Back to Our Regular Scheduled Program

Now that Beachpalooza-ing is over, it's time to get back to the daily grind.

I have not run in a week! I had some "issues" that required some antibiotics but all is well now so I'm back at it. And my weight is up two pounds since last week which really isn't too much of a surprise.

And here's the part where I get all fired up to lose these last pounds once and for all. I'm really sick of fighting those same pounds over and over. Time to get busy. Again! I'm ready to reach my goals. Size 8. That's what I want. And it's not like I'm that far away from it either. It's just I get complacent ("This is good enough.") and stop trying as hard. Well, enough already! I'm irritating myself.

Wednesday I finally finished up the Burn Phase of Chalene Xtreme which is a strength training routine. Yay! Time to move on to another phase!
32 minutes strength training

That evening we went out for dinner at BJs Brewhouse. I did have a beer called a snakebite which is layered Guiness and cider ale (OK, that was before I was all gung ho about losing the remainder of my excess pounds.) and a seared ahi tuna salad. Very yum. And I didn't have to cook or do dishes.

Hottest wasabi I've ever had!

Thursday morning the alarm went off (which is really Chuck calling me to tell me to get up because he's already at work or on his way) but I really didn't want to leave that warm, soft bed. And there was a small threat of rain. Soooo.....I should just go to the Y and treadmill my run later, right?

Sigh. OK. I'll get up. It's been a week since I ran my schedule! Saturday we did Beachpalooza and Monday & Tuesday I took off. No excuses. Just do it!!! You don't have to like it; you just have to do it!

So out the door running. The first 5 minutes I felt pretty good but things went downhill. I don't know if it's being off a week or the antibiotics that do a number on my stomach or just a bad day or what! But it was a bit painful. I even got a side stitch. I can't remember the last time I've had one of those.

At mile 2 I thought, "I have to run 6 miles this Saturday? How in the world am I going to do that?!" But I won't give up. I'll do it. I'll do it. I can do it.

25 minutes, 12 minute pace, 2.08 miles, avg HR 163 bpm
5 minutes running/1 minute walking intervals
Running splits: 10:50,11:08, 11:28, 12:00, 9:59 (that last one was only 1 minute running)

At least I'm back out there and running. That's good!

And I also had a bit of a panic last night. I realized that I only have 9 days before my 10 mile relay. I'll run 5 miles then hand off to my running buddy. A bit nervous about this one. This will be the longest I've ever run in a race. One mile at a time. I can do it! (If I say it enough I'll believe it, right?!)

Time for the weekly training picture update. This is for week 8 of half marathon training. Can't believe it's 8 weeks already!!

Wearing my new hat that Shelley gave me. Love it!

Y'all have a great Thursday. I'm curious: are you training for any events or races????

Beachpalooza Weekend Volume III

Last time I told you about us finishing the race and hanging out at the post race party. What's there to do after a race? Go out and celebrate and relive your favorite parts with your race buddies. Of course, we were filthy and covered in sand but we kept on our race bibs and our medals. We were still pumped up on adrenaline.

Where to? Back to Mosquito Cafe! While there we saw other Beachpaloozers and gave a shout out. There were people all over the island sporting their race shirts and medals. I even rolled down my window and gave shout outs to those walking on the sidewalk. It was just such a great feeling.

At Mosquito Cafe we sat on the patio (no sense in bringing our sandy stench indoors) and I had an awesome sandwich (though I didn't eat the bread) of turkey, grilled apples, brie and bacon. Oh my!!!!

 After lunch we parted and went to get cleaned up. Yes, I'm a bit proud of my first medal and the awesome shirt that matches my newtons. (if you look on the nightstand you'll see a GIANT bottle of ibuprofen. lol)

 Not wanting to miss the Galveston experience, we immediately met back up with Jeff and Shelley to explore (with the intent of getting to LaKings for our postrace ice cream!).

We parked near the Strand and started walking and came across these art cars parked in front of a gallery. LOVE this sticker.

 The owner of the gallery came over and talked to us and invited us in for an art opening or some sort of event they were having. Usually you don't wear shorts and tee shirt to a gallery opening but this is Galveston. Love island life. :) There were some pieces there that I really liked.

 When we left the gallery another art car had arrived. A peacock!

 The broken CDs created a really neat effect. The photo doesn't capture the iridescence of it. It was pretty cool.

