After a pretty much lackluster week training wise, today I pushed myself the hardest yet. First I need to mention that yesterday M and I volunteered at a trail race in Pacifica. I goofed up on the venue and thought it was Angel Island, but it turned out to be in Pacifica. Anyways, the event directors Wendell and Sarah of Pacific Coast Trail Runs totally rocked and put on probably the finest race I ever witnessed...from a volunteer perspective, though judging from the runners they would agree with me....the support/aide/nutrition were no less than amazing. Pacifica is a typical coastal town and probably experiences 2 clear days a year and yesterday was one of them. I was glad not to be running because I could already tell at 7 am that it was gonna be a hot one.
M jumped right in and got into setting up the nutrition stands and I spent most of my time checking in registered runners and manning the chili and soup station. I highly recommend volunteering at events, you can learn alot from the vets. I learned about sodium intake (the preferred method appeared to be dipping pieces of potatoe in salt) and gators to keep pesky pepples and the like out of your shoes. I watched as several runners would fold their bibs into tiny squares leaving only the number visible, hence eliminating all that flapping about. I noticed some of the 50K folks preferred to have their own aide stations and would stash their stuff and refuel whenever they loooped back into base camp.
I met some very cool people! I swear this one dude...had to be pushing 80 he was such a stud. He recently rode his bike to Salt Lake City from Ca and ran a marathon there! I learned about a 100 mile race called the Western States. I saw blisters, black toes and smiling faces at every turn! Many times throughout the day I thought "These people are freaks and I feel completely at home!" So many interesting people, stories and names to recount....but the experience was awesome and I was thoroughly inspired to push myself...I mean really push myself.
My period, normally barely noticable was a real drag this week and all I managed to do was swim ....once this week......I'm not even counting the 2nd attempt, because I only got to swim 4 lousy laps before I was informed the pool would be closed for an hour for the private lesson people! T's parents are finally settled in their new place and life should resume to some normalcy around here with T not staying away as much.
Anyways, I was feeling ambitious when I awoke...late I might add...and pondered the prospect of a double scoop of Strawberry...yep, that's right Strawberry Canyon Twice!
Unlike my ice cream metaphor, the run was neither cool or sweet. The temps were already up in the high 70's, maybe higher and the pressure I had put on myself to really push hard today took some of the pleasure away as my mindset was more serious than usual. As I mentioned I woke up late, late for a long run, but after what I witnessed yesterday...I was enticed and I wanted to see and feel what it would be like to run under less desirable conditions.
I intentionally went slow the first out and back. For the first time ever I peed in a secluded cornice at the top of the loop, part of UC Berkeley's sprawling campus, luckily I was fast about it and went undetected! I am officially a trail dawg!!
Physically I felt good but around the time I headed out for the second loop, my head started coming up with all sorts of excuses to detour me from my plan. I pretty much negotiated with myself the entire second half. Thoughts of the 10% rule, not having run since last sunday, other things like "Well, maybe I'll just walk up Big Bertha the during the 2nd loop" or "I won't go all the way to the road", and "Maybe I'll just double back on the mid section" Yeah it went on like this for pretty much the whole second half....but you know what? Every time the opportunity to shorten the run came up I thought about this post and how bad I wanted to use that dumb ass ice cream metaphor! So, I went ALL THE WAY up and back again!! The second loop was TOUGH, I was hot and the gatorade/vitamin water was just about gone and so luke warm it was barely noticeable when I took a sip. My body felt real fatigue for the first time. My legs and knees were tired and achey. Several times I rested my arms on my hips as my legs shuffled on. The final trip down Big Bertha about did me in! I was careful to smear body glide everywhere and when I arrived at the parking lot the first time I doffed my singlet and applied more sunscreen.
This was by far not only the furthest I've ever run, but the hardest I ever worked...on land that is! I could've chose an easier trail and certainly earlier time of day to pull out this kind of distance, but like I said, the people I met yesterday, the vibe, the energy, it was so inspiring! I wanted to really DO something today and hot damn I did it! I was all shakey and light headed afterwards, it was great!! I met a gal in the parking lot as I approached my car, she was a total rabbit, she had run up and back once. I noticed her on my way back the second time. She scared the shit out of me on the turn around as she whizzed by my left w/o a peep. I was irritated that she hadn't made her presence known and when I said "oh shit" she just kept going. Anyways, she was in the parking lot when I arrived and she turned out to be pretty cool, offering me a nutrition bar and asking about what I was training for. As I mentioned, she was hauling ass and it turns out she's sponsored by PowerBar and gives nutritional talks, she even gave me some gel.
