Triathlon Training... NOT!

As usual I signed up for something without training thinking that since it is a Super Sprint it was going to be easy... Well, nothing is easy without training and I say that because I tried a swim/bike yesterday with one of my new friends. We did a 1/4 mile swim and a 12 mile ride.

The swim was hard, I always think I'm in shape because I'm running and now cycling, come to find out that swimming is just a whole different animal. This is not new to me but some how I find myself surprised every time. Not only I was tired but right before getting in the water my friend Sharon was kind enough to let me know that 2 weeks ago they found an alligator in the lake... can I say freaked out?

Then we jogged to the car and got on our bikes, not only was this the first time of me riding on regular rodes with motorized vehicles but I had no idea that the course was so hilly. The result you might ask? this workout kicked my butt BIG TIME!

Now I am freaking out about Sunday, not only I have no idea what to expect as it's my 1st triathlon but I KNOW that it won't be easy. On top of it there is very limited info about this event online which I am a bit disappointed about, and then NO MEDALS! Really? Yes! NO MEDALS! Arghhh!

Oh well... Today I am going to get together with the local tri club and look into starting training with a group that will train for the Augusta GA 70.3 - Yes, I am having a moment of insanity but I'm going to embrace it! So we shall see how this goes, I read it's a hilly course on the bike portion of the race but I have 3 months to train, right? If I do register for this I will be doing the Chicago Olympic Triathlon, if registration is still open, I haven't checked yet.

Well, that's it for now... I will be posting pics on Sunday of the Super Sprint so stay tuned =)

XOXO
CM

Homesick

This weekend has been pretty low key, a lot of down time at home, but I think what had me a bit down was the fact that on Friday it was Sophia's birthday and I was not able to be with her. I miss every second she's not around, and even though is nice to have some alone time I just miss her with every piece of my soul. No matter what happens in my life with her I will never be alone and she's always going to love her momma.

Saturday was great, I signed up for my 1st Sprint Triathlon... It is in 8 days, yes you heard that right and I have no clue of what to expect. All I can say is that they better give me a damn medal, lol! I went to Silver Comet Trail again and rode 32 miles, I guess this is becoming my little ritual and I'm going to have to figure out the logistics of it once Sophia comes back but I am addicted. I love just getting on my bike with my Pandora radio and just going and enjoying the scenery. I thank god every day that I'm able to do this and enjoy the ride, the sounds, the scents, all of it! We definitely shouldn't take these things for granted.

Today I went for a short recovery ride in Peachtree City with Jackie to get acquainted to the trails over there... Boy was it fun, she definitely cracks me up every time so it's always good times. Then it was movie time, watched Beyond Borders and I am about to start Salt... Angelina Jolie marathon? I guess so, I am not to fond of the home wrecker but I guess she can act and her movies are usually good. Not like other home wreckers that are just good at that, breaking families... ouch!

Anyway, I am excited about a few other things that I might share later when it's time... Too soon to speak about them right now but it's good news ;) I can't wait to see what's next for me, my life seems to be getting a bit more interesting... We shall see!

Anyway, that's it for now... Next week I start triathlon training, hoping to do an Olympic Tri sometime in August but we will see, for now the Sprint will get me started.

XOXO CM

Rocking & Rolling

I just have to say I've just been kicking ass at work. My project is taking off and I am finally able to show results. When customizing a CRM system on the initial phase no matter how hard you work it's hard for users to see what you have been doing. The good thing is that that phase is partially over and migration of data has began, the cool thing is that now everyone gets to see how cool and simple I made life for them!

I've been working on reporting and dashboards the past couple of days and let me tell ya... Those little graphics get the execs going, I am looking like a super hero and I love every second of it. This is just phase one of the project and there is a ton more to do but I am happy that they are pleased with the results even though this is a system that I had not worked on in so many years.

I feel very accomplished and that just makes me happy. On the other end I have been running and cycling and gotta start swimming. I think I am going to sign up for my first triathlon, it is around here in mid August and it's supposed to be really cool. Life is really coming around and things are just stabilizing, I am just waiting for this job to become permanent, that would be an absolute blessing.

On the dating arena, well, nothing yet... Tons of prospects so I am trying to narrow down the list, lol! Great dates and there a few guys that stand out the crowd, I am getting to the selection phase as I can only keep the "getting intimate" out of the equation for so long so I might have to pick soon and there is a guy that I have in mind when it comes to picking a winner.

Could it be that soon I will be in a relationship, oh lord! I have mixed feelings about that and I really don't want to push it, the problem is that it's kinda happening so we shall see.

Well, that is all for now!

Until next post.

CM

New friends and tons of fun

This weekend was a fun one, I woke up on Saturday morning and drove up to Atlanta to meet up with my Venezuelan friend Thais with whom I work. We had agreed to meet up at her place and go for a bike ride to Silver Comet Trail again and then go to the pool to get some sun. We met at her place and had breakfast at Einstein Bros. to carb up a little for our 25 mile ride, have I mentioned I am loving this cycling thing?

