Woohoo......after a successful short swim Monday I decided to head to the cove for a swim this morning. No flip turns out in the big blue. Perfect day, totally flat, no swells and clear up to 10+ feet. The water is 74 degrees and beautiful. I was one of the few in a wet suit, but well....I am a triathlete. It was wonderful, only pain was getting the wet suit on and getting into the water, as soon as I was swimming it was great. Felt so good and the water was heaven. Plan was to swim to .5 mile buoy and then turn back. It was so nice I kept going toward the shores. There were so many people swimming and kayaking it was great. I was nearly to the shores and checked my watch, 20 minutes.....thought, hmmm 1st real swim in 5 weeks, should probably turn around. I did and by the .25 mile buoy coming back my arms were a bit fatigued indeed. So sad how quickly the fitness goes away, but the swim was awesome!! I was so excited I had to call KP. Yeah, I am back swimming, biking and running- since Kona is only 10 weeks away I need to be doing all 3.
One more reason to love San Diego.....I forget how awesome the Cove is. The last time I swam there was in March it was so darn cold, my lips were blue and I shivered for 15 minutes after getting out of the water- no so much to love there. But summer time- love it, love it!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Attitude
So Zen has lost all anxiety and self consciousness about his e-collar. His new approach is the bull in the china shop. He cruises through the house as if he does not have a 12 inch collar. The noise can be alarming at times as the crashes into the walls, table, charges through the doors, hits my legs, knocks into Rocky. The collar which Rocky has used many times now looks like it has been used by 100 dogs. Pieces are missing, its bent and cracking.
Yesterday he was still sedated and sheepish....He woke up today filled with piss and vinegar fully expecting his regular run. I cannot fit his regular collar on so we headed out with a bag of bribe treats to keep him near. He immediately tried to head for the bushes, trails etc and that's all we need is the stitches torn open. The VET did a hack job and his chest looks like Frankenstein but it looks like they are double stitched, which for him is necessary. He has 2 drainage tubes which don't seem to be an issue for him. We turned heads running with his huge cone and bright yellow bandaged leg. Gotta love his spirit.
So now he has to go back for a check,$$$, follow up, $$$ and I am wanting to see an Osteopath for my ribs...but find that my $$ will be going toward the dog!
Must love dogs...... right?
Yesterday he was still sedated and sheepish....He woke up today filled with piss and vinegar fully expecting his regular run. I cannot fit his regular collar on so we headed out with a bag of bribe treats to keep him near. He immediately tried to head for the bushes, trails etc and that's all we need is the stitches torn open. The VET did a hack job and his chest looks like Frankenstein but it looks like they are double stitched, which for him is necessary. He has 2 drainage tubes which don't seem to be an issue for him. We turned heads running with his huge cone and bright yellow bandaged leg. Gotta love his spirit.
So now he has to go back for a check,$$$, follow up, $$$ and I am wanting to see an Osteopath for my ribs...but find that my $$ will be going toward the dog!
Must love dogs...... right?
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
dogs....$$$....dogs....$$
They go hand in hand.....taking an evening walk with the dogs before heading to a business function I realize Zen is lagging, what else is new. We are on the trails behind the house and I holler for him, again and then track back now angrily yelling. He comes scurrying out of the brush and then stops to frantically lick his chest/shoulder area. From a distance I see something hanging off him, only to soon learn it is a flap of skin that he caught on a buried barbed wire fence. He is not too traumatized and manages to detour to pee for the 15th time on a random bush. He walks and then stops to lick and work in his wound. Mind you he has already been through the swamp so I am thinking massive bacteria. We work out way home and I rinse him off because the swamp smell reeks and he is still determined to go in the pool. He is very hot and accustomed to swimming after his walk. He jumps in and literally he manages to elevate his entire body off the baja shelf as soon as the chlorine hits his gaping wound. He is looking a bit star struck but I figure the chlorine is good to help cleanse the wound.
