Running, Biking and Feeling Blessed

Last week I was in Knoxville, Tennessee on a work trip. What a great place! I was able to run two mornings and can now confidently confirm that running in a new place is the best way to see it. 

The first day I got lost running through downtown and trying to figure out where I was. The second day I ran with a colleague who brilliantly ran with her iPhone in her hand so we knew where we were. We ran along the Tennessee River and through the UT campus. We ran so early that the bridges were lit up and it was simply gorgeous.

Tennessee River in Knoxville

It’s a huge accomplishment for me to actually run while traveling. I am usually too exhausted and just want to sleep in when in a new place, but I am feeling more motivated than ever to accomplish goals and they include being consistent.

Now that I’m back in Tucson I feel happy to be living in a place where I can bike outside and run consistently in winter-warm temps with “no snow”. Yeah!

The last few days I have been feeling so grateful for all the amazing people and activities in my life. I have been feeling great on my runs and pushing the pace. I’ve been biking with my friend Missy and going on long rides. I’m healthy. My dogs are healthy. I like my work. And just feel….. blessed!

In a few days I leave for a road trip to southern California. Missy and I will bike in San Diego and then I run the Surf CityMarathon on Sunday. Road trips with a friend are so much fun. I love exploring new places and going places I’ve never been.

I am looking forward to so many things in the future: trail runningoutside Las Vegas, training for my 4^th Ironman, running the Grand Canyon. But most important I get to share all the things with my friends.

There are so many things to work on though. I want to be feistier. I want to question everything and not just accept things I know to be wrong. 

She is so right-on

I want to see the world.

I want to do everything.

I’ll get there. But in the meantime… life is good.

Winnie & Daisy - love these dogs!

I hope that if you are reading this, life is good for you too. And if it’s not, so much can be cured by running; a run with someone you like or a solo trail run or a bike ride. Or a swim. I’m so thankful for the friends who show up and go on adventures with me. 

Thank you. 

Mississippi Blues Marathon Race Report

Mississippi Blues Marathon race was my first time in Mississippi. I decided on this race because it was a chance to spend time with my friend Rich who I know from New Hampshire. He now lives in Clinton, just a few minutes outside Jackson.

It was an uneventful flight to Dallas then to Jackson and Rich picked me up at the small airport. We spent the first night catching up over an amazing meal concocted by Rich, who while not a professional chef, might as well be. (He’s a web programmer by day)

On Friday we traveled to Vicksburg and a tour of artist galleries, museums and a view of the Mississippi River. My favorite was the HC Porter Gallery. Lunch at Rusty's and Fried Green Tomatoes:

This is me writing my Yelp review prior to eating fried green tomatoes

Then to packet pick up in Jackson.

Love to learn - the history of Mississippi is so interesting. I got a chance to learn all about the Blues. 

The goodie back contained a vest, a harmonica, and a CD of blues music. All awesome. 

At 5:00 we went to Rich’s favorite restaurant, La Finestra. I had an awesome lamb-pasta meal with a glass of wine. Yum!

The next morning it was easy to park close to the start and we walked over to the crowd. It was cold!!!! in the 20s with a bit of wind.

It was a hilly course although none of the hills were very steep or long. However, there was just a lot of them. The course winds around the city into neighborhoods and back through the heart of the city. There were some beautiful homes and a few spectators came out to cheer on runners.

The aid stations were great and volunteers were friendly and encouraging. I saw a lot of Marathon Maniacs.

The finisher medal was ginormous with beautiful blue glass-shaped guitar.

I ended up wearing my Thermoball jacket the entire time. I wasn't cold, but never really warm. The wind picked up at different times during the race and was glad for a hat, gloves, and jacket.

I ate 3 gels, a bar, and Shot Blocks. Lots of water and Gatorade.

The finish line food was great: Little Caesar’s Pizza and Chocolate Milk.

The best part of the entire race weekend was hanging out with my friend Rich and seeing Mississippi. Then he hosted a post-marathon party at his house with his family. Rich made an excellent meal of Mexican food and I drank a lot of beer. Ha.

Abita Beer

We played games and chilled out while recovering from the 26.2 miles race.

