Chihuahua Sets New Alcatraz Swim Record

(Reuters News-U.S)
Baja swimmer "Pepe" beats Labrador's record time swimming from Alcatraz. Today, open water swim history was made when 8 year old "Pepe" was the first Chihuahua ever to swim from Alcatraz. Here Don Jacinto, owner and swim coach talks to the press about Pepe's incredible feat.

"Pepe" crossed this morning from Alcatraz in the freezing water of the San Francisco bay in 21 minutes. His coach, Don Jacinto said that Pepe had the advantage of the strong currents under the watchful eye of Water World Swim Coach, Pedro Ordenes. Ordenes said that he could not believe the strength of little Pepe's dog paddle, especially his piston like kicking action. After being received in the Swimming Hall of Fame and Ripley's Believe it or Not, little Pepe and Coach Don Jacinto will appear together on Jay Leno to recount Pepe's Alcatraz crossing. Congratulations Pepe!!! Photo: Coach Don Jacinto and Pepe press conference after the swim.

(Thank you Pedro Ordenes / Water World Swim for this delightful April 1st story. Now Bella Mia & Zola Budd have their own role models for open water swimming.)

Thought for a Rainy Day

"Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves" - J.M. Barrie

Never under estimate the power of a smile, paying someone a compliment, holding the door for a person or heaven forbid, letting a fellow driver merge in traffic. Pass on the positive energy and the sun will shine no matter what the weather. (and looking out the window today, northern California and much of the country could use some people generated sunshine!)

You Crave What You Eat

Have you ever noticed that you want to eat the same foods over and over? This can be a positive thing if you are making nourishing and healthful food choices. However, if you find yourself grabbing empty calories or convenience foods at regular intervals, your body may quickly adjust. Before you know it, your body will be asking you for those less-than-optimal foods. You crave what you eat.

Rachel's First VBlog

A quote for us all for 2009

I came across the quote below when I was perusing a magazine today. If each one of us put these wise words into action in 2009, what amazing positive energy would flood our communities, our country and across the globe.

"Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world."

Archbishop Desmond Tutu

For some of us it can be a monumental challenge to stick to a training routine during the holiday season. Hopefully the habit of day to day workout sessions and the desire to get that total body 'ahh, that felt good' workout in will help you through the holidays. If not, here are a few quick tips to bridge the gap.

1) Be the early bird. Get up, get out and get your workout in. If you plan for training later in the day, there is a good chance and an unplanned obligation will work its way into your day.

2) Keep it simple. With family, social and work obligations, our schedules quickly fill to the brim. Make time for yourself to workout, but keep the parameters simple. Choose a workout mode that is most likely to fit in your day. Running or speed walking are easy, quick options that don't depend on gym or pool hours.

3) Change it up. If you have been swimming, cycling and running all year, don't be afraid to change up what you do to train. Motivation (or lack thereof) can get in the way of working out. These is when the cookies calling can do the most damage. Instead, aim yourself with the strategy of a new, fresh athletic pursuit. Your motivation will stay high and your hunger to get back out and swim, bike and run will be recharged. Strength training or group classes at the gym are easy options. If you live in a snowy climate, work with mother nature. Gear up and snowshoe or cross country ski. Whatever you do, remember why you started to workout in the first place. Hopefully, your list of reasons included having fun!

Enjoy the holidays, be safe and remember to take care of yourself.

The Challenge

After being out of triathlon competition for over a year now, I am going to get back out and race in 2009. While I have been in and out of shape a few times in my twenty years of racing, I feel like this is likely to be the hardest 'comeback' of my life.

I've barely gotten wet in the pool, but I have spied the ol' familiar black line for some laps. I'm running again, with a lot of huffing and puffing. I'm on the bike willing the cranks around and promising myself there will be less of me come race day. I love being out there and I love to train. Still, getting back to a point where the training is routine and as integral as brushing my teeth is the current struggle. I have a lot of limitations that I didn't have before. This means I have to be flexible and adjust to how my body feels on a daily basis in a hyper sensitive way. The ol' back is temperamental and a flare up could set me back for weeks, so it is a fine line to walk. Those limitations can play a little mind game with you. The ever familiar, 'am I doing enough?' or 'am I working hard enough' ?

