Team Lucca

Rob Reed, Running and Aristotle

2012-01-04T07:38:00.000-08:00

There are the obvious health benefits of running, increased stamina, muscle gain, weight managment and then there is a list full of less touted additional benefits, better sleep, better sex life, stronger joints, greater daily euphoria and, if you run with Rob Reed, a feeling of at least solving some of the worlds problems.

Rob joined Team Lucca in 2009. At the time he was between deployments to Northern Iraq.

Rob Reed is the guy who walks into a room and charges the atmosphere. He is full of life, contagious in his positive energy and unique in the sense that he makes those around him bigger, better, come to life. He is so fun to be around.

I had a chance to sit down with Rob over breakfast recently to talk about running and life.

After a childhood of frequent military relocations reaching as far as England, Rob's family eventually settled in Northern California. Like many guys, football became a big part of his high school experience, beginning in his sophomore year. Rob refers to running at this time in his life as horrible, comparing his running to Phoebe of the TV show Friends.

Through the encouragement of his coach he continued running, and the beginning of a theme that would continue to grow and become highly relevant took hold. Rob embraced it fully in all aspects: the philosophical, practical, physical and mental advantages of being part of a team.

The team experience continued at seventeen when Rob joined the military in pursuit of becoming part of the Air Force Pararescue, an elite specialty comparable to the Navy Seals or Army's Special Forces.

Running now began in earnest with training building to 12 mile long runs while running in full gear - helmet, rucksack, gas mask, vest and boots.

When I asked Rob if there were any memorable moments regarding running during his training course or his tour of duty, he said not so much moments as just an over all feeling.

The runs were always exhausting and pushed one through the barriers of what would normally be reliable during long runs. Water supplies ran out, daylight subsided the stressfulness of the situation would amplify and the lack of runner-required nutrients would throw one into a state where focus was sharpened on the smallest detail. The idea of the team as one single unit would become critical to the outcome of the day. Surviving together came down to a huge reliance on taking turns to boost the morale, to carry the burden, to lead the team. Humor was part of it all and things that would just be silly now became vastly funnier then. All in an attempt to throw off the intensity of the endeavor at hand.

Rob on occasion stayed in contact with the team while in Iraq during his runs with the Nike + running app and the Team ran the Shamrockin Half Marathon here in Sacramento in honor of Rob in 2010.

What Rob enjoys most about Team Lucca is the community of running. He has an appreciation for how running with the team keeps him in check. How great it is to represent something. How much he enjoys the leadership part of it.

So naturally Rob's favorite race of the year was the "Tough Mudder" held this last September near Incline Village in Squaw Valley. This race is based on the training program of the British Special Forces and has plenty of incredibly challenging obstacles like swimming under ice, dodging electrical currents through a shock field an scaling crazy high walls. Every obstacle reliant on teamwork for the most successful outcome.

I went to Tahoe to watch our team finish. While waiting I spoke to a group of Marines and asked them how they thought it all went. In their collective opinion the course was realistically quite tough. They said they finished in four hours. Our guys finished in four hours and twenty minutes and of course it was Rob , pushing, encouraging, waiting, prodding and providing the humor along the way.

Running solo is highly conducive to meditation. Once your stride becomes comfortable and the breathing falls in line a natural contemplative and/or philosophical process begins.

The same thing happens when running with a friend. Nothing like forgetting about the effort while working out the worlds problems small and large.

During the times I have run with Rob the act of running becomes so less relevant, as our conversations verge on the ethics of raising cattle to the meaning of this country's time spent in Iraq and Afganistan. During a recent conversation I liked the way Rob put how we surmise our opinions when he said, "so much of what we know about controversial issues is based on assumptions and our own owning of limited facts. The truth is often so much more complex than most single minds can process and understand at one time. Perhaps it is best that we educate and are educated in small bursts toward a truthful understanding"

In understanding our recent military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, Rob suggested a book he still loves, all controversy aside "Three cups of Tea" and the documentary film Restrepo by Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger, which chronicles the deployment of a U.S. Platoon in Afghanistan's Korengal Valley. Rob also suggested watching the Discovery Channel documentary "Surviving the Cut" to learn more about training for the military's Special Forces.

It is so much fun and such an honor to have you as part of the team Rob Reed.

TEAM LUCCA: Next Race is a fun one!

Super Bowl Sunday

Feb 5th, 9:00 Am

More info at http://superbow lrun.org

Running Women Warriors plus Jim and Dan

2011-12-04T17:05:00.000-08:00

The moment you see the finish line is so intensely personal. The swelling up with pride, the lump in the throat, possible tears welling, body aching and all of this punctuated with a huge sense of accomplishment and well deserved sigh of relief.

Congratulations to all our Team Lucca runners today. So proud of all of you. Think you are so amazing. My apologies if I forgot about anyone, but here is how I saw it.

First Team Lucca runner and still looking like a million bucks, mother of two, super speedy, Becky MacBride.

Next the truly amazing Western States competitor and CIM Pace setter, my friend, Karyn Hoffman.

Then one of my Team Lucca running heroes mostly for his tenacity and the fact that he just loves to run and does it so well, the one and only, Jim Geary.

Not far behind, Jim's daughter and often times running companion - still smiling from ear to ear, Tamara Geary.

There is so much pride to be had I am sure, for being part of a fearless group of women athletes known as the TRI chics. If anyone personified what these women can just go out and do with a marathon, it is Tammie Lopez. I had breakfast with Tammie the day before the race who was only a little concerned that she had barely trained. This morning she was a testament to the high level of physical fitness at which these women live their lives.

Tammie you are amazing, looked amazing and I am so proud of you.

Next was Team Lucca coach and excellent marathoner again looking like it was such a breeze, the always smiling, really talented, Emily Schile.

Doing her first marathon and doing an excellent job of it was Julie Stackhouse.

Followed by the always adorable, also TRI Chic, LeAnne Nienow.

Also congrats to my bud and Team Lucca runner, Dan Tafoya and Mrs. Pozzi aka Meschell.

Thank you all for representing the Team over this past year.

Think the world of all of you. You are all pure inspiration.

Terri

TEAM Lucca Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-26T14:51:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Thank You's

Thanks Team! In spite of the cold rainy day, Team Lucca showed up in big numbers, once again for the Sacramento's "Run to Feed the Hungry"

I wasn't able to get many photos at the race site with that crazy rain and only got a fraction of the team before and after. Nevertheless it was great to see you all and the brunch at Roxy was just the right note of warmth and delciousness, good friends and family and many reasons to be thankful.

So happy to state that at our post race brunch raffle this year we raised $1670.00 for the Sacramento Food Bank

Many many thanks to Jim Geary one of our most dedicated runners who presented us with a check for $1000 on behalf of Team Lucca as a gift from his law firm, Hanson Bridgett to be included with our donation to the Sacramento Food Bank. Thank you kindly to every one at Hanson Bridgett. Your generosity is so very much appreciated.

Also Thank you so very much to all of those who donated some really wonderful prizes:

Martha Dunn, Photographer- Rachel Lomeil, Sacramento Theatre Company, Music Circus, B Street Theatre, numerous wineries, Piatti Restaurant, Sacramento Farmer's Market, American Grafetti Tatoo, Jeannie Bewley -fine jewelry creations, Chef Ian MacBride and Becky, Jan Newton, Hanna Choi, Jen Hart, Erin MacBride, Tracy Murphy, Kristina Dula and Joanne Obata, Macy's, Virginia Curtola, Lucca and Roxy Restaurants, Cosmopolitan Caberet, Tammie Lopez and Jason, Daniel Tofoya, Norma B and Lucky Dog Ranch.

Plus thank you so much to our Roxy Team, Mike Holyfield, Danny Origel and Jeff DePalma for putting together such a delish brunch.

And finally a special thanks to Emily Shile for leading the team through 2011.

Happy Thanksgiving!

California International Marathon Next weekend

Look for Team Lucca on the race course

Such Pretty Boys!

2011-11-11T11:48:00.000-08:00

Thanks Rob, Bob, Andy and Dale for representing Team Lucca again in another one of those pretty dirty races.

DON'T FORGET ~ Thanksgiving Morning:

"Run to Feed the Hungry"

Nove. 24th, 2011 - Please be at Roxy by 7:00 am for pictures and then look for those brown Team Lucca jerseys close to the Team Tent before the start.

If you are running the 10K and line up at the 9 min mile marker, 15 mins before the start

I will find you there for pre race pics.

Also plan on joining us post race at Roxy for our annual brunch and raffle.

Brunch is free - just please bring money for raffle tickets. All proceeds from the raffle go directly to the Sacramento Food Bank

Raffle prizes include - bottles of wine, housemade pies, theatre tickets, gift certificates for Lucky Dog Ranch New York Steaks, homemade bread, massage certificates, tattoo and body piercing gift certificates and gift certificates to Lucca and Roxy,

plus so much more.

We are still collecting prizes so please send Emily or I a message thru Facebook if you would like to contribute. All prize contributions are so very much appreciated!

Hopefully see you soon at Sacramento's best family running event of the year!

Terri

Team Lucca Tough Mudder 2011

2011-08-26T21:31:00.001-07:00

Tammie

Rob

Bob

Dale

Andrew

Come with me to watch these fearless ahtletes do their insane muddy challenging best at this years "TOUGH MUDDER"

Straight from the website http://toughmudder.com

"Tough Mudder is not your average lame-ass mud run or spirit crushing endurance road race. Our 10-12 mile obstacle courses are designed by British Special Forces to test all around strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie. Tough Mudder has raised over one million dollars for the Wounded Warriors Project"

When: September 17th

Where: Lake Tahoe

Call me at Roxy if you are interested in carpooling up with Gina and I to cheer our team on.

It will be such a crazy bloody muddy time. Can't wait.

2011 Team Lucca Races

2011-08-12T14:41:00.001-07:00

Here are the next 5 Team Lucca races for 2011:

August 27: Race for the Arts
September 11: Buffalo Stampede
October 2: Urban Cow Half Marathon
November 24 : Run to Feed the Hungry
December 4: California Int'l Marathon

Get signed up for the races you want to do! We'd really LOVE if you would consider the Run to Feed the Hungry (this is always our favorite race!)

"The Good Ones"

2011-08-05T07:12:00.000-07:00

There are people on this earth who live at a truly heightened level of understanding. With a sense of compassionate calmness they achieve things large and small in heroic measure. While far easier for some to resort to righteous anger, bombastic opinion, fear driven choices, ego centered decision making, outright negativity, these rare people really get it and choose to "walk the walk" with quiet dignity in an effort to change the course of the moment, the day, the week, the world.

I like to think of these people as "the good ones".

Those doing good solely for the sake of good. We have one of these good ones on our Team Lucca.

Megan Gash travels to third world countries looking for women to help by providing them the means to better their lives. The work she does is partly funded by the Bill Gates Foundation.

It is world travel in no way easy, glamorous or remotely safe.

Yet Megan loves it.

Megan is a Team Lucca Runner. It is an honor and a pleasure to have her as part of our Team.

Per my asking, here is her running story.

Hi Terri,
Sure! I’m flattered you asked. Here’s a bit about myself and then the answers to the questions about running (your questions are inserted in the text).

I live in midtown Sacramento and I work in Davis at an international non-profit organization named Freedom from Hunger. freedomfromhunger.org

We assist local organizations to deliver education and small microfinance loans to women in developing countries. I work as a research specialist, studying whether our programs have impact. Naturally, my main hobby is traveling, and my job fortunately allows me to do a lot of it.

