Sally's ugly race pics

Eisenhower 10k trail challenge

2012-02-06T18:53:00.000-06:00

I'm a pretty terrible trail runner and pretty much always fall down. So, when it poured all night before this race, I figured that I was toast. But, lo and behold, I stayed upright and had a good run. Especially nice was the section from mile 4-5, which was soft mulch, winding slowly down the hill. Ahhhh - but, no fears, even that gentle part did not tame the crazy running chicken in me.

It all started out normally, albeit cold.

Then, I unleashed a little crazy on photographer Ceci - check out those chompers!

Then, I ran along fairly normally, until I said to buddy, Adrian "do you want to see how to run like a crazy chicken?" (not really)

LIKE THIS!

And then, he left me behind to run as a solo crazy chicken

and then it was done

Afterward, we enjoyed a bunch of chow, beer, tequila, and vodka (really). And I schooled Gary (top masters runner) on how to run faster (not really).

In the end, I nabbed 3rd in the 30-39 age group (really) and 1st overall crazy running chicken (not really - though that ABSOLUTELY should be a category).

At least Vaca the cat was suitably impressed

Thanks to Bart for a great event - and SA Student Photographers and Ceci/IAAP for the pics! Next up - Rodeo 4 miler and Cupid 5k next weekend.

Big Bend 25k secret canyon pics

2012-02-01T00:41:00.000-06:00

As I mentioned, I chickened out from attempting to find Whitney's secret canyon during the Big Bend 25k. Remember? The possibilities of bears, snakes, mountain lions, SPIDERS, and my dead body never being found due to my absolute lack of a sense of direction? Yep, that's it - that time.

Anyway, my buddy and runner extraordinaire, Kimberly, ran it with Whitney - buddy, crazy, and runner extraordinaire, the day before the race....and here are her pics I swiped of the secret canyon. I'm TOTALLY running this next year!

Thanks, Kimberly for the pics that I swiped :) Next year, we run it - Saturday!

3M half marathon

2012-01-31T22:32:00.000-06:00

On the heels of returning from Big Bend, I ran the 3M half marathon in Austin this Sunday. (Note: I normally put about 7,500 miles or less on my car per year - and drove almost 1,900 solo miles in the past two weeks!) In the interest of full disclosure, I mainly ran this run for the swag bag of 3M products:

Also, the course is net downhill, so it should be "Fast. Easy. Fun." No such hope.

Well, the night before, I attended my running buddy, Julia's, 80th birthday. I actually have to create a new 80 and up age group now for the Women's Run this year. She's truly a remarkable friend and an icon of the running community (every time she enters a new age group, most race directors add the new 'and up' 5-year age group). I can merely hope to be running and rescuing animals like she does - at even approaching the age of 80.

Then, the race started at 0645 the next morning in North Austin, so it was an EARLY start for me. And, after about 9 miles of downhill-ish-ness, I realized my calves still hated me after the Big Bend 25k and driving and driving, and they rebelled. But I finished - not my best, not my worst, but still a painful drive home.

Here's the view from the finish line

And my shiny medal

While I was in Austin, I was called by compadres I served with in Bosnia - Mark and Laurie - who are now RET and passing through town. We met up for dinners the past couple of nights, along with Jessica, another CJSOTF-Sarjevo compadre now stationed in San Antonio - and regaled each other with some old war stories. Here's Laurie 'playing' with a monkey at Bass Pro Shop

It's hard to believe that it was over 10 years ago that we were 'playing' in the Balkan mountains over there. Next thing you know, I WILL be 80 years old! Until then, next up is 'just' a local 10k trail run which may hurt.

thanks to Brightroom and 3M for the pics

Pimpin' my podcar

2012-01-24T22:46:00.001-06:00

My wee coche has been through some things - like this

So, for her 5 1/3 y/o birthday, after driving 1,100 miles last weekend, my little podcar busted a flat. Luckily, it was in my driveway

It was about time for new tires, anyway, and I HATE those cheap plastic hubcaps (I ripped them all off after that picture). So, I went for a little podcar bling and now we have tires that can run into things and not get hurt (much - and OBVIOUSLY not fuzzy things) - which is really more important to me than the bling. I really just want to be able to run into things and bounce down my street safely.

So, now we should be able to make it to the next up - 3M half marathon - if we wake up dayum early on Sunday. (after working some OT for this pimpin')

Delayed race report - Big Bend 25k trail run

2012-01-22T22:57:00.001-06:00

I'm behind. It started at Thanksgiving, which is usually the weekend I prepare/send all my holiday cards, send out holiday gifts, and transfer my calendar into the following year (old school, Filofax style). This year, I have been late on all of that, and only finally transferred my calendar this weekend -- realizing that I'm nearing the end of January 2012 - ALREADY.

But, things and races got in my way -- and here is the race report from my 3d race of the year - the Big Bend Ultra trail run (I just ran the 25k). For those of you who don't know (like I didn't last year) -- Big Bend is here - very, very far away from most things (other than Mexico). Zoom as you need to, but that is a 6.5-7 hour drive from San Antonio. (Note: click on any pic below to make it larger)

So, I headed out along the more scenic, albeit very lonely I90 route along the Rio Grande. And saw my favorite sign

(I did NOT pick up any new inmate boyfriends). In fact, you don't see ANYONE out here. No cars, no cellphone coverage, cue banjos....and then, you are really glad to hit a border patrol stop for a little 'company.'

below picture is Mexico - across the Rio

and no cars in sight

Pecos river

still no cars and about 3 hours to drive

But, eventually, I made it to Big Bend National Park - and my cozy lodge room (you guys camping are suckers!), where this was my view of The Window

and as sunset approached in the Chisos Basin

On Saturday, I drove around the park (all told - 1,100 miles on my car for the weekend, which is over 1/7th of my annual mileage). Most of this was on my own and, while wading across the Rio Grande at one point, I realized that nobody in the whole world knew EXACTLY where I was (no cell phone coverage, either) -- I'm glad I didn't get eaten by a bear.

proof of illegal immigrant ponies

who altruistically brought these semi-legal goods across the river, I'm sure

Here's the view across the Rio to Boquillos, Mexico (border crossing opening this Spring!)

Then, it was off to the hot springs (and it was hot)

In the hot springs (I thought it was going to be cold in January - air temp around 72 degrees, water around 101-102 degrees)

near the area I allegedly may have crossed over and touched Mexico, although only the donkeys saw me, if it happened - and nobody can prove it...

and this was the road my poor little podcar had to drive to get over/back there (the drop off is MUCH bigger than my car)

So, then there was the little race to run

Here's the cool shirt

and getting ready, set...

(It takes about 45-60 minutes to get to the staging area in the morning, and I almost hit a deer heading down the basin/mountain) But, I made it to the windy, but decent-weather start (mid 40s with a breeze)

1st aid station (around 4.5-5 miles)

Here's where I started to sneak down into the secret canyon Whitney told me about, but then I remembered there were bears, mountain lions, spiders, and such out there, and I jumped back onto the race route (yep, I was chicken to try to run it alone).

had I run it, I would have emerged here (unless a bear got me)

but I kept on -- the next pic of me is the 3d aid station

(somewhere near here, you can see the finish across the desert for about 2-3 miles)....but it finally arrived

(on the other side, thank goodness!)
Here is my bling

and after eating the BEST veggie burger EVER (really) - relaxing at the campground w/ buddy Kim (she won first F masters for the 25k last year, and goofed off this year, running my 50meter pace!).

and then there was that cruddy Packers loss, a long solo ride home with sore feet, and a flat tire after I got home. Which is my excuse for posting all of this beauty late. THIS weekend was a nice medium-distance run with buddies, followed by brunch. Next weekend is the 3M half marathon in Austin -- if I get the new tires on!!

no race weekend

2012-01-10T02:34:00.001-06:00

No races for me last weekend -- instead, I got schooled by this cool cat in a disco dance off (literally - to "Disco Inferno") at Sanchez Ice House, along the First Friday Cruiser Ride

Next, up -- I wing this 25k trail run - again. One year, I swear, I'll train for it!

If I get eaten by a javelina, I bequeath my critters to Alexis, who provided the disco pic!

Crazy running chicken

2012-01-05T21:44:00.000-06:00

Happy New 2012!

2012-01-02T01:38:00.001-06:00

I decided to change it up this year and spent New Year's Eve running my first 5k of 2012 at Ft. Sam Houston, with a start time of midnight. This is a free run produced by the base MWR - with plenty of post race food - but no booze!! Yes, really.

Here are some pre-race pics with buddies:

with Scottydog - fotog and runner extraordinaire (he and his wife were running/walking/volunteering the multirace New Year's circuit, too)

Scotty's wife, Gail

with Jim (1/1 is his birthday - AND he was entering a new age group)

George, Gail, Hugh, and Jane

Bill Piatt (to my right) was my law school dean

with fellow Wisconsinite, Charlotte - we train together in the Summer at Fleet Feet - and laugh at people who still run in snow (just kidding, friends and family - not really)

With Tina and Phillip - they also ran 'the circuit' of multiple runs on 1/1/12.

This historic Army base is in central San Antonio, just North of downtown, so as we ran, we were able to view the downtwon fireworks. Here is my 'artistic' snap at the start of the run - with the fireworks in the background. (Really just a blurred pic with my cheapo camera - click on the pic to enhance its 'artsy' factor!)

Afterward, we enjoyed some pretty decent food and a Welch's sparkling juice toast. Then, I headed home, poured myself a glass of real Prosecco, and hit the sack - to grab a few hours of sleep before run #2 of 2012.

The Cobweb Chaser 5k
Luckily, this race does not start until 10 a.m. - unluckily, a cold windy front came in at around 5 a.m. So, while I ran comfortably in short sleeves at midnight - it was a little colder on New Year's morning.

But, I rocked some new armwarmers (gift from my folks) and ran about 15 seconds slower than 10 hours before, looking like a zombie chicken in armwarmers.

And then enjoyed a non-non-alocholic event

At the Cobweb Chaser, the San Antonio Road Runners always give out calendars for the new year - which I enjoy browsing the past pictures and using the calendar as a training log each year. Until I flipped over the calendar this year...

Yep, just the 'ol SARR race schedule - I'll run most of those races. It just gets a little scarier if you zoom in (click below if you need MORE zooming)

I guess that it is official, and I'd better start this new year off working on the Women's 5k as race director!

Thanks to Scottydog and Tom Lake (SARR) for the pics.

I wish everyone a wonderful 2012!

Felices Fiestas

2011-12-26T21:47:00.000-06:00

I ran a nice Christmas Eve run with the folks from Run Wild Sports along the Riverwalk North - and then proceeded to enjoy some 'hometown' holidays with friends/critters - sleeping in with Simba the cat on Christmas, a movie on Xmas, Momo's birthday party (which she shares with Jesus), Packers beating the Bears AGAIN, and more. Here are some of the pics - thanks to Ceci and Dorine for the pics.

We WERE playing, and killing the Bears, after all - and I removed my cheesehead before leaving the house

Momo, the birthday chica

the chicas - we didn't need a picture of the boys

my fave fotog - and good buddy - Ceci

In place of running - cross training - arm wrestling style!

