My friend from Vegas, Terri, was crossing the border by car today from Canada to the U.S. She has an interesting conversation with the Border Patrol agent that went like this:
Border Patrol: How much cash do you have in the car?
Terri: About a 1/2 tank.
Border Patrol: You have cash in your tank?
Terri: Cash? I thought you said Gas.
He let her through in spite of herself. Now, Terri is not related to Maxine so it must be something in the valley air that is clogging our ears. Couldn't be age.
I spent most of the day yesterday doing my expense reports for the past month. Oh, I know that if I did them weekly, it wouldn't be such a huge task. It first starts with digging through all my bags looking for crumpled receipts, then trying to navigate the incredibly complicated form provided by my company. When you entertain someone, you have to provide their name, title, company, whether it was dinner, lunch, breakfast, or drinks. Oh, and the last thing is what was actually discussed during the entertaining. I had a quick chuckle last night remembering some of the conversations while I was watering these guys during the trade show. So, on the form under business discussed, should I put down what was truly discussed? If I recall, two guys were talking about how one of my competitors let these guys suck her toes. Is that what they are after?
Robert: Looks like the Craigslist killer is on suicide watch. They found shoelace marks around his neck. His fiancee said...
Me (interrupting): Beyonce? What does Beyonce have to do with any of this? I think it is so irritating when celebrities inject their opinion into every issue.
Robert: Beyonce? I said fiancee, Grandma.
Me: Oh. Sorry.
Sometimes, I think I'm a pretty smart chick. Sometimes, the Maxine gene comes roaring in and I look like a total idiot.
Since I am on the road so much, if anyone would like to guest blog, you are always more than welcome. Of course, if it is effusive about me, it gets posted quickly. I promise I did not pay Krys to say this. I was very humbled. Also, I am planning another triathlon fundraising with Team in Training to go to Austin in May 2010. If you are interested in either Team in Training or just meeting up at the race, let me know. It would be a great time!!
Guest Blogger - Krys
Little do most of you know that our Melissa has never been an athlete, ever, in her life--until recently. I have a bunk knee and many more sports related injuries from all my younger sporting days and we both laugh that she is starting with a fresh set of 'everything' as she never was that sporting type of gal. But by golly she has always had the determination, vigor and ability to do and get whatever she wants/needs. And obviously, she wanted/needed to do this triathlon for Sandi. Don't get me wrong, she accomplishes so much more than you could ever know in the career field and in motherhood--those come easy for this remarkable woman (And she is teaching me as I go in the mothering category, a very trusted source. Good thing she is going through the teen years before me, huh?) I couldn't imagine losing one of my sisters but she has endured through a few of family tragedies and is still one of the strongest and endearing people I know. I know my family counts her as part of our crazy bunch as well so really, she has another 4 (well really 3 if you know what I mean) that are here for you.
Melissa, I am encouraged, so proud of you and very glad you are my bestest buddy. When you told me you are going to train for the BIG girl triathlon next, it made me want to swim and bike as well (I am currently a runner). Maybe next time we could do it together? Let's talk girly! (Especially about equipment as my gym shorts probably won't get me through the course.) YOU WILL GO FAR my friend...........God rest, sister Sandi. Peace--Krys
The triathlon was amazing. Our team raised over $30,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and I did this in honor of my sister, Sandi, who died of Leukemia. Here is a run down of the day.
Woke up at 3:50 am. Yikes. Then had to eat breakfast. Now I don't know about you, but I'm not really hungry at that time but it is important to shove it down. The only time I have ever eaten at 4:00 am was usually a Waffle House, and I was almost always real sorry the next day. Ew. I then drove for an hour to the lake. So, I'm there by 5:15, pump up my tires, and haul all my crap to the transition area in the dark. We were lucky enough to have our own Team in Training bike rack so we could all be together.
Here is the group before the event.
My AWESOME coaches, Kevin and Chuck.
One of our team members forgot his wetsuit. He had to call an ex-girlfriend who still has a key at 5:30 in the morning, ask her to drive 20 minutes to his house, get the wetsuit, and drive it to the lake. Wow. I guess their relationship ended on a good note.
In the wetsuit we head down to the freezing cold water. The coaches advise you to pee in your wetsuit when you get in the water. Everyone does it. Except me. I can't. First of all, it's too cold but mostly I just don't get peeing on myself and then sweating during the bike and swim. Talk about needing a shower. I have tried, but I have wetsuit fright.
Away, we go for our 1/2 mile swim! I did NOT take my coach's advice and take a practice swim which probably cost me 3 minutes in the swim because I panicked. When you first go out there, you get a feeling like you can't breathe and a bit claustrophobic because of the wetsuit and the cold temperature sending your heart rate soaring away. There was a woman I didn't know who completely panicked and took off her wetsuit while in the lake and swam back to shore. By the time she arrives, her body temp is down to 90 and she went away in the ambulance. I just dog paddled for a bit until I gained my composure but lost time.
Coming out of the lake. I did the swim in 18:11, but should have been better. Oh, is that why they have coaches?
I have NEVER had so many pictures of my ass. It looks even bigger, if that is possible, in a wetsuit. Wow, it is humongous.
Off to transition to bike. You strip off your wetsuit, shove your wet feet into your socks, put on your helmet, and hop on your bike. There is a bit of transition going from horizontal to vertical, so it takes a minute to get rid of your sea legs. Seriously, did I pick out those glasses? Yikes.