 Ah, our happy place! You can't go to Galveston without stopping here. Or at least I can't. :)

 Old fashioned interior. Chuck is pouring his malt. They do have awesome malts. I had a bit of mocha chip ice cream. Just a few bites. It's so rich! Shelley and Jeff are in the back getting saltwater taffy.

 Yes, because we were feeling so awesome and invincible we had dessert first. Then we went to dinner across the street at Yaga's. I made the mistake of mentioning that I ate here in high school and was reminded how many years ago that was. ("They've been open that long?") No way!!! I'm still 21. I have no idea what they were talking about.

 At Yaga's I got tequila on ice. They brought me a cup of tequila on ice. WOW. So we got to have fun talking and having a drink and eating BBQ chicken pizza. Yum.

There was a guy sitting at the bar in his Beachpalooza gear. For some reason we didn't give him a shout out. Instead there was a friendly debate whether he was wearing a wig or that was his natural hair. I was dared to go up to him and check it out.

And here's where I feel I need to clear myself. OK. Yes, I had a glass of tequila and was feeling quite good. But I did not approach that guy. I had to go to the restroom and as I walked by he extended his hand and congratulated me. I returned the congratulations. Well, I did touch his hair then and told him nice wig. I did earn some undeserved street cred as being a little crazy but I really didn't fulfill the dare because he's the one that talked to me first! LOL  It was funny. ;)

Time to start heading back to the car. It's getting dark now. Love the lights.

 I love lights and sparkles! The art gallery was still having a great time but now the cars were lit! Had to check it out.

 Lasers!!! Shelley's arm with the cool lasers dancing around. Love it.

 We said our goodnights and then put the top down on the convertible and cruised around the island. Great night! I really wasn't ready to call it a night just yet. So we headed to Brickhouse Tavern on the Seawall. I said hi to people I saw wearing the race shirts or medals. I was feeling quite social. :)

At the tavern we munch on a couple of pretzel sticks and chicken and got a yard of Blue Moon. Cool! They put this right on your table. OK, I had one glass. Chuck had the rest. I was more interested in water.

 Funny story. The waitress was so rude to Chuck but was sweet to me. He asked for water and she'd walk away and never bring it. I asked and she winked at me and said sure with a big smile. LOL! I have a way with the ladies. (joking! but it was funny)

Time for bed. Back at the hotel Chuck gave me a calf rub until I fell asleep. The next morning I woke up and had this on my thigh. Those walls gave me a battle scar. I have bruises here and there all over.

 After breakfast we headed to Stewart Mansion. I visited this place over the summer with the kids and loved it so much. It's a shame to see a place like this in such disrepair. The courtyard.

 A room off the entrance foyer. It's kind of like a gallery. A busted piano lies on the floor near the fireplace and there are pirate paintings on the walls.

 Exploring and admiring the house. Yes, it's Sunday and we're still wearing our medals.

 Love this room! Windows all around and a beautiful fireplace.

 The fireplace was marble! It's a little sickening to have it just sitting there like that. If I thought I could restore this place (and I was wealthy!!) I'd do it.

 Each window had handmade scroll work around it. There used to be lights above each window.

 This turned my stomach. These paintings were not vandalized when I visited this summer. I'm seriously thinking about going back to clean them. At least the art should be saved. Maybe I can call the developer or something! Yes, this place is owned by a developer that is talking about putting condos here. This historical piece of property where Jean Lafitte fought the Karankawa Indians and where pirates docked their ships.

 Across from the main house are the remains of a ball room. I can only imagine the parties this place has seen in the past.

 Time to head to my favorite running store: Fit to Run. I wanted them to check out my shoes and see how much life I had in them. And who should we see when we walk through the door? Shelley and Jeff! Small world. 

While there I tried on some Newton women's Isaacs. Of course I had to bring them home with me!

 The owners of this shop are just the nicest people. They even gave us all some tee shirts from a past Galveston marathon.

 We said our goodbyes again and then headed over to Murdochs because we weren't ready to leave the island yet. Sipped on a couple (that multiplied into several) beers while sitting in rocking chairs on the deck.

 The waves crashing and the sound of steel drums from the speakers.....it's pretty easy to fall into a nice state of mind. And the time just slips away with the waves.

 Finally it was time for dinner. How did that happen so quickly?! So we went to a place on the Seawall called Fish Tales. Had one of these beauties. Just one.

And as we left the restaurant our weekend drew to a close.

It was a great weekend! The race, hanging out with Shelley and Jeff, a kidless weekend, laughing, and having a good time.

