Rookie Tri--2014

Sometimes, I think I'm just nuts. Today was one of those days. I have been only doing Sprint Distance Triathlons for the past few years, so I haven't ridden my bike (Vaderette) more than 18 miles at a time for awhile. In fact, Vaderette has been hanging quietly in the garage for 7 months and still has the race number from my last race on it. So does my helmet. I have found a great group of people to ride with and decided to be brave and face the San Antonio roads. So, I dusted her off and rode 20 miles. My legs were jell-o so the "run" turned into a 1-mile walk.  But, I felt great!!! And I had the weekend off, so I decided to sign up for a triathlon the very next day. 

The RookieTriathlon at Walter E. Long Lake in Austin, TX.  This is the first race of the Texas Tri Series. It's a High-Five Event sponsored by Jack & Adam's Bicycles and Austin FitMagazine. It's pretty cool because they had pros in the open wave (super fast) and separate waves for veterans (me, but that doesn't mean prepared) and rookies (first time triathletes). The cut-off for signing up was 5 PM, so I signed up at 4:15 PM. Plenty of time. I was pleasantly surprised to see a check-box asking if I preferred vegetarian food at the finish. AUSTIN ROCKS!!!!  I recruited a friend to ride with me for company in the wee hours. Sarah is a ROCKSTAR!!!

Brian got up to wish me luck, and went back to bed. Sarah left San Antonio with me at 4 AM and we drove to Austin. Picked up my packet, and took Vaderette into transition.  There are lots of stickers here. Realized that my water bottles were nicely packed on the kitchen counter.  DAMN!!! Put my feet in the water and decided wetsuit was OK. Besides, I need the practice.

Swim:  I have been in the pool exactly 3 times in 7 months . . .all in the last week. 50 meters felt tough, but I figured I could breast stroke if I needed to. 300 meters in a washing machine of arms and legs and I only converted to breast stroke a few times to try to get out of the mix. Slower than I hoped for, but maybe faster than I expected. 9:54

These were in my feet

T1: It seems I always have a picnic in transition. And I had lots of stickers to get out of my feet (in fact, I'm still pulling out splinters and bits). Next time I swim in water shoes. Stripped off the wetsuit without a problem...which means I didn't fall down. Decided not to take my phone for my GPS app, and rely on my bike computer instead. Whoops, should have checked to see if the computer worked. It didn't. Carried Vaderette out of transition because I didn't want to hurt her tootsies. (Thank goodness, passed lots of flat tires on the short route.) Clipped in and ready to go, then BAM!!! Boxed in by a biker in front and a biker on the left that were mounting. Only one direction to go. It was only a flesh wound and not even significant enough for a photo. But the bruise is starting to develop. 5:50

Bike: Those HILLS and those WINDS!!!! I was grinding in low gears to go downhill!! Uphill was quicksand. At one of the good downhills, there was a sharp turn and lots of warnings to slow down . . .crap!!! As soon as I made the bend, in high gear, the road went UP!!! I was moving so slow, there were only 2 options. I chose the graceful dismount. Didn't feel quite so bad when Mr. Cervelo P3 with the disc wheels and aero helmet walked up the hill with me.  The course was a long slow grind, and I was grateful when it ended. My face and lips are wind-chapped. I need to get a better motor for Vaderette. She tried her best, though.58:33

T2: Another picnic because I don't know where my brain was. Overall uneventful, but I don't know what these attachments to the bottom half of my body are. They aren't legs, more like lead sticks. And I'm not sure my brain is connected to them in any way.3:16

Sarah cut my head off . . .and I'm walking

Run? If you can call it that. Shuffle a bit, walk a lot. There is Sarah screaming at me to run. I wanted to call her lots of awful names. I think I have forgotten how to run in my hiatus these past few months.  Was so impressed with the young volunteer who gave me water. I gasped "thanks." She gave me a sweet smile and said "my pleasure." I love that expression so much more than "you're welcome." I heard coach Jess's sweet little voice in my head saying "use your arms Melinda." I tried. I'm not sure they work right now either.30:36

Finish line: I've never crossed a tape before, so when they held one up, I didn't know what to do. I stood there and they dropped it to let me pass. Here is my photo finish.  Thanks for the medal. Thanks for the cold water. Thanks for not making me bend over to take off my chip.  Frozen lemonade, AWESOME!!! Food---hot dogs, really? But, I asked and they pulled out the secret stash of corn and cabbage tacos!!!! AUSTIN ROCKS . . .VEGAN CAPITAL!!!!  1:48:11

Slower than I hoped for, but not a lot worse than I expected.

