30 years and counting at Trievents in Bonelli

Bill Fulton a man with a vision 30 years ago is still a BIG part of the Tri venue

Here is a link to Bill and the History of trievents well worth reading you will be amazed
http://www.xtri.com/features/detail/284-itemId.511712337.html

I have known Bill and his family since 2006 and love being involved in the tri events series at Bonelli. So on April 15th I was there super duper early to put up a booth for POLAR USA and I also had some Hammer gel samples to that I added to the booth.

It was a little nippy in the early hours!!

Getting ready in the transition area

With the help of my friend Ray Mena we soon had the Polar booth set up and then discovered my rear wheel had a flat tire!!! So lucky for me INCYCLE had a booth right next to me and were able to help out with an inner tube and pump! I used the foggle wipes to clear my goggles so they would not fog up and the tri glide spray to help slip into my Aquaman wetsuit!

In transition with Steve Vasquez for our first tri of the season!

This was the cutest! They are so young when they start now!

Here I am with Hammer my mini pin as I listen to Paul Romero go over last minute race instructions.

From here the National Anthem is sung beautifully I may add and the first wave of Elites and men under 39 begin the 500 meter swim, 5 minutes later the green caps go, I have a pink cap and soon it is my turn to enter the lake for a wee swim. I take a hammergel and some water give my mini pin to my friend...
SWIM
5,4,3,2,1, I run into the water press my polar monitor and feel my timing chip slip around my ankle! I groan silently to myself too late to fix the problem I begin to swim and using my right foot secure the chip to my ankle and proceed to swim with my feet crossed for the next 498 meters! I had started way to the right of the mass of women a mistake as I was pushed further right by over zealous females I finally just held my course remaining calm and trying not to panic about the chip issue!

I make the beach lots of people are cheering I stand up the chip is dangling like a bracelet and I jog up the beach to a little bit of carpet and run up the small hill and to my bike, I take off my wetsuit and my chip goes airborne! I start to laugh really what else can I do! I finally get the chip and knot it firmly around my ankle enough time wasted time to ride my bike. I put on my neon yellow Rudy glasses and helmet....time to go

BIKE
The bike is two 7 mile loops around Bonelli park the first loop is catch up as I lost time in the swim and transition...geez you think! I manage to remember to hydrate and hoping to warm up too! I am half way round my first loop and I hear a woosh it is first place male just ripping up the bike portion! at 22 mph he made me feel as I was going 5! I keep on going up a hill down a hill, avoid a pot hole, shout on your left the second loop there was a lot more cycling traffic, we had the sprint tri and the childrens tri all happening too, As I past the drag strip I saw the Inland Infernos out for a run! I played cat and mouse with another woman on the bike and finally made the right turn back to transition lost time here as everyone slowed down to a crawl on the final 500 meters!

RUN
I rack my bike grateful to be done, I take a hammergel quickly put on my fuel belt slipped my numb cold feet in to my new Ravennas and down the hill to the bridge were I meet Karen and she hands me off Hammer my mini pin, we are going for a 5 km run together, we soon began passing other runners, Hammers ears are pinned back he is running full gallop I am laughing I love running with Hammer, my feet are starting to feel the kool n fit I sprayed in them earlier and warming up nicely we get to the turnaround and Hammer looks at me, I stop to give him water and we continue then the unthinkable happens Hammer stops and the athlete I have passed over takes me for the second time but Hammer needs to poop poor thing I let him do what he has to do clean it up... we have 1.2 miles left we start to pass people again and Hammer needs to potty again!! Finally the final surge we leave everything on the line and finish in a respectable 1:24  time and the girl that we kept passing came over to congratulate us and say how much she loved Hammer!

Finishing was great Hammer was happy because he could run despite his tummy problems and I was happy to Tri because I can!

Then I made it back over to the expo area were I helped answer questions on Polar Heart Rate monitors and a few questions also on Hammer Nutrition

Enjoyed meeting this young 12 year old who already had 6 years of experience from San Diego!

Katie Kyme super fast Australian triathlete always nice to see her (I only get to see at the finish as she is too fast for me!)

A proud women with her pink Polar monitor! Way to go!

Run with us came out with a GREAT selection of Brooks running shoes!

