#BOSTONSTRONG10k

For the next two weeks walking/running a mile will put 50 cents in The One Fund Boston and biking will put 35 cents a mile in the fund.So signup for Charity Miles and help raise some EASY money. You know you are going to log those miles anyway. Make them count!!!! Dear Team, Please join me in welcoming Lifeway to the Charity Miles family! They're our newest sponsor, and we're thrilled to have them on board. For those that don't know, Lifeway makes Kefir, a delicious cultured dairy drink that is similar to yogurt, but way healthier. They've also been a longtime supporter of the running community, which makes sense as Kefir is a great post-workout recovery drink. I've been a fan for years! Needless to say, I was delighted to meet Lifeway's CEO, Julie Smolyansky, at SXSW last month. It was there that I learned Julie is an avid Charity Miler who regularly logs miles Every Mother Counts. She's even on their Marathon Team! Two weeks ago, Julie ran the Boston Marathon for EMC. She was half a mile from the finish line when she was diverted by safety personnel. Fortunately, Julie and her family are safe. But like all of us, they were greatly moved by the compassion and heroism shown that day. And like all of us, Julie and Lifeway want to do something to help the victims. So for the next two weeks, Lifeway will be sponsoring Charity Miles. But that's not all. For every mile you walk, run, or bike using the app, Lifeway will donate an additional 25¢ per mile to The One Fund Boston (up to $10,000). We're calling this the #BostonStrong10k. So let's get after it! And, please join me in thanking Lifeway for their generous support! All the best, Gene

Dentist Said the Swimming Did It!

Today I had my gold crown glued back in.

It fell off on Thursday morning while I was flossing.

The dentist said that my gold crown was SO OLD they don't make them like that anymore.

Not my crown, but it is very pretty and would look good on my head.

 

I asked him why, after 30 years - YES, 30 YEARS!!!- my crown would come off. I mean, I have been flossing for years with no problem and then, BOOM, it just came off.

 

This isn't mine either, but it looks like the one I had in my mouth for 30 years, then carried around in a plastic bag for 5 days.

 

 

The dentist said the old glue they used to use to glue crowns in with were water soluble and could break down after a while.

My mind went on fast spin.

 

"Uhm, would it make a difference whether a person was a swimmer or not?" I asked him.

 Yeah, you try talking to your dentist while he is inspecting your mouth.

 

"No," he said, "because when you're swimming you breath through your nose."

 

Unless you are me and wear a noseclip and breath in and out of your MOUTH!

 

I explained to my wonderful dentist, Dr. Moore, about how I have been swimming for the past couple of years and REALLY swimming for the past year.

When I say REALLY, it is because I have gone from swimming 500 yards a few years ago and almost DYING to swimming 1 1/2 miles at a time without getting out of breath.

 

But it does take me a lot longer to swim that mile then it did to swim the 500 yards. So I am spending a lot more time with my face (meaning my mouth) in the water.

 

"Oh, well, that probably could have done it," he said.

 

He stuck his instrument in my mouth and poked around for a while.

 

 

 

Then my fix-me-up dentist glued my gold crown back in with the updated, new glue that won't corrode with miles of swimming in chlorinated water. 

 

"Give it a while before you eat or drink," he said.

 

"How long do I have to wait until I can swim?" I asked him.

 

"You can swim tomorrow," he said. "Just don't floss for a couple of days."

 

 

 

Swim Tuesday, Floss Wednesday!!!!

 

 



Time to Taper!

The week went by and I'm still conflicted about which bike to take to Wildflower.

I ride Sarah and she is awesome on hills. I just spin up with no damage to my legs, but I just can't get her going as fast on the downhill or flats, no matter how fast I pedal.

Sarah

 

 

I rode Hector on my Hill YES! ride on Tuesday and my legs suffered on the hills, but damn, he is fast on the downhills and flats.

 

Hector, but now he has a new seat.

 

After riding Hector on hill ride and Sarah on the flat ride, I STILL can't decide who will be my chosen ride for Wildflower's Olympic Distance.

 

So, I am bringing both....and I'll take a test ride when I get there and then I will decide.

 

No more talk about that, I promise!

At least until I talk about it again!

 

Here is my last word (and pic) about bike riding this week....

