"Running" Through Life with Lori: She's a Human "Gerbil"

How Do You Measure a Year in the Life?

2011-02-02T15:25:00.000-05:00

A year ago this week I was in the final days of "The Taper" for the Tallahassee Marathon where I was hoping to qualify for the Boston Marathon. I had followed my plan, "coached" myself, cross trained extensively, and remained injury free and healthy. Only one thing stood between me and Boston. Well, make that 26.2 things - miles. A marathon.

As I look back over the last year of running, cycling, swimming, and yes being a parent, a wife, a school volunteer, a part-time foundation staff member, and event coordinator, and then a part-time "fit specialist" there has been a lot going on. I can easily and with confidence say that 2010 was my year to PR. I don't say it to be snide, or haughty, or cocky or "holier than thou." I say it because it is true. And, I dare say that it will likely never be true again. I was lucky. This one time I did it right. I didn't get hurt - well, except for that really nasty sprained ankle in May that sort of shoved me into swimming and triathlon - and if I picked a distance I went for it all out. From the mile (BOT in August) to the Marathon (TLH in February) to an off road 20K and nearly every distance in between they were mine for the taking.

More importantly, I also see all of the fabulous people I got to spend time with, train with, travel with and "win" with. Robin and her BQ at the Snickers Marathon and then again at Springtime Tallahassee 10K and still again at the Palace Saloon 5K. I got to train and travel with Sherrie for 2 triathlons (where we both placed in our shared age group both times); I trained all summer and early fall with my dear friend Cathy helping her to prep for a potential BQ marathon - and we are doing it again. I have gotten to know and love Shelby while training with her and "coaching" her through some of the more difficult workouts of an intermediate marathon plan for her own PR. And, along the way, I have had the privilege to pick the brains of some the most fabulous athletes in Tallahassee. Thank you, Kevin, Nate, Karen, and Theresa (and gang at the shop).

2011 will be full of firsts and milestones: the older son will be driving solo here before too long; my husband and I will celebrate 20 years of marriage; two new runners of "mine" will complete their first half marathon; I will complete five 20-mile runs in one training cycle; 3 marathons in less than 10 weeks; an Olympic distance triathlon and maybe a half iron (70.3) as well; runners I love will continue to PR and BQ. I will run the 115th Boston Marathon. And, as always along the way I will get to run, ride, swim and make new friends.

Running Problems and Their "Ultimate" Resolutions

2010-10-20T19:49:00.003-04:00

Dearest family, friends, and followers -
This post is a multi-part read. To get the entire picture, unfortunately, you must read the entire thing. Names and locations have been removed or altered to "protect" the innocent third parties (not me). Happy reading. I hope you get something out of it. I certainly have.

October 12, 2010

(e-mail #1)

Lori:

Several people have come forward and have suggested that you may have inadvertently cut out a part of the race course Saturday at the XXXX Run.

I am certainly aware that some people did have a problem with the course markings on the first out and back, the problem was a good faith mistake as far as I can tell. Some realized their/my mistake and still finished the entire distance, some had to run further. A few did not, however, and it has been my unenviable task to DQ them from the race.

So, question: Did you run less than the entire course Saturday? Did you make it all the way down to both aid stations at the end of the two out and backs?

Also, please understand that no one has accused you of cheating. In my running experience spanning more than 45 years, I have sometimes gone off course in trail ultras and other races, sometimes it leads to a voluntary DQ, sometimes you run even further to get back on course and that is just free (extra) miles. It happens in this imperfect world. And if anything happened Saturday, to the extent the course markings were inadequate, then I owe you an apology. The downside is that the race was on the Grand Prix Series and there might be a points issue for some.

I would appreciate it if you would contact me back to discuss further.

- Race Director

My Response (e-mail #2)

Dear "Race Director",

There was a group of about 5 of us that missed one turn between miles 5 and 6 somewhere and lost approximately 1/2 mile. That would be the section where we exited the woods; ran across a "dirt" field covered in large tractor-like tire tracks, and then re-entered the woods an had to make an immediate decision left or right and no marker to indicate the correct direction. There were no runners immediately ahead of me/us to follow. I followed the footprints that I could readily identify. I did not ever see the aid station that was near/at mile 6. I realized about mile 7 that I was short according to the mile markers and at Mile 8 I turned back into the course ran approximately .3 miles in and then back to make sure my Garmin GPS reflected 8 Miles by the time I reached the Mile 8 marker for the second time. I believe several other runners will be able to verify that because they asked me why I was running backwards. I was quite open and honest about what had happened to those at the event. And, while, I missed that .5 miles between 5 and 6, I did add on and run a full 12.4 miles before reaching the finish line.

I hope that clears up any questions you may have. I would never have even turned in my card if I had not run at least the full distance. While it was not the "same" route, it was 12.4 miles of trails along the path you set forth. Please let me know if there is anything else I can answer for you.

Letter to Track Club from Race Director regarding his decision (e-mail #3)

"I have reached a consensus with myself as to how to handle this situation. It is my decision and no one else's and I take full responsibility for it. It appertains to the XXXX Run, and not necessarily how the club handles the GP situation. That is not my call, not directly anyway.

I have spoken with many people whose opinions matter to me, all are runners, many are race directors. I probably have gotten a dozen opinions and opinions on top of opinions. Suffice it to say that people are all over the board on this one. There are extenuating circumstances, but maybe they are distinctions without differences as we lawyers are want to say when it suits our legal argument.

I have heard from Lori twice, it is only fair for her to input since this concerns her. I haven't spoken to any other runners who participated in the Pine Run, with regard to how to decide the issue. I have heard enough.

I am confident that the course was properly marked in this location so that no one should have gone off track (nevertheless we'll do more next year). Pre-race instructions were appropriate as well. The front runners did not do it, but once a few people did, it made an inviting footpath in the wet grass and dirt for others to want to follow, some did, most did not (I went down there and looked at it post race). Anyone who went off track (for those of us who run trail ultras, these things are almost a given), did so inadvertently and not to gain unfair advantage, which would be another story entirely. From what I have gathered we may be speaking of about 25 runners.

The issue however is not whether it was intentional but whether it happened. And then how was it dealt with by the runners. When one goes off course in a trail race and then recognizes the error, the proper protocol is to retrace steps until one rejoins the race course and then go on from there. If not, the correct thing to do is to DQ yourself at a proper time and place after your run is over. Admit it and move on. In reality, usually no one cares anyway, especially if you do not "finish in the money", and especially if one runs further than the actual correct race length. This is exactly what Steve B. and Manny G. did in our first XXXX Run At Secret Location when they missed an important turn and ran a short course. They ran, they raced, they finished and then came up to me and DQ'd themselves. Class act, those two.

Here, some runners did recognize their error, did retrace steps and did carry on, completing the entire out and back. Those runners did the technically correct right thing under the circumstances. I do not know who they are.

Some others, more stubborn or hopeful, followed the incorrect trail that they were on, and it eventually lead them back to the race course, they continued to the right, reached the aid station and eventually completed the out and back. Technically, these runners should all be DQ'd even though they ran further than 12.4 miles and despite the fact that they did reach the aid station at the end of the out and back. It is not a matter of intent, but of following the accepted protocol when one goes off course. I do not know who they are. I know who some are, but not all.

Lori tells me that (as best I can determine), she went down the incorrect trail, but when it came back out on the out and back, she did not know which way to go, so she went left instead of right and did not ever reach the 6 mile aid station at the end of the first out and back. So, she cut the course. But, as she ran, she did notice that her distance was off, and at the 8 mile mark, she ran back to recapture the proper distance, turned around and reappeared at the 8 mile mark now having correctly run 8 miles, but not on the correct course. So, when she finished she had the correct 12.4 miles. I have no independent proof but I have no reason to doubt that she did the entire distance if she says that she did.

Technically, this runner should also be DQ'd because she ran the wrong course even if she ran the correct distance. The competition is on the same course for everyone. Again it is not a matter of intent or purity of heart.

Finally, for me there is another factor to consider. I cannot identify all of those others who went off course and failed to retrace their steps and return to the proper trail and continue to the far end of the out and back. That being the case, I am not going to treat Lori any differently in this case, especially because she did run the entire 12.4 miles. Either they are all DQ'd, or none are DQ'd. There is a technical aspect to this and there is an equitable one as well. I realize that other competitors may now feel unfairly treated, and perhaps they have been. As you have all stated consistently, this decision is my responsibility. That is my decision. Lori will not be DQ'd in this XXXX Run.

Race Director."

My Response (e-mail #4)

Dear "Race Director,"

I appreciate your forth rightness with me from the beginning, and again I wish you to know that I am not and was not looking for any special treatment. I felt that at least trying to "make up" the distance was better than showing up short, and I know now that I should have just found you or a course official to take the voluntary DQ. I would (and will) run the race again if I could. With that said, if there are grumblings or dissension from within the Track Club community, I withdraw my standings completely from the 2010 Grand Prix competition.

I look forward to receiving my race shirt when they arrive, and to running this event in the future.

- Lori

October 17, 2010

Phone Call from Grand Prix Committee Chair

I cannot recreate the complete text of the conversation, and in the end I do not believe to do so is not necessary. Important elements are:

1) The committee reviewed the complaints of other runners at the event.

2) The committee "said" they had reviewed my recent run times, and had a member of the committee who claimed to be "very familiar" with my race times and running.

3) Committee asked me to take a voluntary disqualification from the race in discussion for the distribution of Grand Prix points.

October 18, 2010 (e-mail #5)

My response to the Grand Prix Committee after a night of sleeping on it...

Good Morning,

Let me begin with I am more than just a bit disappointed in the resolution in my participation in the 2010 XXXX Run 20K. I do not run trails on a regular or even irregular basis for many reasons, and now, sadly I have another to keep in mind. However, with that said, I do understand the position of the committee with relation to the distribution of points. Unfortunately I do take offense at a couple of things you said and/or inferred while on the phone with me last evening.

I was under the impression from the race director that "no one had accused me of cheating" and you, in no uncertain terms, absolutely implied that I had. While I know that I did not intentionally cut the course, as is evident by my attempting to recapture the approximate half mile I lost, it is apparent that the public view is that I did. And, unfortunately from my position, I have no idea who, how many or in what context the complaints and accusations were made. Therefore, it was with that limited knowledge I made my original offer to withdraw from the Grand Prix standings.

The second thing that really hit me wrong was that you implied to me that your decision was partially made based on the opinion/input of someone who does not run with me, does not know my capabilities (current run times or training pace or routine) outside a few limited races/events we have in common, and who does not race with me or against me. That to me was an unacceptable way to justify your decision to ask me to take a voluntary disqualification. I have taken the DQ. I offered to a week ago. But, the final way in which it was handled was maybe at a lesser level on the integrity scale than could have been presented.

I do, truthfully, appreciate the job your committee does and how it handles all of the difficult and challenging situations. Mine is not different. Thank you for your time. I do look forward to running with you again soon.

October 20, 2010 (e-mail #6)

Dear Track Club President,

Thank you for taking the time this week to follow up on what I am sure will be a one-time occurrence within the Gulf Winds Track Club family. While, no one ever sets out to do poorly, or to not achieve their best, or to slack off during a race, the results are not always what an individual may have hoped for or planned. And, while I am completely satisfied with my run, my time, and how I navigated the Pine Run course, I think you need to know that after all the fussing and "what-evers" why I told you that I know now I went out to the XXXX Run for the wrong reasons.

I began my running "career" training with a long-time friend of mine, Girl #1 who pleaded with me to be her running partner in order to keep her motivated and focused on her goal. Shortly after our first half marathon, she stopped running for a time while I continued running half marathons - frequently with my mother. She eventually, a few years later and nearly 100 pounds lighter, came back to running. She went into it gung ho for her first marathon while I remained a "halfer" and took on Team In Training as a Team Mate and later as a Mentor and then Team Leader. Along the way I "picked up" people who ran with me, or I ran with them depending on your point of view, who were looking only for a consistent pace and a positive mindset during the runs. I became what I call a Companion Runner. I didn't run a single race for myself or for an intentional PR until I decided to qualify for Boston. And, even then I had a difficult time swallowing that I was allowed to run for me and for a selfish goal. Between last September (2009) and the present, I have set out with really only one goal in mind: Qualify for Boston (and not by the skin of my teeth, I might add), and PR in every distance I can between now and Boston 2011. Which I have managed to do so far and as a by product have racked up a few Grand Prix points in the process. Maybe it's time to back off of that goal as I think I have learned.

Girl #2, another friend of mine, asked me while I was training during the winter if she could join me for many of my runs because she was hoping to run a marathon PR in March. I naturally welcomed the company and really kind of pushed her to work harder so that she could qualify for Boston. At this year's Snicker's Marathon she did just that and won her age group. I call her "my first" successful client. She could have done it anyway, but she asked me to help her. Then later in the spring Girl #1 (from above) asked me to coach her and train with her to qualify for Boston. Again, I was back in the companion runner position. Which, I think is really where I belong. It was a long, hot, hard summer first rehabbing a badly sprained ankle; training with her according to the plan; and then adding heavy cycling in order to train for my first 2 triathlons.

I say that I sent her off to the Atlantic City Marathon (10.17.2010) well prepped, well trained, well tapered, and completely ready and capable of running a 3:45 marathon to qualify. Her race, by her description, was a disaster. Not only did she not qualify, but she did not PR, and she is crushed. Not nearly as much as I am, though. I, of course, look at it from the "I must have failed her in some way" for her not to have been successful. We have not had an opportunity yet to rehash the race. But she is disappointed, and has said she is not interested in trying again. Which, again, just crushes me because I know she has it in her. Truly. But, right now I have to look ahead and beside me as I recently started working with yet another girl (#3) who wants me to coach her to a PR. And, then there is Boston in 6 months.

So, that is why I say and believe that I went out to the XXXX Run for the wrong reasons; and why in my heart I know that the outcome is what it is. My only lasting concern is that the running community that does not know me will cast a shadow on "my" achievements, and view my opinion as less than what it truly is or has ever meant to be. I am in a position where my talent has been sought out and valued, and I really, honestly, just don't have it in me to try to recreate my reputation every time something negative may happen to be said snidely as some one runs past me or "heaven forbid" I should run past them.

That's it. There you have it. Nothing more. Nothing less. Quite possibly selfish in the end, because no one wants the world to view them as less than who they truly are or what they absolutely are capable of being or becoming.

Blessings,

Lori

Missing AND Remembering Great Friends

2010-09-29T10:42:00.001-04:00

This morning, after an unplanned 20-mile run on Saturday and a very much planned 56-mile ride yesterday, my legs were simply "not feeling the love" of high intensity exercise. So, I grabbed the iPod and headed out for an extremely unusual WALK. Yes, I walked my 5-mile run route and I must say I enjoyed it.

This particular morning I was bemoaning the fact that I had not talked with several of my dearest friends recently, or even in months. I am very much to blame as I am sure that my schedule and involvement in "everything" just is not conducive to in-depth relationships unless we can run, ride, swim, or eat together. Wow. What a horrible friend I must be in the end... Anyway, I was thinking of Michelle B., Nancy, Ana, and Darcey, Chuck D., Audra, Laura, Stann, Robin, Karen, Richard H. (yes, Richard), and Mac, just to name a "few." The last time I had a "Heart-to-Heart" with Mac, I heard "For Good" one of my all time favorite songs from the Wicked soundtrack. It is sort of like being pushed over when Mac and this song show up together. This morning was no different, and I was glad to be walking and not cruising up Highway 319 at 20 m.p.h. And, even though I have posted these lyrics before, I never cease to be amazed at the lesson(s) they teach me each and every time I hear them. Today's lesson was to not give up on friends or forget them simply because you don't cross paths every day. Do your (my) share to keep the friendship glowing and positive, and try to not let life get too much in the way of what is really important. With that said, below are the lyrics in case you haven't heard the song, and an explanation of what is going on in the song follows.

I miss you my friends. I hope to see you and share honest time with you soon.

I'm limited
Just look at me - I'm limited
And just look at you -
You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda
So now it's up to you.
For both of us - now it's up to you.

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you...

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the Better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for Good...

It may well be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a hand-print on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the Better?
But because I knew you ...

Because I knew you...

I have been changed for Good...

And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame for

But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share

And none of it seems to matter anymore

Who can say if I've been changed for the Better?
I do believe I have been changed for the Better.

Because I knew you...
Because I knew you...
Because I knew you...
I have been changed for GOOD

Running as a Resume' Item: Who'd Have Thought?

2010-09-13T10:14:00.000-04:00

About two months ago I was on my way into the bank taking a check from the 15 year-old boy for deposit as reimbursement for the overly extravagant radio control helicopter Colin he "just had to have", when I am stopped on the steps leading into to the bank by a nice, younger, man and his very attractive wife.

He says to me that he noticed the stickers on the Odyssey - as if anyone could miss them, really - and asked if I ran locally and if I was also "doing triathlons." Knowing that my triathlon bike is at this moment on the roof rack of the Odyssey, I politely answer, "Yes." I explain that I am new to triathlon but that I have been running for some time now. He introduces himself as Nate Brannen, one of the partners/owners of a new running and triathlon shop getting ready to open here in Tallahassee. Many of us in the running and triathlon community have been waiting with somewhat anxious feet for this shop to get out of the blocks. I have read here and there about their shop, so I was somewhat familiar with his and his partner's goals as well as their accolades. His partner, by-the-way, is Kevin Sullivan (husband of Karen Harvey, coach of the Florida State University Women's Cross Country Team).

Now to most of you, except our Grandpa Don McEwen, these names mean next to nothing. However, they are BOTH Canadian and ran at the University of Michigan ... and they BOTH ran in the 2008 Beijing Olympics for Canada. I find that peculiar, knowing Don and his history as we do, so I have to include it here. So, back to my story. When I met Nate, I joked with him that I would love to chat with the two of them about working part time in the shop. Not too many weeks later, Colin and I run a 5K that Nate and Kevin and Karen are also running. No shock to either of us when the "Canooks" win 1st and 2nd, because we actually know "who they are." Colin, who finished 5th overall, chats with them both after the race as he waits for his slow mother to shuffle to the finish. Nate, Kevin, and Karen are all quite pleasant we talk very briefly and then go our separate ways.

A day or so after the race, I get a short message from Nate that he and Kevin would be interested in talking to me about working with them in the new shop, Capital City Runners, would I please send him my resume'. So I do. I am not completely stupid you know. Well, turns out that my massive retail experience, running finesse, and ties to the local running/triathlon community simply wowed and overwhelmed them. Bah, ha, ha!!! No, really, they quite plainly told me that they believe we will be a good match to get the shop open and off and running. I can only hope that they like working with me as much as I believe I am going to enjoy working with them.

Holy Moly! Leave it to me to find, yet another something new out there in a runner's world to get in on. I am lovin' it to the max. Start looking for me, the Boston Qualifier on staff, over there on Thomasville Road between Five Guys Burgers and Red Elephant starting October 16. It's going to be a blast. Real runners getting more real runners ready to run. What more could a running girl want?

A Somewhat Disjointed and Very Tardy Report on "Sarasota" Senior Champs (July 22-25, 2010)

2010-08-02T12:22:00.000-04:00

Saturday, July 24

Here I sit in the hotel room with Colin this morning waiting for the 400 Freestyle event to come up on the heat sheet/event listing for today's swims. His coach advised him to leave the pool after this morning's warm up session so that he could stay out of the heat and sun and off his legs until necessary. So, here we are in the air conditioned (thank the good Lord for a/c) room doing next to nothing.

First, I apologize for there not being many pictures. I have my camera but I have not really had an opportunity to take any pictures as the parents are kept separate from the kids, and when I do have the chance Colin acts like Calvin without his Hobbes and it all goes South...

We arrived in Sarasota Thursday afternoon about 2:30 following a completely non-eventful drive. Pretty easy to get here and it has been remarkably easy to navigate this part of Sarasota so far. The pool is a 3 mile straight shot up the road. and the hotel runs a shuttle for just the swimmers if we, the parents, just don't feel like taking them to warm ups. Colin and his distance swimming team mates were in the pool for warm up on time Thursday evening and then began the WAIT for Colin's heat of the 800 Freestyle. Keep in mind that this particular event can "run" as quickly as 8 minutes per heat or as long as 10+ minutes per heat. Turns out that there were enough masochistic distance swimmers from around the state to fill 19 heats of 8 swimmers for this event and Colin was seeded in Heat 14. Blech! We were going to be there alllllllllll night! All of the other ATAC 800 Free swimmers were in heats prior to Colin's so we got to see everyone swim and we saw some great finishes. Scott Fortier swam a blazing fast time - achieving a Junior National qualifying time (VERY FAST!); Sergey Rogachev dropped 10 seconds to get under the 9 minute mark; Joey Leonard turned in a best time by 9 seconds; Hannah Capers dropped about 16 seconds for a best time; Madison Osterlund dropped 20+ seconds for a new best time. Colin and his team mate John Gideon Mottice were in the same heat (2 lanes apart) and the race was on from the first 50 meters. Colin went out strong, got in front and stayed in front. It was an amazing swim for him. He pulled away from all the others bit by bit and was nearly 25-30 meters ahead of the next swimmer by the time he stretched into the wall for the finish. He dropped a scorching 25 seconds for a 9:25:73 finish. A fabulous, fantastic, outstanding start for what has continued to be a great weekend of swimming for him and his team.

Yesterday began overcast, not quite as hot, and a bit breezy. The breeze was very welcome until we all realized that might mean breaking down all of the pop-up sun shade tents we bring to meets. The rain managed to stay away until the break between the preliminary and finals sessions. And we all waited with some anxiety about the potential trouble Bonnie was swirling towards us. ATAC swam exceptionally well in the preliminary session and sent swimmers to nearly every event in at finals. We had winners in the 400 IM, the 100 Fly and our Boys A 800 Free Relay team took second place and the B Team finished in 10th place. Yippee! Colin swam the 200 Free in the preliminary session as a bonus event, dropping 4+ seconds to achieve the qualifying time for this event, thus he will now be eligible to swim it in February. Later in the afternoon his 400 Free would be nearly as spectacular as his 800 performance on Thursday. He left more than 10 seconds in the water to swim a 4:32:33 and have another Senior (17-18 age group) time to his credit. He continues to have a great meet.

Our "new college swimmer" Hunter Hinson is also swimming very strong next to his future 'Bama team mate Joe Ziegler (who is also training to swim at the National meet in Irvine, California, in two weeks). Hunter continues to turn in strong, steady, scorching fast swims and impresses all those in the stands wishing their boys had half of what he does. It is going to be awesome to watch him swim for the NCAA next year. Roll Tide!

This was a welcome sight to the swimmers: rarely seen and highly sought.

Sunday, July 25

Today held in store the 200 Backstroke and the 1500 Freestyle for Colin. After early morning warm up, we returned to the hotel for air conditioned relief from the continual onslaught of humidity and heat of Sarasota. Our return to the pool was timed so Colin would have plenty of time to completely warm up again for the 200 Back, and then wait for his heat assignment in the 1500 Free. The 200 Back had been chosen as his second bonus event with his only goal to better his time. Better it he would, and by enough time (-5.5 seconds) to bank a qualifying time for February's Senior Champs. For the next 2 hours, we patiently melted and thus periodically reconstituted ourselves while waiting for Colin's heat of the 1500 Free. After swimming 4 best times and putting up 2 more qualifying times, I fully expected Colin to be tired and ready to get on the road. He amazed all of us yet again by swimming the 1500 in 18:05:84, dropping 16 seconds from his seed time. He placed 11th out of nearly 30 (15-16 boys) swimmers, and earned his fair share of points for the team.

ATAC went on to finish 3rd overall; Boys 2nd and Girls 4th. Colin was ecstatic with his swimming and left Sarasota looking forward to the Area I-IV Championships on July 31-August 1 and another Senior Champs in February.

From Marathoner to Triathlete

2010-07-10T12:19:00.000-04:00

Okay, so when a complete strangers tells you that maybe you should update your blog, perhaps it really and truly is time to post an update. So, here we go. Hang on, it's been an "E-Ticket Ride" of a spring and summer since qualifying for the Boston Marathon!

February included another marathon - 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer (Jacksonville, Florida). My purpose there this year was simply to be the pacer for my long-time running partner and near-to-bestest friend and her sister. Their goal was 4 hours, and it was totally doable. The Donna is a great event and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a well run marathon. Not-to-mention it is FLAT (except for that one bridge). Did I mention it runs on the Beach? Yep it does. I will run this one for many years to come. This month also finished up by helping another one of my training partners, Robin, get ready for the Snickers Marathon (Albany, Georgia) as her Boston Qualifying race. Yes, sirree bob, she did it in splendid style...as I knew she would.

March was kind of calm with the focus on getting back on the bike for distance (Blue Line 100 Century at the end of the month) and cross-training while throwing in a couple of shorter races to look for some PRs: Springtime Tallahassee 10K (49:06). April was much the same: ramping up on the bike miles and turning in a 5K PR (22:45) at the Palace Saloon 5K near mid-month. April was spectacular in that I was able to be on the course for the 3rd year in a row while Colin competed in the Red Hills Triathlon along with his ATAC teammates Alex Dehner (Team TRIMac) and Colby Allen.

My wonderful husband, Mike, raced his first ever triathlon at Red Hills this year, and it was a treat to see all of them finish, and to have the Son waiting for the Father at the finish line. All in all April was great, the weather held and offered us the opportunities to train during daylight and to not yet suffer from any serious heat.

May was not so kind to me. On the 3rd I rolled (severely sprained) my ankle during a very normal 12 mile run. The type of sprain kept me off my bike and out of the running shoes for not quite three weeks. Those of you that know me well, also know that by Day 2 I was losing my mind and took up yet another endeavor...I began distance swimming. Blech! By the end of the first 10 days I was "pulling" nearly 2000 yards during my younger son's swim practices. Pulling only because the flutter kick motion caused quite a bit of pain for a long time. Much longer than I would have thought. So, by the time I was up to that distance, I started toying around with the possibility of a triathlon. But here again, I was not thinking about any old Tri. I was thinking Ironman 70.3 Augusta (Georgia).

