Trail Run at Annadel

I was supposed to participate in an "epic" mountain bike ride today, however, when I went to pick up my mountain bike yesterday, it wasn't yet repaired from my last crash. My bike has been in the shop for over two months! I took this as a sign that I was not supposed to ride, and instead opted to go for a trail run up at Annadel while the boys when mountain biking. (The fact that Dian wasn't going also helped with my decision to opt out.)

While I was bummed to not be riding, I had a wonderful run. The hills used to kill me and while they still hurt, they aren't quite as painful, which just excites me to no end. I feel like my fitness is coming back, slowly, after the staph infection.

I set out for a 2:10 run, but ended up running 2:42. While tired, I felt great when the run was over... something I needed today.

The guys clearly had a great ride, as I could hear them laughing as they made their way back.

Poor Jake filled in for me today as the friend of the rocks and took a little spill on the way back in. Jake looks like he was in a bar fight... I hope has some fun with that one.

Quad Dipsea

Today was my friend Rick's last race of his 2007 ultra season -- the Quad Dipsea.

I ran by the start of the race on the way to my relatively short "long ride" of the weekend. It was so fun to see Rick and his ultra friends in action, even if just for a moment.

Rick, congratulations on a spectacular season.

Thanksgiving No. 2

Paul and Dian hosted Thanksgiving this year. I had been looking forward to it since they invited me many months ago. Paul is a fabulous cook and an evening at the Quinn's is always a treat.

My Thanksgiving Day began with what was supposed to be the 6 mile Ocean Beach Turkey Trot with Chris. However, due to the oil spill a few weeks ago in the Bay, the Ocean Beach Turkey Trot turned into a 5K Turkey Trot in Golden Gate Park. The race was still fun and I am glad I went. Many of the runners were in rather entertaining costumes.

The moment I got home from the Turkey Trot I started baking. Paul and Dian know how much I like to bake so I was in charge of the dessert course for the Thanksgiving celebration. Baking all day was fun, and something I have not had the opportunity to do in quite a long while. While baking, I had some humorous moments over the telephone with my mother and my sister about a family cheesecake recipe.

Baking was frenzied, as I wasn't quite sure I could get everything done before it was time to depart for dinner. Alas, the worry was for naught.

Paul had requested a latticed-topped apple pie which turned out PERFECT. That is, until it imploded in the car on the way over. OK, it didn't implode, but it did manage to slide off a baking sheet and spill all over another dessert and all over the car. I was so mortified that all I could do was laugh.

Paul and Dian have great friends, which made for a joyous evening. The food was fabulous, the wine was perfect and the company was wonderful. Paul and Dian, thank you! I can't wait for our next get together.

Thanksgiving No. 1

Last year I flew home to see my family the weekend before Thanksgiving, and we ended up celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday a bit early since I was home. That early celebration worked so well last year (I loved avoiding the holiday travel!) that I decided to do it again this year. (It also coincides nicely with my father's birthday.)

Time with the family is wonderful on so many levels -- being able to catch up in person, my mother's home cooking, visiting my childhood haunts and favorite locales, running on one of my all time favorite routes, etc.

I also get to hibernate in "the dungeon."

My parents moved from the home in which they raised their children a few years ago into a home with a basement. (We didn't have a basement growing up.) The guest rooms in this house are located in the basement.

Every time I sleep in "my" guest room I awake having NO IDEA what time it is. It's literally like time stops when I am sleeping in that room, because it is so quiet and there is one teeny tiny little window which lets in no light -- hence, "the dungeon." I love it. I will never forget the time I had the luxury of not having to wake up for anything the following day and was horrified to discover I had slept for 15 hours.

This trip home proved to be no exception.

The day before I flew to Seattle I had been down in San Diego for work and was able to sneak in a quick visit with my sister and her family. I hadn't seen my niece in almost a year, so it was so much fun to see how much she has grown. That child is going to win a Nobel Prize someday, as she is smart as a whip. I can't wait to meet my nephew who is due to join the world in a few months.

It was fun to arrive in Seattle having just seen my sister and her family, as my camera was full of photos I could share with the rest of the family.

Friday I visited my brother at work and was able to say hello to many, many people I had not seen in years and years. I almost died when I walked into the office looking for my brother and all of a sudden this man with a gray afro popped up from behind a wall... my brother. Me: "What is up with your hair?!?!" Everyone laughed.

Saturday I had a two hour run, which was cut a bit short due to some serious rain. I love running in the rain and enjoyed the first hour of the relatively light rain, but about 1:30 into the run it started to downpour. I decided to abort my planned route and headed back towards the house, as my hands were frozen solid. It was so much fun, however, even in the rain, to run my 'usual' course and to realize that what used to be a really long run for me was now too short!

