Wednesdays were Wonderful

And we still remember. Here the excitement of weekdays past lives on.

Sunday, the 30th of March, 2008

A very blustery day, in the words of A.A. Milne. But many a Nite Groover rose to the occasion -- first, merely getting out of bed in the dark. What's that sound outside? Either it's raining (aargh!) or it's really windy. But Dave & Liz, Karen, Josh, Andrew, Andrea, Lizzo, and Kelly dragged themselves up and out to another successful UCSB Kendra Payne Memorial Triathlon. Cloudy skies gave way to blue, and the whitecaps didn't deter the intrepid athletes. The water was in fact warmer than at Lake Lopez, so earlybirds were well-prepared (or traumatized). Cyclists were treated to the Escher-like phenomenon of a constant headwind throughout a looped bike course. The run was around the scenic UCSB lagoon and neighborhood. As in the Dodo's race in Lewis Carroll everybody (who was anybody) got prizes. It seems that just being a Groover makes you special. Liz showed the Marines how to do the bent-arm hang. She'll show you how too, if you just go to Dave's ImageEvent page.

Wednesday, the 26th of March

Another windy day for a run, but that didn't seem to stop people -- we had at least 17 runners today! The tailwind on the way out sent people flying (almost literally), but after the turnaround it was grueling. No aerobars to help when it's just you and your legs. Those of us with narrow profiles benefited.

At the Brew Co there was a big pow-wow, confab, caucus, convention -- well, call it a meeting -- for the Spicy Girls' big Tough Enough project. All five of them were here, a historic first. (Don't tell me that's "an historic first -- I know better.) Liz G. has it all worked out and was so in character making sure everybody was prepared. Laura T. turned out to confer, leaving the kids with Grandpa. Liz A. will be doing two legs back-to-back, both on the trail. Well, after Ironman Brazil, everything must look easy. The Girls picked their spices; included in the recipe were jalapeño, cayenne, and allspice. Andrew will play the role of chauffeur, masseur, navigateur, and DJ, keeping the runners in good spirits while getting them to their dropoffs and pickups.

We also got a visit from Mark's wife; seen here he's averting his eyes. That's probably a rare occurrence. Sam gives recommendations for self-defense classes. If we all take his advice we will be the safest running group around. Peter has joined the ranks of the Grateful Legs: runners who have helped their race recovery with a massage from Kelly "Hands" Knowles. We are all sending good vibes to Sarah's knee -- a kind of mental ultrasound. Brian appears to have grown a huge afro in this photo. Probably all those special juices he drinks.

Saturday, the 22nd of March

A busy race day for our Wednesday warriors! In Carpinteria, the venerable Orchard to Ocean races, both 5k and 10k. Several Groovers over-achieved and ran (and placed) in both races. There should be a special over-the-top award for Shawna, who won both races outright, with blistering times of 19:27 and 38:01. Desa won her age group in both races, Liz came in 3rd and 2nd, Andrea 4th and 3rd, and David 6th and 1st (in the 5k and 10k respectively). Amy was second in her age group in the 10k too. Looks like regular Wednesday workouts cause regular weekend winning. (Or is it the beer?)

And up north at Lake Lopez, some intrepid Groovers got the triathlon season started with the race hosted by the Cal Poly SLO team. This race, which used to be contested in the campus pool and around the school's neighborhood, has been moved to a more pastoral setting, a lot like legendary Wildflower. The (very clean) water was 60° Fahrenheit (15 Celsius or 289 Kelvins for you absolutists) at best; probably a little lower. Say hello to diver's reflex gasping and ice cream headaches. Once that was over there was a long barefoot run over rocky terrain to transition, and a bike ride around beautiful sunny countryside. The ride featured a short steep hill that made Toro Canyon look flat as a pancake. The run was similarly scenic, though marred by naïve volunteers shouting "You're almost there!" at the 2-mile point of a 10k run, and "Right here left!" at a confusing turn.

