Fitness by Farzan

2007-10-07T18:48:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I just got to try something different...... and WOW, the world of car handling on the racetrack is amazing. I finally bit the bullet, made the commitment, shelled out the $, and joined the AUDI car club's 2 day driving skills/handling performance course this weekend at Infineon raceway. I took my little black Audi A3 2.0 turbo and participated in classroom sessions, parking lot drills as well as a decent amount of track time driving with an instructor up and down that technical course. In between driving sessions, I got the passenger seat of some very faaaaaaaaast and smooth accomplished drivers. Yowza...I am now brain dead and overwhelmed with apexes, tracking in and out as well accelerating when you naturally don't want to (like around turn 11) ...

Now, I know the capabilities of that little sporty car, know much better the limits of it's performance....

Looking forward to getting the chance to learn more and do it again....so I better start saving the $$$ :)

2007-07-28T18:55:00.001-07:00

Bonjurno Papa!

After 2 weeks of living the Vida dolce I learned:

1) Gran fondos begin with incredibly fast speeds. with 199km to go, 30+ MPH just didn't seem to be in my game plan.

2) It's best not to covert Celsius to Fahrenheit. You really don't want to know how hot 41 degrees really is.

3) If you here the word salita it means you are going to be climbing.

4) Pasta is a lifestyle and espresso is a food group.

5) Everyone's Grandma rides a bike.

6) Dolce and Gabbana is national attire.

7) It's wonderful to have such a great friend look after you :) Thank you, Davide!

2007-06-09T21:51:00.001-07:00

WOOD AND 45 DEGREE BANKING:

WOWWWW!!!

Just for fun, I took a little road trip to Carson, CA to participate in women's day at the ADT Home Depot velodrome.

Unlike Hellyer, the track is wood, ony 200 meters and got some steep 45 degree banking. It's a bit intimidating when you stand above and look down but then again, it's just as intimidating when you are on the apron and look up!

The feel of the wood floor is completely different from concrete and oh-so nice. We were drilled that in order to ride at the rail, you need to maintain a certain speed as not to slip.

However once you get going and venture up to the blue line, it all makes good sense. Once I got my courage and speed up, the rail was a must.....Holy moly what a rush. I had a blast.....The hypnotic rhythm of pedaling in circles, the speed and power that flows from the legs is definitely a form of cycling like no other.....I can't wait to go back...

Chucho and Bebo Valdez, Father and Son

2007-05-13T22:39:00.001-07:00

Beauty from hearts to hands

2007-05-02T20:30:00.000-07:00

Colony Collapse Disorder?

Ok, this is strange but it seems a great number of honeybees (drones) are dying off in incredible numbers.

This is not good. As pesty as they are, Bees play an integral role in the food chain to pollinate lots of crops.

Scientists seem to think it is due to a single spore parasite but others want to link it to low level radiation from cell phones etc....

Hmmm.

2007-04-21T21:33:00.000-07:00

If George Harrison raced bikes
he would have been a Velo Bella

2007-04-17T18:43:00.000-07:00

In Case You Watched the Sopranos Last Episode And Wondered what that song was at the very last scene:

http://www.kororaa.com/chickentown.mp3

JOHN COOPER CLARKE: ANOTHER CRAZY F**KIN BRIT

PLEASE DON'T READ IF THE "F" WORD OFFENDS YOU

The fucking cops are fucking keen
To fucking keep it fucking clean

The fucking chief's a fucking swine
Who fucking draws a fucking line
At fucking fun and fucking games
The fucking kids he fucking blames
Are nowehere to be fucking found
Anywhere in chicken town

The fucking scene is fucking sad
The fucking news is fucking bad
The fucking weed is fucking turf
The fucking speed is fucking surf
The fucking folks are fucking daft
Don't make me fucking laugh
It fucking hurts to look around
Everywhere in chicken town

The fucking train is fucking late
You fucking wait you fucking wait
You're fucking lost and fucking found
Stuck in fucking chicken town

The fucking view is fucking vile
For fucking miles and fucking miles
The fucking babies fucking cry
The fucking flowers fucking die
The fucking food is fucking muck
The fucking drains are fucking fucked
The colour scheme is fucking brown
Everywhere in chicken town

The fucking pubs are fucking dull
The fucking clubs are fucking full
Of fucking girls and fucking guys
With fucking murder in their eyes
A fucking bloke is fucking stabbed
Waiting for a fucking cab
You fucking stay at fucking home
The fucking neighbors fucking moan
Keep the fucking racket down
This is fucking chicken town

The fucking train is fucking late
You fucking wait you fucking wait
You're fucking lost and fucking found
Stuck in fucking chicken town

The fucking pies are fucking old
The fucking chips are fucking cold
The fucking beer is fucking flat
The fucking flats have fucking rats
The fucking clocks are fucking wrong
The fucking days are fucking long
It fucking gets you fucking down
Evidently chicken town

John Cooper Clarke

2007-04-16T19:01:00.000-07:00

A LONG WAY GONE

A few months ago I was listening to NPR's Fresh Air when Ishmael Beah was being interviewed.

I listened in amazement. This young man who sounded so genteel an spoke so eloquently had a quite a tale to tell. Not only did he have to deal with civil war in his country, losing his family as a young boy, he was also a victim of being enslaved as a child soldier. At the age of 12 he was carrying an AK-47 and made to kill. He is definitely more than a survivor. He is that one in a million who can overcome such horror, rehabilitate both physically and mentally and flourish to regain his inner good.

I finally picked up his book this past weekend and although it is an amazing story, I find his descriptive writing style very effective in reenacting this tragic time and at times find it very intense.
if you get a chance check it out. It certainly will make you thankful for what you have...

2007-04-15T15:51:00.001-07:00

Vonnegut lives on

cold turkey

2007-04-11T21:40:00.000-07:00

It's amazing what you'll find when you do a bit of surfing....

Kitty gone Mad......click on the photo to get full effect.

2007-04-08T19:20:00.000-07:00

Some things are just worth waiting for

It's been nearly a year since the last season of Sopranos aired. We were left hanging knowing there was one final season.

Well, here we are, episode 1 and in true Soprano form Tony still shows he's not a force to be reckoned with.

One down eight to go, Sundays are gonna be a good for another 8 weeks. Then we gotta kiss it goodbye.

2007-04-06T21:34:00.000-07:00

Life goes on In Kathmandu

September 29, 1986 was my 26th birthday and here I was in Kathmandu with Steve just counting down the days for monsoon season to ease up so we could go back to India. "It's your birthday" Steve says "you can do whatever you want". Hmm I think, well You know how I love all those girly things like beads and bangles and colorful hair ties. Can we go to the Bazaar??? "Of course" he said hoping I would be satisfied with all the local colorful wares. I was in heaven. We ventured down to the local market and took a visit to the bead wallas. There were countless stalls all selling beautiful strands of any and every color bead you would want. I become paralyzed with the color choices. I had to decide what colors I wanted. After this brief stimulation overload, I finally decided on a couple simple colors. Then I had to determine the length. At that point, the elderly shopkeeper took them and wound a beautiful yarn clasp and tie around them in order to take them on and off with ease. Very clever.
Off we went to another stall and I found a few hair decorations I could not resist. Then came the glass bangles. I was in girly heaven. As we walked around the corner, I heard a familiar sound of music blasting from a stall. The song was Waiting in Vain by Bob Marley. Oh how perfect. I had to have the cassette. We would play it over and over again while in the hotel cafe drinking afternoon tea listening to it on their stereo. We sat and ate Apple pie with ice cream, with Bob Marley serenading and played cards. Somehow this birthday seemed so fun.

On our daily walks we would often encounter lots of animals especially dogs. One dog in particular stood out. I would see him almost daily and it seemed like he would acknowledge us too. He was a smallish stout dog, sort of cream colred with reddish ears and in a strange way reminded me off a pig. He had one funky eye and always looked sort of discombobulated. I named him "the Pigdog". After a while I'd call out to the Pigdog and he would take notice yet was to old and lazy to move. I snapped this pic before leaving Katmandhu. For all I know Pigdog was some sort of deity. Well maybe for me.

It was the first week of October and all of a sudden the skies cleared and we could se the surrounding snow covered Himalayas afar in the distance.. It was time. Monsoon was over. We could return to India. I was elated. As much as I enjoyed Nepal, my heart was in India. I had so much to see and experience there. I was ready to go back.

We got our things together, said our goodbyes and flew back to Delhi.

2007-04-06T17:46:00.000-07:00

Onward to Nepal

We had spent the last 2 1/2 months in Kashmir and Ladakh and it felt like to venture back to North India. Given it was only September, It was still monsoon in most of India, so it would be wise to go back to the hills. We flew back to New Delhi, met up with some old friends who lived near the area of Humayoon's tomb. Jim was an American expatriate who lived and worked in Delhi who married Faroza, a beautiful strong willed yet gracious Muslim Indian woman. They had a small child who was cute as a button with a demeanor to match his contagious smile. They lived in a modest rooftop apartment and greeted us with warm hospitality. There was another couple staying with them who had migrated from Afghanistan. The woman had a small infant which was probably only a few moths old. I remember seeing her swathe the baby tightly in cloth almost making him look like a mummy. The baby seemed to like it as it was secure and warm. Apparently this is a traditional ways of baby care but something I had never seen. It made lots of sense to me. I have heard that it has caught on here in the USA. (20 years later)

Our new plan was to head to Nepal, stay until mid October so we could return to India post monsoon. We would make a base in Kathmandu, look up some mutual friends who lived there and take a small trek near the Annapurna circuit. sounded good to me, although I was a bit weary about the trek.

Kathmandu was just how I imagined. Bustling village like city with Asian/Indian style architecture. Darbar Square stood out with it's stone streets and pagoda like towers. The bazaars were brilliantly colored with merchants selling all sorts of fabrics to bootleg western tape cassettes. There were numerous pie shops and it didn't take me long to make the munchie connection. Kathmandu had become a hippie haven in the 1970's. Many people stayed. Steve, his brother and another friend had traveled to India and Nepal in 1969 driving overland in a VW bus through Iran and Afganistan. Yes, it was a classic hippy thing to do and somehow he not only survived it but has numerous tales to tell. Perhaps someday he will write about it....
Anyhow, on his journey in Nepal he helped plant apple trees along the trails to the high Mountain village of Jomson which is the gateway to many treks. The altitude is high and the terrain sparse much like Ladakh. The people are Buddhists. It made sense for us to go there. However this time we had a different kind of plan. We would take a bus to Pokhara about 130 miles, and then take a small prop plane to Pokhara. We would then walk back down to Pokhara a 4-5 day trek and in the tea house along the way. This certainly was going to be EASY compared to the Ladakh adventure. OK I said. Why not?

The plane ride was AMAZING! It was a small plane that sat about 12 people and there were only a few others besides us. As we took off and started gaining altitude, the magnitude of the Himalayas became obvious. We were now flying in between these glorious 20,000 ft. master pieces. I was in awe. Besides being some of the highest mountains, they are also considered the most sacred in the world...At 26, I felt honored to see them.

The trip was short and we landed on some random flat patch in the rustic village of Jomsen. It looked so much like Ladakh. We found a tea house to stay in and gathered our thoughts. sure enough there were Apple trees. The small saplings Steve had helped planted nearly 20 years befrehand had survived and were bearing fruit. He was elated.

We set off the next day. This was night and day from my last trek. There were hundreds of people along the trail and each village had many tea houses restaurants and definitley catered to tourists. I can't imagine what it must be like today (21 years later)...It was a zoo. The tea house had extensive and hilarious menus offering things such as Takoes and Swiss Rosties. The spellings were as humerus as the offerings. Now you know anything ordered was to be some sort of rendition of dal and rice but it was worth the entertainment to see what would come. Takoes?somehow Mexico and Nepal are soooooo far away. :)

With the amount of tourists, the trails and guesthouses (especially outhouses) were not so clean. Oh how I longed for the remote boulders of Ladakh. We proceeded on. As we descended in altitude the terrain became lusher, green and downright tropical. We found our way back to Pokhara. It was quite a letdown compared to the rugged adventure and solitude of Ladakh but it was certainly interesting and wonderful to see the apple trees of Jomson.

We spent a few more days in Pokhara, then headed back via bus to Kathmandu. We were to stay another month.
Since we were to stay that long we negotiated a monthly rate at a Nepali/American hotel that was located a bit out of the city. It was built in the traditional Nepali style. The owners decided to make it into a type of Buddhist retreat with Tibetan artwork/tonkas as well as an extensive library of Buddhist literature. The restaurant served wonderfully clean fare as well. This was the place for us. We had brought our instruments so it seemd like a great place to practice our music. Every day in the afternoon, the rains came down hard. It was like clockwork.

Steve had a friend who lived across the river toward the Swaybunath temple. We called him and visited him regularly. He was also an expatriate American who played Indian music who decided to relocate in Kathmandu. He had an American wife and child who were content living that lifestyle. His life was easy, expenses were low and that worked for them. Through them we met some other crazy musicians who all shared this crazy mentality. One man in particular, Henry stood out. He was a gregarious dark haired German man who had a passion for drumming. He happened to be very close friends with Steve's first cousin which was another one of those 5 degrees of separation. All I know is that the chemistry was good, we all enjoyed playing music, sharing stories and laughing. ah yes, life was easy. There were a lot of crazy expatriates, some who felt a religious inclination to love there. One fellow in particular (I believe he was referred to as FirePit Harry) did his 9-5 thing doing religious pujas and rituals. Go figure!?
To each his own.

One day I decided to venture the walk to Swayambunath. I wanted to climb the steps of the temple and observe the rituals. At the base there are loads of monkeys. I was warned beforehand to be careful as the monkeys are notorious for stealing things (especially food) from unsuspecting tourists. I kept my eyes opened wide. sure enough I saw some monkeys. However it was the tourists provoking them! I thought "hey that's not right" especially here in a religious environment. I proceeded on. As I climbed up towards the shrine, I saw a group of monks playing dice games gambling for money on the premises. "Wait a minute" I'm thinking...Isn't this a holy shrine? where the h*&l an I? I became confused and let down. I t was time to get out of there. As I started to leave the skies became dark and rain was imminent. I had to hurry back to avoid getting soaked. I made but somehow was bit let down by my experience. Oh well, I guess it shows the flaws of being human. I soaked it all in.

It would be some time before we could go back to India.

2007-04-05T18:56:00.000-07:00

The Great Escape from the Moon
Tales from Ladakh Pt. 5

Little did we know this was going to be one hell of a departure. I was exhausted mentally and physically and all I wanted was to return to Kashmir. The sooner the better or so I thought. So when the first Lorrie driver pulled up we were quick to jump. Can you take us back to Kargil? We knew from there we'd have more options for transportation to Srinagar. Sure, for a cost. No problem, we thought. I just want to get out of this moonland.

However there was one glitch. There were 3 people Including the driver inside the cab so the driver insisted that we could join them but had to sit on top of the rooftop cab, exposed to the elements. Whatever, we thought. It will be an adventure. I was literally so spent all I knew was that I wanted to go back to my Kashmir "home". If you have ever seen a typical Indian Lorri you will know that they are substantial trucks that are ornately decorated with a unique decor usually with some sort of religious icon (for safety of course) that is meaningful to the particular driver. There is most always a open air cab on top for extra load or in this case to carry a couple of passengers. I do not recommend it. There is no cushioning, no seat belts or strap downs and besides bumping yourself to and fro the entire way, there is no guarantee you won't go flying out.

