tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82647738554542068932024-02-20T22:46:40.749-04:00Mostly SoberStaying sober in this crazy world through running,scuba diving,pondering thoughtful quotes and whatever else comes along.Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13859092990478220178noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264773855454206893.post-79559385938594170892010-06-18T09:52:00.000-04:002010-06-18T09:52:28.780-04:00I am PublishedAs of May 3, 2010 I am officially published! Of course there was the whole Master's Thesis back in 1996 but unless you were interested in Forage Science Research you probably wouldn't have run across it. Here is the link to the book <i>The Ultimate Runner </i>:<br />
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<a href="http://www.hcibooks.com/p-3991-the-ultimate-runner.aspx">http://www.hcibooks.com/p-3991-the-ultimate-runner.aspx</a><br />
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Now I am searching for the next article to work on. I have coauthored with Axie which has been very fun, challenging and inspiring. Looking forward to more of that!!Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13859092990478220178noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264773855454206893.post-50998681101154198792010-05-04T11:24:00.000-04:002010-05-04T11:24:05.172-04:00Running in St. ThomasIf I hadn't quit drinking I would not have run 7 miles on the boardwalk in St Thomas this morning. I wouldn't even be on St Thomas right now helping our friend out with his boat. Who knows where I'd be right now...but I am fairly certain I would not be in the Caribbean. I do know I wouldn't be getting up in the wee hours of the morning to run. I wouldn't be feeling this good and enjoying life. <br />
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If I hadn't quit drinking I'd be nauseous, guilt ridden, depressed, bloated and hungover. I observe friends and acquaintances drink to excess every day and witness the aftermath the next day....only to begin the process all over again...maybe in search of a different outcome, but there isn't. Just the same old shit, different day. Like the old me they are dependent on alcohol. It is sad. It is sickening. The tail is wagging the dog. I am so glad it is not me anymore. I ran 7 miles on the boardwalk of St Thomas this morning! Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13859092990478220178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264773855454206893.post-25432407258000867292010-04-25T17:59:00.001-04:002010-04-25T18:07:26.641-04:00Diving with FriendsThe ocean has been great for diving this past week. I had the opportunity to go twice. Once on Thursday for the rescue dive class and the other on Friday just for fun with a few of my diving friends. We took our own boat out on Friday with 5 of us divers aboard. It was a perfect day. Flat ocean, low current and super visibility.<br />
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I began scuba just this year. I was hooked after my first time. I developed a real rapport with my dive buddy, Dirk, in the open water course. We took the advanced open water together and just finished the rescue diver course yesterday. Dirk and I stayed with the same instructor, Catalina Aponte through all 3 courses. Dirk and I were terribly spoiled as we were usually the only students, but we received great instruction and one on one attention. We learned a lot and laughed a lot, laughing at times at the language barriers that occurr when you have a Colombian instructor teaching in English to an American and a Dutch. All in all it was a great life changing experience. It saddens me that Catalina heads back to Colombia this Tuesday and Dirk leaves for Holland in 2 weeks. I will miss them both, but will never forget them and our experiences we shared diving and becoming friends. <br />
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I have become enthralled with ocean life. I have a creature list, a coral list and a dive log. My newest addition to the creature list is the green moray eel....so ugly its cute. I spied it first and grabbed my tank banger to get the attention of the others. I am backing up some at this point because out little friend is slithering out of the crevice he was floating peacefully in. I sucked more air than I really needed to but my heart rate elevated some and I admit he was a bit scary. My friend Don had my camera.<br />
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Catalina said it best about Fridays' diving. It was perfect (don't forget the Colombian accent!) <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1HD2lBlKvmkYVK2nhMhoFD6G50atdcO16TtPiFlkgbjLPi_4wDpo80elDsUXCxo9xWEsXlbucdALvly0GiggIDfP9LGeQ3bXzfsSIWaAMfekJVVb0RlNKHF7hP4jgzsXSF8Co4RDHYY/s1600/diving+with+Cat+%26+Dirk+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1HD2lBlKvmkYVK2nhMhoFD6G50atdcO16TtPiFlkgbjLPi_4wDpo80elDsUXCxo9xWEsXlbucdALvly0GiggIDfP9LGeQ3bXzfsSIWaAMfekJVVb0RlNKHF7hP4jgzsXSF8Co4RDHYY/s400/diving+with+Cat+%26+Dirk+028.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13859092990478220178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264773855454206893.post-26561595287483286142010-04-23T06:22:00.001-04:002010-04-25T16:23:22.294-04:00Runners DietAs a runner I find all the diet advice very confusing to say the least. There are enough books, research articles and blogs on this topic it makes my head spin. Carb loading, for example, seems very popular yet I crash and burn with that practice. When I get off on some tangent I come back to my reality with this thought. "Return to what you know." I utilize this thought often when I get sided tracked. So what do I know? I know that I don't function well with too many simple carbohydrate. I need protein. Sugar and foods containing yeast don't agree with my body. I have blood work that confirm this, but that is me. Every individual is different. So rather than jump on some new runners diet bandwagon I suggest finding out what works and stick wit it. I found this article on protein and runners very interesting and insightful. <br />
