Bienvenidos a Miami!

WOW! What a weekend! I can't believe that Sunday marked 2 weeks until departure for Cozumel. Woohoo! And if I wasn't sure about feeling ready, I think this weekend spent in Miami put me right at the edge of knowing I am READY FOR THIS!!!

Friday night, Tribeaner and I arrived in Ft. Lauderdale, each with one carry-on bag and me hauling my bike case. It was to be a short weekend, full of being outside and being sweaty, so all that really needed to be packed was workout clothes, spectathleting attire (MiamiMan!), and clothes to sleep in. I tend to underpack. TB tends to overpack. Between the two of us, there is usually just the right amount of clothes. :)

After dealing with a non-existent rental car reservation, we finally got some wheels and headed South to our hotel in Miami. Once checked in, we set out to find some dinner. Of course, I was to practice my night-before-IM-meal, which ideally would have consisted of rice and some chicken. We kept striking out of finding any chain restaurants that we were familiar with, and I was about to belly up to a casino buffet when we spotted a nice seafood restaurant and market. What a gem! I ended up having some baked snapper and yellow rice (not exactly what I had planned on, but close enough) along with a side of plantain (platanos). YUM! I hadn't had plantanos in YEARS, and was reminded how good they are (and good for you!). Though, they are a little high in fiber for a night before a race, so I will be certain not to eat those during the first week in Mexico, but dang, that was some good eats! After eating we had to find a grocery store to get some supplies that my sherpa would need the next day, including water that would be used as hand-ups on the course. I was also in search of Sport Beans which I somehow ran out of and didn't realize until the night before. We stopped at a couple of places, but no one had them. So, I improvised and used Swedish Fish instead. They aren't what I will want to use on race day, but they worked in a pinch.

Back to the hotel, I had to put my bike together, get driving directions ready, and get to bed - we were to meet up with the Hammerheads at 7am over on Key Biscayne!

7am - meeting my new friends! (Note the wind!)

I was thinking it was going to be myself, Ray (guy from the Hammerheads that is doing Coz that I had been speaking with) and maybe one or two other people, but as you can see, we had a nice sized group! We started off with a swim - oh my, I am in love with swimming out there! We were going parallel to the beach - the way out was with the current (speedy!) and the way back I really got to practice my OW skills. I was so relaxed and calm, even with the chop slapping waves into my head.

45 minutes later and we were back in, getting ready to ride!

We started off with all of us together. I got to meet a few others doing Coz - Elise and Katya - super cool gals that I can't wait to see again. It will be fun to know other athletes out on the course!!

Eventually, Ray and I were off on our own and he was taking me on a nice bicycle tour of the Miami/Coral Gables area. TB was driving our rental car, following behind us like a sag vehicle - taking pics and giving water when needed.



Somewhere between the pic above and the one below, I had an 'incident' that kept us laughing the rest of the weekend. We were stopped at an intersection, waiting for a clear shot to get across. At one point, I thought we were going so I started to step up on my clipped in foot, shifted my weight forward to take off ----RRRRRRRRRTTT! Guess we aren't going OHCRAPOHCRAPOHCRAP! ----and down I went. I totally fell over while stopped at an intersection. I'm not hurt - other than some minor scrapes and bruises (and my ego) - and my bike is ok except for a twisted brake hood. It was hysterical! Ray turned around, looking at TB in the car behind us.....if only she had had the camera ready at that moment.......

Heading back to the starting point.

Around the 3 hour mark, we pulled back in to where we started, and I was off on my own to finish up my remaining 3:30. TB stayed parked at the beach, and I did loops around Key Biscayne. As I would go by, she would do bottle handups so that I could practice - which was a good idea because I really sucked at it and totally screwed it up the first few times I tried. She gave me some pointers, and by the end, I was a champ.

Incoming!

While the temps weren't as HOT as I would have liked, they were still warm, the humidity was high and so were the winds! All things that Cozumel will bring. As a result of this weekend's test, I know I am going to bring a second option for wheels, in the event that the sustained winds reach 20+ mph. I was really getting blown all over the road, and know that I won't stay in aero as much if that is happening. So, maybe some 40s instead of my 60s...40 in the front, 60 in the back.....I'll decide when I'm there.

The bike lanes on Key Biscayne were fantastic!

Finally, I was done with the bike, and now I had to get my run in. I followed a nice path that took me off the beach and back in through some palm tree-lined trails. It blocked the wind and let me roast a bit.

Just starting off, leaving the beach area.

I really felt pretty good. Other than a quick stop at the restroom about 5 min in (stopped only out of convenience since it was there - didn't HAVE to go, but was glad I did), I held a pretty good clip, only really slowing down due to major headwinds and a slight change in elevation (going over a bridge on the causeway).

DONE!

Finally, I was done!!! My Epic Day was in the bank, and as I put away my stinky pee-shoes, I was satisfied that I will have a good day come Nov 29. No doubts. No worries. Big smile. :D

After returning to the hotel and getting a nice shower, we set out to find some dinner. I wasn't really craving anything particular, but I knew I was hungry. We ended up at a Whole Foods and just hit the buffet. YU-UMM-MMY! I had all kinds of good stuff, and it all hit the spot!

Sunday we set off to watch Sherry and Scott compete at Miami Man!! It was go great to see those guys again - Sherry, Scott, Sondra and Jeff - we had so much fun hanging out after the race, talking tri, catching up on random things, telling stories, and laughing so hard......well, I'll just leave it at that. :D

As we were traveling back home, TB made the comment and it hit me - we will be back on a plane, heading to Coz in less than 2 WEEKS! OMG!!! It is coming up so fast!