tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59766852267681066792024-02-19T16:43:15.962-08:00running with 4 muddy pawsALMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407311624533897962noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976685226768106679.post-70745346306895085352015-06-06T17:13:00.001-07:002015-06-06T17:13:18.418-07:00Who says you can't replace running?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Every runner does! And all those people are correct. I will never be able to replace running. The act of running, the joy of running, the meditation of running, the workout of running.......these things are simply not replicated or replaced with any other activity. The possibility of me running again is greater than the possibility that I won't run again. However, I have finally come to terms that I may never be able to run, or ride a bike, again. Although this brings me much disappointment and sadness, if I don't accept this, then I will never move on. I have been chasing the idea that I will make significant improvement every time or at least every week I try to run. I have also been chasing the idea that I can find something to replace running. Finally I accepted both of these notions as false. And now, I have more room to grieve the loss of running and stop comparing everything to running and my former lifestyle. Now, instead of thinking that I am doing kettlebell until I can run again, I see it as a whole new sport for me that is entirely different from running. I no longer think of the benefits of kettlebell training as it relates to running, but just as its own fascinating sport with lifestyle benefits. I get on the treadmill less and less to test out my running legs and I find that I am much less disappointed and saddened that I see next to no improvement. I am going hiking most weekends with my poles to use on the uphill and then pick my way down with some sort of combo of jogging and walking. I see it as hiking on the trails and not a lesser version of trail running. Owen and I bought tennis rackets and so we can play tennis together. This has been fun. We tried riding a tandem to see if I could do that, but I was not able to do that without pain....so no riding a bike for me for now or maybe ever. Good thing I didn't buy that new bike I was thinking about.....</div>
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Ironically, the bus I take to work is cancelled for 8 months. It's about 2.5 miles for me to get to work, so I decided to use the ankle express. Walking to work is actually the best option for me to get there the quickest. So, perhaps I'll dust off the running shoes and walk to work the I'll do some sort of walk/jog on the way home while enjoying the summer. I'll see it as locomotion, not as running.</div>
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Speaking of locomotion, I have really spent some time thinking about what running has done for me, particularly on the trails. Here is what I came up with. Human powered locomotion, such as running or walking, really has the ability to put our place as humans in perspective. Think about it....when we get into a car or ride a bus, or get on a plane or train, the travel is done mechanically and at a much different pace as it would if it were human powered. If you go 60 miles on the road in a car, it takes about an hour if you are on the highway. You can get pretty far. But walk or run 60 miles and the distance means something entirely different. The effort to which is took to go 60 miles by foot, or even bike, is much greater, the time it takes to go that distance is much longer and it means, for me, so much more. My place in the world feels much more accurate when it takes my own physical effort to get to my next destination. I may have lost some of this perspective while I was in the midst of training for 100 mile events, ironically, but now that I can reflect on what that process meant to me, I will never see it as the same if I am ever to get back to it, or at least some version of it. </div>
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For now....it's exploring news things as my lifestyle shifts. As the old joke goes, what is the best way to make God (or insert your word here) laugh? Tell her your plans!</div>
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Some fun photos!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got up at 4:30 on a Saturday to hike to the top of Mt. Tennerife</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still foggy on the way down, but so beautiful and quiet</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anyone for tennis, after coffee?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rising above the clouds to McClellen Butte</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ivy gets a ride from her mama.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These 2 are the lights of my life. Breakfast outside for them, they love it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attempting the tandem. A fun excursion.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More beautiful PNW</td></tr>
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Let's see what the summer brings!<br />
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<br />ALMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407311624533897962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976685226768106679.post-42616943773146023122015-04-19T11:51:00.002-07:002015-04-19T16:09:19.934-07:00Stay Hungry Recently my husband and I binge watched Friday Night Lights. That is 76 episodes...and nearly 76 hours of TV watching. It was worth it. I was surprised how much I liked this show. When it was on "regular" TV years ago I thought I would never watch it, who wants to watch a show about high school football in Texas? Apparently I did! Just last week we watched "We Could Be King" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3699674/ which is a documentary that is very similar to Friday Night Lights but is a true story and takes place in Philadelphia. It's basically a story about being an underdog, working hard for what you want, believing in yourself, being resilient, relying on your teammates, etc. It was really good and very inspiring. One of the themes of the documentary was about staying humble and hungry. In fact, the coach made his players do push ups for every letter in HUMBLE AND HUNGRY and spell out this motto as they did their push ups. This really resonated with me. <br />
This brings me to mention "the injury." This injury that prevents me from running, riding a bike, hiking, etc. has been so humbling. I am someone who needs a daily moving meditation, someone who needs movement to relieve stress, someone who needs a sweat and a physical challenge daily. Running with some cross training thrown in was a no-brainer to meeting these needs- not to mention an enjoyable way to meet these needs. I miss it and I miss sharing the trails with friends. I am truly humbled that my body isn't working in a way that it used to, that it wants to and my mind is not always graceful when confronted with this obstacle. However......in order for me to get through this period in time, I have become slightly obsessive with 30 day challenges. 30 days gives me enough time to make it a challenge and also to see if this activity of the challenge adds to my life in a way that I will incorporate it going forward. In a sense, I am staying hungry for new challenges which keeps my mind somewhat satisfied and relieves some of the disconnect between what my mind wants to do and what my body is capable of doing. Firstly, I tried kettlebell sport and this is sticking with me. I have really enjoyed getting involved with <a href="http://www.seattlekettlebellclub.com/">Seattle Kettlebell Club </a>, learning what kettlebell sport is, meeting like minded people and finding a new way to challenge myself physically and mentally that keep me hungry for more. This is something I will stick with. Then I tried a 30 day challenge of a 25 minute a day strength/cardio workout in addition to anything else physically I might have been doing that day. I really enjoyed this, it was hard and there were some times I got my heart rate up very high and dripped sweat. I could see improvement in my stamina and strength in just a few weeks. I am still doing this a few days a week. The great thing about this is that when my injury would present itself, I just moved on to a different exercise. Even my husband tried doing this with me one time....and one time only!<br />
Now I am doing a 30 day gluten free challenge. I'm on day 4 and I want some graham crackers. But I did find a recipe for GF graham crackers so I will try these out. So far I have made some really good things! Quiche crust, muffins, more muffins and am always looking for new recipes and learning new techniques. Baking gluten free appears to be a delicate balance in avoiding dried out crumbly edibles. Who knew there were so many alternative ways to bake with all these types of flours and starches. I will experiment with other things besides muffins but I love muffins and I like to eat them every day. And so does my husband.<br />
So by being humbled, I am staying hungry to keep things interesting, new and adventurous. Humble and Hungry, I like it. <br />
Now for some photos:<br />
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Kettlebell Sport: (https://aka-sport.org/)<br />
Yesterday we did a 10 minute set of jerks and snatches. 10 minutes doesn't sound like a long time, but it left me shaking and panting.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Timer set</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kettlebells are colorful</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nikolai (trainer) and Adrien in between 10 minute sets</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm loving these k-bells</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My attempt at running, 2.12 miles in 24 minutes of jogging and walking</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKapJM7NtTpOzEz0LIn7CYzKbYHiqJI8BbleBrCjivSIVE82Must5w_OEvnbakZdhwnRsGVJ72qLZ7xjUArTrSv1pStiiOJeoTHMWGZBTS0GCnpmJTG6WdMCDEP-TnFeYpd4ZIx6ZOHLUY/s1600/IMG_0977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKapJM7NtTpOzEz0LIn7CYzKbYHiqJI8BbleBrCjivSIVE82Must5w_OEvnbakZdhwnRsGVJ72qLZ7xjUArTrSv1pStiiOJeoTHMWGZBTS0GCnpmJTG6WdMCDEP-TnFeYpd4ZIx6ZOHLUY/s1600/IMG_0977.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">QUCIHE, YUM!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DELICIOUS!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My babes</td></tr>
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ALMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407311624533897962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976685226768106679.post-58238701681229232712015-04-10T19:09:00.002-07:002015-04-10T19:09:42.947-07:00Makin' A Comeback<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ok, so this blog is making a comeback. Not like many read this anyway, but I feel the need to do something creative again and this is a good way to do that and to document life a little. <br />
As this first image shows....there is a big sign alerting of a change ahead. We don't always get an alert that things are about to change. If we had an alert, would it make it any better? Would we stress more knowing WHICH change was coming? Change is inevitable. Sometimes it happens slowly over time, other times, it happens big time and overnight. Is it better if there is much stress before in the anxiety of knowing that something big is going to happen and then less stress, maybe almost relief that it finally happened or is it better to be just living your life with all your schedules and routine and then BAM, it happens and you must adjust and accept. I don't know which is better....but I do know that we don't get a choice in the matter.<br />
8 months ago I ran a marathon with my brother and my husband. I have not run since. It's not because I had a bad experience, it's not because I am burned out from running, it's not that I found something else that fulfills me and de-stresses me, it's because I am injured. I didnt' even realize it until the next day when I was walking to catch my bus to get to work, which I missed because I couldn't walk fast enough. Since then, most doctors I have visited say, "wow, this is a challenge" or "um, quite a puzzle" or "I'm not sure what to do next." So, pretty much, I am not counting on getting back to my running world again anytime soon and it has taken me a long time to find peace with that. And I still struggle. I struggle because not only can I not run, but I can't ride a bike, walk uphill, walk fast, or do much without pain and discomfort. Although, it is getting better.<br />
As I once said on a long long run with a good friend, "running is not my whole life<br />
but it sure makes my life whole." That being said, I have enough emotional intelligence to know that because I can't run, doesn't means it's the end of my world, but it does mean many other things. <br />
Now that I don't run I can see more gratefully the things it has done for me. It has provided me with a bonding experience with my dog, a way to relieve stress, a way to experience moving meditation, created a bonding experience with like minded people, a way to challenge myself physically and mentally, an activity to do with my husband, a way to motivate/inspire and be motivated/inspired and a part of my identity. These past few months I have struggled to find something to replace it. I miss it. I long for it. Without it I am forced to find other ways to manage stress and other ways to get out my "yah'yah's" and I have had to be just a little closer to looking myself in the mirror and asking myself....Am I happy in my life? Am I on the track I want to be on? What do I really want to do? When a part of your identity is missing, it's hard to replace, it's hard to look at the hole there and not feel empty. Being injured is more than not being able to run, it represents much more.<br />
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My baby boy, Struth, who initially got me into running and for whom I names this blog, is 11 going on 12. I had hoped to do short runs with him on the trails in the fall of 2014 to just be with him and get back to our "roots." For quite some time it was painful to just walk with him, but we walk. We go for long walks and this is nice. I was very stressed out when he had to have emergency dental surgery and what did I do to cope with the stress? Well I sat in fear that something bad would happen instead of clearing my mind on a run. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupr6KKLV4dGfO0jDNjfh8SrYf-0ycYtdAipWcioWse6o4z2Oj5fjKpsk3FbsaaSSttlrdXGAUNljI2CUcEoMrhKlYbDJbvEMcc-Af7zOQiYydUytdcMM8vpzxdAS1A1eYxSxEdULMB_4i/s1600/IMG_0304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupr6KKLV4dGfO0jDNjfh8SrYf-0ycYtdAipWcioWse6o4z2Oj5fjKpsk3FbsaaSSttlrdXGAUNljI2CUcEoMrhKlYbDJbvEMcc-Af7zOQiYydUytdcMM8vpzxdAS1A1eYxSxEdULMB_4i/s1600/IMG_0304.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Struth after dental surgery</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjKTjDfBBPlxIoDqb9e4tP3-Ao8_VhgXrX0OEu08AIahqXxIGzbRMBPzPtyWk6bIEcKn5LaTZlH-zoWJ6gm5TVhGBm_Cw_ItE1lfPg8qqk2XlVfFrYibzEP40dKcyzr9spoaF0LDwoENf/s1600/IMG_0328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjKTjDfBBPlxIoDqb9e4tP3-Ao8_VhgXrX0OEu08AIahqXxIGzbRMBPzPtyWk6bIEcKn5LaTZlH-zoWJ6gm5TVhGBm_Cw_ItE1lfPg8qqk2XlVfFrYibzEP40dKcyzr9spoaF0LDwoENf/s1600/IMG_0328.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Struth feeling better</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGd6-2FA53spHdL1i7hxix7vY8V_7QXztJLVJtVbgHkAYvWcdS6IU2hjvpyx_nhNsv0JzhZvQmGhvXbGKhyphenhyphenv5Boj9DOM7TetB0PsoOpwnvxAEM-q_0u__p7OYRi6PfMI7fqhWgwY3Zpuc/s1600/IMG_0561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGd6-2FA53spHdL1i7hxix7vY8V_7QXztJLVJtVbgHkAYvWcdS6IU2hjvpyx_nhNsv0JzhZvQmGhvXbGKhyphenhyphenv5Boj9DOM7TetB0PsoOpwnvxAEM-q_0u__p7OYRi6PfMI7fqhWgwY3Zpuc/s1600/IMG_0561.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ella worried about Struth</td></tr>
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I knew I needed to find something to take the edge off so joined a gym, or the Rahab Facility as I like to call it. I saw that have kettle-bell sport classes so I tried that. Oddly, it is the only exercise that does not cause me pain. So I am sticking with it for now. It is a very unique exercise and sport. There are actually competitions for kettle-bell which I did not know! It is much harder than I thought and it is meditational in its own way. My hands get beat up, but I still enjoy it as a footnote to running.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTTgkz7H7BLEG3VbwjN6fuq4Z-amXHHV-dyCnM_NwxWHo8E13qP4HbNMw1h_3dtZ6LJaA6NI3RJWrTeXUx7lEGtK74Eq0WDtcBS-Y8_3kUqPYIvezGEkEQvlMaWve_JNVtyte-oUdGtul/s1600/IMG_0460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTTgkz7H7BLEG3VbwjN6fuq4Z-amXHHV-dyCnM_NwxWHo8E13qP4HbNMw1h_3dtZ6LJaA6NI3RJWrTeXUx7lEGtK74Eq0WDtcBS-Y8_3kUqPYIvezGEkEQvlMaWve_JNVtyte-oUdGtul/s1600/IMG_0460.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ouch!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkiAGeQEqGN1k-Kxm9YSAKXl3fEFU_PdHOYJMZ9gcwGF-pDt_dCxFhd_4DXox_7vEGleag2A4elolWxnP4JH0J4q9wy5UrKfjnJdI4Zb8ZRh893KjRL6QJQXVTkVdOTTadUWCsFJh4B8iy/s1600/IMG_0889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkiAGeQEqGN1k-Kxm9YSAKXl3fEFU_PdHOYJMZ9gcwGF-pDt_dCxFhd_4DXox_7vEGleag2A4elolWxnP4JH0J4q9wy5UrKfjnJdI4Zb8ZRh893KjRL6QJQXVTkVdOTTadUWCsFJh4B8iy/s1600/IMG_0889.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kettle-bells are also very colorful and they match my shoes</td></tr>
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I have more time since I am not spending hours and hours running and training. I am cooking more, trying new recipes, working longer hours at work, (ummm, is this good?) I visited my parents in North Carolina. We had a great time. We even got to see a women's Duke Basketball game, impressive!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1C7ZDX9pOWPAkySa-vbZ86-cji-_i2Iu93ssoTKiAzZBg0Fnrr0LxZ8lnsr4JWhQ17ZLVB46SIBhWuG5OFIhsFnAzJOqxq7RFVu3WFDrOglfIzFz9nuHM0ca5p68rYWH7cwZ_TulXbB3/s1600/IMG_0769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1C7ZDX9pOWPAkySa-vbZ86-cji-_i2Iu93ssoTKiAzZBg0Fnrr0LxZ8lnsr4JWhQ17ZLVB46SIBhWuG5OFIhsFnAzJOqxq7RFVu3WFDrOglfIzFz9nuHM0ca5p68rYWH7cwZ_TulXbB3/s1600/IMG_0769.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My parents....love them!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUa5b-WAnPglPk2eY3Y-xdGvCtALCFFb0yGExU0RJcR0HvN_BJq-LNhRuckjP0M_IyCBL5sK8YQ-3S0VI-Paxg6emi6Q-FQ8xdYAweXRwctxgbUwxvoqVOiZkY0zK2amEulie4SjtJ0W2A/s1600/IMG_0860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUa5b-WAnPglPk2eY3Y-xdGvCtALCFFb0yGExU0RJcR0HvN_BJq-LNhRuckjP0M_IyCBL5sK8YQ-3S0VI-Paxg6emi6Q-FQ8xdYAweXRwctxgbUwxvoqVOiZkY0zK2amEulie4SjtJ0W2A/s1600/IMG_0860.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom is a riot!</td></tr>
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Owen and I went hiking with the dogs, which I think I might be able to continue with a couple more weeks of rehab.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason Lake</td></tr>
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Although I didn't see this coming and felt very angry about it, there has been some good things that have come out of having this time to find ways to fill the gap and grieve the loss. Did I mention that we bought a house! That was stressful....and exciting....and I am so happy we were able to do it!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the new backyard!</td></tr>
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So, this journey continues......as always....and thankfully it continues.ALMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407311624533897962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976685226768106679.post-21782483713874777912013-11-18T20:16:00.000-08:002013-11-18T20:16:52.931-08:00Revelations from Jury Duty and some running storiesRecently I was summoned for jury duty. My first reaction was...what a drag! I felt I was too busy at work to be able to give the time. My supervisor even said she would write a note for me and my supervisor's supervisor said she would write a note for me so I could "get out of it." My gut was saying, just do it, what's the big deal. So I went ahead and committed to it. I'm glad I did. Even though the jury duty itself was extremely uneventful, the time I spent in the "jury pool" gave me some things to think about. I was only there for 2 days and I was given a 90 minute lunch each day. I had to sit in a big room in the 11th floor with huge windows and a good view. I was able to take one 15 minute break a day. I brought my book, a few snacks and some water. I never did get to be on a jury. What I realized in those 2 days is that I am extremely regimented, overly busy and do not take time each day to relax and take a break from what I am doing. I don't usually take a lunch at work, instead I eat at my desk and the only break I really take is going for morning coffee with some co-workers. I workout before work and I rush to catch the bus, (I am very thankful that my husband often drives me to the bus in the morning as it is a mile away and the ride saves me a good 15 minutes). While on the bus I am usually catching up on emails and such. Although lately I am trying to read my book on the bus to try and relax. Once I get home from work I usually have to go to the store to get groceries to cook dinner, eat, walk the dogs, clean up, get my lunch together for the next day and then it is time for bed. How do people do this with children????? But being on jury duty, I actually had time to relax and read an entire book. It usually takes me 3-4 weeks to read a book, but I had the luxury to read all day next to a window in a comfortable chair. During lunch, I had time to eat and space out, run a few errands and do some things that I think about but never feel I have time to do. I forgot all about work for those 2 days and really enjoyed myself. Who knew? I renewed my library card and checked out a book. Our library here in Seattle is quite cool.<br />
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There is quite a red theme in the library....<br />
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The relaxation of jury duty did not last long. I was back at work the following day, eating lunch at my desk etc. However, I am reading my book on the bus now. Since I checked a book out of the library I had to read it faster than usual since I have to return it on time or else...the library police comes after me.<br />