<a href="http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-242-300--12554-1-1-2,00.html#"> http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-242-300--12554-1-1-2,00.html#</a>Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13859092990478220178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264773855454206893.post-3108624066993832682010-04-21T08:54:00.001-04:002010-04-25T16:23:58.226-04:00More to the StoryI found this article on the missing boat that was headed to Antigua. <br />
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<a href="http://www.antiguasunonline.com/news/local/256556-sea-rescueman-found-after-36-hours-two-companions-still-missing.html">http://www.antiguasunonline.com/news/local/256556-sea-rescueman-found-after-36-hours-two-companions-still-missing.html</a><br />
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Guess we know more now.Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13859092990478220178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264773855454206893.post-24909717611097310872010-04-20T17:45:00.003-04:002010-04-25T16:24:22.960-04:00We Will Miss Micheal Arendell--BannieI had a very nice day today but then life can change in the blink of an eye. The sun was shining (been cloudy for well over a week), had a very nice early morning run followed by deep yoga stretches, got my household chores done, my daughter got her cattle to market and life was flowing along nicely. I appreciated the nice little moments of the morning. Then things changed quickly. One of my dogs, the Jack Russell Terrier, Addy, got stung multiple times by wasps and swelled up like crazy. I suppose that is what she gets for sticking her head in places where it doesn't belong. But nonetheless I treated her swollen face and babied her some. Then we get a phone call that one of our good friends Bonnie died this morning. It appears he had a heart attack. Looks can be deceiving as he always seemed very fit and healthy. He was a waiter/bartender at our local hangout and was in love with Addy. Addy loved him back. He never failed to bring her scraps every time we were there. Like everyday. Once Bunnie, short on table scraps, had the chef grill up a Filet Mignon for her! <br />
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Bonnie was a humorous man, full of good jokes and card tricks. He was warm, sensitive and tenderhearted. I know he struggled with alcoholism in the past but it seemed he had a good handle on things lately. He took his hat off to me for maintaining sobriety in this environment. Like I said before, it ain't easy.<br />
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So Bonnie we will all miss you and our little restaurant will never be quite the same. Addy? she will keep looking around the restaurant for you. Go in peace my friend.<br />
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Shortly after getting the news about Bonnie we hear some acquaintances of ours from Antigua were making the ocean journey back home but apparently didn't make it. The story is sketchy as of yet but so far we know that 2 of the 3 sailors are dead, one is hospitalized and the boat is adrift according to Antigua coast guard. There is some question as to whether the man in the hospital is off the boat or another man. Pirates immediately come to mind. The ocean was very rough that day as well but not sunk, just adrift with (rumor has it) 500 cases of Heineken on board. We may never really know what happened. Just very tragic. They were Caribbean men full of life and laughs. Maybe today we will hear more via the coconut telegraph.Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13859092990478220178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264773855454206893.post-89725562769642302662010-04-19T15:15:00.002-04:002010-04-20T17:15:28.641-04:00Link DayI am new to blogging so some of this technical stuff challenges me. For example I just learned how to add photos!! Ye-haw alert the media. Today I am going to attempt to add a link. After spending the entire morning writing and editing another project I desperately need to get away from the computer and accomplish some other things. So short and sweet today. This is the link to the book I have a piece in. It is to be released on May 3. The book is available on Amazon too.<br />
<a href="http://www.hcibooks.com/p-3991-the-ultimate-runner.aspx">www.hcibooks.com/p-3991-the-ultimate-runner.aspx</a>Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13859092990478220178noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264773855454206893.post-79154261026707741102010-04-17T07:23:00.000-04:002010-04-17T07:23:27.808-04:00Staying Sober in the CaribbeanWhat are the first things one thinks of when pondering the Caribbean.....beautiful blue waters, sunshine, beaches, palm tress swaying in the breeze...ah paradise. Oh what about the pina colada in hand or a beer.....or some other tropical alcohol laden treat like mango madness, planters punch or the famous rum punch. This picture wouldn't be complete without the drinks, right?<br />
