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??

Vision Board? Vision Blog!

In recent years I have heard a lot about vision boards as part of goal setting, I have even created some the past two years.  But this year I decided that I needed to do this a different way.  Thus, Vision Blog!  This way I can include more explanation, for myself, but also for you all (to help keep me more accountable).

Often I start my vision board with a word or thought of the year.  And I have decided that a Vision Blog should be no different. So the word of the year is....

 

I chose this word, victory, after reading a random post on facebook.  Don't even remember exactly where I saw it.  But the gist was that it might be good to stop chasing Personal Records and start chasing Personal Victories.  That is my vision for this year, to find the personal victories.  I think the hashtag #PV might become a "thing" for me this year, as I reach for and find my personal victories.

So that's the general theme of the year, but I do have some general and specific goals in a couple of areas, and ideas to get there for some of them.

Let's start with some things outside of athletics. 

HOME AND FAMILY

 

One thing I have noticed since I retired is that I feel like I am drowning in STUFF.  Craft supplies, books, clothes, costumes, keepsakes, you get the idea.  Every box, bag, container that I can sort, organize, store or get rid of would be a personal victory.  I have decided to start by targeting a couple of rooms and further targeting a specific segment of one of those rooms (sewing patterns).

Related to the goal above is not to collect lots more stuff, not only for myself, but for my family.  We are committed to buying less things for our children and grandchildren and instead spend our time and money giving them "moments."  You know the kind of things I mean, everything from afternoons on the playground to fairly elaborate trips.  We already began this journey at the end of last year and earlier this year, by committing to workouts and races with my daughter,  giving my Mom a trip for Christmas, taking our granddaughters on an overnight trip to the indoor waterpark, and planning trips with various family members. I feel like it is a victory every time we make the choice to make a moment...it is an attitude I want to continue.

Also related to "stuff" but also health and athletic stuff is that I have a metric "sh*tload" of cookbooks....but I seem to fall into the pattern of making stuff that is easy, convenient or already in my repertoire. As a consequence my nutrition could use a boost.  So it would be a personal victory to make a new recipe once a week or so to expand my repertoire and determine if I really need to keep all these cookbooks. 

WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS RETIREMENT THING?

I have already said that I have not learned to love retirement.  I don't even feel like I want to learn to love it.  Maybe that's a bad attitude, I don't know. But a personal victory would be to find a part time or irregular thing (or things) to do that made me feel useful and pay just a little money. I am not discounting volunteer work down the road, but for me in this moment, I need to feel a connection between my activity and my earning. 

So far I am continuing my work as a photo editor with a local event photographer, and I have talked to one (but only one) of the places I used to teach for about teaching an occasional class. I have also put out feelers about doing some part time work with a local company.  The ideal thing would be something I could do from home or flexible hours at least some of the time. 

So I am looking and exploring. One thing I'm researchin is free lance writing (and/or speaking). I have written for both academic and popular professional publications as an academic, and have done some paid writing for a company blog (human interest and light marketing).  I have a lot of speaking experience as well.  Another thing I have thought of is teaching craft skills or other things related to crafting or costuming.  Or more traditional part time work with a company that I believe in or an industry that interests me would be good too.  If any one out there has any ideas (wild or otherwise), I'd be glad to hear them.

ATHLETIC STUFF

 

I clearly know what a personal victory looks and feels like in my athletic endeavors, and while a personal record feels good...I think a personal victory might be even better. A #PV can come in any workout or race, and I think finding them may be more a matter of attitude and effort than anything else.  So step one here is to put in the effort and try to keep that attitude.  But I do have some specific goals and target races, too. 

My target races (or A races) for the year are divided between running and triathlon.  The running races on the A list are The Shamrock 8k in Chicago on March 22 and the Mackinac Island 8 miler in mid-September. I don't have specific time goals for either race, but more to just perform as well as I possibly can.  On the triathlon side, my most important race is in August, it is a repeat of last year's race, the Naperville Sprint Tri...and my goal is to do as well or better than last year. 

Obviously I have other races and I want to do well in them all...but those are the goals, the ones I want to peak for. 

I also have set a number of intermediate goals with my coach to help get me there.  And those will be ongoing.  Right now I have 3: improving my swim pace to 2:30 per 100, increasing my run intervals to 2 run/1 walk, and improving my core strength as measured by a strength test. 

AND SO..

Here's to all the personal victories this year...mine and yours.  I cannot wait to share mine and hear about yours!

2019 in Review

A few weeks ago we ended a year (and a decade).  If I tried to do a decade in review, it would take you all day to read it!  But there is certainly time for a year in review...and so without further ado....

ATHLETIC (the good and the bad)

Let's start with races...I attempted 36 races in the course of 2019.  I finished 33, but I don't consider any of the ones I didn't finish a fail.  Lets talk about those first.

If late January and early February, we took a Caribbean Running Cruise, in the course of the trip (including the pre-cruise event) there were 6 events.  The trail race event was on Roatan Honduras and billed as "hill-ish" (a major understatement).  I bailed after the first major hill (as did several others)...and I still felt like a winner for conquering that hill! 

Up the hill

Down the hill

We won that hill~Didn't need any more!