Two a day

2011-12-19T23:46:00.001-06:00

This past Saturday, I ran two races, beginning with the SARR Mission 10 miler - which was not held at the Missions this year, due to construction. It was run at OP Schnabel park, and it was a chilly start - here's me cold:

and with my buddy, Dulce, at the start

After the 10 miles, I went home, showered, tried to warm up, and napped. Then, there was the Jingle Bell 5k, which I ran with my 12 year old running buddy from Girls on the Run/Girls on Track. It ended up being 30 minutes of fartleks among 998 other runners (sprint-stop-walk-repeat), but it was pretty cool to encourage someone through her first 5k - even if it was a big chase.
here's where I look fast:

And the sprint to the finish - the one in the red shorts is the running buddy who tried to kill me

and here is my buddy and fotog, Scottydog, who also ran both races (5 miler in the a.m.) AND another race on Sunday morning - races #71-73 of the year for him, I believe. Yep, he's crazier than me!

Thanks to Scotty, Ceci, Tom, and JohnO for the pics!

hurry.....

2011-12-18T13:49:00.000-06:00

and go check out www.iaapweb.com - I'm on the 'cover' with my Girls on Track running buddy - for a limited time!

or, if you are really lazy, it looks like this:

Thanks Ceci & IAAP!

Roar. or more of a rawrrrr, cavebear style

2011-12-16T00:04:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Bo for this one... as you can see, that climb out of the cave was fairly slow, since I managed to negative split the second 2 mile run after riding hell hills. I really can't say much about the bike, except that I made it - for some reason, I was planning on more of a 45 minute spin/cruiser ride. NOT SO.

But, by far the most important - cool pic. Which is the real reason I actually enter all events - to amuse everyone with my ugly race pics.

RRP is directing a half marathon that starts in the cave in February - I'm tempted.

The Santa suit wins AGAIN!

2011-12-14T20:32:00.000-06:00

Really!

Yep, I wore my Santa Antonio jacket on a (HOT) River lights run, sponsored by Run Wild Sports and the SA River Authority - and won a goodie bag from RWS for my costume!
Full disclosure requires me to admit that I was 1 of 3 runners who showed up in any semblance of a costume, so all 'costumes' received awards :) Doesn't matter - I WIN!

Streaking Santa?

2011-12-13T20:36:00.000-06:00

So, since I 'invested' in the Santa Antonio 5k suit, I'm on a streak wearing it to all Jingle Runs and, here, at the downtown lights running tour. To clarify - running streak, NOT streaking under the suit.

Thanks to the SA Office of Historical Preservation for the pics of my backside!

that's one of my old haunts illuminated in the background ^ (Bexar County Courthouse)

Downtown lights running tour

2011-12-12T17:19:00.000-06:00

Last Thursday, I hit the streets for the Office of Historical Preservation's downtown lights running tour. I love these tours - and this one was neat with the lights (plus, I got even MORE mileage out of my santa suit).

Next ups: Mission 10 miler Saturday morning and Jingle Bell 5k in the evening (I'm a running buddy for a Girls on the Run 6th grader).

Jingle Bell Run 2011

2011-12-07T23:44:00.001-06:00

So, I've found my niche. It's not the fastest runner. It's not the age group finisher. It's that runner in the costume - tonight I won the female 'Santa-est' in part of my Santa Antonio 5k get up from last weekend at the Jingle Bell Run.

We meet at a buddy's house, run to designated houses, shout/sing carols at them until they make us stop by giving us libations and chow. Then repeat. But I cheated and just ran to the first house, sang/shouted/ate/drank and headed back - I can't keep up a speedy pace with some of those pros. I didn't want to be a lost running Santa in the dark.

And then I won the costume contest (female) and was awarded a nice bottle of prosecco.

Awesome. And we ate and drank some more and slaughtered the lyrics to carols. That's what the holidays are about. Next up - holiday lights running tour tomorrow night.

In the meantime, while I was rocking my Santa suit, Simba apparently napped hard on my laptop - resetting my supersmart home thermostat to 50 degrees (really) and making the type on this page really REALLY small. Dangit.

Inaugural Santa Antonio 5k

2011-12-06T21:22:00.003-06:00

Well, we did it - we (Brak Pak) helped the BISH foundation pull off this inaugural run. And, though the weather was cruddy (drizzling and we had to change the route, due to flooding concerns), it was so cool to see over 320 Santas running to raise money for cancer research/treatment.

and here is where I can take ugly race pics even when I run the course BEFORE the race (to 'plant' the course marshals)

the eleventy reindeers I made for finisher medals

Even my friends/co-workers, Suzy and Alexis, came out to race in the drizzle!

and most of the organizing committee and volunteers

Thanks to EVERYONE for the support - we're looking at December 9 for next year!

Thanks to Scottydog and Ceci/IAAP for the pics!

Cave Bear - again

2011-12-03T23:43:00.000-06:00

Here are the updated pics - yep, when you jump into a duathlon untrained solely for the purpose of getting good pics, you actually buy them :) Rowrrrr.

Almost Famous again

2011-12-02T19:28:00.001-06:00

I took this morning off - and ran around in a Santa costume (#5)....and I'll be doing it again in McAllister Park tomorrow at 0830, just with more Santas! click on the box to the lower right of the screen to maximize or check here for the story.

Running with my seeeeester

2011-12-01T00:54:00.001-06:00

So, I have two sisters - and I love 'em both. But one of them chronically keeps catching up to my age group - and beating me before I can get old enough to advance to the next, even tougher, age group. I really can't wait to be 80 years old and kick some major butt. Including my sister's 2-year younger butt.

As you may recall, this sister tricked me into running my first marathon in Dallas (read it here). That time, we tied. In and around and since that time, she beat me in a 5k, pushing a double stroller, beat me in a turkey trot 4 miler in my town, and just keeps running faster after every nephew she brings into life for me and my future Green Bay offensive line.

So, this past weekend, she turned an age between 35-39, and her boys (and her husband) planned an inaugural birthday 5k for her. I couldn't miss it - so I drove out to the Seeker Ranch in Prairie Lea, TX for the big event.

In any inaugural event, there are last-minute route changes

but they got the postrace chow right!

Here's the start - it was pretty chilly and WINDY - Mom also finished (so did Dad, but he was behind the camera)

The oldest three nephews each ran at least a mile leg of the route with their mom, with the 4th son running the last .1 mile on pavement - shoeless (he wasn't being trendy - he couldn't find his other shoe). The dog chased off cows as we ran.

coming into mile 1 - extreme danger (according to my nephews and bro-in-law, Ron, who marked/measured the route, crewed it, and transported relay nephews).

back into mile 1.5 - dodging cowpies

This was the only nephew that didn't run - he was born in July. I'm pretty sure he'll be running by Christmas.

Thanks to Gretchen for running with me, Ron for the race, and Dad for the pics.

CAVE BEAR. Rowrrrrrrrrrr

2011-11-27T19:30:00.000-06:00

Here are the pro pics from the Cave Bear Duathlon on November 20 - thanks to Redemption Racing Productions Yep, I ordered a cave pic - since that was the whole reason I tried this crazy du!

rowrrrrrr - tough cave bear, trying not to slip and fall

ruhrrrr? my seat is too low

ro----gasp-hills! and grrrr - put put put into the finish

and purr. If that's what cave bears do at the end of a duathlon they had no business running/cycling!

WOW this seemed like a good idea when I signed up

2011-11-22T22:17:00.000-06:00

So, with the humid little Rock N Roll half marathon in the distant past (by 6 days), I decided for a little back-to-back fun this weekend, starting with the San Antonio Bar Association Run for Justice 5k. Not bad, but very humid and quite hilly near the end. But, that was the easy part. No sweat. (well, a little sweat)

On Sunday, I tackled the Cave Bear Duathlon. It sounded super cool - start in the belly of the Natural Bridge Caverns (big cave), run out and 2 miles, then bike 15.5 miles, then run another little 2 miles. No sweat. No sweat, right?

Well, first off, this was my first duathlon - I really don't know what transition is, or body marking?, or what to do, really. Next, I haven't ridden more than 5 miles at a time in years. Then, there's the fact that my bike is an old hybrid, hunk of steel with and inch of dust on it. No sweat, for sure.

So, I arrived SUPER early, because I needed to get my mind around transition. body marking, and all the other strange stuff. And then, it started hitting me that I had not prepared for this and it was, in all likelihood, going to take me over 2 hours to conquer the Cave Bear - on half a Tri3bar for nutrition. Oops - prior planning FAIL.

But, I racked up my hunk of steel bike next to bikes worth more than my car (and maybe my house) and told myself "I am CAVE BEAR." So, we got our pre-race briefing...

and headed down into the cavern (single file, by distance and by speed - my buddy, Tammy - on the left above - did the max distance of 5 mi/26 mi/2 mi for the T Rex, which started first) - I was in the wayback.

No sweat, right? Except that it was about 70 degrees - even in the cave - and 99% humidity. And we climbed down and waited and waited. The first runner started at 7, with each of 360+ runners starting individually about 5-8 seconds later - and, as I said, I was in the wayback. So, I started around 8 - running, slipping, and climbing out of that crazy cave. And I was sweating. (cool cave race pic to follow)

And I emerged from the cave for the little 2 mile run on some rocky trails with some hills - already sweating. As I ran the trails, I thought, I can't wait to get on my hunk of steel bike and just spin. So, I flew through transition (easy to do when you have no real gear to change) and jumped on the bike. And realized that my seat was too low - but it was 'only' 15.5 miles, so I could manage. No sweat, right?

And, for the first six miles, it wasn't - nice rolling hills that I pedalpedalpedaled up and wheeeeee'd down. Until we turned and the headwind started affecting me. (Here's what the pros looked like riding it - yes, they are standing up pumping on their superbikes)

And I pedalpedalpedaled and pedalpedalpedaled and pedalpedalpedaled up the hills, and 15.5 miles seemed REALLY DAMN LONG. And I was hungry. And I was SWEATING.

I won't lie, two hills got me - I ran out of gears (and maybe leg strength) and got whizzed by fast road bikes. It took a lot of sweat to push that hunk of steel bike up those hills - and get back on it. As I biked back to transition, I thought, I can't wait to get off my hunk of steel bike and just run.

And I flew through transition (easy to do when you just dump a hunk of steel bike and a helmet) - and started trying to run - in the ittiest bittiest steps ever. But I kept moving my legs and felt pretty good/tired, until I saw a gal in front of me with "39" on her right calf.

I was not competing in this race - I was just participating. Until an age-grouper was right in front of me (our age was 'marked' on the right calf). So I sped up my ittiest bittiest steps and passed her - victory. Until I saw the "34" ahead and couldn't remember if the age groups were in 10-year increments (they weren't, but I couldn't risk it). I ittiest bittiest stepped as fast as I could turn my legs over until I got past her. Ane then, I saw the "50" in front of me - and ran it in to the finish with her, nice and easy. Looking like this -

Yeah, that was not NO SWEAT at all. A little bike and multisport training would probably have helped quite a bit - and some realistic preparation. But it was cool - who gets to run out of a cave?

