I’ve been waiting to write my post-it for Caitlin’s Operation Beautiful Project. I wanted to get my message just right. I don’t feel like I need to remind myself I’m beautiful. After years of struggling, I’ve already gotten into the habit of doing it everyday. Where I do lack however, is reminding myself that I’m good at things. Especially with my new job, I am always trying to prove that I’m competent and capable. I think it’s time I start telling myself I’m good at what I do. I need to know my talents will lead me to accomplish wonderful things some day… or even tomorrow.
This is a good message to keep in mind after my rough brick workout today. Yes, I do not have all wonderful things to report. The open-water swim was awesome, the bike was well… difficult. Not physically, this one was definitely a more mental challenge.
Started the day off right with some egg white french toast.
Lovelovelove the egg white french toast. I completely drenched the bread and it was so dense and crispy. I had an orange and almond butter on the side.
I went for another PowerBar as my pre-workout fuel. I’m glad I chose a bigger bar, because a lot of time passed before I actually made it in the water!
I was excited about the peanut butter chocolate chip flavour, it’s pretty hard to screw that up. It did not disappoint! It was a big bar and totally satisfying. It’s got a pretty good carb-protein ratio for pre-workout too. I would buy this flavour again.
Then I finally made it up to the lake. It’s a free lake with a beach. Seeing as it was scorching hot today, the beach was already pretty full by the time I got there at noon. I wish I’d brought my camera, it’s actually quite pretty. Oh well, you’ll see lots of photos of it in a couple weeks 
The water was cold, but bearable. I have a pretty high tolerance for cold water, thanks to my Atlantic Canadian upbringing 
I saw a few fish as I was getting in, which totally freaked me out. I hate sharing water with sea creatures (including an irrational fear of jellyfish). Most people say one of the worst things about open water swims is that you can’t see the bottom. I was glad!! I do not want to know what’s swimming under me!!!
Besides looking like a weirdo swimming in my goggles at the beach, my open-water swim went great. I swam for 17 minutes straight and only had to stop a couple times when I thought a saw a giant fish, and got ran over by a blow-up raft full of kids. Plus, my heart rate monitor worked!! Confirms that it’s the chlorine in the pool that keeps it from working when I do laps. So for the first time ever, swim stats!
Duration: 17 minutes (length based on the duration of my last 750m swim)
Max HR: 136
Avg HR: 122
Calories: 100
That’s actually exactly what I was expecting. I was going at a pretty leisurely pace too.
Then I walked up to my car (think it may be a long transition run!) to get into my biking gear. I’m thinking the hardest part of this transition is going to be dealing with my wet hair. I was dripping aaallll over the place. Everything else went pretty smoothly though.
Then there was the bike. I thought I knew where I was going, but I got totally lost. You guys, it was so stressful, I just couldn’t handle it. The route is on the north side of the city, an area I hardly ever travel to and always get lost when I do. I wasn’t wearing my glasses, so I couldn’t see street signs. The roads were narrow and in rough shape, the traffic was horrendous, and it was HOT. I got lost in suburbia and at one point ended up on the highway. I was stressed out. As I was slowing to a stop in traffic, I fell off my bike again! This time, both feet were still clipped in, so I fell directly on my side. I yelled… it was embarrassing… and I almost started to cry.
Luckily, I’m not hurt. I banged up my shoulder and wrist, and got another battle wound on my leg, but nothing to worry about. Just a bruised ego 
I ended up biking for around 55 minutes and I think it was 19 km. Obviously not fast. Speed was not my concern, I just wanted to get back to my car!
Overall, I still think it was a somewhat successful excursion. I feel great about the swim portion now. I actually think the bike part will be fun as a closed course. From what I did do of it, it’s got a lot of short, fun climbs followed by fast descents. Only one long and gradual climb that will surely be brutal. Hopefully the run course will be easy! 
Okay, that was long. Props to you if you got through it! Now onto the eats!
I went for a recovery lunch as soon as I walked in the door…
Turkey and swiss pita with canteloupe.
Then a caffeinator truffle, I deserved it!
I actually liked this better than the peanut butter one. Coffee lends itself better to dark chocolate it seems. Plus, I could feel/taste little coffee grinds in there!
Then it was off to work for some reporting. I snacked on a cashew cookie Larabar during the meeting.
You can add cashews + dates to my list of favourite food pairings
I made it back in time to eat supper at a decent hour. Spaghetti!!