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So how do I live here for six months of the year and stay sober. Well it ain't easy. Alcohol is everywhere. In your face at every corner. Fortunately I have a refuge....a beautiful home to stay at where I can create my own sober environment most of the time. If my space at home gets invaded to the point of anxiety there is always the privacy of my bedroom. However simple avoiding exposure to drinking situations gets pretty crazy. I do not want to live in a bubble. I have developed tools that enable me to cope. I put my health first. I look at my time in the Caribbean as health camp so to speak. Rather than return to the States needing a body detox like many vacationers I strive to be in better shape from when I arrived. So I run. I do yoga. I scuba dive. I explore new places. I challenge my mind. I follow self-healing philosophies. I befriend those without drinking problems with whom I have some common interests. They are far and few between but so are good real friends. I find there are days when those drinking around me doesn't bother me much. Then there are days when I cannot stand it so I find other things to do with my time. It is a balancing act.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VzplAB7GbTNa6Z7zH_ylZXAxSDrjupYNgcdDM5AysCABBVzw7XYhLn2JHvFK3HOq3Fov4N2QM8Ua-29Qdp7raaWkRJ1AEw7a3n-OX-RdC_R_aTP9GT3I6-JPUg4qrR2N2u6vdoHKerk/s1600/BVI+Sony+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VzplAB7GbTNa6Z7zH_ylZXAxSDrjupYNgcdDM5AysCABBVzw7XYhLn2JHvFK3HOq3Fov4N2QM8Ua-29Qdp7raaWkRJ1AEw7a3n-OX-RdC_R_aTP9GT3I6-JPUg4qrR2N2u6vdoHKerk/s400/BVI+Sony+021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I believe anyone who truly needs to abstain from alcohol can do it. Remember that sobriety is a choice. A healthy choice. It requires coping tools unique to each individual and healing from within ones self. Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13859092990478220178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264773855454206893.post-82270522992070947052010-04-16T09:58:00.001-04:002010-04-17T06:26:39.834-04:00Really Getting PublishedIn my last post I mentioned I am getting an article published in the <i>Ultimate Runner</i>, published by HCI Books. It is due out in May sometime. I am pretty geeked about this and can see I really need to beef up this blog. I was notified that I should prepare myself for an interview and podcast, all publicity for the whole work but I am a part of this too. It was also suggested that I include a blog site. PANIC...so I am developing a plan for this blog on running and self-healing. I am also going to shoot for 4 entries a week with a patterned type of theme to it. Gotta love goal setting! So what have I been up to:<br />
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I recently took a boating trip to Tortola. Nice picture of the crew below. Myself, my nephew Don, our good buddy Paul and Captain Jim. Don and Paul are my dive buddies and Jim in my SO. Tortola is a very nice place with great diving and sailing. It is however not a great place to go running, being a woman alone and an early morning runner. So I took a bit of a break in my training. I think I need to do that once in a while even though I miss it and get stoved up and ornery. 10 days was just too damn long to go without running. I returned back to St Maarten refreshed and ready to run. So I am back at it. 20 miles a week minimum, yoga stretches and healthy eating choices.<br />
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I traded running for 5 very nice dives and a overnight trip to the island of St John where I visited my daughters boyfriends family. St John is beautiful and I enjoyed the immense amount of National Park there. The beaches are amazing. No tiki bars and hairbraiders here! We also were the "mother ship" to a sailing vessel from St Maarten for the BVI Sprig Regatta. I was leery at first mainly because these sailors are quite the drinkers. I tend to steer myself away from these situations where I am surrounded by drunkeness....self-preservation I guess. But it turned out quite ok. I learned alot about sailing and how to deal with alcohol in my face for days in a row. Not easy but I did it. Witnessing drunks followed by the hangovers every morning is a good reminder of what I dont miss!!!Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13859092990478220178noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264773855454206893.post-58473204366274406312010-03-19T09:35:00.000-04:002010-03-19T09:35:00.070-04:00My HoroscopeI am having my typical day here on the island. I worked out, sweat my ass off, and settled in to do some writing. I checked my horoscope for the day and it suggested that I visit a body of water, return to nature, practice some self-healing, and share this with others. So here I sit with a certain amount of self-healing knowledge and pondering how to share this with others. I have healed my body from alcohol abuse and stay on course with healing my mind. Sharing this with others is a task ever present on my mind and I am wanting to develop something. More blogging? A book comes to mind also. I am getting a small piece published on running and recovery to be included in The Ultimate Runner, due out in May of this year. I guess that is a start. Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13859092990478220178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264773855454206893.post-26296754163655252182010-03-08T10:33:00.000-04:002010-03-08T10:33:31.542-04:00The Island FunkSpent the last 2 days afflicted with what I call the island funk. Don't know if it is the water, food, heat, sun or what but I get this malaise every so often here. Maybe I push it too hard and need to heed my own advice which is "Listen to your body." When it says go, then go and when it says take it easy, take it easy. So I took it easy....like a day or two and let it pass and emerge renewed and ready to run, dive, take on projects...you name it. Today we are painting the kitchen after a little remodel job. Suppose I will have to cook more now! <br />
