This past Saturday Tanya and I traveled south of the border to ride in a big party on wheels. This year was the 26th year of the event held twice a year in Sept and April, with April being the larger of the two events. www.rosaritoensenada.com. We have ridden this ride two 2x's in past years, but this year instead of driving we chose to go with a tour company called www.outback-adventures.com/ , and left the driving to them. The company was very efficient, punctual and really took care of the bikes; they made crossing the border easy especially returning back to the US.
When we boarded the bus in the morning we met members from a riding club Dock Riders www.dockridermag.com/ based out of Los Angeles. We were invited to join them on one of their Saturday morning group rides; which we may do in the future. It is always great to meet fitness minded people.
We arrived in Rosarito beach around 9:30am. The race began at 10am, but we where at the back of the line with 10,000+ other riders in front of us. But that was fine, we had come to enjoy the day and the beautiful shoreline not to race.
After a short while we where on our way, weaving in and out of riders trying to find our pace. The roads are at times rough, but the previous day’s downpour added mud and rocks to the mix. The mud and rocks seemed to create an atmosphere for flats which proved true; many riders had them in the first 2-3 miles. Tanya and I escaped the day without one, we where lucky.
The ride travels along the Baja coast through small villages and beach cities for the first 23 miles; then turns inland to the hills. At mile 24 we reached the first major climb El Tigre which is a three mile climb, it had been cool running until this point. El Tigre separates the fit from the unfit, I felt for those who had been enjoying to many cervesa’s along the way. Tanya and I tucked our chins dropped the gears and powered over El Tigre with relative ease. After summitting this climb the landscape opens into vast open fields with ominous mountains standing to the distant east. After 8 to 9 miles of rolling hills the fun begins an equal trade for the major climb, it’s time for the downhill! A great section of 5-6 miles to just cruise and feel the breeze on your face and though your hair.
Finally back to the coast and the final stretch into Ensenada we finished in 3hours 50 minutes, and hour faster than our previous ride there. We made it safely without incident.
We could not have asked for a more beautiful day!
Monday, April 23, 2007
Friday, April 20, 2007
RED ROCK CANYON
Last Saturday while in Las Vegas we visited the RED ROCK CANYON.
The next time you visit Las Vegas get off the strip and go for a run, hike or a bike ride in “Red Rock Canyon”. You will thank yourself, only a few miles away from the hustle and bustle of the strip is this beautiful, quiet and serene valley. It must be the Mecca of fitness in the Vegas area; it was great to be among like minded individuals who love fitness.
After a night of fun on the strip with Tanya’s sister and her husband who was visiting from Bermuda, we woke up early and escaped from the hotel to get in our training(a must!). Tanya decided to run as she is preparing for the Badwater solo and I decide to cycle. The canyon has a paved 14.5 mile loop which climbs to over 4500 feet. Because I decided to ride I had to do the loop 2x’s.
I recently added cycling as a form of cross training, not only to stress muscles in different ways, but also to decrease pounding on the joints. I have visions of an Ironman in 2008. I was quickly humbled, as two riders cruised by me on one of the climbs as if I was standing still. I tried to jump on there butts, but my legs said “no go, not today buddy”. I just laughed to myself “you have a lot of work ahead of you if you want to do an Ironman”.
Tanya cruised the loop with ease, as always looking as is she had done nothing. We commented on how beautiful the red rocks and mountains are, and that you would never know a bustling city was only a few minutes away.
When in Vegas got to Red Rock Canyon, you will thank yourself.
The next time you visit Las Vegas get off the strip and go for a run, hike or a bike ride in “Red Rock Canyon”. You will thank yourself, only a few miles away from the hustle and bustle of the strip is this beautiful, quiet and serene valley. It must be the Mecca of fitness in the Vegas area; it was great to be among like minded individuals who love fitness.
After a night of fun on the strip with Tanya’s sister and her husband who was visiting from Bermuda, we woke up early and escaped from the hotel to get in our training(a must!). Tanya decided to run as she is preparing for the Badwater solo and I decide to cycle. The canyon has a paved 14.5 mile loop which climbs to over 4500 feet. Because I decided to ride I had to do the loop 2x’s.
