I skipped my Saturday morning longer run as we joined the throng of other Bourne fans and saw Bourne Ultimatum instead. (I'm not really training for anything right now anyways, and this movie was top priority of the day)
Although I really liked the 2nd installment, Bourne Supremacy, I think this 3rd one might be my favorite. In fact, we're thinking of going to see it again this week. If you haven't seen it yet, you're missing out. And Even if you haven't seen the first two movies, the action scenes and smartness of the movie keep you on the edge of your seat.
It's a cloudy, cool 63 degree day here, perfect for a run and far different than the hothot humid summers I'm used to back in Kansas. I'm a big fan of this fall-ish weather.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Friday, August 03, 2007
Purple Dinner
Last night was the inaugural Thursday Night Dinner Club.
ok, so I just came up with that name myself and haven't verified it with the other members. Todd met Ryan at Microsoft and over the past year whenever I came out to visit, I got to know Ryan and his wife Aubrey better. I really like them and it's helped make my transition to Seattle much easier having them around.
Anyway, this week's restaurant of choice was Purple Cafe & Wine Bar.
Purple has 3 locations in the Seattle area: Downtown Seattle, Woodinville, and Kirkland. We chose the Kirkland location, which had a nice patio outside to enjoy the cool evening.
Ryan perused the wine book and selected a bottle of Troken Riesling and baked brie appetizer to share. I need to figure out how to make it at home, because it was oh, so delicious, as was my blackened salmon sandwich with mango chutney. Purple has an extensive wine selection, and you can get cheese and wine flights too. The downtown location has a tasting bar, to sample multiple appetizers for cheaper prices, which i'd like to check out sometime.
I'm on the lookout now for next week's dinner location. It's probably going to be a more casual (ie: cheaper) dining spot.
I'm super excited for this weekend though, because do you know what movie comes out? I think we're planning on going to see it tomorrow. Matt Damon is a stud.
ok, so I just came up with that name myself and haven't verified it with the other members. Todd met Ryan at Microsoft and over the past year whenever I came out to visit, I got to know Ryan and his wife Aubrey better. I really like them and it's helped make my transition to Seattle much easier having them around.
Anyway, this week's restaurant of choice was Purple Cafe & Wine Bar.
Purple has 3 locations in the Seattle area: Downtown Seattle, Woodinville, and Kirkland. We chose the Kirkland location, which had a nice patio outside to enjoy the cool evening.
Ryan perused the wine book and selected a bottle of Troken Riesling and baked brie appetizer to share. I need to figure out how to make it at home, because it was oh, so delicious, as was my blackened salmon sandwich with mango chutney. Purple has an extensive wine selection, and you can get cheese and wine flights too. The downtown location has a tasting bar, to sample multiple appetizers for cheaper prices, which i'd like to check out sometime.
I'm on the lookout now for next week's dinner location. It's probably going to be a more casual (ie: cheaper) dining spot.
I'm super excited for this weekend though, because do you know what movie comes out? I think we're planning on going to see it tomorrow. Matt Damon is a stud.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Me and the Giant Picnic
The weekend got off to a busy start, Todd was 'working' out of the office on Friday, so we took the convertible to the University District to eat at Pita Pit. MMmmmm... I hadn't tasted their pita deliciousness since i was back in college a couple years ago, and it was well worth the drive.
I went for a 5 mile run Saturday morning, knowing that I was going to be attending the largest picnic known to mankind*. We drove to the Microsoft campus and got on the charter bus headed for the company picnic (this was just 1 of about 45 buses they were shuttling around throughout the day), which was located out east about 20 miles at Mountain Meadows Farm near the base of Mount Si.
[*that is not a factual statement, but if it's not the largest, i'm pretty sure it's one of the top 5 largest]
I have no way to accurately describe the scene, but imagine a town of about 10,000 people having a carnival where everything is free (and this was just 1 of the 3 possible days of attendance). Food, games, massages, casino, music, more food, beer & wine, clowns, puzzles (it IS Microsoft, afterall).
Here are a few pics of the day:
Hanging out with some Microsoft friends...
There were games for all ages...
The food tents stretched on and on...
Mmmmm...i heart gyros..
It was a fun couple of hours, then we caught a bus back to campus, and went out in Bellevue with our friends Ryan and Aubrey to see HAIRSPRAY and then enjoyed some sushi and dessert to cap off the evening.
