Sometimes

Sometimes I feel like nothing in my life goes right.
My mom and my dad were both taken from me (and my sisters, brother, and family) too soon. I feel empty despite having a beautiful husband and daughter. I feel bad about this, but I don't know how to change it.

Hood to Coast!

Here we come!!!
Corey, Lauren, Jennifer, Molly & me at Nuun HQ. We leave tomorrow! :)

Not the best week

For those of you that aren't my friend on Facebook, I've been absent from blogging for a couple reasons...the main one being that my Dad suddenly passed away on August 3rd after a motorcycle accident in Montana.
My family is still in shock.
I don't feel like this is real.
I just want to wake up from this nightmare.

Couple this with another devastating family event the same weekend, and another friend's Dad's death the next day....and I'm emotionally drained.  I have nothing left to give.

I'm an orphan.

The London Olympics

YESSSS!!!!  

I LOVE the Olympics!  So excited!

Photo by Robert Gauthier, Los Angeles Times

So far the opening ceremony has been spectacular.  The transitions from each "era" were amazing.  Simply stunning choreography and so many people involved!  Can you imagine being able to take part in an historic event like this?  So fun!

What's your favorite part of the Olympics?  Favorite sport?

I love watching Swimming, Track and Gymnastics...oh and synchronized swimming is so freaking cool too.

Another Mother Runner House Party

So, the busy busy busy week that led up to the Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon included this amazing house party thrown by the two authors of “Run Like a Mother” and the newly released “Train Like A Mother:” Sarah Bowen Shea & Dimity McDowell.  There were yummy treats (thanks to the awesome host!), some fun swag, and A LOT of momma runners! 

It was great having Sarah and Dimity read excerpts from their new book, as well as mingle with us readers.  They are some really fun women!  Very glad I got to meet them in person. :)

Photo by Kristy Harrison of Full Heart Photography (Website here), Twitter: @fullheartphoto

Day 2 of "Hell Week"

It’s crunch time for moving out of our bigger house and into the small, urban rental house in Seattle. Travis and I have already painted the rooms in the rental, and now we are going to bug bomb the crap outta the place tonight. The house has FLEAS! It sucks! Poor Trav had over 50 bites on his legs after we were done painting last night. :( THEN, the carpet goes in and we MOVE all our stuff 35 miles north on Saturday.

The reason this is Hell Week is that Goober is now enrolled in daycare *sniff* near our new house. So all week Trav has to drive me to work, drop Goob off and then backtrack to Downtown Seattle for work. Then after work he picks me up, we pick Goob up and then paint/clean the new house for a bit and then make the trek back down south to the big house. These past couple of days we’ve been getting home really late, around 10pm, and poor Goob is just exhausted.

But hey, this isn’t a lifestyle blog is it? No, it’s a running blog that has life thrown in it every so often. So apologies if you are looking for recaps, as I’ve (undoubtedly) been busy. I have most of my Relay recaps ready, but all the pics are on my iMac…and I haven’t been home to use it (I’m typing on my work computer…shhhhhhh!). The dilemma.

Anywho, last week was amazing with the OnlineShoes.com and Brooks Running Girls’ Night Out on Friday, the Another Mother Runner Party last Thursday and OF COURSE, the Seattle Rock n Roll Half on Saturday…so much to write about! So little time (at the moment).

Lesley, Tiffany, Harmony, Tressa, Kerrie, Mel, Stacie, me, Jamie, Jamie's friend, Jill and Tricia
OH, and Jesse on the ground.  Prior to the start.

More later…

2 Weeks and Counting

Still no running. :( 

I’ve been doing light upper body weights and some hip abductor strength exercises to help keep my knees supported, but there hasn’t been a run in my book since the Rainier to Ruston Relay.  And with the Seattle Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon less than a week away, I’m a bit worried. 

Should I run?

Should I just walk it?

Should I DNS?

Of course I want to participate because there are a ton of people I know from the blogging/running world that are coming to town for this fun race.  And goodness knows that if I don’t end up racing, that I’ll most likely be losing my voice cheering for my fellow runners. 

The dilemma!  In the meantime I’m still icing, compressing and resting the hell outta my knee.  ERGH.

Oh, and Happy Father’s Day to all those amazing Daddies out there!  You know who you are!  Including Travis…thank you for being a fabulous father to our beautiful Goober. ;)

New Job, No Running

What’s happening, my peeps?  As I near the end of my first week of work since Goober, I’m happy to report that it’s going well and I truly am excited to be part of this amazing team of people.  Perhaps one day I will tell you where I work, as I’m proud to say that I work there…but we’ll talk about that another time.

