IronYi........

Back At It!

2012-01-10T08:52:00.000-08:00

It's been one week since my return from Africa and I miss the kids at Kasisi terribly. I am so fortunate to have had the African experience that I did-- everything from the miles and miles of land that I saw, 3,700 kilometers to be exact, the people, the smells, the culture and yes even the bugs. I miss the "TIA" (this is Africa) moments and the moto "In Zanzibar" anything is possible! One of the

Happy 2012!!

2012-01-03T08:27:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year, everybody!I spent most of December in Africa... you can read about it here on my travel blog. Cheers!http://www.theworldaccordingtoyi.blogspot.com/

Uh Oh... Northface 50k ?

2011-11-05T16:33:00.000-07:00

Northface 50k is in jeopardy.. That is right... heading into month 3 of training and we have an issue. My feet! I have just ordered my 4th pair of trail running shoes to try to satisfy my high maintenance injury prone feet and if this 4th pair does not work then that's it.. it's just not meant to be. 1st pair- Brooks Cacadia- thought this would be the ultimate trail running companion as it's

2011- Ironman Worlds

2011-10-11T22:47:00.000-07:00

Week as a spectator..What a week! Once again, I found myself in Kona during Ironman Worlds. It's been two years since I've been to this event yet so much has changed! I wouldn't say it's for the better as it felt more like a trade show than an event. Regardless, the athletes put on a great race and a great show. Aside from supporting the AIMPers and friends of, I was rooting hard for three pro

Celebrating Pete

2011-09-04T22:07:00.000-07:00

September 3rd, 2011 was a perfect day to celebrate the life of our dear friend, Pete Cadwell. The sun was shining for the memorial hike/walk. Friends gathered from near and far. There were tears and laughter. I wouldn't have spent this day any other way.

Promise Yourself by Christian D. Larson

2011-08-31T13:11:00.000-07:00

"Promise Yourself " To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet. To make all your friends feel that there is something in them To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. To think only the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best. To be just as

Hitting the Trails

2011-08-28T20:02:00.000-07:00

Here we go again! With all that's been going on, this week was finally a good one. The entire month of August has been a bit rough and I am glad it's coming to an end and I welcome September with open arms! Thank goodness for music and chocolate is all I gotta say! I've been in all day meetings this entire week reviewing Athleta's Summer 2012 product and I have to say, it all looks so awesome!

Read of the week

2011-08-24T14:53:00.001-07:00

Sometimes winning isn't everything Thanks for stopping by. I wanted to share a beautifully written race report which in many ways honors our friend Pete Cadwell. Sometimes winning isn't everything... Tyler Stewart's IM Lake Stevens 70.3 Racer report- Read me.

Mission Cheese At Last!

2011-08-21T20:13:00.000-07:00

Mission Cheese Accomplished Many moons ago, my colleague/friend, (also one of the raddest chicks I know) decided to drop her career in fashion merchandising to become... drumroll please... a cheesemonger! Sarah's decision came after a two + week stint in the countries of France and England romancing every cheese farm she can map her way to. She will tell you that her decision came a long time

Chick Flick Recovery

2011-08-20T21:50:00.000-07:00

One Day It's a nice Saturday afternoon when I met up with a girl-friend to watch the movie, "One Day" with Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess. It wasn't what I expected and definitely not for the light hearted. This movie will not make you laugh out loud like "Something Borrowed" or "Friends With Benefits" but it will tug at your emotions and capture your attention. Walking out of the theatre

Grateful

2011-08-16T21:11:00.000-07:00

A Spectator's View" Day 2- 10.07.09- Wednesday First thing this AM- did an hour morning swim at Dig Me Beach (IM swim start). Warm but choppy waters but what a change a pace to be able to see in what's under the water that you're swimming in :-)! Needless to say, I was well distracted during my swim this AM! Went in with Ariane and Jordan.. was hoping to watch Sandy & co

2009 Ironman World Championships Blog- Day 1

2009-10-07T00:26:00.000-07:00

A spectators perspective:Day 1- 10.06.09. TuesdayDeparted SFO at 9am landed in KOA at 11:30am- Aloha! First thoughts upon landing- whoa...it's HOT out here! Felt much warmer than last year...or it could be that it's been chillingly cold in SF..shrug. Sights- many shaved legs, beautiful people, several different languages but same passion! Saw the Nation's Parade...what can I say about eye candy

Enroute to Kona in two days!!