 

Thursday night Triathlon Connection Riverside ride...just about done before the sun sets! We had a big group! I love these rides. I was riding Sarah on this ride. It kind of scares me that I can ride a bike and take pictures with my iPhone at the same time. I remember a time when I could not ride and get my water bottle at the same time......

 

I did not spent the entire week pondering about who to ride at Wildflower...

 

I was blessed to celebrate my son's 21st birthday with him. We practically forced him to have a party at a bar.

And we invited his grandmother and aunt.

He was very nice about it....though after the party he did take off with his girlfriend.

At least he let us spend the evening with him.

And he let me take pictures of him.

That was a gift for me because usually he is a poop and won't let me take his picture or puts his hand in front of his face or turns his face. But on his 21st birthday he let me take his picture, no problem.

OMG - it's like he is a MAN!

 

 

I worked 3 days this week.

My mother-in-law is staying at my house until her things arrive from New York and then she will be moving into her senior apartment...but NOW she is at my house.

 

I swam 3 miles this week and every time I got out I had to blow dry my hair because I had to go to work or some appointment and after the second time of blow drying I was getting irritated and after the third time I was pissed about the amount of time I was standing there with a blow dryer in my hand.

I called my sister and whined about it and she got me in to get my RACE HAIR cut.

 

That would be short, short, short, blond, blond, blond and needing no blow dryer, brush, comb or styling equipment.

My guy was really nice and said, "I like your hair."

Damn straight he better like my hair. Really, I know he would probably prefer it if it were long and flowing with some curls.

But maybe not, because long, flowing with curls is a lot of work and makes me bitchy!!!

Me bitchy = him not happy.

So not I am not bitchy and he is happy...well, he is sort of happy. But I am HAPPY, HAPPY!!!

 

Thursday morning while I was diligently flossing my teeth, I flossed my gold crown right off my back molar.

My appointment to get it fixed is Monday.

I tried to fix it myself with that drugstore silly-putty stuff, but I am no dentist and when I was done the crown was about 3 centimeter higher than it was before. It might as well of been 3 feet higher because I could not close my mouth properly.

 

After several hours of trying to sleep and not being able to because I couldn't close my mouth right, I got up and ripped that damn crown off again and stuck it in a plastic bag for the dentist.

 

Lack of sleep makes me bitchy, also!

Just in case you were wondering.

 

I spent Friday evening cutting green stuff out of my yard for the 66th Annual Riverside Community Flower Show and Garden Tour.

Here's a funny tidbit about me. I am a gardener and a Master Composter and if I was willing to take the test and donate 40 hours a year to the cause, I could be Master Gardener.

But those 40 hours are going to training for an Ironman!!

 

 

I haven't entered specimens in the garden show the past couple of years, probably because I had an endurance event and it just didn't fit into my schedule.

This year I entered some categories I have never entered before - fruit, flowering tree branch and flowering shrub.

 

 

After dropping off my entries, I drove over to Mt. Rubidoux and ran for 6-something miles.

There were so many people running on the road, so I took off on the trail.

 

It may have been dry...but it was person free!

 

 

 

Look, I'll post anything, even unattractive, sweaty pics of myself.

 

But after 6.2 miles I felt really good.

 

On the way home I stopped at the farmer's market and bought all my organic beets, veggies and fruit for my next juicing; stopped by my friend's house to pick up my weekly eggs from her wholesome organic chickens; stopped at a couple of garage sales on the way home.

(bought a vintage croquette set to add to my collection)

Mine does not look like this....but all the balls are there and that's what I like.

I like a LOT of balls!

I want to have a lot of balls!!!

 

I spent about 5 hours working in my yard, watering, hacking and singing.

Yes, singing!

I had my earphones in and listening to music while I was watering.

 

Okay, so the image above is not me, but it is how I felt when I was out watering.

I was feeling YOUNG and I had music in my ears and I just start singing and moving.....you know, I start shaking my hips and I was feeling all good and next thing I know I have the neighbor in my face.

 

I pull out my earphones.

"What?" I ask him. "Oh, can you hear me singing?"

 

Yes, he can and I am a little off-key, but it's okay.

He likes it.

 

 

Water on! Swim on! Run on! Bike on!

 

Have a great week!

I am on taper.



