Hot Springs Cross Training!

I'm up in Fairbanks for the weekend and took a little diversion trip out to Chena Hot Springs.  I won't get a chance to run this weekend, but took advantage of the hot pool and swam about an hour's worth of laps.  It's a little harder when the water is so warm, but at least it felt good, and at least I moved all of my muscles for an hour.  I think I will add swimming to my weekly workouts more often.  It is a great exercise no matter what the water temperature.

It was a gorgeous drive up here.  Lots of frosty trees again.

Short Run

I just ran 30 minutes, about 3 miles at the indoor track this evening.  My lower legs are killing me.  Not sure why, but I hope that stops.  I don't seem to be picking up any speed that's for sure.  But I'm going to try to run every day in hopes that my legs get tough. 

Another 5

I had a great 5 mile run on the indoor track in Wasilla this morning.  I hope I can find the time to run at least a little everyday now.  My next marathon is in Ireland in April.  It will not be for Team In Training, but I consider it to be yet another training run from my next Team In Training run.  I hope to run with them in the summer or the fall.

Short Run Back Home

I'm back home from the Phoenix PF Chang's marathon and my week visiting my mother in California.  Went for my first run since the marathon, only 3 miles on my treadmill.  But it felt great.  I was so busy in California that I never got a chance to run, plus the torrential downpours and even a funnel cloud discouraged running outdoors.  I was hoping to enjoy some outdoor runs in balmy weather, but it didn't happen.

It sure is nice to be back in beautiful Palmer, Alaska.

Marathon #9 Completed!

I did it, no speed records for sure, but I finished PF Chang's Rock & Roll Marathon in Phoenix today.  I don't know my official time yet but the gun time was just under 6 hours!  A very long time to run.  I knew I was not really ready for a full marathon after spending most of December nursing a knee injury, but I am happy that I did finish and that I ran the whole thing.  Only a couple short areas where I walked, mostly through the water stations so I didn't spill it all over myself.  We were so lucky with the weather too.  Pleasant temperatures, 70 at the highest, and a high overcast with a light breeze to keep things reasonably cool. I was sure happy to finally cross the finsh line though.

It was a very successful race for Team In Training too.  $1.6 million raised to fight blood cancer.  That's what it is really all about. 

Now I have to figure out what my next Team In Training run will be, and also prepare for the Connemara Marathon in April in Ireland.  I sure hope I can start picking up the pace in the near future though.  I would much rather run 4 or 5 hours than 6!

Phoenix

Arrived in Phoenix yesterday morning and spent most of the day cruising around the marathon expo.  It was hard to resist a few of the cool things they had for sale.  I like my Rock Star shirt the most.  I also went out with my cousin Evelyn and we had a very delicious fun meal that was a combination of appetizer and desert.  I think a 26 mile marathon may run it off, but I'm not sure.  The salmon dinner with the Team In Training folks was a nice additon too. Tonight is the inspiration dinner, and I will probably check out the yoga class at noon and cruise the expo some more.

We went on a little 2 mile warm up run this morning to check out the conditions.  It was so dry out that I had dry mouth the whole time.  I guess I will need to hydrate a lot more than usual for tomorrow.  Getting excited about the marathon tomorrow. Nice view out the window of the Sheraton Hotel downtown Phoenix!

Heading South

I'm sitting at the Anchorage Airport waiting for my flight to Phoenix to finally run the marathon that I have been training for.  I'm looking forward to meeting the Virtual Team In Training folks who I have been corresponding with and running with - virtually.  This was my first Virtual run.  My others have been with the Washington/Alaska Team.  I guess I will find out soon enough if I trained well enough for this race.  But how I do on the run isn't nearly as important as the cause for which we run.  I will be thinking of all of my honorees, those who have lost their fight to various blood cancers, and those who are still battling the diseases.  I hope I can see a cure in my lifetime.  Thanks to Team In Training, I think I will!

Last Run!

I guess this will be my last run before the PF Chang's Marathon on Sunday in Phoenix.  I kept it short, only 3 miles about 30 minutes.  I felt great.  I hope I'm ready.  But it really doesn't matter how well I do.  What matters is the cause.  Fight cancer, one mile at a time.


GO TEAM!

3 Miles and 30 Minutes

The PF Chang's Marathon in Phoenix is only 5 days away so for sure I am tapering off my running.  I ran 3 miles on my own treadmill and did 30 minutes on my bike.  But all indoors because the wind is between 60 and 80 miles per hour out there right now, and it is about 10 degrees.  No Thanks!

Drove with a friend all the way to Fairbanks then to Delta on Sunday then home Monday via the Richardson Highway through Paxson and Glennallen.  So beautiful.  But -44 in Delta when we left.  So I didn't work out at all those two days, but gave my camera a good workout.  I even made it to mass on Sunday morning.  A spiritual workout!

I'm looking forward to the marathon and warmer temperatures in Phoenix then a week in California.  But the scenery in Alaska right now defies description. Amazing frost covered trees everywhere that the wind isn't blowing.

Skate Ski Cross Training

I didn't have time this morning to run, but spent the day at Hatcher Pass as Ski Patrol at the Winter Trails Day events.  I got to take part in the free Skate Ski lessons, and by the time I got done learning how to finally use my skate skis, I realized I had a workout as good as any 1 hour run.  What a fabulous sport that is.  I bought the skis last year but had only tried them a couple of times.  Spending some time with the help of a couple of Skate Ski experts, really showed me how to get the best workout from them.  I just love it now! 

It was a beautiful day up at Hatcher Pass today too.  I just joined the Mat-Su Ski Club so I can get more involved in the cross country skiing events in this area.  It was nice to use different muscles for a change.

Such a beautiful clear day!

Early Morning Training

I couldn't sleep so got up at 5 am and ran 4 miles indoors on my treadmill.  Then I watched the news while riding my bike on its stationary stand for 30 minutes.  I'm hoping to finish off today's workout with a little cross country skiing later, maybe up at Eklutna Lake.

I didn't get the donations I needed to meet my requirement for my Team In Training run, so I had to donate a couple thousand dollars myself.  Economic times are hard right now and it sure shows when trying to fundraise for charities.  It was disappointing, but at least I know that through my efforts, the training, the fundraising, and my own money, I was able to raise $3800 to help fight blood cancers.  No matter what, that's the goal of all my training.

One week from tonight, I will be off to Phoenix to run in the PF Chang's Rock and Roll Marathon.

12 Miles On The Indoor Track

I'm a day late filling this out!  Yesterday I ran a wonderful 12 miles on the indoor track at the Wasilla Sports Complex.  It was so nice to run and actually be moving rather than running on the treadmill.  It was one of my best runs yet.  I can tell that I will be ready for the marathon.  Only about two weeks left now.