And the Annual Trip Begins!😊

Safe and Sound....and Full!

Today didn't begin well, but ended fantastically.  Leta has been coughing like crazy the last few days so when we got up we went to the Urgent Care Clinic but the were not open, even though the internet showed they were, so we went to the other Urgent Care Clinic  in town, where they diagnosed her with pneumonia.   She got about 4 prescriptions and we waited untill they were filled.  We raced home and started working on cleaning out the guest bedroom/storage room until it was time for me to leave.   As I accelerated after backing out of the driveway,  my Coke bottle flipped out of the  cupholder and emptied it self in the passenger seat....of course I didn't have any paper towels or water on the car.

Woody and Bendy arrived this afternoon, they had a bumpy flight with lots of heart rendering dips and drops.  But their adventures were minor compared to mine!  The Buick LaSaber die...just shut off...in a construction zone...in San Antonio!  I  coasted as far as I  could but eventually came to a stop between the entrance ramp and I 10, a very  dangerous location.  I  tried restarting the engine a half dozen times or so, without success.  So I  dialed 911 and reported my emergency to this dispatcher. When lo and behold the engine fired.  And I was able to proceed to the airport for our annual reunion. Luckily their flight was delayed by about 1/2 an hour, and and we were successfully in our rendezvous.   Thank the Lord nothing bad happened to any of us.

Ruddy's Bar B Que  (or the worst Bar B Que in Taxes

As soon as got our greetings and the car loaded,  Bendy fulfilled our first tradition by exclaiming she was hungry, and she needed to go to Ruddy's.  Avoiding the freeways, we wandered to the nearest one.  We enjoyed brisket, turkey, sausage, potato salad, and the sweetest cream corn you will ever taste.  After eating our lunch, on the out door picnic table we finished with a dessert of M&Ms.  (Apparently none of us had given up chocolate for lent).

Home at Last and Fried Ice Cream.

Because the car had acted up, we took back roads home and ended up visiting Luckenbach TX.  We got home to an exhausted Leta sitting on the glider on the front porch, locked out of the house!  We got inside and immediately put Woody to work breaking down the boxes.  Lee Cunningham called and offered use of Charmane's car and he even delivered it!

So Bendy was hungry so we headed to the closest Restaurant Altos de Jalisco where we all sampled  some of the hottest salsa we have had on this trip to date!  After our entrees we shared some fried ice cream with chocolate on it, of course.  Bendy was good, she didn't ask for M&Ms and even though; according to Abby, "they make everything better", Leta didn't ask for sprinkles!

Vacationing in the Rio Grande Valley

11:52PM - McAllen Tx.  Quick up date.  Second day of Vacationing - Birding with BTFF (Better Than Family Friends) Woody and Bendy from Michigan.  They just escaped Michigan's brutal cold spell and something like -7 degree weather.  It was -30 something near their cabin and -40 in the U.P.  It was windy here today but we had a high temperature of just shy of 90 degrees.

We have spent the last two days birding, eating and laughing!  We have seen over 50 species of birds and turtles, alligators, butterflies, "bummies" (bunnies), lizards and dragonflies.  We have visited just a couple of the many(!) birding sites.  We have gotten lost, and had to turn around a few times (darn GPS!), but we have made it back to the hotel everytime so far.

So far we have only done 1 geocache, which we muggled from a bunch of kindergartner kids!! But hey I claimed the smilie,  as we signed the log and returned the cache to its hiding place.  Mr. Wood has added a couple of birds to his life list.  Although we continue to search for the Ringed and Green Kingfishers!

Some of the coolest birds we have seen include the Pauraque, (Boom)  Chachalaca, Common Ground Dove, Herons, oh I'll stop or I will add 30 or 40 more!

I will add more to the blog in a bit,  as it is "a feeding" time again.   Those of you who know Bendy and Wood know what I am talking about.  :-)

Well gotta run (and bird).

A Good Start!

