Where Am I?

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The last few days have been a whirlwind. On Saturday night, I drove 2.5 hours to Chapel Hill, North Carolina for our last Ramblin’ Rose event of the 2013 season.

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This was our sixth and final event. At 800 women, it was also our largest.  I’m so sad the season is over. I really love the spirit of Ramblin’ Rose. Triathlons can be super intimidating, and Ramblin’ Rose helps break down those barriers to entry.

 

My favorite thing about our races is how it’s so “come as you are.” Got a bike? It doesn’t matter if it’s a road bike or a bike with big old tires and a wicker basket in the front. Don’t have a tri-suit? That’s fine – just wear your old bikini. As long as you can find a way to swim, bike, and run, you’re an awesome triathlete in Ramblin’ Rose’s eyes. I wish we could bring our triathlon series to every single city in America. It’s THAT awesome.

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So, I worked at Ramblin’ Rose all morning, and then, I drove back to Charlotte, briefly stopped off at the house to shower, pack, and say hello and goodbye to Henry and the Husband (sad face), and then I hopped a plane to Buffalo. It’s speaking season for Operation Beautiful once again!

 

It’s getting to the point with Operation Beautiful events where I can barely remember where I’ve been and what colleges I’ve spoken at.  The grand total is 70 (I think). I always remember the people and stories, but I can never remember the college names. I’ve to Washington, New York, Indiana, Wisconsin, Delaware, and countless places in between – but I swear, I only could list those states because I looked it up!  Traveling is such a blur, you know?

 

Anyway, I flew into Buffalo last night and had the strangest sensation… like I’d been at that hotel before. Guess what? I have! I was in Buffalo two years ago, and now I’m back. I’m starting to feel like I’m in the Twilight zone…

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I spoke at a high school this morning. After my presentation, a student named Spencer stood up and showed everyone this YouTube video. They filmed it last week – in one clip! – in hopes of winning of Good Morning America contest. Isn’t that fun?

After my presentation, I sought out a cafe for some food and Wifi. I ended up trying three places before I found a place with a decent signal.

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At least I found food right away!

 

My plans for the rest of the day include: wrapping up a freelance, plowing through my e-mails (my inbox is a scary, scary place), and finding a sweet running route. I hope to do 10 miles. It’s pretty gross out – so much rain! – but I’m willing to slosh it out. After all, the Half Ironman is in less than three weeks (holy f*&k <– no other way to put it).

 

On that note, just for accountability’s sake:

 

Last Week’s Workouts

 

Monday: Off

Tuesday: 3 mile run

Wednesday: 3 mile run

Thursday: 3 mile run + 1 hour bike

Friday: 2500 yard swim

Saturday: 4 mile run + 2 hour bike

Sunday: Flew from Charlotte to Buffalo… boy, are my arms tired.

Totals: 13 miles of running, 3 hours of biking, 2500 yards of swimming, which can be nicely summed up as “not nearly enough.”

 

Last week’s workouts were rough due to sickness (that gross cough and chest congestion ended up lasting two whole weeks – I am now finally 98% better) and visitors. I wish I had fit more training in, but looking back, I wonder how much I dragged out this cold by continuing to exercise. It’s such a hard balance – to know that I need to build and maintain my cardio base but also need time off to recover.

 

I’m looking forward to the Half Ironman and feeling a strange mixture of excitement/readiness/freak out. I know I could’ve trained better, but I also feel like I have a decent base and can totally finish this thing. It just might not be very pretty. 😉

 

Do you travel a lot for work? Do you like it? Can you remember everywhere you’ve been or are you more like me? I swear, it’s all a blur of rental cars, hotel rooms, and airport terminals with crappy food.

{ 31 comments }

 

  • Janelle October 7, 2013, 11:59 am

    Just this morning my husband and I were talking about traveling. I love traveling for fun, but I don’t typically enjoy traveling for work. It’s not always bad, but it seems lonelier… and I’m a bit of a home-body to begin with. 🙂 For some reason, I am SUPER excited about your Half Ironman; I can’t wait to hear how you rocked it.

    • Caitlin October 7, 2013, 12:00 pm

      thank you! i hope i rock it too. and then i am going to lay on my couch for approx 2 months.

      • Janelle October 7, 2013, 1:33 pm

        Better than just jumping to the couch part like I am. 😉

  • Ali October 7, 2013, 12:10 pm

    That’s awesome that you’ve had that many presentations for Operation Beautiful!! Congrats:)

  • Kristen October 7, 2013, 12:13 pm

    If you’re still in Buffalo there’s a great bike path to run on in Amherst (https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=200857115486789670047.0004a1be241f402f3d136) that’s exactly ten miles (5 out, then 5 back), and Delaware park is beautiful, too (http://www.mapmyrun.com/us/kenmore-ny/delaware-park-hoyt-lake-loop-route-26314)

    • Caitlin October 7, 2013, 12:19 pm

      oh thanks!

  • Katie October 7, 2013, 12:17 pm

    You’ve been to Minnesota before, and I dream of being able to bring you to my hometown for a talk someday.

    • Caitlin October 7, 2013, 12:19 pm

      any colleges nearby??

