We were emailed the following information:
We hope you are gearing up for the “School Yard Ride” this Saturday November 22nd at 7:30 am. Bring your bike, running shoes, goggles, $10 cash and your wits too…
Plan on a 25 mile ride including some hills. This is very much a ride, and not necessarily an easy one, but you must bring running shoes and goggles because there just might be a surprise or 2 or 3. Plan on having a very “fun” workout. Coffee and snacks will be provided post ride.
We arrived at the schoolyard at 7:30am. There are going to be three teams of eight and I was one of the team leaders, Haroon and Benny were the other two.
As team leaders we were given 60 seconds to shoot as many baskets as possible. The one with the most baskets got to choose first. “I don't shoot hoops!”, oh, but I am a team captain. Out of the 3, not me, shot one basket, so he got to picked first. We are not basketball players!
The rules were that we had to do the race as a team. All eight team members had to be there to get the clue as to where we were supposed to go next. Didn't I mention, there were also clues and activities we had to do in addition to the racing.
So with the teams all picked we had to take a test to determine which group would head out first. It was a multiple choice quiz of about 10 to 15 questions. I am glad I picked the right team members so they could answer all the questions! My team won that round and got a 2 minute head start!
The clue was a picture of a smoothie place, off we went! We were to buy 1 smoothie, drink it down and hand the cup back to the girl to get our next clue.
We were off again! To the top of Lake Ave. We found bubble gum and chalk. We had to chew up some stringy bubble gum, blow a bubble and then write our name in chalk on the pavement. Our next clue!
The front of the Rose Bowl. We get to the Rose Bowl and we are told we have to change a tire. Doesn't sound like much but you have to deflate the tire first and then change it.
Our next clue is the library in South Pasadena. Luckily someone recognized the picture. We had to ride around the block then eat a lemon Meringue Pie. Go to the coffee shop and each drink a shot of espresso.
Next clue is to take the blue line to take the Sierra Madre exit. We pile onto the train with our bikes. At the exit we had to take our bikes to the top on the parking structure. One bike has to get down without being walked or ridden. Waiting for us at the top: a kiddie bike, a scooter, and skate board. So one volunteer carries his bike down with all of us guarding the bike so it doesn't fall.
Nest stop is to Ralph's to buy 12 bagels and cream cheese. We didn't have to eat them. But how to carry them. One bright idea was to make it like a back pack and put his arms through the holes. We are running neck and neck with team Benny.
Next clue, a place called Hyper Coffee. There we found our running shoes lined up waiting for us. So we hopped off the bike, threw our sneakers on and ran a mile.
Still running neck and neck we are wanting to win. We had to come through the finish line holding hands.
Team Lynda came through the ribbon first!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Clearwater 70.3 World Championship Race
There were many aspects of this race that were way cool.
The expo was next to transition and there was almost anything you wanted to buy or forgot and needed to replace – short of your bike! The on site bike support was well manned.
My bike was racked next to the pros and my bike spot was at the very end of the rack– what did that mean? Easy to find – easy out.
The weather was perfect!
My wave went off after the pros. So, I was in the water at 6:55.
It was a relatively calm ocean swim.
I came of the water and looked at my watch, looked at it again and looked at it again - did I just beat my swim of last year by 10 minutes??? That’s right!
Got a long way to go in getting into a good time range, however... things are looking UP for me in then swim department!
Out of the water, nice run up the beach to transition – through the spray, wetsuit yanked off and into the tent. Took Barry’s suggestion and lost the gloves (saved time) – I ran with my shoes in hand to the bike – another time saver (not ready for shoes already on bike yet)
Would have had a better swim to bike transition if I had not had to stop pay a visit to the port-O-p--y on the run to the bike.
Then bike leg was perfect. Perfect weather – not too hot – not too cold, perfect smooth roads and absolutely NO wind!!!!! And did I mention – it is a flat course.
Kept my watts in range and had a good ride with my best time ever on the bike!
Race was going well for me up to this point!!
Then came the run.
By mile one, I had walked one aid station. By mile 2, I was amazed at how long this run already seemed. By mile 4 nothing was improving and I just had to stop thinking about how I could be anymore miserable.
Mile 5 it got real hot – maybe if I passed out for a bit – I would get a rest, but that did not happen.
Somewhere on the bridge (that was the big hill of the race) I had a bout of walking – and really... that did not feel any better than the running – I was in the ultimate dammed if I do – dammed if I don’t – but I guess I was more dammed if I didn’t -- so started to run again.
