Women that Rock
I am so amazed by the women that I read about that bike solo across countries. Check out Women on Wheels for some great stories. I have thoughts about what does one eat? I personally eat every two hours (that could be an exaggeration, it could be every three hours) but the women in the stories talk about dining with the family who’s yard she is camping in and having breakfast with them then packing an apple, a piece of cheese and some baguette in her backpack and taking off. With a food plan like that I would be eating a whole weeks’ worth of Lara Bars in one day.
I also manage to get lost even with my gps. These women are using paper maps and people’s directions. Wow, really.
I love the idea but realize that is not really the way I would do it.
I do want to do some serious biking this summer. I can see a duathlon, and a couple of triathlons to start. I am also planning a couple of adventure trips.
The first would be from Santa Cruz up Hwy 1. There is a hostel about 30 miles up the coast. I would bike there one Saturday afternoon and my sweetie pie would drive up and bring me dinner and stay at the hostel with me. There is supposed to be a kick ass hot tub overlooking the ocean – how cool is that? Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel.
I have also found a bike trip with Backroads. A weekend in Napa wine country with bike rides of about 20 to 30 miles every day. Highlights are a picnic at a winery, a cooking class, fine dining and of course great scenery. Oh and did I mention it was in Napa. Honesty I’m not really fond of Napa wines (I’m most partial to Santa Cruz mountain wines) but I think I can give it a chance for the sake of a great biking weekend.
Avenue of the Giants
I participated in the Avenue of the Giants half marathon the first weekend in May 2012. I would have liked to have run but I got sidetracked by a car accident the weekend before the race. Since my back was still uncomfortable I was a walker (not I used a walker just I walked gingerly). Considering last year’s time was less than 3 hours I could have been the fastest amongst my friends. Ok, potentially without the back pain. My girlfriend’s husband passed me first, whatever no big deal. At about mile 2 my girlfriend with the broken toe passed me, seriously, that hurt a little. I occasionally walked with my best friend until the half-way point but then I let her go as she was too fast for me. I cried a bit and let some of the pressure off my back (it amazed me that crying made my back feel better).
I had read and listened to a few things recently that talked about the power of our ancestors. I spent the next few miles thinking about the powerful women in my past. My mom is a strong woman; I may not have thought so as I was growing up but looking back I see someone who is very strong. Her mother stands out for me as the super hero of moms. Grandma is the original single mom (in my world). When her husband died in 1952 she had six children between the ages of 2 and 13. She kept them from the Children’s Aid, worked as many jobs as it took, trusted in God and raised them all herself. I have her wedding ring and I wear it when I need an extra boost of strength either personally or physically. I was wishing I had it with me. Thinking of my powerful ancestors didn’t actually give me a super boost of strength and pain relief but I’m grateful and proud to come from strong women.
I always struggle with races on asphalt. I’d rather be on a trail or in the mountains (these races are challenging but way more comfortable on my feet and they are a blast). Regardless of everything I have learned about running, running shoes, socks, running gait I have not found the place where running on asphalt is comfortable. So I spent part of the race mentally challenging everything I knew about running. I truly want to learn how to walk/run on asphalt comfortably as I really want to go back to the Nevada desert for the ET Full Moon Midnight Half Marathon. Seriously, what could be better than running from Area 51 to The Little A’Le’ Inn Restaurant in Rachel, NV in the middle of the night with people in alien costumes.
To make this story more interesting I’m researching as I write this because I’m really fussy about giving only correct facts. I just looked up Hoka the shoes I wear and found out that they are intended as heel strike rocker shoes. Really!! Because I’ve been doing it differently. I run on my forefoot in the barefoot style. I have to go running tomorrow morning and work this out. Maybe I do have the running shoes I am looking for and I just not using them right.
Anyways I finished 40 minutes slower than last year but I finished. Sometimes finishing is good enough.
Good Morning December 8, 2010
It was still dark this morning with just a hint of pink in the sky when I went swimming. What a great way to start the day.
