Charisa Wernick

Winter Zoot Give Away

2012-01-26T13:45:00.000-08:00

I am spoiled in that it is January and close to 80 degrees outside. However, I understand that in much of the country it currently looks like this:

Thanks to Justin Mezzell for this illustration.

I also understand that in winter when it is dark, snowy, cold, etc. it can be quite difficult to drag oneself out from under the covers in the morning to fit in a workout. Zoot to the rescue!

Leave a comment on your favorite thing about winter training - whether it be seeing freshly fallen snow on the ground, or the lack of tourists on a cold east coach beach while running. One winner will be chosen at random to receive the above Zoot 1/4-Zip Shirt. I understand it is pink, and size medium. If this isn't you thing you can still win - think how fun it will be to give it as a gift to someone you love!! Contest open through Tuesday, January 31.

Non-Ride Riding

2012-01-23T19:32:00.000-08:00

There was a ride Sunday with the boys on bikes. I spend a lot of time on these rides either in a massive spot-of-bother or laughing. It's a strangely odd and satisfying combination.

We found ourselves on this particular road.

Mike flatted. And two minutes later I ran over a rock I never saw.

And this happened. For those of you who do not ride, this is bad for continued ride enjoyment on a Sunday.

The wheel takes me nowhere when the tire is hanging on my shoulders.

I figured the boys could carry on with their ride while I waited for a friend to bring me a spare tire. Instead they all hung out with me while we froze and laughed a lot. And in that hour while we waited, I realized I really am very lucky to have such good friends.

Good scenery. Good friends. Good Sunday ride. Even the non-riding parts.

2012

2012-01-17T16:00:00.000-08:00

Somehow I missed posting anything about the New Year, recapping last year, etc. I don't make New Year's resolutions - I figure if I want to commit to something I shouldn't need the calendar year to change in order to do so.

Illustration courtesy of Pepillo.

My off-season has led to a lot of swimming where I am still on a quest to swim like a fish. My hair has not yet turned green thanks to some over-priced conditioner purchased this week.

With a new year I figured I would post a few of my goals for the 2012 season.

Ironman swim = 55. Coming from a girl who regularly swam 1:06 for multiple years, if I can check this off my list you better believe I will be smiling the entire first half of the bike.
Bike stronger. Over the years I have gone from losing the race on the bike, to holding my own. I want to consistently be able to lay down one of the faster bike splits in a race. I know I have work to do.
Run faster. As in under 1:25 in a half and as close to 3 (well let's be honest, I want to run under 3) in a full.
Win. I want to win a race.
Smile & Laugh. More. Because that is what sport is all about.

What are your 2012 goals? Inspire me...

Coast Riding

2012-01-14T20:59:00.000-08:00

Other than the small layer of smog that an off-shore breeze has pushed out over the ocean, the views from the bike today were pretty amazing.

Footprints.

Clouds.

Palm trees.

Good Things

2012-01-11T16:18:00.000-08:00

There's been a lot of tough stuff lately. I tend to fare better when I focus on the good, so in following suit, I figured I would post on some of my favorite things.

High wispy winter clouds.
Finishing a long swim set and realizing my arms still work fine.
Early morning sunshine.
Baking cookies with my mom.
Runs that feel like I could go on forever.
Two jobs I really love - microscopes and racing.
Riding my single speed to coffee.
Much to be thankful for. So much.

Hope you experienced some good things today.

Exploring

2012-01-09T16:14:00.000-08:00

I've found it's really easy to get stuck running the exact same routes day in and day out. Recently I've had the opportunity to run some local trails that don't typically fit into my daily routine. The change of scenery has been very fun.

This past weekend I headed down to San Diego to run on the trails around Balboa park.

Morning fog.

Log climb. My legs hated this part.

Chasing dogs.

Fish pond.

Balboa park was built for the World's Fair. The buildings are awesome.

The run ended sunny. A nice day.

California Coast

2012-01-05T10:18:00.000-08:00

This is the time of year when I often realize how lucky I am to live in California. I do miss the occasional "snow day" and wearing large puffy mittens, but nothing beats riding my bike outside year round.

On a recent ride...

Very tiny - but the arrow is pointing to a whale spouting. I hardly ever see this, so to be able to actually capture it in a photo was exciting.

Beautiful coast.

Racing the sunset home on my bike.

Waiting for the green flash.

Hope everyone's training is going well!

Climbing Mountains

2012-01-01T12:43:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure there are many things I enjoy more than climbing and descending on my bicycle.

I consider myself fortunate in that I live in an area with an abundance of climbing mountains. Combine this with our sun-shiny winter weather and some spectacular views and it makes for a great day on the bike.

Blue sky, green hills.

Rolling.

Off the mountain.

Good end to the day.

Happy New Year. May 2012 be good to you.

Shadows through Trees

2011-12-28T10:48:00.000-08:00

I like those early morning runs where it is cold, but not so cold that my fingers are numb the entire run. (Also, please remember I live in California - cold is a relative term...)

Mornings where there is frost on the ground, but as shadows shorten, it slips away.

Mornings where I go back and forth from shadows to sun, constantly pulling up or pushing down my sleeves - cold, warm, cold, warm.

Morning runs where leaves crunch under my feet.

And mornings where the trail is soft and all I can hear is the clop clop of my shoes, with the occasional bird thrown in. Mornings where I can see shadows through the trees.

Observing

2011-12-22T11:16:00.000-08:00

There are days when I go about training/work/life and just notice people throughout the day. The guy in front of me in line buying eggs, the old lady walking by the ocean, or the girl running past me in the opposite direction. I tend to be a fairly happy person. It works for me. But the times when life gets rough often make me realize there are a lot of other people in the world who are hurting.

I am reminded that maybe a few kind words or just a smile might be enough to somehow make the day slightly more bearable for the person taking my order for coffee.

Christmas tends to be a busy time of year. Overwhelmed sometimes does not seem an adequate word to describe the chaos of work, training, shopping, parties and such. And yet I believe it was meant to be the best time of year - the time when I can remind others how much I appreciate them. I can pause to thank friends and family for allowing me to lean on them, laugh with them, or maybe for putting up with me.

May you have a very Merry Christmas. Take time to sit back and just observe everything around you. I hope you can see through the good, bad, complicated or otherwise and enjoy the day for what it is.

A Constant

2011-12-19T12:22:00.000-08:00

I discovered running at age 15. To be able to run free, carrying myself wherever two feet can go, breathing in crisp winter air, or muggy summer heat, was something I loved from day one. Over the years I discovered amazing places on foot - vacation was always my favorite time to run. Experiencing a city with all its noise and quiet in the pre-dawn hours is much different than from a car window.

I've learned that when I am happy I love to run. Put my run to music and it is like two of my favorite worlds just collided. When I am sad I need to run. Running clears my head, makes complicated situations a little less foggy, or at least makes me feel better by the end in some small way. And always, running is a constant. Only a pair of shoes needed.

Laughter

2011-12-15T09:24:00.000-08:00

When I went to Disneyland last week I sat for a bit on a bench and just watched people. Disneyland is one of the best places to people watch. Everyone is either very happy, or as the day wears on kids start melting down left and right. It was great. If I had a yearly pass I think I would just go to Disneyland to get coffee and sit there and watch people.

The one thing that really struck me though was how much laughing there was. I think in a typical day everyone should have at least one really great laugh.

This is Pepe the King Prawn from the Muppets. His real name however is Pepino Rodrigo Serano Gonzalas. And that right there, just makes me laugh.

Good Things

2011-12-13T09:17:00.000-08:00

Realizing I am excited to start training again
Christmas lights - little tiny ones
Running in the rain
Smiling
Not dying during 100 fly (twice!!)
Riding my bike
Ocean views

Want to add anything?

Disneyland

2011-12-09T13:28:00.000-08:00

Because I am on an endless mission to pretend I am still 12 on a daily basis, yesterday was a pretty awesome day for me. A huge thank you to Wilma for hooking Steven and I up with Disneyland park hopper tickets. I can't think of a better way to spend a day in December. A few (or a lot) of pics...

I have no idea who this character is, but he is awesome. And was one of the few characters that didn't have a line four miles long to get a photo with...

My all time favorite ride in life.

We went on the swings multiple times.

This is a horrible pic, but the monster ride was awesome.

Mickey mouse shaped ice cream on a stick!!!!!!! With Chocolate!!!!

World's largest wooden bear. I think.

Mr. Toad. agreed to pose with me outside of his Wild Ride...

Magic.

Christmasy.

Goofy!

Balance

2011-12-07T09:50:00.000-08:00

I get asked a lot how I balance working two jobs (racing pro full time and selling microscopes) as well as fitting in friends, family, life, etc.

To tell you I have it figured out, or that it is easy would be a huge lie. But there are a couple of things I try to remember when cramming everything in....

Friends & family are #1 (this usually means my house is not clean.)
Let things go. Sometimes the to-do list must wait. A long time.
I try not to miss out on life experiences. Make them work.
Time management. Learn this.
I am not wonder woman. There are days I can not do it all. And I need to ask for help.
I love what I am doing & also clearly understand my big picture goals. If I didn't, when it got tough, I'm certain I would stop.
I make lists. Lots of lists.
I chose to do everything I am doing. Nobody is forcing me to race pro.

Thank you Polkka Jam for the awesome balancing coffee cups illustration!

A lot of working moms, dads and busy people sign up for Ironman every year. What are your tips for balancing professional and personal life along with training?

Simple Safety

2011-12-06T10:51:00.000-08:00

After I've seen a few of my friends crash bikes and end up in bad shape, I've realized the importance that simple preparation can play in an active lifestyle.

Nathan VITAband is my solution.

The bracelet is waterproof and carries all my medical and contact information. I just registered my info online and in two weeks I will receive a printed ID chip for display where it currently says "DEBIT".

I have multiple contacts registered, my health insurance carrier, my blood type, allergies, etc. It also has cash loaded on it - so when I stop at convenience stores, I really don't need to have my ziplock bag wallet with me all the time. And if I use up the money I have loaded on it, all I have to do is log on and add a bit more. Simple.

