Eat Love Run

Not Just Running Races....

2009-02-19T10:35:00.000-08:00

I didn't want a full year to go by before I started up blogging again. I haven't quit training or racing (though this year has been minimal). I have been busy with another side of it-actually putting on two new trail races in the Santa Barbara area. It has been interesting and educational to see what goes into producing these events. I had no idea just how much work they were!

The Blue Canyon www.bluecanyontrailrace.com is the first race and is in June. Check out the website for specifics. I am heading up to Walnut Creek today to get my RD Certification through USAT. The course is 2 days and seems pretty interesting.

Can you believe how much rain we have been getting?? Lots of running in the rain, but I think that is always fun. I took the kids up to Figueroa on Friday to see the snow. It was snowing so much, my car was covered! We got to hike a bit in the snow and build a snowman. That's enough snow for me.

Looking for Inspiration

2008-06-04T09:21:00.000-07:00

Yikes! What happened to the time. I wish I could say I have been too busy training to blog. The truth is I have been busy, but hardly training. I am looking for something to motivate me back to long hours of running, but haven't found much to inspire. I think I must have needed the rest and intend to go strong again any day now. I took inventory of all my supplies (gu, clif blocks, heed, etc) the other day and came up super short. Next, I tried to clean the hose part to my Nathan hydration pack bladder and melted the damn thing with boiling water. I did finally check out the Tequepis Trail, that has been on my list of places to explore. It's beautiful and fully overgrown. I had tons of stickers in my socks and shoes, but can't wait to do it again soon. The trail is across the highway from Lake Cachuma and climbs to a high elevation quickly. The views are awesome and the vegetation was a bit unusual for the area.

Swimming has been consistently good, with increasingly harder workouts. We have been doing more back, breast and fly than before and I feel (and see) my arms getting stronger. As my motivation to train returns, so will my desire to blog, I'm sure. Cheers.

2008-05-07T07:16:00.000-07:00

2 x 400 swim
4 x 100 kick

4 x 200 swim on lane base (LB): 3:30 for my lane
4 x 100 kick, increasing speed

8 x 50 LB (:55) plus 10 seconds

cool down

I have made up my mind to do Angeles Crest again this year. Gail is on board for crewing and I have a couple of possible pacers, so looks like it will work out. Now, I just have to run. Gail wants a partner for crewing, so if anyone is interested.... let me know. Also, if anyone want to pace me, you have 4 months to train.

2008-04-30T07:11:00.000-07:00

I'm back to swimming. I actually started back last week, but somehow feel more tired this week. I am finally getting a massage today. It will be the first one since Ironman. For someone who works with several massage therapists, it's amazing that it took me so long to get on someones schedule. I am so looking forward to it!

The Wildflower Triathlon is this weekend. I know several people competing, so I may bring the kids up there and cheer people on. I am going to work on being a fan and volunteer this year, more than just a competitor. That is not to say I will not do any races, but I am going to really limit my racing for a while.

Calvin wants to do another 5K and work his way up to a 10K, so I will be looking for some local short races for us to do. Any ideas?

SWIM:

800 free
400 kick
4 x 100 pull

800 free
4 x 100 pull

cool down

The second 800 was a bit tough for me. We were supposed to increase our speed, but I think I went out too fast and faded toward the end instead. I can still pull the 'I'm recovering from Ironman' card. I think that will be expired by next week, though. All the Wildflower people will be recovering from their event.

Now What?

2008-04-23T07:09:00.000-07:00

People keep asking me 'what's next?'. I am asking myself the same question. There are still so many challenging events out there that I haven't tried. For now, I hope to get back to some serious trail running. I have missed it so much and need to get out there and explore again.

My recovery has been surprisingly easy, physically, but emotionally, I have been a train wreck. I think I put off dealing with some necessary life stuff to get ready for Ironman. Now I have to take care of so many things and spend more time on my business. Coming 'down' from such a big event is hell. Will I do another Ironman? Probably, yes. Mainly because I want to shave a couple of hours off of my time, now that I have the experience. I think I will wait a year or two, though.

AZIM Race Report

2008-04-16T15:30:00.000-07:00

The swim...there I am! ha ha
The bike
The run, notice the well sunscreened legs.
The finish
Post finish...Iron Sandee aka Ironmom

Until today, my post race depression has kept me from even wanting to recount the story of my first Ironman. But today I feel ready to share my story of one damn tough event. Aptly named, Ironman is a test of organizational skills, patience, proper clothing choices and of course, physical prowess. I need to start with what amuses me most about triathlon, and that is, the clothing. Do men really need to wear half shirts? Okay, I'll get right to it.

Saturday Night: I try to get to bed early, around 9:30. As I'm lying there, I start to feel my heart beating through my ribs. I start taking long slow breaths. Why am I so nervous? I never really get any sleep. I keep waking, thinking I've overslept, worrying about the swim, sure I have forgotten something important. Of course, I finally get to sleep when my alarm goes off at 3 AM.

Sunday: It's easy to get up. I am so anxious to finally start the race, so I can stop being nervous and worrying about the details. So many details. JLu has coffee waiting, but there is not much talking between us. "Did you sleep? No. Did you sleep? No." I make some oatmeal and try to eat it, but my stomach is quivery and dosen't let much in. I have my special needs bags packed and my wetsuit, goggles and pink swim cap. We are ready to go at 4:15. That gives us 30 minutes to drive to Tempe and 15 minutes to walk to the staging area, which opens at 5 AM.

5 AM: The triathletes are in line to get to their bikes, so they can load up their watter bottles, gu flasks, clif blocks and whatever else they need for the bike ride. I try to take it all in, knowing I have plenty of time. I load up my bike, then take it over to the mechanics to get my tires filled. It's still dark and you can feel the tension in the air, it's like a buzzing silence. I still need to get my shirt out of my swim to bike bag, since I mistakenly packed it the day before. So, I head over there and dig out my shirt. I proceed to the potty, to pee and change.

6:15: I guess it's time to get into my wetsuit and turn in my dry clothes bag. First, I get personal and generous with the body glide. I lube up my wrists and ankles, all the "dark" places where clothing might rub, lastly, my neck. I feel like I am stalling for time, watching everyone, some people frantic, some relaxed. I am in between, less nervous the closer I get to the water. Time to find JLu and Jerry J. I say I can't wait to get in the water so I can pee, but JLu says, just pee now, no one will know. I figure it's all part of the experience, so I do it. It's lovely and warm, standing there in my own urine. J says he has already peed three times. I start to notice others with the dry grass wet on their feet, others who are freely wetting themselves. We start to move toward the water and I see half moon heel marks on the concrete where all the experienced triathletes know to pee early and not wait for the water. So, basically, you keep stepping in other peoples urine and don't care. What a sport.

6:45 The Pros are off and now it's our turn to jump into the lake and swim to the start. Finally! I have misplaced the boys, since I wanted to see the pros start. I am now in race mode and not at all nervous about the two thousand people surrounding me in the water. I just want to start and get on with it. I am ready to experience my first Ironman, bring it on!

7:01 The gun goes off and it's somewhat slow going at first as everyone is looking for a spot they can comfortably swim. I soon find out that there are not really any spots like that. I'm also soon experiencing what I've been told by other Ironman survivors, severe brutality by your fellow competitors. I make it to the turnaround point with minor injuries, but for some reason, things get bad. I am kicked in the face several times, resulting in my goggles coming off of my face and a possible bloody nose, who can tell in the water. Next, I am slugged in the jaw several times. I should be pissed, but I am laughing to myself, thinking, well, this is ironman, all part of the experience. I finish the swim in 1:19. I am pulled out of the water and I start jogging to the wetsuit stripping area. I am unzipped and free of my wetsuit within seconds, about 3 to be exact. These people are good! Next I am handed my swim to bike bag and am off to the women's only tent to get ready for the bike.

8:25 Apparently I spent about 10 minutes in the tent before I emerge to find hands, all male, slathering me with sunscreen. Three men all to myself, worried about my tender skin. It was the most pleasurable part of the race, hands down. I embark on the 112 mile bike ride on my trusty steed. I am feeling great till about 5 miles in when I hit the blow dryer 20 mph winds. I pedal slowly uphill till the first of 3 turnarounds. Finally, some downhill, but wait, 40 mph wind gusts are making it hard to stay on the bike. I see one person blown over, I hold on tighter, determined not to go down. The second loop is ugly. My right foot is cramping so severely, I feel it to the tips of my toes. I can't even pedal and have to stop, massage my foot, move on. This happens several times. I am truly miserable, but loving the experience. Oh, how I love to suffer! I'm so sick! I was so glad this was hard. I finish the third loop, much stronger than the second and am very relieved and happy to be done with the bike. I give my bike to the peppy volunteer, grab my bike to run bag and head into the tent for the last time.

The Run: Just for the record, I did not pee on the bike. I tried, but couldn't relax enough to do it. I stopped and used the porta potty, which really helped to stretch my legs. Okay, so I changed into my running shorts and changed into running shoes and stepped out of the tent for another round of ooh la la: the men, the hands, the sunscreen. I was now ready for the run. I knew at this time, I would finish the race. I would follow the advice I got from the pro, Michelli Jones, and take it aid station to aid station. It was still really hot and maybe felt even hotter on the run than the bike. Bless those lovely sweet volunteers with the ice cold sponges. I think I took a sponge at every aid station. That's 26 aid stations, one every single mile. I ran like a true triathlete, kind of a hunched over shuffle. I managed to straighten up and do a little real running now and then. There were so many people walking, it was hard to keep up the run/shuffle. I like to tell myself, the faster you run, the faster you'll be done. I am half-way through my third, and last, loop and see a fellow athlete sitting on the side of the course at a picnic table, throwing up, boatloads of clear liquid. I am feeling fortunate and decide to pick up the pace and just finish this thing. I continue giving encouraging remarks to all the people I am passing, with no return love, but I'm used to it by now. Triathletes are not an overly friendly bunch.

The Finish: I find the love I am looking for at the finish line, in the form of dedicated fans, friends and my very own ribbon to run through. The photographer snaps my finishing photo and I get my very own volunteer to walk me through the sequence of finisher events. One person puts a ribbon over my head. My very own volunteer hands me some water, than walks me over to the other photographer taking the final finish picture. I am then led to the food tent, aahh, the fooood tent, where I leave my volunteer for the loving arms of Ray Ray and JLu. We eat the best pizza of my life and head back to the finish line to see Jerry J run across the finish line with his two daughters. We all finish. We are all Ironman finishers tonight. I am so proud of all of us. It was a tough day, but divine. Go team Bada Bing!

Look out for #2179

2008-04-12T18:40:00.000-07:00

Practice swim with Jerry J
Much needed ART with Kevin
JLu duct taping my profile bottle to bike
We three are Ironfolk

Tomorrow I get up at 3 am and off to Ironman I go. The day I have been anxiously anticipating for way too long. The preparation the last few days has been brutal.
Bike and transition bags are at the event area and we are just getting our "special needs" bags together and getting to bed early. You can follow our progress online at the Ironman AZ site. I am 2179, Justin is 1006 and Jerry J, 1108.

Send us positive energy and lot and lots of love!

Arizona Dreaming

2008-04-10T23:25:00.000-07:00

I made it to Arizona today with my bike and all my other gear. I guess I'm really doing Ironman. Wow. Tomorrow I am going to do a practice swim in the river with Jerry J. Justin is not feeling very strong and is on the fence about even starting the race. I'm tired after a nine hour drive today, but will take pictures of the course and expo tomorrow to post. Sweet dreams.

