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!