I’m not a good traveler. I don’t enjoy flying, I don’t like being away from my home and I don’t like not having everything where it’s supposed to be. I know, I’m a freak. Although, this manic tendency seems to comply pretty well for both the Chef and I since the Chef doesn’t like to be away from his bike and therefore doesn’t like to be away from home without it. And I REFUSE to ever air travel with his stupid bike again (re: Canada disaster many years ago) because it is NOT worth the ginormous hassle – especially as he freaks out when he sees it coming out of the belly of the plane only to watch a bunch of golf clubs plop on top of it’s container.
This vacation was surprisingly different. Everything fell right into place, from renting “Michael approved” bikes online to our hotel reservations all the way to extending the vacation. I fell in love with Napa. I adore Napa Valley. I didn’t want to leave. Everything about it is wonderful. So wonderful in fact, that I am still talking about moving there someday. It has everything I love: perfect weather, the best food, and lots of delicious wine. It gets better when you add that it is cycling and running friendly – and with green, lush, beautiful landscapes full of roses and roses and roses and vines. It’s just lovely.
And a lovely pork sausage I am, as I practically had to sausage stuff myself into my jeans on the way home. Makes for a fun plane ride. Oiy, and I still feel like a sausage. So, let the running begin. I need a plan so I don’t skimp out on myself – I’ve been a bit lazy lately. Wait, I do have a plan, I just need to put it in action. I did exercise in Napa – I rode an hour or more everyday, but with the exception of my ride with Pamela and Juls, my rides were mostly scenic. I couldn’t help it; there were so many beautiful things to see.
Many more Napa Adventures to come in the ways of fancy toilets, meeting friends, restaurant reviews and wine by the barrel. But for now I must work on my pork sausage reduction plan, so here are a few pictures from our trip until then:
This is part of the elevation map Pamela sent me from our ride on Tuesday. The Napa Valley Bike Shop called this an “Intermediate” 26 mile loop. Well California cyclists, if this is intermediate for you, then I salute you! Because it was the equivalent of climbing a mountain and falling over a cliff for me. More on that later, but riding is awesome here. When I’m not fearing for my life.
And this is from the day I learned about the spit buckets, and why they are unfortunately necessary.
Internet people, if I ever met good people in my life – it’s 21st Century Mom’s Pamela and Keeping Pace’s Jules. I’d link them, but I’ve been tasting wine all day and it’s beyond my current neurological capabilities. I can tell you this though, they are the kindest, nicest and most genuine and beautiful ladies I’ve met in so, so long.
I heart them so much they make me want to move to this beautiful area of California. These women are beyond amazing. Hands down, the best part of our Napa Valley trip so far was meeting them! I miss them and it’s only been a day since they were here. (Sorry about my constant hill climbing and descending whining, I’m not always like that – only 80% of the time). My next goal is to get them to Dallas!
Two amazing things happened today. One, for the first time in nearly two years, Cindy and I were able to get track video footage during the DAYLIGHT hours. A miracle, I know. The other amazing thing, is finally, since before Runner Susan’s Great Chicago Marathon Meltdown, I’ve become excited about running. And it’s about dang time.
It’s odd how things happen so randomly. I met Cindy and her friend Doug at the track to run bleachers and do a little speed work and we met an amazing lady, Marsha, who has run 39 marathons and qualified for Boston 10 times. That alone is pretty spectacular, but when you factor in she is 65 years young and is still vibrantly passionate about running marathons, it is completely inspiring. Earlier this year she ran a 2-hour half. She even joined us for a few of 100s on the track. I hope to run with her a few days a week and learn a few things. She is a rock star for sure.
A few things to note before watching these fabulously daylight videos:
It’s been a long time since I’ve done a good track workout, but you’ll get to watch my progress now that summer is here and we can video during daylight hours.
It was 95 freaking degrees outside (35C) and the heat was sucking the life out of me – I am so not ready for the heat. Why do I live in Texas?
We are running about 80% intensity – most were 17 seconds and some change, a few 18 plus. AKA: slower than slow.
In a few videos I’m wearing my Asics and in a few I’m wearing the Newtons. Sue me, they are so pretty and pink and I wanted to give the Newtons another try. I am considering them as Runner Susan’s official track shoe. You should send them a note and tell them how much faster my feet look. I’m indecisive on the whole shoe issue right now as Kenza has lost in the black hole that is her bedroom misplaced my current pair of running shoes.
We did bleachers immediately before and during the track workout, not that you care – but I was tired. And hot. And stinking hot some more. And a little hormonal. And hot.
Cindy’s friend Doug is really fast and he wouldn’t slow down to make me look good. That was not very nice of him. Note to self: next week tie Doug’s shoe laces together when he isn’t looking.
