Well That Didn't Work

Today is one of those days. I know they will happen, and there are more to come... but they are frustrating when they do.

It started off early with good intentions. Meet up with a couple of girls from the tri club to head to Poolesville and do a 50 mile loop. We get there and realize no one has a good cue sheet. Now I did prepare, print one off - but it said we would be on a dirt trail. When I e-mailed and asked, I was told it would be okay and other girl had done the route and didn't say anything about the trail. So, I didn't bother looking into it more.
I couldn't get my new water bottle to velcro so we tried to tie down... realized 20 minutes into the ride that it didn't work
We kept stopping trying to figure out where to go
I really had to go to the bathroom (even though we stopped to go before we started)
The major storm clouds were rolling in - but it wasn't supposed to storm until noon
And between all of this, I just didn't feel right. I had a bad gut feeling about the ride and decided to cut out after an hour when we wound up back at the cars. The other girls understood and took off to finish.

I don't quit, I don't. So I decided to flip my brick to today and do my long ride tomorrow, put on my running shoes and started to run. But I couldn't. Something wasn't right so I just headed home. BOO!!

I get back, there is a Uhall in my spot!! I just park behind it - completely exhausted and disappointed, and start to unload Marcus. Some guy comes out asking if it was my spot (duh) and he would move. I needed some good karma so I let him keep my spot to move in for the day and drove around for 15 minutes until I found a place to park.

Now I am awake and annoyed so I decided to finish my run. I head down the street and there is some "Hillary, let Florida votes count" rally thing going on and people will not move!! Blah! I don't want to get into a political discussion and in all honesty, don't completely know what happened. FL and MI wanted an early primary, the Dems said okay but it won't count, everyone was okay with it at the time, now some groups are not okay with that decision. Whatever, don't throw a sign in my face for Hillary as I am running down the street. My frustration level was really high and I went out way too fast. It did make me feel better though.

So this is my rant of the day. I kind of did a brick, but not really because there was an hour in between the bike and run. I wanted to swim, but from my life guarding days I know they close the pool when there is lightning, which it is about to start.

Just one of those days that makes me wonder what I got my self into and if I can really handle this for the next 3 months...

Ready for the Weekend

This was a good 4-day work week, but I am ready for the weekend. I had a but busier week than I would have liked, but there really wasn't anything I would change. BBQ's, birthday dinner, concert, and of course tonight - the best movie opening EVER. I really liked the show and didn't have many expectations going into the movie. Only that it was over past my bed time and I have a 50 mile ride tomorrow AND I am meeting people at 6:45 am...

Anyway, TOTALLY WORTH IT!! I did skip dinner and cocktails (cosmos of course) to get in a swim, but it's all about choices.

Happy weekend!

Update...

Oh snot rockets... how they come so easy to those super speedy bikers who pass me. It's almost as they are showing off with their 1-2 combo between nostrils.

It's getting better. It really is something I concentrate on just as much as my posture, foot position, dropping into aero, keeping my shoulders back, using my core, and not gripping my handle bars too hard.

So today's ride was 75-90 minutes with 30 minutes in the middle 'comfortably hard'. My first 30 minutes were a warm up and practice. I think it has to do with my head angle and direction of the wind. I realized that when going one direction it was really good and another was on my shoulder. But I am back to having hope.

And I started practicing on my runs too - today on my tempo run on The Mal,l and most hit a kid who ran in front of me. Is it wrong that I didn't feel bad about it??? Kids have to learn not to run in front of people - and if they do, they might get hit with a snot rocket.

Sorry So Late with Yesterday's Post

I was distracted by a concert at Wolf Trap.

Ben Folds is awesome. "Wry, witty, alternative pop pianist returns to Wolf Trap."
And I enjoyed the show after an 8.5 mile run. Woo-Hoo!!

I Didn't Realize I Cause So Much Drama

First of all, Coach didn't praise me with how great I did this weekend. It's okay though, I know he thinks I am wonderful and making great progress.

He did gave me the day off so I thought I would run a few errands. Included, another trip to Conte's. I bought Blain all those toys and haven't used them yet (expect the box). The water bottle needed an adaptor and when I bought it, the guy at Conte's said to "just follow your intuition, the directions suck". Well, me and intuition with bikes in general are not good. He just said to bring it in with the bike if I had any problems.

2 hours after staring at the parts and directions, I decided another trip was needed. But first, I had to keep up my good relationship with cookies!!