Here's me flying by the Tacoma Glass Museum on my 3rd—and last—leg of the R2R relay.  Notice how my left knee is taped?  Oh yeah, and I’m also flying, too. ;)

As far as National Running Day yesterday goes, unfortunately my little knee injury from the Rainier to Ruston Relay last Saturday has got me sidelined for the time being (race recap to come soon, I hope. At least it’s in progress!).  Instead of hitting the streets or the treadmill, I R.I.C.E.’d the heck out of my knee.  Healhealheal!

I swear I would’ve run though! 

I’m currently working on my Mt. Si Relay and R2R Relay recaps.  They are nearly complete, and the Mt. Si one is oh-so-very-late.  GAH! 

Testing Windows Live Writer

Good morning!  Just testing out the coffee shop internet and this new program (for me).  I’m sure it’ll work. 

Well, hello there!

Hi! I've taken a little time off blogging for a couple reasons and some big changes: moving to a smaller house in Seattle, finding a daycare for Goober and getting a new job. Exciting stuff!

More recaps and news to come!

In the meantime, I got to meet Kim & her little stud muffin little one for a run today! We had a warm/sunny/windy 4 mile jaunt on the trail, then it started thundering and pouring rain JUST as we both got in our cars to leave. It was such a freakshow of a storm! By the time I got home it was so blustery that tree branches were falling in my backyard! It.was.WEIRD. But it was so fun meeting Kim (finally!).

What are your weekend plans?

DONE

Quick e-mail post now: my Internet is not working so I've been unable to write a blog recap of the awesomeness that was the Mt. Si Relay with Nicole, Lindsay, Lauren & Kerrie. We rocked the 59 miles in 8 hours 30 minutes and 14 seconds! HOLLA! The weather was not ideal for running, but beautiful nonetheless. I'm glad to say I'm now an official relay participant! :)

Full recap, and pictures, soon!

And now I anxiously await the Nuun Hood to Coast relay team announcement tomorrow!!!

Hmmm

After having a fun little afternoon shopping the outlet stores and eating pancakes with Kerrie & our little ones, I tweaked my back getting Goober into her carseat. :(  It hurt so much I had to ask Kerrie to wrangle Goob into the straps and buckle her in as I stood hunched over next to my car.  *sigh*

I've done this once before nearly a year ago...while taking off my super tight sports bra.  Tweaked the spot next to my right shoulderblade.  Ouch.  Dumb little mini injury.

So, I took it easy after the incident.  Ibuprofen, hot epsom salt soak and maybe a beer or so later...time for bed.  I AM going to run Sunday.  Nothing will stop me.  I can't wait to meet the other ladies on team Bloggers Do It Online tomorrow morning!!!

Last Minute Relay!

Looks like I'm running a relay race this weekend with some blogger peeps: Ricole, Kerrie, Lindsay and Lauren.  Since Tiffany is sick (feel better soon!) they needed someone to fill in, and I *gulp* volunteered.  OhmygoodnesswhatdidIgetmyselfinto?!?!  It's on Sunday and I'm running pretty much two all-uphill legs totaling 13.3 miles.  Oh boy!  Hopefully my two-a-days with running & swimming have been worth it!

Anyway, I'm excited to be part of team Bloggers Do It Online.  Holla!  I've already met Kerrie (well, duh, we run/swim/eat Greek food a lot together) and Lindsay briefly at the Run for Sherry a few weeks back...and although I swear I might've met Lauren last year at the RNR Seattle pre-race dinner, I might've been too nervous for my 1st marathon to be totally coherent (hey, I forgot where I parked my car that night).  And then there's Nicole/Ricole/aka Fellow HUSKY (hahahaha, Kerrie!).  This should be fun!  There's nothing I like more than being silly and goofy with fellow runnerds.

Oh, and since we ALL applied for the Nuun HTC relay team, I'm sure we'll be anxiously gabbing away about the team announcement the next day.  Squee!

This post contained a LOT of exclamation points!  I mean, for real!  No, I'm not excited!  Never!

Ok, I'm done.  I'm off to drink some chocolate milk after my hill repeat & lap swim kind of day today.  Cheers. :)

Since I don't like to publish blog posts without at least something fun to look at--here's a pic I took of a sad, lonely goose in a parking lot that Goober and I saw on our walk the other day.  This is dedicated to self-proclaimed "Goose Lover" Kerrie*...

At least he picked a good spot to hang out, right?

*This is a lie. Kerrie despises geese. And it's freaking hilarious!

It's Tuesday Night Already?

Nuun + Goober = smiles

If you didn't enter my See Jane Run Half Marathon race entry giveaway then, well, I'm sorry...it's too late!  BUT, I did receive an e-mail from Active.com with information about a discount code for the race if you are still interested.  You should be!  It's a fun race!  Just use code SJRSEACT at checkout for $10 off the race fee.  In these tough economic times, we all must be savvy with our money.