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Owen designed the Cougar Mt 20mile/50k shirts and because of that we received a complimentary entry to the race. We decided to run the 20 miler for something different and also because the following weekend we were signed up for Carkeek 12 hour. The 20 miler was fun! I started trail running at Cougar Mt back in 2005 and had done my first trail series there which included my first ever half marathon. I had heard some people saying that they were going out for another loop as I stood at the finish line panting, bloody and thinking how I just finished my first half marathon, the farthest I had ever run. I could not believe what i had heard. So of course I inquired and they told me that they were training for White River 50 miler. WHAT! I was flabbergasted. I was also intrigued. So I did some research and began my training.....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having a great time at Cougar, photo credit: Glenn Tachiyama</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owen killin' it at Cougar, photo credit: Glenn Tachiyama</td></tr>
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The following weekend Owen and I headed out to Carkeek to run in some loops for 12 hours. Thanks to Matt and Kerri Anne Stebbins and Seven Hills Running, Carkeek was on! In all honesty, I was sort of looking to use the fitness that I gained for the Bear but did not use. I hadn't run Carkeek since 2009 and had tied for the course record with 54.03 miles. I had done a few calculations to figure out how many loops I would have to run in a hour to break the course record and just see how the day would go. I felt great actually and the 12 hours went by so fast. I ate croissants and turkey and cheese wraps all day and had really good energy. That all paid off and I ran 56.73 miles for a new course record and first place and Owen ran his best distance, 53.73 miles for first male! We were both excited about it and each won a stuffed animal dragon. What a great prize! We gave one to friend Eric Purpus who had a very cute daughter who could have fun a huge stuff dragon.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stuffed dragons! Great idea!</td></tr>
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So what now? Just some fun running with the dogs in the ever changing weather with the season change. One of my favorite things in the world is watching the dogs have the time of their lives running on the trails, tongue hanging out with big smiles. It warms my heart!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDIg82AwpYptnAixHtGjiLo6FZFKETRGASHuXDYMs-glXQU16I-m8bWW-X2ITS-ViLXGr088xhbQrWOp8SlM01HcJBkSo064rB_JbNGeuJuci-4iWxXlo43PhIMi0pzsgJ3jeY2kCtE7Z/s1600/IMG_2334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDIg82AwpYptnAixHtGjiLo6FZFKETRGASHuXDYMs-glXQU16I-m8bWW-X2ITS-ViLXGr088xhbQrWOp8SlM01HcJBkSo064rB_JbNGeuJuci-4iWxXlo43PhIMi0pzsgJ3jeY2kCtE7Z/s320/IMG_2334.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who can resist these faces</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool fog</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrykSSg9GP4znoiBPt-dMR3GJ5M1v8e4Z38sPtZGAKw03Nc1VM8-WbhGlgtzd-2AYyGZJ4-__oYUJfxM7nB7MPh416sfCMcQz-8gLcsLW8PgX3bnhLj-Dr28XuR9O5zug8YbDPCXINuuu/s1600/IMG_2344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrykSSg9GP4znoiBPt-dMR3GJ5M1v8e4Z38sPtZGAKw03Nc1VM8-WbhGlgtzd-2AYyGZJ4-__oYUJfxM7nB7MPh416sfCMcQz-8gLcsLW8PgX3bnhLj-Dr28XuR9O5zug8YbDPCXINuuu/s320/IMG_2344.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My heart melts</td></tr>
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<br />ALMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407311624533897962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976685226768106679.post-59631341275931866892013-10-19T09:45:00.003-07:002013-10-19T23:35:09.956-07:00A year in review, including The Bear 100<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It has been a long time since I updated this blog. I didn't really think anyone ever read it but then a few people commented that I hadn't written for a while, so here it goes. <br />
A whole year has gone by and lots has happened! Lots of really great things! I started a new job, I really experimented with my nutrition hoping to cure my GI ailments, approached running in a new way and with that in mind, all the races I did this year where races that I had never done before. Plus a whole bunch of other things, but I will write only about a few. <br />
With the surgery behind me and my nerve pain much reduced, I was able to do much more running than just relying on cross training. I really enjoyed cross training however getting up at 4:30 everyday to workout at 5 AM was not sustainable for me. So it was good timing that I was going to try something else. The running year started with a solid run at Bridle Trails 50k, a very fun night run on bridle trails. This course is known for its mud and manure, however this year it was so cold and had been for several weeks that there was no mud, manure yes, but mud no. SO it was much easier to run and much easier to avoid the manure. Having never done this race before, I have no idea if it is more fun to slide around in the mud. I was hoping to break 5:30 and wound up doing a 4:44. That really surprised me. However, I am quite sure that I out-ran my fitness level and the recovery did set me back a bit. Owen told me that if I beat his best time there he would buy me dinner. I tried hard, but did not succeed, he still had me by 10 minutes. But he was there to greet me at the finish line and because I was first woman, he took me to dinner anyway. That was January.<br />
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Nothing too eventful happened in February unless you count going snowshoeing for Owen's birthday and near catastrophe struck. I won't go into details, but it was the scariest moment for me in whole life thus far. And all I can say is thank the heavens that he is still alive. Here is something else positive from his birthday, the homemade cake.<br />
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Then in March I blew my hamstring but still raced the Gorge 50k on it and the entire race sucked for me because of it, enough said, let's move on.<br />
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Then came many many months of lots of running. I upped my weekday runs to 10+ miles 3 days a week with 2 days of yoga and some kettle bell workouts. The summer was incredible and we were able to do so many fantastic runs. We went to Mt. Rainier, even took my parents there, the PCT, alpine lakes region, etc. And our land lady was kind enough to build us a deck so we spend lots of time recovering on the deck and eating, BBQ-ing and all that goes with that.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melakwa Lake loop</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thompson Lake</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bandera Mt</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always a beautiful sight</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainier in the distance</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OdJmx9IO3spfXhHqsQZEfoFSyMEuLWPXd3kvMcNl3Sjj5BH11qx3Ywc_lEsxyMDJuB4cZtmv0CMvY0MKv0-vMdAu-WAgeddeNsVLSqPoO5WlZImWRpNyAba_OR2sAN0Ir4U6vLvySepY/s1600/DSC00420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OdJmx9IO3spfXhHqsQZEfoFSyMEuLWPXd3kvMcNl3Sjj5BH11qx3Ywc_lEsxyMDJuB4cZtmv0CMvY0MKv0-vMdAu-WAgeddeNsVLSqPoO5WlZImWRpNyAba_OR2sAN0Ir4U6vLvySepY/s320/DSC00420.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Deck with the parents</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Rainier with the parents, their first trip!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4-rktH3PyWjL6UegiL447bBVM4vc7c8Ku6vrxPPpdoHsBcIhw_xYQn4SaK03yhePTy_27R05WPmZw4QlS4KSWyeD31Fj-VkHZmoWG_e74pNDIhTGKU-4NX7UMgYwKryju248xeDRfPD3/s1600/DSC00525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4-rktH3PyWjL6UegiL447bBVM4vc7c8Ku6vrxPPpdoHsBcIhw_xYQn4SaK03yhePTy_27R05WPmZw4QlS4KSWyeD31Fj-VkHZmoWG_e74pNDIhTGKU-4NX7UMgYwKryju248xeDRfPD3/s320/DSC00525.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PCT Section J run with EB</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kodak courage</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjemo1u5pACUdLXpEX0igKEQkP_D4xWnxAW_iRW5EBp0ZNx5M1Tc8Yw_hNmx7kt4copEX4bepPnjfn3Sr65kLYA5V81R9UR0ti_779WJ_oO1tI_-NFd_nqz6sVv-KLSCmSBz-PxqASAhZ0G/s1600/DSC00546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjemo1u5pACUdLXpEX0igKEQkP_D4xWnxAW_iRW5EBp0ZNx5M1Tc8Yw_hNmx7kt4copEX4bepPnjfn3Sr65kLYA5V81R9UR0ti_779WJ_oO1tI_-NFd_nqz6sVv-KLSCmSBz-PxqASAhZ0G/s320/DSC00546.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">~11 hours on the PCT, Epic Day!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEX1848j2LtUyB9nAqpCWdycze_IGBSyj_mCNvaUZa_g8FqNZGFtV3CTIqG2l7Qf2eVJyRbFhXse4jSUcKL9Sbk8LzDO9qayaIdSMmIi-ojlKFrAAj5R2yP24Mb77knpViI1fjm52nyPm/s1600/DSC00554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEX1848j2LtUyB9nAqpCWdycze_IGBSyj_mCNvaUZa_g8FqNZGFtV3CTIqG2l7Qf2eVJyRbFhXse4jSUcKL9Sbk8LzDO9qayaIdSMmIi-ojlKFrAAj5R2yP24Mb77knpViI1fjm52nyPm/s320/DSC00554.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Rainier, White River campground to Ipsut CG</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cfVk91WGQmyfl5Qm7-coj_C79fX-CHtzzwV__VsEmq80s50ebhYZ4ZlHa-YdaTd0ZHs-2PkWn5Bgn3PgHTTn-WfAZQSotGDOJilCy8-U6ZhkDERojCshDM84fI3ToTgBcQJMZad8rUKy/s1600/DSC00562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cfVk91WGQmyfl5Qm7-coj_C79fX-CHtzzwV__VsEmq80s50ebhYZ4ZlHa-YdaTd0ZHs-2PkWn5Bgn3PgHTTn-WfAZQSotGDOJilCy8-U6ZhkDERojCshDM84fI3ToTgBcQJMZad8rUKy/s320/DSC00562.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very steep sections and ~6700 ft</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrjdLqeYc8VwPVGtIz_i57c_4SeTSrWqaSSgU7U5ObWVFDnWzHPo37ix4qArN0LRQh48uybRvJJ0m4eOxGuCN7iGvK5qL8iLg6grQ9vMR7SOACuGG-dtG3f4qMsIlt3zQ1E-_ynMdJfJF/s1600/DSC00591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrjdLqeYc8VwPVGtIz_i57c_4SeTSrWqaSSgU7U5ObWVFDnWzHPo37ix4qArN0LRQh48uybRvJJ0m4eOxGuCN7iGvK5qL8iLg6grQ9vMR7SOACuGG-dtG3f4qMsIlt3zQ1E-_ynMdJfJF/s320/DSC00591.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cool suspension bridge on the Wonderland</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsBC3z9b4J0HdnMeKqTXmfYkxLTWUCxo97-UmXNL2RAU96-oBiaSgX3z7JqQdyRkIa61O9kBn6yqJrzc6Q1n2Shj54CUNeaowQ12c4C_SnKmRUihSlz7mq1u3UKpBsTKK9TWwq0H0I_mT/s1600/DSC00617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsBC3z9b4J0HdnMeKqTXmfYkxLTWUCxo97-UmXNL2RAU96-oBiaSgX3z7JqQdyRkIa61O9kBn6yqJrzc6Q1n2Shj54CUNeaowQ12c4C_SnKmRUihSlz7mq1u3UKpBsTKK9TWwq0H0I_mT/s320/DSC00617.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sun went down fast and it was COLD</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76sAVpoQ-R9HKdQZBf7JcrvM2bcODJZZFHfnSgFYXU1HQtbt7ZAQhRzdyuTz0-hVHpBKbD2PoTgSWSXZWyr2m3uSvTVQ49Razy-eSssZnHLsr8iKarHCi6peRnWcMf7nC97bLa1wIIfoX/s1600/DSC00609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76sAVpoQ-R9HKdQZBf7JcrvM2bcODJZZFHfnSgFYXU1HQtbt7ZAQhRzdyuTz0-hVHpBKbD2PoTgSWSXZWyr2m3uSvTVQ49Razy-eSssZnHLsr8iKarHCi6peRnWcMf7nC97bLa1wIIfoX/s320/DSC00609.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite, watching the sunset with Owen at 6700 ft at Rainier, priceless</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnut90z8UWKetIbwi3bkdTC_jA6ZnS6Azb2sy1fj713PERSmEsX8IaGpYLySUbDdcmK56WF-VQ6I4gNLUdjfDOkDw0xvrdc3IbmipzbsASfVIaLGVBT1504xl8Jqw8U5dDHdjdJRssImO/s1600/DSC00619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnut90z8UWKetIbwi3bkdTC_jA6ZnS6Azb2sy1fj713PERSmEsX8IaGpYLySUbDdcmK56WF-VQ6I4gNLUdjfDOkDw0xvrdc3IbmipzbsASfVIaLGVBT1504xl8Jqw8U5dDHdjdJRssImO/s320/DSC00619.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">~44 miles on the Wonderland, great day, hard day<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In August we were lucky enough to run Waldo 100k. This event is top notch event. We arrived Friday night and camped in the parking lot with many others. We parked in the parking lot of the ski lodge and so available to us were the bathrooms, warmth inside, a little cafeteria that opened I believe just for the race. I slept surprisingly well that night and got up very early for the 5 AM start. We started in the dark and on a pretty major climb. By the time the sun came up we were headed for the first big peak, Mt Fuji, and an incredible view. This race is run almost entirely on single track and is one of the most organized, beautiful, fun and tough events I have ever had the privilege of running. I highly recommend it. Good friend Eric Barnes was there and Jenny Appel and so the next morning, we went to breakfast at the nearest town in a greasy dinner. A greasy omelet never tasted so good!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrugIBOAO-bGxXe00VTMJL6qeDuWmLBvIkJIosjqe-hTafgolD8EyG04tmTqxWXPZHLtZPYaX5vXDIZcz9cI-68TZWAc-50f1YCeqk_GSYhNCkGtnJYTTaOcY19lMo8CuZgYvJbnmCFsyu/s1600/IMG_2148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrugIBOAO-bGxXe00VTMJL6qeDuWmLBvIkJIosjqe-hTafgolD8EyG04tmTqxWXPZHLtZPYaX5vXDIZcz9cI-68TZWAc-50f1YCeqk_GSYhNCkGtnJYTTaOcY19lMo8CuZgYvJbnmCFsyu/s320/IMG_2148.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friday before the race at the ski lodge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0i2QUtpwEHe0B-vDX6tKqvs_lrqZdAwIYP4IGDv5ce5nU1OmlxyHqLeCRaBRMssBHSUwb6nq4OYLDnESE27DABqcyAn1EMcvHbiypc07FED2fNlHJLUGnd5wMOj3elpO94rXTLA7rwhu/s1600/IMG_2050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0i2QUtpwEHe0B-vDX6tKqvs_lrqZdAwIYP4IGDv5ce5nU1OmlxyHqLeCRaBRMssBHSUwb6nq4OYLDnESE27DABqcyAn1EMcvHbiypc07FED2fNlHJLUGnd5wMOj3elpO94rXTLA7rwhu/s320/IMG_2050.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks to Long Run photos, this incredible section of the course was captured</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOW4k2j7GKGKOEKbn01MKL_V4KBN_shsULnV0Yz9y42zqY6e-RpXIZRkAvZ4DUDrzXI3ALPyv33DouOWMZBJqhcEE-HwufuEYLZf2_WYi91YgOuy2H5BpV3GPijeE0nhCqLekrT50ORja/s1600/IMG_2051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOW4k2j7GKGKOEKbn01MKL_V4KBN_shsULnV0Yz9y42zqY6e-RpXIZRkAvZ4DUDrzXI3ALPyv33DouOWMZBJqhcEE-HwufuEYLZf2_WYi91YgOuy2H5BpV3GPijeE0nhCqLekrT50ORja/s320/IMG_2051.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great photo of Owen, thanks to Long Run photo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">YUM, breakfast and coffee!</td></tr>
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We recovered from Waldo and next up was the Bear 100. We decided to drive to Logan, Utah for this race instead of fly just to mix things up and to see some of the good old USA. Right out of the gate, I got a speeding ticket! Oh boy. The drive was not too bad, including all the pit stops, it took us 14 hours from Seattle. The Bear claims to be 36 hours of Indian Summer. It starts in Logan, Utah and ends in Fish Haven, Idaho at Bear Lake, 100 miles later and through the Wasatch/Uinta mountains. The average elevation is ~7000ft, which for a sea level resident is daunting. A storm rolled in making the Indian Summer a myth to us. We brought all of our winter gear. I had read some race reports on years with warm temperatures that had said it had gotten really cold at night. We were prepared. I started off wearing tights which I have never done in a 100 miler but I am glad that I did, we encountered snow and ice nearly immediately. I dressed correctly as although the temps dropped to the low 20's, I actually had managed to stay fairly warm. I did wear my cross county ski pants at night and a puffy coat though.....</div>
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The Bear for me was a very tough event. Once again, I got very sick at mile 45 and puked for ~ 20 miles. Once I arrived at mile 61, I knew I would be in for a long one as I could not keep food down and had very little energy to think, strategize or run. I left that aid station and continued to puke every few steps and was quite unstable on my feet. A guy who was pacing another runner stopped and asked me some questions about my condition. He told me it was in my best interest to go back to the last aid station and recover because we had a long climb ahead. He said he was a doctor and that he was not just blowing smoke up my behind, but that he did know what he was talking about. I didn't listen to him, I did not want to back track. Then about 30 minutes later, Owen caught up to me and I was still bend over puking but a little bit further along the course. He also told me to turn around and go back to that aid station and recover. I had probably gone about 2 miles and did not want to turn around but I knew he and the the other guy were right. I reluctantly turned around and went back. I got to that aid station, immediately fell asleep. I woke up, puked some more, then I eventually tried to keep down broth and a banana. Once I could keep something down, I headed back out. I left that aid station at 2:45 AM. I had been there nearly 3 hours. I went back up the climb that I had started 3 hours earlier and just kept moving. I still felt sick and now had diarrhea but I just wanted to finish. And without going into too many more details, I did finish. I thought I would not make the cut off time of 36 hours but told myself, even if I didn't finish in 36 hours, I would have still done the course. I was unable to eat the rest of the miles but I could drink water and broth. There were 2 trail angels that I met. One was pacing someone else and stopped to pick me out of the crazy mud and encourage me. This was about mile 90, he was so kind, so very kind. At the last aid station, mile 92, there was a woman there who asked me if I was alone and offered to run it in with me. I was so grateful for her offer and took her up on it, she said she really wanted to see the last 8 miles of the course. She was a true angel and having her company just took my mind off the insane climb to over 9000 feet that was just past the aid station and the subsequent steep downhill and the longest 8 miles of my life. I crossed that finish line in 34 hours and 39 minutes. The strange things is, I didn't even really feel relieved or excited. I just felt very out of it. I haven't even really begun to process this event, I cannot figure out how I feel about it. I am glad to have kept going but also disappointed that this nutrition disaster keeps following me around, I seriously need to figure out what I am doing wrong that makes me so sick in these 100 milers. Back to the drawing board. </div>
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Owen finished in 32 1/2 hours despite his asthma problems. We are both glad we finished. We rested all day Sunday and drove back to Seattle on Monday. Back to work on Tuesday...we need a vacation!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow and low temperatures on the first climb at the Bear</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sunny day for the finish</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the food from my drop bags that I never did eat after I got sick</td></tr>
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<br />ALMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407311624533897962noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976685226768106679.post-48334766025087807002012-10-28T21:45:00.001-07:002013-10-19T09:46:02.691-07:00Move over cumin, there's a new sheriff in town!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEg0m1BZFF_JHxdksemuOwKXk4MpgxOvx2qm0jyIlCx7hJIXfZrluBfpUAt6iXCaxlmyvpXMLJ3S-gYzXv_B5o1_ph5LL3nns31vF4N8wEhF7MRfsgxReyaNNgwmqdwRc-gWsnybKeU9d/s1600/IMG_1893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEg0m1BZFF_JHxdksemuOwKXk4MpgxOvx2qm0jyIlCx7hJIXfZrluBfpUAt6iXCaxlmyvpXMLJ3S-gYzXv_B5o1_ph5LL3nns31vF4N8wEhF7MRfsgxReyaNNgwmqdwRc-gWsnybKeU9d/s320/IMG_1893.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
This stuff, Crofter's Just Fruit Spread is my saving grace this week on the elimination diet. It's the end of day 14 and it's not getting any easier. I looked up some recipes in the <a href="http://www.elanaspantry.com/the-gluten-free-almond-flour-cookbook/">Almond Flour Cookbook</a> because I was missing the routine of eating desert. Who doesn't love dessert? My husband eats 2 rounds of dessert each night and it was getting to be a challenge to find will-power every night during each round. Generally, I think I have pretty good will-power, but think about it; 2 desserts a night x14 days = 28 sessions of dessert to watch. It gets tough for me! So I decided to try to make something out of the Almond Flour Cookbook and I found a recipe for raspberry bars. The challenge was finding fruit spread that didn't have added sugar, cane juice, etc. I finally found it and it didn't cost and arm and a leg. Since I discovered this about a week ago, I have make these raspberry bars 3 times. Now, I can sit on the couch and have dessert, just like I did before this detox began. It makes me feel more normal and as though I am not giving something up that I routinely do.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished product, pure yum<br />
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Tomorrow marks the half way point. I'm still just as committed however, I did think that this would get easier. The other night I had 2 different dreams that I cheated. In one dream, I ate a bag of Lays potato chips, the kind that come in the the yellow bag. I hardly every eat potato chips. Especially Lay's. Then I woke up and went I fell back to sleep, I had a more vivid dream. I dreamt that I knew I was cheating and although I was hesitant, I was all in, ready to eat forbidden foods. And of all things, I ate a McDonald's fillet of fish and fries. Honestly, I cannot remember the last time I stepped into a McDonald's or even considered doing so. What does that mean?<br />
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I've lost another pound, I'm at 133 now. My stomach is way less bloated and I do feel better. I like the idea of making my own food and generally enjoy it most day, however, spending so much time in the kitchen preparing for 1 meal gets tiring. However, there are some easy and fast recipes on the <a href="http://www.theclothesmakethegirl.com/category/recipes/">Well Fed blog</a> and <a href="http://www.elanaspantry.com/gluten-free-recipes/">Elena's Pantry</a> website. <br />
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I got some new and amazing knives for the wedding which makes slicing and dicing so much easier and quicker. However, there has been a price to pay, these suckers are SHARP.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second thumb wound</td></tr>
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Tonight I sliced my left thumb and last week I sliced my right one. This one is pretty long and deep. I need to get more savvy with these knives. <br />
