Here's me in all my geeky glory at the end of the race. 
Friday, June 23, 2006
Saturday, June 17, 2006
I'm a Triathlete!
Big thanks to Mia for totally being there for me, you rock babe and I see a tri in our future!
Yep that's right, I want to do it again!
There was 1000 participants and it was a bit chaotic weaving in and around bodies and bikes. We racked our bikes and checked in. After a quick tinkle we gathered on the beach for a few instructions. My wave (5th) was the largest and I lingered long enough in the back to get cut off, which was fine by me. The water was warm like Nancy said it would be. She's a bulldog, but she's my bulldog, I just love her! Not listening too closely to what the announcer was saying I surveyed the swim route and got my stopwatch ready, remembering to hit it just before I plunged into the water.
The swim went pretty well for me. I went out with the last wave and hung back. I was able to freestyle almost all the way to the first buoy, I started to struggle so I rolled over to catch my breath and breast stroked the entire rest of the way......no dog paddle or anymore rolling over.
I finished the 1/4 mile swim in 15 minutes. I was not last.
T1 went smooth, that is once I found my stuff! I ran right past it! I had a little trouble clipping in on the bike, weaving abit. Such a rookie! I saw T out of the corner of my eye.
The ride was pretty much flat with an occasional bump compared the practice tri . I stopped looking at my watch after T1 and I'm guessing the 11 mile ride was 40 or so minutes There was a crash and I had to dodge glass at one point. I was not last.
T2 was a little confusing because I hadn't bothered to scope out where to head out for the run. Legs felt great, no cramping at all! I was slow but steady. It was starting to get pretty warm by this point and I knew I better just take it easy and save whatever kick I had for the end.
And kick I did, on the home stretch I picked up my pace and one of the volunteers shouted out
"looking strong, don't you know you just did a triathalon!!" With a big ol grin on my face I crossed the finish line according to my stop watch in 1:27:47.
It was so fun and I would like to tri again in August. For now I'll spend more time with family, but keep up with the bricks and work on the swim. During both the swim and the bike I felt so emotional. Just happy and proud. The run, a sort've crazy star-like loop was challenging especially in the heat. Seeing my family at the finish line is always the best part.
What a great event. I was sure to thank several volunteers along the way and we (triclub) took lots of pictures and plan on meeting next week for a final gathering.
What a great way to kick off the summer. I know I've been hot and cold with this tri biz. It's just too fun not to tri again. I need to keep this excitement and enthusiasm in my life, despite all the family issues.
I also want thank all you guys for your supportive comments. I means more than you know!
Yep that's right, I want to do it again!
There was 1000 participants and it was a bit chaotic weaving in and around bodies and bikes. We racked our bikes and checked in. After a quick tinkle we gathered on the beach for a few instructions. My wave (5th) was the largest and I lingered long enough in the back to get cut off, which was fine by me. The water was warm like Nancy said it would be. She's a bulldog, but she's my bulldog, I just love her! Not listening too closely to what the announcer was saying I surveyed the swim route and got my stopwatch ready, remembering to hit it just before I plunged into the water.
The swim went pretty well for me. I went out with the last wave and hung back. I was able to freestyle almost all the way to the first buoy, I started to struggle so I rolled over to catch my breath and breast stroked the entire rest of the way......no dog paddle or anymore rolling over.
I finished the 1/4 mile swim in 15 minutes. I was not last.
T1 went smooth, that is once I found my stuff! I ran right past it! I had a little trouble clipping in on the bike, weaving abit. Such a rookie! I saw T out of the corner of my eye.
The ride was pretty much flat with an occasional bump compared the practice tri . I stopped looking at my watch after T1 and I'm guessing the 11 mile ride was 40 or so minutes There was a crash and I had to dodge glass at one point. I was not last.
T2 was a little confusing because I hadn't bothered to scope out where to head out for the run. Legs felt great, no cramping at all! I was slow but steady. It was starting to get pretty warm by this point and I knew I better just take it easy and save whatever kick I had for the end.
And kick I did, on the home stretch I picked up my pace and one of the volunteers shouted out
"looking strong, don't you know you just did a triathalon!!" With a big ol grin on my face I crossed the finish line according to my stop watch in 1:27:47.