When is the next race! Sunday October 3rd, 2010
Wow, the race last weekend was wonderful. Because of technical difficulties which I don’t want to complain about they had to cancel the bike part of the Mermaid Triathlon. So we had a multi-sport event.
I swam ¼ mile around the cement ship & ran 5k. I must say I did it in record time, faster than I predicted. I’m happy what else is there to say except when is the next race.
10 days to go September 16, 2010
Only 10 days until the tri. I swam ½ a mile last week. Considering the swim in the race is only a ¼ mile I think I have it in the bag, I understand ocean swimming is different from pool swimming but I still have no concerns. I will swim a couple more times before the race.
Biking, I still have some work to do. Number one would be getting my bike back from the repair guy. I went there the last 2 days in the afternoon & he was not around & the place was all locked up. Anyways, when I get my bike back I must go to the race site & ride around the course at least once. All racers are required to know the course on race day.
The running part is no big deal. I have been to the race site & run the course & it’s an easy 2.5 miles.
I have also been to the race site a couple of times to visualize the race, mentally walk myself through the race. Will probably do this again before the race so I can get the fine details in my head.
For those of you coming out to watch it’s at Seacliff State Beach on Sunday September 26th. I will swim around the cement ship, run up the stairs, get out of my wetsuit & into biking gear, bike 11 miles on an out & back course going towards Aptos & returning to the park, get off my bike & swap my bike helmet for my race hat then run 2.5 miles. The finish line is near the top of the stairs.
I should be in the first group to start at 7:30 am. I expect to finish in about 2 hours.
The adventure continues,
Diana
Wetsuit & Learning to Breathe August 25, 2010
I was just checking my blog this morning & it’s been a while since I posted anything online.
I’ve been busy getting ready for the tri. A lot has changed in the last month.
Some changes relate to equipment.
I’ve rented a wetsuit. I love it, I will definitely buy it at the end of the rental. I already think of it as mine, no thoughts of handing it in at any point in time. I feel like an otter wearing it, which is a great visualization. Otters are fun, relaxed creatures, I love watching them play in the ocean. I have met a couple of women who did one triathlon and never did another because of the swim being too hard or making them panic. So it is my intention to keep my thoughts about the swim relaxed.
I’m working on getting contacts that are ridiculously comfortable. I’ve always favoured glasses because I never found contacts that were comfortable for more than an hour at a time. It is a work in progress at this point. A necessary thing since one really can’t wear glasses in the ocean.
Physically speaking I’m increasing my lung capacity/breathing ability.
The day after I rented my wetsuit the triathlon club had a swim practice at the ocean. I’m aware that I’m not a strong swimmer but I went anyways. I figured I probably wouldn’t die and if I paid attention I could possibly learn something.
The short version of the story is that I’m a shallow breather & it is even worse in the ocean because of the cold.
I’m working with breathing exercises and just keeping at it running and swimming as much as possible. I have seen improvement with my breathing while running. I ran my fastest 10k race ever 2 weeks ago. I’m still short of breathe while swimming but I’m concentrating on being relaxed. Knowing that I was born by God’s design to be an athlete. Imagining I am a scuba diver and my air is in my lungs instead of in a pack on my back.
I will probably go see my physical trainer soon to get some exercises for my shoulders and back. I’ve been reading that the flexibility of one’s shoulders relates to breathing ability.
The adventure continues,
Diana
Getting Excited for the Tri July 26, 2010
Swam 1/4 mile this morning, snorkel only no flippers. Very proud of myself, did it in 18 minutes & my shoulders are feeling good.
It wasn't really that hard. I know I have to get rid of the snorkel & learn to really swim. And I know that the pool is a lot different than open water. But I have to tell you it was wasn't that hard this morning & that helps me visualize doing the real thing. I know in my heart that one step at a time I will make it. I will go from a non-swimmer to an ocean swimmer this summer. I almost can't type that without crying, because I can feel in my heart that it is true.
