Two Hours and Thirty Minutes

Two hours and thirty minutes is how long it took me to run the Santa Claus Half Marathon yesterday. I know that all those speedy runners out there can run full marathons in that amount of time but for me this was an accomplishment. I am the tortoise - slow and steady but I finished the race.

The race course was 4 miles out, run a loop, then 4 miles back on the same trail as the first four miles. The first two and last two miles were on pavement. The rest of the race was on a trail, which was dirt, gravel, small rocks or sand depending on the part of the course.

The first 6 miles were pretty good. I was making 10 1/2 minute miles, but then the reality of the long race, wind, terrain and the beginings of a blister (from taking a few too many rock edges) kicked in and slowed me down for the last 7 miles.

I must admit that about mile 8/9 I wanted to give up and was questioning my sanity and then mile 10 came, which was even worse. I told my self I was never ever going to run a race longer than a 10k again and that goal of a marathon was just revised to a half, which could soon be checked off as done.

The happiest moment in my life these past few weeks was when I finally saw the mile 13 marker.



I could even smile for the photo below about a half an hour after the race. Thanks Shannon for coming to take photos and cheer me on to the finish. I am not looking forward to seeing the photos that she took as I crossed the finish line and shortly thereafter. I know what I felt like so they must look awful. I will share a few of the not so embarassing ones when I get them.



About a hour or so after the race my spirits were lifted and I was determined to run the race again next year and get a better time. Maybe a marathon still is in my future. But I need to find running buddy to commit to train with me, its hard on your own.

I've decided that immediately after the race is bad, but the next morning is even worse. Every muscle in my body hurts today and the blisters on my feet make walking miserable. Boy did I get funny looks at church today.

Do I have any takers to come and do the race with me next year?

What do I do when it is too cold to do anything outside?

What do Alaska gals do when they get tired of waiting for winter to end? They make vacation plans to go to California at the end of winter, break up time. What better way to pass the final weeks of winter than planning a trip to somewhere warm. With too much time to plan and not much else to do during the cold evenings we booked surfing lessons. Another bucket list item is checked off.




Yes, I did drink too much salt water. I know you are all wondering did I actually get up. Not only did I get up, planted and balanced on the board - I was able to paddle out and catch my own wave and get up without the instructor balancing my board. I had a great time and am ready for the next time I get to surf city.

Cars - Can't live with them, Can't live without them

Yes, I drive a Toyota. No my car has not been recalled. But I have had many car issues the past few months.

To start off I got a late Christmas present from someone. They hit my car in the parking lot and drove off. What a mess it is to fill out police reports, insurance claims, etc. And my car looks awful.

Then yesterday I had two flat fires. I saw that the drivers rear tire was flat. With the spare tire on I was headed to work. Enroute the car was making a funny sound - I pulled over and realized I had another flat tire (front passanger side). I was close to a tire repair store and drove straight there in hopes that they could get my tires. Luckily the shop is close to the office and they had my tires fixed by the end of the day.

Next week my car is headed to the shop to get fixed from the hit and run. Hopefully when I get all of the repairs are said and done the recall will not be expanded to my car.

Alaska Science Quiz

Alaska Science Question:

How long would it take at -30 degrees for Danielle's wet hair to freeze if she left the gym without her hat?

A. Danielle is too smart to go outside in -30 without a hat.
B. Danielle would not have been outside long enough to find out.
C. About 1 minute.
D. Less than 15 seconds.

While I would love the answer to be A. It is not. Unfortunately I left my hat in the car last week one day when I went to the gym. I didn't realize this until I was ready to leave. I usually just put my wet hair in my hat and go home. AHHHH! The correct answer is D. I was only parked 5 spaces from the gym door but my hair was frozen long before I got there.

Weather Reports

This morning I was listening to one of the morning shows while I was getting ready for work. I always like to watch the weather segment to see what the temperature prediction is for Fairbanks. I think it is funny because they are usually off by 10 or so degrees. This morning according to the national news it was to be 10 degrees in Fairbanks. Then there was a break to go to the local news, which annouced it was -37 outside. It is now lunchtime at a whopping -28 degrees. I don't think there is any chance that we are going to get to 10 anytime soon.

With all the cold weather comes moose. The other night I pulled into the parking lot and there were moose. Of course I ran in the house for my camera. It was too dark to take a photo so I hopped in the car and turned by lights and drove a little closer hoping to get enough light on the animals to get a photo. It didn't work very well but it did make the mommy moose a little upset. So I raced back to my parking spot, hopped out and plugged in the car and made a mad dash for the door in order to avoid one upset mommy moose. To bad it didn't end up on my porch after I went in, then there would have been enough light for a photo. Now I have to be careful everywhere I drive, not only do we have the slick roads, but moose are everywhere. It is amazing that they can walk around on those skinny little legs.