Joanne in Cozumel

2009 Ironman Cozumel - An Ironman Jungle Adventure!

Swimming in tropical ocean waters – turquoise, crystal clear and warm, riding past gorgeous coastal vistas, seeing bats flying overhead in the evening and crabs crossing the road during the run - welcome to Ironman in the jungle!! Last year, Karyn had been talking about doing her first Ironman race and when we heard about the inaugural Ironman Cozumel, I told her that if she signed up, I would sign up too and that is how the adventure started!

Race day was Sunday, November 29, so Joe and I flew out on the preceding Tuesday and the spectacular Miss Em drove us to the airport at 4:00 in the morning!! When we arrived in Cancun, it was really easy getting our bags, clearing customs, getting money from the ATM (took us awhile to figure out that we were taking out $1000 pesos – about $80 USD not $1000 USD!) and buying our ADO bus tickets. Then we were accosted by the "travel guides" - yes they look official but they are basically hustlers and I was too tired to listen to their spiel and walked away - Joe being polite and courteous engaged in conversation and then said that he had to go. The guy tried to insult him and yelled, "Who wears the pants in the family?!!" Joe got a hilarious laugh out of it and was laughing until he caught up with me. We were met with a warm balmy breeze outside of the terminal as we waited for the bus which turned out to be quite luxurious - upholstered, reclining seats and air conditioned! When we got to Playa Del Carmen it was dark already. Joe with his great sense of direction got us to the little hotel El Barrio, dragging our luggage and bike box over the cobblestones. What a clatter! Decent place for $40 /night, relatively close to the bus station and the ferry dock. After we dumped our bags we walked around and ate at El Fagon - a wonderful local open grill. Great smells of grilled meats wafting out into the street. Delicious and probably the best meal that we had while in Mexico. Later that evening as we started walking back to our hotel it started to pour buckets!!! The streets were flooding and we hustled ourselves back to our room. It rained all night into the next morning. This caused me some concern because the last time that I had ridden in rain like that was a half Ironman in Oceanside - and that was CRAZY. I couldn't imagine doing a 15 hour race in the rain. By the following afternoon the rain had stopped. Joe and I walked all across town and had an espresso and a kiwi tart at a French bakery - Yum! There are a ton of abandoned condominium projects in PDC - seems like there was a rush at one time to build but after the hurricane, swine flu and the turn in the economy it is evident how much business is suffering. We ended up eating at El Fagon again for lunch before taking our bags to the dock to wait for the ferry. Met up with Karyn who had just flown in from SF. We took the ferry over together and then got a cab to our hotel once we were in Cozumel. The Cozumel Resort was about two blocks from the finish/registration area and turned out to be a perfect location for getting around without a car.

The next few days were windy and the water was really choppy from the storm. K and I took a practice swim on Thursday. Friday morning the wind was really blowing and there were white caps on the water - The practice swim was cancelled because of the conditions. By Saturday the water had calmed down a little and we got in another practice swim. I was concerned that they might even cancel the swim because it was taking forever to swim against the current - plus there was something stinging us in the water!!! Since the water was so warm this was a "no wetsuit swim" and there were jellyfish larvae, bits, whatever stinging us as we swam - ouch!!! People who had skinsuits fared much better but most skinsuits are not USAT (USA Triathlon) legal. Apparently you can wear them in out-of-country races so those lucky enough to have one not only got to avoid the stinging bits but also got to swim faster! I was also concerned about riding in the wind as I watched the tops of the palm trees bending over under the steady blowing. Race day would definitely be interesting! We met a lot of nice people. Francis was a retired bike pro and mechanic. He was a volunteer at the bike checks and had his own line of chain lube called Chain-l No 5 (like Chanel No 5!) - Funny guy!

Swim
Since we weren’t allowed to do a warm-up swim before the race and we didn't have to put on wetsuits, we left the hotel at 5:30 am for the 7:00 am start. My stomach was a little jumpy so K gave me some Pepto and that seemed to settle things a bit. I took some chewing gum to keep my mouth from getting too salty during the swim and a magic marker with me since most of my numbers from getting body marked the previous day had already worn off. This is the only race that I have done where they body marked you the day before! I put on sunscreen and then later found out that they didn't want us wearing sunscreen because it damages the reef. There was a brief dolphin show before the race, the Mexican national anthem and then the elites took off and then it was our turn. K and I hung back and didn't start with the pack. During the swim I figured out that it is much better to brave the fray then to hang out in the back of the pack - way too much effort to make your way up and exhausting. I definitely recommend wearing a skinsuit because of the stinging whatever’s and it will help you swim faster - Wear one!! Swim turned out to be calm and lovely. Saw a ton of fish and starfish and some weird submarine while swimming - Cool!

Bike
The conditions on the roads were much better than I had imagined. There were definitely smooth sections and some chip seal so the bumping and jarring was at a minimum. Saw men removing the speed bumps around town the day before so they really made an effort to make the roads manageable. One thing that I learned was how to say "cap off" for the water bottles. Since I was pouring the water from the aid stations into my aero bottle I needed to have the top off. I kept saying "top off" to no avail until some other rider told me say “sin capon" - after that it was cake! The volunteers there were wonderful but you could tell that this was a first time experience for them. I yelled out what I wanted as I approached, "Agua - sin capon, Gatorade, Gel" and that seemed to help. A few times I missed getting anything but the aid stations were so close - every 10k that it was no problem. The spectators were also wonderful. It seemed like the whole town was out cheering for us! Si se puede! (You can do it!) Vamos! (Go!) Animo! (Let's go!) We thought they were saying Animal!

The ride was very flat and windy. I forgot the tip that I had gotten in Western Australia to stand-up and pedal at any rise to give my legs a change of position. Once I got this down I was more comfortable but my back started to ache and my legs were really tired by the end. Got to see Joe as I came out of the swim transition and a number of times on the bike course! Boy, does he have a lot of energy!! My stomach started to act up on the bike and I stopped at a restaurant on the far side of the island and had a beautiful view of the turquoise waters framed by an open vibrant lime green hallway. Spectacular! One thing that was a bit disturbing was all of the garbage that an Ironman race generates. I don't know if it's because they usually get it cleaned up pretty fast at other venues but I hadn't noticed this before. Maybe because we were on a tiny island and juxtaposed against the pristine beaches it just really stuck out. Disturbing.

