Making A Start

I have made it to the gym once each week these past two weeks. Yesterday the team rode Scripps Poway Parkway. I rode a double loop (almost) Lets just say I did the hard part twice. The short run afterwards hurt (I pretty much walked). Then, I ran afternoon errands, because the Team was doing the first OCEAN swim of the season at 3:00 pm. I ate, went to Hallmark, Sports Authority & Best Buy then drove to La Jolla. I did get a half hour of sun and talking with a few friends in before Coach Gurujan showed up. I love his stories! There were four dolphins in the water. The ocean looked like a lake. Get your face in it and you are reminded of the salt taste! No one panicked and it turned out to be a nice afternoon. I made it home at 7:30. I had decided to stop by In & Out for my last hamburger combo with a sprite!

Today I tried to clean house, post pics, still having issues getting registered for Vineman and soon out to an early dinner for my parents 40th anniversary. The picture included with the post is my friend Saundra. She was on our Team for Lavaman two seasons ago. You have to see you imitation of Coach Gurjuan. The other is the pic of us at the end of Scripps at the 67!

Headed to Hawaii as a Coach for Lavaman

The family is not traveling to Hawaii this year with me. We have a great team going, and I cannot tell you how happy I am to be able to be connected to such an amazing group of people. The team will ride Del Dios tomorrow then run and ride down Del Dios. This is a brick. Two sports back to back. Some teammates and I are going to visit our friend, Ginger's family, Bonnie at Kaiser in SD. Bonnie was diagnosed with Leukemia and will start chemo tomorrow. Tomorrow is the day to celebrate RECOMMITMENT. The team will have a potluck & bonfire at Coronado Beach tomorrow night. I am going to drive home after the hospital to pick up Thomas & Scott and head back to SD. Recommitment, if you remember, is the time where teammates commit to complete the season and will have raised 25% of the dollars required for their event.

I made it to the gym once this week, have found out how little training I've done since Vineman and feel the need to get back in it again. Coach Gurujan is working on his recovery and a friend, Kevin, has an article in the TCSD (Triathlon Club of SD) newsletter that is very inspirational. Also, I have recently being following a young woman named Ali on a Care Page Blog published through City of Hope. Ali passed away due to complications of her blood related cancer @ 14. Her mom posted today to say how much everyone has helped this family through the struggle. I know riding tomorrow she will get me up the hill! I need to remember to check on my friend Deb too. Her mom is going through treatment for Lymphoma at the moment.

The gym was 54 minutes bike (I was late) then some strength training- abs, arms and upper body. Okay my feet are cold and I need to get up in five hours and head south!

Leather jacket

Thomas' I Dog Christmas -

New Year & New Plans

It always amazes me to read friend's blogs and be inspired. Jay is funny, Ryan seems to touch on something to think about and other's like me need to get up to speed!

I like to think I'm organized, but I am being to see I need to do a better job. I am currently an assistant coach for TNT Lavaman team. The team is big and was split for North & Central SD. However, both teams share the same pool & track. The track commute can take 2 1/2 hours to 3 hours one way to Imperial Beach. La Jolla can be 2 hours each direction. Therefore, my assisting comes into play on Saturdays and helping via e-mail. Lucky we have amazing mentors & coaches doing what the team does best train, have fun & fundraise. Team total so far over $69

My Ironman hopes are very next season. I will base build to the event and do local events. Every event this year is sold out. I keep rewriting the schedule. Scott, my better half, is constantly trying to keep my diet in check. Thomas reminds me what I should eat. I will try to post that next time around.

For my family: Scott is in Parker. DJS is Racing the first weekend in Feb and they can only prerun today. Thomas' birthday party is today at The Wheelhouse in Hemet. Yes, we are going to try rollerskating! He has 10 friends and grandparents coming to the BIG EVENT! He picked out his clothes so he can , "Look Special" for his party. I need to work on bowling before league tonight! I will share my average is 167! (other words-I've improved 17 pins over last season. My mom will be out of the hospital today. The COPD will do this to her for the rest of her life.

The pic is from Zion Park in Utah. We went to my brother n law's for a second Christmas last week.

Remember to do today what you think you can, because who knows about tomorrow.

P.S. Paul, Thomas now says sweet! Jay, Thomas now tells me, mom don't get mad, it will be alright.

Me on Domigoni Parkway 34 mile ride on my own!

This is where I rode the last two weekends prior to San Juan Capistrano! Very hot. I did manage my own sag! Thanks Thomas & Scott. My parents actually picked me up after 32 miles 6/30, so I could get to Orange County in tme for a celebration party for our friends Ryan & Eric for winning the Baja 500. It is hard to see the swim complex, but it is there in front of the dam to the lake.

Catch Up Time

Time goes so quick. How people text, check e-mail, train, browse my space and work is crazy I tell you! So, my team is amazing, have I told you that yet this month? My friends have finished thier first IRONMAN, Desi & Victoria, Dave I think it is his 3rd, but it could be more. Check out their blogs. Ginger's is really up beat at very detailed! You can catch links among all the sites. I'm thinking maybe next year for me? Also, I have a friend who fixed me a great dinner 6/29 and she is single. She BBQ herself, make a graet pasta salad and had red wine. She is a new auntie with adorable pics of her family. It was a great night to catch up and go over life things. Big hugs (you know who you are!)

I have been trianing at Fiesta Isalnd, with CAF, spin with my team & swim with Pac Grove team. I am slacking on the run. Happy to run with my firend & teammate Elisa after the bike at Fiesta. I felt good, though it was only 20 mins.

