Foto Friday: Goodies! (...and other scary things)

The good people at SPIbelt sent me a nice little package which arrived yesterday.  I had my choice of SPIbelt and tech shirt to choose from (very generous of them!).  I decided to go with the skulls on the SPIbelt; I figured if they are nice enough to sponsor me, people should be able to see it, right?  Not to mention it just looks freakin' cool.

I also had the chance to test it out today on my run.  I stuffed it with my cell phone, cash, my keys, metrocard and credit card.  I walked my son to school and didn't even notice it.  After I dropped him off I went immediately for my run.  I did have to snug it up a bit, but once I found the 'sweet spot' it was good to go.  I didn't even notice it while running.  You can even add toggles to the belt for your race number. This is definitely my new go-to storage belt.  

I also dug a bit deeper into their site last night.  I discovered that many people are using these for holding their insulin pumps.  They even make them for kids!!  The fact that they have some cool designs and you can order custom designed ones as well, raises the coolness quotient in my opinion.  Hmmmmm.....being a designer myself I foresee a custom SPIbelt in my future....ha!!

I also received this cool shirt (yes, that is a dump truck in the background).  They were out of the pink, so I went with the green.  It kind of works out anyway as it will match the laces on my new Brooks Launch I bought a month ago.  See?

These are my third pair of Brooks Launch (thank you Brooks Inspire!!!).  I decided to go with the new blue color.  I also like me some speed laces and had a bright pink and green pair hanging around.  I laced up each shoe with a different color and asked my son which he like better.  He chose the green.  Today after my run a woman stopped me to tell me how much she liked my new kicks; good choice kid! 

Seeing as how tomorrow is my Great Hudson River Swim, my husband decided to regale me with recent news stories about how springtime is the harbinger of floating corpses in the NYC area.  Nice. 

I suppose it also didn't help that they found a 'monster' washed up under the Brooklyn Bridge last week.

{source}

Also back in 2008 not far from my house and from said Hudson River.

{source}

Don't panic people, it's only an Atlantic Sturgeon.  Previously known as Albany Beef (very abundant in the 19th century). Yes, you can eat them, although I wouldn't advise eating one from the Hudson.  There is even a shop called Murrays Sturgeon Shop two blocks from my house and a Barney Greengrass: The Sturgeon King, three blocks in the other direction.  Apparently they are endangered now.  Let's take a look at one that isn't so...well.....so decomposed.

He's a big sucker.  I'm really hoping I don't see one tomorrow dead or alive. {source}

On the brighter side, this was the Hudson on my run this morning; smooth as glass.  I hope it is the same tomorrow.  Water temps are low 60s, current slightly against to start (timed for the change of the ebb and flow) and sunny, sunny, sunny!  Have a great Memorial Day weekend!!

Angels (and Ninjas) In The Wings

Last month I wrote a post about my upcoming race season, which amounted to no race season.  I've had a tough year financially with a lot of other things that have had to take a front seat to racing.  I won't go into detail here about all that, but I was confident I was making the right choice and I was really ok with that.  

The following day I get a very enigmatic comment from BDD (aka Big Daddy Diesel),

"We understand how life throws a curve ball, good thing is that races will be around forever and when the time is right, you will be right back on the course

and there are Ninjas, whats that you ask? Stay tune and hopefully something good will come of it"

I emailed him, told him he was making me nervous and asked if I should be looking over my shoulder?  I did warn him that I am a black belt so forewarned is forearmed (all in good fun!).  I really had no idea what he was alluding to and so went about my business.  A few days later I get an email from BDD letting me know that there have been forces at work behind the scenes making it possible for me to do my previously planned REV3 Olympic race at Quassy and that I should contact Jason @ CookTrainEatRace.  I did so and Jason informed that through the very generous sponsorship of Kim Overton (founder) and Debbie at SPIbelt, I would be able to participate in the race on June 4th! 

Seriously hunky guy wearing a a SPIblet (how could I resist!)

Speechless....

Even at this moment I still have trouble finding the words to convey my gratitude for such a lovely act of kindness.  Apparently there is a network of triathletes known as Team Angels & Ninjas (TAN) who work covertly behind the scenes to assist triathletes in many ways.  I am honored to report that I am their fist scholarship recipient! Seriously?  How amazing is it that people I have never met other than through blogging, would go out of their way to make this happen?  I say, very amazing!

Debbie at SPIbelt called me and got me all registered.  Along with that they are sending me a SPIbelt tech shirt and a SPIbelt to wear during the race!  It just keeps getting better and better.  I'll definitely post pics of those items when I receive them.

This act of kindness really got me to thinking how unique these online relationships are.  It was through my blog I found my coach, met people in my area with the same interests, supported and found support from others.  This, for me, is the ultimate kindness.  I am keeping my eyes open for a way to pay this forward.  

I would encourage you to show SPIbelt, BDD and Jason some love (click on the SPIbelt logo in my sidebar to get to their site).  They are the true rock stars in this fairly tale come true.