The VITAbands come in multiple colors and sizes - check them out here. I'm thinking of getting a few for stocking stuffers this Christmas...

Swimming. Faster.

2011-12-04T19:29:00.000-08:00

In my first Ironman I swam a 1:06. I figured this was somewhat decent considering that my training leading involved three swims per week including masters on Monday and Wednesday, and a straight non-stop longer swim on Thursdays. I did not have a coach. I did not really know how to swim train. So I approached it like running. And it seemed to work.

Fast forward several years later to my first year racing pro. I now had a swim coach, I was swimming way more meters, I focused on technique. I had swum several more 1:06 Ironman swim times. And I was certain I would swim closer to an hour. I swam 1:06. Again. To tell you I was frustrated is an extreme under-statement. HOURS of hard work on my swim ended up resulting in right where I had started several years previously.

If at first you do not succeed. Try, try again!

This year I've slowly moved my Ironman swim times below 59 and even 58. It has been a lot of work. I've been asked what I did different. To answer this I'd have to say nothing & everything.

Nothing in that I continued working hard, swimming masters, swimming a lot, and mostly not giving up or getting down on my swimming (or lack there-of) ability.

Everything in that I started working a lot on strength. I started swimming IM. All the strokes - I basically learned how to swim butterfly. I started using a Vasa trainer. I got a lot of help on my technique. Weekly. If you live in Southern CA and need swim technique instruction email me and I'll refer you to my swim instructor. She is good.

And if you think you will never be a good swimmer, cyclist, runner - or anything else, don't give up!! There is nothing that hard work can't fix...

December in California

2011-12-02T10:59:00.000-08:00

December is one of my favorite months in California. The mornings are cold, which allows me to pretend I still live somewhere where it gets "legitimately cold." The air is dry and if I walk outside in the middle of the day, the sun warms me to that perfect temperature - not too hot, not too chilly.

The oranges leave their green color behind for actual orange.

The beaches are bit more empty.

And the sky is just a bit more blue.

There are one-leg bike races.

I love the great outdoors.

Off Season

2011-11-30T10:10:00.000-08:00

The off season can be a scary time for many type-A, go-getter tri-athletes. You just spent the better part of a year training really hard, doing your best to get fast, fast, fast and now you are supposed to just sit around and let all that hard work slip away?! Yup!

But here's the thing - it isn't really slipping away. Allowing your body to truly rest and recover for a day here or there mid-season is quite different than giving it a solid break in the off season. I'm not suggesting you should eat donuts daily and don 57 pounds this winter. But chances are you asked a lot of your body over the past months. Give it a break. Add some variety (gasp!) to your life. There are in fact quite a few other things to occupy your time other than swim-bike-run. And if you do this, when it comes time to mentally push your body through barriers next summer - it will be much easier to do so.

Here are a few of my favorite off-season activites:

Sleeping in - no alarm clocks!
Making my only workout of the day a walk to get coffee.
Re-watching holiday movies (A Christmas Story), funny movies (Beverly Hills Ninja), or just trying to catch up on all those movies I have not yet seen.
Hiking, snowboarding (I have trouble doing this where I currently live!), beach-sitting.
Attempting to cook new things. Attempt is the key word here.
Lazing around the house on the weekend doing nothing productive.
Surfing - I've actually yet to do this because every time it sounds like a good idea my warm bed is more appealing than the early morning chilly ocean water. But I'm working on it.
House projects, all those things I put off for the past 10 months.
Replacing my time-suck activities of surfing triathlon web stuff, with art & illustration sites.
Sitting on a park bench and just watching people.

What's your favorite off-season activity?

Twists & Turns

2011-11-28T17:58:00.000-08:00

Life has a strange way of taking detours and routes we might not have planned. I tend to think everything always happens for a reason. Sometimes it takes me years to figure out the reasons. But they are almost always there.

This Matte Stephens illustration made me laugh.

It's off season. I've been doing my best at nothing. It's been pretty awesome. Work is overwhelming me. I'm trying to be grateful I have a job and all that stuff...not sure I've been super successful with this in the past week though. There has been some thought to my 2012 race schedule. Every time I think I have it figured out, I turn around and twist the entire schedule backwards. It's actually kind of fun.

Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T17:51:00.000-08:00

I have a lot to be thankful for. The list could be pages long. But in summary, health, family, and friends are what keeps me smiling.

This morning was a ride with the boys - really a tour de coffee shops, with some Turkey Trot cheering thrown into the middle.

We actually made it to six coffee shops.

Unfortunately only two were open.

Proper tour-de-cafes attire includes gnome socks.

And gloves.

We ran into the Turkey Trot pacing boys.

Our fast Turkey Trotting friends...

And our running coach with his awesome single speed bike.

Cheering crew.

The day ended with my best friend.

Happy Thanksgiving - I hope your day was full of good things.

Ironman Arizona Race Report

2011-11-21T18:36:00.000-08:00

Ironman Arizona was my final race of this season. I am not big on setting time goals since course conditions vary based on the day, swims can be long, etc. That being said, I still had a couple of time goals - I wanted to go under 9:30 and I really wanted to run under 3:10 (my open marathon PR - set a while ago). I believed both of those were possible.

Race morning.

I'm in the middle of this very unorganized swim pack.

On the left you can see the masses of age groupers starting their swim, and on the right four small packs of pros headed back toward the swim exit.

My swim was fairly uneventful - I didn't get clocked on the head more than seven times, and I managed to swim a fairly straight path. I was with people the entire swim, until about the final 300m when I was dropped. I came out of the water in 58:51. Once again proving that you CAN learn to swim...

Huge thanks to Aaron Brougher & Kerry Yndestad for some of my race pics.

Onto the bike - I had three loops to try to move myself more into the mix of the race, and just ride hard. I was getting splits all day that I was close to five girls and frustratingly could not seem to close any gaps.

Overall the bike went by fast. I spent the final hour trying to do complex math problems involving "If Charisa is riding at x-point on bee-line going x-mph approximately 16.5 miles from T2, what are the chances she can ride under 5 hours?...." In the end it was close. I rode a 5:04.

I was excited to get out on the run and see if I could nail the run split I wanted. Plus - my friends were all over the course and occasionally they can get reactions such as this out of me.

I love this picture. Jeff and Becky are doing a dance - or maybe a jig of some sort to make me laugh. Because these are the things I find entertaining when I've been going hard for over seven hours.

The run wasn't all smiles and dancing though. At about mile eight I had moved myself up to 8th place (the final $ slot). And then I had to use my first out-house of the day, and slipped back to 9th. I ran my way back into 8th. And then she caught back up to me and we ran neck and neck for a while. And then I took the lead again. And then there was another bathroom break.

Since my stomach was not happy, I was finding it increasingly difficult to take in calories. God bless the caffeine/sugar inventor of Coke because after 2 gels, that was the only thing that fueled my entire marathon.

This is my favorite picture of the day - it speaks a thousand words. I'm desperately trying not to fall apart and chase my sub-3:10ish run split, while also trying to claw my way back into 8th. Ian is telling me to dig, and doing everything he can to help me figure out how to run faster with a stomach that is revolting. I feel terrible. And yet every time I pass a friend somehow it eases the pain a bit and I push harder.

By mile 22 I had made five stops in out-houses and was running against the red line of complete implosion yet still trying to make sure I kept myself under that other sub-9:30 overall time goal. Thankfully at this point I met some nice age group guy from Boston competing in his first Ironman. He promised to pull me to the finish. I focused on the red Zoot letters on his jersey for over a mile and didn't let go. He was on his first lap, I was on my third. When I started to fall off, he backed off a bit until I caught up and we pushed again. He said he needed to learn to swim better. I laughed and told him so did I.

I ended up running a 3:15 and finished the day in 10th with a 9:22.

2011 was a great year of racing. I am excited to see what I can accomplish next year. But first, time for some down time and off-season fun!

I believe I have one of the best support networks a girl can ask for. THANK YOU for making my racing, dream-chasing and hard work possible all year long.

Zoot – From the wetsuit and great training gear, to my speedy shoes, I love all my Zoot products, but even more so I love the Zoot family.
Profile Design – Thank you for making fast wheels, aero bars, aero drink setup, etc.
TriSports.com – the support you provide is amazing - and the IMAZ run course aid station rocks! (& Jaclyn's sign!!)
QR – Thanks to Brad for getting the QR speedy-race-ready. I love my bike.
Rudy Project – my sunglasses and helmet are the best out there.
ZipVit – Thanks for making some great nutrition products!
XEndurance – A 26 minute Ironman PR. Thank you!
SableWater Optics – I can see when I swim. Always. This rocks!
K-Edge – Haven’t dropped my chain once all year – thanks!
MicroscopeWorld.com – I love my job, thank you for always working around my crazy training & racing schedule.
Dan Selstad - I'm not sure which is better - the laughing in your office or the pain you inflict on my legs.
Coach - Thank you pushing me, pulling me back, and figuring out how to get the most out of me.
Steven – Your support is amazing. I can not imagine my life without you. I love you.
Mom & Dad - thanks for coming out to AZ to cheer me on, and all your support and belief in me.
My friends – From training at home to having you on the race course, I honestly believe I have the best friends ever. Thank you for always making me laugh.

With Heart

2011-11-17T17:41:00.000-08:00

I really love racing - probably apparent by the quantity of races I compete in each season. I tend to race with a whole lot of heart. I'd actually venture to say I race on a ton of hard work, a huge belief in my abilities, and a lot of heart. I am passionate about sport. This is not to say my sport defines me. No, there is a lot more to Charisa than triathlon. But when I jump into the water on race day, my heart is in for 110% - I'm going to put everything I possibly can into obtaining my goals.

Ironman racing is when all of the hard work and countless hours put into training comes down to a single day. One race. These are the things I look forward to on race day.

The national anthem.
The hurt.
My friends and the things they will say to make me smile.
The final 10k - because it requires the most heart, at a point when the rest of my body wants to say no more.
The run. The bike. The swim. (In that order...ha!)
Racing against the best girls in the sport.
Racing against the clock.
The satisfaction at the end of the day that I gave it my all.
Knowing I raced with heart. A lot of heart.

