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Archive for the 'Health' Category
CHALLENGED ATHLETES FOUNDATION – TRIATHLON
This Sunday, October 24th marks the 16th year the Challenged Athletes Foundation will sponsor the San Diego Triathlon Challenge.
Each year this event is sold out early. Why?
Originally this race was held to raise money for Jim MacLaren who suffered injuries while on the bike while he was riding in a race in Orange County in 1994. The accident, so serious he should have been dead, rendered him a quadriplegic. His friends rallied to raise money for his needs by hosting a small triathlon in La Jolla. They called it the San Diego Triathlon Challenge. Who knew this would be the beginning of something bigger. Something that would benefit challenged people (not just athletes) all over the world.
Over the years the race has grown to a limit of 700 athletes and has turned into a spectacular event where both disabled and able bodied athletes can compete together as a team, or separately. Last year, over 1 million dollars was raised to support the wheelchairs, prosthetics, and bikes requested by boys and girls, men and women all over the world. Over 4500 have benefited from grants given by the CAF.
Click here for more information about how grants are distributed.
This Sunday, beginning about 7am, the La Jolla Cove will turn into a hub of activity for all athletes and non athletes. Fun for the whole family. It will not only be inspiring, but the course is such a challenge, even the non-disabled will find it difficult. Athletes may race the entire course ( half ironman) or join a team and race one of the legs.
The course, 1.2 mile swim, 57 mile hilly bike, and a 13.1 mile scenic run. What could be more beautiful and inspiring? Great location, fabulous athletes, heartwarming and inspiring.
So, here is to Jim MacLaren, who passed away 3 months ago, and to all the leaders and athletes who donate, participate and support the CAF. HAVE A GREAT RACE!!
Click here for information on the race.
A TRIATHLON TO REMEMBER
It was June 6, 1993. I was a triathlete in The Orange County of Performing Arts Triathlon. It was a beautiful day and I had finished the swim portion and was on the bike when I heard a triathlete had been involved in accident. I remember there were sirens, but I didn’t really see anything. As I finished the run, I found my friends, and the buzz had been circling that another triathlete had been hit by a van, and was dead.
It wasn’t until a few days later that I read in the news that a triathlete named Jim MacLaren had been paralyzed from the neck down after being hit by a van at the triathlon. Jim was competing as an amputee, and was on target to win the race. He had his leg amputated in 1985 when he was hit by a NYC bus while he was on a motorcycle. For his amazingly, incredibly inspiring story, Click here.
The following year, 1994, a group of Jim’s friends created a fund-raising event to help raise money to buy Jim a van. It’s birthplace was San Diego, CA….La Jolla Cove hosted the swim, then a grueling bike ride through the Torrey Pines hills and back, to end with an equally challenging (and scenic) run along the coast up to UCSD and back.
The name would soon be changed to, The San Diego Triathlon Challenge in La Jolla.
I made my way to San Diego’s event in 2002 and became inspired as I watched both challenged and disabled (but able) athletes, compete along side fully abled athletes. The event had grown so large, that it would sell out months in advance. This is not a race, but rather an event…everyone has a chance to finish. There is no cut-off time.
There are so many incredible stories that have come out of this event. The CAF has grown and now provides disabled athletes world-wide with the ability to compete.
With that…there is sad news. Jim MacLaren passed away this past 8/31/10 in his sleep. He was 47 years old…young.
If you are interested in reading Jim’s tory. Click here.
Every day, or each day I face a challenge, and ache, a pain, a hurdle….or when I meet someone who is filled with drama that’s undeserved….I think of Jim…I think of his patience, his kindness and his incredible will to go on…to give…to survive. But most of all….I remember his attitude. He continues to inspire.
The CAF event (San Diego Triathlon Challenge) takes place in La Jolla, October 24. If you are in San Diego and want to see this amazing event, make your way to the La Jolla Cove…early, early…7am. Even though the event is sold out, you can watch….and be inspired.
THE BEST FARMER’S MARKETS IN SAN DIEGO
I love going to the Farmer’s Market for my fruits and veggies. Just love it! Since I am a vegetarian (although I do eat fish) I love the freshness of the produce. I love how the tomatoes smell…just like you picked it from the vine. Nothing like fresh-picked corn, wrapped tightly in its husk, just waiting for fingers to pull back the skin for a peek at the kernel quality. Today, to be a Farmer’s Market, you must be certified. What does that mean? Well, it means that all the produce must be local, sold by the grower, and according to the State of California, meets all the State standards.
