Race Run Through

My next race is the Chattanooga Riverfront Triathlon.  Here is the write up:

This sellout intermediate distance triathlon has quickly become one of the top races in the southeast. Brought to you by Chattanooga Track Club and Team Magic in the heart of downtown Chattanooga. Be ready for a fast, down river swim, a challenging bike course and a scenic run along the city's riverwalk. Chattanooga is a great place to bring the family too!

Race Distances - 1.5k swim / 42k bike / 10k run 

                             (0.98 miles/26 miles/6.2 miles)

If you are interested you can check out more info here.  To say I am getting nervous is an understatement. 

One technique that I have used in the past, to get ready for a race, is visualization.  This is just where I walk through what the day is going to look like, and the steps I will do.  This morning on my bike I went through the whole day.  

I will wake up at 4:30 a.m.  I might eat an Emeralds Breakfast at this point.  We are staying really close to the transition area, so we will most likely walk to transition at 5:00.  I will get in my Get Fit Tri suit, and all of my stuff will already be packed in my tri bag.  Once in transition I will set up my area, and then become familiar with where we bike out, and where we run out.  I will eat a chocolate marathon bar.  If possible I would love to dip in the river, but because of the current I am not sure if that will be possible.  I will grab my goggles, swim cap, and a goo.  There is transportation to the swim start, so I will say goodbye to Jacob, Sara, and any other peeps I know, and get on the bus around 6:45.  

I will take the goo about 7:10 if possible.  This swim is different that any other I have ever done.  Not only is it by FAR the FARTHEST I have ever gone, but they drop each athlete off the end of a dock with 5 seconds inbetween.  The first go around 7:30.  I am a SUPER SLOW swimmer so either I will go first, or last.   I will guess I will be last.  Either way when I get in the water, I will slow my heart rate by doing a little doggy paddling, and when I am able begin my own version of free style.  I can see myself finally getting to the end of the swim and doing a fist pump like my friend Jen Ridgley.  I estimate at the LONGEST it will take me 1 hour to finish.  

I will get out of the river and run up the stairs, hopefully see Jacob and Sara, and get to transition (T1).  I will drop my goggles, and swim cap.  I will grab a shot block, put on my sunglasses, bike gloves, socks, and slip on my shoes, in that order.   I will grab and put on my helmet, then unrack my bike.  I will walk it to the mount line, and off I will go.  Jacob and I drove this route, and challenging is a nice way of putting this route in the foot hills of the Appalachian Mountains.  I will downshift heading on the on ramp, go out to mile 12 on the highway, turn around, and go back to transition.  I hope to eat my shot block in 2 sets.  3 blocks in each, at mile 4 and mile 17.  I will grab two shot blocks, in case I need more.  I hope to finish one of my water bottles which will have 1/2 G2 blue in it.  I will have both water bottles available however.  I will dismount right outside of transition (T2) and run my bike in.  The absolute longest I think it will take 2 hours to bike this route. 

I will rack my bike, throw off my bike shoes and helmet, and slid on my running shoes.  I will consider a head band, depending on how my hair is holding up in the ponytail.  I will take a goo and shoot it, and then take one with me.  I will run out.  This run goes down by the river and there should be water almost every mile.  I want to start out at a slow jog, get my legs together, and only walk through water stops.  Very similar to how we ran our marathon, but a faster rate.  I want an 11 minute mile.  At the longest it will take 1 hour and 15 minutes to finish. 

I see myself finishing strong, and not looking down at my watch but just pushing to the end.  It makes for an awkward finish picture when you are looking down at your watch and not up, smiling.  I see myself finishing with a smile, and maybe a bit of a sprint at the end.  At the longest I think it will take me 4.5 hours to finish.  I have to finish by 12:30, which is 5 hours from the first people being dropped in.  

Time limits can freak me out, but the times I have listed here are at the longest..... if I am super slow, or something goes wrong, or I panic.  I am one of the slower races, but I figure at least I go out there, and finish.  

