Meet A Playah -- Jeanne Salas

Age: 43
Superhero Name: Jeanne-Jeanne-the-Gasping-Machine


Stretch Factor: 7
Choice Words: see dialogue below...LOVE IT!
Goal: "A healthier approach to fitting exercise into my daily schedule."...hmmm...healthier?

Jeanne Salas came very close to having a scathing bio fabricated and posted without her approval. BUT...She stepped up to the plate, so here I present Jeanne in her own words. Ahem...Jeanne spends her 9-5 time as a Digital Doodler at SAS. And while she loves her job, she is constantly tapping into that entrepreneurial spirit of hers and trying to get paid to do crafts with kids and adults. She's can also be thought of as a part-time muse and 1/8th time executer of ideas generated from musing.

She craves chocolate and Five Guys Hamburgers when she is PMS-ing and is approachable, as long as either of those items is in hand. Jeanne's biggest challenge will be "fitting exercise into my day to day schedule." She is most looking forward to "seeing the cushions on my couch and computer chair fully filled out with no impression of my behind." She just has an old couch. The last time she was active? "My oldest child is 8, so 9 years ago. I love to walk and hike." I've seen her in some form of cardiovascular exercise since before Zac -- or at least getting punched while seemingly performing cardiovascular activities....or was that before Zac? Hmmm...We walked on Sundays for a few weeks earlier this year and left our kids to play in outdoor public areas, sometimes within the vicinity of substantial water without watching them, oh, really at all.

Jeanne is doing the tri "for my kids, so I can be active for years to come with them." Her stretch factor is a 7 since she's thought about it but hasn't actually done it. (Muse) Her choice words....OMG. She's my hero for this one as I can see each frame of the scene rolling before my eyes:

Foley: You said, "How are *you*?" I am not a "ewe," boy! A ewe is a female sheep! Is that what you think I am, boy? Where are you from... Oklahoma? Only two things come out of Oklahoma…
Foley: In every class there is a joker who thinks that he is smarter than me. In this class that happens to be you isn't mayonnaise?
Foley: Mayo I want you D.O.R.
Mayo: No sir. You can kick me out, but I ain't quitting.
Foley: Get in to your fatigues Mayo cause by the end of weekend you'll quit.

Mayo: Don't you do it! Don't! You... I got nowhere else to go! I got nowhere else to g... I got nothin' else.

Of course, I see Louis Gosset Jr. berating a young Richard Gere. I don't see Jeanne, disheveled ponytail strung in her face, standing up to Gosset, challenging the military to break her spirit. For those of you that didn't know (Elizabeth) that was from An Officer and a Gentleman. Whew! Big ol memories watching that one!

The first thing she's going to do after crossing the finish line is " Ask the paramedic if I really finished." Whomever is the first person to notice Jeanne's face is absolutely beet-red -- rest fairly assured that she's okay. It turns red when she ties her shoes. Jeanne, we may need to come up with some code word or sign if you're really in distress. And last but not least..."I moved to the triangle, from there it was just a matter of time. Brenda knows everyone." Not really. :-)

Meet A Playah -- Kim McGimsey

Age: 46
Superhero Name: tbd - although Captain Cuidado comes to mind right now. ;-)


Stretch Factor: brain says 7 / body says 10
Choice Words: "Thank you Jesus!"
Goal: "A sense of accomplishment, great stories, great memories and control over my body again."

Kim spent the last 20 years in Advertising/Marketing for the Publishing Industry. She's currently living the dream as she learns to be a full-time mom, wife & volunteer. She was the last person in our group to sign up and slipped in on a charity spot. She's our eleemosynary athlete. I've been dying to use that word.

You can find Kim with McDonald's French Fries and chocolate when she is PMS-ing. Sweet & Salty -- Maggie, is that you, too? Her biggest challenge will be swimming and says, "...if my body could talk, I think it would say that I’m crazy, that this is definitely a 10. Put it this way. I’m probably the only one who will consult with my physician to be on the safe side." She's also going to take swim lessons before joining us for laps -- to make sure she's doing it properly and won't hurt herself -- as opposed to those of us who are more concerned with a bikini wax than proper technique. To give her credit, she CAN swim -- like to jump off the side of a boat in the Mediterranean after having a cocktail, but she does need to learn some strokes. She CAN save her own life in the pool, but doesn't want to doggie paddle a tri. An experienced Elliptical Athlete (3o minutes a day thankyouverymuch), she is doing this in honor of her daughter and most looks forward the challenge and camaraderie.

The first thing Kim's going to do after crossing the finish line is "Thank God, hug my family and pop open a bottle of champagne!". A little bubbly to relax the muscles. Mix it with MJ's beer and that's some real relaxing. Kim's daughter is in Daisies with Solomonkey.

Meet A Playah -- Elizabeth Griffin

Age: 38
Superhero Name: Shotgun Sally


Stretch Factor: 5
Choice Words: "I'll save my breath b/c I'll be preaching to the choir!"
Goal: "A sense of accomplishment..."

Elizabeth, Elizabeth, Elizabeth...where to begin. E is perfectly happy in her current occupation as a registered nurse in the Wake Med Children's ER. Feel free to drop her name if you ever find yourself towing a child there. While she loves her job, she'd like to moonlight singing in musicals or crooning under the stars with her guitar.

