Cold Cold Cold Run

It was really chilly outside and there is some snow on the ground in many places.  I just ran a short 3 miles today because I was FREEZING!  This will be my last run in Deadhorse because I have to pack up my running shoes and do my final laundry and put away the running clothes until I return in December.  So I will have a couple of rest days, from running anyway. I'll be driving the 830 miles home then running in my old familiar places. 

I did see a little snow today

Snow near Franklin Bluffs

 

Found a couple of little friends too:

Ground Squirrel

 

Red Fox

There are definitely some signs of winter out there now.  The road itself was very muddy.  I wonder how much snow I will find on the drive home on Sunday.

 

Indoors Today

It was snowing this morning and pouring rain this afternoon when I woke up.  Rain is one thing, but thick mud and standing water everywhere on the gravel road makes running impossible.  So I ran 5 miles on the treadmill.  It was a really good workout.  I followed it with 45 minutes of the Ballet Beautiful workout.  I think I worked off my dinner of a really really really BIG salad!

I am trying a new fundraising idea.  I am offering a photo of the week as an incentive for people to make a donation of $25 or more to my Team In Training fundraising page.  I will send any donors an 8x10 print of the photo of the week.  This week's photo is my Snowy Owl. Since it was almost the end of the week when I decided on this, I will make that one available until the end of the next week.  Then on October 7th I will offer a different photo for that week.  

So far I have no takers but it seems like an interesting idea.  Here is my photo for this week.

Make a donation of $25 or more and I will send an 8x10 print of the Snowy Owl

Donate here and be sure to include your mailing address when you make the online donation.

Thanks for your support!

Short Run

Today was great.  Just a short 3 mile run but by far the fastest time in a long time.  It was very cold and very windy, so maybe that just made me run faster, who knows? I have lost a few pounds so maybe I can run faster without carrying an extra 5 pounds along with me! I was glad to see that I could finally pick up the speed while running outdoors.

It has been a frustrating day though because my E-mail account was attacked and I spent much more time fighting with that than I had wanted.  I hope the problem is solved now. I think I will be gradually switching over to my other E-mail address since that is not the first time it has happened.

I am not doing great with promoting my new Facebook Race 4 Cancer page.  So many charities and worthy causes out there.  But I do feel passionate about helping to find a cure for cancer.  I think prevention is something that has been overlooked too much also.  So many Americans are overweight or downright obese. It has to be a contributing factor.  I am leaning towards a vegan diet or at least cutting down severely on fatty foods, junk food, sweets, and animal products.  I am somewhat inspired after reading Dr. Joel Fuhrman's book EAT TO LIVE. He feels strongly that the typical American diet is a huge factor in the increasing incidence of cancer.  He encourages a diet mostly of fruits and green vegetables while limiting animal and oil products substantially.  Following his advice for a week I lost 3 pounds. Between that and the Ballet Beautiful exercises I have been doing, I'm feeling a lot more fit!

I want to see a cure for cancer and a bigger focus on prevention.  That is likely the key.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, always stands true.

The nightly fog was rolling in today.

Let's Fight Cancer!

Fabulous Run

It was a positively gorgeous day and I drove down the Dalton Highway 20 miles and went for a very nice 5 mile run.  It was just perfect, in the low 40's with just a light breeze.  Towards the end it must have been getting warmer because mud was starting to build up on my shoes and they were getting mighty heavy. I was pretty worried yesterday because when I started to run on the treadmill I had to stop immediately because I suddenly had a severe sharp pain in the arch of my foot.  For a while I not only couldn't run, it was nearly too painful to walk.  But after I slept, it was fine when I woke up and I didn't feel it at all during today's run.  

This really was a lovely day!

10 Miles

I had a pretty nice run today, from the hotel and on down the Haul Road and back for 10 miles.  For some reason my right foot kept cramping up but otherwise it was really nice.  It was a little windy at first but then it calmed down and was wonderful. Bright sunshine for a change.  I need a few more long runs like that - in fact much longer would be nice! But I do have time constraints because I have to go to work every night.  Today was a good run though.  My knee that had been bothering me is no longer giving me problems, which is a very good thing!

I took a couple of pictures with my phone because I was so delighted with the clear blue sky today.

A beautiful day in Prudhoe Bay

Blue Sky!

Muddy Today

I started out planning to run around Colleen Lake but they had just graded the road.  By the time I reached the Dalton Highway intersection I had about 2 inches of mud on my shoes and could hardly move.  So I decided to just turn right and follow the Dalton.  It was a really neat run.  At least it had not been graded today.  When they grade the roads around here they turn to thick mud for the rest of the day.  It was sunny and nice, around 50 degrees and only about a 10 knot wind.  That is kind of perfect running conditions and I really enjoyed it.  I love the desolation on that road, just flat forever and you feel like you can see for thousands of miles. 

