Rinse, Ride, Run, Repeat

I've been holding off a few days to post this one because I have been waiting for the results to be posted online. I knew my time right after the race, but I couldn't remember the exact time.

 

Saturday I got to participate in Layton's 5th Annual Triathlon. It has a little twist on it. Not like the others ones I've done this summer. This one was Swim, Bike, Run... then Swim, Bike, Run again. Hence their logo..."Rinse, Ride, Run, Repeat". The only difference for me was the races I've been doing consisted of 350m swim, 12 mile bike and a 5k. But this one was Swim 300m, Bike 5.5miles, Run 1.5 Miles and Repeat.

 

Before the race I was feeling a little grumpy about the idea of splitting it up and having to get back in the pool again. Also that I'd be swimming more than I was used to. But turns out I really liked it. I want to do it again next year.

 

The options for the race were the Mini Sprint and the Sprint Distance. The Mini Sprint meant the participants raced through the course once and not repeating it. The "Mini" racers got to go first, while the "Sprint" racers waited by the pool watching them all get in one at a time, every 15 seconds.

 

While I am waiting, I'm just talking with the girls around me and looking at their legs. Why? Well our ages are written on our calves, so I could size up my competition. And I see one girl that looks about my age and I got this vibe from her that she was some serious competition. I see that she's 26 years old and I was right. She was in my age bracket.

 

Finally the sprint racers can start. I swim my 300m, transition into my bike and while I'm riding that girl catches up with me and passes me. GUH. I'm trying to keep up and for some reason I just couldn't. But she doesn't get too far ahead of me. I could see her the whole ride.

 

I make it back into the transition area and felt like I had a really fast transition. When I run out to the road I realize why my transition was so fast... I STILL HAD MY BIKE SHOES ON!!! Gosh! You've got to be kidding? But there was no way I was running back to change. It was too late. I missed my chance. So I ran with my bike shoes on. Not very fast. But half way I couldn't take it anymore and I ran the last half in my socks. I actually have a good pace once I took those silly bike shoes off. People were probably wondering why the heck I was running with shoes in hand and only socks on my feet.

 

I get back into the pool after my first 1.5mile run and I actually catch up to my competition girl and passed her in the pool. I could tell the second time swimming I was feeling more tired than the first. But I knew I could make up any slowness I had during the swim, on my bike and on the run.

 Once again that chicca caught up with me on her bike and passed me. I couldn't figure out why. But all I could do was push it as hard as I could. During the bike ride I was repeating in my head all the things that I needed to make sure I transitioned into. #1 was running shoes.

This time my transition was perfect. And the best part was that I got out of the transition area a little before my competition girl. We were pretty much running side by side the first half. Which I was ok with, but I knew near the end I needed to pick up the pace even more and I couldn't allow her to finish before me.

(About this picture...Jesse and the boys came up to support me and cheer me on. I love this picture because The three of them were lined up ready to give me high fives. Cy was the first. Jesse was a great photographer and a great support. Right after I passed him on the run he says to me "Last part you're almost done, push hard". With the boys echoing "push hard" as I ran by I felt stronger knowing they were there to support me.)

 The last half of the run this girl (which I found out was Stephanie while we were running side by side) started to fall behind. But not much. I knew I had to keep this strong pace. As the finish line approached I gave everything I had to finish strong. You can see in this picture that Stephanie wasn't too far behind me.

 Kuddos to Jesse's phone photography. I cropped it and adjusted the coloring on it. But I love this picture. It just shows "That moment" of crossing the finish line just perfectly.

 My finishing time was 1:23:51. Which put me 3rd OVERALL in the woman's category. And even though I finished before Stephanie she got a time of 1:23:23. She was 28 seconds faster than me. I was 28 seconds away from 2nd Overall. It's almost painful how close that is. But in reality to place OVERALL is pretty cool.

For placing in the overall category they gave me this plaque. Pretty sweet huh? Since I placed overall then they pulled me out of my age group. In which I placed 2nd in my age group. 

 

 

 

 Ryan and Sarah Dayley also raced. Sarah took 2nd in her age group for the Mini Sprint. Ryan also took 2nd in his age group for the Sprint. Top Gear Team did well!It's been a joy to by on the Team. We aren't professionals by any means. But I have made new friends that are pretty awesome people. Inside and Out. I have so much love and respect for them. It's only been a short while that we've become friends, but they treat me like we've been friends forever.