I can remember as a little girl living in Portland, Oregon going to an outdoor market where the local farmers would bring their freshly picked vegetables and fruits and sell them out of a flatbed truck. No certification. No standards. We just knew the farmer had gathered up his produce and brought it to a central location where he could sell to more people.
San Diego has so many Farmer’s Markets located around the city, you could go each day of the week. Nothing to compare with the produce from these markets, so shop in a neighborhood of your choice. If you are looking for additional Farmer’s Markets…Here’s a link.
I love my local market in La Jolla, but here are some others that shouldn’t be missed.
SUNDAY
La Jolla – Girard and Genter, at La Jolla Elementary, 9-1pm – Valet Parking available, but you could park blocks away and enjoy the walk. Maybe you should bring a cooler and stash your goods, because it’s tempting not to want to take a stroll down to the Cove and watch the seals.
Hillcrest – 3960 Normal and Lincoln Streets, DMV Parking Lot, 9-2pm. – Very ecclectic. A great people-watching venue.
Gaslamp Quarter – Avenue J & rrd, downtown, 9-1:00pm -
TUESDAY
Coronado – Ferry Landing, 1st and B Streets, 2:30-6pm
WEDNESDAY
Carlsbad – Roosevelt Street, between Grande and Carlsbad Village Drive, 1:00 – 5:00pm
Ocean Beach – 4900 Block of Newport Avenue, 4:00 – 8:00pm (closes 1 hour earlier during the winter). This is always fun since there’s so many antique shops on the street.
THURSDAY
Horton Square – Downtown San Diego, 225 Broadway, next to NBC in the Square. 11:00 – 3:00pm (March – October). Here’s where you shop for your produce and then walk over to the Plaza and shop for shoes. Oh…never mind….that’s me that does that.
SATURDAY
Little Italy – Date Street, from Columbia to India (North Side), 9:00 – 1:30pm. It’s easy to just stay for a plate of pasta and a bottle of Chianti.
Pacific Beach – Mission Blvd. near Pacific Beach Drive, 8:00 – 1:00pm. Bring your roller blades for some exercise on the boardwalk after you put your produce in the car.
Del Mar – El Camino Del Mar and 11th, West Side (City Hall Parking Lot) 1:00 – 4:00pm – You may want to take a walk through the neighborhood and see some of the most beautiful, and expensive homes in San Diego.
Take home some fresh produce today from one of your local growers.
BEACH TRAIL – NO RESERVATIONS NEEDED FOR THIS RESERVE
TORREY PINES STATE RESERVE – A BEACH TRAIL FOR ALL AGES
I just got back from a morning run that continues to take my breath away (literally), and thought I should write about it.
It’s Saturday morning in San Diego….and what better way to spend this glorious, sunny Saturday than a run (or walk) on a Beach Trail that fills all the senses.
La Jolla has one of the most picturesque Reserves I’ve ever seen…and here it is…right in my back yard.
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve lies north of La Jolla, near the UCSD Campus, bordering the Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course (site of the 2008 US Open) and South of Del Mar, and the Del Mar Race Track. It has paid parking, or you can try to park on the coast and walk to the reserve.
I think what captures the beauty of Torrey Pines Reserve is that it parallels the pacific ocean, so the view of the blue waters, and possible Dolphin sightings, is spectacular. Another rarity is this reserve is the home to the nation’s rarest pine tree, Pinus torreyana. For nature lovers, this tree grows only here, and on Santa Rosa Island off the coast of Santa Barbara. During my runs, I often see perched high above the coast on one of the fingers of the jagged rock formations a hawk or two, staring down at the beach goers. They can be seen swooping to snatch live food and carry it back to their nest. And, since the GliderPort is close by, I often see hang gliders and para gliders catching the updraft to sore along the coast, giving me, and others a fantastic show.
There are more challenging runs in San Diego, for example, Mission Trails in Santee, but there are none more beautiful than Torrey Pines. I don’t know how many miles of trails there are, but I can make my run over 1.5 hours and not hit the same trail twice. I will suggest an early run/walk will be more tranquil than later in the day, when many hikers want to experience the warmth of the day.
Don’t think about bringing dogs, food, or bikes….as none are allowed. Wear comfortable clothes, hiking shoes, a hat and sunblock. The trails are sandy and dusty, so bring water. Bring a good attitude and enjoy the native vegetation and wildflowers, and you’ll come away knowing you’ve feasted your eyes, enjoyed the smells, given yourself a good workout, and put a smile on your face.
For personal tours, walks, runs….I am available.
SPICING UP YOUR BRAIN
There are 5 spices that can make a difference in how your brain works. Read the rest of this entry »