So first Megan some running questions. What got you started?

I started running because of a desire to feel better physically and also to lose some weight. A good friend, Emily Schile, had been encouraging me to run for a while and I finally decided to give it a try. I started out really slowly, by running for a couple of minutes and then walking a few minutes. I slowly worked my way up, and felt good about it both physically and simply having a sense of accomplishment, and I kept up with it.

Running has been very positive for me. I lost the weight I wanted to, and I’ve kept it off. I have more muscle definition than I’ve ever had before, I have more energy, I don’t need to sleep as much, I am more fit and alert overall, and it’s really helped with dealing with daily stress.

What are your current running goals?

My current goals are to keep up with my regular running and eventually do a half-marathon. Travel for my job often makes it difficult to find a solid few months to train, mainly since it can be hard to run while traveling. I like to increase my speed, too, but I don’t have any specific goals for it. I am not very competitive athletically and I find that I feel best when I sort of stumble into a new speed instead of planning for it and pushing myself. I ended up running a 9:34 mile average for the Feed the Hungry run last November, which was not planned, and a great improvement from my 11:27 average at the Zoo Zoom the prior April. The cold temperature really helped, though!

What are some of the countries you travel to?

I travel to wherever the project takes me, but the trips in the past year or two have been to Mali (in West Africa), India, the Philippines and Ecuador. My next trip is to a conference in Tanzania in October.

Any wonderfully memorable runs while traveling?

On a trip to Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), I went for a run one early morning around 5:30am. It was in May, and very, very hot. I went running early to avoid some of the heat and humidity, and because I had jet lag and was wide awake at that time. I ran from my hotel to a park where a lot of local residents were taking their morning walks. Although I didn't stand out because I was a runner - sometimes you really are the only person out there running, and local residents think that you are running "from" something instead of just running for exercise - I did stand out because I was one of the few who wasn't doing morning calisthenics during the run. While walking in their traditional long tunics and thin pants with white tennis shoes (I was in my running capris , long tee shirt and running shoes), they were throwing their arms up over and over as the walked, almost like doing a walking jumping jack. A lot of people were doing this! It kinda of made me laugh, but also felt good to see others were out and about getting their exercise publicly, like me. It felt like I was part of a community, but doing things just a little differently than them.

What if anything is difficult for you about running ?

I’m a pretty slow runner, and I find that it’s hard to improve quickly. It’s also hard to have good runs consistently. Some days I have a great run, some days a crummy one, and I can’t do a lot to control that, a good run seems to just happen or not.

I’m just really proud I’ve stuck with running. It helps tremendously to be part of Team Lucca and know that I should participate in runs; it’s a positive kind of pressure that encourages me to stick with it since I know people will notice that I’m not there. It also feels good to continue improving. I have always felt from other Team Lucca members that although it’s great to be a fast runner, there is absolutely no pressure to do that, just show up and finish. It’s a very supportive environment. I’ve also found that running with others on a weekly basis is a great motivator to keep it up, and keep pushing myself to improve bit by bit.

What do you enjoy the most about those weekly runs?

I love the “me” time. I love being outside, in the fresh air, running out my frustrations and stress, clearing my head. It always makes me feel good, even if it started as a crummy run.

Fourth of July Run

2011-07-04T22:01:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth of July!

Yes, just a little bit of a crazy cycling fan. Ron was out the door at 4:30 am to beat the heat for a few hours anyway, with work out at the ranch. I was up and at em soon after trying to get my own ranch chores done in order to race home and catch a bit of the Tour de France before running off to see the Team run on this soon to be sweltering sweaty Sacramento summer day. Yet a day just perfect for a low key neighborhood Fourth of July 5 mile race

Held annually and known as Sacramento's oldest running event, runners around the city line up in the lovely River Park neighborhood to begin the days festivites by running. No chips, no bibs, just runners who love to run.

Runners and friends I just think the world of - Rich Hanna, Deborah Meltvedt

and Rick Kushman

It was great to see our Team out there on this cooker of a blazing hot morning and then it was back home for another quick glance at the tour before off and running again.

So here I sit late into the evening, finally getting to watch the finish and see with my own two eyes the winning of today's yellow jersey by an American, Tyler Ferrar.

Perfect way to end the day. Up in about 6 hours to do it all again.

Happy running, happy cycling, happy Fourth of July.

No Excuses 2011

2011-05-30T21:07:00.000-07:00

Good Day for Running

Really great race day in Land Park. Thank you all Team Lucca runners for laying it all out on the track. Haven't seen the results yet but I think 4 or 5 of our guys came in around 20 mins.

Plan now as you've got a whole month. Our next big Team Lucca race will be the Alzheimer's Aid Race on July 9th. I will get out more info on as we get closer to the date.

Until then we have Karyn running in the Western States 100 again this year. If anyone wants to wait with me at the finish, it is really quite something to watch these seasoned runners as they come in and finish this mind boggling feat.

PLENTY OF PICS IN THE PHOTOSTREAM

No Excuses 2011

2011-05-26T17:49:00.000-07:00

TEAM LUCCA: "NO EXCUSES" - This Monday morning. Be There!

Race start 8:30 am in Land Park. Brunch at Roxy Restaurant after

http://roxyrestaurantandbar.com

Race for the Cure 2011: Team Lucca

2011-05-09T07:51:00.001-07:00

A Big Thank You to our Race for the Cure Team

Tam and Mom, Pheebs, Trish, Becky, Ian and family, Bob, Kristen and Dan

Putting on the Pink

2011-04-14T09:27:00.000-07:00

This upcoming Saturday: Race for the Cure

It was the first race I ever ran. After years of running, this is the one I picked. Truly it was one of the only big races out there at the time

This going back to the day where as a runner if you wanted to listen to music you did so on a huge CD cassette player that you tucked into a big fanny pack strapped awkwardly around your waist.

Team Lucca 2004

I was so unsure of myself as a potential racer that day, I walked down the long sidewalk to the start line seriously vacillating between jumping over to the left side, the walkers or staying on the right side the runners. I was concerned someone on a megaphone might see me flailing along and announce "will bib number ( mine) please move out of the way. This side for racers only."

Team Lucca 2005

I finished that race in such a heightened state of emotion. Elation as I passed runners. Happy to have passed allot of runners that I finished and that I ran really fast. Distraught over the number of backs I passed with sad messages of remembrance and honor.

Team Lucca kids 2005

This race with around 30,000 participants now in Sacramento has become not so much a runners race as a yearly event for far too many. It has become an annual rite of springtime, of Mother's day, of hope and promise and one year for me anyway an experience in frustration. The year we ran in a kind of protest over, - where does all this money go? How many more years will be out here doing this? How long will it take to end this thing?

This thing being breast cancer.

And yet it is this monster, this mission, this advocacy that made me a runner.

Ron, Shannon, Kerry and kids 2005

Two years earlier with tears and shock and anger and despair from a women who was the most beautiful, strong, intelligent, funny, sweet, confident, glorious women in the world, came these words -

"Terri do everything you can to take care of yourself. Do everything you can to not have to go through this"

This again being breast cancer, the women my gift from God, mother.

Team Lucca 2006

It was a year of shock and heartbreak. Mom telling me that she had pulled her back out lifting one of her grand kids. A week later, no that was not it, the cancer had moved into her bones.

Doctors telling us we would probably have her through Christmas. Me planning a month long leave of absence from my restaurant manager job in Napa to go home and spend the month of October with her. Mom passing away in September.

Team Lucca 2007

A year of being overwhelmed at times with a grief so big all I could do was brace myself for it's onslaught and run and run and run.

Pounding out the pain on so many days, so many slabs of pavement.

Team Lucca 2008

She was too young. She was full of life, full of plans. We would travel someday to Europe together. We would have lots of time.

I have three incredibly wonderful younger sisters. We are all in our forties and fifties and we all live with the constant, "Who will it be and when?" As a friend told me once regarding wearing a bike helmet, "it's not about if you fall, it's about when". So it seems with the four of us.

Yet we are all runners, we all take pretty darn good care of ourselves and my sister, Katherine an oncology nurse assures us if mom would have been diagnosed today she would still be alive with all the advancements they have made.

Running solo 2009

Still it is not enough. So we keep running. As Melissa Etheridge says in her breast cancer ballad,

"And if you ask me why I am still running, I'll tell you...I run for hope. I run for your mother, your sister, your wife, I run for you and me....I run for life"

Bob and Dale 2010

So come run with me on a Saturday morning, May 7th. I will gladly pay for the first 10 people who call and say they would like to participate with me and I will feed you a delicious brunch after. Please call Glenn at Lucca Restaurant 916.669.5300, and tell him you would like to join me. He is my friend, devoted list keeper and has been a big part of organizing Team Lucca over the past 8 years.

or register yourself at

www.komensacramento.org/komen-race-for-the cure

All my early days of running I ran always only to have that time to be with her.

It amazes me sometimes the actual physical pain I feel in my heart thinking of her.

It amazes me that at fifty one years old and eighteen years later, I long so much to see her to be with her,

for my mother, still.

Zoo Zoom 2011

2011-04-10T16:51:00.000-07:00

Such a great team. I think fun is our main objective though watching Jonathan, Dan, Andy, Lauren and Jim come in remind me what fast people we have and how amazing our team really is.

Thanks to all of you that came out to run or cheer this morning. I just think the world of all of you.

It is wonderful to see the running community in Sacramento as a whole continue to grow year after year along with our Team Lucca. This being our fifth year of participation in the Zoo Zoom race.

Pictures of today's race are available in the photostream. Best way to view them is to click on the photo tab and then once you see the photostream go to the top left corner and next to the flickr logo it will say "go to photostream" click on that and it will take you to the fastest way and easist way to view photos.

Good to see you all today. Coming up next "The American River Parkway Half"

Will post details very soon.

Jim: LA Marathon

2011-04-02T18:40:00.000-07:00

Terri,

My first of three marathons in six weeks was a bit wet. The LA Marathon was more of a swim than a race but the Lucca shirt kept me from hyperthermia unlike a couple of thousand other runners.

By the time I finished (4:30) I think I was a bit bedraggled. This photo at least looks like I was happy to get out of the rain.

Four hours later it was still pouring. (This) photo was taken from my hotel room.

It is on to Boston for the April 18th marathon and then Big Sur on May 1st.

If we have any more rain, I'll be running with web feet.

Jim Geary

"Set fire to the rain" by Adele

2011-02-26T16:35:00.001-08:00

There was a little bit of a storm going on, a little thunder, a little wind, lots of crazy pelting rain. Then a little sunshine, a little hail, a little sunshine with the hail. Such is life in Northern California on a Friday in February.

Yesterday I woke up at the usual early hour to one of the noisiest rain storms, knocking down the neighborhood, that I've heard in quite awhile.

Yet still, layering it up, out into the tumulteous storm I run.

I ran four blustery, rain soaked, brittle cold, miles listening to miss Adele on the ipod, "Set fire to the rain" while thinking to myself the whole time, this is so perfect.

Try it sometime - running in a storm, the freezing cold, Adele? Who knows you might just get hooked.

Heads up our next big group Team Lucca Race will be, the Zoo Zoom on April 10th. I know many of you can do this easy 10K and run it really fast. This is a Buzz Oates, RunSac series race so plan on amping it up speed wise for this one, okay?