Being that the roads were fairly nonexistent, our Sikh Lorri driver made his own way through dirt, rocks and the occasional river crossing. I immediately swathed myself head to toe, wrapped a long scarf around my head only exposing my eyes. It was extremely dusty as our driver careened the open road. The sun beat down relentlessly upon my black scarfed head. I did not say a word. I held on for my life as I bounced all over that truck top. Looking at it all now, I realize that in order to make it through I had naturally went into a state of shock. Literally I said nothing, just absorbed the past 2 weeks. All the while, my brain was frantically replaying all the years of my life beforehand. I vividly recalled minute details from my childhood, various past experiences etc. It was amazing and sort of an epiphany. Steve tried to talk to me, but I was in my zone. I had nothing to say as the pages in my head were turning with great detail. I recall seeing some poor Ladakhi peasants on the side of the road in the heat of the day moving rocks from one side of the road to the other. Their skin was blackened from the harsh sun as there was absolutely no shade to take cover. Were they criminals serving time? What could be any worse penalty than to be forced to do heavy labor in this godforsaken land of rocks and sun..

The Lorri stopped many times. Once to negotiate how he was going to cross a raging river and another as we got a flat tire. I said nothing, just sat and waited. Finally it started getting dark and our driver pulled off the road to look for some acquaintance of his who resided nearby. I suppose it was a truck stop of some sort. The man greeted us. We all got out of the truck and into his stone hovel. An hour passed and he served us some suspiciously looking plate of dal. We ate it as we had no other food but I must admit it could have been infested by worms. It was dark, we were hungry and that's all there was. Now what about sleep? We were instructed to pile back up on the top of the truck. I unfortunately was the Only WOMAN and somehow got stuck between Steve and one of the weird truck drivers. EEEEWWWW, all night that gross man rolled over and would try to grab me. YUCK, he was disgusting. all I could do was wait for morning so we could continue our journey.

Sure enough morning came and we finally rolled out of there. Luck had it, engine troubles so once again we had to wait until another truck came by and see if they could help. Hours past, another Lorri came through and they tried their best to help our driver. But to no avail. finally we asked the new Lorri drivers if we could continue with them and they agreed. Steve and I squeezed into the main cab (5 of us sitting as close as possible) who cares? At least I was inside the cab this time. It was a slow journey back with many stops but we finally got close to Kargil. for some reason we had to wait in this little village while our new driver did some business. I was getting restless now. We weren't far from Kargil which was the original bus stop 1/2 point to Srinigar. There were hotels with hot showers and hot food there. About an hour or so later, we rolled into Kargil. The town I once found dreadful on the journey up to Ladakh now looked like paradise. We collected our thingsd, thanked our drivers and made a b-line for the best looking hotel. We would pay ANYTHING for a warm bed, a hot shower and a good meal. We checked in and hit the showers. I have never been so filthy in my life. I was covered head to toe in dirt, dust and road grime. I have never appreciate being so clean. It felt sinfully wonderful. After Steve did the same we immediately headed for the dining room. Oh My god! They had a Chinese buffet...We ate and ate and ate until we were stuffed and then I think for good measure we had a little more. Food never tasted so good. chicken, meat, noodles, vegetables and hot chili oil. It had been a while and a lot of miles under our feet since we ate so much. We slept like rocks...

The next morning after a big breakfast of course, we set out for transport back to Srinagar. Kargil was a bustling town and there were many options. This was also the day before Eid so may muslims were heading down to Srinagar for the festivities. Eid is one of the holy days of Islam as it is the end of Ramadan Or fasting time. In Kashmir, it is tradtional to sacrifice a lamb.
We happened to find a muslim taxi driver who said we could ride with him to Kashmir. The journey was only 70 miles or so but the roads are unpaved and the shoulders are narrow with steep drop offs. His cab was old, looked minimally maintained and had bald tires. We hopped in. 3- 4 flat tires and half a day later, we finally rolled into Srinagar. I remember feeling so happy to be at home. We would return to see our friends, Mr. and Mrs. Naqueeb and spend a bit of down time at Dal Lake.

2007-04-04T17:43:00.000-07:00

The Moon is Not Made of Swiss Cheese

At least not in Ladakh..Rocks and boulders abound.

Although we tried to convince our guide, Scarpa to continue on our journey, he was adamant about his return and truthfully did not have curiosity to journey into unknown territory. He had never ventured farther than the place he left us and was content not doing so. We thanked him, paid him for his guidance and sadly bid Scarpa adieu.

He left us near a small village which featured a fairly large size monastery. It seem to be one where there were many young students (children). Therefore lots of activity. The was a small lodge that served very basic food and had a floor we could camp out on for the evening. The menu touted eggs but the outcome was sort of a light blue sort of scrambled matter. It did not matter. It had been a week of Yak butter and Black tea, barley, Cadbury chocolate and glucose biscuits from a cylindrical package from a shop in Srinigar. I would pretend I was eating eggs. There were a few other people besides the monks passing through as well. One young man in particular caught our eye. He looked about 19 , strong and sturdy and had a donkey. He wore rubber rain boots and had a sincere demeanor. Steve immediately approached him. Again he spoke no English but in a mishmash of Hindi/Urdu/Bengali and now with a new smattering of Ladakhi words learned from Scarpa he somehow convinced him to join our entourage. His name was Renjin. We were to continue our journey to Zanskar via the Monk photo monastery tomorow. It was time to refuel on the blue egg concoction. It would be more days of hard trekking and a pass or 2 to go.
We set off the next morning with renewed vigor and excited about our new young guide/friend. He certainly did not have the presence nor confidence that Scarpa had but certainly had a youthful sense of adventure that gave him his own personality. We had a large pass to climb that day and came across a Yak herdsman and his Yaks. Julay, Julay we said as we passed each other.
The walk was long and it became late in the day. where would be camp? We were up about 15,000ft or so and it as starting to get late in the day. Just then we saw some activity. It was a group of roaming Yak hearders and they were spending the night in a small stone hovel. As we approached they greeted us warmly. We asked them if we could spend the night with them and they graciously agreed. They cooked up a pot of some sort of Thukpa (Tibetan soup with tsampa noodles) which we happily ate. Steve took turns with the men churning butter from Yak milk and I sat quietly taking in the whole scenario. As darkness set in, we took to our sleeping bags. I keep my pack close to me and forgot that there were a few uneaten Cadbury bars inside. all throughout the night I was awaked by a curious Yak trying to get into my pack. "Shoo" I would say only to find 15 minutes later his return to my pack.. Between that and the loud snoring sounds from out herdsmen and Steve, I did not sleep too well. Next morning we arose, thanked our hosts and head out for another long day.

This day was again longish as we were climbing up towards another pass. After some time the weather became unfavorable. It started raining. We were not prepared for rain. I had a basic poncho and one plastic tarp. What were we to do? If this kept up it would certainly be snowing the higher we went. Just as panic mode was starting to set in, we spotted an abandoned stone hovel the size of a large closet. It must have served as temporary shelter for many a shepherd caught in similar circumstances. We quickly threw our tarp and my poncho over the top to create a roof. The 3 of us squeezed in that's where we spent the next 12 hours. Rain started to pour. Renjin lit a small smokey fire so we could make some tea. None of us knew what was going to happen. We sang songs and drank tea until we were to tired to care. I remember curling up on a small 3 foot rock slab to sleep. It was a hard night but at least we kept warm. The rain stopped and by morning we were ready to forge ahead. As we set out, we had to traverse a small glacier. "wow" I thought, what if we never stumbled across that hut? I guess it was all meant to be.

We walked and walked, stopped for our usual tea and water until we came across another green fertile area that once had a small shack that was a barley mill. It was now abandoned but since a small river ran threw it is was a perfect site for out camp. Just then we saw a large group of 20 or so trekkers come near. They had numerous guides and workers which rode horses with large metal boxes containing dining supplies, all sorts of food and tents. How civilized! Here we were with nothing but 2 sleeping bags, a small tarp and a few basic rations. We immediately felt out of place. Turns out they were a trekking agency from Britain and although they were "roughing it", it seemed super luxurious to us. As they set up camp, we chatted. They were also going to Zanskar. "Great we thought. We can't get lost ". Just then a couple of the trekkers invited us to have tea with them. Of course we accepted. We were really hoping they would invite us for dinner because the thought of tea and champa was getting a wee bit old. Unfortunately they did not. However out of nowhere, a small tent sprouted up near the edge of the encampment. There were 2 Ladakhi men offering to sell us a chicken dinner. We looked at each other and within a split second, said yes. It took an hour or so to cook and truthfully I'm sure it was some sort of vulture we ate as it was sinewy with very little meat, but it was protein!!!! It was better than the alternative. Meanwhile the British folks told us they too were going to the village where the monastery was and afterward their guide promised them a meal of freshly slaughtered lamb. Oh man, the thought of of red meat sounded way to alluring. Perhaps we can tag along Steve and I thought. Hmm. we shall see.

The next morning we set off for what was to be a very very long day. We were low on rations and somehow managed only to consume sugar. We finally made it to the Monastery. It was hot and there was very little shade. We did see the British group butdidn't stop to ask them their itinerary. We wanted to drop off the photographs and hopefully get a chance to sit with the monks. We proceeded towards the monastery and wound our way to a doorway. We were greeted by an elderly man and we gestered to him the purpose of our visit. He then took us to another room where we waited for another elderly monk. The eldest in th photo was also there and he said nothing. The younger of the two then took the box of 8x10's and disappeared. That was it!!! Ha Ha ! No big thank you. No nothing. No invite for tea. Just take em and run...Meanwhile our over imaginative minds had made up all sorts of fun stories. We thought we'd be invited in for tea and perhaps get a tour of this famous monastery. NOPE. Just a lesson in humbleness. Detachment. Time to move on....

Now we were ready for that lamb fest, but the British folks were nowhere to be found. what to do??? Just set off towards Padum, Zanskar out final destination. Well I don't know if it was the lack of nutruition or the let down of the photo delivery episode, but we grew tired. somehow we lost the trail. We were now walking over huge rocks and boulders getting more tired as time went on. We were out of water. The direct sun pounded hard upon our skin. All I wanted to do was lay down and take a nap. No, Steve would not let me. We must walk...It started to get dark, we had no idea where we were but somehow managed to find a trail. I was getting delirious. all I wanted to do was rest but Steve was not going to let me. At one point, a couple of monks walked past us. I cried out but they ignored us. Then a beautiful young Ladakhi woman with full attire including the traditional headdress with chunks of turquoise stones rode past us on a horse. did I hallucinate that? Even Renjin was tired. He too, was lost. we had no choice to walk on as a village was bound to be somehere ahead. Then Steve spotted a man. Renjin spoke to him and told him we were lost and could we take shelter at his home. He was a saint. He gladly took us to his place where he served us tea and I immediately passed out. a couple hours later he brought as dal and rice which seemed like a plate of gold. We ate heartily and fell asleep with full bellies.
We woke the next day but I was still tired. I had enough. I was spent and needed nourishment. Steve and I talked and decided that since we made it to Zanskar we had 2 choices. Continue a bit farther to Padum (our original destination) or find the first transport out and head back to Srinagar. I was a wreck. I wanted to go back to Srinagar, drink tea and see our friends. I was tired. So, the next day we headed out towards the biggest dirt trail/road and waited for a sikh driving truck. sure enough one drove up and we inquired if we could a hitch a ride to Kargil. Sure they said and this was the beginning of a wild 2 days..........

2007-04-03T18:41:00.000-07:00

Finding the ways of the Moon

Up and Up we walked. It became a sort of walking meditation.Each one of us finding our own pace. I like to count rhythms in my head keeping the beat with my body and breath. I sang songs and listened to the music inside my head (these were days long before the I-pod) as I took each step climbing higher and higher and the oxygen became thiner and thiner. I looked around in wonderment. .

I usually was the first to ascend a pass as Scarpa had to tend with the donkey and Steve was not so cardiovascularly inclined. At the tops of all the Ladakhi passes, there are always many strands of prayer flags mostly torn and faded from the elements they endure over the extreme seasons. Om Mani Padme Hum. Apparently the Tibetan Buddhists believe that viewing the mantra is as powerful as reciting it, so you will find the mantra written on prayer flags, etched in stones used as Mani walls that are all along these ancient roads. Another common site is a chorten or stupa which is a Buddhist monument symbolically shaped to represent earth, water, fire and enlightenment.

We stopped, Scarpa made tea. Go figure? I don't know if you have ever tried, but there is certainly an art to making a fire at 16,000+ feet without camp stoves etc. Just Yak dung and a lighter. Simplicity. It takes time for water at these altitudes so patience is mandatory. Let's just hope the weather holds..

This time it did. Again we walked and walked and walked until we finally came upon a beautiful green fertile hamlet. This is where we were to spend the night.
Scarpa went up ahead to see if he could find a local and ask them if we could crash on their roof and/or property.

This should have been an omen. As Steve and I walked down towards the village, 3 young Ladakhi ladies dressed in tattered layered garments with thick double platted braids quickly approached us. They obviously had not seen to many foreigners. They circled me and examined my silver Tibetan bracelets I had bought while in Leh. They touched my rings and motioned for me to take them off...Ah no I thought, these are going NOWHERE. After about 5 or more minutes, we realized their precociousness and somehow shooed them away.

Meanwhile Scarpa had luck finding a woman who was happy to get some $$ for us to stay. "Great" we thought, we'll get a good night's rest before the next long day's journey. Ha ha ha...As we settled in and started making our tsampa black tea followed by tsampa Yak butter tea, the lady of the house decides to eat. In this particular household dish washing was not a habit. In fact to clean her bowls, she simply stuck out her tongue and licked it clean only to be put back on her shelf. " Ahh good thing we brought our own mugs" Steve and I both thought as we gazed at her and then each other. This is going to be interesting.

As the evening progressed visitors arrived. One man in particular stood out as he was large and apparently a few sheets to the wind. The woman of the house brought out the Chang (local firewater made from what else? fermented barley)...Oh man a full out heat on was to occur. They offered Steve a sip and he graciously had one but I knew better. That whole night the already inebriated man morphed into a full on flat out drunken mess. He was yelling and carrying on and the others in tow. At some point, I crept into my sleeping bag doing my best to pretend I wasn't there and hoped they forgot me as well. All I remember was Steve doing the same cuddling up close to me. At some point during the night I heard noises and the drunken man must have left.

The next day we awoke and as fast as possible got back on the road. Steve later confessed to me he had a hard time sleeping as he thought that we were in such a perfect position for the drunken man to have robbed and killed us. No one would have ever known where we were etc.
Wow, that never crossed my mind, but given the facts of the seemingly low level of education and sanitation, as well as interest in what material goods we had this thought wasn't to outrageous. Nonetheless we got out and on our way...

More passes we trekked, and finally we reached the place where Scarpa was to stop and return back to his family in Lamayuru. We were on our own. Steve thought we could find another guide and it should not be a problem. well it wasn't as easy as that.

We had another week left to our destination of Zanskar. We were on a mission to deliver some beautiful 8x10 photographs of the monks of a famous monastery given to us by our friends in Srinagar. Turns out the woman who took the photos was from San Anselmo, CA the same town we had lived before embarking on our India journey. She had been there the year before, took the photos and then sent them back to our friends in Kashmir. It seemed fate that we should deliver them to the monks. "Great" we have an a mission! It is meant to be. what a weird coincidence to have gotten these photos.
We anticipated the delivery and presenting them to the monks. One in particular looked quite elderly and one would assume a wise sage.

In the meantime, we must find another guide.....

2007-04-02T20:00:00.000-07:00

Walking on the Moon PT. 2

We set off on Day 1 of our journey across the mountains.
The sky shone brilliant blue with scatterings of puffy clouds, the sun beat down strong on our skin. 12,000+ ft and above tree line there is little shade to be found. The landscape is incredibly barren, boulders and rocks strewn everywhere yet there is a unique beauty in its serenity. We walked for hours not seeing another soul following the old silk road trails. We trudged through dried up riverbeds, along sheer cliffs all en route to our first day's destination. After a full day of walking we arrived in a small village which was home to some relatives of our guide, Scarpa. We were pooped. Unbeknown to us, this would be our first and only "luxurious" day. We were warmly greeted by the relatives and taken in to there home where we were given tea and invited to share a meal. We sat, we drank, we ate, and played with the children all the while taking in the Ladakhi language and deciphering the meanings. It's amazing how through some common threads of various languages, hand signals and expressions we can all communicate. It was a good day and a good night sleep was definitely in store.