Some more stats about the race. The first half (lap 1) my time was 42:41 minutes (3rd overall). Lap 2 was 41:09 (1st overall). I was happy to see that I was faster the second time around. I was worried I'd be out of gas and just be alot slower the second time around. I could blame the first half being slower on my bike shoes issue.

Anyway! That was my fun weekend! I have to admit I was on a high for a few days afterwards. It always feels good to place in your division, but to plave overall.. Man it felt good!

Pioneer Day

Traditionally for Pioneer Day the Smith Family gets together the night before and camps out in the backyard. But this year Tyson, Tayler, Andrew and Jesse all had to work. So Emily and I were the only two that slept over the night before. We both weren't feeling in the mood to set up tents without our hubby's around. It made us chuckle that we were there for the Smith Family get together and the only ones that could come were daughters in law. Goes to show who the devoted ones are. Haha. No I'm kidding. Everyone else is devoted to their jobs and were doing the right thing.

 

Luckily Jesse got off at 8;00am in Ogden and came out to his parents as soon as he got off.I went for a run before he got there and when I got back we all ate breakfast together and then headed over to the pool. Strangely it was very overcast. It's been in the 100's for days and the one day that we were playing at the pool it wasn't sunny. Cy got cold fast, but he didn't care one bit. He kept playing like he wasn't bothered one bit. He's tough because I would have been begging to get out if I was shivering as bad as he was.

 

That kid has no fear. Not afraid to jump in the pool when no one is around. So we decided to put the arm floaties so he would be safe and I thought it would give him more confidence. Surprisingly it did the opposite. Jesse let go of him while he was in the water and he sat there frozen with bug eyes. He didn't like that one bit. He'd prefer to hang onto someone or the side. 

 This last Christmas Mike and Heidi gave Ryker a snorkel set because that summer he was using Mike's adult set. So this summer Ryker has been able to use his own. And he just LOVES it.

 I hadn't seen him snorkel yet and I was shocked at how well he was at it. He is a natural. Watching him swim all over the pool makes me really want to take him to the ocean to actually see some fish.

 I have to soak up EVERY moment I have with this guy. He's doing all that he can to keep his head above water. I see him sacrificing so much right now I wonder how he is doing it.

 After the pool we all went back over to the house for lunch and naps. Jesse was exhausted from his shift and the boys were sleepy from playing so hard at the pool. Once everyone was sleeping I went up on Mom and Dad's deck and read by book for a few hours. Eventually I too fell asleep. it's nice to have those relaxing days every once and awhile.

That night Tyson and Tayler came over for dinner and Emily had to leave for work. After we ate we then did fireworks. The boys were in hog heaven. They just love it.

 Cy kept saying "more-n" every time a firework would be over.

 Kind of a dark picture, but I thought it was cute of Cy sitting on the edge of his seat watching our own firework show.

 It's nothing too exciting but all that matters is that the boys like it.

 Last year aerial fireworks were legalized. So Tyson had a couple that he let off. Kind of fun. Especially when the neighbors are doing the same thing. We get to enjoy their big fireworks too.

Fun mid week holiday. Nothing too exciting but I loved that about this day. Very laid back.

Playing Catch-Up

I can tell that our crazy schedule is finally catching up with me. It's very unusual for me to fall behind on my blogging. But the past month and half so many things are going on that I haven't found the time to update. I will just to give a few highlights from the last month to get us all caught up.

 

Middle of June I got to go on a little girls trip with my Mom, Manda and Chantel. Our Destination was Dominican Republic, but we went a day before to New York and spent that time walking around downtown NY. The highlight of that day was going to see WICKED on Broadway. It was amazing. We were all so tired from our Red Eye Flights from the night before so we all struggled staying awake during it.

While we were in Dominican we took every chance we had to play in the ocean and lay on the beach. 

My favorite part of the trip was our snorkel trip. We had a photographer taking pictures of us. So we got a TON of really good pictures. I wish I could post all of them so you could see how amazing it was. But this will have to do.