And finally, these videos are not pretty – there is plenty of junk in my trunk (and front) – that’s just the way it is – so get over it and move on – it’s obvious I haven’t lifted weights for a few months. Note to self: Don’t be a loser.
In case you didn’t catch the 4am Track Torture in the dark videos, you can see them here and here. You won’t be disappointed, it takes talent to do what we do.
I know you’ve missed Cindy’s sweet commentary, so without further ado: Track Torture you can actually see!
My life has been a constant whirlwind for the past three weeks, nothing bad, just a lot of things involving the end of school, cycling trips and Sister Runner Amy and her kids visiting. And if I had to pick which was the most exhausting, keeping track of a 3 and 5 year-old wins hands down. I adore those kiddos, but give me a 40-mile bike ride any day. I’m old, so sue me. But the visit was fun and was full of swimming, amusement parks, birthday party, all things pink, and kitties with a little projectile vomit on the side.
And when all those things were not in action, I involuntarily became an authority on Lego Star Wars people – since it was the main topic of conversation for 4 days straight. I’m not kidding. If Cole wasn’t holding his nose to jump in the pool, he was talking about Lego Star Wars people. And in case you were wondering, I want my Princess Leia to have a rainbow light saber.
What? No running you say. No. Sadly, SRA fell in the pool as she was rescuing Harper from a renegade turtle float incident and busted her ass pretty seriously. I didn’t see it personally – but I got the daily details on bruising progress. Which leads me to Juneathon. I agreed to do a Juneathon with the only requirements being to exercise everyday. And unless you count hanging swimming and chasing two little ones for four days, then I might just be disqualified. I’m not sure, but maybe if no one says anything I’ll be safe. So let’s keep it quiet and focus on the 24 miles I rode on this morning. Oh, and the swim lesson I had yesterday and tomorrow and the 30 mile ride I have coming up on Thursday.
Okay now, I know this is a jumbled mess. But I’m tired and I have that little fashion show I promised a while back. I got some awesome new things for my birthday and sadly I can’t wear them all at once, so I’ll see if I can make that fashion show happen tomorrow so I can at least try all the clothes on in the same day. But for now just enjoy the pictures of Sister Runner Amy and the kid’s visit and pretend you can’t see the typos and run-on sentences.
I’ve been on a Merlot kick the past few days, and this is one on the nicer Merlots I’ve had in a while. I wish I had some fancy pants terms like “exhibits loads of black cherries, currants, chocolate, mocha, and caramel”, but I don’t. I just like it and you will too. I believe the 2005 vintage is out of stock, but I hear the 2006 is just as good. Around $35.00.
There is no denying it – we were the cutest Martini Twins on the course. Which of course means Michelle and I rode a lot faster than if we showed up completely uncute, because we all know speed is 80% cute, 15% bike, and 5% motor. That’s a little tip I picked up from BettyBetty, of course I think she might have had the priorities lined up a little differently, I just can’t recall quite accurately at the moment.
It was hilly, and a few of those hills were so steep I was only going 3 – 5 miles and hour up them because they were more like walls than hills. I felt like Spider Man in a Martini Jersey. But on the bright side, it’s good to know I can drive my bike that slow and still stay upright. I’m sure it’s a lesson I would have learned sooner or later, but all I have to say right now is THANK YOU ROLLERS.
Here we are being cute and adorable before the ride:
Here’s the cute Chef and I before the ride (he did the 100k on Saturday and the 50k on Sunday placing 2nd on both days – he’s bummed because he still only has 30% vision in his left eye from his lasik/bike crash injury and can’t see well enough to race the crits):
And here’s the Martini Twins making a stop on the way home from the ride:
We rode past this building and felt obligated to stop in for a martini. But since we didn’t know the secret knock and realized that the building didn’t have any windows, we hopped on our bikes and drove back to our hotel as fast as possible.
Here we are in true Martini Twins form back at the hotel – Daisy’s butt added for extra cuteness (in case you were wondering, dogs like to lick salty legs):
Then later that night we put on our party dresses and took the hubbands out for a nice dinner. It just so happens that we went shopping the weekend before and bought several of the exact same dresses (fashion show coming soon).
We even walked Daisy cute:
Then after we got home I dressed Donkey up in Michael’s Tulsa Tough shirt – he was quite handsome, I must say.
Team Martini tied for 41st place out of 288 and finished in 2:07 – I think that is around 15.5 mph. Not bad for no hill training or even hardly training at all. It was a fun weekend and the Martini Twins are already planning their next run, ride and possibly tri. Except that whole swimming thing is freaking me out a bit.
