Baby Steps

Whoo Hoo!!

The running front is looking good, baby.
The past two weeks I've been able to get in a small amount of mileage.
Last Saturday...7 miles. Mostly walking, but some running mixed in.
This Saturday...5 miles. Mostly running with some walking mixed in.

Hopefully I've seen my podiatrist for the last time...although I really liked him. Loved to listen to his stories and he SOOO gets the running thing. He even has different running magazines in his office to peruse through as you wait...loved it. And he was on the Marathon Olympic Trials in 1984. Pretty kick ass in my book.

I clocked this mornings run close to what I was doing before my injury (a little longer-but not by much). And even though I was afraid my heart was going to pound out of my chest, I had a smile from ear to ear.

Doug and I are signed up for Coeur d' Alene Marathon this month. I'm demoting myself to the half marathon. I don't want to risk injury again. No running for another 5 months might be the death of me. I'm going to take it uber easy...just covering the distance to ensure my ankle tendon can take the mileage.

And to be quite honest...thinking of 26.2 miles right now scares the bajesus out of me. I feel like I'm starting from square one again. I know I'm not, but it feels like pretty darn close to that.

After Coeur d' Alene, I'm planning on ramping up the miles to get on track for a marathon. I don't have any in sight yet, besides the SMALL ONE we have planned in October, but would like to maybe get in one before then. We'll just wait and see how I feel after the half marathon coming up.

So...Cheers to Running!
To those of you running this weekend...have great races.
Good Luck and Congrats!

Rock the Parkway 'Tator Report

This morning was the inaugural Rock the Parkway Half Marathon.
I went out to be an athletic supporter for Doug as my ankle held me up from running.

The temperature was in the low 40's...not bad for a morning run...until the sprinkles started.
Then rain.
Then sleet.
And then hail.
Oh...throw some wind in there too.
Saw a lot of bloody nipples today. I bet there were a lot of men screaming in the shower.
Yes...GOOD TIMES.
But it really was.

The course was an out and back on Ward Parkway, a beautiful street lined with amazing homes with a little jaunt through Loose Park.
It was easy to see Doug off at the start. Grab a coffee. Find him at the 5 miler marker, walk across the median to catch him at mile 9ish then meet him back as he crossed the finish line.

Everyone seemed to be having a good time no matter the rain. I know I did.

I thought I might be a little sad not being able to run, but it was nice to be a wet 'tator out in the rain cheering people on.

Then it was home to change out out of the drenched clothes, head for lunch, take a nap, watch girlie movies as I stripped 144 candy canes while Doug started making his Candy Cane Wine!

Gotta Lotta Nuthin'

Been up to a whole lotta nuthin' lately.
I'm trying to let this darn tendon heal in my ankle.
It's an overuse injury from the back half of last year.
Hence, only being able to run (okay...get through) half marathons in Bermuda and Miami this past January.

This year I wanted to focus on really training, but thus far, haven't done any training to speak of.
I have been on the bike, but even then, I'm able to feel my tendon.
I've practiced some yoga. And wonder why I ever get away from it.
Finally took my butt to the chiropractor, so hopefully he's aligned me to help this ankle heal easier and faster.

We just signed up for the Coeur d' Alene Marathon for the end of May. It's supposed to be absolutely beautiful. Now I just need to get healthy to get out and start running and biking.

Here's to some healthy healing and training to come, then hopefully, a Whole Lotta Sumthin'!

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.