SheROX Triathlon

This past weekend I completed the SheRox Triathlon! Its crazy to think that almost exactly a year ago I did my first triathlon, and now a year later I'm up to six! (More about my first race on my blog Fearless Triathlon - I Did It!) This of course coming from the girl who swore she would never, EVER do a triathlon. What's up next? Me eating cheese? Doubtful! My friend Tara signed up for the race months ago and kept trying to get me to sign up. I thought about it since I liked the idea of a women's only triathlon, but my race schedule has been so heavy this year that I just needed to draw the line somewhere so I said no.

SheRox Triathlon Race Shirt

Mentor Program

A couple months ago though I saw in a race newsletter that SheRox was looking for mentors for first time triathletes. I was instantly intrigued, read about the program online, and then sent an email off to the organizer of the team.  A year ago I knew nothing about triathlons and had sooo many questions. Several friends, the Tri Club, and the Fearless Races clinics all helped me get to the start line prepared; and I really wanted to give back to a new triathlete who was were I was a year ago. (Not like I'm a master of all this by any means now, but I have a good idea of what you need to get through the race.)

I was soon matched up with a mentee and I was so excited to share everything I had learned this year! Unfortunately my partner was  a new mom with little time to train (or even reply to my emails half the time....) so we barely connected and actually never got a chance to meet. Totally not what I was expecting from the relationship. But .. silver lining .. by signing up to be a mentor I was given free registration to the race. I felt guilty getting the free entry in exchange for essentially doing nothing ... but hey, I tried!

SheRox Triathlon Course Map

Training For the Race

This race fell in the middle of my training plan for the Marine Corps Marathon which I'll be running with David next weekend. I scheduled one swim day and one or two bike days per week. Um yeah, I barley got those workouts in. I've started to burn out on running towards the end of the year and each time I had a mediocre run I'd try to make up for it the next day (and forgo a swim or bike workout) to get one more run in. As the months ticked by and race day approached I had only swam twice and biked four times in the past three months. Oops. 

LOVE My Volvo! Bike w/Tire On Fits Perfectly

Race Expo

On the Saturday before race day I came by the expo to pick up my race number and goodie bag. When I got my number I noticed I was in Wave 1 but didn't think anything of it. I figured maybe they put all the mentors up front. When I went to pick up my swim cap though, the guy said "Oh! One of the special silver swim caps!" I mumbled "Um yeah, I think that's a mistake". He said "Oh .. well are you a really strong swimmer?" HA "No, but I'm a strong runner." He shrugged and handed me the cap and just told me to start in the back. Well okay, it can't be that bad right? At least I don't have to start in a huge pack!

Wave 1 Huh?

I was sad to find out that before leaving the expo they were marking everyone up with their race numbers. It was 2pm and I had a bunch of errands to run. And .. I ran them with huge "75's" on my arm and a "1" on my right calf. 

The Gun Show - Marked for the Race

When I got home I started to fret a bit about being assigned to Wave 1. What if it was unethical? Would the other elite athletes laugh at me? Should I go back and try to switch? I turned to my online friends for some advice, and the general consensus seemed to be to stay in the wave. So I decided to just go with it.

Silver Cap Matches My Sony Gear!

Gear Laid Out, Ready to Pack

Race Morning

The next morning I got up around 4:30 am and made it down to the race area by 6:15 am for a 7:00 am start.  Look at me not showing up late! :o) I racked my bike and searched for Tara. 

Transition Area - So Much Room to Rack in Wave 1!

Glam Runners - Minus Their Glam

Soon it was 7:00 am and it was time for my (elite!!) wave to start. Oh boy, it was me and one other chick. She didn't seem to notice that I totally don't look like an elite athlete (by about 20 pounds) and said she was so relieved she wasn't racing alone! Um, well little did she know she would be as soon as we started. 

Silver Cap Looks Nervous!

The Elite Athlete, Me, & My Double Chin

Swim - 750m

The swim was a water start which I prefer to running in from the beach. When the horn sounded and we started to swim I took a few strokes and then looked up to sight and saw a flurry of arms off into the distance. O M G she was fast! I thought oh well, just keep swimming. 