For the uninitiated, a 70.3 is classified by USAT as a "Long Course" triathlon. Most of the rest of us call them a Half Iron. A full Ironman (or Ultra to USAT) is 140.6 miles: 2.4 mile swim. 112 mile ride, 26.2 mile run. Cut it all in half to get a 70.3. Yes, the stupid pills that I thought were gone after my last Goofy (2009) apparently had reappeared in my vitamin sorter. OMG! Really? What was I thinking?

So, envision this: I am running/training/coaching with my friend who is going to race to qualify for Boston in October. I am riding with the Girls Gone Iron for my bike legs, and I am swimming 2 or 3 mornings at 5:30 when my oldest is also in the water for practice. Somewhere around mid-June I decide that a local sprint Tri might be a good idea just to see if I "hate" the concept of putting all three together in any one day. I pick, foolishly, the 25th "tri-ing" of the Freedom Springs Triathlon. It consists of a .25 mile swim, 10 mile ride, and a 5K (3-ish) run. I have been warned about the COLD water in the spring and the weeds along the swim course. But, I think to myself I have been swimming upwards of the 1.2 miles necessary for the Half Iron, surely I can get through a 1/4 mile swim. I have ridden and run the bike and run courses in the past, so I was not really concerned about them. Completely doable is how I approached this race. I had (of course...it's me) set a couple of time goals just for kicks and grins: Best case: 1:10; Acceptable: 1:15; and Live with: 1:20. I had pretty much banked on a 32 minute ride and a 25 minute run, so I was planning on a 9 or 10 minute swim. All of that should have played out nearly to the minute.

My younger son and I arrived at Blue Springs in plenty of time to set up and get checked in and body marked. I had a plan: move slowly and in a relaxed manner until it was time for the pre-race "talk" and then go. The water is very, very cold there. But, I thought I had spent enough time (10+ minutes) submerged in the "freezing cold what was I thinking" water slowly stroking and trying to be in control of my breathing. We paddled over to the start area and then tread water for 2-3 minutes waiting for the horn to sound. I maintain that the treading of water and the weeds were my downfall. Ha! Needless to say, by the time I navigated the swim I was nearing the 16 minute mark and was not feeling to great about anything except that I had made it out of the water without anyone's assistance. I shuffled to my towel, slipped on my flip flops, ditched my cap and goggles, and made my way in a slow jog to the bike transition area. Got my gear together and on while listening to my baby boy and doll-girl (Savanah Crutchfield) tell me I was doing great. I thanked them both, told them I loved them, and hauled my butt at full run out of T1. I was in the "must make up that time" mind set, and make up time I was determined to do.

During one stage of this year's Tour de France, a commentator described one of the riders as "dancing on the pedal" while he broke away from a group and charged up a hill. That was me as I took off. I was up on the pedals trying to get up to speed in a big fat hurry. I managed to turn in a 28+ minute ride thereby making up a few minutes that I had lost in the swim. Now I was pleased. I might actually be able to finish respectably. I managed to get into my running shoes and visor without falling over and took off, again up hill, for the 3-ish mile run. It is supposed to be a 5K, but I think it is really closer to 3 miles. Finished the run in just over 24 minutes, again pleased that I was under my goal for that leg.

Overall I finished in 1:13:54. 3rd in the 40-44 Female age group, and something like 63rd out of the pack. I decided that was respectable enough to try (HA!) another Tri.

Next on the list is the Jacksonville Sprint #3 on Amelia Island, August 7th. Then, I will lay back and train like a demon for Augusta. Yeah, it's still out there on the horizon. Looks achievable. What can I say? I'm a freak.

This Girl is Going to Boston!

2010-02-08T19:48:00.002-05:00

Yeah haw! Just in case you hadn't heard ... I was about to die by the time I reached the finish line yesterday ... I qualified to run the (THE) Boston Marathon next April. Actually, I qualified to run it this April, but registration is closed and the field of 25,000 runners is full. So, next year it is. And, that is OKAY by me because I am not sure I could run it this coming April even if I wanted to.

The race/marathon event that I chose to use as my qualifying race was here in Tallahassee. It was chosen by Runner's World magazine as one of the top 10 marathons to run for those looking to qualify. By all noticeable accounts, it is "flat," straight, and "fast." I have run the half marathon distance of this event several times, but this is the first time I picked it for the full 26.22 miles.

It was a challenge and difficult run in that I knew I had to run "hard" early on in order to build a cushion so I would have time to back off and slow down if I needed it towards the end. In hindsight, it being 20/20 and all, I probably could have laid back just a bit in the earlier miles and had something left to give at the end, but who knows. And, to be honest, it doesn't really matter now. It is done; I have my time to run the Boston Marathon; and it really was a good run overall.

This first picture (shirt tied around my waist) is some where between miles 6 and 7. The next picture (no shirt around my waist) is just about the 30K (18.6 miles) mark.

Training for this has been an exceptionally lengthy process. And my family and friends have been more than supportive, accommodating, and understanding. My "plan" started 16 weeks ago in October, but I really started in August with my friend Cathy who was training for a November marathon. I am not sure that I would go through that many weeks/months of training for the next marathon, but I can tell you that I was completely prepared for race day. We had put in plenty of hill training; an abundance of tempo and pace runs; and goo-gobs of long runs not-to-mention the all dreaded speed work. As much as I hate to admit it, because I despise it, speed work helps. Not every week, and not all year long. I truly believe you only run WHAT THE PLAN SAYS TO RUN AND WHEN IT SAYS TO RUN IT. No deviations - and that includes the cross training. I am confident when I say that cross training is an all important factor of "fast" marathon running. Road cycling and high intensity spin classes teach/train the fast twitch muscles to move even when they don't want to , particularly going up hill. Now, I would mix up the days that things occurred, but I did not change the workouts themselves. I am glad for that now as I have a wicked great time (at least for me) to show for it.

I did learn along the way to make sure the YOU are ready for the race and to not rely too heavily on anyone person being a part of your training or race day plans. Colin begrudgingly agreed to meet me at Mile 20 and "run me in" for the last 10K. By that time I was nearly run out and moving almost entirely on steam and determination. He did a great job of keeping my feet going one foot in front of the other and by setting little bitty goals for me: "Mom, you are going to catch that guy in the blue shirt." "Mom, we are going to pass that guy in the blue shirt." "Mom, you can't walk the finish line is right over there....." "Go! Go! Go. Go. Go. I am not going to be quiet until you pick it up a little." He really was a good kid to have for the last 6+ miles. It would have been even harder than it was with out him.

My most wonderful, very supportive, encouraging, loving,

understanding husband met me at the finish (after completing his first Half Marathon) I could hear him as I made the last tenth of a mile or so, "Hello, Boston!" he was shouting. I could see the clock was well below my goal time of 3:50:59 and I was so happy. It won't show it in the pictures, but I was ecstatic that I had not only made the time, but torn it up just a little bit. My fantastic running partner Cathy was there waiting for me, and Michelle, my newest "Life" friend, was there. The three of them had all the right things to say and do for me. It was truly a blessing to have them at the finish and to then hear my 15 year-old say out loud in front of complete strangers, "I love you, Mom. I'm going to get Maggie." And off he ran, back out onto the course to find and pick up Maggie who was on her way in to finish as well. Not too long after that Maggie and Sherrie, with an entire entourage of escorts, arrived at the track. Church bells began ringing the hour just as they crossed under the finish arch.

It was fabulous. Truly fabulous. Except for the aching muscles, I wouldn't trade a second of it for anything. Look out Boston! You have 434 days to prepare for us to descend upon you. We will leave our mark, I promise.

What a Reunion...

2010-01-11T12:02:00.000-05:00

When my ten year high school reunion rolled around (in 1996), I had a one and a half-year old and Mike was trying valiantly to convince the DEA (federal Drug Enforcement Administration) to hire him. When it came time for the 20 year reunion in 2006 not enough of my/our class was interested in that and all plans sort of just melted away into the dust and shadows. I have said before that I don't have many "lifetime" friends, and those I do have I hold very dear. These three girls (ladies, I suppose, now that we are in our 40's) have been near and dear to my heart since 1982 when I moved to Montevallo, Alabama, and sort of schlepped into their tightly knit cluster. They re-wove to accommodate me and we have been friends ever since. The three of them live within 30 miles of each other and have far more opportunity to get together as a group than the four of us. But, it seems that no matter how long it has been and how far apart we make our homes and raise our families, we are close again immediately upon our reunion.

Saturday night we sat for HOURS in this "mom and pop" Italian bistro (Joe's Italian) in the Alabaster "sector" of Alabama. We laughed, and talked, and ate, and drank some wine, and laughed until we cried and talked some more. It was the best of evenings. One of those evenings spent with friends who truly know ALL ABOUT you and love you until the end of times.

WOW!

Thanks, Ladies! You make the entire 1,100+ miles this week more than worth it.

Holidays and Hopes

2009-12-21T16:46:00.000-05:00

As the year 2009 draws to a close, I once again find myself looking ahead to the coming year with anxiety and anticipation of the goals I have set and hope to accomplish. Briefly, this is what a portion of 2010 may or may not turn out to include...

January, 2010
1.6.2010 - Colin leaves for the BCS National Championship Game in Pasadena, California
1.8.2010 - Colin's 15th Birthday - OMG, he can get his driving permit...
1.16.2010 - GWTC 15K/30K
1.29-31.2010 - ATAC Short Course Invitational

February, 2010
2.7.2010 - Tallahassee Marathon and Half - Hoping to qualify for Boston 2011 here......
2.18.2010 - Mom-in-luv (Nancy's) Birthday!
2.21.2010 - 26.2 with Donna (3rd Time's the Charm) or Hope to qualify for Boston 2011 here......
2.25-28.2010 - Short Course Florida Swimming Senior Championships

March, 2010
3.6.2010 - TRBC 10K
3.7.2010 - Seaside Half Marathon - I most likely will not make this race, but who knows.
3.27.2010 - Springtime Tallahassee 10K
3.28.2010 - Blue Line 100 Century Ride

April, 2010
4.17-18.2010 - TOSRV Double Century Ride
Rose City Run (10K)

Small Quizzes - Just as Important as the Tests

2009-12-01T09:54:00.000-05:00

Well, Thanksgiving has come and gone and its wake left two minor quizzes with a Passing grade. Every Thanksgiving for last seven (yes, 7) years I get up early, usually with Colin, and head to Southwood for the annual running of the Tallahassee Turkey Trot. In the beginning I ran the 5K with my friend Cathy and we worked our way up to the 15K where we have settled in the last 4 years. This year's "Trot" was a personal challenge in two ways: I wanted to beat last year's time which was phenomenal (then), and I had a time goal in mind. That is something I very rarely do - set a time goal. However, I have begun setting them for the shorter distances to see just how long I can hold onto that elusive Boston-qualifying pace that I need in a couple of months.

So, off we went with me a bit more nervous about 9.3 miles than in the past. Colin sees friends right off the bat and falls into place with them, knowing that he will see me at the finish when I am done ... some 30 minutes after he completes the 10K race (which he did this year in 41:57 - a personal record by more than 3 minutes). I chat with some friends and other runners as nearly 3,600 of us wait for the gun to sound and be on our way. Better late than never, the horn sounds and we get moving. Gosh, it takes a while to get out and around the crowds who didn't follow the corralling directions, but soon enough I am in my own bubble clipping along at a nice pace. I guess about Mile 1 or so, Robin Safley eases up behind me and then next to me, and settles in with me for the next 8+ miles. We chat a good bit until about mile 7, and then the conversation gets really one-sided: only me talking. I don't know if Robin was trying to give me a hint, or if we were at that point in a run where only one us should be talking at a time - not enough oxygen for both of us... Ha! Robin is one of those athletes who even when she is about to die on the course never looks like she is in distress, or working hard, or even sweating. It can be somewhat disheartening if you let it get to you. Thankfully, Robin is bubbly and fun, and chatty (most of the time) and always appreciative of company on the course - even when it's me.

We go on to put up two personal records (PRs) in fabulous style and we are both in great spirits when we finish. It is always amazing to me to know that a running partner can make all the difference in a so-so run and a fantastic finish (1:17:55 for a 15K+).

Speaking of running partners, Monday morphed into the long run day this week by virtue of the holiday preceding it. Family, turkey, football, church they just don't leave a lot of room in the day for an 18-mile jaunt down the St. Mark's Trail. Nor should they. So, after getting both the boys off to school, I zipped down to the south-side of town to meet my running buddies, Maggie and Michelle. We started off in the cool, not quite 50 degree misty morning for our latest endurance test. I knew that 18 was a long way, and I needed to be conservative, but not too slow, in my miles. Michelle was just out because she and Maggie got a bug in their panties last weekend and decided to run the Tallahassee Marathon in February. We had a great run: 18 miles at just about 9:10 pace and a bit better in some places. I was happy because I can see that it might actually be a reasonable goal for me to attempt that whole Boston Qualifying thing in February. Lots of prayers, and with God's grace I will get there. Woo Hoo!

For Everything, A Season

2009-11-23T13:55:00.000-05:00

You know the e-mail that floats around spouting on and on about how friends come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime? I sat in the mall this morning with the newest addition to my "lifetime" of friends. I say she is the newest of my "lifetime" friends, because I can simply tell that she (her name is really Michelle) is "gonna be around for a while, honey." I just love her.

In the picture to the right she is the one in the black triathlon get up. This was taken about two miles into the 26.2 mile run portion of Ironman Florida on November 7, 2009. She was racing her first Ironman, and boy did she do a bang up job.

Anyway, back to friends who flit and float into our lives.....

I don't have a ton of "lifetime" girl friends. But those that I do have, I cherish and hold near and dear to my heart. These are my friends that no matter how long it has been since we last saw each other or spoke on the phone (or even "Facebooked" each other) we immediately fall back into that comfortable togetherness of being with a friend. It is a blessing to know that on any given day, I could call one of them or show up in their driveway and I would be as welcome as if I had only been there the night before at the school play.

We are beginning the Advent season which, by divine planning, always includes Thanksgiving. What a blessing to have friends of all kinds to share with me and our Lord the wonder, beauty, and majesty of Thanksgiving which then gives way to the glorious season of CHRISTmas.

Test Number 1 is a PASS!!!

2009-11-02T08:41:00.000-05:00

When I originally "came out of the shoe closet" and told my little world that I was going to try "for Boston," I knew there would be hurdles and tests along the way. The first "quiz" was the Red Cross Hurricane 5K in September (Labor Day). I managed to pass that one okay. But, I knew it was a very small step on the journey to 26.2 miles. The first "real" test (not exam) was going to be the Boston (Georgia) Mini Marathon. This small Georgia town hosts a half marathon race on the last Saturday of October every year. Just for me to run near my birthday .... Ha! Anyway, as in the last few years, I had planned to run this race. It is scenic; well attended; fairly well supported; and not so far away from home that I can't get there, run, and get back all before lunch.

So, at 6:00 a.m. off I went to the little burg of Boston. I arrived at "the" Presbyterian church where the out-of-towners park a bit before 7:00 a.m.; met up with my friend and training partner Cathy; and walked to the Community Center to retrieve my race number and shirt. We walked back to the car(s), gathered our gear, and headed back to the center of town to be closer to the starting area. The temperature was a bit warmer than I would have liked, but one of the few items I cannot control during a 13.1 mile race, therefore I vowed to just deal with it. I pulled up my big girl panties and got ready to run. After the invocation and the singing of the Star Spangled Banner the pack started out... In the last couple of years the field has been between 200 and 250 runners. I will be interested to see how many turned out this year for the race. I know I finished 62nd over all because that is why my chute card said on it. I don't know which place female I was or how I may (or may not) have placed in my age group, but I know I was less than the 15th female as Cathy said that was her.

My official finish time was 1:51:24 for what Boston measures at 13.1 miles (Garmin Forerunner 305 says 13.18 miles, but who is counting?). That puts me at roughly 8:27 minutes/mile. That makes my pace a full 20 seconds per mile FASTER than I need for a Boston Qualifying time in the 26.2 distance. Not to mention, that is a personal best (a.k.a. PR) by more than 6 minutes (last year's time 1:57:10). Hooray!

I did learn an important and very valuable lesson on Saturday: I do not find it hard or difficult to run 13 miles. I did find it challenging to run 13 miles in what is a FAST time FOR me. Yikes! I definitely needed the off day Sunday to rest and walk. No strenuous anything was going on with these legs. Today, however, is a different story. I will be on the bike soon for about 35-45 miles depending on time. Gotta love it!

Blessings!

Not So Random Thoughts

2009-10-27T09:43:00.000-04:00

I spent last weekend serving on a team for the Big Bend Walk to Emmaus Community (Women's Walk #54), and it was fabulous. As such, I was away from my computer, e-mail, cell phone, TV, radio, newspaper, and family for the duration of the walk. It was GREAT! The women who participated on this walk were truly blessed by their experiences. I was culling through my e-mail, and the Runner's World Quotes of the Day had stacked up considerably. There are three that I think quite worthy of archiving and sharing and I thought this would be a good forum in which to do that.

Without further adieu, here they are:

Friday, October 23: Spirit has fifty times the strength and staying power of brawn and muscle.

- anonymous

Monday, October 26: We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort. - Jesse Ownes, American track and field athlete and four-time Olympic gold-medalist

Tuesday, October 27: You train best where you are the happiest. - Frank Shorter, American distance runner and Olympic gold-medalist

Looking Back ... and a Bit Ahead

2009-10-03T13:13:00.003-04:00

Well, September was busy, busy, busy. And, October is looking to be more of the same. High school swim season began, peaked, and has started the slide into October and championship meets. Colin swam in Orlando again this year with our friends the Ayers bringing home several new best times: 200 Free, 400 IM, 100 Free, 200 Back, and the 50 Free. Aidan is making great strides in the third grade while loving his new teacher: Mrs. Jones; who, by the way, was Colin's third grade teacher as well. Mike continues to "catch" the bad guys and keep all of Tallahassee safe and on the straight and narrow. I love him for the job he does, and because he is him.

I ran, and rode, and ran, and rode, and ran some more including a 5K personal best time. September also say the accomplishment of reaching 3,000 training miles for the year (to date). Yes, you read correctly. I have run/ridden more than 3,000 miles so far this year. Woo-hoo! I'm loving it!

So now that we are "officially" into marathon season, here is the outlook - revised in some places - for the season. Taking note that things for me are ALWAYS subject to change.

October, 2009
10.3.2009 - Atlantic Coast Triathlon (70.3)
10.3.2009 - Pine Run 20K
10.17.2009 - Spaghetti 100 (ride)
10.17.2009 - Big Bend High School Swimming Championships
10.28.2009 - District High School Swimming Championships
10.31.2009 - Boston, GA Mini Marathon

November, 2009
11.5.2009 - Regional High School Swimming Championships
11.7.2009 - Ironman Florida (volunteering on the course - Way Cool!)
11.8.2009 - Kids Tri 2 (kids' sprint triathlon in Panama City)
11.13-15.2009 - State High School Swimming Championships
11.22.2009 - The Women's Half Marathon To Benefit LLS (St. Petersburg, FL) - will not be running this race, though it is for a fabulous cause, and I am going to be damn depressed about it - really wanted to run this. Oh, well.
11.26.2009 - Turkey Trot 15K

December, 2009
12.5.2009 - GWTC 10 Mile Challenge
12.4-6.2009 - Gator Swim Club Winter Invitational
12.20.2009 - Jacksonville Marathon? - I don't think so...
12.19.2009 - Jingle Bell Run with the boys

January, 2010
1.8.2010 - Colin's 15th Birthday - OMG, he can get his driving permit...
1.16.2010 - GWTC 15K/30K
1.29-31.2010 - ATAC Short Course Invitational

February, 2010
2.7.2010 - Tallahassee Marathon and Half - Hope to qualify for Boston 2011 here......
2.18.2010 - Mom-in-luv (Nancy's) Birthday!
2.21.2010 - 26.2 with Donna (3rd Time's the Charm) or Hope to qualify for Boston 2011 here......
2.25-28.2010 - Short Course Florida Swimming Senior Championships

March, 2010
3.6.2010 - TRBC 10K
3.7.2010 - Seaside Half Marathon
3.27.2010 - Springtime Tallahassee 10K

High School Swimming and Running a PR

2009-09-09T14:17:00.004-04:00

In order to get a couple of thoughts "out there" this afternoon, I am combining topics. First and foremost, Colin swims in his first HIGH SCHOOL swim meet this evening. Yes, that rug rat has grown a bit and aged a few years to become a full fledged freshman in high school - at Lincoln High School to be exact. Tonight he swims two of his favorite events: the 200 yard Freestyle and the 500 yard Freestyle, along with at least one relay. We, being his parents, are anxious and excited to see what he has hiding under his swim cap for the other competitors tonight because we KNOW it isn't hair.

Correct, no hair. He shaved his head completely bald last night for the beginning of high school swim season. I will keep you posted on how long it lasts, and how long it takes to grow out, AND on whether or not he chooses to keep it this way. I am thinking it will grow out for winter training.

Then, lastly, I ran a little bitty (619 runners) 5K on Monday to benefit the Red Cross - yes, my father-in-law is just thrilled. I ran ... drum roll, please ... 3.1 miles in 24 minutes and 23 seconds. YAHOO! FYI, that averages out to 7:46 minutes per mile. WAAAAAYYYY faster than I have ever run anything longer than one mile in my life. I was so excited. I was fourth in the Masters Women division (40+) and would have been first in the 40-44 age division if awards had been given for that. The only pictures are horrible, but I have put one here just to show that I did indeed run the event.

By the way, have a great week!

A Garden in Full Bloom

2009-08-23T11:33:00.003-04:00

I sat in the backyard of my friends The Crutchfields yesterday afternoon watching countless children, teenagers, and adults have an absolutely fabulous day of "summer time" fun. It wasn't anyone's birthday. There wasn't a wedding going on; nor was this a back-to-school celebration. All of these people had gathered to celebrate everything good about being young, having friends and family, and enjoying life. It was a perfect day: clear skies, gentle breeze, moderate temperatures, a grill, car loads of coolers, and more food than necessary. Life, my friends, is truly a gift. It can be snatched away from you without warning and in the mere blink of an eye. I kid you not.

It has been a year since we, and I say this from the heart when I say we, lost Mac. It was the worst of all scenarios and conditions. Nothing positive can come of rehashing what really happened. Nothing good can come of dwelling on the moment, the hour, the day, the weekend. Let it suffice to simply say, that Mac is gone. The lucky ones among us are granted a glimpse of him every now and then in our mortal and every day lives. I swear I saw him just the other day (as an egret if you recall). Coach Terry has seen Mac as an Eagle. Jean and I agree, and anyone who listened and watched yesterday will have no choice but to also agree, that Mac was there with all his friends. I could hear it in the laughter and see it on every face in the bright eyes, and generous smiles. No one spoke a harsh word. There was no arguing, no fighting, no "Girl Drama" and calm and peace prevailed as the dominant attitude. Savannah seemed more like herself than I had seen in a long time. Charlie, bless the strong and silent ones, appeared to be comfortable with the gathering and the attention showered upon him and his family. Maggie was, well... Maggie was in her element. The kids all love her. There was not a child present who didn't feel as if they were Maggie's favorite. She just exudes that emotion onto them. They calm down; they begin to glow; they love her and she them.

Maggie and Charlie have taught me a great deal this past year. How I should be stronger in my faith. Without their faith and God, they would have been lost and swallowed before the first 24 hours had even passed. They, Maggie especially, have taught me how to better embrace each moment and cherish it. You truly never know when the last time will be that you lay eyes on your child. I believe as a part of that lesson God gave me a summer of unemployment to spend with my boys. I may never again have time with them like I did this summer. It was wonderful. I would not trade it for the most lucrative job on the planet. I learned that it's okay to not answer a phone call or an e-mail until you are ready and can handle the response. But, I also learned not to stop calling or texting or e-mailing just because there has been no response. Sometimes the message just needs to get there, now answer required. Yes, I have learned a lot. I can only hope that it makes their loss a bit easier to know that someone outside the immediate took something positive away from the tragedy - if that could be...

Last year, a friend of Maggie's told her that her job was not over. She had been given a garden to tend, not just two plants. Her job was now to tend her garden (of children) not just the flowers of her two children. Her garden was in full bloom yesterday. Not one of those flowers will ever forget yesterday.

Track Flats, Pink Hats, and Blueberry Pancakes

2009-08-17T19:29:00.006-04:00

So, just exactly what do track flats, blueberry pancakes, and pink hats have in common? Well, they are all important pieces of a successful Breakfast on the Track in Tallahassee, Florida, in August.

Every August, just before school begins, the Gulf Winds Track Club hosts a unique event which is attended by all walks of life - literally. The Breakfast on the Track event is a one mile run. That's it. One mile. "Once" per person. For time and ranking. Last year Colin, Aidan, and I all ran this for the first time. This year Aidan passed the run up for the opportunity to go fishing with Mike while Colin and I sweat the morning away waiting for our respective heats. It was a great morning for everyone, runners and fishers alike.

The morning started out cool and a bit breezy, but not cold. Overcast skies made the humidity a bit more bearable than normal for mid-August. Colin and I arrived at Maclay School about 7:15 a.m. turned in our registration forms; received our embroidered aprons (in lieu of t-shirts); signed in for the appropriate heat (based on predicted finish time); and waited for our friends to arrive. Maggie and Savannah, her daughter, and Alex - a swim buddy of Colin's - arrived very soon after that. We all ran our warm-up laps and sat back to wait it out until our heat(s) were called. Colin was signed into Heat 4: predicted finish times of 6:05 - 6:35; I was signed into Heat 6: 7:00 - 7:25; while Maggie, Savannah, and Alex had all signed into Heat 8: 9 minute miles. These choices were very reasonable based on last year's times (Colin - 6:21, Me - 7:20) and with our training during the year we were curious to see where we would fall.

Colin ran a 5:50, placing 10th in his age group (10-14) for which he claims he has a "teeny tiny trophy" in his swim locker, and I turned in a 7:00 which was fast enough to put me 2nd in my age group (40-44) and earn a PINK running hat. Placing at this event is a big deal as it earns you Grand Prix points for the year, with 10th place and under earn the highest number overall. Yippee for us! Not to mention, those times were great improvements over the times run in 2008.