I headed over to the carwash and drank a thing of chocolate milk and a bottle of Propel fruit flavored water, melon is yummy. Pacing and stretching as I waited for the car to be scrubbed and buffed. On the drive home I got all emotional as I realized I just ran 14.8 hot and hilly miles in 3 hours and 25 minutes. I have to say all in all, this was quite a weekend. Rubbing elbows with some serious talent and another milestone in the bag! Woohoo!!
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Misty Mountain
Despite my very late start this morning, the fog hadn't lifted as I wound my way up to Redwood this morning. I was on the trail by 10:15 without Brandy and heavily slathered with BodyGlide....I was ready to go long. Turns out the run I did last weekend was 8 miles. I seem to average a 10 minute mile so my timing was about right last time 8 miles in 80 mins.
Today on the turn around I veered left onto Stream Trail down a steep decent into the canyon. The scent of Eucalyptus was a welcomed change from the stinky refinery fumes from the other day. This trail was quite beautiful, canopied and well groomed. I came across a few hikers. The Redwoods towered above and about an hour into the run I was pretty much the happiest person on the planet.
The trail conditions began to change from smooth duff covered footing to rocks, roots and a steep climb back up. I maintained a steady pace as the climb got steeper. The canopy started to fade and I was out in the open again. The fog had started to lift but it was nowhere near as warm as lastweekend making the tough climb out the canyon doable....hard but doable.
I'm guessing I got close to 10 miles today, the furthest I've run to date. Total time 1hr 40 mins. I'm sure the cooler temps today didn't hurt my timing. I am curious about the numbers but haven't gotten around to setting the stride feature up on my pedometer. The math really was secondary though, it just felt good to be on the trail and to see I'm making progress with the steeper climbs.
My knees are getting abit grouchy though and I actually purchased a dietary supplement today that claims it will nourish joints for easy movement..oh also some grounded flaxseed for added fiber. I think you can sprinkle it on stuff and I thought it would be less noticeable in a smoothie too. We'll see, I will try to keep an open mind as I wade through the topic of nutrition and supplements.
Today on the turn around I veered left onto Stream Trail down a steep decent into the canyon. The scent of Eucalyptus was a welcomed change from the stinky refinery fumes from the other day. This trail was quite beautiful, canopied and well groomed. I came across a few hikers. The Redwoods towered above and about an hour into the run I was pretty much the happiest person on the planet.
The trail conditions began to change from smooth duff covered footing to rocks, roots and a steep climb back up. I maintained a steady pace as the climb got steeper. The canopy started to fade and I was out in the open again. The fog had started to lift but it was nowhere near as warm as lastweekend making the tough climb out the canyon doable....hard but doable.
I'm guessing I got close to 10 miles today, the furthest I've run to date. Total time 1hr 40 mins. I'm sure the cooler temps today didn't hurt my timing. I am curious about the numbers but haven't gotten around to setting the stride feature up on my pedometer. The math really was secondary though, it just felt good to be on the trail and to see I'm making progress with the steeper climbs.
My knees are getting abit grouchy though and I actually purchased a dietary supplement today that claims it will nourish joints for easy movement..oh also some grounded flaxseed for added fiber. I think you can sprinkle it on stuff and I thought it would be less noticeable in a smoothie too. We'll see, I will try to keep an open mind as I wade through the topic of nutrition and supplements.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Why I Blog
I was totally unfocused yesterday morning as I ventured out the door for a run. The air quality was awful, the refinery fumes were whirling around as I walked aimlessly. I was sick of the BART trail and pressed for time needing to get M off to camp in an hour. So I just ran around the neighborhood, less than 20 minutes. It then occurred to me that the short run could just be a warm-up and I could go back indoors and stretch. So that's what I did.
I had prepacked my gym bag with intentions of a swim before work. I didn't know where I'd end up but I was prepared. This is starting to become a routine for me - pack the bag and see where I end up. After dropping M off at camp I headed towards work.
I decided on the Concord community pool because they have the 50 yd. lanes and to my delight the Terrapin Swim team was there. Not that I know any of these people but I do get a kick out of watching good swimmers swim. They make it look so damn easy!!! I dream of swimming that fluidly. Really, I do!
