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!

Getting better at the Bicycle!

Not much to reveal about last weeks training. I did manage to keep up with daily activities and on Thursday got my Yoga workout followed by a nice swim. I swam 500 yards. Wasn't as difficult as the week prior but still finding it hard to breathe. I actually felt like Zoolander at times.... seems that I can't breathe left.  I was told that swimming in the ocean it is a good idea to swim taking breaths on both the right and left side to avoid swallowing a wave. So, I tried practicing in the pool and choked! Followed by panic. So I just resigned myself to the fact that I am a one way breather.

I shared this with my daughter who teaches swim and I found out that I may be swimming incorrectly. Seems that I have been turning my head when in fact I should be turning my body. So, next swim I have to try a different approach. Wish me luck.

Saturday was another nice ride. We rode the 23 mile Fitness Faceoff route and cut off 3 minutes from our time. Plus, I wasn't as tired which must mean something good. My husband rode the 55 mile route on Sunday. Was about a 4000ft climb!! Took him just over 4 hours which I believe is phenomenal. I can't really see me doing that distance if it includes climbs.

Waiting for my swim wet suit for the ocean training. My goal for this summer is to complete the Sandman Sprint Triathlon in Aptos in August.

Until next week, eat well and have fun exercising.

Training Continues

Last weekend, Memorial Day weekend, found us in Texas. We had a great time visiting family. Also had an opportunity to experience the President George W. Bush Library in Dallas. If you find yourself in Dallas please take time to stop by. It is really very interesting. Interactive displays, beams from the twin towers on 9-11 and even a replica of the oval office. I found the exhibits to be honest and candid.

Even though it was a nice break we found time to keep up with our training. We stayed at a very nice Hilton Hotel in Southlake Texas. It had a 25 yard outdoor pool which I used to see if I could swim! If I haven't mentioned it I will be participating in my first Triathlon in August and watching people swim the 3/4 mile ocean swim is quite different than doing it myself.  I did pretty well, but have to learn how to breathe efficiently. The hotel also had a pretty nice gym so it was used 2 of the 3 days we stayed there. Actually I ate so much food that I normally don't eat, the gym was necessary.

I was able to stick with my training during the week and even swam 500 yards on Thursday night after my yoga class. Took me a while but I did it. My goal is to swim 1000 non stop by the end of July.

This past weekend included a nice bike ride. We thought we would try the race route for the Sharks Fitness Faceoff Event.  Starting off at my office on Saint John and 11th we traveled the route through San Jose, Los Gatos, Campbel and back again to San Jose. Went 23 miles and it took one hour and 45 minutes. Not too bad for a first try. I hope to ride the route again this coming weekend to decrease my time. I have to say that riding with traffic is a little scary. The race will be very early in the morning which will help a lot.

My husband will be riding the 55 mile route and wanted a little more of a work out so after we rode the shorter one he and his friend rode through San Jose down Monterey Highway to Blossom Hill up and over Silver Creek and the large hill at the Ranch. I don't know how he has such endurance. I plan to stick with my shorter route.

Sunday was a rest day, much deserved. Even watched a little hockey! I am torn between the Hawks and Kings. Not liking the Kings too much for eliminating us but it would be nice to see the Hawks fall to last years champs.

This week should be uneventful, continuing the training and such. Only one month before the race!!!