Below Left: Colin as he screams into the finish area.
Below Right: Me, as I huff and puff to pass the girls that Colin has "instructed" me from his position in the infield: "Pass them! Mom, pass them now!"

Maggie turned in a PR Mile time at 8:05 and Savannah finished her first timed mile in 9:17! Outstanding on all fronts. Alex won the "Chef of the Event" award for running his mile in his apron and long, long shorts. He cracks me up, that kid. Once we had all five run our heats it was time for watermelon and pancakes. After all, this was the Breakfast on the Track event - it includes home made pancakes: buttermilk and blueberry, and lots of Georgia watermelon. Yummmmmmmmy!

Below: Savannah Crutchfield (center) with her two "adopted big brothers" Alex Dehner and Colin Abbey as she comes into the finish area of her mile run.

Above: Me and Maggie Crutchfield (Savannah's mom) as we approach the finish of Maggie's mile run. She PR'd by the way.

After the run, we all came back to our house and the kids took off on their road bikes for a short neighborhood jaunt. Not really like a Triathlon transition, but still a brick work out for the day. It was fabulous without a doubt; hands down. Mike and Aidan did have a great time out on the water even though they caught nothing of note. It would not have mattered anyway if they did, they simply enjoy being out there on the balmy briny sea.

Coming Out of the Shoe Closet

2009-08-10T13:46:00.007-04:00

When someone divulges a long held secret, I am told it is called a "coming out" or sometimes "coming out of the closet." While I shy away from sharing this particular secret in dread that it will never take place, I have decided to let you in on my "little secret." Shhhh, don't tell anyone...

Remember the girl who said she'd "never" run a full marathon? I do. Remember that same girl said that "going Goofy" was just that - GOOFY? I do. Do you remember that same girl running Goofy and then 5 weeks later running 26.2 with Donna (in a P.R. time)? I do. Remember that girl saying that "going Goofy" once was more than enough? I do. Do you also remember her running Goofy AGAIN and "Donna", again? I do. What you probably don't remember, or maybe didn't even know was that this same girl, once upon a time, said that "qualifying for the Boston Marathon was not important" to her. Well, that silly, dain-bramaged girl has changed her mind, as is the prerogative of a girl, and now plans an attempt at qualifying for the 115th Boston Marathon (April, 2011).

Whew, I said it! The cat's out of the bag. My hope is to train and cross-train adequately, safely, and in a smart, well thought out way with the goal of running a Boston Qualifying (BQ) time (3:50:59 or better) at either the Tallahassee Marathon (2.7.2010) or 26.2 with Donna (2.21.2010). God willing and with His blessings, along with the love and support of my family, the help and support of great friends, and some much-needed coaching I will be more than ready to make that goal in 6 months. If, and that is a VERY, VERY BIG "if", I can run a BQ time in February of 2010, my goal would be to then run the 115th Boston Marathon in 2011.

I guess it's not much of a secret anymore. But, not EVERYONE knows...yet. I hope to be able to run Boston. I think maybe then I could put aside the ongoing craziness of marathon training. Make no mistake, I am giving up running or Half Marathons (I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE that distance), but I could maybe give up marathons. Maybe...

I hope to be able to run Boston, and all my events, with the light of Christ shining from me and the wings of God's eagles carrying me to the finish line.

I Corinthians 9:24-27
²⁴Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. ²⁵Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. ²⁶Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; ²⁷but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

The 2,000 Mile Mark

2009-08-10T09:17:00.004-04:00

The summer has been busy, busy, busy on the run and bike. By mid-July I had "traveled" more than 2,000 miles in training rides and runs. WOW! That's all I can say. My summer training plan has seemed to work very well. I have been able to manage 3 days of riding and 3 days of running that includes one LONG run and a very LONG ride. As the school year approaches I feel I should, yet again, reevaluate the dreams and goals for the upcoming "season" as it were...

August, 2009
8.15.2009 - Breakfast on the Track 1 Mile Time Trials
8.18.2010 - Dad-in-luv (Stuart's) Birthday
8.22.2009 - Tri States 100 (Dothan, AL)
8.24.2009 - Our 18th Anniversary!!!
8.29.2009 - Miller Landing Madness (8K)

September, 2009
9.2.2009 - Daddy's Birthday
9.19.2009 - Women's Distance Festival 5K
9.30.2009 - Mike's 46th Birthday!

October, 2009
10.3.2009 - Atlantic Coast Triathlon (70.3)
10.3.2009 - Pine Run
10.17.2009 - Spaghetti 100 (ride)
10.31.2009 - Boston, GA Mini Marathon

November, 2009
11.22.2009 - The Women's Half Marathon To Benefit LLS (St. Petersburg, FL)
11.26.2009 - Turkey Trot 15K

December, 2009
12.5.2009 - GWTC 10 Mile Challenge
12.13.2009 - Jacksonville Marathon?

January, 2010
1.8.2010 - Colin's 15th Birthday - OMG, he can get his driving permit...
1.16.2010 - GWTC 15K/30K

February, 2010
2.7.2010 - Tallahassee Marathon and Half - Hope to qualify for Boston 2011 here......
2.18.2010 - Mom-in-luv (Nancy's) Birthday!
2.21.2010 - 26.2 with Donna (3rd Time's the Charm) or Hope to qualify for Boston 2011 here......

Because I Knew You ... For Good ...

2009-07-29T10:49:00.002-04:00

I'm limited
Just look at me - I'm limited
And just look at you -
You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda
So now it's up to you.
For both of us - now it's up to you.

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you...

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the Better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for Good...

It may well be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the Better?
But because I knew you ...

Because I knew you...

I have been changed for Good...

And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame for

But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share

And none of it seems to matter anymore

Who can say if I've been changed for the Better?
I do believe I have been changed for the Better.

Because I knew you...
Because I knew you...
Because I knew you...
I have been changed for GOOD

One of my favorite songs from the Wicked: A New Musical soundtrack is "For Good." Elphaba (Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda (Good Witch of the North) are about to part ways after having been thrown together as roommates in "college" and discovering that they could actually be friends. The lyrics are magical and sentimental and bring tears to my eyes every time I hear them.

Yesterday I rode to "Mac Land" most commonly known as Georgia for my training ride. I was about mile 8 or so when I looked up and saw a gorgeous, grand, majestic white egret - one of the BIG ones. I frequently see water birds along this route but they usually fly out of the bushes or the marshes and get away from me very quickly. Not so this bird - and I will call it a boy now. He stayed fairly close to me for quite some time. He never got closer than 15 or 20 feet, but he wasn't further away than 30 feet or so. He circled and flew "with" me for nearly two miles before he turned south and left me to the rest of my ride. I realized that I had not been fully enjoying the scenery and splendor of God's world until he showed up so I made a note to be more aware as I continued the rest of my ride.

As the egret left my peripheral vision, "For Good" began playing in my ears via my iPod. I knew then that it was Mac. People who knew Mac have said that he "visits" them and almost always as a bird, although usually and eagle or a hawk I think. As I listened closely to the words I took to heart that it had to have been Mac. I don't believe in coincidence, only in God-incidence. I reached the Florida/Georgia state line and called Maggie. She needed to know. I believe that Mac was the egret to show me - just me in my weak human neediness - that after nearly a year away from us he is happy, comfortable and BEAUTIFUL with his new life. Heaven must be "the bomb" for Mac to show up on my ride as a snowy white, perfectly crafted egret. AWESOME!

Thank you, Mac for coming into our lives however briefly. Our lives have been changed for GOOD because we knew you and because we are blessed to still have your family in our lives today.

The Most Awesome Parents ... EVER!

2009-07-22T14:15:00.007-04:00

For those of you who don't know Mike's and my parents (Colin's Grandparents), they are absolutely wonderful, awesome, supportive, generous active people who are TRULY experiencing athletics vicariously through their grandsons. Mike's parents do their best to see the boys compete when the competitions are close or "at home." They time when asked, and they follow the boys' progress and success in the water nearly religiously while always cheering them on from afar when they are unable to be present on the pool deck.

My parents have been at BOTH of Colin's trips to the Junior Olympics: February, 2009, in Gainesville, Florida; and July, 2009, in Fort Myers, Florida. They have flown into where ever the competition is being held for a total of maybe an hour's worth (not even that much) of competition time. Make no mistake, they have watched several of Colin's teammates grow-up, and they enjoy watching those "kids" nearly as much as they do Colin and Aidan. Nonetheless, they travel to small southern towns like Dothan, Alabama, to watch the boys swim; to feed them endlessly; and to meet new people and make new friends and camp along the way. They suffer through hard bleachers ("bench butt"), standing around for hours, chlorine gas at indoor pools (Dothan and Gainesville), blazing sun, cold, rain, storms, and what I swear were the hottest 4 days in Fort Myers history! They sweat buckets alongside all the other parents; they follow the heat sheet; and they cheer for all ATAC swimmers at all times. They truly are among the best out-of-town ATAC support team.

Below are my parents "sweating it out" under the tent waiting for one of Colin's events at the Summer 2009 Long Course Florida Swimming Junior Olympics held just this past weekend in Fort Myers. Did I mention that it must have been the hottest four days in Fort Myers' history?

At Last - The Florida Swimming Junior Olypics

2009-07-21T08:33:00.004-04:00

Last week marked Colin's second trip to the Florida Swimming Junior Olympics. He and I made the 6+ hour drive to Fort Myers, which is officially considered "South Florida" for the 4-day competition. This time around he had posted qualifying times in the 50 Meter, 100 Meter, 200 Meter, 400 Meter, 800 Meter, and the 1500 Meter (aka The Metric Mile) freestyle events. He was also chosen/assigned as the Anchor leg in the 200 Meter and 400 Meter Medley relays as well as the 200 Meter and 400 Meter Freestyle relays. This means he swam 10 events total - ALL freestyle stroke.

Above, Colin is spotting his "hand-off" swimmer as he readies for the last leg of the 400 Meter Medley Relay.He held his own for most of the meet; swimming personal bests in the 50 M and the 1500 M events. He also swam personal bests in the relay events. All-in-all, a good experience for him. Below, Colin is well into the 1st 50 Meters of his relay leg: 100 Meters Freestyle in the 400 Meter Medley Relay.

We were fortunate enough to be able to stay with friends of ours while we were there. Let me tell you, that made the entire heat and sun filled trip a bit more relaxing. Not-to-mention, my parents flew in for the competition and were able to spend a lot of quality time with us and all of Colin's team mates and their parents. It must have been the HOTTEST 5 days in history in Fort Myers. And, I joke that I am still suffering from the effects of heat stroke and sun poisoning. Not in reality, but definitely in my mind. Oh, my gosh, I literally sweat buckets upon buckets this weekend.

What a Weekend and My New Motto - Maybe

2009-07-12T12:29:00.004-04:00

I have had a great weekend with my family!

It all kind of started Thursday on a "date" of sorts with my awesome hubby. We were able to squeeze in a ride (Mike Style on the mountain bikes) before he left for TAC practice that afternoon. It was really nice to ride out with him while the boys were otherwise occupied, and it didn't cost much: the entry fees into the state park and the calories burned to pedal up and down and up and down and through the muck and mire.

Friday dawned with the temperatures near 70 instead of 80. I had not planned a run, but I simply couldn't pass up the great cool weather. So, off I went for a "short" 5K jaunt. 25 minutes later I was home. WOW that felt GREAT! Aidan had his last day at Camp Bark-ly and a little skit presentation for the parents. It was very cute, and a lot of fun to see him enjoying camp so enthusiastically.

Saturday was good. Started early with a 10+ mile run with some of my favorite running buddies EVER. We ran in the same state park I had ridden in on Thursday. It is a completely different feeling on foot. But, it was very enjoyable and the fellowship was wonderful. I spent the remainder of the afternoon and evening playing board games with The Boys; practicing piano; and grilling dinner with Mike. We lounged on the new deck; sipped adult beverages; and in general just enjoyed being home and together.

Today began with a bang as Colin and I headed to the St. Mark's Trail for a 32-mile ride on the Rails-to-Trails path with one of Colin's swim team buddies, his parents, and my Sunday ride partner. 32 miles, one bagel sandwich, a cup of coffee, and a great deal of sweat later, we were on our way home to see what the rest of the weekend has in store for us besides 2000 yards of swimming for Colin, a lengthy trail ride for Mike, and some time with friends for Aidan.

This coming week holds in store Colin's second (and final) trip to the Florida Swimming Junior Olympics. Stay tuned for those updates. Hopefully to come regularly from Fort Myers.

I borrowed this from my rockin' friend Lisa's Facebook page. I just loved what it conveys to those who might be behind me. That doesn't happen too often as I am usually the one behind the crowd. But, I liked it nonetheless.

Freedom Springs Triathlon Results

2009-07-05T12:44:00.002-04:00

I just love race directors who are on top of their "game." Terry Edwards, race director Freedom Springs Triathlon, has already e-mailed the results of yesterday's event to the participants. Colin finished NINTH (9th) over all if you don't count the relay team that came in first. And, Aidan finished with a smile on his face.

2009 Freedom Springs Triathlon
Cumulative Results
Adult Race: 1/4 Mile Swim, 10 Mile Ride, 3.1 Mile Run

Name - Gender or Relay - Time
Robida, Bowman, & Bowman - Mixed Relay - 0.53.22.40
1. Brecht Heuchan - Male - 0.55.07.60
2. John Seppala - Male - 0.55.49.90
3. Scot Ewing - Male - 0.56.51.70
4. Mike Bonn - Male - 0.58.20.70
5. Travis Blanton - Male - 0.58.44.30
6. Christopher Thorn - Male - 0.59.24.00
7. Alan Swigler - Male - 0.59.42.50
8. Brian Bowden (16) - Male - 0.59.48.60
9. Colin Abbey (14) - Male - 0.59.51.40
10. Chris Coutts - Male - 1.00.00.30
11. James Phillips - Male - 1.00.17.09
12. Steve Gandy - Male - 1.00.29.40
13. Gary Cox - Male - 1.00.33.10
14. James Stinson Male 1.00.47.80
15. David Shaw - Male - 1.01.05.60
16. T. Alan Cox - Male - 1.01.31.20
17. Jerry Armstrong - Male - 1.01.42.10
18. Christine Bosau-Slater - Female - 1.01.42.60 - First Female Overall
19. Andrew Howard - Male - 1.02.10.50

2009 Freedom Springs Triathlon
Cumulative Results
Kids Race: 100 yard swim, 3 mile ride, 1 mile run

First Timer: Aidan Abbey (8) - Male - 31.29.70

Celebrating One's Independence

2009-07-04T16:36:00.002-04:00

Wow!
Can it possibly be the Fourth of July already?
Where did June go?

Truthfully, I thought June would be much more laid back and relaxed considering I was (am still) unemployed. It seems, however, that June turned into a summer storm of fun in the sun for me and all of The Boys.

We kicked it into high gear right away with two-a-day swim practices for Colin, the Pre-Senior swimmer, and one-a-day practices for Aidan. Colin is coming quite into his own in the pool and the rest of "them boys at JO's" better just buckle up. It is going to be one hellacious ride before August rolls around. Tuesday evenings hold ATAC Developmental Swim Meets for Aidan, and he has been performing quite well while improving each time he dives off the blocks. Colin's big show of skill and talent fell during the last weekend of June at the annual ATAC Long Course Invitational Swim Meet. He earned three more time qualifications toward competing at the Summer Florida Junior Olympics: 400 meter Freestyle, 800 meter Freestyle, and the 1500 meter (The Metric Mile) Freestyle. He has now qualified for a total of six events that he may compete in at the Junior Olympics in 12 days in Fort Myers.

I have been earning a bit of what I call "Happy Meal" money by doing some summer camp driving for an organization here in town (The Oasis Center for Girls). It is only girls that I get to hang with for a couple of times a day, three times a week. So it is VERY different from being at home with my Boys all the time. In addition to the driving, I have been trying to be very committed to my training schedule (I know, I know it has not been updated here in weeks. I'm sorry. It will be current from now on....). I am running mid-distance two days a week and getting in one long-ish to truly long run on the weekends. I have been pretty good about logging two 20-35 mile rides during the week (off days from running) and getting a 40 miler in on the weekend. It is all good. So far the heel and hamstring and ankles are good and nearly almost always pain free. They twinge occasionally, but I slow down or change stride and that usually manages to solve the problem.

Aidan has been to two Vacation Bible Schools and loved them both. Friends abound where Aidan is concerned. He is the child who has the ability to make friends with the rocks. He can arrive at any location and leave having just met his "new best friend." God Bless Him! Next week he is off to Camp Bark-ly run by the local 4-H, where he is sure to make countless new friends and beg for yet more needy creatures to become members of our family. What was I thinking? Dain Bramaged, I am, I swear it.

But, getting back to celebrating one's independence. This is the third consecutive year that we have begun our Fourth of July celebrations with a healthy dose of triathlon. Yes, I know, some of you may think that is just about the farthest thing from healthy one could get, but we - yes, we - love it. This year I was "The Mom" rather than the athlete. I stood on the beach waiting for Colin; ran him into T1 (transition from swim to the bike); and then cheered madly until he came back through the finish chute after the run leg. This year his goal was to finish in under an hour. Based on previous years (2007 - 1:17:48, 2008 - 1:06:34), and his drastic improvements overall, this was very doable from the start. He was FIRST out of the water for the 1/4 mile swim today and I am pretty sure was in the top 10 returning from the 10 mile bike ride. I don't know exactly where he finished overall (full results to be posted soon), but he hit his goal with a finish time of 59:50 and 2nd in his age group by only 2 (yes TWO) seconds to a boy nearly a year older. I am estimating based on my Seiko watch that his swim time was floating around the 6 minute mark; his bike time was pretty darn quick at 31 or so minutes; giving him roughly a 22 minute 5K run time. The run happens to be his weakest leg, but after his fabulous swim and bike I'll give it to him. Way to go my boy!

Aidan launched his triathlon career today with the kids' version of the Freedom Springs Triathlon. He made friends along the way - how unusual - and finished running strong with a smile on his face and a big brother beaming proudly from behind him as he ran him down hill into the finish chute. Mike was able to go this year and witness all the hype. Many of his friends and/or co-workers and their spouses were competitors. Not-to-mention, I don't think he could have been any prouder of The Boys ever.

We shall see what July has in store: Camp Bark-ly; Summer Junior Olympics; visits with grandparents; visits with friends who have moved away; and more swimming; more swimming; and some job searching.

Stay Cool, it's hot out there!
Blessings!

Since Friday

2009-06-03T10:54:00.003-04:00

Well, I had a list of things that I would miss persuant to leaving The Alzheimer's Project. Here are a few that I don't miss (at all):

The toilet in the hall bathroom: no more holding the handle to get it to flush
The A/C and heating system: no more dramatic (menopausal-like) temperature fluctuations
Spiders on the window sills: James, they are all yours now my friend.

Okay, that's it. Pretty pathetic if you want to know the truth. But, that's all I have..."there ain't no more."

After Friday

2009-05-27T09:45:00.003-04:00

While I have been trying (really hard) to not be sentimental about leaving this job, it has grown more difficult by the day. Truly, though, I think "leaving" this job began in August when Liz left for similar reasons (budget and funding) and then reared its ugly head again in October when Cathy resigned. I suppose that I held out hope that I would still be here when the tide began to turn. However, such is not the case. So, you see, I have a growing list of things that I will miss after Friday. In no particular order...

Coffee in the kitchen with Bill and Recie.

Tomato and sprout sandwiches with Recie.

Staff meetings where we get so side-tracked that we laugh until we cry.

Support group meetings and Jim Jordan and Anne Baxter.

Teal Benoit. What else can I say?

Cathy.

Inukshuks.

The sqeaky, hand-me-down copy machine.

Brooks coming in late looking like the cat just spit him out.

James and his kilt. Not to mention his fabulous hugs.

The sun streaming into what used to be my "office."

Liz.

Walking Colin to school from the office.

Secret chicken biscuits with Bill.

Bob Goins and his never ending list of "Thank You's."

Recie, Bill, James, and yes, Brooks.

I know the list will grow for a while longer. But, I wanted to put some of it down before I forgot all of them - they change daily. And, sometimes by the hour.

Chasing "My Youth"

2009-05-26T08:59:00.005-04:00

I wish I had pictures of yesterday's "Memorial Day" ride taken by someone riding behind me. It is important to note that the pictures would have had to have been taken from behind me so that one would also be able to see "My Youth" in front of me. "My Youth" in this instance would be my teenage son, Colin, who just so happened to be riding with the lead group along with yet another Youth (ATAC team mate Colby Allen) on yesterday's 33+ mile bicycle road ride. Last year I "hooked up" with this very same group for a wonderful ride early in the morning of Memorial Day. I had a great time, and the ride was followed by a BBQ at home of one of the rider's. This year Colin was able and allowed to accompany me on the ride, but I should have known...

Youth and ignorance will cause pain in the parent. Yes, I still feel the need to keep him in my line of vision even as he nears the age of 15. So, as he was climbing hills with apparent ease, and flying along the scenic, rural back roads of Leon County at 20 or so m.p.h., I was sweating and huffing and mashing on the pedals just to keep in him in sight. Never mind that he was not even within shouting distance or recognizable as an individual other than a cyclist. Thankfully his riding "kit" is a brightly colored jersey with lots of red and yellow, and his cycling shorts are a matching bright red. I knew if I saw red there was better than a 50/50 chance that it was Colin and Colby (also wearing red) and not necessarily the blood from an aneurysm in my brain.

Thank you to Lee S. and David K. for imparting some of your extensive riding knowledge and experience upon him. Thank you George for "hosting" the ride and showers and brunch. Thank you Kathy and Mike, Mandy and Sean, and Robert and Karin and Mike for putting up with a "snot" such as "My Youth." He did have a great time and is looking forward to another ride with all of you or perhaps Freedom Springs....

Today's Twilight and the Coming Dawn

2009-05-20T11:36:00.004-04:00

In the twilight of a career, does one stop to ponder the dawn of the next, or merely the pending darkness of that which is passing?

I hope that I have adopted the attitude of looking forward to the dawn and not back to the darkness. It is always a challenge to rely on one's faith and God when things are not so positive as well as being able to remember to give thanks when things are GREAT. I have enjoyed four and half years of wonderful experiences during my tenure with The Alzheimer's Project, Inc. I have seen many things develop and flourish, and many things come to fruition that I never expected to see. As my final day approaches and I begin to feel more and more the saddness that is inevitable, I hope that I will be able to focus on what may become rather than on what has been. This, for me, is difficult. I grow attached to things like super co-workers, and comfortable surroundings; like flexible hours and convenient locations; like understanding supervisors and sympathetic friends.

More and more I have come to appreciate that environment and companion-like co-workers are EVERYTHING in the job setting. I know I will not find a group such as this anywhere else I go, but I can do what is within me to make my new job as wonderful for those around me as I can.

Just for fun...

2009-05-06T15:35:00.002-04:00

Yes, it is a sad state of literary affairs when I have nothing more interesting to post today than a picture of Aidan at the annual ATAC Awards Banquet and Teen Dance. He "loves (truly) him some Coach Amanda" and boy is he hamming it up with her in this picture.

April Is Freely Flowing into May Flowers

2009-04-30T08:33:00.009-04:00

April was VERY good to the Abbeys, I have to admit. Colin had a splendid showing at the Red Hills Triathlon again; all four of us got to see Wicked: The New Musical during Easter weekend as well as visit with my parents; we hired a wonderful contractor (Lone Wolf, Inc.) to begin work on our deck/french doors/hot tub/screen porch remodel project; and Colin earned two new Junior Olympic time standards (100 and 200 Freestyle Long Course) in Panama City where he placed 10th in the 13-14 Boys age group; and Aidan has really begun to enjoy swimming with ATAC 3 or 4 days a week in the Novice program. He even "won ribbons" a couple of weekends ago at a "practice meet."

Above: Chillin' (with a minor showing of attitude) in the shade between events. Below: Warming up for the 200 Free.

The deck is looking mah-velous. It is somewhat semi-circular (sort of half of an octagon) with benches and railings on two sides. It will also have some very nice lighting, furniture and hot tub/spa when completed. The french doors are ordered and on the way. The entire project should be finished in under a month - total time from first post hole to filled up hot tub. I can't wait.

Above, I have included photographic documentation of the current state of the deck-building, a couple of pictures of Colin at Panama City Long Course meet in what he is calling his "fast pants" and a video (sideways - Sorry) of Aidan swimming the breast stroke on April 18th.

Marvelous Milestones

2009-04-20T10:00:00.002-04:00

Not much in the way of excitement happened around here this week. Aidan had a little "practice swim meet" where he bested two of his times: 25 yard free style and 25 yard breast stroke. He really needs to learn how to NOT "pinball" his way across the pool during the back stroke, but it will come - I have been promised. Colin had a great swim practice on Saturday while Mike made phenomenal strides in his continuation of "taming" and landscaping the back yard.

The only thing I did of note, besides being the mom, was to crest the 1000 mile mark in training for the year. As of Saturday evening, I have logged 1,062.37 miles of running and riding for the year 2009. I sort of, kind of, set a goal of 2,000 miles riding this year, and I am at about 900 right now and could actually achieve that goal if I keep going at the rate I am currently. I don't plan to ramp up the running beyond maintenance and shorter runs/races until August or September when I start looking at marathon season. Right now, I'm happy with where I am and how I feel and how the feet are. Yippee!

More later .... See you on the streets.

Red Hills Pictures

2009-04-08T09:47:00.009-04:00

I have "borrowed" these from BB Action Photo (.com) because I have also purchased them to hang on my wall next to last year's wonderful photographic documentation. Enjoy!

And, remember to subtract 3 minutes from the finish time shown for being in the second swim wave.

Triumphant Return to Red Hills Triathlon

2009-04-06T08:36:00.004-04:00

More of a complete run down later, but let it be common knowledge that Colin finished 17 minutes faster this year than last year (1:38:06 in 2008), and that the winner finished in 1:09:35. The future is very attainable for Colin. He is already talking about next year and upcoming 70.3 relays and the possibility of an Olympic Distance Tri (.9 mile swim, 25-40 mile ride, 10K run). Yikes!

