Dopey Test Run #2 - DONE!

Love Recovery time!

Well, I did it! Dope Test Run #2 is in the bag.

• Wednesday - 5K
• Thursday - 10K
• Friday - 10 miles
• Saturday - 20 miles

What did I learn? 

Dopey is HARD!!!!

For the most part, I've got the 5K and 10K down, however, don't let that fool you. You've got to put in the distance to make the goal.

Friday's Run Revisited

Let me begin with Friday's run. As I had to run late in the day, it went from a fun 10 mile run to a HOT 10 mile run. I bonked at mile 6.5 and had to push myself to mile 9. Once I recovered, Mile 10 was a breeze. The lesson there is that STRESS + Long Runs = Disastrous Run. I will have to work a bit more on mindful breathing.

Saturday's Run

RIP my first Dopey 20 miler!

Let's just say I'm happy it's over. Coming right off my disastrous 10 mile run, today's run didn't fare much better. This time I woke up 1.5 hours later than planned. Oh boy...another heat run! But it is what it is and off I went.

Along comes a Chatty Runner

Feeling the holiday spirit with a chatty runner

Nothing really special to report for the first 4 miles. Than all of a sudden, this guy ran up next to me and began to talk. Turns out he too woke up late and was dreading the heat. I asked how many miles he had to do and he replied five. When he asked me,  I replied 20.

The Man yelps: "WHY?"
Me: "I'm doing Dopey."
The man:  "Got'a be Dopey to do that many miles so early in the season."
Me: "Well, not really. You see, I've got a very busy schedule the rest of the year. Figure if I get the miles in now, I can continue to maintain the legs with some reduced mileage come the holidays. At least that's what I'm hoping for."
The man: "Good Luck!" 

When the man reached his turn around he said, "I've enjoyed running with you so much I'm going to continue on till my next turn around. That way I get in 8 miles today."

Me: "Nice to be able to run with someone, at least for a little while."

Running into some old friends!

Key Biscayne

Once the man left, it wasn't long before I meet up with some old friends.

"Gabe and Annie, it was great chatting with you at mile 8."

Turns out both of them will be in Orlando in January. Gabe is doing Dopey and Annie is doing the Full. We immediately began to make plans to get together for some crazy recovery activities.

Long and Lonely Road

By now, I'm all alone. Most of the runners have left and the heat isn't too bad; until mile 11. BANG! I bonked again. Got'a love these walls! So I continue to push through with run/walks, eating, drinking, singing to myself "I am the Champion!" This incantation helped till mile 18 when I thought my legs were going to die. So I stopped to gather myself. And wouldn't you know,

My Saving Grace

A refreshing blessing

Someone left these two soap bottles in the Mathewson bathrooms. I was so excited to see them. I immediately washed my hands, face, and arms. And the smell of the peaches and creme heightened my senses.  As soon as I stepped out of the bathroom, I felt glorious!

Beauty is found when you open your heart

I realized, for the past two day, I've been running with negative emotions. And that's not good because all it does is create more pain. 

As soon as my focus shifted to pleasure, the world opened up it's great beauty. 

This is what I saw...

Orchids growing wild up high on a tree

Peacocks everywhere!

Breath taking greenery

Beautiful cared lawns

A spectacular Banyan tree

Mother Nature at her best

My favorite park

Moral of the Story: Long Run Fatigue

You can do the distance!

Don't get to emotionally involved with the pain or get upset when you feel it. Detach yourself and simply use it as information. Ask yourself, where is it and why is it happening. If it's not related to an injury then focus on the pleasure's around you. And before you know it, you will have reached your goal! 

A Message in the Fields

Amazing run this morning. I set out to complete a seven mile road run and found myself detouring into the fields. Mother Nature was calling my name and I listened. 

Rejoice...your soul is alive!

As I entered the fields I found myself surrounded by clear skies, red winged blackbirds, dragon flies, hawks, morning doves, bees, butterflies, and other wild creatures all singing their own songs. I was in heaven! 

The dirt roads were still soaked from the rain storm two nights before. Now you know how much I love me some gooey dirt so I jumped in with both feet! Water plus dirt plus sand plus gravel plus rocks makes for a good old fashion mud run!  

 By the time I reached the end of the first field, I had to make a choice; cross the canal to get to the other fields or head back. I stopped and looked at the tall grass staring me in the face. My fear-mind tried to take control...What if there were snakes hiding somewhere in that mess? I immediately understood what was happening and told myself to STOP! Live in the NOW and enjoy the run. So off I went into the tall grass. I could feel the coolness of the wet blades running into my shoes; cleansing my feet each step of the way. 