Run
The run was a challenge for me because of the concrete and how fatigued my legs were from riding in the wind and the constant pedaling. Started out very slow and walking because I was so tired from the bike. After the first lap I felt pretty good and started to do my run/walk and then the mosquitoes descended and I just about went crazy from the buzzing in my ears. Spectators were taking out their sprays and lotions to help us which was a lifesaver. I laughed when I saw a crab running in front of me. I knew that I was going to finish so I enjoyed the scenery and talked to the people around me. I tried to encourage others who were walking to walk/run with me.

Finish
When I finished my third lap on the run I thought to myself Ironman Numero Cinco!! Yeah! It was great to hear my name and city and to see Joe jumping up and down at the end. The finish is always so exhilarating at an Ironman - there is nothing else like it! All of the cheers and fanfare really makes for a spine tingling experience. After I finished I headed for the massage tent and had a fantastic massage and then sat down to eat a fajita dinner that Tammie had picked up! Way better than pizza! Yummy! Joe gave Karyn, Tammie and I custom M-dot medals that he made the size of Flavor Flav clocks. They are the only three in existence and people were asking us where we got them! We took pictures and then watched as the last person tried to make the 12 midnight cutoff. He didn't make the time cutoff but the mariachi band, disco lights and streamers still went crazy when he crossed the finish line. I got a little teary because he had worked so hard. Yes, this could be my last Ironman for awhile but I had a memorable experience, one that I will treasure for a long time. This was not my slowest Ironman race but it was definitely the hardest!

Slept well that night and the next day we left for Cancun for a little R&R before heading home. We stayed at the Westin which was very relaxing and met a few people who were traveling from the states with their dogs! We couldn't have taken Macca with us on this trip but it sure made me miss him! After a gnarly trip back to the states the lovely Miss Em made sure that our car was in the airport parking lot, so we were able to jump in and zoom on home for dog hugs, a shower and a sleep-in - AHHH!

Lessons Learned and Tips
Enjoy the day no matter what comes your way.
Always remember why you are doing the race.
Be brave and seed yourself in a more challenging position in the swim - get into groove faster.
Try to eat similar diet to what you eat at home when traveling out of country prior to race - save culinary experiences for after or stomach may rebel during race. (Bring toilet paper on bike and run - they run out!)
Take a lot of pictures
Meet lots of people
Smile and say Gracias to all of the volunteers!
Traveling with a bike can get expensive so make sure that you know what the airline charges before booking. We flew Continental and the baggage rules were different when leaving the US or leaving Cancun.
Glide or Vaseline for salt water swim - chafing from salt water OW!!!
Packet pick-up calms down the second day.
If you are a Bank of America customer, use Santander ATMs! There is only a 75 cent charge from Santander. BofA has a global alliance agreement and you get the best rate without a service charge and % charge tacked on. There is a Santander ATM near the bathrooms on the left as you exit the airport terminal. There will be another one in bus terminal at Playa Del Carmen. There is also one in the Mega Store in Cozumel.
Buy ADO bus tickets from the stand on the left before you exit the airport terminal (before the travel guides - who wears the pants in the family!) Bike box will fit in below in bus cargo hold.
When you get to Playa Del Carmen, there are guys with pushcarts that will help get your gear down to the dock.
Make sure you have your stamped entry/exit tourist card when you leave the country or they will make you run around and buy another one for $42. Just put a paper clip in with your passport and clip it in when you get it and no worries.
Make copy of passport for IM registration or you will have to stand in line to get one before you stand in another line for registration.
Mosquito Spray - take towel-ettes. The spray will remove your bib number
Skinsuit helps with the swim and the stinging jelly fish
You can set your cell phone up for roaming in Mexico for reduced charges.
Pack so that you can move stuff around. Leaving Cancun only had to meet weight restrictions with the bike box for no additional charge. Had to shift stuff around from bike case to get it to 50 pounds.
Check flights night before leaving - found out our flight out was cancelled the night before and rescheduled for the next evening. Tried to get out on another flight but ended up stranded in Houston due to snowstorm, ended up sleeping in airport so that we could make sure that we were on next flight out.


Love, JoAnne

Every cell in my body wished for sleep this morning. The dreams were sweet, the bed was warm and early as it was, I could tell it was or had been raining. Yet the damn internal alarm that goes off around a quarter to five each morning, beckoned me to get up and get going, along with a compeling guilt that someone just might be waiting for me soon, out there in the dark.

Our team meets at five thirty every wednesday for an early morning run along the river. So it was, I summoned the will to dress warmly and go. Both Phoebe and Kaitlin arrived soon and off we went into the rainy, muddy morning. Usually this is my favorite run of the week. I love the freedom of running in the dark while knowing there are others out there ahead of me, behind me but always within a shout away. I love watching the sun rise over the city. I love the cold, the wind, the rain whatever element the morning throws our way.
This day though, I find every reason to not want to run. I only run one measly little mud puddled mile before I call it quits and tell Kaitlin and Pheebs, I will see them Saturday.
These two troopers continue on without me.

It is funny that the calling of self in my internal dialogue recently changed from "Kid", as in "good job kid" or "that was just great kid" to "Good God Women" as in "Good God women, you can do much better than that". So it is that once home, I sit waiting for the sun to rise so that I can really go out and torture myself with speed work.

There is a tiny little forest close to our home and close enough to civilization that I feel safe. It is shaped like a track and quite perfect for running intervals.

The first time around I am shocked, as always, how difficult my breathing can become and how quickly so. Almost like I can't breath fast enough. One breath rolling over the other with a raspy gasp filled catch at the end of each.

I think of a running advertisement I saw recently, of some nice looking runner guy, stating that being able to hear his every labored breath, reminds him he is alive. During this moment of effort, this makes me laugh, as I sound more like I am dying.

I think of breaths at the beginning of life, emotion filled when both my sons first shouted out to the world. I think of the four last days each, I spent with both mom and dad where all I had to listen to was their every breath. I remember my sweet auntie, who is a Catholic nun saying, "this is your mother's last breath on earth and first breath into eternity".

The second time around I begin to think I am crazy for doing this as it really is hard and I kind of already feel like throwing up. Then there's that crazy lady voice shouting loudly inside my mind, "Good God women what the heck are you doing this for?, what are you trying to prove? to who? where? why?"

