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Eileen Swanson's Tales
>>March 30th, 2009
Kristin and I, loved my new Lululemon outfit 
Awards, wearing my new Lululemon hoodie
My Dad, Belle and I
Kristin and I, loved my new Lululemon outfit
Awards, wearing my new Lululemon hoodie Yesterday was my 2nd half marathon and 5th running race of the year. I raced one in February that had some rolling terrain and I felt awesome up ’til mile 10. This time around I was much more prepared BUT this course was SUPER HILLY! We climbed and climbed, then descended and pounded the pavement, then climbed and CLIMBED so more. It was the hilliest course I have run for a half so far. As usual I was super stoked to start the race and had so many friends around and it was in my hometown which made it that much SWEETER!
One of my best friends, Kristin, drove up from Santa Cruz to race with me. This was such a great treat, as I love hanging out with her. We have so much fun always! We started the race at the front with a couple of friends who I knew would pace pretty smart. I am all about building into the race, I’m not a fan of going out too hard anymore ) The first mile of the course is a slight downhill which makes it easy to go out too fast. I looked at my garmin to make sure I was holding back enough, I saw 6.15s and 6.22s, so I decided to slow it back just a bit. At one point one of my athletes flew by me and I had to yell at him “Jon, remember be smart.” He thought about it for a few seconds, then slowed down. As soon as we hit mile 1, we made a sharp right turn up a super steep hill. This hill went on for a good 1/2 mile, I was feeling great, nice and light on my feet. Again another down hill and some major pounding, I again held back a bit. I know from experience that the pounding of the downhills, if I let myself go, will come back to haunt me later in the race. Onto the next section of the course, a nice 2-3% grade for a couple of miles. This was a tough part of the race and it was so great to have one of my long run training partners (Ralph) next to me and to see another training partner up ahead. We kept each other in check and made sure we were on pace, 6.40-6.50s, since it was slightly uphill.
) The first mile of the course is a slight downhill which makes it easy to go out too fast. I looked at my garmin to make sure I was holding back enough, I saw 6.15s and 6.22s, so I decided to slow it back just a bit. At one point one of my athletes flew by me and I had to yell at him “Jon, remember be smart.” He thought about it for a few seconds, then slowed down. As soon as we hit mile 1, we made a sharp right turn up a super steep hill. This hill went on for a good 1/2 mile, I was feeling great, nice and light on my feet. Again another down hill and some major pounding, I again held back a bit. I know from experience that the pounding of the downhills, if I let myself go, will come back to haunt me later in the race. Onto the next section of the course, a nice 2-3% grade for a couple of miles. This was a tough part of the race and it was so great to have one of my long run training partners (Ralph) next to me and to see another training partner up ahead. We kept each other in check and made sure we were on pace, 6.40-6.50s, since it was slightly uphill. The hardest part of the course was still to come and this was up Crow Canyon rode, a 3 mile climb with some long steep sections and some good downhills too. At mile 5, Ralph fell back and I moved up to stay with a pack of guys. I tried to hold onto them on the first steep section but noticed that I was laboring a bit too much and my legs were starting to burn a bit much for this mile in the race. I made myself calm down, dropped my shoulders, relaxed my arms and face, and started to feel better. By mile 7-8, was a different story, I started to hurt and freak out a bit that my race was done, the hills were getting to me. This time I thought about all of my friends and competitors out there experiencing the exact same feelings, if not worse. Then I started to think of what my friend Desiree always says when she is hurting, “if it’s hurting me, it’s killing them.” I really needed this thought at that moment, and off I went and started negative splitting. I was feeling great again and moving up and down the hills feeling light again. Cool! I was still in the lead for women and was hoping to hang on.