Made it back to the turnaround and started out for the second loop. I was feeling somewhat better – probably because I only had one more loop of utter misery!
At about mile 8, I thought – CAFFINE... maybe some coke -- that was really appealing. Half cup of coke – and by mile 9 I was starting to come into the race!
Last 4 miles... much better than the previous 9 – but, not on fire, that was for sure.
Finally got close to the finish line... music blasting, you know what it is like coming into the finish line... it is like going to heaven!!! And ... depending on how much you have suffered – the streets can be line with GOLD!!!
I looked at my watch about 200 yards before the finish line and I was headed for a personal record on any 70.3 race I had done!
I could not believe it!!!!
The streets were lined with GOLD!!! A perfect end to the season!
Life is GOOOOOD!
More here
The expo was next to transition and there was almost anything you wanted to buy or forgot and needed to replace – short of your bike! The on site bike support was well manned.
My bike was racked next to the pros and my bike spot was at the very end of the rack– what did that mean? Easy to find – easy out.
The weather was perfect!
My wave went off after the pros. So, I was in the water at 6:55.
It was a relatively calm ocean swim.
I came of the water and looked at my watch, looked at it again and looked at it again - did I just beat my swim of last year by 10 minutes??? That’s right!
Got a long way to go in getting into a good time range, however... things are looking UP for me in then swim department!
Out of the water, nice run up the beach to transition – through the spray, wetsuit yanked off and into the tent. Took Barry’s suggestion and lost the gloves (saved time) – I ran with my shoes in hand to the bike – another time saver (not ready for shoes already on bike yet)
Would have had a better swim to bike transition if I had not had to stop pay a visit to the port-O-p--y on the run to the bike.
Then bike leg was perfect. Perfect weather – not too hot – not too cold, perfect smooth roads and absolutely NO wind!!!!! And did I mention – it is a flat course.
Kept my watts in range and had a good ride with my best time ever on the bike!
Race was going well for me up to this point!!
Then came the run.
By mile one, I had walked one aid station. By mile 2, I was amazed at how long this run already seemed. By mile 4 nothing was improving and I just had to stop thinking about how I could be anymore miserable.
Mile 5 it got real hot – maybe if I passed out for a bit – I would get a rest, but that did not happen.
Somewhere on the bridge (that was the big hill of the race) I had a bout of walking – and really... that did not feel any better than the running – I was in the ultimate dammed if I do – dammed if I don’t – but I guess I was more dammed if I didn’t -- so started to run again.
Made it back to the turnaround and started out for the second loop. I was feeling somewhat better – probably because I only had one more loop of utter misery!
At about mile 8, I thought – CAFFINE... maybe some coke -- that was really appealing. Half cup of coke – and by mile 9 I was starting to come into the race!
Last 4 miles... much better than the previous 9 – but, not on fire, that was for sure.
Finally got close to the finish line... music blasting, you know what it is like coming into the finish line... it is like going to heaven!!! And ... depending on how much you have suffered – the streets can be line with GOLD!!!
I looked at my watch about 200 yards before the finish line and I was headed for a personal record on any 70.3 race I had done!
I could not believe it!!!!
The streets were lined with GOLD!!! A perfect end to the season!
Life is GOOOOOD!
More here
Friday, October 31, 2008
Happy Halloween
Everyone have a fun and safe Halloween.
Get a lot of exercise chasing after those kids outside!
Get a lot of exercise chasing after those kids outside!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Preparing
I am preparing for two back to back races in December so taking a break from actual races to just train.
I will be running the Pasadena Half Marathon on Dec 13th and the Hemet Tinsil Sprint Tri on Dec 14th.
Saturday of this last weekend I did a 112 mile ride 6.33 hours total time and then a 40 minute run --- was a look into Ironman Training - it went so well - I have decided that 2010 may be my year for an Ironman!!!!
Then I had to do a little 54 mile ride on Monday to help to get the legs a bit less sore from Sat
I will be running the Pasadena Half Marathon on Dec 13th and the Hemet Tinsil Sprint Tri on Dec 14th.
Saturday of this last weekend I did a 112 mile ride 6.33 hours total time and then a 40 minute run --- was a look into Ironman Training - it went so well - I have decided that 2010 may be my year for an Ironman!!!!
Then I had to do a little 54 mile ride on Monday to help to get the legs a bit less sore from Sat
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Angeles Crest Century Ride Recap
I want to start off by saying that we are triathletes and a 100 mile ride is not a daunting task for any one of us -- maybe the 10,000 feet of climbing would be a *bit* uncomfortable at times, but we are endurance athletes and you just suck it up and get the job done..... so you wonder why we all DNFed at 62 miles?.....
