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!
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!
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
