Saturday and the Santa Ana winds were blowing hard. They come from the east desert and are hot dry winds that suck all the moisture in the air out to sea. Seriously. Our usual humidity here in southern California is 70-90%. Today we reached 14% humidity.
The Santa Ana winds have a huge affect on the psyche, as well. Both JE and myself have been restless and disconcerted all day. We had planned a lot of things this week, and most of them had fallen through (our trip to Orange will be postponed for a bit). We woke early, made breakfast (Eggs Florentine) and went back to bed until after noon. We would pick up things that needed to be done and wander around the house unsure how to complete the task. Finally, we decided to plan our meals for next week and go shop for it--on bike.
Riding down the road, a gust of wind came along and pushed at us from the side. We headed to the grocery store: Wholesome Choice Market, with panniers. Today was the first real day of the great social experiment: No Car for JE and Iris... (See yesterday's post to know what happened).
Thirty pounds of produce and a jar of pickles later, we headed home. How is it that some days it feels like no matter which direction you ride, the wind is in your face? We traveled the miles home, dropped the produce home and went out to a different store to collect the laundry soap, chicken, milk and a few other items we needed for the pantry.
Thousands of people live like this, I can't complain. When I go to a grocery store, there is food on the shelves. How blessed am I?
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Day 211: Motivation
We woke early and finished prepping for our little road trip. The plan was to head up to San Luis Obispo, take the train to Monterey Bay,and bike back to the car over a series of days. The plan changed when we got wind of a landslide on highway 1 just south of Gordo. This morning we set out to drive to San Luis Obispo with our bikes and gear--to do a sort of exploration of the area on bike. Just before Atlantic Ave in Long Beach, the car started making huge clunking noises and lost power. JE pulled off the highway and into a parking lot where we called AAA and I called our mechanic. The tow truck was there within minutes.
The drive to the mechanics was about 35 miles, that is a lot of time to talk. Our tow truck driver was awesome. He is a very proud father of 3 little girls who he tell us he wakes up every morning for and goes to work. Apparently it didn't use to be like that for him. He has been driving tow truck for 10 years, and before that he stood on the street corner and sold drugs. His family keeps him honest.
When we got to the auto shop, Tim of Tim's Auto Center, greeted us and attempted to start the car. It knocked and shook and sounded so terrible, he turned it off quickly. Broken piston. A whole new engine--or at least a re-manufactured one. So much for our trip. (So much for our car!) I am just so glad we got it back to Tim--one of the last remaining honest reliable auto-mechanics in the OC.
And so begins the social experiment of having no car in Southern California. I wonder how long it will take to get it back.
So, otherwise:
Lately I've been wondering why I am doing this, wondering if I should continue or give it up after my race (3 weeks away). Well, I had a big FAT reality check this morning as I was getting ready to leave. As I was looking for a book to take on our trip, tucked between a couple books on the shelf was a bunch of photos taken in 2008 of our trip to Kauai. I flipped through them and saw one of myself with JE, perched on a rock. I was working at the opera and completely submersed in my life. Every night we would come home, eat dinner and watch movies or TV then go to bed and do the same thing the next day. That was just before our TV broke and I started cycling to work regularly--doing a 21 mile loop. But the me in that photo is really pudgy and lumpy. Since that then, I have maintained a weight loss of around 30 pounds, gained far more muscle, and am more aware of what goes into my mouth (most days).
We biked home from Tim's, put on our suits and headed for the pool. It was gleaming in the beautiful sunlight, such a welcome thing. Around lap 20, I discovered a secret stash of turbo, I didn't know I had! My shoulders were burning with fatigue when I stopped at lap 24 to take 30 seconds. The rest of the pool time, I kept revisiting that place of power. Time flew by and I had so much focus. If I felt tired, I reminded myself that I am stronger than I think, and kept going.
Dinner tonight was an emergency. We hadn't eaten since breakfast with a bit of trail mix added just before our swim. There is very little fresh food in the house right now, but I did find a can of fish--smoked herring, some caper, lemon and onion. That and crackers and bread and cheese, carrots and the fruit we had taken with us on our trip. Oh, and don't forget the kohlrabi!
One hour later:
I am eating a well deserved bowl of cereal. Around 10, I convinced myself to get out for a run. It has been awhile. I've been trying to stay off my left foot and allow my tendon to heal. It seems to have worked. I ran, about 30 minutes at under 11 minute miles, with no pain in my ankle. Hurray! The true test will be upon waking tomorrow morning. I have three weeks to work toward my 10K and add all my workouts together... Yikes!
