This fabulous group of women placed FIRST in the walking team category of the Barrel 2 Key Relay this summer in Oregon! How can you not smile and have fun when your team is called "Don't Worry Be Hippy" and you are speed walking from Barrel 2 Keg. 

Time Flies

I have been quite lax with my correspondence this past year--both personally and professionally.  Overwhelmed with too many things to take care of. Wen I decided to resurrect my blog, I was quite shocked to discover that my last post was from October 2013.  And here I am now, still undertrained again for the 2014 Columbia Gorge Marathon. 

About a month ago I felt a sharp pain in my knee during a short training run.  Well that pain has not disappeared so finally went to see a sports medicine doctor.  Surprise, surprise I have arthritis in my knee. 

I was happy to learn that I didn't tear or break an important body part.  And with the knowledge that I have a lifetime condition that I have to live with anyway, I am putting my running shoes back on.  I will dial back my running--lower mileage and fewer days/wk.  But I'm still running my marathons.  Well maybe run/walk with more walking. 

I'm a slower marathoner anyway.  Knowing that I need to take it easy on knees makes me feel okay and smart about being at the back of the back.  Whereas I would put imaginary pressure on myself to train harder and get faster.  Now I just feel fortunate for any running I can do. 

Fall running in the gorge



Am feeling a bit undertrained for this event and have wondered if I should proceed. Oh what the heck.   I feel as though I can do the mileage but it could be kinda slow...  At least the scenery will be gorgeous and dry weather is in the forecast.  This area is one of my most favorite in the Pacific Northwest. 

http://www.columbiagorgemarathon.com/event-info/registration/

Crazy as a compliment

I have a favorite running route on West Maui.  Starting at Kapalua, running to Honolua Bay and sometimes past that for a longer run.  I just returned from a hotter than usual Hawaii summer.  After a week of running my fave route in 90 degree weather, a cyclist passes me and says "You're crazy!  And that is a good thing".  Yes, drenched in sweat (me, that is) and proud of the crazy label. 

Pink Lady Runner

We've been having an uncharacteristically warm and dry summer in Seattle this year.  I love this weather but didn't realize what a wimp I am running in the "heat".  This girl from Hawaii struggles with running in greater than 70 degree weather.  That is until I discovered my new favorite go-to gear for the summer.  I lovvvve my pink hydration Camelbak.  It holds enough water to last me through a long run and keeps me well hydrated.  It even has pockets to store my cellphone and other stuff.  My Camelbak is not so pretty and pink anymore because it is always going on the road with me. 

 

 

Run your own race

Run your own race.  Set goals for yourself.  Live your own life. 

Definitely not a PR but still Giddy

I completed the Vancouver USA Marathon in June in approximately 6 hours.  The details (minutes, seconds before or after) don't matter to me.  I was giddily happy for the following reasons, not necessarily in this order:
1.  As I rounded the corner and ran into the last .2 of 26.2 miles, the announcer referred to me as the "young lady"!
2. The announcer also commented on me running in with a good kick and a strong finish.  So never mind that it took 6 hours, I finished strong and felt great.  I usually come in slogging (slow jog). 
3.  I never felt like I hit the wall.  So I enjoyed myself and felt good throughout all 26.2. 
4.  Brewfest with free beer tasting at the finish.
5.  Ono kalua pork plate lunch piled high from the Hawaiian food truck. 

I felt good knowing that I ran my own race and had a great time on my own.  And I was definitely on my own for several miles.  At one point, I worried that I took a wrong turn somewhere because I didn't see any fellow racers.  Finally, a volunteer cycled passed and reassured me that I was headed in the right direction.  I'm even registered for VUM 2014.