"Catalina" - Seven Foot Wave

Catalina [and or "cimi"] is a word I've gotten VERY used to hearing about in my home.

"Mom, when I was in Catalina . . . "
"Well, in Catalina, we did . . "
"So did you happen to get my cimi photos developed yet?"
"When I grow up, I want to live in Catalina."

Peanut went to Catalina Island for her sixth grade trip back in mid-January and well . . . . it's still like it was yesterday around our place.

this. kid. loved. Catalina.

So you can imagine the shrills of happiness & joy when I told Peanut we'd be heading there for the Catalina Island Conservancy Marathon!

[sad but true fact . . . ]

I have never been to Catalina Island.  Crazy right?

Hong Kong - check
New Zealand - check
Great Wall of China - check
blah
blah
blah
Catalina - [soon to be "check" 3/10]

I was stoked when they asked me to run this.

Things I know about this race:

*  It's all nature-y and outdoors-y "rugged terrain".  I can do rugged.  Yes, I freaking love my treadmill but I loved my 50 mile "Man against Horse" trail run too.

*  This is so going to be my chance to get that new PR.

*  The elevation chart looks totally awesome.  hills?  what hills?  What the hill?

*  I am soooooooooooo going to just roll down from mile 22.

*  There will be plenty of "aid-stations"  [they better have Twizzlers] 

Anyone want to make a friendly wager?  I'm calling this a "two fall mary". [I bet, I'll fall twice].

*  That I am going to love this much needed break with my family.

*  That WE get to meet Caroline on our way to Catalina. 

Yes, that was on my 2012 bucket list.  This woman owns a huge space in my heart.  I am beyond thrilled to GET to meet her.

*    *    *    *

I had a chance to visit with a lot of runners last weekend at Ragnar Del Sol. EVERY person I talked to about the Catalina Island Marathon said one of two things:

"That one is on my list of must do's".

or

"That is one of my most favorite marathons!"

I. cannot. freaking.  wait.

Which marathon is on your "must do" list?