Being on time can be overrated

Posted in 1 with tags , , , , , on February 7, 2010 by Pip

The past few days have felt out of balance..you know the kind of week when you get to places at the nick of time and you remember things the last minute. At first I was all annoyed with myself..”why am I so out of wack..why am I not as organized”…blah blah blah. Yes, it does suck when you feel like you are running behind for an appointment which makes you run behind for the next…But, I have to be honest, I have had a breakthrough (I guess that is what it is called). I have been teaching yoga for a long time and I talk about being in the moment and being present. I talk about being your own truth. Basically..be where you are when you are and be who you are as you are. As a teacher I truly believe the words I say..I truly believe that you yoga practice is a reflection as who you are in your daily life. Your reaction on the mat usually is pretty similar as to how your react off of the mat. I’ll give you a few examples..1) when things get tough in the outside world..you tend to fight harder and sometimes it makes you more frustrated…when postures get tough on your mat..if you fight your way into them *(muscle into them) they get much harder and yes, more frustration begins. 2) We compare ourselves or try to keep up with what everyone else is doing..on your mat you might do it a few times but you realize there is no point. Basically your mat is a big teacher..yes, I am teaching and helping you along the way but when it is all said and done- you are your own teacher. So back to my out of wackness….BY (before yoga) I would have been upset and let it put a damper on things…but AY(after yoga) I have found that being a few seconds behind is not always bad. When there is a major time crunch..I will focus and get things done. If people are depending on me I am fully committed to my time with them…Basically..at times your daily life will force you to become present..you react in the moment. Now there are two things you can do if in this situation 1) try easy or 2) try hard
1) I have become a fan of try easy, (relax into a posture you relax into results) meaning your ducks are in a row..but if one is out of line..you nudge it back into pl;ace..there is no need for a total freak out.
2) Trying hard..is kinda like muscling into a yoga posture..it only makes it harder..usually 1 freak out leads to another..

I hope you all have a “try easy” day…now if I am riding hills…I’ll get back to you

xoxo
Pip

Leave A Comment »

Name Game

Posted in 1 on February 2, 2010 by Pip

I have been trying to come up with a creative way to bring up my name confusion..I was born as Claire Louise (yeah, I know) Gregson. It is true that I can quote line by line all references to the name Claire from the Breakfast Club. I grew up answering to Claire or Gregson….Over the years I have noticed that whenever I have tried something new or difficult I had a common thread..my pigtails. It was first brought to my attention when I (20 years old)did the Alaska Mountaineering NOLS course. I always wore braids (what else can you do when you don’t shower for a month?). One of my tent mates started calling me Pippi and asked me if my braids were like Sampson’s hair? He asked if someone cut them off in my sleep what would happen (we were snowed in..and had run out of things to talk about). I decided that they would automatically sprout back and be even stronger. A month after I returned from my trip I received a letter from my tent mate (a 40 year old lawyer from NYC)..he wrote a poem called “Pigtail Power”..kinda goofy but I still have it..he told me that whenever things seem difficult I still have my smile and my braids. When I was in college I started Mt biking and once again I wore my braids for two reasons air conditioning and you could tell who I was. When I studied I wore pigtails. When I started doing yoga pigtails were the best way to go…In teacher training I kept my pigtails and the name Pippi came back. I started a goofy little ritual..whenever I would get nervous or freaked out I would have a little bit of a meditation as I braided my hair. Over the years my braids began to change into a ponytail…as my bike grew dusty I leaned more to the low ponytail…not full on “mom hair” but it was close. The day I started to ride a fixie..the pigtails were back in..the day I started to ride on the road the pigtails were in…the day I realized that not all relationships are healthy I had the good ol’ pigtails to remind me I am a strong person. As I kept riding and I discovered that even friends will astonish you and attempt to cut you down I (like my pigtails) spout back even stronger. But ,all comes back to why I wore them: I was trying something new or difficult. During the first year I rode in 24 Hours of Booty I put spokes in my pigtails….I was riding for people who were going through something difficult (cancer treatment) I would pigtail up in honor of them. With each lap I realized that the pigtails made people smile or laugh..With each lap riders called me Pip with each lap I remembered that I really like who I am when I am pushing myself to expand my edge. Since that first 24HOB I was called Pip by folks…I am still Claire to my family and long time friends…but, deep down I have always been Pip..because I always have my braids and my smile. So, for those who are bothered by me going Pip..all I can say is ..REALLY, it honestly bothers you..you are annoyed by my nickname…you have wasted your time being bothered by…My braids…

