New Record

I used to be a "runner."  Then my left knee went bad, I found other fun sports, and running just became a ski coaching and CX conditioning activity.  I ran enough in the great white north so I could do the Milk Run, but nothing more than that.

With my knee's history, I never expected to be a runner again.  However, all it took was a change of location and climate.  A series of events has transpired in the past 12 months that resulted in increased running activities...

running trails within 1 mile of my house

Sideburnz is now a runner (and a darn good one, as long as he's on trails)

Xterra trail running world championships is 40 miles from my house

I tried triathloning, and it was ok

My coworker introduced me to a masters running group that does intervals on the track once a week (and I join them frequently)

So now, I guess I'm a runner again, and with that I now compete in running events.

Yesterday, I ran the Straub/Kapiolani Women's 10K with 1798 other women.  I made the mistake of seeding myself where I actually belonged (between the 8 min/mile and 10 min/mile signs).  I spent the first mile dodging the walkers- who in their right mind thinks they can walk a 9 min mile?  Then I got my run on.  With the assistance of my new Garmin Forerunner 310XT (yes, its the hot one), I learned that I can still max out my heart while running.  I thought that I was still in bad enough running shape that I couldn't reach max capacity.  I finished the race 56th, 49:03 total time, 7:54 min/mile average pace. 

Now here are my records for the event:

1st 10k race

1st race longer than 5k where I've broken the 8 min/mile barrier since 2000

1st time since who knows when that I've seen 202 bpm as my max HR

I can still walk today (although I'm a little slow)

Photo credits to Sideburnz 

Weirdness, regret, surprise, resolve.

Today started off weird with a tsunami warning at 5am.  I knew something was up when Sideburnz's phone rang, and immediately afterwards, I got a text message.  I helped Capt. Richard get his boat out of the harbor, and then waited for the tsunami.  It was sort of like watching paint dry (which I'm thankful for).  I ended up napping through the entire 4-wave set.  Oh well.

In an effort to make my day productive, I decided to put a new chain on my mtb.  Tomorrow's plan involves a TT and then a mountain bike ride- better be ready.  So I took the chain off my mtb, found another chain laying around, and then decided that perhaps this random chain in the bike room, wasn't actually for me.  Still waiting to hear back from Sideburnz.  With that project on hold, I decided to take my egg beaters off my CX race bike and put them on my mtb.  I took my CX bike down from the hook, and then felt really bad for it.  I haven't ridden it since October.  Its a sweet bike.  I should totally ride my CX race bike this afternoon.  Problem is... my Aksium wheels (former CX training wheels) are on my travelers check and 2 speeded.  Ok, this is an easy fix, I'll take my wheels off my cross check.  There's no tires on them anyway.  So I pull that bike off the hook (presently, there are 3 strewn about the bike room in various states of disrepair + 1 bike on the futon-don't know how that ended up there), and consider my options.   I actually need commuter tires on my crosscheck, not knobbies.   My only geared commuter bike, the xtracycle, is really sick (ill, in need of dire repair) .  Maybe the crosscheck wheels aren't the best answer.  How much do I want to put knobbies on, change cassettes, adjust my brakes, and do who knows what else before my ride?  Not very much.

My road bike, which I don't think needs any repairing would be the easy ride option.  I could even leave the entire mess, ride for an hour, and return to ponder my options.  But road bikes aren't very fun.

So I made some coffee.  And turned on the Killers.  And thought about how stupid it would be to ride my tubulars on the road and on mtb trails... but they just need air.  I looked at the disaster I created in a matter of 15 minutes and sighed.  Maybe I should go running.  I was feeling immensely sorry for myself, and really regretted the mess I created.

As I turned to leave the bike room, I caught a glimpse of my wheel bags.  Wait a minute!  They are holding their shape while propped on top of Sideburnz DH bike...there's something inside them!   I crawled under the bike on the repair stand, moved another bike to the side and carefully leaned over the remaining pile of bikes.  I felt knobbies inside.  Could it be?  Do I have another pair of wheels?

I do, but I'm only 50% closer to solving my problem.  These are my wheels from my 1 speed CX race bike (regular front wheel and ENO rear wheel).  Well, I guess this solves my problem enough to justify changing cassettes and just putting 1 new tire on the crosscheck rear wheel.  So now I'm done blogging, and ready to wrench.

How can someone who has so much bike stuff, not have the right bike stuff?

Sigh.

7 bikes in the quiver.  2.5 are functional (xtracycle is only 1/2 functioning).  If only I knew  a bike mechanic.

Oh... to be a triathlete

Here's a first for me... running in bibshorts and a longsleeve jersey at noon in Hawaii.  No, I didn't have a mechanical problem on my bike.  I was actually pretending to be a triathlete.  Today was my first day coaching a triathlon training group.  I'm officially a bike coach, but I "get" to participate in the entire workout.  Today's 38 mile ride, which I expected to take ~2.5 hours, lasted 4 hours (due to mechanical issues and overall slowness).  I anticipated that I'd be home by 10am, so I didn't put on full sunscreen.  Nevermind... my options were to burn or to sweat.  I sweated... by the way, what is the past tense of "to sweat"?