And so the story begins.
The beginning of the ride was so foggy that you had very little visibility. Then as the ride went on it cleared up and life was good!!!
I do not know where it began to go off the rails weather wise -- estimate was around the mid 30's mile mark and definitely somewhere past Newcomb's Ranch.
As we climbed to the end - there was more fog, more wind - colder temperatures - but hey -- we figured (or hoped) it had time to * burn off * before we came back down the hill.
About 3 miles from the top, Bill, Johnna and I saw Barry come down and inform us that it was REALLY cold at the end...... being as how it was already chilly - a comment like this was on a need to know basis, and I for one did not need to know that I will be even colder than I already was.
Got to the tunnel - could NOT see in the tunnel - no light at the end -- and I mean NO light at the end. That woke everyone up and made for some good conversation.
Got to the last aid station at the end of the road -- boy was it cold! But..... we were on a "need to think about things" and we did not need to think about how we were on the bleeding edge of hypothermia!!
As we made our way down the mountain with the ever increasing drop in temperature, the winds getting stronger and do not let me forget to also mention the frickn RAIN..... our sights on getting down the mountain got refocused into just getting to Newcomb's for thaw out and re-evaluation.
About 50 minutes after we left the top - soaking wet, freezing cold with uncontrollable shakes - we got to Newcomb's and were greeted by our other PCTers who had arrived and thawed!
Johnna and I were both made to take off our soaking wet clothes by Sue and Amy - good thing because our thinking processes were about at a single digit IQ by that point.
I was given Benny's fleece and Johnna was wrapped in a heavy sweatshirt that was borrowed from one of the employees up there.
Bruce, Barry, Sue, Amy, Benny, Udy and others were already there - had the fire place with the blazing fire staked out and coffee was a waiting......!
That's right .....Life was *again* good!
We were all sagged down the hill. That's right - we all bailed. Got the hardest part of the ride done - so really we only missed the arctic, soggy conditions on the down hill and a short 6 mile ride up to Mt Wilson..... what a day!!
For me - this was a learning experience of being prepared for weather!
Looking forward to next year - better weather and a great ride!!!
Lynda
And so the story begins.
The beginning of the ride was so foggy that you had very little visibility. Then as the ride went on it cleared up and life was good!!!
I do not know where it began to go off the rails weather wise -- estimate was around the mid 30's mile mark and definitely somewhere past Newcomb's Ranch.
As we climbed to the end - there was more fog, more wind - colder temperatures - but hey -- we figured (or hoped) it had time to * burn off * before we came back down the hill.
About 3 miles from the top, Bill, Johnna and I saw Barry come down and inform us that it was REALLY cold at the end...... being as how it was already chilly - a comment like this was on a need to know basis, and I for one did not need to know that I will be even colder than I already was.
Got to the tunnel - could NOT see in the tunnel - no light at the end -- and I mean NO light at the end. That woke everyone up and made for some good conversation.
Got to the last aid station at the end of the road -- boy was it cold! But..... we were on a "need to think about things" and we did not need to think about how we were on the bleeding edge of hypothermia!!
As we made our way down the mountain with the ever increasing drop in temperature, the winds getting stronger and do not let me forget to also mention the frickn RAIN..... our sights on getting down the mountain got refocused into just getting to Newcomb's for thaw out and re-evaluation.
About 50 minutes after we left the top - soaking wet, freezing cold with uncontrollable shakes - we got to Newcomb's and were greeted by our other PCTers who had arrived and thawed!
Johnna and I were both made to take off our soaking wet clothes by Sue and Amy - good thing because our thinking processes were about at a single digit IQ by that point.
I was given Benny's fleece and Johnna was wrapped in a heavy sweatshirt that was borrowed from one of the employees up there.
Bruce, Barry, Sue, Amy, Benny, Udy and others were already there - had the fire place with the blazing fire staked out and coffee was a waiting......!
That's right .....Life was *again* good!
We were all sagged down the hill. That's right - we all bailed. Got the hardest part of the ride done - so really we only missed the arctic, soggy conditions on the down hill and a short 6 mile ride up to Mt Wilson..... what a day!!
For me - this was a learning experience of being prepared for weather!
Looking forward to next year - better weather and a great ride!!!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Race Report Hearthbreak Ridge Half Marathon 9-13 and Malibu `Sprint Triathlon 9-14
Sue Owen, David Piper and myself did these races this weekend.
