Wedding Preview

I know you are all awaiting this blog......but folks I'm on my honeymoon. You are going to have to wait a bit longer.

The Joy of Bok Choy

The nice fiance I am ......I have been trying to do most of the grocery shopping, meal planning, and preparation. Tim works more hours than me. I would rather the division of labor be as follows: Me .....unimportant details. Tim.....bread baking and bike maintenance. Due to Tim's residency he is in a hostage situation and is suffering from "Death by Vegetables"



I make vegetables for dinner and then pack the leftovers for lunches. Otherwise known as "overdosing me on vegetables"

I say....."You'll harden up mate"

I cook most of the veggies with a side of chicken or fish for protein. We also eat a lot of cottage cheese and plain yogurt for protein. Concerned though that I didn't have good enough sources of iron I added bok choy. Maybe I went a little overboard trying to get my RDI of Fe (remember science class) from Bok Choy.

Anyway. Friday night I ignored all the rules of race prep. Early dinner. High carb. Low fiber. Easily digestible. Blah, blah, blah. If I managed an Ironman I must have an iron gut. At 8:15 p.m I served up a dinner of beets, bok choy, corn, red peppers, onion, and a little bit of chicken.
At o530 Saturday morning I was a little sorry. Tim had a bit of a green look on his face too as we headed to the TCSD club race. My stomach felt more full then it did last night and I would be racing in an hour. Ugg....Sprinting. Most people like sprints because they are shot. Too me they are more stress full then longer courses as there is no easing into to things. It's full on insanity from start to finish. Sprints usually hurt but today was going to be good. Once in the water my tender tummy was ok. On the bike it was alright....but on the run I think I had the worse side ache ever. Oww Yoww Yoww and this is from a tough tummy girl. I could only think if I feel this way Tim's really hurting. Good thing we aren't married yet.....he might not be as forgiving when his wife sabotages his tummy (and Saturday morning race).

Despite the side ache I actually had a very good race. It reminded me of the side aches I got in grade school on a daily basis. We always ate lunch and then had 30 minutes to run and play. We played a lot of girls vs boys and there was no pacing myself in this arena. Saturday seemed quite the same.

This is my race report for Saturday.

We arrived at Coronado and staked out transition. Tim added air to our tires as I absent mindedly chatted with many of my girlfriend I hadn't seen in a while. There was a bit of a course talk but as usual I paid no attention as I was chatting with the girls. Soon somebody was yelling for everyone to head toward the water and poor Tim wasn't in his wet suit yet. (Probably my fault as he was airing my tires......) I zipped him in and we waded into the water. The gun blew...actually somebody shouted 15 seconds... and Stacy and I began to ask if it was one wave or two. Somebody shouted "Go" and we figured it was one wave as males and females were starting to swim. Guess this means one wave. Hmmm.....maybe somebody should listen at the course talks;) That will never change. I go hard at club races but I'm there to have fun too. Anyway we start to swim and I am happy that despite my belly full of bok choy I feel fast......fast is a relative term. I do my swim training in the pool so when race day comes and I am suited up in my wetsuit and floated my the salty ocean water....I am a rock star. "Wow"...I think I'm am swimming like a champ. There are people to my right, people to my left and in front of me is Stacy's yellow cap and Blue 70 suit. Yee Haw...I want to stay near Stacy. She is fast and she swims straight as an arrow. I breathe to my right as somebody slides into me from the left. Soon I am on top of somebody with a white swim cap. "Oops" I have swum over top of this person. I swim a bit to get my rhythm back before realizing that I have swum crooked in my 500 meter swim. Stacy's cap is long gone now. Darn.

Bike:

I run to my bike and head out on the course. The joy of being a slow swimmer is passing lots of people on the bike. The strand is flat and windy. I spin myself up to speed and remind myself I only have 12 miles to do my work (Not 112). I pass some people right off the bat and catch Hank from High Tec. Hank has been riding competitively roadie style forever and I know he is every bit smart as I am aero. I pull ahead. I know he is playing with me a bit. I know this may be stupid of me but it is a sprint and I don't have time to be tactical. Plus, I want to catch Stacy, so we together can stomp boys. Hank and I go back and forth and another man I don't know but am now referring to as Hank's hemorrhoid had attached has attached himself to Hank's wheel. I play legal and he is not 1/2 an inch back little lone two bike lengths. It fatigues me to think of the 30% break he is getting. I grit my teeth and pass them again. I am done with these boys. I see Stacy and pedal towards her. I feel like a fisherman pulling in a fish......I am pulling 5 guys on my back wheel.....Tim's says they were cleaning my air and reducing my drag. I catch Stacy and we ride side by side for a little bit. This is hysterical. I was hoping to do this long enough for the TCSD crew to get a picture. 2 small females, one on a powder blue bike and one on a pink bike, pull a pack of guys in a non draft legal triathlon. Hilarious. They have no shame either. Stacy and I started talking and they were like "if you can talk you can go faster".....I wanted to say if you can draft you can pull but I didn't. I would be too tempted to wheel suck myself. The other funny thing about this ride was the view I got. I was closing in the gap on this man with black and gray shorts.......The thing you've got to remember about being a triathlete is not how you look when you leave your house. It's how you will look wet. Not only could I see the crack in this man's behind. I could see the hair on his butt. Eww. I think it hit 27 mph into a head wind (uphill...with out shoes in the winter) as I passed him. Crack may not kill but it might spin you into the red zone.

Run:

Stacy and I started the run together. I have no idea how fast we were going or if I started to fast. I was not asthmatic but I was feeling very short of breath and my gut felt like it was ischemic (if one really knows what ischemia feels like). I am guessing my heart rate was very very high. (Not like 130 on my Ironman run) I am rejecting all external influences right now such as the Garmin for pacing and my heart rate monitor. I really only want to be encouraged by training. I think if I feel good on a run I should enjoy the feeling vs. fretting because I ran 9:00 minute miles and that was all I thought I had....Then the cascade of non productive self absorbed thoughts go on... and on....until nobody wants to read my blog anymore because this is supposed to be about Jenny from the Block dropping Boys. Anyway I'm off track. ....back to the race course. So I am running and I wonder if Gino the PT, who fixed me up is here. I'm hoping he isn't. I don't think I am demonstrating the good running form I showed him at my last visit Thursday. Ohh dear. I think I'm heal striking. My side aches as all get out but my foot. It feels great. My foot is Fabulous. Tim passes Stacy and I and says there are three girls in front of us. Stacy picks it up and tries to track down and 3rd place finish. We get gift certificates for placing in the top three. I want to push Stacy that's what good friends and training partners do. I can't though. I am gassed. I wonder how I will get through IMAZ and I'm not sure. I get to the turn and swoosh.....all the guys I pulled on the bike go cruising passed me. Ok....this is a bit of a pill to swallow. I know I am all the better served for not hanging on somebody's wheel. I don't race in draft legal tri's and I need to do my own work at threshold. Swoosh again .....skinny JT passed me. Now I have no idea how this happens but always....always JT ,who swam in college, owns a bike shop, and has skinny runners legs, is always passing me near the end. He should never pass me. He should always be way ahead of me. There is always something...today it seems he forgot his bike shoes and just did the run pacing his girlfriend Lynn. As they pass me, JT mutters through his pencil thin mustache, that I am sandbagging and can go faster. I am going as fast as I can. I work my way into the finish and see Tim. All I can think of is how bad his side must be aching. Tim has a sensitive side. Ask Cindy for her imitation of Tim running at CDA.

The after math:

The TCSD breakfast is in full swing. Everybody is celebrating. Tim and I are a little subdue as we are in vegetable distress. I am actually quiet. (Can you believe it?) I'm a little down because I am sure with all those people passing me on the run I have ran a really slow run. I feel like the kid that didn't study for a test properly and then wonders why he doesn't get an A. I tell myself to be real. I am thankful to be running again and this is a good speed workout. Things will come around and I have had more success then I ever could have expected for one season. I don't know if I thought I was Wonder Women or Super Women when I thought doing two full Ironman's in one season was a good idea. I take a step back and think about the big picture of things and yes I am going to do IMAZ. Even though I might not be as fast as CDA .....that alone is not a good enough reason to quit. In fact it's a really, really poor one.

Tim and I don't stay long at the club race. We head home to clean our gear. Then we head up to Carlsbad via our bikes to see Tim's mom and grandmother. Tim's grandmother is in a care facility. Even though I work with the sickest of the sick I am always struck with the same thought. It's hard getting old. I think tight calves are a serious problem .....try contractures in your extremities, not being able to swallow, wounds that won't heal...just from lying in bed. To think I blog about my blisters (and I still have readers).