Final results of the Red Hills Triathlon 2009: 1/3 mile swim 16 mile bike ride 5K (3.1 mile) run

Overall Finish: 31st of 245 finishers

#211 Colin Abbey age 14 from Tallahassee, FL

Finish Chip Time - 1:21:44

8th overall in the swim - 8:07
Transition #1 - 0:42
64th overall on the bike - 49:13
Transition #2 - 0:52
44th overall on the run - 22:51

Colin's swim team mate Colby Allen finished 20th over all with the times shown below.

#212 Colby Allen age 17 from Tallahassee, FL

Final Chip Time - 1:18:14

Swim: 3rd 7:36

T#1 1:40

Bike: 36th 46:18

T#2 1:03

Run: 22nd 21:39

Revising the Dreams and Schemes

2009-04-01T09:52:00.008-04:00

March was busy, busy, busy on the bike - I logged more than 400 miles last month. I am darn impressed with myself. My plan now that I am back to running is to manage 3 days of riding and 2 or 3 days of running until my body is back on track with the whole running plan. Once I am back in "the zone" running wise I am hoping to successfully juggle 3 days of riding and 3 days of running. We shall see what we shall see. With that in mind, below is a somewhat revised goal and dream calendar up through Donna 2010.

April, 2009
4.24-26.2009 - Panama City Long Course Meet (ATAC event)

May, 2009
5.16.2009 - Missionette 10K (Cairo, GA)
5.16-17.2009 - GPAC Distance Invitational (ATAC event)
5.17.2009 - Red Hills Kids Triathlon
5.20.2009 - Momma's Birthday
5.30.2009 - ATAC Long Course Developmental

June, 2009
6.6.2009 - Capital City Ride for Hope (100K)
6.11.2009 - Tanya's Birthday
6.16.2009 - Aidan's 8th Birthday!
6.21.2009 - Father's Day! Look out Mike, we have big plans...
6.26-28.2009 - ATAC Long Course Invitational

July, 2009
7.3-5.2009 - Dothan Summer Swim Meet
7.4.2009 - Freedom Springs Triathlon
7.16-19.2009 - Long Course Junior Olympics (Fort Myers, FL)

August, 2009
8.1-2.2009 - Area 1-4 Championships
8.15.2009 - Breakfast on the Track 1 Mile Time Trials
8.18.2010 - Dad-in-luv (Stuart's) Birthday
8.22.2009 - Miller Landing Madness (8K)
8.22.2009 - Tri States 100 (Dothan, AL)
8.24.2009 - Our 18th Anniversary!!!

September, 2009
9.2.2009 - Daddy's Birthday
9.13.2009 - Assault on Sugar Loaf Century (Clermont, FL)
9.19.2009 - Women's Distance Festival 5K
9.30.2009 - Mike's 46th Birthday!

October, 2009
10.3.2009 - Atlantic Coast Triathlon (70.3)
10.10.2009 - Spaghetti 100 (ride)
10.17.2009 - Race for the Cure 5K (Birmingham, AL)
10.31.2009 - Boston, GA Mini Marathon

Just before the Boston Mini Marathon - 10.25.2008

Diana Hunter, Kay Posey, Me, Jodi Chase,

Rhonda Cooksey, Jennifer Winegardner

November, 2009
11.22.2009 - The Women's Half Marathon To Benefit LLS (St. Petersburg, FL)
11.26.2009 - Turkey Trot 15K

December, 2009
12.5.2009 - GWTC 10 Mile Challenge
12.13.2009 - Jacksonville Marathon

January, 2010
1.8.2010 - Colin's 15th Birthday - OMG, he can get his driving permit...
1.16.2010 - GWTC 15K/30K

February, 2010
2.7.2010 - Tallahassee Marathon and Half
2.18.2010 - Mom-in-luv (Nancy's) Birthday!
2.21.2010 - 26.2 with Donna (3rd Time's the Charm)

Red Hills 2009 and An Ultra or Two

2009-03-31T10:10:00.006-04:00

Yes, you heard correctly, "The Toughest Sprint Triathlon in Florida" runs this weekend - April 4th at 7:30 a.m. from Maclay Gardens.

And, yes you also heard correctly that The Youngest Competitor in Event History (2008) is returning to race again - faster than before! Go Colin!!!

The many returning athletes from years past in addition to the new faces and names promise to serve up an athletic competition like no other yet this year. Colin Abbey and his ATAC team mate Colby Allen are joined this year by two new youngsters: Tim Venable and Taylor Knight. Another ATACer, Patrick Shropshire, is making his Red Hills debut on the 4th. Lots of "the gang" from last year's group and the Ironman C'ouer d'Alene training group are back: David Bigoney, Mike Boll, Frances Gilbert, Emma Good, Marguerite McCauley. Robert Palmer and numerous others. New faces include Sean Hudson and Jerry Lewis along with what appear to be several families all signed up for a spring morning of fun and healthy competition.

I know it's early to be up on a Saturday morning, but think how appreciative Colin and 300+ other triathletes will be to see you along the bike route and the 5K run route cheering them on to the finish. I suggest picking a spot along Thomasville Road (on the Maclay Gardens side of the road) between Bannerman and Maclay for the safest viewing of the cycling route; maybe along Bannerman where the sidewalks are between Meridian and Thomasville. The 5K is run inside Maclay Gardens along the Overstreet Trails and it is a beautiful run.

Remember once the race starts cars won't be allowed in - not that there will be any spots left by that time. Parking at the Sunshine Credit Union and in the Fresh Market lots are strongly recommended.

Not to be forgotten are two trail runs (one of ultra distance). Since this race is usually over by 10 a.m., you will still have plenty of time to grab a snack; hop in the car; and head to Torreya State Park to see nearly all of the Draggin' Tail 25K/50K Ultra which starts at 8:30 a.m. and has at least 10 Tallahassee Runners participating including our very own Robin Adams in the 50K Ultra and in the 25K: Kay Posey, Chuck Davis, Pam Breza, Jennifer Winegardner, Brian Corbin, Kristen Baggett, Judy Alexander, Joe Brannon, and Sterling Bryant.

Hope to see you out on Saturday. Swim Fast! Ride fast and safe! Run even faster!

March Madness - Continued...

2009-03-30T11:32:00.004-04:00

Good Morning!

The Blue Line 100 (Ride for Those Who Died - Police Unity Tour) fund raising century ride was awesome! The head winds were wicked, and the hills...well they were the Havana Hell Hills, but the ride was great. All of the soreness and fatigue that I took into the ride from the previous days' runs are gone now. Who knew that 60+ miles would work that all out. Not a bit of tightness or soreness remains. The neck is a bit stiff, but that I can live with. So, maybe if I can get out, it's back on the bike today.

More later when I have some pictures to post.

Have a great final two days in this mad, mad month we call March.

March Madness

2009-03-28T10:54:00.002-04:00

No, I have not become obsessively compulsively addicted to viewing the Sweet Sixteen college basketball teams battle it out for the "number 1" ranking in the NCAA Tournament. I do mean not running for 31+ days in order to allow an appropriate healing and rehabilitation of feet, ankles, hamstrings, and Achilles tendons to heal after two back-to-back marathons.

I now know why I have never done this before ... it is madness! Sheer madness. If it were not for my bicycles I would be insane - Insane I tell you! I knew on February 15 that I would impose a one week mandatory "no-run" period just for the sake of allowing muscles and feet and ankles and such to rest and recover. I ran one 4 miler, slow and easy, 8 days post-Donna and discovered that indeed a longer recovery was truly necessary this time around. So, I declared to the world as I know it: "I am taking the month of March off from running." And, so hopped on the road bike 4-5 times a week and the mountain bike a few times in order to keep the fitness level boosted until I would return to pounding the pavement.

This past Thursday, 31 days into my self-imposed running moratorium, the weather promised it would not hold out long enough for me to get in my regular ride. What to do know? I am thinking to myself: March is not yet over; the Blue Line 100 ride is Sunday; I really want to rest on Saturday; and yet I can't ride today, maybe not tomorrow or Saturday... So, I say to myself, "Self, we will hit the streets a few days early, and see what we shall see. We will keep it easy and short for the first run out of recovery, and that is what we will do."

I have to tell you, the run itself was GRRRREAATTTTTT! I put in about 3 miles at a wicked good pace (8:42/miles) and felt good afterwards. Friday morning was a completely different story. Thank goodness the Achilles was not plaguing me as I was worried it might. But, can I tell you, creaky creaky. That same old left hamstring reminded me that yes siree bob it is still connected, and the quads spoke up and voiced their opinion of maybe a slightly too ambitious pace for the first time in a month. So, as I am again faced with the weather dilemma today (one day before a 100 mile ride) I ask myself: "Self, do we run a short run? Or, do we rest and ride hard tomorrow?" I will probably run short and slow to stretch out a bit, and then ready myself for the Hills of Havana Hell tomorrow. Truly, I am looking forward to tomorrow's ride. It is an anniversary of sorts - a year since my first century (The Blue Line Metric 100, March 2008). It will be an awesome morning.

I'll let you know how March finishes out. Who knows, maybe 31 days is just enough of a recovery if you do it right. ;-)

Doin' The Twist

2009-03-20T11:47:00.003-04:00

I have a friend whose philosophy on birthdays is that everyone gets their "birthday month." Now, I have to tell you, as a die-hard proponent of the "week long birthday fest" for some years, I could very easily completely adopt her theory on celebrations. Anyway, moving on. This past Wednesday, four days AFTER her actual birthday but well within the parameters of the Birthday Month, the neighborhood "witches" and I gathered to celebrate with her.

There are only four of us neighborhood witches (The Witches of Killearn), and every time we get together I visualize a new and improved scene from the movie Practical Magic (Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock are the witches...). In the original scene the two women awake to the sound of a blender and immediately know it is time for "Midnight Margaritas!" Yes, there is a song, and a congo line and lots of laughing.

We don't make "Midnight Margaritas" but we do have a blast every time we "circle up" for fun. The other night we did in fact have Margaritas - Pink Lemonade Margaritas, YUM! - and awesome chicken enchiladas. And, of course we laughed, and danced (see the Twist below) and celebrated another year of joy, health, happiness, and friendship.

Happy Birthday! Uga Chucka!

Yippee! Another Reason to Run!

2009-02-24T09:21:00.004-05:00

New Half Marathon for Women

LLS and Women's Running magazine have joined forces to create The Women's Half Marathon To Benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, in St. Petersburg FL. This brand-new event will take place on the weekend of Nov. 21-22, in St. Petersburg, FL.

It's that city's first women-only half marathon, and it is expected to draw athletes from around the country. Participants can train to run or walk the half marathon through LLS's Team In Training (TNT), the world's first, largest and best charity sports training program. With TNT, participants join a group of supportive teammates and get four to five months of training with certified coaches. In return, they raise funds to support blood cancer research and patient services.

"LLS wants to thank the officials of St. Petersburg for granting us the opportunity to put on this great event," says Nancy Klein, LLS's chief marketing and revenue officer. "This will be an exciting weekend, giving participants the chance to take on an athletic challenge while also making a difference in the lives of thousands of people fighting blood cancer."

The 13.1-mile flat, fast race course will wind along the scenic downtown St. Petersburg waterfront, through quaint communities, past historic buildings and museums.

For more information about TNT, including the upcoming summer season, please visit http://www.teamintraining.org./

What's The Plan, Man?

2009-02-16T18:01:00.003-05:00

I know I have done this already, but here is a much updated "race" and dream schedule:

March, 2009
3.7.2009 - TRBC 10K - if my heel an ankle are 100%
3.14-15.2009 - Area 1-4 Championships (JAX - ATAC event)
3.28.2009 - Springtime Tallahassee 10K
or
3.28-29.2009 - Tour de Big Bend Cycling Festival (Double Century Ride)

April, 2009
4.24-26.2009 - Panama City Long Course Meet (ATAC event)
4.25.2009 - Rose City 10K

May, 2009
5.16.2009 - Missionette 10K (Cairo, GA)
5.16-17.2009 - GPAC Distance Invitational (ATAC event)
5.23-24.2009 - ATAC Long Course Developmental

June, 2009
6.6.2009 - Capital City Ride for Hope (100K)
6.26-28.2009 - ATAC Long Course Invitational

July, 2009
7.4.2009 - Freedom Springs Triathlon
7.16-19.2009 - Long Course Junior Olympics (Fort Myers, FL)

August, 2009
8.1-2.2009 - Area 1-4 Championships
8.15.2009 - Breakfast on the Track 1 Mile Time Trials
8.22.2009 - Miller Landing Madness (8K)

September, 2009
9.19.2009 - Women's Distance Festival 5K

October, 2009
10.3.2009 - Atlantic Coast Triathlon (70.3)
10.10.2009 - Spaghetti 100 (ride)
10.17.2009 - Race for the Cure 5K (Birmingham, AL)
10.31.2009 - Boston, GA Mini Marathon

November, 2009
11.22.2009 - The Women's Half Marathon To Benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, in St. Petersburg FL
11.26.2009 - Turkey Trot 15K

December, 2009
12.6.2009 - Rock-n-Roll Las Vegas???? C'mon now, it's an inaugural event
or
12.13.2009 - Jacksonville Marathon

February, 2010
2.21.2010 - 26.2 with Donna (3rd Time's the Charm)

The Harder They Fall

2009-02-16T15:16:00.005-05:00

Have you ever heard the saying, "The bigger they are, the harder they fall"? Well, if you adapt it for Sunday's 2nd Annual 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer you could very well describe my dream of a 4:00 or so marathon. However, several things, not the least of which being the grace of God and the blessing of running with a dear friend, all lined up with me at the start to change the plan for my morning run through Jacksonville Beach and other "beach-y" towns to the north.

Saturday, 14 February 2009:
The rains water down on us nearly the entire way from Tallahassee to Jacksonville. Even as we leave the Race Expo it was still drizzling and beginning to cool off a bit. But, we have our packets, numbers, timing chips, post-race shirts, lots of freebies from the expo and we are off in search of a carbo-loading yummy dinner. We check into the hotel before dinner and then cruise up A1A just a bit to a beach-y type plaza that had the look of awesome local fare. We duck into a joint called Al's Pizza and have a marvelous meal: chorizo sausage pizza, pesto chicken penne, calamari, and the requisite hydration. Post dinner showers, and "chick" TV prep us for an uneventful night of sleep.

Sunday, 15 February 2009:
About 5:00 a.m. the internal alarm in my head goes off and we are up! We are dressed; bagels peanut buttered; and skipping out the door for the shuttle to the starting line. The Runners' Village is mostly dry in spite of the rain all day Saturday, and the volunteers seem happy to be there and are thanking all of the athletes for being there and running for the cause. We wander just a bit, then check our gear. All athletes are corralled based on predicted finish time and our race bibs are color-coded to indicate which corral. Here we split and find our respective color-coded corral(s). I head off to find the 4:15 pace group per my plan. Along the way I see runners from our Tallahassee Running Group, and then I find Maggie and Jaqui. Hugs an good luck wishes all the way around, and we are all off on our own paths again.

In the starting area I find the 4:15 Galloway group and get my Garmin turned on and locked in. The runners in the group chat briefly and share a bit of why they are there and why this pace, and their history. It's going to be a great morning. There is still a bit of chill in the air which will work well with the extreme humidity to keep us from running in sauna-like conditions. We can see the jumbo tron screens from where we are, and Donna Hicken, and the woman who sings the National Anthem. The the gun sounds and pink confetti blasts out at us from both sides, and we are running!

Things go well for the first 3 miles, even though that includes all of the hills (the bridges and overpasses from the Mayo Clinic to Jacksonville Beach proper). Somewhere between miles 3 an 4 I side slip a bit on the road striping, and step down "just wrong" on a reflector or raised piece of asphalt. I come down "just wrong" on my right foot - the one that has been ailing and haunting me since Disney. And, that pretty much is all she wrote. I move off to the side and walk a bit in hopes that it is "one of those twists" we all endure from time to time. After a bit of walking, I pick it back up running and quickly realize that, "No, this is not one of those twists or turns," and go back to walking.

I know that all of my friends and running buddies who are doing the half marathon are still behind me. So, as much as I agonize over the decision while still trying to run, I decide that this is my new, adjusted plan for the morning: I will walk until one of them comes up behind me, and then I will continue on for the remainder of the half with her - whomever she may be. And, if I have to back off again, then I will walk, and repeat the process until I get to the finish line. I mentally go through the ladies I know behind me: Ana, Vicky, Maggie, Jaqui, Ann, Patty, Lynn, and a couple others. Now I settle in to wait for who gets there first.

Not too long after I have made my decision, Maggie and Jaqui come up from behind. They are moving at an easy pace that I think I can hang with and not be in much more pain than I am currently experiencing. We immediately fall into that easy chatter of women who know each other and have a lot in common. Oh, yeah, we all three are swim moms; we are all runners; and we all have boys. We have LOTS to chat about for the next 9 or so miles. And, away we go. In a short while, Jaqui leaves us to run her own race - good for her; and Maggie and I head to the beach portion of the run. Her goal is to make it to mile 7 running, and then run walk to the finish. My goal at this point is just to finish - my heel an ankle are way pain inducing by this time. We discover that as we talk we speed up, and then we have to concentrate on returning to pace and being mindful of the overall goal. We slow up just a tiny bit so that I can ease the tension on my heel some, but the chatter never slows.

It is a good run. I, from the purely selfish side, get to spend this time catching up with Maggie who I don't see as often anymore because of Mac. And, that's okay. I explain to her that I miss her being around, and that I think of her often - which explains the cell phone calls at all absurd times of the day. We talk about Colin and Aidan, and Savannah and Mac. It is good that she can talk about Mac - especially to someone who has a boy near his age. She is nearly as excited as I am that Colin is finally going to the Junior Olympics, and she has promised him she will be there to see him swim. I know that it will be extremely difficult for her to be there, but (again, selfishly) I am so happy that she will be there for Colin. It means a lot to him that she be there.

Anyway, we talk about a lot of things and sometimes nothing at all. And, after about 2 hours we realize we are almost there, and in not too shabby of a time either. She is pleased to be under 2:30 and most definitely under 2:20. I am happy to not be on the medical cart that we saw not too long before mile 11. Yippee! There will be some awesome pictures from the beach and along the way. Hopefully the one at the finish line will be as grand as we felt when we got there.

I kicked myself mentally for a while after I decided to not finish the full yesterday. I'm still questioning whether or not I could have done it. I know I could have, but what would it have cost me? One thing I know without a doubt is that it would have cost me those two hours with Maggie and all that we now share from that experience. I would not trade that time with her for anything. It is a memory I will always have and cherish.

Same time, same place NEXT YEAR. I'm already registered. I must be crazy!

Friday the 13th

2009-02-13T13:43:00.004-05:00

A friend of mine sent "our running group" an e-mail earlier this week inviting all of us to gather together for a "Valentine's Lunch" on Friday the 13th. The chosen venue sounded promising, and we had all been asked to bring our favorite love story to share. So, I joined the group. I did not share my favorite love story at lunch. It is more just for me than for anyone else. But, I have decided to put it here. All names have been removed (to protect the innocent, of course), but I know who "he" is, and so does "he."

My favorite love story happens every day. Yes, it is a profound example of cheesy and I don't tell him as often or as appropriately as I should, but he loves me every day even when I am not very lovable - much less likable on occasion. Ever since I leaned out of a second story window to find a "cop" on my front sidewalk, he has loved me. Even when I growled at him the day before our wedding, he loved me. Even when I stomp and storm and fuss and fight, he loves me. When I don't keep things neat; when dinner is frozen chicken fingers; when I run out the door for yet another extracurricular activity, he loves me.

There you have it. My favorite love story. I hope it remains my favorite until "death us do part."

With all that many of our group have endured over the past years (since August, 2006) I find it simply amazing that we are still (mostly) well-adjusted, functioning members of society. Thank you, my friend, for including us in your personal demon-chasing celebration of a day that is vastly over-marketed to those who are not strong enough to express love on their own accord.

Have a great weekend, and thank you, again, for getting us together as a group for a reason none of us would have expected.

I'm Eva

2009-02-03T08:39:00.004-05:00

Good Morning, World! My name is Eva (say it like this: "EEEeee-Vaaahhh..."). I am a "trashy dog mix" rescued by my new family from the Tallahassee Big Dog Rescue group. I and my two brother puppies were put in a trash bag - you know the big black Hefty kind - and thrown out of a moving vehicle into a ravine and woods when we were about a month or so old. My new mommy and brother, Aidan, met me at the pet store and fell in love. Duh... A couple of days later I took a car ride to my new house and I got to stay! Instant family! Two canine sisters, a daddy, and two human boys to play with and adore me. What more could a puppy ask for? Not much, I tell you.

I have a comfy kennel all to myself; my own brand new dinner bowl, an lots of pink puppy toys. And, I like to help older brother, Colin, with his piano homework.

I'll do my best to log onto mom's blog and keep you posted. Stay Tuned...

The Junior Olympics

2009-02-02T11:07:00.001-05:00

To all of you who have listened to me brag, and then moan, and then moan and brag some more on the ever developing (sometimes frustrating) swimming abilities of my older son:

First, if you did not hear the loud (very loud) exclamations of joy and elation that came from the FSU Leach Center this past Saturday Evening, I feel that I should pass on some awesome information. Colin Abbey qualified to compete in the Spring 2009 Florida Junior Olympics (swimming) in the 200 yard freestyle event. He is committed to achieving qualifying times in one if not three other events (the 50, 500 and 1650 yard freestyle) in two weeks. The Spring 2009 Junior Olympics will be held in Gainesville, Florida, the weekend of the 19 - 22 February and we will be there! This is only the second time Colin has achieved a JO qualifying time, and the FIRST time that he will actually be able to participate and compete against/with the best in the state. He is so very excited.

Second, thank you for listening to me all of this time about him and his swimming things. But more importantly, THANK YOU for your support of him and his endeavors: for coaching him (even as his mother tries her darnedest to not interfere and fails); for sitting on the pool deck in the heat of late June through thunderstorms just to watch the "mile;" for riding with him for miles in preparation for any one of his triathlons; for loaning him equipment and mentoring him; for swimming in Lake Hall with him prior to your own Ironman experience; for sitting on the most uncomfortable concrete bleachers of all; for traveling to small southern Alabama towns to see him swim; for allowing us to stay in your home(s) and for feeding us while we are there so he can swim and compete; for showing up to cross country meets to see him be not the fastest - yet just fast enough; for picking him up in out of the way locations to get him to a meet while I ran a half marathon half way across the state; for taking him to meets with you and having your family put him up and feed him for the weekend; for car pooling with that "Crazy Abbey Lady" to and from everywhere.

Truly, for loving him and supporting him as you have, thank you. He would not be where he is with out you, I promise. Thank you!

"On Beyond '26.2 with Donna'..."

2009-01-26T10:06:00.005-05:00

Thank goodness for bicycles! For the first week following Goofy my two bikes were my best friends: mountain biking with my hubby one afternoon; commuting through town another; and then on the streets a couple of times with "Team Something." Again, thank goodness for bicycles. Now that the running shoes are back on the streets, it's time to re-examine the training schedule for the remainder of my very brief "marathon season." I did get in a 15-miler this past weekend that I feel pretty good about, and I am hoping that my speed will pick up again this week in the shorter runs. I am hoping for a 1:55 Half Marathon on Sunday, but as always it depends on the day.

My plan is pretty simple from now until Donna, and then after that some well-earned and deserved time off of my feet. The Tour de Big Bend (which encompasses the Blue Line 100) is at the end of March, and I fully intend to complete the entire thing this year. That in and of itself will require a bit more time in the saddle than just one ride a week. Fortunately, running helps to keep the saddle time shorter and I am happy for that in the long run.

And, just in case you didn't hear me yelling in joy ... I love my new Ruby Comp. She is all carbon, rides like the wind, and is pretty to boot. Yeah me!

Week of 1 - 7 February
Sunday - Tallahassee Half Marathon
Monday - Rest
Tuesday - Intervals (3x1600)
Wednesday - Rest/Ride
Thursday - 8 mile tempo run
Friday - Rest
Saturday - 8 or 10 mile tempo run

Week of 8 - 14 February
Sunday - Ride
Monday - Rest
Tuesday - 2 miles (speed)
Wednesday - Rest/Ride
Thursday - 3 miles easy
Friday - Rest
Saturday - Rest

Week of 15 - 21 February
Sunday (2.15.2009) - 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer

Richard's Story on TV

2009-01-22T09:31:00.001-05:00

I can only hope that the link will work for quite some time since I don't know exactly when I'll be able to get my DVD-R uploaded to the Mac and then onto the site. Stay tuned. I'll do my best.

http://www.wctv.tv/home/misc/38028769.html#

Me and My Three Friends

2009-01-15T16:15:00.007-05:00

This is the third time I have "done Disney" yet it is the first time that I have truly enjoyed all that the Marathon Weekend has to offer. Both times before were as a member or mentor for Team Tally's Team In Training group. Don't get me wrong - I loved each of those trips, but they were nothing compared to this time through the parks powered by nothing but me. In this entry I have put a sample of pictures from my camera that I stopped to have taken the morning of the marathon. It was great to stop and stand with the characters for pictures. They are out there at those awful hours for no other reason than to pose with the athletes and to cheer us on. It is wonderful, and fun, and great, and smile generating.

As we waited in the starting corrals from 5:00 a.m. to 5:50 a.m. it was comforting to have friends near and dear standing with me. Lisa and Tracy were with me last year, and will be with me again in the future. Not too far away Michael Harvey and others stood waiting to begin our journey to Goofy in memory of his brother, Richard. By the time the course closed on Sunday, 14 of us would complete the 2009 running of Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge. We would leave Disney with three medals: Donald for the Half; Mickey for the Full; and Goofy for being insane enough to do it all in one weekend. Yes, my friends, 39.3 is the new 26.2. I am here to tell you, I will not do it next year. But perhaps later on in my endurance future there will be another one. Things that make you go hmmm...

No Disney Marathon Weekend (Sweet Sixteen in 2009) would be complete without a view of Cinderella's Castle. But, below has to be one of my favorite pictures from the weekend as it captures all of "my medals" in one shot: Donald (1/2 Marathon), Mickey (Marathon), and Goofy (Race and a Half Challenge). I love that one. It really makes the weekend dream complete.