The next day we awoke, had out breakfast and bid our gracious hosts adieu.
We walked and walked. You learn quickly how to read the landscape. what to spot and listen for to look for a spring for water. since there are very free trees and shrubs, you learn to collect Yak dung for fuel. We traveled sparsely. We had no extras. Everything got used and re-used. Our guide, Scarpa like most Ladakhis was extremely resourceful. After we used up a can of condensed milk it became out ladle for the entire trip. A discarded plastic ramen bag left by a past group of trekkers became his wallet. Nothing gets wasted. Hmm, I thought we could be a bit more resourceful back home. I imagined if I could transport a Ladakhi and place them in a huge Western Grocery store what would they think????
We reached that's days destination and camped out in a small oasis. A group of school children walked past our campsite stopped and shared their homework written on a small slate chalkboard. We smiled, we laughed as we shared words. what a wonderful day. Time to make a fire, eat some barley and go to bed. We had many days ahead.

The more we walked, the more remote it became. Villages were few and far between. The landscape seemed like an endless range of mountains, rocks. The Indus River would appear and at times we had to cross. Icy water, bare feet and a steady gate. The next night we came across a small house with a few animals. Scarpa negotiated with the woman of the house to let us crash on her rooftop. I was tired and suddenly became itchy all over my arms and legs. Eeek, I cou'ld sleep. I was not interested in eating the bit of bad quality basmati rice Scarpa had brought to cook. The woman sold us some Yak milk cheese which didn't sound appealing to me. I couldn't sleep. all I could do was try not to itch...Holy s^&t. Here I was smack in the middle of nowhere, no doctors, no medicine to relieve the itch. What happened? Why was neither Steve of Scarpa itching? Did I get some crazy bacteria? Will it go away? all I could do was curl up, look at the brilliant night sky and focus on the journey. I must let it be. It will pass. Unfortunately it lingered for about a week, but somehow I just dealt. Later I met a European fellow who complained of the very same thing. Turned out we both were bitten by fleas and just have a crazy reaction. Most of the rooftops we stayed had animals and fleas were rampant.. I had forgotten how ultra sensitive I am regarding insect bites...

Next day was to be a doozy. We were to ascend one of the 16,000 ft passes. It would be a long journey upward along the shale trails winding around to the summit.

TBC

2007-04-01T16:35:00.000-07:00

Adventures in Moonland Pt. 1

Sometimes I reflect and think back upon the year I spent (21 years ago) in India and Nepal. And what a fantastic year it was. Nothing but adventure immersing in such diverse cultures all the while trying to fit in as respectfully as possible. I had few responsibilities, my whole life ahead and was ready to experience life in the Eastern cultures. Prior to the trip I had spent the past 10 years studying Indian classical music and culture so I was more than ready to embrace and absorb the experience. We (my ex husband and I) had a plan...since we'd be arriving in June and that was the time of monsoon, it was smart to head to the hills. So after a week in Delhi, getting acclimated and making connections with friends, we were off to Kashmir. We chose to fly as the Punjab was still a bit tense since since the siege upon the Golden Temple in 1984.

In Kashmir, I easily fit in yet at times got many strange looks as I got away with certain activities local women could not. Srinagar and all of Kashmir were on the the brink of political unrest. Most of the population is Muslim and therefore pro Pakistan anti Hindu and the locals were very vocal. For the most part things were as usual but a few days we had to lay low as there was a "bund" or public strike. Everything closed down and we were warned to stay indoors. Just a few years later Islamic militants would make frequent attacks in the area. I feel so fortunate to have been able to stay there before all that.

It was time for a real adventure and head into unchartered territory. Off to Moonland AKA Ladakh. Geographically Tibet, but politically India it has always been a bit sensitive since it borders on both Pakistan and China. Since it is officially India, the Buddhists have been left alone and all the monasteries are intact. It isn't an easy region to get to as altitudes are 12,000 ft and above. The people are a hearty lot who have adapted to the harshest conditions but somehow thrive. The Buddhist monasteries are the focal point of each village/town/hamlet and are all still thriving and at this point probably huge tourist attractions. Back 20+ years ago, the region had just re-opened to foreigners so there were some organized tours in the area. We were on our own (and that was unusual). As far as trekking, we saw NO other loners, just a few organized groups from the UK.

We were young, naive and crazy. Through maps and books, we decided we wanted to trek across the mountains, walk along the ancient silk routes, as well as climb and pay homage to the holy monasteries. We had a 2 week trek in mind going from Lamayuru to Padam, Zanskar.. All good to me. :) We were young, strong and infallible. We were to do it ourselves with the help of a local guide. I had no idea how intense the elements were at these altitudes, I had never been so high up but it wouldn't have mattered if I did. I knew I could do it. Ignorance was bliss.... So, while In Kashmir, we got a name of a local Ladakhi man who we were told MIGHT be able to guide us on a 2 week trek across the mountains to our final destination. We were certain he would abide.

It took 2 days to traverse 270 miles in an antiquated Indian bus over the Srinigar Leh highway. Besides the fact that this bus was haphazardly maintained as it slowly trudged up and careened down along narrow winding dirt roads, we were constantly stopped by army convoys which made the long trip even longer. Then comes the overnight stop in Kargil which was nothing that I can remember as being spectacular. I just wanted to get to Leh and off that dreaded death mobile. As the decrepit bus finally made it's way to the 12,oooft capitol of Ladakh, I was tired but elated. The town is beautiful..the old palace rises above the city and behind that high on a steep rocky crag lies the monastery. The town below is fertile green with spring water channels running along the paths. We spent a week acclimating and plotting our oncoming excursion. I felt fine at 12,000 ft but my ex was not so lucky. It took him several nights of sleep apnea to finally come around. It was time to make the journey to Lamayuru....We were told by our Kashmiri friends that the way to get to Lamayuru was to head to the local truck stop and pay the sikh truck drivers to let you accompany them en route to there deliveries. Sure enough a couple of friendly Sardars gladly took us on. The adventure was about to begin.. After a number of hours driving in the Sikh's Lorri over the dusty dirt high mountain roads speaking a jumble of Hindu/Bengali/Urdu and English to a couple of Sikh truck drivers, I'm sure they thought we were crazy Americans. Why would we want to come up to this vast moonland on our own accord??
ah good question, but hard to explain with a bit of a language barrier. Nonetheless, they dropped us off at the only teahouse in the small town of Lamayuru where we were off to find Scarpa. We were told he was the local postman and often traversed the old trade routes delivering mail. Seemed logical to ask him to take us along....After about an hour of
explaining in our new dialect of Bengali/Urdu/Hindi/English with a new smattering of Ladakhi words, we somehow found him. We approached his home which was located on a steep cliff just underneath the cliffs which the Monastery dwell. His home was a typical Ladakhi mud hut, dirt floors yet clean where the kitchen was the focal point. Unfortunately venting is somewhat non existent and smoky kitchens are the norm. As we sat drinking Yak butter tea, we tried to explain our request. somehow after a few hours of communicating via our language blends and maps, he got it! He agreed however only to taking us halfway to our destination. From what we could disseminate, he had only gone that far and wasn't interested in exploring any farther. Ok, we agreed. Steve and I figured we could find another guide at that point and continue on. After all, this was an adventure....
That night was spent upon the rooftop of our guides home. I shall never forget laying in the sleeping bag staring at the brilliantly lit sky with no wires or lights to distract. Just the silhouette of the monastery above highlighted by a billion illuminated stars. Shooting stars were abundant. Satellites circled the sky. I had no idea there was this much activity. I had never slept so high. This was the rooftop of the world. It was quite a show and coupled with the excitement of our impending journey, it was difficult to sleep. We watched the night show in awe and finally fell out.

Morning came. It was time to get ready to go. We were the minimalist trekkers. All we brought with us was sleeping bags, warm clothes, water purification tablets, canteens, lighter, Cadbury chocolate bars and glucose biscuits bought in India, tin cups, black tea, sweetened condensed milk in cans and a Swiss army knife. We thought we could get provisions along the way and basically live like Ladakhis. And that we did.....

12 days, a number of passes above 16,ooo ft all to come.
To be continued.....................

2007-03-30T20:39:00.000-07:00

George Harrison said it well:

Im living in the material world
Living in the material world

Cant say what Im doing here
But I hope to see much clearer,
After living in the material world

I got born into the material world
Getting worn out in the material world
Use my body like a car,
Taking me both near and far
Met my friends all in the material world

Met them all there in the material world
John and paul here in the material world
Though we started out quite poor
We got richie on a tour
Got caught up in the material world

From the spiritual sky,
Such sweet memories have i
To the spiritual sky
How I pray
Yes I pray
That I wont get lost
Or go astray

As Im fated for the material world
Get frustrated in the material world
Senses never gratified
Only swelling like a tide
That could drown me in the
Material world

From the spiritual sky,
Such sweet memories have i
To the spiritual sky
How I pray
Yes I pray
That I wont get lost
Or go astray

While Im living in the material world
Not much giving in the material world
Got a lot of work to do
Try to get a message through
And get back out of this material world

Im living in the material world
Living in the material world
I hope to get out of this place
By the lord sri krsnas grace
My salvation from the material world
Big ending

2007-03-25T20:05:00.000-07:00

Sometimes things just do go as planned...........

or as John Lennon said so wisely "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."

It seems like I've been experiencing a lot of that lately.

Today was one such day.

It's been a good year and a half since I had a bad crash which left me with two broken bones, one that was a stickler to heal. This immediately took me out of racing and hardcore training which at that time, I had thrown myself into full force..At first I was antsy but anxiously awaited the 9-12 weeks to return. Things just didn't go as planned. My wrist didn't heal and surgery seemed like the only viable option. This meant at least 3 more months to recover. It turned out to be 6. Patience...I was sad, I couldn't walk past my bikes without wanting to cry. I kept telling them and me "Soon".
Finally this past June, I got the OK and I've been back on the bike, building back my fitness, enthusiasm and desire to race. Don't get me wrong, as long as I am able, I will always ride my bikes as the joy and freedom I get from that means the world to me. I have pedaled thousands and thousands of miles, in various countries up and down mountains, kinesthetically feeling the roads, sweating and breathing in the sights.

But RACING? That's just a whole other ballgame. I told myself I will return and see how it goes. Well, so far this season, it's been a lesson in patience.

First race, Cantua...I flat blew up..I spent tons of energy on the first lap that I just died during the second. To be expected nonetheless, I was disappointed. Then came Snelling. First lap, chain drops, I chase to get back but just can't regain. then the luck of the Tack Attack. Not one but 2 flat tires due to come crazed "non" fan of cycling who thought sprinkling the road with gold thumbtacks would be funny. HaHa!
Ok, I said to myself, time to work harder. I've been slacking.

Today Berk Hills TTT, it seemed like a good way to test my fitness and I signed up to ride Co-ed with a male acquaintance I know from my work who I've seen at quite a few of the races. I didn't have unreal expectations as far as winning but was looking forward to working as hard as I could and getting a decent placing. Last Sunday we met on the course, rode through it a couple of times and made plans to meet at the course. Well, I arrived a good 2 1/2 hours before our start time so I could register, adequately warmup and do all those pre race rituals that we all have. I go to registration and am told I can't get my number without my partner being there. So I wait. Fortunately I am parked with the reg table in my full view, so I set up my trainer, start getting the warm up all the while keeping my eagle eye on that reg tent..Time is passing. Sweat is happening. Partner is NOT showing. No phone calls. HMMM...will he show??? I go twice to the reg tent, and even ask if there is anyone who is in search of a partner. At this point, I'll ride it with anyone. I just want to go!!!! 10:20, TT partner is still truant, so I bail. I did get a ride in as I met up with a Berkeley friend but it was certainly no TT effort. Oh well, Patience......At least I was able to ride. something I couldn't do at one point.

Patience, I have been challenged with this in many aspects lately. However, I will continue to forge ahead and keep the big picture in mind.

2007-03-01T20:37:00.000-08:00

No not the parrots of Telegraph Hill...............It's the crows of the Polo fields..

A few days back, in between seeing clients, I set out to Golden Gate park to do a little tempo work around the paved oval at the Polo Fields. There are few people there midmorning during the week so it's a great place to be able to pick up the speed without cars, stop signs and the lot. It's sort of a paved velodrome without the banking.

Usually during the week there is a handful of elderly Asian folks practicing Tai chi as well as going through a plethora of stretches contortions and exercise rituals. Sometimes a few brave souls will be walking around the track (why they don't enjoy the beautiful dirt trails and roads instead baffle me) but nonetheless they walk. Occasionally there are a few lowkey knee sock wearing recreational cyclists riding in circles as well.

So on this particular day, I have started my 1st interval and as I round turn 1, I see a woman on a bike holding a large dog coming in my direction. I immediately go wide around them and hope that they will be gone when I return to that spot. Sure enough they were just passing through but then I notice a nice pile of dog @#%$. Fortunately she curbed him next to the inside fence so every lap I knew to stay clear...

A few laps later, I am on the straightaway to turn 3 I see a large man with a dog. He is holding one of those tennis ball throwing tools that look like a long ice cream scooper. I think "Oh jeeze- hope he throws that ball thing out to the grass". As I come up to them, I can't help but notice this man who is probably in his late 60's cause he has a big Santa like belly, white beard and long ponytail pulled back. Besides the ice cream scoop looking thing he has a satchel around his buddha belly. Then I look up to the fence and see about 40-50 big black crows watching his every move. "This is going to fun" I think.
Sure enough every lap, between throwing the ball to the dog he's hand feeding these burly looking birds and they'd dive bomb down to the pavement in search of every missed crumb. At this point, I've got my HR up and am not going to slow down for these gnarly parrot wannabee's...It becomes a sort of bicycle shooting gallery as they seem to wait until the last minute to fly off before I approach. "Whatever" I think and proceed on my mission. Somehow, Grandpa Crow has somehow managed to move these birds methodically around the track. They are now on turn 2 and I see his dog curiously checking out poop from dog 1. I'm thinking "Is he going to do numerous laps with these big black squawking critters? Please let it be over. " My interval is done, I can slow down and ant this point can actually make eye contact and somewhat smile to Grandpa Crow. Apparently his feeding/throwing interval is over with too. I have one more but fortunately he's done...

I'm sure he was thinking equally strange thoughts about me on the pink bike pedaling circles, over and over, with a snotty nose and grimaced face aiming towards those damn crows...
to each his own, we share the Polo Fields :)

2007-02-14T21:31:00.000-08:00

"We are NOT Arabs....We are Persian"

This is a common statement heard in an Iranian household..I heard it many times as a child, all the while not really understanding it. I thought I was American. After all, I was born here and my Mom is Italian American, I spoke English and all my friends were some sort of American mixture of various races and religions. Besides that, 40 years ago most Americans didn't even know where Iran was or anything about it's rich culture. Nonetheless, my father insisted.."We are not Arabs, We are Persian"....At that time there were very few Iranians living in the USA and my Dad knew most of them. Occasionally he would have "boys night" where His Persian cronies would congregate for a night of poker and partying. I learned quick to lay low during these events as one particular friend "Farouk" took great pleasure in pinching my cheeks with his large hands whenever he saw me, telling me how cute I was. All the while my face would go numb and I was writhing in pain. From then on, when he came over I ran to my room... Then there were the festive events such as Norooz (Persian New Year), where my folks would throw an Iranian bash. My Dad would cook all the delicacies and the parties were filled with all sorts of Persian friends and relatives. The room would resonate with sounds of Farsi and English with lots of laughter and merriment. Lots of Good food, wine, Persian music and hospitality.

