Name dropping

Last night I was at a party, a fundraiser one, for a gal who is going to run the NYC Marathon, and is raising $ for cancer fund for her entry. Great party, ping pong ( I love the game and realized last night how truly relaxing it is to play, just hitting back and forth, I think it's the sound of the ball on the paddles and the table, I could play for hours)

The house overlooked Puget Sound. Awesome view. Some one said, well you have a view of GLake. Yes, but I could swim across my view, not this one.

Anyway, at the party were some friends I hadn't seen in ages. Their kid, William, just started school, and was going to be in a cross country meet today. 5 year olds. At Woodland Park. We couldn't miss this. What a scene. It was a CYO meet. Lots of schools participating, many colored t-shirts. Hundreds of kids milling about. Now try finding a kid we last saw as a 3 yr. old. hmm. Fortunately, the kindergartners raced first, a half mile. We spotted him on the start line, and cheered him on at the finish line. And then hung out with his mom at the school tent.

Well, guess whose kids also go to this school? That's right, even the richest man/philanthropist in the world has to spend the day spectating a kids' XCountry race. We'll just call him the "Other William".

Have we run recently? 11 miles on Friday, 3 on Sat., 5 today. Cuz I know you're keeping track.

Salad ishous

ahh, the veggies from Martha & Becky's organic farm become a fab looking salad, prepared by chef Gina.

now, to go scarf it up.

It, and the salmon with pasta, should provide sufficient energy for tomorrow's 10 mile run.

"Neener neener" says MJ

Marion's innocent (this time). The Thousand Oaks H.S. alumni club breathes a sigh of relief. Golden girl is still golden. right. Poor Floyd, if he had just used EPO and not testosterone, he might have had a clean "B" sample, too.

The ecstatic Marion Jones will now sue the pants off the USADA, draining them of any funding to do further testing. And athletes across America rejoice and re-juice in their training.

And while I rant about sports, is there anyone out there that can watch Sharapova without using the mute button? Very annoying. As is the custom for the women in tennis to dress as if going to a prom or cocktail soiree. Exceptions are Amelie, Martina, and Davenport. So, you know who we root for.

Labor Day Fun

All summer long I have been able to look at our back door (wood French doors) and say "my, that thing is peeling something awful, it should be re-finished before the winter" and then walk away cuz I was so exhausted from that day's long bike ride, or swim or run. But on Friday I was suckered in.... knowing it was going to be a few days of good weather, and no bike rides. So, I quickly ran off to the paint store to get the stuff. Then proceeded sanding and prepping that door. Got one coat on, and decided I'd better see how the stuff looked on the hot tub's wood skirt. So tested that. Put another coat on the door, decided to do the whole hot tub. Hours of fun. Of course that night all my muscles were sore. Chore sore. the worst. The next day was round two. And as I finished, looked at the door to our office........ OH NO !! how could I forget that one? I only go in and out of it a zillion times a day. So, the project was extended another day. But now it's done and I don't have to worry about it for another few years, til it gets really scabby looking again.

But on the running news front, Gina and I ran in the Super Jock n Jill (our running store) 4.25 mile race on Monday. Most people, all the fast ones, participated in the half marathon. We like the 4 miler. Last year we won and got free shoes. That's like $90 cash !! So we did it again. And again, placed 1st and 2nd in our age group. Hopefully the prize package is the same.

Speaking of prizes, I won gift certificates to Danskin for my 3rd place in that triathlon. If you are aware of their product line then you know where I'm buying Christmas gifts this year. Not my style of clothing. Not to look a gift horse in the mouth or anything.

Hey, sunset's gonna be beautiful.. gotta go.

4.25 miles 31:24

Scenic Canada

a few somewhat scenic shots of the Okanagan Valley.... trip reports are further down on the scroll.

did I mention the 58 mile ride today? wiped us out. guess we got out of riding shape quickly.

The Canadian Trail

So, before we went to California we left a car at the airport full of signs and cowbells and binoculars and lawn chairs..... all the makings for Paloozer type cheerleading. We were headed to Penticton Canada. To watch Coach Lesley compete in Ironman Canada. It was a surprise. She thought we were home running and swimming. ha !