The third time around I decide I do not like the Good God Women so much and will go back to being the kid. So with that I think of one of my historical heros, Alexander and how as a young man he was schooled and trained in Sparta, a Greek city state of warriors where life was molded by subsiding on as little as possible and pushing the physical self to the limit. I think of the Native American culture and how young men and women were initiated into adulthood by enduring a trial of hardship. I think of a friend I love dealing with cancer. I think of the Rolling Stones song, "You can't always get what you want".

I think that as a society we need more self discipline. I always think I need more self discipline.

I try so hard not to judge others especially someone I have never met and by the likes of sometimes what could be inaccurate media spins. But I am disappointed with Tiger Woods. Really Tiger? You needed to go there? I understand power and seduction and all those things but to be that high up in our collective minds and fall this far, this fast. Crazy! What was he thinking?

I believe that forcing myself through this lap and the next and the next, is just a little reminder of how hard life often is and how in an imposing way, acts of discipline condition us to deal well with life. I try to focus on the post hardship salvation of a sort, that makes us wiser and perhaps a better person.

I also wonder if all this really will make me a faster runner. I settle on somehow knowing maybe it is just good for the soul. The need to push through time and time again whether bored, exhausted, burnt out, disillusioned, physically challenged - will surface again and again in our lives. To come out each time with a kind of peace and understanding that we have survived once again, is in its own sacred way, a testament to the worthiness of our every breath.

Talk about self discipline, coming very soon Joanne's remarkable telling of her time in Cozumel doing an IronMan triathlon.

Will be posted very soon also, I promise.

Time and date of 2010 Team Lucca meeting
What to look forward to -
* T Lucca training, walking, running, cycling, big races. little races, big goals and small with Emily and myself

* Craig's pick for a Team Lucca Cycling event

* JoAnne and Tri Training

Last January we began our 2009 Team Lucca training. Yesterday we ran our last race of the year. It was another busy race year starting with many new runners on the team participating in the Shamrock'n, and then with what would seem, races nearly every other weekend. Culminating this past crazy busy month and a half, with Emmy in the NYC marathon, fifty plus people participating with Team Lucca in the “Run to Feed the Hungry”, the amazing Karyn and JoAnne so very successfully completing a full Iron Man in Cozumel to yesterdays California International Marathon.

So we get just a bit of a breather and begin again next month with a team breakfast at Roxy for all those interested in joining our team and in knowing what 2010 will entail.

I will post the date and time of that meeting soon.

It was thrilling yesterday to see how well our Marathoner, Becky McBride did. Completing her very first marathon in 3:53. A lot can be said for sticking with your four month game plan of training including making those grueling speed work outs happen.

Such a great job Becky. We are all so very proud of you.

Yesterday also included a sentimental moment when my friend Kelly, who shares with me the honor of being one of a handful of “women of a certain age” announced this would be her last running race. Kelly is an excellent mountain bike cyclist and will stick to that. Kelly is also Sarah’s mom. Sarah being one of the most improved runners on the team. I could tell Kelly’s decision was based on a certain amount of pride that her Sarah has now gotten so fast, she cannot keep up with her.

I remember, I had been a runner for about five years when Luke went out with a neighbor kid, Colby and ran his first mile. He came back and said it nearly did him in. Yet within 2 weeks, Luke was running the same distance his mom had run for 5 years, three miles a day, within a month he raced his first 10k, within 6 months he would do his first half Iron Man and the next year his first Full Iron Man. This year he stood on the podium multiple times, placing in and winning endurance Mountain Bike events. Luke left mom in the dust a long time ago.

I am happily amused when someone calls me their coach. To me I am not really a coach, more like the team mom. I have given away to runners on my team, on occasion, my jackets, my race numbers (don’t worry Rich, always got it official before the start), my medals, my water bottles, picked my team up before races, held their hands across the finish line, taken them shopping for proper running shoes, filled their bellies with a good breakfast after a race or good training run and hopefully given enough encouragement that their running ventures are somewhat joy filled - all little things, but mama kind of things, none the less.

Kelly, we will miss you on the running team, but I will certainly see you out there on the bike. Remember like any good mama, we only give our kids their wings, they fly all on their own. We now have a team that is flying far and flying fast.

See you all in 2010.

Big Race Day Tomorrow with the "Run to Feed the Hungry"

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Emily T and the NYC Marathon

Em, what was the absolute best part of the race?

The best part about NYC marathon is the support from the city & touring NY in that unique way! It seemed to me that just everyone was out cheering, whether they knew people or not! I got to see every borough & the people out representing their neighborhoods. It was so cool!

I hear it is quite the spectacle at times. What is the craziest thing you saw during the race?

The craziest thing I saw while running was at the beginning. I was standing in my wave corral & over the fence I saw a replica of the Eiffel tower moving through the crowd. I can't be sure if this person ran while wearing it but I would be extra impressed if they did. Of course, there were also tons of people in costumes (it was the day after Halloween). I saw Capt. America & some other super hero. Quite a few people in animal costumes. Julie got a picture of a 'Hulk Hogan' & a guy running as a waiter. Pretty funny stuff!

Did you hear how many people participated and how crowded did it all seem?

The crowds? Oh, there were soooo many people. I didn't feel like it thinned out at all. There were always people around me, but I think because of the new starting system they instigated, it helped spread people out a little bit. I would say that the ferry ride from Manhattan to Staten Island was probably the most 'crowded' feeling, as everyone wanted to be sure they were on the boat!! The total entries were 44,177 with 43,983 finishing. The marathon itself gets over 100,00 applicants each year!

What did you eat the night before and what did you have to celebrate after?

I had lemon dill salmon, coucous & broccoli for dinner. I carb loaded the night before. Sometimes too much pasta before a race (for me) makes me feel bloated. I typically go with what works. I like a bit of protein, some carbs and always veggies=) After the race, I celebrated by not throwing up (YAY me!) & had an Odwalla chocolate protein shake & then some pizza from Big Nick's in the Upper West side of Manhattan. Then, when I got back to my cousin's, I had an ice bath & some red wine!!

Would you do it all over again?

I would absolutely do it again! I think it would be even more fun if I was doing it with people I knew!! Hint hint, nudge, nudge;)

Congratulations Emily from all of us at Team Lucca on an excellent race.

You are a rock star of a runner an inspirational coach and we all just

love you to pieces!

