Last Brick Workout/Day of Beauty

"Day of Beauty" is a joke...hope Troy and Kent enjoy that reference in this title!

This morning I met Don (Meg's dad), Terry and Troy at the downtown airport - 6 a.m.! It's the last brick workout for Troy and I; only 3 1/2 hours. I'm trying to squeeze it in before a client event I'm attending today. So, I actually planned to start a little before 6, but the weather (once again) just wasn't cooperating.

So, here it was 6 a.m. and we're all parked side-by-side, waiting in the car while it rains/lightenings/thunders. We kept watching the clouds, trying to determine if we should wait it out or not. Finally - I can't even remember what time it was, but at least 30 minutes later - we decide to just go for it. We all get ready and hit the road. It was pretty dark at times, and looked like it was just going to DUMP on us, but it never really did any major raining after that. Whew!

The time really flies by when you are out there with other people. Troy and I were laughing, 'cause we were riding with a "pack" of 4 - I said I couldn't remember last time I rode with "so many" people. I guess we're used to doing those long training rides alone or with each other. It was great having other folks out.

Terry had to take off to get his kiddos to various places, and I ended up only riding a few more loops after that, 'cause I needed to get the run in and get to my event. So, I bailed out and changed into my running gear pretty quickly and started to run. It was just a 30 min, slow paced run. I felt really good as I started - breathing was great - legs felt good. Troy and Don passed me twice, which was fun. Just towards the end of my run, whatever that issue was with my feet (from my run a couple weeks ago) started up again. It's primarily (or at least it feels like it) in the 2nd toe on my left foot. And, it just hurts. Not sure what is going on there, but I am hopeful that does NOT happen during the IM.

I hopped in the car and bolted to the spa...yes, folks, my job took me to the spa today. Isn't that a shame? We were hosting a client event at the spa. I didn't have time to go home, so I showered and got ready there. They had a room set up for us upstairs with food and such so we all changed into spa robes and met upstairs. Very funny to just meet some of these clients and then spend the day with them, all sitting around in robes/slippers being pampered.

We split into two groups, so my group had the two guys and Natasha. We started with our pedicures and the guys were getting manicures. We were all in this big room, so it was fun watching the expressions on the guys' faces - neither of them had ever been to the spa. The pedicure was awesome...Francis was the bomb! Actually, I just love this spa, 'cause it's not hoity toity at all. Everyone is very friendly and down to earth. You don't feel awkward - it's just nice. Anyway, Francis was giving me trouble about not getting pedicures more often. She did say that my feet aren't as bad as most runners' she's seen, so that's a plus. After the first treatment, we each had a little time to grab a bit of food before the next service. I scarfed down some yummy salad with chicken, avacado and some other stuff...it was good, but I just had a few minutes when Tanisha came to get me for my facial.

I've never really had a facial, and absolutely loved it! She did an awesome job and it involved so much more than I expected. Again, Tanisha told me I must be doing something right, 'cause when she examined my skin under a bright light (and I think magnifying lense), she said it looked good. There were no "extractions" necessary. It was all way more than I knew anything about, but it felt great and was extremely relaxing!!!


I met back up with Natasha upstairs, and we went to the European Bath Ritual (EBR - I talked about this in a previous post a month or so ago). This is the room with 3 different spa-type tubs with various water temps. The tubs also have waterfalls over them, which feels great. Jesse (one of the male clients was also in there, soaking up the falls in the hottest tub). So, we started in the coldest one, which actually felt great. It was fun hanging out in here, 'cause I was able to get to know Natasha - about her family, kids, work, etc.

We'd been in the EBR for quite a while, switching pools back and forth - cold/med/hot - well, this older gal comes in. She gets in the only pool that is empty at the time - the med one. Pretty shortly after she gets in there, she starts messing with these nobs that are around the outside of the pool. We were guessing that they are for cleaning purposes, but didn't know for sure. She proceeded to ask each of us if we knew what they did, all the while, messing with them. Odd. Jesse left shortly after this, and Natasha and I did a couple more switches from the cold to hot pool. This older gal asks us, "why do you keep moving back and forth?" We tell her that the water is all different temps and it feels good to vary them. I can't remember what else she asked about, but it was just all a little odd - as if she was part of our group and we knew her well.

So, we get out of the pools and start drying off and putting our robes back on. I'm in front of this counter deal that kinda sits pretty close to the cold pool. There's not a ton of space over there, but Natasha is standing next to the counter, getting her stuff together. Well, this gal gets out of the pool and starts walking over toward us. She's asking if we are going to the locker room next? What? Natasha tells her we're gonna check out the lounge area...she keeps getting closer to Natasha, who is slowly backing up, backing up...all the sudden, I hear this big splash. Yes, you guessed it...Natasha fell into the pool. Not all the way, mind you...but when I turned around, her right leg/robe were totally submerged and her "slipper" was floating in the pool. All this crazy woman says is, "well, I didn't push you in..." Then as she's passing by me, again she says "I didn't push her in...." I made sure Natasha was ok, but we were doubled over laughing about the incident. So funny!

I went on to have a manicure with Clair (who I'd met earlier in the day as well). I never did see some of the guests again, but I ran back into Jesse and Cammy (my external sales partner) and Natasha. Well, the day was over and I felt like I'd been in there forever! I showered and got myself together again and headed out of there. What a great event!

I went over to Epic and picked up some new sunglasses. I've been riding with these glasses that fog up and are now missing the nose piece - it's not good. I needed some new cycling glasses and Scott helped me out in choosing a pair. I love them, and I'm sure they'll help me go much faster when riding. ha ha I picked up a few other things I needed and was on my way.

So much for the relaxing day - I've undone all of it now, 'cause I'm thinking about the MILLION things I need to get done before my parents leave Sunday and before I head out Wednesday!