Texas Tough Open Water Swims - An Actual Race Report!

Well I haven't raced in quite awhile, and I committed to swimming on a 4 x 400 relay team yesterday, so I figured I might as well sign up for the 1.2-mile solo swim. The race was in Las Colinas (same place as the Playtri Festival), and it is a little unusual swimming in canal between office buildings. The 1.2-mile swim started at 8 am. I tried to make my way to the front, but it was pretty tough. So I started in about the second row of people. The start was pretty violent considering there were only 58 people. I got thrashed a few times, but I sucked it up because that is the fun part of open water swimming. At first I was duking it out with a few boys, but then I let them get ahead so I could enjoy the draft. That was definitely a good strategy, and I was able to ease up a bit (a good thing since I haven't been swimming much these days). I stayed right behind this one guy for pretty much the whole race, and I know I was annoying him by tapping on his feet and stuff. Towards the end of the race, I thought I saw a girl coming from behind and passing me, so I kicked it up a gear (and the throw-up sensation started to hit). Fortunately it was a boy. Well we got to the very end of the race, and the guy in front of me (who I was drafting off of) got up on the staircase and held a rail with each hand so I couldn't get past him, and he looked back at me. It turns out it was Jim Montgomery, the race director and an awesome swimmer (gold medalist, world champion, first person to break 50 in the 100 freestyle). I felt like kind of a jerk, but oh well. I won the women's division in 27:19, and the 2nd place girl finished in 28:43. I was 9th overall (8 boys ahead of me). I was very happy with my strategy and my effort (my triceps were on fire by the end of that swim!). Plus it was fun and it was something different besides swimming up-and-down in the pool.

At 10:00 we did the 4 x 400 relay. I anchored, and I think I caught one person, but we finished 2nd overall. That was a pretty good performance. I think there were at least 10 teams, and we had 2 girls and 2 boys on the team (I'm pretty sure the winning team was all boys). Cliff and Jordan got there in time to see the relay, so I got to show off a little bit :) Afterwards, we went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast. I was proud of myself for ordering the grilled chicken salad, but I offset that good decision with my three-biscuit appetizer. I had a FAT (2+ hour) nap in the afternoon, we lounged in the pool for a bit, and then Cliff, Jordan, Leslie, and I went to Joe T's for dinner. It seems like my life has revolved around eating and drinking for the past month or so. I am definitely ready to get back into a normal routine.

Results: http://www.mychiptime.com/searchevent.php?id=3674



Our Studly Relay Team

Busy Saturday

I met the girls at 7 am for a long run. I was hoping to run 10 miles, but I was aiming for anything in the 6-12 range. The heat is so crazy now, that I think I'm going to start my long runs at 5 or 6. I ended up running with Shawna and we talked the whole way, so that saved me from whining like a little baby. My brain was tingling by the end... probably not a good sign! We did a fairly hilly 8.63 miles (Hoffbrau, Colonial, Overton Park, Foster Park out-and-back course). I forgot to wear my heartrate monitor, but of course I had the Garmin on.

I averaged 9:51/mile, and my mile splits were:
9:56, 9:58, 10:02, 9:58, 10:02, 9:47, 9:32, 9:51, 5:49 (9:16 pace)

I definitely need to get my bootie in gear with the El Scorcho 25K right around the corner and then (hopefully) a marathon at the end of the year. Plus long runs are a great way to start the weekend!

In the afternoon Cliff, Jordan, and I went to see baby GusGus at puppy summer camp. We should get him back in about 3 weeks (2 months total - yikes!). In the meantime, we need to work on a doggy door solution.

After puppy visitation, we stopped at Chili's for lunch. I hadn't ordered the Quesadilla Explosion Salad in awhile, and I love that thing. I still remember the email from Hungry Girl that said the salad would make your pants explode. We spent the rest of the afternoon in the pool and then had an awesome dinner: Omaha filets, corn on the cob, and mashed potatoes. I actually made the potatoes. Somehow I had never made mashed ones before, and they came out pretty darn good (especially considering I use fat free everything).

GusGus missed his daddy!