2008-04-02T07:22:00.000-07:00

Coach is out of town again. Kristine put up a Gail Bernhardt workout specifically for endurance triathletes. Here ya go:

Warm up

300 swim
300 kick
300 pull

6 x 75 (1:30)
300 pull
6 x 50 fast
300 kick
6 x 50 fast
200 cool down

On my way out of the YMCA this morning, I met 3 x Hawaii Ironman Champion Peter Reid. He is coaching my friend Charlie's Triathlon camp this week and they were all there to swim. They all seemed so tall. Even the girls.

I am so glad that Lisa is going to be supporting all of us at Ironman. I haven't seen her in way too long. If Lisa could finish Vineman Half with no bike training, then I can do this Ironman. She is a great source of inspiration. She is also the ultimate support person, maybe doing more than the people in the race. It seems like she is everywhere on the course cheering you on, taking photos. Yeah Lisa!!

2008-03-31T21:11:00.000-07:00

I'm not entirely sure why, but my enthusiasm for my upcoming race just took a dive this weekend. It was like I could care less. I took all of Saturday off to spend with my daughter, while Calvin went fishing for the weekend for his birthday. I just couldn't face another long training day while juggling being mom, too. I really had to rally to get on the bike Sunday. I feel fine physically, but my heart wasn't in it. I just kept thinking, I'm as ready as I'm gonna be. Now, today, I started to get a little panicky about my lackadaisical attitude and went for two runs. AM and PM.

I hope my attitude continues to improve. It was bound to happen eventually. I am so self motivated normally. I truly enjoy the training, it's the racing that really freaks my out. Maybe as I am getting closer to the event I am trying to sabotage myself. Shit. Maybe it's my brother's wedding this weekend where I will have to see my whole family, yikes....

Wishful Thinking...

2008-03-27T14:28:00.000-07:00

I battled the wild wind today on my bike. My nice short 20 mile ride felt like, oh, 40 miles. But, it was good training for AZ, right? Ugh, I can't wait to finally be on the road to Justin's house, where I will stay for Ironman. I wish I could transport myself to the running portion of the race and have the swim and bike behind me. I will have charged the course thus far, and be feeling great on the run. Well, wishful thinking gets you where? Nowhere but 2 weeks till the race, that's where!

Here you go... the workout:

Warm-up

4 x 150 (100 free, 50 stroke)

4 x 150 kick (same as above)

6 x 150 free (50 moderate, 50 fast, 50 slow)

2 x 150 free (same as above)

200 cool down

Spring Breakin'

2008-03-26T07:53:00.000-07:00

The kids are on "spring break" this week, which means they are out of school and want to have some fun. Since I can't just drop everything at work or stop training, I signed them up for some tennis clinic, through the YMCA. I was a little hesitant, since you never know how your kids will respond to things. They love it! I'm relieved.

So, I ran yesterday after swimming, while the kids played tennis. I felt so strong, not wanting to stop after one short hour. I have been trying to do most of my runs on asphalt, so as not to completely shock my body in AZ. I considered running on the track yesterday, but there was such a crowd of football type people all over the field, I changed my mind.

I have truly enjoyed the cycling during my training and feeling the power I have gained in my legs and upper body. I will admit, though that I yearn for long trail runs, like a long lost lover. I see the beautiful green mountains and I want to spend the day with them, exploring their spring secrets. I read race results from ultras, like the Coyote Two Moon, that was just this past weekend in Ojai and I long to be there. It may sound corny, but I am not kidding. If triathlon training has taught me anything, it is that I am truly a trail runner. I see no other future for me. Sure, I'll ride my bikes and swim, always striving to get to lane one with Matt and Chris.
I will be out on the trail, though, to quiet my mind and find divine guidance and sanity.

2008-03-25T08:46:00.000-07:00

The coach was off buying grapes today, so we were on our own. We looked like we were modeling our various bad swimsuits on the "25 then get out of the pool set". There is a huge window that looks into the lobby from the pool. The early morning spin class always stares at us as they are leaving. Today they really got a good look at us strutting around the pool.

2 x 200 #1: swim #2: 25 free, 25 drill (scull, fingertip, catch up, zipper)
8 x 50 kick: odd: free even: fly, back, breast, fly on back
4 x100 pull, with buoy and paddles

Main:

8 x 75 free: moderate, fast, slow
8 x 50 free: moderate, fast
8 x 25 really fast, then get out of the pool and walk around to start
2 x 200: same as warm-up

I felt great today after the workout, like I had hardly done anything. I think this is about how I am supposed to be feeling about this point in my training. It was good to hear a guy in my lane say how tired he was from the workout. I plan on doing an open water swim this weekend. Brrr, talk about cold, the ocean is about 51 degrees.

Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T15:57:00.001-07:00

Greetings from Phoebe the Easter Doggy. She looks miserable, don't you think? It was another creative training weekend with the kids. I spent a grueling 3 + hours on the trainer yesterday, then 70 minutes swimming long intervals at the Y, with the kids, of course.

Today, I snuck out for a 2 hour run, doing loops so I was always within a short distance of the house. I then came home and the kids paced me with their bikes for another 30 or so minutes. It is warmer today then it has been for quite a while. The sun feels really good. I have been checking the Phoenix weather and it is always warmer than here. I think of the poor souls who will be coming from some truly cold place and how the shock of dry 80 degree weather is going to feel.

I think I'm gonna have me an Easter beer. Cheers!

2008-03-21T18:58:00.000-07:00

My morning run this morning was divine. I was running to M. Ward's "End Of Amnesia", the perfect morning run music, and was feeling great. Phoebe and I both were wondering why we haven't made early Friday morning run a routine, like Wednesday night run. Well, off to our "Flatbread Pizza" on Friday routine. The kids and I tried to find the beavers on the rivers this evening, with no luck, but we are not giving up. More news on the Santa Ynes River beavers later....

2008-03-20T09:12:00.000-07:00

Well, Mike mixed it up a bit today. It was fun and tiring.

Swim
2 x 50 free/ drill
2 x 50 free/ back
2 x 50 free/ breast
2 x 50 free/ drill

Kick:
2 x 50 fly/ free
2 x 50 free/ back
2 x 50 back/ dolphin
2 x 50 breast/ breast

8 x 100 IM ( substitute free if you can't do fly)

8 x 50 pull descending 1-4, 5-8

4 x 50 descending

cool down

I was sitting at the Bulldog Cafe after swim this morning, like Kristine and I always do on Thursdays. A woman was wearing a bike jersey that said Hoodoo 500 or some such race, so we got to talking. Turns out that she is the Planet Ultra lady of planetultra.com. She is here doing a Santa Ynez Valley tour with a group of cyclists. She told us about a southern Utah tour in August that sounds just awesome. I am very interested, especially because she said they would really like to have a massage therapist in the group and they would haul my table around for me. It would be like a working vacation. Cycle all day, then massage a little in the evening and make some money. Hmmmm, I am definitely looking into this.

I'm not loving the weather right now, but I've got to get out on my bike for a couple of hours. Maybe the sun will come out soon.

2008-03-17T14:47:00.000-07:00

Disneyland, California Adventure, matching hats and all.

Back to the "real world" on Wednesday after being at the happiest place on earth. How they ever came up with that phrase is a complete enigma, since almost everyone there (Disneyland) looked completely miserable. I'm not joking, I made it a contest to find anyone who even looked remotely happy or had the hint of a smile on their face. It made me smile just to do this, which made the trip a bit more tolerable. I kept thinking, at least I won't have to do this again for a couple of years, at least.

So, it was a relief to get back to training on Wednesday. I tricked my friend Fiona into going on an easy trail run with me. She has never run trails before and I was planning on going up grass mountain, since the weather was so fantastic and I knew the flowers would be out in full force. I love this run and don't really consider the difficulty level compared to someone who is used to running flattish roads all the time. She was happy she went and cursed me the next morning at swim, telling the coach that it was all my fault that she was slow. It is a very steep hill and pretty technical, probably not the best choice for a first time trail run. Sorry Fiona, well, not really. She did awesome!

Thursday was swimming of course and then out on the bike for a couple of hours to battle the winds. Friday a short run is all I could squeeze into my day. Saturday, out on the bike by 8AM and ran into my friend Mike, who kicks ass on the bike and made me push way harder than I'm used to. This was really good for me, since I had to be home in time to make it to SB for a swim clinic by 1 PM.

I'm glad I went to the clinic. I was on the fence about going, but the woman putting it on, Mo Chambers, is an excellent coach and I really got some useful information and I think my stroke will be better already. She also coached us a bit about how to sight in open water. The only negative was that the pool was outside and it was freezing and the water was way colder than the 84 degrees I'm used to. I think they said it was 70 degrees. BRRRRRRR!!!! I now know how spoiled I am and will never complain again when the water is say 83 or even 82, which it sometimes is. I'm no polar bear.

Sunday, out on the bike again for a 3 hour ride, than a quick 2 1/2 run. I hoped to fit more biking in this weekend, but wanted to get that run in too. I don't know how people fit all this training in. I have laundry piled up and an empty refrigerator half the time. My kids are always out of socks and we had to eat tortillas and applesauce for breakfast the other day, because mommy's too busy training (and working, mind you) to go to the store. Ugh. But, I did take them to Disneyland. That's right. Priorities.

Solvang Century as Training Ride

2008-03-09T08:53:00.001-07:00

I rode the Solvang Century yesterday and had a great time. The early morning was chilly and my hands were frozen, but the day warmed up to a nice 75 degrees by late morning. I now have a nice red "sleeve" on both arms. It's been awhile since my arms have seen the sun for any length of time. The ride was 104 miles, with 5,000 feet of climbing. I found myself looking forward to the hills after miles and miles of mainly flat road from mile 60 to 90. Around mile 80, I found myself really wanting to stretch and noticed other riders wiggling around on their bikes, standing, twisting. I think that is the hardest thing about cycling for hours, you get so damn uncomfortable from being in the same position. I felt like I could go for a nice long run when I finished, in fact, I kept thinking about running while I was riding.

So, tomorrow, I take the kids to Disneyland, a whole other kind of training. Wish me luck.

2008-03-06T11:32:00.000-08:00

It's so grand to feel well again!! Life is just better when you don't have to drag your sick, tired, sorry ass outta bed every morning. I woke up today at 4:50 am and thought, great, time to get up and go to the pool. And, it wasn't like Oh Great...time to get up, but just plain ole great.

200 free
200 drill: 6/3, scull, catch-up, zipper
200 kick: back/fly
200 pull

8 x 50 (:50)
4 x 100 (1:45)
2 x 200 (3:30)
400...keeping same pace as others

200 cool down

So, I received the "energ-ease" and have taken them twice before a workout. The first time I can't say I noticed a difference, but this morning I seemed to have a lot of energy. I don't know it that is because I am feeling better finally or if the stuff really works. I think I will have to keep testing it. I can say for sure, though, that the recover-ease is great. It was reviewed by industry watch dog Supplement Watch.com and got a great review. The ererg-ease also got a great review and I was surprised to see cordyceps as the first ingredient. I have been taking my cordyceps mostly as a hangover cure. Now I know another reason to take it. Ginseng (3 different types ) is also in the ingredients. I have always liked ginseng for energy. I think it affects everyone differently, though.

Feelin' Froggy?

2008-03-04T11:54:00.000-08:00

Abigail just turned 9 and this toad crashed her party. The girls named him "Rumpy".

Go 4 it! (really lame, I know)

4 x 150: free, back, free

4 x 100 kick: free, back

4 x 75 pull (with paddles) breathing every 3, every 5, every 3

4 x 150 free, breast, free

4 x 100 kick: free, breast (no zoomers)

4 x 75 pull (same as above)

Green, because the breaststroke makes me feel so froggy.