Any of you running a race for the first time should love this race. Land Park is always one of the prettiest places to race in Sacramento.

See you then if not sooner. We are still meeting Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings for group runs if anyone would like to join us.

http://sacramentozoozoom.com/

http://adele.tv/

Run Sac Series

2011-02-19T06:51:00.000-08:00

Thank You Emily, Team Lucca Leader and Marathoner for accepting our Team Lucca

"Run Sac" series 1st place in a Corporate Division Award

and great job to our Team and all you fast runners that made this happen

A guy we think the world of, Rich Hanna of California Road Race Management and Emily

Thanks so much Ladies!

Representing Team Lucca: Joanne Obata, Tammie Lopez, Emily Tash and Tamara Geary

Team Lucca Running Buddies

February In California

2011-02-03T17:10:00.000-08:00

Team Lucca 2011 Meeting and Mixer at Lucca

Layering up for winter riding

Wednesday evening, Running around the State Capitol

Important to remember between all the crazy complaining regarding this state of ours -

it is still wintertime and while a lot of the country sits at a stand still, frozen cold in a blizzard, we get to do this the first days of February, run and ride and be outside often in this lovely place where the grass is already bright green and the days bright with promise of a spectacular spring.

These are the glorious sunny crisp days that remind me to be so thankful this is home.

Team Lucca runs every Saturday morning and Wednesday night. Come join us!

2011-01-28T16:00:00.000-08:00

So happy to have this wonderful lady, mother of two and excellent runner with Team Lucca

Meshell and her daughter, KatieBeth

at the inaugural "Whole Foods' Run

For me the worst part of any race is the waking up early. Way earlier than my natural eternal clock would wake me up. No surprise that I would wake up 30 minutes late on this particular race day too. So the rushing around starts. The inner questions begin "do I have my water bottle, do I have my ipod, do I have my gloves, do I have my bib and shoes"? Not only for myself but for my my two runner children as well. Zack,17 and KatieBeth, 15. I could write in detail the amount of good it does to keep your mouth shut (nagging) as a parent and set good habits by example, but that's another story. So, we are off....flying out the door with our backpacks and gear.

Whole Foods Running School www.runningschoolfunrun.com started this run to promote good health in the community and among our youth, where we all know obesity is running amok. A very good reason to wake up early and drag my children out in the cold.

Organized at the Whole Foods in Roseville, gathering in the parking lot, the festivities began and ended at this location. I appreciated plenty of room for parking and easy access to registration and the start. Due to my lack of organization skills I had not registered yet, so had to do so before the buzzer went off. I easily found the reg table and all the computers set up for easy accessibility. Because my children were running the 5k and were not that excited about waiting 2 hours for me to run 13.1, I decided to run the 10k instead. It turns out that was a very good idea!

The 10k and 13.1 runners all started together, and for an inaugural event, there was a huge crowd. Shout out... to Rich Hanna who pulls Sacramento together. Running the 10k and not the 13.1, I had enough energy to just go for it and run hard and have some fun with it. I was not prepared for the hills. Not huge hills, but hills nontheless. I powered up the hills and recovered on the down. What I loved the most about this event was the community coming out and the type of runners that challenged themselves. Running up those hills were mothers of new babies, friends out to challenge each other, people who just wanted to get off the couch and start a new life. I love the diversity that community events bring together. I am reminded that people run for so many reasons and very few run to "win" something. On the turn around and running past those that are behind my pack (mind you, I am a slow runner) is the most fun. Seeing the faces of those who won’t give up and the personal challenges all around. It is so inspirational, and keeps me going. So for me, as a distance runner I start to warm up around mile 5. My muscles warm up, I'm relaxed, my rhythm and my breath and muscles begin to work together. I have found the sweet spot. I am in my element and could run easily for another 15 miles. But today...it's about going a fast (for me) 6 miles. I have to remind myself that I don't have another 2 hours to go and I can kick it into gear. I have a hard time with running speed. That is something I will want to work on this season.

The course is easy and relaxed, and good for all levels. As I come into the finish my two beautiful children are waiting for me with the medals that they received 20 minutes before and I am reminded why I do such things. We get our cytomax and walk around waiting for the food line to open up. After standing in line for food, that really wasn't that good. Some type of flax cereal, yogurt, fruit, and apple juice....where are the bagels and cookies? I'm just say'n. Haha, Whole Foods....go figure. After we eat and the kids are still starving, we watch the half marathon runners come in. So far and few between, no medals left, no food left, and festivities are winding down. So...in retrospect, I am glad I did the 10k and not 10k and not the 13.1. This event was better for the short distance, for sure. The cost was also a bit steep for this type of event. For sure it goes to a great cause but for a family with lots of children,...could be an expensive day.

So, as for if I would do this one again?....Only with the kids, it is definitely a family event. However, a good way to kick off our 2011.

Dan: Redding Marathon

2011-01-28T12:23:00.000-08:00

Thank you Dan for representing Team Lucca at the Redding Marathon

Hi Terri,

Thank you once again for a fantastic team building evening last night. You always amaze me and are such an inspiration. Attached are the photos from the Redding Marathon last weekend (16Jan2011) with all the Team Lucca gear in action. The race started above Shasta Dam, crossed over the dam and continued and included some of the most beautiful scenery I've ever had the privilege to run in and it finished at the Sundial Bridge (some of the views that I got to see along the way are also included in the photos, thanks to my folks who took the photos. And yes, I do use my cell phone as a camera, just in case you were wondering, but these photos are not from there).

I ended up finishing 39th overall in the race (only 3 people finished under 3 hours---my time was 3:46) ---a race that included a hellish 2 mile uphill climb that hit 4% to 6% grades for good chunks of it at miles 12 through 14 and other quad-pounding hills along the way, primarily the start. The most beautiful part was the scenery and the friendliness of absolutely everyone encountered during the race on the course--runners and spectators. The most painful part was a cramp that literally stopped me in my tracks at mile 21 that took hold first of my right quad, then, upon stopping, my left hamstring, followed by my right one. That hit required me to hobble-bobble the last 5.2 miles (which took a grueling 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete, if that gives the picture of how impaired I got. If you look closely at the pictures of me running across the Sundial Bridge the pain is pretty visible). I owe tremendous thanks to angels from Redding, Sue and Lynn that were monitoring the course and inspired me all the way to the finish line.

All the best,

Dan

Team Lucca 2011 Meeting and Mixer

2011-01-06T12:10:00.000-08:00

2011 Team Lucca

Meeting and Mixer at Lucca

Wednesday evening, January 19th

6:30 pm

If you are interested in recreational running with a great group of joyful, happy to be running runners, stop by and hear what Team Lucca 2011 is all about.

Hope to see you then!

Terri, Emily, Becky, Joanne, Dale and Bob

Running like dogs

2011-01-06T09:41:00.001-08:00

Not the kind of story one usually admits to but as a kid while tagging along with my veterinarian dad when visiting farms or ranches - if there were dogs there to be had, of all of us kids they would often find me - cover me with licks, knock me over, chase me around and cause in this kid anyway an early onset love/hate relationship with dogs.

I was about seven or eight when dad hopefully meaning it as a kind of comical reassurance said, "Sweetie don't take this the wrong way but I think in another life you were a dog".

Thank goodness I was only seven or eight and not the awkward thirteen or I may have never recovered from the comparison.

I now pretty much completley love dogs and while my Lucky will run like the wind chasing cattle he is not a good runners dog. Unlike Team Lucca's Rosie girl who Emily adopted about a year ago and who accompanied us on runs along the trail as part of her, learning to behave with humans process. Then there is the famous Bolt, who trains with Karyn H. on all her endurance runs. Craig's dogs, Jerry Lee and Nadine make me feel like a cartoon character as they do not run with you, you instead run with them whether you are capable or not at about a 7 min mile pace.

Watching a dog running in the rain is like watching an unabashed furr ball of joy on four legs.

So sometimes you have to think like a dog. With that said, if you are not running at this time of the year, you are really missing out. There is something so sublime about running in the rain. This here right now, is perfect running weather. Wait until July and you will find yourself longing for these mother nature provided cooling mist nornings where you can sink into your own little silvery world in shrouds of fog of rain.

So bring your dog or just yourself and come join us this Sunday morning 9:00 am, back up on the levy for our first 2011 group run.

Rain or shine we will be there.

Two suggestions for this winter of 2011, plan on running at least once in the rain and if you ever get a chance watch this little gem of a movie titled, "My life as a dog" made in Sweden in 1985 by Lasse Hallstrom. It is a rare and precious heartbreakingly hysterical portrayel of the hopes and longings of one little boy.

A Zillion Thanks

2010-12-23T10:59:00.000-08:00

I owe some big thanks to so many of you for contributing in a multitude of ways to the success of our Team Lucca this past year.

I was delighted to hear over and over again over the course of the year from people at so many events how great it was that we were there.

I hope that this next year brings as much enthusiasm, fun and exciting times for our team as this past one has.

So a huge thanks to all of you who showed up wearing those bright brown Team Lucca jerseys at way too many race events to mention.

It is always an honor to have you represent our Team but truly what excites me the most is the fact that all of you made a choice along the way to do something pretty incredible for yourselves.

Often at some point during any event I would find myself so moved, just thrilled, covered with goose bumps watching you accomplish your goals.

You are all an inspiration to me and I look foward to more good things to come.

Some special thanks to the following

Much of the effort of our team events this year in local races and training goes to these two ladies. Becky and Emily were relentless in their dedication, energy and input. Much of the success of Team Lucca 2010 is because of these two wonderful and talented runners.

Thrilling to have these two incredible ladies represent

Team Lucca around the world.

Karyn at the Western States 100, AR50, Iron Man Cozumel, and so many more races and Tamara in

Athens, Greece, Nashville, SF's "Bay to Breakers", San Diego half and then some.

Big thanks for the perpetual encouragement for the whole team from six time Iron Man finisher, Joanne - who also taught me the gross but necessary art of dislodging nose mucosa

( Not even sure mucosa is a real word, maybe a little Sarah P going on there, just trying to be delicate about the snot rocket thing)

Still, gotta keep those air passages open, right Jo?

Always grateful for my own personal inspiration - My boys

Luke and Joe

We could not have put together another successful Urban Cow/Team Lucca sponsored Running Symposium without the help, humor, years of experience filled running insights from one of my local running heros, Rick Kushman

Many thanks to you all and stay posted for TEAM LUCCA 2011

Pre Team Meeting coming middle of January

Hope to see you there ~ Terri

And they're off - California International Marathon

2010-12-05T08:19:00.000-08:00

and they're incredible -

I run out of words describing this lady. The indefatigable Karyn Hoffman raced back from setting a personal record at the Ford Ironman last Sunday in Cozumel to be the 4:00 pace group leader at this mornings California International Marathon.

Run Margaret run! My inspiration, Margaret who is running CIM to celebrate her age which is what you get when you reverse the 2 and the 6 in 26 miles.

Margaret's son, Alex and his adorable Heather, both racing this morning to support mom. This "short" distance race being part of Alex's running plan in his training endeavor to someday soon hopefully, run the Western States 100.

Go Jim! Jim is already a Boston qualifier recently back from a marathon in Athens, Greece. Can't even tell you how many times Jim has run CIM. I just know he runs marathons like some people run to the grocery store. Jim will be picked up at around mile 20 and paced in by his incredible running daughter, Tamara.

