Holy Flying Bike Batman

The New York Times ran an article yesterday about a Scotsman named Danny MacAskill who is a stunt cyclist and upon watching the YouTube video sensation all I can say is WOW!

Dec. 26

Purse stolen, ipod nano inside, camera, favorite fork bracelet, and new beautiful scarf I received as a gift. I went for a run after, saw thong guy riding his bike, everyone said "Happy Holidays" as I passed them running and felt completely renewed by the time I returned home. I'm so thankful to have my health and yes happiness, because that is what matters, friends, family, and health.

Luminaries

The weather has been beautiful with a fun ride Sunday, Happy Birthday ride for R! Couldn't ask for nicer.

Girls on the Run - Jingle Bell 5K

Kishayla was my running buddy for the Girls on the Run 5K this past Sunday. The girls were all in 3rd through 5th grade and this would be the farthest they will have run. They spent the whole semester working on a myriad of physical and mental exercises. At the start they were excited about a lot of things and it is partly this excitement that I think helped to plant that seed. They were all going through their swag and eating gels and drinking red bull. This was going to be fun. We made our way to the start and Kishayla was ready. Right after they said we could go she took off in a wild sprint weaving through people. I was barely able to keep up and knew I wouldn't be able to sustain the speed she was going for too long. I also knew she would poop out at about 100 yards. And that is exactly what happened. "I'm all out of breath." She told me. "Well you are going to have to pace yourself. There is a lot farther to go." I tell her. "How much farther?" She looks at me with big brown eyes. "Basically, the same amount as twelve times around a track." I could tell she still wasn't getting it, but I knew we could make it fun. We continued the sprint-walk and discussing how much farther, and she would look back to see where her friends were and we'd skip, but what mattered the most was that she was having fun and enjoying a new experience. I'm pretty sure she was. Kishayla finished and with a huge grin and then made a bee line for the cupcake table.

32

Not that easy to drag yourself into the cold to start, but these days always turn into my favorite runs. So crisp and clear, and quiet, why do I not remember that when I'm under my warm blankets? I still managed to creep out from under for a lovely run this morning. I must look like a crazy person running with such a big grin on my face.

One of my good friends sent me a link to these amazing pictures of the open water swim portion of the ironman by Herzog, a must see, simply breath-taking.

werner herzog (2007)

Been Dreaming about WT

Thanksgiving weekend, Balmorhea

4th place female dirty du half

Rest Stop

Natural art

The colors of the mariposas in my stomach

Art!!!

EAST side studio biking oh yeah

Been working on

my carbo loading.

Moon Swooning

Rode a lot this weekend and it felt amazing. My legs were tired Sunday night, but the good kind of tired.
Friday night I did some Time Trial riding doing loops around Great Northern. I had some hangers on on my easy stretch but shook them off like yesterday's laundry on the fast stretch. Is it terrible to get some sort of pleasure doing that?

Saturday road around town and was amazed to find no bike parking by the Capitol, hmm. I parked my Bianchi elsewhere thank you.

Sunday, had a fabulous 360 ride. Riding through the neighborhood on my way out, I saw an Easter Island style statue dressed as a Hasidic Jew with blue hair and hat. It made me smile and then I got self-conscience of the people in cars around me seeing me with this Cheshire style grin for no reason they could discern and that only made me smile more and larger. The weather was amazing and I felt really great on the bike. Hopped off the Scott and onto the Bianchi to head back downtown after that ride, and wouldn't have it any other way. I was rewarded with a gorgeous view of the rising moon on the way home from a fabulous day.

Early

We got out of work early and I chose to enjoy the weather and
additional daylight on a ride. Cool, amazing, gorgeous, I felt like I
was flying. I zoomed past other bikers the whole ride and saw two
knives lying in the road-hmm.