Since it's been a couple days since a real post, this is what's been going on.

FRIDAY:
Took advantage of the break in rain showers to go on a 13K run with Goober for Friday the 13th!  Ooooo!  Scary!  The out-and-back course was nice on the way out (4 miles with the wind) and then wicked tough on the way back (4 miles against the wind with a jogger that acts like a sail).  Exhausting.  But it did feel good to get in that long run with the Goob meister.

SATURDAY:
Swam for a bit, ran for a bit, took Goober to the local park.  Had a mini photoshoot with Goob and my Nuun tablet bottles.  She likes to "hoard" them and carry them around.  Went to a friend's house for a BBQ in the evening and took this video.

SUNDAY:
Kind of lazy day, but went for a quick run around the neighborhood after dinner.  Bad idea.  Dinner was too good (thanks to my in-laws) and I felt heavy.  Worth it though!  Mmmmm, mashed potatoes & turkey!

MONDAY:
Another two-a-day day!  Ran hills on the treadmill (10% incline) and then went to lap swim before bed.  Super tired!  Also took Goob to the pool for public swim earlier in the day--she sure does love the water! :)

TODAY:
"Active" rest day.  Walked with Goob for some errands.  Booyah.


These next 7 days or so are pretty intense.  I'm looking forward to hearing Nuun announce the 2012 Hood to Coast Relay Team! :)

Chocolate & Champagne - Are You IN?

Calling all the ladies out there that love running, chocolate and champagne!  And maybe not necessarily in that order. ;)  Have you heard of a 'lil race called See Jane Run?  You haven't?  Well, well.  Then here are some details:

See Jane Run Half Marathon & 5K comes to Seattle on July 15th for its 2nd year.  Since I had SO MUCH FUN (and PR'd) at least year's inaugural race I'm totally running it again this year.  AND, I want YOU *pointing finger at the screen* to come and run it too!  That's right...

I'm giving away an entry for the See Jane Run Half Marathon to one lucky gal!

Oh, you don't have to run with me, I promise.  ;)

Please answer this question in the mandatory "blog comment" entry:
What kind of chocolate would you run for?

Enter the giveaway via Rafflecopter!  All e-mails are kept strictly confidential and are necessary to win--you want me to let you know you won, right?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

NUUN Hood to Coast MADNESS!

Here you go, folks!  I've compiled an {alphabetical} list of the Bloggers that applied for Nuun's HTC relay team for 2012.  Feel free to let me know if you should be added to this list!  Thanks!
Current Count: 66
Alanna* - Love My Runners - Video
Alisyn - RuninSyn - Video
Alma - AverageWomanRunner - Video
Alyssa* - Diary of an Average Runner
Amanda - Happy Mother Runner - Video
Amanda - Runninghood - Video
Barb - The Centsible Runner - Video
Becky - RunFunDone - Video
Canuck Mom - Journey Of A Canuck Mom On The Run
Caroline - Canadian Runner in Exile - Video
Carrie - Aunt on the Run
Celia - Running Seal - Video
Corey - Schnoodles of Fun - Video
Courtney - Run, Courtney, Run - Video
Dorothy* - Mile Posts
Elizabeth - Running for Bling - Video
Falon - Falon Does Marathon - Video
Harmony* - Keep On Keeping On - Video
Heather - Mile 26 and More - Video
Heather - Running With Sass - Video
Holly - Leaps of Faith - Video
Jess* - Blonde Ponytail
Jess - Run With Jess
Jessica - MORONS - MOms Running On No Sleep - Video
Jessica - Pace of Me - Video
Jocelyn* - Enthusiastic Runner - Video
Julie - ROJ Running - Video
Katie - Mom's Little Running Buddy - Video
Kayla - Running: My Anti-Drug - Video
Kelsey - Go Girl - Video
Kerrie* - Mom vs. Marathon - Video
Krissy - Shiawase Life - Video
Kristin - STUFT Mama - Video
Lar - Marathon Lar (Thank you for the RZR shout-out & displaying my super awesome trading cards!!)
Laura - Absolut(ly) Fit - Video
Lauren* - Health On the Run
Lindsay - Lindsay on the Go - Video
Mattie - Comfy & Confident
Meggie - The Thinks I Can Think
Melanie* - Tall Mom on the Run
Melissa - Love the Run You're With
MF Dre - The MF Dre
Molly - Mollyberrie's Hodge Podge
Nicole - The Marvelous Misadventures of a Foodie - Video
Rachael - Sunshine Princess - Video
Rachel - Running in Real Life - Video
Rena - Mile Hogger - Video
Ricole - Ricole Runs - Video
Robyn - Run Birdie Run - Video
Run In Boise - Running In Boise - Video
Sally - Sallaboutme - Video
Sandra - Organic Runner Mom - Video
Sarah - Once Upon a (L)ime - Video
Sarah - Running Starfish - Video
Slowly Growing Old Together - Slowly Growing Old Together
Stacie - Impossible Is Nothing
Susan* - Nurse on the Run - Video
Tasha - Healthy Diva Cooking - Video
Tiffany - Running Hutch - Video
TinaFab - Fabulosi-T
Tonia* - Racing With Babes - Video
Tricia* - Tricia Minnick - Video
Vanessa - Gourmet Runner - Video
Wymberley - A Taller Order - Video
XLMIC* - Taking It On
Zoë - Run, Zoë, Run! - Where else? :) - Video