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I think that if I were really training for something, this would be much much harder. I'm still exercising about an hour a day but I think if I was training for a 100 miler, I would be going nuts. But for now, this is great timing and a really great learning experience. <br />
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2 more weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ALMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407311624533897962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976685226768106679.post-44784642451217304952012-10-22T21:08:00.002-07:002012-10-22T21:08:19.790-07:00Cumin is my new best friend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Week 1 of the elimination is is OVER. About 3 more to go. Since I've discovered the value of cumin, my meals are tasting better and better. I pretty much have been putting it in everything. Thanks to the recent comment on the last post, I've been tuned on to a new website; http://www.theclothesmakethegirl.com/<br />
Just tonight I made a variation of this recipe: http://www.theclothesmakethegirl.com/2012/03/08/tropical-chopped-salad/<br />
I couldn't find a good mango so I substituted with a tomato. I even made the homemade mayo and Owen, who loves mayo, tasted it and thought it was so delicious that he put down his store bought mayo and used the homemade stuff. <br />
My thoughts on this first week of detox are these. I'm becoming less and less drawn to things I never usually eat or crave. I have been to the grocery store every day this week and when I walk down aisles that have such food as pretzels, rice pudding, cheese, crackers and chips, I feel drawn to eat these things. The cheese, crackers and chips are things I would usually eat so I'm not that surprised that I am drawn to consume them, But they are not things that I overindulge in, so I'm interested why it is these things I am wanting to inhale. However, I rarely ever eat pretzels and rice pudding????? Rice Pudding???? Basically, rice pudding is sugar and dairy. And although it is delicious I can't remember the last time I actually ate some. So my cravings are becoming less and less obvious, but they are still there. I am getting used to spending more time grocery shopping, which I have never enjoyed, and cooking. It just takes time and money to eat this way but it is worth it. I feel lighter and cleaner. I seem to feel satisfied after I finish a meal or snack and don't get hungry like I did the first day or two. However, when I get hungry, it hits me quick. This is when I really need to be prepared so I am not tempted to get into the chips and cheese that Owen is keeping for his own consumption in the cupboard. I am enjoying trying new recipes and I have been baking some "sweet" things that have no sugar. I am missing my maple syrup though however I am used to not having sugar in my coffee now. I don't know if I will go back to putting sugar in my coffee after this is done.<br />
My weight is pretty much the same, I'm 134 now as compared with 135 last week. I started exercising again, but an hour a day, if that. So in terms of my energy level with exercise, I don't have an accurate reading on that one. However, I do plan to ramp up the exercise a bit these next few weeks. <br />
Overall, this has been a good experience thus far. It really is a challenge, the "challenge" in 30 DAY CHALLENGE is no joke. I am really glad that my co-worker decided to do this as well. I felt like CHEATING so bad this weekend. My mother-in-law had a birthday and everyone was eating homemade vanilla cake with butter cream frosting, one of my favorites. They lit some candles and sang happy birthday then cut the cake. Arg! I really wanted some with some creamy coffee. But, I brought some dates and I sat at the table with everyone and ate a few dates with my black coffee. I thought about my co-worker and just couldn't cheat. I'd recommend to anyone who is interesting in taking on the challenge to have some support, it has helped me. Even if my husband is eating all the foods I want to eat right in front of me every day, he always asks me if it's ok to eat this or that in front of me. I wonder what would happen if I said...NO! Ha, just kidding, I would not say that!ALMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407311624533897962noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976685226768106679.post-65399654409627260152012-10-17T22:48:00.002-07:002012-10-17T22:48:44.039-07:00Elimination Diet- 30 day ChallangeI am lucky to have a good friend who is a nutritionist. Her name is Deb and this is her website: http://www.debsholisticnutrition.com/Home.html<br />
She is awesome. She practices what she preaches, is very knowledgeable and is a kick ass athlete. I went to her a while back with questions about my multiple digestive issues and she recommended I do the elimination diet for 30 days. It sounded like a real challenge. Even though I think I eat fairly healthy, the thought of eliminating sugar, dairy, grains and legumes seemed hard. I was talking about this with a friend of mine at work and she said it sounded like something she needed to do as well, So, as of Monday, October 15th, Roxanne and I have begun the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elimination_diet">elimination diet</a>.<br />
I stocked my fridge Sunday and made a big pan of roasted vegetables. I cut up broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, carrots and zucchini and tossed them in some olive oil with salt and pepper and roasted them at 400* for about an hour.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the roasting</td></tr>
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Also on Sunday, I ate a bunch of peanut butter, because it is one of my favorite foods ever and to be honest, I have eaten almost the entire jar of peanut butter in one sitting. I was full for the rest of the day but it was so good I couldn't put it down. Then I drank some wine and ate some chips and yada yada yada....just stuffing my face with all the things I wouldn't eat for 30 days. </div>
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I weighed myself Monday morning and was 135 lbs. I'm curious if my weight fluctuates. However, I have not been running or exercising since the surgery last week so it;s not like I'm burning a ton of calories.</div>
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Monday went well although I did feel hungry. So I got some beef at Whole Foods and toasted some acorn squash, pulled out the insides and stir fried the insides with the ground beef, garlic and kale. It was pretty good actually and filled me up. I only used half of the acorn squash so the other half I mixed with a few eggs, coconut flour, and garlic. I made little pancakes with these and topped them with cucumber salsa. </div>
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These were ok....I should of used less egg. But I'm finding that I can't eat a ton of beef, chicken and turkey kinda of grosses me out and pork, well, pork is tough because although I love me some bacon, I just think of those cute and smart pigs and well, I just can't eat them. So, I'm limited to eggs, fish, shellfish and beef for sources of substantial protein.</div>
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I went a little crazy the night I made the acorn squash pancakes and tested out my new food processor to shred carrots and apples to make Morning Glory Muffins which are awesome and filling. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying out the food processor, it's incredible</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">20 mins away from hot muffins</td></tr>
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We'll see what tomorrow brings. This is a real challenge mostly because I don't know how to cook this way and make it taste good and fulfilling. But I think it will be better with time and I am really interested in seeing this through and see how things manifest in the body. </div>
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Stay tuned for more recipes and updates!</div>
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ALMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407311624533897962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976685226768106679.post-81213981839354677142012-10-12T18:53:00.000-07:002012-10-12T18:56:16.531-07:00WEDDING! HONEYMOON! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What more can I say?</td></tr>
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Yep, it's true. Owen and I got MARRIED! It was truly the most fantastic day of my life! How can I put into words the feeling of joining 2 lives into 1 with the love of my life! it was a great party with family that came as far as New Jersey and friends that came from a wide variety of places in the US. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dad and I, a very special moment</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvPj92rLr86waJqOoTe9c5GOfV1zYJBEz8w6h9S5_eww5AXTspJ_4Q1MrdYa7Troz1pLz4c-vcA27gAaGGxC3MbeSp1czaJ6YFiRyzOYAR2MtxCHxJ-TxNdpjsdJuEu23LB15Fim2qAPR/s1600/Vows+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvPj92rLr86waJqOoTe9c5GOfV1zYJBEz8w6h9S5_eww5AXTspJ_4Q1MrdYa7Troz1pLz4c-vcA27gAaGGxC3MbeSp1czaJ6YFiRyzOYAR2MtxCHxJ-TxNdpjsdJuEu23LB15Fim2qAPR/s320/Vows+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vows and ring exchange</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJuSqrqgxl6lMg_lWipVAjWNskblh8OwvJmDu5ROYDJCU0c0SaOqvNvNZPyp5haJr6OyY_HlzqcCYN-uY43zeKdCQm7WlGPqCQsy8N2jcLFnwEgTsw8bPEZbpOjcD4cr7G-Ua27J3Kbpa/s1600/husband+and+wife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJuSqrqgxl6lMg_lWipVAjWNskblh8OwvJmDu5ROYDJCU0c0SaOqvNvNZPyp5haJr6OyY_HlzqcCYN-uY43zeKdCQm7WlGPqCQsy8N2jcLFnwEgTsw8bPEZbpOjcD4cr7G-Ua27J3Kbpa/s320/husband+and+wife.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I now pronounce you husband and wife!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWIGMI0E5tMl7Md5-oV6elDX7h-7iVnS1FQtMOdy7I5ZrN-ethMMK77gkGxw7iQVpQQtmRvBNtL-Ivh_NLOon-JxE5-59_rGVBuAHKwmXgWQ6UDbRVgUC3Io9ucuI1dK5W3RiZKqtphk7/s1600/IMG_1688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWIGMI0E5tMl7Md5-oV6elDX7h-7iVnS1FQtMOdy7I5ZrN-ethMMK77gkGxw7iQVpQQtmRvBNtL-Ivh_NLOon-JxE5-59_rGVBuAHKwmXgWQ6UDbRVgUC3Io9ucuI1dK5W3RiZKqtphk7/s320/IMG_1688.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only 2 minutes of being a married couple, still smiling!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcrArWaV2p9wRMCToQzrA5HI6onLRY9l2XCXZEcU4CKRlztcE-Bx-uQT-AVfkaVhyHRLGnVCiF6Pie4BObpKhlgoKTsSc8KyCzfe3x1Tobk1Z9b5i7g01Faf1qU2htqgwdPnotWCBh_CU/s1600/IMG_1692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcrArWaV2p9wRMCToQzrA5HI6onLRY9l2XCXZEcU4CKRlztcE-Bx-uQT-AVfkaVhyHRLGnVCiF6Pie4BObpKhlgoKTsSc8KyCzfe3x1Tobk1Z9b5i7g01Faf1qU2htqgwdPnotWCBh_CU/s320/IMG_1692.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CAKE!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLj8NNXAld5HbU3paGBWnz6bLdX5TfKSbdLeN9iQZW2VOEWONgU6VffQxFgBU5bPFgviKBZAAlPNmfb-Sk9wQvQzbSVsNZAtNQqWwBYFCZh_Pe3fxYJcTa4Q4GOl5QeEfI4bnsanEoJw9L/s1600/First+dance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLj8NNXAld5HbU3paGBWnz6bLdX5TfKSbdLeN9iQZW2VOEWONgU6VffQxFgBU5bPFgviKBZAAlPNmfb-Sk9wQvQzbSVsNZAtNQqWwBYFCZh_Pe3fxYJcTa4Q4GOl5QeEfI4bnsanEoJw9L/s320/First+dance.jpg" width="181" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First dance!</td></tr>
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Just a few photos of the parts of the ceremony and reception. It was so much fun. Everyone says you don't remember the actual day or the ceremony/reception. I tried my hardest to just stay in the present and take everything in. I feel I remember most of it! </div>
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We got married on a Sunday and on Monday we hang up with out of town family and friends. Later, we packed and got ready for our honeymoon, in Kauai! Neither of us have been to Kauai before and we were excited about checking it out! We arrived on a Tuesday and found our place to be more than what we had expected. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDLfkcQQTMZc5x0lS5VlJ9EkezvH-_0n2obOE8-GSkeI2VvUApQdcnWWsvywg9kurRqIEwVuSYWAuIi9h1yB89windF_TH5V4-9LkjE3fWJBHSMlD2kGvQ-V5mpIwd64cEeailhxBAFn4/s1600/IMG_1702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDLfkcQQTMZc5x0lS5VlJ9EkezvH-_0n2obOE8-GSkeI2VvUApQdcnWWsvywg9kurRqIEwVuSYWAuIi9h1yB89windF_TH5V4-9LkjE3fWJBHSMlD2kGvQ-V5mpIwd64cEeailhxBAFn4/s320/IMG_1702.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the view from our condo. Drinking coffee here every morning was fantastic!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyiJWA1S0EnQSYmGtO3sgugFVifRae-8Y-w_OQTev11hEbwqVNl6LVdvPF2BnSlJL2OqijN_ClDn4Yhsy8ZWEQoyuGGpUbT35TU4OLb5V_vXnddthBWrIw18IRBupdpEONCy8QaJ2Zr8Y/s1600/IMG_1720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyiJWA1S0EnQSYmGtO3sgugFVifRae-8Y-w_OQTev11hEbwqVNl6LVdvPF2BnSlJL2OqijN_ClDn4Yhsy8ZWEQoyuGGpUbT35TU4OLb5V_vXnddthBWrIw18IRBupdpEONCy8QaJ2Zr8Y/s320/IMG_1720.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See what I mean??? Fantastic!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Gp_pL0W7y4GqC-k5pGEQBBwuzjkrznTr7rVmI0uc6e90IY1rrNO5DCH42mQEJjAJO3yZnNsw9TwGGjBOysOgrg_DrlOZiMc80yJjq5izy06_AJhCp_Gh2uNSXq2lH73p1-kwd2D3G_Am/s1600/IMG_5918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Gp_pL0W7y4GqC-k5pGEQBBwuzjkrznTr7rVmI0uc6e90IY1rrNO5DCH42mQEJjAJO3yZnNsw9TwGGjBOysOgrg_DrlOZiMc80yJjq5izy06_AJhCp_Gh2uNSXq2lH73p1-kwd2D3G_Am/s320/IMG_5918.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">O and A!?!?!!? How did they know we were coming?</td></tr>
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Our first full day was spend snorkeling on the north shore by Ke'e Beach and Tunnels. One of the first things we saw was this O+A engraved in the rock on the beach. Pretty cool. We saw some colorful fish and were able to dive through the "tunnels" to check out the reefs and where some of the fish like to hang out. We saw a Monk seal on the beach before I had done any reading about what you might expect on the beach and thought maybe it was injured. I spent a bit of time wondering what to do, who to call and worrying about it. Owen kept telling me that the seal was resting. I couldn't let it go. Then I saw some people putting some signs out surrounding the seal warning people not to touch or fed it b/c it is endangered and just taking a rest. It would soon go back in the ocean. Well, Owen was right, I was wrong and relieved that this cute seal was just sunning himself as we were.</div>
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The following day we decided to head out to Waimea Canyon. We had read about a hike/run you could do to to get to the bottom of the canyon so we ventured out to try to find it. We drove along a windy road for many miles that made us both car sick but eventually we found were we were headed. There aren't a lot of signs in Kauai, most directions go by milepost markers.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBOWYR53wehOw_nGTCz4SE8h8eHkW5q61fZFXuwWcQVLGzWXf0O8gBrzBHvph8RMm77W5vzBfirCOSvhRWmsbb-iNV0wVKdgoMHQ9j0yWGY-AMsEFaXstRE4Xp-VPQTj4elhhz3QcOxBO/s1600/IMG_5941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBOWYR53wehOw_nGTCz4SE8h8eHkW5q61fZFXuwWcQVLGzWXf0O8gBrzBHvph8RMm77W5vzBfirCOSvhRWmsbb-iNV0wVKdgoMHQ9j0yWGY-AMsEFaXstRE4Xp-VPQTj4elhhz3QcOxBO/s320/IMG_5941.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start of our first run as a MARRIED COUPLE!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhQDLMyQCWIcaxqMCTe0YlHVieOOxjXiq1EHMknQugltBq-NsYGoJ5R8PiS_mDhOhYEg5-hsSJLR-pzIu4rjJuSPdjdcY-KBO94XxoKnaRah6eLVK3qT3Ezs90AxWeZCONwgWhYmC5qBk/s1600/IMG_5944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhQDLMyQCWIcaxqMCTe0YlHVieOOxjXiq1EHMknQugltBq-NsYGoJ5R8PiS_mDhOhYEg5-hsSJLR-pzIu4rjJuSPdjdcY-KBO94XxoKnaRah6eLVK3qT3Ezs90AxWeZCONwgWhYmC5qBk/s320/IMG_5944.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Grand Canyon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqSGEAfDbVhw9WEJB9-Ap0TE1EtCpXtD4OrdGXhR7VvA1kzaoegyev5Y6k2ykqHioxc9At6xSSOXJcM0lJ3U4WDZXyK3PsNjahDWGUqkQaR3uVNjCjzD9ndrlMSh0q7a5YWAsClcP1wfS/s1600/IMG_5955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqSGEAfDbVhw9WEJB9-Ap0TE1EtCpXtD4OrdGXhR7VvA1kzaoegyev5Y6k2ykqHioxc9At6xSSOXJcM0lJ3U4WDZXyK3PsNjahDWGUqkQaR3uVNjCjzD9ndrlMSh0q7a5YWAsClcP1wfS/s320/IMG_5955.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottom of the canyon, mosquito-ville</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYX2EZmuBeafKJe_7Fw2xdGG7Tat8QxA8NveJYMaxIG2u_E_8bxGbsQce4Fj3hEk_tQ1xFY3VlssWNE_4lXKojmn-7bG56YiAb-bERoii03SaZJ9vIVbFyzgiqFw8MSMhsmspNIhWTP2y8/s1600/IMG_5982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYX2EZmuBeafKJe_7Fw2xdGG7Tat8QxA8NveJYMaxIG2u_E_8bxGbsQce4Fj3hEk_tQ1xFY3VlssWNE_4lXKojmn-7bG56YiAb-bERoii03SaZJ9vIVbFyzgiqFw8MSMhsmspNIhWTP2y8/s320/IMG_5982.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Headed back up the canyon</td></tr>
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We ran down to the bottom and on our way we saw a pack of small wild goat that moved with with such ease through the very technical terrain. I was surprised how small they were, like the size of a small dog. Honestly, when we got down the the canyon floor, it was a bit creepy and a lot like Deliverance, the movie. We originally set out for a 12 mile out and back but we found we could not go on any longer, it was as if the trail disappeared and that was that. So with that and the creepy factor, we called it good and headed back. Once we got back to the car and headed down the windy road, we stopped at Jo-Jo's, the infamous Jo-Jo's for shaved ice. This place is apparently the best place to get shaved ice on Kauai. It was a shake with no windows inside and also reminded me of Deliverance, but the shaved ice was indeed delicious so we ate it and then hit the beach to cool off and take an afternoon nap on the warm sun.</div>
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The next we thought we'd do some boogie boarding. There was a storm rolling in and the waves were getting bigger. We decided that we would rather have a fun day boogie boarding that a really hard day **trying** to surf. So we rented some boards and fins and off the beach we went.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRaeUTrmbGyHtmnzrisqd3LdnUf3mEd68M3H9Cd25wzxNi7__wMDNZLGHizzz1fgbbJddgwKdmIv7hkXGLP7JjZtsmib4ifeYgwf3KtsSvKWI3gY1wXbzdP0slK8wy7n95M-wzn0dIH1M/s1600/IMG_6003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRaeUTrmbGyHtmnzrisqd3LdnUf3mEd68M3H9Cd25wzxNi7__wMDNZLGHizzz1fgbbJddgwKdmIv7hkXGLP7JjZtsmib4ifeYgwf3KtsSvKWI3gY1wXbzdP0slK8wy7n95M-wzn0dIH1M/s320/IMG_6003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's all you need for fun in the waves</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsc9aPx6BTEmq3FqKBkIpNjeAXcJsatwlITMHHUpiCN03vub_jh2IEDgXvSSquYAwWgYBrQqoonxRhHm_YXn9iTrzbq096etxFL5duGmbAgsANRwGVsruP8FE2KuNWPA5aavDhiaUVjDq9/s1600/IMG_6010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsc9aPx6BTEmq3FqKBkIpNjeAXcJsatwlITMHHUpiCN03vub_jh2IEDgXvSSquYAwWgYBrQqoonxRhHm_YXn9iTrzbq096etxFL5duGmbAgsANRwGVsruP8FE2KuNWPA5aavDhiaUVjDq9/s320/IMG_6010.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming in for a rest</td></tr>
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We were out there for a while and then we took a rest. It was about 4 PM and the waves were really ripping. We decided to head out one more time. I started going out and went to duck dive and WHAM-O, I don't know what happened, but I wound up in a world of hurt. I thought for sure I broke something or tore my rotator cuff. I got to the shore and grabbed my arm while thoughts swirled in my head future tripping that I broke or tore something and the honeymoon was over,,,,blah blah blah...</div>
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Owen brought me home and gave me some ice and Aleve.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilk2ylHq1AZCK-89goKfF1QmV4wwqpXKi-nZNZybSPXeOqV9D21Lz0L16-veNMXiqqNY6blvopgGqVpyZljBDSLsanrnJYrgbXNQCiUukPImtCFo5PokocxvEk3hXtwTOruMZ37bmuEM8o/s1600/IMG_6012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilk2ylHq1AZCK-89goKfF1QmV4wwqpXKi-nZNZybSPXeOqV9D21Lz0L16-veNMXiqqNY6blvopgGqVpyZljBDSLsanrnJYrgbXNQCiUukPImtCFo5PokocxvEk3hXtwTOruMZ37bmuEM8o/s320/IMG_6012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good pouty face</td></tr>
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We wound up going to the Urgent Care and met a really funny Dr who shared the same birthday as me. He told me sprained this and strained that and to wear a sling for a few weeks and then I would feel better. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlPCBEnWJ_lkvOsQjkFF9bPs2se7kfwdARF8kUTTjPmbWHVKeiz1daFNnaIqDB8xxbaj4k9_PGtIwcTt2dHiSpPqGyAl_efB4KI1d9fPCSfQAJ6E9Bfh-DuFVd4xbdI4OEsmpm4TU0F-e/s1600/IMG_1742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlPCBEnWJ_lkvOsQjkFF9bPs2se7kfwdARF8kUTTjPmbWHVKeiz1daFNnaIqDB8xxbaj4k9_PGtIwcTt2dHiSpPqGyAl_efB4KI1d9fPCSfQAJ6E9Bfh-DuFVd4xbdI4OEsmpm4TU0F-e/s320/IMG_1742.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice Dr. who is the medical director for the Kauai marathon<br />
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The next day and the days remaining were still just as great as the ones before I hurt my shoulder. I was on my honeymoon for crying out loud, so of course I'm going to have fun!</div>