Sunday was much more relaxing, but the week ahead looks busy. Tonight is trivia night at Celtic Bayou, Tuesday i have another interview and a bbq with a small church group in the evening, and Thursday is our weekly dinner with Ryan and Aubrey. We're on a new quest to try out a different restaurant every week. This means no room for me to slack off in my exercising :)
I went for a 5 mile run Saturday morning, knowing that I was going to be attending the largest picnic known to mankind*. We drove to the Microsoft campus and got on the charter bus headed for the company picnic (this was just 1 of about 45 buses they were shuttling around throughout the day), which was located out east about 20 miles at Mountain Meadows Farm near the base of Mount Si.
[*that is not a factual statement, but if it's not the largest, i'm pretty sure it's one of the top 5 largest]
I have no way to accurately describe the scene, but imagine a town of about 10,000 people having a carnival where everything is free (and this was just 1 of the 3 possible days of attendance). Food, games, massages, casino, music, more food, beer & wine, clowns, puzzles (it IS Microsoft, afterall).
Here are a few pics of the day:
Hanging out with some Microsoft friends...
There were games for all ages...
The food tents stretched on and on...
Mmmmm...i heart gyros..
It was a fun couple of hours, then we caught a bus back to campus, and went out in Bellevue with our friends Ryan and Aubrey to see HAIRSPRAY and then enjoyed some sushi and dessert to cap off the evening.
Sunday was much more relaxing, but the week ahead looks busy. Tonight is trivia night at Celtic Bayou, Tuesday i have another interview and a bbq with a small church group in the evening, and Thursday is our weekly dinner with Ryan and Aubrey. We're on a new quest to try out a different restaurant every week. This means no room for me to slack off in my exercising :)
Thursday, July 26, 2007
A New Look
i figure since i moved to a new city, i would give my blog a new simpler look.
yesterday i hopped on the bus in Redmond and headed to Seattle to meet Todd, since he was working at a coffee shop in Capitol Hill instead of his office. we figured it would be a nice little 'date' night since it was a beautiful sunny evening.
He even suggested we go get some sushi (well, ME get some sushi, since he's not fond of seafood). We walked around by the waterfront and headed back through downtown when we passed by the Cheesecake Factory. If you know Todd, you know that nobody loves their cheesecake like he does, so being the awesome girlfriend that i am, i suggested we eat there instead of getting sushi. Quite the sacrifice for me, since this town is full of unique eateries.
still, i need to find someone for sushi dates. i could make that part of my next mission:
• Find me a great sushi place to replace my love for Kona Grill in KC.
but for now, i need to get out and soak up the sunshine. it makes it awfully easy to run when this is your playground
yesterday i hopped on the bus in Redmond and headed to Seattle to meet Todd, since he was working at a coffee shop in Capitol Hill instead of his office. we figured it would be a nice little 'date' night since it was a beautiful sunny evening.
He even suggested we go get some sushi (well, ME get some sushi, since he's not fond of seafood). We walked around by the waterfront and headed back through downtown when we passed by the Cheesecake Factory. If you know Todd, you know that nobody loves their cheesecake like he does, so being the awesome girlfriend that i am, i suggested we eat there instead of getting sushi. Quite the sacrifice for me, since this town is full of unique eateries.
still, i need to find someone for sushi dates. i could make that part of my next mission:
• Find me a great sushi place to replace my love for Kona Grill in KC.
but for now, i need to get out and soak up the sunshine. it makes it awfully easy to run when this is your playground
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
I DID IT!
No, sadly, i did not find a job.
But just as exciting to me....i ran up the entire Inglewood Hill smack dab in the middle of my 5 miler. Without stopping.
Ever since i gave myself the challenge to run the entire hill, i was just anxious to get it done with. No matter how hard my heart was beating. No matter how dead tired my quads were. No matter how bad i wanted to stop and log roll all the way down.
I kept on pushing myself, and a 600 ft elevation rise and over 1/2 mile later, i jumped around like an energy sapped Rocky when i reached the top. It was a successful start to the week.
I had an interview at a marketing firm yesterday that i really enjoyed, but i'm thinking that i don't have quite enough experience as they would prefer. And today I have an interview for a contract job that i already know is not something i would enjoy.