To everyone racing Ironman Arizona on Sunday - have fun and enjoy the moment, it's your day. Race with heart.

It Rains in the Desert

2011-11-16T19:07:00.000-08:00

My idealistic idea that it is constant sun and warmth in the desert was dashed this weekend. While riding my bicycle.

The cacti still look neat, even when it's raining.

After it's tour through Ireland, the QR was actually starting to miss the rain.

The day after the rain.

Awesome cacti. And no, I probably won't stop posting pictures of cacti until I return to California next week.

Race day is in four days. I can not wait!!!

Desert Riding

2011-11-12T16:09:00.000-08:00

I'm fairly certain Arizona has some of the harshest, yet most beautiful terrain I've ever seen.

And I'm still fascinated by the cacti with arms.

The clouds rolled in today.

Which made for some really awesome desert scenery.

Even better that I got to enjoy it all from my bike.

Why TriSports?

2011-11-11T07:49:00.000-08:00

I've been fortunate enough to work with TriSports for several years now. Rather than tell you about all the things I love about this company, I figured I would just show you.

I don't often get to visit the store in Tucson, but when I do it's fun - they carry everything.

The fleet of QRs.

The bike fit studio.

Dynamic Fit Unit to manipulate bike position while pedaling.

Want to buy a wetsuit but need to test it first?

There's a pool for that.

Need bike maintenance? TriSports has you covered. (This is the brand new Ultegra Di2 - you can buy the bike here.)

Finding the perfect running shoe won't take long. There's a huge selection to choose from and treadmills for testing.

Want to come out to Arizona to train in the winter, but not sure you want to haul your bike through the airport? These are all the bikes you can rent, demo, test out, etc.

A lot of online retail stores sell lots of product, but don't actually stock it. This means when you order something it might take a few weeks for it to ship from the manufacturer. TriSports stocks everything. This is just a small section of their massive warehouse.

Lots of fun Zoot shoes!

When your order is placed, it often ships out the very same day.

Employee bike racks for riding to work.

One of the things I love about TriSports is their earth-friendly approach to business. Furniture made from recycled materials is found throughout the offices. Construction is currently under way to create covered parking with solar panels on top. The entire roof of the building was recently fitted with solar panels and soon the company will be nearly 98% solar powered. The large silver tanks on either side of the building capture rain water that is used for gray water in the building and in the air conditioning system.

TriSports has figure out how to give back to the sport and community as well. They sponsor multiple local races and athletes like myself. So next time you need to purchase some tri gear, use coupon code CWERN-S to save 10%, and be happy knowing that the company is doing all it can to make purchasing triathlon gear easy with one-stop shopping while still practicing sustainability.

Arizona Training

2011-11-09T07:45:00.000-08:00

Rather than schlepping back and forth between Arizona and San Diego, I decided to plant myself in the desert for the two weeks between my sprint tri and Ironman Arizona.

Riding on the Beeline - one exciting stretch of road!

My friend Karleen scooter-ed the entire course with me.

After about 12 attempts, I got both of us in the same photo.

I was happy this storm didn't monsoon on me - I made it to the end of the ride with just dropping temps and sprinkles.

I've since migrated down to the dirty-T for some training and a reunion with this guy. Last year we were rookie pros and raced every single race together. This year it's been way too long since I've seen him.

Amica 19.7 Triathlon Race Report

2011-11-06T19:29:00.000-08:00

It's been over three years since I raced a sprint triathlon. I forgot how fast they are over. And how hard it is to breathe while racing all-out.

Some day when I am very old I think I will look back on my racing and be most of happy about the friends I have made through this sport. As usual, Angi, Amy and I spent a good amount of time laughing on our warmup.

I came out of the 750m swim about 1:30 back from the leader and in 4th.

Off on the QR (with some awesome Profile bars & wheels!) to chase girls down.

Please notice my gymnast-dismount skills. Yes. All those years spent in gymnastics do occasionally come in handy. I somehow biked the fastest female bike split and closed the gap when I got to T2.

Off to run 5k I went, in my fun speedy Zoot shoes. In typical sprint fashion I went out much too fast and got a side stitch for the first mile. I managed to move into 2nd and stay there. My chip time shows I ran 18:22 - I think it was a bit short because I did not feel I was running that fast.

Yeah! 2nd again. And done!

My friends Karleen and Rich brought their new pup Kai to spectate.

And my swim coach was on hand with her puppy Eiger. I think she may have mentioned "we have work to do" at some point regarding my swim....oops. Definitely a work in progress! But I have come oh-so-far in the swim area, so I will take what I can get.

This however, was the best part of the race. My friend Mike and I had a straight-up time bet.

I won. By 11 seconds.

Big thanks to my homestay Michele who made the weekend so fun and makes amazing home-made Italian food!! I am spoiled.

A million thanks-yous to those that make racing so much so very possible!!!

Zoot – From my awesome running shoes, to the wetsuit that I'm finally doing justice, I love all your gear. And even more I love the Zoot family.
Profile Design – I love my aero bars with my name on them!! And my wheels are super light and fast. And my aero drink holder works seamlessly.
TriSports.com – the support you provide is amazing, I never have to worry about something being in stock. Thank you!
QR – Love love love my bike! It is fast.
Rudy Project – my sunglasses and helmet are the best out there.
ZipVit – From race nutrition to recovery - thank you, I am covered.
XEndurance – podium again. Thank you.
SableWater Optics – I can see when I swim. Always. This rocks!
K-Edge – Haven’t dropped my chain once all year – thanks!
MicroscopeWorld.com – I love my job, thank you for always working around my crazy training & racing schedule.

Back to the Desert

2011-11-04T10:31:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy few weeks. There are times during Ironman training when I think (as I go through daily life in a semi-zombie-like state) how very silly Ironman training is. And yet I love it.

I am headed back to the Arizona desert for the Amica 19.7 sprint race this weekend. Because training for long distances deserves a bit of a shock to the system with a race where I will go ALL OUT for less than two hours.

There is also a bet with my friend Mike, and some HUGE bragging rights on the line at this race. Must. Swim. FAST!!

Good Things

2011-11-01T20:40:00.000-07:00

Chocolate milk
Chris Farley movies
Leaves that crunch under running feet
Foam rollers that are not worn out
Steam hovering over hot chocolate on a cold day
Bicycle bells - dring dring
New crayons in the box, all in order, not yet used

Thanks to Anna Hurley for the illustration.

Got any good things to add to my list?

A Reason to Party

2011-10-31T08:17:00.000-07:00

Most people went to Halloween parties this weekend. We actually had a birthday party to attend.

Elvis made an appearance, then jetted off to his next party.

KK and Cooper (trying to be decent).

LB and I decided it would be a good idea for me to take him for a ride. It's actually harder than it looks - we had to have J give us a running push in order to keep from falling over. Once you get moving the 2-person beach cruiser is both an awesome and terrifying experience on a dark car-lined street.

The reason for our party - happy birthday J!

Two boys helping me track stand on the beach cruiser, because I'm fairly certain this is the best way to learn how to track stand.

And yes, that's right - I can track stand with no hands!!

There may have been some dance / rap involved.

Chickens

2011-10-29T17:09:00.000-07:00

I had a long ride today with "efforts." I did work. There was not much scenery-watching. On my final effort I turned up a road known for having about zero traffic. It's a gradual climb with farms spread across a valley. I like it because it is scenic and always seems peaceful. At this point in the ride my legs hated me, so I figured "peaceful" might be good for them, or at least take my mind off my legs.

I rounded a corner to find a large pickup truck stopped in the middle of the road - a wooden crate had obviously fallen off the back, probably as they rounded the corner a little quickly for the top-heavy structure. As I got closer I noticed three men scampering around the road, chasing chickens. It was awesome. Apparently chickens can run fast when they want to. I went around the far side of the truck, narrowly missing a chicken giving his full effort to escape into the free world. The three men looked at me in bewilderment as I smiled at them and rode on.

Ten minutes later they passed me, chicken coop back in place, full of feathered friends. One of the men fist-pumped out the window to let me know they had won the chase.

And for some reason this made me laugh. My job today was to ride my bike, run and try to nail a hard workout. Their job had been to deliver chickens. I'm fairly certain we both succeeded - each with a few speed bumps along the way.

Morning

2011-10-28T09:58:00.000-07:00

I have always liked morning. I suppose I would be considered a "morning person". I love feeling like I am up before the rest of the world, when it's quiet on the roads and everyone is still in the comfort of their homes, drinking coffee and preparing for the day.

The random sunrises, foggy mornings and moon settings I get to experience aren't bad either.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Failing

2011-10-27T11:53:00.000-07:00

In grad school I had to write a paper for a psychology class on a personal issue. I don't remember what I wrote, but it was something lame and un-personal, and it was returned with red ink scrawling "REDO this on something real." Doh! So I re-wrote the paper on Fear of Failure. Ironically I got a B- on it, which at the time to me was a massive FAIL.

I like to think I've since learned how to deal with fear of failing. However, it occasionally shines through when I get a really hard workout on my schedule. I love hard workouts - the kind where I'm not sure I can complete them as written, with the numbers/paces/watts that I assign in my mind as a "successful" workout, but I know the challenge of it all will be fun. Or just hard. And in the end I usually come away from it still gaining something - either mental or physical.

I typically have to remind myself that failing workouts is often part of determining what my current limits are. And if I never reach that "fail" point then how do I really know what I am capable of?

The pool this morning, in the middle of my set where I was trying very hard not to fail. I didn't quite hit all the times I was looking for, but I'm also fairly certain the set in no way qualifies as a FAIL.

It's The Little Things

2011-10-26T14:25:00.000-07:00

Thanks Profile Design for not only making awesome bars & wheels, but also personalizing my bike!!

SOMA Triathlon Race Report

2011-10-24T10:51:00.000-07:00

This was my first time racing the SOMA 1/2 ironman. My last half was in Ireland, where the weather was about as polar opposite as you can get from the desert of Arizona.

Eating my ZipVit gel before jumping into the swim.

The swim is a single loop and I figured it would be fairly uneventful. The first five plus minutes felt like full contact football (not that I would know what this feels like, but I'm guessing). I felt strong out to the turn around. And then I fell apart.

