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Welcome To My Column! I'll tell you what's going on with the crazy Bay Area weather, but that's not all. I'll talk about Bay Area events, getting fit!, the why behind the weather, biking, Bay Area hiking, triathlon and swimming. And of course feel free to send me questions and feedback.
It drives me nuts when I find my sons shoes thrown on the garage floor.
For years now, I have asked my boys (17 years and 15 years) to hang their shoes up in a nice organized shoe rack Randy built in our garage. It's not asking much, but the result is always so satisfying to me.
Last night, rather this morning, my husband Randy was startled with the worst news in the world. His friend and esteemed colleague Brian, had lost his son in a car accident on a crisp, snowy afternoon in Indiana. Just like that, the promising life of a 21 year old young man was gone. top://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/mapleleafs/brianburke/article/761556--crash-kills-leafs-gm-brian-burke-s-son?bn=1
Randy is currently in the beginning of a 2 week Sharks road trip and was phoning the tragic news from Nashville. I could hear it in his voice, he was heartbroken and thinking of our boys. He reminded them to drive safely in our current rainstorm.
Burying your own child is the biggest fear of any parent. I know. l watched my parents go through the hellish nightmare when we lost my brother Michael, at the tender age of 15.
This morning as I crawled out of bed, I walked out into the garage. Suddenly, the shoes scattered on the floor didn't matter anymore.
I look forward to more shoes everywhere.
As of late, I haven't had a lot of opportunity to update my blog. It feels like every day there is so much to do and at a very rapid pace.
I drove the 42 miles home from the Studio tonight in silence. It was all I could do to try and wipe the images and the cries of the Haitians from my mind.
When you work in a Newsroom, you are constantly surround by "white noise". The chatter of police scanners and fire departments, I barely even recognize the blistering sounds I have grown accustomed to.
TV Monitors are always positioned in proper viewing, so we may dial in to many other Networks and see what the compeition is televising.
Tonight, I repeatedly saw the images and heard the cries for help. It was the continuous coverage of the Haitian people. And I cried.
There was this one little boy who is about 9 or 10 years old. He kept screaming in a tone I have never heard before, "why, oh, why?". It broke my heart.
Tonight, I settled into my warm bed and prayed for people I have never met, those I will never know. And as I close my eyes, I still see the devastating pictures and hear the cries for water, food and for loved ones forever lost.
I can't sleep.
I think I will go back upstairs and hug and kiss my growing boys again. And next time when I get down on bended knee to pray, I will ask the dear Lord and all the mighty Saints not only, "why", but I will slow down long enough to pause and listen.
To donate to help the people of Haiti, visit our website homepage at: www.cbs5.com
This past Friday night, I was invited to participate in one of my most favorite events of the year! The lighting of the Ghirardelli Holiday Tree.
With rain lurking around the Bay Area and with reports of isolated hail, Santa navigated his way to Ghirardelli Square to the delightful screams of elated children. And me!
It was a wonderful night ringing in the new season (boy, did the year fly by!).
I checked over the "Naughty and Nice" list with Santa, and I was NOT surprised to find what list I was on!
I listened to what the children want for Christmas!
The Children were adorable!
And I especially loved the hugs!
I then led the children in a countdown, asking for Santa to visit us at Ghirardelli Square!
And Santa heard us!
It was a beautiful night in which I counted my blessings for being part of such a wonderful San Francisco tradition. For forty years, the Holiday Tree has been a part of our rich Bay Area past and present. And this year, what joy to have my son Randall with me....
And blessed with good friends like Elaine too....
'Tis the Season. To be joyful and to be totally in the moment. I want to hear my heart beat and listen to the sound of me exhaling as I reflect on the experiences I cherish from this past year. "Tis the Season to dream and to dream BIG of all the illuminated possibilities of what will be in 2010.
Cheers!
