Matt, Stina, Merete & Finn bought a NEW HOUSE

Matt and Stina went on a whim to check out this little number in Maryland, and ended up putting in an offer "just to see", and it was accepted! They are new homeowners! They're going to keep their house on Capitol Hill and rent it out (with the tiny house in back, of course).

This is WONDERFUL NEWS because they had outgrown their row house on the Hill. This new place is a block away from a neighborhood PARK, has three bedrooms and I think 2.5 or so bathrooms, and it has its own yard.... just wonderful! I can't wait to go for a visit.

I love my Podiatrist!

I've been having lots of pain in my feet for awhile now, specifically MUCH worse when I'm wearing any kind of heel.... so, FINALLY, I got up the courage to visit my wonderful podiatrist. I was certain he'd tell me my days of heels were over for good... But, he took some x-rays, and low and behold, I've got overuse fractures in both my feet in the bones specifically "under" my big toe. Apparently, this is not uncommon for someone "my age" and with my "level of activity". I must have injured myself at some point, not bad enough to know at the time, but then with the continued pounding, over time, here I am... in pain & needing a tune-up...

Anyway, the BEST thing about this is, they will HEAL with some TLC! And, I'll be comfortable again in heels! (not to mention overall, have happier feet). Dr. Keith Gurnick took some molds of both my feet for orthotics. That was pretty cool. I took some photos, but with my phone, and I'm not sure how to get them off...

So, if you're looking for a great Podiatrist, then please consider Dr. Keith Gurnick... a runner himself, an all around great guy... He's in Century City -- 2080 Century Park East #204, 310-553-7691.

Strawberry Fields Triathlon :: Sunday, March 25th

Bright & early (well, technically, not very BRIGHT), here are Suzy and Jeff at 6am... consider this a pre-wedding photo. Their wedding date is scheduled for Dec. 15th of this year... they hope to involve their doggies in the ceremony!
Below -- Michelle, Heather, me, Brendon, Paul, Kathryn and Luis pose in front of the LATC tents before the races go off. Everyone comes out of the woodwork for this event -- one of the first big clubber outings for each season. Always something to write home about! Our own Jamie Silber and Dean Theadore are the Race Directors.

Check out this little fella! Only 8-weeks old or so, and already showing his team spirit!! (soooooo cute!!)...

Jen Kramer & Stella Tong revving up for the SWIM. These ladies are both going long... wayyyy long, as in IRONMAN this season at CdA in June. This little sprint was a warm-up for them. GO Girls!

Yep... it was an early morning (see fabulous hairdo here) -- This is me w/my little brother, Jesse. Yes, he's tall -- he clocks in at just about 6'3" or just over or something.

Here is Jordan Woods, who took Podium honors on behalf of himself and representing the Club, along with at least a dozen others. From this event, he headed to a cycling race... impressive!

LA Kings :: Girls Night Out

Nothing like a little hockey, beer and the company of girlfriends! Last night Robin, Jana & Jeanette accompanied me to a Kings game. We sat in some awesome seats - only 5-rows from the glass. We were flinching all night long... TWO fights -- DOZENS of flying pucks -- an overall pretty agressive game. There were even some celeb-sightings including Ryan Seacrest and Jim Belushi .

It should be noted... this was Robin & Jana's FIRST EVER HOCKEY GAME... Verdict? They're fans of the sport, and the Kings...

Jeanette, me & Robin in front of the Staples Ctr.

Looking forward to next time!

Erika Aklufi Gets Her Badge

Anaheim, California -- Basic Academy Class 177 graduates from the Orange County Sheriff's Training Academy... and, our own ERIKA AKLUFI was one of those who made it through the training to earn her officers' badge. She now joins the ranks of the Santa Monica Police Department. Congratulations Erika!!

After the ceremony, we met-up at Catal in Downtown Disney for some eats and celebratory beverages. It felt great to share this special night with Erika, and her friends and family. It was a view behind the badge that we were all impressed with.

Paul Hekimian's LITTLE BROTHER just happened to be visiting from Texas with his own family... so, they all made a trip to Disneyland (all day....) and met us out that night for a quick hello. The kids were glowing!

Pasadena Triathlon :: Reverse Sprint

The first annual Pasadena Triathlon was greeted by a beautiful, but COLD morning. Jennifer Grandy (JG) and I drove up with many excuses at-hand, trying to decide if we were ready to swim/bike & run (or, in this case, Run/Bike & Swim), in the 50-ish weather.... but, fortunately, it warmed up very quickly and became the perfect day for a tri. Below, Michelle Linder and JG stay warm with hugs before the event.

And, just to skip to the good part... We did participate! And, here we are, all smiles, post-Swim!

Summer Bond made this race her first OFFICIAL Triathlon event EVER! And, she kicked some serious butt! She smoked JG and I... and, almost took Paul too! Here she is, with Brian, just after the race.

Here I am with Alex Bell, who just told us all that he and his wife, Kim, will be moving to Sausalito in a month. Booooo!!! We'll sure miss them around LA....

Mike Gwaltney, Team in Training Coach, brought out a big group of TnTers for this reverse tri... they were all smiles at the finish.

