Brief Update on Rocky Raccoon 50 miler

With Jamie D at the Rocky Raccoon 100 mile sign before the race. Jamie finished first place women in a bit over 16 hours. She is an amazing run and a great person with a HUGE heart!

With my mom along the course...notice my chipmunk cheeks. At aid stations I really load up with food so unless I get a picture right before the aid station I tend to have my mouth full! My mom got to see me about 4 times along the course which was nice. I hear she talked with many runners and many runners crews because she was unsure where I was, it was funny along the course I would get "messages" indicating my mom was up ahead looking for me.

In the penalty box (this sign completely cracked me up!) I did not whine but just wanted to sit to take a moments rest. If only I had taken the time to whine about 15 times, I could have taken a half hour rest (it says "Penalty Box: 2 minutes per whine")

With my friend Wayne who I met at VT100 (in fact Tristan drove, Wayne, Frank, Emmy and I to the VT100 in 2008). He finished the 100 miler and did really well.

With my new friends who were so nice and cheerful along the course. I currently am sleep deprived and have forgotten virtually everyones name (and even my own if I did not have a shirt with my name on it:-)

This past weekend I flew to Texas to see my mom and run Rocky Raccon 50 miler as a training run for Umstead 100. I had a great time during the race, saw lots of friends, made lots of new friends and of course got to hang with my mom for a bit.

I ended up PRing for a 50 miler by 1 hour and 10 minutes!! I finished in 10 hours and 26 minutes which considerably better then I even hoped in my wildest dreams. My minimum goal was 12 hours, my lofty goal was seconds below 11 hours but sub 10:30 was not even on my radar.

I was amazed as I was running to be having a great day in which everything was just working out. I love warm weather, the course was manageable and the "double" back sections gave me so much energy as I was encouraged and able to encourage other runners along the course (although as usual I was the only one with my name on my shirt...so everyone else got encouraging words with their number unless I knew them, sorry!).

I met so many wonderful people during the race and had so many friends on the course. I am incredibly blessed to know so many wonderful people and the list keeps growing!

After I finished my run I took a bit of time to walk and stretch out with my mom, then volunteered most of the night at the start/finish line. It was nice to spend some time with my mom during the weekend. And of course volunteering is such a great way to continue feeling the energy of a race without actually being in it:-) I got to see my friend Jamie D finish as first place female, missed seeing my friend Anthony P finish (between 4 and 6 a.m. I thought I would puke and did not want to disturb the other runners so I hid in my rental car, which I had bought every insurance known to man just in case I did puke in it) and did see my friend Wayne finish. And of course I got to see many of my friends who I met along the course including 50 milers: Amy, Ed, Frankie, "Francis and Joe" (my ride to the Breakers Marathon in 2007), and 100 milers: Dane (#15 until the 3rd lap when I finally asked his name), Frank P, Colin, Dave, #90 (who seemed to be going about the same pace for 20 miles as I was for the 16 miles) and so many others.

A bit of a Family Reunion and Rocky Raccoon 50 miler Bound!

Tommorrow I leave for Texas. I will be running Rocky Raccoon 50 miler while several of my friends will be running the 100 miler. I will be volunteering Saturday night after I finish, so I'll be pulling the all nighter the easy way!

My friends who I hope to see many times as they pass me include Jamie D (Umstead 100), Anthony P (VT 100 pacer), Angela I (too many marathons to name), Wayne (VT 100), Will & Luann T (JFK 50 and fellow Reston Runners) and many others. It should be a mini-reunion.

While at Rocky Raccoon in Texas I will be able to spend some time with my mom who is in Texas for the winter. I haven't seen my mom since November, so I will be able to check up on her. She still has a bit of memory loss from her stroke 2 years ago, and it is easier to see her physically to check up on her rather then rely on phone conversations which may be negatively impacted by poor cell service. Also, it is always nice to spend time with family (no matter how rushed). this means for those of you keeping count, I will have spent a weekend with each family member since the beginning of the year. While my family is a bit nutz, I love them and it is good that I can hang out with all of them.

