Three Things Thursday

I’ve seen several of my running/tri-ing/blogging friends do a Three Things Thursday post, and while normally it’s not my thing, today it is. And luckily, it’s Thursday.

1. I cannot believe tomorrow is July 1st. I signed up for a 50 mile running challenge in July via dailymile. I know some of the bloggers that I read regularly average 50 miles in a week, but for me 50 miles in a month is a challenge! Hence the name, I guess. Two people calculated the work it would take. Here are my options: 1.6/miles a day; 16 plus 3 mile runs; 4 miles 3 times a week or 3 miles 4 times a week, plus a little extra. Whichever I choose, I need to make sure I average around 12.5 miles a week to make sure I don’t end up with too many miles to get done during the last week. I also need to remind myself that it’s a challenge, not a life or death situation. I will try, but if I don’t finish the full 50 miles, I will not beat myself up about it. (That was more of a message to me, than to you!) Also, please join me in the challenge if you’re interested!

2. This weekend, I will be doing my first open water swim for my training. I grew up swimming in lakes and oceans and I was even certified as a lifeguard while solely swimming in a lake. So I’m not nervous at all. I’m excited to figure out how much my time differs from lap swimming. I just need to find some poor soul to kayak next to me while I swim in case I get a foot cramp (which happens often) and need to hang onto something to work it out. I seriously cannot wait to get into that lake!

My anticipated training route from one beach to another.
About the same distance as my triathlon.

3. I went to EMS in Marlborough today. I wanted to check out their selection of bike shorts. I also decided to get a new helmet once I spotted a pretty blue one. My bike helmet is over 15 years old and is missing a tabby thing inside. So it wasn’t just an impulse buy. I needed a new one eventually. Why not now? I perused the cycling area looking for a few other things I needed, like a pump that I can take with me on rides, replacement tubes in case I get a flat tire (even though I have no idea how to change one!) and an all in one tool thingy that does fancy stuff. I talked with a very helpful salesman named Stephen who explained how to change a flat tire and how to use all the fancy stuff on my all in one tool thingy. We talked for a long time and he gave me some great tips on biking and eased my mind about a lot of things. I also sought out some cool water shoes/sandals by Keen, which I tried on but didn’t buy because I didn’t like the colors they had in the store (black), but I might buy online.

I discovered this shoe when one of my 3 year olds wore it to school.
I wish they made a lot more "kids" shoes in adult sizes. Thank you Keen!

Then I talked to the manager, Caroline, about the differences between gels and bars and chomps and gummies and all that stuff. She knew a lot about them and was able to help me make an educated guess as to what I might and might not like. I definitely feel more confident about all that energy stuff than I have in the past. As I was checking out, I was mentioning who helped me in the store and realized that I had gotten help from every single clerk in the store. Go me! They were all awesome and if you’re in the area, you should think of EMS for all your sports needs.

I spent 2 hours in the store. I have a weakness for sports items
and office supplies. The day they ever combine a store to
carry both sports gear and office supplies, I'm screwed.

Me and my sassy new helmet. I'm a dork, I know.

I’m so excited for the long weekend! Lots of training mixed with lots of relaxation!