Cross Country Skiing Part II

We had so much fun on Mt Spokane on Saturday that we had to take my mom and sister up for their first time skiing on Monday. Bill was certain that the day would end up in injury but he doesn't know how much fun this trio of bottle blondes can have on a rainy day.

Yep, it rained almost the entire time we were up there so we had icy and wet conditions to deal with. Mom and Sis never complained and once they got the hang of it, they were in full on attack the trail mode. My sister impressed my mom with her hill climbing ability, so not to be out done, mom went full speed ahead down the steepest descent we did that day... I think she was saying "whoa, whooaaa, whooaaaa!" the whole way but she made it farther than me.

Before and After shots of Alyson:

It was a happy holiday!

X Country Adventures Part 1

We made it up to Mt Spokane over the holidays and I got to try out my Xmas present from Bill: new Cross Country skis. I brought a fleece bun warmer so my buns are warm AND I'm stand out on the trail which of course I want to call attention to myself when I am a major klutz and new to the sport.

I should probably put the skis on if I want to go anywhere.

The trails were nicely groomed and challenging so we had a great time. I loved going up the little hills because that meant a fun downhill for a reward. We plan on making this a regular part of our winter routine.

I'm afraid to total up my training log this month since my biking miles are probably the lowest they've ever been. Yikes!

Melting the icles on Lavs heart

Bill put some candy cane lights up around Lav's pond so that when he came home from hernia surgery his frosty heart would be melted with holiday spirit. Now that it's been a few days, Bill is wondering if Lavs is already stealth training for the Vancouver marathon. Bill should be more worried about the 5 pounds he's about to gain at my mom's house!

Today we went to the local ski shop and Bill outfitted me with some cross country skis for Xmas. We're headed over to Eastern Washington where the temps are lower, the snow is better, and my mom is cooking in kitchen 24/7. Packing for four days should be easy, but since we're planning to run, snow shoe and cross country ski (in addition to holiday dinners and socializing)...

My winter accessories alone will need their own bag: 5 hats, 4 scarves, 4 gloves, 3 headbands, and 2 bun warmers. I'm just glad I don't have to bring biking gear. Which reminds me, I better go find my sunglasses!

Everything is stuffed!

Erin and friends boating on the Columbia

I put Erin on the google map on a boat in the Columbia River. Good place for her and her girlfriends although they should have a boat of men trying to catch up with them.

Here's Erin in her matching fleece bun warmer and hat. Can we say CUTE! "CUTE!"

Plus she's safe, look at that Illuminite vest. She's got it going on in that vest. Looking forward to meeting Erin at the Slowtwitch Chicks weekend in March!

Getting excited for Xmas!

Tri couple going worldwide

Brianne and Marty Gaal in "One Step Beyond" hats are getting ready to travel for a year! Brianne has quit her job and they are putting everything in storage. Before leaving they got some hats from me with their web site osbmultisport.com printed on the back of the hat.

I am hoping to meet them at Ironman Coeur d'Alene in 2006. Brianne and I were both spectators at the Ironman in Hawaii this year but we didn't know each other yet so next time! Brianne is a kick butt runner so I won't be asking her to workout with me unless she looks really really really fatigued.

I hope to hear about their travels and to meet up in CDA next year!

Cathy's skirt goes to a trail run

Due to the holiday rush, I am a week behind on pics and blogging and anything not related to actually filling orders for my web site. Here's a cute pic of Cathy in a red fleece bun warmer made especially for her. She's organizing the first ever Ladies of Slowtwitch weekend in late March and I'm looking forward to seeing her in Southern CA then!

It's been a busy month for me and I'm starting to look forward to the six hour car ride to Spokane, WA for the holidays. Bill is talking about getting me cross country skis for Christmas so I see snow in my future!

We watched the Team CSC movie this weekend on Lav's big screen. I couldn't follow most of the movie since I don't know the details of the team's history but it's amazing how powerful Lance Armstrong is, even to his peers. He was an omnipresent character, who's name was barely whispered. Fascinating! Professional cycling is like the soap opera of the sporting world. It's pretty lame to see such a tough sport taken the the level of people suing Lance for libel.

Great weekend to be outside

The sky is clear, the air is crisp and the temps are in the mid-40s. Too bad I've got a fleece hat making business and it's the holiday rush. We somehow managed to make over 100 hats this weekend and still get out both Saturday and Sunday for some exercise.