Also running in with Jim is Team Lucca Coach, many time marathoner and mom to be, Becky MacBride.

Representing Team Lucca by way of Roxy Restaurant is the lovely Chrissie. Chrissie recently ran the Women's Nike Marathon in San Francisco where good looking firemen hand you a Tiffany necklace at the finish. This race being hard to get into for obvious reasons.

Wishing all of our Team Lucca Runners, the best, most painless, fastest for you, race today.

Best Little Team in the Land

2010-11-27T08:11:00.000-08:00

So it was this past Thanksgiving morning that we put on multiple layers and headed out into the freezing cold morning to do what we love to do, run, walk and for some, just be with a crowd of about 25,000 others doing something good for this little city, this community, this place on the planet we call home. The "Run to Feed the Hungry" is a testament of this city's commitment to the needs of the less fortunate.

The Sacramento Food Bank is truly an inspiring organization run by my friend, Blake Young.

Team Lucca has participated in the "Run to Feed the Hungry" for 8 years now and in an effort to take the giving back idea up a notch has held a homespun raffle at the post team brunch the last three years.

Many thanks to -

Richard Lewis and the Sacramento Theatre community for generously donating theatre tickets to upcoming shows like "9 to 5" and "Suds" http://californiamusicaltheatre.com
Our Lucca neighbor, American Graffiti Tattoo for donating a free body piercing americangraffiiti-tattoo.com
Katie Tipton for a brand new Snowboard
Jeannie Bewley for a beautiful watch from http://jeanniesjewelry.com
Rhett from Mercedes Benz of Sacramento for the Mercedes Swag bag http://mbsacramento.com
Team Lucca's own, Gail Hart - One hour fitness training at "Training with a Personal Touch"
Team Lucca's Phillip Wade from Arco Arena for a Chris Webber Royals Jersey
Guy Couture for a One hour massage with "The Massage Guy" at 2617 J Street
Gourmet Dog Treats by Jodie at http://givethedogabone.net
Skin Care products and Gift Certificate from "The Laser & Skin Surgery Center of Northern California" http://skinlasers.com
A Facial from Gina at "The Alternative Skin Care Day Spa"
Delicious wines from D'Anneo Vineyards and a Four pack of Ferrari Carano Wine
A Gorgeous Scarf by Lizzette Crosbie
Holiday Pies by Pastry Chef Kristina Dula at Roxy Restaurant roxyrestaurantandbar.com
Gift Certificates to Lucca and Roxy Restaurants http://luccarestaurant.com
All Natural Beef Gift Certificates from Lucky Dog Ranch luckydogranchbeef.com

and more.

So thank you everyone so much for your generosity.

Thank you Gretchen, Glenn and the staff at Lucca and Roxy Restaurant, with your ticket selling effort we will be able to contribute $1500 to the Sacramento Food Bank.

Coming up next: California International Marathon

Scared? Check!

2010-11-08T17:11:00.000-08:00

My son Luke and I, Last Thanksgiving

My friend gave me this great little yoga bag with the good intent of trying once again to get me to love yoga. It is peppered with inspiring sayings such as –

“Dance, Sing, Floss and Travel”

“Life is full of setbacks. Success is determined by how you handle the setbacks”

“Friends are more important than money”

“Jealousy works the opposite way you want it to”

“Your outlook on life is a direct reflection on how much you like yourself”

And the one I think of every single day that I take off down the road on my bike

“Do one thing a day that scares you”

Easily done. Check that.

This morning not even a mile from home a large black SUV swerved right at me coming within arms distance while traveling about 40 mph down a wide enough for four cars, street.

Close call. Stomach flipping, heart pounding, fear filled, close call.

Don’t know what the heck that driver was thinking. Whether it was deliberate or if they were, early though it was, affected by drugs or alcohol or most likely just not paying attention, matters not. They still managed to scare the wits out of me.

That incident, just one example of the many crazy fear laden moments that cause me to achieve the daily fulfillment of the yoga bag mantra- “Do one thing a day that scares you”.

I know that even for cyclists who ride often and really well and have years of experience, cycling can be perpetually frightening . Cars and crazy drivers aside, on any given day on my ride to work there may just happen across the trail kamikaze squirrels, rattlesnakes, deer, turtles and turkeys all rightfully in their own little place in the universe at the exact moment, I squeal into a blind curve.

Rattle Snake on the Parkway

There is also particular to this time of the year, the dreaded leaves. I adore autumn especially the outrageously beautiful color changing of the leaves. Yet from a cycling perspective there is another dark side to the famous fall leaf. At some point through the transformation from beauty to wet and mushy pile of compost they extract a substance, slippery as all get out, that quickly turns any given bunch of leaves into bad-ness incarnate.

My one bad bike accident involved leaves.

While waiting to be x-rayed, one of the attending doctors said something like,

“Leaves was it? Surely you jest?” ( Either in my memory he was British or I am recently reading too many English novels)

Surely not, I said.

Wet mushy leaves are as terrifying as walnut husks, little fat acorns, broken glass, fallen branches.

There is too, the being in the middle of nowhere with a flat, the sudden rain or hail storm miles from home, the thankfully infrequent encounter with a slightly crazed homeless person and the most basic one act that many non-cyclists consider sheer madness - the clipping in of oneself to the frame of something on which you travel quite fast with only the tiniest bit of tire surface in contact with the earth at any given time.

So yes, doing one thing nearly every day that scares the heck out of me – accomplished. Check that.

Love my bike. Love to ride. Happy Autumn, truly my favorite season.

Stay tuned for next weeks information on our big event of the year, "The Run to Feed the Hungry"

Run to Feed the Hungry, Happening soon

2010-10-20T19:39:00.000-07:00

Running - Riding - Triathlons

It has been one busy year, soon to be culminating with one of my favorite races

"The Run to Feed the Hungry" held every year on Thanksgiving morning http://runtofeedthehungry.com/

TEAM LUCCA will be out there in force much like in years past.

If you would like to join our team, register on line under TEAM LUCCA.

After the race join us at Roxy for a delicious complimentary Brunch.

Please call Roxy 916.489.2000 for more information

At our post race brunch you can purchase $2 raffle tickets for prizes such as theatre tickets, Kristina's holiday pies, magnums of wine and gift certificates to Lucca and Roxy, just to name a few.

All proceeds from the raffle go directly to the Sacramento Food Bank.

http://sacramentofoodbank.org

I look forward to seeing you on Thanksgiving.

Happy Autumn!

Terri

Urban Cow Second Annual Runners Symposium at Lucca

2010-09-26T08:57:00.000-07:00

Join us This Wednesday Evening at Lucca

for our

2nd Annual Urban Cow Runners Symposium

$25 a ticket includes food and wine

Please call Glenn at Lucca to purchase tickets and for more information

916.669.5300

An evening with some of Sacramento's highly regarded runners talking - running

Deborah Meltvedt didn’t play organized sports but describes herself as a “wanna-be jock” since junior high. She came to running in her early 30s, and since then has run four marathons

Rick Kushman has run track and cross country since high school, has regularly been a nationally-ranked masters miler - says he can’t imagine life without some running in it, and despite being a middle-distance track guy, he’s come to believe there are few things better in the world than that long weekend run

Sam McManis has completed 10 Marathons is an excellent local runner and is currently training for the 2011 Boston Marathon

LeAnn Nienow competed in Ironman events in Canada, Brazil, Coeur D Alene and Western Australia

Tim Twietmeyer, 5 time Western States 100 Mile Winner. Tim has completed a sub 24 hour Western States 25 times

Rich Hanna, Race Director California Road Race Management. Rich is an Olympic Trials marathon qualifier, a two -time national 100-kilometer champion and was second in the world in the 100k

How far do you run? How fast ? Gadgets? Yes, no maybe so? What is the one piece of apparel or equipment you can’t live without? Typical training pace? Inspiration? Who is it? What is it? Where is it? Stretching? Foam rollers? Compression socks? Massage ? helpful? How much? What’s your favorite place to run in Sacramento? Ever hated a race? What do you think about when your body says QUIT! NOW? Racing etiquette, what’s your biggest pet peeve? What motivates you more than anything else? Do you have any little sayings you run by? Who is your favorite runner? Where do you line up at the race? What is your favorite brand of running shoes? If you could encourage one other person to be a runner, who would it be and why? We all start somewhere. Where did you start running? Favorite running saying? Caffeine, Shot Blocks, GU gels, Cytomax? Who is your favorite runner? Have you ever lost your cookies after a race? What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever seen happen in a race? What’s the funniest? Have you ever burst into tears at the finish line? Ipod? No Ipod? What’s your favorite running song? How darn proud are you of the huge increase of women runners these days? Worst running injury? How hard was it not to run? Do you even like running hills? What do you eat before a race? During a race? What’s the best race you’ve ever run and why? What one thing has made you a better runner? Do you sometimes hate running? What is the thought process that gets you out of bed on a cold early morning to go run 10 miles? Best running experience? Worst? How do you make it all work, training time wise? Best advice you’ve ever been given as a runner? Can you drink wine and run the next day? What’s your favorite time of the day to run? What’s it like running through the night? Have you ever been afraid? See any bears? Trail running or road running, what's your favorite ? What is it that pushes you through the wall? How does your spouse or partner deal with all the time you spend running?

What do you love the most about running?

Come find out - This Wednesday Evening

Lucca Restaurant 1615 J Street, Sacramento 916.669.5300

urbancowhalfmarathon.com

Allison MTB Worlds and Karin

2010-09-10T19:56:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the amazing Allison Mann who rode as the pro she is for TEAM USA at the World Mountain Bike Championships in Mont Sante Anne, Canada. We will be cheering for you all year Allison and hope to hear all about another great adventure in 2011 at the MTB World Championships in Champery, Switzerland.

If you love and live to Mountain Bike you can read about Allison's grand time at the world championship on her blog site http://allisonmann.net/

And good luck to an amazing Tri-athlete and ultra runner, Karin Weber Sanders who is participating in this weekends, Rio Del Lago 50K.

We're all wishing you all the best out there Karin!

2010-09-09T11:41:00.000-07:00

1st Upcoming Spectacular September Event at Lucca

Join us for these two exciting events - one for cyclists, one for runners either and both for anyone who just wants to enjoy good food, beer and wine and have a really good time

Thursday Evening ~ September 23, 6:30 pm

We are happy to host the arrival of two guys, Paul and Adam who have been cycling across the country to raise money to purchase bikes for kids whose parents serve in the military.

You can read far more about them and their venture at their web site

http://bikefree.org/

And to celebrate their being in Sacramento, joining them all the way from Baltimore, their friend and ours -

2009 Top Chef Contestant, Jessica Sandlin

Jesse wil be assisting Lucca Chef, Ian MacBride in putting together a delicious four course dinner for $40 a person

Beer and Wine are not included

50% of all the dinners proceeds and wine/beer sales at the event , will go to the Bikefree organization.

Thank you already to Brian from Mike's Bikes who will be providing door prizes for the dinner.

http://mikesbikes.com

Come listen to Paul and Adams tell of their cross country cycling adventure and meet the charming and delightful, Chef Jessica Sandlin

Tickets can be purchased at Lucca Restaurant

1615 Street, Sacramento

916.669.5300

Runners event posted soon.

