Well happy birthday to me! Today did not go quite as planned, but it was just as good as the original plan. Yesterday afternoon the forecast for today indicated rain beginning in the early morning hours - heavy rain. The Mulligan Metric Marathon, which was the race on the schedule, was to go straight through a viaduct and with the weather there was concern that water would be rushing over the course. Definitely not safe. So the race director postponed the race by a week. A little rain, however, wasn't going to stop Brie and I from getting in a decent run anyway.
So maybe it wasn't the metric marathon, and maybe it wasn't a super long jog, but we still got out in the rain and cruised the streets of Annapolis, the Yard, the Academy bridge and back. It was close to 10 miles. Not bad for a run through the rain. Actually it was the great type of rain to run in if you have to run in rain. Not too hard, but more than a sprinkle. What made it the best way to start of my birthday was of course the conversation. Girl time if you will. Everything from this past week's GhostHunters episode that took place on the Yard (and no, I probably will not be running past the Naval Institute or the planes in front of family housing at night....not interested in running into that ghost) to the state of my worn out New Balance running capris.
To tell the truth, I've been complaining about those darn running capris for weeks. They are three years old...an age running capris should never make it to, but I just couldn't find new ones I liked. Until yesterday. When shopping at REI in Timonium I found a pair of Brooks I really liked. Did I buy them? Of course not. I knew I was headed to Falls Road Running Store to pick up my race packet for today and just figured I might find them there. Yeah, bad call. When I got in the car I had the email that the race was postponed, so no Falls Road Running. Today Brie said to me "why don't you just order them online?" That smart one in the group. And yes, Brie, I did go online and order the new Brooks running capris :) Happy trails!!!
Stats -
Miles: 9.3
Time: 1:25:18 (average pace of 9:10 per mile)
Location: Annapolis, the Yard, the bridge
Feeling: Wet, but all the muscles did all the right things
Showing posts with label USNA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label USNA. Show all posts
22 April 2012
19 April 2012
Attack of the killer...Mallard?...
I started today with a lot of different intentions, but I have to say the way it ended up (which wasn't in the plans) was so much better. First I was going to run during my lunch break today, but let's be honest, what lunch break? Then I was going to run through downtown Annapolis before a meeting this evening, but well, I needed to walk Duncan first. Then I was going to run through downtown Annapolis after my meeting, except I parked my car on the Yard (that would be the Naval Academy campus for the non-Annapolitans out there) and I was carrying a cookbook...don't ask. So, after my meeting I had a little pep talk with myself since I was waivering from running at all now that none of the plans seemed to work out. I convinced myself, even though the sun had set at this point (and you know my policy on night running...I'm a danger to myself) I would run the sidewalks and roads along the sea wall on the Yard.
Since I was parked in front of Halsey Field House, I took off toward the sea wall and was momentarily stunned by the mega yacht anchored off the end of Ego Alley, then I remembered I had ordered a pick up in style :) Okay, perhaps I'm hallucinating now but I did indulge in several minutes of pretending I owned the monster that I believe actually belongs to the owner of the Ravens (he anchors down in Annapolis part of the year). A few moments of indulgence was enough before I settled into enjoying the glassy surface of the Severn River lapping up against the sea wall.
If you've run the Yard, you know the typical sea wall route...bending in sight of Ego Alley, back behind Rip Miller field, down around the Santee boat basin, passed the Glen Warner soccer facility and so on. The one typical part of the jog I really don't like is the wooden footbridge that connects main campus with Hospital Point. I dread crossing it in the light of day, let alone the dead of night, but I sucked it up and cruised on across hoping all the boards would hold (I heard the Severn River is still pretty darn cold). Low and behold, it seems to hold together for me, so here's where my policy of no night running often comes in handy. If you are clumsy, you should not invite dangerous situations, like running the gravel path of the sea wall on Hospital Point at night with no guard railing and almost no lighting. There are two sides to this coin - the near pitch black really allows me to settle into the run and just enjoy the feeling, alternately, I am nearly shocked into the river by the mallard that decided to pop onto the path right in front of me in the pitch black. Yes, he had absolutely no fear of the runner pounding away along the path, and he had friends. Not one, but several. Ultimately I survived the ducks, but geez I jumped so high and far I nearly did go for that swim.
The rest of my run wasn't quite so dramatic. After curving along by the columbarium and back across the proper concrete bridge (as opposed to the wooden bridge), I reversed my path. What better way to get another look at my future yacht? All in all, I had a super pleasant jaunt and may eschew my night running policy again to take in the quiet solitude I had this evening. Happy trails!!!
Stats -
Miles: 4.53
Time: 38:46 (average pace of 8:33 per mile)
Location: US Naval Academy, aka the Yard
Feeling: Settled into my stride and loving life
Since I was parked in front of Halsey Field House, I took off toward the sea wall and was momentarily stunned by the mega yacht anchored off the end of Ego Alley, then I remembered I had ordered a pick up in style :) Okay, perhaps I'm hallucinating now but I did indulge in several minutes of pretending I owned the monster that I believe actually belongs to the owner of the Ravens (he anchors down in Annapolis part of the year). A few moments of indulgence was enough before I settled into enjoying the glassy surface of the Severn River lapping up against the sea wall.