Well I have taken the next step towards running the half.  I developed a training plan.  I even sent copies to Lindsay, Stefanie and Mark.    So far I am sticking pretty much to plan, although I have delayed one run and advanced tomorrows run to today.  I was worried the weather might be worse tomorrow, as it was almost 80 yesterday and in the 40's today.  But I wasn't sure if I was worried it might get hot again, or colder....ya gotta love Texas!

Last week I exercised 3 times for 2.4 hours and  9 miles.

I ran today for 3 miles at a pace of 16 minutes a mile.  I need to speed it up just a bit.  My goal for the half is 3:16:30 ok, it is really 15 minute pace for the 13.1 miles, I think that math works...

Went to the library, HEB, stop at Hill Country Optical and set up an eye appointment for Friday.  Did lots of other errands, faxed a form for Leta, cashed a check, redeemed some scratch-off lottery tickets, and did some grocery shopping.  Did some chores around the apartment too.

Made a crockpot of chili and some corn bread muffins for supper.

And finally, designed and ordered a couple of Custom Journals for Leta and Abby to "circle journal".
Here is the final work up.  (Only 1 problem, I spelled Abby's name with an "e".)  Oy Vay!

In the "heart" it says "Yaya and Abbey's Journal - 2014"  Below that it has a quote "Families are like fudge, mostly sweet with a few nuts.  And I am nuts about you!"

Well gotta run!

Super Bowl 7K and weekly Recap

Erica Freezing At Super Bowl Sunday 7K

It was a very cold and blustery day, even a bit of rain in the air. But Adrian Neri, Jarrett Ersch, and myself met in the HEB parking lot at 6:30 am and headed to Lady Bird Johnson Community Park in San Antonio. We met my daughter Erica and picked up our packets. We had planned on being a team of 7 but unfortuneately Sanda and Alex Switzer were unable to attend, due to the recent loss of their husband and father. Erica's Tom couldn't make due to an errrr...unavoidable hangover and good common sense not to out running in 40 degree, raining, windy conditions. We did have a good time with Jarrett leading the team with a chip time of 36:51.0 or 8:28 per mile, Adrian came in next with a time of 40:08.2 or 9:14 pace, good for 11th in his age bracket. Erica came in next at 57:33 or 13:14 per mile, but she ran with me, so I probably pulled down her time. I came across the finish line at 57:37.4 or 13:37. After the race we enjoyed lots of treats with the main sponsor being HEB. The goodies included pizza, wings, nachos, chips, cookies, fruit. We all enjoyed hot chocolate and coffee and other adult beverages were available. There was a good turn out for this race, and they signed up 20-30 people for the bone marrow registry. The race was a fund raiser for "Transplants for Children" charity. We returned to Fredericksburg, happy for a safe race and good day! I was even so motivated, I am considering the Lone Star Half Marathon planned for April 19th.

As for my other goals for the week, I did exercise quite a bit, at least walking! 6 Work outs, for 14.1 miles! But didn't really accomplish any progress on my other goals and resolutions for 2014.

Jarrett Ersch with Spurs Coyote before Race

Yesterday and today - double check

Yesterday pushed carts for almost an hour.  Today got up and walked 40 minutes on the treadmill

Gotta run

Good news / Bad news

Well the string ended at 8 days in a row.  I worked late on the 9th...and promised myself I would work out after I got home....You guessed it,  I sat down and that was it.  Guess I have to work out prior to going to  work.

Now for the good news.  I "worked out " twice yesterday, both times at work pushing carts,  and both times for over a hour.

Also, when I weighed in on Monday I was back in the "one derlands "  : -)

Gotta run

Great start to week 2

Got up, ate a healthy breakfast, and then worked out.  Ran for a half hour on the treadmill.  I had been concerned about running outside as it was cold and foggy and I was worried about hitting a patch of ice and falling.  But by the time I was finshed with my workout, the sun was out and it was warming up.

First week done!