Now, I would like to make some, it's the one thing I can make thanks to my moms recipe, but decided to just keep buying the good bakery cookies from the store. So I walk in with Blain, the water bottle and parts, and cookies. They get excited and 2 of the guys fight over putting the water bottle on for the cookies.

Yes!! It works! They know who I am by the one who openly bribes them with food.

Well the owner pulls me a side, laughing, to tell me a story. Apparently, the last time I was in with store bought cookies, there was another girl there who does the same thing - but bakes. Apparently after I left, all the guys tore into the cookies and she got mad that mine were store bought and hers were made from scratch. I guess she didn't think we should be put in the same category. The owner laughed at the 5 minutes of drama.

Too funny. Whatever, they didn't charge me for installing my water bottle or flipping out the cleats on my shoes. Love it!!

Couldn't Have Asked for Better

First of all, HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!! I hope everyone is having a safe and happy 3 day weekend.

The weather around here was perfect! 70's, sunny, blue sky, and very low humidity. As much as I would have liked to fully enjoy the BBQ's and baseball games and everything else that screams Memorial day weekends with drinks and food, I had great workouts. Don't get me wrong, I am learning how to hang out with friends and drink Propel and water, eat grilled chicken, while they have beer and cocktails and fried foods - and still have a great time.

For this year and training, this weekend I had my 2nd longest run on Saturday (8.7 miles), longest open water swim (2 miles) on Sunday and longest bike EVER on Monday (47.6 miles).

My knees hurt, my back hurts, my neck is sore, my butt hurt REALLY bad during the biking, I am tired - but overall, I feel great. To do those 3 activities in 3 days and feel great about it - big booster.

Nothing New on Race Day

First of all, what a beautiful day! Perfect day for an open water swim.

Anyway, nothing new on race day, that is usually my rule. However, do to a comment on yesterday's post, I decided tot give ear plugs a try. THANK YOU REBECCA!!! The CVS was open on my way to the race so I hopped in to find some ear plugs. I figured if I didn't like how they felt, I would just pull them out, drop them in the lake and keep swimming.

I get to the start and things aren't going well. I am dropping everything trying to pick up my packet, realized I forgot my watch and preferred goggles, and left all my 'valuable' stuff in my bag (not in the car). And I am in the 3rd last wave due to the fact I put down an odd estimated time. Blah!

Head to the start and line up with all the others in the back. Chatted with some DC tri club people and others around me. Just remind my self that this is for fun and will be fine. I put the ear plugs in and head into the 64 degree water. I get started with no watch and decided to practice Zen swimming. After the first turn I am feeling okay. I hit the first buoy and doing well on my sighting. Then I realize, no dizziness!! The ear plugs were working!! This was great.

On the straight away, I start to get passed by the first wave - aka super speedy people. Once I make the turn and start the second lap, things are cleared up again. I did slow down and check the clock and wasn't thrilled with my first mile time, but didn't hate it either. The second lap I did worse on sighting and felt all over the place. And I got hungry.

When the race was over, I guess I felt okay with it all. Very little dizziness, good sighting on the first lap, and as Jess pointed out - I didn't sink. Some wise words from Mom helped too, not every race will be a personal best. I just need to be happy with the fact of what I am doing, and all is leading up to September 7.

OH - and if I was 30, I would have been third. If I was 24, I would have been second! Instead, I was 8 out of 8 in my age group. Go figure...

I Just Get so Dizzy

I just finished my swim clinic and 1 mile practice swim. I must say, I was pretty disappointed. The 'clinic' was okay. They just had a few people talk and give pointers along with a Q&A. I met a few DC Tri club people and we headed off in waves to do the 1 mile course.

My goal was to work on my sighting and not do as much breaststroke every time I check to see if I am on course. That part did seem to go much better and I every time I would start to feel dizzy, I would just relax, breath, and focus. It was pretty bad at Columbia and I thought I was doing better. Not so much. As soon as I rounded the last buoy, it really hit. I almost fell over when I was getting out of the water. Just not sure how to make that better.

Then I looked at my time. Boo!! Really REALLY slow!! I know I wasn't pushing, but still, just really off for me. Hopefully tomorrow will go better - both with the time and with being dizzy.

Okay, enough procrastinating and off to my 2 hour run.

Sleep Sleep Wonderful Sleep

Yup, can you guess what I did AGAIN last night. I still think it's worth it.

Not too much to report for today. Just happy it's the Friday of a 3 day weekend.