As I keep training, for this race is only 16 days away, I will go through this run through every time.  Not only does it keep me distracted from all of the training, but I believe it will help me have a great race! 

There are no more Cade girls

I am back home in GA from my two weeks in MI.  I call it a vacation but it was really far from it.  I went up for so long for two reasons.  

#1 - Jacob was finishing his senior project, and with me home during the day I can sometimes be annoying.  I get bored easily, and I could see myself bothering him.  

#2 - Trisha is not the most organized person, and I had a feeling there might be a few things for me to do to help her.  

So the girls (the dogs), Alice (my bike), and I loaded up the car and headed North!  

The dogs are in the back seat and ready to get going!  

 I arrived on Thursday afternoon, and we gave Trisha her bachelorette party on Friday.  We had a great time.  See all of the pics!  Our cousin Dillon came in from Washington D.C. so all of the bridesmaids were there, along with some of Trisha's friends.  We rented a hotel room, and walked to a local "bar".  As bar as you can get in Holland, MI.  HA!  It was a great night, and everyone had a great time.  It was so great to hang out with an old friend, Marcy. 

Trisha with her party outfit, and her pimp cup.  We really took her out looking like that :)

On Sunday we were lucky enough to go up to Fremont to see some old family friends.  Aunt Sharon and Uncle Wayne have been part of our family for as long as I can remember.  Their daughter used to babysit me, and we all just kind of enjoyed each others company.  It became a tradition that Trisha, myself, and sometimes Amanda and Marcy, got to spend up to 2 weeks in Fremont during the summers.  It was so great to go and visit.  It made for a beautiful afternoon!

A great shot with Uncle Wayne and Aunt Sharon!

The rest of week included a LOT of wedding stuff.  I was able to get in a few runs, a bike ride, and three swims.  My mom went out with me for most of the training.  I loved spending so much time with her.  The girls loved being on the farm, and loved being outside almost all day long!  Lucie was very interested in the cows, she just couldn't figure them out!  Mom and I worked hard to get all the small details finished, and attended to.  I made a lot of calls, and a lot of favors!  I picked Dillon and Jacob back up on Thursday so I had some helpers.  Mom and Duane helped a lot too.  We finally got it almost all done in time for the rehearsal.  The Passorelli's did a wonderful dinner at City View in Holland.  See all the pics here!

Trisha and I take a pic together at the dinner!  We look good! 

 Then the big day!  All of us girls went to one of the bridesmaids house at 8 a.m. We got our hair and makeup done!  11:30 we took this picture and then piled in the car and headed out to Saugatuck, MI for pictures.

Our cute tanks that Trisha gave us!

 The wedding took place outside in a nice, secluded area!  It went off great, and the ring bearer stole the show, as he dumped the flowers girl's flowers before he even headed down the aisle, without his pillow.  It was so cute!  To see a slide show of the day by the photographers click here. 

Trisha and Rob Passorelli (and bunny)

The night ended with a lot of dancing, and see Trisha and Rob off.  She will be changing her name to Passorelli, so we officially have no more Cade girls in the family.  The wedding was so much fun. We ,Jacob, was a groomsman, were so lucky to be part of it!  It ended up being a beautiful day, and the sun even came out to bless them!  To see the pics I took you can click here!

We arrived back Tuesday evening, and I took yesterday as a catch up day.  Jacob graduates on Sunday, which means we only have a few days before we are going to Tybee Island for 4 days.  I have my priorities straight, and am preparing for Jacob's departure.  I am in good mind and spirit, if that makes sense.

I am so glad I was able to spend these past two weeks and be in MI with my family.  I love GA, but there is something to be said about a small town life.

The Small Town of Zeeland

I grew up in Zeeland, MI. It is a city, a small one, which has a lot of country, and a lot of farms. I grew up in the "city". The quotes are needed because this "city" has one block of downtown, everything closes by 5 p.m. on Saturday, and nothing with in the city limits is open on Sunday. Until just a few years ago, there could be no alcohol sold. With so many stipulations, such as businesses can't be too close to a church, or school, only a few places can even sell. When I was here there was a blinking red light with in the limits. So for most people this place is a time warp, or even a culture shock.

