September Wrap Up

September just flew by, didn't it?


Field Trips- 3: Malbis Church, Jackson Oak and Paddle Boarding at Magnolia Springs


Miles Run or is it Ran?  126

Not that that is what I look like in the least! Ha! Looks like a fun place to run though.


Current Aches and Pains-  My Achilles has been better.  Currently alternating between 3 pairs of shoes.  My Brooks for long runs, my Nike Frees for shorter distances, and Nike Airs for in betweens.  Seems to be working for the legs.

I rolled an ankle last night playing tennis, so iced it quickly and think it will be ok.  Especially since I have 19 coming up tomorrow morning.

Had another case of vertigo this week.  Couch bound for 3/4 of a day.  It makes me feel grateful for those days when I am up and moving, let me tell ya:)


Current Obsession- Words with Friends; everyone in the household on different computers/cells playing with each other and others!  Craziness- oohhhh, how many points for that??

And, of course, I am playing it while trying to write this blog post!



Current Drink- Coconut Water; trying it as a post run drink right now.  Might try it on a long run.  Dean drinks it!!!

Current Song/Artist/Album- William Fitzsimmons with The Sparrow and the Crow; found him on Spotify when a friend was listening on FB. 



Current Dislike- hmmmmm, that I cannot seem to get as much done as I would like in the day?


Current Book- Between, Georgia by Joshilyn Jackson.  The feud that began the night a baby was stolen is escalating.... doesn't that make you want to read more?

Current Goals-  Clean out and organize a closet in the computer room and attend Bird Fest next week. Be nice to just get one of these done, preferably the fun one! Lol:)

Current Treat- California Tart frozen yogurt with fresh fruit at one of three local yogurt shops that opened in close proximity!

Ok, back to Words with Friends- killer game currently with BP!

Friday Field Trip- Sept 16th

Finally tried paddleboarding!

Bruce and I made reservations for paddleboarding for Friday afternoon.  They would meet you at Jesse's Restaurant at Magnolia Springs with the boards and you could have them for 4 hours to paddle up and down the river.  My link to Magnolia Springs has a loop of pictures and a couple of them are where we paddled.

Sounded like lots of fun.  The only things making me nervous were a) falling off and b) snakes. 

I had crossed the alligator off the list since I had never heard of any in this river nor seen any for that matter.  I almost decided to get kayaks instead, but really wanting to try paddleboarding we decided to brave it. When asked if there were snakes, our guide did smile and say "well, yes, they are around but I have only seen 1 in the water while paddling."  You might think that this would heighten my anxiety, but it did just the opposite.  The odds were against me seeing any! Yay!


Our guide helped place the boards into the river and gave us a water tight box to attach to the end of the board with cell phone and keys.  We took life jackets, but never put them on.  He suggested we start on our knees and then stand up when ready.  It was such fun! 

So peaceful on the river and the boards went smoothly along.  We saw  turtles, both on logs and swimming,  jumping fish,

and a beautiful blue heron repeatedly on our 3 hour long excursion.

We did get some slight waves from a motorboat with water skiers and one time we were already down on our knees taking a break.  The other time, we were standing up and Bruce made for the knees pretty quickly.  I was going to try standing through it all- see how my balance was- but then I got nervous and also got down.

I will definitely go again and who knows might buy some boards.  Here are the pictures we took, being careful not to lose the cell in the murky waters!  Lol:)

Wacky Wednesday Words

or rants or just ramblings

First of all I have had 3 good runs in a row which really calls for a celebration of sorts! Yesterday, the 5 miles felt good but I did realize that I should have started the run earlier.  The sun and humidity showed up earlier than I wished it had.

And so, with that in mind, last night I watched the weather forecast to see what was in store today

That of course, might seem to most to be hot when in fact that is cooler temps for us Bamians! However, I like to run around 70 or cooler so when you back up this hour by hour forecast, you realize that by 8 it will be 75 and they used the word "HUMIDITY" several times! Yikes!  So, I went to bed early hoping to wake up early and get the run out of the way.  After all, it was 8 miles.

