#AnnaBucketList18-July Aquabike for the Win, Zimmerman Trail, Epic Hike and Imagine Dragons!

This is a Christmas in July post! Like, literally. Christmas is next week, but here I am writing about July. This is a fun way to relive this summer at least!

But, first here is a song I am loving right now, especially when I can run!

Without Me

Last year I had always thought about doing an aquabike. I had a training partner that really enjoyed them and I started thinking. The run was always my most "needs work" of the three components that compile the triathlon. So, I always wondered what it would be like to take that part out and really hammer down on the bike and then be donzo! So, I decided to pull the trigger on this bucket list item and get it crossed it off.

I picked the Spring Meadow triathlon in Helena to be the race. It was the perfect venue. It allowed me a chance to get go back and see my friends in Helena and race at Spring Meadow State Park, which was my favorite place in Helena and right by my old house, plus I could see my horse! #winning

I signed up and headed to Helena. I was excited to see some Missoula friends and old teammates at the event as well. Last time I did this race, I did the Olympic and I had a horrible experience. I did it 2014 and I was training for my first Ironman 70.3 Calgary and used it as a training race. I did not enjoy the experience. I wasn't a fan on the course for the run (this has since been changed!). It was an odd two loops and on the first loop I stepped wrong and tweaked my ankle a bit and honestly I was just over it. Also, during this time I was iron deficient. But, I was over it. However, enough time had past and now I was approaching this race with a different fitness and different attitude and healthy. Plus, I had just done Ironman Victoria 70.3 the month before, so I was enjoying this sweet spot of training of coming off a big race before heading into another big training block for Chicago.

I knew going into this race that there was only a certain number of aquabikers and I had a good chance of placing. I wasn't sure how they did age groups, whether 5 years or 10 years, but I knew I just needed to get to pound the pedal and have a strong swim.

I got there race morning and headed to rack my bike and meet up with my Base teammate, Jennifer. I said hello to everyone there and really enjoyed the race vibe. I was doing the sprint aqua bike, so we were last to head into the water. I hadn't swam in Spring Meadow for a few years, but right away it was familiar as each stroke took me around the lake and then I got to the channel in the last part and I heard friends and my old swim coach, Paul cheering for me.

I got out and headed to my bike. There was another lady across from me and I just had this feeling she may be an aquabiker as well for some reason. But, it's always good to assume everyone is-ha! I headed out towards bird's eye road like I had done on so many rides while living in Helena. As we were slowly climbing the lady I saw in T1 passed me. I thought "ok, stay close and then hammer it on the turn around and make her work." And that is what I did. I headed back towards Spring Meadow looking for Bill Wells, like everyone should do naturally, and hearing him cheer for me. But, he missed me-I was too fast ;-) Then I circled around the last loop to head back and I really enjoyed this part and felt so good pushing it because I knew I didn't have to run! I did see an older man in front of me and I believe he had an IM tattoo, but I had to catch him if I could and I also wondered how he got in front of me. I think he was doing the Olympic, or he is one hell of a swimmer.

I rolled into T1 and then I got of the bike and I was done! The lady never caught me and she rolled in and she wasn't running either, so she was in the aquabike division. She looked bummed, but she had a great race. I stuck around and cheered and caught up with friends. I stayed and ate at the BBQ with other racers and waited for awards. I felt I did good, but wasn't sure. I did end up winning the aquabike division! It was a good day and I was really proud of myself. I really had a good day and seeing my friends and teammates in the town I love and supporting a race I enjoyed was amazing. I really enjoyed going all out and then just being done in the aquabike and it has a real strong appeal for those who want to practice going hard and yet want to be done off the bike.

So, this summer, Zimmerman Trail in Billings was closed to start construction. They closed it off for a few weeks before they started and people took advantage of it, including me! I have always wanted to ride up it and the thought of doing that with no cars was fantastic! I first walked up it, laid in the middle of the road. Then a couple of times I took my bike for a spin up and down it a couple of times.  One time at the end of a couple runs, I met a guy on a bike at the bottom of the gate. He was just stopped on his bike. I told him he could go up it and he looked hesitant. I said just go around the gate and that it was a nice ride, I had just done it a few times. Then I was like, k bye. I loved crossing this off my list because I remember a time in high school I had a boyfriend that would ride up it and I thought it was the coolest, hardest thing I could imagine. Definitely a cool ride.

This summer with all my shenanigans, I only got to hike once. So I decided it needed to be one I haven't done before. My friend Laura, who is always up to adventures, came with. We hit Sioux Charley. It was a great day and beautiful hike with a rolling rivers, horses, birds and a beautiful lake at our stopping point. We took our time and enjoyed the scenery. We hiked about 3.5 miles in and sat down by a lake and replenished our fuel supply. Then we just sat there and enjoyed the view. Then we headed back and at the end there was just a random horse in the field of the parking lot. He had a cowbell on and a ranger was there trying to find his owner. It wasn't us, but I would have taken him if I could have! The hike was about 7 miles and it was nice to get out. My legs were trashed because I was starting to train for Chicago, but it was definitely worth it. I recommend this hike for a day trip.

                                           

Last, but definitely not least, I crossed seeing my favorite band off my bucket list! In the fall of 2017 I purchased tickets to see Imagine Dragons this summer. My best friend Ashley and I went and met up with my friend Summer! Ashley and I got into Bozeman and headed to get something to eat and we ran into our old high school friend Drew Shug! So, we had a couple of drinks with him and his wife and caught up and that was super fun! Then Summer showed up and we all walked over the outdoor stadium together. This concert took it to another level. The vibe was so high and it transcended time and space. Not even kidding. It was magical and amazing. I haven't been to a concert in a long time and this performance, signing to his songs, his message, running through the crowds, seeing the sunset behind the stage and finally the fireworks to end it was so cool. It was the best decision to buy those tickets and I would definitely go see them again! Summer concerts with friends on a Montana summer night can't be beat. If you have a chance to see them, definitely go do it!

That wraps up another great #annabucketlist18 month. Remember to keep exploring

and as always, you do you.