I somehow swam zig-zags, was with a pack without drafting, and came out of the water in 32 minutes in 5th place - not where I had planned to come out of the water.

Onto the QR to try to make up time I lost in the swim.

I was Chasing Amy for about 30ish miles. And then she dropped me.

I didn't feel great on the bike, but I didn't feel completely terrible. I came off the bike still in 5th, riding a 2:28. I figured with the many U-turns on the course that probably was a decent bike split.

It was hot. I made full use of the aid-station hydration buffets.

I didn't show up at SOMA to finish 5th and seeing that there was only a run left, I figured this was not the time to give up. Somehow the two loop run course went by quickly. I passed a few girls and found myself in second trying to win.

My 1:25 run left me 38 seconds shy of the win. A great day of racing.

I really love racing. There is nothing better than fighting it out, chasing, giving it your all for over four hours. It's even better when you are racing your friends. I think I laughed more this weekend pre and post-race than I have in a while thanks to Amy.

My homestay Karleen and her husband Rich were amazing hosts.

Big thanks to my sponsors for helping me race (lots) and thanks to SOMA for hosting a great race. And finally my awesome husband - there were several times yesterday when it would have been super easy to back down and be happy with finishing further back. Thank you for not just telling me I was closing gaps, but knowing better than anyone that I could. Four weeks left til Ironman Arizona.

Welcome Home

2011-10-22T13:12:00.000-07:00

...to your home away from home that is. Racing a lot involves traveling and trying to make a home-base away from home. This is made so much easier by the endless number of people who open up their homes to me throughout the year.

Almost every race I travel to I stay with a homestay - a family in the community who is willing to host an athlete. I can only imagine this must be a little bit strange for the host - especially as I arrive with my bike, shlepping loads of triathlon gear into the house with me.

I never expect more than a bed and a shower. And every time I am presented with so much more: wonderful home cooked meals, good company, being driven to swim starts, shown riding routes, etc. I love the local insight I get into the community. It's so much more personal than staying in a hotel, not to mention a huge financial help.

Occasionally I even win over man's best friend.

A HUGE thank you to those who have not only opened your homes to me this season, but also shared so much more. I am grateful for your hospitality and friendship.

Bert & Kathleen - your local pasta shop is my favorite. Your coffee is unmatched.
Stan & Alana - we tend to invade your house with bikes, run shoes, etc. and then I disappear half the weekend to train, but you always have no problem with this. Thank you for not thinking your sister-in-law is insane!
Mom Wernick & Aunt Janine - it may have been a home-away-from-home, but I laughed more on our trip to NOLA than any other.
Brian and Teidji - your Friday morning breakfast tradition is awesome.
Kiet - thank you for showing us Oakland - Brown Butter Betty's, the ghetto, and the awesome Uplands.
Sarah - your parents house is so cozy and welcoming. I love it.
Aaron and Marielle - catching up in NYC, Quartino, it was all great.
Janie - you are my 2nd mom and my 2nd home. Thank you for always providing a home to come home to in Chicago. (& Al too!)
Joan - thank you for taking me swimming, fetching me from the airport, feeding me, etc.
Grandma - I am so proud to have a 97 year old grandma who not only hosts me, but cooks amazing food from her garden, invites all my cousins over and comes to cheer at my race. I can only hope that some day I have lived as full a life as you have.
Mom - Ireland was so fun and you made my race prep so much easier by helping me find pools, riding routes, etc.
Angelina & Shaun - Welsh cakes!!!!! :0) I had such a fun time in Wales & the UK thanks to both of you. Looking forward to many more racing experiences where ADC can yell "EAT $hit!" at me while racing.
Phil & Lin - We loved seeing Henley and your hospitality was like no other - from Lin's amazing home cooked vegetarian meals, to Phil out on the course in the pouring rain giving me time splits. You made the entire race prep and race day so enjoyable and easy.
Karleen & Rich - Awesome open water swimming, amazing gourmet food and such fun hanging out. Thank you for sharing your home.

Wheeeeeeee

2011-10-19T21:10:00.000-07:00

Riding a bike downhill should always feel like this.

Thanks to Roman Klonek for the illustration.

Gnocchi

2011-10-18T18:56:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I took my Mom to a cooking class. She needs no help in this area - I on the other hand need lots. In particular - we learned how to make gnocchi. I am a HUGE fan of gnocchi. I almost always order it anytime we go out for Italian.

But then after the class there was a lot of this....and I may have forgotten I even documented the gnocchi class on my camera. This is what I learned...

Do not decide to make gnocchi when you are hungry. Decide to make it right after you ate dinner. Because then by the time you actually finish - you will be hungry again.

These are potatoes that were pressed through some expensive machine to make them into small pieces. It seemed like a lot of work to me, but apparently it is an important part of making gnocchi. We added some other green herbs - I honestly don't remember which ones. Probably best to follow a recipe.

We rolled the dough into long pieces and then made small gnocchi shapes on this board.

You're starting to understand the time-intensive-ness - no?!

We also made home-made pesto.

This actually didn't take long at all, and tasted amazing.

Finally - enough for me to eat! But first we had to boil them for a few minutes.

Voila! Homemade gnocchi.

I really did love making it. Once. And I will always appreciate good gnoochi (and the $ on the menu) next time I order it! I'm also fairly certain there is a reason I'm a professional athlete, not a professional cook...

Sport

2011-10-17T09:44:00.000-07:00

I have never known life without sport. I may have changed sports several times, but there has seldom been a day in my life when sport was not a huge part of it. At a very young age sport provided me with focus and a lot of fun. As a girl, sport gave me confidence that I was strong and could conquer the world if only I set my mind to it. I really can't imagine how differently my life would have turned out were it not for sport.

I spent three hours yesterday chasing my friends around on bikes. Trying desperately to cling to a wheel as my heart pounded through my chest and my legs threatened complete failure. Once I finally flew off the back of the pack one would pull me back up, or we would all sit up and catch our breath before the next person shot off the front and the chase was on again. Sections of the ride were extremely uncomfortable and at the same time there is nothing I would have rather been doing on a Sunday morning. And this is what I love about sport. It is so much more than training and racing.

Training

2011-10-15T16:35:00.000-07:00

There are days in training when I feel amazing. And there are a lot of days where I do not. Today was a day when I got on the bike and within the first hour I knew it was just going to be a lot of hours of feeling uncomfortable, while (bonus!) riding my bicycle. For me there is a difference between feeling uncomfortably good, and uncomfortably blah. I actually don't mind the uncomfortably blah days in training because I figure maybe it's less likely I'll hit one of these days come race day. I'm sure it doesn't really work like that, but somehow in my mind I justify it.

Ironman training tends to bring out more uncomfortable training days, but at the same time on days when I think I'll feel horrible, sometimes I end up feeling amazing. The human body is funny like that.

We finally have a little bit of fall colors inland.

Tomorrow I get another chance at hopefully feeling uncomfortably good. Hope everyone had a great weekend.

A Little Bicycle

2011-10-12T15:11:00.000-07:00

My nephew got a bike. I am one proud aunt!!!!

He agreed to let me try it out. Riding little people bicycles is hard!

We finally figured out you have to keep your legs off the ground.

And steer. Steering is important.

I think we may have ridden the bike more than my nephew...thanks Wade!

Awesome Riding

2011-10-11T06:08:00.000-07:00

When Steven told me we were going up to San Luis Obispo for his 1/2 marathon, I was super excited. (For his race of course!!!) And maybe also because I get to ride my bike on some amazing roads.

What started as a chilly morning, warmed into a beautiful day.

I really love old oak trees.

Big tired bull.

It's fall!

Lake that spills into ocean.

Moro bay rock.

The only green grass I saw all day (golf course).

Wetlands.

It was a great day with long miles of windy, hilly riding.

Steven's new PR

2011-10-10T08:21:00.000-07:00

The last time Steven ran a 1/2 marathon he had a few friends pacing him. Yesterday he was running solo to find a new PR.

His support crew consisted of his twin brother and myself. The twin took awesome pictures. I yelled encouraging words (or something like that).

City to the Sea is a net downhill half, but with quite a few rollers in the second half.

Perfect weather. The race finishes here.

Right after I said "He has to come in the next minute or he won't be happy with his time..." he rounded the corner.

Whooo hooooo, a new PR of 1:26:41! And Steven now knows what it feels like to negative split a race.

Bike Commuting Lessons

2011-10-07T08:43:00.000-07:00

A few lessons I've learned over the past few years bike commuting...

Attempting to learn a track stand at red lights does not always = staying upright.
Forgetting to pack underwear for work is only a small tragedy if I also have no swimsuit at work.
I really do not wish to race you on my commute.
Gloves are required post-am-swim bike commute in the winter. Forgetting them = two cups of coffee/tea once at work.
There is a reason the macbook air was invented.
Thanks to my single speed, I can tell you with 98% accuracy the grade of all hills within a ten mile radius of my house.
I can also tell you how to avoid these hills if desired.
Coffee cup holders for bikes and/or baskets are genius. I need one.

Ride safe!

Open Road

2011-10-06T14:26:00.000-07:00

There may be no better feeling than a wide open road stretching out ahead with only a bit of carbon and two wheels beneath me.

We had our first real "storm" of the season last night. Riding post storm in California is beautiful - it's like the rain cleans everything up and big puffy clouds are splashed across the sky. I managed to dodge (& get hit by) a few remaining showers, and did my best to avoid the clutter along the side of the road that accumulates after a storm.

It was a great day to own a bike and be out riding it.

Racing Local

2011-10-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

I really love traveling, but there is always something nice about racing in my home town. My next race isn't really in my home town, but this is why I chose to race SOMA.

It's "local" - in that I can drive to this race. No putting the bike in a box and getting on an airplane.
My friends are racing. There is nothing better than some friendly faces out on the race course.
Part of this race is on the Ironman AZ race course. I want to scope it out.
It's in the desert. I'm guessing it won't rain...but with my luck never say never!

If you are looking for a fun race (half ironman or relay) on October 23 - come join me. Registration is still open.

