Pink, PR, and Pinot Noir

This last Sunday morning wasn't my usual "sleep in, lounge around, drink a pot of coffee and relax" kind of day, but rather a "get up at 5:00am, eat a banana, drink a cup of coffee and run the 31st annual Napa Valley Marathon" sort of Sunday.

Hoping to push through to a personal record (PR), I knew it would suit me best to wear something pink. From head to toe I wore a Vivid Pink Nike Visor , my sister surprised me with an Asics Core Long Sleeve running shirt in fuschia, I ran in my favorite Smartwool Adrenaline Light Micro socks in Orchid, then treated myself to a pedicure with La-Paz-Itively Hot pink varnish by OPI, as it is more than likely I will only have all of my toenails for another month due to continuous pounding they endure during a 26.2 mile run. Delightful.

Between the few measly hours I was able to sleep, I woke up to the sound of rain that wasn't letting up. I stumbled out of bed at 5:00am, dressed for the occasion, ate a little snack, threw on a trash bag to keep me as dry as possible before the race, and was out the door.

My good friend drove me to the start as I nervously, single-handedly carried on continuous inane banter. Looking for Sherry while hiding under my Glad Bag, I listened to one lady crack on about how many more marathons she was running this year and how the last one would be "slow, like four hours or less. Just for fun..." While others were performing high kicks and slamming power gels. One man wasn't wearing shoes, and another man was wearing briefs, tube socks and rubber sandals. Ugh, runners. So weird. Anyway, with only minutes to spare I found Sherry and before we knew it we were clipping away at mile one.

Despite the fact that the morning was cold, somewhat windy, and certainly wet, I was able to break my PR by 17 minutes! If Sherry and I hadn't been able to lie to each other during those last 8 miles, saying how great we felt and how fun it was, I may not have had the spirit to continue, but deception at its best kicked me all the way to the finish line.

Best part of the race? Our amazing support team. Our friends and families covered the entire distance, cheering us on from mile to mile in the rain. Even my 7 month old nephew toughed it out in those conditions. You're the best George!!

After slamming a cheese burger and sweet potato fries from Taylor's I took a short break before dipping in to a celebratory glass of Schramsberg Brut Rose. Hours later I was more than making up for the calories burned, thanks to my mother and sister who slaved away at the world's best Mac and Cheese from the Jimtown Store cookbook. And as determined prior to all of this, we had one of my favorite Pinot Noirs, Williams Selyem 2006 Rochioli Riverblock Vineyard. Oh my God, it was heaven.

Rare Pink Dolphin

WHAT!?

My focus has barely shifted since my friend Michelle sent me this link about the Rare Pink Dolphin. It's my favorite color of pink and this dolphin really does exist. (almost as astonishing as the dolphin shorts worn by George Michael in the Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go video)

The mammal was first sited in Lake Calcasieu, an inland saltwater estuary, north of the Gulf of Mexico in southwestern USA. It has been described as "entirely pink from tip to tail and has reddish eyes indicating it's albinism. The skin appears smooth, glossy pink without flaws."

According to Captain Rue, the man who has had many sightings of the dolphin, the mammal appears to be very healthy and as the years have passed, the dolphin has certainly grown and matured but remains close to it's mother and the others in the pod. Impressively family oriented. I like it.

That's really all I know, but I intend to keep up with any new information anyone can give me regarding this pink magic.

Literally & Figuratively Under The Weather

My computer and I both came down with nasty viruses last Monday. The biggest problem? I had only a few days to get well and prepare to run 26.2 miles in what was predicted to be a windy and rainy day for the 31st annual Napa Valley Marathon. On Friday I was still unable to surf the web, hoping to discover a drastic change in the forecast, and felt it was just as unlikely I would make a full recovery.

I did everything I possibly could to reverse the situation. Drank gallons of water, slept every spare moment I had, popped vitamin C and zinc, and prayed to God I would be able to celebrate all of my dedication and hours of training by running the race.

Along came Sunday and feeling much better than I expected, Sherry and I rocked it! We ran through wind, rain, and a bit of pain, and mucho thanks to our awesome friends and family we were cheered on from start to finish.

Now I must get my computer back to health so I can tell you more about the marathon weekend! To be continued...

How To Reign In The Rain

With six days left until the marathon, I have been checking the weather forecast every hour in hopes that it will magically say something different. All reports suggest steady showers with highs in the 60's and lows in the 30's. I think above all other concerns of a possible running injury, missing a long run, or not finding something pink to wear, this was my biggest fear of all. Rain on race day.

Having consulted as many articles as I can muster up the interest to read, I gathered some helpful tips for successfully running in the rain. It is best said that failing to plan is planning to fail, so being prepared to run in a downpour is the most important consideration.

1. Wear a trash bag over your clothes while you wait for the race to start. Stay as warm and dry as possible.

2. Don't overdo it with extra layers. Your body will become overheated as you warm up.

3. Wear running attire made with wicking fabric. Not cotton. A waterproof cap is good idea to keep the rain out of your eyes.

3. Don't start out the race too fast. It is tempting to speed up when you are cold, but remember to pace yourself.

4. If possible, have dry clothes at the finish to change in to as soon as possible.

5. And of course try to have fun. You have worked hard in preparation for this day

There is still a chance that the weather forecast will miraculously change. So keep your fingers crossed for me!

BYOB

The March/April issue of Women's Running features an awesome online service that allows you to build your own bar. YouBar was created by a mother and her marathoner son, putting a healthy spin on customizing your own nutritional energy snack. With nearly 50 different ingredients such as peanuts, goji berries, and almond butter, you can now tailor a bar to your own tastes that also meets your dietary needs. The website is easy to use, and while you are building your masterpiece a complete nutritional facts list appears in the upper right corner and quickly crunches the numbers as you customize your creation. The coolest part? You get to name your bar. I'm still working on that. Clairathon bar? Last call bar? Bar belle? The options are endless. Check it out!

Runner's Digest

I have rather carefully followed The Rookie Marathon Training Plan, so now with one week left before the big day, I have researched several different articles so I can focus on what and what not to eat. I learned that for shorter runs a cup of coffee will more than suffice, and has even proven to result in faster times as well as increase the body's ability to produce energy while burning fuel. And whether it's pasta and meat sauce the night before a marathon, or a slice of toast with peanut butter the morning of a 10-miler, the research indicates that carbohydrates with a side of protein is most beneficial in preparing for longer runs.

Some foods that are commonly listed specifically to fuel peak performance for runners include salmon, sweet potatoes, eggs, almonds, whole grain cereals/breads/pasta, chicken, black beans, mixed salad greens, low fat yogurt, mixed berries, oranges and dark chocolate.

And who doesn't need a treat every now and then? Might I suggest the new Haagen-Dazs Reserve flavor, Fleur de Sel Caramel? Caramels coated in chocolate with accents of french sea salt are submerged in a vanilla and caramel base. It is to die for! And a good reason to run.

This Run's In The Bag

I generally get one of two reactions to my decision to run the Napa Valley Marathon.

1. From what are you running? Get your head checked.

2. Awesome. That is fantastic. Best of luck!

So I cannot express how excited I was to receive this sassy tote from one of my more supportive and most thoughtful patients at work, as a pre-congratulatory reward. The bag comes from Toss Designs, one of my favorite stores in town. And while I would gladly walk away with anything and everything from this shop, you cannot go wrong in finding the perfect gift for someone else here. Toss Designs offers a variety of products such as travel bags, tennis covers, stationary, barware, pet carriers, placemats, jewelry, clothes and shoes, to name a few. Their styles, patterns, materials, and designs are so much fun. Check it out.