2nd and 3rd Tri - should be 3rd and 4th but whatever...

I have officially signed up for my 2nd and 3rd triathlons! I'm super excited! This should be my 3rd and 4th but I'm still ticked at active.com for not letting me register for the one this past weekend that I should have done with Cayla. But oh well...

My 2nd one will be over July 4th weekend in Irving... a Sprint Distance this time... 500M Swim, 12Mi. bike and a 5K (3.2 mile) run... The 3rd will be in Rockwall in August 300M pool swim, 14 mile bike and 2.9mile run

I 'm super nervous about the swim ... again because it's open water and I freaked out last time... and haven't really been in a pool in about four weeks. Tony and I semi-swam yesterday...but I'll be honest I was way more interested in laying out than working out...

The bike - I'm always nervous about... this will never change... I feel so uncomfortable on a bike it isn't even funny... I'm going to go today and get a new saddle... I think that may be the reason I'm so uncomfortable... I also want to buy a bike rack for my car... I'm tired of having to basically take my bike apart to get it to fit in my car.

FYI - This sport is freakin' expensive...

The run - I'm most confident it. A 5k is nothing to me anymore...well alone a 5k is nothing... compound it with a swim and a bike and it may be another story...

So it's back to the training program... I found a 13 week training program that I took the last 5 weeks of and I'm going to work off of that. I should be fine... but you never know and I don't want to get too confident... b/c then I will drown in the swim, crash on the bike, or fall during the run...

I went last week and got "officially" fitted for my bike. The guy at the bike shop said my craigslist road bike wasn't too terrible after all! He said it was probably a '93 or '94 model ... which is old but has really good working components. I was excited to hear that.. but I do have the new bike bug now.

They have some pretty nice bikes for not too terribly expensive for a road bike. I've decided I don't want a tri-specific bike... I think I would enjoy a road bike more and I would rather add the tri-components to my bike than have it designed specifically for tri's.

I hope to start enjoying cycling more.. I think a new saddle will definitely help. I also think a good pair of cycling shorts may do the trick too. The only bad thing about cycling shorts is I can't wear them when I compete. The padding is awesome for long rides but if you try and swim in a pair of cycling shorts you are basically swimming in a diaper and will chaff on a run like nobody's business. My tri-shorts are much more friendly for competition. They aren't very water absorbent which is good and the padding isn't very thick so chaffing isn't a problem during the run and they provide just enough cush on the tush to be beneficial.

I'm also thinking about graduating to clip-in pedals and cycling shoes... Apparently it helps alot with speed and non-fatigue...however I'm still nervous about this because I'm afraid I'm going to crash when trying to clip out...
That would make for a good blog post...

Wish me luck as my training starts again...

Pic of the Week:

My best friend Jess....

www.jessicagage.com

Lots to blog about on this Monday...

Monday's are notorious for being sucky...right... at least I wake up and say ... S$%t it's Monday again?? Where did my weekend go??? This Monday however; was different...

I woke up promptly at 5:40am and was on the treadmill running at 6:00am...

So - I was worked out, showered, made up, dressed, and was at work by 7:45am... wowza! That's a days work and it wasn't even 8am...

This weekend was a whirlwind... Friday night I had a graduation party for a friend, she graduated from UTA with a bachelor's in Interior Design...so if you need some interior decorating I know the person to call!

Saturday I celebrated graduation's for Cayla and Hunter... Hunter finished law school!!! He graduated Friday at 2pm and Cayla graduates from grad school at 7pm tonight! YAY for both of them!

Saturday Cay and Hunter threw a great graduation party in Ft. Worth! Blue Mesa catered... YUM-O... I think I ate the whole tub of sweet potato chips...

We took lots of pictures but they haven't been downloaded off the cameras yet - but when they are I'll post pics...

On the athletic front:

I signed up for another tri in Agust ... August 23 to be exact! YAY... AND...Newbie is doing it with us!!! woot woot!!! So excited! This will be Newbie's first tri and I'm so excited to be competing with her and I think Cay is going to sign up to.

So between now and then I'm on a waiting list for a tri on May 30, but it's not lookin' so good.... they only took 150 registrants and I'm on a waiting list of 12 people... which means nearly 10% of the registrants would have to drop out and as of today not one person has dropped out. Cayla isn't going to be happy with me....