It was so fun and I would like to tri again in August. For now I'll spend more time with family, but keep up with the bricks and work on the swim. During both the swim and the bike I felt so emotional. Just happy and proud. The run, a sort've crazy star-like loop was challenging especially in the heat. Seeing my family at the finish line is always the best part.
What a great event. I was sure to thank several volunteers along the way and we (triclub) took lots of pictures and plan on meeting next week for a final gathering.
What a great way to kick off the summer. I know I've been hot and cold with this tri biz. It's just too fun not to tri again. I need to keep this excitement and enthusiasm in my life, despite all the family issues.
I also want thank all you guys for your supportive comments. I means more than you know!
Race Day Morning 6.17.06
It's 4:27 am and while I'll admit to being a little nervous about the swim ( a feeling I've grown accustomed to!) I'm not afraid. The swim is my newest discipline, one that I've given much attention to yet I'm in the early stages of still. This event today is the culmination of that effort. Freestyle hasn't really happened outside the pool much and so I approach this thing with a determined yet humble heart. I haven't given the lake it's due but not because I'm a slacker but more because I've only just started making strides in the pool. The lake will tolerate my presence today because she knows that I've worked hard. I haven't earned the right to dominate her yet but I can hold my own.
It's so cool .....yeah, this silly little sprint....that's got me schlepping my tail around at 4 freaking o'clock in the morning feeling like a true athlete, a warrior even.
Ok, let's do this thing!
It's so cool .....yeah, this silly little sprint....that's got me schlepping my tail around at 4 freaking o'clock in the morning feeling like a true athlete, a warrior even.
Ok, let's do this thing!
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Fatherhood
Lastnights bike ride and this mornings run were the final workouts bringing the taper to a close. I'm as ready for saturday as I'll ever be.
Tomorrow is a half day at work and I will try to find parking on Telegraph to get T a gift certificate at Rasputins Records (more bang for your buck there). He recently tuned up his vintage Bianchi and switched out the pedals for clipless ones. His shoes and pedals are different than mine and hard as hell to get in and out of, but he's not discouraged and when he can actually have some time to ride vows to master them. He is much more patient than I.
Before I was married, Fathers Day didn't really mean much growing up. Without dredging the "I never really knew my dad" storey.... suffice it to say it wasn't a big deal. It wasn't until I became a parent and watched as T grew into his fatherhood that I began to appreciate the powerful role a dad plays in the life of his daughter.
Because of T, our daughter will never just settle, she'll be confident in her choices and not too much in a hurry to grow up and find love because she'll know what it's like to be loved by a good man already. She'll discover what she's good at and what she likes and she will find her way in this world secure in the knowledge that her father is there for her. Always.
I know I play a part in all of this too. I'm just more practical than T and I play the hardass more readily. I'm the task master and disciplinarian. At this stage I can't even compete with T and somebody has to keep us on schedule.
There is something irreplacable about a good dad, especially at this time in her life. She's 10 now and by that age I hadn't seen my father in well over 8 years. He died in a ridiculous way, well before his time and before we ever found a way to connect. It was weird not crying at his funeral. I'm not looking for pity just trying to make a point. I gave my daughter a good father, one that she will love well and miss when he's gone. One that will be a positive influence in her life. One that feeds her curiosity, make her think about things and encourages her to dream.
As I watch T go through a literal role reversal with his parents I know that despite the inconvinience and stress he wouldn't have it any other way. He is the ultimate example of unconditional love. I am in awe of his ability to give so selflessly. I couldn't.
To all you good fathers and father figures out there, know without question or doubt that the good your doing now makes this world a better place. Fewer kids and adults with chips on their shoulders, missing that thing that having a good dad gives them.
Know this even when it's hard.
Happy Fathers Day!
Tomorrow is a half day at work and I will try to find parking on Telegraph to get T a gift certificate at Rasputins Records (more bang for your buck there). He recently tuned up his vintage Bianchi and switched out the pedals for clipless ones. His shoes and pedals are different than mine and hard as hell to get in and out of, but he's not discouraged and when he can actually have some time to ride vows to master them. He is much more patient than I.
