I've been reading a lot of weight loss, fitness, and running blogs lately. A combination of all those different blogs has inspired me to write honestly about my body feelings.
I never talk about my body hangups. Most of the time its because I'll get the response, "oh you're so skinny, you don't need to lose weight." And they're right, I don't need to lose any. But, like every woman in America, there are things that I don't like about myself.
I'm secretly kind of miss losing weight. I really like the weight I am now (5'6", 118 lbs, BMI 19.0), and don't intend to lose any. But I miss the chase of losing weight, the excitement of progress. Of trying on my usual size at the store and finding it too big. I guess that's basically why it's so hard to keep the weight off for a lot of people, the chase is gone. Without anticipating movement on the scale, it's hard for me to feel real motivation. I guess that's why I've begun chasing my PRs, just to give myself something else to provide as a benchmark of progress.
I don't like my super-wide hips. They are out of proportion to the rest of my body. I was always alarmed while clothes shopping with my friends. A friend about 30 lbs heavier than me wears the same size pants as I do. I was the first one of my friends in middle school to have to switch to the junior's department because I hit puberty HARD when I was eleven years old. That was pretty humiliating...and I guess I never really got over it. So when I look into the mirror, it's all I see. All through high school, I wished I had a boyish shape like the other girls. I actually spent most of high school wearing baggy shirts, trying to create that shape on myself and fit in. As I've gotten more and more athletic, I've realized that I will never get that shape, no matter how much I try. At least a baby won't get tangled in my hips on the way out when the time comes for that.
I'm built like the Hulk. I really try to avoid any kind of weight lifting. First off, I can't find many exercises that will accommodate decreased mobility and strength in my left arm. I'm not supposed to lift more than a gallon of milk with it, and even then, most of the lifting is done with my shoulder. I've had most success with stability exercises and yoga moves to tone muscles.
But the second reason I avoid it, is that I bulk really fast. I know some people are thinking, "oh poooor Karen, what a burden" (again why I don't usually mention this). Being of a stocky Polish descent, my people were big and muscly. My mom has always had giant toned legs and arms. My frame is slightly smaller, but I build muscle just looking at a set of weights. My legs are like the Hulk's. Last summer, when I really beefed up my running plans, I found myself craving protein. Changing really nothing other than mileage and actually seeking out meat and beans, I beefed up a lot. Muscle definition popped up in places I'd never seen before. I saw, for the first time ever, really nice abs and shoulders. Before I could alternate between women's and children's shirts, I was that small up top. Now my shoulders don't fit in the kid's shirts anymore. I miss the glittery sparkliness, but I look a little more proportionate this way.
I guess that my is my biggest goal for 2011. Be totally at peace with myself....and to PR like I have never before!!!
((Thank you Ashley and SLG for inspiration for today's blog topic.))
Friday, December 31, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Happy Solstice!
The winter solstice isn't nearly as exciting when living this far away from the Arctic Circle. But on the other hand, I'm not entirely disappointed that I had an entire month of high noon looking like this :
High Noon from UAF West Ridge on the Winter Solstice.
From the UAF Ski Trails, Winter Solstice.
Fairbanks :
Sunrise : 10:58
Sunset : 14:40
Daylight : 3:42
Eureka :
Sunrise : 07:38
Sunset : 16:52
Daylight : 9:14
Did I mention that I ran in shorts this morning? :)
Last night at the band Christmas party, Matt and I sat next to a few other band members whom were lifelong Californians. They were excited for the Winter Solstice, because the days would finally get longer. That made me think of really how much easier it is to live here. My seasonal depression is almost non-existent by comparison to the last few years. I don't have to dress in 14 layers to go to the mailbox. All is good. Californians, I've discovered, are pretty sissy to all things weather related. They don't know how good they have it. Me, I'm soaking it all in, and feeling like I'm completely spoiled and that any day now, Mother Nature will toss me something terrible. Let's hope she doesn't so I can keep on living the dream.
High Noon from UAF West Ridge on the Winter Solstice.
From the UAF Ski Trails, Winter Solstice.Fairbanks :
Sunrise : 10:58
Sunset : 14:40
Daylight : 3:42
Eureka :
Sunrise : 07:38
Sunset : 16:52
Daylight : 9:14
Did I mention that I ran in shorts this morning? :)
Last night at the band Christmas party, Matt and I sat next to a few other band members whom were lifelong Californians. They were excited for the Winter Solstice, because the days would finally get longer. That made me think of really how much easier it is to live here. My seasonal depression is almost non-existent by comparison to the last few years. I don't have to dress in 14 layers to go to the mailbox. All is good. Californians, I've discovered, are pretty sissy to all things weather related. They don't know how good they have it. Me, I'm soaking it all in, and feeling like I'm completely spoiled and that any day now, Mother Nature will toss me something terrible. Let's hope she doesn't so I can keep on living the dream.
Email Crazies
This afternoon, I was surfing the web seeing what kind of ultramarathons there are available nearby, and ran across something intriguing that I wasn't looking for and sent an email to Matt :
"Ok, so here's crazy idea #2 for the day :
http://marquettetrail50.com/ -----instead of the Crater Lake race."
His reply didn't include the words "crazy", "nuts", or "obsessed". He simply wrote this :
http://marquettetrail50.com/ -----instead of the Crater Lake race."
His reply didn't include the words "crazy", "nuts", or "obsessed". He simply wrote this :
"The 50K or 50 mile?"
Proof that when you get two crazies together, they only encourage
the other to become crazier. The best part? I'm not sure I want
someone to come along and rein us in.
Home and Friends
We're still no closer to owning our house than we were a week ago. But somehow we were able to convince the sellers that they should rent the house to us until we officially take possession. After all, what kind of Grinch would put a nice young couple in a hotel for Christmas?? (Our realtor is a magician). We'll pay a small rent fee, which will hopefully be just a week. Our stuff will be delivered on Thursday. So while we might have our blender and camping gear, we will probably not have internet or phone. Maybe we'll go camping over the Christmas holiday.
So today, I got up early with Matt to do another of our 5am Runs. This was just our three mile loop, just so we don't have to get up tooooo early. We examined the weather radar. Rain everywhere. When we went outside, it was surprisingly dry. I bargained with Mother Nature, "Just give us half an hour without rain and then you can rain the rest of the day. " We ran through the darkness, just the rare streetlight and Matt's dim headlamp lighting our way. This route has become so familiar that I could run it in complete darkness without falling, so I pushed the pace a little bit. Finishing in just over 25 minutes, we had five to spare. Apparently, her watch is a bit fast. Just as we were turning into the driveway, the rain started, and got heavier. Perfect timing.
It's amazing how much energy a run at 5am, while you're still half asleep, can be. There's the inevitable mid-morning crash, but for a few hours, it makes me feel like I can fly.
Getting the house, all the way on the other side of town, means adjusting and finding new running routes. It almost feels like I'm leaving friends behind. I spent most days out with them while Matt was at work. We run together and enjoy the company. I don't make quick friends, because let's face it, it's HARD. I can't just give a mere stranger the power to betray and disappoint me in a flash. I build friendships, slowly, one tiny trust block at a time. That leaves me with fewer friends, but ones that I can count on SANS EXCEPTION. Running routes are like that for me. I know they will never cancel plans at the last minute when I've been looking forward to them all week. They will never tell me that I'm too quiet or disagree with my views. They are always up for an impromptu get-together, no matter the time or weather. The new house is not in town, so there's no city grid to map out half and full mile increments, but it'll be more rural, scenic routes through farmland, for which I'm very excited to try. :) I'll take inspiring pictures on my runs, instead of running through the city, one concrete sidewalk after the next and only mailboxes to keep me company. It'll be the cows instead.
*sigh* time to pack up all my stuff. I'm glad the house is just five miles away, so I can make multiple trips and not try to wedge all of our stuff back into the car like we did for the drive here from Alaska.
So today, I got up early with Matt to do another of our 5am Runs. This was just our three mile loop, just so we don't have to get up tooooo early. We examined the weather radar. Rain everywhere. When we went outside, it was surprisingly dry. I bargained with Mother Nature, "Just give us half an hour without rain and then you can rain the rest of the day. " We ran through the darkness, just the rare streetlight and Matt's dim headlamp lighting our way. This route has become so familiar that I could run it in complete darkness without falling, so I pushed the pace a little bit. Finishing in just over 25 minutes, we had five to spare. Apparently, her watch is a bit fast. Just as we were turning into the driveway, the rain started, and got heavier. Perfect timing.
It's amazing how much energy a run at 5am, while you're still half asleep, can be. There's the inevitable mid-morning crash, but for a few hours, it makes me feel like I can fly.
Getting the house, all the way on the other side of town, means adjusting and finding new running routes. It almost feels like I'm leaving friends behind. I spent most days out with them while Matt was at work. We run together and enjoy the company. I don't make quick friends, because let's face it, it's HARD. I can't just give a mere stranger the power to betray and disappoint me in a flash. I build friendships, slowly, one tiny trust block at a time. That leaves me with fewer friends, but ones that I can count on SANS EXCEPTION. Running routes are like that for me. I know they will never cancel plans at the last minute when I've been looking forward to them all week. They will never tell me that I'm too quiet or disagree with my views. They are always up for an impromptu get-together, no matter the time or weather. The new house is not in town, so there's no city grid to map out half and full mile increments, but it'll be more rural, scenic routes through farmland, for which I'm very excited to try. :) I'll take inspiring pictures on my runs, instead of running through the city, one concrete sidewalk after the next and only mailboxes to keep me company. It'll be the cows instead.
