Santa Monica Mountains and BAMFS.

This past weekend was one of our last recovery weekends... and I loved it.  I actually felt like I had a weekend and wasn't a complete training dud with no life. LOL.

To kick start the weekend, I did my first night Open Water Swim.  WOWSERS, it is waaaaaaaaay different than the morning swims.  The water was super choppy, rough and had some powerful under tow. Since it was just me, Coach Riz and Laura on this swim, we had no problem getting out past the break, but swimming to the buoy, i swear i swallowed a million gallons of water and was getting a little nauseous - sea sick.  it was odd... so instead of swimming back to the beach and doing loops, we swam back with the current another four lifeguard stands and i was a happy girl.  1mi under our belts then time to play in the waves.  But let me tell you, they were getting big! at one point i literally was knocked over an pushed right into Riz.  It was actually funny, because I was OK... but after a few more of those super crazy under-tow pulls, I had crazy flashbacks to when I was 8 or so and couldn't get out of the water.. it was a little nutty, as i internally had a slight panic attack but did my best not to show it. .. but needless to say, I decided to stay in the whiter water and body surf while Riz and Laura played with the big waves. (I know, I'm a chicken) :-)

After the swim, knowing that I did not have to get up at 5:00am or earlier, i was kinda excited. So I played poker with the boys on Friday night, I lost on an All-in KQ suite to to AK off suit... but its OK.. i still had fun.

Sunday we were up in Westlake for a recovery ride.  We had to do a 2:1.... which ride for 2hrs and then run for 1hr... the bike was on a relatively roller hill course.  it wasn't a strenuous climb but it wasn't flat either.  But it was beautiful. We had an awesome view of the Santa Monica Mountains.  GORGEOUS!  So it was slightly tough and my knee felt it a little but not too much which was nice. and when it came to the run, i had to walk. :-(  boo. i did try a few interval sprints and my knee was not happy about it so i walked.  And thankfully about a .5mi into it, my amazing mentor, Chrystine, stopped running and walked with me the whole time.  it was really get to have someone with me as I was a teeny bit of a debbi-downer in my head that i couldn't run.  But she was awesome and it was also really great to get to know her more than I already do.  We have followed similar paths in life, so it was cool to hear.  And what was also amazing.. is that even on our runs, our mentor, captains and coaches always find a way to cheer us on, even if they are not right next to us.  I love it!

Santa Monica Mountains in Westlake

Santa Monica Mountains

 GO ROCKSTARS!

YOU R BAMFS! 

Sunday we swam in Manhattan Beach.  It was gorgeous. The water was super clear and warm.  It was seriously amazing and made the 1.2 mile swim perfect... that and the fact that my swim buddy and I were together... stroke after stroke... pee break after pee break, and yes we stopped THREE times to pee - in our wet suits -  :-)  Thank you Laura.  It was a great swim.  

After the swim, while we were waiting for the others, I was body surfing and yeah baby, i am going to toot my own horn... Beached it every time! :-)

 Manhattan Beach - Pic by Bally Randhawa

Manhattan Beach - Pic by Bally Randhawa

Of course after that amazing swim... me and my AJB had to head to the pool.  this time we went to Westwood Pool.  it was hysterical.  the pool was indoors, which I did not like, but the people watching was purely amazing.  

After i officially turned into a prun, 1:15min later, i headed to meet a friend for lunch and then saw 22 Jump Street.  GO SEE IT!  it was seriously really funny and ridiculous, but it was an obvious ridiculous which made it that much more awesome. :-)

and finally to cap out the night was Ashely, Nicole & Chloe's fundraiser at Hamburger Mary's for Drag Queen Bingo.  It was a lot fun... and think it was even more fun for me because I WON! -- TWICE! Bingo is my jam ya'all! Super fun night.  The girls made some great cash and all is right with the world.

Two more things to share... 

First.. my niece and nephew completed their FIRST Triathlon this past weekend!!  WAHOOOOOOOO!!! GO JULIA and LIAM!!!!

and Second.... i went to the Ortho Doc.. and he confirmed that i have Patella Tendinitis aka Jumper's Knee. BOO.. and that there is basically nothing i can do to fix it but lay off it. Sooooooo.. since that is not in the cards, it looks like Aqua Jogging is in my immediate long-term future... i plan on AJ until Vineman which is in 4 weeks.. and then figuring out after.  He did mention a blood platelet thing I can do in a few months if it is not better.. so we will see what happens.  