Before I was married, Fathers Day didn't really mean much growing up. Without dredging the "I never really knew my dad" storey.... suffice it to say it wasn't a big deal. It wasn't until I became a parent and watched as T grew into his fatherhood that I began to appreciate the powerful role a dad plays in the life of his daughter.
Because of T, our daughter will never just settle, she'll be confident in her choices and not too much in a hurry to grow up and find love because she'll know what it's like to be loved by a good man already. She'll discover what she's good at and what she likes and she will find her way in this world secure in the knowledge that her father is there for her. Always.
I know I play a part in all of this too. I'm just more practical than T and I play the hardass more readily. I'm the task master and disciplinarian. At this stage I can't even compete with T and somebody has to keep us on schedule.
There is something irreplacable about a good dad, especially at this time in her life. She's 10 now and by that age I hadn't seen my father in well over 8 years. He died in a ridiculous way, well before his time and before we ever found a way to connect. It was weird not crying at his funeral. I'm not looking for pity just trying to make a point. I gave my daughter a good father, one that she will love well and miss when he's gone. One that will be a positive influence in her life. One that feeds her curiosity, make her think about things and encourages her to dream.
As I watch T go through a literal role reversal with his parents I know that despite the inconvinience and stress he wouldn't have it any other way. He is the ultimate example of unconditional love. I am in awe of his ability to give so selflessly. I couldn't.
To all you good fathers and father figures out there, know without question or doubt that the good your doing now makes this world a better place. Fewer kids and adults with chips on their shoulders, missing that thing that having a good dad gives them.
Know this even when it's hard.
Happy Fathers Day!
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
4 days away
So, the amazing hip rocked his first tri. a great read as my 1st sprint is coming up. our practice tri was significantly more challenging then our upcoming event. this has me feeling strangely NOT nervous as saturday approaches. not to say i am w/o a few concerns. shifting gears is an on-going issue for me ...in all sectors.
in my usual manner i am a pile of contradiction. i don't particulary enjoy training with a group but i was disappointed when a fellow triclubber had to cancel (again) our practice swim at lake anza. prior to her cancelling i imagined some plotting and scheming as we worked on our open water swim together and perhaps considered another tri later in the season....weird, huh? then T needed a ride and later i ended up taking my mom-in-law to a doctors appointment. lake anza and thoughts of tri faded into the background.
just saw a glimpse of T this morning as M and I were heading off to school and he was coming home to change clothes after staying over with his dad lastnight. it's chilly outside with the possibility of showers later in the day and i should try to get a swim and ride in beforehand. my quads are sore from sundays run, yesterday was a restday. so nothing too hard today just keeping the engine primed for sat.
i've discovered that i can get more done with a busy schedule, though i'm not usually happy about it. for me as long as it's a short term crunch i can can manage but not so much when there's no end in site. i'm definitey NOT the type A personality that seems to gravitate towards this sport. i'm more like a B-, an impatient B-. see i'm a pile of contradictions.
i was moaning about how uncomfortable i am with uncertainty the other day. as if it's some solid fixture in my day to day world. the truth is nothing is for certain. life is full of surprises. why am letting this stuff with my in-laws suck the fun out of training and my upcoming event? I've worked hard for this but i'm not as excited anymore. I never considered not participating on saturday after poop hit the fan with the family, but i volunteered to carpool just in case, funny how i needed to do that to ensure that i wouldn't succumb to any excuses.
T spent sunday getting the yakima bike rack rigged up and there's no way i'm not showing up!!
addendum:
I arrived at strawberry pool too late or too early depending on how you look at it. like the library i'm discovering public pools have goofy hours. so on a whim i treked up to lake anza for a solo open water swim...or so i thought. not keeping in mind this is the last week of school and most of them organize a lake anza field trip during this time. I was accompanied by at least 150 grade schoolers..........as i entered the beach one little boy was a bit too excited about the prospect of girls in bikinis and thongs!!
holy mary and joseph was it cold! much more so than the last time i was there. i tentatively waded up to my hips and just stood there for a minute. inhaling deeply i dove in and swam out to the lap area well away from the frolic. 4 laps (3 breast and 1 backstoke) and i was out of there. i tried freestyle but it was too choppy for me. i put in maybe a total of 200 yards. i walked quickly back to my car and headed back over to strawberry where the pool re-opened at noon. the pool felt like bath water in comparison and i swam another 30 minutes alternating between drills and real swimming. nothing especially grueling. i then hit the workout room for an even briefer ride on the stationary bike, i was at around 13 minutes when the phone rang, ok, brick officially over.
