Jabberwock Bed and Breakfast

We've stayed here before, but it seemed even better the second time around!  If you like Through The Looking Glass, or antiques, or just kooky little things, the Jabberwock is a great place to stay!   

Since our stay in the Momerath room two years ago, new owners took over.  They bought the entire B&B, with all of the furnishings, and everything.  Thank goodness, they have the same cook, too, because the food is spectacular!  Imperial Fiddlesticks, this egg and cheese thing topped with avacado, corn, tomatoes, and cilantro, will knock your socks off.  The juice, too.  It's amazing stuff.  

John and Dawn are the owners.  They are very sweet and hospitable hosts.  But don't mess with John --he's practiced Tai Chi for 13 years or so!!  He may just do a Kill Bill 5-point-palm-exploding-heart move on you ;o) 

This year, we got the largest room with the best view: Borogrove.  We had a picture window looking out at the Bay.  Gorgeous!  And, of course, I took full advantage of the jacuzzi tub --especially after our race!  Helped loosen up the muscles that got all tightened up.  The Jabberwock doesn't have TV or phones.  I kinda like that :o)  However, we had the presence of mind to bring Corey's laptop, so that we could watch a movie or two, if we were too tired to go anywhere.  (I AM sorry, though, that I didn't bring my borrowed book, "Creepers."  I stopped right at the climbing action)

So... on with the rest of the place... all the clocks ran backwards.  There were bunnies all over the place.  I love bunnies.  My favorite bunny is Vorpal.  (Look up Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll.  You'll find Vorpal's namesake there)  A close second to Vorpal would be the statue of the JubJub bird.  He's pretty rad.  He sits on the landing of the staircase, so that all the guests can see him.  And I like the TumTumTree.  That would be the little closet that has a little fridge full of water, soda, and juices.  And classical music plays really softly in the background.  It's just a charming and relaxing little place!

The garden is beautiful.  Lots of fun and quirky things tucked away everywhere.  I took a picture of one of my favorite statues.  Actually, this statue was on the front porch, so I didn't have to look far to find the funniest statue.  

I totally encourage anyone to stay at the Jabberwock in Monterey.  It's only a couple blocks from Cannery Row and a good walking distance from the Aquarium.  And when you're tired of all the people on the main drag, you can retreat to this cozy, hidden, piece of paradise smack in the middle of Monterey!  http://www.jabberwockinn.com/

 

Big Sur Marathon and 21 Mile walk

                                             (yup, our starting lines actually were AROUND the corner of that point next to the island.  This pic was taken BEFORE the halfway point)

"Go for the beauty --don't try to set any personal records at Big Sur."  That's what everyone told us, whenever we asked people about their experiences with this race.  Heck, that was easy for me.  I don't really set goals.  I find it less disappointing if I don't make them.  Well.. maybe I do set goals.  I get really angry with myself, if I don't meet some expectation.  Maybe they're not official goals, since I don't call them goals... no matter!  On with the subject....

The race WAS beautiful!  There wasn't a cloud in the vicinity, no rain, no fog... just beautiful blue skies with those pretty wispy cloud thingies.  I only snapped off a few pictures.  You know... you just can't capture it all with a camera.

I was making awesome time.  I was so focused on not wimping out on Hurricane Point, that I think I wasted a lot of my energy on that hill (but BOY did I show that hill I could walk it! lol).  About mile... 13 for me, Corey caught up to me.  He had run 18 miles by the time he caught up to me.  He was running so strong and steady.  He could have coasted to the finish.  BUT... he didn't.  I have to brag:  He didn't pass me by.  He walked the last 8 miles with me, to encourage me to finish.  My lame tushy just wasn't happy with all the exertion.  This would be a symptom of NOT PRACTICING ON HILLS!!!!  The last three miles were embarassingly tough for me.  I estimated I'd be crossing the line at 5 hours, mayyybe 5 and a half.  However, we were racing to finish before the 6 hour cutoff.  If Corey didn't encourage me to pick up the pace and work through the pain, I don't think I would have crossed the line at 6 hours and 1 minute.  Hey... what the heck... I still did the 21 miles, and my husband proved for the umpteenth time what a beautiful person he is.  I sure wasn't a loser :o)

