Aug 18th - Tri for fun

On Saturday I finished a fun-tri that in Pleasanton, CA (east bay). At the nice early hour of 7am, Jess and I showed up with 9 minutes prior to the start. Luckily in wave 4 we had a bit more extra time. It was a fun tri, so no official times were taken, but I did still get marked up with my number (why?) and timed myself, for a finish time of around 1:13. 8:10 swim, 33 min bike, and 30 minute run, plus a few minutes here and there in the transition area. I had a great race, deciding to hang back in the swim til the fasties took off, and had a great bike and run ride.
Here's a map of the bike ride portion:
http://www.mapmyrun.com/ride/united-states/ca/pleasanton/760441701070

or just check out this map:

This coming weekend I need to switch into running gear - I am a last minute sub for hood to coast - the longest and biggest running relay race in the country, from Mt. Hood OR to the coast near portland!

I took a picture but it was blinded my my inappropriate flash from my cell phone - so sorry no pics :|

Happy training,
Rachael

Aug 12th - Olympic games rowing blog

• My good ole coach and friend Glenn Merry blogs from Beijing as part of US Rowing on how the opening ceremonies went, and all the rain at the rowing venue. Very entertaining and some good video and pics of the custom $100 made-in-china tailored suit. Good job Glenn. Good luck!
  

Aug 4

• This was a very active weekend. On Saturday I decided to test my cycling legs and try a 'metric century.' It sounds much harder than saying "100k" It was a very scenic and fun ride around Marin. I didn't have room to take the camera, so no pics, but there were about 1000 folks joining us, along with seasoned biking friends. I managed to survive and felt tired, but really happy and challenged after the day. I have a bit of work ahead of me, as you may know I've registered for a 150, 2 day Waves to Wine bike ride for MS in September in the bay area. On a side note, I am really loving my new bike! Thank you BMC and Endurance for pointing it out to me!
  

• Sunday was a day of rest, but one on the high seas of the SF Bay. I gathered up a gaggle of friends to join me on a day sail from Sausalito to Jack London Square and Angel Island. We had all kinds of conditions. We left at noon, so it was windier than usual due to the later time of departure. Winds were about 24 knots at their pick on the way out, so we flew over to Oakland in no time, thanks to tailwind and current. When we got to Alameda, we made a necessary and well-needed pit-stop at one of my favorite bars, Heinold's First and Last Chance. Founded in 1883, this place is still standing. Barely. Literally, it's where sailors who were headed into the Great Pacific had their 'First and Last Chance' to grab a drink before heading out. the bar is dark, dank, musty, slanted from the 1906 earthquake, and filled with memorabilia from the last 130 years. Like McSoreley's for sailors. The Bloody Mary's are reportedly top notch here, as reported by my fellow sailors. (I prefer the Moosedrool bottles). Thanks to captain Max for another great day on the bay! (I didn't take any pics here either but maybe I'll borrow a few from my friend Amy who managed to take some great shots).