Trying new things.........Am I crazy?

Between work, P90X, training for a half marathon, planning a wedding and at some point taking a shower and sleeping I've decided to try something new, bike racing! As Jem Fromant says(one of Todd's 1000 FB friends) a "proper sport." After having the Cutters stay for 2 weeks, seeing Little 500(and the fact that those women have "proper" butts) and witnessing Libby and Dirk get after it at Ironman Orlando, I just had-ta!

"This is the cool way to relax on your bike"-Todd


I must admit, with the white wedding dress, the idea of a giant scab or sling for a broken collar bone does make me think twice, but I went yesterday for the first time and yes Libby I'm hooked.


For those who don't ride, here is a run down of the correct first day thanks to Todd! I will say I have been spinning for years, some Saturdays for 2 hours. And while that does prepare you in certain aspects, the fixed bike versus the road bike is a whole new world.

Before you get on the bike, you need a few essentials. First a shami! This is basically a nice soft diaper sewn into a pair of hopefully breathable shorts. They should be snug but not cutting off your circulation. Second a helmet, if you think its cool to not wear one you're an idiot and should not ride a bike. Water and a little nutrition before hand is important. I have been running for the better part of 10 years and have never been hungry even after a marathon, but I was starving after my ride. And of course a bike! I'm fortunate enough to have good friends who enjoy sports so Sasha and Libby both offered up. I ended up on Sasha's Synapse Cannondale with pedals that you slide your foot into(vs locking in.) Plan to budget some dinero for this sport and if you cant get the right gear wait until you can. You will be safer, more comfy, and ultimately enjoying yourself.

OK now you are ready somewhat. As I woke yesterday I also put on Bodyglide(thanks for the advise Felicia Regan) and sunscreen, I don't want to work on my "Pro-tan" -Jason Fowler.

We arrived at the boat ramp on Shore Drive. Took the bike's out and began learning. First we pumped up tires. Between 100 and 120 lbs is good(we went 110). This in itself is a new challenge; there are no kick stands on road bikes so its a delicate act of balancing, loosening the seal, pumping and doing it all over again.

Now for some White Lightening! This stuff is awesome. Its a cleaning lubricant. Putting it on is a feat in itself. Hold the bike, turn the pedal backwards and spray at the chain then pat your head, rub your belly and chew gum at the same time........get it?

Mount the bike, couple things. First you never ever put your foot over the top tube, so not cool, you have to swing around the back(first few times I managed to hit the tire, oh yeah looks who's awesome.) Ok now put your foot in, and push off, oh wait this bike weights about 3lbs, and I push down and the whole thing goes down! Needless to say this took some time.

So the next 30 minutes is filled with FAST heartbeats and SLOW mph, I'm talking about 6mph! I was so scared. Coming from the beach cruiser world where your feet do all of the work this was scary. Im 28 years old and have never been on a bike with hand brakes, it was like throwing someone from Arkansas who cant swim in the ocean. To quote Todd "that has to be the worst I have ever seen anyone at the start of a biking adventure and I'm pretty optimistic, but that was bad Heather. Surprisingly by the end you did great, lets pull the trigger on your bike." So after many expletives and some advice from Todd I finished the day having gone 24 miles, average speed about 17mph on the second loop, and hit 22.6 mph.



Check out my "rookie mark."


You finish feeling worked out but not beat up, your lungs are open, the wind is cool, and the views are beautiful! I cant wait to ride again. I went and bought shoes and clip in pedals and another shami already.




So am I crazy, maybe. I was talking with Juan Mas after our 5 mile loop this morning and he pointed out that all bikers get hurt, its expensive and if the novelty wears off well.... While the percentage of hits, falls, and other sillyness is higher(some guy up in Jax was so angry at a biker last week he stabbed the guy), there is less stress fractures, ITB issues, over heating and well, you just dont feel like the pavement beat you up when you finish. As for novelty, with Todd, the Cutters, The Bockels, Libby and Neil and the Regans, I dont think theres a lack of inspiration or people to ride with.


All I know is I went and bought clip in pedals, Diadora shoes, another shami, and gloves of my own and will be riding again Wednesday in the South if not sooner!!!!



