"My, it's humid here"

Will, our homestay, got here safe and sound. We decided to go and check out the gulf first thing. Right when we got to the end of the boardwalk, Will looks at me and says "My, it's humid here". Yes. Yes it is.

I'm afraid to say that it's going to be a hot one this year. It's about 3:30 right now, and about 85 outside. Hot, sunny, and humid. Awesome. So Will decided that to acclimate himself to the weather, all of the vents in his room are closed, the fan is off, and the windows are open. Needless to say, his room is like a sauna!

But he is an awesome homestay and we're having a great time. I think he's enjoying the fresh fish and stone crab claws which Jason has been cooking every night as well as meeting my tri friends. He was surprised of how large of a group we have and how friendly everyone is. Well, we tend to dis-associate ourselves with assholes - so I guess we did a good job. Just kidding. Kind of.

Training is going well here. My running is still feeling awesome and my biking is as well. But I did find a new nutrition drink, FRS. I guess they have it in several different forms - but I have the powered mix. They come in small packets and are great 'natural energy' boosters. It has ZERO sugar and only 10 calories per serving. I just like the way they taste and how good they make me feel - plus Lance is all about it so it must be good. Right :) Check it out if you are looking for something new to sip on mid-afternoon besides ...ugh...coke or something like that.

Home Stay!!

This is Will Alexander Franc - well, an old photo I stole from the good old Facebook:



Ok - this is him now:


He's a Swiss Pro who is going to rock out IMFL this year and hopefully qualify for Kona. He should be flying into good old Panama City Beach sometime tomorrow. Jason and I are so excited to open our house to someone from another country and hopefully make his IMFL experience an amazing one. I'll post his race number as soon as we find out what it is.

I know I've been a non blogger for the past week - but my mom came into town! We not only saw Willie Nelson (yes, it was awesome) but we saw several amazing local bands the whole time she was here. One quick question - have I just not been to a 'big' concert in a long time - or is it common for people to record the WHOLE concert on their cell phones?

Anyway - we had a great time while she was in town. Not only did we hear some great music, drink a ton of wine, got in a few good runs, but she also helped me 'decorate' the new place (which she loved). I can't wait to see my family Christmas. I know, I'm a total dork, but I love my family :)

Heat wave no more!

Yesterday morning I woke up - hopped into the F-J Cruiser to meet everyone for a ride, and saw this:


Are those arm warmers? Why yes, they are :)


When the gulf is warmer then the air - the water is such an amazing color:


HELLO FALL! I welcome you with open arms! What a great ride we had (minus the hurricane force winds) not sweating our asses off. I don't know about you - but I run and bike so much better when the humidity is low and the air is cool. Ahhh...let the marathon training come into full force!

Speaking of marathon training - if you are looking for some amazing music to run with check out Tiesto's Club Life It's a weekly podcast that I've been loading onto the trusty pink I-pod and rocking out to. Each pod cast is about an hour long and has an amazing tempo to get lost in while cranking out the miles.

Ok - so I went and saw Paranormal Activity this past week. Scariest movie I have ever seen. But I loved it! If you are thinking about going - DO!! No one left the theater until the lights where on. It was that good.

Congrats to anyone who raced this weekend!!

Heat Wave!

Dear For Those Of You Up North:

PLEASE stop hogging all of the cold weather and send some down here!

Love:
Chloe (and the rest of Florida)

Yes, it's been very hot and humid here. So much so that I've been getting mad on the long runs. Seriously. This is what my car said this morning - at 4:30:



I really wanted to punch something (or someone) when I saw that. Thankfully this morning it was overcast - BUT STILL! It's freaking OCTOBER! I really hope it cools down from IMFL in three weeks! Ok. I'm down with my rant about mother nature.

BUT I have been loving coconut water. What? You've never heard of it? It is probably the best recovery drink ever. I'm not huge on sugary goodness (aka Gatorade) - so this is right down my alley. These bad boys are chalk full of potassium with nothing artificial. Just 100% coconut water. There are several brands out there - but so far all of them have been just fine with me. If you have not tried it - grab one (available at health food stores)and enjoy it after a long hard workout.

Here is the current selection in the fridge:


In 'healthy habit' news:

My week of revving up my training and eating healthy - I have not felt better! The salad thing worked like a champ and I really think taking iron supplements have really helped with my energy level. So - if you are at wal-mart, pick one of those salad guys up. Well worth the $5.00!!

Good luck to everyone racing in Kona and Chicago this weekend!

Biggest Loser to Ironman

Check this out... IRONHOOVER Be sure to read the last paragraph. Thoughts? Feelings?

I'm not trying to bash anyone by any means - but I would be scared S***less to be in that position! There is a pretty big difference between a 70.3 and a full! But I hope he does well and is able to make the cut-offs and hopefully have a positive influence on people who are watching!!

Good luck to everyone racing tomorrow!!!

Camp Flowers

Today instead of doing the boring old 'Bruce' ride as we call it - we decided to hop onto the IMFL bike course. A few riders (who are doing IMFL and IMAZ) rocked out 80 miles, while the rest of us kept it fun at 40+. I was so excited to take out the new QR and see what she can do on a course that is not full of turns.

The weather was great - nice and overcast, low humidity, and just a bit of rain towards the end. So needless to say, it was an amazing ride. I'm still loving the new QR. And, to every ones surprise - parts of 388 are newly paved! whohoo! It was like Christmas! Camp Flowers (random name for a road) is still full of cracks and bumps - but 388's goodness more then made up for it.


And can I mention the zoo of animals we saw? Horses, deer, a huge dead snake on the side of the road, a peacock (seriously), and a few HUGE goats. Gigantic goats. One hopped out of the back of a truck to check us out. Random I know - but unfortunately my stealthy photo skills with the Iphone have yet to be mastered on the bike. But don't worry - I'll practice. So for those of you doing IMFL this year - keep your eyes peeled for the random side shows on the bike!

Lately my energy has been kind of on the low side. I don't know if it's because my training has taken a back seat for the past few weeks as I get used to my new work schedule or if my diet is just off. So this week I have decided to try a few things:

1) Get back into my 'pre new job/move' work out routine. I'll have to get up at the butt crack and plan to get ready for work at some training partners houses - but it can be done.

2) Pay more attention to my vitamins that I take. Specially taking Iron as well as Omega-3's every day.

3) Work on my diet when I'm on the road. With the new job - I'm not in an office so I have to really plan my meals. I don't eat fast food - but I'm not the healthiest road eater either. I also need to get out of the habit of eating a powerbar as a replacement for lunch! So as I was at Wal-Mart today (ugh - I know. Specially the one on the beach) I found this -




The thing that I'm pointing at gets put in the freezer - so your salad stays cold! The salad goodness stays divided until you are ready for it to be mixed so everything won't be soggy! BEST. IDEA. EVER. I'll keep you posted on how everything goes this week!

I am getting super excited for everyone who is getting ready for Kona! The energy can be felt over here!!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!!

Twenty Nine

Yes. Twenty nine years ago today, Jack and Paula had Kathryn Chloe Elfrink. And I'm happy to say - this is the last birthday that I will be celebrating. I'm not going to turn 30. :) I'm going to stay in the 25-29 age group for the rest of my life!!

Motivation

motivation (plural motivations)

Willingness of action esp. in behavior
The action of motivating.
Something which motivates.
An incentive or reason for doing something.

I seemed to have lost mine. If you find it - please sent it my way.

Thanks!

XOCHLOE