#77 Go on morning walks (or run a half-marathon)

How about run instead of walk? How about a 13.1 mile morning run?

That's what I did this morning. I ran my first half-marathon. I finished in 2:10, which amazes me, but I wasn't running for time. I just wanted to do it.

I've been training since August. In some ways it's hard to look back and think how far I've come. That first practice was so hard, and it was barely two miles. I really signed up almost on a whim. I just need something new, something different, a goal.

Since then, I've been running about three times a week, generally in the morning. Especially on Saturdays, I'd run super early, first at 5:45, then later at 5:30. Our running group would head out for long runs from the University of Miami in Coral Gables to Coconut Grove and back.


The half-marathon was amazing. Here is a short recap, mile by mile.

Mile 1: We're off, leaving downtown and heading over the MacArthur Causeway. I'm in shock guys are peeing in the median. Can't they use the portable toilets?

Mile 2: I decide I'll let the communal adrenaline carry me.


Mile 3: Someone breaks out in military chant. It doesn't last long.


Mile 4: We've been running for 45 minutes? Really? It feels like 20!


Mile 5: The sunrise over the beach next to Ocean Drive is gorgeous.


Mile 6: Feeling the burn but psyched we're still with the official pace-keeper gal. 


Mile 7: Huge mental struggle until we get to the first of many small bridges to cross Biscayne Bay.


Mile 8: I think of all the people who have supported me, and I feel extra energy pushing me forward. I look over the water and wonder if there are dolphins swimming along with us 22,000 runners.


Mile 9: It's crowded.


Mile 10: On the Venetian! Almost back downtown! Woo hoo!

Mile 11: High school band gives some much needed beats.


Mile 12: Digging deep through downtown.


Mile 13: I refuse to be tired. I refuse to hurt. I am going to give it my all.


13.1: Finish line! Amazing! And a medal!

#101 Try on wedding dress at Miracle Mile

Ok, so technically this didn't happen on Miracle Mile. And technically, I didn't try on any wedding dresses myself. And of course, I'm not engaged.


But, all that aside, I went this week with my friend H. to a bridal shop in South Florida and she tried on wedding dresses for her fast-approaching marriage date. So, I had to blog about it, not just to revive this blog. But also it was really special moment to share with my friend H. and another friend C. The three of us went together.


Of course H. looked beautiful in every gown, and she found just the right one.


I guess the original idea behind this list item is that Miracle Mile in Coral Gables is known for its wedding dress shops. There are at least half a dozen in the span of a mile. Priscilla of Boston. David's Bridal. And my favorite, Pronovias.


When I walk down the street, it's always fun to window-shop and day dream.


I still can't imagine trying to decide which dress is "the one." Though I do have to say one thing: Lace, please.

#91 Go to Books & Books lecture

I didn't just go to another author lecture at Books & Books, the premier bookstore in town.


I had the awesome luck to hear Patti Smith -- the rock star godmother, a literary legend and deeply wise soul -- read and sing at the Miami Book Fair International. (The annual event is basically a huge 8-day literary party.)

She spoke just days after she won the National Book Award for her memoir Just Kids. It deals with her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe and living in the Chelsea Hotel in the 1960s. 


She read excerpts, carefully marked with scraps of paper, about leaving home, how she met Allen Ginsberg and other very cool stuff.


And she rocked, first on an acoustic guitar and then at the end, singing a cappella Because the Night, with the crowd.


She was so inspiring and so wise - telling us about how she wrote that hit waiting for a phone call from her then boyfriend, later husband; how she thinks about her readers/listeners when writing music or prose or poetry; how fame is fleeting.


To listen to Patti read from her book, check this out at NPR.

Another List from Miami New Times

Guess I'm not the only list-maker in town.


Here are the top 50 Reasons to Absolutely Love Living in Miami. It's from the Miami New Times, the local altweekly.


Some of my favorites:


#32 Even if you're an hour late to something, you're not really late. It's Miami time.


#14 Guayaberas are considered formal wear.


#6 We're the only city sandwiched in between two National Parks.

#54 Eat a croqueta

This was the scene of CroquetaFest 2010.

I did not start it. I swear.

I enter the bakery section at the Publix grocery in South Miami and am perusing the pastries. (Much to my diet's chagrin.) Suddenly I hear a guy in Spanish say: "Qué estás haciendo?"

I turn around and I see a man in a green Publix uniform leaning against this glass case and dumping as many croquetas as he can into a plastic Publix bag. A platter of freebies had just been set out. (It was an hour to close.)

"Te están mirando," another employee tells his chubby coworker, nervously snatching the croquetas. "Las cámeras," he added.

I thought it was funny, and sad at the same time. The guy seemed very excited about the croquetas. (Hey, I love free food, too.) But he was almost too excited. I thought maybe he was hungry. Maybe they should just give the leftover croquetas at the end of the day to employees every day.

When the employees left, I had a couple of croquetas myself. Again, to my diet's chagrin. They are totally fried.

#98 Go to art fair

The art walk in Wynwood happens every month, when industrial spaces turned art galleries open to the public. I love the people-watching almost more than the art crawl. Miami hipsters and culture vultures turn out.


The art is an interesting mix: huge murals at the Wynwood walls, graphic twists on pre-Colombian art and detailed diagrams of apparently our daily apocalypse. 


I like the snow cones, too.

#62 Run @ Venetian Causeway

The Venetian Causeway connects the mainland of Miami with Miami Beach. It crosses Biscayne Bay and strings together small islands along the way. 

It's also super close to the Herald and lovely to run. The views distract and inspire so, you nearly forget to lift your knees, swing your arms and breathe as you run. And the breeze is  better than air conditioning.

Here are some snap shots from a run I did today. The men fishing remind me of Bolivar, Texas.