Sarah Mandes was "first" but alas was misdirected on the bike course, outsplitting the fastest guys by a good 20 minutes. But just served to get her goofs out of the way before the real test, Ironman Arizona in three weeks. Craig Adams was second in his age group in the sprint course. Andrew and Peter camped out before the race, testing to see whether campfire smoke and sleeping on rocks is good race preparation. They were joined by Sarah and Chris from Newbury Park in their new "shag wagon", a huge vehicle in which Sarah can actually stand up. They slept better, and it showed in Sarah's 2nd place age group finish in the Olympic race. Other friends of Groovers also shined, showing how coolness rubs off with a few degrees of separation. Sue Beatty won her age group; since her boyfriend Jon Lewis was a USAT race offical we are all a bit suspicious. And track coach Amanda Nicolato got a 2nd in her age group also... she does the walk as well as the talk.

../photos for these races are pending, and will show up in the sidebar when available.

Wednesday, the 19th of March

It would be a routine Wednesday run... except for the Tuesday track workouts that have started at San Marcos HS. This is going to make Wednesdays seem a little tougher than usual. And this Tuesday was just a low-intensity time-trial. Wait until Amanda starts cracking the whip. In the long run (so to speak) it will make us stronger, but the short run will be pretty challenging.

After the run we converged on Dargan's and commandeered a very long table. We learned that Desa did the Lake Lopez triathlon last year, so she could give tips to this years attendees, which number Andrew, Peter, Sarah M., and associate Groover Sarah C. from Newbury Park. Brian went "native" and had the corned beef. And we welcomed back Stacy, who has been recovering from an ankle injury she got while doing some extreme snowboarding. It hasn't stopped her from following her favorite band, Cubensis, all over the map though. They will be playing in town on Thursday the 27th of March. We should all go!

Thursday, the 13th of March

Again, key Groover Dave Groom hosts the Santa Barbara Triathlon Club meeting, and other Groovers Liz and Andrea also play a major role. Dave introduces them as the "haberdashers", confusing those in the audience who don't have a portable dictionary. L & A are revolutionizing the garment industry, and clothing the club members in style. In truth, they look more like models than fashion designers, and they show it in front of an appreciative audience. Alas, your correspondent is camera-challenged. You will have to imagine Liz in her long-sleeve SBTC shirt and what look like hot pants from the 70s. Liz charges for her stuff; Andrea gives it out for free.

Wednesday, the 12th of March

Our first run during Daylight Saving Time -- a scheme, in the memorable words of Alan Watts, in which we fool ourselves into getting up an hour earlier. ("The clock told me to.") Sunny but also windy, so we decide to run the "other" way, up the hill and toward the Wilcox property, aka the Douglas Preserve. What a perfect time of day to do it. When we get to the "ledge" we see the sun setting over the beautiful Pacific Ocean, and run back inspired.

Then we decamp to the Brew Co, where we decide that it's a good idea to enter triathlons in March (e.g.Lake Lopez and the UCSB Kendra race), immerse yourself in frigid lake or ocean water, bike wet and virtually naked in a windy Spring morning, and then -- for God's sake -- try to run. Whose idea is this? Let's not and say we did. Although it will be tough to come up with ../photos then.

Thursday, the 6th of March

All Nite Groovers join in our sympathy for Brian Lee, whose daughter passed away recently. Nothing is for sure in this life except that it ends, but we hope for the order to be as nature intended. Brian is at the core of our shared experience, with his positive attitude and stimulating conversation topics. Our love and thoughts are with him every day.

Wednesday, the 5th of March

Dave, Liz, and Amy were again playing hooky from our run, preferring to stagger up Gibraltar, training for the Tough Enough run. We understand that they are too good for us mere mortals.

Dinner at the Brewhouse. Sarah related how she had a flat on her Saturday ride, mastered the intricacies of CO₂ cartridges (but did any get out into the atmosphere? For penance you will have to hold your breath) -- only to discover a few minutes later that there was a big hole in the tire, not just the tube. Desa was her guardian angel, picking her up. A trip to Hazards, a new tire, a fix for the cadence meter, and an 18 mile run made her feel better. Peter and Sam discussed the continuum between Tae Kwon Do and Ju-Jitsu, with Sam extolling the talent of Anderson "The Spider" Silva.

Kelly Knowles also joined us; she is the premier sport massage therapist in town. Wanna get a pre-race massage before any big races locally? Better call early: she'll be booked up solid. And -- funny thing -- her client list will look exactly like the medalist list.