Elizabeth says she craves mexican food and chocolate when she is PMS-ing but I don't see that as anything different from the other 25 or so days in the month. She will be your friend -- unless her prescription needs to be filled. "Yes, I'm medicated- so my PMS isn't so pronounced now as it used to be! Happy pills help with that!" You may want to hang near her because "I plan to have a waistband full of those little water bottles- and I plan to take plenty of water breaks! Maybe sneak some chocolate in there too." Either she has figured out she will be pms-ing at that time or maybe she's taking one for the team and carrying them for those who may be. Toss some tampons in that waistband while you're at it, will ya?

Her biggest challenge will be swimming and the last exercise she had may have been walking Monday night with MJ. E had a realization that MJ is a faster walker than E is a runner. I don't know if she ever called herself a "runner" but she started trying on "jogger" for size. I have no room to talk. She tried to get me to do the Couch Potato to 5K program and I bailed on it. E is most looking forward to "walking/"running" with friends in preparation. esp. if we can hook up with that group from the Ridge Rd. running store that goes and drinks beer afterwards. that's my kind of group!" (whispering) Lightweight -- she has a history -- in the Cameron Village parking lot, but I'm not saying a word. Someone keep an eye on her, will ya?

Her goal is "A sense of accomplishment, and also a life's lesson for my kids- I'm not sure what that lesson will be yet! It could be..."push your boundaries...always challenge yourself", or it could be, "don't be an idiot and sign up for a triathalon just b/c everyone else is doing it- you may make a fool out of yourself!". She's doing it "In honor of my BFFs who are doing this with me!" Her stretch factor was a 5, right? "I have never done it, but look forward to it. but I'm probably not as stressed as I SHOULD be about it! It will probably kick my ass." Which means she'll be cussing us when the going gets tough. I do give Elizabeth credit for trying things without giving any thought to it. She went to a yoga class with me. I thought she knew something like at least downward facing dog. She didn't know a damn thing, hung in there and had a great time! (Okay, she knew down dog...I think.)

The first thing she's going to do after crossing the finish line is " High five my bffs, then change my nasty wet clothes, then go out to eat somewhere really damn good!". El Rodeo? "Brenda and I met originally through Raleigh Preschool. Still see her at least once a week!"

Meet a Playah -- Artemis Newman

Age: 44
Superhero Name: tbd


Stretch Factor: 5
Choice Words: "You don’t want to know my choice words…they are not nice"
Goal: "That I will be motivated to continue training and taking care of myself."

No offense to anyone reading this, but Artemis Newman is probably the nicest person I've ever met. She earns a living as a dentist and is such a lovely person that her patients probably look forward to root canals. Given a choice, though, she'd rather be gardening and yoga-ing all day. Can't blame her there.

Artemis craves...watermelon...when she is PMS-ing. Hmmm... What happens when they're out of season? She's well-adjusted and might just kick back and spit seeds with ya, claiming, "I won’t ‘snap’ during that time of the month." Her biggest challenge will be running, which she supposedly stinks at. (Yes, that sentence just ended in a preposition.) Artemis is most looking forward to getting into shape and training with friends and thinking it may motivate her to continue taking care of herself. She is doing this in hopes that "... my kids will see that Mom is taking care of herself and that she can set goals and reach them…likely NOT win…but finish!"

Now, this is where, if you're feeling a little...fragile, about your training, you might dislike her a wee bit. Not that I'm starting any soap operas or drama here. She walks dogs and swims in the summer and when I asked her if she wanted to do the tri, she seemed to be thinking it over, like (my interpretation) it's her first and debating on the time commitment, blah blah blah. I had heard it before. Then she reveals that..."Believe it or not…I am a competitive swimmer and actually did several mini triathlons in my long ago past…I am so out of shape I would probably put myself in the range of 5." This is where she reveals herself as a ringer.

ring·er one that enters a competition under false representations

Now, I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt and call her humble. The first thing she's going to do after crossing the finish line is "Probably grab a bottle of water, hug my family and sit my fanny down.". See? No booze. No going to bars. Just rehydrating her deserving body and lovin' on her family. Artemis, meet Amy. Amy, this is Artemis and you're officially the Congeniality Crew unless training brings out something in you we're unaware of. "Brenda and I met in the 4 year old preschool class at TRS with our daughters…we both like yoga and enjoy walking our dogs together!"

Alert! Free Intro to Triathlon class at Raleigh REI

Hey all! I just wanted to let everyone know that the Raleigh REI store is hosting a free Intro to Triathlon class this coming Tuesday, the 12th at 7:00pm. The class is free but you need to register by calling Customer Service 571-5031. They are limiting the class to 17 and I just reserved my space (Saturday around 6:30) and I was the 10th person to register. Here is the description of the class:

Whether you're preparing for your first triathlon or your first Ironman this clinic is perfect for you. At REI we believe that anyone has what it takes to be a multi-sport athlete.
Come to this class and learn training tips, what to expect at a triathlon, and, of course, ideas for great gear.

So, probably not anything new but hey, it's free!
Margaret

UPDATE: After looking closely at my REI flyer, I see that the Durham REI is also offering the same class on Thursday, the 14th at 7pm-so there's another option if you can't make it to the Tuesday class.