Big Day Tomorrow! Go # 900 - That's me!

Well, the triathlon is tomorrow, and I am so excited!  LJ is napping now, but when he wakes up, we are going to go pick up my race number and get "the lay of the land", so to speak.  I rented my bike yesterday.  It's just a run-of-the-mill road bike, but it is DRASTICALLY different than the big bike I've been training on.  So much so, in fact, that I took quite a spill yesterday.  I'm still wondering, do adults regularly fall of their bikes like that?  It happened so quickly that I"m not sure what happened.  I think I hit a small lip on the sidewalk at a bad angle and the tiny tires couldn't hold it.  I have a HUGE knot the size of half a softball on my right hip, bad scrapes on my back and ankle, but nothing major, (thank God for helmets).  After showering off and assessing the damage, I got back on for twenty minutes of so to get to know the bike more.  I feel much more comfortable and am hoping this does not happen tomorrow!

The swim is going to be the big unknown.  I have swum (?) about a mile in the pool, and this 1/2 mile swim in the ocean is a large one for a beginner triathlon.  It goes out into the ocean, then takes a left turn swimming parallel with the sand, then back in to the bikes.  The starts are supposed to be hectic with everyone entering the water, so I'm going to stay to the side and back, (preferably to the right side so my hip does not get hit - pure pain).  I swim about a 17 min. 1/2 mile in the pool, so I'm shooting for under 20 minutes in the ocean.  This is just an estimate, so I have no idea what to expect.

For the bike, it's a 16 mile "hilly" course.  I was pumping it as hard as I could on my own bike, barely making 15 miles an hour, but the guy at the rental place said he thinks I can do the 17 mph I'm shooting for in the race.  I want to finish the bike portion in under an hour, but considering my fall yesterday, I am going to be more cautious than competitive in this area.

The run is a 5K, 1/2 on the street, half on the beach.  Because 1.5 miles of it is on the sand, timing can be tricky.  Also, after doing the other two challenging portions, I'm sure that my run will be slow.  I run slowly anyway, so I'm hoping for a time around 30 minutes for the 5K, but I don't want to push myself too hard.  That's a ridiculously slow time for real competitors, but in this triathlon, I'm participating more than "competing".  

The transitions are important as well.  I'm actually going to cut down on any "fluff" and only bring the necessities.  The beach swim will make me sandy, so I have a "beverage caddy" that I'm going to fill with water and place by my bike.  I'll step in it to rinse of sand, step on my towel, take off cap and goggles then put on socks and shoes.  I"m doing the entire race in my triathlon shorts and a speedo swim top, so there will be no "wardrobe changes".  I'll put on my sunglasses and helmet then run my bike to the transition exit, trying to keep that time around 2 minutes.  I'm going to ask the director today if I can hang a balloon on my bike rack so that I don't have a hard time finding my bike.

The final transition from the bike to the run is similar.  I will stop at the transition area, run (If I am able) with my bike, re-rack it, take off my helmet, put on my number and go.  Your transition times factor in to your overall time, so if you can "book it" through those, you may have a leg up and be able to "rest" a bit on the run, etc.  In my experience with the brick workouts, (bike immediately followed by a run), my legs are JELLY after getting off a tough bike ride.  It takes about 1/2 a mile before I can fully feel them again, so that may factor into the time as well...especially having a difficult ocean swim before.  I am aiming an estimated time of  1 hr. 55 minutes, but we'll see!

It will take about 30 minutes to get to the race site tomorrow, so we'll be leaving here around 5:30 a.m. ,(the first "wave" of athletes begins at 7, and mine is at 7:28).  Fun times for Lance and LJ, huh?  I'll have the truck loaded with both my and "LJ's bike", (Lance is going to ride him around so they can see me more - I love that!), and get there early to set up.  I will wake up probably around 5 to eat a granola bar, but not much more.  I don't do well with stuff on my stomach and find even my toughest workouts are better if I'm "empty".  I have hydrated like crazy and I'm fixing pasta for dinner tonight, so it looks like I'm all set!  

I can't wait and even though I'm nervous, it's almost just cautious excitement.  I know this post was full of details, but typing it out helps me to prepare in my mind.  Your thoughts and prayers are MUCH appreciated as I do this!  Yay!  I'll update tomorrow evening, maybe with some pictures!  Below is a map, (though hard to read) of the race.