2009-10-04T21:06:00.000-07:00

That's right! I am headed to Ironman mecca in two days!This week was not very eventful, wait, let me think about that...... no not really. Have been feeling "not quite right" for most of this week.. started with a sore throat. And then it progressed to a sore dry throat. And then a sore dry throat with a whole lotta phlegm... gross I know! And then all that plus headache which started around

I cheated on triathlon today...

2009-09-27T20:08:00.000-07:00

For my other love.. photography!It's Thursday night and I get an email from Augie telling me that he received a last minute cancellation to a class that I've been wanting to get in- SCORE! He's next class would have been in January and that'll be during my prime training for IM St. George so was really hoping to get into today's class! Photo class was 7 hours long... learned all types of new

It's tough...

2009-09-20T20:55:00.000-07:00

Training with a heavy heart and a heavy mind...But not nearly as tough as an athlete who is surviving being hit by a mini- van while training on her bike. It was Thursday about 5:40am when Bo tells Nicky and I that Mo had been hit by a car while riding her bike. As we learned more details of the accident and Mo's injuries, devastation, shock and heart break rises. Here is an article the Marin

Nautica Malibu Triathlon!

2009-09-13T16:24:00.000-07:00

Lessons of the weekend ...Conquer our mental demons.. a life without gratitude is a sad one... the things i think about during a race! Pre- race thoughts- I like the thought of Olympic Distance because it's short but not a fan of the intensity! Breakfast- the usual- almond butter sandwich, 250 cal bottle of infinit nutrition, 1 gel 1.5 hours prior and then another gel 30 min prior to start and a

Fastest $603 I've ever spent!

2009-09-06T18:38:00.000-07:00

It was Monday afternoon...I refreshed the page on the Ironman Canada website and there it was- the icon to click on for a slot to race in the the highly sought after Ironman Canada! Heart rate is rising as I am filling in all the questions they require of you and while doing so, I am texting my friends telling them that registration was open since IMC was quite quiet about it this year. Bing!

A walk down memory lane...

2009-08-30T22:05:00.000-07:00

with IM Loo!About a year ago, I did my first Ironman in Kentucky at Ironman Louisville. Oh what a day it was! Heat index hit 104F degrees with humidity and wind. This year however, temps were in the mid 70's at most- not fair!! IM Loo isn't IM Loo without the ridiculous heat & humidity! Anyway, as I was saying, back to last year, the end story was that I finished- officially. The highlight of my

A proposition for the Golden Gate Bridge...

2009-08-23T19:24:00.000-07:00

Always a war zone on the weekends...It's the weekend.. anytime between 11am- 3pm is usually the worst...clipless pedals vs. cages. Computers on stem vs. map clips...it's cyclist vs. tourist! This can't be good and it's not- the war zone that every local cyclist has to fight through to get back in the city or get back to Marin after a bike ride. Don't get me wrong, the city loves tourists and I

A whole new perspective on pain...

2009-08-16T18:17:00.000-07:00

Topic this week...pain threshold!So no pain week on Tuesday this week so I decided to go to my old stomping ground, Tuesday spin studio that I frequented often last year. I used to think that it was the best workout ever until I was introduced to the pain cave. What makes the pain cave so tough? Oh..let me count the ways:1. It's warm in there! It's a treat when coach lets us have fans. There was

Getting back in shape- post Ironman!

2009-08-09T15:31:00.001-07:00

Starting to feel good again!Good as in somewhat back in shape! No more feeling like I am going to puke or light headedness in the pain cave... although I guess it helped that we didn't have pain cave this week because coach was at camp in Tahoe. Muscles are starting to feel something on the saddle now and running doesn't feel like such a chore anymore. It's quite cruel how quickly one can feel

Last weekend of...

2009-08-02T17:30:00.000-07:00

Last slacker weekend..It was such a long week- let's see if I can recount the happenings.. Monday- Found out we weren't starting core & strength just yet. Next block of training is focused on going hard & aggressive for the Nautica Malibu Olympic Tri in Sept!Tuesday- Wanted to stay in bed instead of going to CT class. Since coach wasn't going to be there.. it would have made it easier to skip but

Base for 2010 season starts this week!