I recently added cycling as a form of cross training, not only to stress muscles in different ways, but also to decrease pounding on the joints. I have visions of an Ironman in 2008. I was quickly humbled, as two riders cruised by me on one of the climbs as if I was standing still. I tried to jump on there butts, but my legs said “no go, not today buddy”. I just laughed to myself “you have a lot of work ahead of you if you want to do an Ironman”.
Tanya cruised the loop with ease, as always looking as is she had done nothing. We commented on how beautiful the red rocks and mountains are, and that you would never know a bustling city was only a few minutes away.
When in Vegas got to Red Rock Canyon, you will thank yourself.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
MS Walk 2007:Doing More Than We Think We Can
We thought we would share with you a day in the life of one of our hero's (Rene Webb). She brought tears to my eye's this past weekend, we at times take for granted our ability to walk and run. But there are those hero's out there that fight the fight everyday, Tanya and I are proud to be a part of her and her family's life. This if from an email sent out to everyone who has or had been involved in GTM Fitness. MJ
GTM Fitness Fanatics, MS, Walk 2007Thanks for all your prayers and support.Rene Webb succeeded in her goal. This year Rene Webb through strength and perseverance was able to walk the entire MS walk in Upland this past Sunday.This was her 7th consecutive year of participation.Rene was on a vision quest with her group "JOYFUL NOISE" as she started out smart with a slow but comfortable pace.Every 1/4 mile more or less Rene would take a rest in the chair while Tanya gave her a quick body massage to keep the blood flowing and Dr. Marc would have her drink fluids to stay hydrated.Rene had much support from her group. We kept a watchful on her gait and energy levels as Rene was adamant to finish.A few times on the course the official MS SAG vehicle stopped and ask if we needed help.Our answer was always "THANKS, BUT NO THANKS," we're doing just fine.Soon after they drove off Rene would push herself up out of the wheel chair and onto her feet keeping her vision alive. After 2 hours and a few minutes Rene crossed the finish line with tears of Joy.Mission accomplished.She said, she can't wait till next year. WE/SHE THANK YOU ALL SOOOOO VERY MUCH."WE CAN DO MORE THAN WE THINK WE CAN"
Tanya and Dr. Marc
GO OUT THERE AND LIVE!!
GTM Fitness Fanatics, MS, Walk 2007Thanks for all your prayers and support.Rene Webb succeeded in her goal. This year Rene Webb through strength and perseverance was able to walk the entire MS walk in Upland this past Sunday.This was her 7th consecutive year of participation.Rene was on a vision quest with her group "JOYFUL NOISE" as she started out smart with a slow but comfortable pace.Every 1/4 mile more or less Rene would take a rest in the chair while Tanya gave her a quick body massage to keep the blood flowing and Dr. Marc would have her drink fluids to stay hydrated.Rene had much support from her group. We kept a watchful on her gait and energy levels as Rene was adamant to finish.A few times on the course the official MS SAG vehicle stopped and ask if we needed help.Our answer was always "THANKS, BUT NO THANKS," we're doing just fine.Soon after they drove off Rene would push herself up out of the wheel chair and onto her feet keeping her vision alive. After 2 hours and a few minutes Rene crossed the finish line with tears of Joy.Mission accomplished.She said, she can't wait till next year. WE/SHE THANK YOU ALL SOOOOO VERY MUCH."WE CAN DO MORE THAN WE THINK WE CAN"
Tanya and Dr. Marc
GO OUT THERE AND LIVE!!
Thursday, April 12, 2007
The Limit of a Person
Where is the limit of a person? How can you be limited? A person is limited according to his or her attachment. It doesn't matter what you have or what you don't have; it matters only how easily you can let go. Yogi Bhajan
When I am running on the trail I feel free and limit-less, I can let my mind be drift away of worldly obligations. Maybe that is why I love ultra running, get out there and run. Let go and LIVE.
