Mad Manatee Mentors 2013: CLOSED (exc/ Pop Tart bribes) (Page 117)

Wow, Manatees, been a really crazy up and down 24 hours. (Okay, I realize this describes EVERY 24 hours in my life ). A blessed angel (my new friend who took me home for coffee and cake and now can't get rid of me ha ha ha) took Mutti to her home for a few hours yesterday too so I could have a desperately-needed break.

I've always said this and many of you have to me too, and experienced this for yourselves: when the shyte really hits the fan, it's always surprising who shows up and who doesn't. But I always, always get what I need.

MY MAN LUKIE WON CAIRNS!!! I am sure Jo is having a blast there. I so wish I could have done this race but I feel God knew best and clearly it wasn't time.

In very sad news tragedy hit my old hometown of Santa Monica (I lived in Venice Beach, so the Marina del Rey/Venice/Santa Monica boardwalk is like one long continuous beach walk/esplanade). I had read the news yesterday and been in contact with friends but was not aware how close it hit until my friend Anne posted this. Anne and her husband Paul are some of my closest friends there--as in I raised and trained their dogs, have keys to their house, took road trips with them, spent time every week, sometimes several times a week with them.

This is what she posted on FB:

Just want to say thank you to all my family and friends for your care, concern and support. Yesterday was a crazy, emotionally draining, traumatic, and very scary day. I am still processing what happened but just feel so grateful that Russell did not leave the house two minutes later and that John, the shooter, decided not to shoot me. I couldn't sleep last night, just kept seeing him looking right at me. His eyes were dead, as moments before he had shot and killed his brother and father. I was transfixed to the spot on my porch until he shot the lady in the car at point blank range and with no hesitation - then something (self preservation?) kicked in. Somehow, during it all, I retained enough sanity to call 911, tend to the woman he shot, and try to put out the fire with garden hoses and with the help of several of my neighbors. I am sure you have heard all of this on the news, but as I said, I am trying to process it all so thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers. I really feel for the mother, who was vacationing in Lebanon, and who will now return to the loss of both of her sons as well as her ex-husband. All so senseless.

I know none of you have realized this before, but a MTB is quite a bit different to ride than a road bike.

Ended up not going on a MTB ride this morning after a friend broke his chain and his rear derailleur. So he grabbed his road bike and we headed out on the bike trails.  It was easy for him and hard for me.  Wow, effort that would have had me at 20+, was just keeping me around 15.

This takes me back to a couple years ago, when I was riding my MTB with friends just out riding for fun, I was one of the faster people, but then my buddy just dropped me with his road bike like nothing was happening.

Good reminder to appreciate the road bike.  It was also a reminder that eventually a Tri bike will be even better.  My buddy's ride was a full carbon bike he had picked up in Italy.

Yanti, 

You continue to amaze me.  I am amazed at how you can still give back to so many, while things in your life continue to be so hectic.  

I can only imagine a world where there is no craziness going on in your life, and you have the free time (and no stress) to do what you want and need to do for YOU.  Given the way that you touch so many now, I'm thinking the world will be a much better place when things calm down for you.  

I'm wishing you nothing but the best.  

I use "Cardio Trainer" - not sure if it's available on the Iphone or not.  I like this app better than Map My Ride.  

The downside is, it doesn't give you the elevation data in the app - I have to do the extra steps I described above to get the elevation data....  

If you want your elevation data available without the extra downloading and uploading - Map My Run will give you that within the phone.  Not sure if you can export your routes to import them here or not, and I know you can do that with the Cardio Trainer App.  

 In very sad news tragedy hit my old hometown of Santa Monica (I lived in Venice Beach, so the Marina del Rey/Venice/Santa Monica boardwalk is like one long continuous beach walk/esplanade). I had read the news yesterday and been in contact with friends but was not aware how close it hit until my friend Anne posted this. Anne and her husband Paul are some of my closest friends there--as in I raised and trained their dogs, have keys to their house, took road trips with them, spent time every week, sometimes several times a week with them.