Saturday 9-13
Heartbreak Ridge - Half Marathon through the rolling hills of Camp Pendleton. (I definitely had a different definition of "rolling hills")
Perfect Weather - overcast the entire race.
Really - what I have to say about this race (and probably speak for Lisa Squires, David, Sue and myself)
That HURT!
Next year - scratch off this race!!
Sunday 9-14
Nautica Sprint Triathlon
On the road at 4:40am to Malibu with Sue Owen and Dorothee -- at least Sue and I could walk by Sunday morning. (Piper was being sagged so we had no idea of his condition)
I thought - whose stupid idea was this to do back to back races - Oh ...mine? Mental note to self - get a clue!
Got to transition after wading though traffic and picking up race packets - barely in enough time to get on wet suits and out for the athlete briefing before transition closed. (Next year - probably need to leave a bit earlier)
The swim was great! Nice cool water to handle the last of the inflation from the half marathon the day before. The bike was a scenic ride up Pacific Coast Highway and back. Lots of nice rolling hills with a bunch of people who were not used to hills and slowed way down (great for me!)
The run was FLAT and on pavement along the beach. The weather was overcast.
Life was good!!!
The little bit of bad attitude anyone had going into the day was gone by the end of the race - and Sue, David and I all had a great time! What a wonderful challenging training weekend.
Next year....................... I will be more prepared for the tough run @ Camp Pendleton and up earlier to really enjoy the pre-race at Malibu. Oh................. did I have a note to self about "getting a clue" - clearly I was not in a rational state of mind!!!
And..... Dorothee, Sue and I all smoked JLo!!!! How much younger is she than the
rest of us...?
Camp Pendleton Heartbreak Ridge Half Marathon
Time 2:18:00
First in Age Group
http://www.y-events.com/08cphalfciv.htm
Nautica Malibu Sprint
Sprint Time 2:11:01
Third in Age Group
http://www.nauticamalibutri.com/results.htm
Saturday 9-13
Heartbreak Ridge - Half Marathon through the rolling hills of Camp Pendleton. (I definitely had a different definition of "rolling hills")
Perfect Weather - overcast the entire race.
Really - what I have to say about this race (and probably speak for Lisa Squires, David, Sue and myself)
That HURT!
Next year - scratch off this race!!
Sunday 9-14
Nautica Sprint Triathlon
On the road at 4:40am to Malibu with Sue Owen and Dorothee -- at least Sue and I could walk by Sunday morning. (Piper was being sagged so we had no idea of his condition)
I thought - whose stupid idea was this to do back to back races - Oh ...mine? Mental note to self - get a clue!
Got to transition after wading though traffic and picking up race packets - barely in enough time to get on wet suits and out for the athlete briefing before transition closed. (Next year - probably need to leave a bit earlier)
The swim was great! Nice cool water to handle the last of the inflation from the half marathon the day before. The bike was a scenic ride up Pacific Coast Highway and back. Lots of nice rolling hills with a bunch of people who were not used to hills and slowed way down (great for me!)
The run was FLAT and on pavement along the beach. The weather was overcast.
Life was good!!!
The little bit of bad attitude anyone had going into the day was gone by the end of the race - and Sue, David and I all had a great time! What a wonderful challenging training weekend.
Next year....................... I will be more prepared for the tough run @ Camp Pendleton and up earlier to really enjoy the pre-race at Malibu. Oh................. did I have a note to self about "getting a clue" - clearly I was not in a rational state of mind!!!
And..... Dorothee, Sue and I all smoked JLo!!!! How much younger is she than the
rest of us...?
Camp Pendleton Heartbreak Ridge Half Marathon
Time 2:18:00
First in Age Group
http://www.y-events.com/08cphalfciv.htm
Nautica Malibu Sprint
Sprint Time 2:11:01
Third in Age Group
http://www.nauticamalibutri.com/results.htm
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Newfoundland Race Report
6:54:47 Total
Swim 54:19
T1 2:43
Bike 3:17:45
T2 3:17
Run 2:33:52
I AM GOING TO THE CLEARWATER WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!
but, I digress...............................
Newfoundland Race Report – July 27 – Lynda
Before I start the report – I want to say that this is probably the friendliest place I have ever been to.
When we went to get our race packs – the 3 ladies working the table all remembered us from last year – 2 guys in the local bike shop remembered us. Where do you ever go that they remember you from the year before?
Also, the race was about 300+ people. It lacked the normal hysteria of the big crowds.
