tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91475653642578717002024-03-14T09:24:38.624-07:00(Re)Discovering RunningLatteLoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527801963377439758noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147565364257871700.post-26910663662669681732017-11-09T10:55:00.000-08:002017-11-09T10:55:03.581-08:00GOTR Volunteer Spotlight...RePost from GOTR PDX<div>
<span style="color: #cc0099; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size: 20pt;"><strong>Volunteer Spotlight</strong></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<em>Coach, Running Buddy, Site Liaison, and Team Adelaide Member Cyndie Pelto</em></div>
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Volunteers
are the backbone of Girls on the Run, working tirelessly behind the
scenes to help us run a successful program. To highlight their efforts,
we are spotlighting a different Girls on the Run volunteer each month.<br /></div>
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This
month's volunteer is 7-time Coach, Oak Hills Elementary Site Liaison,
Running Buddy, and Team Adelaide member Cyndie Pelto. Here are some of
her thoughts on being a GOTR volunteer:</div>
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<span style="color: #403f42; font-family: Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;"><strong>How did you first hear about Girls on the Run?</strong></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I
read about a need for Running Buddies in a Run Oregon article that
Kelly Barton wrote in 2011. I convinced my friends, Kristine and Jen, to
do it with me. We were randomly assigned girls that needed buddies from
Harrison Park. That was a game changer for me. Kristine and Jen have
been buddies for my team ever since! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #403f42; font-family: Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #403f42; font-family: Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;"><strong>What motivated you to become a Girls on the Run volunteer?</strong></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I
was a 3rd grade teacher before staying home with my kiddos, and loved
everything about the program that I learned in my 2 short interactions
with my buddy. After experiencing the program as a buddy, I knew my
community elementary school would readily accept this program. We have a
strong running community, and several running programs at our school. I
was serving as the PTO president, and combined efforts with one of our
3rd grade teachers, Caryn Damore. We decided we could run 2 teams... and
Oak Hills has successfully filled 2 teams ever since!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<strong>Do you have a favorite Girls on the Run story?</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">After
7 seasons of coaching Girls on the Run and Heart and Sole, I have many.
I love each season for different reasons. I'm so proud of the many
community service projects we've taken on (2 car washes! 2 Community Fun
Runs!), and so proud of how we've celebrated with each other for
various accomplishments (Caryn's going to BOSTON BABY!). I will also
always remember how we've handled difficult situations with the girls,
from the Boston Bombings to individual family heartbreaks like divorce
and cancer diagnosis. One girl's comment to a discussion we were having
about friendships stuck with me over the years. We were talking about
how it's important to surround yourself with people who lift you up and
are honest with you. We were also having our snack (pretzels and cheese
sticks...a favorite) at the time. She commented, "Friends are like the
salt on pretzels. Some stick, and some fall away." This same girl was
sick for a few weeks before the final 5K that year. She showed up, and
walked the entire 5K with her (very patient and understanding) buddy.
Most of the crowds had left by then (when the GOTR 5K took place at the
Starlight Run), and the finish line was being taken down. But our
coaches, her parents, and several of her teammates were there ringing
cowbells and cheering her across our finish line. I'm so thankful to the
GOTR organization for jumping into the crazy world of race organizing
so that we can properly celebrate each and every one of our girls...no
matter when they finish! </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<strong>What do you do when you are not volunteering for Girls on the Run?</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">I am a substitute teacher in the Beaverton School District, and professional </span><span class="m_23938597800707071il" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">volunteer</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">.
;-) Chauffeur, cook, cheerleader, and counselor to my own 2 active
children. And I like to run. For fun. With my own Running Buddies.</span></div>
</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="color: #403f42; font-family: Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">
<strong>What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a Girls on the Run volunteer?</strong></div>
<div style="color: #403f42; font-family: Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Don't
wait. Give it a try! I started coaching WELL before my own daughter
could participate in the program...thanks to my amazing neighbor who had
a daughter participating on my team and who watched my daughter so I
could coach. GOTR started out as MY thing. It was what I volunteered my
time for that brought ME joy. I loved connecting with the girls and
coaches. As a teacher, I loved getting to put on my teacher hat again,
and dig deep into the discussions. But the curriculum is so easy to
follow, you don't need to be a teacher to lead the girls! In my 5th
coaching year, my daughter was finally old enough. She had watched me go
to practice, listened to me talk about the girls and the program, and
now she was SO excited to be a GOTR. That season was so special to me.
It changed how I thought about the program... because now it was for
HER. The best thing about GOTR is that there are so many different ways
to become involved.Can't commit to coaching? No problem... Running
Buddy is how many coaches start out. And now we need a huge team of
people to help with our amazing 5K celebration!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="color: #403f42; font-family: Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">
<strong>Anything else you want to add?</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I'm
proud of how I am modeling for my kids the importance of giving back to
the community. There are so many great organizations and ways to </span><span class="m_23938597800707071il" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">volunteer</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> your
time. Find the one that fits for you. GOTR is part of who I am. I love
seeing my girls out in the community or at school and hearing "Hi Coach
Cyndie!" The 3rd grade girls from my very first team are now entering
their freshmen year of High School. I am confident that they are ready
for anything thrown their way, and will continue to be leaders in their
community and classrooms thanks to this program. My goal is to continue
to work so that even more girls can experience this program. But we
can't do it without a huge team of volunteers.</span></div>
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</span>LatteLoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527801963377439758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147565364257871700.post-45210363862511506502014-03-31T21:12:00.000-07:002014-03-31T21:13:09.204-07:00Guest Post (with Video!) on Another Mother RunnerI was blessed with the opportunity to kick off a new series of posts for SBS and Dimity of <a href="http://anothermotherrunner.com/" target="_blank">Another Mother Runner</a>. One of their sponsors, Trigger Point Therapy, is aiming to help injured Mother Runners around the country. In short, they sent me their <a href="http://www.tptherapy.com/Shop-Online/Performance-Kits/Ultimate-6-Kit_2.html" target="_blank">Ultimate 6 Kit for Runners </a>and had one of their trainers Skype with me to explain the exercises.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNN8ka6rTZe6YyXrzAht8eVkFQRQ9JTR3Ss74Yr_IVlVXGrS9m893l7ZlS99-Uz5RxXXhz8Hhul19q4vdGI9VOrg-oyfJ7EpOdK54u-dDJi9kneAVvnAYK1hxs6ZIEkzDFUCtt9h3sl0qL/s1600/TPT+tools.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNN8ka6rTZe6YyXrzAht8eVkFQRQ9JTR3Ss74Yr_IVlVXGrS9m893l7ZlS99-Uz5RxXXhz8Hhul19q4vdGI9VOrg-oyfJ7EpOdK54u-dDJi9kneAVvnAYK1hxs6ZIEkzDFUCtt9h3sl0qL/s1600/TPT+tools.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tools in the Ultimate 6 Kit for Runners</td></tr>
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<br />
I committed to doing the exercises for a month, then filmed a short video of the exercises along with answering a few questions from Dimity and SBS. I am now sending along the kit to the next injured mother runner in hopes that the Ultimate 6 Kit provides them some relief. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FEBthPcDuhdIy9k0wtMtJljev_viDhVVGWrSq0aCLJNOeBmY2aOobl3uM8n1n8ToFwiLS0bij0q-PhYpEda0LjdJS-87SBJ8lKSIDRfNeOXQFdA48UCdcSl1UcZ9R8bS6puH4dovJ6N_/s1600/jamming+ball+in+calf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FEBthPcDuhdIy9k0wtMtJljev_viDhVVGWrSq0aCLJNOeBmY2aOobl3uM8n1n8ToFwiLS0bij0q-PhYpEda0LjdJS-87SBJ8lKSIDRfNeOXQFdA48UCdcSl1UcZ9R8bS6puH4dovJ6N_/s1600/jamming+ball+in+calf.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZQTm5fGKATV-VqXpOny_cRjnCD0sbVPkJF-tCFmAPAg8eTlZ1S5HNb3r2OoiM0qvbP_qpeX-78trTjKSXJUaeZQNEoddrCE924ipRm1UoxBOyOB10HbaILfKYYUVrW4Y1PyYWemVoP8m/s1600/rolling+outside+calf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZQTm5fGKATV-VqXpOny_cRjnCD0sbVPkJF-tCFmAPAg8eTlZ1S5HNb3r2OoiM0qvbP_qpeX-78trTjKSXJUaeZQNEoddrCE924ipRm1UoxBOyOB10HbaILfKYYUVrW4Y1PyYWemVoP8m/s1600/rolling+outside+calf.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://anothermotherrunner.com/2014/03/24/amr-triggerpoint-ultimate-6-kit-plantar-fasciitis-episode-1/" target="_blank">Here is the post on AMR</a>.<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8pxUZbKM34" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8pxUZbKM34" target="_blank">Here is just the video link on You Tube</a>.<br />
<br />
While I am not healed 100% (I have good days and really bad days), and have an additional diagnosis of Heel Bone Spurs in addition to the Plantar Faciitis (the two go hand in hand... or foot in foot in my case), I can say that the Ultimate 6 Kit DID in fact provide relief, and I really enjoyed using it. Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show provided the much-needed comic relief and distraction during my sessions.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvG2diYrCEfF6qtiV1kjrP_P2PvR4k8v1LT2Lwzi_L2GhlgSteMBfqSYotPRS6JAmVUnknTF-M5NllMno0sWfWj8ISzdnBOKa_Qwy6VsspDlY_h7q9SZL4gnjraGmANmy0DGfu8cHUlJyB/s1600/Jimmy+Fallon+helping+ease+the+pain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvG2diYrCEfF6qtiV1kjrP_P2PvR4k8v1LT2Lwzi_L2GhlgSteMBfqSYotPRS6JAmVUnknTF-M5NllMno0sWfWj8ISzdnBOKa_Qwy6VsspDlY_h7q9SZL4gnjraGmANmy0DGfu8cHUlJyB/s1600/Jimmy+Fallon+helping+ease+the+pain.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Thank You" Jimmy Fallon... for getting me through my TP Therapy...</td></tr>
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The point of the kit is to mimic deep-tissue massage. While it can be hard to really dig in to your own muscles, using the tools in the Ultimate 6 Kit helps. I'm sad to see the kit go, but am hopeful it will provide relief to the next Mother who receives it. I am planning to get my own TP Therapy kit, so I can continue to heal. I miss my girlfriends and the sound of my feet on the road.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewexQ3wQLSsy6ixnu3NgPZKt-2I8n8VUjf7Uh0SxBaC1NaHaAsbQt0lfbhO3EYKCYVPkGfxjYsVyKNpUa9d1YdLAy4s9foGjJMe4VTZARSZ0XV8fiJz9m70FTZO-ezCXyLrOcTV9_NeDu/s1600/pic+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewexQ3wQLSsy6ixnu3NgPZKt-2I8n8VUjf7Uh0SxBaC1NaHaAsbQt0lfbhO3EYKCYVPkGfxjYsVyKNpUa9d1YdLAy4s9foGjJMe4VTZARSZ0XV8fiJz9m70FTZO-ezCXyLrOcTV9_NeDu/s1600/pic+5.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THIS is what I'm trying to get back to...</td></tr>
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<br />
If you are a Mother Runner with an injury, and would like to see if you can use the Ultimate 6 Kit, there is a link in the AMR post to email SBS and Dimity. LatteLoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527801963377439758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147565364257871700.post-51386379160877416472014-02-02T15:03:00.001-08:002014-02-03T09:16:40.445-08:00The Road to Injury... and the Journey of Healing<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">It’s been a really great
stretch of uninjured running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost two
years!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve lost weight, increased my
pace, set PRs in every distance that I run, and even bit off my first 26.2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cue ominous music… Dun dun DUUUUNNNNN…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">I’ve been dealing with heel
pain since I started ramping up my miles during the marathon training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right around 16+… the dreaded <a href="http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/plantar-fasciitis-topic-overview" target="_blank"><i>Plantar Faciitis</i></a> word was
uttered in hushed tones by my amazing sports doc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we were confident I could get through the
marathon, feeling good and sticking to my training plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was great about stretching, rolling,
icing…being a good little patient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
it all worked!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ran my first <a href="http://rediscoveringrunning.blogspot.com/2013/11/cyndie-actually-runs-marathonand-likes.html" target="_blank">MARATHON</a>,
I felt great, I had an amazing time (and almost went sub 4 hour!), and I even
felt OK post-race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then I ran a half marathon the Very. Next.
Weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dun dun DUUUUNNNN…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkvvXZpX1X2xKvVa68U_JclwtuEFst3kIm43_Zyx9LhA3w5LX5RS6Vjv40sOboRCONipCHc3ZpZpBt2yzwGjuV5LThQtR6Nu3d_5YWCrlumnm3HHs7mXkpn1EqiZb6mP9UwXzaupMX6iA/s1600/1374282_10202385626948396_903493887_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkvvXZpX1X2xKvVa68U_JclwtuEFst3kIm43_Zyx9LhA3w5LX5RS6Vjv40sOboRCONipCHc3ZpZpBt2yzwGjuV5LThQtR6Nu3d_5YWCrlumnm3HHs7mXkpn1EqiZb6mP9UwXzaupMX6iA/s1600/1374282_10202385626948396_903493887_n.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeling AWESOME at mile 24 of the Marathon!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">If I was a better blogger
(like I dream of being) I would have my post race report from the Girlfriends
Half to link here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I don’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I regret that now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Blogger goal for 2014 #1 – write up a post race
report for each race I do this year!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
you will have to trust me when I tell you that EVEN KNOWING WHAT PAIN I’VE BEEN
IN allllllll these months, I would still run that race one week post marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was amazing, as are the women I ran it
with and FOR.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>XOXO Bitches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(That’s a term of endearment for my Twisted
Sisters.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_dI2J2JoT5u7dk_X7rvFoMDgu3ZTZPkts7gAbmA9OGjWtr5DeNm7Lyuaa4x5_ht6Fm2DF_ZsCLzAUbdOngCpbhMYnYSrFQg6fSOlHOzhxQpNBWmzykEX_SSLsqgKu_ZXCivQ59_nW7yM/s1600/IMG_20131013_085023_716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_dI2J2JoT5u7dk_X7rvFoMDgu3ZTZPkts7gAbmA9OGjWtr5DeNm7Lyuaa4x5_ht6Fm2DF_ZsCLzAUbdOngCpbhMYnYSrFQg6fSOlHOzhxQpNBWmzykEX_SSLsqgKu_ZXCivQ59_nW7yM/s1600/IMG_20131013_085023_716.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqEtJF2OOQLvE7B6Bot2O0Jekg1MGqrkjpVFIJKMyzPujNlGOpxaKmuzn0MoJb1FKGAMdU9ADi6ylr0EOESuvbf5L0COWpAUqqVKdFyucOru9bPRFHhxnbRkCLFjJ3xKF80-dY9edRX8b/s1600/565859_Girlfriends_Half_32_t670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqEtJF2OOQLvE7B6Bot2O0Jekg1MGqrkjpVFIJKMyzPujNlGOpxaKmuzn0MoJb1FKGAMdU9ADi6ylr0EOESuvbf5L0COWpAUqqVKdFyucOru9bPRFHhxnbRkCLFjJ3xKF80-dY9edRX8b/s1600/565859_Girlfriends_Half_32_t670.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finishing strong in celebration of Amy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Alas, back to the problem at
hand (or, at foot).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After Girlfriends,
it just hurt to WALK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept thinking, “Why
do my feet just HURT so bad?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well,
turns out, you really shouldn’t run through PF.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In fact, you should STOP RUNNING, and start stretching All. The. Time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeaaaaaaa… easier said than done.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">I had a few goals related to
running in 2013. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 20.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">A sub 1:53
half.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eugene Half Marathon 1:50.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>CHECK!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 20.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Complete a
Marathon… PDX. Check!</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 20.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Log 1,000 miles
for the year… After Girlfriend’s, mid October, I was 17 miles away from that
goal.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 20.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Stay injury free…
Hmmmm… not looking good.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Mid November, I started getting
antsy, to say the least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I REALLY wanted
to check off that 1,000 mile goal, and I wanted to do it ON my 40<sup>th</sup>
birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I started out super slow,
chipping away at those 17 miles with a 2 mile run here, and a 3 mile run
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the morning of my 40<sup>th</sup>
birthday, I had 4 miles left to run to hit 1,000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met two of my BRFs before the crack of dawn
and logged those 4.0 miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That made me
super happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it made my feet
hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*sigh*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BUT I could check off another goal!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I got in some girlfriend time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And let’s face it, it’s ALWAYS about the
Girlfriend time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4ja7xXZ_oD2TmNH7F38rfMC-FC9F38nk6bElIMwV7DShqfs3g2CZxpc65jEXofVB5YbPN4xDCnVFBgx415ZTvTORb4jTqc-EB6c5jo_7sEvEVqLLsW4EXAj2IsrqaLL_rRUxGEf9FiQS/s1600/1385479304521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4ja7xXZ_oD2TmNH7F38rfMC-FC9F38nk6bElIMwV7DShqfs3g2CZxpc65jEXofVB5YbPN4xDCnVFBgx415ZTvTORb4jTqc-EB6c5jo_7sEvEVqLLsW4EXAj2IsrqaLL_rRUxGEf9FiQS/s1600/1385479304521.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Birthday to ME!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.25pt;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ms0qogH_KddV7yTSbeMWf3PMjmenTcafo0U9-zgFaAh_DzaBN4bA-quUkDxNgBcKdYVxPyCSSBGBWEetpuw5foxFbWKfLt9UHKRem5Vgepl89RAQX6zxDzWqzymz9T7pASDldnbnhRKb/s1600/750741-1062-0001s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ms0qogH_KddV7yTSbeMWf3PMjmenTcafo0U9-zgFaAh_DzaBN4bA-quUkDxNgBcKdYVxPyCSSBGBWEetpuw5foxFbWKfLt9UHKRem5Vgepl89RAQX6zxDzWqzymz9T7pASDldnbnhRKb/s1600/750741-1062-0001s.jpg" height="320" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Runner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.25pt;">
The last goal wasn’t looking too
promising.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.25pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.25pt;">
December found me getting
desperate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had another race looming,
and this one I couldn’t just “opt out of”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had signed up for the <a href="http://rediscoveringrunning.blogspot.com/2014/01/second-star-to-right-and-straight-on.html" target="_blank">Tinkerbell Half Marathon</a> in Disneyland WAAAAAAY
back in the summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Registration is open
for one whole day before those Run Disney races sell out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I had to commit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were surprising the kids with the trip to
Disneyland for Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needed to
keep my miles going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t worried
about the training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just needed to get
in a few long-ish runs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I hobbled
through December and the beginning of the New Year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went to Disneyland, walked the parks for
three days, ran a half marathon, and had an amazing family vacation in the warm
sunshine of SoCal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, and I pretty much
killed my feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Done. Toast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not even Advil would help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not even WINE would help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.25pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.25pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.25pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.25pt;">
I made a few really tough
decisions after this.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.25pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 20.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>I sold my Newport Marathon bib.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was not going to be my year for another
marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 20.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>I sold my Race for the Roses Half Marathon
