Triathlete speaking...

That was how I answered my phone all day yesterday: "Triathlete Speaking!"

WE DID THE GREAT AMERICAN COOTER TRI!

Jen and I showing off our tri muscles.


We got to the festival too late the day before the race for our corndogs and funnel cakes.
In case you haven't figured it out...a cooter is a turtle.


Brennee's boo-boo.


We had such a great time at our Triathlon yesterday!!

The air temperature in the morning was a cold 56 degrees so we were scared to death that the lake would be freezing. Turns out that the temp of the lake was 77 degrees. Not bad at all, really. My wave (that's the group of people you're racing with) went in the water at 8:08 am. Official race start was 8:00 a.m. I was so scared...and excited! I couldn't do one stroke of freestyle, my breathing was so hard. So I swam the back stroke and side stroke...and even dog paddle! Whatever it took to get it done. Jen started four minutes after me, caught up with me and we exited the water together! I hit my toe on something under the water and got a gash under my left big toe. I thought it was a "cyprus knee" but after talking with Jen's husband, he thought it was probably a rock because cyprus knees are usually smooth on top. What ever it was, it hurt. I didn't let that stop me. Are you kidding!? I made it through the swim...I can do anything now!

The bike was just great...beautiful course! It was through neighborhoods and on a Rail Trail (that's an old rail line that's been turned into a walking/biking/running path). We both thought we'd freeze on our bikes with the air temp being so cold, but neither one of us was cold at all. Nice! On the exit of the bike, you have to dismount and walk/run your bike into transition. There was a crowd of people cheering the racers on...so great, really lifted my spirits even higher and gave me energy to keep racing. The truth is, I was so happy to finish the swim, I could have climbed Mt. Everest! I had a stupid grin on my face for the entire race.

Then the run came last...I ran the entire thing!! My best time for a 5K yet. I was still damp, but the sun was shinning and I was so happy...I felt so comfortable. Even with that cut on my toe! I was keeping my eye out for her on the run, knowing that she would already be out there because she would have beat me on the bike. She found me...I didn't realize it was her because of the shirt she was wearing. We crossed each other just after she had turned at the half way point. Then I finally caught up with her just before the finish line and

WE CROSSED THE FINISH LINE TOGETHER!!

My time: 1:46:22

Jen's time: 1:42:22

Can you tell I still have that silly grin on my face?

I couldn't have done it without Jen and Becky.

And the support of my family.

I'd also like to thank the Academy...

Curl Girl Saves the Day!

This is homecoming week at V's school and every day the kids can dress up, depending on the theme. The theme for today is "Super Heroes vs. Villains". Veronica and her friend made their costumes last night. They are: Curl Girls...Saving the World, One Curl at a Time!

ETA: I was told by V after school today that her Super Hero name is Curl Girl (not Curly Girl). She also said her partner is The Pretender (she has a perm, and therefore not a "true" Curl Girl). LOL.

False Alarm

Ok, remember what I said about Fall being here? False alarm. It's so miserable around here, super hot and humid, like um, summer. I'm gonna give it till Halloween, and if it's not cooler, I'm really gonna start complaining.

Training update: All going well. No more falls on the bike. My left calve is a bit tender, but I've been icing it and giving it plenty of rest between runs and that seems to have helped quite a bit. After the swim lesson, I feel like I have the knowledge to improve my swimming. Actually applying it while swimming is another thing. I'm taking Jen's advise and working on one thing at a time. Right now I'm working on keeping my head down and my feet up. If I can do this, I can really reduce my energy use and drag I'm producing in the water. The tri is less than two weeks away!! I'm really getting excited!

Have a great week everyone!

Dinner

Last night I made Tuna Casserole for dinner.

Veronica was at drumline practice so I only had two complainers at the table.

Justine was hesitant at first, but when I told her those brown things were french fried onions, she gobbled it down. She's decided she loves onions. Now a days when I'm browning onions on the stove she always comes up and says how good it smells. Gotta love that.

Joey says to me, when I ask him how he likes the casserole, "It's not very, very, very bad." No kidding, three "verys". High praise indeed.

It's Here! It's Here!

I think Fall is finally here!! I just opened the front door to say goodbye to V and it's cold outside! (6:45 a.m.) Looked it up and the temperature is 50 degrees. Quite a change from waking up to temps in the high 70's low 80's. Sure it'll warm up later, to 80 something....wonderful!

Just in case you're shaking your head, thinking that 50 degrees isn't cold, remember I'm from Southern California, now living in Florida...anything under 70 is cold for me. LOL!

Now I get to go pick out a sweater to wear to work! Yippee!!

St. Simons Island

The kids on the beach at St. Simons Island, Georgia. The water was so warm!!


Mike and Justine standing in the surf. When we first got to the beach the tide was very high. The steps leading down to the beach lead right into the water. Then after lunch it looked like this in the photo. How cool is that?!
On the top of the lighthouse at St. Simons Island. We LOVE lighthouses! This one was only about 127 steps to the top. The view was lovely. You can kinda see the water park below...beautiful pools, mini golf, play grounds and picnic areas. Looks brand new, too. We didn't have time to spend there yesterday, but we'll keep it in mind for the future.
Mike and the kids by the lighthouse.

We woke up Sunday morning....everyone was kinda grumpy about having to do chores. I mean everyone, even Mike and me (laundry, cleaning and mowing the grass). So in the spur of the moment, we packed up the car with food, etc. and left our obligations behind and drove to St. Simons Island in Georgia. It was a great day to get away, see something new and spend some time together.

Don't Try This at Home

Went for a bike ride today.

Fell...again.

At the busiest intersection in town. In the street. In front of God and everyone...possibly my neighbors, friends, people from work/church and maybe Joey's school bus. Ugh.

Didn't get hurt. Well, my ego did.

Godzilla strikes again.