Here we are - true CAVE BEARS. (The sign, like the registration, was wrong - it was not a 12.5 mi bike - I could have totally rode that, no sweat, right?)

Thanks to Priscilla, Darlene, and Earl Roberts for the pics - hopefully some cave ones (the whole reason I did this crazy du) will follow!

WOW what a weekend

2011-11-15T00:55:00.001-06:00

Okay - this weekend kind of tired me out. A lot.

After work on Thursday, I started off with dinner with Marshall Ulrich. Which, if you click on that link, you'll realize what a wimp I am complaining that this weekend tired me out. In fact, this dinner was the first time I labeled myself as "only a marathoner."

I got to sit with him (and other wonderful running buddies) for dinner, and he's a truly amazing, but VERY down-to-earth guy. I'm waiting on some more pics from the event - we were all super busy this weekend, so I'm still collecting pics - but here I am with my buddy Jerry at dinner....

The next morning, I awoke to temps in the 30s - for the Veterans Day 11k on 11-11-11 at 7:11 (except the race started late). It was a nice run, though, in McAllister Park - and registration was only $11 for vets.

Then, I raced home to shower and head out to my buddy, Lorie's, wedding at 11:00 a.m (on time) on 11-11-11 - I didn't realize it would be televised (or I might have dressed more nicely - but at least I showered)! http://univision41.univision.com/videos/video/2011-11-11/111111-soldada-se-caso-con

It was also on the English NBC station (WOAI), but I can't find the link. Here are some of us from the running community - for the first time, all together - fully clothed AND not stinky.

Then, I hit the Rock N Roll expo - which was crazy. But not as crazy as when most of the wedding party arrived a little later to pick up their race packets - yep, even the bride was running the half marathon.

And then I crashed on the couch, with the help of my napping coach, Simba the cat. Later, that coachcat 'helped' me pack my drop bag for the half marathon - I had to triple check that she did not end up IN the bag on race morning.

On Sunday, I woke up at o'dark'early and set my "get to the half marathon for free" plan in action (seriously, parking or being towed costs up to about $200). But first, when I went to check the B Cycle availability online, I noticed the probable cause of my laptop's sluggishness (and furriness)

BAD coachcat. Then, I noticed that, unlike Friday morning, the temperature was already in the mid 60s, with near-100% humidity. BAD Texas weather, dangit.

I headed to the San Antonio Art Museum, where I could park for free and check out a B Cycle (which I paid $20 or so for a year membership)

I jumped on one of these bad boys and pedaled down blocked-off roads for about 2 miles, checked the bike into another station, and ended up at the Rock N Roll HM start WAAAAAY too early - darn contingency planning.

But, I had plenty of time to see buddies, check out the bike tour start, get ready, etc.

And off we went...

There weren't a lot of race pics along the route, which was probably a good thing - because it REALLY got hot around mile 9.

I'm on the house right/stage left in my 'torro' pose. (There are 28k pictures in the 'lost and found' section for the photographer, so most weren't tagged, and I'm not going to go blind trying to find more ugly race pics - but only this time!) Like I said, I'm tired - and next weekend is almost as crazy.

I felt pretty good during the run and didn't hit any trains (unlike last year) - but, with the heat, I slowed down and stopped for water/drink every chance I got. And I finished - not my best, not my worst.

So, I earned some more bling (Apolo Ohno was not actually included in the bling)

Here's many of the Brak Pak folks at the finish

Then, I walked about a mile, jumped on another B cycle, pedaled 2 miles, jumped in my car, jumped in the shower, and jumped on the couch for an hour or so nap session with catcoach Simba.

Then, I headed to Lorie and Will's reception at the Friendly Spot after the roads opened. It was a whirlwind, crazy running weekend for me - but an even happier, marrying, whirlwind, crazy running weekend for them!

Sadly, we found out after the race that a San Antonio runner died after crossing the HM finish line a bit in front of me, which makes me sad, makes me enjoy every moment that I am still able to run a race, no matter my finish time, and reminds me to ALWAYS listen to my body.

Thanks to Victor, Brightroom, Valerie, Scottydog, Dorine, Unavision, & B Cycle for the pics!

Busy

2011-11-09T18:47:00.000-06:00

Since it's been hectic around here, I didn't run any races last weekend. Instead, Dingo and I did the Puppy Up! 2 mile walk. She was THRILLED!

This week's next ups:
Dinner with Marshall Ulrich tomorrow (it's not just the two of us!)

And then there is the Veterans' Day 11k on Friday (registration for vets was only $11 - and we wear these 'special' bibs)

And then there's the Rock N Roll Half Marathon on Sunday (I kind of 'forgot' about that)

And then I nap.

Running Tour of Eastside Cemeteries

2011-10-30T22:55:00.000-05:00

I love these running tours by the Office of Historic Preservation - this one was really nice. The weather was crisp, cool, and sunny, and they used re-enactors for key historic figures buried in these cemeteries to the East of downtown San Antonio.

‎"Sandra West" - buried in her Ferrari (right there). We read this probate case in law school.

The son of the sculptor of Mt. Rushmore - he helped complete the project - the rock is from the site

telling us about how the Menger has a basement - where the brewer's beer was kept cold by acequias

FAUX BOIS!!!! But as a planter for live trees! and as a cradle for gravestones. I'm so rewriting my will to include this!

concept artist/architect of the riverwalk

Mahnke - a Woodman (I guess I never really understood these type of fraternal organizations) - the neighborhood where I really wanted to buy is called Mahnke Park

a stone's throw from downtown - and quite a bit uphill (we're on level with 10-12 floors of the Hyatt) - this is the Federal cemetery - where I can R.I.P., if I so chose

And US Rep Wurzbach - the ONLY TX Rep who voted FOR the federal anti-lynching bill. Nice.

It was very peaceful to run through the cemeteries (which cover many adjacent city blocks). I may have to add this to my run routine.

Dia de los Muertos 8k

2011-10-30T22:20:00.004-05:00

As you know, I majored in Latin American Studies as an undergrad, and my masters degree specialty was Inter-American Studies. So, I love holidays like Dia de los Muertos. And, luckily, a good friend of mine decided to direct the inaugural Dia de los Muertos 8k on Friday evening in Brackenridge Park.

I worked on my costume for months, and I thought it would be fairly easy to run in. Perhaps I should have consulted with an engineer and/or a fashion designer - this glowing jellyfish costume was heavy, awkward, and HOT - but it was fabulous. The photos don't really do it justice, since it was most fabulous when I was running through the dark woods, with the glowing tenacles flowing around me - one of Scott's pictures came close to capturing it.

So - here we go - the Jellyfish that ran 8k (about 5 miles) in the dark...

(luckily the wind died down a little after this pic)

running - I'm the blue glow

here's the video - you can kind of see the flow of my costume around the end of "Cancion del Mariachi" at 2 minutes - just not in the dark

So, afterward, I was VERY SWEATY under all of that plastic and glowlights

So, I rehydrated

And I showed off my tenacles (I'm turning)

And, in the end, I won the costume contest (female) - with Byron - a/k/a LT Dingle.

and, after we received our 'booty' - LT Dingle arrested race director/super fotog Ceci, while I 'stung' her - watch out to whom you give awards!

Speaking of awards - these were the BEST EVER.

(I'm finding tenacles everywhere)

And now my catrina andaba los critters.

I also won a team entry for the Beach to Bay marathon relay (ca-ching). I guess I won't have a problem putting together a team this year!

Thanks to Ceci, IAAP, Dorine, Dulce, Fumi, and Scottydog for the pics!

Dia de Los Muertos - catrina

2011-10-29T22:27:00.000-05:00

I LOVE catrinas. When I was in Michoacán last year, I bought doggie and cat catrinas. Then, my friend, Ceci, announced her Dia de los Muertos 8k run - which would feature catrinas as awards. And I wanted one - very, very much. So, I set out to win the costume contest (since there was NO WAY I was going to place in F 30-39). I'll post the pics when they all come in, but - I DID IT (as my nephews say)! I ran in a crazily painful jellyfish costume I made and won the female costume contest. (side note - that was a tough run)

And here is my catrina master for my 'pets.' Best award EVER.

Dia de los Muertos running costume preview

2011-10-27T23:23:00.000-05:00

Here it is - this may be tough to run 5 miles (well, just 8k) in...but the glowsticks throughout the bubbles an in the umbrella hat will help me light the way in this evening run. (I'm a jellyfish)

that's a hat

and the racebelt

hopefully, this will look cool

Next up - Dia de los Muertos 8k

2011-10-25T22:17:00.000-05:00

This awesome race shall occur on Friday evening in Brackenridge Park. I shall have the coolest costume - and here is my bib.

Back to it - home, running, and critters

2011-10-24T23:18:00.000-05:00

So, wow - what happened? I flew back on Monday - in from the CHI marathon, whirl-wind tour of SE WI, 20th HS reunion, and assorted craziness. And my head is still spinning.

But, I ran the Alamo Beer Race #4 (15k) on Saturday and felt great. Which you cannot tell from these pics.

At the start - (Kent is shamelessly promoting the Santa Antonio 5k on December 3. If you are in or near San Antonio, you MUST RUN it - in a (provided) Santa suit.)

And then there was the run

I was actually feeling pretty dang good - no GI issues, no 26+ miles to run, and hitting a sub-10:00 pace with no problems. But, as my buddy, Jenna, pointed out - these finish line pics are AWESOME.

"So what DID I run that in?"

"Damn, that slow?"

"well, heck, carry the 1, divide by 60 - not so so bad"

I'm so good at hiding my emotions.

And then, it was off to Dia de los Perros I was so busy preparing my costume for the Dia de los Muertos run that I didn't exercise due diligence in constructing dog costumes. So, Gwen was a lion and Dingo was a jaguar (dogs dressed as big cats - get it?) (they have tails and ears)

Dingo with her brindle buddy, Cappy

Dingo teaching Cappy how to knock over my buddy, Dulce

Gwen teaching a trainer how to give her treats even if she fakes 'down'

The remains of the leopard.

thanks to Scallywompus, SA Photographers, Kevin Saunders, and Dulce Bares for the pics.

Next up: (maybe) cruiser ride of Eastside cemeteries, last zoo run of 2011, Dia de los Muertos 8k, and Eastside cemeteries running tour - and that's all between Tuesday-Saturday.

The one that got away

2011-10-18T23:06:00.000-05:00

The thing with marathons is that, no matter what - how hard you train, how injury-free you remain, and a bunch of other things that end in -ain - you never know what awaits you out there on the course. This year, my training was solid - and accomplished in record heat. I remained fairly injury-free. I added yoga and massage. I stretched and recovered. I did it right this time and felt good going into my 5th marathon. I was going to rock it.

Race day at the Chicago marathon, the weather was warmish, but still 20-30 degrees cooler than anything I had run in this training season. Here we were at the start

As you can see, I was happily thinking that I could definitely crush 4:30. And then, my intestines defected (and a word very similar to that, if you add an "a") around mile 10. And did not stop. All told, my Garmin registered me as covering 27.1 miles and an additional 15 minutes spent in or waiting for potties. There were times that I could not bounce, so I fashioned a TOTALLY crazy chicken walk, which was terrible, but kept me within an 11:00 minute pace. And, throughout it all, my legs were fine, my body was fine, and I was ready to RUN, but could not. Like I said, you just never know what's out there.