The drive to the mechanics was about 35 miles, that is a lot of time to talk. Our tow truck driver was awesome. He is a very proud father of 3 little girls who he tell us he wakes up every morning for and goes to work. Apparently it didn't use to be like that for him. He has been driving tow truck for 10 years, and before that he stood on the street corner and sold drugs. His family keeps him honest.
When we got to the auto shop, Tim of Tim's Auto Center, greeted us and attempted to start the car. It knocked and shook and sounded so terrible, he turned it off quickly. Broken piston. A whole new engine--or at least a re-manufactured one. So much for our trip. (So much for our car!) I am just so glad we got it back to Tim--one of the last remaining honest reliable auto-mechanics in the OC.
And so begins the social experiment of having no car in Southern California. I wonder how long it will take to get it back.
So, otherwise:
Lately I've been wondering why I am doing this, wondering if I should continue or give it up after my race (3 weeks away). Well, I had a big FAT reality check this morning as I was getting ready to leave. As I was looking for a book to take on our trip, tucked between a couple books on the shelf was a bunch of photos taken in 2008 of our trip to Kauai. I flipped through them and saw one of myself with JE, perched on a rock. I was working at the opera and completely submersed in my life. Every night we would come home, eat dinner and watch movies or TV then go to bed and do the same thing the next day. That was just before our TV broke and I started cycling to work regularly--doing a 21 mile loop. But the me in that photo is really pudgy and lumpy. Since that then, I have maintained a weight loss of around 30 pounds, gained far more muscle, and am more aware of what goes into my mouth (most days).
We biked home from Tim's, put on our suits and headed for the pool. It was gleaming in the beautiful sunlight, such a welcome thing. Around lap 20, I discovered a secret stash of turbo, I didn't know I had! My shoulders were burning with fatigue when I stopped at lap 24 to take 30 seconds. The rest of the pool time, I kept revisiting that place of power. Time flew by and I had so much focus. If I felt tired, I reminded myself that I am stronger than I think, and kept going.
Dinner tonight was an emergency. We hadn't eaten since breakfast with a bit of trail mix added just before our swim. There is very little fresh food in the house right now, but I did find a can of fish--smoked herring, some caper, lemon and onion. That and crackers and bread and cheese, carrots and the fruit we had taken with us on our trip. Oh, and don't forget the kohlrabi!
One hour later:
I am eating a well deserved bowl of cereal. Around 10, I convinced myself to get out for a run. It has been awhile. I've been trying to stay off my left foot and allow my tendon to heal. It seems to have worked. I ran, about 30 minutes at under 11 minute miles, with no pain in my ankle. Hurray! The true test will be upon waking tomorrow morning. I have three weeks to work toward my 10K and add all my workouts together... Yikes!
Day 210: Slacker
Yes, today was an unexpected slack day. I'm allowed--for today--not feeling so great. It seems as though the past week has been an ongoing change of plans. This weekend, we are heading out of town and I am unsure if I will get any kind of reception to be able to blog. Bicycle tour along part of the coast. So excited to show JE how the big dogs run...
I ran into a friend of mine, Hans Madsen on Facebook this morning. He was gung-ho a while back about loosing a bunch of weight and doing a Tri. He lost 100 pounds-really quick. He hid out for a while, but is coming around again. I hope he goes about this a bit more sanely and that he succeeds on a long term basis.
There is only 23 days left until the big event. I need to get my running grove on. My ankle is feeling so much better; I'm not even limping! Running in the morning before the sun is up, is one of my favorite things!
I ran into a friend of mine, Hans Madsen on Facebook this morning. He was gung-ho a while back about loosing a bunch of weight and doing a Tri. He lost 100 pounds-really quick. He hid out for a while, but is coming around again. I hope he goes about this a bit more sanely and that he succeeds on a long term basis.
There is only 23 days left until the big event. I need to get my running grove on. My ankle is feeling so much better; I'm not even limping! Running in the morning before the sun is up, is one of my favorite things!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Day 209: Swimming--in Daylight!
I rode with the wind this morning, traveling further with each revolution than I would have expected. 22 miles per hour, with little effort--until I got to the Back Bay trail. I pushed into the wind until I turned onto the PCH.
At Mesa, a woman entered the trail on her roadie. She was tallish, blondish, and about my age. I passed her just after she got on the trail. Her pedal was making a strange brushing noise, so I sped up to gain some distance. She was on me like butter on toast. No way was I going to let her pass again. I stood in the saddle and pedaled like mad to gain the hill at Back Bay Drive. She ate my dust as I discoed down the 13% grade.
