Week 6 - Indoor Tri (Swim 2, Bike 2, Run 2)

All in all it was a good training week...and just like that...I'm only two weeks away from the big event!!  I am excited.  My only nervousness is in the transition times between events...especially after the swim.  I need to do speed drills...I am too SLOW.  I was able to shuffle things around a bit this week given a crazier than usual schedule...and I managed to get every required workout done (and still work only 8 hours on 4 out of 5 days).  Even after working really late on Thursday...I still made it to Virgina for a good swim and run.  For the love of the beautiful game...I woke up extra early on Saturday AM so that I could get to the gym and have a good strength training workout before my first soccer game of the day started at 7:45am.

You would think that soccer fandom would cut into my training time...but now that the DC United Season has started up again...I will actually flip back to being even more on my game.  Especially on the weekends.  It is not just the motivation of watching soccer live...but in having to manage my time better.  I have to admit, the one thing that will be better about this season is that I will not be completely exhausted and struggling to walk for almost all of the home matches.  I never missed a game...no matter how many miles I had to get...even 26 of them didn't hold me back. 

 8 hour Work Days this Week (4):  Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday

Back at home...

2013 Rewind (March – October): My Inaugural DC United STH Season

If I were to start from the beginning, this technically should be part of a 2012 rewind as well…at the end of the 2012 DC United Season.  I still have the sticky notes in my DC United file where I “mathed out” how much money I would save by being a Season Ticket Holder (STH).  As it turns out, what I gained was much more than what I saved (and that includes the 15% discount at the Team Store!!). 

I had no expectations other than not paying ticket processing fees and perhaps a few more events throughout the year.  As a sports fan, there is something empowering about solidifying your support for your team…so I did feel that too.  I was pledging to stand up for the Black and Red…no matter what.   It felt good.  I was truly going to be a part of the “12^th Man”…even if it was from the quiet side.  

The thing about not having expectations, is that everything is a surprise, and the result is a genuine feeling of being happy.  That is what being a soccer fan does for me.  I have written before about always being the one with the clipboard.  When it comes to soccer, I don’t have to be.  Being an STH, I found this to be even more so.  There were so many events and happenings that I would not have enjoyed otherwise.  I took great pleasure in arriving to games and events and not having to worry about anything.  All I had to do was have fun.  The results may not have been a winning MLS season, but I have so many pictures and memories of amazing times with my family and friends.

My first unexpected surprise came early in the season when I was bestowed the honor of being the April Season Ticket Holder of the Month.  It was one of those once in a lifetime experiences that I could have never dared to imagine.  My family and I got to watch the team warm-up on the pitch, we had our 15 seconds of fame up on the Jumbotron (my name in lights…and spelled correctly), we sat field level for the game, and had access to the VIP tent filled with food and beverages (best Limerita I ever had).  For the first time in my life, I wasn’t the one responsible for organizing people and happenings.  I was the one being organized.     

All of this came to be when I received a cold call from DC United in September 2012.  I usually never answer my cell phone when it rings (in fact, I don’t even have it set to ring).  I think I just happened to look over and see it blinking with an incoming call.  I answered it.  I’m glad I did.  I didn’t just math things out and decide on the spot to become a STH for the 2013 season (who does that?).  I had a fantastic conversation about the sport of soccer.  I also became fast friends with a fellow soccer enthusiast who would soon learn who the Smashing Pumpkins are.

Before moving forward to the 2014 DC United Season...here is my look back at some of my favorite moments from 2013:

Home Sweet Home in RFK...

Home Opener Tifo...

We met Nick DeLeon!!! 

On the Jumbotron...

Tailgating Happy!!! 

The plus of being on the quiet side is seeing all the Tifo...

Meet the Team Day - Lucky 13!!!

Talon!!!!

This has also doubled as my wallpaper on my work computer....

At the tunnel at half time...

First DC United Away Game - US Open Cup vs. Chicago Fire

On the bus to Jersey!!!

Flag Wavin' at Red Bulls Arena...

We won the cup!!!

Tailgating with Friends...one of several gatherings at RFK...
I should have taken a picture from when I nearly filled two rows in my section!!

Me...with the Cup...and Chris Korb!!!

I finished a Marathon and made it to RFK in time!!!

2013 Rewind (December): Philly...

It was the perfect December weekend...soccer watching, morning run by the water, snow, shopping, and more soccer watching.  As I have written before, following my first favorite soccer team, takes me to new and interesting places.  The Terps made it again to the semi-finals of the NCAA championship, which this year was held at PPL Park in Chester, PA.  I have been there several times to see the Philly Union, but had never ventured into the city.  I had a few things on my list...watching the Terps win, a morning run by the water, walking to Starbucks for coffee, and running up the Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Modern Art.  I'm good with lists. We are very lucky soccer fans actually, most of time we end up at the right place at the right time.  What we didn't realize was that we booked the same hotel that was hosting the College Cup...so imagine our surprise when we walked in the lobby to check-in and the entire Maryland Team and Coaching Staff were there.  No big deal.  Coach Sasho chatting with Taylor Twellman.  As a soccer fan, it was pretty much amazing and awkward.  We are the random fans of Maryland who make no sense...and someday I will figure out how to explain how following this sport and this team changed everything for my family and I.

