The Four Seasons Cookie

If you have read this blog much, you know I sometimes have issues bonking. In keeping with true form, last night's run was no exception. Although, this time I saved the run . . .

In my defense - usually my bonking only occurs on really busy days. Days with 3 workouts, a lot of time spent at work, and somehow me failing to eat as many calories as I'm outputting.

Yesterday I set out on my run after work - a progressive run where I would run the final 20 minutes at 1/2 marathon pace. I took a gel with me (progress no?!!) to eat midway into the run. The only problem was about 5 minutes into the run I needed the gel. Uh oh, not a good sign. I slammed my gel and tried to figure out where else I could grab some calories to save my run.

Then it hit me . . . the trail I was running on goes past the Four Seasons golf course where they put out cookies for the golfers! I slipped in the gate and immediately saw the spotlight from heaven shining down on them - a stack of chocolate chip cookies piled high on a linen covered table. Sitting beside them - ice cold water with lemon floating on top.

I grabbed a cookie and a glass of water, sat on a bench and immediately wished I had taken two. There was a man dressed in the same white linen as that of the table cloth sitting in a little booth behind the cookies. I felt like going back for a 2nd cookie might be pushing my luck. Instead I smiled and slipped back out the gate, wondering how well a chocolate chip cookie would sit in my stomach while running at threshold.

Apparently it works well. I pushed the pace the entire way back to work. A big thanks to the Four Seasons cookie baker for saving my run. And the man dressed in linen for not asking questions as to why the sweaty girl stopped for cookies!

Vincenzo and the Pool

I found a new pool close to work where Vincenzo and I can ride to swim. It's good for those days where I want to swim, but masters might not be what I need. I still plan to swim Carlsbad masters - because I love it - but from a my-schedule-is-busy standpoint, this new pool rocks!

Yesterday I did a pull set and my times were FAST! I had been told the pool was 25 meters, so I figured I was rested, since we're just starting the chaos training plan.

Vincenzo likes the shady tree to sit under while I swim.

Today I showed up armed with my tape measure. (Yes, I measured the entire length of the pool in 3-foot increments with my measuring tape . . .) And whaddayaknow - it's 25 YARDS, not meters! HA HA! I am not the speedy swimmer I thought I might be!

This is the view I have of Vincenzo while swimming. Today he had some crazy jumpy thing behind him with children screaming the whole time. He was very happy when I took him back to work to gaze out the window.

Morning

I have always thought there is something peaceful about morning. I don't mind getting up early to fit training in - especially if it means I'll be able to fit more things in the rest of the day.

This morning on my ride I did some repeats - both on flat land and up hills. I accidentally ran over some road kill (sorry Kestrel!) My favorite part of climbing hills is the awesome view you get on the way down. This picture doesn't do any justice to the beauty of a lagoon with the ocean beyond, but I figured you might get a small taste of it.

Good Weekend

I started the weekend with this . . .

Saturday's bike was more about this . . .

And anytime I see a wiener dog I laugh.
Make him green and add a hat and seriously, that's just funny.

I got my chaos (or training) plan for the next 6 weeks, which will end with my first ever Hood-to-Coast relay race. The plan includes German abbreviations and a lot of color. This is always a sign I might sink on any given swim in the next few weeks. But hey - someone probably needs a good laugh at the pool right?!

Big Surf

Carlsbad usually gets big surf in the winter. We have an exception right now. I painted this picture so you can experience the full effect. The palm tree lost his life shortly after I finished painting. Were I to attempt to paddle out on my surfboard right now I would never make it past the white water. This sometimes also happens when we have a 2-foot swell, but that is another story. I decided tomorrow after our bike ride we need to go to the beach and wave-watch.

Summertime

You know those days when you step outside and it just smells like summer? Today was that day. I went out for a run at lunch and came back sopping. No sprinklers were involved, although that would have been fun!

Riding home yesterday on my single speed there was no breeze until I hit the downhill. Something about car exhaust and hot weather seems very wrong to me.

I love summer - fans swirling around hot air, the condensation dripping off the glass on an ice-cold drink, and jumping into the pool without the slightest thought that it might feel cold rather than refreshing.

San Francisco

I love San Francisco. I'm not sure how I have made it 33 years without ever managing to live there. However, any chance I get to visit is always fun. Since SF is right on the way to Vineman, it makes for a nice place to stop on Friday night. That and the fact that by the time we get there I can not imagine sitting in the car for another minute.

Kathleen and her husband Bert were the greatest hosts ever.