Jordan, Dog Whisperer


Easily Entertained

Baby GusGus

Since my parents (Gus’s grandparents, obviously) were in town last weekend, we decided to visit our big boy at his summer puppy camp (obedience school) in Alvord. I was worried that Gus wouldn’t recognize me, but I think he is a mama’s boy. I missed my snuggle bumpkin so much! He gave me lots of kisses (even though he’s no longer a little boy, he’s not afraid to show his mama lots of affection). When we got in our car to leave, we had to close the gate behind us. He bit the gate and tried to pull it open! Then we drove down the road, and he chased after us (jowls flapping in the wind). When he made it to the end of the property, he stood up on a rock and watched us go. It was so hard to watch, but so cute at the same time. Cliff had to work on Monday, so we’re going to go back this weekend so daddy can see his baby!!

The training is going pretty well. GusGus is doing better with commands (like “sit” and “stay”). He is getting a lot of exercise and he’s outdoors a lot (to try to desensitize him to going to the bathroom in the crate). He’ll be gone for another month, and in the meantime, we need to figure out a solution at our house to allow him to get outside to go to the bathroom.





Gimme Kisses!!!

Happily Married and Getting Unhappily Fatter

When I returned from Mexico, I was only up 2-3 pounds (thank you stomach issues). Now I’m up another 4 pounds or so, which is 9 pounds up from my lowest OWD weigh-in of 150.0. YUCK. So I am dangerously close to 160 territory (quick, 150 + 9 =…), and I need to hop back on the wagon! I have been pretty consistent with my workouts considering everything going on right now (wedding stuff, my parents visiting, Cliff’s kids staying with us, etc.). I worked out 6 hours the first week of June and 7.5 hours the second week of June. I rejoined masters swimming on July 7, and I did three of Chuck’s workouts last week. I’ve also been doing weights, running, and other cardio. This sounds pretty promising except for the fact that I am drinking very frequently (that translates to daily) and eating some HORRIBLE food (I’m talking “flaming cheese” AND cheese sticks last night BEFORE the main course). The wedding festivities are nearly over, but I need to wear a short white dress at the California brunch in a week and a half, and I don’t want to look like a marshmellow. Also, I want to stay in good shape and maybe drop down to the 140’s (I would love to be forced to drop out of the Athena category). I feel so much better about myself when I’m not as fluffy, and a better fighting weight should translate into better athletic performances.

I have the El Scorcho run coming up on Saturday/Sunday, June 19. It’s a 15-mile run at midnight. I thought this would be something different and fun, and I don’t have a time goal. I’d just like to run the whole thing (not walk), enjoy myself, and get excited about marathon season. My plan is to run the San Antonio Marathon in November, with the goal of breaking 4 hours (my best is 4:16). My longest run in June was 6 miles, so I need to start increasing my distances. This heat is ferocious, but I can suck it up and get it done. Hopefully I will get a long run under my belt this Saturday.

I signed up for an open water swim race this Sunday morning. I’m doing the 1.2-mile swim (solo), and I’m also participating on a 4 x 400 relay. I am not in very good swimming shape, but a friend of mine asked if I’d like to do the relay, and I was already toying with the idea of signing up. So this will be all about having a great time (and getting a good workout in!).

Destination Wedding: Days 8-10

Thursday, May 28 - Day 8

The boys (Cliff, Jordan, Cliff's dad, Dana, and Dan) went deep sea fishing, which is pretty much my definition of misery. They went in the afternoon (rather than the morning) so they could sleep in, and apparently it's better to go in the morning if you want to catch fish. The girls went to the pool in the morning and then the local flea market in the afternoon. It was pretty much a beating. I did have fun being annoying and running around yelling "Donde esta mi madre?!" when I was trying to find my mom. I bought two rings at the silver store for $50. In the evening, I got to choose the wedding photos (there were about 190, and I had to cut it down to 84... which worked out perfectly). We had reservations at the steakhouse over by the ocean. Unfortunately, we didn't get to sit on the patio near the water like Cliff and I did earlier in the trip. I think everyone was a little tired from the wedding day. Jeanne and I tried to get the party started with some mango shots, but everyone was ready for bed after dinner since it was close to 11:00 by the time we were done.

Some pool action:


Chillin' at the Infinity Pool


Teaching Leslie how to Throw-Down the Westside before the California Trip


Friday, May 29 - Day 9
We were ready to party it up post-wedding. We had a great time in the pool and at the beach in the afternoon. We decided to go "off-campus" that night. We ate dinner at La Distilleria, and the food and margaritas were awesome! After dinner, the "kids" headed over to Congo for a little dancing action. It was only $20 for all-you-can-drink, so that was a pretty good deal.

