Rest Easy in Northern Michigan

I have done it! I managed to wait out the old man and get our rooms booked in the Mio Motel. Now, there really isn't anything special about the Mio Motel. However, to book a room you have to listen to at least 5 minutes of the owner discussing the necessity to fill up his rooms with NO CANCELLATIONS in the summer because "aint no body up here in the winter". . . . and you have to listen to this each and every time you call. I called about 8 times.

He also does not like to book one day, Friday and Saturday is really what people want to do on vacation, ya know. Somewhat out of laziness, somewhat out of stubborness, and somewhat out of not wanting to now look FARTHER from the START and FINISH lines or last years resting place (although, it was a great night for me!!), this one motel room took me a long time to get booked.

Here are some reasons why I have been set on the Mio Motel -

"After 5 1/2 years I can tell you that Pete is a teddy bear. Most people have no idea how many people Pete has helped in his life, and how many people have taken advantage of him and his kindness, His standards for the motel are the same as his life, (5 stars for Pete) Clean rooms are the norm as is the service to his customers. have you ever had a bad day? Walk a mile in Petes shoes. Thank you Peter"

"I have been staying at the Mio motel 3 times a season for 10 years or more. Pete's bark is worse than his bite. He really is a great guy once you get to know him. Although i can see how others could get the wrong impression. And after all your not there to get to know the owner.He does care that the rooms are up to par. Always clean. Rightly priced and the motel is conveniently located. Every year he is constantly remodeling and/ or updating. The mattresses, pillows and linens are better than hotel grade. Always hot water. Frig and microwave with a grocery store in the same complex.All I can tell you is smile and tell him how nice the rooms are... you'll see the proud Pete I am familiar with. That's all he wants to hear, that the room was comfortable and you had a restful night. Afterall thats what you came for isn't it?"

"Be prepared for the old man at the front desk. If you like conflict this is the place to stay. He needs to retire and get out of the hospitality business. I needed a room with one bed. he insisted I take a room with two beds. He kept asking me what my problem is, aren't his rooms good enough for me. Make sure you close the office door on the way out or you will be in for a verbal tongue lashing. If it wasn't for the fact two other friends were already staying there I would have gone down the road. Believe it or not the rooms are clean."

We just had to stay with Pete for the GLR. He seems like the perfect fit :-)

Here is the full list of motels

Thursday night:
Rest-All Inn - right on Lake Huron, true coast-to-coast this year! Make sure to get out and touch the water.
4270 N US Hwy 23 (Huron Rd.) Oscoda, Michigan (MI) 48750 Phone: 1-989-739-8822Website: www.restallinn-oscoda.com
~$25/person

Friday night:
Mio Motel - I think this is located right across the street from where we ate in Mio last year. Remember every group was a party of 10!
http://www.miomotel.com/index.html
~$30/person

Saturday night:
Woodland Motor Lodge ~$22/person; 0.8 miles from the finish right on the final leg of the day. We can cheer from the parking lot!!
267 S I 75 Business LoopGrayling Twp, MI 49738
http://woodland-motel.com/
Welcome!
Your hosts, Rob and Diane, welcome you to Grayling and Northern Michigan. We are sure you will enjoy the variety of activities and pursuits that the area offers. We continue to operate the Woodland Motor Lodge as a clean, quiet family motel that has served its customers well for over fifty years. We have many repeat customers, and many who have been coming to this motel for longer than we have owned it.

Enjoy privacy in wooded, scenic surroundings. Our large lot places our cabins and most motel rooms off the road, facing a wooded central courtyard. Here you’ll find an outdoor cooking area, with picnic tables and a barbeque pit. Please look through the descriptions and photos of our motel rooms, cabins, and setting with the links on the left.

We’re constantly working to improve and update our facilities to maintain our high level of customer satisfaction. Some of our recent projects include:
High Speed Wireless Internet Access - For Blogging!!
cabled Internet Access to each room
VOIP phone system
new beds
new carpeting
updated bathrooms
3 fire pits — free wood cut and split!
kids play area

Sunday night:
Galvin and I have looked over the campground information for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. We have settle on attempting to get a campsite at the DH Day Campground in the North end of the park. This campground is very close to the water (0.1 miles or less?) and only 7 miles from Empire. This should make for a very enjoyable Sunday night post race celebration.

Here we GO!

"All my life revolves around the GLR"

I said that while trying on a pair Saucony's at the Bolder Boulder Expo.  The Saucony guy said, "GLR, you mean the Great Lakes Relay?"  Which of course lead to a full three minute conversation about the race.  Turns out he is from Michigan and has participated in the event before.  He asked us if we run hard or party.  We said neither because we are old and have to work on Monday.