Watching the swimmers haul ass down the lanes, drill after drill, I was thoroughly inspired to push myself abit harder. I had a lane all to myself and I slowly swam 6x50 alternating free and breast. Lots of resting with an occasional switching of strokes midway. Compared to the swim team, I was looking pretty lame, but hey it's like what Spence said in a recent post, it made me feel alive and just glad to be out there!
The euphoria sort've fizzled though in the locker room when I was changing in the presence of the enthusiastic giggly gang of girls. Their youth and energy kind've intimidated me and I quickly got myself dressed and out of there. I had nothing in common with these athletes, a mere guppy by comparison (Ha, more like an old bottom feeder!). Why did I let that happen? I suppose standing naked in a locker room full of 20 something year olds might of had something to do with it! What happen to feeling alive and being glad to be out there? Granted I was nowhere in their league I berated myself later for hustling out of there.
Seems I always get intimidated by stronger athletes. I think if I had a better handle on my swim abilities, had some proper feedback on where I stand in my progress, I'd feel more confident. Working with coach Cali right before the my sprint tri helped build me up, but I've been on my own since then and probably could use some help getting to the next phase. In my usual manner I compare myself to the BEST, which is SO NOT HELPFUL. It completely sabotages and undermines my confidence.
I'm much braver in Blogland. I suck at writing but I don't care, I just keep at it, in hopes that the words and thoughts will find eachother. I just love reading about peoples progress and how great people are feeling about their workouts. People are really doing some amazing things but I admit I do enjoy when folks share the "Darkside" too. I lurk for awhile and if I feel compelled I'll post a comment. Sometimes I'm slow to respond, but I usually get around to acknowledging the commentor sometime down the road. I'm always appreciative when people actually take the time to respond, whether to a post or a comment I've left.
My new mantra is........
"Leave No Supportive Comment Unresponded To"
It's the right thing to do. Period. Now I'm not suggesting that you leave a lengthy response to every little thing but if someones dropped by a few times and you haven't given them the time of day yet....do the right thing. I mean really, how hard can it be?
A commentor that took the time to respond was moved by you that day. They took the time to give you kudos and was interested in your efforts. Regardless of their social, professional or academic background they made a deposit in the bank of you. The kindness of strangers has made many a trip more enjoyable and none of us will get where were going alone.
Ok, most days you are on your own while training, but somewhere along the way you will be fueled by the kind words and or support of others. Sometimes by a well known compatriot and other times it will be a new blogger stepping into your world for the first time. So, even though you might not have much in common at least acknowledge the comment and be gracious. I blog to get inspired, to get knowledge and insight, to get and give support, but mostly to make contact with other athlete's as I usually train solo.
Yes, I get support from my immediate family and friends. Their interest in my day to day efforts is greatly valued, yet unless you've agonized over your shoelace coming undone right before you have a shot at a sub 1 hr during your first 10k or how your going to fit the next workout in an already impossibly busy week or blow a tire during a race, you don't fully understand. Bloggers do though. I blog mainly to connect with like minded folk.
Long before I ever got back into running or any of this tri-stuff, I had a co-worker (not the recently mentioned trichick) but another triathlete. She was training for Kona. Now this
gal was pretty full of herself....very focused and completely lacking in social graces. I think somewhere along line though, she developed a little humility and began to soften. Just about every Monday I would inquire about her training adventures. I was genuinely intrigued by this woman's tenacity and discipline. One day she turned to me and said "Chris, I want to thank you for your support. You've always been so interested in my training and I really appreciate it" Needless to say I was pretty floored, this gal by no means was "touchy feely" straight up hardcore and yet even she recognized that being gracious was the right thing to do.
Admittedly, I'm far too sensitive for my own good at times. This post might even be considered by some as a bit whiny. I realize that blogging isn't the same thing for everyone and that some bloggers are just more generous than others. I just know that when I take the time respond, I feel like I've given back a little to the community that has given me so much. Like many of you I'll ponder a post or comment I've read while I'm out their training solo and not feel alone at all.
There are some exceptional blogger/athletes out there. Your prowess surpasses the playing field and your posts are rich in detail and wit and I do appreciate a well written passage. I also appreciate the truthful and the awkward. The ones where the words aren't so slick or fluid. I'm not a blog snob. If it's kind, thoughtful or touches me in someway I'll give most anyone credit for putting it out there. Writing is not easy for me but I am drawn to it. Like the swim, bike and run, it constantly challenges me. I keep at in hopes of making a connection with others and with myself.