Tragic - Me Swimming Alone

At Least I Avoided This

After two corrections from the lifeguards to head back in the right direction on the course (once by the BOAT! So embarrassing!), being passed up by faster swimmers in the two waves behind me, and wondering if 750 meters really meant 750 miles .. I finally emerged from the water. Thank goodness! I swear the swim felt like it would never end. Ugh. I ran up to the transition area, grabbed my bike, and then headed off for the second leg of the race.

THE Best Part of Any Swim - Getting Out!

Representing Team Sony

Bike - 20K

Since I'm new to biking I'm a pretty slow biker. In my past races I averaged between 16-18mph which is not very fast in a race. On this course I started out and noticed that I was around my usual pace in the first few miles, but suddenly around mile 5 I must have warmed up because I actually found my groove! I started to bike faster and felt like I was getting stronger. 

Looking Serious on the Bike

The bike course was 12.4 miles long and somewhere around mile 8 I think I got a biking high. I suddenly wanted to be good on the bike. I wanted to train. I wanted to get stronger! I made a promise to myself that I would dedicate more time to the bike. Hopefully I can stick to that. Throughout the two loops I averaged between 15-20 mph. 20 mph!! I actually rode a few 'fast' miles! Go me!

My Elite "Competition" Finishing Strong

Run - 5K

After the bike comes my favorite part of a triathlon ... the run! Oh the glorious run! I am SO happy to run after swimming and biking since it is the only part I feel that I'm good at. The race was two 1 1/2 mile loops

which were flat, but boring. I always run with music so running in silence (while soaking wet) is totally boring. Half a mile felt like ten miles .. and the looping course was such a tease. Right as you finish the first loop you are almost at the finish line .. but oh sorry, you've only run 1 1/2 miles. Head out and do that again. Sigh. 

Finally Crossing the Finish Line

I was happy to see that I was sticking to a 7:30 pace for most of the run and 22 sweet minutes later the race was over. I did it! A triathlete once more!

Yay! I'm Done!

Finish

After the race I had my eye out for Tara, Allison (another GOTR coach), and Veronika (one of my fellow Team Sony Walkman teammates). I got to see all three finish the race and got pictures with all of them. For those of you interested in race stats, here's where I ended up.

Very Cool - Immediate Race Results at the Finish

Swim 19:33  (Division Place: 52/81) <--- booo

T1 1:39 (Division Place: 8/81) <--- hustlin'

Bike 40:53 (Division Place: 31/81)

T2 1:14  (Division Place: 22/81) 

Run 22:26 (Division Place: 14/81) <--- yeah!

Final: 1:25:44 (Division Place: 27/81)

Overall Place: 143/582

Team Sony! Monika & Veronika (K's for Kool!)

GOTR Coaches & Friends

So I didn't do so well in the swim, did mediocre on the bike, and I PR'd on the run! My 5K PR from the LA Tri Relay last month was 22:38. This was a 12 second improvement .. although supposedly the course was a little short. So fine, even if its not a 5K PR, its within 30 seconds of my PR .. and I swam and biked first! I'm really, really happy with that. (More on my last race on my blog LA Triathlon Relay.)

Meeting our DailyMile Friend Leah

All Smiles Heading Home

Post Race

After the race Tara and Ben and I headed over to the Linkery  for brunch. Aka sausages and beer. I'm not a huge beer fan but Tara & Ben are seriously beer aficionados so while I'm in their company I try to give the brews a chance.

Beer & Brauts at the Linkery

After the race I headed home to get started on a long todo list of personal things I needed to catch up with. This race weekend came right on the heels of my trip to Texas (more on my blog Domo Does Dallas) and I had my usual post-trip feeling of behind-ness.

Adding to My Collection

SheRox Triathlon Race Medal and Singlet

Next Up

My next race is the Marine Corps Marathon next weekend! Eek! This will be my second time running (his race (with David!!), my 3rd marathon this year, and my 16th marathon in my running career. I'm nervous but excited! I've made the (smart? dumb?) decision to roll the race into a work trip so I'll actually be heading to DC for five days next week. I hope my dogs don't party too hard while I'm gone. DC or Bust!

Domo Does Dallas

Domo here! Domo hasn't blogged in a few months since his trip to Vegas (two times - ugh) in June. Domo has actually traveled since then (SF twice in July, Maryland/Virginia in September), but hasn't had time to update his blog over the past few months. But sit down and buckle up people - Domo is back!