Off to the Emergency Vet with JD and John meets us there and I am off to work. This is in a very awkward place and there is no longer enough skin to cover up the triangle tear.....enough graphics I know. So they are going to put him under, clip off the flap and someone stitch up what is left. So much for his next feature as Mr Chocolate Lab in the Calendar of the Month club, as he will surely have a nasty scar. Even dog hair cannot cover this one. So now we are waiting for the call to go pick him up, pay the hefty bill and nurse another loving pet back to health!
Dogs....gotta love them. well you have to love them to no end to continue to foot the bills.
Great Western Loop
It has been 3+ months since I have ridden GWL and I went out with a bit of trepidation. Not feeling so strong on the bike, I was wondering would the ride humble me, kick my arse or energize me. Well is did all 3! But mostly reminded me why I love the ride so much. Never have to clip out, minimal traffic and stunning views with very few houses. 50+ miles and over 5000ft of elevation, you gotta love it. I was so envious of the wonderful biking in Boulder and then after riding GWL I am feeling a lot better about San Diego, bottom line, this ride rocks. And you have to love the Descanso Country Store....very, very, well Descanso. Far, far from mainstream San Diego. Ice Cold Starbucks Double Shot and all is good. It was a hot day, 90+ when I got back to my car, but was feeling great and was prepared. Gallon of water in the trunk so I took a nice shower in the parking lot, opened the cooler and was good to go. 7th day of no Starbucks! And today was the hardest, parking in the Starbucks parking lot, suffering on a hot ride and I even used the restroom after the ride. I was drawn to the counter....but pulled away.
Rode early so was home by 11 and back at work. Productive day and fitness is coming back....not where it was. I downloaded the power file and was a bit disappointed but KP says have faith it will come back. I am counting the weeks to Kona and really need it sooner than later if I plan to build on it. Patience, right....
Riley comes home tonight!!! Hooray- miss that girl. Sounds like she is having an awesome time in Boulder with K/J/J/W and even hooked up with a neighbor. That girl has friends all over the US after her summer of adventure.
Rode early so was home by 11 and back at work. Productive day and fitness is coming back....not where it was. I downloaded the power file and was a bit disappointed but KP says have faith it will come back. I am counting the weeks to Kona and really need it sooner than later if I plan to build on it. Patience, right....
Riley comes home tonight!!! Hooray- miss that girl. Sounds like she is having an awesome time in Boulder with K/J/J/W and even hooked up with a neighbor. That girl has friends all over the US after her summer of adventure.
Monday, July 27, 2009
I went swimming.....
Decided to give a swim a try. My ribs hurt when I do most things and thought that as long as the pain is not worse lets see what happens. So putting on my suit was painful, all kinds of contortions required, or so it seemed any way. Hopped in and shocking it did not aggravate my ribs to swim, it actually felt good. I am jumping for joy, well bobbing as I am in the water, approach the wall and flip and OMG....screaming underwater as it felt like someone jammed a screwdriver into my rib cage. WOW, so swimming good, flipping very bad. I do a few more laps with very antiquated touch and go turns, in a a 25 yard pool, but am happy to be swimming. I get in a groove and habit takes over and I flip again, shooting pain, no more flips. After 700 yards I stop, don't want to be over zealous. Happy camper!!! Plan is Wed, swim in ocean, no flip turns and see about getting back my swimming arms.
Ran today....hot, hot, hot... at 7am. Amazing the heat we are having. Was a bit sluggish so kept it nice and easy. Dogs nearly passed out and protested at 30 minutes and decided to go home. I dropped them off and finished my run, came up and took a swim with Zen. Had a ride on the schedule and as the day progressed and I was very busy working, I put it off. Finally caught up, done with calls and my To Do for the day and headed out for a ride. Fatigue in the legs for sure so made it a nice spin....well until the boy had to ride by me on Carmel Valley Road. He did not blow by, was picking up the pace to pass me and then 100 yards later, slowed down. I tell myself just spin along and stick to the plan. We approach a hill and I notice he is getting bigger as I gain on him, nope not going to do it, nice easy spin. I am close to his wheel and cannot resist and have to ride by and drop the boy. At the top of the climb he is 200+ yards back and working hard. Lucky for me I turn right and am headed home. Funny, legs felt good when I needed them to. Rest of the ride was nice and easy. Came home, went swimming and desperately tried to cool down. Where is the June gloom......When is fall?? Okay, stop bitching and enjoy the summer.