????  No, it went like clockwork! I woke up at 5:00 and of course became instantly wide awake, knowing that I needed to get running.  Funny how that happens.  So I hit the pavement at 5:30 and how nice to be at the computer, run all finished.  I have discovered that about myself.  I AM a morning runner?! No other way around it.  I enjoy watching and hearing the world awaken.  Other good news?  Cooler temps and less humidity for the week-end! Yippee!

Now, look what I found that I hope to get for Christmas.  I already pasted the picture on FB and alerted my husband to that fact.  Hope he remembers.  Will need to remind him several more times I  am sure.

There is a story behind this of course! As I ran the First Light, a marathon here in Mobile (Jan 2010), I was joined during the run by a talkative man.  I am not much of a talker (while running).  Real life, now look out! But, as we ran up a long stretch at about mile 18 he said that it still looked like I had good form and was doing a great job. And, of course, I thought, yeah well I guess not too shabby and I am keeping up with this guy.  Anyhow, in the next sentence, he tells me he just did Jackson, Miss the day before.  Well, okay dokey, now I maybe am not feeling like I am doing as well.  Lol:)  Anyway, this guy had done a marathon in ALL 50 states and was starting over?!!!!  Incredible. 

 So, of course, it started me thinking- as if I need another crazy goal in my life, but...maybe 1 in each state was doable.  So, I have completed 5 in 5 different states.  A 6th signed up for and maybe 2 more on the horizon in the early part of 2012.  My husband just shakes his head and says it can't be done. Not enough time for me to do it. But where's the harm in trying, right?  Must have the XMas ornament!

So, any crazy goal oriented folks out there?

What is your favorite running time?

Friday Field Trip- postponed/ Marathon Training Update

Ok, so Friday was way too hectic to get to the "place" I wanted to tour so I have postponed that trip for 9/23.  Should take about 40 min to get there and 2 1/2 there with 40 back so perhaps you see why I did not make it yesterday.

Today was spent running 17 miles with John and Margo.  We tried out a new route and that is why I love love love my Garmin!!!!

 I bought it in 2009 and have used it almost to death.  You don't need to drive your run route beforehand, you can deviate anytime during the run that you want, and it is a great traveling companion (Lol).  I have used it in Orlando, Aruba, Maine, Myrtle Beach, San Antonio, etc. Only downside is when you think you have charged the battery and then find it did not happen- say, when I got to the starting line for New Orleans and turned it on only to find that it kept shutting itself back off.  Now this might have unnerved many a runner.  They did use clocks but had corrals and different start times for waves of runners so I would have to subtract a certain amount of time form each clock and one knows late in a marathon, math and anything else like that is NOT what one wishes to do! All worked out though, afterall, what was the alternative?!  So I ran with the watch which probably weighed me down (Lol) and been extra vigilent about it never happening again.

Spent the morning running past the local Y, local library, through Alligator Alley, and then into Meaher State Park on the Causeway.  Truly an unforgettable run with temps in the high 60s-low 70s.

Printed out the map for Savannah and looked at route information. 23,000 runners for the combined 1/2 and full so it will be crowded. Will have to drive the route on that Friday.  This is a Sat marathon- a bit different than others I have done.  The plan is to drive over Thursday and get to hotel.. maybe do packet pick up then but I think we will wait until Friday and do the expo and pick up at the same time. Then run marathon Sat and do post party and then drive back Sun with several stops for some stretching and walking around. 

Tanked or Thankful

Ok, so here we go again.  Out for a 4 mile run.  Should be easy, right?! After all, I just did 13 in the rain. Wrong! Nada.  Tough breathing.  Heavy legs.  Lots of negativity- at least for the final mile.  First three weren't great but at least I ran them all.  Last mile was a combination walk/run.

