Ocean Front View

Training with a view makes Ironman training something even a normal person might want to do. This IM training camp is just what the doctor ordered. I managed to find my way around the tri valley area with the help of our friendly ipad and gps. OK, so I am starting to accept technology into my life. I swam in two different city aquatic centers and a man made lake, found a few running paths at local parks, and am slowly learning some of the nice bike routes. We took a drive up Mt. Diablo where die hard cyclists go to climb. We also took BART into the city for the 4th of July and had to buy sweatshirts and blankets to stay warm. We indulged in clam chowder in the sourdough bread bowl and some ghiardelli hot chocolate. I salivated as I watched other swimmers in their wetsuits in famous Aquatic Park in the San Francisco Bay since I did not bring my wetsuit with me. Then we snuggled close together with 10,000 other people and watched a spectacular fireworks display over the water. After a nice relaxing week training in the cool temperatures in the East Bay area of San Francisco, reading some of my triathlon books, and seeing a few movies while my husband worked, we packed up our hotel room, and headed south to Monterey, CA. We found our hotel, packed our muscles with some glycogen via pizza, and got our gear ready for the next morning. My brother Greg, the ultra cyclist included us on his cycling route and arrived to join us and serve as our cycling Sherpa the next morning since he was familiar with the coastal route. I woke everyone up against their wills at 4:30am to get an early start and beat the traffic. We took the route on highway 1 from Monterey to Big Sur, CA and back. I had run a section of this route back in 1997 during the Big Sur Marathon, but due to a mudslide, the course was changed to an out and back from Carmel, so reaching Big Sur was a first for me. I had trouble sleeping the night before because this route was described for experts which I do not consider myself to be in that category. It was highly recommended to go early as a lot of tourists and large motor homes travel on this section. We started through a lush green forest in the fog and after a few miles appears the ocean. The views continue to get bigger and better just like the jagged rock formations above and below along with the climbs. My breathe was taken away more from the views than from the hard climbs. Much of the view was covered in mist and fog, but it did not take away from the beauty. I was singing GOD BLESS AMERICA to myself as we transitioned down into rural farmlands. Did you ever imagine cows on the beach or even pine trees and redwoods because that is what came next. We made it to Big Sur State Park and my brother had to get a roast beef sandwich at 8:30am. We were taking the sights in and then I realized I was supposed to be doing a training ride, so I encouraged the boys to get back in the saddle as I also wanted to beat the traffic. Climbing out of Big Sur was a little tougher, but the entire experience was surreal...California Dreaming! I felt strong until the last 4 miles out! According to my statistician, we rode 63.5 miles with a ride time of 4:30 something. The climb back took longer. I was holding on for dear life and did not follow my heart rate closely, but every time I checked, I was in my long zone. My brother took off and left us behind in the fog on the trek back and then he left for his next climb. Dennis and I did not get enough of the view so we drove the route, stopping for lunch at a hidden restaurant that we found on the bike ride with spectacular ocean views and then onto Big Sur and a walk to a beach. You have to hike at least a mile to get to the few beaches with public access. We decided to take the drive known as 17 mile drive to determine if that would be a good place for my ride and run the next day. We did not realize it was a private route in Pebble Beach and you had to pay to take the drive. It was not really bike friendly, so we deccided to find a different route. Finally headed back to our hotel and replenished our glycogen stores with some Paella del Mar and went to bed. We headed to Carmel the next morning and decided to park there and ride toward Carmel Valley which is a rural paradise filled with beautiful green countryside, farms, and wineries. I went out for 30 minutes and turned around while Dennis kept going and found some more awesome climbing while I returned to the car, transitioned into my running gear, and headed back out onto the marathon course to get my 10 mile run in. One thing I discovered today was that I seem to do better if I take jelly beans or chewies every mile after going for an hour...this may be part of the solution to maintaining an even energy level without the nausea. It was amazing taking in the views one more time by foot. You get a different perspective on foot, 2 wheels or by 4 wheels. I enjoyed them all and hope to come back to do them again. We checked out of our hotel and headed to Fisherman's Wharf and Cannery Row. We took a trolley ride around Pacific Grove. We saw lots of Harbor Seals and a few even visited us while we were dining on the water. What's not to love about this place. Well...as I write, my husband is driving us through the California Traffic. He makes sure I get to where I need to go whether it is on my bike or in the car. We love the scenery and the active lifestyle and the weather in California....but not the traffic. Does a perfect place really exist? Well, I think we were pretty close to heaven this weekend and with an Ocean View...who can ask for more than that.