Well, I am back.

If I had to use two words to describe my trip to Alaska they would be:
Indescribable and Odyssey.

The flight to Atlanta was uneventful. But the big jet we got on in Atlanta to go west to Seattle was leaking hydraulic fluid in one of the engines. After sitting at the gate for an hour, we were told to deplane. Another plane was coming and they would clean it and that is the one that we would be on. It came, but we didn't leave Atlanta for Seattle until 8:30 instead of 4:30.

Anytime the airline agent tells you they are 'taking care of your connection' that doesn't mean they are. It means they want to make you feel like you are so you won't get off that plane and try to find another one to make your connection.

Needless to say...we didn't. Hello Seattle. That hotel made money off us. We got there at midnight their time and immediately went to bed then got up at 6 to make our flight. We figured we were there a total of 6 1/2 hours, and 6 hours and 15 minutes of that we were asleep.

But it all worked out well because I got a window seat for the flight up to Anchorage, and it was clear most of the way. There are four huge forest fires right now around Anchorage so it was very smoky once we arrived. But I got to see several HUGE glaciers from the plane. And endless 10,000 feet mountains. 100s of them. Snowcapped.

So we got to the hotel in Anchorage, and my friend that lives there came and picked me up and we went down the coast Southeast of Anchorage and drove for maybe two hours. I think the only words that came out of my mouth 'OMG' over and over. Oh, and 'stop and let's take pictures' (340 of them). I saw an Eagle hunting and riding the thermals. We went through a tunnel 2.5 miles long and came out at Prince William Sound (much much much bigger than it was made to sound after the oil spill...and no evidence at all of that). Oh...and the ICEBERG. In Portage Lake there was an iceberg floating right by the road. Just floating. Nothing like anything I have ever seen before.

Got back to the hotel at 9 their time (full sunshine), but that is one a.m. our time. I went to bed. I had work to do the next morning. Got up at 4 their time...8 our time. Got on the bus to the marathon. A sea of Purple Singlets jerseys. Team in Training by FAR the largest represented group. But there were others. The highest bib number I saw was in the 5000s. So that many people...but some were marathoners (26.2) and their start time was an hour ahead of ours.

The race was unbelievable. The course goes out by the airport and off in the distance are 10,000 feet mountains. Not one or two...dozens. Just ringing Anchorage. It was overcast, and it sprinkled at the end, but you could see the mountains. Most of the smoke was gone by then from the fires. My hard miles were 8-10. After mile ten I was fine physically.

From mile eleven on...I just cried. I wasn't upset or hurting. No blisters. My pace was fine. It was just the emotion of the whole thing. The survivors lining the route thanking us for walking, the other team members cheering us on. The fact that anything after 11 was a personal best. Everything that has happened in the past year. I couldn't hold it in. My coach Carole met me at the end and we walked across the finish line together. I just bawled. And she put my medal on me.

After that Anchorage is sort of a blur. We went to the victory party. Linda and I walked around. Somehow I slept. Sometime Sunday I got on the plane to come home and Seattle as a destination wasn't kind to us on the way back either. We were coming in way too fast from Anchorage...flaps weren't working somehow...and he gunned it right as we were to land and went around. I could see the runway. But we landed successfully the second time. Hour Late. But we had plenty of time to make the connection this time. And we did. And somehow I was conscious enough in Cincinnati to get on the plane home. And then we were home.

As I look back on it...I think with the exception of Maine...it was the best trip I ever took. The journey to Alaska wasn't just going to Alaska. And although I can't truly explain it...there was so much more to it. It was a plethora of things wrapped into this trip. Every one of those things were massively important. And there is much to tell...you can't remember it all.