Here was my dilema and why I'm on the waiting list in the first place. I tried to register a few weeks ago and the active.com site was down for two days and wouldn't let me register so I tried again the third day and finally go through... however after I inputted all of my info it gave me a big red warning label that said "EVENT FULL" or something irritating like that...

So I have emailed the race director every week asking if anyone has dropped and every week it is a "No Sorry" :( ... and he puts the sad face...

UGH!

On a happy note... My other SUPER TRI FRIEND CHRISTY finished 3rd in her triathlon this past weekend! Way to go lady - IMCOZ ain't got nothin' you!!!!

Back in the saddle again...

Well it appears that possibly 50% of my motivation has returned. If you remember... I blogged HERE about losing every ounce of motivation, want and joy of working out. Well two Sunday's ago it came back and all it took was a good 2.5 hour workout with Cayla. Last week I worked out three times - still not back into my six days a week routine... but better than zero.

This week I worked out Monday - I did cut it short because of this pesky bladder infection that crept up on me. I got off the bike twice to pee... ouch... uti + stationary bike = sucky workout...

Last night was girls night (our monthly BYOB dinner at a local restaurant) and I didn't make it to the gym since I went to the dr. for the bladder...but no worries... we are back in the saddle again today.. hungover and all.

I will work out today after work if it kills me - and it might. I'm sick at my stomach, have a headache, and uber tired..

I'm way too old to be gallivanting around town drinking on a work night. I should be given a curfew... Mom... wanna re-instate one???

Happy Belated Mother's Day

Happy Belated Mother's Day to all you mommies who read my little blog!!

I'm sorry I wasn't able to post before Mother's Day to wish you happiness BUT better late than never right???

My mother's day was spent taking care of my mommy who had surgery on Friday on her foot. She had a bone spur the size of Australia on her left big toe and had it removed Friday so she could walk like a normal person again.

Even though surgery only lasted 35 minutes and she came out with only 5 stitches... it looked painful and let's face it... being immobile sucks.

So Friday morning I had Mom at the surgery center at 6am. They promptly took her back and prepped her for surgery and we (Kaylee and I) kissed her adios and headed out to get some breakfast. We knew we only had like 45 min. so we went and grabbed some donuts... YUMMMM definitely a favorite breakfast food of mine and not one I treat myself to very often... thank you to my "healthy choices" decision and "hey I'm fat let's loose weight" mentality.

We sat in the waiting area about 10 min. before they called us back because she was finished. Another 30-45min. later we were outta there! We were home (at my house) with prescriptions and everything by 10am.

I had taken the day off work so I enjoyed laying in my bed and napping on and off, getting some much needed laundry done (I always let my laundry pile up... it's because I shop too much and never need clean clothes), and playing on facebook... I know I'm retarded... but I can't get on FB at work.

Saturday consisted of Mom sleeping on and off and me trying to clean my house as quitely as possible as to allow her to sleep. I didn't get much done but enough that made me feel like I wasn't living in a pig stye anymore. I took Mom home late afternoon/early evening to recoup in her own bed.

Saturday night Tony and I went to see X-Men Origin:Wolverine. UM It's an AWESOME movie and I've only seen X-Men 2 a long time ago in the theater and don't really remember it. So no XMen background is needed. Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds are UNBELIEVABLY ripped in this movie - ladies you will enjoy - Hugh + Ryan + No Shirt = good movie!

Sunday was Mother's Day and I went to my mom's and cooked brunch for her, Anna, Randy, Pappy, Marion and the kids...

We had Quiche Lorraine, Cinnamon Bun Filled Pancakes, and Fresh Fruit. It was delish!

I hope all you mommies had a great day! Now it's back to the grind...

Here's a pic of me and the best mommy in the world!

XOXO,

Pic of the week

Today my pic is something that many people see and wear but for me it has special meaning.

The LiveStrong Bracelet.
As I have blogged on here many times before, most recently HERE; My best friend of 15 years Jessica has been bravely fighting brain cancer for over two years.

At the beginning of this year, after a year of chemo, radiation, etc, Jess started noticing that she was loosing her balance - long story short she has had some major setbacks in her fight against this awful disease.

When Jess was first diagnosed I made her a scrapbook of survivor stories. Most of these stories came from the LiveStrong website. I found all survivors of brain cancer and put them together in a scrapbook to encourage her and help her remember that she can survive this awful diagnosis.