Talkin bout my generation

2010-08-12T19:12:00.000-07:00

Today I had lunch with a very well educated, well spoken dear friend of mine, Alan and embarassingly heard myself blurt out at one point, “Alan, like that is so cool”. Thank God my brain registered what I was saying before I had time to add “dude” at the end of that completely cringe worthy kind of juvenile speak.

I hang around with a lot of young people. They rub off on me. The benefits are endless, they infuse the world, theirs and mine with energy and excitement. Drawbacks are the often overly exaggerated drama over the littlest thing, a state of being arising from not being worn down enough by the world quite yet.

I was telling my kitchen guys at Roxy the other day about marching in Denver’s central park when I was young in protest of the Vietnam war along with my fiery red headed die hard Democrat grandmother. I remember believing, protest aside, I was the epitome of coolness in my pink crochet vest, hippie head band and yellow bell bottoms. Grandma held my hand the whole time lest someone try to snatch me away while she and I took turns carrying a sign that read - WAR! NO MORE!

One of the guys responded with “Really? You were alive then? You’re THAT old?”

Last month the city of Sacramento hosted the Masters Outdoor Track and Field National Championships. The USATF typically requires that masters athletes be at least 40 years old prior to the day of the meet, however this meet included events for those in their thirties as well.

For any young runner looking for a shot of inspiration this would have been the place to be. While checking out all those beautiful “old” bodies, you just might have had your socks blown off by some of the paces these old runners set.

An example of some past records - In 2005 and at 72 years of age, Ginette Berdard ran the marathon course in New York in 3:46:18 and Sacramento’s own Barbara Miller set the women’s marathon record in the 60 plus age group in 1999 with a time of 3:14:50.

Or how about these guys, Ed Whitlock, from Canada who at 75 holds the men’s mile age group record with a time of 5:41:80 or Joseph King from the USA who at 82 years old set the record for the mile in his age group at 7:09:60.

Darn impressive.

I always enjoy when a new runner pours over the results of one of their first races and comes back to me with the surprising discovery that “I can’t believe 8 women in their fifties ran faster times than I did.” I just laugh and remind them, look what you have to look forward to. Great thing about running is you can keep getting faster and faster as long as you continue to work harder and harder.

Which I do not, work very hard that is, because the competitive bone in my body broke down a long time ago. I run now 100% of the time for the pure joy of running. If I race at all, it is only for the thrill of being out there with our team.

However, I am the biggest supporter of the plenty of others in my generation who with such great ability, devotion to the sport and distinguished sense of pride race passionately and often. I have a whole set of lady friends in their forties, fifties and sixties who have all completed so many Ironman events that I cannot even keep track.

And then there is Jim. The minute he starts to talk you know he is from Boston. And what runner can be from Boston and not aspire to go back there again and again to compete in the world’s most famous marathon. So very happy that Jim qualified to do so once again when he ran the San Francisco Marathon in July. And with that all I can say and please forgive me for this but on behalf of myself and Team Lucca - Jim you are like, really like, one super cool dude. Like just so awesome! So super groovy! Word up man! Word up.

Here is Jim’s synopsis of the race:

Terri,

Thanks for the kind words regarding my participation in the San Francisco Marathon. Becky MacBride and Tam convinced me to run SF when I failed to qualify at San Diego in June by less than 4 minutes. I needed a 4 hour finish. The course proved to be every bit as hilly as one could expect for a race that goes across the Golden Gate Bridge, through the Presidio, Golden Gate Park and then back to the Embarcadero. The weather stayed cool (52 degrees) and no wind. At ten mlles my watch died so I ran the rest of the race trying guess my time. At the finish I thought I was too late to qualify but Tam checked the computers and told me a few minutes later I had finished in 3:59:14. Needless to say it was good news for a very tired runner.

The course is very well maintained and has more than enough support. I know because I visited two of the first aid stations in attempt to resolve the blisters I picked up on the very steep downhills.

Becky did very well also, finishing well in front of me. Tam did the half marathon and really enjoyed the first half of the marathon course. I may actually be crazy enough to do it again next year.

Jim

Race for the Arts coming up soon

2010-08-05T07:51:00.001-07:00

Never too late to mention -

A big thank you to James Navicky who came to the rescue with a kayak for Jeff for "The Great Race".

Jeff, awesome sous chef at Roxy realized he did not have time to make the six hour round trip drive to go pick up his kayak from his dad who had recently borrowed it. So it was James and Jennifer to the rescue with very short notice. As a proper thanks, Jeff has volunteered to make this wonderfully fit vegan couple a three course all vegan dinner at Roxy.

Jeff by the way did a great job at the race even though my team's kayaker Joe, beat Jeff by a minute. Always a proud mom. Still so much fun having all you guys out there.

And then it took a scientist. The winner of the "Legs" contest was Team Lucca marathoner, Andy Schile. Andy with his very astute scientific sensibilities had no problem figuring out 90% of those Team Lucca legs.

And speaking of legs-

Get yours ready because we race again, Saturday morning, August 28th at the "Race for the Arts"

http://raceforthearts.com

Complimetary family style breakfast on the patio at Roxy for all our Team Lucca runners after the race.

Racing in August

2010-07-29T22:43:00.000-07:00

Next Team Lucca Race

Saturday Morning, August 28th

Race for the Arts, 5K

Willilam Land Park

Mid Summer Race

2010-07-21T07:32:00.000-07:00

Midsummer Race Weekend

Get yourself ready for a short sweet race this Saturday, with an 8:30 start at the East Lawn Cemetary. When my friend Sal told me of his plans to start up a new Sacramento 5K race at this location, I had to laugh inwardly at his uncontained excitement every time he spoke of it. To me the thought of a race start and finish in a cemetary was a crazy awkward and somewhat morbid idea. I envisioned some people standing around in reverent silent respect and others in their unrestrained cheering of friend or famiy, jumping up and down way too close to someone in a state of eternal repose.

As it turns out the venue is quite beautiful and the race itself is truly one of the most well put together races in the city. East Lawn and surronding neighborhood provide a shade laden tranquil course around some of the most upper crust homes in all of Sacramento.

A belated mention of the San Diego Marathon and Half Marathon which six of our team participated in, Emily, Andy, Jim, Eric, Julie and Tamara.

The pros -
As a destination race San Diego has it all, beautiful beaches, great restaurants, plenty to do besides race.

The cons -
The race is touted as scenic with a big finish at Sea World. The whole group thought that besides Balboa Park and parts of downtown the scenery was rather disappointing. As far as Sea World, you end up in the parking lot. Pure hot asphalt were it took hours to reconnect and then be transported back to hotels.

Good luck to Becky, Tamara and Jim who will be racing in the San Francisco Marathon this Sunday. Should be a lovely weekend for racing.

http://The Great Race 2010

2010-07-17T18:17:00.000-07:00

Andreas Kloeden, Alexandre Vinokourov, Frank Schleck ( the day he crashed and I crashed) Mark Krenshaw ( the day after he was ejected and the day I knew would be for me, a head butting kind of day).

Each morning before I ride to work and after getting up at five in the morning to watch the Tour de France, whether he wants to know or not, I tell Ron who I will be on that day. letour.fr/us/index.html

This morning as Ron is on his way out the door at five thirtyish, he turns around as if he just remembered something and asks “so who are you today honey?” He laughs, he always laughs at his Pippi Longstocking’s wife with the overly amped imagination.

Already wound up with excitement and too much caffeine I tell him, “Mark Cavendish, today I am Mark Cavendish. I am going to save it all for the wild sprint at the end and then turn it on like you can’t even imagine. It will all come down to the guy with the aero helmet, the skin suit, the Zipp wheels and me. It will be a screaming, chaotic, frenzied finish and I will nail it, a human mis-sile (as Phil Ligett would say) shot from a canon.”

markcavendish.co.uk/

Yeah right! Well one can dream for sure.

My husband smiles that God help me where did I find you kind of smile, rolls his eyes and tells me “good luck silly” and then we’re off. He to go work a couple hundred head of steers out at the ranch and me to do the cycling stage of the Great Race.

The Great Race which used to be referred to as Eppie’s Great Race is a unique home town event consisting of participants competing individually and on numerous teams. It takes place along the gorgeous American River parkway and has developed quite a following over the years. thegreatrace.org

At breakfast after the race it was great to hear both Julie and Eric, each who did all three stages of the race, the run, the ride and the kayak, declare it as one of the best races they have participated in. A really fun event filled kind of day.

Today once again, I got to be the cyclists on a team with my son Joe who did the kayak portion and friend Alan who ran the run. Our other team of fast guys, Dale with the run, Craig on the bike and Jeff in the Kayak, all from Lucca and Roxy are so good, I can imagine them being just thrilling to watch.

Mark Cavendish aside, truly this race is about fun and safety first, not in thinking you are someone you are not or participating at a level beyond your ability. What makes it interesting every year to me from a relay perspective is that you get thrown into the mix with some pretty fierce, top local competitive athletes and those that ride, run or kayak solely on an infrequent and recreational basis. With that kind of menagerie, some crazy dangerous accidents can and do happen. One guy today sadly enough was down in the middle of the trail when I rode by with EMT people already there performing CPR. I heard later he had a heart attack while riding. Down the trail further I passed another guy being helped half buried in dust, ashen gray and covered in blood.

I try to convey to our team to ride, run, swim, kayak, perform at your own level so that you do not hurt yourself or anyone else. Truly no one besides one’s self, by the time all is said and done usually remembers or even cares all that much how many seconds or minutes it took to get to that finish line. Racing at this level is meant to be first and foremost cause for a good time. I know when the adrenaline builds to various degrees, a good old heart pounding, keen eyed, crazy competitive sense rises in the best of us or the worst of us. Yet racing at our level anyway should never get so out of hand that one’s health or safety are compromised.

Among the highest level of professionals and among the truly gifted athletic, be it Lance Armstrong riding the tour or my son Luke going over Mt. Palomar on his training ride today or Karyn Hoffman doing her ultra runs, all consider every factor, analyze and think through well before hand how best to adhere to and maintain a successful and often times winning performance well within their capability.

Hydration and nutrition, past injury and daily recovery, equipment, the course and even a daily physical and mental analysis are all vastly important in determining their own unique ability and the realm of performance that they will expect to operate within, on any given day.

So no you shouldn’t or rather I shouldn’t think I am Mark Cavendish - or maybe only when no one is looking. Just kidding -truly I am an overly safe rider, nothing like breaking something badly and painfully, to make one so right away.

So with that, here is a little trifle of race wisdom for next week’s race when it may be close to 100 degrees out on the course.

Race smart. Race well. Race happy.

Congratulations to Julie, Eric and Leann for becoming Great Race Ironmen and our relay Team Lucca people, Joe, Jeff, Craig, Dale, Alan and Megan. So wonderful to see those brown jerseys flying along the trail in every direction this morning.

Thank you Emily, Andy, Dan and Becky and the numerous people I heard yell “Go Team Lucca’ along the way.

Finally, with pro cycling still on the mind, one of the guys at work recently asked me who my favorite pro cycling team really is – Team Radioshack? Columbia HTC? BMC? Team Saxo Bank?

Beyond a doubt, Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12. A professional group of women cyclists, founded by Nicola Cranmer. I got to see some of them in action at the Tour of California. You can find them on facebook. They are incredible and an inspiration to all women cyclists.

teamtwenty12.com

Hope to see many of you next weekend. Alzheimer’s Aid Race. Saturday morning, fun times running.

