NJ State Triathlon - Pre-Race Fun

I decided to make this a two part story...the reason being is I had such a great time before the race and finally had the opportunity to watch the race that I usually do - from the sprint perspective. This year CGI NJ State Triathlon was split into 2 days - Sat was the sprint race and Sun was the Olympic. There are about 3,000 people that do this race and it is quite hectic and a long day for those of us that do the Olympic when in the same day. Last year, I don't think my wave started till 9:30 or so and we had to be out of transition by 7am...so that was pretty much long and tiring.

Friday - Package Pick-up, Pre-Race Dinner #1 and Sleepover....
Nicole offered her home to Christine on Wed when we went swimming (see last post) and running, so of course, I get jealous (I mean what about me, I'm still coming to watch and part of the group!!). So we were going to sleep over Nicole's then get up for the race. I should note the temperature at this point - it is going to be 110 degrees on Sat with humidity...

I have hydrated all week with electrolyte drinks and water - I feel like I am going to grow a hump (you know a camel???) - Anyway, I have been still nursing the calf cramp from last Sunday's 9 mile run, it won't go away, trigger point foam roller, stretching, nothing. So I decide to take Fri and Sat off, it can't hurt and maybe it will go away...maybe...

3:30pm I am packing up work, can't deal, and meet Nicole at Mercer County Park to pick up mine and Christine's packet and then back home to make the most awesome salad....

Blueberry, Apricot, Gorgonzola, Asparagus Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Sliced Apricots
Blueberries (1/2 container)
1 bunch of asparagus, rinsed
Olive Oil
Sea Salt
Springmix
Cherry Tomatoes
1/2 Vidalia Onion

Toss asparagus with olive oil and sea salt - grill on medium meat for about 15 min - turning consistently. When cool chop up in smaller bite-able pieces.
Axl got some asparagus too...
Chop apricots (I left the skins on)
Chop onions
Toss together with blueberries and spring mix

Vinaigrette
Dijon mustard
Balsamic Vinegar
Olive Oil
5-6 blueberries
Agave Syrup

Add 1:1 ratio of Olive oil to balsamic, mix in a few squirts of dijon mustard, a couple drops of agave and mash some blueberries. Whisk or use a salad dressing spin thing...
I add the gorgonzola separate.
...and then as I was saying about me hydrating - I also had this craving for a "New Dew" that I had at True Foods in Phoenix last week...
here is a picture of it at the restaurant with a tuna edamame salad
So here is what I did to re-create. I bought a container (1/2 honeydew) already chopped...
I blended 3 cups of water in my food processor. Strained the mix, added some agave, 2 juiced limes and some mint...
OMG - so friekin good....but it only made two cups so I didn't share :)
Then I left for Nicole's with some movies, my spectator outfit (a new Lululemon top...) and PJs, an air mattress and my salad.

Nicole made a nice spread. We had some grilled chicken with a spicy marinade from the Islands...
and then some lemon parsely pasta (see prior pre-race posts for recipe) and an awesome fruit salad.
Oh yeah, and I had a beer - cause I wasn't racing ...and I knew that would happen tomorrow after the race...lol

We didn't get to bed till late, since we were busy talking about tomorrow and the race.

5:30am Wake up!!

I left them to go to the park while I went to Starbucks and got my camera ready, I would be their paparazzi as you will see below!!LOL

So I met up with them as they were getting the numbers on...


Found Bill and went to the starting line to watch...(BTW - Bill is doing the Olympic with me, so we were there for heckling purposes...), I was getting nervous for them. Now I know how my mom and dad and Mike feel everyime they see me get in that water.

The girls were off...
me being the paparazzi - I got shots everywhere...
coming off the swim....



getting on the bike
I was a crazy person, I would update twitter and facebook so our friends could track them...I would take a pic on the iPhone to upload and then the next on my camera...I am still laughing, I think I was overwhelmed with emotion...
while waiting at the last 400 m to the finish watching people pass, I started being "that spectator" you know the one that yells at everyone with the quotes "you got it!", "nice job, looking good, almost done, just around that corner", "give it all you got", "sprint it out, the finish is right around the corner." I couldn't believe this was coming out of my mouth. I didn't get any "F - U" but I think most were happy, I could see it in their eyes, I got alot of "thanks" from the 60 and above crowd, a couple smiles from the ladies. This was my part of the race that I really needed that last piece of positive enforcement...I felt all good, I saw Christine and ran across to catch her at the finish. I was crazy excited!! They both finished a great race.




These two are rockstars and did great despite the ridiculous heat...


Back to my house for pool, bubba burgers (low fat), fruit, and a pasta salad....