Ah, May first finally came and went, and I did very little to acknowledge it, but I must say that I am glad that April is over and that May is here!
With its arrival comes, of course, lots of busy-ness, but some of it happens to be of the "play" variety, which makes me quite happy. This weekend, of course, is Wildflower. I will spend Saturday morning reviewing with students as they prep for their AP, and then we'll (we being Michael and I, not the kiddos) get in our car, fully loaded with fun items like BodyGlide and other stuff, and head to Paso Robles. As each year passes, I seem to take Wildflower a bit more nonchalantly, or at least in stride, although it is still a BIG deal in a lot of ways. What I mean about my laissez-faire attitude is that the first year, we went up on Friday and spent a really fun weekend up in the Paso Robles area. Then last year, we went up on Saturday and I picked up my packet and bought a hat and got all excited about the race the day before it. This year, we're not even going to the park on Saturday, but will roll in early Sunday morning and I'll do packet pick-up and race the same day. Not a relaxing weekend getaway, but that's life. We will enjoy a nice meal on Saturday night at Artisan, a kick-ass restaurant in Paso Robles, and I can't wait for that! As for my more relaxed attitude, it might bite me in the ass on race-day morning when I discover that I've forgotten something essential, like my helmet.
As for Wildflower, I'm finally feeling excited about that race and about the whole "it's racing season" thing. I'm an avid weather watcher, especially because last year's race was so hot and I suffered so much due to the heat, so I've been keeping my fingers and toes crossed, hoping that it wouldn't be hot as hell this year. I figured that if the temperature stayed under the mid-80's, I would be okay.
Well, apparently my prayers to the weather gods worked because we're now supposed to deal with rain and wind. I can't wait! I realize that the weather channel is NEVER wrong, but this has dampened my hopes just a bit, certainly for the bike. Now, I'm hoping that I don't crash on the bike and make it to the run. I think, if I make it to the run, it should be a good one, especially if it's not too hot and rainy. I haven't experienced a rainy Wildflower, so this should be interesting!
Showing posts with label weather. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weather. Show all posts
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Monday, February 11, 2013
A fair weather rider
We've enjoyed some rather chilly days and weeks in the LA area this year. Obviously I'm not comparing the temperatures here to those far-flung northern locales, but compared to last year, it's been damn cold! Currently, I'm wearing a wool sweater, wool socks and we have a fire crackling away for the evening. Michael refused to take the dogs out for a walk this morning because there was frost on the ground, and at one point a few weeks ago, Gus, our ever-so-agile labrador-beagle mix slipped on some ice in the back patio. I keep wondering if this is the "hell-freezes-over" moment in humanity's history, but other apocalyptic signs seem wanting (unless you count the pope's resignation - holy smokes! This is the first time since the Middle Ages that a pope has willingly - I suppose - stepped down).
As much as I like that the cold weather affords me the opportunity to wear wool sweaters to school and to bundle up in the mornings, as I begin to think about different races and the training involved, I curse the colder temperatures. Yes, this is yet another example of my total lack of hard-core badassness. I admit it - I am a fair weather rider. A wimp, in other words. There are, after all, several reasons I live in Southern CA, and the weather does make the list. While we have our seasons here (May Grey, June Gloom, Santa Ana winds...) and there are extremes that come with them, most of the time, I can find a way to train outside, even if it means I drive to the coast, usually in search of cooler temperatures, for a ride or a run. There are some hot days in the summer, and, apparently, some cold days in the winter!
Running in the cold, while it isn't much fun, is not unbearable nor unfamiliar. Last year, I ran in Boulder and Taos when the temperatures were in the 20's. Cold, yes, but not intolerable. Riding in the cold, however, is another matter altogether. As yesterday proved, I am NOT prepared for even slightly cold weather riding. Honestly, if I weren't starting to think about upcoming events (months away, but still there), I wouldn't have plopped my thin-skinned butt on the saddle yesterday. However, I've committed myself to at least one ride per week in February and then upping the number when March and April roll around. So far, I've enjoyed these rides - last weekend's was awesome and made me happy to be back on the bike. Yesterday's ride, however, made me realize that I seriously lack any cold-weather riding gear. Okay, not "any" since I have leg warmers and bike gloves, and really I have enough winter gear to layer up for a ride, but it feels unfamiliar and uncomfortable to be so cold on the bike. Not that I started out cold - I began the ride climbing several miles as I headed part of the way up the Angeles Crest Highway. It was an AMAZING day (always is after a rain) - lots of dramatic clouds and sunlight peeping through and freshly green mountains that went on and on as I looked towards the eastern range. I wasn't hot on the climb, but not cold. However, once I turned around and started the descent, I knew that I was in for some suffering. At first I couldn't decide if the excitement of the decent would cancel out the wind chill factor, and initially it did. Once I finished the decent and continued the ride, I started to curse my serious lack of circulation - cold hands and really f-ing cold feet! I cut the ride short because, by that point, my feet were totally numb and I just couldn't get warm.
