Category Archives: Runcations

Destinations, trips, and vacations that include a race, or two…

Marine Corps Marathon… I’m In! Oorah!!

I think the title pretty much says it all.  I put in for the Marine Corps Marathon lottery, and I got drawn!  Oorah!  Looks like I’ll be running my very first 26.2 in October!!

And guess what?!!  The Motivator is going to pace me the entire time.  I am probably “one and done” with this marathon (but never say never), and this may very well be the only time I’ll have a chance to qualify for Boston.  Sooo, if I can hang with James the entire time, I’m a guaranteed “in” for Boston as my qualifying time is… dunh duh dunhhh… 4:00.  If he can bring me in at 3:55:00, I’m a shoe in.  (Well, I can dream, can’t I?!)

Shit just got real…

May the Good Lord have mercy on my soul!

For MMM, I choose this:

You got me begging you for mercy
Why won’t you release me?
You got me begging you for mercy
Why won’t you release me?
I said release me

‘Nuff said…

 

Tulsa, Oklahoma

James and I were chatting and getting psyched to start our next training cycle when the subject of our destination fall race came up, and we realized we don’t have one booked on the schedule yet! That set the hamster wheel in motion!  Planning, searching, contemplating schedules… but we think we may have nailed it!  The Williams Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa!

Pros include:

  • Jacket as opposed to a tech tee.
  • 700 feet elevation.
  • The course is running through the historic streets of Tulsa (no better way to see a city).
  • Half Fanatics perks, such as a VIP tent with private restrooms, gear check and refreshments, a custom personalized club race bib and special club finisher medal.

Cons:

  • Ummm… none?

The perks and swag are fabulous, so I think that pretty much seals the deal!  Look out Tulsa… here we come!!

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Credit to route66marathon.com

  • Anyone ever run Tulsa?
  • Anyone LIVE in Tulsa or nearby?
  • Do you ever go for a run, take a shower, and find that you are still… perspiring… when you come out of the shower?  😛

 

My Week In Review

20160121_082759.jpgOkay, really… it shouldn’t be a surprise that I’m doing a weekly summary!  I just ran a half-marathon last week!  Of course I’m going to put my mileage in black and white!  😉  But actually, have you ever noticed that when you go on vacation, it’s not truly restful?  You’re on the go all the time, so much to see, so much to do!  It’s probably the most active you’ll be all year!!  Hence, I’m documenting those miles because they totally count.  I wore my Garmin watch all the time as I wanted credit for all those steps I took!

20160123_022042.jpgJanuary 16 — Our first full day in Maui, the day before the race.  This is the day I wanted to stay off my feet.  I logged 7.85 miles… but only 1 of them was actually spent running.  I’m sure the rest of them were spent lollygagging.  My biggest mistake here was not wearing my running shoes the entire day.

img_1320.jpgJanuary 17Race day!  17.75 miles or 34,901 steps.  Cooool!  I kinda like the way the steps log. They look way impressive.  For those who don’t race or run, there is a lot of going to and fro’ on race day, so the set mileage of the race isn’t the only mileage you get.

20160121_161124.jpgJanuary 18 — (Monday, in case you’ve lost track).  Keeping in mind this is the day after the race, so with a lot of soreness and ouchies… 4.97 miles.  One mile was dedicated to running… the rest were dedicated to visiting the pool, bar, and whatever food we could find and get to easily. We also meandered around the resort to stretch… it only hurt when we stopped. 🙂

bestphoto_20160121_144106_1.jpgJanuary 195.49 miles.  We walked to Castaway Cafe to have brunch, then hung out by the pool, just as it should be!

img_1321.jpgJanuary 205.53 miles.  Really, more of the same… blah, blah, blah, pool.  🙂

20160121_160651.jpgJanuary 213.54 miles.  Okay… this kills me.  We spent the entire day on our feet at the Maui Ocean Center.  It felt like we walked for miles and miles.  This was the least amount of mileage recorded.

20160121_142627.jpgJanuary 222.5 miles… homeward bound.  Oh how sad.  One mile was dedicated to running, and I’m guessing 1.5 miles was from traipsing around the two airports!

20160121_153608_001.jpgJanuary 232 miles.  First day at home… I don’t even know how I got 2 miles to be honest! Only 1 was actually dedicated to running.