The weekend was fun, as was the first of my Thanksgiving celebrations. (I get to celebrate again on the actual holiday with friends at an "Orphan Thanksgiving." Can't wait!)

Last year at Thanksgiving dinner my niece discovered chocolate turkeys. There is a priceless photo from that dinner of my niece covered in chocolate after having consumed a chocolate turkey. This year she was onto the fact that as soon as everyone had finished their meal that she could have a chocolate turkey. I have never seen a child watch people eat so attentively, waiting for everyone to finish. She managed to not get quite as much chocolate on her face this year.

I am always sad when it is time to head home, but this year the sadness is mitigated by the fact that I will see most of my family for the Christmas holiday down in San Diego in just over a month. That fact made heading home a little bit easier.

Inspiration

Friend and fellow GGTCer Rick Gaston inspires me.

Rick is an ultra-marathoner who enjoys participating in 100 mile races. Yes, 100 miles, on foot, running, all at once. (I know! I think he's crazy too.)

When I think of my upcoming marathon and the fact that 26.2 miles seems like a long way, I think of Rick. Then it doesn't seem quite so far.

Bobke

I love watching the Tour de France coverage each July, mostly because I find Bob Roll so amusing.

Last year I had the opportunity to meet Eddy Merckx through a Z Team charity ride, and this year they brought out Bob Roll. I wasn't going to miss the opportunity to meet the legend.

The 45-mile ride set out from Woodland's Market in Kentfield. I was a bit nervous before the ride, as last year I was dropped about three minutes into the ride. I had a feeling that this year I would be dropped yet again (partly due to the sheer speed of the Z Team and partly due to over-indulging in some fabulous wine the evening before).

As we grouped together to start the ride I heard Bob Roll's voice and turned to face a man with an incredibly scruffy beard. Where was the voice coming from? It took me a moment to realize that Bob's voice was coming from the bearded man! Someone asked Bob if Al Trautwig would support the beard on-camera. He laughed and replied, "No."

I LOVE RIDING WITH A POLICE ESCORT. In a sport where I often fear that vehicles are going to run me off the road, it is such a different experience to ride with a police escort. To near an intersection and know that you can just roll through it, even if the light is red, because a police officer has closed it for you is so much fun. I wish I had an escort all the time! Ha!

This year Z Team took extra efforts to keep the pace a bit more conversational than last year. While I was riding along through Fairfax I found myself next to the legendary Bobke. What a nice man! We chatted for a few minutes about life and cycling. I knew Bob was from the Bay Area and we talked about cycling in the area. He also told me about his family home, built by his grandfather back in the 30's, and the fact that he was staying there this weekend.

I managed to stay with the peleton for about forty minutes this year before I got dropped. I knew it was coming. The group started riding faster and faster and faster. This year I was prepared and had researched where I could cut a few miles off the ride and still finish with a little dignity. I must admit that for once I was glad I was dropped, as I met a wonderful couple who own a bike shop in San Rafael. We rode in together and even managed to beat the peleton back in by a few minutes. I laughed when some of the Z Team members thought that we had rode in ahead of them! HA HA! Not.

FUN DAY. I met some great people and enjoyed the ride. I can't wait to see who the Z Team brings out next year.

CT Scan

My conversation with the Radiologist who conducted my CT Scan was a classic:

"What did you do to your elbow?"
"I broke it."
"How?"
"I fell mountain biking"
"What happened?"
"Well, I went around a rock, and then found myself on the ground, twice."
"Twice?"
"After I fell the first time I got up, set off, and immediately crashed again."
"You must have been pretty tired."
"It was a rough weekend."
"Why?"
"Well, I was pretty sure I had completely ruined a relationship with someone close to me and was not exactly focused on the trail. I think that's why I crashed."
"Oh! Was it worth it?"
"What do you mean?"
"Is the relationship ruined?"
(Smiling) "No."
(Smiling back) "Sweet."

I have an appointment with my orthopedic surgeon next Tuesday. I am not sure I want to know what he has to say...

Olecranon Fracture

Olecranon Fracture: An olecranon fracture is an injury to the most prominent bone of the elbow. People may call the olecranon the ‘funny bone.' The bone is actually the end of the ulna, one of the two forearm bones, and it is the attachment of the powerful triceps muscle of the arm. The triceps is the muscle that straightens the elbow, and olecranon fractures can impair a patient's ability to straighten the elbow joint.

Treatment: Treatment of an olecranon fracture depends on the amount of displacement of the fracture fragments and the function of the triceps muscle.

If the fracture is non-displaced, or minimally displaced, and the triceps muscle is able to extend the elbow, then surgery may not be necessary. In these cases, protected motion and time will generally heal the fracture. Otherwise, surgery of olecranon fractures is the usual treatment.

