in Green River and reset our plans...into the backcountry of west Canyonlands   We drove dirt roads through washouts and "ponds", past cows and a badger (I've never seen one before!) out to Horseshoe Canyon for some hiking. Then past more cows and some awesome groups of mountain bikers to Hans Flat Ranger Station for a trail map. After some discussion and helpful hints, we drove along Flint Trail to a switchback down the side of a cliff. The ranger recommended we stop at the top lookout, turn off the truck for a few minutes to check for vehicles coming up. It's about 2mi to the bottom on rather steep and washed out trail...and you all know the right-of-way rule; we'd have to back up  We did more hiking at the bottom, then kept on chugging out of Canyonlands into Glen Canyon Rec Area for the night. Finally camping and rock scrambling and a hike in the moonlight!

You know I have to share pics:

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Absolutely - there's something about the air and colours and crispness of the Fall! 

I went out for an afternoon run (during the toddler nap time) and it was just awesome out. Perfect running weather! 

Looks amazing! 

So, how's everyone doing? 

This weekend was more of the mundane variety. I managed to get a couple of runs in. We went appliance shopping both days - picked out a few things I would like. It's tough because we need to decide so we can design a kitchen but we won't actually be building until late next year ... my hubby is on the hook for negotiating. I am TERRIBLE! I just agree to anything! 

My DH did a 10k Halloween themed run yesterday evening and it was super fun. He got a cheap cow costume at Wal-Mart and Felicity had to get dressed in a princess dress. I did not partake in costumes - isn't everything better with a costume? He did really well considering a lack of training and wearing said cow costume! But it was also fun to go out to a low-key race that was very family oriented - they had the 'Spooky Mile' for the kids. 

Speaking of the kids - there was a little guy there who had two prosthetic blades on and did the mile. Now, if that isn't inspiring I don't know what is! 

Originally posted by marysia83 I would absolutely love to join this group! I need to go offline in a moment, but I promise to post an intro tomorrow. Oh, I have two cats Mary

 Phil, the largest of our pack, would like to welcome you and the kitties

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I hope you processed during catch-up sleep! 3 hours? Sounds like not losing anyone was due to round the clock vigilance.   Hope it was a good time!

The desert-dweller in me doesn't see the trees as much as ALL THAT WATER! That looks like a beautiful ride, fall colors or not.

Thanks for the wonderful pictures.  I think I want to be one of your kids.  They are so lucky to get to explore so many great adventures.

Another great vacation with the kids!  And, awesome pictures!!  I loved Arches when I was there about 10 years ago.  Never got to Canyonlands.  Which one did you like better?

No doubt.  Leaves are in full color here and temps have been very mild.  It's the highlight of my day to get out and run one of the paths around town.  The rental house that I've restoring is on a street lined with huge trees and the sidewalks are under a foot of leaves.  My son can't wait for me to rake up a huge pile of them.

Originally posted by Jet Black Lots going on with the pod and I'm a bit overwhelmed to try and respond to all the awesomeness right now! Our race got rained out Sunday (it literally didn't stop raining all weekend here). Guess I'm going to be over rested for the HIM this coming weekend.

Tony had the Ragnar trail race in the Hill Country from Friday-Saturday - 8 people in 2 tents covering 150 miles of mud in the pouring rain...  I almost made them sleep outside in the tents again on Saturday night, man were they ever stinky!!  

(I wisely chose to stay home and ride the drainer, then drink wine whilst sitting on the couch & cuddling with the furr-kids)  

HELLO MANATEES!
I was invited by more than one of you to join this group and I am going to take you up on it! I understand I need to post a fur-baby photo as my first content offering - here is my shortie Bentley. He is 11 years old and my best buddy in the world.

And is this still the correct questionairre? Please advise if you need more information for my application

Bio: Mid-30s gal living in Kansas. I work in corporate communications/public relations for the 3rd largest telecom (cable/internet/phone/home security) provider in the U.S. I've been on BT for almost 10 years and have met so many great BTers in person. This is really a special place.