There seem to be so many more demands on my time than ever. (isn't it that way for everyone!) I start to wonder if I can 'get back to' the way it was. Then I realize, I don't need to. It is time to forge the way it will be for me now. If you find yourself struggling at all with your daily workouts...just getting outside, to the gym or the pool, you're not alone. Even though the thought of toeing the line with my peers in a few months scares the tar out of me, my life is full with a lot of other great things that are pulling me every which way. I think that it why so many of us are drawn to triathlon in the first place, it is a means of balancing out our lives. I suspect I will find that 'balance' again, but right now I'm teetering and tottering all over the place and that is OK. There are many more dimensions to me than swim, bike, run and they are just as important.

Vote Hypercat Racing for "Best of the Bay"

Election day has come and gone, but there is still some very important voting to do!

Competitor magazine has opened the polls for its upcoming “Best of the Bay” issue.

In January 2009, Competitor magazine will unveil the winners of its annual "Best of the Bay" survey. As you probably know, I am a full time coach working with runners, cyclists, duathletes and triathletes through my coaching company, Hypercat Racing. Along with my husband, "Coach Phil," I would be honored to have your support and your vote. As a boutique coaching business, we take great pride in working with you and other athletes seeking to bring out the potential that lies within.

Please cast your vote for Hypercat Racing for the category best
“Personal Trainer / Training Program.” Thank you!

Get Out and Vote!

Whatever your party, your political leaning, your cause...exercise your right to vote! Our families and our forefathers and mothers fought for this precious right. Use it!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I was Runnang!

I feel a little like Tom Hank's character in Forrest Gump.
I'm about to bust out of my leg braces and embark on a run where there is no finish line. Dr. Saal suggested that I forgo running for the past several months to allow any excess inflammation in my back some time to subside. So, after an extended period of letting my run shoes air out and gather dust, I laced up and headed out the door.

I put on my 'modified' running outfit. My bum doesn't quite fit properly in my regular running shorts so I opted for the more modest coverage of a capri tights. Black is supposed to be slimming, but I am not sure anything black is much help for my expanded Scandinavian assets. Fortuneately those extra pounds are nothing a few more miles and salads won't eradicate.

The run started with a fifteen minute walk and then I commenced something resembling a run. Yippee! My heart was pumping and my breathing accelerated. Ah, to be running again. Frankly, my back really wasn't celebrating in my joyous return-to-running party. Still, there is always at least one party pooper, right? All I have to say, in my best
Gump accent, "I was RUNNANG!"

Tour De Max

The Tour de Max is a bicyle ride in memory of a lady named Max Seales Yonker. I didn't know Max, but she sounds like she was one heck of a woman. Max passed away from cancer in May of 2005. The tour and the Max Seales Yonker Foundation was established by her friends and family to keep her memory alive and to raise funds for various cancer fighting organizations. Funds raised by MSYF provide grants to organizations like the Lance Armstrong Foundation and Susan G. Komen Foundation.

The Tour de Max is an extremely challenging ride than tours the Santa Cruz Mountains. The metric century is one of the toughest organized charity rides that I have ever ridden. As I struggled over the unforgiving climbs known to locals at Page Mill Rd and Tunitas Creek among others, I seriously questioned if I had the fitness to turn the crank just one more revolution. These moments gave pause and the gratitude that I am able, no matter what speed or at what fitness, to use my body athletically.

As the ride progressed and the fatigue accumulated in my body, I thought many times about friends and family I have lost to cancer. I thought about Xterra champion, Jamie Whitmore, who is currently in her own brutal race against cancer. I know Jamie would give anything to be on her bike, willing her legs to churn the cranks and he heart to beat as fast as it can pump.