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We saw see turtles the next day with Eric and Michelle Barnes who were also in Kauai, went to a fancy restaurant, hiked/ran the Na Pali Coast trail and hung out on various beaches. So, a bum shoulder didn't really impact the honeymoon, turns out.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRxZlhxcUP1pBPkeKk7SkdB38g3RO4W-Px1TXuPQZSf63L0VpkllqoMtGTznNV9l-B-QOBjWhyphenhyphenAZTFKNOHmI2d_t3JE_IDkgzSLCh1LneXHuNAvUE5fYAFNCM1TnqcfIfnMLoeOfd7Xyb/s1600/IMG_6029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRxZlhxcUP1pBPkeKk7SkdB38g3RO4W-Px1TXuPQZSf63L0VpkllqoMtGTznNV9l-B-QOBjWhyphenhyphenAZTFKNOHmI2d_t3JE_IDkgzSLCh1LneXHuNAvUE5fYAFNCM1TnqcfIfnMLoeOfd7Xyb/s320/IMG_6029.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea Turtle Beach, must have seen 10! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6Iu7QbU98blKib8L_1evKFLc4h2AQ9BAcr5Iafgaz_DAY4HsizLKO9yxwqqCaC9CZ7Sewb3hAtZ4b_G3R0la9b3jIBNAt9GDP6Gr1Vm-u8v52maA57mMvEh1BLGLkiRALEcV0RoMZr7u/s1600/DSC00060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6Iu7QbU98blKib8L_1evKFLc4h2AQ9BAcr5Iafgaz_DAY4HsizLKO9yxwqqCaC9CZ7Sewb3hAtZ4b_G3R0la9b3jIBNAt9GDP6Gr1Vm-u8v52maA57mMvEh1BLGLkiRALEcV0RoMZr7u/s320/DSC00060.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Na Pali Coast trail waterfall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbn12pTz91uDrIraZGIj2X34Qzo_vl8idekbxg3lLWoYeu2sabWPrIdIyT52FHfp5iYln0Gz2x2RuDjPmV5rI9cLk0snOgHTcbw5WdkSqggbWWNhWRb0wOk-Wq9gqzn1Zav3AiavvhAx0S/s1600/DSC00075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbn12pTz91uDrIraZGIj2X34Qzo_vl8idekbxg3lLWoYeu2sabWPrIdIyT52FHfp5iYln0Gz2x2RuDjPmV5rI9cLk0snOgHTcbw5WdkSqggbWWNhWRb0wOk-Wq9gqzn1Zav3AiavvhAx0S/s320/DSC00075.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Na Pali Coast trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJgfxkVrBqOMwqQ4GNCf-a8odFL1bG0FPTwTkosvG_D9uCVGxEDb2B59LnzGNKgFZHH4QbNeIXwJpqlfYmrDmetWVPmQ9dazeGROuBlNHPbtD4GJfnpcERybnPZG7uqSr8xmsKA-ggbmc/s1600/DSC00082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJgfxkVrBqOMwqQ4GNCf-a8odFL1bG0FPTwTkosvG_D9uCVGxEDb2B59LnzGNKgFZHH4QbNeIXwJpqlfYmrDmetWVPmQ9dazeGROuBlNHPbtD4GJfnpcERybnPZG7uqSr8xmsKA-ggbmc/s320/DSC00082.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Na Pali Coast trail<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicKN5RUkisTE0ingxl96z3W5pNQuO45tcQ9R402nE8SiA0OVf0k9ZlHbTu5plNUZ0Dg4k8wah2Mm_6_bwFzCBJ3QnUV9PFDS7xoeT3Lf22YXRUzxhUt1f-gzACj9Z7t0AesuIOZAQ2b6K/s1600/DSC00095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicKN5RUkisTE0ingxl96z3W5pNQuO45tcQ9R402nE8SiA0OVf0k9ZlHbTu5plNUZ0Dg4k8wah2Mm_6_bwFzCBJ3QnUV9PFDS7xoeT3Lf22YXRUzxhUt1f-gzACj9Z7t0AesuIOZAQ2b6K/s320/DSC00095.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beware, lots of people die on this trail!</td></tr>
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The week in Kauai was amazing! I would go back in a heart beat. If anyone is thinking of going, we used this sign hawaiiforless.com and it was true to it's word. I totally recommend it. </div>
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As for running? Well, we ran here and there and since we've been back, we've been running here and there. I just had surgery on Tuesday and I am healing up. Should be back to some easy jogging next week. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the surgery works and I can run pain-free again. The Dr said that if it didn't work, then the next step is to cut part of the nerve leaving my upper quad permanently numb. I really hope that doesn't happen. So I'll give it a while next week. Also next week, I am start the 30 day elimination diet and I'll be documenting that. </div>
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ALMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407311624533897962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976685226768106679.post-44007483423469936652012-08-29T21:54:00.002-07:002012-08-31T10:59:05.717-07:00Victories come in Unexpected Packages; CCC 2012Cascade Crest 100 is done, completed. I went into the run with loose expectations. My training has been inconsistent but still focused. Once I received the diagnosis, (see previous post) on my leg and learned that I am not doing any further damage to it by running....I decided I'd give CCC a go this year. I have a bit of a battle going with CCC and so I didn't want another year to go by without facing the challenge of tackling CCC. CCC 2009 was my first 100 and it was successful for me. In 2010, I dropped and have always regretted it. In 2011, I did not start b/c of the leg problems. And this year I was lucky enough to get in and felt focused and motivated. However, with inconsistent training and planning a WEDDING, I was feeling as though I need not put any pressure on myself and just run my best to my current abilities. Who knows, I thought, I could surprise myself! I was VERY lucky to have a pacer and crew this year as well. And not just any pacer and crew, but the best ever I could ask for; Eric and Michelle Barnes and Steve Stoyles.<br />
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Owen was running his 5th consecutive CCC and was on track to get the silver belt buckle. Also, he was running this one in memory of his dad who passed away 4/29/2012. Owen's dad had been at every other CCC and so he dedicated this one to him. He wore his dad's pin on his hat for the entire 100 miles!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44IKO7y4r8JVQzvSk_t0bs6Ng4J34N28OKCxWssvx0cpuvCHYw1rqH-6Fmj3vXGT0cRCpJChwZE8Z0n4jR1BAGocq_bx4SpM_mw8-vJWN6Im-tIbwibRwSUo4AXKlDyGbrdTOfsSi3bW-/s1600/IMG_1533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44IKO7y4r8JVQzvSk_t0bs6Ng4J34N28OKCxWssvx0cpuvCHYw1rqH-6Fmj3vXGT0cRCpJChwZE8Z0n4jR1BAGocq_bx4SpM_mw8-vJWN6Im-tIbwibRwSUo4AXKlDyGbrdTOfsSi3bW-/s320/IMG_1533.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owen just before the start</td></tr>
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And then we were off! The Canadian and American anthems had been played and all the good lucks, hellos, and nice to see ya agains had been exchanged. It truly is so good to see so many friends at the start of such a special event.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6F9D8Ox-cr5veqHfUFqxRpmC6Mg8LQDU6HDgGAtL-pSzIJHFbQNBZyfqJvQKDnNd3OQ8Hs_5bDnZbDUnRQtfWvHqqKbpymh1CHUtcg5M8Kw0A1kSdvLCtCJrFmmEoN5DF11V2tvRxIKFw/s1600/547265_683619543834_1453021089_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6F9D8Ox-cr5veqHfUFqxRpmC6Mg8LQDU6HDgGAtL-pSzIJHFbQNBZyfqJvQKDnNd3OQ8Hs_5bDnZbDUnRQtfWvHqqKbpymh1CHUtcg5M8Kw0A1kSdvLCtCJrFmmEoN5DF11V2tvRxIKFw/s320/547265_683619543834_1453021089_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by Yitka Winn<br />
We're off!</td></tr>
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I started out slow as usual but by the time I got to the climb up Goat Peak, I was feeling warmed up and in a good space for the climb. There is a lot of climbing in the first 20 miles that can be deceiving. We all know the second half is difficult with the cardiac needles and Thorp Mt. but the first 20 miles have quite a bit of ascent as well. I was feeling great. Not pushing it too hard, just enjoying myself and talking to people, drinking a lot of water, eating at the aid stations and eating a gel every 30 mins just as I did at Umstead. When I reached Tacoma Pass, mile 23, I saw Eric and crew. They told me I was in 4th place. I was surprised. I looked at my watch and I had made fairly good time, about on pace as 2009. I left that aid station and quickly came up to the 3rd place woman. We exchanged hellos and I moved past her. With a about 4 miles to go until the next big aid station, I caught up to the 2nd place woman, Missy. We chatted and headed into Stampede Pass aid station (mile 33) together. At the point, Shawna Thompkins, last years winner and amazingly fast runner who would have won CCC came up to me and told me that she had dropped and that I had a chance to win, but to just run my own race and it'll all come together. WOW, I was surprised and excited. It was only mile 33, but I was feeling so good and as if I was reserving good energy for the second half and especially the last 20 miles. So off I went with the support of Eric and the crew so happy to be running and feeling so good. I ran into Hyak, mile 53, with Missy and Chad from Vancouver, BC. It was great running with them. We had a good pace going but I was still feeling good. We got to Ollalie Meadows, mile 47, and it was still light out. I knew I was ahead of my 2009 times and was excited. This year we had the rope section and the run through the tunnel. That was pretty fun. <br />
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I got into Hyak and it was about 9:30PM, 11:30 hours of running so far and just 47 more miles to go, and with Eric pacing me and Michelle and Steve crewing, I knew I was in good hands. Eric and I left Hyak at the same time Missy and her husband left. So I was still in the running for a good place. My stomach was a but wonky, but I figured that is usual. I was drinking a ton of water and eating gels every 30 mins with extra food at the aid stations. About 3 miles later I looked at my watch, it was time for another gel. I opened up the package and tried to suck it down but my stomach wanted nothing to do with that. I ate about half of it and turned to Eric and said, I don't think I can eat this, I feel sick. So, I just drank so water and continued to walk uphill. I started feeling worse and worse and I could feel my pace slowing. But every time I tried to exert myself, I thought I would throw up. And soon I did. I threw up a few times and figured that was it and I was good, I got it out. Then a few miles later, I threw up a few more times. When I got to the aid station at mile 63, I was still close to Missy and the 3rd place woman was just ahead of us. So I was still in the mix and knew I would feel better but just told myself to be patient. As we headed on the downhill to Lake Kachess, mile 68, I was feeling more and more sick. I really could not eat anything. I tried, but I couldn't get anything down. At the aid station, I tried to eat. Michelle and Steve were there and were giving me good advise on what to try to eat and to take it easy to recover and try to get in some calories. So I ate some animal crackers, soup, potato, etc. Eric and I left there and within 200 yards, I was throwing all of that up. Now I was getting a bit worried. Without calories, how could I do this? Eric reassured me that I just needed to recover and eat for the 5 miles of Trail from Hell. Ok,,,,I'll try that. Well, I must have pulled over 4,5 or 6 times to puke puke puke and puke again. I was having a hard time getting up the climbs due to lack of energy/calories. All that became important to me at the point was feeling better. I knew my shot at a PR or top 3 was gone. However, at this point, I felt so sick that all that mattered was getting through it and feeling better. Eric was so kind. He just sat with me as I puked with patience and kindness. he kept reassuring me that I would feel better. Whenever my breathing got out of control, he would stop and tell me to catch my breath. I was moving so slow, a snails pace. People we passing me left and right. I was so out of it and then Eric suggested I lay down on the side on the trail in a space blanket to rest for 10-20 minutes. At first I thought, no, let's keep going, but the more I got sick, the more I thought it was a good idea. So I layed down in the dirt and feel asleep immediately. Eric woke me up and said...let's try to make it to Mineral Creek aid station, mile 73. He wold me we were about 2 miles away. UGH, 2 miles! I thought I could not do it, it was too far. I stood up and within 1 minute was puking again. I sat there and said to Eric, "Am I going to have to DNF here?" He said, "That is your choice, but let's just try to make it to Mineral Creek". Ok...I am going to try. I knew I DID NOT WANT A DNF. But seriously, running 2 miles felt like an eternity. I sat there and had some words with Eric, he was just so supportive. At this point Owen and his pacer passed us. Poor Owen! He was having respiratory problems and was suffering big time himself. But I know him, he would continue as far as he could until and if he was pulled from the race. They left. Then some time later, Eric and I stood up and we moved forward. And you know what, we made it. Eric got me there with encouragement, patience and kindness. We got there and Michelle and Steve were there. I cannot express how lucky I was to have them there. They nursed me back to life. I had coke and broth and fell asleep again, for about 15 more minutes. By now the sun was up. So I said, ok, let's head out. I was scared because I didn't think I would be able to exert myself and I would just continue to get sick. But I had to see if I could do it. <br />
We said goodbye to Michelle and Steve and headed up the hill. I drank Dr. Pepper and tried to nibble on this or that and the next thing I know, we are at mile 80, No Name Ridge. I was feeling optimistic that I was going to finish now. We hit the cardiac needles and it was a **struggle** to say the least, I had very little calories in me and exertion up the hills was tough. We came up to Owen and his pacer. Owen had his hands on his knees and was catching his breath. I knew he was going to have a tough 20 miles. I rubbed his back and he told me to move on so we did. <br />
Eric and I made it to through the needles and Thorp Mt. It was so freaking hard. I counted down the big climbs one at a time. 5-4-3-2-1.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibI5nIvJfCC4JXrireQUD_ldAEp6v6rBaFNQ6ouluECxfz74RJllDjgTkeeQgg4HPvT6Nc60N4KrOl_aO7AtiBk5TKAN1Hgg6iBKI8F_JzL_AFdkHoZNxLYkqZ5eBlxvmEr_VztAAGhQ_u/s1600/279252_4542354239708_2130952296_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibI5nIvJfCC4JXrireQUD_ldAEp6v6rBaFNQ6ouluECxfz74RJllDjgTkeeQgg4HPvT6Nc60N4KrOl_aO7AtiBk5TKAN1Hgg6iBKI8F_JzL_AFdkHoZNxLYkqZ5eBlxvmEr_VztAAGhQ_u/s320/279252_4542354239708_2130952296_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting the yellow ticket at the top of Thorp Mt.<br />
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From this point on, it was just one step in front of the other and we moved onto French Cabin aid station, mile 88. Only 12 more miles....only 12 more miles.... We headed down and then up and then ran some rolling hills, and walked, and caught breath....Poor Eric had hurt his leg somehow and was in some pain as well. What a pair we were! <br />
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We made it to the last aid station, mile 96. NO WAY! I could not believe it. Michelle and Steve were there. They handed me a bottle, took my pack and said get going! I looked at my watch and it said 28 hours and 4 minutes. I turned to Eric and said,,,,let's try to get in under 29 hours. So we ran, shuffled, walked, repeat until we hit the railroad tracks. I cannot express the relief I felt that I had made it there. It was by far the hardest thing I have done physically, mentally and emotionally, or at least that I can remember in a very long time. I could not believe that #1) I was going to do it and #2) that it was almost over. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7i_nRqcEUx4qzK_Wws9fBRrJSmAchikFys27IsdQ6iW73qEFQSPKhwV4SfmA6WwP6g3lzxXh4CsOhx7ug7Gpxa25SpbfibASk8mY8o8XOdV0DnH852Sm2bHPtl7CTvad9lg7WXprm5lb/s1600/194332_4542357799797_1778955027_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7i_nRqcEUx4qzK_Wws9fBRrJSmAchikFys27IsdQ6iW73qEFQSPKhwV4SfmA6WwP6g3lzxXh4CsOhx7ug7Gpxa25SpbfibASk8mY8o8XOdV0DnH852Sm2bHPtl7CTvad9lg7WXprm5lb/s320/194332_4542357799797_1778955027_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eric, always smiling and always positive, I couldn't ask for anyone better.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a few more steps and I am DONE</td></tr>
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And what do you know, we crossed the finish line in 28 hours and 50 minutes. All that suffering was over and all I could do was smile and be so tremendously grateful for Eric, Michelle and Steve, and all the other support I had along the way.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfl0OusJUmNSKqDJ6zyi-PKcqd9_JHgWR-urBsFCutOJPw4vUI8fRZLki0-04eGFW_tIumZdtTAmtJcEm4J5LDkSQqduqR8XibTD0Xw8Em7XekevbwSuiUTGqNLjWbWS1Y10uvVEGOtMkn/s1600/328145_4542361039878_599175921_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfl0OusJUmNSKqDJ6zyi-PKcqd9_JHgWR-urBsFCutOJPw4vUI8fRZLki0-04eGFW_tIumZdtTAmtJcEm4J5LDkSQqduqR8XibTD0Xw8Em7XekevbwSuiUTGqNLjWbWS1Y10uvVEGOtMkn/s320/328145_4542361039878_599175921_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Could not be more thrilled</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78SWLcSTA9MoMkESed8wlNeNJFTSeJ7LOwzwQkdyJKm1nLImtNwUtqZoHKHqcFSw1x0plqfzJiZbhurFdhZ-JHE_EDYyUJV2E3PCIRA1pXaF9MNQoguOrVeTlyoDo5yalHP8iPjDDbq2v/s1600/614354_4542364359961_1424045001_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78SWLcSTA9MoMkESed8wlNeNJFTSeJ7LOwzwQkdyJKm1nLImtNwUtqZoHKHqcFSw1x0plqfzJiZbhurFdhZ-JHE_EDYyUJV2E3PCIRA1pXaF9MNQoguOrVeTlyoDo5yalHP8iPjDDbq2v/s320/614354_4542364359961_1424045001_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OMG! Relief!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdm-3brn1TiAdDhJlgvhZSeyPdRZC2GRZ6FcixPZdm6ZVkCVoGGxZLcCImeuF6DLqNlEex0aNh1YKf3okAOAKub6JnVgFyb0fsWRlwrHMHQXBOzLtvLiwP7MCBI-EPy7MBZEkS38ZDqR0y/s1600/614526_4542362159906_858367999_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdm-3brn1TiAdDhJlgvhZSeyPdRZC2GRZ6FcixPZdm6ZVkCVoGGxZLcCImeuF6DLqNlEex0aNh1YKf3okAOAKub6JnVgFyb0fsWRlwrHMHQXBOzLtvLiwP7MCBI-EPy7MBZEkS38ZDqR0y/s320/614526_4542362159906_858367999_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poor Eric, sore feet and a sore leg.</td></tr>
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Owen finished in just under 31 hours and received the silver belt buckle. He also had to pleasure and satisfaction of dedicating his race to his dad.</div>
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When I say that victories come in unexpected packages, I mean to say that I gained a great deal from participating and completing in CCC. The first part of the race I was focused on a PR and a place in the top women. But when that fell through the cracks, my race became about something else and I wanted to finish it. Without the kindness and support of Eric, Michelle and Steve, I would have never been able to complete it. I deepened friendships, deepened my sense of self and learned a new level of what it means to really dig deep. I didn't know I had that in me and I am so grateful that I know now. I hope some day I can reciprocate to Eric, Michelle and Steve. </div>
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There were also a number of incredibly helpful and supportive people on the course. Popping blisters, staying up all night, taking trash from runners, etc. It's amazing that so many people come together to help others in accomplishing a goal. Thank You Thank You Thank You....</div>
ALMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407311624533897962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976685226768106679.post-18349259977226657662012-08-01T17:05:00.001-07:002012-08-01T17:05:03.610-07:00Meralgia Paresthetica- You are a BEAST!For anyone that knows me in the running community, you've no doubt heard me complain about my dumb leg. I've been complaining about this leg thing for over 2 years now, about 2-1/2 to be more precise. I've been to see some Dr's, tried many many things to help my leg heal but to no avail. I was never quite sure how to help myself as I was never able to receive any sort of diagnosis. With CCC100 approaching quickly and realizing I am simply surviving 4 mile runs with lots of walking, I figured it was about time to try to beat this thing again. I was seriously debating dropping CCC like I did last year, but without a plan of action, it felt whimsical. I was out on a training run with some friends and someone suggested going to see a certain PT. I had heard of this guy before so I thought, we'll what the hell, I've tried everything else thus far, maybe thing guy can shed some different light on this. I made an appointment with a different sports medical Dr. thinking I would get a referral for PT and perhaps maybe she had a fresh vision of a possible diagnosis. I spend about 30 minutes with her and she told me I have meralgia paresthetica. What is that???? I had never heard of it. She explained it to me and this is what it is:<br />
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<i>Meralgia paresthetic is a disorder characterized by tinging, numbness and burning pain in the outer side of the thigh. The disorder is caused by compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. It can lead to significant disability when the diagnosis and treatment is delayed or missed. This condition is relatively common but it frequently mistaken for other disorders. </i><br />
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She said she wanted to do one diagnostic test to make sure she was right. She saw the MRI I had done last year and saw that the hemangioma I had was the culprit of compression. When I returned for my next visit, I had an ultra sound done. She found the nerve, traced it up to the hemangioma and then pressed on the area. I could feel the area where I generally have pain and the idea was that she would inject me with litacain which would release the nerve and then I would go out and run and see if I could reproduce the symptoms. If I can't reproduce the symptoms then that is all the diagnostic testing she needs. She could not shoot me up right near the hemangioma because most likely the hemangioma would be punctured and make me bleed in there so she opted to inject the litacain as close as she was able. She thought that I might still feel some pain but mostly likely no in that area, but someplace else on my leg as the nerve was not being released right in the same spot it is compressed. I had a 2 hour window period before the litacain injection wore off to get out and run, do burpees, stairs, hills, etc, anything that would generally bring me pain. As I walked home to get my shorts and running shoes on, I was a bit nervous. What if this is not it and I still don't know what is going on and have no solution? I told myself to not get my hopes up. I went out for a run and I did feel pain in other parts of my leg but not where I usually do. I immediately felt more power in my leg and as though I had more range of motion, more strength. It was amazing. I did a bunch of burpees and jumps and still, no regular pain and much more power. WOW...I felt optimistic again. I report back to her this coming Monday and we go from there. She thinks I will likely have to have surgery to remove the hemangioma. It isn't an invasive surgery and the recovery time is just a few weeks. I asked her the question that I was fearful of asking and to get an answer for....: am I doing more damage to myself by running with this? She said....No....it's not an impact injury, it a nerve disorder. Phew. I had really been battling myself with that concept. <br />
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So the question is, do I run CCC this year, less than 1 month away? I feel so under trained, I don't have many miles on my legs. I have been cross training, but I'm limited in the things I can do with that. I told Owen this morning that I felt so out of shape and under trained and he told me something interesting. He said, "You are as fit as you can be for an injured person." I thought that was wise. It's true. I'm doing all I can to stay fit IN CASE I run CCC. A good friend and someone who said he would pace me at CCC said, "let's do it! let's have fun! My new motto is 'do cray shit because we can!'" So, I think it's a go. If I finish in 31 hours and 59 minutes, I'll consider that a success. And who knows, I might feel good for some of the way. <br />
