Things I've Noticed About Cali

1-People are pretty chill. Most people I have come across have the "whatevs" attitude.

2-Cyclist are respected. Most of the major street have their own bike line and parking on shoulders are restricted for their safety.

3-Tons of surfers.

4-A lot of the "beautiful people".

5- There is a radio station dedicated to fitness/health talk.

6-As warm as it may be during the day it will be chilly at night.

7-Most drinks at the bar lack liquor. Stick to wine...

8-Everything is way more expensive.

9-The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf rocks my world.

10-Not uncommon to have a reality TV star serve your drinks.


--Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T--

"California Dreamin" "California Girls" "Hotel California" "California Love" "Californication"....

I am stoked and yea, like I could pretty much name songs about California all day long today. I hope it's way more primo than this post card. It looks hella tripped out 70's here. This weekend started out as a meet up between a group of bettys while running a 1/2 marathon. The running part has changed a bit for me but I am sure I will have a maxed out gnarley time! Don't get bent I still plan on keeping up with my ironman 70.3 training. Did you forget? I WANT IT ALL!

I'm out & thanks for believing in me....

Keeping it real

Wednesday's Workout:
AM spin class with force drills 1hr
PM masters swim total=1500y

Thursday's Workout:

AM swim total= 1600y

PM strength training

Believe: to have confidence in the reliability of something Doubt: to hesitate to believe

Have you ever shared too much with someone and due to their lack of a response you realize you maybe said too much? That is why I usually keep the things that are close to me, close to me. I have been avoiding the blog to not spill open like a dam who lost it's barrier wall.

I have had a rough past month at home. Things would happen get better then something else would happen. I would try to smile through it and stay positive but my breaking point was near. I know, I know, that is called L-I-F-E. There was just not a lot of recovery time between episodes, making it tough to handle. I know in my heart that things could be worst and unfortunately for many it is worst. I still have to work on handling tough times better but we all deal in our own way. I like a normal food addict return to my terrible habits of eating and several alcoholic beverages.

Amongst things I was going through I began to doubt the chance of doing Ironman New Orleans 70.3. Let's face it I did not have a solid "off" tri season. I was injured, healing a calf tear while everyone else was continuing their running and cross training. I had to stop cycling for 4 weeks. In addition there had been no running since Thanksgiving (8 weeks). Sure I could have used this time to improve my swimming. Well, I didn't work on improving my swim. It was easier to fall into my vicious circle of food and tons of socials with drinks. Then the reality set in.... I began to think who am I to think I have a strong enough base to pull a 1/2 Ironman out of my ass. Let's be real, it is a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike, ending it off with a 1/2 marathon. The 1/2 marathon is just the final step of this 3 discipline challenge. A stand alone 1/2 marathon is what I did not get to do in Houston a couple of weeks ago and even more like the one I will not be doing in California this weekend. There it is in writing, the reality.

Here is the thing though, I BELIEVE.

Have you really believed in something so much that in your mind you couldn't see it any other way? Have you believed so undeniably that you actually see yourself accomplishing it over and over again?

I believe it so confidently that every time I doubt myself the thought is followed up by a vision of crossing the finish line in New Orleans. I actually see myself stumbling over to get my medal with the final thought of toasting my family, friends, and teammates with a huge hurricane in my hand. That is how much I believe. There may be those that doubt including me at times, but I refuse to hesitate and not BELIEVE!

How I make it reality

Tuesday's Workout:

AM Swim total 1550 yards

PM Run 1st run since injury total 18 minutes Run 2min/ Walk 1min

Guest Blogger: Shane's Aramco Houston 1/2 Marathon Race Report

So, I forced asked da' man to write a race report about his first 1/2 marathon experience. Please welcome my guest blogger, my husband Shane. The man who has enough cojones to put up with me.

Editor in Chief note: I am also known as Vivian, which makes me feel like I am 83.
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About twenty months ago, I was lying in bed consumed by the pain that was a result of a second back surgery in the same week. I had 2 herniated discs in my lower back (L4 & L5) that I developed from working 7 years in a warehouse, routinely lifting 100-lb boxes improperly. I struggled with the pain for years and thought I would never do anything athletic again in my life. Thanks to my wife’s inspiration and encouragement, all of that changed.

