Looks like we made it....

I love being almost famous, and I almost missed this one - until a college buddy sent me a message, and I dug the magazine out of recycling.  This magazine has featured many fellow alums, including Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, Sylvia Plath, Julia Child, and more.  When Tara and I ran the Hartford marathon last Fall, we joked that our 'dull' lives were not SQ worthy....well, here we go - we aren't First Ladies, haven't climbed Everest, and haven't (yet) written the next great American novel.....but we made it (this far).

Superbowl 7K

So, when I said I was cutting back on racing, I meant it, but not in the form of running fewer races.  For the record, I am not registered for any half marathons or longer distances in February (just a fewsixorso other races).

None of which occurred on Saturday - when I responsibly worked overtime and did not run.  But, on Sunday, given what I knew would be a fairly dull Superbowl by my standards, I ran the Superbowl 7K, representing the (not playing, obviously) Packers.  It was a fun course, beginning at the HEB arsenal and winding through King William, Southtown, and the River Walk South (complete with steps and 1,000ish runners crowded onto a 3-foot wide path). 

Next up - back-to-back 5Ks this weekend - MUCH better than back-to-back half marathons, I think.  In the meantime, feel free to check out the SARR February 2013 newsletter, featuring Guinness Book of World Record holder Larry Macon and the Brak Pak - (almost) equally famous, I also think. 

Thanks to Scottydog for the pic.

yep, another almost famous

At today's Endurathon half marathon, a buddy mentioned my pic on the Alamo 13.1 site (race report on the HM to follow).  So, in between dragging myself into the shower and a nap, I checked it out.  Yep, there I am:

or check it out at http://alamo131.com/  I had no business running that race last year - it was about 3 weeks after I dislocated my patella and it was still subluxed (hence the tights).  I'll be wearing tights again tomorrow for back-to-back half marathons, but more on that later....

Almost famous, yet again

I do love me some (almost) fame!  As you recall, I've graced many a page and screen in the past years.  So, imagine my surprise when my eagle-eyed buddy, Bob, informed me I was in the Jan/Feb 2013 NFIT Woman magazine:

That is not me on the cover.  My nose is smaller.  But, when you turn to page 56 - BAM:

Yesssssssssssssssss!  An actual, published, ugly race pic.  Unfortunately, this was taken near the beginning of the Street 2 Feet 5k, so while I have my eyes closed, zombie expression, and the beginning of chicken wings, I had not yet deployed the full-out crazy running chicken look. 

You can check out the full story - in full screen (eek) here
http://issuu.com/nfit/docs/nfit_woman_janfeb2013_issuu

Don't hate me because I'm (almost) famous.  Next, I'm targeting the cover of Runner's World. 

Rock N Roll 'famous'

As you know, I am no stranger to fame.  Or, really, 'fame,' defined as randomly having my pic and/or quotes published in local periodicals, the Star, as the IAAP 'covergirl,' and other such appearances.

Well, now I made the Rock N Roll San Antonio Marathon event guide for the second time.  Of course, you do remember when I was 'famous' back in the November 2009 edition - right? 

Well, I just returned from the Rock N Roll expo and opened the 2012 event guide

No, I did not model for the cover. But inside.....

is a list of 'legacy' runners - those who have participated in the event every year since the inaugural 2008 marathon.  And, here I am, among 468 other legacy buddies.

Yep, "legacy" is close enough to "famous" for me!

Next up: Rock N Roll HM - then autograph signing, I'm sure (not really).

and almost almost famous again

Yep, I'm a fame ho.  Even though I didn't chase this one....

There are some great race directors in San Antonio - I am but a rookie - and Ceci's one of the top dogs.  Her Dia de los Muertos 5k is this Saturday - FANTASTIC race.  Last year, I dressed as a jellyfish - you can spot me in the last minute or so of this piece for 1/8th of a second - just don't blink.  And, if you are in San Antonio, register - there is still a little room left http://diadelosmuertosrun.com/ 

http://www.foxsanantonio.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/vid_12513.shtml

What - I forgot to mention that I was, again, almost famous?

After attending a luncheon today with George W (we weren't at the same table), one of the announcers who follows my posts emailed me that I had not posted this.  Really?  I didn't?

Really. I didn't. Holy cats - you know I love to look cruddy on camera like this - while promoting the Women's 5k!  This was actually from back in September - it's here


Or you can also look here

http://www.woai.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=3755175

Yes, I was dead tired and not prepared to be interviewed, but the 'reporter' did a wonderful job.  And I am, again, almost famous.

