Monthly Archives: February 2009

Getting My Gasparilla Game Face On

Posted on by Run DMT
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This week I rested more than I should have.  I only ran once this week and only 3 miles at that.  It has been a crazy, busy week with relatives visiting from out of town and my allergies sucking the energy out of me.  I’ve convinced myself that my body needs the rest, so hopefully my body will cooperate on Sunday.

 

However, it looks like the weather won’t be so cooperative.  There is a 70% chance of thunderstorms with winds at 20 mph.  Have I mentioned I hate rain and running in the wind? 

 

Yesterday afternoon, I picked up my bib number and strolled through the Gasparilla Expo Hall to search for Cliff Shots to carry me through the race tomorrow.  I also seized the opportunity to pass out business cards and I networked with some really great people.  A number of very generous vendors offered their merchandise for some fabulous future giveaways, so stay tuned for that.  

 

While at expo, I chatted with Gayle Guyardo and Bill Ratliff of News Channel 8.  I was sure to give them my card as well to plug my blog.  I am shameless!  

 

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It has been a really tough week, but yesterday a glimmer of hope caught my attention at the expo.  I like to believe God sent me a message in the form of a shiny object. 

 

 

Whatever it takes to help me mentally prepare for the race, right?  I am looking forward to reading more inspirational words on the backs of other runners’ shirt tomorrow.  It’s hard to believe that the moment I have been training for over a year is almost here, but like the quote by John Bingham which I read on one shirt yesterday, “The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.”

 

At the moment, I am downloading tunes to keep me moving for at least 5 hours.  Hopefully, the Cliff Shots combined with songs on my iPod with a good beat and easy to dance to will carry me through to the finish line.  Your song suggestions and last minute advice is greatly appreciated!

Goofy for Gasparilla, Part 6

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8

Over the weekend, Tiffany and I met for our long run on Saturday instead of Sunday.  I planned to run 10 miles, but towards the end of the run, I felt I could go further.  I ran 12 miles easy. :-)

 

By Florida standards, it was a very cold morning.  At 6:30 a.m., frost still covered the ground as the temperature sat a frigid 36 degrees.  Although we were freezing during our run, it was a great run.  I took it easy at about a 10 minute pace.  It was just the run I needed to boost my confidence for Sunday’s marathon.  I feel ready.

 

Also during our run, we enjoyed the view of a hot air balloon launching in the distance.  We need to run on Saturdays more often!

 

 

I hope to run a few light runs this week, but I will be taking it easy.  I noticed my BFF Hal suggests a 2 mile run the day before the race and funny enough, I am still considering running in the 5k on Saturday since so many of my friends are running in the race.  I will decide Friday morning at the expo if I will run in the 5K or not.

Loyal Commenter: The Other Denise

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The Carnival of Loyal Commenters continues today with Denise W.

 

Denise W stumbled across my blog through her friend Kim’s blog, Keeping It Real.   The other Denise (as she labeled herself) is a stay at home mom raising two girls while trying to body build.  Hence, the name Building a Better Body.  Personally, I think she has at AMAZING body and would be so grateful for her abs at 40 after 3 children.

 

During my triathlon training, Denise W offered lots of advice, which I appreciated tremendously.  She visits my blog regularly and continues to offer her support by leaving comments and for that I am truly grateful!  

 

Thank you, Other Denise for being such a loyal commenter. :-)

 

A Crummy Camping Trip

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My good friend, John, always tells me, “Denise, you’re not a true camper until you camp in the rain.”

 

This past weekend, I learned that I am NOT a real camper and I will avoid camping in the rain again.  I have discovered that I am truly a fair weather camper.  Next time the forecast calls for 70% chance of rain, this camper will cancel.

 

There was simply not enough beer to drown my sorrows miserable attitude while camping.  As much as I love hanging out with my friends, I was so bored.  The rain limited our hiking excursions and prevented me from squeezing in any runs.

 

When the rain finally slowed on Saturday, we went for a quick hike along the river basin, the Ravine Ridge.  That was certainly the highlight of our trip! 

 

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As far as campgrounds go, I was not impressed with Mike Roess Gold Head Branch.  Although the park offered oversized campsites, which could easily accommodate two or even three tents, the rain caused us to huddle under a canopy most of the time.  Of course, that is no reflection on the park, just my own poor planning.  However, these oversized campsites lacked shade and had there been any sun, we still would have been huddled under the canopies.

 

I’ve been pretty spoiled on previous camping trips to Hillsborough River and O’Leno.  I’ve come to appreciate a playground near our campsite and well-attended to restrooms.