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After CCC is the wedding and honeymoon in Kauai. I can hardly wait for both of those things! They are rapidly approaching and it has been a packed summer wedding planning and such. When I get back from the honeymoon, then I will have surgery and recovery while my new husband takes care of me post-op. Thanks husband to be....<br />
<br />ALMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407311624533897962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976685226768106679.post-24521870410898429172012-05-25T15:26:00.001-07:002012-05-29T09:48:05.433-07:00Sun Mountain 50- BEAUTIFUL!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Sun Mountain 50 miler, with 50K and 25K options, is another fabulous Rainshadow Running event. I feel so lucky to live here in the Pacific Northwest and to have so many great race options, especially from Rainshadow Running. Their events are always top notch! This race is held in Winthrop, WA; a place I love to visit. However, I hardly ever make it there and so this was a great excuse to get out there. We signed up way ahead of time which was good thing in the sense that we probably would have never made it there if we didn't. This month has been absolutely crazy and fitting in time for a 50 miler seemed absurd. BUT...we had signed up so we were going. </div>
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The race was on a Sunday which gave us Saturday to get over there (about a 4 hour drive) and hang out. Winthrop is a fun western town. We didn't have much to time to explore, but we saw bunches of friends we hadn't seen in a while and so that was awesome. It gave us a nice reprieve from the on-goings in Seattle. Owen's dad, with whom he was quite close with, passed away on April 29th. The funeral was held May14th and the Memorial is scheduled for the 26th of May. We are moving at the end of this month and why not just throw in a 50 miler 4 hours away. Sounds reasonable??</div>
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Sunday morning we all gathered at the start. The 50 miler started at 7 AM and the 50k started at 10. It was so fun seeing friends! (ALL PHOTOS TAKEN BY MATT HAGEN)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8M7YAHuZtbqinfkJ8mg5thmdaDXMAxI8txsm4yku9GHwPRVSqUrm_p33EoMeDgIKVVFdwHxI8C2L6_dacuLBTJpCfQ7uEv8OStSbmYl7CXxqkEMYHB0lliJHfeFcPoS3w8niLVMzQLuTH/s1600/SunMountain-011-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8M7YAHuZtbqinfkJ8mg5thmdaDXMAxI8txsm4yku9GHwPRVSqUrm_p33EoMeDgIKVVFdwHxI8C2L6_dacuLBTJpCfQ7uEv8OStSbmYl7CXxqkEMYHB0lliJHfeFcPoS3w8niLVMzQLuTH/s320/SunMountain-011-L.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara Malcom, always good for a funny face</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-OeCEPm6zY7METrSyLZkla4ld3eDS9tGDDMPSKedkrPTDGLDaM9SLBP7wo1TGmrv5bKuri2BFKSO_52-BjBB0DLay97gQGxk6exB_afV9ceYGXqh_M9TWXQvUJ6NCPl3eqZoTDZauCL2/s1600/SunMountain-018-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-OeCEPm6zY7METrSyLZkla4ld3eDS9tGDDMPSKedkrPTDGLDaM9SLBP7wo1TGmrv5bKuri2BFKSO_52-BjBB0DLay97gQGxk6exB_afV9ceYGXqh_M9TWXQvUJ6NCPl3eqZoTDZauCL2/s320/SunMountain-018-L.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gwen Scott and I all smiles right before the start</td></tr>
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I warmed up as usual to get things moving, boy do I feel my age in the morning sometimes! Then we started promptly at 7. James sent us on our way and everyone took off to the right, which was hilarious because the course actually went to the left. There was some confusion and some laughs at the start that's for sure.<br />
But within 30 seconds, we were all headed in the right direction. I was excited about a day out on the trails and had no real idea of how long it might take to complete this particular 50 miler. Last year the course was about 4 miles short because one of the markers was taken down and so that particular turn was missed. This year, the course was perfectly marked, even a directionally challenged person like myself did not get lost. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLCQok7kf_PFycz4R0qqJLRipb9rq3OsZKJNgipSQ95DFxrewztgGpwMF2-tk91CweYE7FYd5m1Ro_pFyDzkTlYjbpIYUzx_IMHdt5wUhkVDx3MEm5_iK4YNGXHlEfbDwfonTLSYjaQ9o/s1600/SunMountain-049-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLCQok7kf_PFycz4R0qqJLRipb9rq3OsZKJNgipSQ95DFxrewztgGpwMF2-tk91CweYE7FYd5m1Ro_pFyDzkTlYjbpIYUzx_IMHdt5wUhkVDx3MEm5_iK4YNGXHlEfbDwfonTLSYjaQ9o/s320/SunMountain-049-L.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Confusion!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhlQkpa59g4dZ-a3vQGl_BkTzRNUetgiDbSN5EZ65SY4yTE2HP5THIrTIOS7QfnUZDV1zACAY4aGeLSmAb0RPqmh2fnkR73LitOOTOtij4Ccke2XZYlek41itYxohq0Yz5h2DNtr-QE54/s1600/SunMountain-039-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhlQkpa59g4dZ-a3vQGl_BkTzRNUetgiDbSN5EZ65SY4yTE2HP5THIrTIOS7QfnUZDV1zACAY4aGeLSmAb0RPqmh2fnkR73LitOOTOtij4Ccke2XZYlek41itYxohq0Yz5h2DNtr-QE54/s320/SunMountain-039-L.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got it right now</td></tr>
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What can I say about the run? It was beautiful, there were lots of flowers, the climbs were challenging, the trails were nice and bouncy, the course was really quite run-able. I ran most of the day with Sara and Owen, probably 43-44 miles and then were got separated but still finished within 10 minutes about of one another. The second to the last climb was up to the Sun Mountain Resort and around it. Looks like a fabulous place to stay. The very last climb at about mile 45 was tough. It was long and quite steep and satisfying. It led us to the top of Mt Patterson and then back down. I thought the finish line was farther than it actually was, I love that. I asked the woman who was pointing us runners in the direction we were to go and I asked her,; 'how much farther to the finish?' She respond, 'about 2 miles'. So I was prepared for that mentally, but in fact I think it wasn't even a mile! I love that! I didn't need to eat that last gel I guess. I wound up eating 19 gels total. Foul, but it works! I came in to the finish line in 8:41 and pretty happy with that time. I think that might be a 50 miler PR for me! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful course</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A short ladder to climb over the barbed wire on the last descent </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming down from the last climb</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from coming down from the last climb</td></tr>
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Race results here: <a href="http://www.buduracing.com/raceresults/20120520_858.pdf#view=Fit">http://www.buduracing.com/raceresults/20120520_858.pdf#view=Fit</a></div>
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Link to Matt Hagen's fabulous photos are here: <a href="http://galleries.matthagen.com/Running/Sun-Mountain-2012/23111247_sVWCGm#!i=1860998203&k=dnNL4Rc">http://galleries.matthagen.com/Running/Sun-Mountain-2012/23111247_sVWCGm#!i=1860998203&k=dnNL4Rc</a></div>
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On a whole other topic, my dad sent me this awesome little tidbit about dogs and I absolutely love it. My dog is a creature that I can learn a lot from. In memory of Don Connell (Owen's dad) I thought I would post this for him. In the 3+ years I knew him, I found him to be someone who tried hard to be the best person he could be. I think the lessons we can learn from dog, (written below) are lessons that Don tried to live by. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDFdqzTz0rZ1Q0sr5-42sqJDjgYbI7lYTtovb3yXPTytnY9Bbb4kMj_PEXI803SJfhq0TevbTNYKRrRh3juUHXwQFAebzqRt0D4Za8u5h6XtAXLgIcS83VjDzJVN8G6OMf4raPUx9aTKk/s1600/New+Image.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDFdqzTz0rZ1Q0sr5-42sqJDjgYbI7lYTtovb3yXPTytnY9Bbb4kMj_PEXI803SJfhq0TevbTNYKRrRh3juUHXwQFAebzqRt0D4Za8u5h6XtAXLgIcS83VjDzJVN8G6OMf4raPUx9aTKk/s320/New+Image.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don Connell</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80awQVR4Rbuj5kc2TCTnVqKVQa6utens2741cn9cJLoES-h68ofybXXycxYWviRxUZVm2QnzDFXZdhhLD23QVt2RoQSMUdy9n5zZABZ3wAaqePxf6LuTMzc0H4fuT_i1lmaVDf7VDZuAl/s1600/SunMountain-420-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why do dogs have relatively short lives?</span></a><span style="color: black;"> </span> </div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice. Dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Lessons from Dogs:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Live simply</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Love generously</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Care deeply</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Speak kindly</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:</span><br /><span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When loved ones come home, always run to greet them</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Take naps</span><br /><span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Stretch before rising</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Run, romp, and play daily</span><br /><span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Thrive on attention and let people touch you</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Avoid biting when a simple growl will do</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Delight in the simple joy of a long walk</span><br /><span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Be loyal</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Never pretend to be something you're not</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently</span><br /><span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good. So, love the people who treat you right. Think good thoughts for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is part of LIFE...Getting back up is LIVING...</span><br />
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<br /></div>ALMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407311624533897962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976685226768106679.post-28625194006600341592012-04-20T12:44:00.000-07:002012-04-20T12:44:23.622-07:00Reeling it in, at least trying to...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-ZGXKnCjMtcECW8_8h44kqMWZPZ5ZEi6yHa9b96jzRhgLKQPL0RNH3rDuxuMruJ090-40havczINji9Ajw6Dpj5vZ7dsoiZ_BQPgKKlczSoIpZPnF8TYj4ROqB6v0XP7DA-wfyCfJxFd/s1600/image1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-ZGXKnCjMtcECW8_8h44kqMWZPZ5ZEi6yHa9b96jzRhgLKQPL0RNH3rDuxuMruJ090-40havczINji9Ajw6Dpj5vZ7dsoiZ_BQPgKKlczSoIpZPnF8TYj4ROqB6v0XP7DA-wfyCfJxFd/s320/image1.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Umstead 100 was just about 3 weeks ago and recovery is slow going. My diet is pretty much back to normal and my desire to return to my regular workout routine is there, but my legs are not. I should say, my one leg is not. I feel like Homer when I am running. <br />
I've made some pretty dumb mistakes though during recovery so I have only myself to blame and more lessons to learn. First big mistake was returning to my 5AM class 1 week after a 100M. I specifically took it easy and hardly used any weight. By Wednesday I was so sore I could barely walk, again. So I took Thursday and Friday off from the class and did a short and pitiful run followed by a recovery swim. Then on the weekend I did an easy run and some yoga. I returned to my class, for the 2nd time, this week and was again conservative with the weights and I did indeed feel better and had a bit more pep. But my running is still pitiful. My right leg, the bum one, needs babying. I can't make it on the 4 mile "dog jog" with Struth without stopping about every mile. Usually I let Struth stop as much as he wants for the first 2 miles and then the last 2 miles we get into a steady groove. But I am finding myself hoping he needs to make a pit stop for #1 or #2 so I can stop. Oh boy. <br />
I had a massage by the fabulous <a href="http://leahkangas.com/">Leah</a> on Wednesday and that felt awesome. She said things were feeling good so I thought I was over the hump. Yesterday, Thursday, I went to my 5AM class and found I was a weakling! Before Umstead I was able to clean/jerk way more weight. Now I can barely do much more than just the bar. I was so pathetic that I could barely box jump too! I could not get up on the box 2x during the workout and hit my shin in the same place each time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsua_5k_3za34BKxswoZU52Hktvx_so1L3Ku4L-VCVLuhCsXF976jWdhPm2gjgN5uZkttPoLI9p2VM-9SRM7H-eP38_QrI_RK6lulMLQ2IUMgChTQDGdazysnfAfHaBLFotAHXUcS2sT-B/s1600/IMG_1019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsua_5k_3za34BKxswoZU52Hktvx_so1L3Ku4L-VCVLuhCsXF976jWdhPm2gjgN5uZkttPoLI9p2VM-9SRM7H-eP38_QrI_RK6lulMLQ2IUMgChTQDGdazysnfAfHaBLFotAHXUcS2sT-B/s320/IMG_1019.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>This was just yesterday and today it looks even more rowdy. Then, if I could be even more dumb, I met my friend at the trails for a 10 miler with Struth that same evening as the clean/jerk and box jump workout. I was so pathetic! I had a blast with Struth, but I could not even keep up with my friend so I let him go and Struth and I took it easy. This morning I went swimming again. Hoping for some trail running this weekend since it is supposed to be sunny and warm. We'll see.<br />
I am sure it'll come back but it seems like it's just taking a bit of time. I was thinking this morning that as I was nearing the end of the training for Umstead and getting ready to taper off, I felt so ready to take it a bit easier. I was feeling so tired from the training and perhaps getting a bit burned out. The race went well and I was taking it easy and sleeping, hanging out with friends, eating ice cream and pizza, etc. Then I felt ready to return to training and now that I am feeling a bit limited I realize how much I love to train (or am addicted to endorphins) and miss it. That's a good thing and a good sign, so I'll take it.<br />
In the meantime, Struth and I will take it easy on our runs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHps1nrlPEpgo7gXX1y0vD_towr1Td1aUfZcPvTB-mQrUKQZpeBqOX08AFX5oWSyMG57Bvj3Tm8fVYM3sMN6WOvUOxiVv-rWXKxAuk8juq9_b9m4mHS5jPieWz7ran1CkqLtB4PEic1tK2/s1600/IMG_1023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHps1nrlPEpgo7gXX1y0vD_towr1Td1aUfZcPvTB-mQrUKQZpeBqOX08AFX5oWSyMG57Bvj3Tm8fVYM3sMN6WOvUOxiVv-rWXKxAuk8juq9_b9m4mHS5jPieWz7ran1CkqLtB4PEic1tK2/s320/IMG_1023.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Struth says.... take it easy, you are not spring chicken anymore!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>ALMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407311624533897962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976685226768106679.post-55901400163189063732012-04-05T17:56:00.000-07:002012-04-05T17:56:08.229-07:00Umstead 100- "Just a run in the park"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTpxSmdCk-y3ywHGgKg7MCqbCG_1mO5trYPCzaECzG2E7021e4u_W5QDlUjz2F-X7JK7TSYKfq4xGvFcK2_VaLWpm71ECudOFyfvBsufry8j5N0Ckad1uVS013hB89BZpg8hxsCCAhS1v/s1600/IMG_5779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTpxSmdCk-y3ywHGgKg7MCqbCG_1mO5trYPCzaECzG2E7021e4u_W5QDlUjz2F-X7JK7TSYKfq4xGvFcK2_VaLWpm71ECudOFyfvBsufry8j5N0Ckad1uVS013hB89BZpg8hxsCCAhS1v/s320/IMG_5779.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The trip down to North Carolina was a success! It was great to see my parents and both Owen and I had a run that exceeded our expectations. Umstead 100 takes place in a lovely state park and consists of 8 12.5 mile loops. The nice thing about the loop course is that you get to see so many runners out there. The runners and volunteers were very friendly, I met quite a few people out there and had mini-conversations. There are 2 out-and-backs in a row so I was able to see lots of people from the front, not just from the back. I got to see Mike Morton fly by me a few times on his way to breaking the CR with a smoking 13:11! I had just read the article on him in Ultrarunner Mag and it was awesome to see him tear it up. I also got to see <a href="http://www.roosterruns.blogspot.com/">Ronda</a> out there, another PNW face who also tore up the course! The course is designed for first time 100 miler runners and as a result there was lots of camaraderie out there. <br />
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Umstead for me was the product of learned lessons from past failures. It was my 5th completed 100 miler of 6 attempts. My first 100 miler was Cascade Crest in 2009 and it was a good run for me. I wasn't sure what worked and what didn't as I had nothing to compare it to. Next up was Pac Rim 24 hour and I was insanely untrained to run a flat 24 hour loop course on gravel. It beat me up and spit me out. Then came Cascade Crest again and a DNF. I had so many problems that day and didn't think I could get past them and so I dropped. I regretted it even if Owen told me I did the right thing like 1 million times. I hated the feeling of DNF-ing and did not want that to happen again. Then came Pine to Palm 100 just 3 weeks later and I projectile vomited my way through the remaining 35 miles and hobbled to the finish. A finish, but with problems that needed to be addressed. Last year was Big Horn 100 and that too came with lots of throwing up and another poor performance. That takes me to Umstead. Thanks to a nutrition talk held at the <a href="http://www.thebalancedathlete.com/">Balanced Athlete</a> by Justin Angle, I learned that what I was doing from a nutritional standpoint was, shall we say, counter-productive. I was pretty discouraged from the past few 100's and thought I'd try some new tactics I learned from Justin.<br />
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On Friday before the race started, Owen, my dad and I went to registration to pick up our packets. We were getting pretty excited! It seemed pretty warm and that might play a factor especially since we trained in the freezing rain and snow for months on end. I hadn't trained without gloves, hat, rain jacket since last YEAR!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I asked my dad to be my pacer, but he said no....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKBnAS58sKP5vP1TUzHdYEgtD3Vp7NHnjrvIID0UeJ1U1JSrrxiX7OlY5LOqOsbJg1aemPmF4Zid1v5chu27wCh755IKyfgfeliJUPBnZfrvYO-6eeot8ogH2lwD1lWBAOn2YlPefrm72/s1600/IMG_5777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKBnAS58sKP5vP1TUzHdYEgtD3Vp7NHnjrvIID0UeJ1U1JSrrxiX7OlY5LOqOsbJg1aemPmF4Zid1v5chu27wCh755IKyfgfeliJUPBnZfrvYO-6eeot8ogH2lwD1lWBAOn2YlPefrm72/s320/IMG_5777.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This section was part of the out and back that leads to the main aid station and most importantly, the finish line</td></tr>
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Race morning we arrived and set up out little aid station for ourselves. I had some extra clothes, headlamp and 48 power gels, one to eat every 30 minutes for 24 hours. I figured I would break the 24 hour mark if all went well, but based on my past experiences, I could not feel 100% confident in that. The gun went off, (literally) and off we went. My plan was to start out slow, 10 min/mile pace and hold as close to that as I could for as many loops as possible. I mainly wanted to stay consistent and not have my loop times be erratic. Owen and I started out together and our plan was to run our own race and if we were together for parts, that would be a bonus. How lucky are we to be a very similar pace! The loops was spaced well. The first 6.5 miles to the 2nd aid station had some rolling hills, most of which I ran or had some sort of combination of running paces and walking paces and then the second half of the loop as some steeper hills that I walked mostly and stretched my legs. The 1st loop went well, we came in about a 2:07 or so. My legs were not feeling super but I didn't feel it was b/c of the pace, just more of a not-really-feeling-warmed-up or ????. The second loop was similar and by the 3rd loop I felt I had a pretty good rhythm going. I came in at the half way mark at about 8:48 to my surprise. Owen and I were still running together for the most part. He would get ahead, then I would get ahead, but pretty much we were running pretty solid and together. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxEAz6T4PaC0Tb1w3mLf5JU3YaHgoGaZAEJIO1U3wTY2ijMwpV_htQfrmFk_fmckBg4HmhUjkSb3WuUEuTbAZKnsLFIWyA5J01KblT0-_vDIzWRn2o30CETxCrGb4eD7-H1cIEHjwgVbM/s1600/DSC_1981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxEAz6T4PaC0Tb1w3mLf5JU3YaHgoGaZAEJIO1U3wTY2ijMwpV_htQfrmFk_fmckBg4HmhUjkSb3WuUEuTbAZKnsLFIWyA5J01KblT0-_vDIzWRn2o30CETxCrGb4eD7-H1cIEHjwgVbM/s320/DSC_1981.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(photo by Ben Dillon)<br />
Although we don't look happy, we were!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
We headed out for loop 5 and it was HOT! The great thing about these loops is the there were 4 opportunities to get water. I was drinking about 4 bottles a loop and every other loop I was filling my bottle half way with Pedialyte. I was pouring water on the back of my neck and sucking down the water before I hit the next water stop. I was looking at my watch at this point and **trying** to do the math when we came in for loop 5 and headed out for 6. Owen and I were at 11:10. I thought, wow! If we do each of the remaining loops at 3 hours a piece we would break 20 hours! Then I kept second guessing my math because I had "100 mile head" going on. Loop 6 went well, it was cooling off and I could tell I was chaffed in many many places. We headed out for loop 7 and this is where we separated. Owen gave me a "you got get it" and off I went. Loop 7 was my slowest loop at a 2:37, I think. As I headed out for the last loop, I looked at my watch and thought, whoa, if I hunker down, I can break 19 hours. So off I went. The nice thing about headlamps and rolling hills is that it's hard to tell it's a rolling hill in the dark. Mentally that makes it easier to run them. As I was approaching the last aid station, about mile 94-ish, I was looking at the sky because there were beams of light coming from it. Is that lightening? Yup, it was huge lightening, the kind that lights up the whole sky. then the thunder began and I thought, I think I'm going to finish this off in a downpour. They were giving out garbage bags to wear at the last aid station but I just checked in, grabbed some melon and headed out. Within a few minutes there was a full on downpour with lightening and thunder. This took my mind away from the final 5 miles. As I headed into the last stretch I kept looking at my watch and was pushing it as hard as I could. The 8th loop was actually 8 minutes faster than the 7th. What??? I crossed the line in 18:45! I could not believe it. The volunteers were so great, they gave me a chair and a belt buckle with my splits for each loop. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrDEAo2rITjzzLrBskhywj3pShfoPYoPQfukyri6H5b5pzNDH2-nbojCwK-o2fPLC_F8Hk5RYT3fxnOK9fwp5XjV566BNSthslQ7m25iFzMeBLbwSmjIDqmsjxTevFznBr6SKcc9MP8f7/s1600/IMG_0955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrDEAo2rITjzzLrBskhywj3pShfoPYoPQfukyri6H5b5pzNDH2-nbojCwK-o2fPLC_F8Hk5RYT3fxnOK9fwp5XjV566BNSthslQ7m25iFzMeBLbwSmjIDqmsjxTevFznBr6SKcc9MP8f7/s320/IMG_0955.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>I sat there and talked to some folks, I have no idea what I said, but everyone was so friendly. Owen came through about a half hour later with a 19:18! We were both blown away. We though if we were having an epic day, we had a chance at getting in under 20 hours, but we were thinking more like 20-22 hours. So we were both beyond pleased. A big shout out to local Shannon Johnstone who killed it for her first 100 miler breaking 22 hours!<br />
