Fun Run plan for 2014

Okay, I did this last year, whilst I was still in the heady throes of actually finishing my first fun run, so I am starting my plan for 2014.  I need to map out the fun runs I am interested in and will hopefully work towards so I can tick them off my list.  Remembering that somewhere along the line before September I am wanting to do a half marathon, eeeeek!  (before I'm 50)

So without further ado, here is the plan:

• 5 January :  Warrnambool Surf T Surf - 10 kilometre.  The Surf T Surf was my first serious fun run earlier this year and I only managed to walk/run the 6km.  I vowed I would be back in 2014 wearing the red bib this time, and by heck I am, because entry is in!

• ? February :  Noorat to Terang fun run - approx 6 kilometres.  A great local event running from one town to the next.  Got to enter the local events.

• ? February :  Derrinallum Market to Mount fun run - approx 5 kilometres.  Again, a local event, held for the first time in 2013.  Finishing at the top of Mount Elephant.  I nearly killed myself last year getting up that freaking mount in the early morning heat.  But having done it once, there's that itch that must be scratched, and I'll once again support a local event.

• 23 March :  The Great Rail Run - Queenscliff to Drysdale - 17 kilometres.  Could be a good lead in to next month, eeek!   I don't know anything about this event but just saw it on a running calendar.  A bit like the puffing billy run (although a lot flatter than the Dandenongs), the challenge is to beat the steam train to Drysdale.

• 27 April :  Geelong Half Marathon.  I'm putting this down as a possibility.  The thought of running a half marathon in front of family in my home town is quite intoxicating, but it will depend on if I feel like I'm ready for a half.  I know, I know, what's stopping me right?  It's just the thought of it that is sending my head into a spin.

• ? May :  Run the Gap - 11 kilometres.  The 2013 event I did the 6km, I said this year I wanted to do the 11 next year so that I will.  Not sure of the date yet.  A really well run event with a great atmosphere in the most beautiful setting.

• 11 May :  Mothers Day Class in Geelong - 8 kilometres.  Mum came to this one with me earlier this year, all decked out in pink, and had a wow of a time, and was so proud to see me run.  She's already asked me if we can do it again next year.  Talk about a cheer squad.  

• 27 July :  Run Melbourne.  If I don't quite make the training to do the Geelong Half, then this is the half marathon I'll be doing.  Heck, I might even do the Geelong half AND this one!  Stay tuned.

• 18 October :  Dunkeld Mosaic to Mountain - 10 kilometres.  Loved this race this year, my first 10km race.  Will definitely be back in 2014 for it.

[[ Disclaimer : List subject to change if I chicken out of any!!! ]]

Back into it

Okay I've settled back down, no jetlag to speak of, and I'm back into it.  I'm not doing the current round of 12wbt, but I feel strong and in control, so we will see how I go.

Whilst I was away I was thrilled to fit some runs in - only four runs over the three weeks, and all between 4-5 kilometres each, but the thought I was on holidays and I was happy to run is a great thing.  I would shout out "good morning" to anyone who passed me by, with a smile on my face.

I ran in - San Diego, Clearwater, Savannah and Houston.  And I'll save those maps from my runkeeper to put in my holiday album.  Fun fun.

And one of the VERY PLEASANT surprises of being away, is that I have come back weighing 700 grams less.  Yay me.

Whilst away I did take care with what I was eating and indulged in some beautiful and very yummy salads.   Although one of my salads, including candied pecans in a salad was a wee bit much!  Having said that I did want to try the food of the deep south and so did on one very special night at a lovely restaurant tried fried chicken, mashed potato, collard greens and grits, with a side of fried green tomatoes.  It was just one of those moments in time I wanted to experience.  And it was delicious.  Probably because we ate this at a very nice ritzy chi chi pooh pooh restaurant, rather than a diner somewhere.

So whilst also indulging during this holiday, we walked A LOT.  Always on the go somewhere, you don't realise how many kilometres you are clocking up.  And drank a lot of water too.  There's a section in my camera bag on the outside to hold a water bottle so I was always taking a swig, so probably easily drink 1-2 litres each day whilst on the go.  Plus the weather (despite them heading into winter) was warm where I was travelling, and at times in Florida downright hot, so that assisted with the water drinking.

I have always said that travel is not just about the sights and sounds and people, it's also about the eating experiences, and I did experience what I wanted to and ate wonderful food but did it wisely, and weighing myself that next morning after getting home, not knowing what to expect, it was a really pleasant surprise.

So even though now I'm not doing 12wbt this round, I will still be accountable and weigh in every Wednesday morning.  I have our local 12wbt facebook group to keep me honest.

