Chica

Weekly Update 2/6 through 2/12

2012-02-12T20:40:00.000-08:00

Monday, 2/6 - 8.5 mile run
Tuesday, 2/7 - 3 mile tempo run, back/bis/abs
Wednesday, 2/8 - Legs
Thursday, 2/9 - Rest day
Friday, 2/10 - 3.5 mile run, chest/tris/abs
Saturday, 2/11 - 10 mile run
Sunday, 2/12 - 800M swim

Ending weight: 124.2

It was a pretty good week workout-wise - I finally got my new swimsuit and was able to test it out today, and I got all of the workouts in that I planned! Feels great to be off to such a good start for the half marathon training.

Eating went pretty well too - I had a few treats built in but for the most part was able to stay at or near my calories per day goals. It wasn't a stress-free week, but I managed to avoid any sort of complete emotional eating trainwreck!

Some things that I want to focus on this next week: Doing abs more consistently, and drinking more water!

The Great Paleo Experiment/Update

2012-02-10T13:47:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, I've been totally slacking with the blogging lately (like, for a long while). I just kinda figured no one really read it, nor did I expect anyone to. I've also been busy with other things like work! However, I am a few months in to my first real weight loss journey, so I thought it would be fun to post an update every now and then just to keep myself motivated and on track!

Beginning Stats (as of 11/14/11):

- Weight: 143.6 lbs (ouch, how did THAT happen?)
- Body fat %: ~26
- Deadlift: 65 lb, Squat: 85 lb, Bench Press: 45 lb (one rep max)
- 3 mile run time fastest: 29:07 min

Current Stats: (as of 2/10/12):

- Weight: 126.4 lbs
- Body fat %: ~22
- Deadlift: 155 lb, Squat: 200 lb, Bench Press: 55 lb [yuck] (one rep max)
- 3 mile run time fastest: 27:06 min

Somewhat Short Term Goals:

- Weight: 118 lbs
- Body fat %: ~18
- Deadlift: 185, Squat: 225 lb, Bench Press: 75 lb
- 1/2 Marathon PR (current PR 2:13)

What I have been doing:

- Progress pictures every month (will probably get up the nerve to post some once I am closer to my goal)
- Weigh myself every morning
- Track weight, calorie intake, water intake, and exercise daily in an Excel spreadsheet
- Around 1200 calories/day on non-lifting days, 1400-1600 calories/day on lifting days
- Paleo diet - meat, veggies, fruits, nuts, some dairy. No bread/pasta/wheat/sugary products, as little processed starchy food as possible. No beer!
- I have had a few cheat days, but mostly I try to work little treats like a glass of wine or a few squares of dark chocolate into my daily calorie intake so that I don't go insane!
- Intermittent Fasting - I eat from 1 PM to 9 PM daily. Outside of those hours, I consume only water, green tea, diet soda, and gum. I feel fantastic and it is freeing to be able to eat to fuel my workouts without stressing about calories.
- Lifting heavy weights 3x per week - Back/biceps, Chest/triceps, Legs
- Running 4x per week, swimming 2-3x per week
- Biking and hiking whenever possible
- Upping my water intake from 0 to 40-60 oz per day

I may try to make a weekly post on Sundays that's a little bit more specific - just to keep on track!

Recipes to Share

2011-11-02T10:13:00.000-07:00

I have been pretty busy/MIA from blogging lately, but wanted to update with some recipes that I've found and enjoyed recently:

- Chocolate chocolate chip cookies - http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chocolate-chocolate-chip-cookies-i/detail.aspx

- Pumpkin cookies w/caramel icing - http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pumpkin-cookies-v/detail.aspx

- Three berry pie - http://allrecipes.com/recipe/three-berry-pie/detail.aspx

- Dark chocolate cupcakes w/pumpkin buttercream frosting - http://bakingbites.com/2011/10/dark-chocolate-cupcakes-with-pumpkin-buttercream/

I think my next goal is to make a pumpkin pie (using actual pumpkin from the pumpkins we carved for Halloween), and then perhaps a strawberry cheesecake (I hear those are tricky!)

Friday, July 1, 2011

2011-07-01T10:39:00.000-07:00

Progress report after my first work-week on the weight loss project! I have been good at planning meals and following my diet, incorporating whole foods and lots of lean protein and fiber, drinking water instead of soda/coffee (mostly), and aiming for <1600 calories a day. I also did a few cardio workouts and a strength training workout and have more planned for after work today.

I have been weighing myself first thing in the morning and first thing after work each day and averaging them out to try and account for fluctuations, and so far this week I am down approximately 4 pounds since Monday morning!

An example of my eating (from today):

Breakfast - 1 slice whole grain toast, 8 oz nonfat mocha
Snack - 1/2 cup oatmeal w/1 tsp brown sugar
Lunch - Lean Cuisine, 1/2 cup broccoli cheddar soup
Snack - Apple, Luna Bar
Workout - 3 mile run, 30 minutes abs/arms
Snack - Banana/strawberry smoothie w/nonfat Greek yogurt and protein powder
Dinner - Baked chicken and potatoes w/veggies

That should add up to around 1500-1600 calories of filling deliciousness!

Now to see how well I can keep it up over the 4th of July long weekend... Wish me luck!

A New Project

2011-06-27T13:11:00.000-07:00

This is something I've been thinking about a lot lately, but first, I want to add a disclaimer. I am going to start including a focus on losing weight in my blog posts, so if you don't want to read about that or feel it would trigger unhealthy feelings for you, please feel free to skip. Any blog title after this one with just the date in the title will be weight-loss related.

I have never been a chunky girl - growing up, I ate whatever I wanted (literally, whatever). People always said "that will catch up with you someday", but it never happened. Even throughout my four years of college, I never gained more than a few pounds at a time. In the past year or so, though, two years out of college, the pounds have been creeping on. I now weigh 15 pounds more than I did all through college and high school, and I'm at my highest weight ever. I've also been inconsistent with exercise lately, and the results are not pretty. I'm still not considered "overweight" by the BMI scale or probably, by most of the population, but I am a good 15-20 pounds heavier and a lot less fit and toned than I'd like to be.

I have have moments of attempting healthy eating in the past, but none have ever really lasted. In the past month or so, I've gotten a lot better - even counting calories, meal planning, and logging food on a regular basis, and stringing together a few good days in a row. But I haven't quite managed to get past the slips/cheat meals/cheat days and put in a consistently good week. I also haven't managed to have a consistently good week of exercise in longer than I care to admit. My excuse has been that working full-time takes up so much time, and I have so many other things to do, and life gets in the way, and... But no more excuses. So there are my first two goals: one consistent week of eating healthy (no slips or cheat meals), and one consistent week of exercise (a mix of both cardio AND strength training).

Wish me luck!

Backpack Report: Eastern WA, 6/24-6/26/2011 - new pics added!

2011-06-26T15:03:00.000-07:00

Pics on top are from DBF's camera... enjoy!

The view from the trailhead, which we reached around 7:30 PM after leaving straight from Seattle around 4:30. We drove through a crazy rainstorm on Snoqualmie Pass and were glad when it was relatively drier on the east side of the mountains! Unfortunately, we had forgotten to print out the map/directions for where we were going, and we ended up unknowingly at the wrong trailhead.

We planned to head up the trail for a few miles, camp, and then make our way to this summit the next morning...

However, we soon had an inkling that we weren't on the right trail or even the right mountain. The trail was soaking wet and slippery with mud and multiple creek crossings, and snow began to appear about a mile after we began the hike. The trail we had meant to go on was reported to be snow-free 3-4 miles up.

Eventually, we lost the trail entirely and agreed that we were definitely not where we had planned to go. It was starting to get dark, though, so we decided to keep going and look for a dry place to camp.

The patches of snow on the trail were fairly deep and slippery and made for slow going, particularly when we kept postholing and sinking up to our knees in the snow. I even almost fell in a creek that was hidden underneath the snow.

We finally managed to locate a relatively level, snow-free and dry spot and set up camp right before it got dark. Luckily the rain held off, and we managed to stay relatively warm and dry throughout the night.

The next morning we woke up to a bluebird day - bright blue skies, sunny and warm. We had breakfast at this nice little spot and then decided to do some exploring. We were about halfway up one of the walls of the Esmerelda Basin (we later learned, upon consulting a map) and decided to do some off trail scrambling to get up to a viewpoint.

The barely visible rocky peak was our goal. The route was not incredibly steep until we got out of the trees onto a snowfield, and spent an hour or two tentatively picking our way up patches of snow and scree. It was very slow and frustrating going both up and down because, well, I'm afraid of heights!! But the view from the ledge we made it to was very striking and rewarding. The pics from the viewpoint are on DBF's camera so hopefully I will get a chance to post them soon!

Shortly after we reached our tent from this exploring mission, clouds began to roll in over the basin, and we decided to head further out into eastern Washington and do a night of car camping in somewhere with sunnier weather. We ended up camping along the Cle Elum river near Roslyn, in a gorgeous riverside campsite. We set up a fire pit on the rocky island in the middle of the river and ate dinner and drank beers under the stars. It was a warm and cozy night, and we woke up to brilliant blue skies and a warm, sunny morning before reluctantly heading back towards Seattle.

We didn't really end up going where we had planned, and the hiking was definitely challenging, but all in all it ended up being a great weekend!

Upcoming races (for reals!!)

2011-06-21T14:00:00.000-07:00

This is my list of upcoming races that I have actually signed up and paid for:

July 15, 2011 - Warrior Dash (3.4 miles)

July 22, 2011 - Seafair Sprint Triathlon relay - swim leg (800M swim)

August 27, 2011 - Lake Sammamish Sprint Triathlon (800M swim, 14 mile bike, 3.1 mile run)

September 10, 2011 - Lake Stevens Olympic Triathlon (1 mile swim, 25 mile bike, 6.2 mile run)

I might also throw in the Torchlight 8K run at the end of July if a) I can afford it and b) other people want to do it too. I might potentially try a 1/2 Ironman at the end of September, but only if training goes *really* well. And hopefully a marathon or at least a half later in the fall too!

I just got new running shoes this past weekend, so time to buckle down on some good summer training!

Bike news!!

2011-06-12T18:39:00.000-07:00

Today was a pretty perfect day weather-wise for bike riding, and we took advantage of it with a nice ride out to Ballard Locks and then to Golden Gardens. There were a few biking firsts for me on this ride:

1. First time riding clipped in for a reasonable distance (we ended up going almost 19 miles). My left clip was too tight for the first half but once we stopped at a bike shop and got it loosened, they were great!

2. First time biking on the road. This was a little bit scary, particularly in trafficky spots, but it was good for me to practice getting in and out of the clips quickly!

3. First hilly bike ride of the year (especially coming up Stevens Way on UW's campus).

4. First time hitting 16 mph pretty consistently and getting up to 19-20 at top speed.

There were definitely several parts that pushed my comfort zone (biking has never been my strongest/most comfortable phase, and the added getting used to the clips and the road were interesting), but it was definitely helpful and I think I'll feel a lot more confident next time I'm biking something easy like the Burke-Gilman trail!

Baking Report - 6/6/2011

2011-06-06T21:39:00.000-07:00

I've decided to keep this blog going and make it a bit more well-rounded by adding some hiking/camping reports in addition to the running and triathlon stuff... and might as well add some baking/cooking to it as well!

I made a final round of study treats for Nolan tonight - homemade guacamole, chips, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies (above left), and cheesecake cookie dough bars (above right). The cookies and guac turned out yummy (hard to screw those up, pretty basic), and I have to give the cheesecake bars a rave review - they are super rich but soooo delicious, and pretty easy to make. Here is the recipe:

INGREDIENTS:

Crust: 1 1/2 cup graham cracker cookie crumbs, 5 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted), 2/3 cup chocolate chips

Cheesecake filling: 10 ounces cream cheese (softened), 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 egg (room temperature), 1/3 cup chocolate chips

Cookie dough filling: 5 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened), 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1/8 tsp salt, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 3/4 cup all-purpose unbleached flour, 1 cup chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees, rack positioned in middle
2. Line 9x9 pan with foil (extending over edges of pan), butter the foil
3. Stir graham cracker cookie crumbs and melted butter until crumbs are moistened, mix in chocolate chips and press crumb mixture into bottom of pan
4. Bake 6 minutes, set aside
5. Mix filling and cookie dough
6. Pour cheesecake filling over crust
7. Drop teaspoonfuls of cookie dough on top of cheesecake filling
8. Bake for 30-40 minutes at 325 degrees, until the top feels dry and firm and looks set if shaken gently
9. Drizzle 1/3 cup melted chocolate chips in lines over the top
10. Let cool in pan on wire rack for 1 hour

Hike Report: Pratt Lake, 5/29/2011

2011-06-06T21:27:00.000-07:00

Decided to head up for a hike on Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, as that was supposed to be the nice day. Go figure Seattle weather reports, it was actually Saturday that was sunny. Sunday was cloudy but luckily not raining!

We headed up I-90 to the Granite Mountain trailhead. The trail was dry for the first mile or two, and we were considering heading up Granite, but given that we both had packs and were wary of snow/avalanche conditions, we took the less steep route towards Pratt Lake. It was a 4-5 mile hike each way, the elevation gain a lot more gradual than up to the Granite Lookout. About 1.5-2 miles in after several waterfall crossings, we hit snow... a LOT of snow. It was all packed down, so it was fine to walk on, but I think towards the lake there was at least 4-5 feet of snow. It was weird walking around so close to the treetops!

Near the lake, we got out onto the open ridge and decided to climb up the snowfield (bottom picture) for a lunch break. Being afraid of heights, this part sketched me out a little bit, but I figure it's always good to push out of your comfort zone a little bit. I fell a few times in the snow and even more slipping and sliding back down on the trail, but all in all it was a good hike and good to get some pack time in. No rain, and good company!

Peek-a-boo view of Pratt Lake from our lunch spot. The clouds/fog were rolling in by the time we finished.

This was a pretty steep lunch spot for someone who is afraid of heights!!

2011 Race List

2011-05-18T10:43:00.000-07:00

Here it is as of 5/18/2011:

June 18, 2011 - Cottage Lake Super Sprint Tri

July 24, 2011 - Seafair Sprint Tri

August 28, 2011 - Lake Meridian Olympic Tri

September 24, 2011 - Black Diamond 1/2 Ironman Tri

October 23, 2011 - Columbia Gorge Marathon

December 10, 2011 - Deception Pass 50K

Guess who's back?

2011-05-11T15:18:00.000-07:00

Yup, I finally have Internet access again! Along with, since the last time I posted, a new full-time job with benefits and a non-crazy boss (funny how I thought the last one would be "stable" - this one is so totally different), and a new house/new roommates.

The job is full time, Monday-Friday 8-4:30 (no evenings or weekends, yay!) with benefits (double yay) at Pacific Lamp & Supply in Georgetown (south Seattle). The company has been in business since 1912 and is continuing to grow despite the economy. My position is receptionist (phones only), plus lots of accounting (accounts receivable), data entry, and other admin type things. So far (knock on wood), I am really enjoying it. I will have been there for a month on May 18!!

The new house is in the Wedgwood neighborhood of North Seattle, a few blocks from my favorite bakery (the Greatful Bread!) AND my favorite park/running spot (Matthew's Beach). The room is really nice and big and on the second floor, and it's a nice cozy house (with a backyard) in a quiet neighborhood. The other two roommates pretty much keep to themselves, but they are nice and one of them has a sweet golden retriever!

Fitness-wise - I have been doing a lot of hiking lately (and even taken my new backpack out a few times) and hoping to get out more and more (once this rain disappears). I got a little bit out of the cardio/strength training routine with this new job, but now I am hoping to settle back in to cardio 5-6 times a week and strength training 2-3 times a week.

My next race is looking like either Beat the Bridge 8K this Sunday (maybe) or more likely, the Cottage Lake super sprint tri the first weekend in June. I can't believe tri season is coming up again already! Time to hit the bike trail and hopefully the lake (please show up soon, warm weather)!

Oh, and I've started a new diet as of this week - the ABS Diet. It seems pretty sensible and reasonably easy to follow, so we'll see how it goes!! I am hoping to lose at least 10 pounds and tune up by the time July rolls around.