Play Time

2011-10-04T06:29:00.000-07:00

I have a new nephew. More kids to play with! (And then return to their parents!!!)

Auntie Charisa, meet David, and look, I can hold him all by myself!

When not holding his new cousin, Wade was busy shoveling rocks...

And train-swimming. Being two is pretty awesome!

Play Harder

2011-10-03T10:01:00.000-07:00

While I was over in the UK I was fortunate enough to meet some sports enthusiasts who make some awesome recovery products. They were all over the Henley course cheering me on and even captured this fun video of me finishing (sorry Alistair for high-fiving the camera almost out of your hand!)

These sports enthusiasts make a recovery product that combines compression with ICE (or heat if you want that).

This is what you get (minus the cat). The silver bag is filled with some compression knickers, sheets that become ice (or heat) and instructions. The silver bag should be saved because it can be used to take your recovery ice to a race (and keep it cold while you race - brilliant!)

The compression tights have little pockets all over them.

To hold the ice sheets.

When you open the package, the sheets of ice look like sheets of paper. You can cut them up to whatever size you like.

Then they get soaked in the sink for a minute or so.

Dry them off, pop them in the freezer, and you are ready for some quality leg-icing! If you prefer heat, you can heat them up rather than freeze them.

The great part is - if you have a particular area of your leg you want iced, just stick the ice pack into that particular pocket on the compression pants and off you go. No need for towels wrapped around the ice, or bandages to hold ice in place. Happy training (& recovery)!

A Perfect Ride

2011-10-02T11:50:00.000-07:00

October in southern CA is amazing. All the tourists go home, and it gets warm. While the rest of the country settles in for beautiful fall colors, crisp temps and pumpkin flavored drinks, we bust out the shorts and set off on bike rides with barely a cloud in the sky. There's a reason it's so expensive to live in CA.

The only cloud in the sky at sunrise this morning was from a brush fire in East County.

Today was my last day of "easy" training before we gear back up for IMAZ. I told the boys today's ride was strictly a coffee shop ride. Skippy took this seriously and showed up with homemade cookies.

I love the blue sky on days like this. Warm air, and great company on the bike make it just about perfect.

Thanks for the ride boys and especially all the laughs!

In the Middle

2011-09-29T13:09:00.000-07:00

Somewhere between racing abroad and living the dream, I found myself back in the middle. Back at work, with a bit of extra recovery thrown in (which really just means time to do things I never do - like shopping, yoga or pretending I know how to cook like an expert chef!)

Where I hang out between swim-bike-running. Notice the meticulously neat desk...oh wait.

I like the extremes of training hard, racing fast and seeing the world. But I also really like the middle. Next week is back to training - I have three more races this season that will end with Ironman Arizona.

Red Tide

2011-09-26T13:47:00.000-07:00

I'm in between racing and training right now. Training is a nice mix of do-what-I-feel-like and not quite true off-season. Yesterday on our ride by the ocean I commented on how dirty the water appeared. It is brown and dark and looks the way it typically does after a storm churns everything up. Not appealing at all for ocean swimming or surfing.

Sunset last night at our little birthday / friends re-united party.

After the sun went down we realized why the water looked so brown during the day....there's a red tide right now. Red tide happens maybe once a year or so, I'm not really sure what the exact conditions are that cause it - but it's algae that blooms in the ocean and when the waves crash, they have a blue phosphorescence glow to them. It literally looks like bright blue lights are flashing inside the waves. It is quite possibly one of the most awesome nature light shows on the planet if you ask me.

I took a picture so you can see just how awesome it was.

And because my photo did not come out, I will thank Mike from Carlsbad who also captured a photo of the red tide. If you live by the coast in the San Diego area go down to the beach and check it out - the surf is supposed to be building and the bigger the waves, the better the light show!

Goodbyes

2011-09-24T06:12:00.000-07:00

Sadly my time in the UK has come to an end. I have a cat at home that must be cared for...

So until next time I said goodbye to the beautiful swans...

Unfortunate colored Bentleys...

And bikes on rooftops.

I had to leave the beautiful trees,

And some awesome fake ones...

And even the black swan.

I'm already looking forward to planning next year's trip across the pond.

Ironman Race Day Nutrition

2011-09-23T09:39:00.000-07:00

Ironman is a long day, made only much longer if nutrition is screwed up. The following is my Challenge Henley race day nutrition. I had no stomach issues and I credit that to the ZipVit products I use.

BREAKFAST:

I typically eat breakfast 3 hours before the race starts. This usually means an ungodly hour to wake up, but I like my breakfast to be digested before I set out sprinting in the water when the gun fires. Breakfast consisted of oatmeal, a banana and one piece of bread with butter. I never drink coffee before I ride at home, so I don't drink it before I race.

30 minutes before SWIM:
1 ZipVit orange gel

On the BIKE:

On the bike I started with two bottles of fluid - each had 1 pkg of ZipVit Energy Drink Elite in them. After I used these up I switched to water for drinking. I have never used High5 (the drink on the course) and didn't really want to take a chance that my stomach might not like it. Every 20 minutes I took in some ZipVit gel (all non-caffeine). At the top of each hour I took half a bar - I did this four times, for a total of two full bars. An hour before I got off the bike I grabbed part of a banana and took my Caffeine ZipVit gel. As I mentioned in my race report, I had a section on the bike where I felt I was going backwards between miles 85-95. I should have probably had a minimum of 200 more calories on the bike. The weather was cool (43F when I started the bike, 58F when I got off), so I was not overly worried about electrolytes. I took one salt tablet on the bike once I switched over to water.

On the RUN:

Onto the run and I had three ZipVit gels with me when I started - an orange, black currant, and cola (caffeine). Multiple flavors helps me make sure I don't get sick of them and therefore continue eating them. I finished those three in two laps (13 miles), where I then picked up two more gels. (Each gel has 200 calories). I drank water the entire run, until the final lap when it was all about Coke, Coke, Coke! On the final loop I also ate part of a banana.

In the past I took in a lot more caffeine on the bike, and I actually think this hindered my racing (I would end up feeling sick - almost as if I had the flu). So this time I decided to back way off on the caffeine and try to use it sparingly and more toward the end of the race when I really needed it. I think this worked well for me.

If you have any specific questions about my race nutrition feel free to email me. For those of you who live in the UK - ZipVit products can be found here.

London

2011-09-22T04:40:00.000-07:00

I've been to London several times. Which is nice because I did not feel like we needed to rush all over the city to see every single famous standing structure while we were there.

Instead, Steven and I spent the day wandering from one cafe to another pub. It was the perfect recovery day after racing.

I think we sat down and ate something about every hour. Which was good, because we actually did cover a lot of distance walking. And I got to eat every hour - which if you ask Steven, is very very important in order to keep me from getting grumpy the day after I race.

Just a moat. Can you imagine living somewhere with a moat?!! Your friends come to visit and you have to say "hold on, I must lower the drawbridge for you...."

No idea what this says, but it looks cool.

I forget the name of this market, but it's where they filmed Diagon Alley in Harry Potter.

At some point during our walking tour of London my legs got grumpy. May have been that ironman I did a few days ago. I think Steven got tired of me asking him to carry me, so we found these awesome bikes that you can rent. I don't know why other cities don't do this - you can rent them for a day for only one pound, and there are places all over the city to return them. We would ride to a new area of the city, ditch the bikes, then grab them again and go check out another area.

Being tourists.

We accidentally stumbled upon this area (most likely as we were searching for the next place to find something for me to eat...) and it was awesome. Little narrow side streets that wound around, and this old structure is all that remains - there used to be a prison right here. I love how old London is.

My favorite part of the day (other than the million cafes we got to visit and sit at along the Thames) was riding our bikes back home during rush hour. I've never seen a city with more bike and run commuters in it. There were hundreds of cyclists rushing home and tons of people running with backpacks on. At several points when we were riding I was in a peloton (on my beach cruiser) as commuters swished past. I think more cities in the US need to jump on board with run and bike commuting. London has got it figured out!

Challenge Henley-on-Thames Race Report

2011-09-19T01:49:00.000-07:00

There are some days when all of that hard work we put into training pays off. I usually see it in bits and pieces, but yesterday it somehow all fell into place. I'm not sure anything quite compares to this intangible reward for hours and hours spent training.

The swim start dawned foggy and chilly.

I got in a good warmup. With the swans.

And we were off. My plan was to work hard to chase feet. I did this, and then they swam right away from me. Just past the turn-around I caught a guy and passed him. He promptly re-passed me and I figured awesome, we can work together. He then started swimming off course, I left him, and in the end maybe I should have stuck with him as he ended up exiting the water almost a minute ahead of me.

Out of the water 3rd pro female, a look at my watch and saw 57:18. Whoa!! I learned how to swim! Had the day ended right here, I would have been very happy.

Onto the bike and I moved into 2nd. Other than my fingers being numb for the first hour, the weather was comfortable. We had a bit of rain, but nothing crazy. I settled in and then it was time to race, race, race! The course consists of three loops with several solid climbs.

My friends Angelina and Shaun were awesome, giving me splits, yelling motivational things to make me laugh, etc. All was fairly uneventful until a section between mile 85-95 where I completely imploded. I'm not sure if it was calories, or just overall legs hating me, but on the final climb I was literally going backwards. Two girls passed me and at that point I really wasn't sure if I'd blown my entire race. My watts went from near 200 to about 130 and everything became damage control - I threw down some gels and a banana and thankfully revived before I hit transition after 5:34 on the bike.

And then it was time for my favorite part - the run. I knew if I wanted to pull off not only a good race, but a solid finish, I need to run fast. Yvette was 2 minutes up on me and she can run. Lou came into T2 with me and she can run as well. Steven yelled at me to be patient - it is so easy to go out too hard on the run, especially when the lead is in sight.

The run consists of four loops with quite a bit of cross-country terrain. I loved this. It is also beautiful. On the second loop I moved into 2nd and picked up a bicycle escort. Honestly - this was my favorite part of the race. I've never had a bicycle escort before. I continued to get splits - Yvette pulled the gap up past 3 minutes, and Lou was holding the gap behind me at two. I was chasing and running scared all day.