I had prepacked my gym bag with intentions of a swim before work. I didn't know where I'd end up but I was prepared. This is starting to become a routine for me - pack the bag and see where I end up. After dropping M off at camp I headed towards work.
I decided on the Concord community pool because they have the 50 yd. lanes and to my delight the Terrapin Swim team was there. Not that I know any of these people but I do get a kick out of watching good swimmers swim. They make it look so damn easy!!! I dream of swimming that fluidly. Really, I do!
Watching the swimmers haul ass down the lanes, drill after drill, I was thoroughly inspired to push myself abit harder. I had a lane all to myself and I slowly swam 6x50 alternating free and breast. Lots of resting with an occasional switching of strokes midway. Compared to the swim team, I was looking pretty lame, but hey it's like what Spence said in a recent post, it made me feel alive and just glad to be out there!
The euphoria sort've fizzled though in the locker room when I was changing in the presence of the enthusiastic giggly gang of girls. Their youth and energy kind've intimidated me and I quickly got myself dressed and out of there. I had nothing in common with these athletes, a mere guppy by comparison (Ha, more like an old bottom feeder!). Why did I let that happen? I suppose standing naked in a locker room full of 20 something year olds might of had something to do with it! What happen to feeling alive and being glad to be out there? Granted I was nowhere in their league I berated myself later for hustling out of there.
Seems I always get intimidated by stronger athletes. I think if I had a better handle on my swim abilities, had some proper feedback on where I stand in my progress, I'd feel more confident. Working with coach Cali right before the my sprint tri helped build me up, but I've been on my own since then and probably could use some help getting to the next phase. In my usual manner I compare myself to the BEST, which is SO NOT HELPFUL. It completely sabotages and undermines my confidence.
I'm much braver in Blogland. I suck at writing but I don't care, I just keep at it, in hopes that the words and thoughts will find eachother. I just love reading about peoples progress and how great people are feeling about their workouts. People are really doing some amazing things but I admit I do enjoy when folks share the "Darkside" too. I lurk for awhile and if I feel compelled I'll post a comment. Sometimes I'm slow to respond, but I usually get around to acknowledging the commentor sometime down the road. I'm always appreciative when people actually take the time to respond, whether to a post or a comment I've left.
My new mantra is........
"Leave No Supportive Comment Unresponded To"
It's the right thing to do. Period. Now I'm not suggesting that you leave a lengthy response to every little thing but if someones dropped by a few times and you haven't given them the time of day yet....do the right thing. I mean really, how hard can it be?
A commentor that took the time to respond was moved by you that day. They took the time to give you kudos and was interested in your efforts. Regardless of their social, professional or academic background they made a deposit in the bank of you. The kindness of strangers has made many a trip more enjoyable and none of us will get where were going alone.
Ok, most days you are on your own while training, but somewhere along the way you will be fueled by the kind words and or support of others. Sometimes by a well known compatriot and other times it will be a new blogger stepping into your world for the first time. So, even though you might not have much in common at least acknowledge the comment and be gracious. I blog to get inspired, to get knowledge and insight, to get and give support, but mostly to make contact with other athlete's as I usually train solo.
Yes, I get support from my immediate family and friends. Their interest in my day to day efforts is greatly valued, yet unless you've agonized over your shoelace coming undone right before you have a shot at a sub 1 hr during your first 10k or how your going to fit the next workout in an already impossibly busy week or blow a tire during a race, you don't fully understand. Bloggers do though. I blog mainly to connect with like minded folk.
Long before I ever got back into running or any of this tri-stuff, I had a co-worker (not the recently mentioned trichick) but another triathlete. She was training for Kona. Now this
gal was pretty full of herself....very focused and completely lacking in social graces. I think somewhere along line though, she developed a little humility and began to soften. Just about every Monday I would inquire about her training adventures. I was genuinely intrigued by this woman's tenacity and discipline. One day she turned to me and said "Chris, I want to thank you for your support. You've always been so interested in my training and I really appreciate it" Needless to say I was pretty floored, this gal by no means was "touchy feely" straight up hardcore and yet even she recognized that being gracious was the right thing to do.
Admittedly, I'm far too sensitive for my own good at times. This post might even be considered by some as a bit whiny. I realize that blogging isn't the same thing for everyone and that some bloggers are just more generous than others. I just know that when I take the time respond, I feel like I've given back a little to the community that has given me so much. Like many of you I'll ponder a post or comment I've read while I'm out their training solo and not feel alone at all.