I would like to say I am relaxing this weekend, but here is my schedule

Saturday - open water swim clinic (it won't look like this, I just thought it was a great picture)
1 mile swim practice
2 hour run
Brewers vs. Nationals game
Sunday - 2 mile swim race
BBQ
Monday - 3 hour bike ride
Friends b-day dinner

I am excited, but this doesn't live much time for sleeping in. Hopefully there will be time for a few naps.

Have a great weekend!

Ouch... My Back... I Paid for the Pain

So my back has been a bit twingie, especially when I bike, and I wanted to back to my (H-O-T) chiropractor. He fixed me the last time I was having back problems so I thought I would try again. I explained what I was doing, we had the "are you crazy" exchange, and he got started. Dang, I can't believe I pay to have the pain he puts me through - but it worked last time so hopefully it will again.

I was by Conte's so I stopped in to get Blain some new toys. The other bikes were laughing at him and his big bike bag, I felt bad so bought him a new one for races - Why not every ride use - I can't fit all my stuff, I carry a lot of stuff when I bike. And I bought him a new Bento box. And a new water bottle.

Yup, all for Blain...

Yay!! Puddle Jumping!!

Today's run was pretty good, I was happy with it. But the best part, there were still puddles on the Mall!! So, in addition to weaving in and out of tourists, parents not paying attention to their kids, kids not paying on attention to anything but a pigeon/squirrel/running in circles, and people just stopping for no reason, I also had to jump puddles. It was pretty fun.

That's all I have for the day.

Wind or Hills???

What would you prefer? It really is a tough choice and I would pick neither.

Today I was back on Blain, after another morning of rain (and sleeping instead of swimming). I am still not 100% but can't stand not working out. I know it's a fine line between rest and pushing yourself, a line I have never been good with. But, it was a decent ride.

Right as I was about to clip in and start, a biker pulled up to his car (which was in front of Marcus) and warned me about the wind. Grrreeeaaatttt.... Sure enough, I look down and my computer and am going 19 mph... with the wind at my back. I hit the turn and BAM - dead stop. Not really, but huge slow down. I did get some practice in the aero position going into the wind, which was a first. AND, I shifted from the small ring to the big ring while in the aero position! This is really huge for me!! Two things I haven't been able to do before.

Soon I will look like this!!

Except I won't get that cone helmet...

5 days... serisouly

5 DAYS!! I am getting better, but now I have a cough. I am not coughing anything up, but I am coughing. My boss, bless his heart, asked why I was at work because I "don't look right" and "You sound horrible! How did you do race yesterday?!?"

It's just annoying!! I just can't figure out what to different. I just wish my body would accept what I am doing to it, and will be for the next 4 months.

Today was an official day of rest, via Coach - who by the way said he was impressed with my performance yesterday!! My legs are a bit more sore than I would like, but I guess that just means I worked hard.

And why - all for September 7 baby!!

Wow, That Was Unexpected

I actually had a great day, I don't even know where to start...

This was probably the closest I have come to backing out of a race, I still felt like poo in the morning. But I got up and Jess was a sweetheart and was at my door at 4:45!!! We headed up, parked, I was body marked and went to set up my stuff. After lingering around, the PROS started at 6:45 and we stuck around the swim finish to see them get out of the water. Wow... That is all that can be said.

I was feeling pretty good, but when you have to be out of the trans area around 6:45 and don't start until 8:03, it gives you plenty of time to get in your head. Not good. I finally got my (new) wet suit on and got in the cold COLD lake - 71 degrees, yeah right!!!

The gun goes off and I start. It takes me some time to warm up and there is some pain in the right shoulder, which is odd because it's usually the left on that hurts swimming. Anyway, I just keep thinking about long strokes from the back. When I got out, I looked at my watch, a good 4-7 minutes faster than I expected! Who Knew???

I was a bit dizzy and took my time at T1. Headed out just trying to get into a rhythm, slow my breathing, and have a low gear with higher cadence. And not let all the people passing me affect my race.
I was feeling surprisingly good, until the rain started! That just makes me uncomfortable. But, it didn't last too long and just kept going. About an hour into it, I was feeling really good. I started pushing a bit the last 10 miles and it paid off, I was about 6 minutes faster than the last time I did the course!!

Being a slow runner, I wasn't expecting much. I had my plan of a 1:1 until I got my legs back and nothing more than a 3:1. Also, no more than walking 1 minute, even if I was going up hill. I kept up my plan and had a decent run on a really hill course!!

