At Sea and in St. Maarten

Beach in Ft. Lauderdale

When last we left our intrepid explorers, they had just finished the Run Florida race and were preparing for shenanigans at sea.  But before they could leave, they had to get their workouts in...

For me that meant a sweaty selfie during my...

Recovery spin

While Glenda swam many laps corner to corner in the hotel pool.  She would have done an open water swim, but there were rip current warnings and warnings for man 'o war on the beach.  Feeling righteously proud of ourselves for getting it done, we ate our breakfast, packed up our suitcases and headed for the buses to take us to the ship. 

At that point, we realized that the bus people had brought slightly smaller buses and failed to figure how much luggage there would be for our group.  We were clear that the bus was not happening for us, and Glenda told the staff for our group we'd just get a cab.  But NO, they said, we have an option....you guys can ride in the van with John (Bingham) and Jenny (Hadfield)...not only the cruise leaders, but truth be told, two of my running idols.  I didn't turn it down.  Jenny and John are genuinely nice people...and if you get to hang with John for very long there is always a story or two.  This was no exception and before you know it we were at the Cruise Port preparing to board the Allure of the Seas (along with a throng of humanity, as the ship holds about 5,000 passengers I believe...120 or so of them are our group).

Sampling desserts as well as other food is a popular way to pass the time at sea

It so happens that this particular cruise starts with 2 days at sea, and we lost little time before pursuing one of our favorite activities...buffet! Seriously though....there is SO much food on cruise ships.

We settled in and dined with fellow runners Sunday night, then on to a welcome reception where we get details on the week's activities...and learned that we were in the first wave meeting at 7:20 for Monday morning's 5k at sea.  After the reception we were off to our cabin.

The 5k at Sea is just what it sounds like...we run or walk or whatever combination a 5k on the running deck of the ship.  On this ship it takes 2.4 laps to make a mile.  8 times around is 5k-ish (actually 3.33 miles).  

We dressed as honorary crew members for the 5k at Sea

Glenda did this one with me.  It does get moderately crowded, and an extra level of challenge is added because you are on the open ocean...and in this case it was a bit windy.  Essentially what that means is that it feels like running after a couple of glasses of wine.  Jenny and the staff were at the start of each new loop to cheer us on with music, a little dancing, and cold water at the end. And Glenda kept me going in the last half lap by pulling up "In the Navy" by the Village People on her phone.  And of course we sang along, and of course some of the others got in on it.  That's the beauty of these cruises...even when some folks are running quite seriously...we are all a bunch of grown ups playing together. To "win" this race was luck...everyone drew a card at the end and the ace of spades was the winner.  Each race is different, some by luck, some by speed, some by teamwork and some by prediction.  That gives everyone a chance at the coveted yellow hat...the award for winning any race and various other awards. 

The rest of Monday, my plan was to do as little as possible.  This is something I rarely allow myself to do at home, even though I am retired.  

Having the time and the quiet to just read is a luxury I enjoy on these trips

I spent the rest of Monday napping, reading, eating (of course), watching the ocean go by and exploring a bit of the ship. Ended the day with dinner with the group.

Tuesday was also a sea day, but we found plenty to do. Jenny had a strength and stretching workout that I originally intended to attend, but we woke up a little late and decided to listen to John's oft-stated exhortation...this is your vacation and you don't HAVE to do anything you don't want to do. So we skipped it.  Besides my coach had entered a rest day on Training Peaks for that day...with the instructions "Pina Coladas for everyone!" (have I mentioned lately that I love my coach). Glenda went and did the workout prescribed by her coach (because of course she did)...and then we set about finding other things to do.  On a ship this big and well-equipped that is not a problem. 

Not surprisingly this is one of my favorite places

Having finished the fun book I had brought with me, and not wanting to spend all my time reading the more serious one, I meandered down to the library to find something light to read.  I actually like to sit in the ship's library as it is usually quiet and comfortable.

After a relatively light lunch, Glenda and I stopped by to visit with staff members Cathy and Pam (and incidentally sign up for next year's cruise...I mean we already have figured out some of the costumes, what can you do?). While we were there another runner said she was going to go ice skate (yes, there is an ice rink on the ship!) and since Glenda has been wanting to go...we were off to the rink.  I went for moral support and photo/video purposes. She says it was a win, because she didn't fall down.