There are some exceptional blogger/athletes out there. Your prowess surpasses the playing field and your posts are rich in detail and wit and I do appreciate a well written passage. I also appreciate the truthful and the awkward. The ones where the words aren't so slick or fluid. I'm not a blog snob. If it's kind, thoughtful or touches me in someway I'll give most anyone credit for putting it out there. Writing is not easy for me but I am drawn to it. Like the swim, bike and run, it constantly challenges me. I keep at in hopes of making a connection with others and with myself.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Sleep Sleep Glorious Sleep
For all the complaining I do about not getting good sleeps, lastnight I slept like a baby! Working out later in the day might have something to do with it, ya think? Strange though really cuz in the past working out late has gotten me all ramped up and has interfered with sleeping well. I'm consuming less caffiene these days, except for the mandatory 2 cups of courage in the morning, I've been skipping the diet sodas in the afternoon, I'm probably down to 2-3 a week...including the weekend.
While were on the subject, why are diet sodas so bad for you? Is it the sodium content? I need to learn more about the sodium/electrolyte theory as I'm not the most scientific athlete...I try to to read about nutrition and I'm getting better about label reading before I buy, but I just get bored with all the information. So as to tackle the monolithic subject of Nutrition, my question is "why are diet sodas bad?
While were on the subject, why are diet sodas so bad for you? Is it the sodium content? I need to learn more about the sodium/electrolyte theory as I'm not the most scientific athlete...I try to to read about nutrition and I'm getting better about label reading before I buy, but I just get bored with all the information. So as to tackle the monolithic subject of Nutrition, my question is "why are diet sodas bad?
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
A Progressive Brick
Wednesdays are normaly my day off from work but I took one for the team and I worked 1/2 day. I could've squeezed some form of training in this morning before having to get M to camp by 9am, but putzed around the house instead, made M a hot breakfast for a change, fixed her lunch, combed her hair ( I often let her fend for herself) and we walked Brandy before heading off. I feel I got some brownie points at least in the mom dept.
The half day turned into a 3/4 day and I didn't get out of there until after 2:00 pm. It was a weird weather day all over the bay area, rain and hail in the morning that turned into a warmish windy afternoon. I didn't know what to expect weather wise, so I just packed everything in my gym bag....or so I thought! I wanted to do a swim/bike brick so I headed over to Cowel pool. Now that the kiddies are out of school they only have 2 lanes designated for lap swimming. The place was crawling with kids, this is normally not an issue for me but today I wasn't feeling it.
I had forgotten my sunglasses earlier but was sure I had another pair in my gym bag...god knows I have everything else in there! NOT!!! So this compelled me to scrap swimming at Cowel and head over to Heather Farms Pool where there was a RiteAid nearby so I could pick up another pair of glasses...my luck was turning and I bought one and got one free. I then noticed the car needed gas and that took another stop.
By the time I got into the pool it was 3:15. I swam a good 45 minutes, my usual free,breast, drills. I always seem to forget the # of laps I lost count after 10. By the time I showered and changed into my biking duds (T got me my first official biking jersey for my birthday, it's purple of course) it was 4:15....guh! Too late to bike in Walnut Creek and avoid rush hour traffic, so I decided to head over Tilden for some hill work.
I arrived at Inspiration Point close to 5pm and rode for 45 minutes, covering some decent hills, mostly rollers with a few times needing to get my butt off the saddle, just enough to get the legs humming. At one point on the Nimitz Trail, I noticed the cows had wandered onto the paved trail. As I slowed down I wondered if they would be skittish or knock me off the bike, they just sort've stared at me at first not appearing to know what to do and then scurried off . Riding over cow grates is rather unnerving as well. I worried about getting a flat and rode over them each time slowly.
The wind was picking up and the sun was bright but not hot, I felt good and decided to add a run, a 29 minute 3 miler to top off. The fact that I pulled all this off so late in the day is major for me. I think I'm getting stronger too cuz the bike/run transition was so smoooooth, no jello legs at all! Considering I didn't know what was gonna happen training wise today, it turned out alright. Being prepared paid off.
The half day turned into a 3/4 day and I didn't get out of there until after 2:00 pm. It was a weird weather day all over the bay area, rain and hail in the morning that turned into a warmish windy afternoon. I didn't know what to expect weather wise, so I just packed everything in my gym bag....or so I thought! I wanted to do a swim/bike brick so I headed over to Cowel pool. Now that the kiddies are out of school they only have 2 lanes designated for lap swimming. The place was crawling with kids, this is normally not an issue for me but today I wasn't feeling it.
