Years ago, I was sitting in a Boston bar when somebody said the word ‘chaps.’ The men all said in unison, “Oooh, chaps.” There was nothing sexier to these city folk than a woman in chaps. So, when my Ecuadorean horseback guide informed us we would need to wear chaps, I thought, “Oooh chaps, my city friends… [Continue Reading...]

horse crop

Day 37: Ludington, MI to Mount Pleasant, MI (113 miles) This was our eighth and final century. I’d like to pretend that I am so hard core that I am sad that this is our last one. But I am thrilled. A hundred miles is a long way to bike. While I am glad I can check… [Continue Reading...]

mount pleasant crop

I never get to axe anything at home in Texas. So, when I booked my trip to Alaska I scoured the internet looking for a way to fit in some ice climbing. Everything I saw was too long or too advanced. Part of my time in Alaska, I toured with REI adventures. I was with… [Continue Reading...]

ice crop
preswim

Skeese Greets Women’s Triathlon

Sunday morning I was up at 5 a.m. for my first triathlon in three years. Back then, I was so out of shape and unprepared I crawled through the triathlon in a blur. My body was so different then that it feels like someone else did it. I remember it like I remember doing handstands as a child. This time my only real concern [...]

horse crop

How Horseback Riding in Ecuador Almost Made Me Really Sexy

Years ago, I was sitting in a Boston bar when somebody said the word ‘chaps.’ The men all said in unison, “Oooh, chaps.” There was nothing sexier to these city folk than a woman in chaps. So, when my Ecuadorean horseback guide informed us we would need to wear chaps, I thought, “Oooh chaps, my city friends [...]

Features

barton springs

Is There Such Thing as a Swimmer’s High?

This spring I decided I wanted to try my hand at triathlons. It seemed like a nice break from marathon running and it would get me on my bike more. I would need to learn how to freestyle swim. I signed up for a women’s triathlon group, called Tough Cookies, primarily to teach me how to [...]

ice crop

Alaskan Ice Climbing: Risking My Life for a Photo Op

I never get to axe anything at home in Texas. So, when I booked my trip to Alaska I scoured the internet looking for a way to fit in some ice climbing. Everything I saw was too long or too advanced. Part of my time in Alaska, I toured with REI adventures. I was with [...]

BEER

My Next Marathon Goal: Drink Beer while Running

Before my first marathon, my childhood friend, Sarah, gave me some advice: ‘Don’t miss the beer stops!’ Beer stops? I had read ever bit I could on marathon running and never saw one mention of beer stops. Even though I worried endlessly that my long run pace wouldn’t really be any slower and that 20 [...]

wifemomma

Gary Busey Gave My Brother Vital Marital Advice

Months before my little brother’s wedding, I shopped wedding venues with him and his future wife, Melissa. One weekday afternoon, we had an appointment at the Driskill Hotel. We decided to arrive a little early and wander around the hotel a bit to get a feel for the place. We ended up in the bar [...]