Rode mom's  stationary bike while watching MSU beat 2nd ranked, longest winning streak OSU!  Sure helped burn off nervous engery in the 3rd qtr.

Thank you Spartans.

Day 6 Gotter Done!

Day off from work and recordin my calories...but  not from exercising.  Walked to the library by way of the recycling center.  Got a couple books and a book on cd for the car ride into Austin today.  Also used their computers for some work.

When I was finished I walked home in the cold wind and headed to Cedar Park where we had a wonderful visit with Stefanie, Mark,  Abby and Luke.  We renewrd our tradition of letting Stefanie beat us at a couple of board games.
Great day and good times!

Day 5 in the complete column.

I had a good run today.  Still eating way to many calories though.

Gotta run!

Day 4 - Cross Off the To Do List!

Although it took me until.11pm tonight,  I did go and rode the stationary bike for 30 minutes.  I also walked to work and pushed shopping carts for over an hour.  So yeah,   I think I can claim today as 'challenge completed'.

Also to day I walked to my follow up dr appointment.  He increased my bp meds and wanted to check on their effectiveness.

Now I need to get the eating/carbs/valories/chocolate under control.  Maybe next week?

Gotta run....

Day three....add a smilie!

Three is a charm.  I got up and rode a stationary bike, then walked to work, then collected shopping carts for over an hour.  At lunch I walked up to the library and back.  Also...I moved over 1000 lbs of ice too!  (Restocking the empty ice bin at work. )

I 'm ready for a hot bath and a relaxing massage....or is it a relaxing bath and a hot massage?  ;-)

Day 2 - Check!

Weight  202.2  Hated to see it over 200, but it is right after Thanksgiving.

Got my walk in for the day 2.47 miles in 40 minutes.  Now to the shower and the rest of the to-do list

Gotta run.

December Challenge

Today decided to challenge myself to workout every day in December.  Started today with a 2 mile walk.  Also loaded myfitnespal app onto phone.  The bad news...phone fell out of my pocket as I jogged across the street, cracking my screen.

Will weigh in tomorroe and will try to post each day on here as well. 

Gotts run!

Gem of the Hills 10K Race Report (10K!)

Ran  my first 10K today in Mason Texas, "Gem of the Hills" 10K.  What a great race and day!  The only thing missing was Leta, as she had a cold and her 'hip-butt thingie' (the sciatica) was really bothering her and she didn't thing she could "stand" to sit in the car for the ride up to Mason and all the walking we would have to do once we got there.

Anyhow I got up at 6 am and got ready to go.  Had my coffee this time, before I left the house, and we had filled the car with gas yesterday.  All this to minimize the odds of losing my wallet, like I did on the 4th of July race in San Antonio.  Although when I got up I noticed it was still dark, and then remembered we have a tail light out on the car and have already been stopped and given a warning about it.  In any case, I decided to go and waited until the last minute to leave, and took back roads out of town!  Only saw one police car and so I was able to sneak out of town and turned my lights off as soon as it was light enough.

Arrived in Mason with out further adventure.  Got my race bib and SWAG bag, with cool t-shirt, water bottle, pen etc.  (Not bad for a $25 entry fee).  The race started on time after a short prayer and we were off!  This was the most friendly race I have attended with participants greeting each other, shaking hands, neighbors cheering you on, etc.  Had a great "small town" feel to it. 

The race was also memorable for several "incidents".  The first being a young girl, who had obviously just learned to tie her shoes stopped a little way in front of me and was working diligently trying to tie her shoe "just so".  I look up and noticed that several lambs were VERY curious as to what she was doing.  So much so, that they were 'climbing' over each other trying to get a better look!  I told her she was being watched and pointed to the sheep.  She just started giggling.

A little further along the route, a young family was out for the run and a little 4 or 5 year old boy fell and skinned his knee.  Dad picked him and put him on his shoulders and they continued.  By the time I caught up with the family, mom and dad were trying to get the lad to walk on his own, but he kept insisting he wasn't ready.  Finally, as I passed them, dad said "Hey how bout you get down at the top of this hill?"  I turned around and asked if it could be my turn then...but the wife after a step or two, said "NO! it will be MY turn."