This is what EPCOT looks like from the runner's perspective as the sun comes up. The next photo is what EPCOT looks like from the World Showcase from the post-marathon runner's perspective as the sun sets. Both are equally wonderful and beautiful, and striking when you consider both pictures were taken by the same runner in the same day.

This is what reward looks like.

2009-01-14T10:35:00.002-05:00

My shadow box will be a bit different: my name, my times, my bibs, etc. But, this is the general feel of how excited I am to finally have an OFFICIAL Goofy medal and the well-deserved, hard-earned right to display it. My box will also have "Richard's Bib" that we wore the entire weekend in addition to the assigned marathon/half marathon bibs for the race.

An Initial Recap of Goofy 2009

2009-01-13T09:55:00.002-05:00

Good morning you Marathon Maniacs! Welcome home!

I first want to share with you the words and wisdom of our faithful coach and companion for the past two, nearly three years of training:

From Chuck to the Richard’s Marathon Team:

The Disney employee asked, "Why would you do that?" How could she understand why someone would sign up to run as another person? All I knew was I that I did it to honor him. We all knew he wanted to do Goofy. It just wasn't enough to be a 300 pound marathoner. He had to be more. When she asked me the question, I was tempted to really be Richard and say "Because I can."

In every way I was Richard for a day. My race bib said so. I had the support from "Team Harvey." They sent me off with hugs and kisses at 4 am. I had his brother by my side and all his TNT teammates. Those last words of encouragement were, "Run fast, we have to go shopping." I realized as I was pushed along the course with cheers of "Go Richard!" that I could never know what it was like to be Richard. I was only posing for a day. In life, someone is more valuable in death than they are living. It is hard to accept, but I have learned more from this man after his death than I did when we had him.

Thank you Richard, for letting me be you for a day.
Chuck

If I didn't tell you this in the Reunion area Sunday, I think you should know about what happened to me and know that we as a group did a great thing that impacted more people than we anticipated.

Standing in the Corral waiting for the start, I had reached the point where I was ready to ditch my long-sleeve throw away shirt. I turned my back to the crowd as I was standing near the fence, and pulled it off trying to be careful not to snag it on the pins on my "Richard bib" on my back. A man's voice from behind me asked, "Is that THE Richard shirt?" I immediately crossed my arms over my front, turned and replied, "Yes. Why?"

He went on to explain that he had graduated from high school with Richard and that he and his wife were also running this weekend. They had read about our tribute on the Gulf Winds web site and were looking to see if they would spot any of us. I was taken by surprise and never introduced myself, or asked who they were. After culling through the Tallahassee finishers I am fairly confident I know who they are now. But, that is somewhat irrelevant. The important thing is that they were there for at least some of the same reasons we were there. Never forget that the next person you meet is really only separated from the next by six degrees. Truly.

Do you realize how many people showed up this weekend to honor Richard Harvey? Did you stop and count the number of people on the course who were either there for him or for someone who knew him?

On Saturday, 19 members of "Richard's Goofy Team" completed the Half Marathon along with 8 "Auxiliary" team members. By "Auxiliary" I mean parents, children, spouses, and friends of Richard's Team who came along for the ride by registering, training, and then completing the event because of Richard. Maybe not in whole, but at least in part because of what he meant to one of the team members.

Then on Sunday, 25 members of Richard's Goofy Team completed the Full Marathon accompanied on the course by another 6 auxiliary members. That made for a total of 14 who successfully completed the 2009 Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge. You guys Rock!

Wow! Can you believe it? Can you imagine the impact we as a group could have if we focused on a cause that benefited the here and now rather than the past? Hmmm. It does make one think and ponder, does it not?

I congratulate all of you on your accomplishments over the past year to get to this place. You have done a wonderful thing. Keep it up. And, again my friends run strong. Run Safe. Find a new one and run with a purpose.

Goofy and Post-Goofy Training

2009-01-06T13:32:00.002-05:00

All right, Guys and Girls! This is what the coming weeks will look like for running and riding. Hopefully all the loooooonnnnnnnggggg distance training will pay off with a fabulous Goofy event, and injury-free finishes.

Week of 4 - 10 January:
Sunday - Ride
Monday - Rest
Tuesday - Run: 6 miles at 10K tempo/pace
Wednesday - Rest/Ride
Thursday - Run: 4 miles easy
Friday - Rest, Travel, Hydrate
Saturday - Do "The Donald" (half marathon portion of Goofy)

Week of 11 - 17 January:
Sunday - Mash out "The Mickey" (full marathon portion of Goofy)
Monday - Rest, Travel, Re-hydrate
Tuesday - Rest or easy ride
Wednesday - Easy 4-5 miles
Thursday - Ride
Friday - Rest
Saturday - 15K or 30K on Old Centerville Road

Week of 18 - 24 January
Sunday - Ride
Monday - Rest
Tuesday - Intervals (6x1200)
Wednesday - Rest/Ride
Thursday - 5 mile tempo run
Friday - Rest
Saturday - 18-20 Mile Run

Week of 25 - 31 January
Sunday - Ride
Monday - Rest
Tuesday - Intervals (7x800)
Wednesday - Rest/Ride
Thursday - 4 mile tempo run
Friday - Ride
Saturday - Rest

Week of 1 - 7 February
Sunday - Tallahassee Half Marathon
Monday - Rest
Tuesday - Intervals (3x1600)
Wednesday - Rest/Ride
Thursday - 8 mile tempo run
Friday - Rest
Saturday - 10 mile tempo run

Week of 8 - 14 February
Sunday - Ride
Monday - Rest
Tuesday - 2 miles (speed)
Wednesday - Rest/Ride
Thursday - 3 miles easy
Friday - Rest
Saturday - easy 2 miles early morning

Sunday (2.15.2009) - 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer

My "Richard Story"

2009-01-06T13:18:00.003-05:00

As the final days and hours to Goofy 2009 count down, I feel I should share with all of you "my Richard story. " You see, it's like this:

Richard and I were not each other's favorite people, but we had a common goal, a common thread, and a common drive. He wanted to finish; I wanted to finish; we wanted everyone else on our team to finish. And, that's just the way it was. I used Richard frequently when I ran, especially hills: "Richard runs this hill, I can run this hill. Richard made it to the cooler, I can make it to the cooler." And so it went for two seasons of Team In Training Disney training: both seasons with Richard crossing the finish line in his fabulous "Cadillac caboose" style just under the seven hour time limit, and feeling damn proud of himself - very deservedly, I might add.

Last year, waiting in the lobby of the Coronado Springs Resort for the rest of the TNT team I found a pair of Swarovski crystal Mickey Mouse earrings. I loved them, so I treated myself to a well earned post-Goofy treat. I wore them for a couple of days, and then changed them out for something else. Just like all us girls do - accessorize the outfit with the best choice in jewelry. After I got the phone call telling me that Richard had been in a fatal accident I put the earrings back in. And, I have not taken them out (except to clean them) since. They have been everywhere: all over Europe, to the beach, on century rides, and yes, through another marathon and nearly 2000 miles of training runs and rides. Every time I reach up to my ear to make sure they are right side up, I think of Richard. They are my constant reminder of why I chose to "go Goofy" again. I do not believe that I would have gone back this year, had it not been for Richard's dream of running it.

Once I'm done on Sunday, I will take out my earrings, place them carefully in their black velvet box and put them away. Their job will be done. They will have carried me, head high, through a year of training and memories to the finish line. I hope that what we, this entire committed group, have undertaken will be a grand tribute to the memory of our friend and fellow runner, Richard. I hope that his family knows how much we admired and loved him, and how we have attempted to honor his dream and memory.

I know it's not much. I know it is trivial and completely inconsequential. But, it's all I have. A pair of earrings. Two small items that have been with me for a year to remind me to stay on track, and on target for the goal. I imagine on Monday I'll feel a bit lost with out them there to remind me.

My friends, run strong. Run safe. Run with a purpose.

Winding down to Goofy - If that is possible

2008-12-29T17:17:00.005-05:00

Well, it is five days post-Christmas; it is nearly 70 degrees out; and ... The start of the "Goofy" is only 12 days away. WOW! After having done this in 2008 I wonder what made me want to do it again. Oh, yeah ... But, that as is said, is another story. This past week began a standard two-week taper into the full marathon: 20 miles on the 20th, 12+ miles on the 27th, and 10-12 miles this Saturday on the 3rd. I have managed to get some good cross training rides in as well which is great on the hamstrings and hips. TRUST ME!

This week holds a couple of short runs: Intervals on 12.30 (about 4.5 miles worth); 5-6 miles on 1.1.2009; and then 10 or so miles on Saturday 1.3.2009. I also plan to ride on the 1st (post run, of course) and again on the 4th per a usual cross training schedule. The week after that is the final taper into The Goofy: easy 3-4 miles on 1.6.2009 and then about 5 easy miles on 1.7.2009. Yikes, it didn't seem so intimidating in January (2008) when I joined the group and said, "Sure, I'll do that again." What was I thinking?!!? And then to run the Donna 26.2 on February 15th? Who put those stupid pills in my vitamin bottle? I'll get them, don't worry!

The "Year 2009" looks like this in the preliminary planning stages. Please take note that ALL, and I truly mean ALL (except Goofy and Donna) are subject to change.

January

10-11 Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge

17 GWTC 15/30K (I plan to run only the 15K - I'll still be in recovery mode)

February

1 Tallahassee 1/2 Marathon

15 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer

March

7 TRBC 10K (GWTC Grand Prix Race)

14 Gate River Run (15K) in Jacksonville

28 Spring Time Tallahassee 10K (Grand Prix Race)

29 Blue Line 100 Ride

April

4 Red Hills Triathlon (spectator only)

25 Rose City Run 10K

May

2 3 States 3 Mountains (Century Ride with Team IN Training...)

July

4 Freedom Springs Triathlon

or Peachtree 10K in Atlanta, Georgia

18 JAX Sprint Tri #2 (spectator only)

August

15 Breakfast on the Track 1 Mile Time Trials

September

19 Women's Distance Festival 5K (Grand Prix Race)

27 Six Gap 100 Ride in Delongah, Georgia

October

31 Boston (Georgia) Mini Marathon

November

26 Turkey Trot 15K (Grand Prix Race)

December

5 10 Mile Challenge (Grand Prix Race)

Wow! That One's Over

2008-12-22T09:44:00.002-05:00

This past Saturday (12.20.2008) a fair percentage of "Richard's Goofy Team" ran the 20-miler that shows up on all marathon training calendars. I have, in the past, really dreaded this date on the calendar. Mostly I suppose, because I have had to make those miles alone. Somehow it has never worked out that I have been able to make that particular run with any of the group. So, as the date approached and the location was solidified, I became tense and worried. A 20-mile run an hour from home on the last Saturday before Christmas. Hmmm ... I did smell trouble brewing. Thanfully, with the support and encouragement of Mike, my ever positive personal cheerleader, I ventured off with my long-time friend Cathy to "run" 20 miles.

Some of the group met on the South side of town at 4:30 a.m. (OUCH!) to run flat, paved, lesser-traveled loops. Others of the group met at Team Tally's traditional 20-mile run location: St. Mark's Wildlife Refuge. When the clock chimed 9:00 a.m. this group set off on a perambulation of the St. Mark's Wildlife Refuge beginning at the Visitors' Center; running to the front gates; journeying to the Lighthouse; and then gutting it out back to the Visitors' Center. I had fully expected this run to be just about as close to miserable as one could get without actually receiving a medal for completing a marathon. However, in hind sight, I was pleasantly surprised that it was in fact no so at all. I would not exactly call it a pleasant run. The weather was in the 70's and one of the coolers we had put out near mile 10 was stolen before the first in our group reached it. That meant no water from miles 7+ to 13, and then again from miles 13 to 19. Fourtunately, one of the group (our fearless leader from the past, Chuck) drove up and down the road with Gatoraide in the back of his car to hand out along the way. I had tucked a bottle in my top at about mile 15 and rationed that out until I hit the last stop at just under mile 19.

I surprised myself by running consistent miles until mile 17 (when I was really, really hot and my water had run out...), but even then my time was faster than I had run the Donna in February. Overall, I was pleased. Except for a twinge in my right hip which I can't explain I feel pretty dog gone good. I can only pray that for the next 8 weeks I can stay HEALTHY and INJURY FREE. That is my plan, that is my goal and "I'm stickin' to it!"

I can say with all confidence, 20 miler not withstanding, I am glad that one's over! Whew!

Running Shoes and Turkey: A Great Combo

2008-11-28T09:44:00.007-05:00

About the time my birthday rolls around, I begin to seriously plan my run/race/training calendar. I start looking at all the possible "official races" that I can fit in and afford in order to supplement my training schedule. I refer to races as "club supported training runs." You know, runs where someone else puts out the water, picks up the discarded cups and gel packs, keeps the time, and takes the pictures.

I usually start with a couple of shorter races in September and October, then the Boston (GA) Mini Marathon the last Saturday in October. I always add one measure of the Turkey Trot (Thanksgiving) and the 10 Mile Challenge on the first Saturday of December. Sometimes I double up and add the Jingle Bell Run, and occasionally I run the GWTC 15/30K (January). This year I have added cycling to my schedule as a cross training tool - it has really helped keep my hamstring a bit looser and not so painful. So, in October after I ran a somewhat disappointing Boston Mini (13.1 miles), I wondered how I was going to re-plan my "Goofy" training. You see, I had hoped for a finish in the neighborhood of 1:50, but ended up with a 1:57. That is a PR time, so I'll take it. Since then, I have been taking it easier on the long runs to keep myself more in check, and to give the hamstring more recovery time in between long runs.

Yesterday morning, Thanksgiving Day, I slid out of bed and prepped for this year's Turkey Trot: the 15K. Again, I had sort of set a goal, something I didn't used to do, but now sometimes try to accomplish. I thought 1:20-1:25 would be a good finish, but I had also told myself that I would be happy with any time under 1:30. So off we went. Oh yeah... Colin had decided that he would step up to run the 10K this year. He has run/walked it once before with his YaYa and Greepy when they were in town for Thanksgiving. But, since then the longest he has gone is 5K during a triathlon. But, he said he could. He said he would. And, it seems that he had set a goal: Beat my best 10K time (53:58). I might add it is a time, which by no stretch of the imagination is fast, however it did give him something tangible to attain.

We get to Southwood in plenty of time. We park, strip off our extra layers so they will be warm and dry when we finish; and we head with nearly 3,000 other people to the starting area. We see lots of friends and running buddies. It is kind of neat to start the eating Fest that is the holiday season with a good long run. It sort of justifies everything that we will eat as it comes our way in the next month or so.

Soon we're off. I don't see Colin again until I am coming into the 15K finish and he is waiting with a friend from school and her mother who happens to be a running partner of mine (they have run the 5K - splendidly). Colin finished his 10K in 45:13 (by his chip time) which was FABULOUS! That time put him 23rd overall in the 10K race. I finished the 15K in 1:20:39. I was beyond ecstatic. A PR by nearly 11 minutes, and I felt great afterwards.

Here are two pictures I have found of us on the course. Colin is coming into the chute for the 10K finish. The shot of me making the turn for the 10K/15K split is grainy and blurred, but it is the only picture of me I can find. And, I actually look like I'm running! whoo-hoo! I'm chalking it up to being so "blazing fast" - Ha! Here they are as proof that we really do run, and did so "for our supper."

Looking Ahead

2008-11-25T09:54:00.002-05:00

I'm looking back at my most recent post and see that it is a listing of training runs/rides. Well, guess what, this entry will be remarkable similar in content. But, if I don't get it down in words now to float around in cyber space then I may not make it to the pavement when the time comes. So, here we go ... for December, 2008.

11.30 Ride
12.2 4 miles of "speed intervals" from home; 5:30 a.m. (temperature permitting)
12.4 5 mile tempo run from home; 5:30 a.m. (temperature permitting)
12.6 "10 Mile Challenge" in Killearn Lakes; 8:00 a.m. (plus some extra tacked on)
OR
12.7 20 Miles on the St. Mark's Trail with the group; 8:00 a.m.

OR
12.7 Ride
12.9 3 miles of "speed intervals" from home; 5:30 a.m.
12.11 5 mile tempo run from home; 5:30 a.m.
12.13 12-15 miles

12.14 Ride
12.16 4.5 miles of "speed intervals" from home; 5:30 a.m.
12.18 5 mile tempo run from home; 5:30 a.m.
12.20 20 Miler with Cathy

12.21 Rest
12.22 3.5 miles of "speed intervals" from home; 5:30 a.m.
12.24 ??? with Cathy for her 40th birthday!
12.27 12-15 miles

12.28 Ride
12.30 3 miles of "speed intervals" from home; 5:30 a.m.
1.1.2009 8 tempo run from home in the afternoon
1.3 8-12 miles

REVISED: I'm Behind Again - Yikes!

2008-11-12T10:31:00.006-05:00

Okay, okay, okay! So, I got behind in keeping the training schedule posted. Sue me! No really. Believe it or not, when I get off track in publicly posting my runs, I tend to slack off a bit - not much, but some. I'm trying something new in hopes of lessening the potential damage to a sore hamstring. Three days of running with one really GOOD day of cross training. The three runs should help the hamstring heal a bit and allow some variety in the runs: Tuesday - shorter and faster; Thursday - longer and more like a "pace" run; Saturday - Loooong ('nuff said).

So here we go for the next couple of weeks or so:

11.12 - 4 miles from home; 5:30 a.m.
11.13 - 6 miles from home; 5:30 a.m.
11.15 - 10-12 miles in Killearn Lakes with The Group 8:00 a.m.

11.16 - Ride "To Georgia and Back"; 1:30 p.m. with Georgia and Carmen
11.18 - 4 miles from home; 5:30 a.m.
11.20 - 7 miles from home; 5:15 a.m.
11.22 - 15 miles from "home"; Noon (when the temperature is above 40!)

11.23 - Ride HILLS; 1:30 p.m. with Georgia and Carmen
11.25 - 4 miles from home; 5:30 a.m.
11.27 - Turkey Trot 15K; eat a lot...
11.29 - 10-15 miles in Killearn (route below); 8:00 a.m.
11.30 - Ride and recover!

5 mile loop around Killearn UMC
Find more Runs in Tallahassee, Florida

The Morning After

2008-11-05T10:57:00.004-05:00

I am putting this here because I feel that it needs to be "out there" for everyone to consider; because we do live in a country where we can voice our opinions without fear of repercussions; where we will still love our friends and family "the morning after" because that is what we do. I have included ONE e-mail that I received this morning and ONE of my responses. That is all. I know there will be more exchanged, but I feel quite confident that they will only be a restating of the original messages.

Dear Friends and family,

"Husband" & I stayed up late to watch history made last night! As I drink my first cup of coffee this morning, the sun seems brighter and the sky bluer! Hope is the color of the future, and I thank God I was born an American!

Our problems are overwhelming. The path is long, but putting Obama at the helm lifts those challenges into the light where we can all see them and take our place in meeting them together.

I am sure that you, like us, had many friends who did not vote the way we did. Our response to this amazing election from here should be our personal commitment in reflecting the coming together and healing that this new hope represents. People we love and respect are not celebrating this morning. It is important that we be the face of unity and inclusion that Barak Obama presents, not only to Americans, but to the world.

Finally I ask you all to join with me in prayers for this man, his family, and mostly, for our country as we enter this new era of hope, sacrifice and hard work.

Much love,
"My Friend"

I must tell you that the decision to vote "Obama" yesterday was an extremely difficult one. And, I believe that had it not been for McCain's age, health issues, and his being so totally "not the same person" he was when he began campaigning some years ago I might have voted "McCain/Palin." And, that is saying something for this somewhat liberal, somewhat conservative Democrat. I'm just not sure that Obama has enough experience to be fully capable of the job at hand. I am hopeful that he, being a highly intelligent and well-educated man, will surround himself by those far more experienced and worldly than himself in order to accomplish those tasks now set before him.

In the light of the dawn of a new era, I can see that hope still springs eternal. Yet, in the next breath I find it difficult to grasp that we, as Floridians, did not see fit to remove language from the state constitution that prohibits "aliens" from receiving/inheriting property; and that we felt we could "play God" and dictate just what a "marriage" shall be, not taking into consideration all of those affected by that decision (not just the few who have chosen an alternative lifestyle). There is a lot to overcome, and unfortunately it begins at the state and local levels and must then filter up to the national and world forums.

If nothing else, we have watched history unfold before our very eyes. My children have heard and seen two monumental things take place: A racial minority elected to quite possibly the highest governing office on this planet; and a woman chosen as a running mate for that same position. Wow! And, both of those things happened during the same campaign. People will speak of this for generations to come. Yes, no matter how you voted it is now EVERYONE's job to be an American; to support the chosen president; and to move into the future along with and not against our country.

Pray. Pray long and hard. Pray continuously - not only for the president, his family, the congress, but also all of our other chosen leaders (whether they be your choice or not). God Bless the USA.

Eat to Run! Run to Win!

2008-10-31T10:07:00.004-04:00

I copied out of Jeff Galloway's most recent e-mail newsletter. It makes some very important points, and has tips from which we can all benefit. I am the first one to say that I don't "eat my carbs" in the proper manner.

STRATEGIES TO EAT BETTER

Nutrition Issues in Underperforming Runners

“Nutrition is my missing link. I have my training down, but my eating needs help.”Time and again, I hear runners express this concern when they fail to get desired results from their workouts. These busy people, who range from casual joggers to competitive marathoners, are eating at the wrong times, choosing the wrong balance of carbohydrates, protein and fat, drinking too little fluids, and consuming adequate iron.The question arises: How much better could these runners run? The answer is: Lots better! The following article highlights some common missing food links, and provides solutions that can help you to avoid these pitfalls.

MISSING LINK #1: Respect for the power of food

“You know, Nancy, too many athletes show up for training but they don't show up for meals. They might as well not show up for training...” These words, spoken by a winning Boston College hockey coach, are true, indeed. Instead of rushing to practice, only to show up poorly fueled, you'd be better off taking 10 minutes from your training time to fuel properly and be able to get more from your workout. Plan ahead!

MISSING LINK #2: Eating enough during the active part of the day.

The same runners who show up underfueled for training are generally the ones who undereat nourishing meals by day, only to overeat “junk” by night. This pattern fails to support an optimal sports diet—nor long-term health. "Why do so many runners undereat during the active part of their day?"

• Some claim they are “too busy.” Wrong. If they can find time to train, they can find time to fuel for training.

• Other runners are purposefully restricting their food intake at breakfast and lunch, with hopes of losing weight.

In a survey of 425 female collegiate athletes (some of whom were runners), the vast majority wanted to lose five pounds. Forty-three percent of the women reported feeling terrified of becoming overweight; 22% were extremely preoccupied with food and weight.(1) This fear that “food is fattening” certainly deters many runners from fueling optimally.If you are weight-conscious, pay attention to when you eat. Fuel adequately during the active part of your day, so you have energy to exercise. You will then be less hungry at the end of the day and better able to “diet” at night (that is, eat less dinner or fewer evening snacks). After dinner, get out of the kitchen and away from food, brush your teeth after dinner, go to bed early, and lose weight when you are sleeping, instead of when you are trying to run.

Note: If you want to lose weight, you should not severely undereat. Rather, create just a small 100- to 200-calorie deficit. Little changes at the end of the day—like eating just 2 to 4 fewer Oreos—can knock off 100 to 200 calories a day and theoretically lead to 10 to 20 pounds of fat loss a year.

MISSING LINK #3: Eating the right amount of calories at evenly sized, evenly scheduled meals.

Too many runners eat in a crescendo, with the biggest meal in the evening. The better plan is to divide your calories evenly throughout the day, eating every 4 hours, so you are always in the process of fueling-up or re-fueling.

Here’s an example of a 2,400-calorie fueling plan for a female runner (or a dieting male runner):

Breakfast 7-8:00 AM 600 calories

Lunch 11-12 noon 600 calories

Second Lunch 3-4:00 PM 500 calories

Workout 5-6:30 PM 600 calories

Dinner 7-8:00 PM 700 calories

If you have trouble listening to bodily cues that regulate a proper food intake, you might want to meet with a sports dietitian who can help you estimate your calorie needs and translate that calorie information into a food plan for a balanced sports diet. To find a local sports dietitian, use the referral network at http://www.scandpg.org/.

MISSING LINK #4: Eating an appropriate amount of fat.

Runners who eat too much fat (butter, oil, salad dressing, fried foods) displace the carbs they need to optimally fuel their muscles. That is, if you fill up on cheese and oil in the fettuccini Alfred, you are not filling up on the carb-rich pasta. You’ll end up with “dead legs.” Runners who eat too little fat fail to replenish fat stored within the muscles that supports endurance performance.

A study with runners who ate a very low (16%) fat diet for a month reports they had 14% less endurance compared to when they ate a moderate (31% fat) diet. Their self-selected diets were supposed to offer equal calories, but the runners with the moderate-fat diet actually ate not only more fat but also more calories. Yet, the extra calories did not make them fatter. That’s because the runners had been undereating on the low fat diet and conserving energy; they lost their ability to perform well. (2)

Conclusion: Including some healthful dietary fat in addition to adequate carbs and calories offers important fuel that gets stored within the muscles and can improve endurance performance. Enjoy some peanut butter on the bagel, olive oil on the salad, nuts for snacks, salmon for dinner.

MISSING LINK #5: Fueling before you exercise.

If you think you have “no time” to eat before your workout, think again. Eating 100 to 300 calories of a pre-exercise snack even 5 minutes prior to running enhances performance, assuming:

1) you will be running at a pace you can maintain for more than 30 minutes and

2) you can tolerate pre-run food.

