This past weekend marked the LAST training weekend with the team.  I cannot believe how quickly the time has past.  Literally 25 weeks of training with these fools. It was also 4th of July. 

So needless-to-say.. we had fun.

Stan hosted an awesome Pool Party / BBQ at his house.  it was fun.  I brought up a case of Spatter, so Kyle & Jenna's kids had a blast with that... we all were hosed down. it was hysterical.  But the best part of the day was literally hanging with everyone - not on a bike or in sneakers.  It was kinda magical.

Silly Teammates 4th of July

Tina

Rachel & Nicole

Sunday was our final bike ride.. it was a social ride up the PCH to Malibu followed by a run.  it was a gorgeous HOT day.. but soooo worth it.  I was able to catch up with Riz at one point and then caught up to Elisabeth and Laura for the last 45 min.. it was great.  The run on the other hand was not that great... not terrible... i was able to run 7min 30sec before I had any knee pain.. so that's a start!  :-)  That being said, I also didn't want to push it this weekend and be screwed for next. The team is super fun and i am glad i had this experience.

PCH to Malibu

Laura & EWS

Me, Chrystine & Kelie

Eryn, Isabel, Cole & Tina

Kyle.. with the Tunnel of Love (The ONLY Time Kyle came in last... he also started an 1hr after us. :-) )

Sunday night was our sendoff Dinner... we were able to have a few cocktails and hang.  it was really funny to see everyone in proper clothes.  I cannot tell you how many people did a double take to see me in a dress, LOL... especially since i am always hair pulled back, sweaty and sunglasses. :-) Everyone looked soooooo  pretty and happy.  it was really nice. We had a few games, some awards... clearly the fact that I stop to Go-Pro and take pics did not go unnoticed -- Award: ONE DETERMINED GO-PRO... and we had a few emotional speeches.. the mentors talked about their mentees, Jenna and Nicole were too cute... they were sobbing like crazy as if it was a funeral. LOL.  but it was awesome all at the same time.  Chrystine talked about me, Jay, Angela, Christy & Tina.  I didn't realize she had all of us as mentors.  She is awesome and I was truly blessed to have her as a mentor.  She is the real deal. NO BS and NO DRAMA.  So refreshing... :-)

Being Silly .. OBVI. :-)

Chrystine... Best Mentor Ever 

(She is not even racing... and has been there with us for 25 weeks!)

Of course as we go into our taper week.. i am super excited, nervous, scared... all those fun and crazy emotions all rolled into one... i do have one concern ...my knee.  i truly hope it holds up.  I've come so far, i hope it doesn't get the better of me.... but i am ready.. so all i can say is BRING IT!!

to laugh more frequently -- with me or at me -- check out http://travelgriffinironwoman.blogspot.com/

to laugh more frequently -- with me or at me -- check out http://travelgriffinironwoman.blogspot.com/

New York... it is where i grew up and of course lately, where I find myself heading every three weeks for work. I am not complaining, after all I love it!  But with traveling, the training proves to be a little difficult.

Since I was working all week and flew in straight from training weekend, I forgot to pack a bunch of training gear - bathing suite, extra socks, clothes, etc... but i did bring one biking kit and thankfully, my new sister-in-law is close to my size so i had a bike, shoes and wet-suit to use and i have my brother Marc -- the greatest guy in the world. 

 

On Friday, after a 3 days of missed practices, late night dinners and only a Starbuck's Chai Tea and a mini muffin that morning, Marc and I set out on our 60+mi bike ride from the Upper East Side to Long Island.  It was awesome and Marc was awesome for many reasons.  1.) He took of work to bike with me. 2.) He had only biked about 20mi this season and was committing to 60. and 3) He put up with me stopping for photos and video and FOOD! :-)

 

Marc & I. - The Start

We started at 75th & 1st... this was taken at 68th & York

 

Now..I have grown up on Long Island and have spent many many days and nights in the city, but I can honestly tell you, biking through it gives it a waaay better perspective.

 

First of all, it is crazy dangerous.  We were biking the wrong way on one way streets, rolling through stop lights and stop signs all with the blessing of the police!! One cop actually said, "Why are you Stopping?? i said because it is a light.-- he said do you see any cars... Just GO"... i was shocked and the entire time, all i heard was Coach Riz in my head about safety and thought she would die if she was on this route! :-)

 

Now the craziest part of this whole bike ride is I am a 36 year old native New Yorker and I have NEVER been on the Brooklyn Bridge.  Isn't that crazy!?!?! I think so.  and PS.. this is where Marc proposed to Christy. :-)

 

So.. as we embarked on our journey Friday afternoon, I was starving.  My nutrition plan for this ride went ride out the window.  I only had an iced chai tea and a mini muffin before the ride, so needless to say, i was hungry! :-) So after about 20 miles when we made it to Coney Island, I inhaled a Nathan's Hot dog and a Coke and it was amazing!  To be honest, I probably could have had 5 Hot Dogs, but I knew that wouldn't be the best.  ... but I have to tell you .. it was GOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!! YUM!  Marc of course was laughing at me... it was quite funny.

 

Collage of awesomeness - Brooklyn Bridge & Coney Island

Nathan's at Coney Island... Obvi

 

HEAVEN ON A BUN... :-)

 

After Coney Island, we made our way through the Rockaways and onto Long Island.  It was seriously gorgeous and fun. 

 

I don't know how Marc was able to lead the charge but he did and for that i am thankful.  We were slow moving for most of the ride, only going about 10mi per hour.. so our overall journey was 6hrs... not ideal. But we did it and the memories will last a lifetime.

 

On 

 

The END... Lindenhurst, Long Island.

 

THANKS MARC!!

 

On Saturday, I was lucky enough to convince a few friends to hit the beach near my hometown. It was beautiful.  The water was so warm that after swimming .5 miles.. i had to take my wetsuit off and to swim the remaining .5mi.. i could not believe how hot it was.

 

Marc & I... we are soooo tough!

 

After the swim.. we headed over to Ocean Beach, Fire Island.  It was so nice and amazing and sooo nostalgic. i was able to see all my buddies, soak up the amazing sunset and have a blast.  it was awesome!  Thanks to my Bay Shore crew for letting me twist their arm into hanging that night. :-)

 

Me & Kelly

 

#America

 

Me soaking it ALL IN! 

 

Marc, Booty, & Kerry

 

 

Booty, Leigh, Christian, Kerry, Jenny & Kelly

 

 

Sunset at Hideaway - Ocean Beach

 

 

Sunset at Ocean Beach - No Filter

 

Kelly, Me, Kerry, Marc, Leigh & Taylor

 

My Besties in the Whole Wide World!! 

Me, Taylor, Jenny, Allie, Kerry, Kelly, & Leigh

(I have know these ladies since Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, 8th & 9th Grade)