* - Denotes Nuun Team Member from 2011

CanDo 5K Race Recap - Yeah!

This was the race that I didn't plan on "racing"....but somehow managed a freakin' SWEET 5K PR.  Say WHAT?!?! *happy dance!*

And this is BEFORE the race.

Travis and I dropped off the Goober Girl at her Auntie Karrie's house before the race.  You read that right, Trav was actually coming with me to this small race, unlike the previous 3 years where I always went solo Not only was he going, but he was RUNNING too.  Yeah!  Win!

It was pouring rain.  Miserably pouring rain.  Trav didn't want to give up his jacket after we picked up our bibs, but I coaxed him out of it and jogged the 1/4 mile (or more) back to the car to drop off our stuff.

*Side note: I normally don't do a "warm-up" before a race, so this little pre-race jog might have been a PR maker!*

We huddled together for warmth, and I realized that my shoes were already soaked through with mud.  Eh, whatever, right? ;)  Once the gun went off I was ready to tackle the long, steady uphill for the first 3/4 mile. BAH!  I knew that the downhill right after it was worth the effort.  Unfortunately I lost Trav right away, but that was ok as he was just trying to run the whole thing under 30 minutes.

The rain never let up, and there was no avoiding deep puddles.  But I didn't care and was stomping through them regardless.  Woohoo!  My pace felt good, my breathing felt awesome, and my new CW-X capris made my legs feel like a million bucks.  The only thing that was annoying me was my iPhone in between my two bras (I have been stashing it there instead of holding it lately)...it kept shifting sideways and felt like it was going to fall out from the bottom of my sports bra.  Ugh.  Annoying!  It probably also looked funny shifting my "third boob" around throughout the race.  :)

Once I knew the finish line was around the corner I picked up the pace even more.  I had to cross the street, which was still being used by some cars but guided by a police officer, and I nearly hit a car that wanted to speed on by before the I crossed.  Um, heck no, dude!  I was on my way to a strong finish.  Once I stopped Gus I saw the time: 23:33.  WHA????  That's a 7 second PR from the Iron Girl 5K back in September 2009.  AND, this course was HILLY.  The Iron Girl course is flat and fast around Greenlake in Seattle.  So you know what that means?  I'm going to DOMINATE the Greenlake course at Top Pot and Iron Girl.  RAWR!

*Sorry, that's a lot of capital letters right there*

At this point, I was beaming.  All smiles.  I went back before the finish line and started cheering for all the other runners.  One of the volunteers for the race commented on my "strong finish" and I thanked him.  That was cool.  And then I realized a photographer was next to me...after I saw Trav finish I was about to go meet him when the photographer dude introduced himself as a local small newspaper reporter.  Well, hello. :)

And so, little 'ol me was in the article:

The reporter even had some photos of me cheering on the sidelines:

Photo courtesy of Andy Nystrom's Flickr 

Photo courtesy of Andy Nystrom's Flickr

What a fun day!  Travis came in at 28:XX and was happy with a sub-30.  I'm proud of him!  His asthma is really bad, and so running for long periods of time is rough...but he finished.  This time, instead of stealing my too-big-for-me race shirts he EARNED this one!

Angle totally makes his head look tiny. Ha!

Final Stats: 
Mileage - 3.1
Time - 23:33
Overall - 30 out of 531
Division Place - 4 out of 38 (F25-29)
Sex Place - 8 out of 339
Pace - 7:36

The Locker Room Horror

I thought it was just like any other ordinary lap swim.  Since I had ran earlier that day, I cut my swim short at 40 minutes because I didn't want to recover my legs from the deep-end of the pool.  I.was.beat.  Heading into the locker room with my swim bag, I was relieved to see I was alone...or so I thought....

DUN DUN DUN!!! 