The environment is beautiful. The lake is clear and about 66 degrees. The Trans Canadian Highway is a beautiful route and the payment is smooth. It is a great place for a race.
The Race.
Lake was like glass. I actually swam beside others the entire way – very unusual for me as I am usually dead last or close to it. I was out of the water in 54 minutes and out on the bike at exactly 60 minutes.
I thought – this is great – I am headed for a good day.
About 10 minutes into the bike when I started drinking my feed bottle – I started to get bloated and knew that my nutrition may be questionable – although it worked fine last year…………..ummmm
First aid station on the bike – half of the feed bottle is being chucked and replaced with water – the watered down feed bottle and GUs seemedn to work and within about 1 ½ hour my system was somewhat back on track.
So, there was the nutrition malfunction and then the head winds – UGH! These lasted for the first half of the first loop – coming back was mostly down hill with tailwinds – that was nice!!
Second loop – not as windy – and there was a tail wind that was almost the entire way back to transistion. Also – about the last 10 miles or so are mostly down hill – the legs are rested, kind of – when you get off the bike.
Not too long in transistion – then it is out and up a hill, a small hill, but still! Once on the road – it leveled out. The sun was shinning bright but there was a good wind for the first 3 painful miles – this is the part of the race that I really have to keep my attention on the goal, FINISHING, and off how completely and utterly miserable I am!! It was not until mile 5 when I started to feel a bit better. I was having issues with the heat and was walking the aid stations to drink, get sponges and gels and that seemed to work. All in all – it was a bit of a rough race for me. The bike was an effort, I did not feel as strong as I would have liked to. The run was a complete effort.
In the end – I was 2nd in my age group and I am QUALIFED FOR CLEARWATER!!!!!
Sweet.
At the end of the day……..you do feel like you have accomplished something of note!!!
You forget how you have suffered when you come across that line with people cheering and that medal goes around your neck -- you enjoy being able to SIT DOWN and it is not too long before you are looking at doing it again!
Swim 54:19
T1 2:43
Bike 3:17:45
T2 3:17
Run 2:33:52
I AM GOING TO THE CLEARWATER WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!
but, I digress...............................
Newfoundland Race Report – July 27 – Lynda
Before I start the report – I want to say that this is probably the friendliest place I have ever been to.
When we went to get our race packs – the 3 ladies working the table all remembered us from last year – 2 guys in the local bike shop remembered us. Where do you ever go that they remember you from the year before?
Also, the race was about 300+ people. It lacked the normal hysteria of the big crowds.
The environment is beautiful. The lake is clear and about 66 degrees. The Trans Canadian Highway is a beautiful route and the payment is smooth. It is a great place for a race.
The Race.
Lake was like glass. I actually swam beside others the entire way – very unusual for me as I am usually dead last or close to it. I was out of the water in 54 minutes and out on the bike at exactly 60 minutes.
I thought – this is great – I am headed for a good day.
About 10 minutes into the bike when I started drinking my feed bottle – I started to get bloated and knew that my nutrition may be questionable – although it worked fine last year…………..ummmm
First aid station on the bike – half of the feed bottle is being chucked and replaced with water – the watered down feed bottle and GUs seemedn to work and within about 1 ½ hour my system was somewhat back on track.
So, there was the nutrition malfunction and then the head winds – UGH! These lasted for the first half of the first loop – coming back was mostly down hill with tailwinds – that was nice!!
Second loop – not as windy – and there was a tail wind that was almost the entire way back to transistion. Also – about the last 10 miles or so are mostly down hill – the legs are rested, kind of – when you get off the bike.
Not too long in transistion – then it is out and up a hill, a small hill, but still! Once on the road – it leveled out. The sun was shinning bright but there was a good wind for the first 3 painful miles – this is the part of the race that I really have to keep my attention on the goal, FINISHING, and off how completely and utterly miserable I am!! It was not until mile 5 when I started to feel a bit better. I was having issues with the heat and was walking the aid stations to drink, get sponges and gels and that seemed to work. All in all – it was a bit of a rough race for me. The bike was an effort, I did not feel as strong as I would have liked to. The run was a complete effort.
In the end – I was 2nd in my age group and I am QUALIFED FOR CLEARWATER!!!!!
Sweet.
At the end of the day……..you do feel like you have accomplished something of note!!!
You forget how you have suffered when you come across that line with people cheering and that medal goes around your neck -- you enjoy being able to SIT DOWN and it is not too long before you are looking at doing it again!
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