Saturday we drove up to Mary's Peak to hike in the snow. Enjoyed seeing the sun set behind us with views of Mt Hood, Mt Washington and the Three Sisters. The white snow contrasting with the green that is Oregon was so stunning, I couldn't stop smiling. I took the camera but the batteries were home in the charger so we'll have to go back soon for some pics.

Today we got out for a bike ride with Lavs, the guys took the hats for embroidery (20 miles roundtrip) while I made a few pitstops to take pictures. Time to make some Christmas cookies!

Kerri's cheeks

A fleece bun warmer with my favorite web site featured on the backside.
Made especially for Kerri's cheeks!

Back on the bike

After a busy week in the sewing room I finally got back on the bike this morning. This beautiful sunrise was inspiring. The ride in was gorgeous, all of the fields are covered in frost and the skies are clear. The forecast for the weekend is the same, we might have to sneak away for some snow exposure! Another sunrise pic here.

I heart master's swim

I finally got brave enough to join master's swim class this year and I have fallen in love with the four swim strokes. I used to churn away in the pool with fellow triathletes, socializing and doing freestyle only. Now I've got a coach on deck who seems to enjoy yelling at me as I screw up basic swim technique. It's fabulous!

Last week he had us all get out of the pool and take turns swimming 200 fly for time. Some of the guys wouldn't do it or stopped after 100. When it was my turn, I just took my time, trying not to sink or swallow half the pool and made it in in about 3:21. Slow but done. All of the women in the class finished and I think my time was faster than some of the men who usually beat me easily.

There is no way that 200 fly is going to intimidate me, I've been swimming in triathlons for over four years doing distances I had no business doing (at least the swimming part). I love being a tribabe in a class of swimmers.

Anyway, it's so nice to be challenged and I'm glad Bill talked me into taking this class. I'm totally addicted.

Enjoying winter

What a great weekend! In between marathon sessions in the sewing room I managed to get in a short run and a bike ride through Christmas tree country. Standing in a field of trees on a cold December afternoon was very inspiring (and it smelled good too!). I took a few photos on the ride. None of me but I wore my tiger print skirt and a matching scarf and I think the trees were impressed with my fashion. I was pretty warm (except my feet) so that meant I was able to stay out longer than 30 minutes. It's freaking cold in Oregon right now, lows in the 30s with highs in the low 40s. Brrr!

This photo is a photo of the bun warmers I made for the slowtwitch gals to wear on their winter rides. These skirts are soooo sweet, it's like looking at sugar, I love them! We'll see what they think of the fit, we might have to make some revisions to the design. The shorter the cuter but that might not be practical.

Day 5 Make-Up

It was pouring rain this morning like the end of the world was near so I did what any reasonable bike commuter would do: took a hot shower, fixed my hair and drove in to work. I also got to put on some makeup which will last until noon when master's swim class will do in me for the week. At least I got to be a chick for one morning this week.

This "Tri Babe" hat is the first hat I made about two years ago. I made this for the girls in my local triathlon club and started a side business from there. The cute pink t-shirt was designed by a local woman who is going to work with me next year to make some multisport tshirts. IDEAS WANTED!

Getting excited to make some bun warmers for the ladies this weekend and to start making PowerDry hats with the new serger. Going to ride in Xmas tree country tomorrow and will take some pics on the ride. I think I need to make some time to drink some spiced apple martinis.

Day 4 (I think) what day is it?

I've got some nice bags under my eyes which is telling me that Saturday can't come soon enough. I need the alarm clock to take the weekend off! I spent some money at the fabric store last night and purchased some new RED Polartec Powerdry 100 wt Thermal Pique thanks to Kurt for pressuring me to get more colors (yeah thanks Kurt). I made a bun warmer out of this for a running outfit, this fabric is perfect for this because it has a soft fleece finish on one side and has a grid wicking finish on the other side plus it's 100% polyester, thin and stretchy so it's PERFECT and I might wear everyday for the rest of my life. Except in the summer.

Anyway, I might have to go back to the fabric store again and get even more colors. I'm looking forward to riding with the guys on Saturday and trying to convince them they need bum warmers. I could see a red skirt ride being a total blast (like a red dress party) although I don't know how the guys would feel about that.