Last but not Least!!

It is so weird that the race has come and gone so quickly. I still cannot believe it even happened. I'm afraid I'm still swimming and dreaming that it is over!

Our day started off very good. Weather at the beach was cool and foggy. Everything was wet. The ocean temperature was about 59 degrees.

Don and I got down to the beach around 7:15am and set up in the holding pen area. Got our bikes situated, ready for the transition and put my towel down with my gear ready to grab and go. Next got my racing number marked on my left arm and my age on the back of my left leg. Put my wet suit on and headed to the shore.

We got into the ocean for a warm up, such as that is in 59 degree water. The water was very calm but waves were breaking hard and the life guard had said to watch the sets and prepare to dive under the waves. But that wasn't said until after I went in for my warm up. I got crashed under a wave and was very embarassed that I got tossed around to much in the shallow water. But I learned a lesson and new how to get in properly at race time. We stayed in the water for at least 15 minutes and I thought that was enough.
The first wave started at 8am and the men up to age 24 started strong. 5 minutes later it was turn for men 34 and up and lastly 5 minutes after that all women and teams.

I started pretty well, I must say, and there were a dozen or so behind me but I learned quickly that cold water ocean swimming with adrenline pumping can slow you down. My breathing was a problem. I am not sure if I inhaled water or if it was just the cold but I was crackling with each breath. It was a little scary not being able to breathe comfortably. But I did press on. The lifeguards were so great. They monitor the route and are there for safety and rescue. They gave moral support and encouraged me to keep going. There was one young lady just ahead of me and it looked like she was having an even harder time. But she got her energy going and finished before me by a few minutes.

I kept swimming. The first buoy seemed far and the second one, I swear, was floating further away with each stroke I took.
I made it though and around the second buoy to shore. One thing could be said for being the last swimmer; you get cheers as you walk up the beach to the transition area! Heard a lot of encouraging remarks.

After walking, (I couldn't run), to my bike I took a leisurely 5 minutes to change and catch my breath. Way too long for a transition but hey, I needed oxygen.

Got on my bike and believe it or not it felt really good. My ride went pretty well. My best time practicing the route was one hour 15 minutes and I completed it after the swim in one hour 20 minutes. The bike ride was fun. The hills were tough and I was tired. I couldn't seem to pedal in 3rd gear. I had to stay in my 1st and 2nd gear and at one point was sad that I didn't have even lower gears. But, I made it. All along the route I got cheers from the volunteers and lifeguards and even the Sheriff officers and Highway Patrol who were monitoring the route. Everyone was great, getting me to press on and go faster.


Coming down the hill in Rio del Mar was fun. That marked the end of the second portion of my race. My transition was about 30 seconds and to the shore I went to start my 4 mile run. It turned out to be a four mile brisk walk. My legs just couldn't do the run thing. I was pleasantly surprised by my friend Alison who walked the route with me and on my way back my friend Ramona who tried to get me to run a strong finish. Bless her heart. She tried and I tried but the best I could do was a very slow jog through the finish line.

What a finish! There is something to be said for being last. I got cheers, my name announced and a trophy!!!
What a day.... Glad it is over, so very happy with my time 3 hours and 12 minutes and plan to rest a bit before doing anything else.
My husband plans to do the Santa Cruz Triathlon next weekend and asked me to go too. I can't even fathom that right now.

Less than 24 hours to go!!

Here it is the day before the Sandman Triathlon. Wow, I can't believe it is here already. Just a few short months ago I was contemplating this and now tomorrow is the moment of truth.
Got my race bib this afternoon after a short bike ride with my husband. So far weather prediction is good: light breeze, low clouds and low surf.
My goal is to finish strong and not finish last!! But if I am, that's OK as long as I finish.

Plan to eat a nice dinner tonight and get a good night sleep. Friends have promised to wish us well tomorrow and I hope not to disappoint them.

It is funny. I was never one to participate in any sports; I was in the band. And now at a ripe age almost 56, here I am acting like an athlete. Who would have predicted that?

Let you know how it turns out......

One week to go!!

So the Sandman Triathlon is next Sunday, August 4. Am I ready? Heck no.

I have not been too consistent with my training and quite frankly I am scared. I did an ocean swim yesterday and one last weekend. I can swim for about a mile but have to rest now and then. So, hopefully I can make my mark next weekend and have a decent time.