A new addition to the family...

2011-03-08T22:49:00.000-08:00

No, I'm definitely not pregnant - not THAT kind of addition!! But one I am super excited about nevertheless - I have a shiny new road bike to ride for the 2011 triathlon season!! It is a 2010 Trek 1.2 21 speed road bike, and it is so comfy, fast, and light compared to the $5 mountain/hybrid bike I've done all my previous triathlons on. I can't wait to take it out for some nice long test rides on the next dry days!

Any suggestions on a name? It's a bit hard to tell from the picture, but the frame is navy blue with light blue and white accents.

Other news in a few words: I am almost done knitting my first beanie (after re-starting it 8 times!), my goal for Lent is to do some kind of workout every single day, and I am getting organized to apply to grad school at Seattle University this October!

Finally...

2011-01-19T11:09:00.000-08:00

A new job!! A stable, full-time (or close to it, anyways - 4-5 days per week) job! It's a sign of the economy, I suppose (or of my idiotic choice in major) that a University of Washington graduate is working two restaurant jobs while in posession of a Bachelor's degree, but I will definitely take it! It's been difficult and frustrating not having a stable job (except my 10 hour a week job at the Tavern) - it's hard to save money, or pay rent, not knowing whether your hours will be cut or your job will disappear.

The job is a waitress/counter job at Sal's Deli in Burien - it's a lot smaller than the Tavern so it shouldn't be too difficult to pick up. I have enjoyed working in the Tavern and working with people, so hopefully it will be more of the same. The commute is nice and short, the people seem nice and pretty laid-back, and the pay/tips are good. It's only open 7 AM to 4 PM, which means no evenings/nights - definite bonus. I am curious/hopeful as to how flexible they will be with the schedule, but right now I am just pleased to have something steady! My first day will be tomorrow, 9 AM to 4 PM.

As far as school goes, I am filling out the FAFSA this week, figuring out what classes I need to take, and hopefully meeting with financial aid advisors soon. Also studying up on my math/algebra - I want to do really well on the math placement test so I can test out of (or at least into!) the math classes that I need.

Exercise/diet-wise, I have been ok this past week, but not terrific (yet). I have a few good runs over the weekend, some good strength training, and a great hike yesterday. Definitely the strongest I've felt on the trails so far this winter!

My plan for the rest of this week is a strength training (abs/arms) session today, a run and some yoga tomorrow, a run and strength training (abs/arms/legs) on Friday, a short tempo run on Saturday, and a long run of 8-10 miles on Sunday.

Now that I'm feeling better...

2011-01-12T16:22:00.000-08:00

It's time to really kick off this new year, with a focus (exercise-wise) on consistent strength training, stretching, cardio, and a healthy diet based on whole foods.

I started off yesterday with a nice little hike up Mt. Si - 8 miles round trip, 4100 feet elevation gain, 2 feet of snow and 30 mph wind at the top. It was a beautiful view, and the more I hike the easier it gets (mentally, anyways!). Just have to keep practicing and working at it!

Today I hit the gym for a swim - I haven't been swimming really consistently since the summer, so I am pretty pleased with a 19:30 800M swim. I also did an abs and arms circuit and stretched everything out from yesterday's hike.

Tomorrow is a 4 mile run around Green Lake followed by yoga, and an ever-ubiquitous yet rarely fruitful job interview. I am hoping to get something with more steady hours so I can settle into a routine!

I am still planning on the Fishline 25K in Port Gamble mid-February as my next race - time to start bumping up the long run mileage again too!

Happy 2011!

2011-01-03T12:55:00.000-08:00

I am kicking off 2011 with a stuffy nose, a sore throat, a dizzy head, and a voice that sounds like a 70 year old smoker's. I can't drive my car until tomorrow, my office job has been cut down to one day per week (which means that I am going to, once again, be looking for a new job). I need to learn a year's worth of algebra in the next three months and figure out financial aid, and then take classes at community college that I didn't bother to take in undergrad and now need. My grandma is in the hospital (hopefully nothing serious), and there are still 5 more months until it (might) become sunny on a regular basis.

On the bright side, a less than perfect start to 2011 means that it can (hopefully) only go up, right? Hopefully this will be a quick sickness, so that I can get back to working out, running, swimming, and hiking. Hopefully I will find a new job soon, and become amazing at algebra, and hopefully grandma will make a full recovery ASAP. I will focus on finding small fun things to do throughout the remaining winter months, and get outside as much as possible so I don't drive myself crazy. In some ways, I think it's better this way. Start 2011 with a clean slate and everything perfect, and there is pressure pressure pressure to keep it that way, to not screw up even the tiniest bit. Now, since I am starting off with a mess of things to work through, I can focus on checking everything off the to do list on the way back up. Accomplishing things, fixing things, and taking steps in the right direction actually seems better to me than trying to keep things perfect (although hopefully I'll be there sooner rather than later!).

Once I feel better, here are my New Year's Resolutions for 2011.

1. Diet and exercise - whole, natural foods, less sugar/caffeine/alcohol. Run at least 3-4x a week, swim/yoga/strength train at least 3x.

2. Backpack through the Enchantments and climb Mailbox Peak (will require more than a few training hikes!)

3. Marathon PR at North Olympic Discovery Marathon in June

4. Complete 1/2 Ironman Triathlon at Black Diamond in September

5. My most important one: Be open-minded. By this, I mean say yes to anything (within reason), go in with a good attitude and a goal to have fun, even if it's something that sounds silly or lame to me. Too often, I have gotten cranky over doing something that doesn't sound like fun to me, and I feel really silly when I actually end up having a good time. Why not go into everything with "I don't know what this is going to be like, but let's try and make it fun"?

Happy 2011 everyone!

A few early resolutions

2010-12-13T15:40:00.001-08:00

Back from a sunny 3 mile run along the Burke-Gilman this morning and a nice relaxing 800M swim at the gym. I've decided to start working on some "New Year's" resolutions a little bit early!

1. Run at least 3x a week

2. Yoga at least 1x a week

3. Strength train at least 1x a week

4. Swim or bike at least 2x a week

Number 4 will obviously be updated once it comes closer to tri season! I just feel like I need to get started early because I need some motivation to keep getting me out there now that it's dark and rainy so much of the time. Wish me luck!

Have I mentioned yet...

2010-12-10T11:36:00.001-08:00

how much I love my new neighborhood? For running, for how close/convenient it is to everything, and for how cute/cozy it is??

The view from my front porch during November's snow storm

One of the main streets of Wallingford... so many cute little shops and restaurants.

The trail around Green Lake

The view of downtown Seattle from Gasworks Park

And of course, the beautiful Burke-Gilman trail. <3

Upcoming race plans

2010-12-03T15:02:00.000-08:00

Only one race left for 2010, pretty crazy to think how fast this year has flown by and how much has happened in it!

December - Jingle Bell Run 5K
January - Resolution Run 5K
Lake Youngs Pigtails race (19.6 miles)

February - Port Gamble 25K
Last Call Marathon

March - Chuckanut 50K

April - Wenatchee Marathon

And then switching focus to tri season for the summer. Pretty ambitious, I know, but I'll just take it one step at a time and do the best I can. I'll have to start hitting the trails at Tiger Mountain, Cougar Mountain, etc soon to get some more practice in!

Seattle 1/2 Marathon race report

2010-12-03T14:54:00.001-08:00

There weren't very many good pictures of me from this race because it was so crowded... oh well.

Background - I trained a lot better for this half than the last few I've ran, including a few tempo runs, a few good hill runs, and long runs of up to 12 miles.

The race - So glad the weather cooperated after all the snow of the past week - it ended up being cool and overcast, with the sun coming out right at the finish line. I started the race off with my friend T, who was aiming for a sub 2 half - we stuck together for almost the first mile until the 2 hour pace group caught us (we started in a really weird spot) and he took off with them.

The first 4-5 miles were strong and steady, keeping a pretty decent pace without pushing too hard. A nice change from those other halfs that I hadn't trained for at all! When I hit mile 5-6, my left inner thigh/groin/hip and the inside of my left knee started cramping up so badly I could barely run. This happens occasionally, but usually I can just run it off in a few minutes. This one lasted for almost an entire mile, and at some points I was literally kind of just dragging my left leg along. I started getting kind of frustrated - NO WAY would this happen during this race that I'd actually trained for!

I was really thankful to hit the uphill part of the course starting with the Galer Street hill. I ran up it, and up Madison, with no walk breaks, and it really helped seem to loosen up that hip/thigh. They still never really felt 100% for the rest of the race, but at least I was able to run steadily again. I maintained my pace pretty well up Interlaken hills (despite an extra mile or so back to the med tent to get help for a runner that passed out on the course in front of me - YIKES - I think he ended up being ok though), and over the rolling hills over the freeway and back towards downtown. I hit the mile 12 marker and pushed pretty hard through the downhills and up that steep, obnoxious hill on Mercer Street to the finish. My mom and DBF were at the top of the Mercer Street hill, so that gave me a nice little boost to the finish.

Final time - 2:18:52 for ~14 miles. That's only 6 minutes off my PR time for 13.1 miles, so I'll definitely take it. I also negative split the course by 2 minutes, which I am pretty pleased with given all the hills in the second half! Definitely one of the strongest halfs I've run aside from that stupid leg cramp - I need to figure out how to avoid those once and for all (more strength training, probably).

Snow in Seattle!

2010-11-22T09:59:00.001-08:00

Gotta love what happens when it snows around here... Glad I am not sitting in that!!

Got my last long run (8 miles) in yesterday before the Seattle half marathon this Sunday - I am definitely a lot better prepared than I have been for the last few halfs I've run! Can't wait to go kick some ass on those hills!

Also finally getting settled in at my new place on Green Lake - a little sore from moving furniture yesterday, but it's so nice and cozy and I LOVE the location!

Just a few more short/easy/quick runs this week, then heading to Silverdale to spend Thanksgiving with the boyfriend's family, and then the half on Sunday!

I love hills

2010-11-07T14:45:00.001-08:00

In the spirit of getting ready for the Seattle 1/2 Marathon on November 28, I did a mid-length run on the hilly part of the marathon course (from Galer/Madison up Interlaken almost to Seattle Center) this morning. It was beautiful running weather, and I think everyone else had the same idea I did - I saw at least 30-40 other runners out running the course. I am really appreciating living and running on Queen Anne - I know the hills are tougher when they come at mile 20 of the marathon, but coming earlier than that, they barely bothered me.

Now all that's left is to keep up with some quality midweek mileage, one more long run of 12 miles, and then a little taper before race day! Keeping my fingers crossed that the nice weather holds out, or at least returns for race day!

Full of Updates!

2010-11-04T11:56:00.000-07:00

I will try to update more frequently now that I will have semi-regular access to the Internet on a computer instead of just on my phone! I've missed it!

First news: I got a job!! It is something that (so far) I really enjoy doing, it fits perfectly with my schedule, it's laidback, AND it pays really well (which I'm sure my bank and my landlord will appreciate!). Now I can finally start getting back to some semblance of a normal budget and not have an ucler by the time I turn 25!!

Second news: I have a fantastic DBF!! :)

And now for the running update...

I am signed up for the Seattle 1/2 Marathon on November 28. I had wanted to make the full marathon a yearly tradition, but I just didn't feel like I had the base to build up for it properly after the crazy summer I had. So, I am going to try for a PR, which is unlikely given the hills, but I am still going to run it as hard as I can. I'll be happy with anything under 2:25 or so on that course!

Training has been going well (knock on wood) - I've been consistently putting in long runs, easy runs, hill runs, and tempo runs. I ran 11 miles on Monday, and I'll do 6-8 on the hilly part of the course on Sunday as a cutback week. Can't wait! After that, my next big goal is the Chuckanut Mountain 50K in March, and then getting my revenge on the Wenatchee Marathon in April. Then I'll start gearing back up for summer tri season and get that 1/2 Ironman under my belt!

Starting Over Yet Again

2010-10-12T19:09:00.001-07:00

Any Sex and the City fans out there might get that reference!

It's been a hectic summer and fall, and I haven't had Internet except on my phone, so my blog has kinda fallen off the face of the earth! But I am ramping up my running training for the Seattle half (I've decided to go for a half PR there and build up mileage for my first 50K in March), so I figured that I should get it going again whenever I have a computer to post on!

Job-wise, I'm still working at the Tavern on Friday and Saturday nights, and it's still fun - but I definitely need another job, stat! I've managed to scrap by for rent, etc. so far, but it's super stressful and it'd be so nice to not have to panic every time the first of the month rolls around!

I'm also in need of $ in order to run races! I haven't signed up for the Seattle half yet, or for the Chuckanut Mountain 50K, or anything else. Hopefully I'll have a job soon enough that I won't have to rely on other people's generosity!!

I know it probably seems silly to go for a half PR on such a hilly course, but I actually ran faster at the San Francisco half (much hillier than Seattle) than I did at Eugene. Short legs come in handy sometimes!

Mini-break

2010-09-12T14:55:00.000-07:00

My internet has decided not to work for the past few weeks, so I probably won't be able to post much until we get it back! It's been weird not having it!

Shout-out to The End

2010-08-19T12:39:00.000-07:00

Best radio station in Seattle... I don't know what I'd do without them!

www.1077theend.com

What I'm listening to this week:

Lisztomania, Phoenix
Crystalized, The XX
Just Breathe, Pearl Jam
Jane Says, Jane's Addiction
Home, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes
Animal, Neon Trees
Memories, Weezer
The Freshmen, The Verve Pipe
Runaway Train, Soul Asylum
In One Ear, Cage the Elephant
Everlong, Foo Fighters
Little Lion Man, Mumford & Sons
Starlight, Muse
Hammerhead, The Offspring

Just a small sample of course, but all of the music they play is so amazing!!

Danskin Sprint Tri race report

2010-08-15T22:45:00.000-07:00

Yep, that's right, I haven't completely fallen off the face of the earth! It's just been an absolutely crazy month, up and down and exhausting and ridiculous. Which also means that I haven't done much training (read - basically none) since the San Francisco 1/2. However, in the spirit of getting back on track, here is my Danskin triathlon race report!

Background/training - As stated in the above paragraph... pretty much none. Plus I was also sick for a week... so I wasn't really expecting to even race this - just planned on doing it for fun.

Swim - Hopped in the water with my wave of about 50 people. The swim was pretty intense - it was super crowded (even once my wave got spread out, I started to run into people from the back of the wave in front of us) and the water was really really choppy because of all the people. I'm pretty sure I swallowed more lake water than I ever have before. I even had to stop and tread water for a few seconds once because I got a nice lungful of water along with a kick in the head. However, unlike the Seafair tri, I was swimming really strongly on the rare occasions I did get an open stretch of water to myself, and I was better about muscling my way in between people (although there were still a few occasions where I had to hit the brakes and go around... kind of frustrating). Time: 19:02

Transition 1 - My bike was racked in pretty much the farthest place from all the entry/exit points, so it was a loooong transition. It went pretty uneventfully, just took a lot longer to get from the water to the bike and out to the road to hop on. Time: 4:44

Bike - Once again, I was pleasantly surprised by how strong I felt on the bike. I feel like I could really make great strides and be good at the bike with more training and a decent road bike. As it is I'm fairly middle of the pack on my $5 garage sale hybrid. The course had a lot of rolling hills (the same course as Seafair plus an extra hill or two), and since Danskin is such a beginner friendly race, there were a LOT of people in front of me to pass. I was having so much fun passing people that I never really got tired, which is probably why my bike was faster than at Seafair. Time: 46:08, 15.6 mph

Transition 2 - I had a minor moment of panic at this point because my Gatorade had disappeared, and it was getting really hot and I wanted a drink before the run portion. I also couldn't find my bag with my phone and my keys in it because the transition area was such a mess, so I ran out keeping my fingers crossed that I'd find them after the race. Time: 1:54

Run - It was pretty warm out by the time I started the run, and the course didn't have much shade on it, so I made it my goal to just keep a steady pace, only walk through the water stops, make it up the hill running, and finish stronger than I did at Seafair. I managed to keep myself distracted for the first few miles by counting all the people I passed (there were LOTS of people walking) until I lost track at around 30. I drank and dumped water on myself at every aid station, and I made it up the short (but STEEEEEEP) hill running the entire way (I only saw three other people do it). I felt like I was going to puke at the top because it was so hot, but it was downhill towards the finish and I managed to kick it in pretty strong. Time: 32:27

Final time: 1:44:18

Breakdown:

Clock Time
01:44:18

Overall Place
873 / 3313

Division Place
52 / 114

Swim
00:19:02

Swimrank
720

Trans1
00:04:44

Bike
00:46:08

Bikerank
1369

Mph
15.6

Trans2
00:01:54

Runrank
1099

Run
00:32:27

Pace
00:10:28

Reflections - I was really pleased with how this race went given my lack of training and my plan to just go in and do it for fun! I thought the swim would have been faster, but I had a great time pushing it and passing people on the bike and going strong and steady on the run. I guess I just need to keep working on my swim speed and accept/acknowledge that the crowds and choppy water in big races are going to slow me down a little bit no matter what! But I wasn't expecting a PR at all, so especially given the heat and the longer transitions, I am happy with it!

