Summer

School is officially out…both for Cal Lutheran (as I graduated) and professionally…my job is out for z summer! Does this mean lazy days by the nonexistent pool? No, no friends…as usual it means flying my the seat of my pants, though feel as if the seats of those pants are getting a bit thread barren.  Tonight I fly to Baltimore where I will be picked up by Cassie and Craig to go to the FireFly Festival.  Cassie and I decided that this year we would not venture to see Dave Matthews at the Gorge, sadly we are not seeing Dave together this year at all (though individually seeing him-- we must see DAVE). I get back from this shin dig on Monday and leave Tuesday for Portland enroute to IRONMAN.  I really just want Mike Riley to say "Jeannine Blankinship you are an Ironman" even if that is at the 17th hour.  After that then off to British Colombia and some other places and a short stint in Missouri to see my nieces, bro and sister in law, friends and parents and then back to CA.  A few days after that off to Alaska and then after finally will have some LAZY time.  I have wild dreams of reading books on my porch.  How we grow up, from wanting to go to wild parties at the beach to quiet time at home with my dogs and a book as well as some wine and friends (separate of course) Lastly, after all is said and done…I turn 30 at the end of the summer.

Vive la Vida,

J9

Ironman training.  I have been doing a lot of training on with my trainer which essentially makes my bike stationary and I can bike in my house.  Sometimes it is just hard to get out with the bike so this is a great tool.  My brother-in-law has made a training plan and for the most part really trying to follow it as I know it will help me get to the finish line. Lets be honest I want to hear the words "You are an Ironman".  Anyway my brother-in-law suggested that I check out some Podcasts which is a great idea as each day I spend about 5-6 hours a day in my var which is insane and is not so fun but I checked out the Ben Greenfield Podcast and he is really insightful and has great ideas on training and nutrition (nutrition maybe the most difficult part).  I am not into fad diets at all and am really concerned with eating healthy etc, etc.  Adam mentioned I should check out the Paleo diet which is a high-fat low carb diet.  I say diet not in the sense of losing weight diet but more by one's diet that they eat.  For the most part I have really been cutting down on carbs and it has been really interesting because I stay full longer.  These foods are low on the glycemic index so food that do not spike your blood sugar and thus maintain exercise longer or even remain full longer throughout the typical day. The Paleo diet is centered around the idea of returning to eat the way our ancestors ate during Paleolithic area which roughly ended 10,000 years ago which ended with the development of agricultural grains-- think hunter gatherer.  The idea is to eat a lot of greens and meats.  Meats should really consist of grass-fed meats as I am sure our ancestors did not have antibiotics in their beef.  Ben Greenfield mentioned he buys his meats from US Wellness Meats.  He is also a big supporter of organ meets like liver etc as it has so many great nutrients etc.  Today I took Ben's advice and ordered a bunch of meat from this company.  I was very impressed as all meat is grass-fed absent of nitrates (known to cause cancer), sugars, antibiotics and all the other crap that is often in meats.  As for the training it is going well and still working out the rest of the kinks in scheduling to try to use my time wisely.  I think the best use of my time will be early morning gym times as I have been spending about an hour and a half on my commute to work so could use that time in the gym if I can leave earlier.  And lets face it when I get out of school for the day I am spent and have a harder time finding the energy to work out.  Tomorrow I will not be following Adam's plan and running about 15 miles for fun!  what for fun?! Next weekend is the Berkeley half-marathon and then Thanksgiving day the Turkey Trot in Golden Gate Park-- these are really just to say motivated and focused on the task at hand.