Some things that stick out:
>>The planes will be overbooked. Count on that. At every stop they asked ppl to give up their seats.
>>I packed too much. I really want to remember that next time. Less is ALWAYS better.
>>Security is a PIA. Some airports run it faster than others. Seattle is the worst we saw. GSP the best.
>>You will run into one guy in security that is a TOTAL ASS. Anchorage.
>>You will run into one guy in security that is completely nice. Seattle.
>>Bring food for yourself. You will get nothing on the plane but crap. (already knew this, but good to be reminded)
>>Pack a change of clothing in the bag you have with you (I remembered this..and thank god when we were stuck in Seattle).
>>Planes are very cold places
>>There will be a crying baby on at least one flight (Anchorage to Seattle...poor thing was MISERABLE).
>>If you can find your way around the Atlanta airport you can master any airport in the U.S.
>>On at least one flight you will also be stuck next to an obnoxious seat mate (Anchorage to Seattle wins again).
>>The U.S. is a very big place. And very beautiful.
>>If you are nice...most of the time you can find someone to help you. This worked for us. Thanks Reggie.

I am glad to be home. The one thing that most everyone asked me before I left...are you coming back? I have to honestly say...Alaska was nice to visit but I wouldn't want to move there. What everyone in our little group said over and over was the same...If you are in Alaska...you meant to get there. It is NOT easy to get to.

Maine I might stay (this answer used to be an unequivocal yes.). Alaska...I do want to go back...but I don't want to stay.

Alaska Dawg

A Week From Tomorrow…

…we get on a plane bound for Atlanta. Then we get on another plane bound for Seattle. Then one last plane bound for our final destination…Anchorage, Alaska.

The Final Frontier. Our 49th State. Land of the Midnight Sun. Seward’s Folly. The Last Great Adventure.

Then Secretary of State William Seward bought Alaska from the Russians in 1867 for $7.2 million dollars…or two cents and acre. TWO CENTS AN ACRE. I have a theory that this horrible deal on their part is one reason the Russians dislike us. Well, and the fact we have a much nicer country. And readily available toilet paper.

But back to Alaska. Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska. Roughly 250,000 Alaskans live there. And a moose or more.

Alaska is larger in area than Texas, Cal-lee-for-nee-uh, and Montana combined.

The Arctic Circle runs through the top third of the state. Brrr.

The International Date Line had to be bent to keep Alaska all on the same day.

Alaska is the only state that is partly in the Eastern Hemisphere.

There are 3,000 rivers in Alaska. There are 3 million…with an ‘M’…lakes.

Dog Mushing is the official state sport. No surprise there.

The Alaska Highway was built for the military during World War II. Parts of Alaska were occupied by the Japanese during WWII.

Juneau is the only U.S. Capital that is only accessible by boat or plane. Wow.

It got up to 100 degrees one day in Alaska…in 1915. Take that Al Gore.

I think that the thing I have been asked most about my trip is if I am coming home. And I have given that a lot of thought. Given the chance, I probably would be willing to move to Alaska. I have always been one for adventure, and many of you that know me know that one of my life mottos is…It’s short. You gotta live it.

I think that living in Alaska would be a great opportunity to experience something new and exciting, and I am sure that workers are desired and that there would be a job for me.

But the honest truth as I have thought about it over the past few days is this…my heart is in Maine. Today I would move to Maine. I would leave today and never look back. I love Maine. I love the attitude. I love the coast. I love that LL Bean is there.

But that being said, I have never been to Alaska. Yet. I may find out next week that I like it more than Maine. I know that there are villages and natural beauty and wildlife…three things that I love about Maine. And coastal beauty. So I may just find out that I like Alaska more. Plus, I hear that LL Bean has mail-order...haha.

And I may come back and gather my babies and move there.

Life is short. Gotta live it.

Alaska AND MAINE Dawg

After the Eleven

This week’s mileage was seven miles, and it was a weird phenomenon after the eleven.

It was harder than the eleven.

I found that very surprising. I had to work over the weekend, so I planned to do my seven on Monday night after work. So I left from the parking lot, and I had a 3.5 mile route mapped. You know…get to 3.5 reverse and do the same thing.

