Welcome to Miami

Last week Doug and I headed to Miami to visit Amanda and run the Miami Marathon and Half Marathon. Doug ran the full. I ran the half.

First and foremost, Amanda was the best host ever. Thanks Amanda! We love you and David for having us as guests and showing us a great time.
Here are some pictures of our visit:

Miami in the evening as we took a walk...

Doug and I got up the next day to see the sunrise. We were able to see the dolphins out playing in the water as well. What a great way to start the day.

So...later in the day we headed to the expo. There are 4 of us, and we all know how crazy it can be keeping track of everyone at a huge expo. All of us were together...except Doug. I look around and look around and then finally found him bent down in front of some girl at an expo booth. AND she rubbing lotion on his head. What?! Okay...Well...the word on the street was she had talked him into putting an advertisement on the back of his head. Goof!

Warming up...

Then we headed down to Lincoln Road where we indulged on fabulous pretzels with sunflower seeds, chocolate dipped strawberry kabobs, yummy pizza and frozen yogurt. What a way to load up for race day!

Hanging out on the beach...

Our fabulous hosts...

The race was nice with awesome medals at the finish. The day brought us overcast skies and humidity which we were thankful for. The overcast kept the warm sun from baking us too much. We ran through a lot of nice areas and ran down the South Beach area where I experiences two transvestites cheering on the crowd. One was in leather and lace, the other in a red leotard and high heels. Both were taking turns yelling through the megaphone. What a sight!

Maimi-January 2011...Amanda...can we book that far in advance?

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.

Get a Goal, Girl!

Could it be happening to me?
The New Year-No Goal Doldrums?
I've got the blahs...and it sucks.
I know it's common after accomplishing a big goal.
But I don't like it one bit.

I'm so sick of myself.
I whine because I need to work out.
And then I whine cuz Doug asks me to go work out.
Then I whine when he goes to work out and I sit at home.
I whine cuz it's too cold to work out.
I whine cuz my ass is getting fat on the couch.
I'm turning into a whiny fat ass.
And it's so not pretty.

I need some new goals.
And wine.
Fast!

2009 Completed Events

Below is a list of events I completed during 2009. Some good, some bad and some...very ugly. Whatever way I crossed the finish line, it was worth every step, sweat drip, smile, pain in my ass and tear drop that fell.

TA DA!!!!...(Click on the link to see the race report)

12.06.09 RNR Las Vegas Marathon
11.01.09 Bass Pro Shop Marathon
10.25.09 Blue Springs 50/50 Marathon
10.18.09 Detroit Marathon
09.11.09 Patriot's Run Marathon
09.07.09 Heart of America Marathon
09.05.09 Royals 5K
08.15.09 Mayor's OP 5K Farmstead Stampede
08.09.09 Susan G. Koman 5K
08.02.09 Cider Mill Century Bike (53 miles)
06.27.09 RNR Seattle Marathon
06.13.09 Hatfield and McCoy Marathon
05.31.09 Lone Star Century Bike (54 miles)
05.17.09 Cellcom Green Bay Marathon
05.03.09 Lincoln Marathon
04.18.09 Frisco Fifty Marathon
04.04.09 Olathe Half Marathon
01.11.09 Walt Disney World Marathon

01.10.09 Walt Disney World Half Marathon

****12 MARATHONS****/2 Half Marathons/3 5K's/2 50+ Bike Rides

What a year! Besides running 12 marathons for the year I:

• Ran a Half Marathon and a Full Marathon back to back on the same weekend (Disney)
• Ran 2 Marathons within 5 days of each other (Heart of American Marathon on Monday and the Patriot's Run Marathon on Friday)
• Ran three Marathons back to back weekends (Detroit, Blue Springs 50/50 and Bass Pro)
  

There are times I sit and think anyone could have done this. Then there are times I sit in amazement, wondering how I did what I did. I feel very lucky to have accomplished this goal. To have stayed healthy. To have such great support from friends and family. To have been able travel to so many great places. I have to say, I'm not the fastest runner by any way, shape or form. And a lot of these marathon finishes were ugly. But... I got up, got out there and I crossed that finish line.

There are only a handful of people I know that have completed 12 (or more) marathons in a years time. And knowing the strength and endurance of 3 of them, I have to say I'm in pretty awesome company. And, of course, there are those of you that have run 100 milers, 24 hour adventure races and Ironmans that totally amaze me and are much tougher than I could ever dream. But...everything is relative and means something different to each of us. For me, I remember when I ran my first 5K. What a goal that was. Now here I am, just a few years later running marathons. Just get out there...have fun...do something good for yourself...and push yourself to your limits...and beyond, sometimes.

So...what's the goal for 2010? Doug says we should run 2 international marathons. Which...we already have planned-so that's not much of a 'goal'. I think he's trying to make 2010 a little easier for me than this year. I could overachieve and see if Laurel or Marci will house us for a third :).

But until January 1st comes, I'm going to savor my 2009 accomplishment and dream of what 2010 will bring.

12 Marathons in 12 Months...ACCOMPLISHED!

I finished my 12th marathon of the year at the Rock 'N' Roll Las Vegas Marathon!
My 2009 goal.
And...it just happened to be on my birthday!

It was a whirlwind trip. We didn't leave until early morning Saturday. Arrived to Vegas, met up with Karen and went to packet pick up and rocked out with some Elvi.

Then that afternoon Amanda and I headed off to see the Lion King as Doug met up with his team to go to the pasta party to celebrate the start a great journey...their first half marathon.

Then it was an early morning race day with a 6:15 am start. I kissed Doug as he left uber early to meet up with his team to give them their last minute inspiration and instructions. Amanda and I 'slept in' til around 4:45 am. Karen then came up to meet us so we could take the tram to Mandalay Bay.
The Marathon Girls...

Before heading out, I lost my phone somewhere in between our room and the bathroom downstairs. I wanted to take it with me to call Stacey and Nikemom to see if we could meet up and also to take some pictures of the race. I didn't find it, but thought it might had been upstairs in the room. It ended up at lost and found and I was able to recover it. Whoo Hoo.

At the start, Amanda took off to her corral and Karen and I started together. The start was fun with 15 minutes of continuous fireworks, the whole strip still lit up, 2 white tigers pacing at the start, 30 thousand people and huge tv screens displaying the coverage of the marathon.

I ran the first half with my BFF, Karen, and then had a strong second half. From mile 12-26.2 I passed over 100 people and only 2 of those ever passed me back up. I felt like a rock star! And as I crossed the finish line, I had the best person ever present me my medal...Doug.

We then waited for Karen and Doug presented Karen with her medal as well. With several tears flowing, we headed back to the hotel to get ready and cleaned up to meet up with a few friends for celebration drinks for:

Doug's 82 marathon...my birthday...Doug's team completing their 1st half marathon...Karen's 2nd marathon...Amanda's 3rd marathon and my 12th marathon of the year. Now THAT'S a lot to celebrate!

Here is a few of us after Mexican food and margaritas!

All in all...a fun weekend. A whirlwind...and I never even put a penny in the slots as I was already ONE LUCKY GIRL!