Thanksgiving Day 2009: I have no idea what today's "date" is. It's just "day next". I am not thankful that the back tire on my trike is unattached. I have zero idea how this occured. I rode once post OBX marathon and everything seemed "fine". I haven't been satisfied w/ the tune-up that was done in this town pre-marathon.

A friend will be returning to town tomorrow and I'll see if the two of us can get the tire re-attached to the trike. If not, I'll pack it up for the trip back to MI in a couple weeks.

I am grateful this semester is nearly over. I am amazed at how exhausted teaching one class makes me. The teaching part is fun. The prep and grading papers, projects, etc is not fun or fast. Class time seems to fly by too quickly. The information in the papers & projects is meaningful. I could spend days literally responding to points made in a single paper. Balance.

I believe I've established routine, but not balance. I'm better at looking at my schedule in the mornings to see where I have to be and doing what. The majority of time I remember to take my Rx b/f my body screams at me for forgetting.

I did not eat cafeteria food all week last week. I feel better inside. Healthier, even though I was eating salads over there. I'm going to continue this new routine and see if I will begin to feel more better.

Blessings Abound!
~A~

11/08/09: 26.2 miles + 3 or so miles

Had a fantastic time! The OBX Marathon organizers went above & beyond to make this a memorable event. I had 2 bicyclists escort me the entire route. We started 10 minutes before the actual start time so not to be in the way of the elite runners. Around the 1/2 way point we began passing 1/2 marathoners. DO NOT wear headphones of any type when exercising outdoors. Runners could not hear the bikers yelling, "Bikes on your left - move!" At times they literally pushed people out of our way.

The finish line came way too quickly. I did not keep track of the miles passed, just enjoyed the perfect weather and beautiful scenery. Of course, I did not have my camera w/ me b/c I didn't want to stop to take pics. Since I wasn't mentally prepared for the finish corral to be right around the corner I wasn't psychologically prepared to be done. Done. That simple.

Triking a marathon is vastly different from running one. Triking provided me VIP treatment. Running is everyone on their own. W/ running, there is the challenge of getting ahead of the person in front of me. W/ triking, getting in front of a slow 1/2 marathoner was an not fair advantage. Even climbing the bridge, I was a bit faster than most of the runners. I have to use my right arm to add pump motion to my right leg when climbing hills. I met a couple from Cleveland, OH while climbing the bridge. They left yucky weather in OH and was thrilled w/ the picture perfect, cloudless, blue sky day on the OBX. W/ running, there is always someone in every direction of my body. W/ triking, there was me, Robert, & Chad. We stopped for about 45 seconds near the Wright Memorial for the men to use the "nice" restroom facility. They each took another turn for urine relief on the rest of the trip. I think I was on so many meds, I didn't need any breaks. W/ running, it is common to see runners relieving their bladders behind trees, on the sides of the course, anywhere, especially if there is a line at the port-a-potties. I missed that experience since I was triking well ahead of the full marathoners. W/ running, every step of the last few miles is a physical cry for the torture to end and the finish line to hurry up and appear. W/ triking, I never even envisioned the finish line - hadn't even considered it really. Suddenly, it was there. My escorts were gone and it was all over. I wasn't ready. W/ running, my body would be completely aching for food, hydration, comfort, sleep, etc. W/ triking, I was a little thirsty & determined to eat the celebratory bagel and orange slices (there was other food available).

It amazes me that people would want to drink beer after a grueling workout. They've just put their body into dehydration mode and then to consume beer adds to the dehydration. Doesn't make sense to me. The bananas, peanut butter, carbs, oranges (sugar) - those make sense. Gatorade, water, yes. But not beer.

Well, now to decide on my next challenge. I think the greatest challenge, personally right now, is to decide where to plant myself come Januaray 2010. Deciding on my next triking goal will be a little easier. I believe I'll work toward a 50-miler. I need to find the point where my body is physically exhausted. Hitting the wall. The 37 mile jaunt did make me mentally hit the wall. And I survived it. It will be very easy to settle into apathy. And that even sounds tempting. In the meantime. . .

Blessings Abound!

~A~

11/07/09 - a few miles on the OBX! Met up w/ one of the bicyclists who will be riding w/ me, er, I mean I'm riding w/ them, but they are going at my pace. They (2 w/me) are the lead crew for the marathon. This is new for me to be UP FRONT, hopefully, the entire event. I'll miss rehearsing, "just get around that next person" - I won't see anyone in front of me :-( However, there will be elite runners (attempting to set records and go on to Boston) who will be pushing my tail. I hope my furling flag doesn't get in their faces :-)

Tomorrow is 26.2+. I'm ready mentally and physically. Ready to be done, too.

Blessings Abound!!
~A~

11/05/09 - 9 miles.

Thought this was in right direction when I uploaded it - turn your computer screen to see it. Very creative.

Blessings Abound (even when it seems a stretch to call "it" a blessing)!

~A~

I forgot to say ............................
.................. in the previous post.

Tuesday, 11/03/09 = 7 miles
Saturday, 10/31/09 = 16 miles

I know I've triked since 10/03. Guess just been too focused on training and not recording. Or perhaps I recorded and it's lost out in cyberworld.

THE EVENT is this coming Sun, 11/08 @ 7:20 am. I'm really thankful the organizers are permitting me to participate. Two from a bicycling group will ride w/ me to provide support. I guess I'll have to give the details once the event is completed. I cannot comprehend it yet. All I know is that I will be triking at the lead of a marathon. My finish time will not be computed against the runners' times; I have an advantage over them :-) This is their event. I get to "play" during this event - not race the person in front of me.

I am a tad bit anxious. I need to stay well in front of the runners and not get in their way. Imagine running along, in a "zone", and then BAM! falling over a slow triker. Wouldn't be good.

Following are some pics from last 2 trikes. Fall is here.

My friend, B, rode w/ me on Sat. This ride was for leisure; I didn't make B race w/ me, as I do w/ my frd, F.

This is a really cool house. Pink paint. Sublte pink. Very classy. And the pumpkins were not your typical round, happy pumpkins. These were bumpy, knotty, hardy.

This is a holly tree. Right now the berries are orange.

This family went all out in making their fall decos symmetrically organized. Several other displays adorned their yard. A bit OCD, but beautiful to gaze upon. "Today's catch" will return. This fishing boat was departing out to sea this morning. I imagine it will return w/ this evening's dinner.

Gotta take my trike back to the cycle place in town. They did a "tune-up" last week. The repair person said he does not want to work on my trike again - "too complicated" "took too much time". He got paid for his time. I cannot believe people complain about getting business!!!! Well, something in that tune "up" is causing my trike to function "down". I will take it back and get the major squealing out of my R front tire (huh, that's my limb that doesn't function so well - ha). There was zero squealing pre-tune-up. This squealing is so loud I want earplugs. Not good.

Oh, one more thing. As I was returning to home base, a work crew was demolishing a house. One of the men commented, "That thar looks like a real nice ride." Yes, it is (sans the squealing).

Blessings Abound!

~A~