Glenda has only skated once or twice before..she's brave! Added degree of difficulty ship is moving and it's pretty wavy out there

After that we went to the matinee performance of Mama Mia which we had scheduled before hand.  It was a good production (we've seen it several times) and I'm always in awe of the performers singing and dancing on a big boat rocking in the ocean. 

The stage, pre-show...no photos allowed during

By the time that was over, it was nearly dinner time. We chose to skip the group dinner in favor of a dip in the hot tub and dinner in an alternate restaurant on our own.  But we did make it to the other group event of the evening....Karaoke!  

We had free drinks to promote courage :)

We didn't take the stage, but we did sing along from the back of the room.  Many others were braver (or possibly more bolstered) than us.  And the singing ranged from the lovely and touching to the not so lovely but enthusiastic.  All of it was great fun.  Jenny, John, Cathy and Pam (our staff) led us all in a rousing rendition of YMCA..and the first hour was closed out with Sweet Caroline.  For anyone reading this that doesn't know, Sweet Caroline has a special meaning for runners.  So the song is played after the 8th inning of all the games in Fenway Park, and has become a bit of a good luck charm for the city of Boston.  The year after the marathon bombings, the song was played as a tribute at the Boston Marathon, and several other marathons around the country pick it up and played it before their races.  So it has become, to those who remember those years, a tribute to the determination and resilience of the running community.  It also doesn't hurt that it is a catchy tune...I mean who can't sing "Sweet Caroline...bum, bum,bum...good times never felt so good."  Though some folks stayed and sang longer, that was a brilliant end of the day for us, and we went back to our room on a high note. 

Now I know I'm in the Caribbean...look at the color of that water!

On Wednesday morning we arrived at our first port Phillipsburg, St. Maarten on the Dutch side of the island.  We had breakfast with the group and then disembarked to run the St. Maarten Beach 5k/10k.  We were greeted by two signs that we were truly in the Caribbean...turquoise water and the sound of Steel Drums ringing through the air. 

Steel drum band at the cruise port

It was humid and very warm for those of us from northern climes.  If it were not for the fairly strong breeze it might have felt unbearable. 

Glenda and I were dressed in sea shell skirts and t-shirts declaring "we sell sea shells". Glenda claimed that was going to be our retirement gig...selling sea shells by the sea shore. 

The outfits

After a final briefing we were walked to our start line and off we went. 

Looking to the left from the start...if you look closely you can see goats on the hillside. 

As you might gather from the above photo, parts of the course were quite hilly, That made it harder, but it also got us what Jenny refers to as "earned views."

This is one view part way up...the island on the far horizon is St. Bart's

Me at the same point, but looking back

After struggling over a few more hills, I was toast.  By the time we reached the fairly flat boardwalk I was walking.  I nearly stopped at 2.25...but decided to stick it out.  I had to stop a couple of times in the last mile as I could feel my heart rate climbing.  Glenda came back to find me (she'd done the 10k and finished well) and after rest, a cold drink and conversation with some of the others...mostly about how hot it was....we headed back on the 10 minute walk to the ship.  It took 30 minutes, between the meandering, the short rest stops and the slow pace. 

My favorite rest stop on the return trip

When we got back to the ship, I collapsed in a heap, while Glenda prepared to go on a bike ride excursion to the French side of the Island and points in between. 

That's us after the race with our ship in the background

Once I sent Glenda off and rested awhile, I had lunch and then headed back into the cruise port for a little shopping and more photos.  

St. Maarten is ruggedly hilly and beautiful

This is another view of our ship, The Allure of the Seas

Glenda and I arrived back at the cabin about the same time, swapped stories...and ended the day with a dinner with cruise friends up. 

Next up...San Juan!

2020 Caribbean Cruise...Pre-Cruise Days

The Run Florida race crew

Every running cruise we have ever done includes a pre-cruise "warm up" and run, where those who choose to come and meet up ahead of time, get to know each other and run a race together.   Sometimes it is a race that is already happening at the venue, like last year when we ran the Tropical 5k, or the group organizers work with a local group to put on a race just for us...like the Run Florida 5k, 10k and half this year.  But I'm getting ahead of myself....

First we had to get here, which require a trains, planes and automobiles kind of day...

Temperature on departure morning

We started with the Van Galder bus to Chicago...fortunately we timed everything well so that we weren't hanging in the cold tooo long. As we sat on the bus we saw the announcement

for next year's Caribbean Cruise (and oddly started planning our costumes...so I'm guessing we will be doing that too). 

