I have been very happy about our Training for the next adventure race. Lot of double workouts and mostly a lot of time on the mt bike. Thru thick and thin no weather conditions, sickness and earaches has kept us from training except today...
First stop Speedy Reedy because Mac loaned out his bike shoes and he needed to get cleats for his Sidi's that fit his other pedals.
Next on our way to Redhook brewery for a 40 mile ride on our road bikes and then all of a sudden I shut the door and little did I know, Mac's new car automatically locks. I locked everything in the car- his wallet, keys, both phones, and both set of appt keys and his spare to my apartment key... aaah.... I did have my wallet in my back jersey (very rare).
Mac put his head down and and said we don't even have helmets. He said "stay here I am riding home and will be right back." I then said "lets just go to back to Speedy Reedy buy helmets, ride to your place together and count that as part of the ride"
Then after Speedy Reedy we are on our way to be what would have been a nice little ride, snafu behind us, we can get spare truck keys at Mac's and the sun is out and then a hill comes up and I have to get out of the saddle and my left foot comes crushing down to the grown pulling the pedal and and staying clipped in to my cleat stripping it on the way down. Mac said he could tell I was hurt the way I landed on the seat then bar and didn't speak for a moment. (Might be too much to mention what the injury is) -I was in so much pain and really cranky - I just didn't even want to move or do anything.. then Mac noticed that my other pedal was not even screwed in and although he was unable to fix the left pedal he put in the right pedal as much as he could and then I rode back to Speedy Reedy with one pedal and in a bit of pain but I was cranky so it outweighed everything and just wanted to get my bike fixed.
Unfortunately it was stripped so he hard to re-thread and he mention that it was not a permanent solution and he then saw the right pedal and cranked that it. I tried to pay and even tip, he was like "no worries, go out there and ride"
They are amazing at the store. I always enjoy working with Reed and Shannon. Or all of the employees.
So then we finally rode to Mac got spare keys and it turned out to be a 10 mile ride instead of this long intended ride, for so many reasons. Despite set backs we still managed to get some training in and there plenty of training days ahead.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Mime after Mime (by Cyndi Lauper)
I am eating my words.. My photographer friend has evidence to contrary to the post below. I had plenty of time for food or coffee but I was the distracting myself.
However I do think the food or coffee would not have made the difference. Something felt off. The last time I felt like that I had mono and an enlarged spleen. May need to see a doctor do I say, "I ran slow? slower??"
titles for teammates since its Oscar night
RVG -Navigator King and humanitarian (feeding 150 people for cleaning up the trails before race!
Rinn -Bad ass and tow King
JVG - Best costume within a costume
Mac -Best performer and mime (hello secret dream improv?)
JPC -wanker
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Mime over Matter
Today started out not like any day but should be every day....
the sun rises and you think "Today... is the day I race as a mime!"
Then your head loses it from there and you think "all great Mimes think alike", "can you give me the mime?" (while looking at your watch)!
Then it's really about what is expected from you if you roll in the adventure racers crowd is to run your guts out on their birthday.
Ouch...
Ok, so maybe I didn't wake up thinking I run as a mime. My honest thought I NEED COFFEE! That's it. Simple.
But I wake up to the cutest being alive and he needs a run and pee break. So we take a small jaunt (he expected and deserved much more and was shocked at our turn around point). I start the coffee maker and hop in the shower. Before I can finish any task the phone is ringing and people are on there way to my home to get ready. Of course I think -get dressed, make up on and then you can make food and have COFFEE. However, it didn't work that way. It was a stager in and a new introduction to the drill (the costume, make up, etc). I am thinking my friends will enjoy a mimosa and I will cook food for them and I will have a coffee. None of that happened. I didn't even get a glass of water. waaaaaaaah.. It sounds like that kind of story but honestly today was one of the greatest days EVER.
This is the first time Trioba has a team member that is dressing in Costume. It is a members actual birthday and another member went a morning without coffee (ok- I think you got it or you are over it by now).
We dressed as Mimes! We were running late to the race and sprinted there and still missed the bus that the teams were supposed to be on. At this point its all about fun and just hitting the check points.
For me though each foot is taking a long time to land on the ground and then I noticed that I am running in slow motion. I know we dressed as Mimes, but I am not supposed to run like a mime. I could not get any energy in me, wind in my lungs OR a second wind -well there was no first wind so second wind would be pushing it.
Then it reminded me of every beginning of a race at the first half mile, it hurts, I am slow, then I pick up the pace and then game on. I am not sure what is was today if I just couldn't get my groove and my pace going but thank goodness for the funniest teammates alive and the costumes. We were out there in the sun enjoying life (their perspective maybe scewed because they were waiting on me)
At one point with the my face painted, gloves on, hat, under armor, my yellow orange hair I was like eee gads, "I am hot and dehydrated with no place to sweat, every paramedics nightmare!" At this point I turn to Rinn and say, "I can't take it, please help me rip this under armor off and he agrees and as his hand rises to help me tear my under shirt off and his hand was bloody mess. No I am not British! it was a BLOODY mess. I am like what the hell? I had seen parts of a glove hanging on a fence we hopped and thought it was a decision of one of our teammates to keep on a moving. I had no idea that Aaron's glove was the product of a pretty big tear in his hand! And he was using the other part of the glove as compression and he kept his fist closed.
SO with this in my mind, knowing Rinn ripped his hand open (for a friend and a teammate it was awful - for someone that likes blood and gore -It was awesome) -however I flashback to my first 24 hour race when I went to say my shoulder is KILLING me when I looked up and saw RVG carrying my gear, the teams gear and his and plus some. I felt shame.
