Pride Race at Seward Park

So, in the 5K last weekend, which if I must toot my own horn again (and why else have a blog but to toot?), I won the women's overall title. Anyway, during the race, we turn up a hill, I hear a women's voice behind me, I think, great, there goes my lead... she is joking with folks, talking, but never passes me. The guy does, easily. The uphill loops around and then comes back down, I managed a sneak peak and the chatty one was no closer, whew. Then when I got back to the flat, I pass the dude who passed me on the hill. I told him to pretend he was going uphill. He admitted to an error in pacing judgement on the hill.

So, today in the email I get this photo, which was taken just before the hill starts. Now I can see just how close Female #2 was to me. egads.

Oh, and no, that's not an apron. Normally I can get my extra shirt tied a little better. That darn thing was all over the place. tres embarrassing.

Gina was 5th overall, but for sure 1st Masters. (I don't count as Masters this time cuz I won overall.... toot toot toot) Do we know how to pick the races or what? Thanks to Lesley(rower Lesley) and Peggy for inviting us.

It I was Too Tired I'd be a .......

Here was the plan for today's run:
Friday: 14.0 miles (2 @ 9:00, 4 @ 8:30, 4 @ 8:00, 2 @ 7:45, 1 @ 7:30, 1,0 very easy)

here's what I managed:(we, Ironcoach Lesley ran with me)
9:02, 9:12, 8:41, 8:23, 8:27, 8:37, 7:47, 7:40, 7:53, 9:04((side trip to fountain, was really 7:50), 7:55, 7:41, 7:23, 4:36(half mile cool down, not mile)

pretty close to hitting the marks, thanks to Lesley pacing. Except for the 4 @ 8:00 that all seemed to be under 8:00. All is good, but once I stop, it's tough to get started again. The back/leg issue chimes in and announces that momentum is ok, re- starts are not.

Since then I have managed to ice, hot tub, shower, go to post office, wash the car, read the paper and watch Tigers win ! It's happy hour now.

The answer is: a bicycle !! (too, 2 tired, get it?)
my oldest and favoritest joke, and I know the folks in T.O. are rolling in the aisles, having heard it now, repeatedly, for oh, at least 15 years and still think it's funny. Come on, let's hear the ha ha's now...

Today was a fine five miler. nice and easy. right at the 9:00 pace. a bit of hills for good measure. Which reminds me... yesterday the PT (his name is Dan D. great guy, great pt, never says "well, stop all activity for 2 weeks" cuz he knows it won't happen) SO, Dan thinking about my non-firing glutes, says "when was the last time you ran the stairs at Golden Gardens?" Ashamedly, I said "never". Gawd, who does stairs voluntarily? Well, except my 71 year old friend, Carmel, who is hiking the trail of St. James in Spain, as we speak. I didn't even think to ask if the 30 steps up to our house count?

Tomorrow is a day off from exercise. Except for some glute drills. And Friday looks fun ! I'll let you know how it goes. 14 miles, at incrementally increasing speed.

Anyway, for your viewing pleasure, we've got some colorful trees across the lake. And the cutest little cheez spreaders, thanks to Joan.

Kind of an unreal story out of NYC today. I say it's the job of all celebrity wives to say "NO" when the guy wants to be a pilot. For Halloween, ok. For real, no.

I'm thinking that building is about 10 blocks over from Herman and Dyan's bldg. He is G's cousins' uncle, who we met in Vegas. Also the same neighborhood as the guy who blew up his building rather than give it up in divorce proceedings or some such story. Gotta love NYC.

Glutentag

Today's run was supposed to be an easy 8 miler (apologies to those in TO). And it was, but as I spent most of the morning, like most mornings, reading the daily news online from several cities, and various blogs, I must keep up on Floyd's defense stategies.....OK, OK, I frittered away the morning. And I had a noon time PT appt. So, I had to beat feet to make the mileage in time. But it was a good run in beautiful weather.

So, the PT still thinks there is much tightness in those variously numbered and lettered joints of the spine. S1, L5, T10... whatever. He wrangled with my back for a while. Then we worked on some of the strengthening exercises, and gosh darn it all if I just do not engage my glutes, that pesky left cheek, especially. So, the back muscles are doing all the work.... Not for long !

If anyone's looking for me, I'm off engaging my butt muscles.