Then when I was 11, a family moved into the neighborhood who spoke Farsi.. They were Armenians who had migrated to Iran and the children were born and raised there. There was a daughter my age and she became the closet to a Persian friend that I had. We easily bonded. Even though I was more "American", I felt at home in her house. Upon entering her house, one would encounter that wonderful aroma of aromatic spices that only a Persian household has. The kitchen cabinets were filled with exotic spices and food stuffs from Iran. The refrigerator had yogurt, kashk and other Persian goodies. We played games, talked about boys, ate pistachios imported from ancient trees, dried mulberries (toot) and if we were lucky someone sent Gaz (a nougat candy) form the old country. We made strong black Turkish coffee with sugar and she would read our fortunes in the dark grounds left in the demitasse afterwards. Life was good. She would teach me Armenian phrases and we would boss around her younger sister who was 10 years junior.

She had had talked about going to Iran for the summer and asked me to join her. I really wanted to go. So I asked my Dad and he said no. Even though this was during the Shah's regime and Tehran was quite cosmopolitan, he expressed a fear. but why? At that time Iranian women were educated. Many were attorneys, judges, as well as had other careers. But he was stern and insisted it might not be a good idea. "They can keep your passport and put you into the Army". That's all I remember as his reasoning..."You are an Iranian citizen".. As my father was an attorney and even did legal work for the Persian consulate, I could not argue. someday I thought, when I grow up.

A few years passed, I became a teenager and my friend and I went to different high schools. We slowly drifted apart as our interests changed. Then came the Revolution. Ayatollah Khomeini's reign began. The country quickly digressed and became a fundamentalist environment. Persians fled and the ones with lots of wealth migrated to Europe and/or California. Other stayed and endured the changes. All of a sudden, there was a large growing Persian community here. At one point, The only Farzan's in the phone book were my relatives. Now there are many. Iran is now an American household word. Unfortunately not for it's good things (education, culture, art poetry, music, textiles and artisans) but perhaps someday that will change. It's kind of funny how my heritage which was relatively unknown to most Americans is now associated with the Axis of Evil and terrorism. Oh well, that will hopefully change.

BTW- Most Iraqi's are Arab.

2007-02-01T19:58:00.000-08:00

2007-01-26T20:31:00.000-08:00

You're ON NOTICE...........

2007-01-13T18:55:00.000-08:00

Oh What Fun............

Over the last month Olaf Vanderhoot and the Queen B have been organizing VB training rides. Each one with a specific goal in mind. Considering the fitness/experience/and genetic freak factor ranges and differences of my teammates, so far it has been quite successful in accommodating all of us.

It's been wonderful for me (having had the year off due to injuries and life's other plans) to be able to learn from the elites, be inspired by the strong and get tutoring/motivation from the racing savvy Safeway crew. This is exactly why I joined this team. To learn how to race and ride as a team!!

Besides we all sharing a love for cycling, pushing ourselves to be better, everyone on the team (including the Velo Fellas) don't forget about those of us who are newer to the sport and how important it is to drill the skills, practice the pacelines, work on the accelerations etc.
Today's event put us into three groups, all riding Tempo, trading pulls and all keeping in mind to work together and stay safe. Oh what fun. The weather along the coast was crisp and clear..

Much thanks to Olaf, PAB, Zsa Zsa (who gave me a push) and Jen C who runs a tight ship on the pacelines :)

Tomorrow: Crit course pt. 2.... and my teammates are faaaaaaaaaaaast. I can only aspire to hang on.

2007-01-07T19:05:00.000-08:00

Another stellar winter day:

Crisp and clear, the day beckoned an Alpine Dam Mt. Tam ascent. The lungs and legs not only complied but seemed happy to make the morning journey. Joined by a couple of East Bay accomplices, the ride was quite a treat.

2007-01-01T19:04:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year....

Well, so far so good.

While many Americans were nursing their hangovers, consuming meat by products, and watching bowl games, Elmo led a select few muppets on a 100 mile fixed gear ride to Pt. Reyes Lighthouse.

Being the weakest link in the group (three studly young men all under age 30 coupled with our fearless hammerhead leader), I was a bit concerned that I might not be able to hang with the pace. Some of those West Marin climbs are relentless but the best thing about the Fixie is there are no options. Just pedal..........Elmo made sure I never dropped back to far..I guess that gun came in handy.
Nonetheless, the weather could not have been more cooperative, the sky was clear and blue, the views were spectacular and my compadres delightful. Much fun was had by all.

2006-12-26T21:15:00.000-08:00

"When the Power of Love Overcomes the Love of Power the world will know Peace" -
Jimi Hendrix

I came across that quote on the wall at Glide Memorial church on Xmas day and it really struck a chord.. It had been a few years since I volunteered during the holidays so this year I felt long overdue.

Every morning I am reminded of the grim reality of the down and out as I ride my bike commute to work. As I head down Golden Gate Ave past the Federal Building each morning around 6:30 am, I see the folks rising from their blankets and cardboard, forming lines at St. Anthony's for a meal and the overall feel is truely sickening. Sure many of them are doped out and/or have severe mental illness and are so far gone that chances are miniscule that they will ever survive a life off the street. But there are others as well in the mix....Seems like way to many.

For a while each morning I was greeted by 2 men on the corner " Hi biker Lady" which at first took me by surprise but I immediately waved and smiled. Hmm, I haven't seen those guys in a while. I'll take a look tomorrow.

2006-12-22T18:39:00.000-08:00

Holiday Cheer?

Not so sure what these guys are drinkin' or doin' but they look like they have the holiday spirit and are happy to flaunt it. Nonetheless it has nothing to do with my post but I'm sure the eye candy will be appreciated by some of the other bloggers...

Ah yes,
It's Xmas time: Not necessarily my favorite time of year. I guess because I'm not so religiously oriented, consumer consumed, or particularly fond of darkness and cold weather, I don't really get all excited by the hoopla. Although there is one thing I do look forward to....

*******MOVIES*******

There are always a slew of movies that are released at this time vying their last chance at Academy Award contention. I will admit I am a huge fan of seeing movies on the big screen so this time of year is my chance!! Not to mention having a bit more time due to the holiday slowness of work...

This evening I saw the Pursuit of Happyness...... Definitely a tearjerker but an overall feel good flick. I'm sure the true story has been streeeeeeetched by Hollywood but hey that's the movies.. Nonetheless, Will Smith's son Jayden was FANTASTIC. This youngster obviously has acting in his genes and should get a lot of recgognition for his role. There was never a moment where he was out of character. Bravo.

Manana: The Good Shepherd. How can DeNiro, Damon, and Jolie steer us wrong?
Other gotta sees:
Blood Diamond (prepared for violence)
Apocalypto ( curious on Mel's Mayan take)
Letters From Iwo Jima (Clint's Japanese perspective)
Night at the Museum (hey, got to see some silly ones too)
Volver (Almadovar is so over the top)
Babel (Brad Pitt?!)

I duuno, thats a lot of flicks I got on my list. We shall see ;)

2006-12-18T22:10:00.000-08:00

Strapped for time? Bad weather got you down? Is it time to add a few intervals to your workout but just not motivated?

How about doger-vals the indoor model? We've all encountered the outdoor kind....and hey it works. why not take indoors? 3 installments @ $29.95.

Guaranteed to get your HR pumping in no time flat.....

2006-12-15T20:12:00.000-08:00

A Little R&R is good...............

I couldn't pass up a free trip to Hawaii for 9 days. ( I know poor me) but when I got the opportunity to teach a couple of instructor workshops and classes for a week on the Big Island, I couldn't say no.
80+ degrees and sunshine is my kind of weather and this mediterrean blood is at home.

It was a well needed break, but now it's back to reality...well at least for now. I think a tropical relocation may be in the future.

2006-12-01T22:03:00.000-08:00

No words necessary...................

2006-11-29T20:30:00.000-08:00

I was sent this image today and the message said it reminded him of me....

hmmm

maybe , but I wear a helmet :)

Johnny Cash Tribute

2006-11-27T20:10:00.001-08:00

I came across this the other day and enjoyed.

2006-11-25T22:21:00.000-08:00

I learned that lesson early at the age 8... in 1968... That year not one, but two prominent leaders who dedicated themselves to making changes in this time of agitation were gunned down. The word assassination was added in my ever growing vocabulary.

The first eye opener was the death of Dr. Martin Luther King. My parents were strong supporters of Civil Rights and I was brought up in the liberal minded environment of San Francisco. My father was an immigrant who came to America for a new life. My mother wanted to be a part of social change.

Just a few months later, I sat watching the California primary on the television with my father. We were excited (like so many other Americans) to see Robert Kennedy take the lead and win the Democratic nomination. I recall the elation in my household as it now seemed there was hope for the future....Then in a matter of minutes there was chaos. I remember watching the TV as they showed Kennedy laying in blood, the newsman shockingly announcing he had been shot. I then ran upstairs to tell my mother who had been washing our dinner dishes what had happened. I'll never forget her following me downstairs to the TV and she started to cry. I was only 8 but it sure seemed clear to me that if someone nonconventional became to powerful , boom..bye bye.

It was a crazy time of political unrest, the world as I was intoduced to it, was restless and demanding:
The long and drawn out Vietnam War, the rise and fall of MLK, the curse of the Kennedy clan, Lyndon and Ladybird Johnson, Nixon and his antics, Huey Newton and the Black Panthers, Race Riots in Watts, desegregation, Timothy Leary, Turn on Tune in and Drop out, Hippies, Yippies, Woodstock, Feminism, Gloria Steinem, Malcom X, Mohammed Ali, Flower Power, Summer of Love, Cesar Chavez (no grapes were bought at our house), Lenny Bruce, Smothers Brothers, Redd Foxx, Andy Warhol, Bob Dylan and The times they are a changin', Gurus from India, Meditation, Carlos Castenada in search of Don Juan and the brujo, Ken Kesey, Merry Pranksters, the British Invasion, Sympathy for the Devil, Govenor Ronald Reagan, NASA and their race to have an American on the moon............

Life before the internet, cellphones, MTV, going postal, ADD, portable GPS devices, Blackberries, Bluetooth, Game boys, playstations and reality TV.

No, Seeing Bobby Kennedy's assassination was the first reality TV I viewed.
Nonetheless, I still look ahead, laugh and ride my bikes as much as possible. All in all, appreciate every day for what it is.

2006-11-18T17:34:00.000-08:00

I FINALLY GOT OFF MY A**

and made the pilgramage to the Hellyer velodrome. I've been thinking about it ever since I bought my fixed gear bike but somehow couldn't factor in the time/energy on a Saturday to drive down from San Francisco to San Jose. Especially since I can just ride out from my house and in 20 minutes be at the Golden Gate Bridge where I have many biking options to choose from.

Well today was the day, and WOW it was fun. Every Satuday (rain and special events excluding) they hold a beginning track session. This is a great way to get aquinted with the track, it's rules and regulations as well as get reaquainted with group riding in an organized format.

After a brief discussion of the meaning of the various lines and names of the areas, we were instructed on when to be in the various lanes. We were given a series of exercises and eventually broke into small groups. I had a slight disadvantage as I stupidly didn't change out my road training gearing and had a very small gear hence had to hold high RPM's to keep up witht the 85 inch gears. Nonetheless, I held my own and at one point managed to see 156 rpms on my cycle computer...

Fortunately I've been riding the hell out of my fixed gear so the basics of non coasting are pretty well ingrained in my body. One other gentleman today was not so lucky. As he was sprinting to the line he lunged out on his bike and must have forgotten not to pedal. All I heard was boom and moaning. He hit the deck and hit it hard...A few bones he did break. This certainly put a reality check back...Wow, it only takes one error...

Nonetheless, I will go back. Hopefully make it a regular training day. It certainly would be nice to have a velodrome in San Francisco. I know, I've heard the rumors about one being built for years...will it ever happen? Hmmm if the 49ers are looking outside, I doulbt a velodrome has any serious contention here. but hey ya never know!

2006-11-13T18:22:00.000-08:00

Sacha Baron Cohen is in Da HOUSE.........

Everyone is talking about the Borat movie. It's hilarious. Even folks you'd think would never go to this type of film are going. His humor vasolates on the shocking edge to downright silly. No one goes away unscathed and I hear Kazakhstan isn't to happy with him...But aparrently the choice of using Kazakhstan was just a random pick at the Atlas. Little did they know how much coverage they would get!

This guy is a genius. His ability to get in character and not flinch is outstanding. Sacha Baron Cohen was raised a middle class orthodox Jew, a graduate of Cambridge University and wrote his thesis on Jewish involvement in the American civil rights movement...

Go figure? How'd a nice Jewish boy beome AliG? I suppose he realized his talent and impact would be best utilized within the crazy characters he plays... oh yes,
We can't forget about Bruno.. word is out that the Bruno film is next.

Can't wait.

2006-11-05T12:04:00.000-08:00

OK, where the heck have I been??

Up until yesterday I had never ventured via bicycle past the sleepy West Marin town of Inverness. Even though at times I ride the 100+ mile distances, exploring this area never crossed my mind. But to my good fortune, I was advised by the "Master of Bicycle Muppetry" to take a long ride and try tackling Pierce Point which would give me 100 -110 miles of riding. "Great" I thought,"it's good to explore some new territory"....So I set off early Saturday am to meet a cycling friend in Fairfax who was game to ride in a new location too. On our way to Pt. Reyes Station, we encountered all the "usual suspects" of racers and seasoned regulars flying up and down the hills. I was content to keep our pace on the mellower side given the amount of miles I was about to do.
Just outside of Point Reyes, we turned off on Sir Francis Drake and headed out to Inverness. I had forgotten how relatively quiet it gets when you head out west. Tomales Bay was calm and clear...Then come the hills. Hmmm, I didn't think there would be so much climbing. Very few cars. Up and down past all the hide-a-way beaches and historic dairy farms. Then it's Up, Up, Up to the Tule Elk reserve. Those critters are everywhere! Even though we were probably only about 15 miles farther out than usual, it felt like we were somewhere completely different. The views of Tomales bay, the abundance of wildlife and the secluded rural roads are a cyclists paradise. Even though there was clumps of fog spots, likewise there was an equal amount of blue sky. Definitely a strange weather pattern, but beautiful nontheless.
No doubt, I shall return........especially if the "Master of Bicycle Muppetry" continues with his methodical plans.

2006-11-04T16:56:00.000-08:00

CREATIVITY NEEDS NO WEALTH

One of my favorite places to go is the DeYoung Museum. I'm fortunate to live close by so I try to go there fairly often. Besides their permanent collections, they have a good variety of "traveling" exhibits. Currently the Quilts of Gees Bend are on display.....

WOW.......

This is an incredible exhibit of the creative minds of some of this country's poorest people. The women on Gees Bend, Alabama are all descendants of the slaves who worked the cotton plantations. After the civil war, these "freed slaves" stayed and became tenant farmers in this all black community...

They worked hard doing physical labor all day in the fields, took care of their families and children and started making quilts as a way to keep warm. They had no money, no extra resourses so their quilts were made from the salvagable pieces of fabric from their work clothes, dresses sheets etc. Nothing went to waste. The batting came from the empty fertilizer bags (which they bleached and boiled) along with the lint from the cotton gins.

These people had no outlets, no opportunity for education, yet created a wonderful artistic environment of banding together and creating quilts. They used no patterns, simply improvised and did what they envisioned and felt along the way. True art, almost like jazz music, where there seems to be a pattern and wham, another thought comes at you just when you don't expect it...True art, made from the hearts and souls who had no other way to express their emotions....

At the DeYoung exhibit, there is a 20 minute film highlighing the women of Gees Bend. Every one of them expresses their love of quilting, how poor they were but how happy they were/are.

