Jacksonville Marathon- December 19, 2010

Well, another marathon is done.  This makes 5 in 5 different states- Maine, Vermont, Alabama, Louisiana and now Florida.  Weather conditions called for light drizzle near the start time of 7am but then clearing but a bit windy and staying on the cool side- 40-50's.  Night before photo laying everything out-getting the number on the race belt, putting name on the shirt, getting gel packets ready, charging watch, etc.  The plan was to leave by 4:45am to give us time to get there and park and find the starting line, etc.  We left a bit before that so right on schedule.

And of course in the right hand side of the photo is the glide, safety pins, and baby aspirin.

Parking was a nightmare but we finally found a spot on a side road.  I wanted to keep my long sleeve shirt on because of the cold and then I snagged Bruce's hooded sweatshirt while awaiting the starting gun.  Edie and I decided to get the watches started about 15 minutes til the gun- my mind did go back to new Orleans when at that point I discovered that my watch had NOT charged the night before.  Hence, it was just added weight during the race!

Here we are:

The first 8 miles or so was chilly and I started to feel that my legs were heavy-didn't think I could manage the pace for the entire 26.2 miles.  Mentally I was exhausted right then and each quarter mile from there until 13 was tough.  I decided to turn on the music and that helped tremendously!  I started to pick up the pace from 13-19 and then just couldn't wait to see the mile 20 marker!

The last 6 though was some of the slowest but I knew that each step was bringing me closer to the finish line! They had run out of space blankets by the time I got there- although there were supposedly at least 800 more behind me! I guess they didn't order enough.

Here is the video that Bruce shot of the race.

To Share or Not to Share- that is the ?

Ok friends, family, and all right perhaps the world wide web, sharing my personal web blog is a little bit scary I have to say.  But what am I keeping all these posts and pictures and discussions to myself for? And don't I have several bloggers that I follow and that I enjoy reading about?! So I am going to do it!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

December is here! So much to do!

I know, I know, it has been awhile since the last post.  Saying I was busy should not be an excuse at all.  I can certainly pick up this netbook, open it up and create a post!

So with that said...here is what has been happening.  I went on a cruise to Cozumel out of Mobile.  Friends Anne and Steve flew in from Maine and we went out on Nov 11-Nov 15.

I had a rough time on board the ship again-a bit queasy until I changed medicine. I think I need to keep my feet on solid ground.  We ate at a great Mexican restaurant called Pancho's Backyard. It had awesome Mango Margaritas.

Then I headed out to San Antonio, Texas on Nov. 17 to meet some friends who now live in Austin. We stayed at a Holiday Inn that used to be a jail.

I saw some great tennis and walked to the Riverwalk almost every day.  It was very nice to see Pam and Kristen again as well as get to see the rest of the team.

New Sneakers?

So this is a discussion about when runners should switch shoes....

Of course the rule of thumb is supposed to be every 3-400 miles but then of course it is probably a bit about the shoe. This is my current dilemna. I had been running in Saucony Hurricanes since going to my orthopedist and being told I need a stable shoe for an overpronator. I had been happy and relatively pain free for years when...I win a free pair of Brooks Trance 9. They were lighter, even with orthotics and so I have started training in them. I have 300 miles on them and have started having more Achilles pain and some heel pain. Now, is it time for new shoes? same Brooks shoes or back to Sauconys? Or did this occur because of over training while in Gatlinburg? My hiking boots are in need of replacing as well. At what point do orthotics need replacing? or do they? Lots to think about while I take today off and decide what to do.

Update From Daphne

Well, well just waiting for the coffee to get perked and it's another Monday morning.

Tennis-the team went 2-2. Wind and cold were the constants for the Shore. It is still chilly here this morning as well, but the sun is shining. Putting away the tennis racket for awhile to concentrate on finishing the running necessary for the upcoming marathon.