*sigh* time to pack up all my stuff. I'm glad the house is just five miles away, so I can make multiple trips and not try to wedge all of our stuff back into the car like we did for the drive here from Alaska.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Wimp
"Fairbanks : -36. Eureka : +39F. Nice."
This was my Facebook status the other day. A friend of mine, whom lives in Kenai, AK, and is secretly jealous that we live somewhere warm called me a wimp for enjoying the temperature difference. It really bothered me that he thought I wimped out and moved to somewhere warm. Until my run today.
On top of a fence post (you can't see) with the Pacific Ocean north of Arcata, CA.
Matt and I decided that we would go for a run this afternoon, the only sunny day before a what the weatherman says is the worst rainstorm of the season. We headed out for a 15 miler in the sunshine on the Hammond Trail. It was the first sunny day in over a month, so we were ready to go long and just enjoy the afternoon.
The hubby along the trail. Notice the moss growing on the trees. Evidence that it is not
normally this dry and sunny.
Pretty views of the ocean accompanied us the entire way. It was impressive how much more beautiful it looked today than when we ran the trail before, in a light rain. We miscalculated our turn-around spot and ended up with 17 miles at a sub-9:00/mi pace.
Hammond Trail and the Pacific.
Mentally, it felt amazing to be able to run long. My mind has been yearning for one since the marathon. I've been struggling with managing my allergies, so I've been putting a long run off while I felt like crap. Today, all the stars aligned : weather, health (coffee helped), and Matt's day off. We felt great, brought some water, GU, and the camera.
The sunset: beauuuuuuuutiful.
If living somewhere that I can run such a fantastic 17 miler just short of Christmas, I guess I'm okay with being a wimp. So there, Jesse!! :P
This was my Facebook status the other day. A friend of mine, whom lives in Kenai, AK, and is secretly jealous that we live somewhere warm called me a wimp for enjoying the temperature difference. It really bothered me that he thought I wimped out and moved to somewhere warm. Until my run today.
On top of a fence post (you can't see) with the Pacific Ocean north of Arcata, CA.Matt and I decided that we would go for a run this afternoon, the only sunny day before a what the weatherman says is the worst rainstorm of the season. We headed out for a 15 miler in the sunshine on the Hammond Trail. It was the first sunny day in over a month, so we were ready to go long and just enjoy the afternoon.
The hubby along the trail. Notice the moss growing on the trees. Evidence that it is notnormally this dry and sunny.
Pretty views of the ocean accompanied us the entire way. It was impressive how much more beautiful it looked today than when we ran the trail before, in a light rain. We miscalculated our turn-around spot and ended up with 17 miles at a sub-9:00/mi pace.
Hammond Trail and the Pacific.Mentally, it felt amazing to be able to run long. My mind has been yearning for one since the marathon. I've been struggling with managing my allergies, so I've been putting a long run off while I felt like crap. Today, all the stars aligned : weather, health (coffee helped), and Matt's day off. We felt great, brought some water, GU, and the camera.
The sunset: beauuuuuuuutiful.If living somewhere that I can run such a fantastic 17 miler just short of Christmas, I guess I'm okay with being a wimp. So there, Jesse!! :P
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Pimp My Ride?
Since I began running in 2002, I've been told that when it comes to running shoes, more support is better. I spent years trying to figure out what shoes work best for me simply by trial and error. Then I was fitted at a store and was recommended a heel lift (for an 1/2 inch leg discrepancy) and the Brooks Ariel (motion control) because of my severe over-pronation problems.
This past summer, I experimented with the Brooks Adrenaline (stability) just because I found it on super-deep clearance at the running store. I loved how it was nearly half a pound lighter and made me feel like I was flying. Soon I learned that my pronation problem wasn't as bad anymore and that the motion control shoes weren't necessary anymore. ((This was probably due to experience and overall strengthening of all the muscles of my leg, improvements in my form, and general fitness.))
But then I read this past month's Runners World. And the new trend is running in VFFs. They look like water shoes and are the new fad thing. They say that American shoes are too cushioned and are making our legs weaker. This made me think about my own shoes. Since I've had more success in lighter, less supportive shoes, maybe I'm okay to try a performance training (no specific cushioning or support properties=lighter yet) shoes. Does anyone have any thoughts? I'd like to go with a cheaper shoe to try them out first and found this one :
Asics Gel Phoenix at 8.25 oz.
Anyone have experience going to a lighter shoe with mild over-pronation problems? Similar performance trainers are : Brooks Glycerin, Brooks Ghost, Asics Kayano, Asics 3020.
Should I cushion up and enjoy the ride? Or should I go lighter and fly on my own foot cushioning?
This past summer, I experimented with the Brooks Adrenaline (stability) just because I found it on super-deep clearance at the running store. I loved how it was nearly half a pound lighter and made me feel like I was flying. Soon I learned that my pronation problem wasn't as bad anymore and that the motion control shoes weren't necessary anymore. ((This was probably due to experience and overall strengthening of all the muscles of my leg, improvements in my form, and general fitness.))
But then I read this past month's Runners World. And the new trend is running in VFFs. They look like water shoes and are the new fad thing. They say that American shoes are too cushioned and are making our legs weaker. This made me think about my own shoes. Since I've had more success in lighter, less supportive shoes, maybe I'm okay to try a performance training (no specific cushioning or support properties=lighter yet) shoes. Does anyone have any thoughts? I'd like to go with a cheaper shoe to try them out first and found this one :
Asics Gel Phoenix at 8.25 oz.
Anyone have experience going to a lighter shoe with mild over-pronation problems? Similar performance trainers are : Brooks Glycerin, Brooks Ghost, Asics Kayano, Asics 3020.
Should I cushion up and enjoy the ride? Or should I go lighter and fly on my own foot cushioning?
Monday, December 13, 2010
Home for Christmas?
Two weeks ago, the mortgage company told us that they had everything they needed, and we'd be closing by Tuesday, Dec. 14. Then last week, I called to ask when we're signing loan documents, and lo and behold, there was absolutely nothing done on our account for an entire week. Someone dropped the ball....pushing our closing date closer and closer to Christmas. Now they're telling us that it'll be Dec. 22. So I have it set up to get our belongings delivered on Dec. 23. If I have to change that date again, it will be after Christmas, and that will piss me off more than I can put into words.
Our realtor, has been absolutely amazing and reliable, but our mortgage person leaves something to be desired. If I still don't have the house by Christmas, I'm probably going to cry.
So to ease our frustrations, Matt and I went out to get a Christmas tree. There's no way I'm waiting until Dec. 23 to get a tree and have to set up our beds. But the last thing we really need to do is go and spend money, since we'll be pretty close to broke after we close on the house. So we went out and bought a real tree and minimal lights and ornaments. Our tree looks like one of the Charlie Brown trees, but it's ours and perfect the way it is. And it was one of the few that would fit into our car.
Our realtor, has been absolutely amazing and reliable, but our mortgage person leaves something to be desired. If I still don't have the house by Christmas, I'm probably going to cry.
So to ease our frustrations, Matt and I went out to get a Christmas tree. There's no way I'm waiting until Dec. 23 to get a tree and have to set up our beds. But the last thing we really need to do is go and spend money, since we'll be pretty close to broke after we close on the house. So we went out and bought a real tree and minimal lights and ornaments. Our tree looks like one of the Charlie Brown trees, but it's ours and perfect the way it is. And it was one of the few that would fit into our car.
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
A New Day
After yesterday's Debbie-Downer post, here's something a little more cheerful :
A few times a week, Matt and I do morning runs before he goes to work at 7am. Running in the morning is a lot more work than running mid-day or in the evening, just because I'm fresh from bed and completely stiff. It takes a few miles just to get the legs loosened up. But this morning, we had coffee and a tiny breakfast, we set out into the darkness. He wore a headlamp, I wore the flashy light and reflective band. Even though we run on sidewalks, I like being as visible as humanly possible. ((Side note: Matt is planning on riding his bike to work each day, by the time I'm done with him, he's going to light up like a football field. MWAHAHA!))
The coffee and warm temperature made it a very enjoyable run, almost effortless. I hardly ever run a sub-9:00 average in the morning, since the first bit is more like a warm-up. Today, most of it was near an 8:00/mi. Just proof that my body can adjust to doing whatever I throw at it. :) The sun was just coming up as we made our final turn, easterly towards home. The last mile was the most beautiful pink, yellow, and orange sunrise. The perfect beginning to a new day.
Clear skies, a beautiful sunrise, a new day. I'm just taking things day by day. Here's to making this new day better than the last.
A few times a week, Matt and I do morning runs before he goes to work at 7am. Running in the morning is a lot more work than running mid-day or in the evening, just because I'm fresh from bed and completely stiff. It takes a few miles just to get the legs loosened up. But this morning, we had coffee and a tiny breakfast, we set out into the darkness. He wore a headlamp, I wore the flashy light and reflective band. Even though we run on sidewalks, I like being as visible as humanly possible. ((Side note: Matt is planning on riding his bike to work each day, by the time I'm done with him, he's going to light up like a football field. MWAHAHA!))