Either the workout was tough or I was tired from the weekend. Stupid breaststroke, it makes you feel so slow. The paddles are great for building the strength in my arms. I can really feel it after pulling for a while. I spent some time in the pool on Sunday and mostly did pull with my paddles and my arms were fatigued. I rode 5 hours 5 minutes on Sunday as well. I felt strong till the end, which I know is a good sign. On Saturday I ran about 2 hours 45 minutes. It was a very hilly run and steep enough that I was able to keep up with some pro cyclists for a bit and shoot the shit. That rhymed, did you like that Justin? Anyhow, I ended up seeing the same group on Sunday while I was cycling. I wasn't able to stay with them very long on the bike, but I gave it my best shot. The weather is divine right now. Low 70's, slightly breezy, jasmine wafting through the air, okay, I don't know about the jasmine, but it is lovely here. Pro triathletes are here in full force right now.

Now that I have successfully moved my business, I hope to be more focused on my training as I am supposed to be in the peak stages of tough, long workouts. This weekend I hope to do the Solvang Century. I've lived here 8 years and have yet to participate in this ride. I usually just try to avoid all the asshole cyclist that come to town for this event. Yikes, am I one of them now?? Of course not, I'm still just a runner who rides a bike.

2008-02-28T09:07:00.000-08:00

The need for more pictures on my blog has been noted and I plan to post some soon. But for now, here's this mornings workout:

Warm up:

300 swim

300 kick

300 swim, (25 swim, 25 drill)

300 pull (used my new paddles today)

Main:

8 x 50 (:55)

8 x 100 (1:45)

8 x 50 (:50)

cool-down

Nobody could count this morning, so maybe we did 9 50's and 7 100's or some other variation. I was just trying to keep up. I could not find my recover-ease after swimming this morning. Bummer.

I plan to go out for a run this afternoon on one of my favorite trails off of Figueroa Mtn. Rd. Today is my last day working at my Santa Ynez office. Starting tomorrow I will be in Los Olivos. It's great to be moving, finally. I will be closer to Figueroa Mtn. in Los Olivos, which is, in itself, reason to be happy about the move. The new sign was put up yesterday, so I guess it's official.

Pictures coming soon...

2008-02-26T09:32:00.000-08:00

The Workout:

6 x 100 free: 75 swim, 25 drill

4 x 100 kick: fly, back, free, fly on back

2 x 100 pull

Main set:

5 x 300 free, try to stay at same time each 300

Feeling great today...finally. Painting is done and it's time to move! YEEAHH!!! I brought my bike to work today and plan to sneak out for a couple of hours of solitude and sun. Life is pretty good today.

Oh, by the way, I really think that recover-ease stuff works. I am also going to give their sister product, energ-ease a try. I have noticed a drastic decrease in muscle soreness the day after a tough wokout. Usually if I am sore directly after a run, than I am in for it the day after, but it seems that if I take this stuff just following a workout, I don't notice the soreness the next day. Expedited muscle recovery? Who knows, but I like it.

Have a lovely lovely day.

Sick and Tired and still Training?

2008-02-19T20:18:00.000-08:00

I was sick with a nasty cold this weekend, but still did my training. I know this is not always the best idea, but I had set aside this time, which is precious and hard to find, so I felt that I had to take advantage of it. Saturday, after cycling 3 hours followed by a 40 minute run, I quickly showered and headed over to my new office to spend the remainder of the day and some of the night painting. Sunday was basically the same, a shorter bike (60 minutes) and a 75 minute run. Then, off to paint some more. I stopped at the Bitch House (my favorite coffee shop, but called the Bitch House by a select few, because the girls that work there have a fantastically bitchy attitude). I guess my video shop days make me partial to quirky establishment behaviour. Anyhow, I grabbed a cup of Major Dick and headed over to paint. I was fading at an alarmingly fast rate. I had to keep taking lie down breaks. Me, the queen of GO, had to lie down frequently. Man, was I sick. And tired. Of being sick.

So, Monday, basically could hardly get out of bed to make coffee. I developed a hacking cough and lots of snot. Super fun way to spend my 'rest' day. I literally only left the house to buy toilet paper, since I used it all to catch the snot flow. My voice is still barely audible and I still sound like an old lady. My own father thought he had the wrong number last night when he called. I had to rally and get my kids off to school this morning and figured I might as well go to work, since I was up. Ugh. I even flopped around in the pool for a bit, to pretend I was still doing my training.

So, I know what you are thinking if you are reading this :This girl has a problem, any rational person would rest until they were well enough to train again or it's only going to get worse. And I know this and agree. I would give this advice to anyone I know. I would say things like, You will not lose your fitness in 2 days and You are better off getting well and training harder, etc. I KNOW, but I can't follow any of that advice. I am obviously not sick enough yet. I think I'm afraid of ironman. So many sports, so little time...

2008-02-15T20:29:00.000-08:00

I woke up today with no voice, no sound, nada. This hasn't happened to me in a long time, but it sure brings back memories...of the last time I lost my voice. It totally sucks, especially if you have to talk to people on the phone. You are trying to tell them you lost your voice and they keep saying, WHAT??. Today was supposed to be a rest day, so I actually took it. I only walked the dog a couple of times and did some core exercises and stretches, but basically took the day off of exercise.

This weekend is packed with plenty of long riding, running and swimming. I am also slated to finish the painting at my new business. Yeah!! I just bought some paddles for the pool and will try them out tomorrow. I am trying (as always) to build some upper body strength. I think swimming is such a great way to balance out either running or cycling(or both), but unless you take it pretty seriously, you still have an imbalance of upper and lower body strength. It seems that most people spend more time running or cycling, than they do in the pool, so, I guess you either have ot weight train or swim more. I guess the alternative to that is to just be scrawny on top, which seems to suit most cyclists and runners just fine, as it seems to make people faster. I am beginning to think that balance is more important than speed at this point of my life. It also allows you to pick up new sports more easily and reduce your chance of injury.

I plan to get out on the bike fairly early tomorrow, so I finally bought some knee warmers. I have been freezing, seriously FREEZING on the bike if I get out too early. My hands can barely grip the brakes and my toes are unrecognizable to my brain as anything but blocks in my shoes. I'm hard pressed to venture forward because I'm not sure if I will even be able to grip the water bottle to drink the block of ice that has formed in my once liquid water bottle. So, I'm thinking the addition of the knee warmers may help me to feel warmer, though things may still be dangerously cold. I know it sounds silly, but let me tell you, you can still see the snow on the mountains here, and that never happens.

2008-02-14T19:47:00.000-08:00

Tried drinking more coffee, waking a little earlier, but still confused by the early morning clock by the pool. I think I did my 100's at 1:35 and 50's on the :45. I think...

400 swim (your choice)
300 kick
200 drill (6/3, scull, zipper, catch-up by 25's)
100 kick fast

and once again...
8 x 100 free
200 easy
8 x 50 free

long cool down

Went for a run on my newest favorite trail (well, it's private property). 60 minutes and then back to painting. I'm sooo tired now. I've gotta get some rest.

Another reason to drink more coffee

2008-02-13T12:51:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Coach Mike made his presence known by shouting, "what's was your time?" after every fricken 100 and 50 of the set. At 6 AM, my mind isn't always rallying with the rest of me. I was looking at the time clock and stuttering, uh uh uh 42, or was it 38, let's say 40, yeah, 40. Mike just turned away disgusted. Apparently I wasn't the only lame-o, because we all got a lecture about knowing our times, without having to look at the clock (huh?) . So, that's the newest thing for masters. We need to know how fast we are swimming. At all times. Especially when the coach is around. (note to self: must drink more coffee before swim)

I'm not even sure I can remember the workout, my mind has been slapped around a bit.

2 x 200 free every other 50 drill
400 kick/ dolphin, back, free, fly on back (by 100's)
200 pull

8 x 100 free (hold all at "test" 100 pace)
400 kick (or was it 200? he was blowing the whistle to make us go fast and slower, very confusing)
8 x 50 free (plus "test 50" for reference) on 50 sec.

long lecture about the clock....finally cool down

Later in the day I took Phoebe for a one hour run. I am in total denial, but I feel like I am getting a cold. I have already bee sick twice this year, so this is insane!! I felt really slow on the run, but plodded along and started to feel better by the end. It was warm and I think I was dehydrated last night, since I'm not used to the warmer weather yet. Today is cool again, so no need to drink a bunch (of water) today. I'm about to go out for a ride, in the wind, in the cold. brrrrr.

Thawing out, finally

2008-02-09T08:16:00.000-08:00

Happy cow
View from Refugio Rd, so green!!

There's nothing like some cold rainy weather to make you appreciate our typically lovely weather. It was downright warm yesterday and today is supposed to be the same. Yeah sunshine!! I am a spoiled california girl and expect good weather, damnit. It is so much easier to get out on the bike when you don't have to wear 4 layers and worry about your hands freezing and your toes becoming like wood blocks attached to pedals. I feel the happiness (and longing, of those who don't live here) of cyclists everywhere for the balmy weather.

I ran up Refugio (again) yesterday and then to the gym for a bit of weights. This is supposed to be a recovery weekend for me. Since I will be painting at my new business, this should work out well. I just have a 1:30 bike and some swimming. I am loosely following Gail Bernhardts training plan for ironman. I am adapting it to accomodate my addiction to running. I am feeling much tightness in my right hip the past couple of days. It seems to bother me most when I am doing massage and I feel like I need to stretch constantly. I think it might be from cycling, since it employs more glute muscles than running.

2008-02-07T08:52:00.001-08:00

Showed up for swim today, but the coach didn't. After a few minutes of early morning, not enough coffee, what's our workout confusion, Micah rallied and came up with a workout to get us in the water.

200 swim
200 kick
200 pull

10 x 100 (I did 5 on 1:55, 5 on 1:50)

4 x 100 kick -fast

8 x 50 ( 4 w/ 15 sec. rest, 4 w/ 5 sec. rest)

longish cooldown

Yesterday I went for a run up Refugio and made it to the top and then some. I was inspired to go faster by the truck full of firemen I ran into close to the top. Nice surprise. The run was 75 minutes and I felt great.

I am trying to be more conscious about my eating. I normally eat pretty healthy, but I am always looking for some way to improve or something "bad" to remove from my diet. I mostly try to stick to real foods, minus red meat, pork and dairy(except sometimes). I recently read that we shouldn't eat grains, but haven't done any research on that, yet. I still think the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kinsolver gives great, easily digestible (ha ha ) information about how to eat local, healthy and why we should eat this way. It makes you want to try growing a few things of your own. I just ordered a new recovery supplement called Recover-ease. I'll let you know how I like it.

For now, I'm off to get a massage! Lucky me.

2008-02-05T09:14:00.000-08:00

The coach is back! Back to being watched and watching the clock.

Warm up:

3 x 200 1st 50 swim 50 drill (x2), 2nd 150 swim 50 drill, 3rd swim
2 x 200 kick: free/back, free/fly
1 x 200 pull

Main Set:

6 x 100 free descending 1-3/4-6
4 x 100 kick descending
2 x 100 pull fast
4 x 50 free fast

cool down

I got nailed a few times during practice for not knowing my splits. I have to be more conscious of watching the clock and being consistent with my times. I guess this isn't aqua aerobics. I've never actually participated in the aqua aerobics class, but it certainly doesn't seem like there is much actual exercise involved. Although, I hear, sometimes they kick across the pool. You really feel that in you glutes if you do it correctly.