When I am running on the trail I feel free and limit-less, I can let my mind be drift away of worldly obligations. Maybe that is why I love ultra running, get out there and run. Let go and LIVE.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Race Report
San Juan Trail 50K April 7, 2007
Two weeks before the San Juan Trail 50K Tanya and I decided to sign up. There isn’t any better of a way to spend a Saturday than running on a new trail with many other trail friends.
We left Rancho Cucamonga race morning with Jeannette a fellow trail runner at 5am. Unfortunately we missed the turn off to the race and ended up arriving there about 20 minutes after the start. My friend Kurt was waiting for us at the start, he wasn’t running, but it was very thoughtful of him to come out to wish us well. He also had baked us 2 loaves of Banana Bread (yum).
After checking in and picking up our bib numbers, we headed out onto the trail. I think we all had a bit of anxiety because we were starting late, for the first few miles I kept feeling like I needed to catch up. But at the same time I had never run this race before and I did not want to go out to fast and then pay for it later. Tanya did remind me of this very quickly, I do have a tendency to do this sometimes.
The morning’s weather was over cast and very foggy and we headed out onto the trail. I was very thankful for this weather, because the first aid station was 10 miles away. I love single track trail, and that is what the first 20 miles of this race will offer. Tanya and I were in our element, together feeding off of one another trying to get into a flow. The first 10 miles seemed to breeze by. The scenery was absolutely beautiful; I could only imagine what we may have not seen because of the fog. We actually passed 5 people in those 10 miles.
After a refueling at the first aid station, Tanya and I were on our way back up the trail. After a small lollipop loop of about a mile we headed back on the same trail we had first run on. So that meant another 10 miles to the next aid, but this time we were headed up hill. Again I was thankful for the cool overcast weather.
We made it to the next aid station (20 miles) a ½ hour slower than our first 10 miles, we where pleased knowing the hills we had to climb. Again we refueled and headed out for the last 10 miles this is where the fun began. At this point the course consisted of a short paved road then onto a steep hard fire road for about 3 miles to the next aid station. While on this section be began seeing other runners heading down the same road to their final stretch to the finish.
When we made it to the third aid station, we saw friendly face Gary Hilliard (Director of the SoCal Ultra Series) who was volunteering at the aid station. Gary gave us dome word of encouragement and then Gary filled us some info on the trail to come. He told us about the steep mile and a ½ climb back up from the creek to the fire road.. Was he ever right, how does a 19+% grade climb sound! We finally made it back to the 4th and last aid station. We just had a few more miles to go! We passed to more people in this other lollipop section. Back down the fire and paved road, across a field and there it was the finish line 8:03:27. Not our best 50K finishing time, but we were happy to be finished and have spent another day together on the trail. Unfortunately Jeannette did not finish, but she did share how beautiful she thought the course was.
It was great seeing so many ultra running friends, and witnessing an incredible runner Jorge Pacheco. Jorge started the race at the same time we did and still won in 4:45:10! Awesome! Thanks BAZ and all the volunteers. No better way to spend the day!
Marc and Tanya
PS: This was my first attempt at writing a race report, I look forward to sharing many, many more. Thanks for taking time to read it, your comments are encouraged.
Two weeks before the San Juan Trail 50K Tanya and I decided to sign up. There isn’t any better of a way to spend a Saturday than running on a new trail with many other trail friends.
We left Rancho Cucamonga race morning with Jeannette a fellow trail runner at 5am. Unfortunately we missed the turn off to the race and ended up arriving there about 20 minutes after the start. My friend Kurt was waiting for us at the start, he wasn’t running, but it was very thoughtful of him to come out to wish us well. He also had baked us 2 loaves of Banana Bread (yum).
After checking in and picking up our bib numbers, we headed out onto the trail. I think we all had a bit of anxiety because we were starting late, for the first few miles I kept feeling like I needed to catch up. But at the same time I had never run this race before and I did not want to go out to fast and then pay for it later. Tanya did remind me of this very quickly, I do have a tendency to do this sometimes.
The morning’s weather was over cast and very foggy and we headed out onto the trail. I was very thankful for this weather, because the first aid station was 10 miles away. I love single track trail, and that is what the first 20 miles of this race will offer. Tanya and I were in our element, together feeding off of one another trying to get into a flow. The first 10 miles seemed to breeze by. The scenery was absolutely beautiful; I could only imagine what we may have not seen because of the fog. We actually passed 5 people in those 10 miles.
