Sage Rat Run 2015 -- holy cats, have you seen these medals???

We ran the Sage Rat Run last year -- both the half marathon on the Saturday and the 10K option of the Dirty Rat Run on the Sunday. Both events were fantastic -- really thoughtfully planned, organized, and run. And, of course, AMAZING MEDALS:

 The courses are lovely, the towns are lovely, the people are lovely -- seriously, this was one of my favorite events of 2014, possibly ever. Oh, as a reminder, they have a MASCOT:

Team Wil-Sun with Dusty the Sage Rat

I wanted to run the races again this year, but schedules just aren't working out. But, seriously, you should think seriously about this event. Because … holy cats, have you seen these medals???

This year the medals are pirate themed. Or as they say, piRATe themed. Here's the 6-inch beauty you can earn for completing the half marathon:

2015 Sage Rat Run Half Marathon medal

IT'S GOT A WHALE SKELETON ON IT! IT'S GOT AN OCTOPUS ON IT!!! IT'S GOT A SAGE RAT ON IT!!!! And did I mention it's 6 inches wide??? Awesome. 

Run any distance of the trail run the next day -- 10K, 15K, half marathon -- and you can get this honking Dirty Rat Run medal:

2015 Dirty Rat Run medal

And, of course, if you run both, you get this additional medal:

2015 Sage Rat Run "Rat Deux" medal

I can testify that these are quality medals -- clanky, heavy, brightly colored, and HUGE medals. 

But maybe, you're like us, and you can't attend the Sage Rat Run this year. (Though you should, because it's awesome.)

But for those of us who can't be there in person, we can be there virtually, with their Sage Rat Virtual Run … and earn this gorgeous bling:

2015 Sage Rat Virtual Run medal

The whale spins. Did you hear me? THE WHALE SPINS. SPINS, I SAY!!!! I'm not a big proponent of virtual runs, but I *might* have to run this, because, holy cats, this medal is a beauty.

Okay, hopefully I have you all fired up over the bling. Amusing aside: while writing this post Wil came by and I mentioned the Virtual Run medal. He said, "Virtual run? With a medal? What does it look like?" I showed him, said, "the whale spins" and he said, "Oh, yeah. We're doing that. We're totally doing that."

Bling is a strong force for good, is it not?

Read all about the 2015 Sage Rat Run >

Read about the 2015 Sage Rat Virtual Run >

Register for the 2015 Sage Rat Run >

My feelings about yoga...

Here follows a transcript from today that pretty much sums up my feelings about yoga.

Me
okay, it's 3:40
I am going to gather up my things and head home
and NOT GO TO HOT YOGA
because I DON'T WANT TO GO TO HOT YOGA
because -- and here's what I am finally being honest with myself about -- I DON'T LIKE HOT YOGA.
I DON'T EVEN LIKE YOGA!
I feel as if I am supposed to like yoga.

R

EFF HOT YOGA 

Me
Like I'm not.. I dunno, cool or fit or committed or whatever, if I don't like yoga.

R

YOGA IS FOR TOOLS 

Me
BUT I DON'T LIKE YOGA.

R

AND GWYNETH PALTROW WHO IS A TOOL 

Me
Oh, Gwynnie.

R

I feel fine about never doing yoga 

Me
 have less dislike for her than I do for yoga.

R

Next time I go to Rancho La Puerta, I will do yoga again 

Me
Yes, that's right, I ACTIVELY DISLIKE YOGA.

R

But that's the only place I have to do it 

SCREW YOU, YOGA!

Me
I want to like it.
I keep trying to like it.
BUT I DON'T LIKE IT.

R

The hell with it 

Me
And I don't think it's something like, I dunno, beets that one gets a taste for later in life.
(Also true: I did not like beets until I went to grad school.)

R 

I didn't eat olives until around age 30 

OR YOGA 

Me
I wouldn't eat olives -- except as a pizza topping with lots of other things -- until I married Wil.

