London on Halloween

Spent two days in London and saw all the typical sites: changing of the guard, riding London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, West End...etc. Busy, beautiful city.

Ireland Marathon--Medical Tent, Horrible Time and All-Round Cluster Fudge

I signed up for two marathons less than 6 days apart. You think I'd be smart enough not to do that, yet here we are. 

First up was Ireland. It did not go well. It was actually my worst race ever. I got my worst time and then hyperventilated at the finish, collapsed and passed out. I was rushed into the medical tent via wheelchair and had blood work and all kinds of tests done. They almost had to contact my family in the US.

Then as I was walking back to my hotel I started to pass out again. I was holding onto a lamp post to keep me up when I watched a girl walk into the street in front of oncoming traffic and try to commit suicide--right in front of me! 

I dubbed this race "Murphy's Law Marathon." Here's why: 

At mile 13 I stepped on and killed a gecko. So not only do I feel sick, I feel guilty, too. 

I ran out of nutrition because I didn't expect to be in the race so long.

I lost my lucky sunglasses in the medical tent, which is just as well because apparently they aren't so lucky anymore. 

There was a 100% chance of 40mph winds, which meant there was a 100% chance I'd be miserable. I was. 

I saw a girl try to kill herself, which is kind of ironic because that's what I was telling myself all during the race: I just want to die. Then I watched someone try to die and I realized, no, I really don't want to die. I won't say that again. 

I blacked out. That's never happened. 

My body is rejecting running. It used to feel so good to run. Now my legs always feel like jello and I just can't do it. Even running a 5K feels like work when I used to sprint the whole thing. What happened? I got sick and never recovered. I think in 2014 I may just give up running for a while and come back to it and hopefully start fresh. I've tried fighting it, but my body just can't run right now and I have to accept it. 

Sad face. 

Number 54 and 55

I finished half marathons 54 and 55 less than 24 hours apart. So hot and so salty. I am in escrow right now for another property and hopefully it'll work out. I think 2014 will be a good year.

Visiting Napa, Missing My Dog

My dog passing away has been utterly sad. I miss her and think about her a lot. I did have a planned trip to Napa Valley, my first time there. Unfortunately, Friday night I ate something bad and ended up with food poisoning for the entire weekend. I found Napa pretty and pretty boring, both at the same time. Full of vineyards (I don't drink), shops (full of stuff I wouldn't buy) and bistros full of delicious food (that I couldn't eat because of the food poisoning), I didn't have the weekend I planned. I got in too late and the only room available was a smoking room and now I have brought home the stench of cigarette smoke all the way from Napa into my bedroom. And I haven't eaten in two days. I feel like aliens invaded my body.

RIP

Some days she was the only reason I got out of bed. My sweet dog Anna passed away from severe anemia the weekend before last. I did a half marathon in her honor, but it was so hard to run. Too many people out walking their dogs on the course. I finished, but with a horrible time. Anna never asked for anything but love and Ritz crackers. I miss her every day. She was the sweetest, friendliest, most docile dog in the world.

RIP. I am glad all dogs go to heaven. She deserves to be happy and pain free for eternity.

52nd Half Marathon

I finished my 52nd half marathon this past weekend and ended up placing third for females. I even got a running trophy. Granted it was a small race, but I never get trophies.

I then spent the weekend battling the worst LA traffic I've seen. An old friend was in town and we met in Hollywood.

Surfing

I tried surfing for the first time. People ask if I had trouble staying on the board. I had trouble getting ON the board. This surfboard, aka, a waterproof tetter totter, didn't work well with me or I didn't work well with it. Either way, I sank deep into the ocean, almost was stung by a sting ray, had the board torpedo at my jaw and cause me to bite my tongue, and I flipped over countless times.

Nevertheless, although my body may disagree and the black bruises on my legs look unattractive, I vow to try again.

No, I did not ride any wave that day.