The past few weeks have brought a lot of hecticness... exercise, good friends, good food and lessons.
I was able to do my first post baby triathlon, the Philly Sprint Tri, and survived the swim that I was a little unprepared for in the not so succulent Schuylkill River. For those not local, while it may be nice to look at on your drive into the city, the fact that they pull cars, bodies and God knows what else out of this River doesn't make it the most desired swim spot.
While I missed having my friend and race partner, Megan, there with me (I lost her to the Olympic distance) there was something very invigorating about getting up early, heading to a race alone and completing it all by myself. I felt proud of myself for being motivated enough to do it just for me. Again, not pretty, no pictures, but my bike looked good.
On to the next....
The 4th of July brought us to the Shore with good friends, plenty of sunshine and good food. We got to share the weekend with some very dear friends and have them get to spend some quality time with EB. The weekend consisted of Coronas, crab legs, clams and chocolate covered pretzels.... I can find no wrong in that.
Good friends are wonderful in my opinion because they let you practice for 'real' life. You may not always say or handle things in the perfect manner, but they'll allow you to mess up and redeem yourself and go for a do over. In the words of Allen Iverson, 'it's just practice.' I feel lucky to have people in my life that allow me practice for the big show. This will be the one and only quote I will ever use from Allen Iverson. Promise.
We got to take EB to his first 4th of July parade in Ocean City. He cruised the streets in his 'stroller on patriotic steroids' according to my husband. It's amazing that Holidays take on a whole new life and meaning with a babe involved. The bike parade hasn't drawn our attention in years past, but this year involved an all out evening on the porch of beers and mass decorating.
What a godmom! The Dischers and McLaughlin's came out as well. Although, they're apparently good OC residents and attend every year.
Even amidst the baby triathlon routine of eat, feed, sleep... I couldn't resist another 'real' one. This past weekend brought myself, some friends and my cousin, Judy, to Stone Harbor, NJ for yet, another triathlon. It brought a great pre-race pasta dinner (with 2 lucky Coors Lights), a nice sunset and a chance for EB to hang with us at the bar,
a perfect Sunday, Shore race day, a great beach recovery day that ended with ice cream.
Each of these thoughts and lessons go for the 'real triathlon, the baby triathlon and the race of life. We all need to work hard, but relax. We all need to do well in life, but focus on the people that matter the most. We all need to get out and participate, but it's not the winning, it's the showing up that matters (that's the motto of slow people.) And, you usually get a participant medal anyways, so you'll always feel like a winner.
Whatever your triathlon may be this week....
work, booze, sleep... live, laugh, love... wash, clean, fold...
do it well and find a balance.
Live Wildly. Love Deeply.
