Dad's Triathlon: yet another endeavor best enjoyed as a spectator

Last weekend, my parents and I went to Possum Kingdom Lake to watch my dad compete in a sprint triathlon. The triathlon (btw, who else thought triathlon was spelled triathAlon? I literally didn't know it didn't have that A in it until I started writing this post..) was early Sunday morning, so we drove up on Saturday. While my parents went to sign Dad in and get his transfer bags (is that what they're called?) I had a relaxing time back at the house. After Labor Day, the lake pretty much closes up, so it was quiet, peaceful and relaxing to sit outside, read and sip on one of those large DDPs that you know I love so much.

After a wonderful dinner at the home of a family friend, we went to bed early. We got up at 5am so we could be at the site in plenty of time before the start. It was a little ridiculous how early it was. So early, in fact, that coffee was not even helping. But I will say, it was exciting to see this world that, frankly, I never knew existed.

Because this has been my attitude about working out up until recently (I'll get to that later.)

I had such fun watching all the svelte professional triathlon runners and the regular joes all standing around together waiting to start. People-watching being a personal hobby of mine, it was like hitting the jackpot. A weird jackpot that makes you really self-concious and really judgmental all at the same time. I was also surprised by how many people did not seem to be in shape. I don't even mean that in a rude way, I was seriously impressed by some of these people's initiative and bravery.

So back to my Dad. He was in the last group, since he was only doing the shorter race, and started around 8:25.

There they go!!

So we watched him swim, change over to the bike, and take off on his 17-mile bike ride followed by a 5 mile run! Then I got distracted by some geese flocking around the finish line.

Geese. They're so weird. I took about 379 photos.

After some much needed coffee, it wasn't long before the professionals, who started almost an hour before my dad, started coming through the finish line. We waited for another hour or so, and then watched Dad pass the finish line in just under 2 1/2 hours!!

Not bad, Father, not bad.

Now, we're training for some 5k for when we go to DC for Thanksgiving, hence a recent increase in my attendance at the gym. It's been a long time coming, but this should be interesting...

Moral of the Story: New York wants people to be miserable.

What I learned this week:

1. I could never live in New York. Banning drinks over 16 oz.?? Really?? I get that the state of New York is trying to get people to be healthy, which is always good of course, but it's a slippery slope. I mean, what if the Dept. of Transportation started saying that no one is allowed to drive anymore because there's a chance that you could get in a car wreck and die? Okay, that's extreme, but you get my point. Not only that, but I can drink a 16 oz. beverage in about 5.4 seconds. Not exactly a treat for me.

Now these, on the other hand...

2. When an online site (ahem...Open Sky) tells you it will be 2 weeks until your item ships, just know it will be 3. But I also learned that it is worth the wait.

3. I learned that I DO NOT need this tshirt:

 
But it didn't stop me from seriously considering it for a minute. Which do you like best? Oh, and get a really good laugh while you're browsing.

This weekend I'm off to the lake to watch my dad compete in a "sprint" triathlon. That's where the distances (run, bike and swim) are half as long as the Olympic one. Any distance is already too far for me, so I'll just be cheering him on.

This week.

Here we are on the back end of a difficult week for a lot of people. I cannot attempt to convey the words that so many people have already said, and better than I ever could. So instead, I'll talk about how it's been raining all day today.

The rain is pretty soothing. It's rare in these parts.. especially the past couple of years (hence the entire blog post about it). And even though all I really wanted to do today was curl up on the couch and finish my book, I loved hearing it against the window as I worked.

These cooler temps also signal the end of summer and the beginning of fall, which of course is my favorite time of the year. Bring on the sweaters, scarves and boots!

I hope you enjoyed a beautiful Thursday!

Moral of the Story

This week was an unexpectedly busy work week, so I'm excited to spend a few days in Fort Worth to recharge my batteries. Here are a few things I learned this week:

1. Lunch with a best friend on Friday afternoon can make you feel a billion times better. Even if you weren't even feeling that bad.

Love you, Baboosh.

2. No matter what Obama says, I will never be able to get past his completely misguided and false idea of what America should be. Thanks, DNC, for reaffirming what I always thought.

3.  New discovery: I love sending cards to people, even if they're just to say hi. (Just search cute cards on Pinterest, and you'll see what I mean.)

Have a beautiful weekend!!