Goofy for Gasparilla, Part 5

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3

Five days had passed before I could summon the energy to run again.  I had hoped to run during our camping trip last weekend, but the rain and humidity put a damper on my plans.  

 

Lately, I’ve been struggling to get out of bed.  I seem to have lost my momentum.  

 

Yesterday, I forced myself to do a 3 mile run, which seemed to be the kick in the ass jolt I needed to get me moving again.  Today, I ran 5 miles.  Tomorrow, I plan to run 4-6 miles.

 

My long Sunday run never happened, either.  All that worrying about the right distance for nothing.  But it’s time to get back on track, so this weekend I will try to run 10-12 miles.

 

Only one more week until Gasparilla.  I am a little nervous, but I know I can do it.  It’s all mind over matter when it comes to marathons, right?

Six Pack Abs in Six Minutes

Posted on by Run DMT
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Since I flaked on last week’s Five Minutes for Fitness post, I thought I would make it up to you with an extra minute dedicated to building a better belly.  Of course, for me, five minutes of an abs work-out feels like 10 minutes of torture.

 

As I mentioned in previous posts, I don’t belong to gym.  Instead, I use household objects to help with my muscle conditioning.  Well, you have to love any work-out that incorporates your couch into the routine.

 

 

During the rest periods, I would add a knee sway or a trunk rotation.  It would be a welcomed stretch after an intense number of cruches.  While lying on the floor, bend your knees and twist you torso. Turn your knees to the left.  Extend your arms and stretch in the opposite direction.  Turn your head in the same direction as your arms and hold for 10-20 seconds.  

 

Here’s Denise Austin demonstrating the knee bent roll stretch with a pilates ball.

 

 

I would also highly recommend using a towel or mat under you.  How can that guy doing all those cruches on a tile floor?!  No pain, no gain, I suppose.

Into the Woods

Posted on by Run DMT
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My family and I are camping this weekend with some friends.  I’m trying not to think about the fact that it’s Friday the 13th and we’re spending a long weekend in the woods.  I’ll pack the mace just in case.  That reminds me…We don’t own a hatchet.

 

So, far it looks like we’re in for a lot of rain, which makes any camping trip a horror for me.  If we survive the long weekend, I’ll be back with more posts on Monday.

 

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Goofy for Gasparilla, Part #4

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Lori called me the other night to ask me if I had registered for Gasparilla yet.  Unfortunately, lack of funds caused me to postpone my registration for the race.  While I chatting with Lori, I visited the Gasparilla Distance Classic site to register.  I remembered reading on the website that the Michelob Ultra Challenge could fill up before race weekend.

 

And there it was in big, bold letters:

 

BUD LIGHT CHALLENGE & MICHELOB ULTRA

CHALLENGE ARE SOLD OUT!


My heart sank.  

 

“You just weren’t meant to do it”, Lori said trying to cheer me up.  ”Your body is still trying to recover from Disney.  Take this as a sign that you are just not supposed to do the Mic Ultra Challenge.”

 

After doing the “Unofficial” Goofy Challenge last month, I decided against registering for all three races in the Gasparilla Distance Classic.  All that work and none of the glory?  I think not.  No special medals or t-shirt for all my hard work.  My name not listed in a special challenge list.  I think I’ll pass.  Disney taught me one thing.  Goofy has no glory.

 

So, with that, I registered for just the marathon.  Many of my friends are running in the 5K and I may still register for that race.  Please, after running 39.3, a 5K is a fun run these days!  Plus, I will only run a better time than last year’s race.

A Run DMT Public Service Announcement

Posted on by Run DMT
8

As I ran through my neighborhood last week, a miniature Doberman Pincher darted towards me.  I froze in my tracks armed with fists and a kickboxing stance.  That dog would have been catapulted into the next block over had its owner not called him home.

 

Then on Sunday, Lori and I witnessed two small dogs chasing down another runner.  These dogs had been let out to pee but decided to hound an innocent runner instead.

 

With the rising number of doggie disturbances, I have decided to make a public plea. 

 

If you have no fence, then please put your dog on a leash.  Otherwise, you are putting your dog at risk to be kicked in the head.

 

This might sound cruel, but when a small dog comes yapping around my ankles, all I see is this…

 

 

I don’t care how cute your dog may be.  Fur and fangs are not cute to this runner just wanting to finish her miles.  When Cujo comes gunning for my calves, he is going to get kicked in the jowls.