I will say this for myself: I am not a jerk rider who swerves and maneuvers to gain the lead. I just pump hard.
Just as I was starting to slow a bit to enjoy the bird life on the Back Bay, I heard that crazy little swish of that woman's pedal. I picked up my cadence and added a smaller gear. She was pushing hard, but I was riding harder. If she had wanted it, she could have had it; but I remained in the lead until she turned back at the Nature Center.
I was breathing hard, my legs a bit wobbly, and my smile was huge as I continued through the neighborhoods and back through the park.
At 10 sharp, I bonked and stopped for some Jelly Bellies and nuts. I finished my ride with 34 miles at my back.
When I got home, the cat wanted food and so did I. Confession: Sunday night, JE and I made a huge thing of spareribs. This is what we have been eating for dinner all week long--and what I ate today, ravenously, after my ride.
A quick nap and I went swimming. What a beautiful day, and what lovely weather. The pool closest to my condo is unheated. Today was the first time since last summer that I braved the cold and went swimming there. It was lovely. When I first arrived there were only a few sunbathers. On my last set of laps, several families showed up with tons of kids. One woman came dressed in a thong back string bikini. She stood rubbing oil all over her body, bending down to reach her ankles--for a full 5 minutes. A mom of a couple young boys was kept busy trying to distract them by applying sunscreen to their backs--turned from the bikini. Such an odd thing to watch as I finished up my laps. It was definitely the slowest of my sets.
For dinner tonight, I made Monday's menu--Chicken Parma with polenta. Except I changed it to a sort of Chicken piccata with polenta. Start with the polenta:
Polenta
Preheat oven to 350F and butter a 2 quart casserole.
Saute 1/2 diced onion in olive oil over medium low heat. When translucent add 2 cloves garlic, minced. Stir until fragrant.
Add 2 cups milk, 2 cups chicken broth and bring to a boil. Turn off heat.
Slowly slowly slowly pour in 1 cup corn grits or polenta. Let sit until it begins to thicken over the residual heat. Pour into buttered casserole and top with a cup of grated cheese--cheddar works fine in a pinch. place in oven for 20-30 minutes while you make the piccata.
Piccata
Saute 1/2 onion sliced lengthwise, 1 red pepper sliced, about a cup of zucchini chopped in olive oil over medium low heat. Continue to stir until the vegetables are very fragrant and the onions translucent. Add 4 cloves sliced garlic and stir for about a minute. Remove veg from pan and turn the heat to medium high.
Cut two chicken breasts in half horizontally--to make thinner fillets. Season with salt and pepper. Heat about 1 tbl of grape seed oil in the now hot pan and add the chicken. Brown quickly on both sides, add one 14 oz can tomatoes along with 1/2 cup water (or wine). Add 2 tbl capers-chopped, 8 green olives-sliced and 2 tbl olive tapenade (or more olives and capers if that's what you've got), and a tsp of anchovy paste if you want. Cover and cook until chicken is ready, about 10 minutes. Serve with the polenta and grated Romano cheese.
At Mesa, a woman entered the trail on her roadie. She was tallish, blondish, and about my age. I passed her just after she got on the trail. Her pedal was making a strange brushing noise, so I sped up to gain some distance. She was on me like butter on toast. No way was I going to let her pass again. I stood in the saddle and pedaled like mad to gain the hill at Back Bay Drive. She ate my dust as I discoed down the 13% grade.
I will say this for myself: I am not a jerk rider who swerves and maneuvers to gain the lead. I just pump hard.
Just as I was starting to slow a bit to enjoy the bird life on the Back Bay, I heard that crazy little swish of that woman's pedal. I picked up my cadence and added a smaller gear. She was pushing hard, but I was riding harder. If she had wanted it, she could have had it; but I remained in the lead until she turned back at the Nature Center.
I was breathing hard, my legs a bit wobbly, and my smile was huge as I continued through the neighborhoods and back through the park.
At 10 sharp, I bonked and stopped for some Jelly Bellies and nuts. I finished my ride with 34 miles at my back.
When I got home, the cat wanted food and so did I. Confession: Sunday night, JE and I made a huge thing of spareribs. This is what we have been eating for dinner all week long--and what I ate today, ravenously, after my ride.
A quick nap and I went swimming. What a beautiful day, and what lovely weather. The pool closest to my condo is unheated. Today was the first time since last summer that I braved the cold and went swimming there. It was lovely. When I first arrived there were only a few sunbathers. On my last set of laps, several families showed up with tons of kids. One woman came dressed in a thong back string bikini. She stood rubbing oil all over her body, bending down to reach her ankles--for a full 5 minutes. A mom of a couple young boys was kept busy trying to distract them by applying sunscreen to their backs--turned from the bikini. Such an odd thing to watch as I finished up my laps. It was definitely the slowest of my sets.