Thank Goodness

Hard to believe that our little rogue Team Lucca is now in it’s eight year of running and cycling adventures. My hero this week is Allison Mann of Southern California. A fierce, passionate, very good, very dedicated professional mountain bike cyclist. Allison and her husband Justin are good friends of my son, Luke. All three ride together, race together, look out for each other and are each other’s biggest fans. I love this picture of Allison wearing her Team Lucca jersey, lined up with all the big boys at the start of one of three, “12 hours of Temecula” races this last weekend.


Allison finished first in the women’s solo division.


While out running today I thought how mighty lucky I am. Though, I am certainly not unscathed by life, I am still happy, still hopeful, so grateful, still running.

A year has gone by since I broke my elbow and tore my triceps. No huge deal really in the greater scope of things. I may never be able to fully extend my left arm, feel small twinges of pain and sometimes have to just laugh with the way my arm hanging oddly at an exaggerated angle reminds me of a Neanderthal.

Yet all so insignificant in relation to the physical pain some people suffer.

Life can be so fragile and who knows what lays around the next corner for any of us. So as I run I think of the million things I have to be thankful for.

I remind myself to never underestimate the profoundness of the simple, the little things, the obvious.

I look around and I realize every blade of grass is a vision, every breath I take a kind of victory, every footfall a momentous occasion.

Happy almost Thanksgiving. See you at the Run to Feed the Hungry.

Some books I recommend.
Ten Points: A Memoir by Bill Strickland, If you love cycling and critereum racing this is really a great book.
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, Sweetness unlimited for those who know dogs have souls.

And Biking and Hiking The American River Parkway, New 3^rd Edition by The American River Natural History Association
A wonderful breakdown of each mile on the trail, from the historical, “mile 9.5 you are near the Nisenan village site of Kadema………or dance-house, site of important rituals” to the natural wonders contained therein, “mile 7.4 stands of wild rose compete for sun with wild grape vines” to the practical, beware “ mile 21.4 a stand of poison oak in on the northeast corner of the path leading to some picnic tables”

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New York City Marathon, Running in the Fall and Pumpkin Pancakes

So it is that fall is upon us with some of the best running weather of the year.
This morning I run along thinking of Emily, hoping she is doing well, hoping she is finding some joy in her quest of completing the New York City Marathon.
An event she is competing in this morning.

Emily is a coach with Team Lucca. She is the one that drives the effort of those with the big goals, the half marathon, the marathon and tri sports. So I run along like a nervous little mother on this early Sunday morning after Halloween, kicking out three miles, thinking if I were Em I would only have to throw down 23 more, waiting anxiously to hear that she made it, that she did well, that she is happy.

My other thoughts this morning move to the book I am currently reading “The art of racing in the rain”. A sweet book, with the narrative given by a dog.
Which makes me think of dogs and their highly attuned sense of smell.
One of the things I love about running or riding my bike along the trail are the smells. The heady smell of anise, the most divinely floral smell around mile 11 in the springtime, my favorite smell in the world, eucalyptus. Ron always laughs and knows whenever we are driving somewhere when I stick my head out the window ( like a dog) that we are approaching a grove of eucalyptus trees. I love when it rains just a little and layer upon layer of earthy smells abound that stir the primitive in my brain into wistful memories of what it must have been like to live surrounded by nature.

One theory on why our sense of smell is so diminished compared to a dogs is that when we developed higher thinking, something had to give. If all of our senses were so acute the powerful distraction would create a sensory overload, constantly crowding out our ability to focus.
Which now moves my thoughts to another sense, taste. Today the time changed and I realize I will have to wait even longer after this run for our Sunday ritual of actually sitting down in our restaurant to eat. I love breakfast at Roxy. While not a big pancake fan, Danny has added seasonal pumpkin pancakes as an addition to the menu on Sundays. They are delicious.

Which brings me back to Emily, who I know is sufficing on Gu gel or jelly beans or whatever other assortment of food energy she has chosen to get her through those 26 miles.

I am so proud to know someone like Emily.
I love that she has worked so hard toward this dream of hers.
Yesterday when out riding my bike on the trail I ran into our mutual friends Karyn and JoAnne. Two amazing ladies training for next months Ironman in Cozumel.
When talking about their great endeavor and Emily’s Marathon, Karyn, who seems to know everyone on the trail, said she is always so happy to see anyone out there running five miles, running two miles, for heavens sake walking one.
Anything that makes someone healthier physically or mentally is a great endeavor.

It is a constant in the media, this talk of fixing our country's health care problems.
It is a prevalent response to look at ways to treat the symptoms, high medical bills, overcrowding in hospitals, unaffordable health insurance.
I, myself, am all for the focus being first and foremost on treating the universal disease.
As a country we need to find the means to live a healthier life style.

Running is just one suggestion.

Way to go Emily !

Can’t wait to hear all about it..

Stay tuned as next week Emily will be reporting on her time in New York.

Levi and Animal Signs

Levi Leipheimer’s King Ridge GranFondo

Both Craig and Karyn from Team Lucca, participated this past Saturday in this years annual Santa Rosa cycling event hosted by last years Astana, this years, Team Radio Shack Team member, Amgen Tour winner and pro cyclist, plus Northern California native and all in all really great guy, Levi Leipheimer. I called Craig early Saturday evening to see how it all went. He was like a kid in a candy store telling me all about how he got to ride the majority of the ride with about twenty other guys right next to Levi. Crazy amazing Karyn, is just an exceptional athlete, and not only rode that 100 miles on Saturday but then ran as a pace setter for the Cowtown marathon on Sunday.

Thank you Craig and Kayrn. It was and is an honor to have both of you, excellent cyclists representing our team.

Animal Signs

My dad was an Irishman in love with Native American culture. When we would go on summer family road trips as kids dad would often bring along his drum. He would sit cross legged in the middle of the lawn at the motel beating and chanting while the six of us did the eagle dance, the rain dance, the hoop dance, the dance to call the buffalo.

Sometimes other kids from other families would join us.

Sometimes people took pictures like we were a traveling band of entertainers.

Sometimes people would look around for a cup to throw money into.

The fact that dad was an Apache or Cherokee or Ogalala Sioux at heart and also a veterinarian, gave him the notion that he uniquely understood the souls of all animals.

Dad use to talk to use about the importance of reading animal signs.
Laughingly I thought, today was a day I wished I would have listened.

On my bike commute to work, the skittish squirrels should have been the first sign.