In my defense, I do think that it was about 52 degrees when I started the ride and, when I returned, the temperature had dropped to about 48 degrees. Not freezing temperatures, I admit, but when you're zooming downhill and there's a biting wind, it's cold! Fortunately, looking at the temperatures this next weekend, we should be back to normal LA digits - ah, the 70's, how I will welcome you!
As much as I like that the cold weather affords me the opportunity to wear wool sweaters to school and to bundle up in the mornings, as I begin to think about different races and the training involved, I curse the colder temperatures. Yes, this is yet another example of my total lack of hard-core badassness. I admit it - I am a fair weather rider. A wimp, in other words. There are, after all, several reasons I live in Southern CA, and the weather does make the list. While we have our seasons here (May Grey, June Gloom, Santa Ana winds...) and there are extremes that come with them, most of the time, I can find a way to train outside, even if it means I drive to the coast, usually in search of cooler temperatures, for a ride or a run. There are some hot days in the summer, and, apparently, some cold days in the winter!
Running in the cold, while it isn't much fun, is not unbearable nor unfamiliar. Last year, I ran in Boulder and Taos when the temperatures were in the 20's. Cold, yes, but not intolerable. Riding in the cold, however, is another matter altogether. As yesterday proved, I am NOT prepared for even slightly cold weather riding. Honestly, if I weren't starting to think about upcoming events (months away, but still there), I wouldn't have plopped my thin-skinned butt on the saddle yesterday. However, I've committed myself to at least one ride per week in February and then upping the number when March and April roll around. So far, I've enjoyed these rides - last weekend's was awesome and made me happy to be back on the bike. Yesterday's ride, however, made me realize that I seriously lack any cold-weather riding gear. Okay, not "any" since I have leg warmers and bike gloves, and really I have enough winter gear to layer up for a ride, but it feels unfamiliar and uncomfortable to be so cold on the bike. Not that I started out cold - I began the ride climbing several miles as I headed part of the way up the Angeles Crest Highway. It was an AMAZING day (always is after a rain) - lots of dramatic clouds and sunlight peeping through and freshly green mountains that went on and on as I looked towards the eastern range. I wasn't hot on the climb, but not cold. However, once I turned around and started the descent, I knew that I was in for some suffering. At first I couldn't decide if the excitement of the decent would cancel out the wind chill factor, and initially it did. Once I finished the decent and continued the ride, I started to curse my serious lack of circulation - cold hands and really f-ing cold feet! I cut the ride short because, by that point, my feet were totally numb and I just couldn't get warm.
In my defense, I do think that it was about 52 degrees when I started the ride and, when I returned, the temperature had dropped to about 48 degrees. Not freezing temperatures, I admit, but when you're zooming downhill and there's a biting wind, it's cold! Fortunately, looking at the temperatures this next weekend, we should be back to normal LA digits - ah, the 70's, how I will welcome you!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Boulder Stroke and Stride: Foiled again!
As the days tick by, I am trying to balance my anxiety about Sunday's race as I enjoy tapering - definitely more resting this week! I did sign up for the Boulder Stroke and Stride, a weekly event that is either a swim/run or just a run. It seemed like a good opportunity for me to squeeze in one more open water swim before Sunday. Also, I participated in the event last year and my experience - or performance - was less than stellar. I signed up for the 1500 meter swim + 5K run and then bumped myself down to the 750 meter swim. It ended up being a challenging swim, not because of the conditions but because of the altitude. So, I wanted redemption this year - I hoped to build my confidence for Sunday with a solid swim followed by a nice, easy run.
Unfortunately, things did not work out like I hoped! The good news (I suppose) is that this had nothing to do with my performance in the water which was non-existent. Seriously. So much for that open water practice swim! I'm actually surprised that I even went to the Boulder Rez yesterday - there were thunderstorms threatening all afternoon, and around 4:00 the sky opened up and it started to pour. "Good!" I thought, hoping that the thunderstorms would blow through, leaving clear conditions for 6:00 pm. By 5:15, however, the rain started again, along with thunder and lightening. No way was the swim happening. So, I geared up in running clothes and headed to the Boulder Rez, driving towards the dark clouds and not even sure about the run. Once I arrived, I heard the announcer talking about the swim rules - GRRRRR! The swim was happening and I did not bring any of my swim gear. Nor did I have time to return for it. Total fail!