Next up - Black Diamond Olympic Triathlon, September 25

More pictures to come soon!

San Francisco 1/2 Marathon race report

2010-07-27T11:19:00.001-07:00

Once again, more professional race pictures to be added once they are up - and I will make a separate blog post about my vacation and with all my other pictures in it!

Pre-race dinner - Lisa, me, Linn, and Jen!

Running across the Golden Gate bridge!

The view from up here was totally worth all the hills!

Happy campers post-race!

Elevation map... let me tell you, all of those hills look a lot bigger when you're running them!!

Background/training - Didn't really do much for this race (surprise surprise!) - took the week pretty much off after the Seafair triathlon because of vacation!

Pre-race - Spent a lovely few days exploring San Francisco and meeting lots of new people! Jen and her husband were nice enough to let me crash in their guest bedroom on Thursday and Friday night, which was awesome! And, we were lucky enough to go to a talk/book signing with Dean Karnazes and Bart Yasso! Jen, Linn and I stayed in a hotel near Union Square on Saturday night so we could be closer to the race start - I don't think any of us got much sleep, but that's not really surprising the night before a race! We went out to dinner at an Italian place and met up with Lisa, her sister, Christina's friend Jared, and a couple of other people - super fun! Sunday morning we were up at 4 AM for the walk to the race start. It was really pretty - the Bay Bridge was all light up, and there was an arch of white balloons with little blue Christmas lights underneath them floating over it. The porta pottie lines were so long that we missed our wave, but we hopped in the next one and soon enough we were off!

Mile 1-4 - The race started out along the waterfront, past Pier 39 and the Fisherman's Wharf. I had gone exploring there on Friday, but it was still fun to see, and the weather (though a bit foggy) was perfect for running. I started off slowly and just tried to get my legs to loosen up before we hit the tough parts of the course. The sourdough bread smelled so good as we ran by - so tempting! There was a steep little hill at mile 2, which I ran up and felt quite proud of myself. Hey, maybe the rest of the course wouldn't be as bad as I thought! I settled into a nice steady pace, and then...

Miles 5-9 - There was quite a big hill going up to the Golden Gate bridge - which I was expecting, but by the time I had run/walked/shuffled up to the start of the bridge, I was a little bit demoralized. If the entire course was like this I'd be lucky to finish in under 3 hours! Running across the bridge was nice (especially once we got to the midpoint and it was gradual downhill instead of gradual uphill!) - I maintained a steady pace, stayed focused, and felt good. It was fun to see Linn and Jen coming back, and I got plenty of GU at the turnaround on the other side. I stopped to take a few pictures coming back - I just couldn't resist! I was still feeling strong and steady when we came off the bridge, and I was getting ready to enjoy a nice downhill - after all, we came UP to the bridge, so we must get to go DOWN off of it, right?

Miles 9-11 - Nope. There was a bit of downhill, and then another big hill around mile 9.5. There were a lot of people walking by this point, but I managed a run/walk up the hill, and the view at the top was incredible (see the non-bridge picture at the top). We were also rewarded with the nice long downhill that I had been waiting for, and I was still feeling good!

Miles 11-13 - As you can see from the elevation map (maybe), the last two or so miles felt like running upstairs - a flat section, an uphill, a flat section, another uphill! I ran probably 3/4 of the way up every hill, took a short walk break before the top, and ran the flat sections. It was a gorgeous neighborhood, and even though I felt like I had been running uphill the entire race, I was able to stay strong and steady until we came into Golden Gate park and crossed the finish line!

Final time: 2:35

Reflections/post-race: I was very pleased with my time of 2:35. It's not fast, certainly not near my PR, but it is a minute faster than I ran on pancake-flat Eugene. I didn't train very well and I definitely didn't train for hills, but I was able to stay strong and steady and I never really faded or hit the wall. It was a really fun race, and I was so glad to have been able to meet some great people! Jen and Linn were nice enough to wait for me at the finish line, and we bussed back to the start line and then walked back to our hotel. I'm really glad we did so much walking after the race - I am probably less sore now than I have been after any other half! I had a nice post-race brunch with Christina's friend Jared at Cheesecake Factory, and then wandered around the mall at Union Square until it was time to catch the BART to the airport for our flights. Despite waiting around in SFO for 6-7 hours b/c of a delayed flight, it was a great trip and a fun race!

Next up: Danskin Sprint Tri, 8/15/10 - going for that sub 1:45!

Seafair Sprint Tri Race Report (updated w/pics)

2010-07-18T10:42:00.000-07:00

Professional race pictures added at the bottom!

Some nice bed head before the start of the race... I was up at 4 AM, cut me some slack!

Ready to head out into the water... brrr!

Hmm, that swim was not as good as I expected... but I still beat my time goal!

On to the bike....

Getting ready for a great ride!

Trying not to do what the lady in yellow did (fall on my face)!

Starting the run course... hey, my legs still feel good!

Nice little finishing kick at the end of a good run!

Nap time plz?

Bud and I in the finish area. Yay!

Background- I was actually fairly well trained for this race, although I could have used some more running and swimming speedwork. My long run is currently 13.1 miles, so 5K is a pretty short run distance. I had biked up to 30 miles and done a few 10-12 mile tempo rides, some of them on the course, which I think really helped. I had done plenty of open water swims and I felt my form was getting even more improved. I told myself I'd be ok with anything under 2 hours, and I'd be really really happy with 1:50 or 1:45.

Swim - The water wasn't as cold as I was expecting given how cloudy it was, but it was still COLD (low 60s). There were only a few other people without wetsuits there. I made the mistake of starting near the back of my wave because I wasn't sure how fast everyone else was, so it took me almost all the way to the first buoy to get in the clear. I was running into people, swerving, trying to get around people, getting run over, getting kicked... not so fun! By the time I came around to the second buoy, I was in a little more of a rhythm, but still wasn't feeling as fast and strong as usual. I struggled a bit on the long straightaway coming in to the shore, but I managed to push through it. I wasn't too pleased with the swim coming out, but I still managed a sub 20 800M swim. Time: 18:50ish

Transition 1 - I could probably get this a bit faster, but nothing bad happened, haha! Time: 4:30 (it was a long way to get to the bike start!)

Bike- This went way better than I was expecting. The 12 mile course is a lot of rolling hills and some flat sections, with only one big steep hill. I went out at a steady pace, not pushing too hard but riding strong and steady. I ran my bike up the steep hill and continued on across the floating bridge. I hit the turn around point in 24 minutes, well under my goal pace of 55 minutes for the bike. And my legs were still feeling great! I was able to stay really focused, strong, and steady for the entire ride. I finished in right around 49 minutes, which I was super happy with! Time: 49:20ish

Transition 2 - Uneventful, just dropped off my gloves and bike helmet. Time: 1 min

Run - I was very pleased when I started running and felt only a mild tightness in my calves and hamstrings - nothing like the incredible ouch I felt during the mock tri last weekend. I told myself that I wouldn't waste such a good bike ride by not pushing it on the run. I started off strong, steady, and still feeling good. I hit the first mile in about 10:30, which was a lot faster than I was expecting! Mile 2 came about halfway up the hill in the race, which is long and steep. I ran up most of it, only walking for about 10 seconds during the steepest part. Coming back down was a lot of fun! I ran mile 2 in about 11:00, and after coming down the hill, pushed it stronger and stronger until I saw the finish line, and then unleashed a pretty good finishing kick until I crossed the line. Time: 32:33

Final time: 1:45:33(ish)

Reflections - I am very happy with my overall time! The bike and the run were strong, steady efforts that were faster than I expected and I am very pleased with them (although I know there is always room for improvement!). I could practice my transitions a few more times but they weren't horrible. The swim got off to a rough start and I never really got settled, but I managed to push through and still finish with not a horrible time. I can't wait for the next one!

The swim start... brr!

One of the rolling hills on the bike course

I still don't look like a biker... I guess there's always room for improvement haha!

Running!

Almost time...

2010-07-15T15:10:00.000-07:00

My first sprint tri of 2010 (and the first one I've raced, on my own) is 3 days away! The Seafair Sprint Tri will be at Seward Park on Sunday, July 18. It's a standard sprint distance - 800M swim, 12 mi bike, and 5K run. I am looking forward to it - I've had some great swims lately and a few good hard bike rides. I'm hoping to get another run or two in before the race, and hopefully the weather will cooperate!

Viva La Furia Roja!!

2010-07-12T09:39:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to my favorite non-US team, Spain! World Cup Champions and deservedly so! The final may have been an ugly match, but Spain has been consistently dominant on the international scene the past few years and it's nice to see such beautiful football rewarded!

Now, the question is, what am I going to do with my time for the next 4 years???

Hooray for summer!

2010-07-09T13:43:00.001-07:00

It's finally sunny and has gotten up to the 90s this week! Quite a welcome change from the 50s/60s cloudy/rainy 4th of July weekend!! I got to do my first OWS in Lake Washington on Wednesday (and it was actually WARM!) and I will be spending a lot more time at my favorite place! (Matthews Beach, above)

Tri training has still been going well after I got over that nasty little cold, and we have our first mock tri at Seward Park tomorrow - probably 800M swim, 10 mile bike, and 2.5 mile run. Then next Sunday, is my first triathlon of 2010 - Seafair Sprint Tri at Seward Park!

It will be the first sprint distance tri that I've raced, and I'm super excited for it! I'm hoping to come in under around 1:45 or 1:50 (although of course finishing strong is the main thing). I'd like to finish the 800M swim in under 18:00, the 12 mile bike in under 50:00, and the 5K run in under 35:00. Hopefully I'll be able to improve on those times even more once the Danskin Sprint Tri comes around in the middle of August!

And, only one more week until vacation (Long Beach, on the Washington coast, and then down to San Francisco to run the SF First Half on Sunday)!!

Decisions, decisions

2010-07-02T15:58:00.000-07:00

Beaver Lake, where we've done all of our open water swim practices so far. It's beautiful!

So, I have made the decision (after lots of pondering) to switch from the 1/2 Ironman to the Olympic distance at the Black Diamond triathlon in September. I just feel that it'd be a better plan to continue building a better base, getting faster and getting more experience at the shorter distances this year, so that I'll actually be able to do well in a HIM in 2011. I feel that I could probably manage to finish this year, but it wouldn't be pretty, and I wouldn't be satisfied with just finishing (especially if I were to come in last!). I'd rather do well at sprints and oly distances this year, and build from that base to actually do well at a HIM next year.

It'll also be helpful in letting me see how much training I can realistically fit in with how much time and energy I have so that I don't end up overtrained or overwhelmed. Baby steps, right?

Part of me is a little bit disappointed, and a little bit feeling like a failure, and a little bit humbled. But hey, I'm only 23, I don't need to do everything NOW. I just keep reminding myself that the HIM will be a lot more fun and successful if I take the time to build up to it and prepare for it the best I can, even if that means waiting another year to do it. Good things come to those who wait, right?

Alive

2010-07-01T20:56:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46nfof-gdDs&feature=related

Turns out, the (probable) reason I spent the middle miles of the Rock N Roll half feeling so sick is because, well... I was actually getting sick. And my body was probably going "Um, hello? Why are you running 13.1 miles right now??"

Anyways, it decided to thoroughly punish me by getting sick this past week. Headache, stuffy nose, runny nose, sore throat, stomachache, dizziness, sinuses, coughing, the works. It SUCKED. I am still a little stuffy and coughing, but back to work, because I have major cabin fever and I could not spend one more day inside my apartment!!

I even managed to get a short 800M swim in on my lunch break today, and it actually felt... decent. Aiming for another swim and/or run tomorrow, and then an OWS/run brick on Saturday morning. Long bike ride on Sunday, and then hopefully a 9.6 mile trail run at Lake Youngs on Monday! (Love having a three day weekend!)

Hear that, body? I have big plans for you, so you'd better cooperate!!

Rock N Roll Seattle 1/2 Marathon Race Report

2010-06-27T09:55:00.001-07:00

Not sure where on the course this was taken... may have been coming in to the finish line?

Ian and I before the start of the race

More pictures to come (featuring yours truly) shortly!

Background - I trained a little more consistently for this one than for Eugene in May (read, I actually ran) but I still didn't have any runs longer than 7 miles. Gotta get on figuring out how to get those long runs worked in! I also started getting sick the night before the race - sore throat, sniffles, sinus headache, etc. Ick!!

The race - Got dropped off at the start line in Tukwila with only about 10 minutes to spare before the start of the race. Due to the corral start I wasn't too worried about being late, and it was nice to not have to spend hours and hours waiting around. I found a few of my friends before the start and was able to say hi, so that was fun too. The weather was PERFECT for this race - cool and overcast with a light breeze.

After watching the first 13 corrals make their way to the start, it was our turn, and we were off. I ran the first 2-3 miles with a friend from high school, which probably explains why they were a LOT faster than the rest of my miles (10 min average when I was going for 11-11:30... oops!). The 2:07 pace group passed me at mile 4 and I had an "uh oh"moment. I also started feeling like crap during this mile. My friend went on ahead and I spent the next four miles alternately running and darting to the side of the road to throw up whenever I saw a trash can (I HATE throwing up in public!). I definitely considered just throwing in the towel and calling my mom to come get me, more than once. Luckily, the 6th mile was a long, gradual downhill, and aside from the random throwing up, I was able to regain my focus a little bit and just keep moving forward step by step. I think I was all out by mile 8, so I took a GU and continued on.

The last 4-5 miles of the race were actually the best for me - I was running steady and very focused on just making it to the next mile marker, and the next one, and the next one. The only part of this race I don't like is miles 9-11ish on I-90, because the road is so cambered/slanted it is a pain to run on. I was happy to get off the bridge just before mile 12, and ran in strongly. I even managed a bit of a finishing kick, although I swear that last .1 was the longest tenth of a mile I've ever run, haha.

I crossed the finish line in 2:32, which is 20 minutes off my half PR but still 5 minutes faster than I ran in Eugene last month. Given all the throwing up and wanting to quit by mile 4, I will take the strong finish and the time!

Post-race - Hopped in the car with Mom, got some Tully's, and then went to the Tavern to watch the US game (sad sad!). Played soccer with the boys for an hour and then worked at the Tavern until 10. I think all the walking around hopefully kept me loosened up enough to speed up recovery a little bit.

Other notes- My friend T (who I ran the Seattle Marathon with in Nov.) ran the full at Rock N Roll and ran a 4:35 - a 50 minute PR! So cool for him! My friend C ran her first half and ran a 2:03, the guy I ran the first few miles with ran a 1:48 (18 minute PR), and I know plenty of other people that PR'd/BQ'd as well. I also saw a Team in Training lady with a picture of a little toddler on her shirt and underneath it it said "Mommy Misses You" - that almost made me cry. Also, there was a short, STEEP hill going up to I-90 just after the mile 9 marker, and I passed a guy in a wheelchair pushing his way up it. I don't know how he did it, but it was incredibly inspiring.

Reflections - I guess it just wasn't my day, but I'm pleased with how I was able to push through and refocus and still end up with a strong finish. Now to recover, and hopefully get some more good running in before the San Francisco half on July 25!!

World Cup links

2010-06-23T15:06:00.001-07:00

There are some great stories floating around after the US victory today - I thought I'd save them here!!

