My Next Adventures

It has been more than a month since my last posting. I would love to say I haven't had time to write because I have been so busy running....but that would not be honest :) I took WAY too many days off without running regularly. I did pick up a few runs here and there but pretty much got into life...and unpacking at my new place...and a million other things that distracted me from training. And then I had a moment of clarity. That moment came when I tried to put on a pair of pants that fit right before the Ragnar....and then didn't quite fit (snugly and not appropriate for work now). SO....I am back at the training. Not only for my health and fitness but because I am determined to keep my New Year's Resolution. Curious??

My resolution is to run 100 miles competitively this year. Now...I am a relatively new runner....so I am not looking to place....looking to meet my own time goals and finish every race.  And I am trying some new things within the context of that.  I am going to run a few half marathons and compete in a triathlon (sprint distance).  I firmly believe that I should not rest on my laurels and if I want my life to be adventurous and fun....I have to make that happen myself!  I am going to not only be healthy and happy but perhaps even see the world and have a variety of experiences through the venues where I will compete.

I have posted a list of my upcoming races (those that I am not only registered for but am giving serious consideration to) at the bottom of the blog.  Scroll on down and check it out :)  And please feel free to comment on any blog entry you like.  Your thoughts and welcomed, appreciated, and will be acknowledged and responded to.  You can also follow me on Twitter (I am going to be better about my tweets).  Look for me as jspon0707.

Key West Time Warp

Okay so my last update came on Sunday after I realized I never sent it on Saturday when Van 1 completed their portion of the Ragnar. Here comes the final update on the race...sorry it is 5 days late...once I got in to Key West and done at the finish line...the laid back easy pace of Key West sucked me in to what one of the locals told me was called the "Key West Time Warp". Apparently that is an effect where you are so relaxed you literally lose all track of the day of the week. Fantastic!!! So here's the final wrap up of the race:

Saturday around 2:30pm I finished up the final leg for Van 1 and after some quick medical attention (which really just meant a bag of ice for my knee) we hopped in the van and headed to Key West to return the rental, check in to our hotels, and grab a shower and a bite to eat before Van 2 made it to the finish line. We got the call that Kelly (the anchor runner for Van 2) had hit the course and we headed to the Southernmost Hotel where the finish line was constructed. As Kelly raced down the street....the 11 remaining members joined with her to run through the finish line....some 35 hours and 10 minutes after Jay started it all! Here's a photo of Team MDAA at the finish line....those of us who are all showered and looking pretty were in Van 1 :) Sorry Van 2!

Ragnar has posted the final results on their webpage...you can go there and look if you like....but here's the quick and dirty on Team MDAA:

Total Distance Run: 190 miles (rounded b/c it was closer to 192)
Total Time Start to Finish: 35 hours and 10 minutes
Place in the Race: 277 out of 294 teams

Thanks so much for your support through this adventure!!! I will continue this blog for some time...not only to share the recap of this adventure (we are busy combing through pics and video so Jeff can put us together a great final video) but to share the details of my next adventure as well. That's right folks....I have 2 other big firsts scheduled for this year. I will unveil the next on on February 4th (4 months from the date it will occur).....keep checking back in the meantime to hear post-race stories and see pics and video!