August Recap/Stats

Miles Planned/Ran: Wouldn't you know, I logged another zero mileage month. We are fast approaching the six month mark. Awesome.

Meters Swam: 2,050 m

Miles Biked: 52.83 M

Miles Walked: 21.01 M

Rest Days Planned/Taken: How ever many needed / 6

Xtraining Workouts Planned/Ran: As many as possible / 25

Most Enjoyable Workout: My bike date w/ SunRunner at Hudson Mills Metro Park at the beginning of the month before they took xtraining away from me, again.

Best Workout Advice Received: (From the personal trainer at the gym) "While lifting free weights, go for lighter weights and more, faster reps to get toned arms and avoid bulking up." I am already reaping the benefits of this advice.

Current Reads: (Reading) Run Like A Girl, How strong women make happy lives by Mina Samuels; I received this book to review and am almost finished. Stay tuned for the review and a giveaway!!!

(Finished) Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte; When I searched this for the Amazon link I realized they are making this into a movie! Nice! Definitely a classic worth reading although so many books have used this same story line as inspiration that I felt it very familiar though I had never read it before in my life. A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick; I would just like to say that this was reliably predictable and probably the worst book I've read in awhile. The over-dramatized sexual tension of the main characters was agonizing to endure.

Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: N/A

Current Obsession: N/A

Current Drink: Back to the ol' water for life routine.

Current Song: Loving both: "Moves like Jagger" - Maroon 5 & Christina Aguilera and "Cheers (Drink to That)" - Rihanna

Current Wish-List: I lurve this zombietastic shirt (size Small please, thanks) and this adorey-able pendant.

Current Need: An end in sight.

Current Triumph: I'm still walking! I might not be allowed to do anything else but at least I'm still allotted this small bit of freedom.

Current Bane of my Existence: This.

Current Goal: (Repeated from March, April, May, June, and July) To stay positive and focused on active recovery/xtraining so I can hit the ground running sooner rather than later. I will get through this, this will all be behind me soon enough, I will not give up...

Current Indulgence: Randomly enough, freshly prepared vege's as Spike and I attempt to stop eating out so much and I learn to cook.

Current Blessings: The continued love, encouragement, and support from my family, friends, readers, and Spike throughout this never-effing-ending injury saga.

Current Excitement: A friend's wedding this weekend, a weekend getaway with Spike's friends in a few weeks, visiting my brother for his birthday, dropping down from the Capital City River Run Half Marathon to the 5k and walking it because I'll be d@mned if I loose my money on another race I already paid for. Anyone in the Mid-Michigan area wanna join me as I attempt to fend off the sweepers?!?!

How'd your August shape up?!?!

Running is what you make of it, make it an Adventure!™

Friday Faves

First things first, I would like to angrily shake my fist at Hurricane Irene for destroying my NYC plans this weekend. After much deliberation it was decided that only having one good day in NYC (today) and then possibly being stranded there for who knows how long as she pummels the east coast was not the right conditions for an amazing NYC trip. Rebooking said trip is now underway and there's rumor it will be rescheduled in a different awesome city during a certain race weekend...

Now on to something that doesn't suck, my list of Friday Faves. (I believe Aron started this Friday feature long ago and as we all know I don't have much to blog about these days, instead have become the recycler of other people's post ideas! Yay!)

adidas TECHFIT Tank (From Zappos, hello free shipping!)

I cannot even begin to list all the reasons why I love this top! First off it's so breathable, light, thin and LONG! Second, there's no built in bra. Let's face it, I don't need any extra support up top and I don't know about the rest of you, but I find more oft then not that when I wear a top that has a built in bra I feel suffocated. Then add in the more feminine cut as opposed to most of the options you get out there and I'm in love. In short, I've been living in this top for the gym/rides, have it in white and pink, and seeing as it's on sale will def be picking up the other colors now too.