ESPN's game story: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=264048&cc=5901&ver=us

ESPN story about US soccer: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/columns/story/_/id/5319612/ce/us/biggest-win-us-soccer?cc=5901&ver=us

Yahoo story about fan reaction from US: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/columns/story/_/id/5319612/ce/us/biggest-win-us-soccer?cc=5901&ver=us

Yahoo's World Cup blog has some great stories in it: http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/blog/dirty-tackle

Yahoo story about Donovan's comeback: http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/news/dramatic-goal-completes-donovan-s-redemption--fbintl_ro-donovan062310.html

Pictures and video of the goal/US celebration: http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/blog/dirty-tackle/post/Emotional-celebration-for-U-S-after-unbelievabl?urn=sow,250726#mwpphu-container

Concert Review - The Offspring

2010-06-23T13:16:00.001-07:00

This was my second concert at the Showbox Sodo and first time being on the floor/in a mosh pit - it was CRAZY!! I went with my brother and we got there early enough to be just a couple of rows back from the stage. I lost both of my shoes during the first song (You're Gonna Go Far Kid - everyone just went NUTS)! I got plenty of bruises and I am sore today from all the jumping around, but at least I didn't end up bloody like some people that I saw!!

Showbox Sodo is a lot differently laid out from Showbox at the Market - the SODO one is basically just like a big old warehouse with a bar and a stage attached. It's still pretty cool though - it's just a lot bigger than the one at the Market, so there is less intimacy, but it's handy for shows that draw really big crowds like The Offspring.

(This isn't my picture - we were actually a lot closer to the stage than this!)

The concert was great - they played all my favorite songs (You're Gonna Go Far Kid, Hammerhead, Self Esteem, Pretty Fly For a White Guy, My Friend's Got a Girlfriend), etc. They were super high energy, sounded GREAT live, and were a great band to dance around and sing as loudly as possible to!

Here is a video of them live (not from last night): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJ4bxQ04dH8&playnext_from=TL&videos=Dn1oair2R4o&feature=rec-LGOUT-exp_fresh%2Bdiv-1r-2-HM

The tickets were fairly expensive but it was such a fun show that I'd definitely go back if my budget allowed. Concerts at the Showbox are addicting... I'm sure I would go to at least a couple every month if I could afford it! Maybe someday...

USA! USA! USA!

2010-06-23T11:35:00.001-07:00

In honor of today's AWESOME last-minute victory by the US Men's team over Algeria, which means that the US has won their group and gets to advance to the next round, my blog is now rocking the American pride!!!

Seriously, what a game! So many chances and so close to being out, but we just kept trying and trying and it FINALLY went in!!

My only complaint is that because refs have disallowed TWO US goals this World Cup, we all paused in the middle of screaming and were afraid that this one would somehow be disallowed also!

But it wasn't and the US has fought and overcome and will continue on! Carry on, men!

I also love how this run is getting people all over the US into soccer as well! My FB news feed was literally ALL US soccer this morning... (I know the pictures are small, but you can zoom in on your screen and see - hold control on your keyboard and scroll up on your mouse).

If you could live anywhere in the US...

2010-06-22T10:46:00.000-07:00

Where would it be, and why? Do you like where you are now, or are you dying to go exploring?

I haven't been to many other places besides Seattle (OR, CA, ID, VA, NC, and DC, and kind of Canada and Mexico) so I am dying to travel. Much as I love Seattle, there are still many many places on my list that I want to check out. And much as I love it here, sometimes I wish I lived somewhere with real seasons. You know... snow in the winter, hot in the summer? Maybe it's just because this el nino year has been particularly blah so far. We still haven't even hit 75 yet, and this past Sunday was the darkest/rainiest June day in 15 years! I guess I got spoiled by last year, when it snowed like crazy for a few weeks in the winter and was hot and sunny most of the summer!

My top places in the US besides Seattle that I'd like to at least see/explore are: (in addition to the other big cities like Chicago, Boston, etc!)

Orange Beach, Alabama

Portland, Maine

San Diego, CA (or anywhere in Cali really)

New York, NY

Colorado Springs, Co

Austin, TX

Miami, FL

If you live near or have been to any of these places (or have any of your own) please feel free to comment!!

Adventures in biking

2010-06-20T19:54:00.003-07:00

First, here are the new bike shorts I got yesterday. They're cheap, and they're just plain black, but they are sooo comfy! (and I happen to think they make my legs/butt look nice!)

Tri training has gone well this week, capped off by a fast 1200M swim on Friday, a great 3 mile hill run yesterday, and my longest bike ride ever - 30"ish" miles - today. By the time I finished, I was soaked, dripping wet, and shivering. Hello, Seattle, it's supposed to be June!! I just hit the trail and followed the Burke-Gilman up to the Sammamish River Trail (which apparently has a few short but steep hills that I wasn't expecting) and rode out to Red Hook Brewery in Woodinville. Unfortunately I didn't have time to stop in for a beer! I felt pretty good about the ride, nothing really hurts (although my quads are feeling it a bit now), and I rode the second half 6 minutes faster than the first half. Onward and upward...!

And now that I have my new gym, I've tweaked my weekly training to look like this:

Monday - Master's swim (AM), long run (PM)
Tuesday - Spinning (AM), yoga (PM)
Wednesday - Open water swim practice, easy run
Thursday - Easy bike, run workout
Friday - Long swim
Saturday - Easy run
Sunday - Long bike

And finally, I signed up for the Seafair Triathlon today. It is less than a month away and I didn't want to risk it selling out! Also, can't wait for the Seattle Rock N Roll 1/2 this Saturday!

Music of the week - 6/14/10

2010-06-20T00:28:00.000-07:00

Here is a sampling of recent "music of the week":

- Neon Trees, "Animal"
- Shinedown, "If You Only Knew"
- This Providence, "Letdown"
- Anberlin, "Feel Good Drag"
- The Offspring, "Self Esteem"
- Muse, "Resistance"
- Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, "Home"
- The XX, "Crystalized"
- Phoenix,"1901"
- Train, "Hey Soul Sister"
- Lady Gaga, "Bad Romance" (hey, it's catchy!)

This week's:

- Brandon Flowers, "Crossfire"
- Pearl Jam, "Amongst the Waves"
- The Classic Crime, "Solar Powered Life"
- Muse, "Neutron Star Collision"
- The Dirty Heads, "Lay Me Down"

And, in honor of Thursday's amazing concert: "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked," "In One Ear", and "Back Against the Wall" by Cage the Elephant! <3

How bout you?

Concert Review - Cage the Elephant

2010-06-18T12:40:00.001-07:00

This was the third concert that I've been to at Showbox at the Market, and probably one of the most fun concerts I've ever been to!

This video wasn't taken at the Showbox concert, but it is a pretty good sample of how they perform live. The Showbox is a fairly small venue so it was just NUTS in there!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msFAn-5GGME&feature=related

(and yes, he did manage to stand up while crowd surfing AND singing)

I had a blast and I will totally make an effort to see them again when they come back. If they are in your area and you like good crazy fun rock music, I'd totally recommend. Bonus - the tickets were only $15!!

First "current events" post

2010-06-17T15:57:00.000-07:00

But first, quick update - I signed up for the new gym across the street yesterday, got a good deal on it and it is sooo nice and convenient!! Yay! Also going to the Cage the Elephant concert tonight - should be fun!

Anyways, here is the current events article: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012122660_coppunch16m.html

One point of confusion: "Levias was given a deferred disposition because it was a first-time offense, Goodhew said". Yet just a few paragraphs earlier, the article says "Levias was charged in February 2009 with third-degree assault after she allegedly pushed a King County sheriff's deputy down." So clearly it was not a first-time offense, and more than that, it wasn't even the first time she's tried to shove a cop around.

Another point (of familial stupidity): "Marilyn Jamerson, Rosenthal's aunt, spoke after the hearing in support of the girl.
"She's perfect; that's why we call her Angel," Jamerson said. "She was named Angel for a reason."

The next paragraph says: "Rosenthal was charged in November with second-degree robbery. According to prosecutors, she punched a 15-year-old boy in the face while she and a group of youths were on their way to a rave in South Seattle last Aug. 28. The boy told police that his cellphone and $20 were stolen in the incident. A 14-year-old boy told police that he was punched in the head and his hat was stolen.
Authorities say the case was dismissed when the boys refused to testify.
In April 2008, Rosenthal was charged with third-degree theft after she allegedly stole a minivan in Tukwila, prosecutors said. Kent police said she used a screwdriver to break the ignition and start the vehicle."

Yeah, she sure sounds like an angel...

A few other points that commenters on the article seem to have missed (and a few that the short video clip doesn't show):

* Rainier Ave has more than twice the amount of pedestrian/jaywalking accidents than the next highest road in Seattle
* The school district actually *requested* that the SPD have a presence in that area specifically watching out for jaywalking
* A man in the crowd near the cop had a handgun in his pocket
* The man attempted to subdue/control the girls for 5-10 minutes and the girls kept escalating the situation, yelling derogatory language and pushing and shoving at the cop

In my opinion - yes, a punch in the face does seem extreme. However, it is NEVER ok to touch or assault a police officer on duty, and it sounds like these girls weren't going to quit giving him crap. He was also surrounded by a crowd of people that could have easily gotten out of control. And, what message would it give if he simply let them walk away? Too many kids grow up spoiled and thinking they don't have to listen to authority. Finally, in my opinion, playing the race card every single time an instance involves people of difference races diminishes the effect it has when there actually IS a racial bias.

Feel free to post any thoughts or comments you may have!

Some reasons to love soccer

2010-06-17T08:58:00.000-07:00

Aside from the fact that it's an awesome sport and the World Cup is so much fun to watch...

Fernando Torres

Piles of cute men in shorts

Cristiano Ronaldo

Kasey Keller

Iker Casillas

Fredy Montero

Freddie Ljunberg

Carlos Bocanegra... my newest soccer crush

David Beckham

Michael Ballack

If you think of any I've left out, feel free to let me know!! <3

Expansion is in the air

2010-06-16T13:55:00.001-07:00

In the spirit of all the expansion talks going on in the NCAA (which I disagree with, by the way), I've decided to expand my blog a little bit. Thus far it has mostly focused on running and triathlon training, with the occasional sports nugget thrown in.

However, I've decided to branch out and start blogging about news events, politics, and other sports when the mood strikes. Feel free to skip any or all of these non running related posts, or feel free to read and comment if you agree or disagree or have anything to say!

Shaking it up

2010-06-15T13:35:00.000-07:00

So, I am thinking of switching gyms. My current gym is close-ish to my house, but there is one in the building literally right across the street from my work, which has free parking in the mornings, parking for $3 a month on weekends, and is two blocks from the bus line. It would be SO convenient (and I'd probably use it a lot more) to be able to stop in and spin/swim/do weights, yoga, whatever on the way to or from work, or even on my lunch break!

They have free 7 day passes downstairs in my building, so I took one, and I am planning on trying it out sometime this week. If it's not WAY more expensive than my current gym, I am going to switch. I like the one I'm at now, but if this one is just as nice, but way more convenient, well, I'm in!

I have still been mostly managing to fit tri training in fairly well - I've had a few good runs, gone on a few more good bike rides (I'm feeling a lot more comfortable with it) and a decent swim or two. Tonight is my first brick workout of the year - I am planning on an easy 10-12 mile bike ride followed by a 6-8 mile "long run" on the Burke-Gilman. The weather looks perfect for it - cool and overcast (although I do wish it would get hot and sunny ASAP... booo to el nino!).

I am going down to Speedy Reedy this weekend hoping to find a good tri suit, and I still need to sign up for the Seafair and Lake Meridian triathlons. My bank account won't like *that* very much!

Less than two weeks til the Rock N Roll Seattle 1/2!

I heart OWS

2010-06-09T20:42:00.000-07:00

I was a little worried given all the rain and looming thunderstorms today, but amazingly the weather cleared up just enough to not cancel the open water swim practice this time.

A bit of background - I started training with Team Survivor Northwest last summer, which is a group of women cancer survivors that get together and do triathlons and other things. I have never had cancer, but my mom had a friend who did, and she invited us to the group last summer. I had so much fun training with them that I eventually started helping out at some of the practices, mostly being a "swim angel" (ie swimming around with a buoy just in case anyone ever needed help). So, I volunteered to swim angel and otherwise volunteer at the practices this year too.

There were only four people who showed up to swim tonight (probably because of the weather), and a few others that were there to kayak alongside. So I didn't actually need to swim angel, which was nice because I could actually swim (I mostly just practiced sighting across the lake and trying to swim in a straight line without the help of those handy lane lines). Beaver Lake was COLD - probably as cold as the coldest swim I've ever done in Lake Washington. I was the only person there not in a wetsuit, and everyone else thought I was crazy.

The first few strokes definitely took my breath away a little bit, but I quickly settled into a rhythm. There is something I just LOVE about open water swimming - I find it so incredibly relaxing. We swam a quarter mile, and then the one male swimmer and I went back out for another quarter mile. I felt really smooth, strong, and fast, and everyone else was impressed. I mentioned to the coach that I'd always swum breaststroke and was just now getting comfortable with crawlstroke, and she was like "wow, really? I thought you've always done crawlstroke, I thought that's what you swam competitively, you're so good at it!"

So, it was really fun, and a big confidence booster, and I can't wait to get back out again!

Tomorrow is a bike/run brick, my first one of 2010!

Baby steps

2010-06-08T13:08:00.000-07:00

So, I'm now a week and a half in to 1/2 Ironman training. It is going pretty well so far - at least on the weekends. I still need to figure out how to juggle everything during the week, but I'm getting there!

Last weekend I did a 14 mile bike ride with the family, followed by a (slow) 1.2 mile swim. The swim took me just over an hour, which is fine considering it was only half crawlstroke and half breaststroke. My goal for the HIM swim is <50>

This weekend, I did a 24 mile bike ride - I think that's the longest I've ever ridden. It was great! My wrists were a little sore and my butt was sore - gotta wrap my handlebars and get some padded bike shorts - but aside from that it felt really good. I followed the bike ride with a 1/2 mile swim (still only about 66% crawlstroke) in 25 minutes.

Yesterday, I did my "long run" for the week around Green Lake - a little over 6 miles. It felt really good!

I'm a bit sore today, so will aim for some yoga and maybe go for a quick spin at the gym later in the evening. Tomorrow (assuming the weather holds, which it looks like it actually might this week) is first open water swim practice of the year at Beaver Lake! I hope it's not too cold, as I still don't have a wetsuit yet!

In other news - just working, hanging out with friends, trying to get things organized and find a balance. It's definitely a process adjusting to life after college!

Also, only 2 1/2 weeks til the Seattle Rock N Roll 1/2!

Big plans for June

2010-06-01T13:05:00.000-07:00

A 30 Day Program of Radical Self Care

1. Detox your diet. Eliminate all processed foods, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine (I know this may be no simple task for some of you, so go slowly, plan ahead, and be compassionate with yourself). If you can manage, go vegan, mostly raw for two weeks. If you can, do a 5 day green juice fast. If not, stick to steamed veggies and salads for 2 weeks.

2. Take your vitamins, superfoods, & supplements every day. I use the Usana My Health Pack, which contains multivitamins, fish oil, calcium, and other minerals. I also take Sun Chlorella and Vitamin D.

3. Make a practice of daily writing. Just for yourself. Keep a Joy Journal. Or do morning pages, as suggested by Julia Cameron, author of the The Artist’s Way. Send your inner critic to time out and just WRITE.

4. Sleep 7-9 hours/night. No buts. Just do it.

5. Detox your friendships. If someone isn’t good for you, take a 30 day break from them. This is YOUR 30 days to nurture you. All toxic relationships are off limits.

6. Move your body no less than 5 days/week, ideally, every day. Walk. Do yoga. Go to the gym. Whatever. Honor your body by letting it move.

7. Meditate. I know, I know. This is the hardest one for me. If you can’t handle the silence, buy guided meditations on CD or Itunes. I love Belleruth Naparstek. You don’t have to spend an hour. But take 10 minutes to close your eyes and get quiet. No excuses.

