Nike told us to run like a girl, so we did.

I don’t remember a time when I liked running.

In middle school, we ran once a week to put miles toward this “challenge” called 100 Mile Club.  The point was to rack up mileage, 100+,  over the course of two years.  Almost everyone earned their 100 Mile Club hoodie.  But guess who has one less tacky hoodie? ME.

For the past 25 years, I’ve pretty much cursed running but I guess the times, they are a-changin’.  I ran my first half marathon, thanks to GloKo, with pretty much no training whatsoever.  (The only running I did before the half was from security to our plane gate where we were the LAST ones to board–yes, we were THOSE people.)  I found that running longer distances is more than just a physical challenge.  It’s all in my head–the most difficult mental challenge thus far. Long story short, I now just curse at myself in my head while I run.  Lots of expletives, that I can’t repeat to live on the world wide web forever, to push me through the pain.  The crazier part?  I’m already signed up for another half in February.

So, do I still hate running? It’s complicated.  :)

Getting ready with the sister in the SF dark

Running through the wharf...(I hate the word wharf! So ugly...)

Scenery in SF was AMAZING

The finish with our Tiffany necklaces handed out by HOT firemen in tuxes. Nike does it right!!!

Mountain biking is for girls too!! Oh, was that a moose I just bunny hopped over?

Let’s face it, when people think of mountain biking, they don’t imagine girls being one with the dirt, bunny hopping over every obstacle in sight while racing down a single track. Even Specialized asked for candidates to explain why they’d be “the right guy for the job.” And really, I don’t blame anyone for this initial perception. Why? Because there AREN’T enough girls whizzing through the trails. Luckily enough, I’m here and willing to help change that!

I can go on and on about how I love anything with two wheels, my passion for the sport, but I’m sure you have a good idea if you’ve read my previous posts, so here’s what makes me a little different:

1. Committed. I may not have the most years under my belt but I’m committed to riding and spreading the word. I’ve made many new friends through riding and have introduced plenty more to the sport.  I make sure that there is always a ride for those that want to ride, especially the newbies. If I’m leading a new route, I am prepared. (I guess it’s in my nature since I’m a Risk Analyst by trade). Friends joke that I “pick up strays” but the more cyclists, the merrier, right?

2. Social/New Media Aficionado And Some. I blog, I Facebook, I tweet. Not only do I do this on a personal level, but I’m part of INCULINK (@inculink), a New Media Consultancy group focused on increasing personal and corporate brand awareness. We’re always helping our clients understand how best to engage with their customers using social media and online networks. Simply put, I am pretty good at making things known.

3. Appealing. This is not to say that I am attractive whatsoever, but I believe I’m appealing to new riders. I’m relatively new to the sport and still learning a plethora of information making me a way less threatening figure than a pro racer or a candidate with 10+ years of experience. It’s the whole, “If I can do it, you can do it,” mentality. I’ve had several inexperienced friends approach me about mountain biking after I raved about my first experience.  If there are more NEW riders to the sport, this would mean more demand for mountain bikes and potentially more sales for Specialized. Think about it….

4. Support. I’m part of an awesome women’s cycling group, with some members that are very experienced mountain bikers willing to help me with this endeavor to introduce more new and female riders. Those that have not yet ridden the trails have expressed a strong interest in learning and I’d like to be a part of that. In coalition with my local bike shop, Cynergy Cycles (@cynergycycles) and Jim of Cynergy, I hope that I can make their dreams a reality given when demo bikes become available at the store for real test rides.  I’m more than willing to help advertise for future demo events.

5. Equipped. Oh, did I mention that I have several cameras to capture all the action!?!  I’m a one (wo)man paparazzi!
   

So, what do you say, Specialized?  Let’s team up and make the Specialized brand even more female friendly!

Katie, our fearless leader

Road helmet and shoes. Humble beginnings...

I only started road cycling nine months ago with the beginner’s group out of the local bike shop, Cynergy Cycles. Katie, our fearless leader, has transformed me from a timid 20 mile rider to a masochistic freak on two wheels.   Since my pedaling adventures began, I have already ridden down to San Diego from Irvine (approximately 80 miles) twice. I was loving the long cruises, the pain of endurance riding, the vast cityscapes I got to see in the open air.  I was a roadie for life—or so I thought.