Tuesday, the 4th of March

Not a Nite Grooves activity per se, but a regular self-flagellation exercise for sure. Groovers Liz and Andrea and Andrew get together with a few crazy roadies and spin on Tuesdays when it's cold and dark out. Put in a video of Coach Troy and follow orders like good German soldiers. We steam up those windows! But with the time change coming, this may have been the last spin of the season. Fortunately Tri Club track workouts may be coming to quench our masochistic thirst.

Wednesday, the 27th of February

It's no longer totally dark when we start out... but still is when we finish. Andrew still hasn't bought his headlamp, and Amy keeps forgetting hers. Not that she was even around this evening: she and Dave were testing out the Tough Enough course, running up Gibraltar. And people say we "normal" Groovers are crazy! Sarah arrived late and (typically) caught us easily. Michael ran with two water bottles and still zoomed.

Back to Dargans again, to enjoy their family atmosphere. We learned how to pronounce "Missouri" and "roof", d'après the Midwest. We grooved on Sarah's new haircut -- cute! Anne Marie was absent because she's tapering for the L.A. Marathon this weekend. (Go girl!) Brian had steak, as usual, and the presentation showed that Dargan's is getting a little more upscale. François joined us, and he & Dave threw our official Groove gang signs. If you can master them, you get "special" treatment at the aid stations.

Roses to La Playa

Unlike the Wicked Witch of the West, none of the Nite Groovers that showed up for this race melted when confronted with water. There was some rain before and during the race, but Mother Nature calmed down enough to let us enjoy the results. Teague showed his stuff (no not that way) by coming in first! And we had some great age group results, with Dave and Desa winning theirs, Liz getting a second, and Amy and Andrea third. Lizzo (aka Liz Alexander) was actually right behind Desa, but in a tougher age group. Oh well, she is an irongirl -- this race was hardly a blip on the map. True to form, she ran to the race, raced, and ran back home. See the race ../photos by clicking the link in the sidebar.

Thursday (!), the 21st of February

How could Thursday seize the floor from Wednesday? Only with a Santa Barbara Tri Club meeting. Dave Groom, a Groover of long standing, is the new president of the club. Now he has lots to keep him busy on non-Wednesdays. His experience enforcing respect at local hashes has paid off for the SB Tri Club now. Here he is, demonstrating some sort of activity that we can only imagine.

We also heard from Hazard's owner Bruce Davis, former president Fred Maggiore, new treasurer Chris Latham, and Groover Craig Adams, who coordinates the highway cleanup. SB Tri Club members take care of a stretch of Highway 101 north of Santa Barbara. That's called giving back to your community... by taking what people throw away.

Wednesday, the 20th of February, 2008

Starting out, we saw the moon being swallowed up by some giant monster. Fortunately the marine layer hid the disaster from our eyes, so we didn't have to beat drums or dance or make any sacrifices. But we ran so fast that the moon came back... it worked! Better do that again next time, which won't be until 2010.

Dinner at the Brew Co, where the Spicy Girls planned their Tough Enough run, Sarah told us how she is getting her swimming groove on for Ironman Arizona, and Anne Marie almost ate somebody else's dinner by mistake. She's such a towering figure, it's easy to see how she could have two meals. Andrea showed up and made our night.

Wednesday, the 13th of February

A strong run, with some Groovers thinking they were in the Tour de France, sprinting for the finish. Competition brings out the best. Dinner at Dargan's, where even the waitress got into the act, or at least the pictures. We heard about Anne Marie's stint as a police psychologist in Guam. Desa didn't run but showed up looking like the next CEO of Google in her pinstripe suit.

Valentines Day Run

OK, so it wasn't actually Valentines Day, but it was the preceding weekend. A few Groovers rolled out of bed on a sunny Sunday morning and made it to the UCSB campus. (Andrew even showed up on Saturday too.. oops!) Two loops around the lagoon made four miles. An absolutely beautiful course, with blue herons, ocean breeze, some "mountaineering" up a steep bluff, and the UCSB triathlon hotties as volunteers. Check out ../photos by clicking on the link in the sidebar. If you click on the images, you get the BIG version, courtesy of our friends at SB Pix, who provided them free for this race.

