Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Picking my corner ala Xar

Since Haliburton continues to swirl in my head, I will start there and try to move around in no particular order.  There were so many adventures I have to unload to get ready for 2014.

The road to Haliburton was indeed paved with Trail Monsters.  As each couple and car from Maine drove, I visualized us all making the trek together. I posted on FB, ''The road to Haliburton is paved with TM's.''  Mindy let me know via FB that Pete liked that one, so I knew he was driving and Mindy was reporting as I was with George.  Val at one point asked where we were in VT and reported back that they were pretty close.  So, I also knew she was reporting while Rick drove.  So there we all were, apart, but together.  We drove along and periodically checked texts and postings as connection allowed excitedly updating each other of where we were as we made our way.  We drove and drove, past where would have turned in memories gone by to Jay Peak. It seemed suddenly, we got a text telling us we were about to hit the Canadian border and offering to upgrade the phone.  At this point, the phone was shut off and we slowly drove to the border.  Having never traveled into Canada via car or since 9/11, it was the first major step into the unknown of the trip.  I must admit I was a bit nervous.  It seemed like hitting the border was as if we were going into to some big castle. To me the highway widened and it seemed like it was really clean and open.,, almost royal.  I was waiting for Kate Middleton and Baby George to come out and greet us or at least wave from above the booth.  I know, I know..wrong country, but that's what my mind thought.  As we approached we took out our passports as we  had them ready miles ahead of time.  We stopped, he, the serious border guard checked them out asked us what we were traveling for, if we had any fire arms and after answering for a race and no, he entered some stuff into a computer and we proceeded through.  We got through the first adventure. 

We drove along,  noticing signs had changed to French and miles to K's.  I found myself constantly doing math trivia in my head.  I never would have realized the car tracked speed in K's.  The drive was maybe 10-11 hours.  We began to notice we were getting closer, I even seemed to realize at one intersection we seemed close as I had done a little bit of searching for fun things to look for along the way.  We decided to pull over so Jedi could get his bearings straight as we were definitely in the area.  Low and behold as we pulled over, we were right in front of a little shop, The Old Tin Shed, I had ''liked'' on FB.  I excitedly asked George if it would be ok if I ran in.  The little shop was not to disappoint.  I loved everything and my eyes couldn't take it in fast enough.  I had to focus on something to find and concentrated on a small area that had some neat never seen by me before jewelry. I bought a little ring that was engraved with the word, ''Dream''...it was perfect.

I paid for my purchase with Canadian funds and received the change back in Canadian funds which enabled me to ask for an education in the currency.  I thought one of the coins was a ''tute'', only to realize the store person had said two..I somehow still like to think of it as ''tute'' in my head.  I asked about a winery I had also searched out online that seemed as though it was right up the road.  The store person, said she had never been up there...odd...guess she didn't venture out much or didn't like wine or maybe it was just a tourist thing.

We drove along and soon we found the winery.  This little shop had described their operation as wine from the own harvests which sounded really cool.  As described in the customer feedback, the shop owner was very generous with samples.  I had to stop sampling as we had eaten little throughout the day and I could feel the samples.  Jedi continued sampling and asking questions and having a grand time discussing wines.  We left with 4 bottles.

Scout had rented a house for us to stay in.  We entered the little town of Haliburton.  I was immediately in love.  The house was perfectly situated just atop of town. Yes, just ''atop".  We drove up a little road and found it easily.  The little set back ranch looked perfect.  We followed the directions to unlock the secret code to our little Haliburton Home and we were in.  Jedi followed some directions to turn on power and water or something in basement while I spied around.  We put our bags in one of the bedroom, but didn't unpack in case someone else wanted that bedroom.  Jedi tried to call Scout, although we had no phone plan.  He left a message I am sure for some Canadian Scout out there, but they were all soon to arrive.

Pete and Jedi got the indoor pizza oven/wood heat thing going and we were soon toasty and settling in.  We were all hungry and decided to go out for supper.  Right in the center of the tiny main street were two restaurants.  We opted for the one the left, not the Irish Pub on the right.  I immediately loved it from the outside as it was on second floor and in looking up through the windows it looked neat inside and it was.  We ordered, chicken fingers of course for me and I think they were the best I've ever eaten.  We all got the Canadian on tap...really yum and so festive as we all toasted the start to the journey!  Love once again both the Canadian, good friends and the chicken fingers!