In due time we arrived at O'Hare and our flight to Ft. Lauderdale was thankfully uneventful, as was the cab ride to our hotel.  

Once here we checked in and took a peek out the window.  

It looked something like this :)

We checked in checked in and got our race shirts, bibs and beach towel, as well as our trip packet.  We also saw John, Jenny, Cathy and Pam and some fellow cruisers.  It has been like old home week...seeing not only the crew, but many people we have cruised with before.  It's like meeting up with your second family. 

Fun race number...yay alphabetical order!

Race morning started early as we had to meet up with the group to walk to the race start at 6:30 a.m. There are about 120 in our group, but only about 50 came in early to do one of the three distances.  I did the 5k, and Glenda did the Half marathon. 

In following our personal tradition we were dressed in outfits we referred to as "tutu tropical." 

Our tropical tutus were festooned with iridescent parrots

We have fun outfits/costumes for each of the 5 races during this trip. 

The 5k and 10k courses were out and back, while the half did multiple out and backs...so we got to to see everyone.  And it was along the beach, so there were great views as well. 

Overcast, but warm and humid (80 degrees warmer than the day we left Wisconsin)

I thought this window on the beach was kind of neat

I broke the tape at the finish (everyone did, it was one of the perks of the small race) solidly mid-pack on the 5k and got my medal from John Bingham himself. 

The race medal

I got water and a banana and settled in to people watch and wait for Glenda to finish the half.  I had tucked my little Canon PowerShot camera in my skirt pocket and decided to take some photos while I was sitting on the wall waiting and chatting with other folks.  Got some photos of fellow runners, as well as just some "atmosphere."

Coach Jenny chats with runners at the finish area

Glenda finishes the half marathon first OVERALL

Once Glenda had smoked the competition and come in first in the half, we hung out for awhile before heading back.  

I would be remiss if I did not take a moment here to give a shout out to Team in Training who worked with Jenny and John to make our race happen.  They did an absolutely outstanding job, from the friendly volunteers to the post race snacks, to the ice cold water and gatorade at the water stops.  The race was a joy. 

We had to make a little tourist stop on the way back to the hotel...

Glenda is ladylike in the big beach chair

I'm a little more Edith Ann (with apologies to Lily Tomlin)

The day became blustery and rainy, so we spent most of  the rest of the day indoors, eating, watching  basketball and just generally chilling (it is a vacation after all). 

There was a celebratory seafood lunch

The day ended with a welcome reception where we got to meet more of our cruise mates, Glenda got her award for winning the race and there were greetings and announcements....

And a bit of libation

Tomorrow we board the ship for more shenanigans...

Glenda says this pic looks like I'm ready for those shenanigans

We're going places!

If you know Glenda and I, you know we travel a lot. This year we have several special trips coming up.  In this blog, I am going to talk a little about our preparation for these trips...and with your indulgence, I plan to blog each of these trips, to share the fun!

Trip #1  Caribbean Running Cruise--We run the world!

Last year's running crew

At the end of the week, Glenda and I set off for our 4th Running Cruise with John "the Penguin" Bingham and Coach Jenny Hadfield.  This is our second Caribbean Cruise of this type...all different ports this time, though.  Stops in St. Maarten, Puerto Rico and Coco Cay...races in Fort Lauderdale, onboard the ship, and in each port!  And for us, all in costume (that's just us).

That means I'm working to finish the last bits of our costumes, finish all the stuff that needs to be done around here, sneak in a visit with my daughter and a bit of time with the granddaughters, pack, and get to Florida.  It is always a bit stressful, but worth it once we board the ship.  Watch this blog for a blog of the trip.

This is last year's trip.  We are on Allure of the Seas this year.

Trip #2 Marathoning (and Spectating in London in April)

One of our last London trips was when Glenda did ITU World's there...this time it will be the London Marathon

Early last year, Glenda entered a lottery for the London Marathon through Marathon Tours marathon majors group.  Much to our surprise she got in! This will be the 4th of the 6 majors for her.  For those who do not know, that includes Boston, Chicago, New York, London, Berlin and Tokyo.  She has done all 3 U.S. races.  I will be spectating and enjoying London (and doing a Park Run 5k)...and after the marathon, we are taking a side trip to Liverpool and Wales, parts of the U.K. where we haven't yet been 

Trip #3 ITU Worlds....Edmonton here we come!