Grey Skies Are Calling

The crisp air has been lovely. I was really looking forward to my Saturday run and it turned out to be a real beauty. It was nice to hit the Pease park trail just as everything was beginning to warm up and a fabulous mist was across everything, even the Spanish moss, yes Spanish moss in Austin. And then on my way back home I ran into an old friend biking toward me and then a good friend walking. A day in the life and life is good.

park it here

It has been feeling more like Fall recently which means-trail running season. Dr. Toughlove (king of the hills) met me for a run in St. Edwards park and it kicked my butt while at the same time inspiring me to do more. It is so wonderful that we have a getaway such as this so close to town. What it taught me. I need to tackle for rough terrain and steep climbs because I am definitely not at the fitness level I want to be at as far as trail running is concerned. The more experience on the trails the better and the less amount of falling (1 total) this last sojourn.

BSS

I took my Bianchi out for a night ride Friday. The weather was great
and I had an entry to see the Broken Social Scene! It was fabulous to
see so many other bikers as we wound our way down there.

Holy Smokes

What a luxuriously cool run this morning. Life is good.

New York feeling

This morning was gorgeously cool after an early morning rain shower. The weather felt like the luscious weather we would get in New York and what began my love of running, cool and crisp. Now, I want apples and pumpkins and everything Fall.

Sometimes you have to let things go

Rooster has a new owner. I thought I would be more upset, but I'm actually happy. It is knowing that I have a fast new ride that has opened up new possibilities and that Rooster's new owner, who has already been seen around town on him, will get so much use out of him. I'm excited that Rooster will help introduce someone else to this sport I've gained so much from. I still have the great races I've ridden on Rooster, e.g. IM Switzerland, Eagleman, etc. and am looking forward now. I feel like Rooster has gone away to college.

the run

... the run was all that I faced now and I knew it was an out and back and would have to see R at some point. I was anxious to see how he was doing and started out on my run feeling good. My legs felt great and not brickish at all they felt light from the get go, and so I began - steady eddy. I grabbed some corn chips at the first rest stop and continued on. Then I saw it, the hill. I didn't realize how hilly the route was going to be, but faced it head on and took it one step at a time. I made it up the hill running and looked for R. The field was pretty quiet at this point, and I continued to look for R thinking I would see him by now. I was approaching the turn around and then I saw him, I knew all was good and seeing him inspired me to run even faster. It took me awhile to catch him, because running "faster" in an ironman isn't as fast as it feels, but I did catch up. We began the break down of how we felt. R said he was involved in a crash on the bike course but he and the bike came out okay. I was doing well all around I said but was starting to get tired. "Keep going" he encouraged me and I figured I better get going while the going was good. I finished the first of three loops and felt pretty good but was just beginning to feel slightly nauseous. I saw K with R and the big Texas flag and the rest of my fam and friends at the turnaround and waved. I was still amazed at my time and knew I just needed to stay the course. I did know that I was starting to slow down and my run was beginning to turn into a run - walk. I tried not to get too down knowing how much lean way I had in my time to reach my goal. At some point R caught back up to me and asked me how I was doing. I'm feeling nauseous I told him and he said that he drank coke and that made him feel better so I hit that at the next rest stop. I also started walking with a woman who was on her first lap and we talked a lot, which was really nice. She gave me one of her salt tabs and I was feeling somewhat better, but not the self that had hopped of the bike. The second lap was down and I knew I just needed one more lap and at this point was still close to coming in at 12hrs 30 min. I drank coke at the stops and grabbed a bit of food, but still had not gone to the bathroom at this point I thought nothing of it. After I made the turn and knew I just had four miles to the finish I was beginning to feel a little headier, but par for the course. "You just have to finish" I encouraged myself and continued on. I then began to feel light-headed and focused on just getting to the next rest stop. I have a history of panic attacks and figured that was what I was having so, when I got to the rest stops I told one of the girls there I was feeling light headed. They suggested I sit down and gave me water. I sat and drank water and gatorade probably 4 - 1 for awhile until I started to feel better. I also ate a couple of gels and took another salt tab. I sat there for over an hour and had begun to walk circles around the rest stop to make sure I was feeling better before heading out. "You would have probably already finished by now the amount you've walked around the rest stop" one of them told me. "I know I said and I'm worried that my family is worried" I said back. "They probably are worried but you need to do what you need to do." I can do this I thought and was building up confidence. One of the rest stop workers said she would ride her bike next to me to the finish if that made me feel better and I said "yes". I headed out walking holding my cup gaze focused straight ahead determined to finish and we talked along the way. Finally not too much longer and I saw the finish in my sight. "Mary Keith Trawick from Austin Texas and is that a cup of coffee in her hand? She even had time to stop at Starbucks." I finished and not in my goal time, but I finished, found my family who said they were worried by just glad I finished and we walked to triage where R was at. I sat on a cot and they asked me how I felt. I told them I was nauseous and they offered me some broth which was chunky and made me feel worse, so I just laid down. They took my temp and said it was 93, so they but some warm water bottle around me and blankets and then came back to see how I was doing. "I'm still nauseous" I said. Well all I can offer you is a nausea pill or shot. I shook my head okay and took the pill. A little while later they came back by and asked me how I felt. "I'm still nauseous." I said. "Well would you like the shot?" I looked at my mom and then nodded yes.