NAME: Lisa 

STORY: Growing up, the only sports I participated in was dance team and swim team. I never played team sports and was never particularly athletic. Nearly 10 years ago, I met someone who was training for a triathlon and the guy I was dating at the time told me that I'd never do one (ugh, right?). Not that I "couldn't" - just that I "wouldn't" - and that set me on a path to do my first two sprint races that summer. From there, of course I was hooked, and have now done 10 sprints, 5 olympics, 9 half ironmans and 3 Ironman races (DNF'd IM #4 earlier this month). Triathlon is my one true "hobby" - other people, things, activities have come and gone over the past decade but triathlon is always there, always ready for me. 

FAMILY STATUS: Single and ready to mingle, one fur-baby

CURRENT TRAINING: None, re-habbing a broken fibula

THIS YEAR'S RACES/EVENTS: I spent most of 2015 training for my 4th Ironman (Louisville) - In August I did Pigman Half Iron and on October 11 I started IM Louisville, anticipating a PR and the best day of my life. Instead, at mile 19 on the bike course I veered too far to the right side of the road and my wheel caught the 4-5 inch sharp drop-off from the asphalt to the grass (no shoulder). I lost control and bounced left into the road, breaking my fibula at the ankle. You can read my blog from the past 2 weeks but in short, this is a pretty difficult time for me. I'm adjusting to a temporary, sedentary life on crutches and in a boot. I'm trying really hard to keep my spirits up and look forward to when I can get back to walking, running, riding and racing. It's going to be a long journey though.

BODY COMPOSITION: I've always been on the slender side for the most part. My biggest challenge right now will be not gaining weight with a new sedentary lifestyle. 

Thank you for letting me join!

Not a lot of major features around, but Michigan is a pretty big lake! This is one of the best spots around for a bigger break.

haha! I think you're kind of a big kid, so it could work.

They know they're different from most kids, and we plan to keep it that way. Had some what-not-to-do moments at Arches when we came upon two busloads of middle school kids and their "chaperones". 40+ kids, most of whom were yelling across the rocks to each other, pushing past my little ones on steep sections, or whining about how hard it was. I almost lost it. One kid apologized, the guide looked overwhelmed but said nothing to them, and the "chaperones" weren't anywhere near the main group to supervise. Our kids aren't the quietest children, but we're teaching them to respect others...especially in special places like the NPs where so many come to enjoy nature, maybe only getting to visit once in their lifetime.

Oh! And thought of you as we drove through Monument Valley on the way home.

Welcome Lisa!

Congratulations both on not dying (always a good thing) and making the podium! 

Arches is so much smaller that it really packs people together at the main viewing areas. It's beautiful and the sandstone is great for the kids to play on. But Canyonlands is just so vast, both towering over you and dropping below, that you can just lose yourself in every vista and turn of the trail.

Arches is a popularly photographed park, so this was a cool surprise since I don't see it published often...low clouds burning off through the formations.

But the sunset from White Rim road...white-capped LaSal mountains in background, orange cliffs and the Colorado River below...these kinds of views steal my heart.

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Welcome Lisa. We are glad to have you and hope that the post IMLou couch time is not too much on you.  

I love a mundane weekend. One that involves no chores at my MIL or mom, no catching up on yard work, no errand running, etc. I might actually pay for one of those.  Congrats to your husband on the racing cow outfit. Low key races are so nice, I am looking forward to the Turkey Trot this year that is that way here.

Our weekend involved yard work, house work, DD2 support, etc. Standard stuff. We did spend a little time at a local watering hole on Saturday night, but the musician was so bad that we had to bail.  And that says a bit, because we will support local musicians until the cows come home.

Yayyyy!!  I knew the lure of cookies would draw you to the Manatee side!  

Welcome Mary #2 and Lisa!  Glad you are both here.

Sometimes we need the mundane variety...you know, to make the others seem so much more exciting   Good luck on the kitchen design! Someday I want such a project.

Sounds like a fun family evening...even without the costume. What a great example that little boy was!