Jeez, this blog is starting to sound kind of racy, and I don't mean in a running sort of way.

Man Vol's

Check out this onion from our organic farmer friends.

Here is your trusty blogger, catching late season rays and acting, like, totally cool.


Today has been very busy. We went to the gym for a brief workout. Then home to watch numerous games. MSU-UM , Stanford-ND, UW-USC, all at the same time. And the Tigers waxing the Yankees ! how sweet was that? I'd better go see if there is rioting in Detroit. Now we've got the Dodger game, Cal, WSU, and our today favorites, the Man Vol's of Tennessee. ( I always hate it when I hear of the Lady Vol's) This betting pool we're in has made football fools of us.

Yesterday we did a 13+ mile run. Not sure of the actual mileage. Ran the bike route from Seward Park back to home. Can't believe I never clicked mileage markers on all the times we rode it on bikes this summer. Oh, well, it was just an easy 13. Picked that route cuz it has a fair number of hills.

Tomorrow there is a run at Seward Park, a 5K. We need to do 5 miles so it should work in nicely, a little 2 mile warmup and the race. We'll meet some friends, maybe do breakfast. Take a break from football.

Happy ANN i versary, belated, of course

So, last night I woke up thinking... WOW ! I think the blog is about year old. Scary when thoughts of the blog wake you up. I'm sure you've had the same feeling.

I checked my trail of blogs and sure enough, Oct. 2, 2005 was the inaugural blahhgggg. Interestingly enough, that is the same date Gina and I use to track the number of years we've been Running Crazily together. 22, fyi.

Anyway, so now I'm truly proud that on such an august date (October, I know) , I posted a photo of my feet.

The Agony of de Feet

bunions, no toe nails and now bruises... what I need is a pair of pillows with tread.

Today we were at the track. A pacing drill. 2 miles at 8:00 , 1/2 mile easy jog, 2 miles at 7:55. Bet you didn't know running was such an exacting sport. I pretty much hit those numbers. 8, 7:56,8:01, 7:51 just not in the right order.

The plan for the next month has a bit of speed work in it. We will race the Seattle Half Marathon at the end of Nov. and my goal is to get off the 1:47:xx mark. I'm very consistent in my race times. It's always 1:47 something. I'd prefer to be faster but hey, a 1:48 would at least be different. :)

Baseball playoffs.... St Louis is at the Padres. Either way, friends are happy. Maureen and Barb, from Vegas, have a nephew (Brad Thompson) who is a relief pitcher for St. Louis. And Bev and Diane are definite Padre fans. (and neighbors of Aileen now) But they are all at the game today. Well, poor Barb had to stay home and work. Sorry about that. And Padres lost. Sorry about that.

Now lets go Tigers !!!

Special props to special people

Mary K Capon, 16 years old today. Sweet and beautiful in France. Happy birthday!
How's the party going?














Ichiro. 'nuf said.
this is the photo every Japanese tourist to Seattle tries to get before the ushers shoo them away.












Wally and Carmel, my driving co-volunteers at Bailey Boushay House.
Gotta love your co-workers.











The umpire.

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?!

Is summer over?

hey, i know it's been a while. We've been travelling, and well, last night i got caught up in James Bond "Die another day". When did those movies get SO hokey ? I mean, that para-surfing scene was beyond reason. And tonight I've got Andre Agassi to watch. Might be his last. kiss, kiss, bow, bow.... oh, and the all important pre-season Seahawks.

but i'll get on the trip report and photos, soon. sure.

And we've been running... 11 miles on Wed. and tomorrow we've got to pedal 50. Better go fill the water bottles with whatever it was that Floyd used. Today we went to the gym. Re-introduced ourselves to staff and regulars. It's been a while.

Kiss, kiss, bow, bow.

Danskin pictures

our true blue buddies (michelle, pam, kathy and tami) who get up early to come watch our race. THANKS !
Doc Trish(blue shirt, no hat) and her peeps

Podium Pals, how many versions of this do we have? maybe that's reason for my blase-ness

More race BLING ! and then Karen (pink shirt) won a diamond pendant in the random drawing. Now that's real BLING

Another photo op for us. But check out the biker mirror on the glasses here.

Do you think she ran with it on her glasses after the bike portion? tri-GEEK.

Top Ten Finish !!