As I rode my bike today, I noticed lofty leaves changing colors and drifting effortlessly from tree limbs to the ground. I thanked God for another blessed day. And on this gorgeous Autumn day, my thoughts drifted back to the arrival of summer. It has definetly been a summer to reflect on.
In June, I cherished the beautiful and memorable Sailing On The Bay with John Wimer and his crew on the Desdemona. It was a breathless day with my husand Randy on board. I will forever be grateful to John for that unique and precious day on the Bay. I will forever call John, friend.
The first day of summer arrived while I was experiencing one of the most fierce thunderstorms in Coeur 'd Alene, Idaho, in decades. I was preparing for my 5th full Ironman and as I knelt praying to St. Sebastian, I asked for calmer waters and better weather than what I experienced in Lake Placid a year ago. He heard half my request. My struggles through that race will be everlasting. And while I didn't have my BEST Race, I finished and walked away proudly with many cherished life lessons.
Racing Kit!
It rained and rained....
But I FINISHED! It wasn't pretty, but it was enough!
In July, it was the LIVESTRONG Charity Bike Ride with good buddy John Stark, riding 70 miles for a great cause! Check out the video he recorded!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wmHU_Tb8sw
About a week later, I threw out the Game ball at the A's Game against the Los Angeles Angels. It's the most surreal and incredible feeling standing on that Pitchers mound!
OK! So I throw like a girl! That's why I swim, bike and run! But I did throw it over home plate!
And yeah, it's true...I kind of thought Oakland A's, Geo Gonzalez is hot!
Who doesn't! Jajaja!
Summer in New York City can be hot and humid. But with BFF Juliette Goodrich, our July visit was downright steamy! Hahaha!! I still laugh when I think of us at Karaoke.
She dragged me to Regis and Kelly and I returned the favor with taking her along to my favorite, Dave Letterman! My favorite and now hers too!
Highlight of the trip was taking in a baseball game at the new Yankee Stadium! A's vs. Yankees! Go A's! No, we didn't get beat up donning on A's jersey's!
While I love baseball....Jules loved the shopping. And shopping and shopping!
August found John, Tom and I swimming at Lake Del Valle weekly. I can honestly saw, lake Del Valle is one of my most favorite places in the bay Area. It's soulful and serene....
And by the end of August, with Drivers License in hand, Randall was driving to High School with Michael!
September brought the much awaited Best Buddies Challenge.
The CBS 5/KCBS/CyclePath Cycle Team rode 100 miles from Carmel to Heart Castle to raise money and awareness for individuals with intellectual disadvantages. It was an amazing weekend!
The Chicago Marathon will be one of the highlights of my Racing Year. No it wasn't my fastest marathon ever, actually my slowest. But it was my 25th and it was all about fun, not speed! And the fun began at Midway Airport!
After checking into the lovely Hotel Sax, we found ourselves in the Crimson Room, enjoying the SIGHTS and sounds of the private GQ Party!
Showing Elaine the City I love so much was fun!
See the L whip by off Wabash Ave! (By Gold Coast Hot Dogs!)
We didn't get a chance to see my friend of nearly 30 years, White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen. But we did manage to find an "Ozzie Gullen" bobblehead while seeking out souvenirs for my boys! Jajaja!
My Marathon Race Kit!
Race Day Breakfast!
The Chicago Marathon featured 45,000 Runners and 2 million Spectators!
Elaine was the BEST spectator and BFF!!
My 25th Marathon Complete!
On this Autumn day, unlike those big, beautiful Oak tree leaves, drifting "one by one" by my side....I am blessed with the support of each friend who has been along for the summer journey.
But hey! There's still a couple more months left in the year! I can't wait to see what's left!
I am just hours away from competeting in one of the most grueling, toughest sporting events ever. And over the past couple of weeks, I have asked myself, "why?"
And while I am not entirely sure which drives me, what completely thrusts me to harness the challenge, one thing is certain. There will be some form of pain on Race Day. And rain.