How much difference does this pre-run fuel make? Lots! In a study where the subjects ate dinner, and then the next morning exercised to exhaustion, they lasted 109 minutes with no breakfast, 136 minutes with breakfast (400 calories, equivalent to a bowl of Wheaties with milk and a banana). That’s quite an improvement!(3) In another study, athletes biked hard for 45 minutes, and then sprinted as hard as they could for 15 minutes. When they ate a 180 or 270-calorie snack just five minutes before they exercised, they improved 10% in the last 15 minutes. They improved 20% when they had eaten a meal four hours prior to the exercise, then the snack 5 minutes pre-exercise.(4)

This means: Eat breakfast and lunch, plus a pre-run snack and you’ll have a stellar afternoon workout! If you fear undesired pit stops or gastric distress, train your intestinal track to tolerate food. Start with one saltine, or one pretzel, and then work up to a more substantial intake. Learning to tolerate pre-run feul will help you get to the next level. Even if you are working out for less than an hour, you should still eat a pre-run snack and drink water. Athletes who ate no breakfast, biked hard for 50 minutes and then sprinted for 10 minutes to the finish were able to sprint 6% harder when they consumed adequate water vs. minimal water, 6% harder with adequate carbs vs. no carbs and minimal water, and 12% harder with a sports drink (adequate carbs+water).(5)

Fueling works!

One way to organize your pre-run fueling is to eat part of the upcoming meal prior to your workout. For example—

• If you run in the morning, enjoy a banana before your workout, and then afterwards refuel with the rest of your breakfast, such as a bagel and a yogurt.

• If you run at lunch, eat half a sandwich before your run and then enjoy the rest of your lunch afterwards.

• For afternoon or afterwork sessions, enjoy a granola bar or some graham crackers pre-run, and then refuel with chocolate milk.Whatever you do, don’t let nutrition be your missing link. You will always win with good nutrition!

Nancy Clark, MS, RD, CSSD (Board Certified Specialist in SportsDietetics) offers private consultations to casual and competitive athletes in her practice at Healthworks, the premier fitness center in Chestnut Hill MA (617-383-6100). Her new Sports Nutrition Guidebook (2008), Food Guide for Marathoners, and Cyclist’s Food Guide are available via www.nancyclarkrd.com. See also sportsnutritionworkshop.com.

References:

1. Beals, K., and M. Manore. 2000. Behavioral, psychological, and physical characteristics of female athletes with subclinical eating disorders. Int J Sports Nutr and Exerc Metab 10(2):128-143.
2. Horvath, P.J., C.K. Eagen, N.M. Fisher, J.J. Leddy, and D.R. Pendergast. 2000. The effects of varying dietary fat on performance and metabolism in trained male and female runners. J Am Coll Nutr 19(1):52-60
3. Schabort, E., A. Bosch, S. Welton, and T. Noakes. 1999. The effect of a preexercise meal on time to fatigue during prolonged cycling exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 31(3):464-471.
4. Neufer, P.D., D. Costill, M. Flynn, J. Kirwan, J. Mitchell, and J. Houmard. 1987. Improvements in exercise performance: Effects of carbohydrate feedings and diet. J Appl Physiol 62 (3): 983-988.
5. Below, P., R. Mora-Rodriquez, J, Gonzalez-Alonso, E. Coyle, 1995. Fluid and carbohydrate ingestion independently improve performance during 1 hour of intense exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 27:200-210.
-----------------------------
For personalized nutrition help, consult with a registered dietitian (RD) who is a board certified specialist in sports dietetics (CSSD). Use the referral network at www.SCANdpg.org to find your local food coach.

Nancy Clark, MS, RD, CSSD (Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics) counsels both casual and competitive athletes in her practice at Healthworks, the premier fitness center in Chestnut Hill MA (617-383-6100). Her Sports Nutrition Guidebook, Food Guide for Marathoners, and Cyclist’s Food Guide are available via nancyclarkrd.com (books, powerpoint, handouts). See also sportsnutritionworkshop.com (Chicago, Indy, Detroit).--Nancy Clark MS RD CSSDSports Nutrition ServicesHealthworks, 1300 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill MA 02467Phone: 617.795.1875 Fax: 617.795.1876

"Helping active people win with good nutrition."

Did you know...

2008-10-28T11:58:00.004-04:00

Do you ever wonder what endurance athletes talk about? Below is just an example of today's conversation between two of my favorite endurance athletes about other endurance athletes (all names and personal references removed to protect the innocent - ha!). Gotta love 'em. We surely do.

I Run 13point1: Hey there! Do you have RP's e-mail? I wanted to send him a congrats on his Marine Corps finish, but I don't know which address is his in the "list" that I get from some of you guys.

PIrish66: ??????@comcast.net

PIrish66: or ?????????

I Run 13point1: Thank you so very much! Do you happen to know how he felt about his finish?

PIrish66: you're welcome. crappy

I Run 13point1: Really? I didn't think his time was that bad. But, then I don't know him very well, and do not know what his goal time was.

I Run 13point1: What about DK and JE?

PIrish66: he was an hour slower than his projected time. JE and SL kept him company during his struggles from 15 miles to the finish. DK did a 4:39.

I Run 13point1: Really. When I have run with him I would have put him right near where he finished, but that's just me and I am not a very good judge of that kind of thing.

I Run 13point1: You'll laugh...Colin is already registered for Red Hills. He wants to go 1:15 ish this year. What a snot.

PIrish66: ah, youth. tell him not to rub it in too much.

I Run 13point1: I told him, I'll believe it when I see it. 1:15 means dropping more than 20 minutes from a 1:38. He has dropped his run times to about 20-21 minute 5Ks, but he will need to drop a lot on the bike to make that goal.

PIrish66: rh is won on the bike

I Run 13point1: So I hear. But, that is Colin's real weakness - he is scared of the downhill. He can crank on the ups, but the downs on skinny tires worry him. He'll get better with time and experience I think.

I Run 13point1: Talked to CK yesterday - he's trying to qualify for Kona.

PIrish66: me too

I Run 13point1: Reallllllly...Wow. You're a bigger better person/athlete than I'll ever be. Nope. NO desire to go that far all by myself in one day on my legs.

PIrish66: you're smarter than me and chuck. my chances are slim. i have left hip replacement on 11/18 and then resectioning my right replacement 6 weeks later. i'm going to pcb this weekend to sign up for im fl '09.

I Run 13point1: EEEK! I'm not sure I'd say smarter - afterall I am doing Goofy in January, and then five weeks later 26.2 with Donna in Jacksonville, and then hopefully 3 States 3 Mountains with Team In Training, and ..... A whole lot of stupid pills being ingested around here. Hmmm...maybe it's in the water.

PIrish66: dang. hey, we have the stc, the stoopid triathlon club. i'm president.

I Run 13point1: That must make me the President Elect or fan club recruiter.

PIrish66: we have a prominent spot reserved for you

I Run 13point1: yeah, I'll bet. Right next to the Electric Chair for those parents who others believe live vicariously through their triathlon-racing children.

PIrish66: consider it a legacy

I Run 13point1: Thanks, I think.

PIrish66: you're welcome. i know

(UPDATE) Red Hills Has Opened ... Will You Measure Up?

2008-10-24T13:58:00.004-04:00

I received an e-mail from the race director of the Red Hills Triathlon earlier this month announcing the opening of race registration. I went home, told Colin, and was immediately greeted by, "GET ME IN!!!!!" So in he is. Not only will he most likely be the youngest competitor (again), but he may very well be the first registered racer this year.

Look out, Red Hills - here comes Colin, again! This event may never be the same.

Update 10.31.2008

I just checked the "Registered Participants" list on the web site. I have to tell you I am amazed. The first day I checked there were 94 athletes, now only 1 or 2 days later there are 161! WOW! And, I am pleased to report that there appear to be two Father/Son (not relays) pairs, and a couple of families "tri-ing" it on for a weekend of fun.

I do so love a good athletic event that brings the family spirit out, and fosters a safe competitive nature. Whee! Here we go....

What an Inspiration!

2008-10-22T11:49:00.002-04:00

Today I received a somewhat "random" e-mail with "Leukemia Survivor Documentary" in the subject line. I guessed that it must have come from Team In Training or the Leukemia and Lymphoma folks, because they seem to follow this blog, and they send me very interesting things from time-to-time. Not so from them I find as I open the e-mail. However, the information contained in the e-mail was nonetheless very, very inspirational and much appreciated by me. If you get a chance, I do encourage you to skip over to either of the links below and read for yourself just what this Ironman has accomplished - both on and off the athletic field.

From Jeff Keating:

Check out the thread 'Leukemia Survivor Documentary' on The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Community. Or check out http://www.livingiswinning.com/ Just follow this link to see the thread: http://community.lls.org/thread/1365 (If the link doesn't work, try copying and pasting it from this email into your browser's address bar.)

Excerpt from the Synopsis page of http://www.livingiswinning.com/

In the calm, cold water of Mirror Lake, the starting gun for Ironman Lake Placid is ready to fire. Andrew 'Drew' Johnston floats, waiting to battle competitors from all over the world as they swim over, under, and around each other on a quest to qualify for the Ford Ironman World Championship. But for Drew, a different struggle weighs heavily on his mind and in his heart. In 2004, a recurring leg injury forced his withdrawal with 10 miles left in this race, something he never imagined possible. This injury led to a frightening diagnosis of Leukemia (CML). One year later, after the oral chemo Gleevac put his disease in remission, Drew began competing at an elite level again, and winning. But he had unfinished business, and his emotional return to Lake Placid serves as the backbone of this film.

Throughout the grueling 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run, Drew retells his inspirational life story. From his introduction to cycling and early struggles with triathlon to his diagnosis and successful comeback at the famous Ford Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Drew’s story is one of strength, determination, love, family and friendship. Surprisingly funny interviews with family and friends provide more than the usual glimpse into the world of an elite athlete. And with every stroke, pedal, and step Drew takes, you not only root for him, you cheer for what he believes in – a nothing is impossible attitude and a day-to-day appreciation of life. Andrew Johnston overcomes the odds to challenge himself and to inspire others to live life to its fullest. He proves that our only limitations are the ones we set for ourselves.

Training 10.19 - 11.1 (or more running...)

2008-10-17T12:22:00.003-04:00

Somewhere between then and now I forgot to put down in writing - which might begin to explain the somewhat laid back running this week - my training ambitions for this past week. Oh, well, "the best laid plans of mice and men..." I have had a couple of pretty good pre-dawn runs, and I am looking forward to a strong 10-miler either today or tomorrow. I did ride the ENTIRE 100+ miles of The 25th Spaghetti 100 last Saturday (10.11.2008) and had a blast. I can easily see myself going more to cycling as my marathoning slides back to one per year. I LOVE IT!!! Oh, yeah!

Anyway, the next two weeks or so of training, here we go:

10 miles sometime this weekend and one day of hard riding

10.19 - Rest or Ride

10.20 - 5 miles from home 5:30 a.m.

10.21 - 7 miles from home 5:00 a.m.

10.22 - 4 or 5 miles from home 5:30 a.m.

10.23 - Rest and stretch

10.24 - Rest and stretch - prep for tomorrow!

10.25 - 13.1 in Boston, GA with Chuck's Team In Training group

10.26 - Rest; track Marine Corps runners (It's my 41st birthday!)

10.27 - Rest?

10.28 - 5 miles from home 5:30 a.m.

10.29 - 7 miles from home 5:00 a.m.

10.30 - 5 miles from home 5:30 a.m.

10.31 - Halloween! Resting!

11.1 - Hmm! I may wait to decide on this one.

Play 2 Cure

2008-10-07T10:18:00.009-04:00

Dear Team In Training Supporter -

Below are the contents of an e-mail I just received from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It sounds like a lot of fun, and it is a safe and secure environment for children. If you, your children, children you know, Internet gaming "addicts" that you know are into on-line games, this is just for you. AND...it serves a great and wonderful cause that is near and dear to my heart.

Please, please skip over to the site and check it out. Let me or Christine Lazzari (e-mail below) know what you think; how it might be better; and any suggestions.

All my love and admiration for the support you have given me, Team In Training, and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

"We (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) have just launched a new promotional fundraiser called LLS Play2Cures (http://lls.play2cures.org). Essentially, it's an online casual gaming platform where users purchase tokens and compete with one another in games like sudoku, solitaire, golf, etc. The money raised goes to LLS to fund blood cancer research and programs for patients and their families.

It's a very simple theory - play games, fight cancer - but the true magic behind it is that the entire thing was developed by Jim Carol, while his 11 year old son, Taylor, was unexpectedly undergoing treatments for a rare form of leukemia.

While Jim worked on building the idea, Taylor was the VP of Game Development and skillfully tested out each game to determine which to include. Sharing this experience helped the two overcome some tough times while Taylor was going through chemo and a bone marrow transplant. Now, they're using the idea to help raise awareness and funds for other kids just like Taylor.

I invite you to take a look at the site. It's really a ton of fun. My favorite game is LadyBug - although I can't manage to get the high score (I'm cryssteen on the leader boards). I'd be honored if you gave it a try.

Hope you enjoy it. And I welcome any feedback you have!"

Thanks, Christine

Christine Lazzari Internet Marketing Specialist:: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society 1311 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 310 White Plains, NY 10605:: 914.821.8881 www.lls.org Christine.Lazzari@lls.org

Dixie Chicks Rock the Iron - 70.3 Iron That Is!

2008-10-05T11:45:00.007-04:00

It seems like a hundred years since I have been to Amelia Island. It is nothing like the last time I was there. To be honest, I didn't even recognize the place. I did manage to locate my hotel and then Main Beach where check-in took place for what may be the newest half Ironman triathlon in the country. If it wasn't a national debut event, it certainly was a Florida debut event. The Atlantic Coast Triathlon (70.3 distance: 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile ride, 13.1 mile run) was held yesterday, October 4, on beautiful Amelia Island, Florida. And, it promises to become a premier half ironman triathlon over the next two or three years if the inaugural event was any indicator. There were about 370 or so athletes registered for the combination of this 70.3 and the "Amelia Man" Olympic Distance Triathlons. DRC Sports and Chris Moling (JAX Sprint TRI series and Crystal River Sprint TRI series) put on a great event. It was well organized, and the volunteer support was almost up there with the 26.2 with Donna. I am impressed. I am actually considering going back in 2009.

Let me first straighten out a couple of things as I am sure you are gaping and wondering who in the world is really writing this. NO! I did not complete the entire 70.3 miles of the event. Two other girlfriends and I decided to do this "race" as a relay - The Dixie Chicks. Andra was our swimmer and she is a fabulous open water fish. Kathy was our cyclist and she knew she could mash out those 56 miles on the bike with the best of them. That left me to run the half marathon closer. Yippee! Or, yikes depending on how you look at it. The nice thing about a relay is no one gets pounded or destroyed by having to train for the entire distance, and ... as we quickly found out, you can have some fun all at the same time. Every one gets the chance to eat, shower, sleep in a bit or go back for a nap and still see all the transitions and the last leg cross the finish line (which we did in just about 6:01...not bad, I think).

The swim leg is in fact 1.2 miles of open water in the Atlantic Ocean. Thankfully there had been no recent storms and none looming off shore to stir up the surf and pound the swimmers into chum. Kathy says the bike course was "gorgeous" and that's enough for her to want to come back next year. The run is beautiful. The first four miles run through a little beachy neighborhood that is as cute as beachy streets can be. I would love to see the residents out on the course more in the coming years. That would add a lot to that portion. Miles 4.5 - 13 are run inside Fort Clinch State Park. Nearly all of it is canopied, beautiful North Florida (nearly Georgia) forest and cooler than the open streets. The race director was true to his word, there was hydration/fuel/iced towels/porta potties at every mile marker. The course, while not as well signed or "street marked" as I would have expected, was VERY well staffed by volunteers and police auxiliary - if only the Tallahassee Marathon would take some pointers...

The bad thing about being the last leg is that it's hot. And, if you are me and used to running in the dark and cool, hot is not always so good. There in lies the rub... So, while it was not a PR for me on the run at the end, it was good heat training and pace training (when your first 4 miles are right at an 8 minute pace, the remaining 9 are going to suffer if you happen to be a pretty steady 8:45 - 9:00 runner). Thankfully, we had all gone into it with the understanding that it was a new course; I had a hamstring issue; Andra's knee was bothering her; and well Kathy may have PR'd. Stinker! Not to mention, this was supposed to be FUN!!! It was, however, my second best time. Nothing to report to the record books, but I'll take it for training purposes. Now I know what to expect when running 13.1 miles near the coast between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. And, it WAS fun!

I now know what I am getting myself into for the next one. And, I am sure there will be a next one - especially if I can be part of a relay team like this one. Dixie Chicks - You Rock!!!

Championship Runners

2008-10-03T11:48:00.014-04:00

Boys Break at the Start Girls prep for the start.

Disclaimer: All names, finish times, and finish places have not yet been double-checked. I will do that as soon as the official results become available. What you read below is my own observations and human recollections. Enjoy. Be patient. I will update, edit, correct over the weekend. - LJRA

The City Cross Country Championship Meet, hmmm... Well, it had its ups and its downs. Records were set. The boys top four finishers were all mixed up. Schools were classified by enrollment into Divisions 1A ("small" schools) and 2A ("big" schools). Coaches fretted and fumed and paced. Some runners were ecstatic; some disappointed; some elated; some inconsolable. Runners cried; runners jumped for joy. In the end, runners - well, they ran.

Last week CeCe Williams (Deerlake) became the only girl in Leon County Cross Country history to break the 12 minute mark. This week she became the only girl to do it twice (and in the same season, and in consecutive weeks I might add). She absolutely burned up the course with her 11:45-ish 2 miler. Rachel Givens (Raa) smoked in for second at 12:02 (I think). Raa finished with all five of their scoring girls in the top ten this week: Rachel Givens, Camille Baker, Jessica Beyer, Ursula McPherson-Vitkus, and Brady Kidd.

2008 Middle School Top Ten Girls

1st - CeCe Williams, 2nd - Rachel Givens, 3rd - Camille Baker, 4th - Jessica Beyer

6th - Ursula McPherson-Vitkus, 9th - Lia Lombardi, 10th - Brady Kidd

But,wait, let me tell you about the top ten shake up in the boys division! As the pace vehicle (a bit like a souped up golf cart) came around the final turn in to the finish sprint, it was not Will Henderson in the lead by yards and yards as the previous three weeks. It was Cameron Wong! Yes, my friends: The Amazin' Blazin' Asian was cruisin' in on his "oriental power" for a first place finish. Will's teammate from Raa made the turn towards home all by himself. There was nothing in front or behind him but clear real estate and the finish clock. Cameron brought home the 1st place finish for Raa for the first time this season - and for the 4th consecutive week for Raa. Will soon came around the bend followed closely not by Scott Fortier of Swift Creek but rather by HIS Swift Creek team mate Trevor Touchton. Scott was not far behind Trevor and did clinch the fourth place finish for Swift Creek. It is a blur of finishers from then until Colin. But, I have pictures to add later that will undoubtedly aid in clearing the fog. The top scoring runners from Raa included Cameron, Will, Colin, Cameron Ohlin, Grayson Ruhl, and Wil Luca (I am not sure if Grayson or Wil finished first, sorry). Hallelujah! The Raa boys pulled a City Division 1A Cross Country Championship out of their running shoes by two points over Swift Creek.

2008 Top Ten Middle School Boys

1st - Cameron Wong, 2nd - Will Henderson, 3rd - Trevor Touchton

4th - Scott Fortier, 9th - Colin Abbey

Colin did run well, just not as well as he (or his coaches or his mother) would have liked. He was only 3 seconds off his best time from last week (12:42 yesterday) and finished 15th overall out of 200+ boys. Which, unfortunately, was not the top ten finish he had originally hoped for, and thus he was very cranky, sad, disappointed in himself, you name it. I reminded him more than once that it was "just one run" and that this is a "team effort" and the Team won - granted only by two points - and he was somewhat more satisfied with that answer.

Colin nearing the 1 mile mark

Later, as the awards ceremonies began, it was announced that the schools had been classified into 1A ("small" schools) and 2A ("big" schools) divisions. Six of the runners who had finished ahead of Colin were members of 1A schools, thus moving him into the 9th spot for the 2A division. He was happy then to be "reclassified" as 9th, although he still remains disappointed with his personal performance.

Every person has their own "carrot on the stick." With Colin it is usually something he can show off: an ATAC parka; aero bars for the road bike; Fastskin racing suits. All Colin really wanted out of this entire cross country thing is the "hoodie" that the coaches order for the kids if they win the City Championships. Now he can have one, and he is very pleased with that.

2008 Raa Boys Cross Country Team

City Champions

The Many Faces of My Michael

2008-09-30T12:26:00.006-04:00

Today is "my honey's" 45th birthday. I sometimes can't believe that I have known and loved him long enough to see him reach 45. You see, I am easily bored and distracted by the numerous "shiny things" in life. "Until death us do part" seemed like an unbearably long time when I first heard it. Now, it is one of the parts of us that I love the most. And, recently I have found it interesting that my sister and I (completely different in nearly every aspect of our lives) have married men who are remarkably similar. Not just in stature, but in their dispositions, their commitment to both career and family, and then yes in looks.

Mike, me, Tanya, and her husband James

(October, 2007 when they were married)

My Michael also is patient and nurturing. He spends extraordinarily disproportionate amounts of time with our sons given the amount of hours he sees the daylight. He minds not teaching them how to make funny noises or building complicated medieval weapons with them. Yes, he will even show them how to take sneaky "I'm hiding behind a bush so you won't see me" pictures with the camera-phone (see below).

He loves his job and more often than not would rather teach (discipline: both positive and negative) than punish - even when a punishment is more deserved or warranted. The squad below has been "his squad" for nearly a year if not longer. He is currently preparing to hand over supervision to a new sergeant as he readies to move "inside" to the Vice Unit. Yet another side of him yet to be explored and appreciated by all who touch his world.

He has many different faces; many different sides; many different personalities - all of them wonderful and loving and giving and fabulous.

Happy Birthday! I love you!

Inside an Endurance Athlete's Mind

2008-09-30T10:43:00.005-04:00

This was sent to me via the local track club "listserv" and I liked how it pointed out that we (read those crazy, self-torturing, endurance athletes) are like-minded, and that we are NOT the picture perfect model body type athletes. Yet, we persevere and continue on to the finish. Yes, the finish: that very small, all important piece of real estate that says, "You did it!"

Inside The Endurance Athlete's Mind

by Allison Van Dusen, 09.22.08, 4:00 PM ET

Bob Whitman's days start at 2:45 a.m. While the rest of us are rolling over in our beds, Whitman, CEO of the Salt Lake City, Utah-based Franklin Covey, is fitting in a few hours of biking, swimming and running before work in preparation for next month's Ford Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. Considering that the majority of Americans have trouble finding the time or energy to work out at all, let alone train for a grueling triathlon while juggling a C-suite position, it begs the question: How does he do it?

In Depth: What Are Endurance Athletes Thinking?
Much of it is mental. While many endurance athletes say there's nothing special about their physical abilities, clearly people who are drawn to and are able to accomplish feats such as marathons, triathlons and challenging ultra endurance events differ from the rest of us somehow. A big piece of the puzzle is how these athletes think about their lives, goals and the obstacles they face.

"Moderation bores me," says Dean Karnazes, who completed 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 consecutive days and wrote about the experience in the new book, 50/50. He is also currently trying to be the first person ever to complete the world's five major desert foot races in one year. "Once I did a marathon, I thought, 'Huh, I think I can go further than this.' I wanted to explore not only my physical limits but my mental confines."

A Certain Personality

Just as they tend to have a specific body type (i.e., lean, not too tall), many endurance athletes also have common personality traits, says Jenny Susser, a clinical health psychologist specializing in sports psychology at the Women's Sports Medicine Center at the Hospital for Special Surgery. These traits include persistence, endless curiosity, a lack of fear when it comes to failure and a sense of boldness.

Persistence is particularly crucial in helping endurance athletes stick to a training schedule, which they know can't be compromised no matter how much work is waiting for them at the office or how sore or tired they may feel. The benefits of showing up every day for a workout aren't just about being physically prepared on the big day. They can help an athlete feel like he or she has done everything possible to meet a challenge, ultimately translating into confidence at the starting line, Susser says.

Successful endurance athletes also have to know how to psychologically face and overcome pain during events. Roger Little, CEO of Spire Corp. (nasdaq: SPIR - news - people ) and a longtime triathlete, was competing in the World Championships Triathlon Long Distance in Almere, Netherlands, last month when he hit a giant wall.

Little swam 3.1 miles and rode his bike for 76 miles on a hot and windy course when he started to feel sick. After completing his ride, he took the first step of a 20-mile run and set what he calls a new "personal pain" record. Even though the event took him 10 hours to finish, he didn't give up--it wouldn't jibe with the way he thinks of himself as an athlete. "You get into the sport and you talk about it so much that you end up having an image you've created that you have to live up to," Little says. "You can't just say, 'I've had a bad day.'"

Pain Management While specific techniques vary, endurance athletes rely on methods of distraction to get through painful or difficult patches. Susser counsels people to focus on the technicality of their sport by zeroing in on their strides, or to play games, such as coming up with an animal for every letter of the alphabet. During the Ironman swim, while Whitman is trying to avoid getting dunked or kicked, he counts his strokes and recites a poem called The Little Red Hen to keep himself on pace.

"It might be a little like a pingpong game--this type of distraction is never 100%," Susser says. "But if you can swap your focus enough you can get yourself through it."

In the event that they should have to quit, endurance athletes know how to embrace their failures, too. Karnazes recalls passing out in 1995 at about the halfway mark of his first attempt of the Badwater Ultramarathon, a 135-mile run through Death Valley in the middle of summer. The experience was crushing, since Karnazes had spent six months training and planning for the race. He later realized that his problem wasn't his preparation, but his lack of mental flexibility. At some point early on, Karnazes unknowingly downed some nonpotable water, which quickly made him sick. Rather than slowing down and letting his body recover, he pushed himself to nail a certain time--a decision that cost him the chance to cross the finish line. But the experience infused in him a fire to conquer the course the following year, as well as many times since.

"Unless you push yourself to failure," Karnazes says, "you don't know how far you're going to go."

The link below takes you to a slide show courtesy of Forbes.com (this is also the originating site of this article).

Inside The Endurance Athlete's Mind

Another Two Weeks of Training

2008-09-28T11:22:00.004-04:00

The next two weeks of training will be interesting to say the least. I am the anchor leg (run) of a new 70.3 Triathlon at Amelia Island next weekend, so that will be my long run for the week. In addition to some shorter runs this week and next, I am really trying to incorporate a good stretching routine/regimen to help me over my hamstring problem(s). So, there will be some shorter runs and more biking in hopes of assisting in the healing process. So, here you have it for whatever it's worth to you - probably nothing...