In 2003 the surviving quilters started a collective and the quilts are now marketed and for sale.

2006-10-26T20:14:00.000-07:00

TEETH!

Some folks are blessed with strong ones, white ones, and no cavities.. then there are those born with crooked ones, indented ones, buck ones, and I've even seen double rows....

Me, well not so lucky. Ate waaaaaaaaaay to much sugar stuff and not nuff' brushing and wait a minute, nobody told us about flossin' 40 years ago......So there's plenty of dental work in this mouth. Lot's of it so old, it has to be replaced. So lately I've been spending way to much quality time with my dentist.

Besides the $$$ and total vunerability of having someone with strange magnifying glasses sticking their hands in your mouth, one has to have faith that the dentist is making the right decsions that we have to live and chew with. Apparently my former dentists were a bit slack, so now I pay..

OK, like everything else technology has taken dentistry to another level, we no longer have to lose teeth forever. Implants, veneers, and crowns are the savior to our once toothless smiles. Once upon a time, many folks over forty had a tooth or two missing...Now we can all smile away.

Heck, I'm saving up for a pair of these:

or maybe these......

And yes, I won't forget to floss :)

2006-10-17T19:56:00.000-07:00

Getting My Fixed Gear Fix

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger or so I've heard.

Lately I've been on a fixed gear tangent. I barely want to ride my geared bikes.

Something about the simplicity of not having a shifting option, the purity of never coasting, and having to use the thighs to decelerate (althoughI do have a brake, I try not to overuse it) is just freeing.

I've been testing my strength and leg speed by climbing and descending some bigger hills such as Hwy 1 up to Pantoll and I rode the Alpine Dam Loop last Saturday. It was a blast!! 60 miles of fun. Can't wait to do it again. I guess this girl needs another fix :)

2006-10-10T20:54:00.000-07:00

I Used To Climb Rocks......

Now only roads/dirt on a bicycle. It's been quite a few years since these hands/arms and legs have sprawled and embraced the granite, limestone and occasional sandstone. It's a wonderfully ecclectic tactile sport filled with many characters (not to different from bike racers) all who share the passion for seeing, plotting and summiting mother nature's sculptures. Half the battle is the plan: what route(s), how much gear do we need, who will lead/follow, is there a bail out plan? etc. etc....The ultimate in TEAM WORK and TRUST.
Finding the right climbing partner(s) is like finding the right mate. You got to be on the same page with philosophy, smarts, physical and mental capabilities and most of all dedication to look after one another...Cause you NEVER know what can occur. I was taught by some "old schoolers" who imbedded the word REDUNDANCY in my climbing brain. Double/Triple maybe Quadruple check your ropes, knots etc......It didn't take more than one fall to see the importance of that word....Whew...thank your belayer for not snoozing...

Well this past Saturday I got my a** spanked cycling the Grizzley Century in Northfork, Ca- 100 miles and 10,000 ft of climbing which was the toughest ride I've done post surgery. It's amazing how the fitness changes. I'll get it back, but in the meantime, I got punished. However the area is beautiful and the Granite a plenty. It brought on this reminiscence of my climbing days.

The folowing day My friend Janet and I drove back via Yosemite and did a recovery ride up to Glacier Point. A moderate 30 miler which seemed so easy compared to the previous day's quadfest. At the top, the view of the valley is breathtaking. As we sat at the overlook munching on a snack, quite a few tourists remarked on our bikes and abilities to climb up there. Kind of put in in perspective. After all, I'd been mentally beating myself up the day before with my sub par performance at the 100 miler and these folks were commending us on this fairly easy climb up to Glacier Point....Put it all in perspective, and for those of us who always try to be better, stronger and smarter, I suppose there is is much to learn by embracing the journey, rolling with the ups and downs as eventually it will be all gone....

So I'm thankful for what I've got and will continue to do what I can and in the meantime, put in all in perspective :)

2006-09-28T20:51:00.000-07:00

“I'm lazy. But it's the lazy people who invented the wheel and the bicycle because they didn't like walking or carrying things.”
-Lech Walesa (born 9/29/43)

"If I'm going to Hell, I'm going there playing the piano."
-Jerry Lee Lewis (born 9/29/35)

Well, another year flys by...It's hard to believe 46 of them have passed since the day I came into this world. Hopefully there will be 46 more.

Thanks to all who've helped make this journey be what it is, who have given me love, support and inspiration to shine.

XOXO

2006-09-17T21:43:00.000-07:00

Weekend in the Eastern Sierras =
Stress No Mo'

A 5 hour drive well worth it.

There is nothing more beautiful than descending Tioga Pass (in either car or bicycle which I did both) and getting that first view of Mono Lake. Wow, what a breathtaking natural beauty it is. From the junction of 120, it's Hwy 395: what a jewel of a road....rolling climbs, long straight-a-ways, wide shoulders which are both car and bicycle friendly. I fianlly got a chance to put my little A-3 in 6th gear......WOW, Let's just say triple digits felt as smooth as the doubles. Worried more about the Hwy patrol than my safety, I curbed my speed demon foot to a more resonable pace. I could immediately feel the Urban stress seeping from my muscles.

Well, I made the pilgramage to the Estern Sierra on Friday for my dear friends' wedding at June Lake. I (of course) brought the bike as there would be plenty of time between events to spin the legs and clear the city gunk from the lungs in the high mountain (or lack of) air. Great riding to say the least.

The Wedding started Saturday 2:00 at the Eagle Creek Resort and Spa (June Lake's finest) in an outdoor tented garden area. The weather could not have been more cooperative. A beatiful clear blue sky shined brightly above the cragy mountain cliffs and made a beautiful backdrop for the bride and groom's celebration. Besides it's alluring natural beauty, why did they chose such an out of the way place as June Lake????
Well, the groom lived there for a few years fresh out of college working for the Forest Service and if it wasn't for his lovely bride, he'd still be living the simple life in the Eastern Sierra (poor but low stressed).
The bride: well she's got a quick mind and a keen eye on the future and knows that San Francisco is the place she and he can earn the $$$, start making some sound investments and eventually someday return to June Lake. Fortunately his love for her is so strong that he made the sacrifice to leave his mountain life to make a go of the SF scene with his sweetheart.

So it was only befitting that they take their vows and celebrate with their close friends and family on the Eastern Side.

After the very simple but heart felt vows were made, cake was served, libations and hors d'ovueres were consumed, and party # 1 adjourned only to remeet an hour and a half later at the reception at the next venue....And what a venue that was!!!!

The invite said 5:30 at the Whoa Nellie Deli/ Mobile Gas Station at the intersection of 120 and 395....could it be???? The one at the bottom of Tioga? Why yes: Gas, Rest Stop, Vista Point and Mini Mart and who'd a thunk? First class dining to boot! Apparently the "master chef" works at one of the Four Seasons Resorts in the winter and runs the show in summer and fall at the Tioga Gas Mart. Grilled Ahi, Roasted Elk, Fillet Mignon were among the entres served while we all piled on the winter fleece as when the sun goes down up there....beware, burrrr!
Besides our soiree, there were a couple of other parties going on as well as the normal Saturday night follies of Mini Mart trafficers. tourists needing fuel and the locals yearning for good grub.. A blue Grass band seranaded in the crisp mountain air and to my surprise lot's of 20+ youngsters dancing away. This is truely the Eastern Sierra hotspot... All these years while traversing the Eastern slope, I thought it was just another gas station/Mini mart.....

So to my friends, Sheri and Terry who spent their wedding day serving and attending to their guests and family (both humble as always) may your lives together be long lasting and your love get stronger each day.

To all of us who attended their wedding and shed a tear of joy, the Tioga Mini Mart will now have a new fond place in both our hearts and stomachs :)

2006-09-13T20:48:00.000-07:00

The Joy of being Coneccted Again.....

3 weeks later, I finally got my DSL back....New provider, I'm crossing my fingers....

Been tough not bloggin' but fortunately a million other things seemed to take it's place.

Just watched the DFL "cross dressing Cross race" in Golden gate park. I live about 5 blocks from the course, so after the phone Co dude left, I took a walk down and caught a good 20 minutes. It's great seeing everyone have so much fun as well as such creative outfits on many of the guys. One fellow in particular sported a very short green miniskirt with red undies...Yikes, I'm sure he felt more than a couple of his remounts after those run ups... I was particularly fond of the black strapless gown with red petticoat, that fellow was looking strong. I beleive Tim from Odyssey got some good pics....
all in all, looked like everyone was having fun. I overheard Dylan from DFL say all the numbers were taken so 100 people showed! Way to go, crossers....Your season is here.

2006-09-05T20:38:00.000-07:00

WHY NO BLOG POSTS LATELY!!??

Well. I've been DSL-less for nearly 2 weeks and it's killing me.

I have never dealt with such an inept company as with dealing with EARTHLINK! 20+ hours of phone time, 2 scheduled technician visits (no shows) later, I still have no results nor can talk to anyone who actually knows how to run their business. I have become so distraught that I actually resigned my internet/phone service with them last Wednesday 8/30 (even have to pay a fee to get out) only to find tonight that they didn't reassign my account to the new provider until 9/13....

This is absolutely unacceptable. I plan to call their head offices in Georgia and give them a piece of my mind.....oh no, FITNESS BY FARZAN IS OUTRAGED.
My dad once told me we are direct descendants of Ghengis Khan....Now, I think he's right.

EARTHLINK , THE WRATH OF FARZAN BEGINS............

2006-08-27T23:30:00.000-07:00

Headlands mountain bike
Meditative state of one
Pick the line and breathe

Obstacles abound
Clarity of the moment
Bravery meets fear

Pure power hill climbs
Unsure downhill rendezvous
Pick the line and breathe

Mountain bike mind cleanse
Focus key to stay erect
Pick the line and breathe

Surface conscious thoughts
Abandon body and soul
Life’s simple pleasures

2006-08-24T19:28:00.000-07:00

OK, IF YOU CAN DECODE THE CYRPTICS ON THIS NEW SIGN AT THE GG BRIDGE, THEN I GUESS YOU CAN PROCEED (AH, WITH CAUTION)........

AND I MEAN WITH CAUTION!!!! During the weekday between 5:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. ,us cyclists have to share the east side of the bridge with all the pedestrians, tourists on foot, tourists (lord help them) on rental bikes, occasional runners and of course the GG Bridge maintanence workers in their 3 wheel utility club cars. You can imagine it is quite a zoo. Especially in summer when the multitudes are visiting our glorious City not knowing it's going to be more than likely foggy, wet and windier than hell on the GG Bridge.

But the good tourists bring with them a positive attitude and although they may be shivering, windblown and hypothermic, they gleefuly document their pilgramage with videos and photos. Whether they are on foot, blocking the entire span of the walkway or on rental bike nervously weaving to and fro they come equiped with camera, pointing and shooting oh so innocently. They are oblivious that this is a thoroughfare for cyclists who have no other route to get across. For some reason the West side walkway remains closed until 3:30, which makes no sense what so ever as it would certainly be well used as a cycling only lane (which is done during the weekends.)

This situation lends itself to an entertaining crossing and always great for testing one's reaction skills. I've found that I can never underestimate the tourist and even though they may appear to be looking at you in the eye as they walk toward you head on, they still don't SEE YOU! Thus I have adapted to making myself loud and clear, verbally warning the poor ba**t**ds that I'm coming through and of course always add a thank you and depending on the ethnicty of the group, the thank you may be in array of different languages.

There are some "stock" responses. Usually the male will grab the female who becomes more startled and she jumps...This is not necessarily good as she may decide to jump in front of you, but usually he pulls her to the side. Another common reaction is that both parties jump into the air. Others have the dear in the headlights look while the rare select few react calmly and simply move to the side.

Now the tourist cyclists are even worse. They like to photograph while they are fumbling on their rental bikes, riding in the center weaving to the left. Or they decide to stop and park in the middle of the path with absolutely no awareness that they are not alone.

Once you make it over the first span and clear the first tower (which can be a fight with the wind) you are 1/2 way.....Loud voice, clear direction (good thing I taught years of group exercise classes) is the only way to survive this journey.

Just when you think you are there, a maintanence crew in a 3 wheeler comes at you head on and man oh man, they own the path. They have the right of way and will not veer. They are the bridge trolls if you will, a tough lot who won't back down to anyone.

Woah, you got through that and only have 500 meters to go, but its' the trickyest 500...The majority of Tour-i are bottlenecked, overwhelmed by being emancipated from their tourist bus confinments and are anxious to see this world famous attraction. The gift shop is to the right. Chances are they are going to bolt toward it...One must proceed with caution loudly and purposely....You made it with maybe only a couple of close calls.

Got to love it, Just being able to get out and ride across the GGB and then ride a couple of hours on a weekday in between work is a wonderful thing.

2006-08-23T22:52:00.000-07:00

Just Another Day......

I generally finish seeing clients between 4:00 - 6:00 pm Monday- Friday. Afterwards I have a 35 minute commute by bicycle which is just enough time to rejuvenate, clear the brain, and get the blood flowing to give me a boost when I get home. I usually leave at 6:15 am so the time away from home is long but it always includes a lot of physical activity. Depending on my own training, the day, traffic etc. my commute energy varies. I usually ride the "Fixie" and somedays I fly while others, I trudge. What never changes is having to keep alert to wayward buses, cars, pedestrians and the oh-so-dreaded-evil San Francisco taxi drivers. You never know what they are going to do and about 90% of the time, you can bet they are going to accelerate through that yellow light and fly through the red.

My routine takes me up Sutter St. which is one way going west for a couple of miles before it becomes 2 way, filled with a gradual climb, a few rollers and eventually a great flat section. True fun on a fixie. Although the traffic is steady and fairly fast there is less mayhem that riding Market Street which is another blog in itself.

So yesterday is not unlike many others and I'm catching all the lights trying to stay to the right but occasionaly moving left to avoid the crazy right-turners who nver look for cyclists. I'm flying up Sutter and I see a cab on my left. I glance over to the driver and lo and behold, this guy is the spitting image of Osama Bin Laden. I kid you not. I think to myself "Shit, no wonder they can't find him, he's here in SF driving a cab and probably making decent $ as well". It's gotta beat having to come up with intricate terrorist plots and probably a bit less stressful....Now what's so weird is that this morning I read a blurbin the SF Gate from one of his mistresses:

Bin Laden's Mistress Reveals Whitney Houston Obsession

Osama Bin Laden once had the hots for Whitney Houston, according to a woman who says she had been Bin Laden's mistress against her will in the 1990s.

Sudanese writer and activist Kola Boof, 37, claims she was intimate with Bin Laden years before he masterminded the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and in her autobiography, "Diary of a Lost Girl," she claims the world's most wanted man fantasized about pop star Houston.

In her book, Boof alleges Bin Laden joked about killing Houston's husband, Bobby Brown, and then inviting Houston to join his harem.

She says, "He had a paramount desire for Whitney Houston.

"He mentioned her constantly, how beautiful she is, what a nice smile, how truly Islamic she is, but just brainwashed by American culture and her husband."

Go figure??????

2006-08-21T20:27:00.000-07:00

My favorite Martian.......

Well, that's the nickname I've coined for my best pal who lives in Hawaii and is here staying with me for a few days. She is a true Hawaiian in all respects with a heart of gold and an affinity for the Ocean and her traditional heritage.

My Favorite Martian is experiencing a new phase of life, her only daughter is leaving the nest and is beginning a new phase in her life. Little Emma, MFM's (Pu'uwai) or heart is here to attend USF on scholarship and is leaving the nest for the first time. She is 18, bright, athletic, a sound head on her shoulders with only the stars and moon to reach for. I know she will excel at whatever is set forth. She is full of love and confidence bestowed by her Mom.