<br />
After Owen and were finished, we made it to my parents house and b-lined for the shower. Holy cow, I was so chaffed that that shower was not even enjoyable. I layed down and within minutes fell asleep. When we got up the next morning, I hadn't realized that my parents had made a sign for us.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwcg3ZcJH7O4TdcBW8qE0p5hJxxCSyjCMTdeSwRJ46JKR75ajwlO2Ui1rDDS3hctPr7hJvXkDHj6HKfFSCq42CyzHWRcBz81RAFKHmXMiimWh0v7Y-TmlOm2d5Yv89vnme4R90TMp-6L9/s1600/IMG_0946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwcg3ZcJH7O4TdcBW8qE0p5hJxxCSyjCMTdeSwRJ46JKR75ajwlO2Ui1rDDS3hctPr7hJvXkDHj6HKfFSCq42CyzHWRcBz81RAFKHmXMiimWh0v7Y-TmlOm2d5Yv89vnme4R90TMp-6L9/s320/IMG_0946.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>How sweet is that! We were wrecked and my parents made us a huge breakfast with waffles, eggs and bacon. I was hoping to not be so tired the remaining of the visit with them, but I was...they took great care of us with delicious meals in between naps. Thank you Mom and Dad!<br />
<br />
Umstead was a great experience in a lot of ways. I met some new people, saw some old ones. The race is very well put on. What was significant to me was I felt as though I really learned from past mistakes and put my "failures" to good use. At the time it didn't always feel that way, but being unsuccessful at achieving goals generally fuels my fire once I get over the disappointment. I know I have much more to learn but for now, I"ll just sit back, recover and think about that next week.ALMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407311624533897962noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976685226768106679.post-53577962568148061092012-03-23T11:19:00.001-07:002012-03-23T11:20:21.415-07:00The Effects of a Taper<strong><u>ta·per /ˈteɪpər</u></strong>/ <br />
verb (used without object) <br />
<br />
1. to become smaller or thinner toward one end. <br />
<br />
2. to grow gradually lean.<br />
<br />
Adverb (used with object) <br />
<br />
3. to make gradually smaller toward one end. <br />
<br />
4. to reduce gradually. <br />
<br />
Above is the definition of taper. Let's go through and see how accurate these so called definitions are; <br />
1) to become smaller or thinner at one end____if you are talking about candles or pants, that makes sense. If you are talking about a person "tapering" for a sporting event, like myself, that makes no sense. I simply have not gotten and thinner at either end....especially the REAR end. <br />
2) to grow gradually lean_____again, if you are talking about candles or pants, this makes sense. But with regards to me, no I have not become any leaner, thanks to my love for baking and eating..... <br />
3) this is too similar to the first 2 definitions so DITTO...to #1 and #2. <br />
4) to reduce gradually. Ok, this could touch upon my situation here tapering for Umstead, I am gradually reducing my running and workouts. However, what it doesn't say in there are the some of these definitions:\ <br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A) TO FEEL CRAZY </div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNlqY6-RQrvo46p7GYxcyvYujEARpazq-mlNHm-D5E1NIxbtJiGIGUp78wFSpVHh4jP_OIXpmwb4yivBbJ3WXjRqUpVEFhOtbveFCLA84SMsJ_fDqTTNWITq_y7TkxA7J8dWcLEloFGJN/s1600/crazy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNlqY6-RQrvo46p7GYxcyvYujEARpazq-mlNHm-D5E1NIxbtJiGIGUp78wFSpVHh4jP_OIXpmwb4yivBbJ3WXjRqUpVEFhOtbveFCLA84SMsJ_fDqTTNWITq_y7TkxA7J8dWcLEloFGJN/s1600/crazy.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">B) TO FEEL LIKE YOU'RE BOUNCING OFF THE WALLS</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1av9J6lv23R1hc4EXl2vNPKmM9BbKLmkOSkJ6h4KkUkndInUPZsqdwxIbTw8utgvW7NF9JaT-yTASn7xWnetQuhQ9_jQRjO2tT05GAqZMkTi015M0Cnz_KAOHTnSIbpr1XPtJHae8l_K/s1600/jumper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1av9J6lv23R1hc4EXl2vNPKmM9BbKLmkOSkJ6h4KkUkndInUPZsqdwxIbTw8utgvW7NF9JaT-yTASn7xWnetQuhQ9_jQRjO2tT05GAqZMkTi015M0Cnz_KAOHTnSIbpr1XPtJHae8l_K/s320/jumper.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">C) TO FEEL CRAZY</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5oTWdRFNayk0L5sz5VI5OTZg0hFy-vIEAQn6vKp0k7D6IEBsalL4ahtAYNF-nt9YVW8Yx3hN1QwC60fDewR26B2tHGjNpgA_VE0dYi-p-B9340IgHmKDIFn7CvATteXIeCNo4EgY7Q83/s1600/frog.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5oTWdRFNayk0L5sz5VI5OTZg0hFy-vIEAQn6vKp0k7D6IEBsalL4ahtAYNF-nt9YVW8Yx3hN1QwC60fDewR26B2tHGjNpgA_VE0dYi-p-B9340IgHmKDIFn7CvATteXIeCNo4EgY7Q83/s1600/frog.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">D) TO FEEL LIKE YOU SHOULD RUN AROUND IN CIRCLES FOR AN HOUR OR SO</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbQJsBCMrHRFAE1BJejv3wlUJFIYhT8s4dZFED5U-CGQAGBQe2R4mZaZVVKr-MXx4OyOSDkDknLyC_GYMs5SyNr-9SauLPa8sZh8DfbTPD2SWSG5NifhFZWMtw5ZVq5huR7yzpec03kzY/s1600/energy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbQJsBCMrHRFAE1BJejv3wlUJFIYhT8s4dZFED5U-CGQAGBQe2R4mZaZVVKr-MXx4OyOSDkDknLyC_GYMs5SyNr-9SauLPa8sZh8DfbTPD2SWSG5NifhFZWMtw5ZVq5huR7yzpec03kzY/s320/energy.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">But seriously....I am feeling quite energetic and contained at the same time. My mind is going nuts at work like I have no attention span. I **feel** like I won't be able to fall asleep at night yet I am asleep in less than 1 minutes after my head hits the pillow. I am getting 8 hours of sleep and WOW, it IS true what they say about getting proper amounts of sleep. I feel human again. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">This has been a fun journey, I look forward to see what I have learned this far (and paid attention to enough to make changes) and what I need to further learn. </div>ALMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407311624533897962noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976685226768106679.post-29181709988908348002012-03-13T16:53:00.000-07:002012-03-13T16:53:17.216-07:00The RoadRunners, BEEP BEEP<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFbb6tTtXNdlw9oVoL6uFi6w6GbsRy823-sxqyKsDutY_CBYAwCLVycFZOV5WCMy4HCOkhAXk8BpR8F1lx6j39le8g7tx0qk39XSbiTkFJQtKF5Gg9OpN0YTV2rwjU2RyrzT6FVnlWtHi/s1600/IMG_5761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFbb6tTtXNdlw9oVoL6uFi6w6GbsRy823-sxqyKsDutY_CBYAwCLVycFZOV5WCMy4HCOkhAXk8BpR8F1lx6j39le8g7tx0qk39XSbiTkFJQtKF5Gg9OpN0YTV2rwjU2RyrzT6FVnlWtHi/s320/IMG_5761.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Hee Hee, no jogging allowed. We sure were disobedient.....we jogged on this here roadway by the Renton Airport as we were going around the south end of Lake Washington. Not only were we disobedient once, but TWICE. After Owen and I signed up for Umstead 100 we started to drum up some training plans. Umstead 100 takes place in a state park in Raleigh, NC. My parents live about 15 minutes away so we thought we'd visit them and run 100 miles. The run consists of 8-12.5 mile loops with a total elevation gain of 9000ft. This is very different from any 100M we have done, with the exception of PAC RIM 24 hours run, which we were ridiculously unprepared for, sadly. In effort to not make that mistake again, we kicked around a few ideas about training runs. Let's run the south end of Lake Washington! Let's run at Lake Youngs! Let's run 5 loops at Lake Youngs! Let's do road runs! <br />
<br />
I decided to keep a training log, something I never do. I wanted to keep track of how many hours I spent training for this and how many miles I ran a week and how much I cross trained. I realize this is hardly a new concept, but for me it was new. It all started when someone gave me a goofy calendar. I decided to make that calendar into something and so it began, my training log. <br />
<br />
Training for a flattish 100M has been interesting. I've put in more miles that usual, but probably not much more time. It takes a lot longer to get in 25 miles on the trails than it does to get in 25 on the road. But then the road beats me up and I <u style="font-style: italic;">feel</u> as if I've run a hell of a lot longer. I did more cross training than usual, ran plenty of 50k's, on the trail and on the road. I'm also planning my wedding, so fun things mixed in that take time as well. Let's see how it goes, Umstead is just a few weeks away.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAL7jFFT9hVjiVMKOaW3T5IIYJ3Ut3SrfTliu-8cV99VHcLfxbmH81t9ySmbDTw7csc5nLGvwwoYwquO72gxaMe46a4MngTCfBEXnVBOlNka7ujfTHjsIfj72RvzV2Xr8Ioi3zmVaYMRSb/s1600/IMG_0796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a>The nice thing about going into Umstead is that pretty much, I hit my training goals. To name a few, we ran around the lake twice, and ran 50 miles at Lake Youngs. The 50 miles went ok, we ran 3 loops with our friend John and he left us to run the last 2 laps dependent on our iPODS. When we were running with him, he said, 'when you finish 5 loops, you'll be at about 47 miles, why don't you just run 50'. I had of course thought of this but decided to stick it in my back pocket and pull is out as we rounded into the last turn of the last loop. But it was now out of the bag. It was a goal we had to attain. As John left us, he said, 'while you guys are still running, I'll be taking a nap on my couch after my wife makes some soup for me and I pig out.' Thanks....thanks a lot. Well, as we rounded the last corner of the last loop, I looked at my watch and it read 47+ miles. Owen and I looked at each other, gave the nod and we kept running. Within 2 minutes is was so dark that we could hardly see and our lights were in the car. However I could see that the battery was getting low and I did not want the evidence of 50 miles to diminish before I could get a photo and send it to John. So we rushed to the car, tried to find out lights but could only find a small pen light. So basically we ran up and down this little road until we hit the 50 mile mark. And literally, it was up and down. We would run up, turn around, run down, turn around run up, repeat.....it felt like hill repeats after the long day but on fresh legs it probably feels like a bump in the road. I kept trying to run fast so the battery didn't die, it literally was a race against time. I heard the last beep signifying 50 miles and BAM, we were done. Ran to the car to grab my phone, took a photo and phew....The evidence is all here!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAL7jFFT9hVjiVMKOaW3T5IIYJ3Ut3SrfTliu-8cV99VHcLfxbmH81t9ySmbDTw7csc5nLGvwwoYwquO72gxaMe46a4MngTCfBEXnVBOlNka7ujfTHjsIfj72RvzV2Xr8Ioi3zmVaYMRSb/s1600/IMG_0796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAL7jFFT9hVjiVMKOaW3T5IIYJ3Ut3SrfTliu-8cV99VHcLfxbmH81t9ySmbDTw7csc5nLGvwwoYwquO72gxaMe46a4MngTCfBEXnVBOlNka7ujfTHjsIfj72RvzV2Xr8Ioi3zmVaYMRSb/s320/IMG_0796.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
The 2 runs around the lake were actually kind of fun, an adventure. We have biked around the lake countless time and so it was interesting to run it. The hills are felt much more on the feet than on the bike, that is for sure. <br />
We started out going through the bike tunnel<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDTYLy7hf1CFV0Wr7h9l4FQTCdAoC5kyMNyur75KnJJPzqMhEN7t-mWtMlH3k93A1lYXaWcg-pw2aA6k-SQ6P7rpIFKxf9kmYdDjxH5RVaaIdhDmm1RCmly3P9qfwR9lHt5V8HJPWaZ1d/s1600/IMG_5749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDTYLy7hf1CFV0Wr7h9l4FQTCdAoC5kyMNyur75KnJJPzqMhEN7t-mWtMlH3k93A1lYXaWcg-pw2aA6k-SQ6P7rpIFKxf9kmYdDjxH5RVaaIdhDmm1RCmly3P9qfwR9lHt5V8HJPWaZ1d/s320/IMG_5749.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then headed over the I-90 bridge<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaa6moE4S5sf4p9qRECdJp4lm3cJTsaqpyux_3cbi3wBtfmNUMqGPjvYNMkTIWi9qK-uZkSrEi3HryZpDUXA65CeA5xMMqBBKyFvGzY1v-5-2fux2KOqM8qGDeuaWl_vLsparfXhjByyHI/s1600/IMG_5751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaa6moE4S5sf4p9qRECdJp4lm3cJTsaqpyux_3cbi3wBtfmNUMqGPjvYNMkTIWi9qK-uZkSrEi3HryZpDUXA65CeA5xMMqBBKyFvGzY1v-5-2fux2KOqM8qGDeuaWl_vLsparfXhjByyHI/s320/IMG_5751.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>To Bellevue<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIss_iFWOQhIgdn9BwrL3kYulpYxACgXeLhNJbtJhKMFK8ZXMtzEiF2axwCbxWEN4UrxL6DsLV2VObgZH6EoroReYRI0MmGFVp4x9EVYNzdYQepnWlV_0-nvYp-98_dQ6_kxdvuBvyn-8m/s1600/IMG_5752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIss_iFWOQhIgdn9BwrL3kYulpYxACgXeLhNJbtJhKMFK8ZXMtzEiF2axwCbxWEN4UrxL6DsLV2VObgZH6EoroReYRI0MmGFVp4x9EVYNzdYQepnWlV_0-nvYp-98_dQ6_kxdvuBvyn-8m/s320/IMG_5752.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Next to the freeway.....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMh6XQSealL43WCLgqwiYYc4-MAqZSadu6Jg-QP_mTMl1Qus5VEaoESYcLC8F9Uc5JkmTQpteTp2OKMhDVvUalkom85Tc_TecMBHrxDP6MD0raxAJniDpVHw2hxlm4UZi88MDLthvn7yQ/s1600/IMG_5755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMh6XQSealL43WCLgqwiYYc4-MAqZSadu6Jg-QP_mTMl1Qus5VEaoESYcLC8F9Uc5JkmTQpteTp2OKMhDVvUalkom85Tc_TecMBHrxDP6MD0raxAJniDpVHw2hxlm4UZi88MDLthvn7yQ/s320/IMG_5755.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Following the bike trail</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGlA7s-EFlLi4QF4xgQNR29yPmvCQB76-6jxWYI6ZoMo1zpJKueCr2Pli1Kqqchf0YHqqs6cTi24ZSS7Kgiz1_AlT7DY-iYlqRzNNQYNyj-Kpgp7YXrV1wiDICdlMnPpBmDDbMb8vI2u5/s1600/IMG_5757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGlA7s-EFlLi4QF4xgQNR29yPmvCQB76-6jxWYI6ZoMo1zpJKueCr2Pli1Kqqchf0YHqqs6cTi24ZSS7Kgiz1_AlT7DY-iYlqRzNNQYNyj-Kpgp7YXrV1wiDICdlMnPpBmDDbMb8vI2u5/s320/IMG_5757.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>To the Renton Airport<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqY9GVB3UIODn-UxRiSwVSkjbPr1aOdcZKbQyGwU8kZSXhvO8ZRD-MROCwNaWAOWESfK3Rrx0R-DS0XWzYcV-au4_mGy5BUX6KcIKEgw35j-PA5G8Q3SIHfJ-8GqLn5i5eg-dQyBhwKNW/s1600/IMG_5762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqY9GVB3UIODn-UxRiSwVSkjbPr1aOdcZKbQyGwU8kZSXhvO8ZRD-MROCwNaWAOWESfK3Rrx0R-DS0XWzYcV-au4_mGy5BUX6KcIKEgw35j-PA5G8Q3SIHfJ-8GqLn5i5eg-dQyBhwKNW/s320/IMG_5762.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Towards Seward Park<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeYJuYgZmgVZ6fgKoJDtqUkRUm4FVKS4x8m0Sf9wdFX_cJx9QjOoE2-JB4_YaBSXL3NAKX3afDbTtRbZ9yqtM6b6o4sum0F6QOP1_f5LtDu5WgxgtfxRrDmryS8Jy7Y-YCmfxPZ7iF6yS/s1600/IMG_5763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeYJuYgZmgVZ6fgKoJDtqUkRUm4FVKS4x8m0Sf9wdFX_cJx9QjOoE2-JB4_YaBSXL3NAKX3afDbTtRbZ9yqtM6b6o4sum0F6QOP1_f5LtDu5WgxgtfxRrDmryS8Jy7Y-YCmfxPZ7iF6yS/s320/IMG_5763.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>On the busy streets....<br />
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</div>Following the speed limits....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37XrCbplFNuIJoRhXu-2ap1XNZBbdwImgGDUfbr3lepnN7f8TfzVyKbFpsoA0g0_Gsy1h-FmKWP9v2NYesMK7pu4Vvv-OBJaVypkR_xgrh4msxjwKsx8eSdGLOpZxzF02zkOPwZDXSYay/s1600/IMG_5765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37XrCbplFNuIJoRhXu-2ap1XNZBbdwImgGDUfbr3lepnN7f8TfzVyKbFpsoA0g0_Gsy1h-FmKWP9v2NYesMK7pu4Vvv-OBJaVypkR_xgrh4msxjwKsx8eSdGLOpZxzF02zkOPwZDXSYay/s320/IMG_5765.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Back home towards the bike tunnel<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eGZhaMJOuQ4bz4L1JPGXWwI26gkdBkodbgXzgPa89d7MMOP_09Yw3HjVeUUpioM08YpQ7NWnxahqQxdUC86MG-MRWMpxZWOFDWl73Bxmz60U_El9tVj0zbPMSOoe4uZWBcz8y09-kZ6C/s1600/IMG_5768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eGZhaMJOuQ4bz4L1JPGXWwI26gkdBkodbgXzgPa89d7MMOP_09Yw3HjVeUUpioM08YpQ7NWnxahqQxdUC86MG-MRWMpxZWOFDWl73Bxmz60U_El9tVj0zbPMSOoe4uZWBcz8y09-kZ6C/s320/IMG_5768.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And, we're done!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JRDaZDocC_q_tiQrNBUJqgMP-e0PwXg3xizIFWH6WdfQZYEhoab0s9xkCym2YY1fjoKTTbjC6ohDhjNTvddf967yne5aNzC8JvuTJKiMo8hSFF644qudMC4tVBjXfFXtpVyu9aJoyihb/s1600/IMG_5750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JRDaZDocC_q_tiQrNBUJqgMP-e0PwXg3xizIFWH6WdfQZYEhoab0s9xkCym2YY1fjoKTTbjC6ohDhjNTvddf967yne5aNzC8JvuTJKiMo8hSFF644qudMC4tVBjXfFXtpVyu9aJoyihb/s320/IMG_5750.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It has been a pretty wet winter with lots of low level snow, so perhaps we would not have made it to the mountains as much as we have in the past. However, when we get back from North Carolina and the weather has warmed up a bit, I am looking forward to hitting the trails in the mountains again. I've enjoyed these last few months of training and I am excited for Umstead. I am also excited for some warmed weather and some trails. Umstead here we come!ALMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407311624533897962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976685226768106679.post-61901607098989196952012-02-10T14:33:00.000-08:002012-02-10T14:33:19.283-08:00Blood, Sweat and Tears and a Shoe Review<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Thanks to Fleet Feet Sports and Rain City Ultra Runners, Drymax socks and Montrail have given us 2 pairs of shoes and a bunch of the best socks in the whole wide world for running. A bunch of us from the Rain City team tried out our new shoes at the Orcas Island 50k. <a href="http://www.rainshadow-running.blogspot.com/">Orcas Island</a> 50k is another Rainshadow Running event and it is a tough and beautiful run. Every year I've done it, I have been lucky to have pretty decent weather. This year is was absolutely perfect weather and views. That doesn't happen often in the PNW in the winter months. I tried out my new Montrail Rogue Racers.</div></div> <div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUS_GUejWPHVtcNXBKNvRTFwq2_gpkzVmgfIgFH56vUI9CvQ_Y6X_miA8x5b9u_PND7NrqggD7LdQY0ZzCIDBgebzMD40cw5sc0-z4CNBL4G14LfRZxiYK4tMWIgpbi_bGKlb5QNxQCWV/s1600/greenteam.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUlZUr2Ocsxi6nB_O-wI0G6orhWq6VIRopzGPQlx84UMinAAepEGCUaORzNOAE7KfpLcqT1x5u1jtmuIAOEyaRb42HArSfkeTbCB83LOvFBBMWRGzLtGZDjpghIkgBxUrBxV9iwmbATsS/s1600/RR.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUlZUr2Ocsxi6nB_O-wI0G6orhWq6VIRopzGPQlx84UMinAAepEGCUaORzNOAE7KfpLcqT1x5u1jtmuIAOEyaRb42HArSfkeTbCB83LOvFBBMWRGzLtGZDjpghIkgBxUrBxV9iwmbATsS/s320/RR.jpeg" width="320px" /></a>I know it isn't wise and perhaps frowned upon to take new shoes out of the box and then wear them at a race. So I ran 3 miles in them first. 3 whole miles with my dog which means lots of stopping for #1 and #2 breaks for him. I brought an extra pair of shoes to Orcas just in case I didn't like the Rogues as I knew there would be a chance to change shoes at about mile 10. But I know myself, I don't like to stop for long periods of time during a race unless I'm desperate.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Team at the start</td></tr>
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> The gun went off and I raced for the single track with friend/team mate Sara. I learned my lesson at Deception Pass to get out there and get to the single track quick to avoid the cattle herding on the first climb. Well...that didn't go super well for me. I usually go out slow because I have to for various reasons and I threw caution to the wind and went out faster than usual. Within 5 minutes I felt maimed. I had to stop and stretch and try to walk off the intense leg pain that I thought had become a distant memory. As I stopped and stretched, most every one ran by me. I tried to get back "in line" but the pain was again immediate and I had to pull over again. For the first 10 miles, I was a hobbling mess and seriously considered dropping from the race after we hit the first aid station at mile 10. But, as I said before, I know myself and as much as the idea of running in pain for 6+ hours sounded atrocious, the thought of DNFing sounded worse. By the time I hit the powerline, the infamous monster climb at about mile 11 or 12, I was beginning to feel better. The slower pace was helpful and I tried some new climbing techniques that were easy on the pain. It took just less than an hour to get up the power line climb and I was off running the best part of the run, a sweet downhill with cushy trail which makes for a fun trip down back to the lake. I felt pretty good here and was really enjoying the day. I didn't once think about my feet. However, I did notice that the shoes felt much lighter and softer than the Masochist. I love the Masochist, even after running 32+ hours at Big Horn, my feet felt (relatively) ok. But wow, I really like the Rogue Racers! I can't see running a 100 in them, but for shorter runs they will be my shoe. </div><br />
Anyway, after the run around the lake where I was feeling good, the climb up Mt Constitution was next. This climb seemed like a mole hill after the power line, plus I was still feeling good. I made it up there, checked out the AMAZING view, filled up my water bottles and I was off running downhill, my favorite way to run. I had heard that Owen was just minutes ahead of me so I thought I'd see if I could catch him. I ran as fast as I could down Mt Constitution. What a blast that was. But I sure paid for it. I was maimed again after that and pretty much hobbled the rest of the way up the last climb, the last descent and the last 1.5 miles around the lake. I was nearly in tears whenever my right foot hit the ground. I knew had no chance in catching Owen at this point, but I thought I'd try to stay motivated to make it in under 6:20. I did, I crossed the finish line in 6:17, just a few minutes behind Owen. Crossing the finish line is awesome, you forget what has just happened for the last few miles and smile because you're done, you're with your friends, you just saw some great views and now you're going to eat a lot of food and talk to you're friends and cheer for other friends as they come in and cross the finish line. <br />
