American Bank Half and WINDY cold sunday

The weather in South Texas can be so Fickle in the winter. Sat was the American Bank Half. I woke to hot and Very (99%)humid conditions. I knew the run was going to be brutal.

This time of year there are so many days that you are running in cooler temps then every now and then you get the brutal muggy day. Just happened to be on the day of the Half Marathon. I got to the turn around point in 55 min not to bad. I was trying to keep a reasonable pace because I knew the later in the morning the hotter it was going to get. I was running with my usual gatorade in my bottle and had one Gu pack. Unfortunantly my stomach was going to have none of that. I was planning on doing my gu at the turaround but could not. Soon after that could not handle the Gatorade either. I passed 2 water stations and doused myself pretty good trying to cool off. I was doing all the usual head games to keep going at mile 10 I started having some cramps in my calf and had to walk a bit then again at mile 11. Right after mile 11 there is a big hill and I could see the American Bank building where the finish was so I just plugged on like a Robot fighting the urge to Barf. I ended up doing 1:57. Not real happy about that but considering the conditions not too Bad. I had just done an 18 miler the weekend before and felt so good running strong all the way to the end.....so it was a bit of a let down.Depsite my time I got 2nd place in My age group. It all ended up worth it because afterwards at the awards ceremony there was plenty of ICE COLD BEER! I got a cool Beer Glass for my 2nd place trophy and I won a falshlight as a door prize. Got to see all my running buddies....

OK so now you know Sat was HOT and Humid... Woke sunday morning to WIND to the tune of 30 to 35 knot winds....So I got myself together and headed to Port A. I was the first one there. Waves were small but I was hopeing they would build and they did a little. People started to show as I was rigging my 3.7 sail and 62 Liter board. Usualy on a NE wind it is lighter on the inside at Port A but today was filled in and I was overpowered on 3.7 not enough to come in and rig down. It was Brutal Cold and I could not find my hood. I did try dropping down in the water to warm up once in a while and that worked. My feet finaly got too cold to find the back strap so came in. Great day on the water. Came home took a hot shower and made it late to brunch but the homeade waffles, crapes, and quiche were the best. Throw in the Memosas and good friends and my day was already off to a wonderful start!!!!!!!

Marathon Training...windsurfing and partying for the holidays....

There have been lots of Holiday parties lately. I have been trying to be good!

I have been sticking to my schedule despite some set backs. I had hurt my back for a few days and missed 3 training runs but hoped back in. There was a big front came in and I had to miss it. I did do a downwinder running...ran 10 on the beach and my boss came and picked me up...he's so sweet.

So my schedule had me running 18 on sat morning and I wanted to go to the Fun Run at 7am. (The Jingle Bell Run with the club at Ultra Don's) You run with jingle bells throught the neighborhood at 7am...bet the neighbors love that...then everyone brings a shirt. Some old some new some silly. FUN! Problem was to get my 18 I would have to start at 5am...that means getting up at 4am. NOT...Some folks did but not me. I ended up running alone starting at 6am from my house. It was a Great run I ended up doing 18 in less than 3 hours. Stopping 2 times to fill my water bottle.

Had to killer parties to go to on Sat night. One with a bunch of runner friends and then La Posada lighted boat parade. The boats come right by Steve's house. The canal that is in the T-day pic's... Ok I drank way to much but I had lots of fun!!!!

Then sunday WINDY...YES Wind! Nice warm 80 day sunny and wind. The wind was not sticking at the beach like I would have liked and the waves were disorganized so I went to North Beach..... That was fun. Great day with good friends. My Friends Carrie, Pete and their son Kai live over there. Only 7 out. It could have gone bad. Because I locked my keys in my van but the locksmith came in about 15 min after I called. No wonder it took him about 30 seconds to open it for $60 dollars... I think I am in the wrong business.

I tried takeing pics. I am haveing Camera problems. I may have a few. Hopefuly Santa is bringing me a new camera!

The Diva Boat

So Check it out!!!!!!!!!!!!This is my kewl friend DiAnnes new house boat. I am so jealous. She's so lucky to get to live on a boat... So here it is. She's going to do some rearranging. She's scheming how she is going to change it into her Diva Pad!!!!!!! Now she hasn't named it the Diva. This is my new Nick name for her. So this is the deck on the back where I will be hanging out drinking wine, watching the sunset and chatting with DiAnne....