So, I took some fun pics

and, in the end, I finished. A personal worst time, but I finished. (Note: only 3 minutes longer than my last personal worst and still only 13 minutes later than my PR.)

(yep, so bad I had to change my shorts at the finish - nice) So, now I'm debating training for another week and running the RNR SA as a full marathon in November - even though I dislike the 2nd half of it. Or, maybe I'll just get over it and run the next 25k, HM, 5k running tour, 8k, and 11k I have scheduled in the next three weeks.

All of my ugly race pics can be found here

Super thanks to my folks, for coming down to the marathon - and my sisters and their families for hosting my tour de southeast wisconsin after the run.

More thanks to everyone who supported me in fundraising during training for Girls on the Run - SA. I raised over $600, which will sponsor at least 4 girls during next year's training season. http://www.active.com/donate/SoleMates2012/SSeeker5

And thanks to Joe S, Marathonfoto, my folks, and Ceci for the pics.

We're heeeeere

2011-10-08T00:27:00.000-05:00

Well, it is that time of year again to run 26.2 miles for no real good reason. So, we hit the expo...

where it is official, because my name is on the wall. (yep, between the fakers - "Seegers" and "SeeLer"
And here is the view from our roof (it's okay to go up there - really - we didn't climb out of windows or anything)

and winding down from a loooong day with Bernice and Laura (Joe is the photog)

Tomorrow, we'll check out the 'hood and some of Chicago - and REST!

It is making me giggle when everyone is talking about how HOT it will be. I probably won't be giggling around noon on Sunday, but this ain't hot.

Yep, I'm supposed to be tapering

2011-10-02T19:15:00.000-05:00

But, I ran the Pajama Pancake 5k on the Mission Reach section of the riverwalk on Saturday. I came in around 17th place for overall female, but they didn't go that quite that deep in prizes. (This was after I watched the Brewers rock game #1 on Friday.) Then, I headed home and watched the Badgers rock it against the Huskers.

Sunday morning, I woke up (a little late) and ran about 8 miles with Fleet Feet for my last pre-marathon 'long' run. And then I hit Síclovía - where the City closed down Broadway for cycling, running, walking, playing basketball, you name it. In hindsight, I should have just done my run there. Instead, I ended up tacking on another 4.5 miles of walking - oops.

Basketball and street hockey

doggies

my favorite, still - PARACHUTE!

I toyed with the ideas of bringing my bike or the dogs, but did not want to sustain a freak injury ONE WEEK before the marathon - so I walked and walked. And saw this guy, who apparently has NO fear of a freak dog-related injury.

what, that doesn't look dangerous? Here he is going the other way - multiple dogs and he is on SKATES! In my defense, my dogs are over twice the size of those 8 or so pups!

(and, seriously, this is supposed to be about health and exercise, and this clown shows up?)
Afterward, my buddies and I heard there was free craft beer in Brackenridge Park for Parktoberfest - sure enough - there was. So we enjoyed good, free beer and German music (I was getting nostalgic for Germany).

And so, I returned home to watch the DVR'd Packers game (I know they won - I peeked - but I'm still watching it) and keep tabs on the Brewers game - where they are also rocking it.

This is probably NOT the proper way to taper, but if I keep in the spirit of WI sports, I will rock my 'next up' - the Chicago marathon.

Speaking of which - super props to my buddy, Steve, who PR'd today in Milwaukee's Lakefront marathon with a smoking fast time of 3:18:36! Fair warning: even if I rock CHI, my time will be an hour longer than that!

Another race for the recues pic

2011-10-01T23:47:00.000-05:00

here are some of the Brak Pak Chiks (and Dingo) - from Studio Benton

and the actual (non-scanned) shot with Dingo smiling.

I ran the Pajama Pancake 5k (actually 3.3 miles) on Saturday - and now it's one week until Chicago. eek.

Muertitos - final time trial

2011-09-26T23:04:00.000-05:00

Well, after Saturday's 5k with Dingo and almost 12 miles on Sunday, my legs were really sore today. Even more sore than after 21 milers. I think it was from trying to counterbalance Dingo's pulling for the first 2.5 miles.

But, I headed out to run the Muertitos 2 mile time trial (pretty slowly) -- here we are heading out. Check out la muertita (#8) totally hamming it up and stealing my ugly race pic shot.

So I told her that, just because she looks cuter than me in her running skirt, she needed to get the heck out of my way before I got really ugly (not really - and I got really ugly just 'cause).

and the finish - not sure what I'm looking at?

and los muertitos

Thanks to Ceci for the pics (and the finish line oranges)!

SNIPSA race for the rescues 5k

2011-09-26T22:44:00.001-05:00

It's two weeks until the marathon - and I get VERY paranoid about sustaining a small, dumb injury after months of training. But, when Gwen and I walked/swam this 5k for a GREAT cause last year, I promised Dingo that 2011 would be her year. (The race benefits www.snipsa.org to help out the SA strays.)

So, Saturday morning, we got ready for the race - as Gwen pitifully whimpered and begged. I almost relented and brought them both, but with the 1000s of runners and many, many dogs, the pups like to head in different directions and take me down (to the ground, like Matthews on Cutler!). Again, two weeks before the marathon. So, I promised Gwen a solo postrace walk, and Dingo & I headed out.

Dingo did pretty well - but she took off too fast and pretty much pooped out for the last 1/2-3/4 mile. This course is no joke - BIG HILLS

So, we trotted it and had a nice little run. Afterward, Dingo got a pat on the head from Sean Elliott (retired Spurs player), and we took some snazzy pictures.

Gwen and I strolling by in the background right after meeting Sean Elliott (foreground)

Hangin' with Brak Pak buddies

Our photo shoot (I love Dingo's smile)

After we returned home, I took Gwen out for her promised walk - and when we came in the house, Dingo was FAST asleep.

Thanks to Benton Photography, Jenna, IAAP, and Scottydog for the pics!

More Mission Possible 10k

2011-09-19T10:31:00.000-05:00

Here are a few from Kevin G. Saunders - I kind of look like a creepy zombie, going for brains, in the second one

run, eat, sleep, repeat, repeat

2011-09-19T00:02:00.000-05:00

This was the last real training week, so it was a little rough - and the temps headed back into the triple digits. On Saturday, I headed to the "Mission Possible" 10k - the 3rd in the series of the Alamo Beer Runs. It started at the Blue Star Brewery and ran along the riverwalk- mission reach.

Ruben & I

Kimberly & I

The race course was pretty complex, but I kept it steady, since I knew I had a tough run on Sunday.

Afterward, there was a splendid post-race celebration, with multiple local beers, burgers, migas, bloody marys, music, and even a parking lot art thing. So, I ate, showered, slept, ate, and slept.

And then I woke up early to head out to Fleet Feet at about 0500, to add on some miles and then run with them - all told, it was about 20 miles. I was going to run 22, but it was SO humid, and I got sick of hearing "squish squish squish" (from my shoes, beginning around mile 5). And then I I ate, showered, slept, ate, slept, and watched football.

My feet and legs are tired, but I'm still not having any major issues - hopefully that continues. Next up, Dingo & I hit the Race for the Rescues (walking - I don't need a dog-related injury).

Thanks to Scallywompus and Kimberly for the pics!

rocking it out

2011-09-12T22:29:00.000-05:00

I finally got to a project I have wanted to do for awhile. Kill my front yard. Step #1, extreme drought, was highly successful - here are the "before" shots:

Step #2: Saturday morning, my rock delivery I have been awaiting was scheduled at 0930. At 09:30:45 - this big truck showed up.

However, as you can see, there are low-hanging powerlines across the front of the house. We ripped up a corner of the edging and the driver performed about a 26-point turn to expertly angle the truck in - hollering "tell me when I'm about to hit those lines!" He didn't hit the lines, and left me with this big pile of rocks (note - ratio of rockpile to podcar is about 1:1.5).

Step #2 1/2 - run 11 miles on Sunday morning - the temperature was only in the double digits, and it felt pretty good to press 'start' on the Garmin and, the next thing I knew, I was running the final stretch into Fleet Feet.

And Step #3 - slaves. good ones.

The gals came over and ROCKED out those rocks - the pile was demolished in about 1.5 hours!

I like my rocks - a LOT. Now, step #4 - I need some yard art!
Tonight was a nice, but sore from pushing rocks, run under a big moon with the Muertitos -

Thanks to the gals for all the help and Ceci for the Muertitos pic!

Zoo Relay and art

2011-09-10T00:06:00.001-05:00

Tonight was the 4x2 mile zoo relay, which I ran with the Brak Pak Chiks.

I was a little tired after that (AWESOME) Packers game last night and that crud called work in between, but we still ran a decent race.

Afterward, I headed over to Ceci's Exhibit of La Malinche
My pics (of her wonderful pics) are a little blurry - I think my camera was stored in the cooler while I was running.

My favorite photo is the one on the right - is it still available, Ceci??

Whining and wining, but not winning

2011-09-05T20:57:00.000-05:00

Wow, this weekend took it out of me. I started off with a little 20 miler, which ended up being a 21 miler (my mapping skills kind of stink), with my buddy, Laura. It was tough - heat and humidity were high, and I sweated off about 6 pounds. But, we tackled the penultimate long run before the Chicago marathon!

On Sunday, I 'installed' my edging in preparation for my big truck load o' rocks that arrives next weekend. And, I attempted to rehydrate. Luckily, a 'cold' front came in - knocking the temperatures back into the double digits and the humidity down to a manageable level.

So, this morning's 5 mile Whine Run was a breeze. Except for my beat up feet, the hills, and the headwinds. But, the reward was wine at the Dry Comal Creek (and it is DRY this year) winery. Most excellent.

Here I am starting off - nice and slow

Along the run -

and my finish (I actually ran the last mile fastest - but it was downhill, with a tailwind)

still sweaty at the finish

and Brak Pak, representing (I must have been in the sangria line, but my podcar made the shot)

Thanks to Tom Lake - San Antonio Roadrunners and Scottydog for the pics

And, now, step down week - except for pushing those rocks around

Some like it hot

2011-08-29T22:58:00.000-05:00

And apparently, I do. This Sunday was the 2nd hottest day EVER in San Antonio - 110 degrees (not heat index). So, I decided to start the day with a little 'TNT Lousy T-shirt 5k' fundraiser run - it was about 85 degrees at race start at 8:00. This was a 'no frills' race - with no shirts (unless purchased separately), no bibs, no timing chips, no clock, no mile markers, ~~no water stops, no finisher medals, no prizes~~ (they decided to add the last three for fun, but there were no age group awards - just overall awards.

