BERMUDAFUL

Horseshoe Bay Beach our first morning. We went early to watch the sun rise. In the pitch black, we're experiencing a romantic moment when we start hearing what sounds like a bunch of girls screaming. Several more...and then several more. Once the dark of night lifts, we can see dark images in the water. It was the Regime (the new recruits) that were hitting the water to run from one end of the bay to the next. After we realized it was a bunch of men, and military at that, we couldn't do anything but laugh.

The color of the water here is breathtaking. The color starts clear, turns to an ice blue, turquoise and then navy. The water is so clear, you can see for what seems like forever. It reminds me of the water in Cozumel. I have never seen water so amazing.

Me...being a dork. Can you imagine?
This is from the hotel beach. The sands were pink and I...was in heaven.

This is of me after I recouped from the mile. My face has some color back in it after about up-chucking after running the mile. The mile is not for me.

Some friends we met at the Bacardi House. They have been coming to Bermuda for years to race.

Sinking my tootsies in the sand. Heaven...

Feeling the island vibe...

Below is captured the Dockyards from the ferry. We went shopping here and purchased some hand fired plates, some rum cakes that were 100% made on the island with rum that is made from the island as well...so far...the chocolate is my favorite. I also picked up some perfume that is also only made on the island. Scrumptious...
Thursday night, we were invited to the Bacardi House. I didn't realize this, but Bacardi is headquartered in Bermuda. They offered a full open bar and dinner. Whew...good thing we had a whole next day to recoup before the mile. It was good times had by all! Way good times.

This was taken from our hotel room. Every room has a view of the water, either be it the ocean or the bay. Not only did we have a room with a view, we also had a walk in closet and a chandelier in the elevator. Very posh, darling.

After the 10K, Doug and I headed out to North Rock Brewery. It's the only pub in Bermuda that makes its own brew. Doug and I were very pleased, if you can't tell by the cheesy smile...

The next two pictures are of some man made caves...
Bermuda...

Bermudaful...

No need to say more.

Bermuda Triangle Challenge

Bermuda was stunning! So perfect, I'm going to break this down into two posts, one for the races, one for the island fun that was had.

First things first...the races.

Friday Night Mile

Friday night was the Invitational Mile. Everyone came out to line up and down Front Street and to cheer from the balconies. The mile is serious business in Bermuda. They had races for the elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, local Bermudians and then the elites. Everyone running HAD TO QUALIFY to run the mile. All except us running the Bermuda Triangle Challenge.

It was quite nerve wracking starting in the first corral. Yes...the first corral. They certainly did not base the Triangle Challenge Mile runners by time. It's probably the first and only time I'll ever start in corral 1. I felt quite inadequate, but enjoyed the fun being in corral 1.

Now I have NO idea how to run a mile. I can't say I've ever run a mile in my life. So I ran and about threw up a lung at the end. Everyone was yelling and cheering us on. The Bermudians are such generous people.

So after us mere mortals were done with the Triangle Challenge Mile, the school kids ran, next up were the local Bermudians and then the elites. All were delightful to watch, but the elites were awe inspiring. If only I could have a stride like this...

We stayed until the elite men ran. We were hoping for one of them to break the 4:00 mile in Bermuda. It's never been done at the Invitational and they had a $10,000 purse riding on it. The taxi cab driver that picked us up from the airport is on the race committee, so we were talking about all the races. He stated the last couple of years, they have had a 4:02 and a 4:02:30, but no one has broken 4:00. He's stated the wind always seems to pick up Friday night and has slowed the elites down.

This Friday night was perfect. No wind, the weather was perfect. We were really excited to see someone win it. They came close, but no cigar. We were there til around 11:00 pm and then headed back to the resort for some zzz's for Saturday mornings race.

Me after recouping from running the mile...

Saturday Morning 10K

This morning we headed out to the stadium for the 10K. I was ready for this race, I can run 6.2 miles and can do it halfway okay. Or so I thought. OMG! This course was UBBER hilly! It took it all out of me. But I couldn't have had a better time. The course was beautiful and I took it all in. Afterwards, we received our 10K medals and headed back to the hotel to get cleaned up and then took off for yet another full day of sightseeing, beach and fun.

Sunday Morning Marathon

Turned into Sunday Morning Half Marathon. The marathon was a 2 course loop. This was the most magnificent course ever. The views couldn't have been any more beautiful. So why the half marathon instead of the marathon? Well...a couple of things. My ankle is still hurting from the marathons I did the last half of 2009. That was the main culprit. Another reason was my slowness. I knew if I was going to make another loop, it was going to be ubber slow. And the traffic was horrible. The island roads are SOO SOO narrow and there is no shoulder. They did not close the course down and there were times, even on the first loop, I was a little un-nerved due to being so close to the cars. Mind you, everyone was super friendly and I had no issues with anyone driving, but it was just feeling I was holding people up. So the half marathon it was. I have never seen such amazing ocean views on a course before. This is a MUST DO!

We didn't get any photos from the marathon course, but my next post, I'll put some pictures of when we were out and about.

I certainly see Bermuda in the future for another visit. And you can't pass up the 4 medals and 4 tshirts for running the Triangle Challenge. 3 races-3 medals for each race and then a 4th medal (and shirt) for completing all 3!

2010...Ready or Not...Here I Come

Lately...I have been pondering my goals for 2010. After running 12 marathons in 2009, a lot of the goals I have been thinking about just don't seem 'big' enough. I've felt I needed a butt load of events to make the year successful. But...

After talking with my coach, he convinced me I don't need to jump from one event to the next all year long. How about making a goal to train for my events. Oh...well that is an idea.

So...I'm going to train this year. Something I didn't do in 2009.

For my January Marathons (Bermuda and Miami)...I plan on just surviving through...like last year. Then the training kicks in...actually working on my running. What that means exactly...I don't know. I do know I would like to start improving my marathon time. After 2009, that should be pretty easy.

Then there is the 100 mile bike ride...Hotter 'N Hell 100. What better reason to cross-train. And it will give me a fresh new goal to wrap my mind and body around. This weekend, I had Doug put Osana on the trainer for me. We're going to be spending a lot of time together this year. Might as well get aquainted sooner than later.

Running and Biking will be the focus this year. And more importantly, training.

Happy New Year!

May all your goals make you happy and healthy.