Wearing my white one. L-O-V-E

Jane Nearly Foundation Tinted Moisturizer (Discovered on the "13 Best Tinted Moisturizer" list and found at my local Meijer Grocery)A few months ago I realized that wearing only moisturizer and blush was just not working with evening out my aging complexion. A friend introduced the idea of a tinted moisturizer to me knowing I am not a fan of the way makeup feels on my face. (It's worth mentioning that between my uber paleness and super sensitive skin, it's hard to find makeup to match my skin and that doesn't cause a reaction) I read over the list of products reviewed in that link above and decided to start from the bottom and work my way up... But I didn't have to go far because this $4.99 Jane tinted moisturizer works fabulous for me! It doesn't smell, goes on really light, doesn't aggravate my skin and really evens out my complexion. I am in love!

Nivea Sun-Kissed Radiant Skin Fair to Medium (Found at Target)

By this point you've all probably noticed that anytime my legs are in a pic they are glowing with their radioactive day-glo paleness that blinds the eyes. Yeah I get it, I'm a redhead and that's normal, but that doesn't mean I have to like it! I've tried a million and one different "gradual tan building moisturizers" and they all end up smelling horrible and leaving streaks. Until I came across this gem! The smell is, dare I say, pleasant. Light and hardly noticeable. The cream itself is white, which means it's not going to stain up your hands if you forget to immediately wash them after application, and it doesn't irritate my above mentioned sensitive skin. I picked this up on Sunday and used it all week so I'd have a hint of color for this weekend and it worked better than anything I have EVER used. Best part, no streaks. If you're a Casper like me who covets a sun kissed glow, pick this up.

And that's it for faves for this time. Happy Friday peeps! May you all have a fantabulous weekend that doesn't get ruined by the hurricane! To those of you on the east coast, having lived in Florida for 11 years, I know how scary these things can be, please be safe!

3 Things Thursday

In honor of my trip to NYC tomorrow I thought I'd use today's "3 Things Thursday" to post about the three things I'm most excited about: (Besides the obvious, duh!)

1. Meeting my Running Idol... At long last I FINALLY get to formally (as opposed to screaming at him as he ran past me while I spectated CM10 last year) meet my running idol, The Running Laminator. We're meeting up for lunch tomorrow after I arrive and I can't wait to pick his brain about all things running and basically just soak up some of his awesomeness. (Maybe it'll heal my leg?)
   
   
   
   I like to think my spectating helped him score his sub-3 marathon that day!
   
   
   
2. High Line Park... I have been green eyeing all you NYC blogger's that regularly run this park and finally, at long last, I will get to see it myself! I'm MAJORLY disappointed I will not get to run this, or any place in NYC for that matter (Central Park I'll be back for you someday!), but thankful at the very least to be able take a stroll there and see the city from it's height. Prepare for ungodly amounts of pics...
   
   
   
   Seriously, how amazing is this?!?!
   *Photo snatched from The High Line Website
   
   
3. The Guggenheim... Plans for Sunday got a bit discombobulated so I've found myself with time to kill alone before I catch my plane and have decided to spend it perusing the Guggenheim. My museum nerdery runs deep and I can't wait to get lost there.
   
   
   
   T-minus 25.5 hours til I land!!! T-minus 28.5 hours til the rest of the girls start pouring in and then we take NYC by storm!!! Can't wait to explore the city, binge on local awesomesauce eats, drink my face off (you know like 2 whole drinks), and hang out with some amazing peeps!

Have you ever been to NYC? What are you must-see/go-to places?!?!

Random Friday Facts

Alright, I'm caving and jumping in on Katie's "RFF" as I continue to scrounge up content around here...

1. Speaking of Katie, I can't frigging wait for a whole lot of this come next weekend!!!
   
   
   Bring on NYC and these lovely ladies!!!
   
