Cobb Salad.....or saddle

So wanna make the guy at the bike shop laugh....ask him if he will put a Cobb Salad on your bike and how much will it cost? 

I digress.....so I have a love/hate and most recently a hate/hate relatinship with the Adamo saddle- really compfortable but has the possibility to give horrible saddle sores. So after the last eruption I had enough.

I have read and seen and asked a lot about the Cobb Saddle.  After a big week of training and cyling I made an iplulse buy and ordered one.  It arrived 2 days later and I was so excited.  I took it to HiTech bikes as I was in the neigborhood and asked the tech with a straight face if he could please put the Cobb Salad on my bike.  He looks dead pan back and says excuse me?  I repeat Cobb Salad.  I then realize my error and laugh uncotrollobaly....oh well maybe you had to be there.  But ever since I heard the name of the saddle I say salad and then laugh hysterically to myself about the idea of sitting on blue cheese, eggs and the like. 

I get a call later and he says my salad is ready!  Love the humor and then he asks why I have my powertap mount upside down.  Um.....well don't really know. Gee nothing like feeling like a complete moron.   So today.....when I put the computer on it slipped right in and I was not wondering why the fit was such a challenge.  Gee- right side up is helpful.

So the ride today was good....a new saddle is good and bad. New pressure points - good as they do not inflame the healing saddle sores and bad - well new pressure points.  But all in all I think I like it. 5 hours on it today and I feel great...now if only the rest of me felt so good.

Considering the monster week I had and the big one before that I feel pretty darn good.  I was dead tired Thur after my 3x5 and Friday was an easy day. Saturday, other than getting up at 3am to get JD to the airport, I was feeling pretty good.  Long run went smashing!  Started very conservatively for the first 1/3 and the picked it up to IM HR and pace for the 2nd 1/3 and was noticing I was feeling pretty good.  Knocked back a Pineapple GU Rocktane (serioulsly love that stuff) and kicked it up a knotch.  Last 1/3 was strong and I was excited!!!

Other than the fact I laid down at 5:30 to take a nap before going to party and well woke up at 9pm and realized I was down for the night.  Went back to sleep and woke up at 7am. Gee 13+ hours of sleep....maybe I was a week bit tired.  Felt good though!  And boy was I hungry....good motivation to get out of bed.

Leisurely AM- no rush to hop on our bikes since Riley is floating out somplace in the Pacific on a Tall Ship and JD is safely in Ecuador.   Nice phone call from him last night....Mom I made it here and it is really cool.  Small down, 2 lane roads, no traffic lights and very NOT San Diego. We are headed out for some food- going to eat the local delicacy....

  Yes indeed he was going to eat some guinea pigs....well I guess when in Rome!

So we rolled out of here around 8:30 and I was open to cutting the ride short- my legs are toast.  But we started easy and headed up the coast and soon got off the coast since it is summer and the crazies are all over.  We rolled through Elfin and went inland.   Did not have a Double Shot meltdown today but when I was bonking I did get some Pineapple Horchata (Horchata or orxata is the name of several kinds of traditional beverage, made of ground almonds, sesame seeds, rice, barley, or tigernuts) It was sooooo good and was the boost I needed to ride the last hour!

Success big week #2 is done!!! And this week is a recovery week- hooray.

Wanna try something fun.....

Famous last works....1- know the source of such a saying.  So back in November at an Endurance Corner Ironman recon camp in St George,  Gordo asked this question at least twice and I feel for it both times.  The first was at the end of a tough swim workout.  We had done over 4500 yards and tough descending set.  I was done, tired and ready to hop out and he lobs out who wants to try something fun?  Me, me,,,pick me!

I soon realize 2 of us have volunteered....what did they know that I did not know?  Well the "fun" was do another 400 faster than the 1st one, over 3000 yards ago.  No drafting. I accepted the challenge, went faster and surprised myself a bit. Fun? maybe....gratifying, definitely.

Well later in the camp, amongst talk about IM training etc. I hear the magic works...if you ever want to try something fun.... my ears perk up and I am intently listening.  Well this big of "fun" is 3 days of volume training.  3 consecutive days with 1 hour swim, 3 hours bike and 1 hour run.  Gee, does not sound too hard.  I filed it away and kept thinking about the "fun" I could have.

