Vineman

When I signed up for Vineman this year I wondered if it would be too soon after Ironman to do a half.

The answer would be no, I believe, if you didn't have a job that eats away every day and night of the month of July, prohibiting you from working out.

I did exactly four workouts between Ironman and Vineman 70.3 - one 30 minute computrainer workout, one 3 mile run, one 5 mile run and a relatively normal 3 hour bike ride. One workout per week is not the best pre-race training, as I am sure my coach would agree.

I was relatively calm heading into this race, partly because this was my third year in a row, partly because I am coming off a much longer race, and partly because I just didn't have time to think about it.

I was fine for the swim and bike portions of the race. I actually felt GREAT on the bike and was able to meet my goal bike time. The run, ah the run (is this sounding familiar?)... I was running just fine until 6 and a half miles into the 13.1 mile run, when my body decided it was done for the day. Done, done, done. I was tired and not feeling so great. I kept thinking that I really should have found some time to get some long runs in, but that it just hadn't been possible with work.

The GGTC aid station was a great boost at mile 4 and at mile 9, as it's always fun to see your teammates and friends. Ashli, thank you for your support and for recognizing I was not in my usual mood to chat. You know me well...

When I crossed the finish line, I found Chris, Jake and Jake's parents cheering me on. I laughed and said I had realized during the run that you just can't fake a half marathon. This realization has motivated me to get moving in my marathon training after this crazy month is over!

All and all, it was a great day full of friends and loved ones. Dian has already asked if I will be doing it again next year...


(This photo is of my friend Sam volunteering at a prior race. It was featured on this year's race website and I laughed everytime I visited the webpage. Sam's famous!)

San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market

One of the things I missed most training for Ironman was the local Farmers Market at the Ferry Building. We could never go, as every Saturday morning we had to set out for a long ride.

Chris and I have been making up for lost time and went both last and this weekend. This weekend we were in for a treat.

One of our favorite shows this past year was "The Next Iron Chef" on the Food Network. We watched it religiously.

As we were seeking out fresh fruit I spotted Chef Chris Cosentino, a local San Francisco chef and one of the contestants on "The Next Iron Chef".

I, in typical fashion, freaked out and pointed him out to Chris. Chris, in typical fashion (he talks to everyone!), struck up a conversation.

Chef Cosentino was very kind and said he was very pleased that Michael Symon had won. The are apparently close friends. That was nice to hear.

We are armed with fabulously fresh ingredients and are ready to cook! Two of our planned culinary adventures - homemade lavender ice cream and shitaki mushroom and corn fritters. Yummy.

Twins!!!

Congratulations to my brother, Don, and my sister-in-law, Kellie, on the birth of their twin daughters, Abigail and Olivia. The twins join big sister Emma, who left me a voicemail proclaiming "We're having babies! Two of them!"

I now have four nieces and a nephew. My poor nephew. He is so outnumbered.

Cuatro de Julio

One of my friends from GGTC had a wonderful 4th of July party - a Mexican themed "Cuatro de Julio" potluck.

It was a fabulous party! Actually, the whole day was fabulous - slept in, made breakfast, watched a movie, baked some Mexican Wedding Cakes (we were charged with a Mexican themed dessert) and then went to the party. It was so lovely to be so lazy!

I need to snap out of my laziness, however, as it has dawned on me that I have a race in less than two weeks! A half Ironman no less! When did a half become something I blow off?

The Cuatro de Julio event was perfect for many reasons -- the food, friends and lively conversation. I found it incredibly entertaining that at about 7:55 pm many started looking at their watches. Each time I noticed this I wondered if I had a cohort in crime to watch the Olympic track and swim trials? Sure enough, at exactly 8 pm, about ten of us left the festivities and congregated in front of the television to watch Michael Phelps break another world record. I love the Olympic trials!

My favorite moment of the night - four triathletes trying to convert 10,000 meters into miles. How long did it take us to figure out 10,000 meters was a 10K... talk about embarrassing!