As I reached the next field I thought to myself, what a glorious day for a run! I am so blessed to live so close to the fields. Thank you God for showing me the way. I continued my run.

After a few more miles I heard a whisper - What do you see?

I looked around and saw some tall sugar cane stalks and a tilled field.

The whisper came again - What do you see?

This time I stopped, looked again then closed my eyes. I took a deep breath and heard the whisper come a third time...What do you see?

I took another deep breath then the words came; "Till your fields so my dreams may grow."

Find your center...keep your rhythm

For the rest of the run I thought about the message and before I knew it I found myself saying these words over and over again. 

Till your fields so My dreams may grow.
Nourish My seeds deep into your soul.
Embody this belief with all your might.
And you will harvest the fruits of My Light.

The message from this morning's run was loud and clear. But what surprised me was the second message I received while writing this blog.

During this morning's run I was also being asked...

Do you know you own song? 
Do you know your own rhythm? 
Do you know what is allowing you to be your healthiest, happiest, and most radiant self?

So once again, I slowed down, closed my eyes and began to look deep within...

Sunrise to sunset follows the rhythm of the earth around the sun. Spring turning into Summer followed by Fall then Winter is the rhythm of the passage of time. The beat of the red wing blackbirds wing follows a natural rhythm of flight. The honey bees life cycle follows the rhythm of it's social structure. Rain falling on the earth follows the rhythm of the water cycle.The hawk's strong observational skills follows the rhythm of the hunt. They are all accomplished by following a rhythm. Break the rhythm and the natural flow is disrupted.

Like the fields that have turned summer harvest into fall tilling, I too find myself in a period of change. 

So what is my rhythm?

During today's run I stopped to listen to the message. What I found was I felt three interlaced rhythms all at once: my heartbeat, my breath, and the cadence of the run as I moved through the field. Each one was distinct, but layered on top of the other. It was one of those experiences that as soon as you realized you are having it, it's gone. But the effects of that brief moment are forever engrained deep within my soul - standing strong like the sugar cane stalk. 

Today's lesson was mindful.

We all have our own inner rhythm and I keep being reminded that whenever I listen to it my life flows easy.   All I need is right inside me. It always has been. All the wisdom, clarity I am searching for is in my heart's center. 

Essentially, the stillness I find when I run comes from listening to the Divine Light inside of me. All I have to do is listen and believe!

To quote one of my all time favorite authors Marianne Williams in "Return to Love" 

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? 

You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. 

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Ultimately, the message is clear, we are all magnificent and beautiful human beings and it's time to live from this place. 

Listen to your inner voice and honor your soul. You have the wisdom inside of you. 

Remember. Listen. And Love.

Team Maham - 1st Open Water Kayak Training

Snowden's Dam

First Open Water Kayak Trip

Today marked the second kayak training session for Team Maham. What a spectacular adventure! 

For those who aren't familiar with my new training plan, my sister Danielle Maham is attempting an 8 mile swim from Islamorada to Alligator Reef Lighthouse. Below is a map of the course. The race will allow swimmers to complete the course within 6 hours. 

For Team Maham, it means being prepared to kayak without stopping for up to 6 hours. For me, as a newbie, it means time to build paddling endurance. And what better way to cross train for Dopey than to Kayak like a fean.

Course Map

But let me back track a bit...

Last week was my first kayak trip. And to tell you the truth, I wasn't really prepared.  I knew I needed to wear a swim suit and flip flops. Bring a bottle of water, a hat, my sunglasses, and a towel. Other than that, I had NO IDEA what was in store for me. If you like to read about this adventure click here.

But I'm a quick learner and after the inaugural session I knew I had some work to do.

As soon as I got home I began my education. I researched till I found Old Yeller. She's a Crescent Splash II.  She sits three; came with two seats, and two paddles! She's perfect! 

As you can see, Grant jumped right in and began to row. 

A big thank you goes out to Manny for helping me with my new love! Grant thinks you're the bomb! And Lesley, says thank you for helping me buy yet another toy (wink).


Now back to today's event...

Today was my first open water trip. This time I was better prepared. I had Old Yeller. I had a cooler filled with healthy treats, several bottles of water, coconut water, and endurolytes. I had my brand new PFD. I had a brand new paddle leash so I won't loose it in case I fall out of the boat. I had my car keys and cell phone in my brand new air tight containers. I had cargo straps to tie the kayak down. And best of all I had Lesley's car, which has a roof rack, to transport the kayak. I was all set! Or so I thought...

Seeing how I was the first to arrive at the launching site, I thought I'd get myself started and bring down the kayak on my own. Might as well right... 

