Recovery week/end

Recovery weeks provide a time for reflection and personal growth. I have learned to embrace them! As an athlete, recovery (rest) weeks and days keep your body in tune for training.

I am enjoying a blackberry margarita at Pacific Coast Grill

Friday evening started with a celebratory dinner of my friend's, B, birthday at Pacific Coast Grill (PCG) in Cardiff by the Sea. You can read my review on Yelp here: Diana A Yelp Review. The sunset view completed the experience. I'm a big fan of the sunsets. On the 2nd level of PCG they have an open patio with an amazing view. Next time, I'll enjoy my drinks on the outdoor patio.

We had an amazing view of the sunset that made the pricey dinner worth it!

 I took full advantage of a Saturday recovery day by sleeping in until 7 a.m. It occurred to me that Saturday was Jodina's, Italiano with Jodina, conversation group. I decided since I had this rare cycling free Saturday to join her group. Training plays an important part in becoming a strong cyclist, same concept with a language. Jodina's Saturday session complemented my Monday evening class. Jodina shared with us this beautiful linen with the pasta of Italy and we learned the "leggenda" of where pasta was born (hint: not China).

Bike Ride Report:  Since I had two days off the bike I decided to join my friend,  JP,  and his Velo Allegro cycling club on a ride up Glendora Mountain Road (GMR) for a 50+ miler ride covering approximately 5K feet of climbing. I didn't know what to expect. GMR placed high on my "to do" cycling list. We encountered beautiful weather for our ride. Overall, the ride provided a challenge but not as steep as I expected hitting only 7-9% grades.  The last 6 months of training focused on keeping a high cadence and this has helped tremendously with the climbing. The compact crank helps out too with the climbing.  I felt very strong on this climb. It served as a reminder of the importance of recovery both in my cycling training and in life. 

Check out my ride here:

Moroccan Bowl & Acai Beer

We had a post race celebration dinner at Native Foods in Newport Beach. I died with happiness eating the rockin' Moroccan bowl. All vegan and plant based food. It tasted delicious and a reminder that being creative you can make delicious food. I thought of Kalli, who inspires me to cook healthy and live a positive life, when I read her Fit and Forty Something blog & view her instragram postings.

Barkley after daycare

Recovery week and weekend proved successful as noted by my performance on the GMR ride. After this ride, Barkley did a great job depicting my feelings of how I felt after the long day of cycling.

A nice complement to my recovery weekend included a beautiful sunset view from my balcony.

On a quick side note regarding my blog. I started this blog as an online journal to share my experiences with the participants of the Wednesday Women's ride I lead in Encinitas. I received a very nice compliment from Jessica that writes the Run on Organic Blog. She nominated me for the One Lovely Blog Award!! Check out her blog for the details of the award.

 

Here are 7 possibly unknown things about me:
1. Spanish was my first language. I didn't speak English when I started kindergarten.
2. I completed 3 Ironmans. My goal was to complete 3 in the 3rd decade of my life.
3. I've traveled to 32 countries (I traveled a lot in Europe since I lived in Germany for 9 months).
4. I'm a project manager for a healthcare insurance company.
5. I ran Boston Marathon and had a personal record time of 3:35 hours.
6. I'm of Mexican descent. Both of my parents were born in Mexico.
7. My first endurance sport was marathon running to lose weight.

I am supposed to list the 15 blogs I follow but I only follow 7:

1. http://fitandfortysomething.com/

2. http://runonorganic.wordpress.com/

3. http://dailyworth.com/

4. http://zenhabits.net/

5. http://www.pm4girls.elizabeth-harrin.com/

6. http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/encinitas/2012/05/17/oh-baby-whole-baby/

7. http://www.baggagereclaim.co.uk/

Thanks for reading my blog! It's been a fun journey with you. 

Summer Solstice Celebration - MoonLight Beach - Encinitas

Photo op at the Del Mar beach

Wednesday started out as a beautiful summer solstice day. Barbara and I resumed our weekly Wednesday GLD ride. We decided on a recovery ride up the coast for one hour. We focused on our pedal stroke, keeping our cadence high and riding in a pace line. 