8. If you have a bath tub, take baths instead of showers. Use your yummiest bath gels, salts, and scrubs. Read an inspiring book while bathing. Finish it off by consciously loving each body part while rubbing on body lotion, coconut oil, or olive oil.

9. Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate. Drink herbal tea, water, green juice. Get those cells hydrated. If you’re peeing often and it’s clear, you’re doing it right.

10. Have orgasms no less than 5 times/week. If you don’t have a partner, pull out that pink Rabbit vibrator!

11. Practice forgiveness every day. Forgive yourself. Forgive that person you’ve been holding a grudge against. Be extra specially kind to yourself and others for 30 whole days in a row. Banish toxic thoughts altogether, if you can.

12. Skip the news and read inspirational books instead. I highly recommend the one I’m reading now- Gregg Levoy’s Callings: Finding and Following an Authentic Life. Or try Martha Becks’s Finding Your Own North Star. Or Marianne Williamson’s A Return to Love.

13. Pray. Reach out the Universe. Make your desires know. Set intentions. Give thanks. Feel the divine energy that runs within you.

14. Choose a mantra for your 30 day program and make this your affirmation. Mine will be “I am successful AND balanced, healthy, vital, and whole.” Write it by the toilet, post it on your computer, repeat it during your meditations.

This 30 day program will require that you give up some other things in your life for this 30 days. I suggest skipping arguing, excessive work, ego-driven ambition, the fourth bedtime story, time spent berating yourself in the mirror, and, if need be- a clean kitchen! Your life isn’t going anywhere if you take 30 days to radically nurturing yourself. I’ll bet you anything it will change your life.

If you can’t manage an intensive 30 day program, don’t despair. You don’t have to beat yourself up if your to do list just won’t allow a program like this. While a program like this will jump start you, you can get your Mojo back with a less radical approach. Simply choose one or two of these activities, and scatter them throughout your life. Exercise Monday. Meditate Tuesday. Have orgasms on Wednesdays. Write on Thursday. No matter what, be compassionate yourself.

I'm pleased to say I'm already off to a good start!

23!

2010-05-27T15:51:00.001-07:00

I am going to make it a great year!!

Where is summer?

2010-05-24T09:32:00.000-07:00

I cannot wait for it to be hot and sunny all the time!!

Exciting running update - I am going down to San Francisco to run the 1/2 Marathon on July 25! I am so excited to get to meet some DIVAs, go on a mini-vacation, and run across the Golden Gate Bridge!

I don't mind Monday as much this week because it's my birthday week - which also means the Sex and the City movie comes out on my birthday, it's a three-day weekend, and Folklife is this weekend!

I still think it is bittersweet that Lost is over... can't believe it!

As far as running, etc goes this week:

Monday - 3-4 mile run, 30 minute swim
Tuesday - 4 mile run, yoga
Wednesday - 6 mile run, 30 minute swim
Thursday - 4 mile run
Friday - Off
Saturday - 8 mile run, swim
Sunday - 1 1/2 hour bike ride, yoga

Time flies

2010-05-19T12:18:00.001-07:00

Wow, where has the past year gone? I can't believe it's almost summer already (YAY!). I can't believe I'm turning 23 next week. I can't believe it's been almost a year since I graduated from college!

In the past year, I've gotten three jobs, kept two of them, gotten a new car, a new apartment, a new cat, run two half marathons, done two triathlons, run two full marathons, dated and broke up with a guy, and am now dating a new one. Crazy!

I've also been listening to a TON of new music lately (thanks 107.7) - here is a list of some of my faves.

The XX's - Crystalized
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros - Home
Two Door Cinema Club - I Can Talk
Neon Trees - Animal
Broken Bells - The High Road
Muse - Neuron Star Collision

I've pretty much decided that if I had to pick a modern band to listen to for the rest of my life, it would totally be Muse. They are amazing live and they have this incredible ability to make any song epic and beautiful.

As far as running and tri-training go, I am just still trying to figure out a routine of fitting everything in. It takes 40 times to make something a habit, right? So... by the summer I should have it figured out! :)

Time to Start Tri-ing!

2010-05-05T13:42:00.000-07:00

Now that my legs have recovered from the surprise they got in Eugene this past weekend... it is time to start figuring out how to fit tri training into my life. We are now less than 5 months from the Black Diamond 1/2 Ironman!

Here is my first "official" week of training (next week):

Monday - Run 3 miles, swim 30 minutes, strength training
Tuesday - Run 4 miles (hills), bike 45 minutes
Wednesday - Run 3 miles, swim 30 minutes, strength training
Thursday - Run 5 miles, bike 45 minutes, yoga
Friday - Off
Saturday - Bike 1 hour
Sunday - Beat the Bridge 8K (4.9 mile tempo run), yoga
Running distance: 20 miles

Normally I'd do the long bike ride on Sunday and do a long run on Saturday, but I am tweaking next week so that I can run Beat the Bridge. Looks like I will have to become a morning runner (or a morning SOMETHING-er) in order to get this all figured out and fit in! I am focusing more on the running side of things until after the Seattle Rock N Roll 1/2, when I'll switch to focusing more on biking. If you have any comments/questions/suggestions feel free to let me know!

Eugene medal

2010-05-03T13:11:00.000-07:00

Eugene 1/2 Marathon race report

2010-05-03T10:55:00.000-07:00

Background/training - My last run of double-digit length was early February (the day of the Super Bowl). I ran an 8 miler at the end of February, and the St. Patrick's Day Dash (3.7ish) in March. I ran a 2 miler last Monday and a 3 miler last Wednesday. That's it. Mostly due to getting strep throat and being sick in some way or another for more than a month.

Goals - To survive. I knew that I could run a half on no training, but I assumed it probably wouldn't be too pretty!

The weekend - I drove down from Seattle on Saturday morning with an acquaintance from college. It was so nice to have someone to make the road trip with, and it's amazing how much you can learn about someone by spending so long in a car with them!! We made it down to Eugene in the early afternoon after a beautiful drive - I'd never really been south of Portland in the daylight. There were miles of green grassy fields with little baby lambs frolicking in them! After grabbing our packets and shirts at the expo, we realized that neither of us had a map of Eugene, or dinner reservations, or anything of that sort. We wandered around until we found Hayward Field and caught some of the Oregon Relays going on, and then lucked into getting a table at a nice Italian place in downtown Eugene. We had to be up super early on Sunday morning to catch the shuttle to the race start, and we left pretty much as soon as we finished. We stopped at Sherri's on the drive home and inhaled some pancakes, cinnamon french toast, bacon, eggs, and lots of water. There is something about post-race brunches that is just so delicious! I had such a great time just road tripping and exploring around that it'd be worth it even if I hadn't been running the race!

The race -

Miles 1-4 - I settled into a fairly steady pace for these first few miles, which were mostly downhill and on shady streets in Eugene. Ran them at around an 11:15 min/mile average and felt good. I wanted to go out a little slower, but it's hard to slow yourself down on a downhill! Saw my friend running with the lead group on an out and back - so awesome!

Miles 5-7 - These continued along that same out and back, which was mostly flat. The sun kept peeping out a little bit and it was getting warmer than I'd expected, so I chugged Gatorade at every water stop. Kept taking it just one mile at a time and still feeling good!

Mile 8/9 - This was probably my least favorite part of the race. It was a long uphill with no shade whatsoever, and the sun came out of the clouds full force. I was definitely overheating, so I walked most of the hill - which, unfortunately was where the race photographers chose to position themselves!! Those are definitely some race pics I won't be buying haha!

Mile 10-13 - This was the most up and down part of the course for me with regard to how I was feeling. I got a second wind after that long hill and ran strong, and then I'd have moments where I felt incredibly crappy, and more strong smooth moments, just back and forth. I just kept chugging along! A lot of these miles were on concrete trail that wound along next to the river, which felt kind of hard on my legs, but it was pretty (from what I noticed). There were a LOT of people walking by this point! My favorite part of the race was definitely when we came into Hayward Field and around the last curve of the track to the finish line. There were SO many spectators there and in the grandstands, and it was just really cool.

I finished in 2:36, and my friend finished the FULL in 2:30! Crazy!

Reflections - I am pretty pleased with my race and my time given my lack of training. It's a 13 minute PR from my other "untrained" half and only 10 minutes slower than Rock N Roll last year. It was definitely motivating because I just kept thinking what a fun course it'd be to RACE, so I want to get back into that kind of shape! I had a great time getting to know my friend better and am just super impressed by his race. All in all it was just a super fun trip and everything went as smoothly as I could have hoped for!

Next up - Beat the Bridge 8K on May 16 if I feel up to it, otherwise probably the Rock N Roll 1/2 on June 26.

In the spirit of the season...

2010-04-29T14:13:00.000-07:00

I have at least 27 friends that are engaged right now. Ok, maybe not 27, but it's a lot!! I love hearing all the wedding planning stuff and daydreaming about my own (way in the future)!

I thought it'd be fun to have a picture post of some of the things I've been considering - it'll be interesting to look back on in the future and see if I stick to them or if I end up with something completely different than what I have in mind now!

Honeymoon spot - Santorini!!

Wedding spot - either Alki (above) or Kerry Park (below - although that one might be tricky!!)

I love this dress! I think I'd want it with thin spaghetti straps rather than the kind it has in the picture, but I love it!

Oh, and I want a summertime wedding!

Is blogging narcissistic?

2010-04-23T13:17:00.000-07:00

Had an interesting conversation at the Tavern the other night during which the subject of blogging came up... and the opinion of the people I was talking was basically "why would you blog, people that blog are silly, no one cares what they have to say or what is going on in their lives." I, of course, didn't admit that I had a blog - but I thought it was an interesting conversation. It sort of stemmed from a conversation about Twitter and Facebook status updates - which I, personally, think are interesting for the most part. They help us really be connected to our acquaintances and know what is going on in their lives. Sure, some people take it to extremes, but if you don't like it, don't read it.

I know that for me, personally, I don't really care whether people read my blog or not. I doubt any of it is super fascinating, and most of the people that are reading it probably know what is going in my life anyways. I just write it because I really enjoy writing! Do you think blogging/status updates/Twitter updates are selfish and narcissitic, or do you find them interesting windows into the lives of others?

I don't have too much interesting to report right now - just working, and working, and I have so much that needs to get done before we head down to Eugene next weekend! Including, you know, actually running...! I have never been busier in my life, but I am also having a great time. You are only in your 20s once and you might as well enjoy every minute of it and take advantage of all the opportunities you have!!

Look out Eugene...

2010-04-19T10:48:00.000-07:00

Yes, running a half marathon on two weeks of training is probably not the most intelligent thing I've ever done. But, I have done it before, twice (with basically no training either of those times), and I am still here! I am just going to take it easy and have a good time, and hopefully it'll help kick-start my running motivation. I am going to have to suck it up and become a morning runner fairly often, I think. But I CAN do it and I WILL do it. I don't need to baby myself anymore.

Anyways, so yes, I am going down to run the Eugene 1/2 Marathon on May 2. I've already paid for the race, and I have a running friend that wants to share the drive down and the hotel, so why not? It'll be a fun weekend away from everything if nothing else - like a little mini-vacation.

Sometimes I just wish I could hit the pause button on life and take a day or two to catch up - it just seems to keep going by faster and faster! Today is one of those rare days when I have nothing really planned after work, so hopefully I'll be able to make it a productive one, because I don't foresee having another one for a while!

I am going to make it my goal to get in at least 10 minutes of some sort of workout every day this week - getting out the door is always the hardest part so if I can at least get myself going, I should be good to go.

I am also going to start shopping around for wetsuits this week - it's been so sunny out lately and I am just dying to get into the lake and do some open water swimming!

People who inspire me

2010-04-13T09:14:00.001-07:00

Reading about the passing of Jim2 today (even though it happened a few weeks ago now) got me thinking about people who inspire me. I figured that maybe every few days I'll do a blog entry about one of them just to share the love. In no particular order, just whoever happens to cross my mind.

I have to start with the story of Gloria Strauss, if only because it is so well-chronicled online and you can read for yourself. Gloria is the daughter of a teacher and basketball coach at my high school, and their family has gone to church with mine since we were little. The Seattle Times did a series of articles following the story of Gloria and her family back in 2007, and it's been made into a book.

You can find the articles here: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2003695104_brewer06.html

Please take a moment to read them if you get a chance!

The song thread

2010-04-09T12:12:00.001-07:00

It is the Friday of an extremely long, busy, and draining week, and all I want to do is curl up somewhere and listen to some good music!!

Some of the songs that I've been listening to lately:

"Letters From the Sky" by Civil Twilight
"The High Road" by Broken Bells
"All The Right Moves" by One Republic
"Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve
Anything by Muse
"Panic Switch" by Silversun Pickups
"Sex on Fire" by Kings of Leon
"Sweet Disposition" by Temper Trap
"Feel Good Drag" by Anberlin
"Champagne Supernova" by Oasis
"Chocolate" by Snow Patrol

And... I have that new Taylor Swift song stuck in my head. She is just too catchy haha!

Dear Time, please slow down!

2010-04-05T14:49:00.001-07:00

I feel like time just keeps on flying by faster and faster! I have been doing lots of great and awesome things, and it is nice to be kept busy and having fun, but sheesh!

I ended up being a lot busier than anticipated over the weekend and so... didn't get any running in. I am getting kind of frustrated at myself - you'd think by now I'd be used to being busy and have gotten better at scheduling it in (and/or making myself do it) by now!

For example - Friday I worked at BLG 8:30-5, then made brownies, then went to the Muse concert, got home at 11ish and went to sleep. Saturday I slept in and then went to Easter brunch and watched Shawshank Redemption with mom and brother, and then worked at the Tavern from 4-11ish. Sunday I slept in until almost 1:30 PM and then was busy with Easter stuff and hanging out until 4 AM today.

Hmm, maybe I should just cut out sleeping? Honestly, I really shouldn't need 10 hours of sleep a night!

Anyways, all ranting aside... I just wrote M a check for a large amount of money for my gym membership, so I should probably go if only just for that reason!!

Here is the tentative plan for this week:

Monday - 3 mile run, yoga, cleaning the apartment/doing laundry (that counts as cross-training right??)
Tuesday - Swim
Wednesday - 3 mile run (will have to be before work as mom and I are going to T in the evening and then to dinner)
Thursday - 4 mile run, spin
Friday - Off (work @ BLG and then the Tavern)
Saturday - 6 mile run, swim (work @ the Tavern)
Sunday - Bike ride

Wish me luck!

Reunited + March in review

2010-03-31T19:29:00.000-07:00

Starting off with the positive...

I ran tonight for the first time since the St. Patrick's Day Dash!! (*gulp*) I just did an outer loop of Green Lake (around 5K) but it felt so good to be back out there! Of course I felt all fat and stiff and slow, and my joints were all creaking like the old girl that I am (it feels that way sometimes!!) but my legs in general felt pretty good and it was just so relaxing! The weather was beautiful and the cherry trees were blossoming!

I am going to go run at Alki after work tomorrow, and then on the Burke-Gilman before Easter Brunch on Saturday morning. Hooray for finally being able to run without coughing up a lung!!

Month in Review:

Days sick: 30...!
Days called in sick to work: 2
Runs: 2
Total mileage: 6.8
Swims: 0
Bike rides: 0
Visits to the gym: 0
Junk food consumed: Way way too much!
Pounds gained: Probably at least 5 (I'm afraid to look)

On the bright side... lots of room for improvement?? I think part of why running tonight felt so good is that I've felt like such a lazy slug slacker the past month! I am ready for April to begin!!!

One more picture thread...

2010-03-31T12:46:00.000-07:00

I've gotten in the habit of sending friends daily puppy pictures to bring a smile to their faces, so I thought I'd post a few of my favorites here so you all can smile too :)

Some of my favorite places to run, eat, or just be...

2010-03-31T11:00:00.000-07:00

I have decided to make a picture tribute thread to Seattle and all (or a lot, at least) of the places I love about it! Seattle Tourism Board, if you ever need help promoting our beautiful city... you know where to find me!!

Husky Stadium and the beautiful UW campus!

Snow Lake is a beautiful hike that's just off I-90, not far from Seattle - it's tough with loose rocks but the lake is so beautiful!

