April Already?!?

I can't believe that it's April already. I haven't published a post since February. I started one in March, but for some unknown reason, I never finished it. My March post began with a description of my February marathon. I ran my sixth marathon at the end of February in New Orleans; my third in five months. I didn't have a record-breaking finish time, but anytime you can finish a marathon, you should feel good about yourself. I've signed up for the Houston Marathon in January 2017, but other than that, I don't have any other full marathons taking place. I'm still running, but it feels good not to have to run a 12-, 15- or 18-mile training run. Last week, my run group opted for bridge repeats on the Kemah Bridge. I'm proud to say I completed 4 1/2 complete up-and-overs for a total of 8 miles. With an upcoming half marathon later this month, I probably need at least a 10-miler this weekend. Alas, I digress. This is a blog about surfing.

Once again, waves have been sporadic with the best ones coming during the middle of the week in the middle of the day while I'm at work. The weekends have been flat. The good thing about mid-week waves this time of year is that the sun is out long enough to allow for an after-work surf session. Last Thursday (3/31), everyone with a surfboard went surfing. The wind shifted from the north/northeast and the waves were nice. The problem was that the winds were incredibly strong as was the current. I made it down to Gtown before 6. Because of crowds, I ended up at Flagship, which wasn't nearly as crowded because of the current. I paddled out near the pier, which had a strong rip current to pull me along. However, the current was rough -- very rough -- and I got pulled out. I could see the surfable waves midway between the Pleasure Pier and the jetty. However, trying to swim to the waves was nearly impossible. I kept getting pushed back to the pier, which was tiring and disturbing. Finally, I decided I needed to be a little bit more on the inside. Once I paddled in a little, I caught a few waves. I paddled out once or twice more, but used the rip near the jetty rather than the pier. I always ended up back on the inside. However, I caught a few waves there, so it was the better place for me. All in all, I had a great time. I can't wait to get back out.

The forecast for waves has been dismal, although I noticed that sloppy knee- to waist-high waves are forecasted for tomorrow (Sunday, 4/10), which may be good enough to get me back out in the water. I completed a brick workout today (Saturday, 4/9), so I got in a good weekend cardio workout. And the paddling will help me too. A good little surf session will help round out the weekend.

Another Surf Movie

Last week on Facebook, one of the surfing pages I follow posted information about a documentary that would be premiering in the Clear Lake area at the local Cinemark on Thursday. I usually work out on Thursday nights, but I was ready to make an exception so I could see "A Deeper Shade of Blue." Described as "a film about surfing’s deepest roots: in the subconscious; in ancient lore; in the craft of surfboard building; in man’s perpetual quest for a joyful relationship with the natural world," it sounded intriguing, to say the least. After grabbing a bite to eat, I went to the movie theater and could quickly decipher who was there to see the surfing documentary and who was there to see something else. I hate to typecast but many of the surfers were distinguishable; especially the older surfers. You could tell who they were from the rugged, tan, almost leathery skin and the hair that was blonde at the ends. I saw a couple of cool guys I know from G-town, but most of them were unfamiliar older surfers with a few young ones thrown in. I saw a guy I know from work with his son. He's been a surfer for awhile, but he has only recently introduced the sport to his son. I chuckled when we were sitting in the movie theater waiting for the movie to start because everyone seemed to be talking out loud. They were  shouting across the room as people they recognized came in. It was interesting.  

The movie started with interviews, which were entertaining for the first few minutes, but dragged on a little bit too much for me. It was interesting information, but I was ready for the movie to start. All in all,

The movie was called "A Deeper Shade of Blue," which
made me think of this pic I shot while flying over
Costa Rica.

the movie was good and the information about different boards and wave heights was fascinating. I shudder to think how I would react if I saw a wave as a big as some of those in the movie coming toward me as I was lying prone on a surfboard. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't react well. I'd be looking for ways to get out of the wave. Check it out at adeepershadeofblue.com. 

After seeing a movie about surfing, I was dying to get out in the waves. On Friday, the waves were rough and the seawall was full because of the Easter holiday weekend. On-the-spot surf reports from some of my surfing acquaintance indicated it wasn't worth the drive down to the shore. Saturday morning brought some pretty little waves, but by the time I could get there, crowds had gathered again and the wind had made it far too choppy to make it worth my while. (On a side note, I had a family breakfast to attend; I was glad that, at least I got to run 8.1 miles.) Sunday was Easter and my calendar was full. I read on the web that there were a few surf-able waves, but I didn't have time to make it down. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this weekend. I have to work Saturday afternoon, but I should be able to squeeze in a session midday Friday and Sunday mid-morning. I hope I can...I hope I can...I hope I can... I have no ruby red slippers to click together, but maybe I'll squeeze some board wax for luck.