it's hammer time

Christmas came and went and was awesomely spent with my husband to be. james now insists on (lovingly) calling coach Dirk, "the grinch", as i had a 3 hour ride and 1 hour run to complete on Christmas Day. i was also supposed to go to masters swim, but lucky for me (thank you baby jesus!) the pool was closed. we managed to squeeze in some gift opening, and perhaps the lovliest gift came by e-mail:

when my brother and his girlfriend want to show me how cool they are by simultaneously going green, saving money, and making big fun of me- they send me the latest christmas/wedding gift...
the gift of song. in my inbox on christmas morn was an email titled "Original Wedding WorkOUT Jamz by Brotha Bear and the KTD Connection". inside was the MP3 complete with our very own copy of the lyrics and sweetest album cover ever, check out our creepy "shhhhhh!" faces in the background


"Beth and James en love"


when I don't know what to do
when i think i've lost the race
running out of steam
runnning out...
your the light oh your the light i see
when i'm feeling slow
i cannot believe in anything but we
your the light oh your the light in me
"beth and james in love"
i cannot believe in anything but we

when you don't know what to do
i will run
i will run for you

i'm the light i'm the light you'll see
when you're feeling low
i cannot believe in anything but we
i'm the light I'm the light you see
betth and james in Love
i cannot believe in anything but we

Ahh
Ooh
Beth
James

When you don't know what to do
I won't let it go
You're the light you're the light in me
I won't let it go
I cannot believe in anything but we
You're the light you're the light I see
Beth & James in Looove

fortunately (for you) i do not know how to upload the MP3 for your listening displeasure, nor do i have the time. because today is nuts.
somehow i need to ride 4 hours, swim masters, pick up my wedding gown and pack it, pack everything else, make placecards and menus, go to the bank, get a mani/pedi and who knows what else...because bright and early tomorrow- we leave for cabo san lucas to get MARRIED. see you in 2010 as Mrs. Walsh!

2010 - racing with the ladies!

there's a new look around this here blog for 2010. a new look for the new team! switching teams for 2010 was a tough choice, but i couldn't forego the opportunity to race for a small all-female kick ass triathlon team.

i'm so excited to be one of the 7 on the Nytro women's elite triathlon team ....our team manager, kristin mayer of betty designs, and the folks at nytro multisport really made it all happen. the level of support we are getting is pretty incredible and something i never imagined at the amateur level. i am also personally stoked that Zoot is one of the team sponsors because i am really fanatic about zoot shoes and gear and am so happy to continue to work with such an awesome company. so yeah, i am lucky- and mostly because i get to share this experience with a couple of my amazing triathlon friends- a true team and for me- if you've read this long enough, you know that's what i love.
two of my new teammates- colleen and kristin- next year our outfits will match for real!

yeah, and bout all the gear, etc...a guy would probably be most stoked on the bike, but you KNOW i am most excited for our hot matching cycling and triathlon kits designed by mrs. betty designs herself. (who will now be known as "lane bait" as she earned that rubber ducky award at our master's swim holiday party).

the new kits.....on their way soon! skulls & butterflies- what's not to like?
we're going to have a little team christmas pretty soon...just waiting on a little shipment from ITALIA!

thoughts from the trainer

thoughts from (literally) the trainer this morning...i'm riding now...2 hours in something like zone a 2. with 90-100 rpms the whole time. 

5:02 am- *taylor swift's actually got a good 90-100RPM beat goin' on...get your cadence on, girl!

5:18- * hi james! good morning! what, not as bushytailed as me? what's that? oh, the trainer makes lots of noise? whoops. sorry.  can you grab me my water bottle? 

5:50- *i may be crazy as its before 6am, but james is the one out on the dark cold road right now.

5:58- * my heartrate is higher in the zone when i'm typing! typing is good for you!

6:10-*Jp told me on facebook: Beer is made by fermentation cause by bacteria feeding on yeast cells and then defecating. In other words, it's a nice tall glass of bacteria poo.

my thoughts: well, then it's proof...James is full of s#*t!