It is also dove season here in Texas and all morning we would hear shot gun blasts from the surrounding woods and fields.  At one point there was a song bird singing loudly.  I said "That bird sure is happy!"  A fellow runner respond "Yeah, he isn't running the 10K!"  and I said, "Yeah...and he is happy he isn't a dove!"  A little while latter several shots rang out and several seconds latter I could hear the pellets hitting the metal roof of a nearby house.  That was just a little disconcerting.

I was way towards the back of the "pack"  (basically meaning no one was in sight!) and I spooked a deer..  She came flying out of nearby yard and hoped a fence, fairly close by!  And a few seconds latter her "baby" came flying out too.  He didn't see the fence and plowed into it in a blind panic.  His head got stuck for a few seconds until he untangled himself and then he "scrambled" like a cartoon  deer with his feet "spinning" but him not going anywhere.  I was close enough to hear the hoofs smacking the pavement and see the powerful muscles of even this little deer.  He finally gained traction and cleared the fence moving extremely fast.  I sure was glad he didn't run into me, he would have mowed over.

I saw a "puff ball mushroom" (I'm sure that is the scientific name for it!).  And it was eerie!  It had a "slit" in it and it looked just like it had an eyeball watching the world go by.  I felt like I was in a "fantasy" book!  And no, I didn't have any "herbs" before the race!  I would have stopped to take a picture, but was worried about messing up the "Mapmyrun" tracking on my phone.

At one point we passed the Casa Guadalupe guest house.  What a view they had from the top of the hill, and I also notice they appeared to have a lot of humming bird feeders in the backyard.  Another house (maybe it was "Fort Mason") had a large cannon in the front yard.

As I approached the volunteers at the intersections I would say "Hey, I have a question for you"...and then would say "I signed up for the 10K...what was I thinking??!"  Also towards the end of the course, I asked one of the volunteers how he was holding up.  I guess I thought it was my job to entertain them.

I finished the race in just under 1.5 hours and waited for the results.  The only draw back to this race was that there was some confusion about the results, and final results were not available at the end of the race.  The officials were very apologetic and the fact that I wasn't in it for the "competition" meant that this did not detract from my enjoyment of this race.

And one participant got up and said so everyone could hear, "Come on wife, your going home with a first place winner!"  and she responded "I volunteered so I got a shirt too, and we shall see who can move tonight!



As an added bonus Mason was having it's Fall Festival day today.  There were many cool tents with soap, books, crafts, etc. on display.  There were Pioneer Living actors, and even a dog parade.  The dogs were in costumes as were there owners.  My personal favorite was Little Red Riding Hood.  There was also several displays regarding "Old Yeller".  And I asked the lady working the "spinning" (wool, not the stationary bicycle) display about it.  She informed me that the author was  from Mason. 

So I hope you can tell I had a great morning.  And I look forward to receiving my "award" in the mail once they figure out the timing!  I look forward to doing this race next year too, with Leta in attendance, hopefully as a participant!  Afterwards we can enjoy the festival and maybe shop for a blue topaz/ texas cut piece of jewelry!

July Recap - Not quite Boston Qualified!

July was a great month! Finally!!  It began with a 4 mile race, Four Miler on the Fourth in San Antonio.  I ran 12 times and got in 27.5 miles, almost a marathon  (I don't think 65 days will qualify me for Boston next year though!)  I also managed to lose about 3 pounds for the month.  Besides losing the weight,  I  managed to lose my wallet twice, and my glasses once.  The original wallet is gone, but I did find the new one after about a week after it went missing and the glasses turned up as well.  To be honest, I didn't find the wallet, Leta did.