Chasing my bike escort in the pouring rain.

We had several downpours. I wasn't cold, so I really enjoyed this. There's something about running in the rain and splashing in massive puddles that makes me feel like I'm five years old again.

On the final lap I knew I was closing. We ran around a large open area at one point and I could see first. My bike escort turned around and said "This is going to be close. Really close." I picked up the pace. And I chased. And ate gels and slammed Coke. I willed my legs to turn over faster.

In the end I closed the gap to 50 seconds and finished 2nd with a 3:12 marathon. I have no regrets - it was a great day of racing against talented girls.

I finally broke ten hours with a 9:48 finish. It was a 19 minute PR.

A huge thank you to Felix - the man behind the Challenge races. This was my first Challenge race and all I can say is that I wish there were some in the States. Everything about the Challenge race was top-notch.

Alan is the Challenge Henley-on-Thames race director. I'm pretty sure he has not eaten or slept all week. But you would never know this was a first year race. I'm looking forward to racing Henley again. A huge thank you to our amazing homestay in Henley - they not only made me feel so relaxed and at home, but they fed us awesome home-cooked vegetarian meals, drove us around, and even gave me splits out on the run course!

On a great day of racing I am the one who does the work, but there are oh-so-many people supporting and my dream-chasing would never be possible without them. Many THANK YOUs to:

Zoot – From my awesome running shoes, to the wetsuit that I'm finally doing justice, I love all your gear. And even more I love the Zoot family.
Profile Design – I love my wheels, aero bars, aero drink setup, etc. They are all FAST!
TriSports.com – the support you provide is amazing, I am lucky to have you on my team.
QR – Love love love my bike! It climbs well, descends even better, and is so very comfortable.
Rudy Project – my sunglasses and helmet are the best out there.
ZipVit – I attribute the fact that I had absolutely no stomach issues in a long day of racing to the great products you make.
XEndurance – podium again. Thank you.
SableWater Optics – I can see when I swim. Always. This rocks!
K-Edge – Haven’t dropped my chain once all year – thanks!
MicroscopeWorld.com – I love my job, thank you for always working around my crazy training & racing schedule.
Coach - Thank you for believing this result was possible.
Steven – This adventure of life has been amazing, I am lucky to have you along on it!
Mom & Dad - the fact that you got up in the middle of the night to track my race says it all.
My training friends – there will most definitely be a party when I get home!

I have a few days to explore London and then it's back home to California. Ireland and the UK have been good to me.

Henley on Thames

2011-09-17T01:12:00.000-07:00

I left Wales and moved to England.

I picked up Superman.

We took a train to Henley, and had a small bite to eat.

Got off the train to scenes like this...

And I keep feeling like I'm in the set of a movie.

Henley is a small town (or village, I can't keep them straight) on the River Thames. It is best known for its rowing regattas. If you have seen the movie The Social Network - the rowing scenes were filmed here.

There are quaint houses such as the "corner house".

And the Red Lion Inn.

But I came here to race. So yesterday I dove into the Thames for a practice swim. I was told the water is 15.5C, which meant nothing to me. I later calculated that this is about 59F. Not bad at all - it felt downright warm compared to Ireland! The area where we will swim tomorrow is the actual site for rowing in the London 2012 Olympics.

The bike course is beautiful. And hilly. It consists of three loops that wind past pubs such as the Dog & Duck, small towns with names like Shepherd's Green, and brilliant countryside. I met a local guy racing his first ironman who used to be in the marines. He told me all his friends would be at the Dog & Duck drinking by 7am - to cheer us on. I'm looking forward to seeing them. Especially on the third loop.

I can't wait to race on this course!

The run is four loops and much of it is along the Thames.

We will run across this bridge eight times.

So here we go. Time to cash out on all that training!

Training in Wales

2011-09-16T08:23:00.000-07:00

I said this about Irish triathletes and I think it applies to the Welsh as well - I'm fairly certain you have one of the most beautiful places to train, and the weather makes you tough as nails.

I set out on my bike yesterday to partly sunny skies, and I was actually warm. Within ten minutes it was raining sideways and I was fairly certain I might just blow off the road. And I was then cold.

Wet and cold. But I've learned if I don't like the weather to just wait ten minutes. It might change. Or it might not. But if I keep riding I generally stay warm and the scenery keeps flying past and remains amazing. And if I don't stay warm it's nothing that hot tea and scones won't cure when I am done.

Riding to the sea.

As I passed this hole in the wall, the wind gusting off the sea about knocked me off my bike.

I'm not sure why, but this sign just made me laugh. I love it.

Still loving the sheep...

Almost race day. I can not wait!!!

Traveling in Wales

2011-09-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

Basically since I left the states I've been moving to a new place about every two days. This is awesome for providing new bike scenery, running routes, etc. It is not quite as amazing to pack up my bag full of tri stuff every few days...but still worth it just the same.

Somewhere between Hollyhead and Tenby, Wales.

View out my window one morning. This day it took more than a few minutes to crawl out from under the covers and get on my bicycle.

These views just never get old. Especially on the bike.

Sheep!

Angelina has been awesome - not only has she made me feel at home very far from home, but she has taught me how to speak "proper" English, treated me to cream tea, welsh cakes, provided a washer for all my dirty bike clothes, and shown me the best of the UK. I've decided the US has nothing compared to the UK when it comes to chocolates, treats and such. The scones here even come with cream!

A little village in Wales with a very fun clock.

Another great cycling road.

One of my favorite rides - Ogmar beach in Wales.

Ironman Wales

2011-09-14T02:00:00.000-07:00

Although I didn't race IM Wales, I was there cheering and got to experience the course first-hand. I rode the entire bike course, saw most of the run, and swam part of the course.

The swim was originally going to be held to the right of this castle-island. Stormy weather and high winds resulted in moving the swim here to calmer waters.

The swim was two loops around this small island rock. The water was not exceptionally cold (it was much warmer than Ireland). Moving the swim resulted in a very long 1k run to transition, but they also shortened the marathon by 1k to make up for this.

The bike starts out with a single loop out past the sea. For what this section of the course lacks in hills, it makes up for it with much stronger winds. And beauty.

Sections of the seaside ride are narrow.

The views are amazing.

After the seaside loop, there is a loop to ride that is much hillier. And bonus - you get to do it twice! Much of the course has some tight narrow roads, many with tall hedges lining them. Descents can be fast, but most of them have a turn at the bottom, so speed is not carried onto the next climb. Right before hitting transition for the second time, there is a long climb packed with cheering fans. Definitely train on hills if you are planning to race Ironman Wales. There is over 6,000ft of climbing in the 112 mile bike.

Onto the run and if you brought spectators with you, they will love this course. The run is four loops that wind through the picturesque village of Tenby, so your friends will be able to cheer for you multiple times, while also finding plenty of bars, cafes, and restaurants to hang out in while you trudge along.

When the tide is out, the boats rest on the sand.

And when it's in, it looks more like a typical harbor. Either way, you will get to enjoy this scenery four times as you run past.

The far left point in this image is a castle. You will run around it. Four times. It's also hilly.

And after all this hard work, you will turn to a very welcome site - the finish.

And should you wish to ice your legs post-race, the sea is just behind the finish line.

My personal thoughts on this race (without having actually raced it...) are that it has amazing scenery. If you want to experience Wales, an old historic town, and some absolutely breathtaking scenery - sign up. If you live in Iowa or somewhere flat, you will most likely have a VERY long day. But in the end, you will still be in Wales, so it might just be worth it!

Wales Run

2011-09-13T00:18:00.000-07:00

My bike and I took a ferry from Dublin to Wales, where we were picked up by Angelina, and whisked off toward Tenby. But first we stopped for the night at this Inn.

I ordered sticky toffee pudding - because it's British and I'm on a mission to try all things local. I told Angelina later it should be called Sticky Toffee Cake, because there was no pudding in it. She informed me that pudding just means it is dessert. Either way - it was great.

Our Inn was built in 1450. That's older than the country I come from.

I loved the Inn - it was awesome. Even better was that it is tucked away in a little valley in a Wales national park. Right across the street is a little trail that hooked me into an entire network of running trails.

Our Inn as seen from the trails.

The river that winds along the trails.

I came across this treetop viewer late in the run.

It works nicely.

There are sheep in Wales too. And yes, I am still fascinated by them.

I ran along the river, all the way up to the top of a peak, and back down by the river again. I ran for over an hour and did not see one car or person. Just me, the forest and sheep. It was perfect.

The run ranks right up there with my top 10 favorite trail runs. Ever.

Dublin Running

2011-09-12T04:05:00.000-07:00

The day I left Dublin I had a great run around the city.

This stadium is massive. Guessing they play rugby here??

I loved the dog in the basket.

I somehow ended up here.

This path leads out to a point with a lighthouse.

On the point, headed back toward Dublin.

Nice beach.

I ran along this canal...

And thankfully not on too many of these.

Good day for running.

Dublin

2011-09-10T23:48:00.000-07:00

Leaving the beautiful countryside for the big city was a change of pace. We turned in our rental car and went everywhere on foot.

The zip-ties I travel with for my bike came in handy for re-attaching the hub cap.

There are rivers and canals everywhere.

I was impressed with all the bike paths throughout the city.

House boat. With bicycle...

Although the trees are changing colors in Dublin, it is much warmer here than it was in Southern Ireland.

In the pub.

In the park.

On the street.

The University where I swam several times.

This made me laugh.

Lake District Ride

2011-09-09T06:48:00.000-07:00

The lake district (northeast of Limerick) was one of my favorite areas of all the places we visited in Ireland. I rode my bike there for over three hours, and every single bit of it was amazing.

Much of my ride was along hills above the lake.

When I wasn't along the lake, it was mostly farm land. I think I saw more tractors than cars. Photos-while-riding = you have to do a bit of work & tip your head to the left...

Fall colors.

This map was soaked by the end of my ride, but helped me navigate all the round-abouts and random roads. I'm proud to say I only got lost twice!

Best sign I saw all day!

Another lake...

And another pub with a fireplace to warm up in when I finished.

Pub view. There's an awesome old church across the street, but it's behind the car.