How cool is that,
Diana
The Adventure Continues July 20, 2010
It has been almost 2 weeks since I went to the Mermaid Triathlon meeting. I’m glad I went, I learned a couple of valuable things.
If you are not enjoying part of your training, change it up. Very simple thought but it makes a lot of difference. I’ve mentioned recently that I don’t enjoy running. But what I really meant was I don’t enjoy running on asphalt. Ah, ha, Harvey West Park with trails up to Pogonip is only 5 minutes from my apartment. I have been having the best adrenaline rush runs the last 2 weekends. Who knew it was that simple. Trail running shoes would be a good idea though. I’m hoping to win a pair at Fleet Feet this weekend.
We should also be training for all three events every week. I must admit I haven’t incorporated swimming yet all that much. And I really should because that is my weakest part. I got a bunch of books on swimming from the library last weekend, both on technique & open water swimming. I can swim a ¼ mile in the pool with snorkel gear on. Now it is time to lose the gear & work on technique.
And did you know you actually get wet wearing a wetsuit. I didn’t. LOL. Heidi (head coach of the mermaids) says she actually lets water into her wetsuit when she gets in the water. WOW. Everything I’m wearing is going to be wet for the whole race, Holy cow. That just adds a new challenge for me. Not saying I can’t do it, I am wet for a good part of the Santa Cruz Mountains trail run because of wading through the San Lorenzo River twice and that is not an issue for me. It’s just somehow in my lack of knowledge I presumed that a wetsuit kept me warm & dry. Boy was I wrong. I’ll handle that part later, and it’s better to have the knowledge now than to find out when I’m test driving a wet suit just before the race.
The adventure continues,
Diana
Not Training Journal July 8, 2010
So many thoughts & no time to write. Mermaid intro event tonight at Whole Foods. I walked 2 miles or so this morning. Not really doing super workouts right now since life is keeping me active. I started cleaning the gutters on the one story apartment building yesterday. That’s going to take a couple more days to complete. And I’m walking & biking everywhere since my car is in the shop. So I will get back to workout bike riding in the morning next week.
Diana
Training Journal July 3 + 5
Today I ran (ok lets be honest & say speed walked) 3.5 miles at about an 11 or 12 minute mile pace. I took the path beside the river that Adam Boothe used to send us on during the Wharf to Wharf training. I have to admit that I dislike running. I’m grateful for where it has taken me with physical fitness & the adventures that I’ve had in several states, but running is not my favorite thing. I’d so much rather be on my bike, but maybe that’s where this is leading me, maybe by this time next summer I will be doing a 50 miler or a century race on my bike, who knows.
Saturday’s focus was my posture. The first weekend in June I did a half marathon & my girlfriend did a full marathon. When I saw her a few days later I asked her how sore her hips were. Surprise, surprise they weren’t. That was puzzling to me as my hips are always sore after a half marathon. Well the next morning I wracked my brain & remembered in the movie ‘Without Limits’ Donald Sutherland (playing the part of Bill Bowerman inventor of Nike) saying to Steve Pre (early 70’s Olymipic runner) “thrust your hips like you are having sex”. Seriously, could this be the secret to better running? Let’s just say I’ve tried it a few times in the last month & this has improved my posture like nothing else ever has.
July 5, 2010
Today’s bike ride was the same 8 miles as last week, completed in about 48 minutes. A little slower than last time but today’s focus was on staying seated. There is a huge temptation to stand up and power up hills with my legs. But I forced myself to stay seated and use my legs & back. It’s tough but it will be worth it for the strength I will gain. Between the running posture & this I am going to have great abs by the end of the summer.
Dream big things, because you can do it,
Diana
July 1, 2010 Canada Day Proud to be Canadian
Time to get serious about training for the tri. I tend to be a last minute crammer & that is just not going to cut it for this event. I absolutely will be doing the Mermaid Triathlon on September 26th, 2010.