Leta and I and my mom, started going to "Step and Stretch" class at the senior center.  Ok, I only went once but mom went twice and we are going to make a commitment to go more often in August.  We also did a little bit of Yoga at home last evening.

Not only did I set some goals for my running, I also made up training schedules for the "Gem of the Hill - 10K(!)" and one for Leta for the Mile fun run.  I'm pretty excited about the event!  Here are the schedules:
http://www.editgrid.com/user/tgriffin55/Training_-_Gem_of_Hill_Country  Please encourage Leta to help her earn her first  "race shirt"!

This race is held up in Mason, Texas and Mason is home to Blue Topaz, which is the state's gemstone.  I had hoped Leta and I could stay in a Bed and Breakfast there, do some Gem mining and get some jewelry made, and do the race.  Unfortunately, we aren't going to have the funds to do all that, but maybe we will be able to at least go gem hunting (at the very least, we can do some window shopping for jewelry).



I worked on a budget and also an taking an online class through HEB entitled Ready - Set - Save, a mini Dave Ramsey class.  I feel a lot of hope and encouragement after massaging the numbers for the month of August, although it would be nice if the income part was larger!  I signed up for a weekly money devotion, which I hope will encourage Leta and I and will strengthen our relationship and reinforce our determination to change our money stewardship.  Please keep us in prayers in this also!

We also are scheduled for an inspection on our apartment around the middle of the month, so we have some 'purging' to do which I hope will help us declutter our lives.

So all in all July was a great month and we are starting August with lots of potential for improvement and stepping out in the right direction in our journey for health and financial fitness!

Well gotta run!

Freedom Day 4 Miler Race Report.

It was a short night.  Got off work at 11:30 PM came home.  Made dinner and watched a movie.  Organized racing paraphernalia so wouldn't be too stressed in the morning.  Finally went to bed around 2 or 3 AM.  First Alarm went off at 5AM ...Hit the snooze button...a couple of times!  Finally staggered out of bed and got Leta up and moving.  I was taking Leta so I could snooze whilest she drove me to the race....ahhh you know what the say about the best laid plans.   Anyhow, she wasn't feeling real well and had taken meds for her headache, in addition to her 'normal' meds, so I ended up driving.

We both needed caffeine (to understate the obvious!), but since we were already running late, I didn't want to head through town to our McDonalds, so I thought we would stop at the one in Comfort, which is on the way.  We got to Comfort and pulled up to the Drive Thru order station, after waiting about 5 minutes without anyone taking our order or even acknowledging we were their, we pulled over to the gas pumps, as we needed fuel.  (Note to Self- next time make sure fuel is in the car prior to race day!)  I started the pump and and gave Leta the debit card to go get the coffee and Coke.

I finished pumping the gas and got back in the car, and pulled over to the MacDonald's...and waited...and waited and waited, finally Leta came up and although she had the drinks, she was upset because it took so long, the workers didn't speak English, the place was filthy and even the customers were arguing in the store. As we started off and were getting on the highway, I realized I didn't know what I had done with my wallet.  I stopped on the entrance ramp and hopped out of the car, because I could remember placing it on the roof of the car, as I got the gas.  Leta looked in the back seat and said "its on the floor in the back".  I glance back there and will swear I saw it too.  I jumped back in the car and off we flew towards San Antonio.

Part of my preparation for the race was jotting directions on a sheet of paper to the race location,AND downloading the GPS and driving instructions into my new "droid" smart phone.  Unfortunately I knew I had the phone which will tell you things like "in a quarter mile turn left onto the ramp" so my notes I wrote by hand were rather cryptic (errr sounds alot better than "messy", ok "unreadable").  I knew how to get very close to the event (held this year at Heros' Stadium in San Antonio) but not the final .5 miles which had about 6 turns!  In any case as we approached the final half mile, I handed Leta the phone, which had been resting on my leg the entire trip from Comfort to San Antonio, so she could relay the directions.  Of course the phone shuts off as I hand it too her!  So I pull over on the exit ramp, and find my hand written notes!  Turn left on to Starlight instead of right onto 1000 Oaks (which is the address of the stadium!)  Turn left again.... only problem I made the 2nd left about 1000 feet too soon and got on a "highway" and could only look down at the stadium and the people streaming to the race!

