How it went for me!!!

There was a major glitch with my mobile
blogging endeavor but Sholeh managed to send some photos another way. It was an
incredible experience especially as the part I was least worried about, the
swim, proved to almost be my downfall! I had such an adrenalin rush at the
beginning that I couldn't breathe for the first 500 yards and almost quit then,
but I kept trying to control my heart rate and bring it down. The rescue boats
were always right there so I was going to call for help if I couldn't handle it.
Finally I could breathe and got into a swimming routine and finished ahead of
probably half the field of women over 35. The bike transition went well and the
ride was pretty cool, one of the Biggest Looser women ( there were 50
contestants from the TV show there) crashed at the top of the hill on my first
lap which was a bit disconcerting. Shapour, Owen his pitbull Luna, Bob my
friends husband, my friend had just had surgery and couldn't be there.
Then all Sholeh's friends came also. So we had a bunch of
supporters. The run was my biggest worry and it proved to be the best part
really, Sholeh started in the wave of women 34 and younger 30 mins before me so
she finished way before me also because she was much faster. So she joined me
for my last lap of 2 miles, after having downed a beer at the finish line
courtesy of our supporters, it was very important for her that we both finish
this. The party at her house was great. Lots of her friends came, Shapour
BBQ'd and made his special "punch", three of which we have known since they were
around 5 years old! All in all it was a great experience and very rewarding.
Thanks for looking out for us, I did it in just under four hours and still can't
believe that I was able to achieve this goal!! I guess many things are possible
with the right mental and physical attitude>
Posted by Jackie

Hi Girl
> Thanks for your encouraging words. There was a major glitch with my mobile
blogging endeavor but Sholeh managed to send some photos another way. It was an
incredible experience especially as the part I was least worried about, the
swim, proved to almost be my downfall! I had such an adrenalin rush at the
beginning that I couldn't breathe for the first 500 yards and almost quit then,
but I kept trying to control my heart rate and bring it down. The rescue boats
were always right there so I was going to call for help if I couldn't handle it.
Finally I could breathe and got into a swimming routine and finished ahead of
probably half the field of women over 35. The bike transition went well and the
ride was pretty cool, one of the Biggest Looser women ( there were 50
contestants from the TV show there) crashed at the top of the hill on my first
lap which was a bit disconcerting. Shapour, Owen his pitbull Luna, Bob my
friends husband, my friend had just had surgery to remove her last pieces of her
female anatomy! Then all Sholeh's friends came also. So we had a bunch of
supporters. The run was my biggest worry and it proved to be the best part
really, Sholeh started in the wave of women 34 and younger 30 mins before me so
she finished way before me also because she was much faster. So she joined me
for my last lap of 2 miles, after having downed a beer at the finish line
courtesy of our supporters, it was very important for her that we both finish
this. The party at her house was great. Lots of her friends came, Shapour
BBQ'd and made his special "punch", three of which we have known since they were
around 5 years old! All in all it was a great experience and very rewarding.
Thanks for looking out for us, I did it in just under four hours and still can't
believe that I was able to achieve this goal!! I guess many things are possible
with the right mental and physical attitude>
> Love to you Girl
>
>
>

Thanks!

Thank you all for your help, support and donations. We really couldn't have done any of it without you. We finished the triathlon without getting eaten by sharks or falling off our bikes. We also raised more money than our goal an we owe that entirely to you guys. Thanks so much for everything!
Love,
Jackie and Sholeh (finished the triathlon!)

We finished!!!!!

Ready!

Terrified me

Starting out

Dynamic duo

We are all ready! thanks for support

My BFF right before leaving for SF gave me words of wisdom !!

Ye Olde Training Log

Even if I never finish this race I at least finished the 10 week training regime which was gruelling enough! I think I only missed one!
Jackie

Finished Training!!

Finally it's over and  we only have the race to get through.  Definately you are worth every 33 cents a day I pay for your services Planet Fitness!!  Sholeh says that the weakness and numbness in my left hand will go away when I stop biking so much, it's good to have such an optimistic daughter.  If I can figure out how to Mobile Blog, OMG,  I'll post ridiculous photos of us and/or our surroundings.  Wish us luck because we will certainly need it.  Posted by Jackie in an anxious and terrified state.

Final 30 mile bike ride Saga!!