Dough for Doing

 

I didn't open my wallet or write a check. I just put on my running shoes, my bike helmet and shoes or my bathing suit and I DID it for Boston!

(keep reading below because YOU can DO for a charity also)

 

 

 

 

Thanks for Being Active for Boston

Hello Kandi -   Thanks for helping out the Boston victims with your Activities. For our Boston pledge campaign, you logged 13 Activites, earning 718 Kudos, which we turned into $43.08 for One Fund Boston.   The goal was to reach the $16,000 pledge by the end of day on Monday, April 22, 2013. The support was so deep that they hit the pledge a day early, and today Plus 3 Network sent the check to the One Fund Boston. Members logged over 4,000 exercises over three days, with the most common activity being running, but ranging from Yoga to Kayaking to Basketball.  In all, 68 different types of exercises were logged. The average exercise activity earned $4.17 towards the pledge. You can see live details at www.plus3network.com/boston.  Many thanks from those who were there to support us: Running Warehouse“As a company that supports runners, we wanted to find a way to empower our customers and allow them to show their support for Boston,” said Joe Rubio, General Manager of Running Warehouse. Hoka One One"Having been a runner all my life, and now a part of the running family making athletic shoes, we wanted to be a part of the web of caring that has come from the events at Boston,” noted Hoka One One President Jim Van Dine. The USA Track and Field Foundation “Day in and day out we have been using Plus 3 to help USA Track and Field Distance Centers to empower their athletes and fans to move money to our Olympic Development efforts,” commented Tom Jackovic, Executive Director of USA Track and Field Foundation. “And we were glad to have this immediate way that our athletes and fans can show they care for the runners, fans, and overall community of the Boston Marathon.” And from our CEO “We are all solidly behind the people of Boston and those who came to run the marathon, including many of our members,” said Rick Sutton, CEO of Plus 3. “Our sponsors came to us and we brainstormed on a way to make a special pledge for Boston.” Thanks -  A Guy Named Joe, and all the folk at Plus 3 WBR / IMBA / SLO Bicycle Coalition and Artscyclery.com are grateful to have you in their Clubhouse. You can sign up for Plus3Network and log your workouts and raise money for a worthwhile charity, without opening your wallet or writing a check.Who will you do it for?



My Legs are Toast

 

That's how I felt today at the end of my bike/run brick.

 

 

In the middle of Sunday's ride, I told Robert my legs were toast.

 

Why?

 

I have been using them hard the past 5 days - Mountain biking on Wednesday, bike/run brick on Thursday, swim/bike brick on Friday, 30-ish bile bike on Saturday to get coffee; and Sunday...

 

McAllister on my tri-bike.

It was part of the bike/run brick, with the run feeling more like cement shoes than a brick.

 

I was hoping riding McAllister on my bike would help me made a decision.

 

 

I'm signed up for the Olympic Distance at Wildflower, but I'm still in a quandary about which bike to ride.

Looking at the bike course map, my mind tells me to bring Sara, my road bike, because she is geared for hills and even though I RETIRED her from triathlon, she still wants to participate.

 

My mind says bring Sara.

 

 My heart tells me to bring Hector, my tri-bike. He has participated in a couple of triathlons....a flat sprint and a sprint with a couple of uphills. The uphills were hard and he doesn't like them. But he LOVES the downhills and the flats.

My heart says to bring Hector.

 

There are pros and cons to Sara and Hector.

 

Sara is a climber. I can just spin my legs and she just goes and goes up those hills, but I have to work hard to get her going fast on the flats and the downhills.

 

Hector is phenomenal on the flats and the downhills. I can go downhill faster NOT pedaling on Hector than I can pedaling on Sara. But Hector is hideous on hills. I mean, he hurts me.

 

Oh, and there is Steve, my mountain bike, but he went to Wildflower last year, so he's staying home.

 

Over the next couple of days, I'll be resting my toasted legs and swimming.

 

Good plans and ideas always come to me while I'm swimming up and down the lane at the pool, over and over and over and over and over again.

 

Which bike do you think I should bring?

 

 

 



Plus3Network for BOSTON!

Do it for BOSTON!!!

Swim, Bike, Run, Walk, Hike, Bowl, Golf, Kayak, Table Tennis and MORE....for BOSTON!!!!