Bike stop to snap a photo - Del Mar

Check out our ride on Strava:

Amazing sunset at Moonlight Beach

Today was a special day - the summer solstice. I had shared the idea with Jodina (http://italianowithjodina.com/), my Italian teacher, that I wanted to celebrate solstice at the beach. She jumped on board and we planned a beach BBQ at Moonlight Beach. We invited several friends to join us.We had quite a turn out considering it was a "school" night. We grilled chicken from El Nopalito Mexican Market - Encinitas, salmon, bell peppers & steak. We even managed to drink some vino. The best parts of the evening included an amazing sunset, spending time with new and old friends and the flying paper activity. 

The friendship line

My sisters

The ladies with our token male, Eric

Jodina surprised us with her flying paper activity. She gave us tissue paper to write down something in our lives where we sought abundance. After everyone had written down their thoughts, we gathered around the fire and one at time, tossed in our sheets of paper. Everyone participated and thought it was such a great way to end our solstice celebration. 














A balanced life for me includes making time for the people I love and to enjoy the simple things of life. I also appreciate my recovery days/weeks because they allow me to rest up, gather my strength and give me extra time for other fun activities. It's all about having balance. 

Serious Cycling Jailhouse Criterium Race & weekend fun

The weekend started off right with a happy hour with my WP project manager friends/colleagues at LadyFace Brassiere in Agoura Hills.  They serve delicious food such as fresh fish and carry an assortment of craft beers on draft. The outside seating along the hills makes for  relaxing place to join friends.

Sandy has been my mentor for a few years and I've known Tracy since I started at WP. Despite the distance, we manage to reunite.

B4T9 RACE REPORT:

Team B4T9 representing at the Serious Cycling Jail House Crit

Saturday was the Serious Cycling Jailhouse criterium (crit) race held at Castaic Lake. It's called Jailhouse criterium because it was located at a prison and the course circled the prison living quarters. The course had a slight riser and the road had some bumps that were well marked. We watched the Men Cat 5 racers and a few of them went down after turn 5 and I was  nervous due to the crash that happened during the Women Cat 3 race after turn 5.  Crits are my least favorite races because I never feel warmed up enough to race and these races hurt! Lucky for me, my B4T9 teammate, Amy, supported me in a 45 minute warm up prior to the race. We had a great start, with my normal advice to Amy , not to work so much initially. I attempted a few sprints to make the girls work and add some "excitement" to the race. Twenty minutes into the race my chain stuck and I wasn't able to pedal. I had hit a bump in the road causing my wheel to come loose and I lost the group.  I did join the group after one lap and decided to finish the race, after all I needed a good workout to burn off the beer calories. I continued the race working with a first time racer and made her work on a good sprint section. My body continues to learn to accept the burn in the legs as well as the slight stomach cramps from breathing hard. I was disappointed in myself because I didn't place my wheel on properly, lesson learned. Overall it was a great race. All the Cat 4 women raced safely and kept their lines. Amy took 1st place and made B4T9 proud. Thanks to fellow B4T9 teammates, Anne and Sue, for their outstanding race support and Deanne for hosting me.  My B4T9 sisters spoil me!

B4T9 , Amy, taking 1st place!



Saturday afternoon, I trekked to my old town of Ventura, where I had lived for 5 years, to spend a relaxing evening and ride with Ventura group on Sunday. My first stop included a wine and cheese purchase at Paradise Pantry. The employee recommended a Piedra Sassi Syrah from Lompoc and Spanish cheese - she made the perfect recommendation. I stayed at my friend's house with an amazing view of the ocean and my old friend/neighbor, Lorena came by for a visit.

 

Simple, fun, relaxing evening in Ventura



Lorena- we met when I lived off the Avenue
in Ventura

On Sunday, I rode with the Ventura group. I stopped at Marie Shannon Confections to pick up a coffee. Shannon had just baked "healthy" muffins with egg whites, zucchini and walnuts. I couldn't resist the freshly baked and warm muffins straight out of the oven. The Ventura group headed up towards Capinteria and several of us rode up to Montecito including the Toro Canyon climb with a Cafe Luna stop. Ventura is one of my favorite cycling places in the world.

Check out my Ventura Sunday ride:

On my way back to Encinitas, I made a stop in Long Beach to visit with my love, Barkley, who belongs to my friend, JP, and willingly shares him with me. It's nice to have my dog fix. We had dinner at Spazzy's, a gastropub on 2nd street. They serve great food, nice seating with open windows and serve one of my favorite things: craft draft beer. 