Well here we are 8 months later....and I decided to "have some fun."  I wrote Gordo with a million questions...1- what order swim/bike/run or does it matter? 2- transition time- is this a race simulation and do fast transitions 3- goal, how hard and fast  4- all together or split up the workouts over the day and I am sure more questions....he asks how often I have done 15 hours of training in 3 days?  Well, never.  Goal is do it.  OK seems simple.

So I am coming off a huge (for me) volume week and wonder if this really is the week to do this, but have already committed do I decide to give it a go.  I took Monday off!  24 hours is enough recovery from the last week- right?  We shall see.

I recruit (and begged)  Jen for all the "fun"   And that is why I love her...she says sure, why  not. Well she can commit to Tue and Wed, but has to work on Thursday.  Mind you I too have to work but luckily can work at 5am and then finish in the afternoon or evening (assuming I am alive)   So we lay out the plans for Tue and Wed,

Tue: ride to UCSD (1hour bike) Swim 1:15 Run:1:00 and then finish the ride.  Went well....swim was harder than planned- the set of 8x200's were tough but a good start to the block.  Run was tough to get going as legs are carrying a lot of fatigue.  Ride was fine- we kept it coastal and very social. Very cool- home by 12:15 and have logged 5 1/2 hours of training.  Felt good and rolled with the day.

Wed: Swim at 6:00AM at UCSD 1:15 - done. Drive to Great Western Loop and plan was to ride and then run.  Jen's brake cable snapped as she unloaded her bike- darn it!  So we ran, see I need all the company I can get.  Run was good 1:00 hour done.  Jen left and my iPod and I rode GWL.  It was hot, I mean Africa hot (not that I have been to Africa but it is what I imagine it would be like)  And see we have had zero summer in San Diego- marine layer nearly every day and chilly so this was a startling realization to what heat really feels like.  I am not having fun.... legs are tired, I am sweating a lot, running out of fluids and not loving this.   But then Black Eyed Peas I've Got a Feeling comes on and I am doing well.  Dropped a few boys and before I knew it was at the Bee Keepers- major climbing done.  I was going to Descanso for a Double Shot but that makes the ride 3:30 and well I just was not feeling like being an overachiever today.  So I turned around and kept riding.  It has been a long time since I ran out of water and today was a day that was going to happen. So I had to ration it and took the alternate descent down Lyons Valley and stopped for cold water and well guess what a Double Shot!   Rolled back to the car and ride time was just at 3 hours.  Day 2 done!  Not feeling quite as perky as day 1 and looking at my power file I now know why....pushed it a bit on the climbs.

Garmin on and off to run.  After 2 days of  street runs I hit the trails at UCSD and to my great surprise my legs felt pretty good.  Not sure how many laps or loops I did but kept running until my time was up and cruised back to the pool.  Almost done...2 hour ride and I have completed the mission.  Nice ride through Rancho Sante Fe and I had to stop for the bathroom and as I cruised by the refrigerated aisle I spotted my best friend....I could not say no and enjoyed a Double Shot on the last 30 minutes home. After all I had to go up the 3 sisters....rolled in at 3hours and 1 minute!

So..... 3:30 hours swim. 3:02 hours run.  9:20 hours bike in 3 days!    I feel good.  Legs are shot and arms are tired BUT shoulder does not hurt and nothing hurts in the wrong way and that is a good thing!

Tomorrow is yoga....and I will complete it this time as I need all the help I can get before the weekend.

So Gordo....thanks for the "fun"  I think I will do it again, but not next week.

So I fell asleep at Yoga....

And not at the end during Savasana.....shortly after we started.  Today was a planned day off with optional yoga.  I optioned for Yoga and failed.  After a solid week and one I am quite proud of I woke up feeling pretty good- tired, fatigue in my legs, starving, but other than that good.  Oh did I mention I slept until after 7am- which pretty much never happens!  Chilled in bed until nearly 8- did not even do that on vacation.   Headed to Yoga at 9 and well I shot my energy for the day getting up, eating and driving to Yoga, After my brief nap, seriously with a bit of drool and all I calmly grabbed my mat and left yoga, hightailed it to Starbucks for a triple latte and decided to go about the day caffeinated.

