What a FANTASTIC weekend!!!

Okay, so the nitty-gritty of this fantastic weekend? Let's skip ahead to everything except the training details shall we? Unless you are all dying to find out how I reorganized my linen closet. So, on Saturday, I didn't wake up until 8 am (woohoo!) and finally made my way out to run at about 10am. It was absolutely beautiful!!! While Derek (who was joining me after already running a 6 miler earlier that morning)and I ran, we chatted and laughed and just enjoyed our nice lazy 5 mile run together. When we got home, I spent about 30 minutes stretching and doing my PT exercises. This was the longest pavement run I've done since the femoral stress fx and, thankfully, everything felt GREAT!

On Sunday, Derek and I joined the RABA group for a 54 mile route that started about 5minutes from my house. Even better than that? It started at 9am!! Two days of sleeping in!! Hallelujah for that!!! You know, I was really nervous going on my first ride with this cycling group! Isn't that funny? I felt like I was starting my first day of school and had to try to make new friends or something! "Does my outfit look okay?" "Will they like me?" "Hope they don't think I suck!" Silly isn't it? I really believe branching out to different groups helps you be a more well-rounded person. And by stepping out of my comfort zone and introducing myself to different situations and groups of people, I always remember that "new girl" feeling. And, that helps makes sure I'm never one of those awful, intimidating clique-ey people! You know the ones? Where you approach a group and they all look at you but no one says hello. Yeah, they suck. Anyway, my aversion to "cliquiness" is a whole blog in itself so back to the ride . . . As it turns out, everyone was really welcoming and friendly and the ride was absolutely gorgeous!! I had no idea I had such a great ride route so close to my house! In the next few weeks, my plan is to make french toast, fresh fruit and mimosas and try to lure the TRIgirls out here for a nice ride followed by brunch at my place!!!

So my plan for this week? Continue plugging away at my run while helping to calm Kelsey's nerves about her first "real" swim meet this weekend. She's swam in casual summer league meets but she's now part of a year-round swim team and she is swimming some crazy stuff. Here's her event list for this weekend:

200 Freestyle
50 Backstroke
100 Breaststroke
50 Butterfly
100 IM (25 each of Fly, Back, Breast, Free)
100 Freestyle
50 Breaststroke
100 Butterfly
50 Freestyle
100 Backstroke

I would die!! Seriously. 100 of Buttefly?!? Good God. Shoot me now. She's very, very nervous so send her some of that great TRIgirl mojo!!

Officially back . . .

Okay, this is my official re-entry into the world of blogging. So much has happened over the last few months -- both mentally and physically, that I felt I just couldn't keep up with life and blogging at the same time. But, now I feel a bit more settled and hope to check in a bit more often!

With my hiatus from racing this year, I have to admit, I have felt separated from my teammates. They are all gearing up for their respective races and I feel I'm just piddling around with no direction. I'll admit it. I'm jealous. Insanely jealous, actually. And, honestly, I'm sad. I miss them. I miss being part of "the team". I mean, I know I am still (and will always be) a TRIgirl but I miss the day-to-day fun that comes along with training with your teammates. I suppose I just feel a bit disconnected -- I can't wait for IMUSA . . .

Have I told anyone that I'm getting my USAT Coaching Certification in October? No?? That's probably because I wasn't sure I wanted to let people know. The plan is that I'll start "officially" coaching for TRIgirl next year (YAY!) but, you know, that little negative voice I thought I had squashed when I did IMFL?? Well, it's back. I haven't really told anyone because I imagine people thinking "Her? A coach? HA! What does she know??" Despite the really fantastic enouragement and confidence I have been getting from my own coaches, I still have that whole self-confidence issue eating away at me.

I am finally up to running 5 miles now (I know, big whoop!) But, it has been a long, slow road and I think (*hope*!) that I am doing everything right so that I'll be fit and ready to go when IMUSA training begins. Until then, I'm just going to keep plugging along like a turtle.

Okay, well. Hmmmm. Wow, I'm going to have to get used to this blogging thing again. I forgot how difficult it is to write down random thoughts!! I have a ride planned this weekend with the Richmond Area Bike Association so I guess I'll have more stuff to say after that (let's hope!!)