Countdown to Marathon!

Yes, I like to just say Marathon instead of Half-Marathon, it sounds cooler.......Been running and strength training and hopefully am ready for Sunday. It is Oakland's first Marathon in 25 years and it will hopefully give Oakland a better reputation!
After I am done with that, the bike riding will begin! Anyone up for training with me?

Half Marathon in less than 3 Weeks!

Hello Everyone! I have been training for the Oakland 1/2 Marathon for the past few months. I am going to wear my FARA cycling jersey because I don't have a running jersey with FARA on it yet.....Any ideas?
Anyone out there also running in the Oakland Marathon who wants to wear FARA clothing?

Training Begins for Next Ride

Welcome Back Everyone,
I am signed up to run the half Marathon in Oakland on March 28th, 2010!
This will also be getting me in shape for the next Ride Ataxia.
Anyone want to join me?
Claudia

WE MADE IT!! Arrival in Seattle

YEAH! We crossed the finish line!

We are all so excited to have finished our ride! It was so exciting and very moving. We had supporters cheering us on at the hotel who took photos, gave us medals and some moving speeches. And don't forget the champagne!

Day 3

Well, I am a bit discouraged because I could only ride 30 miles today because my right leg stopped working. I made it to our lunch stop, the last half of a mile using only my left leg and keeping my right one out to the side. I could not even put my leg on the pedal....it hurt too badly...I don't understand why....there are some people older than I am and who bike less than I do....
I was very grateful to get a ride from our wonderful SAG team who whisked me away with quiet efficiency..
There are some other highlights from today: I finally had a good cappuccino on my ride. I decided life was too short not to stop at a local "bike-through" coffee hut. Luckily my fellow rider Guy from Berkeley stopped by and had an espresso and was willing to stay by my side the whole way to lunch. He ended up keeping me company as I "limped" through the day...He also happens to know how to fix a flat, which put my mind at ease.
There were too many riders having tire problems today; could not count them all...I was spared once again. I avoid the shoulder at all costs and keep my eyes on every piece of debris on the road....I am more afraid of getting a flat tire than of some car or truck running me down....people seem to think that is a strange idea.....
I was so happy to see my cousin Sebastian at our lunch stop, which happened to be in his town. I will see him again when he drives to Seattle tomorrow to be at the finish line!

YIKES!

This is harder than I thought it would be...The back of my knees/muscles/tendons are not quite up to the task at hand....They hurt like crazy....I had to get a lift for the last 10 miles today (after riding 30 miles). I knew that I would not be able to ride tomorrow if I did not pay attention to my body..... However, I was safe and warm(except for my feet). Some riders tumbled today or fell over while they were standing still, talking....(This is why I have not changed my pedals to clipless ones)....All in all, everyone is ok, even with falling.
The scenery was beautiful even through the rain: Horses, meadows, vistas, rising steam from rivers, llamas. There were some hazards (dogs and trucks) but there was much less traffic than yesterday, which was very nice. There was a moment where I was all alone, and all I heard was birds chirping, while sitting on pine trees....