Movie Madness Half Marathon 2013

I was looking for a half marathon to run in preparation for an upcoming 70.3 tri. Mid May worked into the schedule nicely and I set out to find a race not too far from home.  I found the Movie Madness Half Marathon in Grantville, PA put on by US Road Running.   I stayed with good friends the night before and from their house it was a 40 or so minute drive to the race start at the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.  It had been years since I had been to that area and I enjoyed my early morning drive very much.  On my way there I passed through the outskirts of Hershey and a side road took me right through the Hershey Country Club.  It made me smile and brought back memories of attending LPGA Tournaments there in the 1980's.  As I got closer to the Casino, I could see the beautiful foothills of the Appalachian Mountain Range.

Packet pickup was quick and easy and I had plenty of time to pin my number on and warm up.  At the other end of the parking lot you could walk right up to the race track and watch the morning workouts.  It was warm, but overcast and there was a bit of wind.

The Fun Run Trophy Fetch was first up and a lot of fun to watch.  The trophies were all lined up waiting to be "fetched" and taken to the finish line.

Next up was the half marathon.  Most races start with "runners on your mark, set and a shot or horn".  In keeping with the Movie theme, this one started with "lights, camera, action"!   I had no idea what the terrain was like, but I knew the course was an out and back that went away from the mountains.  The start was a fast downhill and I made an effort to hold back.  From about the end of the first mile to the last mile (which was mostly uphill), the course was like a roller coaster!  If you like running rollers then you would love this course.  There were a few steep climbs in there as well-one that culminated with a run through a cemetery.  How appropriate!!!!  I just couldn't get in a groove with my pace and  ended up walking through the water stops and on a few steep climbs.  Luckily it stayed cloudy to help keep the temperatures down.  All in all I was happy with my finish and to feel good especially since it was such a challenging course.  This was my longest run since Disney!  There weren't many water stops on the course, but they did offer water and Gatorade.  One was stocked with gummie bears too. 

Post race food was a little sparse-some slider sized sandwiches, chips, popcorn and gummie bears.   I always have my PowerBar Recovery Drink, so I wasn't too concerned about the food.  I knew there would be plenty of places to stop on my drive home as well.  As for swag, the race packet included a nice tech T-shirt, 13.1 sticker and a full color bib.  There were plenty of awards for overall and age group winners as well as costumed runners.  Double kudos to anyone that ran this course in a costume!!  I ended up 1st in my AG and brought home a Tony!!!  I'm ready for my close up Mr. DeMille!!!!!!

On course:  Water, Gatorade, 2 PowerBar Gels

The Icicle Metric

Yesterday we traveled to Newark, DE for the Icicle Metric sponsored by the White Clay Bicycle Club.  Let me begin by saying that this ride generally lives up to the name and did so again this year.  Brrrr.  I've lost track of how many times we have done this event, but I will tell you that it is always a great day of riding.  When you think of Delaware, you may think of flat.  WRONG!!!  Not in this part of the state!   The ride leaves the campus of the University of Delaware and within a few miles you are out of town passing orchards, streams, farm lands and parks.   The courses cross into Maryland and Pennsylvania while weaving back into Delaware.  You have the option of 35, 50 or 100 km routes and all include a very well stocked food stop.  GPS files are available for all routes as well as cue sheets and one souvenir per rider.  If you are lucky you will get one of the cue sheet holders before they are gone!  We missed out this year but picked up a rear blinky light and a water bottle instead.  The stop is at a school which gives you a chance to use the facilities and get warmed up.  You can refill your bottles and choose from a great buffet of fruit, cookies, brownies, trail mix and PB&J sandwiches - just to name a few things on the menu.  Of course when you leave there you will be climbing...again.

Last year had milder temps but with lots of rain.  This year we had bright sunshine with temperatures in the 30's and some wind.  It made for a very nice day of riding!  WCBC scores an A+ again!!!!  See you next year!

-PowerBar Ironman Perform
-PowerBar Gel Blasts
-1 PB&J on squishy white bread
-H2O
-1 brownie and some trail mix for the way home  :-)

A Magical Time at Disney's 20th Anniversary Marathon Weekend

We just returned from a very magical weekend at Walt Disney World in Florida!    After watching the Wonderful World of Disney every Sunday night as a kid, Mickey, Minnie and the crew became a part of my life.  A trip to Disney World in 1974 was my only visit there...until now.  I can honestly say I never listed Disney as a destination on my vacation wish list.  Our good friends Mike and Cindy were going down for the 20th Anniversary races and after talking with them, I quickly signed on.  Cindy was going there to run her first half marathon and Mike was doing the Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge-the half marathon on Saturday and the full marathon on Sunday.   Melissa decided to run the 5k on Friday and I signed up for the Goofy.  Melissa was kind enough to invite me to do the 5k with her and we had a ball running through Epcot.  We loved the sights and the many photo opportunities!

Each race started well before dawn and each and every corral was treated to fireworks as the gun went off!

