Go Ape Adventure

Last week, Josh & I took a day off and went to the Go Ape Treetop Adventure Course at Eagle Creek Park.  We'd both been wanting to do it since it opened in 2012.  It's much more than just a zip line - it's an entire high ropes course with rope ladders, swings, bridges & other crossings.  We had so much fun!  It takes 2 to 3 hours to complete the course, so we definitely got our money's worth. 

I'm not really afraid of heights, but I was still a bit nervous.  Even after 13 weeks of boot camp, I still don't have much upper arm strength, and for some reason I thought that I had to hold on & partly support my weight on a zip line.  I knew there was a harness to keep me from falling, but I didn't realize the harness actually holds me completely and don't have to hold on at all.

Weekend Recap: Raining on the Rhododendrons, Yoga on the Circle

View from my mat after shavasana

This weekend Laura ran the 37th Annual Rhododendron 10K, part of Bakersville's NC Rhododendron Festival; while I participated in the 2nd annual Monumental Yoga on the Circle for Summer Solstice, and Cindy enjoyed a restful weekend.

Laura was really looking forward to the Rhododendron 10K.  She'd run it last year and placed, bringing home a cool engraved plate, and was hoping to make it a matched set.  Last year, the weather was in the 50's, but this year it was not so nice.  It started out incredibly hot - very unusual for Bakersville - but quickly clouded up and began to rain.  It rained so hard the last three miles, Laura said she thought they might have to swim.

Despite the uncooperative weather and some leg pain from her sciatic, Laura still won 3rd in her age group!  No matching plate, though - they gave engraved plaques instead.  Laura plans now to take a week or so off to rest and regroup, and she'll be ready to run again soon!  In the meantime, you can always catch her at Urban Athletic.

I'm at the very left edge, just behind the chain. Photo from IndyStar.com

No rain in Indianapolis as I joined hundreds of other yogis for the second year of Monumental Yoga (link goes to the Indy Star photo gallery of the event).  I met some friends from Metta Yoga in a slightly shady spot to the southeast, and we enjoyed a free hour-long class led by instructors from various studios around the city, saluting the sun outside on Monument Circle on Summer Solstice.

I always enjoy yoga, especially when I can practice outside, but there is something extra special about practicing with hundreds of other people like that.  There's such a positive energy that fills the air.

Next up for me, the 10 East Biz District Bicycle Tour & Scavenger Hunt on Wednesday.

Rhododendron 10k

2013 Rhododendron 5K

I've updated my race list.  I am racing tomorrow at the Rhododendron 10k in Bakersville, NC.  Very excited because I ran it last year and its a nice race with great prizes, runners from team Rebok last year, and a huge pancake breakfast afterwards.  They give engraved glass plates as prizes...I need one to make a matching set from last year. :)  Wish me luck

Older & Wiser: Lessons Learned From my Birthday Race

Not so awesome results

Awesome shirt & medal

I ran the Indy Women's Half Marathon last Saturday on my birthday, and my results were terrible, but results aren't everything.  I finished in 3:10, nearly 25 minutes slower than I ran the Mini last month.  I was really disappointed, but I can't fault anyone other than myself.

So here are some of the lessons I learned, plus some of the highlights of what was still a really great event & one that I hope to run again next year.

Birthday Race Tattoo Suggestions?

This Saturday, June 7, is my 46th birthday and also my 2 year runnerversary.  I started out with a 1.5 mile run/walk, so I've come a long way in 2 years.

I will be celebrating my birthday by running the Indianapolis Women's Half Marathon.  And OF COURSE I'm cosrunning!  I have a purple Sparkle Athletic skirt, a shirt that reads Birthday Princess, and a Bondi Band with a purple tiara.  I'm adding some of my own bling too.

The only other thing my outfit needs is a couple of tattoos.  Temporary, of course.  (I'm way too moody to ever commit to permanent ink.)  But what should they say?  Fit, 46 & Fab?  Running for cake?  I want your best ideas.

I realize the danger in asking the internet for suggestions, so here are my ground rules.  Keep them G-rated (our mom reads this blog); puns & nerdy references are welcome; you can vote for other suggestions if you like but my vote trumps all - I will wear my favorites.

Four ways to send me your suggestions:

• Comment on this blog post
• Post on our Facebook page
• Tweet to us @UglyPaxtonSis
• Tweet me @TeresaHazel411

Weekend Recap: Volunteer, Rest and a 5K

Teresa volunteered all weekend at Indy Con.  She helped with registration.  Despite putting long hours in with the volunteer work, she still had plenty of time to walk around and see and meet lots of interesting people.  Look forward to her blog about all the details sometime this week!

Laura had a much needed rest weekend where she had no races.  But the gym that she works at had Member Appreciation on Friday.  They had lots of cool raffles, giveaways and food (including our mom's yummy pecan puffs).

Cindy had her first night race on Friday, the Catchin' Fireflies 5K, benefiting Lymphoma and Leukemia research.  This was the most challenging 5K she has run so far, as far as hills are concerned.  This is her 4th 5K along with doing an 8K that she has completed as an all run event with no walking since she finished her Couchto5K training.  Since it was so hilly, no PR, but still proud she ran the whole thing.  And lots of members of her run club participated, and several placed!  If she is not too slack this week, perhaps she will blog about it.