Sidebar....I have my Hudson River Swim on Saturday (I signed up for this waaaaaaaay back in December), 1.6 miles of the majestic *cough*sputter* Hudson River. 

Part II:  The Devil Is In The Details

musings from my century ride last weekend

*104.42 miles completed.

*End point in Cold Spring, NY where I was married 10 years ago.

*This was the highlight of my ride at the top of Bear Mountain.

her name is Freedom, yes, really.

*Dried apricots and salted cashews are the bomb!

*Dr. Pepper can be chugged.

*Ice cream sandwiches never tasted so good as on this ride.

*PB&J will keep in your jersey pocket for hours!

*I love NYC because there are no swarming, flying, annoying bugs (yes, we do have cockroaches though).

*Beer is awesome (at the END of the ride).

*Nothing restores the soul like a cool rain on a sweaty, gritty, salty body (Dr. Pepper helps too).

*I almost cried twice on this ride (but managed to keep it together).

*Cursed more times in the last 30 miles than in the last year.

*Questioned my own sanity for putting myself through this on numerous occasions during this 'jaunt'.

*Finally realizing the virtue and the good fortune of having a body that functions and does what I ask it to do.  That heals the mind and soul better than the rain and Dr. Pepper.

Graduation Ride: Or How I Decided I Need A Compact Crank

I am a member of the NYCC.  I joined last year and did one of their Special Interest Group (SIG) rides; the "B-18".  From the website:

The B-18 pace − progresses from a 45-mile ride at 16mph on the first day, to a 100-mile ride (with full century option) at 18mph by early May.

I was planning on  doing it again this year, but caught some heat from my past group members, accusing me of sandbagging.  Message received, and so I joined the A-19 SIG.  Same theory, but more challenging (way more challenging, as it turned out) for 12 weeks.  Apparently they upped the challenge quotient this year, which is cool.  I managed to stick it out.  However, yesterday's ride, I feel, went beyond challenging....Call me a whiner, but I don't know, I felt it bordered on cruel (I wasn't the only one who thought so, including some of the ride leaders).  While this is not an excuse I will say that I was riding on a full crank.  Most everyone else was in a compact or had a granny ring.  I wish I did too; I suffered.  It made the climbs so much tougher.  I know, "Just think how much tougher you are for doing it in a full!"  Whatever.  It hurt, and I so badly wished I had a compact when everyone was soft-peddling up the hill and I was mashing.  My knees are shot.

The "Graduation Ride" was 103 miles with three big climbs in it (not to mention the other various hills at the end strategically placed for the ultimate mind f*ck).  

Ok, let's get the show on the road. We left the city at 7 AM and headed north towards Harriman State Park and Bear Mountain.  I won't go into detail since that would be pretty boring, "it was all uphill, it was challenging, I made it to the top, blah, blah, blah".  You've done it, you know.  One fun thing was riding straight into a triathlon while the bike portion was going on at Lake Welch.  While we were on the outside of the cones (and thus off the course) having the cop on the bullhorn trying to direct us back onto the course because he thought we were in the race was pretty funny.

The ride was BEAUTIFUL!!!  I definitely did not rush up the hill (as if I could).  After the second climb I wanted so badly to jump in here.

I was still feeling ok at this point.  In fact, I felt good until I summited Perkins Memorial Dr.

Heading in and up, up, up....

Halfway there.....

At the top!

Click on this photo for a panoramic from the top.

My group

I made it.

Of course the ride down was great and there were some awesome downhills on this ride too.  There should be with over 5,000 feet of climbing (the woman who did this route said her Garmin said 7400 ft.).

We headed over the Hudson River across the Bear Mountain Bridge and this is where is started to go downhill for me at mile 70.  There was so much more climbing after this.  I know on a century there is a point where you have to dig deep to get through and believe me I dug as deep as I could and it was hard, really *insert expletive here* hard.  My legs were tired of mashing up the hills.  It didn't help they were still fatigued from all the walking I did at the show earlier in the week for 4 days, my run on Thursday and swim on Friday and my knee was still bothering me.

When we turned into the last 14 miles we still had 8 miles of constant climbing and then the sky opened up and poured rain.  It actually felt good.  I was covered in salt, grit and sweat.  It was refreshing, now if it only made my legs feel better. We finally reached the last 6 miles of downhill (my max on the downhills was 46 mph!) and headed into town and straight to beer and burgers.  Food never tasted so good.

The bikes on the train ride home.

I am not sure how I feel about this ride.  Am I proud of myself for completing it?  Yeah, I guess so.  However, I am not happy with the performance aspect of it.  It was slow and painful for me on the hills despite all the hill climbing I have been doing.  No doubt I was dropped again and again towards the end except for maybe two or three of us.  It makes me wonder how I would have done if I had a compact crank, but I suppose it's a moot point, but I can't help myself.

