Run Forrest Run! (And why everybody needs a Canadian Tom)

So this last Sunday i ran my first marathon -- the ING Miami Marathon. It's not something i really ever planned to do. But since i've gotten into triathlons, I figured if i am ever going to do a full on ironman i needed to see if i can actually run that far. Plus, as proven in past posts, i am a complete sucker so it didn't take long for my lovely girlfriend's to convince me to run with them. (i mean, we are the three amigas...how could i NOT run with them!?!?)

The gun went off at 6:15 am. We had a great first half of the race -- crossed 13.1 miles at 1:55 (8:48 per mile pace). And I actually felt great.
<-----See.





We had to take a few quick pit-stops around mile 14 and 17. Those of you who know my running, but more importantly know my "kegs", know i don't do so well with pit-stops...and so around mile 22 my worst fear started happening. My legs started cramping. And cramping bad. To the point where, just before mile 26, I wasn't sure I could go any further. Seriously...less than a 1/4 mile before I am done and I am thinking I may not make it.

Enter Tom. Tom saw me wincing in pain and slowed down to talk to me. He was from Canada and running his 14th marathon. He missed his time he was going for and instead made it his mission to run the last 1/4 mile with me. We talked the whole way and crossed the finish line together.
My time: 4:03. A 9:17 minute/mile pace. Not too shabby for my first time.

After a few days of major (i mean MAJOR) pain, i am starting to feel like my old self again. And the thought of running doesn't actually make me sick. So who knows, maybe i will do this again someday. But someday far, far away from today.

And this post wouldn't be complete with out a big CONGRATS and THANKS to my favorite running amigas (or should i say running divas. ha!) on their personal best marathons! (Aileen 4:01 and Noemi 3:55) You guys did awesome, and just like tom, helped me get across that finish line! xoxo
A few of my favorite quotes (literally from me...HA!) from the day:

At mile 6 on the beach when we saw KC ah-gain (and in my defense, he just had back surgery and is not supposed to be doing anything, yet he was like where's waldo showing up everywhere). With pointed finger, "You better not be running around with your back." (This was also captured on video and has provided many laughs over the last 3 days.)

Upon crossing the finish line as i was wanting to die, "if that damn time chip didn't work i am going to kill somebody."

As i sat crying in pain on the ground cramping beyond belief about 20 minutes after i finished, "if you people ever think i am going to do this again you are SO wrong."

it's my blog-o-versary

that's right. it's been 1 year to the day that i started this bad boy up.

and all thanks to my good friend steve.
i wasn't sure if i could do it. but he encouraged me to give it a try. he was the one who kept saying i could do this. and apparently he was right. because 48 entries later, i am still at it. who knew?!?!

so thanks steve. and here's to another new year of blogging.

The Perfect Un-Plan. And Happy New Year!

KC and I randomly decided to go down to Key West for New Year's Eve -- no plans and no reservations. We just jumped in the car, and hoped for the best. And everything worked out perfect...

We got there just in time for the sunset festival (where we watched a crazy man escape from a straitjacket while hanging upside down).

(unfortunately crazy man's head got cut off by ours in the picture.)

We walked into a hotel and they had a cancellation literally right before we walked in. (And it was the perfect location...right on the edge of Duval Street.) We had a great dinner and watched the Conch Shell drop at Midnight outside of Sloppy Joe's.



On New Year's Day, we walked down to the Southernmost Point and had an awesome brunch at Blue Heaven. On the way out, I almost got ran over by two crazy roosters. (If you've never been to Key West, they literally just roam free around the streets.) After nearly taking my life, the said rooster took off down the street. And of course I had to get a picture of him so i chased the little bugger. Apparently KC was taking video and little did I know the rooster had a friend in the bushes...


After my near death experience, we shopped around a bit then spent the rest of the day by the pool. It was so nice and relaxing.

(yes, KC is extra white and the underwater shot is with his cool new camera.)

So that's our trip in a nutshell. Totally unplanned and it ended up being the perfect way to ring in the New Year.

Hope you all had a great New Year too! May this year be filled with many blessings for you!