You do it and Plus3Network will donate money to The One Fund:






A Charity called One Fund Boston has been set up by the Boston Marathon to help the people most affected by the tragic events that occurred in Boston on April 15, 2013.USATF Foundation, Running Warehouse, Hoka One One and Plus 3 have pledged $16,000 to One Fund Boston. To move the money, they are matching any Activity on Plus 3 through Monday April 22 that has the word Boston in the title.So if you were looking for a way to show your support and resolve, use the word Boston in any of your activities, and they will match it.
Just sign up for Plus3Network and start logging!

 

Do you play motion-based video games?

Do you do yoga?

 

Through Plus3Network you can turn your fitness miles and hours into $$$$$ for BOSTON!!!

 

 

http://www.plus3network.com/

This past week I have swam, biked, ran, strength trained and done physical labor (yard work) FOR BOSTON!!!!

Kandi	DeCarlo	Mountain Biking  for Boston	Mtn Biking	73	$4.38
			Run for Boston	Running	30	$1.80
			Strength Training for Boston	Weight Training	70	$4.20

The above is just an example of what I did in one day....I just did my normal training and earned $10 FOR BOSTON!!!!

YOU CAN TOO!!!!!

And after Monday you can continue to log your workout and raise money a cause you pick. And there are a lot of good causes - International Mountain Bicycling Association (sponsored by Rock Shox), World Bicycle Relief (sponsored by SRAM), American Heart Association (sponsored by Wells Fargo)....LOTS of great causes....

Your part? Move it and log it. That simple.

 

All you have to do is sign up and get out there and move it or even rehab it (yeah, Plus3network has it so

 you can make money for your cause by rehabbing your injury). Then you go online and log in what you did. An hour of running? Make some money for your cause. Weight lifting? Yoga? Do it and log it and make some money for your cause.

You are exercising anyway.

 

 This is just a great way to make some money for YOUR cause. The sponsoring company pays you to give money to your cause. The more you move and log it, the more money you make for the charity you pick.

And you can get free socks.
I love my Plus3Network socks.

 

Just log 99 road rides and you get free socks from Sock Guy.

They are giving away 500 pairs of socks and only 173 people (including me) have claimed them.

Log 99 swims and get free socks...only 18 people have claimed their socks and they are giving away 33. I am logging this weeks swims tonight and I will be 3 session closer to another pair of socks.

 

You can even sign up for the dog walking Challenge.

 

Sign up today.....it won't be too long before you are getting a pair of socks.

DO IT FOR BOSTON!!!

 

 

Log 99 Road Biking activities will receive a pair of Plus 3 Socks compliments of Sock Guy! After 99 rides, you might find a need for them!
Don't forget to hit the "Claim Your Prize" Button when you hit the mark!

Limit: 500 Winners
173 users have completed this challenge and claimed prizes.

Congratulations, you WON this challenge and claimed a prize!

I am a Runner!

I am a runner!

I probably will never qualify for the Boston Marathon. It's not even on my list!

Still I am a runner.

I was lucky enough to be able to watch the Boston Marathon live on my computer yesterday.

 

I watched as Ana Dulce Felix took the women's lead around mile 17 and held it for 6 miles. She was running all alone out in the front.
But she was never alone.
She had thousands of other runners behind her.

 

I watched as the women's pack caught up to Felix and then passed her.

 

I watched Rita Jeptoo cross the finish line at 2:26:25.

 

I watched as 23-year-old Lelisa Desisa ran across the finish line in 2:10:22.

 

Then I played the race in the background as I did stuff around my house. I was waiting for the announcers to say a few names so I could run over to my computer and watch the runners cross the finish line.

 

Joan Benoit Samuelson, ran in this year's Boston Marathon to celebrate the 30th anniversary of her 1983 victory. She run the marathon in 2:50:29, setting a world record for her age group.

 

 

I was keeping an ear open in case the announcer said Team Hoyt was about to cross the finish line, or Sister Madonna.

Lots of runners were crossing the finish line. Lots more were still out on the road running.

And then it happened.
The unbelievable.
How? Why? Who?

Authorities don't know who set the bombs or why?

Really it doesn't matter.
What matters is that people died.
People were critically injured.
People lost limbs.
People lost.