For dinner tonight, I made Monday's menu--Chicken Parma with polenta. Except I changed it to a sort of Chicken piccata with polenta. Start with the polenta:
Polenta
Preheat oven to 350F and butter a 2 quart casserole.
Saute 1/2 diced onion in olive oil over medium low heat. When translucent add 2 cloves garlic, minced. Stir until fragrant.
Add 2 cups milk, 2 cups chicken broth and bring to a boil. Turn off heat.
Slowly slowly slowly pour in 1 cup corn grits or polenta. Let sit until it begins to thicken over the residual heat. Pour into buttered casserole and top with a cup of grated cheese--cheddar works fine in a pinch. place in oven for 20-30 minutes while you make the piccata.
Piccata
Saute 1/2 onion sliced lengthwise, 1 red pepper sliced, about a cup of zucchini chopped in olive oil over medium low heat. Continue to stir until the vegetables are very fragrant and the onions translucent. Add 4 cloves sliced garlic and stir for about a minute. Remove veg from pan and turn the heat to medium high.
Cut two chicken breasts in half horizontally--to make thinner fillets. Season with salt and pepper. Heat about 1 tbl of grape seed oil in the now hot pan and add the chicken. Brown quickly on both sides, add one 14 oz can tomatoes along with 1/2 cup water (or wine). Add 2 tbl capers-chopped, 8 green olives-sliced and 2 tbl olive tapenade (or more olives and capers if that's what you've got), and a tsp of anchovy paste if you want. Cover and cook until chicken is ready, about 10 minutes. Serve with the polenta and grated Romano cheese.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Day 208: Mind Games
Putting forth the effort to get the training in is only half the battle some days. Today, my swim felt long and weak. My brain was trying to tell me to go slower and and that resistance was futile. It was a struggle to complete sets without stopping. It was all in my head. I've done it all before and there is no reason why I should feel weaker today.
Running, on the other hand, is still troubling. Darned ankle.
Foodwise: breakfast was a bowl of cereal, and some dried apples later. Lunch was a bun. I was so busy, I sort of forgot to eat. Oh, snap. There I go. That was the trouble in the pool...
Running, on the other hand, is still troubling. Darned ankle.
Foodwise: breakfast was a bowl of cereal, and some dried apples later. Lunch was a bun. I was so busy, I sort of forgot to eat. Oh, snap. There I go. That was the trouble in the pool...
Monday, April 25, 2011
Day 207: Switching things up
It was my last day of work for a while. Things got loads better, after the weekend. I had a good conversation with my coworker, and resolved some things. Glad we are friends, and that what I said to him actually was helpful. We have worked on and off together for several years and have always been friends. Being put in this roll as a superior has been especially troubling for me--at times. Glad it's over, but I did enjoy being at work with that lot of people.
We got up and ran this morning, five kilometers. It was an easy run, and I stopped several times to stretch and roll my ankle. Nevertheless, afterward, I limped around all day. It is so provoking to feel fine, happy and healthy while running and then to wind up stiff and unable to walk straight all day afterward. I tried to elevate, stretch gently, and rest it some but, I forgot my brace and had no ice. What else is provoking is that after tonight's ride around the Back Bay, my ankle feels almost fine. Though that does give me hope for the race, getting to that point may only be attained by brick training, with cycling preceding running.
Tomorrow we will do our run in the morning and then swim tomorrow night. Since I have met my one mile goal, I've also decided to push myself for faster laps, rather than gain more volume. As such, I will be swimming 48 laps; not 53.
We got up and ran this morning, five kilometers. It was an easy run, and I stopped several times to stretch and roll my ankle. Nevertheless, afterward, I limped around all day. It is so provoking to feel fine, happy and healthy while running and then to wind up stiff and unable to walk straight all day afterward. I tried to elevate, stretch gently, and rest it some but, I forgot my brace and had no ice. What else is provoking is that after tonight's ride around the Back Bay, my ankle feels almost fine. Though that does give me hope for the race, getting to that point may only be attained by brick training, with cycling preceding running.
Tomorrow we will do our run in the morning and then swim tomorrow night. Since I have met my one mile goal, I've also decided to push myself for faster laps, rather than gain more volume. As such, I will be swimming 48 laps; not 53.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Day 206: Rest Day
Twelve years ago, today, I married the most amazing person. For weeks we had been rained out, it was a cold wet spring. On the morning of our wedding, we had the most beautiful clear sky. The Wasatch range was covered in a light mist, and the light filtering through was ethereal. We posed for photos, before the ceremony, with the Timpanogos Temple in the background.