It is an astoundingly beautiful day. I guess this means a great day for the bike, as long as the wind stays light and barely breezy. The hills are bright green against the sky blue sky. I think the fairies are dancing today.

More Training with Rain

2008-02-04T14:31:00.000-08:00

Another stormy weekend in paradise. I feel bad for all the people that have come to this area to train (because of the great weather and terrain) and have had super cold, rainy weather. It's really hard for me to get motivated to battle the wind and rain on my bike. I don't mind some weather when I'm running, but being on the bike makes me more nervous and cold. I hate to be cold.

Friday: Eight mile run up Drum Canyon. Got caught in a small downpour, but nothing terrible. Felt very strong and wanted to keep going, but was out of time (work, blah).

Saturday: 20 mile run, almost flat. Boring as hell, and my ipod was out of charge. I thought this run would be good training for ironman, since the terrain there is flat and asphalt. Then....40 mile bike, all out.

Sunday: Very rainy so...started out in the pool, one hour. Next, 70 minute run on this great trail near my house (with Phoebe) and it was still raining, so....set up the trainer and rode 45 minutes. I really felt great during all parts of this workout. I wanted to keep riding, but had to cook for the kids. Priorities, ya know.

Today is Monday, and I feel great, but stuck with the plan of just doing yoga. I had to turn myself around as I was driving out to Figueroa Mtn and thought I could just get a little run in. I specifically left the house without my running shoes and found some hidden under the seat. Kinda seemed like a sign to me..to run. Then I thought about all those things I've read about getting strong by resting and not overtraining and decided to just go to yoga as planned. I also went to see the Chiropractor and get adjusted. Also a triathlete, he confirmed that I was training smart by resting today.

Too busy training, still not training enough

2008-01-31T13:28:00.000-08:00

I still have that pile of swim workouts to post, but for now, here is today's 6am blast off:

Warm-up

2 x 200 swim: free, back, free, breast by 25's
2 x 200 kick: free, back, free breast by 50's
2 x 200 pull

Main Set-- all freestyle increasing in speed

100 rest 15 sec
200 rest 30 sec
300 rest 45 sec
400 rest 60 sec
300 rest 45 sec
200 rest 30 sec
100 rest 15 sec

Cool down

I have to admit, I am starting to feel nervous about the big Arizona tri coming up. I am not looking forward to the mass swim start in that weird cement so-called-river. The last time I swam in open water, I had a panic attack, unrelated to the swim, but most likely made worse by it. And the bike, well, with all these cyclists around, it makes one feel pretty inadequate when it comes to cycling. The running, that's not stressful, but all those miles on asphalt and cement....ugh. So, those are some of my concerns and I think it's important to get them out there.

Today I did the above posted swim workout, then got on my bike for 90 minutes. I have a big training workout planned, if the weather permits. My legs have been feeling unusually tight and my shoulders are killing me! Back to yoga, I think. See why I don't have time to blog anymore?? I'm not even dating anyone!

Weather

2008-01-26T08:08:00.000-08:00

If you have ever been to Santa Ynez, you know this is no ordinary sight. I took this photo on my way up to run in the snow. We have had more rain in the last few days than all of last year. It's great and we desperately need it, but it's hell on my bike training!

I have had a couple of lectures from my bike riding friends about getting on my bike more. I thought I was doing pretty good, but apparently not good enough. So, with all this rain and the impending Ironman, I have set up my bike trainer more than any small blonde woman should have to. I have started on the Firefly series now and that seems to be good entertainment for the hell of training indoors. I have been running in the rain, as this doesn't bother me too much, in fact it's a fun change.

I have plenty of swim workouts I intend to post. Our coach is in Australia at the moment, but he so kindly left us with workouts to tackle in his absence.

More later...

Go gently into the new year....

2007-12-30T19:48:00.000-08:00

Or, run like hell to get there. Either way, see you in 2008. Happy New Year!

"Let there be nothing within thee that is not very beautiful and very gentle, and there will be nothing without thee that is not beautiful and softened by the spell of thy presence."
James Allen 1864-1912, Author of As A Man Thinketh

I thinketh I will run, swim and bike my way through at least part of 2008. Somebody needs to inspire me to ride more. That, I suppose, will have to be my resolution. I will ride my bike more and try to run less. Either that, or I will write a training guide on how to complete an ironman by running alone. That just might be a great challenge idea. Hmmmm.

I'm back!

2007-12-27T07:57:00.000-08:00

Today's Chinese fortune: A man and woman will shortly annoy you

That could be everday for me. Unless of course I never leave my house, but even then I guess people could call or email. So, I wonder who it will be? Please, annoy me, I dare you....

My training has been suffering and therefore I have been not quite myself. Now that the holiday season is tapering, maybe life will be sane again. Ha ha. I just moved and that took some energy. We are still settling in to the new place, but we love it.

The pool has been closed due to some chemical fuck-up, so I'm really off of my swim rountine. I went for a longish bike ride the other day and realized how not conditioned my poor butt is. I need to spend some quality time toughening up my tender rear. The riding from my new place is awesome. There are so many directions to go long. I even enjoy the running right from my door. I just wish the days were longer. Luckily I have 2 more seasons of Sex and the City to ride my trainer to. That should get me through a few more weeks of short days. Don't knock it till you try it.

Glad we all made it through one more season of consumer madness. Off to drink more coffee.

Ultra Busy

2007-11-30T06:57:00.000-08:00

My life is insanely busy right now, but good. SB9T ultra was totally awesome. I love that course! I felt really strong and definitely could have gone faster. I did the 37 mile version of the 35 mile course. A well intentioned girl from Pennsylvania (yeah, I know) insisted I was going the wrong direction and of course I trusted her, so we went a bit out of our way. I am packing to go to SF this morning for the next race on my list. I don't know if I am recovered enough, but who cares.

Swimming yesterday was all about counting strokes and trying to reduce the number per lap, while maintaining the same speed. I enjoyed the workout and was able to get my stroke count to a consistent 17. It's interesting because one of the guys in my lane is very tall and has a stroke count of 20. Reach, Micah, reach.

It's raining here in Santa Ynez. I had no idea it was supposed to rain, but man, do we need it. Luckily, the forecast is clear up north where my race is and the rain is just for us parched people in the south. I will find out tomorrow if I got into Western States through the lottery. Cross your fingers for me. I already have people wanting to pace me, but if I don't get in, I think I will try to pace someone.

Back to my crazy busy life. Get outside and play this weekend!

2007-11-20T09:42:00.000-08:00

I only got a little lost on the SB9T course this Sunday. I was helping to mark the course, but I ran out of tape and decided to run ahead on my own. This is always a bad idea for me. I did find my way to the turn around where my car was parked and that's what really matters. I think I know the whole course now and luckily, it will be well marked for the race Saturday. I swear, there is nothing flat on this course, you are either going steeply uphill or flying downhill. It's exactly the kind of running I most enjoy.

Swim workout sucked this morning. Check it out:

3 x 200 swim, kick, pull

8 x 50 swim on the :55

200 kick : fly, back, free, fly(on back)

10 x 50 pull on the :50

200 kick (same as above)

12 x 50 w/ fins on the :45

cool down

There was nothing long and meditative or lovely about any of it.

Girls Rule in the Pool!

2007-11-17T08:21:00.000-08:00

I'm on my third cup of coffee and heading off to work, instead of a run. This is a total drag, but I'm hoping to get out later today and tomorrow, of course. I totally schooled the boys in my new lane Thursday at swim. I started off, repectfully, swimming last and ended up halfway through the workout, leading. When coach Mike told me to go first, the guys' faces dropped and they were like, are we slower?? They are great guys and maybe it was just an off day for them. What's worse is that the other person in the lane was also a woman and she ended up second and the boys, last. In the locker room she says, "did you see their faces when he told them to go last??" It was kinda lovely. I'm sure I'll never run faster than them, so I have to take it where I can.

I actually got out for a long ride (on my bike!) Wednesday. It was a very warm fall day, about 95 degrees. There is a time trial class at my local bike shop that I think I will try next week. We bring our trainer and bike and watch a video or something. It sounds like a bike geek spin class, but what the heck, I'll go.

Go on, get outside and do something fun!!

Zen and the Art of Moving up a Lane

2007-11-13T19:38:00.000-08:00

Swim Workout:

400 free
300 kick free/back/fly
200 pull
100 breast

All free:
8 x 50
400
2 x 200
4 x 100
8 x 50

cool down 100

total 3,000 yards!

I guess I was feeling a little too good this morning because I got moved up a lane. Woo hoo! This is a big deal to us early morning fishies. I had a zen-like experience with the water and swimming this morning. Everything felt just right and I could feel myself moving through the water and moving the water, it was kind of surreal. Maybe it was my new pirate swimsuit, with ARGGH! on the butt and skull and crossbones on the front or maybe it was my wicked PMS finally exiting my existence. Whatever it was, I was fast and it was fabulous.

I did back to back 15 milers this weekend. One on the 9 Trails course and the other up Refugio. Sunday's run was amazing. It was raining, barely, and it was warm. A perfect Santa Barbara trail run. I felt very awesome and wanted to go farther, but knew I shouldn't and had to get to Abigail's soccer BBQ. I have just signed up for another race the weekend after 9 Trails. It's the North Face Endurance Challenge. I'm only doing the 50K. I'm curious to see how my body will handle back to back races like that. I swear, I can't stop signing up for races. I need help.

2007-11-09T06:19:00.000-08:00

With 9 Trail on the horizon, I opted to skip track yesterday and just do my "telephone pole" workout. No, it's not some pole dancing routine, it's running. I pick a long street lined with telephone poles and increase my speed for a certain amount then back off for one length of poles. It's fun, it makes the time go fast and it's a damn good workout.

I'm trying to remember swim workout yesterday. Maybe it's too early in the morning or maybe I haven't had enough coffee. I'll post later if I can remember. Shit.

I plan to get out on the 9 trails course this weekend. I hope the trails are open. The last training run was cancelled (again) last Sunday because of fire danger and trail closures. This will be my last big run weekend till the race. I'm considering doing a race in the Bay area the following weekend. I have a choice of 50K or 50 Mile. I'm leaning toward 50K.

I have to work early today. Hi ho hi ho...

2007-11-07T06:42:00.000-08:00

Sunday I did a 30 mile run all alone. I have been consistently doing a great yoga class every Monday as a recovery workout. I really think it is helping after running/cycling long on the weekends. My yoga instructor can't believe how flexible I am for a runner. It's true, I'm sorta gumbyish. She thinks that's why I can keep running like I do. She, like many people I talk to, have quit running due to some injury or another. She also teaches NIA, and if you've never tried it, you should. It's like a free form dance class. I guess you have to enjoy dancing first .

Swim
400 free

7 x 50 kick free

200 free

4 x 50 kick breast

100 breast

All free:
8 x 50

4 x 100

2 x 200

150 cool down

No More Jack and Candy

2007-11-01T08:33:00.000-07:00

I noticed the lifegaurd trying to supress a smile as we did our drills today. The one called otter, where we swim with our elbows at our sides and sort of doggie paddle, is especially amusing. I'm happy we could entertain the poor girl, she usually looks so bored.

10 x 50 swim/drill (catch-up, scull, 6/3, otter, zipper)

10 x 50 kick (slow/fast)

10 x 50 pull

4 x 100 ascending

2 x 200 at last 100 pace

200 cool down

I ran up Refugio again yesterday and have a weird pulling behind my right knee. I think it's hamstring related. I have track workout today and think I will alternate 400s and 800s. I have just been running in my road shoes lately. They feel so light and soft on my feet. The trail shoes were just killing my ankle bones, even the ones I cut. I figured I would give them a chance to heal and just wear the road shoes. Now, it will be hard to go back to the rigid trail shoe. Hmmm.