If you've run the Yard, you know the typical sea wall route...bending in sight of Ego Alley, back behind Rip Miller field, down around the Santee boat basin, passed the Glen Warner soccer facility and so on. The one typical part of the jog I really don't like is the wooden footbridge that connects main campus with Hospital Point. I dread crossing it in the light of day, let alone the dead of night, but I sucked it up and cruised on across hoping all the boards would hold (I heard the Severn River is still pretty darn cold). Low and behold, it seems to hold together for me, so here's where my policy of no night running often comes in handy. If you are clumsy, you should not invite dangerous situations, like running the gravel path of the sea wall on Hospital Point at night with no guard railing and almost no lighting. There are two sides to this coin - the near pitch black really allows me to settle into the run and just enjoy the feeling, alternately, I am nearly shocked into the river by the mallard that decided to pop onto the path right in front of me in the pitch black. Yes, he had absolutely no fear of the runner pounding away along the path, and he had friends. Not one, but several. Ultimately I survived the ducks, but geez I jumped so high and far I nearly did go for that swim.
The rest of my run wasn't quite so dramatic. After curving along by the columbarium and back across the proper concrete bridge (as opposed to the wooden bridge), I reversed my path. What better way to get another look at my future yacht? All in all, I had a super pleasant jaunt and may eschew my night running policy again to take in the quiet solitude I had this evening. Happy trails!!!
Stats -
Miles: 4.53
Time: 38:46 (average pace of 8:33 per mile)
Location: US Naval Academy, aka the Yard
Feeling: Settled into my stride and loving life
11 March 2012
A day of joy and dark corners....
I am so grateful for many things in life Grateful for my family, grateful for my friends, grateful to live in financial security and grateful for my health. I am grateful that God has given us days to rest and days that try our limits. I have both of these to talk about today.
First the run...how is it possible to run for a little more than 9 miles and have it feel like you've been sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee? Run it with Brie. She is a kindred spirit and a phenomenal sounding board. She lives with passion and keeps you going. I don't get to spend enough time with her. We met up at her house at 7:30am (which is quite a feat on spring forward day) and headed out toward Navy-Marine Corps Stadium...which is my mothership during the fall months. Our run took us downtown, where the town was just waking up to another beautiful sun over the Bay and Severn River, and on through the Naval Academy. If you ever come to Annapolis and love to run, make sure you catch a few miles out at the Academy (though be ware the long wood bridge across the boat basin...if you are like me, it will freak you out every time though it is incredibly sturdy). It's breathtaking and calm running along the sea wall. Coming out of the Academy, we had a little left, so we tackled an over and back on the Naval Academy Bridge. If you read any of my blog last summer, you know I loathe the bridge. Luckily we only hit the head wind on the back side of the return. I'll tell you though, the toughest part of this run was the hill right near Brie's house. That thing doesn't look big, but can be a real kicker at the end of 9 miles.
Now for the dark corners...a local family needs our prayers. When I joined Junior League of Annapolis, Inc. I met an amazing family of women. During my first year, the son of one of these women fell ill with an extremely rare form of brain cancer. This little boy has been a real fighter over the years, overcoming extraordinary odds. Today he continues to battle, but may not win this time. If you have room in your heart to lift up a little boy and his family during this time, please ask that peace comes to them during this difficult time.
It is difficult to imagine the strength it takes to face such a difficult and unknown future. It is even more difficult to imagine as a child. I didn't know little Joey beyond his mother, but I have been amazed at his strength and the strength of his family. Joey, whatever the coming days bring you, happy trails.
Stats-
Miles: 9.28
Time: 1:25:00 (average pace of 9:09 per mile)
Location: Admiral Heights, Downtown Annapolis, US Naval Academy
Feeling: Better than I could have imagined
First the run...how is it possible to run for a little more than 9 miles and have it feel like you've been sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee? Run it with Brie. She is a kindred spirit and a phenomenal sounding board. She lives with passion and keeps you going. I don't get to spend enough time with her. We met up at her house at 7:30am (which is quite a feat on spring forward day) and headed out toward Navy-Marine Corps Stadium...which is my mothership during the fall months. Our run took us downtown, where the town was just waking up to another beautiful sun over the Bay and Severn River, and on through the Naval Academy. If you ever come to Annapolis and love to run, make sure you catch a few miles out at the Academy (though be ware the long wood bridge across the boat basin...if you are like me, it will freak you out every time though it is incredibly sturdy). It's breathtaking and calm running along the sea wall. Coming out of the Academy, we had a little left, so we tackled an over and back on the Naval Academy Bridge. If you read any of my blog last summer, you know I loathe the bridge. Luckily we only hit the head wind on the back side of the return. I'll tell you though, the toughest part of this run was the hill right near Brie's house. That thing doesn't look big, but can be a real kicker at the end of 9 miles.