R 

Some day you might even come around to raisins and coconut 

HA HA HA 

Me
right after I learn to love yoga

R 

All at once 

If you come up here, we can drink champagne 

Just sayin'

...

And then I went round and drank champagne. I should quickly point out that R is devotee of pilates who also runs and rides her bike all over town.

Now, I know people LOVE yoga. I have friends who are yoga instructors. I have friends who do yoga regularly and love it. I don't dislike it because I am inflexible and feel like I'm bad at it, though those things are true. I don't dislike it because once a (former) co-worker turned to me after an at-work yoga class and said -- I'm not kidding here -- "You were really struggling." Her tone was not, "Wow, you persevered" so much as "Man, you suck at that. How embarrassing for you."

I spend my time in a yoga class just dreading the next pose, and wondering how soon before it will be over. That's not normal, right? I want to have done and loved yoga. But I don't even feel particularly pleased with myself for going... I just feel... relieved that it's over.

Hate is a strong word. I don't hate yoga. But I just don't like it. And I feel like it's a moral failing that I don't like it. So periodically I try it again, testing it. Do I like it now? Nope. How about now? Nope. Now? Huh-uh.

Maybe now is the time to say, actually, no, thank you. Yoga isn't my thing. I respect that others love it. Like how others love black licorice or NASCAR or perfume or modern jazz.

Mars Rover Marathon

Opportunity leaves the other rovers in the dust. Image by NASA.

Amused to learn that the Mars rover, Opportunity, completed a marathon this week. Sure, it took Opportunity 11 years and 2 months to complete 26.2 miles, but it's still a new course record. Heck, it's a new planetary record. And it's probably a record which will stand for some time...

I don't have an elevation chart, but here's the course map:

 I mean, there's probably not much course support out there... looks pretty desolate... and we know there aren't any water stations anymore.

I conclude these random thoughts with the video that always pops into my mind when I think of the Mars Rover... "Girl look at that Rover....."

Cupcake Fun Run Half Marathon race report

Let's start with the important stuff. We raised enough money to buy Mani a racing wheelchair. That's awesome. Of course, when I say "we", I mean Tory, who organized these races. I just signed up and ran.

Wil and I also ran this race a couple of years ago. It's a super cute event run by a woman named Tory. In six years it has grown from a dozen or so runners gathering donations for the local food bank to 200+ runners raising serious cash for a local beneficiary. This year the funds went to Mani, a local athlete, to buy a proper racing wheelchair. I love this race because it's not a "raising money for a cause" -- it's raising money for a person, a person you get to meet at the event. (Not that there's anything wrong with raising money for causes! It's just super cool to meet the person you're there to help out.)

The course runs along the Centennial Trail -- a converted rails-to-trail line accessed near Arlington. So while there's an elevation gain on the way out, it's pretty gradual. We thought that perhaps the timing was off by about 2 minutes last time -- since we were credited with a 2:12 finish (not very likely...).

This time wasn't going to be like the first time. Since I was so sick in February, I really haven't run. As in, I ran/walked 3.14 miles last weekend, but other than that hadn't run a step since February 12. But I knew I would finish, and that that would be enough. Besides, the goal was to a) donate and b) show up. 

(I'm having a little crisis of confidence since I skipped out on the St. Pat's Dash -- AGAIN -- this year ... so I really needed to make myself come out to this race, even if I ended up walking most of it. )

But in the end, it went surprisingly well: 2:21:51. I had set <2:30 as="" goals.="" nbsp="" of="" p="" stretch="" stretchiest="" the="">

out and back, up and down...

I started off feeling like I just didn't have it in me... my usual first-mile feeling. But I made myself stick with it. When I passed one mile, I decided that running intervals was the way to get through the day. Of course, I didn't have any useful timers with me... so I decided to just count breaths. 100 inhales run, then 50 inhales walk. Yeah, pretty short intervals .... but even with the full stops to cross the busy road and to pick up some Red Vines and pretzels at the fuel stop, I still averaged 10'39" per mile overall. 