Mt. Si is a pretty easy hike with rocks to climb at the top that is also just off I-90!

This is the view from Pike Place Market on the Seattle waterfront

The inner trail at Green Lake

View from the outer trail at Green Lake

Yes, I actually like where I work... how could anyone not like working in the Columbia Tower? (Unless, of course, a plane hits it or a 9.0 earthquake... but hopefully neither of those will happen!)

Especially with views like this!

And this! It is fun to watch the weather patterns come in across the Sound and Elliot Bay.

This is sunset over Seattle from Alki Point!

And this is sunset over the Sound from the west side of Alki.

This is the trail that runs around the point at Seward Park.

Also Seward Park! I spent so much time swimming, biking and running here last summer!

I just thought this was a really pretty picture of Seattle!

Same with this one... how cool is that?

I love running through Ravenna Park in the snow... such a winter wonderland and so peaceful!

And it's nice and shady in the summer too!

Pegasus Pizza is definitely my favorite pizza in Seattle!!!

Myrtle Edwards Park between downtown Seattle and Queen Anne!

Mrytle Edwards again... I stumbled on it randomly on one of my first runs from Queen Anne and I love it!

Sunset @ Myrtle Edwards

Another sunset at Myrtle Edwards!

My new home away from home on Friday and Saturday nights!

This place has the most amazing breakfast... yum!

Matthew's Beach... right along the Burke-Gilman which makes it a perfect place to hop in the lake and cool off after a hot summer run!

Leschi neighborhood... Seattle Marathon runs through here!

This is where we watched the Blue Angels fly during Seafair last summer (Leschi again)

Lake Washington Boulevard... Seattle Marathon, Seattle Rock N Roll, and the Danskin Triathlon all come along this road.

View from Kerry Park, which is just up a few super steep blocks from my apartment!

The Grateful Bread bakery... best bagels in Seattle by far, and they have Caffe Vita coffee... how could you go wrong?

Golden Gardens is an awesome place for barbecues in the summertime!

The Burke-Gilman is my home away from home during marathon training... I do most of my long runs on it and have never come even close to running out of trail!

The Burke-Gilman as it goes by Gasworks Park.

I hope you enjoyed my picture tour!

Updated Race List (again)

2010-03-30T12:47:00.000-07:00

This one taking into account my recent crappy illness...

May 2 - Eugene 1/2 Marathon (maybe)
May 16 - Beat the Bridge 8K
June 19 - Cottage Lake Super Sprint Tri
June 26 - Seattle Rock N Roll 1/2 Marathon
July 24 - Seafair Sprint Tri
July 31 - Torchlight 8K
Aug 15 - Danskin Sprint Tri
Aug 22 - Lake Meridian Olympic Distance Tri
Sept 11 - Cottage Lake Super Sprint Tri #2 (maybe)
Sept 25 - Black Diamond Long Course/1/2 Ironman triathlon
Nov 28 - Seattle Marathon

I hope this never happens again...

2010-03-29T13:12:00.000-07:00

I first got sick on February 18... it is now March 29 and I still have a little bit of a lingering cough that comes and goes in phases. I've done a few runs in that time period, but not many, and none for the last week or two. It is so frustrating - all I want to do is go on a nice long run, a nice long swim, a nice long bike ride, etc...!

Now that I have taken so much time off I have probably lost so much fitness, which makes me sad... it's like basically starting over from ground zero. It also means that I probably won't make a spring marathon this year... *sigh* I guess I will just focus on building up a good, solid base and getting faster at shorter distances (and triathlons) for spring and summer, and then hopefully destroy my old marathon PR in the fall. I know that once spring (and the Rock N Roll marathon) comes around I will be wishing that I was doing a 26.2... but sometimes life gets in the way, what can you do?

So here is my plan for this week:

Monday - 3 + swim @ gym
Tuesday - 3
Wednesday - Spin/swim @ gym
Thursday - 4 + yoga
Friday - Off
Saturday - 4
Sunday - 5-6

It's not very structured yet but I will have to figure out how I want to balance things when I start adding more mileage.

In other news... the part time job at the Tavern is going really well so far. It's been a lot of fun and it's a nice change of pace from sitting at a desk all day! Fridays are tiring from working 8-4:30 and then 5-10 or 11, but so far so good!

Hopefully I will be able to update the blog more often now that (knock on wood) I should be able to start getting back into the swing of things finally!

Sweet 16 baby!!!!!!

2010-03-21T09:15:00.001-07:00

Let the madness continue!!! Dawgs destroy #3 seed New Mexico 82-64! They have really stepped it up and been incredible the past month or so - 14 wins out of the last 16 games, 11 in a row, 8 (I think?) in a row on the road, they've won every single "must win" game they had to. They've stomped on good teams and fought back from being 15 down against good teams to come back and win games. West Virginia or Missouri better watch out!! Here are a few pics that I think sum up the game quite nicely...

I particularly like the last one, where all the Lobos are standing and watching Quincy dunk on them yet again!

GO HUSKIES!!!!!!

Oh, and just for humor's sake...

2010-03-19T11:59:00.000-07:00

Here is my bracket... I realize it is too small to see, but you can see all the red (ie incorrect) ;)

Madness!

2010-03-19T11:31:00.000-07:00

Being such a big Husky basketball fan, I feel I would be a little remiss if I didn't at least write one blog entry about March Madness!

What a crazy first day... so many upsets and close games! Unfortunately, I picked all the wrong ones (with the exception of UW and OD), so my bracket is already screwed... but I don't care...

Huskies 80, Marquette 78! Huskies are moving on to the next round against 3 seed New Mexico on Saturday!!

I said after the UW-Cal game in the Pac 10 tourney that it was one of the best basketball games I've ever seen, but this one was soooooo good too! Dawgs got down by 15 in the second half (Marquette was shooting and making 3s left and right) and they battled back, and Quincy scored the winning basket with 1.7 seconds left. Still, that last pass and shoot by Marquette was FRIGHTENING - if anyone could make a buzzer beater, it'd be them... but luckily it hit the backboard. I think it took like 10 minutes after the game for my legs to stop shaking!!

Congrats to the Dawgs for fighting their way back in and finishing it off, and good luck to the Zags against Florida State tonight!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2010-03-17T12:47:00.000-07:00

In an attempt to appease St. Patrick after I forgot today was St. Patrick's Day (I know, I know, Irish person fail!!)...

I am watching The Hurt Locker after work with a few friends, but I will also make it my goal to consume at least a few green beers and a Guinness or two in order to further atone for my sins!

In other news:

I posted both of these pics on RW, but just in case - here is a picture of my new haircut, and another picture of furkid snuggled up on the couch with me!

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!

St. Patrick's Day Dash race report

2010-03-15T11:11:00.000-07:00

Background - I basically just ended up doing this race for fun, as I haven't really run in a week and a half (boo!) due to sickness.

The race - This was the first time I'd done the St. Patrick's Day Dash since it switched to it's new course, which is basically just an out and back on Highway 99. Not very scenic, but oh well - there were plenty of distractions running among 15,000ish people, many of whom were in interesting costumes (like the group of cute swimmer boys that were running in green and white speedos!). My brother ran in a green tux, and still ended up managing 7:09 miles, crazy!

The course was basically gradual uphill for the first 2 or so miles, and then back down to the finish line. I started off slow, but once we got to the hill, I just started chugging along, running faster and faster and passing tons of people. If there's one thing short legs are good for, it is going up hills!

I didn't have my watch on me, which was fine because I didn't see any mile markers anyways. It was more just a fun run with 15,000 other people. I felt pretty good until the last quarter mile, and then I just kicked it in to the finish anyways. My time ended up being 43-something, which averaged out to 11:20 pace. Definitely probably the slowest I've ever run the St. Pat's Dash, but I'm ok with it given I wasn't really pushing and am probably pretty out of shape right now. It felt good, though, and the weather was beautiful (sunny and 45ish), so hopefully I can start getting back in shape soon!

Here is the T shirt I wore:

Dawgs are going dancing!

2010-03-15T11:03:00.000-07:00

Congrats Huskies on beating Cal in an amazing Pac 10 tourney championship game on Saturday!

We are going to the Big Dance and play Marquette in the first round on Thursday!!

News and Notes

2010-03-12T15:29:00.000-08:00

Once again, sorry for the lack of updating lately... but this is mainly a running blog and I haven't been running!! (Oops...)

I am hoping to get back into it starting with the St. Patrick's Day Dash this Sunday - that has always been one of my favorite races!

Anyways, I figured I might as well update with other random notes!

- Thank goodness for sports - the Olympics and now March Madness have provided much-needed distractions right now!

- Taco (furkid) is settling in quite well - he is super friendly and affectionate and doesn't really seem shy at all! :)

- Work is still going well - there was a SWAT team standoff on the street this morning (a guy claiming to be a vampire and threatening that he had a bomb... yeah) - so it was a nice distraction to have everyone standing at the office windows with binoculars and video cameras on that side of the building for a while! Article (including pics and video): http://www.king5.com/news/local/Third-Avenue-closed-by-police-activity-87474352.html

Other news articles that I have found interesting lately:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/03/12/maternal.mortality/index.html?hpt=T1 - Deaths from pregnancy/childbirth in the US have DOUBLED in the last 20 years, especially among low income minorities... how sad that we have the resources for such advancement in the medical field and yet the rate of mortality in this vulnerable group is still going up instead of down!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_lesbian_prom_date - School in Mississippi cancels prom so lesbian students can't attend. Good for her for filing suit against them - it's sad when institutions of education that should foster critical thinking and open mindedness are part of the discrimination. Can't imagine it will be much fun for either of those girls at school now unless they put the prom back on... it always saddens me how many people are so deeply concerned with the sexual lives and preferences of others.

Hopefully I will have more running-related news to report soon! Sheesh!

Deep breaths

2010-03-02T16:13:00.001-08:00

Sorry for the lag in posting for a while - as you all know I have been going through some rough personal issues. But I am taking deep breaths and taking one day/minute at a time right now, and I am tentatively ready to stick my toes back when it comes to blogging.

I also haven't been doing much running-wise, but hopefully progress there will be included in the baby steps I am taking in general. I did have an excellent 8.2 mile run on Saturday, which felt really good. This week has been quite busy so far, and looks to continue that way, and I've also been sick or not 100% healthy for the last... week and a half, so that hasn't helped either.

In the spirit of baby steps, I am just going to try planning running and working out one week at a time, or even one day at a time if I have to. Tonight, I need to do some laundry and some errands, and also Lost is on. However, I'd like to fit in a round with the yoga DVD and perhaps a short (2-3 mile run) while the laundry is going.

Tomorrow, I am going to attempt to wake up early enough to go for a swim before work. I am going to trivia after so I probably won't have time for too much then!

Also, just wanted to say thank you all for your support, advice, encouragement, and thoughts!

Change of Plans

2010-02-17T12:51:00.000-08:00

I've decided to switch to the half marathon for Eugene on May 2, and switch to the full marathon for Rock N Roll Seattle at the end of June. I've just had a hard time balancing running and working full time, and this will give me almost two more months to prepare for the marathon. I have already done three marathons, I know I can complete them - I want to actually run one well, and I just don't think I have enough time to fit in enough proper training for Eugene.

That's all for now!

One more quick update...

2010-02-13T19:14:00.000-08:00

Now that I have a job, some extra money (a little bit!!), and a car...

I've decided to look for a horse to lease! I just want someone that I can pay a little bit of money every month to and go riding on weekends, and hopefully a monthly lease would be cheaper than paying for lessons every week. Eventually I'd like to get back into shows and such, but for now I'd be happy just moseying around on a trail every now and then.

I have found a cute little Fjord pony (at 5'3 and 125, I am small enough to still get away with riding most ponies, and Fjords are pretty sturdy) that I can ride as much as I want for $150 a month... there is no arena at the barn apparently but miles and miles of trails!

Here is a pic:

I am heading out there tomorrow morning to look at him!! I will keep you posted on how it goes!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Update 2/14/2010 - I drove out to Snoqualmie this morning to meet pony (Desmond) and his owner. It only took me about 40 minutes to get there despite getting lost at every possible turn towards the end! It is a small stable that is literally in the middle of miles and miles of trails in the lower foothills of the Cascades, so it is a really pretty area. I got a quick tour of the barn and got to play with Desmond a little bit, and I am going to go back next weekend to take him out on a trail ride and see how that goes. If it is good, I will be able to go over there and ride him or groom him or play with him whenever I want! Yay!

Apartment posters

2010-02-13T16:41:00.000-08:00

I just bought some posters to decorate up the apartment a little bit... the first is going on the wall behind my couch, the second is going over my little TV stand, and the third is going on the wall by my door :)

Valentine's Day Dash 5K Race Report

2010-02-13T15:10:00.000-08:00

Background - I have been struggling a little bit (ok, a lot) since starting a full time 8-5 job to fit in a decent amount of running/cross-training/anything. It's gotten a bit better lately, but still definitely not any decent or consistent training. I sort of got coralled into doing this race with friends and DBF, and I am glad I did. I didn't actually sign up for it, because a) Green Lake was open to the public so I technically wasn't doing anything wrong and b) I run Green Lake at least once a week, I don't really want to pay $40 to run it.

The race - Was super crowded at the start - around 3,000 people all joined in for a romp around Green Lake, including dogs and several adorable little puppies. I started off a bit too strongly but managed to hold pace fairly decently all the way through. I had decided to treat the race as a tempo run, so I was hoping for somewhere under 34-35 minutes (yes it really bothers me that I have slowed down to the point where THAT is a tempo run. I kind of actually want to go running again today but I am telling myself to save it for tomorrow). The race was half on the inner loop of Green Lake and half on the outer loop, and I managed to stay on the gravel parts the whole way around, which was nice for my knees and other achy old joints. I felt pretty good until around mile 2.5, but managed to stay on pace and have a pretty decent finishing kick. I finished in 32:14, just a few seconds off my pace from the Jingle Bell run. I am ok with it as long as I try not to consider that I ran my first half marathon 10-15 seconds a mile faster than that!! As I said, good motivation to be more consistent and find ways to make running a priority.

DBF and friends and I had an excellent breakfast at Mecca on Queen Anne after the race, and now I am ready for a nap!!

Next up - St. Patrick's Day Dash (~3.4 miles), March 14. Goal - sub 40.

Apartment pictures!

2010-02-12T20:36:00.000-08:00

Update from a cloud

2010-02-10T16:51:00.000-08:00

It has been super foggy today... looking out the window of my office and all I can see are random airplanes flying by (not too close thankfully!!!). You can barely even see the ground!

I have taken a few days off running this week due to some sharp, stabbing chest pain all day yesterday and for a few hours this morning. I am thinking it was possibly a pinched nerve or something, but it hurt, and I didn't really want to try running when every few minutes I was doubled over just sitting there. Very glad that has gone away!

I am debating switching from the Eugene full to the half and from the Rock N Roll half (in June) to the full... I just haven't been able to be as consistent as I want yet, and Eugene is only two and a half months away. I know I can finish a marathon on sub-optimal training (ie Portland), but it wasn't as pleasant and it took me a lot longer to recover. I feel like now that I've completed 3 marathons, I know I can finish them - so I'm sort of hesitant to run one that I know I wouldn't be in great shape for. I'll have to run it by DBF, as I dragged him into the Rock N Roll 1/2 Marathon, but I'm not sure it would be an issue as (due to his blaaaaazing speed) we wouldn't be running the 1/2 together anyways. Making that switch would give me almost an extra 2 months of training, and I don't have to decide for Eugene until April 1. I need to look into when/how to switch for Rock N Roll, but I know there are people who did it last year.

I am also, as I mentioned earlier this week, considering taking a second job if it comes available. I know, I know, I've been way busy as it is, but hear me out... this job would be 6-10 PM on Friday and Saturdays at the pizza tavern where two of my best friends work. I am usually there at least 2 nights a week anyways, so might as well get paid for it, right? That, plus free pizza and beer! :)

Still loving living in Seattle - it is SO nice to be able to walk to EVERYTHING I need! I sort of half have internet there (randomly hopping on wireless networks from generous neighbors), so once I manage to procure the cord to my camera I can post some pictures of the place!