A few days later in Cozumel we had an pirate adventure amazing race.  We started out, but we already knew we were tired and planned to make it our own.  So ran a couple of miles and found a great spot to take photos of others and share them with the group. So while we did not technically finish a race we started, we had a successful outing. 

ARR! We made the pirate race our own

Finally, in July I attempted the Door County Sprint Tri.  Just as we started the breeze came up and the waves on the bay in Lake Michigan became unmanageable for me and I was pulled.  But I went ahead and had one of the best (and longest) bike rides of my triathlon career.  I started the run, but decided that I did not have to finish, as I would not have an official time and dropped. But that bike ride...oh, that ride!

Happy on the bike

Otherwise in running, I completed seventeen 5ks in 8 states plus the Bahamas, one 1 miler that was part of the Temptations Challenge at the Detroit Free Press Races, one 5.5 miler (in Costa Maya), one 8k, two 10ks (in 2 states), one quarter marathon, and one half marathon.  

Some highlights are below:

Winning the costume contest at the Heroes in Disguise 5k in St. George, Utah

 

I really enjoyed running several races this year alongside my friend Christine Miller

 

Love this photo, love the backdrop, love when I get to run with my honey

 

Melanie's first 5k after many years...great moment for her, proud moment for me

Maybe a bit esoteric, but Crowley and Aziraphael was my favorite costume of the year (and got re-tweeted by Neil Gaiman)

I also did 2 half marathon relays, 1 marathon relay and one triathlon relay.

 

Glenda and I had a blast with Polly Hamner at the Rockin' Brews Half in August (we also introduced her to the joys of themed outfits...and I did my tri relay with Polly as well)

 

Marathon relay with Chritian Borchardt, Glenda, me and Amy Borchardt at the Detroit Free Press in October

 

Finished the year with a half marathon relay in Atlanta with Glenda

And in the triathlon world I did 2 indoor tris and 3 triathlons of various distances.

 

Glenda and I crossed paths doing different distances at the Elkhart Lake Tri

 

Crossing the finish at Naperville...my goal triathlon of the season

Undoubtedly my biggest accomplishment of the year for 2019 was finishing the challenge I had set for myself to run a race of at least 5k in each of the 50 states plus Washington DC.  I concluded the challenge in Missoula, Montana by doing the half marathon. It was made extra special in a number of ways.  Glenda ran the race with me and we reminisced about all the other races along the way, which was an incredible way to make the miles go by.  I had the opportunity to meet a number of wonderful people who are members of the Challenge 365 online group that I belong to, and many have become even better friends.  And randomly at mile 8, Glenda was contacted by Nicole DeBoom, the founder of Skirt Sports (we are both ambassadors and had won the Dynamic Duo award earlier in the year...another highlight!), she wanted to feature us in an Instagram story on the company site that morning. My 50th state became a part of that story, as she featured us!

Around mile 12

Mission accomplished!

The last thing I want to say about athletics in 2019 is that coaching can be important, no matter what your talent level, but that "fit" is incredibly important.  I was lucky to work with 3 talented and very different coaches.  All were good and all were knowledgeable.  The first was an unfortunately poor fit for me despite being a very good coach, the second was better fit and also a very good coach and got me through the goal triathlon...the third is someone I'd wanted to work with for a long time and I am even more happy than expected. I feel like she gets me and I look forward to working together for a long time.  So I end the year as a member of the Fleet Feet running club, the Prairie Athletic Tri Team and being coached by C.C. Rowe of WTF Endurance out of Austin, TX.

IN THE WORLD OF WORK

Last year I actually retired.  I thought I'd love it.  I WANTED to love it.  I don't. There are some nice perks of course...but I miss the feeling of making a difference. And although I have a retirement income, saved over the years, I somehow miss the connection between my money and my work.  I know I earned it...but it seems out of sync somehow.  

I  do still work part time  on an irregular schedule as a photo editor for Focal Flame Photography...and love it! I am exploring other part time options, and ideas for irregular work, but more on that in my next blog post!

IN THE FAMILY

Glenda and I celebrated 22 years together last year.  This always amazes me to think about it.  I was married before.  Twice. Eight years each.  My kids are from my first marriage. And I learned a lot from the other relationships I had in my life.  But nothing compares to life with Glenda.  Here's to another 22 years (and then some)! 

I enjoy living close to my son, his wife and my granddaughters, as well as my mother, and my brother's family. I used to live close to my daughter too.  But her living situation is the biggest change in the family.  Melanie is a paraplegic with several health issues and requires some help.  The state of Wisconsin helps with her living situation, and after a stretch of particularly bad health she found her living situation inadequate and spent several months in a nursing home.  When the state was able to find her an appropriate situation (a group home) it was 80 miles away. I protested, but she wanted to try it...telling me that she thought she might never really become independent if she could easily rely on me.  After 4 months in the new situation, I readily admit...she was right. I had for years told her various doctors and social workers that I wanted to be Melanie's mother, not her social worker/medical manager/caregiver etc.  In the last quarter  of 2019, I became just mom again.  It has changed my life in some unexpected ways...but I have to say, I like it!

LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR AND BEYOND

I will soon be sharing my "vision" for next year. But I look forward to seeing what comes in 2020 and beyond!