Watching from the Sidelines...

May 20th - the day of the Harryman Triathlon at Harriman State Park.  I had signed up for the Olympic distance triathlon last fall with full intention of competing.  

Final work deliverables lined up exactly with the triathlon and since I haven't been to the gym since the Ragnar Relay, I knew I wasn't ready.  I also caught a cold with congested sinuses last week and little bit of a dry throat.  Sort of a double whammy of unpreparedness.  :(   If you haven't deduced by now, I didn't compete.  I watched from the sidelines and tried to cheer on those who were competing.  

As soon as I pulled into the parking lot, I heard an announcement that someone didn't have and needed a bicycle helmet to compete.  I had brought my Specialized bicycle and riding gear because I thought I may potentially go for a ride later in the day.  I thought "What the heck, my helmet is perfectly good and doing nothing in my car right now!"  So I grabbed my helmet, brought it to someone checking contestants into the transition area and said I had a helmet.  It was a young guy that needed it.  He was competing in the triathlon as his senior project and had to compete and finish to graduate.  Yikes dude!  Take my helmet! Best of luck!  His mom is going to wash the helmet and ship it back to me.  

I watched the Half triathlon distance start the swim at about 9:45am.  Just watching those folks run into the water made me want to compete so badly.  I also watched the three waves of Olympic distance contestants start at 10:30, 10:33, and 10:36.   They started finishing the swim and running to the transition area and rolling out on their bikes.  One girl had rolled out and her chain came off.  I was right there watching her trying to figure out how to get it back one and I knew exactly what to do!  So I stepped over and said "I'm not sure I'm allowed to help you but here..." and I took the lower chain, pulled it and the derailer forward to give the chain some slack.  Fixed and good to go she hopped on and rode off.  

I walked to road where the riders complete one loop and continue to ride the second.  It was motivating watch the riders pass by; cheering each of them.  Personally, it is so important to provide every rider with some positive reinforcement, encourage them to keep going.  This is where the second part of my story from yesterday begins.  

There was this couple riding a tandem bike.  Well, they weren't actually biking... They had paused to cheer folks on as well.  However, the lady was verbally judging every other cyclist as they rode by.  Yes, some folks weren't riding a bike properly sized for them, or they didn't have biking cleats, or some (I did notice) should have had their seats raised slightly higher than they were.  This really, really ticked me off.  You want to know why?  Because it is people like her who discourage novice riders from starting with the equipment that they have!!! Afraid of being judged by those who have the funds to start with equipment amounting to excess of >$1,000 investment!  Everyone doesn't have that!  I made my cycling start on a mountain bike that was probably $150 from Dick's Sporting Goods.  Did I have bike cleats?  No!  Did I have proper cycling clothing?  No!  I cycled huge hills without all the proper gear - I did it because I loved it and I wanted to and I made the best of what I had at the time!  

So, to that judgmental woman: cyclists have to get their start somewhere!  Everyone that you were judging was probably fighting a battle you couldn't see to finish that race!  Fighting the thoughts that they don't belong there because they don't have the best equipment.  To those that were riding with the gear and the skill and the guts and gumption that you have: You BELONG!  You have as much right as those who were riding very specialized bicycles that cost thousands of dollars.  Take on that challenge and show that anyone at any level can overcome obstacles.  

Congratulations to all the competitors for getting out there and taking on that challenge and the same congratulations to all the race finishers.  I wish I had a medal from yesterday, but it wasn't quite time.

Until the next triathlon I sign up for... (well, I mean I'll write before the of course).  Don't judge other people.  "Always be humble and kind."    

Transition Area

Pretty sure this was the first or second wave of Olympic contestants. 

Outgoing cyclists coming out of the transition area. 

The running start and finish line... 

Time to Fill in Some Trip Details!

When having a bad day, I find that it helps to try to focus on something you have to look forward to, something positive, something you're excited for.  That's what I tried to do today.

I got an email today from G Adventures with a link where I had to input some personal details including signing a waiver (basically saying I can't sue them for being an irresponsible adult - LOL if you know me, you know I'm super ultra personally responsible so that shouldn't be an issue), input flight information (yes, I have my flights booked!), brief medical history and dietary restrictions, passport info, emergency contact, etc.  