I really did just plod along, alone for the most part, but feeling okay. Climbing gently the first half, then descending gently the second half -- really the perfect course for me. Had it been the other way round I'm pretty sure I would have just walked the second half.

But as it was, I didn't really get tired until around mile 12, when I let myself give in a little. I had the same "oh god, where's the turn to the finish?" thought, then the same, "oh, it's RIGHT HERE!!!" thought -- which made me pick up my heels and run as fast as my feet would carry me. I heard someone shout "RUNNER!" and then saw a little flurry of activity. The timekeeper said, "C'mon -- let's go Sunny!" which made me smile... The photographer said, "Wow, finishing with a smile!" which made me smile even wider... and another person at the finish said, "Look at that smile!" and I started laughing. Such lavish attention at the finish!

I collected my very handsome medal:

hello cupcake!

had a cupcake:

chocolate mint ... it's wafer thin...

and chatted with a cheered for a few other runners... but I was getting cold and tired and just wanted to go home.

After the race Tory posted a note on Facebook, passing along an anecdote from the race. She and Mani were on the course and a cyclist went by, saying "Great job runners!" Mani said, "That was so cool! He called me a runner!" Awesome.

2015 Cupcake Fun Run medal back

Interested in running the Cupcake Fun Run in the future? Races are held in March (in honor of Tory's birthday!) every year, and there's a different local beneficiary each year. Plus it's a nice, low-key event, with races in distances from 5K to 50K! Learn more about the sweetest race around on the Cupcake Fun Run website: www.cupcakeruns.com

Pi Day 5K Race Report

Saturday was Pi Day. Not just any Pi Day -- this year was PERFECT Pi Day: 3.14.15. So we celebrated in style. Several weeks back, Meredith sent out a note to the team, encouraging us to help test a new system by signing up for a virtual race. She even offered to cover the event fee. Well okay then! So I signed up for the Pi Day 5K virtual race and then essentially put it our of my mind.

Then a couple of weeks ago I received a Priority Mail envelope stamped "Pi Day 5K" that contained a very handsome medal, a very good-looking shirt, a really nice bib, a "pi" sticker, a Luna bar, and even 4 safety pins. Quality swag!

I kenw we needed to run not just a 5K, but a bit longer -- 3.14 miles. I mapped out a route, but knew it would be totally dependent on the vagaries of the GPS.

On Saturday morning we laced up and then milled about... Why? So we could start at precisely 9:26a.m.  (I really couldn't tell you the seconds...) 

We ran out towards the lookout, but turned back early so as not to go too far. Amusing to run an old route -- like revisitng an old friend.

But getting the distance juuuuuuuust riiiiiiight was delicate work. So, yeah, that was us trotting down the sidewalk, staring at my phone, so we didn't overshoot the mark.

The pace was slow, but not bad for our first run in forever. I'll still call it a result. 

And then, for Pi Day, of course we ate pie -- I had picked up two broccoli and cheese pies as well as a salted caramel apple and a rhubarb pie from, well, Pie in Fremont. 

To quote Andie McDowell in "Michael", "My oh my, I love pie."

thought for the day

Long time, no blog

Figured I should actually write up some of my thoughts from the past few weeks...

I had decided to attempt my first ever "run streak" by running every day in February. Sure, running every day on the cruise was almost too easy, but I did run when we got home. But I noticed on the Tuesday that I was really struggling to breathe... which I just put down to the cold temperatures. But on Wednesday I couldn't breathe deeply at all, and had to walk most of the way. Not good!

I spent a few days with a weird, raspy cough that just got worse. Eventually I added a bit of sneezing, a blocked nose, and my ears were blocked, but my lungs just felt weird. Finally, two weeks after coming home I broke down and went to see a doctor. 