After the ceremony, at our wedding luncheon, we watched as the clouds started to roll back in. By the reception, we were doused. For months, I had planned an outdoor reception, with the band and dancing on the patio. Because of the rain, not even the decorations I had worked on could be put up. As I sat on the bed deliberating about what to do, the thought came to me: I had a choice. I could sit in that bedroom all night sulking about something so completely out of my control, or I could go downstairs and put on my best face and have an amazing time. I chose the latter, and have always been grateful for that realization that happiness is a choice. When I walked down the stairs and met my sweet JE, we interlaced fingers and I knew I had made the best decision all around.
In our first year of marriage we coined the term Oodle-ee-yay which means: The Grandest that Life has to Offer. That is my JE to the tee.
We are hoping to take our anniversary trip sometime in the near future. Thinking of a mini cycle tour, somewhere beautiful and close by.
We spent the day with my amazing Grandmother and had Easter brunch at the Chateau. It was a great day, and great to see her and her latest art projects. Her figure watercolors are really coming along. Later, we went to San Onofre State Beach and enjoyed a completely deserted beach and a spectacular sky, thick with clouds. The sun shone down on the sea on the horizon. Tomorrow shall be beautiful.
As for training, I am still concerned about my ankle. Though the swelling has gone down and the pain subsided considerably, running exacerbates it. JE says I know I can run 7K, why not run 10K that day. Maybe...
Plan for the week
Monday: AM: Run 5k, sets
PM: swim 53 laps
Dinner: spinach salad, poached eggs, bacon, tomatoes, cucumber, vinegar and oil. Good bread and cheese
Tuesday: AM: cycle the back bay--Maybe Santiago as well, for me.
PM: run 4 miles and a good stretch yoga set
Dinner: chicken Parma with polenta and garlicky spinach
Wednesday: AM: club Nike (lean), cycle
PM: swimming 53 laps
Dinner: Thai curry
Thursday: AM: cycle back bay
PM: running 5 miles, sets
Dinner: haystacks
Friday AM: Yoga-core strengthening
PM: swimming 53 laps
Dinner: Tuna Melts
Movie night
Saturday: Bike ride to Old Town Orange for dinner--take train back home
Dinner: Gabbies
After the ceremony, at our wedding luncheon, we watched as the clouds started to roll back in. By the reception, we were doused. For months, I had planned an outdoor reception, with the band and dancing on the patio. Because of the rain, not even the decorations I had worked on could be put up. As I sat on the bed deliberating about what to do, the thought came to me: I had a choice. I could sit in that bedroom all night sulking about something so completely out of my control, or I could go downstairs and put on my best face and have an amazing time. I chose the latter, and have always been grateful for that realization that happiness is a choice. When I walked down the stairs and met my sweet JE, we interlaced fingers and I knew I had made the best decision all around.
In our first year of marriage we coined the term Oodle-ee-yay which means: The Grandest that Life has to Offer. That is my JE to the tee.
We are hoping to take our anniversary trip sometime in the near future. Thinking of a mini cycle tour, somewhere beautiful and close by.
We spent the day with my amazing Grandmother and had Easter brunch at the Chateau. It was a great day, and great to see her and her latest art projects. Her figure watercolors are really coming along. Later, we went to San Onofre State Beach and enjoyed a completely deserted beach and a spectacular sky, thick with clouds. The sun shone down on the sea on the horizon. Tomorrow shall be beautiful.
As for training, I am still concerned about my ankle. Though the swelling has gone down and the pain subsided considerably, running exacerbates it. JE says I know I can run 7K, why not run 10K that day. Maybe...
Plan for the week
Monday: AM: Run 5k, sets
PM: swim 53 laps
Dinner: spinach salad, poached eggs, bacon, tomatoes, cucumber, vinegar and oil. Good bread and cheese
Tuesday: AM: cycle the back bay--Maybe Santiago as well, for me.
PM: run 4 miles and a good stretch yoga set
Dinner: chicken Parma with polenta and garlicky spinach
Wednesday: AM: club Nike (lean), cycle
PM: swimming 53 laps
Dinner: Thai curry
Thursday: AM: cycle back bay
PM: running 5 miles, sets
Dinner: haystacks
Friday AM: Yoga-core strengthening
PM: swimming 53 laps
Dinner: Tuna Melts
Movie night
Saturday: Bike ride to Old Town Orange for dinner--take train back home
Dinner: Gabbies
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)