The coffee and warm temperature made it a very enjoyable run, almost effortless. I hardly ever run a sub-9:00 average in the morning, since the first bit is more like a warm-up. Today, most of it was near an 8:00/mi. Just proof that my body can adjust to doing whatever I throw at it. :) The sun was just coming up as we made our final turn, easterly towards home. The last mile was the most beautiful pink, yellow, and orange sunrise. The perfect beginning to a new day.
Clear skies, a beautiful sunrise, a new day. I'm just taking things day by day. Here's to making this new day better than the last.
Monday, December 06, 2010
Sad
Warning : This is going to be a whiny post.
I miss Alaska. I've been here almost a month now, and all the exciting newness has worn off. I'm finished with Christmas shopping. We'll get the house in a week or two. Now, I'm just waiting. Life has settled down. I'm lonely. I don't have any friends here. I joined a band here, so at least I'm getting out a couple of times a week. But last night I was even ready to give that up. It's an hour drive to get there and back. All gigs are in that area, too. I hate driving a lot, it feels so wasteful.
I miss my friends. I've started rebuilding my life, meeting new people. But nothing compares to people that already know me that I can count on. I miss the familiarity of knowing where everything is and not having to MapQuest myself to the store. Running routes were friends as well, and I have to find new ones too.
I guess I just miss the familiarity of my old life. :(
I miss Alaska. I've been here almost a month now, and all the exciting newness has worn off. I'm finished with Christmas shopping. We'll get the house in a week or two. Now, I'm just waiting. Life has settled down. I'm lonely. I don't have any friends here. I joined a band here, so at least I'm getting out a couple of times a week. But last night I was even ready to give that up. It's an hour drive to get there and back. All gigs are in that area, too. I hate driving a lot, it feels so wasteful.
I miss my friends. I've started rebuilding my life, meeting new people. But nothing compares to people that already know me that I can count on. I miss the familiarity of knowing where everything is and not having to MapQuest myself to the store. Running routes were friends as well, and I have to find new ones too.
I guess I just miss the familiarity of my old life. :(
Why I Run
While I straddle the fine line between peak training and over-training, I often find myself asking why I run. That line of thought usually takes me to specific days in my past, when everything about the run was perfect.
One night in college, my roommate, Amy, and I decided to go for a run at 11pm, an impulsive break from studying for final exams. I hadn't run that late at night before, and haven't done it since. That chilly, windless December night had perfect snowflakes. They floated down from the darkness above, illuminated only by the lights on each street corner. We made snow angels and danced in the picturesque perfectness of that night.
-----
April 2006. I hated running hills. But it was an unusually warm spring day in Central Michigan and Matt was particularly insistent that we go running that day. He chose the route, and if you know anything about Matt, it's that he's always more than content to let you take the lead if it's not something he is absolutely passionate about. Something was up, but I couldn't quite figure out what. He took me up some hills. I begged to take an easier course, but he insisted. At the top, I was completely out of breath, bathed in sweat. The hilltop overlooked a pond, complete with ducks and lily pads. To break the tension, I blurted out, " oh how romantic---a swamp and us sweating like mad". I turned away for a moment, and just as I looked back at him, he was down on one knee. Layered in stinky t-shirts and a slimy film of sweat, I said yes. We floated home.
Later I felt like an ass about the swamp comment.
----
Those experiences are why I run. No running PR has ever made me feel more alive than those two runs. I just need to remind myself why I run, it's not about trying to get faster and faster, it's about perfect moments like these.
One night in college, my roommate, Amy, and I decided to go for a run at 11pm, an impulsive break from studying for final exams. I hadn't run that late at night before, and haven't done it since. That chilly, windless December night had perfect snowflakes. They floated down from the darkness above, illuminated only by the lights on each street corner. We made snow angels and danced in the picturesque perfectness of that night.
-----
April 2006. I hated running hills. But it was an unusually warm spring day in Central Michigan and Matt was particularly insistent that we go running that day. He chose the route, and if you know anything about Matt, it's that he's always more than content to let you take the lead if it's not something he is absolutely passionate about. Something was up, but I couldn't quite figure out what. He took me up some hills. I begged to take an easier course, but he insisted. At the top, I was completely out of breath, bathed in sweat. The hilltop overlooked a pond, complete with ducks and lily pads. To break the tension, I blurted out, " oh how romantic---a swamp and us sweating like mad". I turned away for a moment, and just as I looked back at him, he was down on one knee. Layered in stinky t-shirts and a slimy film of sweat, I said yes. We floated home.
Later I felt like an ass about the swamp comment.
----
Those experiences are why I run. No running PR has ever made me feel more alive than those two runs. I just need to remind myself why I run, it's not about trying to get faster and faster, it's about perfect moments like these.
Friday, December 03, 2010
Trinity Alps Reconnaisance Hike
With sleepy eyes, and still in bed, I pushed the blinds aside to see the sky. Blue. BLUE?!?! Out for a hike!!!
Matt and I had planned on going to check out the Trinity Alps at some point this weekend, so we decided that today would be the day the weather gods finally smiled upon us. Since we had no prior knowledge of how much snow they get each year, or if any had fallen yet, we called the ranger station. The park ranger told us that the road was clear and paved from the highway to the trailhead. And snow levels were at 4,000ft, so we wouldn't see any snow on the way there, at the trailhead, or anywhere until five miles in.
Well.... two miles before we even got to the trailhead, the road was completely impassible. Fallen trees and about eight inches of slushy snow stood in the way between us and our planned hike. The snow was starting to rot already, so it definitely had been here awhile already. I didn't let this get in my way. We hiked the final two miles, and arrived somewhat exhausted to the trailhead. But since we made it this far, we decided to at least check out the trail. The snow only got deeper. Totally doable with snowshoes, but we didn't plan for snow after what the ranger had said. We slogged through almost knee-deep snow, postholing the entire way, uphill both ways (of course).
The hike was a welcome Winter Wonderland. Just what I needed. Up until this point, and the 50F days, I've been in disbelief that Christmas is coming. This finally convinced me that, while it may not be winter in Eureka the way I'm used to winter, it is indeed happening elsewhere.
It started to get dark after three miles, so we turned back. The trail is definitely good enough to backpack in the winter, which was our main reason for the short day-trip.
As we headed back to the car, we stopped at the outhouses. The dry winter air had sucked all the moisture from the skin on my face, so I was back to thinking in Alaska winter mode as I entered the Identical-to-Alaskan-Park-Outhouse. As I sat down on the toilet seat, there wasn't the familiar sting of melting frost on my buttocks. I did a little happy dance while sitting on the potty. Winter hiking isn't so bad here either!!! :)
Matt and I had planned on going to check out the Trinity Alps at some point this weekend, so we decided that today would be the day the weather gods finally smiled upon us. Since we had no prior knowledge of how much snow they get each year, or if any had fallen yet, we called the ranger station. The park ranger told us that the road was clear and paved from the highway to the trailhead. And snow levels were at 4,000ft, so we wouldn't see any snow on the way there, at the trailhead, or anywhere until five miles in.
Well.... two miles before we even got to the trailhead, the road was completely impassible. Fallen trees and about eight inches of slushy snow stood in the way between us and our planned hike. The snow was starting to rot already, so it definitely had been here awhile already. I didn't let this get in my way. We hiked the final two miles, and arrived somewhat exhausted to the trailhead. But since we made it this far, we decided to at least check out the trail. The snow only got deeper. Totally doable with snowshoes, but we didn't plan for snow after what the ranger had said. We slogged through almost knee-deep snow, postholing the entire way, uphill both ways (of course).
The hike was a welcome Winter Wonderland. Just what I needed. Up until this point, and the 50F days, I've been in disbelief that Christmas is coming. This finally convinced me that, while it may not be winter in Eureka the way I'm used to winter, it is indeed happening elsewhere.
It started to get dark after three miles, so we turned back. The trail is definitely good enough to backpack in the winter, which was our main reason for the short day-trip.
As we headed back to the car, we stopped at the outhouses. The dry winter air had sucked all the moisture from the skin on my face, so I was back to thinking in Alaska winter mode as I entered the Identical-to-Alaskan-Park-Outhouse. As I sat down on the toilet seat, there wasn't the familiar sting of melting frost on my buttocks. I did a little happy dance while sitting on the potty. Winter hiking isn't so bad here either!!! :)
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Empty
After over eleven months of strict training plans, and a chart of weekly mileage goals hanging on my refrigerator, I've come to realize one thing: my fridge looks awfully empty without one. Inside my runner's psyche, it looks just the same. So I set out to change that : and made a new training schedule.
Without a clear goal in mind, I just decided to keep a mileage base of about 35-40, with a few mid distance runs, and a long run. One year ago, that would have been my highest mileage week before a marathon taper. Progress tastes good. It no longer feels so difficult to sustain. :) Then I will begin training for Green Bay on Jan 1 with a really solid base. I'm still considering a March marathon in between, but we'll see how everything goes until then.
In other news, Fairbanks has a high temperature of -25F today. Today's run at 50F in the drizzle isn't so bad, I guess.
Without a clear goal in mind, I just decided to keep a mileage base of about 35-40, with a few mid distance runs, and a long run. One year ago, that would have been my highest mileage week before a marathon taper. Progress tastes good. It no longer feels so difficult to sustain. :) Then I will begin training for Green Bay on Jan 1 with a really solid base. I'm still considering a March marathon in between, but we'll see how everything goes until then.