On Sunday Rich and I drove north to the Mississippi Craft Center to view local artists wares. After a leisurely stroll around the Ridgeland Reservoir and a southern-style lunch at Cock on the Rock we drove back to Clinton via the Natchez Trace highway and through downtown Jackson.

Once back at Rich’s house in Clinton we chatted for a bit then when I asked him to check the status of the flight, he yelled from the office to the living room “It’s canceled.”

90% of the time Rich is not serious and since I was having such a laid-back, no stress or anxiety weekend, I didn’t even think I’d have a hard time getting home. He was serious. The last flight out of Jackson was canceled. 

Panic set in. I called the airline and booked the earliest flight I could get - the next day leaving at 11:00 arriving in Tucson at 4:15.

The next day I got to the airport and was able to get on an earlier flight that was “booked” yesterday. I texted Rich to say I’m on the plane but fear that someone is going to come on and tell me to get off. That was a mistake because two minutes later the agent that earlier let me on the flight came on the plane and I heard him say, "she’s going to have to get off" and he couldn’t remember her name. Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, I just stared at the floor. Heart racing. Luckily, it was someone else and she got off the plane.

Once in Dallas I ran to the early flight to Tucson that was boarding. After a lengthy discussion with the agent and waiting until the very last minute, he let me on and I got to Tucson at 2pm.

A stressful end to a relaxing Marathon weekend in Jackson and now, one week later, I'm ready for the next one: a drive to Huntington Beach, CA for the Surf CityMarathon on Feb. 1. 

Cold Days in Tucson - Sponsors I Love - Making Plans

Today the temperature will not get warmer than 51 degrees. Ouch

I have to admit I’m not used to this weather since moving to Tucson almost three years ago. I had to cancel my 70 mile planned bike ride and hope to reschedule for tomorrow when the temperature is expect to be at least 60.

Today, I'm reflecting on and analyzing the last 10 years of my endurance and triathlon training life, I feel lucky that I get to train (bike) during the winter now. All summer and fall I was couldn't wait for winter, but now that it is here it’s too cold. Last winter we had two cold days and complained it wasn't a real winter. Two winters ago, my first in Tucson, was just like this winter and it was a shock to my system. 

Today, I will run and I will swim. Swimming outside at this temperature is really enjoyable because the water is much warmer than the air; getting out of the water and getting to the locker room shower is not enjoyable.

This new year is starting off pretty well in terms of triathlon and running despite the cold weather. I feel fortunate to be a part of the Triple Threat Triathlon team. 

My teammates live all over the country and they inspire me every day. We are an interesting mix of men and women: some super techie data nerds, laid back super athletes, intense, caring, moms, dads, who all love triathlon. We get to try new gear and nutrition, and give our 5 cents to other triathletes who read our blogs and social media posts. Fun times, for sure.

Our team has great sponsors such as Hammer, Under Armour, Rudy Project, 

TruSox, Roka, and TorHans. 

Awesome companies with great products for triathletes and endurance athletes.

From a running perspectives, I am thrilled to be accepted to the Pearl Izumi Champions team for running. I love their brand and can’t wait to represent them.

I am a North Face Local writing about my hiking and trail running adventures in Tucson. I love their products and enjoy writing about them while exploring the Tucson desert.

Let the New Year begin. I have so much to accomplish this year. 

On New Years Day I PR'd my 5K run, now I want to get faster and stronger at the marathon and Ironman distances.

I usually have my entire race schedule planned out by now but right now I just have until August 2015 planned. 

Who knows what crazy adventures will happen after that: Leadville, other marathons in the US, trail running, another Ironman. 

I feel blessed to have this great life, my health, my friends and family. Thanks for reading. 

2015 Race Schedule

Race Schedule:

Jan 2015 – Mississippi Blues Marathon

Feb 2015 Surf City Marathon & Blood, Sweat, and Beers Trail Marathon

March 2015 – Rim to Rim – Grand Canyons

May – Ironman Texas

August – Mountain Main Half Ironman distance triathlon

That’s the plan so far. I have a feeling 2015 is going to be a great year.

2014 Swim, Bike, Run Total Mileage - 2015 Goals

2014 Totals:

Run – 996

Bike – 2,441

Swim -  51

I didn’t quite meet my goals for 2014 so I will try again in 2015.

2015 Goals

Run: 1,500

Bike: 5,000

Swim: 75