Today I went for a run...

At least once a week I have to try to get out in the middle of the day for a daytime run downtown.  I work downtown so I have easy access to the Rivertrail.  My office is about three blocks from the river.

So normally I change clothes in my office, charge my Garmin in the window of my co-workers office, then sneak down the back stairway out the employee exit.  My route takes me west on the road in front of my office then across the broadway bridge.  This bridge is very old and is scheduled for demolition and rebuild soon.

This week began with warm humid temperatures.  If you live in the south and you start to have warm humid temperatures in January you know trouble is coming.  So yesterday evening we had the trouble in the form of storms and a tornado touchdown as a huge storm passed over Arkansas.  Behind all this trouble comes the cold.  This morning it was still warm, and through the day the temperatures were slated to drop so when I looked at my weather ap and saw the drop from 47 degrees to 46 degrees in 10 minutes I decided I had better get my run in immediately. 

I left out of my office and rounded the corner to go west and immediately felt the driving force bringing in the cold.  The winds were whirling between the buildings at gale force.  I pushed through and crossed the street, the flags were being yanked against their ropes and whipped back again. People passed me with coats, hats and scarves pulled close against their heads and necks and they eyed me strangely. 

As I turned North on Broadway I passed a group of young girls and as they walked passed struggling in the wind I heard one say "Yeah, Like I'm going to go for a jog today"  Well whatever.  First of all I don't know how jogging pertains to anything I'm doing.  What is "jogging" exactly?  How did it come to even be associated with the act of running?  I thought to myself, "Of course you won't because your not like me" 

At this point the wind came from behind and it was pushing me forward.  I increased my stride to take advantage of the little bit of lift provided.  I felt like I would take off into the sky at any time. I approached the bridge and started to cross, I was whipped around in all directions which was a little scary when teetering on a sidewalk over a white capping river.I rounded around the baseball park then down toward the big arena to cross the street into the rivertrail and fought the wind  as I headed west on the trail.  I passed a couple other runners out there.  One guy was actually utilizing the exercise equipment installed along the sides of the trail....doing squats and pushups...walking the beam....overachiever... whatever.  I carried on and finally got to turn around to head back east and there is that amazing sensation that the wind just stops...It's pretty incredible.  Your facing this enormous headwind then you turn around and all of a sudden the wind stops and there is relative silence.  It's like a different day.  And you benefit from the push from behind but I'm forever reminded of this assistance as the ends of my hair whip around my face and stick to my lips. 

This bliss last until I have to turn south again and cross the Clinton Bridge.  I suddenly become aware of the amount of force that was pushing me from behind as it pushes me sideways toward the railing of the bridge.  I'm so happy there is a rail there.   The overhead structure groans and whistles with the wind.  I run up the hill and is again pushed by another gust of wind.  I feel so tiny like I could be picked up and pitched into the river at any time on any whim.  It was exhilarating and  scary at the same time. At one point I almost reached out for the railing to steady myself but I kept running.  I passed a couple guys who were on a ladder changing light bulbs.  That seemed scary.

Finally back in the safety of dry ground I headed back to the office.  It was a very successful run, and a good day!

Second Juicing Attempt

Ok, here is my second attempt at juicing.  I was better prepared and less allergic...

New Food Discoveries!

Hey! So, with the LA marathon behind me I'm am looking to my training for my next two adventures!  I need to train and train hard for these next two races...I mean do things I have not done before such as leap tall buildings in a single bound...Shoot webs from my wrists and fly around the earth in reverse to turn back time. 

Well maybe not...but the leaping tall buildings may not be far off.

I need to be as physically fit as I possibly can be for these next adventures and I have started to look at how I can add better nutrition into this formula. 

Ok, I'll be honest.  I am a calorie scrutinizer.  I did lose a lot of weight and know how calories add up and how much it takes to burn them.  I don't always use this knowledge and sometimes I don't always eat the best that I can.  I do however avoid fast foods.  I can't remember the last time I was inside a McDonalds restaurant, or a Wendy's or a Burger King for that matter.  Subway is my drug of choice for fast eats.  Panera bread gets a lot of my money as well as the sushi counter at Fresh Market.

