a quick trip to sunny SanD

On Friday, Joe and I set off to San DIego for a photoshoot (I'll post some pics as soon as I get the final shots back) and gave us some time to meet up with our manager- Sean Watkins, some of my 2010 sponsors and, of course, good friends- Big Freakn Papa, Kimmie, Vince (Rinny). It was a 20 hour visit for me- Joe was staying back in Cali until Wednesday and then he'll be flying back to Australia for the winter. What a whirlwind of a trip but all-in-all it was great to see everyone, to have a lovely dinner with old and new friends, and train with Joe and Rinny (and a helpful swim lesson from Al!) a little bit while we were there. I made it back to Boulder a.ok. and now-- I am just surviving with all this snow and cold, COLD weather.

Here are some pics from our Friday/Sat extravaganza:

4:10am wake up call- 7am flight. Pics of our flight over- it was a c-l-e-a-r morning. I had a window seat and was able to take some great shots of the Grand Canyon...I had a little too much fun with my camera- and laughed a lot when Joe was sleeping, twitching, and slung over in his "economy-plus" seat- while I was snorting/laughing hysterically at him. hehe...

I didn't get a chance to take photos during the shoot and no pics of our dinner at Encinitas Ale House (which reminded me of Father's Office in LA...great hamburgers!)- but it was a pretty fantastic experience.

Pics of our pre-hour run in San Diego...right near Mission Beach. So nice!

And finally- pics of my plane ride home...loving the gateway to the Rockies...and of course, the snowy welcome home from Boulder!!

Thanks - Giving.

This year (and I think I do this every year)- I wanted to take a pause and say THANKS. Things I am thankful for:

I am thankful for my LIFE. Each breath. God has blessed me with 29 years of wonder. Each new day is filled with hope and new adventures. And oh! the adventures I’ve been able to experience. So far- it’s been quite a ride!

I am thankful for my FAMILY. I know I have said this before- but without them, I would not be who I am today and I would not be where I am without their love and encouragement. In regards to triathlon- they knew very little of the sport, where to train, who to train with, where to race, how far one could go...And they especially didn’t know where I got the idea that I’d be good at this triathlon thing. BUT, when I shared my dream with them- and said that I planned on leaving the east coast, my job, etc to see how far I could go in triathlon- they were behind me and supported my decision. From that day, they have been at the big races over seas, they have kept track of where and what and how I am doing, and they have encouraged me when I’ve had low moments and discouragement. Most importantly, they each LIVE each day as a new day, full of opportunities and delight. They are my definition of love.

I am thankful for my FRIENDS and the people who have come around me and provided a safety net- always ready to catch me if I slip and fall. Equally, they are eager to see me succeed and believe in my ability and my work ethic. They see the big picture- this windy road of life- never stuck at one spot but always moving forward. No obsessions or fixations- just living each day to the fullest. It goes both ways though- I love my friends as much my little heart can fit love in there. :)

I am thankful for the LITTLE THINGS. The look from the cashier at WF when I wished her a good day; for the hike with my friend Jenna; for the game of Bananagrams with my friend Joe Fallon at Whole Foods; for the movie night with the Dibens/Ricketts and the Gambles...and Joe- the little things he does that make me smile and appreciate him. It’s the early morning drive to the run session, when the sun is just rising and the bright redness of the morning casts a beautiful glow on the Flatirons; I am so so thankful for Steve Jones’ running group and I am especially thankful for that creaking noise (the sound of Jonesy’s bicycle as he rides next to us on our hard runs)- he has no idea how he and the group has helped me; Fee Docherty- thank you for being a good friend and your belief in my run and your recommendation to join the group... and for Petr- well, wow! I am learning a lot from him in the gym and in my head, mentally. I am thankful for routines. Without them, I’d be lost and lazy. I am thankful for the love I get from Lucky...this little dog is more like a wise human being- she knows just what each person needs at the moment and she’ll cuddle right up next to you and she’ll just give. I am thankful for coffee in the morning and “my time” I love in the morning (sip on coffee and get on my computer/read the paper). So many details of my day-to-day life that I love love love.

I am thankful for Boulder- I love it here- it’s home to me. I am thankful for Maine- it holds a special place in my heart and its people are good people.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FRIENDS AND BLOGGERS!

And I'm back in Boulder. And it's WINTER.

It was so nice to board the plane in Tampa and know that I had a straight shot home to Boulder. I was SO looking forward to getting back home, running the beautiful, hilly roads and trails in Boulder- swimming masters, and even getting out for a couple of rides. I missed training! I missed my routine!! I missed Boulder!!!