There was plenty of very upset people including some of our leaders and of course, some folks who thought it was great.  I'm not surprised at this, different strokes.  I am not going to look back at this ride fondly at all and in some ways, it kind of ruined it for me, but that's my problem.

Foto Friday: Design overload

Sunday was the first day of the National Stationery Show, Surtex (surface design) and ICFF (Int'l Contemporary Furniture Show).  So what is this show?  Well, if you buy anything with design on it: shower curtains, dinnerware, bedding, tissue holders, kitchen textiles, skins for your iphone, etc., or just about anything you see in the store with art or design on it, there is a good chance someone here designed it.  I had some stationery designs in Crane & Co. and Ann Scott Design.  I also took a workshop on Licensing artwork/design.  It has been a long 4 days.  On my feet everyday all day and my training took a hit; I am exhausted mentally and physically.    I decided to share some pics from the show.  I'm not really allowed to take photos of the stationery and design stuff (not Kosher, except for mine), but I do have some photos of some cool stuff from the furniture side.

Coffee table made from circuit boards

Yes, that is real money

...And yes, I asked....$787

Cute idea

lamp made from thin veneer

My friend's booth with some of my stuff in it.

Mine are the florals

I am negotiating some licensing on these...hopefully at online site near you!

Then they had some student work.  They created fashion from paper goods.  Yes, people, all these designs are made from paper only!!

 Saturday?  A century ride!!!!  Don't let those exclamation points fool you, I'm not sure how excited I am about it.  It is going to kill me, they have lots of climbs planned.  Thank God we can take the train back to the city after lots of beer at the end (for the train too).  I'm counting on it being canceled due to the Rapture and all.....Anyone for some post Rapture looting?

Surprise!

The word 'surprise' has taken on new meaning for me this year; both good and bad.  Let's look at the very basic definition of surprise:

1. an unexpected or astonishing event, fact, or thing
   • a feeling of mild astonishment or shock caused by something unexpected
   • [as adj. ] denoting something made, done, or happening unexpectedly

Yeah, I'm sort of over 'unexpected, astonishing & shock'.  Truly overrated.  However, as I stated, these surprises were both good and bad.  I won't dwell on the bad, because I have been trying to remain positive in the face of unseemly surprises.  This has not been an easy task and I have allowed myself a couple of 'down in the dumps' kind of days, but truth be told, in my heart of hearts, I have felt my life was moving in a positive direction despite the upsets.

Let's start with this:

Yeah baby, the NYC Marathon!!!  I got in!  In truth, I didn't really expect to since there are so many applicants, but hey, I'll take it!  The best part is a very good friend of mine got in as well so I'll have someone to run with; what is more fun than that?

In news not directly related to me, my son got his scores back for the stupidest test known to man.  I mean, tell me people, do they test 4 year olds for entry into kindergarten to see if they qualify as 'gifted & talented" where you live?  I'm guessing, "no".  Well, they do here and while I can forgo the test, it doesn't leave very many good options in the public school arena (which is why we accepted a private school spot).  I'm happy to report that he scored a 99.  This is fabulous in terms of very good public schools he can qualify for in an accelerated (or 'gifted') program.  However, I can't help but wonder if it merely means my kid has a long attention span (which he does).  Ok, I'll give you he may be kind of bright (or at least I have been told), but gifted?  My husband and I are no slouches, but I wouldn't say we had an above average gene pool to offer our son in the baby making department.  In any case, I am proud of him, super proud.  This now means that I have to wait through another month of lottery drawings to see if he gets a spot....too many kids for too few seats. I'll wait.  Where am I going anyway?

I may have two other happy news events to report, but I have to keep them under my hat for the moment in case they turn out to be non-events.  

On the training front I am training for an IM.  Ok, not really, but my weekend rides feel like it.  Last week I did 82 miles with three very big climbs including this one..

Can you say 'full crank'?  Yes, people, I do not have a compact and my legs felt like dog meat after this ride.  The other two hills were equally challenging in different ways.  Especially the third one.....at the end....at mile 60....not funny......The rest of the ride had some challenging rollers and was not easy trying to keep an average pace of 19 mph.  Help me!  I have two more weeks to go with my season ender, a 100 miler with three more of the largest climbs in our area.  They are making us earn our stripes this year.

Needless to say, Sunday's long run felt like hell.  I hurt.  My husband couldn't understand why, oh why would I go out and do a long run after that ride?  Honey, I don't know myself......insanity is all I can come up with.  

I have a very busy week coming up.  Some of my invitations are going to be in the National Stationery Show and I'm taking some workshops on licensing.  It's where the money is....or so I hear.

Lastly, I have a cold that seems to have a half life of 1,000 years.  I've had it for 18 days.  Every morning a sore throat, lots of throat phlegm, whiskey voice (straining to talk), coughing and some bloody nasal discharge.  My nose, otherwise is clear and no sneezing.  Can this still be allergies?  It is driving me batty at this point.  I just want it to go away before I have my swim in the Hudson in two weeks.  Time to hit the God box.