GLR is everywhere, people. Everywhere.

49 Days and Counting

Well it's Memorial Day weekend, and that usually means food, alcohol, and food (not necessarily in that order).  Caitlin and Melissa are headed to Colorado for a race...that is dedication! 

What's the rest of the teams running plans?

I will be running 10 miles tomorrow morning with a group I just recently joined.  We will be running throughout lovely downtown Indy.  It should be an enjoyable morning.  Sunday is race day, so I will trade my running shoes for walking shoes.  I look forward to watching the 100th Running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing with a few 100,000 of my closest friends. 

Enjoy the long weekend everyone!

Race of our lives

Caitlin and I are going to have the "race of our lives" on Memorial Day.  We are running Bolder Boulder! I've been running with a paint mask on in order to get my body used to oxygen deprivation (my boss recommended that idea).  So I'm pretty sure I will PR.  We'll keep you updated.

Rainy Day Blues

Seems like all it does here in Michigan recently is rain! We got a taste of summer last week with highs in the 80s and now it is down to 40 with rain. I had to go inside today and run on the treadmill which to me is the most boring thing in the world. After 4 miles I decided to call it quits just out of sheer boredom and plus I think they had the heat on in the gym because I was a sweaty mess! I saw some die hards running outside in the rain but 40 deg + pouring rain does not appeal to me and I would rather pick the treadmill over feeling like a drowned frozen rat. Hoping for sunny weather this week that will motivate me to run before work! Hope everyone else is doing well. Cheers :)

2011 Mini Marathon Or Why do we do this to ourselves!

I knew I was in trouble when I went out to do an easy 3 miles a couple days before and felt the need to stop and walk about 1.5 miles into it.  I thought well I am on a taper, so it always seems this way.  Well race morning came this past Saturday, and I had my usual restless night of sleep, waking up every hour concerned I was going to oversleep my alarm.  To my surprise I did not.

Pre-Race morning went well.  I picked up Mr. Griles, we found an pretty convenient parking spot without fighting traffic.  Got to my corral and was feeling pretty good about what the next few hours would bring, and bam we were off.  If you have never run an event like the Mini-Marathon it is both amazing and frustrating the sheer number of people (35,000) on the race course.  You have a few choices 1) start weaving 2) slow down or 3) find some grass.  I tend to do a little of each. 

First mile right on target (8 mins).  Mile two settle into planned pace 7:45.  Then the wheels came off during mile three (I know it seems a little early for a 13.1 mile race).  I will spare the details, but managed to I fight my way to a 1:51 finish, which was well shy of my goal of sub 1:40.  As much as we would like for them to all be PR performances they just aren't going to be (that statement, while true never eases the frustration of falling short...especially when you know the training effort was there).

I plan to take a few days off here this week and get started again.  I think I will find a small race in the next few weeks, and put the wheels back on.

Happy training everyone. 

Track

Yesterday I ran at the track! I happen to be in Syracuse, NY this week and have enjoyed the amazing 40 degree (+ rain) weather we have had here the last few days. I have done a few interesting runs, including my track workout yesterday. I had to layer up with running tights, a long sleeve shirt and almost opted for gloves as well! My parents live right across the street from Syracuse Univeristy's outdoor training fields, which include a track around one of the lacrosse practice fields. I set out to do sprints, but it turned into more of a 4 mile tempo run once I decided I really didn't feel like sprinting. I haven't been wearing my GPS watch lately, so I have no idea how fast I am going, but I did feel good. I think I am going to have a huge surprise waiting for me once I try to run in the FL heat once again next week. Oh well...the cool runs are nice while they last!

I also got my foam roller out last night. I am running more and am getting tight IT bands and hamstrings. Do any of you marathoners have advice on what to do when increasing mileage and runs per week leads to tightness/soreness? I am doing okay, but want to prevent injuries!

Finally, I have been signing up for races left and right! So far, here is my race schedule:
Bolder Boulder: 5/30
Seven at Seven: 6/12
Syracuse Corporate Challenge: 6/21
Boilermaker: 7/10
GLR: 7/15

Have a nice Cinco de Mayo ;)

Cool Running

I went out for a 6.5 miler this morning.  I thought I was being really brave by wearing a cotton t shirt instead of a tank top because this time of year Florida's weather is pretty dependable: effin' hot.  Imagine my surprise when it felt really cool!  The t-shirt was a great choice.  Don't get me wrong, it was still 70 and I was DRENCHED by the end of the run, but it felt much better than I expected.