I completed filling out 6 of 8 items, some of which weren't due until August, September, and/or October so I'm doing ok.

Made an appointment with Passport Health in Englewood, NJ.  Has anyone been there?  I looked on my employer healthcare provider website and I'm not convinced they're In-Network so I may have to cancel that appointment and find another doctor that specializes in travel medicine/vaccines and international yellow cards.  That inquiry has been made; I will fill you in on what I find out.  Any suggestions are welcome (and it would be nice to get one single comment)!   :)

I think tomorrow I'll go put a chunk of the G Adventures tour on my credit card to get that paid down.

Progress/Timeline so far:
Received previous vaccination records: check.
Make appointment to see travel doctor: in progress - timeframe to complete is mid-late May to first/second week of June.
Get my yellow card: June
Buy STA travel insurance for 1 year: sometime in June
Apply for Indonesian visa and Vietnam visa: mid-late June/early July.

Fortunately, there are consulates for both countries that I need visas for in Manhattan.  I've never visited a consulate to obtain a visa before so I'm not sure how that works exactly.  Can you just walk in during business hours?  I was thinking to visit ahead of applying for a visa just to obtain paperwork, ask about the timeframe of receiving a visa, etc.  Doing my due diligence and trying to be prepared to make obtaining a visa as smooth as possible.  Any suggestions on this topic are appreciated.

Short but sweet post this evening.  Time for bed... tomorrow will be an earlier morning that what I've been managing lately.   The city is wearing me down.

12 weeks, 3 days.

Have a good night.

Couple items left to fill in... it's ok; I've got a little time. 

Ragnar 2.0 - Richmond, VA (RVA)

Evening readers.  :)  

Work has been super busy.  The project I'm working on is beginning to wrap up which is going to be very fast.  But last weekend, and this weekend as well, I've been able to get away from the rush and madness that is NYC.  

Last weekend some colleagues and friends ran another Ragnar Trail Relay in Richmond, Virginia.  In contrast with our first Ragnar Trail in Wawayanda State Park last October which was cold and rainy, this Ragnar was HOT and HUMID.  But regardless, we had a great team put together and that makes or breaks the atmosphere of it all.  Thankfully, this one was also a blast!  Each person finishing a leg of the race was pretty much soaked in sweat.  

The state park didn't have any shower facilities open and so by the end of the 28 hour relay, each person was so completely sticky and stinky and...well, you get the picture.  Wowza!  I had to shower so I used a waist high faucet and cold water to wash some of the smell off of my so I could stand myself.  

I ran my three loops from about 12:00-1:30, then 10:00pm to about 11:30, and the last loop from about 6:30am to about 8:00am.  The first loop was super humid and hot; had to run in just my shorts and sport bra.  I fought cramping for the first couple miles and the heat in the end.  I poured cold water from the water stations on my head and down my back.  Second loop at ~10pm was cooler but still humid.   Last loop was again hot and humid and my knees hurt, my shins hurt, my feet hurt... at least my hips didn't hurt.  

Anyway, 13 weeks left till I'm done with work and head out to experience some serious adventure and world travel.   Super excited.  

Going to try to keep up with work over the next few weeks.  Wish me luck.  

I decided to not attempt my first triathlon; final deliverables for my project somehow managed to be due the week before the triathlon meaning long hours, possibly weekend work, and less than adequate preparation for such a challenge.  It's slightly aggravating.  So, I live to do another triathlon another day.  In the meantime, I'll start going back to the gym this week and keep myself in some sort of shape for the Tough Mudder Half that I'll be doing in later July.  But that will be better since I will have time to do a good amount of cycling which always builds up my leg strength and endurance.   So, now I just have to squeeze in a ride now and then.  

Counting down the weeks...  Until next time.  

Dad came to support and cheer us on!

Finishing my first lap - super sweaty.

Our Awesome Ragnar Team!

Few of the good pictures put together.  

Ragnar 2.0 Collage