2009-07-26T18:05:00.000-07:00

Strength & core focus!I think my light workout days are over or at least that's what coach said when he gave me my three week's worth of active recovery workouts! Next block of focus will be on building strength and core for IM St. George May 2010. You may think, why so early? Well, if you saw the course profile, you'd understand! In fact, I'll share! See below!Photo below- IM St. George 112 mile

IM CDA- four weeks later...

2009-07-19T20:05:00.000-07:00

Male triathletes...shave those legs!!Sunday- 3am- wake up. 3:30am- left the city to head up north for Vineman 70.3. 5am- reported for body marking duties!Vineman 70.3 was much more fun as a spectator than a racer, IMHO! Body marking was a bunch of fun but it got chaotic as the mass of people started to arrive. Body marking can be a very artistic task. Since I don't like it when my numbers look

IM CDA- three weeks later...

2009-07-12T20:04:00.000-07:00

Dear Ben & Jerry's...Coach updated my workout log..it's time we break up or at least separate. It was fun while it lasted. xoxo. Well, what I didn't tell Ben & Jerry's was that I had actually moved on to cupcakes but I've broke up with cupcakes today..well decreased intake to one a week! So coach did update my workout log this week but I haven't quite followed it. I am not excited about swimming

IM CDA- two weeks later...

2009-07-05T16:27:00.000-07:00

Life after Ironman...Involved a lot of sitting around and eating rocky road ice cream! Don't you worry though, I have a feeling coach is going to put me back to work shortly! I went to two spin classes this past week. Tuesday's class went a little something like this: During meter break..an hour into class..Me: Kara, I am feeling a little light headed.Kara: I am going to throw up!And our friend

IM CDA- one week later...

2009-06-28T17:39:00.000-07:00

One week later..I can recount all the funny things and thoughts that happened during the race!First of all, thank you to friends for your support and encouragement! It really means a lot and I am truly grateful for it. While not many people I know would think of taking on the challenge of an Ironman distance race, my heart smiles every time I get an email from a friend to tell me that they're

IM Coeur d'Alene 2009 Race Report

2009-06-23T14:09:00.000-07:00

I've never DNF'd a race before but on June 21th, 2009, that thought crossed my mind...!I arrived in Coeur d'Alene on Wednesday on a connection flight from Seattle to Spokane from SFO with Kara. We waited for Caesar as he was landing at the same time but different carrier. Got bags...got in Kara's rental car...made our way to CDA! Our house was sweet! About 3 blocks to race central and the

IM CDA week 26

2009-06-14T17:38:00.000-07:00

One week from today... I will be on the run course! I am in the midst of packing but as you can see, I am easily distracted by the chore of packing. As I head into my second ironman race, I can't help but compare how I feel this year pre-race vs. last year pre-race. Friends tell me that I seem and look a lot happier, stronger and fitter and I think that comes from feeling more excited overall. I

IM CDA week 25

2009-06-07T17:39:00.000-07:00

10 weeks later...more efficient..more economical..!I think it's been 10 weeks since my last LT test where my power improved by 30%! Took another test this past Tuesday, my pre-IM test which showed no increase in power but did show my blood lactate level drop 1.2 which means I've become more economical and efficient in my efforts- pretty sweet before a long distance! I had initially thought that I

IM CDA week 24

2009-05-31T13:06:00.000-07:00

Much needed recovery week!So my big Monday workout wasn't too bad afterall! I started from Mike's Bikes in Sausalito at 5:30am..felt really tired from a big week of training and actually thought about turning around about halfway to the pool when I heard a voice say, "Now there's someone I'm happy/proud to see." I wasn't sure which word was used..I could have been way off but I turned and it was

IM CDA week 23

2009-05-24T15:53:00.000-07:00

1. Breaking up was very easy to do this time!2. Steve Larsen- rest in peace.. 3. Herds of cattle!1. So as you know, my saddle has been causing me MUCH pain in the last few weeks. Not sure if it's because my body's changed or what but it has become almost unbearable! This past Tuesday in CT class, I would have gotten off the bike during CT class if it hadn't been for the thought of my coach's

IM CDA week 22- It's money time!