This was the first time I felt comfortable enough to dive down. I usually just like to stay on top. But not this time. I was having the time of my life. Only thing missing was Jesse. He would have been so proud of me. I remember on our honeymoon just staying on the beach while he went out and snorkeled by himself. I had no interest in doing it. But now I would love to get scuba certified. I've come a long way.

 

I love this picture in the middle of the ocean. The water was so warm and clear. I could have snorkeled all day.

On our last day we hiked waterfalls.That was pretty cool. We walked through the river/stream and when we'd come to a waterfall we'd either slide down it or jump off.

I didn't get too many pictures of us while we were hiking it because my camera was in a water safe bag. It was difficult to get a picture while it was inside, and I was nervous to take it out. This picture was taken from inside the bag, so that's why it's hazy. But you get the idea.

Our tour guides were really funny. The one in the middle just LOVED Amanda.

After coming home from Dominican I was slammed at work and with all the house work and kiddos. With Jesse being gone 80% of the time I literally feel like a single parent. Things like yard work and blogging have been put on the back burner. I don't know how single mothers do it? I've been trying really hard not to say "I can't wait until Jesse is done with School"... but I just can't help it sometimes. :)

A little over a week ago we finally broke down and bought a new truck. Jesse has been driving a 1998 Toyota Pickup for years. It has no power windows, no power steering,  and no AC. It is as Raw as any truck could be. But he has just dealt with it. Now that he's driving all over the valley in this 100 degree weather he needs AC. So we called my dad and we bought this Beauty. Jesse is pretty excited about it.

Days after we bought it we took the new truck on a little Road Trip to Keystone, CO for a Bohm Family Reunion. The best part about the trip was that Jesse had a break from school and was able to get trades for his shifts at Ogden. I have never been more excited about just driving in a car.

Our first day there Ryker lost his first tooth. He was freaked out and excited at the same time. I can't believe that he is big enough to have this happening already. It feels too early. He's growing up too fast.

 A few people from the group went on a 12 mile bike ride down Vail Pass. It's a easy beautiful ride.

 Oh you have NO idea how happy I was to have him for 24/7 six days in a row. I felt like an annoying girlfriend following him around where ever he went. I wanted to be with him every moment. This was the most time I've had with him in the past 6 months combined. Man it was nice to be with him.

One of the nights we were there, we rode the Gondola for free up to the top. The boys got a big kick out of it.

Classic picture at the top.

Here's the whole group.

Our last day there a handful of us went on the Soda Creek Mountain Bike Trail. The first part of it was uphill. According to Andrew's watch we climbed 700ft in elevation. Pretty Crazy. 

 Back at the truck. We had a blast! (Robbie Bohm, Mike, Andrew, Jason Degering, Jesse and I)

That night Christian had "Minute to Win It" Games for the group to play. It was so funny to watch everyone do these funny tasks. Such as... bouncing ping pong balls out of a tissue box strapped to your behind.

 Getting an Oreo from your eye to your mouth without touching it.

 Balancing 7 oreos on your forehead for 7 seconds.

 Stacking dice on a butter knife while the knife is in your mouth, then holding it for 3 seconds.

 Throwing cheeseballs at someone with shaving cream on their head to see how many will stick.

The entire week was just a blast. It was so awesome so see everybody. Some of them hadn't even met Cy yet because at the last reunion (three years ago) I was barely pregnant with him.

Phew... How was that for a quick recap?

Little Red Century

Several months back, my cousin Timalee asked me if I would like to The Little Red Riding Hood Bike Ride. It's a woman's only bike ride so of course I said yes. It's such an awesome ride that everyone wants to do it, so the riders are picked by lottery. And thankfully we got in.

 

As the ride approached closer I was starting to feel nervous if I'd be able to ride the full 100 miles. I hadn't been out on my bike as much as I wanted to. I kept up with my Crossfit workouts, but hadn't been in the saddle as much as I'd hoped.

 

Thanks to TOP GEAR, they got my bike fitted to me really well, a new saddle and put some sweet demo ZIPP wheels on my bike. So my bike was ready. But was I?

 

Timalee and her friend Sarah and I went up Friday night and stayed in a hotel. And we had so much fun. Stayed up alot later than we should have, just eating frozen yogurt while talking and laughing with one another. Being with them calmed my nerves about the ride in the morning. I was actually excited that I would get to ride 100 miles with these two ladies.