Also, after speaking with Adrian, my coach post Vineman, he thinks i need tons more strength training and stretching and that i basically need to abuse my foam roller... which i have started to.. And he is right, the tightness in my legs and hips is crazy time... so if you need me, I will be on my foam roller. :-)

30 Days And Counting

This was emailed to us this yesterday.. Our coaches are great and truly inspiring:

Potato Sack Slide

When you were a kid did you ever climb the giant staircase to the Potato Sack Slide at the local fair or carnival?  Do you remember looking up and thinking it was so far to get to the top and there were so many kids in line before you?  Well friends, you are about to take your seat at the top, it is your time.  Here we are race day is 30 days from today and from here until July 12th the time will fly by.  You will be sitting on that itchy burlap potato sack and flying down that slide to your race day.  It has taken us 22 weeks to climb that giant staircase, 22 weeks of hard work and preparation.  This does not mean the next 5 will be easy but it does mean they will be the most fun.  We had a great ride to San Diego last weekend, we have Vineman Training Weekend next weekend and we have some great practices in between.  Make sure to take some time this week to realize how far you have come and buckle up for the most fun ride of your lives leading up to that medal on race day.

Swim Marker Set:

It is so exciting.. with that being said, we had our swim marker set on Tuesday.. 1.2 Miles. I of course gabbed a lane with my swim buddy, Laura... she is slightly ahead of me, but our pace is practically the same. 2:00min give or take / 100yrds.. and stroke after stroke we are in sync... but with the marker set, she beat me... by 3 seconds!! i tried. To be honest, we had to count our laps and on the 4th set (8 or 10 lengths) i lost count, so i fell a little behind her to see when we had to stop.. but i totally thought i would catch back up, but i didn't and she got me! but that is OK... wanna know why.. because we CRUSHED our time! 1:47/100yrd... wahooo!!!

Laura is seriously awesome and pushes me to be a better swimmer. I am looking forward to see how we end up come race day. I wonder whose adrenaline will push who to be faster? hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... :-) (i hope its me!) :-)

AJB

This wont be the most thrilling post, LOL.  But it will be pretty funny.

So the BTW-ers have to Aqua Jog... so we coined ourselves AJB (Aqua Jogging Buddies - lame, i know) but it makes us laugh and after watching the video below, you will see that we need all the comedy we can get as Aqua Jogging is SOOOOOOOOOOOO Boring.

I really cannot wait for me knee to get better.  Say a prayer to the knee gods. :-)

After our MASSIVE AJ Set, LOL.. we were finally able to hang - out side of training - with each other and it was fun!  Some friends from Iron Team were throwing a fundraiser for LLS and a "We Just Nailed it at Kona 70.3" Party at the W. Hotel in Westwood.  Let me tell you, I thought I was time warped into Las Vegas.  It was Cra- Cra!!  But tons of fun. (of course that being said, I only lasted about 2hrs) :-)

 Kelie, Rachel, Christy & Liz

Laura, Rachel & Kelie

San Diego or BUST

We are biking to San Diego.  WHAT!? Yes, you heard us right.  San Diego or BUST!

With that mind, we mentally prepared for weeks and the day was finally here.

Saturday morning we met at the Angels Stadium, threw our run gear, recovery and change of clothes into the truck and we were ready... ready for the next 80 miles to Solana Beach, San Diego.

As we took off out of the parking lot toward the bike path, we were all giddy.  full of excitement, nerves and crazy thoughts for what we were about to do..80 miles. and just as we get comfy in our saddles, Kelie "Crash" Anderson completely wipes out two lanes over.  She threw us all for a loop and was totally fine, in fact she finished waaaay before i did... but needless to say, i was nervous that was going to set the tone for the rest of the ride LOL.

For the first 15 miles along the bike path i was pretty much riding by myself.  i had caught up to a few and passed a few others, but for the most part i was solo.  i actually liked it, i got lost in my thoughts, sang out loud to myself, it was fun... but I also knew that the remaining 65 miles could get quite boring by myself.