9.28 - Rest, Relax, Hang out with The Boyz

9.29 - 4 miles from home 5:30 a.m.

9.30 - 6 miles from home 5:30 a.m.

and...it's Mike's 45th Birthday!!!

10.1 - 4 miles from home 5:30 a.m.

10.2 - Rest (City/County Middle School Cross Country Championship Event)

10.3 - Rest - get myself to Amelia Island

10.4 - Atlantic Coast Triathlon (70.3) with Andra (1.2 mile swim), Kathy (56 mile ride), and me (YIKES! 13.1 mile run) 10.5 - Rest; maybe......ride easy

10.6 - Rest

10.7 - 5 miles from home 5:30 a.m.

10.8 - 7 miles from home 5:30 a.m.

10.9 - 5 miles from home 5:30 a.m.

10.10 - Rest

10.11 - The options are endless: Race for the Cure 5K in Birmingham or the Spaghetti 100 Ride

And, then again, we're off to the races...

What do you call it when...?

2008-09-25T12:44:00.011-04:00

What do you call it when the top three runners on your team run faster than the previous two weeks and yet it seems that you might not win the meet? I don't know either, but it is not any fun to look those runners in the face and try to explain it. Thankfully, you sit around eating snow cones and wait for the results to be announced. The top three Raa runners this week were "on their game." However, BelleVue, Cobb and Fairview all "came to play" this week. Not-to-mention Swift Creek had once again brought some of their swiftest: Scott Fortier and Trevor Touchton.

Below is nearly all, if not all, of the

2008 Raa Boys Cross Country Team and Coaches.

The Everhart Owl Run is held in the West quandrant of the city at the Gretchen Everhart School. Before the starting bells ever clanged, I had the privilege of meeting and working with a couple of the students who are associated with The Alzheimer's Project. The Owl Run begins with a category just for the students of the school and it is so inspiring to see them run a small portion of the middle school competition course. All of the middle school competitors, the coaches, and parents line the course to cheer the Everhart runners across the field, around the turns, through the playground, down the hill and into the finish chute. It genuinely warms the heart and soul to see all of those mainstream middle schoolers cheering for those they may never again lay eyes on. I am glad they had the opportunity to see someone outside their circle of friends and social life that enjoys the same thing they do: running in the cool of the new come autumn, and enjoying the splendor of God's world around them.

Raa, with 5 or 6 girls in the top ten, had some punch this week. Unfortunately, they sacrificed first place to Deer Lake's CeCe Williams who flew down the final hill for a sub-12 minute finish. Then Rachel Givens (Raa) came in for 2nd after having battled what appeared to be cramps and then getting sick in the finish area. Camille and Ursula were right on her heels, and then along came Lia Lombardi (Deer Lake), Jessica and Lindsey for a couple more top ten finishes.

"Wonderful" Will Henderson and Cameron "The Amazin' Blazin' Asian" Wong (complete with his Oriental Power) took the 1-2 place finishes again this week. Hey, at least they are consistent. It seems to me that Will was 11:55 or better and that Cameron was not far behind him as he powered up the hill and around then bend then back down the hill to the finish. Colin finished in 10th Place with a 12:39; dropping time again from last week's 12:47 in Tom Brown Park.

Colin as he comes up hill towards the water stop and

turn around for the half-way point.

A Runner's Ten Commandments

2008-09-23T12:21:00.004-04:00

I am sure, in fact very sure, that most of us have heard most of these before today. However, I always like them, so they are today's "insight." I find my self guilty or succumbing to many of them frequently. I think I'll try to be better about that.

1. Don't be a whiner. Nobody likes a whiner, not even another whiner.

2. Getting out of bed (walking out the door) is often the toughest part of any run.

3. Don't make running your life. Make it part of your life.

4. During group training runs, don't let anyone run alone.

5. Keep promises, especially ones made to yourself.

6. When doing group runs, start on time no matter who's missing.

7. The faster you are the less you should talk about your times.

8. Keep change in your pocket. One day you'll need to call for a ride.

9. Don't compare yourself to other runners.

10. All runners are equal, some are just faster than others.

Thank you, Joe Kelly (via the July/August 2008 Fleet Foot, newsletter of the Gulf Winds Track Club).

How to Achieve A Goal

2008-09-18T13:29:00.017-04:00

"This week's report from the Middle School Cross Country world" ... insert teletype sounds as heard in the forties on the news reels ...

On the south east side of town sits a large green and grassy area surrounded by woods and trails complete with a lake and a pond or two. Locals call this place Tom Brown Park. Today it was the location of the "Swift Creek Battle at 'The Brown'." For the second time this season the middle schools of Leon County gathered their most adept cross country runners, boys and girls, in one place to strut their stuff. Running in Tom Brown is challenging, as many of us endurance runners will tell you, and that is me plodding along at a 9 minute/mile or slower pace. These kids are racing, yes racing, over the same terrain at about 6.30 minute/mile or better without killing themselves. A lot of the course is not visible to the casual observer, but if you yourself run from "turn to turn" and you don't mind sweating you can see the runners at least 4 different times.

Colin's goal this week was simple: Break into the top ten. Nothing more; nothing less. He told me plain as day, "All I want to do this week, Mom, is make the top ten." "Okay," I said to him, "then you better pick a fast kid, and stay with him."

Fortunately for Colin, this meet starts in an open field where the kids have some room to spread out, and not on a track where each school is given only one lane to cram full of runners. No crowds to contend with, and only one fall near the start to avoid. He broke well, came through the first turn in 11th, and when I saw him next on the trails, he was in 8th. He had some left at the finish and sprinted in from a good 100 yards out.

He had a great run, and a wonderful finish. He had picked the fast kids, and refused to let them out of his sight. Now, that's how you achieve a goal: Set one that is first attainable; have a plan; and stick to it.

The girls were wicked fast this week. Cece Williams (2nd place last week) blazed in first at just about 12 minutes. Rachel, last week's winner, followed closely behind at just over 12 minutes. She was followed by Lia Lombardi (3rd last week) and just a bit later Camille from Raa and Ursula from Raa were soon in. I honestly don't remember the rest of the top ten girls, but my photos (to be inserted later) will help to jog my memory I am sure.

Top Five Girls

1st - Cece Williams, Deerlake

2nd - Rachel Givens, Raa

3rd - Lia Lombardi, Deerlake

4th - Camille Baker, Raa

5th - Jessica Beyer, Raa

6th - Ursula McPherson-Vitkus, Raa

I was told that the boys were a bit off the pace this week-not by much, but no less fabulous to watch. And, in the end, it seems they all beat last week's times. Will Henderson held onto the Boys' First place for a second week in a row as his teammate Cameron Wong (The Amazin' Blazin' Asian - a nickname he enjoys, by-the-way) screamed in for second place and then Scott Fortier of Swift Creek. Colin and a fourth Raa runner, Wil Luca, rounded out the top ten in 9th and and 10th place respectively.

It should be pointed out that that 7th, 8th, and 9th places were all scored and timed (12:47) identically and Colin, who actually finished 8th, just didn't argue with the finish line officials and took the 9th place like a champ standing proudly next to his 6th grade Team Mate.

Top Ten Boys

1st - Will Henderson, Raa

2nd - Cameron Wong, Raa

3rd - Scott Fortier, Swift Creek

4th - Trevor Touchton, Swift Creek

9th - Colin Abbey, Raa

10th - Wil Luca, Raa

Custom Runner's Word Art

2008-09-16T11:00:00.003-04:00

Okay, so I just loved Erin's on her blog page. What can I say? The "wordle" site is awesome in how it pulls words randomly from your blog and makes this. I love it!

To view it in a larger window, just click on it. It really is cool. ;-)

Training: 14 - 27 September 2008

2008-09-16T09:51:00.003-04:00

Sunday - REST! 10 "good" miles yesterday
Monday - Rest - just a bit more
Tuesday - 5 from the house 5:30 a.m.
Wednesday - 7 from the house 5:30 a.m.
Thursday - Rest
Friday - 5 from the house 5:30 a.m.
Saturday - Hmmm.... 13-15 EARLY, EARLY

Sunday - Ride
Monday - Rest
Tuesday - 5 from the house 5:30 a.m.
Wednesday - 7 from the house 5:30 a.m.
Thursday - Rest
Friday - 5 from the house 5:30 a.m.
Saturday - 10 long ones!

High Standards and Bountiful Grace

2008-09-15T09:04:00.002-04:00

I was not a runner when Jim McWhinnie was my pastor; it wasn't even a consideration. But lately, when I have been questioning my "distance/endurance running illness" he always seems to have just what I need to hear. I absolutely love it when he says something that strikes right at my heart. This one is right on, as usual when God is speaking "just to you." As runners, and fellow endurance athletes I hope you will receive a personal message as well.

Blessings to you all.

Friday, September 12, 2008

High Standards and Bountiful Grace

"The scribes and the Pharisees tie up heavy burdens and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to do anyting to help lift them with as much as a finger." - Matthew 23:4

Jesus had concerns with the religious leadership of his day. They set set high moral demands for the people, but did nothing to help. But where was the fault ... in the eyes of Jesus ... the high standards or the lack of understanding grace?

A very subtle error we can make is to understand "grace" as meaning "anything goes" or "low expectations". Grace is not involved in the setting of the high standard of excellence but in the helping of one to get to that higher excellence.

In the Olympics, the amazing athletes who run the marathon are to accomplish what for most of us seems to be an impossible task. At one of the recent Olympic Games, the officials were concerned for the detrimental effect that the higher than usual heat and humidity might have on the well-being of the runners. But still they ran the marathon at the same distance, but increased the number of water stations and installed cool spray machines along the way.

The marathon is the highest standard of moral excellence; the heat and humidity are symbols of our human frailty; the water stations and the cool spray machines are the grace of God. Some would disagree with me about the need for both high standards and bountiful grace, but this I do believe.

PRAYER FOCUS: Lord, I am willing and committed to running the race but I must confess, I certainly could use Your help ...

Whew, It's Hot Out There: Again, with the running thing

2008-09-11T12:49:00.009-04:00

He didn't win but neither did he lose. He DID earn points for the TEAM, but he had nothing to show for himself. So, is Colin pleased with his first middle school cross country meet? I think so. He started on the line near "the fast kids" but quickly fell back to near 20th place - behind "the fastest kids" and behind his swimming buddies and behind his friend from down the street who he has known since they were toddlers.

The horn sounded and they were off: a mass of more than a hundred boys, maybe closer to two hundred, in grades 6 through 8. Colin broke with the crowd; but quickly fell back - crowds aren't his thing. I watched as the lead pack thinned and the pace was set by one of Colin's Raa teammates - not by the boys who leapt out to the front. I watched as another of Colin's Raa teammates began to edge up towards the front and a couple of the ATAC swimmers were striding along at a pretty peppy pace. Colin was moving up in the ranks, I guess when the pack thinned at first he was about 25th maybe 20th, but he was slowly working his way to the front.

Colin - far left - getting ready to leave the track

The leaders left the track and headed out "to the country" portion of the race. Through a parking lot; around the baseball field and then behind the soccer/football practice field; around the high school and through another parking lot; around the outside of the track and then back in for one quarter of a lap around the track to the finish line and the clock. I can probably name half of the top ten boy runners, and at least down to 11th or 12th where Colin finished - still earning points as the third runner finishing for Raa Middle School. I know there was a Montford boy and a Belle Vue boy in there, and another Deerlake runner I think.

Top Ten Boys - Chiles XC Meet - 9.11.2008

1st - Will Henderson, Raa

2nd - Cameron Wong, Raa

3rd - Scott Fortier, Switft Creek (ATAC swimmer)

6th - Sergey Rogachev, Deerlake (ATAC swimmer)

7th - Trevor Touchton, Swift Creek (friend from the neighborhood)

Top Ten Girls - Chiles XC Meet - 9.11.2008

1st - Rachel Givens, Raa

2nd - Cece Williams, Deerlake (ATAC swimmer)

3rd - Lia Lombardi, Deerlake (ATAC swimmer)

4th - Jessica Beyer, Raa

5th - Ursula McPherson-Vitkus, Raa

9th - Camille Baker, Raa

By-the-way, I find it amusing and important to point out that many of the top ten runners are friends in some way, shape, or form of Colin's. It's a small world.

Raa took first place in both the boys' and girls' divisions of this meet. A great start to a very short season: 3 meets, one championship meet. Way to go Raa Rams! Happy Running!

See you on the streets ...

The Shack

2008-09-08T10:29:00.002-04:00

I am a reader as well as a runner. Unfortunately, I tend to "race" through my books, especially the good ones, and then I have to go back and read them all again - at least once. Anyway, that aside, I just finished reading The Shack by William P. Young (http://www.theshackbook.com/). I figured after being told about it twice in two weeks by people who no idea about the other, that I had best get a copy quick and see what it was all about. Particularly, mind you, since both of those persons are near and dear to my heart and have demons, struggles, and tragedies with which they are currently dealing.

So, as I am listening to my friend Maggie telling me about this book she has just finished - the only thing she has been able to concentrate on since losing her son to a drowning accident a little over two weeks ago - I am drawn back to the conversation I had with Chuck one early morning as the sun was coming up about the book he had just finished reading. There are commonalities between these people: they are both runners; they are both firm in their faith; they both have children; they are both either from or live in Southern Georgia; and I know them: separately.

Twenty four hours post-purchase, I can tell you that this is a read well worth your time. I did not know prior to hearing of this book that it was listed in the "Christian Fiction" genre. But, after having read it I can see no other way to classify it other than Best Seller. This book puts God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in some of the most human of situations and yet reinforces all that we read in the Bible: about God's holiness. It is amazing! I can see now why my friend Maggie found it so compelling to finish, and why it was a comfort to her in many respects. I can see where we all have our "shack" that brings us to our face-to-face with God. Or, as many people put it: a "come to Jesus meeting." I found it enlightening to know that the Trinity is a unified being, yet three different personalities or faces of God. The descriptions of each face of God are right on; and quite illuminating for those of us (read especially me here) who may be confused by the nature or existence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

I can't nor will I tell you anything plot-related, but I highly recommend you read this book and urge you to visit http://www.theshackbook.com/ to learn a bit more about the author, the story, and "The Missy Project."

Happy Reading!

And yet again, more miles ... Training: August 31 - September 13

2008-09-04T12:49:00.004-04:00

I got a bit behind here, so I will post what I guess to be my run/cross schedule for the next several days. So far so good in keeping to reasonable schedule. I figure 4 days of running that includes one LONG run and then a day (2 or more hours) of riding/cross training should be more than plenty to carry me through injury free. I am battling a tight hamstring in my left leg, but it is not debilitating, just irritating and "twingy." So, onward and forward!

Sunday (8.31): Cross training - better known as road riding - at least 30 miles. Maybe St. Mark's down and back
Monday (9.1): Rest
Tuesday (9.2): 4+ from the house 5:30 a.m.
Wednesday (9.3): 6+ from the house 5:30 a.m.
Thursday: Rest/Rehab hamstring
Friday (9.5): 4+ from the house 5:30 a.m.
Saturday (9.6): 10+ in Killearn Lakes with the Goofy Group 7:30 a.m.

Week of 9.7-13.2008

Sunday: Cross training - Ride - "To Georgia and Back..." or about 40 miles on the "Bruegger's Ride"
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: 4+ from the house 5:30 a.m.
Wednesday: 6+ from the house 5:30 a.m.
Thursday: either 4+ or rest (depends on hamstring...)
Friday: either rest or 4+ (opposite of 9.11 - depending...)
Saturday: Long run with Cathy (as high as 20 miles - Yikes!)

Miles, Miles and More Miles

2008-08-25T13:22:00.002-04:00

For the week of 24-30 August

Sunday: REST - like we had a choice with Fay hanging about
Monday: 4+ from the house - 5:30 a.m.
Tuesday: 6+ from the house - 5:30 a.m
Wednesday: REST
Thursday: 10? Circle K 5:00 a.m.
Friday: REST
Saturday: Whatever Cathy needs from me (as long as it's early) for her long run

Mac, you will be terribly missed

2008-08-24T18:39:00.007-04:00

One of the hardest things I have ever had to do for a friend I did today. I knelt before my friend Maggie and told her that God loved her. As I looked into her distraught, tear-stained face I wondered how I was going to explain that to my friend who had just lost her son. Her son Mac had drown the day before when a flash flood pulled him into a flooded and over-flowing lake from the supposed safety of "looking for crayfish." I am not sure if she will ever find comfort in those words or if she will even remember I said them to her.

On the other hand, I will forever remember her reply: "I don't feel it. I'm mad at Him." I told her that was okay. He was a big God and he could handle it. "Go ahead, be mad," I told her. "He will love you through it. Just like I will and the rest of us will love you through this." It was quite possibly the most difficult thing I have ever had to do: to tell a woman, a friend that everything would be okay, while the entire time MY SON is standing right next to me and hers is gone forever.

I looked around the room later and saw nearly all of Mac's teammates - Colin included - who had come to be with Mac's family; who were a part of Mac's swimming family. I found comfort in their being there. I hope that Maggie, Charlie, and Savannah did as well. Later they will, I know. But, now, at this moment, the pain must be incomprehensible.

Mac (in the white tee shirt) and teammates Scott, Alex and Sergey.

Mac and teammate Joey - behind the blocks.

Mac was fun, funny, witty, full of life and a great swimmer. He was "an up and coming star" of the ATAC team. Which makes his drowning all that more ironic. How can that happen to a Junior Olympic Team swimmer? God alone knows. But, it should remind us that nature has a way of grounding us and keeping our feet firmly planted on the ground. Unfortunately, that doesn't lessen the sadness or the pain, or the emptiness that Mac's family and teammates will feel for quite some time to come.

Mac doing one of the things he did best: swim like a fish - and race for the wall!

Your family and your friends and ATAC miss you! We love you.

Leukemia Survivor Wins "Marathon in the Water"

2008-08-22T08:48:00.003-04:00

I have decided to use this AP article as today's entry for a variety of reasons. The first, and maybe most obvious reason is the distance: This 10K openwater swim is called the "Marathon Swim." With my affinity for the endurance distances, and the fact that Colin desires to qualify for the 5K and then the 10K open water events in Fort Myers, Florida, over the next couple of years you have reason number one. Reason number two is slightly more obvious that than the first - Hello, it is the Olympics!!! And, finally onto the third and best reason is that the man who won this epic event is a LEUKEMIA Survivor! Granted, he may never have even heard of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and their Team in Training that I love so much, but he has definitely benefitted from their research and treatments and fundraising efforts.

There you have it - today's news from the Olympic, swimming, endurance distance, leukemia surviving world.

Van der Weijden wins 10K swimming race in close finish

By the Associated Press

Posted Wednesday, August 20, 2008 8:32 PM ET

BEIXIAOYING TOWN, China (AP) -- Dutch swimmer Maarten van der Weijden skirted just inside the final red buoy and grabbed gold, completing his recovery from leukemia.

Winning a three-way sprint with a better-angled finish, Van der Weijden took the inaugural men's 10-kilometer open water marathon at the Beijing Olympics under a steady rain Thursday.

David Davies of Britain and Thomas Lurz of Germany drifted to the outside at the finish and settled for silver and bronze.

Van der Weijden reached up to slap the yellow touchpad in 1 hour, 51 minutes, 51.6 seconds.

"If there is anyone in the field that can beat me, that guy is an absolute legend," Davies said of van der Weijden. "He's a great guy. He's obviously been to the depths in his personal life and to come back is a great story. Lance Armstrong epic."

Van der Weijden was diagnosed with leukemia in 2001. He came back in 2003 and began swimming faster than before he had the disease. He now commits a large portion of his time to raising awareness for leukemia.

After the win, van der Weijden raised his arms in the air and pumped his fists as he walked around the dock. He was hoisted on the shoulders of his fellow countrymen and pointed a finger toward to sky to show he was No. 1.

Davies was at or near the lead from start to finish on the 6.2-mile course and opened up a five or six body-length lead with a few hundred meters (yards) remaining. He couldn't hold it, though.

"It's going to take a while for it to sink in," Davies said. "At the last bit, I didn't know what was going on."

Davies received medical attention after the race.

"I just wanted to lie down and have a sleep, but before I knew it I was on a stretcher," he said.

Along with Vladimir Dyatchin of Russia, Lurz was one of the pre-race favorites, having won the world title in this event in 2004 and 2006.

"I knew Maarten finished well, so it was important to stay with him," Lurz said.

Dyatchin, who won back-to-back world titles in 2007 and 2008, never contended and was disqualified after touching 12th.

Despite the rain, the race was held in ideal swimming conditions at Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park.

With the air temperature at 21 degrees Celsius (70 Fahrenheit), it was a decent contrast with the 27 degree (81 Fahrenheit) water. The water at the indoor swimming facility in Beijing is about 26 degrees (80 Fahrenheit).

The 25 competitors swam four laps each around the artificial body of water, with coaches riding close by along the shore on bicycles.

Van der Weijden won the 25-km race at this year's world championships and was fourth in the 10-km. His flexibility in adapting to different tactics and speed across various distances makes him a contender in almost any open water race.

Davies finished sixth in the 1,500-meter event inside the Water Cube on Sunday but is still relatively inexperienced in open water, as seen by his wide finish.

"I need to learn to swim straight. I know that sounds silly," Davies said.

Goofy Training and Beyond ... Week of 8.17-23.208

2008-08-16T10:51:00.005-04:00

Sunday: 10-12 miles in Killearn Lakes with "The Group"

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: 4+ miles from the house (5:30 a.m.)

Wednesday: 5+ miles from the house (5:30 a.m.)

Thursday: Rest

Friday: 7-9? miles from the house (5:00 a.m.)

Saturday: Oh, I don't know how many miles...

Miller Landing Madness

Sunday: Our 17th Anniversary!!!!! Hooray for us!

Ride, if I can get one in before Mike wakes up...

Breakfast on the Track - updated 8.19.2008

2008-08-16T10:03:00.008-04:00

I have never run a "timed mile" in my life - that I know of. I am sure that I ran "the mile" in elementary and middle school P.E. just like the kids do today. But, I don't remember those times, and I am sure that they mean ABSOLUTELY nothing to my running endeavors of present. That being said, my older son has been training with a group here in preparation for the middle school cross country season. That group, as a rule, runs this little, local event called Breakfast on the Track every August right before school starts. It is sort of a wrap-up to the summer track sprint series, and it is a good pre-season gauge for the cross country coaches as they are forming up their teams.

So, this morning we set the alarms for a practice school day run, and headed to the track. Colin had been placed in the 5:40-6:00 minute heat by the coach, and I had placed myself in the 8:00-9:00 minute heat based strictly on my best times in my own runs. I know that the mile is an all out kind of event, but not having any real idea about how fast I could go, I stayed in the safety net of the known. We placed Aidan in the undefined heat so that he would at least get to run, and at the same time not be discouraged by being run over by other people. That therefore spread us out pretty well throughout the morning: Colin, heat 3; me in heat 8; and Aidan in number 10.

Colin finished well in 6:20. We were impressed that he held onto a consistent pace and that he had a bit of kick in the last 150 meters or so; and had a fairly decent attitude at the end. He claims his ankle was bothering him, but we still think he could have finished closer to 6:00. Oh, well... At least now he has something to work from and use as a base line time.

Above: Colin's heat lining up. Cameron Wong, runner friend super, is to Colin's left. Colin is "hiding" behind the shirtless man front/center.

Right: Colin as he nears the finish (6:21).

I turned in a 7:20 with which I was extremely pleased. I might have been able to finish a bit quicker, but one of the boys in my heat is the son of my friend Brenda, who died last November. As I pulled up to pass him I eased back just a bit to chat him up and keep him going (because I don't think he wanted to one little bit - and he finished in a rockin' 7:35). Even so, I might have gotten there in 7:10, but I am "good" with 7:20 and that I did it with no speed work outs.

I was FIRST in my age group (40-44) and second in my heat (of course, I find this out AFTER we have left and missed the awards presentation).

Whatcha gonna do? Thank you Sarah Docter-Williams for retrieving my "trophy" and listening out for me!

Aidan, well he was Aidan. Since he does NO running, and all he wanted were pancakes BEFORE his heat, a 9:00 finish and first in his heat was just what he needed. He thinks he won, and I'm not going to tell him any differently. He did - win his heat that is!

I found these pictures of Aidan looking like he was enjoying himself. And I am so glad they were posted on the GWTC web site. Because... I have to tell you that originally I had placed a photo here that I titled the "I told you so..." photo. About 2/3 around the last lap Aidan began whining about his stomach hurting. Well, he had already consumed a slice of watermelon and a pancake, and NO juice or water. The horrible sounds disappeared when he realized he was first in his heat. Thank goodness! And, NO he did not hold my hand for the entire mile. Only when he started whining.

Gotta love 'em to the finish no matter what, or they'll never learn to love a sport!

Well friends and fellow runners there you have it. The last Saturday before school begins for the year, and we are still at it: swimming, biking, running, and eating strong!

Have a great day, a fabulous weekend, and a spectacular school year! See you on the streets!

Purple Power: Team In Training Rocks!

2008-08-07T11:00:00.005-04:00

This weekend holds in store the Information and registration meetings for the Winter 2008-09 Season of Team In Training. Based on the flyer I got in the mail, this season's event choices are:

December 21, 2008: Jacksonville Marathon/Half Marathon; run or walk
January 10-11, 2009: Disney World Half Marathon & Full Marathon; run or walk
January 18, 2009: P.F. Chang's Rock-n-Roll Marathon/Half Marathon; run or walk

Information Meetings Time and Location(s):
Friday, August 8 NOON, at Premier Fitness Center (3521 Maclay Boulevard)
Friday, August 6:30 p.m. at Cabot Lodge, 1653 Raymond Diehl Road
Saturday, August 9 10:00 a.m. at Cabot Lodge, 1653 Raymond Diehl Road

Friday, August 22, 5:30 p.m. at The Renaissance Center, Macomb Street

If you have ever wanted to participate in an endurance event, but have lacked the will-power or drive to stick with it, this is THE way to go. Not only do you get to raise money for one of the most deserving organizations ever, but you will meet people who will become just like family to you. You can not know what awaits you with TNT. Having participated actively twice (and on the fringes inbetween...), I can only say that the experience of being a Fund Raising Participant is one of the most rewarding feelings in a lifetime. However, the experience of being a team leader and HELPING a complete team of others live that same experience is beyond nearly anything else you can imagine.

