Day 14084, & I might have something to say...

So, It has been a really long time since I posted anything to this blog. As I have mentioned before, it seems that many blogs have been neglected over the last year or two. And while I am sure that we could do a psychological study on the effects of recession on one's creative endeavors, I'm just glad to know it's not just me...

Meanwhile, I have news.

I registered for my first full marathon. I will be running the Malibu International Marathon on November 14th, 2010. Yes, the day after my 39th birthday, I will be running this:

Now, I know what you might be thinking. Those hills look rough, especially after you've just run 20 miles. That would be the glass half empty attitude that I have been trying to break myself from. I am actually looking at this elevation chart and thinking that there is a little downhill reward after each of those inclines, not to mention a really long 2.2 miles downhill finish. See? Me? Half full...

I have to admit, I picked this marathon for a silly reason or two. First, it is in California. Good excuse to go west. Second, California, and LA specifically, will require a nice plane ride. Remember, I do love a nice long airplane flight. So, I redeemed A SHITLOAD of Delta miles for this:

This equipment is only used domestically on a few transcontinental flights. Since I don't see myself flying to Asia any time soon, I figured I'd take advantage of the opportunity. Plus, since Jay typically hates to fly, this provided him a bit more incentive to accompany me. After all, imagine what people would say about him if he didn't bother to cheer me on, witness my first marathon finish, or be there to collect my remains? Whatever the case, he's going...

On to the real reasons for this choice.

First, it is the day after my birthday. Ideally, it would have been the day before, but the marathon planners did not consult me. I would have preferred to complete a marathon at age 38 versus 39. Oh well. Plus, as I was born in Southern California, it only seems appropriate that I visit again for such an achievement. That way, if I die during the run, you all will be able to romanticize the story for all of your friends. I'm kind of selfless like that.

Secondly, there is the elevation chart. It is intriguing to me. The rise is nearly 200 feet and the hills are miles long. I don't even know what to think of that jagged, razor-like middle 10 miles. At the end of the day though, who doesn't want a 2 mile downhill finish, complete with airplane arms and all?

Most importantly, I picked it because I have plenty of time to train. I started with 6 months of time. I still have 161 days. I can allow for very gradual mileage increases, occasional cutbacks, and even a possible minor injury or two. What I have learned in the last two and a half years of running is that no matter how much I love the long run, it always hurts me. Too much, too soon. Apparently, the Hanson Brothers have discussed it extensively. Based on every injury I've had, It would appear that they are correct. No run should be more than 30% of my total weekly mileage. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

So, yeah, I am back at this blogging thing, for a bit anyway. Up until now, I have consistently used the "no time" excuse to justify my neglect. I have often used that same excuse to skip a run.

No more time for excuses...

Day 13384, & the beginning of "vacation"

So, as mentioned, my 4th of July holiday began with the 10K.

I awoke at 5:15 to have breakfast, coffee, and some extra stretching.  Jay decided to sleep in; he got up at 5:45.  We had decided he would come with me.  As the course was a double loop, he would get to hang out downtown, see me go by at the split, and then again at the finish.  Quality time spent before I rush to get ready to go to the airport, I'd say...

So, I ran the race.  I went out too fast, burned out too soon, and finished slightly better than last time.  Blah, blah, blah...

I watched a guy totally spill in the last mile, after the rain.  Jay witnessed a whole different disaster.  Apparently, the 5K people dress up for the race.

I guess I just wasn't feeling as patriotic as this guy was...

Post race, it was a speedy cool down, and then home to ready myself for my trip to Dodge City, KS.  

I made it to the airport by 10:45 for my 12:20 flight.  Checking in and breezing through security took a total of 8 minutes.  More time at the bar for some post race celebrating with a bartender named Dan at the Tootsie's Orchid Lounge at BNA.  It didn't help that there was a delay.  As a responsible passenger, I opted for a delay bottle of beer, vs the 22 ounce drafts I had been enjoying previously.  I have seen Airline enough times.  I know not to be visibly intoxicated while boarding.  This is especially true when my name pops up on the upgrade list...

