My Running Blog and Other Stuff

GREAT race, great event… like I said before, taking a season off from TNT, but going back in full force for the spring season.  If I don’t get mentor, then I will figure out a way to get to either RnR San Diego or Seattle.  I’d rather do Seattle, but I’ll make do with San Diego. 

My fall race will either be Nike or Marine Corp.  I know I put out the schedule for next year in a previous post, but I want a race that I can really attempt to qualify for Boston!

TO that end, I want to join up with a ‘real’ running club (tho I’ll be running with my TNT buds) that do speed workouts—i wanna get that BQ, and I get extra time, too, next year.  I would LOVE to do Boston in 2010. I’m thinking the Lakeland Runners.  Too much of a hassle to get to Tampa Bay Runners.  BUT I’m not ruling out the group that meets at the Y in downtown. 

PR in an upcoming half is a real goal!  If the weather conditions are perfect, well, the sky is the limit.

OK, I’m not gonna talk at TCM.  LEt’s leave it at that.  Looking forward to the next race…  RnR in San Antinio, TX.  Taking a season off from fundraising with TNT, but will do a spring thing with them. We’ll see what is offered, tho I will continue training with them for Disney as an alumni.   Since I’m gonna be there anyway, it’ll be a good thing to do this and Gasparilla with them.

 My latest madness—considering doing the Los ANgeles Marathon in Feb right before we take off on a cruise (that evening in fact) with Dad and Jeanne.  Man, I’m crazy.  I’m hoping that there is a partnering race on the Sunday (5K or longer) that I can do while i’m there so that i’m not figuring out how to make the boat in Long Beach.  At a minimum, we’ll go to the expo…..  Now, if the race was on SUNDAY, it would be a no brainer, and then I’d probably raise the bar just a bit and find a marathon in March so that i’d be eligible for the Marathon Maniacs.          YEah, I’m crazy.

I just can’t get over the fact that i’m even considering doing 6 halves in 6 weeks…  BUT based on what i have been running, i may just be able to get an elusive PR in the distance.  we shall see!! But I gotta tell you, running has been going really well the past few days..

Work has been really busy. TONS of OT coming up this week. Extra $$ for TX.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

... Good 15K yesterday at marathon pace.  If I can do that pace net week at TCM, I can SMASH my PR. Coach Steve says I can do it.  I think I can Race is one week from today. RnR with TNT in November will be awesome!

Going on a cruise in Feb. with Dad and Jeanne.  That willbe SO much fun.  I can’t wait… 

Not sure of my spring race with TNT. Definitely doing Nike with them in the fall.  TNT is still the best thing that i’ve ever done (besides marrying Dave, that is!). The confidence they instill in me is amazing.  Not to mention the friendships.

Dave is doing Race for the Cure next week while I’m in the Twin Cities.  Visit him, or sponsor him via Team Starfleet

Saw Bismo and Jake today for lunch.  Seeing good friends like that make us homesick big time. Friends like that don’t come by everyday…

the story of how Dave and i fell for each other was told, as Jake never heard it…making us blush big time in the process.

OK, time to get ready for the week. Something about seeing friends from out of town get me bummed. 

Just to get ya’ll tired… here is my race schedule.. and yeah, its a wee bit intense!

4 October:  Twin Cities Marathon

2 November:  Blue Moon Half (tent)

16 November: San ANtonio Marathon

30 November: Space Coast Half

6 December: Orlando Half (tent)

7 December: Brandon Half

14 December: Madeira Beach Half

29 December: Florida Half Marathon

12-13 January:  GOOFY —Half Plus Full

20 January:  Clearwater Half (tent)

28 Feb – 1 Mar:  Bud Light Challenge (15K, 5K and Half Marathon)

 I’m sure l find more to do!!

..GREAT TNT runs the past couple of weeks.  THe guys are really great folks, esp my Mentees.  Taking a season off from raising $$, but will do it again for the summer season.  This is really the best thing I’ve done.