The next time you walk, ride a bike, do a cartwheel, toss a frisbee, run around the block or pick up your child or pet, be grateful for what you CAN do. Then think about getting out and supporting some charity events, like a walk, run or bike ride. It is good for you and unfortuneately, chances are, someone you know will someday need help from an organization like those supported by the Max Seales Yonkers Foundation.

Raider Nation!

Friend and sponsor, Zennie Abraham (Sports Business Simulations) surprised me with an offer to go to the Coliseum for my first Oakland Raiders football game yesterday. We had some sweet club seats and got to witness the very first pre-season game, the Raiders vs the 49ers. Of course I have been known to cheer and support the 49ers (shhhh!) but since I do live in the East Bay, it was all about the silver and black, baby!

I have to admit, there is something very scary about being dressed in black and mingling with crowds of other people dressed in silver and black. I guess that's the point. Oakland is scary. The fans are scary and the team, yup, scary. I love it!

Leave it to me to notice the Raider (#32) warming up on a stationary bike. I just thought that was cool.

In between halfs, I ran into my USF Sport management cohort-mate, Adam. He is currently interning with the Raiders and I couldn't resist getting a quick photo. Go Adam!

Thank so much Zennie for sharing your passion for the NFL with me!

The Picture is Complete

Today I had a follow-up visit with Dr. Jeff Saul at S.O.A.R in Redwood City. The purpose was simply to let the doc know how the last round of epidural injections worked. I also wanted to ask the doctor about returning to running.

Nothing particularly exciting happened at the appointment, but I left feeling like a weight had lifted off my shoulders. At this point we know that I have extremely degenerated disc and there is no way to 'fix it.' The doctor suggested that I avoid running for 12 weeks to enable my body to get to a point of minimal inflammation. (This break was intended to help me be able to return to a decent level of normal function as opposed to an outcome related to training or racing). I did ask the doc if I would do damage by running again. His answer was no, BUT, he said I would know very quickly if I would be able to run, train or race. It is pretty simple, the degeneration may continue to significantly limit my ability to train or perform and a high level. I have to accept what I am, what I have and move on.

Why would I feel relieved and even happy after leaving the doctor's office? (especially considering the 'non-outcome' of the appointment). Well, after five years of battling the back, I can see exactly what I am working with. My option is to try. I can try training and see what happens. I do have pain every day (regardless of training), so I'm not certain where an attempt to return to running and a full regimen of triathlon training will lead. No point in worrying or belly aching over it though. I'm going to wait another week or two and try some running.

The body is an amazing thing. I'm not counting myself out just yet. If my competition is smart, they won't either. :-)

Vineman in Pictures

It was a terrific feeling to be amongst friends and athletes at last week's Vineman triathlon races. I entered the "Aquabike" which is a unique (and relatively new) multisport event that combines swimming and cycling. In addition to the Full Vineman Ironman distance event and Barb's Race (half-ironman triathlon), race organizers also put on the Full and Half Vineman Aquabike.





Having not raced in such a long time, it really was a treat to get back to the routine of prepping gear, getting up early and revving up for a day of competition. I wasn't particularly anxious for the race, but I think that has a lot to do with the fact that I know where my fitness is and isn't. I was aiming to savor the experience, support other racers and just see what would come together.

At the end of the race, I was wiped and plenty satisfied with 'just' a swim and bike. I finished 3rd woman overall (2nd 30-39) and 8th among everyone.

While I had really enjoyed racing, a lot more fun was ahead. Phil, our friend Tilden and various folks from the SF Tri Club volunteered at a run aid station for the Full Vineman triathletes. Phil and I started our volunteers duties at 2pm and stayed until the very last competitors past by us at around 11 pm. It was quite amazing to see each athlete's personal struggles along the way.

Here's Coach Phil with his 'shower' hose. Although it looks like he is watering somebody's flower garden, Coach Phil is eagerly waiting some sweaty customers.





