I'M ALIVE! I've been trying to post since Saturday but I've been way too busy. This week was pretty tough and I really wasn't sure if I'd be able to keep up, but besides a very achy body, I'm a survivor. This is what the week looked like:

Sunday: 65 minute ride (it was supposed to be 90 minutes.. what? I had to put dinner in the oven!)
Monday: 45 minute swim practice in Irvine
Tuesday: 30 minute bike, 30 minutes run
Wednesday: DAY OFF!!
Thursday: 45 minute swim
Friday: 45 minute run
Saturday: 70 minute bike, 26 minute run

As rough as it is and as much as my body aches, I love every minute of it. I was finally able to meet the rest of the TEAM Saturday at the team practice in Irvine. I love them already! I'm always hesitant to meet new people (although that might be hard to believe sometimes) because there's automatic stereotypes and horrible first impressions and questions like "What do you do?" and "Where do you live?" No one seems to be trying to put you in a box or categorize you. We're all there for different reasons, from different places in SoCal. For some of us it's our very first time, for others it's their fourth or fifth. The one thing we have in common is our goal. Run, bike, swim, raise money. Other than that, it's all smiles, fun, love, and games!

I headed down to practice with my mentor Joe (I love his name. Joe James. He has two first names. That's awesome!) and hung around until practice got started. As soon as everyone showed up, we had a quick little meeting consisting of announcements and prize give-aways (every week Julia, the campaign manager, sends out weekly update emails with trivia questions). We divided into what I call the "A Team" and... us. The A team rocked the bikes and rode really far and well, the rest of us just rode our bikes. After the ride, we ditched the bikes and ran for about 25 minutes. I was introduced to the sensation of gumby legs. Everyone thinks they've felt the jell-o legs but it's nothing compared to riding for 70 minutes and then running. I was UNpleasently surprised when I began to run and I had to concentrate so hard because I felt like I was going to fall over. All I could do was laugh and I'm glad I was running alone at this part because I probably looked a little cooky!

After practice, we headed to Coach Paul and Michelle's house up the street for breakfast. They had prepared a scrumdiddlyumptious meal for us! There was waffles with blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries, eggs, hashbrowns, bananas, bagels with cream cheese and a home made cream cheese with smoked salmon (yum), Costco muffins, and mimosas!!! I was in heaven... you know me and food are besties! Here's a few pictures from the breakfast:

This is my mentor, Joe, and Dave. I absolutely LOVE the look on both of their faces. Dave's face says "arg, gimme some food." Joe... he just looks confused, possibly offering food to the camera?

Look at all of those eggs!!

Mentor Laura and I talk about bikes while we indulge in fatty goodness.

In September, there was a kickoff party with ALL of the TEAM in Training members for all races. This is where families and friends got to come and hang and meet the coaches, have dinner, and just mingle. I missed that of course, but the picture below is of our campaign manager with the coaches and mentors (apparently Joe couldn't make it, so the doll on the table represents Joe... lol)

Here's a few pictures of our practices and stuff...

I forgot this guy's name, but he's the top fundraiser right now on our team and he's showing off his new Trek. B-E-A-UTIFUL!!!

Coach Paul shows usthe essentials of changing a flat tire.


Here's a few pictures of our Monday night swimming practice with Coach Sally. She's the head coach and she's awesome! I'm THAT person who asks a million questions because this is all new to me and she's so patient with me. I gues I'm waiting for that to run out... we'll see =)

Mentor Joe worships Michael Phelps.... ok maybe not but who DOESN'T love the Phelp fish?