Tucson Days 1 and 2

Hee hee!!! I am having an absolute blast. Seriously. Every time Dave and I talk on the phone, he can just hear my grin. I am in Tucson!!!! This is my first time in Arizona as well as my first time at a real training camp.

First, I am rooming with Michelle. We are having sooooo much fun. I think most people are like their blogs, and I knew Michelle and I would get along, but honestly, she is even better in real life. She is truly Mama Simmons....she is my mom on the trip. She is keeping me on schedule and making me eat healthy and coaching my swim, etc..... So, so much fun.

Now.....let me just say this trip so far has been very COLD in the mornings and at night. Not what we expected in Tucson. Michelle is a big weenie from Hawaii, and she made me take a picture to prove we have been using a lot of heat in the car.

Day #1. Heading out for our first run as a group. Can you pick out the girl that has an actual winter and hasn't seen the sun in months? That would be me...pasty, white chick on the left.

Ummmm....and don't forget that I saw Abdi Abdirahman twice while I was running yesterday. He was doing some sort of tempo run and was KILLING it. So amazing to see that type of real talent. It was beautiful. We got a few smiles out of him with our hoots and hollers. We finished our first night with dinner at El Charro....see, we are bundled up! Cold!!!!!

Day 2: Madera Canyon + Shootout loop. No one told me about the climb at Madera (thank goodness- Kari and Julia....stay away and don't tell me anything!) :) 93 miles of awesomeness today. Michelle frickin' kicked a$$. She is the real deal, guys. If you are racing her this year, be scared. She is one of the strongest girls I have ever seen ride a bike. I am learning a TON from her.

Our group getting ready to start the ride.

Highlight of the day? Riding with Maik Twelsiek. So dang awesome. A few times I just sat on his wheel and just thought to myself how cool my day was. He is the NICEST guy ever. He is such a great rider and professional. It is unreal to watch him ride- EFFORTLESS.

The BEST news of the day was my bike fit. You guys know I have had some major problems on the bike, and it has kept me off of the bike this winter. I really have tried reaching out to a lot of people for help, but nothing has worked. I arrived in Tucson early and got a Retul fit (more on that later) and HOLY MOLY THANK GOODNESS!!!! Today was GOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am back. Seriously. I KNEW something was wrong, and today's comfort proved it. I haven't done 90+ miles since Wales, and today it was just like the good ol' days.

Except that a couple of bolts weren't totally tightened, and I had to spend about 30 miles towards the canyon without my aero bars. My back really paid the price riding into the wind with no aero bar relief. Thank goodness for super SAG friend, Bruce (pictured above) for fixing my bars at the top of the climb. It was heaven the whole rest of the day.

Then, it was time for a swim session. Who better than Hillary for some swim help? And I get 3 days of swimming with her! Sunday she is going to look at me underwater, so updates to come.

Tomorrow? Gate's Pass/McCain Loop and some crazy swim session. Hopefully I will get to connect with fellow Wattie Ink teammate Lindsay Zucco as well for dinner. So, super busy but having an awesome, awesome time.

xo