"Date night" :)

What a fun night for LJ and his mom!  We weren't too sure how the weather was going to play out this afternoon, so we headed to Tampa for a Mom and LJ "date night".  The traffic was horrible, (is it always that bad going from St. Pete to Tampa, I wonder?), but LJ's patience, (or his impatienceand/or my patience) was rewarded with a big cup of tea from teavana for me and some playtime at the International Plaza playground for him.  We haven't been there in a while, and I needed to look for some laces (laces that you don't have to tie, but just pull on) for my race this weekend.  There's an awesome running store at the mall, and I got some good info from some experienced triathletes that work there .  They began with their "horror stories" of their first ocean swim, and I just side-tracked them into the details I needed.  I'm nervous enough as it is, people!  :)  

Anyway, LJ and I went to a sushi restaurant early and ate dinner.  He LOVES soup - he ate the seaweed and tofu happily out of his miso soup then ate an entire shrimp tempura roll.  He wanted my spicy tuna, but I just barely kept it out of his reach.  Because he was so good, he got an ice cream after.  We ate it outside then headed back for a little more playtime for him.  He is learning that "if you leave sweet, you get to go back"...I like to reward him for leaving the playground, (or any other place he REALLY doesn't want to leave) without a fight.  So, we went back for a few more minutes of play - he is a crazy boy in there - running bases, sliding, pretend hitting, catching "balls" over the fence...you name it.  Wherever we are, whatever we are doing, LJ is going to try and turn it in to some kind of baseball game.  He woke me up with a catcher's mask this morning, trying to put it on me saying, "Here, mommy.  You're the umpire".  

Oh, I almost forgot!  LJ got to spend some time with a local babysitter today.  I had to do a swim, ( the only one of the three I can't possibly do with LJ), then I ran.  It was awesome to be able to do that even with Lance gone.  With the race Sunday morning, I can't slack this week.  I have prepared so well, and I don't want to lose the fitness level I have worked for.  I do all three VERY slowly, but I am ready for my 1/2 mile ocean swim, 16 mile bike then 5K.  How exciting, huh?  The babysitter, Courtney, was awesome, and she's even going to keep LJ (or watch him sleep) Monday night so that Lance and I can go grab a bite to eat.  It will be his first day off at home this season, (crazy first two months), and we are going to have a blast!  Lots of Lance and Jamie time coming up in the next month or so, and I'm thankful we made it through the beginning season schedule.

OK, so enough rambling from me.  I know that a lot of this post jumps around, but I'm tired!  I'm going to go finish my pot of white lavender tea and go to bed.  Enjoy the pictures below - Goodnight!!

We got a sweet invitation to spend Memorial Day with some players' wives.  LJ had a blast - can you see the cupcake flag on his face?  :)

We missed Rookie so much this trip, and I think he even missed LJ!  They have been playing non-stop in the mornings.  Sweet boys.

LJ jumps from one end of the pool and swims to the other, over and over.  He's turned the corner - one of the little things that reminds me he is not a baby any more.  What a fish!

We were playing "baseball" in the pool, (of course) and LJ had to go "take a shower like dad" after he "pitched".  Luckily, there's one right by the pool :)

There's something about this view:  his shoulders, neck and back of his little head that gets me.  I love it.

My little sushi eater.  Can you believe that?  He loves it!

And, the best part!!

Pitching with all his might - no ball, that's o.k.  He even does it without a glove on most occasions :)  He says, "Mom, I'm Lance Coom-i-ey"

Way back, way back...that ball is...caught!    

Private!!!!

Well, if you are here, you've read my email.  We are now private!  I have been holding back, leaving out details of where we live, if Lance is in town or out, making sure LJ is fully clothed.  Get ready for some cute cheeks (of the bottom variety), people - and as safe as I feel with only you here, I may write our address on them!

It's overdue and I'm glad it's done.

Love y'all,

Jamie

Bienvenido a Miami :)

Well, it's been a long time...again!  We have been in Miami for the weekend, and it was WONDERFUL!!!  We got to catch up with old friends and be together at the beach...what's better?  It was WONDERFUL!  Lance is headed to Cleveland for 4 games, then home again.  This is a schedule I could get used to!  I hope you are wonderful!

As you can see, LJ was not the least bit afraid of the surf this time.  I think he and I will make more of an effort to make our way out to the beach more often.

Fearless.  Loving it.

Little feet in the sand.

This was the weather we had for our stay.  What a beautiful sight, huh?   Blue water, dark skies...it opened up here and there with rain or sun, but this has been the norm in Florida for the last week or so.

We rented this covered  chair on the beach one day, and LJ LOVED it.  It rained us out before we wanted to go in, (LJ and I wanted to stay out there till dark), but it was a great idea.  Snacks, book, toys, beach and surf!