So, here is where the thankful part comes in.  I am still able to get shoes on my feet and out the door TO run.  No tropical storms or hurricanes in the Gulf right now.  Get to see Harlan Coben today for a book signing. Playing tennis tonight. So, quit the whining Carla!!!  Suck it up as my father-in-law would say!

Afterall, there is always that 17 you have this week-end to look forward to!  Lol:))



Besides running.  I know, there must be some variety. Thinking about Field Trip Friday and have a special place in mind!  Tune in tomorrow to read all about it!

Running in the Rain- Thanks Lee

Runners and especially long distance runners are always trying to fit those long runs in on the week-end amidst family plans, weather, and sleep.  There are many considerations.

First and foremost- what day to run?  What does each person's schedule look like? This week, either Sat morning or Sunday morning would have worked.

2- what does the weather look like? Well, let's see now, it looks like Tropical Depression turned into Tropical Storm Lee and she is making a mess of the schedule!!! Slow moving and packing lots of rain.  Probably better to get it done Sat morning.  This does NOT mean a dry 13 miles.  Of that, we know.  That means, wet, soggy shoes, socks, clothing.  Possibly lots of chafing.

3- route? Well, always better on the long runs to head out and back.  All well and good with dry conditions but with today's forecast, seems that perhaps it would be better to run loops somewhere just in case there are thunderstorms and tornado watches posted.  Ok, so a neighborhood and maybe 3 four miles laps with an extra mile tacked on.

4-set out all the stuff the night before or grab it in the morning...and I am talking gu's or gels, water with belt, sneakers, extra socks, glide, visor, breakfast foods... the list becomes endless.  Oh yeah, don't forget the watch.  Don't want to run too little or too much! Music? probably not for today with the rain.

So......headed to a neighborhood Sehoy, strapped on the water, set the watch and here we go.  First 3 go well and then all of a sudden, here comes the black clouds and we get caught in a torrential downpour! Everything soaked.  Stop for more water and gels after 4.  Decide against changing socks and head back out for the next 4 mile loop.  Weather clears after about 2 miles.  Starting to think about changing socks and shorts.  Hmmmmm maybe not. Finished with 8.  Decide to change shorts but not socks.  I am wearing toe socks and they have been great thus far.  Don't mess with something working! Weather cleared again.  Off we go.  Can't even get 1 mile in before the rain again!  But, hey whatever, pretty much wet and soggy and the best part...ALMOST DONE!!!!  Get back to the start with 1 mile to go.  Out .5 and back.  Here we go.  I really don't feel like doing it but you know, running with someone else sometimes helps you push through and after all, it's only 1 mile.  Break it down, .5. Just make it to the turn.  Get there and back!!!

Now, we can head into the week-end being done with the long run.  It is always such a great feeling to be done with it.  Can eat a bit more today, sleep in tomorrow, stay up later because we are hosting a party!!! Life is good!

Field Trip Friday

Well, not to disappoint y'all, even though it was a day shrouded in misty fog and with a light precipitation falling, I grabbed coffee, camera, and raincoat and headed for Bay Front Park.  It is the sight of Jackson's Oak, where legendary Andrew Jackson was to have made a speech to his troops from one of its massive branches in 1812.  Here is a link for more history and then on to my adventure.

Had enough space to park, what with the weather and all and decided to head out onto a pier that was there.  Saw these little crabs- and I mean little, not like those back in Maine.  A man I talked to said they are used for bait and then I watched another gentleman catching shrimp.

There was a board walk that I headed out to next and it was lovely- and a bit lonely. I will post a few flowers I saw along the way

and then the boardwalk ended and there was a sign

Ok, I do not relish seeing either of these sights and considered turning back until another time when I might have someone along, but then being the Maine adventurer I decided to continue onward and was rewarded by seeing a blue heron.

Finally, after having almost walked through some Banana Spider webs I found D'Olive Cemetery and then Jackson's Oak.  It was huge and massive and is hard to really appreciate fully from a picture.  The moss that hangs down and the sheer size of the tree was well worth the trip.