There is one area where I need improvement....snacks and vegetables.  I don't eat many vegetables.  I don't know why.  It's not that I don't like them, it's just they require a lot of prep and thinking and sometimes after a long run or a long day at work I don't want to think or prep...I want to wield chopsticks like a Ninja.

So I decided I needed to figure out some way to take advantage of the vast spring bounty that is about to cover this great state here. 

After hearing a story on NPR about where your Fresh-Never-Frozen-Not-From-Concentrate juice actually comes from, I decided that maybe juice would be something to make for myself, since I can't even trust a simple Florida Orange.

Now the goal is to supplement the diet without adding a whole lot of calories.  I don't plan to fast or detox or do any of those trendy west coast diet schemes you see on TV.  I just want to add some health.

So I began a search for juicers.  I asked friends, did a face book query and searched the internet.  In my internet searching I noticed that for some reason people were compelled to juice on YouTube.  This was great actually because I could see all the different juicers and how they worked, and one that seemed to stand above the crowd was the Breville Juice Fountain. 

This juicer apparently was featured in a documentary by an Australian called Fat, Sick and Almost Dead.  This guy was the typical sporty college student who eat everything as a young person relying on his youth, testosterone,  and physical activity to keep healthy then got old, got a fast paced career and the beer gut to go with it.  After gaining lots of weight and a painful chronic disease he decided to go to the extreme and drink nothing but juice for 60 days.  Of course he lost weight. What do you expect when you exchange a 5000 calorie diet for a 1200 calorie diet...  He also reduce the amount of steroids he had to take to control his chronic disease.  Well I'm not sure how steroids are prescribed but that could have something to do with the fact he weighed less...  I have not seen the documentary but I'm reading his book.  He does the juice fast in the United States for some reason instead of his native Australia.  I guess he feels he needs to impart all his new found nutritional wisdom on the fat Americans, while Australia is number two in obesity and closing the gap quickly.

Anyway, none of this negates the fact that he is using a really great juicer.  So after seeing the videos and reading reviews I decided on the Juice Fountain. 

I took my lunch on a Friday and went to Best Buy to pick it up.  The next morning armed with a bunch of random fruits and veggies from Fresh Market I began my juicing chapter and of course had to ...just Had to record this for You Tube.

Now when you watch this please keep in mind this was first thing in the morning and I woke up with terrible allergies.  I sniffled a lot and did not realize it until I watched the thing later.  So sorry about that.  But anyway here goes...

So anyway,  I'll be posting more and putting some recipes out here of my more successful endeavors.

And I'll get to training!

Cheers!

The Louisiana Marathon - Race Day

Fortunately our hotel was the host hotel.  We stayed at the Belle of Baton Rouge in Downtown Baton Rouge...

 I always find it interesting that these hotels, even though they know they are hosting a marathon event, know absolutely nothing about the event itself.  The Concierge had no info, in fact, he had wrong info.  I asked if there would be a shuttle from the hotel to the start and he flatly said "NO".  "No shuttles in the morning.".  Of course, we got down stairs on race day and there was a shuttle.    The hotel also had a sign that said, "Race Day goodie bags available for runners" since we would be missing the free breakfast provided by the hotel.  I walked downstairs in my running outfit, and race bib and started to take a bag ( I was the first person to make it down stairs apparently) and the lady behind the table says "Maam, do you have one of these?" and showed me a breakfast ticket.  I said "Well, I think I may have one"  It was a ticket to prove I was running the marathon as if the bib and the running clothes did not tip her off.  The manager walked up and said "Well, if they have their bibs they can take a bag".  And I was able to have my breakfast.

After me and my roommates got ourselves dressed and had our breakfast (we were actually running ahead of schedule), we hopped on the shuttle to the start line.  We were pretty early so we found the gear check area where people were congregating inside a large building for shelter from the chill. The building was the Capitol Park Museum and they had kindly opened their doors for us that morning.  We wondered through the exhibits waiting for the Marathon Maniacs to assemble for a photo.  I was so excited because this would be the first time I'm actually in a MM Photo!

Just a quick plug for the Capitol Park Museum, It's really cool.  If you go to Baton Rouge, check it out!

