And That's A Wrap!

Wow - HHI Training Camp 2012 is already over!  Three weeks went by in a flash.  It was truly an awesome experience and I'm so, so, so thankful that I was afforded the chance to do such a thing.  I owe a lot of people a lot of gratitude - most notably my parents and Oscar who took care of the homefront while I was off running around in 60 degree weather.  Not fair.  Not fair at all! 

I think I accomplished what I came here to do.  I rode close to 1000 miles in 3 weeks time which nearly killed me but will hopefully in the end make me stronger.  I had some great runs (most especially once Kim came) and got a nice little win in my half marathon the first week I was here.  And I kept up the swim yardage with some great masters workouts (boy do they like fins around here...  ;).  Besides training, I got very caught up on sleep and got a break from the stress of normal life, which in and of itself was a reason to come!

And beyond that, I got to spend some great time with my mom which may be the best part of the whole deal.  We went to the movies and a cooking class (HA!), played tons of Scrabble and just talked a lot - definitely a great time to cherish that most adult children don't get with parents that live 700 miles away.  My mom, admist her busy life (she is the busiest retired person I know with all her volunteering duties!), did what she does so well, which is take care of her family (and adopted family once Kim came).  She fed me better than I've ever been fed before, kept me in clean clothes and kicked me out the door when I didn't want to go do my run.  You can't ask for more than that!  Oh, and she was a lifesaver (literally) not once but TWICE when Kim and I had to call her for rescue from our flat-fest (4 flats in 2 days).  If it weren't for mom, Kim and I would still be walking back to the island from Pritchardville, SC!  :)

About those flats...

Our last 2 days of training (Tue and Wed) of course became epic.  Every time Kim and I train together - epicness ensues!  9 hours in the saddle (which turned into 8:10 due to those aforementioned flats), 17 miles of running and a 4000+ swim between the two days involved 4 flats, lots of bonks, wind, fatigue and perhaps some weeping and gnashing of teeth (oh and a Snickers bar or two).  I wouldn't want it any other way with any other training partner!  Ironically we rarely train together at home but rather save up our miles together for training trips where we ride/run/swim longer than we ever have before.  We mesh well together because Kim's strengths are my weaknesses and vice versa.  Oh and she's flexible and willing to deal with my pouting when I couldn't finish my ride (out of tubes = no more pedaling).  :)  And when we train together, I'm always reminded why Kim is such a great athlete - she deals with adversity well and she never gives up hope.  She pushes on and remains positive.  It was fun to watch.

And so yes, camp was a huge success.  I got a little glimpse of what it's like to train as a professional triathlete and what I learned is - it's a heck of a lot of work!!  I fly home tomorrow to FINALLY see my sorely missed husband and puppy dog!  I have some more big miles to get done to fill out this week and next and then...then it will be March and time to race!  YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Oh, and I do actually have some pictures...  :)

Out of 3 weeks here, I only had to ride inside once because of the weather (big thunderstorms).  Pretty good stuff!



The flats started on Tuesday with me.  I didn't find the staple in my tire until AFTER the 2nd flat.



And today it was Kim's turn.  Needless to say, we got our flat-changing practice in for the year!



This Snickers might be the ONLY thing that got us home today.  That and the promise of Mexican food for dinner.  (thanks mom!  :)



We made it!!



Those who ride together, ice together?  :)



Cricket the wonder-dog.  90 lbs of fur and love!