No big deal we think as Emma embarks on the beginning of her journey as this is quite normal and a great opportunity. Indeed, but nonetheless My Favorite Martian is experiencing a certain sadness as her Pu'uwai will no longer be at home. It's not that she doesn't want her to have the opportunity to grow and is confident that she is a well adjusted loving child. It's just some sort of natural instinctual feeling that MFM cannot ignore. Interesting thing.

2006-08-20T18:08:00.000-07:00

MONET IN NORMANDY.......

ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL ART EXHIBIT IS GOING ON AT THE PALACE LEGION OF HONOR.

I am always amazed when viewing great art close up. To see the intricate brush strokes and varying patterns that all fit together to create such vivid scenery boggles my mind. To be able to envision the final product by thoughtfully applying layers of colors on the canvas astounds me. I am in awe of those who possess such great talent.

Monet's collection from the region of Normandy are truely spectacular and many of his works resemble the Northern California coastline. It is worth seeing.

2006-08-19T14:04:00.000-07:00

RANT******RANT******RANT*****
WARNING TO CYCLISTS RIDING THROUGH SAUSALITO:

The Sausalito cops are out in full force to show us bicyclists who the boss is. Obviously they got to much time on their hands cause I got pulled over this A.M. by one of Sausalito's "finest".

I was shocked when I heard the siren and when I turned around and saw the flashing light, I realized he was pulling ME over. I'm thinking "What the hell did I do". I know better and stop at the Red lights...So,I pull over and he tells me I have violated 2 laws.
1) I was riding outside of the bike lane and 2) wearing earphones in both ears. I had no idea it was against the law to wear headphones! Apparently 1 ear needs to be open....That is BS! Perhaps in a car where you are much more isolated from the feel of the road, the wind and elements bombarding you you can be less aware of your surroundings but on a bike? First of all, the music is never so loud that I can't hear cars. I heard him, didn't I???

Wow, I am shocked. Here it is, 8:30 am in Sausalito, there is very little traffic so being outside of the bike lane doesn't seem so life threatening. I had no idea I was violating the law. He (for some reason) just gave me a warning on that one.

Apparently the 2nd violation is much more serious as he asked me for my drivers licence. Good thing I remembered to put it in my pocket this am. He (Mr. Happy cop) asked me if I had any outstanding warrents or arrests, and although I said no, I really wanted to say "Yes, it was me who KILLED JonBenet Ramsey and I was about to rob a bank this morning"...but I held back. While he checked on my crimminal status, he handed me some piece of paper to read regarding bicycle infractions which I couldn't keep but only read.

I realize I am taking my own life in my hands anytime I get on a bicycle but I think the police should be spending their time looking for and dealing with real crime. Let's face it, if a car hits me (or I get car doored by being in the frikken bike lane) I will be hurt, not the car. I accept that is a possibility when I ride. If I choose to listen to music, I should be able to. I can in my car. Damn,If I want to, I can blast the music sooooooooooo loud in my car with the windows up that I can't hear a thing. hmmmmm.....Seems like the Sausalito police are a little bored these days.

So if you ride that way, be good boys and girls..or else you too might get a ticket!

2006-08-14T19:20:00.000-07:00

THE GHOST OF BICYCLE PAST.......

I'ts certainly been a strange year. Sidelined by an elbow break and a non healing wrist fracture, my "normal" bike crazed adventures had to take a back seat.

No crazy 4 day Raid Pyrenees, No Marmot in the French Alpes, No European Col bagging in the Swiss Alpes and Dolomites, No high Sierra Epics, No Rocky mountain adventures and thank god :) No Everest Challenge..... Well at least not this year.

All in time. I will start plotting next year's Epic soon. I'm contemplating Le Trophee de L'Oisans which would be an a** kicking 4 events over 2 weekends. LaVaujany, Le Prix Des Grandes Rousses, La Marmot, and La Grimpee De L' Alpe. 3 out of 4 include Alp D'huez. The final race La Grimpee being a TT up Alp D'Huez...

www.sportcommunication.com has em all....check it out.. Maybe you'd like to join me. Then again, ah maybe not . You may be a bit more sane. I was able to coerce my bike racing friend Carrie to join me and she rocked! We both finished in decent time and enjoyed the experience. Crossing the finish line on the Alpe D'Huez after the Col de Croix de Fer, Telegraph and Galibier was a great relief. Hey Maybe I can get Carrie to come along again....

What am I crazy, well yes..How many other 40+++(geting closer to 50 than I'd like) year old women want to do such a crazy thing. Apparently not that many since I was the 10th in my age group when I did the La Marmot 2 years ago :)

So here I go, time to plot. Time to get my bike Mojo back in check. Nothing like a good physical challenge to keep me motivated..........Especially after this crazy year of involuntary bike limbo.

I'm not done !

2006-08-09T19:14:00.000-07:00

A MUCH SIMPLER EXISTENCE

Life in the slow lane...The countryside outside of fishing town of Cordova is quiet with lots of wildlife. Especially at this time of year when the Salmon are still spawning.

The bears are plentiful. We have spotted quite a few grizzlys catching fish and patroling the area. They are massive yet quite majestic as they roam along the streams looking to pounce on their next meal. We make sure we keep enough distance as if they decided to charge we'd be up s**t creek. Even though Sue brings along her pepper spray we know that a shotgun like the one's she and her coworkers carry while out in the field with the Forest Service would be a safer bet.

On a hike today we knew we were in prime Bear territiry as all the signs were evident. As we descended the ridge on our return from our hike, we ran into a man out walking his dog who told us his dog had chased down a bear, so we now knew we'd better be aware. Sure enough the dog darted out and we heard loud barking only to see a huge brown bear across the creek standing on his haunches looking not to amused. Although we were a ways across on the trail, my knowlege of their speed and power made me not want to stick around and wait. We kept going. Then the darn dog starts barking again and another "brownie" darts across the trail and up the hill into the bushes....Oh jeeze, that dog is starting to get on my nerves. Nonetheless we keep a "not-so-surprisingly faster pace back to the road......Hey after all we are in THEIR territory, it's best to lay low.

I will bid farewell to Cordova as tomorrow we take Ferry (4 hours) journey along the Prince William Sound to The Big City of Anchorage. The city girl in me is ready to step up this super slow pace....

2006-08-06T21:50:00.000-07:00

WHAT DID YOU DO THIS SUMMER, NAPOLEAN?

"I was in Alaska shooting (ah, in this case fist fighting) wolverines,....... Gosh....."

2006-08-06T18:38:00.000-07:00

GO TO ALASKA, CLUB A BABY SEAL: what else????........I arrived in Juneau late Friday night after a flight delay to find rain, rain and rain. Saturday morning the weather was no different. The Juneau (Douglas Island) Marathon and 1/2 was ready to roll. Somehow, coming from the California sun, I wasn't too motivated to be running 13.1 miles wet. But what the hell, I was there. Man oh man, I got soaked and at times thought if I would have seen ANYONE (hint my sister) that I knew driving in a car, I would have conceeded and took a ride, but to no avail. I ran but not with inspiration. I was slow. My hands and legs were COLD and wet and the road was rolling but straight. The kind that allows you to see way to far ahead.... Since it was overcast and raining, there wasn't much to view so all I could think was "I can't see the finish, oh well keep running...." Eventually I made it to the finish....No more of those for me. At least for a while..

Today, Sunday we flew to Cordova, the sleepy fishing town of 2500 people where my sister lives. I'm a bit suspiscious as most folks wear "Extra-Tuffs" rubber boots and heavy duty rain pants....Rainfall is 160 inches a year. That's about 150 inches more than I like. I could never deal, but 2500 people somehow do and so shall I, for now....

2006-08-02T19:50:00.000-07:00

JUST 2 MORE DAYS......

Then I'm heading north to the wild frontier for a week of fun and frolick in the land of salmon, bear, eagles and moose..

I arrive in Juneau where I'll I've entered the Douglas Island 1/2 marathon (got to see what it's like running with glacier views). Yes this is my LAST one then it's back to bikes, bikes, bikes :)

My sister will meet me there to cheer me on and then be my Alaska guide for the week. She is one of those eccentric Alaskan transplants who lives in the small town of Cordova (approx 2000 peeps) and loves it. Her job with the Forest service keeps her healthy, happy and able to live the lifestyle she adores. Me, I'd go crazy as I'm waaaay to social but hey to each his own.

After Juneau we will head to the booming metropolis of Cordova where we plan to stay in a Forest Service cabin (secluded hike in) followed by some rafting in a Glacier area. A bit of Peace and Quiet will do me good and spending time with my older sibling is something I don't often do.

I'm looking forward to immersing in the beauty of the land, the abundance of wildlife and the vast open space..... Good for the soul.

2006-08-01T19:46:00.000-07:00

EAST meets WEST

Even though the idea sounded great: having my scaphoid bone repaired by grafting a small piece of bone from the distal section of my radius and rerouting some blood vessels to the area to give more blood flow for healing, the process didn't necessarily work. 5 months after the surgery, the doctor says "hmmm, looks like the proximal end of the bone may not have healed. Good news the bone graft is still there and not degenerated, but I'm not sure what's going to occur. You may as well just use it, ride your bikes etc. and see what ensues in the future. worst case senario is that you will develope severe arthritis and have to deal with that later".

Oh great, I went through 5 months of frustration only to find maybe it didn't work? Oh well, such is life. In the meantime, the PT I was prescribed was Bull s**t and all I got out of it was a lot less $$$. So I decided to take another option.

I met with Dr. Thong Zhong, licsenced acupuncturist from China in his chinatown office and told him my story. "While your at it", I say, Can you do something for the severe arthritis I have in the knuckle of my middle finger that I got from an old rock climbing injury 7 years ago?" "Oh sure, that will be easy" Dr. Z says and he proceeds to inflict intense pain by sticking his fingers and pressing on tendons and joints with great glee. This acupressure is not for wimps, I think, as I am cringing trying not to wince to badly. Then comes the Moxsha. Special herbs are burned and passed ever so close to the skin warming up the areas. Just when you think it's all over he pulls out the needles....I hate to look as he sticks them strategically in my elbow, forearm, wrist, fingers and hand. If that weren't bad enough he then pulls out the electrical stimulator and places the electrodes on the needles and turns up the juice. I now can not only feel but see my muscles flickering as they pulse with the current. Oh man, I can't look. He leaves me in the room and I just have to sit still for 30 minutes. I have read the only poster on the wall addressing afflictions of the foot by now a hundred times so I find myself drifting off into a meditative state.
when he returns, he advises me to exercise and encouages me to "make more strong" as he is quite an advocate of sports. He listens with open ears when I tell him of bicycling and even though he cautions me to be careful, he get's a kick out of my bikes and can't believe how light they are (compared to the basic made in China bicycle).

So, is it working? Hard to say BUT my arm and wrist feels stronger, is still stiff but not quite as bad. The arthritic finger seems less inflamed, hurts less but still isn't "normal"...So for a while I will continue to get pummeled and stabbed and electically stimulated until I make no more progress. No matter what, I have seen better results so far with Dr. Z than traditional PT...

2006-07-30T15:08:00.000-07:00

ONE DOWN- ONE TO GO...............

Yes, for not really being a runner (I sort of feel like a cyclist incognito), I am pleased with running the San Francisco 1/2 marathon today in 2:12...I know, it's not very fast, but hell I'm no runner, I ride bikes, and just decided to take up this running thing cause I had to be off bicyling for 5 months while my stooooopid scaphoid needed a rest. To train, I never ran more than 2x a week and since I've been back on my bikes for about 6 weeks, I've been cycling more than running...But I got a fairly decent aerobic base and pain threshold, so I knew I wasn't going to be fast but then again I knew I could do it at that pace.

My friend, Dana she's a REAL CHAMPION. She's never done any kind of crazy event like this before and really hasn't been training for it all that long. Apparently at about mile 6 she had a hip flexor tweek but she hobbled all the way to the finish line. Afterwards, she could barely walk...But she did it. Congrats to her. she's much better off than the woman who came in behind me. As she passed the finish, it looked like she tripped and as she fell on to the man ahead, it was clear she had a convulsion of some sort. I immediately stopped and another man was tending to her as the Medic came running over. I hope she's ok.

Well, I got one more 1/2 marathon I commited to (next sunday in Juneau, Alaska) . Then it's all biking once again!!!

Don't get me wrong, I'm amazed and very respectful of those who are runners in body and heart. I have a hard time grasping that someone can run sub 6 minute mile for 26 or even 13, but they exist and more power to them. But then again, I have a hard time grasping someone can cycle in Hors Catogorie climbs in the Alpes at 18 MPH too...

Nonetheless, I am apreciative of being able to bike, run, walk, dance and use my body to it's fullest and plan to as long as it allows me to.......

2006-07-29T16:03:00.000-07:00

IT'S BAAACK........

I know the rest of this state has been blazing with record high temperatures and people have been literally melting, but San Francisco has stayed relatively cool throughout the past couple weeks.

But today , summer really hit. It rained. Ok, a meteorologist might call it dense thick fog with a heavy mist, but come on, that's just a nice way to say rain.

I got out the door on the bike about 7:45 and by the time I got to Sausalito, me and my bike were wet. I expected to see the sun breaking through once I crossed the bridge (like it usually does) but to no avail. I now wondered why I was wearing a sleevless jersey and no arm/legwarmers and obvioulsy so were all the other cyclists who looked at me like I was crazy. Oh well, what's a bit of wetness, at least it wasn't cold. I did however see people in rainjackets, a few pedestrians with umbrellas and started to feel underdressed. Oh well, I should have known better. It's summer in San Francisco!

2006-07-28T17:57:00.000-07:00

HaHaHaHa, I couldn't resist this one.....

2006-07-27T19:59:00.000-07:00

WHAT IS THE POINT? DOPING SUCKS 101.........

Although I want to give the accused the benefit of the doubt and want to believe there has been some snafu in the testing procedures combined with effects of the OK'd medication allowed for his other conditions (nacrotic hip, thyroid imbalance mixed with a bit of Jack Daniels and beer), it's hard not being skeptical. I want to believe he's clean but then again it's hard to believe that any of those guys at the top level of the pro peleton are clean. Or just about any Elite level Sport. I've spoken to Olympic level track and field athletes who confided they had to make a choice if they wanted to compete at the top level.

Even when I was competing at the amateur level bodybuilding contests and championships, the doping was rampant and it was certainly obvious who was on the juice. I was fortunate that I had no interest in going pro so drugs were not an option. However it was certainly frustrating going to competions after dilligently dieting for 6 months, working so hard practicing flexing and keeping my muscles looking taut when a juiced up girl would walk in and not even have to isometrically contract to show each cut. It seemed so unfair, but hey that's the name of the game and I knew that no matter what, I could go home knowing I achieved mine with hard work and discipline.

Nonetheless, I have read the many speculative articles regarding the testing procedures blah blah blah, and no doubt there can be mistakes and errors in the testing procedures.. BUT if there is a mistake and I hope so, will it truely erase the scarlet letters placed on Floyd's TDF win? D-O-P-E-R

But, if he is proven doping, will it stop the Peleton from abusing performance enhancing drugs or will they just get smarter about masking them?

Let's see what the B sample shows before we all condemn FL........

2006-07-26T20:27:00.000-07:00

WHY IS IT THAT

there is nothing worse than getting the "evil eye"?

We all have heard that saying "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me"...Yeah, but What about the evil eye? where does that one come in the picture?

Apparently the concept of the Evil Eye and the curses it brings is prevolent in many ancient cultures especially the Mediteranean and spread throughout Europe. No worries, there are plenty of talismans that can conteract the effects...

Hey, today it's just a way to express disgust. Nothing needs to be said when you get or give that eye.....So next time some car cuts you off or somebody does some stupid move while you're on your bike, refrain from cursing and just give "the eye"..who knows, if they don't have the right talisman, they may be up s**t creek.

2006-07-25T22:00:00.000-07:00

NOT TO BE MISSED ........

