I'm back. What about my back?

I've been on vacation sabbatical. I was gone for a little over a week but once I came back to work, the party was over. Not that work is a bummer. I like my job but when I'm gone, things start to pile up and they overfloweth. I'm the only person who does my job so when I return, well, I almost need a map to find my way from my desk to the bathroom.

So, instead of doing lots of writing, I'll just shove a bunch of pictures in with captions. Creative aren't I. Hallmark called last week and offered me a job. Jealous?

Ok, so vacation went like this...

Hands down, best bike ride I've ever been on. The sad part is that this should have been panoramic. There were more mountains where those came from.

I didn't really sweat training while I was gone. I hiked and biked a lot. Ran 13 all at once because I could. Swam a few days in a pool with weird chemicals, pretty much tasted like I was drinking out of an unflushed toilet. Grossed out? Good. Me too.

Came home, got back on schedule. I've been biking a lot. Besides the fear of drowning in my 70.3, I'm worried about having the biking legs to push me through 56 miles. I biked 50 the other day just for good measure and I nearly hit one of all of these.....

A groundhog

A black pug

A cute baby rabbit. Probably the most disturbing of all my near hits.

A few members of the Taliban who were obviously up to no good.

Yesterday I did another sprint triathlon. It was only a few short miles from my house so this was great for me. It was in my backyard (not literally) but it's where I train and I wanted to "bring it". "It" being my biking legs that actually work when I want them too. 

400 meter swim, 13 mile bike, 5K run. Sometimes I just know I have a feeling to pick up a top spot and I felt that way yesterday. I have much more confidence now than I've ever had. I'm not great at any of the three but I'm good enough when you put them all together. 

I finished 3rd in my age group. By less than 3 minutes I missed the top spot. Yes, I've spent over an hour retracing my steps to figure out where I could have squeezed out those 3 minutes and I know I could have done it but it was hot and I'm not as strong as a fighter as I need to be on those hot days. I'm still learning but I'm proud. Plus, let me brag for a second. It was my fastest bike yet. Like 19 mph fast on some hills. The girl who won...we took turns trading blows on the bike and on the run. Next time I'll get the W. 

This is what proud looks like. This is also what smelly looks like. 

Finally.....

Count em' ... two weeks away and this girl will be putting blood (highly likely), sweat (100%) and tears (100%) on the line to wake up every morning knowing that if I can dream it, then I can race it.