bib.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someday I WILL run this race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://rediscoveringrunning.blogspot.com/2013/04/13-weeks-to-clarity.html" target="_blank">I have to</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 20.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>I registered for the Blue Lake Sprint Tri.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is going to be the year of Cross
Training and Healing.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 20.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>I stopped running.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 20.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.25pt;">
The first two decisions were
hard, the third one was scary and exciting all in one, but the 4<sup>th</sup>
one is crushing my soul.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.25pt;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiasD8xftSDoKnZB8-KR_rrAfTWfhLFQvAj6gaziTnmh9Fe3TqOZTn9y4cGy01KBRmbuMLfQo8G5R8NlIPQMqj0n_lPVKrgIGoxj44bwwNpvkFnYk1xg-v76FtWFGEyfxruZ7F6fcWef3/s1600/1385224697388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiasD8xftSDoKnZB8-KR_rrAfTWfhLFQvAj6gaziTnmh9Fe3TqOZTn9y4cGy01KBRmbuMLfQo8G5R8NlIPQMqj0n_lPVKrgIGoxj44bwwNpvkFnYk1xg-v76FtWFGEyfxruZ7F6fcWef3/s1600/1385224697388.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cyndie Audrey and Amy. BAMRs. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.25pt;">
I’ve come to realize that while running
has become a part of me, a part that identifies me and makes me happy; it’s
really the time spent with my girlfriends that I miss the most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I realize there are countless other ways
that I can spend time with my girlfriends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I love those too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But running
gives us so much more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only are we
getting in miles and exercise, but we are getting in a therapy session as
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When women run together, we use
that time to TALK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have to cover the
miles, and the rhythm of running brings out the conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our guards are down and the words flow as
easily as the miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talk about our
week, our kids, our husbands, what we’re making for dinner, medical problems,
worries, concerns, deep dark fears…we cry, we laugh, we cheer each other
on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when we finish we feel like we can conquer
the world!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or we at least have something
planned for dinner. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.25pt;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiteLVkC1Fl6UmQWo5B3FtO0ptX2PzOwrSSANsZrM8h7qYSovuLaiZRh03aICQrAZzhfbFwAGy9YNRPIOINQE2IunbXTuzYEcaIrDOWza5EQwMMvdXz6dtnhdmAz03MKu-8lN2u6YSx66M/s1600/1470398_10152392410518502_1804427084_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiteLVkC1Fl6UmQWo5B3FtO0ptX2PzOwrSSANsZrM8h7qYSovuLaiZRh03aICQrAZzhfbFwAGy9YNRPIOINQE2IunbXTuzYEcaIrDOWza5EQwMMvdXz6dtnhdmAz03MKu-8lN2u6YSx66M/s1600/1470398_10152392410518502_1804427084_n.jpg" height="320" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheers Bitches. XOXO</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.25pt;">
During my running hiatus, I am
virtually cheering on my BRFs and watching their training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m so proud of my friend Audrey for finding
her lost inner BAMR.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m so proud of my
friend Amy for mentoring Audrey and pushing her outside her comfort zone…tackling
Terwilleger and taking on her first ten miler!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So amazing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course I want to
be there too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I will be again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until then, I will embrace a few new training
regimens and be proud of my girlfriends and their training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And plan a LOT more girl’s nights out.</div>
LatteLoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527801963377439758noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147565364257871700.post-12031108321964136512014-01-27T17:17:00.000-08:002014-01-27T19:23:37.933-08:00Second Star to the Right… and Straight on Till Morning!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family Selfie - Radiator Springs</td></tr>
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I kicked off 2014 with a bang (literally, with fireworks at
the start line!) by taking the family to Disneyland for a much needed vacation,
and so I could run the <a href="http://www.rundisney.com/" target="_blank">Run Disney</a> Tinkerbell Half Marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plans
had been in the works for a while (I had registered for the race back in the
summer), but we told the kids on Christmas morning about our trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were super excited, since our last trip
to the Happiest Place on Earth was three years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
countdown began, as did the daily question of “How many more days till
Disneyland?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to admit, I was just
as excited as the kids were about this trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The hubs needed some time away from work, and we all needed a little family
togetherness in a way that only Disney could provide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Magical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A little sunshine and warm weather wouldn’t hurt either. </div>
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No need to bore you with the travel details.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">they were uneventful. </span>When we arrived at the airport, and stepped
into the warm California sunshine, we all felt instantly overdressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t wait to get to the hotel room and
change into SUMMER CLOTHES!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were
staying at the Disneyland Hotel this time around, due to the fact that the race
started and ended here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I was signing
up for a race that began at 5am, well then YES I did want to take an elevator
to the start line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Magic Mornings
EVERY morning and the close proximity to the parks/Downtown Disney made it
completely worth the extra cost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIXyHIExlXDpCXDn0w-4Z7o04z3eXARb8_NN-p_xiDo8WRVXXNB5s9qsB_HJ3fvIOtjAlGptiWLqspVqmYx8cyqDQxLMaz3Zj1FisRqYfLRfIpS6BkC0wXhx_jSCAAgWOunV6ENXKAegQ/s1600/1389976365169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIXyHIExlXDpCXDn0w-4Z7o04z3eXARb8_NN-p_xiDo8WRVXXNB5s9qsB_HJ3fvIOtjAlGptiWLqspVqmYx8cyqDQxLMaz3Zj1FisRqYfLRfIpS6BkC0wXhx_jSCAAgWOunV6ENXKAegQ/s1600/1389976365169.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family Selfie in Cars Land</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98TcMsXP1vGwmK1r8IpbCXZjSwNdYQNozHBkWrT5AqLr3lQ8fKpDxhARVuBRSO9Gws81pLvMv2KWwwMjVOy91y8j96cNziqrhlZ36n_cq3e9QV9HZ9bl64Yhd4TeABoQek_jcIFC6kfvx/s1600/castle+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98TcMsXP1vGwmK1r8IpbCXZjSwNdYQNozHBkWrT5AqLr3lQ8fKpDxhARVuBRSO9Gws81pLvMv2KWwwMjVOy91y8j96cNziqrhlZ36n_cq3e9QV9HZ9bl64Yhd4TeABoQek_jcIFC6kfvx/s1600/castle+3.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family Pic at Disneyland</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSN9skLwi_jVuvoLTrPHgLPcjjO6HxYE45NVybKHNQg0RUDWbLpGYucyjoQ7KIhPWS860ZcI-HfCIxIEjRyA0QxdLAznpXlX1eGWh6H0d_vE1nI0OUtOQpyFqSQb-fAiXSSvgIypeeV7Y/s1600/1389917361456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSN9skLwi_jVuvoLTrPHgLPcjjO6HxYE45NVybKHNQg0RUDWbLpGYucyjoQ7KIhPWS860ZcI-HfCIxIEjRyA0QxdLAznpXlX1eGWh6H0d_vE1nI0OUtOQpyFqSQb-fAiXSSvgIypeeV7Y/s1600/1389917361456.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and SBS - wearing my Boston Love shirt</td></tr>
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We all changed clothes, and I was chomping at the bit to
head to the Expo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris took the kids on
a little tour of Downtown Disney (read: LEGO store and World of Disney), and I
beelined for the Expo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I picked up my
race bib (#215! Corral A! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah
baby!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That Eugene Half time really paid
off!), and went straight to see my pals at the <a href="http://anothermotherrunner.com/" target="_blank">Another Mother Runner</a> Booth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chatted with SBS and Kristen for a bit,
picked up my wings and arm bands from <a href="http://sparkleathletic.com/" target="_blank">Sparkle Athletic</a>, visited my favorite
headgear booth <a href="http://www.sweatybands.com/" target="_blank">Sweaty Bands</a>, and then I was pretty much done with the expo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to be back out in the warm
sunshine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were a lot of fantastic
booths at the expo, and they had some great speakers lined up (including the
leaders of the AMR Tribe), but I didn’t stick around this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had some Vitamin D to soak in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3kp-78MwtjlKcXWkPQF63b84185MduIlHEdILG4Hf-7fCvtxbn2SD_L8YXI5aq5xEU9vCoJURttK184r5frhwBkd3c7Y2AVWZjfngNWVcFYORnlL3fIwEIRkbaiu4aD1MOkwAdB8xfAo/s1600/Disneyland+2014+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3kp-78MwtjlKcXWkPQF63b84185MduIlHEdILG4Hf-7fCvtxbn2SD_L8YXI5aq5xEU9vCoJURttK184r5frhwBkd3c7Y2AVWZjfngNWVcFYORnlL3fIwEIRkbaiu4aD1MOkwAdB8xfAo/s1600/Disneyland+2014+051.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting some Pixie Dust from Tink</td></tr>
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I’ll keep the recap of our vacation time short.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is supposed to be a running blog after
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if you ever have the chance to
combine a Run Disney Race with vacation, I highly recommend it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had such an amazing time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cars Land was truly unbelievable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You felt like you stepped into the movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We used our Magic Mornings to beeline to Cars
Land and ride Radiator Springs without the super long wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Disneyland Magic Morning we used to ride
pretty much everything in Tomorrow Land (Space Mountain, Star Tours, Buzz
Lightyear several times) and we also met Tink at Pixie Hollow!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I requested a little extra Pixie Dust for my
feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I packed our suitcases full of
snacks for us to take into the parks each day, and the kids each had a gift
card with spending money allocated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All in
all, it was a fantastic time for everyone. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made sure to turn in sorta early on
Saturday night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We watched the fireworks
from the hotel window as I laid out my clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I chugged some <a href="http://www.nuun.com/" target="_blank">Nuun</a> and then turned in for a little bit of sleep.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IbkFZqyJ7WvmI8z5HBfuUky7KAhyphenhyphenTps8SYdsZ0w74Al2u0w7_Pt6ZPubJPhAuNiryF4CPj4fMMlLdFlteKIaAlSY_npeOE7zUG320sOb0JseUvPoLELPwKt2sTL3POpD1SNijQzS2ELW/s1600/1390106349538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IbkFZqyJ7WvmI8z5HBfuUky7KAhyphenhyphenTps8SYdsZ0w74Al2u0w7_Pt6ZPubJPhAuNiryF4CPj4fMMlLdFlteKIaAlSY_npeOE7zUG320sOb0JseUvPoLELPwKt2sTL3POpD1SNijQzS2ELW/s1600/1390106349538.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Tink Outfit</td></tr>
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Run Disney races start early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when I say early, I mean 5am freakishly
early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there’s a reason, and a good
one at that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I set my alarm for
3:15.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which meant I woke up every half
hour, worried that my alarm wouldn’t go off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When 3am rolled around, I just figured I’d get up and get things *ahem*
moving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My body wasn’t exactly
cooperating, but I figured that would be the least of my worries with a nasty
case of plantar faciitis and already having logged many miles on sore feet at
Disneyland for two days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started getting my Tinkerbell costume on
(comprising of <a href="https://www.handful.com/" target="_blank">Handful Bra</a>, <a href="http://www.athleta.com/" target="_blank">Athleta</a> Tank, <a href="http://sparkleskirts.com/" target="_blank">SparkleSkirt</a> and Headband, Lucy
shorts, Sparkle Athletic wings and arm warmers), and I began to panic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was horribly worried about possible
chaffing on my shoulder blades from the wings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I Body Glided every inch of me, but couldn’t reach my own back, so I
woke up the hubs to help me out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feeling ready as ever, I grabbed a protein bar,
chugged some more Nuun, and headed to the lobby to meet my friend and Tink
Running Buddy, Joy, at 4am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crazy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I really enjoyed the chance to
hang out with Joy and run this race with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We know each other through our husbands, and social media, but this was
the first time we ran together!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s a
Run Disney fanatic, and I was thankful to have her there with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhezgs4b-qgfV-8rhbU1raUt62go2ADbUeMONOluoXg9E5I0inUlY2t30WqiYyb7_Q33IXSHYqSPsgTg2r8zm0rLQ4ftPKfjjSMOJGqy6xmW4sW4YVL35gkxXGQNxOHAmFNIv8o5FjBRBRz/s1600/767409-1002-0041s.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhezgs4b-qgfV-8rhbU1raUt62go2ADbUeMONOluoXg9E5I0inUlY2t30WqiYyb7_Q33IXSHYqSPsgTg2r8zm0rLQ4ftPKfjjSMOJGqy6xmW4sW4YVL35gkxXGQNxOHAmFNIv8o5FjBRBRz/s1600/767409-1002-0041s.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulF9mtTIep_Q10obLpjfTa3ipL39AL_8DN8PxRDXjnUgrz_eG11QmWiVmTkqlyXmoC1z2HMziu_6e8ub61HoxaIfsOTMdBwyX0nPbXtpjTeuK2tyNzRC8eplWPCwXGsMc6V8qn4_QQ1PQ/s1600/1390133931808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulF9mtTIep_Q10obLpjfTa3ipL39AL_8DN8PxRDXjnUgrz_eG11QmWiVmTkqlyXmoC1z2HMziu_6e8ub61HoxaIfsOTMdBwyX0nPbXtpjTeuK2tyNzRC8eplWPCwXGsMc6V8qn4_QQ1PQ/s1600/1390133931808.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqrRI_DvGhUAOVZ_KfCJbs1S8hdLkmQIyP3C1fkm6DE-h0o3ozMNiQG5JF6ntxF-4IxhSdTJvnxC8v8jsLGIMlOhnMNpYcW9Dnh9BJP0Wpshw0Ql-_mbMVUEjKNtOi4nCfHzBFcW6F0r4/s1600/1390134903243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqrRI_DvGhUAOVZ_KfCJbs1S8hdLkmQIyP3C1fkm6DE-h0o3ozMNiQG5JF6ntxF-4IxhSdTJvnxC8v8jsLGIMlOhnMNpYcW9Dnh9BJP0Wpshw0Ql-_mbMVUEjKNtOi4nCfHzBFcW6F0r4/s1600/1390134903243.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Start Line! Tink flying around getting everyone excited!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We walked to the start line, passing all the other corrals,
as we were both in Corral “A”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had
plenty of time to hang out with all the Fastholes (a loving term of endearment
for all those amazingly strong, speedy women runners!), and soak in the crazy
energy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SBS and Dimity were there in
their Queen Elsa Frozen costumes, and it was so much fun chatting and getting
excited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugUJpUyhbhWv2LNVMdeX96VyP2QBR3LEKOovPg7z46bj7oMa7n-kZzoo4IUzBn4OUnFo4fjG3Xnpfbh8O-zfhH_9jfVjwLw-9ipcNCa20eqEofF56oPkKQlu7_FPJE6_Wip9f2erUXiE0/s1600/1390134895212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugUJpUyhbhWv2LNVMdeX96VyP2QBR3LEKOovPg7z46bj7oMa7n-kZzoo4IUzBn4OUnFo4fjG3Xnpfbh8O-zfhH_9jfVjwLw-9ipcNCa20eqEofF56oPkKQlu7_FPJE6_Wip9f2erUXiE0/s1600/1390134895212.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mother Runner Queen Elsas!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkYvHlm8DetLs6cv8PN6dR6hYGaoNnPyzg_-weNwf7Z0_q7PGv1sC8A7wfHi8UaqLU0pKtWWSuBhd8p8ElcuFl1OJOpfrJrxHYBs3U9sRt903K9BN_AHj69imwTAVxumiK-0LbDStz9Qt/s1600/1390134655988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkYvHlm8DetLs6cv8PN6dR6hYGaoNnPyzg_-weNwf7Z0_q7PGv1sC8A7wfHi8UaqLU0pKtWWSuBhd8p8ElcuFl1OJOpfrJrxHYBs3U9sRt903K9BN_AHj69imwTAVxumiK-0LbDStz9Qt/s1600/1390134655988.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chatting with Queen Elsa (SBS) at the Start!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The Star Spangled Banner, sung beautifully, was capped off
with fireworks (only Disney can get away with fireworks at 5am!), and Minnie
and Daisy were there to start the race in their track suits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We wound around behind California Adventure, popping into the park right
behind California Screaming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ran
through Paradise Pier, with the World of Color fountains and lights going, and
stopped for a picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqxsGrUOFMFSdwKozomUSdQmKtu0W6dU1_CUIeQqA3DdkMcQJ7s-fud_Uby40YPdRXsbAF0Kl-Oga_9iYf4Osjuk2Leq_9LShqlxv333wm5_NTD6INg6vU_e4J5siCxE-8EHcv30j6d6t/s1600/IMG_20140119_215423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqxsGrUOFMFSdwKozomUSdQmKtu0W6dU1_CUIeQqA3DdkMcQJ7s-fud_Uby40YPdRXsbAF0Kl-Oga_9iYf4Osjuk2Leq_9LShqlxv333wm5_NTD6INg6vU_e4J5siCxE-8EHcv30j6d6t/s1600/IMG_20140119_215423.jpg" height="320" width="233" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>The first
characters we saw were the Incredibles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I would have loved to get a pic with them, but we had just started
running and I didn’t want to wait in a line yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t help run with a huge smile on my
face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many cast members lining the
race course, Disney characters waiting for pictures with runners, music playing…it
was all so overwhelming to the senses!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We ran through Cars Land, Hollywood, and then headed over to
Disneyland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQTMl97I5NcwazTGkmPgkO6byzs9L4LlEDBt7am5Ek-XlL4obu5T6MMW47MTDnKhbiTmhujT-ROy8VzQKY5T58EiYQjZTxYOT0OUhtELaqJhl8FVY6PLqKuc3vlZ9rmXcsC5ahQH05zIG/s1600/750388-1006-0045s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQTMl97I5NcwazTGkmPgkO6byzs9L4LlEDBt7am5Ek-XlL4obu5T6MMW47MTDnKhbiTmhujT-ROy8VzQKY5T58EiYQjZTxYOT0OUhtELaqJhl8FVY6PLqKuc3vlZ9rmXcsC5ahQH05zIG/s1600/750388-1006-0045s.jpg" height="320" width="196" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9BwhQDulKUyUvwP4DjFhu7KkBEZbwDWl3yjaga-b_nQfciPlioDmKf3vWYOzGOmE-CDd8D9Mw26hVWQK0Rd0iAesG6fwbV7yBMm9OV-8azkP40mMi0pIxKDW-Ss2Qvq0lTML44uoV1Jd/s1600/750623-1007-0049s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9BwhQDulKUyUvwP4DjFhu7KkBEZbwDWl3yjaga-b_nQfciPlioDmKf3vWYOzGOmE-CDd8D9Mw26hVWQK0Rd0iAesG6fwbV7yBMm9OV-8azkP40mMi0pIxKDW-Ss2Qvq0lTML44uoV1Jd/s1600/750623-1007-0049s.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwr9UEs7ByZeR2QcnukLDqR42bflfxEF71a5olj4EFmyULyUfU3IDEO6oIKUiJx_rWPuCT2LDJpxnG6-TkF_jWh54KfsZupr92OfGQe2nToqU8kFo9OHBX5BpC55j1R9xhrywwVaG4mTma/s1600/750631-1002-0027s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwr9UEs7ByZeR2QcnukLDqR42bflfxEF71a5olj4EFmyULyUfU3IDEO6oIKUiJx_rWPuCT2LDJpxnG6-TkF_jWh54KfsZupr92OfGQe2nToqU8kFo9OHBX5BpC55j1R9xhrywwVaG4mTma/s1600/750631-1002-0027s.jpg" height="269" width="320" /></a>We played Leap Frog with SBS
and Dimity a few times, eventually stopping to take their pic in front of It’s
A Small World.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dimity returned the favor
for Joy and I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Running down Main Street
towards the castle was beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
stopped for a few selfie pics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Running
through Tomorrowland, we saw Darth Vader and his Storm Troopers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We HAD to stop for a pic with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We both have little Star Wars fans at home who
would think this was pretty cool. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The first 5 miles of the race wound us all around the parks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we hit the Downtown Disney District, the
spectators were all lining the course with signs and cheering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this was before 6am!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovruBAABMQ7AVLdC4sCUoADy3-rv-kzdhtTbhHOFZt-GoKvy-h7gNxsQSDTX_L5pibbjm_RpPCrJqFWdgdOMcDEK6b3x3geULcSZswwPdphyz50tB3MSL07M0bHhrbXFmCAp4xWaD-2dG/s1600/IMG_20140119_215354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovruBAABMQ7AVLdC4sCUoADy3-rv-kzdhtTbhHOFZt-GoKvy-h7gNxsQSDTX_L5pibbjm_RpPCrJqFWdgdOMcDEK6b3x3geULcSZswwPdphyz50tB3MSL07M0bHhrbXFmCAp4xWaD-2dG/s1600/IMG_20140119_215354.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDhw6eSFBidfFr9r9z6UNv8RtVo96qy3s5OxkC4gtyjEed8u0qyrgiYGf8hKgGuQlDiMr6b-k1a7aBTMgib9yPaE8PkcuDaSN2beqiqHeWG8hk_IpUiJI-_PtbpdcbfUQwK6lLllSYQYY/s1600/IMG_20140119_215451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDhw6eSFBidfFr9r9z6UNv8RtVo96qy3s5OxkC4gtyjEed8u0qyrgiYGf8hKgGuQlDiMr6b-k1a7aBTMgib9yPaE8PkcuDaSN2beqiqHeWG8hk_IpUiJI-_PtbpdcbfUQwK6lLllSYQYY/s1600/IMG_20140119_215451.jpg" height="320" width="236" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2amN5KvLIbk1_xhLzVkCX94pRIYbMOQiWu7Lf7EE_v3UgxE3QRvid_cQk-i8y2RnvuJ0ujSUUKXTcKXqfq_z77BlgGaoxX0itq31fOYwmJz546NdDpe1U4LeSfJJa8MonsQoG-BBMy7Ij/s1600/IMG_20140119_215538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2amN5KvLIbk1_xhLzVkCX94pRIYbMOQiWu7Lf7EE_v3UgxE3QRvid_cQk-i8y2RnvuJ0ujSUUKXTcKXqfq_z77BlgGaoxX0itq31fOYwmJz546NdDpe1U4LeSfJJa8MonsQoG-BBMy7Ij/s1600/IMG_20140119_215538.jpg" height="320" width="295" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhic87gYXmbtXwB9Mi3jY1oQnCjQJG-BbaasJvYuvjyE2Qx8O4iOBjwTXbwK9Uc_8yj3cdJOjF1SraMybTAl1xUA3Uejf0tb_nxlFqaLInUP7yGx8VlbVsUW77mexa1qk7764UQ2c7I45vW/s1600/IMG_20140119_215514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhic87gYXmbtXwB9Mi3jY1oQnCjQJG-BbaasJvYuvjyE2Qx8O4iOBjwTXbwK9Uc_8yj3cdJOjF1SraMybTAl1xUA3Uejf0tb_nxlFqaLInUP7yGx8VlbVsUW77mexa1qk7764UQ2c7I45vW/s1600/IMG_20140119_215514.jpg" height="320" width="219" /></a></div>