Peace and Love,

Jeannine

The Real Deal--Ironman Coeur d' Alene

This week I signed up for the Coeur d' Alene Ironman in Idaho on June 29th.  I really wanted to document the journey that it takes to get there and hopefully if all goes well I will cross the finish line.  So now what?  I have about 10 months to prepare, that is no easy task it takes a huge amount of preparation with scheduling workouts, getting all the necessary equipment, nutrition, resting and making sure I get both my work and school work done.  My first step in this is to really begin to drop some weight as losing an extra bowling ball of fat will only make the process easier.  I also have added the stationary component to my bike to be able to do some of the rides at home.  I went to my favorite bike shop today and ordered tri bars for my bike, these will allow me to be more aero dynamic and hopefully shave some minutes off of my bike time.  While in the shop met a fellow that does bike training-- for me this is a valuable option as biking is my worst as it is the longest and I need to find ways to make my time faster.  As it is I am standing to finish the bike in just about 8 hours and that is the cut off, maybe a bit too close for comfort for me.  The next few months should be filled with early mornings, long training sessions and hopefully the end result will be crossing the Ironman finish line in Coeur d' Alene.  Let's enjoy the ride 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run= 140.6 Ironman miles

Pax,

Jeannine

Ironman 70.3 New Orleans

I noticed that it has been well over a year since the my last post.  Not for lack of things to say--Just been a "Hella" busy year.  After running the LA Marathon, I was hooked and ready to Roll at the Rock N' Roll San Diego Marathon, with new shoes purchased and no fallen off toe nails... I beat my LA Marathon time by about 30 min at 4:55.

When I was a youngin'  each year I always watched the Ironman Championship in Hawaii and was always awed.  Never did I really imagine myself doing something so cool.  My brother-in-law, Adam, sparked my interest after I realized that marathons were challenging but not enough and he just completed his 2nd Ironman in Texas and well killed his last years time but over an hour-- huge feat!

I started toying with the idea quite awhile ago but at that time was very short on extra funds in order to get a bike and all the necessary "stuff".  After finally being employeed at a job that pays Money and not in candy I could afford to toy with the idea more.  Now, for the last several years I have had a motto, "Go Big or Go Home" in which I would do the biggest thing first and skip all the smaller steps-- but in the case of a Full Ironman, I thought it maybe wise to start with a half.  Half sounds small....but a 70.3 half includes a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run.  I decided at the end of January that I would do a half.  I started training after not working out for a full month due to a crazy knee injury.  My brother-in-law kind of thought I was crazy for only training for 3.5 months.  Moment of truth, I finished the New Orleans Ironman 70.3 in 7 hours and 20 min-- smack in the middle...Ironman a bit closer.

So here is my new journey to find the IM I want to do and do it.  I searched and found an IM in South Africa next year that is open and I know I want to do that, but considering the logistics of bike shipping, taking a week off work, plane tickets-- that maybe for another year.  Currently, I am toying with the idea of doing another 70.3 in Austin for practice then the Ironman in the Woodlands, Texas next year-- it is going to be hot!  I met some new friends at the New Orleans half that are beginners like myself but also ready to take up the IM challenge... to have a couple buddies doing this alongside would be great.  The thing about an Ironman is that ANYONE could do it, seriously...a fellow just did the IM Texas a few days ago who was previously 415 pounds, another woman did an IM who was terminally ill, people missing limbs have done it-- and my favorite story of a man with a son who is physically handicapped takes his son with him on every race.  He tugs him on the swim, has him sit in a special seat on the front of his bike during the bike, and pushes him in a cart for the run.  Now, here is catch-- though anyone can do it...it takes sooo much training, averaging 15-20 hours per week as a beginner.  That means early mornings and late nights.  It means blistered and bruised feet, sunburns, exhaustion, sore muscles....but at the end of it all (Lord willing) you will come out stronger physically and mentally and cross that finish line an Ironman.  Not everyone is a pro most the people are regular people: teachers, doctors, mechanics, bankers...they can do it-- so can I.

Last thing I would like to consider is that of charity, when under taking such a huge challenge many athletes choose to help an charity.  When I did the IMNOLA 70.3 I raised money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.  For this event, I would like to find a great charity to raise some cash for through the Ironman Foundation.  In the next couple of weeks as I search for the right race for me, I will put just as much thought into finding a charity.  In the past weeks in considering the Ironman I have ran across some remarkable and inspiring people and would like to give back as I have been so greatly blessed.

