Saturday June 25th - First Day on the Bike Course

So I rationalized sleeping through the Captain's ride this morning by promising myself I would ride the Alcatraz bike course in the afternoon (after catching up on some much needed rest)... 26 miles and some wicked hill climbs later, I realized this bike course is no joke...

Baby Bella Vacation and Training in Hood River

I ventured up to Hood River last week to spend some time with my family and my sister's new baby - Isabella June. It was an awesome trip - lots of family, beautiful weather, amazing food (including salmon Matt caught on a recent fishing trip, and a spontaneous strawberry rhubarb pie he whipped up sans recipe at 9pm), tons of training, and requisite amounts of sleep.

Baby Bella, flexing like a champ:

Awesome views on the way down to the pool:

Running through downtown:

Gil's steps:

Saturday June 18th - First Fundraiser!!

Knupps and I hosted our first fundraiser on the 18th - Flapjacks and Flipcup at the Fortress, complete with post sand ladder pancakes and pre-North Beach festival shenanigans. Thanks to everyone that came out in support from spring and summer team!!

Be sure to check out the videos below...

Flapjacks and Flipcup - that's what the Fortress does!!

Uncle Buck on the grill:

Summer Team with the come-from-behind victory over Spring Team:

Scouting Escape from Alactraz

We're now two weeks into coached practices... the training's been pretty broad - everything from swim technique drills, intervals on the track (1st time since high school), run technique work, bike maintenance, and a timed 100m swim marker set (yeah, that wasn't so pretty).

Earlier today I watched 2,000 triathletes compete in the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon, including my TNT mentor, Lisa, who swam as part of a relay team. Escape from Alcatraz is the closely related cousin to the SF Triathlon at Alcatraz, slightly longer swim, shorter bike, and the same grueling run. The thunderstorms held off and the weather was gorgeous (proving once again that meteorologists in SF have a tough job). Biggest takeaway from today was to pick the right line in the swim... you definitely don't want to overshoot and get stuck fighting the current back to the swim exit.

T-minus 11 weeks until I'll be in a similar picture...

It's Official... Let the Training (and Fundraising) Begin!!

We had our big kickoff meeting this weekend for Team in Training's summer season. I met a ton of new people - from participants, to mentors, to coaches... and most importantly, this season's honorees. To date, Team in Training has raised over $1 billion for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society - money that is used to fund research into new drugs as well as patient services for those diagnosed with a range of blood related cancers. Meeting and talking to the honorees really highlighted the positive impact that Team in Training and the LLS has in the lives of cancer patients and their families.

Please join me in helping these cancer patients by donating using the box on the right. No donation is too small - every little bit make a difference.

Thanks and GO TEAM!!!

Hello Sand Ladder...

As if the 1.2 mi swim and 25 mi bike weren't daunting enough, the run course includes a trek up the Baker Beach Sand Ladder... over 400 steps covered in deep sand - more than enough alone to make your quads seize up with lactic acid.

This past Saturday, Knupps and I introduced ourselves to the infamous steps. They certainly got the best of us both, but we'll be back for more.

Check out the videos: First day on the run course (1/2) and First day on the run course (2/2)

SF Triathlon at Alcatraz!!!

Top 5 reasons to jump off a boat into 55 deg water, swim 1.2 mi to Marina Green, hop on a bike and ride 25 mi through the Presidio and along the Great Highway, and then run 7 mi overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge and the Pacific Ocean:

1. Because it sounds crazy.

2. Because the US Half wasn't challenging enough.

3. Because I have nothing better to do at 7am on August 21st.

4. So Knuppel can get a free pair of socks.

5. Because my ego's still bruised from that Beginning Water Polo class I took last year.

This weekend I signed for the SF Triathlon at Alcatraz with LLS's Team in Training... All kidding aside, Knupps and I are going to spend the next 15 weeks training our asses off for our first (!!) triathlon while raising money to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. Stayed tuned for updates along the way!