A Look Back

Before moving to San Diego and during my high school years "activity" was playing tennis for me. I'd run the occasional mile but that's about all. During ski trips I'd board and be sore/tired mid-day and ready to eat. I didn't live or support an active/healthy lifestyle by any means, nor did I desire one.

How things have changed... 4 years later I'm a new person. It's not about losing weight or trying to look thinner. For me, I like being active. I like my muscles telling me "today is your off day." It started out when I played ice hockey at UCSD my senior year. I discovered the importance of regular exercise. Hockey season ended and I signed up for a cycling century, 100 miles, for fun. Cycling took off from there. It's my latest addiction. You name a route (or hill) and I'll do it. (Fact: the furthest I've ridden on a single ride is 115 miles. It was relatively "easy.") I'm getting back to my morning run session. It's snow season! Which means trips to the mountain when there's time. And let me tell you, all the cycling and running sure does pay off on the mountain. Right now, those are my 3 main activities keeping me happy. Robert has taught me the joy of ultimate. I can throw a frisbee! And then there's tennis, golf, attempted surfing, swimming in the ocean when the water temp increases... possibly a triathlon later in the year...

Tomorrow is a rest day.

Numbers

The storms last week dropped 8-9 inches of rain in San Diego and approximately 8 feet of snow in Mammoth. Anyone care to guess where I'm going for this weekend?

The Groove

I'm back on the bike and it feels good! I've ridden 4 of the past 5 days. My legs were shot after Thursday's 50 miles. I couldn't even keep up during the club ride Saturday. Sunday I did the Great Western Loop, which is 40 miles with 3,000 feet of climbing. Over the course of 4 rides I did: 147.2 miles and 9hrs 38min in the saddle.

Snow!

The Mammoth/New Year's trip was so much fun this year! Here are the highlights: snowboarding, Kelley! and Kelley snowboarding, family, wii + mario brothers, playing in the snow, fires, wine, chocolate martinis. new year's eve fireworks, cookies, snow angels, a drive to June Lake, fresh powder, boarding off the top of the mountain, movies, a road trip... and much more!

If it snows...

I like snowboarding. I like snowboarding in all conditions, including white-out blizzards. This thought recently crossed my mind: Why the hell did I buy white snowboard pants? Don't get me wrong, I really like them and they're badass. However, I don't think it's ideal to wear white clothes when on a mountain covered in snow when the visibility is low. GG me.

My Weekend

Saturday: Went to Einstein's for breakfast with Kelley, rode 40 miles, then parked it on the couch the rest of the day and watched college football.

Sunday: Rode another 40 miles, went to the farmers market, then headed over to my aunts house to eat, hang out, and watch football the rest of the day.

...what a weekend!

Spanish Food

I'm back from Spain. Simply put: Trek redefined the meaning of luxury. I can go on forever about the trip, but will try not to.

Where was I: We spent 3 days in Barcelona, 2 nights in Madremanya, 3 nights in S'Agaro, and 1 night in Girona.

Travel people: Days 1-3 were my mom, aunt, and uncle. Days 4-9 were with the Trek group (11 total + 2 guides). And back to the original 4 for part of day 9-the end.

Food: I tried to keep a simple food log of the dinners each night. I missed a few nights, but here's what I had: Keep in mind- I ate everything! I tried tons of food that I'd never eaten or don't usually like. For example: paella, squid, green olives stuffed with anchovy, mussels, cured everything, duck!, rabbit, bread dipped in red wine and coated with sugar (this was a traditional dessert and quite tasty... Tapas are assorted appetizers ranging from bread w/ oil and vinegar to ravioli, salad, cured meats... and there were always at least 3-5 plates of tapas before we got the main course. (Unlimited) wine was provided at every meal during the Trek/cycling portion.

I had a bottomless stomach for the entire trip. It took me until the 6th night to feel full, and this includes all my meals. Arg.. I told you I could go on forever about the trip, and this is only the subject of food. If you want to know more, ask me! Here's what I have on my Food log:

Day 1: Tallers 76
- chicken and rabbit paella, potato omelet bites, cheese plate, sangria (#2)

Day 2: Txan Txan Gorri
-Bread, Fish (shellfish) and mushroom risotto, salmon w/ leek sauce, Sangria (#1), red wine + Chocolate cream w/ orange soup (#1 dessert)

Day 3: Zian Pizzeria
-Muscles w/ lemon, pizza w/ wild mushrooms and cured ham, red wine, choc brownie with nougat ice cream and frangelico. (vanilla mouse w/ almond and candied ____ for mom)

Day 4: Hotel in Madremanya
-Tapas, salad, lemon sorbet, duck w/ orange sauce, peanut ice cream w/ nuts, white wine

Day 5: Little castle town
-Tapas (w/ giant croquette aka Spanish chimichanga) , Iberian pork (x2), fries, assorted dessert, wine

Day 6: S'Agaro cooking at hotel
-Gazpacho, bread, shrimp and chicken, apple doughnuts w/ vanilla ice cream, chocolate mousse cake, wine and champagne

Day 7: Pizzeria in S'Agaro
-Tapas, duck w/ pear, bread, sangria, crusted banana w/ choc sauce and ice cream

Day 8: S'Agaro last dinner
-tapas (ravioli, risotto, bread, and more), Iberian pork shank, red wine, creme brule w/ cinnamon ice cream (T-#2 dessert)