Monday, November 28, 2011

San Diego

So much sunshine! Here are a few pictures. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday.

 

Thanksgiving dinner at the 94th Aero Squadron:

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Friday trip up the coast to meet with Maritza and Mario:

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Saturday Mission Beach run:

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1 year after their motorcycle accident, Melanie and William renewed their vows with a simple ceremony and reception:

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What a great trip. So much to be thankful for, indeed. We are very blessed.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Giving Thanks

I am thankful for my friends and family. I am surrounded by so much love.

I am thankful for our beautiful home, our jobs, and the life we have made here in Portland. It is a perfect place to live.

I am thankful for my health and my happiness. I will not take it for granted.

I am thankful for Zach, my wonderful partner for 14 years.

I am thankful for running. I am thankful, specifically, for running in Forest Park.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

 FP2 Nov 20 2011 FP3 November 20 2011 FP4 Nov 20 2011

FP Nov 20 2011

Sunday, November 06, 2011

Where I’m At

After the big summer of racing, things around here have settled down. It’s been really nice. I have found a level of contentment, not complete by any means, but a level of comfort that I have been seeking for a long time. I have no big races on the schedule and don’t plan on signing up for anything. It is such a relief and it’s exactly what I need right now.

I've been pushing myself for about 6 years non-stop with running marathons, doing triathlons, striving, striving, striving. The last couple of years (post-Ironman) I've definitely found a better balance, integrating yoga and worrying less about speed. But I still ran marathons and ultra-distance trail runs, and worked toward my limits. Right now, I’m over it. I don't want to race or push that hard for a while. I want to do yoga, go for easy runs, hike, walk, whatever. I’ll definitely stay active and try to keep a good base so when I get the itch to race again, I won’t have to dig myself out of a massive hole.

A lot of this is just a feeling, but there is a physical aspect too. I took a couple weeks off after the Portland Marathon, but it wasn't enough. Random aches and pains pop up every time I run. I struggled through that trail race and have felt slow and sore on the short runs I've done since. A month post-marathon my body is demanding some more rest and recovery, which is totally reasonable. I’m definitely improving but it’s taking a while.

I don't know, maybe this is just a phase. Maybe I'll get sick of yoga and 5 mile runs and sign up for a half marathon or something. I am open to that! We’re signed up for a few short trail races over the winter which will be fun no matter how slow I am, and I will definitely post race reports.

I do have a bunch of great photos that I never got around to posting, so here is a random collection! Working backwards-

Yesterday Zach ran the Silver Falls Half Marathon. We both ran this race last year, and I was signed up to run yesterday. But, like I said, it was just too much for me and I decided to DNS. Better than a DNF! I know I keep gushing about how great I think Zach is, but yesterday he seriously blew me away. He beat his time from last year by 8 minutes and finished in 1:32:51. On this:

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That’s a 7:05 pace, on a challenging trail course. The field was much faster this year, he finished 26th overall with a much faster time versus 21st last year. It’s such a fun and beautiful race, I was sorry to miss it. I did go down there with him though to cheer and take pictures. I also went for a short run on the bike paths around the park while he was out running. I barely made it back in time to see him finish.

Start- 37 degrees and drizzling:

Start

Mile 3: 

Mile 3

My run:

Paved trail

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My run North Falls  

Are you kidding me:

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Post race chili by the fire:

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Congrats Zach! You make me sick!

Another fun set of pictures- we went to Montana last month to visit our family. Everyone is doing really good and it was a very nice visit. The fall colors in Montana were so beautiful:

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Me and my dad:

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Zach went for a 10 mile run on the Helena Ridge Trail:

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While I went for a hike with Zach’s parents:

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Mom and Dad, they  love their NASCAR:

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Zach and his momma:

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Helena, Montana:

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It has been beautiful here too- a shot from Forest Park last weekend:

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And finally, how about this great finisher photo from the Portland Marathon:

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Thanks for stopping by!