20160121_160356.jpgJanuary 243.31.  A 2-mile streak run with the rest of it being logged as doing normal, boring, everyday tasks, such as grocery shopping.

img_1347.jpgTotal miles (for the past 8 days):  52.94.  I kinda wish every week could be this productive!!  And if you want to get super technical, if I knock last Saturday’s mileage off, then total mileage for the 7 days would be 45.09.  Proof positive we are more active on vacation than not, 😀

23120.jpegGreat eateries in Maui:

  • Slappy Cakes — Fabulous breakfast/brunch food!  Make your own pancakes on the skillet at your table or have them made.  They also serve breakfast skillets and other breakfast items. 5 stars!
  • Castaway Cafe — I had biscuits and gravy with eggs.  To die for!  Best gravy ever! They’re a cafe on the boardwalk, so they serve everything. 4 stars!  But only 4 because the service was a bit slow.  They only had 1 person at noon helping the entire restaurant.
  • Maui Brewing Company — Home made chips/crisps!  The burgers are wonderful!  Apparently so is the Brisket Dip Sandwich!  It’s a brewing company… beer is home brewed, so quite delicious as well!  5 stars!
  • Coconut Fish Cafe —  With a name like that, how can you go wrong!  A favorite amongst the locals!  5 stars!  (I don’t usually eat my fries, but these I couldn’t resist).
  • Plantation House Golf Course — Views of the ocean were killer!  Fish and chips were fantastic! 5 stars!  Go there!  This is a must if you’re ever in Maui!  (Beware of very small parking spaces).

download_20160118_182037.jpegSadly, I think that’s it for Maui for this year.  Time to get back to reality as my training plan picks up again on Tuesday!  But then again, training is half the fun, so I look forward to the challenge, especially as I’ve learned a lot from running the Maui Oceanfront Half-Marathon!

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On a side note, I turned 49 today. Pretty soon my tag line is going to have to say “trials and tribulations of a 50-something novice runner…” Good thing my mind still thinks I’m only 21… and only 21 just so I can legally drink, 😀

Do you find that you’re more active on vacation than you are any other day of the year? 

 

Aloha! Echoes Of My Neighbourhood #6

Aloha from sunny Maui!

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While the race here wasn’t all that we hoped it would be, the recovery has been fantabulous! We’ve had lots of these to ease our pain…

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Fabulous views…

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Great pool time (for which I had to paint my nails as they are completely destroyed and black and blue from the race… it’s one of those silly foot photos so be glad I did, but you might still be able to see the bandaids)…

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Lots of fun and different sights…

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Gorgeous flowers…

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Lovely Koi…

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Breathtaking sunsets…

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And daily outside running… yes, the streak continues, blistered feet and all!

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It’s been a fabulous vacation!

Thanks to Jackie at A Cooking Pot and Twisted Tales for the Echoes Of My Neighborhood challenge!  This is my special neighborhood for the week!

 

 

 

 

 

The Do’s When Visiting Chicago During Marathon Weekend

wpid-20151011_073400.jpgDO get a hotel room downtown with a river view!  Then be prepared for waves upon waves upon waves of people running the marathon to pass by.  As well, you’ll be within walking distance to some of the best restaurants in Chicago.

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DO take a River Boat Tour to check out the buildings, around downtown.  You will be awestruck.

wpid-20082.jpegDO visit the Cloud Gate in Millennium Park and touch it.  Perhaps for good luck? Or to summon the mother ship?  I don’t know why, just touch it.  It’s cool.

DO attend the pre-race pasta dinner.  It is important to be in the atmosphere of all the other runners who are freaking out just as bad as you.  Not to mention, the food is to die for!  Best carb-load ever!

DO attend the race expo, but preferably on the Friday as opposed to the Saturday before the race.  You will be on your feet for hours, whereby fatiguing your legs and feet, in which case you can kiss your PR goodbye (if you attend on Saturday).

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DO wear training gear or running clothes everywhere you go.  It makes you stand out from anyone else who might possibly not be running the race that weekend (however, as there are some 45,000 runners, the chance of that happening is highly unlikely).

DO sight-see at night.  You’ll see Chicago in a whole different light.wpid-20151010_191537.jpg

wpid-20151011_193349.jpgDO partake in Happy Hour at a fun little bar like D4 Irish Pub near Columbus and Grand.  It’s a must after the marathon to wear your race shirt and well-earned medal… you get a free Mimosa.  This also allows for runners to hook-up, high five, congratulate each other and compare notes.

DO check your ego and leave it at home.  There are 45,000 other people running the exact same race, trying to achieve their own personal goal, and unless you have your actual name printed on your bib and not a number and are in the first stall, you are no better than anyone else on that course.  DO support, cheer, and encourage your fellow runners every chance you can.  They will need and appreciate it.  This also holds true for the upcoming New York City Marathon and Marine Corps Marathon.wpid-20151011_135124.jpg

DO have fun.  The great people of Chicago are genuinely excited and happy for every runner out there.  It’s an experience like no other, so DO treasure it.

