Black Friday 2008

Even after getting up to run 13 miles yesterday, Chris made his way out before 5:00 am for his Black Friday shopping ritual. He had a short but specific list and wanted to hit 3-4 stores.Home Depot and Lowe’s were uneventful and had what he needed. He headed over to the Zoo (a.k.a Wal-Mart) where hundred’s of heavy set ladies donning their best capri’s raced him for the digital camera I had my heart set on to give for a gift.

Chris made his way through the eager shoppers roaring at the sight of store employees rolling back prices. He got to the cameras just as the last 3 units were snatched up a lady that was easily two and a half times his size. He was no match for her girth.Leaving the store he browsed a bit more but more so enjoyed the shoppers excitedly filling and guarding their grocery carts with more rollback savings!

On a serious note: Our condolences to the family, friends, and fellow employees of the gentlemen who was trampled on and killed during a Black Friday rage at a Wal-Mart in NY today. In light of this tragedy, Chris is glad he did not make any purchases at Wal-Mart. Next year armed guards might be in order.

Outback Thanksgiving Day ½ Marathon

This was the first Thanksgiving, in a few years that Chris and I were in the country, in the past years we were traveling home from Jamaica. We headed to the sunshine state for some warmth, to see the Grands, Samira, Craig and co, and then go to Disney World. We got lucky because this race was on Thanksgiving Day and I cannot think of a way better to start my holiday off than good exercise.

This ½ marathon was put together by 1st Place Sport running stores w locations all over Jacksonville. Craig and Margaret ran the 6k and Chris and I headed out for the ½ marathon. The weather started off around 45 degrees but it was sunny and with a flat course ahead we couldn’t ask for a better running race.

For 13.1 miles we enjoyed views of the homes along the St. Johns’ river in Mandarin, an area I had never been in during my 9-years in Jacksonville. The race was a big loop, which took us through beautiful and historic riverfront neighborhoods and under the Buchman Bridge twice. The weather was perfect and although it took me over 2 hours to run this race, I never walked and only stopped stretch and refuel twice. Moreover, I felt pretty good the rest of the day and great the next day. Chris ran this race without a lick of training, fighting a bad cough, and smoked it in under 2 hours. Another medal for his “I Love Me wall”.

Craig and Margaret finished in 30 and 40 minutes respectably; unfortunately we did not get to see them this morning. Norah and her Grands kindly met us at the finish line where we took photos to remember this event by. We both liked the course, the weather, and will be back to run it again next year.

GAOC at Sope Creek

Temperatures started out in the low 30’s today but since this orienteering event was practically in our backyard, Chris got up and out to run it. This GAOC event was held at the PaperMill trail head at Sope Creek along the Chattahoochee River. Chris’s friends Lisa and Chris Randall put this event on and our friend Julia worked it. Battling a horrible cough and making a terrible mistake Chris finished the event but unfortunately did not so as well as he would have like too.

However, around 2:00 pm Norah joined the event where she and Chris ran the white course. The afternoon brought sun and warmth and being in the woods in the fall air was invigorating. They started out a few minutes late but easily snatched up the flags. In an hour they circled the pond for two checkpoints and the surrounding trail for the rest. Proudly Norah completed this course collecting all the flags and finished w her Dad placing 5 out 21!

Battle At Big Creek Trail Run

We took part in the Dirty Spokes Productions XTERRA GA Trail Run Series at the "Battle At Big Creek – 3.5 miles & 7.0 miles Trail Run" on the MTB trails at Big Creek Trails in Roswell Area.

Chris did the 3.5-mile race, which was a single outer loop of the MTB trail, and I did it twice for 7 miles. The MTB trail at Big Creek has a couple steep climbs but mostly just very loose rocky surfaces. The race started on the Alpharetta Greenway (concrete) and then quickly hit trail, which was very tight and twisty with lots of rocks.

From Battle At Big Creek Trail Run

I paced myself and at first several people passed me but 20 minutes into it I was passing a lot of those people. As we finished up the first loop blisters popped up but I wasn't surprised I had my new wool Swiftwick socks on and worn out trail shoes.

I began my second loop and about 10 minutes later Chris appeared and joined me for much of this loop cutting the trail when he could because he didn't need to run it again! About a mile from the finish my feet felt like they were running across the rocks barefoot and it was torture, clearly I needed different socks and new trail sneakers for this trail!

From Battle At Big Creek Trail Run

Two minutes later I finished with a time of 1:45. Although I was happy to finish, I was disappointed 7 miles took me so long to run. Later during the awards ceremony we found out that we had ACTUALLY run 4.5 miles and 9 miles respectively, the RAMBO guys might have played a little trick on the runners, argh! We also found out that Chris placed second in his A/G when he got a nice medal.

From Battle At Big Creek Trail Run

From Battle At Big Creek Trail Run

It was a beautiful day for a race, we got to meet the RAMBO guys, support Dirty Spokes and run with well over 200 runnrs at Big Creek, a good work out and a lot of fun, we would do it again, although I think we prefer riding those trails!

From Battle At Big Creek Trail Run

Alpharetta Century

Yesterday I finished my first (and last) century for 2008. I knew about this ride for well over a month but still waited until the 11th hour to prep all the while trick or treating and attending a neighborhood Halloween party with Norah and Brig.

My chain was dirty and my bottom bracket was not spinning smoothly and I needed a new one. I loaded the bike, gathered a pile of bike clothes, set the alarm for 7 a.m. and got to bed too late!

Leaving a warm bed for a cold ride is difficult. Add 70 miles to my normal ride and call it a challenge. Nevertheless I made it with enough time to suit up (without overdressing for the warm day ahead) and ready to tackle the 36 degree weather, NOT counting the wind chill.

We started a bit after 8:00 a.m. and temps dropped to 34 degrees. The course soon pointed downward and even though I had sunglasses, I felt like my eyes were starting to freeze. I couldn't feel my thumbs, but was better off than others that were wearing open finger gloves.

Soon uphills cut the wind chill and increased my body temperature. The temperature also climbed to over 40 degrees and I started to warm up. I rode with a group for the first 18 miles where a sag provided quick food and facilities. Then I rode solo which was difficult until the group caught me. We rode on and then after a few map checks and a steep hill that cut through a gorgeous farm, we arrived to rest stop 2, cool. Only 15 more miles and we turn around! At this point several riders turned off to due the metric (100k, or 62 miles.) Oh well, I didn't get up early on a Saturday to ride 62 miles. I'm going for the whole thing.

From there three of us rode to the base of Burnt Mountain with the warmer weather and the biggest climb of the day. The climb got steep. Off in the distance I could see a HIGH radio tower which seemed to be the top of the climb. Remembering my new cell phone had music I turned on the speaker and cranked new Metallica which propelled me up the steep grade. My new iding partners were way ahead of me.

After a few 8 minute Metallica songs, I got closer to the radio tower. A hundred feet higher and I got to a SAG! I grabbed a little food and water and was again on my bike. 50 miles down, 50 to go.

The descent is not the steepest and not too curvy so I maintained my speed of 40 mph for most of it. At the bottom I noticed the temperature reached 77 degrees, nice.

For the remainder of the ride I rode solo and climbed more big hills. The weather allowed me to remove my ziplock baggie show covers and peeled off other layers and then finished up. My total time was about 7:10 and my ride time was about 6:30. This was my second fastest century out of a total of five. However my fastest was only 7 minutes faster but with 2,500 less feet of climbing. So I'd say this is my best century so far! Looking forward to a shower and getting back to my warm bed!