<div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, a great day with STELLAR views and weather. The Montrail Rogue Racers were AWESOME, I had a great time seeing so many friends. Rainshadow Running does a fantastic job at putting on hard runs in beautiful places. Plus the food was delicious after! </div>ALMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407311624533897962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976685226768106679.post-5649007421654635042012-01-24T13:15:00.000-08:002012-01-24T13:15:23.084-08:00Why am I so tired and eating myself out of the house?<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnesdROTRXFc7Lxk2GBsGd73zC6CpRBWVLxFiosyHx5Ih1nLop-3Xaz0zOB8Nxl6E9PDl3XVIiM6aq2VIMIa0fi7TDgAacD25cICMvLIrJe_9u6_1dGjYxtqmc2oc-ZBBT1QL4cAZjMzZY/s1600/3655_picture_of_a_tired_woman_in_an_easychair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnesdROTRXFc7Lxk2GBsGd73zC6CpRBWVLxFiosyHx5Ih1nLop-3Xaz0zOB8Nxl6E9PDl3XVIiM6aq2VIMIa0fi7TDgAacD25cICMvLIrJe_9u6_1dGjYxtqmc2oc-ZBBT1QL4cAZjMzZY/s1600/3655_picture_of_a_tired_woman_in_an_easychair.jpg" /></a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"> Um, why am I so tired? I asked Owen this the other day and we found ourselves temporarily stumped. I'm sleeping well, getting anywhere from 6-9 hours of sleep a night, eating well....what could be the problem? Oh right, we are in the midst of preparations for March 31-April 1st Umstead 100M! That would make sense. That must be why I am eating myself out of the house. I have been making a conscience effort to eat better in between meals and to eat less sugar. It doesn't help when I come home from work and head straight for the fridge to find it unpleasantly empty. Lesson learned, I am stopping at the grocery store on the way home from work now.....</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDIftRSuqeNiOunmuWu6GEvuiMOwB2JNFT_6Qp6LidnVNCF6yave32MFwREZd3-MEWRQvtvQMmtFqAsOZwFSIctBBEwVIUV7Z3Re2Qco0ABn48w3RUBF4R79GqJl_wcKTCteByNkO0HR-0/s1600/untitled.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="140px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDIftRSuqeNiOunmuWu6GEvuiMOwB2JNFT_6Qp6LidnVNCF6yave32MFwREZd3-MEWRQvtvQMmtFqAsOZwFSIctBBEwVIUV7Z3Re2Qco0ABn48w3RUBF4R79GqJl_wcKTCteByNkO0HR-0/s200/untitled.jpeg" width="200px" /></a>Why I didn't think of that before I'll never know.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Since the Ghost 50k in November, things have been going pretty well. I ran Deception Pass 50k in December and I had a pretty good run there. Deception Pass is a new Rainshadow Running Race and it was really a great course. The trails were quite nice and bouncy, the scenery was beautiful, the food was great and the aid stations were packed with great volunteers. My only complaint would be that the 25k-ers and the 50k-ers started at the same time making the lolly pop loops in the first 14-15 miles a bit congested. It was hard to get around people. When I had finally made it to a place where I could run my own pace and I looked at my watch and it was 1hr 58 mins! However, that's part of what happens when you don't sprint to the single track. I'll know for next time. After that, a really cool thing happened a few days later.....Owen and I got engaged!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwB3-2Eijj6JaoMMvQYDGhqu-QzkoUv0N69noTxmLQ8-TWSr629pgQ5d6gtMzsGkoqkDz9iypImZsbDnhVHcHU1hc06nDlc1aF9UAeJRF1gXm9AfrzyD39KUNIo58hzLG0dP5bszoxh8l/s1600/1215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwB3-2Eijj6JaoMMvQYDGhqu-QzkoUv0N69noTxmLQ8-TWSr629pgQ5d6gtMzsGkoqkDz9iypImZsbDnhVHcHU1hc06nDlc1aF9UAeJRF1gXm9AfrzyD39KUNIo58hzLG0dP5bszoxh8l/s320/1215.JPG" width="240px" /></a>That is the best news all year! We are very excited!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After the exciting evening of getting engaged, soon enough it was the winter break and I had 11 days IN A ROW off from work. I ran every day pretty much and worked out like a mad dog in the gym. Slept, ate, layed around, went skiing, I truly relaxed during that time; in between activity! Now it is 2012 and Umstead 100 is rapidly approaching. I am trying to really put the miles in and still hit the boxing gym 4-5 days a week. This is why I am so tired. Although last week we had a big snow storm here in Seattle and the gym was closed most of those days. What's a person to do? Run more! So Owen and I ran every day in the snow with screws in our shoes to keep from slipping. It's much harder to run in the snow but I do think that it helps with technique. Without really utilizing your core, you will slip and slide, even with the screws. You hardly get a push off so it feels as though it takes more effort to move forward. The snow didn't melt by Saturday, the long run day. So we ran at the local Discovery Park which has a few different loops, the longest being just under 5 miles. So 7 loops we did running the slush, ice slush water, some snow and mud and some pretty intense wind when you hit the path near the water. Without the good friends we saw there, it would have been a long boring day in the slush. But other runners were in the same boat, not being able to make it to the mountains because of all the snow. So glad we were able to still knock out some miles and see some good friends. I had my biggest week in about 3 years, 85 miles! And after 85 miles for the week, I was still temporarily stumped as to why I am so tired and why I cannot stop eating....silly me. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>ALMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407311624533897962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976685226768106679.post-12964504725286013042011-11-30T17:14:00.000-08:002011-11-30T17:14:38.821-08:00Thanksgiving weekend---5 days of NO WORK!I am grateful to have job in these tough times, however, I am equally, if not more grateful to have time off. I had a whole 5 days off with a race in the middle. My niece is a freshman at Western Washington University and she came down on Wednesday to spend the weekend. We spent the first 24 hours eating and watching movies. Totally relaxing!<br />
Thursday-I made an nontraditional T-day dinner. I didn't know I would be "hosting" T day dinner until Tuesday evening. And when I say "hosting" I use it quite loosely. Basically, I made dinner for my niece, Owen and I and gave the dogs lots of snacks along the way. I made sesame crusted salmon with orange miso sauce, scalloped sweet potatoes, asparagus and we had the yummy-not an ounce of nutrition-white rolls with it all. We all overate of course and then had pumpkin pie and ice cream. I was not prepared to make a turkey so that is what I came up with....it was tasty enough and we were full and the dogs were excited for nibbles. <br />
Friday-more relaxing<br />
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</a>Saturday- <a href="http://www.nwultras.com/ghost_main.htm">the Ghost 50k</a>. Scott Krell does a great job of putting on this event. There are options for a half marathon, full marathon or 50k. Last year I had done the 50k and this year I thought I'd sign up for it again. The course is actually the old Seattle Marathon course and take you out and back a few times along Lake Washington. The "Official" Seattle Marathon is the following day, Sunday. I am considering this MY official Seattle 50k because I prefer it to the actual marathon, it's fun, low key and it's 5 miles longer. Plus, I know everyone at the aid stations so it's a social event as well. I haven't done a race since Big Horn 100 in June and have taken some time off mentally from running and physically, sort of, as well. I stopped putting in my regular mileage for a few months and then recently started back up again. I of course supplemented the time I would have spent running doing other physical things so I didn't go crazy. I looked up my time from last year thinking I would compare it to this year and see if that time off was helpful. Last year at the 50k I went a 4:49 so I was hoping to break 4:40. I was using my friend's Garmin 305 so I could keep track of pace and the eventual demise. I actually ate something a few hours before the race to get some calories. The weather was perfect for running, maybe not for volunteering, but running wise, I couldn't have asked for anything better and that is saying something for the latter part of November in the PNW! The run started and we were all mixed together, half marathoners, marathoners and 50k-ers. Plus there was an early start so it was unusual not to see fellow runners along most of the way. And since we were running on multi-use sidewalks, there were lots of other people and dogs. The nice thing about seeing the other runners so much is that it's nice to say hello and a "nice job' here or a 'looking good' there to take my mind off the fatigue that eventually came. But oddly, I felt great almost the whole way. I was into my music, I was excited to get back on the horse and do a race again and I just felt happy. I got tight a few times in the middle, hip flexor, groin, etc, but then it went away or I got used to it. The last few miles felt long to me, I was getting pretty tired and I am certainly not used to running on the road that far. But all in all, it was a great experience to get out and get involved again in doing a race, AND feeling healthy. As I always do over the course of a run, I calculate how many miles I have left and then go through the possibilities of what time I can go. As I was passing the start/finish for the last loop around Seward Park, I was at about 3:50 or so and I thought....um, maybe I can break 4:20.... I kept looking at the Garmin and trying to go faster, but my legs were moving as fast as they could. I was swinging my arms like crazy, trying not to lean over, etc. I was coming down to the last few yards as best as I could...but alas, I came in right at 4:20! So I didn't break 4:20, but I certainly surpassed my expectations. It has been a long time since I felt healthy during a race and really THAT is what I am most thankful for. I have been waiting to get back on the horse for a while now. Maybe it's a short lived wellness, but in any case, it felt great to run healthy again. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owen running smooth and happy!<br />
photo by Lind Say</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2kVN71IkJA-yj4r0CxED6MPOKCZW6mG6IpAdChMjVO4Q9_OIWZXw23fslCri_V8up7Cq4eHNU_W9AnKGCauHh9gbDZFnXomzRO9hAv59_DVYrmLYUw-lkEBdkh37vtjEcuQH3XtiLxTP/s1600/IMG_0506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2kVN71IkJA-yj4r0CxED6MPOKCZW6mG6IpAdChMjVO4Q9_OIWZXw23fslCri_V8up7Cq4eHNU_W9AnKGCauHh9gbDZFnXomzRO9hAv59_DVYrmLYUw-lkEBdkh37vtjEcuQH3XtiLxTP/s320/IMG_0506.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Healthy and Happy<br />
photo by Lind Say<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another cool thing about this race is the finishers award. How about this bottle opener? It's actually a useful household item. Very good idea Scott!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUi9nco28cjLqBLAH7tUpWQy41LSNbnvkqoN_Ah9Nj4s8OwT14Pyki-ZXkhrtkjAx0kYoYvrj1gwgKVRK3tIkGgVxEfIUxsVLsTQY6wQcvlF4-MBIVvd5gwIkQmMKR90r-h4KK806UOGv/s1600/IMG_0505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUi9nco28cjLqBLAH7tUpWQy41LSNbnvkqoN_Ah9Nj4s8OwT14Pyki-ZXkhrtkjAx0kYoYvrj1gwgKVRK3tIkGgVxEfIUxsVLsTQY6wQcvlF4-MBIVvd5gwIkQmMKR90r-h4KK806UOGv/s320/IMG_0505.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>After the run, Owen, my niece and I went out for pizza and cookies, of course. Owen went home to sleep and get ready to run the Seattle marathon the next day b/c that's just how crazy he is. I took my niece to the movies and got all crampy in the seats. The movie, the Descendants, was awesome. My legs were achy through the whole movie, but I was highly entertained none the less.<br />
Sunday- More relaxing, marathon cheering in the wind and rain, eating and a big drive up to Bellingham and back in the apocalyptic rain. <br />
A great 5 day weekend it was and now it's back to reality.....HARSH!ALMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407311624533897962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976685226768106679.post-90195736205579111302011-11-04T17:40:00.000-07:002011-11-04T17:40:35.013-07:00Time, where does it go?It seems like just yesterday it was the Pacific Northwest's version of summer. I went for a run after work last night in the dark, wet, cold. As I was getting pummeled by wind and rain I thought, 'wow, it's November!' And you know what that means.....HOLIDAY PARTIES and HOLIDAY TREATS and a giant tendency for me to feel better about being lazy, every one is doing it!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, in a dog body</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakPFRHVf8wpKGorRMqzy4dIPe1kZn2zsdS13V-2dBT06EeFH88tilXZDY3dz_pglxoX6UAIh_v7FffStGnktd1dOWPGM86jyBwMzvb6P7O6ZL0h2eNLFCShVGot5OmoJ4o_dAnOPKWJhy/s1600/cartoon.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakPFRHVf8wpKGorRMqzy4dIPe1kZn2zsdS13V-2dBT06EeFH88tilXZDY3dz_pglxoX6UAIh_v7FffStGnktd1dOWPGM86jyBwMzvb6P7O6ZL0h2eNLFCShVGot5OmoJ4o_dAnOPKWJhy/s320/cartoon.jpeg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, in a dog body, showing no willpower</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It's rough adjusting to the weather change and darkness. However, if I keep in mind that I never feel worse after a run , I am confident that will keep me motivated. My motivation has not waned for the 5 AM class. In fact, it has only grown. It certainly is not easy getting up that early and working out pretty hard then going to work. It's not so hard to go to work after as it is to be a bit sleepy and then shock my body by jacking up my heart rate at 5AM. But it's been good for me as it is so different from what I am used to. As the old expression goes, train your weaknesses. I am not sure how jumping out of bed and soon after, without coffee, jacking my heart rate up is going to help me, but the actual workouts will, whatever time they take place. I have never done a strength training program before and now that I am almost done with the first 3 weeks, I am really seeing improvements. I have forgotten how motivating it is to see improvements, I don't see that in my running. I am quite sure that is why I continue to get up before the birds to do it. </div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyW5dcc9LLW4bsm_ssQOYiHsiq5zggUBz8e8L0ZpenISZ1JfJruxLPTac3YNfKtEEQeiZPha1tKhmH8n3Ort55imvJQ8kiox_2ZB9AbGob6T39fsC3IrBn2drNZ-15voLJnJPi4fR4AFWW/s1600/cartoon-weight-gain2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyW5dcc9LLW4bsm_ssQOYiHsiq5zggUBz8e8L0ZpenISZ1JfJruxLPTac3YNfKtEEQeiZPha1tKhmH8n3Ort55imvJQ8kiox_2ZB9AbGob6T39fsC3IrBn2drNZ-15voLJnJPi4fR4AFWW/s320/cartoon-weight-gain2.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my instructor!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57RmkWbiikFNR44otL5uj9SzAAWinpIxuJk_xl4csdYesoJAxNeAktilgl4kBLRfbHuvbGUntzxBt7FkoxcNmj6ugkMDvVJpOu0X22CLDuYW-xaW0RjT1-UebqIcmc4USK5036uk-mRnX/s1600/runner_cartoon.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57RmkWbiikFNR44otL5uj9SzAAWinpIxuJk_xl4csdYesoJAxNeAktilgl4kBLRfbHuvbGUntzxBt7FkoxcNmj6ugkMDvVJpOu0X22CLDuYW-xaW0RjT1-UebqIcmc4USK5036uk-mRnX/s1600/runner_cartoon.jpeg" /></a>I think the overall strength I am gaining is helping me in everything I do. I just feel an overall sense of balance and strength that I haven't felt before. Even though I have been doing these classes since mid-July, I think it has been recent that I really feel the changes and am able to apply them to functional movement. Keeping that in mind, I bet it will help with the running....In fact, just the other day I was running and I was thinking, what muscle is that I am feeling? That feels foreign. Turns out, I DO have a hamstring, in fact, I have 2. Then the other day I woke up and I though, um, what muscle is that that feels kinda sore? Turns out, I WAS using my glutes. These are muscles that I think I have neglected for so long and they went away. Wouldn't you, if someone ignored you for centuries? Well, I have convinced the hamstrings and the glutes to come out of hiding and come get reunited with their former mates. The quads were very happy to see them again. Now the quads have decided to go on a 3 day weekend and leave the housework to the the hamstrings and glutes. Soon they will all be reunited, working together and we'll have a party. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Also in the class, from the instructor you see just above, I have learned several expressions. He oftern shouts, "HEY, NO CADILLACIN!" I didn't know what this meant at first. Now I know it means stop being a slow poke, move your butt. Then I learned what it meant to "get yoked." I have no intentions of "getting yoked", but I do like saying it. I have learned how to do a "clean" and "jerk". I can understand why they call it a "clean", but why a "jerk?" I'll have to google that at some point. </div><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>ALMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407311624533897962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976685226768106679.post-51103387107404028252011-08-22T14:53:00.000-07:002011-08-22T14:53:21.374-07:00Relapse Prevention and the Gambler<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Cascade Crest 100 is approaching, it is this weekend. And although I<em> </em>**<em><u><strong>know</strong></u>** </em>I am doing the right thing by sitting this one out, it's becoming increasingly difficult to see myself on the sidelines. I so much want to be out there running. I keep telling myself what a good thing that is, that my desire and my passion for running is as alive as ever and the fact that I am <strong>chomping at the bit</strong> to race is a good sign. I had been feeling so burnt out but kept pushing myself harder and harder to get the results I was looking for and things were falling apart. This scenario brought great angst, confusion, frustration and wonderment in terms of why I was doing what I was doing and why I felt so compelled and driven to keep banging my head on the wall over and over again only to wind up with the same headache. Finally I took the necessary step and changed my approach completely. The change has been significant. I am feeling healthier and healthier and stronger and stronger. I am keeping fit and running just enough to keep some muscle memory there. Last week I think I ran 17 or 18 miles total, and not all at once. I had very minimal leg pain. I decided to test things out further by riding my bike to the best yoga class ever; <a href="http://jasyoga.com/">Jasyoga with Erin</a>, on Sunday. I have not been able to ride my bike without pain for well over a year now. I hopped on my bike and rode gently to Fremont with no pain! On the way there, I was feeling more optimistic than I have felt this whole 18 months and turned to Owen and said, <em>'um, maybe I could do Cascade Crest!'</em> It was a fleeting moment of excitement! Then I thought, really....really....!? I must prevent this relapse! I know I am passionate about running, and some say I have an addiction to running. But I think that now that I have changed my approach to running and have taken a step back to heal and gain strength and confidence in what my body can do, I realise that it is my approach that is addictive and probably insane. I had written a while back that I thought I might be insane for continuing to run with pain despite trying everything I could think of besides stepping back to rest the injury. I would set out for a run and think, now <em>this time</em>, it will be different because <em>this time</em> I went to physical therapy, or <em>this time</em> I did ART, or <u>insert action here</u>. Even after I wrote that post back in April, I continued to run and train in the exact same way. I guess I am slow to make change. However, now that I have made some changes and I see the progress, I still have to be conscious and refrain from my previous mentality.....keep on this path because it is much healthier for me and much more wise and I am happier knowing that this is the right thing to do. So when I think about wanting to run Cascade Crest this year, in 5 days, I must remember to prevent this relapse in mental thought. I thought to myself this morning as I was walking to work....what can be my motto right now to keep me true to myself....and I thought of the Kenny Rogers' song, <strong>The Gambler</strong>. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Kenny say's:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHGE6GkxJN1dps36b84lq045dq-2khFTZfbBjN4Q2krjO_mD_9QAenOh619GR8JmHe8UQfz8K1LfOZhwAvWTinUzCpyfHwkSfJ4qM-LPmA_LmPHCOuop5FTYOgQn2nt1eQWL4qKQhY0Mx/s1600/Kenny-Rogers-The-Gambler-290106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHGE6GkxJN1dps36b84lq045dq-2khFTZfbBjN4Q2krjO_mD_9QAenOh619GR8JmHe8UQfz8K1LfOZhwAvWTinUzCpyfHwkSfJ4qM-LPmA_LmPHCOuop5FTYOgQn2nt1eQWL4qKQhY0Mx/s320/Kenny-Rogers-The-Gambler-290106.jpg" width="301px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em,</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Know when to walk away and know when to run.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done </div><div style="text-align: justify;">(keep it real says Kenny) </div><div style="text-align: justify;">___________________________________________________________________________ </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Basically, I need patience and smarts. I gotta keep my fingers crossed! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">This weekend I did something pretty fun and quite different though. I did the Great Urban Race here in Seattle with some fellow runners. It was a blast running from clue to clue in pursuit of mummies at Ye Old Curiosity Shoppe, cupcakes, ballet steps and more. I was once again anxious to do the event because I thought, oh damn, I'll probably slow everyone down because I will have to stop and walk. But that did not happen, I ran the whole way with no pain. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9kjEMiGOvy1r40KcnBw6cAwc8hXvPFLy95oKvyqIVLdM6Nh20RdPQ5lVNqz6EPdVGELqXayNyNsmrTI5BRluLRbn6q-owY8NEdO8W2HuZdsdPCptChfozZ897FuPdHq95vlYlF0lW2Qd3/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9kjEMiGOvy1r40KcnBw6cAwc8hXvPFLy95oKvyqIVLdM6Nh20RdPQ5lVNqz6EPdVGELqXayNyNsmrTI5BRluLRbn6q-owY8NEdO8W2HuZdsdPCptChfozZ897FuPdHq95vlYlF0lW2Qd3/s320/photo.JPG" width="239px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was a fun day, with beer!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>ALMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407311624533897962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976685226768106679.post-57300332143757254672011-08-10T12:23:00.000-07:002011-08-10T12:23:18.681-07:00Things I have in common with my dog StruthPeople always say that dogs and their "people" look alike. I'd say that is true for Struth and me, even if he is a boy. We also have a lot in common. Here they are:<br />
