Levi and Animal Signs

Levi Leipheimer’s King Ridge GranFondo

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

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

Animal Signs

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

Sometimes other kids from other families would join us.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

All in all it was a really great night.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I did this!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Drop the hammer.

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

One Fine Morning ~ Taking the High Road

So our little 5:30 am group has expanded.

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

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

This morning all 6 of us.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dale Giesen makes a mean quenelle

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

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

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

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

Following is a recent running interview with Dale

T: How long have you been running?

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

T: What is your favorite thing about running?

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

T: Favorite race?

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

T: Favorite distance?

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

T: Best place to train?

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

T: What inspires you to keep running?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dodging Dalmatians

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FEAR: Crashing, Cramps, Snakes, Hypotensive Shock!

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

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

Both of us were a little mortified.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Big big proponent of bike helmets.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"the human blender"