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It is my birthday week. Time for reflecting on last year and ahead to this coming year...more like New Years then the actual one in January. I hope to go diving with friends on my birthday or there abouts and celebrate with healthy things and activities rather than what I used to do which was party like a rock star. "To my health and general well-being!!" Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13859092990478220178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264773855454206893.post-62944216743505398252010-03-07T08:17:00.000-04:002010-03-07T08:17:37.517-04:00Rainy SundayAh...a rainy Sunday morning here on the island! I actually have goosebumps. Seems wonderful to have an escape from the oppressive humidity and heat of the last week. We experienced high "real feel" temps for well over a week now and the change is very welcome. Now it is supposed to be rainy and stormy for the next 4 days so I will probably be bitching in no time. In the mean time I can catchup on inside stuff and run in the rain which I have come to really enjoy. Maybe spend more time with Yoga also. <br />
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In my last post I quoted "Self confidence is knowing that we have the capacity to do something and firmly decide not to give up" by the Dalai Lama. I found in the beginning of sobriety that my self confidence was shot. I felt like I had to learn to live all over again without the courage and confidence that alcohol so falsely provided. So the process began very slowly and painfully. Because I have enjoyed athletic activities almost my entire life that is the arena I naturally gravitated towards. Started with walking, then the whole running discovery kicked in and now scuba diving and boating on the ocean. I feel confident in my abilities in these activities and it is real....not falsely propped up with artificial courage. And this confidence is not egotistical but a feeling of freedom and independence...freedom from needing artificial backing up. Somehow this feeling of wellness and confidence carries over into my daily activities bit by bit and I feel better about myself as time goes by. I guess a little bit of self confidence goes a long way. Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13859092990478220178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264773855454206893.post-39237226990768533732010-03-05T14:12:00.001-04:002010-03-05T16:09:28.516-04:00It's Been AwhileIt's been awhile. Mostly sober for 4 years now. It's also been awhile since I wrote on this blog. It is high time to warm up the keyboard and develop a bit of discipline I think. I figure if I have the discipline to run, eat healthy and stay mostly sober, I should be able to maintain a blog and actually write in a timely fashion. It is also time to change things up. When I find myself in a rut of sorts I change things up so I am adding scuba diving discussions since that has become my latest passion and some thoughtful quotes and/or inspirational ideas to ponder upon. <br />
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Running has been going great. I metaled in every race I ran last season. September and October got a little slow but as soon as I returned to the Caribbean I picked up the pace. My goal for 2009 was to run 1000 miles. In the beginning of December I did not think I would make it but really poured on the gas the last to weeks and actually made 1001!! 2010 goals include 1000 plus miles. Did I mention I turn 53 next week. Not bad for an old fart. <br />
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Per usual I do my pondering while running...actually it is more like active meditation. My thoughts today were inspired by the Dalai Lama "Self confidence is knowing that we have the capacity to do something and firmly deciding not to give up" which brings me to...Ah.....scuba.....Talk about a confidence builder!! It was last November when we had guests here in the Caribbean that were avid scuba divers. As I watched them take off all geared up in our dinghy and return with gems from the ocean I asked myself "What is wrong with this picture?" And so it began. I first went out to test the waters with 2 very good friends emerging from the first dive thinking I wanted to go right back down. A few days later I was enrolled in a course and 2 weeks later I was an open water certified diver. A few weeks later I became an advanced diver and currently I am taking the rescue diver course. I sincerely hope I never have to use these skills but the life I save just may be my own too! I have had the same dive buddy through all 3 courses...a very nice dutch friend who is a chef here on the island. We have a blast together and have learned and shared a lot of experiences. With 30 plus dives under my belt I wonder about dive master later on. The underwater world is fascinating to me as I kick myself in the ass for not diving sooner. I am keeping a fish/sea creature log which grows every time I dive. Sharks do not thrill me but I am getting used to them along with barracudas......geez but they are ugly guys and rather intimidating. Hopefully I will get an underwater camera soon so I can record some of the sights and share them.<br />