Earlier this year, I had the opportuniy to demo a Specialized mountain bike on the local trails. My first reaction to riding a mountain bike? “Oh crud, I just opened up a whole new can of worms!” Road cycling was far from my mind while I was bunny hopping over fallen trees trunks, huge rocks on the single track, and of course the best part, crashing. It took my true love for nature and things on two wheels and blended it into one sport. When the ride was over and returned to the store, I hopped back on to my road bike and said, “THIS IS SO BORING!!” as I bunny hopped on my road bike in the shop parking lot. Jim from Cynergy and Katie both laughed but only because they knew I was only half joking.

Every now and then when I’m on my road bike, I find myself proactively seeking objects to bunny hop over wishing that I was on the local trail enjoying nature instead of the “sharing the road” with $100,000 cars that cut me off on the narrow streets of LA…

Alison shooting out of the slide

Rawr! Look at how fierce Mai is....

Sailing on Sand.

As you can see, this wasn’t our typical Sunday ride but too much fun!

Camp Morning Star

Jenks Lake

A few of us staffers at the annual kids camp (LABCC) I help out with got a chance to go hiking to the lake this year, sans kids.  It was a great way to kick off the week with friend before the adorable but rowdy kids showed up.  :)  Every time I’m up in the Barton Flats area (near Big Bear), I have this urge to go back to school so I can become a ranger.  But then I realize it’s because we get to come up during the most beautiful time of year.  Until next year!

TV Dude.

Sometimes, I seriously wonder how the kids at Critical Mass (or any of the other Urban rides) do it!  Whatever their reasons, I will give them credit for creativity.

It’s been a while since I’ve done a huge urban ride like this–I guess I forgot how much fun it used to be since I turned old this year. :)

Before being mummified in bandages

Cruisin’ the Conejo was supposed to be my first organized metric century as well as Bobby’s.  Unfortunately for Bobby, he crashed hard at around mile 23 going down a long, straight decent at around 35 mph.  By the looks of this photo, I can’t stress how important it is to be wearing a helmet!  You might feel “dorky” in a helmet but it really does save lives.  Check out his gnarly bruise on his head WITH the helmet.  Can you imagine what that’d be like without one? It’s a good thing our friend Debbie was there by his side at the time of the accident…

Grandma and Me. 1989

In case you didn’t know, Grandma, I just wanted to say thanks for:

•   Playing Poker with me (or at least what you let me think was Poker)
•   Watching TV with me
•   Admiring my terrible drawings
•   Taking walks around the neighborhood and smelling the flowers with me
•   Sharing your Doritos
•   Just being my Grandma.

Rest In Peace

Drowning in tulips

It doesn’t matter how much time has passed or how many miles separate us, Chelle will always be in my life.  If it weren’t for Chelle, I’m not sure I would have survived the growing pains during my years at UCLA.  We laughed, we cried, we had a beer or two together.

And what’s better than visiting Chelle?  Visiting Chelle in beautiful Seattle, WA!  The tulip fields were breathtaking and playing in the endless rows of tulips and frolicking in the nearby open fields was so carefree and fun.  It was just what I needed on my weekend getaway trip.  Oh, and can I say that Chelle, being the amazing person that she is, has also surrounded herself with even more awesome people?! :)  Thanks, guys, for making the trip a memorable one!

Ben, Oli, Debbie, Me. The last 10 miles went on forever. Thank goodness for pizza!

I don’t think we’ve looked this happy after a ride as we do here.  My goal in February when I first started riding seriously was to complete a metric century.  Now, I have on a ride organized by yours truly.  After dragging my friends to ride 80 miles with me (yes, dragging, and they made it very clear during the ride they were forced to do this ride), we had the best grub at Pizza Port in Solano Beach, CA.

My favorite part, other than the pizza, was the ride through Camp Pendleton.  The roads were void of cars for the most part and although there was a little headwind, it was a serene experience to be with just your bike, the road, and fellow cyclists.  If anyone wants to try this ride, let me know!  I’m always available for this ride!

Now that I’ve done a metric century, I’ll have to do my organized metric century event, then the REAL century is next….