Now for the dark corners...a local family needs our prayers. When I joined Junior League of Annapolis, Inc. I met an amazing family of women. During my first year, the son of one of these women fell ill with an extremely rare form of brain cancer. This little boy has been a real fighter over the years, overcoming extraordinary odds. Today he continues to battle, but may not win this time. If you have room in your heart to lift up a little boy and his family during this time, please ask that peace comes to them during this difficult time.
It is difficult to imagine the strength it takes to face such a difficult and unknown future. It is even more difficult to imagine as a child. I didn't know little Joey beyond his mother, but I have been amazed at his strength and the strength of his family. Joey, whatever the coming days bring you, happy trails.
Stats-
Miles: 9.28
Time: 1:25:00 (average pace of 9:09 per mile)
Location: Admiral Heights, Downtown Annapolis, US Naval Academy
Feeling: Better than I could have imagined
08 August 2011
Sticky air and sailboats....
No, the two don't really go together (at least not this time) but I got you to wonder for a moment didn't I?
Last night's bridge run was uber sticky. The temperature was a nice 83 but the humidity was 85% and the feels like was 93...ergo sticky air. I knew this going in, after all we had a torrential downpour only two hours before my spectacular bridge crossing, but I just laughed at the air and said "bring it."
The run was definitely nothing to write home about. Since (as I pointed out earlier) it has recently rained, I was the only runner out there and have no "girl in blue" story to recount today, nor anything even remotely interesting. In fact, the scenery was so tremendously ordinary that I counted the fishermen on the Jonas Green Park pier - 28...and a dog and a really old lady. While rainy weather sends the runners in it apparently brings the fishing enthusiasts out.
So, while crossing the bridge four times and shaving 2 minutes and 30 seconds off my previous bridge run, I had an internal dialogue about what I would write about. Here's where sailboats come in.
To provide you with a little comic relief during this otherwise boring post, I decided to tell you about a sailboat Jason and I recently considered buying. As many of you know, we are looking for an older 24'-30' for weekend cruising on the Chesapeake. Something sturdy, doesn't require work and will last us several seasons if we treat it well.
This brings me to a 1976 Catalina with loads us recent work, a new engine and lots of upgrades. The sailboat was in really great condition and would require us to do very little but sail it for at least two years pending any disaster.
So with all these pluses, why didn't we buy it? I'm glad you asked...it was the current name of the boat. Yes, even though you can change a boat's name with a little paint, Jason just couldn't think about this boat without groaning.
I'll hold you in no more suspense, the name of the boat was Driftwood. While you sit there thinking about why this would be such a tough name to handle and come up with images of a boat beached and turning into something you might like to display in your garden, let me recount the real reason. Have you ever been to Camp Lejeune? If so, you know where I'm going. Marine Corps bases aren't known for nearby sophisticated shopping areas. In fact, quite the opposite. They are known for rows of barber shops, tattoo parlors and strip clubs....oh and rental furniture places.
Now you've guessed it. The absolute closest commercial establishment outside the main gates of Camp Lejeune is none other than The Driftwood, a strip joint (which I imagine on certain evenings may have very sticky air, but I can't speak from experience). And so our search continues.....
Last night's bridge run was uber sticky. The temperature was a nice 83 but the humidity was 85% and the feels like was 93...ergo sticky air. I knew this going in, after all we had a torrential downpour only two hours before my spectacular bridge crossing, but I just laughed at the air and said "bring it."
The run was definitely nothing to write home about. Since (as I pointed out earlier) it has recently rained, I was the only runner out there and have no "girl in blue" story to recount today, nor anything even remotely interesting. In fact, the scenery was so tremendously ordinary that I counted the fishermen on the Jonas Green Park pier - 28...and a dog and a really old lady. While rainy weather sends the runners in it apparently brings the fishing enthusiasts out.
So, while crossing the bridge four times and shaving 2 minutes and 30 seconds off my previous bridge run, I had an internal dialogue about what I would write about. Here's where sailboats come in.
To provide you with a little comic relief during this otherwise boring post, I decided to tell you about a sailboat Jason and I recently considered buying. As many of you know, we are looking for an older 24'-30' for weekend cruising on the Chesapeake. Something sturdy, doesn't require work and will last us several seasons if we treat it well.
This brings me to a 1976 Catalina with loads us recent work, a new engine and lots of upgrades. The sailboat was in really great condition and would require us to do very little but sail it for at least two years pending any disaster.
So with all these pluses, why didn't we buy it? I'm glad you asked...it was the current name of the boat. Yes, even though you can change a boat's name with a little paint, Jason just couldn't think about this boat without groaning.
I'll hold you in no more suspense, the name of the boat was Driftwood. While you sit there thinking about why this would be such a tough name to handle and come up with images of a boat beached and turning into something you might like to display in your garden, let me recount the real reason. Have you ever been to Camp Lejeune? If so, you know where I'm going. Marine Corps bases aren't known for nearby sophisticated shopping areas. In fact, quite the opposite. They are known for rows of barber shops, tattoo parlors and strip clubs....oh and rental furniture places.
Now you've guessed it. The absolute closest commercial establishment outside the main gates of Camp Lejeune is none other than The Driftwood, a strip joint (which I imagine on certain evenings may have very sticky air, but I can't speak from experience). And so our search continues.....
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