The next day, Jedi and I woke early as we always do and Scout was up as she didn't sleep because she forgot her fan and we headed out to get coffee at a shop we remembered seeing the day before when we explored looking for the winery.  It was Friday and the little shop was buzzing with the hustle and bustle of customers.  I remember thinking everyone seemed so happy as they lined up to get their before work coffee and breakfast.  The line moved quickly.  It was customer appreciation day and all size coffee's were $1.00.  Again, I was in love!  The little donut/coffee shop was picture perfect.  We brought back coffee and soda for Squirrel and a breakfast sammie for Rick.

Everyone was powered by coffee and breakfast we decided Scout needed a fan and we needed to do some grocery shopping for the crew.  The trip to the Foodland was also so much fun.  We all scurried around searching for ''stuff'' and we would pass each other along the way.  I found myself a little burlap tote as a rememberance of the fun and to feed by tote bag addiction.  We somehow were fascinated with the milk in a bag and Scout, Squirrel and myself made a trip over to the dairy section to view it.  Our grocery purchases were packed into boxes...I'm not really sure they even had bags. I loved this little shopping adventure.

We then went looking for said Scout fan.  We thought the Bargain Shop would have one and Scout and I ran over there.  Since it was past fan season they had none.  I remember feeling a bit sad being this store.  The people shopping there seemed like they shopped in the Bargain Store regularly, but I found the prices not to be bargain prices.  We then went across the street to a hardware store.  The store was definitely set back in time and carried just about everything.  Scout and I both admitted we could spend forever in a hardware store.  The fan was found put in the car and we all decided to walk down to the coffee shop.  The town was an idealistic small town..again Love!  As we walked down a slight incline I looked to the left and saw a nice little library just past the little bridge walkway.  I glanced behind me and Pete had his arm around Sqirrel, Bruce and Scout were holding hands..everyone seemed to be just smiling and taking it all in.  As I glanced forward..I saw it..THE BUNKIE!

(Sorry, haven't made it past the first day...and no running...but need to post to get with it!)

Hope you have a day filled with unexpected surprises!

Keep Dreaming!

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Maybe this weekend...

I think I need to write some stuff...there is so much!

Hope you have a day filled with so much stuff!

Keep dreaming!

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Running with the Bada$$es...S & S..A Jedi's report

I haven't done a race report in awhile and this one was written three days after Hali. I then put it aside.  Since then I have looked into my contact lens issue and have many things to try.  My 100's all seem to follow the same format. I sign up for 100 miler from the comfort of my couch while drinking beer. I show up and run a pretty good feeling 50k, I do something dumb ass like getting hurt from falling or zoning out and getting lost, I stumble through the night with the help of my princess or Scout. I finally realize I am behind and get serious. That pretty much seems to be the short version of all my 100's.