In other news, Fairbanks has a high temperature of -25F today. Today's run at 50F in the drizzle isn't so bad, I guess.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Turkey Trot 5K
What the heck have I been doing lately? I actually had to look back at my previous post to remind myself. I forgot to take my allergy meds one day, the day prior to my last post. It takes forever to get them working, so I stay in a cloudy, stuffed up daze until they work. The clouds cleared up today. Finally.
Thanksgiving was celebrated with a few of Matt's coworkers. They are about the only people we know in town, so it was nice to get an invitation. Before dinner, Matt and I ran the Turkey Trot 5K through Old Town. It was three loops, a lot of repeat distance for such a short race. This made for a really crowded and frantic 5K. Between being cut off by some kids half my size, and dodging walkers as I lapped them, it was chaos. Somehow I do well with chaos, because I squeezed out a 23:55. A new PR by 40 seconds and a placement of 25/300 women. It made me wonder how fast I could be if I actually did speed work and trained for a 5K. Matt got a 20:40 and was 45/300 men. Not a bad way to start the day. The sun was out all day and I spent a good part of the afternoon mad at Matt for pushing us to run a 5K rather than a long run. That feeling was compounded when it proceeded to rain HARD all day Friday and Saturday. BOO!
I got my 10 miler in today. Long runs make me crazy. I dream up overly ambitious training schedules and goals for myself. I've already scaled back the plan I made on my last crazy long run. I've also gotten used to running with an iPod. With all the street running, it helps me distract myself from how much running next to a busy road sucks.
What I realized in the last few weeks is that I have totally no motivation to go long without a training plan. Last week I put one together (crazy hard that made my legs sore just looking at) and began to follow it. I'm also building goals for 2010. First big race : Green Bay Marathon. Want to join me?
Thanksgiving was celebrated with a few of Matt's coworkers. They are about the only people we know in town, so it was nice to get an invitation. Before dinner, Matt and I ran the Turkey Trot 5K through Old Town. It was three loops, a lot of repeat distance for such a short race. This made for a really crowded and frantic 5K. Between being cut off by some kids half my size, and dodging walkers as I lapped them, it was chaos. Somehow I do well with chaos, because I squeezed out a 23:55. A new PR by 40 seconds and a placement of 25/300 women. It made me wonder how fast I could be if I actually did speed work and trained for a 5K. Matt got a 20:40 and was 45/300 men. Not a bad way to start the day. The sun was out all day and I spent a good part of the afternoon mad at Matt for pushing us to run a 5K rather than a long run. That feeling was compounded when it proceeded to rain HARD all day Friday and Saturday. BOO!
I got my 10 miler in today. Long runs make me crazy. I dream up overly ambitious training schedules and goals for myself. I've already scaled back the plan I made on my last crazy long run. I've also gotten used to running with an iPod. With all the street running, it helps me distract myself from how much running next to a busy road sucks.
What I realized in the last few weeks is that I have totally no motivation to go long without a training plan. Last week I put one together (crazy hard that made my legs sore just looking at) and began to follow it. I'm also building goals for 2010. First big race : Green Bay Marathon. Want to join me?
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Headwaters Forest Preserve
I think I found my Equinox course replacement : 11 miles total (just ran 7 of it today), trail, and has a huuuge hill in the middle that we didn't even go to the top. It goes through the redwoods, too. No traffic noises at all and smells like moss. And can be combined with the six miles to and from our new house to make a long, quiet run through the forest.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Samoa Island Dunes
In Eureka, Winter = rain. And lots of it. But I awoke on Sunday morning with the sun shining in my face through the blinds. I jumped out of bed, with urgency. The sun wouldn't last long. I shook Matt awake and we hurriedly prepared for a hike. But where to go? We decided we couldn't waste time getting somewhere, because it would resume raining by the time we got there. We went to Samoa, just on the other side of town.
We decided to hike on the sand dunes. Michigan has dunes along the Great Lakes and Matt and I have hiked on soft sand. It was very slow going. I also hate having stuff on my feet, so the sand filling my shoes drove me insane. If it were just a little bit warmer, I would have gone barefoot.
Fall colors accented the brown sand. I feel blessed to experience fall three times this year. It is my favorite season, now that I know that what comes after doesn't include deep seasonal depression like it did in Alaska.
We came across few people, which was odd, given the proximity to town. Maybe they were all afraid of the rain starting up again. Matt and I had a great time. We're both absolutely mesmerized by the size of the waves. We shouldn't be surprised, being that it IS the Pacific Ocean out there, but even on calm days, 10 foot waves are common. With our growing collection of cameras, Matt's interest in photography has blossomed. He takes some pretty photos, too.
We walked back on the firm sand, right along the water. Larger waves pushed water up to our feet. We ran away from it, trying to stay dry. I brought four pair of shoes along on our move, so these can't get wet, especially since one other pair was already at home, drying out. The size of the driftwood was impressive : we also found two rubber covered beams from a dock somewhere. How far did this travel? The amount of trash that washed up on shore was surprising too. And this is just the stuff that floats. What does the bottom of the ocean look like??, eeeewwwww.
This was my last shot before we returned to the car. The sun promptly disappeared and the rain began again. Thanks, Mother Nature, for the few hours break from the rain.
We decided to hike on the sand dunes. Michigan has dunes along the Great Lakes and Matt and I have hiked on soft sand. It was very slow going. I also hate having stuff on my feet, so the sand filling my shoes drove me insane. If it were just a little bit warmer, I would have gone barefoot.
Fall colors accented the brown sand. I feel blessed to experience fall three times this year. It is my favorite season, now that I know that what comes after doesn't include deep seasonal depression like it did in Alaska.
We came across few people, which was odd, given the proximity to town. Maybe they were all afraid of the rain starting up again. Matt and I had a great time. We're both absolutely mesmerized by the size of the waves. We shouldn't be surprised, being that it IS the Pacific Ocean out there, but even on calm days, 10 foot waves are common. With our growing collection of cameras, Matt's interest in photography has blossomed. He takes some pretty photos, too.
We walked back on the firm sand, right along the water. Larger waves pushed water up to our feet. We ran away from it, trying to stay dry. I brought four pair of shoes along on our move, so these can't get wet, especially since one other pair was already at home, drying out. The size of the driftwood was impressive : we also found two rubber covered beams from a dock somewhere. How far did this travel? The amount of trash that washed up on shore was surprising too. And this is just the stuff that floats. What does the bottom of the ocean look like??, eeeewwwww.
This was my last shot before we returned to the car. The sun promptly disappeared and the rain began again. Thanks, Mother Nature, for the few hours break from the rain.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
The coffee made me do it
With all the running challenges in Fairbanks : the extreme cold, the black ice, the wildfire smoke, the short days, there was one really good thing about it all : no rainy runs. Rain in Fairbanks is extremely rare, so when it rains once a month each summer, it's easy to avoid it by taking a rest day, or waiting until it lets up, because it doesn't rain all day long. My last rainy run was when I lived in Oklahoma, in 2007. Needless to say, I've become a pussy to doing anything in the rain.
Here, just two miles from the Pacific Ocean, it rains a LOT. And we're talking heavy, non-stop rain, for days on end. I had found my new running challenge. No longer the ice and cold, but the rain. How much can I take.
I only drink coffee for races and I never get up at 6am to see Matt off to work, but today I did both. By 8am, I was wired and twitching as caffeine careened out of control through my veins. I looked outside. Rain, again.
This time I did it. Downpour or not, I needed to do something other that sit at the computer twitching. The house was clean already. I had to run. I wore my usual outfit and added a raincoat, cinched the hood so that only my face peeked out of the blue vinyl. Running into the wind in a downpour feels like someone throwing buckets of rain at you. My contacts came close to sliding out. Eyelashes worked like windshield wipers to clear the stream of water running into my eyes. Water dripped off the tip of my nose, inhaling it every other breath. Was I running underwater? Soon I was soaked completely through. The years of backpacking through Alder bushes had rendered my raincoat useless. I might as well have been wearing a cotton t-shirt. Miraculously, my feet stayed dry (thanks trail running shoes!).
I returned home with an evil little smile on my face. Running in a downpour returns the same looks from passing motorists as running at 40 Below. And I did it. Just three miles. Can I do more? Stay tuned.
Here, just two miles from the Pacific Ocean, it rains a LOT. And we're talking heavy, non-stop rain, for days on end. I had found my new running challenge. No longer the ice and cold, but the rain. How much can I take.
I only drink coffee for races and I never get up at 6am to see Matt off to work, but today I did both. By 8am, I was wired and twitching as caffeine careened out of control through my veins. I looked outside. Rain, again.
This time I did it. Downpour or not, I needed to do something other that sit at the computer twitching. The house was clean already. I had to run. I wore my usual outfit and added a raincoat, cinched the hood so that only my face peeked out of the blue vinyl. Running into the wind in a downpour feels like someone throwing buckets of rain at you. My contacts came close to sliding out. Eyelashes worked like windshield wipers to clear the stream of water running into my eyes. Water dripped off the tip of my nose, inhaling it every other breath. Was I running underwater? Soon I was soaked completely through. The years of backpacking through Alder bushes had rendered my raincoat useless. I might as well have been wearing a cotton t-shirt. Miraculously, my feet stayed dry (thanks trail running shoes!).