Total, about 3 hours 38 minutes. I was aiming for anything under 4 hours so I was very happy with how I did. Overall, I have a bit of foot pain, my right shoulder hurts, knees are a bit twingie, I am very tired, my throat still hurts, the head is stuffy, but really - I feel great. I couldn't have asked for a better race and the support awesome.
Rose kicked some serious butt on that course too!!

Number 1883

That is me tomorrow, and I start at 8:03.

So far today, my day has consisted of making breakfast, taking Blain for his first bike check, packet pickup, exchanged a moldy visor for a clean one, and dropping off Blain for the night at Columbia Park. I am sure he will be fine, but I am a bit worried if it rains, which it is supposed to do.
Now I am going to take a nap.

I am feeling about 65-70%, enough to still participate tomorrow (notice I say participate, not race). And I am pretty excited because Chris "Macca" McCormack, current IM world champion and Matt Reed, defending Columbia champion and who won the Olympic Trials are both racing!! However, when they start the run, I will still be in the water...

Hopefully I will catch a glimpse

A Little Better

I made it 4.5 hours at work today! Woo-Hoo!! I am so tried of getting sick!!

I eat well, most of the time, obviously work out, sleep is the only place I might be lacking, but 6-7 hours should be good...

The main thing that concerns me about 'racing' on Sunday is I was a bit dizzy at times today. I am resting a lot, drinking fluids, plan on sleeping in tomorrow and just hoping for the best.

Thank goodness The Office is on line because there is really bad TV on Friday nights.

no, Noo, NOOOO!!!

Not now, seriously!?!?! Who gets spring colds. NOT FAIR!! I have a 'race' on Sunday. It's a light week and I can't even get in my 60 minute bikes or 35 minute runs. NOT COOL!!

I woke up with a horrible sore throat and congested head with not pretty colors coming out of my nose - sorry for the graphic details.

BOOO!!!!

Just as it builds

Someone takes it away

For the first time in a long time, I was channeling my inner Michael Phelps during my swim tonight. After about 400 meters, I started to hit a good rhythm. I was in a lane with 2 guys who knew how to circle and I couldn't have been happier. Then 2 people hopped in who didn't know how to circle. I was no longer happy.
Then the swim coach of the masters team kicked me out of the lane for the 5 PEOPLE DOING THE MASTERS WORKOUT (in 2 lanes) and MADE ME SWIM WITH 7 PEOPLE who did NOT know how to circle swim. I did manage to swim my workout but was very close to punching a woman in the face. I am not a violent person, but when I am on your feet and you push off the way anyway, 3 TIMES, that is not good swim etiquette. I even confronted her about swim etiquette and she said she lets people go who are faster. BS!! I was just annoyed.

That's about it. I just liked the cartoon of swimming in a living room.

I've Lost my MoJo

Things were going so well. I was improving, gaining confidence and strangers were complementing me!! The last few times it wasn't going well, but I thought it was just a phase. After today, I am afraid to admit that it just might not happen. I keep trying, I do... but it's just not working.

Ohh... the problems with snot rockets!!

On Sunday, somehow it managed to go up, not down - luckily there was no one behind me. Today, all over each shoulder AND on my NEW SUNGLASSES!! I don't know what I am doing wrong?!?! I do a short burst like Rose taught me, cover one nostril, aim down, watch others to see their technique... Maybe I am worried about hitting Blain and my aim is off.
Who knows, but I am tired of getting snot all over my shoulders.
And gloves!
And glasses!!

I Ran!!

You know, there is something to be said about being really tired and still managing to do a run. I have said it before, I am a huge fan of the run/walk - thank you Jeff Galloway for making it acceptable to walk during runs!! It's how I started "running" and still think it's the best thing. Anyway, I get really excited when I actually run more than 15 minutes without a walk break. Today, still exhausted from the past 2 weeks, but managed to do my run, for 40 minutes!! Now, I know this isn't big for many people, especially people training for Ironman, however, this is huge for me. I am still slow and can go the same distance when I run/walk, but I am always happy when I can run the entire time - even if it is on a treadmill.

Why the treadmill, because DC is under water. It finally stopped raining, but the water has no place to go. Good times when you live in a basement. Actually everything has been fine, thank goodness, but I always get a little worried when it rains for 3 days straight.

Okay, file this under rambling posts, which to my pleasant surprise, can still be done without alcohol.