His diagnosis? Bronchitis progressing to pneumonia. Hoorah. I left there with nose spray, antibiotics, ear drops, and high-power decongestants. 

It's been a week and a half now and I am finally not winded when I walk up the stairs, but sadly I still haven't run another step. Sigh. 

I did drag myself to hot yoga, which felt pretty good, but more on that another time. 

Today I am at the eye doctor to have something called a YAG procedure. Apparently, a lot of folks lucky enough to have cataract surgeries as "young" people will need this bonus procedure a year or two later. Basically, a membrane of cells has grown across where my new lens is, which makes everything foggy. So the doc will is a LASER to cut a hole in the membrane, and it will pop out and float to the bottom of my eye, and eventually disintegrate. 

I imagine it looking like this:

Or, you know, that image of someone cutting a hole in a window with a diamond ring and then just popping it out?

Of course, it won't be that exciting. This is what the laser actually looks like:

Still... LASERS!!!

Caribbean Running Cruise Race Report

We loved the 2015 Caribbean Running Cruise -- huge thanks to John, Jenny, Mila, Karen, and our fellow running cruisers! I can honestly recommend this trip to runners, walkers, singletons, couples, what have you. There's plenty of support and love for anyone who moves at any speed, as long as you are willing to have fun.

To help anyone in the future who might be on the fence about whether this cruise is for them, I've put together this "omnibus" post -- with links to each day's write-up.

Day 1 - Embarcation Day, when we sailed from Fort Lauderdale and met our fellow cruisers

Day 2 - Sunday Night Lights Predictor Run, when we ran laps on a very blustery night ... with glow necklaces!

Day 3 - At Sea, when we learned about the Penguin Plan

Day 4 - St. Maarten Scenic Run, when we ran along the seafront in Philipsburg

Day 5 - St. Kitts Rain Forest Hash, when we ran with a local Hash House Harriers group

Day 6 - San Juan Amazing Race, when we ran amok in the streets, dressed as pirates (and that was before the piña coladas...)

Day 7 - Haiti Relays, when we met some of the Street Hearts boys and ran through the "island paradise" of Labadee

Day 8 - At Sea, and a Celebration, when we celebrated our successes, honored our winners, and met the captain

Day 9 - Debarkation Day, when it took us a Very Long Time to get home

Now... where shall we go next?

Caribbean Running Cruise Day 9 - Debarkation Day

Woke up today feeling a little sad, and dreading the travel day ahead. Peeked out the window and we were already back in our berth ... right where we started.

We got up and headed upstairs for our morning run -- on a glorious, sunny morning.

Four and a half times around for a quick mile... pretty funny when the boat doesn't appear on the satellite map picture:

We grabbed a bite to eat -- our LAST MEAL ON BOARD -- and went back to get cleaned up and say goodbye to our lovely cabin. We'll definitely miss the surprisingly comfy bed (how smart to round the foot of the bed -- makes it much easier to move around it in a confined space!), the oddly firm sofa (maybe there's a hide-a-bed in there?), the tiny vestigial curtain, our lovely balcony... and of course our amazing cabin attendant, Maureen, who fussed over us, folded stray gear, and sang love songs in the hallway.

Then the waiting game began... a game in which there are no winners, only losers, and would take all day...

We had asked to be late off the ship -- might as well stay somewhere comfortable, rather than rush to the airport to sit around for HOURS. But we vacated our room promptly, and then wandered around a little.

We rode the elevators for the first and only time from the tippy top to Deck 4.

Royal Promenade from the elevators

We poked our heads in the dining room, which had been designated a "departure lounge" ...

dining room atrium

but we were feeling a little restless, so we decided to keep meandering along. We bumped into a few friends in the Royal Promenade, got our last "free" soda (ha ha), and then, because they pried the railing from our fingers, finally left the ship.