Mardi Gras Marathon Pictures-vol 3

Appreciating some King Cake provided by a really nice neighborhood in the garden district. This was the best King Cake, it was filled with a custard cream and was very tasty. And look at the ambiance of this aid station: Mimosa's, Bloody Mary's, King Cake and Flowers...I love this marathon!

A self portrait along the course at Audobon Park. Behind me you can see a fountain, a gazebo and big oak tree's as well as an island in which a golf course is located.

A different swamp at City Park after I have relieved myself of my "Southwest" apparal. City Park is a substantial park that is a bit more rustic then Audobon Park in the Garden District. Although City Park also has an art museum, a small amusement park, several playgrounds and various buildings including many gazebo's and a parthenon like building.

With my friends from the red-dress aid station. They were really sweet! But the gentleman on my right had a low cut (in the back) dress with a significant of back hair he was very proud of which cracked me (and the others up)!

Enjoying a cool refreshing beer along the course at the vampire aid station. I think during this course I could have availed myself to about 15 sanctioned and unsanctioned aid stations with signficant amounts of alcohol. In fact starting about 8 a.m. there were definitely aid station volunteers who were appreciating their products which made for some pretty amusing conversations.

New Orleans pictures-vol 2

This is the best way to enjoy a race (as a spectator along the side)

Enjoying a slide along the course (note: somewhat later in the race as my southwest bag was no longer a part of my outfit!)

Doing a pull-up along the course

And of course a sit up...I am a work out machine!!!!

Running to the finishline (seriously!). It might have been the only bit of the race I actually run, but alas the picture proves it!

New Orleans Marathon Pictures

My doggie friends...I met them last year and was excited to see them again this year

Enjoying a Martini on Tristans behalf at the Vampire Aid station

Enjoying some King Cake along the course...I could also had about my 10th martini or 7th Bloody Mary. The folks in New Orleans really appreciate their drinking and start early.

At the finish after breaking 6 hours

With my friends Cheryl and Jennifer, a pair of sisters I ran a good portion of the race with. They were really nice and so sweet. Hopefully I will be able to run another race with them in the future.

Aimless wandering in New Orleans

Today I tried to stretch my legs after yesterdays marathon by walking around New Orleans. Unfortunately it was rainy and cold today. But I did get to go to Mardi Gras World and saw some floats that will be used in this years parade as well as floats from previous years. I also wandered around bourbon street/french quarter. It was alot of fun.

I also stumbled on the best eatery "Mothers" restuarant a really tasty place with po-boys, ettoufee and many other southern specialties. I ate there for both lunch and dinner trying different foods. It was really good!

New Orleans Marathon

Today I ran the Mardi Gras Marathon in New Orleans. This was my second time running this marathon and it did not disappoint! I had a great time, met many new friends, saw many "seasoned" friends and loved the course and the volunteers along the course.

It took me just under 6 hours to complete. During my marathon I took nearly 600 pictures, earned some beads, went into a bar/laudromat and probably got my picture with a local barfly (although the one that actually had both bar and laundramat in the same place seemed to be closed), enjoyed a martini (well at least holding one), met many local dogs and even went off course for over a mile (as per my Garmin!). Overall it was a sucessful race for me.

I will upload som pictures when I return home on Wednesday.

The Wisdom of Co-Hosting a Full Day Presentation before a Marathon

Powder expressing her displeasure at it being winter. Or maybe yelling...."No, don't go away again mommy!"

A picture from the summer in which Powder, Sagwa and Zaboo were hanging out in our fenced yard.

Zaboo and Sagwa practicing their kayaking technique this past summer. It is good they are just practising because they clearly cannot figure out which is the top or the bottom! But from Sagwa's face you can see she is really enjoying the wind in her fur. And it kind of looks like Boo is simply along for the ride.

Today I spent the vast majority of my time on my feet presenting a vision and setting up a workshop which I am organizing in September. There were over 100 people in attendance, so it was fairly large. In my case, this vast majority of this meeting was "time on feet" (which is good training for my marathons and ultras) and 8 hours of speaking (which may not be so good for training...in fact our microphone broke about 80% into the meeting and at that time I just had to speak REALLY loudly).