This week I plan to do a swim, bike and run each day but not too aggressively.
Other things to do:
Plan my transitions
Get my gear in order
Bike check
Eat well.

Until next week, wish me well!!

2 weeks until the Triathlon!

Though I haven't been posting since June 30, I have been training....somewhat. Is it possible to be lazy and competitive at the same time?

The Sharks Fitness Faceoff was great but August 4 will be my moment of truth. The Sandman Triathlon is that day and I am a bit nervous. It sounded like such a great idea a few months ago and now with the date looming I am thinking about being a spectator instead.

But, I already have a bike and wet suit so I might as well compete. 

I have been swimming and have found that it takes me about 250 yards of swimming before my body adjusts and my breathing is fine. At about 400 yards I don't feel tired but I have to admit swimming laps can be boring. I am sure that the ocean will be very different. My foray into that salt water freezer so far has been interesting to say the least. Today, we plan to go out and try our new suits. I am hopeful that my new one fits better.

End of the shortest parade in Aptos



Good friends at the parade



Since my last post we did some fun things. July 4 was fun, mostly relaxing and last weekend we went white water rafting. We road the middle fork of the American River and it was fun! That portion of the river has Tunnel Chute which was a blast. Our guide got us through it with us paddles up. Glad to say no one fell out during that rapid.  Rafting hard does require some work and my arms were sore the next day.

This weekend, like I said earlier, we will swim and maybe bike. And this coming week I will have to train a bit harder.  Not much more news, nothing more exciting to report. Enjoy the pictures!



Navigating through Tunnel Shoot





Rafters and guides



Race Day!!!!

Before I tell you about our awesome day at the Fitness Faceoff I have to share my Saturday.
Don, I and the dog went on a 4 mile jog along the beach and it took me 53 minutes which is a personal best for me. Makes me think that I can finish the triathlon which is coming up in about one month. The water in the morning was calm and there were just a few birds. We didn't go in right away. About 3pm we finally made it down to the water. Since I don't have my new wet suit yet I used my old Costco one. It was fine.
The water by 3 was choppy and the wind had picked up. It was a bit hard trying to swim and fun in a way because you were either up with the wave or under the wave. I made it about 1/4 to1/3 mile and swam to shore opting to walk back. Don decided to swim back. Little did we know that the tide was bringing in a large school of smelt, I think. The birds came back and all of a sudden there were thousands of birds circling over Don's head. Then spontaneously the birds started to dive bomb for fish!. Poor Don was in the middle of it all. It looked like a Hitchcock movie. It must have been a little much for him because he came to shore. He said he had decided to swim in after he got hit in the head a few times by the birds. While swimming to shore he waded through hundreds of those small fish. He said they were slapping his skin. I am so happy I chose to walk that distance.  I don't have a photo but wish I did. The number of birds was astonishing.

Today was a great day. Got up around 5am and got everything ready for the Faceoff event in San Jose.
Rosemary, my good friend, met me there and helped set up my booth at the fitness fare. At 7:15 am Don and Cong started there 55 or so mile ride. At 7:45 am Tammy and I started our 21 mile route. We did great. We rode for one hour and 35 minutes which is 20 minutes less than the last time we rode. The time includes stop light, stop signs and even waiting for at train. So I think we were super!!. Don and Cong did a personal best as well finishing in less than 4 hours. The weather today was HOT but it was so much fun.

We got to meet a lot of nice people including Brent Burns #88 of the Sharks and Owen Nolan, retired Sharks player. I even ran into Dan Rusanowsky, the voice of the Sharks. Funny how it feels like you know him but he doesn't know you.  The day was terrific.

Pictures posted today are from the Faceoff event.
The next big event is the Triathlon. I plan to keep blogging about my progress.


Me with Brent Burns of the Sharks




Lucky number 406




Tammy and me with our medals




Vanessa and Marissa and me after the race




Owen Nolan and me after the race



A swim in the ocean!

Well, last weekend was eventful as far as training is concerned.

On Friday, Oslo the dog and I went on a 4 mile brisk walk on the beach. My purpose was to time the walk which worked out to one hour 11 minutes. Not bad for a walk. You see, in August I have committed to participating in a sprint triathlon and the last portion includes a 4 mile run. Since it is the last activity of the sprint, I don't anticipate a run, rather a stroll! So knowing I can at least walk it in about an hour is encouraging.  After our walk, Oslo and I just rested.

