Good luck ladies

Wow we have a busy weekend ahead of us: Janet, Mary, Katie, Angie and Megan D will all be with the other impalas running TCM. Michelle and I will be racing locally at the Presido XC. And Shal is traveling the farthest of us all to represent Google (and the impalas because she always represents us) in the corporate challenge in NYC, check out this link to find out more- there are pics and an interview with Shal:
http://www.jpmorganchasecc.com/

Go get them ladies and run strong, Marisa

Some things never change

A few of us from the SBV went to practice tuesday (mary, janet and myself) but due to the new member orientation I had to self drive. Therefor instead of writing about michigan miles or the discussions we had driving to and from practice this week I am going to amuse you all with a view into high school XC team (and I am thinking those of you that ran high school XC will think of similar stories of your own).

So today, thursday, was a hill day. Decided we'd take a road trip to the crystal springs cross country course, so around 3pm we loaded up into a school van (that would be a SHPV) me at the wheel and started off for our brief journey. You always forget during our busy lives how amusing the good old FM radio can be. Soon we were on 280 with one of my athletes in the DJ seat, she quickly found a key road trip song, "Listen to your Heart" by Roxette. Before I knew I peeked around the van noticing every single one of them (including myself) belting out and singing alone to the tunes. Shortly after this lovely performance we had the perfect cross country song, one student said this song is for you Coach Beck, it was none other than "Ain't no mountain high enough" sung by the temptations, good times.

So we get out, do our workout on the crystals springs course (we rocked the course!) then head back to the van and back to atherton, with more fun tunes. The most amusing on the way back was probably our "In da club" by 50 cent which we cranked up as we got close to school and proceeded through campus. Ahh good times. One athlete noted as we got out "Beck, the music was the best part, especially when we played it really loud".

I guess this goes to show you do the workout which is key (when with your cross country teammates) but it's the stuff that happens in the van that you remember. And if you need a little pick me up find some tunes that you love and crank them.

Party on ladies!!!

Annie from the block (party!)

Well, the Cassini family really knows how to par-tay! A most impressive turnout of ~200 adults and kids turned out for Angela's b-day party, which was complete with a BBQ feast, a bartender, a disco ball on the deck and some rockin' tunes on the stereo. Not to mention the 3 huge birthday cakes! Rumor has it that Angela is friends with the entire city of Palo Alto and that they were all at the party:) Here's a pic of the SBV enjoying ourselves at dinner, just before being joined by Olympic studette and role-model PattiSue Plumer.

Congratulations Mrs. Holmes (or is that Doctor Holmes?)

We just can't let the blog grow too quickly without recapping the excellent nuptials of Michelle and Chris on the beautiful UC Santa Cruz campus! Although none of us had a camera, the bride has promised to provide a picture that we can post here, so check back soon.

Recap by Waz and G2:
It was a lovely event, although we were down one 'black bridesmaid' after Angela had a nasty ankle twist in Santa Rosa. We had a fab trip to SC in the SBJ(etta), catching up on marathon training, Calvin's first days in kindergarten, and Marisa's new coaching gig (and munching on some banana bread). Got to UCSC a bit early, and took in the amazing view of the Pacific - a perfect backdrop for the wedding. The ceremony was short and simple, and Michelle and Chris were both glowing. Highlights of the reception included a vocal/guitar performance by Michelle's brother and his wife, and our table conversation with the one single guy at the whole wedding. We had a lively drive back on 17, brainstorming on future book club adventures. All in all, a fine time.

You know you work at a cool place when.....

So today is bike to school day at SHP (Sacred Heart Prep). They (some teachers) announced at school on monday that, "Friday is bike day and we want at least 200 bikes here on friday." A little side note that we only have about 440 students and then about 40 faculty/staff so 200 is almost half. So all week I am planning how to get from San Jose to Atherton by 7:45 in the morning via bike. I decided my best route would be going via truck with Adam to work in Mountain View then bike the rest of the way to Atherton. I must admit I was a bit nervous this morning, wondering if my legs would pedal fast enough at 6:30 in the morning (after running hard at Rancho San Antiono with my athletes yesterday) to allow me to get to work on time but yes it all worked out and I even arrived to school early! The students and faculty were all totally into it, there are bikes everywhere. Students spent that night at friends houses that lived close to school so they could ride together this morning. And rumor has it that our students and faculty caused quite a stir at the san carlos cal train station on their bikes as people had never seen so many bikes at once.

Perhaps the most amusing part of my ride was when I was biking near Stanford and I see a lady running hard and it's Shal! I say hi and she was said "Marisa?" Anyhow it was pretty funny.

I must also report that there are at least 200 bikes (offical count still to be determined) here today, I would guess there are 300-400 bikes, our parking lot is very bare (it looks like school is already out or hasn't started). The bottom line SHP is a great place to work! Go Gators!

Oh yeah, in case you are wondering how is she going to get home? I plan to work the public transportation system, biking to the PA caltrain then taking the train to San Jose and then biking home, hopefully it works out as well as my travels to school.

Happy Friday to all!

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