Hopefully by Sunday my voice is back because I have lots of cheering in me for the New Orleans Marathon! (Which apparently several times I mentioned was "only a marathon"...I preambled our meeting with, the meeting was scheduled to end by 4, I wanted it to finish by 3:30 and in fact ended before 3 because I needed to pack for my trip/marathon!). And in fact to get mentally prepared for New Orleans I gave the core committee Mardi Gras beads so they would stand out (and to get me psyched for this trip).

Am I Southwest Airlines Biggest Fan??

This weekend I will be making what seems to be my weekly pilgrimage to BWI airport for another trip via Southwest to warmer places. I am really excited about New Orleans and know I will have lots of fun running, exploring and of course eating!

One of the reasons I like Southwest so much is that 99% of employees are very humorous, pleasant, upbeat and cheerful. I appreciate this in a company because it mirrors my personality (I think...well except when I am kept up after 10 p.m. then I turn into the Grinch!)

Below I have copied some of my drink coupons. These coupons crack me up. You will see southwest kindly provides conversation starters and stoppers. In addition to being good for a flight, these are probably good suggestions for business meetings. Perhaps I will implement these suggestions in some upcoming meetings:-)
The conversation stoppers are pretty amusing...if you cannot read it I suggest you consider investing in a pair of glasses! Just kidding, simply click on the picture to read the suggestions.

The conversation starters are less humorous but they are pretty good idea's for any situation in which you want to get to know a person in an interesting way.

New Orleans Bound

With Tristan in the Garden District during the first part of the marathon. The course was really beautiful (particularly the first half). The second half definitely went through some sections that Katrina had devastated. I find it is good to see these areas to be reminded about what a great life I have and to really appreciate all that I have.

Doing a pull up on the course. I really stink at pull ups and in fact for a few days after the marathon I was wondering why my arms/shoulders hurt!

Trying to dull the pain from the pull up. And pre-emtively trying to deal with the pain of my beads (which I earned by asking for..not exposing my sports bra!) By the end I had about 15 beads and made a signficant amount of noise. Each step, all the beads thumped my chest and actually lead to a small bruise which took a week or two to go away. Clearly I have not learned my lesson because this year I intend to see how many beads I can score.

With my friends Anne and Meg. We met about mile 15 and jogged about 8 miles together. They were really good company and I do sporadically keep in touch. Sadly neither Anne nor Meg are coming to New Orleans (even though Southwest had fares for about $65)

Enjoying a beignet after the race. Tristan snapped a bunch of pictures during this eating session. I ended up with tons of sugar all over myself. But it was SOOOO good!!! I can almost taste a beignet now. I can barely wait.

I am getting excited about another trip. This weekend I will be flying to New Orleans for the Mardi Gras Marathon. For this marathon vacation I am paying for my flight, but Southwest is really almost forcing me to go with a round trip flight costing ~$120 with fee's! And I am saving a bit more money by traveling with my friend/co-worker Qian.

Last Memorial Day weekend, Qian and I traveled to the Vermont City Marathon at Burlington VT. Our vacation was sucessful so now we are going to a different locale. I think we will have a great time sightseeing, eating and doing lots of activities in New Orleans. We arrive Saturday and are at New Orleans until Wednesday early morning. So far the weather is predicted to be in the mid-60's our entire stay which should be very nice.

I have run Mardi Gras Marathon last year and had a GREAT time. Tristan and I were there from Saturday until Tuesday morning. We saw many sights and ate a considerable amount. But when we left we had lots of activities we wanted to do but ran out of time. And we had lots of food we wanted to eat, but ran out of stomach space! This year hopefully I can be more sucessful.

During this trip we are planning to go to the garden district, go on a paddle boat, go to Mardi Gras World and go to the Zoo and of course we will eat lots of New Orlean style food (a head to head comparison of Beignets at Cafe DuMonde and Cafe Beignet are on my list of my "must eats").

