Hardcore or Just Crazy - You Decide.

Well, Ironman training is officially underway. It hit me earlier this week when I was exhausted that yep, its week 4 of a 4-1 build-recovery cycle. The previous weekend there was ice on the ground, which meant 3 hrs 40 min on the indoor trainer in Art's basement watching Office Space and chatting away with Monique (who is signed up for Ironman Brazil) to make the time go by.

This weekend, it was a balmy 40 degrees out, and despite some residual ice on the trail, Turbo and I headed out for a 50-60 mile ride. We decided to make it a European style ride and stop for coffee along the way (to warm up, if nothing else). Its the best substitute for Sandro & Anne (our Norwegian bike tour guides) and their fully stocked Landrover we've been able to come up with, since we've yet to convince Diego (or anyone else) to follow us around in the car with coffee and hot chocolate and extra layers for us.

We had every intention of 60 miles, but even the latte and mocha didn't cure our frozen fingers and toes enough for us to stick it out past 50 miles. But you know, Ironman is still 6 months away and thankfully DC winters are usually short. Let's hope that's the case this year.

FXCM Party Night

Tony, aka "The Dragon" and newly appointed team Social Director, organized a fun night out to "get drunk with your fellow swimmers" (or at least come watch Tony get drunk) at the Clarendon ballroom.
Eight swimmers showed up (not bad for the first such event) and it was a crazy night. Julie and I knew we were in trouble when we walked in and saw Tony wearing a Hawaiian lei, googles, and a whistle around his neck and he had his finger nails painted black. And it wasn't long before the glow sticks came out. It was a sight to be seen.


The award for the evening however goes to Tami, who made the hour + drive from Taylorstown, via Susan's house in Chantilly, to Arlington to join in the fun.

I Finally Make it to Another Dougherty Wedding!

On Dec. 28, 2007 Kevin, the youngest Dougherty, married Ann Manning. Mom and I went up to Pennsylvania for the wedding. I attended Kevin's sister Maureen's wedding my senior year of college, but after missing both Jill's wedding (New Years Eve 2006 in Lake Tahoe, I was busy with funeral arrangements) and Claire's wedding (Labor Day Weekend 2007 in MD - I was flying back from Norway), I was so excited to be able to make it to Kevin's and catch up with my lifelong friends.
The wedding was gorgeous, Ann looked stunning, Kevin looked great in his Marine Corps dress uniform, and everything appeared to go off without a hitch. With so many family members in the military, they took the picture above of everyone with the bride and groom. I got to catch up with Maureen and meet the latest addition to her family - baby #4 - Samantha Maureen just 5 weeks old - and I also got to meet Jill's husband Pete for the first time.


David and Megan, Maureen's oldest 2 kids, tore up the dance floor in true Dougherty style.