I returned home with an evil little smile on my face. Running in a downpour returns the same looks from passing motorists as running at 40 Below. And I did it. Just three miles. Can I do more? Stay tuned.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Avenue of the Giants
Avenue of the Giants runs through the Humboldt Redwood State Park. It is made up of smaller, once privately owned groves of trees, and then donated to the state park system to make up this magnificent park. Only 5% of the Coastal Redwood trees still remain today, nearly all of them protected within this park and two others. The Avenue of the Giants is site for an annual spring and fall marathon, in which Matt and I will participate while we live nearby.
We did a few hikes along the Avenue, marveling at the giant trees that made us look like insects by comparison. I'll let the photos do the talking :
little people, big trees.
The loyal Focus. Where would we go without you?
Hugging trees.
Tiny power pole running through the redwoods.The most interesting thing about the two short hikes we did, was that even though we were really near to the highway, the trees had a soundproofing effect on the forest floor. I had to strain to hear the highway. What I heard instead was a little alarming : a creaking noise when the trees swayed gently in the breeze. The sound of creaking stairs. If even a limb fell off of one and landed on me, I'd surely be pounded into the ground like a nail. I have yet to see more than birds and slugs on my hikes. I did, however, find lots of tunnels beneath old stumps--bears. Had to be. If I were to venture further from the road next time, I'd need to pack the bear spray.
Patrick's Point State Park
For my first California hiking excursion, Matt and I decided to head north to Patrick's Point State Park and the Rim Trail. We were happy to see the easy to follow, flat hiking path. After all, it was just four days after our marathon : easy hiking was key. It was beautiful. The weather was great : sunny and very unusual for the area. I still can't believe that on the other shore is China and Asia. Blows my mind.
After living in Fairbanks with small trees, these look absolutely enormous. Even the shrubs are huge. I asked Matt on our drive up, "do you think all the hiking we do after Alaska will be a let-down?". After this hike, it was clear that it would not be. Totally different hiking. Not walking around, finding your own path. Not packing tons of stuff, just in case we had to spend the night.
All in all, urban hiking. But the thing is, it still held all the basic attractions of Alaskan hiking : broad, humbling views; the hum of nature; getting out on foot to examine the world at a slower pace; trees; birds; and the uncertain excitement of not knowing what lurks just out of view.
It's safe to say that we're going to like California hiking just fine.
After living in Fairbanks with small trees, these look absolutely enormous. Even the shrubs are huge. I asked Matt on our drive up, "do you think all the hiking we do after Alaska will be a let-down?". After this hike, it was clear that it would not be. Totally different hiking. Not walking around, finding your own path. Not packing tons of stuff, just in case we had to spend the night.
All in all, urban hiking. But the thing is, it still held all the basic attractions of Alaskan hiking : broad, humbling views; the hum of nature; getting out on foot to examine the world at a slower pace; trees; birds; and the uncertain excitement of not knowing what lurks just out of view.
It's safe to say that we're going to like California hiking just fine.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Buy Local
A few years ago, the new fad was organic foods. Buy Organic! It eliminates all pesticides, blah blah. Restaurants added this label to their menus. I'm not particularly sold on the whole organic thing. Dairy products, for example, aren't necessary to be organic. Milk from cows treated with most antibiotics and hormones is thrown away. Not a huge threat. Most veggies can be washed off. I'm much more worried about preservatives in processed foods than pesticides that are on crops fed to animals. (totally unrelated : veganism freaks me out. eating a fake cheese made from oils to make it taste like cheese worries me--I think the cheese is probably healthier. what's the point of making fake cheese anyways?)
The new fad is Buy Local, food that are grown in the immediate area. I have been totally fascinated by this since I was a kid. Growing up in the North, local foods weren't available most of the year. And when they were, lower yields drove the price up higher than the mega-farms in the Great Plains. Local foods were rare. Living in agri-rich California, is heaven. I can drive by the farms that grow my beef, veggies, and produce our milk, cheese, etc. And everything is fresher because it hasn't been shipped across the country before arriving in my kitchen. It's AWESOME! :) I think that this is my favorite part about living here.
The new fad is Buy Local, food that are grown in the immediate area. I have been totally fascinated by this since I was a kid. Growing up in the North, local foods weren't available most of the year. And when they were, lower yields drove the price up higher than the mega-farms in the Great Plains. Local foods were rare. Living in agri-rich California, is heaven. I can drive by the farms that grow my beef, veggies, and produce our milk, cheese, etc. And everything is fresher because it hasn't been shipped across the country before arriving in my kitchen. It's AWESOME! :) I think that this is my favorite part about living here.
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Rails to Trails Marathon
It was a beautiful day. Very similar to the Equinox Marathon morning, only two months later. Sunny. Light wind. High near 60F. Perfect for a fall marathon.
Let me give you a little background on this first. I chose this race because I spent a few summers here as a kid. Family reunions (with my dad's 12 siblings) were one long party. We rode bikes. and biked. and rode some more. My parents weren't (and still aren't) particularly active, and I think that deep down inside I really wanted to be, but was never encouraged. So I was in heaven, once a year, exploring and biking with my family. Matt and I returned here for our honeymoon. It was 90+F and we ended up riding only 30 miles of the trail, the same path as our marathon course, give or take 1/2 mi or so. Perfect setting to celebrate being free of cancer.
I had my usual Lucky Charms. I wasn't sure if the knock-off Mallows and Stars would be acceptable, but that's all I could find, so it had to be enough. The coffee was toned down a little bit. Ever since my first flight from Eureka, and the three hours of vomiting up coffee into the airsick bags, I'm afraid I've lost interest in it for awhile. Regardless, I had some Gatorade and a SnickersMarathon on the way to the race.
The course was on an old railroad bed, so there were no steep hills, but just several mile-long ones. The first 4 miles were a breeze, not going up or down for too long. I intended to calculate my splits, but somehow I missed one and hit the stop button on Garmy so I had to manually add 8:40 to my overall time. I was pissed at myself for doing this at mile 2. Why couldn't it have been later? Mile 6 or so was the tunnel.
It's a 3/4 mi long tunnel, lit by small lanterns (for the race only). A volunteer handed me a flashlight at the entrance....yeah, it didn't work at all. I sprinted through the darkness, trying to catch up and draft off someone else's light. Eventually I caught someone, about halfway through, but running blind is the most terrifying thing ever. I can't imagine how people that are blind all the time run races. After exiting the tunnel, I apologized for crowding behind the guy with the light. We chatted for a few miles, picking up the pace to an 8:10/mi. It was on a gradual downhill until mile 14, so I just went with it. Nothing felt too fast. Both of us were hoping to finish in 4:00, so it was nice to run with someone for awhile...even though both of us knew we'd regret running faster later. I pulled away from him by mile 13.
My 1/2mar split was within 10 seconds of my PR 1/2. That didn't clue me in that I was going too fast. Not until the turn-around at mile 15. Then I began the long trek from mile 16-24, barely averaging a 10:00/mi, on a gradual uphill. It was a gain of about 1,000ft over those 8 miles. I heard other runners complain about how hilly the course was, and I couldn't believe what they were saying. Especially after running the Equinox. It was here that I wished that my second GU was caffeinated. I'll never again use the non-caffeine gels.
The second time through the tunnel, I made sure to test my flashlight before going in. As long as I kept shaking it, it stayed lit. The runner ahead of me was howling and yelling, trying to get the tunnel filled with cheering echos. He was fun to follow. The extra boost from his enthusiasm and from my final caffeine GU (who would make caffeine free GU?), along with the slight downhill propelled me forward toward the finish.
My knees locked up a few times after the last few water stops, so I ran-walked most of the way. Running would loosen them up, but they'd get stiff within minutes. I saw my dream of putting a 3 in front of my marathon time disappear. But maybe a 4:05 was possible. Every time I have no mental energy left, I think back to my worst days near the end of my chemo treatments. I picture myself, unable to stand up for the entire 5 minute shower, on all fours in the tub, water streaming down my fatigued face. Somehow I don't feel so bad anymore and am able to draw the motivation from somewhere. Fight. You know you can do it. You don't feel as bad as you did those days. PUSH. and I did it. I crossed the finish line in 4:03.03, a full 31 minutes faster than my previous marathon PR. I was #25 of 100 women.
Just about to cross the finish line, I spot my photographer.
I've never been more proud of the layers of salt on my face than I am in this photo.
Matt finished in 3:23, nearly 30 minutes faster than his marathon PR as well. He placed 25 overall.
My running superhero, the speedy Matt.
Recap :
Lesson #1 for Destination Marathons : Always pack one of everything. You may need it.
I hadn't prepared for a warm race. In fact, I didn't bring shorts or a short sleeve shirt to run in. Luckily, I had a moment of weakness at Goodwill with Emily and bought a pair of running shorts. I wore those and made a long sleeve shirt work.
Lesson #2 for Destination Marathons : Provide a buffer day between race day and traveling home.
My legs were stiff on Monday morning. We drove three hours in the car to the airport, and spent the next 12 hrs in airports or in the air. A grand total of 19 hrs of sitting and more sitting. We walked as much as possible on the ground, which helped, but it would have been better to spend the day out playing disc golf instead.
Lesson #3 for Destination Marathons : Get an aisle seat on the plane. You're gonna need it.
