Birthday Tri!

A few weeks ago, I decided I wanted to do an Olympic triathlon before the season ended. Looking at the calendar, there were only two left that I could possibly make happen. They were both on weekends that did not jive with our family calendar. I got the hair-brained idea of hosting my own triathlon! I figured I could get at least one other person to come out and hang with me on my birthday while I swam, biked, and ran my way into 35. I had four other friends stick with me for the whole thing, and Doug joined us for the run. It was the best birthday I've had in a good, long while!

Because I was responsible for the route, there were no surprises on race day. Except for the wind. Holy moley. It was so windy, the swim start was actually chilly (October 4 in Texas is NOT known for chilly!). We headed out for the lake/T1 on the bikes. My dad and Daniel followed us over to the lake in the truck with our swim gear. They were our sag support for the morning. Daniel even needed a flannel shirt while we swam! This was my first time wearing my wetsuit and I loved it! This was also my first time swimming in "chop," however mild it may have been. I was surprised at how naturally I was able to settle into a rhythm of stroking and breathing *with* the chop. I took quite a bit of time off of my average pace. I swam .8 miles in 28 minutes. I felt good about this!

The five of us headed out on the bikes. The first few miles were great! And then came the headwind... Oh my soul. We were averaging about 11 mph into the wind and close to 20 with the tailwind. I felt like I was pedaling through mud! We finally turned a corner, but low and behold, it was time for our big climb. At least we weren't climbing into the wind! We came down off the big bridge, hooked a right, and hoofed it home. All in all, it was a great ride. I'm starting to feel very comfortable with 25 miles. I guess it's time to up the ante!

My house was our staging area and T2. My mom, dad, kids, aunt, and cousin were all there to cheer us on and enjoy some birthday festivities with us. Doug was all suited up and ready to run. We took off for our 10k and continued to enjoy the day. The weather for running was absolutely perfect. It was about 70 degrees with no clouds and just a bit of a breeze inside the neighborhood. I didn't PR, but only just. It was my second best 10k time ever! I was very pleased with this, considering I had just swam nearly a mile and biked 25! The course was very flat and took us around the golf course with plenty of shade and water coolers along the way. Again, because I was responsible for the route, this was a course I am very familiar with. I ran with my friend Randi for most of the route. This is amazing to me as she is a two-time Ironman and five-time marathoner. I am neither of those things, but with a little help and encouragement, I one day hope to be. Daniel met me about 20 yards from the finish and ran me in. That was so much fun! I've always wanted my kids to run me into a race, but it just never quite worked out. I guess the trick is to host your own race!

After we made it back to the house, we had a feast!  Pumpkin oreos, birthday cake oreos, breakfast tacos, beer, and cupcakes. It was wonderful. After everyone refueled and cooled down and stretched, it was time for us to say goodbye. My friends went home and my family hung out for a bit longer. As I mentioned, this was a wonderful birthday! I'm pretty sure we will make an annual event of this.

I had a great time and learned a lot. My nutrition was spot-on and my hydration was great. I was second guessing myself on the nutrition, having never done an Olympic before. With one in the bag, I feel like I could make a couple of adjustments and have a really great race. 

I've been saying that the Olympic was going to be my litmus for the half iron. Well. I think the litmus looks good. Now to download the training plan and get after it!

SBMAT 2015

A few months ago, Swim Bike Mom sent out an all-call to apply for the 2015 ambassador team. When I first saw her post, I got all crazy jazzed and excited and thought, "YES! I'm totally applying for this!" Then my brain started working again and I realized that I would likely be one of about 252  applicants. Applicants who had been tri-ing for more than 5 minutes (or 4 months, as the case may be). Applicants who, you know, were actually *good* at triathlon. So I thought about it for 2 more minutes and I shelved the idea.

Fast forward to the day the applications were due. We were home. My kids were happily occupied with Legos and a movie. I saw something come across my feed about the deadline and I started furiously writing (er, typing... whatevs). I don't know what possessed me to apply, but it came from left field. I went with it. I typed and deleted and typed and deleted for a solid hour. When I finished, I read some of it to my husband. I told him, "I'm sure I won't get picked, but I hope I at least make her laugh." Well. Apparently, I did. 

The phone rang Wednesday morning with a number from Georgia. "I don't know anybody who lives in Georgia," I said to my friend. We were sitting at Einstein Brothers, enjoying all the pumpkin. My brain kicked into overdrive, and I realized that I DO know a few work folks in Georgia, so I politely answered the phone, "This is Sheri." What happened next floored me. For real. I heard this, "Hi Sheri! It's Meredith Atwood from Swim Bike Mom. Is this a good time?" I swear I sat there for 10 minutes with my jaw sitting in my lap and tears streaming down my face, but my friend has assured me it couldn't have been longer than 9 minutes. After I stammered a little and regained my composure, I said something. Obviously it was English, because I quickly accepted Meredith's invitation to be a part of the team. 