After the surgery, my physical therapist told me that I needed to lose my gut if I wanted to prevent further damage to my back. Vivian had recently started to run with a group and was like a kid in a candy store when she spoke about her running experiences. It didn’t take much to convince me to start running with her and burn some extra calories. I started slow at first; running a minute or two and then walking…I believe that all of you runners call this “…”. Soon, Vivian talked me into a 5K and believe it or not, I survived. Before long, she had me doing long runs…relatively speaking…8 miles is long to me OK! I couldn’t believe that I was actually running these distances. I played 4 years of high school football and we were all about sprints, so never before in my life had I run more than 2 consecutive miles and now after back surgery I was running 8 miles on the weekend…not to mention losing weight and feeling great. However, my back started to hurt after the long runs and my distances began to decline, as did my hope. At that time, I had already signed up for the Aramco Half-Marathon, but was wait listed and thought I would never get in and gave up hopes for running for fear of another surgery. Exactly 8 weeks before the marathon, I received an email informing me that I received a spot and had to respond within a couple of days or I would lose my bib. I decided that I would not use my back as an excuse or let it get in my way…in the words of my favorite band, Metallica, “what don’t kill you make you more strong.” I called Vivian and told her to make me a condensed training schedule for the marathon.

I started training and felt great, no issues, no pain and no problems. Then I got sick and missed a week of training…the week of my long run. Nonetheless, I bounced back after my sickness and got back into training. I ran my first 10 mile run on a treadmill because it was freezing outside and I didn’t want to risk getting a relapse of the flu. This was my longest run ever and it really sucked doing it on a treadmill, but I made it. Then I started having issues with one of my toes on my left foot, followed by major issues with my right ankle. Eventually, I ran through these issues and was pain free again. The next week, I did 10 miles in The Woodlands and loved it…my best run ever. I had tried out a new supplement, Cytomax, and it really lit a fire under me. This stuff is great and kept me moving and I don’t do a long run without it… By now, my taper started and I ran 8 miles the next weekend and 6 the following. The miles were logged and I was ready. I had lasagna with my son, Lil’ Buster on Friday, followed by seafood pasta prepared by my father-in-law on Saturday evening. Yeah, I know, a little over the edge on the carbo-loading, but it was a good excuse to eat ;) I drank way too many fluids on Saturday and paid the price during the race…see below.

Now it was time for the half-marathon. Although I had never trained at a pace under 12 minute miles, I set a goal for myself of a 02:30:00 half. Vivian dropped me off at the GRB around 6AM and I walked in, amazed by the number of people. I ran into an old schoolmate, Chandler, which I knew since Kindergarten. He was running the marathon with his sister that came in from Atlanta. It was nice to see him again. After an easy stretch and quick trip to the head, I was out the doors ready to go. Then I ran into one of Vivian’s running friends, Anna, who I met at last year’s marathon. She was with her friend Kate and we had a little small talk and photo session prior to the race. I wished them well and hit the head again…damn…I guess I was over hydrated, if that is possible. I was a little nervous because I had not yet run 13.1 consecutive miles and feared that by body would give out or my back would give me issues, but once I started running, all of those fears disappeared. The crowd was amazing and they kept me motivated, calling my name and cheering for all of the runners. Running up the first hill was a bit unexpected, but seeing the mass of runners helped get me through. The first four miles it smelt like a sewer, but it was nice to see all of the spectators in the neighborhood. I saw one house that had about 20 people outside getting an early start on their buzz…beer and champagne while cheering on the runners.

The miles went by quickly and seeing Vivian and my family and friends at mile 8 and again at mile 9.5, helped keep me motivated. My first mile was 11:40 and this set the pace; I remained under an 11:30 pace for the remaining 12.1 miles. I had no pain throughout the entire race, no shin splints, no issues with my ankle, and no back pain…nothing. But I did have one major issue; I had to piss like a race horse since mile 4 but did not want to stop. Besides, all of the facilities had lines of six plus people and I would never make my time if I stopped. In the end, my bladder got me and I sprinted into the stall a little after the 10 mile marker…that’s when my legs tightened up for the first time and my right hamstring felt like it was going to pop out of my leg. After about 3 minutes, which seemed like an eternity, I sprinted out and carried on with my pace, despite the hamstring issue. I finished the half-marathon in 02:29:47, just 13 seconds under my goal…what a sense of accomplishment. I also experienced a sense of dumbness when I went to get my medal. I walked up to the volunteers, as did the other finishers, and I asked for my medal. The volunteers just stood there staring and I wasn’t sure what the different medals signified. I asked whom to get the medal from and the volunteer said it didn’t matter. Unknowingly, I asked for the big round medal and was informed that those were for the FULL finishers…in the words of Psycho Robby…”that’s a cool feeling.” Then I went back inside the GBR to grab some food and ran into Team Strive, who have always made me feel welcome and given me encouragement…thanks!

