palm springs

I was lucky enough to get away for a few days after the half marathon. We flew to Plam Springs and stayed in Palm Desert for 6 days! The heat was incredible but the pool, cold drinks and air conditioned condo made things bearable. We checked out the Palm Springs night market, Joshua Tree National Park,did some serious shopping and spent a lot of time at the pool reading.

bellingham bay half marathon

September 30th I completed my very first half marathon. The weather was perfect, the course beautiful and friends and family to keep me encouraged along the way. I couldn't have asked for a better expereince. Well...I really enjoyed the first ten miles but not so much the last three. I definitely want to do this race again next year and see if I can master this run. I placed 71/191 for my category and a 9:43 pace. We'll see what next year brings!

danskin 2012

My very first triathlon and I loved it! I loved participating in this all women's sprint triathlon last week end in Seattle. My attitude towards this event had been participation more than competition (or comparison) and it made such a difference. Two of my favorite girls weren't with us this time but we also had some new faces that helped make this week end complete. It started with a 0.5 mile swim in Lake Washington which was 'surprisingly' warm. Then a great 12 mile bike ride that included riding across the I-90 floating bridge. Followed by what felt like the slowest 5k of my life but no one was passing me. My times were 21 min for the swim, 45 min for the bike and 29 for the run. With transition times I finished in 1:43. Next year my goal will be 1:39! Overall place 530/1544.

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sun run

Last Sunday I finished my first 10k in Vancouver! It was a very fun, challenging and rewarding experience. Two and a half weeks before the run I started having a lot of pain and some numbness in my right leg. It turned out to be a very inflamed it (iliotibial band) and bulging disk in my back. So frustrating and disappointing when you are working so hard to improve your health. With some rest from running, painful sports massage and stretching with my new best friend (a foam roller aka 'the sausage') I was still able to participate in the run with my friends. My leg started to hurt a few minutes after starting the run but I was still able to run the entire distance. The most frustrating part of the run was the sheer volume of people (49,000) and the constant weaving around people. I'm so proud of our lil running group and look forward to our next challenge....

{thursday} 7.28.11

Today feels like one of those days I can't do anything right. Especially as a Mom. Amelia woke up whiny and grumpy. We couldn't agree on anything for breakfast until I suggested a smoothie. While making the smoothie I lifted the lid and tried to push down the frozen fruit, and wound up with smoothie all over Amelia and myself. Then I am frantically trying to get the kids and ready and out the door for 8:10. As the kids are getting in the car, the boys are throwing the booster seats in the back and Aiden informs me his friends don't use boosters. They are close to a year older than him. I have that internal struggle and decide to let them not use boosters and deal with Aiden later. When we pick up the third boy, he brings out Pokemon cards and the other two boys are start talking and trading cards, leaving Aiden out. Aiden has never been interested in Pokemon (thankfully) but I feel sorry for him being left out. He asked to go to Target last night and get Pokemon cards and I had said no, not realizing what was going on at camp this year.  I dropped the boys off at camp and Amelia at dance. I came home to get my much needed first cup of coffee of the day. My machine won't work and is flashing the descale button, perfect. I make  some french press and sit on the deck and try to catch up on this project. Time flies and it's time to pick up Amelia from dance. We eat lunch and I finally start laundry and cleaning bathrooms.Dale surprises me with flowers after work! Then he is off to go fishing with a friend for the evening. We pick up the boys and head to friend's for dinner. After dinner I did take Aiden to go get Pokemon cards. I have a confession, Pokemon cards are kind of fun, you get to sort and organize them. I helped Aiden with his new collection and then it was time for bed!

{wednesday} 7.27.11

I love working out at home with mismatched socks and hairy legs. Aiden carpooled to camp and I drove to dance camp this morning. Afterwards, I did a quick Target run for camping supplies for the week end. Then I had a few minutes to spare before my waxing appointment. I found a free coffee card from Woods, perfect. I picked up Amelia from Mary's and stayed for lunch and a short visit. Time to return home and do something about this messy house. Then I realized the beets looked overgrown in the garden and I really wanted to pickle beets this year (last summer+no kitchen=no pickled beets). The beets weren't as big as I thought but enough o make a half recipe. I think it took almost two hours to make them and only produced 4 jars. Not worth it. Amelia worked on 'school work' while I was in the kitchen. Later I was watering the back garden and Amelia showed up in her bathing suit ready to be sprayed down. She loves getting sprayed with the hose and will even do it herself! Time to pick up the boys from camp! Home for dinner on the deck and puttering around outside. We finished the evening with some basketball. I bathed Amelia and we read stories. 8:30 bedtime for the kids. Dale and I got caught up on our week and went to bed.