Road ID

Do you have one? Have you heard of them?

Road ID

If you have participated in any kind of 5k or organized event then most likely you have. They tend to sponsor many of them or give the race bibs.
They are a seriously awesome company with seriously awesome customers service. I can not recommend them highly enough. You should go buy everything from them.

Right now.  Go

Also, go get their app for your iPhone or android phone. It's free and allows you to put in an contact that gets sent a map of your location while you are out exercising. If you stop moving for 5 minutes it will send them an alert while also setting off an alarm notifying those around you. Pretty cool.

So would you like to know why I love Road Id so much?

Last year my daughter had an allergic reaction while on a penicillin and a sulfa drug at the same time. We actually still don't know which one she is allergic to. Long story. But I started researching allergy ID's. This was also around the time my husband and I were starting to exercise and of course we were doing it mostly outside on the roads. My co-worker suggested getting a Road ID like he had. A little research indicated it was a reasonable cost effective choice.

I purchased a Wrist Id Slim for myself and at the time 6 year old son and a Wrist ID Elite for my Husband. By the end of the summer my son had worn the lettering off the metal id tag on his bracelet. I contacted Road ID and they graciously replaced the Id tag free of charge and we came up with the plan to place it on the opposite side of the bracelet in hopes that it would counter balance so the tag wouldn't swing to the bottom to get worn off again.  The bracelet is loose on his wrist so it swings freely, and he IS a boy and he is rough and tumble and in summer camp all day long.

Let me note here that my Road ID Slim that I bought over a year ago is still great.

By the end of this summer though the second Id tag was unreadable again. So I decided I was just going to order him an Elite like his Dad. The Band is customizable in size meaning it won't swing around so the tag will always be on top and won't get worn down, so it should just last longer. No big deal. Knowing my kid is safe in an emergency situation is my priority

On Road Id's order for they have a spot where you can make suggestions. I suggested that they make a slim version of their Elite band for women and children because of my kids situation, and needing to be able to customize fit. Do you know what they did?

THEY CREDITED ME THE FULL AMOUNT OF THE COST OF THE BAND!!

Now that is some amazing customer service right there, above and beyond anything I would ever expect or dream. Hell I didn't even think I deserved anything!

So Like I said earlier, amazing company, go buy their stuff, right now, go..... :-)

I am a Tri-athlete! Race Report: St Mary's Triathlon August 6, 2014

I have officially completed my first ever triathlon!! This time last year I would have never guessed I would be doing this, confident that I would be doing it without dying, and then actually doing it and feeling absolutely awesome the whole time!!

It's been a long road, even though a short amount of time, and its just the beginning, because this is a lifestyle change, and something I want to promote to my children. I want to be the example, do as I do, you might say.

My husband sent me to bed early, knowing I had a big morning ahead of me. Surprisingly I actually managed to get to sleep around 8:30. We planned to get up at 5 am so that we could eat, get ready and get the kids ready as well.

I had organized and packed everything the night before. It was easy thanks to a list I found on this great blog called TwoTri in the last week before my triathlon.

Tri Gear

A friend gave me a tip about packing everything in a bucket, which has the added benefit of giving you a place to sit when you are putting on shoes and stuff. This was great since transition was a parking lot with all kinds of tiny gravel. I had also brought a spare water bottle which I used to wash off said gravel before drying and putting socks on, cost me time, but upped my comfort. I am NOT the type of person who can stand stuff in her shoes.

I also oiled up before leaving home. I've started using Young Living Oils for various and sundry things and honestly I am having great results. I feel confident that the oils helped me during the triathlon with focus, courage and pain management.

Young Living Oils

We got to the location, Harris Riverfront Park, around 7 am. The weather was perfect, overcast and high 60's low 70's.

I got set up in transition, met up with friends, got marked, received my timing chip, used the facilities, and our babysitter showed up to take over the kids. My husband was doing the relay tri (run portion), and since we have no family in the area, paying one of their daycare teachers to come for a couple hours, was a total win for us and them. We were all happier knowing they were well taken care of.

Husband, Me, and Friend who talked me into this!