6:12- *good old 80's movies on in the early morning! i forgot how great "The Great Outdoors" is! gotta love a good John Candy & Dan Akroyd combo. and those little twins are creepy! and holy "cellular phone" the size of a BRICK. it's like that car phone with the cord my mom had when i was like 8. 

6:25- * is it over yet? NO. 

6:28- * Damn. Lady Gaga's Bad Romance video. obsessed. its like sexy thriller. i want to do that dance...wonder if i can learn. thank you, VH1 JumpStart! 

6:30- new Bon Jovi video- meh. give it up dude, never going to come close to "livin' on a prayer". 

6:45- * i hope my coach doesn't read this. BUT, i have powertap proof that i followed the workout exactly as prescribed. while blogging. 

6:50- * whoops. just knocked over the huge box of clementines...little oranges all over the floor. need to budget in 45 seconds when i get off this thing to clean them up.

6:59* mentally preparing for T1. i have exactly 14 minutes to shower and get out the door to make it to my desk by 7:40...don't forget food for potluck holiday lunch, makeup to bring in the car, running shoes, heart rate monitor for after work....oh crap... garmin is not charged. not only not charged, but where is it? 

7:02* later! click publish post.

gift guide for guys

so, you have an athletic lady friend who you need to get something for this holiday season? well, the other day, i was bored out of my brains in pilates class (seriously, there were at least 5 minutes of instructor-who-loves-to-hear-himself-talk babble to every one minute of core work). as i was bored, i looked around my mat and saw that i was surrounded by a few of my very favorite things. now, i know things are just things, but these are all things that make my life fun, functional, and add a pinch of style to the athlete's closet...here are the pics i took from my mat. during class.
now, boys, take out that credit card for that special lady and start a-clickin'!!!

first, my awesome yogi toes yoga towel. this is a grippy no-slip towel. and it is orange and turquoise tye dye...what's not to like? i had towel envy for months watching all the cool yogis in hot yoga and eventually caved and bought my own. and i LOVE it. i feel legit.

next, its not a good photo, but that black lululemon bag is genius. part briefcase, part gym bag. it goes with me from work (there is a computer sleeve inside!) to the gym, to the airplane..next to the bag is a black cashmere beret. i love it. next to that, are my fave zoot ali'is. so comfortable and so fast!

and laying below them was my lululemon Run: Sport Henley. this one is cute enough to wear to the gym and then out to the bar. for sure. of course, its nice and long, flattering and has the thumb holes i love so much.
outside of what i saw around my pilates mat, i wanted to mention a couple other of my faves....all of them are things i would love to find my stocking stuffed with...
sock guy knee highs... i go for these on days that i may not need knee warmers, but its still a little chilly out.

new PB & J flavored larabars..mmmmm....so good.

hanky panky underwear. no woman should live without these. i could do public service announcements about these until the cows come home. sexy and comfy all in one. cannot be beat.

moving on, athletic girls have got to have cute nails year round...we're always showing some toe (not the camel kind!) at the pool AND we always need a good race day manicure.. get her some new OPI nail polish - its all about the purple right now. i'm into "Done out in Deco" and "Pamplona purple". saw it first on colleen. had to have it. it not overdone yet, like neon (unfortunately) is.


lastly, every girl needs a good chapstick for those long rides and windy days. why not add a little shine in there? these burts bees lip shimmer sticks are tiny and can fit anywhere without causing a bulge, and they are definitely more chapstick than lipgloss. BUT, they also add a nice little shimmer and shine. nothing wrong with going fast and looking cute at the same time! you can fund these everywhere now- probably your local drugstore for sure. i live on these things




happy shopping!

bride-to-be on a bike

a piggy bank! [possibly my favorite keepsake from the day-o-fun described below]


friday after thanksgiving, katya and i had an afternoon ride planned. often, if i don't knock my workout out in the morning, i lose motivation, as was the case on this particular day. so i texted her "not so motivated today..." hoping she would give me an easy out :). instead, she replied, "we won't go too long and we'll make lots of stops." dammit! it was a bit chilly and windy out, but I'm not one to bail, so i threw on some unmatched cycling clothes (unfortunately this included the capris that james thinks look like i took a dump in the pants). Katya showed up at my place and gave me a cute little wedding card with a "Free frozen yogurt" card inside. score!

