Race to the Taste 2008

This Sunday was the Race to the Taste. Chicago has an annual Taste of Chicago that takes place on Grand Park just leading up to the Fourth of July. It is a great opportunity to taste some of Chicago's fine cuisines. On the first day of the opening there is usually a Race to the taste 5k Race. I ran it with Natalia, Tiatana, and Jessica. We ran great considering that it was about 100% humidity. I felt my IT band hurt a bit at mile 2, which now worries me. But still manage to keep it at an average of 8 min miles. So I my time was around 24 minutes. not to bad for a 5k

Natalia, Danny and Taitana
Natalia, Jessica and Danny

Dannys Gallerys Links

Ok, I now places to view my pictures from past trips. will try to update them as often as I can

1. http://www.dvalen.com
2. http://picasaweb.google.com/runandcycle


Enjoy

Cheers

My new bike for Iowa

Ok, I found my new bike for Iowa. This is cool. Might need it.

Enjoy

So Bored today.

Today, I am so bored and been contemplating on places to go or places I rather be at. If only I had enough money where I can just play and do my runs, cycle, hike or camp.
Here is a place I would rather be today.

Great pictures of my little cousin

This is such a great pictures of my 2 little cousins from Atlanta.

40th Bday bash

Ok, I totally over did it. I drank way too much then I anticipated. 6 glasses of beer with 9% of alcohol and a shot of tequila. It was so much fun at my bash, but the next day I was hang over like a Dandelion over a balcony. It was so severe that in 3 seconds I was dripping in sweet and dizzy. I had to go back home and recover. So now, I don't want to see an ounce of beer or wine for a while. It is back to the healthy stuff now. I am sticking with water for awhile

My last day of being in the 30s

Well, today is my last day of being in my 30s and I must admit I feel a bit strange. It feels like I am losing something. I can't put my finger on it, but I feel a bit under the weather and blue. Thinking that tomorrow I am now going to be 40. What will that mean? I a lot of people I talked to who is 40 or over tells me, it is just turning any other age. Why am I taking it so hard. Maybe I am reflecting on what I have not accomplished instead of what I have accomplished.
As of now, what am I planning to do this year?
1. My 10th RAGBRAI bike ride across Iowa, as long as it does not become a canoe ride across Iowa.
2. Joined High life adventure, a club just for adventurous single looking for great fun activities.
3. Swimming lesson begins in July in order for me to do my first Tri
4. Hiking for the 5th time in the Grand Canyon with my sister and my good friend Michelle.
5. Possibly my first Ultra marathon 31.1
6. Fly an F14 Jet Fighter the end of September, except for taking off and landing of course.
7. Sailing lesson in August
8. One more marathon before December
9. Honolulu Marathon with a week of hiking and camping in Waiki
10. Speed dating in July 2nd
11. Joined "It's just Lunch", since match.com and eharmony.com I only get people from other states or psychos.
12. Getting my credit fixed and getting ready to buy a condo or house next year.

I have a lot planned.

Time does go by so quickly. You must make the most out of life and don't let any moment fly by. Enjoy your life and don't ever say, I can't do it. Everyone is capable of doing more then they think they can. Life is about taking risk. Life is a collection of milestone, moments, memories and events.
Don't ever take life for granted. Take care of yourself, because no one else will do it for you. We were born alone and will die alone.
that is all.

Reflection on Turning 40

Wow, still can't believe that this Thursday, June 19th, I will be turning 40. I can not turn back the clock or change the past. What I could do is reflect and redirect my life to the future. I would have to say, I have been blessed with good genes. I am healthy, active and have no injuries that prevent me from running, cycling, hiking and any other adventures I would like to pursue.
My 30ths is over and I am entering a new age group the 40ths. As I reflect back on my 30ths I see that I have done a lot. I started to run seriously and started cycling even more. I spend almost 3 months traveling across America on my own. I have ran marathon in Rome, Vancouver, Anchorage...etc.
What do I plan to do in my 40ths. Of course, my main purpose in life is always to find a soul mate or someone who I can share my life and adventures with. But as my life goes on and on, I see the hope and dream just slipping away.
So besides finding a mate, what else am I planning to do on my 40s? For starters, I will be running my first ultra, 31.1 miles in September in Hell, Michigan. (yes, nice name) . I am also, going to fly a F14 jet fighter on the end of September. I'm learning to swim, so I can do a Tri and then eventually do an Ironman. I am doing the Honolulu marathon in December. Later this year, will be learning to sail a boat.
Life moves forward and my attitude about turning 40 is to age gracefully and not take life for granted. Like I always say, "Live life like it is your last day, to the fullest without REGRET" Ask yourself, what do you want people to say when you turn 80? Wow, he took advantage and lived life. Nothing can stop me!!!
I am full of energy and vibrant and need to explode and just do it. I am in the best shape, I have ever been in my life and that is what I have going for myself.
Here is to everyone who is converting over to 40s. I will be at Hop Leaf at 6:30pm this Thursday with some friend to celebrate the turn over. Cheers

I was barely 2 and starting to cycle

Geeky me,

Today at 39 just turning 40

Gallery is ready for viewing

Hey,
I just uploaded my gallery for both the Lake Tahoe Bike ride and hike and the Family trip to DC on my personal website.
http://www.dvalen.com/

If it does not come up just click while holding the CTRL key.