Waited until transition opened to remove bikes and sponsors tossed goodies . . .I got a bottle (another one) with laces, and powerbars (that I gave away) and lip balm. I saw T-shirts with race entries, caps and visors, lots of Chomps and Power Bars, sunglasses, bike lube, etc.  flying through the air.

This was a great race. The volunteers were amazing. The organization was fantastic. I look forward to more High Five events It was fun...only hard because I'm de-conditioned. Gives me a good baseline to work from. I know I have to train if I want to do the half-iron I keep saying I'm going to do in October. There, I said it, it's out there, so now I HAVE TO DO IT, Right? 

Couldn't have done it without my friend and sherpa, Sarah. She is wicked crazy and tons of fun. When I was dragging, she ran and screamed and got me motivated. She can be my cheerleader any time. Next time I'm giving her my cowbell.

Mona

Not 10 days . . .Not 2 weeks . . .BUT 2 DAYS after Kaos went to rescue, The Musician shows me a picture from his cell phone and says "Want to see our new houseguest?"

Mona's stray hold had expired and she was a day away from euthanasia when SA R.O.C.K.S. stepped in to save her little life. She was mild heartworm positive and was getting spayed. The day after her spay, The Musician picked her up and brought her home until SA R.O.C.K.S. could find her a more long-term foster.

She sat quietly in her crate or huddled against The Musician under blankets on the couch. The Musician said she would NOT sleep in the bed, but would sleep in her crate. This is what I woke up to the next morning . . .

The first week, she cuddled under the blankets and was just so stinking cute. The Girls just ignored her and she pretty much ignored them. She was a quiet little girl. She didn't even take tiny treats from us. THEN SHE DISCOVERED TOYS!!! OMIGOD!!! TOYS!!! If they were big, bigger than her, she loved to shake them for all they were worth. If they squeaked . . .even better!!! And when she was excited, she wiggled and squirmed on her back all over the floor. SO STINKIN' CUTE!!! Then she discovered her voice!!! Bark bark bark bark bark bark . . .Perfect security alarm. Perfect announcer that anything was happening anywhere in the world.  She spent a weekend with another foster and taught their previously quiet dog to bark announcements. Whoops!  And, we learned she DOES NOT like cats . . . except for terrorizing.

She came back to us and was really settling in. When we left the house and came back, she greeted us like we had been gone a million years. Bark bark bark . . .spin spin spin . . .bark bark bark . . .pick me up pick me up pick me up.  She accepted . . .and expected . . .treats.  Oh, and we weighed her. I thought she was 9 pounds . . .this tiny little thing weighs 16 POUNDS!!!! And The Girls didn't mind her presence . . .except when she stole their toys.

Then out of the blue, I got this text . . .when I came home from work, she was gone. 

Happily vacationing with a few other Chihuahua buddies until she finds her furever home. 

 S.A.R.O.C.K.S is an all volunteer organization and can only afford to save lives through donations and people willing to offer their homes for fostering. Mona is going to cost a little more than the average dog because of her heartworms. Please consider sharing for her medical costs . . .and future saved lives.

Kaos . . .aka Popeye . . .aka Hank

There are many dogs roaming in our neighborhood. I don't know if it's a Texas thing and dogs are allowed to run and get lost a lot . . .or, as some of our neighbors have suggested, people dump their dogs around here believing that they will be taken in. Some of our close-by neighbors think that there is a doggie message board that tells strays to come to our house.

One night, not long ago, this was posted in the neighborhood. Many people responded, took food, took blankets. It was still chilly out and raining, which made us very sad. And we live very near a preserve area and hear coyotes howling often. We worried about this dog and couldn't bear to think of him exposed and helpless. So, The  Musician hopped in the car and picked him up and brought him home.

He was healthy and young and in pretty good shape. We were sure there was an owner looking for him, because he wasn't thin and he wasn't dirty. We posted him on multiple neighborhood facebook pages, garage sale pages, lost dog pages, animal rescue pages, and craigslist. Our friends shared him all over facebook. Someone would recognize him. We posted over 50 flyers throughout nearby neighborhoods. If we heard a clue about where he had been seen before, we rushed out to post flyers in that area. Still, no luck. He loved those car rides.

