We had an incredible family trip to the Southwest. The first day was a 'back door' tour of Mesa Verde. Southwest Tour photos
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Southwest Tour 2010
We had an incredible family trip to the Southwest. The first day was a 'back door' tour of Mesa Verde. Southwest Tour photos
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Farmer's Markets I've been to around San Carlos
Kaiser Hospital (corner of Maple and just before Jefferson): Wednesday - 10 am - 2 pm
Palo Alto (corner of University and Emerson) Wednesday 330pm - 630 pm
San Carlos, Laurel street, starting around Arroyo - Thursday 4-7pmRedwood City, just behind Sequoia Station - Saturday 8 or 9 to 1 pm
San Mateo Community College Saturday 8-1pm
Belmont train station: Sunday 9am - 1pm
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Preparing for the South End Rowing Club Alcatraz Swim
I think this will be my 4th Alcatraz swim coming up, Sept 18th. Each one is it's own adventure and I'll get into that in a bit. In the past, I've made the crossing with others. This is the first time I am trying to lead a couple swimmers, from Colorado. Pablo and his friend Bill. This post is for you guys, and anyone else planning to do the swim.
- avoid trying something new. use your regular suit, goggles, cap. Having said that, take a look at the below and try out what you may use before race day. You have enough time to order this stuff and try it, if you act soon.
- wear a thermal cap. What's that, you say? It's a swim cap made from wetsuit material (neoprene).
This one looks good. It actually looks better than mine. If you can try one on before purchase, ideal. If not, get something like this. The key is flexible. Mine is too tight. Warm, yes. Too tight takes it's toll on race day, and for days after, because of the chafing. Over top of your thermal cap, you will wear a regular rubber cap from your race packet.
- I have a new pair of goggles I used for my last open-water swim. They are from my favorite goggle manufacturer, Aqua Sphere. These are called Kayenne. They are nice for a couple reasons; they are super comfortable and seal well. They have a wide field of view, nice for open water. As far as lens color, clear would be ideal for Alcatraz, but not essential. I am sure even the smoke would be fine.
- That's pretty much it! They will give you ear wax to use race day, with your packet. I have always used mine. I asked around about why, and basically you want to not let your inner ear get too cold. Bad things happen if you do. (I don't remember what.) It might be disorienting for one. The other is, as you get cold, you start to get, well, dumb. It gets harder to concentrate on your stroke, and navigation and so on if you get too cold.
Specific race day stuff
This is where Alcatraz is really cool. Around 7am we all gather to walk from Aquatic Park area to the Red and White fleet, or whatever color it is. It's about a 6-8 block walk to the ferry, and essentially you're doing it in your speedo. Some people do it with a cheap pair of flip-flops. You could do it in an old pair of socks too. I'm too Irish for all that, and just walk it bare foot. We actually follow some bagpipers along the way. It's all very inspiring, walking through the famous SF waterfront with a bunch of other swimmers, the music and energy is really awesome. Oh, and some wear a throw-away tee shirt, and I've seen some wear a trash bag to stay warm. I think you can take a bag with a number on it too, and then try to find it at the finish. For us, we will have our cheerleaders carrying a towel and clothes for us.
So, anyways, we get on the ferry, and it's about 15-20 minutes over to the Island. Alcatraz. The ferry isn't allowed to get closer than 50 feet or something like that, for eco reasons. It's plenty close. Totally awesome to see it like this. At the same time you are looking back at San Francisco Bay, the city, the Bay bridge, and so on. It's pretty amazing, until you start thinking, you are getting back to the city in the water!! Yahoo!! We float around on the ferry until the organizers decide the current is as close to slack as possible. Usually, just a couple minutes, but seems really long.
Get in!
