Fresh recovery beverages

On my trip to Panama last month, 3 of us hired a boat to take us snorkeling near Isla Boca Brava on the Pacific coast.  As we relaxed on the beach after snorkeling, we watched a group of local guys climbing up trees fully loaded with coconuts.  Or, it was more like this group made the youngest most fit guy climb up the tree.  As we contemplated asking if we could buy some coconuts, they came over with three coconuts with freshly prepared drinking holes and would not accept our money.  Fresh coconut water beats anything I can buy from the my local health food store.  Cheers to fellow traveler Anne from Canada. 

 

Sick of Heights, Who knew?!

While hiking up Parque Nacional Volcan Baru in Panama this past Thanksgiving, I discovered that I am prone to altitude sickness.  The plan was to hike up the 3,474 meters and I never once considered making the conversion into feet (11,398).  Which wouldn't have made any difference since I didn't know I would get sick past 8,000 feet.  Actually not sure where it started but the wobbly walking, nausea, pounding headache and constant fumbling dropping of my flashlight were my first clues. It was rainy, dark and a little cool when we started our hike at 1 am.  Why?  To be at the top at sunrise and hope that the clouds will part.  Because guarantee the clouds will come rolling back in before noon.  Anyway, somewhere along 9 or 10,000 feet, I was ready to curl up on the side of the trail.  I told my husband I had nothing to prove and did not need to go to the top.  He could continue on and I'd wait for him.  Well he was not going to leave me behind and I felt a tad better.  Well, not exactly better but since I had finished a marathon a few weeks ago, I was still in the mode of giving myself pep talks.  And I did a lot of self talking to get myself moving.  The sun had now risen and I find myself at a plateau with LOTS of cell towers.  Did I puke up to the top of this national park to view Panama's finest cell towers?  I was content to just stop here at cell tower central.  But nooo, our guide came down and practical dragged me up to the top.  The reward:  the best panaroma of the Pacific on one side.  Turn around and the Caribbean on the other. 

Hooked on Runnin in the Sun

Finished the Santa Barbara International Marathon last weekend and it has SPOILED me big time.  I am so hooked on running marathons in sunny climates.  Living in the northwest, I have adapted and grown accustomed to running in the rain and clouds.  But running in full sunshine and 60 degree weather last weekend, no contest. 

Counting down the days before leaving for CA.  I'll be running my second Santa Barbara Half Marathon.  I don't normally remember trail details while hiking but I can sure remember details of this marathon trail.  I clearly remember mile 23 uphill until 24.  The harbor coming into view.  The stadium and finish line that seemed so close, yet so far at 1 mile away...I remember the joy of seeing Amy at the finish line.  She paced me with the run/walk program as she was still recovering from an injury.  She blew past me in the end and I hope she went on to complete her next marathon in the time she was hoping for. 

Raining and Training

Rain, rain and more rain.  I couldn't get my butt out the door at 7 am for my track workout.  It was still so dark and rainy.  There was more light at 8 am but still lots of rain.  Same thing at 9 am and 10 am. Gotta do the dishes.  Oops, gotta check my email for the 100th time.  Major procrastination going on here.  Then I thought about my friend Judith in New York who has been without power and hasn't been able to leave the house for several days due to Superstorm Sandy.  So I quit being a wimp and finally headed out.  No big deal running in the rain for an hour.  At least I can return to a heated home and hot shower. Motivated by the privilege of having electrical power!

Where to find us this fall

I was in Portland last weekend for the Portland Marathon Expo which was my last show for 2012.  The last show of the year is always a bit melancholy for me. I so enjoy seeing old friends and previous customers.  And it is fun and exciting to make new acquaintences as well. But it is exhausting and I'm ready to focus on my own fall runs.  However, you can find Wahine Sport accessories online at www.wahinesport.com.  If you saw something you liked at an expo but can't find it online, just email me at linda@wahinesport.com.  I might just have one tucked away for you!  Use the code: SHIP and receive free shipping on your orders. 

When does it get any easier?

I detest pain. So my training goals and goal for a marathon is always that it feels "easy".  I am not talking about being fast or feeling no pain.  Well, maybe minimal pain :)  I aspire to running marathons where the distance just feels like another training day.  I am not there yet and I'm working on getting to that level of running fitness.  Today,  I finished my 21 mile training run.  It wasn't pretty and it wasn't always easy but I did it AND I feel good about it.   Perhaps I am more than satisfied with that.  Finishing is great.   The bonus is that I made it across the Ballard Locks walkway without having to wait !!!

 

Bobbi looking stylish and cute while enjoying a recovery beverage!

Next stop Missoula, Montana! We'll be bringing lots of colorful headbands and arm sleeves to the expo on Saturday and running the half on Sunday. 

Stand Tall and Proud

Great advice I like. 

Seattle RnR is OVER! Thank goodness.

I am a slow but happy runner.  I finish at the back of the pack with a smile on my face.  Not so at the Seattle Rock n Roll marathon.  At mile 15, every step felt like running barefoot on rocks. Ouch! One runner managed to amuse me, or should I say the "Joggler".  He is from Maryland and apparently joggles at all his marathons.   

Handy Ankle Wallet

Another way of safekeeping your stuff while on the go.  Keep your $$, ID, key in a secure spot on your ankle when you don't want to carry a bag or wallet around.  Great for exercise, travel, shopping. 

Shrug Style

You can look stylish and fit at the same time.  Jenna, dispatcher for wildland fires and former firefighter in Colorado can show you how!

Vancouver USA Marathon

At the Vancouver USA Marathon expo in Vancouver, WA this weekend.  Stop by and try it on a revised version of the shrug top.  I welcome your feedback. 

Pets love Wahine Sport too

Bonnie in Polson, Montana looking darling in her Wahine Sport tops.  I especially love how her cat and dog manage to sneak into the pictures! 

Wish I could hear the music.  Just looks like fun music being played!  Robyn-dragon boat racer, runner, fiddle instructor and so much more. Making music and having fun in a Wahine Sport 1/2 zip top.

Keeping Up

With all that is going on,  I've abandoned the notion of achieving work/life balance in my life. Perhaps some day, but not now.  I just try to do the best that I can with the resources I have.  I'm training for the Seattle Rock and Roll Marathon in June and have a similar laid back philosophy.  With limited time for training, I go out and enjoy the training runs and plan on having an enjoyable and lonnng marathon (slow)!  This photo is from a training run on the Sammamish River Trail and I can so relate to the peaceful, slow moving river.

Banish the blahs

Here in the Pacific Northwest, our winters are relatively mild.  But what sometimes gets me down are the gray skies and longer hours of darkness. It doesn't help that I've reverted back to the grays and blacks that are so popular around here.  So I'm dredging up my loudest prints and hoping a splash of color will help me snap out of it!

Do I really need another challenge, and from an old friend too

Skiing is one of my passions and I have been practicing at Crystal Mountain for about 28 years.  Just when I'm feeling confident about skiing anywhere on the mountain, today I meet a narrow, icy, tree stump pitted chute. Did I mention that it was steep and like an ice wall?!  I guess it's a reminder that lif continues to be exciting when faced with challenges.