Winner of the Polar RS100

A HUGE thank you to Carolyn Wolk who took over orchestrating the Tri Events from her father to keep it in the family. She does a great job getting volunteers and putting on a top notch event with help from her family and friends.

All in all I personally had a great time enjoyed the peanut and jelly sandwiches and Rubios, Ray and Daniel did stellar races. I enjoyed seeing California Triathlon out on the course as cheerleaders and course marshaling and Hammer I found out had been given human food hence his gastric distress on the course and relegated us to 4th place. But we both had a blast! that is what triathlons are all about having fun and meeting new people along the journey.

A personal thanks to photographer  Robin A. Driscoll  www.rdphotoservices.com

Thanks to Aquaman Wetsuits, Hammer Nutrition, Rudy Project USA, Polar USA, Brooks Running, Kool n Fit, Covina Masters Aquatics, Williams Wheels, Cannondale, Serfas USA, Profile- Design and Ocean Potion. and of course Hammer for being a great mini pinscher!

Exploring San Dimas and neighbourhoods by bike

Exploring a City by bike is a great way to see and get to know a place, So here is a little 12.5 mile bike ride I would like to share with some amazing views.

INCYCLE

I begin the ride at INCYCLE on Arrow hwy, here there is plenty of parking, you can rent a bike if needed and plenty of places to eat and good coffee shops to.
I head out and turn left on Bonita Ave, and within a mile 1/4 of a mile am passing the bowling alley on my right.

Bowling Alley

I keep on Bonita and soon cross the railway tracks as I enter into the Historic district of San Dimas,

Pacific Railroad Museum and Library is located inside a 1934 depot that anchors the west end of the historic downtown at 210 W. Bonita Ave. Operated by the Pacific Railroad Society who trace their roots to 1936 when six railfans in the Los Angeles area banded together as the "Railroad Boosters." The museum and library are open to the public and free, and group tours are available upon request

Downtown San Dimas, rustic and with a Western feel!

After around 2 miles I make a left on San Dimas Ave as I would like to showcase the beautiful old homes San Dimas has and also the route of the San Dimas Stage Race. I cycle up to 1st street passing the Walker house which has just been renovated and turned into a restaurant and museum too.

Walker House is perhaps the most beautiful and important historic building in the downtown, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Originally built in 1887 to be a railroad hotel. Recently restored by the City of San Dimas to be a public building, it is now home to the San Dimas Historical Society, Festival of Arts, and an art gallery.

This small 1.2 mile loop is the Incycle/Cannondale Old Town Grand Prix Bicycle Race, one of the hardest criteriums in Southern California, is a Grand Prix course that starts on the streets of Historic Downtown. Each March, racers and spectators alike enjoy one of the highest speed bike races in Southern California. The criterium is the third stage of the San Dimas Stage Race, a multi-day bicycle race in and around San Dimas organized by Southern California Velo.

Day 3 of SDSR

 After a right on first I make a left on Iglesia and cycle up to 5th street were I make a right, as I head up this road I have a beautiful view of the San Gabriel foothills and pass some beautiful homes.

Once I have cycled on 5th I make a right to go down  North Walnut Ave and turn right onto Bonita Ave, on this corner is City Hall and a statue of Jedediah Strong Smith

In 1826, Jedediah Strong Smith led the first American overland exploration to the proposed
project area, known generally as “Mud Springs.” He was the first American to cross the
southwestern portion of the American continent. This area was part of the last Spanish land
grant, Rancho San Jose. Then, in 1887 with the extension of the Santa Fe Railroad, the San Jose
Land Company formed and chose to call this area San Dimas, after the canyons has the same
name located to the north.

I go left on to San Dimas Ave and pass the newly placed Veterans Memorial

San Dimas War Heroes

I cross Arrow hwy and make a left on Puddingstone Drive, I really love this route as it loops around Bonelli Park, and passes Barrack Airport and at the end of Puddingstone is the Drag Strip and the Fairplex were the County Fair is held each year.

A View of the North Shore of Bonelli from Puddingstone Drive, on your right hand side.











Soon I cycle past Brackett Field Airport  and turn right at the end of Puddinstone is the LA County Fair Grounds, there you will find a landmark called the Pomona Drag Strip, known for its Winter and end of Summer Nationals. At the Fairplex grounds you will also find the NRHA National Hot Rod Association Museum.