Chicano Visions - American Painters on the Verge is Cheech Marin's personal collection of chicano art and is currently on display at the DeYoung Museum and is certainly worth the trip to see it. This show has been touring the country for the past year and is quite monumental as it is the first time all these artists works have been highlighted in museums.

This artist- George Yepes born in Tijuana and raised in east LA beat all the odds. He grew up by a hard street life of poverty and gang violence and managed to rise above. He is self taught and was one of the most prolific painters/muralists of the 70's. His 28 murals are now landmarks in Los Angeles and he started a free mural painting academy for low income students who's 21 murals have also become landmarks in LA.

He is just one artist showcased in Chicano Visions. In addition to the art, their are two other exhibits, Chicano Now and Chicano Encounters both equally interesting.. I liked it so much I am definitely going back :)

2006-07-22T17:49:00.000-07:00

OOH-LA-LA

So today I'm out on my bike doing my build back training program climbing hills in the heat, remembering how much easier it used to be when I fitter but I'm determined to get back there.

So I'm done with the efforts and now just have to cruise back to the City and for once the cool Pacific breeze is welcomed.

Since it's a fantastic day there are hordes of cyclists: lots of scary tourists riding bikes that don't fit them, mixed with the racing regulars, as well as all the local yahoos who own any and every sort of bicycle and only emerge when the weather is amiable.

At one point a guy rides up to me and introduces himself as one of the local team founders and asks me if I like being a Velo Bella and wanted to know if I'd join his team. In my head I was thinking "Are you a nut case" but with my tongue I explained the wonderful camradery of belonging to an All Women's bike team that is so diversified and supportive of all women bicyclists no matter how experienced/fit/focused one is. That I joined because I was previously on a local co-ed team and felt the womens team was very haphazard, had no one I could really learn from, and I desired the opportunity to be exposed to a greater number of experienced and accomplished racers/riders. There is no pressure to win, just do your best and keep learning.
He then agreed and said his team is just like that. I asked him how many women were there and he replied 8 but 7 of them are triathletes. I smiled and said "that's great" but still thought he was a nut case to even ask.... :)

Velo Bella Rules! I look forward to racing again.

2006-07-22T13:25:00.000-07:00

It took one hell of a focused, determined athlete with a deteriorated hip to take this years TDF!

This grueling 3 week epic race is the ultimate challenge and chews and spits out even the healthiest atheletes, so Floyd's success is even more so.

Now he has to get a hip replacement. Let's hope his surgery and rehab go smoothly and that he can return to cycling at an elite level. But no matter what, he will still be a TDF Champion! Congrats Floyd! Or as Phonak director sportif John Lelangue was saying in Floyd's earpiece "good boy Floyd, good boy Floyd, good boy Floyd " :)

2006-07-20T18:23:00.000-07:00

FROM ONE DAY TO THE NEXT:

Once again sheer determination, mental and physical fortitude overcame the odds. Everyone wrote him off after his "bad day" on Wednesday. Even he doubted his chance (for at least an hour). Some how he had a turn-aound. I'm sure knowing you are going to have a hip replacement and really not knowing the overall implications toward a professional cycling career afterward may have been a factor. I'm sure there were many. Giving thanks to his team, Floyd said " I was very disappointed yesterday, for a little while. Then I thought about it and my team has worked very hard for me to get here. For me to have a bad day was something I couldn't control. But today I thought, I could at least show them that I could keep fighting. No matter what, whether I win or not, I'm going to prove to my team that I deserved to be a leader. I didn't expect that I could do it quite that well. I thought they might be a bit disorganised if I attacked that early. You saw what happened."

All I know is that it's inspirational to see someone dig way deep and come back on top. Give everything they got for their dreams, their commitments to their teammates, families and of course their own aspirations.

We need more Floyds out there........

2006-07-20T11:11:00.000-07:00

BAD ASS:

2006-07-19T18:29:00.000-07:00

WHAT DRAMA!

This TDF has certainly been unpredictable. From the last minute drug scandal main player disqualifications to today's climbing stage debacle, it is certainly not boring. I was disheartened to see Floyd drop today and lose his big chance of taking the Yellow Jersey. But that's bike racing. May the Best, Strongest, Smartest, and Mentally toughest man win!

I still hope Floyd can at least reduce his time and place a bit higher in the GC.

2006-07-18T22:23:00.000-07:00

WILL HE DO IT????

Just a few more stages left!

2006-07-17T19:29:00.000-07:00

CORE STRENGTH TRAINING AND CYCLING:

The Neuromuscular Research Laboratory (NMRL) located within the University of Pittsburg Center for Sports Medicine is currently doing research on a number of cycling related topics. One in particular is testing the effects of a core strengthening program on cycling mechanics and pedaling efficiency in competitive cylists.

Thirty competitive cyclists will be randomized to either an intervention (core training) or control group and undergo 8 weeks of training. Testing will consist of riding on a treadmill at a speed of 16 mph with the incline increasing 1% every three minutes until exhaustion as indicated by the subject. Outcome measures will include joint kinematics and pedaling efficiency and will be recorded during the last thirty seconds of each three minute phase as well as strength testing of the torso. The cycling mechanics and pedaling efficiency tests and strength tests will take place at time 0-weeks and 8-weeks.

The study's hypothesis is that cyclists who integrate the core strengthening program will improve their cycling mechanics, be more resistant to core fatigue, and improve pedaling efficiency as compared to the control group.

From what I've seen, I think the outcome will be positive. I am curious to see what "core exercises" will be performed. Riding my bike on a treadmill? I think I'll stick to the road :)

2006-07-16T19:32:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm a bit biased but......

Cycling is superior to running! Don't get me wrong I admire those athletes who excel at bipedal motion generating the power to accelerate their mass repetitively over a distance...

But I'd rather be on my bike :) However I tried to embrace the discipline while being on the bicycle "injured reserve" just for the challenge of seeing if I could reconsider my outlook and perhaps learn to enjoy it...ah nooooo. I can deal with it, especially 5-10k, but it is sooooooo boring. so here I am, now commited to running a couple of 1/2 marathons and all I can think of is I can't wait to be done and get back training on my bike fulltime! HaHa! Maybe I can run sideways, backwards, skip, hop or do jumping jacks through some of it..Come to think of it, I saw a guy the other day running downtown as he skipped rope..(Very odd)

Do you think they will allow me to bike the 1/2 marathons? :)

2006-07-15T21:11:00.000-07:00

WHAT SOME DO TO BE "THE GREATEST"

One Recipie:
Mix Focus, Dedication, Tolerance for Suffering, Lots of Sweat, Exertion, Self Induced Pain, Mental Fortitude, Getting Humbled, Stepping Back, Going Forward, Not giving Up, with Accepting Incremental Changes, Patience, Positive Attitude, Perserverance with a cup of Reality Check...

Toss together, let gel until Ultimate Progress and Exhiliration Set in.....after cooling top with lack of pretention

Can take longer in some than others.....

2006-07-14T17:17:00.000-07:00

FUN WITH A FIXED GEAR BIKE : The Joys of riding a Fixie.....

If you live in San Francisco, you see them everywhere, most of the time ridden by young trendy tattoed skinny hipsters with rolled up jeans and a U-lock in their back pocket. Somehow, along the way the fixed gear bike became vogue.

Whatever! These bikes have been riden for years by track racers, road racers working on their techninque (strength and spin) as well as bike messengers and old school cylists who just enjoy the purity of the fixed gear.

Me: I just enjoy the simplicity of one gear, the constant need to focus on the terrain and environment. The need to stay sharp and NEVER forget to pedal. I have a front brake (and use it) but "purists" go no brakes and simply rely on slowing the pedals down with their legs (backpedaling) or skidding their back tire to break.

It's also a great tool for my "comeback" training as it can be a great combination of strength work and super high RPM's in one workout. My coach has incorporated quite a bit of fixed gear riding in my rebuild program and I'm enjoying spending time spinning and grinding :) I know it will bring both increased strength as well as help build the neurological pathways for my legs to be able to handle higher RPM's.....

So if you see me out there flying down a hill with my legs spinning away, refrain from yelling "SHIFT, SHIFT" cause I can't :)

2006-07-13T23:35:00.000-07:00

FLOYD!!!!!!

Yellow suits him. :)

2006-07-13T22:45:00.000-07:00

Scaphoid woes..............

I don't wish this break on anybody as it is one tough MoFo to heal....Apparently mine might be nacrotic as my latest Xray (that one is not mine) shows the proximal end may be dead. The bone graft is keeping the bone in tact and so far no problem but who knows???????

At this point, I just have to wait and see. Enjoy getting on my bikes, using my hand/arm as much as I can but be a bit cautious...Like everything else in this world, there are no guarantees, so I just have to be positive, make intelligent decisions, and enjoy each day. Then see what's dealt later... Hey maybe in the future, medicine will have perfected the titanium schapoid replacment. :)

2006-07-10T19:02:00.000-07:00

WHAT DO THESE FOLKS HAVE IN COMMON??????

Ok, two out of three are/were professional athletes and the other, well she's my 83 year old Mom.. You may ask, what is she doing there??? Well, Bo Jackson and my Mom had hip replacemant surguries and now Floyd Landis discloses he will have one once the Tour de France is over!!! Mama Mia!!

From what I know from helping my Mom pre and post her hip replacement, the pain is excruciating. (and she is no weakling for pain) This old school hard working woman went as long as possible dealing with the pain and stiffness before she become incapacitated and finally consented to sugery. Both Bo Jackson and Floyd Landis had tramatic sport related accidents that led to avascular necrosis (a disease resulting from the temporary or permanent loss of the blood supply to the bones). Bo returned to professional sports after a year off and still had great power but apparently had lost his blazing speed. So, what about Landis???? Will this be his last year as a pro cyclist?

Besides my Mom, I've known quite a few others (most 50 years old and up) who've had successful hip replacements, but in no way are they capeable of hardcore athletic training. However they all say it was the best thing they could have done and their quality of life has returned.

Hmmmm, I hope Floyd wins the TDF so at least if he is forced to retire becuase of his hip, he will have the accolade of a Tour de France Champion.....Obviously he can endure pain. Hey, I guess we can look at it this way: a titanium hip saves weight and could give him a better "aero" position :)
Good Luck Floyd!

2006-07-09T20:22:00.000-07:00

SOME CALL..
Dave Zabriskie and Floyd Landis the "Beavis and Butthead" of pro cycling...And from what I read, they are quite hilarious. I think it's time that as Bob Roll puts it, "The Tour Day France" has a couple of light hearted contenders.

Although they are serious about their cycling, they seem to have fun all the while... Lancy Pants was so serious, and serious he had to be as he created an army of a support team that dominated the TDF for 7 personal wins. Bravo! But, hey it's refreshing to see/read some comic relief by two heavy hitters.

I'm hoping they (Floyd & David) both podium.... As Bevis and Butthead would say "We're there dude"................

2006-07-09T14:34:00.000-07:00

IN MY DREAMS..........

In the 1980's, Flo-jo was quite an inspiration to me. Even though I've never been a great runner, her speed, elegance, athletisim and femininity certainly had an impact on my own athletic endeavors. I knew I could push hard, and for me back then, it was with mountain biking, and at that point, I only knew of a handful or less of local serious mountain bike women. (Remember it was the 80's)

Flo-jo broke lots of records and looked cool doing it (ok maybe she was using performance enhancing drugs) but that's a whole other topic to blog :)

All I know is that she made having muscle and working hard still look feminine and for those of us women who happen to be more mesomorphic, it was a breath of fresh air.

As to running, well I certainly can't wait until August 5th when I will run my second (and hopefully last 1/2 marathon) this summer....My cycling legs are hungry and not quite to happy with this running thing. The bike is my true love, always was and always will be. So soon, it will gladfully be goodbye running shoes, and full time cycling cleats!!!

2006-07-08T15:08:00.000-07:00

I LOVE MY BIKE :)

I am so happy to be back riding and getting my bike fitness back. Although I tried to keep myself as fit as possible during the 5 month layoff, it was still eye opening when I got back on the "real" bike. Wow, nothing simulates the hills or the motivation to keep the pace up with others as well as the overall handling like being out on the road.

It's been about 3 weeks now that I've been training and it feels like I'm slowing coming back. It's amazing what we take for granted when we do something regularly and apply some effort. At that point, it almost seems easy :)

It's apparent now that I have a lot of work to do to get back there but I know it's coming back and that feels good! Nonetheless, I appreciate being able to be back riding, breathing/gasping the summer air, getting a farmers tan, dodging bee stings, avoiding broken glass, skipping past pot holes and flailing past people opening parked car doors....Ah yes road cycling rules!

2006-07-06T19:05:00.000-07:00

CORE STRENGTH AND POWER REVISITED!

I can't reiterate enough the importance of keeping the Core musculature strong. For most people, who work in a not so active vocation, it's easy for those muscles to get weak and lazy. If the muscles don't have to recruit, why should they? Hey, the brain is a smart and efficient organ. If you don't use it, you lose it.

Likewise for those people who are more active and perhaps participate in some sports or workout reguarly, don't neglect the core!

We generally think of the abdominals as "the core" but don't forget about strengthening the glutes! They are the "powerhouse" muscles that support the lower back and hamstrings and where lots of power is generated. Another core area to think about is the musculature surrounding the scapula (the trapesius; upper and lower, the serratus anterior and the rhomboids.)

Adding in some cable woodchops, lunges in various planes of motion, stability ball planks and pushups, one leg deadlifts with opposite arm pulls are all examples of effective core srtength exercises. If you'd like more information, send me an email :)
nfarzan@mindspring.com

2006-07-04T18:33:00.000-07:00

WHAT ABOUT FA-LOYD!

Ok, after stage 3 in the TDF, Floyd is 7th in the GC. I think he has a chance of making this a good show. We shall see when we hit the mountains. Since Basso and Ulrich are gone, some say it's Georgy's turn, but I'm rooting for Floyd and if he wins, he better pop a wheelie's right and left :)

2006-07-02T22:20:00.000-07:00

I wanna be like Al... Well maybe not, but he sure is a mean mo' fo' who gets the job done. What the heck does Deadwood have to do with fitness anyway??

Not a lot but it's a great show to watch AFTER you're done working out.....Yes, I do watch a wee bit of TV besides the TDF...Hey it's all about balance :)

2006-07-02T18:29:00.000-07:00

COULD HAVE USED THIS TODAY :)

Ok, I've been back on the bike for nearly 3 weeks and slowly adding distance and intenisty. Even though I know I've been off the bike completely for 5 months and before that really didn't ride with the same kind of intensity that I was when racing after that dam crash at Pescadero. Since being on the Injured Reserve for 1 year, I know I have a lot of work ahead of me to get back to that kind of shape. I certainly am humbled on a daily basis. Today was no different.

I rode with my friend this morning who has been training and racing quite well this year since February...I guess people in shape forget what it's like to be out of shape cause he thought I was just doggin' it and at one point says "well at least you should get your HR to 140!" I sadly look down at my monitor and explain "ah, it's at 160 right now." I realized I was frustrating him but nonetheless, he lighted up and was kind enough to ride circles around me, try to give me slingshot pushes up the Bolinas Fairfax climb, and wait at the summits for this pathetic out of shape - once in shape bike gal. Yeh, yeh, yeh, I used to do that, I just to be this....No more used to be's. It's time to move forward but it's hard not to look back.

I got to remind myself, just like I do with my clients: Be patient, be consistent and don't give up. I will be back....

2006-06-30T20:05:00.000-07:00

MMMMM... One of my favorite breakfast foods, A little known power food: the Sweet Potato

Low in calories
Low on the glycemic index (lower than white potato - go figure?)
Anti-oxident/Anti inflamatory food
Full of vitamens (Vit. A, Vit C, Vit B6. Manganese, Potassium, Copper, iron)
Great carbohydrate choice
Can be baked, mashed, broiled, boiled, fried and easily transported :)
Ok it's no poptart, but you won't crash and burn after eating it and your waistline won't expand either
It's Thanksgiving all year round in my kitchen...........