It is mind-numbing and heart-wrenching.

Several people have sent me emails sharing their feelings about the horrific incident.

I am just going to share some of them with you:

From Charity Miles

Dear Team, There are no pep talks in this newsletter. When I first heard the news from Boston, my instinct was to make sure that all of you were okay. I made calls, sent emails, checked Facebook and Twitter. As far as I can tell, none of you were in the blast. But we’re not all okay. At the time I am writing this, over 100 people are injured, and 3 are dead. They’re all on Team Charity Miles— whether they used the app or not. They came to the Boston Marathon— as runners and spectators— for the same reasons we all lace up every day. They came to test themselves, make a difference, cheer loved ones, high-five strangers and celebrate the human spirit. We know them. We are them. So today we send them our love. We'll look for ways to support them directly. But, in the meantime, please do some Charity Miles for Achilles and Wounded Warrior Project, two organizations that support people who’ve been wounded in action. We also send our love to the other runners and first responders who rushed into the blast zone to help the injured. They are true heroes. They give us hope. Heartbroken, Gene

From Bob McGee, 5-time Olympic Running Coach:

Good Morning,   I have so many friends & acquaintances who are involved with the Boston Marathon. I have been associated with the race since 1992.   I have already heard from so many on Facebook & liked the notes of those that have messaged, had near misses, helped out, searched long for loved ones & found them...   My heart goes out to you all - this is my community, how dare they mess with us?   Those runners who are part of the solution to the world's problems, spending their time making the world a healthier, happier, more cosmopolitan, more friendly, more inclusive place.   I will never understand; but this I know - these things tighten the bonds, strengthen the resolve, more clearly define that which is good & great about us, about our sense of right & wrong, about what it is to be a citizen of the world that makes life more.   Already the stories of heroism, generosity, support, bravery, care & love are pouring in.   Always, always tragedy will bring out the best in humankind.   Our outrage will fuel this empathy & right action all the more. Our handling of this will once more define us as part of the solution.   With Grace, Gratitude, & Guts...   Bobby McGee

From Linda Leonard Ambard, who ran, but did not finish the Boston Marathon Run.

Today, I was running the Boston Marathon. I was the cheerful girl zipping through the marathon with a swish of her red polka dotted skirt and a huge smile on her face. I ribbed the army people working the course with my call out, "Air Power." I stopped twice to use the potty and I was but a quarter mile from the end when I heard a loud boom, felt the street shake, and started to smell a smell I never smelled before. All hell broke loose. People were screaming and sprinting away from the finish line. The race immediately ended. For me, a girl who was invited to run to honour her soldier who was taken by another terrorist on 27 April 2011, it threw me back into a spot where I immediately felt out of control, that my life was being torn apart, and I stood immobilised sobbing for again the terrorist sought to take yet another thing that matters in my life.

I find joy in running and I have grabbed my life back by running. It is the singular... aspect of my life that allows me to find my faith and to find happiness. I am sitting in total disbelief. How could it be that two potty breaks saved me today? How can it be that as I was running to snub my nose at the terrorist that took Phil, another sought to destroy the hard fought for happiness I have found. It cannot end this way. I am shaking and I am physically ill tonight, but I will pick myself up one faltering step at a time until I can run victorious once again. I cannot let these vile monsters create any more fear in my life. I just can't.

There were heroes today. I met a man who was an instructor at my training these past weeks. He brought his family and found me. He got me back to my hotel. A nurse sat with me as I sobbed my eyes out and shook violently in the Dunkin Doughnuts store. So many people called me. My phone did not have reception, yet the singular two phone calls that got through were phone calls from people who came to get me. My children were terrified and that is what hurts. This event brought fear back into my family--fear of loss and fear of violent acts. How can I fix the hurts in my children when I am right there? I ask for prayers and I ask for some time to process this event. I will find the strength that I fall into with my faith. The terrorist will never EVER maim my heart, my spirit, or my drive to live life out loud. Got that?

And this from Andy Holgate, author of Can't Swim, Can't Ride, Can't Run: My Triathlon Journey from Common Man to Ironman:

I thought that when I woke up this morning that it might have all just been a bad dream, those images that left me speechless and angry last night can't have been real? I mean what sort of evil, sick, twisted bastard would do that sort of thing?

