Such an Idgit

So I nailed one of those bumpy things this evening. Yes J~Mom those things are squishy and soft; however if you nail one from the side, you will go down. The sun had gone down and it was starting to get dark. A kid of about 12-14 blew by me and I was admiring his stride and then WHAM. I was on the ground rolling before I knew it. I rarely fall, in fact I don't remember the last time I fell. I didn't fall once this whole season despite all the trail runs...that is until tonight, on a track no less - LOSER.

I was however impressed that I tucked and rolled automatically. In high school I participated in high school wrestling - I was just ok. Once a week our coach would have us do extended drills on agility and strength. He had these specific drills that was aimed to disorient us, a lot of rolling and twisting. Eventually you learned to be aware of your body position at all times. I had no idea I can still roll like that, it's not something I can practice now. The funny thing is, back in those days, I HATED running. I thought the 2.5 miles of track and stairs that we ran everyday before practice was sheer torture. I didn't even bother to get running shoes, I just grumpily ran my warmup miles in my wrestling shoes.

Happy New Year Everyone. Stay on your feet, on your workouts and the celebrating.

Round and Round

Round and round a track that has seen better days.

Been puttting time in the local track. The only place I feel safe and healthy for running. The streets are chaotic with all types of vehicle and foot traffic, there's the occasional loose dog and the fumes can be overwhelming. I hate going in circles but under the circumstances it is most welcome. The track itself is under repair, a new surface is on it's way from Germany. Must be the heat, humidity and rain that has caused all the bubbling and buckling. Adds a little excitement to my track runs, dancing around the tiny moguls like they were obstacles on a trail.

I find it hard to workout when on vacation, do you guys experience the same thing? Hard to start, difficult to keep going. As always however, glad to have gotten it done once I'm finished. Nothing crazy just 5k's around the track. Acclimating to the heat and humidity just fine, too bad I don't have any hot races anytime soon.

Why I feel safer in the track, ain't no local to be running around in these streets.

On the Other Side of the World

Absolutely no workout related info whatsoever.

I am officially on vacation, the second part of my off-season and sleep has been in very short supply. Late to bed and early to rise, then there's that jet lag thing. Thank goodness for all the running, biking and swimming I've been doing, I can keep putting one foot in front of the other with the best of them. I finally had to wave the white flag last night, guys I'm sitting this one out - going to go zzzzz. Not that I'm complaining, it's all been amazing fun.

I'm in the Philippines, here to visit my aging grandmother (raised me till I was 12), relatives and friends. I enjoy being here, if money was not an issue I'd be here all the time. I've been catching up with family and friends, making new ones, playing with their kids, hitting the town, shopping for last minute x'mas presents, eating native foods that I've missed and a whole bunch of other stuff. I could go on and on but I also want to honor those who may not be having such a great time this holiday season. It happens.

I also finally caught up with my biological dad. He didn't have such a good year and recently I had to unload some truths that was hard to say and probably hard to take but it needed to be said. It was good to talk in person and keep the friendship going.

Today I leave Manila, the crazy mega city of 14 million people, for the small, quiet, slower paced province of my grandmother. Back in the day it was the sugar bowl of the country, acres upon acres of sugarcane fields. My father also came from this region and the family name is synonymous with sugar. This is where I was raised until I was a month shy of my 12th birthday.
Well if I don't log on before then, Merry Christmas! As my friend Jen would say; I hope it's a good one.

People watching and enjoying the native coffee (Starbucks)with my wingman, my cousin Ann.

Guy in the middle is my good friend Eric, one of the great graphic designers I got the privilege to work with - and they say nothing good comes out of Fresno:) We were junior designers for a firm a while ago, during the whole dot.com craze. Back then the only thing I piled on was the work hours, pints of beer and shots of tequila. He ended meeting up with an old crush, moved to Asia and married her. Isn't it usually the case with good friends, that a lot of time can pass between you but when you finally catch up it's like no time has passed at all. Good times, the only sour point was when we started talking about the sorry state of the San Francisco 49ers.

The Year in Review

How it all turned out. Some of you guys will remember this poster from January.

The one entry I've been wanting to post since my last race. An overall summary of the whole year. Funny the races I didn't think I would do well in or races I designated as "training races" I did very well at and the races where I had high expectations I just made out okay. I am much more relaxed heading into a race I have no expectations at so that's probably key. The best run I had all year wasn't even in any of these events. All these races at all these venues and the most fun I had was here at home, in my usual training grounds, alone, without aid and chasing no clock. That was a sweet time, every time I think about it puts a smirk on my face.

So I am off today for a little holiday vacation. Pray that I don't gain anymore weight. It's the toughest time of the year for weight control for me. It's the holiday food plus I'm in a celebratory mood after getting away with another season.

Hope ya'll have a good one.

2007
Pacifica 9k
January 20

Wildflower Training Weekend
March 23-25th

Wildflower Long Course Triathlon
May 5th

Quicksilver 50m
May 12

Volunteer: EFA Triathlon
June 3

Bighorn 100-Miler
For the Photos
For the Report
June 14-17

PCTR Angel Island 50k
July 7

Volunteer: Vineman Half-Ironman Triathlon
July 22

Headlands Hundred
August 11-12

Big Kahuna Half-Ironman
September 9

Big Basin 50k
September 16

MS150 Waves to Wine Bike Ride
September 29-30

Dick Collins Firetrails 50m
October 7

Volunteer: San Francisco One Day
October 20

Volunteer: Nike Women's Marathon
October 21

Volunteer: Treasure Island Triathlon
November 17-18

25th Anniv Quad Dipsea
November 24