Hello, Seattle

2010-02-02T16:08:00.000-08:00

Bonus points if you can name the artist who performs that song!

I am all moved in to my new apartment on lower Queen Anne, and so far so good! I am not quite all the way unpacked/organized yet, but getting there. Moving actually went pretty smoothly this weekend because of all the fantastic people I bribed with beer and pizza to help me! :) I still need to get Comcast Internet set up there, but aside from that and a few other unpacking projects, it is good to go.

It looks really cute (I especially love the bathroom) and all of my furniture fits exactly where I wanted it to go. The bedroom and bathroom are both pretty small, but cozy, and the shower has really good hot water and water pressure. The living room, kitchen, and dining room are super roomy and bright (it's a corner apartment so it has 5 big windows). I actually bought a yoga DVD over the weekend because the living room (even with my furniture in it) is big enough that I can make an idiot out of myself there in the privacy of my own home! :)

It's so nice being close to everything - I am within a few blocks of my bank (with 24 hour ATM), Safeway, Bartell's, Metropolitan Market, a movie theater, several bars, Subway, Taco Bell, KFC, a great breakfast place, and a park (straight UP the hill) that has an amazing view of downtown and Puget Sound. I am also a few blocks from five buses that go downtown - I left my house at 7:45 this morning and made it to work early enough to get Starbucks!

I am hoping to be able to take pictures and put them up later in the week for the curious. For the impatient, here is a picture of the front of the building:

And here is a general area map:

Additional goal for 2010

2010-01-28T17:32:00.000-08:00

Yep... I just feel that a numerical goal will help me stay motivated to keep putting in the miles consistently.

I ended up having a pretty decent run at Green Lake last night - my hips were pretty tight at the start, but after a few miles everything began to loosen up and feel good. Still, I'm enjoying a nice rest day today!

I had my first yoga experience (really my first yoga at all experience) this morning. The class went from 6-7 AM, so I was up by 5:15, which is WAY early for me - but it was a great way to start the morning. I don't handle heat very well, so that was a little uncomfortable at times, but it felt really good, all cleansing and relaxing. And being in a small room full of slim, fit flexible girls wearing next to nothing was good motivation for me to get off my @ss and start being better about my diet, strength training, etc. I'm not sure about this particular yoga place, as it is super nice and also super expensive (one of my friends goes there and can bring along a guest for free every now and then), but it is definitely something that I'd like to try adding to my exercise routine and see how it pays off.

Work is still going well - I am always busy and always learning new things, and luckily I seem to have a pretty good memory for this sort of thing. Annnnd tomorrow is payday!

2 more days!

2010-01-27T14:53:00.001-08:00

Yep, that's right... only two more days until I get my keys, sign my lease, and move into my new apartment! It is even more exciting now that I have gotten a ton of kitchen stuff (dishes, appliances, kitchen table and chairs, etc) and also furniture to put in it (computer desk, TV stand, TV, couch, nightstand, bookcase). I can't wait to get everything in there and start setting up/decorating! I am bribing the strong men in my life with pizza and beer to help me move the heavy stuff, and bribing my mom and other females with free wine to help me unpack and decorate!

Work related - so far so good here. Still learning new stuff and doing the best I can, which is all I can do, right? I am hoping to switch to a 7:30-4 or something schedule over the summer so I can enjoy more hours of sunlight after work. It is gorgeous out today - I spent my lunch break curled on a bench outside basking in the sunlight.

Running-wise, things are going mostly better. I am getting back on track and adding back in more miles each week. It should get even easier once I am settled in my new place and don't have all the business of moving/commuting/traveling to complicate things. The only issue seems to be that my hips have been stiff and sore lately - I definitely need to get back to the strengthening exercises the PT recommended for me last year. Here is the plan for this week:

M - Off
T - 3 miles
W - 6-7 miles
Th - Yoga
F - 4 miles, swim
S - Off (moving counts as strength training right??)
S - 8-10 miles
Total - 21-24 miles

Playing catch up

2010-01-23T16:50:00.000-08:00

Just realized I haven't updated my blog in two weeks... whoops! I have been super busy lately and life has been so crazy that I haven't even wanted to think about it, let alone post about it!

Starting with running - aside from a bit of a twisted ankle and lack of motivation issues, I am starting to get back on track. 3 mile tempo run around Green Lake today with DBF and his friends (it is fun to have people to "run" with even thought we were all spread out by the end of the loop) and then a 30 minute swim in the pool at the gym. I am pretty sleepy now, but looking forward to an 8 mile "long run" on the Burke-Gilman at some point tomorrow.

I am moving into my new apartment a week from today and getting the keys next Friday! I have spent more time than I want to think about packing/organizing/looking for furniture etc. But so far I think I have all the basics so it should be fun.

Work has been going great lately, so that's good.

Next race is Valentine's Day 5K at Green Lake, I think I am going to convince DBF to sign up as a team. Will be fun to race again, I feel like I've done nothing in that regard lately. I am off to the Tavern tonight to catch up with some friends and hopefully not do much drinking so I'll be somewhat alive for football/long run/more apartment shopping tomorrow!

Updated 2010 race list

2010-01-08T15:47:00.001-08:00

Here it is - once again, tentative. More complete with goals, etc!

January
None

February
2/14/10 - Valentine 5K, Olympia (goal - place in AG)

March
3/14/10 - St. Patrick's Day Dash, Seattle (3.4 miles, recovery run)
3/21/10 - Mercer Island 1/2 Marathon, Mercer Island (marathon pace)

April
None

May
5/2/10 - Eugene Marathon, Eugene OR (goal - sub 5:00)
5/16/10 - Beat the Bridge 8K, Seattle (fun run)

June
6/19/10 - Cottage Lake Super Sprint Tri, Woodinville (goal - AG place)
6/26/10 - Seattle Rock N Roll 1/2 Marathon, Seattle (goal - sub 2:10)

July
7/18/10 - Seafair Sprint Tri, Seattle (for fun)
7/31/10 - Torchlight 8K, Seattle (goal - 8K pr)

August
8/14/10 - Danskin Sprint Triathlon, Seattle (goal - top 10 AG)
8/28/10 - Lake Sammamish Sprint Tri, Issaquah (? goal TBD?)

September
9/11/10 - Cottage Lake Super Sprint Tri, Woodinville (goal - AG place & PR)
9/26/10 - Black Diamond 1/2 Ironman Triathlon, Enumclaw (goal - finish! sub 7?)

October
Date TBD - Dawg Dash 10k?
TBD - 1/2 Marathon

November
11/28/10 - Seattle Marathon, Seattle (fun run)

December
Date TBD - Jingle Bell Run 5K

News, news, news!

2010-01-06T16:25:00.000-08:00

I suppose I will start with the good news first!

- I am now a member of the downtown 24 Hour Fitness! DBF and I went for a tour last night and it seems like they have lots of cardio, decent class options, and a four lane pool that wasn't too crowded even at peak hours! Plus, it's only $29 a month which is pretty good as far as gym memberships downtown with a pool go! We are planning on going for our first workout there after work tomorrow, which for me will probably be swimming and/or yoga and/or spinning!

- Even bigger news - I have a new apartment! There was one that I'd had my eye on for a while but I wasn't sure if they'd have anything available or have any specials going on when I am ready to move out (Feb. 1), but they have a one bedroom available then and it's a pretty good deal - $695 a month + $75 for parking, but free utilities for the whole lease and half off the first three month's rent. It is pretty big, too, and it's a cute apartment. It's on the second floor in a secure building on 3rd and Mercer, so lower Queen Anne/Belltown-ish. I filled out the application and passed the credit check and turned in my deposit check today! Now I just have to find a couch at some point so I won't be living in a totally empty apartment come February... haha! It'll be nice to just be so much closer to everything (except my mom - but I will still be close enough to visit!).

- Now for a slightly annoying update (to me and probably to you who are tired of hearing about it) - the present that I ordered online for best friend still hasn't been shipped yet and I ordered it 3 weeks ago today. *sigh* I am thinking I will just have to suck it up and get him something else as a late Christmas present (speaking of which, I haven't actually gotten DBF's presents yet, although I know what I am getting him!)... it just makes me mad. The first time I e-mailed them she wrote back (last week) and said they were shipping it that week, and when I e-mailed them this week there was no response.

- And now for a sad update... send thoughts and prayers to my friend Tricia - she went into labor and gave birth at 27 weeks and the baby was born with complications and passed away two days after her birth. :( It is a very sad situation so please send Tricia and her family and baby Rachel your love!

Ok, now I am off to grab Mom's birthday present (sheesh, I keep getting behind on the whole presents deal) and then to dinner with them, and then to the gym!

New Year, New Gym?

2010-01-04T16:16:00.001-08:00

This is the week that I am finally going to decide which gym in Seattle to belong to. I have narrowed it down to two that look fairly decent, cheap, and convenient, and (the big thing) have pools. I have gotten trial memberships at each of them and plan to at least swim at each of them at some point this week. Hoping I'll end up with one that is decent and convenient!

As far as running goes, this is going to be a busy week with Mom's birthday on Wednesday and Grandma's birthday on Friday, so I am going to have to be creative to fit everything in! I am very determined, though, as the Eugene Marathon was 4 months from Saturday! Yikes. Somehow I thought it was more than just a training plan away!

Work is still going well - I am learning quickly and taking on more responsibilities. It is funny how much more quickly the day goes by when we are busy!

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T17:08:00.001-08:00

I can't believe it's 2010 already! Just popping in to wish everyone a great one! I am looking forward to (hopefully) lots of running and relaxing this weekend and I am bound and determined to get in lots of mileage in the coming weeks and months!

New Year's Eve was fun but fairly uneventful, which is making today a lot more pleasant than New Years Day in years past ;) I actually managed to sleep in until 11 today, which was lovely!

Then we had a yummy french toast and bacon brunch, and since then I've just been watching football and gone on my first run of 2010! It was one of those great runs where you just get thinking about things, barely notice you're running, and don't really want to stop! It was only a 4 miler, but it is a good start!

In other bright news - Ohio State is winning the Rose Bowl 26-17 in the fourth quarter! That is a very pleasant surprise as I was expecting the Zeroes to win by a lot and then not shut up about it for the next few years. Fingers crossed that the Bucks manage to finish strong!

I am heading out in a bit for dinner with a few old friends from high school, so that should be fun. Since this is a New Year's post, here are a few of my resolutions:

1. Be more consistent exercise-wise (running mostly, but also swimming, biking, and strength training) and eat healthier on a regular basis
2. Learn to ski
3. Continue working hard and learning everything I can at my job so I am in a good position to be promoted if and when the opportunity comes along
4. Get better at saving money!
5. Be nicer and more thoughtful to others

Of course, that's not very specific or an all-inclusive list, just a few things I'd like to focus on! Hoping to get a few more runs in on Saturday and Sunday (I am thinking 3 tomorrow and 6-7 on Sunday) and also hoping to see best friend before he goes on vacation to Arizona!

Another (beautiful) day, another run

2009-12-27T13:31:00.000-08:00

Woohoo, I've managed to run 4 times this week!

The past few days have been absolutely gorgeous running weather - sunny and 40-45. Yesterday I ran along the boardwalk next to the beach at Redondo, and this morning I ran along the trails at the Weyerhauser headquarters. It was nice to get out and run in the sunshine and have some change of scenery!

Unfortunately, though, the weather forecast looks to be getting pretty gloomy after today. Which is okay, because I'll be stuck at work Monday-Thursday anyways. I am going to try and go for a swim at the gym before work tomorrow and see how that goes. It'll suck to get out of bed that early, but it'll be a good start to the day and nice to already have my workout done by the time I go into work!

This next week will be pretty busy between work, happy hours, New Year's Eve, DBF getting back, and a family trip to Morton to visit relatives from Dad's side of the family, but the Eugene Marathon is 4 months from next Saturday, so I am bound and determined to keep squeezing in the miles however I can!

Today I am curled up in my snuggie watching the UW-USF basketball game, and then will head over to best friend's for a little bit tonight, and hopefully go to bed early and get this next week off to a good start!

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-26T20:04:00.000-08:00

I know it's a little late for a Merry Christmas post, but I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

I had a good time hanging out with the extended family yesterday and eating way too much. I also drank my first red wine and got some good presents! A snuggie, a few cute dresses and sweaters, a Sounders scarf, new socks (always a necessity!), two coffee mugs, a few bowls and glasses for the new apartment I'm hoping to find soon, a calendar, a purse, gloves, umbrella... lots of useful things. I also used gift cards to buy a new pair of jeans and an awesome purple dress for New Year's Eve. Incidentally, the mall the day after Christmas SUCKS - it took us 45 minutes to get into the mall from the freeway and another 40 minutes to get out of the parking lot. Sheesh.

I am looking forward to another 4 day week next week! Still no New Year's eve plans, but hopefully will come up with something excellent. It will be good to see DBF back.

This morning I had a great 3 miler on the boardwalk at Redondo - the weather has been absolutely gorgeous the last few days. I am hoping to get a good run in tomorrow before hopefully hanging out at best friend's house for a bit. Gotta enjoy the good weather while it lasts and burn off all those Christmas calories, sheesh!

Next week's running should look like this:

Monday - 30 min swim
Tuesday - 3 mile run
Wednesday - 5 mile run
Thursday - 30 min swim, 30 min spin
Friday - 4 mile tempo run
Saturday - Off
Sunday - 8 mile run
Total - 20 miles

I ran!

2009-12-22T21:11:00.000-08:00

Yes, that's right, I actually dragged myself to the gym after work today!

I didn't have much time as I wanted to make it home in time to watch at least most of the Husky basketball game, but I got in a good 2 mile run and an excellent 1/2 mile swim. It's funny, when I was on swim team I only ever swam breaststroke and backstroke, so that's basically all I ever swam until this past summer when we started training for Danskin.

The first time I tried to do crawlstroke it just felt awkward and hard compared to breaststroke, but over the course of triathlon training this summer I got my time down to 18 minutes for the half mile and got a lot more comfortable swimming crawlstroke. I've been working on my form lately, particularly learning to breath on both sides. I'd only ever breathed on one side before, so it was really awkward to breathe on the other side at first (a lot of water was inhaled!) but now it's feeling smooth and strong.

In the spirit of getting back into the swing of things, here is my goal for the rest of the week:

Wednesday - 3 miles
Thursday - 4 miles + swim
Friday - 3 miles
Saturday - Skiing?
Sunday - 6-7 miles

Wish me luck!

Christmas Party report & other news

2009-12-21T21:41:00.000-08:00

So I originally only agreed to go to my firm's Christmas party last Friday because I felt obligated to as "the new girl" (you know, networking and all that good stuff). I just felt it wouldn't be so enjoyable because DBF is in NY and couldn't be there, and I am usually pretty shy and don't really enjoy social situations like that, especially when I don't know anyone. I figured I'd be home by 8:30 at the latest (the party started at 6:30).

A few of us went down to McCormick's for a few beers after work, and then we headed over to the party. It was at the Rainier Club, which is super fancy (like live jazz and waiters in tuxes carrying around trays of caviar and wine fancy). I actually had a really good time meeting new people and talking more to people that I've seen around the office but not really had a chance to talk to. Dinner was at 7:30, and I was apparently the entertainment of the table because I'm such a picky eater - I had my first shrimp (eww) and my first salmon (ok) and steak in brown sugar glaze (yumm). The office manager brought her son as her "date" and he ended up being 23 and fun to hang out with. It was nice having someone close to my own age to talk to.

We also got Christmas bonuses and spiffy BLG water bottles. Around 10:30 everyone left the Rainier Club and about 10 of us headed over to Sip, the new wine bar on 5th Avenue. It was a pretty sweet bar, lots of little lounge areas with comfy couches and chairs and $14 glasses of wine - luckily it was their late happy hour so my bank account wasn't too upset by this new development. I got a ride home from Jennifer (the office manager) and ended up getting home around 1 AM. It was super fun for someone who planned on leaving at 8!
I wore this dress to the party:

People seemed to like it, and I love getting dressed up!

In other news:

- I'm not sure how I failed to mention this before (or maybe I just don't remember mentioning it), but Locker is back for 2010!!! Thank you Jake! Dawgs are going to be good next year!

