I know you have all missed me...

So they say it takes 3 weeks to create a habit, clearly it takes just three days to break it. I was in Calistoga for 3.5 days without internet, and my journals ceased. So now for a catch up on last week (sorry this is going to be a bit long).

Tues-Fri - at lovely Indian Springs in Calistoga I "swam" everyday. I use the word swim loosely as the pool made it a challenge. It was an Olympic pool heated by the hot springs to a blazing 101 degrees! Fabulous for chilling out, not so conducive to swimming. Like the good triathlete I am I attempted to really swim. Max at one time was 10 lengths, and then I had to stop, get out, and cool down. I tried taking off my cap to see if that would help, not really. So after a few rounds of that I gave up. Joined the rest of my colleagues floating on noodles and basking in warmth. I also would take off on my noodle and do some fast kicking drills up and down, then return. It is now official; my department thinks I am NUTS! So I figure I was able to get in about 700-800 meters a day, so about 3000 in my four swims. Not terrible. I also went for a “bike ride”. I think my version should be incorporated into all future tri training. While I was in Calistoga for work, we had one afternoon off for fun and team building. We went on a bicycle wine tasting tour. Fabulous combination! We rode to 4 wineries, tasting, buying, etc as we were there. By the trip home I think some of my colleagues were feeling it a bit. We rode a whapping 16 miles total! While I love our rides, between the scenery and the wine, this was tough to beat.

Sat-Sun – The weekend to remember. Sat was the teams first open water swim. I “volunteered” to join the age group to be with my mentees (seriously, that water is cold and one big loop is a good start even for us experienced folks). Everyone did so well; I was very impressed with the first timers just gutting it out. Then Sat night was the “marathon” party with Team Trouble. Big shout out to them for including everyone in their drunken debauchery. It was a great time (see photos if you don’t believe me)! At the time staying out until after 4:00am playing my new favorite drinking game of “Buffalo” (thanks Lora) seemed like a good idea. Of course since I was helping organize and lead the “buddy ride” Sun morning and 9:00am, when my alarm went off at 7:30 I was cursing myself. But as a true “endurance” athlete, I rallied and headed to our brick workout. I am so glad I did. Can I just say Sun was one of those days you never forget? We had a big group gathered to ride over the Golden Gate bridge and up the headlands (including a few loops around to make 2 hours), back to Sports Basement, and a little 15-20 min run to top it off. I had several “Aaahhhh” moments during the workout. Enjoying the view on top of the headlands on the front side when you look across the bay at the bridge and the city. It was so beautiful Sun, it was hard to believe it was real, and well worth the climb up! Then after we got back and I was running down Crissy Field. I had this amazing feeling (besides just jello legs). This was exactly where I wanted to be and exactly what I wanted to be doing right now! It may sound silly, but I spend lots of time wishing I was somewhere else doing something else, so when you have that, it is special. Ok, have I gushed about Sun enough? By the time I got home my previous night caught up with me. I barely made it through my shower awake, I went directly to my nap! Good times!!


Swim = 2.25 miles (over the week)
Run = 3.3 miles (not much)
Bike = 42 miles (Yeehaaa)