Yes We Are!

A sizeable contingent of Groovers will be answering the question Are You Tough Enough? in April, dashing from Carpinteria to the Santa Ynez Valley. This is not your everyday A-to-B, as you can see from A and B below. Our two Lizzes (Groom and Alexander) along with Amy, Desa, and Laura Turner, comprise the Spicy Girls team that will be contesting this 65-mile (!) path that climbs up the gnarly Gibraltar Road and follows Refugio Canyon to Nojoqui Falls Park. Matching their estrogen with testosterone are Dave Groom and Mark Warren, who are in a five-man team called Hares For The Beer (consult your hashing reference there).

Wednesday, the 6th of February

The Brew Co looked a little crowded, so we detoured to Madison's, and watched U.S. vs. Mexico soccer and Duke vs. North Carolina college basketball, and discussed the recent election. We learned from Brian that one of our number is descended from the German philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Stay tuned for the amazing revelation. We toasted Amy's return to the groove. She showed her class by ordering a martini instead of the swill the rest of us had.

Wednesday, the 30th of January

It seemed a Wednesday like any other... until we got out of our cars at the beach. Where did this wind come from? Coming from the unusual direction of east (or south in 101-speak) it was in our faces for the first half of the run, which was probably the better of the options.

For dinner, we tried the Brewhouse but it was packed -- several parties tonight. The neighboring Neighborhood was so empty or at least low-energy that it didn't inspire any confidence. So we crossed the street to Rudy's, and had a low-tech dinner. But high on energy. Brian asks how anyone could vote for a candidate that doesn't believe in evolution. We all discussed our presidential preferences. Mark would like one that spoke more than one language. Would that make him multilingual (Latin) or a polyglot (ελληνικά)? Andrew averred that Obama gives the most direct answers to questions. Sarah pointed out that government spending isn't so bad if it goes back into the economy. So why not get all FDR and do some homeland improvement? Desa suspects Obama because of the alleged Afro-centricity of his church. We will have to investigate, but several people thought this sounded a bit like Swift-Boating.

Groovers Abroad

Kelly Lane and Sterling Ellsworth have been gallivanting around the Continent. That doesn't mean running though! Here are a few ../photos from their adventure. Gotta love that fish-eye focal length. Would we look so good in self-portrait? They took lots more great ../photos... you can see them at their Flickr page.

Wednesday, the 16th of January 2008

A cold Wednesday, but another big turnout as fearless Groovers braved the dark of night to run their appointed round. We dined at the SB Brew Co, and discussed the history and importance of Burning Man and Wildflower -- are their similarities more than a coincidence? Cult-like gatherings of unusual people with elaborate rituals, held far from civilization and discussed endlessly in stories passed on like Homeric lore. Here is a picture of two of these epic characters: scary isn't it? They don't look too Heroic. But they have clearly vanquished John Barleycorn.

Wednesday, the 19th of December 2007

These just in from Dave Groom. What wild & crazy guys we are. (Remember Steve Martin and "Let's get small"?) Oh, crazy girls too -- the last photo is actually from May some time, but it was too good to omit.

The Newest Groovelet

Well now Gianna Marie is looking like an old trouper -- we have a new appearance to bless the New Year. Desa's daughter is a mature year-plus, but here is Ananya arriving on the 30th of December, which will now have another special memory associated with it. Any name that starts with an 'A' is A-OK for a Groover! We see Nirmal and Rani celebrating this lying down, but another pair of legs will soon be standing up and running around and giving her parents a merry chase. Her name means "special" or "unique" in Sanskrit, and we know that she is a new flower, unlike anything that has ever seen the World, yet so much like her parents.

First Wednesday of the Year

We had a great turnout for the first Nite Grooves of 2008. The days are getting longer, but it sure is hard to tell yet. Groovers braved the dark and had a great run on Wednesday the 2nd of January. Afterwards we ate at Sharkeez -- a pretty rambunctious place at peak hours, but we could all hear each other on a midweek night. We had a cake for Desa's birthday and a long discussion about ages (just a number). Careful with that axe, Eugene!

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