 

Finally around 11:30pm we thought we'd better go to bed. I laid there with my mind not turning off. I don't think it was until about midnight that I finally fell asleep. And throughout the night I didn't really sleep. It was that kind of sleep when you still feel awake. But when my alarm went off, thankfully I didn't feel that tired. I must have been on an adrenaline high or something.

 

We all went downstairs to eat some "awesome" hotel breakfast (sarcasm added). and then we got ready and were on our way to the starting line. The ride was low key to the point that you could start anytime you wanted after 7:30am. We got there around 8:30. 

 They had us park in a field adjacent to the starting/finishing line. Because we didn't want to risk getting flat tires right off the bat we had to carry our bikes across the field. What a way to warm up. By the time we made it to flat road our biceps were burning. (In the picture below, from left to right: Timalee, Sarah and me)

 We look pretty sweet in our matching Top Gear attire.

 And we are off... Timalee and Sarah

 and me... What I loved about this ride was it wasn't a competitive ride and how supported it was. There were stops along the way where you could rest, go to the bathroom, fill up your water or eat. Tons of food; pb&j, grapes, cantaloupe, oranges, mini candy bars, oreos, granola bars, fruit snacks, red vines... they had everything. One stop we needed to find some Ibuprofen for Timalee's back. In the container where all the medicine was kept there were even tampons. They thought of everything. While we were riding there'd be cars driving by that would help you out if you had a flat or something wrong on your bike. AWESOME! I was seeing now why it's such a popular ride. Why wouldn't you want to do it? 100 miles of just pure enjoyment. No rush. Just a day to ride and be with the girls.

 At the half way rest point they had a big lunch for us. Subway sandwiches for everyone. We found a shady spot and enjoyed our lunch. We were all feeling so good. The three of us weren't feeling tired. Which was making me so happy. Before this ride, the farthest I had ridden was 50 miles and that was in the fall with Jesse. The Monday before this ride, Jesse and I went out with the boys and rode 30 miles (I pulled the trailer the entire way) and that about killed me (Hence why I was feeling nervous about 100).

But on this day, 50 miles was great! Granted it was pretty flat, but that was preparatory for the next 50 miles that were much hillier.

 I couldn't help but enjoy the beautiful country side. This picture doesn't do it justice, but the green out there in Logan country was a green I hadn't seen before. It was almost neon and bright.

 I have to quickly talk about  "THE" Hill. About Mile 86 we have this long awesome down hill. The whole way down I'm thinking "Thank goodness I don't have to be going up this." Haha I thought too soon. We come to the bottom and turn the corner and there, at mile 88, is this MASSIVE hill. I can see people part of the way up it walking their bikes up it. And I thought..."there is no way I am going to walk my bike up that hill. I'm going to make it to the top of that hill on my bike."

And boy did I surprise myself. I was passing everyone on that hill. And as I'd get to what "I thought was the top" of the hill, it would turn the corner and it would just keep going. So I just kept going. I loved the challenge and it was awesome to rise up to it and crush it.

Then all I had left to ride was about 11 miles. I just had to tell myself... you have just ridden 89 miles and conquered a huge hill. 11 miles is nothing.

The last 10 miles I was thanking my Father in Heaven for blessing me with the strength and opportunity to have done this ride.

At the finish line the three of us were proud to show that we had arrived at 100 miles.

 I never thought that I'd see this number on my GPS watch.

I feel so blessed to have experienced such an amazing weekend. Timalee and Sarah are such amazing woman that have both uplifted me and inspired me. I didn't know Sarah very well before this weekend, and I am happy to have made a new friend. Timalee encouraged me to do the Century length and if it wasn't for her, I probably wouldn't have done it.

I'm also very blessed to be a part of this TOP GEAR Team. It's got me to accomplish things so far that I never thought I could. And it's awesome to have made new friends and become closer with Timalee. The support from everyone is comforting to me.

With Jesse being the busy working/schooling man that he is lately...the Team has given me something to do for myself. And accomplishing my first ever Century Bike Ride was pretty darn cool! It's invigorating to never find my limits!