Amazing Legs

2010-06-29T18:42:00.000-07:00

Hamstrings, Semitendinosus, Vastus Medialis, Adductor Longus, Adductor Brevis, Adductor Longis, Gluteus Maximus, Soleus, Plantaris, Tibialis: Just a short list of leg muscles

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome, Achilles Tendonitis, Sciatica, Shin Splints, Stress Fracture, Piriformis Strain, IT Band Syndrome, Black toenails: A short list of afflictions of the runner leg

Often during any given race whether running myself or watching at the start and finish, I am transfixed by the vast variety of legs.

It has been a revelation at many races that it is not always what one would think or what one would expect in terms of leg size and or shape in relation to speed.

I have seen runners half my height or twice as big rip past me like a bolt of lighting. I have seen legs as big and strong as they come power to a finish like a locomotive. I have seen beautiful thoroughbred like legs seemingly almost flight like, run and barely touch the ground. I have seen legs with loopy all over tarnation kind of gaits cross the finish line as fast as a gazelle and ladies with cellulite on the thighs ( just get past it ladies please) run faster than any sixteen year old. I have seen legs with quick little rotations that barely leave the ground win races. I have seen long lovely far reaching strides cross the finish like running was about as effortless as a picnic in the park.

And then there is this lady, Amy Palmiero-Winters. First person ever to have a prosthetic leg and cross the finish line at the Western States 100 this past weekend. She said it was harder than childbirth. She said she did it to teach her children to live a life without limits.

She is simply amazing.

Guess who the above amazing Team Lucca Legs belong to. Peson who guesses the most correctly by the 4th of July will win a $50 Gift Certificate to Lucca.

Please send your guesses with corresponding numbers to Emily, Becky or Terri at goteamlucca@gmail.com

Karyn

2010-06-29T12:33:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to the Amazing Karyn Hoffman who completed her fourth Western Sates 1oo mile race. Western States 100 is a premier running event for ultra runners from around the world who participate initially in a lottery to get one of the limited chosen spots to participate. The runners climb a cumulative 18,000 feet and descends 23,000 feet. The race begins at 5:00 am and the racers run through the night. Karyn finished this year in a little over 28 hours. I was so proud to be there at the finish line watching her enter the stadium and finish an endeavor that many of us mere running mortals can't even imagine.

No Excuses 2010

2010-05-31T18:45:00.000-07:00

What a great group of Team Lucca people out there running bright and early with no excuses.

We were 38 strong. Thanks Rich Hanna for the cool and encouraging pre start Team Lucca shout out.

Coming in first with the ladies was Becky MacBride and with the guys Alex Kahn, then Dale Giesen right behind - Awesome as always.

Regardless of how fast or far we run, it is so wonderful to see this team out there doing such an excellent job. You all are just the best to me and it was pure joy being at the finish watching you all come in.

I added some of the best pics I took to the photo stream. Rafael's will come out much better, I'm sure. He said he took about 300, so will get this posted and out to you all soon.

Dan thanks for helping set up the picnic.

Mitch always love hanging with you my funny guy.

Dale my constant pre and post race companion, thanks for all your help.

Next weekend, Emily and Andy are doing the full marathon in San Diego and Julie and Eric the half. So we will be wishing them then, the best of luck.

Get ready for the Alzheimer's Aid Run next.

Let me know who all is doing and or who is interested in doing Eppies. We have some partial team slots to fill.

See you all very soon for more fun times running

Bike Love - Men and Bikes

2010-05-18T19:19:00.000-07:00

For some it is hockey, tennis, baseball, for my Colorado family, it is football and the Denver Broncos. For me it is cycling. Like any good fan, my daily rituals go by the wayside as life falls into a slight kind of chaos to accommodate the time, energy and desire to take in as much as possible of these two events, the Tour of California and the Tour de France. Today I dropped everything I was doing and raced to San Francisco as I was given a last minute opportunity to view from the VIP tent the start of Stage 3, Tour of California. It was years ago that I started setting my alarm clock to four am in order to wake up in time to watch some stages of the Tour de France live. A precursor to my now normal habit of getting up around five o’clock each morning.

I am so grateful to have these three men in my life – My son Luke, who when I told I may do the 110 mile, Stage 2 Tour of California, Breakaway from Cancer Ride, did not even think twice and said, “sounds great Mom, I know you can do it”.

I drove the course several weeks later and knew that I could not. That it was beyond my skill level and capabilities. Yet to think my cycling pro son thought that I could just made me feel at least for a moment, like a million bucks.

My son Joe, is pure sweetness and tells me how proud he is that I ride to work. Joe patiently listens to all my crazy weekly bike stories and wrote the best and most hysterical song called "26 inch rims" about mom's adventures while riding the bike trail.

And then there is Ron who knows my soul better than anyone and knows that riding for me is a necessity that equales the much needed calmness and tranquility that I believe others may find in yoga, meditation, Prozac, or three good glasses of Cabernet.

It was not long ago that I came home after an extremely stressful, grueling morning to find this note on the counter – “Filled your tires. You're good to go. Be careful out there. R”

Shaking in my shoes every time I looked at my bike during the two months after my cycling accident, I was still not sure I could handle riding. Then I remembered the many times as a kid standing next to a horse after just being bucked off, tears in my eyes, teeth chattering, body trembling uncontrollably and dad there insisting I get right back on and ride again. Quelling those memories, I clipped in and took off for an easy five miles out and five miles back. I did not expect Ron to be home when I got back so was embarrassed when he opened the front door to leave on his way out as I was putting my key in. He caught me standing there with my bike, as someone not typically prone to drama or displays of crazy emotion, with tears running down my face. With a look of panic he asked, “oh God, what happened?" I answered only this, “I am so happy”.

That ride was liking a little homecoming. Unlike running where certainly one can enter a peaceful state of mind, riding becomes perhaps because of the feeling of flight, for me anyway, a daily sanctuary and salvation.

There are a few men who made comments after my recent set of stitches, such as, “Terri, maybe you should think about getting training wheels", or "you just need to stop all together” or my favorite, “Ron you may want to think about trading her in for a tamer model”.

Thankfully there are also guys who balance that kind of response, like my one and only local guy cycling friend who has sent me course routes to try and gives me suggestions to improve my skills and Glenn my funny friend who is kind enough to say, he thinks I look great and not too goofy in spandex cycling shorts.

This past Friday. I got to meet a group of professional guys who ride. I know that while yes, some have been around for a while many are really young, just barely in their twenties, still somewhat boys. That does not matter. What I am in awe of is not how they look or what great legs they have or even the bikes they ride. What amazes me about all of them is that they ride so unfathomably fast, that they take a turn, gracefully and at a speed most of us would never consider, that they ride fearlessly and full of confidence in a tight pack while moving over 30 miles an hour, that they descend a mountain like they are flying and climb like they are made of steel. (Okay and one is also really handsome, just for the record)

It is their courage, their nerve, their speed, their tenacity battling the distances and the elements, overcoming fatigue, overcoming the doubts in their own minds, their sheer will, day after day - that precipitates the awe.

That I get to kind of feel what these elite athletes feel on such a smaller level but still with great passion is such a kick. That on occasion I get to fly down a hill, lean into a perfect turn, feel the exhaustive joy of reaching the top of the mountain makes me as giddy as a kid. Cycling at any given moment becomes something in my mind that can not be held within the constraints of age, or being a women, a mom, a boss, a wife.

During those elated moments nothing defines me or confines me, it is so simple. Everything fades away and life becomes perfectly balanced.

During those times it is so very happily only this - me and my bike.

Crashes that make even the best cyclists uneasy

Moving fast. Pay attention! The road to greatness

2010-05-05T13:14:00.000-07:00

It is springtime and athletes are lining up at starting lines all over the countryside with races happening at every turn of the road from Idyllwild to Miwok.
Here are the cast and characters from the last few race weekends

An Ultra Rock Star

This past weekend, Karyn Hoffman completed her second ultra run of the season, the Miwok 100K. Karyn always finishes what she starts and ended this race of up to 10,000 feet in cumulative elevation gain along the Marin headlands with a bloodied right leg and the attitude of a champion.

This crazy friend of mine, literally never stops. She jets all over the country with job related adventures nearly every week and finds great places to run. Karyn has already participated in the Way to Cool 50k and Sonoma 50 but her big race for the season will be the famous Western States 100 miler, which takes place the last weekend of June. With a start up at Lake Tahoe and with runners from countries such as Australia, Latvia, Iceland, Bolivia, to name a few, this race is truly a world class running event. I so hope to be at the finish of this one, cheering on # 234, the incredible Karyn Hoffman. http://westernstates100.com/

Queen of the Mountain

Cycling on nearly every level is still such a male dominated sport. I am always in awe of the incredible women out there holding there own like Allison Mann- pro lady MTB cyclist. Allison took the #1 spot, this past weekend at the Idyllwild Spring Challenge. Allison is sponsored by Rock N’Road Cyclery, Ergon USA and Cyclops and was happy, as am I, that the pro purse for this event was equal payment for the men and the women.

Allison is married to Justin Mann and together they are one of the most passionate cycling couples I know. If you are seeking inspiration or just want to learn more about Mountain Biking, check out their blog - The Mann Adventure, at mannadventureblogspot .com. A good recent posting, April 10th "Crash plus one week" tells about Justin's terrible recent accident yet ends so sweetly in regards to this couples devotion to each other and to cycling. Allison wanted me to mention that Idyllwild is one of the best MTB courses and if any of you visit Southern California with a mountain bike, you may want to include plans to ride there.

Love and inspiration

One would think that after so many years, so many long days waiting at the finish line I would by now, be able to contain my emotion when my son Luke races. No such luck. Luke completed another Iron man race, this past weekend, an inaugural event in beautiful St. George, Utah. http://ironmanstgeorge.com

Before the race, I listened to the pros talking about the course being one of the toughest out there with potentially the hardest run course because of the numerous hills. Luke finished in excellent time and shape. While glued to the online athlete tracker for Luke’s last six miles of the run, I anxiously waited. With wishful tears welling up in my eyes, wanting so badly to be there to see that moment, I finally got the text message from my daughter in law that I had waited all day for. Luke finished strong, healthy and happy.

Next up for Luke? Luke will be here in Sacramento later this month for the “Worlds’ toughest half iron man” in Auburn and then in July will participate in the (do not like the name of this race at all) -The Julian Death Ride. A MTB endurance race ride that covers 129 miles with 15,000 feet of elevation over five mountains passes. http://julianactive.com

One Committed Runner

Tamara Geary is one of those really with it runners, participating in race events nearly every weekend. Tamara represented Team Lucca in Nashville two weekends ago and then ran in the American River Parkway Half this past weekend. Tamara comes from a strong family of runners. Her father, Jim, just got back from the Boston Marathon which he has participated in many times. Tam has great stories to tell, by the way of the crazy pending storm and hurricane warnings on race day in Nashville. http://nashvillecompetitor.com

Fair Oaks Sun Run

Many thanks to Julie, Eric, Jessie and Alan for representing Team Lucca at the hilly Fiesta Sun Run up in old Fair Oaks on Sunday.

Speed

Two weekends ago I was riding down the trail when I came across a race in progress. Soon enough I see blazing down the trail runners #1 and 2 and not far behind a brown team Lucca jersey worn by Andrew Naverette. Out of close to 500 runners running the River City Half marathon, Andrew Navarrete of Team Lucca came in at #11.