Miles 10-12 was an out and back section and windy. We ran down a slight grade and onto a flat section and then had to come back up that grade and to make things even more interesting, we passed by my neighborhood. Thoughts of Belle sleeping on our bed all warm and snuggly crossed my mind, but I knew I had to finish first then I would get to relax This section is where you could see your competition. I finally saw some friends in both directions and was so stoked to see them doing so great! I also saw Kristin and she looked great, I couldn’t tell how far back she was, but I knew she could catch me if I slowed a bit. I picked up the pace these last 3 miles and realized I had some left in the tank which is a GREAT sign! YES!! And nothing was SWEETER than crossing the finish line with family and friends cheering me on in my hometown of San Ramon on a beautiful sunny day!! It was an awesome feeling to come in 1st and to PR on a course that had ~1500 ft of climbing. Most people said they were 3-4 minutes slower than their usual half marathon times. I averaged 6.48s/mile on this tough course. I am more than happy and stoked for great things to come… Thanks to all of my training partners and Reid of course for always motivating me to push harder to reach new heights!
This section is where you could see your competition. I finally saw some friends in both directions and was so stoked to see them doing so great! I also saw Kristin and she looked great, I couldn’t tell how far back she was, but I knew she could catch me if I slowed a bit. I picked up the pace these last 3 miles and realized I had some left in the tank which is a GREAT sign! YES!! And nothing was SWEETER than crossing the finish line with family and friends cheering me on in my hometown of San Ramon on a beautiful sunny day!! It was an awesome feeling to come in 1st and to PR on a course that had ~1500 ft of climbing. Most people said they were 3-4 minutes slower than their usual half marathon times. I averaged 6.48s/mile on this tough course. I am more than happy and stoked for great things to come… Thanks to all of my training partners and Reid of course for always motivating me to push harder to reach new heights!
Track kids I coach were there cheering me on…..
>>March 28th, 2009
Yum, new wheat free Snackmals, animal cookies
After starting this change to my eating habits last week, I have already seen a significant improvement in how I feel indoors and outdoors while training and working. I have felt much better! Breathing seems better, way less sneezing and coughing, and more energy! YAY! The only thing I still have is itchy eyes when the wind blows all the pollen in the air. Even when I come inside after a ride or run, I rub my eyes over and over again, until I hit the shower and then they’re better. So, I guess I have to head straight to the shower after any activity, no hanging around for too long or I feel like I want to yank my eyes out. Yup, they itch that much from the pollen, trees, and grass. But I can’t complain, as everything else is so much better already.
I had an awesome track workout the other day, where I just felt GREAT! My feet were moving, my legs were responding, my Lululemon outfit was rockin,’ and my mind was totally in it! I love these days, where you feel like you’re floating. Well, not quite that fast, but it was a good day and one where I improved by 3 more seconds per quarter and 5 seconds per 800. It helped to have Reid and my awesome friends Tara, Lloyd, Ed and Fer all there to push and motivate. We have so much fun working hard together even at 6AM, when it’s 36 degrees out. We are crazy because at 1PM it was 70 degrees out, but we always opt for the colder, harder workouts! I love it!
Today I invited one of my best friends Ali to swim with our masters group at 5AM. We even planned out matching 2 piece suits (same pattern but mine is pink and hers is blue), yup we’re dorks Ali was an Olympic trials swimmer, collegiate superstar, and all around awesome mom to 3 boys. I had told my 5AM buddies who Ali was and that she would be joining us for some fun. We got our lane ready to have our butts kicked by the speedster. We had an awesome main set of 10 x 100 and 10 x 75s all on a 1.10 send off. I was kind of worried that I would have a tough time making the set and would have to pull over or something. BUT I felt great, long, and fluid and made it to the wall with 3-5 seconds to spare on all the 100s. Phew! I was stoked and loved how hard the set was for me! Ali said it was tough for her too, but I think she was just being nice Then it was off to a run with Reid and another good friend Simon. We did a nice, steady 52 min run with some hills. AND guess what? We were done with all of our training by 7:30AM!!