Cindy was very well prepared for her half marathon and cruised through the Magic Kingdom and back to Epcot for the finish.  I really enjoyed running with her and taking in the sights.  Mike finished well before us placing 21st out of 657 in his AG with a time of 1:47.  Cindy and I finished 264 and 265 out of 684 in our AG with a time of 2:55.  There were several spots along the course that were narrow and tight with walkers, but for the most part, the course was great!

Then came marathon morning.  Traffic was much heavier as we made our way to the start.  They were calling for temps near 80, so we were thankful for the early start - 5:30am.  The course didn't seem quite as crowded to me as the day before.  I got to see Melissa on the Main Street of the Magic Kingdom which always makes me smile!  She was also a member of the Cheer Squad for the weekend!

It did get pretty warm as the morning went on, but there was so much to see along the way, that it didn't seem to matter.  After leaving the Magic Kingdom, we were treated to a lap around the Walt Disney World Speedway.  The track was lined with race cars, hot rods and several CARS stars.  From there we headed to Disney's Animal Kingdom complete with several live critters to greet us!!  Next was the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex where we ran along several practice fields and then along the baselines of Champion Stadium-winter home of the Atlanta Braves.  It was fun to watch ourselves in a live feed on the big screen at the stadium, but I found this to be the hottest spot on the race course.  It just seemed like there wasn't much airflow in there.  Then on to mile 20 where we saw Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy to help in the 20th Anniversary Celebration.  A mile or so past there I was feeling a little tired.  I walked a short incline, took an "S Cap" and some fluids and felt fine from there on in.  Next up was Disney's Hollywood Studio.  It was a very welcome sight with lots of cheering people and an extra special treat as we ran straight through the middle of the Wardrobe Department building!!  Leaving there we cruised along the Boardwalk area, into Epcot and on to the finish line.  Mike qualified for Boston again with a blazing 3:35 placing 12th out of 582 in his AG!!  I finished in 5:28 for a 91 out of 419 in my AG.  I was very happy with all of my runs, especially since I followed a 3 day a week training plan with only one 20 miler and a few 18's, along with being about 10 lbs over my racing weight!!  42.4 miles in 3 days!  Cindy tells me they call that the "Dopey" race!!!

The one thing I am certain of is that Disney certainly knows how to entertain you!!!  From the expo, to the race starts, to the entertainment along the roads between resorts, the resorts themselves and the Disney Characters all along the race courses, it was a joy to be there!!  And they certainly know how to move people whether on foot, by bus, by boat or by monorail.

On our flight there, we met a young Mom on the plane who was going there to run her first half marathon.  She was a delight to talk with and the magic of Disney shone through her as she told us of her childhood Disney experiences and those as an adult.  She told us "the place is magical" and she was right.  We said our goodbyes as we landed and I didn't think I would ever see her again.  Then on race morning of the half marathon, in the midst of 25,000 runners, someone in my corral asked if I could take a picture for them.  It was the woman from the plane and her daughter!!  Can you believe it??  It was magic!!!

Race Nutrition:
Half marathon, marathon-"S Caps", PowerBar Double Latte gels, PowerBar Vanilla gels, on course drink PowerAde and water.
Massage after both races at finish area massage tent.

Post Race Weekend Breakfast at Chef Mickey's-the waffles were the best!

Goodbye 2012

Well, here it is New Year's Eve.....wow, where did the time go.  I know we all say it and I feel silly repeating it, but I still wonder how time can go by so fast.  2012 was a great year and meeting my goal of finishing Ironman Lake Placid was definitely a highlight.  But that came in a distant 2nd to my brother having successful cardiac surgery.  He had two stents placed in his "widow maker" artery.  I came awfully close to losing him.  That was in August and in September, he accompanied Melissa and I to Washington, DC for the Nation's Tri.  What a special trip that was for the three of us.

Along with the highs there always come some lows.  One of those was Hurricane Sandy .  She blew in and kept us quaking in our shoes as the winds roared through the night.  We were fortunate and only had one tree land softly on the house.  Sadly for so many others, it was complete devastation.   Our hearts go out to those who were in Sandy's path.  Even though there was so much destruction, it was a reminder that there are still so many kind and generous people and businesses out there.  Help poured in and will hopefully continue.  Thank you to PowerBar for encouraging us and reimbursing us to donate products to victims and rescue workers.  For me, this storm brought back so many memories of Hurricane Agnes when she flooded my hometown in 1972.  The scenes were all too familiar.....

1972 or 2012???  Many of the scenes were the same.  It will take a lot of heart to rebuild, but rebuild they will.  Living through the flood of '72 taught me many lessons, the most important one being that 'things' can be replaced, but 'people' never can be.  

And so I am thankful for all in my life and for another year on this earthly plane.  I wish you a Happy, Healthy and Peace Filled New Year.  Write down your goals for 2013 and keep them close to your heart.  Dream big and run fast!!!