I told you guys they had power;)

PS..
If you used to take yoga from me..I still teach- it is just under the name Pip (I gotta admit it is easier to remember)

XOXO
Pip
Claire
Gregson
Stretch
Clarence

….whatever name

****please donate to 24HOB

Leave A Comment »

Inner Peace Yoga Schedule

Posted in 1 on January 2, 2010 by Pip

Leave A Comment »

I got change in my pocket

Posted in Live with tags , , , , on October 5, 2009 by Pip

The most expensive age of your life is thirty-four.

-The Guardian, August 19,2006

When I first read about my age and how more cash was involved than usual..I felt a little ripped off.  I have nothing to show for it..hmm..no new bikes, no new wheelsets..wait, I did get a computer- but, still MOST expensive??

As my list of things I didn’t buy continued…I looked at the word expensive.  Expensive can mean high cost or sacrifice..High cost can be a financial cost or a personal cost. Sacrifice can also be viewed in both categories.  So, yes this year has been the most expensive.

It all begins with NO INSURANCE (need I say more)

I had surgery without insurance…Early BDay gift from my mum..I had my bike wreck(separated shoulder and fractured scapula) without insurance…worst part about the bike wreck it was during 24HOB and I bent my wheel and front fork.

After my bike wreck I became slack at the expense of my health.  The slacker I became the worse I ate and the less I slept..creating one Craptastice 34 year old.

3 things got me back on track:

  1. felt pretty lame sitting on my ass
  2. went to Carowinds with Monks (rode the same roller coaster 9 times in a row – w/out getting off). When we were walking around I noticed a profusion of fleshy families who might have slacked off on being active
  3. the loss of a great friend

Skipper and his son Graham

Skipper and his son Graham

**the biggest kick in the ass was losing my long time friend and yoga student**

I began teaching Skipper Beck 6 years ago…I would see him 5x a week and during our practice we would chat..Over the years he became my best friend, advisor, stand in dad and someone who always made me laugh.  He was one of those people everyone thought they knew…to most he was a car dealer, a lover of sports and philanthropist…he was often in the public eye.  To me he was my motivation- he reminded me why I loved teaching.  He reminded me a lot of my dad..he was there no matter what..he was the first person I called when I got married in Vegas (sorry Mum). The best thing about Skipper was he taught me not to take myself too seriously. If it weren’t for him I would not have started riding again.  I told him I wanted to ride and I made every excuse under the sun as to why I couldn’t: I am too out of shape, I will suck and I don’t have a bike.  After practice he walked me down to his garage and pointed to his Kestrel, “I don’t use it anymore and now you don’t have an excuse.”  Each morning he would check in with me to see if I rode…My first TT was done on that bike: unfortunately since then it was taken without asking AKA stolen..

I am not going to lie..I miss the hell out of him..I was in a yoga class the other day and started laughing out of control bc I thought of something we used to joke about..the words Mula Bandha ..I am very serious when it comes to my yoga practice..but, Mula Bandha sounds funny.  Skipper and I used to yell it when postures were hard or we came up with race teams with the words Mula Bandha in it.

So, each day I think of how lucky I am to be able to ride..I think about how much I love being able to run around with my son…I think, when it is my time to go I leave a legacy of finding my path but not at the expense of others…

I guess 34 is pricey..time, bills, time and loss..but, it shapes who I am and what 35 will be like.

When I ride today and I hit a tough section..I will yell Mula Bandha and finish…

(by the way Mula Bandha is even funnier when you learn where it is located)

xoxo

Pip

Reasoning behind obesity in the US (more of a safety precaution)

Reasoning behind obesity in the US (more of a safety precaution)

2 Comments »

Pressure Drop

Posted in Pedal with tags , , , , on July 17, 2009 by Pip

23/30

As promised the truth!!! The truth about how much I have been riding….out of 23 days I have rode 21 days…some days two rides. I am still on my Vanilla with hard to push gearing..over the weekend I am taking apart my fuji and switching out with the Vanilla. I have 10 pitch on the V and I can’t find easier gearing to make it for a 24 hour ride..