Ali was an Olympic trials swimmer, collegiate superstar, and all around awesome mom to 3 boys. I had told my 5AM buddies who Ali was and that she would be joining us for some fun. We got our lane ready to have our butts kicked by the speedster. We had an awesome main set of 10 x 100 and 10 x 75s all on a 1.10 send off. I was kind of worried that I would have a tough time making the set and would have to pull over or something. BUT I felt great, long, and fluid and made it to the wall with 3-5 seconds to spare on all the 100s. Phew! I was stoked and loved how hard the set was for me! Ali said it was tough for her too, but I think she was just being nice Then it was off to a run with Reid and another good friend Simon. We did a nice, steady 52 min run with some hills. AND guess what? We were done with all of our training by 7:30AM!!
I have gotten so many emails about gluten free products to try and most taste so good!! The problem is most of my friends have been sending me suggestions on gluten free cookies and that’s about it….So I have lots and lots of great cookie choices, but I need meals now All of you are so awesome, thanks so much for all of the suggestions lately…. Any gluten free recipes?
All of you are so awesome, thanks so much for all of the suggestions lately…. Any gluten free recipes?
>>March 25th, 2009
I wanted to share some crazy but interesting news. I have been sneezing, wheezing, and having to rub my eyes alot lately. I usually have some seasonal allergies, so I thought they just kicked in super early this year. So, I decided to go to the doctor to get some tests done to determine what I really am allergic to. Enough guessing, I needed some answers.
The Doc suggested I get an allergy test, which consisted of having 4 viles of blood taken from me. I used to have blood tests done regularly, so I thought it would be no big deal. Somehow, I have now become a wimp with needles. It could be because the nurse kept moving, shaking the needle with each tube she switched. Ouch, that did hurt in a weird way, it actually made me queasy. Anyway, I was so glad that I would have answers…. The tests came back 8 days ago and instead of talking to me over the phone as the Doc usually does when I have blood test taken, she insisted I come in as this would be a lengthy talk. Yikes!
A week ago, I went in to talk to the Doc. She was very serious and very stern in saying “you need to take better care of yourself.” I was like “what? I do.” She was shocked with how bad my tests came back. I clearly have asthma, I am allergic to trees (oak, cedar, you name it), grass, weeds, pollen, dust mites, wheat, rye, barley, cats, and dogs! YIKES! Luckily though, I am only moderately allergic to dogs. As long as Belle is bathed regularly and we clean our house weekly, I am ok. PHEW! Reid was so funny about this one….he was like “oh no, you’ll have to move out.” HAHA! Seriously, he and Belle are inseparable! Well, all 3 of us are )
)
Oh and the Doc also said that my poor bod was not getting the necessary oxygen to all my muscles, thus the soreness always!! So glad there was a reason for alot of symptoms. Although I can’t complain as I have been having great training and racing sessions these past couple of months. I am excited to see what all these changes will bring to my body in teh future!! So far, I have already seen some cool changes with a week of keeping my allergies under control and starting my new diet. I ran faster than I have run in a long time on an easy Sunday run, averaging 7.19/mile for the whole 14 miler and today on the track I was running a couple seconds faster. Cool stuff, I am happy with everything these days ) More good stuff to come…
) More good stuff to come…
>>March 19th, 2009
Pics coming soon, here is a sneak peek and a video clip below
Pics coming soon, here is a sneak peek and a video clip below
Whew, what a fun couple of days!! Yesterday was officially “Iron Wed” at the pool. This happens every 4 weeks where we do an EXTRA HARD set and it’s EXTRA LONG! Only 4 of us finished out the set yesterday, it was 5300 yards and most of it was done on 1.15 base interval. It was AWESOME, except for the fact that my right forearm was in knots and cramping so bad (due to my fun challenge the day before, walking on my hands 40 yards across the football field) Our coach told me I should stop if my arm was hurting that bad, yup the pain was written on my face. I pretended I didn’t hear her and suffered through the set, but LOVED every second of it. I HAD to finish the set and stay on that tough interval. John my lane mate was awesome and we kept motivating each other to finish it out! YAY for a great swim, one that I can remember, a great deposit ) Next up was a great tough 4 hour and 42 minute ride! I’ll spare the details but just add that it was a beautiful ride and we ended it by climbing up Mt Diablo!