I don't remember anything after that. My Mom tells me that she helped me go to the bathroom and then loaded me in the car with the two of us in the back. She said I was sitting on the edge of the seat and gripping the seat in front of me, not saying much. As we were driving back to the hotel I let out a weird animal-like noise, threw my head back and started shaking and vomiting. Then I was out and she couldn't wake me. They immediately drove me to the hospital after finding a taxi to ask where the nearest location of one. My Mom said they saw me in ER and immediately recognized what I had as hyponatremia and my sodium count when they took a blood sample was 116 (normal is above 137-according to the doctor what happened in the car was a seizure due to low sodium), so they began pumping potassium chloride and sodium into me, 5 bags worth just in ER. They performed a catscan on me and determined all was okay there and only at that point did my parents say they felt I would be okay. I was still unconscious, but moved to another floor. The next day I was completely out of it still and would open my eyes and look around but not respond to anybody around me. All of this happened on Saturday night and I didn't consciously wake up until Monday morning. Needless to say, I was shocked to be in the hospital.

Vineman Ironman Breakdown

Vineman Ironman, my second Ironman, this time in the United States. I was excited about this one and much less nervous having experienced the distance before. We had a nice drive from Texas to Windsor (just north of San Francisco) with stops at Balmorhea, El Paso, Lordsburg, Los Angeles, Big Sur, and Berkley along the way, I was looking forward to the drive out there as well. Now to say I was less nervous does not mean the nerves were not there, I just remembered I had trained for this and was ready so I really just needed to enjoy it. My goal was to finish and try and come in with a better time than last time.
We had to get up early in order to make it to the start in time as it was about an hour drive from our hotel to the start in Guernville, CA and we still needed to rack our bikes and get set up. We woke up around 4 AM and robotically went through all we needed. Groggy, we met up with R's Mom and my Mom who were both pert and excited for us. How fabulous to have support and not only that but to have them excited for us. Spectating was not going to be easy either. Spectating shift number 2 was going to bring then coffee to help keep the engines going. We made it to the starting area and started the ritual of setting up our bikes. My Mom volunteered to body mark which ever since her experience at Eagleman she has loved to do. "I never realized what you guys did in transition until I body marked. It is so interesting the different ways you guys lay things out, etc." my Mom said. It is nice for me to have her in transition as well. I missed having her body mark me this time as I didn't see her before someone else got to me first. It made me recall my first communion when I missed her giving me that as well, the same look crossed her face when she saw I had already been body marked. I was sad too.
I set my kit up. "Your bike is the one with the orchid, remember," my Mom pointed out to me. Mental note: great idea for next race, bring a marker for my bike area. I made one more bathroom stop looked for R hoping to wish him good luck before the start but couldn't find him. I headed to my start which was ten minutes after his and got into the water treading the water and trying to push my anxieties out. "10 seconds to the start, " the announce. I look at the girls around me then straight ahead. And then we are off. I sense my breathing is quick and bring it down with my arm strokes, slowly breathing out, taking long arm strokes. The water makes me feel at home and I begin to relax. One step at a time. I can do this. The swim is two laps and I complete the first one no problem. We are beginning to catch up to people in the groups that started ahead of us and are clogging up a bit. The guy next to me whoops me in the eye with his hand knocking my goggle off. I stop for a sec to put my goggle back on and check all is okay. I swim for a minute seeing how I feel. I know I'm okay but shaken up a little. This will not stop me. We round the last buoy and are on the home stretch as I see the shore where we get out the roar of the crowd keeps getting louder, it makes me smile. I pull myself out of the water feeling like the swamp thing and look around. I see wet suit strippers to my excitement and they