On Sunday, Gina and I, and 5000 of our friends competed in the Danskin sprint triathlon. This one is a quickie - .5 mile swim, 12 mile bike and 3.1 mile run. For many of them it is a first attempt at an athletic venture. Everybody is totally supportive, nice, friendly, but also trying to do their best. You see all ages, up to 79, and all body types (and I mean ALL ) . Another neat thing about this race is the group that goes off just before us is made up of breast cancer survivors. This year there were about 400. Every year that number gets larger. We have a friend, Trish, who is a survivor, who has done this race several times. This year she did it with friends & family. It was great to see them cross the finish line. Way to go Trish, Lizzie and Margaret, and Trish's sister who's name escapes me!

We got to high five Jean Enerson, local tv anchor, before the race, and of course Sally Edwards. She's the spokesperson / celebrity athlete for the race. She has done every Danskin race. There are about 6 or 8 in various cities across the country, for the last 12 years. Her gig is "She will finish last", so no one woman has to worry about being last place. Of course she's won many big races and done Ironman's.

The national anthem was sung, whilst I was making porta potty stop # 9. Actually quite the workout getting enough out of the wetsuit to take care of business in the confines of the porto potty. Nothing like working up a bit of a sweat before the race.

We saw lots of familiar faces before hand. Shannon, our relay teammate, and new friend was in our wave. Several gals from the gym. Karen, who turns 50 next year. She's tough, and fast, and we really need to have Val convince her how FUN the ELITE group was. Or we shall be bumping down the pecking order next year. Karen and Val manage to beat our times by ten minutes or more.

Did I forget to mention our times?? I did a 1:25:52 which was good for 3rd place. ON THE PODIUM ! And Gina did a 1:26:14, putting her in 6th place. TOP TEN !

I had a little bike chain mishap which cost me about 3 minutes. I was looking for the glove box for the operator manual on how to put it back on. Gina passed by hollering her condolences. I thanked her for her sympathy later as I passed her on the run.

The best part is post race hanging out and shooting the breeze, re-living every moment.
Sorry for the delay on this posting, my blog-a-friends, but Monday we had to ride 30 miles, and I was tired. And today I had to run 10, and I'm tired.

ok so I see the photos did not pop up. I shall go try again. and again. and again. ok,they should be down there somewhere, keep scrolling.

Rest Day

The Master's Rowing Assoc. National Regatta is being held this week, in our front yard/lake. Gina's team, the Conibears, are assisting with the production of this huge event. (1400 rowers)
She's not rowing this year, but felt compelled to volunteer some time with the set up. So we put in our hours of manual labor on Tuesday.

Races started this morning. We grabbed our coffee, binoc's and camera and went to lake's edge to watch. Our side of the lake is the warmup area. Races are on the other side so it's a bit hard to see the real action but at least I can get a shot of the Conibears during warmup. And of course, the mandatory baby duck photo. The blue sky lasted til we came back to the house. Then it rained. Wouldn't want these rowers from all across the country to think it's always nice weather here in Seattle.

Well, we have been busy with our workouts, trying to channel all that endurance that we've built up, into speed. Speed is such a relative term. Our next triathlon is a week from Sunday. Of course it is hard to work on one's bike speed when one's bike tire is busy going "psssssssssssssssstt" Arrghhhh the F word, again. Oh well, just a refresher course on changing the tube.

Time to find some head phones. Gina is whipping up her famous pesto and as much as I love it on my pasta, the sound of the grinding Cuisinart drives me crazy.

More Racing

Gina ran in the Seafair Torchlight Parade 8K race on Sat. night. This race takes place just before the big parade and part of the race goes on 4th Ave, the parade route. Spectators for the parade are all along the route so it's fun and exciting to have such a crowd to run past.

Gina ran a really good time of 41:59. Good for 4th place in age group. The winner, a name we haven't seen before, did it in 36:41 Yowza ! Anyway, that's a great run for Gina. She decided to do it a couple days ago when she noticed the weather report called for cool temp's. Usually that race is very hot one.

Me? I was at a party. What can I say? duty calls. The host is my buddy Everett who subs for me at my volunteer gig at Bailey Boushay whenever I need.

We did put in some gym time and a swim today. Next up is the Danskin triathlon. As coach Lesley says, "we will turn our endurance into speed". Gina and I are still looking for that toggle switch.