I don’t know if it was the fact I was alone (wasn’t a problem on the eleven), or whether it had something to do with the fact that I got sick the next day (was it lurking in the shadows?), or maybe it was the time of day and the heat…but my pace was off. And it wasn’t just the time…I could tell that my stride was forced.

Now…I did it…but it took me two hours and five minutes…with two stops…one for toes and one bathroom. But the normal time for that would be about 1:50. And I could tell it was off. I didn’t feel the gliding…I felt like I had to. And I hardly ever feel that way about walking.

But that was Monday…and today is Wednesday. I took the day off yesterday because I have some sort of a stomach bug. And tonight I think that if I do walk it will be three miles or less. I am just not 100%. The stomach is bothering me…although it is better today.

I was just heartily surprised by the seven. I talked to one of my teammates about it and we wondered if it was also something about being a letdown after the eleven. Not really a letdown, but you get so psyched and prepared for the eleven because it is long mileage. So maybe the mind just wasn’t thinking correctly about the seven….which is still medium long distance.

But it’s all good. The seven is done. This week I think it is five…and I will walk that Saturday morning at the race I am volunteering at. And we leave two weeks from tomorrow for Anchorage.

Alaska. I am going to Alaska in two weeks. To walk in a half-marathon. 13.1 miles. And when I get back I am putting a 13.1 sticker on my car.

Wow…what a difference a year makes.

Alaska Dawg

Eleven miles you say?

Well this past Saturday was our big training walk before we leave for Alaska. I walked eleven miles. Eleven miles. E-L-E-V-E-N M-I-L-E-S.

I know that the theme of many posts in this blog has been “I’ve never done that before” but truly this was a milestone. That is longest distance that I have ever gone in my ‘walking career’.

We started at the Hyatt, and at Brick Street Café I peeled off and went on my own. I had plotted eleven miles on mapmyrun.com that week and I had my route. I knew it was me against the pavement…but I also knew who was going to win. I was.

Most of our training has been together as a team…but for me this was more of a mental block that I needed to overcome. I had been concerned all week about the eleven….but not in a fatal way. It was just on my mind.

The week before I walked 8.5…and eleven really isn’t a big stretch from 8.5. I truly knew in my self that the worst that could happen was that I would have to take a few breaks…I wasn’t overconfident but I knew I could do the eleven.

I wound up Crescent and Capers and Jones and McDaniel (a killer street if ever there was one) and East Tallulah and Rock Creek. Then I was at 5.5 miles. I knew I could make it. It’s like Everest…getting to the top (or half-way point as may be the case here) is only half the battle. You gotta get back too.

At the half-way point…I took a full five minute break…shoes off. Those toes (see previous entry) have their funny ways.

And then I started back. And really, after one more bathroom break and one more toe break…it really didn’t seem like eleven miles. It really didn’t.

Maggie called somewhere in mile nine. She had done her ten the day before. I talked to her a few minutes then we parted. That last little bit is up Main Street…and although it’s not bad…it is uphill.

And I did the eleven in 3 hours. That is with one bathroom break and three toe breaks. I don’t think that is bad at all. And I had some left. And I wasn’t sore the next day. Soooo…I think I am ready.

We leave in three weeks. Holy cow…WE LEAVE IN THREE WEEKS.

Alaska Dawg

About The Toes

It’s only 4 weeks. A measly 28 days. 28 D-A-Y-S. I’ll be on my way to Alaska. Well…after we get 'Terrifying Saturday' out of the way this weekend.

May 26th, 2007 is our big mileage day. We are walking eleven miles. Yes…all at the same time. Starting at 7 a.m. On the same day. Continuous. Well…except for bathroom breaks.

I’m a little apprehensive.

Sure, a bunch of us went 8.5 miles with no problem this past weekend in Virginia. I don’t want to say it was easy, but I had more left when we were done. And yes…I have walked seven miles pretty regularly.

But I am nervous. I have toe issues that I hope I can keep at bay.

My regular training (look Dad…I am talking like an athlete) problem is toe issues.