I was out bike riding this morning. Not sure how far as my speedometer thingy that I just bought at the beginning of the season is not working now. It works on the side of the road when I play with it but once I’m riding again it doesn’t do a darn thing. Not sure whether to buy another or if that will just cause more frustration. Does anyone have one that they would recommend? Maybe I should just get a GPS watch.
I’m realizing that sunglasses are a must – squinting & feeling blind is not going to be good when I’m screaming down the road with 100’s of other wild women.
I’m going to need a lot more calories than I consumed this morning. A quick banana & yogurt was not enough. I must remember to get almond butter today. Ezekiel bread & raw almond butter sandwiches are race staples for me. That & Lara Bars, none of that manufactured race goo for me.
I’m feeling good about my body. I know that if I go out everyday on my bike my legs & lungs will be in the condition I need them to be. I’m looking forward to being able to do all the hills, even the killer at Rio Del Mar.
July 2, 2010
Another great bike ride today. My intention today was to stay in race mode as much as possible, no meandering along looking at the wildflowers. I did 8 miles (measured from one of my walking routes, still no speedometer) in 40 minutes.
My left ear was getting all the wind & was quite cold, I may have to wear a headband. I am in California right? I thought it was supposed to be warm in California.
I usually power up hills using my legs, but I watch people sit down going uphill & just pedal & watch the daisies & it looks like no effort at all. So today on the last hill I tried it. Downshifted, stayed sitting, activated my core, used all the strength I had in my back & legs and pedaled up the last big hill. Wow, it is doable, it will take practice to do it all the time but I can do it.
Dream big things, because you can do it,
Diana
To Try to not to Triathlon April 28, 2010
Actually there is no debate I know I am going to do a triathlon. There are a few things that led up to this decision.
Partially it is my feet. I’m not really comfortable on my feet. I know I’ve told you great stories of amazing races but my feet hurt. I don’t really know if it is from the bunion surgery on both feet at age 25 that I’m not sure turned out well – enough said period – I don’t want to complain about it. Or maybe I just haven’t found the perfect shoe/insole combo yet. Maybe there isn’t a perfect shoe and every runner’s feet hurt – let’s not go there either.
I’ve been shopping for new bras lately and there is something about bra shopping that just makes me feel lumpy. It is a unique feeling only experienced standing in front of a full length mirror realizing I not only have belly fat but side fat and back fat. I have some weird thoughts on back fat and livestock but I think I’ll just keep those to myself.
The other thing I have been thinking about lately is upper body fitness. I am fairly fit from the hips down. Over the past couple of years I have progressed through 5 & 10 k races to at the end of 2008 doing a full marathon. Since then I have settled on half marathons either in the desert or in the mountains. I don’t finish first but I finish and I am happy with that.
So I start to think that you know I could do for my upper body what I did for my lower body. God knows my upper body needs it. Besides having fat on all sides I have issues with numbness in my left hand, my right hand feeling permanently sprained and a general upper body weakness related to neck and shoulder issues. (I don’t want to wreak the flow of my writing but in case anyone is concerned I am getting medical attention for these issues.)
Ok, back to my writing. Therefore, because my upper body currently sucks it is absolutely obvious that I must do a triathlon. How else can I keep up my lower body fitness and work on upper body fitness at the same time? And the benefit of participating in a challenging event without pounding my feet into the ground for the whole event.
A couple of years back while I was training for the marathon I did a duathlon, which involves running, biking, running. But now I would really like to add the swimming element.
Did I mention that I don’t swim? OK, I can get myself from one side of the pool to the other if I have to but 10 minutes of laps and water running and I’m done for the day. For a sprint level tri I need to be able to swim 400 yards or a quarter of a mile. And I have to swim this in one shot as you can’t put your feet down in the ocean and catch your breathe. Then there is an 11 mile bike ride and a 2.5 mile run. So I have a lot of work to do before the Mermaid tri in Santa Cruz on September 26th.
I’ll keep you posted on my progress.