The Terps beat University of Virginia on Friday night...and we were elated.  We were in the stands with several PA youth soccer coaches and I was distilling all my knowledge about which players played with which MLS academy teams.  It is scary how many factoids I am starting to retain.  They were also cheering on several terps who are from PA.  We were on to the next round...which was further than last year...we would play Notre Dame on Sunday afternoon. That Friday night at the hotel bar, Coach Sasho and a few of his crew ended up sitting at a table next to us.  It was crazy...I offered him our extra chair. I had the pleasure of working out in the gym with the Notre Dame Coach Bobby Clark on Sunday AM.  Both Clark and Sasho have ties to Sir Alex Ferguson.  I was in awe.  Clark was calm and focused walking on the treadmill...I think I had a feeling then.  Our terps lost later that afternoon...but I was so proud.  Of their character, of their growth during the season, of everything.  There is a reason why they are my first favorite.

My pictorial list of fun in Philly...

PPL Park has the prettiest views...it never disappoints...so much stadium envy.

Club Level watching Notre Dame vs. New Mexico

A Club Level Selfie...times three....

 

The line up...had to watch the Terps outside...can't mess with tradition...

On our walk to Starbucks...a sign that we picked the right location for our first international trip!!

A perfect morning run...so peaceful with snow flurries...

In the city of brotherly love...a sister who DOOPs while in Philly and one who is always Black and Red.

Snow and Xmas Decorations...does it get any better?

 

Perfect time of year....

Shopping in the Snow...I was in heaven...

Watching Manchester United at the Hotel Bar...and yes...I chatted with Taylor Twellman when he passed by!!

Beautiful Morning...

I even found a Moose!!

When in Philly...

That's me in Red...a perfect moment...to celebrate how amazing 2013 was!!

Mommy (aka the Bear) and Me....

Almost Go Time...

 

The Line Up...

Maryland...My Maryland...

2013 Rewind (August): Chelsea and the Beach

I had not ever taken a true summer vacation before...usually I go to camp and that is my summer vacation. Given my training schedule, I made the tough decision to not to go to Camp Fantastic this year.  Instead, I booked a family vacation in Virginia Beach.  Given the Chicago excursion, I ended up taking 12 days off of work and it was fantastic.  As it turned out, I readjusted our vacation plans twice due to soccer...extended vacation to go to Chicago and then left a day later for the beach so that my Mom could see one of her favorite  teams (Chelsea) play.  The joy on her face seeing all of her favorite players walk right in front of her and play...there are no words for how incredible it was.

It was fun to be at RFK for once and not be stressed at all.  It was also weird to be there in normal summer clothes...no DC United gear at all.  I can't even remember how many miles had done earlier that day...maybe 14...like many Saturdays this past summer...I was limping but happy.  My sister and I surprised my Mom with a scarf...while she was watching the match.  Our seats were spectacular...we were right up in front not too far away from where Chelsea took the field.  We are very lucky in all of our soccer pursuits.

Here are some pictorial flashbacks from the Chelsea game on August 10...

It was a takeover...

Another beautiful night at RFK...

Crazy to be so close...

Mom's Favorite...

Michael Bradley

 

Juan Mata!!

And then the next morning we left for the beach...it was an easy trip...made even easier by a little rest stop in Williamsburg to visit with one of my favorite families...The Baillies!! My Mom and Sister had never met my friends Nate and Karen or their sweet Joelene.  We had a fantastic afternoon...lots of quality time with Joelene and swapping Joel stories.  It is always nice when your friends become instant friends with your family.  I'm so lucky!!

The beach was fun...but I have to be honest...I ended up working on my laptop way too much. I was a bit bitter about it...so I had to keep reminding myself that at least I was at the beach.  There were moments when the whole thing felt like a disaster, especially since both my Mom and Sister were sick with cough/colds.  But, staring for hours at the water always does me good.  Running on the board walk and on the beach was good for my soul too.  Even with the work interruptions...I felt rested and yet not lazy because I was still able to keep up with my marathon training.  I (of course) negated this with too much good food and drink...but that it is what vacations are all about.

The other highlight was being able to see my childhood friend, Bianca, who is a newscaster on the local news. I have never had a chance to see her do her thing on air (well other than on Cougar TV in High School)...and it was great.  With busy schedules...it was hard to find time to get together...but as luck would have it...we found each other for a quick visit.  I had checked in at the Starbucks near our hotel and she was at the gas station right across the street.  We were classy...she was all pretty for the shots they were doing and I was in my running clothes.  It was fantastic.

The Beach Life...I would do it again...

We are really bad at packing...I am the worst... :)

Rainbow...

Mornings with Coffee and the Sunrise....

A surprise from Bianca's Mom...TuTu...so sweet...

King Neptune...

Could stare for hours...so calming...

Yep...still staring...still calm...

Vacation Me...even though I wasn't at camp...it was with me...in the form of bracelets....

Mommy and Me after our walk/run together on the boardwalk....

Sissy and Me....

Evidently...Vacation Me gets Henna Tattoos too...A firefly...in honor of Chass...another Camp reminder...

More Water...and Walking along the beach...

Keeping up with Training and Starbucks Consumption....

Even found an Irish Pub to watch soccer....and they had Magners on Tap!!