) Next up was a great tough 4 hour and 42 minute ride! I’ll spare the details but just add that it was a beautiful ride and we ended it by climbing up Mt Diablo!Enough about Iron Wed and onto the SUPER FUN stuff! Today was my photo shoot for Lululemon. I was so excited and ready for this day. The shoot took place on the beautiful serene trails of Mt Diablo. The highlight of the shoot was of course, Belle!! Yes, Belle! Reid and Belle were on set for a super fun day just to watch and hang out. But then the photographer (John Segesta) fell in love with her and said she should be in the shots too. SO COOL! So, he took TONS of shots of Belle and I running up and down the trails for hours!! It was the BEST time ever. Paige, my super sweet friend, who selected me for this job was having a blast out there too. We were all smiles and laughter… Once Belle was officially done with her portion of the shoot, I got to do some cool gymnastics moves that John loved So I got to do them over and over and over again! Even more fun!! What an amazing opportunity!! Thanks Lululemon, Paige, and John….you guys are AWESOME!
So I got to do them over and over and over again! Even more fun!! What an amazing opportunity!! Thanks Lululemon, Paige, and John….you guys are AWESOME!Belle and I are a bit tired now but if we could, we would do it again tomorrow )
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Belle cooling off ‘on set’ after her photo shoot debut
>>March 15th, 2009
I wrote about how much I love Lululemon a couple of times in the past. But never in my DREAMS did I picture someone approaching me asking if I wanted to be a part of the Lululemon family!! Yes, a friend of mine who works as a representative of several athletes contacted me about a month ago after reading my blog on how Reid, Belle and I were shopping at the Lulu store in SF 
She asked if I was interested in becoming an ambassador for the coolest, hippest, athletic clothing company AND I said YES!!
She asked if I was interested in becoming an ambassador for the coolest, hippest, athletic clothing company AND I said YES!!The past month has been super fun! I have had an official Lululemon interview, a super duper FUN fitting, a shopping spree, several visits to the store because I can’t get enough of the amazing atmosphere at every store, and a surprise that I’ll mention in a later blog, stay tuned As an ambassador, I will be working directly with members of the Lululemon family to help spread the word, show off the best yoga, running, and everyday wear, and do my best to help others become more active in the community! I will lead running and possibly cycling workouts from my soon to be announced store in Walnut Creek, opening in May! This is the BEST job ever. I am already having so much fun and I am told it will only get better ) Lululemon rocks!! Visit a store near you or if you’re in the Bay Area, come to the grand opening of the Walnut Creek store on May 29th, I’ll keep you all posted. http://www.lululemon.com/
As an ambassador, I will be working directly with members of the Lululemon family to help spread the word, show off the best yoga, running, and everyday wear, and do my best to help others become more active in the community! I will lead running and possibly cycling workouts from my soon to be announced store in Walnut Creek, opening in May! This is the BEST job ever. I am already having so much fun and I am told it will only get better ) Lululemon rocks!! Visit a store near you or if you’re in the Bay Area, come to the grand opening of the Walnut Creek store on May 29th, I’ll keep you all posted. http://www.lululemon.com/Have a great weekend!!
I had to post this picture of Belle (Lulu mascot) drying off after her bath! SUPER CUTE!!
>>March 14th, 2009
>>March 11th, 2009
POST RIDE HIKE!!
This past weekend I decided I would ride with the HOP group (aka, House of Pain). I am not sure who came up with that name, but that’s the group’s name! As I started my ride solo, I decided maybe I would join another group and see if I could pull alot of the time vs drafting and holding on for dear life the whole time. I have some good friends in both groups so it’s always great to ride with either. So, I met up with HOP ‘light’ and stayed at the front during the warm up. About 12 miles into the ride someone flatted and most of the group stopped and waited. I was getting antsy waiting around chatting with some buddies, so I asked if they wanted to roll slowly. They were up for it and we were off rolling super slow.