I had forgotten my sunglasses earlier but was sure I had another pair in my gym bag...god knows I have everything else in there! NOT!!! So this compelled me to scrap swimming at Cowel and head over to Heather Farms Pool where there was a RiteAid nearby so I could pick up another pair of glasses...my luck was turning and I bought one and got one free. I then noticed the car needed gas and that took another stop.
By the time I got into the pool it was 3:15. I swam a good 45 minutes, my usual free,breast, drills. I always seem to forget the # of laps I lost count after 10. By the time I showered and changed into my biking duds (T got me my first official biking jersey for my birthday, it's purple of course) it was 4:15....guh! Too late to bike in Walnut Creek and avoid rush hour traffic, so I decided to head over Tilden for some hill work.
I arrived at Inspiration Point close to 5pm and rode for 45 minutes, covering some decent hills, mostly rollers with a few times needing to get my butt off the saddle, just enough to get the legs humming. At one point on the Nimitz Trail, I noticed the cows had wandered onto the paved trail. As I slowed down I wondered if they would be skittish or knock me off the bike, they just sort've stared at me at first not appearing to know what to do and then scurried off . Riding over cow grates is rather unnerving as well. I worried about getting a flat and rode over them each time slowly.
The wind was picking up and the sun was bright but not hot, I felt good and decided to add a run, a 29 minute 3 miler to top off. The fact that I pulled all this off so late in the day is major for me. I think I'm getting stronger too cuz the bike/run transition was so smoooooth, no jello legs at all! Considering I didn't know what was gonna happen training wise today, it turned out alright. Being prepared paid off.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
A long strange trip....
Today is my 43rd birthday and it has me feeling a little introspective. I said not long ago to T my 20's were about experimenting- a brief stint as seasonal firefighter, a 6 year on and off stint as a Mormon who served a mission in Italy who eventualy settled on a less structered lifestyle...
My 30's were about recovery( from Mormonism) and getting over dogma and ideals not of my own, getting together with T, getting pregnant, becoming a mom, going back to school and getting my ass kicked by both....getting married and realizing that I never really appreciated alone time before. Struggling to be a grown up and really not knowing what I was doing half the time, new mom, school (fucking Algerbra II pretty much did me in!), tough internships, new career, wife.....it's all a blur really.
My 40's seem to be about alot of FIRSTS along with rediscovery . I started getting fat....really fat...and the weird thing was I didn't feel fat, I could still do what I wanted, I was energetic and able to hike and bike and not huff and puff after schlepping groceries up 2 flights of stairs....but the clothes got bigger and then I started working in a facility where many of the staff began to comment on my growing backside. Annoying as this was, those comments and a particulary annoying and petite triathlon chick....got me toying with the idea of running. That annoying trichick, was sooooo obnoxious, a real ball breaker and I was totally driven to get off my ass and DO something about my situation. I took my first tentative step at a walk run program. This has been followed by many firsts: first 5K, 10K, 12K and a sprint triathlon.....learning how to clip in and out of pedals and bike shoes! More firsts to come I'm sure.
That was June 'o4 and 2 years later I'm not that fat girl anymore. I learned to swim (the learning process was painful, kinda like Algerbra II....but it got better, math however did not! I'm not svelte or neccesarily petite, though short in stature. I am strong and have rediscovered my inner athlete..........the one that never really developed as a young person due to lack of direction and support, bad choices, drugs.....Now, I get to see what I can do.
In a strange way there is an advantage I think to coming into your own later in life, no aging athlete issues really, I mean no past glories to blurr current status. It's ALL GOOD, ya know what I mean? I'm just damn happy and grateful to be able to do all this stuff and feel great afterwards. My goals aren't so lofty, my training not so regimented, but I love this active life style and I can whole heartidly say only good has ever come of it. My life isn't perfect, or neat or especially inspiring but it's mine of my making, not one based on standards that don't fit or guilt (ok, I'm still working on that one), but I like myself better now and well that's just good all around.
The trip gets strange....and hard ...but mostly interesting. I'm happy to report I have much to learn and a desire to find out where this journey will take me next.