So, i keep on looking. The gorgeous weather makes me want to play outside instead of job searching.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Blogless in Seattle
I was out running this morning and figured it's long past time that i get around to posting a blog. Obviously it's been too long when i have trouble remembering my password to log on here. But i can't go much longer without blogging, b/c i have people out there who are trying to track my every move, and it's hard for them to do that when i don't give them any indication of what i'm up to.
So since i arrived out here about 2 1/2 weeks ago, here's a recap:
1. I am still jobless. You know, being unemployed is fun for awhile, until you stop getting paychecks and have to dig into your savings. I've had a few interviews, and have more lined up for this next week, so at least i'm being proactive and not just waiting for someone to come offer me a job (which would be awesome if things worked that way).
2. While being jobless and pinching pennies has its disadvantages, it leaves a wide open slot for doing whatever i what, whenever it want. Namely, going for runs whenever i so desire, instead of waking up at dawn to do so.
3. On a related note...i heart Washington. For many reasons. But mostly because i can go run at high noon and not die from heat and humidity after 1/2 mile. The weather is just great, and despite their record high temps last week (lower 90s....pish posh), it's not an unbearable heat like back in Kansas.
4. On the downside, it's a bit hillier here than in kansas. You may think- 'Duh, captain obvious', but kansas is much hillier than people give it credit for. But i'm talking 12% grade, 3/4 mile long hills here. Last week i gave myself the challenge of running up Inglewood Hill. I started up it after running 3 miles, and had to catch my breath half way up. What was i thinking??? Not one to give up, i've made it my new goal to run up the entire hill without stopping for a breather.
Inglewood Hill link (use Internet Explorer or Firefox)
5. Oh yeah, i did not end up doing the Seafair Half Marathon like i had planned to. Mostly because, i didn't feel like ponying up the $75 entrance fee when i'm jobless, but also because i hadn't been able to get any good longer distance runs in over 10 miles. I thought about doing the 5K, but that also had an entrance fee, and honestly....my ego told me that a 5K would be too easy. That's the problem with being a long distance runner. You convince yourself that you're too good for the shorter distances. It's dumb, i know, and i need to get that idea out of my head. So i'm keeping my eyes open for some 5Ks and 10Ks coming up this summer but looking ahead to November for the Seattle Marathon.
Ok, well all that recapping made me hungry. We're heading downtown to Bite of Seattle, where a plethora of food and wine awaits.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
what a long strange trip it's been...
2,000 miles, 9 states, and a bazillion tanks of gas later....we made it to Seattle.
i'll post more later, but just for those keeping tabs on me, i have safely arrived in the northwest. and it is hot here.
Friday, June 29, 2007
it's 'GO TIME'
the day is finally here!!! everything i own is in a box to the left....to the left..to the left....
the U-Haul is all packed. i've said my goodbyes. i've cried some tears (only thanks to the U-Haul company's poor reservation system). and we are westward bound early in the morning, after breakfast with my parents and brother. i still don't think it's hit me yet, and i forecast that somewhere between Sioux Falls and Rapid City, i'll become a soppy mess of waterworks.
i'll do my best to post updates, but who knows where we'll stay. perhaps the back of the truck. just move a couple boxes and crash on the couches.
farewell KC, you've been good to me. oh, so good. no need to fear, i will not forget you and the good times and great friends you've given me.
the U-Haul is all packed. i've said my goodbyes. i've cried some tears (only thanks to the U-Haul company's poor reservation system). and we are westward bound early in the morning, after breakfast with my parents and brother. i still don't think it's hit me yet, and i forecast that somewhere between Sioux Falls and Rapid City, i'll become a soppy mess of waterworks.
i'll do my best to post updates, but who knows where we'll stay. perhaps the back of the truck. just move a couple boxes and crash on the couches.
farewell KC, you've been good to me. oh, so good. no need to fear, i will not forget you and the good times and great friends you've given me.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
the clock is ticking down
there i go again....not blogging.
it just seems like i've been too busy. i do feel bad for not keeping everyone up-to-date on my life, i promise to do better. here's a recap of the past several weeks:
i turned the big 25, and it was bittersweet spending it with my family and friends, knowing that it was my last birthday here in KC.
