Deer in the headlights

That’s how I felt on Friday, like a deer in the headlights. I participated in a small race called Splash and Dash Friday evening after work in Tempe. It consisted of 750 meter swim (almost half mile) and a 2.4 mile run. I wanted to gain experience with the whole process, the transition from one event to the next, the adrenaline rush of being in a race, and most importantly, swimming in the lake with all those people. The rush and the excitement combined with my nerves had me going out wayyy to fast to start the swim. I passed quite a few people in the water. I about died by the time I got to the first marker. In fact, I had to do quite a bit of backstroke to stay moving but to be able to catch my breath. But, I did get out of the water before quite a few people. Instead of running the run though, I jog. I job normally, I just don’t seem to go very fast in the run, I get tired so quickly. I made it out of the water about the 20 minute mark. I was hoping for 15. After the transition to get to the run, I was at about 23 minutes in. That meant 3 minutes to take off the wetsuit, put the shorts on with the shirt and then the shoes and socks. I jogged the run and only walked the water station areas to drink. I couldn’t just throw the water down or pour it on my head or something. I actually wanted to be able to take the water in and drink it. My goal was to do the run at a 15 min/mile pace. I finished the race at 6:53 - 30 minutes after starting my run. I ran 2.4 miles in 30 minutes - at least I beat one goal! I come into the finish line (not last I might add) and the MC for the race says on the mic (since I was the only one finishing at that time) “Well, who do we have here, it’s number 51, the one and only Katie competing in her first race!” and everyone standing around proceeded to cheer for me as I made my way across the finish. In fact, the lady that I checked in with who could tell right away that this was my first race because of my stunned/overwhelmed/intimidated look on my face was at the finish line when I crossed and she asked what I thought about it once it was over. My response was “I know I have some things to work on!” There was also this other guy, I believe his name was Dan, who heard that this was my first race when I checked in as he was writing the numbers on everyone’s arm as they checked in. He talked to me about it and helped calm me down in a way and thought it was great that I was doing this race before the actual triathlon 2 weeks from that date. He was also at the finish line (he raced in the event himself and of course had already finished) and gave me a high five. He then told me about the Gatorade waiting for me at a table, the raffle for prizes later on, and the bananas, cookies and mixed nuts waiting to help replenish the participants.

I am glad that I did this race and that more importantly I finished it. I saw today where there are over 400 women signed up for my triathlon in 12 days (yikes!) compared to this race that had about 150 in it. I hope to work on some things between now and then like not starting out so fast on the swimming (and to swim the entire distance nonstop!) and to get a checkup on my bike to make sure we’re all good come race day. I have my workouts between now and then pretty much mapped out. I wish it wasn’t too hot so I could continue to train outside on the pavement like the race instead of being tempted by the elliptical machine at the gym, but I’ll do what I have to do. I’ve invested too much money and time into this now to ruin it. 

I saw this quote on a triathlon forum today too that I really liked: The only person who tells you “you can’t” is you, and you don’t have to listen.

I’m not listening!

Saying goodbye

Last night was our last game as Suns season ticket holders. We have been ticket holders for the past 4 years. We have sat in section 215, row 5, seats 8 and 9 the entire time. 3 of the 4 years we were right behind this couple Harley and Molly. We love them. 3 of the 4 years we also sat next to this guy named Tracey. Tracey had 4 seats for his work. It was usually him and his wife and a coworker and his wife that would come, but occasionally there would be others. We had the opportunity to say bye to Tracey on Monday and another one last night.  There is Bob and his daughter, who in our first season had half season tickets in the seats taken over by Tracey as they moved to 2 rows behind us. There is Calvin and his family. He would either come with his wife or his daughter or his son, or perhaps his wife would come with the daughter or son. They were in seats behind us. And lastly there is Al and his son Reid. Reid in his 4 years of being a ticket holder did not miss a single game. Had we had 3 more home games this season, he would have made it to 200 games. Then there is Alan. He sold us our tickets and when we started our season, he was no longer in sales and became our account manager. There is Mick, who this year took over our account. He and his fiance just had a baby girl named Ava Rae in December. There is Danielle, who is the account manager of Al and Reid. 

I cried numerous times last night. Having to say goodbye to people. Most are able to come back next year. In fact, I think only Tracey is the only one not renewing this year besides us. He hopes to come back after a year off and move to the lower level. Jason and I of course are not renewing. He have a new budget that we are going on and once we refinance our mortgage we'll be fully on it. All the money we save which should be somewhere close to $500 a month will be put aside to help go to pay for childcare when Jason and I do have a kid. We want to be financially prepared as much as we can for it and that means cutting back on things and starting to put someone else first. It will be interesting to see as I have not lived with Jason and not had a season where we are going to basketball games all the time. But, I'm sure this will give us a chance to learn more about each other. In the mean time, it truly was sad to to say goodbye to our second family, our second home, for the past 4 years.

Time to move on to the next chapter.

New car!

We bought a new car yesterday. Yup -  We traded in my VW Beetle (a smoking deal too) and paid cash for the rest of the difference. So, I now have a 2009 Toyota Yaris. We decided to look at a different car for me because the Beetle as just not going to work with a kid. There was some electrical problems with it and it didn't always feel safe. Plus, the two doors made it a hassle as well.

So, I have the 5 door hatchback (I just can't do a sedan!) Yaris. The safety rating on it is great, it will actually lower my insurance. There's not a lot of bells and whistles on it but that's quite all right. When we do expand the family, we'll be ready.

On that note, we actually really want to now, but we are just puzzled as to how to afford day care! If you have any suggestions, please do share! We want to know how we'd pay for that before we start trying. I was actually really sad when we came to that realization.