Walking Wounded

At the end of my race I waited at the finish line for Kris. We passed each other twice on the course, cheering each other on at each encounter. When I see Kris coming through the finish line, I start cheering and am amazed at her stamina. Not many people would have taken on the challenge of a triathlon, Kris seemed charged by it. What I didn't notice is Kris is wounded. She fell on the trail during the run, the pavement was uneven, and of all the spots on the trail Kris found it. She was stopped by about 20 volunteers to see if she needed assistance, and Kris said,"If I couldn't win, I figure I'd go for the pity vote". The worst part about it was I didn't have my camera, so wouldn't let her clean it up until we got home. It's all about the "Blog".

All in all it was a wonderful day and I got to do something with my sister for the first time in her life.

Race Day

We have set the alarm for 5:15 am because check-in starts at 6:00. They are going on a first come first serve basis, I figure if we are in the pool first we will finish before dark. Kris and I are both in the first heat. Kris is in lane 1, I am in lane 5. Now this would have been great if it was just 2 in a lane, but it was 4. There was so much churning and activity in both the lane we were in, as well as the lanes on both side, that it was almost like swimming in waves. I would have much rather been in an open swim. I couldn't get into my zone, I was too involved with all the swimmers around me to concentrate on my own stroke. I finished my 1/2 mile, jumped out of the pool, grabbed my towel and headed to the transition area. I looked into lane 1 and saw that Kris was still swimming, her stroke was strong. She opted to do backstroke.

Now I'm pulling on my bike shorts, and I do mean pulling. It is not easy to put anything on while your still wet, but when it is spandex and fits like a girdle it's all the more difficult. Threw on a long sleeve shirt and then shoes and socks. The shoes and socks get me every time. I have to sit down to wipe off my feet, because if you start the run with a pebble or grain of sand on your foot you will be absolutely miserable by the end of the race. My transition time was something like 5 minutes. The pros do it in seconds.

The bike was a breeze. It was on the B&A trail towards Annapolis. The terrain is flat, scenic and only 9.5 miles. Piece of cake. Drop the bike off and start the run.... okay, walk.

The 3 miles went pretty quickly. There was a garage sale on the route, but I didn't have time to stop. The walk/run was also on the B&A trail towards Severna Park. There were police officers at all the intersections to make sure we got through safely. They were a little upsetting to me because I had to run through the intersections to make it look good. On the last leg of the race, where all the spectators cheer you in, this group of young boys around 7-10 years old start cheering and running along with me, and I think how cute, I better not disappoint my fans. All the sudden this 8 year old goes whizzing by me and I realise the cheering squad was not mine. Oh well, at least I was running for the photo shoot, so what if the 8 year old was in front of me for the shot.

Pre Race Tradition

Every triathlon that I have participated in has always included a pasta party the night before. It is actually my favorite part of the entire race.

For the serious athlete it is to build up on carbs for the up coming race, for me however it is because I love pasta. I really don't need a carb excuse, although it really does help.

This race was Kris's first triathlon, so I really wanted her to get the full experience.

Karen, my regular race buddy, popped something in her foot and is now in a cast for 8 weeks, and will not be participating. That's okay because nothing is going to stop Kris and I this time, especially because pasta is involved. After having Cesar salads and then splitting a pasta primavera at the local Squisito's, we head home. Due to the fact that I am constantly forgetting my camera, I made Kris pose in my kitchen for the post dinner/pre race photo.

Now it's about 7:45 and I'm heading up to bed, leaving Kris in the corner chair with her cross stitch. The last thing she says before I head up is, "I'm never going to sleep tonight".

Roadtrip The Home Stretch

Day Three and I don't want to get back in the car. My muscles have turned into mush, and it takes me about 5 minutes to move body parts once I get out of the car. Thank Baby Jesus my seat warms up.

I do have to say that the Smoky Mountains were beautiful. When I first started the clouds were still hanging low enough that I was actually driving through them. So this is what it's like to have your head in the clouds? There were so many different shades of green on this portion of the drive that I was reminded of Ireland. I'm sure the Dublin Saga had something to do with that.

I then drive buy Virginia Tech, Justin's Alma mater, and know that I'm only 5 hours away. What a lovely area. When you've been driving for so long it is truly comforting to start seeing signs that you know.

The only hiccup I ran into was DC. I thought if I heard "Recalculating" once more I was going to throw the Garmin out of the car. I finally see signs for New York Avenue, and know I'm home free. I got home at about 3:45pm and know I will sleep well tonight. Scout and I have made it home.

Now I've got 2 days to warm up for my triathlon.

Roadtrip Day 2

I get up bright and early today, but again sleep was elusive. You know how when your so wound up, or over tired, sleep just never seems to come. I slept, but it was in hour increments. Uuuggghh! I help myself to the breakfast buffet, which was included, extra coffee, then I'm on the road again.