The start is somewhat non-eventful. Of course people start snuggling closer and sort of pushing toward the boat gates. There are two, one on each side of the boat. The opening is wide enough for 3 to jump off at a time. Fasties get in first. Just wait. You will be in the water within 2-3 minutes even if you are in the middle of the pack. So, once you get to the gate, jump in. It's about 7-8 feet above the water. I hold on to my goggles, going in feet first, and then, as quick as possible without panicking, start swimming. Now, you may have to do a little breast stroke until you catch your breath, and sight your finish line. I sight on the two big apartment buildings behind Ghirardelli Square. you can't miss them. So, right now, do not swim too hard. In fact, you probably want to swim as slow as you can for the first 3 minutes or so, until you settle into a pace without losing your breath. Don't worry, you will have plenty of time to hit it harder later. It's going to take about 40 - 60 minutes to get across.
Navigation
This hasn't always been a good thing for me, except last time. My strategy worked. Essentially, 20 strokes, then spot, 20 strokes, then spot. For my strokes, to go as straight as possible, I found when I get tired, my hands start to cross. To avoid this, I point my hands from entry to exit in sort of an A frame. The top of the A, me, and the bottom, my hands, so pointing them wide, which, in actuality, probably puts them right where they are supposed to be. Regardless, it worked. I swam straight as ever, and it made for something I could concentrate on.
More later, Guys. Let me know what questions and comments you have.
At 2:42 you can see my master's team, PCA. At 4:40 you can see the apartment buildings I mentioned for sighting and navigation.
Monday, July 26, 2010
34th Annual Trans Tahoe Relay - Invitational
Yes, the water is brisk. The previous month, we were looking at low 50's water temperature. Fortunately, the sun kicked in, and we had a balmy 63 degrees race day. The water is so blue, and crystal clear, it's unlike most open water events, and the water itself tastes so fresh, again, in contrast to events like the Alcatraz swims. It's an early start, with the race at 7:30am, we were up around 5am, to pack our gear, get the boat, and cross the lake. It's the perfect time, since the weather and water is so calm.
Damon had a huge day in so many ways. He came off the shore so fast, and had us out front of Tahoe Tessies. This is just before he finished. See the boat next to us, getting ready for their transition too? See how clear the water is?
Candace was another part of the fantastic trip. At times, I am just along for the ride, and don't recognize the magnitude of our endeavor. Candace is an example. Just 4 days before the event, we didn't have a boat. Again, our coach, Mike put out the word, and with lots of calls and pings, we hear we have a boat, and a captain, Candace. As best as I remember she is the wife of a friend of a friend of a friend. Still, she takes all 6 of us out, all day. Sight unseen. No conversation beforehand. No agreement of how it's going to be. She just shows up, ontime, gorgeous ski boat, smile on her face, basically, get it, let's go. Thanks Candace. You rock. So happy to have met you, and spent the day together!
From left to right: Candace, Chris G, Matt T, Chris "Zola" C, and the indomitable Damon. Missing is John T, Matt's brother (in the water) and me (below).
We met at Sunnyside after the swim to kick off the celebrations. Well, as it turns out, we pretty much were celebrating the whole day, but you could say we kicked off our land-based celebrations here. Every now and again, I couldn't help but feeling elated to be a part of team Zola, and at the same time feeling like I was kinda 'special' - in the, well, special sense. Here, I'm looking particularly short and grey-haired, surrounded by the youngsters. Yes, that's John on the far right, covering up Damon. Damon, my shirt never looked so good. You da man.
From our sponsors
Got Mike? Yes, we got Mike. Our awesome coach. He does so much for us, so quietly. Well, not so quietly this minute. We had 7 teams represented, or 42 swimmers here, along with family and friends, I am guessing over a hundred present over the weekend.
Chris is one of the founders of Zola, home of the Brazilian superfood made from acea berries. I think that's how he stays so young, and an all-around nice guy. Thanks again, for sponsoring us! All you readers out there, drink your Zola.
Getting down to business
This is a bit of an odd shot, but I like it for highlighting the beautiful water, clear as can be, and I think this is Matt getting down to business.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Getting Ready for Trans-Tahoe July 17th
This is a picture I took last year, just before the relay. We started here, took the boats across the Lake, and swam from the other side. It felt a little daunting at the time. It's a long long way across....
It turns out, it was a long way, but so much fun. Prior to, there was so much to worry about. As a fill-in member of the team, I was nervous about pulling my weight, and as it turns out, my team are guys that have been the best of friends for, well, forever. Additionally, they are all about 15 years younger than me... Not sure exactly, but best as I can tell... So, yeah.