Next up: Dublin, then Wales...

Rainy Run

2011-09-08T06:59:00.000-07:00

Running in the rain has always been one of my favorite things. Being able to run in the rain and explore a foreign country is even better...

The current was quick.

One-lane bridge connecting Ballina with Killaloe.

Fairly certain my garden does not even compare to those I've seen over in Ireland so far.

Fun fun!!

After my rainy run we ate overlooking this river. So good.

Most of the run I felt like I was running through a post card.

Rain splattered canal.

I'm off to Dublin today, then over to Wales tomorrow.

Training in Ireland

2011-09-07T07:42:00.000-07:00

Training while traveling has both its benefits and difficulties. Finding a pool (or section of the sea where I won't get swept out into it) to swim in can be tricky. But I'd say the benefits far outweigh the trials.

My cycling scenery looks like this lately...

The past two mornings I have ridden past this general store. I love the old dog that sleeps in the doorway - he is always there, staying out of the rain.

Foggy waterfall on Conor's Pass.

I love this blue gate. A lot of Irish houses, walls, etc. are plain stone colors, but then they tend to accent everything with a red door, or a blue gate, etc.

An old house on the cliff on my ride.

I've yet to ride without getting rained on. Thankfully I brought warm clothes. I'm actually getting used to the rain. And Mike - I have even been remembering to oil my bike chain after each ride!!!

Irish door.

When I'm riding I keep wanting to pinch myself because I can't believe I actually get to ride my bike past all this amazing scenery. I can not imagine anywhere more beautiful to ride a bike!!

Streams and lakes galore.

There is definitely a reason it is so green here...

My ride typically ends with me coming back and getting warm.

My mom and I then visit a local pub where I get awesome food, warm drinks, and she tells me random facts about all the areas I just rode past. It's like traveling with your own personal historian really.

For example, today she told me that the area I rode through is home to half a million sheep. I have no idea why they are spray painted though...

A Bit of Ireland

2011-09-06T10:47:00.000-07:00

I woke up the day after the race to sunshine....yeah, that's about right. It only lasted ten minutes though.

We left Galway Bay and headed south.

We had lunch in the small village of Adare, where there was a tunnel of trees, a great pub for lunch...

And more quaint houses. When I go back home to California I'm fairly certain my home will seem SO. VERY. BORING. after all this!

Dingle Harbor.

Just a little duplex.

I'm now staying on Goat Street. And the Goat Street Cafe has great vegetarian food!

It stopped raining briefly for my morning ride.

Road block.

If you look closely - I'm actually swimming in this photo. It was freaking freezing!! Thankfully pubs also sell hot chocolate.

Ventry Beach.

Coffee break #2 of the day...

The view from our room.

Ireland 70.3 Race Report

2011-09-05T03:15:00.000-07:00

I came to Ireland to race hard and experience the country. I'm fairly certain I got way more than I expected out of all of it. Race morning I headed over to transition and knew right away it was going to be an extra windy day in Galway. I hoped the rain might hold off. Somehow while trying to zero-offset my SRM in the dark I managed to get my finger between the crank and the chain and basically puncture it. DOH!!!! I was more worried it was never going to stop bleeding.

Electrical tape to the rescue.

And yes, that's blood all over my shirt...nice.

Huge thanks to Darach Photography for some great race pics!

It was so windy and choppy that race directors decided to shorten the swim to 750m. I was happy it was shortened, but excited it was not cancelled. I have raced multiple times this season where the swim was cancelled and although I'm not a great swimmer, I still want to race a complete triathlon. I have no idea how cold it was race morning, but standing in our wetsuits by the waters edge all the pros were shivering. We tried running and jumping around, and actually once the gun went off and we hit the cold water, it felt warmer than just standing on the shore.

I exited the water 4th female after what seemed like more of a roller coaster swim of navigating up and over large waves rather than actually "swimming." I moved into 3rd in transition.

Photo courtesy Darach Photography.

Out on to the bike and I felt good. It was raining, but nothing terrible. For the first 40k or so I was not cold. A few times I had a motorcycle in front of me video taping and that helped me pick up the pace a bit - otherwise I was completely solo the entire time. I flew past green stone-walled fields filled with sheep and several small towns with Irish out cheering "Well done!" Just past a quaint village with a stream lined with fall colored leaves sprinkled across it I neared the turn around. This was my first chance to see how far the two girls in front of me were. I was excited to learn I was less than 1k back. I was in the mix!

Going into this race I had expected rain, cold and wind. Be careful what you wish for.... Because once I made the turn to head back to town, it got worse. The temperature dropped and the rain turned to pouring rain, and then hail. My "race" turned into pure survival by the time I reached 20k to go on the bike. I was shivering so much I was worried at times that staying in the aero bars was just going to result in me flat on the pavement somewhere. Shifting with my numb fingers seemed to take more than several minutes. And forget about braking! Anytime I reached a small hill, I tried to stand up and climb in a harder gear, just in hopes of warming up. I knew if I could just make it to T2 and start running I would warm up, so kept spinning the legs and tried to control the shivering as best I could.

Running into T2 on frozen feet that felt like slabs of meat. But SO VERY HAPPY to be done with the frigid ride! I think it took two full minutes to get my shoes on because my fingers just would not work.

Onto the 3-loop run and soon I was not cold anymore. It poured, it stopped raining, it poured again. And honestly - I loved it. The Irish are amazing. "Brilliant Running!" they cheered. I smiled. Onto the run my mom (who could also be referred to as super-sherpa, super-mom, or amazing support crew) told me I was 8 minutes back. I knew there was no way I was going to pull 8 minutes back on this day, so I figured I would run controlled, knowing I'm racing a full in two weeks.

There were sections of the run where going into the headwind felt like running straight into a brick wall. I tried to leapfrog from one age group guy to the next in hopes they might shield the wind a bit.

Photo courtesy Darach Photography.

And right before I finished, the sun came out! I finished 3rd to Lucy Gossage and Rachel Joyce - two incredibly nice and strong UK girls. Although the conditions were tough, I feel Ireland showed me all four seasons in one day - I don't need to come back in December to see what the weather holds.

Go raibh maith agat (thank you)!

Zoot – I love my running shoes, the wetsuit that kept me oh-so-warm in the sea, and all my tri gear!
Profile Design – My wheels are FAST and my aero bars just look freaking awesome - even when it is hailing!!
TriSports.com – wearing red, white and blue and representing USA while racing abroad has been great. I'm happy to be a part of such a great company.
QR – Love love love my bike! Crazy 30+mph winds and the bike is nothing but comfortable.
Rudy Project – my sunglasses and helmet are the best - it even protects me from hail while riding!
ZipVit – love my black currant energy gels.
XEndurance – podium finish two weeks before my "A" race. Thank you.
SableWater Optics – I can see when I swim. Always. This rocks!
K-Edge – Haven’t dropped my chain once all year – thanks!
MicroscopeWorld.com – I love my job, thank you for always working around my crazy training & racing schedule.
Steven – I love you. I wish you had been here to experience the crazy Irish, but I'll just have to get myself higher on the podium in two weeks!
Mom - this trip was been wonderful. Thanks for being the best race support ever and helping me lug all my tri stuff through Ireland while planning fun things for us to see along the way.
My training friends – I thought about you the entire ride - and trust me, it helped a ton. Good luck in Vegas, I wish I was going to be there to support you.

Walking my bike back after the race. The wind turned my umbrella inside out and that pretty much describes the weather from the day! I still love Ireland...

Ireland 70.3 Course Preview

2011-09-03T08:15:00.000-07:00

Without any elements and on paper, the Galway Ireland 70.3 looks like a fast course. Having seen it all in person I would say it still looks like a fast (and fun!) course. However, knowing the elements here in Ireland, it could also be tough, depending on what type of weather you like to race in.

This diving board structure is quite old - near the swim start. An Irish gentleman at our B&B said he used to come here as a kid when there was a springboard diving board on it still. The water this morning was 13C (55F). It wasn't quite Alcatraz cold, but it was chilly. I'd recommend two swim caps.

The bike has what I would consider very very small rollers.

And a lot of beautiful scenery.

The two main towns on the mostly out-and-back course were all decorated for the event. If you like to ride in the rain, you will love this race. Because it will probably rain at some point on race day. It might also be cold. If you come from San Francisco you will most likely feel right at home.

I'm guessing there might be some good pubs in these towns for spectators to hang out in and celebrate as you fly by.

Near the turn around in Maam Cross.

The hardest part of the ride or run may be this: the wind. I've been here three days and it seems to blow all the time, just a matter of if it's 30+ mph, or a little less...

The run is three loops all along the bay, town and a small river.

Athletes will run in front of these colored houses.

But only after running under the historic Spanish Arch, built in 1554.

Back past the locks...

The boats rest in the mud when the tide goes out.

Good luck to everyone racing!

A few Castles

2011-09-02T13:17:00.000-07:00

I've been in Ireland two days and I feel like I've been here a week. It is beautiful.

The towns are quaint.

There are castles.

And gardens with beautiful flowers.

My mom is an amazing driver and has only lost one hub cap (well, lost then found) so far. I was supposed to be the main driver, but apparently you need your driver's license to rent a car here too, and I forgot mine in California. Oops!

It's very green here. Which is probably more exciting to me than most people since I live in CA where it is brown all summer long.

I think I've had a massive smile plastered across my face the entire time I ride here. How you could not enjoy being in a beautiful place AND riding a bike is beyond me.

Riding roads...

Another castle...

And a cute house.

I told you there were a few castles...

Ireland

2011-09-01T11:52:00.000-07:00

Riding my bike in Ireland is awesome. Except I keep having to remind myself "ride on the left," "stay on the left." I have a million other awesome pics that I will keep posting, but sleep is required first...

A Million Things

2011-08-29T16:35:00.000-07:00

I'm not exactly sure how I am going to finish the million things I have to do before I board the plane for Ireland Wednesday morning. But I figure whatever doesn't get done will just have to wait...

This was today's bike ride, where I also swung by Zoot to pick up my super secret fast race shoes. The shoes come out next year and I promise they will not disappoint! I plan to race Henley in them.