get me out of my wet suit super fast. Now look for the orchid and my bike. I see my Mom who points me to the aisle and I start to get my gear together (banana in mouth, wipe as much rock and dirt off of feet as I can, put on biking shoes, put on jersey, try to get on arm warmers but find it difficult with wet arms) and I'm off. I see people walking up the first hill and remember the hills Dr. Toughlove and I climbed back and Austin and know I can climb it with no trouble. I dart up it and feel good. The weather is crisp and I'm glad I have my arm warmers on, I'm loving this part of it. We ride through the vineyards and rolling hills. About 20 miles into the ride my chain falls off when I'm going from small to large chain ring, but I hop off fix it and get back on with not much time lost. At this point, I'm having the time of my life and feeling good. I chat with all the riders I come across and at the rest stops am able to make the water exchange with no problem (in Galveston 2008 I missed the hand up and have been nervous about it ever since). The weather has started to heat up and I remove my arm warmers. I take time to look around and enjoy the scenery at many points during the ride. While I'm riding a Suburban full of people cheering goes by hanging out with a video camera. I realize they are filming one of the guys near me and decide to speed up and catch him. "I wanted to catch up to you to make you look bad on film." I joke with him. He smiles back. "Is that your family?" I ask. "Yes," he responds. " They are the best cheerleaders." I tell him. "Is this your first Ironman?" I ask. "Yes, " he says. "Good luck, with a crew like that I know you will do well." I move ahead of him some, and see his support crew zoom ahead of me as they film and drive ahead repeatedly. We develop our own rapport as I cheer at them "you guys rock and are the best cheerleaders ever." They cheer back at me each time they see me, "you are amazing!" It keeps me going and the time flies by on this 112 mile bike. I feel great, my legs fresh and no saddle sores that have plagued me in the past. The Scott is doing great. I pull into transition and see my family and friends cheering and I feel uplifted. I look at my watch and realize that I can easily beat my time from last year, only 7 hours have gone by at this point giving me 6 hours to complete my marathon and still come in before my previous time. to be continued ...

Hood to Coast Pics from Andrea

may be found here.

Finished! 12 teammates, 197 miles, 28 hours

All three legs down and feeling great!

1 leg down!!!!

Off to a good start my first leg still to come

stay the course

I still need to post about my experience at Vineman, but for now I'm off to Portland for the Hood to Coast and just got the green light from my doctor instructing me to drink Gatorade or the like and weigh myself before and after each of my running legs. I feel good about it all and am looking forward to it. I'll post mini updates as I can on the journey.

HYPONATREMIA

Hyponatremia is a metabolic condition in which there is not enough sodium in the body fluids outside the cells.

Sodium circulates in the body fluids outside the cells. It is very important for maintaining blood pressure. Sodium is also needed for nerves and muscles to work properly.

When sodium levels drop in the fluids outside the cells, water will seep into the cells to balance the salt levels. The cells will swell as a result of the excess water. Although most cells can handle this swelling, brain cells cannot, because the skull confines them. Brain swelling causes most of the symptoms of hyponatremia.

Long and winding path

Finished!!!

delayed 2 miles left with nausea that turned out to be hyponatremia
after I walked in with a temp of 93 degrees and then completely lost
it. I'm so grateful to my family for taking care of me and basically
saving my life. Thank you to everyone for all of the support.

Berkeley

The Scott is now in the Berkeley Hills and it is brrr chilly. So weird
after our 119 top temp in AZ on our way out here. Gearing up and
getting ready.

PCH view

PCH to San Francisco

Yesterday we took the Pacific Coast Highway to San Francisco with
gorgeous ocean views on one side and mountains on the other. Stopped
ran around on the beach and listened to the ocean. Can't get much more
relaxing than that.

Swimming in Hollywood

Not bad place to swim for taper week. Really takes your mind off the
race ahead. Ran up the trail by The Hills to the observatory and back,
then took a dip in the pool. Next up some beach time.