Luckily, Matt and I plan our trips hoping we'll get an empty middle seat if we choose and aisle and a window seat. The person in the middle is always more than happy to trade us for the middle. On our longest leg, we had to decide if we wanted the middle and aisle or window. We took the aisle...and got up once or twice an hour to stretch. I think this is the reason I was able to walk to the car after we got off the plane.
*sigh* Now that my running year is over, it's time to start planning for next year. Anyone want to run the Green Bay Marathon (www.greenbaymarathon.com) with me in May??
Let me give you a little background on this first. I chose this race because I spent a few summers here as a kid. Family reunions (with my dad's 12 siblings) were one long party. We rode bikes. and biked. and rode some more. My parents weren't (and still aren't) particularly active, and I think that deep down inside I really wanted to be, but was never encouraged. So I was in heaven, once a year, exploring and biking with my family. Matt and I returned here for our honeymoon. It was 90+F and we ended up riding only 30 miles of the trail, the same path as our marathon course, give or take 1/2 mi or so. Perfect setting to celebrate being free of cancer.
I had my usual Lucky Charms. I wasn't sure if the knock-off Mallows and Stars would be acceptable, but that's all I could find, so it had to be enough. The coffee was toned down a little bit. Ever since my first flight from Eureka, and the three hours of vomiting up coffee into the airsick bags, I'm afraid I've lost interest in it for awhile. Regardless, I had some Gatorade and a SnickersMarathon on the way to the race.
The course was on an old railroad bed, so there were no steep hills, but just several mile-long ones. The first 4 miles were a breeze, not going up or down for too long. I intended to calculate my splits, but somehow I missed one and hit the stop button on Garmy so I had to manually add 8:40 to my overall time. I was pissed at myself for doing this at mile 2. Why couldn't it have been later? Mile 6 or so was the tunnel.
It's a 3/4 mi long tunnel, lit by small lanterns (for the race only). A volunteer handed me a flashlight at the entrance....yeah, it didn't work at all. I sprinted through the darkness, trying to catch up and draft off someone else's light. Eventually I caught someone, about halfway through, but running blind is the most terrifying thing ever. I can't imagine how people that are blind all the time run races. After exiting the tunnel, I apologized for crowding behind the guy with the light. We chatted for a few miles, picking up the pace to an 8:10/mi. It was on a gradual downhill until mile 14, so I just went with it. Nothing felt too fast. Both of us were hoping to finish in 4:00, so it was nice to run with someone for awhile...even though both of us knew we'd regret running faster later. I pulled away from him by mile 13.
My 1/2mar split was within 10 seconds of my PR 1/2. That didn't clue me in that I was going too fast. Not until the turn-around at mile 15. Then I began the long trek from mile 16-24, barely averaging a 10:00/mi, on a gradual uphill. It was a gain of about 1,000ft over those 8 miles. I heard other runners complain about how hilly the course was, and I couldn't believe what they were saying. Especially after running the Equinox. It was here that I wished that my second GU was caffeinated. I'll never again use the non-caffeine gels.
The second time through the tunnel, I made sure to test my flashlight before going in. As long as I kept shaking it, it stayed lit. The runner ahead of me was howling and yelling, trying to get the tunnel filled with cheering echos. He was fun to follow. The extra boost from his enthusiasm and from my final caffeine GU (who would make caffeine free GU?), along with the slight downhill propelled me forward toward the finish.
My knees locked up a few times after the last few water stops, so I ran-walked most of the way. Running would loosen them up, but they'd get stiff within minutes. I saw my dream of putting a 3 in front of my marathon time disappear. But maybe a 4:05 was possible. Every time I have no mental energy left, I think back to my worst days near the end of my chemo treatments. I picture myself, unable to stand up for the entire 5 minute shower, on all fours in the tub, water streaming down my fatigued face. Somehow I don't feel so bad anymore and am able to draw the motivation from somewhere. Fight. You know you can do it. You don't feel as bad as you did those days. PUSH. and I did it. I crossed the finish line in 4:03.03, a full 31 minutes faster than my previous marathon PR. I was #25 of 100 women.
Just about to cross the finish line, I spot my photographer.
I've never been more proud of the layers of salt on my face than I am in this photo.Matt finished in 3:23, nearly 30 minutes faster than his marathon PR as well. He placed 25 overall.
My running superhero, the speedy Matt.Recap :
Lesson #1 for Destination Marathons : Always pack one of everything. You may need it.
I hadn't prepared for a warm race. In fact, I didn't bring shorts or a short sleeve shirt to run in. Luckily, I had a moment of weakness at Goodwill with Emily and bought a pair of running shorts. I wore those and made a long sleeve shirt work.
Lesson #2 for Destination Marathons : Provide a buffer day between race day and traveling home.
My legs were stiff on Monday morning. We drove three hours in the car to the airport, and spent the next 12 hrs in airports or in the air. A grand total of 19 hrs of sitting and more sitting. We walked as much as possible on the ground, which helped, but it would have been better to spend the day out playing disc golf instead.
Lesson #3 for Destination Marathons : Get an aisle seat on the plane. You're gonna need it.
Luckily, Matt and I plan our trips hoping we'll get an empty middle seat if we choose and aisle and a window seat. The person in the middle is always more than happy to trade us for the middle. On our longest leg, we had to decide if we wanted the middle and aisle or window. We took the aisle...and got up once or twice an hour to stretch. I think this is the reason I was able to walk to the car after we got off the plane.
*sigh* Now that my running year is over, it's time to start planning for next year. Anyone want to run the Green Bay Marathon (www.greenbaymarathon.com) with me in May??
One Exciting Trip
I left the UP on Wednesday, ready to pick Matt up at the airport. Just as I was going to hit the road, he called with news : he wouldn't be arriving until Thursday morning. Instead of nixing my plans, I decided to go to Green Bay for some shopping before heading to Grandma's for the night. My grandma and uncle run a dairy farm, milking 80 cows between the two of them. Needless to say, they spend a lot of time in the barn. That morning, one of the barn cats brought out a new litter of kittens. She refused to feed them. So I got to do it. Each kitten fit in my hand and they made me seriously consider adopting another cat (sorry Zoey) upon my return home.
The next morning, I picked up a very tired Matt. I fed him and filled him with coffee and he was somewhat revived. A night of sleeping on the benches in O'Hare will take the life out of anybody. Our lunch was at a place called the Kitchen Table. I ate here a lot when I was going through chemo and radiation treatments, all various stages of being sick and recovery...for six years. One of the waitresses came up to me and asked how I was doing. I couldn't believe that she remembered me. In the last few years, I've returned only once a year. :) I'm doing great!! The doctors were happy to see that I was doing well. Dr. L. said he hoped that he'd never see me again. I told that to Dr. M and Brenda at my next appointment, and they sounded sort of sad. I clarified that I could see them anywhere outside of the office. They seemed okay with that. They also had a CANCER CURE party for me with chocolate cake. It was great! Then Matt and I returned to Grandma's where we finished off the cake and had a bottle of sparkling juice to celebrate.
Then it was time to get serious for the race. We headed to Sparta to visit my Grandma and Aunt Jeanne. Grandma recently had surgery and is staying with Jeanne until her foot heals enough for her to walk up and down stairs (probably another 3 mo.). It was very convenient to visit her there, just 30 min from where our race was taking place.
The next morning, I picked up a very tired Matt. I fed him and filled him with coffee and he was somewhat revived. A night of sleeping on the benches in O'Hare will take the life out of anybody. Our lunch was at a place called the Kitchen Table. I ate here a lot when I was going through chemo and radiation treatments, all various stages of being sick and recovery...for six years. One of the waitresses came up to me and asked how I was doing. I couldn't believe that she remembered me. In the last few years, I've returned only once a year. :) I'm doing great!! The doctors were happy to see that I was doing well. Dr. L. said he hoped that he'd never see me again. I told that to Dr. M and Brenda at my next appointment, and they sounded sort of sad. I clarified that I could see them anywhere outside of the office. They seemed okay with that. They also had a CANCER CURE party for me with chocolate cake. It was great! Then Matt and I returned to Grandma's where we finished off the cake and had a bottle of sparkling juice to celebrate.
Then it was time to get serious for the race. We headed to Sparta to visit my Grandma and Aunt Jeanne. Grandma recently had surgery and is staying with Jeanne until her foot heals enough for her to walk up and down stairs (probably another 3 mo.). It was very convenient to visit her there, just 30 min from where our race was taking place.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
This is my first entry that hasn't been back-blogged. So I finally get to tell you what I've been up to since our arrival.
The apartment : is nice. No one-bedrooms were available, so they gave us a two-bed for the same price. So Zoey has her own room. It is fully furnished and works like a hotel, except there's no maid. I really like it.
The town : is interesting. There is no nice part of town, and there is no bad part of town. It is a patchwork quilt of old and new, mixed together. Every block is different. We've been house hunting. We got into our apartment at noon, were fed and had gone for groceries by two, and by three p. m. we were out touring houses with our realtor, Kevin. (we don't waste time!) It was really nice to have someone we had been working with for a month. We had a list of places we wanted to see the first day. We toured three houses : two we had chosen and one that had been on the market awhile, but had just reduced into our price range that morning. We were looking for a fixer, so looking at our two choices was kind of a let down. The third, our realtor's choice, looked like a palace compared to the other two.