I turn right onto Fairplex drive and follow the road round keeping on Fairplex drive, I pass the golf course and soon see the right turn to enter Bonelli Park.I make a right on Via Verde and prepare for a roller coaster of small hills as I pass through this beautiful park, just before entering the park I pass the Horse stables were you can see Bonelli via horse!

The stables 

Bonelli Park is beautiful and here after you ride you can hike on the trails bring the children to play etc, it is also home to TRI EVENTS the oldest triathlon series in the World, it is in its thirtieth year in 2012.
After roller coasting through the park I turn left on to Raging Water Drive,

View of the South Shore Lake at Bonelli as I cycle down Raging Waters drive

Going over the Dam on Raging Water Drive

Raging Waters, California's Largest Waterpark

Raging Waters San Dimas was ranked #3 nationally by the Travel Channel in its Top 10 ranking of US Water Parks. With over 50 beautifully landscaped acres and 36 slides and attractions, plus a sand beach, there is outRAGEous fun for guests of all ages. Grab a board and catch a wave on the Flowrider or race for the win on the super fast Ragin' Racer. Younger guests will never tire of Kids' Kingdom and Splash Island. Whether mild, wild or in-between, all ages always have a raging good time at Raging Waters San Dimas.

Leaving the park I make a quick left then an almost immediate Right to Climb up Cannon, this is the same road the San Dimas bike race uses for their King of the Mountain championship and also the views are breathe taking as well as you get to cycle over red cobblestones for a few meters giving you a European cycling experience!!

Cobblestones of Cannon

After cresting Cannon I make a left on to Walnut for a quick descent I keep on Walnut crossing over railway tracks until I get to Arrow hwy, here I go straight on Walnut going past the Sheriffs station and Fire Station of San Dimas until I get to Bonita Ave were I make a left turn. Here is the Chamber of Commerce situated in the Martin House.

iThe Chamber of Commerce promotes business growth in San Dimas as well as sponsors annual activities such as Western Days and the City Birthday Barbecue. The Chamber of Commerce is housed in the historic Martin House in the downtown area of San Dimas.

I cycle through the historic part of San Dimas passing by wooden board walks and antique shops, Hard wear store and even a wine tasting shop.

Stop and sample some fine Californian wine.

I cycle over one more railway track before turning left onto South Eucla Ave and a right onto Arrow Hwy, were I will be able to make another right into the Station Shopping center to finish at Incycle again.

12 .6 miles. A beautiful place to visit. I go home and down load my RCX3 to remember this cycle ride.

https://www.polarpersonaltrainer.com/shared/exercise.ftl?shareTag=87d69f99b685858edc4c404ea87c9c0f

Hollywood 10km / 5km run with family fun

On April 7th 2012 Al, Cheyenne, Montana and I set out to Hollywood to run amongst the Hollywood Stars!

Cheyenne, Al, Montana and Suzy

The event started really on Good Friday, yup you read that right...Good Friday for packet pick up at Hilton Universal! Who in the right minds plans a packet pick up at Universal on Good Friday! Needless to say the traffic was impossible, never mind trying to find parking with 10 000 other like minded runners! Al and I ended up paying the parking fee for the Hilton hotel, I am sure they benefited greatly from packet pick up day. We ended up doing a total of 5 hours driving and stuck in traffic to cover a distance of 45 miles!

Suzy and Al with our race numbers

Race morning was a little chilly and to find parking was a joke so we parked a few miles from the start of the race and warmed up walking.

We witnessed the 1st and 2nd place overall men side by side with 2.5 miles to finish!

and always inspirational the wheel chair division.

The 10km and 5km started at 8am so we spent 2 hours watching all the runners doing the 13.1 mile race and then warmed up for our race. Al, Montana and Cheyenne would do the 5km and I opted to do the 10km, originally we had planned to bring our small dogs Cookie and Hammer but were told dogs were not allowed! That was a little disappointing...

Hammer and I actually ran a 10km on the Friday night to make up for him not being able to run the Hollywood 10km and he found $25 !

