NEW SITE IS UP!

Really, I was close in November. It was almost done. Then I made some changes. And a few more. Then a few other projects got bumped up in the queue and combined with the height of MHA busy season...

Long story short: my website is up. My new blog is up. I might move these archives over, I might not. A fresh start for a fresh year. I'll probably post way more about design + web stuff than triathlon, but I'm really excited about the race season and the workouts I've been doing with Riptide, so I'm sure a lot of that will show up in the blog.

Check it out: amydannwolf.com

Please let me know what you think.

All the best in 2009! =)

So close!

Aghhh.

Now that *most* of the projects on my to-do list are crossed off, or just awaiting some code tidying, I set out today to get my own site up and running. This includes a complete revamping of my blog and an organized portfolio to attract future clients.

My pace this morning was vigorous. I've been through several different designs for my own site, each of which I hate a week later. This morning I came up with a new idea that I like a lot, even more than 12 hours later, so I think that's a good sign. I made a lot of headway in the early hours of the day, but now I'm hurting. I really thought I could have at least something to show for today's efforts, but none of it is going up in public yet.

Tomorrow, after a long run on the Vista Trail, I'll get back on it. I can't stand posting on this old, tired blog anymore.

Ok ok no more dawdling...time for bed.

Election Day Eve 2008

This might be more exciting than any other Eve on the calendar!

I'm so tired of hearing the word 'change' from both parties, but I do think this election has changed me. It's made me more aware of issues in our country and it's also made me develop some really strong opinions about a lot of them. ...none of which I will be sharing here. Not because I lack supporting arguments, but because I'm not one to impose my opinions or beliefs on anyone else. Everyone is entitled to his/her opinion and I completely respect that. If you're especially interested in mine, send me an email and I will gladly spout forth.

All I ask is that people develop their opinions and views using solid sources and not second-hand information. Deciding who you will elect to office is no time to base a decision on what you heard in a glorified game of telephone. If you haven't voted already (and if you're in Colorado that only applies to less than 54% of the electorate) then before you cast your ballot, double check what you think you know from the candidates themselves:

http://www.johnmccain.com/informing/issues/
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/

Weekend in Park City

Jordan and I spent the better part of Halloween driving through Wyoming en route to Park City, Utah to visit our friends Taylor and Martha. Wyoming was everything I expected it to be, complete with a kid trick or treating at a gas station. Thinking about it, that kid's mom could probably drive him to every gas station in the state and he would still not receive as many treats as my friends and I did running around like maniacs in our suburban NJ neighborhood. High population density has its perks.

Our training weekends with Taylor and Martha always put the hurt on me. In March it was the somewhat accidental 6.5 hour bike ride in Moab with Martha. In July, it was a pairing of two intense rides in Aspen. And now, in October, we're in Park City where after a 6 week hiatus I've been reintroduced to my bike. Yesterday I got roped into a 3.5 hour ride with Taylor and Jordan, touring through some surrounding farmlands. It was beautiful and the roads were perfect for riding. Everything was going great until we hit the last climb (supposed to take 40 minutes, and though I didn't time it I can assure you it took me significantly longer). There was a strong headwind and I watched Taylor and Jordan slip away into little black specs far far ahead, and then they were gone completely. Eventually I reached the top and was relieved it was over. I started descending, but since there was a headwind it wasn't much of a relief at all. ...especially once I realized the climb wasn't over. Up up up. I was in pretty bad shape. My legs were shaking. I stopped to stretch for a minute and saw Jordan careening down to come fetch me. Maybe 30 minutes later we were back at the car. My legs killed! Like post-marathon killed.

The good news is that today they seem to be fine, which I attribute to some solid fajitas last night. Today we've got a longer run and a typical epic swim on the agenda.

Some pics from the ride..

We spent a few miles on a dirt road that cut through some farms.

Breakthroughs in the aquatic realm

I'm in my third week of swimming with Riptide and I'm already seeing some perks of swimming 25,000+ yds/week, aside from scaly skin and sweet goggle lines. Each Thursday we do a set of all-out 100s called "team goals" (sorry, hope I'm not giving away any big training secrets by writing this).

Week one: 1:12, 1:10, 1:12, 1:12, 1:12, 1:12

1:10 was a PR and I was pumped. I'd been stuck around 1:13 all summer.

Week two: 1:10, 1:10, 1:10, 1:10, 1:09, 1:08

I kept coming so close to breaking the 1:10 barrier, then finally I was through!

Week three (today): 1:09, 1:09, 1:10, 1:07

All logic tells me that I should expect to take a second off each week and then by New Years I'll be down to around :49. Sounds reasonable. I'm totally joking. When the plateau hits it won't be unexpected. That said, I'm enjoying the string of PRs while it lasts.

Veloswap - 10/25

Veloswap returns to the National Western Complex in Denver this Saturday. bikeBounce will be there so make sure you come visit us in booth #78. We'll be spreading the word about bikeBounce as well as selling some Sugoi cycling, running, and triathlon apparel for crazy low prices!

My Quintana Roo Tequilo will also be up for sale:

Don't put another shrimp on the barbie

Though incredibly tempted with amazing waves, kangaroos, and backwards-swirling toilets, I didn't accept my spot on Team USA for the 2009 Age Group World Championships in Gold Coast, Australia. After thinking it over and talking with Jordan, Sean, and my parents, I've decided to skip Worlds and make a full-blown effort to get my pro card next year. I have a long way to go and it might be a bit of a reach, but that's ok...I'm ready to work. This way, I'll be able to travel to more not-so-far-flung races where I can gain valuable experience against elite amateur fields until I can gain pro status. I'll race in Australia someday, but next year isn't the time.

Yes, I do feel like Cousin Eddy holding off for a management position when all he has to show for himself is a worm farm, but if you don't have a dream to chase, what's the point?