So throughtout the next year I am going to chronicle the process preparing for an Ironman and hope for a success to finish before 12am...2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run...here we go!

"We rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame..." -Romans 5:3-7 (thanks brother in law for the great verse and inspiration).

For now,

Peace, LOVE, and a lil' Rock N' Roll,

Jeannine

26.2 Miles to Freedom

I went on a trail hike one saturday with my roomate Lauren and a 40k mountain race was under way... this is where I got inspired to run a very long distance. The following Monday I went to class and found out that one of my buddies was running the LA Marathon. I decided that night to run the LA Marathon as well. I had a bit less than one month to prepare. It is not that I was starting at 0, I had about a 10 mile base for which to start from. My training plan was week 1- 10 miles, week 2-15 miles, week 3- 20 miles, and week 4- 25 miles which I did not end up doing as I was having issues with my shoes and leg pain. The training was great besides sore feet, bruises, and feeling like a 90 year old lady the day after. Once I ran from Paradise Cove in Malibu to Muscle Beach (Venice Beach) or about 20 miles, that is the milestone where one "seasoned" marathoner said, if you can do twenty you can run a marathon....soo I was ready.

I decided a couple weeks prior to the race that I should dedicate the race to someone, and though I did not tell my father at the time (as I wanted to actually finish the race before I told him), I decided to dedicate the race to my dad. It is because of my father's playful joking and encouragement that I lost about 17 pounds and started and continued to run while in Samoa...let's face it we challenged each other daily who would lose the most weight. A couple months ago my pops was diagnosed with prostate cancer and he has had to go through a lot to to get treatment and I commend him for that-- so my first marathon was dedicated to him...he's a great dad.

The day of the race I was surprisingly very calm, stood amongst 23,000 people. The National Anthem was sung by one of the Pussy Cat Dolls, horn blows-- and 12 minutes later cross the start line to actually begin the race. Within the first few minutes I shed off my outer clothes and got to business. After the first five minutes I decided I wanted to continue to run-- that I LOVED running marathons and that they were so great because of the mass support; people at every corner cheering, live bands and a great energy from althe runners...and well everyone. Memorable moments were at about mile seven, where free hot togs were given to runners, mile 10 in Silverlake where a man and a woman were hanging out stale Valentine's hearts and cigarettes. Of course mile 11 down Hollywood Blvd. in front of Gruman's Chinese Theater. It sooo cool to throw orange peels, water cups in the middle of roads that were normally filled with cars with tourists and angry California drivers. At mile 15 I was on a roll- West Hollywood, where I texted my roommate and said I was "killing this marathon" felt great, drag queen cheerleaders were supporting and I thought deserved a well-deserved high five. Last ten miles was great...well kind of...mile 17-20 was rough but I knew that that after mile 20 was mile 21...22...23 and after that well almost done. Running through Rodeo Drive was also great as I got to throw my empty water on the most expensive stretch of road in the USA. The last two miles I began to run past people, running fast, I found some last energy. Once I saw the ocean on Ocean Ave in Santa Monica I sprinted. I saw the finish line and the mix of emotions was one of the greatest feelings ever-- soooo tired but the excitement of thousands of people cheering you on, the other runners finishing, going your hardest and fastest and crossing the finish line was a moment I hope to never forget.

What next? I am not sure one can ever repeat the moment they cross the finish line of their first marathon but it is one that I wanted to do again--next stop San Diego Rock N' Roll Marathon June 3rd =)

Peace, Love, and Rock N' Roll

Jean9

Organized chaos in an unorganized kinda chaotic way

So I have decided that I am pretty incapable of being organized for more than a few days. I try to organize school crap, work stuff, photography stuff, billz stuff....but my organization is dates and notes written on reciepts (which I lose), notes for stuff to do all over car (which I lose), a calendar that I do not write in; but when I do I forget that I write in it. I lost my Missouri and California license (yes, I have two because I lost one and needed an new one but found one...and I also have a license from American Samoa..opps, spo I have three which maybe illegal) debit card and credit card all in two days last week. I didn't even find it--my roomate suggested a good place to look (duh the laundry basket). My car is litered with the NY and LA times, remants of old lunches, books, clothes, cups, reciepts with notes written on them that I have lost...this is really a vicious cycle.