If a cruise can be heavenly and relaxing, "debarking" might as well be called "coming back to earth with a thud". Slow-moving lines to get off the ship, through the baggage pickup area, and then through customs, everyone looking tired and a teensy bit miserable. The bright fluorescent bulbs in the port hall serve the same purpose as they do in a club at closing time -- the party's over, get out.

Forty minutes later, we emerged into the bright sun and chaos of the pick-up / taxi / shuttle area. We figured we would just grab a taxi to the airport ... But the taxi line was loooooong and didn't appear to be moving. So we allowed ourselves to be piled into an airport shuttle... along with some running cruisers... and just got out of there.

It is meant to be a quick 10-15 minute drive to the airport... but traffic was crawling, and it took about 45 minutes. We had toyed with the idea of grabbing a rental car for the day when we got to the airport... but seeing the traffic snarls (there was a large bike ride that had a lot of roads closed) made that much less appealing. 

Of course, it was a decision we would revisit and question several times over the next few hours, since we couldn't drop off our bags until hours later. (Note to self: never fly Alaska to Fort Lauderdale again.)

Wil and I found a reasonably peaceful spot outside, circled our suitcases, sat down, read books, and occasionally went in search of refreshments or a change of scenery.

ad campaign of the year???

Finally, the Alaska counter opened so we could drop off our bags, breeze through security, and wait a couple more hours on the other side. We had a very nice veggie burger at Shula Burger -- one nice feature was this cute "branded bun" (LITERALLY branded!:

Finally, it was time to get on our flight home. The less said about the flight, the better... but we made it home safely and had a bit of quality time with the cats before collapsing into bed. 

Caribbean Running Cruise Day 8 - At Sea, and a Celebration

Wil and I tried -- really TRIED -- to sleep in today... but no luck. So we got up and went for our morning run, where I set the 5K world record. Or, I ran a mile on a moving ship. You decide.

Today's only scheduled event as the "closing ceremony" ... so we spent the day relaxing in the sun and meandering around the ship and wondering just where the whole week went. 

But at four we all reported for one last time to the fabulous Pyramid Lounge.

We had a nice ceremony, starting with John recognizing the state winners, the overall winners, and several other awards -- including an "Over the Top" award for Justin and all he'd done for Street Hearts, and a "Pirate" award for Bud and Claudia for their costumes in San Juan.

John also made a point of honoring our "volunteers" -- some of our non-runners who probably worked harder than the rest of us, helping everything happen.

And then we had a surprise visitor: Captain Manolis, skipper of the Independence of the Seas. He wanted to come by and meet us because he heard about the money we raised for Street Hearts. Of course, I kept thinking, "Who's sailing the ship?"

Captain Manolis

We gave him a medal and a hat (I mean, he did drive us around for a week, right?) and then took a couple of photos with him.

one normal... (photo courtesy Jenny Hadfield)

... one CRAZY! (photo courtesy Jenny Hadfield)

I love this photo, because the lighting makes it look really funny:

why does it look like they're posing with a cardboard cut-out of the captain? (photo courtesy Jenny Hadfield)

Then the captain left, and it was time for the Joke Off.

Bud telling his joke

I can't even remember any of the jokes... or even who won. But my favorite one was by Joyce... "First I used my right hand, then I used my left hand..."

Joyce telling my new favorite joke

We lingered a bit after the ceremony to chat with some folks, saying goodbye to a bunch of friends old and new. We decided to skip the dining room, opting instead for a quick dinner in the Windjammer. We did, however, go for a walk... and it was WINDY AGAIN!

We went to our cabin and finished packing, and then had a glass of wine on the balcony while watching the sunset, before having a late nap. (We had somehow NOT HAD A NAP ALL DAY!)

Later we went up to Olive or Twist for one last time ... I think the unscheduled evenings were my favorite part of the trip!

We finished our drinks and then said more goodbyes, wandered around the ship a bit more, and eventually went to bed. I can't believe the week has gone so quickly.