17 May 2010

Running in Texas

After my article in the paper last week my celebrity status became too stressful to deal with so I spent the rest of the week in the Texas Hill Country visiting my brother and doing some traveling with good friends.

I floated down the Frio River with hot sun and cold beer (and a little rain too).  I ate good food, swam with a water moccasin, flipped from a rope swing, danced, sang, ate some more good food, and laughed so much my stomach still hurts.  And each morning before breakfast I tightened my laces and headed for the hills.  (Sadie didn't get to go with me to Texas, but she did get some running in with a friend who watched her.)

Texas Hill Country running

Up the hills, down the hills

I'm back in Washington now and am getting in gear for a Boston Marathon qualifying attempt.  Yep, I'm going to give it a shot.  I have the Coeur d'Alene Marathon at the end of the month.  It's a relatively flat course and should be a good place for me to see how close I am to the 3:10:59 I need to qualify.  I ran a 3:34 last month on a whim, wearing a lei (but no watch), on a very hilly course, taking lots of photos - so I think I have a reasonable chance for a sub-3:20 at Coeur d'Alene.

I also signed up for a flat and fast race near Portland on July 4th: the Foot Traffic Flat.  I anticipate this to be my first "official" attempt at qualifying.  If I don't make it then (but am close enough to not shatter my hopes) then there are a few races in the fall that I'll look into - the Portland Marathon, with it's fast course and 3:10 pace group, being the most likely option.

Until then, it's "keep running!"



  1. Maybe I should incorporate snakes into my swim training (besides my religious ceremonies ;-)

  2. Yay! Good luck! There are the Greenville and Richmond marathons in the Fall...

  3. Way to make it official. Good luck, and glad you're back in Washington!

  4. Nice to have a goal - good luck with your BQ!

  5. I hope you have a GREAT race. I can't wait to hear about it. I am sure you will qualify, but if you are interested in a road trip with a fast marathon, join me in Huntsville, AL in Dec. for the Rocket City Marathon. We can have a blogger meet up. Fun!

  6. you can do it!! stay focused and have fun!!

  7. Tess and me will be gunning for you on that 3.10 marathon time.
    If you want it bad enough then it's your for the taking.
    you have more than enough endurance, just keep working on the speed :]

  8. I am telling Sadie all about your fun!!

    btw - love the beer/dinner trick you are trying. Wes will return to us. A cold beverage is just hard to pass up!!

  9. http://elpalpite.blogspot.com