This is what she posted on FB:

Just want to say thank you to all my family and friends for your care, concern and support. Yesterday was a crazy, emotionally draining, traumatic, and very scary day. I am still processing what happened but just feel so grateful that Russell did not leave the house two minutes later and that John, the shooter, decided not to shoot me. I couldn't sleep last night, just kept seeing him looking right at me. His eyes were dead, as moments before he had shot and killed his brother and father. I was transfixed to the spot on my porch until he shot the lady in the car at point blank range and with no hesitation - then something (self preservation?) kicked in. Somehow, during it all, I retained enough sanity to call 911, tend to the woman he shot, and try to put out the fire with garden hoses and with the help of several of my neighbors. I am sure you have heard all of this on the news, but as I said, I am trying to process it all so thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers. I really feel for the mother, who was vacationing in Lebanon, and who will now return to the loss of both of her sons as well as her ex-husband. All so senseless.

Ah ha ha and one more thing (it's always another thing!) ... my (literal) neighbor (we share part of a fence), gecko rescuer, surfer piglet and beloved friend Jim in Bali now has chikungunya--it's a horrendous tropical virus that makes dengue fever (called breakbone fever because of the pain) look good. He wants to die.

Morning Manatees!!!!!!!

Some random thoughts...

I need to set up a training schedule. My semi-regular training is stressing me out. I need structure.

I am contemplating doing a women-only TT at the end of the month. It's a 10 mile TT and it is being billed as being beginner friendly. So much so that they have a first timer category. AND it's close to my house!

Along those same lines, the TT is being put on by a local women's cyling club. I'm contemplating joining. It's $85-ish per year. They have several weekly group rides, parties, classes (extra $) etc. I'm thinking I'd probably only do 1-2 group rides per month. Not sure I'd utilize it worth $85 but the camaraderie might help me develop as an athlete and as a person.

Morning Manatees!!!!!!!

Some random thoughts...

I need to set up a training schedule. My semi-regular training is stressing me out. I need structure.

I am contemplating doing a women-only TT at the end of the month. It's a 10 mile TT and it is being billed as being beginner friendly. So much so that they have a first timer category. AND it's close to my house!

Along those same lines, the TT is being put on by a local women's cyling club. I'm contemplating joining. It's $85-ish per year. They have several weekly group rides, parties, classes (extra $) etc. I'm thinking I'd probably only do 1-2 group rides per month. Not sure I'd utilize it worth $85 but the camaraderie might help me develop as an athlete and as a person.

Morning Manatees!!!!!!!

Some random thoughts...

I need to set up a training schedule. My semi-regular training is stressing me out. I need structure.

I am contemplating doing a women-only TT at the end of the month. It's a 10 mile TT and it is being billed as being beginner friendly. So much so that they have a first timer category. AND it's close to my house!

Along those same lines, the TT is being put on by a local women's cyling club. I'm contemplating joining. It's $85-ish per year. They have several weekly group rides, parties, classes (extra $) etc. I'm thinking I'd probably only do 1-2 group rides per month. Not sure I'd utilize it worth $85 but the camaraderie might help me develop as an athlete and as a person.

Thanks Chris. Your group rides were what really got me considering it after I talked to their rep at the "diva night" last week. They have beginner, medium and advanced rides. I'll probably do the TT and maybe talk to them again about joining the club.

Hands-Marie, I do have a sprint in early August. Part of the reason for my lackadaisical training is that it is "only" a sprint. Yes, i just went there. But I do want to do it in under 1:30. I did 1:36 last year. At this race if you go under 1:30 you get placed in the "competative" wave (next year) which goes off before the AG groups. Oddly enough though, I don't plan to do this race next year because 1) I do it for my SIL and she's wimped out on me two years in a row now and 2) It's the same weekend as IM Boulder which I'm considering next year. So the 1:30 is just a goal now. That was a long answer. :-O

I guess I just need to play faster music, and I will prance  run faster?  

"It's better to be punching into space, than in your face!"  ROTFL..

Thanks for he great laugh this morning.  This shyte had me laughing so hard.  Now I'm going to be late to work, but it was so worth it.  

Thanks Chris. Your group rides were what really got me considering it after I talked to their rep at the "diva night" last week. They have beginner, medium and advanced rides. I'll probably do the TT and maybe talk to them again about joining the club.

Hands-Marie, I do have a sprint in early August. Part of the reason for my lackadaisical training is that it is "only" a sprint. Yes, i just went there. But I do want to do it in under 1:30. I did 1:36 last year. At this race if you go under 1:30 you get placed in the "competative" wave (next year) which goes off before the AG groups. Oddly enough though, I don't plan to do this race next year because 1) I do it for my SIL and she's wimped out on me two years in a row now and 2) It's the same weekend as IM Boulder which I'm considering next year. So the 1:30 is just a goal now. That was a long answer. :-O