The only thing I didn’t like was dodging in and out of all of the walkers and those who decided to stop directly in front of me for no reason. According to the Garmin, I logged an extra 0.25 miles from all of the zig zagg motion. Overall, I’m very pleased with the experience and the results. I’m ready for the next one and looking to drop my time by doing some real training…sprints, hills, etc. Thanks for reading and thanks to all of my family who helped me through this, especially my wife, Vivian.

#31486
SPRING, TX
Age: 31 Gender: M
2:29.47

Baby, I Got Your Back Right Here

Sorry I have been a shady blogger this week. I post, I post then I am back to busy. What are you busy with, Viv? Thought you would never ask....

I have been working out like a mad woman. I have been hitting up the spinning, strength training in addition to a swim for good fortune. I now know why I hate core work. I can't do my usual belly laughs without saying ouchie like a girly man.

Have you met this machine?

I had my first complaint at my spin class this morning, well 2 complaints. Don't all annoying things come in pairs?! One complained that the music was too loud. Is there such a thing?! I kinda thought I had it low for 5A. Anywhoo she put on ear plugs during Metallica, but wait here is the zinger. They thought one song was very vulgar. The culprit song, "Baby Got Back". Hello, that was on the radio like 20 years ago. I have actually even heard the elevator musiac version since then. Seriously in the day of Girls Gone Wild you got your cycling shorts in a wad over "Baby Got Back". I guess it is a good thing she does not take my night class. My night class is known to yell, "hell yeah mutha fucka" during Rob Zombie.

As you know my healing calf tear will not allow me to run in Houston this weekend. I will do my best to be the awesomist spectator I can be. Shane is running his first 1/2 marathon this weekend. He has agreed to do his first race report on my blog next week, so you will finally get to read one of my posts grammatically correct. I am totally stoked on cheering him on in addition to a bunch of friends and teammates. For my surf sistahs running in the PF AZ, I will be cheering from a distance for you all too!!

GOOD LUCK RUNNERS!!

Viv's Favorite Things Giveaway From Onlineshoes.com

Here is Lil' Buster picking the winner. I would have done it myself but letting the eyebrows grow in and it is a hideous process, OK lost you on the girl talk.... He insisted on telling what he thought was a joke prior to drawing. Like, I have said in the past, "where does he get such behavior?!"

Winner of 100$ gift certificate to Onlineshoes.com or a pair of New Balance 993 from Onlineshoes.com is P.O.M.

Romance Is What You Make It

Thank you so much for your wishes yesterday. That was us in the photo and was really the most romantic looking picture we have. Even that was staged by the photographer saying, "hold your veil like this, kiss him, kiss him again!" So to say Shane and I went to the beach last night and gazed into each others eyes all night would be a shit soup. First off it was freezing outside. Secondly, when I am hardcore WeWa I am an OPN(on program nazi). We started off the evening at Market Street Starbucks got 2 decaf non-fat lattes. By the way I slept last night I swear my barrista gave me extra caff. He probably threw in whole milk too just to eff with me. I know I would have if I was my barrista. Not even I can stand my smug looking face at times. I had packed us up some chicken salad sandwiches with some baggies of fruit and we hit a movie. I gave into romance a little bit by holding Shane's hand at the movie.

I am cautiously optimistic about my calf. I am beginning to see some real improvements as is my PT, Paula. We are looking at some easy runs next week. This week I have been Spinning along with bringing ST back into my life. Man, I thought I was sore yesterday. Today is BAD! I love it though, reminds me that the muscles are getting worked.

Viv's Movie Corner

I know you have been missing one of my famous(only famous in my mind) movie reviews. I hate that it took so long for this movie to be released in the Houston area. Two reasons I am jealous of New York is the early release of incredible films (while I am still waiting on "The Reader", and "Revolutionary Road") and of course Broadway. Not to mention New York would be close to momacita.

"Slumdog Millionaire" 3.75 stars out of 4 stars
I would label this film as extraordinary. You find yourself completely engaged in the life Jamal and his brother growing up in the slums of India and what they both learn to become from their struggles. You must see this film.

Happy Anniversary, Sweet!

January 13, 2001

Reflections For 2008 & Intentions For 2009

I love being a day late and a dollar short to everything so why would I post my reflections/goals for 2009 any differently....I have changed the look around here to reflect upcoming goals. I got a great new personalized masthead with the help of Sumy Designs at a reduced rate still available now. Susan was able to reflect me and my goals all on one sweet masthead. The scale is a constant struggle in my life, triathlon is who I have become; M-dot 70.3 is who I will be.

