This past week, I made sock puppets with the kids. Even though I brought 20 socks, we ran out and there were a few disappointed kids. I had no idea that my project would be so popular!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Nearing the end of my busy break
Contrary to popular belief, triathlon is not a summer sport, but rather a 50 week per year sport with races starting in the spring and ending in winter. This year, I started racing in April and ended in mid-November, only now getting a two-week hiatus. Every year, I think that my two week break will be an incredibly restful and rejuvenating tri-free respite. The truth is, while I don't train over these fourteen days, my world still revolves around sport.
As a product of equal parts procrastination, corporate timing and the fact that I actually have a block of free time, this becomes a hectic time where I try to line up sponsors for the next season, plan for the next season and catch up on everything that I've ignored (with the exception of email- I'm still terrible at that!). Throw in a bit of socializing, hiking, the occasional games of ultimate frisbee and afternoons at the Boys and Girls Club and I find that I never have the free time that I had anticipated! Would I have it any other way? Probably not! While I dislike the lack of training (and the subsequent 3+ lb weight gain!), I need this two-week break from training to refresh my mind and body. More importantly, however, my busy work would probably never be done if I didn't have this period of time. That being said, I return to light training on Sunday and I couldn't be more excited. Bring on the 2009 season!
As a product of equal parts procrastination, corporate timing and the fact that I actually have a block of free time, this becomes a hectic time where I try to line up sponsors for the next season, plan for the next season and catch up on everything that I've ignored (with the exception of email- I'm still terrible at that!). Throw in a bit of socializing, hiking, the occasional games of ultimate frisbee and afternoons at the Boys and Girls Club and I find that I never have the free time that I had anticipated! Would I have it any other way? Probably not! While I dislike the lack of training (and the subsequent 3+ lb weight gain!), I need this two-week break from training to refresh my mind and body. More importantly, however, my busy work would probably never be done if I didn't have this period of time. That being said, I return to light training on Sunday and I couldn't be more excited. Bring on the 2009 season!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Ending up with a win!
This fall, my race finishes have been thus: 3rd, 4th, 4th, 2nd, 2nd and, finally, 1st. While it has been rewarding to race consistently well, I have to admit that there is a certain satisfaction in ending the season with a win the the ITU San Francisco Pan American Cup.
Leading into the race, I was a bit nervous about my fitness (I haven't had a good training block since, gulp, August!) and knew, having done this race before, that the conditions would be rough. With countless potholes on the bike course, freezing cold bay water and typically cool, drizzly weather, I knew that the race would prove to be challenging. I have to admit that I had a mental countdown of minutes until the conclusion of my season, starting one hour before the race! (Swim done? 20 min closer. Two laps left of the bike? Less than an hour to go! And so on...). After a strong swim and less than stellar bike, I pulled together my race with a solid run, putting a minute into Julie, the second place finisher. Needless to say, there was no post-race cool down! My finish also put me into 2nd place overall in the Haul to the Great Wall series behind Julie Ertel, leapfrogging me over Sarah Haskins in the rankings. While racing at Treasure Island was a last-minute decision, it was a decision that proved to be worthwhile!
Leading into the race, I was a bit nervous about my fitness (I haven't had a good training block since, gulp, August!) and knew, having done this race before, that the conditions would be rough. With countless potholes on the bike course, freezing cold bay water and typically cool, drizzly weather, I knew that the race would prove to be challenging. I have to admit that I had a mental countdown of minutes until the conclusion of my season, starting one hour before the race! (Swim done? 20 min closer. Two laps left of the bike? Less than an hour to go! And so on...). After a strong swim and less than stellar bike, I pulled together my race with a solid run, putting a minute into Julie, the second place finisher. Needless to say, there was no post-race cool down! My finish also put me into 2nd place overall in the Haul to the Great Wall series behind Julie Ertel, leapfrogging me over Sarah Haskins in the rankings. While racing at Treasure Island was a last-minute decision, it was a decision that proved to be worthwhile!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Last Race of the Year Version 2.0
When I went to Bermuda last week to participate in the Escape to Bermuda, I had planned it to be my last race of the year. I couldn't imagine a better place to wrap up the season than this beautiful island! I had a terrific time with a great homestay and was able to use the trip to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. After the race, however, I didn't have the satisfaction that I had been hoping for upon the conclusion of a long season. Leading into the race, I had such a nasty cold that I was able to only ride once and run once that week and was nervous about competing. I was able to scrape out a respectable race, finishing second after a strong swim, decent yet conservative bike and mediocre run on a hard course. Had I been healthy, however, I know that I would have been able to finish up with a race that would leave me more satisfied and confident in my run.
When I returned home on Tuesday, I decided to buy a ticket to San Francisco to compete in the Treasure Island Triathlon. While it is a bit of a last minute trip after a long season chock-full of racing, but I hope to squeek out one last strong performance. I look forward for one last chance to have a solid race! Starting on Sunday, my real 2008 break will begin!
When I returned home on Tuesday, I decided to buy a ticket to San Francisco to compete in the Treasure Island Triathlon. While it is a bit of a last minute trip after a long season chock-full of racing, but I hope to squeek out one last strong performance. I look forward for one last chance to have a solid race! Starting on Sunday, my real 2008 break will begin!
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