There were "two" events going on that day, the Triathlon and a Duathlon. The Tri was a .5 mile swim, a 15 mile bike, and a 5k, there was an individual version and a relay version. The Duo was a 5k, a 15 mile bike, and a 5k. Both started at the same time, although the Tri had three swim waves, men, women, and relay + those with slower than 15 min swim times.

The Swim
I was confident about my swim, I was a former competitive swimmer way back in the day. My coaches on my competitive team were Steve and Ike Lochte...yeah, Ryan Lochte, the Olympians parents, my high school coach DJ was kick ass too. Ryan was about 6-8yo when I "knew" him, so needless to say I had no idea, he was just a loud little kid, lol.

After warm up swim, before start. I double capped it
so my goggles wouldn't get knocked off.

Again I listened to a friend, and positioned my self at the front of the wave, and based on research off to the side, the left side. It was a triangular course and that side put me on the inside edge. The horn went off 3 min after the men and we were off. I choose to just go with my tri-suit and I'm glad, the water was perfect, and I felt good in my stroke. I quickly caught up to the tail end of the mens wave by the first turn buoy even though it was going against current. The next section was quick since it was with the current and I passed even more men staying to the inside, the final turn was swift and again the next section was against the current, but I continued passing people. I reached the boat launch and breast stroked in to make sure I didn't go too far, the edges had a lot of rock and I wanted to hit the center to avoid them.   I was the FIRST FEMALE out of the water!!!!  I annihilated the swim.

Swim. I'm the yellow cap at top

I was in the top 10 swim finishers overall and my time would have been faster, but I totally lollygagged on the way to transition walking, talking and being cheesy and time wasn't recorded till right before the bike racks, lol.

See cheesy lollygagging in the middle :-)

T1 was good, I had practiced so knew what to do. I had also purchased a Tmat Pro to put my stuff on. It kept everything clean and organized, was super easy to spot, totally worthwhile purchase! I'm sure I could have done it quicker, but I'm happy with my overall time since it was my first. Since I don't have clip less pedals I just put on the shoes I planned to run in, sweatband, helmet, glasses, race belt and gloves.

The Bike

The bike portion was obviously the longest part, it was two times around the same course, but went by so quick. I did a good job fueling and hydrating taking in a few Clif shot blocks and one Huma packet during the ride. All I heard the whole time though was...

On your left....On your left....

On your left....On your left....

On your left....On your left....

I did pass a 12 year old on his first circle when I was on my second, woohoo, lol. I expected that I would be passed a lot though. My bike is 30 years old and weighs a ton, I have regular pedals, and have only been riding for 2 months. The people that passed me were all on machines, with aero bars, and the whole deal.  When my husbands relay partner passed me I actually groaned, and he laughed. (I heard about that later :-) I'm still pleased with how I did on this portion too, there was a massive headwind on one portion that dropped my speed by a couple mph, but I still finished under my overall goal time. There are no bike pictures...sorry!

T2

When I came in from the bike I started spinning my legs based on information from another friend to loosen them up. Again because of my Tmat I quickly found my spot. My transition took a little long because I had a friend on the edge I was talking too, telling me how awesome I was doing, lol, and I waffled for a bit over needing to change my headband (I did) and wear my visor ( I didn't) so I know I could have saved a lot of time there. I also picked up a handheld water bottle. This was most likely not really needed, I mean it was only a 5k, but I have exercise induced asthma and having water helps me control it, so I figured it was a worthwhile precaution.

The Run

I felt pretty good on the start of the run, other than the fact that it started out uphill! It was an out and back course, so that was fun, because you got to see everyone and cheer for those you knew. I didn't have any technology with me so I just ran at a sustainable pace. I passed a few people (who had obviously passed me on the bike) and that felt good, got passed by others.  Fairly close to the turn around I saw my husband who was so excited and surprised to see me, he whooped and cheered and hi-fived me and that made me feel like a million dollars!  

I felt really good on the run, very consistent, and not ever like I wished it to just be over, which is not normal for me and running, lol. It's almost like doing the first two events made running BETTER. Before I knew it I reached the park again and was heading in towards the end. I circled around and down and I knew there were a few people behind me. I determined they would not pass me before the finish, smiled, and picked up the pace. I saw my kids and my son joined me for a bit of the run, my daughter cried because I left her and ran by (she's 2.5, that was going to happen, lol), and I crossed the finish line with my hands in the air at a time pretty close to my personal best 5k time.