It was squirrels gone wild all over the trail. First I notice five of these little guys altogether (unusual) running down an embankment like their tails are on fire. All five almost simultaneously dove across the trail right in front of my bike. Over the next three miles, squirrels are everywhere. All somewhat spastic including one fat little guy who I think, buddy you’ve lived a good life so far, lets not end it this way, as his tail barely flicks off my front wheel.

I am slightly more attuned to every deviation of my surroundings now on the trail as a result of a man being attacked a couple weeks ago. So when I ride over a long green twine that looks as if it is made out of young branches stripped from a tree, my mind automatically thinks - bike trap. Contemplating this, I about jump off the seat when a whole flock of birds flies squawking out of a tree as if there very existence has been suddenly interrupted.

Around the next corner I see for the first time a live skunk. Sorry, but I have seen plenty dead ones. Still thinking of the twine, was it a booby trap, an animal trap, just a long very skinny fallen young branch, or my hyper imagination, I consider calling my police officer friend as soon as I get to work.

I then ride past something I never like to see, and that always causes a shot of fear and adrenaline, what looks to be a drug deal going down under the bridge.

I get to the only major stop sign on that part of the trail and see a police car approaching. I stop. He slows down and hollers at me, “Mame! Have you seen a man all dressed in tan?”. I begin to answer, “I saw two….”, and before I can even say the word “things” he yells, “Not now mame! have you seen that man?” I say “No” and he jumps out lowers the bar to access the trail in his car and takes off in pursuit. I jump back on my bike and ride even faster all the way to work.

I did speak with David Valdez, my police officer friend who stops by Lucca on a regular basis to check in on us and also called SABA, Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates, to talk about safety on the trail.

I love riding to work. To be honest I do it not as a noble endeavor in pursuit of a green lifestyle or even as a means of burning calories and increasing the health of my heart and lungs. Though I am grateful for these additional benefits. The real reason I ride, is because I cherish so much, the tranquility of that time. The trail is a sanctuary for me from the onslaught of endless activity that takes place in two thankfully still fairly busy restaurants.

I am seriously contemplating solutions to my own safety out there.
I cannot fathom the idea of not riding.

But for now I will ride a safer route and in thinking of my father, will pray to the spirit of all living things to look out for me and in honor of my Catholic Grandmothers, say the little catholic diddy, three times in row that I was taught as a child to say to the saint who oversees safe travel “Saint Christopher, pray for us, Saint Christopher pray for us, Saint Christopher, pray for us.”

Running in Rome, Dick Beardsley, Kaitlin's Cowtown Half Marathon

It was the opportunity of a lifetime to celebrate my 50th birthday with my husband in Capri and Rome, Italy, this past week.

My friend Rick Kushman suggested that if I wanted to get some running in, we stay the last two days in Rome at a hotel, where he and Deborah had recently stayed, situated right next to the 2000 year old Aurelian Wall and the incredibly beautiful Villa Borghese Park.

Early Monday morning Ron grabbed his book and I grabbed my running shoes. While he sat on a bench to read I took off running. After five days of airplane, train, boat and suicidal taxi travel, a lot of walking, a lot of hiking, it was sheer happiness to feel my lungs expand as I ran along, taking in air like the espresso fueled Ferrari I imagined myself to be. Truth is much more like a broken down old Fiat, but yes, I have always had a vividly skewed imagination

As a runner I have been lucky enough to have many “carve this on your heart” moments running in places like the lovely, pristine, bucolic, pastoral side roads of Ron’s birth place in Ireland, the bustling, exquisite, golden streets of Paris and the spiritual, sacred, tranquil rocks of Moab - all of these places teaming with ancient pathways and ancient stories. And now Rome and this park with it’s statues of gods and goddess, warriors and kings, dragons and lions and fountains at every turn. Who could ask for more?

We arrived home very early Thursday morning.
Long before we left I presented Dusty, my friend at Fleet Feet Sports with the idea of doing a runner’ symposium with a panel of Sacramento’s top running people discussing pertinent running topics. He thought it was a good idea and the symposium expanded to include Dick Beardsley, the famous national champion runner who tells the wonderful, sometimes hysterical, other times tearful story of his life as a runner and the infamous Boston Marathon “Duel of the Sun” with Alberto Salazar.

This symposium took place the same day I returned from Italy with myself in a semi catatonic, very tired, very happy and still passionate about running state, responsible for moderating the discussion and the evening event.

Many thanks to our brilliantly spoken panelists, especially my friend Rick Kushman who figuratively, held my hand through the whole event, helped me prepare for it and is, and always will be, one of my running inspirations.
Rick gave wonderful advice on balancing your life so as to always enjoy running. My friend Deborah Meltvedt was wonderful discussing the value of using your mind as a runner and the joy of running with friends. Chad Worthen talked about speed, how hard you have to work to get fast, being realistic about speed work, and what makes him so darn fast. Pat Sweeney kept us all laughing describing the commitment he and his family have made to his training as a tri-athlete and hysterically and adequately described the “death march” of the marathon segment of an Iron man event.
Pat left the next day for the Iron Man championship race in Kona, which he will participate in this upcoming weekend. We all are rooting big time for Sacramento’s own Pat Sweeney.

We also heard great advice from the always insightful, top guy with the Sacramento running scene, and one of my favorite guys in Sacramento, Rich Hanna, who gave great tips on racing.

All in all it was a really great night.

We then moved on to the real star of the weekend the Cowtown Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K. Many people talk about running a marathon or half marathon. Many people think they would like to do one. Few people actually see it through.

I had 12 runners participate with Team Lucca. Yet for me it was all about one person. She started running less than a year ago and diligently got up early many mornings, with either our running group, sometimes just me and often by herself to train for this event.

Many races in the past my focus ultimately strays to one person, someone who I know has been working especially hard to become faster, someone running for the first time, someone recently disappointed or disillusioned about their running ability.

This race was no different. This race in my mind was all about Kaitlin Coghlan.
Kaitlin is my kind of runner. She has the grit and tenacity to stay with the game plan, the passion to make running part of the pattern of her days, the energy of a 6 year old at our 5:30 am Wednesday mornings tempo runs with coach Emily, the honesty to figure out how to live her life and still maintain a commitment to running.

I had to laugh the night she left me a text message saying she was going to go out and would be drinking, maybe a lot, so wouldn’t be there for that Saturday am run but would find a way to make it happen at some other point in her week.

I stood there glued to the finish last Sunday, waiting to see that long brown pony tail, that black baseball cap, that Team Lucca jersey, that smile that says; I have just conquered the world.