Jacksonville-I had taken off a week because of a tight, sore left Achilles. Playing tennis on the clay did not seem to help but the final day of playing on hard courts it felt great so I was encouraged. Decided to try and run the 15 that was back on week 7 of the training program. Bundled up and headed to the Fairhope Pier. Had a great run and used KT tape. I also ordered a Pro-Tec Roller that is used in physical therapy sessions to try and get rid of the scar tissue. Waking up this morning, legs are sore which I suppose is expected with running 15 after taking a week off so I will stretch out on my foam roller and try an easy 3. Hoping that Jacksonville does not come upon me too fast.

Cruise-Cruising in 3 days and my Maine friends will be here late tomorrow evening. So excited to see them. Bruce has Wednesday off and we are hoping to have a few people over and have some ribs that night.

Kristin's Birthday-Also daughter Kristin had her 24th birthday. We called and talked to her on the phone yesterday. She was headed out to dinner. Does not seem possible that I had a baby that long ago. How time flies.

Tennis on the Gulf Shore

November4-7 is tennis on the Gulf Shore time. My team is going to the shore to play from Thursday-Saturday and hopefully we will be winning. It is the USTA Combo League Finals. My team is staying down there on the coast so I will try to post at least a team picture if not some action photos! Weather looks good for the rest of the week, although it is supposed to be cooler in the mornings.

November in Bama

Ok, so a quick update on life here in LA(Lower Alabama)!

Created my own web site this morning and will continue to update it with pictures, recipes, and family happenings. I enjoy using all this new technology and I want to preserve all of this information for later generations. It is also a way for me to keep in touch with others who live away from the sunny south. lol!

I really would like to start writing in the blog at least on a weekly basis-sometimes I think that it is necessary to write or create a clever new post when in actuality it is probably better to just add a new picture or write about a new headline or update folks about the marathon training! So I will try to get better at this!

Halloween came and went. Next year I would like to host a Costume Party and decorate the house more. Sarah and I walked around the development with some friends and their children and we got to see some great decorations. It was so much fun to be able to see children being able to trick or treat in a development setting with temps in the high 60s. Made me think about rural Maine and the colder temps for the grandkids. Can't wait to see their costumes in the pictures Kristin sends me.

Now, the marathon training update! Injuries are trying to stop me but I am managing. Had a great first 3 weeks and then while hiking AND running in Tennessee I had the first twinges of plantar fasciitis in left foot and then the left Achilles tendonitis settled in. I am now sidelined for this week and hoping that rest and deep tissue massage will do its magic. December 19th looms large!

Trip to Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg Oct 2010 Slideshow: Carla’s trip from Mobile, Alabama, United States to Gatlinburg, Tennessee was created by TripAdvisor. See another Gatlinburg slideshow. Create a free slideshow with music from your travel photos.

George and Laura Lee's Wedding: Sept. 25, 2010

The wedding....finally here. And the day seems perfect. Temps will be in the 70s and the sun is shining. Bruce and I got to Laura's a little before 3pm and got a chance to see her and Tim before they had to dress and head out for pictures at the church.

Bruce and I got there and sat in front of Joell, Sarah, Hazel, and Luella. Troy came in and sat with us and then Jenay with Wyliam.  He is getting so big.  Bruce had not seen any of the 3 little ones.

Wedding was wonderful and had some different parts to it. They had a bagpipe-r lead them in and out of the church. The reception was next door. We stayed until almost 11pm and danced to "Sweet Home Alabama". Food and cake were excellent. Here are some pictures I took.

George with his mother Laura

Troy with Wyliam and Hazel 

Heather

Me with Hazel

Feeding of the cake

Wyatt's Soccer

Saturday morning, Sept. 24th Wyatt had a soccer practice and Bruce and I got to attend.  He had told us about his cleats and that he was on the "red" team.  These are some pictures from that.  He did score a goal during a short scrimmage with another team-they were blue

Pizza Picnic @ the Playground

We were able to see all 4 grandkids and Kristin at the Wiscasset Playground last week when we flew to Maine. Here are some pictures that I took while there. Wyatt went to the Quik Stop with Grampy and helped him pick up the pizza and Dakota met them at the car and helped carry the milks back.