Typically, on Sundays I clean my apartment, car, and life...throw away trash, find a 5th lost license in my car, do homework...try to get organized. Today is Monday, I organized Friday...Monday is alreay unorganized chaos...imagine life on Thursday! Anyway there is no point to this ramble, but to say that I am super busy and probably one of the most efficient people ever. I am busy from the moment I wake to about 30 min to 1 hour before bed (Lauren can atest to this). So because my ADD my mind is always thinking of new art projects, homework plans, teaching ideas, work (sometimes), projects in general, randoms shiz, it is no wonder that my organizational skills are that of a 4th grade boy, but when I am always thinking how am I supposed to remember where I put my keys, credit cards, phone, passport, underware (tehhehe jk). SOOO when life is chaotic and unorganized.... don't worry....just remember that that note you scribbled on that McDonalds napkin is under your car seat or in your laundry basket... or in your refrigerator...along with your cat ;)

Peace and Love,

Jean to the 9

Fast times of the not-so-rich and not-so-famous

For all of us out there that don't gotz lots of money but a will to have a good time and who are naturally fantastic...well there are great spots all over LA for Happy Hours (of course in Silverlake) to meet some interesting people and have cheap drinks. This was taken of my bud at Cha Cha last night. Our waiter was less than desirable and perhaps I should teach him better social skills but an atmosphere of a lounge that you might find a 50 year old drunk lady in a prom dress at...that kinda of bar. The graffiti in the bathroom did allure my creative side and got to snap a couple shots in there. I was humored when I saw a promo (among many others) on the bathroom wall of a local, rad artist 5am... whos5am@rocketmail.com. Their wall art was stragetically placed at eye level of one usin the facilities. Anyway got some good pics in the bathroom because well all great artists do that ;) OK, really as I've stated before any SLR owner keeps their camera close...can't imagine if a full Pabst Blue Ribbon got spilt on my Canon...and well besides the fact that it is terrible beer...Guinness would be more tolerable.

Anyhoo, side note: love this picture because iPhone and social networking are apart of the "going out" process and well its like invite all the girlz out: Tina, Tammy, Wendy, Mildred...aww don't forget iPhone...she'd be pissed if she didn't get invited. Also, love the pic for the angles, lighting, and realness...because this could be any person you see at ANY bar in ANY country.

Anyway, as our fantastic-ness progressed and our pocket books did not we stopped at a bomb-ass taco stand outside Cha Cha...can't tell ya the name butttt the addy is:4655 Valley Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90032 and digitz are 323-222-5484, serious awesome, cheap tacos and the hottest, hot sauces ever, my insides were on fire at least an hour after...so if you like hot shiz and Hollywood bars these guys may light your mouth on fire orrrr at least you butt.

Two drinks later arrive at Laugh Factory...I think.... We met Jesus christ (maybe not the real one) as we walked in the doors who was twirling around with his tunic and long flowing hair and beard with some food in it...(run on sentence...I know) There were good comedians, well a couple were kinda bad but one lady rocked and was crudely humorous-- I appreciated it greatly. Their mixed drinks were a tad small and well...enough said. Had a moment to chill with a couple comedians in the back and were super rad people. My fav (whom said his name and forgot 5 seconds later) the dude with the braids...super cool and had a dirty sense of humor (I also loved this), but down to earth. Anyway, a walk back and an hour drive home (to the "cheap" rent in the valley ;) and in bed by 3am. A rad night for those who ain't gonna spend the rent money to be "seen" in LA...

Peace, Love, and Rock n' Roll

Jean9