Adventures continue thru winter...

Well, I'm back with more to share. We're in the middle of winter and we feel like hibernating, but I think this winter has been just the opposite for me. It's possible to mix a swim, run and/or cycling outside most days, with a sprinkling of yoga added. And you've got a recipe for good health during a cold snap.

A couple weeks ago, I got a chance to run from Bodega Bay to my house, which amounted to over 20 miles. I had to do a long training run to prep for the marathon I did, so there was a chance to run long in new territory, without getting bored from an old loop. I got a small glimpse to feel what Forrest Gump did when he ran across America! LOL...Anyways, it was like an adventure, and look forward to more of it.

Yesterday, I completed my second marathon in Napa. About 2400 people ran from Calistoga to Napa via Silverado Trail. The day started out with lots of rain as we drove up to the start. Then as the morning nervously progressed, the rain was letting up a bit, thank goodness. By the time the race started at 7:00 am, it was just a drizzle. Many of the runners had garbage bags on to keep somewhat dry before running 26 miles. Gun goes off and we head south to Napa on pavement in rain that's off and on. All in all, it was great weather to run in, wasn't too cold, like the 30' and 40's that have been in the past.

The first 18-19 miles were good, then after the 20th mile come and went, my quads started to rebel, every step, every knee lift required focus and determination to stamp out the pain that I was really feeling. Made it thru 21, 22, and barely 23rd mile. Then 24 came, and walking felt better but it would take longer! So I tried to run, then walk faster, made it thru that one, then 25 came, 2 more miles to go. Walk, run, walk faster thru 25, and same for 26, the last 1/2 mile, I tried to run as fast as I could, my grandmother probably could have beat me in the last 1/4 mile! It kept crossing my mind, what the heck am I doing out here?!! But did it, and proud of myself. What's really funny, is that the race headquarters is the site where my husband and I had our wedding reception, and the finish line was where I graduated from high school, Vintage HS. So Napa is where I grew up and it was fun to be back there for the weekend.

So after I happily crossed, kind of in a coma, I found my hubby, Steve and we slowly walked to the cafeteria to get some real food, soup, bread, fruit and water, to recover and talk about what I did (and didn't do!). The legs were very painful, sitting down and getting up were the hardest things to do, and the easiest things we take for granted. I know it will get better, but for now, I will complain all that I can and accept all the help that I can at home. Here's to more adventures and getting out. I look forward to cycling now and getting ready for the Wine Country Century in May, a 100 mile ride. Then we'll see what happens from there....in the mean time, keep active because I think spring is going to come and come quickly, so be ready!! Happy adventures....

On the run, on the go...

Okay, this great 80 degree weather is teasing us, February just started and we're still in winter! But I'll take it, that means I can get outside more during winter. Saturday was so beautiful, got to ride with the Red Peleton girls, we went up to Rockpile Road, never been there before and was told it was lots of climbing, and it didn't disappoint me, it was tought, but did it. I wanted to get stronger on the bike doing hill work in during the winter, and by golly, that's what I got. After a 60-mile ride and some sore quads, it felt great. The company was great as well. So couldn't waste the rest of the day, got a burrito and whoofed that down, then got a massage and that was my day, worked out and got worked on! Sunday continued with more warm weather, and did a 16-mile run, in preparation for a marathon I signed up for in March. Looking forward to that. Can't waste days like this, get the garden ready, clean the cobwebs off the bike, get a walk or hike in. Go for it. There's 7 days in the week, someday isn't one of them!

"Off Leash" for the New Year...

That's my new motto for the year. I thought of it when I decided to let my dog, Sadie, off leash and see what she would do. I knew the results would be scary, but I was thinking about how I leash up my dog every time we go out, and she walks where I walk, goes where I go, what's the worst that could happen? Well should also say I live on about 8 acres, and she was safe, but as it turns out a rabbit was spooked out of the weeds and my dog took off after the rabbit! Well, I didn't bother to yell her name, because I knew she wouldn't come! So I walked in the direction that she was going, and I see my neighbor Frank. And he says, "Sadie's over here in the back!". So I get her leashed back up. Okay off leash time is over! It looked very cool from my viewpoint. She just ran without a care in the world, and I was envious! I want to be like her.

So now I look at life when I can, off leash. I got to feel that way the day after Christmas. My friend and I signed up for a 20 mile trail run at Muir Beach in the Marin headlands. I knew it would be long, but didn't have too many worries. I was looking forward to it. There was a break in the weather, we actually got some sun and the views were spectacular. We could see Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Pacific Ocean all while we were running. Somewhere around mile 10, the both of us got a little lost. Two other guys were lost as well. We tried to help each other out, but we kept going the wrong way. So we finally got our way out of there and found the path back. This felt like an "off the leash" moment. A bit of thinking and survival mode was needed at this time. Since we missed an aid station, which had food and drinks, we only had left what we started. So between the both of us and a public restroom, we had enough to get through the last 10 miles. We wound up adding an almost extra 2 miles to the already long 20 miles = 22 miles. But it was so much fun, we laughed about our mistake and all was good. My quads and calves were on fire for the next 2 days, but life was good and wouldn't have changed it. So what will your "off leash" be like? Taking a hike on a frigid morning? Go places you never thought you could, do things you never thought you would, and be more than you ever thought you might...Happy New Year by the way, it's starting out to be pretty good so far!!