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Once we passed through Downtown Disney, the racecourse sent
us out into the neighborhoods of Anaheim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There were signs up requesting runners to be quiet, as the families were
most likely still sleeping (wouldn’t YOU be?!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ran through business districts and then
passed many of the Good Neighbor hotels before making our way back toward the
parks and the Disneyland Resorts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
finish was full of spectators, music, cheering, and really great
volunteers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were aid stations every
2 miles or so, so no need to carry my own water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One group was handing out fresh orange
slices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were so sweet and delicious
I can almost still taste them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m happy
to report that my feet felt fine (during the run) and energy level was
great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">During the race, I kept a fallen Mother Runner on my mind. Thousands of runners across the world were logging miles this weekend for #megsmiles. Many runners at Tink were honoring her memory.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVcgDbYq3vSU0HpX09a0XbFYU3EfFe5vdtGG4p4_XTDrZnVAjoJ04VkJrnXNYeDtyGF7RhAdn3Fmm7QtqZJ5Rj3YZyWudzJDmAUfYamW_7_8xHrDkARFRcNvw-5GFNdUuDLye3oeWq74_/s1600/1390145208450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVcgDbYq3vSU0HpX09a0XbFYU3EfFe5vdtGG4p4_XTDrZnVAjoJ04VkJrnXNYeDtyGF7RhAdn3Fmm7QtqZJ5Rj3YZyWudzJDmAUfYamW_7_8xHrDkARFRcNvw-5GFNdUuDLye3oeWq74_/s1600/1390145208450.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xTZwW2phNjiN-0blAtUFGRFfAXBk0QDWNbMRCri-sXIqS-bg5Tzw8Dir-Rj1ofgll1-saqX-m5Vh2gBI5ZyqIa2-W1yp9-1hGMnZRFCPlqRzhTeaMbR_fz0uASrflctwXkJcSbWHtlzh/s1600/750818-1003-0030s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xTZwW2phNjiN-0blAtUFGRFfAXBk0QDWNbMRCri-sXIqS-bg5Tzw8Dir-Rj1ofgll1-saqX-m5Vh2gBI5ZyqIa2-W1yp9-1hGMnZRFCPlqRzhTeaMbR_fz0uASrflctwXkJcSbWHtlzh/s1600/750818-1003-0030s.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUPES17PsIvpbWSj9iXh6xGS7Ow1EvDkX6wyJni47GzYf4lNEcE1MNX1rmX6hqNVsK2loxEpMdV5VJ0WvwAeXDoin0gFb5R0Nr62dPv9RDiDKVNiipAMQscBYgX8mtepeWqZOMVNMal6t/s1600/750741-1062-0001s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUPES17PsIvpbWSj9iXh6xGS7Ow1EvDkX6wyJni47GzYf4lNEcE1MNX1rmX6hqNVsK2loxEpMdV5VJ0WvwAeXDoin0gFb5R0Nr62dPv9RDiDKVNiipAMQscBYgX8mtepeWqZOMVNMal6t/s1600/750741-1062-0001s.jpg" height="320" width="198" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGI7T6uLgZa1L6EzfjN3uh9ap25tBUSQ4vREAMCYlCQpzyl9hC3t1p3-mE3N_E6glBfzUr0yRrMiFBpNPhJt4222H0Dp9FPE6Bdyn9TzAI3WPywPe84u5lOvjEdAddGA3vsCSjtxmuTFvc/s1600/767358-1004-0043s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGI7T6uLgZa1L6EzfjN3uh9ap25tBUSQ4vREAMCYlCQpzyl9hC3t1p3-mE3N_E6glBfzUr0yRrMiFBpNPhJt4222H0Dp9FPE6Bdyn9TzAI3WPywPe84u5lOvjEdAddGA3vsCSjtxmuTFvc/s1600/767358-1004-0043s.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1xxBl0RggIoZEjN-nHDpQNkrHdRewSzOeVlwXpActVAlubl2dcJ3UXMYwYZVgDND29KFnbi7f9UPQvB6XksmpOyj2gCyq3yp4TFn5g3HbpZIn9tyDMtselkXIJYYjCiV2PUnd7yjn9K3/s1600/IMG_20140119_215647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1xxBl0RggIoZEjN-nHDpQNkrHdRewSzOeVlwXpActVAlubl2dcJ3UXMYwYZVgDND29KFnbi7f9UPQvB6XksmpOyj2gCyq3yp4TFn5g3HbpZIn9tyDMtselkXIJYYjCiV2PUnd7yjn9K3/s1600/IMG_20140119_215647.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>We met up with our families (ever so thankful for the
delicious egg sandwich AND coffee my family had waiting for me!), hung out for
a bit stretching and taking pics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
my family headed straight to California Adventure for our last Magic Morning
and ride in Cars Land!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t even
bother changing before heading to the parks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We got in a few hours of quality park time before I needed a shower, a
change of clothes, and another meal. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sunday was really just about relaxing and
catching all the rides we wanted to make sure we did one last time before
heading home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We enjoyed the Main Street
Parade in Disneyland, and the Pixar Parade in California Adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My feet were pretty much toast by this time,
so we called it a night and watched the fireworks one last time from the hotel
room. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpe1RNQmp0kmZHCsKtejclHdY8XwZ4NSFNmCyjOq-YF4BX1gSiUsawKqSOvuARg9Wun0OKPSNadqsTcAsmv9fmM_gS5oEPF9Dr_KKrnKqlv96PoetBAbF33pu3ucMwi0r-tKigFHJLXU5/s1600/1390149480499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpe1RNQmp0kmZHCsKtejclHdY8XwZ4NSFNmCyjOq-YF4BX1gSiUsawKqSOvuARg9Wun0OKPSNadqsTcAsmv9fmM_gS5oEPF9Dr_KKrnKqlv96PoetBAbF33pu3ucMwi0r-tKigFHJLXU5/s1600/1390149480499.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew and I riding Cars one last time... in my Tink outfit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
My first Run Disney experience was an amazing one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks so much to Joy for talking me into it,
and then joining me for it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And a big
thank you to the hubs, who works tirelessly so we can enjoy a spectacular
vacation like this every now and then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh63qLRUr8XBU7rZvzXiN78yQi3MZWH2b98sD4bISm6P2lIeW3cM4HkS-3ptHS9Q14HpFdFMjuvB3KETs2D7kHp_jyESfNGgHdrQFIMocBArbH8zv7sr19lstIW5GoFaJIxcC4WdngefpP/s1600/IMG_20140119_212154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh63qLRUr8XBU7rZvzXiN78yQi3MZWH2b98sD4bISm6P2lIeW3cM4HkS-3ptHS9Q14HpFdFMjuvB3KETs2D7kHp_jyESfNGgHdrQFIMocBArbH8zv7sr19lstIW5GoFaJIxcC4WdngefpP/s1600/IMG_20140119_212154.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can FLY!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LfigPvsVsk3uyAtcPU7c_W4qMstH6NvGJP99ES6EXGVTULqRjjLmdaXRG7CzARBB1xf6NLXlXKOFYFNTXhMFmAGlWWsalBfHAyA1Wg7_NXZxQhK3Si79cSPRNP6nlEOp69V73ozFCsVY/s1600/IMG_20140120_214226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LfigPvsVsk3uyAtcPU7c_W4qMstH6NvGJP99ES6EXGVTULqRjjLmdaXRG7CzARBB1xf6NLXlXKOFYFNTXhMFmAGlWWsalBfHAyA1Wg7_NXZxQhK3Si79cSPRNP6nlEOp69V73ozFCsVY/s1600/IMG_20140120_214226.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Run Disney BLING</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
LatteLoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527801963377439758noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147565364257871700.post-57812622245719302132013-11-20T17:06:00.002-08:002013-11-21T12:00:27.153-08:00Cyndie Actually Runs A Marathon...And LIKES It!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->***Warning… This post is long, and full of details that may
or may not be important to the reader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But this was my 1<sup>st</sup> marathon experience, and I wanted to
remember it all.***</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Race Morning…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The plan was for Amy to pick me up at 5:30am and drive me
downtown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, you read that right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amy was NOT running this race, but my BRF
offered to get up freakishly early and drive my nervous-nelly self downtown,
park, walk me to the corrals, hang out with me, wait in the port-a-potty lines
(several times!), and generally just keep me company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love that girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She even frantically started seeking out
someone to bring me a Garmin when we thought mine had frozen up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I figured out how to reset it, but she had my
back regardless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather was
perfection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I honestly couldn’t have
asked for better race-day weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Temps were in the low 50s, and it was DRY (quite a difference from the
weekend before!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun was predicted
to come out, but temps would stay cool, and there was not a drop of rain in the
forecast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I honestly couldn’t believe it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMBtIFyk0K-Y8xGVby37YI67sslhdzaoI4fuQl13vzXxg0KdcGnTwP-EmJ2M-W_p4bu9p3xK5nNhbDmXfROa0VbvFheww6OqTBk-RY8LuWrGtP0G-Ugvh9omBjEbbGEmlvU7wbnXiDFU7/s1600/1383492_10202168329271759_1183446448_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMBtIFyk0K-Y8xGVby37YI67sslhdzaoI4fuQl13vzXxg0KdcGnTwP-EmJ2M-W_p4bu9p3xK5nNhbDmXfROa0VbvFheww6OqTBk-RY8LuWrGtP0G-Ugvh9omBjEbbGEmlvU7wbnXiDFU7/s320/1383492_10202168329271759_1183446448_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">READY to ROCK 26.2!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amy headed out to find Brandi and wait for me around the 7
mile mark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I headed to wait with the
mass of Corral D participants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
planning to run a little faster than the expected pace of this corral, so I
made sure to start up at the front.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
could hear the announcements, the moment of silence for Boston, and then WE all
sang the National Anthem TOGETHER.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
gave me goose bumps as I listened to the singing, cheering, and watched the sun
rise over the city buildings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had
never felt more prepared for something ever, and I was ready to get this party
started!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXc4Yn5C-r3RMn0yG8XlX2jWw8hHG0q48VmFxPP1YL2rdOWF5eE7Pq3hAX1upZqTOb2yArY4zoMYsfB9-fRDn140hb0YfNkA3P2RyqA-aPT63jyWofUEOMLHiGwjFSRKTVaGDNGk4ZZTze/s1600/IMG_20131006_232214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXc4Yn5C-r3RMn0yG8XlX2jWw8hHG0q48VmFxPP1YL2rdOWF5eE7Pq3hAX1upZqTOb2yArY4zoMYsfB9-fRDn140hb0YfNkA3P2RyqA-aPT63jyWofUEOMLHiGwjFSRKTVaGDNGk4ZZTze/s320/IMG_20131006_232214.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkxU4YgHB0UJ_Tf2HpPLj7hDk8lDb10MnJ1e7U1phPe4NigqFm_-6keTI0R_nrB-psY-MpUuRM89WZv_hJQmSR81hk5DHz-0-GqLxgvhQzl7OcQTsFnEctMotEbBKp6s3ghoXGIRs-7DT/s1600/IMG_20131006_071020_646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkxU4YgHB0UJ_Tf2HpPLj7hDk8lDb10MnJ1e7U1phPe4NigqFm_-6keTI0R_nrB-psY-MpUuRM89WZv_hJQmSR81hk5DHz-0-GqLxgvhQzl7OcQTsFnEctMotEbBKp6s3ghoXGIRs-7DT/s400/IMG_20131006_071020_646.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Start line... brought me to tears</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkxU4YgHB0UJ_Tf2HpPLj7hDk8lDb10MnJ1e7U1phPe4NigqFm_-6keTI0R_nrB-psY-MpUuRM89WZv_hJQmSR81hk5DHz-0-GqLxgvhQzl7OcQTsFnEctMotEbBKp6s3ghoXGIRs-7DT/s1600/IMG_20131006_071020_646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a corral, we walked past many uniformed Guard Members who
were checking to make sure only bibbed runners were there, and made our way to
the start line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t help getting choked up, and felt
myself fighting back tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was really
proud of my training, my goal, and I was overwhelmed with gratitude for my
family and friends that supported me, and who I knew were on the course ready
and waiting to cheer and run with me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
took the first mile to get myself together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So many people were cheering and waving signs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talk about a runner’s HIGH!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My pace was 9:06, too fast but I expected
that.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I finally settled into my rhythm around mile 2, and slowed
my pace a little to 9:25.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt like I
could breathe again, and I was smiling from ear to ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
first five miles were relaxing, fun, and a great warm up (averaging around
9:20).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I focused on keeping my pace
under control (couldn’t imagine doing this without my Garmin!), and listened to
my music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realized that I had done so
many of my long training runs with friends, and hadn’t listened to music in a
while!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was actually feeling like I
didn’t WANT to have my earphones on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was more interested in taking in the excitement from the crowds of spectators
lining the streets of Portland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon I was making my way toward the Freemont
Bridge, and I knew I would be seeing my family and my running buddies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I spotted Chris and the kids on the other
side of the street, and I ran across to give them hugs and get some high 5s and
love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few steps back into the race,
and I saw Amy and Brandi, who would join me for the next 6 miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were so generous to run the most boring
part of the Portland Marathon: the out and back section in the Industrial part
of town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took my earphones out and
never put them back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so great
having the two of them to run with and chat with and just generally goof around
with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amy took pictures, and both of
them did an awesome job of keeping my mind off of what I was doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was just a run with my girlfriends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I LOVE running with my girlfriends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I almost peed myself from laughing when Amy
was voice texting Chris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her phone has a
funny way of transferring what she says into type.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
quick potty stop was necessary, and I was thankful for friends to hold all my
stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amy blogged about her Marathon
experience on her blog, <a href="http://blissandchaos.blogspot.com/2013/10/maude-marathon-jumper.html" target="_blank">Bliss and Chaos.</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfYuM-zmrK6AMjVWzZ2mLuFnqpekdcxQkFZqW7PXAFgZ4xnzHvwHA2Ogc57DH4ODeSf8XK6PjfI03340tRdLKS__Kls2NZsoHVoQmRd3QauVk3T0b2Ifkh-47vpY0RsIhnG1dgIazvBh5/s1600/1380261_10202170911936324_1238982729_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfYuM-zmrK6AMjVWzZ2mLuFnqpekdcxQkFZqW7PXAFgZ4xnzHvwHA2Ogc57DH4ODeSf8XK6PjfI03340tRdLKS__Kls2NZsoHVoQmRd3QauVk3T0b2Ifkh-47vpY0RsIhnG1dgIazvBh5/s320/1380261_10202170911936324_1238982729_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running with Brandi and Amy(taking the pic!) along the train tracks of Portland</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2xEwpexPArPS-6EXQB2dq2gqE7Ds4qEiJwaOGFMDj0DfVCmzGiQFYyJK9_zm9XZKbGBX06gN681iYYnw6c5m2YXRAjVivgOO3jrCcCYlNAi73Gf2_nFI98uVkrdxvTJsnIUPnRKLGptf/s1600/1381373_10202170911856322_772191212_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2xEwpexPArPS-6EXQB2dq2gqE7Ds4qEiJwaOGFMDj0DfVCmzGiQFYyJK9_zm9XZKbGBX06gN681iYYnw6c5m2YXRAjVivgOO3jrCcCYlNAi73Gf2_nFI98uVkrdxvTJsnIUPnRKLGptf/s320/1381373_10202170911856322_772191212_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running Selfie! Amy and Brandi keeping me company</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They left me around mile 12, and tried to run ahead to warn
Chris and the kids and Marianne and Melanie (who were meeting me at mile 13 for
the next section).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw Chelsey (Co-Girls on the Run Coach) and gave her a big hug!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The energy on this stretch of the racecourse
was electric!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of front yard
parties, kegs, college kids, just insane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw Chris and the kids again,
with Amy and Brandi, and then noticed that Marianne, Melanie and Dr. Mohr were
all there too!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grabbed some pics with
the kids, a bag of pretzels, a few more high 5s and hugs, and then Marianne and
I took off towards Hwy 30.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevTfdvlt4o6wqfGkUZ4OnuLCgTto7IA05OdpcPid_eXKP8IiST1iqT2JeFGZb3nZdLmcDIyVZWleunC1sfq9RT9jzp3HAVtwv380uIUl-Qw5MDdk8FOoFr4EVwXXYlUKfgqx9hAH0ckfu/s1600/537268_10202170911816321_982490806_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevTfdvlt4o6wqfGkUZ4OnuLCgTto7IA05OdpcPid_eXKP8IiST1iqT2JeFGZb3nZdLmcDIyVZWleunC1sfq9RT9jzp3HAVtwv380uIUl-Qw5MDdk8FOoFr4EVwXXYlUKfgqx9hAH0ckfu/s320/537268_10202170911816321_982490806_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A quick pic with the kiddos</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZ6rpdPOlZPOMYgRpaSLSOpcdlMRJbJEpZJ6I24uWM2SMK0J0TIj8AoL4trzLfXxS3HNM0RcLI15ncGKsr0l6CwI4AJOnsoh8RFHaTkhLgFkgUDZvPib33A_GA8cgS5AAjbn1phEm7KBU/s1600/IMG_20131006_171718_860-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZ6rpdPOlZPOMYgRpaSLSOpcdlMRJbJEpZJ6I24uWM2SMK0J0TIj8AoL4trzLfXxS3HNM0RcLI15ncGKsr0l6CwI4AJOnsoh8RFHaTkhLgFkgUDZvPib33A_GA8cgS5AAjbn1phEm7KBU/s320/IMG_20131006_171718_860-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew's AWESOME sign...We have WINE at home...oh yesser!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I hadn’t seen Marianne in a while and she had just returned
from a CRA-ZY trip for her HS reunion in Washington DC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the next 5 miles, I loved hearing all her
stories from the trip, and also loved hearing her reminisce about last year’s
Marathon. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Melanie drove along Hwy 30,
and jumped out at several places along the way with signs and cheering!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love my running buddies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are just the BEST, and I felt truly
blessed to have their support. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we
neared the St. John’s bridge, I knew I would have to part ways with the
girls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They only allowed bibbed
participants up and over the bridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
quick hug to the girls, and I continued on alone (but not for long).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, I didn’t bother put my
earphones back in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The climb up to the bridge is not insignificant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many people were walking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept putting one foot in front of the
other, I think I probably ate a Gu, and I just made sure to take in the
majestic scenery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those of you NOT
from Portland, the St. John’s Bridge is one of the iconic images representing
the Portland Marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a stunning
work of art, and it was an amazing experience to cross it on foot, able to
really look at the beauty and the view from the bridge. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you notice in the <a href="http://rediscoveringrunning.blogspot.com/2013/11/twas-day-and-night-before-marathon.html" target="_blank">pre-marathon post </a>that
it’s even on my necklace from Amy? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
tried snapping a few pics with my phone while I was running, but I couldn’t get
anything decent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I finally pulled
over and stopped to take a few pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can honestly say that this was one of only a handful of times I
stopped during the entire 26.2 miles (potty, family pics/hugs, bridge, and one
more a little later).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwxTqphY0rH2QgTDFNOHBfYX2hDr6b226js62DLQntlIlEKGXW9_4TKxGSNA0NJew2mD6K_k7LtzqzgrSNNsGyKkhVZrrYUabAOitOPD4Hl5tni7kyeSrHRi1ENrCT4EGWdCnr6KYb7Emq/s1600/IMG_20131006_095231_471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwxTqphY0rH2QgTDFNOHBfYX2hDr6b226js62DLQntlIlEKGXW9_4TKxGSNA0NJew2mD6K_k7LtzqzgrSNNsGyKkhVZrrYUabAOitOPD4Hl5tni7kyeSrHRi1ENrCT4EGWdCnr6KYb7Emq/s320/IMG_20131006_095231_471.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
As we crossed over the bridge and turned the corner into
mile 18, I heard “PELTO!!!!!” and knew Caryn was there. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t expect to see her so soon, but I was
so so so glad she was waiting and ready to RUN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was beginning to realize that I was tired. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I might have almost taken out another
runner trying to run over to her and give her a hug!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We headed up a short hill, and then the
course leveled off and settled in to the neighborhoods on the East side of the
Riverfront along Willamette Blvd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having
Caryn there totally rejuvenated my step, and we were total goofballs (shocker,
I know) but stayed focused too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caryn
was the perfect running buddy to have by my side during the stretch, because
she has been there done that so many times before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had so much great advice, and knew how to
keep my mind off the pain that was starting to creep in, but stay focused and
distracted at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1MNYNLivhyEEi5s919hbMPU0E1J-_4gd4F2RwO5SOHMkX0I8ehgQjTEOeKa6V3Sf-3fatKISGZqm6-kPJKpH2xwUjtfK9IExquPpD4go6ua3RwEKP-vsTdHnjqNeauHKT_6WFuYRobjVH/s1600/20131006_102442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1MNYNLivhyEEi5s919hbMPU0E1J-_4gd4F2RwO5SOHMkX0I8ehgQjTEOeKa6V3Sf-3fatKISGZqm6-kPJKpH2xwUjtfK9IExquPpD4go6ua3RwEKP-vsTdHnjqNeauHKT_6WFuYRobjVH/s320/20131006_102442.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm delirious at this point... Caryn keeping me in check.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Around mile 19, I started to complain about my knees and my
hips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me: “My hips hurt.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caryn: “You can bitch about your hips later.
