Utah





I'm hanging out in Utah right now experiencing the amazing fall foliage. I went hiking with my brother, slept too many hours and saw cousins, aunts, and uncles. The mountains are brilliant.

#34

I ran my 34th half marathon yesterday and got my 33rd worst time. I am going backwards in my fitness. It was a trail run and that makes it harder, plus it was almost all uphill and the name of it was "HeartBreak Half Marathon," which should be an omen of what was to come. It was hard and I wasn't feeling well. But that's life. It took place on a military base and many military men were running carrying American flags, which was appropriate because it was Sept. 11th eve.

I then went to dinner with a group of friends from Phoenix in town for a triathlon today. The race took place on Sept. 11th and began with skydivers carrying a 30 foot flag down to earth. I then met a friend to watch a movie. It's a nice way to spend the weekend--with good friends. Friends and family are what you get you through this life.

Ten years ago I was driving to work and heard about the attacks. I immediately ran into work and called my dad who traveled for a living--this was before I owned a cell phone. He answered and I was so glad he was safe. I was lucky, unlike so many others.

#33

I ran my 33rd half marathon in beautiful Kauai, Hawaii. The scenic course took me through a tunnel of trees, next to a sunrise over green-covered mountains, palm trees, and ended right next to the ocean. But it was crazy hard. One of the hardest in the US I was told. I even had to stop at a medical tent to assist with blisters. I got my 32nd worst time, but loved it and want to do the full marathon next time, which I've heard is extremely hard. I stayed at a condo with an ocean view, a huge pool with sand on the property, and relaxed and watched movies on one of three flat screen TVs. I cooked for myself, read a book and relaxed by the pool and sat in a very hot and lovely jacuzzi. How about that for a race???

#32

I ran my 32nd half marathon this weekend in San Diego. It didn't go as planned. I slept very little and ate very little this week and struggled in a long run last weekend, so was just happy to finish. I actually ran the first 10K at exactly the same pace I run every half marathon, which was a surprise. But then at mile 7, I sort of was done. So I finished in 14 minutes over my usual time. Boo!

Weekend

I spent the weekend in Los Angeles visiting friends and they all made me feel so good. It's nice to have a great support system. I tried to run, but have been having problems with muscle aches. I think it is stress. I haven't been feeling well and I think that is stress related as well. But every day is a new day and a new opportunity.

Another Triathlon

I cannot make running pretty:



I am not sure what is going on with my outfit here. I call this look "Running Bag Lady."



I completed the Camp Pendleton Triathlon this Saturday and it was a doozy. It was actually the hardest swim I've ever done. Ever. Hands down - in the history of any triathlon I've done. It was an ocean swim at a military base. Let me break this race down as to the pros and cons of racing at a military base:

Cons:
Terrible swimming conditions. I had 4-foot waves, 59-degree water temps and strong currents that carried us in the wrong direction. I almost took a DNF. Turns out, this military base is located there for a reason: It has some of the roughest waters in the area to train the Navy Seals.

It takes a long time to get on base and you have to show photo ID. One way in, one way out.

All the military men were trained to call the women "ma'am." So "good job, ma'am" "do you need water, ma'am?" were what I heard throughout the race. I felt very old.

Pros:
Hot men everywhere. All the aid stations were lined with hot, muscular men in uniform. Men were literally EVERYWHERE. And all were in uniform. I'll repeat that: UNIFORM. Plenty of eye candy.

Men were out on the bike course with rifles and machetes. They were protecting the triathletes from terrorists. So that's one less thing I had to worry about during the race.

So because this was on a military base and plenty of gorgeous men would be around me and since I look like the above pictures when I race, I decided to wear aviators instead of my typical athletic sunglasses. I was hoping to be more Angelina Jolie than looking like I was hemorrhaging.



I've been struggling in life lately. But I've found a song that perfectly represents how I feel. I have added the song as the theme song to this blog post and have pasted the lyrics below:

Run by Collective Soul

Are these times contagious
I've never been this bored before
Is this the prize I've waited for
Now as the hours passing
There's nothing left here to ensure
I long to find the messenger

Have I got a long way to run [x2]
Yeah, I run [x2]

Is there a cure among us
From this processed sanity
I weaken with each voice that sings
Now in this world of purchase
I'm going to buy back memories
To awaken some old qualities

Have I got a long way to run [x2]
Have I got a long way to run [x2]
Yeah, I run [x2]
Have I got a long way to run [x2]
Yeah, I run [x4]
[background:]
Have I got a long way to run [x4]

5K Race and the Greatest Freak Show on Earth!








I ran a 5K race this morning that ended on the 50 yard line of Qualcomm Stadium. I was hoping to go incognito at this race, but no such luck. A few people I know found me. I didn't want to sprint this 5K and fortunately or unfortunately, I was not able to anyway. The first .74 miles were uphill, which slowed my pace. It took 2 minutes over what I usually do, which is a lot for a 5K.

But then I went to the wonder that is Comic Con--the greatest people watching experience of my life. I took a special service shuttle running from Qualcomm Stadium to Comic Con where I saw all these South Park exhibits and every dressed up. It was like Halloween in July. I saw costumes and costumes. Pretty much like being in a live Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Tomorrow I am going to Los Angeles once again for the second week in a row to see a friend who moved there. That means I have spent exactly one weekend in town since before Memorial Day. I travel TOO much.