Getting ready
So, this year they asked me to come back. That's good. So, getting ready. I've been swimming pretty good, but missed a couple months, more or less, April and May. Coming back though, I really didn't worry about it. I actually started back in lane 2. I haven't done that in many years, but coach put me there. Again, it was fine. I knew it would come back fast. And, it did. I just swam probably my fastest 100 meters ever. 1min 19sec. Yahoo!! So, I have basically a week left to train. I think I am as strong as I will get, but I am going to focus on doing 30 minute swims. The first legs of the Trans-Tahoe are 30 minutes. It's about 1/2 of our normal workout, but typically, we are swimming 100, 200, 300, sometimes 400 meters at a time, instead of race day, it's more like 1600 meters. About a mile. So, I am excited! It's going to be fun.
Jib Jab
I'll have to get back to this. Gotta run to the store...Happy weekend!!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
PCA Masters Swim Practice August 12, 2009
The lanes
This view is positioned over lanes 4 (right) and 5 (left). You can see some of lane 3 and 6 to the further right and left respectively. Each lane has swimmers with similar pace. In fact, they are pretty much in order of their pace within the lane too. The fastest leads the lane, followed by the next fastest and so on, with the slowest person in the back.
Lane personalities
As it turns out, our fastest lane is lane 5. Typically, those in this lane raced in college or at some point were very competitive, and now, they are still really fast. They pretty much know the drill, and are sophisticated on how they approach each workout, down to each swim within the workout. The only people in lane 5 that do not fit this description have some swim aids.
Swim aids
Swim aids include "zoomers" or swim fins. They are little short fins designed to be used for swim training. There are also paddles. These fit the palm of your hands, and use rubber tubing around your hand to hold them in place. They are larger than your hand, so you can pull more water in your stroke. Finally, the 3rd swim aid is the pull bouy. Usually it sounds like pull boy... the two words are hard to say together, especially if you are mid-workout. The pull bouy is a styrofoam figure eight shape piece you hold between your upper thighs. It's purpose is to hold your hips higher in the water so you can pull with just your arms, and let your legs drag behind you without sinking. All three of these theoretically help you focus on strengthening something. Sort of the concept of batters swinging two bats before they go to the plate, so one bat feels so much lighter. The unwritten part about swim aids is, they are a crutch. They allow you to swim faster than if you weren't using them. Swimming fast feels really really good. No question, it's a great workout, with or without aids. With aids, you can go fast. The other unwritten thing about swim aids. They really don't make you go faster without them. It's a myth!! The myth holds up, because they are really fun to use, and we need something we can say, why we use them other than, I am using a crutch. So, notice their use in each lane...and smile.
More on lanes
Moving from lane 5 to 4, those in lane 4, in general can have similar characteristics to lane 5 although of course, they are slower. Whereas lane 5 becomes predominantly men, lane 4 has a larger percentage of woman, and typically they are woman who swam at college level. Also, you will find men who used to be lane 5, and are at a point where they need to move down a lane now. Finally, there are young men who have come up through the ranks, or just because they are young, and strong, and pretty good swimmers, they can hang in lane 4. And last but not least are the oldies. Guys like me. We have been swimming a while, but came up through the ranks, typically starting in lane 1, and as we got stronger, moved up. Lane 4 is cool. Everyone is used to the routine. We work hard. And occasionally have a bit of time for Jib Jab.
My lane
These days I call lane 4, my lane. I pretty much have to be on my game to stick with lane 4. For example, I missed about 2 months of swimming and came back to lane 3 by my choice, and mid-workout, my coach said, move to lane 2!! Dang!! I haven't swam lane 2 for a while. Which brings me to another point. Swimming you lose fast, and gain strength back fast. I told someone this week, think in terms of a day a week. Meaning, for every day you practice, you erase a week of not having practiced. So, last week I swam 4 days. Using my formula, I would erase 4 weeks of no practice. Half way back!! So far, this week I moved back to lane 4. It's been a huge struggle. I can't keep up. So, I go to the back of the lane. As long as I don't get lapped, its fine. I just get less rest, and work harder every lap, with of course, the intention of getting back to where I left off.