Running isn't political, Running isn't religious, Running cuts across class and wealth - millionaires and peasants are equal when they lace up their running shoes. Running transcends Race. Running unites the world.

Running simply is the purest form of exercise known to man, anyone in any country from any background can run. Runners are a family, we understand one another, we feel for strangers when we see them struggling, a simple nod from a passing stranger as we run on a deserted street lights up our morning, we take immense pride in our achievements whatever they may be, and we love LOVE LOVE that feeling we get in our hearts when we are putting one foot in front of the other. It is a pure love running.

You attack one runner, you attack us all.

That's why the tragic events in Boston cut so deep. Yes I wasn't there but it could have been anywhere. Any marathon, any Ironman, any race. People like you and I going out and doing what they love whilst at the same time raising millions of dollars for the less fortunate. People like my wife and daughter who could have been at the finish line waiting for Daddy to finish. And the bombs went off at 4.09 when normal people would have been in the final few yards of an amazing achievement, their thoughts already on that medal, smiling at the thoughts of those first congratulatory hugs with loved ones, thoughts of happiness, relief and the sense of achieving something wonderful. All stolen away.

We are runners, but more than that we are human beings. We can't let these bastards win. Keep running, keep going to spectate, turn out on the streets of London this weekend, run and cheer your heart out. Don't let fear stop you, that's what they want. We can't let them win.

As a runner and a human, my heart goes out to all that are effected by the tragic events in Boston. I am so grateful that my friends made it through safely, and I mourn those that didn't.

Runners are used to adversity, we are used to pain, this is a whole different level, but we can't let the Bastards win.

Keep on running and stay safe

.Andy

 

And lastly from me -

I don't know how much time I have....so I am going to continue to live every second to the best of my ability. I will keep joy and compassion in my heart.

I will put one foot in front of the other.

I am a runner!

I'm a USA Triathlon Coach

 

 

It's official.

I passed the multiple choice questions, the numerous essay questions and the taper training plan for a first-time sprint triathlon athlete AND a 3-week build plan for a seasoned athlete who wanted to land on the podium at USAT Nationals.

 

And I got an "A"...

Well, they didn't grade in the alphabet, but I have been a Career Substitute Teacher for the past 18 years and I know that 93 percent is an "A".

Okay, so I only got an "A" on the essay and Training Plan portion of the test. I got a "B" on the multiple choice section.

 

I can live with that....some of the multiple choice questions were those "tricky" questions where you had to flip the coin between two answers because the answer really depended on a situation, but they didn't give you a situation, thus the coin toss.

 

 

Of the 79 multiple choice questions, I only coin tossed 6...obviously the coin toss was NOT a good way to answer the question. I wish USAT would give me the questions and CORRECT answers so I would know, because what is more important? that I get the answer right? or that I KNOW?

 

 

My plan is to co-mingle (love the word) my personal fitness training business and triathlon training gig and help people get healthy.

 

Come on people, let's swim, bike and run and eat right and strength train and be healthy!!!!

 

 

Do I think I will ever REALLY make a triathlon plan for someone wanting to medal at Nationals?

Well, I will not never say never (and yep, that's a lot of double negatives), but I think it is way more likely that I will help some first-timers get their foot into the transition area and find a great lifestyle.

 

 

My friend Meredith Atwood (aka SWIM BIKE MOM) posted on my facebook page that she was jealous because she has been trying to get into a USAT Level 1 Coaching Clinic for a year.

 

As more and more people step into the triathlon game field (and that's another blog in itself), more triathletes want to enter the coaching field.

A few years ago a person just needed to sign up and pay their money. Now you have to fill out an application, submit a resume and submit recommendations AND submit your money.

 

(FYI to Meredith - you will be a great tri-coach to those looking to get health and fit from the triathlon lifestyle, just as I want to help older women realize that triathlon is a fabulous way to get healthy and fit....and you are NEVER TOO OLD TO SWIM, BIKE, RUN!.. I can also train all genders and all ages.)

 

So now I am an official USA Triathlon Coach.

 

Though I have helped several of my personal fitness training clients in their pursuit of triathlon, it was with joy that I got to be "official" as I met with a tri-client the other night.

 

I still have a lot to learn as a coach.