The best seat on an airplane is always the bulkhead seat.   Sure, you have to stow your bag in the overhead.  Sure, you won't be able to get anything until the "fasten seat belt" light goes out.  But, as a trade off, you will have a better chance of having the other seat remain empty.  Apparently, most people are really that lazy; apparently, it is really that hard to stand up and get your carry-on down after take off.  And, if you manage to snag that upgrade to 1st class, there is nothing better than the feeling you get when that other seat is still empty and the agent closes the boarding door.

I should also mention that there is no better start to a vacation than a nice plane flight.  If I was clever/artistic, I might draw you a picture of how to accomplish this task.  As I am not that person, I will say only that you should do this on a traditional airline, not a discounter.  You should check your bag (regardless of the $20.00 they might charge you) as you will not miss carrying it around the airport with you.  Most importantly, you should always arrive at least 1 hour before boarding time (not departure time!!!).  If you get onto an airplane noticeably later than everyone else, I will give you the glare of death (trust me, it is bad.)  

I don't know if you are aware of this, but I am a bit of a control freak.  Things are pretty much expected to be just so.  When things are off center, out of place, or clearly just wrong, I have issue.  When I get on a plane, I pretty much have to give up control.  I would feel safe saying that once a sit down on a plane, I am completely relaxed.  Once, I sit down on a plane (without any small children close to me,) I am a completely different person.

How can you be be anything but relaxed when this is the view from the window?  If you have been living in the South for the last several years, it is pretty rare to see clouds like this in the summertime.

Ahh, relaxing...

And, in the event you are a nervous flyer, I have a solution for you, too...

Have a beer or three.  Always makes it better...

You know what also makes it better?  Getting the flight attendant on your side.  Always buy a copy of US Weekly, In Touch, or some other gossip rag to give to the attendant.  If you are uneasy about the blatant nature of this bribe, then it is recommended that you pretend to read it first.  Then you can just give it to them when you are "done."  Trust me, treat a flight attendant well, and they will hook you up...

I had to change planes in Dallas.  Lucky me, I arrived at C21 and my connection was C31.  Luckier me, the flight crew from Nashville was transferring, too.  No need to buy more gossip rags...

Delay number two was a result of said flight attendant feeling "uncomfortable" with the way the emergency slide was arming itself during pre-flight.  Judging from the look the Captain gave her, he seemed a bit uncomfortable with her judgment .  Me?  I had my bulkhead seat to myself, and had a pre-flight cocktail, so I was good...

Here's a preview of the next entry

Day 13309, & Spring is in the air...

Ahh, Spring...

Flowers blooming, grass growing, bees buzzing, airlines merging...

I have been pretty worked up over the last few days. According to Jay, I have been mean, hateful, and angry. Mayhaps this is true, but it isn't you, dear...

Anyway, just to catch you up, as it has been awhile since my last post:

Issue #1- The democratic primaries are just plain annoying. If one more issue gets tied up in race or gender I just might scream. Hasn't anyone realized that these two are just petty and foolish? Childishness is not a race or gender issue. It is an issue of maturity. I am beginning to wonder if I wouldn't make a better president.

Issue #2- Gas prices. I know that this isn't news, but it is very annoying. If it costs me 50.00 to fill up, so be it. But, of the 50.00, the government is getting 9 bucks. So, McCain suggested that the US suspend the gas tax for the summer. Good idea! Then, his critics said that such action would further the budget deficit. Really? Cause that's odd? Are they saying that the budget for the year was written under the assumption that the government would be getting .50/gallon this year? Hummm, interesting. It is like they planned it. I am not one to throw around conspiracy theories. This just really ticks me off.

