Categories
Archive for the 'San Diego History' Category
HAPPY LA VALENCIA-TINES DAY
Why not take your “love” to La Valencia for a Valentines celebration early…It’s the perfect setting….and says….I Love You. The Pink Lady since 1926.
Dinner at The Sky Room with a list of over 1000 wines. The Sky Room is closed on Mondays, but dinner on Saturday or Sunday would be perfect.
Stay at the hotel for as little as $329 per night.
Nothing says love like….The La Valencia Hotel for dinner or a weekend stay…..or a Whaler in the lounge after work.
Happy Valentines Day to everyone…married, coupled, or single and hanging out. Love is for all….
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.
