Waiting...

Feeling quite reflective and a little melancholy...

I'm waiting for my Friday appointment with Dr. Dec. I'm hoping she'll give me a yes or no answer regarding pursuing IMFL, but I know she won't. I'm sure there will be a lot of maybe's and alternatives. And I will have to make the final decision. How much am willing to put my body through?

I see my TRIgirlfriends heading down this very cool path and I sooo want to be a part of it! But will my big toe let me?! It sounds really stupid that something as small as a toe, might derail my big plans. I guess that's why it's called a "BIG" toe! But that pain in my toe is altering how I foot strike, which is causing parts all the way to my hip to adjust.

Annnn is having so much fun with this condition! "You're OLD! and arthritic." I rode with her and Jen this morning. Annnn is so good on the bike, even on her bad days, she still kicks my ass.

Someday, I hope to be really good at one of these disciplines. Someday...

Persnickety

This morning in guppies Suzie Q said she was a "persnickety swimmer". I just loved that!

I feel like I can get one part of the stroke down, like when we're doing one-armed drills or just kicking. But when I try to put it all together...sloooowww down! Does that make me persnickety too? Or just uncoordinated? I like persnickety! My word for the day. (Thanks, Suzie Q!)

Naylors Beach Olympic

My first olympic! I signed up so I could get the TRIgirl glass and Melissa had it waiting for me at the end! Yeah!!

The trip...Rode up with Jackie, Deanna B. and Trish. What a great ride. Just being with the girls helped. I must admit I began to panic a bit when Jackie had to turn on her windshield wipers! I've never ridden this bike in the rain and wasn't sure how I'd do on the hills.

The Swim - When I looked at that course...WOW! It looked long! Thankfully, I knew Deanna B. would be with me as my "swim angel". And an angel she was! Going out...I began to panic. Couldn't get my breathing under control - hyperventilating. She talked my through it. "Just put your face in, Breathe normally and swim 100 with me". Well, from then on, it was all good. We just kept going. I even hit some girls feet and there were people swimming around me. Never thought that would happen in the swim! As it came time to exit the water, I had to pee. So I started walking. Deanna's yelling for me to gooooo! So I finished swimming until my hand hit the bottom of the river. 43:09 - I was pleased! Thanks again to Deanna!!!!

The Bike - Went well. Took off kinda slow, just getting my legs back from the swim and anticipating the BIG HILL. (There are really 4 major hills in this race, but the one on Scates road is the big one, as far as I'm concerned!) So I come around the corner, ready to attack and there is an ambulance blocking the left lane and two bikes crossing the right lane. The ambulance driver appeared to be attending and volunteers were walking back down the hill. So rather than risking getting half-way and having to dismount on the slippery hill, I chose to dismount earlier and walk the hill. I was disappointed, because I had ridden that hill in the pre-ride and knew I could do it, and also because about 6 people passed me!! So I lost some time there. I stayed in aero the majority of the time, I ate, I drank, I felt good! 1:44:27

The Run - Went OK. Thankfully, it was cloudy. My calves were really tight from that walk up the hill with my bike. I felt like my feet were slapping the pavement in the beginning. And I walked all of the water stops. Probably could have pushed a little harder here. 1:08:07

As I rounded the corner for the 1 mile turnaround, who was on the sidelines...my family! It was wonderful to see their smiling faces and hear them screaming "Go MOM!" "WooHoo".

As I crossed the finish line there they were again, my wonderful family AND my wonderful TRIgirls!! Melissa, Lynne, Jackie, Deanna...It was GREAT! Ainsleigh, sitting atop her daddy's shoulders, was crying when I crossed the finish line, (and not tears of joy either!). Melissa told me later it was because "her mommi didn't win 1st place". Melissa tried to explain that "Mommi won in her own race". But Ainsleigh would hear none of it!

The post race food was awesome! A very hot crabcake sandwich and french fries. Yum! And waiting around to see Jackie being acknowledged for winning 3rd in her age-group. I was sooo proud!

Another learning opportunity...another experience to build on!

Patriot Pre-Ride

Saturday morning, I got up bright and early packed the car with the girls' stuff and headed to Williamsburg for the 56 mile Patriot Pre-Ride. Although I have no intention of doing the Patriot Half, I thought it would be fun to ride with the girls and it was!

It was a beautiful day. The ride was supported with water and snack stops and some very kind volunteers. The ride went well, I got into aero alot. Margo stayed in the back with me, (a kind soul).

Everything was going well, until the last 15ish miles on Rt 5 which started around 11 a.m. When we stopped at the mile 30 water stop my right calf seized up in a cramp. I did an Orange Power Gel. I hate Gu's but it was ok.

Margo told me that at some point I had opened up a can of whoop-ass because for 5 miles she had to cycle @ 20 mph to catch me. I said she was a liar. She swears it's true! Who knew?! I guess there's nothing like the fear of getting run over by a boat trailer to light a fire under my legs! I swear, if I never ride on Rt 5 again, it will be just fine with me! People are travelling at 55 mph, and really do not care that you are riding on the side of the road.

As soon as I could, I got on the bike path about 5 miles from the Jamestowne High School end point. I'd much rather ride a little slower, say "Excuse me, on your left" to the leisure riders than continue the risk of that road.

I hope that other cyclists will consider using the path that is part of the Capital Trail. It seems unwise to ride on the road when a path is provided for our use. While we complain about the manners of the motorists, are we really using our best manners being on the road when a paved path is provided just 10 feet to the right?

Masters

I was really nervous about going to Masters swimming tonight. I heard there were mean people there. And there may have been, but not in my lane. There were many friendly TG faces, which is always comforting.

I really had a good time and enjoyed the workout. Unfortunately, my new "flat swimming" style had re-awakened my shoulder injury.

Twila has become fast. She's awesome, so perhaps there is hope for me!!

Swimming and Biking

I must say...I'm sick of being last! I wonder if I just train with the wrong people!!!

Now, I have to swim "flat"! I don't like to swim flat. That makes me use my arms. My arms are not good. I kick ass on a kick board, but make me use my arms AND legs! And I'm back to slow!

Cycling last night...I was in aero for a lot longer! Almost the whole 3 miles of West Creek. Even on most of the downhill! Blake said "Good job". That's major!

Going Aero

Oh yeah! Finally! I went riding on Thursday with Annn. She said "Get in aero", in her oh so sweet way. I said "I'm scared", (damn, I say that alot!). She said "Put one arm down", again...very sweetly. Well, of course, with her persuasive manner, I did what she said, and guess what?! It worked!

It's been about a month since I've ridden. Blake and I are having a fight, (but he doesn't know it, so don't tell him). And I've been REALLY discouraged. But, I met with Jim Miller. Got a bike fit, and he widened my aero bars. Well, that was the key. Being wider gave me more stability and control and allowed me to "get down"!

So today, I rode 30 miles with the Mashburns. Lucky for me, Charlotte is injured. Now, don't take that the wrong way, it's just that I really like Charlotte and Fred and on a normal ride, I could never keep up with her. Fred kept riding ahead and circling back, that was pretty funny! Anyway, I got in aero several times on the "big roads". Wow, the power! I love it!

Obviously, I have a long way to go to feel completely stable and comfortable, but still...I feel great!!