“He’s making a list and checking it twice”

I should have done that! I always make lists. Always! Saturday night as I was packing for my race and getting my bottles together, making dinner and watching De La Hoya/Mayweather 24/7 (very cool series on HBO). Something got overlooked because I didn’t make a list. And more importantly I didn’t check my bag race morning. The race is a duathlon 2-14-2 and then we were going to ride 60 more miles. (love that ironman training!)

Fast forward to Sunday morning in the house, I’m asking my husband if he has everything, helmet, check, shoes, check, water, check, running shoes, check. Now in the parking lot at 8 am, I am getting my bike and bag to bring into transition. I look around the car, hmm…look again….#&^*! Look in the bag, tear everythig out of the bag and the car. #&^*! #%&*@!

I can’t find my cycling shoes! Panic sets in, frustration sets in. My friend Mary lives close and she has LOOK pedals. I call her and she runs her shoes over to me. Sigh, relief, get bike ready, set out helmet, glasses, go to the porto pottie line. Relax.

The thought creeps over me, I should check the cleats/pedals just to make sure. #&^*! #%&*@! They don’t fit. Maybe its just me. I call over my hubby, “They don’t fit!” He tries to get them in. Somehow they are a different size. (insert more profanity here)

I decide that the ride is really important and go back home to get my shoes. Its a 45 minute drive each way. I come back to the race and see that I just missed my hubby crossing the finish line. The ride was really nice, but everyone was pretty tired from racing, except me!

So, what is the moral of the story? Make a list, check your gear. Do it again!

First of all, Juli, Jess, Blake, Mark and Luis…you all ROCK! You all had amazing races and looked strong whenever I saw you on the course. Luis, you truly are a hero gutting out that marathon with your feet and ankles. I had no idea everyone was battling some physical ailment along with those winds. Sorry I missed the party at 10pm!

I rode on Thursday in this huge awful windstorm that had gusts up to 40 MPH with a sand storm in the middle of it all. There were tumbleweeds (the size of cars!) and sand got in every orifice of my head. This was my maiden voyage on my new Trek bike. Also the first time I had ever been in an aggressive aero position, fun initiation, huh?

After the race we found out that the east coast was hammered by a nor’easter. I live in the Hudson Valley region of New York by the Catskills. My friend said we had 7 inches of rain. 7 inches?! It took a day for that to sink in. I live in an incredibly lovely, yet old Victorian house that leaks like a sieve when it rains a lot. I called my pet sitter to look in the basement when she got a chance. She said it was about 6 inches of water. Well, that’s not too bad, I thought.

We got home after flying 12 hours, the water heater was out. We had to pump out the basement with our 2 portable sump-pumps. After we got the water down we tried to light the pilot ourselves. Nada, rien, nutin’ happening. OK, a service call at night was 150 bucks. We could wait until the morning. The plumber gets here and looks at the water line on the heater, we had 16 inches! That explains why everything in the basement was all over the place, it actually floated around! Ugh. (I’m sure you are wondering where 10 inches of water went? We have a lovely crack in the floor that lets the groundwater in when things flood, and back out when it receeds.)

So the whole heating unit had to be removed and cleaned out. It ended up running us 300 bucks! Although I gotta admit it was nice to come home to a moist environment! LOL. Always look at the bright side of life!

Best news yet, my bike beat me home! Thanks to Lawrence & Cid of Inside Out Sports. It’s going to be really nice here this weekend and I’m going to hit Harriman State Park on Saturday for training rides in preparation for the Harryman ½ Ironman on May 19. Wish me luck its a very tough couse!

Good job everyone! I might see ya’ll at Coeur d’Alene!

I am a TIMEX Newbie. I still can’t believe I’m on the team.

This was the coolest camp I have experienced. It beats Girl Scout camp, Outward Bound, and summer camp. It was Fantasy Camp. I got a swimming lesson from Melanie, that was really cool, but now my muscles hurt because I wasn’t using them before! Ben, maybe you should ask her for some pointers?

I found out that the pros have hangups, nerves, injuries and body issues, JUST LIKE ME! Sometimes they have confidence issues, a lot of nutrition problems (Immodium AD should be a sponsor!) and family conflicts. Everyone is trying to balance life outside of training; (is there life outside of training?) i.e. work, commutes, college, personal commitments and how to survive the perils of traveling.

As Tim said in his post, we learned a lot about all our sponsors and I can’t wait to go out for a ride with my new GPS and BodyLink system on my new Trek bike! I have gotten many compliments on my new dual watch (it has hands and a digital display) and learned how to put on a wetsuit in no time! I’m not gonna share that though, its an insider secret!

After hanging out with some of the funniest and nicest people, I know I am in the right place. I will be cheering all of my teammates on throughout the year from the M.O.P! Just make sure you save me a beer at the finish!

My favorite Burrito Recipe! Serves 2-4

1 packet Uncle Bens 90 second Brown Rice

1 can Amy’s Organic Black Beans or refried beans

4 Sweet potatoes

Shredded cheese (optional) I like the Mexican blends with added spices

3 large fresh tomatoes, diced

1 jalapeno, diced ole!

Large organic Tortillas (whole wheat preferably)

Fresh Cilantro and Lime wedges to taste

Microwave the potatoes for 4 minutes per potato. (so for 4 potatoes 4 x 4 minutes, turn the potaotes each time. Be sure to prick the potatoes to let steam out. Heat up rice per package directions during the last 90 seconds of potatoes. Mix hot rice and diced tomatoes and jalapeno in bowl. Keep warm. You can also mix beans in if you like or keep them seperate. Scrape flesh out of potatoes and keep warm. Place tortilla in dry nonstick skillet on medium heat. Spread in potatoes, rice mixture, cilantro, beans and cheese. Fold tortilla over and roll on seam side and cook for 3-4 minutes. Roll and cook on opposite side for another 3-4 minutes.

Enjoy with guac, salsa or sour cream (in moderation!) squeeze lime wedges on burrito for an added zest or put them in your cerveza.

I also use chicken, leftovers, tempeh or tofu in place of the sweet potato. YUM-O!

Next up: Cookies that are good for you and you wanna eat them!