It was one of the most fun things I have ever done in my life. I got tons of comments after that I didn't even look tired. I wasn't really.....I was so full of adrenaline and excitement and happiness. 

I made sure to smile and thank every single volunteer along that course for being there and I made sure to encourage every person I passed.

I can't wait to do it again!

Swim: 9:32

T1: 1:26

Bike: 52:16

T2: 1:18

Run: 30:06

Total: 1:34:36

Down With Dirty Girl Mud Run!!!!

Last year in April for 2013 I happily joined a co-worker and a number of her sisters and friends when she suggested doing the Dirty Girl mud run. I had obviously just started for the most part on my fitness quest and I knew it wasn't a "real" race, it was more about togetherness and having fun, while getting dirty and a little exercise thrown in.

We had a blast, a great big huge blast, and we were filthy and it was awesome.

So pretty much as soon as Dirty Girl announced they were coming back to town for 2014, I signed up.  That was November of 2013, and the date was set for June 21, 2014.

Then they switched the date to July 26, 2014. No big deal for me, still on a weekend, still the same city 60 miles away. I remember how cool the mud was, so heat wasn't an issue.

Then came this Monday the 21st and news reports start flying that the event has been cancelled.....???? But Dirty Girl had been pretty good so far with email notifications of changes, so I figured I'd hear something, and I did, event was still on, they were working on some issues.

Well those issues starting coming to light http://www.wsaz.com/home/headlines/Charleston-Dirty-Girl-Mud-Run-Canceled-267950941.html and you can read the news articles there, but it boils down to, Dirty Girl didn't  live up to the contracts it had agreed to with various and sundry companies, the city and organizations and had not been paying for services to be rendered. One big issue was the transportation component, the busses hadn't been paid to get people to and from parking to the event not to mention the other groups that apparently didn't receive $.

This morning I receive this email:

Hi Dirty Girls,

It is with great regret we inform you Dirty Girl Mud Run will not be held this weekend in Charleston, WV. While the city of Charleston worked diligently and closely with Dirty Girl Mud Run to take all possible steps to put on the event, it can not be held due to circumstances out of our control. We would like to thank the city of Charleston as well as the city officials for all the assistance they’ve provided.

We apologize for any frustration caused by the cancellation of the event in Charleston, WV and we are disappointed that we won’t be getting muddy with you this Saturday. We understand that this cancellation is abrupt.  Per our policy and accepted waiver upon registration, we will not be issuing refunds under any circumstances. At this time, that is all the information we have and we are unable to assist any further in this matter.

-Dirty Girl Mud Run

Whoa, Whoa, Whoa! I'm sorry....circumstances beyond your control? You didn't pay your bills!!! Who else has control of that may I ask?

On top of that Dirty Girl was negligent in their end of the contract deal for all involved and now you are going to just run off with my money?!?! You canceled due to your behavior, not per your policy that cancellation can occur for weather or natural disaster with no refund.

YOU DID NOT DO YOUR JOB DIRTY GIRL MUD RUN!!!!

Not offering me, and every other individual who signed up to do this event a full refund amounts to thievery. You are stealing thousands of hard working West Virginians money. This is not a whoops there was a major flood, or tornado, or earthquake we can't hold the event as planned, sorry. Dirty Girl is 100% responsible for the cancellation of this event throughout their own incomptance.

If the money was the type where is was all donated to charity or something I actually wouldn't care about not getting a refund, but its not. Dirty Girl is a for-profit company, that only donates at most 3% of money gathered at each event to the charity.  3%.

You are dirty rotten thieves Dirty Girl, and you can guarantee WV will not take this lying down. Social Media is a very powerful thing and their Facebook page is already blown up with comments. They have already lost thousands of people across the country who will never sign up again, and word of mouth is spreading.

You offer such bad customer service, pretty soon you won't have to worry 'bout those customers anymore.