Kae, my neighbor, had given me 3 different books on tape. I have elected to put in "The Princes of Ireland" The Dublin Saga. So off I go.... Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tip of Georgia and Tennessee. Throughout this trip I can't help but think about Kris. At 16, just a few weeks after getting her licence, she drove from California to North Carolina via Oregon, in a Volkswagen Bug. Now I drove through the mountains on this trip, but I've had a few more years driving experience. When Kris drove through the mountains of Oregon with me as her passenger and the station wagon as her lead car she was 16, OMG. What was the Colonel thinking?

I made it as far as Knoxville, and could barely speak at check-in. Baabaabaaabbaa.

Called Kris and prayed for sleep.

Roadtrip Day 1

I slept horribly last night. Everything was set ready to go, but my mind would not settle for sleep. All those inner workings of my brain would not stop. I got a ride to the airport from Donna at 5:00am, with a side stop to drop off one of my favorite clients, Cooper a yellow lab/shepherd who reminds me of Bear. All my flights were on schedule, but I couldn't sleep on the plane either. By the time I got to Houston, I was running on empty. I was picked up by a dealer from Mercedes/BMW, and taken to my new car.

Ooohhh! she is so cute. After I fill her up with premium, I am on the road by 1:00pm. The weather was overcast the entire day with intermitant showers throughout. I go through the "Welcome to Louisiana", The Swamp State sign, and have every intention of getting at least to Baton Rouge if not New Orleans. Well I got as far as Lafayette and the skies just opened up. I drove about 10 miles in that mess and thought it would be a good idea to pull over and sleep through this. I put my "I made it Safely" call into Kris and now I am down for the count.

The Year of Loss

Most of my family and friends know that Terry and I decided to go our separate ways. This is not my first break-up, but for some reason I find myself in a constant state of mental agitation. I know why we broke up, but still don't really understand it. We got along so well, seem to be able to tell each other everything, then all the sudden it stopped. No major upset, no drama... we just stopped communicating. Trust is a very important issue with me. When I was married I gave Matthew reason not to trust, but I though that was well behind me with my sobriety. We ended on very sweet terms, but Terry is not wired in a way that will allow him to remain my friend. There have been many times when I've come so close to picking up the phone just to say hi, but I am trying to respect his privacy. He will always have a special place in my heart.

Set Your Limit

I have a friend who has a very simple key to shopping on e-bay, set your limit.

For some time now, I have been looking for a small car that would just be a human car, something I could actually pick up friends and not be ashamed of.

Well I found it, on e-bay no less. I first started looking for the car I wanted in the price range I was willing to pay. It was between a Smart Car, or a Mini Cooper. I found what I was looking for almost immediately, the only problem was it was in Houston, and still had 4 days left on the bidding. I put the limit on what I wanted to spend, and was told I had not met the reserve price, which is what the dealer or owner puts on it so it doesn't get away for less than it's worth. Oh well!! I set my limit. 3 days later I get an email saying, I have won what I was bidding on. Holy Moly, you're kidding, I didn't hit the reserve. Well the dealer lowered the reserve and I am now the proud owner of a 2008 Smart Car. I fly out to Houston April 19th and start driving back that same afternoon.

ROADTRIP!!!!!!

Out of My Element

I went by the body shop yesterday to pick up a few things I can't live without, ez pass, Winslow's garage door opener, and the chucker and 76 tennis balls that keep the kids happy. They have not started work on Ruby (yes, I name my cars and my bikes) yet. She will need to be towed into the body shop to have the work started.

Those of you who know me, know that Ruby was my dog mobile. Within the first two months the back 2 seats were taken out and filled with blankets and dog beds. It was very rare to ride in it without your view being obstructed by dog nose prints or kisses. After a few days of rain the smell of wet dog was overwhelming. All my friends and family know this, and accept the fact that we use their car for any special occasion, unless of course they don't mind dog hair and can hold their breath the length of the trip. .......anyway my point of this is, I never really appreciate something until it's gone.

I have been given a VW Jetta as a rent-a-car, and have to get used to it. I refuse to name him, because I hope not to get too attached. Whenever I try to lock the doors, I pop the trunk. I roll back windows down to ask for directions, I have yet to put gas in it which I am sure will be a blog of it's own. Maybe I'll give him a nickname, any suggestions?

What a Day!

Have you ever had one of those days where it just doesn't pay to get out of bed?
Mine was last Thursday. It was an absolutely beautiful day outside, and I had taken the day off just to catch up with things that have been getting away from me. So, I start the day with spilling coffee down the front of a brand new top. The top was light pink and I will only be able to wear it to weed or paint now. There were 3 or 4 other minor little inconveniences, but when the weather is that good and I have the day off, it's still good to be alive.
Fast forward to 4:15pm, Kae comes over so we can take the dogs to the high school to romp. I'm in the shower shaving my legs, because after the walk, I'm getting a much needed massage. When we get to the stop light to turn into the high school. A car in the oncoming lane decides to veer off into my lane and hits me in the right front panel of the Element. The impact was hard enough to deploy the airbags and scare the shit out of all of us. Luckily no one was hurt, but now I am without my car for God only knows how long. Oh yeah, I missed my massage.