As a runner, I relish that blazing moment of pride. The look that crosses a runners face mere yards from the finish line. The sudden recognition of what has been achieved. The knowledge that – yes, yes, yes, I knew the pain, I did the distance, I gave the time.

I did this!

Kaitlin’s finish and that beautiful smile literally brought tears to my eyes.

I know how much it means. I know of the nerve racking night before when sleep is fit full and laden with anxiety. I know the pain of those last miles. I know the hours afterward and the introspection of the soul that comes with accomplishing a huge goal.

You did it Kaitlin and in amazing time. Now remember – it’s back out there very soon again on Wednesdays mornings, as our whole life is the journey and truly after fifty years I know this - “the journey is the reward”

It was some time ago that Luke told me with a distinct lack of seriousness and a wink, hey mom you really should wear your heart rate monitor on the bike every now and then so that you know when to “drop the hammer”.

I am far more concerned with myself being late for anything than I am with someone else being late, so it was, that on several recent Sundays I found myself blazing down the trail to Roxy, hoping to be on time, to meet friends Rick and Deborah one Sunday and my 84 year old friend, Marilyn, the next.
On both occasions pedaling my little heart out while laughing to myself, with Luke’s voice echoing in my mind, “faster mom, faster, faster, time to drop the hammer”.

In about two weeks I turn 50. An age I am excited about for many reasons one being that I will move into the 50 to 55 or 50 to 60 year old women race category where I might actually get to be in the top 10 every now and then.

Okay, a brief excitement, a momentary fleeting kind of thing, because I now remember that many of Sacramento’s most brilliant and fastest women are also turning 50 right along with me or in recent years, already have.

Yet it is still and without a doubt so encouraging to know that age does not diminish our ability to continue to perform in the world of athletics.
I love this George Burn saying, “old, young - just words”.

Really cool that this recent Labor day weekend, Colleen De Reuck, who is 45 year old won a major US road race title, the USA 20K in New Haven.
Jeannie Longo a 50 year world champion cyclist form France still is a force to be reckoned with and my two favorites, 36 year old Paula Radcliff and 32 year old, Chrissie Wellington are both two of the best women athletes in the world.

Paula just recently added the NYC Half Marathon to her many running victories.
I adore Paula as she use to speak to me with great encouragement in her lilting English accent, over my chip synced NIKE shoe to my IPOD, “congratulations, you have just reached a new personal record”.

The amazing two time Kona Iron Man World Champion, Chrissie Wellington, also from England, is an inspiration to women of all ages with her glorious achievements in the world of multi sports.

After a 2.4 mile swim, a grueling 112 miles on the bike, Chrissie still runs the marathon part of these World Championship Triathlons, all 26.2 miles at around a 7 minute mile pace.

And yet the best part is that she finishes with a smile that is so infectious, so genuine, she just radiates pure joy.

I encourage any women involved in running, cycling or swimming to see her in action as she is amazing not only in her ability but in her graciousness and passion for the sport.

I am so happy with our Wednesday morning distance running group, because it has been the ladies who have kept with it. I am so very proud of Kaitlin who has trained relentlessly for her first half marathon this October and Sarah who is making running a part of her life. I think Emily in her pursuit of the New York marathon and Becky in pursuit of Boston by way of CIM, are just amazing with their dedication to what it takes to get there.

I know, tomorrow under Emily’s direction you will all do some serious speed work while I do my slow walk/run pace waiting impatiently for the swelling to go down in the ankle.

Though I am now the follower and not the leader I am still going to ask of you one thing –

at some point while you are out there in that crisp and lovely early morning,
Smile, take a deep breath and listen. And then do it for you, do it for me, do it for the girl’s team of the whole world -

Drop the hammer.

Join us at the Cowtown Runner's Symposium, Thursday Evening, October 1st at Lucca

One Fine Morning ~ Taking the High Road

So our little 5:30 am group has expanded.

Just knew my guys, Cameron and Bob could get up that early and run.

Many thanks to our distance coach Emily, who keeps us all on track. Em just slaps that old headlamp on and off we go into the dark.

This morning all 6 of us.

Emily leads the way laughing along, keeping us on pace. For Emily who is training for the New York Marathon in October, this is an easy stint. Kaitlin, who is well into her half marathon training and is just so awsome, is right there by her side. Sara who has come leaps and bounds with her own running, holding her own with the natural born runner, my big kid, Cameron right there with her.

Leaving me with my own personal body guard, the super fit Bob Shea, as we all move as one big chain into the early morning light. As the first miles go by, the group leaves us and as we hit the levy it is still dark enough outside that all I could do is hear Bob next to me. Suddenly as the sun begins to rise, I notice Bob turn around and run backward. I think, Oh my God Terri, You're running THAT slow. Bob it turns out, is just spitting and tells me he was trying to be delicate about it. Funny guy!

Running this morning got me thinking about my training for another race not long ago. A race I ended up not doing. I remember a friend saying to me, "wow you must be so disappointed after all the work you did, then not to race" - not so much.

Running for me has never been about just training for any particular race. Running has become more a way of life. Back in January when we started our official training, I told my team our motto would be, "the journey is the reward".

This is it guys, this is the journey. Hope you enjoy it, every lovely second of it - the peacefulness, the bliss of knowing for a short time it is just you and a few other early souls as the rest of land still sleeps, breathing your way into the day, catching glimpses of the stillness of the river, the pink and gold light as the sun begins to ascend over the city.

Cameron said on the way back, and as they again all ended up way ahead of their team mama, leaving me all by my slow little self for a short time, that they named themselves,

"Terri's Favorite Five". Yes you are, Em, Kaitlin, Sarah, Cam and Bob. Today you are.

Come join us Wednesday Mornings when we meet at McKinley Park 5:30 am for our breathtaking sunrise runs, usually 6 to 8 miles long.

Dale Giesen makes a mean quenelle

Dale Giesen makes a mean quenelle. A quenelle is a beautiful little egg shaped topping of ice cream, sorbet or whipped cream, molded on a spoon and set tenderly on top of desserts.

Dale, a professional cook at Lucca and Roxy, works under the watchful eye of Roxy pastry chef and Team Lucca runner, Kristina Dula. With the two of them producing such luscious desserts, it would make anyone consider taking up running just to be able to eat dessert everyday.

Quenelles are only one of the many things Dale does well. Another is running fast.

