For some reason the photo of yesterdays recovery walk (yes, I said walk!; gotta problem with that? ;( ) of snow dusting on the desert mountains which gives us the Valley that is Vegas, did not turn out. I blame the photographer which was me of course. I will try again on that one. However, in the meantime enjoy this reminder to me of the 5 inches of snow we and most in Vegas received from Santa last year. It fell about week prior to Christmas Eve. Just missed the unheard of White Christmas in Las Vegas by days! Sorry Bing.
Anyway, it does get cold here. I was planning my first run this AM since my nice HM PR which I thank the ultra fast, flat Vegas Rock and Roll HM Course for. Plus, the cold had to motivate everyone to run fast not only to the finish line, but baggage claim. Ha! Those of ya still thinking I am a wimp about the whole event. Even a Kenyan, men's winner, complained about the weather that day! At least I have one thing in common with the Kenyans. :) Certainly, nothing else when it comes to running.
Yeah, well, sorry for the ramble. I think before rambling mode I was saying I was going to run this AM. The 27 degrees here in Henderson, NV said stay in bed instead. The coldest day of the year and for the next very brief Vegas Winter weeks. I will try for a short and fast 4 miler this afternoon while my oldest two are at Basketball Practice and before my Messiah sing-along.
Yep, no Basketball coaching for me this season. I need a break in the schedule. Yet, more to the point, I just want to sit back and WATCH my kids. However much it will kill me just being the spectator -still I want to try it. So, just watching and supporting my kids this season.
Messiah sing along? I sing. Not as much as I should and/or did 20 years ago or so. I am a Baritone who can pretend to be a Tenor at times. I even had a Music Scholarship once upon a time for College. Now, well, Messiah sing along once a year is about all I do with it all. My wife will forever tell you and me, it is the biggest waste of musical talent she has ever met. But, for me, I found there is a certain competitive factor about it all I did not like. I am competitive in other things, but music? Just can't do it.
Speaking of being competitive - surprise - I registered for the PF Chang Phoenix Rock and Roll Half, Jan. 17th. Why? Trying to beat myself - literally. The lure of more hardware and the feeling I can shave 5 more minutes off my HM time.
Rock and Roll series has a number of different medals you can get for finishing certain events. Since, Vegas was at the end of the year for all there events, I can only earn the Desert Double Down. Made up last minute Medal ( as if all the others aren't ;) ) you get if you do both a Vegas RR event and Phoenix. So, I can get two finishers hardware by doing Phoenix. Plus, it puts me up for the 39.3 medal for the upcoming year. Yeah, and Elite Racing can get more money out of me.
39.3 Medal? Yeah, I am either doing the Seattle Rock and Roll or San Diego Rock and Roll for my first official Full Marathon attempt in over 13 years going on 14. I am leaning towards Seattle. Lots of reason to be going that way, but I really like San Diego. I have to admit, even though I am born and raised Seattle-ite, I would pick SD over Seattle for most anything these days. What can I say? I found my people, and well beaches of course.
Which reminds me - I am still doing Surf City Half Marathon as well Feb. 7th. So, yeah, not much recovery in between Phoenix and Surf City. However, I have always looked on that race/event as more of relaxing fun thing to do. Especially, now that my Sister and at least one of her running kids will be joining me. Should be a fun family event. First run I have done with my Sister since a 10K many many Nike's, Saucony, Asics, Brooks and New Balances ago. So some OC beach fun and maybe a surprise Mickey Mouse trip for the kids in Feb.
After that, nothing but Full Marathon training March, April and May till June. Will also do Disneyland Half again and hoping I will get in St. George Marathon Lottery.
So, 2010 race/event schedule will be like this:
Jan. 17th - PF Chang Phoenix Rock and Roll Half Marathon.
Feb. 7th - Surf City Huntington Beach Half Marathon.
June 6th - San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon?; or
June 26th - Seattle Rock and Roll Full Marathon?
Sept. 5th - Disneyland Half Marathon.
Oct. 2nd - St. George Marathon (If I am Lottery Lucky).
Yeah, if your noticing, I am taking some time off during the Vegas Summer Inferno/Stupid Heat Months. But not too much time.
Thanks for all your fun comments and emails after the last posting. Runners are the best Peeps!
Cheers and Happy Holidays!
6 comments:
Nice schedule you got there! It's probably pointless to have winter running gear for Vegas, I would guess? Take a little breather on the cold days as you have an ambitious race plan ahead. One thing from your previous post: how awful was it to take 40 minutes to get to the start after the gun went off? My oh my, that would drive you nuts!
Looks like a great schedule. I should get to looking at mine as well!
Happy Trails - with regards to the long wait to Start, my wife feels I deserve a medal just for that. It was cold and more than little frustrating. I signed up for the event when I was slower than I am now. So, I was in a back of pack corral. Yet there were still a number of corrals behind me, mine and the ones in front had many, too many walkers in them. For the first 3 miles or more I was doing lots of dodge and weeve, especially after my 3 minute potty break after mile one. Next year, I hope they have all walkers doing a seperate start time. This will help a lot think.
I was also only two layers on top (long sleeve T and tech T) and cheapo thin cotton workout pants I bought as INTENDED throw aways. I kept them on the entire race. They helped and did not hinder my stride much. I also wore some cheapo 3 dollar throw away gloves, which I did not throw away and wore the entire time as well. My face and upper body just never warmed up which had ne concerned since I had the Head Cold as well. I survived, and as you can tell, ready for more.
Stay warm back there!!!
Jeri - thanks. I think it is an even one for banking a couple more HM's and plenty of training time pre-full marathon. Still in my mind, I am not too excited about running beyond 14-16 miles right now. I really like the half Marathon distance best. A challange that does not beat you too much post race.
Wow, that's one full schedule you have there! I wanted to do Rock and Roll Phoenix so much; maybe next year.
I love the pic with the kiddos. Great snowmen. They're huge! I love to watch little kids play in the snow. Such innocence....
Great picture, love snowmen! That is a full schedule but that's a good idea to take time off this summer...I remember how hot it was last summer. I ran the marathon in Arizona a few years ago and it was soooo chilly but nice and flat and really fun, a lot smaller than San Diego which was nice! Happy singing , I'm sure you're great(and as always, modest)!
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