Perfect cappuccinos greeted us in the morning!
At this point I could have gone home happy - race or no race.

Then we walked to eat toast. Except we had more than toast!! There were scrambled things and tofu and hash browns . . . all organic and all very tasty!


The rest of the shots are just random things I enjoyed. San Francisco offers so many fun things to keep me entertained.

And this final shot is for my friend Ladybug. There was an entire store for you LB!!! You might be glad I did not come home with the ladybug keychain, pens, t-shirts and children's wheely suitcase for you! Because the thought did cross my mind!!

Vineman 70.3 Race Report

I went to Vineman this year knowing it is my final 1/2 Ironman of the season and really just wanting to finish off the goals I had set for myself this season at this distance. I started with five goals and there were only two that were still illusive after the previous 70.3 races: the sub-30 swim and breaking into the 4:30s.

I also went to Vineman to hang out with my friends and try to defend all the trash-talking that went around. The night before the race we all had dinner (Thank you Ian!!) and multiple bets were placed. I spent much of the day trying not to lose bets with my friends, and laughing whenever I saw them out on the course.

I love the Vineman swim course - it reminds me of growing up going to the river in the summers when I was young. The water was calm and warm.

I do not wear a watch when I race, so I didn't know my swim split (29:30) when I came out of the water. However, my arms were still aching when I started riding, so I figured I would take that to be a good sign that I swam hard.

The bike course is beautiful. Vineyards, some rollers, and a day that would turn downright hot, but fairly wind-free. The Kestrel seemed right at home on my new Zipp disc. I had not done much practice on the disc (I know, you're not supposed to try new things on race day, but somehow my busy schedule didn't allow for disc practice . . .) but it was FAST, and FUN!!

One of my bets had been with Ian - whoever made it to mile 19 on the bike first won. At mile 16 I realized I better step it up to ensure I did not lose. Seriously - if you need some motivation at your next race just bet with a bunch of friends. Oh - and I won, I won!

I actually did not think I was having a very good bike split while racing. My heart rate seemed low in the middle of the race and although my legs felt fine something just seemed a bit off. But apparently the bike really is fast, and coming in for a 2:32 bike split made me smile.

Going into this race I was more concerned with my own personal goals than the other girls I would race against. I knew Meredith and Kathleen would both be there and figured I would be racing for 3rd, as they are both super fast girls, who both tend to out-swim and out-bike me.

The run was hot, and fun, and hard. I knew if I could lay down a solid run I would most likely reach my final goal of breaking into the 4:30s. On the final 5k I ran with Chris (who I later found out lives near me) and we worked together. I would start to slip back and then grab back on. He would start to fall away, then grab back on. It was awesome to be able to push each other.

I ended up 2nd amateur with a time of 4:35:09. Kevin PRd with a time of 4:23, and Ian nailed his estimated time (a different bet) of 4:12. I find myself extremely lucky to be able to train with such nice and talented guys. They are my heros and I was almost more excited for Kevin's PR than for my own because I know how hard he has trained this season.

Jeffrey really enjoyed the race. Except for the part where his legs turned evil on him and started cramping. He finished and still set a PR.

Beggy and Steven were our amazing support / photography crew. Every time I came through transition Becky was yelling "GO CHA BOOM BOOM!" and making me laugh.

In another of our bets Sean and I were estimated to finish at exactly the same time (we started in different waves). Our plan was to skip across the line together. I never saw Sean on the run and was hoping he had blown me away with an ultra-fast time. Unfortunately his derailer broke and he had to spend over an hour getting it fixed. He by far wins the best-attitude-ever award. After getting his bike fixed he went on to finish the bike and smoke the run.

I can't say enough how fun my friends make this sport. I was happy to be able to meet both Meredith and Kathleen after the race. They both inspire me - as we all work full time, have families, etc., and then push each other on race day. We finished 1-2-3 amateurs and 1-2-3 in our age group. At awards the announcer said to us "Ladies, you know there is money to be made on the pro circuit."

Transportation Bikes

This bike makes me want to move to a small European town where I can ride my bike to the market every day.

On this one I imagine wandering the countryside over several weeks, stopping at small cafes to drink cappuccino while sitting in the shade of a large oak tree.

And can we say not one, but TWO laptop carriers?! I need one of these. It is quite possible I will never own too many bicycles [sigh].

All of these bikes are hand made by Mitch Prior of MAP Bicycles in Portland Oregon. If you need a fun bike with a great paint job, check them out.