Everyone on the marathon team knows about the toes. Mostly it is on the left foot…although the right foot takes its fair share of equal opportunity at times. But the left leg is far and above a problem child. And what is this problem you ask? NUMBNESS.

Ok, I know that sounds like something that shouldn’t be a problem. It goes numb…you don’t feel anything…no problem. I WISH.

My problem goes something like this. Walking along. All is well. Cross the 4.5 to 5 mile mark…WHAMMO. Numbness. And the numbness comes in the form of burning. My toes…but not the big toe…just burn. It’s sort of like when your leg goes numb and then the feeling is coming back. Instead of the pins and needles feeling…mine feels like someone is pumping lava in into my veins.

But Sheila at Fleet Feet and I have worked and worked on the problem. I bought a bigger pair of shoes. In the wide-width. We re-laced the shoe (who knew there were so many ways to lace a shoe). I was doing better. No problems on Saturday on gravel. And then I changed shoelaces on someone’s suggestion this week. And last night I was in literal tears. But it wasn’t anyone’s fault. We thought it would work. And it wasn’t Sheila…who is well-versed in my toes issues.

But trust me…these toes are extremely sensitive. They don’t like anything you do to them. So today…the old laces are back. And I am hoping for the best on Saturday. If all else fails…I have to stop and massage them every 2-3 miles. I can live with that. And plenty of Advil. And a sane pace…last night we were kind of pounding it out at 14.45-15 minute miles.

So the toes get two days off. And with that reward of vacation time they better behave on Saturday. This is our last big walk before we leave. After this we start to taper off for the weeks before the race.

And after Alaska…my goal is Kiawah in December and the Cooper River Bridge Run in March.

The toes just groaned.

Alaska Dawg

Five Weeks From Today…

I will be touching down in Alaska. We arrive that Thursday night late. And I hope to see my first moose by Friday at 9:00 a.m. …which will actually be 3 in the afternoon East Coast time.

I am actually quite concerned about the time change thing. We leave here at noon, but we don’t to Alaska until 11:28 p.m. Which if you think about that in terms of East Coast time is five in the morning. Huh? I don’t think you can sleep enough on the plane to overcome that. So…I’ll just have to make the best of it. Friday is a free day…so I want to go and do some stuff…but will have to acclimate a bit.

On the way home…we leave at 3:40 in the afternoon and get to Greenville the next day at 8:53 in the morning. Someone please just point me to my bed and let me fall.

It’s all going to be quite challenging. But I think the beauty of Alaska and excitement of the race and fun of the trip will make it all worthwhile.

But the thing that will make it most enjoyable is just being with my teammates and us doing it together.

Nothing can beat that.

Walking with and Without

Several of us on the team are meeting up tonight to do a longish walk.

Longish for our marathon team is about five miles. I use the word longish because to a half-marathoner…that is kind of a normal everyday distance. Right on the edge of being a long walk…which a long walk is something after 6 or 6 ½ miles to a marathoner.

A debate that I have with myself is walking with others. I love walking with the team, but I love walking alone too. Both have their advantages.

Team: You are more likely to keep up a nice fast pace.
Alone: You don’t feel guilty if you want to stop for a moment.

Team: Friendship
Alone: Time alone to think and gather thoughts

Team: Hear about friend’s life and catch up
Alone: Mentally plan and prepare for upcoming events

Team: Stare at guy’s butts. You know who you are.
Alone: Stare at guy’s butts. Guilty as charged your honor.

I am looking forward to June. Kid is leaving for a few weeks, and then I can get in some good longish walks in downtown that are my favorites. And I can hopefully work off that last ten pounds I want to purposely get rid of before we leave for Alaska.

It’s exactly seven weeks from today. Alaska. Seven weeks from today we leave. I am going to have to keep repeating this to believe it. But it really is going to happen.

I have received email from Maggie noting that she is working on the moose. Maybe a moose eating Carrot Cake.

Anything is possible. Seven weeks.

Dawg