Team Lucca training officially began last January and Dale was one of those team runners that got on board with training from the get go.
In turn he has seen his fast times improve in leaps and bounds, his endurance increase to the point where running long distances is enjoyable, and is now, quite simply, the fastest guy on the team.

Following is a recent running interview with Dale

T: How long have you been running?

D: I started running about a year ago at the Alzheimer's aid race, which was my first 5k, as well as the first time I had run more than 3 miles since high school.

T: What is your favorite thing about running?

D: I enjoy running because it gives me a chance to disconnect from everything. I can just concentrate on my breathing and finishing the next mile.

T: Favorite race?

D: My favorite race thus far has been the Buzz Oats No Excuses 5K because it was a nice track and my fastest race yet.

T: Favorite distance?

D: 5K races are my favorite so far because they allow me to track my progress and force me to push harder on the next race. However finishing my first half marathon was an exhilarating experience since it was the farthest I had ever run.

T: Best place to train?

D: For long distance I love to run by the river either starting out in Folsom or at the Howe Bridge; and my shorter runs are almost always at McKinley park.

T: What inspires you to keep running?

D: Pushing myself to run farther and faster keeps me inspired because I always want to set a higher goal for myself.

T: What are some of the things you do to abate the boredom of a long run?

D: I usually don't run with any music so I tend to just get lost in my surroundings.

T: What are your goals and what are you currently training for?

D: I am currently training for the Cowtown half marathon, which I hope to complete in under an hour and a half. My goal by the time I complete it is to not be so sore for the next 3 days as I was on the completion of my first half marathon.

T: What do you enjoy the most about being a part of Team Lucca?

D: I love that Team Lucca got me started running because I had wanted to start long ago, but never found the motivation. It's nice to just be a part of the team dynamic and have people who root for you, that you can root for, and who hold you accountable for your training.

T: If and when you run to music what are two great songs you like to run too?

D: Anything by Regina Spektor or Imogen Heap gets me really pumped up when I exercise. Cyndi Lauper "Into the nightlife" is still one of my very favorite songs to get me through hitting a wall on a run.

Dale will be leading the team on Sunday morning, September 13th for the Sacramento Valley Aids Run/Walk. Come join us for this 8:30 am race starting at the west steps of the Capitol.

Dodging Dalmatians

I had the best week running. Last Wednesday morning on the road by five thirty am for a six mile tempo run with distance coach, Emily Tash and Kaitlin and Pheebs. We watched the sunrise over Sacramento while running up along the C street levy. It was just gorgeous.

Saturday, Kaitlin and I went down to the river to conquer an eight mile long run in staying with our half marathon training agenda. Kaitlin is just an awesome runner. One of those gems that come along every now and then, who take to running heart and soul. Kaitlin led the way and motivated this little old 20 years of running mama to just keep going and going. We both felt like a million bucks afterward.

Monday morning I headed out for a fast two to three mile run, when along came John.

John is a super nice guy in the neighborhood that I see often enough running along with his two Dalmatians. When one of the dogs stopped to do his thing, I said good morning and passed by. Moments later I hear, “Molly’s to your left, Barney’s to your right”. “Now Barneys’ to your right, Molly don’t just stop like that in front of Terri” so we proceeded, dodging Dalmatians while John spoke of his 80 mile running week and me of my 20 miles. Then out of nowhere I find myself, airborne.

What is it with me and my propensity for falling? Sailing parallel to the ground I thought quick enough about the previously broken elbow to twist a leg around and break the fall. Moments later I said goodbye to John and the Dalmatians and hobbled home. Self prognosis -twisted ankle.

So here I sit with a swollen and bruised foot in ice then onto elevation and compression, while I day dream of running again.

I CAN however ride my bike. Last night though was about me and Mother Nature not being on the same page. I thought it didn’t get dark until around nine, she had other plans. I started up the trail at seven o clock for a two hour ride. Rarely do I ride this late so the first thing I noticed was the clouds of bugs. It was like passing through one curtain after the next of little black bugs. I got them in my hair, in my nose, my eyes, my ears and I am certain I swallowed a few. It became too much with the bugs. In order to deal, I came up with a brand new song called, “So many bugs, so little time”. Remind me and I’ll sing it for you sometime. Sorry though it’s not a rap song, more like Ella Fitzgerald.

The first hour flew by though I noticed the sun setting at a rapid pace. I rode until 8:45, the last 20 minutes or so pedaling like a fiend in the dark. I did call Ron to let him know where I was. He was of course, not happy.

When I got home I realized I had on the see thru webby looking bike shorts that you are suppose to wear underneath other cycling shorts, not by themselves. With that I was now so grateful I did ride in the dark. Those shorts along with the elbow pad I wear on my arm and the compression wrap around my ankle brought to mind a song my boys would sing to me when they were little.

It’s to the same music as “Super Freak”

And goes like this - “Super Geek, Super Geek our Mom is super geekeeeee”

Some things never change. Have a great week and keep running!

Coming soon: Information on the very first,
Cowtown Runner’s Smyposium
hosted by Lucca Restaurant, Fleet Feet Sports and New Balance

FEAR: Crashing, Cramps, Snakes, Hypotensive Shock!

I had to laugh today while I was out running thinking of my conversation last night with my sister Katherine, a marathon runner. I listened to Kath tell of driving her team through the Colorado Mountains this past weekend for the 200 mile “Wild West Relay” race from Fort Collins up, up, up to Steamboat Springs.

I asked her what the worst part of it all was. She said well (? friend whose name I forgot) got diarrhea on her segment of the run and had to poop behind a bush and then use leaves as tissue paper.

Both of us were a little mortified.

There are many fear related experiences we have with running, cycling and triathlons.

When we overcome our fears, we expand ourselves to a whole different level of ability.

The fear remains, but our ability to deal, redefines itself.

Last week while out running with Emily, we talked about our experiences with stomach cramps during long runs, half marathons, (mine) marathons (hers). How awful it is and how after those experiences you try everything you can, not to have to go through THAT again.

I told her of my one and only experience (thank God), years ago, of almost losing my cookies at the finish line of a 5k, running faster than I should, trying to out run someone that looked far older than me. (Bad idea, now I know there are zillions of people older than me that can run faster than I can. But hey on the flip side it is the coolest thing when I pass a teenager, which also happens, often enough).