I had a decently big graduating class, because Zeeland is the school district for the surrounding smaller farming communities, which are not cities, some are villages. Zeeland has even added a second high school, because of the growing numbers. There were around 200 of us who graduated in 2002. If I was given a list of the graduates I would know at least 90% of them. So still pretty small town.

Growing up in a town like Zeeland has its pros and cons. I think leaving Zeeland, has helped me appreciate my upbringing. I can come back here and remember all of the fun memories. Riding my bike everywhere, beginning at age 10. Roller hockey in city streets, running around town until the street lights came on. Most of my memories are of running around outside. Seeing kids outside is something that doesn't happen very often in Atlanta. It might be the new generation, or it might be just growing up in a small town. I did live a pretty carefree life, and I do have a lot of great memories.

But sometimes when I come back home I am reminded of why I felt the need to move somewhere else. Living in a small town, and working in one of the only restaurants downtown, made it so people know who I am. Rumors can be started quickly. I actually wasn't victim to this until I left for college. Unfortunately some people actually believed the rumors, and to be honest I didn't care enough at the time to come back and try to stop the damage. But I was brought back to high school behavior, when a "friend" from high school, who believed the rumors, saw me at a local sandwich place. I was going to walk up and say hello, but she saw me, picked up her sandwich, she was already eating, and left out a side door. Pure rejection in my face. Small towns can be narrow minded.

But I guess I shouldn't loop the entire small town in this way. Most of my step-dad's family lives here, and a lot of real friends. I have had lunch, ice cream dates, dinners, and coffee dates with many others who saw through the lies, or just don't care very much. I have to remember a lot of my friends from high school have decided to settle down, and are working on raising families here. And really I think that is a great idea. Their children will get to experience life very similar to my upbringing. I think of Zeeland as a great place to have grown up. It can be hard coming home because of the way some people look at me. I moved away. I am most likely never coming back. That is a hard thing for some to understand.

But I guess I have to remember it is not the small town of Zeeland that I am afraid to confront. It is the few small minded people who just happen to be here. Overall I am happy I chose to come back for two weeks. I haven't been back for longer than 3 days for 9 years. That is a pretty long time to stay away. But having withstood my ultimate fear of rejection, it wasn't so bad. I am not afraid to run into people I knew...which happens anytime I leave the house......

A Trip to FL and on to MI

June 2nd found Jacob and I headed to St. Pete, FL for Shane and Diana's wedding. It was so amazing and words can't express how amazing it was to be asked to be part of it. We arrived in time to go to their bachelor/bacherlorette party. We were able to spend our mornings running along the Gulf coast, and enjoy sunsets over the water. I mean it seriously was a great vacation/wedding event. We stayed right in the resort that the wedding was in front of, and the reception was in. It was just amazing!

Shane and I were college room mates that be came best friends. We officially met through a friend our Sophomore year at Western Michigan. I needed a room mate to take the extra bedroom through the summer, and Shane was looking for a cheap place to stay to take summer classes. And so we tried it. If I remember right we had only met a few times, I think like two, before he officially moved in. But it ended up working out great. We became close friends who finished our last two years together as room mates. We love each other so much, you could say to death. We argue a lot, and neither one of us backs down. We are both quirky, stubborn, and opinionated. But somehow our friendship has with stood 7 years. I would say I would do almost anything for him. He met Diana their first year at Optometry School, but it took him a few years to ask her out. But when I officially met her, I knew she was perfect for Shane, and told him so :) I just feel so honored that I was able to be part of their big day, and part of their lives!

Click here for the rest of the pics!

We got back from FL on Monday and I left with Lola and Lucie for MI on Wednesday. I am needed to get ready water aerobics so I will have to write more about my MI adventures at a later date.