Dutch Fashion Model

Okay, I know I've already finished my challenge and I am working up to writing the story. Here is a picture of me with a fantastic shirt from my best friend who lives in Holland and has great fashion sense. Thanks, Deb. This will have to tide you over for now.

I'm going to write the challenge report soon. I promise. I just did a 50K in the Santa Monica Mountains on Saturday and sorta bonked afterwards. I barely made it to Santa Barbara and got a cup a joe at the Roasting Co. I couldn't even drink it, I had to climb into the back of the car and rest before I could drive home. My birthday challenge went better than that, though, so stay tuned.

Party Schedule

Okay friends, here is the plan. I could really use some help at the winerys. If you plan on tasting wine with me it would be very helpful if you could go ahead and order the wine, so that when I arrive I can just drink and move along. I may not need to stop at all of the wineries listed, but this is the general idea.

I'm very sad to say that Lisa is not going to make it after all :( That's okay, though, because I have all of you. The schedule is only a general idea, so using cell phones will be essential. Don't forget your cameras.

Please email, call or comment in the blog to let me know if and when you will be involved. 805-245-4295

Happy Birthday to me!!!

• 
  Friday
  4:00 leave for red rock
  drive, walk to boulders, boot up.
  5 - 6: 30 boulder problems 6:15 leave red rock
  drive to Y- 7:00 start swimming
  9:00 - finish swimming
  Run to Tastes of the Valleys 2.5 miles
  9:30 - 10 - taste 6 wines
  10 - run back to Y 2.5 miles
  
  Saturday
  5 am start riding Figueroa from south
  9:00 finish ride
  9:30 begin run 5 miles
  10:15 Los Olivos Cafe run 5 miles out foxen
  11:30 Curtis winery run 1.5 miles
  12 - Fess Parker run 1.5 miles
  12:30 Koehler run 5 miles
  1:45 Daniel Gehrs run 2.5 miles
  2:30 Buttonwood winery run 6.5 miles
  3:30 Kalyra winery run 1 mile
  4:00 sunstone winery run 4 miles
  4:45 Gainey winery
  Finish drinkin'

One present opened, 36 to go...

I received this gift today from my little brother, Chris and his fiance, Daniella. I haven't counted, but I'm guessing there are 37 bars in there. This is great!

Thank you Chris and Daniella. I will think of you as I feast on each tasty bar during my challenge.

2 more days. I'm a little nervous. I went on my last run before Saturday, today and thought of how far 37 miles is to run after the Figueroa bike loop. Ugh. Why am I doing this again?

PEEPS

This is Tim. He is "the landlord" as Calvin calls him. He is a good sport and is eating a peep, while wearing the bunny ears. He dosen't seem overly pleased with the peep.

We tried to eat some "peeps" tonight. This is gonna be terrible. The kids could hardly eat them. That's a bad sign. I have to eat 37 of these little guys. I found some new flavors, though, like cocoa peeps.

The kids thought I ought to eat a solid milk chocolate bunny, too. They are the worst for coming up with new things for my challenge. They have no idea what I'm about to embark on. Well, neither do I which is why I'm still up for it.

AAAhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

Here are the kids awaiting their promotions. Abigail got a 3rd stripe on her orange belt and Calvin got his purple belt. I am very proud. My next belt is brown and I have been putting off testing for about a year now. I think I may test in June.

I should mention that I am a little sore tonight. I found some stuff called "white flower analgesic balm" that my friend (acupuncturist, co-worker) gave me awhile back. I put it on my legs and arm (where I got the tetanus shot, yeah, I got one). It feels like my arm and legs have been on ice for about 30 minutes now. I hope it helps.

I forgot or more like it came very fast that the kids are on spring break this coming week. This means creative training, but I like the challenge. In fact, I should be taking it fairly easy anyhow.

Phoebe and I checked out a new trail off Paradise Rd today. It just went up and up and up, but it was very nice. I think it goes to Camino Cielo. I'll have to try it again when my legs are a little fresher. I think I'll practice some wine tasting now...

We are so tough

Here's the team. I didn't actually meet Eric (far right) or Susan (middle) till the end of the race. It was a great day for running, maybe a little warm, but everyone did great. It was a really fun event. The other members are Eddie (next to me) and Dave (between Susan and Eric). Oh, and Nicole is the little one and belongs to Dave and Susan. Only one person finished the race as an ultra. He set a course record even. It would be really tough to do alone, but a great challenge. Maybe next year.

I tested my recovery power by going on a run this morning with Fiona and Kristine. Fiona just signed up for her first half-marathon. I'm very excited for her and want to help her as much as I can. Almost nothing thrills me more than someone taking up running. So, the run this morning was 7 miles and I felt great. So, there you go. Last night I could hardly get out of bed to get a glass of water and this morning I'm running again. Steve pointed out that this means I could probably have pushed myself harder yesterday. Maybe. Okay, probably, yes, but I need to be ready for my birthday challenge. 5 days away.