I truly enjoy my craft beer from draft



Barkley, my love





Grateful to have spent time with my B4T9 sisters and great friends. Love weekends filled with friends, good food, good beer/wine and of course cycling!

Next on the calendar - I may attempt a few more criterium races in the L.A. area. My big race is Nationals in Bend OR come September.



Celebrating women in cycling and Gruppo Le Donne (GLD) ride

Yesterday was a day filled of celebrating women's riding. Fellow B4T9'ers, Jill and Fran, set off for Race Across the West (RAW), an 850 mile race starting in Oceanside CA and ending in Durango CO. Their goal is to complete it under 55 hours. Jill and Fran are my inspiration both on and off the bike.  They posses the mental strength and endurance to succeed with this type of race.


Jill and Fran at the RAW send-off in Oceanside.



Just as important as the racers, the support crew  plays a critical role in the race. RaeLynn and Sandi (B4T9 teammates) show off  their excitement with their big smiles. Jill and Fran are in good hands with the support crew of six including another B4T9 sister, Kelly.

 

RAW is part of the Ride Across America (RAAM) organization. Jill completed RAAM in 2010 on a 4 woman team recording a record for the event. Jill has been my coach since October 2011.  Not only does she rock on the bike, she has a heart of gold. Check out her website: http://www.revolutioncoaching.com/.

Jill taking off for RAW.

Wednesday the Gruppo Le Donne (GLD) ride started from Hygeia. Major Judy (a.k.a. Chrissie) joined me for a truly easy recovery ride up the coast. We had a fun time catching up on life that included topics on careers, relationships and cycling. Regardless of the type of ride, Major Judy, always makes me work.

Check out the route:


We had a beautiful view of the Del Mar Fair on our way home. A must stop to snap a picture.

One of the fun parts of the GLD ride is the post ride dinner. We checked out the Birdhouse, a local turkish cuisine restaurant and found a treasure. We enjoyed the fava bean dip and the gyro salad/sandwich. Next time we are taking our own bottle of wine.

Great day of watching the B4T9 team & support crew take off for RAW and ended with a fun evening ride with Major. Now time to prep for Saturday's race - Jailhouse criterium up at Castaic Lake.  

A June Weekend

The weekend started off to a great start with an Italian Happy Hour at one of my favorite pizza places – Crust in Encinitas. I met a new friend, Laura, straight from Milan (arrived 3 weeks ago). The happy hour was organized by my Italian teacher, Jodina (www.italianowithjodina.com). We took the picture since we matched with our "arancione" colored clothing (very Italian).

As for cycling, Saturday had only planned for a 3 hour ride based on my schedule. I joined Ride Cyclery ride and ended up riding 84 miles in 4.5 hours with head/cross winds both ways.  It was one hard ride and a great group! First time I actually felt safe in a group ride here in San Diego. Brent from Ride Cyclery did an awesome job leading the ride. 

Check out the ride route - I earned the QOM on Killer Cove Road :

Saturday evening included a relaxing time at home and a capture of the evening's sunset at Beacon's Beach. This particular sunset reminded me of Suzanne Rivera (B4T9 sister) whom I'll always keep close to my heart. 

Sunday morning started with an "easy" ride to La Jolla with my dear friend, Bradley, and a scrumptious brekkie at Swami’s. Followed by a day well spent with my family. My sister and I even managed a quick trip to the MAC store to purchase some much needed summer make-up.  MAC has very cool colors to keep me looking good off the bike “naturally”.  I'm loving the "full speed ahead" lipgloss and "mint" eyeliner. Bronzer is always a must and so is the neutral eyeshadow.

It was a great weekend of riding, family and special friend time. 

1st Encinitas Gruppo Le Donne Ride

First ride of the summer. Goal is for us to meet weekly to ride together & have some fun. Amanda, Rachel, Chrissie and I started from Hygeia. We changed the route to include Double Peak. Rachel did a great job reaching the top with her "give me any challenge & I'll do it" attitude. We celebrated with post ride sushi at HapiFish. Looking forward to next week!

Wednesday Women's Ride

For the last year or so I've volunteered to lead women's ride.  I first started with the Rincon Triathlon Club out of Ventura.  I now live in Encinitas and recently started a women's group here. The goal for me is to share my passion for cycling with other women, sharing cycling tips,  promoting my awesome cycling team, B4T9 & having FUN!