Plus yesterday I have entered into the Surf T Surf at Warrnambool run to be held at the start of January.  Earlier this year it was my first serious fun run and I ran/walked the 6km, completely in awe of those people wearing the red bib running the 10km.  Next year I'll be one of those people.  It's a hard course because it's hilly, so there are a lot of hill training days in my near future.

Settled back home

The last of my travel chat, then back into the fitness...

It hasn't been that bad actually, I didn't really get jet lag at all, either way.  Tired sure, but nothing like I have had in the past.  When we went to the USA we landed at 6.30am and made sure we stayed up to about 11pm that first night to get straight onto the time zone.  Worked a treat.

Likewise coming home, leaving LA at 11.30pm and travelling through the night and after 14 and a half hours later landing at 10am, I slept most of the way home, or what could be loosely termed as sleep, you know your eyes are shut, you kind of hear noise around you but you still lose track of time.  So stayed up till just after 9pm here at home on Saturday night and have hit the ground running since then.  Not bad!

Lucky has been beside himself with me home.  When we pulled into  the driveway (after that horrendously rainy trip from Melbourne, it hadn't rained at home), Mike let Molly and Lucky out of the back yard and I was still up at the front gate.  He ran as fast as his little legs would carry him and nearly bowled me over in the process, so excited.  He followed me everywhere on Saturday, I couldn't even go to the loo without coming out and him still sitting outside the door.  Even going to bed just after 9pm, he came up to the bedroom with me and hopped straight up onto the end of the bed and slept by my feet.  I have had a little shadow the last few days.

Molly is happy to see me.  The cat, eh, she doesn't give a flying hoot, not that she shows anyway.

Mike took a photo of Lucky while I was away.  This was what he did most days.  Just sat in the driveway, one eye on the back door, but the other on the gate.  Just waiting.  It was a long wait for the little boy.

Not the greatest pic of me, looking a bit travel weary, but this was after he nearly bowled me over after seeing me for the first time in three weeks, happy to have his mum back.  

Now to work out which way to jump.  I want to start on my photo book for my holiday, but I'm a bit paralysed not knowing how I'm going to proceed.  I'll sort it out I'm sure.

But first things first, it's nearly the end of November people!  Ack!  I hadn't put any thoughts into a Christmas card for this year.  So armed with a santa hat and camera and lots and lots of treats, lets just say that 20 looooooong minutes after I had my pic.  You'll have to wait and see.  But the order button has been pressed and I got in just as Snapfish had a 40% off sale.  Yay.  Looking forward to seeing it in print.

And then Mike's dad rang today wanting to get the family together on 15th December for an early Christmas, so we could all be there together.  Another ack!  That means I have only until then to get our Christmas shopping done for that side of the family.  Arrrrrrggggghhhh!!!!  (And why is it that *I* am the one that does the Christmas shopping, hmmm??  Mike says "oh but you enjoy it, I don't want to take that pleasure away from you", yeah right!)

I did however enter a fun run today, so something to train for.  More about that later.

Home, exhausted

Stayed awake as long as I could but off to bed now.  

Customs was a nightmare with three jumbos landing at the same time or thereabouts.  Mike was waiting at one of the international doors and I came out a wee bit up further and he missed me, so got a shock when I rang him and was just about behind him!

Oh what a sight for sore eyes.  Big PDA in the airport! Ha. 

What a shock for the system though with this...

Eeeeek!!  

So tired I'm dizzy so off to bed.  Oh Nd Lucky nearly knocked me over getting to me, ran the full length of the driveway.  Now I can't even go to the loo without him following me.  Funny.

The last cuppa!!

Ha!  Play on words there for my Pastor friend Lisa Beth.  When I said we would have 'The Last Cuppa' instead of 'The Last Supper' she nearly fell about laughing.

Here we are at the airport before the tears started...

Rewind a bit.  

Ended up needing another smallish (read 'smallish' Mike, no need to fret) suitcase to get my goodies home.  My case almost exploded in the bedroom, there was no way it was going to close.   So all ready to go.

I can say the American economy has done well with me for sure, lots of pressies in these bags for you Mike!!  And thankfully jewellery for me packs small (giggle!!)

So we get to the airport about 11am or so as Lisa Beth is heading to Baltimore for a conference.  Thank you James for driving!  I was happy to see her off and just hang, got me a book, a magazine and free wifi.  So I see if I can check in early (flight to LA not till 6.55) to save lugging my cases around, and the lady suggested getting me on an earlier flight.  "Hey you may as we'll hang around LAX than Houston, get yourself a nice meal and maybe see a movie star".  I thanked her very much, put my order in for George Clooney and win-win my flight is the same time as Lisa Beth's just in a different terminal.