I did a little yoga this morning and went on a short ride..I love riding in the morning and seeing the same folks walking in the neighborhood..the same dogs attempting to drag their owners to my bike. My all time favorite thing to do is attempt to get grumpy non-wavers to freakin’ smile or at least nod. There is this one guy that I pass and everytime he hears my bike he suddenly finds something on the ground super interesting. This orning he actually looked at me and grunted and then tripped (I guess two things at once is not his thing in the morning).

It was nice to get out this morning it was 77 degrees at 6 a.m.

I figure by the time Chad and I ride this afternoon it will be hot as hell and humid..I will have to think of my happy place during that ride.

random mix this morning:
1) Crazy for you: Ulrich Schnauss
2) Gives you Hell: AAR
3) Suedehead: Morrisey
4) Nothing Lasts Forever: Echo and the Bunneymen
5) Pressure Drop:Toots & the Maytals
6) Shanti,Shanti,Shanti: Shelia Chandra
7) Ganesh is Fresh: MC Yogi 8) Motel:The Connells
9) Hope She Falls in Love:The Blue Dogs
F*@% You: Ani Defranco

I am sitting outside at a coffee shop and there is a group of guys in their late 60’s who meet every morning and shoot the breeze. They are worse than a group of high school girls! They are first talking about who has died or been divorced..then the market..then I take a deep inhale and I swear all 6 of them lit up at the same time..blah..I can’t believe I ever smoked…15-20..nasty..then again after my Dad died of CANCER pretty smart..last time I smoked was 9 years ago..

1 Comment »

Where is my alarm

Posted in Pedal on June 29, 2009 by Pip

4/30

I could not find my alarm clock this morning..I did find I have the super power of knocking things over to find my alarm clock.

have u noticed when you are IMing you feel rude when you have to go because of the message delay

It was an awesome ride..Chad is a great guy to chat with-not to mention he openly admits when his legs burn. We both love hills about as much as road rash.

Just got home from seeing Leisure, gogoPilot and The Lemonheads at the Visulite..got some good pix..I’ll write more tomorrow..I smell like smoke, gotta get a shower and I need to crash so I can do early a.m. ride..
xoxo
Pip

Leave A Comment »

motivate..forced post

Posted in Pedal with tags , , on June 28, 2009 by Pip

 

 

tired

I am ready to crash out

 

3/30

 

5:08 a.m. I am looking at the worlds brightest screen and attempting to motivate..I figure I need to ride my CX bike..heavier,slower and damn it it makes me feel like I am working more:) not to mention the looks I get from some folks.  You know, “what sort of Frankenbike  bike is that”

 

I am soooo out of shape. I rode and I rode slow..I am going through the..saddles suck phase…I haven’t been on a bike in so long I can’t figure out where I need to be…as I was riding people kept passing-at first I started getting pissed with myself..Then I realized I am working towards getting back to where I was…being out of shape sucks..but it is a good reminder of..why staying in shape is so important..I worked on photo stuff from 10:00 until 6:00..I feel so tired but it is in a good way…I am riding with Chad at 7:00 am tomorrow..it’ll be nice to have someone to chat to and pass the time..we will see

xoxo

Pip

Leave A Comment »

Ashamed,Booty..”Cue the Deer”

Posted in Pedal on June 27, 2009 by Pip

 

Mum and Dad

Mum and Dad

 

 

 

After looking at my calendar I feel like I might possibly die during 24 HOB.  I can’t believe I am about to admit the following..

I have been on my bike 3x since January 

I have been to the gym only 64 times

My yoga practice is not the best at the moment 

I have been full on lazy.  

I honestly can’t believe I have gone from full on fit to the mom in sweats in the carpool line. I don’t even feel better sharing this..I feel ashamed…ASHAMED I tell ya. I do have a game plan to fix this..I’ll share it as I go..sort of;)  

 

DAY 2/30

 

 

 

Best ride ever…It was short and late but I did it…I’ve been crammed in a dark room working on photos all day..so I uncurled myself and grabbed my bike. Today has felt hectic and complicated..hoping on my fixie changed that.