So Rinn running around with a bloody hand and I can't get my groove on from lack of food and hydration -that put me into check MATE immediately! That is one tough MIME. I still have so much to learn. So I run and put my attitude back and start enjoying the fact that we are running, we are out there, we started late and started seeing teams! The people of Seattle loved us. It's true!!! We were fairly uncompetitive until we saw we were close to the other teams. Originally we stopped for many photos shoots and mime acts until the last bit of the race and was hoping to place.
We took third over all and I was very sad to lose the physical Colinoba cup we won last year. But at least we won best costume overall! And I learned a very valuable lesson today from Rinn and other teammates AND I need to do some wind sprints!! I used to be good at stop and go but not today!
My teammates were great. We had fun! Life is good. I got an espresso on the course -BEST espresso ever! The first water I had on the course was great too!
What an amazing race. Thank you Colinoba!!! PS Robin I want my trophy back -I am coming after you!
Monday, December 28, 2009
Addendum (from previous post)
Ok, lard ass was a little extreme especially when I caught my reflection in the mirror when I was working out. Very very scrawny! This does not change how I feel and what I know about my diet and this program Sparkpeople (an Iphone application) I am not fully convinced of yet. It does point out the obvious -I eat way to much fat but I had no idea my protein what so low. I have weighed in every morning which is new and won't last probably passed today. Its really not important but interesting. The only time I usually know my weight is at the doctor. So small goal, lower fat and sugar and add protein. One problem with a person like me who craves sugar and fat foods is the application may be dangerous. I was trying to type in coffee so I could add it to my daily diet and up comes a list of coffees including Dunkin Donuts. Dunkin Donuts has the highest amount of calories with milk and sugar. A normal person would think, "don't drink the coffee there" -I think, "why is there so much calories, does it taste better?" My friends on the East Coast go there so I think this is a must try - so I go to dunkin donuts and it taste like water (the first day) and now I am addicted four days in. See what kind of OCD I am dealing with, knock 1,2, 3!
Onward to better things. Although the temperature in not blazing in AZ for lying around the pool it is perfect temperature for riding and running. You can actually feel the sun on your face and that is good enough! I love it. The picture above is Pinnacle Peak. Its a nice run.
McDowell Mountain.
I could go there every day. It cost six dollars for one vehicle into the park and they encourage mt biking. They give you up a map of all trails and have you pumped up even before you can park. The trails there are endless for biking and they have three different race courses to train on.
One ride we did was really like a track but a slight uphill and coming down was super fast with lots water poles to go over. It was amazingly fun. One ride -I read later was mostly for hikers and horses was so rocky my arms felt fuzzy on the uphills and downhill.
It was amazing the different types of terrain in one place. We go back tomorrow or run pinnacle peak again. Our hotel is staring right at Pinnacle asking for you to run it. :)
Onward to better things. Although the temperature in not blazing in AZ for lying around the pool it is perfect temperature for riding and running. You can actually feel the sun on your face and that is good enough! I love it. The picture above is Pinnacle Peak. Its a nice run.
McDowell Mountain.
I could go there every day. It cost six dollars for one vehicle into the park and they encourage mt biking. They give you up a map of all trails and have you pumped up even before you can park. The trails there are endless for biking and they have three different race courses to train on.
One ride we did was really like a track but a slight uphill and coming down was super fast with lots water poles to go over. It was amazingly fun. One ride -I read later was mostly for hikers and horses was so rocky my arms felt fuzzy on the uphills and downhill.
It was amazing the different types of terrain in one place. We go back tomorrow or run pinnacle peak again. Our hotel is staring right at Pinnacle asking for you to run it. :)
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
anything to be faster.. not about well being
of course I am kidding. what I am eating right now could give me a heart attack.
After being in the car for 25 hours plus I had a lot of time to reflect and eat a lot of double doubles, slurpees, candy and anything else in the junk food category and I came to the conclusion I am a lard ass disguised in medium fit body.
I would like to believe I could just eat what I want and not obsess or feel guilty about the foods I eat and enjoy. There is a happy medium for sure. In fact I have a TON of wiggle room before I hit happy medium.
There are a million more foods I can enjoy and continue with the bacon burgers and cupcakes if I add nutrition. I can finally feel the weight of all these foods I currently eat and I think its slowing me down, causing insomnia, etc.
I have written down the last few days worth of food I have eaten without calories or measurement just to see it on paper. It is truly alarming.
Its a whole lot of common since that fast food should not be on a healthy eating plan, some times its just the easy route and sometimes I just crave it. So instead of a strict diet I am just planning on adding in vegetables (don't make fun of me, if you grew up on canned string beans you wouldn't like vegetables either) :), I need to add a lot more water, protein and vitamins.
Since I started writing down and knowing I am going to have to write down what I eat, I have already skipped on the fast food and starting eating relatively healthy. I had my first carrot. Just checking if anyone was paying attention or not. I do like raw vegetables and will start there. I also did my first weigh in when it comes to possibly shedding pounds. I don't mind my weight if I can transform some of my fat to muscle but I don't want to lose fat and muscle because very important I keep my buff arms and ripped six pack....:)
It's nice to be out of Seattle and have some healthy goals while I am away. I am Mt biking tomorrow with Mac and Martin. Really looking forward to it. Also taking Capone on a trail run. Should be a great day.
I need HELP!
JPC
After being in the car for 25 hours plus I had a lot of time to reflect and eat a lot of double doubles, slurpees, candy and anything else in the junk food category and I came to the conclusion I am a lard ass disguised in medium fit body.
I would like to believe I could just eat what I want and not obsess or feel guilty about the foods I eat and enjoy. There is a happy medium for sure. In fact I have a TON of wiggle room before I hit happy medium.
There are a million more foods I can enjoy and continue with the bacon burgers and cupcakes if I add nutrition. I can finally feel the weight of all these foods I currently eat and I think its slowing me down, causing insomnia, etc.
I have written down the last few days worth of food I have eaten without calories or measurement just to see it on paper. It is truly alarming.