Holy Moly Cow March 3, 2010
I’m fairly new to trail running or as I call it extreme hiking since running is out of the question for the most part considering the terrain. What I mean is I don’t run it because I like my ankles & I don’t want to fall over a cliff because either of those things could put me out of all sport for awhile. Not to say people don’t run it – some people finish the full marathon (26 miles) before I finish the half marathon.
The last event I participated in was in the Santa Cruz Mountains & had an elevation gain of 2,175 ft for the 13 mile race. That was back in the fall & I was thrilled to finish with a time of 5 hours 19 minutes. Ok let’s be honest I was thrilled to just plain finish.
Saturday I participated in a 13 mile event in the Marin Headlands just a hair north of the Golden Gate Bridge. With an elevation gain of 2,490 feet it was more challenging than SC Mountains.
From the start line I hiked uphill for at least an hour (they call it 15% grade or maximum tilt on your treadmill) then alternately up & down for the rest of the race. There were very few places where I felt comfortable running, as there were skinny little goat paths on the edge of the mountain, mud trails straight up, gravel trails straight down. And I was very glad I was there in the daylight hours as I saw more animal scat then I’ve seen in my whole life time & let me tell you it was not dog poo or rabbit pellets.
I’m happy that as an adult I have finally figured out what makes me happy, amongst other things extreme scenery & extreme physical exertion. At this point in time I would pick trail running over street running any day of the week.
So how did I do in this race? I finished in 4 hours 47 minutes a full half hour faster than SC Mountains. Holy, moly cow I am absolutely ecstatic.
This is Worth a Tat December 13, 2008
I've been home from Seattle for almost 2 weeks now. I've wanted to tell you all that I finished the marathon but wasn't sure how to express it. Wasn't really sure how I felt. Was it hard or was it easy? Yes, it was. Both actually. I appreciate everything I learned about food, water, clothing as I was training. I did a lot of things right. My new insoles in my shoes weren't right & made for an uncomfortable walk. I finished (26.2 miles) in 7 hours 27 minutes. Possibly could have done it in 6 1/2 hours if my feet were more comfortable. But I finished & that is what counts in this race. Aimee & I are thinking about getting a tattoo on our foot to commemorate the occasion - kind of like a passport stamp that says I was here, I did this. Was it hard or was it easy? Training was hard. I like crossing the finish line much more than I like training. Finishing was great. As I was running to the finish line the announcer calls out "here comes Diane from Santa Cruz, CA", there are photos being snapped, someone puts a finisher's medal on me, someone else takes the computer chip off my ankle, someone else puts a space blanket on me, someone else hands me a bottle of water, Aimee & her friends are there to hug me, I get to take my shoes off for a few minutes. Finishing is great. The easy part relates to the fact that from the second I said to Aimee "if you are doing Seattle then, I am doing Seattle" I had already crossed the finish line in my mind. Between then & the finish line there were months of training & on November 30th a lot of steps one foot after the other until I finished. Never for a second thought that I couldn't finish - I would just carry on until I got there. Wishing you much success in your endeavors,
Diana
Happy Running August 26, 2008
Happiness is different from pleasure. Happiness has something to do with struggling and enduring and accomplishing."
– George Sheehan
The second I read this I immediately thought of running. I just completed my first half marathon a couple of weeks ago. It was a wonderful thing to struggle & endure & accomplish. Everything in me that is competitive & strong rose to the surface to aid me in completing the race.
Lo & behold George Sheehan was a runner as well.
American doctor George Sheehan changed course midway through his life. He was born in Brooklyn in 1918 to a cardiologist father and grew up to follow in his footsteps. At age 45, bored with his life, he began reading philosophy and took up running. Within five years he ran a 4:47 mile, the fastest ever clocked by a 50 year old. He started a weekly column and became medical editor for Runner's World. He wrote eight books. Bill Clinton dubbed him the philosopher-king of running. He died in 1993.
No wonder I thought about running when I read this quote.
Wishing you much happiness!
Blessings,
Diana