Coach Gurujan is meeting us at his work tonight for those of us who want to go over nutrition. Just when I think I've got it together I begin to wonder? A man who has completed over 150 triathlons, I think he brings a lot to the table. The San Diego Triathlon Club, which I am a member of, lost our president this last month. He was only 46 and died of a stroke. Friday night a big group swam from the cove to 1/4 mile bouy to put a reef on it and a moment of silence. It was the prettiest thing. Not everyone knew everyone, yet here we were in a group thinking wow it could of been me (really).

Saturday my Vineman 1/2 team took the train to San Juan Capistrano and rode back to San Diego @ Solana Beach. Along in the ride my friend & teammate, Jason came up behind me. We chatted about his team that was coming back from college. (Pac Grove) I saw another friend & teammate Jen at a four way stop. The 50 mile ride was followed by a run to San Elijo Lagoon (optional). I met a brown snake with a white stripe on its back. Luckly I was looking down.

Sunday I packed Thomas & Scott in the car for L a Jolla. The team swim was cancelled, but I met another group to swim with to the 1/2 mile bouy and back. I spent the rest of the dy @ the beach with Thomas & Scott. Thomas lvoes the Boogie Board now:)

Monday Thomas' team won another game. We have one more baseball game for the season. six more bowling days and I think two more reading classes for the summer. School starts in August. Scott is working on the race jeep today and then to practice with Thomas.

Family is all good. Uncle Robbie had a stint put in last week and is home. Grandpa moved from Vista back to Fullerton by my Aunt Kim. Uncle Dean made it Sat to Thomas' game, though all they did was practice. The other team was a no show. Long story.

Happy 4th! We are headed to Mission Beach tomorrow to Jay's Party and away from the 100+ at home:)

Padre game, Thomas' Game & 32 Mile On My Own!

Friday Night Padre Game was fun. Thomas was so into the WHOLE game. I know they lost, but you see we are DODGER fans. Thomas says, "But, I like the Padres." We agreed that that was okay. We liked the Dodgers more. He then went on to say what about the Angels?

Thomas bowled Sat am and then he won his baseball game Saturday night. Hence, the reason I'd have to ride by myself Sunday am and not make an ocean swim with the Team. 32 miles on my own the marority of the time wasn't fun. I did meet a guy on half way home to ride about 5 miles with me. His name was Wayne and liked to ride on his own since he talked all week. We split at the 79. I've decided I need to ride 79 next time to get to Temecula, where the hills are. Scott says, "I'm crazy to ride that rode, but you know it is traffic wise like Del Dios. My legs didn't recover to soon, but I think it has to be from running last weekend. I will get an opinion tomorrow night at spin.

I am reminded that I have a month or so till Vineman, and I have to have a plan. I am told him. It starts Tuesday with my Team * CAF @ spin. Thomas goes through promotion tonight at 6:00 pm. Headed home shortly.

Jane & I at RNR Pasta party for TNT

This is my friend Jane O'Hara. She set her PR 3:17 on Sunday! Her connection to the cause is her son Jason. Who we are happy to report in remission! I will get his pic up next.

Thanks for checking the blog.

San Diego Marathon, I did it 6:22 :)

Yeterday started getting up at 2:15 am & on the road by 3:15 am. I found the parking lot at the Marine base in SD and rode a shuttle to the start. I was glad to notice my mentors and others on the same shuttle. There were so many people. When I got to my corral #8 by myelf, I was starting to have doubts about the race. I saw a fellow tri teammate, Troy, and so I got to talk with him at the start. (very thankful for that at that moment). Over 20,000 runners! yikes. By the 5k Robbie, Honored Teammate, tri and Coach friend, and came up behind me. I needed his hug too! We parted. I was excited my miles were normal:0!! Down the 163 Freeway, I met up with a bride & groom doign the race together. Till the half I was okay, then it hit me, you still have 13 more miles. I was looking for my TNT friends working the aid station at mile 14, but they were at 15. Kuddos from them carried me to 18, Amanda, Debbie & Brian. The sun came out and Coach Peggy was there to help me a short distance. We chatted about TNT and upcoming events. Walkers have 82 people for Nike! I made mile 20 over the bridge thankful for the breeze. Miles 21 to 22 had great bands and you had time to watch a lot of people run by or still crossing the bridge. Mile 24 to 25 was really bad for me. I had to keep moving. I was happy to see Tri Teammate & friend, Jason, to get a hug and then Coach Carrie from Lavaman!, then my favorite part Tri Teammate,Coach & Friend, Marnie to finish with me to the gate of the marine base. Coach Bill was there too! I finished with a short burst of energy and people screaming Tina way to go! It helps to put your name on the FRONT of your jersey. The main people screaming was my mentee and friend from Lavaman Will and his wife, Amy! Another friend Mary, would meet up with me at the TNT Tent to eat peanut butter & jelly sandwiches. (The best) My friend Jane set her PR 3:17! Jane, Mary, Marine & I are headed to lake Tahoe next year to do a cnetury ride with the team!

I am very thankful for being able to do the race! The support was tremendous. I am recuperating so-so. The drive between work and home is hard. Now it is time for Vineman strenghth. By the way, TNT raised over $12.5 million dollars! Way to go! Thank You.

I passed Scott on the freeway on the way home from the race. I had thoughts to make him stop and drive my car, but I was half way home! When he got home, we finished the night at my in laws for dinner with my parents, nieces and sister-n-law. It was a short dinner, because it was back to work and school today!