Rafting Grand Canyon

I spent three bug-infested days at the bottom of the Grand Canyon as guides surfed the rapids and I chilled doing nothing but hanging on for the ride. I camped under the stars, ate a few flies by accident, hiked through thorns that tore up my limbs and caused scars, slid off the side of a cliff and hurt my wrist, got bit by who knows what, and partook of powerful scenery. That was a once-in-a-lifetime trip because I don't know if I'd do it again. I don't care for bugs or living without electricity and indoor plumbing. I suppose I'm not as adventurous as previously thought. But I'm glad I went.

Favorite Posting

Facebook is generally full of political postings right now, but I did find this gem from a friend.

50th half marathon

So my finish time was 40 minutes off a decent time, but I had the most fun running at the Happiest Race on Earth. We ran through Disneyland, California Adventure Park, right into Anaheim Angels Stadium full of spectators cheering, past tons of bands and dancers, next to a mile of custom cars and I stopped to take lots of photos.

My 50th half marathon is done and my running still suffers incredibly. My muscles don't work anymore, but I'm making a valiant effort to finish. Despite the tremendous, tremendous pain, I'm glad I chose my 50th to be somewhere special.

#49

I got up at 5am for a half marathon fairly far north. I finished and it was my 49th. It was a tough course of a steady incline for half and steady decline for the other half. I then headed up north to Downtown Disney.

#50 coming right up.

Iceland Marathon

I flew to the land of the midnight sun to run/walk a race. Due to my illness that has affected my muscles, it was a very challenging marathon--one of the hardest I've done. Mile 10 and on was a severe struggle. I got to the point where I walked .1 mile and jogged .1 mile. At mile 24, a bee decided to mate with my shirt which made me run so that helped for .5 miles. But I finished over an hour longer than my regular time. Que sera sera.The race took place on Culture Day with bands all over the streets of Reykjavik and fireworks at 11pm when it wasn't even fully dark yet. Reykjavik is a small town, much smaller than I imagined.

I did visit the Blue Lagoon--these gorgeous hot springs full of milky blue water. I ranked it among the top 5 things I've done in my life.

Iceland

I am in Reykjavic, Iceland at the moment. I am with the same people who pop up at all the races. The tour guide from Antarctica is here. Someone I ran the Antarctica marathon with is my roommate. As usual, a few of the same people, different place. It's a big group of 100 this time.

I'm very jet lagged and got sick on my flight from JFK to Reykjavic. I did try arctic char for the first time and not being a seafood person, I liked it--which is saying a lot because I really don't like seafood. But the judges on Top Chef say it's delicious and I can officially concur.

#47 and 48

I ran my 47th and 48th half marathons this past weekend in Orange County and LA, less than 24 hours apart. I use the term "run" lightly.

Saturday: I got up at 4:45am to drive to the race start. It was a tough trail run in 90 degree temps. My legs cramped the rest of the day.

Sunday: I spent the night at a hotel 30 minutes from the race site, which was in Santa Monica. I arose at 5am to drive. I'd always wanted to see the Santa Monica pier and this race traversed right through it. We also ran along Venice Beach and muscle beach with homeless people yelling obscenities at us. Plus, I ran through a smokey area and told another runner, I think this race gives new meaning to "runner's high" if you know what I mean...

I then drove to San Diego and visited my friend's psychic--she swears by her. I am a skeptic, but this lady knew all kinds of things about my past. I told her of my difficult year and health issues and she said the following: next year will be phenomenal for me. 2014 will be a year where I will get back whatever I put out. 2015 I will have knee surgery because of all my running and I will sustain an injury that will affect me for the rest of my life (ouch!). 2016 I will have a baby.

What? I told her I don't even like kids. She said she sees it happening.

Good news: Apparently I'm still alive in 2016, just without a working knee and a mini-me.
Bad news: No man. So I'm not sure how this baby thing is going to happen.

I then drove all the way to Arizona for a couple of meetings and then drove all the way back to California the next day, less than 24 hours apart.

Tomorrow I leave on a long trip. So much travel.