Suzy and Al just before the start of the race

5 mins away and hoping to run Happy

The National Anthem is sung and then we are let loose out of the corral, I quickly set off getting into a high heart rate almost immediately, I just keep putting one foot in front of the other, focusing on runners ahead that I may catch, before I knew it I was passing the 5km turnaround, I felt my heart was going to burst, so I slowed a bit and tried to sing along to Queen, getting into a nice pace just before the 10km turnaround I over take a woman who decides to stick with me, I just do what I know best run my own race soon it is only 2 miles to go, I think I see the finish I accelerate a little ...oops no still a mile or so to go, Finally I see the finish and happily cross the mat, I thought I was going to pass out as my heart tried to suddenly slow down!

I found Al and the girls they all had done well and we all had great medals to show off too.

Its all about the bling!

A Hollywood star

My Ravennas have a Hollywood star of their own!

We all had a great time I was so proud of the girls and Al

 Despite the parking issue the event was great we ran down Hollywood, I was totally self supported with my fuel belt and Hammer Gel did not have to worry about aid stations etc and the medal and timing chip and great looking bib number we got to keep.
My stats:
Suzy Degazon #7885
Age: 47 Gender: F
Distance 10K
Chip Time 44:41.6
Overall Place 29 / 1302
Gender Place 12 / 864
Division Place 1 / 60
Age Grade 74.8%
Pace 7:13
My max heart rate was 175 bpm and average was 165!
Not too bad considering I do not like to do speed work missed running with Hammer.

Running in memory of Micah True

Yesterday the man known at Caballo Blanco or better known as Micah True was found dead in his running shoes after he had been missing for 4 days after going on a 12 mile trail run in New Mexicos Gila Wilderness.

after only a mile we saw this white horse on a garden gate!

Today I was disgruntled as due to weather conditions had canceled a beach dive and was unable to shoot tin cans with a rifle at the desert due to high winds....

But despite weather running is something I can do does not matter if it is raining, snowing hot or cold I just dress appropriately put the right Brooks shoes on for the surface to be ran on and I am free ....So in memory of Micah True Hammer and I ran Happy for 17 miles mostly on trails.

Hammer and I before the 17 mile adventure

 I decided True would run happy and today Hammer and I would enjoy all the colors of Spring and try a few new routes too.

At the top of one of the steepest hills I have ever ran up!

It was a beautiful Californian Day, a little windy and so far I was having fun with Hammer who stopped at every fire hydrant to sniff!! He also chased a lot of squirrels so we were able to get some quality speed work in also!!

Hammer happy on the grass

colors of Spring

 Running is about putting one foot in front of the other sometimes runners get caught up in their training and racing, but today Hammer and I wanted to see everything, admire the scenery and just feel great!

We were running SO HAPPY a total stranger stopped and gave us a beautiful scented Rose!!

Before long we were on familiar trails at Bonelli Park.

After the down pour of rain yesterday the trails were a little muddy but still runnable, I thought about the White Horse he would have run on the trails no matter what so with that we set off every few feet I would have to stop to take off the clumps of mud attaching to my cascadias making me 6 ft tall!!!

 Really enjoyed this 17 mile run, it was not about how fast we were or anything like that but enjoying nature.

WHen Hammer gets thirsty he always loves a cold drink from the fuel belt

 There are lots of pretty colors and cool streams to cross but also there was Poison Oak so we had to be careful not to touch it!

 As we were leaving the trail and back onto the final 4 miles of pavement we looked up and saw Cabello Blanco.......it was a sign and we stopped I wish I had had a cerveza to drink to that fine horse, as I knew some where some how Micah True was running along side us just as he will be to all Ultra Trail runners he will be forever happy running the trails and looking over all runners.


RIP Micah True you will be missed.

Recovery drink Citrus flavor my body really needed it, Hammer settled for a doggy bone!

 Live to run and run to live, whether you run a mile or run ultras be happy you can! Micah True knew how to live his life, he loved to run!
 True was the race director of The Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon, a 50-plus mile extreme race that took place in Urique, Mexico on March 4 and has been featured in the magazines Running Times and Outside. He is the central character --- known as "Caballo Blanco" --- in the New York Times best-selling non-fiction book "Born to Run," by Christopher McDougall that chronicles True's time in Copper Canyon with the Tarahumara Indians, an isolated tribe known for their long, grueling runs.
RIP