It was mighty toasty for the athletes and Coach Phil offered the willing a nice, cool rinse and some respite from the afternoon sun. As the afternoon sun gave way to the cooler hours of the evening twilight, we heard a lot of interesting requests and comments from athletes. Among the most memorable and most frequent:

1) Will you marry me?
2) How many ounces are in this cup?
3) How many calories are in this?
4) I owe you guys dinner.
5) Where's the turnaround?

Ahhhhh!

As the day wore on, we began to recognize each of the athletes. On this three loop course, our aid station was located before a turn around which meant we would serve each and every athletes six times throughout the race. Interacting with the athletes gave me great perspective for their hard work on the race course and the work of the volunteers supporting them.

Once the sun set and the crickets finished their serenade, it became very dark and very lonely on that wine country road. Without ambiant light or street lights runners were reduced to shuffling in the dark. Although some athletes had headlamps, the only way you could 'see' folks was by the glowy necklaces worn around their necks. (provided by the race organizers for safety). It was very eery to see glowing circles, sometimes solo and sometimes in small groups, slowly advancing towards us. We did our best to make noise, provide nourishment and enthusiastic encouragement beside the ambiance of our laterns.

Congratulations to each and every Vineman athlete. Special congrats to friends Bill and Flavio of Ventura's Rincon Triathlon Club. Bill earned another Ironman finish to tatoo on his arm and Flavio placed first place in the Men 55-59 age group. Way to go guys!

New Trails, Happy Tails

I really miss running. I love to run on trails. Being surrounded by nature, its smells and the precious quiet time to sort through my thoughts. Nothing can really replace running, but I've developed a fondness for walking and hiking trails. I realized this week how few trails I have actually explored. In the past I would run the same routes week after week, month after month and year after year. Heaven forbid I stop for a moment, open a gate, close it and explore.
I had no idea what I was missing.
It is amazing what you see, when you slow down and walk.


Bella waiting for me to hurry up and catch up so we can go cow hunting.
Zola has already raced up the trail leaving Bella and I lagging behind.

Aquatic Surprises

One great thing about being a triathlete is that you always have three sports to train. If your body is broken in one sport, you have another option.

Usually if I am not racing triathlons, you can find me at a 5k, 10k, 1/2 marathon or some trail run race. Running has always been a religion of sorts, for me. Since the age of 13, I have chosen running races as my recreation of choice. Its been hard not being able to go run or race when I want to. Although I have had set-ups over my career that have come in the form of injuries, I have always known I would be back. This time, I don't know if I will be back to competitive running but I'm not wasting anytime worrying about that though. I can swim and bike!

Saturday I did something I have never done before. I signed up two open water swim races held back to back at the Lake Del Valle Aqua Challenge in Livermore, CA. I swam the .5 mile and 1 mile swim. Going to Lake Del Valle was a real treat. Not only was it a beautiful place to swim and to hang out, but I was able to meet new people and spend time with athletes. I was especially touched when friend Tilden Moschetti made the drive from San Francisco to come out and support me and some of his other friends. Thanks, Tilden!



There were a lot of brand new triathletes training as part of a Team in Training group as well as many seasoned swimmers. I had no expectations for either swim other than swimming to finish the event. A nice surpise was placing 2nd in the wetsuit division in the .5 mile and 3rd place in the 1 mile. It's not about the awards, but it IS fun to win something to represent your efforts.
Understand I have never 'placed' in a swimming event, so this was like winning the aquatic lottery!

I was tickled to share some post race laughs and conversation with fellow pro, Eileen Swanson and her hubby, Reid. Eileen ripped it up and won the 2 mile swim and Reid won his age group in the 2 mile as well. Reid was just as surprised as I was to win a medal. Naturally we were all smiles. Aquatic surprises do that for you!

Thought for Today

"Let us be of good cheer remembering that the misfortunes
hardest to bear are those which never happen."