UPDATE: A company that was a middleman has now taken over the Dirty Girl Mud Run races, they in conjunction with an organization called Eventbrite, who started doing the registration process a few months ago have given refunds to those registrants that registered through Eventbrite. Unfortunately any of us who registered prior to Eventbrite coming on board are still out of luck and will not get refunds and the Better Business Bureau will not pursue our case because the former company no longer exists. A local lawyers office has put together a class action suit for us and is donating all of their fees to charity if we win the case. If I get my refund I also plan on donating my registration money to charity as well.

Why blog now?

Seriously. Why blog now?

The web is saturated with blogs. No one will read this I'm sure. I'm not even sure I want anyone too. I'm fairly certain my husband will kill me when he finds out. Not Literally...Do Not Call The Police.

He is just a very private person, does not have Facebook or anything, and it took him forever to get comfortable with the fact that I even had one.  So I will not use his name or my kids names for now. I will come up with some sort of nickname for them. Hopefully something that will not be too annoying to type over and over and over again.

I'm just....proud of what I've done and I still have places to go, and I've got experiences to share on all different topics and sometimes I feel like you can over saturate people in real life with the talk talk talk talk talk about these things. So i'll try writing about it. To strangers.

Plus about a month and a half ago I did something crazy. I signed up for a sprint triathlon...and it's in 2 weeks from now. I have a co-worker who is kind of an enabler when it comes to this exercise crap.

Then I started furiously googling, because I knew nothing. I HAD been a competitive swimmer, but hadn't swam a lap in at least 7 years. I owned a 10-speed road bike, with flat tires, that I got when I was 10 years old. She's a pink Peugeot. But yep, hadn't ridden that beauty in at least 10 years.

 The one thing I had been doing though was running. Yes, I did start C25k and find at least 10 damn minutes a day, but it was a process and it did not happen magically over night. I will get back to that story in my next post and my oh so embarrassing before photos.

I owe a lot of inspiration to Swim Bike Mom right now with even remotely thinking I can do this with out dying. I found her pretty early in my google searching. She is way younger than me, and I think has a bit more disposable income, lol, but she gets it. She gets the really important stuff I mean, the trying to balance it all..... family and work, and sanity, and the voices in your head that are occasionally cheering you on, but usually being really negative and mean and encouraging you to sit on the couch with pizza.

Her book is awesome.

So I've gotten in the pool and swam at least twice a week, including some open water swims. I took my bike in and got new tires, brakes, and saddle and I've ridden up to a 21 mile ride and done one solid bike/run brick session of 14.3/2.2 miles. On days I swim, I bike to the pool, swim, shower, then bike to work, then bike home at the end of the day. That's almost like a brick.

Shut up. It is.

I've also continued running and strength training. I don't think I'll be winning any medals, and I doubt I'll be setting any kind of records, but I will be finishing.

And I'm super excited to call myself a triathlete because I have an even crazier goal in mind.

The Beginning

I suppose I should have started this blog in the end of February 2013.........or maybe when I made the initial Decision when I was pregnant with my second child and insisted on getting a Baby Jogger Stroller after renting one in Disney in 2011.

Image from wowshopper.com

My husband scoffed at me when I told him.  I didn't blame him really, even though I was piiissssssed.

It really was kind of an insane statement to make given my usual typical daily physical activity level.


None.


"After the baby comes, within a couple months, I'm going to start running. I TOTALLY need this stroller! There is this program, couch to 5 k....I can do that, I will do that, I promise."


I did not do that.


What I did do was breastfeed my daughter exclusively for 16 months, including pumping 3 times a day after I returned to work full time when she was three months old. We did use that stroller for lots of walks and strolls in that time frame....but there was no running or any dieting. There was a lot of me figuring out how to have two kids and a full time job and keep my milk supply up, because breastfeeding exclusively was important to me, but my weight and my health took a back seat.


Then at the end of Feb 2013 I decided it was time to wean, I was ready to keep my promise, I was going to start C25k. I have a friend who was a Beachbody coach, and I bought some 10-minute trainer videos, figuring no matter what I could find 10 minutes, just 10 lousy minutes in a day, right?


New Sneakers, New Sports Bra, and an alarm set for 5 am....