Working Out

 So a significant amount of posts have to do with training as we are nearing time to do the Nation's Tri. So much of our free time it seems is spent swimming, running or cycling.  All but the running is fun to me and I've been reading a lot about strength training for people MY AGE.  Nicholas (who has been training a lot and is looking at personal training as a career) suggested I needed to up my strength training so I've been doing some light weights and machines at the gym as well.  I do have to say that is very frustrating to be eating better and exercising more than anytime in my life and still not losing weight.  I just read another article about age, menopause and "oh yeah, it's practically impossible to lose weight no matter what you do even if your spouse is becoming skeletal doing the exact same things!"

 So Saturday Tom prepped our bikes as usual and we headed into town to meet our group but when we got off the metro his tire was flat.  We pumped it up, it seemed fine and he followed behind me as we cycled over to Hains Point.  But he never showed up.  He called (thank goodness for cell phones) and turns out the tire went flat again and of course he didn't have another tube AND his glue was dried up.  Fortunately Dave went to rescue him with a new tube.  In fact Dave was helping everyone with their bike issues.  Good guy!

Dave, V and Nicole

 Kristen wasn't there so Ben took the lead for the day.  Rick and Kelly brought their son Ty who is very athletic though a little shy.  He did part of the run with them.

 After our workout we rode our bikes over to Barracks Row where there are a couple of bike shops.  Tom needed a tune up and new tubes.  While he was inside talking to them and I was outside watching the bikes, his new tube that Dave had put on suddenly popped and the air came shooting out.  Good thing it was staying put for a check up.

 The people here were really great and as I think about transitioning to a road bike they had me try out a few different bikes.  They were really light and felt good to ride but they're crazy expensive so I need to look for a used one.  Since Tom was now without wheels we decided to walk (with me pushing my bike) to the metro at Navy Yard but stopped first for some lunch.  Yummy salads and bread at Sweetgreen with lemonade/green tea.  Healthy and good!

 It just happens to be across the street from the Trapeze School of New York so we got to watch them while we ate.  That's also on our bucket list!

 Tom took off work yesterday so we could join a few of our other work out friends for a day of open water swimming at Sandy Point Beach.  We had never been there before and it was awesome!  Only 40 minutes from our place and the water was perfect!  Great place for training! Hottest sand ever on our feet!

Holly, Rob and Herbert

 Tom and I did 800 yards first then got out while the other three worked out.

 There are lifeguards there and the space is marked off so we could gauge our distance AND it's right at the base of the Bay Bridge which is cool.  Tom and I did another lap later so ended up with a total of 1200+ yards for the day.  We both felt really good and Tom especially was happy because he was able to do the whole thing without stopping.

 There was a scary point where fire engines and ambulances showed up and then the medical helicopter.  Apparently a little kid swallowed a bunch of water and started throwing it up along with white foam.  I didn't see them load him in the chopper so not sure what ended up happening. Prayed all was okay.

Herbert brought his paddle board along as well but it turned out we would have had to take it clear around the other side of the beach so we didn't get to try it out.  Bummer!  Was looking forward to giving it a try!

We ended up spending the whole day there and had such a great time swimming, enjoying the sun and getting to know each of them better!   Herbert-teaches math to high school special ed kids including autistic students. Holly-used to be a researcher but will be graduating from nursing school in Dec.  Rob-just returned yesterday from a mission trip in Zambia working with kids in an orphanage and is self-employed in property management.  All great people and a blast to hang out with!