Run Martians or Trails, That Is The Question.

Hello friends!

I have some pretty neat news to share, or rather an update on timing of a big trip.

I will be in China traveling for half of a month. I am very excited for the opportunity to travel to a land which I have never thought I would ever travel to. I mean, who goes to China? Me. I am going to both Shanghai and Hong Kong, with another stop within the PRC just outside of Shanghai which city's name alludes me at this moment.

I am both excited and nervous as I have never traveled over seas before. Not even to the UK. So far my international work has been limited to three years working in Ontario, Canada, and the past four years visiting Ciudad Juarez and Guadalajara, Mexico. (Note to you the reader, do not ever go to Ciudad Juarez. Never. You have been warned and that is all.)

Hong Kong at night

Another picture of Hong Kong at night

My travel has been pushed back to the end of March, returning just one week prior to the Martian half marathon on April 10th, 2010. I will be in the US for less than 8 days.

I have no idea what level my jet-laggedness will be at (and yes, I just made up that word so feel free to reuse it as needed.) I have been advised by no less than 5 people to NOT run outside while in Hong Kong, and while in Shanghai to remember that I have no right of way and many of the people I spoke with actually have either been hit by vehicles or have had some pretty close calls.

And you thought Detroit was tough... heh.


OK well no biggie. I mean, I can do treadmill runs IF I am lucky enough to find a treadmill, or I can run the stairs at my hotel or I can just not run for 2 weeks and then suck wind at Martian... being all tired and broken down... possibly. Or, I can sneak in some runs if and only if safe to do so if I keep my head on a swivel and never bring the iPod along with me. If I will be walking the city to see the sights, why not jog some of it, right?

Let's be honest here. I have pulled out more miraculous things with much less training. Like my entire 2004-2006 running seasons. I am not in the race to win it although I do want sub 2:30 which is still pretty slow by anyone's standards even my own. I think I can finish the race with little issue if I just listen to my body and take it one mile at a time.

I can do a long run when I return from China, that may help me work out some of the jet-lag. I am thinking at this point I will just have to do a last minute sign up for the race if it remains an option.


As it stands my two options are as follows:

Martian half marathon slightly under-trained and potential for certain jet-laggedness (boo-yah twice in one posting!),

What the terrain on Mars would be if we were to actually run there. Not so bad, pretty flat really. Much like Hines Drive. Odd.

or

The Trail half marathon, definitely under-trained for trails (hellllooo Poto!) but can get in some more trail runs and I will have two additional weeks of training and rest before the race.

The Potawatomi Trail.. not so flat and very... well very trail like.

Maybe I should just do a long run at KMP one week, and the next do it at Potto or Maybury that way I am at least ready for either race. Hmmm.... Interesting conundrum.

And by interesting I mean *ACK*!

So we shall see.


I am posing a question to my bloggy blog readers and followers out there... if you travel internationally by way of over the big pond, please tell me your thoughts on jet-lag and advise on running a half marathon 1 week after a trip abroad.



Peace, love, and running...

Martian Half Marathon Update - AKA Not gonna do it!

I have been slacking on my long distance runs and really spending a lot of time in the pool and saddle.

It is not that I do not enjoy running by any means, I just happened to fall back in love with swimming and biking. My inital reason for doing the Martian half marathon was to make sure that I was able to handle the half marathon at the end of my July Half Ironman triathlon. Looking back now, that was sort of stupid of me as I am a half marathoner and I love running the distance, so I really do not know what I was afraid of.

What I failed to take into consideration in my grand planning is that half marathon training would end up overlapping with half ironman training and my rest day would disappear, as well as I would be on 2-a-day and 3-a-day workouts EVERY DAY.

As for being able to handle the half marathon at the end of the half ironman race - after 20 weeks of training for it I would hope that I would be ready! I have been sidetracked with warmer weather, getting ready for swim meets (OMG Do I LOVE swim meets!) and wanting to spend more time outside on the bike with Mike. Running has taken a back seat, and while I still run 4-6 miles a time, three days a week, I am not ready for a happy half marathon. So I have decided to switch my Martian entry to the 5K and run it along side Mike for support.

So what does this mean for Muncie? Nothing. Nothing changes at all in the negative which is wonderful. Without Martian on my schedule, my day to day schedule has really opened up and now I am feeling way less guilty about not getting in the last 11 or 12 miler before the race.

I will be ready for all my other half marathons as my tri training takes care of that, and I have back my valued rest day!

The bonus to all of this, I am now able to spend a lot more time with Mike, as he really is my top priority. I do triathlon and half marathons for fun and fitness, I am with Mike for life.

This also means that I have more time to spend with friends and trying new things. :) Bring it on 2009 - so far it has been wonderful and it looks to onl be getting better.


One thing I am going to do (aside from trying rock climbing) is starting my own business! Well, in a way.

I have decided, after using their products, that I am going to become an independant consultant for Arbonne. I adore their products and look forward to sharing them with the world! I am not all about pressuring people to join my line and sell the products themselves, but if you are interested in trying them out or buying them let me know! My business debut will be at the end of April, and I will have a myarbonne website up and running by then.

I would like to do a few presentations a week, and have decided to offer my services to bridal parties and spa parties as I think these products are wonderful and I have seen really good results in a short time of using them.