Its a whole lot of common since that fast food should not be on a healthy eating plan, some times its just the easy route and sometimes I just crave it. So instead of a strict diet I am just planning on adding in vegetables (don't make fun of me, if you grew up on canned string beans you wouldn't like vegetables either) :), I need to add a lot more water, protein and vitamins.
Since I started writing down and knowing I am going to have to write down what I eat, I have already skipped on the fast food and starting eating relatively healthy. I had my first carrot. Just checking if anyone was paying attention or not. I do like raw vegetables and will start there. I also did my first weigh in when it comes to possibly shedding pounds. I don't mind my weight if I can transform some of my fat to muscle but I don't want to lose fat and muscle because very important I keep my buff arms and ripped six pack....:)
It's nice to be out of Seattle and have some healthy goals while I am away. I am Mt biking tomorrow with Mac and Martin. Really looking forward to it. Also taking Capone on a trail run. Should be a great day.
I need HELP!
JPC
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Big Blue 24 hour adventure
I have a fun story to post but I thought these pictures would just remind me of the first 24 hour race that VG's took Mac and I through. From the beginning post race dinner to after eating dinner was the best food I have ever had. Its been since August 1st and I can official say the 4 hour paddle is no longer a threat and I can sleep soundly at night knowing my arm will not fall off. The whole thing was amazing. The VG's were strong and a lot of fun. Story to follow~ But the pictures below are just a tiny fraction of what was in our adventure that includes lightning and hailing storms while we were on a 9500ft mountain, how great Mac and Ryan looked after the race, a finishing photo and the beautiful JVG drinking a well deserved glass of wine. Thank you VG's and Mac! I also have fun film of searching for water to an empty lake then a stream where we treated the water. RVG's goal was to use everything in our mandatory gear.. not just to use but if we had to... and it just so happen we did. :)
Friday, September 11, 2009
Super Jock and JIll
Ran the super jock and Jill with Mac, Alix and Nicole. Marty C was there did great support for his wife which turned into support for me and Mac (we over dressed). Marty also ran with Alix and I to the finish line and was full of energy and pushing a stroller - made us run faster and made us look bad (in a good way). He was awesome! There was no start time mat and we were in the bathroom with the gun went off, time could have just been a few minutes better.. and some gear problems as always. I also had to recover once from inhaling water.. I pinched the cup, drank it slow, and still breathed in and drank... was a decent time for running the day before at Cougar (which I wouldn't take back to even shave a second of time) I love running trails.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
talk about an a++ whooping
holy cow, worse race performance to date.
during the race I had a small panic attack because my face was so hot and I went to touch it and there was no sweat.
i have been so sick and dehydrated the last time they gave me medicine for my ear I got two IV bags of fluid. It stressed me out racing like I shouldn't even be there. I decided then and there I am going to take it easy, but I didn't even have to try to take it easy, my fastest pace was like a slug, I really rode my bike and ran in slow motion. It was AWFUL!
however, that aside, it had to be the most fun endings of race ever. One teammate from each team that came in before a certain cut off were in a real live 5k (with bibs and an announcer) in a stadium with a bunch of adventure racer hecklers! I LOVED IT.
we screamed, "Rudy, Rudy" as Mac crossed last over the finish line. He still had a great time for someone who literally had to drag me through the entire race and he was running up against Bone, Miles, H, Etc.. so of the ten that were eligible to run he did amazing!
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
The Beast
I decided blogging for me will all be about copy and paste...:). Too many typos.
but I better copy this note because I may never see my name in the lead again.
ha. that sounded bad. knock on wood. knock, knock, knock. however there is a race tonight. I am pretty sick (due to ear medication) and D has an injured foot (no excuses) but we are going out to have fun and get on our feet and time in the saddle!
so here it my 15 minutes of fame (ok it might be 5 seconds but if you read two hundred times like I did then it could be 15 minutes.)
BEAST #4 is just around the corner, and as the temperatures are heating up so are the point standings!
Looks like Cory Systma has a sizeable lead over Jeff Brink, but there are several racers with just two races so far (best three are counted), that could change things drastically. In the womens category, Jill Purcell is ahead, but Connie Ness or Sarah Bruce could take over 1st with a strong performance.
Eric Bone
but I better copy this note because I may never see my name in the lead again.
ha. that sounded bad. knock on wood. knock, knock, knock. however there is a race tonight. I am pretty sick (due to ear medication) and D has an injured foot (no excuses) but we are going out to have fun and get on our feet and time in the saddle!
so here it my 15 minutes of fame (ok it might be 5 seconds but if you read two hundred times like I did then it could be 15 minutes.)
BEAST #4 is just around the corner, and as the temperatures are heating up so are the point standings!
Looks like Cory Systma has a sizeable lead over Jeff Brink, but there are several racers with just two races so far (best three are counted), that could change things drastically. In the womens category, Jill Purcell is ahead, but Connie Ness or Sarah Bruce could take over 1st with a strong performance.
Eric Bone
Thursday, June 18, 2009
plagirism
ok, not technically, because I am just copying and pasting and Eric's email and A member from Team Manny's and not claiming it to be my own. I just couldn't write a better report and I am 30 races, runs, events, breakdowns :), behind in posts. So here goes this but pretty soon out of date events... because I need to tell you how incredible WEMT went.
ok back to the beast report from Tolt (not last weeks) -that I will write myself.
From Eric Bone
BEAST Athletes, Volunteers and Friends,
Kudos to all of you who toughened it out in last Wednesday's miserable conditions, you are true Northwesteners! (except for team Manny's+ who ended up in the bar early, see Marty's didn't-race report below...., sometimes you gotta know when to fold em!)
Tolt-MacDonald Park and the surrounding trails made an excellent, challenging venue for last week's race. The mountain biking and navigation on this course were definitely at the technical end of the spectrum (probably our toughest ever - Eric even made some wrong turns while picking up the markers), but not one of you complained--we are truly impressed.