So when it got close to go time, we wondered from the warm shelter of the museum out into the chill and toward the starting corrals.   The start was lined with metal barricades so we had to go all the way to the end of the street to get access to the start of the race.  After entering from the back, we had to push our way toward the front to find the appropriate pace group to start with.  I put myself with the 4 hour group in a bout of wishful thinking.  As the crowd gathered around us we warmed up.  I had covered myself with a plastic poncho for warmth that I could easily rip open and throw away when I warmed up. 

The sun was starting to come up and warm us, the national anthem was sung and the gun was fired.  We were off rather quickly.  I fumbled with my iPod a little at the start then tried to settle into a pace.  It was very crowded so that was not easy.  There were also lots of pot holes making navigating the crowd even more complicated. 

After leaving downtown and crossing over the interstate we turned into a large, upscale housing area that surrounded a lake.  The homes were large and stately, the water had a low haze over it.  We circled the lake almost entirely then turned off into another neighborhood, where the half marathoners split off and turned back toward downtown.  The full marathoners continued into another area where I saw runners facing me coming toward me on the other side of the street.  The dreaded out n back.  I caught the back of one of the opposing mile marker signs and it said Mile 22.  I entered the out n back at mile 15....this was gonna suck...

It was not a straight out n back, there were places where we turned off, looped then rejoined the opposing runners.  There was one point where we transitioned from traveling inside the out n back to heading outside, but this was blurred due to the multiple loops and turn offs.  My head was swimming and my pace was fading as my stomach was not 100% happy and my legs were dying from my ambitious pace early on.  It was not pretty....

I tried to talk a college student at an aid station into taking my bib and finishing for me but he wouldn't do it...

Once I saw 6ft chickens and knew I was hallucinating...but found out later they were real and working the Duck Dynasty Aid station.
 

I finally saw that Mile 22 Marker again, this time for real and knew that with in the next 8 hours or so I would finally be finished.  As my pace slowed again...and again....

At mile 23.5 I saw a guy holding a sign that said "Look alive; Funeral home ahead"  ...Another sign said "Don't stop now, people are watching"...clever asses....

I crossed back over the interstate bridge, walked up the hill a little and then ran down.  The spectators were thicker in town so that lifted my spirits some.  The Downtown area was really flat yet treacherous with potholes.  I got closer to the finish, passed the row of restaurants with people sitting on the patios cheering, then turned into the finish area.  I was glad to be done.

I did not get the finish I was hoping for but it was a finish and I was happy with it.  I wish I had felt better and enjoyed it more, but that is the way it goes sometimes.  I was happy to be home...

Louisiana Marathon pre-race

So The Louisiana Marathon...

It was a good race, a great course for the most part.

The drive is pretty easy.  Two friends (Becky and Tala) and I took off in my car at about 7 am Saturday morning to head south.  I used my iPhone to keep directions and it worked pretty well.  Becky worked until 2 am that morning so she slept most of the way and Tala sat up front to keep me company.  I have to say the drive was easy.  The weather was nice and we only stopped a couple times, once for gas and another for lunch. Driving to Southern Louisiana is not straightforward by any means.  It's not like driving to St Louis, Memphis or Dallas where you can hop on an interstate and cruise.  Going to Louisiana takes you though every little town, slowing you down so you are sure to enjoy the scenery.  Divided highways and two lane local roads keep the traffic flowing though the inner cities and there are no bypasses.  In a way it's good because it forces you to see the towns, stop in the towns and shop in the towns. 

as we proceeded south the pine forests were gradually taken over by lumbering expanses of branches of large ancient oak trees.  The water level got high, the branches sunk lower and the Spanish moss floated with the wind.  It is beautiful there. 

we crossed the river into Mississippi, then hopped back into Louisiana, curved and winded and finally ended up on Interstate 110 that looped us around Baton Rouge.  We pulled off the highway and I dropped the girls off at the door of the Belle Casino and Hotel while I parked the car in the deck.  Our room was OK, it was sort of an older hotel, there was a casino where we promptly deposited all our available cash.  The expo was simple enough (not very big, about 30 vendors)  and we had our packets and belongings organized in our room before 4:30.    We are pretty good at this race stuff by now.

We strolled down the street to meet up with some friend for dinner and drinks then on the way back took photos of downtown, some interesting river sculpture, a couple boats and chatted.  Pretty low key and calm. After desert and drinks in the hotel bar we were ready to turn in.

The next morning was race day....

