I basically like to be outside and moving... but here is a list of some of the things I especially seem to like. Why are there so many things listed? Because I seem to keep encountering new things I want to try, and new goals to achieve.
As an undergraduate, I swam with the UC Berkeley swimming team. Just as a little proof, here's a roster list that lists me as a member in 1988, although I was technically a member of the team in the 1987-1988 year. At Mills College, I was also part of the swimming team, which was in its first year of development. I won the 1999 Marjorie Meyers Swimming Award and also found that I was ranked in the 1998 USMS Top Ten SCM for Women 25-29. During the summer of 1999, I swam with the Manatees Aquatic Masters and completed my first open water race in August, 1999. It was a 2 x 1 mile relay at Lake Del Valle in Livermore, CA. My partner and I came in 9th overall and 4th in our age group.
I still swim, but not competitively. I'm currently mostly swimming on my own, though in the past I've practiced with the Charlottesville Masters Swimming group.
I'm basically a martial arts fan. I don't have any real favorites, but I spent a lot of time doing judo just after college and had a really great time. I started learning judo in 1991 at UC Berkeley's Martial Arts Program. Through the judo program at UC Berkeley, I was able to travel to many shiai (sparring) and kata (forms) tournaments, as well as several judo clinics in Bordeaux, France. My current rank is shodan (1st degree black belt). If you want to find out more about judo, the Encino Judo Club's Judo Information Site is a great place to start. If you're interested in seeing video clips of some great judoka (Koga, Pedro, etc.) this is the place to look.
I happen to think that this is a funny video clip. It's called Why Judo is Better than Karate.
A picture of me throwing someone
from UCMAP (Very fuzzy, but I'm the one doing the throwing).
Actually, to be totally honest, I went through several martial arts. Tai chi and tai chi sword were my first martial art(s), which I started in 1988. Yes, I learned the 24-step short form and the 100+ step long forms. I also have a blue belt in hapkido and have dabbled in aikido, but no rank testing there.
I have lapsed somewhat in my practice of judo since moving to Virginia.
I started learning how to mountain bike in 2001. I'm currently highly involved with the Charlottesville Area Mountain Bike Club (CAMBC) and served on the Board of Directors from April 2005 - April 2007. I was also the Club Secretary during that time. I currently help maintain the club's website content.
On April 14, 2002, I tried my first mountain bike race at Walnut Creek Park near Charlottesville, VA. I raced in the beginner women's category. Our group was only 4 women, and the race was very short. However, I did win first place in my group by 4 minutes, which was surprising as I hadn't been training at all. Pictures will be here.
I like hiking... not much more to be said here. I have on occasion brought my camera with me to attempt to capture some of the scenery, but I don't have the artistic eye. To view the few photos I've taken click here.
I used to like running, but don't do it as regularly as I'd like... but that is all about to change. As an interesting tidbit, I ran the 1999 Martha Jefferson Hospital 8K race and came in 159th place with no training. I was amazed that I could even run 5 miles at that point.
My thing in 2003 was to train for, and complete the NYC Marathon. It was exciting. In November 2005, I completed the Richmond Marathon with a personal best, even though I was still physically exhausted from the Shenandoah Mountain 100 mountain bike race which was in September.
Since then, I have also completed the Richmond Marathon in 2005, as well as several half marathons, including my first off-road half marathon in September, 2007.
I started road cycling in 2003.
June 2003. I participated in the MS 150 Bike Tour, which covers approximately 150 miles on 2 consecutive days. Actually, the reality is, that it was 82 miles on the first day, and 72 miles on the second day. Oh, and did anyone mention that it was RAINING heavily the entire first day? Since I rode with Team Crutchfield, I still had a really great time. I even had a chance to pull out my chain tool and help someone who broke their chain just after the SAG vehicle had just passed them. Anyhow, take a look at some pics from the ride here.