Other news includes the rediscovery of Superpretzels.  The last time I had a Superpretzel was definitely in the 20th century.  I slightly improved the Superpretzel by buttering it before applying the salt.  Much better than the suggested "sprinkle" of water.

Last week, I reinvented my Traveler's Check.  Now its a 2 (manually switched) speed with comfortable, upright positioning.  I feel very European when I ride this bike.  Sideburnz and I tested it out in Portland last weekend- winnah!

Upcoming funness?  Uh... a time trial tomorrow?  I'm registered and plan to compete in the TT tomorrow, but I'm questioning its funness.  Lately, I've been really into suffering while working out, so maybe I'll really enjoy myself!

Now that its after 2, and I obviously will not get to work before my dinner engagement, I should nap.

All in a day's work

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of helping Captain Richard pilot is boat home from the dry dock.  Over the past 4 days, The Salty Dog received a new coat of bottom paint and had other mechanical issues resolved.  

Look at that nice, shiny bottom paint!

 

The Captain and his boat.

The dry dock was a strange place. In the harbor, I admired several sunken boats.

We motored past several squatter homes that are completely off the grid.  I guess every so often, the city bulldozes the buildings, and then ignores the area, so the buildings reappear.

It was one of the best boating days I've experienced.  The vog was pretty well gone, so the shoreline was really clear.

Top: The usual view of Diamond Head, Bottom: Front view of Diamond Head

We didn't catch any fish, but we spotted some whales.

Top: Whale spouting.  Bottom: Whale backs- two of 'em-just below the horizon line, a little left of center, trust me.

It was a great way to end my Thursday!

Things accomplished in the past 4 days

1. purchased and installed a new stereo in the Jeep.
2. looked for whales, didn't find any
3. ate pot roast
4. changed oil in the Jeep
5. rode mountain bikes
6. observed local fauna- albatrosses, seals, whales (finally found 'em)
7. found 2 geocaches
8. explored a creepy tunnel
9. went to the beach
10. had a breakfast picnic
11. went snorkeling
12. watched people walk in flippers on the beach
13. went to Hank's Haute Dogs
14. bought Harry Potter 2 at Jelly's
15. enjoyed Kaka'ako waterfront park
16. glued decking on Richard's boat
17. grilled pizza

Its good to be home.

Friday Nite Relays!

While your other friends are going out to dinner, heading to the bar, or watching movies, your real friends are riding bikes on Friday night!

Trails at St. Louis.  Be there!

Friday, December 18- 7:00pm meet at Dole St trail exit to ride bikes up the hill or if you'd rather drive, 7:30 meet under powerlines by dirt jumps (on trail).  FYI, the parking lot closes at 6:45, so don't park your car in the lot.  Front light and helmet are mandatory, rear light is recommended.

Race Entry Fee: None, its just for fun.

Race Format:  Teams of 2 will race a short course, tagging off every lap.  Each team must complete 10 laps.  Laps times are estimated at ~ 2 minutes and include some climbing.  The winning team gets a small prize.  Cross country bikes recommended, DH or CX bikes would be ok.  If you don't have a teammate, come race anyway.  Single riders will be paired at the race start.

Race Timing: None, its just for fun.  We'll try to keep track of the race leaders, as best we can.

Race Bonus: To keep track of laps (since I want to race), each rider must pick up a playing card at a designated point of the course.  The team that assembles the best poker hand (best 5 out of 10 cards) will win a small prize.

Race After Party:  Bring some cash and join us at Yogurtland after the event.

**WEATHER ALERT- We have rain forecasted for Thurs and Fri.  If its actually raining, and the trails are wet at 3pm on Friday, the Friday Nite Relays will be rescheduled for January.  Check here for cancellation information.  No update will be posted if the races are ON.

Questions? stew zero two five seven at gmail dot com.

Honolulu Fish Auction

Sideburnz and I woke up at 4:45am today. It was FAF Monday. FAF stands for Fish Auction Fun. It was fun, indeed. The Honolulu Fish Auction is well documented on the linked website, so I won't retell its history.

We watch the fish get weighed and tagged, and then they were loaded on to pallets with ice (see above and below) for display. The display aspect of this auction is very unique- I think the only other display auction for tuna is in Japan. Then, a bunch of prospective buyers from restaurants and fish markets browse the selection. The auctioneer moves through the fish one by one, selling the fish to the highest bidder. All of the prices are per pound. We saw fish ranging from 10 cents to 6 dollars per pound. We learned about long-line fishing and how to judge a high quality tuna from a low quality tuna. Today's catch was 58,000 pounds- big eye tuna, yellow fin tuna, skipjack tuna (aku), moonfish (opah), red snapper (onaga), shark, striped marlin- Yowzers!

Above is a photo showing the sections of fish that are judged for quality- a slice from the tail lengthwise, crosswise, and a core sample.

Here's Sideburnz listening intently to the Assistant Manager of the fish auction.


And the kids.Here's an Opah and one of the kids (can you guess which is which?)


Sideburnz, Dr J, Dr T, Dr S, and some shark. Opah at the very bottom.

The early wakeup time was rough, really rough. I've since recovered and think the fish auction was fantastic. Maybe we'll have fish for dinner tonight.