Sunday morning, I joined one of the local running groups for their weekend meet-up. We ran through the Presidio, up along the ocean, through the Redwoods, up and down trails, past the kids on the playground, and along the Marina. Afterward, a friend and I had planned to do a swim in the Bay at Aquatic Park--just a quick dip--get in and get out. There is a local, members-only swim club near the area we always swim. The members are the crazy folks that swim in the Bay without wetsuits. My friend had heard we could pay a few dollars and use the club before and after our swim--more importantly, this meant a shower and sauna afterward. I didn't have to race home for a shower--cold and with blue lips! We made our way over to the club after our run, and found out the club was closed to guests on Sundays. The woman at the door let us in anyway; maybe it was the desperation on our faces or she felt sorry we'd carried all of our gear there. At any rate, the members of the club were extremely friendly. We soon found out we were the only ones in wetsuits, and we got the "oh, you must be new" nod-smiles as we made our way to the beach. I didn't let it bother me. I couldn't. We said hello to a man in a speedo suit on the beach getting ready for his swim. It was all I could do not to shriek from the cold as I entered the water. I didn't want the man to think I was a wimp.
We did one lap around the buoys, like last week. It wasn't so bad, after the first 5 minutes. I seem to forget how cold it is, every time. We got out and enjoyed a sauna and shower. One of these times, we'll have to jump on our bikes after our swim, but the warmth was a nice way to end the workout!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
"You made my day"
I was told I made someone's day today...And I didn't do anything spectacular! A guy from one of our work partners, member organizations, and huge proponent of our organization, called requesting stats for a presentation he was giving. I told him I would update his slides with our most recent numbers. He told me I made his day. I kind of laughed and hung up. But, then I got to thinking, it feels really nice to "make someone's day." Not to say, someone else won't also make his day, and who knows, maybe he tells everyone this. But still. As "customer service" is a pretty big part of my work, without it being written into my job description, I work with a lot of people on a daily basis, and it is hard to please everyone. It's nice to hear that I've actually helped someone.
I have to remind myself to tell people when they "make my day." It feels really nice to hear.
I have to remind myself to tell people when they "make my day." It feels really nice to hear.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Oakland Hills, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Sebastapol, Nicasio--all in one week!
I've been feeling tired lately...well, more than that, fatigued, might be the right word. And while I am not 25 anymore and can't bounce back like I used to, I'd thought I was in pretty good shape. My diet and/or hydration can be partly to blame as well--I have not been as diligent about either. Still, I am a little bummed to come to terms with this fatigue. My training is ramping up, but I am still only about 1/4 the way in; I have a lot left--in terms of mileage and workouts (and the actual race!). I spend anywhere from 8-12 hours each week training, so I can understand being tired, but not bouncing back is what has made me worry. And my training will only increase here on out.
After I ran the Redwood Park 30K trail race last Saturday, I woke up on Sunday morning and knew there was no way I was getting on my bike and/or doing anything physical that day! I was taking the "red-eye" flight to Minnesota later in the day, so while exercise would ensure I could sleep well on the plane, I just could not do it. I spent most of the day reading and watching TV on Hulu on my computer.
While in MN last week, I had a few good workouts--fun run along the river with my brother, a spin class and swim at the gym--but mostly, I took it really easy. (I got to catch up and visit with friends and family too, which was so awesome.) Mostly hoping to get rid of this "tired-feeling" I have in my legs. Friday night, I flew back to SF, and jumped in my friend's car and we drove up to Sebastapol, where our bike team had a "launch party" at a bike shop (and a sponsor). It gave us a chance to meet our sponsors and Board, and chat about the upcoming season. A few of my cycling teammates are also training for Ironman races, so we checked in and compared notes about training and life. I discovered they're tired too! Great--well, no, not "great..." But I felt relieved, I'd say, that I was not the only one who's tired! They're teetering the line between feeling over-trained, mentally exhausted, trying to keep up with life and non-training activities...So, I could relate. We all discussed that we do know our bodies and minds and while it's hard to step back and relax and take a break, sometimes, it's the only thing to do. For me, I've always been go, go, go...And then I get so tired that I just hit the wall. This "balance" is so hard for me to find. It's going to be essential though, for me, in order to get through the next 4 months of work, training, travel, friends, and life.
Saturday was my first time I was on my bike in a week. It felt good to get out. We rode to Nicasio, a small, ranch town in the North Bay. Each time, we stop at Rancho Nicasio, a general store, bar/restaurant where cyclists, tourists, motorcyclists, locals all stop to refuel. I think Rancho Nicasio is the town of Nicasio. Next to it are a ball park, church and cemetery.
Finally, after my run this morning, my training buddy, RQ, and I braved a swim in the Bay. We parked at Aquatic Park, ran out and back, and then started the "workout" of getting into our wetsuits. I think it took longer to get into the suits than our actual swim! Our goal was just to get in the water, which was 52-degrees. We did, and completed one lap around the inner buoys. We jumped out of the water and out of our wetsuits as quick as possible. We drove home with the heat on high!