While the weather doesn't look stellar, it doesn't look as bad as last years Lake Placid deluge. However, significant rain is in the forecast. So, there will be pain and there will be rain.
And I am still very excited for Race Day. So excited, I can not sleep!
On Sunday, June 21, I will swim 2.4 miles in 60 degree waters of Lake Coeur D'Alene. I will cycle 112 miles through the mountains that separates Idaho from Montana. And I will run 26.2 miles through the streets of this beautiful countryside.
I was talking to my Father today, wishing him an early "Happy Fathers Day" when I mentioned, "Dad, if it wasn't for my crazy hobby, this wonderful Sport, I wouldn't have the opportunity to embrace all these sites". And its true! My sport has blessed me with beauty of the land and the grace of people.
So here I go again...this time, attempting my Fifth Ironman. And whether I or not I Finish, I will be noble in the attempt. And I can't wait for all the lessons I learn along the way.
After all, it's going to be a very long day!
Good Luck to fellow Bay Area Triathletes here competing as well! There are too many to mention except for John Stark, Tom Glynn, Amy Cramer, Dana Laytham and Margaret....stay safe, have fun, you have my love and support!
Ok, I am not going to even begin to try to explain where all the time has gone. I promised to write every detail about Ironman 70.3 Honu upon arrival from Kona, but three weeks later, I am still trying to find a moment to exhale.
Since returning from Kona, there have been peak Ironman training days followed by emceeing charity events, end of season baseball parties, Speaking and Recruiting for the Best Buddies Charity Ride and 8th Grade Promotion. There has also been some crazy Bay Area Weather to report on, which has been fun and fascinating! There was Opera at the Park and the '09 Media Sailing Cup, too.
And a half of dozen trips to Lake Del Valle for Ironman swims with John and Tom. Yes, life has been a bit busy, but it's what I call, "living!"
Thursday I hop on a plane and head to Spokane, Washington. Spokane will be home base until Monday as I prepare for my 5th Ironman. This year's Ironman will be in Coeur d'Alene Idaho, and much to my surprise and amazement, a whole contingency of Bay Area Triathletes are embarking on the same challenge. Included in the army of fellow "friends" will be my true buddies, John Stark and Danville Tom Glynn. And my bosom buddies Greg and Joanie Novacek are boarding the jetliner with me as they mini vacation at Ironman!
I have butterflies. Lot's of them. The butterflies remind me, I am alive. Alive and happy.
A favorite Paulo Coelho quote; "Sometimes happiness is a blessing but generally it is a conquest".
My boss, President and General Manager Ron Longinotti wished me luck and said he believes this Ironman will be one of my best. He believes this because it's my 5th Ironman and I work for Channel 5. I am so superstitious, I'll buy it!
I look forward to journaling about my attempted conquest and experiences while in Coeur d'Alene. It's odd, no matter how much I have prepared over the last 16 weeks, I still question my "readiness". "Did I swim hard enough? Did I put in all the miles my Coach assigned me on the Bike? Did I pound the pavement running too slow?"
At the end of this day, those questions really don't matter; I have dedicated myself to the training. I have accomplished a grueling schedule balancing work, motherhood and training, and I still have a good handful of girlfriends who feel as if I have no neglected our friendship in the process. I can't ask for more, except to show up with a smile on my face, on Race Day.
OH! By the way! For those of you who have written to me and are interested in the home on the Big Island that I rented with Tim, Susan, Joe, Kate and Leslie…here is the email address: peacefulhouse.com
You will be enchanted and thrilled at the location and serenity!
Ironman 70.3 Honu was one of the most enriching life experiences which will be cherished by Joe, Tim, Susan, Kate and Leslie.
All six of us finished the day with a beautifuol medal marking our accomplishment of a day consisting of sweat, struggles and fun!
Details of an amazing Race Day to follow, but for now, the gang of 5 is hitting the prestine black sandy beach while I catch a flight home to my family.
Aloha!
