Today Is Awesome

I started the day with this:

It was a 2 hour run, starting in the dark of the early morning.  So peaceful.  The world had yet to wake up and I felt like I had 2 hours of the day all to myself.  This will always be my favorite time to run.  And yes, I live close to a place called Birdville. 

Upon finishing the run I downed a smoothie (waiting for me after my run...I do have the best husband ever) and O and I were off to downtown Pittsburgh where I did this:

This was a 2.4 mile swim race (in the Allegheny River in case you can't read :) and it was AWESOME!  I hung onto Megan and Anne's feet until the first turn (about 500 yards) and then I was all by my lonesome.  Pretty much my reality these days so it was GREAT practice!  The reported temperature of the water was 78 degrees but I'm pretty sure the race director meant 87.  Good thing I have all that practice swimming in my hot YMCA pool!  :)  Somewhere mid-2nd loop I was regretting two things:

1) only swimming about 4 times since CdA (hey, I've been focusing on biking okay?  ;)
2) running for 2 hours before the swim

Although truthfully, my legs were feeling fine, it was my arms that wanted to fall off!  OUCH!  But all in great fun and this is EXACTLY what I need to do.  I can't expect to be a good open water swimmer if I never swim in open water except during races!  In the end I was 3rd with a new IM swim PR of 1:00:30.  And my Garmin told me it really was 2.4 miles so I'm calling it legit!  (but yes, I know you can't call it a PR when you don't bike/run after).

All in all, a great morning of training with friends!

Next, Oscar convinced me we needed to stop at Qdoba for lunch.  Or maybe I convinced him.  I forget already.

And THEN, I came home to a box full of love from SOAS.  Let me just say, this made my day!  I've truly gone from "that person" who NEVER has a matching kit (and in fact clashes quite awfully) to being the best dressed rider out there - thanks to SOAS of course!  And get this, now not only do my kits match, but I have matching ARM WARMERS for said kits!

Is the thumb hole not THE best idea for arm warmers ever?  I've never seen such a thing but it's brilliant!

Also, who doesn't love a hoodie?

You know you need one.  The fabric is so soft!

Anyway, as I told O, the thing I most appreciate about SOAS is that it's a company created by women for women who support other women.  And I have truly appreciated their belief in and support of me.

I wonder what other awesome this day holds?  :)

Have a great weekend everyone!