   
   
2. If there's a bag of Pop Secret Homestyle Popcorn in the house I will choose it over anything else for dinner.
   
   
3. My second toe is ever so slightly longer than the rest.
   
   
4. So obviously feet gross me out. Please do not touch mine or put yours anywhere near me.
   
   
   
5. I have a bruise-like birth mark on my hip that I'm incredibly self conscious about.
   
   
6. My ring finger is deformed from pressing the pencil on it too hard as a child. Try as they might to rid me of my left-handedness my teachers failed and now I'm deformed from my stubborn resistance.
   
   
7. I cannot bring myself to drink the milk left over after I eat cereal.
   
   
8. I go through at least 14 pairs of underwear a week, if not more. This is because I change it after working out and before I go to bed. Spike thinks this is ridiculous.
   
   
9. I don't actively wash my feet unless I know they are dirty. It never occurs to me otherwise.
   
   
10. I used to be scared of the colors pink, red, and orange because I thought they looked terrible with my hair/skin. Clearly things have changed, except my hatred for orange. Go figure, orange is Spike's favorite color.
    
    

    
    Clearly Pink is not a problem anymore.
    

    
    
11. Not a single day goes by that I don't miss Florida.
    
    
12. No matter how hard I try I can't break the habit of slouching.
    
    
    
13. I love to purge things just as much as I like to keep random sentimental things.
    
    
14. I do not have a relationship with my mother. My life is better because of it, but I still feel guilty when people who have lost their mother's learn this fact about me.
    
    
15. I have one of the worst cases of Catholic guilt there is. I feel guilty about everything.
    
    
16. As important as I know politics are and affect my life, I still have no patience for them.
    
    
17. I hardly, if ever, listen to the radio, watch TV, or read the newspaper. Ignorance is bliss! (This bodes well for Spike and his Sportscenter addiction as the only time I've ever taken over the TV since moving in with him was the last few weeks for SYTYCD)
    
    
18. If unsupervised I would wash and dry everything regardless of handling instructions, but always on the delicate cycle.
    
    
19. If I know there is someone coming over to my house I obsessively clean everything as if I were being judged.
    
    
20. I'm fairly certain I pee more than the average person. I'm screwed when I'm pregnant and/or old as I can't even make it through the night without getting up to pee multiple times and this is even after I limited my liquid intake after a certain hour.
    
    
    Leak-a-litis Syndrome is what they called it during Ragnar
    

    
    
21. My closet is color coded and then arranged tank tops to long sleeves, but my shoes are strewn about on the floor without any rhyme or reason.
    
    
22. I know it's called "Random Friday Facts" but I want to call it "Random Facts Friday"
    
    
23. At some point every single day I have to remind myself that this (my current injured state) will not last forever. Every. Single. Day.
    
    
24. Try as I might to end the list with the previous fact, I couldn't handle ending on an odd number. I hate odd numbers.
    
    
25. But I am randomly ok with multiples of 5.
    

3 Things Thursday

1. Not Forgotten... If I ever think y'all have given up reading my non-running adventures just remind me to check out yesterday's post and all the feedback I got about what I should do about this stupid leg of mine. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your comments, emails, words of encouragement, fist shakes to the leg, and most especially the reassurance that I am still a runner and not crazy for feeling this way. You guys are seriously the best. (And may or may not have made me cry several times)
   
   
2. Calcium Queen... A lot of you wondered about my calcium/vitamin D situation and I just wanted to assure you that I've been on an increased dose of both since practically the get go. I also had bloodwork done back in June and all my levels came back well within range. For those that wondered about my period situation, you can also read more about that in that post. (Although there will be another post on this particular subject in the near future. Stay tuned.) In short, as I said, I've been doing everything I could possibly do to help this along; hobble around on crutches and/or in the boot for the first 17 weeks, xtrain when I could, do nothing when I couldn't, take all the supplements I could get my hands on that might help, ice regularly, PT it up almost every day, etc... While I have looked in to bone stimulator's, they are extremely expensive and not covered by insurance so that will have to be a last resort $3k investment. I'm still putting together what I'll do about Monday's call, but I assure you there will be some serious discussions to be had.
   
