Adventures in Running, Part II

Well, believe it or not, by this time next week I'll be in Florida and rearing to go for the Princess Half!  The time between these two races absolutely FLEW by, but I feel ready and I couldn't be more excited to be racing again.  Plus, I'm getting to spend a weekend in Florida, running, shopping, going to Disney World, bumming by the hotel pool.... what more could I want?!


This afternoon was my last long run of my training: a 10 mile hill workout at an 11:30 pace... since I only need to keep an 11:50 pace on the Florida-is-flat-as-a-pancake race course to hit my goal of finishing in 2:35:00, I'm pretty pumped!  Who knows, maybe I'll finish even earlier than I'm expecting... that's one wonderful thing about being a fairly new runner- you improve so quickly!!!


My running adventure today took me along the Ocean Front Walk in Venice Beach; it's gorgeous, bustling, and full of crazies!  I usually avoid running there because of the crowds, but today just felt like the day to go for it.

Believe it or not, that building in the center is a House of Freaks... only in Venice, right?

Lots of people set up and sell their art along the Walk.... this particular piece was really cool.  It looks like a painting, but it's actually cut and painted metal layered onto a canvas.

The city is practically built on the beach.... there's pretty much zero separation between the two.

This is my favorite picture of the day.... Saturday means the Venice Beach Drum Circle.  It's utter madness- people standing around to listen, dancing in the street, and generally just enjoying the music, sunshine, and the freedom that exists in a place like this.  This is the embodiment of  Venice Beach at its purest and best.

Love this truck- it belongs to the drum circle folks... 

Headed back up towards Santa Monica... The ocean is never far.  I kid you not, I could see the ocean during 8.5 out of 10 miles today.  Gorgeous.

All in all, beautiful, relaxing, and the perfect way to end yet another bout of training.  I'll try to remember to post once more before I leave, but I'm not promising anything... life has been crazy here, and getting ready to travel is just one more thing on my plate.  If not, there will definitely be pictures- LOTS of pictures- following race day.  

I feel like I should have something a bit more final to say, but I don't.  There's a lot of thoughts running around in my head right now, but I can't really vocalize any of them at the moment.  I suppose I'll just go work on my costume... wait 'til you see it!  I think my family will appreciate it most of all- it's admittedly a bit nostalgic, but I think it will turn out very well.  And so, with that, au revoir.