(That's supposed to be suspenseful music)

After enjoying a nice little hot water rinse in the shower I pulled my rolled up towel from my swim bag.  But something black caught my eye and I twirled the towel around in my hands...BIG SPIDER!!!!! AAAAAAAA!!! I proceed to shriek like tween at a Justin Bieber concert, in my birthday suit, all while shaking & flinging the crap out of my towel.  Off goes the spider and scurries away to swim laps of his own.  If anyone else was in the locker room, it would have been super embarrassing for sure.  Ah heck, it was embarrassing anyway.  I hate spiders.  I hate spiders anywhere near my clothes or towels.  I especially hate spiders near my bed.  *shudder*  *ugh* *gag* 

And THAT is how you get your adrenaline pumping.  Post-workout.  How convenient. :P

Nuun 2012 Hood to Coast Relay Application

The EMC will be taken down with the help of NUUN hydration!  

It's official, folks...my HTC Relay application is now live.

Ta DA!

Do you think I have what it takes?  Let nuun know in the comments on the YouTube video, below and/or on their Facebook page.  Pick me!  I won't disappoint. ;)

Race Day Insomnia

Race day tomorrow and I can't sleep. Argh! Trav is racing too! Should be a fun and rainy adventure tomorrow AM.

Good luck to all you others racing this weekend!

Lord Hill 5 Mile Trail Race Recap

It's a wee bit late, this recap, as the race was over a month ago...but it's been a busy month.  ;)

My first ever real "trail" run was this race put on by the awesome people of Evergreen Trail Runs on February 26th.  Since the course was way up North compared to my current dwelling, I decided to stay at my oldest sister Kristal's house the night prior.  Perfect timing as it was her birthday that night and I got to hang out with my siblings for a bit.  Also, it was my first official night away from Goober, and it was a little strange (yet free!).

The weather was looking pretty mean--snowing/hailing/raining on and off--but the forecast was promising sun breaks for the day.  As I parked the car (super early, I might add) I completely bottomed it out on a big bump in the muddy ground.  OoPs!  Luckily no damage.  Sorry Volvo.  I was over an hour early in order to find the best parking, so I hung out in my car, trying to chill out without "chilling" out.  I nervously watched runners around me in their cars, getting gear together and chatting with each other.  To be honest I felt a little out-of-place being a trail newbie, and I wore capris.  Um, not a single person I saw around the area was in anything that revealed calves or ankles.  Oh boy.  Quick change into my RunningSkirts.com RunLove socks and my calves were protected.  Go me!

The course start/finish in panoramic view.

Once I headed to the start area for the briefing of the 5 & 10 mile runners I saw a lot more leg...more shorts, capris and even a skirt (yeah!).  The 20 mile & 50K runners had already started their loops.  

GO!

Mud mud mud MUD.  Almost felt like I was going to lose a shoe a couple times, the mud was so deep.  I wasn't exactly sure how to handle the hills once we got to them.  There were people starting to walk up the hills, and others slow jogging (kind of bouncing?) up them too.  I noticed that if I did long-stride walking, I conserved energy, caught my breath AND went faster than the jogging.  Whatever works, right?

But those little hills were NOTHING.  Really.  Nothing at all compared to THE "Lord Hill." See the little orange flags on sticks at the bottom?  That's about the size of a person.  Holy moly.

Photo courtesy of Glenn Tachiyama

Here's me after I "tackled" this bad boy.  I could barely get myself moving!  The view from the top was pretty epic, though.

Photo courtesy of Glenn Tachiyama

After the giant hill, the participants were more scattered and I even found myself running alone in the woods at one point.  Thank goodness Evergreen T.R. marks the course with bright orange flags really well!  I was truly enjoying myself and reminiscing about hiking with my mom and sisters.  Whoever I met on the course I would cheer for or even make small talk (Jay ran the 20 miler!  Yay!  And Ryan was running the 5 miler).  Seeing the super hardcore ultra runners made me feel like I needed to step it up a bit.

Here's me crossing the big creek towards the end.  No avoiding the water on this one!  Actually, the water felt good (and it cleaned my shoes...kinda...before I found the mud again).

SPLASH!
Photo courtesy of Evergreen Trail Runs

The end was in sight, and I was gaining on the two people in front of me.  Kick it to the finish!  Through the mud!

Finishing strong.
Photo courtesy of Evergreen Trail Runs

And by the time I finished, the sun was shining.  

Great start to the day!  

Muddy shoes!  BEFORE and AFTER. :)

Post-race pic. Muddy, wet and happy. 

Final stats:
Mileage - 5
Time - 59:28
Overall - 35 out of 94
Sex Place - 21 out of 66
Pace - 11:53

Watch Out!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

More information regarding this awful character to follow.  Hee hee!  

HINT: I'm applying to be part of Nuun's Hood to Coast Relay team!!