i have a headache and i'm hungry. i need a nap too!
in my usual manner i am a pile of contradiction. i don't particulary enjoy training with a group but i was disappointed when a fellow triclubber had to cancel (again) our practice swim at lake anza. prior to her cancelling i imagined some plotting and scheming as we worked on our open water swim together and perhaps considered another tri later in the season....weird, huh? then T needed a ride and later i ended up taking my mom-in-law to a doctors appointment. lake anza and thoughts of tri faded into the background.
just saw a glimpse of T this morning as M and I were heading off to school and he was coming home to change clothes after staying over with his dad lastnight. it's chilly outside with the possibility of showers later in the day and i should try to get a swim and ride in beforehand. my quads are sore from sundays run, yesterday was a restday. so nothing too hard today just keeping the engine primed for sat.
i've discovered that i can get more done with a busy schedule, though i'm not usually happy about it. for me as long as it's a short term crunch i can can manage but not so much when there's no end in site. i'm definitey NOT the type A personality that seems to gravitate towards this sport. i'm more like a B-, an impatient B-. see i'm a pile of contradictions.
i was moaning about how uncomfortable i am with uncertainty the other day. as if it's some solid fixture in my day to day world. the truth is nothing is for certain. life is full of surprises. why am letting this stuff with my in-laws suck the fun out of training and my upcoming event? I've worked hard for this but i'm not as excited anymore. I never considered not participating on saturday after poop hit the fan with the family, but i volunteered to carpool just in case, funny how i needed to do that to ensure that i wouldn't succumb to any excuses.
T spent sunday getting the yakima bike rack rigged up and there's no way i'm not showing up!!
addendum:
I arrived at strawberry pool too late or too early depending on how you look at it. like the library i'm discovering public pools have goofy hours. so on a whim i treked up to lake anza for a solo open water swim...or so i thought. not keeping in mind this is the last week of school and most of them organize a lake anza field trip during this time. I was accompanied by at least 150 grade schoolers..........as i entered the beach one little boy was a bit too excited about the prospect of girls in bikinis and thongs!!
holy mary and joseph was it cold! much more so than the last time i was there. i tentatively waded up to my hips and just stood there for a minute. inhaling deeply i dove in and swam out to the lap area well away from the frolic. 4 laps (3 breast and 1 backstoke) and i was out of there. i tried freestyle but it was too choppy for me. i put in maybe a total of 200 yards. i walked quickly back to my car and headed back over to strawberry where the pool re-opened at noon. the pool felt like bath water in comparison and i swam another 30 minutes alternating between drills and real swimming. nothing especially grueling. i then hit the workout room for an even briefer ride on the stationary bike, i was at around 13 minutes when the phone rang, ok, brick officially over.
i have a headache and i'm hungry. i need a nap too!
Sunday, June 11, 2006
My Mountain
This morning for the first time in days I awoke rested and wanting to run. With thoughts of Strawberry Canyon rolling around my mind I wondered if I was up to the task of my beloved mountain. Fueled only by 2 cups of Peet's Sumatra I headed out to get an early start. Brandy sensing something was up trailed me all through the house and was ready to go too.
When we got to the trail head a sign was posted that there had been a mountain lion siting in mid May. I briefly considered my other options but decided to take my chances. Interestingly my desire to run outweighed any fear. I was acutely aware of every sound and sight.
A younger woman was passing me on the left, we met up at the foot of Big Bertha. She paused briefly and when I got to the base of BB she started to run again. At the top she inserted her headphones and I wondered if she had noticed the mountain lion posting. She was maybe 50 yds. ahead of me and I thought I should ask her if she had noticed the posting. I whistled to get her attention but she either didn't hear or think it was directed to her. I don't know if I was being paranoid or maternal, but it seemed like someone ought to warn her. Anyhoo, she was fast and when I caught up with her she had turned around after only a mile or so and I felt oddly better that this girl wasn't running further up the canyon w/o being able to hear. One time Brandy and I were up there and I heard a big cat from a distance and we just turned around. While hearing a cat up close wouldn't prevent me from being breakfast at least I'd have half a chance hearing it from a distance.
