Background

Monday, June 27, 2011

Tri in Houston

After we flew in to Houston we drove about an hour to meet up with my race buddy Fran. We had dinner with her and then went to bed early for our triathlon the next morning. At four thirty our alarm went off and I began to question if this was a such a good idea after a week of luxury and literally NO training. I tried to tell myself the sexercise would pull me through the race but when it was that early I was starting to have my doubts. We got up and got ready and headed to the race. This was Travis's first triathlon and so the night before Fran and I tried to answer his questions and give him a real expectation. There was around 600 competitors and it was quite the sight to see when you arrive around five and everyone is pumping up their tires and getting geared up for the race. We road our bikes a short distance to the transition area where we set up our bikes and gear. Travis got his numbers written on him for the first time and the pre-race jitters started to come. The race went great though! There was a few problems in the pool for both Travis and I. Trav was placed in a slower swim bracket and was slowed down by the slower swimmers and I was ran into head on twice!
Next was the bike. Trav was already out of the transition area by the time I made it out of the pool. I did pass him twice though and was only about a mile or two behind. The coarse was beautiful and the 10 miles flew by. The run was 3 miles and I started to really feel the heat. I was able to get Travis's attention right before I crossed the finish line. We both were so glad that we did it together. Although Travis was surprised I wasn't when he told me he placed 3rd in his age group.


Early morning ready to raceTravis's first time getting his numbers

Fran, Me and Travis pre-race in the transition area
Trav and I before race...so excited!Trav and I after we finished

Fran, me and Trav after the race
Trav and I with the bag pipe player

Trav and I awaiting his awardTrav receiving his award

Trav and I with his award! I am so proud o him!!!!!

Last night out

We decided to go back the the Asian restaurant and try the dinner where they do a show and cook your food right in front of you. This was probably my favorite meal. The food was delicious and the entertainment from the chef and his wing man was out standing. Although not everyone at the table looked like they were having as much fun as Travis and I that didn't slow us down and by the end of dinner everyone was clapping and shouting out! That night for entertainment was the circus. They had clowns (that weren't creepy), acrobatics, muscle men, rope climbers, fire breathers and more! Trav and I got great seats and loved the show.


Headed out for our last nightReady to grill

Swinging like a monkeyI loved these two guys! They did all kinds of fancy holds and their strength was incredible.


One of the acts

Trav took some good picturesThe circus!!!!


Friday at the pool

Friday was our last day. We were going to go snorkeling but with Travis not feeling completely better we easily decided a relaxing day at the pool reading and lounging would be just as good. We ended up having a great time playing in the pool, having a few drinks, doing water aerobics and painting lessons.



Trav wanted to do something special for me so he painted half of his canvas with the lesson and then dedicated the other half to a portrait of me. It was pretty funny to have the help come around and ask what he was up to, but when we realized that his painting would be drying on the busiest walkways you couldn't help but laugh when you would look over and see a picture of me half naked drying in the sun and the expressions on people's faces as they walked by. Trav and I have very different styles in painting.

Dinner and Dance Party

Thrusday Trav got a stomach bug around noon so we spent most of the afternoon in the room with me reading to him while he tried to win in the bathroom. Wasn't romantic but actually still enjoyable. We finally got him so medicine and he started to feel a little better. We got ready and went to a low key dinner in the buffet restaurant and then went to a show. The show had all different kinds of entertainment. One of Travis's favorite was this guy who came out to the Lion King music and danced around like a lion while blowing flames into the air, it wasn't my favorite until Travis reenacted it that night. There was a fire act, a break dancing act, dancing shows and more. It was a great night and I was glad Travis was feeling better.




Out for dinner

Trav and I at dinner
One of the fire shows
Fire breather

Wind Surfing Lessons

Trav and I got up early the next morning and grabbed breakfast and then went to a wind surfing lesson. Trav was better than I was, but it was a lot of fun. It was a lot more difficult than I thought it would be. I was surprised at how heavy the sail was and how difficult it was to "catch the wind." Most of my practicing was me falling off the board while Travis was sailing away. It is needless to say that I spent most of the time watching him.
I was so excited to learn to surf
Don't let this face fool you. It may look like I am thinking but I have no idea what he is saying to me in Spanish and broken English.
Trav taking it in and feeling the wind in his hair ready to conquer the ocean
Travis first try on the board. We all had to blance on the board for five seconds and Trav made it look easy
My turn...On the board

Off the board
Standing on the board for one...two...three.. four...
Off the board...but don't I look happy while I struggle :)
Travis wind surfingMe struggling with the sail to get it up without falling off.

Trav and I waiting our turn in the water
Me finally getting the hang of it
Trav sailing away

More Beach Pitures


Right behind us is where the three old topless woman sat every day:)

That is the hut that we got a massage in
View of the beach as we ate lunch

Another night out

This night we went to an Asian restaurant. I was pretty good at ordering now in Spanish and we talked a lot with our waiter who was extremely friendly. We received lots of excellentes and high fives. Trav got Pat Thia and sweet and sour pork while I ate red curry chicken. We were very happy. We loved talking to the waiters and asking them questions. After dinner we went to a show in the theater. It was like Vegas but DR style. There was lots of dancing and singing. It was fun because two of the dancers who run the beach volley ball every morning, which Travis and I had started participating in, were in the performance. It was great to watch them and cheer them on!



Headed to dinner
Eating at dinner
Travis with his cigar...sick! He smelt like cigar even in the morning
This man was name was Raphel and he was so nice and shined Travis shoes:) Plus he also told us that he wanted to see just me in heaven:)
The nightly entertainment
Acon, Speedy and me after the performance
Acon, Speedy, Trav, Me and Junior