St. Paddy's Tacoma 5K Race Recap

You know it's super lucky to see a double-rainbow the day before a race, right?  Oh.  It isn't?  Oh well, now it is.  Behold!

A faint double-rainbow. Ohmygosh! SO INTENSE! ;)

Since Travis was out-of-town for the weekend, Lolo was going to sleepover (girls' night!) on Friday and then we'd carpool with Kerrie and Karla to Tacoma the next morning.  Of course we had to fuel up for the race by having some yummy pasta, a beer and part of a pazooki at BJ's restaurant that night.  Delish!  Goober was super helpful reading the menu to Lolo and I.

Check, please!

This race was a couple firsts for me: first time I've paced a friend (my best friend, Lolo, who is a newbie runner) and first time Goober has run with me in the jogger during a race.  And perhaps a couple other "firsts" I'll mention later.  It definitely was memorable.

Saturday morning came too fast after a late night chatting with Lolo and attempting to watch some Bridesmaids (Lolo hadn't seen it yet! Say WHAT?!).  I scrambled to get all our lovely St. Patrick's day garb on, wake Goob up, feed Goober, get the jogger in the SUV and try and remember to eat something before Karla and Kerrie showed up.  Oops. Forgot to eat something!

We piled into the SUV and it was a cozy ride to Tacoma.  Oh, and it was snowing.  Snow/raining actually.  Did I mention it was freaking snowing?  Oh goodness, this will be interesting.  Another first for me: not wearing a billed-hat at a rainy race (not the best decision).  Anyway, we parked in a lot that was a couple blocks from the start, which wasn't too bad, but since it was freezing out and pouring rain we all jogged to the start.  Karla was doing the 10K and didn't have that much time to pick up her packet before the race.  Bad omen...the packet pick-up line was ginormous, longer than the porta potty lines.  That's another first.  We waited in the rain and finally got our bibs, shirts and timing chips.  Goober was holding it together despite wanting to rip off her warm hat every so often.

Lolo & I all green'd up

I was already soaked to the core.  Rain was dripping off my eyelashes and running down my face.  I couldn't feel my hands, so thankfully Mel helped me pin my bib on my Brooks jacket (a gift from Mel!), which was over my long-sleeved Brooks shirt (another gift from Mel when I had Goober).  Another first: I wore two long-sleeved shirts at a race...WOAH.  We waited under the awning of Hal of a Sub with Mel, her sister J, Kerrie, Jill, Tiffany, Alma, Kim, Jamie, Chelsea (such an awesome chick for spectating this crummy race day!), Lolo, Karla and Goob.  Now, Goober was throwing a fit because she does NOT like to sit still in the stroller for very long now that she's an official "walker," so Kerrie, Tiffany and I ran around the block to warm-up.  This calmed down the Goob until I started my iPod on speaker, and she was all set to race.

Since I was running with Lolo and Goober, we took our place near the "walker" start line.  FINALLY the gun goes off and we start to make our way down a big hill to the waterfront.  Lolo is being a rockstar and keeping an 11:00 pace for a bit.  YEAH!  At the 1.5 mile turnaround the 10K runners were swishing past us slower 5K'ers, but some people just didn't listen to the shouts of "on your left!" and "runners coming through!"  I felt kinda bad, but I think everyone was just soggy and waterlogged.  Kim (running the 10K) shouted my name and held out a hand for a high five as she passed...but my slowness with the jogger caused me to miss.  Whoops!  Sorry Kim!
The rain still doesn't let up, and at around the 2 mile mark we do a little long-stride walking.  I'm proud of Lolo!  Then there's a giant, long hill back up to the finish and after catching her breath, Lolo finishes strong with Goober and I trailing behind her.  Way to go, Lolo!

Jill, Tiffany, Chelsea, Mel, Kerrie, Lolo, me and Goob post-race

We find the girls and are told that Kerrie not only got a 1 minute PR but also was 2nd in her AG!!  How awesome is that?  I'm stoked!  A couple pictures are taken but we all need food and warmth badly...so we head back to the car in search of Harmon Pub & Brewery (of course The Rock was our first choice, but it was still only 10:30am).  Why not hit a pub on St. Patrick's day?

Tiffany's hubby was a great photog...here's some pics he took:

Tiffany, Chelsea, Kerrie, Lolo, me & Goober, Karla, Mel, Jill and Kim

Waiting and waiting and waiting for brunch to be served

Although the spiked coffee was warm (albeit small) and delicious, the food took over an hour to be served after we ordered.  We were hungry runners!  Thankfully our cheerful conversation and race recaps took our mind off the wait.  These ladies are so much fun to be around...I'm a lucky runner!