I love my 6.5 mile route, it is a giant circle (which I prefer to out and backs) through streets with tall, shade providing trees.  It is a pretty quiet route, not a lot of traffic, mostly big houses on huge lots.  I felt good, way better than I was feeling this time last year, so look out...I may actually run consistent 8:30 miles at GLR (unless I have that wretched course that begins with a 2 mile uphill).

Hoping to get in a long run tomorrow and more bridges on Monday (sans Caitlin...boo!).

Hope everyone is having a great weekend...can't wait to hear about the Flying Pigs, Michael!

Lunchtime Run

We have a great network of running and biking paths in the downtown area of Indianapolis.  I take advantage of these most days during my lunch break.  Today was a fantastically sunny day after weeks of dreary rainy weather.  A few photos of today's 3-mile loop.

Start at Office

Mile 1 - Say hello to Mr. Clemens.

Mile 2 - Downtown Canal

Government Center North (watchout for the smokers)



Finish - Monument Circle


What are everyone's running plans for the weekend?  I will be waking at the crack of dawn tomorrow to do my last psuedo-long run (7-miles) before the Indianapolis Mini-Marathon.  Then off to coach soccer games for the remainder of the morning.  Should be a great weekend!

P.s. Kuddos to Ms. Caitlin for the awsome banner that now adorns our blog!

Tuesday Night Running Club

On Tuesday nights there is a small running club that meets by my condo and runs through Sawgrass (PGA headquarters and a beautiful golf course). I don't usually run with this club, however I am glad I went tonight. At the last minute I decided not to be lazy and go and I ended up having a GREAT run (love when that happens). The humidity was out of control, but the temperature was fairly low (i.e. under 90). None of my friends could go with me tonight, but I ended up running with someone I normally would not have (since I usually just cling to people I know) and he really pushed me to go fast. The Players Cup (TPC) is taking place at Sawgrass in a few weeks, and the bleachers, tents, etc. are all being build up for the big event. We run through the golf course as part of our route (shhh, don't tell, we would get kicked off if PGA found out) and I would give this a GLR scenery rating of 9. Okay, maybe a 5, since those scenery ratings are always completely wrong and this course is definitely beautiful!

btw - ARCADIANS, the Jacksonville ARCADIS office is about a quarter mile behind the "blue bridge" in Melissa's picture. So, if you are ever at the office, do the bridge run, it will not disappoint!

Mark, good luck at the Indy Mini! I have heard great things about that race. You will have to give us a race review when you are done. My next big race is the Bolder Boulder in....Boulder. It is a mountainous 10K on Memorial Day and I sure can't wait to run at such a high altitude!

Rain Rain Go Away or Stay

Is it just me or does everyone love running in the rain?  I have always enjoyed it.  Well there was that one time...let's just say wet tech shirt + friction on a body part that rymes with Mr. Whipple = an unenjoyable run in the rain and a couple of uncomfortable days.

I am getting excited about race season this year.  I have maintained a descent training schedule during the winter, and managed to keep my winter fat accumulation to a minimum.  I will put my winter miles to the test in less than two weeks at the Indy Mini. 

Southern Hills

Hi! It's Melissa here with an update on a "hill" run that Caitlin and I partook in tonight.  This is one of our favorite courses because it's in beautiful Downtown Jacksonville.  Some highlights of this 5 miler include a two bridges, a crazy ramp, the St. John's River, Hooters, the homeless and a beautiful park.  There aren't actually any hills in J-ville, so we ramp up our many bridges over waterways.

First is the Acosta:

Then the Main Street Bridge (also known as the "blue bridge," super creative folks down here):

Caitlin and I were very cool because we wore matching Team Salamander shirts for the run.  Unfortunately, neither of us had a camera to document this serendipitous event.  Next time.

Happy Running!

Loving the new layout! Weather here in Michigan has been rainy and chilly, not motivating me to run outdoors but I am pushing myself to get outside. I would take Florida weather about now... ;)

Finish Line

Although we are probably all just beginning to think about the GLR and start our training for the race (ok, that might just be me), I thought it would still be great to post Team Salamander finish line pictures from the last three years. We may be far off from the 2011 finish, but it is always great to be reminded of the final goal when training is underway. I believe that everyone signed up for the 2011 team is a returning member from one or more of these previous teams. This is a testament to how fun the last three years have been and proves that we will have experience in our favor this year. Go Salamanders ;)

TEAM SALAMANDER 2008


TEAM SALAMANDER 2009


TEAM SALAMANDER 2010



As you can tell, we got lazier and lazier each year with wearing our team shirts for the final picture! I hope everyone had a great Easter weekend. Happy training!

PS~ I just got a text from Melissa and we are running bridges tomorrow after work (FL's only form of hills). This will most likely take place in 95 degree heat and 100% humidity, so enjoy the cooler weather in the north (at least for running!)