I am so glad Halloween is over. Calvin was calling it "jack and candy" day. I thought that was funny.

BOO

2007-10-30T19:46:00.000-07:00

The Senorita and the Wench at Cindy's Halloween Party...don't I look freaky with black hair?

Here's the deal on the new swim suits. I got them, but I obviously ordered the wrong size (24) and could not even pull the damn thing much above my knees. So, it turns out I know nothing about swimsuit sizing. I just got the smallest size, like I always do and hope it's not too big. WRONG. I think Abigail, who's 8, would have a hard time getting the 24 on. I didn't try because I knew she would want to keep the suit if it fit and she doesn't need another bathing suit, especially a $48 one. So, I sent them back and cancelled the Halloween suit since I won't get to wear it near Halloween. BOO hoo. That's the story. Now, here's the workout:

4 x 200 swim: free/back/free/breast (50 each)

4 x 150 kick: fly/back/free

4 x 100 increasing speed

2 x 400 free

cool down

Happy Halloween

2007-10-29T19:23:00.000-07:00

Every year we get a great picture of the the kids at our local pumpkin patch. They seem so big this year, but still super cute.

The 9 Trails training run this past weekend was postponed due to the fires. The National Forest is closed AGAIN and there are some hefty fines for those who don't follow the rules. I would never break the rules. Or trespass on private property. NEVER.

We did do some great training runs around here, though. Saturday, we ran to the top of Figueroa Mountain (luckily, the sign that said the road was closed had blown over due to the high winds), starting in the dark before sunrise, with the full moon. It was breathtaking. Then Sunday, we ran up and over Refugio, to the beach and back. It's steep and far. Two very good training days. I still can't believe I have a running buddy who loves to run as much as me. Wait, I need to qualify that. I have a super best friend who loves to run, maybe more than me, but lives in another state. What I should have said is that it's hard to believe I have a nearby friend to run with. It's something I have been dreaming of for some time now.

Last week I was really sore from speedwork and running hills pretty hard. I had to ice my quads for a few days to get them back to feeling good. Also, some deep massage on my legs really helped. Hurt, but helped. I better be getting faster.

It was fun to watch the progress of Javelina Jundred this weekend. I was talking to Justin on the phone while the runners were coming into the aid station at Javelina Headquarters. Just the pitter patter of runners feet was giving me goosebumps. I wish I could've been there. Next year.

Windy + Dry = Fire

2007-10-23T18:17:00.000-07:00

Can you believe California is on fire, AGAIN?? The fire in Santa Ynez, if you are familiar with this area, is near Woodstock Ranch and the Sedgewick Reserve. This fire should be contained by this evening. I hear the fire began from an ember left from the Zaca Fire. The sky is already looking blue again. Let's hope the Santa Ana winds don't come back up.

On the other hand, the fires in San Diego are getting worse and my dad and family were just evacuated from their home in Valley Center. I am just glad my dad decided to leave and not be stubborn about it. I think we will all sleep better tonight.

Los Olivos 5K Pictures

2007-10-21T19:38:00.000-07:00

This picture says it all...

Guillermo, Alexa and Calvin

Me and Abs

All the runners

Abigail made us pose like this

And slather with mayo...

2007-10-21T07:28:00.000-07:00

I was just reading about this book, Jesus Land, and on the website I found these midwest church potluck recipes. The book looks very interesting and the recipes... I dare you to try one and let me know how it turned out. Debbie, I think we should incorporate the jello salad into your birthday challenge.

5th Grader Does First 5K

2007-10-20T20:34:00.000-07:00

"I'm so proud of myself" is what Calvin has been saying all day. Since his 29: 35 finish this morning at his first 5K, Calvin has been telling the story of his 2nd place kid finish. He told me directly after the race that he is now in training for a 100 mile finish, although it may take years to get there. I can wait, I told him.

I have some great pictures, but blogger is currently not able to post, grrr. I'll have them up soon. Guillermo took first and easily. It's not a really competitive running crowd here, but that's not saying he's not a great runner. First is first.

Fun at the Track

2007-10-19T07:39:00.000-07:00

Small turnout yesterday for swim. I love the early AM workout, you are done before you are even fully awake. I worked a bit, then met Guillermo at his office for a run at noon. We ran to the track, along with his very cute wife. He tried to kill me with speed work. Oh how I hate to run fast, but man do I want to get faster. I'm committed to trying and G says I'm fast on the track. I think he is just being kind or encouraging, but I'll take it.

For track workout we warmed up by running to the track, then alternated 200's and 400's with 45 second rest. The speedwork total was 3 miles. My legs were really tight by the end. It felt great to run back to Santa Ynez. The whole workout was about 6 miles, but that was plenty for me. I'm looking forward to getting faster and better at speed.

Here's the Swim Workout for all you fishies:

16 x 50 swim: free, free/back, free/breast, free

16 x 50 kick: same as above

16 x 50 pull: free (timed)

4 x 100 descending

cool down

Kristine is running the women only marathon in SF this Sunday(not sure what it's called). Also, San Diego 100 is this weekend and there are a couple of people I know running. Best of luck to everyone!! I plan to do the local 5K in Los Olivos. I will probably run with Calvin and Abigail wants to do the kid's mile. What could be better than running with my kids??

Tri Training Begins

2007-10-17T07:14:00.000-07:00

Yesterday's swim workout:

4 x 100 swim/drill

4 x 100 kick: free/fly, free/back, free/fly, free/back (with zoomers)

4 x 100 pull, descending

100, 200, 300, 200, 100 (can't remember the times exactly)

8 x 50 (2 each at a set time, getting faster)

There wasn't a whole lot of hangin' out at the wall in this workout. I went for a run in the afternoon and felt great going up hill, but down still bothers my ankles a little. When I was in Arizona, I came up with the idea of cutting my shoe so it would no longer hit my ankle bone. This turned out to be genius, as I was able to run fairly pain free and now have shoes that allow for this injury to heal a bit better. The problem was that each time I run, my shoes would hit the ankle bone and perpetuate the swelling.

I finally got a good ride in on Sunday, so I guess I am officially training for Ironman. All I can really think about now, though, is 9 Trails. The ride went well and as always, I was thinking why don't I do this more often? It's really relaxing and so kind to your body compared to running. I got to check out the ironman course in AZ, and it doesn't look too daunting. The mass swim start sounds awful, though. Ugh.

Guess who's doing 9 Trails?

2007-10-16T15:40:00.000-07:00

Me!!!

As if it wasn't enough to spend the weekend being totally spoiled by JLU, but I get back and I find out I can run 9 Trails, officially. I think both J and I needed a little cheering up. I'm certainly feeling better, I hope he is, too.

More later...

Will I ever get my new Halloween swimsuit???

2007-10-11T09:59:00.000-07:00

It was extra tough to get outta bed today, but I was in the pool by 6AM. The first half of the workout I was gasping for air the whole time. Then, poof, I was warmed up and on the heels of my lane-mate till the end. There should be a special lane for endurance athletes.

Warm-up

8 X 50 swim: free/back
8 X 50 kick: free/back

Then:

4 X 100
4 X 200
4 X 100 faster

Cool down 4 X 50 pull, 100 breast

I think they are hand stitching my new bathing suits...they are still not here. They did send me an email apologizing for the delay. Grrrrr. They better be really cute and make my butt look small.

I'm going out of town this weekend and will get to run some new trails. Very exciting.

Happy training.

Go Fiona!

2007-10-09T18:35:00.000-07:00

Fiona is doing her first marathon!!!!!

Calvin is off to Catalina Island tomorrow at 5am for 5th grade science camp. It's very exciting for him. I have been labeling everything with my trusty sharpie because Calvin is not known for keeping track of his things. The weather is supposed to be great. I'm so glad my good friend Cindy is going, just in case he needs anything.

Things are pretty exciting around here. We have another mountain lion roaming our neighborhood, due to being displaced by the fire. Also, Sunday I went for a run up on Figueroa Mountain and the ranger stoppped me from heading out on Catway. The gate was closed and I figured it was due to the fire. I intended to just proceed on foot. He said a woman walking her weiner dog (need I say more?) was tree'd (sp?) by a bear Saturday and they had to rescue her. I asked him to describe the bear and realized that was my bear. Well, I've seen him a few times now and I feel like we have an understanding out there. He said the bear, I call him Big Jim, even chased him. I didn't go out there initially and ran a few hours on another trail ( a new trail I'm very excited about, by the way) but when I got back to the car, I couldn't resist going out on Catway to see if I could find Big Jim. The ranger told me that if I got in trouble out there, they wouldn't come after me.

Today I made it to Master's Swim again and even got bumped up a lane already. Yeah. I had a two and half hour break today and ran for 2 hours of it. I did a little speed work. I felt pretty good, despite the swimming. Last week, I was really struggling with the running. I think adding weights and swimming tired me out. This is awful, but I have not got any significant biking in yet. I really need to start.

My friend, Fiona, is doing the Long Beach Marathon this weekend. It is her first marathon. Please send her lots of positive energy, not that she needs it, she's going to do great. Go Fiona!!! She'll be the one in all pink.

2007-10-07T07:35:00.000-07:00

Historical Quote of the Day (AP)

"A moment I've been dreading. George (Bush Sr.) brought his ne're-do-well son around this morning and asked me to find the kid a job. Not the political one who lives in Florida. The one who hangs around here all the time looking shiftless. This so-called kid is already almost 40 and has never had a real job. Maybe I'll call Kinsley over at The New Republican and see if they'll hire him as a contributing editor or something. That looks like easy work."

-- Ronald Reagan in his recently published diaries, written May 17, 1986

I just had to share this, it's so great. Enjoy. I say it's relevant to my blog because I like to go running up by the Ronald Reagan Ranch. It's one of the most beautiful places around. You have a view of the ocean one in one direction and the mountains in the other. Both views are unspoiled by any sort of buildings or homes. Let's hope it stays that way for a while.

2007-10-05T20:28:00.000-07:00

I think I will post my swim workouts for future reference. Also, if anyone wants to try them...they are super fun.

Yesterday we did this:

200 x 2 swim:
free/back
free/breast

200 x 2 kick
free/fly
free/back

16 x 50 at 5 second descending intervals

16 x 50 at 5 second descending interval 5 seconds faster than previous set

plus, of course warm up and cool down a few hundred.

My bathing suits still haven't come. I'm irritated now. Abigail and I got our halloween costumes, though, and they are super cute. Maybe I will post pictures of them later. She looks so beautiful!

I don't just run...

2007-10-03T18:45:00.000-07:00

I made it to Master's Swim yesterday, despite the fact that my new suits still haven't come. I even went for a run with Guillermo in the afternoon. It is really great to have someone to run with, and if I want to continue running with him I think I will have to get faster quickly. I was definitely tired after the swim, but it felt great to be back with the group. I guess I will get on my bike tomorrow after swim. I have to start riding again sometime.

I am looking for my next race (50k or 50 mile), maybe sometime in November. Any ideas??

Phoebe sure is happy I'm running again. Walking around the neighborhood is for normal dogs. She's a trail dog.

Wait a minute....

2007-09-30T16:56:00.000-07:00

Did I say there were more important things than running? Maybe that's true, but I can't think of anything I love to do more than run...at least right now.

I had such an awesome run today with the 9 Trails crowd in Santa Barbara. I was really nervous about my knee and my ankle, but decided to suck it up and go anyway. I am so glad I did. My knee and ankle feel better now than when I began. Odd, I know, but sometimes, just sometimes, that's the way it works. We ran about 18 miles on very hilly, mostly technical trails. It was great to be out on the trails again. Now that the Zaca Fire is out, everything seems to be open again. Yipee!!