A couple of minutes later some girl with a long curly blonde ponytail rides by and stops at the stoplight with us. One of my friends says hi to her and she ignores her. Then I say hi and she ignores me. Whatever! Maybe she’s in a bad mood or something. So off she goes at the light like she does not want to have anything to do with us. At this point I was SUPER anxious to get going and looking back the group was no where in sight. I started to think that maybe I should go off on my own and try to hold the group off as long as possible. This would be a fun game for me and since I coach myself (Reid helps too), I thought I would do what I felt was best for me at this time. So I told my friends what I was going to do and they were cool with it. They wanted to wait for the group. I was super duper excited to start TT’ing and see how long I could hold the group off.
First I came up on a group of women training for an all women’s cycling event and saw one of the athletes I coach in the group. That was fun! I said hello and kept on going. I could see the blonde ponytail up ahead in the distance and that was my new target. I couldn’t wait to catch her. Just for fun ya know? She was moving at a good pace, so it took me a couple of miles to catch her. Once I did, she heard me and started picking up the pace. I decided I would be polite again and say hi and keep on going. Ok, here comes the FUN!! I say hello and she immediately is ‘full of it.’ She doesn’t even say hi but she starts with the most negative talk I have heard in a long time “I feel horrible today, I am cold, my legs hurt, and I just want to be on my mountain bike.” YES this is what she says to a complete stranger. I look at her and say “oh that’s too bad, sorry.” AND I try to drop her as quickly as possible, who wants those negative vibes around!!
She was moving at a good pace, so it took me a couple of miles to catch her. Once I did, she heard me and started picking up the pace. I decided I would be polite again and say hi and keep on going. Ok, here comes the FUN!! I say hello and she immediately is ‘full of it.’ She doesn’t even say hi but she starts with the most negative talk I have heard in a long time “I feel horrible today, I am cold, my legs hurt, and I just want to be on my mountain bike.” YES this is what she says to a complete stranger. I look at her and say “oh that’s too bad, sorry.” AND I try to drop her as quickly as possible, who wants those negative vibes around!!
Unfortunately it was tough to drop her since she hung onto my wheel like a flea. HA! I was getting annoyed but then realized, who cares? Have fun with this, enjoy your day!! These were the thoughts now going through my head. I kept pushing a bit harder on the rollers in hopes she would fall off. And she did, but not for long. I have to admit she was tough! Ok, so then I start to think maybe we can work together and stay away from the group. This would be even more fun! I wave her to take a pull and she doesn’t respond. Hmmm, ok so I decide to put me head down and just ride as hard as I can but steady since I know I had another 35 miles to go. Occasionally I would look at the ground to see if I could see her shadow. She was still there! Finally we get to a little hill and I slow down a bit to try to talk to her and guess what she does? She takes off on me, WTH!?! Luckily she hit a stoplight and I roll up to her and say what was that all about? She says nothing except “do you know where I need to turn, I normally don’t ride out here alone. I feel horrible.” AGAIN!! SO ANNOYING!! OMG!
