Trails, Heels, and a credit card rejection

Did you all know that there is a limit to the number of times you can swipe your credit card in a single day before they cut you off (regardless of $$ amount spent)? Neither did I. I learned this the hard way on Saturday.

First though, this weekend was my last pre-Ironman training weekend. I made sure to enjoy it. Friday night I met up with Hillary and Christy to plan our Austin trip! We are going at the beginning of April. Austin is the number 1 place I have wanted to visit for the last 4 years and now I finally am! This is also the first time I've really "planned" a trip. Typically, I am more "go with the flow." Luckily, my bike trips have all been with MIT grads who love to plan so it has always worked out. Thanks to suggestions from a friend-of-a-friend and our friend Valerie, we have a laundry list of things to do and tentative plans which leave room for spontaneity. I am excited for good music, food, and day trip to San Antonio. I might also try to do a local group bike ride because one of the things I have heard about Austin is how great the running/biking is.

Saturday morning I woke up at 7am and couldn't go back to sleep. Luckily, I used that time to FINALLY go with to the Dog Park with my brother's dog. I have heard stories for the last couple of years but I have never gotten up early enough to go. It was a fascinating study in social behavior.

After that, I went on my semi-annual shopping spree (hence the credit card debacle). I HATE shopping. So 2-3 times a year I go on a massive one day extravaganza to get everything I need for that season. Usually, I drag a friend along but since I thought it would only be a 2 hour trip early on a Saturday. 4 1/2 hours later, I walked out of the mall. It was quite successful - I got everything I needed (with only a couple of splurges), and because I went to the Outlets I got great deals. I also made a surprise purchase (to me) of a pair of heels for work! Other than boots, I have worn flats to work and hate high heels. But as my time in spandex increases, so does my desire to be girly. Don't worry, I will bring my flats with me to work as well. My fashionable coworker is going to FLIP, based on her reaction to the dress I wore last Monday.

Then, in order to get ready for Texas, my friends and I made a trip to Hill Country BBQ in DC after a failed attempt to see the Cherry Blossoms. I think the pictures below speak for themselves.

"The Pitmaster" - 1/4 pound brisket, 1/4 chicken, 1 pork rib, and 1 beef rib
It was paying for this that my credit card got declined (lucky swipe #13). The piece of chocolate I bought to soothe myself after 4 1/2 hours of shopping really pushed me over the edge. And don't worry, at least 4 of those swipes were less than $7. I took advantage of the sales! Luckily I had just enough cash to cover the delicious dinner. (Not pictured: Banana Pudding & Apple Crisp).

Then this morning I woke up at 7 again. I had so much fun at the trail race a couple of weeks ago that I decided to volunteer at this morning's race. It was at Prince William Forest Park (the most amazing little gem of a national park down I-95). I was stationed at the final food aid station & spent all morning ensuring that everything was stocked, especially the trail mix/M&Ms. I was shocked and horrified to discover that the trail mix went MUCH faster than the M&Ms. It was a lot of fun & I met another person on the Team doing Ironman Wisconsin. To make up for all the munching I did while manning the aid station (I had to test the M&Ms to make sure they were still good), I decided to go for a run at the park. My initial plan was to stick with the road but that lasted 5 mintues before I veered onto the trails. Luckily I did because I was rewarded with the following:

Luckily it wasn't too muddy.

EEEEEK - Hill. Yep, that's vertical.

My FAVORITE. Beautiful. It was such a calm, peaceful run. I am so happy I found a local place to really test out trail running. I think I will definitely mix it into my training, especially recovery weekends where I could do my bike ride, switch shoes, and get in a trail run.

Tonight I have Swim Clinic #3. Should be interesting.

Happy Sunday! How was your weekend?