I also ordered her the survivors notebook that the Lance Armstrong Foundation offers for free. It includes tools, stories, and reading topics for cancer patients. Jess also had me read Lance Armstrong's book "It's Not About the Bike" This book is about Lance Armstrong's personal fight with cancer and all the trial and tribulations he went through as a cancer patient.

When Jess was diagnosed we all began wearing our LiveStrong bracelets. This bracelet had no meaning to me before the day she was diagnosed and now I don't go a day without wearing it; in fact I rarely take it off.

Cancer is a disease that will more than likely affect everyone at some point in their life. It is horrible and devastating. It does not discriminate.

Just take a moment today and think about someone you know who has fought or is fighting the fight that is Cancer. Say a prayer for that person or people who have bravely fought this disease. If you haven't been personally affected - take a moment and give thanks.

Pic of the week = picS of the week and a little overdue blog....

I was going to blog about this waaaaay back when HERE however - my little "bump in the road" of unemployment got in the way - so this waaaay overdue!

Let me take you back to October 25, 2008 -

Saturday, October 25, 2008 My dear dear friends Kristin and Nick got hitched. I was SUPPOSED to blog about this like six months ago - but I didn't and I feel HORRIBLE that I never gave the appropriate shout outs to them on my blog that I know nine million people read every day. J/K

Kristin and Nick are very near and dear to my heart. They are wonderful friends (more like family) who have seen me and supported me through many trying times in my life. I am very lucky to have friends like them.

In fact I am very lucky to have all of my friends in my life. Sometimes I think we take for granted the 2am sobbing phone call , the 6pm I had a hideous day at work phone call, the OMG I'm getting married phone call, or the OMG I'm having a baby phone call, or the OMG we broke up phone call, or the every day "how was your day" phone call. I am so blessed to have many people in my life that I call friends. And I love each and every one of you! enough w/ the sappy stuff... let's get on to the goooood stuff...

Soooo Kristin and Nick hosted their wedding at a HUMGO home in the River Oaks District of Houston. Cayla and I flew down early to spend time with Kristin before the big day and help her finish all of her last min. to do items.

Now if you are reading this and you know Kristin, you know she THRIVES on lists. She has lists for her lists and is so supremely organized that on ANY trip she takes she puts all of her reservation confirmations, directions, etc in plastic sheet protectors inside her folders. She was appropriately deemed "trip mom" years ago when her organizational skills were first revealed.

So I knew that NO DETAIL was going to be left out. Cayla and I PRYED (literally) her wedding binder out of her hands when we arrived and told her not to look back and enjoy her weekend!

What an honor to be a part of such an amazing day for such wonderful people. Kristin and Nick couldn't have planned a more perfect celebration for their marriage. The food was fantastic, the drinks were flowing, and the weather was perfection!

I hope you enjoy the pictures below and get a glimpse of what an amazing night this was and how fun it was to celebrate their relationship.

I LOVE YOU BOTH DEARLY AND CAN'T WAIT FOR YOU TO SPEND THE REST OF YOUR LIVES TOGETHER...even though this is six months late! LOVE YOU!

Kristin Getting Ready...

Group toast with all the girls, Robin and Mama Lu Lu
(we missed Karen and Audry at the wedding)

We couldn't get her to stop looking out the window.... but it made for a cute pic!

A photo montage... props to Clint the photog!


One of my favorites!!!!

We transformed the back yard from ceremony to reception... BEAUTIFUL!!!

Yummy Cake - Nick's cakes were Ice Cream Cake - fantastic!

No wedding is complete without the Time Warp!

Love you!

Here Clint said "Sexy face" - I think Tyra would be disappointed....

Adios Mr. and Mrs. Urbano - We love you and we will pelt you with wedding rice to prove it!

Motivation anyone???

I'm not sure what has happened to me... I was seriously motivated from November until April 19... now I can't find an ounce of me that wants to work out and considering I just signed up for my second tri ( a true sprint this time) I better dig down deep and find my motivation soon.

I didn't work out once last week because my pink eye returned...ICK and my throat was killing me. It hurt to swallow anything but hot tea and advil. I worked from home three days last week because I didn't want to infect my office with the lingering matted eyes and huge tonsils. I figured I should hole myself up in my house and try to not infect people with what I am now convinced is "pig flu". I went to the dr. on Thursday after 4 days of painful swallowing and basically a hot tea diet for him to tell me I have had a "lingering virus". It rested the few days leading up to the tri when I was finally feeling better and then reared it's ugly head again after my body recouped. AWESOME!