OK. Long post, I know. I just couldn't leave anything out, you understand.

Maybe you'll want to do the race with us next year? I think you'd enjoy it. The more the merrier. :)

Beachpalooza Weekend Recap Volume II

I realize that these Beachpalooza posts are looooong and that they are becoming an epic. But I hate to leave anything out!

So last post I ended with the wall obstacle.

Next up was a scary table hopping obstacle. I'm not afraid of tables. I've been coaxed into dancing on a table at Joe's Crab Shack with a bunch of friends. Tables are cool. But when they are wobbly and covered in sand and you have to jump to others....I'm out. I got up on the table and the expanse between them looked huge! Like jumping across the Grand Canyon (I've been known to exaggerate). Chuck offers to help me across but I just don't care to try it. This is the only obstacle that I skip.

 All of the others tackle the scary obstacle of death. Shelley is a trooper. You have to see the expanses between these table to understand how amazing it is that she did this. Very proud of her!

I have a fear of heights. Let me rephrase that: I have a fear of heights! It's been there since I was a kid. I remember trying to register for my classes at a horse show once and I had to clumb up to the announcer stand. Halfway up my legs froze and I literally couldn't move them. That still happens from time to time today. I can be going up stairs and my hands start to sweat and my legs seize up and it hurts to move them. After the ordeal my muscles hurt.

I thought I could get over that fear once by facing it. So I did zip lines. This happened.

 I was shaking so badly that I had trouble walking and was near tears. I couldn't even take the cap off my water bottle! And instead of strengthening me it made me even more afraid of heights.

And now back to Beachpalooza. The cargo net wall. I had some real anxiety about this one. But I also really wanted to do it! So I got on there and started climbing.

I get to the top and freeze. My legs are trembling on the ropes and I'm stuck. How in the world will I get over the top to start my descent?! Then Shelley's husband Jeff comes along and says just what I needed to hear: just keep three points of contact. That was it! I could connect that with something that I do know and am familiar with. Canoeing. Always keep three points of contact with the boat. Same with the ropes. And I was fine after that. And I zoomed down that wall. Thanks, Jeff!

 It felt SO good to be able to conquer that fear. I'm not saying that I'm no longer afraid of heights! But I'm not going to let them stop me.

The next obstacle was hills with some muddy water thrown in for fun. These were kind of fun!

 Unfortunately, Chuck tore up his knee pretty good on one downhill slope. It was already injured and needing surgery. Now he's really going to get his money's worth out of that surgery! It was pretty bad but he was able to finish the rest of the obstacles.

Chuck and Shelley heading in to the ball pit. Those ropse are like bungee cords. Chuck lifted one poor girl off the ground when he lifted up on them. I snapped a girl in the face with one by accident.

 The "quicksand" pit. More fun in the nasty water. :)

 Our poor shoes! Shelley and I wore our sacrificial Asics. She tossed hers afterwards but I'm still trying to revive mine. The prognosis is not good.

 The crawling under barbed wire netting obstacle. Keep that butt down, soldier!!!

 Time to jump through fire! No picture for that. It's hard to get a picture when you feel a bit singed. It was so hot!!! There were two fires to jump over.

Then the ice cold saltwater plunge. Filthy water but it felt so good! I got to the end and just sat there for a minute because the water was cool. Shelley is in the blue hat right behind me.

 We emerged very happy and very soaked!

 Time to finish this race! Let's do it!

 Water and bananas at the finish line.

 We did it!! It was so much fun! Look at those people. They're not Beachpaloozas....they're BeachpaWINNERS! ;-)

 Each runner got a free beer or Mike's Lemonade. Shelley didn't want hers so I helped. (this picture is for you, Helen!)

 After a couple of drinks I was feeling really good and got a few pictures taken with some fun people at the race.

Then we walked over to the fire obstacle and cheered for the people jumping. I swear that fire was 5' high when we jumped it! Honest. ;-) (And I don't care what you hear! I was NOT heckling those people! lol)

What a day! We were covered head to toe in sand and were grinning from ear to ear. Proudly sporting our medals, we headed to Mosquito Cafe for lunch and we didn't even care what we looked like. We sat oustide and talked about all of the fun of the race and yelled out to everyone we saw wearing medals.

Simply a fantastic day!!!! I hope you get a sense for how much fun and joy this was. If you get a chance to do an obstacle course race do it!

Tomorrow I'll share more about the rest of the day.

Thanks for coming along for the journey. :)