But this I do know.

Everyone that is NOT a triathlete can be one, I can help you become one!

If you are a triathlete already, I can make you better!!

 

Train-n-Tri

  

Grateful for Fitness

I woke up this morning!

I am grateful for that.

 

I hugged my 3 men goodbye as they loaded up their stuff for their week trip to New York.

I am grateful I had the opportunity to hug them.

I am grateful I am getting some time to myself.

 

I ran a 10k race.

I am grateful for that.

 

I am grateful that my Aquaphor team mate Ginger wrote this fabulous blog about our team mate Travis Hess.





Travis died this week of cancer.
He never gave up his fight.
He fought for his family, he fought for himself and he fought for others.
And his fight continues.

Fitness for the Fight!

 

 

 

http://livingtrilife.blogspot.com/

 

 

You can also go straight to the Hess Cancer Foundation

http://hesscancer.org/


 



Rattlesnakes

In 1987 I owned an Oklahoma Rattlesnake Hunting license.

The license gave me permission to hunt and sell rattlesnakes.

I had the license and a burlap bag and a snake catcher.

The snake catcher looked like a hand-held garbage picker-upper like the one they use at Disneyland to pick up trash off Main Street.

So you notice how these guys are wearing boots and jeans. Well, I hunted rattlesnakes with guys like them, but some of them were smarter and they were wearing boot and leathers jeans.

 

I was wearing a cute pair of beige shorts with a white tshirt with a yellow sweater over it. I also was wearing a cute pair of running socks and shoes.

 

No one....and I mean, NO ONE..batted an eye at me standing there wearing my "license" on my sweater and holding my burlap bag and snake catcher amongst all the REAL LIFE DO THIS FOR A LIVING snake hunters. No one laughed and no one tried to tell me I was CRAZY!

 

Well, I was.
 I mean, who in their right mind would go out searching for a rattlesnake. Who in their right mind would go out searching for a rattlesnake wearing shorts and tennis shoes?

 

 

Uhm, I guess that would be me.



And this other chick they talked into taking a picture with a rattlesnake. See how far back all the rest of the guys are standing? Girlie, get a clue and put the snake down and back away.

Just so you know, I didn't end up catching any snakes back then. Though I did eat it.

Yum!

Kind of tasted like chicken with lots of little bones in it.

These days I am NOT eating rattlesnakes.
And my license has expired.
I am not searching for them.
I am FINDING them.
 

Though I am way less prepared now than I was then.

Now-a-days, I still am not wearing snake boots or leather pants, and I am also not carrying a snake catcher or a burlap bag.

 

These days, I am just running the trails of Two Trees, still wearing running shoes, but carrying water and a cell phone.

 

My first encounter was a couple weeks back when Robert and I were on our way back down from running up Two Trees. I was running in front and was just coming down a steep part heading into a little stream when I saw a big stick across the trail. Something in my mind clicked and I decided I should slow down to see what it was. Luckily, my brain registered that it was a snake and I was able to stop and back up, all the while yelling, "SNAKE!"

Robert stopped and so did a guy coming up the other way.

 

 

 

 

We shooed him off the trail by rolling dirt clods at him.

We all passed safety.

We didn't bring our dog Willie that day. He does not like running in the heat. After seeing the snake. Robert and I agreed Willie would not be running with us at Two Trees until it was cooler - as in Winter - because encountering a snake would be too dangerous for him.

 

We encountered another rattlesnake today on our run.

 

 

This time I couldn't stop running. I was running too fast down the trail to stop. My brain engaged and I was yelling, "SNAKE! SNAKE!" but my legs were not slowing me down.

I swerved and jumped over him.

And then I came to a stop.

Robert stopped up trail from me and four guys coming up the trail stopped.

After some picture taking and discussion we were able to get the snake off the trail.
The discussion went something like this.

Me: "Last time we got the snake off the trail by rolling dirt clods at him."

An older man: "Why don't we just throw rocks at him?"
Me: "We don't want to hurt him."

The older man (looking at me as if I had 3 eyes): "Uhm."

Another older man: "I think we need a big stick." And he got a big stick and practically pushed the snake off the trail.

Me: "I guess we just needed a man with a big stick."

 

 

I came home and thought about those rattlesnakes.