Silly cow in a space suit at the airport, those crazy Houstonians!!! Or is it Houstonites??

So we split the difference in terminals and both went through security and went to the middle terminal for a cuppa (mind you this airport is huge!!). Time came to say goodbye, or well we will say farewell for now.  A few tears later and we parted to our respective terminals.

So now I'm on my way to LA ready for my next leg home to Melbourne.  That flight isn't until 11pm or so, hmmmm gives me more time for duty free shopping!  

Up above the clouds, so pretty, I want to bottle the colour of the sky...

Decided to perform 'wing watch' for the pilot so I could sound the alert if it dropped off!!  Somewhere in the middle of someplace...

Hello LA!  Wing is still on Mr Pilot, you're doing a good job!

So I'm here and having a wander through the shops at the airport, got oh about another 6 hours to kill!

Back again ... I have sat, and walked, and eaten, and walked, and made phone calls, and walked, and played on the net, and walked, and here it is 9.15pm and flight leaves at 11.30pm, I'm in the home stretch.  I dare not close my eyes in case I miss the boarding call, and I am so hanging out to get on that plane for sleep glorious sleep (being that I'm still running on 2 hours ahead Houston time)!  Mike keeps sending me text messages telling me to hang in there, and just quietly checking I'm still awake and haven't had my bags stolen out from under me I think.

The duty free shopping is not much chop, unless you want perfume, booze or ultra expensive watches.  Bit disappointing, no camera gear here at all.  Oh well.

Okay well signing out here, bye bye USA, catch you on the flip side.

Last full day in the States

Start the trek home tomorrow, and think we have both hit the wall with our on the go sightseeing. Leaving tomorrow works in well with Lisa Beth as she heads off also flying to Baltimore for a conference. Perfect.

Today has been spent at the shopping mall. Checking out shops that I read about in magazines or see on American shows on telly.  Macys, Gap, JCPenneys, the gorgeous Anthropologie.  Completely rapt that I got to add another Santa to my Jim Shore collection at $25!! (same piece in Ausyralia would be around $75!!) I got some other remaining items I wanted to get, including another small case, and then my shopping enabler took me to an amazingly gorgeous jewelry shop and it was my downfall, I bought a gorgeous necklace and earrings.  Totally beautiful.

Santa was a bit lonely, desperately wanted someone to talk to!!

Had a lovely lunch and home to pack.  And then there were two cases!!  Don't know how that happened.

Quick stop at the supermarket.  How are these crazy cat Americsns, pumpkin in a can!!

James came home from work early and had planned to show us his culinary expertise in the kitchen for our last meal together and made the most delish spaghetti bolognese ever.

Cheers for our last meal together...

So tomorrow may be a bit of a whirlwind. I will be getting to the airport at the same time as Lisa Beth so I'm armed with mags to wait for my 6.30 flight.  Tried to check in tonight but either I have no idea how to or I've just checked in twenty times!!!  As long as my plane doesn't leave without me again!!

Another beautiful day in Houston

LisaBeth and I started today up and early before the weather got steamy and went for a run.  How wonderful to be running together, we have talked of it and now another thing ticked off the list.  There's a great nature reserve to run through, and open spaces, and through the suburban streets with the iconic yellow school bus picking up the kids for school.

We both have snazzy runners!!

We headed on to Old Town Spring for a look around and to meet Sarah from the Designer Digitals team who wasn't able to make it to Florida.  I wasn't going to miss this chance so we made a lunch date.  We met at Wunschees, I think that's how to spell it.  And what a treasured time it was to spend with Sarah and her four children.  Lisa Beth and I were touched that K made us both a friendship bracelet, that was really special.

And in a group photo I told the kids to be serious and then we could be goofy.  Love it!!

Thanks Sarah and kids (I won't pop your names on here in case your mum doesn't want me to) loved meeting you all.

Now, Old Town Spring is not the same as the other Old Towns we have visited.  It's bright and colourful and ready for the festive season.  So much colour.

Then after Old Town Lisa Beth and I headed to the Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens.  What a beautiful haven this is, flowers and plants from all over the world co-existing beautifully with each other.

This one I remember was called a Bat Face something or other, very bat like to look at.

And this one is a Texan Loblolly Pine.

And this little fellow posed for me in the sun before he took off once I had clicked the shutter.

Now back here at home and looking at the state of my exploded suitcase I am going to have to go shopping for another checked luggage piece, I'm pretty pleased with the new runners I have purchased, can't wait to try those babies out!