I really love the Alaska Scenic Byway sign though.  I had to stop and take a picture. 

Scenic is in the eye of the beholder!

Cross Training!

What an amazing day.  One of the few calm days I have ever seen here in Deadhorse.  So, I grabbed my kayak and went for a two hour paddle about Colleen Lake.  Not much of a workout for my legs but quite a good one for my arms.  And what a beautiful day it was.  By the time I got all the way back to my car I was getting a bit chilly, but it was worth it for such a view and such a peaceful two hours away from all the clutter and worries of the world.

Colleen Lake from my kayak

So Windy

Another outdoor run in the howling wind.  I only ran 4 miles because it was getting too obnoxious trying to run against that wind.  But it was still a good workout, although a little slow.  They graded the little side road where I like to run and now it is really soft with a bunch of rocks that got brought to the surface. I was glad I was running in my trail running shoes because it was much harder to run there now.  It was 50 degrees so I figured it would be a comfortable running temperature, but with the strong wind, it was still pretty chilly and I needed my hat, gloves, and jacket. I'm looking forward to the next time I get to run outdoors in nice balmy temperatures.  That may not be until January when I run the Walt Disney World Marathon in Florida.  It will be snowing here soon.

At least I finished before this storm found its way to me.

5 Miles Indoors

The windsock is standing straight out, just a bit too windy to try running outside. They finally got both treadmills working here at the hotel so I was able to get a free one.  Actually today I was the only person in the exercise room.  I ran faster and got my heart rate up higher on the treadmill than I do outside.  I guess that is because I can speed it up and then I have no choice but to keep up or fall off.  It's really a good workout so I plan to take advantage of it more, especially on these bad weather days.

 

I haven't had any donations in quite a while.  I've been posting flyers around here at the airport and the store, but no one pays much attention to them.  I plan to try selling more of my photos when I get back home.  I enjoy running and want to be in good shape for Kilimanjaro, but the most important thing is to raise money to help in the fight against cancer. That will always be my main focus.

Donations Please!





Cold Wind Rain

It was a bit chilly out there today.  First it was just cold and windy, then it started to rain.  I also got two phone calls from my boss so my pace was pretty weird.  But it was still a nice 5 miles outdoors.  I would rather deal with weather outdoors than run the treadmill indoors.  So as long as it is possible to go out there, I guess I will go out there.  It gets me comfortable in all kinds of conditions too.  I have noticed that marathons don't schedule themselves around perfect weather days.  You get whatever Mother Nature has to offer on race day!

I am getting lots of likes on my new Facebook page, but not a single donation.  I'm working on some fundraising ideas though.  I made some flyers that I plan to spread around too. 

Gotta get rid of cancer!

5 Miles Today

I had a nice 5 mile run outdoors in rather pleasant weather.  Not even windy, but still a little cool around 40 degrees. It was the first run in my new trail running shoes, my Hoka Mafates.  Very nice shoes.  They definitely feel more stable on the rough rocky potholed uneven side road that I was running on.  I think they were a good investment.  I didn't feel like I was about to trip every few minutes like I so often do.  I was running really slowly today though and wish I could pick up the pace.  I may try forcing myself on the treadmill to see if that helps.

Race 4 Cancer

I started a new Facebook page just for my Team In Training events. 

I titled it

Race 4 Cancer

I will post updates of events I am doing or planning to do, plus important news regarding cancer research, cures, and treatments.  I am hoping to get a lot of likes and maybe some much needed donations.  I want use it to help people understand why this cause is so important and how it is helping to save lives.

San Antonio?

I just signed up for the Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon November 11th. It just seemed like it would feel good to do a nice long run somewhere warm in the middle of an Alaska winter.  That's what happens when I take a rest day from running like I did today.  I was feeling kind of tired so needed a day off.  Withdrawals apparently kicked in, so I signed up for that run. 

It will be fun though.  I just love those Rock and Roll events.  They are so festive. I guess I had best do a long run tomorrow so I don't end up signing up for several more marathons. 

Even events like this one that are not technically for Team In Training, are still runs to cure cancer for me.  They keep me in running shape for the latest event that I am doing for the cause. 

 

This One!

A Short Run

Got up a bit late today but was glad because I actually felt rested for a change.  Oh night shift, gotta love it.
I ran just 3 miles and was a little slow, plus it was snowing.  But at least for a change, almost no wind.  I really like that. 
I got a donation today.  Each time I get a donation I feel like it is a boost to my efforts.  If everyone would contribute just a penny towards curing cancer, we would have no more cancer. It takes those contributions to fund this important cause.