After a refueling at the first aid station, Tanya and I were on our way back up the trail. After a small lollipop loop of about a mile we headed back on the same trail we had first run on. So that meant another 10 miles to the next aid, but this time we were headed up hill. Again I was thankful for the cool overcast weather.
We made it to the next aid station (20 miles) a ½ hour slower than our first 10 miles, we where pleased knowing the hills we had to climb. Again we refueled and headed out for the last 10 miles this is where the fun began. At this point the course consisted of a short paved road then onto a steep hard fire road for about 3 miles to the next aid station. While on this section be began seeing other runners heading down the same road to their final stretch to the finish.
When we made it to the third aid station, we saw friendly face Gary Hilliard (Director of the SoCal Ultra Series) who was volunteering at the aid station. Gary gave us dome word of encouragement and then Gary filled us some info on the trail to come. He told us about the steep mile and a ½ climb back up from the creek to the fire road.. Was he ever right, how does a 19+% grade climb sound! We finally made it back to the 4th and last aid station. We just had a few more miles to go! We passed to more people in this other lollipop section. Back down the fire and paved road, across a field and there it was the finish line 8:03:27. Not our best 50K finishing time, but we were happy to be finished and have spent another day together on the trail. Unfortunately Jeannette did not finish, but she did share how beautiful she thought the course was.
It was great seeing so many ultra running friends, and witnessing an incredible runner Jorge Pacheco. Jorge started the race at the same time we did and still won in 4:45:10! Awesome! Thanks BAZ and all the volunteers. No better way to spend the day!
Marc and Tanya
PS: This was my first attempt at writing a race report, I look forward to sharing many, many more. Thanks for taking time to read it, your comments are encouraged.
You Are Blessed
I usually don't read to many fwd's I receive in my email but today I received this one from my mother and it touched me. So I thought I would share it. Click and enjoy.
http://www.frontiernet.net/~jimdandy/specials/blessed.htm
Have a blessed day,
Marc
http://www.frontiernet.net/~jimdandy/specials/blessed.htm
Have a blessed day,
Marc
Monday, April 9, 2007
2006 Running Events
This is our first time Blogging.
Tanya and I are ultra-runners. Starting our blog would be a great way for friends and family to share in our many running adventures.
Below is our 2006 race's.
It was an incredible years for us both.
* the races only Tanya ran.
Calico trail run 50K
Death Valley Trail Marathon
Pacific Shoreline 1/2 marathon
Lake Hodges 50 K
Los Angeles Marathon
Boston Marathon*
Leona Divide 50 mile
Big Sur Marathon*
PCT 50 mile
San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon
Holcomb Valley 33 miler
Claremont 5K
Lake Tahoe 50 mile
Mt. Disappointment 50K
Bulldog 50K
St. Georges Marathon
San Diego 100*
Javalina Jundred (100)
Philadelphia Marathon
Santa Barbara 9 Trails 35 miler*
Ridgecrest 50K
Santa Monica Christmas Run 10K
Stay tune for running adventure stories for 2007.
Tanya and I are ultra-runners. Starting our blog would be a great way for friends and family to share in our many running adventures.
Below is our 2006 race's.
It was an incredible years for us both.
* the races only Tanya ran.
Calico trail run 50K
Death Valley Trail Marathon
Pacific Shoreline 1/2 marathon
Lake Hodges 50 K
Los Angeles Marathon
Boston Marathon*
Leona Divide 50 mile
Big Sur Marathon*
PCT 50 mile
San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon
Holcomb Valley 33 miler
Claremont 5K
Lake Tahoe 50 mile
Mt. Disappointment 50K
Bulldog 50K
St. Georges Marathon
San Diego 100*
Javalina Jundred (100)
Philadelphia Marathon
Santa Barbara 9 Trails 35 miler*
Ridgecrest 50K
Santa Monica Christmas Run 10K
Stay tune for running adventure stories for 2007.
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