2nd SOWA Half Corked Marathon in 2011

SOLD OUT!SOWA 1/2 CORKED MARATHON was predictably a hit last year here in the South Okanagan.  It will be held on May 29, 2011.   Making a cancellation list is the only way at this point until they grow the capacity of this event.

Showcasing the area's wineries which tote some of the highest accolades in the world around wine, this event is a fun way to both run and taste. Nowhere but to go up with this kind of event.  Not sure how actually competitive this type of race will be overall, but it would be an experience, running to different wineries and sampling, enjoying the terrain and beautiful wineries in the area.  Check it out.  I met the director today and chatted about the event, he expects growth as it becomes more well known, which has already happened this second time around.

I found a review from a runner in this event:

The sun was shining in Osoyoos this morning and it was a great day to drink wine and drink wine and drink wine.....oh and run :)
As you can see from the photo, Peter Pan and Captain Hook were at the race!
We were also very excited to see the grape lady there too - so we had to get a picture with her.
The race had a great spirit - there was 250 runners between the ages of 19 & 69!!
Over half of the runners dressed up and there was a costume parade before the race started.
The terrain was gorgeous with about half the race being on trails through the vineyards - Stace and I were really pleased with that as we are not much for road runners.
We didn't have to run far between wine tasting stations :) The maximum distance was 5km which was the last leg of the race. The rest of the race there was wine stations every 1.5 - 3 kms. Mmmm, wine.
Stace and I definitely enjoyed the fun atmosphere of the race. With 6 wine stops we ran the 17.7km in 1h50min. Our "Disney" team ran the race together and had to take some breaks for the princesses - they don't like running hills :)
All in all it was a great experience - we definitely had our fill of wine and we can wait to work on our costumes for next year!!

CORE WORK

I have beguna program to start strengthening my core.  at hundred pushups.com there is a program I am trying.  First thing to do is to test how many pushups in a row you can do in good form.  I did 24.  Next day, i started the program.  3X per week, I am training.  Gotta say, yesterday being my first session, I am SORE.

More to come on that.  I am also starting some plank exercises to strengthen my abs. 

I gotta say, I do love a good set of visible abdominal muscles for just the asthetics of shirtlessness.  Unfortunately, it lays for me underneath a layer of flab!  This has a lot to do with my gene pool I climb out of, but I am not merely looking for the showiness of the squares on my stomach, I am looking to help my form remain pure through this pursuit of a sub 40 minute 10 k.  My long runs have caused my core to show their true weaknesses and as much as I have resisted, I am hoping to tackle this as a complete plan for speeding up without getting injured.   I will also be employing the Wii Fit yoga poses to make it more fun, and to encourage my kids to participate.

So more to come on that too!