Right now, keep running.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sound advice
from a seasoned marathoner.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At mile 20, we saw the kids, Chris, and my friends Mara and
Ruann.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of cheers, smiles, cowbell,
and signs, and I finally handed off my earphones to Chris…but we didn’t stop running this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was ready to be DONE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ruann
turned to Chris after he commented that I looked like I was doing great and
said, “Yeah, but this is where the race begins.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she was so very right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt myself having to dig deep for each
step.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Around mile 21 I saw Dr. Mohr again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time I pulled over to chat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My old ITBand injuries were making some
noise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked him if he could hose me
down in BioFreeze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could not, but he
did apply some to my legs, for which I was extremely grateful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
were off again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jCqRPYPm5Jvyb0W4m49oXhvQ9XvVpIXFfbL6Jwva6Y-Avz4Q8AetJbyRMNkjWDWsoDNtEdWpt7EMVJgKWKBEjEKWnZpXnn-LK0rcNsl1PgTIigNQA7madXGNQnUBbe5_vTHyAKVi05hI/s1600/1382843_10202385439703715_522013366_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jCqRPYPm5Jvyb0W4m49oXhvQ9XvVpIXFfbL6Jwva6Y-Avz4Q8AetJbyRMNkjWDWsoDNtEdWpt7EMVJgKWKBEjEKWnZpXnn-LK0rcNsl1PgTIigNQA7madXGNQnUBbe5_vTHyAKVi05hI/s320/1382843_10202385439703715_522013366_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got BioFreeze? Oh YEAAAAHHHHH</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
It was shortly after this pit stop that we saw the “mat.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caryn had told me about this particular mat,
and made damn sure I crossed it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
tracks how many people you PASS in the last 5 miles of the marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I doubted
I would pass that many people, but I figure, what the hell?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stepped over it, and then the game was ON.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caryn said, “See that guy in orange?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go get him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then she said, “See that
girl in pink?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GO GET HER PELTO.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, it sucks for her, but whatever.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We started picking off runners (and many many walkers at this point)
left and right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will not lie…it felt
AWESOME to feel so strong and fast in the last 5 miles of a freaking
marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We passed Adidas headquarters,
and started downhill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was here that
Caryn pulled out two of her most awesome comments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
looked at her phone and said, “My app estimates you’ll be finishing at
4:00:36.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You OK with that?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me: “F&*% NO!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>F*** that F***ing 36 seconds!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Sorry, I was delirious at this point.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we proceeded to sprint downhill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we were feeling a little sorry for the
people pulling over to stretch out whatever was hurting them, Caryn said, “Keep
your eyes forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do NOT look at the carnage
on the side of the road, and whatever you do…DO NOT STOP.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OMG, I laughed, and kept going, eyes
forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we passed Widmer, where
there were volunteers handing out cups of beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>BEER.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At mile 24 of the
marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caryn said, “DO NOT drink that
beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise you do not want it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then she graciously drank my beer for me.
;-)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are friends for?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4TVqo0L5UaHvXMjxXkofA6J5o7c8aCm4d3gCVr13BE7U8FmG9E5Ibxo_hM4KZokug2d1ggoOsMR4MQtEHyaRA3MBgyojWxk3waktHwY_oRN2DrFRAyAbq3q-uL-tbNBpEFtBXBqbkg7L/s1600/1374282_10202385626948396_903493887_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4TVqo0L5UaHvXMjxXkofA6J5o7c8aCm4d3gCVr13BE7U8FmG9E5Ibxo_hM4KZokug2d1ggoOsMR4MQtEHyaRA3MBgyojWxk3waktHwY_oRN2DrFRAyAbq3q-uL-tbNBpEFtBXBqbkg7L/s320/1374282_10202385626948396_903493887_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this picture. I felt strong, proud, pain, excitement...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3zT0Rbh9a00V6erH3AWr96yWDXYmsxE3GqbUhvVst1ZyOC_rGaGz4ZtXVKC7yVmfHkmad26zcZVgO1huaAGZU5wa5U8B7tAiFoxB7H1buAWlWtXY_F8NNwi3rBDhKILvHlqr5BTWgOHk/s1600/2C9778_n0ac67buep_132081132_16x24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3zT0Rbh9a00V6erH3AWr96yWDXYmsxE3GqbUhvVst1ZyOC_rGaGz4ZtXVKC7yVmfHkmad26zcZVgO1huaAGZU5wa5U8B7tAiFoxB7H1buAWlWtXY_F8NNwi3rBDhKILvHlqr5BTWgOHk/s1600/2C9778_n0ac67buep_132081132_16x24.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broadway Bridge behind me... </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
We crossed the Broadway Bridge, a beautiful sight, and
headed into downtown Portland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was
turning the corner off the bridge, I saw my friend Penny and lost my mind (who
am I kidding, it was already gone at this point).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I saw the Cascade Lakes Relay peeps
with their awesome signs, and really REALLY lost it… Yes, I played air guitar
while yelling “Twisted Sisters totally wants to ROCK CLR!” I blame the
endorphins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caryn laughed at me, and
said, “Um, apparently you still have some gas in the tank, so let’s get a move
on.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My last full mile (even being STOPPED BY A
MAX TRAIN) was 8:46 pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we neared
the part of Naito Pkwy that has the barricades lined up, Caryn jumped out of
the race, and headed to the finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
never seen so many people cheering in a race I was in, and I’ve never felt more
like a Rockstar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The signs were amazing,
the smiles were contagious, and I was ready to lay it all on the line and bring
it home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw Amy and Brandi, Marianne
and Melanie, and Chris and the kids right near corner of the finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pointed to them all, blew them a kiss, and
then headed for the finish line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my
last push, I passed two more guys before crossing the line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say, my finish pics are not
good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was hurting, and I was pushing
hard, and I didn’t care what I looked like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPYTt7B1gYr6kZLWOzq4PrQd0Bl_ZGZzq-hOq4JKsAXpum2f0nKlJC0TPQqusVHw0efouu7h5In02j6qIDmmiwsBnQxJD7IbI2nWHTXxIW_22i84hAHGl7NKZF4hJDVPYqmtOeL8TTQcm/s1600/906725_10151742547919081_1235424502_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPYTt7B1gYr6kZLWOzq4PrQd0Bl_ZGZzq-hOq4JKsAXpum2f0nKlJC0TPQqusVHw0efouu7h5In02j6qIDmmiwsBnQxJD7IbI2nWHTXxIW_22i84hAHGl7NKZF4hJDVPYqmtOeL8TTQcm/s320/906725_10151742547919081_1235424502_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I walked through the finisher’s area, a volunteer placed
my medal around my neck, and a blanket over my shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was very grateful for this, as I suddenly
found myself dizzy and cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept
walking, collecting food, chocolate milk, my finisher’s shirt, a tree sapling (well,
it IS Portland after all), and chatting with several other runners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time I made my way to the family
reunion area, I was feeling back to normal, and smiling from ear to ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My whole support group was there waiting to
hug this sweaty runner, and take pics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKKi-2U5p3jRZj93tWUjYQDDmgtkplL4rXO3pWA85dm6NKLIRkpwxV3RspGB95h3LRV-xxPtyW7E73g6XGoYUClXLn7e1d30KTfNGgcCFm3VZeakjcLATsCRZ3t8dZvv425WkGaJVG0j-/s1600/IMG_20131006_131319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKKi-2U5p3jRZj93tWUjYQDDmgtkplL4rXO3pWA85dm6NKLIRkpwxV3RspGB95h3LRV-xxPtyW7E73g6XGoYUClXLn7e1d30KTfNGgcCFm3VZeakjcLATsCRZ3t8dZvv425WkGaJVG0j-/s320/IMG_20131006_131319.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marathons... a TEAM effort!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2mPnCPYgynZb9kRo0q8AGe1dXT-n0SLyvIgUT5Nnhyphenhyphen47OfLgmZmoTEkmR6Pr7zWRnSTDDkyCCFg4RDl2bCEWhozVx8kI1-nofP3JHLz5M35vjYxtxf0OY9de4vI4DhDQs8khqyKrouic/s1600/1378227_10202000911171060_887219614_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2mPnCPYgynZb9kRo0q8AGe1dXT-n0SLyvIgUT5Nnhyphenhyphen47OfLgmZmoTEkmR6Pr7zWRnSTDDkyCCFg4RDl2bCEWhozVx8kI1-nofP3JHLz5M35vjYxtxf0OY9de4vI4DhDQs8khqyKrouic/s320/1378227_10202000911171060_887219614_n.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a short year ago, the tables were turned in this picture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We laughed and chatted for a bit, took more pics, and then
everyone was pretty much ready to head home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wanted a shower in the worst way, and was suddenly feeling like a nap
would be on the agenda as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two
things I DIDN’T want:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beer or food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would take until later that afternoon,
around 4pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The celebratory recovery
beer was opened and leftover pizza had never EVER tasted SOOOOOO GOOD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can’t even begin to thank my husband for all of the
support he gave me, not just by schlepping the kids all over Portland and
making it to each of the 4 spots I requested he be at in time to see me (while
getting Lauren to a potty every time she had to go!), but for helping rearrange
our schedules each weekend so I could get in all my crazy long training
runs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGL5uo6S_1NxliZJ76zy04Qynuea2ap98mr6SnNdRr4z574zGlmIiHp1rtOBRmJxmdwOH3ClUr5M_oi49fvFr_DiRwHh2UNZCICIh2Ldi4XWYPrzAWH2fL5qUhnAKDwLQXZRZywlXCxiXS/s1600/1377198_10202170913216356_1201817084_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGL5uo6S_1NxliZJ76zy04Qynuea2ap98mr6SnNdRr4z574zGlmIiHp1rtOBRmJxmdwOH3ClUr5M_oi49fvFr_DiRwHh2UNZCICIh2Ldi4XWYPrzAWH2fL5qUhnAKDwLQXZRZywlXCxiXS/s320/1377198_10202170913216356_1201817084_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love my Family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My Girlfriends, my Best Running Friends (BRFs), are simply
amazing. The love and support from all of you I felt and carried with me all
26.2 miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And even though some of you
couldn’t make it on that Sunday, I felt your positive energy and carried it
with me the whole way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I <a href="http://rediscoveringrunning.blogspot.com/2013/11/cyndie-want-to-run-marathon-what.html" target="_blank">decided to run a Marathon,</a> I had a few goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1) to finish, hopefully before my 40<sup>th</sup>
birthday. ;-) 2) to finish strong and healthy and happy, 3) to maybe want to do
another one, and 4) I wanted to enjoy the experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m happy to say that I had the BEST TIME
running this Marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m so glad that
I stopped when I did for potty stops, pictures, hugs, high 5s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The experience wouldn’t have been as much fun
without all of that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m thrilled with
my time, 4:04:52.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For what it's worth, I passed 345 runners in the last 5 miles of the Marathon. Yeah, that mat was a cool thing! And I’m ready to do it
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without so many stops next time.
;-)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGffsfHCmLsUuC-EHW6CXkVV2XoUPncd_TTYS0fwGBoIl5WfOTMnhtibIfPXSxuLoWkEx575-kysW5RIM6SoOIq-0drzYUUaBl9bAmT_uzrK4y9J71HVRsGHTg4BhHmAKLqnFRBk0A5q16/s1600/IMG_20131013_123632_523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGffsfHCmLsUuC-EHW6CXkVV2XoUPncd_TTYS0fwGBoIl5WfOTMnhtibIfPXSxuLoWkEx575-kysW5RIM6SoOIq-0drzYUUaBl9bAmT_uzrK4y9J71HVRsGHTg4BhHmAKLqnFRBk0A5q16/s320/IMG_20131013_123632_523.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9q12V_v9tpimHw8tYH1KhY2lqZeXqigw26d3u8uC5C4cTs6lF_v3Z4XiMwGEpFGOrv6npx1dUAnlFEv5MvWPqq5IXUkW64XH97K7-Yu26EhN__cs5VFQwWsNeOake3sV9xqZMLr3kRvY/s1600/certificate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9q12V_v9tpimHw8tYH1KhY2lqZeXqigw26d3u8uC5C4cTs6lF_v3Z4XiMwGEpFGOrv6npx1dUAnlFEv5MvWPqq5IXUkW64XH97K7-Yu26EhN__cs5VFQwWsNeOake3sV9xqZMLr3kRvY/s320/certificate.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
LatteLoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527801963377439758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147565364257871700.post-39997530628295909712013-11-19T22:24:00.001-08:002013-11-19T22:24:56.352-08:00'Twas the Day and Night Before the Marathon...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Saturday morning, we headed downtown for the kid's race and Family Festival and Expo. Andrew and Lauren were both racing at Lincoln HS. Lauren's race was 1/2 mile and Andrew's was 1 mile. We got there early, and the kids enjoyed the rock wall, the large inflatable obstacle course, and the sunshine. Each kiddo did a great job in their race, keeping their pace and not going out too hard. Both had a great kick at the end!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8muhCFPzJRwOnxrGv_rzVgvrqB3KugcQYO-mFju6xRTeGc745hAK-UJJL7RWgSWW92dnDJ-s8Rykwimq1Mc5oRUSl1M40o046D8PGwa80Qj6li723tTvcIcbqkfsRH8VnXnIVab4TjFK/s1600/IMG_20131005_084233_602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8muhCFPzJRwOnxrGv_rzVgvrqB3KugcQYO-mFju6xRTeGc745hAK-UJJL7RWgSWW92dnDJ-s8Rykwimq1Mc5oRUSl1M40o046D8PGwa80Qj6li723tTvcIcbqkfsRH8VnXnIVab4TjFK/s320/IMG_20131005_084233_602.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to Race!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7mSzDpPJTwrGoP_PjTzSOHqUAWqys-dZgeOLdhS4nzN3U08oixx5xIFkye0GrWzWp0QfwElGfdmJR4J1Po7y3jdta_vUZvkfLjhemFaQ5IXGAMZv8jq-8N6DqyMrrJ48iEwQxlPaXyVai/s1600/IMG_20131005_084950_506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7mSzDpPJTwrGoP_PjTzSOHqUAWqys-dZgeOLdhS4nzN3U08oixx5xIFkye0GrWzWp0QfwElGfdmJR4J1Po7y3jdta_vUZvkfLjhemFaQ5IXGAMZv8jq-8N6DqyMrrJ48iEwQxlPaXyVai/s320/IMG_20131005_084950_506.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He made it to the top!</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCB5kaZzYOQHDKdKqnp0WgxujfeaGVJMv5HBlIBv-aWvjfgdd__yz65mGaPshZZYX47TARv_DL0l8rDJ37FCHu8NWhXUx6lHCmmV3RzKTtavTH54D8Ch9LlIdGLzQd3ZRZZqfV0sArXcfB/s1600/IMG_20131005_100015_814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCB5kaZzYOQHDKdKqnp0WgxujfeaGVJMv5HBlIBv-aWvjfgdd__yz65mGaPshZZYX47TARv_DL0l8rDJ37FCHu8NWhXUx6lHCmmV3RzKTtavTH54D8Ch9LlIdGLzQd3ZRZZqfV0sArXcfB/s320/IMG_20131005_100015_814.jpg" width="235" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBraZiiRlgOV7L-0WPmZdoBuiGc1m2e_-4Anb1kkgC7lWgAAm_81jF5hoNE290mnE1ovr6nYFCcPU0hu2J7qUKVHCUzGDdJ3_RKpUTqt16DYZwCsh0YxG_Az3cUNo_jjZgqfKY1IJXSG4a/s1600/IMG_20131005_094444_253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBraZiiRlgOV7L-0WPmZdoBuiGc1m2e_-4Anb1kkgC7lWgAAm_81jF5hoNE290mnE1ovr6nYFCcPU0hu2J7qUKVHCUzGDdJ3_RKpUTqt16DYZwCsh0YxG_Az3cUNo_jjZgqfKY1IJXSG4a/s320/IMG_20131005_094444_253.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
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After their races, we headed to the Expo to pick up
my race bib and check out some of the booths. I picked up a nice long
sleeve shirt, and a coffee mug, but the kids were restless and we didn't
really need to spend any more time there. It was a great expo though, and I probably could have done some more damage had they not been begging to leave. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUDN1Eeq-6mhtOm4IJpYeAyXXvJ2Z0rH8iv-V1KkPBQG5Sz613zOy2WwQ17ah39jcOeAKKWF6X_2vvK0zeFgi270TDg6gbNOJhGi5qR0APUeH5mvV2HsPRWqLjYR6O-4IoX8ooPld__Hd/s1600/IMG_20131005_112451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUDN1Eeq-6mhtOm4IJpYeAyXXvJ2Z0rH8iv-V1KkPBQG5Sz613zOy2WwQ17ah39jcOeAKKWF6X_2vvK0zeFgi270TDg6gbNOJhGi5qR0APUeH5mvV2HsPRWqLjYR6O-4IoX8ooPld__Hd/s320/IMG_20131005_112451.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
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Later that day, I was stressing about what I was going to eat, wear, and IF
I was going to get any sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided
I needed what has never failed me before… 2 IPAs and pizza.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>DELICIOUS beer and pizza.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, I live in Portland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can’t throw a rock without hitting a
place that serves awesome beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pizza is
a different story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I made Amy and
Audrey and their families drive over to HUB for the celebratory beer and pizza
pre-thon dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And pretzels, and
hummus, and salad, and veggies, and…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>well, I WAS carbo-loading after all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Happy to report I stopped at the 2 IPAs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s a well-tested recipe for success that I don’t mess with. ;-)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amy couldn’t wait to give me the beautiful
necklace she bought me from Run Molly Run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She also threw in a 26.2 car magnet… I was super excited to slap that on
my minivan the next day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We finalized
our plans for the morning, and headed home to get some sleep. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvuf-muQ6XrgT0PCISlA2ydKSUWLUF95zQtfxWyZUTdWtL-btIMUwcfk9ywAw9tyraPUsWzG974_kuvgVZ6fKX-emgrhXifsDGmaxu-0Y2654VIdyJ8hjVjx6tkskbZii8uCbBLEpRBTi/s1600/IMG_20131005_174004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvuf-muQ6XrgT0PCISlA2ydKSUWLUF95zQtfxWyZUTdWtL-btIMUwcfk9ywAw9tyraPUsWzG974_kuvgVZ6fKX-emgrhXifsDGmaxu-0Y2654VIdyJ8hjVjx6tkskbZii8uCbBLEpRBTi/s320/IMG_20131005_174004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgN0huATBGe0NP67inmoRBGmCogDgpLzsjO5JAcmEBywVFo4vtcyqWsSq9a9dnMR3H4Rp5yh8HP2bnUS6kw9F6GX04KgkUbM54sMNdN8osjs8gUkgUYWdPmh-LvLB_39vtpeygAgcH7IO/s1600/IMG_20131005_213823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgN0huATBGe0NP67inmoRBGmCogDgpLzsjO5JAcmEBywVFo4vtcyqWsSq9a9dnMR3H4Rp5yh8HP2bnUS6kw9F6GX04KgkUbM54sMNdN8osjs8gUkgUYWdPmh-LvLB_39vtpeygAgcH7IO/s320/IMG_20131005_213823.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before I closed my eyes, I did a final check of facebook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was overwhelmed by the generous and
supportive messages from family and friends near and far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many notes wishing me well, and words of
encouragement and support from those that had been there, done that, so many
times before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those words meant the
world to me, and I held them close to my heart all 26.2 miles...</div>
LatteLoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527801963377439758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147565364257871700.post-4801342739798381212013-11-03T09:45:00.000-08:002013-11-03T12:51:36.964-08:00Cyndie Wants to Run A MARATHON?!?! What?!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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It’s a pretty amazing day for the Marathon world. The NYC
Marathon is being televised on ESPN. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
impressive watching the elite runners, effortlessly cover 26.2 miles and look
like they’re barely breaking a sweat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But my favorite part is watching the wave starts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watching the weekend warriors, out there fulfilling
a dream, cross that start line with the excitement and anticipation of the day washing
over them to the sound of Frank Sinatra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It brought a flood of memories back to the start of the Portland
Marathon, my first, just a month ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was then that I realized, I had never taken the time to write down my thoughts
from that amazing day… Or even, why I wanted to do this in the first
place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I’m breaking this up into two
posts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel like each thought deserves
its own story.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cyndie Wants to Run a Marathon?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WHAT?!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Running a marathon wasn’t something I EVER wanted to do. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>EVER. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t about believing I could do it, I
just never had the desire to go 26.2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
sister ran the Chicago Marathon in 2005, and while I was super impressed, I was
never overcome with the desire to run one myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fast-forward a few years, another baby, and
regular attendance at Stroller Strides… I was suddenly surrounded with friends
who made their health and fitness a priority.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The races started with a few 5 and 10Ks, and very quickly jumped to that
elusive Half Marathon that I had failed to complete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So fitting that my first Half would be the<a href="http://rediscoveringrunning.blogspot.com/2012/08/girlfriendsin-life-and-in-racing.html" target="_blank"> Girlfriend’s Half</a>, a race that I never miss each year now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My running buddies and I enjoyed
participating in these races, as time spent with Girlfriends is never a dull