And finally, two Sundays ago. I participated in the “Breakaway from Cancer” ride out of Santa Rosa, sponsored by Amgen, the same group promoting the Tour of California.

Here is a brief telling of my crazy day –

As I am playing with Lucky in Juilliard park, Ron yells, “Terri, I think your race just started”, geez, pay attention!

I throw on my helmet, clip in my shoes and race off to catch the two old guys at the end, riding through the start corral.

A police escort leads us out of town then I see everyone ahead start to stop and am hopeful that I can now catch up.

It is discovered that the police escort took us the wrong direction, completely opposite of where we need to be.

Approximately 50 of us navigate our way back through crazy busy intersections, under a freeway exchange, across multi lane highways, all hanging tight, moving slowly back in the right direction.

Finally we arrive in the pristine, bucolic gorgeous Santa Rosa countryside filled with fat sheep, sleek cattle and even a few hairy yaks.

Onto Coleman Valley Road for our “big” climb. Okay - for me it was big.

After triumphantly arriving at the top I make the stupid decision that will affect the whole rest of my day.

Often when riding along the river, I will climb down to the banks to sometimes read, think, just check out the scenery, while also knowingly trashing the cleats on the bottom of my shoes.

So it is at the top of this hill I decide to unclip my right foot and see if I can turn it over while staying upright on my bike to check the trashed out bottom of my cleat which felt slightly off on the climb up. Bad move, really bad move, stupid beyond belief.

My bike leans hard to the left. Instantaneous panic sets in to protect the previously broken left elbow. I twist and hop and manage to stay on the bike. Happy about that, I look down and see a black grease mark and a little blood.

Riding on.

Two cyclists come up behind me “Do you know you are bleeding?"

Me – “yes”

Cyclist #1 “It looks bad, you're leaving a little trail of blood’

Me- “It doesn’t hurt, I’m fine”

Cyclist #1 “ let’s pull over and look at it”

Me thinking – let’s not, I’m just fine

Be Polite and stop to check, Cyclist #2 - freaks out, feels sick

Both offer to take me back down the hill to the EMT station. I assure them they should just go on and finish.

I race back down the hill for my moment of speed and glory and for the most fun I will have on that day.

The rest of the story – 4 hours waiting in the ER, more stitches, still love cycling.

May is National Bike Month. Bike often.

Stay tuned for the upcoming excitement of the Amgen Tour of California.

http://amgentourofcalifornia.com

Race Prep

2010-04-28T14:47:00.000-07:00

It's been an interesting week here preparing for Ironman St. George. A week of uninhibited thought regarding a single day's event. I've noticed the subtle details through the now near effortless visualization of the day...maybe it comes with having experienced one of these things in the past. I go into this race with a now long endurance resume...which wasn't the case at Ironman Arizona in 2007. Before that race I had only completed two races over the 5 hour mark...heading into uncharted territory I knew that I would not only see that 5 hour mark come may way...I knew I'd likely double it, if not triple it!

It's interesting to have experienced the mindset regarding such events...Ironman, 24 solo, 100 milers, Marathons, etc. I remember the day when the thought of completing such events nearly made me sick to my stomach...the thoughts of the pain and agony required to cross the finish line, often dwelling on the negative aspects of the race.

I once heard that man fears what he cannot see and I would have to agree. I would go further to say that man fears what he doesn't know or what he cannot visualize clearly. Not having experienced these things in the past made the thought of ultra-endurance events as a scary endeavor. I could do my best to visualize what was to come through the powers of imagination...but without having experienced the true physical and mental aspects of the day that fear was still present...that visualization was not clear.

It is interesting to look back now. To look back to when I did my first 5k run...or when I did my first mountain bike ride. I remember the intense preparation I put myself through heading into my first spring distance triathlon. To me at the time, that was my Ironman equivalent. So you can see...it's all relative.

In some sense I do miss that nervous anxiety that comes with launching head first into a world of unknown...a world where intense pain is certain. I'm reminded of a quote in the movie Kingdom of Heaven, "but you go to certain death?!", (smiles before responding) "all death is certain." I suppose in a weird sense that is the confidence I now hold regarding the monster that lays ahead. I suppose it all comes with experience. I suppose through this calm visualization of the day ahead I have become surprised with my position...a position I never thought I'd be in...one where I'm actually calm before heading into a race like Ironman. It was then that I knew I should share this.

There will always be longer and tougher races. There will always be immense challenges that will face you in life. But what you must realize is that the fear or inability to visualize what has not happened must not dictate what *can* happen! I was once a person that thought a 13.1 mile run was impossible. I was once a person that thought a Half-Ironman was plain silly! I was once a person that thought riding a mountain bike for 24 hours straight was literally freakin' insane!! ...I was once a person that was afraid....

Set your sights high Team Lucca...and once you get to the top, keep climbing!

-Luke.

Julian Death March - April 10th, 2010

Zoo Zoommmmm 2010

2010-04-12T07:04:00.001-07:00

After my all night worry of having all forty one of us with Team Lucca possibly out there running in what was forecasted as blustry cold rain, what mother nature gifted us with instead, was from this runners perspective, the most perfect race weather.

I hope you all enjoyed the race as much as I did. I found myself still with camara in hand, taking pictures of the start when the gun went off and thankfully found Dan, who is recovering from injury to give my camara to so that I could jump in and run with the 5k group. I had to laugh when I came up behind a father and son, both rather stocky, both breathing heavily to hear the dad say, "Son, stick to wrestling okay?, this running stuff -not for us".

I had to laugh again when I found myself getting close to the finish running in a group of 6 little munchkins, kids who didn't even reach my waist, and so I thought this is what it has become for me, these here are my running peeps. I sprinted right along with them all, fast as we could go, all the way to the finish line.

We have some incredible runners in our group and here is what I have found result wise thus far.

Out of 620 Runners in the 10K-

Coming in at #35 Andrew Navarette, running a 6:57 mile the whole way and finishing in 43:06

Way to run Andrew!

#37 and right behind Andrew was Dale Giesen, running a 6:58 mile pace and finishing in 43:09

and at #46 place, Andy Schile with a 7:04 pace and finishing in 43:46.

Becky MacBride was first with the ladies at an 8:17 pace and finishing in 51:22 with Cassie and Emily both coming in at an under 9:00 mile pace.

It was sheer joy to welcome our new Team Lucca runner, the awesome, incredible 13 year old Ariel Young.

Ariel came in first in her division and out of the 1300 runners participating in the 5k, Ariel came in 23rd. Amazingly fast and sweet as can be, Ariel is such a wonderful runner and I am so happy to have her as part of our team.

So many of you came in under a 9:00 mile pace in the 5K and again it was a really strong showing of Team Lucca runners out there at Land Park yesterday morning. If I got any of the times wrong or missed anyone, please shoot me an email and let me know. Thank you Joanne, Kara, Jessie and Dan for being out there to cheer the team on.

Get ready for May as we have plenty of races coming up.

Thank you all for being part of this team. I am forever grateful to have such wonderful people to run with.

One

2010-03-29T08:45:00.000-07:00

One of the best things about a long run is that often along with the external effort comes a gift, at least one moment of enlightenment.

There are times in life when we all go through challenges of the dreaded kind. And just like the last miles of those epic bike rides, long runs, grueling races, as all begins to overwhelm, I think of what I often do to survive, focus on the moment, just the moment, one at a time.

In order to get my arms around something it is best to break it down into just one - one day, or one week, or one month, like one mile, in time - an eternity of time.

Only one

Just this one

“We are all one” – Mom

One word, one page, one poem, one prayer - Nas

“One love, one life, one need in the night” – Bono

“One singular sensation every little step he takes” – A Chorus Line

One Saturday morning, one runner, one sun shining down on one path, one foot in front of the other, one mile, then one more

One drop of sweat, rolling down one nose, one day, one moment, one life.

Just time

Shamrock'n Results

2010-03-15T06:58:00.000-07:00

What a great Team. Our very own Jessie R came in first in her division of ladies 19 and under. Dan sailed in first with Dale seconds behind at right around the 7 minute mile mark. Becky came in first with the ladies at right under 8 and a half minute miles and Dr. Tracy C. ran her first half in an awesome 2:11. All of you did just a great job. Way to go Team Lucca!

2010-03-09T21:20:00.000-08:00

Shamrock’n Half Marathon and Relay is this Sunday

Remember the time changes the night before so set your clocks before you go to bed or you will be late

Parking can be a nightmare if you do not arrive before 7:00 am. At that time all surrounding streets start to close so I would advise you look at the parking map and plan where you will park, what time you have to be there to park and all access roads to your parking area

If you want to make it easy, please be at Lucca by 7:00 am. We will carpool and leave right at 7:00 so PLEASE do not be late. Also make sure you have my phone number and Emily’s phone number and contact us if there are any problems. Also please call me when you arrive at Raley Field so that I can talk you to our meeting place if you have trouble finding it

Also, if you are going directly to Raley Field, please look for our Team Lucca signs located close to the start, as soon as you get there so we can all meet before. Seriously I will worry like crazy about whether you made it or not, if I don’t see you

Please wear your Team Lucca jerseys, don’t forget your number and your chip. There will be a support team, Kara, Sharon, Eric and myself who will gladly hold your phones, keys, any jackets or anything you don't want to carry while running

When you finish, you will walk through the finish corral to get your medal and then head up stairs into the stands. We will try and meet to the left of those stairs. Look for the Team Lucca signs after you finish. There are thousands of people finishing and watching and last year we had the hardest time finding everyone

Team Lucca cards are now available so please join us at Roxy after the race for 50% of your breakfast

Got it all? Hope so. Don't hesitate to call me with any questions.

The first race of the year. Exciting times. You will all do quite well. I'm sure of it.

http://www.shamrocknhalf.com/

Le Mistral

2010-03-09T10:07:00.000-08:00

I have only one time ever in my whole life played a video game. It was called “frogger” and consisted of something like frogs quickly jumping from one log to the next. I got so excited and in that excitement was such a huge motherly embarrassment to my then little boys, that I have never played another.

I can’t say that I have ever even seen a game boy toy or a Nintendo and know absolutely nothing about Wii, except that you do it in front of a TV. When someone asked a year or so ago if I knew what guitar hero was, I told them the Edge from U2 was mine.

I grew up in the days of pinball machines. This afternoon on the bike trail I felt like, nothing less than a character in a modern day video game or the little ball that gets wildly knocked around every which way, like a zillion decades ago, in the local bowling alley pin ball machine. The wind situation on the trail is at times a little intense. At one point I am sailing along so fast and effortlessly that I look down and check my chain to see if my bike is in the big gear I think it is. Then no sooner do I get the idea to take advantage of the easy speed and do some sprints when a powerball gust of wind knocks me head on forcing an immediate opposite response where climbing the littlest hills feels like I am riding the last 10 kilometers of Mount Ventoux, a difficult windy and steep stage of the Tour de France.

And so the afternoon ride home goes.

On our trail you never know. One mile you can be hurried along by a tail wind, the next find yourself with quads on fire fighting through a strong head wind and then after riding a couple more encounter those somewhat balance challenging crazy cross winds. Or so I think. I am not a wind expert, nor am I a great cyclists. But I do ride every chance I get and through many different elements. On days like today I image myself a little pawn in the great big universe, a little video game character getting tossed this way and that, doing my best, determined to make my way home.

