09/30/07 Subaru Urban Assault Race

What a great way to disguise a 30 mile bike ride: place a few checkpoints in between where the riders have to perform whacky stunts which actually make the ride seem easier and more fun.

Edward & Rebecca were named "Whole Wheat Two Wheeled Ninja Warriors." Even though our team name was somewhat less extreme, Lorenzo and I were called "Team Extreme." He was right at home on his triathlon bike and I just took the training wheels off my mountain bike. Quite a mismatched team, but we both like whacky stunts, so at least we had that in common. The course took us on a tour of Long Beach that included downtown, the Aquarium, Cal State Long Beach campus, Belmont Shore and the ocean.
Zo, Edward & Rebecca. They may look tough now, but just picture them on Hippity-Hops...
Beautiful day for a ride near the Aquarium of the Pacific.

The first challenge, hippity-hopping up and down a hill. Not easy, but definitely funny!

Next was the wheelbarrow run at Cal State Long Beach.
I laughed so hard during this part that I almost fell out!














A few miles later, Lorenzo carried a tired Angela through a slalom maze of cones on a kid's bike. His knees didn't like it nearly as much as I did.





I hadn't ridden one of these since I was a kid! I wasn't very good at it then, and haven't improved much with age. But still had a ton of fun!

Results and more photos are HERE.

At one point near the end, I told Lorenzo that my GPS watch said that we had covered 27.92 miles. He asked, "What's the farthest you've ever ridden a bike before?" To which I tiredly replied, "Twenty-seven point nine two miles." Although he coasted through most of it and I struggled, we both still had a great time and would gladly do it again - especially the parts where he did all the work!

Click the play button below to see a video of this crazy event!

09/23/07 Gift for Coach John

For those who don't already know, John Medina is the greatest coach ever. Although he tortures me on a weekly basis, especially at the track, he's actually a great guy. Lorenzo and I decided that it was time to upgrade John's antique mountain bike to something a bit more modern. So before my Sunday run with the boys, Lorenzo and I called John over to ask him a question. I'm sure John thought I was dilly-dallying, but after I asked him "What do you think of this?" and when he saw a new Cannondale, I think he completely forgot about the schedule.

"I have to ask you something over here..."

"What do you think of this?"

"Does the envelope say 'Coach John?' - What the...?"

"Is that for me?"

"You're kidding, right?"

"John, it's for you. Thanks for everything."

The card from Lorenzo and Angela makes it official.

Happy Coach and Happy Runner.

Now I will never be able to keep up with him!

09/15/07-09/16/07 Joshua Tree

Sleeping under the stars, hotdogs & s'mores around the campfire, juggling, lots of climbing of course, and people doing something new for the first time of their life.

Rebecca's FIRST time climbing outdoors!

My first climb of the day after a Saturday morning run.
Rebecca's first mini-camera.

My first: set up a top rope, rappel down that rope, then climb back up it.


Gloria & Mauricio

Agnes & Harold

The Wall of Absurdities

Lorenzo places gear at Hemingway.

Rebecca uses her head and later her chin at the Hemingway Buttress.

Edward gave impromptu juggling lessons.

Gray took some of the most amazing photos.
The next five shots are from his camera:

1) A "couple" of us at Wall of Absurdities.

2) It's Pomegranite Soda!

3) The girls bravely stood between Edward and Lorenzo during their amazing night time juggling display with glowing clubs!

4) Just after sunset.

5) The moon and a Joshua Tree at night. So serene.

Gray is "King of the S'mores!"

Angela, Mauricio, Gloria, Gray, Agnes & Harold.

Zo heads up the rock!

Those were just a few of my favorite pictures.
Click here to see Lorenzo's full gallery of the trip.