it was kind of random since my wedding is in a month, but i just thought it was nice. we hopped on our bikes and headed to the coast (about a half mile from my place). i assumed we were going to head north, but i asked her what she felt like and she said , "south". ok. whatever. damn, i am pretty easy going! someone asks me to ride and i don't even bother asking where or how long or anything i'm just always so glad people ride with me. so we turn left onto the 101 . and head up the little hill in encinitas. i see a few girls at the top, next to Berry Happy Frozen Yogurt. one has a blue zoot top on and looks like colleen. but Colleen told me she wasn't riding, so it's not colleen. WAIT!!!! yes it is! Why is she with Kerrie and Kristin and Caroline and WHY was I not invited??? Oh, I was pissed!
"SURPRISE!!!", they yell.
ahhhhhhh haaaaaaa......talk about friends who know you well. a surprise bachelorette party on BIKES that starts at a frozen yogurt shop. GENIUS! it was totally unexpected- I had told everyone not to bother with a bachelorette party or a shower or any of that (because i honestly get really uncomfortable when people "bother" about me.) luckily, i have awesome friends who put something together anyhow and it was the most fun i've had in a long time.

FIRST, was the frozen yogurt. self serve, of course!!! but, i only got the fro yo after they dressed me up like a lulu in a tutu, veil, a couple of sashes and a flower headband. i was a good sport for sure. no complaints!

i also was given a little orange backpack for collecting clues and treasures...because this was a SCAVENGER hunt biking backelorette party...with lots of special clues, written by Edgar Katya-Allen Poe-Meyers.


each of the clues were on cute little blue paper scrolls that a little elf had planted all over north county from la jolla to encinitas. along with the clues were little prezzies and trinkets perfect for a bride to be...the first scroll said this:

"What to do for a most athletic bride-to-be? Why a biking scavenger hunt seems the best activity! something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue... here's your list for a first step towards wedding bliss! To complete each task, all you have to do is ask: "Have you something here for me? the MOST beautiful bride-to-be?"

and then i was given the first clue.....and we were off! at each clue location, in order to get my goods, i had to ask, "Have you something here for me? the MOST beautiful bride-to-be?" again, i was a great sport, I must say! the clues led us all over North County...here are a couple of the clues/stops...

Clue # 3: Flat tire, broken chain no prob. for the guys at this shop. if you don't know them, it's your loss... you need to head here for that _________ to toss!

Off we went to B&L! We quickly found Matt wearing my garter and I was proud to do the honors. Sexy legs!!!!

the girls at the bike shop Clue #5 Hill repeats or during the La Jolla Half,
cresting the top always brings a smile and a laugh.
At the peak you will find treasures of all kind- words of wisdom for many years of happiness to come!

and off we went to the top of Torrey Pines! darn it, i had to climb up. they may be nice friends, but they didn't wait for me on the climb! even caroline, fresh off of IMAZ smoked me on the way up. but at the top, i found my clue and we took a little photo opp-

at the last stop (the Brigantine) I got one final scroll....

"don't think you're leaving without a toast. here's to the beautiful bride who means the most!"



AND after this, I found out that our little ride was just the beginning of the day-o-fun. i was given just enough time to shower and change and we all met back for a yummy dinner, all girled up at Pacific Coast Grill.. the girls had also planned a dinner shower with cute (and sexy!) gifts and a HILARIOUS game...they had emailed james a list of questions about us and I had to guess his answers. let's just say we won't be going on any newlywed shows anytime soon. He had some fine answers...how about these:
"What is Beth's favorite physical part about you?" James: "Everything"
"What is your song?" James: "Low, by Flo Rida" (you know...Apple bottom jeans, boots with the fur....) sweet. glad he took it so seriously!

after dinner and wine and fun, we went home. yes, home. no nasty bars at 2 am and licking shots off mr. smooth's shaved chest, no fireman knocking at the door, no you-know-what straws and necklaces...none of that.... all of it was JUST MY STYLE. THANKS, GIRLS!

