Jamie Oliver

This year at the TED convention in Long Beach Jamie Oliver received an award for his work to fight Obesity. TED is a non profit organization dedicated to spreading the word about worth while ideas. In the above video Jamie gives a passionate speech focused on motivating people & industries to change the way we use food in hopes of saving lives from food related diseases that are gripping our society.

Sausalito Bike RIde

We got on the road around 12 in the afternoon and made our way to the Bart.
The Bart took us to the waterfront at the Embarcadero where we started our trek towards the Golden Gate.
Stopped at Crissy Field one of my favorite local spots to catch our breath, watch the kites, and see the picturesque view of the bay.
After a mostly "uphill" ride we made it to the bridge and prepared to bike to Sausalito on the other side. We made it and although, by the time we reached our destination we were both exhausted - it was a fabulous ride. In Sausalito we ate clam chowder, perused art Galleries, explored the local neighborhoods that reminded us of Santa Barbara, experienced pistachio ice cream, and took a nap in the park.

There is a ferry that takes you back from Sausalito to SF. It only holds 35 bikes per trip and runs infrequently. Unfortunatley our trip took place on a holiday weekend and everyone else apparently had the same great idea as we did and biked to the city across the Golden Gate. So when we expected to be home by 7pm we really made it home by 12am. Luckily we had no time schedule to make , so sitting and reading as we waited hours for the Ferry wasn't so bad.


It was a great day.

Bay to Breakers

I believe this was the 15th time husbands grandma has participated in the race. Amazing!

This is the first beaver dam I have come across in any race. We had to jump over the logs held by the "beavers" in order to pass.
It wouldnt be a race in SF without the hills. Looking back all you see is a sea of people.Dressing up as the "swine flu" was the popular costume of choice this year.

Sharks swim down stream...
... and Salmon swim up stream.
Husband and our dear friend find the SF chapter of their Alma mater along the race.

13.1 miles later

I've been a little slack on posting about my half marathon in San Luis Obispo. I lost my camera with the picture's for awhile and honestly I just forgot. Anyways, for anyone curious as to how it all turned out... the run was fabulous. The race started at 8am in the heart of SLO. It was bitterly cold that morning so my friends and I sought refuge in a nearby coffee shop until the race began. Once we got started it was a beautiful run through the city, some orchards, and ending with the Pacific ocean in view. The run in general was fairly flat, but there were several hills that required some focus and will power. Around mile 12 I started to pray for the end, especially since I had been positive that around each of the last four corners I would see the finish line. Anyways, I made it in a little over 2hours. Great run. My only complaint is that they didn't have medals for the participants...bummer. Medal or no medal I enjoyed finishing well and having my friends and family there to support me. So thank you to everyone who was there to run with me or just cheer me on.

Making it Happen

City to the Sea Half Marathon and 5k Run/Walk

"turf to surf" San Luis Obispo to Shell Beach

Race Day October 12, 2008!!!

They say what separates a runner from a jogger is the signature on a race registration. So I figured it's about time I signed myself up for another go. The race starts at 8am in Downtown San Luis Obispo and is a fairly flat run to the Ocean.

I am unbelievably excited!! I started really running again about 3 months ago..I've slacked off since, but haven't completely dropped off in my workouts. "Turf to Surf" is 3weeks away and I'm going to try my hardest to get in a bit of disciplined training until then. I know I can finish 13 since I've recently run ten ... I just would like to finish well and with a good time. So the plan is to work on some speed training as well as continue my long runs. My 3wk training plan

Now the only worry I have about the race is my shoes. Like usual my horribly built feet are are causing me frustration. I bought a marvelous pair of Nike's the other day, but the one time I used them I made it 2 miles and had to stop due to massive pain from blisters developing on my arch. Arch blisters are a continuous thing with my feet. I overpronate but have had shoes that over correct it. So this time I bought a pair that correct my pronating problem, but are less intense. They feel great..but the insole that came with the shoes is rubbing up against my arch and blisters happen. I'm going to try to buy a insole made of rubber or one that doesn't have an intense edge and switch it out with the Nike inserts. Keeping my fingers crossed that this will fix the problem and I can wear my shoes. Its killing me to see them in the box still and have to wear my worn out trainers on my runs.


My "running" shopping list

1) Inserts
2)GU, Shot Blocks, Gatorade Powder
3) Hydration Belt
4) Visor
5) shorts

I Do Adore .....

see more funny running signs here

7:30 AM

I've been having this wonderful habit of waking up at 7:30 am everyday. It's actually been a blessing since I'm trying to keep up with my running routine and anytime past 10am is to hot . So this morning, like the others, I put on my running shoes, grabbed a piece of toast and peanut butter, and prepared for a good run. A coworker of mine picked me up and the two of us drove over to Wildwood State Park. Trail running is so much nicer than running through town. The scenery is always enjoyable and the quiet when you run is a nice change from the car filled streets. My running partner and I had sworn to do hill repeats today so my legs now feel like spaghetti after having run up and down a big bertha of a hill several times. But I couldn't be happier. Starting my day off with a tough run always lifts my spirits and clears my head. Its going to be a good day.

Hi Ho Silver

{image via mypolaroidblog}

Every other week I have four days off from the crazy non-profit world. And every other week Cole and I struggle to come up with plans to make the most of it. On Sunday, we took my mother in law up on an invitation to ride horses in the Santa Monica Mountains. Now my experiences with horses are very limited and from what I remember from camp at seven years of age; horses and me don't mix. But being a good sport I agreed to see if my taste buds had grown any in the past decade. Lesson learned. Come Monday I woke up feeling I needed a blown up donut to help alleviate the pain my bruised backside was in every time I attempted to sit. Now understand, I love the Santa Monica Mountains and as long as Tonto didn't pick up any speed or try to gallop, which subsequently sends me into an out of control up and down movement, life is just peachy. But of course I lack any skill in controlling the behaviors of large animals and my wishes were cast to the wayside leaving me hanging on for dear life and praying that someone would stop the ride so I could get off. So here I am: Tuesday, still suffering from my lack of cushioning in the rear and Tonto's gallop's.