Just inside the entrance........

Cool Kitchen. You can't see it but there is a huge space around that corner.

Here she is with a front view. Isn't it cool! This is not where she will stay. They are building a new Deck to anchor her by with a killer view. Will post those pic's later.

Here she is from a distance. I will have to post an update once she moves in.....

Stay Tuned.......................................

Thanksgiving 08

The weather could not have been better. Sunny skies and Temps in the 80's. We had a wonderful day eating, drinking, relaxing, eating, drinking, fishing, and eating hanging out with great friends at Steve's! That is why we live in SOUTH TEXAS!!!!!!!!!!!! Hey, What's she doing to that Turkey......

Yum....and that's only part of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Having a Beer on the Deck watching Football!!!!

More Relaxing.............. Nice to be in shorts on Thanksgiving!

This is me, Alex, and Tito. Gotta love South Texas!

North Wind at South Packery 11-15-08

North winds on sat lead everyone to South Packery. Well everyone as in about 10 windsurfers and 1 kiter. It was a bit challenging. Side off winds made it very holey on the inside and waves were very close together. So it made it difficult to get out. You can't tell from the picture but the waves were bigger and lined up better farther out. Some comeing in about head high.

Can't complain it was windy 3.7 for me on my 70L board. Guys were on 4.7. A pod of Dolphin came and hung out for the longest time just at the waves edge. So that was a bonus.

Here is my trusty windsurfing/beach van. I love my Van....although it needs a little TLC as it has some skin cancer up around the roof in the back. I got it about 2 years ago. Joe welded me a nice rack that holds 3 boards hooks for booms on the side and sails and mast underneath. Lots of room. Thats his van beside mine. I am a gear hog....4 boards... 7 sails 3 booms and 4 masts.....

Hey you have to be ready for anything!!!!

Nice to be able to drive right onto the beach rig and walk into the water. I love South Texas!

Ok so that was my first attempt at pictures.......more to come!

Wind... Teaser wind...running

I am in training for the New Orleans Marathon on Feb 1st. This will be my 4th and I would like to Qualify for Boston. So I am trying to stay on my running schedule but windsurf every chance...It's working so far.
I had a recovery week this week so ran 12 on sat.
Wind was East on Sunday with sailable numbers. With the funky direction the wind was straight on at the beach so I headed to Poenish on The bay. 4.7 was the call but it was pretty flat. No swell and choppy. I am glad to have been able to sail but cut my session short. Yesterday, Monday, was lookeing good Wind SE and I could hear the waves at the beach from Work. I had decided I was not going to go look at them until the wind came up. Otherwise I would drive myself crazy wanting to sail...Got to the beach around 2:30 pm and it was just not sticking. Somtimes that happens in the gulf this time of year. The usual warm waters of the Gulf cool down and when we get a warm south it just does not work. Apparently the bay was the call.
I decided to go home and play with my dog .
I was good this morning. Got up at 5am for an 8 mile tempo run. It was warmer and SUPER Humid! One of the guys from the running group had told me about Powerbar blasts. I picked some up and tried them this monring. Not bad... Will give it another shot. I still like Powerbar Vanilla Gel! Gets me through my long runs....
I have to cut down on the wine/beer intake....dang...I thought that is why I run...so I can drink!
Keeping an eye on the wind today. Surf is still good size teasing now at 17......it could happen!!!!!!!!!!!
I will eventaly take some pics and figure out how to post them!
Going online to look for a new Sail.... I hate my 5.3 session. All my others are Naish Force...love them!

Wind......Finaly

We finaly got some wind yesterday. It has been a dismall fall here in South Texas.
I got out at the North Packery Jetties late. Waves were not huge but they weren't bad. It's sometimes hard to tell from the beach but when I saw the pod of surfers still hanging on even though it was blowing 20. I knew it would be fun.
Rigged my 5.3 and 77 liter board and had a great session.
Although I did not last long. I am in training for the Mardi Gras Marathon and do my tempo workouts on wed mornings. So my legs were a bit fatigued...
Still what more could you as for a Super warm sunny day on the water in early Nov.....

Great day all around. I woke celebrateing that Obama won and there is HOPE after all. Got in a killer run and then skipped work midday to windsurf. Warm and Windy in Nov....that is why I live in South Texas.....