 GoPro Pic of Bridge over Bike Path River

GoPro of bike Path

GoPro - End of Bike Path onto PCH

So at the "semi" first pitstop where Becky's awesome family was there to cheer us on, i hopped into the ladies room and then hooked up with Becky and Ashley for the remainder of the ride.  And to be honest, I am so glad I did.  It was so much fun, hysterical and nice to have teammates that are also friends along for the ride. It made the ride that much more amazing. -- So THANK YOU BECKIE & ASHLEY. :-)

Beckie's Awesome Family - Mom, Sister and Two Nephews

We headed out of Newport and Laguna, knowing Dana Point, San Onofre, San Clemente, Camp Pendleton and more were still on our radar.  We had some headway to make. But we were ready. We chatted along the way, I of course took pictures and videos and chilled out.  it was a beautiful ride.

 Dana Point - Just Before SAG 1

 Dana Point Just Before SAG 1 - Photo Bomb by Beckie

 Ashley & Beckie Heading out of Dana Point

With Beckie as our fearless leader, we left SAG 1 and attempted to make out our way out of Dana Point and on to the PCH.. Granted, Beckie nominated herself as our fearless leader, but Ashley and I did not mind, as we had no clue as to where we were going, LOL.  So why not let Beckie take the lead, right? What could possibly go wrong? Well... I am not going to lie, that may not have been the smartest move... She directed us right onto the 5 Freeway.

It was hysterical. Luckily, we caught our mistake early and were able to course to correct.  Strike One for Beckie. :-)

Continuing on our way, we all kinda zoned out and got in our rhythm.  It was relatively flat for the next 20 miles through San Clemente and the state parks, so that gave me a good chance to practice my aero-bars and get the feel of that position for a while and i liked it!  I definitely felt faster and of course was moving faster, but my body was comfortable in that position.  I definitely need to do a few more sit ups and planks, LOL.. as my "mommy guy" was hitting my legs at every turn of the pedal. .. :-)  but it was good, non-the-less.

 

50 Mile Marker within San Onofre State Park

Beckie, Me & Ashley

After San Onofre we were pumped.  We had passed the 50 mile marker and were heading into Camp Pendleton which would lead us right into SAG 2.  Camp Pendleton was pretty neat.  Very desolate. I am not sure what I imagined, but I am pretty sure it involved tanks and HumVs driving around.  That was not the case.  But it was pretty cool. 

 Camp Pendleton

 Selfie.... Obvi.

 Just Because it is Awesome

Amazing Thank You for your Service 

Army Gear Trucks in the Distance

Team Selfie

Love the wave for a still image.

As we continued on, we realized we were cutting it close to the cut off for SAG 2... we needed to be there by 12:45 in order to make with enough time to get us to Solana Beach for our run and pizza before taking the train back.  We hustled and luckily made it to SAG 2 with 5min to spare.  Clearly me stopping for photos every five minutes, LOL. did not bode well for our time, but we made it. While there, of course I snapped a few more pics and hit the ladies room, while Beckie attempted to reapply her sunblock. This would be Strike Two for Beckie -- although I would chalk this up to a personal strike for Beckie and hysterically amazing for us. :-)

This picture is soooooo amazing. I love it so much.

Another Selfie... Obvi... :-) 

Mile 63... we soooo close we can taste it.  17 more miles to go.  By this point, my knee is starting to hurt, but knowing we are so close, i just have to push through and i am so glad i did. Oceanside, Carlsbad, & and Encintas were beautiful!!

 8 Miles To Go.

Reminder: DO NOT GO ON THE 5 FWY! :-)

You cannot tell from this photo, but this Stop Sign is 4x larger than a regular Stop Sign.  It is MASSIVE

So close... Encinitas

So... we made it... FINALLY reached Solana Beach.  It was awesome!  Of course I was exhausted.  But it was well worth it.

I cannot wait for the next one!!

Solana Beach

 Training Buds... Me, Laura, Ash & Kelie

 The Invisible Man... or ME!  :-)

Can you tell we were tired? 

FINALLY ... ending the night with an Ice Bath... and man did my legs need it!

Rockin Teammates

This is just a fun post to show you my amazing teammates.  they are truly supportive and inspiring everyday.  

GO TEAM!

 Ashley after she lost the battle in a SPATTTER War

 Bally from Ironteam & Kelie

 Me & Jay

 Me, my AMAZING mentor - Chrystine, Kelie

Tina, Jay, Chrystine, Me, Kelie & Bucket