The race started with an extremely tricky Micro-Orienteering event, followed by a big hill ride then some motalla loops on the bikes to spread the field. After a trekking loop it was all downhill to the finish, where Carol served up some always appreciated BEAST grub, the chilli was again one of the racer's favorites.
now Team Manny's
Report from Marty Couret of Manny's =======
Team Manny’s descended on Carnation with a dream of a gorgeous day and a great race. What was returned to them was 100% chance of rain and a great race? Unlike years past, 2009 is the year of the rain drop.
Mark pulled up in his huge bright orange monster truck got out and looked at Marty and said, “Are we really going to race in this?” To which he responded, “I hate racing in the cold and rain, and after last race I am seriously considering bagging this one.” Kari with her untested Mt bike still on Chips car looked up with hopeful eyes. “I don’t really want to race either.” Chip silently worked on his bike with Colin. Clint comes over with a look of dread on his face. We stand there in the pelting rain. Connie joins the group huddled under her water shedding gortex shell. Memories of last months cold and wet race are fresh in our minds.
We move out of the way for Jill and Dan to park. We tell them we are considering bagging the race and going to get a beer. Jill calls us wimps. Dan looks hopeful that Jill with change her mind. Then Marty does what he does best. He goes to his car and pulls out The Boot. He fills it with a growler of Manny’s Pale Ale and passes it around.
“So what are we going to do?” Kari pleads. “I think Chip wants to race. This weather is why Kara didn’t want to race.”
“I love adventure racing, but I think if I am cold and miserable one more time, I might give up the sport,” Marty replies.
“Clint, what do you want to do?” Marty asks.
Looking like a drowned green rat in his water soaked shell Clint says, “I can do whatever.”
“I am skipping it! I will just be bitter and cold if I race. But I have to wait for David, he was going to race with us,” exclaims Marty.
Eric Bone backs into a parking space close by. Marty runs over and relays his dismay with the weather and his regrets that he will not be racing.
Gary from Oregon’s Team Next Adventure mock us. We all agree that if our team sponsor paid for a van, travel expenses, and entry fees, we would race.
Dan, Jill, Carol, and Robin agree to keep a lookout for David.
“Well let’s get out of the rain,” Kari demands. We are already soaked.
Colin pipes in, “Let’s go to the Roadhouse!”
Eight of us load up into our cars and caravan down the road, stopping David on the way to invite him. He is determined to race.
Check Point 1: The Roadhouse is a fancier restaurant than anyone remembers. Worst of all they don’t have pitchers. That’s ok they have Manny’s on tap. They can’t be that bad. We laugh as we watch squall after squall dumps rain rapidly enlarging the puddles outside. We trade stories and roar as Mark transforms into Super Mark after just two beers. Here’s the line. Here is where he crossed it. Good times.
We all agree we need to do some long rides in the upcoming weeks to get in shape for TRIOBA. But the justification for bailing on the race is easy for us. We are after all, team Manny’s Pale Ale. We need to train our livers as well as our bodies. The Roadhouse has mediocre food and poor service. We excuse ourselves, and the road.
Check Point 2: Tavern. There is no name to this biker bar. Just “Tavern.” It has an eclectic lumberjack motif, guys wearing Harley shirts, UFC in the flat screens that drop from the ceiling, and pitchers of Manny’s. Chip is at home. Having grown up in Fall City, this is his hood. He hits the bar and rolls up to the table with a crisp cold can of Rainier.
The pictures on the wall sell this place. Random most wanted posters with Osama Bin Laden. Framed photos of two guys and their snowmobiles. The topper was a 2x3 foot black and white 1970s picture with 6 shirtless guys in short shorts and cutoffs sitting on a car looking as menacing as possible each cradling a gun. Two cases of Rainier Beer are carelessly set upon the roof. These are men…with guns. Their seriousness is offset by their Village People appearance.
Kari arrives with a pitcher of Manny’s and one of Sierra Nevada. Clint wanting to make a name for himself among this larger than life group of racers quickly downs his first beer. The others break the first rule of adventure racing, “Don’t follow the team in front of you,” and quickly down their next beer as well.
Check Point #3: The rain is finally letting up. We stroll out of the nearly empty bar to a 57 Chevy. The guys take off their shirts and pose with the car, shirtless, cold, happy, and with their own “Gun Show.” (Colin will send out the photo’s)
Overall, a fairly typical race. Chip navigated us effortlessly to the bar. Colin and Connie took pictures. Mark sprinted ahead like usual, and hit Super Mark status early. Marty posed for inappropriate pictures, and convinced others to do the same. Kari supplied the stories that make our lives sound dull. And Clint did what he usually does, lay low then finish ahead of you. To his credit, he was very talkative.
Sorry we ditched you David. Welcome to Team Manny’s!
We will all see you at TRIOBA soon.
On-On
Marty
Team Manny’s Pale Ale
ok back to the beast report from Tolt (not last weeks) -that I will write myself.
From Eric Bone
BEAST Athletes, Volunteers and Friends,
Kudos to all of you who toughened it out in last Wednesday's miserable conditions, you are true Northwesteners! (except for team Manny's+ who ended up in the bar early, see Marty's didn't-race report below...., sometimes you gotta know when to fold em!)
Tolt-MacDonald Park and the surrounding trails made an excellent, challenging venue for last week's race. The mountain biking and navigation on this course were definitely at the technical end of the spectrum (probably our toughest ever - Eric even made some wrong turns while picking up the markers), but not one of you complained--we are truly impressed.
The race started with an extremely tricky Micro-Orienteering event, followed by a big hill ride then some motalla loops on the bikes to spread the field. After a trekking loop it was all downhill to the finish, where Carol served up some always appreciated BEAST grub, the chilli was again one of the racer's favorites.
now Team Manny's
Report from Marty Couret of Manny's =======
Team Manny’s descended on Carnation with a dream of a gorgeous day and a great race. What was returned to them was 100% chance of rain and a great race? Unlike years past, 2009 is the year of the rain drop.