Happy Mom's Day

I just wanted to take the time to wish my mom, the best mom EVER, a very Happy Mother's Day!! I am sorry I can not be there to pamper you, but hopefully Dad is taking care of that.
Love you lots!!

Even When It's Not Raining...

It's still wet.

But I got what I wished for, no rain. I made it out around 11 and within 5 minutes, my butt and back were soaked from the wet ground, but that's okay. This was my first longer ride on my own and it was beautiful. I saw blue jays, cardinals, and even a deer! I had some challenging hills - especially to the entrance to Great Falls - one of those moments where you don't pedal for 3 minutes and know you have turn around and go right back up. Good times. Blain handle it well, even all the mud!!

Overall, nothing too exciting, but a decent ride. A few twinges in my right knee, back and shoulder, and some lady parts, but I was on my bike for 2.5 hours so it should feel different than sitting on couch for 2.5 hours.

Oh, and I broke my sunglasses!! Boo! So, Jess and I are going shopping for new ones.

Ahhh... Friday

Today was one of those days I wish I could have curled up under a blanket, read a book, watched a movie, and fell in and out of sleep. Why - it was still raining... and it's supposed to be raining all weekend.

All I am asking for is 3 hours on Saturday and 2 hours on Sunday with no rain to bike and run. Weather dot com has not been very reliable and there is supposed to be another line of rain clouds coming through in the morning. I am really REALLY hoping it clears up at a reasonable hour so I can get in what I need to and please STOP DOING RAIN DANCES!!!

Or only do them on the days I am swimming. Which technically was today, as it was a swim day, but you know what I mean!!

Have a relaxing and fun weekend!

Why Can't Weather Cooperate???

I actually went to bed at 9:30 last night. Ahhh... SLEEP!

I woke up at 5 to go biking. It was dark and raining so I went back to sleep.

I woke up at 6 to go swimming, it was still raining. I realized I left my swim bag at work because I was planning on doing a brick in the morning and swimming at night, so I went back to sleep.

I made it to work (still raining) for the last day of our meetings - Woo-Hoo!! These week long meetings really take a lot out of you!! Little things that wouldn't annoy me as much, really bother the heck out of me, so I broke down and had a doughnut (and a cookie - the shame!!), I just needed to get out of the office and it was still raining. What I really wanted to do was go home and sleep, or bike, but it was still raining. Instead, I hopped in the pool and to my pleasant surprise, had a good swim.

Got home, still raining, and decided to dust off the trainer. I wanted to give Carlos so love, so I threw him on for a night ride watching bad reality TV. Unfortunately, the saddle is not in a correct position (which I did try to change but at times have bad luck with wrenches and hammers) and my knee really start to hurt. Instead of pushing it, I stopped after 40 minutes. Boo!! And it's still raining.

This is pretty much what it looked like all day.

I Tried, I really REALLY Did

It's tough to get everything in and done when you are in meetings all day. We currently have a conference/day long meetings for work with people from all over. The issues is they start at 8:30 and end around 5. That doesn't give me much time to get my other work done, a workout in in the morning and I am limited with day light at the end of the day, and lunch workouts are pretty much not happening. Rush Rush Rush

So this morning I had to present and rushing in with wet hair smelling like chlorine wasn't going to work. So, I went out for my 90 min long run after work and Jess came with me. I hit the wall around 55 min and it was painful getting back. By the time I had my swim suit on and finished up a few things for work, I was dizzy and swimming wasn't going to happen.

Tomorrow I need to get up way early to get in a brick because it's supposed to rain tomorrow night.

And I am just tired.

So I just finished dinner - edamame, cheese and crackers. I smell and need a shower, more sleep and 30 hours in a day.

I Would Like to Introduce...

I did not take this decision lightly. I consulted family and friends, searched the Internet far and wide, and made sure Big Yellow fit with the proper name.

There were a lot of contenders...
Lance - for obvious reasons
Fernando - because it sounds cool
Charlie - from an areal view of Big Yellow, the black stripe on the top looks like the Charlie Brown stripe on his shirt

But when it came down to it, I just like Blain. It can be spelled with an e at the end, but I like it without better.

The boy's name Blain \b-lain\ is pronounced blayn. It is of Gaelic origin, and its meaning is "yellow".Doesn't he look like a Blain!!

As soon as I found it, I knew it was right. Blain means yellow, and more importantly, it's GAELIC!! I am a tad bit Irish, from my Grandmother's side (I am 99% sure) and she is the reason I could make this lovely purchase. Thanks Grandma, I miss you a ton!!

