Taper/Recovery week....

5 days til the BIG DAY!  I am so excited, nervous, anxious and totally pumped for Sunday.  For one, our bestest buds ever are coming down to race with us from Boston.  Well, Dean is racing and Jen, his wife, is expecting Baby Blanche in August...We already named her for them.  So no race for her.  She is our water girl (aka B***H)  for the weekend!  Thanks Jen- you know we heart you!  Nick and Dean have been crap talking to eachother for the past couple of months.  We have been trying to psych Dean out, but we still know he will dominate.  He says he hasnt been training, has only been on a trainer the whole training time, working too much, prego wife and many more excuses.  But we know Dean and know that he will do really well.  We're not competitive at all huh?!  HA!  We are just really excited to be with our friends and family and have a fun race!  Cant wait!  

Nick's new aquaCell Profile Design super tanker aero drink for his bike.  Maybe a tool that might beat Dean and Josh???  It's all about the little things!  

Nick spinning out those legs after a tempo run.....GAME FACE!  

Me, on the other hand, legs up!  I stole Nicks new ZOOT compression socks that are supposed to increase blood flow, decrease lactic acid and aid in muscle recovery!  Let's give em a shot!  Feels good to me so far!  :)  And this is Nick's idea of recovery...theres nothing like a delicious cold IPA after a hard workout!  What better way to replenish those carbs!  Nice watch tan line babe...that's hot!

Another great perk for all this training...check out the bods!  It has surely paid off!  If only we dont overdue it Sunday after the race with our BeanTown Buds!  :)  The Wolavers will be calling our names!!  

Countdown to Taper Week....

Well lets just say that this is the most training that we (Nick, Josh and I) have ever done.  Even before when we were collegiate softball and baseball athletes, triathlon training is completely different than anything we have experienced.  It has been the most fun meeting new people in this sport and has allowed to to train and grow together as a couple.

Last weekend we did our longest brick with a couple of friends; Sara, Lizzy and Andrew.  They totally kept us motivated and pushed us on our first half of our 60 mile bike and 8 mile Trun.  Its great to have friends at your side cheering you on towards your goals.  I would have to say that was the toughest, mentally, workout I have ever done.  It totally made me doubt myself as to whether or not I could even accomplish, or even finish a Half Ironman.  But once I was looked back at how hard we have been training, how far we had come and how much we have changed our lives to accomplish these goals....Im totally focused on staying healthy and finishing strong!

My awesome husband pumping up my tires before our long ride...and Josh putting on his SPF 100 for his fair skin!  He always says that I stole his pigment!  And he stole the tape worm!  BRAT!  Below is Sara (farting around) and Andrew getting ready before our long ride.

Every weekend we met up at Lakewood Ranch Starbucks in our usual parking spot.  Our usual routine:  pump up tires (thanks Nick), fill up aerodrink and water bottles, strap on the fuel belt pocket and fill it up with my banana HammerGel (yummy), pee inside the bucks, make sure we have spare tubes/CO2, lather up with SPF, cleats check, helmet check, IPOD check, pee again :)  and we're off.... 

St. Anthonys Pics

Josh at the Finish!
2nd Triathlon...2nd Bike Crash!
Me w/ Bree Wee post race!
Andy Potts starting the 10k
Bree Wee starting the run!
No swim...too windy....so here was T1
Josh waiting for his wave to start
Saturday practice swim.  A bit choppy?!
Swim Start...well only for the Pros!

Josh checking out the water...trying to swim!

Overall the race was great, besides having to start like you were coming out of the swim (without actually swimming) and into transition to the bike.  So, this was Josh's 1st Olympic Tri and didnt even get to swim.  So this was only his 2nd triathlon and still hasnt finished a swim.  Last one was the sarasota sprint where he cramped up, swam 5 minutes and got out of the water.  He waited for Nick to come out of the Gulf...ran into transition and ended up finishing 3rd in his age group! HA!  So Florida 70.3 will be his first official triathlon swim experience!  Lets hope he (and us) stay hydrated and do well!

-Nic