Have fun.

Back from DC

I am now back from DC, what great fun to reunite with my cousins from Spain and Atlanta. It was hot as hell, 99 degree with the heat index of 105. Super hot. We went to the spy museum, The Capitol, The Holocaust museum, some other monuments, Arlington museum and we just caught up. Next year, I am either going to run Madrid Marathon or on the Canary Island.

From left to right top, Cousin Emy, Rosy, Miri, Danny, David, Sofia with Guilla, my mom, and Caroline

Danny with my little cousins from Atlanta Sofia and Guilla

Lake Tahoe Hike from Meeks Bay

Ok, so I told you what happend on my previous post as to what hike I could do. I wish I could've gone to the second lake Crag Lake, but I found the first lake to be good enough and I was tired already so, I made camp.
Here are some of the stat of my hike in, from Meeks bay to the lake.

The route of the hike
The elevation gain, total ascent. Yikes
Elevation Summary
Summary in general

Per miles

More pictures to follow

Lake Tahoe 2008 Century Ride Stats

Hello all,
What a wonderful day for a century. Had the best one ever. Beautiful day, wonderful people. I had such a consistent energy throughout the whole way. Whatever I did, I did it right, had enough food and water in me.

Here is an interesting link where you can see the actually the cycling ride. http://www.nationalraceforthecure.org/2008racedetails.htm
You might need to install the SVG Player. If you dont have it, I recommend it, It is really cool to watch
http://www.adobe.com/svg/viewer/install/main.html

Route of the Century

Summary detail

Moving and stopping time

Elevation profile

Elevation Summary

Heart Rate Chart

Heart Rate Detail

Weather

Lake Tahoe - Meeks Bay hike

I will have to go more into details about my hike. In Summary, the hike original hike that I wanted to do was still with snow, so I took another option that the ranger gave me was to hike up on Emerald bay, north at Meeks Bay. It is still in the Desolation Wilderness. No one hikes during this time of the season, since it is still a bit early. Although, I can't see why not. The day temp high is maybe 70s, but the low at night is around 30s. Yes, I brought my thermals and did experience a little chill at night. I woke up feeling tired from staying up late celebrating with my TNT friends of our tremendous Century ride. I think I left around 11:30pm, after 5 glasses of wine. I fell asleep quickly. Woke up tired and said my good byes and went to the rangers office to get my permit. I drove to Meeks bay and went for the hike. It was 5 miles to the first lake called Genevia Lake. The hike was almost all up hill. There were some big ascents on the way to hike. My GPS was very useful, as I knew what to expect before I got there. I had to stop ever so often, because my backpack was so damn heavy. I really need to learn how to go light. I think it was 40 ibs on my back, and my lower right hip started to hurt. I decided to just stop at this lake and I am glad I did. It was absolutely beautiful. I set up my campsite. I sat on a side of tree and just stare out to the horizon and just began puring bad mental, emotional and spiritual thoughts. I took video and pictures and have some stats on the hike trip that I will have to post once I get back. I had my bode of wine, which is a bottle of wine. I went with a Pinot Grigrio.
I cooked my meal, which was Jamaican Black beans and rice with crackers. I drank the whole bottle and felt a good buzz. For now, I will leave you this picture of me overlooking a wonderful view. Until next time.

Lake Tahoe Century Ride - Part 1

Well, I did it!! Yet another century bike ride but, now with TNT. I would have to say, it was one of my best century ever. Not only did I feel great throughout the whole ride, but had so much fun. The people, the cyclist, the support was tremendous. Everyone was so helpful and supportive. There were about 3000 cyclist and of those 1800 from TNT. I was on the Illinois chapter of 50 people, one of the biggest chapter groups.
I wish I recorded exactly what I ate or did, but I had a consistence energy all the way out. There 2 really big hills. The one by Emerald bay, which came early on the ride, and the steepness was incredible. I drove it the next day on my way to a hike and could not help to wonder, wow, I cycled this hill? The other one was the big long one that they call spooner. I still had enough energy and hit the granny gear and took my pace and conquered it. More stories later for now I leave you with some pictures.

TNT Illinois Cyclist
The view from Emerald Bay
Danny at a lunch stop