I ride my road bike to Carlsbad. Tim recently adjusted the seat position as it felt long for me. This is the first I have ridden it since the change. I descend Via Capri as fast as Tim (well there was a car going slow in front of him but still) I like this bike. It's like a good old dog. It doesn't care how fast I go or expect me to get in aero and hammer. It feels good not to ride in aero for a change. I guess I forgot that maybe the muscles used to ride in aero just might have become tired over several thousand miles. The more we ride the peppier I get. No slugging along. We get to Carlsbad and meet Cindy for lunch. A man starts commenting on my bike. Asking me about the where I got the various accessories. The pink tape from Tim. The blue striped tires a Christmas present from Cindy. The pink and blue seat a Christmas gift from Tim. I sum it up by saying there is a lot of love in this bike. Tim tells me there is one thing wrong with my bike. It says my name on the side and that will soon change. I really enjoy riding with Tim today. We used to ride all the time .....when he was on research. Despite mourning the loss of my daily riding partner, I am proud of Tim. Although the transition into this year was rough. He really has done a good job getting behind his choice and putting his best foot forward in his residency.

So.....when I got my test back in class on Monday. I was pleasantly surprised. Although the only split that registered for me was the run....the time was 22:42 (and believe me I didn't take the most direct route). This may not impress most people but I was mentally prepared to see 27-28 minutes so this was exciting.

Weekend in the City

September 4-6

Last weekend Tim and I headed north for a visit with Tim's parents (and of course Riley dog).

I actually flew up Thursday morning and BARTed into the city for my final wedding dress fittings. People talk about how planning a wedding is a learning process .....I agree 100%. I am now accomplished at using public transportation. I know how to get myself from SFO to Union Square....the Embarcadero ....you name it.

Thursday afternoon Cindy picked me up from the train station. We went to masters at their sports club that evening. it was so fun. The water was so nice ecspecially since it was a 100 degrees out. (No joke). At the end of practice we divided up into relay teams and faced off. Me on a team vs. my soon to be in laws. I dualed Cindy......she handed it too me. I was huffing and puffing and she was like "yawn...is that all you have for me" Just kidding... she was gracious.

Friday....everybody was working except me. I took Riley for a run. He didn't pace himself very well. At first he was running me for dear life. That was until Bruce intervened. He returned from his bike ride to see Riley's ears flopping and my pony tail flying. Riley was zig zagging a 6 minute mile. Bruce then showed me how to use the gentle leader...and my leader was much gentler. Towards the end of the run I had to tug Riley home. Typical male.....goes out fast and crashes. I asked Riley what was up with this. He said if he's ever going to catch a squirrel he needs to maintain his fast twitch II fibers. After that I walked two miles to the community pool and went to open swim. Then I walked back to Casa Neuschwander and took a nap. It was Riley's idea.

Friday night Tim arrived. We picked him up and prepared for Tim's big day in the city. Tim and Bruce were going to pick out the ties for the guys to wear. On Saturday morning. I would have the final fitting of my dress and then Cindy and I would give our thumbs up or down on the ties. We are a tough crowd.

Saturday started off with a good laugh. Cindy and I left for the train station sans Tim and Bruce. They weren't ready yet and we told them we couldn't be late. After Cindy and I boarded the train we sat parked for a while. Just before the train left the station two familiar faces boarded the train. Guess we could have carpooled after all. We arrived in the city and were walking towards Amy Kushel when we passes the Sephora store. There about a 1000 people lining the street hoping to be "America's Next Top Model" Most of them would have been better served somewhere else. I started laughing as it reminded me of dinner the night before. Tim had donned my oversize sunglasses ( Polarized from Road Runner Sports for $14) I told Tim in a very funny voice "Tim if you put on lipstick you'd look hot" (pronounced HAUT). Cindy and I ditched the guys and headed to Amy Kushel. We told them an alarm would go off if a man entered the building.

Despite much harassing the guys settled for cappucino at a side street cafe. This is actually a priceless Saturday morning in SF thing to do. There was actually singing of opera music in the street. It echoed and carried for blocks. When Cindy and I arrived Tim was looking casual and relaxed.

The face of the male getting ready for a wedding.

I don't know why Tim didn't get into private school!!!!