I helped her out, told her where to turn and decided to let her go. I didn’t want her drafting off me anymore, since she was NOT so friendly. I ease up, watch her almost make a wrong turn, and I YELL really loud ‘LEFT TURN.’ She hears me and doesn’t even say thank you. This went on for 2 more turns. I had enough of her and again tried to drop her with no luck. So I decide to draft off of her for a bit. That was fun, she actually let me draft for a mile, but then she stayed on my wheel for the next 10 miles until we hit a slight climb. She slowed way down to take off her arm warmers and off I went AGAIN. This time I was successful. Reid was riding backwards on this loop and I knew he would be somewhere on this climb. I was so excited since I knew I could finally have someone fun and friendly to at least be around, I was feeling her negative vibes so far, yuck. Reid appears a third of the way up the climb and turns around to ride with me. The first thing I say is ‘we have to keep working since I don’t want that chick to catch us and I am stoked I’m staying away from both HOP groups.’ We stop at the top of the climb to take off some clothing and guess who appears? ARGH, the blonde chick! She finally says “thanks for helping me” and continues on. Ok, at least one nice comment
Reid and I rode past her and she clung to our wheels again. How funny is this? I was over it since it was a good ride for me and so far I was staying away from the groups. Cool stuff! Finally by the end of the ride, she said a few positive words and that was that! WHATEVE!! HAHA! Oh and the groups never caught me……
>>March 6th, 2009
After being sick and in bed all weekend, Reid goes off to do the racing for the family. He was so excited to leave for his 50 mile road race that he talked about it for a couple of days! I was pretty excited for him too, as was Belle You all know by now that I have to include her in everything! The road race was close to a 2 hour drive from here and so this meant that Reid would have to leave at 5AM. Perfect, he still can stay at home the night before
You all know by now that I have to include her in everything! The road race was close to a 2 hour drive from here and so this meant that Reid would have to leave at 5AM. Perfect, he still can stay at home the night before So when Reid takes off, I wish him well and he kisses both Belle and I. I have to say it was pretty nice to stay in bed since I was feeling like crap. It is a bummer being sick but it happens. I slept for another 3 or 4 hours until guess who wanted to play? Yup, Belle! She has 2 ways of waking us up 1) when she has to go out to do her business and 2) when she just wants to play. Either way, we HAVE to get up. So I got up and was so eager to hear from Reid. I caught up on housework, rested and waited for the call. We always call each other as soon as we’re done with races or super long rides and runs, just to let each other know that we’re ok and to hear how things went.
I finally got the call!! Reid is super modest and never really says how great anything went. So I have to pry for answers. Here is how the conversation went, Me “Hi Sweets, how are you?” Reid “Good, I’m on my way home.” Me “So how did it go?” Reid “It went well.” Me “How well? ” Reid “I placed” Me “AWESOME sweets, that is so great. So, what place?” Reid “I won!” Me “WOOHOO, YAY, SUPER COOL, SOOOOO PROUD of you.” Reid “thanks sweets, see you when I get home, oh and how is Belle?” He forgot to mention the nice cash award, watch, jersey and super cool rock award he won…
Ok, I have to say he is one Super cool, super sweet stud! At least I think so )
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>>March 1st, 2009
Have you ever been sick and noticed that everything and everyone keeps on moving forward except you? Well, today, I am having one of those days! I got sick yesterday. I knew it was coming on, but I kept trying to fight it off and continue with my fun, busy schedule of full time side jobs Yes, FT side jobs, that’s what I’m calling it. I have 5 that keep me super busy, but super happy as well!! Anyway, today was our high school kid’s first track meet and guess who couldn’t make it? Yup, me. I was stuck in bed all day! Coach Reid and Coach Steph were there encouraging and guiding these little studs!
Yes, FT side jobs, that’s what I’m calling it. I have 5 that keep me super busy, but super happy as well!! Anyway, today was our high school kid’s first track meet and guess who couldn’t make it? Yup, me. I was stuck in bed all day! Coach Reid and Coach Steph were there encouraging and guiding these little studs! Meanwhile at home, I am reading text messages about how the kids are doing, catching up on emails, and reading FB about how everyone is doing something today except me. For the first time, I am actually ok with it. I have to admit that I was bummed that I didn’t get to see our kids compete today, but I am happy that I am continuing to listen to my body this year. I stayed in bed most of the morning. Plus who would want a contagious coach breathing in their faces. That would be mean. Anyway, I got alot of rest and caught up on emails and coaching stuff. It is ALWAYS so great to be able to snuggle with Belle!!
Back to the track meet. The kids did AWESOME!! They set 3 new school records and all of our distance runners kicked serious butt and this is their first meet!! WOOHOO!! So happy for all of them. We have been working them hard and it is starting to show! We are super excited to keep at it and make sure they all continue to improve and have fun of course! Lots of exciting times to come I’m sure.
Ok, so you all know that Reid is awesome, so I had to share this pic. Here he is after coaching all day, working on cleaning my Kueen K. Of course Belle is helping too )
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Gotta go to bed to try to get better……
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