04/27/08 Orange County Adventure Race

We got 7th place out of about 20 teams in the 2 person co-ed division - and we were just out there to have fun, not to RACE it because we had camped and hiked and/or run all over Mt. Baldy the day before!

Team "Run ZoLa Run" total time was 2:24:05. Results

Get it? lorenZO + angeLA = ZOLA, then combine that with the movie called "Run Lola Run" and you get Run ZoLa Run. Or as Coach John suggested - we could be named after the famous barefoot Olympic runner Zola Budd.

But did Zola run barefoot in the desert hills of Irvine? Didn't think so...

Well, we didn't win any awards for "Best Team Name" or "Best Team Costume" (because we certainly weren't going to wear what the main character wore in the movie- a gray COTTON tank top with NO SPORTS BRA), but it was easily the most fun event we have ever done together! From making our own paddles (my thanks to whoever invented duct tape), to completing tasks while blindfolded - loads of fun!

More pictures from the event HERE.

04/26/08 Mt. Baldy

Camping the night before with a pre-dinner session of glow in the dark frisbee, cooking hot dogs on sticks, and basking in the warmth of the fire with friends - I never wanted it to end, but there was that pesky training schedule... The group started around 9am. There were 8 hikers planning on doing various distances up the Sierra Club Hut Trail (pink dashed line) and 4 runners training for the Bishop High Sierra race on May 17th who were going to run up and down, and perhaps up and down a second time, on the fire road for a total of 20 miles (purple dotted line).


Standing: Mat, Edward, Libby, Aaron, Theresa, Anthony, Eric's folks.
Kneeling: Lorenzo, Lisa, Angela, Eric.


Lisa drags Angela away from camp. Edward is wide awake.

Eric's folks enjoy the waterfall.

The run became more of a "slog" (slow-jog), but it gave us more time to enjoy the scenery!

Eric and Lisa protected their eyes from the snow-shine.

Devil's Backbone (elevation 8,400 feet). Lisa and Angela climbed the Devil's Backbone tree for some advanced altitude training.
Suffering from a lingering cold, carrying a way-too-full pack, breaking in a new pair of socks - just some of the excuses I used to turn the second trip up into a hike and cut it short at the ski lifts. Total distance: 16 miles. But I'll try for more again on May 11th.

It was the first time Libby has camped in, well in quite some time. And congrats to her for a successful hike to the Sierra Club Hut! Her first hike since... well, way too long. So hopefully she can join us again very soon!

More photos.

4/4/08-4/7/08 Mom's visit!

Friday, April 4th - The Craft & Folk Art Museum

This is the place where creativity and a lot of free time combine to make really unique pieces. Where else could I have bought a purse made from beer cans?

Mom at the entrance of the Craft & Folk Art Museum on Wilshire Blvd.

Saturday, April 5th - The Great Race of Agoura

Mom has been the official "cheerleader" for me at many races and marathons. This time, it was our first Mother-Daughter event where we would BOTH be participating in a 5K at the Great Race of Agoura.

Mom's first bib number!


Jet-lagged and still on Eastern time, just getting to the start at the top of a steep hill was quite an accomplishment for Mom!


Mom, Coach John, me and Lorenzo at the start.
Combined ages = 197 years young!


More than halfway done, and having a great time!


Mom's finish - 59:47, that's an average pace of 19:18 minutes per mile! Yay Mom! Click here for results.


Lorenzo and I also did the 10K. And I have to admit that I was a little tired afterwards...


After a hard day of racing, we decided to relax at the last game of the season for the L.A. Kings. Mom & Angela & Wayne "The Great One" Gretzky in front of Staples Center.


Hooray for our favorite second-to-last-place team!


Queen Joanne and Princess Angela on the thrones. Even though the Kings lost, it was still a terrific day - nachos, beer and caramel apples!

Sunday, April 6th - Marina del Rey & Santa Barbara


After her first 5K, Mom continued to make history with her first kayaking experience.

Mom and Lorenzo get set to take the plunge!


I chased Mom and Lorenzo around the marina for an hour. Then we drove to Santa Barbara where we feasted on seafood and clam chowder.

When I was in 3rd grade, my nickname was "shrimp" - probably because I was about as big as this one. So here I am demonstrating my cannabalism skills.


I couldn't believe he got the whole thing in his mouth! Apparently, Lorenzo couldn't believe it either!


It's easy to be a "strong eater" when the food was that good!

Mom and I both found sand dollars on the beach!

We saw seals, a sting ray, and lots of real dolphins too!

Monday, April 7th - Brunch & Motorcycle Ride & Old Fashioned Meatloaf

My good friend Laura has a two year old and is pregnant with her second child, so it's been difficult to catch up with her hectic schedule. Mom and I finally got a chace to reunite with Lexie (which she proudly pronounces as "Sexy!") for an entertaining brunch in Santa Monica. Who knew a simple drinking straw could be so much fun?

A 5K race, kayaking, hiking in Santa Barbara... Mom officially became an adrenaline junkie! What's next, motorcycle riding?

Yep.

After her test ride, Mom made one of my childhood favorites: meatloaf! Then a quick nap and my Lady Kings semi-final playoff game.


We won 4-1!


I was so glad Mom was there to see it. In fact, the entire weekend would not have been nearly as special without Mom!

More pictures of good times with Mom can be found here!