I posted a picture of today's snake on facebook and some people said they wouldn't run at Two Trees and other people posted "YIKES!"

 

 

I am going to continue to run at Two Trees, but I do want to be smart about it.

Yep, that seems pretty funny since I hunted the slithery things with no knowledge whatsoever back in the 80's, but I am older and hopefully wiser now.

 

So I googled.

 

 

 

According to the California Department of Fish and Game:

Though rattlesnakes are dangerous if provoked, they also provide humans with a tremendous service they eat rodents, other reptiles, and insects, and are in turn eaten by other predators.....

Generally not aggressive, rattlesnakes strike when threatened or deliberately provoked, but given room they will retreat. Most snake bites occur when a rattlesnake is handled or accidentally touched by someone walking or climbing. The majority of snakebites occur on the hands, feet and ankles.
Rattlesnakes can cause serious injury to humans on rare occasions. The California Poison Control Center notes that rattlesnakes account for more than 800 bites each year with one to two deaths. Most bites occur between the months of April and October when snakes and humans are most active outdoors. About 25 percent of the bites are “dry,” meaning no venom was injected, but the bites still require medical treatment.
The potential of running into a rattlesnake should not deter anyone from venturing outdoors, but there are several precautions that can be taken to lessen the chance of being bitten when out in snake country - which is just about anywhere in California.

So what are the precautions?

Never go barefoot or wear sandals when walking through wild areas. Wear hiking boots.(Well, I am not into barefoot running, so I will be wearing my running shoes, so no worries)

When hiking, stick to well-used trails and wear over-the-ankle boots and loose-fitting long pants. Avoid tall grass, weeds and heavy underbrush where snakes may hide during the day.  (I am not wearing over-the-ankle boots or pants, but I am NOT walking in underbrush. I am sticking to the trail...you hear that down-hill mountain bikers...no longer am I walking off trail for you....NO! I AM NOT!)

Do not step or put your hands where you cannot see, and avoid wandering around in the dark. Step ON logs and rocks, never over them, and be especially careful when climbing rocks or gathering firewood. Check out stumps or logs before sitting down, and shake out sleeping bags before use. (I am running so I don't have time quickly check where I am going, but I have starting scanning far ahead of me)

Never grab “sticks” or “branches” while swimming in lakes and rivers. Rattlesnakes can swim. (HOLY SHIT!...they can SWIM. Uhm, do they have rattlesnakes at Lake Perris? Maybe that broom handle I saw in the water while I was swimming one time at Lake Perris was not a broom handle?)

Be careful when stepping over the doorstep as well. Snakes like to crawl along the edge of buildings where they are protected on one side.

Never hike alone. Always have someone with you who can assist in an emergency.

Do not handle a freshly killed snake, it can still inject venom.

Teach children early to respect snakes and to leave them alone. Children are naturally curious and will pick up snakes.

 

They forgot a couple of important points - always have a cell phone with you and DON"T PANIC!

The California Poison Control Center says to stay calm, wash the bite area gently with soap and water, remove watches, rings and other jewelry which may constrict swelling, immobilize the affected area and get to the nearest medical facility.

 

NO CUTTING THE BITE SITE AND SUCKING OUT THE VENOM!

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

Got that? NO!!!!

 

If you live in Southern California you should read this article on rattlesnake bites.

 

http://lomalindahealth.org/medical-center/our-services/emergency/programs-and-divisions/venom-er/resources/when-snakes-strike.page

 

If you do get bit, follow the above advice AND ask, I mean DEMAND to be taken to Loma Linda University.

 

FYI - I looked at a lot of pictures online of people who were bitten by rattlesnakes and the pics were UGLY. I didn't want to put them on my blog. Really, pictures of being hit by a car would be worse and I am sure the odds of that are astronomical compared to being bitten by a rattlesnake,

 Let's all just be smart and avoid rattlesnakes while still enjoying the outdoors!!!

 

After seeing rattlesnakes twice in the past couple of weeks, and trying to hunt them years ago, I wondered why I really have never been scared of rattlers.

 Yes, I have a GREAT respect for them, but I am not necessarily scared of them.

 

 It must be my Oklahoma Indian heritage.
Maybe Magnum, OK has a triathlon in April?