moment (the post-race beer that follows just about every Portland race makes
for a fun morning as well).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRR6CTBqEhMrlhtDdMe3_xXTO-jF-MXnfn6YtJT8Ulu6Rn3Q5SXEI_PTyI1Rt9hzEdJ-5DET0HZs2vzuKfB-SUoP6H4RuVGusWoSBWOWQpsATD_YyZmxehRip23K0YwYvv01vs61GK2yZA/s1600/IMG_6255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRR6CTBqEhMrlhtDdMe3_xXTO-jF-MXnfn6YtJT8Ulu6Rn3Q5SXEI_PTyI1Rt9hzEdJ-5DET0HZs2vzuKfB-SUoP6H4RuVGusWoSBWOWQpsATD_YyZmxehRip23K0YwYvv01vs61GK2yZA/s320/IMG_6255.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge to Brews 10K... CHEERS!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hAmnc6ony_KhiZ2P0Qvbx2skOwHL81AY5wT88v6YlDrx_0Qz73zUiZqZD6k9V4uXmDvWZv1mJGNCYkUDwTVq3QfEPF1kOSSEULtwLRHO3GqERzo4TnzXGvHbKQlQxlgl4XEsF8rX49c5/s1600/IMG_20130317_095327_649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hAmnc6ony_KhiZ2P0Qvbx2skOwHL81AY5wT88v6YlDrx_0Qz73zUiZqZD6k9V4uXmDvWZv1mJGNCYkUDwTVq3QfEPF1kOSSEULtwLRHO3GqERzo4TnzXGvHbKQlQxlgl4XEsF8rX49c5/s320/IMG_20130317_095327_649.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shamrock Run 15K... CHEERS! (see the theme?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UAP7LoPBjuJnPIPWdLrN4yqu-d9oAyGgeiECoIcKUdPDiuN17g0Mhk-UgkhvRPbtEIVPGbFNoQrYS2eOlI5Gjkmg5ErLdp3eWyzFnm-0ynfJuH_6ml9P8Rl6irYktw9yfcQhfxU7h0UP/s1600/October+iPhone+2011+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UAP7LoPBjuJnPIPWdLrN4yqu-d9oAyGgeiECoIcKUdPDiuN17g0Mhk-UgkhvRPbtEIVPGbFNoQrYS2eOlI5Gjkmg5ErLdp3eWyzFnm-0ynfJuH_6ml9P8Rl6irYktw9yfcQhfxU7h0UP/s320/October+iPhone+2011+024.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girlfriend's Half... with LOTS of Girlfriends!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Participating” eventually turned into “racing” and Personal
Records (PRs) would never stand for long without feeling that desire to beat
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2012, I trained with one of my Best
Running Friends (BRF), Marianne, as she worked her way towards the Portland
Marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would join her for much of
her long runs (never more than 14 miles…that one was tough for me), and I was
in awe of what she was pushing her body to continue to do after I would drop
off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was spent after our long runs
together, and she still had 4, 5, even 6 more miles to go!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marathon day, I was fortunate enough to jump
in and run a few miles of the race with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She was so strong, relaxed and confident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Proper training had brought her to the start
line confident, ready to run and able to finish strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
so excited for her, and I was honored to jump in and run part with her.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLORVYuqRxFEW0CKBolVSrCXJouXCNjFUjDf2nsWeSNVBbJIqTGqmMc1IR-SfvBYbklvgE878SAH9-dOKRysr9-K1bb4fvnIvKIFDfb4E8A-LHbm7H4fjU0jyamKg362mpkZb_qtnG6HaC/s1600/258761_4591918522697_1582814813_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLORVYuqRxFEW0CKBolVSrCXJouXCNjFUjDf2nsWeSNVBbJIqTGqmMc1IR-SfvBYbklvgE878SAH9-dOKRysr9-K1bb4fvnIvKIFDfb4E8A-LHbm7H4fjU0jyamKg362mpkZb_qtnG6HaC/s320/258761_4591918522697_1582814813_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating Marianne's STRONG finish of 26.2!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSghsZOM4Ac-0wNsZ82cjR6WA70bdVmopoejrOUoFWdt5rb9LVAZvrEhZpCUrbXsXMX-zszTTC1x5vpp1izJfNQWpQpsZzGex7rTqZLcS_J8BdgTVlborSWlrGrceamdk2iVz9VkRtcpjL/s1600/IMG_4911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSghsZOM4Ac-0wNsZ82cjR6WA70bdVmopoejrOUoFWdt5rb9LVAZvrEhZpCUrbXsXMX-zszTTC1x5vpp1izJfNQWpQpsZzGex7rTqZLcS_J8BdgTVlborSWlrGrceamdk2iVz9VkRtcpjL/s320/IMG_4911.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marianne and I after our first Sub2 Half!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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After one particular training
run with Marianne a few weeks before race day, I came home and registered for
my first 26.2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Portland Marathon
2013.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That “runner’s high” is strong
stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes you do crazy things
(like register for a Marathon over a year away!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
decided that after a few years of running, training for, and eventually racing plenty
of Half Marathons, it was time to tackle the full deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I was going to do it before my 40<sup>th</sup>
birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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So at the end of 2012, 2013 was already shaping up to be a
challenging and rewarding year for my running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was registered for the Eugene Half (April 2013), which I planned to <a href="http://rediscoveringrunning.blogspot.com/2013/04/13-weeks-to-clarity.html" target="_blank">train hard to break my own PR on</a>, I was registered for several other half
marathons to run with friends for fun, and I was looking forward to Hood to
Coast with my Girlfriends!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Portland
Marathon was going to be a culmination of an amazing year of running and
training and time with my Girlfriends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
had no expectations for the Marathon (yet), I was just excited to see what I
could do…</div>
LatteLoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527801963377439758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147565364257871700.post-28739872181894682442013-06-14T13:54:00.000-07:002013-11-03T10:05:11.563-08:00Guest Post on Another Mother RunnerI was thrilled to be asked by Sarah Bowen Shea, of Another Mother Runner, to run the Happy Girl Half Marathon in Bend, OR over Memorial Day Weekend and then write up a Race Report for her. Loved the race, loved the experience of writing about it. I need to remember to take the time to do this more often.<br />
<br />
Here is the race report from the <a href="http://anothermotherrunner.com/2013/05/30/race-reports-happy-girls-run-half-marathon/" target="_blank">Happy Girl Half</a>, edited by SBS. ;-)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTO33G2H9i8ZRQsYdQs3oDEKWXMsyufn1TfkSUTMyJgf-PqMXlcS2_NAdMObSAZm2oh-s10snFg68ZoynUhzlIpV24Qp9xJwpoVqf26y9S5Z1TR6kJYcMF-pSBfMPHa0XE8Z8SsAMU_a7Y/s1600/IMG_20130527_185104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTO33G2H9i8ZRQsYdQs3oDEKWXMsyufn1TfkSUTMyJgf-PqMXlcS2_NAdMObSAZm2oh-s10snFg68ZoynUhzlIpV24Qp9xJwpoVqf26y9S5Z1TR6kJYcMF-pSBfMPHa0XE8Z8SsAMU_a7Y/s320/IMG_20130527_185104.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
<br />LatteLoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527801963377439758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147565364257871700.post-25112747106706212072013-05-27T22:22:00.002-07:002013-05-28T14:03:37.601-07:00Fun Run…Girls on the Run Helping Others<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->This is my second year of coaching <a href="http://www.girlsontherunpdx.org/" target="_blank">Girls on the Run</a> at Oak
Hills Elementary, and each year has been so rewarding and meaningful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As part of their curriculum, each group is
required to develop and implement a Community Impact Project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We start this process by asking the girls to
discuss ideas they are passionate about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then they form groups and present one big idea that we, as a team, can
do within the time frame of our Girls on the Run session, to make a difference
in the community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After presenting three
great ideas, the runners up were: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1)
Environmental clean-up at the school, and 2) Making toys for the animals at the
Humane Society because, as one girls said, “Not everyone can have a pet, but
everyone can make a difference in the lives of animals.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My eyes are still a little misty after
hearing that one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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The winner, that almost the entire team voted for, was to
organize a Fun Run for the Food Bank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The girls wanted to host a 1 mile run at our school track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They decided to charge $2 or pantry food for
the race entry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They made posters to
hang all over school, and asked permission to go into all the classrooms to
make an announcement about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such
great lessons and experience!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As their
coach, I took the liberty of blasting the information all over Facebook and in
emails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My dear friend, and co-coach for
the other GOTR team at Oak Hills, Amy Little (Race Director of <a href="http://www.causeandeventportland.com/" target="_blank">Cause + Event Portland</a>), graciously offered up extra Cause + Event race bibs for us to use
and feel “legit.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girls planned to
have an aid station with water cups, and a start/finish banner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Race day rain didn’t dampen their spirits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was pouring for much of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all showed up at 4pm to set up the
course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girls brought chalk to write
inspirational phrases all around the track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We set up a canopy with an aid station, filling Dixie cups with
water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girls set up the registration
table, ready to make change and collect food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Several of the girls brought their collections of silly bands to pass
out to the runners as they completed each of their four laps, before heading
down the finish chute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They thought of
everything, and a little rain didn’t seem to matter much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For us Oregonians, it almost made it perfect. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqXGJZAVZdI2YSuvhNVx5qPIvvfsT_3Jgrz44JY_wBIe4ybN6zSw7sMrhNXKv1FLk6HeGs6K6i_SuZO5mQXDVfW2afk3B76GugNYl6R01xgvL7kdlhK1yRuYMNr58BzZrNGPkF13oKMVC/s1600/IMG_8167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqXGJZAVZdI2YSuvhNVx5qPIvvfsT_3Jgrz44JY_wBIe4ybN6zSw7sMrhNXKv1FLk6HeGs6K6i_SuZO5mQXDVfW2afk3B76GugNYl6R01xgvL7kdlhK1yRuYMNr58BzZrNGPkF13oKMVC/s320/IMG_8167.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aid station crew</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marking the course</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSW78Oq4f63xuNcKSkHvg0TuXDis44YtIiXbuNjd_SLS3_lAJU0GnytJQHYim1S5nI1vxCb1nuR2VtbZy-NyxejxrtQBKd-sPJYklO6JecV_Yv5fNKa-YIXzGVPQhpjTsVdX3igVIsMtro/s1600/IMG_8164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSW78Oq4f63xuNcKSkHvg0TuXDis44YtIiXbuNjd_SLS3_lAJU0GnytJQHYim1S5nI1vxCb1nuR2VtbZy-NyxejxrtQBKd-sPJYklO6JecV_Yv5fNKa-YIXzGVPQhpjTsVdX3igVIsMtro/s320/IMG_8164.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The registration crew</td></tr>
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We had advertised registration to open at 4:15pm, and we had
people waiting with food and money in hand!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The girls were practically giddy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My parents were in town, so my Dad grabbed my camera and started taking
pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so happy he did!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By 4:30pm, when we had said the run would
start, there were still people lined up waiting to register.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was so humbled by our community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had
families, friends, strangers who had heard about it on Facebook, and teachers
come out to support our Girls and their mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So so so grateful to everyone. I counted at least 65 runners! Amazing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Runners waiting to register</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBK30lsLkB38ed-BZ8Aq4kpY5vck8Ns-Dk3RqGSGC4dj_fUDZGPuneFEoA9tqEyRY2LVFl-ZMPWY_Y2i_isP2tMKx6gu18GEuUC0hHBIhBjKL4ASGaAt1Ovg_0IM6e1BGsHYkFCDVk6NzI/s1600/IMG_8211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBK30lsLkB38ed-BZ8Aq4kpY5vck8Ns-Dk3RqGSGC4dj_fUDZGPuneFEoA9tqEyRY2LVFl-ZMPWY_Y2i_isP2tMKx6gu18GEuUC0hHBIhBjKL4ASGaAt1Ovg_0IM6e1BGsHYkFCDVk6NzI/s320/IMG_8211.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girls excited to get this run started!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some last-minute instructions...</td></tr>
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<br />
At 4:35, I gave the runners a few instructions, thanked
everyone for coming out to help us help those in our community who are hungry,
sent the girls off to their posts, and headed up to the track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An anxious group of boys (my son included)
were at the front of the line, ready to take off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girls counted them down, and they were
off!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each lap, runners were given a
silly band so they could keep track of their distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After they collected 4 bands, they were led
off the track to the finisher’s chute, where two of the girls waited with a
finish banner and many lined the chute with High 5’s!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The aid station was a hit, and the girls even
kept the track clean of cups for the runners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And they're OFF!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKc7IbAXK2jYX2SmgIeKtsr8hjSGPePinfuqQkUWd13bCStbzjn_FnBYtBEmyrPx40Ms_jVJCgtgvTV9BBcR4d2nT5wIPB8btixGlCILWwn8Yf9Yvfb4_Ic9XXR2boVPaNAWv_7miDLkzG/s1600/IMG_8239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKc7IbAXK2jYX2SmgIeKtsr8hjSGPePinfuqQkUWd13bCStbzjn_FnBYtBEmyrPx40Ms_jVJCgtgvTV9BBcR4d2nT5wIPB8btixGlCILWwn8Yf9Yvfb4_Ic9XXR2boVPaNAWv_7miDLkzG/s320/IMG_8239.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many community members came out to support our cause</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfkqqf47UkZRsIUXfunCOLrk674M2umHBDFRayceP0YDj0YGUZnnWkN9ilKSzZ_Cf0evxs5A_8WEyXbZnIwf0dWkjnGK_4MdgTdOKXylm0LhLQlEOQCOoviBrkMxIprRsuGBAMcDpWmtI/s1600/IMG_8241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfkqqf47UkZRsIUXfunCOLrk674M2umHBDFRayceP0YDj0YGUZnnWkN9ilKSzZ_Cf0evxs5A_8WEyXbZnIwf0dWkjnGK_4MdgTdOKXylm0LhLQlEOQCOoviBrkMxIprRsuGBAMcDpWmtI/s320/IMG_8241.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lauren and I running our laps</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AigwlW3BWC7bMYL6XFmOrzImyDfGHGh4iuc_YcR7hcLLLTktzOtkMU297zIhhbAhj9UGGIlvv0CZNxchUzNIF9h63TjLcepo_lig8SoG_9hQfYP6u7R_E3IiL9TTFImmNAX0VhrFv7Hq/s1600/IMG_8247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AigwlW3BWC7bMYL6XFmOrzImyDfGHGh4iuc_YcR7hcLLLTktzOtkMU297zIhhbAhj9UGGIlvv0CZNxchUzNIF9h63TjLcepo_lig8SoG_9hQfYP6u7R_E3IiL9TTFImmNAX0VhrFv7Hq/s320/IMG_8247.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Finish Line!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGy3WQuDf8_FDPnFjw7NcYMLyuTmelOXmSlMtxktjwqoBlnYsyRqqs0ZNI1SQbxY7wB6NZJkRI3Ubt8tEc-bQhuwUOcELMR6rw-cThCUpy9WEXhSbTOh5lODR6HA7-_MXAuilP1xFctcbT/s1600/IMG_8256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGy3WQuDf8_FDPnFjw7NcYMLyuTmelOXmSlMtxktjwqoBlnYsyRqqs0ZNI1SQbxY7wB6NZJkRI3Ubt8tEc-bQhuwUOcELMR6rw-cThCUpy9WEXhSbTOh5lODR6HA7-_MXAuilP1xFctcbT/s320/IMG_8256.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girls on the Run is SO much FUN!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Future Girls on the Run</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
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When all of the runners had finished, Caryn and I gathered
the girls together, and we ran one lap as a team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we rounded the corner of the track to the
finish chute, we noticed that all of the participants had lined the chute with
their arms in an arch for us to run through!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Smiles all around, and our hearts so so happy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNYF3WWN23wgTXfYODrWPrA8ixKUOqAiIw9nP6ca3u8Mr4060khX4awNKsm_Fba9RFatYBvrSoyYQIaFBaC2HsR7Z2o4Txj-0a0_vnYz_lowJqn5EPHurGqiIg3f7jew0MEdhZeyQr-LP/s1600/IMG_8290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNYF3WWN23wgTXfYODrWPrA8ixKUOqAiIw9nP6ca3u8Mr4060khX4awNKsm_Fba9RFatYBvrSoyYQIaFBaC2HsR7Z2o4Txj-0a0_vnYz_lowJqn5EPHurGqiIg3f7jew0MEdhZeyQr-LP/s320/IMG_8290.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Girls...Happy Hearts!</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
When it was all said and done, we raised just over $200 and
3 wagon-loads of food (totaling 185 pounds) for the local food bank!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now our girls have one last week before hitting the streets of downtown
Portland with their Running Buddies for the Starlight Run 5K!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzfRmAPymaQfxC0TIEPkmkFo_zm29sAdjkgcXlrV0VfAOZoU4CkNX9PmBnMJjqH3FYufV4Jv5Hni8ZmAbnfbk2qbtWzdgM4ZQhln6vXeAbjOQGttKnAdd0zx8d4sjjDOTau7f1JPjGYKk/s1600/IMG_8311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzfRmAPymaQfxC0TIEPkmkFo_zm29sAdjkgcXlrV0VfAOZoU4CkNX9PmBnMJjqH3FYufV4Jv5Hni8ZmAbnfbk2qbtWzdgM4ZQhln6vXeAbjOQGttKnAdd0zx8d4sjjDOTau7f1JPjGYKk/s320/IMG_8311.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doing good FEELS good!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
LatteLoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527801963377439758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147565364257871700.post-70857261383613616012013-04-09T13:39:00.000-07:002013-04-10T11:55:20.286-07:0013 Weeks to Clarity...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>Dates are important to people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We connect a lot of meaning to important
dates in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Birthdays, anniversaries,
losing loved ones, medical diagnosis, triumph over tragedy… some dates we
celebrate with smiles, and others with tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today is one of those days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>April 9<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’ll get to that part in a little bit… </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am training for a Half Marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve done 8 half<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>marathons (and countless other races, relays,
and even a few triathlons).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This half marathon is different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A big goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One that, just a few short months ago, seemed insurmountable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unreasonable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Un REACHable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>April 9<sup>th</sup>.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On January 28<sup>th</sup>, 2013, I began following my first
Training Plan for the Eugene Half Marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s a 13 week program from Train Like A Mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a big <s>stalker</s> fan of the <a href="http://anothermotherrunner.com/">Another Mother Runner</a> authors, I follow their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AnotherMotherRunner">Facebook page</a>, and have been to a few of the book readings and
get-togethers here in Portland, as one of the authors lives here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had developed a nice base of miles, and
felt like taking on the “Own It” plan would be a good fit. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a big goal, after all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the time, I just wanted another PR.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe even shed a few more minutes off of my
previous best of 1:56:36.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least, that’s
what I would say out loud. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll be
happy with 1:53.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in my head, I knew
what I really wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And those first
two weeks on the plan were a shock to the system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No workout was tremendously hard, but when I
was asked to push my pace, I just didn’t feel like I had it in me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t reach down and find that extra
something I needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had done the math
about 1,000 times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew what pace I
would need to average for 13.1 miles if I wanted to achieve my REAL goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My silent goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I couldn’t even push the pace of the goal
I kept saying I wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was trying to convince myself that I didn’t
really have it in me to be a faster runner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe I had capped out?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I plugged along with the plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honestly, I really really enjoyed following a
training plan!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved having my
workouts laid out for me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew exactly
what I needed to do, and I trusted that following this plan would eventually
get me to where I wanted to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It mixed
easy runs, tempo work, intervals, hill repeats, and long long long mileage runs
on the weekend, with sections of miles where you were to push race pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was new to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normally, I just picked a number and ran that
many miles, and checked it off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I quit
my swim class after a while, because it just got to be too much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to focus on running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My body was keeping up, so I figured I would
just go with it and see what happens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The plan capped out in mileage on week 9, with a 15 mile
run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leading up to this week, I had been
doing double digit weekend runs for 8 weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>15 miles was the longest run I had ever done, AND I was supposed to push