Further up I noticed bunches of animal fur on the side of the trail, no blood or guts just big wads of yellow and grey fur. A bit further I noticed a ripped green polo shirt off to the same side, again no blood or guts. The higher we climbed the denser the fog grew adding to the eeriness of the scene.
Maybe I was aided abit by the adrenaline but I shaved off 5 minutes from the last time I ran this trail about 2 months ago!! 6.5 miles in 75 minutes 45 up 30 down. I suppose the cross training hasn't hurt either.
So, the Element is officially broken in, Brandy got it nice and muddy. I felt sooooo good after this run, even a little choked up on the ride home. I am truly my best on the trails. I'd almost forgotten how much I love trails having spent so much time on the swimming and biking.
I'm pretty sure the next event I sign up for will be the Angel Island 12K in August.
When we got to the trail head a sign was posted that there had been a mountain lion siting in mid May. I briefly considered my other options but decided to take my chances. Interestingly my desire to run outweighed any fear. I was acutely aware of every sound and sight.
A younger woman was passing me on the left, we met up at the foot of Big Bertha. She paused briefly and when I got to the base of BB she started to run again. At the top she inserted her headphones and I wondered if she had noticed the mountain lion posting. She was maybe 50 yds. ahead of me and I thought I should ask her if she had noticed the posting. I whistled to get her attention but she either didn't hear or think it was directed to her. I don't know if I was being paranoid or maternal, but it seemed like someone ought to warn her. Anyhoo, she was fast and when I caught up with her she had turned around after only a mile or so and I felt oddly better that this girl wasn't running further up the canyon w/o being able to hear. One time Brandy and I were up there and I heard a big cat from a distance and we just turned around. While hearing a cat up close wouldn't prevent me from being breakfast at least I'd have half a chance hearing it from a distance.
Further up I noticed bunches of animal fur on the side of the trail, no blood or guts just big wads of yellow and grey fur. A bit further I noticed a ripped green polo shirt off to the same side, again no blood or guts. The higher we climbed the denser the fog grew adding to the eeriness of the scene.
Maybe I was aided abit by the adrenaline but I shaved off 5 minutes from the last time I ran this trail about 2 months ago!! 6.5 miles in 75 minutes 45 up 30 down. I suppose the cross training hasn't hurt either.
So, the Element is officially broken in, Brandy got it nice and muddy. I felt sooooo good after this run, even a little choked up on the ride home. I am truly my best on the trails. I'd almost forgotten how much I love trails having spent so much time on the swimming and biking.
I'm pretty sure the next event I sign up for will be the Angel Island 12K in August.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Bored
Can you tell I'm bored with Bloggers template choices?
The census at work is low and I had the option to work or not...I chose the later. I should run but don't feel like it. I know it would make me feel better but still I can't get going. I didn't feel like running Tuesday either but I did. Wednesday I swam. Lastnight I worked HARD on the bike in the Piedmont Hills Area. This morning M and I walked part way to school and afterwards Brandy and I went to Ceasar Chavez for a little bit. It's been too long since we've done that and she was a happy dog. I guess it's okay to chill out today and clean up this place. Sheesh what a mess!!! My home feels more like a transition area than the calming santuary I'd like it to be. Is that realistic or just some bullshit phrase put out there to make me feel guilty about my lack of house pride??
The census at work is low and I had the option to work or not...I chose the later. I should run but don't feel like it. I know it would make me feel better but still I can't get going. I didn't feel like running Tuesday either but I did. Wednesday I swam. Lastnight I worked HARD on the bike in the Piedmont Hills Area. This morning M and I walked part way to school and afterwards Brandy and I went to Ceasar Chavez for a little bit. It's been too long since we've done that and she was a happy dog. I guess it's okay to chill out today and clean up this place. Sheesh what a mess!!! My home feels more like a transition area than the calming santuary I'd like it to be. Is that realistic or just some bullshit phrase put out there to make me feel guilty about my lack of house pride??
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)