I originally was going to do 2 100's this year, then plan tourism by 100 trip next year. But after DNFing at MMT due to issues, I found myself pissed off. It's not that I was upset that I didn't make it, it was that I didn't go down swinging. So I decided to ramp up the pain. Instead of two 100's this year I was going to complete 4 and I was at zero. So I completed a very muddy Tarc 100, followed by a hot and muddy VT 100 which brings me to the Haliburton 100. Alway up to running different trails in different areas this one was going to be extra special because it was Scout and Squirrels first 100. As you probably know by now these badass trail runners didn't disappoint. And to add to the festivities there was a very entertaining film crew plus super crew Rick (Bruce) and Pete( ? ). They helped me and made the run so much fun. As the short version stated my first third of the race was pretty painless, except for some wrong turns that added about a extra mile(dumb ass). But it soon was apparent there was no way to ignore the fact that I was still worn out from the VT roads. I tell myself it's time to toughen up. During this low point, I miss a turn and continue up a steep hill adding more extra distance, this might have been a good thing because I realized it was time to fight. For more detail on course refer to Scout and Squirrel's reports. At the half way turn around(it is a double out and back), my princess is waiting with a headlamp and a large coffee to be handed off. The next 6k is a private dirt road followed 6k single track that wraps around a lake that goes by uneventful. It's time for the princess to pace. Or as she tells me time to carry my sorry ass through the night then get the privilege to pick up the pieces and wait on your lazy ass for days. Ahh marriage. Off we go slowly on dead legs into the night. The next sections were fairly technical with some climbs, the course does have a 10,000 ft gain.  Not much remembered from these sections except one part after hearing much night activity we heard the loudest, most pain laden sound I have ever heard in the night. I was thinking something just got trapped until we came around a bend and we found a runner and his pacer refunding what we heard later was too many pills. I am still haunted buy these inhuman sounds. The last section is a long, mostly smooth uphill dirt road which should be a good part to make time if my legs weren't so worn. There is an aid station you go through before you go a little further to turnaround then back to aid station. This is where I say good bye to the princess, have a cup of great soup and off on last twenty five miles. It had been cloudy with occasional rain since the start, now it was clear and very cold. All I had on was a short sleeve shirt. But here comes the 100 mile bitch slap I never saw coming. Having just worn two week contacts at VT with no problems, I figured it was the way to go at Hali. But along with the cold night, my contacts became like I would imagine having a bad case of cataracts. I could hardly see through the fog of the lenses. As much as I tried my cold, swollen fingers would not allow me to remove them. After losing about twenty minutes trying I decided it was time go into forget (word edit here) it mode. Did I mention this was my first hundred in Hoka's. The high profile of the Hokas, tired legs and very impaired vision caused me to do dozens of trail push ups over the 15 miles. It was slow, but at least the ground punches kept me awake. I came into the next aid station to find the TM crew. They put a long sleeve shirt and a hat on me and were ready to help. I didn't tell them about my vision because in my burnt out mind I believed there was nothing they could do and did not want worry the princess. Plus all my dumb ass mistakes were adding up. So off I go kissing the ground regularly. I get aid station 4 to find ''the other Mindy'' there with three espresso gels and message from Ann that she was at the next aid station. She helped me find my drop bag where I stripped off all warm clothes, vest and water bottles. Mindy was looking at me like I was crazy. But I had 16 K  to go with three aid station and it was time get my bitch ass to the finish. During the next section the day started to warm and my contacts started clear. The force is good. I was running not just shuffling in between walks. I pass some runners who are giving it all they have to move forward and am proud to be among them. They are me and I am them. Back of the pack is where I belong. I pass Ann, grab a gulp of water and finish the last 2K. I come in to find Ann, S&S, Bruce, Pete, Matt and Ben cheering. It was perfect. Haliburton was a homey, well put on 100. The course was well marked ( I own all course mistakes). The aid stations and volunteers were top notch The pre and post food with a local beer, bagels and coffee morning of were great. They were proud of their race and it showed. I would run it again. I seem to have a love hate thing with the Hokas, this was my first 100 in them. They definitely caused me to face plant more in second fifty, but I came out with very little foot swelling and no blisters. This was a first. I seem to go though periods were I question why I am doing 100s, it's not to impress you all with my back of pack finishes. I remember an old quote from Mick Jagger that goes, ''anything worth doing is worth over doing.'' W.T.F. That's this years only race report. Bye.                                

Oh ya one last thing.     Scout and Squirrel are  awesome!

Friday, September 20, 2013

Customer Appreciation Day

Friday is Customer Appreciation Day at the Village Court Coffee and CafĂ© in Haliburton and all sizes of coffee are $1.00. 

I'm a bit cautious going out too early for a run, since we saw a bear at the up and around part of my run.  So I waited for light and enjoyed a still full moon as I remembered today was Friday and immediately thought of the coffee shop in Hali.

So many great happenings and now memories went through my head as I ran..smiling all the way!  It was a short run as I've had a cold all week which started with a sore throat on Monday, but I enjoyed every step!

I'm looking forward to a nice weekend.  I'm meeting my niece and Baby Jake in Kittery this morning for a bit of walking around and lunch.  We plan on going to the Common Ground Fair tomorrow and hope to finally see Cinder Conk.

The summer was quick, but tons of great things went on this summer.  I need to blog my pacer/crew/support/spectator/laugher at Pete's and the camera crews antics Hali 100 experience because it was awesome!

Have a great Customer Appreciation Day!

Keep dreaming!

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Didn't do it

I didn't get out this morning and I was kind of mad at myself for not getting it done.  It seemed cold and raw out, so I made excuses, but really could have made it out there.  Instead, I did a little spring cleaning.  It felt kind of good I was doing housework and getting some things done at such an early hour of the morning.

Work was work and the end of the day called for a run to sort things out..not to solve, not to dwell, but just to rid.  I thought about Scout and thought this was her deal...she just needs to run.  I ended my run of up and around and to the other and thought..wow, things do happen for a reason..I was meant to run after work today.  I really don't remember much of the run at all..but it was perfect!