2009-05-17T17:21:00.001-07:00

The longest. training. week. ever!It's money time says coach!As I sit here after 20+ hours of training combined with a hectic week at work, I am feeling a bit...tired!Monday- 2 hours easy spin on bike.Tuesday- CT class!Wednesday- Hill repeats on Hyde Street chasing cable cars up the hill on a beautiful sunny morning! Followed by 3700 yard swim.Thursday- CT class that nearly kicked my @ssFriday-

IM CDA week 21- 6 more weeks!

2009-05-10T19:53:00.000-07:00

Just need to hold on for 6 more weeks- mentally & physically!I expected to have a recovery week this week but I saw that coach revised my week so I emailed to make sure and he said, "Correct, it's go time for CDA!" This was a tough training week right after Wildflower but had to suck it up and push through!Monday- Rest day.Tuesday- CT class and was supposed to do a 45 minute run but I had a

IM CDA week 20- Wildflower Long Course Race Report

2009-05-03T19:28:00.001-07:00

Wildflower and I have made amends!So, I REALLY did not want to do Wildflower! I've never had a good experience there and I've been convinced that it doesn't like me and I don't like it. I was sick in the beginning of the week which didn't help my confidence, not to mention my allergy attack the last time I was in the water AND not to mention me rolling my ankle and having to hobble for most of

IM CDA week 19

2009-04-26T13:45:00.000-07:00

Toughest training week to date...Yes, it was indeed the toughest training week to date under coach. With the weather being in the 90's last weekend and the beginner of this week, I "suffered" from lack of sleep and a bit of dehydration. Highlights of my week below..Monday, went to Sports Basement to hear Chris Lieto talk about his Wildflower race course strategy, his experience and take on

IM CDA week 18

2009-04-19T14:45:00.000-07:00

Guys really don't like it when they're passed by a girl...This week wasn't a recovery week but my body was telling me that it should have been. Yup, still feeling the race fatigue from Oceanside. Coach said it was normal since it was the first race of the season, the body was in a little bit of a shock, more of a remainder for the body that we're racing. Speaking of Coach, man did he bring it to

IM CDA week 17

2009-04-12T13:20:00.000-07:00

Recovery week needed!!Monday- rest day #2- sweet!Tuesday- easy spin on trainer at home...really easy! Had the Hills and the Tour of Flaunders on Tivo.Wednesday- another easy spin in the morning followed by an easy evening run with Kara.Thursday- back in CT class- thought I was going to puke after the first interval which lasted for....oh 30 minutes. Even coach threw me a bone and didn't yell at

IM CDA week 16- IM Oceanside 70.3 Race Report!

2009-04-05T21:43:00.000-07:00

I am learning to race a race!Short summary-So overall, I had a good day and a great start to the race season! I crossed the finish line not relieved to finish but happy with my finish. And yes, there is a difference! I've finished numerous triathlons but this was the first one I learned to race! Prior to race, I thought it'd be awesome if I can break 7 hours knowing where I was currently at with

IM CDA week 15

2009-03-29T12:48:00.000-07:00

Easily convinced...Guess what yours truly did last week? Got a slot for Ironman St. George! I initially received an email from the IM folks about this inaugural event but didn't give it a second thought. A day or so later, Chris emailed his athletes about this event and said what a great event it would be for AIMP to do. A couple of emails later, I got a slot. Such a sucker! Anyone else inspired

IM CDA week 14

2009-03-22T18:58:00.000-07:00

What the heck happened?Alright let's start off by picking up where I left off last week...I was about to take my second LT test. My first test showed that I had a LOT of strength that I needed to build. So...12 weeks later..here we are again..my second LT test. I had no idea what to expect going in..I knew what I was hoping for..just a number higher than last time! Prior to my test, I did a

IM CDA week 13

2009-03-15T13:57:00.000-07:00

Swim faster...you're not even out of breath!That's what Chris said to me towards the end of my swim training today. To my defense, it was supposed to be an easy swim as I am getting my second lactate test tomorrow! It's difficult to gauge how hard you're supposed to work during a swim. During the bike and runs, it's easy because that's what the heart rate monitor and your training zones are

IM CDA week 12

2009-03-08T18:49:00.000-07:00

Just wanted a wireless bike computer with cadence!In CT class, coach focuses a lot on cadence and since I don't have cadence on my bike computer, I often went by mileage. I decided this after class this week to pick up a new computer with cadence. I don't want to deal with wires so I optimally, I wanted to find a wireless one. I went to Sports Basement after work, looked at the Cateye V3 which

