Happy New Years.... and stuff.

Firstly, a small reminder to register now for the MARCH 25th RLR 10K & HALF MARATHON. we're only 82 days away!! 

It's Jan. 3rd which means RESOLUTIONS!! I'm a big fan, perhaps it's the lists that you get to write, organized with little boxes and rows.  Or the simple part where your vision of a better you is only a few goals away.  It's hopeful.

So with the new year and a long lists of boxes you get to check off.  A calendar full of Marathons, 10Ks, 25Ks and a possible 50K... all point to lacing up our shoes.

Today's run was staggered.  Four girls starting early (life insisting), Jenny and I a tad later.  We ran short, and probable a bit slow, but all the christmas sweets in our blood are just happy we got out there.

HAPPY NEW YEAR
HAPPY RUNNING
Hears to a year full of a healthier happier you!

Trails today..

Shannon and I met early (well, early-ish) parking one car at American Camp and drove back to town to meet up with the rest of the girls.

We left a little later than expected (shoul've been a little less *ish* and a bit more *early*) making both Stacie and Susan turn back earlier to make it back in time to pick up darlings from school.  Meghan and Deb went the same difference but chose to do an out and back, when considering the time crunch.

The weather felt perfect, allowing tank tops or perhaps just minus a jacket.  Shannon and I went straight through American camp cutting over to Jakals Lagoon and Mt. Finlayson.  Peaking first into the woods then cussing our way up to the top of the mountain.

Did I mention it was beautiful?

like.... really beautiful.

Once you reach the top... there's a sense of accomplishment... plus the part where the worst/hardest part is behind you.  Practically all downhill from there practically...

We finished strong ending back at American camp where the car was parked... holding delicious cookies and chocolate milk (a perk of running far).

Shannon's watch (gps) read 12.0 while my smarty pants phone read 12.6... (I'll take my reading)

short long

At the moment there is a group of about 8 women that are training for Rainshadow Racings DECEPTION PASS 25/50K .  Most of us have signed up for the 25k (15.53 miles).

Our longest run for this period of training has been 12 miles (or 12.5 depending on whos GPS watch/phone you trust more) The 25k is a trail run, so we're doing our best to run on as many as possible.  Running trails is a tricky bit, adding roots, rocks and narrow grooves to tired legs.  Making the less coordinated a tad less comfortable.

Today was our SHORTlong run... 8 miles.  Being November we where layered a tad thicker than normal, still attempting to find the perfect balance.  The four of us headed out hoping that our fifth friend would find us on the road.

Starting out faster than normal.  Out of breath me was happy to stop for a short moment, for our catching up friend.  Not that the stop or the slow lasted very long.  With fresh feet we picked it back up and continued through the foggy, hilly roads.

I forgot my music... but this song kept *running* through my head. 

Ending on a downhill, always helps for an apparent strong finish.

Where are my (!!!!!!!!) shoes?

It's the day after (TOO MUCH CANDY) Halloween... and if I'm allowed to say... running should really happen today.

But, where are my shoes?

I dress the part, search the house...
Quiz the darlings.

*grumble grumble*

Pull on rain boots.

Get the girls to school.
Search my car...

No shoes.

Wait in our usual waiting spot.
Talk with BooBoo, wait for others.

Spry Shannon shows up with "Hills today right?!"
quietly relieved I can't find my shoes.

It's all back on...(!!!)

Tuesday was the first (official) run back for the season, while today was *my* first.  The darlings are all back in school (!!!!) but with that, comes.... the bugs, colds, flu, coughs.... SICKNESS!

Tuesday's run was a gathering of close friends full of comradery, hugs, and overall excitement of the new year/season.  Talks of up coming races and new fun goals.  (all of this I can just assume is true, hence the super sick child, and the staying home part, to take care of the poor dear)

Not being one who ever talks about the weather (sorry I ALWAYS talk about the weather) you won't be bored when I tell you how freakishly de-LOVELY it was out today!! Oh, how we love our northwest Septembers!! Children sit happily in classrooms, while we run the streets of our island town.

When we all met up today I presented our run options.  The short and the long of it.  To my relief, it was with majority rule that we ran the short.  Most everyone, with the explanation of "not enough time".

The gravel pit was a welcome route, short, pretty sights and the breeze that comes off the water felt divine (not sure when I became a woman that uses the word divine).  We all stuck together, kept the pace easy and the conversation high.

So happy to be back with you all!!




3.77 miles 9min. 45sec. average

Can't sleep

I'm three days deep in self pity, full of sneezing, coughing, heavy chested, sniffly, horsed voice.... annoying myself just writing that.

But the early to bed coughing stupor I put myself into came with a midnight jolt, an eyes wide open DO SOMETHING!!  Days of couch detention has come to a halt, or a least, a midnight jolt. As I lye there, thoughts of where I'd like to run and "I wonder how fast I could go" swirled...  Then quickly turned to thoughts of lost time, sluggish legs and a heavy wheezy chest.

Allowing myself a moment or two more of *poor me* my thoughts then turned to music... to bands I'd like to see and songs I'd like to look up lyrics to.  This helped, almost always does.

Midnight me, rolled... no, popped out of bed and found my Ipod.  Now plugged in I'm scrubbing a neglected toilet, folding that pile of clothes, washing those left over dishes.  And strangely it's all... right.

I'll be running in the early AM... unless of course, I find my headlamp.

Night.

San Juan Island Marathon... 10k, half and Full...

The San Juan Island Marathon was this last weekend... and without a hitch, it went.

Everything from the weather to the loads of people who traveled from near and far to get here.  Boats, planes and bicycles... (the cars part goes without saying, right?)

BooBoo and I have been the race directors now, for 3 successful runs.  It was my pleasure to be the volunteer coordinator for an event that is 9 years strong, and with an already great following.  To sit backseat, watching the mighty Paul Hopkins and Clark Gilbert in action was an entertaining and informative position. Thanks fellas.

We (the Boo, plus the darlings) had the privilege in working the last water station of the race.  It hit all three sections.  All inspiring in their own rights.  From the seeing impared woman in the 10k to the countless overheated and sweetly emotional many making it up the last grueling hill.  All with admirable high spirits and "what a gorgeous day/place" attitudes.

Happy to be a part of such a great event.

Great job runners.. and a HUGE *THANK YOU* to all our amazing volunteers!!
xo

Sunshine... makes *our* feet H A P P Y!!

So much talk about weather lately... I try my hardest to avoid it, but ultimately when it's been M O N T H S without a bright streak, it's hard not to mention. Soooooo YAY SUNSHINE!!!

**I've been absent a bit, I apologize, sort of a rough winter... full of broken bones, sprained ankles and cold grey skies. But I'm back... and running!!**

Today it was Shannon and *new Jenny* (remind me to tell you about the plethora of JEN, JENNY and JENNIFERs here on this island... it's almost obscene).  We ran pear point (Jenny and I) while Shannon pants ran another six.  My intention was to run the 12 with Shan, but was saved by the boat!!  Both my Mama and darling sister Elizabeth were on the 8:35 ferry, only allowing me enough time to run the first half.

The girls were fast, (I know, shocking) but I managed to keep up.... filling each other in on the past weekends shenanagins.  A wedding, an 80's dance party and  a BF's IRONMAN *CONGRATS* get-together!!  So much to talk about, making the time and feet fly by.

**

6 miles 9:16 pace