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While I have been writing this there has been a Regatta going by the house....100's of boats..I mean 100's..very cool.....maybe I need to try sailing??!!Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13859092990478220178noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264773855454206893.post-70056271120127396322009-06-02T12:40:00.000-04:002009-06-02T13:01:39.386-04:00Red Wings and RacingThree words say it all.....GO RED WINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yea I admit I am a hockey fan. It is easy to say it is my favorite spectator sport. I love it...love the hustle, the skill, the speed of the game and of course the players accents. Three words say it all.........GO RED WINGS!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />I ran two races last week, one 5K and one 8K. Both of which I won my age group (50-59 and 50-54 respectively) I shaved 2 minutes off both times from last years races so I am feeling really good about my winter training and how far I have come since I began running three years ago. In the 8K I even won the Grand Masters, meaning the old farts classes 50 and up. So there ya go. Even ex-drunks can turn things around and head in a healthier direction.<br /><br />Running for me is more than just a physical thing. It is a place I can go and leave the thoughts of yesterday, today and tomorrow on a shelf for a bit and concentrate on the run. I let my mind go and my body just flow...it is a real meditative thing for me. Then I follow up with Yoga or at least stretches dervied from Yoga. This helps keep my body aligned, muscles loose, increases flexibilty and improves my breathing. I also can let the energy of the day leave for a while and find focus and balance in my body and mind. And it is all fun!! I find cross training with Yoga and Pilates a great compliment to running.<br /><br />The weather could sure turn its happy ass around up here in Michigan. The high today is supposed to be 63. It is June 2!!! The seeds I planted in the garden last week are probably shivering or putting on coats at this point. I'll say this again....Global Warming my lily white ass...Al Gore never took much data from Mid-Michigan. Anyway my garden is mostly planted except for the plants themselves because we still have frost warnings for later in the week. This is getting ridiculous in my book, but since there is not one damn thing I can do about it I'll just chuckle at it all.....makes for great running weather anyway.Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13859092990478220178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264773855454206893.post-81217305480192005902009-05-17T06:43:00.000-04:002009-05-17T07:27:20.627-04:00Changing PacesOkOK so I haven't blogged in a bit.....try almost 4 weeks. In that time I have moved back to the Michigan house and been adjusting to life here as opposed to the Caribbean house. Very different lifestyles not to mention climate change. I find myself missing friends there and my newly adopted island dog River who is living with a good friend while I am gone. I do enjoy however the opportunity to sleep a bit later in the morning and run later in the morning. That 4:30 AM shit was getting to me not to mention the oppressive heat and humidity. Here in Michigan it is still quite cool and I find running outside here right now quite enjoyable. My first 5K race is on Memorial day then another the following weekend. I will see how it goes as I could run a race almost every weekend it I really wanted. I do prefer trail runs as they are fun and scenic all in one shot. My short term goal is to get a 5K under 30 minutes.<br /><br /><br /><br />A few days before we left the Caribbean we had to pleasure of spending a few days on the island of Saba. Google <a href="http://www.sabatourism.com/">http://www.sabatourism.com/</a> if you want to see a great video that reveals a bit of the beauty there. A pair of my friends developed this and it is quite good actually. Staying at Saba a few days was a great experience and I highly recommend it as a beautiful and relaxing place to visit. I got to go on two hikes, one around the island about midway up and then another to the top of Saba....both were wonderful, beautiful and quite inspiring. One evening there we met up with some friends for a dinner at a quaint restaurant which was very nice. Let me preface by saying that there is alot of alcohol consumption on Saba....if one doesn't hike, dive or fish there are not alot of other things to do other than drink and eat. So we go to this dinner and the one person who is celebrating a birthday with a liter of Petron rum amongst substances plops down next to me. Now why does the one drunk guy find the recovered alcoholic and choose to sit there? Fate I guess but this is not the first time this has happened to me. Its an "in your face" lesson that I seem to get to experience over and over. This is what you used to live like, look like and act like. Unlike me though the guy was quite a pleasant drunk and we chatted quite a bit and the evening was fine but I cant help but wonder how many times I get to experience this anomaly. I think I must need a reminder once in a while why I quit drinking to further my motivation to stay on course. Ok I get it...how many times do I need to repeat this lesson?? I am positive other addicts have experienced this too. Needless to say this guy did not hike 4 1/2 hours the next day and experience the natural beauties of Saba as I did.....nor did anyone else in our little group. It was glorious and an experience I will not soon forget.