The Musician called him Popeye because "one eye just pops" out at you. I called him Kaos, because that's what he brought to the house (spelled different of course). He was young, still a puppy, and a big rambunctious guy. He ran over The Girls and they didn't like it. He was so sweet and just wanted to play, but The Girls are a little older and play much more gently. He would rummage through their toy box and bring them toys. If they ignored him, he went for more toys . . .I guess he figured he would get the right toy at some point. The squeakier the better. He never got the right one, but if Bunny growled, he thought she was playing and tried to wrestle . . .that did NOT go over well. He had boundless energy. He was a pest . . to us and to The Girls. He wanted to play every waking second of every day. We aren't built for that anymore. Super smart. He learned the doggie door by watching . . .once. He was a great running partner . . . if you run FAST. 

Thank goodness for neighbors with rambunctious dogs. We had lots of play dates. He wore out all the other dogs, and he even rested for about 15 minutes before his full energy levels were restored. Even AlleyKat tried to play, but they just ignored her and she was on the outside looking in. Not rambunctious enough.

All the husky rescues we contacted were full. But, we were in luck. Animal Defense League of San Antonio had an appointment. We scheduled an appointment. His medical tests were clear . . .no heartworm. He passed his temperament test . . .of course.  We paid a fee. He was renamed Hank. Apparently, Kaos is not a great name to get him adopted, though. Imagine!! He became famous and was the featured dog and it was decided that he is a Corski . . . Corgi/Husky mix. And probably only 9 months old, weighing 42 pounds. 

Four days later, Hank was adopted into a furever home. 

Thanks Animal Defense League of San Antonio

EEYORE

So, if you know me and you are reading my blog, you know I am a bit of a crazy animal person. I love all animals (except maybe snakes and spiders and mosquitoes and flies), but I think I love dogs the most. They each have their own personality, and they offer a lot. They make you smile, and laugh, and cry. They provide comfort when you are sick or sad. And, they sometimes drive you a little crazy.

You also probably know that The Musician and I work with rescue and foster. My favorite breed is the American Eskimo Dog. . .probably because of White Boots and Wolfie. We have fostered many R'eskies in our day and worked a lot with Eskie Rescuers United in the National Capitol Area. Since our move to San Antonio, we are working with SA R.O.C.K.S. They are an all breed rescue . . .and of course, we pick up the occasional stray. Seems there are so many stray dogs in our neighborhood, which makes me very sad. So, I've decided to share about the temporary dogs we host(ed) since moving to Texas.  

ERU Facebook

SA R.O.C.K.S Facebook

First up--Eeyore

Driving home from a race, we saw this gentle giant ambling along the side of the road in our neighborhood. We stopped the car. ..he stopped walking. We walked over to him...he laid down. He had no collar and was skinny and dusty. His poor head was probably wider than his body. And he was BIG!!! We looped a leash (because we always have one with us) around his neck and he hopped into the car. He was hungry and thirsty and he ate well.  I don't think he could hunt for himself. He would let you take food out of his mouth . . .even when he was hungry. If you wanted it from him, he would give it to you. He was able to worm his way through the Girls' doggie door. He was housetrained and quiet. I'm not sure he ever made a sound .

Then we panicked . . .we were going out of town in a week!!! What were we going to do?!?!?! Every no-kill shelter and rescue was full  . . .if they called us back. SA R.O.C.K.S didn't have a foster home available. He didn't have a microchip.

He didn't play with toys, but was stuck to my leg like velcro. Not demanding anything, just wanted to be close. He did NOT like to be alone. Left outside in the backyard, in about 10 minutes he ate and destroyed our gate. . .desperate not to be alone.

He whimpered at night when he slept in the bathroom. I slept on blankets in the bathtub to keep him company. I couldn't sneak past him to bed when he started snoring. He must have slept with one eye open.  He would get up in the night to drink, then he would drop his head into the tub to check to make sure he was still there . . .dripping water from his big mouth. I was quite the sucker.

We had to leave town and we boarded him with the local kennel who provides rescue discounts. On the day before we came home, his kennel was being cleaned. Five minutes was all it took and he started his roaming again. We were heartbroken. The kennel manager was devastated because he planned to adopt Eyeore. I pray that someone else found him wandering and took him home. He is a great big boy.