Mark pulled up in his huge bright orange monster truck got out and looked at Marty and said, “Are we really going to race in this?” To which he responded, “I hate racing in the cold and rain, and after last race I am seriously considering bagging this one.” Kari with her untested Mt bike still on Chips car looked up with hopeful eyes. “I don’t really want to race either.” Chip silently worked on his bike with Colin. Clint comes over with a look of dread on his face. We stand there in the pelting rain. Connie joins the group huddled under her water shedding gortex shell. Memories of last months cold and wet race are fresh in our minds.
We move out of the way for Jill and Dan to park. We tell them we are considering bagging the race and going to get a beer. Jill calls us wimps. Dan looks hopeful that Jill with change her mind. Then Marty does what he does best. He goes to his car and pulls out The Boot. He fills it with a growler of Manny’s Pale Ale and passes it around.
“So what are we going to do?” Kari pleads. “I think Chip wants to race. This weather is why Kara didn’t want to race.”
“I love adventure racing, but I think if I am cold and miserable one more time, I might give up the sport,” Marty replies.
“Clint, what do you want to do?” Marty asks.
Looking like a drowned green rat in his water soaked shell Clint says, “I can do whatever.”
“I am skipping it! I will just be bitter and cold if I race. But I have to wait for David, he was going to race with us,” exclaims Marty.
Eric Bone backs into a parking space close by. Marty runs over and relays his dismay with the weather and his regrets that he will not be racing.
Gary from Oregon’s Team Next Adventure mock us. We all agree that if our team sponsor paid for a van, travel expenses, and entry fees, we would race.
Dan, Jill, Carol, and Robin agree to keep a lookout for David.
“Well let’s get out of the rain,” Kari demands. We are already soaked.
Colin pipes in, “Let’s go to the Roadhouse!”
Eight of us load up into our cars and caravan down the road, stopping David on the way to invite him. He is determined to race.
Check Point 1: The Roadhouse is a fancier restaurant than anyone remembers. Worst of all they don’t have pitchers. That’s ok they have Manny’s on tap. They can’t be that bad. We laugh as we watch squall after squall dumps rain rapidly enlarging the puddles outside. We trade stories and roar as Mark transforms into Super Mark after just two beers. Here’s the line. Here is where he crossed it. Good times.
We all agree we need to do some long rides in the upcoming weeks to get in shape for TRIOBA. But the justification for bailing on the race is easy for us. We are after all, team Manny’s Pale Ale. We need to train our livers as well as our bodies. The Roadhouse has mediocre food and poor service. We excuse ourselves, and the road.
Check Point 2: Tavern. There is no name to this biker bar. Just “Tavern.” It has an eclectic lumberjack motif, guys wearing Harley shirts, UFC in the flat screens that drop from the ceiling, and pitchers of Manny’s. Chip is at home. Having grown up in Fall City, this is his hood. He hits the bar and rolls up to the table with a crisp cold can of Rainier.
The pictures on the wall sell this place. Random most wanted posters with Osama Bin Laden. Framed photos of two guys and their snowmobiles. The topper was a 2x3 foot black and white 1970s picture with 6 shirtless guys in short shorts and cutoffs sitting on a car looking as menacing as possible each cradling a gun. Two cases of Rainier Beer are carelessly set upon the roof. These are men…with guns. Their seriousness is offset by their Village People appearance.
Kari arrives with a pitcher of Manny’s and one of Sierra Nevada. Clint wanting to make a name for himself among this larger than life group of racers quickly downs his first beer. The others break the first rule of adventure racing, “Don’t follow the team in front of you,” and quickly down their next beer as well.
Check Point #3: The rain is finally letting up. We stroll out of the nearly empty bar to a 57 Chevy. The guys take off their shirts and pose with the car, shirtless, cold, happy, and with their own “Gun Show.” (Colin will send out the photo’s)
Overall, a fairly typical race. Chip navigated us effortlessly to the bar. Colin and Connie took pictures. Mark sprinted ahead like usual, and hit Super Mark status early. Marty posed for inappropriate pictures, and convinced others to do the same. Kari supplied the stories that make our lives sound dull. And Clint did what he usually does, lay low then finish ahead of you. To his credit, he was very talkative.
Sorry we ditched you David. Welcome to Team Manny’s!
We will all see you at TRIOBA soon.
On-On
Marty
Team Manny’s Pale Ale
Sunday, April 12, 2009
WEMT
I need to post and back track and will later but this is start for my mom.:) My fan.
So day 7.
My running is so slow. It's killing me but I have a new guarded gate for my knee. (Plus I'm sucking wind -gasping, whatever) wussitus! Elevation? A lot of mt. bikers here.. when the trails clear up I may rent if I get some more free time. Its just mornings and little breaks when in study room. Sometime evenings off but you have to practice your practical and study for written exams. A lot of people here already have their wfr or EMT's and are just looking to get both wilderness EMT and EMT B certs at the National level. One adventure race dude, coast guards, a guy from the Navy, girls are climbers and bikers, etc. I like 29 out of the 30 people here a lot. I just don't know that person(nobody does). There are 23 guys and 7 girls. One guy just dropped out. Everyone is very active!!!! I haven't been drinking soda or eating at McDonalds. Just water and nuun. Which everyone loves my nuun and my few bottle supply is almost depleted. I saw something in the ER room that I believe 99 percent of the population would not want to see. I love the wilderness stuff (the bloody broken bones survival stuff much more!) I woke up every morning since I have got here to run with a partner at 615. Today I ran 4.5 miles.
So day 7.
