MyCOLORADOLife.net

big fish, family & bowling

Published March 24, 2014

Spring Break in Breck

So what happens at home during marathon weekends?

I receive pics like this. Awesome, right?

Took ½ day from work Monday to spend time with family, here in Colorado enjoying Spring Break.

With flurries in the air, opted for an afternoon at the Denver Aquarium. Hadn’t been to an aquarium in probably 10 years, then BAM — 2 over the past 3 days. Gotta say the Georgia Aquarium trumps Denver’s fish tank hands down. Fave non-fish sightings? Penguins in Atlanta, a tiger in Denver. (Yep, tiger at an aquarium.)

Next, took the crew bowling at Fat Cats in Westminster. Whatta lotta fun! Maybe next time I’ll even break 100. LOL> Congrats Tom & James! (today’s winners)

Catch Phrase, dinner – BLINK, and it was 10pm. Ho, hum.

LOVE having family around. It’s pretty much the best 🙂

: bowling selfie – Collette, James, Maddie, Tom & Ashton

Posted in Denver Metro, Family | Tagged aquarium, skiing, sport | Leave a comment

Georgia Marathon

Published March 23, 2014

“Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.” – Dean Karnazes

Quote sums up my 5^th FULL:

first marathon in USA Eastern Time Zone (never adjusted to the 2 hour time difference)
last marathon in the South for several months (temps are already heating up in Dixie)

Race Highlights:

the Omni Hotel (marathon started at CNN Center – super convenient)
Martin Luther King Nat’l Historic Site (mile 4)
the Carter Center (mile 6)
Emory University (mile 16) – super positive student volunteers
Georgia Tech (mile 24) – universities are always mighty scenic, runner eye candy

Paced well for 14 miles – up and down, up and down, one hill after another.

At mile 16, I grabbed water. At mile 17, I started walking up the highest hills. At mile 23, my quads ceased – too many hills, serious lactic acid buildup, began walking. Pulled it together & produced a slow crawl for the final mile thru Atlanta’s downtown.

Not a fine moment but I finished. Tough day – my 2^nd worst time to date.

1575 K R Haga Louisville CO 4:45:14

: 7am start – all smiles

: corralled in downtown Atlanta – 13,000 runners

: G-A Marathon FINISHER!

: Centennial Olympic Park

UPDATE:

4 weeks ‘til my April marathon in Salt Lake. Only 2 days after Atlanta I biked 17 miles (indoors), followed by a 1000 yard swim. Wednesday 545am, I biked another 17 miles & on Thursday (only 4 days after the Georgia Marathon) I ran 10 miles.

Already solved my calorie count in March (now eating 5 small meals a day). In April, I start outdoor cycling AND train for marathon #6 (my first in altitude). Colorado winter almost over, time to fully commit. No more excuses.

Posted in Marathons/Ultras, South | 2 Comments

Live from The A

Published March 22, 2014

Friday 5:15pm, Gate C42 – off to Atlanta, site of my 5^th marathon.

Started Saturday with a huge buffet breakfast at the Omni – multiple plates of fresh fruit & oatmeal. FANNNNNTASTIC!

Next stop, CNN Center. Since the Omni is physically attached to CNN, felt obliged. Took a studio tour – not that different from my time at FOX. I’d rate it A-ok – an hour is certainly long enough.

A few blocks away off Marietta, visited the World of Coca-Cola. Highly recommended.

Coke was invented by druggist John Pemberton in Georgia. Who knew? And while Coca-Cola would become America’s national drink, Pemberton unfortunately died poor, sick & morphine addicted.

With public concern about drug addiction, depression and alcoholism among [Civil] war veterans…as well as among “highly-strung” Southern women, Pemberton’s medicine was advertised as particularly beneficial for “ladies, and all those whose sedentary employment causes nervous prostration”.

Pemberton made many health claims for his product, touting it as a “valuable brain tonic” that would cure headaches, relieve exhaustion and calm nerves, and marketed it as “delicious, refreshing, pure joy, exhilarating,” and “invigorating.”

Enjoyed the history, brand-generated pop art & of course, the Tasting Room. Cola products from all over the world were up for the tasting. Madagascar’s cola includes mango juice; Latin American colas are sugar cane sweetened (almost sickeningly sweet); while China’s apple cola – actually not so bad.

Ended my day at the Georgia Aquarium before savoring a plate of pricey grouper at McCormick & Schmicks. [Key Observation: Lotta seafood restaurants near Aquariums. Coincidence? 🙂 ]

Early to bed, early to rise. Tomorrow is marathon day.