So last week I rested.... not a single lap in the pool, loop on the bike or short run and secretly I loved it! WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME!!!! I was uber-obsessed for 5 months and now I want to cry.

I am a "Monday start person" if I have a goal I have to start on a Monday... no matter what. It's like life starts over on Mondays...so I time everything to a Monday start.

When I first started training for the King Tut I upped my distance on the bike and run every Monday - on the swim every other Monday... when I started trying to loose weight I started on a Monday with all the girls. When I tried to log everything I do in Livestrong.com I started on a Monday (that has been a failure by the way - sorry Erinn). So Sunday I was like - tomorrow is Monday - tomorrow starts training again.

Cayla and I decided we are going to compete in another tri at the end of May. May 30 to be exact. This one is a sprint - same swim distance (300m), double the bike from last time (12miles or 20K) and almost double the run (3.7 miles or 6K).

So yesterday I leave work (with a packed gym bag) and decide I was going to go for a nice ride on my bike. I don't know if it is me, my bike, my non working legs or what but it killed me! Usually a tiny six mile bike ride (in comparison to what my other tri friends are doing) should be nothing... and considering I just did this a week ago (after swimming and 90% uphill) it should be cake. But I thought I was going to die. Literally - it felt like my heart was beating out of my chest and I could collapse at any moment. It was horrific and scary - because now I feel like I am weaker than I was when I started training in the first place and couple that with ZERO motivation and you have yourself a real winner.... UGH!!!

I hope it's just the lingering effects of being sick and I can work myself out back into motivation - I guess we'll see.

On another note - I am an official USAT member now - crazy.... and exciting. Here's a line up of possible events Cayla and I are talking about doing. OOOOO- and I think we talked Newbie into doing one with us in October! YAY for Newbie!!!

May 30 - Paddle, Pedal and Pound the Pavement Grapevine, Texas (Sprint Distance)
October 4 - Benbrook Women's Tri Benbrook, Texas (Sprint Distance)
October 25 - Livestrong Challenge (5K and possible 10 mile bike ride)

I would like to look at participating in a sprint in July and August as well - but who knows I guess we will see; I don't want to wear myself out!!!

I'll keep you posted on the motivation factor - hopefully it returns soon or I am going to gain back every ounce of every pound I lost....

Maybe Biggest Loser tonight will put me back in the saddle.....

Pic of the Week

I didn't have a chance to post this yesterday - I was working from home b/c my pink eye has returned... ick...

This isn't necessarily a "Pic" ... but I made it into one. This is a screen shot of my friend Della's Fundraising Page for the Relay for Life. She will be a member of a Relay for Life team in College Station and she will be walking for numerous reasons. If you have a few extra dollars and can donate to her team that would be awesome.

As you know cancer has affected me personally in ways that are indescribable. Jessica has been my best friend for 15 years and is in the fight of her life with this horrible disease. If you have a second please visit her website at www.jessicagage.com and leave her a note of encouragement or better yet - stop reading this and say a prayer for her.

There are many other people that this disease affects daily. I hope that no one reading this will ever have to know the affects of cancer on someones life. If you have a one dollar or one hundred any donation to find a cure for cancer is worth it.

Here is the link to her donation page - DELLA'S DONATION PAGE (CLICK HERE)

Tri Pics

Oh the joys of the iPhone!

I figured out how to take screen shots on my iphone awhile ago.... this little trick came in handy today!

I can't access facebook at work... but I do have the fb app on my iphone... so I pulled up the pics... took screen shots... uploaded them to my computer at work and VOILA!!!! See below...

**Captions under each picture***

Cayla was very nervous about getting DQ'd for not having her helmet on.... Note... this is us walking to the race site... we haven't even entered at this point... and we are WALKING!!! The boys took care of our bikes for us...Love you Cay!

It was a very early morning...here we are entering into the race site... approx. 5:15am

Pre-Race Pic...

Our wetsuits are SEXY!!!

Getting our game face on.... more like the OH S$%T face... what did we get ourselves into...



This is one of my favorites....

One last HIGH FIVE before we take the plunge

And we're in....



The Beast....



Finishing the swim.... I look rather manly here....but still with a smile!

Starting the bike...



Finishing the bike... action shot

Starting the run... Last 1/3 of the race!



Almost to the finish line!!!!

WE DID IT!!!! (With our medals/key chain...yes our medals turn into key chains)