I highly recommend this program. I strongly urge you to think about it, pray about it, talk to others about it, and then join Team In Training for the journey of a life time.

Checking: One, Two, Three, Reality

2008-08-07T10:30:00.004-04:00

I try to NOT run long during the summer. I don't do heat well. But, this year when I first toyed with the idea of running the Marine Corps Marathon with some of the group, I knew I would have to slog it out and suffer through the heat. What I didn't count on was that even though it was hot, I'm getting better at it. Hooray for the small things! So, as I now realize that my hopes of a MCM medal are not going to come to fruition this season, I plan to keep up the mileage so that I can be that "companion runner" I have told so many other people about. I'm already trying to figure out a way to juggle things to run an 18-miler with Cathy the weekend of the 23rd, and how I can possibly be there to run her 22-miler on October 4th or 5th.

I suppose that I should have known in the beginning that without a good reason, I wouldn't make it to the finish line. I registered for MCM for me and for no one else. I guess right there we know why I won't be in D.C. in October. Instead, I have transferred my registration to a great runner and a wonderful friend who is in the process of "exorcising a demon." His own words ... There is my cause, helping Chuck get to the finish line in a BQ (Boston Qualifying) time. I hope he knows how much better I feel about this now that there is a reason behind my initial registration.

While we're sitting around trying to re-plan out the "marathon" season, let's do a quick review of the events that have been on the calendar for a while. Some things, as they always do, have to be put aside for another season. Some things simply have to be let go, and yet others are added to the list.

July, 2008

7.4.2008 Freedom Springs Triathlon (for me really a DUathlon - I don't "do" the swim...)

Colin finished in 1:06:30 - down 10 minutes from last year! Fourth in his age group (behind ONLY USAT Southeast Team members)

7.19.2008 Take Colin to Jacksonville for the JAX TRI Series Sprint #2 (and then spend a week in St. Augustine with my family!!!)

Colin finished in 1:02:36 - Won his age group outright! That's my boy!

August, 2008

8.2-3.2008 Area I-IV Championships Swim meet

Colin won his age group, and Aidan swam, well I might add, in his first "big" meet. They were awesome!

8.23.2008 TriStates 100 Century Ride - Dothan, Alabama OR

Run with my dear friend Cathy on her 18-miler for Marine Corps. Or, run with Colin and the Raa Cross Country Training Group at the Miller's Landing Madness. Yikes!

8.24.2008 Celebrate 17 years of marriage to my wonderful husband!

September, 2008

9.7.2008 This week begins a standard 18-week marathon training plan for Richard's "Goofy" in January, 2009

9.27.2008 Take Colin to The Beach Blast Triathlon in Mexico Beach, Florida and compete in the Sprint Duathlon division

9.30.2008 Celebrate Michael's 45th Birthday!!!

October, 2008

NEW 10.4.2008 Run the Half Marathon Leg of the new "AmeliaMan" 70.3 Triathlon as a member of the "Dixie Chicks" Team

NEW 10.11.2008 Ride the Spaghetti 100 (maybe...)

10.25.2008 Boston Mini Marathon (Boston, Georgia)

10.26.2008 (my 41st birthday) 33rd Marine Corps Marathon I am officially REGISTERED, but have transferred my entry to friend and running coach extraordinaire, Chuck Davis.

10.31.2008 Celebrate my in-laws' 50th Wedding Anniversary

November, 2008

NEW 11.7-11.2008 Party with The "Entire Family" for the in-laws' 50th Anniversary

11.27.2008 Tallahassee Turkey Trot 15K

December, 2008

12.6.2008 Ten Mile Challenge

12.6.2008 Jingle Bell Run (3K)

12.21.2008 Jacksonville Half Marathon???

Goin' Goofy: So It Begins

2008-08-05T09:55:00.006-04:00

This past January, as a Team in Training Team Leader, I finished the Disney World Half Marathon on Saturday the 12th, and then the Full Marathon on Sunday the 13th. On any given SANE day, I would say that I don't do marathons. But, the team needed an extra runner on the course that weekend, so I did it. Wow! If you actually complete both of those events, Disney calls it "Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge." I didn't register that way, so I didn't get the medal or the shirt, but I did get the right to say "39.3 is the new 26.2!" Well, our friend Richard (who we unexpectedly and tragically lost one week after the Disney Marathon) wanted those rights. He said as we finished this year, that all he wanted to do next year was The Goofy. So, in his honor a LARGE, really large group of us Team Tally runners have legitimately registered as Goofy Participants. We won't be able to change the fact that Richard isn't physically there with us, but we will be able to say that he carried us all 39.3 miles of the weekend plus the hundreds of miles (all 800+ of them) of training of the journey to that Goofy Finish Line. A shiny medal awaits him there.

It will be a challenge to get through all of this training without the flood of memories and without the "Live out loud" personality we all got so accustomed to having near us as we ran. We will live to run and run to live so that we do Richard's memory and wish the honor it deserves. The link below is a slide show of Richard's "Larger than Life" way of living. Thank you, Robin! Again ...

This weeks puts the Team Tally Goofy Group 23 weeks out from Disney if you count backwards, and put Sunday the 11th as the first day of Zero Week. I am running on a modified Hal Higdon plan for multiple marathons. I am training, although I'm not sure why since I have transferred my entry, for the Marine Corps Marathon on October 26th. I suppose it's so I can keep the group company on their long runs. Or, maybe it's because the run is on my birthday and I'll run that far anyway, just on my own. Who knows. Anyway, with that in mind my schedule for this week and next looks like this:

8.3.2008 - Rest (Area I-IV Swim Meet
8.4.2008 - 4+ mile run
8.5.2008 - 6+ mile run
8.6.2008 - 5K run
8.7.2008 - Morning Run with
8.8.2008 - Rest ... The Olympics start today!
8.9.2008 - 15 miles (maybe) with MCM

8.10.2008 - Rest
8.11.2008 - Ride
8.12.2008 - 4+ mile run
8.13.2008 - 6+ mile run
8.14.2008 - 4+ mile run (or run with MCM Girls
8.15.2008 - Rest
8.16.2008 - Run with MCM Group

Most of these, if not every single one, will begin VERY early in the morning. I usually put feet to the pavement no later than 6 a.m. And once school starts, I'm going by about 5:30 a.m. especially during the week. Weekend runs will be dependent on the group and location. However, if you wanna come along, let me know so I have enough of "whatever" for you.

The Bitter Sweet of "Goodbye"

2008-08-01T09:47:00.003-04:00

Well, I have to admit it, I didn't make the farewell run or dinner for Lisa. I got to know her just a bit when she was training for the Marine Corps Marathon last year, and then got to know her a bit better as Colin was training for the Red Hills Triathlon. She is leaving this weekend to move back to California (San Francisco area) to be close to all of her family. She is happy to go, but sad to leave the "family" that she came to know and love here in Tallahassee. She knows that we will be here whenever she should so choose to come and visit. And, that we will always welcome her back with arms wide open. I wish her mountains and oceans of luck and happiness as she travels and returns. She deserves them.

And, then another of the group is leaving later this month. Erin, our very own Disney Character (Pluto in a former life), is moving to Central Florida. Job opportunities really fueled this move, but again, the move takes her closer to her family and she wants them close as she and her husband plan to begin a family of their own. Not quite as faraway as California, but far enough to not be able to make the morning runs with the group on a regular basis. Fortunately, I think I might actually be able to lay eyes on her before she leaves. I hope...

I don't have a good picture of Lisa, I imagine she will send one soon. But, below is a picture that I "stole" from Erin's blog. Erin is in center just before the start of Red Hills Triathlon (4.5.2008). Yes, the same Red Hills that Colin did... With her are my very near and dear friend Cathy, and new found friend Emma.

I have added links to their blogs because I feel that they have a lot to offer from their unique perspectives and experiences in the endurance athlete world. Great girls, both of them. No, make that women moving on in the world. Love them!

Running with Heroes

2008-07-10T11:00:00.003-04:00

When I first started running with a friend of mine for her health and to be her training partner, I never imagined where that would take me. I could never have envisioned running as many half marathons as I have, not to mention the two marathons that I said I "never" wanted to run (Note to self: NEVER is a very, very long time). I truly believe that I can't get to the finish line (that "two foot strip of real estate" per my friend Robin Adams) without a cause, a reason, or a drive that is not my own. I suppose in the grand scheme of things that "explains away" a lot of what I do: Team in Training (for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society times 2 and counting); The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer (AKA "26.2 with Donna"); the Blue Line 100 (a century ride benefiting the fallen law enforcement officers memorial ); Capital City Ride for Hope (a benefit century ride for the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tallahassee); and run after run and ride upon ride of training. But, when it comes right down to it, it's because of people like Jim Ellis, and the family highlighted in the August 2008 issue of Runner's World. The true heroes are the survivors - the ones who fight and fight and THEN join us on the pavement. Until they don't have to be heroes anymore, I will continue on. I can, so I do. See you on the streets.

Running with Heroes for 26.2 miles
By JIM ELLIS Special to The Sun November 03, 2006

I never possessed the mental wherewithal demanded of those who take on the marathon until six months ago when I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes - the same disease that took my uncle two years ago. I began pounding out miles all over Gainesville, Florida, and all those months of training culminated Sunday in Washington D.C. in the Marine Corps Marathon. I wish I could boast a fast time. Truth is, I was only a few hundred runners from dead last. My knee gave out around mile 15, causing me to run much slower than I expected. And now, five days after the event, I'm still in great pain. But more than 9,000 would-be marathoners, out of a field of 32,000, did drop out of the race. So regardless of how poor I perceive my finishing time to be, I still take pride in knowing that I did cover the full 26.2 miles.

The day was filled with story after story. Some sad. Some triumphant. Too many to tell. Two runners suffered heart attacks. One 60-year-old man fell over in the first mile of the race. He was released from the hospital a few days later. Unfortunately, another man, Earl Seyford, 56, suffered a cardiac arrest at the 17-mile marker and died an hour later. One tale was especially endearing. A 43-year-old father pushed his disabled teenage daughter, who was strapped into a running stroller, the entire distance of the marathon. At Hains Point, the windiest section of the marathon, four friends ran with the father/daughter team, forming a windshield. As the two neared the end of the race, the father's other daughter joined the team and the three ran across the finish line together. The girls' aunt was reported as saying, "This is their day. This is their trip to Disney." Several loved ones ran in memory of their fallen soldier. I remember one older woman running with a teenager, who I suspected to be her son. They ran with "Team Bryan" across their chests. On the back of their shirts was an image of Bryan in a uniform and beneath the image the date he died in Iraq. There was the goofy too. One man ran the marathon barefoot. Hundreds dressed in costumes. Some had funny messages painted on the back of their shirts, such as "Did I really pay for this?" One person dressed as Kermit the Frog, another as Miss Piggy. The spectators, all 120,000 of them, lined the streets of the marathon, making us all feel like rock stars. Imagine running past the U.S. Capitol or the Lincoln Memorial or the Watergate Hotel with spectators five deep holding signs and shouting your name. Children leaned into the road holding out their hand to "high five" you as you ran by. Some spectators held signs that choked me up. Maybe I'm a softy, but when I ran past an excited family, holding a sign such as "Dad, you're our hero" or "Billy, we are so proud of you," it got to me. While those signs were written for someone else, they motivated me as well. And I suspect they motivated many other runners too. Some signs were funny, such as "Run like you stole something." I stenciled my name across the front of my shirt and "For Uncle Jerry" on the back. It was so motivating to hear my name even though the person yelling it was simply reading my shirt. I would even hear "Uncle Jerry" shouted from time to time. When things got bad around mile 14 and I slowed considerably, a woman passed me and turned around and said, "Keep going. Do it for Uncle Jerry." Wow. That gave me enough juice to go another mile on my swollen knee. But by mile 15, I just could not run anymore. I was in too much pain. And the frustrating thing was, I had the stamina to keep going. I felt great on every other front. I wasn't tired, mentally or physically. I had trained for five months and had the desire to continue strong. But my knee wouldn't allow it. Runners passed me en masse as I began to limp. Speed bumps became difficult to navigate as pain would shoot up my left leg at the slightest obstacle. It was mile 23 when I heard Uncle Jerry's name for the final time. By now the bottoms of both my feet felt as though I was walking on shards of glass. The pain was everywhere. I was demoralized. The climactic ending I had dreamed of was no more. I just wanted to finish the final three miles, get back to my hotel room, crawl into bed and not come out until the next day. I felt a hand on my left shoulder. I thought a runner wanted to pass, so I shuffled to my right. The hand remained a little too long to be that of a passing runner. I looked to my left and saw a dark-skinned man with black hair. He looked to be in his forties. "Uncle Jerry would be proud," he said. For the tenth time or so that day I got a little choked up. "Thanks. I appreciate it," I said. He jogged forward and I saw an 8" x 10" picture of an older man pinned to the back of his shirt. The image wasn't painted into the fabric. It wasn't some fancy outfit. Above the picture was "For you Dad." I wanted to run up to him and give him the same message that he had just given to me. I wanted to tell him that his dad would be proud of him. But I couldn't. He was too fast. Or I was too slow. I ran the first half of the marathon in about two hours. The second half took me twice as long. My marathon tale isn't of fast times or broken records. I'm just a normal guy who for one day stood with heroes.

Jim Ellis, who at age 32 was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, is a University of Florida senior majoring in journalism.

Thank God for the U.S.A.!

2008-07-05T08:42:00.005-04:00

Remember the other day: Life is Simple? Well, life IS simple; and fabulous, and active, and loving, and filled with friends and family, and all of those things that we take for granted in the United States. So, yesterday morning - before the crack of dawn - my oldest son and I loaded the Odyssey (no pun intended...) and headed west. Mind you, we only went an hour west, but that is far enough to cross into a different time zone. Once in the booming Metropolis of Marianna, Florida (very similar to Montevallo, Alabama, I might add) we unloaded all of the earlier packed gear: Two road bikes, two bicycle helmets, two bike shoes, four running shoes, water bottles filled with diluted PowerAde, PowerBars and Gel, towels, sunglasses, and other things I am sure.

One of the best things about living in the USA on Independence Day is the ability one has to celebrate in unique AND healthy ways. Colin and I were out so early to participate in the Freedom Springs Triathlon for the second time. Last year it served as Colin's initiation into a true sprint distance Triathlon. We rode it on our mountain bikes because that is what we had, and we finished in very respectable times. This year the goal was to see how much better we could be with road bikes under us. Colin, as I fully expected, finished ahead of me again and dropped 11 minutes from his time last year to finish in 1:06.29 with a 24 minute (give or take) 5K at the end!!! Turns out that this time put him fourth in his age group behind three Southeastern Regional USAT Team triathletes. Well, he was crushed that he had not won or even placed, but when it was pointed out that these kids have coaches and really good gear AND that he had beaten EVERYONE (including those team guys) out of the water except 6 people, he was not so bummed anymore. But, his old and slow mom (who won't do the swim in order to be on the beach when Colin gets out of the water) finished in 10 minutes faster than last year.

For whatever reason, this year I wore my Team in Training singlet for the ride and the run. So, I did what any good "Purple People Eater" does, after I had finished, I grabbed some water and headed back out onto the run course. I knew at least two other people out there and one was TNT Alumnus Extraordinaire Erin Glover. I had figured that she was not too far behind me, and sure enough when I reached the first turn, there she was. I pepped her up and ran her in - her words to me were, "Thanks for coming back, I needed a kick." Erin finished in 1:19:47, more than 10 minutes faster than her goal AND placed 2nd in her age group. Then, knowing that my good friend and cycling mentor Karin Clausen was still out in the run, I turned around and went back for her. I picked her up in almost the same spot I had found Erin, and we headed down hill - gosh I like a down hill finish - to the finish line. It was a strong run into the chute for Karin, and we were done! Purple People Eaters (Team in Training folks) Rock!!!

I found Colin in the transition area gathering his things. We picked up our stuff to make room for the kids in the Youth Tri, and meandered back to the Odyssey. After loading the bikes, helmets, shoes, and wet running stuff, we found our dry and not-so-smelly clothes, had a short stint in the VERY COLD spring lake, rinsed off in the showers, dressed and got a quick snack. I went back to find Erin and help her get her things to her truck. Colin didn't want to wait for awards, and Aidan was being his wonderful charming, ebullient self at the Grandparents Abbey's house. We eased into the car, turned the A/C on high, and headed east. Mind you, only an hour east, but far enough east to cross back into our home time zone, and reenter life as we had left it before the morning's expression of Independence.

I've said it before: early morning runs during sunrise are awesome; fast bike rides with the wind in your face are supreme; and the glow of God' promise on the horizon puts all that to shame. Thank God for the U.S.A.

Life is Simple ...

2008-07-03T11:34:00.004-04:00

Well, I think my brain is finally de-chlorinated from the three-days of sitting on the pool deck for the ATAC Long Course Invitational. Some days I believed it would never end. But, with the outcome of the events, Colin had a FABULOUS weekend and a great meet! Yeah Boy!

Colin went into this meet having not swum a long course meet since June of 2007, so many of his times could only be improved upon. That always sets a swimmer up for a good weekend. He swam a full docket of events, but by far his best were the 100M Fly where he not only dropped 12+ seconds, but swam CLEAN and PRETTY; and the 1500M Freestyle (more commonly known as the Metric Mile) in 20:26.66 which was good enough for 5th in his age bracket. He also managed to rake in a 10th place in the 100M Free with a 1:08.3 in the finals after going home and not knowing he had even made finals! What a super attitude and effort! He finished in the top 20 with a 2:27.12 in the 200M Free and a 5:06.16 in the 400M Free. Yippee!

This weekend (the Fourth to be precise) he and I are off to the Freedom Springs Triathlon in Marianna, Florida. This event is near to our hearts as it was Colin's "debut" into adult sprint distance Triathlons last year. He finished 3rd in his age group on a mountain bike last year, and is hoping to really show well on his Cannondale this year. As last year, I will wait on the shore for him to get out of the water and then ride like a demon with him and run the 5K on my own at the end. We hope to go in just about an hour (using his swim time as a "mine" for time keeping's sake). We shall see. He can really zoom on the road bike when he chooses - I hope he chooses. And, assuming that all goes well, this will be a warm up for the JAX Sprint TRI #2 on July 19th right before we head to the beach for our annual "reunion" with all our friends. I can't wait!

Remember the Ironman motto: Life is Simple - Swim, Bike, Run, Eat, Sleep!

Birthday Boy!

2008-06-16T10:09:00.003-04:00

Today is Aidan's birthday. He is seven. Wow! I can't believe that seven years ago he made is early and troubled entrance into this world. I am so glad he is here and a fabulous "all boy" part of our lives. He is truly a blessing and an energetic joy to all who know him.

Aidan recently exclaimed that he wanted to be on the swim team like his brother. Well, when you swim like a seven year-old (which by the way looks like a drowning squirrel), that is not always as easily accomplished as one might think. However, he managed to pass the team swim test, and away he went - complete with a new "intimidating" shark swim cap, and goggles. And, while I am not sure that his understands completely what being a member of the swim team means, he is enjoying his daily practices and the promise of upcoming swim meets that he can finally enter.

Today he wants to swim, eat cake, "surf" on his new Slip-n-Slide, and have pizza with his friends. Done! That was easy.

The Good and the Not-So-Good: For Peggy

2008-06-09T10:50:00.012-04:00

This past weekend a lot happened: some good and some not-so-good.

Friday (6.6.2008) my parents, still so young at heart and in attitude, set off for nearly two weeks of diving in the Galapagos Islands: you go guys! Saturday, I rode in the Capital City Ride for Hope Metric Century (just about 60 miles). My friend Karin (same girl who shepherded me through the Blue Line 100 in March) and I finished in 3:46:14! Nearly 20 minutes faster than in March. It was awesome; beautiful; full of friendly people; a fair number of Survivor Participants, and people I already knew from "Marathon Land" or "Tri Land." Wow!

I have had this ride on my calendar for a while. I originally thought I could do it last year on my mountain bike. And, then something - who remembers what - happened, and I didn't go. This year I wanted to do it for several reasons, not the least of which is the Cause. Yes, the Cause - me and my causes. This ride benefits the Moffitt Cancer Center at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. My friend Tiffany A. was treated there for Cervical Cancer; my friend Stephanie Corry was treated there for Breast Cancer; and I am sure that many of my "friends and family" that are survivors have been treated there. 'Nuff said. More significantly, I rode this ride in honor of two people: My mother, and Cathy's mother, Peggy. I could have put a hundred names on my "In Honor Of" bib, but I chose only two.

My mother is a Breast Cancer Survivor, and is going like gang busters. Cathy's mother had been a Breast Cancer Survivor for more than 11 years before the monster came back in a more aggressive, long-lasting, metastasized form. Many years ago, Cathy and I had just started down the road to "Marathon Land" when her mother received this diagnosis. She hung out with us for far, far longer than the original 18 months to two years she was first given. Thank God! We, and I say we because so many of us used her as inspiration, had time to show her how important she was to Cathy, Michele, and the rest of her family - real and "extended." Always remember, our mothers deserve to know that we value them, what they offer to our lives, and their will to survive. They need to know that we love them, and that while we may not have undergone chemo or radiation, we will persevere and endure for them.

Anyway, Saturday afternoon, on the way home from the bike shop with Colin's newly tuned-up bike, I stopped by Cathy's house to give her my race bib and "Honor" bib. I told her that I knew there really wasn't anything I could do "for" her or her mom, but I could do this ride. So, I had done it. I wanted her and and her mom to know that I have been thinking of them since the very beginning, and that they are important to me. I walked down the hall to Peggy's room, and while I was prepared for what I would see, Cathy was right: it was a bit shocking to see a shell of the person I had come to know fairly well for so many years. I held her hand, told her that I had been thinking of her, and had wanted to come by and see her. I told her we loved her, and I walked away. It was the last time I saw her alive.

Sunday evening, about 6:00 p.m. Cathy says, her mother finally left this material world for a far better place. She has received the Heavenly relief to her battered and broken body, because I know she was firm and steadfast in her faith. Peggy is happy, healthy, and honored by the way her family cared for and loved her up until the absolute last breath. Mostly, she is peaceful again.

Nana, as her grandchildren and my Boys called her, will leave a great void in the lives of all those she knew and touched. She sang in a choir group called HeartSong, until just very recently; she travelled to and from Maryland to spend quality time with her grandchildren; she enjoyed the beach, music, and a good book.

I will miss her. My Boys will miss her. And, we weren't even her "real" family. That just goes to show how many people she touched, and how much she is loved.

Things To Accomplish in 2008 - Updated

2008-04-28T11:46:00.005-04:00

May, 2008
5.17.2008 Ride To Remember "Horse Country" Century Ride - Not this year :-(
5.18.2008 Watch Aidan, the 6 year-old, compete in his first triathlon: Red Hills for Kids
5.20.2008 Celebrate my mother's 60th Birthday

June, 2008
6.7.2008 Capital City Ride for Hope: A metric century founded by a student at the FSU College of Medicine in honor of his father, a cancer victim. (http://www.capitalcityrideforhope.com/)
Finished 3:46:14!!! 20 Minutes faster than the Blue Line 100
6.27-29.2008 Area Tallahassee Aquatic Club Long Course Invitational Meet (Tallahassee, FL)

July, 2008
7.4.2008 Freedom Springs Triathlon (for me really a DUathlon - I don't "do" the swim...)
7.19.2008 Take Colin to Jacksonville for the JAX TRI Series Sprint #2 (and then spend a week in St. Augustine with my family!!!)

August, 2008
8.23.2008 TriStates 100 Century Ride - Dothan, Alabama
8.24.2008 Celebrate 17 years of marriage to my wonderful husband!

September, 2008
9.20.2008 Take Colin to The Beach Blast Triathlon in Mexico Beach, Florida
9.30.2008 Celebrate Michael's 45th Birthday!!!

October, 2008
10.25.2008 Boston Mini Marathon (Boston, Georgia) OR
10.26.2008 (my 41st birthday) 33rd Marine Corps Marathon -
Registration opens at noon, 4.30.2008 I am officially REGISTERED!!!!!
10.31.2008 Celebrate my in-laws' 50th Wedding Anniversary

November, 2008
11.27.2008 Tallahassee Turkey Trot 15K

December, 2008
12.6.2008 Ten Mile Challenge
12.6.2008 Jingle Bell Run (3K)
12.21.2008 Jacksonville Half Marathon???

Sipping for a Good Reason

2008-04-23T13:54:00.002-04:00

Good Day, Friends!

My mother-in-law is on the Board of Directors for the FSU Friends of Dance (supporting the FSU Department of Dance). Next month, there will be a wine tasting (with nummy munchies) at Fresh Market to Benefit the Department of Dance. Tickets are $25 each, and knowing how we all LOVE a good wine tasting, I am passing this on to you. She has been asked to sell 10 Tickets. I have at least one, and I would love for you guys to be there as well. All the information below is copied directly from the web site link I have place here for you.

http://dance.fsu.edu/calendar/friends-of-dance-wine-gala

Friends of Dance Wine Gala
in honor of Nancy Smith Fichter

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Fresh Market - 1390-6 Village Square Blvd.

For ticket information call 850-645-2449.

All proceeds benefit the Florida State University Friends of Dance and the Department of Dance

Join Friends of Dance & The Fresh Market for: A Fine Wine Gala in honor of Nancy Smith Fichter

Enjoy prime rib, shrimp cocktail and other delightful hors d’oeuvres as well as distinctive cheese at this exclusive wine tasting event!

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
1390-6 Village Square Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32312

Tickets are $25.00 and may be purchased by calling 850.645.2449.

All proceeds from ticket sales to benefit Florida State University Friends of Dance Through memberships, direct donations and the annual Young Dancer’s Workshop, Friends of Dance continues to raise funds to provide financial support for the policies, projects and activities of the Department of Dance, as well as encouraging participation and attendance of various productions. The Board of Directors, made up of an active group of volunteers, is dedicated to providing support in a variety of ways with a strong emphasis on student scholarships.