In Charlotte

Great flight so far this morning. Enjoying coffee with Bruce in Starbucks waiting for the next leg of the trip. Rain in Portland this morning though. Maybe it will stop before we get there!

Rangeley and Wedding

Well, as I get ready to start packing for the Northeast, I must remember that it will be much colder than here in Bama. We have had the driest Sept on record and temps have still managed to hit 90 every day. Maine has already dipped into 40s and I suspect that while in Rangeley, temps might not get into the 60s even.

Trip schedule looks like this- flying to Portland 24th and visiting with Kristen and family. Then off to Milbridge/Cherryfield area for a wedding. We look forward to seeing all the cousins and family while there. From there we will drive to Rangeley where we have a 3 bedroom cabin for the week and will enjoy some hiking in the Maine woods. Hopefully we will get to hike Saddleback again, and maybe venture out to the Horn.

Will add pictures from the trip while there!

Take Ten for Writers

Ok, so this is a book that is supposed to generate ideas for writing and I thought I would write in my blog-actually save drafts and then publish the final copy.  You read a scenario and then write for 10 minutes without stopping.  Of course, the first one is about the future and perhaps a bit on the science fiction line.  Not something I am even remotely interested in but I will follow directions and try this.

The Ship

Oct 10, 3010

After a long flight we make it to Earth or what used to be Earth. We had to fight monsoon-like winds when we descended over the Pacific Ocean and then we had a rough landing into the water but we are here.  It of course started out as a training flight but because of a malfunction with the gigantic hose that treats the biofuel cannisters, we decided on an alternative plan and then couldn't make it to the docking station on Moon #2.

I sat there growing ever more anxious about the "malfunction" and possible crash landing, but Joshua was straight on.  He is an excellent pilot and cool as steel.  After a fairly easy water landing, we tried to fire up the radio to send back to Gizasta where we went down but that may take several days so here we sit, smack dab in the middle of the Pacific-beautiful, blue water though, waiting and working on fixing the problem.

 I have considered several options for spending this time with Joshua.  After all, he is not that bad looking, although many years older.  My parents would have a total meltdown I suppose. He does have a sense of humor so I suppose the conversation might be at least bearable and I did bring this journal to write about our training and travels, but who wants to write for days on end.  As for any type of exploration, well......what is out there?  We have not had any updated reports about Earth for at least 2 decades so maybe this is a golden opportunity to do a bit of legwork.  Probably ought to clear that with the home office though.  If only we could fix the radio!


Done with the 10 minutes.  I found that I could not help but wonder what the Earth would look like in the future or even if it would exist.  Also what names people would use for things and if they would have the same phrases, like "cool as a cucumber" so I changed it to "cool as steel".  And now, after rereading the scenario, there is no mention of Earth, so again it is my mind working with what it is used to...the norm...that is why it would be tough for me to write science fiction.

Marathon Training Schedule

Not sure if you can read this but maybe it can be enlarged a little bit!

This is what I will try to start Sept 26th in preparation for the Jacksonville Marathon Dec 19th.

Check out the Web Site

http://www.1stplacesports.com/jm.html

Top 10 Reasons I Miss Maine

10. Hiking-up real mountains. Bama's highest peak is just over 2,000' and we are used to NH and Maine's rugged 4,000' peaks.


9. Supporting WHS athletics!


8. Biking Routes in Maine-Bama is not a real friendly place for biking although Smart Coast is trying to raise awareness. Favorite route right now is Gulf Shores.


7.The few times a year of enjoying the snow -mainly the skiing and snowshoeing. Sugarloaf and Sunday River are two favorites.


6. Dunkin' Donuts and Dairy Queen-two of my favorites! I always get coffee and a Blizzard when I go home.


5. Living right behind Shaws-getting groceries or one item that I need to go buy is harder here.


4. My kitchen in the old house-it had a magnificent island and lots of cupboard space.


3. Cousins Week End- Even though I made it in 2009, BP hasn't gotten there for 2 years in a row and I hope we make it in 2011!