Going into the weekend I was feeling a tad tired but good.....Saturday rolled out the Dudley's with Tati, Colleen and some young hottie Tati had in tow (forgot his name).  Braman was supposed to roll with us but had to go to work for a minute which turned into 9 hours.  Bummer for him.  I was feeling good until we hit Scripps Poway Parkway and ouch, legs are tired and this is tough.  I figured it would be a long day!  Did not help that Tati has springs in her legs- she was on fire, felt great and zipping along.  My goal was to get to Dudley's- 1- most of the climbing is done by then and 2 - the have ice cold Starbucks Double Shot's.

Made it!! Banana and double shot and oddly enough I started to feel  a lot better. Had a solid finish to the ride and was darn pleased.   We went to a neighborhood party on Saturday night, about a mile away and we rode our bikes like good citizens.  The 1/2 mile climb in my jeans nearly killed me but riding home was so much fun. We were filled up with street tacos and a bit of sangria and we were like little kids flying down the neighborhood hill on our bikes.  We were laughing and felt like 15 year old..except well 15 year olds no longer ride their bikes places since it is just not very cool!  Unless you are JD and he rides the electric bike because we are very mean parents who will not drive him.

Sunday I had to work....seriously, I hardly work - right!  Or so everyone says.  I was up at 6 and dressed in real clothes and even had on shoes that were not flips, running or cycling shoes and was on the road for Laguna Beach by 6:30.  I had  client who was at the St Regis Monarch Beach for a meeting that I had contracted for her.  Sunday at 8 was the best time for her to meet with me.  She is a great client and I really enjoy working with her but learned the company has been purchased and she can no longer outsource her business to me.  Dang it!  Totally business, not anything I did, but losing a client is a real bummer and on a Sunday to boot.

So I slinked out of there...feeling dejected and sad!  Okay not really, a bit bummed yes.  And I had my long run to do and my legs were feeling like it was Sunday relax day. Ugh....I drove into Laguna Beach, changed in my car - so long dress clothes- they lasted um 3 hours and I put on the iPod and headed out for my run. I did an out and back and the 1st 30 minutes were tough and then I started to feel great.....on the water, sun was out (forgot my sunscreen and was stressing a bit about that), turned around and in about 10 minutes someone lobbed a piano on my back.  Holy cow.....heart rate went up, pace went down and I a ways from my car, no money and out of fluids and calories.  Hit the low point and the rallied and made the most of the stunning day and was back at the car before I knew it!!! Quick dip in the ocean, no towel to dry off but no worries!

I was feeling good now.....Monster iced coffee, 1.5 lbs of organic grapes from the Farmers Market and I was on the road.....

Came home to find JD and Braman all packed up headed to La Jolla Cove to go SCUBA diving.  Worked out the rest of my frustrations in the garden, took a nice swim in the pool and read a few magazines....good Sunday - yes!  Topped off with a very impromptu dinner with old friends and it was wonderful.  Only thing missing is Riley...hope she is having the time of her life on the high seas.  One week down, two to go and I am really missing her.

Life back to normal.....

Riley is gone but the boys are back, Zen seems to have calmed down and believes we are staying around.

Work is buys!  That is a good thing- busy = money.  nuff said!

Official Kona training kicked off this week.  11 weeks (from last Saturday) to race day.   So that means 9 solid weeks to put it all together, gain fitness and then let it all soak in.  Usually 11 weeks out I just wait for my schedule from coach and roll with it.  But, um, I am the coach.  So I started with race week and started working backwards.  I made it 2 weeks and realized I needed to lay out this week or I was not going to have a plan to follow.

I am really liking riding to swim 1- logs extra bike miles and 2- saves me $3-4 parking money each time and that =  a trip to Starbucks!  3- saves gas too!