I did remember to pull out my passport last night. TWO DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!

Ironman Training

2011-08-26T17:15:00.000-07:00

It's been a year since I raced long. I'm excited to get back to it. I fell asleep on the floor in my living room last night after a run. That pretty much describes ironman training...

But in the midst of being tired and swim-bike-running (lots), I've had some great workouts. We seem to have fallen back into our foggy season, which honestly probably isn't bad since I am going to go race where it's a bit cooler and rainy.

I took this right after I finished an interval....kind of describes how it felt...

Yesterday was one of those runs where I thought it would be terrible since I felt rather destroyed. Instead it ended up being awesome. I ran along the coast and felt like I was flying. I think running is as close to what I believe flying could feel like without actually having wings.

And so I have one final weekend to GO BIG. And next week I'll hop on a plane to cross the really big pond. Where I will try to race BIG or go home.

The Journey

2011-08-24T10:13:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to have Jeff along for my 21 mile run on Sunday. Not only does he make me laugh, but he is also a great pacer and somehow keeps me totally relaxed when I'm running. At one point in the run we were discussing a friend racing IM Canada this weekend. I mentioned how I hope he gets his Kona slot. And Jeff said, "Yeah, well, and if he doesn't it makes it all the better." To which I asked him to explain. He replied that chasing a goal and loving it so much that even if the destination isn't reached, the journey is really what it's all about, knowing that you may or may not reach that final goal - it's the process that is still completely satisfying. (He said all of this more eloquently, but you get the point).

And he is absolutely right. The journey is really what I love about chasing goals and dreams and striving to get better. I realize my NY trip is over, but this was all part of my journey, so I figured I would share a few more photos from a city that I love...

Taking the QR on the subway...

The night before the NYC Tri Steven and I ate at a great Italian restaurant in the village. The food was awesome, but what I loved more was that we sat by the patio and it poured rain the entire time we ate. And then we got to walk home in the pouring rain.

I've actually never had these cookies, but I like the art factor of them piled in the vase.

After that walk home in the rain - we got fancy schmancy lattes.

Focused. Or maybe just trying not to crash my bike in the rain. Thanks to Kevin - a volunteer at NYC Tri, for this photo.

And finally, I'll leave you with a little article that was published in XTri today on my journey.

It's YOUR Life

2011-08-23T14:10:00.000-07:00

So you should live it. Your life that is. I've heard many times, "Well what if so-and-so thinks x-y-z." Unless they are your spouse, it most likely really doesn't matter. If you spend your life trying to live the type of life you think others believe you should have, in the end, what kind of a life is that?

Do the things you love and enjoy.
Be good to people - treat them the way you want to be treated.
Live your life - don't play the "I'll be happy when...." game.

Thanks to Lauro Fonte for the fun illustration!

Bicycle Art Project

2011-08-21T10:15:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I decided I wanted to make a bicycle out of metal. It was originally intended to be put on a laptop bag I had made, and this was the rough layout:

My friend Alex has all the soldering, welding, etc. tools you can imagine to help connect the random pieces of metal I found at Home Depot.

Playing with fire! I did not burn the garage down...

We just added the seat here - it's still red hot.

Hot chain rings. The cranks were actually the hardest part to get on - since they were two pieces we didn't want them coming off the chain rings at different angles (because really, that would not be a realistic bike at all!!)

Cleaning up the frame. This is actually some sort of acid in a ziplock bag. I have no idea where Alex gets all this stuff - but it works good for cleaning miniature bicycles!

About this time we decided the bike was too cool to go on the laptop bag, so we made a stand for the bike, and then decided to make wheels with spokes. Alex is cutting a large pipe here, that would become my bike wheels.

Final product. We ended up cutting four pieces of wire and welding each inside the wheels for the spokes.

Bicycle art project complete.

People always ask me what I like to do when I'm not training and racing - art ranks right up there. I've never build anything out of metal before, so this was pretty fun for me. Typically my art projects involve paint or changing something in our house. And now that the bicycle is complete, I'm off for a long run...

Ocean Swimming with Sea Creatures

2011-08-19T14:39:00.000-07:00

I'm realizing the more I ocean swim, the more comfortable I am out there with the sea creatures. To be quite honest, I never used to think twice about sharks when swimming in the ocean. Because really, nobody ever got eaten by sharks - especially where we live. That sort of thing happened on TV, or in the cold waters up in Northern CA.

And then several years ago it did happen. In our own back yard. A group of triathletes was out swimming and a shark bit a man, and very sadly he died. I don't think I went in the ocean to swim for over a year after that happened. And then I realized much like how some people faced fears after September 11, I needed to keep on living my life and enjoying the things I love. And ocean swimming happens to be one of them.

This morning there was some big surf and I saw a sting ray. And part way through the swim I realized I was so content and happy swimming out in the ocean, even though the big waves and sea creatures would have previously semi-freaked me out. Friday morning ocean swimming has become a tradition this summer, that I hope will last for quite a while. And even if the swim isn't great on any given week, the post-swim coffee is always awesome.

Have a great weekend - get outside and enjoy it!

Qoleum

2011-08-18T11:57:00.000-07:00

I recently started using some sports care products made by a company in Belgium. I'm telling you they are made in Belgium - because like chocolate, things that come from Belgium are just better! A lot of pro cycling teams use these products. Qoleum has an entire line you can view here, but I'll tell you about my three favorites.

Wetsuit Glide. I like this one because it isn't in an aerosol can (which makes me feel like I am not killing small animals on the planet or something), and it works well. I typically need all the help I can get removing my wetsuit from my calves, and this does the trick. I also put it all over my neck and under my arms to keep from chaffing.

Warm Embrocation. This one I use more for colder winter months, or colder races. (I used it for Alcatraz and I'm pretty sure I might need it in Ireland). Basically you put it on your legs before riding or racing, and it warms them up. I love it during our foggy season here in CA when it is difficult to head out on the bike and get the legs warmed up.

Soothing Gel. This stuff is just awesome - it rolls on and immediately makes your muscle icy cold. Perfect for those days post-workout when I've got some nagging muscle that needs attention, but I just don't have time to sit down with an ice pack.

Qoleum also makes some amazing Antifriction Cream (chamois cream), Fit Feet (think soothing gel for the feet!) and Recuperation Lotion. Since they are from Belgium, you can't find them everywhere in the states yet, but check out your local bike shop or email me and I can help you find your closest retailer.

NYC Photos

2011-08-17T10:48:00.000-07:00

A few more photos from when I was in NYC last week...

Park bench and petals.

Man's best friend.

Dripping lights.

A view.

Bike parking.

Steelhead Race Report

2011-08-16T10:20:00.000-07:00

If I had to choose two words to describe my race at Steelhead they would be disappointed and wonderful.

I was disappointed that rip currents and high winds cancelled the swim. Happy not to be swept out to the middle of lake Michigan. But I work my butt off in the pool so I can race hard in the swim, so when it is removed from the race - it's disappointing.

The pros were sent off in :30 intervals for a time-trial start. I knew it would likely be a tough day, as I had acquired some sort of stomach bug that sent me running to the bathroom about every 20 minutes for the four days prior to the race. Eating had been minimal as well. Not exactly ideal pre-race calorie loading, but what can you do? I was happy that Imodium allowed me to race without crapping my shorts on the run!

So enough of the "disappointments" - let me tall you about the "wonderful" parts of my race!

This is my 97 year old grandma. She came to the race to cheer. She is an ultimate spectathlete! We are already planning next year's race.

My favorite picture of the entire day. My cousin Ben is yelling time splits at me, his kids and our Grandma are cheering. Across the corner I have more cousins cheering. This was wonderful!!

There were moments of feeling ok on the run, and moments where thirteen miles seemed more like a marathon. But one foot in front of the other and before you know it, there is the finish line.

My good friends Joan and Janie were out on the course in full force as well. Cheering louder than ten people!

I feel incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful family. We do not see each other often, but whenever the cousins get together it's nothing but fun.

THANK YOU:

Zoot for speedy shoes, and an awesome wetsuit, which hopefully next time I will actually get to use! TriSports.com for carrying everything tri. QR for a comfortable and fast ride. Profile Design for some sleek and comfy aero bars and wheels that fly. MicroscopeWorld.com for a job I truly love. Sable WaterOptics for goggles that are clear and clean! Rudy Project for protecting my head and outfitting me with sweet sunglasses! Extreme Endurance for helping me race fast. SCAPE for protecting me from the sun. K-Edge for no dropped chains!

I have two final weeks of hard training and then I'm off to Europe for three weeks where I will race Ireland 70.3 and Challenge Henley.

Midwest Riding

2011-08-14T17:28:00.000-07:00

I will get my Steelhead bike-run race report up later this week once I gather a few photos. In the meantime, I figured I would share a few of my midwest cycling pics...

An old barn.

Green!!

I rode my bike 50 miles this day. And climbed less than 200 feet. I can't even leave my house in CA and get one mile with this little climbing! It was a great ride.

Love all the corn fields.

A Small Mishap

2011-08-12T09:03:00.000-07:00

Somewhere between NYC and Chicago this happened:

Something is missing here...

A quick search of the bike box located Cedric's hat. I'd like to think his head was still attached.

There was a bit of surgery to reattach.

Good as new, minus his right eyebrow, I'm afraid those were un-repairable. He's strapped back on the QR and ready to race this weekend. I've been told if he loses his hat mid-race I am not allowed to stop for it.

Who knew traveling with a garden gnome could be so dangerous?!

Traveling

2011-08-11T06:19:00.000-07:00

I have a million things I would like to post. But have either had absolutely no time, or no internet access. The week has been a whirlwind of catching up with friends I have not seen in years, training, or trying to locate a decent road to ride on. Apparently Illinois did not invent the bike lane. Or even a small gutter to ride in. But there are some wide open farm lands and once I navigate my way out of the city, it is cycling heaven!

And now I'll skip from Chicago back to NYC with a few pics - this was our awesome "home away from home" at our friends' place in the village. Notice the QR even has space to stretch out...which is unheard of typically in the city. We felt very lucky!

Working with a very tired dog...

A wet day in Central Park.