Along My Run | 14 | March Randomness

Five Things that happened along my run in March.

1. I ran in snow. While snow is not abnormal for March, we received over 10" on March 1. Of course, I ran in it and determined that running in 10" on un-plowed streets was really exhausting. That morning I elicited comments from neighbors ranging from "That's hard work" to "You go!" to "You are absolutely crazy".

2. I ran in the dark again. And in fog. With the time change to DST, the mornings are dark again. I normally don't run in the fog when it is dark out, but that day, I had friends running with me, so we all braved it together.

3. I ran two 20-milers. Yes, it's part of marathon training, but these runs were particularly hard - I was nursing a foot injury during the first one. After the second 20 miler, I came down with a huge cold, which tells me my immune system was already weak and running set it over the edge.

4. I ran in shorts and a tank top for the first time this year. Being in Florida made this possible.

5. I ran to the Southern Most point in the US while visiting Key West. Just to say I did it.


1. slowly drifting, 2. Into the White Abyss, 3. Last Week of Morning Daylight. Need to enjoy it while we can , 4. Bundled Up This Morning. Waiting for Spring, 5. This Route Again, 6. Spring Thaw, 7. 20 Milers Through the Woods and Along the Prairie, 8. The Last Quarter Mile is The Hardest But Worth It In The End, 9. Ventured out of the neighborhood and caught this , 10. Sunrise in Key West, 11. Way Down South, 12. Another Great Start

Because of my foot injury (extensor tendonitis) and late March sickness, I'm feeling a bit behind in my marathon training. With the race less than 3 weeks away, there's really no time to do much more other than try to get my lungs back to normal (my asthma flared back up when I got sick), build back some of my cardio fitness and hope for the best.

March's Running Stats:
Total Miles: 113 (out of planned 144 - ouch!)
Average Pace: 9:24 Minute / Mile

This Month's Running Quotes:
We all have dreams. In order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline and effort.
– Jesse Owens

Runners understand this, this deep desire to cultivate resilience. It transcends the repetition of our gait and gives meaning to the stride of life.
– Kristin Armstrong

I will finish this mile. I will do something I never thought I'd be able to do. So I do.
– Jennifer Fliss

And this - so true -
That's the thing about running: Your greatest runs are rarely measured by racing success. They are moments in time when running allows you to see how wonderful your life is.
– Kara Goucher

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Cast a Wide Net

Hopefully you catch what you seek.



In this case, "we" were out catching live bait for an inland fishing experience. (I say "we" because "we" were in the boat with our fishing guide - in reality, he was doing all the work). I feel fortunate to have captured the scene above - it's not every day I find myself underneath the Sanibel Island bridge at sunrise with a slew of fishermen. I have many more photos to share from that amazing experience, hopefully later this week.

Until then, I hope you cast out and find what you seek.

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The Orchid

In warmer climes, the orchid is often found growing where ever it gains a foot hold, even in the crook of a tree branch.



Thriving outside its comfortable pot. Adapting to the situation at hand. Maybe I could learn something from that orchid.

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Five Things from Florida's Spring Break - Key West

After a four year hiatus, we took a Spring Break trip to visit my parents in Fort Myers, Florida!

They are in the process of selling their Florida place, so it may be the last time we get to enjoy it. As a result we did all sorts of things we normally don't do.

1. We took the high speed ferry to Key West and spent two days roaming the island, drinking in the azure water and skies.




2. We snorkeled the third largest barrier reef (of course, the largest is in Australia, the second largest is in Belize)

We've snorkeled in Belize and while the water is clearer there, the variety of coral and aquatic life was very similar in Key West.

3. We parasailed:


4. We enjoyed the local fare and had the best coffee, compliments of Cuban Coffee Queen:


5. Of course, I took a morning run down Duval street to the Southern most point in the US and watched this sunrise:


It was a wonderful, warm getaway. We did lots in Fort Myers, too - more to share in the coming days!

Sharing with Nancy's Random Friday

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April 2015 Desktop Calendar -Free Download

Nothing smells like spring more than the fragrant Lilac. Lilacs remind me of my childhood, growing up in Massachusetts. There they tend to bloom and peak towards mid-end May, right around my birthday. Here in Central Illinois, they arrive a month earlier.

For this month I have two versions to choose from.