Monday morning came too quickly in Naples. I got up and went on a run with the Gambles on the beach- it was warm and humid. By the end of my run, I was soaked with sweat...I could wring out my shorts and my tank. Joe and I got into our rental car midmorning and drove up to Fort Myers to meet up with my good friend, Peter Metcalf (went to college with him- he was a hockey player) for lunch. I haven't seen Peter since his wedding back in ... 2004? Had it really been that long? wow. He brought his little one, Blake. So SO cute! After lunch, Joe and I went on our way up to Tampa. We had 3 hours to get there, drop off the car, and check in for our flight. We barely made it- traffic and we were a little lost...I don't know how we managed that...but we made it!

Ah, ok. Back to Boulder. I loved our stay- loved it. But, if I may vent... here is where I get a little miffed at Florida. Here is my issue with Florida (and this is a generalization): 1. Traffic Lights are WAY too long. 2. Florida drivers have no idea how to actually drive (driving below the speed limit in the passing lane, passing at incredible speeds on the right, truck drivers getting too close to cars). 3. Florida is F-L-A-T unless you decide to hit up the bridges... But truly people- I had a great time in Naples.

We got back into Boulder close to 9pm. I tucked myself into bed immediately- I had a hard run in the morning on Marshall Road with the group. 5:45am I was up and dressed and ready to go to run! I couldn't wait to get back into the swing of things... But when I went to the kitchen to get myself some water and some hot tea, I glanced at the temperature outside and nearly dropped to my knees. 17 degrees. 17 d-e-g-r-e-e-s. WHAT Marshall Road in Boulder is also known as the coldest road in Boulder...so it was even colder there.

Needless to say- and I won't bore you with silly details that explains HOW cold it was and how hard it was to run HARD in cold like that- I realized that I was NOT in Florida any more and that winter was HERE to stay. For real.

Burrrr! From HOT to COLD, from HUMID to DRY (2 different extremes) in a matter of 10 hours. Geez.

Naples!

After the Clearwater 70.3 World Championship extravaganza, we all deserved a much needed vacation from the everyday grind of waking up, training, sleeping, eating, training, etc.  Even me!  Straight after my season was done (back in October), I was straight back into training.  In Boulder, everyone was still training- hard.  There was no way I could sit back and sleep in, lounge around, dilly-dally- I was just as motivated to get back training and begin thinking about 2010.  

A group of us...which included my great friend, Rinny, the Gambles, and another good friend, TO...planned to spend an extra week in Florida.  Where?  Well, no other place than Naples, FL!  

We stayed at the Edgewater Hotel- the sister to the Naples Grand Spa and Resort.  We couldn’t have asked for a better place to r-e-l-a-x, we couldn’t have asked for better weather (mid 80s all week with just a smidge of humidity), and I, for one, couldn’t have asked for better company!  

For the next 7 days, we spent our time on the beach, lounging by the pool catching the rays, chillaxn’ in the hot tub, water/pool volleyball, walking the beach, throwing the frisbee, playing tennis, spending time at the driving range-- everything that had nothing to do with triathlon (well, I did do a lot of running while I was down there...).  

Some of the highlights were: 

• $1000 Karoke Contest on Wednesday night- a $70 taxi out and back to this dive bar (that was part of a shopping center), I sang Alanis Morisette’s “You outta know” and was called up to sing it basically as SOON as I sat down...ummm embarassing!  And there is a video of this experience floating about in TO and Joe’s phone...yikes!  

• Taxi ride home from Karoke Bar- we witnessed a COPS version of a motorcyclist being followed and surrounded by 5 cop cars and an undercover cop- only to be stopped at a stop light with this “scene” going on right next to the cab-- the guy tried to get away, the cops clothes-lined the guy off his bike and tackled him to the ground- with guns pointed at him!! As they were handcuffing him, one cop noticed that we were all pressed against the window staring- the cab driver included.  The cop looked at us and said: “what are you looking at?  GO!!”  so so funny.

• Fan Boat Ride in the Everglades.  We saw 3 crocs!!!  

• Dinner and Movie Night (all in one) with AMAZING, big, leather, reclining seats.  We saw: Michael Jackson’s “This is it.”

• Dancing the night away to classic, old school music at an outdoor restaurant/bar in Old Naples.  I think we were the youngest people there AND definitely not the best dancers.

• Delicious food and yummy wine which always lead to good conversation between our group.

These are just the highlights- but there were many more moments, little moments, that will stay with me... Filled with laughter and smiles.  What a fantastic week we had- a well-deserved mental break from the everyday grind (even though I love my everyday grind)- it was much needed!  Pics to come as soon as I get them from my friend, Rinny (my camera is in the shop being fixed!).