After I ran the Redwood Park 30K trail race last Saturday, I woke up on Sunday morning and knew there was no way I was getting on my bike and/or doing anything physical that day! I was taking the "red-eye" flight to Minnesota later in the day, so while exercise would ensure I could sleep well on the plane, I just could not do it. I spent most of the day reading and watching TV on Hulu on my computer.
While in MN last week, I had a few good workouts--fun run along the river with my brother, a spin class and swim at the gym--but mostly, I took it really easy. (I got to catch up and visit with friends and family too, which was so awesome.) Mostly hoping to get rid of this "tired-feeling" I have in my legs. Friday night, I flew back to SF, and jumped in my friend's car and we drove up to Sebastapol, where our bike team had a "launch party" at a bike shop (and a sponsor). It gave us a chance to meet our sponsors and Board, and chat about the upcoming season. A few of my cycling teammates are also training for Ironman races, so we checked in and compared notes about training and life. I discovered they're tired too! Great--well, no, not "great..." But I felt relieved, I'd say, that I was not the only one who's tired! They're teetering the line between feeling over-trained, mentally exhausted, trying to keep up with life and non-training activities...So, I could relate. We all discussed that we do know our bodies and minds and while it's hard to step back and relax and take a break, sometimes, it's the only thing to do. For me, I've always been go, go, go...And then I get so tired that I just hit the wall. This "balance" is so hard for me to find. It's going to be essential though, for me, in order to get through the next 4 months of work, training, travel, friends, and life.
Saturday was my first time I was on my bike in a week. It felt good to get out. We rode to Nicasio, a small, ranch town in the North Bay. Each time, we stop at Rancho Nicasio, a general store, bar/restaurant where cyclists, tourists, motorcyclists, locals all stop to refuel. I think Rancho Nicasio is the town of Nicasio. Next to it are a ball park, church and cemetery.
Finally, after my run this morning, my training buddy, RQ, and I braved a swim in the Bay. We parked at Aquatic Park, ran out and back, and then started the "workout" of getting into our wetsuits. I think it took longer to get into the suits than our actual swim! Our goal was just to get in the water, which was 52-degrees. We did, and completed one lap around the inner buoys. We jumped out of the water and out of our wetsuits as quick as possible. We drove home with the heat on high!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Good Morning SF
Given that soon I will have to begin doing 2/day workouts to fit my training into my schedule, and given that I have gotten out of the habit of early morning workouts (this is easy to do when working at home and having the option of "sneaking" out for a run/bike in the middle of the day), I figured I should start to train myself to get up and outside. I used to be great at waking up and practically running out the door, so I know I can do it, it's just a matter of getting back into the habit.
So, it wasn't that easy this morning...I had to check email, eat a few grapes and drink coffee first, but I made it out right after 8am. I did my "hill workout," which is a 3.5 mile run up to Noe Valley, a cute family neighborhood, with a few good "rollers" as I think they're called. I call them hills--they make me breath hard. "Rolling" to me means--Sunday-drive, this is fun, I'm hardly breathing, are we already at the top?--kind of hill. There aren't many "rolling" hills in San Francisco! On the up side, on this run, I am rewarded with an awesome view of the city both on the way out and back. I'll have to remember to bring my camera next time.
Right after I started my run, at a stoplight, I saw a cyclist get hit by a car. It didn't appear the cyclist got hurt, just a little bruised, and likely a bent bike. But the woman driver was going too fast trying to make the yellow light. And the cyclist may have jumped the green light a bit...It's hard to say exactly. I wasn't paying that close attention until after the crash had happened. Another cyclist and pedestrians, along with the driver of the car all checked out the cyclist to make sure he was ok.
It made me think how I take for granted that cars will stop for me when I'm running, walking, cycling. I can do everything correctly, but I just never know when the car driver doesn't see me. Especially in the morning and evening when the sun creates a glare right in the line of vision, and people are in a hurry before and after work. I need to be more aware of cars around me and similarly when I drive, aware of the pedestrians, runners, and cyclists using the roads. Hitting someone, even if it's just a scratch (good case scenario) will make me later and cause me more problems in the long run, than if I'd just slowed down in the first place.
So, it wasn't that easy this morning...I had to check email, eat a few grapes and drink coffee first, but I made it out right after 8am. I did my "hill workout," which is a 3.5 mile run up to Noe Valley, a cute family neighborhood, with a few good "rollers" as I think they're called. I call them hills--they make me breath hard. "Rolling" to me means--Sunday-drive, this is fun, I'm hardly breathing, are we already at the top?--kind of hill. There aren't many "rolling" hills in San Francisco! On the up side, on this run, I am rewarded with an awesome view of the city both on the way out and back. I'll have to remember to bring my camera next time.