Vineman here we come!

Set off across Texas on our journey to Vineman yesterday. Highlights:
swimming at Balmorhea with the fish, deep azure water, and jumping off
the diving board, gorgeous mountain views, dinner with friends in el
paso, beautiful electrical storm, crescent moon, ... Excited to
experience today.

Helmet

After much nagging from my Mom, and some welcome advice from Dr. Touchlove, and from the bike shop, I found a great helmet. I'll miss the once red now orange Giro Monza if for nothing more than the amount of time I've had it. I'm saving it for guest riders at my house (who may use the new of course). But the new lazer 02 is fabulous. It fits snug as a bug and feels like someone is hugging your head, plus I got it in matte white to make the scott look even hotter. I couldn't wait to test it out last night and had a great bike with it.

squeaky clean, really clean

The Scott had a spa day in preparation for the big day and to make her squeaky clean, really clean, blacker than black. I know she has been getting pretty dirty from our rides and needed a good spa day to bring her back to her shiny glory. The first thing the mechanic said when I picked her up was "she looks like one fast chameleon". "How is the bike a chameleon?" I asked. "Because she looks like she can go so fast she would blur into the background." I smiled. "Yeah, she's a beautifully fast machine." The Scott looks amazing after her cleaning and is ready to go, now the engine just needs the finishing touches (after buying myself a dress to be just as pretty as my bike, I mean the bike can't outshine me, right and I just love the way the Europeans bike in dresses, maybe the next revolution after running skirts will be biking dresses. All I have to say is the coolest thing when it is 100+ is a light dress) before the big day so I'm taking her out for a spin tonight.

starry starry night

"Would you like to go night swimming at the Elk's Lodge?" I couldn't believe it, some dear friends of mine became a members at the lodge and were inviting me to go swimming! I didn't even have to think about it - Absolutely! There is something about night swimming that is magical. S said it was because it felt like a secret. It does have that feeling to it and this was one place that has held a special allure. I once live just a few feet from it and would wonder what was beyond the fence. It met my dreams with falling stars. How wondrous to have a pool to ourselves overlooking the Austin skyline with stars shimmering above. The pool was clean and company lovely. It was a great way to spend the anniversary of my Ironman and I hope to have many returns.

It was one year ago today ...

that I completed my first Ironman, IM Switzerland. I have my next one in three weeks. Completing an Ironman was amazing and doing it in Switzerland a dream. I remember riding my bike looking at the cows in the field with bells on their necks ringing as if they were spectators cheering us on and thought what a lucky girl I am. I'm so thankful I have the strength and health to take me to places I once only dreamed about. I'm looking forward to the next one with much anticipation and excitement. Each race is a new experience and that is part of what keeps me going down this amazing road.

record setting

The heat has been record setting. I've been able to roll with it so far. I come back from my runs, pull my running clothes off and plop them in the laundry basket like a sack of potatoes, I look like a drowned rat when running, and my bathroom smells like a gym locker, but otherwise I've been doing just fine.

Last night I had a great ride. My legs were pretty tired on the run Sunday, but it is amazing what a day of can do. After I learned I should feel like a spring chicken after the weekend, I was not believing it, "really, do spring chickens have feet made of cement?" Last night spring chicken's feet were made of springs. I felt super charged and had a great ride. I even rode a little with a girl who asked me what team I rode for. "I ride for myself" I told her. She laughed. Hard to believe we will be on the road to our race in less than three weeks, but I'm getting exciting and am ready.

Flat out hot

Pic from last weeks ride. It was a long hot one, but felt good for almost all of it. My legs were tired, but that is pretty much normal nowadays. This past weekend I explored what San Antonio has to offer with some great training buds and I like what I saw, GO SA. Ran in Austin on Sunday and it felt like the humidity was much higher in A-town versus SA. What can I say, maybe is all the fancy spas running their steam rooms too much here?