<ul><li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Struth and I wear the same colors! We love black, grey, white either separately or all combos of these colors! <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vnTRXWmq4KfzAMx180vuisdFQtVEJU0-tadz1aGQeQKst7uWosYsQO8SbXO2Hz03GUMh_h9rXb3KqmJZK9P3Qq7Ey2qWnu_kypZvWqNaw-x5vwUNuGpVAEowkxDZj0qvyfjn3c9ghsbC/s1600/photo_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vnTRXWmq4KfzAMx180vuisdFQtVEJU0-tadz1aGQeQKst7uWosYsQO8SbXO2Hz03GUMh_h9rXb3KqmJZK9P3Qq7Ey2qWnu_kypZvWqNaw-x5vwUNuGpVAEowkxDZj0qvyfjn3c9ghsbC/s320/photo_2.JPG" width="239px" /></a></div></div></li>
<li><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> Struth and I both have small feet for our size. He looks like a burly dude, but he has dainty little feet. I have the same size feet as my mother who is 5 inches shorter than me!</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> Struth and I both get very excited for cookies. Our favorite is Peanut Butter. </div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> Struth and I both learned to swim at an early age and still LOVE to swim. </div></li>
<li> We both like to get up and eat, we burn calories sleeping.</li>
<li> We LOVE taking naps on the back porch in the sun. </li>
<li> Often, we think we have more energy than we actually do.....we do too much in one day</li>
<li> We both make noises in our sleep. Last night Struth was chasing squirrels in his sleep for like 20 minutes, no wonder he woke up hungry.</li>
<li> Struth and I will both be marking the course at CCC100. Because he does not have opposable thumbs, I will tie the markers to the trees. We both will eat treats along the way.</li>
<li> Struth and I are both quite fond of Ella and Owen, (Owen not pictured)</li>
</ul> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GGFsNNTEdTJnsO4DIiWRj693WyAmEJ4A5Ighiq6RT_m7KG-h6v9tnRK09p2H97zqw3Z7YvTPYCOWLa3YkH04PDwN4muyDzZfo4WWRrrNWYLM2sOuP8aVdexe0xAnJthnrOrTiPXK800u/s1600/photo_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GGFsNNTEdTJnsO4DIiWRj693WyAmEJ4A5Ighiq6RT_m7KG-h6v9tnRK09p2H97zqw3Z7YvTPYCOWLa3YkH04PDwN4muyDzZfo4WWRrrNWYLM2sOuP8aVdexe0xAnJthnrOrTiPXK800u/s320/photo_3.JPG" width="239px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ella</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <ul><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Struth and I both LOVE running, especially on the trails.</li>
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Speaking of that...running in general and on the trails....I am totally missing it! WE are totally missing it. Yesterday after boxing I decided to test the old leg by running the 4 mile loop. I was already warmed up from boxing so I thought I'd see how things were going after cutting back severely on miles. By the 2nd mile, I felt so good that I decided to tack on a mile and do the 5 mile loop. Usually Struth is dragging a bit here, but he was right up there at my side. We were both grinning. We completed the 5 mile loop with only 1 stop to stretch. That is a good indication that things are progressing! (albeit slowly) I was hoping for no stops, but really, I've only been "resting" from running for a few weeks. I managed to beat my index finger knuckles raw yesterday in boxing....I have had to wrap them up for work. I have little finger condoms on, which fits right in here where I work at the STD Clinic!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPvZkv4d7la-myA5sbvN1wBTcqdavT0lW358E6R-kMRMS-gfF55f-A4fRjX_2ciBJnuZB_oSFyUPjjgl-In0NqmKQAhnduHWdXqkF9gbV-VSFVcw3pGOs_q0kejMJ_fgyQm-Bdf6DMUn5/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPvZkv4d7la-myA5sbvN1wBTcqdavT0lW358E6R-kMRMS-gfF55f-A4fRjX_2ciBJnuZB_oSFyUPjjgl-In0NqmKQAhnduHWdXqkF9gbV-VSFVcw3pGOs_q0kejMJ_fgyQm-Bdf6DMUn5/s320/photo.JPG" width="239px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>ALMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407311624533897962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976685226768106679.post-31220313419704299112011-07-28T16:02:00.000-07:002011-07-28T16:02:55.569-07:00Idle Hands are the Devil's ToolTraining for ultra's keeps someone like me from going crazy. I cannot sit still and I don't ever realise I am tired until my head hits the pillow. I always think of things to do when I am relaxing, but in all reality, I find exercising relaxing. So I do it a lot. Of course there are things that I find cathartic, like cleaning, going through drawers and giving stuff away that I don't use, recylcing, etc. And I do enjoy to sit around to rejuvenate. However, since I train for ultra's, I am used to a certain lifestyle of exercising a lot and eating a lot. Now that I am not running Cascade Crest next month, there is no need to do a bunch of running. In fact, that is exactly what I don't want to do, a bunch of running. That is what got me out of running currently; running too much. So what to do. . . . . <br />
Well, that boxing classes keep me busy. I recently started a 5 AM class. No, that is NOT a typo, I get up at 4:30 and jog the quarter mile to the class, sweat, get my heart rate completely jacked up, jog home and then get ready for work. I think even my dog is bewildered by my early rise, but I just love this class and I so I don't mind getting up that early. Then I am at work early and hence, home earlier than usual. It's the same schedule, just a few hours earlier.<br />
I thought I might be just totally regretting my decision about CCC100, and at times I do, but in my heart, I know it is the right thing to do. I figure now is the time to experiment with other activities that I wouldn't ordinarily do just for the experience, as long as it doesn't set the healing process back. Owen and I were driving out to a BBQ and we a wrong turn. I was spacing out in the passengers seat and I looked out the window and saw this sign, <strong><a href="http://emerald%20city%20trapeze/">EMERALD CITY TRAPEZE ARTS</a>. </strong>Um...what is that? When we got home from the BBQ, I looked it up. I discovered that they have beginners classes for aerial. Um, that sounds interesting. I got to work on Monday and I asked this co-worker of mine, who used to be in the roller derby, if she wanted to join me in a beginners aerial class. She thought about it and ultimately said YES! So, last night we went. It is a 2 hour class and let me tell you, I have some "rope" burn, or "silk fabric" burn. I am not as sore as I thought I would be, just a bit beat up. I was nervous at first, just to climb the fabric. You rub resin on your hand for good grip and then hope not to death claw the fabric and trust your body to hold yourself up. We started out with regular fabric climbing. I have never been good at rope climbing. In fact. in grade school, my gym teacher made me feel so bad for not being able to climb the rope. I was a bit <em>overweight</em> shall we say in grade school which is hard enough. Then to add salt to the wound, the gym teacher makes me feel bad for not being able to climb the rope....well, whatever. So, I climb about half way up and I am out of breath. We tried that a few times and then did the "kitty in the tree" which requires being upside down and once we "mastered" that, we went to the "hammock". This is the hammock:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_M5ef1ug_mhyphenhyphenYVaFjyBrp3bnTVoUk_OOVUq6tiA4c-eIq_4qRrztXxgRBOSq2sPM-D7M_LcxgpFlL3jP8T2WnEAGbgv1ves8o2Ay6fBzuT3AywrprGgRMznWP7SxnxFK2GGa5Q0S1lCvb/s1600/aerial.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_M5ef1ug_mhyphenhyphenYVaFjyBrp3bnTVoUk_OOVUq6tiA4c-eIq_4qRrztXxgRBOSq2sPM-D7M_LcxgpFlL3jP8T2WnEAGbgv1ves8o2Ay6fBzuT3AywrprGgRMznWP7SxnxFK2GGa5Q0S1lCvb/s320/aerial.jpeg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div>That is NOT, me, I got this image of the Internet, but this is what we did. And I did not look as graceful. After that, the instructor asked us to try the fabric climbing one more time as we had spend a bit more time with the fabric and maybe we might feel more comfortable. So I did. I got on the fabric and I climbed all the way to the ceiling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I could not believe it! It was an accomplishment for me. It is true what people say, it is mostly legs that get you up there. But before your legs can do the work, your mind has to believe it. It might sound silly that I am excited about climbing this fabric, but hey, I was a new experience for me and I am not that comfortable with heights. I am sure I will go back again, I'd like to learn some other moves. It was such a nice change to the same old thing. When I get back to training for ultra's again, I will be glad that I tried new things while I had the time. ALMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407311624533897962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976685226768106679.post-33836017583137066752011-07-25T09:33:00.000-07:002011-07-25T12:38:21.157-07:00Hitting the Reset ButtonI was lucky enough to visit my parents in early July this summer. I was "surprising" my dad for his 72nd birthday. I put that in quotes because he knew something was up, that I was coming, but he didn't know when. Technically I did surprise him when I showed up with balloons, champagne and reading a poem I wrote him in a blond wig.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0O8RYcQ2vdh9Ux4gN_kK6RjHHAit8T0gENNRB3UEdedJHxoBKcyyUb3UqXdjqYriz1frlalkX21tLm7LqfHuzo_Wt4UZduk18hZaKv2jJqc13MGiKbrSsrCrlk3UhygMVmb7jHYk3cTDV/s1600/image004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0O8RYcQ2vdh9Ux4gN_kK6RjHHAit8T0gENNRB3UEdedJHxoBKcyyUb3UqXdjqYriz1frlalkX21tLm7LqfHuzo_Wt4UZduk18hZaKv2jJqc13MGiKbrSsrCrlk3UhygMVmb7jHYk3cTDV/s320/image004.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>Being in North Carolina was completely awesome. After spending the first part of the summer in Seattle with temperatures barely reaching 65* with rain and clouds, I was ready to jump in the heat and get thawed out, dried up and restore some heat in my bones. That happened rather quickly. I played tennis with dad in the mid day heat, went running most every day. However, one of the highlights of the trip was going to the BEACH!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbbGxuinJgZnEZaowu4Hkg-h-QR9szfKIWSnm_CeunIU-GuLGZVbQ6nzMUBAgc2nnZPx7KFeljW_4xQuVRzeYax8B_bsv8jat0eJxh1ISVvRd7SwXrqawxpY9_0JjShVfUUGmaLAJzGHb/s1600/IMG_1405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbbGxuinJgZnEZaowu4Hkg-h-QR9szfKIWSnm_CeunIU-GuLGZVbQ6nzMUBAgc2nnZPx7KFeljW_4xQuVRzeYax8B_bsv8jat0eJxh1ISVvRd7SwXrqawxpY9_0JjShVfUUGmaLAJzGHb/s320/IMG_1405.jpg" width="240px" /></a></div>I absolutely love the sand, swimming in ocean and being transported through sight and sound to a different world known to me as THE BEACH. I grew up swimming in the Atlantic and being there this summer just brought me back to being a kid. As I floated, body surfed, dove under waves and bobbed around, I could feel the stress I have been feeling just get washed away in the salty waves. Whenever I would get pummeled by a wave, I would crack up! There is something about being in the ocean in warm salty water that brings me much serenity. I could stay in there for hours and never get bored. It was incredible to see my parents, married for nearly 50 years and having known each other since kindergarten, laughing together in the ocean. That image is burned in my memory, it is an image of love and commitment, that is for sure. And of course, what goes perfectly with a day a the beach....? Well, ice cream or frozen custard of course!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHcWwKfQ4Gnc3k7vuQIVfjRs9fPiXvTaGylq5n1-SjwF06x6T0j47u8CVMav8vn1bVcn-oQUW_NKbQORkuWdMZXNoHHW11Qgoz2Cs86dYDQy_JfkBH-XGGxwwM9DWq2dOxpvGuEhcKo-t/s1600/IMG_1391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHcWwKfQ4Gnc3k7vuQIVfjRs9fPiXvTaGylq5n1-SjwF06x6T0j47u8CVMav8vn1bVcn-oQUW_NKbQORkuWdMZXNoHHW11Qgoz2Cs86dYDQy_JfkBH-XGGxwwM9DWq2dOxpvGuEhcKo-t/s320/IMG_1391.jpg" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
After 2 days and the beach, we left and the next day I flew home. I was still on vacation for a few more days from work and had planned to run around Mt St Helen's for my birthday. After talking to the ranger, we decided that route finding in 8 feet of snow did not sound like a relaxing birthday adventure. We opted to run in the North Cascades, however, it rained a lot of the day and I forgot my rain jacket. Oh well, you'd think by now I would remember the essentials, but no..... It was a fun day anyhow. <br />
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While I was in North Carolina and really since Big Horn, my leg pain has not subsided. It seemed to be getting better before Big Horn and I was feeling optimistic. I ran Big Horn and didn't run for a week and then gradually started running and resuming the boxing classes. I am back to where I started with the leg issues. I cannot complete the 4 mile loop near my house without stopping at least twice to walk. The other day I went to the trails to run and I had to walk about 1/3 of the time on account of my leg. It was then I decided that I would not participate at Cascade Crest 100 next month. Sometimes my leg warms up and I have a great run, but lots of times, I just walk and run and "get through" a run. This has been going on too long, a year and a half now. I thought I had tried everything but now I am trying something different. After reflecting on the book/memoir "Touching the Void", I decided to mix it up. This book is written by Simon Yates. Simon had a nearly fatal experience attempting to climb Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes. This peak is 20,813 ft in elevation and he and his climbing partner attempted to climb this. They had some issues going up but the sh&&t really hit the fan on their way down. Simon was belaying down and was attached to his partner by rope who was anchored on the mountain. Simon goes down and somehow swings into the mountain, breaks his knee and swings away from the mountain and finds himself suspended in air, hanging from the rope with no way to get contact with the mountain. He cannot communicate this with his partner either as they are not in ear shot of one another. His partner is up above him, wondering what is going on. The continual weight of Simon is wearing on his partner and his partner is having a hard time holding on to the rope and staying anchored into the mountain. The partner has to make a decision, should he continue to hang on and put himself in danger of falling off the mountain or should hevcut the rope to save himself. What a decision! Eventually, he decides to cut the rope! When he cuts the rope, Simon goes flying down the mountain in mid air and lands in a crevasse. He is submerged in snow and mountain with a broken knee. He has no provisions with him either. For days he tries to crawl out of the crevasse any way he can. When he fails time and time again, he yells and screams for help, but no one can hear him. He keeps trying to climb out and he still is in the same position. After a few days, he realizes that this could be the end. His will to live is so strong that he decided to do something totally counter intuitive. What he does is he LET's GO and immediately slides down the crevasse. He is going deeper and deeper down and the eventually, he shoots out the bottom of the crevasse and is once again out in the air and on snow. Now he has a chance to survive. It's truly an amazing story. I won't tell you the end as it's a really good read, but obviously he wrote this book so that's a pretty big indication that he survives! Anyway, the take away message for me is that when I have tried everything I can think of, or have the will to try, and it doesn't work, then I must let go, dig deeper and try something new. I realize that this situation with my leg and running 100 milers does not even make it on the radar screen with what Simon was up against, but the book has always been a reminder to me to always be in motion trying to fix, solve, resolve or overcome what is ailing me. I have known for quite some time that if I stopped running so much that I would heal quicker, but I did not WANT to do that. But now is the time. I WANT to run CCC100, I WANT to run the 4 mile loop without stopping, I WANT to ride my bike without having to get off of it and push it. But because I can't do the two latters, it leaves the former in question. So, I am letting go of CCC100 and trying a new approach. I can still do my beloved boxing classes and go for trail runs here and there. But now the pressure is off to find a solution before the next race only to find myself back where I started. I will cheer my friends on at CCC and volunteer, pace Owen for some miles, but other than that, it's time to get on a different path. As Erin says in <a href="http://jasyoga.com/">Jasyoga</a>, I am going to hit the reset button. Although I am personally disappointed in not running CCC, I know I am doing the right thing. In the long run, it is the best thing, (no pun intended). I'll be there cheering friends on and pacing Owen for part of it and hopefully volunteering in other capacities. And I also decided to join to fellow ultra runners for the <a href="http://greaturbanrace.com/event_seattle.php">Great Urban Race</a> in August. It's something different, why not?ALMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407311624533897962noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976685226768106679.post-8640282877359904102011-07-07T15:14:00.000-07:002011-07-07T15:14:11.981-07:00Summer DazeIt's finally summer here in the PNW! We have temperatures above 65* finally and sunshine! I am ready for summer adventures, there are so many things I want to do this summer. I want to circumnavigate Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Hood, Mt. Rainer, just to name a few. It's just 2 weeks post Big Horn and although I don't feel like "training" I do feel motivated to get out an enjoy what the PNW has to offer. Summer is just a few month long here and we have gotten off to a slow start and snow levels are still quite low. <br />
Last weekend a few of us went to Granite Mt. It's just an 8 mile out round trip "hike" and sounded just up my alley. I haven't really run much since Big Horn but I have been back to <a href="http://www.seattleboxingstudio.com/">Seattle Boxing Studio</a> and am loving it. I love these workouts, they are different and fun and I sweat like no one's business. Sweating like that makes me feel accomplished, like I've done something. I like to start the day off like that, it keeps the pace up to get stuff done while at work. Anyway. . . as I laced up my running shoes getting ready for Granite Mt, some dusty dirt flaked off my shoe laces, reminisce of Big Horn. Even though I spend like 45 minutes cleaning those shoes after BH, it's impossible to get it all really. The dusty dirt was a gentle reminder to take it easy. Life can become such a whirlwind sometimes with working, spending time with friends and loved ones, training, resting, reading, chores, etc. Big Horn was a different kind of "vacation" and it is not time to take the pressure off and enjoy spending the day outside.<br />
Well, what a day it was! it was sunny and warm. The dogs had a blast, there was lots of snow at the top for the dogs to roll in and chase snowballs. We got up to the top, lounged around and then slipped and slided down the snow and once past the snow, Owen and I gently ran down to the car. It was a perfect day really. The next adventure is scheduled for next week and that is to circumnavigate Mt. St. Helens!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLWuvFv8PgzY0aMvrX2oDfxxYxD83p2ARPsneGvgQoTmv4vWJzZfNjW5HrS-HqzN9k1DmSbsjoVBYKNV5EGLxN3jCMrv3kv5fv7Vr7fPvosDDYaM3himF9jHwF4D4pKVkE2d0en3V01xU/s1600/268976_2078333311517_1040531216_2393840_1928145_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLWuvFv8PgzY0aMvrX2oDfxxYxD83p2ARPsneGvgQoTmv4vWJzZfNjW5HrS-HqzN9k1DmSbsjoVBYKNV5EGLxN3jCMrv3kv5fv7Vr7fPvosDDYaM3himF9jHwF4D4pKVkE2d0en3V01xU/s320/268976_2078333311517_1040531216_2393840_1928145_n.jpg" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yikes! Lots of snow!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1g7PmhifFTDE6IqCSx12k9QeWA1qzoYS4lSCLYH-l3zTRjEp9eDLC-TFD_9uRp81BFyRqI2LM2JP8L2nYF1ShoQFHth6H8nO_-eNdnBRD56WngBkwtx3QI2JHNuT6rLiR7PFNpb1dIe3/s1600/263418_2078330751453_1040531216_2393831_223119_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1g7PmhifFTDE6IqCSx12k9QeWA1qzoYS4lSCLYH-l3zTRjEp9eDLC-TFD_9uRp81BFyRqI2LM2JP8L2nYF1ShoQFHth6H8nO_-eNdnBRD56WngBkwtx3QI2JHNuT6rLiR7PFNpb1dIe3/s320/263418_2078330751453_1040531216_2393831_223119_n.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great View of Rainer!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2-yswX7oFRvLCVqGb4Ct_hi6tMvUSbShyphenhyphenq8pCPM4rK5Q79jHlCpKmvFJahmupkUECLP93AkhubctO3MMD6kMANpbtl71QeSbd1T9F4tuSQWRsGVAZPXznf4c7zPl8M3w0VQzswvBVeRE/s1600/263880_2078331671476_1040531216_2393835_1119493_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2-yswX7oFRvLCVqGb4Ct_hi6tMvUSbShyphenhyphenq8pCPM4rK5Q79jHlCpKmvFJahmupkUECLP93AkhubctO3MMD6kMANpbtl71QeSbd1T9F4tuSQWRsGVAZPXznf4c7zPl8M3w0VQzswvBVeRE/s320/263880_2078331671476_1040531216_2393835_1119493_n.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Self portrait</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73o_TvPwO4z3xHn6oxJ4AO_KAnWY2TrP-UhAH-nrKRVYrw-KFOZlQLubSrG-YPugqgsPwVaXBJdO-eyudcTVRqvc2VLhTaE_yS40NR496SvAhKBO0HzNQ28zQNvITa0AwOHajZp86ZPg-/s1600/261756_2078332111487_1040531216_2393836_4701316_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73o_TvPwO4z3xHn6oxJ4AO_KAnWY2TrP-UhAH-nrKRVYrw-KFOZlQLubSrG-YPugqgsPwVaXBJdO-eyudcTVRqvc2VLhTaE_yS40NR496SvAhKBO0HzNQ28zQNvITa0AwOHajZp86ZPg-/s320/261756_2078332111487_1040531216_2393836_4701316_n.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dogs give Michelle their undivided attention for COOKIES!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmiVRQaXWO515Monr_iLB4RK8HMqCmhFS5SX-45_AjEFKZDAzQBMRjQPNKcmK91U1YEYwdUWkMp0nYJkfo5NVuW5Nf6MMnqusbzLqD210IgnFrJQI57Ib0jfpKC-oYsRPvvRe0B9qhAq-e/s1600/263806_2078333151513_1040531216_2393839_4925784_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmiVRQaXWO515Monr_iLB4RK8HMqCmhFS5SX-45_AjEFKZDAzQBMRjQPNKcmK91U1YEYwdUWkMp0nYJkfo5NVuW5Nf6MMnqusbzLqD210IgnFrJQI57Ib0jfpKC-oYsRPvvRe0B9qhAq-e/s320/263806_2078333151513_1040531216_2393839_4925784_n.jpg" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running downhill on soft snow=one of life's greatest pleasures<br />
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</tbody></table>ALMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03407311624533897962noreply@blogger.com1