On Saturday we, the dog and I, were joined by my husband. So that meant exercise a lot. The day started with a 14 mile bike ride followed by my first foray into the ocean using a swim wetsuit.  Oh, my, goodness!  What an experience. First, I don't mind swimming but the ocean is a bit cold. So the wetsuit was a good idea...but... I could have used a bigger one. It fit and was snug and I was a little worried that I couldn't move in the water but my husband ever the optimist said don't worry it will stretch some in the water.  Ha ha.....

Made it to the beach, got my cap and goggles on and went out into the Pacific. So far so good. After getting acclimated I tried to swim. Bad idea. I couldn't move my arms to swim. It felt like my arms were tethered to my torso and every time I lifted my arm to swim it pulled back just as hard. Needless to say I was getting nowhere fast and getting winded and very tired. I must say I panicked a little. So, there I was in the water, no walls or bottom to touch, can't move my arms and listening to my dear husband say, keep going, don't give up, you're awesome! How cute.   All that was going through my head was swim to shore, give up now while you have a chance and yes I am awesome.  But, I kept going. Slow and on my back most of the time since I couldn't crawl very well. I don't know how far we swam  or how long it took but I was spent afterward.
Not ignoring the dog we took him for about a mile walk after a nice warm shower and change of clothes.


It was exciting at the beach though. After we got out of the water there must have been a huge influx of fish. There were thousands of birds just feeding close to the shore. Looked like a scene from the movie The Birds!  Very neat to watch. Even the sea lions were out snacking away.

The day was a good one. (Yes, I do complain but it helps me get through it).



Thousands of birds feeding right off shore!



Sunday on the other hand was not too bad. The four of us who will be participating in the Fitness Faceoff went for our respective rides in the morning. Don and his riding buddy left for the 55 mile route and I and my buddy went on our 21-23 mile ride.  We did pretty well, about 1 hour and 50 minutes counting stop signs, stop lights and traffic. So I think we are ready for the ride this coming Sunday. I actually can't wait. I will get my first race bib!!! I think I'll frame it. Don did the long route in about four hours! Can you believe it, I am so proud of him.

Well, less than a week to the Faceoff and Team Twinkle Toes are ready. Didn't make my fundraising goal, but we did have some very special people contribute generously. Thank you everyone!!!!!

My next adventure is white water rafting the Middle Fork of the American River in California. Plan on doing that in a few weeks. I am SO excited. And, after that the triathlon in August. That is scaring me a bit.  

Until next week, stay healthy and exercise often!!! (Oh, I did send the wetsuit back for a bigger one!!)

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all of the dads out there.  My husband and I enjoyed the day with a nice bike ride.
We rode 27 miles today, taking 2 hours and 25 minutes with a climb of 1750 feet.

Our ride took us from the beach, inland and back again. On our journey we stopped by Flora Vista Inn, a quaint, historic home on San Andreas Road in La Selva Beach.  A short detour but it let us visit with our friends who own this beautiful B&B.  Their home sits on a slight bluff above rows and rows of flower and strawberry fields. Truly beautiful and restful.

If you ever find time to stay at a B&B, check this one out.

From Flora Vista Inn we traveled south down San Andreas Road to make our way to Watsonville.
We rode past strawberry fields and orchards, mile after mile. It was a bit gusty with the wind blowing from the ocean and as it blew over the strawberry fields the air was filled with the aroma of strawberries.  It was as if someone was spraying strawberry perfume! Made the ride very enjoyable.

Riding through Watsonville you pass familiar names such as Dole, Martinelli and Giant. Each of these big companies provide fruit to California and points beyond. Along with the large companies you have smaller growers providing crops for these larger companies. The next time you bite into a sweet strawberry, check the origin. All of the good ones are grown in Watsonville! Same with sparkling cider. The valley is loaded with apple trees and not only are they used for baking and snacking but for that delicious cider too.

Our ride was fun today. We were going to swim after our ride but warm shower and dinner won over the swimming.
The Sharks Fitness Faceoff is in 2 short weeks. I am pretty confident that I can ride the 23 miles without much difficulty. Since it is not a real race, times won't be tracked. But, I hope to ride a decent pace and finish without getting too tired.
Until next week... have fun exercising!