When is surgery necessary for an olecranon fracture?: When the bone fragments are out of position, or if the triceps muscle is detached, then surgery is usually necessary for treatment of an olecranon fracture. There are several ways to fix an olecranon fracture. An incision is made over the back of the elbow joint, and the bone fragments are repositioned into the proper location. Some combination of pins, wires, and/or screws may be used to secure the bone fragments in the proper position.

... So, apparently I have a habit of breaking bones and not realizing it.

The first time was during the San Francisco Half Marathon in 2005. At around mile 11 my right shin started hurting pretty badly. I chalked it up to shin splints -- something I had battled with from time to time. I finished the race (I was not happy at the finish line) and took about four months off from running.

I found out about six months after that race that I had fractured my shin in two places.

Today I discovered that I broke my elbow when I crashed on my mountain bike back in August.

At the time I thought I had sprained or strained it, and after a few weeks it felt much better. However, a dull pain has remained and I noticed last week that I am not operating with a full range of motion in my right arm (I can't straighten it), so I made an appointment with my orthopedic surgeon.

They took x-rays of my elbow, which I was looking at as the doctor came back into the examination room to review them. They looked fine to me! NOT.

My doctor informed me that I had fractured the olecranon bone in my right arm. He also pointed out on the x-ray what looked like bone chips floating around. GREAT. Finally, he stated that I should have had surgery to repair it at the time I fell. I don't understand how I could have broken my elbow and not known it, but that is a moot issue at this point.

Concerned about developing arthritis, my doctor ordered a CT Scan, which I have scheduled for tomorrow.

If I have to have surgery... well, I think my coach might fire me.

GGTC Elections

I have had such a wonderful experience with the Golden Gate Triathlon Club and the amazing people that I have met through various training groups within the club that I decided it was time for me to give back -- to thank those who have volunteered their time to make it wonderful for me.

Accordingly, after multiple requests from current Board members, I decided to run for a position on the 2008 Board. While originally nominated for another position, after being lobbied by members of the current Board, I decided to run for Director of Social. There was a belief that due to my 'outgoing nature' that I would be a perfect fit for the position. (I find this so funny, as I still think of myself as being somewhat shy!)

So, my fellow members of GGTC, please come out and vote on November 12th! Ashli's running for Design and Rick is running for President! I can't think of two better people to serve on the Board with.

Off Season Training

The triathlon off-season is proving to be just as much fun as the race season, and a whole lot less work! (Not that I am complaining, as I love the training.)

This weekend was a busy one with light training and not one, but two (!) social outings with my training mates.

Chris had a gathering at his home of his friends and teammates. It was a lot of fun to meet Chris' friends and to match names with faces and connect stories with those involved. It was also nice to catch up with Chris' friend Will, a fellow Washingtonian, who is sadly returning to Washington State this winter.

It was also fun to see Jake outside of training events and to rally with him for his race. All night long I kept thinking that Jake looked different and today I figured out what it was -- I don't think I have ever seen Jake clean shaven and in non-workout clothing. It's funny that you can know someone for as long as we have known one another and not see them outside of training. But, then again, our training is such a big part of our lives.

Sunday morning while Jake was running, Paul, Di, Chris and I headed out for a relatively short "long" bike ride. We were to put in 2.5 hours on the bike and set out for a double loop around Paradise Drive. It was a pleasure to have Chris with us, as I did not expect that he would be able to join us.

I always enjoy our rides -- they are leisurely, social and very fun. And, today was the first Paradise experience on the Guru. Oh my goodness... all I want to do is go downhill on it! It FLIES. I think it's the Zipps. Now I want race wheels for my tri bike. Well, let me re-phrase; now I REALLY want race wheels for my tri bike. I have wanted them for a while, but now it's an obsession. Paul, again, I blame you.

The weekend was rounded out with one of Paul's culinary adventures.

I was so happy to discover when I met the Quinn's that I found two friends who enjoy food as much as I do. We often bond over food and Paul is the master restaurant selector.

Paul and Dian invited Chris and I to share in an evening with them and their friends at a local favorite in Daly City -- Koi Palace. Paul is in the KNOW for where to dine for authentic meals, and this was no exception. The moment we walked in I knew this is where the locals dined.

The meal was highly entertaining -- adventures with the Quinn’s always are. Paul usually orders and I love waiting to see what surprises await us. Tonight’s adventure -- jellyfish. I had never before eaten jellyfish (it's very chewy). The dessert course consisted of fruit and tea flavored gelatinous bite-sized "treats." I burst into laughter watching everyone's expressions as they sampled the treats.

This weekend I discovered that both Chris and the Quinn’s have fabulous friends. I think I am lucky to be one of them.

US Half Marathon

Jake is running in the US Half tomorrow.

Jake, GOOD LUCK! I hope it's a great race and that you meet your goals for the event. (I am sure this will happen.)

We will be keeping an eye out for you on the bridge as we head north for our ride... don't be surprised if you hear people screaming.