Basically, you're dripping water until about 5 miles into the bike. The bike was pretty uneventful. I felt well trained for that and was glad I had done most of the course. There was this killer hill at the end of the ride that we hadn't seen. Our coaches thought they should save a surprise for us. Gee, thanks. The bike was 20K and I did it in 54:12 minutes.
After the bike in the transition area getting advice from Coach Chuck. I wasn't happy with my stomach at this point. Too much Gatorade, I think. Man, I hate that stuff. Notice how neat and tidy the transition area is by mid race? Take off the helmet and bike shoes, shove on the running shoes, hat, and take a hit off the inhaler. I have Exercised Induced Asthma. It is self-diagnosed and something I will probably take up with a sports doc pretty soon.
On the run.
Have I mentioned how much I hate running? It is something I will be working on for the next 6 months to prepare for a big race in October. So, don't laugh at me but it was a 5K and it took me 38:43 to complete. Did I mention the first mile was uphill in the sand and rock?
Crossing the finish line. The time above was the clock for the Half Ironman people, so doesn't reflect my time of 1:56:06. I'm one one in purple.
Me and Taylor after it was all over. Wow, those glasses must get lost soon. Very soon.
All the personal bests were secondary to why we were really there, and that was to raise money for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. TNT (Team in Training) is an amazing organization that will train you do to a marathon or a triathlon while you raise money for them. Several people have started their career or general obsession with sports through them. If you ever thought of doing one of these endurance events, I suggest you go through them. I met some really great people, and had a blast. Was it work? Absolutely! My friend describes it a bit like childbirth. You hate it while it is going on but afterward forget it because of how great you feel.
Thanks so much to everyone who donated for this race. You are all amazing friends!
The timing could not have been worse with the tri at the end of a trade show week where the only thing that got a work out was my liver. I know, maybe a little self control would have been in order? It is what it is and I will power through as best I can.
I'm doing this for Sandi.
Wish me luck! The snow here this week probably didn't do much to warm up the lake so that part will be the most tricky. Think warm thoughts at 6:45 PST tomorrow. I will update everyone how it went and some photos along the way.
Go Team!
I have a trade show in Phoenix this week full of drinking games, ball games, golf games, and reindeer games all rolling into my Triathlon on Saturday. I'm not sure this is what my coaches meant by "tapering." Yet it is always good to catch up with all the old cronies. Ugh. Look for me on TV on Monday as I will be at the Diamondbacks Game. Go Diamondbacks!
While I should have been packing, shopping, getting a pedi, going to the store, and doing laundry, I opted to get sucked into a movie. Not just any little ole movie, but a four-hour cinematography masterpiece. Since it is Easter, it was the Oscar winning Ben-Hur. It was a great movie. Seriously, one of the most entertaining films I've seen in my life, but it was deliciously long. Not a great day for it since I'm trying to leave town and it is a holiday. I had a few other things I needed to do. Reminded me of the time when friends from college decided they would watch a movie before studying for their tests, and ended up renting the Godfather trilogy. They pulled an all nighter all right, but just watching the movies. I don't think any studying actually happened.
Robert always makes fun of me because I like to watch the same movies over and over. Nothing better than turning on the TV and finding Independence Day on for the 10,000th time, or 16 Candles, or my all-time favorite, Twister. I don't see anything wrong with it. Just because I know the dialogue verbatim doesn't make me a bad person. Just lazy. Of course I could find a movie I haven't seen before but the other is a sure thing. Is it just me who does this? Some of my favorite movies to watch over and over include:
What's on your over and over list?
It is almost mid-April which means we should be settling into some 90ish days of sweltering heat and dry as a bone conditions. I'm getting ready to go take a quick dip in the lake in the 40 degree temperature with sheets of rain and wind that would make a Kansas wind be embarrassed. Ugh. My triathlon is next week and we have trained in some of the crappiest conditions. I know, best to train in them so you're prepared, blah blah blah. Would it have killed Mother Nature to give us 1 weekend of 80 degrees and sunny? Since that is the forecast for the race, we haven't actually trained in those conditions. OMG, I'm going to be completely screwed.
I hope I don't offend anyone who might own this car, but cars, like clothes, are extremely personal. What works for one might not work for another. For instance, you won't see me in leather pants but I'm ok if you want to wear them.
Welcome to my lovely Arizona rental car. I looked good while tooling around town in this thing. Pretty much had to fight off the men trying to peek in the car to see who was driving such an awesome car.
I'm not sure Chevy's intention for making this car. What is it? A car, meat delivery truck, station wagon, paddy wagon, London taxi, or the Super Nanny car? I'm guessing they weren't big sellers which is why you now find them in Avis' fleet of rentals. It is not a beautiful vehicle. When I would come to a stoplight, people would point and laugh. It is also terribly uncomfortable. I can't imagine how a normal (not short) person would fit in this car. I'm 5'2 and felt cramped. I think this is Chevy's answer to the PT Cruiser. While I would probably not purchase a PT Cruiser, I think they are cute and have some personality. Hmmm, could this be part of the reason why GM is in trouble? So, when they are in a design meeting and this comes up, why doesn't someone shout out, "No, No, No, unless we are naming this the Fugly, we are not making this car." Or, maybe they could come up with something original because this bears a striking resemblance to a late 40's Chevy. I'm just saying.
I guess I should count myself lucky. When I returned it, someone next to me was returning the same car but in purple. The Barneymobile. I'm asking for that one when I go back in a couple of weeks. AWESOME!
