Operation: Optimal Health

19 days to go until my big race and of course I get sick! I spent the weekend freaking out a little bit since I was off in my workouts followed by a couple rest days. I am pretty sure my body does not respond like the average person and maybe even to the average athlete. Every day I am taking a boat load of vitamins to avoid getting sick so when I am sick it doesn't necessarily appear as the common cold. I had a sore throat but I just get exhausted and feel it in my muscles more than anything. I believe that I am on the up swing with being back on the bike and back in the pool, but since I only have 19 days left until my "A" race I am going to do everything possible to get myself in optimal health. Not just back to okay health, I am talking optimal.

1. Eating! Lots of smoothies and lemons! I intend to surge with vegetables and fruits in my diet.

2. Sleep. I have been having trouble sleeping the last week and a half and am starting to think it is what started the whole thing. I don't know what happened. I was knocking out workouts and then was knocked out at bed time, but lately I have been restless and distracted. I am going to give melatonin a try. I have tried it before it half pills and it seemed to do the job so I won't be introducing anything new into my system completely  but this will help me get some good solid sleep.

3. Stretching and Rolling. This is not so focused on the sickness at hand, but I said optimal health and I want to be loose as a goose come race day.

4. Stress. Work has been a downer lately so I am going to make sure I check the negativity coming in and going out the door.

All of these are probably things I should of prioritized throughout the season, but when you are putting in large training blocks it becomes close to impossible. Still no reason not to make a late season push. Any other recommendations on how to recoup from getting sick in the midst of your season are appreciated.

Ulman Rev3 Half Full Triathlon

This weekend, last weekend and the weekend before various triathlons around the world took places of different distances, sizes, and capacities. I was scheduled to race at the Ullman/Rev3 Half Full triathlon in Columbia, Maryland on October 7th. Unfortunately, due to some last minute engagements and weddings I was not able to attend and was truly disappointed. If you know me, you know I would usually have skipped the weddings for such a great race and cause but these were of close friends and I don't have many of those.

Reason #5: Lance. He is a legend no matter how you look at it. No matter how many bad things I hear about him he still associates himself with a good cause and that I give him credit. People can argue he does it for the wrong reasons and its all about self interest, but no matter how you cut it, he still has given light to an important cause. If you have seen anyone wither away from cancer you will understand this.

Rev3, Charlie, making Lance suffer, in jeans and a hoodie.

Reason #4: I really wanted one of these guys! I love crab. Pretty much what it comes down to.

Rev3 has the coolest medals!

Reason #3: This is my old stomping ground. I used to live in the area and would ride this course on a weekly basis. If you want to be a stronger biker this is the course to ride. It is technical and hilly. It is also absolutely gorgeous.

Best riding in eastern Maryland.

Reason #2: My Rev3 teammates and the Rev3 staff. I really was disappointed I didn't get to hang out with the Rev3 team. From what I hear it was a fun and epic weekend as always.

The Rev3 team rallying the night before the race.

Reason #1: The cause. "Its about doing something that's bigger than you, its about taking your life back, its about being involved, its about being healthy."

I will be at this race next year whether it is to race or help out. I highly recommend adding it to your race calendar for next year and can guarantee you it will not disappoint. 

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

After Rev3 Cedar Point a vacation was needed. My man and I decided to go on an adventure instead. We traveled to northern Minnesota to enter into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in hopes of some northern lights and relaxation time. We got the relaxation time, but didn't see any northern lights. Maybe next time! Here is our adventure in pictures.

All set to go. The canoe's size was a little intimidating. 

Eric's pack. Throughout the week I kept taking stuff out of his pack and putting it in mine. He was carrying the canoe so  he had enough to handle.

Before picture. Right before our first portage where I ended up knee deep in muke trying to get our canoe in the water. The fun begins!

I think this is from Day 1. You can see in the background damages from the blow down of '99.

Pretty water lily.

Having fun on Day 1.

The start of one of the portages.

Same portage.

Campsite view Day 1. Pretty nice set up.

Setting up dinner.

Relaxing by the fire.

Day 2: Moose! We tried not to get too close!

This picture is with the Mother right before she went off into the woods where we couldn't see her. All we could do was listen to her stomp around. We were both were really nervous.

Getting closer to the baby moose.

So adorable.

I know mother moose can be really aggressive but we later found out that moose can swim really fast too. I am glad we didn't stick around for long.

This is middle of Day 2 where we got stuck on a really windy lake.  After a couple of failed attempts trying to get around a bend we parked the canoe and hiked to a campsite on the other end of the peninsula. 

The campers we ran into said there was a great hike to the top with an overwhelming view.  How could we not go inspect?

Climbing up to the top.

Climbing up and up.

Almost there!

Gorgeous!

It was really sunny that day and I got majorly sun burnt.

This was the last picture we took before we tipped the canoe. Luckily we didn't have any of a gear, but also some what unfortunate that we didn't have any of our gear because it weighted down the canoe!

The sunset the evening we were drying out from tipping over. The camera was gone, but Eric had to turn on his i-phone to get this shot. It was even better in person.

Day 4: Taking a break after our second to last portage. This one was one of the hardest. Long and super steep. Eric was a champ. 

Almost to a warm shower.

Eric relaxing after the portage.

We made it out alive and still speaking to each other. It was a wonderful trip with lots of stories to tell.