We had another great ride today doing loops at Hains Point. I had to do a few 'tempo' type intervals, aka - hard spinning. I also managed to ride out of the saddle a few times out of turns and the one tiny bump - which is HUGE because I usually fall over every time I try to stand. I have been was testing out the name and Blain just worked as I was peddling really hard, so it was confirmed today.

You Can't Swim Without

Your YMCA card. And when you YMCA card is in your wallet, which is sitting on your kitchen counter when you go to the YMCA, you can't get in. Ba!!

I did have a decent tempo run today at lunch. The good thing is my legs are sore, tired, I really don't like doing tempo runs, but I still do all the intervals as described by Coach. Even when I met back up with Jess, I had 15 seconds left running 'fast' and ran past saying "15 more seconds". It's a good feeling.

Now if I could only remember everything I need to have more good workouts this week.

I Can't Believe I Did What I Did...

Something I never thought I would do and I am pretty embarrassed.

Due to some scheduling difficulties, I had to adjust my workouts and do 3 bricks this week. I slept in a bit this morning and eventually started to pack my bag for a bike and run. Pick out my outfit, hop in the car and head out. As I am about to get on my bike, I realize that the socks I put on, they are black. Not a problem for the bike, but I DESPISE RUNNING IN BLACK SOCKS!!! I don't know why, I just can't stand it. The only reason I have dark socks is Amazon dot com had a sale on grab bag socks, 6 pairs for $25!! Some are cute, some are light, and 2 are black. I would wear them just biking, but not running. I folded them down as much as possible, but I knew I was wearing shorts and black socks. SOOOOOOO embarrassing.

And, as I finished my bike, I get to Marcus and hear "Amanda!?!?". It was the girl I met from the tri club who helped me after the Conte's hill ride (when I fell) and saw her yesterday and showed off my knew bike. She noticed me, actually recognized Big Yellow. I am quite distinguishable :-)

Hills Stink!!

Yup, I said it. Hills are NOT FUN!!

I met up with Rose and went to the Columbia Tri course for a DC tri club sponsored brick/nic. A brick (bike followed by a run) and a picnic. I am getting used to the hills on the bike, as I have ridden them a few times. However, that run... D-A-N-G!! This is just a portion of the course, but you can see the elevation change. Those little hills, there are 4. After a butt kicking bike, I tried the run, but just couldn't do the entire thing. In 2 week is the tri is happening and that run is going to kick my butt. You have to love a challenge!!

And, I got a ton of comments on Big Yellow, just as I feared. I mean everyone was very complementary "That is a great bike", "You bought the best bike brand in the world", etc. I just wish I could be a bit faster and do the bike justice. Hopefully in time...

Pilates

That counts as a workout, right? I wanted to take it easy today because tomorrow is a scheduled brick. DC tri club is heading up to the Columbia course to preview the bike/run - and followed by a picnic. So, due to my sleep winning over swimming, pilates it was. It was actually a good class and want to try and work it into my weekly schedule. Anything that helps with core and posture can't be bad!!

AND - when you Google Ironman, the first thing that pops up is the movie. Boo!! I know it opened today, but still...

What a Brick!!

Okay, yes, I was, shall we say - praying to the porcelain gods until about 1 o'clock in the afternoon. But then I felt great. So, I decided to go for my ride and run, aka a brick. I really want to start getting used to Big Yellow and today went so much better. There was very little wind and I got to drop to the aero position a lot and it felt really good. Much less pain in the shoulders and back. But the wrists need some strengthening.

After a surprisingly good ride, I started on my 30 minute run. And that went well!!! I was pleasantly surprised as I trotted around the Tidal Basin. It was pretty easy to keep the heart rate down and within 10 minutes, hit a nice stride. Yippee!!

I celebrated with spending more money. I decided Marcus needed so love. Okay, it was really for Big Yellow. I finally got my spare tire bike rack!! Thanks to some help from my brother, he talked me through on how to get the lug nuts off and taking off the spare tire (no judgement, that is why I have AAA if I get a flat), I installed the rack all by my self! It was very exciting for me.

It was a very good afternoon.

Stomach.Not.Happy

I stand by my statement yesterday that dinner was good. And sometimes you make choices like friends over training.

However, stomach issues at 4 in the morning is not a fair way to confirm those decisions that are made.

I will spare everyone the details and pictures of what this morning has been. Instead, my standard topic for a fall back picture