Domo was heading to Texas for three days for work. (Yes, Domo works. He isn't always a Domo of leisure.) Domo wished he had time to find a cowboy hat for the trip, but unfortunately the only outfit in his closet is a pink tutu. Darn those tutus...

Heading to Houston

A few days before Domo's trip to Texas Domo got an email from US Airways saying that Domo was upgraded to first class .. on both legs of the trip! Domo was VERY excited. Domo gets upgraded enough that he hopes for it and expects it, but not so much that it isn't a great treat. Domo loves First Class. Domo packed his carry-on bags for the trip because he had several tight connections. As a huge overpacker, Domo was very proud of this feat.

Morning Full Moon at the Airport

On Tuesday night Domo set his alarm for 4am Wednesday morning, and then caught up on some zzzs. When Domo woke up he lay in bed for a bit wondering what time it was. When Domo finally looked at the window Domo's little furry heart was in his mouth! Was that daylight Domo saw? Ohhhh nooooooo!!! Domo looked at the time. 6:15am!?!?! Domo's flight was at 6:30am. Domo immediately jumped out of bed, changed, took the dogs out, grabbed his bags, and jumped into the car. Where was the shower? Oh um yeah, missed. TMI? Domo apologizes.

Domo Waiting at the Airport

Domo's Twin Looking at Domo at the Airport on Facebook
(Domo has a twin owned by friend Megan in Arizona!)

Luckily Domo lives a few miles from the airport and by the time he drove there, parked his car, and got to the ticket counter it was 7am. Domo checked online quickly and saw that there wasn't a US Airways flight until 9:50am, but hoped there was a partner airline that could get him to Houston on time. WRONG. When Domo got to the ticket counter they said sorry, next flight is 9:50am getting in at 5pm.. Domo must have looked like he was going to cry because the ticket agent said "Why, did you really need to get there earlier?" Domo tried not to look too pathetic when saying "Yes, I needed to be there by 4pm".

And then ...

The ticket agent said "Well, you're Gold. Let me see if Continental can take you".

Domo's little heart almost burst with excitement!

BUT ... the 8am (direct!! argh!!) flight to Houston on Continental was overbooked by 10 seats. Domo sadly took his 9:50 am ticket, called the Houston rep, rented a car, and then parked by McDonald's and had breakfast and got online and did some work. Sigh.

Domo Finally Gets on the Plane

Domo finally got to Houston at 5pm, made it to the event by 6pm, worked for a few hours, had dinner with the local rep, and then hit the sheets. So tired. 

Amazing Shrimp Tower at the Doctor's Open House Event

Day in Houston

The next morning Domo dragged himself out of bed early and hit the gym! Domo loves working on his fitness. After visiting a few customers Domo found himself back at the airport getting ready to head to Dallas. 

Domo Digs the Courtyard Marriott Amenities

Day in Dallas

Domo's flight to Dallas was quick! Domo put on the outfit he was going to wear that evening. Unfortunately the fabric had metallic thread woven into it. When Domo went through the full body scanner Domo's body lit up like a Christmas tree, as if Domo had 30 bombs strapped to his body.  Domo was quickly pulled aside, touched in so many places he expected a lobster dinner afterwards, and told to NEVER wear that outfit again. Sheesh!

Sparkly Zig-Zags - BAD!

Domo headed straight to a reception at the Old Hickory Wine Store, followed by dinner at the Old Hickory Steakhouse, ending with some time at the sports bar.

Room View at the Gaylord Texan

Random - Barstool in the Bathroom?

Domo usually goes to bed around 10pm and can count on two furry fingers how many times he's been up past midnight this year. Domo ended up at the sports bar until about 12:30am ... meaning the 5:30am wake-up the next morning was not well received. Domo was determined to keep on track with his fitness though so Domo dragged his furry butt to the gym and ran a few miles. Man Domo was tired. 

52 Foot Tv in the Hotel Sports Bar

After running Domo barley made it to the group breakfast on time, had a packed day of meetings, and then hey, Domo was back at the airport. 

Gift Shop with a Huge Sock Monkey!!

Monika & Monkey - True Love

Heading Home

Domo normally maintains a professional appearance at work but though screw it on this trip home. Domo put on his ballet flats and leggings before sharing a car with his coworkers (in suits) back to the airport. Domo thinks he got a few raised eyebrows from his travel companions but was too tired to fret over it.