Well, I still did the run, which was low-key, especially considering that there were about 12 of us who only ran the 5K. I came in first in my age group - out of two! I held a faster pace than I've been seeing lately, but I certainly did not go "all out". So, I came home with a cool t-shirt, a failed swim and a somewhat slow run. Not a total wash, but certainly not the experience for which I had hoped.
As I gear up for a swim in the Rez this morning (my last before Sunday!), I'm shaking my head at myself, but I've also shrugged it off, to a certain degree. If the swim had not gone well, then, rather than building my confidence, it would probably be shot right about now. I know that I can do a 1.2 mile swim - it might be slower than I would like but I think that much of Sunday will be a bit slower than I'd "like".
So, maybe I'll have the experience that I want at next year's Stroke and Stride - vamos a ver!
Unfortunately, things did not work out like I hoped! The good news (I suppose) is that this had nothing to do with my performance in the water which was non-existent. Seriously. So much for that open water practice swim! I'm actually surprised that I even went to the Boulder Rez yesterday - there were thunderstorms threatening all afternoon, and around 4:00 the sky opened up and it started to pour. "Good!" I thought, hoping that the thunderstorms would blow through, leaving clear conditions for 6:00 pm. By 5:15, however, the rain started again, along with thunder and lightening. No way was the swim happening. So, I geared up in running clothes and headed to the Boulder Rez, driving towards the dark clouds and not even sure about the run. Once I arrived, I heard the announcer talking about the swim rules - GRRRRR! The swim was happening and I did not bring any of my swim gear. Nor did I have time to return for it. Total fail!
Well, I still did the run, which was low-key, especially considering that there were about 12 of us who only ran the 5K. I came in first in my age group - out of two! I held a faster pace than I've been seeing lately, but I certainly did not go "all out". So, I came home with a cool t-shirt, a failed swim and a somewhat slow run. Not a total wash, but certainly not the experience for which I had hoped.
As I gear up for a swim in the Rez this morning (my last before Sunday!), I'm shaking my head at myself, but I've also shrugged it off, to a certain degree. If the swim had not gone well, then, rather than building my confidence, it would probably be shot right about now. I know that I can do a 1.2 mile swim - it might be slower than I would like but I think that much of Sunday will be a bit slower than I'd "like".
So, maybe I'll have the experience that I want at next year's Stroke and Stride - vamos a ver!
Saturday, November 12, 2011
A gloomy Saturday
It is 5:00 pm, and almost officially dark. While I love the time change in the mornings, it does depress me a bit that night draws close so quickly these days. However, when I remember that I used to live in places that get dark at 3:30 or so in winter (Philly and Seattle), I try my best to not complain too much. And, even in sunny LA, there is something comforting about the sense that the year has moved on and that I can hibernate a bit because it is fall.
As for today, it has been the fastest Saturday EVER. Okay, slight hyperbole there, but how is it that my weekdays seemed to stretch out forever, and then today I'd like to add a few more hours to the experience? I feel that I just woke up but here I am, changing so that I can look respectable enough to go out and be in the public eye?
As for the day? I'd call it lugubrious. What a great word, right? And not one that I can often use here in Southern CA.
The word has all of these negative connotations, but was lovely to enjoy the gloomy weather from a warm house for most of the day! It rained a few times throughout the day, but at one point, I looked out the window, and all of these whispy, low-lying clouds were moving through and around the San Gabriels. It was so beautiful, and I do love that I could take in the view right from the kitchen window.
Sometimes, I love living where we do.
As for today, it has been the fastest Saturday EVER. Okay, slight hyperbole there, but how is it that my weekdays seemed to stretch out forever, and then today I'd like to add a few more hours to the experience? I feel that I just woke up but here I am, changing so that I can look respectable enough to go out and be in the public eye?
As for the day? I'd call it lugubrious. What a great word, right? And not one that I can often use here in Southern CA.
The word has all of these negative connotations, but was lovely to enjoy the gloomy weather from a warm house for most of the day! It rained a few times throughout the day, but at one point, I looked out the window, and all of these whispy, low-lying clouds were moving through and around the San Gabriels. It was so beautiful, and I do love that I could take in the view right from the kitchen window.
Sometimes, I love living where we do.
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