A Ride on the Pine Creek Rail Trail

We recently headed to the tiny town of Woolrich, PA to shop at the Woolrich Flagship and Outlet Store.  I lived in Lock Haven (just south of there) many years ago and had been to the store a few times.  On this trip we found some 'new threads' at nice prices and it also brought back fond memories of Christmas shopping for one of their red and black plaid wool overshirts for my Dad.

After some fun shopping and watching a wood carver in action in the parking lot,  we headed out and made a stop at the Restless Oaks Restaurant just off of Route 220.  The soup and chili were hot and the wait staff was very friendly.  From there we drove north for a ride on the Pine Creek Rail Trail.  We had picked up a large size trail map at the restaurant which worked out much better than the one I printed from the website.  By this time it was mid afternoon so we decided to find one of the lower access points and do a short ride North from there.  We parked at the Whitetail Access Area and headed out to the Bonnell Flat Comfort Station-a 4.5 mile ride one way.

It was a little chilly and overcast starting out, but that didn't take away from the scenery and nice views of Pine Creek.

The trail was well maintained and included a nice bridge crossing over the creek.  We passed a few riders but for the most part, we had the trail to ourselves!  We checked out the comfort stations before starting our return trip and gave them a thumbs up.  We usually end up looking for porta-potties when we are riding, so this was a welcome addition!

The sun came out for the rest of our ride which made for some good photo opportunities!

It was a nice fall ride on our "comfy" Cannondale Adventure 2 bikes!!  We can't wait to get back and ride through Pine Creek Gorge and the beautiful Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania on the northern end of the trail.

A Little R & R on Sanibel Island

Most of our vacations are planned around races or rides, but this time we decided to plan a quiet and restful trip.  Sanibel Island off of the Gulf Coast of Florida was the perfect place.  Aside from great lodging and the beautiful beach at The Song of the Sea, we found some wonderful restaurants with Grandma Dot's being our favorite (especially their homemade Key Lime Pie).

Grandma Dot's

Along with all of these pleasures, the highlight of this trip for me was the incredible wildlife we got to see at the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge and on the beach.  Our first afternoon found us on Wildlife Drive where we spotted jumping Mullet, Wood Storks, a Roseate Spoonbill surrounded by Willets, countless other birds and an alligator sunning itself along the edge of the road.  Did I mention that they can run as fast as 25mph........yikes!

Roseate Spoonbill with Willets

Gator!

A sunset cruise lead by Tarpon Bay Explorers was a great way to end our second day there as we saw hundreds of ibis, brown pelicans roosting for the evening, osprey, egrets, cormorants, herons, horseshoe crabs and manatee (well, manatee noses that is) and a great sunset over the bay!

Horseshoe Crabs

Brown Pelicans roosting

Brown Pelicans and Ibis roosting

Double Crested Cormorant

Sunset over Tarpon Bay

The beach is a mix of super soft white sand and more seashells than you can imagine.  We were also treated to daily shows by shore birds, pelicans, bald eagles and osprey that kept us smiling.  

Royal Tern

Brown Pelicans in flight

Snowy Plover

Black Skimmer

Willet

Least Sandpiper

Sanderling

The next morning we were back at the Preserve for a guided kayak tour with Tarpon Bay Explorers.  The tour began in Tarpon Bay and passed through mangrove forests along the Commodore Creek Water Trail.  What a truly incredible experience!  We were treated to great views of Little Blue Herons, Cormorants, Anhingas, a Roseate Spoonbill dancing around with a Tri Colored Heron, a Black Crowned Night Heron and a Yellow Crowned Night Heron that looked sound asleep while drying his wings!!  We got so close that we were afraid we would bump into him!  (Please forgive the poor quality of a few of the photos-the lighting wasn't always the best.)  Luckily we missed the mangrove snake that a few people saw in the water with us!!

Little Blue Heron

Anhinga

Along the water trail

Double Crested Cormorant drying his wings

Roseate Spoonbill on mangrove roots

Tri Colored Heron and Roseate Spoonbill feeding

Yellow Crowned Night Heron

Yellow Crowned Night heron

This is the life!!

A few rides on the tandem for dinner and ice cream or to the historic Sanibel Lighthouse, some long walks and a swim in the bay were just enough to balance out the lazy afternoons reading on the beach, sleeping in and time at the pool and hot tub.  Throw in a walk at sunrise and a dash to catch the sunset and you have a great vacation!  

Sanibel Island Light

Snowy Egret

Sunrise and Pelican facing Fort Meyers

Sunset at Bowman's Beach footbridge

We saw many signs throughout the island that cautioned "Gopher Tortoise Crossing".  Each time we were out on the roads we would carefully scan ahead and to the sides watching for these creatures.  On our last morning there, we took the tandem out for one last spin.  When we reached the driveway to our inn we were greeted by the mighty Gopher Tortoise or so we thought!!  (That's not me holding him-it was a worker that happened by)  

I think it is actually a baby Florida Box Turtle

I highly recommend Sanibel Island to anyone looking for a quiet getaway filled with some of the best nature has to offer.  Pack light, bring a good book and relax!!