As race day looms it's ugly head I was looking forward to our final training ride. Sholeh & I had planned to do it on the Alameda Creek Trail at 5am today. However, during the 6 mile run at Planet Fitness, the poor man's gym in Hayward, (which is a whole blog in itself - one quote overheard " the equipment in Santa Rita, our local penitentiary, is way better than here") she cancelled as gainful
employment trumped our sweat fest, had to wine and dine the company vendors from China. So I awake and trundle into the kitchen trusted Pug attached to heel, how can she go from a full snore to wide awake and attached I have no idea. The clock shows 3:30am a tad early! On the way back to bed I see a figure sleeping in the guest room and assume it's Sholeh. Joy I won't have a lonely ride ahead of me at 5:30. At the right time I get up, having not slept, Pug at heel, make coffee and go in to tell Sholeh it's time to get up, only to find that the person is Shapour (husband). He can't stand the snoring Pug so routinely moves during the night. Sadness again until I check my texts and find one from Sholeh saying we are at $480! Gaining renewed energy and vigor I boldly exit. Upon my return at 8:30 Shapour is in his van leaving for our shop, "You look like a disaster, where have you been?" Well...
Posted by Jackie

Rule #1 Triathalon Information
"A participant who gains forward progress by crawling shall be disqualified" there goes my Plan B

OMG $480 we almost reached our goal, thanks so much to you all!!!!

Our trusty steeds on the Bayshore Trail. After we rewarded our effort at Chevy's with Margaritas and very fattening foods. The one good thing about this is that you can eat anything and actually loose weight. Ballooning out of control will come next!

How not to change a inner tube!

So in a noble attempt to get our bikes in tip top shape for the up coming race this Saturday I spent all day replacing the inner tubes and tires. We are now sporting bright blues tires. Finally I wrestled the tubes inside the tires inside the rims and all was wonderful until I inflated them and subsequently deflated my ego. I had punctured my front tire inner tube. So everything came off and I had to repair the hole, the one thing I wanted to avoid by changing the damn tube. Finally finished, I stowed the bikes away. All set now for our 30 mile training ride I waltz happily into the garage only to find Sholeh's front tire has blown up and removed itself from the rim! The above photo is of the offending tube. This is the result of operator error, exactly what the bike mechanic told us, don't pinch the tube when installing!!!! So coming full circle with the old tube reinstalled we completed our ride in only 2 hours 40 mins in a howling gale, freezing our buns off, Sholeh's saddle pivoting like a see saw, but with no explosions. As I am inept at uploading photos I have to post the other photos seperately.
Posted again my Jackie

Other Alien - Orange Kitty

Meet the "others" my Aliens - Big Bully

Meet Tiny - A Grateful Recipient!

Thanks to all your generosity we have raised $355! This is Tiny a recipient of donors like yourselves. She has been my foster kitten for over two months. During this time she has never reached the magical number to be adoptable, 2lbs. Two litters of kittens have come and gone and still I have Tiny! She recently took a turn for the worse and suddenly lost a lot of weight became very skinny, lethargic and wouldn't eat or drink. Frantically I took her to the shelter where she was given fluids and an appointment with the shelter vet the next day. The vet recommended liver and blood tests to see what was going on. The test turned out fine and she thought it was a parasite. I have been treating her for almost two weeks and she is finally getting better, putting on weight, and playing with the other kittens, Orange Kitty and Big Bully. Without the money from the volunteer donation fund this little kitten would not have had this option available to her and would never have got an opportunity to find her forever family. Thank you so much.
Posted by Jackie,
The crazy cat lady/mother/technician/hopefull triathalete/etc.......

The 880 Freeway to jolt you back to reality

Trio of White Pelicans

Ship Wreck

Hissing Family of Geese

Cool Crane

Alameda Creek Trail

Having got tired of battling the SUV's and crazed motorists I moved my bike riding to a more refined venue, The Alameda Creek Trail.  Here the only thing I have to battle is of the Avian variety and a few mammals.  Flocks of seagulls that refuse to move off the trail, families of geese that hiss and chase after you, a stupid squirrel that I almost ran over which would have ruined my whole week, and large flocks of white pelicans.  It is a gorgeous place and hard to believe that you are in the middle of a metropolis until you have to drive your bike under the  880 freeway.  I took a few photos this morning to document the ride for your enjoyment, definately not mine!!  With only a week left until race day I am certainly over this endeavour.
Posted by The Mother, Jackie