The Family in the Pool


Kate and Me


Melissa and Me




Esther, My Mermaid Grandma :)


With the Parentals on the Beach


The Group at Dinner


Cliff and Me at Dinner


My Queso Face


Tequila Shots! (with my sweaty 80's hair)


Group Picture at Congo


Boogie Down


Mmmm Shot Girls


Dancing with Props


And without


Saturday, May 30 - Day 10
I think we were all ready to go home. We took one last dip in the pool in the morning and loaded up on our favorite cheese products (pizza and quesadillas) for lunch before our shuttle to the airport. Our return trip home went well, and Stacy and Kona picked us up at the airport and I got a little puppy lovin'! I sure miss GusGus :*(

Destination Wedding: Days 6-7

Tuesday, May 26 - Day 6

This was another day of arrivals. Cliff's parents and kids arrived around noon, Stacy, Jeanne, and Dan arrived in the late afternoon, and my brother arrived in the evening. I squeezed in some pool time with everyone before my afternoon at the spa. Cliff and I had a free (meaning it was included in the wedding package) body exfoliation at the spa at 3:30, and I had a practice hairstyle session at 4:00. The body exfoliation was a little weird. We wore our undies (so tops and bottoms for me) and then put these scrubs over them. The body exfoliation part was okay, but then we had to shower. Showering is next to impossible when you're trying not to get your underwear wet! So I was left with a bunch of soap stuff on my back. The hairstyle went well. I had no clue what to choose when she gave me a whole bunch of books to look through. I had imagined my hair down, but then I realized with the wind and humidity, an up-do would probably be more practical. There were two girls getting their nails done, so I had them give me some reassurance once I made my selection. In the evening, everyone met at the patio bar for a two-hour (maybe this was a little too long?) happy hour. Then we went to the Japanese restaurant for dinner. The food was good, and the sake was even better :)

My Mom and Me (with my sweet pink "Mrs Willingham" wifebeater)


My Dad and Me


Another Day at the Pool



Me, Jeanne, and Stacy


Forcing Kate to do the Horned Frogs Sign:


A Little Fun behind the Bar


The Family Before Dinner


Trouble


Wednesday, May 27 - Day 7 - Wedding Day!
Jeanne, Stacy, and I did a 30-minute ocean swim in the morning. It was a great way to start the day, and also it helped my stay hydrated (because I would have sweated a ton at the gym, and I was worried about fainting during the wedding). We grabbed some breakfast with everyone, and then I headed up to the room for a little nap. I had hair, makeup, and nail appointments from 12-4, so that was the bulk of my afternoon. The girls came over to our room to finish getting ready, and we managed to figure out the dress :) The wedding was absolutely perfect. The minister had an awesome little speech at the beginning (actually I have been meaning to contact the Riu to see if I can get a transcript, because I was too cheap to pay $500 to have the ceremony videotaped), the vows were good (and I snuck in an "always and forever"), the weather was beautiful, and we were right by the water. The whole ceremony lasted about 15 minutes. I did tear up a bit while Cliff was saying his vows, but then I forced myself to space out for a second to stop crying. After the ceremony, we took about a million (well, more like 190) photos and then met up with everyone at the patio bar. The ceremony was at 6:00 and the dinner reservations at the Brazilian restaurant were at 8:30, so we had a little photo/drinking break in between. The dinner was really yummy. Cliff and I had eaten there twice before (on a previous trip) and I remember having stomach problems, but I was fine this time around. There was a salad bar, and then the waiter came around with skewers of meat (kind of like Texas de Brazil only without my favorite meat, filet). They also served our wedding cake for dessert. After dinner, the "kids" went to the entertainment bar and then to the disco (Pacha). Cliff hadn't been feeling well (congestion, cough, etc.), so I hungout with everyone for an hour or two and then went back to the room. Actually it worked out pretty well because I was overheating in my dress at Pacha. It took Cliff and I FOREVER to get (or, rather, peel) it off. I had an absolutely fantastic wedding day. The ceremony was perfect, and I got to spend the day celebrating with our friends and family.

Hair


Nails


Awesome... I need to get married every day!


Teamwork!


My Grandma's Pearls


A Little Girly Champagne before the Festivities


Pre-Game Shot


Team Riu










This might be the best photo ever!








Woohoo We Did It :)


Cheers!


Cute Sibling Shot


I Take Funny Bathroom Photos :)




Dinner


Getting Scolded at Pacha for Trying to Break into the DJ Booth