Now in San Antonio, the generally don't like the concept of "blocks" so it is sometimes difficult to just "go around the block" to get back to where you need to be, but in this one case, we finally lucked out and were able to circle back to the stadium.  I got parked and made it over to the registration table and was one of the last ones to pick up my packet (shirt, timing chip, etc).  Even that gave me a scare, as my was filed out of order and it took the official 3 or 4 tries to find it, even though there were only like 10 other packets there!  I took the "goody" bag back to the car, and returned to the starting area and got there just as they finished the National Anthem, and then they started the race.

I loved the first part of the race as it was on grass and after walking 3 or 4 minutes I jogged the next 10 minutes.  My first mile was mile was 11:48!  Each progress mile was slower though and I finished with an average pace of 12:51.  The next part of the race was through the parking lot and around the stadium.  There was lots of water stations and even some shade.  Then after we had looped around a  bit we head up a hill! Yikes!  Our own "Heartbreak Hill".  I even passed "Scotty" ("The Cancer Guy" I've chased for a couple of years!....I even thought I might beat him to finish... Since he was still stopping to take pictures and meet with people!  Alas he got me on the final leg home....

I finished felling pretty good, and again they handed out chilled wet washcloths at the finish line.  I headed back to the car and we looked for the wallet again, and now we couldn't find it.  So we stopped at the gas station and McDonalds to see if anyone had found it, and retraced our steps looking in and along the road for it, but never did see any sign of it.  I made it home just in time to take a shower and headed to work, wearing my new (and very cool) tshirt from the race, as we could wear anything that was red, white and blue!

May Review

May was a good month for me. I have gotten more serious about my 'life style choices', meaning I have been   watching my diet and exercising more.  I ended the month right at 200 lbs.  I got in 6 runs for 13.5 miles and 3.6 hours.  Plus went swimming at least once.  Ran in 3 5.k's and signed up for 1 more 5.k (next Saturday) and a four mile race on the Fourth of July.  Erica and I ran this race 2 years ago it.  It will be interesting to see if there has been progression or regression on my running!

Well gotta run!

1..2...3...What a Great Weekend!

I hope your weekend was as good as mine.

It didn't begin so well as I had to work late on Friday night to close up the bookkeeping office and left work late.  Normally that wouldn't bother me at all, but I had made a commitment to walk in the Relay for Life event for the American Cancer Society.  I felt bad,  when my Team Leader called the store and told me I didn't have to come as the event was winding down.  Things sure looked up after that though.  :-)  We watched "Casablanca" after I got home, and thoroughly enjoyed it.


I  had both Saturday and Sunday off.

 First, I got an unexpected refund from the IRS.  Guess the left hand didn't know what the right hand was doing over there!  We were able to pay some bills and purchase a few needed (and even some not so needed) items.  Including a new 'smart phone' for me!  Later, I'll explain how smart it really is!

For 3 weeks in a row I have participated in a 5-k event.  I just walked the one this Saturday morning (it was sponsored by the HEB store, for HEB partners and their families.  It didn't cost anything and they provided the water and fresh fruit after the 'race'.  That you HEB 561!

Later that afternoon I called mom and we were able to treat her to a nice dinner at Bajas Grill in downtown Fredericksburg.  Even mom enjoyed the food, including the jicama slaw.  I had a pulled pork sandwich with sweet-potato fries!  Yum!  Leta and Mom had a Bacon, Lettuce and Avocado sandwich.  After we finished dinner we went for a ride and drove out to Luckenbach, where unbeknownst to us, there was a huge motorcycle rally going on.  We headed back into town and had SNT (Saturday Night Treat) at the local dairy queen. 