IM CDA week 11

2009-03-02T19:45:00.000-08:00

"Put some umph into your pull, Yi!"Or maybe Coach said, "Put some umph into your stroke, Yi!" I think by umph, he means more strength. Working on it! I was so relieved that weekend IVC swim with Coach didn't turn out to be bootcamp like swim. We didn't do any head up drills (thank goodness) and we didn't do any of those ridiculous "pull ourselves up from the deck that is literally taller then me"

IM CDA week 10

2009-02-22T17:52:00.000-08:00

Finally feeling healthy!Five days spent laying in bed with laptop and tivo remote was more than enough for me! Being sick and weak for 5+ days was brutal...especially not being able to train. Coach's orders were to rest and do not re-engage in training until one day after I feel good. Out of curiosity, I had to ask him how many days it took to lose fitness....10-12 days he says! Holy crap! 10-12

IM CDA week 9

2009-02-15T15:42:00.000-08:00

Bed ridden with a cold..And training was going so well! What was supposed to be a 12+ hour training week turned out to be a 4+ hour training week because yours truly succumbed to the common cold...or at least that's what iI self diagnosed myself with. Caught it Thursday and now it's Sunday..still in bed. I was able to go to CT class on Thursday though since I didn't get symptoms until the

IM CDA week 8

2009-02-08T13:53:00.001-08:00

Lost some skin on the pool deck this week!I am sitting here a bit tired from training this morning! IVC pool workout with coach at 9 am followed by a 1:20:00 run. Pool workout was tough! It was probably one of the tougher pool workouts I've had in a long time. Before the workout even started, Dora said, "I'm feeling sick." Halfway through the workout, Ted says, "Now, I am feeling sick." Haha.

IM CDA week 7

2009-02-01T11:03:00.000-08:00

Milking recovery week for all it's worth!This week was recovery week which meant only one workout a day and shorter workouts during the weekend. My week went something like this...Monday- I turned 31..took the day off work..went for my short 45 minute swim..took the camera over the GGB and snapped away!Tuesday...went to M2 spin for the first time since October of last year. Boy, was it different!

IM CDA week 6

2009-01-25T17:45:00.000-08:00

Turning 31 tomorrow...!It's my birthday tomorrow! I am turning 31 and hoping for another good year! 30 was pretty good to me and I have many moments of significance so I am hoping 31 will follow that trend! I guess it's only fitting that I make a top 5 birthday wish list and send it out to the stars in the galaxy!Here it goes...I wish that the world was a more peaceful place! Truly! I wish that

IM CDA- week 5!

2009-01-18T19:26:00.000-08:00

Rest day couldn't have come at a better time!I sit here blogging from my new little friend known as the MacBook Pro! My Dell laptop of 6 years is living it's last days and with Stanford having a clearance on it's previous generation MacBook Pro's, I couldn't resist and picked one up for $1199 thanks to my friend Deb who works at Stanford University! $1199! A steal, I think! I love everything

IM CDA week 4

2009-01-11T13:57:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, you try but your heart just isn't in it.. Where do I start.. ah yea.. so Tuesday rolls around and still nothing in the workout log from Chris (coach) so I figured okay..no biggie since I know I have to go to CT class anyway in the morning. The only question was whether he was going to have me swim that evening or not. Go to CT class...Tuesday afternoon rolls around and see the week

IM CDA week 3..

2009-01-04T14:51:00.000-08:00

If I wasn't training for Ironman...So, if I wasn't training for Ironman, what would I be doing? Hm.. I would learn to use all the manual modes on my Nikon dSLR camera that I bought a two years ago. I would probably spend more time at the park with Red, I would learn and experiment with cooking, bake more, probably read more and learn a new language..maybe French. I would organize my photos taken

IM CDA week 2..

2008-12-28T16:27:00.000-08:00

That felt like the longest training week ever!Monday- Went to Performance Labs to get LT testing done with Craig in Mill Valley. Testing determines my heart rate training zones and also tests my fitness level. Boy! Am I out of shape..yes fitness level has much room for improvement! I think more than both Chris and I thought haha! The discussion and explanation of numbers with Craig was quite