all in a week's work

it's been a heck of a week off, and gobs of fun were had. yes, gobs. i did have a bunch of work to do at home (a school psychologist's work is never done!) - so i spent a few mornings writing psycholgoical reports on my couch. but, i thoroughly enjoyed being able to just sit and work with my coffee and the Today show on in the background- so no complaints here...

other than work, i got back on the bike a bunch of times...i start next monday with coach Dirk, so i just worked on getting back into the swing of things. on monday, i rode the coast with james..
as you can see, i love it!

wednesday i rode with katya and colleen on a nice easy (for them) ride through elfin forest. just gettin' in the base miles on a beautiful thanksgiving eve in sunny southern california.
and this video below, is par for the course for me on these "easy" rides....see, i told you this ain't easy for me!

wednesday night was a hoot. james sent a last minute facebook invite to everyone in town to meet up at the Encinitas Ale House for some pre-holiday drinks and good times. good times were certainly had by all...especially me!

my fun was short lived, however, and in the morning, i was brutally reminded why 4 drinks is 3 too many for me....waking up on thanksgiving, i could barely get out of bed, but i knew i had work to do at the super secret Ride n' Tie race- 12 miles of mountain biking and running with a partner in leapfrog fashion...there are other rules of the game, but they are super secret and i wouldn't dare expose them on my blog. however, katya, did a nice job of doing just that (she'll probably be banned for life). so read her recap before she is forced to destroy the evidence by the Ride n Tie powers that be...

well, i made it to the top secret starting location. my partner, colleen, and i were Ride n Tie newbies. other teams had strategies galore. we had just one- matching lululemon outfits!
the race turned out to be a blast...colleen's first time on a mountain bike and she flew by me at one point as she was riding my sweet pink mountain bike and yelled, "I'm getting a mountain bike for christmas!!!". this was the certainly the most fun i've ever had in a race and colleen and i were the female champions- earning coveted turkey sombreros. good thing we were the only all female team :)

besides being great fun and a great workout, i also ran off my hangover, which was a big plus as I headed home to host my first thanksgiving....james' aunt, uncle, and sister came over and everything went great. phew!
ok, so now we're all caught up until thursday...but the REAL fun began friday- can't wait for my next post! but, gotta go off to my last wedding dress fitting! sure hope i fit in the thing with all this turkey and pie in me.

D is for Dirk

first, what an awesome day my friends had out at Ironman Arizona today! i had a blast watching from my computer and couldn't be more stoked for Linsey, Tatiana, Caroline and all the other amazing san diego atheletes.

ok, back to me! :)

so, i spent 2 years messing around and figuring that just getting out there and swim/bike/running on a consistent basis and occasionally jumping into workouts with other people way faster than me would eventually make me faster. and it did. to an extent. but here i am 2 years later and realizing that

a) i'm not going to get that much faster just messing around and

b) ironman is no joke. especially the hilly one i signed up for in st. george, utah on may 1, 2010.

here is the bike profile. ouch

i have some friends who have gone out and rode/run the course and they say they bike course is tough, but the run is tougher. double ouch.

so, i put on the big girl pants, and have sought out some help. enter coach dirk. he is very german. he is fast. he is local! he coaches fast people (exhibit a) & (exhibit b). when i first decided it was time for the coach, i was quite nervous and a bit sad. nervous, d'uh- he's going to kick my ass. sad, mostly, becuase i will no longer be allowed to just hop onto any random chat session like those i regularly enjoy with my lovely girlfriends katya, colleen, & caroline.

but today, as i clung on to the tail end of the group ride and accepted charity pushes/shoves by the team Jamba Juice guy up all the climbs, i was quite glad. because when coach Dirk asked me my "Goals" for 2010. my first one, above ALL others, is to not suck on the bike so badly that i can't properly enjoy a fall group ride (that was not a smashfest for anyone but myself. they were all chatting away and i was DYING). goal number 2 i sent to coach Dirk was to podium at st. george and qualify for kona, of course- no big deal. yeah yeah, i know...but hey- THINK BIG! and write it down. Oprah and the guy from P90x would both agree. write it down. but, i digress.

anyhow, bring it!