Sunday we got up and headed into San Antonio.  Called Erica and Tom and agreed to meet them at Henri's Puffy Tacos, as it was Cinco de Mayo and Leta needed to "have herself a margarita."  Erica said she and Tom just happened to be on their way over there!  She called back a few minutes later to inform us that Henri's was closed.  So she suggested we meet at The Alamo Cafe.  Leta thought she knew where it was, but after we got off the highway it wasn't where she expected it.  So I get out my new phone, hit a button that said "Navigation" and say into the phone "Alamo Cafe, San Antonio, Texas."  2 locations pop on my screen and I select the one we want.  The phone then displays a map, showing the route and directions to the restaurant!  As we navigate our way to our destination the phone says "arriving at destination, on right".

We had a nice meal with Erica and Tom and invited them to come out next weekend to spend some time with us, before Erica has to head to Baltimore for her "extership."

Then we went to Dicks Sporting goods and I got shorts (finally) and a tech running shirt.  Then we headed over to JoAnn Fabric and got a few items,  The Christian Book store and picked up a couple of books I "needed" and finally we swung by Office max and picked up a file storage box, to help us ...organize!  No really, we will get organized this time, AND do the craft project(s) from Jo Ann's!!

This morning I got up, downloaded a couple more "apps" to the phone, i.e. Mapmyrun and Myfitnesspal.  Then I put on my new workout clothes and went for a 30 minute 2 mile "run".  The Mapmyrun tracked my run, time and calories and automatically uploaded the information to my account with them on the internet!

Now I've completed my blog entry and have to get ready to go to work.  So I say;

"Bye for Now...Gotta run"

Tom

Race Report for 2 Weeks in a Row (or What, Lost again?)

Two weeks in a row!  First the good news.  I have participated in a run for two weekends in a row now here in Fredericksburg!  Last week was the Miles for Marley Run.  What a fun filled, family orientated event, and for a great cause.  After the run, there was frozen yogurt  and  BBQ!  This weekend I ran the Wildflower Run and had a good time (get the pun, my running friends? :-) ).  Met up with several of the "gals" from work and there were several others from HEB running as well.  Also, I got beat by the "cancer guy" ....AGAIN, and yes he was still stopping to take pictures and to encourage others.  The bad new,  I have managed to get "off course" (for those of you who know me, I sure this comes as a complete shock!) and get lost at both races!  

Miles for Marley -Logo on the course 

During the Miles for Marley race, I think I was too busy encouraging, or being encouraged by my coworker, Sandra (ok we were talking and not paying attention to the arrows marking the course).  We ended up missing a turn for the 5k and finished the race with the people running the mile route.  I KNEW we messed up somewhere when I saw the finish line and the clock said 24 minutes!  We even beat Sandra's daughter to the finish line!  I think we walked about a mile and a half.   I decided to re-walk the course so I could claim the 5k but I didn't time myself.   So I'm calling it a "NOT" (No Official Time) as opposed to a DNF (Did Not Finish)!

We did it...and we survived!  2013 Wildflower Run

Yesterday, at the Wildflower Run almost everyone missed a turn, because the arrow marking the turn for the 5K was missing.  I thought it was odd that there was an arrow for the "Mile Fun Run" but nothing for the 5 and 10K.  Everyone was ended down the street when a the leaders were heading back yelling "turn around  5k and 10K is the other way".  It was a bit chaotic and after the race the serious racers were a bit (!) upset.  I only went about a block and half the wrong way though so I'm not complaining.  I also think even with the "extra" leg, the course is not a full 5k.  My garmin watch indicates that I ran only 2.58 miles and had a pace of 13:46/mile, which sounds correct.  My official pace is was something like 11:19 which would be close to a PR for me, and being so humid and my lack of ummm trainning, make me doubt the 11:19.  I also thought the course was short last year!  It was still a great time though!

Next week our store is having its own 5k so I'm going for 3 weeks in a row! 

Well, gotta run!