A Sign?

Apparently I am indeed supposed to run the Nike Women's Marathon. I found out today that I got into this years event via the lottery. I don't know yet if I am happy or sad. Ask me on October 19th.

IM France Planning

Chris' friend Phil is out from the east coast this week, which finally afforded those of us doing Ironman France an opportunity to get together to start to plan our post Ironman travel adventures around Europe.

On my agenda is Italy - anywhere - but I would particularly like to explore the Italian Riviera and the Amalfi Coast.

We are planning to head to Barcelona to capture the first mountain stage of the Tour de France before I have to return to the states. Basso! Sweet!

While in the initial planning stages at this point, every option was on the table. Buy a beater car and tour about? RV? Train? Fly? While at this point I have no idea what we will decide to do, I know it will be an adventure.

Pirates Cove

Dian and Paul signed up for the Pacific Coast Trail Runs Pirates Cove event many months ago and asked us to join them. I, of course (since I cannot say no to anything) signed up. I registered for the 20K event, along with my friend Ashli.

As the date neared, Chris signed up for the 30K event. Two of his friends who are also doing IM France decided to join in as well.

I was so excited to learn this week that many other friends were also doing the event -- of course Rick was running the 50K event, but I also discovered that my friends Dana and Samantha were doing the 30K event.

It was SO FUN to see so many friendly faces at the start. And what a gorgeous run. I am embarrassed, living in Marin, that I had not been on 80% of that course until today.

We started from Rodeo Beach and headed up, up, up. The pack spread out pretty quickly, as the terrain was steep. It started more as a hike than a run. However, after making our way up to the first ridge, the beauty of the Bay Area revealed itself and I was on my way.

About four miles into my run I came over the top of a ridge and was shocked to realize I was running down into Tennessee Valley, an area I frequently run. I had never imagined I would tackle the trails from above. It was a fun moment.

The entire remainder of the run was stunning. I feel so fortunate to live here. I was constantly stunned by the beauty of the views and was enjoying myself very much until the 50 and 30K-ers started passing me. They ran 6 more miles than me, yet they were still passing me long before the finish line. It's moments like that I wish I was a foot taller and simply faster. Yet, it was fun to see the speed demons fly past me, as I saw my former volunteer partner, Will G., as well as Rick, Phil and then Chris. Chris' calves were cramping, so he wasn't moving as fast as usual, and we ran the last bit of the course together - which was a real treat for me as we never run together.

Cheyenne was out on the course cheering us on. I am always surprised by how wonderful it is to see friends out on the course offering support. I appreciated it greatly.

It was a lovely run, topped off by a lovely dinner with two dear girlfriends who had also done the event. We weren't moving too quickly out of the restaurant, however, as the soreness had begun to set in...

Leif Erikson Drive

Chris and I spent the weekend in Portland visiting a dear friend of his who is in her final year at Lewis and Clark law school.

I had forgotten that it can actually be relaxing to get away for the weekend.

We stayed at a lovely hotel downtown called The Nines and I just loved it. We slept in, went shopping, enjoyed good company, ate fine food and just had a grand old time.

On top of relaxing, we managed to get in a bit of training each day as well. My friend Dana used to live in Portland and she sent me out to the perfect location for a long Sunday run - the Leif Erikson Drive trail run.

The main trail - Leif Erikson Drive - is a 11 mile long fire road that is perfect for long runs, as it's marked every quarter of a mile and is relatively flat. For those who are more adventurous, there are trails jetting of the main trail for single track adventures in every direction, including the famous Wildwood Trail.

As it was wet and rainy (shocker), a very nice woman I met at the trail head recommended I stay on the main trail. We walked up to the trail head together and ended up running a very pleasant, albiet muddy, five miles together. This woman, whose name I never learned, is a mother of three. One of her daughters goes to the same university where my aunt is a professor and she thinks that her daughter is currently taking a class from my aunt! Small world! We spent the entire way to the five mile marker enjoying a lively conversation, so much so that I didn't notice how fast we were running.

When we hit the five mile marker, the kind woman turned around to head back and I continued on to hit the one hour mark before I too turned to make my way back. It was at my turnaround that I realized just how tired I was. It made the run back quite long, but I powered through and was thrilled to have gotten my long run in, as I wasn't sure it would happen as we were out of town.

It was also nice to spend some time on a trail, as this coming weekend Chris and I, along with many friends, are running in a local trail race in Marin County. Most of us are running in the 20K event, Chris is signed up for the 30K event, and our friend Phil, who is racing IM France with us this summer and who will be visiting for the weekend from Boston, is signed up for the 50K event!

Should be an entertaining weekend - if anyone can walk afterwards.

All Booked!

It's official... I am headed to Europe in June! I have finally booked my IM France travel.

I was thrilled to discover that I had enough frequent flier miles to book a round trip first class ticket. SWEET.

Now I really cannot wait. We just need to figure out where we are going after the race! Wherever we decide to go, I know it will be an adventure.

Dean

While cycling along today I was chatting away with a friend and we both stopped talking as we passed a man running towards us. We both recognized him instantly - Dean Karnazes.

Dean is a local ultra distance runner who I became familiar with while reading his book "Ultra Marathon Man" while traveling in Europe many years ago. I enjoyed his book so much I stayed up until 5 am in London to finish it one evening.

While I have crossed Dean's path in the past running in the City, we were a LONG way from home and I had to wonder how far he had run. Probably pretty far.

It was fun to see him as we made our way back in from a 4 hour training ride, as I find him to be extremely motivational.