   
3. A different kind of PT... Personal Trainer that is. Our gym is running a promo for the ladies this month for a free 30 min session with a personal trainer to get acquainted with the free weights section of the gym. Since I'm back on xtraining restriction I figured this would be an excellent opportunity to tune up my free weights knowledge. My session is Saturday morning and I'm pretty pumped, I already spoke to the trainer and let him know my leg situation and also that I wanted to tone out these beefed up arms of mine and he said he knows exactly the kind of torture training I need. Have you ever taken advantage of the personal trainers at your gym?
   

What Would You Do?

Picture it, Sicily 1922... er wait...

Oh Sophia, you so crazy...

Let's try this again;

Picture it, August 2011, you're wearing a pair of pink trimmed Asics 2160's and you have not logged a single running mile in over 5 months.

Are you still a runner?

This thought, and so many others are swirling through my head these days. You can hardly blame me, I've been sitting here on the sidelines watching the weather turn from Winter to Spring to Summer and y'all run, race, come and go from the injury list, complain about the weather, your paces, etc... Some days it can get very overwhelming, this situation I find myself stuck in. And that is exactly how I feel right now, stuck. I haven't run in over 5 months and I have no idea when I will finally be able to again. I've done every single thing I've been told to do and yet, no one can tell me why I'm STILL not healed or what to do to help it along.

It's frustrating. It's disheartening.

Can you even imagine being in my pink trimmed Asics 2160's?

What would you do? Seriously, I want to know what you would do?

Would you seek a second opinion? (Mind you I'm working with a top specialist from MSU sports)

Would you volunteer for amputation?

I'm kind of at my wits end here. Last week after discussing with my PT that the pain I'd been experiencing since Florida hadn't gone away he suggested I take this week off from xtraining to see if it makes a difference. This made me realize that at this point I'm essentially paying him $100 a visit to watch me do strengthening exercises I know by heart because he can't progress me up the ladder. With this realization I decided it was financially stupid to continue on at PT until I was able to progress and wouldn't you know he agreed with me when we discussed the matter on Monday. So I will return for a final visit this Friday to get a maintenance plan to adhere to until my leg finally heals. In the meantime I'm supposed to keep them apprised of any developments and also how the phone call with my doctor goes on Monday. This phone call, by the way, seems absolutely pointless to me. After getting the CT scan results back and finding out that there is still a fracture line showing in my leg all my doctor can say is, "Take two weeks and call me on August 22nd." I find it hard to believe that I'm going to call him on Monday and he's going to know whether or not my leg is healed. I know these things take time but damn it all, over 5 months?!?!?

So again I ask, dear readers, what would you do if you were in my pink trimmed Asics 2160's?

LOVE/Don't Love

Welcome to another Monday where I'm stealing Christy's Love/Don't Love idea again...

Mondays... Don't Love

This awesome blast from the past I found while mini-vaca-ing up in Northern Michigan with friends this weekend... LOVE

No, I didn't wish to "Be Big!"

My leg continues to bother me despite forgoing xtraining, again, and I've had to make some serious decisions regarding PT and my continued medical treatment... Don't Love

Not sure if I've mentioned it lately or not but this guy = LOVE

Summer loving, had me a blast...

Every time I look at the calendar another day, week, or month has zipped by and I'm feeling like the summer has totally escaped me... Don't Love

Good news is I get to squeeze in one more awesome trip before it ends with these three awesome ladies in NYC next weekend... LOVE

3 Things Thursday

1. And the winner is... The winner of the Flex All Sport Waterproof Buds from h20 audio is...
   
   
   JenniferLeah of Miles, Muscles, & Mommyhood!
   
   
   
   Please email me (redheadrunning @ gmail) your contact information and include your color choice of one of these awesome colors shown above. Thanks for entering and I hope you like the new buds!!!
   