2006-06-30T19:39:00.000-07:00

Now, the French really got it going on for rest stops........

2006-06-29T19:56:00.000-07:00

Avoiding Holiday Sabotaging!

Ok, it is a holiday weekend and yes, you need to take a break and turn off the channel. R&R is an important component for overall health and fitness and it is important to take an occasional break. Isn't that what holidays are for???

However, it's not an avenue to completely let go and sabotage your new healthy habits. If you plan to imbibe, do so, but perhaps with a give and take philosophy. I mean if you know you are going to be eating and/or drinking high caloric foods and beverages, try to be moderate. Don't go to a party or BBQ starved. Try to eat something light but satisfying beforehand so you don't find yourself gorging on "off limit" foods. Also limit these foods to small portions and eat slowly if possible to enjoy the flavors! If you drink alcohol, do drink plenty of water between drinks to fill you up and slow you down.

If you have a chance to exercise beforehand, go for it! Even if you can only do a short workout, it's better than none. If you are on holiday, try to walk as much as possible.

Whatever you end up doing, don't freak, just get back on track when you return...Consistency is Key!

2006-06-28T19:57:00.000-07:00

Making Time For Exercise: The Ultimate Balancing Act

So you want to get fit, perhaps drop a few lbs, lower your cholesterol, relieve stress or perhaps have a sports specific goal such as participating in a charity 10k run etc. The first step to achieving your goal is making time for working out. This can be quite a balancing act for those who work full time, have families and/or significant others, and may have other social obligations and commitments as well. A challenge yes, but cetainly doable if you can strategize and prioritize a certain amount of time per week for YOU. Depending on your fitness goals and time constraints, this can mean dedicating just 3-4 hrs per week but for some, as much as 10+. Of course this all depends on many factors and training goals. Nonetheless, everyone can find 3-4 hrs a week to spend on their health and fitness.

Even so, it may require a bit of re-orging your days/weeks. For some, exercising first thing in the morning works, and is a good way to rev up for the day as well as "get it over with and done". For others, that is not an option and perhaps a lunch time blast workout can fit in. Still, some prefer after work before going home. It really doesn't matter when as long as it works in YOUR schedule and lifestyle.

If you choose to workout in a Health Club/Fitness Center, CONVENIENCE is key. If it isn't located in your "normal" radius of daily travel, the likelihood of adhering is slender. It seems that if you have to drive to get there, chances are you are going to breeze right by!

Another important factor is condensing and prioritizing some quality time for your self. Perhaps this means shaving a hour or two from your evening television watching or getting up an hour earlier 3 days a week or eating your lunch at your desk after a workout. If you are really serious you can find a way!

Having a commitment to a class, a personal trainer, or signing up for a charity event run/walk is another motivating factor to make sure you comply. Encourage your co-workers/colleagues/family members to join you. The more support you have the better.

Afterall, being in good physical and mental shape increases quality of life, keeps you feeling younger and is a great way to re-channel stress.

2006-06-26T21:46:00.000-07:00

Women & Strength Training: Why do it?

Even though there has been so much information advocating strength training and women, there still are a lot of questions and misinformation out there.

We do know that strength training increases LBM (lean body mass) which is a good thing as lean body mass is metabolically active and requires nutrients and calories to sustain itself, so metabolism increases. However, many women equate that with big muscles. Wrong! First of all MOST women don't have enough testoterone to produce large muscles and secondly it takes so much hard work and lots of regimented dieting to do that! As a former competitive (natural) bodybuilder, I had to workout with very heavy weights and follow a strict diet to look the way I did then. It wasn't easy. I don't look like this now (see above) as like everything else training specificity is just that. I now train for sport performance, overall bone density and core strength and fitness. Yes, genetics play a big role in how much muscle you can gain but most women just arn't going to "bulk up" with a well balanced weight training routine. On the contrary, just shape up!

Weight training combined with cardiovascular activity and a sound eating program will have greater results than just a cardiovascular program itself.

Not only will strength training help you get leaner, it can aid with postural concerns, and plays an important role for osteoporosis prevention. But the best part is being strong enough to not have to ask for help when you need to move a heavy object :)

If you'd like more information regarding setting up a strength training routine consider hiring a certified Personal Trainer/Strength coach. There are many resources provided by the National certifying agencies that have lists of qualified trainers. www.acefitness.org and www.nsca-lift.org both have trainer locator services on their websites.

If you have any questions feel free to email me: nfarzan@mindspring.com

2006-06-25T17:27:00.000-07:00

Is it time for new workout shoes?????

OK, this guy got creative with duct tape but HOPEFULLY you replace yours every 6 months. That's right, 6 months! Someone like me should really replace them every 3 months as I'm on my feet all day demonstrating exercises etc. If you are working out regularly and then also wear those same shoes walking around etc. the shelf life is about 6 months. I know that's not very long but face it, if you are putting a lot of forces in a shoe repetitively the shoe breaks down and has a lot less support. You can probably get away a bit longer, as it really depends each person and shoe.

If you are looking for a good workout shoe consider the following:

In a proper fit, your heel should be snug and not slip up and down excessively. Also, there should be about one-half inch between the end of your longest toe and the end of the toe box. Some additional tips include:

* Consider four basic factors: support, comfort, durability and control of foot motion.
* Always try on both shoes, fully laced, preferably in the late afternoon when your feet are at their largest (many people have slightly swollen feet later in the day).
* Stand, walk and jog around outside the store where you are purchasing your shoes. You should be able to wiggle your toes. Most quality shoes do not need to be broken in significantly.
* Don't forsake quality for economy. An inexpensive pair of shoes may fit your budget, but often the added quality of a more expensive shoe is well worth the investment.
* You may want to shop for footwear at specialty athletic shoe stores that employ experienced sales clerks. Retail specialty stores may not offer the best prices — a pair of top-quality shoes will cost at least $50 and should last at least 500 miles — but a knowledgeable salesperson can help you to distinguish between the many different types of footwear.

so put the duct tape away :)

2006-06-25T07:07:00.000-07:00

Neuromuscular Stabilization Training

Do you work on your balance? Hmmmm, something we all take for granted but are constantly integrating in our lives daily. Like any other component of fitness, this one is often overlooked and if so becomes deficient with inactivity.

Balance is a component of all movements and is not just a static process. Functional balance is a process using multiple neurological pathways.

Mike Clark MS. a leader in the Fitness Industry advocating function is a top educator on integrating the kinetic chain. He states " The kinetic chain works as an integrated functional unit to allow structural and functional efficiency. Structural efficiency is the alignment of the musculoskeletal system (myofascial and articular systems) that allows our center of gravity to be maintained over our base of support during movement. This signifies the importance of proper postural alignment before, during and after each exercise. Functional efficiency is the ability of the neuromuscular system to monitor and manipulate movement during functional tasks using the least amount of energy, creating the least amount of stress on the kinetic chain. This can only be accomplished by having proper structural efficiency. If the kinetic chain is not properly aligned, the muscles will be placed in altered length-tension relationships and cause altered force-couple relationships. In turn, the receptors located in the muscles, tendons, joints and ligaments will provide improper sensory feedback to the nervous system and result in the production of faulty movement patterns. The nervous system is organized in such a way as to optimize the selection of muscle synergies and not the selection of the individual muscles. The nervous system thinks in terms of movement patterns and not isolated muscle function. Isolation and training individual muscles over prolonged periods of time creates artificial sensory feedback, faulty sensorimotor integration and abnormal forces throughout the kinetic chain. This ultimately acts to confuse the nervous system as muscles are being asked to perform a function that the nervous system does not understand.
Traditional program design often results in an incomplete training program not challenging the proprioceptive mechanisms of the kinetic chain."

Therefore an educated and conscientious workout routine should include exercise that invlove a proprioceptive challenge. One leg balance, the use of stability balls, foam rolls, bosu and wobble boards are all tools that can provide this stimulus. Of course, this type of training (just like any other) should be tailored and logically progressed according to an individuals needs and body awareness levels.

I specifically integrate proprioceptive challenges in all my workout designs for my clients. Besides the obvious core strength/neural improvements it provides, it's a great way to break up monotony of an exercise routine and beside that, looks COOL too!! :)

2006-06-23T16:24:00.000-07:00

Commuting by bike.....Ok, so my 6 mile jaunt doesn't have as many hairpins as this but it has it's share of obstacles.

First of all, I feel so fortunate to be able to ride to work again. Besides riding for pleasure/sport, my bikes were my daily commute vehicles. So after the wrist surgery, I had to either drive or take Muni. We all know the pitfalls of Muni (especially when you live near the end of a line, it takes FOREVER), so driving became the quickest option. This was kind of ironic becuase it took me the same amount of time to drive/park/walk to Club One as it does to ride my bike there. HMMMM. Save $$$ on gas, parking upkeep etc...and get a little extra (bonus) exercise, why not commute by bike?? Don't get me wrong, I'm certainly not anti car. I own a nice one and enjoy driving but to help be one less car when I can, just seems right.

So today I rode my fixed gear Bianchi (first time in 5 months) and had a blast. There is nothing like the simplicty of a fixie. No gear changes, no coasting, and lots of spinning. Ton's of fun. I will admit I am too wimpy to learn to track stand but I do as much as I can not to have to unclip and put a leg down as possible :) At one point, after I passed a guy on a slight downgrade, I glanced at my cadence monitor and saw 130 rpm's...Oh what fun :)

2006-06-22T18:01:00.000-07:00

Hydration: Are you getting enough water? If you are working out regularly you need to make sure you replenish liquids. ESPECIALLY in hot weather. Regular daily intake: 8 eight ounce glasses of water PLUS 100-150% of fluid lost during training. During intense exercise you may lose 1oz. or more of water per minute through sweat (2-3L/hour of sweat) . The body can only absorb 1oz. per 3-4 minutes. The easiest way to tell that you have had enough to drink is to monitor your urine. Clear urine in significant amounts indicates adequate hydration. Dark-colored urine is concentrated with metabolic waste and means that your are dehydrated.
A good rule of thumb is to weigh your self before and after training. Replace each pound lost with at least one pint of water or sports type drink. If you are exercising for 2 hours or more, a sports drink with electrolytes and carbohydrates can keep blood sugar levels and the sodium/potassium levels steady.

So, Don't forget to drink!!!

2006-06-22T16:54:00.000-07:00

I am a big believer in using a heart rate monitor when working out. It really can make a difference in your training and is a necessary tool if you want to achieve your fitness goals. I bought my first one in 1989 and have been using one ever since. At that time there was only one brand that was readily avaivable and to this day they are the most well known and respected in the industry. That would be Polar. Polar invented the first wireless accurate EKG heart rate monitor back in 1977 for the Finnish National Cross Country ski team. The one I bought in 1989 was made in Finland and the reciever was a huge bulky square watch. Now they come in an assortment of styles and have all sorts of optional functions, bell and whistles. I use the S710 model which is bike specific. Besides monitoring my HR, it can record cadence, speed, log miles, record time and is all downloadable to my computer where I can view the data via charts, grafts, and numbers. How fun!
Maybe not every one needs to have all those features but certainly if you want results (whether it's weight loss, improved cardiovascular performance, or just be accountable for maintaining a healthy heart),I suggest you invest in one.

2006-06-20T20:10:00.000-07:00

Spinning - what's the big deal?

Ok, so you don't have a lot of time during the work week to get your cardiovascular training in, but you know you feel and perform so much better when you do. You get bored on the cardiovascular machinery and find yourself just slogging through the workout. Spin classes may be the change you need! Working out with a structured format with a group can help motivate and push you to a higher level of fitness. The teacher provides guidelines and it's up to the individuals to modify or intensify when necessary. I like my students to wear HR monitors when possible so we can establish training zones and have some measureable parameters to work with during the class. A good spin class should have a training objective, teach cycling techniques that apply to "outdoor" bicycling such as cadence work, strength, endurance and HR based exercises.

If you have never taken taken a spin class before, tell the instructor so he/she can set your bike fit as well as give you some pointers beforehand. Bring water and a towel as you are guarenteed to sweat.

For those of you spinning "veterans", start monitoring your HR, it may give you a better idea of how to improve your training. Not everyone has the same HR zones and these can be determined a few different ways. (not just age predicted cause if that was the case, I'd be long dead!)
At Club One, we offer a great 8 week Spin camp based on a short periodized program. The objective is to teach the fundamentals of cycling training, build an endurance base, build bike leg strength and condition the CV system through a series of exercises and intervals. By week 9 the participants are ready to be able to endure a 3 hour Spin Class finale! I'm running one now and we are finishing up the strength phase and my class is awesome! It's a lot of fun to see everyone getting stronger.

2006-06-19T20:14:00.000-07:00

Don't Let This Happen to YOU!

2006-06-19T20:12:00.000-07:00

Making the right food choices just takes a bit if thoughtfulness and organization. Making time to go to the grocery store (with a list of course) is essential for taking control of your dietary needs. Bringing food to work/school is not that difficult if you prep the night before. Why not cook enough for a few meals and then take the leftovers to work? Not only will it save you $$, it will probably save your waistline as well as you will have control over ingredients and portions.

A few tips:

Stash snacks such as yogert/cottage cheese, fruit, string cheese, roasted almonds, turkey jerkey at the office so when you get a food craving, there is no need to run out to the vending machine or pastry shop.

If you have to go out for business lunches/dinners, learn how to order lightly. Ask for dressings/sauces on the side and use sparingly. Drink plenty of water and try to avoid the bread/butter that comes to the table before the meal. Ask for steamed veggies. Go grilled or broiled (dry) why possible. Don't hesitate to ask the waitress for substitutions for side dishes etc. Try to eat slowly and stop when full. Often the portions are enough for 2!
Every little bit or should I say bite counts :)

2006-06-18T17:25:00.000-07:00

More thoughts on "Functional Fitness"....
You may ask why do people in the gym today do all sorts of "wacky looking" balance exercises on all kinds of unstable toys? What the heck are they doing? Aren't machines safer than free weights? Ah yes, fitness training has changed....

First of all, most people's average day has changed. With all of our modern technology, we are spending so may hours sitting staring over a computer screen. In addition to that many people spend an hour or so commuting. After a long day at work, then comes dinner and finally some much needed R&R: plop down on the couch (or perhaps in front of the computer....

Hmmmm, sounds like a recipe for developing some very weak/tight core muscles and more than likely some postural deviations. In addition to that, not many calories expended during the day which leads to gradual weight gain...

OK, so it's my job to assess, devise, and instruct a reasonable exercise plan to combat this problem as well as chisel that neglected physique. Let's face it, the more "functional" an exercise routine is the better and more efficent it will be! The workout should move in all planes of movement including the transverse or horizontal plane, utilize stability, dynamic flexibility and of course a cardiovascular component. This can be achieved in 45 min to an hour....Done 2-5 times a week....That's a recipe for success...So the next time you see someone using a Stability ball, a Foam Roll or maybe a Bosu, don't laugh, they may be getting in good shape!

2006-06-18T10:20:00.000-07:00

SWEET!

2006-06-16T19:14:00.000-07:00

First day back on the bike, I kind of felt like a dinosaur. Feeling somewhat bike extinct, yet all the while it felt oh-so natural. At 6:15 this morning, I was out the door, pedaling up Fulton Street, something I hadn't done in 5 months! I was so excited that when I reached the Citigroup building and went up the escaltor to the gym, I did a victory lap in the weight room where I got a nice round of applause from all the members/clients who all know my passion had been on hold for quite a while. After training my first client of the day, I took my "pinky" for an easy into ride up to 4 corners in Mill Valley....It feel good to be on the way back with my good old friend. what a lesson in patience this whole thing has been.