Life after AC

2007-09-29T11:28:00.000-07:00

Life after AC100 is good. I am still being plagued by persistent pain in my right knee, but it seems to be getting better with time and lots of icing. It has forced me to get in the pool again and ride my bike a bit. It is always hard for me to get back to swimming after time off, not because it's physically hard(quite the opposite- it feels very good to my body), but it's just so different and time consuming. So, I went on-line and bought myself some new bathing suits to inspire my pool comeback. I haven't received them yet, but I found this great website called splish.com with very cute suits. I plan to go back to my master's swim class next week. I hope the new suits come before that. What do you think of my Halloween suit?

I'm invited to do a training run with some people training for 9 Trails, tomorrow. 9 Trails is our only local Ultra and I've wanted to do it the last couple of years, only to find it full each time I've tried to sign up. I hope to get in this year, even though it's full. The race is in Novemeber sometime. Check it out: santa barbara 9 trails. If I don't get in, I guess I will volunteer.

I must not forget... there are more important things than running, like inspiring and supporting other's in their endeavors. Cheers.

from a pacer's perspective

2007-09-24T07:49:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share what John(my fearless pacer) wrote about the last 25 miles:

What a strange and wonderful thing to meet someone and then 2 seconds later join them on this super/sub-human 9 hour grind. A big congratulations to you. I’m blown away by who you are to be able to do this. And what an experience to join you. Here’s what I wrote to my friends about it…

So this weekend was an experience for sure.

I got to mile 75 to meet my friend Dave only when he finally got there, he was having back spasms, couldn’t stand up straight and had to drop out of the race. I thought I would have a few hours of sleep and sanity, but there was a woman who didn’t have a pacer and her crew was worried about her and called out to the crowd to see if there was someone who would run her in (yes there was a crowd at 4 AM – this is a group of crazy people). Apparently my masochistic and chivalrous nature took over.

So instead of #76 Dave Campbell I ran in #119 Sandee Sanger.

You can’t imagine how amazing these runners are. Sandee was in such pain and was so tired and delirious that she was hallucinating -- see cars and busses on the trail – but she kept putting one foot in front of the other.

The last 25 miles took 9 hours, so it was more like a very long hike than a run, but there are very few people on the planet that could make such an insane and triumphant accomplishment happen. You can’t imagine the emotion at the end; even just being next to someone making it happen. What a privilege.

And that just may be as close as I’m going to get.

AC100, My Rite of Passage

2007-09-21T07:31:00.000-07:00

By the time we got to Wrightwood on Friday, I felt like I had gained 10 pounds. The tapering and hydrating and forcing myself to eat meals all left me feeling pretty stuffed. It was confirmed at the weigh-in, I was about 5 pounds heavier than my normal weight. We had to have our drop bags ready by noon, so we spread our stuff
out in the parking lot and got to it.

Packing Drop Bags on Friday
I woke at 3 AM on Saturday morning feeling like I had actually slept some. I was very happy about this, as I knew I wouldn't be sleeping for the next 24 hours. I think all of us were anxious to start the race.

Sandee, Kevin & Donald at the Start in Wrightwood

100 miles to go....As I left Wrightwood I tried to concentrate on running slow and steady, so I knew I would finish. The temperature was chilly, but nice and the other runners seemed to be in their heads, too, planning their race. It was eerily quiet as we started our first ascent. My goal

was to finish, but also to have a good race, one without dehydration issues and stomach distress. These are the things that always seem to plague me in long runs and races.

Coming into Islip Saddle

Me and Pacer John at the finish

I didn't see Jamie and Gail (my awesome crew) till mile 25 at Islip Saddle. I was feeling great at this point and when I weighed in I hadn't lost a pound, which means I wasn't dehydrated. Yeah! I left my headlamp, bandanna, gloves and long sleeve shirt behind and put on my flappy hat that Jerry J gave me this summer. It was perfect.

75 miles to go...I decided to concentrate on getting to Chantry Flats (mile 75) since I knew if I could get there, I would finish the race. That was 50 miles of eating, drinking, peeing, running, walking, running, you get the picture. As I checked in at each aid station, it was Jamie and Gail who's concerned, but happy faces, always greeted me. It was all I could do not to cry sometimes and tell them how much I loved them, as I came rolling into the aid station. I was curious about how the guys were doing and kept asking at each aid station. Kevin went from 3rd to 1st and then won the race before I even arrived at Chantry Flats. We finally learned that Donald was making awesome time as well.

When I reached Shortcut, it was just getting dark and my feet were killing me. My left ankle was swollen from twisting it and it kept hitting the side of my very stiff shoe. I knew I had several blisters and my right knee pain was just kicking in. This was a low point for me and the girls saw it on my face as I came into the aid station. I knew I needed to eat more and take my e-caps, but it just seemed so hard. I managed to get some chicken soup down, which would become the only thing I could eat for the rest of the race, aside from a few little things forced on me. I asked Gail and Jamie to change my shoes and socks, but don't tell me about my blisters. I was shaking with cold and exhaustion, but finished my soup, put on some warmer clothes and left shortcut, alone, in the dark.

Something wonderful happened out there on the trail, at night. I started to feel good again and I was truly enjoying the race. That was until I took a fantastic superman-type fall right in front of two other runners. This was one of two of this type of fall, that I take on this particular stretch of trail. It was dark and technical and I guess I wasn't the only one out there falling. So, now I have managed to scrape both knees and there is blood running down my right shin. I am super dirty, with oak leaves stuck to me. Thank god it was dark.

Somehow, I make it to Chantry Flats. I start thinking it would be nice to have a pacer. All the other runners out there from Shortcut on, have had pacers. I ask my crew if they can ask around and this woman overhears me and shouts,"Does anyone want to pace this girl? She's cute!" Then, like my knight in shining armor, comes John, the pacer. His friend dropped and he was out there, all ready, with no one to pace. Lucky me. Thus begins the last 25 miles of my journey.

25 miles to go... I knew this would be tough, for one, I've already run 75 miles, but now I have to go up Mt Wilson and I know from experience this climb sucks. I also know that I will not see Jamie or Gail till the finish. No smiling, concerned faces of my friends, just me and John. John has never paced before, but turns out to have it in his blood. He forces me to eat and drink and keep moving forward. We talk about life and the time passes as I get closer to the finish line. He realizes that every time he feeds me some little snack, I pick up the pace for a while. I'm like a wind-up toy.

As we near the last aid station, there seems to be a group of us running (or walking) together. Getting to Millard seems to take forever and I try not to get discouraged as the mountain bikers keep passing us, forcing me to stop and step to the side. John is very protective of me and watches to make sure I don't fall over the edge. We come upon a woman who has fallen on the trail and is pretty beat up. I can't stop for long, but John stops to help her, then catch up with me(she is not in the race).

5 miles to go...When we finally make it to Millard, it's as if we are all on a mission and the pace increases dramatically. We hike quickly up the one mile of incline and then we are off and running. Really running for the first time in hours. It actually feels good and I keep wondering how my body is moving like this after 95+miles. I am once again with Dennis from Denmark, who I met at mile 5, and haven't seen since then. He says he recognizes my braids, I only recognize his voice. We are both emotional about the finish, in fact, we keep getting all choked up just talking about it, but decide we will run better if we don't cry. Wise decision, we agree. Soon we see the vicinity of our finish and people are directing us...less than a mile to go. We are trying hard not to get choked up now. John tells me it's okay if I slow down to savor the moment- hell no! We run like antelope (well, wounded antelope) for the finish line and right before I cross, this woman, passes me. WTF? I forgive her now, but I was pretty pissed. Who passes at the end of a 100 mile race? C'mon. She promptly grabs me and hugs me after we cross the finish and I'm a little hesitant, than joyful and of course choked up. Hal, the race director, hands me a 'finishers' t-shirt and Gail and Jamie direct me to a chair, aaahhh.

I'm so happy to have finished my first hundred and very humbled to have met so many great runners who have finished several of these races. I have some great new friends and feel like a true ultra runner now. I'm already thinking about the next race I can do. I'm thinking 50 miles sounds good. Unfortunately for my friends, there are more 100's in my future. So, for now, running remains my lover, xxoo.

Love eat run...

2007-09-19T20:48:00.000-07:00

"Love flowers best in openness and freedom" Edward Abbey

That's all I really have to say tonight. Tried running, gave it up for hiking, but got a good 45 minutes in today. Looking forward to a good day out running, clearing my head and writing the Ac100 race day report.

I'm not much good if I can't run, that's all I know. Thanks, Donald, for the picture. I'm at Islip Saddle, mile 25 of AC100.

The Finish

2007-09-17T12:41:00.000-07:00

The winner and me, a mere finisher.

I'm an Ultrarunner

2007-09-17T12:04:00.000-07:00

Friday in Wrightwood at the start
My friend Kevin (this years' winner of AC100!) at the start in Wrightwood on Friday
Gail working on Donald's feet Friday night, before the race
Me at Chantry Flats, mile 75

I will share more when I feel more coherent, but for now here are some photos and yes, I finished. I FINISHED!!!!!! I could not have done it without so much great support from far and near.

I'm off to the all night Angeles Crest party

2007-09-13T17:07:00.000-07:00

Feet Before...

I told my friend Genene, who just did my pedicure, that I would take before and after pictures of my feet. When I told her they may not be too bad, she burst out laughing and said, no way, they are going to be completely f***ed up! Okay, I know she's right. But don't they look lovely, now? You can hardly tell that I recently lost 3 toenails.

Everyone keeps asking me if I'm ready. I'm certainly not unprepared, so, yeah, I guess I'm ready. When I was telling Abigail about the race the other night she says to me, "It sounds like you're going to a running party, mom, how fun!". She is kind of right. It's something adults do, with their friends, voluntarily, and for 'fun' all night long. It is a party of sorts.

I have two great friends who have offered, with some coaxing , to crew for me. It's a mother and daughter team. Gail and Jamie will drive around to the accessible areas and make sure I have what I need and take pictures of the whole event. Raul will ride his bike to Pasadena and watch me finish. I know Steve, JLu and Jerry J, Lisa, and all my other runner friends will be there in spirit and will send me lots of love and support via telepathic messages and cell phone messages. I know you all wish you were going to be there and so do I!!

This quote from the most recent Ultrarunning magazine keeps going through my head,

"Going for a run always clears my head, but running 100 miles distills my soul." Keith Knipling

I'll let you know on Sunday... for now I'm off to Back to School Night, then to an early bed. Happy Trails.

The Plan

2007-09-11T19:03:00.000-07:00

I've decided to approach the race like a birth and have a plan. When you give birth these days it is common to have a 'birth plan', so by the time you are in excruciating pain and are begging for drugs, the nurse or your partner get to say "nope, you specifically state here in the birth plan that under no circumstances are we to give you drugs, sorry". At the time, you hate those people, but afterwards, you are so happy you did it naturally. So, I figure, I will tell Gail and Jamie that under no circumstances am I allowed to drop, and sure, I may hate them at the time, but I will be so happy when I finish and love them even more. I know there are medical reasons for dropping, just like sometimes you have to have an emergency C-section, but those are different circumstances. Those are obvious.

I find myself once again without a pacer, since the last crew access is 25.5 miles from the finish. So, if anyone wants to run the last 25.5 with me....let me know. Or even mile 52 on would be fine. I can't believe it's 3 days away. I hope I'm ready.

