Get your tissues

I recently watched Mine, a documentary on the animal rescue that occurred after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. The movie followed several hurricane survivors as they tried to reunite with their lost pets after the devastation. While I cried pretty much throughout the entire movie, I found the first 20 minutes particularly hard to watch. It detailed the actual animal rescues that took place and the difficulties the rescue groups encountered due to lack of help, lack of funds, lack of space, and too many abandoned animals.


This is a short clip from the movie that I found on YouTube:







American Lab Rescue is only one group out of hundreds in the United States trying to help with the placement of abandoned and homeless pets. I really have no idea if they played a role in the aftermath of Katrina, but I do know that they face the same challenges. If you would like to donate please click on the ChipIn link to the right.

New Orleans: Working my brachioradialis

I have spent the last 6 days in New Orleans for the National Athletic Training convention. New Orleans is quite the town. Unfortunately I spent most of the time training my brachioradialis (bad PT joke) as opposed to sticking with the scheduled training plan. Althougth I must say that walking the French Quarter in flip flops is an excellent calf work out.

Kevin and I headed down last week and stayed in the heart of the French Quarter. We ate our way through the city - beignets at Cafe du Monde, fancy schmancy meal at Emeril Lagasse's NOLA, handgrenades and mudslides on Bourbon Street, and the best southern brunch at The Court of Two Sisters while serenaded by a jazz trio.

We were complete tourists - bought some local street art, took pictures on almost every street corner (that would be my doing), were in shock and awe of Bourbon Street and the open container policy, and of course, knocked 3 times on the tomb of Marie Laveau (Voodoo high priestest).

My training schedule sat in my carry-on bag the entire trip (bad Ironman-in-training). I feel like it was/is glaring at me as if to say, "glad you enjoyed your trip but now I'm going to kick your ass." Sigh.

Best part of going away.... returning home to the dog!

Day 2 of training - check.

It's amazing, I have actually stuck with the training for 2 days. (Too bad I can't say the same for the 5 half-read books sitting around the house.) The smell of chlorine is slowly seeping back into my skin.

Adorable pics as promised:

It's tiring being this cute.

Look at the size of this hole I put in your yard! I can stick my head in it.

Hug it out.

Put your paws up, baby!

I would just like to thank Lady Gaga for creating the tag line for the official start of my Ironman Arizona 2011 training. Today marks 24 weeks until the big showdown - me vs. 140.6 miles. Who's excited? This girl, that's who. I was definitely not born this way, BUT I was born 31 years ago tomorrow. Oh you forgot? That's OK. You can make it up to me with a donation to American Lab Rescue (see ChipIn link to right, check them out at www.americanlabrescue.com).


Let me re-cap my last few blog posts:

1) I have gone insane and registered for Ironman Arizona

2) I will be covering 140.6 miles (swim 2.4 mi, bike 112 mi, run 26.2 mi) in under 17 hours under my own pure will on November 20, 2011

3) I am raising money for American Lab Rescue which is the dog rescue group from whom we adopted Ellie, the greatest dog in the whole world (see adorable pic in previous post).

4) I would appreciate your support (monetary, emotional, training partners, medical, etc.)


So in honor of Ellie and American Lab Rescue I would like you to put your paws up and get them waving as I start this crazy journey now and cross that damn finish line in November.

One more thing.... I would love it if you sign up to follow my blog posts. Right now I feel like I am talking to a blank wall. Thanks!