The Hekimians!! Yoshi, Paul, Lucas & Sylvia made it a family outing. Little Lucas will surly be swimming, biking and running ANY DAY now!

It’s a SPIN-A-THON!

Sunday, April 15th
1:00 - 4:00 pm
YAS : Yoga And Spinning center
1101 Abbott Kinney Blvd., Venice

Benefiting:
The Women’s Sports Foundation

About:
Founded in 1974 by Billie Jean King, the Women’s Sports Foundation is a national charitable educational organization seeking to advance the lives of girls and women through sports and physical activity. The Foundation’s Participation, Education, Advocacy, Research and Leadership Programs are made possible by gifts from individuals, foundations and corporations.
For more information, please call the Foundation at (800) 227-3988 or visit http://www.WomensSportsFoundation.org.
All of the money you raise supports girls in your community by enabling the Women's Sports Foundation to provide:
--cash grants for coaches and equipment
--support to girl-serving organizations to enable sports and physical activity participation of underserved girls
--National Health Information Award-winning GoGirlGo! curriculum kits
--training for adult program leaders on how to recruit sedentary girls

Donations:
We are looking to raise a minimum of $1000 per bike. You may make the donation personally or get sponsorships from friends/family or companies on behalf of the Foundation. Participation packages are available at the front desk at YAS.

Top Fundraisers will receive:
--2 Round Trips tickets on Jet Blue
--Nike gear
--Nike gift certificates for shoes
--Niketown gift certificates ranging from $100-$500 Much more

Check out the crowd for some familiar faces in Women’s Athletics today!
I hope you'll join us for this awesome event!

Congratulations to Andrew & Sara

Andrew Hannan and Sara Nelson were engaged in Sedona in Feb. Andrew says he knew she was the one the second week after they met... Congratulations you two! Andrew... I guess this means my early morning running partner is going to stay-put down South after all...?? Oh well... we'll see if I can talk someone else into the early-mornings... xox

LA Marathon 2007

The LA Tri Club was approached to offer some timing assistance to the TV Network (NBC) for the Marathon Broadcast on Sunday. We put together a team of 12 cyclists and split into two teams of 6, one for the men and one for the women pros. Then, we split again into teams of two who leap-frogged between the mile-markers to call in those actual splits. The photo below was taken of our group, lined up in front of the pro-marathoners start. Photo by Norman Schwartz.

Well, before we even lined up at the start, we all met-up at Carls Jr. Brian, below, enjoyed a quick breakfast before our outting.

Anna Wills is examining her handy-dandy map of the route with her partner, Michael Keeley. They were our sprinters to the first mile marker on the women's team.

The Pro Men... man... smokin!! They ran in a pack like this for most of the race. It was amazing to watch them fly by! The men's timing team was working hard to keep up with them, and they were on bikes!

This is how the PROS ROLL... personal water bottles containing their favorite fuels... hummmm, if only we could have a peak inside....

By about mile 16-18 or so, all the men had caught up to the women in our leap-frogging -- and, by Mile 26 we were all together again. It was super exciting to watch the finish together! The men's leader passed the women's leader at the very end. As we were posing here, everyone was all figity because you can see the leaders coming in and it was hard to focus elsewhere besides the event!

After we made it to the official finish line, we stowed our bikes in the VIP tents and grabbed some eats, drinks and headed out to watch the rest of the "real people" finish. Below, is clubber Amy Berkin after her strong posting.

Here is Achilles Track Club and Team Riley member, who cycled the first 25.2 miles of the race in his wheelchair bike, but then WALKED the last mile! Huge moment!!

Below, are Nadeem, Ian, Brian and Rom inside the VIP tents behind the finish line. A happy moment.... still soaking it all in.

Jeanette joined me at the Finish... She put me up the night before in her Hollywood Hills home, which is only a mile and a half from the new Marathon start line... then, she took the subway down to the finish. Overall, a well mapped out event.

Here is our final group shot -- the excitement -- the rush of being on the course with no-cars, next to the pros! Awesome weather... great LATC Company! What a Sunday!! Thank you to the LA Marathon, Steve, Basil, Rom & the whole behind-the-scenes crew for looping us in for such a unique taste of this venerable LA event.

February D.C. OAKES Update...

New pics have arrived from my sister-in-law, Stina. I get so excited when I see new snaps in my in-box! Check out my favorite gems from this latest bunch, below:

Merete cupping Finn's ears. She things this is hi-larious. Look at the LOOK on little Finn's Face??!!! Classic. Below, little Finn is dressed for the outside. It's a bit colder in DC than it is here in LA, but he doesn't seem to mind the thick layers:

Below, a pic of Merete, who has apparently been dressing herself lately. I believe you might see a theme here, in this particular outfit. Yes, she loves Pink... and, Stripes!! She's clearly pleased with herself here.

My handsome brother Matt with his son Finn. Paper for dinner, anyone?

Matt & Merete, like our Dad with us, is learning to build. Here they are working on the Tiny House. The pic to the left is work in progress, and to the right is the finished floor! It's almost done!!!