Hope you were able or are able to get out and sort some things out today!

Keep dreaming!

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Running

Running has a different meaning today.

I opted to run with no music this morning.  I slept a bit later than I wanted, but got out and did the up and around and Pace.  I don't remember much of the run, but it felt great to be out there.

Hope you have a chance to get out there and just run.

Keep dreaming!


Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Wowza!

The visibility wasn't great, but everything else was more than GREAT!!

I went to bed super duper early after a long day.  Knowing it was going to snow today, I knew I would be able to get up early to get out and run.  I didn't think it would be snowing already, but there seemed to be about 2 inches already.  Headlamp on and not over dressed, I headed out and it was beautiful.  I planned on only one up and around and pace, but did two because it was so beautiful out.  I lost the road twice and went off the side which made me laugh to myself.  Although so familiar was the run, I actually got disoriented a few times.  I thought my headlamp seemed super weak. When I got home, I realized it was caked with snow.  Overall, outstanding way to start the day!

George wasn't home when I returned.  He was heading out with a new recruit from the 'hood.  I smiled as I saw their footprints heading down the road as I was returning home.

Hope you all get a chance to enjoy some spring snow running today...it truly doesn't get any better.  By the way, I really love the Snokas for the snow running.  I haven't had to use screws all year.

Thankful to be able to sign on from home today.

Keep dreaming!

Friday, March 1, 2013

Two little spiders

I saw two little spiders on my run today.  At  two separate times, I looked down and saw a little spider spidering it's way somewhere.  I wondered where they came from and where they were going and really how did they get there.  I guess they could be just like me, out for a run, really going no where in particular.

Crunching along was challenging but nice.  I heard some crunching behind me as I was finishing up.  I thought to myself,  I know those crunches.  Happy to finish up with my Georgie Boy!!

Hope you have a day with some time of really going no where in particular!

Keep dreaming!

Friday, February 22, 2013

Seeing through the trees

Crunching along on the snowmobile packed trails in my Snokas the world was beautiful.  The air was beautiful.  The crunch was beautiful.  The simple beauty was needed.  As I circled back, I looked out through the trees to the rising sun and crisp clean sky, it was good.

Hope you are able to crunch along to whatever you need today!

Keep dreaming!

Sunday, February 10, 2013

White Out

White Out it is, there is lots of it!  Oh my!

Have a great day filled with all that is snow!  Wishing all a great and/or fun race at the Brad!

Keep dreaming!

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Picture Pretty

I woke up at  my usual time, so I had extra time as I was working from home. I read Squirrel's blog..(hi Squirrel!) At 4:13 am, I ran out the door for a quick up and around and Pace.

The first thing I saw as I stepped out the door was the moon, it was beautiful!  Since we saw a fox the other day sniffing around the perimeter of our yard, I decided to just run as fast as I could so I didn't obsess about the fox getting me.  I was smart and put on my glasses thinking in my head they were super sonic vision glasses that would help me to spot anything that may be out there.

The run was outstanding, the world picture perfect.  So good!

Hope your day allows you to glimpse at the moon.

Keep dreaming!

p.s.  Special Shout out to Scout...thinking of you each day!!

Monday, January 7, 2013

simply be well

I bought some body wash over the weekend that touted herbal well being and to relax and unwind at the end of the day.  I really didn't read all that, but was enticed by the clean lettering on the bottle and the price was good.  I took off the little tag before I put it in the bathroom and kept the tag to read later.  I like to look up companies and check out their philosophy.  The little tag caught my eye as a diddled in between getting ready to go out.  It read, ''simply be well.''

Since I've had a cold since the day after Christmas, this thought, ''simply be well'' was my mantra and all consuming thoughts as I ran on Sunday.  Still not up to par, it doesn't seem possible but this quite possibly may have been my only run since Christmas.  I can't remember.  While most romped through the beautiful surroundings we've experienced since Christmas, days have passed me by.  Getting out shuffling along in my Snokas and then to meet up with George for a romp through the trails was certainly more than appreciated by me.  Today, I resumed my early morning out and did a bit, just a little bit of snowshoeing. 

It feels great to hopefully be shaking this thing.  A big part of that super plan to simply be well both physically and mentally includes running.  So great to have at it!

Hope your days are including a plan to simply be well!

Keep dreaming!