Some things that I LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Getting back into the good mood/happy natured person that I am 99.9% of the time, I want to throw out some photos of things that I LOVE:

Wonderful smelling, fresh, home grown flowers that I carried in my best friends wedding:


The pool in the morning when I'm the first one there:


Receiving surprise packages in the mail from wonderful people whom I have never met in person. Sue, thank you so much for the amazing care package! I have that shirt on now!

*And if you like that shirt, check out this web site peacewithin - Rebecca has some amazing stuff!*

Fresh, home grown, watermelon after a kick ass workout:

*how about that bike grease on my leg? somehow I ALWAYS end up with some somewhere on me*

Wonderful, amazing people that I am luck enough to have as my friends:




The Princess - I know she will always be there for me!



My family:




Where I live:




I hope everyone has a great weekend and good luck to everyone who is racing!!

Reality.

I know this blog is suppose to be about triathlons, running, etc. But I just want to share these photos. Most of my 101 (HOLY COW!) followers are from all around the world - and I just want to show some photos about what is going on in the LA coast, and is inching it's way to my back yard:






I can't even express my feelings right now. Jason and I are just a mess. And do you know what the worst part is? They have not even stopped the 1000's of gallons flowing out every day into our beautiful Gulf of Mexico. I'm not trying to force anything - I just want to make people aware. We can't even watch the news anymore. It just seems like alot of bull shit to make everyone feel better. Well, this is not a lifetime movie. This is real life. I am trying my best to keep my spirits up. But it's so freaking hard...not only for me. But for everyone who lives on the gulf coast.

View from the beach...

Here are a few views from the beach on Monday morning -




Yep- that awesome guy was passed out. With a beer in his hand.

No Oil Yet.

So today it finally happened. It's been a very very long time since I've pushed myself over the limit while training. And today happened to be the day. I met coach at the track around 5:45 this morning(Man I love having a local coach)for a whooping on the track. Track workouts are always a mental challenge for me. I know I'm going to work my ass and sweat like crazy, but they make me faster so it's worth the pain! On tap today - mile repeats. Fist pump. After the 2nd sub seven 1600 I puked. Whoohoo! But my running is feeling strong and after that minor set back - I was back on the track for some more pain. Bring it on big circle, I'm ready for you.

So - I need a good motivation book. I don't want the only thing holding me back with my races to be my brain. Any suggestions?

Happy hump day!!

Who knew?

Who knew you could surf behind a ski boat?




Yesterday a training friend of mine, Alan, had a ton of people over at his family's lake house north of Panama City. And oh how fun it was. I could not tell you when the last time I was in a large body of water that was not full of salt. But it's so fun to hang out with everyone when we are not in race mode or training mode!


And it's always a bunch of laughs when you almost sink a kayak!

In training news - I got my ass handed to me this weekend. We had a great open water swim on Saturday - around 2 miles. Easy as pie going out, but hard as hell coming back. And then Jeff had the excellent idea to run. It was around 10am. And very very hot. Ugh. Today Jeff and I got in a killer 60ish mile bike out to the new Panama City Beach airport (which everyone should fly into because it has Southwest! whoohoo!). I avg around 19mph and just about died of heat stroke at the end.

Jeff - saving the world one turtle at a time:


And let me mention that Jeff is doing IM France in a few weeks! How exciting would that be? I've been to the shores of Nice, France (where the swim is) and it is breath taking! I can't wait to hear all about it!

Our beaches are still perfect - but we are all getting somewhat stressed out. Why can't all of the brillant minds (and all of the money) in the world come up with a way to stop this mess? If...when...it hits here...I don't know how I am going to feel. To be honest, my heart will break.

Oil Spill on Florida Beaches?

So...we searched for oil and so far found this on our beaches....

Peer Pressure

Not only am I doing this race:

But I also got suckered into this bad boy:

Anyone else?!?!?

Also - who watched the biggest loser last night?? Holy weight loss!

And no oil - our beaches are still perfect and blue!

Who likes free things?

Me! Me! Specially when it comes to Iphone apps. I was forwarded some information on a free app called Strands - the Ultimate Digital Training Log for Active People. I am all over the place all the time for work - so something like this will work perfect for me. Just another gadget to add to my OCD :) But I'm excited to try it out and see how it works. I'm always game for a new Iphone app. I will keep you posted on how it works out!

Well, we went fishing yesterday. All day. That is what Big J and I call a date, which I love. Caught a few fish and saw 100's of rays along the beach. We also came across a few hammerheads as we where running the beach looking for tarpon. With warmer waters - the sharks come closer to the beach. No biggie. I figure if I leave them alone, they will do the same. Hopefully. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to my open water swim this weekend :)

Sports bra tan lines - be gone! *poof!* At least until next weekend.

I also came accross these stickers -

Get it? I kind of like it...it just might go on the back of the jetta.

Hope everyone is having great week!