I planned to just run this at an easy 10:00 pace to get 3 more miles in for the week. But, as I started off, I felt good and, somehow around mile 1, I realized I was the lead female (obviously, the pros weren't running)!!! I did stop for water and got passed by a faster gal (I briefly thought about trying to catch her, but decided to back my pace off - it's going to be a hard training week).

looking fairly chickenish coming into the aid station

chicken side view

sipping like a chicken

off, trying to chase down the fast chick (not chick-en)

and in - frame by frame

a final chicken finish line pose

and, holy crud - that was the best I've run a 5k in the past couple of years. Not a PR, but good enough for 2nd overall female. really.

and I got a lousy finisher medal, which I LOVE. It's in the style of the Fiesta medals everyone trades/collects here during Fiesta.

with my race bling (soaking wet with sweat) -- with race director, Grace

overall women

postrace - with bling and beer

and the bling. love my bling.

And then, after a continuing battle with my smoke detectors, I headed out Monday evening in the 100+ degree heat to run the 2-mile time trial with the muertitos (at a bit slower pace - like I said, it's going to be a tough training week, and I need to pace myself)

the muertitos group. And, now, I get set to plot the demise of a chirping smoke detector and run a bunch of miles this week.

Thanks to Lisa Ramos, Ceci, and Scottydog for the pics

Bring it on

2011-08-26T18:57:00.000-05:00

Really?

(and I certainly don't believe that chance of rain)

training blahs

2011-08-25T00:40:00.000-05:00

So, this somewhat gripe-y post was ~~stolen from~~ inspired by Kritta's post. Yeah, she's training for a 50 miler and me, just a 26.2'er. But the gripes are the same. This is the time of the year that I dread the shower, because it brings pain. I pretty much permanently tape my brastraps (dumb boobs), but still end up with chafing burns over my shoulders. I grease myself like a pig, but still get cut by my waterbelt. I feel like all I do is run, eat, hydrate, and sleep (oh yeah, and work) - yet, I still fall asleep at red lights and any time I must sit down for more than a minute or two. I'm actually taking a day off work to run errands and clean my house (the tumblefurs are organizing for a revolt), since I cannot fit those tasks in between weekday evening runs and weekend runs.

But, for the most part, I haven't had any issues this training season (knock on wood or whatever I need to do). My feet hate me, showers hurt, and my left heel/Achilles was randomly a little wonko tonight, I'm extremely tired and have no appetite, but nothing serious thus far. So, I'm hoping to finish this with solid training (oh, yeah, partly in predicted 105 degree heat - not heat index - on Saturday) and a good run in October. And then, I will SLEEP and start on the 'after the marathon' to do list. Which starts with "slay the tumblefurs."

no race weekend

2011-08-22T22:57:00.000-05:00

I actually passed up a race. really. It was the Sunrise 5k/10k - the very, very hilly Sunrise 5k/10k. I had to run an 18-miler, though, and didn't think I needed the hills. So, instead, I ran 18.4 miles (oops) with buddies downtown and along the riverwalk on Saturday. And then I slept and ate and slept and ate for most of the remainder of the weekend.

Tonight, I ran in the heat with the Muertitos - with bolis (icees) afterward.

thanks to Ceci for the pics (and the bolis). and now I eat and sleep some more...

Thanks where thanks is due

2011-08-16T23:21:00.000-05:00

I started this blog of ugly race pics while training for a marathon and running many races. I would email my ugly race pics to my family every weekend, clogging their inboxes but, I hope, amusing them with my crazy chicken and zombie running style - captured by the lenses of many photographers.

And, today - I continue to pester the interwebs with my ugly race pics. Now, I am the creative genius who runs willy nilly around at various races, looking a little nutso. However, the other part of that 'creative vision' consists of the artists behind the camera - capturing all of those ugly race pics for ever and ever (and ever and ever). It takes a village, folks!

I always credit the photographers, even as I shamelessly swipe their ugly race pics of me (yep, I know, I'm going straight to heck). But, I wanted to especially thank my buddy and super fotog, Ceci - who not only has snapped a boatload of ugly race pics of me, but also found some way to make me look not-like-a-chicken at times.

Here are some of my Ceci-snapped faves here lately....

Gracias, Ceci

- even though you are thwarting the purpose of my ugly race pic blog! At least I have my village of photographers lurking around the point in the race I stop to blow my nose to freeze that moment forever.

check out some of her non-running work at http://www.ceciliainiguez.com/

Worn out Weekend

2011-08-15T22:09:00.000-05:00

I had a 17-miler on the schedule this weekend, and a 15k race scheduled. So, I decided to break it up and run 8 miles along the Riverwalk with buddies Saturday morning. Then, I ate, showered, ate, slept, ate, hydrated, slept, hydrated, slept, ate, hydrated, and got ready for the race. This was the second in the Alamo Beer Series - an evening 15k (it was long, so it was closer to a 10-miler). Here I am hydrating some more

and at the start

and then, like Jaws, here I come...dun nuhn, dun nuhn...

dun nuhn, dun nuhn, dun nuhn

(note - she's only happy because she's running the 8k) dun nuhn nuhn nuhn nuhn....aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

and then I finished in the dark. ate, hydrated (on beer), showered, and slept.

Sunday, I headed over to a buddy's house to help her sand and stain her cabinets. (Next month, I think we'll xeroscape my front yard.)

And, tonight, I hit the Muertitos group for an easy 4 miler...

and now - eat, hydrate, shower, sleep, repeat.

Thanks to Ceci, IAAP, KGS bikes, and Scallywompus for the pics!

thanks, legs

2011-08-15T00:09:00.000-05:00

These are my legs, and I thank them for getting me through this weekend. My feet were a bit sad/painful, and my head was seriously sorry, but these legs made it through. I'm rolling them out now, since next week will be similarly challenging. But I'm trusting that my legs will get me through - and now, it's just up to my brain (and sore feet) to do the same.

Next up

2011-08-11T23:43:00.001-05:00

Well, it's time to get serious about the Chicago marathon, so I just ordered my gels, Brave Soldier lubricant, socks, etc. And these puppies came in today.

(the ones in front). I'll try them out on Saturday's first run - 8 miles in the morning - then eat/shower/sleep/eat/sleep until the 15k on Saturday night - I'll use my standby shoes (pictured in the rear). And then I will eat/drink/shower/sleep/repeat some more.

Meh

2011-08-10T06:24:00.002-05:00

At least Saturday's 15k is at night!

good time of year to be training for a marathon

2011-08-04T17:05:00.002-05:00

Tough no race weekend

2011-08-02T21:38:00.000-05:00

Whew, it was a tough weekend. But, I started out the weekend 'carb loading' on no-nutritional-value nachos and beer at the Missions game Friday night. Sadly, it was a no-hitter against us...

But the Ballapeno and the Puffy Taco were amusing

A kid always gets to chase the puffy taco around the bases and tackle him after 3rd base. Sadistic, but funny.

Saturday morning was me and 15 miles. Luckily, Hurricane Don 'roared' in and misted on me for the first hour or so. Afterward, I chowed, showered, and slept. Sunday morning was almost 7 miles in the heat and humidity at Fleet Feet. Surprisingly, my legs felt pretty good, but my feet were tired of being smacked against asphalt. Afterward, I chowed, showered, and slept. And, when I awoke, I was still tired and hungry.

Luckily, this week is a step-down training week, and I need it - especially since tomorrow's supposed to be around 103 degrees. And I need to catch up on housework - the tumblefurs out-number me, and I fear they may revolt.

This is the time that I get tired again

2011-07-26T01:45:00.002-05:00

and I claim that I'm not, maybe, possibly going to direct the women's run next year, I'm never training for another marathon, my sisters won't have any more babies, I didn't get diagnosed with something that makes me tired, and I lie lie lie - because that all is true.

First off - my sister had another wonderful baby - and a new member of my Packers offensive line, her fifth son, Thomas Seeker Verhaalen. If he proves as tough in the future as he did coming into this world, he's all-star (and he is, anyway!).

So, to run it down: I'm directing the women's run next year (with heavy help -thanks Sally#1); I'll probably run another marathon; my nephew, Thomas Seeker Verhaalen, was born the Saturday of the women's run and is now doing well; HIPPA prevents me from disclosing the other stuff; and yes, I lie and I lay, on the couch, very tired.

It's been a tough week or sotwothree. And, so, I engage my yoga breath and focus on the present, mostly. Last Saturday, I ran a delightful running tour of the Jefferson and Monticello neighborhoods. Afterward, we watched a car careen into a tree and take off.

But, here's the running/walking tour group after the very interesting tour

and here's the front end the guy left

On Sunday, I needed to 'add on' 5 miles prior to the Fleet Feet group run of 9 miles. So, when I arrived at 5 a.m., I was surprised by my buddy, Jim (not in a creepy way), and we pre-ran 5 miles before the 6 a.m. start time - tough for me (I was running 10k pace) and tough for Jim (he was running turtle pace). Then, we sucked down water, took a deep breath, and ran the next 9 miles (he faster than me).

I experienced awful leg cramps for the last mile - in equal parts, perhaps, due to HOT HUMID temps, long run, improper prepartion on my part, and the new medical crap. In any event, I made it, but had to wait and wait for the cramps to calm before I could drive home. (And, after, that, when Simba was settling down for her much-loved atop-Sally's-hip-post-run nap on the couch, my legs kept cramping, disturbing her sleep, and she gave up on my nap -- then I did the same).

So, today I tried to hydrate heavily, wear sexy compression socks all day, and make it to the Muertitos time trial - to run it easy. It was over 100 degrees, but I managed NOT to cramp, but take some crazy run pics.

Next week is worse - schedule-wise (overtime), weather-wise (all triple-temps), and distance-wise (40 miles or so). But, no more new nephews forecasted, Tommy is doing well, and I'll get to meet him in October. So, it will all be good.

Thanks to Ceci, the Verhaalens, & SA Office of Historic Preservation for the pics.

Women's Run 5k

2011-07-18T22:13:00.001-05:00

I did NOT run this race. Because I kind of (accidentally?) said I'd possibly consider directing the race, starting next year, maybe. Translated - I was announced as the new race director for next year at this year's race. I guess I'm in.

I 'assisted' this year and - holy cow - it is a lot of work to put on this race! This was the 32nd running of the race, and we had 613 runners/walkers and over 150 male volunteers. Luckily, there were no casualties - and the top gal ran it the hilly, challenging course in 17:40ish - smoking fast.

Here's the news coverage and photo show
http://www.photoshow.com/watch/dJ5ec3sp

Beamer's coverage (including the Brak Pak finish line crew) and my almost-famousness is here
http://www.woai.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=2674465

and more coverage at 10 -- http://www.woai.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=2674654

Before the race with my super fotog, Ceci - click to enlarge this one - Jerome hogging the shot in back is hilarious

the Brak Pak guys handing out chips (they also handled the finish line)

pre-race yoga led by my friend, Kristal

starting line - that's my butt over there in the red/black skirt and pink sparkly hat by the lead truck (it was REALLY cool to ride in there and watch the lead gals battle it out along the course)

large and in charge?

this is the one labeled "future race director" in the slide show - eek

with the overall masters runner and walker - and Sally #1, the current race director (I'm #2)

handing out awards and door prizes with local anchor, Randy Beamer

So, this time next year should be even more interesting!

Thanks to Ceci, Tom, and Randy Beamer for the coverage.