So I am riding to swim Mon-Wed-Friday and will add on the ride one day for 3 hour mid week ride.  Really trying to focus on my run!  My hip flared up after 2 weeks at track and I backed off, went back for 3 weeks and was dealing with the nagging issue.  I am taking tack off the schedule (with this volume) and adding in temp run instead,  Nailed a really nice one on Tuesday. 9 miles (not all was tempo) and had a nice building set in the middle.  Was able to back it up with a solid run on Thursday, not as hard but still a solid run.  And my run felt great and my hip does too!   Today was longer than planned as I was riding with Jen and well we get talking and it is just so much fun we keep going.  The pace was not tough so I figured an extra hour on the bike is no biggie.  Forced the Friday afternoon run and the way I negotiated it was to finish my run at Cool Cravings ( my favorite yogurt shop and JD's new place of employment)  My reward was a yogurt but it could not be obscenely large as I had to run the 1 mile home.  So it was all good!

Long ride tomorrow and then run Sunday and assuming all goes well I will have executed my biggest volume week ever!  Granted I have a 5:30 ride and 2 hour run to go, but I am feeling good this afternoon!!!

Next week....another big training challenge!  Tue/Wed/Thur:  1 hour swim. 3 hour ride. 1 hour run each day!  15 hours 3 days....will see how it lays out!

Riding Dirt Bikes

So while I am sending Riley off on her ocean adventure....I later find out JD and Braman are zooming all over Moab on dirt bikes.

Could the kid be any happier!

They had an adventure for sure..... Night 1 in the Suite at the Sheraton Steamboat. Night 2- riding dirt bikes until dark and cooking chicken over an open fire while camping in Utah. Night 3- a seedy motel near Hoover Dam where it was 124 degrees.

A movie star..... (in his bike jersey)  love that guy

Last stop Hoover Dam

I was excited when they rolled in on Monday afternoon....dirty, smelly, car trashed and Zen and I happily greeted them!   Nice to have 3/4 of the family together for now. 

RIley's Big Adventure!

As Riley enters High School we decided that a summer adventure like no other would be a great idea!  When I say we (that is JB and I).....this was news to Riley.  She was set to play lacrosse, go to a 4 day lacrosse camp, hang out with friends texting, going to the mall and the beach.   

After an exhaustive search of camps, summer plans etc I stumbled upon the Tole Mour.  A Tall Ship Sailing adventure which is a unique summer program that is a 3 week live aboard camp that focuses on sail training, marine science and island exploration.  It stimulates minds, encourages teamwork, develops self esteem and is guaranteed fun!   For the entire voyage, campers are immersed in sailing, marine science and teamwork.  The Tole Mour is the largest sailing school vessel on the West Coast.  Over the 3 weeks they will learn how to sail the ship  and professional crew gradually turns over the responsibility of running the ship to the trainees.  They also study marine science through the use of  Remote Operated Vehicle and spend as much time as possible in the water.  

We really wanted to expose her something different, surround her by people who care about the ocean and the environment and who make learning about the world around us fun.  And to live without modern culture for a bit and hopefully come home energized and excited!  

Riley was just certified to Scuba Dive so she will be diving in kelp forests and up and down the Channel Islands (along the CA coast)  They also will be boogie boarding at remote beaches, kayaking in beautiful locations, climbing aloft the mast of the ship, camping on islands, standing watch on the ship an so much more. 

One duffel bag for 3 weeks! NO electronics.  8 berths in a cabin and a very small head (bathroom), laundry by hand and hopefully an adventure of a lifetime.

She was startled at first, wanted to hear more and soon embraced the opportunity!   I love that kid. Open minded and willing to take on adventure.

So 24 hours after flying in from Steamboat, she packed up and we headed to the Port of Long Beach,.

Here she is ready to go! 

Her home for 3 weeks! Not sure where she stores her gear but someplace behind the berth

Once she dropped off her gear she was directed to the bow to get fitted for her wet suit.  They want them to get in the water as much and as soon as possible.

She was directed to get her ":mug" the one she will use for all liquids for the next 3 weeks.  Recommended she decorate it well so she is sure which is hers.  And that was it....time for me to go.  She hugged and kissed me and skipped off onto the ship.   Wow, my baby is growing up that is for sure. 