Okay, Tapering Sucks

2007-09-10T19:43:00.000-07:00

Yeah, yeah, I know I'll feel better on the run, I will get plenty of exercies this weekend, I should enjoy not having to run so much, blah blah blah...

I woke up early, took the kids to school, then went back to my office and wow! is it clean. I spent a full hour with the vaccuum alone, getting in every corner, sucking all the dust from the blinds, moving every piece of furniture and making sure all the rugs were shook out. The only icky thing was a potato bug lurking under the reception area rug. I could have handled a tarantula, but potato bugs are wrong. yuck.

Did I mention I have poison oak from the helicopter run? Yeah, everyday it gets worse. I'm sure it will be gone by Saturday. I have every confidence it is disappearing as I write this.

Does Anyone Really Like to Taper?

2007-09-09T07:31:00.000-07:00

I am finally taking my tapering seriously. I just started the book Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey. I plan to spend the day packing drop bags and most likely manically cleaning my house. I never know quite what to do with the excess energy that comes from tapering. I like the idea of taking it easy for a change, but as it always turns out, I don't really like it, nor am I very good at it. This would be a great time to do some yoga or even meditate, but with the world welling up inside me, begging to get out, I have a hard time being still. This reminds me of when I did the Master Cleanse fast and I had an abundance of unexpected energy. I got really organized and my house was very clean.

Once a Runner, always a Runner

2007-09-07T07:11:00.000-07:00

JLu (Justin) and Jerry J at Javelina Jundred

The past two days I have been running with my new running buddy, Guillermo. I have been taking him to the mountains and introducing him to the trails I love. I can't believe how fortunate I am to finally have someone in my area who loves to run long and trail and is as passionate about it all as me. He totally gets it. He says he can't believe I have been running out here alone all this time. I know! I must admit, I am a little sore from running with him. I can see how having someone better to push you could really make a difference. This is truly a gift.

On a different note altogether, I just received an email from the most amazing runner and best guy friend I have. He is facing the possibility of never running again, due to some spinal problems. I have to believe there is something that can help him. People tell me that eventually every runner has to stop running at some point. I think those people are wrong, and I hope they are wrong in Justin's case, too. Look how happy he is after running his first 100 mile race and placing 3rd overall. That's amazing.

He inspired me to try ultrarunning and has always been my biggest fan. I'm not the only one he has inspired and supported along the way. I think a group of us look to him for guidance and motivation because he has such a great attitude and energy about running and triathlon. He is always there with tips and great advice on finishing a race. He makes you feel as if you are part of this very special family and there is no way you are alone out there training or racing. I will just have to run enough for both of us until he can get out there again.

In the meantime, Justin, do what you do best, support and inspire! We need you. You will always be a runner at heart.

Idle Hour Adventure

2007-09-03T17:33:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure how to start the story of my AC training run this weekend. It was fantastic in so many ways, but utterly miserable, too. I got in my 40 miles plus, but had to be pulled out by a helicopter, lifted by a cable. I know, it sounds almost James Bond or plain stupid.

We started the run around 7:15 from a place called Short Cut off of highway 2. Bill's wife dropped us off and the weather wasn't too bad, yet. We knew we were in for a hot day and most everyone was prepared, carrying extra hydration stuff. I thought I would be fine with my normal hydration pack. We were all together for the first 30 miles or so, but started to stretch out as we got closer to our last water cache. I was out of water for hours at this point and feeling pretty funky. I kept going, slowly, knowing I was close to the water.

With Flaco only a few minutes in front of me, I went straight on a trail that I should have turned uphill on. I realized after a bit that the trail wasn't much of a trail after all. I decided to try climbing straight up the hill to find the trail again. I did this for a while, with no luck. I resigned to going back to where I knew the trail was. Finally, after about an hour detour, I was back at the trail. Here's where I made the biggest mistake. I headed back the way I came instead of toward the guys and the water. By the time I realized my mistake, I was so dehydrated and tired, I could hardly walk.

I managed to climb toward Mt Wilson to get cell reception. I tried Guillermo, who didn't have his phone with him. I thought he might give me some direction out of the Idle Hour campground. The only way I knew was straight up Mt Wilson or back the way I came. Both were uphill and about 10 miles. I was in no shape to manage either one. Finally, I called 911, who connected me to the fire department. I explained my situation, that I was severely dehydrated, vomiting constantly and far from anything. He assured me they would get me out before dark, but to go back to Idle Hour so I was near an actual place they could find on a map.

I shuffled my way back down the hill and waited. I soon heard a helicopter overhead and waved my arms each time they passed overhead. I was sure they saw me, but then they left. I was certain, now that I would be spending the night out there. I even found a nice place to lie down. Every time I tried to get up, I would puke, it was awful. Finally, the helicopter came back and hovered right above me. I had mixed feelings about being rescued by a helicopter, but decided, what the heck, it's gonna happen.

I see this guy being lowered with a cable and try to walk over to him. The helicopter creates such a storm of wind and everything is swirling around in my face, but I manage to get over to him. He puts a harness on me and attaches me to the cable, along with himself and up we go. He is holding me very tightly and the cable starts to spin as we are lifted into the air. I try hard not to puke on him as the spinning is really turning my already unsteady stomach. There is one guy waiting at the entrance and he pulls me inside and buckles me into a seat. I can't believe I'm in a helicopter! They make me drink lots of gatorade and water. After checking my vitals, they want to take me to the hospital. I adamantly decline.

The moral of the story is to drink more water early and eat more food, during and before the run. What happened to the 4 guys I started with, you ask? Well, they came back looking for me and saw the helicopter lift me out. The didn't get to the road until dark and had to call Bill's wife to pick them up, as they had gone backwards, like me, trying to find me. I was relieved to learn that no one was angry at me for losing my way and making everyone worry. In fact, it seems they were psyched to have gotten in more miles and enjoyed the adventure of it all.

I love ultrarunners. I think we just look at life differently.

Figueroa Mtn Safari

2007-08-30T07:09:00.001-07:00

Phoebe and some cows

First Tarantula of the season...kinda blurry
Bobcat! He's a beauty.

Yep, it's still closed. We slipped under some barbed wire and disregarded a no trespassing sign to do our run today. I'm not advocating this type of behaviour, but c'mon, I've been more than patient. Phoebe chased, or rather, herded, loads of cows and was as happy as a pig in shit. This is the job she was born to do. She was so pleased with herself. I must say, it was helpful as the cows were all over the trail and she moved them right along.

The weather has been hot lately, so I felt sorta sluggish on my run. Maybe I'm just tired, who knows. It was great to see all the creatures, though. The bobcat was huge and the tarantula is just the first of many. Tarantulas are always seen crossing Figueroa Mtn Rd, as you can see from the sign. I had to brake hard for this guy. I will get a better picture next time and show some size comparison. He was big.

Off to run in Santa Barbara. It looks like they have opened some trails and I expect it will be a little cooler there, but muggy. Oh well.

Happy Trails.

Fire Update

2007-08-28T07:17:00.000-07:00

My training has not been blog worthy lately. I have been running mainly on the road and treadmill. Here is the latest update on the Fire, which looks pretty positive for a change. I may be out on my trails again soon.

Beware of Mountain Lions and Prisoners

2007-08-24T07:52:00.000-07:00

I started my run yesterday in the fog. I found that when they say the forest is closed,they mean it. I had a hard time finding trails to run and even when I did, the forest service and firefighters kept popping up and redirecting me. I ended up doing a run on mostly new fire roads and getting lost, as usual.

At first glance, I thought these orangle clad people were firefighters, but as I got closer, I noticed 'prisoner' on the side of their pants. They were all women, too, and exactly what you imagine they would look like. Yikes. They were calling me honey and remarking to each other about how cute I was. I found out that their job was to carry these hoses back to the trucks at Upper Oso campground. It was quite a hike for them, it was impressive. I figured it was probably better than sitting inside prison.

One very nice fire fighter showed me his map of all the new fire roads and tried to give me clear directions on getting back to Paradise Rd. I took a picture of the map(top picture) so I could look at it later. He warned me that there were several mountain lions in the area, due to the fire and that I should be very careful. This was about the fourth person who told me the same thing. Normally, I could relax and not worry too much about such things, but I kept seeeing deer, thinking they were hungry mountain lions and getting startled. Unfortunatley, his directions still didn't get me back to the right area.

I didn't mind so much being lost, but I ended up on private property and some woman scolded me. She directed me off the ranch, which put me on Stagecoach Rd., which ends at Paradise. From there, I had 8 miles of road to get back to my car. I ran out of water and was sufficiently tired when I reached the car, but loaded up on water and went out for a few more miles. I saw mountain lion tracks over my shoe prints from hours before. This freaked me out.

I took this picture from the top of the Alisos Trail. It surprised me how dry the river looked. Despite it all, the fire, the mountain lions and the lack of water, I was so happy to be out there again. I really miss the access to the trails. It's going to be very interesting exploring where the fire has been and see what new roads and trails have been made to get to the fire.

Sky Blue Sky

2007-08-22T18:36:00.000-07:00

Monday was a 10 mile treadmill run, which is actually getting easier. There is something oddly satisfying about watching the miles tick by. Tuesday was...gasp...a rest day. Today I went up Refugio, with the beautiful blue sky revealing itself between the trees and the lovely fresh, smoke-free air filling my lungs. It was orgasmic. I mean it, it was a great run.

I am planning to do a long (40 mile) run tomorrow. With the sky so clear, I may be able to do it around here, cross your fingers for me. I may have to cross some "road closed" signs, but that's the right of an ultrarunner, right? I have seen many of these signs lately. Unless I see fire, and the forest service people, I'm going in. Wish me luck.

AC Trail Work Completed

2007-08-20T07:10:00.000-07:00

I spent the weekend in the Angeles Forest, out of the smoke filled skies of Santa Barbara County. I met a group of guys in Pasadena early Saturday morning to do some trail work on the very trail we would be running, most likely in the dark, at AC100. I say a group of 'guys' since the women doing the race have apparently already finished their trail work, being the more organized of the sexes. Where does that leave me?? Let's just say, it wasn't so bad being a less organized female.

I camped overnight and got out early for a run Sunday morning, with another runner, up to Mt. Baden-Powell. I would like to have gone farther, but had to get back to Santa Ynez for the kids piano recital. I had to show up straight from the road, not having showered in 2 days and run/hiked many miles in the heat. But, I made it, despite the 3 motorcycle accidents on the Angeles Hwy, the awful traffic, where there has never been traffic before, and all the terrible drivers on the road.

I met some amazing runners, who, upon meeting, would never tell you they are so good. It is only by their friends or checking their results, that you would know how awesome they are. One runner, Guillermo, has just moved to my area and was asking me about trails to run. I thought I heard someone say he won AC a couple of years back, and sure enough, he won in 2005. WON! I spent some time with another runner who kept insisting he wasn't that fast, but someone else says he just won a local marathon. Once again, WON! So, when I say, I'm not fast, I mean it. But, I'm not buying it from the crowd I met this weekend.

I'm not sure if I feel more intimidated about this race or less, after this weekend. I'm certainly going to try to get back to the course and do at least one more long training run out there. It's good to have the mandatory trail work done. It was great to meet Hal Winton, the race director, and hear stories of past races and all of the obstacles they have had to deal with, like road closures and fires. It was definitely good to connect with some of the other runners and feel like part of the ultra world. Let me tell you, it is definitely another world.