Monks and H

Monks and H-Bomb at sunset

 

 It is one of those nights where everything is like a movie…The temp was perfect and there was a slight breeze..don’t get me wrong my pigtails are drenched but the weather was perfect.  As I am riding along and there are people sitting on their porches…chatting and hanging out…it created the sound of a streams gurgle (or the announcers voice in golf)..As it grew darker little flickers of light began to multiply..there were millions of them

 

 When I was a kid we used to peel their butts off and stick them to our forehead (you wonder why I am now vegan..).  further down the road there were kids running around in the yard catching fireflies (I am not even kidding)..To finish the perfect movie night..I slowly pedaled down my street and 100 feet in front of me a deer walks out (total Funny Farm moment)Cue the Deer

he ( the deer) trotted over to the grass and he watched me pull into the driveway. 

I swear tonight was the perfect ride…

 

Just wanted to let you know I am typing this while sitting on my bed with my kit,helmet and shoes on..

 

xoxo

Pip

1 Comment »

Little Kicks without brakes

Posted in Pedal with tags , , , , , on June 25, 2009 by Pip

IMG_1943I woke up and walked Monks over to LAX camp. On the walk home..I was in shock..it is 9:00 am and I am not sweating my ass off!! It was a sign..a sign to get my ass in the saddle and ride! I walked through the door and grabbed the pump..I looked at my back tire and it was shredded..not just a wee bit but a ton..last ride my bike wheel slid out from under me, but due to  my  upper body spaz out, I managed to recover. Need less to say I was not about to take it out. Then I saw my Vanilla out of the corner of my eye. I haven’t taken it outy since my 2 month break…I was switching my pedals out and Ethan reminded me that..I haven’t been riding and I haven’t been riding with out a brake in awhile. I told him I would be fine ( as soon as I said it I had the fear of eating it and proving him right)..I walked back to the bedroom and started getting dressed..couldn’t find my HRM..then I found it under laundry. I am not sure if anyone else knows the HRM dance..But, I am the queen of it. You know the moving around and trying to find your damn heart beat. Guys, ya’ll don’t have to worry about the second part of the dance..the sports bra placement twist. Then there is the which crap goes in what pocket..Getting dress makes me feel like Elaine’s Dance in Seinfeld (Little Kicks).

I am riding later on tonite… we will see if my gearing needs to be changed..I have already had several young riders inform me my gearing ise easy..”Look at the size of your chain ring…” Then I have to let these kids know it is 10 pitch..I still am old but at least they give me a little street cred…
I mean that is the only reason I ride…..

 

 

 

If you haven’t donated..trust me you haven’t..I am begging for your help..I am even making a new duct tape skirt..send me stickers !!! DONATE

IMG_1940

xoxo

Pip

1 Comment »

happy in quicksand

Posted in Give, Pedal with tags , , , , on June 10, 2009 by Pip

 

nilla

 

 

 

Ever since the whole cancer scare I have felt moments of utter amazement of the world with moments of panic. The amazement usually hits when I least expect it. I have found myself with my windows down listening to The Cult loud (and I’ll be damned if I will turn it down at a stoplight). I will be sitting in a coffee shop, watching a kid bobble as he drinks his box of milk, with a huge grin (might look creepy-not sure yet). At times I look in rearview mirror and watch as Monks dance and raps his own version of “Channel Zero” (it is a clean version for all those who are worried). I feel like I am a lucky woman who has a lot of things to be thankful for.

 

The panic seems to blow everything else out of the water. What in the hell have I been doing all this time. I feel like I have gone through the motions to do things..but, I don’t pay attention to how I got there. I keep thinking,” holy crap, I am almost 35 and I still have no clue what path I am supposed to be on.”

I am also freaking out about riding in 24 HOB I haven’t been on my bike in 6 weeks..I am hoping I will get the OK to ride this week.

I feel like I’ve been living like I am trapped in quicksand. I am happy my head is above the sand, I can still breath, I can chat and smile- but if I move I sink deeper

so I just hangout in the same spot: happy but stuck in the exact same place each day.

xoxo
Pip

1 Comment »

Next Entries »