Bad Weekend for a Triathlon

Diagram of the oil spill. A view from the Marin side of the Golden Gate Bridge.

So I spent my birthday Wednesday evening at a volunteer's meeting for the upcoming Treasure Island Tri. There was pizza and sodas afterwards and lots of friends in attendance so really it was like a regular b-day party. If I was 8 it would have been perfect:) Turns out that it was also Meredith's b-day. She's one of the Tri-California people, the organization who puts on the race. I've volunteered for enough Tri-California events that these guys have become friends.

We went into the meeting knowing about the accident that caused the oil spill but as far as we knew the race was still on. Initial reports stated that only 140 gallons of oil leaked into the bay but we found out after the meeting, during the evening news, that it was more like 58,000 gallons. Quite a big jump from the initial estimate. A container ship had hit one of the supporting towers of the Oakland Bay Bridge, rupturing one of it's fuel tanks. The oil traveled North and West, then out the Golden Gate Bridge, soiling beaches along the way. Once outside the Golden Gate it continued North soiling more of Marin's coast.

For the report at SFGate, click here.

So the swim has been canceled for the triathlon but the race will still go on. It's now a duathlon, a bike and run. I'll be there all weekend. Saturday AM is the Olympic distance race and the Pro race at noon - folks will get a good look at the really fast guys. Sunday is the Sprint distance event. This time I'm working at the finish line food tent. We are serving pasta, salad, water and who knows what else. I always try to do different jobs at these races. I hope it's a good day despite the race being shortened. At least in our club no one's been bitchin or complainin. People have been cognizant of the fact that there is more at stake here.

Shout out to my friends doing PCTR's Stinson Beach 50k. I wanted to do that race but I found out it was the same weekend as this triathlon.

Another Year

You know I've never really been one to make a big deal about my birthday. I'll have a beer, a good meal whatever. If my friends want to celebrate that's great, if not that's cool too. Since I got into ultra-marathons and triathlons I found even less need to celebrate the day. This will sound corny but since I've gotten involved in these sports I feel like I'm continually celebrating my life. I sure spend enough, what with all the races, gear and food.

Nevertheless acknowledging the day is good, not just for myself but also for my family and friends. As a good friend once told me, "it's not all about you". So there, 36 years ago today, another ultra-marathon geek was born:)

Made It

I had a dream that someone complained there are no pictures in my blog. It was probably just me, so to appease myself, a photo from my Florida trip.

Interrupting a late afternoon cable tv workout by the couch potaters. That's Ed the family dog, also known as Eddie, Eduardo, Edgar, Edmund and Ed-licious. The last one makes him nervous I think, Filipinos have been known to eat man's best friend. Then it's Hoku the mild mannered cat and my mom.

It's been crazy busy since I got back from Florida, work mostly. Kind of piled up while I was gone, you know how that goes. This past weekend I ended up working about 18 hours. I hate working in the weekends and I try to keep it to a minimum but sometimes it's unavoidable. How I got my workouts done this weekend is a minor miracle, especially that 3 hour run on Sunday. It was supposed to be 4 hours but had to cut it down to 3. First I almost talked myself out of it so I could stay home and work. When I did start I felt like I already ran and a mere half an hour into it I already wanted to turn back. It was more of a mental workout than anything else. Got er done though and even managed to enjoy myself after the first hour. Sat on an ice bath as soon as I got home. It was like dousing a fire. I stepped out of that tub like a new man, ready to tackle...more work.

Well I made it. Today's presentation went very, very well. Website concepts for an interior design firm. They were pleased, no small praise coming from fellow creatives. I'll be back on regular schedule starting tonight...should...keeping my fingers crossed. Can't wait to read up on what everyone else was up to.

Looking Towards 2008

I can't believe we are in November already and that my season is almost over. Where did the year go?! I should do a year in review post. Alright that's one for the idea bin. Meanwhile I'm going to share a bit of good news I got this past week.

Congratulations!

You have been nominated by your fellow GGTC triathletes for the positions of President and Design for the 2008 GGTC Board of Directors. Since you are nominated for two, you will need to select one position to run for. Please let me know if and which nomination you would like to accept by Friday, November 2nd at 3pm.

Please note that if you accept this nomination, I will need a “platform” by Wednesday, November 7th at 5pm. This “platform” is typically one to two paragraphs about yourself, why you are running and why you see yourself as a good fit for the position on the GGTC Board (250 words max).

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Jill K.
GGTC Elections Official

Kind of cool huh. I knew it was coming but still felt flattered when the official email came. I actually advocated for the new "Design Director" position. Being a Graphic Designer by trade I saw the need for it and filled in while also doing my Run Director stuff.

Yeah sure I'm down for another year of volunteer service to the club. I wasn't going anywhere anyway. Guess which one I'm running for?