SPIDERBYTE

Mom is kicking assphalt

(Renegade post by SpiderDad)

It’s been Olympics fever here at Spiderbyte HQ.  We’re loving the FREE HD TV coverage and the groms have been training hard all summer for their own version of the Olympics: the All Pool Swim Meet going on this weekend. (Stay tuned for complete sports coverage!) 

With all the kids’ training commitments; the swim meets, tennis matches, fencing competitions, Awful Awful hydration breaks.. it’s easy to forget the brains behind the operation: SpiderMom!

As you may know, Mom found out she has Crohn's at the start of the summer.  She’s making some big sacrifices not the least of which impacts her athletic training and diet. She’s not out of the woods and there is still much to learn this year but I’m so proud to report that SpiderMom is kicking its ASS out on the race course! (pun intended)

SpiderMom has always said, after years of training, “I just want to place in the top three of my age group once! Is that too much to ask?”  The closest she’s ever come is fifth, UNTIL NOW.

• On June 3^rd, she earned 2^nd place in her age group at the Title 9 Escape the Cape Triathlon at Onset, MA.  
• On June 24^th, at the Oh My Goddard Triathlon in scenic Warwick, she placed FIRST in her age group and SECOND OVERALL!  Say it with me, "Oh my Goddard!"
• On July 8^th, she placed 2nd in her age group at the Mattapoisett Lions Club Triathlon.  
• Before her most recent triathlon in Narragansett we knew the odds were against her since the field included elite athletes. I affectionately recited one of our favorite war cries, “Don’t bother coming home if you don’t place.” ..and sent her on her way. On July 29^th, she placed 3^rd in her age group!

SpiderMom is probably going to kill me for posting this, but she’s too modest to brag and the Spiderbyte crew couldn’t be more proud of our fearless leader!  Go you crazy Canuck!

run MOM run

 

nobody puts MOM in the corner

 

Breaking Away

Between surfboards & bikes, our garage is starting to resemble an episode of Hoarders.  But Will's been begging us for a road bike, so who were we to resist this Craigs List special?...

I actually clocked him at 19.1 on a downhill, which for a little guy, didn't seem too shabby.

No surprise, Will logged some serious time in the saddle this weekend...both indoors and out...

 

Happy Mother’s Day to you and you and you!

Guest post by SpiderDAD

Spiderbyte fans out there in the world keep coming back to this blog to be entertained and amazed by our grommets ‘over the top antics’ and the eccentricity of our family’s daily routine.  And like any family, there is a boss; the coach; the one who leads by example and raises the bar year after year.

So when our beloved Spiderboss was asked what she wanted most to do on Mother’s Day, her request was simple.  It wasn’t flowers, chocolates, spa treatments or jewelry.  It involved lycra, carbon, timing instruments, sweat and PAIN.  (Suit yourself Mom! More chocolates for the rest of us!!) 

So we’re sending out BIG LOVE to our Mom and our Grand Moms and Great Grand Moms! 

 

Breakfast in bed

 

Life of the party

 

HOTT date

 

Another Hot Date!

Date nights have been few & far between these days so when Jason told me he was working from home today, I jumped at the chance to grab some solo time with him after we shuffled the kids onto the school bus.

You know me, I'm such a romantic....so I brought him along to my Bike Lab session.  HOT!

I know...I look totally miserable in that picture, but I promise you - they don't call it The Pain Cave for nothing.  It basically takes everything out of cycling that you might actually enjoy (fresh air, nice scenery, open roads) and breaks it down into something that looks like this...

And evidently I married the right guy, because I'm pretty sure this is Spiderdad's fantasy date.   Bikes, lycra, sweat, endorphins...pretty hot, right?

Holiday Cruise

 

That's Amore

Swanky Mother's Day Brunch?....Pfft!

 'Cause nothing says 'I Love You Mom' like greasy Dough Boys by the roadside.

In all seriousness, there's nothing I love more than a good mystery trip...especially when we discover a true hidden gem.  

After a gluttonous feast, we headed home to down some Tums move on to the next action item on my Mom's Day request list:  family bike ride.  Followed by the true highlight of my day:  Let's all clean mom's bike (hold your applause!).

I know, it doesn't seem like much but it did inspire the kids to do a little bike maintenance of their own.  Damn, the Spiderbrats know how to make their momma proud.

Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing moms out there.  No matter what your fancy, I hope you had a day as decadent as mine!

West Side

No really, give me some attitude...

[OM] One Moment Week Three

I was on a ride yesterday, and I realized it was the first time in oh-so-many months that I hadn't mapped out my route, I wasn't tracking my mph, looking for hills, or doing any sort of intervals.  As a matter of fact, I'm pretty sure I barely broke a sweat.  

That's not to say I didn't accomplish anything.  I was reminded that I really enjoy this, which is something I've usually lost touch with at the end of racing season.  

Spring/Summer is full of structured training, long hours away from the family, and a good amount of physical discomfort.  It's easy to forget that I also enjoy biking and running just for the sake of it (sorry, I rarely enjoy swimming no matter what the scenario, unless I'm leashed to a surfboard).  It keeps me balanced and mostly sane, and if you haven't checked lately, endorphins are cheaper than therapy. 

It's nice to have a breather and just run/ride for the sake of clearing the muddled mind....for the next few months anyway.