No race weekend, but upping the mileage

2011-07-12T00:01:00.000-05:00

This weekend, I ran the women's 5k course, passing out flyers, then ran 12 miles on Sunday. Then, I crashed for a little while. When I awoke, I heard the strangest sound - it was RAIN! It lasted 5 minutes, but it was welcomed.

Tonight, I ran a recovery run with the muertitos - here are some pics from Ceci (I'm sporting the women's run shirt - so register for Saturday's run and get your shirt).

thanks Ceci!

yes, please support me in 'spaying the world,' as my Dad says

2011-07-07T22:54:00.000-05:00

So, I spay and neuter animals - why not teenagers? When I started my newest job about 4 years ago in a 'New Deal' program, my very socialist side always thought "just pay everyone - they hurt." I haven't gotten jaded, like many folks with whom I work, but I really REALLY see a cycle of teen pregnancy and dependence on 'the system' at all levels, which repeats over the generations. And one of the pastors tonight brought up the difficulty in combating bad information from parents: it just happens that a girl gets pregnant early, drops out of high/middle/ELEMENTARY school, applies for food stamps, applies for SSI, and teaches her kids to do the same while trying to raise them with no parenting, life, or coping skills. And boys just leave. That's all there is in life. The files I write often involve a 30 y/o grandma, a 16 y/o mom, and a 2 y/o child - all applying for disability - and, sometimes, warranting it, due to the associated health problems in teenage and no-prenatal care pregnancies.

So, enter Healthy Futures. It's actually a great, small non-profit, aimed at reducing teenage pregnancy through abstinence plus (and plus) and self-esteem based education - in conjunction with many other organizations. So I really can't s/n people - just by words and information.

But it's an interesting program - since they are non-partisan, prevention-based - there were many pastors/reverends there and politicians - religious and secular, pro-choice and pro-life, etc. - the focus is really on prevention and empowering kiddos. The founder is a family practitioner (MD) who has developed curricula for whichever way the TX legislature blows (currently abstinence only or abstinence plus with parental approval) in order to get information and peer-based programs in the schools (and churches, and community groups, etc.). So, her programs are not only allowable in the schools,but are also used in the juvenile court program and TCS (major offenders).

Please check out the program at http://www.healthyfuturestx.org/, like them at https://www.facebook.com/HealthyFuturesTX, and think about using them as a resource, be ye parent, caregiver, guardian, teacher, or just responsible community fellow!

My BIRTHDAY!

2011-07-04T22:03:00.001-05:00

I love my birthday. I celebrate it for about a month. And I give most of you the day off in my honor. But, for the first time ever, there are no fireworks for my birthday here in San Antonio. We're under severe drought/fire conditions, so even mis vecinos aren't drunkenly firing off bottle rockets! But, I did get to enjoy a crazy weekend.

Saturday, I woke up late and hit my long run (11 miles) - heading out down the riverwalk from the Pearl Brewery, past the Blue Star Brewery, and past the Lone Star Brewery to check out the new opening of the Mission Reach section of the riverwalk. It was a neat run (reminded me of Milwaukee), but it was VERY, VERY hot. Then, I hit a dinner for my friends' 40th wedding anniversary.

Then, very early, I ran 6 miles at Fleet Feet, took a nap, and hit my friend, Rochie's house to stain her fence and clean out raingutters as part of a gals-coop we're doing. She fed us an awesome lunch - then, I headed to Holly's pool party - fun with the tri crowd.

Then, this morning, I ran the Freedom 4 miler, which was hot and hilly - here are the pics from Tom (thanks) -

UPhill

shameless promoting sponsors

Then, I napped HARD.

Zoo run!

2011-06-29T22:34:00.000-05:00

ah, another Wednesday and another zoo run. No surprise - it was hot. Surprise - the Ceci-paparazzi was there (and not running) - heal, Ceci, heal.

thanks for the pics, Ceci!

Carrabbas HM video

2011-06-29T16:31:00.000-05:00

Thanks to my buddy, Ceci - here's the Carrabbas HM Relay video. I'm in there, holding the flag at the beginning - and at the end - drinking a cold beer!

No race weekend

2011-06-27T22:14:00.000-05:00

Surprise! I didn't run a race this weekend. Instead, I hit Southtown Yoga Loft for Pose for a Cause (this time, for spay/neuter efforts in Southtown). (I'm in there in the middle in lime green)

and the pose I'm good at...Savasana (corpse pose)

Then I attended the San Antonio Roadrunners annual party - where we give out scholarships (I'm on the selection committee).

thanks to Kristal and Tom for the pics!

Carrabbas HM Relay

2011-06-19T20:43:00.000-05:00

For the Carrabbas half marathon relay, it was hot and humid, as it has been all Summer. Oh, wait, it isn't summer yet - it's just felt like that since February. Here I am before the race with my buddy Paige.

I was running the 4th and final leg, so I volunteered to cut off race chips in the exchange chute - but first, a little flag holding. This would probably be a good time to remind you that my birthday is July 4th and you can start bringing me presents next week, when I will commence my month-log birthday celebration!

There were no actual ugly running pics of me from this run - my photogs were probably already enjoying chicken marsala, pasta, and salad by the time I ran (I don't blame them - that's the highlight of this run)!

I spent the rest of the day napping and trying desperately to rehydrate before today's 9 miler. It kind of worked.

Thanks to Tom Lake from SARR and Ceci from www.iaapweb.com for the pics!

Instincts

2011-06-17T20:55:00.000-05:00

in·stinct/ˈinstiNGkt/Noun

1. An innate, typically fixed pattern of behavior in animals in response to certain stimuli: "predatory instincts".

2. A natural or intuitive way of acting or thinking: "rely on your instincts".

For Gwen the pitoodle, instinct somehow means building nests

For me, when marathon training hits- it means sleeping every chance I can and making big batches of pasta salad out of whatever I have.

Here was tonight's dinner - if I remember right, shell pasta, bay scallops, fresh corn off the cob, cukes, bell peppers, red onions, sweet onions, hardboiled egg, slaw mix (free), fresh basil, fresh parsley, organic mayo, a little olive oil, wine vinegar, garlic, fresh lemon juice, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.

I have a problem in that I usually don't feel hungry until my blood sugar crashes. It's nice to have this around for those times and, since those times happen more often during marathon training, maybe, this time, I'm actually prepared.

Speaking of instincts - here is a Simba who is prepared to exercise them while I type.

Next up: Carrabbas HM relay in the morning

Another good cause you need to send money to

2011-06-14T00:59:00.000-05:00

(Even though you may lose to Gwen or Dingo)

SNIPSA's 4th Annual Race for the Rescues will be held on September 24, 2011 http://www.snipsa.org/SNI/FaceofRace. Again this year we will be holding a contest for the "Face of the Race." Your dog could be chosen for promotional posters and online advertisements for the race. Close to 3000 copies of our poster are printed each year along with numerous newspaper advertisements and countless online postings. The winning pooch will also be featured on race day during the medal ceremony as a special guest. The "Face of the Race" will be selected based on photos provided. A photo shoot to capture your pooch will be arranged with SNIPSA.

To enter your dog please send one photo (will not be returned), an Entry Form, and a check for $25 made payable to:

SNIPSA
Face of the Race Contest
6338 N. New Braunfels #185
San Antonio, TX 78209

Or you can pay by credit card and register here on line

Proceeds from the contest will go directly towards helping homeless and abandoned animals in San Antonio as well as spay and neuter outreach. All entries must be received by August 1, 2011.

And this is how you do the crazy running chicken

2011-06-13T22:08:00.000-05:00

First, you run 8ish miles Sunday. Then, you do yoga for lunch on Monday in the vain hope it will make your calves stop cramping. Then, you meet up with Muertitos buddies in the heat and humidity for an easy run. It all starts out pretty fine - nothing too chickenish.

but then, you add 3 hot miles and twice over a bouncy bridge, and the crazy running chicken bursts forth

ah yes, vintage chicken. most excellent. Then, you relax with your buddies who don't care that you are a crazy running chicken

Thanks to Ceci (head Muertito) and Ro-hell-ito for the pics!

more running, of course

2011-06-12T18:59:00.000-05:00

This weekend, I ran the Girls on the Run 5k fun run - no pics there, but a good fundraiser for the organization. Just a reminder that you can still donate through me, too! http://sallysuglyracepics.blogspot.com/2011/05/really-just-donate-buck.html

Then, today was the real start for marathon training, which meant trying to drag out of bed between 4-4:30 so that I could get in some miles before the training group started (their target marathon is later than mine, so I have to adjust the schedule). And then, it was naptime. And so it begins...

So, while I take a deep breath and jump back in, here are some pics from last weekend's Lavender 10k...

Thanks to Photo Wolfe
All the pics are here

Brackenridge Park running tour

2011-06-09T00:33:00.001-05:00

Here are some pics of the running tour from a couple of weeks ago in and around my favorite park, Brackenridge --

Bushnell Apartments - less than a mile from my house

Alamo Stadium - the largest high school stadium in Texas

Faux Bois Torii Gate by Dionicio Rodriguez - he signed it in two places and included 2 hearts (we found one)

Another Bushnell Apartments - it was kind of funny - the last tours were low-key, and this time, there was a pro fotog, following groups around in a car, like paparazzi. I was highly amused.

Looking large at Trinity University - apparently, the brick buildings (built on a hill) were constructed with layers of prelaid concrete in between the levels for stability. My ex-husband used to lay concrete and worked on "flying tables," which always fascinated me. So, it was strange to hear that these intermediate stabilizers were prelaid and lifted into place with cranes.

Lambert beach - old bath houses, repurposed as a playground

DOWNHILL, finally (many climbs on this running tour, but back to the park is downhill)

Trinity University

Lambert beach in the park - nowadays, swimming will likely get you arrested, but I haven't tried to push my luck on that...

Thanks to the City of San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation (and paparazzi-esque fotog) for the pics - hopefully, they'll generate some more interest for the Woodlawn Lake/Monticello Park tour in July!

Lavender Women's 10k

2011-06-04T20:53:00.000-05:00

Well, going out last night for the First Friday cruiser ride and hangin' at Sanchez Ice House was probably NOT the proper way to prepare for a hot, hilly 10k. But it was good prep for some ugly race pics. This morning, I headed an hour north to Johnson City to the Miller Creek Lavender Farm for this run.

It was a lovely location. But, then, there was the run - and it was HOT.

fairly chicken-ish at the start

and - EXHALE - at the end. I won't lie - I walked up a hill or two.

but I enjoyed my just rewards - mimosas and cerveza.

I especially love this pic with Sherry - I wear a long shirt to 'mask' my extremely short torso (seriously, my rib cage sits on my hip bones) - it didn't quite work here, where, due to my super sweat in the super hot, you can see my belly button, fat rolls, and lack of torso space quite plainly. excellent.

Thanks to Ceci from http://www.iaapweb.com/ for the pics - she always does such an awesome job, even when she has to wake up even earlier than me!

Run/bike, drink beer, eat seafood, sleep, repeat

2011-05-31T23:52:00.000-05:00

Yep, that was pretty much the theme of my semi-non-productive weekend. And, while I only managed to work on the front yard, and my house is a bit of a mess, I think there's nothing wrong with that. For now at least - it caused a pain in my pocketbook and knee, but it was highly satisfying.