My running is so slow. It's killing me but I have a new guarded gate for my knee. (Plus I'm sucking wind -gasping, whatever) wussitus! Elevation? A lot of mt. bikers here.. when the trails clear up I may rent if I get some more free time. Its just mornings and little breaks when in study room. Sometime evenings off but you have to practice your practical and study for written exams. A lot of people here already have their wfr or EMT's and are just looking to get both wilderness EMT and EMT B certs at the National level. One adventure race dude, coast guards, a guy from the Navy, girls are climbers and bikers, etc. I like 29 out of the 30 people here a lot. I just don't know that person(nobody does). There are 23 guys and 7 girls. One guy just dropped out. Everyone is very active!!!! I haven't been drinking soda or eating at McDonalds. Just water and nuun. Which everyone loves my nuun and my few bottle supply is almost depleted. I saw something in the ER room that I believe 99 percent of the population would not want to see. I love the wilderness stuff (the bloody broken bones survival stuff much more!) I woke up every morning since I have got here to run with a partner at 615. Today I ran 4.5 miles.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Congratulations To Mark and Marna
What a fun weekend for wedding, to the first night of lightning and golf sized hail to the next day full of sunshine.
A lot of people we able to get out and bike and climb on Sun and Monday. I decided to save my knee and not bike, but it didn't stop me from doing flips or hanging upside down on the ropes they were testing before they went outside to climb
Marna and Mark looked down right gorgeous
A lot of people we able to get out and bike and climb on Sun and Monday. I decided to save my knee and not bike, but it didn't stop me from doing flips or hanging upside down on the ropes they were testing before they went outside to climb
Marna and Mark looked down right gorgeous
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Momar Canada
The night before Momar in my hotel home
not a creature is stirring not even Capone.
Ok back it up. That's all a lie. First of all I couldn't sleep. But that is nothing new. But the big weight on me head of the night was my left knee injury and what a let down I will be to my teammate. I couldn't even walk up or downstairs with any sort of pressure. So the last I look at clock one am. Next almost an hour later starting to fade and Capone jumps on my chest with a long low growl. He was protecting me from an inaudible to the human ear but man eating moth. Out of bed again. Then just fear sank in. Will I just give up. Not start. 4am. 2 hours to sleep then woke up to , Jill you going to the race or what? Yes. So then and there thick thru thin I will finish the momar race. As we are I unloading the kayaking I feel more tearing in my knee. I try to stay positive and I positively hate myself and my knee ?and this is my good knee. As Dan runs the car back I hover and sit under the Momar volunteer tent eating a meatball Sandwich. Drinking a coke and whimpering about my knee. Brian's sister says "you are funny, you would never guess your an elite athlete." "I'm not." "Oh." Long awkward silence.. then we just laughed. I continued to pray for my knee instead of world peace. When we got into the kayaks I left it all out on the lake and we still were mid pack. Our 3 times leisure kayaking was no measure to this lengthy jaunt and I kept thinking I saw the turn around there would still be boats ahead. For two non serious kayakers I have to say our big muscles and strong core paid off and we made it through. Our transition was slow and all get out and it was my first let's move it. Foreshadowing to come of me dragging us down for further than a slow TA. On to the bikes. My knee hurt every pedal. This when my teammate reminded me internal dialogue wasn't meant to be heard by surrounding people. However when he did watch and realize I was in this game and not giving up he continued to give me props. Which is a smart way to keep me from wimpering. I rocked some technical downhills. I just did. My weakness was my climbing. Even though I was able stay on my bike 80 percent more on my climbs they are slow and cost us lots of time. The 2nd draw back was the hike a bike or push a bike over a 100 foot sandy hill cliff. Each step was deathly painful and I saw d run ahead and come back for me while he made it to the lip he. Started grabbing some girls and guys bikes and helping them out. As Dan's gets my bike to the top he helps a few more ladies and he looks strong I was proud. Last time killer for our team was my cleats and peddal set up. All three of those things set us back at least an hour and 15. We did not have to search for one check point because we landed on top of them. We even saw packs of people and Mac wasn't second second guessing himself he would be like this way Jill and I would follow. Dan said he was expected a couple of times he would turn and be surprised to see me or some sections on downhills he was expecting me off my either being thown or walking but instead he heard my internal dialogue again as I was praising myself. I kept saying good job. I rock. This rocks. It did feel like we would flow and then run into a section where we were hiking up and the teams would catch my gut would ache for Mac and my knee was cringing. Next came the river run which is truly a deadly combination speed. Wet rocks and a hurt knee. However the water submersion felt great. It was like a nice ice machine. I welcomed it. Then back to the bikes. I was thinking this was the longest single track in AR. My longest mt bike was the big fat at 52 miles. Most I welcoming and almost reveling in my own improvements but then again kicking myself where my knee hurts and off if our bike affected our time. Then back to the trails and then off again for a quick photo. Then on around the corner to the glorious checkpoints 14. 15. 16. My favorite part of the whole race. Swimming with a noodle in an amazing quarry. Then back on our bikes for a small ride to the orienteering. At this point my always painful knee kicked in and I just who cares and just run it. Damage is done and put pain aside. It was no sprint but with dead on nav and one purposeful checkpoint missed I was happy. My mind also switched gears from I feel so sorry for myself. Dan. Etc to everybody suffers and at a start of race and being at this point I would be hurting and I'm hear and never wished to quit but was excited to finish. Not sure taking risks like that on my body with that injury will happen again but I will not take back the experience of doing that Momar. The pain was worth it. I am even more amped to build leg strength for speed on those climbs. I'm actually going to do my first 50k. Just right after my my appt for the dr tomorrow. Oh did you know that d had stitches on his arm from a minor surgery. Yeah he didn't mention in, just saw the stitches... . back to heading to the finish line. How fun. We did a run down the hill could hear the announcements and it was a little psych out when you had to run a little fence to and small park to get their but I felt the happiness tears. No crying just welling up. Also on the orienteering we saw a group run up a hill and came back over the other side and Dan decided to bushwack put us ahead and we smacked into the checkpoint. I was about to compliment him when he turned around with the biggest grin and said I'm f-ing amazing.
not a creature is stirring not even Capone.