My brother in law, Derek is an endurance runner. Seems like each time I was home last year, Derek was off racing another 50 miler. I was moved to tears watching him finish a 50 mile race up in Tahoe last summer. Derek is an amazing guy and an incredible athlete. This spring he was diagnosed with a blood clot in his lung which translates to his now having to take a blood thinner. When I asked Katherine how Derek was doing after his scary hospital stay, she told me, if you ask him, he is perfectly fine, he is not going to let this stop him from living his life. Within weeks Derek was back to his long runs. He ran some of the highest elevation miles in the relay race over the Rockies this past weekend.

I have spent so much time with my son Luke at the many triathlons he has done over the years that I can tell within 3 to 5 minutes when he is expected through the swim, when he will be transitioning onto the bike and am always amazingly close in my calculations of when he will cross the finish line. It was the Xterra Championships at Lake Tahoe, several years ago, that I remember Luke making the first lap of the swim in perfect time and then waiting, waiting, panic, panic stricken waiting. Finally Luke came out of the water.

Half way out on the second lap, Luke experienced a cramp and disorientation that almost led to him being pulled out of the water and out of the race. He still managed to finish that race in amazing time.

Last fall when I crashed on my bike, I dealt with two things immediately going on in my head at the same time. Shock, not the fear kind but the “you’re kidding me” kind, while my body, simultaneously and with no regard to my mind, began shutting down, to the point of nearly losing consciousness.

For what seemed like a long time, I sat on the side of the rode with this debate going on in my head - “Don’t be a baby Terri, get up!”, “ You’ve got to get to work” and “Ron is so NOT going to be happy about this” to the “stay awake, breath, stay awake, stay! Stay! Stay!” as my peripheral vision became less and less while the world around me turned a shade of sepia brown and my body felt like everything in it was going to come out at any second.

When I got to the emergency room, I remember a doctor telling me, “Don’t let this worry you but we’re going to have about 30 people in here in about 4 seconds. I remember them cutting off my bike jersey, sticking an IV in, rolling me over to check my spine, doing an ultrasound to check for internal injuries and being asked time and time again if I was hit by a car, (no), could remember crashing ( yes).

And, I was proud to hear this information conveyed to each new medically involved person entering the room, “she was wearing a helmet”.

Big big proponent of bike helmets.

All in all that day was not pleasant. I was back to riding my bike two months before I could ride across that fear laden road again.

Regardless of our many fears from the concrete - bees, snakes, deep water, tight corners, high speeds, to the psychological - “can I do this” “will I really be able to run that far”, “will someone look at me and laugh, thinking what the heck does that lady think she is doing out there” - the way we navigate our fears with sports and racing, says much about how we navigate fear through our lives.

I remember quoting to my son Luke that great FDR line, “there is nothing to fear but fear itself’ - and Luke’s response, “mostly mom that is right, but not always”.

Some preconcieved fear is real, some anticpated fear is necessary. I remember reading an excellent article recently while in Boulder, about a world class mountain bike cyclist in which he said something like - contrary to what people may think about mountain bikers being these crazy fearless maniacs who thoughtlessly ascend from wild elevations at excessive speed in the middle of the night, the reality is, to really do this sport well, one has to have a healthy and intelligent level of fear.

A fear that causes one to really think through and calculate their ability, the drop offs, the speed, the turns, the rocks, nutrition, alertness level, and so on, leading to his final thought of “we do really all want to live”.

Yes live. Live smart and live well. To limit living because of fear is too great of a sacrifice.

The video attached is the swim start of an Iron Man in Tempe, Arizona, that Luke participated in. The last minute is really wild to watch as you can actually see people swimmng on top of eachother. My son Joe shot this and calls this video -

"the human blender"

Love. Flying. Gratitude.

Love. Hundreds of times every year I drive across the Howe Bridge. Each time I do, I look to the river below with longing. The American River parkway is a treasure.

I try hard to exercise my soul in ways of goodness as much as I can, so I begrudgingly think this, knowing that I am being bad in doing so - but, I think it anyway. I am selfish when it comes to that trail. When people think Sacramento is a cowtown and express they have no desire to live here, I am secretly elated. I love the thought of keeping our beautiful, serene, nature laden trail all to ourselves.

Love. When I had both my boys, I considered myself overwhelmingly, lucky. I had what I call, postpartum elation. I would look at them in total awe, amazed they were mine. Luke races now as a pro in the mountain bike world of endurance racing, and is currently training an Iron Man team down south. Joe oversees Lucca and Roxy, is an artist and taught mom to kayak last year. For many reasons, I am still in awe of my boys.

Ten days after Joe's 27th birthday, he and I along with my kind of adopted kid, Cameron, raced as a team along the beautiful gorgeous, even though that day, sweltering, American River Parkway in the 2009 Eppie's Great Race.

Joe did an excellent job as always with the kayak, the coolest part of the race both figuratively and literally.

Cameron, who also celebrated his 23 birthday the night before, ran a good race, though with the combination of the after birthday beer blues and the high humidity, loudly cursed his way through the last mile and for a half hour afterward, or so I heard.

But I am grateful for Cameron. Because he ran, I got to ride.

Also racing that day for Team Lucca, was our really fast team of Dale with the run, Craig on the bike and Jeff in the kayak. Dale is always one of our fastest guys with any race and did the 5.8 mile run in around 38 minutes. Craig rode like the wind on his brand new Trek Madone. Jeff did such a great job with the kayak. It is just a matter of working the transitions and finding each other faster to make this one heck of a great team next year.

Flying: I was beyond happy that I got to ride my bike. Before my birthday last year, I decided to buy myself, for the first time, a present - a beautiful all carbon, light as can be, Cannondale Synapse SL3 road bike. Riding this bike is like flying.

Even though I am now happily back to commuting to work, riding around 100 miles a week, I set out on that Eppie's course with great trepidation.

You see the bike is pretty great, the rider not so. Last fall, the week before Thanksgiving, I crashed, broke my elbow, tore my tricep and didn't ride again for 3 months.

Regardless, I gave it my best shot and while a far cry from Craig's 28 minutes of flying down the trail, my 39 minutes was for me, sheer joy.

Gratitude. I am so thankful that we are lucky enough to live in a place with such a truly lovely bike trail. Thank you Joe for racing with mom. Thanks Dale, Craig, Jeff and Cameron, you guys are all wonderful. Love having you all at the restaurants. Love that you were willing to get up bright and early and come race with me.

More race pictures of Eppie's Great race in photo stream