I quickly untied the straps, moved the kayak into position then BANG! Down it came! Smashing onto the side mirror, and breaking off the antenna. Ops! 

Sorry Lesley...I promise I will fix it as soon as the body shop opens on Monday! 

SORRY!!!!

I guess I have to start working on building some more upper body strength to move this beast on my own. 


But the day must go on...

Shortly after my embarrassing moment, Manny and Alba arrived barring gifts! EMPANADAS de Carne! YUMMY! Thanks guys! I'll eat this later. 

Beef Empanada...YUMMY!

Within minutes they had their boats offloaded with no incidence. Amazing how efficient things go when there is more than one, eh.

Kayaks in the water! Off we went...What a beautiful day for open water rowing; calm waters, low breeze, sunny skies, low tide. It was PERFECT! 

Manny pointed to this spec off to the distance and said that was our first goal. Let's get started! And so we did...

Our first target..Chicken Key (1.5 miles from start)

Manny makes it to Chicken Key first

We made it to Chicken Key too!

Once at Chicken Key we took a few minutes to stretch our legs, drink some water, and enjoy the view. 

Next stop, further north to a special little hide away called Hidden Lake. 

Ok Team Captain...point the way!

Where oh where can this little lake be..

So one of the things about this kayak is that it's supposed to be a stand up paddle board.  Let's just find out shall we! 

WOOHOO!!! Look at me! I'm paddling boarding!

Bucket List #2 - Done...sort of

Hidden Lake...

We arrived at our second goal. But secret entrance through mangrove canal was nowhere to be found. I guess we'll have to search for it another time.

This is 3.5 miles into our trip.

Hidden Lake is hiding from us..where are you?

Time to head back...boohoo!

Left, Right, Left, Right, Left, Right..keep on going!

Notice the sky? It's dark. Notice the water?  It's rough.  Notice my posture?  I'm tense. Why? Because there is this BIG ASS STORM right behind us! 

We can no longer see the shoreline. 

We hear BOOM! BANG! ROLL!  What's that you say...it's THUNDER! LIGHTNING!

Manny calmly says...storm's coming! Time to go!

I look at my Garmin and see we have 3 miles to go. Oh SHIT! I can't outrun a storm. 

New mantra...Keep Calm and Keep Paddling! Left, Right, Left, Right, Left, Right...

OH SHIT...I'm getting pulled to the right...Right, Right, Right, Right. 

OH SHIT...I'm getting pulled to the left...Left, Left, Left, Left.

Then, all of a sudden the skies open and I'm getting pounded by rain! 

But wait...That feels AWESOME! 

It's just like running in the rain!  I love this sport!

Notice I'm still smiling!

Well, the adventure ends with lots of great memories, big smiles, and wonderful new realizations. I am so blessed!

Thank you Alba and Manny for being you! I am truly lucky to know you both! 

Thank you Danielle for being crazy enough to try this epic swim! 

Thank you Lesley for being so loving and not wigging out when I came home with a broken car.  Yes you were right...it was bound to happen.

Thank you Mother Nature for teaching me how to stay calm and row in the now! The weather will always change and all we can do is be with it.  

Want to see the map of today's adventure? Just click on the picture below and it will take you to my Garmin Connect. 

epic kayaking

Live, Love, Run, and...

Kayak

Hooked on paddling

Ever since I saw the movie "The Bucket List" I started my very own list of things to do before I die. This summer I have two items I must do before school starts in August. 

Today, I checked one off: KAYAKING!

I can't tell you how excited I am to have the honor of trying this sport with such fabulous people. A big shout out to Manny and Alba for taking time out of their crazy active lives, lending me their equipment, and teaching me the beauty of this sport. A second big shout out to my sister Danielle for asking me to help with her next big adventure. 

It's because of you we are here today!

Coral Reef Park 

Lesson #1 - Listen to the coach

Our adventure began with a quick safety lesson followed by instructions on how to paddle efficiently so that we could move through the water with the greatest of east. We also learned how to enter and exit the water, switch kayaks mid stream, and how to keep stable. Believe me, after 3 hours of kayaking, these tips are really handy. Thank you Manny and Alba for being such great teachers!

Magic on the canal

So off we went for a trip of a life time! What wonder! What beauty! What an authentic experience. I felt like it was Goofy all over again. Not just because a group of people got together to get something done. But because kayaking gave me a profound sense of belonging to the current. 

What I found in kayaking is exactly the same as what I find in running. I can play to such an extent that the buzz of the world around and inside of me goes quiet.   

Team Maham