Rain Races.

Lately we have been blessed with some sunshiny days and have been equally gifted with rain storms. Just when you think you have your day figured out the weather takes control. Last year at this time all training was still indoors, so the fact that we made 4 bike rides outside this week was AMAZING.

I am finding myself either chasing my shadow in the sun (which always makes me look like I am running like a goof). Or chasing the dark rain clouds. Somehow I sneaked in two workouts just in time before there were winds and rain that would blow you sideways into the ocean.

The thought of another 4+ hour trainer ride was making me nauseous but the weather man was trying to make that happen. We opted to "give it" a try and managed 5 hours with only a 5 min burst of rain drops so fierce it felt like pellets were being thrown at me. It also brought back the memories of Boise 70.3 last year and riding through a hail storm. OUCH!

The ride left us with a few ab workouts incorporated within. As always, with friends you are guaranteed some laughs that last a lifetime. The highlight was when we stopped at the 2:30 mark at a gas station.

A sudden bang left us all turning our heads so quickly we could have instilled whiplash upon ourselves.

A man drove off leaving his gas hose in the tank.

Funny, YES, but what topped it off was Tracy asking "Who does that?" and Natalie responding "Well, when I did it.....and they are designed with "tear-away" capabilities."

Then the gentlemen carried it into the mini-mart for his "walk-of-shame."

(Laura, T, Nat. If you look closely you can see the hose missing in the back pump.)

STILL laughing this morning.

The rainstorms were brewing up all night and today I am keeping my fingers crossed I can find a hole in the cloud to get this training done.....OUTSIDE!

P.S. Some of you asked about the sprained tailbone. Believe me, I didn't believe it was possible, but holy OUCH. Worst pain of my life (minus being hit by a bus....literally). I was having some trouble with my back and SI joint....whipped out a bike trainer ride of endless hours and I was sitting slightly "off", somehow my tailbone shifted. Lesson learned: Get back issues addressed immediately.

Cheers to sunny skies and chasing your shadow!

Sunday confirmations.

In the midst of wedding planning there has been many other things going on including training, the first team race and a sprained tailbone. Some I appreciate more than others :)

This pass Sunday was the first team race at Mercer Island (incredible results BTW). Mark woke up Sunday wanting to race at the last second and a sprained tailbone left me sidelined. But nothing Dr. Clem couldn't fix!

(10k age group winner!)

A few things were confirmed this Sunday.

I LOVE MY JOB! Nothing is more exciting than seeing an athletes hard work pay off.

I have a GREAT SOON-TO-BE husband. He raced, I cheered. He cooks, I eat. He raced and cooked an amazing french toast (with PB) breakfast. I cheered and ATE. THIS will work out nicely.

Confirmation #2 that HE is GREAT. Rode bike trainer for a few hours later on Sunday post race and post work. 5 minutes before I was to get off he mixed up my recovery drink and got BASE Recovery pills out for me. Actually I think he may have been rushing me to get to Mexican food, but I will just say it is a sign of TRUE LOVE!

Climbing high....

(The best family of athletes that work together to become better athletes....truly amazing people)

Saturday marked my 3rd stair workout of the year. The mini-flight has somewhere around 170+ stairs of less than perfect "safety code" heights, but this last week we ventured over to the not-so-mini flight of stairs, by the time I got there my mind had already surpassed the ability to count pass 10, so I can only say that they are further, longer, steeper, and even more rewarding at the top. I, luckily have the option of having lots of training partners that take away a gazillionth of the pain, however, they disappear when I get home and wake up the next day unable to move. Where did you guys go?

(Yes, I planned the pink, did NOT plan the not-so-matchy mittens)

Mark reminds me that each time I do "the climb" I am OUT for two days...someday, I believe he will be wrong. But for now he is right :) Muscle aches galore, but it continues to get better and I continue to get smarter by booking 1.5 hour massages the following day. I recognize there are huge training benefits for me. But once a month is enough, for the stairs that is, not the massage.

This pass weekend someone came up with a grand idea to do a bike indoor TT, we happened to do it mid-day since we all had "mandatory" workouts that we had to get in prior. Mine happened to be stairs...."What doesn't kill you makes you stronger....right?!" All I can say is OUCH.

There was a battle in the room, and it was inspiring, to see an athlete (or two) squeak out every little last bit of energy to reach their goal...no, this wasn't an "A" race, everyone was TIRED, this was a TT of household bragging rights, but man is this girl tough!

To top the weekend off, Seattle was blessed with the weather that makes you truly enjoy the gift of riding a bike. Sunday was the first Chilly Hilly ride ever that was filled with blue skies and sunshine. The TNM team threw the bike trainers aside and were out in full force. I had a less than stellar day and had to cut the ride short, which I think hurt more emotionally than the physical pain that made me have to stop. Really, can't remember the last time I cried because all I wanted to do was ride my bicycle, is that too much for a girl to ask?

(mwebb looking HOT sporting the new TNM cycling kit)

Probably not, because coach has some grand plans for my cycling and today's hill repeats were enough to make me be thankful I was cut short on Sunday....and my heart was content...for today at least...until tomorrow, my bike awaits!