Okay -enough about me!  SALLY!  Sally was waiting at the finish, since she finished her 9 miler.  Sal walked with her girlfriend, Dawn.  These two SLAYED it!!!  They practiced for months at 2000 feet elevation in the hills of Sonora, CA.  Sally just had a knee replacement last year.  She was a little apprehensive about walking long distances, when she signed up for the race.  As she and Dawn walked, they were telling each other how sorry they were that they didn't do the half marathon distance, because this 9 miler wasn't much of a challenge!  It was so cool to have Sal and Dawn participate, too.  

So, the race was awesome.  We'll definitely do it again.  I'll train in the hills and on some stairs, if I can't make it to the hills.  Corey will continue training his normal courses, but he's got this new training strategy employing the use of a heart rate monitor, that you'll have to ask him about next time.     

  

CF Great Strides Walk

This year was our first fund raising attempt for the CF Foundation.  Corey decided one day to create a team!  What a philanthropist :o)  Many of his co-workers, friends, and family donated to the cause.  It was quite humbling to see people pitch in money to help out people they'll never meet, especially when the budgets have been tightened for all households in America.  

The walk was great!  Cindy Hurley, one of Corey's colleagues, helped the McKennas "represent" our team, the "Iron Lungs."  The course wound a figure eight through the River Walk Park, with each lap equalling a mile.  We laughed, because the walk was rumored to be 6 miles, but then the people were saying only two laps... and then there were people were already quitting after the first lap and getting into the chow line!!!   Oh well.  The point was the fund raising --not the walking.  

We were pretty impressed with the donations that came in from local businesses.  There was a silent auction for some items, and there were raffles for others.  I made a mental note for next year: ask SAS for a donation and ask Mom to donate some Merle Norman stuff! 

You know, I know of two people  who attended the walk that had Cystic Fibrosis: me and this little girl whose mother told me that she had it.  Everyone there looked so healthy!  I know that there were a lot more than two of us, but I just couldn't tell by looking at them.  What a testament to the advances in CF healthcare!  

Corey and I are surprised that there was no local chapter for the CF Foundation.  Maybe we can make time to host one, ourselves!  (we'll just cut out sleeping and reduce eating and bathroom visits to once a day per person ;o>)  Until then, we'll look forward to participating next year, and now that we know what to expect, we can line up other donations.

A huge thanks to anyone who donated!

Ironman Adopt-an-Athlete

Being part of an Ironman triathlon, I have had the unique opportunity to take part in the Ironman Adopt-an-athlete program. Typically, the program is only for athletes that live in communities that host the Ironman races (i.e., Coeur d'Alene, Arizona, etc). However, I contacted the Ironman corporation and asked if I could take part in the program in Bakersfield. Sure enough, they said yes. I contacted schools in the Bakersfield area and several classrooms jumped on it. I have been adopted by a 4th grade classroom.

My first visit I went out to talk about the Ironman, my equipment and goal-setting. Students received an exercise log and I handed out some prizes. Upon my next visit, I discuss nutrition and the importance of hydration. It will culminate with 1 last visit before the end of school as I talk about the race preparation and answer any final questions. Students will receive an Ironman hat and Gatorade bottle and I will hand out some Ironman T shirts as prizes. This is a wonderful opportunity. I look forward to doing this every year I do an Ironman.

Ironman Coeur d'Alene 2008

That time is almost here. Only 9 weeks to go before Ironman Coeur d'Alene. Hard to believe that I have been in training mode for over 11 weeks now. It seems like I just started yesterday. With the Big Sur Marathon in a week and a short triathlon in May, preparation is well on its way with long rides and runs ahead. My personal goal for IMCDA is under 13 hours. That would be a 2.5-hour improvement from IM Arizona last year. Speaking of that... I am glad that I did not do Arizona in April this year. High winds and high heat (over 95 degrees) constituted a 20% drop out rate, third largest in Ironman history. Hopefully the Ironman in Arizona in November will be much cooler. IMCDA will be an awesome venue and I am looking forward to it. I will keep you posted.