Ok back it up. That's all a lie. First of all I couldn't sleep. But that is nothing new. But the big weight on me head of the night was my left knee injury and what a let down I will be to my teammate. I couldn't even walk up or downstairs with any sort of pressure. So the last I look at clock one am. Next almost an hour later starting to fade and Capone jumps on my chest with a long low growl. He was protecting me from an inaudible to the human ear but man eating moth. Out of bed again. Then just fear sank in. Will I just give up. Not start. 4am. 2 hours to sleep then woke up to , Jill you going to the race or what? Yes. So then and there thick thru thin I will finish the momar race. As we are I unloading the kayaking I feel more tearing in my knee. I try to stay positive and I positively hate myself and my knee ?and this is my good knee. As Dan runs the car back I hover and sit under the Momar volunteer tent eating a meatball Sandwich. Drinking a coke and whimpering about my knee. Brian's sister says "you are funny, you would never guess your an elite athlete." "I'm not." "Oh." Long awkward silence.. then we just laughed. I continued to pray for my knee instead of world peace. When we got into the kayaks I left it all out on the lake and we still were mid pack. Our 3 times leisure kayaking was no measure to this lengthy jaunt and I kept thinking I saw the turn around there would still be boats ahead. For two non serious kayakers I have to say our big muscles and strong core paid off and we made it through. Our transition was slow and all get out and it was my first let's move it. Foreshadowing to come of me dragging us down for further than a slow TA. On to the bikes. My knee hurt every pedal. This when my teammate reminded me internal dialogue wasn't meant to be heard by surrounding people. However when he did watch and realize I was in this game and not giving up he continued to give me props. Which is a smart way to keep me from wimpering. I rocked some technical downhills. I just did. My weakness was my climbing. Even though I was able stay on my bike 80 percent more on my climbs they are slow and cost us lots of time. The 2nd draw back was the hike a bike or push a bike over a 100 foot sandy hill cliff. Each step was deathly painful and I saw d run ahead and come back for me while he made it to the lip he. Started grabbing some girls and guys bikes and helping them out. As Dan's gets my bike to the top he helps a few more ladies and he looks strong I was proud. Last time killer for our team was my cleats and peddal set up. All three of those things set us back at least an hour and 15. We did not have to search for one check point because we landed on top of them. We even saw packs of people and Mac wasn't second second guessing himself he would be like this way Jill and I would follow. Dan said he was expected a couple of times he would turn and be surprised to see me or some sections on downhills he was expecting me off my either being thown or walking but instead he heard my internal dialogue again as I was praising myself. I kept saying good job. I rock. This rocks. It did feel like we would flow and then run into a section where we were hiking up and the teams would catch my gut would ache for Mac and my knee was cringing. Next came the river run which is truly a deadly combination speed. Wet rocks and a hurt knee. However the water submersion felt great. It was like a nice ice machine. I welcomed it. Then back to the bikes. I was thinking this was the longest single track in AR. My longest mt bike was the big fat at 52 miles. Most I welcoming and almost reveling in my own improvements but then again kicking myself where my knee hurts and off if our bike affected our time. Then back to the trails and then off again for a quick photo. Then on around the corner to the glorious checkpoints 14. 15. 16. My favorite part of the whole race. Swimming with a noodle in an amazing quarry. Then back on our bikes for a small ride to the orienteering. At this point my always painful knee kicked in and I just who cares and just run it. Damage is done and put pain aside. It was no sprint but with dead on nav and one purposeful checkpoint missed I was happy. My mind also switched gears from I feel so sorry for myself. Dan. Etc to everybody suffers and at a start of race and being at this point I would be hurting and I'm hear and never wished to quit but was excited to finish. Not sure taking risks like that on my body with that injury will happen again but I will not take back the experience of doing that Momar. The pain was worth it. I am even more amped to build leg strength for speed on those climbs. I'm actually going to do my first 50k. Just right after my my appt for the dr tomorrow. Oh did you know that d had stitches on his arm from a minor surgery. Yeah he didn't mention in, just saw the stitches... . back to heading to the finish line. How fun. We did a run down the hill could hear the announcements and it was a little psych out when you had to run a little fence to and small park to get their but I felt the happiness tears. No crying just welling up. Also on the orienteering we saw a group run up a hill and came back over the other side and Dan decided to bushwack put us ahead and we smacked into the checkpoint. I was about to compliment him when he turned around with the biggest grin and said I'm f-ing amazing.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
top ten thoughts from two different racers...
running the pacifica trail run in 90 degrees these were the thoughts that came to mind
1. I debated eating grass for moisture
A. I was breaking the tall pieces of grass pretending to leave a trail for tracker.
2. I didn't put my foot down when a lizard passed through because I had wondered if I would skid out on it guts.
B. Thought about stealing the guy's hat in front of me and using him chasing me as motivation.
3. I wanted to be upper pack for when I passed out I had a chance for one nice person to stop and get me help.
C. Thought about what it would be like to spend the night up there when running 50 feet off the trail
4. Do I even like running
D. I am never running on a treadmill again, false sense of security
5. After eating GU I said over and over, it just as good as a glass of water and I finally realized it wasn't I wanted to know if I could actually choke on GU.
