Marathon Completed and a Little CR Action

A week ago Saturday (1/18) was a very crazy day for me.  Because I was running the marathon the next day, I had opted not to run on that Saturday, although many runners like to do a warm-up 5K. I needed a little bit of a workout and chose a 15-mile bike ride to loosen the legs instead. The weather was perfect, so I rolled out early and snuck it in to my busy day. I went to the expo later, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and then spent the afternoon with Mom in the hospital because of her emergency hip surgery the day before. I got a little packing done later that night because my plane for Costa Rica was leaving early Monday. Pshewww... it was a very busy Saturday.

My Sunday run began strong. I ran the first half in 2:01, which isn't a record for me, but probably was a little too fast considering I had another half still to run. I felt it in my thighs at about mile 15, and by mile 17, I was also experiencing some pain in the bottom of my foot. I finished at 4:36, but had trained to finish by 4:15. So, despite my proclamation that Houston would be my last full, I will have to find another marathon to run just so I can better my time. Yikes! An article I read stated that is what always happens to runners. They always think they can do better no matter how much they train. Another friend of mine wants me to do some adventure triathlons with her that include mountain biking, trail running and swimming, but I'm just not crazy about having to squeeze swimming into my workout. I know it will be getting warm soon, but I still do not have the time to add another sport, especially with another marathon in my future. I could just make swimming in the Gulf part of my surfing ritual, but I don't always feel like swimming when I'm finished surfing. What's a gal to do???

Sun and surf provided the perfect
marathon recovery.

When I first realized that the day after my marathon was going to be a holiday, I decided to take a quick trip to Costa Rica to recover. I knew I wanted to go to a place that was warm and since my surf buddy Robin had moved there almost seven months ago, Costa Rica seemed like the most natural place to go. I also thought that surfing would be a good way to recover my aching legs and strengthen my skills. I was right AND wrong. The warm weather in CR definitely helped lift my spirits right away and rejuvenate my tired legs, but the surfing just reminded me of how much more practice I needed. Santa Teresa, CR, offers wave action just about all year. I had received a report the week before I headed down that the waves this winter were small. Although once I got there, I realized that the "small" waves were still much bigger than the ones I was used to surfing. Waves in Galveston can get big, but they just don't seem as forceful as the ones in CR. I watched my friend/hotel manager Don easily catch everything that came his way, but I, on the other hand, would back out of every wave on the outside I paddled to catch. I surfed a lot of a white water, which is pretty powerful stuff in CR and I even caught one true wave with a drop, but I need so much more practice. I know I don't surf often enough to be the greatest of surfers, but just as I am about to feel a little confident, I go to a place like CR and realize I HAVE SO MUCH MORE TO LEARN.  Well, I guess it's back to the practice field, also known as the 43rd street jetty...just as soon as it warms up a little.

Another New Year and More Resolutions

Seems like forever since I've surfed. It has been an unusually flat winter. Waves have cropped up every once in awhile especially when I can't make it down because of work or other engagements. However, for the most part, it's just been flat. A cold front has been blowing through every three or four days, but with such force that the winds have blown the tide out and made the water smooth. It's definitely 5-4 wetsuit weather, but still, I would love to get out.

I've been pretty busy for the last couple of months. The holidays are always hectic, but to add to it I've been doing quite a bit of running since I will be running my second-ever marathon in a few weeks. Fortunately, I'm looking at going someplace warm after my marathon, so that should help get me through this training rut I've been in. I just hope that when I get to the warm place, that I still know how to surf. I'm sure it's a little like riding a bike. However, it uses a whole different set of muscles, which will require me to re-acquaint myself with the moves. For instance, the paddling requires a lot of upper body strength, and even though I try to lift weights on a regular basis, sometimes the paddling can wear me out.

In addition to my post-marathon vacation later in the month in Costa Rica, I've been thinking about where else I might want to surf this year. I'm hoping to make it back to Nicaragua, southern California, Florida and, possibly, Honduras. I just want it to be warm. The past month or so has been so cold, so I mostly just need it to be be someplace warm. Well, warm with waves!

I resolve:

to make the most of 2014 in all of my endeavors;
to surf, run and cycle even more than I did in 2013;
to not only successfully surf my 9', but to also continue to strengthen my skills on the 8'; and
to be less judgmental not only of myself, but of others.

Wishing for Warmth and Waves

Alas! Once again, whenever I'm off, it's flat. And, when I'm working, the waves return. Lately, I haven't event been able to get off to make a quick trip to G-town for surf. I've also been fighting a cold for the past week-and-a-half. Gosh....sounds like all I can do is complain. I certainly don't mean to sound like a whiner. It just happens sometimes; especially if I haven't been able to surf. I think it was mid-November the last time I made it out. I know there were some waves this past weekend. The "dude," Brian, told me that he made it out on Saturday.  I was JEALOUS! Since my cold had made breathing optional for me and because I had a ton of things to do before I went to a holiday party that night, I decided it wouldn't be smart for me to go to surfing. I lusted after the waves by checking the Internet, in particular Gtownsurf.com, all day. Numerous surfers were out. Dude B. stayed away from 43rd because of the crowds (yes, everyone with a surfboard was out). He enjoyed 36th for a few hours.  By Sunday when the next front moved through, it was flat.

It's booty time again!
I'm ready for warm weather

This morning I noticed that not only was it flat, that the north wind had pushed the tide way out. It was pushed three-fourths of the way down the jetty. But, the surf report indicated that the wind would shift back to the south and, by Friday, we should see knee- to waist-high waves. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I'm also getting my 5-4 wetsuit ready. The water temp is in the low 50s, which definitely means it's time to step up in thickness for the wetsuit. During the past couple of years, I haven't needed my 5-4 until January, but looks like this year will be a different story. Bah humbug. I should probably just be happy that I have the option. Instead, I dread having to pull that on that heavy duty suit. I also dread having to dig out the booties...and the wool cap...and the gloves. But I know I will if I must.

I'm anxious to go someplace warm. I think I write that during every winter post. Just not sure when and where I will go. I'm pretty sure I will select Central America, I'm just not sure what country or beach I will explore. I have my passport ready, so all I will need a cheap airline ticket, a couple of bathing suits and some vacation time. I'm leaning toward Nicaragua, but I haven't ruled out Costa Rica. I just want the temps to be in the 80s and the water to be refreshing. I don't want to HAVE to wear a wetsuit, and I certainly don't want to need gloves or a stocking cap. Keeping my fingers crossed.