I figure I am so lucky to be able to ride. The wind just a microcosim of the rest of my life’s daily challenges. What do they say of this month anyway - “in like a lion, out like a lamb” ?

One can be hopeful. Spring is right around the corner.

Who we are. What we do.

2010-02-27T15:20:00.000-08:00

“It's who we are. It's what we do”

There are those exciting pre race moments when it feels just great to be a part of a big runner family. At any large scale race you choose to compete in, it is the day before the race that you pick up your number, your chip, t-shirt, usually in a bustling tent or runners festival, surrounded by those with like minds. There is a crackling anticipation walking around this kind of event, rubbing shoulders with strangers, yet knowing tomorrow they will be, for however long you are out there on that course, your universal runner family - your race peeps. While in Huntington Beach for the Surf City half, last month, I found myself wandering around from one booth to the next, noting the typical inspirational hats, t-shirts and running accessories for sale. The cool to be a fast lady ( for those that are), “you’ve been passed by a chic” shirt, the always favorite, “In my mind I am a Kenyan” shirt , the “Slow but Happy” hat and on and on. One shirt however just stopped in my tracks. I thought it was so inane, so comically trite, so presumptious. There in big blue letters across a dark grey shirt leapt the two sentences, “It's who we are. It's what we do”.

Yes I get it, I do, I really do. But I can’t stop laughing. It is meant to be inspirational, to make a runner feel that they are part of a singularly special group. And yet in my mind I immediately start envisioning the guys with the big bellies, the bags of chips, the recliner chairs sitting and watching Curling competitions, all wearing shirts emblazoned with “It’s who we are. It’s what we do”. The fine and fancy ladies enjoying a glass of chardonnay after an exhausting day at the mall with their sequined studded fitted tees, announcing to the world, “It’s who we are. It’s what we do”. My mind just won’t stop, creating instead every crazy silly scenario of who we are and what we do.

And yet again and even though for weeks I have made more fun of that saying, in my own thoughts, with a runner’s sense of pride, I get it.

This morning at 6 am it was pouring the kind of fierce pounding rain that made me immediately log onto our Team Lucca facebook site, with the intent of canceling this morning’s Team Lucca pre half marathon run. Before I could type the first sentence, the pounding sound started to diminish and I reminded myself to be patient, just be patient. Knowing it is still an hour and a half before we all are expected to meet, I wait and read and listen. At around seven o’clock, I decide for myself anyway, “come hell or high water”, I’m running. I phone Emily, she’s running. Happy that at least there will be two of us. Without a second thought about it and during another crazy downpour I arrive up at the Aquatic center and am elated to find waiting an amazing group of bring it on, kind of runners.

On this wet and wild Saturday morning in February, along the glistening glorious beauty of the American River bike and running trail that circles Lake Natoma, over paths leading 11 miles for some, 6 to 8 for others, fourteen people with Team Lucca, with little if any hesitation lined up in the rain and ran.

It was great seeing all of you out there. You are truly dedicated runners, rain soaked troopers, awesome athletes and a joy to have as part of this little running family.

For a few seconds while watching rain drops clingling to the ends of barely budding branches, all delightfully looking to me like diamonds or tiny Christmas lights, I think, who would have chosen to miss this had they known how incredible it would really be. How happy we all were to be out there. How happy every other runner we passed seemed as they waved or said hello.

I couldn’t help but think of the dedication it takes to running to extract oneself from the toasty confines of a comfortable home on a morning like this, to trust that you will be just fine out there in whatever mother nature has in store. It was a wonderful morning.

“It's who we are. It's what we do”

Springtime Running, What's Next?

2010-02-23T08:20:00.000-08:00

Shamrock’n Half is only weeks away and, what’s next you ask?

For those of you who are just starting to run, still building mileage, can’t commit to too many running hours, are super speedy with the short distance or just want to stroll through one of the prettiest courses in Sacramento, plan now for the April 11th, Sacramento Zoo Zoom, a 5 or 10k race and one of my favorite racing events of the whole year.

http://www.sacramentozoozoom.com

If you discovered you are on a mileage streak from your recent training and want to keep up the mileage momentum, think about doing the River City Marathon or Half Marathon on April 18^th. The marathon is a Boston qualifier and starts at Negro Bar in Folsom then runs all the way down the trail to Discovery Park. Running territory we have traversed before

http://rivercitymarathon.com

And finally if you have great affection for our gorgeous, local gem of a trial and want to give back for the many hours you spend out there, consider the American River Parkway Half Marathon, with all proceeds for this race going to the American River Parkway Foundation. This race is on May 1^st and I just may run it in spirit and support of with my three little sisters who will all be running a half marathon in Fort Collins, Colorado on that same morning.

http://parkwayhalf.com

So here’s the deal – if you are just starting with Team Lucca as a new runner, plan on the Zoo Zoom. Whether running or walking I am sure you will have a blast. If you would like to do your first half or keep up on the work and miles you have put in recently go to http://www.runnersworld.com and in the middle of the home page is a square box called “Smart Coach”. This will prompt you along to define a very customized training running training program, which will help you achieve your race goal.

And then of course – there is always us. Come join us on Saturday mornings, 8:00 am, up on the levy, past the dog and skate park on 28^th street, past the red sign that says “heavy equipment loading” to the parking lot in the back where we meet every Saturday morning for a really great group run.

Do you have to be part of the team? No.

Do you have to be able to keep up with other runners? No, everyone eventually finds themselves going their own pace, knowing that there are runners ahead of you or behind you the whole time.

Do you have to run a certain distance? No. Everyone out there runs according to their own agenda or simply just according to how they feel on that day. Last week some ran 2 miles, some walked 1, others ran up to 12.

Is everyone out there training for a race? No. We have people every week that are there just because they love to run, love the trail, love being around others.

In conclusion, one of my goals in life is to be able to run for the rest of my life. I know my boys laugh when envisioning their mama with her cane and long grey hair, bent over little back, hobbled knees, toothless grin, 90 years old asking, “hey there honey can you take me to the trail? gotta get a run in you know”.

One of my favorite writers for Runners World is Amby Burfoot. He recently wrote an article called “The ten laws of injury prevention” . If you are determined as a runner to making running a part of your life for a long long time, injury prevention is something you have to have some knowledge of.

Great article. Recommend you all read it.

See you on Saturdays.

Group rides will start soon, I promise.

Mamasita and her bicyclette

Have Shoes Will Travel

2010-02-11T18:58:00.000-08:00

It has begun.

We are already a busy little team. This past Sunday Emily and Mitch ran in an inagural race event here in Sacramento, the new Super Bowl Sunday Race along the American River Parkway. I hear it was a real kick and both enjoyed it immensly.

One of the exquisite joys of running and or cycling is participating in a destination race or event. Becky recently left the gloom and cold that is Sacramento in the winter, to venture down to Carlsbad for a Half Marathon. I spent this past weekend in Southern California doing the same.

Gorgoeus spectacular day along the ocean, watching the surf, the seagulls, marking the miles with the piers along the way, turning into the sun for the last five miles, loving the surfer spectator lined streets to the finish. It was not by any means my fastest run but nonetheless, thrilling, as all out of town races are for me.

One of my goals for our Team in the near future is to find such an event that we travel to as a group. Becky is brainstorming fundraising event ideas for us so that we can do such a race. In the meantime, we have coming up very soon one of my favorites here in the hometown, the Shamrock'n half and relay. Soon after that the Zoo Zoom in Land Park. So get ready because very soon we are off to the races in a big way.

New Team Lucca 2010 bike gear, shirts and shorts have arrived. Here is your running mom modeling Luke's newly designed shorts and shirt (Such a geek!)

Please contact Emily or myself at goteamlucca@gmail.com or either of us through the Team Lucca Group page on Facebook for information regarding when and where to pick your jerseys up. Also if you are out running this Saturday, we will have them with us then. So as always would love to see you out there this weekend. We will have groups running 2, 4 and 6 miles.

Finally, this sounds like fun for all cyclists. I actually tried this past fall, to attend this same special speaking event at REI, yet by the time I arrived it had already soldout. So if you would like to go, I suggest you buy tickets online through REI and sooner than later as it may very well sell out again. Blair Robertson wrote about this event in the Bee today and you can also go directly to Sacbee.com to access it. The article is titled, "Adventure cyclist Weir hopes to inspire others". All of you who are facebook friends know what a wizard I am with all these new fangled computer related endeavors, so we can all only hope that I actully attached the link correctly this time.

http://www.sacbee.com/384/story/252723.html

See you soon. Happy Running. T

2010-02-02T11:51:00.000-08:00

2010-02-02T10:21:00.000-08:00

TEAM LUCCA 2010 REMINDER!!!

For those who missed the Team Lucca meeting on January 23rd at Lucca's are welcome to come by Roxy tomorrow night (Wednesday) from 5-7.

Coaches Emily, Dale, Becky & Terri to get all the details on Team Lucca 2010!

Hope to see you tomorrow at Roxy!

Terri & Emily

2010-01-28T10:57:00.000-08:00

TEAM LUCCA INFORMATION MEETING: PART TWO

Thanks to all who attended the meeting on Saturday and so sorry I did not post the time and date on this site. Because of that and the number of you who called and could not attend, we will be hosting a "Stop by Roxy for Team Lucca Information" Night, this next wednesday, Feb. 3rd from 5 pm to 7 pm. Dale, Emily and I will be there to meet with you and answer questions and give out information on training, racing and talk about Team Lucca in general. Our pastry chef, Kris, is making delicious cookies. So stop by for cookies and coffee. We look forward to meeting you.

Our first goteamlucca.com contest is

Write us a funny or embarrassing story of you and running. Emily and I will pick one and post it here on this site and that person will also recieve a $25 gift certificate to Lucca. http://luccarestaurant.com/

send your story to goteamlucca@gmail.com

They can be a few sentences or a few paragraphs, ( not too long please) and make sure it is an actual story about you.

Running Memories

So here is an example and just one of my many embarrassing running stories. It is one of my first running memories

I had a big problem when I was little. For the life of my I couldn’t sit still. My little body had to be constantly moving, much more so than normal kids.

For years, every Friday morning , we would get marched off to Mass at St. Mike’s School where I would twitch and turn and move around the pew, a continual distraction and certainly because of that, the victim of much teasing especially from the mean boys. Even when I was little, I remember wishing we were part of the Shaker Religion. I could have been their star congregate.

Even though I got straight A’s and B’s in school and was focused enough to learn the lessons, for the life of me I COULD NOT sit still.

My father gave all us kids Native American nicknames. My older brother was “Mountain Eagle Boy”. I was called “Ants in her pants”

It caused my parents such concern they actually took me to a counselor. I remember shaking in my shoes while waiting in his office. I remember him asking me to draw a picture of myself.

I drew a girl with flowers in her hair and a very colorful dress and white go go boots. He concluded I had no self esteem issues.

His prognosis, “a very normal child with an unusually high level of excess energy”. His recommendation, “ try and find the means to exhaust her before you go somewhere that she will be required to sit still”.

The remedy – every Friday and Sunday before church I had to run around the schoolyard or around our house, ten times.

My classmates and brothers and sisters still made fun of me but hey, I got to run!

Joanne in Cozumel

2009-12-30T14:07:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-30T09:23:00.001-08:00

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

2009-12-07T09:44:00.000-08:00

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.

2009-11-25T20:06:00.000-08:00

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

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

2009-11-18T19:18:00.001-08:00

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!