race pace for 6 of those miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Um,
whuck?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My BRF, Amy, and I headed down
to my favorite place in Portland to run: the waterfront loop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She needed to do her long run (10 miles!), so
we planned to do the loop, and then I would head back out for the last 5 miles
on my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a beautiful, glorious
spring day in Portland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And being on the
waterfront made it more beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
many people out enjoying the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cherry
tree blossoms falling like snow (aaachooo!), and lots of friendly waves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25PNRWjL3JGciuycbJC0dXFxGnYmZ9NSpn3anao-DDjf8V7QadXT66BhIxejqEvkyyeJHpsAAXym8wDeZQCVv-cbGr2_1MUhQOW_5I5XLONGSGoykAAW3XbMF4y-JwgKEcvy1mLBFlZwL/s1600/amy+and+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25PNRWjL3JGciuycbJC0dXFxGnYmZ9NSpn3anao-DDjf8V7QadXT66BhIxejqEvkyyeJHpsAAXym8wDeZQCVv-cbGr2_1MUhQOW_5I5XLONGSGoykAAW3XbMF4y-JwgKEcvy1mLBFlZwL/s320/amy+and+me.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>We stopped to take pics, fuel, drink plenty
of water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pushed the pace hard for my
last 6 miles, and my last mile was close to race pace!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That run pretty much wiped me out for a
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you listen to the AMR podcasts,
a recent discussion they had was with the woman who developed their training
plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sarah asked her MY question,
which was “My friends all want to know why on earth I am running such high
mileage when I’m just training for a half?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her answer: on the Own It plan, your goal is usually time related, and
not just about crossing the finish line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When you run 13, 14, 15 miles during your training, you aren’t concerned
anymore about weather or not you CAN do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You already know you CAN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead, you can focus on pushing your pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hmmm, sounds about right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wouldn’t know just how RIGHT she was until
the next week.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like I said, that 15 miler wiped me OUT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I slogged thru my training runs the next
week, and even skipped one day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Interestingly enough, the plan backed waaaay off during this recovery
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost like she knew we would be
wiped out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(She did.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next Saturday was a 12 miler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing special about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just 12 miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This one I did on my own, I had to fit it in
before Andrew’s baseball practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I
ran my miles around my house in the Bethany area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It ain’t flat around here, folks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it was all said and done, I looked down
at my watch and was shocked at my pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had just banged out 12 miles at darn near race pace, and had enough
left to kick it in at the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt
like a rock star!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the whole time,
you know what I was thinking?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“12 miles
is nothing after that 15 miler!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yep,
those gals know what they’re talking about for sure. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZjTXxho_7Nv-QotdaqSdaZKEqtRYikLcWcPsZCC_EfoGiu6__Dl0h0P4YbFVcUfl2XIeu7RRSzousus-hSU20el470cPsEBm9xIIPecvdVUgzCrIgIDYWqmMq_2hG5Qu6ut03PlniEsA/s1600/me+a+nd+my+shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZjTXxho_7Nv-QotdaqSdaZKEqtRYikLcWcPsZCC_EfoGiu6__Dl0h0P4YbFVcUfl2XIeu7RRSzousus-hSU20el470cPsEBm9xIIPecvdVUgzCrIgIDYWqmMq_2hG5Qu6ut03PlniEsA/s320/me+a+nd+my+shirt.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Which brings me to today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Today was what I considered the hardest training run on the plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even more difficult that the 15 miler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was 7 miles, with 5 straight miles at
tempo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, it took me a while to completely
understand what tempo meant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basically,
it’s pushing yourself past your comfort level for longer distances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Uncomfortably hard, is what some will
say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About 15-20 seconds faster than
your goal race pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And today, I needed
to do that for FIVE MILES.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
nervous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But after my rock star 12 mile
run, I knew I could do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I wanted
to see if I could push my pace a little faster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So I got on the mill, did my warm up, set the pace for 7:47, and found
my rhythm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had 5 miles to think, and a
lot of things went through my head during that run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never once did I think I needed to stop, or
that I wouldn’t be able to finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
fact, I sped up during the last half mile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I thought a lot about the date, and what it was supposed to be and what
it had become…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today, I should have been celebrating my 2<sup>nd</sup>
child’s 7<sup>th</sup> birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>7 years
ago, today was the due date of our 2<sup>nd</sup> pregnancy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
remember the date that I knew we would not be celebrating this birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>August 14<sup>th</sup>, 2005.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The months following were difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was looking for an outlet for my
sadness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to dwell on this,
because this date has come to mean so much more to me over the years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
the day I became a runner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The funny
part is, I didn’t actually run at all on that date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had signed up to run the Race for the Roses
on April 9<sup>th</sup>, 2006.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was
supposed to be my due date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During my training, I became pregnant with
Lauren.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lauren, my light, my love, my special
girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God had a plan for our family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Lauren was a part of that plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good things come to those who wait. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuu04dFRz_UYMKizRErrD1-Y4WoId5LZb_I_3P4Ekt5FYhlsbH5nr2ORpd91hh6tTMEbRL6d3xoDiYvB4HpylYxx9etzViABdl9ShepWHEEFe7ZRdVHf4EJ5KrBOlWX35XbO-AwbdPiv_d/s1600/IMG_5649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuu04dFRz_UYMKizRErrD1-Y4WoId5LZb_I_3P4Ekt5FYhlsbH5nr2ORpd91hh6tTMEbRL6d3xoDiYvB4HpylYxx9etzViABdl9ShepWHEEFe7ZRdVHf4EJ5KrBOlWX35XbO-AwbdPiv_d/s320/IMG_5649.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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And all of the sudden, my five miles were up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had done it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had pushed myself faster and farther than I
thought I ever could a few short months ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am more confident in myself, I am stronger, and I am faster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">And my
goal for Eugene is 1:48</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so
excited for that weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many people
I know are going down there to tackle the half and the FULL marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some hoping to BQ for the first time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m looking forward to spending time with my
girlfriends that I don’t get to see nearly enough anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know how I will feel on race
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I don’t make my time goal, I can
still be so proud of my training and hard work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know now that I am capable of that time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just need to go get it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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And then head for 26.2…</div>
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LatteLoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527801963377439758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147565364257871700.post-41463927518739324222012-08-16T10:47:00.001-07:002012-08-16T11:18:11.607-07:00Another Dream...and a NightmareMy friend and neighbor, Amy, came to me one day (OK, we were probably sitting in the driveway, watching the kids play, drinking wine already...but I digress...) and shared with me a dream of hers: She was starting a new race (hopefully a Nationwide Series!) and wanted me in on it. The concept was brilliant: Your Cause, Our Event... runners could choose a charity of their choice to run for when they registered, and proceeds from the race would be given to multiple charities! I was already a few months into helping plan the <a href="http://reasontorun.com/races/ladybug.html">Ladybug Run</a> (which will be one of the featured charities!) with my friend, Liz, so I said, "Sure!" Amy already had experience in this whole "creating a race" department, as she created the <a href="http://sandpointchamber.org/TheScenicHalf.html">Sandpoint Half Marathon</a> while working for the Chamber of Commerce. <a href="http://www.causeandeventportland.com/">Cause and Event Portland</a> was born...<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTpJvD1neCA03OOUq9zBwoX1mGFc9NGeM6YU3g8ga1nRM821tVq92SoS1GahWlr-1XID5Q4Vc7PrfgXzUYVaIi9WL2U4iudrgrOKoXqOCLW1hoWpIRPT7KnWCxSh4p49rWLZXWmoTpbMt/s1600/Cause+and+Event+thumbnail.jpg" /></div>
<br />
I need to back up a bit, because although this post is absolutely meant to bring light to Cause and Event, it's more about the amazing chick driving that boat.<br />
<br />
Amy and her awesome family have lived on my street for three years now. She used to live WAAAAY down on the other corner (a whole 5 houses away), but last summer they moved across the street from me! We were thrilled, as this would make sitting in the driveway, watching the children play, and drinking wine SOOOO much easier! Her kids are awesome, and mine love playing with them. Win Win!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHgmgJJ6GRE8vSoB3jwKPDnXcNnbzXBeWLqVVMphUSoE77T7nqq5XfXhyarcdluHNAP5_9pV45-lsFE3HW-dNrTbbwHcYgO70trfA3JTL1N1ujmJWq6SrIw6D3VKf_6TTuurs9pqsATW6/s1600/photo%252847%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHgmgJJ6GRE8vSoB3jwKPDnXcNnbzXBeWLqVVMphUSoE77T7nqq5XfXhyarcdluHNAP5_9pV45-lsFE3HW-dNrTbbwHcYgO70trfA3JTL1N1ujmJWq6SrIw6D3VKf_6TTuurs9pqsATW6/s320/photo%252847%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome neighbors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've been running for a while, trying to get a little faster, and working with my friend Jessica on<a href="http://jessicajohns.tsfl.com/"> losing some weight</a>. Amy started running and shedding pounds last December, 2011. It was clear that she was a runner, and a natural athlete. I started meeting her in the driveway to run the neighborhood loops. For a while, I would run a few miles with Amy and then head out for more. That didn't last long. Amy started tacking on the miles, and soon we were enjoying weekday early-morning mid-mile runs, and weekend long runs together. Her first race was Shamrock 8K, and I could tell she was HOOKED. (Yesss!) More than hooked, Amy had a new goal: to run one race a month for the rest of the year. So I talked her into signing up for the <a href="http://www.nwpersonaltraining.com/subs/events/event_details.php?event_id=195">Girlfriend's Half</a>. Of course. (insert evil laugh here.) Honestly, it didn't take much convincing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9sOyLc7jDaA-_Bb3dDzM3ih7Wu9S9jb1La6FQnVYv0pKxt-HXJIH7FY6lzc-GNlW29WlkilugTFf5O0A-eVVsGT7KFYUWIKEN383aCHaN_KYfMXzTiczR_ald7N3lDQQX87NGWXJr3YS/s1600/IMG_5772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9sOyLc7jDaA-_Bb3dDzM3ih7Wu9S9jb1La6FQnVYv0pKxt-HXJIH7FY6lzc-GNlW29WlkilugTFf5O0A-eVVsGT7KFYUWIKEN383aCHaN_KYfMXzTiczR_ald7N3lDQQX87NGWXJr3YS/s320/IMG_5772.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother's Day 2012, Run Like A Mother 5K</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There are a lot of qualities I love about Amy, but one way were are very much alike is that we're both up for pretty much anything, and can be easily talked into doing something. VERY easily. <br />
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<br />
Case in point: <br />
<br />
<b>Me:</b> Hey Amy, wanna be on my EPIC Relay team in June? 12 Girlfriends, 2 days, lots of miles...<br />
<b>Amy</b>: Sure! Here's my check. Maybe I should start running more than 5 miles, damn Arthritic Toe! And Bursitis!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3o2wzXJ17uXv8i1olfn_h8248yuy7xlABWP23N_w27dIgMF5_lKB2URGJd9jK3V7Vv0JZZguyZHIlue3BRjbK3s8Ik-nTHuO4FHKjyLl4Q9g26MOC3yD_DftsyXYUOmQmHmeOjQQ0aTCC/s1600/IMG_5208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3o2wzXJ17uXv8i1olfn_h8248yuy7xlABWP23N_w27dIgMF5_lKB2URGJd9jK3V7Vv0JZZguyZHIlue3BRjbK3s8Ik-nTHuO4FHKjyLl4Q9g26MOC3yD_DftsyXYUOmQmHmeOjQQ0aTCC/s320/IMG_5208.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amy, bringin' it home to the finish of the EPIC Relay!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkqL8f9pd_MFZBBD4n39BlHYaxuBSvuVf7ZkY0g3mD3uCrZJNDaupZ3LuEkO_IwILq6ZMJrpNp8pO9FHBrkfn1c5-gIV-L8IUuCgXJPrNtnrlcKPtvCIlMGSNxWjnsQnKqHy_iUsku-at/s1600/182578_3971670737781_306040689_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkqL8f9pd_MFZBBD4n39BlHYaxuBSvuVf7ZkY0g3mD3uCrZJNDaupZ3LuEkO_IwILq6ZMJrpNp8pO9FHBrkfn1c5-gIV-L8IUuCgXJPrNtnrlcKPtvCIlMGSNxWjnsQnKqHy_iUsku-at/s320/182578_3971670737781_306040689_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amy, leading the Fueled By Fine Wine team across the finish!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YzVpsibGm5eoBOzsznBu8pC7XqDcsQPMoTtD3G1KLqPeX6Zs7FHFWHy1QRDWD9x3xR8DSbdL_eLFPnsBxJjfxUONN-BgIvW-WnRkAiIFhpzekz_qhytvvdO_9gFT7EcNTc8urAPImcQe/s1600/IMG_5176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YzVpsibGm5eoBOzsznBu8pC7XqDcsQPMoTtD3G1KLqPeX6Zs7FHFWHy1QRDWD9x3xR8DSbdL_eLFPnsBxJjfxUONN-BgIvW-WnRkAiIFhpzekz_qhytvvdO_9gFT7EcNTc8urAPImcQe/s320/IMG_5176.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post-EPIC Relay, and for "Snort Coffee out your Nose Funny"... read her <a href="http://blissandchaos.blogspot.com/2012/06/epic-adventure-part-1.html">recap on her blog</a>. It's in three parts. And each one is better than the last. Just like the relay. ;-)</td></tr>
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<b>Me</b>: Hey Amy, wanna do a Triathlon with me in July?<br />
<b>Amy</b>: Sure! (clickity click) I just signed up! Maybe I should start swimming and riding my bike again... Does spin class count? Can Chris get my bike working enough to do the race?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNI2IKQdEGwh7crLGis7lBs96gOUpJ83HAk86__1Vpu1LZBWnPt64OBn2U7sIPQuyDQqMmGuuVvzhDJt8if1V1ptiThA2GhKjOPmsTE0KfVHplB6hBRG6uZklunEQ8hl4wfZGCogRllr9d/s1600/IMG_2123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNI2IKQdEGwh7crLGis7lBs96gOUpJ83HAk86__1Vpu1LZBWnPt64OBn2U7sIPQuyDQqMmGuuVvzhDJt8if1V1ptiThA2GhKjOPmsTE0KfVHplB6hBRG6uZklunEQ8hl4wfZGCogRllr9d/s320/IMG_2123.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Lake Triathlon, 2012. Don't let the lack of a race bib fool you... Amy earned that medal.</td></tr>
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<b>Me</b>: You've got plenty of miles on your legs, sign up for the Girlfriend's Half! It's not till October.<b> </b><br />
<b>Amy:</b> Firemen, necklaces, and chocolate at the end? Oh yesser! I'm in!<br />
<br />
<br />
Ahhhh... A girl after my own heart.<br />
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<br />
One of the other great things about Amy is her willingness to help a friend out. Me, in this case. I had been struggling with getting my training runs in since the kids have been home from school (I know, I know... my working mother runner friends everywhere are rolling their eyes at me and saying "suck it up and get up early!"). Amy would offer to watch the kids play outside while I took off and got in 5-6 miles around the neighborhood. I will never ever forget one of those times.<br />
<br />
We were supposed to go for a run together early that morning, but Amy texted me the night before saying she had been nursing a fever and was taking some Tylenol and needed the sleep. She had a Doctor appointment the next day, and I was going to watch her kids. We do that a lot, since it's so great that the kids enjoy playing together. So she watched my kids play when I ran that morning. I did a quick 5.5 mile run, and when I came back, I noticed that her husband was home. Amy didn't beat around the bush. I was still turning off my iPod when she told me that Mark would be going to the Doc with her, and that her appointment might be longer than she originally though because she had BREAST CANCER. I let that sink in for about a millisecond before I clung to her in a sweaty hug. She literally found out while I was out running. She, of course, told me she would be FINE. Because that's what Amy does. Throughout her whole sucky ordeal, she was always trying to make others laugh and reassure US that SHE would be OK. Amy blogs about her life on her incredibly awesome blog, <a href="http://blissandchaos.blogspot.com/2012/07/i-am-that-one.html">Bliss and Chaos</a>. She used her talent with words to process through this "bump" in her <strike>road</strike> breast.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEmHqOBzb6f68Bp0u3S6Sb3Zsx3O7P9GzCuCjDe-q1X_MnDjgj_YOUD91pf_EC1VGBltLWJiNh1VaG5tkBp1F-ihDrmF9rAsw5leAUhcS2l6gh2Z5fqSO8_8yyIaQDTuLQt9a-eroQvhl/s1600/photo%252846%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEmHqOBzb6f68Bp0u3S6Sb3Zsx3O7P9GzCuCjDe-q1X_MnDjgj_YOUD91pf_EC1VGBltLWJiNh1VaG5tkBp1F-ihDrmF9rAsw5leAUhcS2l6gh2Z5fqSO8_8yyIaQDTuLQt9a-eroQvhl/s1600/photo%252846%2529.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-Surgery PINK Party, Cyndie Amy and Audrey</td></tr>
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<br />
Less than two weeks after her diagnosis, she underwent surgery and began reconstruction. She, and everyone who knows Amy, was grateful to have such a positive diagnosis (no need for chemo or radiation!), but she couldn't help being super pissed that her summer plans, vacations and racing, had been foiled. As you can see from the triathlon picture above, Amy STILL came out to cheer me on, just two weeks after surgery. She took her training very seriously, and would have kicked my butt from here to next year in this race. I completed it for her; and when I felt like I was going to drown in the lake, I felt Amy cheering me on, ringing that cowbell (even though it hurt to raise her arms!).<br />
<br />
Wednesday, July 11, at 6am, was the last time I ran with my bud. The day before her surgery we ran the Cause and Event 10K loop. And yesterday, Wednesday August 15th, we met on the driveway again early in the morning for a run. Just 5 weeks after kicking cancer's ass, Amy was ready to start running. I know she was frustrated with only running 3.5 miles. But that mileage will grow quickly, and she will be stronger for having overcome what she did.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHB6Sm7pw2ck4qa-cP4RxTDMpZs5MVtmuY-WjCD1-TNrw8uAHuqkEiqEqGtGSqC-lrd_ikwT5oqhgZrucRZWtafuYfN6bWAqACmJXLCGwjJUa8cfosMe4Q1t8rimTMU1fs7Pg_39NI8od/s1600/photo%252848%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHB6Sm7pw2ck4qa-cP4RxTDMpZs5MVtmuY-WjCD1-TNrw8uAHuqkEiqEqGtGSqC-lrd_ikwT5oqhgZrucRZWtafuYfN6bWAqACmJXLCGwjJUa8cfosMe4Q1t8rimTMU1fs7Pg_39NI8od/s320/photo%252848%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post-Triathlon, Kicking Cancer's Ass celebration date night (with the hubby's too!) at Andina.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ipiO_XnGM1wxSxKm7n7y5IG85I4nzjOSI7xNcq8Lh8DV-ujFajeWFhSZwyLTAxU1f4SfHV-Ui6r4BkRSxuZFqHv7HK6mE4wM8EhP8KOteqYfUmnnzWazwjWEcTUZABf83T4Si65QCgwF/s1600/pink-ribbon_full.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ipiO_XnGM1wxSxKm7n7y5IG85I4nzjOSI7xNcq8Lh8DV-ujFajeWFhSZwyLTAxU1f4SfHV-Ui6r4BkRSxuZFqHv7HK6mE4wM8EhP8KOteqYfUmnnzWazwjWEcTUZABf83T4Si65QCgwF/s200/pink-ribbon_full.jpeg" width="133" /></a><br />
Her next goal: Sub 2 hour half marathon at The Girlfriend's Half, October 14th. Fittingly, it's an all-female race that benefits Komen. And I'm proud to be a part of helping her get there. And I'm pretty sure there won't be a dry eye in the place when she crosses that finish line. <br />
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<br />
Fast-forward back to Cause and Event. Planning is in full-swing now, and we are more excited than ever to make this race series a reality! Like any event, there are passionate, dedicated people helping Amy along the way. We have an amazing group who jumped on board this train, and we are so inspired to be a part of something that can help so many organizations. If you would like more information about how to get an organization that you work with connected to this race, please see the <a href="http://www.causeandeventportland.com/About-Us.html">website</a> for more details. And if you have any connections to potential sponsors, please contact myself or<a href="http://www.causeandeventportland.com/index.html"> Amy</a> (use the "contact us" button at the bottom of the page). Please "Like" the event page on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cause-and-Event-Portland/294689887261764"> Facebook</a>, so you can receive updates on the race and events surrounding it. Registration should be open in the next few days...and we will be celebrating at our event planning meeting with Pink Wine!<br />