Glenda has done ITU Worlds several times, this photo is the first time in Perth, Australia 2009.

Last August Glenda competed in USAT Nationals in Cleveland.  She was mostly doing longer races (70.3) last year...but decided to fill in with the Olympic distance at Nationals since she was eligible for an invitation and had not done Nationals in a few years.  Lo and Behold she placed in the top 10 of her age group, earning a slot in International Triathlon Union Worlds in Edmonton this coming August.  When you earn a slot, you kinda want to go.  Often there is a friends and family race (usually a 5k), but if not, I'm confident that I will find a race to do nearby...and of course I'll cheer Glenda!

Trip #4 Giving thanks for 70.3 Worlds in Taupo, New Zealand

This was pretty unexpected

The place where the race will be

We knew London was possible, though we were a bit surprised.  And ITU Worlds Glenda has done before...so that wasn't a complete shock.  But when we were on our way to Traverse City for Glenda's 70.3 last year, we were actually laughing and joking about "what if"  she qualified for 70.3 Worlds.  You don't know ahead of time how high you have to place in your age group (depends on the size of the group among other things...each age group gets 1-4 entries, and there is a possibility for roll down slots), and placing high in a 70.3 was not something that was on Glenda's radar.  She just wanted to race well.  And she definitely accomplished that!  Placed second in her age group.   So we went to the awards ceremony where they announce the slots for Worlds.  We were still joking around...probably only one slot in her group...but then if #1 didn't want the slot, it could roll down to Glenda.  Hmmm....

We then checked the listing of the number of slots per age group that had been posted.  Women 50-54?  TWO slots!  She had qualified outright!  Now Ironman expects you to commit to your slot immediately, so we had to decide...in? not  in? In a surreal moment, they announced her slot and she shouted...I'M IN!  And there it was...we are spending Thanksgiving this year in Taupo, New Zealand. 

So we are going places..some of which we never expected to be going to...and I am going to share pictures and stories of these trips in this blog as we travel...hoping to share the excitement. 

And now, I suppose I'd better finish packing. 

A few of my favorite things

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens, wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings....these are pretty good favorite things, but they aren't necessarily MY favorite things. 

So, I would like to share a FEW of my favorite things.  I can't possibly share all of them, because if you know me at all, you know that I am not the world's most focussed human being and that I have lots of interests and "favorite things."

Again, if you know me at all, you know that one of my favorite things is to run in costume.  Sometimes Glenda and I wear costumes in expected races...like being Jungle Cruise Skippers at a Disney World event, or at a Halloween race.  Sometimes we wear costumes and themed outfits in totally unexpected places, where we are the only ones in costume. Either way it is a blast!

 Some of the costumes and themes are pretty obvious, and sometimes they are obscure or not as clear to others...but clear to us.  Like these Team snowbird themed outfits that include snowflake skirts and feathered headbands.

But what many people don't know, judging from the number of "where did you get that?" questions I get, is that I design all of our costumes (with huge input from Glenda) and create them (also with significant help from Glenda). Sometimes I sew the whole thing, sometimes I use both pieces I've made and pieces we've bought and often I start with basic running pieces and embellish them.  The Jungle Cruise, Blues Brothers and Mermaid costumes all include basic shirts that have been embellished...I also made the mermaid skirts.  For the Snowbirds I made the skirts and headbands. 

I run about 80% of my races in costumes or themed apparel. And the act of creating costumes is part and parcel of the running experience for me. The act of designing and creating costumes that are recognizable or make us laugh is a super joyful one for me and a creative challenge.  The costume (unless one of those that is an in-joke for us) has to be recognizable to other people at a distance, designed to fit our body types and most important of all RUNNABLE.  That's what removes what I do from CosPlay, which is also cool...but not my particular thing.  I've even had the opportunity to create a few costumes for friends who are not built like us...like turning a very tall female friend into a Christmas Tree for a holiday race or creating skirts for groups whose members vary a good deal in size and shape.  I love it all.  

I'm currently creating costumes for our races in February.  Most notably for a Caribbean Running Cruise that includes 5 races of various types, where some of our favorites will reappear, but there will be new content too.  We have done several running cruises now...and how could we disappoint by showing up without our suitcase of costumes?  Just thinking about it makes me giggle. 