Dingo's fame

Yep, even the Dingo dog is a bit of a fame whore.  Just like her 'mama.'

http://www.iaapweb.com/

Or, if you're lazy...

Still Almost Famous

As I've mentioned before, I am stalked by the paparazzi.  Okay, not really - I'm a fame 'ho, like a Kardashian.  Okay, not really - I do have a real job and press coverage just amuses me.  Immensely.  So, here's my latest brush with fame:

What do you mean, you can't get this magazine in Wisconsin?  Okay, let me virtually turn you to page 38...

(you can click on the picture to enlarge, or just put on 1-100 pairs of readers to read that teeny print).  Ceci snapped that pic two years ago, after Gwen and I completed a record-breaking 5k (over 1 hour, since Gwen had to swim in every dog pool along the way).  I really like how Gwen's stepping on the footer :x)  Now, I just need to keep her from being a fame 'ho, like her mama.

hurry.....

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!

Almost Famous again

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.

Women's Run 5k

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.

Almost famous again again again?

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.

Acting like a tourist

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.

Almost Famous Again Again

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!

First Friday and Almost Ugly Famous

I didn't run any races this weekend, but I did head out for the First Friday cruiser ride.  We start off with dinner at Guillermo's

Then we headed down to music on Main Plaza

The crew

And then we hit the VFW on the River Walk North

That's Joe playing air accordian

Then, I attended the San Antonio Road Runners party at Roger Soler's ranch in Helotes (pics to follow).

This morning, I ran a hot, humid run with Fleet Feet and mowed the grass before showering and crashing.  When I woke up from napping to read the paper, I saw this:

Yikes.  Talk about your ugly pic.  This was taken several weeks ago.  After I ran a running tour, I tried to inconspicuously hit the famers market (sweaty, no makeup, tired) before heading home for a much-needed shower.  No such luck, apparently.  The paparazzi, they stalk me!  I'm going to hide from them in Mexico.

Almost Famous Again

Yes, I am a bit of a fame whore.  (not really)  But, if given the opportunity to jump from reality show to reality show or have my pics all over the tabloids for no good reason or accomplishment, I might take it.  I'd have to see where it fell within my race schedule.

You will recall that I was last 'featured' in a running magazine in the November San Antonio Rock N Roll program.  That was a picture but no photo credit.

Well, now here is the credit, but no picture (the interviewer asked me for a high resolution pic and I told her that I had none, ugly or otherwise)!

So here it is - another brush with 'fame' --

Yeah, this is not me on the cover.  But, here's page 26:

Still not seeing it?  Well here it is, in the left corner - "Fame - I'm gonna li-ive forever..."

Sigh.  I'll take it where I can get it.  At least I tried to be diplomatic in my approach, giving a quiet shout out to the San Antonio Road Runners, Bill's Run In Texas, Bart's Scallywompus, and RNR.  You're welcome.  Now give me some press!

Almost famous

I wanted to post this back in November, but, alas, I was still in a relationship with a bad laptop that didn't get along with my wireless router or printer/scanner.  I blamed myself, I blamed the accessories, but secretly knew that it was the laptop.  It was always the laptop, but I hung on out of desperation.  Luckily, the laptop recently off'd itself (as my British friends would say), and my new lovely laptop gets along just great with all accessories thus far. 

So, I present my almost famous moment from the Rock N Roll San Antonio Marathon in November 2009.  When you attend the expo before a marathon, they give you a program, which contains the map, course amenities, feature articles, etc., etc.  Usually, it also contains pictures from past marathons.  (Amusingly, at inaugural RNR events, they use stock photos with blurred bibs - which have the name of the city on them - but this was the second year of Rock N Roll San Antonio, so these were RNR SA '08 pics.) 

This year's marathon program looked like this:

I am not on the cover.  These are the fast guys - see the Kenyan and the Ethiopian in there?  I was a little further behind.  But, when you turned to page 21, you saw this:

Page 21 is a fairly standard page, outlining the course amentities.  Until you look a bit closer and,

TA DA!  Yep, that's me in the red 'Brak Pak' short-sleeve shirt, white visor, and gloves - trying to line up a water cup with my piehole.  I really love the "PAIN IN YOUR SIDE?"  header underneath the pic.  To be clear, that was a header for the next section of text, NOT a caption of my pic.

So, that was my brush with fame.  Fleeting but fabulous.