Ran today....hot, hot, hot... at 7am. Amazing the heat we are having. Was a bit sluggish so kept it nice and easy. Dogs nearly passed out and protested at 30 minutes and decided to go home. I dropped them off and finished my run, came up and took a swim with Zen. Had a ride on the schedule and as the day progressed and I was very busy working, I put it off. Finally caught up, done with calls and my To Do for the day and headed out for a ride. Fatigue in the legs for sure so made it a nice spin....well until the boy had to ride by me on Carmel Valley Road. He did not blow by, was picking up the pace to pass me and then 100 yards later, slowed down. I tell myself just spin along and stick to the plan. We approach a hill and I notice he is getting bigger as I gain on him, nope not going to do it, nice easy spin. I am close to his wheel and cannot resist and have to ride by and drop the boy. At the top of the climb he is 200+ yards back and working hard. Lucky for me I turn right and am headed home. Funny, legs felt good when I needed them to. Rest of the ride was nice and easy. Came home, went swimming and desperately tried to cool down. Where is the June gloom......When is fall?? Okay, stop bitching and enjoy the summer.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Home Sweet Home.....
I am back in San Diego and hopefully no travel until October! 6 weeks of travel was a lot.
Rest of Boulder stay was rockin. JD and I headed out at 5:30am on Friday for a great ride up to Wade, 9200 ft! Talk about thin air. We did a 4 hour ride, 4500+ ft of elevation gain and it was great. Beautiful and perfect temperature. My legs are coming back and I felt great on the ride until the final climb, it was only a bit over a mile, but was 14% grade and I was literally gasping for air. It''s all good....
Loved the fast descent back and we stopped at Adamo for some iced coffee and post ride fueling. Riley and Kathleen were going to meet us but plans changed so we fueled up and headed back to the house. I showered, cleaned up and headed to the airport. EZ Rent a Car return was easier that the pick up, nevertheless, still not all that easy, Over 10 people in line and they told me I had to wait to be checked out- don't think so.....dropped the keys and said see ya. Never to return again.
DIA is pain in the a#$ of an airport. Out in the middle of no where and massive....trams, walkways, terminals...but alas I was at the gate with time to spare and time to eat. Gotta love Einstein Bagel- Massive Turkey wrap + Venti iced latte and I was one happy camper.
Thanks to Mom picking me up I was home smoothly and quickly.....
As tired as I was, I went for a swim and cleaned up and we headed to a Happy Hour for a friend. Re-energized we had some good conversation, food and a few beers and called it a night.
Saturday.....well my legs felt the ride and the travel. Weary indeed. Did a short run and that was it for training today. John put together our new bike stand so I was eager to do a bit of work on my bike. Cleaned it up, adjusted the derailleur and swapped the cassette. I am such a grease monkey now. HA!
And then more socializing.....Off to Talene and Tony's goodbye soiree. Sniff, sniff- had a short visit and a tearful goodbye with Tal. Went to the Yorks for a reunion of sorts with good friends from Seattle. The old gang was together, parents and kids alike. for Mango Margaritas, Sangria and wonderful BBQ's delights by Rob and Jonathan Sr. It was a night of reminiscing and laughing that we have all been friends since the boys were in pre-school, and look at them now!
Sunday- up and out for a ride. Still lingering fatigue and per KP changed my ride plans to a shorter ride with less intensity. JB and I had a great ride, rocky start - but a good recovery and rolled in as it was getting very, very hot.