The smaller bloomed Korean lilac (Miss Kim) grows at the corner of my house:


A more traditional, yet variegated, common lilac:


Here are the links to Download April's free desktop calendar, hosted by Box.com:
Free April 2015 Calendar - Miss Kim Lilac
Free April 2015 Calendar - Variegated Lilac

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A Bit Out of My Comfort Zone

I recently asked a stranger if I could take his photo, an act outside my comfort zone. I gave myself a mental pep talk before mustering up the courage to ask - I knew if I didn't ask, I would regret it later.

Meet Robert, our highly animated, funny and super knowledgeable server at a local BBQ establishment, The Black Dog Smoke and Ale House.



It was my first visit to this restaurant, known for its burnt ends, double baked potato casserole and long wait times. Case in point - the restaurant opens for lunch at 11, we arrived at 11:05 and found all the seats taken. The facility is indeed tiny, which, of course, adds to the experience. We ended up waiting 25 minutes, but the food was worth it.

Robert made our experience even more special and he graciously agreed to have his photo taken a couple times - yup, his grin says it all.



If you are ever in the Champaign - Urbana, IL area (home to the University of Illinois), be sure to check out the Black Dog for a great BBQ meal.

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Along My Run | 13 - Cold, Snowy February

Even though I really enjoy running in the snow, I've officially had enough after last month. I thought the 2014 winter season was pretty challenging from a running standpoint, and 2015 has come very close to at least matching it, cold for cold, snow for snow. Since this winter started off mild and snowless, I was lulled into a false sense that an early Spring was eminent.

At the end of January, I thought, if we received some snow, that would be nice - it would be fun to get some more snow runs in.

It snowed on February 1, and as I ran in the falling snow, it was bliss.
Then the relentless, bone chilling winds came one Saturday, during an 18 miler and I thought I was going to die.
The last two weeks of the month were a challenge - I ran in four snowstorms, negative windchills and had to re-route most of my running routes as my normally traveled sidewalks are ice / snow covered.

I think I'm ready for spring.


1. Today's Run Brought to You By the Letter S. Sunday snow, and yes, it was lovely out there., 2. On the Backside of the First Eight Miles , 3. A New Perspective, 4. Rain off the Roof, 5. Their Idea of Hanging Out on The Sandy Beach?, 6. Unexpected Snow And It Was Hill Day, 7. Frosted Selfie , 8. Our Group Run Was Officially Cancelled but We Ran it Anyways. 5" of snow on the ground when we started and big, soft flakes fell throughout our 13 miler. It was amazing., 9. Making Our Way Down Peabody, 10. Unspoiled Stillness, 11. The Post run running group Selfie - Couldn't have gotten through today's 13.1 miles without them!!, 12. Over the River, 13. Pretty Much Done With The Snow. Spring can come any time now!, 14. More Snow Fell Last Night so I Ran in It, 15. Ended Up Going Back to Get the Shot Of The Path We Ran This Morning

And here we are, over a week into March and there's plenty of the white stuff on the ground. A big warm up is expected later this week, with temperatures into the 50s and hopefully it will stay that way.

My monthly running stats:
Total Miles - 116
Average Pace - 9:30 minute / mile

Marathon updates: I entered the lottery for the NYC marathon, but my entry wasn't selected. There was an 18% acceptance rate through the general lottery, so I'm not too surprised. This means I will enter the Chicago Marathon Lottery which opens on March 10. I am currently training for the Illinois Marathon, a mere 8 weeks away! That weekend will be fun - my daughter signed up for the event's 5K and my husband signed up for the half marathon (his first!).

This month's running quotes:
It's about staying fit and pushing yourself to achieve and surpass goals, sure; but it's also about personal and spiritual growth, creativity, mental clarity, and emotional stability. I find these things in running.
– Jamie Quatro

At first, I liked running because it got me into a routine and gave me a chance to think. Eventually, I realized this is my therapy, my time to make sense out of life.
– Alan Peterson

Simply by not quitting, you'll succeed.
– Stephanie Rothstein Bruce

It's important to know that, at the end of the day, it's not the medals you remember. What you remember is the process - what you learn about yourself by challenging yourself, the experiences you share with other people, the honesty the training demands - those are things nobody can take away from you whether you finish twelfth or you're an Olympic champion.
– Silken Laumann

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