Issue #3- Some oppose the Delta/Northwest idea. They say the deal isn't fair to the employees, the shareholders, or the consumers. Well, maybe the deal isn't perfect. I think it is preferable to 80000 lost jobs, an enormous stock loss, and the loss of TWO airlines. After all, Delta lost 6.2 BILLION dollars in 3 months!!! Really? Said merger is a bad idea? I will have more on this as I develop my strongly worded letter to the editor...

Saturday was Jay's birthday. Jay is one of those people who like to celebrate the birthweek. I am not one of those people and I refuse to do it. That said, I will pretty much deal with whatever he wants to do on his actual birthDAY. For example, I let him drive. Secretly, this is a selfish maneuver. It is my way of avoiding his critique of my driving and most certainly prevents a minor argument.

Anyway, off to the Farmer's Market we went. Why? Well, apparently we needed...

A pot. And, apparently, just any pot would not do. "We" looked and looked for just the right pot. This was fine, as there is really nothing I would rather do than hang out at the Farmer's Market on a Saturday morning before I have gotten my full coffee fix. We didn't ever find an acceptable pot during this morning trip. Maybe the afternoon would prove to be more successful.

After Jay's family dropped off their gifts, cards, etc, we were off to his favorite pond supply/garden/fish retailer.



I am much better with this than the earlier excursion. Who does like to look at a pond or two? We went with the plan of choosing a few new koi for the backyard. Easier said...

Upon arrival, Jay begins to think about all of the things he can do to change his pond. Coincidentally, all of these new ideas cost money. I point out that he said that the last time we enlarged the pond, he said that was going to be it. I also pointed out that the new pump, filter, etc that he bought last month should eradicate his newly acquired inferiority complex.



But still...


A man can dream...
(And, no, this thing is NOT going in our backyard!!!)

Anyway, back to the task at hand. We had to select a fish or two. I, of course, wanted to go pick out the biggest fish we could afford. Jay, the realist, wanted to buy a smaller set of fish. Apparently, he felt that if we got an expensive fish home to the pond it might die. He easily convinced me that I didn't want to gamble away such money on a fish. We shopped in the small fish section.


I should mention...

Jay takes fish selection VERY seriously...

After we selected our three new mini-koi, we headed home. Not so fast! "Let's stop at Home Depot and see if they have a pot." Damn this wretched pot dilemma!!! Now, I love Homo Depot as much as the next queen, but I never love it on a Saturday afternoon. Again, as it is Jay's Birthday, I don't object. And, we found a pot. The ficus has a nice new shoe.

Happy Birthday, Jay!

Meanwhile, I have been running a bit. Went out to the greenway for my run last Wednesday morning. Sunny and 65 outside. I successfully ran a warmup mile in 9:45. Off I went... No stoppin', no walkin'...

5 miles in 0:47:50.

Thursday was an easy elliptical day, then training. Friday, my ankle was bugging me, so it was elliptical again. Boring!

Then Saturday, while Jay's family was over, I hit the greenway again. 5 miles in 0:46:18. I fell in right behind some guy who was running a perfect 9:15 ish mile. I followed him. That seemed to help, until I had to turn back at the 2.5 mile marker. I decided not to request that he cut his run short for my benefit. But still, I was pleased. I held the pace on my own.

Sunday, I drank some beers.


Monday, I felt good and decided to give my newly planned street route a try. Hills. Big ones. Ouch. I plowed through my 2.6 mile route in 26:15. Not bad. Big hills at a 10 minute pace. OK. I'll take it.

Tuesday, leg weights, with a mile elliptical and a mile treadmill warmup. Again, I felt good. Training was good.

Last night, however, I couldn't sleep. My legs felt tight. Today I was a bit stiff. But, over my first few hours, I walked it out. Or, so I thought...

Tried for a 3 mile run, but by the beginning of the third mile, my left ankle, right calf and shin, and left knee were all giving me stern warnings. So, I walked. 3 miles, 36 minutes.

Meanwhile, Nat is here in 48 hours for the marathon. I am excited. It has been 15 years. Maybe I will drink a beer for each year...