What a treat running to the rhythm of my feet

I switched my workout days this weekend and did my long run on Saturday and long ride on Sunday so I could do the group ride on Sunday. My workout buddies all had something going on this weekend so, I was soloing it. I started my run on Saturday morning a bit apprehensive because my legs were pretty tired the night before, but I was really looking forward to the run. I've been really loving running along the trails. Usually, when I start out my muscles are tight and I start out slower to loosen up and then pick up speed. I felt good at the start this Saturday and went with it for a bit but held it back some knowing I had a long way to go. Saturday mornings, I mostly come across the morning dog walkers with their cup of coffee in one hand and lead in the other. I smiled at them and said "Good Morning" and continued on. As I got closer to town lake I began to see more homeless just starting to wake up and one city worker blowing leaves (dust) around the trail. Now my sweat-laden body was darker than the night sky as the dirt stuck to me like a magnet. I just had to laugh and keep going. I merged into the town lake runners feeling almost like I had a secret of where I came from before joining their path. The return trip I still felt fine although my legs were definitely starting to feel the time I had put in running. I dodged trees drooping heavily as if the humidity weighed on them as well and jumped over streams. I missed dry land at once only to look up and see a coffee holding walker looking right at me. I shrugged, laughed and kept going. We shared knowing looks. And then what did I see on my path but a turtle trudging his was along the same sidewalk I was. "Where is he going, and is he as hot as I am?" I thought. I finished my run feeling just as strong as when I started and I felt really good about that. I mounted my bike and rode a short distance to spin my legs out and then looked forward to the rest of the day oogling Fritz Henle what a treat.

I'm melting, melting ...

I could feel the sweat dripping down my arm and off my elbow as I ran and the sweat stung my eyes, yes, it's June in Texas. And with humidity high, I was a sweat machine this morning.

Memories

The Pink Huffy circa early 80s. This is what push started my love of biking. I remember getting this bike under the Christmas tree personalized and with a white basket that had flowers on it. I won the bike fair at school on this bad girl, I WON! That I liked, I mean who doesn't. And today? I'm still riding a pink bike and my nephew got on my old huffy this past weekend. I hope it has the same spell on him, man I miss having a kick stand.

The heat is on ...

Well June is here and the heat is on! We had a long ride weekend and knew it was going to be hot. I set out from my house about 6:30 am and by 7:30 could feel the heat rising. I kept checking my watch to make sure the time was right. It was, this is just June in Texas. At least biking the breeze helps and so I stayed focused. I rode the Dam Loop and then went up 360 to 183 back down 360 to Mopac and then to Great Northern to finish out the close to 5 hour ride. My legs were tired at the start of the ride, but I felt pretty good. My main misjudgment was fuel as I was starting to get grouchy (usually a sign I need to eat). After the ride, there was a 50 minute run, which wasn't the easiest to go out and do. After starting out slowly I began to get my runner legs back and made sure I was drinking water. I finally got home after 6 hours of moving and plopped down on my couch unsure of whether I should shower, eat, or just lie there.

Neighborhood Pool

My workout yesterday was very much centered around the kid in me as I pulled out the old cruiser and rode my bike to the pool for my swim workout. It felt great!

Deer in Headlights

I've signed up and joined a Hood to Coast team named "Deer in Headlights" My friend G made the offer of the slot and I'm really excited about the prospect. Hood to Coast is a 197 mile relay from Mt. Hood in Oregon to the coast of Oregon taking place August 28-29th. I'm excited about taking on a challenge as a team and running in a new place. Most of our group is from Wyoming and Colorado, but I'm sure at the end of it all we will know each other really well.

Answers

Pam Leblanc informed me of a question and answer session she was doing for her fitcity blog and Gordo Byrn and Joe Friel answered my questions as well as others pertaining to triathlon here.
Q: As the biking distance rises in training I tend to get saddle sores. I’ve heard many differing theories on how to avert this: get better bike shorts, get a new seat, and/or obtain a good bike fit. What is your advice and/or experience with this pesky occurrence? — MKT