2. A White Christmas!  It does seem odd to have it so warm here all through the winter.  Last New Years Eve day it was 70!


1. Family and Friends!  Especially the grand babies because they grow soooo fast and are starting school, etc.Of course Kristin and Tylor, Mom and Dad, my former colleagues and many many dear friends.

Top 10 Reasons I Love Living in the South

10. Not working- this one may seem like a no brainer to many but I occasionally ponder my next career choice, or job, or class....

9 . Sun is most always shining-sunshine has been known to boost a person's emotional well being; it always makes me smile.

8. No snow-oh all right there was that one time last year when it spit snow for 10 minutes in the back yard and the schools were cancelled but it beats those long, Maine winters.

7. Running year round outside! That says it all! Again, I may have forgotten that last winter was the 4th coldest on record and that I ran the Mobile First Light Marathon with hand warmers, but what are the odds it will happen again this winter.

6. No inspection stickers- saves me money! Yay!

5. The gorgeous downtown Mobile skyline- I love that view.  It is fabulous and always brings a smile to my face.

4. Living in a development- I really, really like this! The neighborhood has mature trees and it is nice to see so many out walking their dogs or running.

3. Being 3 miles from whatever store I need to get to- Lowes, the Mall, gas, Redbox.....enough said.

2. Being part of the Newcomers- it is great to be connected to a large group of folks who arrived from away. They have many group activities and get togethers and we take part in the Couples Bridge Group which has proven to be so much fun.  I just joined a food group as well.

1. Being able to explore-We are close to many great beaches, casinos, and other terrific states to explore.  With my love of travel and adventurous spirit, I have found so much to see and do and I know it will take many more years to see and do all I want to!

2 Hot Babes

Love this picture taken by Hannah and sent to Sarah! Reminds me of an older picture I have with Wyatt and Dakota with the sunglasses on. I will have to try and find it!

Smart Coast Ride May 2, 2010

This was a terrific bike ride that my friend Margo and I did in order to raise awareness about the need for better bike routes-share the road! It was 32 miles and went from the streets of Fairhope to Lulus in Gulf Shore. It was so much fun but it was very windy that day-at times I thought that I would get blown over. It reminded me of the wicked witch on the Wizard of Oz when she was riding the bike and the wind whipping through her hair. Hope to do it again this year.

Rainy Weather

Well, we here in LA have experienced a bit of rainy weather.  Granted these are sessions of downpours followed by clear skies but it does make it difficult to mow the lawn! I know I shouldn't complain but the grass is getting higher. My plan today is to mow both the front and back yards! This task after taking a Zumba class with Sarah. Will let you know how it goes.

Alligator Alley

Ok, this is a post about the "amusement" park that Bruce and I took Hannah and Sarah to last week. We prepared to go on Friday night and had it timed to see the "feeding" of the gators at 4pm. Unfortunately, I stepped in a fire ant hill while taking a picture of the girls in front on the sign at the entrance and it sent me to the ER for several hours. We ended up getting rain checks for the following day and returned for the 11am feeding. The staff are great-humorous and informative and it is a great place to visit. I would highly recommend the snake area as well. Here are some pictures from when we were there.

A bit about my new life in the South

Well, since last September I have become involved in the community of Daphne and the larger city of Mobile, Alabama. I have made some great new friends who I run and play tennis with on a regular basis. I am a member of the local YMCA as well as the Daphne Public Library. I enjoy being so close to the Malls and I really love living in a development. This fall, my youngest daughter has come to live with us and attend South so Bruce and I got her room prepared- ceiling fan and Direct TV (lol) and are enjoying her company!

Wordle (image of words)

Up and Running Again!

I just found my blog and am not very happy to see that so much time has gone by since I last wrote. These stories and pictures are so precious. I am going to make a concerted effort to keep up with this blog this time.