Happy Birthday to my Dad!

In front of Bell Rock early on during our hike. You will notice there is a lower part and an upper part. During our hike we were able to climb up to the first plateau. It was moderately difficult because you had to work from one side to the other finding climbable portions. In fact you also had to watch out for the cactus which added a degree of complexity (and made it so you had to scramble up carefully)

With my dad along Courthouse Butte hike. You can see a large rock up to the left with a rock stack on the top. My dad had climbed to the top of this rock and created a "vortex" (well my dad said the vortex was already there, we just added an exclamation mark with the rock stack).

At the top of Bell rock, which we hiked around for a bit (although you had to move from side to side to find area's that were hikeable/climbable). There were some very impressive views and I imagine it would have been spectacular if the sun was out.

My dad's birthday bouquet from Tristan and I. The "vase" is supposed to be a smiley face mug, which I thought was cute and reusable. Although perhaps it was just a cute smiley vase. It arrived at his place right before he left for a night of activities. I wonder what freebies he will find (I know Hollywood Video's gives a free rental and Denny's used to give a free birthday meal--if anyone knows where to acquire freebies, it is my dad:-)

Last week my dad and I celebrated my dad's 70th birthday early (a 4 day weekend made last weekend a better weekend for me). To celebrate we met up in Arizona and hiked extensively in Sedona.

I took my dad out for an early birthday dinner during our trip. I went all out by treating him to taco del mar for a $3 dinner:-) I was prepared to take him to Yogurtini for dessert and did share my frozen yogurt treat with him.

More Sedona Pictures and a summary of some hikes

Along Baker Trail (in northwest Sedona). This trail was about 4 miles, although we almost made it about a 2700 mile hike because we did not have a clear map and my dad has a mediocre sense of direction. Luckily my Garmin 305 (not the Garmin 405 that hates me) has a feature that enables you to see where your trip started at so we were able to find the car this way. I had bought a good hiking map but sadly it was in the car and thus of no use when we hit the "Y" along the trail.

Hiking Huckabee Trail, a nice trail that starts at a nice vista then hikes into Oak Creek Canyon. This hike was about 2 miles round trip but could have been extended as per the map. But I think a flood may have taken out a bridge making this nearly impossible. Notice in this picture the rickety bridge we had to cross. It was not in great shape and in fact sagged under both my dads and my weight (individually)

In the bottom of the Oak Creek Canyon along Huckabee Trail. Within about 20 minutes we were at the bridge you can see in the background, thus it was not too difficult a trail. In fact during this trip I realized the Eastern Trails seem alot more technical with rocks and roots than the Sedona and Phoenix Trails at least.

With my dad at the top of Devils Arch. This was a 1-2 mile beautiful hike from the trailhead. However, to get to the trailhead my dad made us hike in about 1.5 miles because he was afraid the rental car would get busted on the unimproved road. On our way back we were able to hook up with a nice pair of hikers who had parked at the trailhead who kindly offered us a ride to the rental car.

At the bottom of Devils Arch. This arch was quite large. I would guess 50 feet long (2 school buses long), 20 feet across and about 200 feet high. It was quite spectacular and definitely worth the hike to get to it. Also the views from the Arch were also very pretty.

Monday-Wednesday this week after a few days in Phoenix for the marathon, I vacationed at Sedona AZ with my dad. We both are hikers so much of our time was outside seeing a variety of sights. We went on about 4 distinct moderate length hikes including:

1) Baker Point

2) Devils Arch

3) Huckabee

4) Courthouse Butte and Belle Rock

We also went to Montezuma's Castle (Indian Ruins in a cliff), Montezuma Well (Indian Ruins and a spring fed pool), and walked briefly around the town of Sedona. The weather was always nice (up until Wednesday every day was sunny, and even Wednesday morning was pleasant, but just a bit overcast). All of these hikes I think we both enjoyed. We also did Red Rock Slide State Park, which I think both of us were a bit disappointed but think it was just the wrong season to appreciate this landmark.