Runs with Fire

2007-08-17T07:20:00.000-07:00

I awoke once again to a bright orange sun and smoke filled skies yesterday. I decided to try going south, to Santa Barbara, to do a trail run. It was even worse in SB. I could see the ash like silvery snow coming down and when I stepped out of my car, my black shirt was covered with grey specks. I went running anyway, although I thought it was a little odd that there were no other cars at the trailhead. As I went higher up, toward Camino Cielo Rd, I could actually feel the heat from the fire and the smoke and ash were really bad. I started to get a little nervous, and turned around. I still got in a 2 hour run and didn't feel too bad from the smoke.

When I got to the bottom, the forest service people were waiting and scolded me for being out in such poor conditions and told me the forest was closed. From Cuyama to Ventura, no access! I still can't believe the fire has endured this long. It's a good thing I am going to the Angeles Forest this weekend for trail work and running.

The sky doesn't look much better this morning, but I'm going out anyway. I guess I should just enjoy the lovely orange and red sunrise and mushroom clouds over the mountains. The yellowy sky doesn't do much for me, it just looks like smog. My camera battery died and the charger is half here and half in Utah, so until the two pieces are reunited, I will not have pictures to post.

Anyone have advice on training in bad air conditions? They say the forest will be closed until at least mid September.

2007-08-15T08:52:00.000-07:00

I saw this article this morning. http://www.yahoo.com/s/652108. This marathon wonder boy is 4 and his trainer who was arrested says he has been training him for 2 years. What? Since he was 2? This is creepy.

The Dreaded Treadmill

2007-08-14T06:49:00.000-07:00

So, I've had to run on my treadmill a lot the last few days. With a party to put on for a sante (my business) this weekend, the kids and working, I have not had a chance to get out for a run. It's pretty crazy to spend hours in the garage watching people running by and being a captive audience. I try to vary my routine- steep uphill climbs, fast flat running, boring slight incline, but my mind still tries to get me off the damn thing. It was pointed out to me that this is very good training for the hours I will spend alone and tired at AC. It is always a challenge to keep your mind from sandbagging you.

I saw an article on the Speedgoat Blog about a uphill treadmill race between Scott Jurek, Karl Meltzer and Dave Mackey at the Outdoor Retailer show this past weekend. Mackey took both Karl and Scott! I will say, from experience, that it probably wasn't that fun, but I would have enjoyed watching those guys battle it out.

Off to the garage for one last dreaded run...tomorrow I am free!

Pacers Wanted

2007-08-11T07:57:00.000-07:00

Looks like I am in need of a pacer, or two, for Angeles Crest. My former pacer(and best guy friend), Justin, is injured and needs to deal with rehabilitating correctly so he can run again. I know there is someone out there who wants to run in the mountains at night. Raul, aka Rocketman, has offered to pace the last 15 miles. That leaves 33 miles or so for someone. I'm thinking maybe I don't really need a pacer, but I think it's safe to say I don't really know how I'm going to feel at mile 52.

What's a Switchback?

2007-08-10T07:51:00.000-07:00

Phoebe finally made it to the top of Grass Mountain. I think I will change the name to "What's a switchback?" Mountain, due to the no f*cking around, straight up nature of the trail. Besides Grass Mountain sounds lame. This is a training run worthy of the speedgoats in Utah. I'm going to start timing myself and try to increase my speed. Too bad this area is private property, so there is no good information on the mileage and elevation gain. Looks like I will have to invest in one of those crazy watches with the altimeter and such. I see the benefit of all the new gear, I'm just more interested in things like new trail shoes and running skirts, now those things are interesting!

I did a second run on the Jesusita trail yesterday at dusk. The fire made for a lovely sunset. All red and orange and eerie. We have to appreciate the beautiful accidents in life. I was really fatigued before the run, but felt great during. I'm always surprised when this happens, but I like to think that means I am getting stronger.

I have been running so much recently, that so many of my calories are coming from hammer gel, heed and the occasional larabar. I wonder if this is healthy? I have been so tired at night , though, that sleep has been really blissful.

New Shoes

2007-08-08T20:44:00.000-07:00

I took my new shoes for a run today. I can't believe my luck! I bought 50% off shoes at my favorite running store, Santa Barbara Running, and they had my size and they're great. If I wasn't so tired right now, I'd go out again, just to make sure they are as fantastic as I thought they were this morning. They are Montrail Highline and they aren't as rigid as my Continental Divide Montrails, but rigid enough to take some rocks. I don't know.....I think I'm in love.

Tuesday Training

2007-08-07T20:26:00.001-07:00

Tuesday training is always a little tricky. I normally work a full day and have the kids, so that leaves little time for training on my own. Today I woke up early and started my day with a quick uphill run on the treadmill, with a cup of joe close at hand. Later in the afternoon, I snuck in another smallish run ( 4 miles ) before I had to pick up the kids. All told, about 8 miles total for the day. Not as much as I'd hoped, but for a Tuesday, I'll take it.

The thing I am noticing about shorter runs and running on the treadmill, is that I tend to push myself more. When I am on the trail for hours, I tend to be more gentle with myself, which is probably okay some of the time. Lately, I have had the kids ride their bikes along side of me while I run. They are great little coaches, yelling at me to go faster and taking turns pacing me. They get annoyed when they have to wait for me at intersections, which makes me run faster to catch up, or I have to suffer their great sighs of exasperation at my "snail pace".

Fire and Frustration

2007-08-06T07:24:00.000-07:00

I had my mind set on driving to Wrightwood and doing a long training run on Saturday. I thought it would get me out of the smoke and give me a chance to look at the start of AC100. This wasn't in the cards, I guess, as too many things came up to prohibit this adventure. I spent most of Saturday morning looking for access to a trail to run. The Zaca fire had caused all access to Figueroa and Paradise and highway 154 was closed. I even went out 166 past Santa Maria and the access road to some wilderness out there was even closed. I tried a trail a friend told me about, but it was just way too hot for Phoebe and there was no shade to leave her in the car.

Needless to say, I was pretty irritated and just wanted to run! I finally settled on grass mountain and decided to take my chance with the smoke and trail closures. I was able to access this trail as usual and tried out some new loops that I recently learned about. It was scorching and I only had my two water bottle carrier, which is great, but doesn't hold as much water as my hydration pack. I was miserable by the end, with no water, no shade and rubber legs from going up grass mountain twice. I think the elevation gain must be like 3,000 ft. I have to check on this. It's straight up. It really hurts. I spent 4 hours out there. It took me a while to rehydrate at home.

The next day I went to Romero Canyon and did a 3 hour out and back run. I ran into some mountain bikers and two runners. All from out of town. They all loved the trail and the views of the ocean and the mountains. The weather pretty perfect yesterday. I even fell in love with Santa Barbara again. I felt great, too, not at all fatigued from Saturdays run which surprised me.

I heard this morning from a client who is on evacuation alert, that they now estimate the fire will go till October. October! I just hope there are some nice trails left for me to run around on. We all need to do a little rain dance.

Zaca fire from grass mountain

Altitude Matters!

2007-07-28T10:16:00.000-07:00

I just returned from Utah, where I ran the Wasatch Speedgoat 50K that ran around the mountains in Snowbird up to 11,000 feet. Having done most of my training at close to sea level, I knew the altitude could be difficult, if not stop me from finishing.

The race started at around 8,000 ft, so I felt the effects immediately and more and more as the elevation increased. Near the top of the first climb, my head was pounding, as was my heart. I felt as if someone was pulling me backwards with a rope. It was all I could do to keep taking steps forward. I was stumbling around at the top and felt very light-headed and woozy. As I began the descent, I noticed I felt better and better and could run again. I just repeated this pattern throughout the 5 climbs of the race.

It was so beautiful and the support was really great. I knew I would finish before the 13 hour cutoff, so I just plodded along and sometimes really ran, until I finished in 8 1/2 hours.

My boyfriend ran this as his first ultra and finished 1st in his age group. Good thing I'm not competitive or I'd be pissed. He also finished 14th place overall. He did awesome.

Goldilocks and the Mountain Lion

2007-07-08T07:38:00.000-07:00

I saw my first mountain lion out on the trail yesterday. Oddly enough it wasn't a hair raising experience, as I always anticipated. It just leaped across my trail, as quite and gentle as a feather. It was like a blur. I tried to see where it had gone, but there was no sign of it anywhere.

The run was great. It was very hot and I could see the smoke from the Zaca fire most of the run. It saddens me that my mountains are burning. There was a bike and sweatshirt left behind at the Santa Cruz trail fork, about 7 miles up the trail. I saw this same bike and sweatshirt about a week and a half ago. I think I will report it today, in case someone is in trouble out there. Or dead....yikes.

I have been training on this great steep hill off of Figueroa mountain rd. I think people around here call it grass mountain. It is really steep. Phoebe was trying to stop herself from coming down too fast and ended up scooting down on her belly. I wish my camera wasn't in Utah! I could see the fire fighters going back and forth to the fire in the helicopters, and apparently they could see me, too. When I came back down to the car, one of the guys going up in a truck said they are calling me Goldilocks, as my hair was flying out from under my bandanna. Funny.

I'm reading Barbara Kingsolver's Animal Vegetable Miracle and must insist that everyone pick up a copy. It's very interesting, pertinent information and a great story as well. I'm inspired to put more effort into eating local food. I was just over at my friend Trish's house and checked out this garden she has been talking about. She has made raised beds and lined them with upside down wine bottles, a technique her and Michael learned in Italy last summer. For some reason it keep the critters out. Something about the glass and the way the wind blows through them, I don't really know. I really want my own garden again. For now I will just be grateful for my very prolific Zucchini and sunflowers in the backyard.

She's come undone

2007-06-14T07:59:00.000-07:00

Even as I write this, I see my map of the San Rafael Wilderness out of the corner of my eye and I am thinking about what kind of run I am going to do today. This sort of behaviour of overdoing it seems to have got me into a little trouble.

Yesterday I went down to Santa Barbara to do Nite Moves, an event I normally really enjoy. The conditions were perfect. The water was 60 degrees and calm. There was just a slight breeze and 2 of my girlfriends were doing the swim, too. My better judgment and my boyfriend were against me doing the swim, given my recent diagnosis of a nerve problem in my right hand. This hand problem warranted me taking the week off of doing massage and riding my bike. This was stressful in itself because an unplanned week off of work wasn't helping my already tight budget.

Maybe I shouldn't have got in the water last night. I found myself in a really dire situation about halfway through the swim, where I am normally just settling into my groove and really enjoying myself. Instead I was gasping for air and couldn't catch my breath. I was panicking so badly that I thought I might drown. It was truly awful. I have never experienced an anxiety attack, and here I was in the ocean, experiencing a very severe one. It was pure willpower that enabled me to finish the race. I was 15 yards from the shore and it was like a wall was up and I just couldn't move. If you have ever done any sort of race, the end is where you usually get that extra burst of energy to sprint in or at least make an effort to finish strong. It was the opposite. I saw people on the beach cheering people on and it seemed like and eternity before I made it to the shore. My breathing was so bad that my chest hurt and I was coughing a weird hacking cough that wouldn't stop.

Of course I thought if I could just get my wetsuit off and get my running shoes on, I could get out on the run course and feel better again. No such luck. I started the run and had to walk every few minutes to catch my breath. I wanted to go hide in the bathrooms. I made it back to the finish area and decided to have a beer. I told Kristine about my trouble and she offered to drive me home. I declined and made it home okay after talking to Gail on the phone for a while.

I guess there are times where we need to listen to others and respect our own intuition. I knew I was stressed, but had no idea it would manifest itself in such a violent way. I am trying to learn from this experience, rather than punish myself. I have a tendency to overdo stuff and not take the time to rest and be quiet. So, although I may go for that run today, I will spend part of my day undoing instead of overdoing. Hopefully one day I will learn to do things at a normal, healthy pace.