I apologize if this blog is boring. :)

Today's run

So recently I have taken to escaping the office during the work day to get out while the sun is high and the temperatures are warmer.  I keep one monitor affixed on Weather Underground temperature display as I do my work.  Normally optimum running time comes around 11:30 to 11:45.  That is when I'm able to break away and get just tired enough of my work to warrant jumping up and lacing up my running shoes. It also is when the temperature usually reaches its peak.  I'm happy when it's over 45 degrees and sunny out.  I think the sun does me good when running in the morning and evenings before and after work right now is done solely in the darkness.

Normally I start from my office and run down Capitol Avenue.  This presents me with some challenges as there is lots of construction right now and you have to jump across the street, watch for traffic then dodge the construction on the other side cause the sidewalk is closed and there is a big hole you can fall it.  Next you have to cross another street then traverse three very camouflaged steps in the sidewalk.  There are park benches and large concrete planters to run around as well as the lunchtime pedestrians.  Of course I don't hear anything because my iPod is blasting Cher Lloyd in my ears.  I know, not the safest or the best taste in music. sue me.


After that I run North to cross the Broadway bridge.  As I'm nearing the bridge I pass Robinson Center Music hall and imagine somebody famous is walking out of the backstage door.  After jumping a few curves I cross the old bridge.  This bridge is actually scheduled for demolition/refurbishment soon.  Its understandable since the side railings are so low if you took a tumble it would be easy to accidentally fall to your death in the river.  Also the road is too narrow for today's traffic and buses nearly blow you off balance as they pass, kicking up a whurrh of wind and dust that swirls around you.  Once you cross that death trap you reach Dickey Stephens field.  The brand new state of the art baseball facility build just north of the river in North Little Rock.  It's beautiful, actually.  With nice restaurants and lovely boxes and executive suites.  pristine grass, an outfield park and statues of famous baseball players in brass all around.  After that I run east toward Alltell Arena ahem...Verizon Arena...sorry.  Passing the Argenta district with its swanky art galleries, theaters, wine bars and restaurants.   After Alltel I cross onto the rivertrail and run west for a spell.  Depending on who much mileage I want I turn around at the three mile or three and a half mile mark here.

Heading back east I cross over the Clinton Bridge at the Clinton Library to come back south.  Then head west to the River market.  If  I'm hungry I stop in at this point and visit one of my favorite Greek eateries inside the rivermarket.  I can't remember the name but its the only Greek eatery inside there, you cant miss it.  I love running through the rivermarket, there are swarms of people and kids and students on fieldtrips to the Museum of Discovery.  Its so much fun to whiz by them all feeling strong and powerful.  I don't know why that is such a rush.  Then I head back south on Cumberland to the office where I usually make a detour to the subway restaurant for a mostly healthy lunch plus a cookie.  ok,....sue me..

So, sorry for the delay!

Hi All!

 I'm sorry I have not posted in a while.  I took a little time off over the Holidays.  We had some terrible weather here over Christmas and I lost power to my house for 5 days.  I have not done much since Pumpkin Holler other than some pretty terrific training runs and some 5K's for local charities!  All in good fun!

So this weekend I head to Baton Rouge LA to run the LA Marathon.  This will kick off a schedule of very ambitious running plans I have set forth for myself.

After Baton Rouge I'm registered for the Mississippi 50 in Laural MS, then I'm running the relay at the Hogeye marathon in Fayetteville AR with three friends I am proud to say I introduced to running!  :)

After Hogeye, I have myself registered for my first ever race at altitude...yes...lots of elevation gain during this run.  It's going to be interesting.  I have spent about a week in Durango Colorado and I was able to run just fine until I started plowing up a hill.  My pace slowed terribly, but if I walked I seemed to manage fine.  I went up the foothills of Engineer Mountain just fine and ran down the hill without much trouble so I hope that if I take my time and don't get crazy I will be OK.

I have had good training as I stated before.  I had a 20 miler followed by a 10 miler last month which was not supremely fast because I was nursing a cold.  But I got it done and that's what counts.  My hope is to meet this ambitious schedule this spring so I can go back to the Do Wacka Do and Pumpkin Holler again this year better trained.  We shall see how it all goes.  :)

and I will do a better job of keeping you posted!

LL