We toured houses for the next two afternoons. Friday afternoon, we had narrowed our search down to two we had seen the first day : a fixer and the realtor's choice. We decided to put an offer down on the ready one. As of today, we have everything setup to start buying it. After agreeing to sell my soul to the bank, it will be MINE :)
Being new to the area made us think it might be hard to choose an area. But we had a really fantastic realtor whom gave us the insider's scoop on all the areas. We also mentioned that we wanted 5-10yr resale value, so that helped keep us out of some of the iffier areas of town. I'm confident that we're buying in a safe neighborhood. If the house passes all inspections, we should be in by Dec. 15.
The apartment : is nice. No one-bedrooms were available, so they gave us a two-bed for the same price. So Zoey has her own room. It is fully furnished and works like a hotel, except there's no maid. I really like it.
The town : is interesting. There is no nice part of town, and there is no bad part of town. It is a patchwork quilt of old and new, mixed together. Every block is different. We've been house hunting. We got into our apartment at noon, were fed and had gone for groceries by two, and by three p. m. we were out touring houses with our realtor, Kevin. (we don't waste time!) It was really nice to have someone we had been working with for a month. We had a list of places we wanted to see the first day. We toured three houses : two we had chosen and one that had been on the market awhile, but had just reduced into our price range that morning. We were looking for a fixer, so looking at our two choices was kind of a let down. The third, our realtor's choice, looked like a palace compared to the other two.
We toured houses for the next two afternoons. Friday afternoon, we had narrowed our search down to two we had seen the first day : a fixer and the realtor's choice. We decided to put an offer down on the ready one. As of today, we have everything setup to start buying it. After agreeing to sell my soul to the bank, it will be MINE :)
Being new to the area made us think it might be hard to choose an area. But we had a really fantastic realtor whom gave us the insider's scoop on all the areas. We also mentioned that we wanted 5-10yr resale value, so that helped keep us out of some of the iffier areas of town. I'm confident that we're buying in a safe neighborhood. If the house passes all inspections, we should be in by Dec. 15.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Crescent City, CA – Eureka, CA 85 miles
My allergies have been kicking ass since Canada and I’ve had to add Benadryl to the Claritin since Seattle, so I slept the entire way to Eureka. Matt woke me up at the city limit. Eureka! I have found it!
….more about the town later…..
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Albany, OR to Crescent City, CA 8:45am – 3:30pm, 262 miles
The first few hours of our drive were through thick fog. Pea Soup fog. So I don’t really know what south central Oregon looks like. We had lunch and a DQ blizzard at a park in Grant’s Pass. It was a gorgeous day, sunny and 65F. Perfect for a picnic lunch. I took a nap and woke up at the California border sign. We had to go through an agriculture checkpoint and declare our plants. Armed guards asked us questions….what they were really screening for is anyone’s guess. All I know is that my plants were acceptable.
The road snaked through a river valley. Just thinking about it as I remember it makes me nauseous all over again. A canopy of trees rose above us. What started as a tree tunnel with low branches grew to a high ceiling over 100 ft above. Giant branches were woven together to block out all but small slivers of sunlight. The redwoods are AWESOME!
Mini Honey, Giant Tree.
The welcome to California was much more pleasant than our welcome to Alaska. It was -20F with a 20mph wind and completely dark. I’d never felt so cold before then or since.
- - - -
So I have to admit, I went into panic mode a little upon our arrival to the coast. It was mostly a freakout about how different California is from Alaska : the dirtiness, crowds, no winter, no hiking right outside my door, no isolation.
Then we went for a run. Part of it was on the beach. The feeling of the world drifting off beyond me into the sea was therapeutic the same way that hiking in the Alaska Range is. I finished the run with a smile and the resolve that I will erase all preconceptions of Eureka and give it a chance. Tomorrow, the trip becomes more than just a fun vacation. With less than a two hour drive ahead of me, my new life is looming—just out of reach. *gulp* I’m excited and nervous to meet my new home. Wish me luck.
Our first ocean sunset in Crescent City, CA.
The road snaked through a river valley. Just thinking about it as I remember it makes me nauseous all over again. A canopy of trees rose above us. What started as a tree tunnel with low branches grew to a high ceiling over 100 ft above. Giant branches were woven together to block out all but small slivers of sunlight. The redwoods are AWESOME!
Mini Honey, Giant Tree.
The welcome to California was much more pleasant than our welcome to Alaska. It was -20F with a 20mph wind and completely dark. I’d never felt so cold before then or since.
- - - -
So I have to admit, I went into panic mode a little upon our arrival to the coast. It was mostly a freakout about how different California is from Alaska : the dirtiness, crowds, no winter, no hiking right outside my door, no isolation.
Then we went for a run. Part of it was on the beach. The feeling of the world drifting off beyond me into the sea was therapeutic the same way that hiking in the Alaska Range is. I finished the run with a smile and the resolve that I will erase all preconceptions of Eureka and give it a chance. Tomorrow, the trip becomes more than just a fun vacation. With less than a two hour drive ahead of me, my new life is looming—just out of reach. *gulp* I’m excited and nervous to meet my new home. Wish me luck.
Our first ocean sunset in Crescent City, CA.Monday, October 18, 2010
Seattle, WA –Albany, OR 9:30am – 6:30pm, 243 mi
Seattle traffic is NUTS! I’m so glad that Eureka isn’t a huge city! We decided to make this another short driving day to stop in Vancouver, WA for lunch with my high school friend, Kristin. I hadn’t seen her since Eleanor’s wedding in 2008. ( I really suck at seeing old friends, don’t I?) She’s been here since June, working on an internship at a church. Sounds like she likes it, but is super busy and hasn’t really gotten to know anyone outside of work or do any exploring.
We stopped again between Portland and Salem for an outlet mall. WE were both pretty uninspired to buy anything and came out with a few new pairs of underwear each—odd since it was our first trip Outside since May. It’s really hard to shop when I know so little about the climate of the place I’ll be living.
Two big milestones today:
1. Our car rolled over to 100,000 miles. This was Matt’s first car, bought while we were in college. He saved forever for one and paid cash. Focus had 30,000 miles when we got her in 2004. She’s taken us everywhere : MI to OK, OK to WA, all over AK, AK to CA. We promised her an oil change and scrub down when we arrived here. Happy Anniversary, Focus!
2. We crossed the 45th Parallel (latitude) line. Since Fairbanks, at 65.6N, we’ve crossed over 20 degrees of latitude.
Free snacks at the hotel : cookies and chips and salsa. YUM!Sunday, October 17, 2010
Bellingham, WA – Seattle, WA 9:30am – 12:00 noon, 102 miles
The highlights of today were a 20 mile run and dinner with my college roommate, Amber.
The 20 miler was on the Burke-Gilman Trail alongside Lake Washington. It was a beautiful day: 55F and sunny. It was my first sub-3:00 20-miler, coming in with just 30 seconds to spare at 2:59.30. After a physically stressful week, I wasn’t sure how it would go. But I am more than pleased to average an 8:58/mi.
holy saltiness!!!
Now to taper and stay healthy for the race.
The last time I saw Amber was at a CMU football game in 2007 when I came to visit after graduation. She moved to Seattle just three weeks ago—so it worked out perfect for us to get together. It was great to catch up and see her new home.
We also visited the Seattle REI. The entrance was through some trees, along a hiking path. I thought that it was a little overly cheesy. The store was crowded by noon on Sunday and full of people that looked like they stepped off the trail just moments ago. Some wore daypacks, and one guy even carried a large overnight pack, dirty as hell, complete with clip-on driking cup. WTF?
With suuuuper sore legs, it’s time for a stretch and bed.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Cache Creek, BC to Bellingham, WA 8:30am – 2:30pm, 242 miles
The drive out of Cache Creek was like driving through a western movie: scrub brush and sparse trees covering the hills. The trees gradually grew more dense and became like a rainforest, complete with fog (no monkeys).
About halfway through our drive, we hit Highway 1- the Trans-Canada Highway. This was the point Matt and I had our first doubts about living successfully Outside. Traffic was horrible. Without the comfort of knowing that Eureka isn’t this congested, a pit of worry grew in my stomach. Will we be happy there? Life is definitely more fast-paced on the Outside.
The line at the border was two miles long and took us an hour to cross. As we mentioned our cat and declared our houseplants, the official left his booth and consulted with another guard outside, our passports in hand. They conversed a few minutes and then he returned to his position in the booth. He smiled and said “Welcome home!” as he handed our documents back to us. I was a little nervous that he’d chosen us for a random search. Trying to unpack and repack our stuff would surely take hours, if it fit at all.
We had a relaxing day with Matt’s Aunt Polly and Uncle Jack in Bellingham. It was nice to stay recharge for a day. Their guest beds are really comfy. Even Zoey seemed to look less stressed out by the end of the day.
Matt went for a hike and I took a nap. It was awesome! Washington is lush and moss covers all the trees. It’s a jungle!
About halfway through our drive, we hit Highway 1- the Trans-Canada Highway. This was the point Matt and I had our first doubts about living successfully Outside. Traffic was horrible. Without the comfort of knowing that Eureka isn’t this congested, a pit of worry grew in my stomach. Will we be happy there? Life is definitely more fast-paced on the Outside.
The line at the border was two miles long and took us an hour to cross. As we mentioned our cat and declared our houseplants, the official left his booth and consulted with another guard outside, our passports in hand. They conversed a few minutes and then he returned to his position in the booth. He smiled and said “Welcome home!” as he handed our documents back to us. I was a little nervous that he’d chosen us for a random search. Trying to unpack and repack our stuff would surely take hours, if it fit at all.