Please help me in my efforts by making a donation to http://www.race4cancer.org/

 

 

5 Miles in the Rain

I ran along the Dalton Highway and along the little side road today.  It rained most of the time and was 37 degrees, but not very windy.  So it really was a pretty good day to run in spite of the rain.  Later I worked on my ballet exercises until I ran out of time and had to go to work.  There just is not enough time for the long runs that I want to do if I want to get enough sleep, shower, eat, and do anything else.  In Deadhorse, I work 7 days a week or should I say, 7 nights a week.  But today was a good workout.

I saw a couple of Deadhorse friends to and from my run.  The little red fox and the snowy owl.  I love when I see those guys.

 

 

 

I'm not making any progress on the fundraising.  If anyone is reading this, please help with a donation or pass on the word.  Cancer is serious business and it is taking too many lives.  I really want to see it come to an end so am doing as many events as I can possibly do for Team In Training.  This is my latest one:

Kill Cancer on Kilimanjaro

Snowing!

It was snowing and blowing and about 35 degrees, but I just couldn't get excited about trying to fight for a spot on the treadmill.  So bundled up and took it outside for another 5 miles.  It was invigorating to say the least.

Looking at my two Team In Training events, I decided it might be hard to reach the required minimums on both the Walt Disney World and Marathon de Paris events.  So, I just made the final donation to Disney and pointed my http://www.race4cancer.org/ domain name to the Paris event.  But even though that page is linked to the Paris marathon, it is still a fundraiser for the Mt. Kilimanjaro climb and the Walt Disney Marathon.  It all goes to the same place and to the same important cause.  The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which is dedicated to finding a cure for blood cancers.  One day there will be a world free of cancer.

Please help in the fight with a donation http://www.race4cancer.org/

Wind! Short Run

It was a nice day and not even that cold but for some reason, the wind just got to me.  I had hoped to run farther but decided to call it quits at 3 miles.  Seems I am having a bit of an off day.  I am still getting used to night shift and not sleeping well.  I think a good 8 hour sleep would do wonders.  The most I got today was about 5 hours.  My knee was also bothering me a bit.  I wish that would stop!  It doesn't seem to be anything serious but it is irritating for the first couple of miles each day. At least it stopped raining! 

I've also been doing the Ballet Beautiful exercises every day.  I love that workout.  I think it is a good contrast to the running to strengthen my leg muscles without the pounding that does seem to come from running.  But I can't live without my running!

It's all for the purpose of kicking cancer off the planet. 
Please help with a donation to my mission to kill cancer.

http://www.race4cancer.org/

 

Beautiful Day!

It was as cold dank and dreary as can be here in Deadhorse but a few miles south it was gorgeous. I drove 20 miles south and ran along the Dalton Highway in the sunshine.  A lovely 5 mile workout.  It has even cleared up here in Deadhorse now.  It was looking like the end of the world for the last couple of days.  It felt great to be running outside instead of fighting over the only functioning treadmill here at the Prudhoe Bay Hotel.

I found this beautiful Snowy Owl sitting on a post along the road too.

They are so gorgeous!!!

Icy Arctic Wind

Boy, today was one tough workout.  I had planned to run the treadmill but one is broken and there was someone using the other one and a guy waiting in line to use it.  So I decided that if I wanted to run I really had no choice but to head outdoors and brave the conditions.  It really wasn't that cold, only 41, but the wind was blowing around 25 knots and that brought the wind chill down into the 30's.  More than the cold it was the extra effort needed when running directly into the wind.  It was too muddy to run around Colleen Lake, my favorite spot, so I drove down the Haul Road to a little 1/4 mile long river access road. I leave my car in the middle then just run back and forth.  It was my first time to use my new heart monitor watch and I noticed I reached my target heart rate whenever I was running into the wind.  My face was freezing so I grabbed my camp towel and wrapped it around my neck and pulled it up over my face when I was running into the wind.  I only ran 4 miles and that was enough.  Especially because just before I reached the 4 mile point it started to rain to add insult to injury. But I'm glad I did it.  I do think running outdoors is more realistic than the treadmill. I hope the weather improves soon. My left knee was bothering me before and during the run.  But after I stopped running it felt fine.  Maybe the run is what it needed.  I sure hope so because it is annoying and worrisome because the last thing I need right now is a knee injury. While I was running I kept reminding myself that now I am a Marathon Maniac, so it's ok to be out in this miserable weather like a real maniac!

Back in Deadhorse

I've given my knew close to two weeks to stop hurting so decided that once I got back up north to work, I would hit it hard with the marathon training. I did feel occasional twinges in that left leg, but nothing worth worrying about.  I did lots of intervals and increased my general speed quite a bit.  It's pouring rain and extremely muddy outside so I used the treadmill.  I think it does have real value though because you can turn up the speed and force yourself to run faster.  So it was a really good 5 mile workout today.  I have the Nike Marathon in San Francisco coming up October 14th so my goal is to increase me marathon time considerably over the last few.  I have a new heart rate monitor watch and as soon as I figure out how it works I will start using it.  I do believe that is the key to increasing speed.