I got pancakes and scrambled eggs for me and the Goob.  She devoured the eggs (I swear sometimes she doesn't chew) and decided to try on the RazzyRoo tutu I was sporting (yet another gift from Mel!).

It was more of a "dress" on her

It was a really fun day, and of course the SUN was shining when we exited the restaurant...go figure, huh.  I think we were all ready for a hot shower and a nap, especially Miss Goober.  Poor thing was falling asleep on the ride home and I made Kerrie & Karla keep her up as long as possible (or else she would never have napped well at home!).  Success!

Yay!

Other race recaps:

Tiffany @ Musings of a Runner Girl

Kerrie @ Mom vs. Marathon

Karla @ Running On Eagles Wings

Alma @ The Average Woman's Running Blog

Jill @ Running to Sanity

Mel @ Tall Mom on the Run

Kim @ (Just) Trying is for Little Girls

Final Stats:

Mileage - 3.1

Time - 42:19

Overall - 1238 out of 1698

Division Place - 140 out of 179 (F25-29)

Sex Place - 827 out of 1184

Pace - 13:39

The Bunny Rescue Long Run

My intentions for today's "long" run was to go about 7 miles.  3.5 out and back on the Soos Creek Trail, with Goober in the jogger along with her water bottle and pink/brown bunny.  Her bunny is her best friend while in the car (where it lives) because she sings and talks to it while we are out and about.  So naturally since I forgot a bink, bunny saved the day from a grueling long run...or so I thought.

The only pic I have of L.R.B. ---thanks Karla!

Of course I didn't really fuel up for this run, as I didn't think it was necessary since my breakfast was hearty.  I did however bring along a water bottle with a lemon-lime nuun tab mixed in, as well as a pack of my favorite Fruit Punch Clif Shot Bloks (my long-run necessity!).  Thank GOODNESS for the "food!"

So, the run was going really well and we were making pretty good time.  Hello 9:14 pace!  And at around mile 4 we were bombarded with some local high school track or x-country team on the trail.  It kept my mind of my legs and I just ran and ran.  Then I realized that it was already mile 6 and there was a little more than a mile left.  Woot!  Turns out my last mile was 8:35 pace.  "Chasing" the young kids on the team helped keep me motivated.  I honestly was amazed.

Then disaster struck.

As I was taking Goober out of the jogger in the parking lot I noticed that bunny--now dubbed L.R.B. aka "Long-Run Bunny"--was nowhere to be found.  Goob didn't like this and was pissed off; screaming and crying.  Crap!!!  Ok ok ok, we're going to find it.  So I retrace our steps.

Mile 1 goes by.  No bunny.

Mile 2 = no bunny. ERGH BUNNY!

Mile 2.5...no bunny, BUT I did find Goober's green hair bow that she dropped.  Didn't even know she was missing it!

Well, hello there green bow. Fancy seeing you on this trail.

All along the way I'm frantically looking back and forth from one side of the trail to the other.  As people are passing me I'm asking if anyone's seen a pink and brown bunny.  "Nope." "Sorry, no." "Haven't really looked, but no." Some people say they will keep their eyes peeled.  Thank you! :)

Then I run into this older gentleman and ask him the same question: "Have you seen a pink and brown stuffed bunny along the trail?"

Dude proceeds to tell me this...in seriously one breath it seems.

"Lost your bunny?  Sorry, I haven't seen any pink and brown bunnies running around.  Speaking of pink, my brother was a lifelong quadriplegic and he died last May.  He had a Pink Panther stuffed animal that he loved and would hug and nod when he wanted to hit at Blackjack.  Well, I got that stuffed Pink Panther and kept him in my front window.  Turns out he didn't look after the house that well because my $50K trailer that I pull my horses in was stolen and a whole lot of other stuff from the house.  I race horses and I'm training for another 50 mile race.  I'm not on a horse today, but I will be soon.  You might have seen me on my horse last summer on the trail.  Well, turns out the robbers left their ID, wire cutters and hammer in my home but the police didn't do sh*t.  I talked to a Private Investigator today and he's going to help me find out who did this and get my stuff back...."

---At this point Goober is really anxious to keep moving and I'm just nodding and saying "oh dear."---

Mr. Horse Racer goes on rambling for another minute or so and then says good luck to me in my bunny rescue.  Um, thanks?  That.was.odd. :-/

Anyway, we hit the turnaround point of Mile 3.5 and still no bunny.  It's not looking good.  I had already eaten the rest of my Shot Bloks and my legs were feeling a little like lead.

Unfortunately the way back didn't give us any better news either, despite my huge "Mommy Effort" in searching for Goob's beloved L.R.B.  Stupid bunny.  You doubled my long run today.  I ended up running 14.4 miles today with Goober in the jogger.  At least I tried...

...but I did find her hair bow!