   
   
   
   
2. New Wheelz... No I didn't replace Leela, but I did get her some sleek and sexy new all-black tires. I noticed some dry rot had set in on the back tire and decided it was best to just replace the set and get some new tubes while I was at it. She's riding better than ever and rocking the wheelz like they're her new LBD.
   

   
   Before, sporting the cream walls, with Sun Runner
   and her Brownie after our ride last Friday night
   
   
   
   After, isn't she sexy?
   
   
   Cyclist Peeps: How does one keep dry rot from occurring? Regular washing? Storing inside? I keep Leela in the dining room of our apartment but I def haven't washed her lately ever.
   
   
3. SYTYCD... Alright, last SYTYCD post of the year and all I gotta say is I was completely UNDERWHELMED last night! What the heck happened?!? Did the choreographers use all the good routines on all the previous episodes? Last night was so disappointing and I can't say I particularly liked any of the routines. Please tell me I'm not the only one who felt this way?!?!
   
   But FWIW, I still voted for Melanie.
   

Tuesday Trial: h2o audio Waterproof Headphones Review + Giveaway

A few weeks ago h2o audio asked me to review their Interval 4G Waterproof Headphone System for iPod shuffle (4th Gen). The timing couldn't be better with my injury keeping me off the roads and in the pool so I was pretty excited to test this thing out. The one snag? They didn't have one for my older generation iPod so I had to borrow the brand new one I just bought Spike for Christmas with the promise that if anything happens to it, I would replace it! *Fingers crossed*

What h20 audio sez: The Interval is the only waterproof iPod case designed just for swimmers! If you’re an iTunes user, there’s no better way to bring your own personal soundtrack into the pool. The waterproof case for the iPod shuffle 4th generation has integrated Surge 2G headphones and easily attaches to almost any swim goggle. Finally swimmers can have the same advantage of training with music that dry land athletes have enjoyed for years. Train harder, swim longer and have more fun doing it with the Interval 4G.

Initial Thoughts: I first learned about this product when Amanda and SUAR reviewed it. They seemed to like it and, considering I spend a lot of time bored out of my mind aqua slogging and/or taking my sweet @ss time doing laps, I thought having music might help me pass the time faster. Obviously I was nervous about Spike's iPod getting ruined but after I tested it out at home and checked the seal I was already convinced this baby was going to do great.

Set up is pretty straight forward;
Plug in the iPod, attach the case to your goggles...

Close the case to seal and voila!
You are ready to rock!

Trial: Ok, here's the thing, although I have used it at the pool, taking pictures at the public pool is a little sketch. So this weekend I had Spike paparazzi me at the lake where it's a little more acceptable to have a camera out and about.

Plugged in and ready to swim!

The controls are super easy to get to and work.
(Apparently I did not have it on very straight though!)

Now, obviously I'm no seasoned pro--I look at these pictures and I can't even tell you if I have good form, if my head is positioned correctly, etc...total newbie over here. But what I can tell you is that it works, Spike's iPod continues to function, I've yet to find any water inside the case, and time flies while swimming with this thing on. It's not very practical for an OWS as I would learn this day, too much disorganization (Read: Kids) at a lake, but it's perfect to break up the monotony of laps at the pool and aqua slogging. The controls are easy to use and they sent me a plethora of ear pieces to choose from ranging in size. This was especially helpful since I have very small ear canals; but be warned, the ear pieces did not keep water out of my ears and I don't know about you but having water in my ears drives me insane. I am going to see if there's a way I can rig the wax I typically use to keep the water out of my ears, to fit around the ear pieces and seal out the water completely. This minor inconvenience (for me) is the only thing stopping me from saying this product is the best thing to be added to swimming since goggles or swim caps!

Now time for the really exciting stuff, h2o audio is running a "Heat Wave" promo this week only, offering a deal a day on various products and they've given me the heads-up that tomorrow, Wednesday August 10th, they're offering up this awesome product for $20 off the retail price (Retails at $99.99) when you use the promo code: "Cannonball" at the checkout!