 

Escape Monthly April 2014--Mexico

MEXICO

Escape Monthly is a destination-inspired monthly delivery of luxury products to help you relax, renew and escape! Indulge in experiences inspired by luxurious spas, tropical getaways, cultures of the world and more!  If I can't take a real vacation every month, at least I can pretend with a vacation in a box. One monthly box includes a trip to the destination. Or, you can purchase a trip on their site for a discount. If you just can't live without any extras of items in the box, you can buy them at Escape Monthly Offers for a discount.
I could barely stand the anticipation because I knew the April box was Mexico. So, I was thinking about beaches and history and culture . . .

Once again, I really like the pretty packaging. I don't know if it's the colors or the chevron pattern, but either way, it makes me happy. Everything was packaged well and arrived safely. The very handy guide to what everything is was helpful. My box did not have a trip to Mexico in it. 

Escape Plan: Sprinkle the salt on the mangos for a zesty snack while you fill your bath tub. Light the candle, sip on some soda, and use the cloth to exfoliate your whole body. You'll emerge totally refreshed and ready to eat some gourmet tacos!

Yeah!!! A travel guide. Ixtapa & Zihuatanejo Travel Guide: When planning your trip to Mexico, we recommend checking out two of our favorite destinations: Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo. Includes an in-depth guide on the finest beaches, the Costa Grande, and Acapulco. Retail $17.99. Escape Monthly apparently puts a guide book in every box. I like guide books. It gives me a chance to skim and decide where I want to travel.

Mundet Green Apple and Sangria Senorial Soda:Mexican summers are HOT and these authentic Mexican soda pops are the most popular way to cool off (and get a little sugar buzz!!) These are the favorite drinks for street vendors in Zihuatanejo . Pair with spicy tacos! Retail $4.00. These are chilling in my refrigerator now, waiting for a really hot day (which is rapidly approaching South Texas) to try them out. I am a fan of both flavors and will be looking forward to sampling.

Ayate Fiber Exfoliation Cloth: Made with 100% natural agave fiber and hand-woven in Mexico. Ayate Fiber Washcloths are excellent for exfoliating and treating your skin. Each sheet is long lasting, quick drying, and mold resistant. Say goody by to that old loofah! Retail $7.99.  I like natural products and this is pretty cool. The Agave fibers really did  plump up with water and made a great loofah scrub. This will get a lot of use.

Mexican Cocoa Candle: Rich scents of dark cocoa come together in this delicately crafted Mexican-scented candle. with a clean burning flame and an exclusively vegetable/soy wax blend, your candle will burn bright and fill your home with an enchanting, exotic chocolate scent.  Retail $6.00.  I love that it's vegan. It's made with vegetable/soy wax instead of beeswax, so it's a little softer. It smells amazing with the scent of that amazing spicy Mexican chocolate. It's a great travel size, but I don't think it will last long enough to get packed because I've been burning and enjoying.

Gourmet Habanero Salt: We've found the highest-quality luxury habanero sea salt blend to add to your next Mexican meal. It packs a punch of personality, whether it's on the grill or in the pan. Ad some butter (I probably will use coconut oil) and lime and you've got an authentic taste your tongue won't forget. Retail $14.99. I sampled and it is packed with flavor. It will make a great flavor accent used as a cooking rub. I love trying new flavors and this one is a winner.

Kopali Organic Mango: Mexico grows the most delicious mangos in the world. The climate suits the fruit perfectly, and with rich soil and abundant sun, there's an unmatched flavor in each bite. These organic mangos will let you taste what makes Mexican mangos so special. Retail $4.79. I love dried mango and this is no exception.

BONUS! Mexican Candy: Taste some of the most authentic and celebrated flavors of Mexico with these delightful candies. made with authentic Mexican ingredients, these are the perfect treat for after dinner. A little sweet, a little spicy, and a whole lot of fun. Retail $4.00. I will admit, I'm not always a fan of Mexican Candy, so I haven't tried these yet. I will gift the Dulche de Leche to a friend, but will try the fruit leathers and mango powder.

I had a 35% discount, so my box  $32.47. There were a lot of food items in this box and I prefer a little more variety, but I really Escape Monthly.  Use the coupon code Caliescape and receive 20% off the lifetime of your subscription. That means, for $39.99 a month, all this could be yours too.

Next up...Hollywood!!

(This post contains affiliate links. These opinions are my own and are unsolicited. I have not received any compensation for my comments.)