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Cheers to you Amy, my friend, neighbor, and BRF. So glad to have you back. xoxo<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHB6Sm7pw2ck4qa-cP4RxTDMpZs5MVtmuY-WjCD1-TNrw8uAHuqkEiqEqGtGSqC-lrd_ikwT5oqhgZrucRZWtafuYfN6bWAqACmJXLCGwjJUa8cfosMe4Q1t8rimTMU1fs7Pg_39NI8od/s1600/photo%252848%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwR0HGuM7LCn69MtuyCTchHuQVvEtGgrk1tPJH75Mtc4UdEjdGt5n_mwOSUCifYKPOvuM_PMEG9pYtbLAY1af6jZKaPn9kpbEuOv21Q84SQHVjF4QMgj934LOfEjMSQIiCKuNS7_fEKQLc/s1600/photo%252845%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwR0HGuM7LCn69MtuyCTchHuQVvEtGgrk1tPJH75Mtc4UdEjdGt5n_mwOSUCifYKPOvuM_PMEG9pYtbLAY1af6jZKaPn9kpbEuOv21Q84SQHVjF4QMgj934LOfEjMSQIiCKuNS7_fEKQLc/s320/photo%252845%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A handful of the Cause and Event Board Members: Sandi Colner, Cyndie Pelto, Audrey Schaab, and fearless leader/visionary Amy Little</td></tr>
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<br />LatteLoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527801963377439758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147565364257871700.post-15589740804638527972012-08-14T10:46:00.002-07:002012-08-16T08:36:22.383-07:00Girlfriends...in Life and in RacingAs women, we are naturally prone to wanting, NEEDING, close friendships with other women. <br />
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I love my husband with all my soul. We have been together for 21 years, since High School, and Chris is my best friend, my soul-mate. I can tell him anything and I love spending time with him, whenever I can get it. I even have a "No Friday Night Plans with Friends" policy, because that is our standing "Date Night." And it's important to me, to us. He is an amazing husband, father, and friend. And he understands my need for my Girlfriends, and my time with them. And I appreciate that more than any words could say. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating 13 years of Marriage, and 21 years together. </td></tr>
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I've had lots of different kinds of relationships with Girlfriends. The first one being my younger sister, Robin. Now, any woman with a sister who tells you they didn't fight like cats when they were younger is LYING. It's what sisters do. Sad, but true. All siblings do (as I am living through right now with my own children), but sister have a special way of doing it. I prefer not to go into detail about our "special" way of getting under each others skin, and instead will fast forward to now. I am so proud of Robin! She is an amazing mother, wife, sister, and daughter. She is a wonderful example of health and fitness to her own two daughters (and to me!), and she is close to our Parents and Grandparents and always willing to help them out. It's hard being the one that moved far away... and it is comforting to me to know that Robin is there, close by. I took for granted all that time we had together, growing up, as siblings will do. We never know where life will take us, and in my case it took me to the West Coast. I don't see my sister nearly enough, and am thankful for technology to make us feel closer in proximity than we are. We have daughters that are only three months apart in age, but thousands of miles apart. That is so hard, seeing the cousins grow up so far away from one another. It's reassuring to me that when we DO see each other, the kids pick up right where they left off. I've admired my sister for completing the Chicago Marathon, before she had kids, and am really excited to say that she will be joining me for this year's Girlfriend's Half Marathon! We are running it on our Mom's Birthday, our first race together, and I am excited for her to get that sub-2 hour PR (since I won't be slowing down for her now...) HA! Better start training, Robin. ;-) <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my Sis, Robin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURpUG8qONOkp7vpDxKi1sK7oC7l1iXcNeeOyvdkU0XnZteRiLnZ4bKmCGh26uC5sxHDfyn3OOvNc3X3RB9BVyraNYkCNHgChlqGhc1L5aP-BK4-KrVWO6fL0zwNY8v0prE-ABHJzo_UHl/s1600/26204_1401562925180_5145945_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURpUG8qONOkp7vpDxKi1sK7oC7l1iXcNeeOyvdkU0XnZteRiLnZ4bKmCGh26uC5sxHDfyn3OOvNc3X3RB9BVyraNYkCNHgChlqGhc1L5aP-BK4-KrVWO6fL0zwNY8v0prE-ABHJzo_UHl/s320/26204_1401562925180_5145945_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lauren, and her cousin Grace (photo courtesy of<a href="http://www.cherylmphoto.com/"> Cheryl M. Photography</a>)</td></tr>
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Moving thousands of miles away from your family, with a baby and no job to make connections, can be a daunting task. I knew that I was going to need a way to make some friends so I didn't go completely off the deep end. The <a href="http://www.northbeavertonmomsclub.com/n-beaverton-moms-club-home.html">North Beaverton MOMS Club</a> was my saving grace. I remember that first meeting so clearly. I felt Divine Intervention working when I met Cindy and her daughter, Natalie, just 5 days older than my Andrew. The two Cyndie/Cindy's started a playgroup, and the rest is history. A wonderful history that includes so many amazing women and their children and husbands. Our lives have been forever touched by the families we met through the MOMS Club. As our children have grown, and families have grown, our time together became less and less. Some friends have moved (still missing you, V), others live just blocks away. But with our children's schedules so busy and different school schedules, we hardly see each other anymore. Chance meetings at Girls Night concerts allow us to remember all the fun times we shared together. Keeping in touch on Facebook (seriously thankful for FB), watching each others children grow and the adventures the families are having together, is bittersweet. We'd love to be able to stay connected to all the people who have had such a profound influence and impact on our lives, but the reality is...time gets in the way. It becomes SO important to carve out those blocks of time to reconnect with those friends from the past, friends that became like family, friends that filled the hole that was empty with family living so far away. I am grateful for ALL of you amazing women from the MOMS club, my friends that I made when I was just Andrew's mommy, and then all my new friends when I was active in the club with just Lauren. You each hold a special place in my heart, and I consider you all a part of our Oregon Family. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cindy and Cyndie</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew and Natalie... hard to believe they met when they were 9 months old!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTr-qZSsm8_MZg07uYgyeCBTyRgefrURrS4RsS11IFy8919YzZ7PXKefbjMZyu3hdOyvwMciDsSBUQJ3sjogyMQgFnSdHDeAZAxsvO54Nhs78q9U0Yi_xYwyHHxWdvklYZhW1Owh6xUrW/s1600/252226_1914744303193_2920078_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTr-qZSsm8_MZg07uYgyeCBTyRgefrURrS4RsS11IFy8919YzZ7PXKefbjMZyu3hdOyvwMciDsSBUQJ3sjogyMQgFnSdHDeAZAxsvO54Nhs78q9U0Yi_xYwyHHxWdvklYZhW1Owh6xUrW/s320/252226_1914744303193_2920078_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Memorial Day Weekend Trip with The Robinson's, 2011, photo by Andrew</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cg3MuyFcU4RLiSxkgh5fBnRtP1ia74D_T2ptlNd6KrjUMA0fvsEx5rectyax8AZoeIpnWa8IRRvCUrx2PegUEAkL-YzEzgQJcqEdxkHgl7eL2hBu95nZCddBOY9ANssJYT_3s39Yk-UZ/s1600/224743_1930093619629_6542095_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cg3MuyFcU4RLiSxkgh5fBnRtP1ia74D_T2ptlNd6KrjUMA0fvsEx5rectyax8AZoeIpnWa8IRRvCUrx2PegUEAkL-YzEzgQJcqEdxkHgl7eL2hBu95nZCddBOY9ANssJYT_3s39Yk-UZ/s320/224743_1930093619629_6542095_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annual MOMS Club Easter Egg Hunt! </td></tr>
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After Lauren was born, I started feeling a need for something else... I just wasn't sure what it was that I needed. Then I discovered<b> Stroller Strides,</b> and my life was again changed! Like all things that have a profound impact on your life, I remember that first class vividly. My sister was in town with Grace, the girls were just babies (Lauren was almost one), and she said we should see if there was a Stroller Strides class nearby. Robin had started going to her SS classes in St. Louis when Grace was born. Sure enough, there was a class that met at Greenway Park, fairly close to my house. I was hesitant (unlike me for some reason), but when I saw all of these other mommies seeking out exercise and social mommy-time, I. Was. HOOKED. These women were all seeking out a way to feel better physically (endorphins are powerful, and SS classes are intense!), and looking for other women who felt the same as they did... Tired. ;-) It's hard to drag yourself and your kids out of the house to go exercise. The beauty of Stroller Strides was that you CRAVED getting out and going to class because you CRAVED the time with your Girlfriends. The workout was the icing on the cake. Over the years, Stroller Strides has evolved within my life. For a while, Andrew would join Lauren and I, riding his scooter or his bike next to me (and then up with the faster girls). Rachel was so kind to allow me to bring him, as I don't know what I would have done without my Rachel or Tracy butt-kicking and then social mommy-time after at the park. ;-) I not only became a better mom during my years in Stroller Strides, I found my inner athlete. I had surrounded myself with like-minded women, strong, healthy women who enjoyed challenging themselves outside their comfort zone. I was inspired by those that pushed themselves to race, and I soon began pushing others to do the same. Although the Stroller Strides chapter in my life has finally come to a close, the connections and friendships I formed with the women have not! We are just getting started! I love my early Saturday morning runs with my Girlfriends. I love that so many of them are willing to be talked into racing with me. I love cheering on each of them as they push themselves further and faster than they thought they could go. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Running Buddy, Marianne, after we finally busted 2 hours at Rock n Roll!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We love to workout, but we love to GO OUT too! :-) Kerri and Brandi</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fueled By Fine Wine, EPIC Relay team 2012... 12 Girlfriends!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kristine, one of the strongest Mommies I know. She can make a double jogger with two boys look like it doesn't weigh anything.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girlfriends Half Marathon, 2011! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EPIC Relay, Van 2...pit stop at Rex Hill Winery. Living up to our team name.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejULdXshseDE09Qkjp7NHmnCC1iygMYmFdpkWsjqqd8mIvguZ9h5nO3S3czGZwTw0rJj6lU57qyScGyuRYXIcBOWt6I0yYV_RqSt-EO-0F5vVA9lzdBJA7Rj2WnifcX0HKMeYCp6ASMkc/s1600/562234_3554764595388_464294877_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejULdXshseDE09Qkjp7NHmnCC1iygMYmFdpkWsjqqd8mIvguZ9h5nO3S3czGZwTw0rJj6lU57qyScGyuRYXIcBOWt6I0yYV_RqSt-EO-0F5vVA9lzdBJA7Rj2WnifcX0HKMeYCp6ASMkc/s320/562234_3554764595388_464294877_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love you Jen! Even though you believe your shirt, you still let me talk you into crazy things!</td></tr>
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<br />
I am excited to see where I go from here... Wherever it is, it's always more fun with your GIRLFRIENDS!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyTteTrLjk1qearbTNLb2eXlG7CDcbaolWFI7wuOZX7nIQfAxFoLAgWYBxVf014ba_UIiZMwRyo1Jv5093RkoVKg0UCQjYXirFX7099trYTtYTYj5EWKscK95xiNoT_26iy1Q0hyN57__/s1600/IMG_5176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyTteTrLjk1qearbTNLb2eXlG7CDcbaolWFI7wuOZX7nIQfAxFoLAgWYBxVf014ba_UIiZMwRyo1Jv5093RkoVKg0UCQjYXirFX7099trYTtYTYj5EWKscK95xiNoT_26iy1Q0hyN57__/s320/IMG_5176.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Amy... a little preview of Friday's post</td></tr>
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<br />LatteLoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527801963377439758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147565364257871700.post-52857478103117004612012-08-13T23:51:00.000-07:002012-08-16T08:36:57.588-07:00Ladybug LoveIn the last three years, I've become a bit of an addict to running races. I love everything about them. And it's the actual day of the race that is so addicting. The early mornings, meeting up with my Girlfriends, the excitement/anxiety, photo-ops, the people watching, the post-race festivities, and recounting the race with the girls. And somewhere in there, there's running the actual race! When I first started running, the races were about finishing. The goal was in completing something that I set my mind to. Over the last year, my goals have shifted to competing with myself, and pushing myself outside my comfort zone. PR's (personal records) are something I'm constantly striving for now. <br />
<br />
Although I've participated in many MANY races, I've never volunteered to help at any. I've always appreciated the volunteers handing out water, organizing packet-pick up, keeping our belongings safe at the bag check, but I've never stepped up to actually BE one. That was something I wanted to change. I wanted to give back to the sport that has helped me rediscover myself and has given me a connection to so many amazing women in my life. I just didn't know when the right time would be. Part of me was being selfish, because I love the race so much. I guess I was waiting for some kind of sign...<br />
<br />
And then an amazing woman I knew had a baby with a hole in her diaphragm. I followed Liz's journey on her <a href="http://finleyanabelle.wordpress.com/">blog</a>, read how she found her strength in God to get her through this uncertain time, prayed for her and her daughter, and celebrated the milestones her beautiful Finley overcame. I knew Liz would take what their family had gone through and turn it into something BIG. So naturally, when she said she was thinking about <a href="http://reasontorun.com/races/ladybug.html">starting a race</a> to raise money and awareness for <a href="http://www.cherubs-cdh.org/">CDH</a>, on Finely's 2nd Birthday, I asked "How can I help?" I believe I had my sign.<br />
<br />
It started off with a few brainstorming sessions on the part of the race committee. Liz was really driving this boat. She did so much of the preliminary work to set up her foundation, get the permits, secure the location, landed some major sponsors, the website, etc. Once registration went LIVE, we felt the pressure to start securing donations and more sponsors. It was really exciting to go to a business and share Finely's story, many were excited to help, even if it was small. Things really seemed to come together in the last month before the race. Registrations were coming in, sponsors were sending prizes and donations, and volunteers were asking how they could help. Facebook was lit up with our friends sharing the registration page, and word was spreading.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTioCjIdYJ6wnDMhXvnkKDnRMVQT6TvWluSn4yQTbOkbEtmvvjFq78JRA3Q-RWk7OTSFxz5SSUHEQqJ55GXZkr8CuaCr2KykBj3sHBUHgc0oR_dezo41g9FjwuW-0YMj0U2QEnBbyLOI8w/s1600/Ladybug+Run+Logo%281%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="51" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTioCjIdYJ6wnDMhXvnkKDnRMVQT6TvWluSn4yQTbOkbEtmvvjFq78JRA3Q-RWk7OTSFxz5SSUHEQqJ55GXZkr8CuaCr2KykBj3sHBUHgc0oR_dezo41g9FjwuW-0YMj0U2QEnBbyLOI8w/s320/Ladybug+Run+Logo%281%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The amazing logo, created and donated by my friend Kim DiStefano!</td></tr>
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<br />
Andrew was super excited to run the 5K with me (he had a chip/bib number, I did not), and he even wanted to get up before dawn with me on race day to help set up! We saw an amazing sunrise on our way to the park, and even watched 5 hot air balloons floating over the landscape. Once we arrived, it was so cool to see the race "scene" unfold before my eyes. All those races I had shown up to as a participant, I took so much for granted. So much hard work from so many people goes into giving a race that "feel" on race day. At 6:45am, all the way out at Champoeg State Park, there were so many people helping unload supplies, setting up food, registration tables, organizing shirts/packets, getting the timing equipment set up... it was a flurry of activity that is now a blur in my mind. <br />
<br />
At 8am, participants started arriving, mingling and enjoying the Dutch Brothers coffee (we put a lot of importance on our pre-race beverage, so it needed to be GOOD coffee!), and bagels. Kids were running in the field, and many people had Ladybug themed clothes, embracing the race's theme and guest of honor/birthday girl. Andrew and I were tasked with the important job of marking the kids fun run 1K course (as I happened to be wearing my Garmin). As we made our way to the start line, we ran into so many old Stroller Strides friends and their families who came out to support Liz's dream. I loved that so much! We gathered to hear some heartfelt words from Liz, prayed and thanked God for so many people who made the day possible, and for all of the racers, then released live Ladybugs in honor and memory of the babies who did not make it this last year. It was hard to hold back the tears.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVOWW-UZKQ4JMcubL0nE2WWw5HnWr-PGfLD3gr4VbAg1ooGiZwy1YQTNnKslbJtD8JNmCVA-C16i48wEBg9v9RF6fjlp6W3kcJr2UfT5IAxdU9z6iLivWMUAjXA54LfCeyRiOV2WASKPR/s1600/photo(40).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVOWW-UZKQ4JMcubL0nE2WWw5HnWr-PGfLD3gr4VbAg1ooGiZwy1YQTNnKslbJtD8JNmCVA-C16i48wEBg9v9RF6fjlp6W3kcJr2UfT5IAxdU9z6iLivWMUAjXA54LfCeyRiOV2WASKPR/s320/photo(40).JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ladybug Release </td></tr>
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Andrew and I took off at a good pace, and we just had a fun time running together. We made it a mile before he wanted to take a break, but it was just a short one and he was off running again. At the halfway point, we stopped to get some Shaklee Sports drink from Beth and her kids, who were running the Aid Station. Then we headed back and finished strong! Andrew ran a 9:20 pace for the 5K, finishing 3rd in his age-group, and I enjoyed taking pictures while running! LOL! Lauren was at the finish line with some of the other kiddos handing out water bottles to the runners. She was looking forward to running the Kid's Race soon! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJSWBAASgxVDN3WzmPdj3Z4q7RlWQ_0-sqAajEVTutkxhVPts0qTDtLPffk2UwA54a_SfCjUP97eMN5MVgmatauGeJ-5akrI3TYHgoW0vIfxi9MmIUWHu5HHKyIr7n-6SxrOraasNCAUD/s1600/photo(42).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJSWBAASgxVDN3WzmPdj3Z4q7RlWQ_0-sqAajEVTutkxhVPts0qTDtLPffk2UwA54a_SfCjUP97eMN5MVgmatauGeJ-5akrI3TYHgoW0vIfxi9MmIUWHu5HHKyIr7n-6SxrOraasNCAUD/s320/photo(42).JPG" width="320" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Run!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7xJNGmvfhyphenhyphenSO4K6orGsZyJigpRA0spq0zurOpmImuDwKZhWie48fJo5OjzFv5mD9zP7dzEbdlroTiGAxFY2T2Aw0Djt4_mCCSjgYJ-vGFJbdr78YK3c5-FYuOR7VJd7aemg4ThK3AWUr/s1600/photo%252837%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7xJNGmvfhyphenhyphenSO4K6orGsZyJigpRA0spq0zurOpmImuDwKZhWie48fJo5OjzFv5mD9zP7dzEbdlroTiGAxFY2T2Aw0Djt4_mCCSjgYJ-vGFJbdr78YK3c5-FYuOR7VJd7aemg4ThK3AWUr/s320/photo%252837%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew pushing through to the finish!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYK3e20B0L4abdIpMJ371UJN1ia3JsxakadEL47AXFDsVqwfULfGb1EnBrFImp_6xOVNUOK76rZ9ADkxzOF4CXXbvQlcHNQmBDaSLl1jAMaaHM2B-Kj6zFTKood7UxCttr23YhNeJ4tvY/s1600/Ladybug+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYK3e20B0L4abdIpMJ371UJN1ia3JsxakadEL47AXFDsVqwfULfGb1EnBrFImp_6xOVNUOK76rZ9ADkxzOF4CXXbvQlcHNQmBDaSLl1jAMaaHM2B-Kj6zFTKood7UxCttr23YhNeJ4tvY/s320/Ladybug+2.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loving Running with my Boy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKQa6ZYPMscaASiXD3UII7LH2ayQVXLMeQQ0DfSxgitZh1fQlkBHFuO4u2JiboUoInY3OCgzuPmJzzlBSl6OHC_8r9OX-0Pm40wCywPuCrHlcHtjfAdk53HHpKsOrp3X-BblFBKk5MMz7/s1600/photo%252836%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKQa6ZYPMscaASiXD3UII7LH2ayQVXLMeQQ0DfSxgitZh1fQlkBHFuO4u2JiboUoInY3OCgzuPmJzzlBSl6OHC_8r9OX-0Pm40wCywPuCrHlcHtjfAdk53HHpKsOrp3X-BblFBKk5MMz7/s320/photo%252836%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beth Kershner and her kids at the Aid Station...This was a Family Affair!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEA34UBmzeZc5ZM0Uukln0wvEIvLOlofweaHohXHkHW0ChQMB4SgdmVCQ4B7LDB24S9Kpo10VFhfNdqgKRinsHT2-So4RAJ7BeCbGUafq-Ly4tdgQJu7iFp-ifa-amufAGNpOhe_VAFrGR/s1600/photo%252838%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEA34UBmzeZc5ZM0Uukln0wvEIvLOlofweaHohXHkHW0ChQMB4SgdmVCQ4B7LDB24S9Kpo10VFhfNdqgKRinsHT2-So4RAJ7BeCbGUafq-Ly4tdgQJu7iFp-ifa-amufAGNpOhe_VAFrGR/s320/photo%252838%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lauren ready with the Water at the FINISH!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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After most of the 10K runners had finished, we let the 2 and under crowd have their turn. How cute is a crowd of toddlers attempting to run 50 feet towards a finish line? Turns out it's pretty darn ADORABLE! Then the 3-9 year olds raced the 1K course, with the parents either cheering them on or running alongside them. Lauren was very proud of herself after completing her first race, all by herself! She's ready to hit the track at <a href="http://rediscoveringrunning.blogspot.com/2012/01/discovering-runningwith-my-son.html">On The Move</a>, now that she'll be starting Kindergarten at Oak Hills!<br />
<br />
After everyone had finished, and the kids had snuck about 10 Otter Pops each (along with several Ladybug Cookies), Chris was gracious enough to take them home so I could hang out and enjoy one (or maybe two) delicious Ninkasi IPA's, thanks to our beer sponsor. ;-) Yeah, we didn't fool around when it came to the food and drink. This was a PARTY after all. It was really great to get a chance to hang out with Amanda (from <a href="http://runninghood-amanda.blogspot.com/">Runninghood</a>) and her awesome husband and adorable kiddos, and catch up with some very dear friends that I don't see nearly enough any more. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-zcVSk_5lwBSifP42w9ULQGCC6ktEAegxpxTGDtDwYzgIJh0WfGkCUvbvEZqkE-XI_F10K-7EM9gbR7Tgt1MfZQ638QLWg3XPoa51IsznJnWGzOLlZu_auk5jgyoO-g9dAxZqS3KihSu/s1600/335023_10151002888191938_901499383_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-zcVSk_5lwBSifP42w9ULQGCC6ktEAegxpxTGDtDwYzgIJh0WfGkCUvbvEZqkE-XI_F10K-7EM9gbR7Tgt1MfZQ638QLWg3XPoa51IsznJnWGzOLlZu_auk5jgyoO-g9dAxZqS3KihSu/s320/335023_10151002888191938_901499383_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hangin' in the beer garden with Amanda (from Runninghood and Overall Female 5K winner!) and Liz Dooley, Race Director/Visionary/Friend</td></tr>
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My closing thoughts...<br />
<br />
I will never EVER take the races I run for granted anymore. The volunteers are truly a gift and we could not have all the fun if it weren't for them.<br />
<br />
It was an honor to be a part of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ladybug-Run/317382648305499">1st Annual Ladybug Run</a>. I hope we raised awareness of this birth defect and brought some peace to the families who were there running in memory of babies lost, but never forgotten.<br />
<br />