We had a relaxing day with Matt’s Aunt Polly and Uncle Jack in Bellingham. It was nice to stay recharge for a day. Their guest beds are really comfy. Even Zoey seemed to look less stressed out by the end of the day.
Matt went for a hike and I took a nap. It was awesome! Washington is lush and moss covers all the trees. It’s a jungle!
Prince George, BC to Cache Creek, BC 9:15am – 4:15pm, 276 miles
I’d forgotten how much I really love Canada until this trip. It’s a lot like Alaska and the U.P. in that most people have that “northern friendliness”. They’re more eco-conscious in government taxes on recycling, laws on idling cars, etc. The U.S. seems to have this plan regarding the environment : put all our money into NASA because there must be another planet we can shuttle everyone to when we totally trash this one. Let’s find that new planet! I also love how readily available French newspapers and radio are. Every day we’ve stayed in a moderately large town, I found a French language news station. Much to Matt’s chagrin, we listen for a little while each morning until I get a headache from concentrating harder. He’s slowly learning the basics in French, but mostly just says “blah blah le blah” when we listen. Zoey is fully fluent in French and specifically embraces the culture when it comes to pâté.
Just as we’ve caught up to fall and the Canadian geese, we’ve caught up to my allergies. BOO! The only relief other than drugs is napping. Usually it takes me a few days to realize it’s not a cold, but instead, allergies. Today was the day.
Mostly a sleepy day. We stopped in Quesnel for the colors and a thrift store.
Fraser River outside of Quesnel
Quesnel park where we stopped
Fall colors again!
I seem to be a magnet for them. Thrift stores and Dairy Queens. We also had a blizzard there, btw.
The Oreo Cheesequake Blizzard is heaven.
Poutine. If you haven't tried it once, you haven't truly experienced
the disgustingly, but slightly appealing, nature of French Canadian food. All you'll need
is to try it once. Believe me.
Just as we’ve caught up to fall and the Canadian geese, we’ve caught up to my allergies. BOO! The only relief other than drugs is napping. Usually it takes me a few days to realize it’s not a cold, but instead, allergies. Today was the day.
Mostly a sleepy day. We stopped in Quesnel for the colors and a thrift store.
Fraser River outside of Quesnel
Quesnel park where we stopped
Fall colors again!I seem to be a magnet for them. Thrift stores and Dairy Queens. We also had a blizzard there, btw.
The Oreo Cheesequake Blizzard is heaven.
Poutine. If you haven't tried it once, you haven't truly experiencedthe disgustingly, but slightly appealing, nature of French Canadian food. All you'll need
is to try it once. Believe me.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Fort Saint John, BC to Prince George, BC 9:00am – 3:30 pm, 271 miles
The breakfast at our hotel was really good : hot and cold foods – cereals, waffles, roasted potatoes, and breakfast burritos – all fresh. We stopped in Dawson Creek to do some touristing. First, posing for a photo with the “Start of the World Famous Alaska Highway” sign. We also happened upon a Dairy Queen. Great stop if you ask me!
We drove several hours through more farmland, and then re-entered the mountains. Today, we finally returned to fall. It’s kind of like watching the seasons rewind. It only took 1,900 miles to undo winter. Prince George has a really nice running path, which was a relief, since our hotel’s neighborhood was a bit sketchy. All the leaves still clung to the trees.
The trip is starting to wear me down. I didn’t really notice it until our run. A 9:00/mi pace felt pretty hard.
Matt and I opted to take advantage of the kitchenette in our room and cook dinner for ourselves. Until this point, all dinners were out. My stomach is sensitive to lots of salt and processed food, so it was also grateful for me to cook. We also decided that a full week is long enough to go in the same running clothes—especially when they are stuffed into a duffel—still damp—so it was laundry and dinner-in night. I’m so glad that our 8h+ driving days are over. It’s so much more relaxing with all our remaining days around 6h or less.
We drove several hours through more farmland, and then re-entered the mountains. Today, we finally returned to fall. It’s kind of like watching the seasons rewind. It only took 1,900 miles to undo winter. Prince George has a really nice running path, which was a relief, since our hotel’s neighborhood was a bit sketchy. All the leaves still clung to the trees.
The trip is starting to wear me down. I didn’t really notice it until our run. A 9:00/mi pace felt pretty hard.
Matt and I opted to take advantage of the kitchenette in our room and cook dinner for ourselves. Until this point, all dinners were out. My stomach is sensitive to lots of salt and processed food, so it was also grateful for me to cook. We also decided that a full week is long enough to go in the same running clothes—especially when they are stuffed into a duffel—still damp—so it was laundry and dinner-in night. I’m so glad that our 8h+ driving days are over. It’s so much more relaxing with all our remaining days around 6h or less.
Dear Readers,
HELP!!! My people are trying to kill me! Matt is a scary driver. He flies over frost heaves and it feels like a roller coaster---all day long. The cage is sideways, so when I stand up to look around, I get thrown back and forth in the cage. Karen lets me out of the cage to sit on her lap. But her lap is bony and out in the open. All the passing trucks trying to fly down to eat me can see me from her lap. So I try to hide between the suitcases in the back seat. Karen doesn’t like when I do that because she can’t reach me to torture me some more, so she stuffs me back into my cage. I’d like it more if the blanket was comfy. Maybe. When I try to tell my people that I’m not happy, they talk to me in their angry voices. I guess that means they don’t want me to be happy. That makes me even more upset. I thought they liked me.
The hotel is fun though. I like hotels. Sometimes I get my own bed. Karen gives me all her extra pillows so I sleep like a queen. Queen Zoey. I like the sound of that. Please tell Matt and Karen that I’m royalty and should be treated like this all the time. I like all the new smells and I can hide under the beds.
I also enjoy licking the soap from the bathtub. Karen doesn’t like it when I drink from the toilet either, but the water is so fresh and cold, I can’t resist. Why do the hotels have toilet lids? I don’t know how to put them back up to get a drink! I figure that if it’s harmful and I get sick, at least I’ll be at the vet and not in the car. I’m assuming the vet’s office isn’t constantly shaking.
Each morning, I can tell when they’re preparing to leave. I hide under the bed and Karen either kicks me out or yanks me out by the tail. I’ve thought about asking them to mail me to California, but that would probably be worse to go without a litter box that long. My poop really stinks, so that wouldn’t be a fun ride.
Please save me!!! I think that my people are trying to kill me! When we were leaving Alaska, they told me I could go to the shelter in Fairbanks or come with them. But they were sneaky when they asked me. Nothing was throwing me around inside of a terrible cage at the time. Help me!
Urgently,
Zoey
PS- Enclosed is a photo demonstrating my distress.
The hotel is fun though. I like hotels. Sometimes I get my own bed. Karen gives me all her extra pillows so I sleep like a queen. Queen Zoey. I like the sound of that. Please tell Matt and Karen that I’m royalty and should be treated like this all the time. I like all the new smells and I can hide under the beds.
I also enjoy licking the soap from the bathtub. Karen doesn’t like it when I drink from the toilet either, but the water is so fresh and cold, I can’t resist. Why do the hotels have toilet lids? I don’t know how to put them back up to get a drink! I figure that if it’s harmful and I get sick, at least I’ll be at the vet and not in the car. I’m assuming the vet’s office isn’t constantly shaking.
Each morning, I can tell when they’re preparing to leave. I hide under the bed and Karen either kicks me out or yanks me out by the tail. I’ve thought about asking them to mail me to California, but that would probably be worse to go without a litter box that long. My poop really stinks, so that wouldn’t be a fun ride.
Please save me!!! I think that my people are trying to kill me! When we were leaving Alaska, they told me I could go to the shelter in Fairbanks or come with them. But they were sneaky when they asked me. Nothing was throwing me around inside of a terrible cage at the time. Help me!
Urgently,
Zoey
PS- Enclosed is a photo demonstrating my distress.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Muncho Lake, BC to Fort Saint John, BC 9:45 am – 6:00 pm, 385 miles
Matt and I started our day with a run. At nearly 3,000 ft higher than we are used to, it was difficult. But it sure was beautiful. The Northern Rockies surrounded us on all sides. We climbed above Muncho Lake, just as the sun was coming up. We saw an elk cross our path near the hotel as we turned around.
Us with the Canadian Rockies
The drive goes by faster when we don't have to stop for lunch...so I ate
this for lunch for a week straight.
Us with the Canadian RockiesWe are getting really efficient at packing the car each morning. It feels like doing a puzzle that I’ve completed several times. Speedy. In just a few days, we will have lots less to bring inside as we drive south and escape the freezing temps at night.
The drive goes by faster when we don't have to stop for lunch...so I atethis for lunch for a week straight.
I drove the first four hours to Ft. Nelson. It was the last part through the mountains—the most active day of driving for me. Up, down, fast, slow, hairpin turns. Really pretty scenery, but I hardly had any time to enjoy it.
The mountains shrunk in my rearview mirror until we entered a prairie just outside Fort Nelson. 
Bison and beef farms replaced rows and rows of trees. The highway significantly improved. It was still obvious that it gets cold here, with a scattered mix of birch and spruce trees—not much variety. Our hotel was especially nice. I was surprised they allowed pets. It had a pool, hot tub, and sauna….of which we took advantage.
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