Friday @ Jen's

What a fabulous day Friday was!! Got up at the crack of dawn to pack for a day at the river. I had 3 coolers, 5 bags and 2 grocery bags. Lynn came with 2 bags and a cooler and rode with me and my 4 wonderful kids on an adventure into the country. (I can't believe Jennifer comes all this way to work out at 6 a.m. on Thursdays! Makes me feel totally lazy)

As we leave, Lynn tells the man she's going to be the proxy husband on the trip. Well, fill in she did...she was on her Blackberry and computer the whole drive! It was her fault we missed that turn! But she did buy us McDonald's for breakfast, does it get any better than that?!

We arrive to Jennifer's home and I'm wow'ed. The exterior is gorgeous. And I've already been told the interior is perfect, so I've warned (threatened) the kids...don't act like you're at home! Jen and Stu were so welcoming and set the kids up in style, as the TGs set off on our bike ride.

God, it's beautiful up there. I've never been there and I was trying to enjoy the scenery, but somebody let Patty be in the lead. OMG...were we racing or riding?! Patty's doing figure 8's in the road while I'm huffing to keep up. I see beautiful homes and land, but oh God, I've lost site of the girls. Better step it up! Then my chain starts slipping in the easy gears and there are enough hills that I need those gears! Please God, don't let it fall off! (Gotta get it to a bike shop when we return!) Jen and Lynn are kind enough to wait up. I tell Lynn what's going on, she thinks maybe the chain is stretched, no big deal. And OMG...are we done? Yep, back at the marina.

Time for a swim in the lake. Deanna B. joins. Well, you've heard about my OW fear until you're sick of it, so I won't go into it. But, Deanna offered to swim with me! (Yes, the same Deanna that swam 4.4 miles in the Chesapeake Bay. That's her. She's wonderful! Of course, I said "No, thank you") They swam all around the lake and Jen set me up on a 50M path where I could always touch bottom. It was great! Back and forth I went. Nobody to bother me. Practiced siting and staying close to the wall. I loved it, (well OK, liked it alot). And before I knew it the other girls were back, and it was off to the river.

Jen's part of the river is an oasis. (My biggest boy used the same word, funny!) We ate and drank and sat around in our bikini's, (liberating!). Even Patty wore a bikini! But then she burped like a man and ruined the whole effect. More girl lessons for her!

On the ride back, Lynn learned more fun facts, new songs, and other "kid" things. Here was a special conversation. The "I kissed a girl and I liked it song" came on. I really don't want the girl singing this, so I asked the boys to please refrain. The 11 year old says "I don't get it. Why would a girl kiss another girl and like it?" 9 year old replies "Because she's a Lesbian, you idiot!" Lynn sang "LaLaLa".

Can't wait to do it again!

Monday Swim

What is up with me and the swim?! Last night Coach Annie removed the lane lines for two lanes and we had to swim without boundaries. I was doing fine until I almost bumped heads with another TG. Then I swallowed water, then I freaked and never really recovered.

I need help! I don't know what my problem is. I feel like if I could identify the fear, I could deal with it. I'm feeling very Frustrated.

What a weekend!!

Temperatures topping 100 in early June? This is unbelievable!

My alarm was set for 30 mins later than I thought (6:30 not 6:00 a.m.) So I flew to the 7 a.m. bike hoping I wasn't going to be left for the hill workout. They were still in the parking lot. When the ride began, I was having trouble clipping in, so I was the last of the pack and the object of Blake's pity. So God bless him he stayed with me most of the way. He even pushed me up two hills, yes, literally pushed my bike up the hill! After about 15 miles he turned me over to Derik and Cyndi and we continued the ride with gentle rolling hills, pleasant conversation, and a general good time. I loved the 2nd portion of the ride, (no offense Blake!)

I needed to run 6 miles but was only attempting 1 due to shin issues. I manged to run most of it, but when I saw other TG friends I had to walk and chat. It was just tooooo hotttt!

Then off to a playoff baseball game for my mini-Derek Jeter. He played fabulously! He pitched beautifully and his team won. More games to come.

Then a graduation party for a neighbor.

Then a going away pool party for a friend.

Then another playoff game for my biggest boy. Their team lost and he was the last out. He was very unhappy and threw his helmet. That made me very unhappy. I can't stand unsportsman-like behavior! Or is he just being a teen-aged boy?

That was Saturday!

Sunday was more relaxing with breakfast cooked by the great husband. Then a trip to Barnes and Noble with the two little ones.

Then the TRIgirl picnic. My wonderful husband stood over a flaming grill, (yes, flaming in 100+ temperatures) to cook hot dogs, my guilty pleasure. It was a pleasant time.

Then Grandison brought me my race glasses. One for the Sprint and one for the Half-Ironman. I started to cry. I feel like such a poser taking the Half-Ironman glass. Yes, I was close (68+ out of 70.3 miles), but I wasn't allowed to finish. And I have such shame and regret about this. I don't even know quite how to deal with it.

I wish I could pinpoint what happens to my brain during the swim portion of a race, but it is definitely a panic response! Even during the 300 meter swim of the Sprint in the pool, I panicked! What the heck?! I'd love a "magic pill" to fix this, but in the meantime I'll just keep training, keep racing, and continue to deal with my swim issues!