First off, there was the Police Officers' Memorial 5k on Saturday, followed by eating the weight of my head in ceviche. Sunday morning, I woke up, biked my errands - including hitting the Stadium to flyer cars for upcoming races, the Post Office, Red Box, and HEB before chowing some fish kabobs and trying to straighten up the front yard. Then, I hit my buddies' house for some libations and seafood with friends.

Then, there was vacation Monday. Which meant getting up early for the Terrell Hills City Manager's 5k. This was a free, casual, fun run - which meant no awards/official timing/frills, but did include a t-shirt and fun group of over 80 folks going for a run. I had announced my intent to take it easy, so my friend, Scotty dog, offered to keep me honest - and I ran with him on his 8 min run/2 min walk schedule. (However, he is more speedy then he lets on, and his 8 minute run pace is not my 'easy trot.' Furthermore, his watch, by which run/walk intervals are timed, is EVIL and never beeps to walk on uphills - it only beeps when we crest a hill and coast down - now walking!) But, we had some great fun taking pics of the runners and lovely houses along the route:

Pre-race - wondering if, due to the absence of port-a-potties, we could ring the bell at these houses and ask to use the loo?

Okay, we really didn't do that - nor did we pee in their bushes. This was a respectable group of runners and these were the beautiful houses along the route. Speaking of along the route - here are some pics...

Scotty dog taking pics on the first walk break

and taking off, because his watch probably figured there were uphills ahead....

I like this 'city' within the San Antonio limits and do much of my marathon training here - the "Terrible" hills of Terrell Hills are awful, but the streets are nice and wide, and the drivers are generally not as insane as those in Alamo Heights and Olmos Park.

At the finish, each of us got a 'called out' time from the timing guy and a heartfelt handshake and thanks from the Terrell Hills Police Chief for coming out to run.

(pic from Scotty with Laura, Scotty, and me). Post-race refreshments included neither seafood nor beer (bananas and water), so I headed home and broiled myself some fish kabobs and took a nap.

Then, after ignoring household chores, I headed out to run a 2-mile time trial with the Muertitos in Leon Valley (yep, another city that is surrounded by San Antonio). [Side note to you San Antonio folks - those of us not from here think that's weird to have pocket cities within the city.]

Anyway, my legs (and especially knee) were feeling rough, but it was fun to run a casual 2-mile race. By casual, Ceci - the 'organizer' and my other photographer - issued bibs, used computer timing to post results, and fotog'ed. Yep, they didn't have all that in the morning! Anyway, here are the 2nd race of the day pics:

and then, I went home, broiled some scallops and ate them with a lovely Shiner Red Robin summer brew. And SLEPT. (after I showered, of course)

I'd like to thank the Scotty dog, myself, and Ceci for the pics.

You can check out Scotty's full report at http://www.runnersworld.com/community/forums/runner-communities/beginners/report-photos-terrell-hills-5k-fun-run-walk/.0
You can check out Ceci's Dia de los Muertos Run & Training Group at http://www.diadelosmuertosrun.com/
And you can find me going to bed early all week because I'm beat. And this next weekend will be even crazier.

Police Officers' Memorial 5k

2011-05-29T12:07:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, I ran the humid Police Officers' Memorial 5k in Brackenridge Park. This was a poignant run, since a Bexar County Deputy was gunned down the night before. After the run, there were plenty of ice cold beverages.

Here I am, enjoying one with Scotty Dog (thanks for the pics, Scott!)

And chillin' with the Brak Pak crew

and here, for the record, I am NOT getting arrested by the cop...

After the run, I headed to Groomer's Seafood (my new most favorite place) and bought some post-race ceviche (which I immmediately chowed), scallops, and fish kabobs.

This morning, I decided to bike all my errands - and then I'm heading out to a buddy's place for more seafood. Tomorrow morning is the Terrell Hills City Manager's 5k, which I'm running easy with my buddy and photographer, Scotty. Tomorrow night is the Muertitos 2 mile time trial. And then, it's back to work.

Beach to Bay Marathon Relay

2011-05-27T01:01:00.000-05:00

Okay, I'm sorry. I must confess, I don't think this pic is that bad. In my defense, it was at the beginning of my run, and I hadn't gotten my ugly race pic on. I swear I looked MUCH uglier at the end of my leg and in the ensuing mile or so.

But I TRIED to take an ugly race pic. First, I forgot my practically bullet-proof running bra and was running in a regular stretchy bra (ouch). Then, I was up until midnight, waiting for my 5th leg runner (the one who went to the wrong exchange point). Then, I was searching the parking lot for Gary at 5:50 a.m., who drove in at 4 a.m. and slept in his truck. Then, I was 'sirened' by a cop for going too SLOWLY over the bridge (behind other cars) to drop Alexis off. Then, I unapologetically used the McDonald's bathroom without buying anything. Then, I waited. And, at this point, I didn't know that, 5 miles away, I had nobody to whom to hand off. So, really, it's a fantasy pic, as I thought that my tatas can make it through the run and, in 5 miles, I was done. No such luck.

Almost famous again again again?

2011-05-24T22:02:00.000-05:00

Well, kinda, but I'll take the fame where I can get it -

lookie here (you have to scroll down - the Mayor got top billing)

and there I am on the last running tour of downtown. Then, scroll down a little further and register to run the Brackenridge Park historic running tour on Thursday evening with me.

Solar Fest 5k

2011-05-24T21:46:00.000-05:00

I didn't think there were pics lurking out there for this one, but sure enough - they were. Thanks to Solar San Antonio for the pic which proves that I don't ALWAYS look like a crazy running chicken (such as the first few steps of the race)

and then, checking out efficient cars

Vivan los muertitos

2011-05-23T22:16:00.001-05:00

Well, tonight, I ran with the Muertitos training group - and a lot of folks from R.U.N. We had a hot 4 miler - and here's the after pics (thanks, Ceci!)

straight cheesy

Beach to Bay Marathon Relay

2011-05-23T22:12:00.000-05:00

Well, this year was tough and hot. Especially since I ran the 4th leg on the Naval Air Station and my 5th leg runner was not at the exchange point. Eek. But then, we got to enjoy the beach - here's before the race

and dinner with buddies from work - who, with the exception of Alexis, just came down to party (not a bad idea at all, really). More pics will follow. Here's the race report from the Corpus Christi Caller Times

Beach to Bay Relay Marathon: More feet, more street, more heat

CORPUS CHRISTI — Among the multitude gathered at the 36th Beach to Bay Relay Marathon finish, many runners talked about heat and suffering.

"I was dying," said Garrett Gregory, 29, of Lubbock. "This town is hot."

It was 79 degrees for the 7 a.m. race, which because of flooded beaches started on Park Road 22 on Padre Island. The 90 percent humidity made it feel like 83 degrees.

"I was hurting bad," Gregory's teammate, Thomas Adams, 22, agreed.

Runners dropped every few minutes from dehydration and heat exhaustion beginning about 7:45 a.m., with half a dozen down at the same time on Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, medical staff confirmed. One runner collapsed at the finish line about 11:15 a.m. and was carried by fellow runners and medical workers to an ambulance.

By noon the downtown temperature was 84, with humidity of 61 percent making it feel like 90.

In all, seven people were taken to the hospital.

Corpus Christi Fleet Feet Elite won for the second time in three years with a finish time about 9 minutes faster than last year at 2 hours, 17 minutes and 34 seconds.

There were 2,575 teams this year. That's 219 more teams than last year for an additional 1,314 runners.

That's a lot of feet as one volunteer learned on Saturday. Eric Willingham, 14, a student at John Paul II High School, sat watch over a killdeer's nest for more than two hours to keep it from being trampled near the foot of JFK Bridge.

Organizers of the 36th Beach to Bay Relay Marathon estimate that with runners, their family members, volunteers, sponsors and visitors from McGee Beach as many as 25,000 people packed McCaughan Park for the event's after party.

The only glitch in the new location was organizers finding they only had about 10 amps of electricity at McCaughan Park.

"That's about enough for a vacuum cleaner and microwave without blowing a fuse," said race director Doug McBee Jr. "We brought in a big diesel generator at the last minute."

He expects the new finish location to be permanent.

"We're not going back to Cole Park. It's better finishing along the seawall, but we will go back to the beach to start. Mother Nature just bit us this year."

Muertitos!

2011-05-16T21:18:00.000-05:00

My friend and frequent fotog, Ceci, is directing the inaugural Dia de los Muertos 8k in October. (It's going to be COOL!) Until then, she is hosting a muertitos training group on Mondays, running some of the new trails along the Leon Valley greenway. So, I met up with los muertitos tonight and enjoyed a nice 4.5 mile run.

It'll be fun to run with these folks and change up my Monday routine. Viven los muertitos? That just doesn't sound right.

Culinaria 5k WINE run

2011-05-14T20:01:00.000-05:00

Yep, guess what attracted me to this run? Well, it wasn't the location, necessarily. I am not a shopper and do not go to malls. Yet, because of this run, I hit two of the big SA malls in the past two days for the first time - the Rim (packet pickup) and the shops at La Cantera (run location). It was a good location, though, since the run drew 1,370 runners. So, I finally settled back into my 5k pace and cut a couple of minutes off my (lately) finish times. And then, there was the wine...

Next up, Beach to Bay, baby. Thanks to Scottydog for the pics!

Wednesday night zoo run

2011-05-11T22:27:00.000-05:00

Tonight I ran beforehand - then marshaled

then ran behind everyone for the course. then enjoyed a cold beverage

the posed with my fotog, Ceci (and Jim's dog, Juno - Jim's in the back with Gargamel and Jazz, wishing he had his little dog back).

and the #1 and #3 dog finishers

thanks to Ceci for the pics!

More tourist pics

2011-05-09T16:27:00.000-05:00

thanks, Bruce!

Acting like a tourist

2011-05-08T11:42:00.001-05:00

This morning, I took a running tour of downtown, hosted by the San Antonio Office of Historial Preservation. I love these tours. Our guide, Bruce, was very knowledgeable about architecture and history - and historical gossip. So, today, one thing I learned was that 'Alamo' is Spanish for 'cottonwood.' I also learned that Emily Morgan was the yellow rose of Texas and about a famous murder in room 636 at the Gunter hotel - but the body was never found. Dun dun duuuun.

Oh, and I was kind of famous again - here was the banner at the San Antonio marina, where we started our tour

Don't see me? Look in that lower right-hand corner

yep, that's me in the pink skirt, looking down - from last year's running tour!

And, the other thing that made me happy this morning - I finally gave up on my favorite sportsbra style, which somehow underwent a design change last year and caused me serious pain. (I know, too much information) And I tried this puppy out - AWESOME!

That's the Champion Double Dry+ Spot Comfort Full Support Sports Bra - my new best friend.

Unleash the weekend

2011-05-07T23:53:00.000-05:00

Wow. First up, First Friday Cruiser ride. We started at Sam's Burger Joint (lovely veggie burger made by Green Restaurant).

Then, on to Main Plaza (where there was no music)

So, we headed to Sanchez Ice House...

