Beat Santa 4 Miler in Old Orchard Beach

This morning on the way to Sebastian's birthday party I stopped to run the Beat Santa 4 mile race in old Orchard Beach.

Is a small race that I read about online and decided to stop by and run before heading up to Windham. 

I hadn't been in old Orchard Beach for a long time. It was freezing cold!!! I was not feeling my best. It started later in the morning than I'm used to. Finding my pace is a little difficult. It was a fun race though. A lot of people dressed up as elves with wings, and bells and fun tights with elf like shoe coverings. The kids that saw the elves running down the road were very excited and happy. Yelling and clapping and pointing them out to mom and dad. Most of the beach was closed down and deserted. Was a nice easy course. No major hills except for one at the start. Around the 3 mile mark I was starting to feel like I had no energy left. So it wasn't working out to be a stellar race for me. I was surprised when I saw the clock reading just under 37 minutes. A nine minute plus pace isn't bad for feeling as bad as I was. 

After the race I stuck around for a little while to warm up  and to see the results. The first page I had a look at was actually the awards page. I was pleasantly surprised to see that I had placed third in my age group. This wasn't actually the first time that's happened, but the first time I stuck around to actually experience the thrill of it. For slow runner like me it's quite an accomplishment. Not everyone was as excited over my accomplishment as I was though…LOL

As you can see I am still quite chilly at the finish….

Feaster Five --Happy Thanksgiving--

The Feaster Five in run in Andover, Ma. This year was the 26th running. As usual it was cold. And crowded. Between the two races nearly 10,000 people ran it.

This was the second time I ran it. The last time in 2011 I didn't remember so many people. And I didn't remember being caught in the back of the pack. It took me 15 minutes just to reach the start line. Then I was weaving in and out of people walking, people pushing strollers, people walking dogs. I finally got from behind all the slower runners and walkers at mile 2 where I settled into a semi normal pace. Albeit slow. I was freezing.

I never did warm up. I kept my hat and gloves and layers which I usually peel off and toss in the car or hand off to Chris, not this time. I ran 4 miles before I even started to warm up. Brrrr..

Apple pie at the finish! And they actually had GF snacks I could eat. Kudos!!! Finished under 50 minutes which was my goal.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Falmouth Road Race in the Fall

I have always wanted to run this race in the summer. Getting a slot in the race is nearly impossible, so when I saw this one listed I jumped right on it! Again it is limited, but I lucked out and got my application and money in on time. The process is old school running. You actually have to mail your application in with a check!! I love that part of it.

I wasn't sure where I was going to I got up early. It was freezing and flurries were flying around, but I headed to Falmouth anyway. Got there a lot quicker than I was told I would so I sat admiring the empty beach. Cold wind blowing with only two people enjoying the shoreline.

I lined up and got on the bus early. That was a mistake! I ended up standing around in the freezing cold for 2 hours at Woods Hole. I did a few warm up jogs trying to stay warm.

We started at Woods Hole and ran back to Falmouth Heights where this rocks sits. It's a very hilly run, but beautiful. Finished the 7 miles in 1:06. Just about what I was expecting! 

After the race they had chowder but I didn't par take in that and instead met up with my friend Carol who was honeymooning on the Cape. Great vista, fun race and good times. 

The Devil's Chase

Ran the Devil's Chase in Salem on Saturday. I attempted to run this a couple of years ago, but got lost in Salem then was late for the race so I bagged it. This year I got there early and enjoyed the pre and post race festivities. Really fun race and good time...both fun wise and time wise. Salem is always good for a good running time. As is Plymouth.

This is a blog article on the race...
The Devil's Chase in Salem 6.66

Unlike the author, I love Halloween and running, so it was a great time. I just can't imagine running in a costume. It was interesting dodging the swinging pitchforks. Great course and beautiful weather.

Finishing at the Devil's Chase in Salem 10.26.13

I spent the summer training for a marathon, but life got in the way of achieving that goal. After my Dad died I just couldn't get back into the training mode. For a while I was depressed. A friend of mine suggested I look for another marathon to run. But being late in the year already I didn't see that happening. One I thought of running I only heard bad things about so I decided against that. I don't want my first marathon to be a bad experience.

So I opted for running some shorter distance races. I ran the Run to the Rock with my niece in September, that got me into the race mode. I say race and not racing because I don't race. I run to run nothing else but to enjoy the experience and run with other runners. Last weekend I ran a 5K in Salem the Witch City 5k that I ran a couple of years ago and loved. Salem is a great place to run. I always have a great time and I love the feel of the city, especially this time of year.

The Devil's Chase was the third race that allowed me to see my training wasn't a waste. I can see how it's made me stronger even if I'm not using it in the way I wanted. But that's what life is about right. Switching gears when you need to....

Happy Birthday Jesse!!!

Happy Birthday to my little boy....who is 32 today!!! 

Jesse 10.15.81

Day in the life...

My totally awesome Jeep. 

Memories of Scott

I was having a dream last night about off-roading in my Jeep. I was driving through this area in Maine that is not a place you could four wheel. I came to this clearing and my nephew Scott was standing in front of the Jeep looking at me. I leaned into the steering wheel and gazed at him, wondering if he was real. I got out of the Jeep and walked over to him. I asked him what he was doing there. He said "I came to see you--this is our place." I looked around and suddenly I woke up. I hate when I wake up in a dream before I figured it out, before it feels finished.

While the dream was still fresh I realized it was where we went riding on our mountain bikes the last time I saw him. I still remember that day like it was yesterday. It was such a perfect time. He was so special to me. I remember when he was born. He was the most gorgeous baby and turned into the most handsome man. He had the most amazing smile. He loved nature and adventure and life.

It's been 10 years since he left his physical body. I still miss him. It doesn't feel like it's been 10 years. Whenever I'm with my son I think about him. Jesse was born the day after Scott's 2nd birthday. I wanted to have him on his birthday, but it didn't work out that way. I wonder what Scott would be like today. He'd be coming up on his 34th birthday.

I miss you Scott. Rest in Peace...

 

Robert Scott

October 14, 1979 ~ October 8, 2003

October 10, 2003

Boonsboro man, 24, dies in I-695 motorcycle crash

A 24-year-old Boonsboro man was killed when he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into a guardrail on a Baltimore Beltway off-ramp in Glen Burnie late Wednesday night, Maryland State Police said.

Robert Dabbondanza's motorcycle slipped through the guardrail and slid about 130 feet on the off-ramp from Interstate 695 to Route 2, police said. It was unclear yesterday whether he had been wearing a helmet.

Dabbondanza was taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, where he was pronounced dead shortly after the 11:50 p.m. accident, police said.

Speed and alcohol consumption appear to have contributed to the crash, police said.