Even better... they've also offered up a pair of Flex Waterproof All Sport Buds to one of my lucky readers! To enter simply "Like" h20 on Facebook and/or follow h20 on Twitter and let me know in the comments that you've done one or both and would like to be considered for the drawing. An additional entry will be given to anyone who wants to share a funny swimming story because you know I love a good embarrassing story. The contest will be open until 8:00 am EST, Thursday August 11th, after which time this post will close for comments and the winner will be announced on 3 Things Thursday.

Thanks h2o audio for allowing me to review this product, it's been a welcome addition to my Xtrain Xtravaganza!!!

Disclaimer: Per FTC Guidelines: h2o audio provided these items at no cost to me for my personal review and the review is entirely of my own opinion. h20 audio has also agreed to provide a set of Flex Waterproof All Sport Buds to the winner of the giveaway at no cost to said winner.

Someday

Someday my leg is going to heal.

Some days all I want to do is cry I'm so frustrated it's not.

Someday I will get to run a mile again, race a 5k, train thru a 10 miler in the rain, get a PR, and finally achieve that BQ marathon.

Some days I get so frustrated I want to quit it all; PT, doctor appointments, everything associated with this blog.

Someday this will all be behind me and merely a blip on the radar.

Some days I get tired of waiting for that Someday.

Someday my leg is going to heal.

Someday I will get to run again.

Foto Friday + 30 Day Photography Challenge Wrap-up

Here it is folks, the end of the 30 Day Photography Challenge!!!

Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4

Snapped while spectating B.o.B's Tri.
Man do I miss the beach!

Proof that I actually clean up.

And that is the end of that. I had a blast doing this, especially coming up with the perfect way to present the days challenge. I challenge all of you to take it on for a month, you'll be surprised just how much it gets your creative juices flowing!!!

Now on to some random fun shots from this past weekend in Florida...

Happy 30th Birthday Jamily!!!

He rocks my socks!

Look! It's my beloved running frenemy Harold!!!

Meeting Miss Ella was my favorite part of the trip!

Spike became RJ's BFF
(You can't really tell, but RJ's wearing Spike's shoes! LOL!)

And to end this post, I FINALLY heard back from the doc about my CT scan yesterday. The scans still show a slight fracture line that has not quite filled in yet and there's inflammation of the bone, both of which could be contributing to the pain I'm experiencing. So I am not being cleared yet to begin my R2R. He wants me to take the next two weeks and add resistance to biking, continue progressing the plyometrics at PT, and listen to my body. On Aug. 22 we'll have a phone consultation and take it from there. So I'm still SLOWLY but surely getting there. *Sigh*

My almost-but-not-quite-healed bone.

3 Things Thursday

1. "The 4th Rung"... I know you're here to hear about how my doctor appointment went this morning but I needed to share this little tidbit that happened Monday first; While at PT I jokingly asked my PT if he was going to give me a heads up on what he'd be reporting to my sports doc prior to today's appointment, specifically about when I'd be running again. Without skipping a beat he informed me that I was nowhere near being able to run yet, "If running were the 10th and top-most rung of a ladder, you my dear are only on the 4th rung. You still have a ways to go." I finished the session in silence, restraining the tears until I was alone in my car after. It was the last thing I had thought he would say. I am obviously aware that I am not your standard stress fracture case but I really felt like I had made significant progress both on the healing front and in PT. Between this not-so-pep talk and some pain I've suddenly been having, suffice it to say I have been discouraged all week leading up to today's appointment...
   
   
   If this is the injury ladder to running and I'm only on the 4th rung,
   WTF are the other rungs?!??!
   
   
   
   
2. Forced Indifference... With that said, I walked in to my appointment this morning with little to no expectations. Every appointment I have had since March I have walked in with high hopes only to leave disappointed. Rinse, repeat, for FIVE months. For once I remained indifferent as he pulled up my x-rays and wouldn't you know, they were clean!
   