• Gordo: A couple tips that have helped me: Get out of your shorts QUICK after training. Use an antibiotic wash after training. Find a saddle that keeps your sit-bones stable. Rocking on the saddle creates friction that can irritate the skin. To clear up saddle sores, dab them with tea tree oil after washing and before bed.
• Q: How do you maintain your focus during an Ironman distance race (e.g. some athletes count to 100 repeatedly, or have certain songs going through their head)? — MKT
• Gordo: Build your capacity to focus just like your fitness. Start with shorter periods and use intervals of focus within your longer sessions. You are right, a capacity to maintain a relaxed focus is a key attribute of successful racing. It takes practise and time to build up.
• Q: Gordo - You have an impressive website and note that one of the most popular topics on your discussion board is anything linked to nutrition. Why do you think this is such a popular topic and how much do you think nutrition can affect Ironman training? — MKT
• Gordo: Nutrition is HUGE. In “Going Long,” we call it the Fourth Discipline. For long distance events, you can give yourself a material edge from fueling using the tips that are contained in the book. As an athlete, I recommend that you place the majority of your focus on the quality of what you eat when you are not training. This is the area where I find you can get the most performance boost. The mechanics of training/racing nutrition, covered in the book, are straightforward. Great to hear that you’ve been enjoying the website. I recently updated all my “greatest hits” and pulled them into my new site at www.EnduranceCorner.com. You’ll find my most popular articles there in a new library. I also pulled my blog across, which covers a range of topics.

Drumroll please ...

The Scott has a name - Pippi.

It really comes from a lot of places and just suits her. Pippi for Scottie Pippin, Sand Pipers (from my first race with her), and Pi(nk)ppi but mostly for Pippi Longstocking.

According to Wikipedia

"Pippi is a superb swimmer; if and when she feels the need, she'll think nothing of taking a plunge while fully clothed (in her short patchwork dress, with oversized shoes and mismatched thigh-high stockings).

Pippi's strength has been described in various ways:

• "The strongest human being in the world."
• "She is so strong you won't believe it!"
• In one of the books, she is described as having "The strength of ten policemen."
• On a VHS cover she is described as "The Girl With The Strength Of Superman"

Fiesta Wildflower Ride -Apr. 19

The 104 mile bike ride became 112 as we got a wee bit of a late start. Yes, sometimes gathering all you need for a bike ride takes awhile and can set you back a bit, but we were only a few minutes late and were just finishing pumping up our tires when we heard the 100 mile group leave, no problem we could catch them. We rushed to leave with the 65 mile group. We were off and pedaling putting off a bathroom break until the first rest stop to save time. We began with a bang to try and catch up with at least the tail end of the 100 milers. Four miles into the ride I notice a sign that does not include 100. "Umm I think we are on the wrong route." Like salmon swimming up stream we head back against the flow of cyclists and learn that the branching off point was pretty much at the start of the ride. At this point I really need to go to the bathroom and I know it will be awhile, argh. I reassure myself that it is all a part of training and learning to deal with life's little mishaps. We ride on, realizing we are now at least 40 minutes behind the pack and hoping the rest stops stay open. My determination to get there keeps me pedaling hard against the strong head wind. The ride is gorgeous with perfect temperatures, beautiful scenery and low trafficked roads. We press on and FINALLY come to the rest stop I rush to the port-o-let and feel tons better, ready to rock on. My ultimate cheerleaders pull up as we are about to leave. It is so nice to have a sign of support (and could have been invaluable had we really been lost or the rest stops closed). I hand my jacket to my Mom as she puts her cowbell away and we are off. The first rest stop ended up being mile 25 after our snafu. The rest of the ride I felt great and worked on fueling at the stops even when I didn't feel hungry. I used what my energy felt like versus my stomach and it seems to have worked well. I had a few periods of nausea but was strong the whole ride. I also applied chamois butter at one of the rest stops and lo' and behold I might have solved the saddle sore problem. That is HUGE! I've never felt better after a 112 ride and had a great time with my riding buddy, parents cheerleading and fabulous dinner at the end.

Little shop on the corner

promenade plantee

Went for a run this morning and it was fabulous. The Parisians turned an old railway into a park and did a bang up job. NYC is thinking of doing the same thing in Chelsea. The Promenade Plantee is a 4.5 km-long elevated park in the 12th arrodissement. It was constructed on an abandoned 19th century railway viaduct, which connected the Bastille to the Bois de Vincennes. It was great to run along peering at the architecture and beautiful flora.