We stayed in Osoyoos, which is just across the border, and at about the 40 mile mark where the bike course turns and heads up hill. Up the famous (if you're into Ironmen) Richter Pass. We figured to sit on the uphill so the bikers would be going slow and they could see us fanatics. There was a great spot, an overlook viewpoint. We got there early, set up camp, decided about what signage, and where... and had some coffee. Then the riders started. 1st Male with a lead car with timing clock, then a bit later 1st Female.... then more , then they started coming in droves. It was not easy to spot those little #'s on the helmets. We were looking for Lesley #2082, and John #221, and #2482 and #2182, and #1729. I got binocular eye. John came by first, he works at our local running shoe store, and has won his age group (young). He seemed really happy to see us. Then Lesley came by. She did notice the sign we posted lower down "Iron Coach" which is what I call her. She was REALLY GLAD TO SEE US. We were teary eyed even thinking about how cool it would be to see , well, not just us, but anyone who you knew knew your training, etc. anyway..... we did see the other #'s. One is aPT at my regular place of rehab and she seemed happy to see someone familiar. We didn't see 1729, husband of Janet, one of Gina's rower mates. He's done it 13 times, 59 yrs old. But I think I saw him as we drove back down. (on a sad note, he bonked on the run, medi-vanned back to finish line)

There was a gal near us cheering folks on, too. She had 2 lines, "Apparently there's beer at the top" (which would crack 'em up) and then "that's a nice schmile". and that one she repeated so I guess the lisp or whatever it is was for real. But she was really nishe.

Then we drove up to Penticton. Found a spot to park. The whole town is Ironman crazy. We got a lay of the land and picked a spot to watch for Les at end of bike / beginning of run. Saw John, then Les. Gave up on the others, it's too hard. Plus the beer garden was SCREAMING my name. Once she went by, we knew we had about 4 hours to blow. Did not spend that whole time in the beer garden, although I could have. IronDrinker that I am.

Watched the winners cross. Man was Canadian 1st, Aussie 2nd. Woman was the opposite. Seems the Canadian has beaten the Aussie gal 4 yrs. in a row. It's interesting being American, and used to the "NBC USA jingo-ism during the Olympics" Well, the Canadians are not immune from it, either.

Anyway, John came cruising by about 10 hours into it. He didn't look too happy. Looked ok, but I guess he wanted to do better. Lesley came by at just before 11 hours. Not sure she saw us, and she finished in 11:05:30. Pretty awesome ! It was her first attempt and wasn't sure how it would go. Hey, she ran the whole marathon in 3:56 ! Better than I can without first swimming 2.4 miles and biking 110 miles. Most people were walking. (staggering, wandering, strolling, ambling). We rushed to the finish line and saw her on a ambulance bed. What's up? a second ago she was running with ease. The race has 2 volunteers for each finisher to basically hold them up and walk them around til they find their people. Les's parents were there, and some others from her running business. and us.. She did spend a bit of time in the medical tent. That had her mom in a bit of stress. While she was in there the group was discussing who was going to sign up for next year. It's a race where you must be there in person, the day after to sign up for next year. We were hoping Lesley didn't think that was why we were there. Then she came out. We high fived a few times. Then G and I beat feet back to our hotel, 40 miles away.

We saw a t-shirt that said "Iron Fan - It's not as easy as it looks" and we agree. We were exhausted. To the point that we ate at McDonald's on the way home. omigod.

Hey, did I mention..... Lesley was 4th in her age group which qualified her to go to the World Championships in Kona.. THE IRONMAN RACE !!!

We saw the Ironman Nun, Sister Madonna Bulder, 76 years old, again. The announcer was worried that she might not make the bike cutoff time , but she did and she was headed out on the run, ok, walk, but she looked good walking. Walking with a purpose.

Anyway, we had a blast watching. No, we are not going to Kona to watch. She's on her own there. Aloha ! :) That was my first trip to the Okanagan Valley (Washington or Canadian) and it's beautiful. a bazillion orchards. the wine capital of Canada. I sneezed the entire time. I was an IronmanNoseblower. Would love to go back but not sure there's enough Kleenex.

California Tripping

Of course, the song, "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?" was in my head the whole time. With memories of Mrs. LeMire (was that her name, Joan, Holy Name choir director?) cuz she had us sing it one year, and I thought she was so cool.... i digress












What jet setters we are !
Flew to San Jose for a couple days to visit our running mates (Women On the Run). Visited the Full Bloom bakery that our friend Karen owns. Ate a bunch of pastries. Brought even more home with us.

Visited the gallery where our friend Terri sells her art. Visited Laura's surveyor/civil engineer offices, sorry no photos of that. Went to a concert, kd lang, at the Mountain Winery. had a pre-concert picnic. Stayed up til MIDNIGHT !! Got up at 5:15 a.m. for an early morning 7 mile trail run. Flew home that afternoon. What ? are we teenagers again?!