Triathlon'ing on the Russian River

Ferrell and I made a late decision - to do the Vineman Monte Rio Olympic Triathlon, at the funky little town of Monte Rio on the lower Russian River, on May 31, 2015. I was immediately intrigued - with many fond childhood memories at my grandfather's cabin built on the River just a few miles upstream. So I was "in". Alas, the race was already filled by the time I decided, although I hoped to get in on late cancellations at check-in the afternoon before the race. The swim was the problem - the river was very low, and the swim start required a 100 yard slog through shallow rocky water to the start, and 200 yards of barefoot slogging on the same rocks before exiting the river. I decided to skip the swim and just do the bike and run. Thanks to my cousin, Rick and I were able to stay at the cabin, and I had a very memorable weekend. The run, however, for me was a disaster. Strong left hip pain forced me to walk a good deal of it, The whole story's here.

The Wildflower Triathlon

Ferrell's "retiring" (maybe really true this time?) and going out with 8 triathlons this year. So I said I'd join him. So far, I've joined him for the Wildflower (run only for me), The Vineman Monte Rio (bike and run only for me), and the California International Tri this past Sunday. I've been nagged by left psoas trouble most of the spring, and falling behind on my running pace. But still have plenty of adventures I've not reported. Here's a page for the Wildflower Tri

Redwood Forest Connections

I need my regular alone time, to be with my thoughts in my own world - Nature as untouched as I can find it. This first weekend of 2015 needed a post-holiday re-calibration. I biked out to the bottom of the Hoffmann Loop in Nicene Marks, and ran out to the Bridge Creek trail, to the Big Stump trail, to Hoffmann Site, the Hoffmann Connector, to West Ridge, and up to the top, at the Trail camp - a perfect late afternoon quiet spot for contemplation before running back down, arriving at my locked bike just as the sun set. http://www.cabrillo.edu/~rnolthenius/OtherAdv/WestRidgeRun1-15/index.html

GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAALLLLL!

My November battle with the flu and pneumonia sent my bandwagon into the ditch. I had to work hard in December to make up for lost miles and get it done. I wanted to get 4,000 miles on the bike and 1,000 miles of running, most of all. Got it! Along the way, had some great moments in the forests and backroads. The latest was the Santa Cruz Track Club's second Fremont Peak Run of '14, which was this past Sunday.

Almost forgot - Mt Umunum Time Trial

This was my only other Low Key Hill climb this season, and Ferrell didn't join me - still recovering from the Morgan Hill Half 6 days earlier. Short - and steep. over 2,000 ft of climbing in just 4.5 miles. Glad I did it!
http://www.cabrillo.edu/~rnolthenius/triathlon/umunum14/index.html 

Mt Hamilton Time Trial, Rides Again

Been sick with the flu and pneumonia for the last 3 weeks of November... but I was well enough to do a Thanksgiving Day tradition - the final time trial of the "Low Key Hill Climb" series, from San Jose up to the top of Mt. Hamilton and Lick Observatory. Our adventure went well! http://www.cabrillo.edu/~rnolthenius/triathlon/LKMtHam14/index.html  Got in 42 miles and 5,000 ft of climbing, and only lost 2 minutes off last year's time. Gimme an inhaler and I'm good to go, I guess.

Morgan Hill's Pain Parade

November 2, and Ferrell and I were "all in" to redux our 2012 adventure at the Morgan Hill Half Marathon. That is the only race in which I have ever simply cried "Uncle!" before finishing, so bad was my left hip pain in '12. Revenge was going to be sweet! Or at least, it was going to be existent... http://www.cabrillo.edu/~rnolthenius/triathlon/MorganHillHalf14/index.html