  • Sara @ Zero to Sixty October 7, 2013, 12:53 pm

    wow…good job getting all those workouts with how busy you have been… thats hard to do.

    I am glad you are feeling better. I am on the same boat right now, have that cold and I am running a 10k next Monday (First one)! I am not sure weather I should run this week or take some time off to try to get rid of this cold by next Monday. blah.

    Sara 🙂

  • Megan October 7, 2013, 1:19 pm

    What are your plans after the HIM? Have you discussed this already? Another baby maybe?

  • Elizabeth @ Positive Change October 7, 2013, 1:43 pm

    I love to travel in general! I don’t travel a lot (4-6 times a year), but I always get excited to see a new place! Congrates on the final Tri! Good luck with the rest of your training!

  • Laura October 7, 2013, 2:13 pm

    Gah! I was at Ramblin Rose on Sunday and was wondering if I would see you working it. Guess I missed you! 🙁 Were you in the pool area the whole time? I was an “8” and ended up swimming around 8:30. I don’t even think I paid attention to the people standing around the pool.

  • Laura October 7, 2013, 2:15 pm

    Also, I found it odd they didn’t have swim caps for people to wear-every other tri I’ve done has provided one. Any idea why they didn’t?

    • Caitlin October 7, 2013, 2:39 pm

      It’s my experience they only do that for lakes, to help seed people and so they can be sure to spot people in the water. But I could be mistaken? I know we’ve done caps in the years past, though. It’s a nice take home gift. I’ll make note that you missed it!

      I’m sorry I missed you at the race. I was all over the place! Did you have fun?

      • Laura October 8, 2013, 9:46 pm

        I had a blast, love the Ramblin Rose races! Well organized and the weather was amazing!

        I did RR a few years ago and received a swim cap then which is why I was surprised they didn’t do them this time. Not a huge deal, just found it odd since I’ve received one in every other tri I’ve done (pool swims included).

  • Jen October 7, 2013, 2:19 pm

    I’m going to guess you’re at Spot Coffee??? I’m not quite sure though but I don’t live far from that school…

    • Caitlin October 7, 2013, 2:38 pm

      Yes!

  • Isagenix October 7, 2013, 2:37 pm

    Oh my gosh that swimming hat? hmm bonnet? What do you call those things? haha anyways it is super cute! Loved it. The pink, red, & white one.

  • Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs October 7, 2013, 4:45 pm

    I feel you on the sickness front — I’ve been sick for the last few days, and it’s been so bad that walking up stairs leaves me winded & dizzy. No working out for me til it gets a bit better!

  • Lauren @ Peaks and Passports October 7, 2013, 6:47 pm

    I travel a lot for work and have such a love/hate relationship with it… Sometimes I love it because I get to stay in cool towns, eat at fun restaurants and occasionally sneak in a post-work hike (my territory is western Colorado). Other times all I can think about is how I want to be home with my guy and out of the car. I’m glad you’re feeling better!

  • Sana October 7, 2013, 7:51 pm

    I love that people are encouraged to come as they are. I feel kinda lame with my straight handle bar bike doing bike races.

  • juli October 7, 2013, 8:16 pm

    I have been reading your blog forever and really enjoy it. I was looking back at some old pictures of your yogurt messes and was just wondering how much oatmeal and other ingredients you use. Im afraid I probably eat way to much when I do a bowl.

    • Caitlin October 8, 2013, 5:20 am

      About 1/2 cup!

  • Kim October 7, 2013, 8:36 pm

    I recognize that school- my husband used to work there! Looks like hog warts, right?

  • Kathy October 7, 2013, 10:37 pm

    I don’t travel for work at all and I don’t know how you do it…I would find it stressful to fly so often. My husband does it all the time and we both often forget where he is!
    I hear you on achieving that balance when you’re fighting a cold…part of you thinks “just jam as much in now while you can” and the other part says “just lay down, for the love of God”. You’re in the home stretch now. Also, depending on how much time you have, check out the grocery stores in Buffalo for gluten free goodies…I find they have a lot of options that I don’t find elsewhere…especially Tops and Wegmans. Safe travels home!

  • Amy Q October 8, 2013, 8:46 am

    I think you’re a rockstar and I only come here to read daily cause you inspire me to do better, do more and do it happily. Hope you have a great week and I can’t wait to hear about your half…..which you will crush.

    • Caitlin October 8, 2013, 9:28 am

      Thank you <3

      • Amy Q October 9, 2013, 8:16 am

        You’re very welcome.

  • Emily @ The Good Era October 8, 2013, 11:09 am

    Ah, I can’t believe your half iron-man is so close!! You’re going to amazing.

  • Natalie @ Free Range Human October 8, 2013, 2:28 pm

    I’m sure that traveling for work would have it’s ups and downs, but, as someone who never has to, it sounds exciting!

  • Danielle @ Green is the New Black October 8, 2013, 2:54 pm

    Pre-child, I used to love traveling for any reason. Now I still like it, but have yet to travel without my little guy. I will actually be away from him for the first time for a conference in a few weeks. I’m looking forward to the alone time, but am going to have a hard time being away from him!

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