Then to the Blue Star Brewery

Then to the ol' VFW

And then, I went home to sleep for a few hours before the Solar Run on the Sun 5k. It was a bit rough - all the 'pros' showed, so it was a FAST race. I came in 5th in my 10 yr AG, but did not run as poorly as I have been running - even with lack of sleep and nagging knee pain. (but I'm still having a tough time.)

Next up - downtown running tour in the morning. So fun.

Thanks to Priscilla for the extra pics!

The Missing Peace

2011-05-03T21:58:00.001-05:00

Ah, such a nice evening. A cold front came through Sunday night and it has been cold (like below 60 degrees), after weeks in the 90s. But, tonight, the weather was perfect - sunny with a light breeze. And it was perfect for a free yoga class, led by my friend and owner of Southtown Yoga Loft, Kristal, at the San Antonio Art Museum - on the banks of the Riverwalk Museum Reach. Though (even) tough(er) on the grass, it was a beautiful setting.

(that's the river behind us)
Afterward was a guided tour of The Missing Peace, Artists Consider the Dalai Lama, which is concluding a five-year tour at SAMA.

What a nice way to spend the evening. Ohm... Thanks to Kristal, Southtown Yoga Loft, and the San Antonio Art Museum

Almost Famous Again Again

2011-05-01T13:52:00.000-05:00

So, this time I made the Star magazine in the Sunday Express-News

No, that's not me "wasted again!" on the cover (I don't drink vodka & red bull). Instead, I'm on the penultimate page:

(you can click on the pic to make it bigger). Yep, another postrun shot. This was after the Providence 5k last weekend. We hit the Pearl Brewery farmers' market (I have two bags of produce on my back), then wandered into the lemonade tasting, where the paparazzi caught us. At least, this time, I knew I was getting snapped and not trying to lean out of frame - with disastrous results!

really, just donate a buck

2011-05-01T01:31:00.000-05:00

You can spare a buck, right?
I am running the Chicago marathon on October 9, 2011. While I registered fair and square, and I do not need to fundraise, I am choosing to raise funds for the Bexar County Girls on the Run Chapter. This 'club' trains with middle school girls to run a 5k , educate them on exercise/nutrition, and raise their self esteem. We can't all win the race, but it's important for girls, especially in Bexar County, to understand the value of health and to understand that we all cross the same finish line, and it's just as sweet.

Here is more info on the organization -

http://www.gotrsanantonio.org/index.html

and here's where I ask you for money. My goal is $262 (the marathon is 26.2 miles, see how that works?). I'm hoping that I have 262 friends/family members/strangers who know my friends who will each donate $1 at the site below. The money goes directly to (tax-deductible) Girls on the Run in Bexar County - subsidizing a girl in the program for training, mentorship, and, ultimately, crossing the finish line of a 5k.

http://www.active.com/donate/SoleMates2012/SSeeker5

Thanks for your support - (and trying to make your friends donate, since I'm trying to find 262 friends!). Just a buck - that's all I'm asking.

Providence 5k

2011-04-25T19:43:00.001-05:00

It was a hot and humid morning... (Wow, I feel like Snoopy, starting 3/4 of all my race reports like that, but it was - and will be until about December.) I headed to Providence High School for a point-to-point 5k to the Pearl Brewery on Saturday. It was along the River walk, and much of it was the route I'd run the afternoon before with Heather, the not-a-serial-killer stranger buddy. It was also a narrow, windy course, so that's my excuse for slow running. And that hot and humid thing. And just being lazy.

Anyway, the race ended at the Pearl Brewery for the Saturday morning farmers' market, which always makes me happy. I ran into many other friends (and their dogs) there and, when I was buying hummus at Humble House Foods (they also make cheeses, tapenade, and pesto in my zip code), Marsha (the co-owner) said, "gosh, I haven't seen you in awhile." I've had races the past couple of weeks and, last week, was only buying food for book club (small fridge/no storage). Anyway, it made me laugh - especially since many of the other farmers routinely ask me how training is going and which race is next. And that makes me even happier. So - I'm enjoying a week's worth of fresh beets, arugula, spinach, onions, mushrooms, eggs, hummus, lavendar dog soap, strawberries, and blackberries. All from less than 150 miles of mi casa. So, that heat and humidity actually pays off and leads to my happiness. Right?

I did not have any of my 'personal photographers' in attendance at the race, so I have no ugly race pics to post. However, as we were leaving the market, a San Antonio Express-News fotog snapped our sweaty pic - so I may be in the newspaper coming up soon. Dang paparazzi, I just can't shake 'em - especially at the Farmers' Market!

running with strangers again

2011-04-22T20:11:00.000-05:00

I got a message from Heather L on dailymile last week that she would be in San Antonio (from New York) for a conference and needed some running routes. So, we met up this afternoon for a mini running tour of the city. We took it fairly slow (I was slow in the heat) and stopped to take pictures along the route.

We headed up along the Museum Reach of the river walk and got to see a boat in the "boat elevators" (locks).

Then, we turned around at the Pearl Brewery and checked out the new rental bike stands

and headed back downtown - and, of course, hit the Alamo.

and, afterward, we enjoyed an ice-cold margarita -- here's the post run/margarita pic

Whew, I'm glad yet another running 'stranger' was not a serial killer (I think....). Thanks for the run/rita, Heather!

Next up: Providence 5k in the morning

more fandango pics

2011-04-18T20:33:00.000-05:00

And some pre-race pics from my buddy and fotog, Scottydog (that's him in the "I beat cancer" shirt.

thanks, Scotty!

Fiesta Fandango and food

2011-04-18T20:20:00.000-05:00

So, my Saturday was spent at the farmers' market, buying supplies for JUGBABES book & bottle club on Sunday - then hitting Whole Foods & HEB - then endlessly prepping food and cleaning - then running the Fiesta Fandango 2.6ish mile fun run. This is a fun run in front of the Fiesta Flambeau night parade - with FANS (and guys chomping on turkey legs, shouting "run faster, honey!"). There were many costumes, and I took pics along the run. Thanks to Ceci and Tom for the pics, too!

Ceci - the undead super fotog! Check out her inaugural Dia de los Muertos run at http://diadelosmuertosrun.com/ - it's going to be COOL!

waiting to jump on the bus at the Japanese Tea Gardens

Very squinty at the start

runners and floats

more runners - those are 'Chilean miners' - they also had gals with 'Chilean wife' and 'Chilean mistress' with them. There were about 1,100 runners.

Accidental picture along the run

head of the horse along the run (the ms. pac man folks were behind the horse)

lifeguards in REALLY short shorts

running with los muertos and Laura (who was surprised by Ceci, taking pics!)

near the finish

Sadie, the good dog, at the finish. She does a LOT of tricks, listens, and obeys. I want one of those dogs.

These guys dribbled a basketball the whole run

My favorite - the running chickens

These are the guys you have to be faster than

yep, really

some night parade pics as we awaited the return bus

The Frost Bank tower - in Fiesta colors.
The next day, I hosted JUGBABES book & bottle club and made about 70% of my meal from ingredients from the Pearl Farmers' Market. This was one of the faves-I credit my cooking less than the very fresh ingredients that were picked on Friday and transported fewer than 150 miles. Thank you, local farmers!

Beet Salad

4 bunches fresh beets without stems (I used white, golden, and red beets)

2 T oil (I used walnut)

1 T lemon juice

2 T white wine vinegar

1 T honey

2 T Dijon mustard

1 t dried thyme

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

greens (I used arugula, belgian endive, and endive frisee-however that's spelled)

1 cup feta cheese

one red onion - sliced thin

~ 1 cup candided pecans

Heat oven to 450 degrees, coat beets lightly with 2 T oil and roast for ~45 minutes until tender. Allow to cool, then peel and dice (use gloves - they stain) - chill in fridge. Mix the lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil, honey, mustard and thyme (I shake in jar). pour dressing over greens, onions, and beets. Top with feta cheese and pecans.

Look! REAL crazy running chickens!

2011-04-16T23:11:00.000-05:00

From tonight's Fiesta Fandango run (more pics to follow, after I prepare stroganoff out the wahzoo).

Cornyation...love it

2011-04-13T01:49:00.001-05:00

So, it's Fiesta in San Antonio. For you folks not familiar with this phenomenon, it's a crazy week where parts of San Antonio just shut down and party. (and why, exactly, do I live here? It's the hispanic, mellow New Orleans, without hurricane warnings this time of year.) So, this year, with the shock of potentially not getting paid, I decided not to attend many events outside of the two Fiesta runs - but I MUST attend Cornyation - the "cheapest and raunchiest event of Fiesta."

Several weeks ago, I stood in line at the Magestic/Empire theater to get tix - this was the guy who was behind me (in the cast, getting tix for friends - we saw each other after tonight's show).

So, I managed to get us 3rd row center orchestra seats for tonight's show, which, for me, is the funniest - since the show is always a bit of dress rehearsal and, as that ^ guy said, one of their drunkest times, since they're all nervous. But, it was in the confetti splash zone (like Sea World).

So, here goes the hilarity....First off, we saw this car in the parking garage...

but it was almost legal

And, then - on with the show --

so, thus far, that's friends, a unique cactus, an Arizona immigration skit, making fun of Miss San Antonio (how cool is that taco dress), and a fairly demented take on Sesame Street with Snookie and Katy Perry.

And then (and then) more taco and tiara laughs

Then we hit puro Big Red

and the excellent Ruffles getup

And Ruffles - but not really ruffle ruffles - like this....

And one of the biggest brains behind this show. Robert Rhem. Robert Rehm is an artist/theatre artist who lives in San Antonio, Texas. Since 1985, he has done design work for 16 Cornyations. Mr. Rehm taught theater arts for nine years at Thomas Jefferson High School (around the corner from my neighborhood) where he was also Director of Theater for the Fine Arts Magnet Academy. In March of 2005, while rehearsing for the UIL One-Act Play, he took a fall off the Jefferson stage into the orchestra pit and the accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. Despite this unfortunate occurrence, Robert remains active in the San Antonio Arts Community today.

Cornyation raises a lot of money for a theater scholarship in his name, the San Antonio AIDS Foundation, and affiliated local charities. So, it's for a good cause.

And afterward, we have even more fun in the streets...

Me with the Palins (Sarah got pooped out of a moose)

And more Palins - the Palin in purple to the far right is the pregnant, but abstinence preaching Palin, and the Bristol to my immediate left is the Dancing with the stars Bristol.

With the hostest with the mostest - seriously, she can even talk faster than me. remarkable.

With Big Bird

With my favorite - the cactus

With Elmer Fudd, the immigrant hunter

More with our hostest (they had to do another show at 10ish, as well as 2 more per day for the next two days) - holy volunteerism!

with "Miss San Antonio"

With "Muslim child pageant entrant"

With Bert and Ernie and Snookie. I can't even describe this skit. It also included Katy Perry and a Grease number. Excellent.

Again, with our hostess - have I mentioned how wonderfully articulate she is?

More with the Palins

And, yep, I couldn't get enough with the Palins. The gal who played la la Sarah in the red on the left won best skit last year with her crew. It's really an excellent show, but I recommend that you do not buy tickets, so that I can buy mine.