Kickin' @ss...

What a week it's been and what a weekend it's going to be.

The highlight of this week (so far) was getting beat on a sports massage from Samantha at Tri Body Works. We had a great chat as she tried to distract me from the obvious and necessary pain she was inflicting on my IT Bands and my quads, and hamstrings, and glutes.... Just add her to the list of those who call me a tight @ss yet don't mean it as a compliment.

Right after the massage I stuck around for a 2 hour self-defense seminar hosted by Tri Body Works and the brain child of Angela from TeamEndured and Nathan from Trinity Fitness. A month or so ago there were a few attacks in the Atlanta area on female endurance athletes. Angela and Nathan decided that they wanted to give back to the community and conduct free seminars. They've taken this presentation around the Atlanta area. It's free and I got a lot out of it. There are a few more left. check out the events page for Team Endured for information and to register.

Angela and I have been FB friends for a while. First time we got to meet IRL.

I like to think I'm relatively aware of my surroundings and I don't present as a victim but it never hurts to have more tools at your disposal.

Side note: First time I met Nathan I posted wanting to ride in one of the local tri groups. I met Nathan, his friend and another man at a remote parking lot to ride 40 miles on a relatively isolated trail. Hmmm...maybe not my smartest move, but with so many friends in common....

 Some things I think I already knew, but you can never hear too often:

1. Be aware of your surroundings.
2. Don't be predictable. Don't run/bike/walk/drive the same route the same way at the same time everyday.
3. Mind your social media. Many of our awesome GPS watches upload our maps. Many of us start our workouts from our front door. Many of us over share (cough, cough, guilty!).
4. Exude confidence. Know where you are going and if you don't know...FAKE IT!
5. Trust your intuition. If you are coming up on someone or something that gives you the creeps, STOP, turn around, and go the other way.
6. Easy on the music. Actually if you are tri training - DITCH the music. You can't use it on race day anyway. If you do have ear buds in, make sure the volume is such that you can hear some one approaching. This is important for a cyclist calling "on your left" wanting to pass you as well as creeps who might mean you harm. Not being able to hear either could have disastrous results.
7. WEAR A ROADID! They are cheap. They speak when you can't. Seriously. Get one. Wear it. Embrace the tan line!

Something I do for a few reasons is acknowledge EVERYONE I pass. It might be a verbal "hi!" or a nod, or a wave. I do this for a few reasons:

1. If I am running alone, I WANT to be noticed. If my gorgeous mug shows up on the evening news, I want someone to say, "I saw her!"
2. I want them to know I noticed them.
3. I'm just a friendly kind of girl.

We also learned some moves if we end up in a physical altercation. Nathan encouraged us not to throw a punch. If we have not been trained we could hurt ourselves worse. But elbows: elbows are fair game!

We also discussed knees. I knew all those years of soccer would pay off!

Training wise: I have 2 big workouts coming up. I have an IMFL training camp this weekend where I will ride another 100 on a new saddle on the race course. Stephanie assures me that it will be a great ride. I'm not so sure. Everyone gets a new saddle to test drive on a 25 mile ride (done today) and then for 100. Saddle review: still chafing (need to look at new shorts tonight at All3Sports), sit bones are tender (I think they are supposed to be), soft spot that was getting bruise seems not so bad.

Two weeks later is HIM Augusta.

They FINALLY posted bib numbers for Augusta. I'm excited and nervous and anxious for so many reasons. It isn't my goal race, but it is THE dress rehearsal! 

Both events are significant for my confidence as I begin to realize how real IMFL is!

You want the dating dirt...don't cha? Not too much to report but I did get this message this week:

Incase you decide you have the perfect guy for me. I just have to meet him. Show him this. If he even hesitates at any of them but especially 17.... just let it be!

17 Things You Should Know Before You Date An Athletic Girl by Ella Ceron

Before I know it, IMFL will be over and I'll have to decide if I continue blogging or not.