Right after I started my run, at a stoplight, I saw a cyclist get hit by a car. It didn't appear the cyclist got hurt, just a little bruised, and likely a bent bike. But the woman driver was going too fast trying to make the yellow light. And the cyclist may have jumped the green light a bit...It's hard to say exactly. I wasn't paying that close attention until after the crash had happened. Another cyclist and pedestrians, along with the driver of the car all checked out the cyclist to make sure he was ok.
It made me think how I take for granted that cars will stop for me when I'm running, walking, cycling. I can do everything correctly, but I just never know when the car driver doesn't see me. Especially in the morning and evening when the sun creates a glare right in the line of vision, and people are in a hurry before and after work. I need to be more aware of cars around me and similarly when I drive, aware of the pedestrians, runners, and cyclists using the roads. Hitting someone, even if it's just a scratch (good case scenario) will make me later and cause me more problems in the long run, than if I'd just slowed down in the first place.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Things I love this week!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Sonoma County Team Camp
This weekend, I attended the team camp for the bike team I joined this year, Early Bird Women's Developmental Team. We stayed in a cute cabin, next to a river in a tiny little town, Monte Rio, in Sonoma County. We all showed up on Friday night in time for team photos & planning for the rest of the weekend.
Camp Day 1
Oh my! This was the hardest ride of my life. The morning started pretty chilly (for here) at 34-degrees, so we bundled up with multiple layers. We started out on a flat, warming our legs up, but after about 10 miles, we began to climb, for what seemed like 3 hours. Really, this is not an exaggeration. Despite this, the ride was absolutely beautiful. We made our way north then over to the coast where we followed the stunning coastline and hooked up to Highway 1 for a bit. We added another climb about mid-ride that took us through farmland and country, past the little black lambs chasing their mothers, past horses and cows. A dad of one of the girls rode behind us in his car in case we had flat tires, needed to shed clothing, refill water bottles--it was so nice of him and reassuring to know we had support if we needed it. We stopped in Occidental at an adorable bakery to refuel on smoothies. That evening we hung out, chatted about the season, made dinner, and relaxed.
Camp Day 2
We rode through Sonoma County wine country over the rolling hills, through the vineyards. We simulated a road bike race, so worked on our team strategies, drafting, descending and ascending. This ride we focused on cadence (leg speed) and overall speed. Even though we didn't have the monster climbs of the day before, it was incredibly intense, and we still rode about 55 miles at a fast clip. We had one of our sponsors ride his motorbike with the lead group for support, and a teammate's mom drove her car in the rear.
We got our team kits (outfits for cycling) this weekend. We wore them on our training rides, and we looked really sharp. I really felt like I was a part of a team, especially with the "support" cars. As always, I learned a lot--keeping my legs moving, refueling, cornering, catching people on the descents.
On the way home, since we were in wine country, we stopped for a quick "pick up" of sparkling wine at Korbel Winery. The grounds filled with budding and flowering trees and shrubs, shaded a bit overhead by the redwoods--it was beautiful.
Camp Day 1
Oh my! This was the hardest ride of my life. The morning started pretty chilly (for here) at 34-degrees, so we bundled up with multiple layers. We started out on a flat, warming our legs up, but after about 10 miles, we began to climb, for what seemed like 3 hours. Really, this is not an exaggeration. Despite this, the ride was absolutely beautiful. We made our way north then over to the coast where we followed the stunning coastline and hooked up to Highway 1 for a bit. We added another climb about mid-ride that took us through farmland and country, past the little black lambs chasing their mothers, past horses and cows. A dad of one of the girls rode behind us in his car in case we had flat tires, needed to shed clothing, refill water bottles--it was so nice of him and reassuring to know we had support if we needed it. We stopped in Occidental at an adorable bakery to refuel on smoothies. That evening we hung out, chatted about the season, made dinner, and relaxed.
Camp Day 2
We rode through Sonoma County wine country over the rolling hills, through the vineyards. We simulated a road bike race, so worked on our team strategies, drafting, descending and ascending. This ride we focused on cadence (leg speed) and overall speed. Even though we didn't have the monster climbs of the day before, it was incredibly intense, and we still rode about 55 miles at a fast clip. We had one of our sponsors ride his motorbike with the lead group for support, and a teammate's mom drove her car in the rear.
 |
| Korbel Winery |
On the way home, since we were in wine country, we stopped for a quick "pick up" of sparkling wine at Korbel Winery. The grounds filled with budding and flowering trees and shrubs, shaded a bit overhead by the redwoods--it was beautiful.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Things I love this week...
1. The King's Speech warmed my heart.
2. Peanut Butter Luna Protein bars. 12grams of protein. I have been eating these before my long bikes and runs. Yummy!
3. My flannel sheets.
4. Arm warmers! For biking, cycling. Genius.
5. Exit through the Gift Shop, a documentary about street art, particularly in Los Angeles. Banksy.
2. Peanut Butter Luna Protein bars. 12grams of protein. I have been eating these before my long bikes and runs. Yummy!
3. My flannel sheets.
4. Arm warmers! For biking, cycling. Genius.
5. Exit through the Gift Shop, a documentary about street art, particularly in Los Angeles. Banksy.
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