-James Russell Lowell

Red Disc of Happiness

This week I went in for epidural cortisone injections to relieve pain and inflammation in my back. Unfortuneatly this is not the first time in the past year that I have undergone the procedures, but I think I intend for it to be my last.

After meeting with my doctor, a physiatrist who specializes in conditions like mine, he suggested that I try injections one more time to get some relief. Understand that these injections don't fix anything, but serve more as a band-aid. The idea being, in my case, to gain some pain-free time so I can work on strengthening the back and core some more. Yes, I have already tried this before, but sometimes you have to retrace your steps and try again.

Rather than concern myself too much about the outcome. (ie, Will I be able to train and compete again as I once was able), I have been taking everything one step and one day at a time. Of utmost importance to me, has been a refocusing of all my energy to everything positive. I've always been an eternal optimist, but I can honestly say that pain has a way of leaching those positive vibes from deep within.

Over the past few months, as I have watched my body deteroriate and expand, I have experienced those positive energies turn to more negative energies. Clearly that is no way to pull one's self together! So...I resolved to see only the positive and be the vibrant personality that is the real me. Not the down in the dumps, busted up triathlete that I was feeling like.

So much of feeling positive and being positive is surrounding yourself with that which brings you joy. For me, being outdoors and spending time with my furry friends is among the chart toppers. Everyday this week my husband and I have been going to the local dog park with our chihuahuas, Zola and Bella. Admittedly we have to keep a close eye on the girls as other larger, canine park visitors might mistake them for a tasty (albeit bony) snack. Still, it is worth everything to watch Zola chase and retrieve her red frisbee.

It's quite a sight to see a small chihuaha race with all her might to retrieve the flying red disc. It makes me laugh and it makes her appear to be the most fulfilled dog in the world. Zola's red disc of happiness is wonderful medicine. It give me joy to see her loving life and it reminds me that were I able to train, I would miss this opportunity to share the time with her, Bella and Philip.

I was able to get in the pool for some splashing around yesterday. I won't say I did 'just X" or 'only Y' as I might have in the past. What I accomplished was a U-turn in attitude, a reversion back to the old positive me, but with a new appreciation for what a red disc of happiness can be.

Riding with History

I've been enjoying my time here in Ventura. I'm taking some time to digest my back diagnosis and figure out how to cope with the reality of a body that has limitations. The doctor is not optimistic that I can return to competitive running or racing, but doctor's don't always have the final word. The great thing about triathlon is that there are three sports. I'll be grateful for what I can do and stay positive.

While my religion is now at least temporarily banned (running has always been my church), I can still ride and swim. So here I am, at the in-laws taking some time to re-group with bike, goggles and my chihuahua, Zola Budd, in tow.

I love the quiet thinking time I have while riding the roads of Ventura County. There seems to be fewer cyclists and distractions compared to the Bay Area. I don't feel the need to test or prove myself and can just focus on being grateful to ride.

One of my favorite routes starts in Ventura, heads to Santa Paula, then to Ojai on 150 and then down the Ventura River Trail bike path to the ocean. Yesterday, I came upon a family riding their cruisers and MTBs on the path. My old self would have politely but quickly passed them by to continue on with my training session. On this day, I slowed down and I'm glad I did.

I ended up having a terrific conversation with "Mike." We talked about Ventura, getting married, kids, work, the cameraderie of sport and a little about triathlon. Mike shared that he was the guy who finished between Kathleen McCartney and Julie Moss at the 1982 Hawaii Ironman. How cool is that! He was a guy who was part of triathlon in the early days and finished smack in the middle of one of the sports' most famous moments. (If you are not familiar with the story, Julie Moss crawled to the Ironman finishline. As she painfully made her way there, Kathleen McCartney ran past her for the win) Pretty neat stuff. Mike says he does triathlons now and then, but always finds it hard to get into run shape. (Don't we all!?!).

I was happy that Mike was cruising along the bike path and not running that day. He gave me something to smile about until I reached the breathtaking views at the coast. Then my smile became a wide toothy grin.