   BUT, But, but, the pain I'm experiencing was a cause for concern so he sent me over to get a CT scan to make sure there wasn't anything else going on that the x-ray wasn't picking up. I'm still waiting to hear back, they said he'd get the report this afternoon but he warned me I might not hear from him until tomorrow morning. So I don't get to end this with any real news other than my bone at the very least is healed and so long as that CT scan comes back clean as well I can FINALLY begin my R2R despite what my PT said. I'm trying to remain indifferent so I can avoid disappointment but my fingers are still crossed and this is definitely a step in the right direction.
   
   Stay tuned for more deets tomorrow.
   
   
3. SYTYCD... And finally, FWIW, Melanie is totally rocking my socks off and has my vote to win. Anyone else wanna place a bet? :)
   
   

Top Gun Triathlon Spectating Recap

This past weekend while Spike and I were in Florida, we made the trek over to Fort De Soto to spectate my beloved B.o.B at her Tri-versary race, the Top Gun Triathlon. This was our first time spectating a Tri, although I did actually spectate the run portion of an Ironman once, and we made sure to put just as much enthusiasm into our spectating here as we do at a running event.

Arriving at the beach we quickly found a few of my fav BRA/Ragnar buddies and finally, this smiling face getting ready to be staged for her wave.

I love my Boo!!!

RAWR! Get it Boo!

Watching the waves of swimmers attack the water was crazy and further solidified that I am no where near ready to attempt one myself. As I admired the triathlete's, man are they easy on the eyes, we made lots of jokes about water temps and what not. As soon as B.o.B was in the water we meandered on over to the exit, the boys threw on their KOM shirts (B.o.B is in love with the polka dot jersey's from the Tour) and we cheered our brains out as she overtook plenty of guys in the wave ahead of her to come out of the water easily in the top 10 of her wave.

Team B.o.B: Spike, Red, and Captain

With B.o.B out of the water it was time to cheer near the T2 entrance. We unrolled our posters and Spike got to start in with his witty one-liners.

Hilarious!

Because we were right at the bike dismount area we had to listen to this guy on a bullhorn saying "Slow down and dismount at the red line!" over and over again after which Spike would yell, "Then hurry!" or "If not they'll tackle you!" After witnessing a guy crash at the dismount line and then jump up with his thumbs up we spotted B.o.B making her way around the corner and into dismount.

No whammies!

With the bike done it was just a 5k to go for my Boo! We relocated a short distance from the Finish area to cheer in all the competitors and our various friends out on the course. By this time, whether it be from melting in the sun or the early wake-up call, Spike was in rare form.

While cheering next to some Buc cheerleaders he screamed; "The B-R-A supports you... what? The Brandon Running Association!" Pointing to Navy Steve holding the BRA banner. Although I initially thought he offended them, from what he tells me, he actually made friends with them as he jumped around screaming on the top of his lungs. At one point I looked over to see him pulling up his shirt and cheering on a shirtless old guy by saying "Chest hair makes you faster!" Oh Spike, you're the best spectator hands down!

Best. Tri Poster. EVER!

My KOM shirt was a little big. LOL!

Missing a bullhorn for spectating? Just use a cone.

It wasn't long before all our friends came trickling in sweating buckets and kicking butt! Cay-See, Tish, Chris (who didn't give anyone a head's up he was even competing!) and of course B.o.B. I'll let her tell you all the deets on her maja PR, check out her recap HERE.

B.o.B in the blue chicking guys left and right on her way to the finish and a huge course PR!

After the race we all congregated in the park catching up, hearing Navy Steve and Little J's IMLP stories, and making fun of each other, you know, the usual. I was so happy to get to spend some time with some of my BRA peeps and especially my Boo. I also got to meet the infamous Jessica of Cuban Running Crisis! It was her first Tri and she did great! Congrats Jess!

She also showed me that I'm not the only one with a kickstand!

All too soon Spike and I had to head back to O-town, but not before I got one last hug from my Boo! Congrats on a great race Boo!!!

I love and miss this face so much.