I come by this particularly creative pursuit naturally. I learned to sew very early.  My mother sewed a lot of my clothes.  Then in my college years I got involved in theater (another favorite thing!), ultimately ending up with a Theater Arts degree and lots of costume experience (as well as acting and a little lighting, make-up and scenery work).  I always sewed and did other crafty stuff, but it was only after I started running and then discovered that running in costume was a "thing"  did the passion for costuming re-ignite. 

To see more of our costumes http://www.suellenadams.com/running-in-costume/

Anyone who follows us (particularly Glenda) on social media, you know we have an affinity for rabbits.  I love dogs and some cats too, but Glenda is allergic.  When I little someone gave us a white rabbit and a guinea pig (at different times) and I loved them both, especially Sweetheart the bunny.  So, I suggested bunnies and piggies when Glenda and I wanted a pet.  We like and have had both...but are particularly nuts about our bunnies.  Our current girl, Pontouf, pesters us for a slice of banana every morning and many loves at night.  Her favorite place is on the couch next to Glenda in the evening, getting pets.  She is getting older now and has had some health issues...but sweet and lovey.

And she follows 23 years worth of lovable scamps.  There was Netherland Dwarf mix, weighing in at about 3 pounds, Boggle...and mini lop, Britches....and Florida white, Bebe (who was the size of a medium sized cat)....and mini-Rex, Devon (who got into everything)...and Satin Brothers, Rusty and Reggie. Each had a different personality, and all were "house rabbits" which means they were litter trained and allowed to roam in either all or part of the house.  I don't know that I would recommend rabbits to everyone, but they are certainly perfect for us. 

I guess it will come as no surprise to anyone that traveling is another of my favorite things.  Whether it is a trek to France for my 60th birthday (race included) or a drive to Door County in northern Wisconsin...it is one of the joys of my life. Every time we get ready for a trip I wonder if I have lost my mind, because preparation is stressful...but once I get there, I forget all the stress.  Travel memories are some of the best. I'd rather spend my money making these moments than buying just about anything else. 

Glenda and I travel somewhere, whether close or far away probably about once a month. And our airline and hotel loyalty points definitely get a workout!  

But that isn't the only way we travel. Sometimes we like to travel with friends.  One of our favorites is Fleet Feet of Madison and Sun Prairie's yearly Destination trip.  We have done 3 of these winter trips so far...and always look forward to seeing what is coming up.  We have also done the less formal trips in the Spring and Fall organized by various members of the group.  The neat thing is that we have met a few new runners and gotten to know our friends better. And sure, we run, but we also get in some hard core "chilling" like taking over the hotel hot tub.

We also enjoy trips with family.  Sometimes the whole bunch of us, and other times just one or two.  We've made travel memories with and for our parents, siblings, children and grandchildren...and look forward to many more. And it is wonderful to learn and see new things...or just goof off with family (like granddaughter Ellie above) 

And finally (because I said a FEW of my favorite things)....let's talk "sports ball."  I'll be honest...before I met Glenda and moved to Texas, I could not have cared less if Venus played Mars.  Sports were only barely on my radar. I had been a huge ice hockey fan of the Waterloo Black Hawks, the semi-pro team in my town when I was  in high school (I was once accused of having a hockey puck for a brain) and I had attended a few football and basketball (men's and women's) games in college (Go, Peacocks!), but after that I had mostly lost interest.  But it didn't take long to reawaken when I went to my first University of Texas basketball game when dating Glenda.

So it started with basketball, at UT.  Glenda's Bachelor's and my Ph.D. are both from that storied institution and we followed all the sports, with my favorites being men's and women's basketball.  

By 1998, I was also pretty well entrenched as a UT football fan, attending nearly every home game when we lived in Texas...and traveling every year or so since to see them play.

But 5 years ago, we moved to Wisconsin to be near my family. My Masters is from UW Madison, so I was fairly ready to return to being a Badger, but it took Glenda a year or so to get on the bandwagon.  Now we attend many basketball games, both men's and women's.

And I've kind of returned to my hockey roots, too!

And we've added a few other teams to our sports repertoire.  Like the Milwaukee Brewers (here with my brother and sister-in-law)

The Milwaukee Bucks (thanks for the tickets Christian B!)

And, of course, the Green Bay Packers. (Here with friends Amy and Christian B.)

And here's a team that combines sports with two other of my favorite things...my granddaughter Maeve (red head second from right, standing) and my son Josh (coach, standing far right).

So, when the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad...I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad!

What are your favorite things??