The sauce is Eden Organic pizza/pasta sauce, onions, red pepper, mushrooms, spinach and Yves meatless pepperoni. The noodles are shirataki noodles. This was awesomely saucy, it’s always my favourite part
No I’m just snacking on some cherries as my thoughts drift to my bed. I’m exhausted!! Think I’ll take it easy at the gym tomorrow. I need some leisurely activity in my life after today’s stress.
Question: What’s your message to yourself?
Susan, I assume that your triathlon will be giving you a swim cap to wear? Here in the US it is standard issue requirement for triathlons, so that would alleviate your wet hair problem.
Sorry your bike ride didn’t go so well! I think I am going to nix clip shoes. I toyed with getting them, but I have a fear of injury!
Your french toast looks awesome! Hope tomorrow isn’t stressful!
Your egg white french toast looks amazing! I need to try that soon.
Aww, sorry the biking was rough. At least you got out there–I bet the bike portion of the tri will go much better.
I love your message to yourself! Mine would be: I am beautiful and capable of doing anything I set my mind to!
That’s a great message Susan. I like the focus of it – and agree that the word ‘beautiful’ isn’t always a helpful descriptor. You are talented Susan, the fact that you are taking on the challenge of a triathalon is amazing. Brave, too!
OOohh, that awful about getting lost! I can imagine it would have been stressful and falling off would the bike wouldn’t have helped either. But you got back on that bike and you did what you have to do. Props to you!
I’ve never had shirataki noodles – I want to try them. Dinner looks vege-licios!
I’m sad to hear Hamilton isn’t near you
But if I venture out in your direction, I will be sure to let you know!
I like your message. I’ve never had problems with body image but I’ve always struggled with the idea that I don’t feel good at anything. Triathlon training has really helped me with that, just as it has you, I imagine.
One of my training mantras is ‘I am strong’. It always helps to remind myself and force myself to keep going.
And sorry about the bike crash
The funny thing is that right after I commented last about how I always crash, I did. So, you’re not alone. Luckily, I had rain to blame this time 
sorry about your bike ride
hope you are today and that the next one is as fabulous as you are Susan!
I LOVED Caitlin’s post- I have a secret mission planned for tomorrow so check my blog over the weekend
I love the cashew lara bar! Have you tried Clif bars before? They are similar to those powerbars and REALLY good
(they sell them only in bike stores in the UK and I thought of you when I saw them…yes, I am hanging out in bike stores these days! 
)
“…, I fell off my bike again! This time, both feet were still clipped in,”
That’s the big fall every rider makes and nothing is more bruised at that point than the ego.
Look at it this way, it’s out of the way: Now you can tell all the new riders (from personal experience — you’ll sound so worldly) “it happens to everyone at least once.”
My message? “The simplest action is to act.”
Loved loved your note.
Mine – “You are worth it.”
loved the recap of your swim/bike adventure. i felt like i was right there! i am sorry you had a rough time mentally with the biking. i am sure it will go a lot smoother during the actual race, and that is good that you are getting some practice in. what about wearing a swim cap? would that help the hair sitch?
your eats look good, as usual, but that egg white french toast realllly caught my eye. french toast has gotta be my favorite breakfast when i go out to breakfast, but i rarely get it because the bread is always ultra horrible for me. i should really make some at home soon! what kind of bread is that you used? ohhh if you ever want to be horrible to yourself, use brioche to make french toast. soo good.
i am not sure what my message to myself should be. i have enjoyed seeing all the positive notes in blogland, i should really jump on the wagon…hm…
have a grrrreat friday girl! xoxo
Great message Susan! I have to think of one to post myself.
Awesome first open water swim! Fantastic!
I am so sorry to hear you fell off your bike! It is more startling than anything else. I hope you are okay now!
French toast looks soooooooo good!!
Have a wonderful Friday my friend!
I live on a lake so I know what you mean about not being able to see what’s underneath you – freaks me out sometimes! Way to push through the mental obstacle and get through it!! Congrats
Coffee/chocolate combo is always welcomed in my book!
Hey Janetha! I use weight watchers bread, they’re only 50 cals a slice, that’s why I make so much! There isn’t much to the bread, so it gets completely drenched in the egg. I bet any other light bread would work
I loved your Operation Beautiful message! It really spoke to me this morning. I’ve been trying to think of one all day but am falling short. Waiting for some inspiration!
[...] Susan said, “My message is very personal. I’ve spent my whole life feeling like I’m not good at anything. So this little reminder is essential in my day. I know I have talents in there somewhere, beautiful talents!!” Read about her Operation Beautiful experience at Susan’s blog! [...]