<br /><br />It is cool, clear and quiet here in Michigan this Sunday morning and the trail is calling me...time to run and then do a little Yoga after. Sounds like an oxymoron...running and Yoga but I find it very compatible and therapeutic. Have a great day!Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13859092990478220178noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264773855454206893.post-69437191536038768812009-04-22T09:08:00.001-04:002009-04-22T09:38:46.066-04:00HeatI am a runner. I try to run wherever life takes me when possible. Today my monster is the heat. It is friggin hot here in the Caribbean where I spend my winters. Face it. I am a damn yankee, used to sleet, snain, snow and much lower humidities in warm weather. During the winter months here it is quite pleasant but this time of year it just begins to get unbearable for those not raised in this environment. Being the determined runner that I am I get up very early in the morning so I can run before the it gets too hot and feel like I am running in a sauna. But the heat even at 6AM can be very trying....one voice inside my head says quit, dont run, stay in the shade but the other voice, the louder one says to get my happy ass out there and just do it (move over Nike)....not to let things get in the way of my goals. But still the oppressive heat and humidity and lack of breeze becomes a monster. It eats at my brain to stop what I am doing. My drive to finsh my run for the day needs to be bigger than the drive to stop. So the monster lesson for the day becomes to not to let things get in the way of my goal, which this morning was running 5 miles while sweating my ass off. It is a very empowering thing to rise above the heat obsatacle and accomplish my running goal which spills over into my whole outlook for the day. If I can get this run done I can tackle the rest of the day. Heat is no monster anymore.Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13859092990478220178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264773855454206893.post-91135018902719976272009-04-20T08:48:00.000-04:002009-04-20T08:48:27.127-04:00Why I wanted to blogWhen I first had the idea of blogging it was during my last few days at an alcohol treatment center. I thought I had a few ideas to share with other folks who may be suffering from abusing alcohol/drugs etc. While my thoughts were in the right place back then I lacked the motivation and confidence to follow through. Three years and twentythree days later (but whos counting) I decided it was finally time. Writing the blog on recovering from alcohol abuse had becme a monster for me. Again there was this fear of sitting at the computer screen and just staring at it and nothing coming to mind and just freezing....like taking a test and freezing up or standing up in front of a group of people and not knowing what to say....that kind of thing. So I asked myself what is the worst that can happen? Is anyone ever going to read this anyway. There is alot of crap written out there too so why not. So after I thought about it the 2x4 hit me upside the head. Nothing bad or scary is going to come out of it. It is just the irrational fear that I'll suck, get stuck, not know what to say etc...SO WHAT!! I will just type and express myself and see what comes of it. Nothing scary, just self-expression. And if nothing else comes from this I will at least be helping myself get over another monster. My ultimate goal would be to help even just one other person. That would be great. Later, DanaDanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13859092990478220178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264773855454206893.post-68158059644504192752009-04-19T14:26:00.000-04:002009-04-19T14:38:54.616-04:00Welcome to my blogGreetings and welcome to my blog!!<br /><br />I had this idea to start a blog about three years ago but never found aroundtuit. Well I found that roundtuit today..so it begins.<br /><br />Bigger than the Monster will encompass many things. Monsters are like assholes, everybodys got them. Monsters can be right out in the open or hiding in the closet or under the bed. They can be very real or just in one's head but they really do exsist. Monsters can scare us, threaten us and/or drive us friggin crazy. So why not decide to be bigger and badder than the damn things and get rid of them. OK nuf said.<br /><br />My monster for today (besides starting this blog which as been haunting me for over 3 years) was helping my daughter Axie write a plot summary for her first novel. Well not actually helping but actually writing the damn thing and giving it to her to edit rather than the other way around. Usually I edit her stuff. So what is so scary about that? I thought I would sit at the compter screen and stare at it when actually words came to mind and I typed. Not so scary afterall. It may suckass but I started anyway and the fear is ....well....gone YIPPEE<br /><br />so yea, welcome to my blog.....chat at ya later...DanaDanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13859092990478220178noreply@blogger.com0