So much for my new goal of posting!

It is now May 11, and I am finally posting again. Oh well. I do THINK about it. But then never remember when I'm sitting at my computer.

It's been a busy few months. After Gasparilla, I ran the Starkey Half, #89, on March 9th. It was a tough trail race for me. I made a wrong turn on the second loop, which didn't help with my overall feeling. I pushed through to finish. It was a nice course, just a hot day and lot's of sugar sand. That's a one and done race for me.

On March 31st I ran my 90th half marathon. The Iron Girl half in Clearwater. I haven't run this race in a few years. Its a beautiful course, it's just hilly, with 4 big bridge crossings. And, it's usually pretty hot, which it was this year. I felt great for the first half, keeping my pace at around a 9 min mile, but then the heat started to get to me and I slowed down a lot. Finished in 2:06:53

This was on the second loop. Same view as next photo, but not as high up the mountain.

The following weekend,, April 6th, I was in California for my brother's wedding. I found a local trail race, that was the morning after the wedding and thought, why not?! The Angel Island 15 miler, also had a 5 and a 10 mile run. I should have signed up for one of the shorter distances. We took a ferry boat over to the island, which was in the San Francisco bay. We had to go over pretty early, so I had over an hour to wait before the start of my event. The first loop was going to be the easiest as it was around the lowest part of the island. The second loop went around the middle and the third climbed up to the very top. I had seen the elevation chart but if didn't really hit me until I was there and running. The first loop was a challenge!

When I was struggling through the second loop, I seriously considered not continuing for the final loop, knowing it was going to be even harder. I got to the end of the second loop and after refilling my water bottles, decided to just try the last loop. It was very hard. I walked most of the way up to the top. Many times I just wanted to sit and rest because walking and catching my breath was a struggle! On the way down, I had hoped to run a bit more, but I was feeling dizzy, so I ran as much as I could, before walking a bit. I finally finished and I wasn't the last! :D I felt pretty yucky for a few hours after. Once I was on the airplane the next day, I started throwing up. A lot throughout the entire day. I must have been coming down with something during the race and that's why the run was so tough for me. I was sick for 5 days with a stomach bug.

At the top!!

Two weeks later, I was back on the trails. This time for the Moon River half marathon (#92 as Angel Island counts as #91). Bonnie and I ran this half last year. I really liked the course so I was back again this year. Siri was my running buddy this time. The race is an evening run, starting at 6:30, so we have a good 1:30 of time in the light. I felt pretty good for most of the race. It wasn't speedy, but I felt comfortable. But, just after mile 12, I twisted my ankle. HARD. I hobbled into the finish. It was bothering me for almost a week! Even weeks later, the top/side of my foot is a little tender. This race always has good post race food. Siri and I had a good dinner before the long drive back to Sarasota.

Next up: The Spring Fling Sprint Triathlon

It's a new year, time for new goals?

Well, it's the first day of March, 2019. And I am finally making a post. I think my goal for this year would be to post more. :)

I've had a busy first two months of the year. I ran my first 30K distance trail run on January 13th. It was a tough one for me. A very hot day, with little shade. I struggled. I walked a good chunk of the second half.

On January 19th, I attended the annual Manasota Track Club Banquet. I was surprised and delighted to receive the Volunteer of the Year award for 2018! I've been a MTC member for many years. On the Board for a few years now. I love this club and all that it does for the community.

On January 26th, I ran the Achieva 5K. Not a great time, but I feel like I'm getting my speed back a little. The next day, I was set to run the Chilly Willy 5K (just for fun), but the weather conditions forced the RD to change it to a 2 mile run. It was a small event. I still managed to come in 2nd overall! :D This weekend was the start of 7 weeks in a row of running a race!

Around mile 7 of the Music Half.

February 3rd was the Sarasota Music Half marathon (#87). Finally, I was able to run this local half. And, I was disappointed in it. There were only a few bands on the course. Not as many people out cheering as I thought there would be. The best part, was seeing a bunch of friends on the out and back sections. The food was not so great at the finish. I didn't stay long. Happy with my time 2:04:19. I pushed the pace, but still had more in me, to push harder.

February 10th, I ran the new St Pete Distance Classic half (#88). I enjoyed the course, which was a little different from the other half marathons I've run in St Pete. Not much by way of crowd support, but I think that will change as the race grows.  Awesome medal, but post race food was only good for those who could eat pasta. I had a banana, then went to Starbucks.

February 16th was the Super Hero 5K at Benderson Park. I was there for the cause, which helps support foster children. I was not planning to "race" this event. I ran 7.25 miles before the race. The race was huge! Over 1000 participants. At this large of a number, the race should have been put on in an area that could handle that many people. The run was crowded the entire time. And, when the lead runners where coming back, they had to fight for space on the sidewalk with the people still heading out.

Top 10% mug for the 5K

February 23-24, Gasparilla weekend races celebrating Gina and Wendy's birthday! Most of us ran the 15K and 5K on Saturday, plus the 8K on Sunday. Carolyn was a rock star, running all 4 races this year. It was HOT!! I did decent for the 15K. A little better then last year. Granted last year, I was recovering from an injury. But this year, it was much hotter. The 5K was nothing special, but, Gina and I were both fast enough to finish top 10% in our age group! We had some fun at the after party. Then got showered and changed, before heading out to see Hamilton. What a great show!. Dinner, then early to bed. Sunday was even hotter. The 8K started at 9:15. So late in the morning! Lots of sun and humid conditions made it a tough race for me. I started out OK, but when I hit the turn around, the heat hit me hard. I thought I was going to throw up! I had to walk a bit. This hit me a couple more times on the way to the finish. I slowed my pace down, but still ended up walking a couple more times, before finally crossing the finish line. Once again, the conditions seemed to slow most everyone down. Gina and I finished top 10% for the 8K!

Up next: the Shark's Tooth 10K, Carolyn's birthday race!