The next task was my favorite....cleaning the disaster of a house we have. It was filthy and needed a good scrubbing. Note to self: time to hire another house cleaner. Major cleaning makes Julie grumpy and angry with others. But the reward was heading to a Tour de France Party.....more yummy food and a big screen TV to see Lance up close. As awesome as he is to watch, I have to say I was in awe of Andy Shcleck as he rocketed up Mt Veux on the 2nd to last stage- he is simply awesome and a force to be reckoned with next year and years to come. He had the legs to take off - you could just see it, but he was working so hard to get is brother on the podium, but Lance could not be shaken. Amazing to think of the miles they have ridden..... what a feat.
Time to prepare for the next week- back to serious work and training and need to be focused to get it all done. Riles is back Tuesday night and JD has another soccer camp so there are logistics of driving involved on that front. JD and JB just headed to Poway lake for some fishing and I am headed to the couch with my book :)
Rest of Boulder stay was rockin. JD and I headed out at 5:30am on Friday for a great ride up to Wade, 9200 ft! Talk about thin air. We did a 4 hour ride, 4500+ ft of elevation gain and it was great. Beautiful and perfect temperature. My legs are coming back and I felt great on the ride until the final climb, it was only a bit over a mile, but was 14% grade and I was literally gasping for air. It''s all good....
Loved the fast descent back and we stopped at Adamo for some iced coffee and post ride fueling. Riley and Kathleen were going to meet us but plans changed so we fueled up and headed back to the house. I showered, cleaned up and headed to the airport. EZ Rent a Car return was easier that the pick up, nevertheless, still not all that easy, Over 10 people in line and they told me I had to wait to be checked out- don't think so.....dropped the keys and said see ya. Never to return again.
DIA is pain in the a#$ of an airport. Out in the middle of no where and massive....trams, walkways, terminals...but alas I was at the gate with time to spare and time to eat. Gotta love Einstein Bagel- Massive Turkey wrap + Venti iced latte and I was one happy camper.
Thanks to Mom picking me up I was home smoothly and quickly.....
As tired as I was, I went for a swim and cleaned up and we headed to a Happy Hour for a friend. Re-energized we had some good conversation, food and a few beers and called it a night.
Saturday.....well my legs felt the ride and the travel. Weary indeed. Did a short run and that was it for training today. John put together our new bike stand so I was eager to do a bit of work on my bike. Cleaned it up, adjusted the derailleur and swapped the cassette. I am such a grease monkey now. HA!
And then more socializing.....Off to Talene and Tony's goodbye soiree. Sniff, sniff- had a short visit and a tearful goodbye with Tal. Went to the Yorks for a reunion of sorts with good friends from Seattle. The old gang was together, parents and kids alike. for Mango Margaritas, Sangria and wonderful BBQ's delights by Rob and Jonathan Sr. It was a night of reminiscing and laughing that we have all been friends since the boys were in pre-school, and look at them now!
Sunday- up and out for a ride. Still lingering fatigue and per KP changed my ride plans to a shorter ride with less intensity. JB and I had a great ride, rocky start - but a good recovery and rolled in as it was getting very, very hot.
The next task was my favorite....cleaning the disaster of a house we have. It was filthy and needed a good scrubbing. Note to self: time to hire another house cleaner. Major cleaning makes Julie grumpy and angry with others. But the reward was heading to a Tour de France Party.....more yummy food and a big screen TV to see Lance up close. As awesome as he is to watch, I have to say I was in awe of Andy Shcleck as he rocketed up Mt Veux on the 2nd to last stage- he is simply awesome and a force to be reckoned with next year and years to come. He had the legs to take off - you could just see it, but he was working so hard to get is brother on the podium, but Lance could not be shaken. Amazing to think of the miles they have ridden..... what a feat.
Time to prepare for the next week- back to serious work and training and need to be focused to get it all done. Riles is back Tuesday night and JD has another soccer camp so there are logistics of driving involved on that front. JD and JB just headed to Poway lake for some fishing and I am headed to the couch with my book :)
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