Goober's First "Race"

Random thoughts about today from my iPhone as I'm trying to sleep:

-Today was Goob's official first "race" since she was in my tummy

-My friend Lolo kicked butt despite the awful weather and circumstances.

-I wear a billed hat for a reason at rainy races. Ugh.

-Pancakes and coffee post-race = nummyness.

-Goober is my little Rockstar. I love her tons.

More later....

Goober's New "Runners"

In honor of Goober's official walker status, Trav and I got her a pair of Nike Lunars.  They're a bit big right now, but she'll be putting some miles on them soon.  These are Goob's second pair of Nikes, as her first pair, some wicked awesome Jordans, were from her Great Uncle Doug (Coach Fish) back when she was 1 month old.  Time sure flies!

THEN:

Goober's Jordans 12/2010

NOW:

Goober's Lunars 2/2012

It's OFFICIAL: Goober Walks

While we were in San Francisco, Goober decided she just wanted to walk and walk and WALK all over the place.  Oh boy!  She's going to be running before we know it.

Here's a clip from Valentine's Day. 

San Francisco Running

Waiting for A at the Ferry Building

While in San Francisco for a couple days, I was lucky to meet up with "A" for a run along the waterfront one evening.  I had met her briefly last year when she did HTC with the nuun group and was in Seattle for a day, so it was great to see her again in her hometown.  She suggested 2.5 miles out and then back along the waterfront as to avoid some of the huge hills SF is known for.  Thanks A!  After walking 10.8 miles pushing Goober in the non-jogging "stupid" stroller the day before (while wearing my TOMS flats!), I needed a hill break.

Despite Trav's scoffing at my outfit of choice--the usual running garb, plus my red sparkle skirt--I felt fast and fun.  And a couple people commented on my sparkle. Why thank you!  Don't care if I looked silly...

A and I chatted the entire time about V-Day, running, running buddies, races, goals, marathons, babies, etc.  and the miles flew by.  At this time the sun had set, but the route we were on was well-lit and still packed with runners and walkers galore.  Nice!  We did stop for a couple photos of the Golden Gate Bridge mid-run but didn't pause too long.  Once the 5 were done, A showed me the inside of the Ferry Building, which had been remodeled a few years prior.  It was awesome.  Fun little shops with gourmet food and bakeries and specialty stores.  Bummer that it was closing time!  

Purdy sunset

What's up A?  Holla!

I realized that A totally was the doppelganger of my friend J: blonde, blue-eyed, nose piercing.  So I was sure to send her a picture of J for confirmation.  Crazy!

Done!

If you don't know A, then check out her blog...she's on a mission to qualify for Boston and she's totally going to get it!

Thanks for the run!

We Ran for Sherry

Sarah, J2, J, Tiffany, Alma, Lindsay and myself. Kerrie took the pic.

The morning's run with the ladies of WeROKC for Sherry Arnold was fantastic.  Met some new people, put names to faces seen on our Facebook group, and was thankful for running buddies.  Along the 8 miles we encountered a few people we told about our running cause of the day: one woman and her cute dog took our picture at the 4-mile halfway mark, and we chatted with a small local running group who had stopped to admire a big hawk in a tree.  There were so many people out running, walking, biking...it was great!  Made me miss living in Seattle proper.  Soon though!

Even though we can't change what happened to Sherry--though we all wish we could!--we honored her by running together.  It just isn't fair though.  And every time I think about it, it just makes me so angry that someone so innocent and loved could be taken from the world that way.  ERRRGH!  AAAAGHHH!  But then I remember that there were/are 1000s of people running for her, and it makes me feel that much more pride for the passionate running/blogging community.  We all really care about each other, and I hope that we continue to look out for one another.

To SUAR's Beth:  You.Are.Amazing.  Know that I think about you and your family often, and I send all my best your way.  Thank you for putting this virtual run together.

Though our group broke up into smaller groups running different paces, we all finished our runs strong.  FOR SHERRY.

PRE-RUN:

J, J2 and Kerrie

Alma, Tiffany and Sarah

Pre-run huddle. We sure are a colorful group.

Pretty in purple: Sybil! 

MID-RUN:

Tiffany, Kerrie and Alma

Sarah's stretching

The hawk

POST-RUN:

My feet were pretty sore from running in my new "stupid" trail shoes.  Ice bath in Lake Washington's water.  WOoooooOOooo!  Cold!  But Alma's spinach & raspberry bars were yummy and distracted me from the pain.

Ugly/frozen feet

Other "Run for Sherry" recaps:

Kerrie - Mom vs. Marathon

Tiffany - Musings of a Runner Girl

Alma - The Average Woman's Running Blog

Lindsay - Lindsay On The Go