Tag - I'm It!

Rick tagged me to play "six work memoir" on his blog last week.

As he explained in his post, the rules are:

1. Write your own six word memoir
2. Post it on your blog
3. Link to the person who tagged you in your post
4. Tag other folks with links
5. Leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play.

My memoir -

Living, loving, to find joy, everyday

I don't want to pressure others to follow suit, but if you are inclined to do so, please do!

Wildflower Aquabike

"I'm inspired by failure. The process of defeat - picking yourself up again is the hardest thing in the word." - Lolo Jones

Dian found this quote in an advertisement in Runner's World. She shared it with me and I found it highly appropriate in relation to my weekend.

The weekend was such a disaster on so many fronts and yet still fun, as I always seem to somehow have fun even in not-so-fun moments.

First, we were super late setting out. Then we encountered mechanical problems in our caravan down to Paso Robles. The combined late departure and mechanical issues cause a rush to Lake San Antonio to register, which then resulted in shoveling dinner into our mouths and the ingestion of food I might not have otherwise eaten. The ticket a half-mile from the bed and breakfast hours after we were due to arrive in Paso Robles didn't help much either as I then spent half the night fretting about the fact that one of my party had to now deal with a ticket.

I got about an hour of sleep Friday night.

I was very happy race morning to discover that even on one hour of sleep I felt pretty good and was excited to race.

I had a great swim. For the first time ever I stayed in a pack for the swim and knew I was swimming faster than usual. (Three minutes faster for a 1.2 mile swim!)

I also had a great bike ride. I felt powerful and strong, yet I kept my power efficient. The entire time I was riding I kept in mind an analogy my coach had shared with me about "my matchbox." I had to keep my power in my zone, because each time I went over I was using a match from my limited supply in my matchbox that would effect my run.

The run, ah, the run. A completely different story. At about a half mile into my half marathon I did not feel well. Not well indeed. I felt like I had ingested a lot of air and it was just causing all sorts of a ruckus in my stomach and throat. I couldn't breath and I couldn't intake any water or food. That led to dry heaving. At mile 7 I made one of the toughest decisions I have ever made -- I decided to end my race early.

I had spent 7 miles contemplating how detrimental it would be to my training for the foreseeable future if I gave myself heatstroke, since I couldn't intake any water and was clearly dehydrated.

When I made my decision, I tore off my race number in frustration and put it in my back pocket. It was a humbling, frustrating moment. It was awful to spot Jake and Chris waiting for me at the finish line and to tell them I had not finished. So awful that I burst into tears.

I am mad and frustrated and disappointed, but am hopeful this will be yet again another learning experience that will benefit me in my Ironman race.

The rest of the weekend was a blast. We had a lovely post-race dinner at McPhee's in Templeton and another great stay at my favorite bed and breakfast in Paso Robles.

Sunday was wonderful as well, as we decided to tour Hearst Castle on our way back. I had never seen Hearst Castle and was blown away by the mansion and grounds. Additionally, we had a very entertaining tour guide.

All and all, while disappointed with my performance personally, it was a fun weekend. Congratulations to Jake, Chris, Dian and Paul and to all my GGTC teammates on a great event!

On our way...

Just heading out to travel south to Paso Robles and Lake San Antonio for Wildflower.

I am excited and apprehensive, all at once.

While this will be my 4th year at Wildflower, I have never participated in the long course event. The long course race is held on Saturday, instead of Sunday, so it hasn't yet sunk in that I have a race tomorrow.

I know it will be fun, as my triathlon club has over 140 athletes registered to race! Last year we won the overall club competition. I am hopeful we will do so again this year.

I, however, will be racing in my Blazeman jersey. I still have $1,570 to raise to meet my fundraising goal for Ironman Coeur D'Alene. I must spread the word, as I do not want to let the Blais family and the Blazeman Foundation down!

Mind Over Matter

Dian shared a quote with me today that she found on Desiree Ficker's website that she really liked. I like it too.

I think it will stay with me this weekend as we race what I expect will be my hardest race to date -- the Long Course at Wildflower.

"It’s not whether it hurts or not, it’s whether you mind."

Wish us luck!

Silverado Trail

The Silverado Trail is apparently the place to ride the weekend before Wildflower.

Jake, Chris and I had decided to ride up 28 mile-ish stretch of rolling road from Napa to Calistoga a few weeks ago to coincide with a barrel tasting event at the Nickel and Nickel winery.

Many others from our triathlon club had the same idea, as we saw many familiar faces while on our ride.

Silverado Trail is a great place to ride as it has a wide shoulder, the pavement is good for most of the ride and it is a relatively pleasant out and back. It's also a favorite for those training for Ironman events, as if you do it twice you have essentially done the IM distance. (Case in point, I saw my dear friend Elisa out there with another GGTCer doing a double out and back. They are doing IM Brazil next month.)

It was such a beautiful day for a ride -- drastically different than the last time I was out there and almost froze to death.

We had a great ride. Jake and Chris got to catch up and I had a solid ride in my zones.

Following our ride we headed to the barrel tasting event. My wine tasting ended up being more of a cheese tasting, which was fabulous, as I love cheese! It was a perfect day.

I'm 28, I swear

One of my boyfriend's friends said earlier in the year that she thought I was 27. Accordingly, I am declaring today my 28th birthday rather than the number it actually is. Ah, I knew this day would come.

I have felt spoiled all week. Thank you all.

The week started with a fabulous dinner with my San Francisco 'family' at Spruce -- a restaurant I have been dying to try. The week continued with wonderful treats, a perfect evening at Girabaldi's, some torture at the JCC on a workout ball (my abs and quads STILL hurt) and an outpouring of affection and love from family and friends.

It has been a wonderful week. Too bad it has to come to an end. However, I don't think I can make it last any longer...

Bike Around the Buttes Recap

My former colleague and dear friend Bill sent me this re-cap of our Bike Around the Buttes ride. It's too funny not to share.

"After last year's BAB where "hometown" team member Bill Williams "whimped out" because of inclement weather disappointing a strong Bay Area contingent that had braved the difficult conditions, this was supposed to be a strong comeback year for team Ramshackle. Unfortunately, after a strong start, the youth brigade faded at the 60 mile mark with unspecified physical or mental ailments, possibly it was a lack of Brie at the rest stops. Mechanical troubles fell the Paul and Dian duet, forcing a SAG assist for Paul before the halfway mark. Left with a decimated team, Team Ramshackle's graybeard/redhead duo soldiered on facing [not so] stiff headwinds and a flat tire during the last twenty miles. Unfortunately, they too were disqualified for having cut the course short by 12 miles. Some even speculated that they wouldn't have been able to finish the full 100 mile course based upon the amount of whining from the two during the last leg as headwinds seemed to come from every direction. All in all, a tough day for cycling's most misbegotten team."