E. I craddle my waterbottle like a football pretending I was a running back.
1. I debated eating grass for moisture
A. I was breaking the tall pieces of grass pretending to leave a trail for tracker.
2. I didn't put my foot down when a lizard passed through because I had wondered if I would skid out on it guts.
B. Thought about stealing the guy's hat in front of me and using him chasing me as motivation.
3. I wanted to be upper pack for when I passed out I had a chance for one nice person to stop and get me help.
C. Thought about what it would be like to spend the night up there when running 50 feet off the trail
4. Do I even like running
D. I am never running on a treadmill again, false sense of security
5. After eating GU I said over and over, it just as good as a glass of water and I finally realized it wasn't I wanted to know if I could actually choke on GU.
E. I craddle my waterbottle like a football pretending I was a running back.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
the plunge
Since the power house plunge in Squamish took my ego down to a level 0 (except rating still high for cuteness) - I decided that I have been giving everything about 10 percent. So I set my goals high from that Momar forward and moving it to 60 percent.
SO - the Beast comes.. what.. its supposed to be this little jaunt canoe/kayak, bike ride and small run. Which we all have come to learn EBone 3 miles could mean anything from 3 to 100 miles.
So I train.. truly, riding my road bike 40 miles on the hardest gears, I am spinning, I am riding my mt bike, I am trail running, I am running like crazy in the mornings and evenings with Capone. I am even out there kayaking, Capone has even been kayaking..(how long will this build up go on? I guess when I actually lose myself reading it too)... oh and Mac has finally honed in the navigation.
Race comes June 3rd, and we get a bit of storm. Race starts late. I am still all happy. Feeling for once, I am OVER prepared, at least from an endurance perspective, that doesn't mean speed, but it means I am not hopping into that 52 mile mt. bike race like last time only have ridden my bike like 16 miles max before...
phew get on with it.. ok... so we start off and we are nailing checkpoints and we are cruising with paddles... then comes the awful checkpoint and there is two of us in the boat and one of the two of us (jack ass) leans over to stop us from crashing into rod iron gate under a freeway and grab the checkpoint at the same time. We fell so hard, we dunked even with our life jackets, when we came up for air, all I could think of is please Mac be alive. We both simultaneously jumped up on this rail (I have ten bruises on my bottom to prove it), then mac attempted a dump of the water, and as we began to paddle, him now in front, water is still in the boat, we slowly began sinking. I couldn't stop laughing, and what an idiot I am.. oh wait I just admitted it was my fault. SHIPE.. We then had to make our way to an island, Mac flipped over the boat with one hand (kind of hulk like) and was like "get in" - i had asked if he was mad and he said "hell no this an adventure."
When we got to the biking section normally in this race a road bike would be an advantage - me with no disc break and a little tropical storm, I wanted my mt. bike. At the last leg of the bike, after the run, I swear I heard Mac say get off your bike. When I did, I slid in my bike cleats with a bike in hand on a crazy downhill for a long long time, longer than a slip and slide until I finally hit coble stone and fell bending my derailer.
So Mac needs a new partner, my looks are only taking me so far.. this giving it 60 percent is for the birds.... do I go back to zero training? Or take it to the max... I have two more races in Canada, one in Portland, a couple in Seattle, San Fran, NY and a Tahoe ride.. and that is just what I have planned so far... I am coming back.
I will say one thing about our team. WE DO NOT QUIT.. even when you ask the Magic 8 Ball "should I quit?" and it says, "all signs point to YES" we say hell no. watch out for our next race... not the trail run Sat, cuz D is betting against me and I can't feel my toes..
SO - the Beast comes.. what.. its supposed to be this little jaunt canoe/kayak, bike ride and small run. Which we all have come to learn EBone 3 miles could mean anything from 3 to 100 miles.
So I train.. truly, riding my road bike 40 miles on the hardest gears, I am spinning, I am riding my mt bike, I am trail running, I am running like crazy in the mornings and evenings with Capone. I am even out there kayaking, Capone has even been kayaking..(how long will this build up go on? I guess when I actually lose myself reading it too)... oh and Mac has finally honed in the navigation.
Race comes June 3rd, and we get a bit of storm. Race starts late. I am still all happy. Feeling for once, I am OVER prepared, at least from an endurance perspective, that doesn't mean speed, but it means I am not hopping into that 52 mile mt. bike race like last time only have ridden my bike like 16 miles max before...
phew get on with it.. ok... so we start off and we are nailing checkpoints and we are cruising with paddles... then comes the awful checkpoint and there is two of us in the boat and one of the two of us (jack ass) leans over to stop us from crashing into rod iron gate under a freeway and grab the checkpoint at the same time. We fell so hard, we dunked even with our life jackets, when we came up for air, all I could think of is please Mac be alive. We both simultaneously jumped up on this rail (I have ten bruises on my bottom to prove it), then mac attempted a dump of the water, and as we began to paddle, him now in front, water is still in the boat, we slowly began sinking. I couldn't stop laughing, and what an idiot I am.. oh wait I just admitted it was my fault. SHIPE.. We then had to make our way to an island, Mac flipped over the boat with one hand (kind of hulk like) and was like "get in" - i had asked if he was mad and he said "hell no this an adventure."
When we got to the biking section normally in this race a road bike would be an advantage - me with no disc break and a little tropical storm, I wanted my mt. bike. At the last leg of the bike, after the run, I swear I heard Mac say get off your bike. When I did, I slid in my bike cleats with a bike in hand on a crazy downhill for a long long time, longer than a slip and slide until I finally hit coble stone and fell bending my derailer.
So Mac needs a new partner, my looks are only taking me so far.. this giving it 60 percent is for the birds.... do I go back to zero training? Or take it to the max... I have two more races in Canada, one in Portland, a couple in Seattle, San Fran, NY and a Tahoe ride.. and that is just what I have planned so far... I am coming back.
I will say one thing about our team. WE DO NOT QUIT.. even when you ask the Magic 8 Ball "should I quit?" and it says, "all signs point to YES" we say hell no. watch out for our next race... not the trail run Sat, cuz D is betting against me and I can't feel my toes..
Sunday, May 18, 2008
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