GET GET GET

Zach Thomas Photography, nuff said

SO, as you can see now, there was no immediate words that could describe my excitement, the photos are amazing!! Little back story:

Todd and I looked long and hard at photographers because there are so many great ones in St Augustine, but we had a few specifics we needed. First and foremost we are not your typical sappy couple, its meaningful, its fun, its complicated. So we wanted someone who could capture that and who was willing to look outside the box to depict what Todd and I have. So this lead us to Zach Thomas Photography. Zach(ztphoto.com) is a local guy who amongst other things rocks in a band and takes sweet photos. When Todd had suggested him we had a quick phone call one day that basically went like this:

Me: Hey Zach here's the deal, I dont want hundreds of photos of Todd and I rolling around in the sand kissing on the beack or walking hand in hand in front of some house that isnt ours. I want something significant, I want 2 good photos

Zach: Do you have an idea or theme in mind?

Me: NO but Todd and I met through our professions, mainly I went in to solicit his CPA firm to partner with my company(ADP shameless plug) and his secretary thought I was cute and put me on his schedule. Todd actually cancelled the appointment at first because he doesnt meet with sales people but when his secretary insisted that he wanted to meet me, he took the appointment. I thought he was actually interested in buying/partnering, he was just interested in partnering emmmhmmmmm you know what i mean.

Zach: ok heres what im thinking, office romance, 1950s, sitting across a desk, its going to be a totally different process but it will be cool

Me: lets do it

Zach then hooked me up with Tara Ferreira who is a stylist for photos. I had actually seen some of her work on their family postcard(sethandtara.com). She came over with a few dresses and that was it!

Next thing you know im shoving quesadilla in my face on a sunday while Tara magically created this amazing beehive, beautiful lashes and the always neccessary attempt in the 50's to be as pale as possible. By the way as Tara says regarding lashes, "get ready to live!"

All in all Im looking forward to our second photo shoot with a little different theme, and of course the wedding!!!!!!

Inside the 6 and so much has happened

OK, I know I know, its been way to long since my last post, especially considering I said I would have a series of updates, but a lot has happened personally, professionally, and of course with the wedding.

So let's start with the why? Why haven't I posted? I mean really, how long can it take to type my own thoughts and submit on blogger? Well first things first Ive been working about 6 days a week for the past month attempting to make Presidents Club at my company which is a BIG deal; for my ego, pocketbook, and future with ADP(greatest company ever, and I mean that.) Normally this hasty pace doesn't occur outside of selling season, however as anyone reading this that's in sales knows all to well, you have your ups and your downs and well the first 6 months were down, way down. So, you will all be happy to know I'm pacing well and received a promotion this week to Senior District Manager, thank you very much!! I will know about Prez Club in about 2 weeks, keep me, my sanity, and Todd's unparalleled patience in your thoughts!! We get to go to the Baltic Sea for a week(Ive never left this country other than the DR with ADP in my life)

Next, and this was big, we changed the location of the reception. Several factors came into play and after having a very helpful conversation with my favorite St Augustine Accountant Ashley Trimboli about how much OCD I have and the panic that would follow we decided to move and are happy to announce we will be at The Loft and Rooftop of the White Room. We are so excited about the change which still limits the number of guests but with the 90 invites that went out we are NOT experiencing the 75% RSVP rate, actually close to 100% so we needed the space for sure. With the Nights of Lights being the night before, it will be beautiful from the Rooftop overlooking the main street down the river and we now have a dance floor and trolley to move guests to and from!!!

In addition we asked Mayor Joseph Boles to be our officiant and are looking forward to the personality he will bring to our day!

Other quick updates, our engagement photos are, pardon the explicative, BADASS! No other way to describe it, I'm so overwhelmed that any educated artsy specific articulation of them will have to wait until I post the finals on a blog; but I will say Tara Ferreira and Zach Thomas outdid themselves. I feel lucky to know such talented artist and look forward to our wedding photos and other fantastic opps to use them both in the future.

So that's it for now. Look for the engagement photos soon, as well as other details about flowers, and my new adventure, bike racing, which should be interesting! On a personal note, I'm one week out from P90X first round and its amazing, I will certainly pop those pics up and I'm up to 11 miles this training season already(maybe I will do the marathon this fall.)