Category: Travel

My trip to Epcot

I had never been to Epcot (well, I’ve ran through it) but finally went last month.   AR and I went after the Enchanted 10K.  After my race, I showered, we ate breakfast and hopped on the shuttle bus to Epcot.  I loved the convenience of Disney providing transportation to the parks.

I don’t get tired of seeing this gigantic “golf ball”.

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photo-2Let’s go to Mexico!

Who doesn’t love mariachi music?

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We had to see the Mexican Donald Duck!

Then off to Tokyo and France.

Morocco and England.  I really wanted to see Mary Poppins but no luck.

We were there for a couple of hours and I had so much fun!  However, I was tired from all of that walking.  I know, I know, I shouldn’t have walked that much the day before a race.  Lesson learned.

My trip to CA after Tinker Bell

I ran the Tinker Bell Half Marathon last Sunday then stayed an extra day to go to Disneyland.  The last time I was there was in 1991.  Yeah, a long time ago.  Below are pictures from my fun trip.

I told my nephew he needs to get me this keychain.  He laughed.

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Time for the parade!

It’s a Small World.

I saw Woody!

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Disneyland looks beautiful at night!

The fireworks at night were spectacular.

Time for some sightseeing before heading to the airport.

Finally a good breakfast in Hollywood.

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I had a great time in CA.  The weather was just perfect, I enjoyed running the race, and had a great time at Disneyland.  Oh and I am a little bit jealous for those that live there because I am tired of the snow and cold weather in Chicago.

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MIA but I am back!

No, I am not in Miami.  Although, it does sound like a good idea to go at the moment.

My last post was exactly 2 months ago.  Time sure flies by.  I am still enjoying my summer vacation.  However, first day back is the 27th.  I can start setting up my classroom as early as the 20th.  I plan to do that.  It takes me about 2-3 days to get organized enough to teach for a few days.  Then I work on my classroom throughout the year.

So many things have happened since my last post.  Let’s see.  I went to Boston and Hartford.  I had so much fun!!  My favorite things were the whale watching and day trip to Salem.

In Hartford I stayed with a friend a mine and together we went to a rose garden in Elizabeth Park.  There was a wedding taking place and it just looked so beautiful!

 

My nephew was in town from San Antonio so we went with another nephew many times to the movie theater.  We also went to the beach, Six Flags Great America, and bowling.  The boys loved it!!  I love my two boys!  He went back home on Thursday so it is a little quiet in the house.

I live in an apartment with my sister that is owned by my younger sister.  I have lived here for three years and have dealt with pure misery during the hot summer months.  Two years ago I invested in several window units that helped a bit.  However, this summer was just HORRIBLE!!  Well, apparently my sister had applied to some city program that “gave” her new windows throughout the building AND central air!!!!  Such a happy moment.  We had workers in the building for two weeks.  First, the new windows were installed.  The window units were gone.  Then the work began for the central air.  They worked from about 7am-3pm.  Furniture had to be moved and there was dust everywhere!  I took this opportunity to go through my stuff to decide what to keep, throw away, or sell in a garage sale.  Of course it was during these two weeks that temperatures were in the 100s so I was miserable here.  I told myself that it would be worth it at the end.  Sure enough when the workers were done it was pure joy and heaven to have cool air in the house.

I bought two new pairs of gym shoes, Brooks Glycerin and Brooks Pure Connect.  I LOVE, LOVE the Glycerin. So comfortable!  My feet finally don’t hurt anymore after I run.  As for the Pure Connect, I have yet to run in them because I was planning to use them for speed workouts and it so happens that I am taking a break from speed workouts.  Why?  Well, I have issues with my IT band, right hamstring, and weak gluteus maximus.  It hurts to run fast.  I can run but only for a short distance and slow.  I took a two week break and then ran on the treadmill.  My first run was 2.5 miles and then my second one was 3 miles.  Felt good when I was done.  I am going to physical therapy two times a week to deal with these issues.

I decided not to run the Marine Corps Marathon in October.  It was a combination of lack of motivation and injuries.  I know, excuses, excuses.  🙁  Instead, I decided to focus on the smaller races, in particular half marathons.  I am still on a mission to do a half in each state.  I am on the road to recovery and am planning a few races before my bunion surgery in November.  Well, that is the plan.  I will know more once I go back to school and look into the required time off.  My doctor told me a full recovery takes about 6-8 weeks.  The longer I am off my feet, the better I will recover.

I got into a car accident two week ago.  Not my fault.  I was rear ended.  I am OK but have pain in neck and lower back.  I am seeing a chiropractor for the pain.  I have been rear ended so many times.  I think at least 5 times with the car I have now (Honda CRV).  I am convinced it is cursed and I need to get rid of it.  My next car will be a Nissan Rogue.

Well, that pretty much summarized my summer break.  I am not doing everything I was planning to do but that is OK.  I am still having fun.  So how is your summer coming along?

Hello Mexico and South America!

I had never been hiking and this past month I had this experience.  It was a lot more difficult than I had ever imagined.  I mean, I had participated in several 3 Day Walks to raise money for breast cancer but this was very different.  I was not prepared for the mountains/hills and all of the inclines.  I was not prepared for walking nonstop in hiking boots versus my comfortable Asics.

My first hiking experience was walking up a mountain in the state of Morelos.  I don’t know how high it was but let me tell you that for sure it was high.  It was drizzling that morning so the climbing (and going downhill) was difficult.  Off I went with my nephew.  He did not have faith in me and told me several times that we could stop and go back whenever I wanted to.  Ha!  I told him that I would make it to the top but just needed to make more stops along the way.  Below are some pictures of the path.  My biggest fear of course was slipping and falling. Thank goodness none of that happened!!!

Next adventure was Ecuador.  Beautiful country!!!  This is where I went on an 18 kilometer bike ride, went horse back riding, a jungle and canyoning, and saw many waterfalls.  I had never done those things!  Well, it had been over 20 years since I had been on a bike.  I will be honest and say that I fell.  I was not hurt except a bruise on my leg but I survived.  I tried walking up a volcano but backed out at the last minute.  Overall, great food and wonderful times in Ecuador.

Finally….3 day  walking trek to Machu Picchu.  It was just phenomenal!!!  The view is just fantastic.  There were about 16 of us in our group and we had so much fun together.  We supported and encouraged one another as we walked.  I climbed a 4,400 meters mountain.  In feet it is about 14,000!!!  I almost cried when I got to the top.  I completed something I thought I could not do.  Honestly, I felt I was not going to make it.  Once I reached the top I had to take in the view because it was just amazing….plus I had to catch my breath from climbing so much and so high.

I truly believe that everyone should go to Machu Picchu and see one of the wonders of the world!!!!

Hiking and NO running!!!!

I was out of the country (Mexico, Ecuador, and Peru).  Awesome time and I will post pictures soon.  However, now I am concerned because I did not run at all.  I mean NADA.  Just hiked.  I am worried about how this might affect (if anything) my running plan.  Where should I start now?  From the beginning?  Where I left off?  Or continue as if I had not stopped running?

I cannot believe the Hartford Marathon is less than 3 months away.  I am so worried about it now.  🙁