I hung around the docks for a bit talking with other parents. Was happy to see most looked like the shopped at REI or other outdoor like shops.  Seems any parent shipping their kid off sailing for 3 weeks must be pretty down to earth as well.

And then I was alone....no one at home ( JD and John were driving back from CO) and nothing to do.   I stopped at Starbucks, read the paper, chilled out and then made my way home.  Zen was happy to see me and we spent the day working in the yard.  Cooked a nice dinner and settled down with my stack of magazines.  Being alone in my house is a rare thing- I enjoyed it immensely for 2 nights and then was eager to have my husband and boy come home. 

Love you and miss you already!!! 

You know it is a good vacation when.....

All blog posting cease.....after the big hike the week just rolled along!

Making plans for a bid day of fishing! 

JD fishing with a random Dog - sure makes a good picture

Tuesday- JD and my Dad headed out for a day of Fly Fishing at the "private" fishing club.  Sort of like a Country Club but well you fish - not sure if there is a bar or not but seems like a lot of standing and waiting.  Apparently JD had a few good nibbles of a nice trout- but he lacked the skills to set the hook.  Much different than landing a catfish or a lake trout. He came home tired, eaten by mosquitoes and still with the zeal to fish and fish some more.

While JD was fishing the families split up went adventuring. Riley headed off with the Hancock's for a short hike to a waterfall for some fun!

Uncle Scott, Taz, Jax and Riley

The Hancock- DeRose family was out riding bikes and eventually Riley joined them for lunch and adventure.  Me...I had a few hours of work and then did a very painful run and went for a swim.  By the time I was done, everyone was gathering again and it was time for another big dinner. Fun to gather with all 17 for dinner each night- chaotic yes, fun absolutely!!

Riley, Jamie and Willa at the top of the mountain

Riley telling the group about her upcoming 3 week sailing adventure

Wed was the big backpacking trip....Scott, Taz (5), Jax (3), Kathleen and John, Jamie (7), Willa (5) and JD and Riley.  My take on the trip.....not interested!  A huge amount of hassle, 2 mile walk that is sure to take a few hours, another night of not sleeping while camping, a great opportunity for JD and Riley to bond with their cousins and Uncles and Aunt without me.   Oh and we only have 2 backpacks and a 2 man tent.  So really no equipment for me.  Someone did point out I could rent a pack and a tent...but well, no.  And the whole saving money concept....right frugal Julie.   If my kids were small and needed supervision I would have been there but they are not small and they were both carrying extra weight to take some of the load off Scott.  After a lot of work and prep they all left around 10am....and off they went.

I was left behind, sad and lonely!  Okay not really, I was on my bike soon there after and tackled Rabbit Ears Pass again!  5000 ft climb and the elevation seemed a bit more tolerable. Even the climb back to the house was okay.  I had more work to do....even a conference call!  And then, okay confession time, I booked a 90 minute massage.  It was heavenly!   After that I did decide to drive up to where they were camping...,my plan was to drive to base camp and run in the 2 miles, say hello and then run out and be back in time for the our adult dinner at a local restaurant.   Good idea!  NOT....the road to base camp once you turn off the highway was 4 miles and it was narrow, gutted, filled with puddles, cliffs on some side and I was going about 8 miles an hour.  Suddenly it occurred to me if anything happened I was out here, no one knew where I was, I could not turn the car around.....crazy.  As soon as I could turn around I did and said forget it!  Meanwhile my sister-in-law (who did not go either) had the same idea and had turned around about 30 minutes before me because the truck she was driving was fishtailing all over and she did wan to plunge to her death!

As it turns out they had a marvelous time!! So glad for all of them and we had a mediocre dinner in a wonderful setting along the Yampa River.

The Backpackers

Gotta have a fire

My favorite....the lovely hat to ward off the mosquitos, hooded for the same reason and of course drying her socks on the fire as it had just poured rain.  Looks like a lot of fun (for them) :) 

They rolled back in Thursday....after I attempted running to the top of the Gondola and nearly died!   More on Thursday's adventure later this blog posting is too long already!