I have no idea what part of my application stood out to her, but I am SO beyond grateful that I plopped down that Saturday and offered up my thoughts on triathlon and how it's continuing to change my life. I am SO excited about this opportunity and what the 2015 racing season holds for me. I cannot wait to get started and give back to this sport that has so willingly given to me. So YAY! Just keep moving forward and stay tuned for many updates to come!

Mother's Day Tri!

Race report!! The swim was very intimidating until I heard the bullhorn. As soon as I dove in, I was fine. Nobody kicked me and I'm pretty sure I didn't kick anybody either. :) I felt like I was SO.SLOW, but my parents said I was right in the middle and even passed some people from the first wave. ~8 minutes. I felt strong coming out of the water and passed several folks into the transition area. My T1 was pretty quick - in and out in 2:30. The bike was fun, but I heard "On your left!!!" about 600 times. I definitely need a real bike. My shining moment was getting passed by a 10-year-old. Beast mode... T2 was great - less than a minute!!! And the run was the best. I passed all those chicks who passed me on the bike, which felt great. My folks and Daniel were at the finish, but doug and Lia missed me cross by about 10 minutes. I'm pretty convinced I'll be doing another one soon. Super fun and super rewarding. And not nearly as taxing as a half marathon. I highly recommend it!

It's that time again!

It's that time again! In 10.5 hours, I'm going to attempt what I once believed impossible (and maybe even insane). I'll be diving in to Lake Houston at 7:04 tomorrow morning to take on my first triathlon. Prayers, positive thoughts, and support are appreciated, especially for calm nerves in the water! Thanks, y'all!

I don't need no stinkin' noodle

I went to Williams Indoor Pool today to practice swimming for my triathlon. A couple of observations.

1. Swimming is freaking hard.
2. 200 yards is a LOT farther than I thought.
3. I don't need no stinking pool noodle.

I don't know how many laps I swam, but MAN. I needed to get out and get a drink at least 3 times in the 30 minutes that I was there. As soon as I got home and ate allllll the food, I started looking for a different triathlon with a "real" swim. I don't need no stinking pool noodle.

Luckily, I went to see Dr. Moore today. There are a ton of folks on his staff who do tris. A couple of the ladies there recommended this Mother's Day tri in a couple of weeks. I looked into it. 200 yards, 8 miles, and 2 miles. I think I'm going to do it. I don't need no stinking pool noodle.

Tri-ing something new

A couple of weeks ago, Doug and I ran our last 13.1 of the season - Angie's Half-Crazy Half-Marathon. This made 13.1 number 4 for me this year. I felt great. Ran great. Fueled great. Recovered great. There was a little flyer in our packet about the Life's a Beach triathlon that's ON MY BIRTHDAY. I'm not really taking issue with turning 35, but it just kinda seems like a super groovy way to spend my 35th.

Here's the cool part - I can use *anything* I want to on the swim, except for a surf board or a boat. Like a pool noodle! Surely I can swim 200 yards with a pool noodle. Yes?

I already have my junker mountain bike I got on craigslist to ride around with Daniel. And I only have to ride 5 miles on the beach. The only thing I'm missing is a helmet. And I know I can run 2 miles on the beach. Easy peasy.

So why not? I think I'll sign up, give it a shot, and cross "triathlon" of my bucket list.

Random snippets of life with Daniel

A few weeks ago at dinner:

Doug: (insert random comment about Baltimore)

Daniel: No, Daddy. It's Vol-de-mort.


Here's a chunk of our conversation from Monday:

Daniel: I learned ALL about the pilgrims today.
Me: What'd you learn?
D: Well. There was this one Native American guy named Squanto. And he taught the pilgrims how to fish and plant corn. And if you plant a dead fish in the ground with your corn, it rots and the corn grows faster. And the corn likes it.
Me: Oh yeah?
D: Yeah. And I learned how they made water hoses.
Me: Water hoses?
D: Yeah. First, the pilgrims had to kill an animal. Like a turkey. And they used the turkey's skin to make the hose.
Me: (trying not to laugh at this point, but still very interested in this methodology) I don't think turkeys have very water resistant skin. Pretty sure it wasn't a turkey.
D: Goats. Then it was goats, because their legs are long and skinny and hollow... like a hose. So they had to kill the goat. And then they used the skin from its legs to glue together to make a hose. But they had to make the glue, because pilgrims didn't have stores. 
Me: Are you sure they didn't just carry the water from the river? Maybe with a bucket? 
D: Nope. They used animal skin.
Me: Got it. Did you learn anything else about the pilgrims?
D: Oh yes. I learned how they made bread. Let me show you. (proceeds to open a can of Pringles and a jar of peanut butter)
Me: Ok, bub. I'm with you so far, but I KNOW they didn't have Pringles or Jif.
D: So maybe I should just use a hot dog bun?
Me: .......???




And today at his class party, he asked his teacher, "Please may I have an extra plate for my little sister?"
I love this child. I need to do a better job of writing down the zany things he says, but that's a full-time job.