Random - Band Performing at Baggage Claim at the Airport

Domo wasn't upgraded on either flight on the way home and was resigned to his coach seat ... when on his second flight he was pulled from his seat and brought to first class. Awesome!! Domo was so happy. Up on arriving in San Diego around 10pm Domo quickly got his car, headed home, and went to bed. The three day trip was quick, but exhausting. Domo thinks he's showing his age. Next trip? DC in two weeks!

Yelp Elite - Seeing Green

Last week I attended my second Yelp Elite Party. As always, the party had a theme and was at an Irish bar called McFaddens where they were having a "Halfway to St. Patty's Day" party. My friend Tara and I went to their last party, a prohibition themed party at Bootlegger, and had a great time. (More on my blog Yelp Elite - Oh Yeah!) This time I took my boss Kate as my plus one since she's an aspiring Yelp Elite member and was excited to see what being Yelp Elite was all about.

Yelp Welcome Sign

It seems like these parties are always downtown on Thursday nights ... meaning last week I had to rush home from coaching Girls on the Run, change, head downtown, and keep my fingers crossed that I'd find parking. I circled the streets furtively for a few minutes after Kate told me she had found parking, but then gave in and just parked in one of the many lots. Since the theme of the party was St. Patty's day we both should've dressed in green. Unfortunately I didn't have anything green to wear so I threw on a string of green mardi gras beads that I had gotten years ago at the Chicago Marathon. 

Yelp Elite Party Entrance

 Photo courtesy of Yelp's Flickr stream

As we approached the bar we saw a crowd of green party people lining up at the door. We checked in, received name tags, were instantly given glowstick necklaces, were handed chapstick on a stick, walked two more feet and were given a choice of beers, walked a few more feet and were offered an appetizer from a tray, started to descend the stairs and encountered another waitress with an appetizer tray .... wow! I wish this happened to me when I walked into work! Wouldn't it be nice if someone took my coat, handed me coffee, read me my to-do list for the day, reminded me to pick up my drycleaning .... but I digress. Someday ... someday....

Packed Bar at McFadden's

  Photo courtesy of Yelp's Flickr stream

Anyways, we got upstairs and were surprised by how large the bar area was and how packed it was. The place was jam packed with Yelpers in green and tons of waitstaff. The Yelp party ran from 6 - 8pm and during that time they had an open bar and free appetizers circulating. WOW. We walked around the main bar area for a bit and then headed out back to the huge patio area where we sat down. Maybe I haven't gone out in a while (okay that's totally not a maybe, that's a definitely), but the noise was bothering me. There was music blaring inside and it was hard to hold a conversation. WHAT? HUH? haha jk.

We're Just Too Cool

As Kate and I hung out outside we picked up some cute chotchkis off the table, met the party leprechaun, and we were constantly checked on by the waitstaff to see if we wanted more drinks or food. The staff was ON IT. Since this event was the bar's grand opening party I'm sure they wanted to provide top-notch service and get great Yelp reviews, and I'm pretty sure that after this party they must have. 

Kate's New Friend

As we sat there we had several super friendly people come by and start up conversations with us. This reminded me of the  last party I went to with Tara. Either Elite Yelpers are the friendliest most outgoing people out there, or parties attract super outgoing people. Maybe if you throw a free party and provide free drinks and food you are guaranteed to have happy friendly people? Who knows. 

Our New Friends

By the end of the night Kate and I had been suited up with McFadden sunglasses, wrist bands, and beer coozies, and had met the party leprechaun and received gifts from his pot-o-gold ... McFadden prophylactics! haha. Random and funny ... I thought they were matches when I grabbed one! :oP

That's Not a Matchbook!

We didn't stay too long after the Yelp party ended (8:30pm is late enough for me to be out on a school night) and I headed home to finish up with my post-GOTR coaching work. (If you're interested in reading my bi-weekly GOTR coaching blog, you can pick up the feed here.)

LOVE This! Blood, Yelp, & Tears

The party was a lot of fun and it was fun to hang out with my boss for the first time socially. We work in such a small company that we've hung out a lot at work and on the road, but it was fun to do something local and downtown. I'm looking forward to the next Yelp Elite event and I'm sure it will be a blast too. Who wants to be my plus one?? :)

Don't You Want to Be +1 to This Girl??