Commercial Art

Apparently I don't get out much. While running errands I was mesmerized by the number of towels in the store - it seemed more like art than a practical "in-stock" item. How often do you suppose someone comes in on any given day and purchases 20 towels in "buttercup" or "cappuccino"? What was amazing to me was that these towels were available in just about every rainbow color and shade. Need 35 neon orange towels? No problem!

This gnome candle had my name written all over it. Seriously - who doesn't want one of these!! However after considering the gnome would be hat-less after burning the candle, combined with the fact that there was no way on God's green earth that I was going to pay $40 for some candle wax sneakily shaped like one of my favorite characters, I left him on the shelf.

Side Effects

If you follow this blog or just know me, you know I'm a huge fan of bike commuting, swimming, biking, running, triathlon, etc. This is the small side effect of my hobbies.

Laughs provided courtesy of Dave Walker.

Quirky

We went to look at some furniture the other day and got a little side tracked. Steven did an awesome impersonation of the cat behind him. It made me laugh so hard I almost had to buy the cat. Thankfully I refrained.

It's taper week for me again. Vineman 70.3 is on Sunday. There's some smack-down betting going on with my friends. Amazing how a small bet can push me in a race. Let's hope it works!

Carlsbad Triathlon

Steven and I switched roles today. He raced the Carlsbad Triathlon, I photographed, spectated and cheered. Last year Steven, the twin and older brother all raced their first triathlons together at Carlsbad. His goal this year was to beat last year's time.

My goal was to do an adequate job of capturing the day through images. I found the first hour to be rather relaxing. I could set up my shots, take my time, etc.

Steven made my job easier by making faces during body marking.

Success #1 came when I actually captured him exiting the water. From a LONG way away. I also got shots of about 50 other people who look exactly like Steven in a wetsuit, except they had mustaches, dark skin, and long hair . . . 

This is Steven re-entering transition. Notice the nice fog that rolled in for the run. I captured about 20 photos of Steven on the bike. I think this is the best one . . .

Out on the run - possibly my best shot of the day,

if you pretend bike cruiser man is not in the background.

And this is what you look like after you take 11 minutes off last year's time!! Congrats on a huge PR!

RIP Blue Garmin!

Charisa's trusty Blue Garmin
December 25, 2004 - July 8, 2009

Blue Garmin, nearly 5, died July 7, 2009 while running a final track workout. After a long battle with sweat, rain and several falls onto concrete, the Blue Garmin died a peaceful beeping death.

Blue Garmin was a member of the San Diego Track Club and enjoyed racing for Team BSK. In his spare time he enjoyed resting on the windowsill and gazing out at the garden.

The Blue Garmin is survived by his owner Charisa Wernick, brother Red Suunto, grandparents, and numerous friends. Visitation will be held Saturday and Sunday, July 9-10 from 4-5pm. Burial will take place at the battery recycling center in Carlsbad, CA.

What I Love About the Tour de France

This morning I was on my trainer watching the Tour and Ligget says "Oh dear me oh my" as Cancellera starts pushing the pace of the peloton. For three weeks every summer I am inspired by all things bicycle racing in France.

These are a few of my Loves of the Tour . . .

The bikes
The European fans
The scenery in HD
The passion of the riders for their sport
The climbing
The endurance of the entire event
The slow motion sprinting sequences
Yellow, green, polka dot and white

Happiness Is . . .

Flip-flop-wearing, flopping on the couch, and flipping underwater, all in one day.

Ahhhhhhh

This is the moment I thought about for hours on my bike ride today. Me - on the couch, watching the Tour, wearing my Zoot compression tights with a cold drink in my hand. Does life get any better than this?!

The ride was all of these things and more: hot, hilly, hard, fun, solo, long, with awesome friends, and tiring. By the end I was DONE. And I wouldn't have traded the experience for anything. A huge thanks to the boys for being such great friends and letting the girl try to hang (unsuccessfully I might add) with the boys!

Riding and Bonking

I went for a ride with Ian and Kevin today. I grabbed wheels and fell off, but it was still great fun to be out there. Elfin Forest finished me off. Somehow I miscalculated calories and had a nice bonk trying to climb out of the forest.

Thankfully Ian needed calories too, so we stopped at the mini mart, and therefore I did make it home without falling over. There are a more rides planned for this weekend, and a few runs. I am hoping to just keep the boys in sight. Except on the super windy roads, and then maybe just within shouting distance - you know, in case I become high maintenance and run out of calories again.

I can't bring myself to keep the new bike in the garage, so he just sits by our fireplace.