Goodbye 08!

Can't believe tomorrow is already January 1?!  Where does the time go!  We're right in the middle of week 5.  Week 4 was recovery week, which just means the workouts are ramped down for a week.  It was nice, especially given that last week was X-mas season.  

Now it's the middle of week 5 and I'm starting to find myself getting a little more tired.  Today I even noticed the soreness in my arms/back.  Still having fun and that is all that matters!   

I'm off for now - got some cleaning to do and then its off to Thai food and a friends for a mellow NYE.  Stay safe everyone and Happy 09!!

Merry Christmas Dad & Sue!

Wish I were there celebrating with you. On second thought, wish you were here celebrating with me (I'm not sure I can handle the cold of the mighty mitten state anymore)...

You're probably wondering why I have directed you to this blog.... And you may be wondering why you now have a plane ticket to San Diego in April. This site is just a temporary stopping site to direct you to another... Click on the site below to find out why!

http://athletes.kintera.org/other/kstreams

She's a brick....

Week 3 - Complete!  15 to go!

This last week swam 3,500m; biked ~85 mi; and ran ~13.5 total... Did no yoga this week...

Another fun week of training is done!  It is late and I am tired.  I had one of my famous 2-day migraines Thur night/Friday/Saturday morning and thus delayed Saturday's run until today, which meant - Long Brick!  It ended up being really quite fun.  AJP and I headed north on the PCH from Torrey Pines around lunch time.  It was beautiful out and the ride was good.  Made it up to Oceanside and turned around.  En route to the Monkey House in Encinitas, AJP got a flat, but it only took him a few minutes to swap tubes.  Skipped the monkey house to save time and made it back to the truck - 35 miles!  Still felt good so dropped off the bikes and laced up the running shoes for a run on the beach.  Made it about 5.5 miles.   Not bad.  Legs were pretty wasted.  Got home, cleaned up and watched a bit of Wizard of Oz.  AJP made it to the cowardly lion before he had to head home.  I made it through a few telephone conversations, some leftover rice and cleaning up after our 'weekend guests'.  :-/   I'm all packed up and ready to hit the pool tomorrow morning.  Got a date at the pool at 6:25 a.m. sharp.  Good Night!!

Bike Fashion - 

I usually avoid the subject - Is there such a thing?  I've withstood the ridicule of my roommate who usually laughs at me as I bike on the trainer in the living room.  Bike attire is just not cool.  I tell people its functional.  But does it really need to look so ridiculous?  I'm not usually up to speed on what is cool, popular, "in", etc.... But I sense how ridiculous I look when I am getting ready to go biking.  

Take yesterday for example.  I'm sporting tights (it was cold in SD) with the lovely padded saddle, making it look like I'm wearing Depends.  I also have the purple jacket (I actually like) with reflectors (for added coolness) overtop of my ugly bike jersey (is it a rule that all jerseys have to use clashing colors?) with the ever-functional back pockets.  Don't get me started on clickety-clack bike shoes, socks - the list goes on.  Add a helmet, dorky glasses, perhaps some arm warmers (mine are baby blue).  Oh, and don't forget the gloves (mine are red, to match my handle bars)...  

It's no wonder people periodically yell at us, point, laugh or wonder what we're doing in public in such attire.  But don't worry - I still think bike clothes are practical - I challenge someone to actually make them cute.  Until then, look for me riding up the PCH in my all of my glorious spandex biking outfits.

On to Week 3.... It's 9 and I feel like I may pass out....  However, still need to pack swim bag for tomorrow and finish packing up presents to send to family tomorrow.... 

Week 2 was good - Swam 3250 m, ran 13.5 miles, biked 65ish??  Cat was in town this weekend and we had a nice run on the beach - Temp was pleasant, but wind was gusty and COLD.  Made it down to the WaveHouse.  Garmin tells me it was a bit over 5 mi.  V. nice!  Visited with Cat till Sunday afternoon - then went biking with AJP.  Went to do laps over at Fiesta as night was fast approaching - Also extremely windy and v. cold... Didn't make the prescribed 30 mi. as darkness came early...

Now its Week 3.  Winter has come to San Diego.  It's raining like crazy and really cold.  So cold that I don't want to get out of my bed to pack for tomorrow.... Must rally.... Have a pool date at 6:30 am  (I heart mornings!)  Swimming in the rain is fun!  

Week 1 - COMPLETE

I finished the first week of training.  17 to go!  Easy Peasy.

I'm tired and need to go to bed so I'll summarize.  Short and sweet...

This week I trained very hard (or at least it seemed hard in my current stay-puff shape)...

I swam 2000m, ran 13 miles and biked 65.  

Lots of work to do to get me to 70.3.....

Night Night!  :D

PARTE DOS

Well, it's been 2 years since I first started training for my first Half IM.  For a brief moment in time I dappled with the idea of completing a full.  Then decided I was crazy.   Being a huge fan of math, I realized that two halves makes a whole, or full, if you will.  And being that a full has been a long time goal of mine, decided to complete this goal before I turn 30 next year.  EEEK!  30.  30 used to seem so old to me.  Now all my friends are 30 (and I'm not... he he he he he he) - Seriously though, they say that 30's are the new 20's.

SO here I go again - hence the revival of this blog.  I re-join the land of useless blogs to bore those who happen upon my page, with the details of my transformation from stay-puff, almost-30 girl to almost-iron (wo)man.

Rather than making this race purely about self gratification or some sort of plight to overcome past wrong-doings and present woes, this race is for something different.  The prostate.  Yes, that's right.  You might find it odd that someone such as myself (obviously a slight feminist (the whole (wo)man thing should be a big clue)) is completing a race for a male-dominated organ?  I've decided to complete this race for the "Athletes for a Cure" - This is a group that raises money for prostate cancer research and education.  Why prostate cancer?    I mean, in the past I've raised money for breasts, AIDS, leukemia, mentally challenged, hypertension, Special Olympics... the list goes on.... Well, I've learned in the past 2 years that 1 in 6 men get prostate cancer including my dearest Dad.  My Dad has fought off the disease twice now and we're hoping that we don't have to face a 3rd!  He just received a clean bill of health the other week - Go DAD!  And I think that fighting cancer is WAY harder than completing a half Ironman.  SO here I am...

So I'm all signed up for the 2009 California Ironman 70.3 in Oceanside on April 4, 2009.  YEs, this is the same one I did before.  It's a great course, very well-organized, lots of fun, and you can't wimp out in front of all those tough Marines!  I can't wait!  I signed up for the 25-29 W age group because technically, I have 5 days left of being in my 20s on race day.  sigh.  I checked back and my registration bumped me to the 30-34 group!  :(  So I guess I'll have 30 scrawled in Sharpie on my calf... Such is life.  I guess I'll have to train that much harder to keep up with the fast girls.  

So if you are bored at work or are suffering from insomnia, check back here for all of the exciting details!