Dave and I have started a new Starfleet group (can’t remember if I mentioned it or no)... that is going well as well.  We’re currently getting ready for our annual trip to Atlanta for Dragon*Con.  LOTS of great guests.  Gotta get myself together for that, and at the same time, hoping to catch up with some Road Scholar /LCAR folks, too… (have to email them… even if its only for a beer or something.)

My latest obsession is Twitter. You can follow me as marathongirl.

Hurricane may be on its way… keeping my fingers crossed it’ll stay FAR FAR away!

OK, so far this year has been a fairly GOOD year for me… PR’s in a couple of distances, and training is rocking.  I can’t believe how good I am feeling these days.  I’ve lost a couple of lbs (not that I really have to), and the speeds are improving.  I have good times with my TNT teammates, I have good races coming up and ya know, I will PR if it kills me!!

i will have a better update in a bit.  This week has been difficult on many levels—but the running has definitely kept me sane!

... we went out to a goodbye party for one of my teammates last night before she takes off for med school.  I’m gonna miss her!  IT was such a good time with friends from all walks of life, and just enjoying each others company.  Even Dave had fun. Tomorrow is a long run again; but i am feeling good, and the run should be good.  Heading for Vulkon after the run…  that should be good, too.

Sad news: a friend from work (who would email me on how her training was going and wanted to beat me so badly in a race!!) passed away earlier in the week.  I’m SO bummed by this.  She was very young, had great Tri future ahead of her, and got through so many challenges as well.  The next race i do (something… i’ll find something before Twin Cities!) is in her honor.  I’m even debating learning how to swim and getting on the bike for a Tri to dedicate to her memory…. ya know, another cross training activity may be SO much fun. We do have a pool at the clubhouse…..  decisions, decisions.

You know, as much I enjoy living in FL, the one thing that I hate is the really hot weather.  Yeah, I know it gets hot everywhere, but I don’t think I’ve suffered with the heat as much as I do since doing these really long miles outside.  YEah, I’m a wimp.  Long runs used to be on the treadmill along with all my others.  But now, I really look forward to the outside.  Today… 9 miles in 1:22:43.  A great pace for me… in this heat.  It was good seeing a bunch of folks that usually don’t come to practice, and the rest of the group is great as well…  And again, I ask, why didn’t I do TNT eons ago??

Dave is doing great; he really enjoys doing these odd jobs for folks. He has more energy that I’ve seen in ages.  Tomorrow we will go to Disney for a while after I go to the gym for a treadmill tempo run… (YUK.. I hate these with a passion, but I know they work…)

 Oh yeah, and the contacts I just got… ROCK in a long run. Just gotta remember to ‘rewet’ them when i’m outside for a bit and not in controlled environments like work….

Great time last weekend at the IC; saw some great folks and old friends—totally made the trip worth it.  also got to spend time with jack.  missed doing that!!  Good workouts while there, too.

GREAT run today by myself…13 total in  a little over 2 hrs. No TNT practice today due to the holiday…. i know there is more to talk about, but a little later….

.. time escapes me to keep posting a real blog.  training is going really well.  i really got SO tired today during our run, and called it a run at 6.  next week will be ‘fun’... 8 miles in an uncharted area.  but it will get done.  worse case scenario, treadmilling it. 

lots to talk about, just SO little time right now.  naptime seems to be a little more important on this rainy day, esp since i have to go to work in the am.

almost time to hit the road on our adventure on the left coast.  i am psyched, ready and can’t wait at this point.   can’t sleep, either.  good sign!

My new set of mentees are awesome beyond belief.  somehow,  me thinks that my goal at RnR San Antonio will be there.  Along with my Twin Cities Goal…..  and my RnR San Diego goal.

Can’t wait to meet up with folks at some point in time, too….. 

OK, i’m not being very coherant now, but will be at my next post.  I promise.