Friday night, LJ & I went and visited our friends, The Smileys.  Look at these cute boys enjoying a popsicle together after dinner!!

We had such a great time with them - it was sad to have to hug bye!

In the pool, the kids took advantage of this aligator that came with a teammates cabana :)

This may be one of my favorite pictures ever.  I love how Lance is laughing so hard at LJ, & LJ is having a blast with his friends :)  LJ has such a GREAT dad!

This cotton candy did not last long!  Between LJ and I and the humidity, it shrunk to nothing in ten minutes.

Look at all those guys with paste-on mustaches.  Lance is in the furthest chair to your right, front row.  A guy was called up from AAA and he made his debut from the bullpen the night before.  He has a very big mustache, so this was his little welcome :)

they have become sweet friends.

When we met, she was just pregnant with him.  Look at Little Justin now!

Hey, Dan!  Just kidding - this is a friend of our's little boy.  His name is Jackson, but he looks JUST like his dad.  It was a great reunion with the Ugglas, too.  :)

Getting in good with the grandparents :)

In this era of technology, what's the best way to get in good with your baby's grandparents?  Post lots of pictures of him, of course!  :)  Oh, and then upload those pictures to shutterfly so that they can print out hard copies, right?  I'm on it.  Did I do good, or what?  Here are some pictures from LJ at Lance's game yesterday.  Sunday day games are great because kids get to run the bases, it's early enough for Lance to stay out and play...not to mention we get to have dinner together!  We have done that like 2 - 3 times in the 1 1/2 months, so that's a BIG treat!  I hope you enjoy these pictures - it was a joy taking them.  I'm in the stands with a profile view, so now "straight-on" shots.  Maybe next time :)

LJ, who's your favorite person in the world??  Pointing at his dad.

Watching a ball he just threw, hoping it doesn't "go out"... :)

Having the time of his life!

Dad teaching him how to clean off his cleats ...you know in our Type A family, cleanliness is next to Godliness :)

Hey, ump!  I need a new ball!

"My father did't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it."   

~Clarence Budington Kelland

Cleaning off the rubber

"..and the Home of the Brave!"

It seems like a good place to rest the ball to me, too.

So sweet.  My favorite #31's

Rainy day today, lots of block-stacking then knocking down.  He can't take his eye off this one...he's so sure it's gonna tumble!

...and why not give him a haircut?  Rainy days get so much accomplished.  I love this sweet day at home with Lance here!

We're still here!

OK, so I know - I have taken too long a hiatus from the blog.  I have missed it, and I hope you have!  Between traveling back, spending some much-needed time with Lance, getting some rest, (thank you, Lance!) and doing my daily training, I have put it off.  At the end of the day, I am SO tired, and it seemed like a monstrous task.  Lance comes home and I'm like, "I see your mouth moving, but I don't understand a word"...:)  I LOVE the training, and playing with LJ (sometimes taking him with me to train), but it takes its toll.  By the end of the day, I'm zapped.  Now that I have these pictures uploaded, though, I'm back to square one.  I will try not to get behind again :)  I wanted to post a few more pictures from our time at home...gosh, WHAT A REFRESHER!!!  I love my home!  Do you?  I hope so.  It is my haven, and even though Lance wasn't there, it was a great week.  I hope you are well and having a wonderful Sunday.  We've missed you!

LJ and Kacy playing in his little playhouse.  He LOVES those sweet girls!

A happy grad with his favorite nephew...there's a tie for the nieces.  

The other sweet girl...with a HUMONGOUS weed behind her.  That thing's gonna take over.  We miss you, Tomy and Kace!!

What a beautiful family, right?  LJ so looks like he could belong to them :)  Here's Aunt Rach and Uncle Wood...LJ's favorite T-town friends!

Maw-Maw and LJ sharing a joke.  Aren't they cute??

An awesome picture of April and LJ - He convinced her to climb in the hut with him!

Me-Maw and LJ on Mother's Day.  What a treat!

OK, so he looked SOOOO much better (shirt tucked in, no stains...) before the church service and his weekly "fist-fight" with Mr. Doug ...in the grass.  But, boys will be boys, huh?

  

Throwing pennies into the fountain after church.

Me-Maw bought LJ this catcher's mask and he would not take it off...even for a nap.  He's asleep here.

While LJ napped at the pool, Big Al came by.  I had to take a picture as proof for him. :)

Our last night, the Johnson's had us over for dinner.  We had A blast!!  LJ played with Tucker and the boys while I got to hang out with Anna, Molly and Ms. Doris.  What a great way to spend our last night!