While I didn’t personally run the race, my husband did and managed a PR despite the great heat that was making people collapse left and right.  I’m very proud of him and his accomplishment and achieving his hard-earned goal.  I also had a fantastic experience in Chicago even being a spectator.  They definitely know how to do it up right in that town!!

DO visit 50 in 50 Marathon Quest to read all about the Chicago Marathon from a runner’s perspective.

Hello Chicago!

Four days before the Chicago Marathon and Jamesy and I have arrived!  It has been a dreadfully long day, but we’re here now and actually adjusting nicely to the 2-hour time difference!

This is going to be short and sweet, and mostly pictures tonight.  My day started stupid early, and the following is what we dealt with when we were heading to the airport this morning:

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Got traffic?

It took us an hour and a half to drive 60 miles.  Seattle traffic is the worst.

The flight was fine, albeit I felt like I was roughing it with no wi-fi and no movies and no plug-ins for chargers.  It was an older plane on Southwest… need I say more.  But we arrived safe and sound which is all that really matters!

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The Chicago skyline is mesmerizing, so fabulous.  We’re on the 30th floor in the downtown area, not too far from the “Magnificent Mile.”  So we’re in the heart of the city.  I can’t wait until I can actually run through this town too, so I can see it from ground level!

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View from the hotel room, right next to the Chicago River.

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Trump Tower!

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Once we dropped off our suitcases, James and I were in search of some place to have happy hour!  All the buildings were lit up at the top in pink.

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Wandering in downtown Chicago at sundown.

We found a great place to have happy hour and eat dinner, Howell’s and Hood, on Michigan Ave.

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We had a fabulous waitress, Courtney!  She’s a runner herself and we had a great time chatting with her!  She’s hoping to run her first half-marathon in the spring, but you know me, I had to try and convince her to do next year’s Chicago half for the bling!  The size of the prize would get her hooked for sure!!  🙂

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Courtney and me

The food here was to die for.  James had a burger and I had a grilled cheese sandwich…  this is unlike any grilled cheese sandwich I’d ever had before.  They added “braised pork belly” on the sandwich, but to me it was great big huge cuts of bacon… bacon on a grilled cheese! Magnifico! How have I never discovered this combination before??!!  (Okay, I’m on holiday… I don’t count calories when I’m on holiday!)

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Yes, this is a grilled cheese sandwich…

Thankfully, Courtney helped me talk James into some dessert as well… donuts with dipping sauce.  Oh my word…

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Overall, we have had one fabulous day!!  Chicago is amazing, and the food is even more so. Granted, we won’t be eating like this for the rest of the holiday, but it sure was nice to splurge just for today.  The rest of the weekend will be low fat, high carb, so James can kick some Chicago Marathon ass!!  Three more days…

 

 

 

 

It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day…

…and I’m feeling good!

One week post race, and I have had a grand time recovering/resting!  I have slept in, eaten what I’ve wanted, read, relaxed, watched mindless You Tube videos with my son… drank too much wine… just a few “luxuries” I miss out on occasionally while I’m training for a race.

Alas… training resumes tomorrow.  Okay, well, not hard-core training, but pre-training training. And I’m happy about it.  Too weird, but it’s true.  The Maui Oceanfront Half-Marathon is approximately 15 weeks away, and there’s no time to waste.  I’ve enjoyed my 1-week down time, my vacation so to speak, but I’m also very happy to get back to routine.

There were a few things in Boise that I recognize I need to work extra hard on… such as my breathing… and I don’t want to lose momentum.  The sooner I address and correct these issues, the better.  One thing The Motivator and I are kind of religious about is analyzing our runs and races and talking about what needs improvement.  We have spreadsheets and notebooks full of data and formulas and plans for the future.  Seriously.

I won’t be starting this next training cycle from the beginning though… tomorrow’s run will be about 6 miles.  I ran just over 13 miles last Saturday… no reason to back track.  My long runs in this next cycle will look something like 10-11-12-13-14, lather, rinse, repeat.  Nope, there’s no going back, and remember, my goal is to improve my pace.  And how do we improve our pace? We run more miles… or so I’m told….

In the meantime, Jamesy and I are headed off to Chicago this coming Thursday, with his big race being The Chicago Marathon next Sunday.  He has worked so hard these past 6 months… he’s going to rock this race and get his sub-4-hour marathon like he wants (…and I know this). This is going to be the trip of a lifetime…

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We’ve also seen the bling people have been getting from Chicago’s Half-Marathon race from last weekend… it’s the size of a dinner plate!!  So guess where we’re going next year?!!  Oh hell yes! Here we come Chicago Half-Marathon 2016!!  Both of us!!  After all… it’s all about the bling!!! 😉