Goals
So, that's my goal. To get back to where I was. Why? Okay, the real goal is, swim Trans-Tahoe relay without being an embarrassment to my team. What team? It's the same guys I swam with last year. Team Zola*. A bunch of really nice guys, albeit younger than me by 10-15 years. I hope no more than that, but it's possible. Anyways, they are all super swimmers. In fact of the 6 of us, I think at least are swimming in lane 5 and the rest are in lane 4. So, you see? I am working my fanny off to get to be the slowest person on the team, and hopefully not as slow as I am now.
Jib Jab
Okay, this whole post was Jib Jab.
*One of our team members, Chris Cuvelier is the founder and president of Zola, a superfood energy / nutrition drink company (and our sponsor)!
**I used to be addicted to swim aids. Especially zoomers. They were so much fun!! The downside for me, was trying to swim in events, after not having swam aid-free. So, I am on the 12-step program, and take it a day at a time.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Musee D'orsay Expressionism exhibit at the De Young
I am in general, not a lover of art history, although, having said that, I am or have changed. One of my favorite museums of all time is the D'Orsay in Paris. It's not too big, the architecture of the building is incredible and the interior layout is awesome too. Also, I remember it for the people I visited it with. Tai and Pegi, Kirsty and me went a bunch of years ago, on a work-based tour. We arrived in Paris Friday, and didn't have work until Tuesday. Our wives would join us the next day. Tai had been to Paris, I don't know how many times, and had an idea of what he wanted to do. I envisioned running to see as many sites as we could, a bit in line with the pace of our previous work days.
The Tuileries Palace surrounds the Louvee museum. It's a famous place, and Tai suggested we go there to hang out. Two things happened that day, making a huge impression on me. I was thinking we were in for a huge day of sightseeing. We were ready for some rest, but hey, when in Paris...
The Paris surprise
Simply, we hung out. Had beers, croque monsieur sandwiches and just read and jotted notes and pictures in my journal. Then we did another amazing thing. We spent the rest of the afternoon hunting down a restaurant Tai and Pegi went to a long time prior. I wonder if I could ever find it now. We just walked around, turning and heading down roads by feel. Hoping Tai would see things he remembered. We did find it. It's a rustic place, very small inside. Actually bi-level inside, seating maybe 8 or 10 or so tables. Heavy beams exposed in the ceiling, bright pastel and rustic inside. Anyways, we made a reservation for the 4 of us for that night. What a day. Incredibly memorable. Essentially, we didn't do anything, but enjoy. No stress. No pressure. No rushing. Just pure relaxation. Okay, so the tie-in. We did the D'Orsay the next day, in the same fashion... which made it 100% enjoyable, and memorable.
About 10 years later, Kirsty and I went again, taking our kids this time. Still, what a treat. So special. Today, I knew we were doing a museum. One of those engagements where Kirsty organized it, I knew I was going, but really didn't know exactly what I was signing up for.
De Young museum, San Francisco
The De Young is like the D'Orsay to me. Incredibly beautiful museum, not too big, so well done. And now they are exhibiting the Birth of Impressionism, a collection from the D'Orsay. A rare treat, available largely because the D'Orsay is being remodeled. The exhibit tied together another piece of French history, both the civil war as well as the revolution going on in the art arena. Previously, the most cherished art and artists exhibited in the 'Salon' The impressionists started their own show in around 1872ish. I may have those dates not exact, but regardless, the impressionists brought a whole new dimension to the art world. I love these guys!!
One of my favorites is the 3 men resurfacing a wood floor by Cauiboulle (okay, looking up the spelling) Caillebotte Another I really enjoyed by Claude Monet called Magpie - a snowy country farm, focused on a farm, with a tiny magpie - on a fence, that draws your attention. Awesome colors, beautiful Anyways, totally loved it. The exhibit goes on until September, and then they have something else, post impressionism I think...or something like that.
I am looking for a good slideshow for my blog. Not sure I like this one the best... Oh Ellie, how did you sneak in there, and how did that tiramisu cupcake sneak in there?
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