Not thrilled about this pic because I absolutely hate wearing a helmet, so not sexy but I guess safety first and these IronGirl sunglasses are not very flattering either but they are great for cycling! I did though had to showcase my HOT WHEELS, and even though I don't look like a true cyclist because I still have regular pedals and I don't have cycling shoes I am sure I will get there soon once I master to feel more stable and confident in the bike.

After our 25 mile ride we went to Thais' condo and laid in the pool sipping a berry margarita that my skilled friend made for us. The weather was HOT and perfect for pool time, it was great to be laying out as I had been neglecting my tan since I started my new job. Then it was time for lunch and we headed to a small Venezuelan restaurant in Atlanta where not only they have arepas, but they have cachitos, tequenos, and queso de mano and guayanes to buy by the pound! Bingo! So we stuffed our faces with arepa de guayanes and avocado and some tequenos which I have not eaten since my last trip to Aripos in Chicago.

Now it was time to go back home and get ready to go out, my friends had promised to take me out and show me around. It was a fun night full of fun and dancing, we ended up going to a Latin place where how could you not dance... The moment I hear salsa and merengue my body just starts moving, I just can't help it, it's in my genes ;)

We had sangria and joked around and danced and it was lots of fun! I can't wait to do it again next weekend =) It was also great to not have to drive back home for 45 minutes, which is really making me ponder if I should move closer to the city... Maybe not, lol!

That's it for now my friends, until next post!

CM

Eat Pray Love

This is me and my journeys-.

"...I've come to believe that there exists in the universe something I call "The Physics of The Quest" - a force of nature governed by laws as real as the laws gravity or momentum. And the rule of Quest Physics maybe goes like this: "If you are brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting (which can be anything from your house to your bitter old resentments) and set out on a truth-seeking journey (either externally or internally), and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue, and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher, and if you are prepared - most of all - to face (and forgive) some very difficult realities about yourself....then truth will not be withheld from you." Or so I've come to believe."

XOXO
CM

Keeping myself busy!

As I mentioned before, Sophia left on Sunday to FL with her dad, which means that I get all kinds of me time. This weekend was a great example of what my summer days are going to be. On Sunday I woke up super early and met some new friends in PTC at 6:30 am to run 7 miles. I have not ran that distance since last summer when I was training for the Chicago Marathon which I  didn't run. I have to say it felt awesome and God how I missed this, now it's easier for me to arrange these things.

Sunday I rented a road bike, Trek rents you bikes and 100% of the rentals go towards a new bike if you decide to purchase with them which I am thrilled about. So yesterday I took the bike to this place here called Silver Comet Trail, an abandoned trail track that they paved and turned into a 61 mile long road for runners, cyclists, rollerbladers, you name it! I did 22 miles on my first bike ride, Woot Woot! I absolutely loved it and can't wait to do more next weekend.

At night I went to L's who I had not seen since last week, I got there and we picked peaches and veggies from the garden to cook dinner and then watched 3 food documentaries; Food, Inc., Food Matters and King Corn, ate fresh picked vegetables and deer yes, Bambi) and then play outside with an iPhone app that finds constellations (there are no lights where he lives so the sky looks incredible outside his house).

I left super late, he actually offered for me to sleep over but I don't think I can get into that just yet. We have definitely not gotten to that level and I think it's a good thing. For the first time in my life I am taking things slow, getting to know someone without the pressure of intimacy and I kind of like it. He is definitely a gentleman and has been super sweet. 

We might start riding together, he mentioned wanting to get a bike so we could go to Silver Comet Trail together, which sounds great! I am excited to see this relationship evolve the way it is, I am just not used to this slow pace so I second guess it all the time. 

Life is definitely getting better, I found a new love in cycling, that is for sure and I am definitely keeping myself busy this summer with running, cycling, I have to incorporate swimming at some point and maybe I'll even get to my first triathlon soon. 

I am excited, and even though I miss Sophia terribly even though it's only been a few days without her I think it's a good thing for me to have "me time".

Hope you  all had a great memorial weekend!

XOXO
CM

The perks of my job

I have mentioned this before but I am loving my job, not only I love how relaxed and laid back it is but I love the people, wearing jeans every day, the huge bottle of honey in the break room because they know I like it and working of the conference room. 

Well, one of the perks I had not tasted yet was the employee discount since I am not a full time employee yet... but better than that was the employee sale that went on today. I got a little note on my white board while on a conference call that said "employee sale @4pm in the break room, bring cash". I got excited because everyone wears Triumph t-shirts to work and I have non but I REALLY GOT EXCITED when I heard the prices - leather jackets $20, leather boots $10, t-shirts $1, belts $2!

These are some of the awesome things I bought!

The leather jackets are amazing and retail for about $400, they have all the pads for riding too. I do ride with a couple of my friends who have bikes, but it would be sweet if at some point I have my very own bike and learn how to ride! Maybe one day ;)

T-Shirts are our preferred office wear and I can't wait for Tuesday so I can start wearing them to the office! I love them all! I also got a pair of riding boots, and 2 casual shirts that are very form fitting, and everything has Triumph Motorcycles all over.

I am so excited about my new Triumph wear and can't wait to wear it all, to bad the leather jackets are gonna have to wait for a bit.

Until next post.

CM