- B-ball Dawgs bounced back from that loss to Georgetown last weekend with a nice game at Portland on Saturday... hopefully they can keep it up against Texas A&M tomorrow!

-I am going to try skiing (sometime hopefully soon) in hopes that it will not be as... crash-inspiring for me as snowboarding was!

- Hoping to get back on track with the running and gym-going this week - it's hard because I'm still adjusting to working the 8-5 schedule so I'm super tired by the time I get home, but it should be easier this week because DBF is home in NY for the holidays. I am going to the Tavern to hang out with best friend on Wednesday, so I might try running before work in the AM if I can manage that... we'll see!

- Also had fun making peanut butter cookies with kisses in them and peppermint bark with mint and white chocolate with my marathoning buddy last night. We also watched Wizard of Oz and Ratatouille (sp???) and decided that we want to get chinchillas when we "grow up" (he's 27 and I'm 22, thus the quotes).

Fly by

2009-12-17T16:48:00.000-08:00

Maybe if I post on my blog that I am going to the gym to run and swim, I will.

I will, I will, I will!

I will also try not to consistently eat all the junk food lying around this office. Free junk food may be my downfall!

Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday. My goal for the weekend is to run a whole two days in a row! *gasp* I just need to get better at time management and get back in a routine!

2010 races

2009-12-14T16:11:00.000-08:00

This is just a tentative list, but I figured since I ran my last race of 2009 yesterday it's time to start planning for next year!

January
Resolution Run 5K

February
Valentine 5K

March
St. Patrick's Day Dash (3.4)
Mercer Island 1/2 Marathon

May
Eugene Marathon
Beat the Bridge 8K
Sammamish Sprint Tri (?)

June
Seattle Rock N Roll 1/2 Marathon

July
Torchlight 8K
Seafair Sprint Tri

August
Danksin Sprint Tri

September
Black Diamond 1/2 Ironman Tri

October
Dawg Dash 10K

November
Seattle Marathon

December
Jingle Bell Run 5K

If you have any other suggestions let me know!

Jingle Bell Run Race Report

2009-12-13T14:42:00.000-08:00

Background/training - Not much, I've basically been taking it easy since the Seattle Marathon. I have almost 5 months before the Eugene Marathon, so I thought it'd be ok to give my legs a bit of a refresher after two marathons two months apart. I planned on running this easy just to stretch my legs and get a nice fun run in.

The race - Took the light rail up from Tukwila to downtown Seattle with my cousin, Mom, and Mom's friend (who all walked the race). We had just enough time to pick up our packets and shirts and head out to the start line. It was overcast but warmer than last year (37ish). There were about 12,000 people there, which makes it the biggest Jingle Bell run in the US.

Mile 1 - This mile is uphill for the first half and downhill for the second half. I ran it at an easy pace, around 10:40ish, just passing people. A woman walking with a stroller (in the "timed runners" wave) clipped my heels and then was like "well that's what you get for running in front of a stroller". *sigh* Some people are just oblivious!

Mile 2 - This mile was mostly flat through the tunnel to the I-5 express lanes. I love this part of the race because everyone always sings Jingle Bells while we run through the tunnel. I just focused on passing and swerving in and out of people and ran it in about 10:25ish.

Mile 3 - I decided around here that I wanted to at least beat my post-Portland Dawg Dash time (33:36) and picked up the pace a little. We came back out of the express lanes and up a short steep hill, which I made it halfway up before my legs said "NO" and I took a short walk break. Then it was around the corner and downhill to the finish, where I managed a nice long finishing kick. Mile 3 was my fastest mile of the race.

Final time - 32:06 - definitely not a PR but a good minute and a half faster than Dawg Dash and about similar effort, so I am ok with it.

Post-race/reflections - After the race I went to Starbucks and got a peppermint mocha to go with my bagel and banana (yum) while I waited for the others to finish. When they did, DBF picked us up and we all went to brunch at Mecca, a cute restaurant/bar place on Queen Anne that has excellent food. Then we took the light rail back to our cars at Tukwila and on the drive home, the first snowflakes of the winter started falling! That means it's snowed on the day of the Jingle Bell Run each of the last three years, which is pretty impressive given how little it snows here.

I intended to do the Jingle Bell as a fun run, and that's what it was. It sort of feels like a nice easy victory lap after marathon season!

Getting chilly out!

2009-12-06T16:20:00.000-08:00

Just got back from my first post-marathon run and it is a chilly 33 (feels like 26) degrees out. That, my friends, is pretty chilly for Seattle! The next few days are supposed to be somewhere between 20 and 30 degrees before it finally starts to warm up a little towards the weekend. Time to bust out the additional layers for running!

I did an easy 3 this afternoon, and only wore tights and my Seattle Marathon shirt - brrrr. It felt like being thrown face first into an ice bath! My legs were numb, but no particularly soreness or stiffness at all. Can't wait to start easing back into the mileage next week! My project for next week (besides getting an oil change and getting done with Xmas cards) is to look for a gym in Seattle that is more convenient to where I work now, reasonably priced, and has a pool!

This week has been so busy that it feels like it's been more like a month since the marathon! Sheesh. Looking forward to a nice early bedtime tonight after finally watching New Moon, and then working on Xmas cards during the Husky basketball game.

Husky football ended the season on a great note yesterday with a 42-10 whooping of #19 Cal. That was definitely the best Husky football I've ever seen (I didn't start watching it until I started school there in 2005) - they played great on both sides of the ball and everything just went their way and was fabulously executed, it was so fun to watch! If only we'd won one of those three close games we lost and gone to a bowl game.... but hopefully next year! Dear Jake - ONE MORE YEAR!!! Stay at UW, make a Heisman run and take us to a major bowl game, and THEN go to the NFL and make tons more money actually starting instead of sitting on a bench!

I think that's about it for now... hope everyone had a great weekend!

Rest week

2009-12-04T16:18:00.000-08:00

This post coming to you from the 48th floor of the Columbia Tower...

I must say, it is a bit weird to be looking DOWN at the Space Needle. Although it's so foggy today that you can barely see the ground from up here, the last few days it has been so beautiful watching the sun rise near Mt. Rainier and watching it set over Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.

It's definitely been a bit of an adjustment to start waking up at 5:30-6:30 every morning and working from 8:30-5 at a real job, but so far so good! All of the people have been really nice (there are about 35 in the office total) and (knock on wood) nothing has been too difficult so far!

I got an ORCA card, which means I get to ride buses/trains/ferries/etc for free, which is awesome. Also can't wait until I get my first paycheck! ;)

Running related - I have been so busy this week that it's a good thing I wasn't planning on running until the weekend again anyways! I did get a nice swim in on Tuesday night, which felt really good and helped stretched out my quads. It's supposed to be cold but sunny all weekend, so I'm going to try and squeeze in a run on Sunday and then figure out some way to get back into the swing of it next week.

Having a gym down in FW and no daylight after work is going to make it tough, but if I'm creative I'm sure I'll be able to figure something out - it'll be so much more convenient once I am able to move up to Seattle though!

Randomness

2009-11-30T18:54:00.000-08:00

Yes, the marathon was the crowning event of the weekend, but I still have a few other updates!!

First off, Apple Cup! Huskies win 30-0! Went to the extended family tailgate before the game with my brother. It was cold and windy and I was the only one without a beer, but it was still fun to see everyone. It was a fun game to watch, too - I don't think I've seen the Huskies win that much since I started watching Husky football (in 2005). Go Dawgs!

Job related - One of my friends was really interested in the job I'm leaving, and she interviewed today and was hired! So I get to spend tomorrow (my last day) training her. That makes me feel a lot better about leaving, as I put in that extra effort to find my boss someone to replace me and make the transition as easy for him as possible. Now I am getting excited to start the new job on Wednesday! I'm not sure exactly what I'll be doing, but hopefully I'll have a better idea after my first day!

Also, I'm not sure if I mentioned this previously, but I applied for and got a full ride scholarship for the rest of the paralegal program!! That saves me about $4,000 right there!

Throwing in one running-related bit here - I've decided to go for a PR in Eugene in May, and just signed up! My legs have still felt remarkably good post marathon - I can walk fairly decently and I can even go down the stairs facing forwards! Will probably go for a swim tomorrow or the next day and then ease back into running this weekend - already can't wait!

Finally, please keep the friends and family of the police officers shot in Lakewood in your thoughts and prayers. It has been a very sad few months for police officers here in WA.

Seattle Marathon race report

2009-11-30T09:49:00.000-08:00

Wow, this year has gone quickly... It was only a year ago that I ran my first marathon ever!! Now I am back with a race report for my second Seattle Marathon and third marathon total!

Background/training - I took a week off after the Portland Marathon and gradually built back up the mileage again. I didn't do too many long runs (a 16 and an 18) but my weekly mileage was higher and more consistent. I also didn't manage to fit in as much hill training as I would have liked, although I did get some more tempo runs in.

The race - I met up with T at the starting line (saw a few other people that I know too, Dan and Brad!). It was misting at the start but seemed like it was just going to be a dry, overcast day (aka perfect running weather). Everyone lined up, and off we went!

Miles 1 & 2 - Running through downtown under the monorail. The first mile was gradual downhill, and although the pace felt good, I think it was a little fast (11:10). We slowed down a bit for the second mile and just enjoyed talking and running. T wanted to go faster, but I told him that on this course, we'd end up passing a lot of the people who were passing us now later on in the race.

Miles 3 & 4 - Up and onto I-90. We passed a guy wearing a 30 pound Army backpack... yikes.

Miles 5-7 - Over the floating bridge and back. It was fun going out and seeing lots of the faster runners coming back - I saw Spencer and Brad already coming back on the bridge, and ran into Betsy for a minute as well. Once we turned around, the wind kicked up a little bit and I felt like I was running in mud, which was a little frustrating.

Miles 8-11 - Was pretty tired from battling the wind on the bridge, so we slowed down about 30 seconds a mile to regroup. My feet were starting to get a little tired and I was thinking that I really didn't want to keep going. However, I knew T would never let me quit, so I just stopped thinking about it!

Miles 12-14 - Saw my mom and uncle as we ran into the entrance to Seward Park, which was great. I took a gel at the first aid station and it really helped. We picked up the pace a little bit and ran strong. We decided that after mile 13.1, we'd take walk breaks at every mile marker. When we ran by mom and uncle again after exiting the park, my blister toe was starting to feel a little tender, so I sat down on the side of the road with them and attempted to put Blister Bandaids on. My feet were so sweaty that they wouldn't really stay on my toes, at which point I was like "crap... if this blister acts up I will never finish with still 12 miles to go!". But I put my sock and shoe back on and continued on. It hurt for about the next quarter mile, but then apparently was squashed into submission and felt fine. Whew!

Miles 15-20 - Legs were starting to get a little tight at this point, but still felt good - way better than during Portland at this point. We were running strongly during this point just going from mile marker to mile marker, and starting to pass a lot of people. We even passed someone that we saw coming out of Seward Park as we were going in (meaning they had been 2-3 miles ahead of us at that point).

Mile 20 - This is the mile that includes the infamous Galer and Madison hills (ugh!). We walked up Galer street (I managed to run it last year but given my lack of hill training this year I really wasn't feeling it) and then ran-walked up Madison.

Mile 21 - Definitely (sort of) appreciated the downhill during this point. A really chatty girl started running with us and babbling something about dogs in marathons... T talked to her but I was mostly just trying to keep my legs together on the downhill. She took off when we took a walk break on the first steep part of Interlaken.

Mile 22 - T and I actually ran this entire mile at a good clip. I think I mostly just wanted to be out of the winding around and around section of the course, and it was only gradual uphill, so it was tolerable. We were quite pleased when we made it to the mile 23 marker and had run strong since the 22 marker!

Mile 23/24 - Made it up out of Interlaken on this section. Artic Blast (from RW) was there cheering at the top of the hill on Roanoake, which was much appreciated. Then it was over the freeway and a nice gradual downhill to the mile 24 marker. T and I were commenting on how excited we got over seeing Porta Potties (all the mile markers are attached to Porta Potties).

Mile 25 - Under the freeway again and up a nice long hill to the Lakeview overpass. It wasn't a very steep hill, and we managed to run-walk it, but by this point our legs were definitely tightening up. We were still managing to pass a lot of people who were walking, which was cheerful.

Mile 26 - I feel like this is the worst mile of the Seattle Marathon. Right after the mile 25 marker, we turned the corner and went down several blocks of steep downhill, ouch. Then ran-walked up a gradual hill, down another hill, and walked up the last steep hill under Highway 99. We saw the Mile 26 marker and T took off sprinting for the finish. I kicked it in too, but still finished about 10 seconds behind him. I ran strongly across the field at Memorial Stadium and crossed the finish line feeling strong. DBF was there and it was great to see him!

Final time - 5:25:35. We ran a fairly big positive split, but that's probably because of the walk breaks we added in at every mile. I was definitely pleased with how T and I were able to keep pushing each other through the last few miles.

Rest of the day - T went home with his GF and DBF and I went to get nice juicy burgers and fries. Then I ate a pint of Ben & Jerry's (while in a bubble bath!), and DBF and I curled up on the couch in our pajamas drinking wine, eating pizza, and watching TV. I was impressed at how perky I was feeling right after finishing - for the whole hour or two after the marathon I could walk almost normally. I even managed to go up stairs at QFC and go down the stairs facing forwards! My legs got a little more sore later in the night, but definitely not as bad as they were after Portland!

Reflections - I was surprised at how strongly we were able to keep pushing in the later miles. I'm sure the walk breaks helped, but we ran quite strongly in between them, and I walked a lot less during this race than I did during Portland and maybe even Seattle last year. It wasn't a PR, but it was great to be able to run with T for his first marathon. I'd never run one with someone before and it was awesome to have someone to talk to and commiserate with and help push each other. I'd been really worried about pacing before (he's usually a minute or two a mile faster than me) but it was never an issue and everything worked out great! I can't wait for my next one. I am sort of half debating doing the First Call on Jan. 1 to get Marathon Maniac status, but the other half is wanting to take some time off and build up lots of good miles and go for a big PR at Eugene in May. I guess I'll see how quickly my legs recover!

Sorry that was so long, thanks for reading (or at least skimming!!). Pictures will come when they are up!

Finally Friday

2009-11-27T20:16:00.000-08:00

Got to sleep in a little bit this morning and woke up to a cold but beautiful sunny day! I love the days in Seattle when the leaves have turned all golden and brown and the sun is shining... Mmm.

Got to see best friend today, that was fun - we are already midway through the third season of Dexter. It is quite intriguing, although there are moments in this season that are sort of slow and not really attention-grabbing, which is a bit different from the first season (which was suspense after suspense!). It just shows that you have to have an open mind - I saw the first 2 or 3 episodes of it and was like "I hate it, do I have to watch it?? Why are we watching it?" and by the 4th episode I was like "so... what happens next? Can we watch the next one?" Haha. That's my little non-running related tidbit for the day.

Yesterday I went for an early morning run in the light rain along the running/walking path through the park nearby (it's about a .4 mile trail). I did the first mile at an easy pace, then did 5 loops in 4:33, 4:27, 4:23, 4:16, and 4:00 for a bit of speedwork, and then ran another easy mile.

My legs felt a bit tired from yesterday's fast running, but I still had a great easy run in the sunshine along the Burke-Gilman trail. Once I got convinced myself to slow down a bit, it felt good to loosen up and stretch my legs out.

Went to the marathon expo tonight - I didn't realize the Westin was quite so far away from the start of the race (which was where I parked), so I ended up walking 20 minutes each way to get to the expo, but oh well. I got my number, chip, and shirt and then wandered around the expo with my mom and my brother for a little bit.

The shirts are an interesting color this year - sort of a teal color. I think it's quite pretty, but very girly - can't see many of the guy runners wearing them around!

I stocked up on BodyGlide and GU, finally got a 26.2 bumper sticker, and got a cute shirt that says "No run = cranky + moody". So true... my mom took one look at it and was like "you need that shirt"! Haha. So tonight is eating pasta, drinking water, eating bananas, and relaxing.

Tomorrow is the Apple Cup, and then potentially pizza and/or pasta for carb loading and then hopefully early to bed at DBF's (he lives like 5 minutes from the start of the race, which will be wonderful!).