Half marathon prep

To be honest with you, I don't really prep for half marathons.  They generally represent training runs for marathons, often with me tacking on mileage after the race, or a longer Sunday run.  But, my marathon this year is finished, and I'm a little apprehensive about running tomorrow on a very sore right knee.  I'm already dreading the slight climb up McCullough.  It goes almost up to my house, and I'm already telling myself that I will not drop out and hobble home at that point.  (Pretty pathetic - I just ran 26.2 again and I'm sweating 13.1, but that's how it's going right now.)

So, today, I hit the soon-to-be-opened Southtown Yoga Loft for a free yoga class for runners.  I had to do many modifications because my knee hurt and I am REALLY out of yoga-shape.  Here's my back before class- the one in the first white short-sleeved running shirt on top of the 'clean' pile.

It did feel good to do some hip openers and stretch some sore muscles.  Afterward, I headed to the Farmers Market at the Pearl Brewery and picked up fresh bread, produce, and tapenade.  I also hit the Wheelie Gourmet foodtruck there for a veggiewich, which was delicious. 

I was feeling very zen and relaxed and ready to get my race things together.

Until I got home - Dingo had escaped the dogroom, found the bag of trash that I MEANT to take out on my way out, and spread it all over.  Thankfully, I compost most stuff and don't eat meat, so there wasn't much yuck in there - unless you count the litter box contents I'd emptied since I was supposed to be taking the trash out. 

So much for the zen and relaxation.  But, it's cleaned up now, and it's time to finish icing my knee and getting my gear ready.  Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmm!  I hope my knee makes it through the 13.1 without complaining too much.

For all the Rock N Rollers - have a great run!

Thanks to Southtown Yoga Loft for the pic - check out their opening in January 2011!

Happy veterinarian's day!

Okay, I know it's really Veterans Day - um, I'm a vet(not -erinarian).  My nephews even called me to say "Happy Veterans Day!"  - Travis got it out on the third try - it's a hard word to pronounce when you are a kiddo!

But, I took Dingo to get her shots today. so it was a vet's day in many ways.  And I officially changed her name from "Dingo the Stray" to "Dingo."  Yep, she walked into my yard two years ago and has been here ever since, so it was probably time.

Here she is enjoying her new bed:

I also tested the sprained knee out on a short, flat run.  It hurt, but I'm still running the Rock N Roll San Antonio HM on Sunday.  Or crawling.  We shall see.  You can stalk me during the race here.

PanCan 5k and Dia de los perros

Well, since the dogs sprained my knee last weekend at Dia de los perros, I've been trying to take it easy to let the knee heal before the San Antonio Rock n Roll half marathon next Sunday.  So, Gwen and I walked the PanCan 5k on Saturday, in memory of our buddy Pete V, who lost the battle to pancreatic cancer several months ago.

She had a good time at her second 'race' and was PSYCHED when the lady from Panera Bread Company gave her a cheese bagel at the finish.

Here are some pictures of us from last weekend's Dia de Los Perros from Pink Button Photography - before they cranked my right knee.

Crazy Chicken Runner is famous

Look what happens when you Google "Crazy Chicken Runner" (<-- click there)

It's meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!  Too funny - thanks to Jim for discovering that!  But why is S. Palin on p3? 

Crazy running flamingo appellate decision

Well, Jenna has appealed the 'honorable ugly race pic award.'  We here at Sally's Ugly Race Pics considered the addtional evidence submitted and hereby grant the appeal and render a decision that this is, in fact, pretty dang close to an ugly race pic.  Actually, it's a pic of a befuddled flamingo attempting to put gloves back on after about 45 miles, before dark descended, and after an accidental 10 or 12 mile detour.  Bravo, crazy running flamingo, Bravo! 

Crazy Running FLAMINGO!

...and an honorable Sally's ugly race pics award goes to my friend, Jenna, for her run this past weekend.  (points were deducted because she didn't actually, in fact, take an UGLY race pic)

What she did do was finish the Cactus Rose 50 mile trail race!  Amazing!  And did it dressed like this:

Way to go Jenna, you crazy running flamingo.  You rock!

Feast of the Heart & Dia de los perros

On Saturday, I ran the Feast of the Heart 5k at McAllister Park.  There were no age group awards, so I took it pretty easy and enjoyed a nice, cool run.  Afterward, Gwen, Dingo, and I costumed up and headed to Green Dog Kennels for El Dia de los Perros. 

Dingo wore the x-large doggie Packers jersey, but Gwen was too 'big boned' for dog sizes  (?!).  So, she got to wear my away jersey and I wore an old Favre PACKERS jersey.  It is really quite difficult to dress a wiggly pitoodle in a football jersey.  The dogs had a great time at the event and we tied for 1st place in the owner look-a-like contest!

The event raised over $2,500 for the Converse Animal Shelter and got 3 doggies adopted.  I tried to trade mine in, but they wouldn't allow that.  But they did get their caricature done.

Unfortunately, somehow while trying to wrangle two baddogs, I wrenched my knee.  So, I've been icing and resting it - since the San Antonio Rock N Roll marathon is in about two weeks.