I want to thank Liz for including me on the race committee. We didn't know each other more than just acquaintances from Stroller Strides, then started running together, then had an EPIC time together in a van for 33 hours... I am honored to call you my friend, and I am so proud of you and everything you've done. You are an inspiration to so many! I look forward to helping plan the 2nd Annual Ladybug Run...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsz-ILmDKPv5t3r_K7PEvQWJbl5g-HER6rTAhs_gk6H0eXAS3ftTTnohr8sVENXmVoZ5bi82xygycWVk-6V6Jl9NDmoZuA3NrEayiG8cWPkivsdVm-A6jQ-aH4eaAkmMMZigy7UIs48Tb/s1600/549587_4336691662185_1663438366_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsz-ILmDKPv5t3r_K7PEvQWJbl5g-HER6rTAhs_gk6H0eXAS3ftTTnohr8sVENXmVoZ5bi82xygycWVk-6V6Jl9NDmoZuA3NrEayiG8cWPkivsdVm-A6jQ-aH4eaAkmMMZigy7UIs48Tb/s320/549587_4336691662185_1663438366_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz, her Ladybug Finley, and husband Jon</td></tr>
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<br />LatteLoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527801963377439758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147565364257871700.post-57986884090784174032012-04-09T22:12:00.000-07:002012-04-09T22:13:31.458-07:00Gonna Have to Toughen UPI've been trying to log some longer mileage runs as of late. Just a little over a month away from the Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon, and I'm getting concerned that I haven't done enough to make my time goal of just under 2 hours. I haven't done much speed work, no hill repeats, and I've actually run LESS miles in my training than I have in past training stints. I've been cross-training quite a bit more, in hopes of preventing any injuries. So Saturday, I ran 9 miles. My goal was to average just under 9 minute miles for my pace, and I did that. I was super excited! Sunday I ate a bunch of jelly beans and chocolate. Hmmm, not the best training plan. Monday was supposed to be my gym/weight lifting day, but the weather convinced me to hit the pavement. I decided I wanted to spend as much time outside as possible, so I mapped out 10 miles, and enjoyed every step.<br />
<br />
Now, almost 20 miles in less than 48 hours isn't something my body is used to. So I thought it would be a good idea to try an ice bath. I've heard so many people say that it really helps reduce the inflammation if you can submerge your joints in the cold water, rather than just resting an ice pack on the general area. So I psyched myself up and was ready to give it a go!<br />
<br />
I had just picked Lauren up from preschool, so I made lunch, brewed some nice hot coffee, and we headed up stairs to have a picnic in the bathroom. I wanted company, after all. Lauren was all excited about it, and had eleventy-thousand questions about my "cold" bath. I'm pretty sure she thought I was crazy.<br />
<br />
I filled the tub with several inches of cold water, and had ice in a bag standing by to add later. I got as far as one toe in that water and squealed. HOLY COLD! There was NO WAY I was actually going to submerge any part of me in that water. So I drained the water and decided that I would have to approach it a different way.<br />
<br />
I sat in the tub, and started to fill it with cold water. This was horrible, but not as bad as lowering yourself into already freezing cold water. The water got about halfway up my legs, and I couldn't take it anymore. I turned off the water (I had long ago finished my coffee), and I tried to have a conversation with Lauren. Since she was busy eating the Jelly Beans at lightning speed, she "couldn't remember" what she had been doing at school just 20 minutes ago. I was three minutes into my "ice bath" (oh yeah, I never got around to adding the ice...the water was COLD ENOUGH), and I couldn't take it anymore.<br />
<br />
That hot shower was the most awesome shower in the history of ever.<br />
<br />
Even though I didn't last that long, and I didn't have every part that needed the cold submerged in the water, I really feel like it helped. I was able to run a few more laps with my girls at Girls on the Run today, and my knees and feet aren't hurting.<br />
<br />
I certainly don't plan to make a habit out of bathing in ICE COLD water after every run, but this really helped me remember that icing after longer runs really helps reduce the inflammation in the joints. They take quite a pounding when logging all those miles.<br />
<br />
And I have a new-found RESPECT for runners that utilize the ice bath as part of their training. I know once I bite off that Marathon, I'm gonna have to toughen up and last longer than 3 minutes. ;-)LatteLoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527801963377439758noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147565364257871700.post-83111258546703842262012-02-13T17:22:00.000-08:002012-02-13T17:22:37.774-08:00It's time.This post will be short and sweet. I just need to put this in writing somewhere. <br />
<br />
2013 I will run a MARATHON. Before I turn 40. <br />
<br />
It will most likely be the Portland Marathon, in October. I'll be cutting it close with that whole birthday thing. ;-) If anyone has any other suggestions for a first time marathon, I'm open to them! <br />
<br />
No going back now... I want that medal! ;-) More on this later...LatteLoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527801963377439758noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147565364257871700.post-86298035586485982732012-01-04T14:43:00.000-08:002012-01-04T19:36:32.873-08:00Discovering Running...With My SonToday, I ran a mile with my son, Andrew. We've run together before. He's starting to enjoy running longer distances, and he's even showing signs of improving his form (rather than the pounding of feet most kids do when they run). But today was a special day for him, and I was proud and honored that he asked me to be there. He completed his Marathon Mile, and we ran it together at his lunch recess.<br /><br />Let me back up a little bit and explain what the "Marathon Mile" is. Our school, Oak Hills Elementary, has a lunchtime running program called "On The Move." The goal and focus of the program is to get kids MOVING. Parent volunteers tally the student's laps around the track, and students are awarded prizes for reaching certain mileage goals. They are just small trinkets (bouncy balls, toe tokens, etc), but they are highly coveted by the kids! If students reach 26 miles during the course of the school year, they are awarded an "On The Move" T-shirt at the monthly all-school assembly. Before our winter break, we had over 60 students who had already earned their T-shirt! Simply amazing. It is such an honor to be involved with this program, and it's so much fun watching the kids run, skip, walk around the track with their buddies. Many of the kids even participated in the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving, and earned OTM miles for it! We have a community that is very runner-friendly. Many of the parents are involved in running, and are enjoying participating in events with their children.<br /><br />Last September, Andrew and I ran our first 5K together. We ran the Portland Race for the Cure 5K, and he ran the whole thing. I was honestly hoping for a nice easy "recovery run" since I had just done a 10 mile training run the day before (and my IT Band wasn't really happy about it). Andrew was excited and ready to go, so I hung with him. Barely.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZElCa0bk4Dl2P3OVvEwxDXIXjtDg6_RPj76p_2t9s3LtF7rlr8_35gkRcNJeCbftlyCVcAu5UsN7hkSHjcOEVOtEtVkBp92vtMe8lAlQEI5nsrJpqknldXm-Gf5PY8xr-6XXF7HNhdjQc/s1600/September+iPhone+2011+016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZElCa0bk4Dl2P3OVvEwxDXIXjtDg6_RPj76p_2t9s3LtF7rlr8_35gkRcNJeCbftlyCVcAu5UsN7hkSHjcOEVOtEtVkBp92vtMe8lAlQEI5nsrJpqknldXm-Gf5PY8xr-6XXF7HNhdjQc/s320/September+iPhone+2011+016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693942052644526914" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxIhJ82GYICH99hjq4ep6FNyrhw2OonFAe7HbDHYPraqc3RCJOAHE94AzxfFZyb2o7BZPYX9pwdAsAvpwPE45xwjg3Is0GZPM9YE6r8vPy-lMWwz-MGcqI1dkk87dtohdc80A8Yba-jj0/s1600/September+iPhone+2011+018.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxIhJ82GYICH99hjq4ep6FNyrhw2OonFAe7HbDHYPraqc3RCJOAHE94AzxfFZyb2o7BZPYX9pwdAsAvpwPE45xwjg3Is0GZPM9YE6r8vPy-lMWwz-MGcqI1dkk87dtohdc80A8Yba-jj0/s320/September+iPhone+2011+018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693942165489262802" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Race For The Cure, September 2011</span><br /></div><br />He was super proud of himself, and I was very proud of him. We had a wonderful morning together, and then went out to breakfast to celebrate. This was his first "real race" (as he called it).<br /><br />He's done other races, usually the "Kid's Race" that is held along with one of my races. These are usually 1/2 mile fun run races. Last year, in the Jingle Bell Kid's Race he placed 3rd overall! When the Hippie Chick Kids Run started, we were still running across a field to catch up with the start line (thanks to the traffic back-up on Hwy 26). He not only caught up, but he blew right past many of the kids. Talk about a great Mother's Day gift!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiN4Z0h87MSpnW6iKRoenQJmeCbOVDGM1N2UayW0yvmvPPJ2XTUYoaS7JzDX5yySx4oECtGeGQ5QFtnXZbJ0-yxWbnWP0Ska-IGIWNrcMei60GEEMvD53OMCzzyKQwb1qdX0VpVri221lB/s1600/156220_1611783209355_1079492360_1730539_7946740_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiN4Z0h87MSpnW6iKRoenQJmeCbOVDGM1N2UayW0yvmvPPJ2XTUYoaS7JzDX5yySx4oECtGeGQ5QFtnXZbJ0-yxWbnWP0Ska-IGIWNrcMei60GEEMvD53OMCzzyKQwb1qdX0VpVri221lB/s320/156220_1611783209355_1079492360_1730539_7946740_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693948658595956690" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Jingle Bell Run, December 2010</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_bjh-fGK7cNzD2yLso-SEeuF2EbnI4OeDd8rzfeztycP9kKYlmbJPAY9ezqmrgxnmcRZ_M8yNAJ3sHziS1BzjCvy3Q2_GB9aeRafNDxsKfcVIIEs29g3roSCu8h-8JNdVTLn7l9eOEcRA/s1600/227163_1870480996638_1079492360_2152035_4967772_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_bjh-fGK7cNzD2yLso-SEeuF2EbnI4OeDd8rzfeztycP9kKYlmbJPAY9ezqmrgxnmcRZ_M8yNAJ3sHziS1BzjCvy3Q2_GB9aeRafNDxsKfcVIIEs29g3roSCu8h-8JNdVTLn7l9eOEcRA/s320/227163_1870480996638_1079492360_2152035_4967772_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693948716923219570" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Hippie Chick Kids Run, Mother's Day 2011</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Then I decided to try my first Triathlon last summer. The most amazing part? Crossing the finish line to see Andrew in his swim cap, and legs marked up...ready to attempt his first Triathlon TOO! He even swam in a lake, and wasn't hesitant at all. He placed 3rd in his age group. AWESOME. He still has that number on his bike. He's very proud of it, and loves when people ask him about it.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOURtOXvry8VQub1xEqE8X5tPRRBPmXk8xItz4zlKiULrubctb1D8Dq-2YifvDeKTCpEaP3ACV_26oVOvO1n9bxQKaVyApEIQ511J7CyGwBHnPemn0ex7xg_EBovPVBWZ3m0yhlHe9MF_O/s1600/bikes+and+Tris+July+2011+038.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOURtOXvry8VQub1xEqE8X5tPRRBPmXk8xItz4zlKiULrubctb1D8Dq-2YifvDeKTCpEaP3ACV_26oVOvO1n9bxQKaVyApEIQ511J7CyGwBHnPemn0ex7xg_EBovPVBWZ3m0yhlHe9MF_O/s320/bikes+and+Tris+July+2011+038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693953535710515474" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6E2GNNZzpWOmFyObU-0BhSjxl6J6kaR2trGspa60f9cWBhSlqd3ekszQGWwY9eCvM9pkfghyphenhyphenFPk3GaRXVsZ8SHKY5YR-THKs2hjazmrYqQB28Alu7I4Ck0bq6mfBK_luIBB1WHNL7t-9/s1600/bikes+and+Tris+July+2011+046.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6E2GNNZzpWOmFyObU-0BhSjxl6J6kaR2trGspa60f9cWBhSlqd3ekszQGWwY9eCvM9pkfghyphenhyphenFPk3GaRXVsZ8SHKY5YR-THKs2hjazmrYqQB28Alu7I4Ck0bq6mfBK_luIBB1WHNL7t-9/s320/bikes+and+Tris+July+2011+046.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693953677227937938" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Blue Lake Kids Triathlon, July 2011</span><br /></div><br /><br />I love that Andrew started the school year with several goals for On The Move. He told me that his first goal was to earn his Marathon Shirt each year. He has two in his closet (1st and 2nd grade), and he will get his 3rd grade shirt on Monday at the assembly! His second goal was to run more miles than the year before. I was really proud of him for coming up with that goal. It shows a real commitment to training, and sticking with something that is important to him. Some days, he is swayed by his friends to play basketball or wall ball, or just run around the playground. I love that he has so many other activities that he's interested in, and that he loves doing them with his friends! But each day he goes out and runs at least two laps first. He knows that he's not going to accomplish his goal in a day or a month or even several months. It will take the whole year, and it is achieved by adding up all of the little successes. That's a pretty fantastic lesson to already have learned in 3rd grade.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EmKeCCFVg6zX4JKHY3dnWSqleDqs0bjXebKYITUqUpdi3B9fRUt3Pi67uKbKlmQUY2OkL0TRaTzvjDQEaV3Nnrpus5YAwG0-33Mm0blYzlPyacyv7wim22_B7FsToYy38tf6bQuTf-mY/s1600/32047_1412650631165_1079492360_1249858_4369890_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EmKeCCFVg6zX4JKHY3dnWSqleDqs0bjXebKYITUqUpdi3B9fRUt3Pi67uKbKlmQUY2OkL0TRaTzvjDQEaV3Nnrpus5YAwG0-33Mm0blYzlPyacyv7wim22_B7FsToYy38tf6bQuTf-mY/s320/32047_1412650631165_1079492360_1249858_4369890_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693948772679502130" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Andrew earns his first Marathon Shirt, 1st grade!</span><br /></div><br />So today, I stayed for his recess, and ran the 4 laps he needed to earn his Marathon Shirt alongside him. We chatted about what he was going to do when he was done (he went straight over to the four-square line), I gave him a little advice (try to land lighter on your feet!), but mostly we just enjoyed the run. I hope that, through my training, I am setting a good example for my children. I love seeing them cheer me on at my races, and I love that Andrew is excited about doing them too. I look forward to many more of these moments with my boy.LatteLoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527801963377439758noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9147565364257871700.post-36093719330631109352012-01-01T15:21:00.000-08:002012-01-02T09:57:02.630-08:00A Runner Was Born...<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPoFdMdLcezdbdW-Zq72JL3Rtppjf02KgYLNEB4pZcV4dR-lTRLAy_Bh2QYqlSXkbhukR2rQQbUDRUlKr5kVgOD7RzTVEk850QJBgNkw6gE22Hlqln_YtkI4M2A1ZSlpc9VdADVMmaskt4/s1600/Andrew+and+Cyndie.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPoFdMdLcezdbdW-Zq72JL3Rtppjf02KgYLNEB4pZcV4dR-lTRLAy_Bh2QYqlSXkbhukR2rQQbUDRUlKr5kVgOD7RzTVEk850QJBgNkw6gE22Hlqln_YtkI4M2A1ZSlpc9VdADVMmaskt4/s320/Andrew+and+Cyndie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693094112323007346" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Blue Lake Triathlon, July 2011<br /><br /><br /></span></div><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >I’ve always ran.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I had never considered myself a “runner.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was on the track team in high </span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >school, ran the 2 mile, but never on the varsity team.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was more of a hobby, or an excuse to run laps around the </span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >tennis courts and flirt with my future hubby.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I did not run in college, unless you count </span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >booking it across campus so I wouldn’t miss yet another statistic class (which I did not pass…maybe if I had been </span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >faster…).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When teaching in Madison, WI, I pa</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >rticipated in the yearly Race for the Cure 5K </span><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >with my teacher friends.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That was more of a social walk/jog than “run.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >Three years after becoming a mother, I was ready to have a</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >nother baby.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After an </span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >unexpected </span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >miscarriage, and many months of negative pregnancy tests, I needed an </span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >outlet for my frustration and unending sadness.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My friend, Jill, asked if I wanted to do </span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >something crazy and sign up to train for and run a half marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Jill, I cannot thank</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" > you enough for asking me to do that.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The date of the race just happened to be what would </span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >have been my due date, April 9<sup>th</sup>, 2010.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That was a very specific SIGN to me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We </span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >recruited a few other friends to join us, and met every Sunday morning to run our long runs.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The rainy mornings were the best.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I felt like I had such purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I never got to run that race with my friends.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I got </span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >pregnant.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was ther</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >e at the finish line with cookies and hugs for my training pals.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Part </span><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >of me still really wanted to run that race…</span></p><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >And a runner was born.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1f2wnwr5sogg1RBqHUX1W6NlCTyv1WOFJebTWsPpVT7BARvk36U6eFcMEu0aG7P5m1zDoyI2UbbBR8sBWm8TBT2f-TcWqVmNgzi7YglyTk-tviAeyR8zWCHyaC1A2HJixcxhkA2Dchrqz/s1600/May+2011+iPhone+039.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1f2wnwr5sogg1RBqHUX1W6NlCTyv1WOFJebTWsPpVT7BARvk36U6eFcMEu0aG7P5m1zDoyI2UbbBR8sBWm8TBT2f-TcWqVmNgzi7YglyTk-tviAeyR8zWCHyaC1A2HJixcxhkA2Dchrqz/s320/May+2011+iPhone+039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693093766251696082" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Race for the Roses with Lynn, April 2011</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Since then, I have completed 5Ks, 10Ks, 15Ks, Half Marathons, Triathlons, and even Hood To Coast. I love the excitement of race day, even more so when I'm with friends! I love that my passion for running and completing races has spread to so many others. I hope to continue sharing my love for running with others, and encouraging and helping friends set and achieve new goals along the way. I have struggled through injury (plagued by IT Band issues...), been disappointed with setbacks, and worked through motivation loss. All the while, encouraging others to throw themselves into this crazy running world!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UAP7LoPBjuJnPIPWdLrN4yqu-d9oAyGgeiECoIcKUdPDiuN17g0Mhk-UgkhvRPbtEIVPGbFNoQrYS2eOlI5Gjkmg5ErLdp3eWyzFnm-0ynfJuH_6ml9P8Rl6irYktw9yfcQhfxU7h0UP/s1600/October+iPhone+2011+024.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UAP7LoPBjuJnPIPWdLrN4yqu-d9oAyGgeiECoIcKUdPDiuN17g0Mhk-UgkhvRPbtEIVPGbFNoQrYS2eOlI5Gjkmg5ErLdp3eWyzFnm-0ynfJuH_6ml9P8Rl6irYktw9yfcQhfxU7h0UP/s320/October+iPhone+2011+024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693092093435018626" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Girlfriends Half Marathon, October 2011 ~ Team "Girlfriends In Training"<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">My own personal goals for running have changed this year. While I've been working on just completing so many of the races I've run, I now have a desire to take my training to the next level. No longer am I satisfied with simply finishing. I want PRs. (For the non runner folk: Personal Records.) I am excited to learn more about the mechanics of running, nutrition and how it plays a very large role in training, and cross-training so my body doesn't fail me. I am even willing to start incorporating the dreaded "sprint workouts." To a distance runner, those are the stuff of nightmares. I am really looking forward to meeting up with my Girlfriends on the weekends for our training runs, and catching up on life, motherhood, and then hitting Starbucks for some coffee.<span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN-J7xqWH_wJn8Cu5wkCRbowe9V6eAgNGEgQSrTYfH4vXGB58mtrqJrV2BLq1T4wC8JgteNd5QcjC3Bikht8H7TyC5qWnezD2cZknbr2h54YMNpveKBoRGqb233dB2rGykFIxSiYjpO07/s1600/August+iPhone+2011+210.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN-J7xqWH_wJn8Cu5wkCRbowe9V6eAgNGEgQSrTYfH4vXGB58mtrqJrV2BLq1T4wC8JgteNd5QcjC3Bikht8H7TyC5qWnezD2cZknbr2h54YMNpveKBoRGqb233dB2rGykFIxSiYjpO07/s320/August+iPhone+2011+210.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693091597237330642" border="0" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Hood To Coast, August 2011 ~ Team "Blood, Sweat, and Beers!"</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">In addition to shifting much of my focus onto myself and my own training, a very large part of my running plans this year include teaching. I am beyond excited to be coaching a Girls on the Run team at our elementary school this spring. I will be meeting with a group of 3rd-5th grade girls twice a week for 12 weeks, and teaching them about healthy body image, healthy lifestyle choices, working through peer pressure/bully concerns, and training them to run a 5K with a Running Buddy. I was a Running Buddy last year, and the experience was amazing! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to coach a team of girls this year. You can take the teacher out of the classroom, but you can't take the teacher out of ME!<span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwNv5eGZcaMfFufg_qmHe6TDGoIu0U4q3ZQXJRdGvufs5UecbTmSWErC9h3DS-AaZx57J4ojJr-uYUdRg9xr3dXLK2H6_xc0P6qT2DPl_BLZhxfkSvqN2yl98nog02d90GdH11xt4d-JI/s1600/DSCF1007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwNv5eGZcaMfFufg_qmHe6TDGoIu0U4q3ZQXJRdGvufs5UecbTmSWErC9h3DS-AaZx57J4ojJr-uYUdRg9xr3dXLK2H6_xc0P6qT2DPl_BLZhxfkSvqN2yl98nog02d90GdH11xt4d-JI/s320/DSCF1007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693092639366342146" border="0" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Starlight Run, June 2011 ~ Girls on the Run Running Buddy with Sayla</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">So thank you for joining me on my journey this year and beyond. I am excited to see where this blog will take me.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size:100%;" ></span></p>LatteLoverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00527801963377439758noreply@blogger.com3