It is time to be honest foremost with myself and all of you. I know the weight had been coming back on now for a couple of months. I pulled out my spreadsheet where I track my weight weekly. Yep, since late July I have gained back 30lbs. (pounds dropped on sidebar reflects this)The first few months it was a steadily small gain then these last 2 months I blew it out of the water with a 15lb gain. This realization was shocking to me since I had been mostly in denial. I saw the numbers increase but thought that bitch scale has really lost it's mind. I mean I was burning over 1000 calories a day with all my workouts. I could still run. I could still swim. I could still cycle. I could still give the kind of SPIN classes that would have people leaving my class with Jello legs. Yet, my diet( by diet I mean food going in my body) was out of control.

The reality is that my "small" Gap jeans that I worked so hard to get into did not fit. The other reality was that while my endurance in distance was increasing my performance was sinking due to nobodies fault but my own. In July I was averaging in the 10:40ish pace range in my runs. That began to sink back to a comfortable 12ish pace. Sure, I struggled with other issues such as over training/exhaustion. I am no physicist, yet it does not take one to recognize that the more mass you have the more energy it takes to put it an object in motion and keep it in motion. I only have myself to blame. I am on a mission to lose the weight, not maintain and most definitely not gain. This mission is not only what calories are put out but the quantity and quality of calories I put in.

With all that being said, I must take note of what a special year 2008 was. With all accomplishments come failures and unforeseen disappointments, if not I would question who you are as a person. The accomplishments give us the courage to get ourselves through the failures with scars to learn upon. The unforeseen disappointments give us the strength to perceiver and strive for our accomplishments.

2008 accomplishments (linked to posts)

• I had attained enough self confidence to believe I could accomplish a triathlon.
• I took part in one of my dear blog buds Nancy's virtual races (does anybody miss Nanc as much as I do?). At that time it was my longest run at 6 miles.
• Completed my first triathlon.
• Completed my first 1/2 marathon.
• Threw out a couple of goals for the remainder of 2008, and actually accomplished a few of them.
• Got my Johnny G SPIN certification.
• I met Coach Bill who introduced to me to so many wonderful people. He always makes me feel welcome and sees potential in me.
• I began working with an athlete I admire, Coach K.
• Team Strive's group training, especially tri sis has helped me find the athlete inside.
• Completed my first & second Olympic distance triathlons.
• Hosted 2 weight loss challenges.
• Interviewed for Runners Lounge.
• Cleaned out my closet.

2008 failures & disappointments (linked to posts)

• Had a blog breakdown.
• Suffered injuries stress reaction 5th metatarsal; calf tear
• Experienced exhaustion/over training
• TX Man Oly Tri

  Overall the accomplishments surpass the failures and disappointments. It was a great year. I met amazing people. I lived. I learned. I actually took concern about my body, not giving up but persevering on is what I learned most. The old Viv would have never fessed up to the weight gain but avoid the scale and downward spiral back to 265lbs. with a potential of hitting even a higher weight than that. My athletic goals now keep my weight in focus for me. Athletic goals I had some failures, but I kept going. It is too interesting to see my body do things I never thought it was capable of.

  2009 will mean even more accomplishments. If I wrote here failures will not happen then I would be setting my self up for the biggest failure known to me, disappointing myself. I am sure there will be failures but with that will come even more well deserved accomplishments. My goals of weight loss & Ironman 70.3 are set in my mind, and yes I want it all.....

Free Entry To A Fast Runner: Houston Aramco 1/2 Marathon

I have been going through a few things lately. Lil' Buster has been ill but is beginning to improve today. My calf is healing nicely from the calf tear. I can now walk pain free. My PT, Paula told me the news I have been longing to hear today. I can start cycling/spinning next week and a few short runs in 2 weeks. I just have been longing for some good workouts to relieve some stresses that have been changing my whole self. I have been a moody grouchy chick, to put it nicely. Shane may have a few other choice words to describe my attitude.
I was feeling so positive that I planned to post my 2008 reflections and goals for 2009. Then I got the mail with a reminder that I will not be running the Houston Aramco 1/2 in less then 2 weeks. The dagger in my heart has been twisted again....

You have one week to post your comment on "Viv's Favorite Things & Giveaway" for your chance at $100 gift certificate to Onlineshoes.com.