Tim and Bruce selecting ties. (Rear left) Horace in the white shirt offers advise on tie. He states the groom is really just back drop for the bride. (Not shown) Enrique. Enrique states true beyond the wedding day. Enrique is currently seeking other employment.

Back at home Tim bonds with man's best friend.

Shopping For Shoes

My foot is getting better. I can run again. In fact I can even drop boys running.....this is cause celeb. Like a Hollywood celebrity I have been going to rehab. Like a drug seeker I stalked Md's until I had a Rx for physical therapy. Low and behold things are shaping up. Anyway one of my tasks in this therapy is determining the cause of the injury and addressing it. Some people blame my running shoes as there have been many anecdotal injuries associated with the Newton's. They tend to require people to run in a certain way to be beneficial and if you don't run in that way...... trouble. However I have been pretty darn comfortable and injury free for over a year of running in them. (Well there was that IT band syndrome....but that followed sand running in racing flats....different story) In my case I think it may have been a combination of factors. To be on the safe side I decided I would entertain the idea of trying some other shoes.them. It was suggested that I go to Road Runner Sports and try normal running shoes.

Road Runner allows customers to try shoes on the treadmill. They also give customers 60 days to use the shoes at which point you are "encouraged" to exchange them for another pair. Hmmm. I can just imagine.... me with my 60 day old, dirt caked, shoes in the box stating my dissatisfaction and asking for a new pair.

I stroll into Road Runner and pick out 5 pairs of shoes to try and head to the treadmill. It seems the sales clerk doesn't really care to fetch me any of these shoes. It's sort of like pulling teeth. He seems to want me to try 5 different pairs of shoes not in my size that I haven't selected. I later realize it is because some of the shoes are stored next door in a warehouse next door and require a fork lift to fetch them. (Not really the customers problem right). I throw on the first pair of shoes while he looks for the others. I start running on the treadmill.

Boy these feel great...on a flat smooth treadmill at 7 mph. Soon I turn the treadmill up. I am at 0.5 miles and he's still not back with the other pairs. Actually he is standing and chatting with the other sales associates. I keep running. I'm a busy girl and I want to optimize my time. Plus, I like this treadmill. Finally I get off the treadmill and see to expediting the process of getting my shoes. They are at the desk but I guess he wanted to see me run a whole mile before I got them. Back on the treadmill for another half mile......boy these feel great too. I love this treadmill. I am going really fast now and sweating. I don't care as I am getting another half mile in. I might accomplish my entire run in the store. The next pair comes and I run only a 1/4 mile because the forefoot is too thin and I think I would feel every pebble. I like to run off road. I try another pair. I think they feel great too.
All of the shoes I try on feel a bit baggy side to side and in volume but not in length. However when I start running on the treadmill they feel amazing. I keep turning up the pace and running faster and faster. I just can't help myself. I keep running just a little bit further. I am sweating now but the larger that life picture of Heather Fuhr running at Torrey Pines is motivating me. I turn the pace up a bit.
I overhear the lady in a pencil skirt telling her sales associate she doesn't think she could run like that and nodding at me. I hear the words "treadmill princess" uttered by the sales associate. Duh......your wearing a pencil skirt and nylons......I'm wearing running shorts with a sports bra on under my shirt. This is Road Runner.
I love this treadmill. I wonder if they'll sell it to me. Then it hits me....the shocking truth. This treadmill is like the skinny mirror. Like the mirror's in Nordstom's or Banana Republic which along with it's generously inflated sizing makes you think you are a rock star. Then you go home and go out and when the pictures come back you are like ahhhh.......what was I thinking listening to that sales person saying I looked fabulous. This is no simulation to the curvy, winding road off the side of a mountain I run daily. What they really need is a canted treadmill with a pot hole to dodge every minute and curbs to hop. Along with friendly dogs who run under foot to sniff me in midstride and dog poo to dodge. Now that's the real world. I pictured myself with baggy heavy shoes on the Wildflower course and that narrowed down my choices. I'd break my ankle for sure.
I decided that picking out new running shoes was much more difficult than picking out a wedding dress or wedding shoes. My princess shoes as my mother stated. They actually have achieved good reviews from friends of mine. I settled for a pair. I still think I like my Newton's better but these ones felt like cushy Cadillac's. Remind me in 60 days to exchange if I'm not 100% satisfied. I'll do it on a rainy day so I can again use the treadmill.