My 30's were about recovery( from Mormonism) and getting over dogma and ideals not of my own, getting together with T, getting pregnant, becoming a mom, going back to school and getting my ass kicked by both....getting married and realizing that I never really appreciated alone time before. Struggling to be a grown up and really not knowing what I was doing half the time, new mom, school (fucking Algerbra II pretty much did me in!), tough internships, new career, wife.....it's all a blur really.
My 40's seem to be about alot of FIRSTS along with rediscovery . I started getting fat....really fat...and the weird thing was I didn't feel fat, I could still do what I wanted, I was energetic and able to hike and bike and not huff and puff after schlepping groceries up 2 flights of stairs....but the clothes got bigger and then I started working in a facility where many of the staff began to comment on my growing backside. Annoying as this was, those comments and a particulary annoying and petite triathlon chick....got me toying with the idea of running. That annoying trichick, was sooooo obnoxious, a real ball breaker and I was totally driven to get off my ass and DO something about my situation. I took my first tentative step at a walk run program. This has been followed by many firsts: first 5K, 10K, 12K and a sprint triathlon.....learning how to clip in and out of pedals and bike shoes! More firsts to come I'm sure.
That was June 'o4 and 2 years later I'm not that fat girl anymore. I learned to swim (the learning process was painful, kinda like Algerbra II....but it got better, math however did not! I'm not svelte or neccesarily petite, though short in stature. I am strong and have rediscovered my inner athlete..........the one that never really developed as a young person due to lack of direction and support, bad choices, drugs.....Now, I get to see what I can do.
In a strange way there is an advantage I think to coming into your own later in life, no aging athlete issues really, I mean no past glories to blurr current status. It's ALL GOOD, ya know what I mean? I'm just damn happy and grateful to be able to do all this stuff and feel great afterwards. My goals aren't so lofty, my training not so regimented, but I love this active life style and I can whole heartidly say only good has ever come of it. My life isn't perfect, or neat or especially inspiring but it's mine of my making, not one based on standards that don't fit or guilt (ok, I'm still working on that one), but I like myself better now and well that's just good all around.
The trip gets strange....and hard ...but mostly interesting. I'm happy to report I have much to learn and a desire to find out where this journey will take me next.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Redwood Regional Park
I headed back up to Redwood this morning, the same way I rode yesterday, turns out I put 20 plus miles in the saddle roundtrip, that's 1/5 of a century!!!
So, with Brandy in tow we hit the trail @ 7:50 am, a little later than I usually like to run, but the race in August starts at 8:30 am and well I need to adjust. The $30.00 gel inserts held up fabulously(worth every penny!), as did the $16.99 sports bra from Target however the $40.00 asics shorts insisted on wedging themselves between my ample bottom...once I accepted these terms it wasn't so bad except about 50 minutes into the run I grew painfully aware that I failed to remember to use bodyglide on my delicate upper thigh area...ouch! A pity too, I could've gone longer but had to stop after an 1hr 20 minutes due to the increased chaffing, that and the fact that Brandy was whooped! It was on the warm side and she'd plop down on the trail every so often with her tongue hanging low drawing all kinds of attention from the other dog people and I felt bad for not bringing some water for her. She had a big drink once we looped back around and again plopped down and buried her nose deep into the water bowl.
M is making blueberry pancakes and we are going to IKEA to look for some kind of wall storage unit in attempt to get the dining/family room organized. You got to be creative when you live in a cottage.
I love Sundays, have a good one!
So, with Brandy in tow we hit the trail @ 7:50 am, a little later than I usually like to run, but the race in August starts at 8:30 am and well I need to adjust. The $30.00 gel inserts held up fabulously(worth every penny!), as did the $16.99 sports bra from Target however the $40.00 asics shorts insisted on wedging themselves between my ample bottom...once I accepted these terms it wasn't so bad except about 50 minutes into the run I grew painfully aware that I failed to remember to use bodyglide on my delicate upper thigh area...ouch! A pity too, I could've gone longer but had to stop after an 1hr 20 minutes due to the increased chaffing, that and the fact that Brandy was whooped! It was on the warm side and she'd plop down on the trail every so often with her tongue hanging low drawing all kinds of attention from the other dog people and I felt bad for not bringing some water for her. She had a big drink once we looped back around and again plopped down and buried her nose deep into the water bowl.
M is making blueberry pancakes and we are going to IKEA to look for some kind of wall storage unit in attempt to get the dining/family room organized. You got to be creative when you live in a cottage.
I love Sundays, have a good one!
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