my time here is dwindling down, and i've reserved a U-Haul, notified by Starbucks manager, and am slowly getting everything packed into boxes. i move to Seattle in 9 days!! EEEEEEK!! i'm scared. i'm excited. i'm ecstatic. i'm sad. i don't think it's really hit me yet, i kinda still think it's just another visit and that i'll return again. (well, i will return 2 weeks after i move, but just for a weekend wedding) i still have a lot of preparation to do, the house is in disarray, and i can't even think straight.
between weddings, work, packing, i have managed to do some running. not as much as i would like, but i'm at least keeping an 8 mile base. i'd still like to do the SeaFair Half Marathon the weekend after i arrive in Seattle, but we'll see what transpires between now and then.
i'm more concerned about finding a job AND place to live, than i am about training for a race. i'm sure i'll have plenty of time once i get settled in out there to focus on training, when i'm homesick and missing all my family and friends. (i'm going to go cry now)
it just seems like i've been too busy. i do feel bad for not keeping everyone up-to-date on my life, i promise to do better. here's a recap of the past several weeks:
i turned the big 25, and it was bittersweet spending it with my family and friends, knowing that it was my last birthday here in KC.
my time here is dwindling down, and i've reserved a U-Haul, notified by Starbucks manager, and am slowly getting everything packed into boxes. i move to Seattle in 9 days!! EEEEEEK!! i'm scared. i'm excited. i'm ecstatic. i'm sad. i don't think it's really hit me yet, i kinda still think it's just another visit and that i'll return again. (well, i will return 2 weeks after i move, but just for a weekend wedding) i still have a lot of preparation to do, the house is in disarray, and i can't even think straight.
between weddings, work, packing, i have managed to do some running. not as much as i would like, but i'm at least keeping an 8 mile base. i'd still like to do the SeaFair Half Marathon the weekend after i arrive in Seattle, but we'll see what transpires between now and then.
i'm more concerned about finding a job AND place to live, than i am about training for a race. i'm sure i'll have plenty of time once i get settled in out there to focus on training, when i'm homesick and missing all my family and friends. (i'm going to go cry now)
Thursday, May 31, 2007
i am, in fact, still alive
i told myself that i wouldn't let an entire month go by without blogging anything, so being the procrastinator that i am...i'm cutting it close and finally blogging before the month ends.
i'd apologize for being a bad blogger, but the truth is, i'm not sorry. i've been busy and blogging wasn't ranking too high on my 'must-do' list.
and since i don't have much time today, i'm just here to give a quick rundown of my last month.
runningwise, i've been doing mostly 6 or 8 milers two or three times a week, sprinkle in a 3 or 4 miler and maybe a 10 if i feel like it. i've either been out of town, or working on saturday mornings, so i really miss seeing my Saturday morning running buddies :(
and just as i was thinking about training for the SeaFair marathon in Seattle (instead of the half marathon), my running took a sidenote when i got really sick for a couple of days. the sick where every single muscle fiber in your entire body hurts, and you can't eat, can't sleep, can't do anything except lay on the floor and cry. it was absolutely awful. i've had back problems since a high school car accident, and the vertebrae i injured is linked to the stomach, which is linked to my head, which is linked to my muscles. and basically, all of those shut down.
but i'm better now (i think).
i took a trip to Seattle for some fun with the Todd, and it makes me really excited to move out there.
packing up my stuff and getting ready to move is exhausting. and i went home to my parents farm for Memorial Day and was able to see some of my cousins i hadn't seen since my grandma's funeral last year. and lately i've been working so much that i feel like i live at Starbucks. and i've been getting ready for my friend's wedding this weekend, finishing up designing the wedding programs, etc. (and making sure i fit into my bridesmaid's dress).
other than all that...not much is going on :)
one last thing: Happy Running to everyone running Rock n Roll San Diego this weekend!!!!! can't believe that was a year ago when i suffered through that :) i do wish i were doing it again this year, though.
i'd apologize for being a bad blogger, but the truth is, i'm not sorry. i've been busy and blogging wasn't ranking too high on my 'must-do' list.
and since i don't have much time today, i'm just here to give a quick rundown of my last month.
runningwise, i've been doing mostly 6 or 8 milers two or three times a week, sprinkle in a 3 or 4 miler and maybe a 10 if i feel like it. i've either been out of town, or working on saturday mornings, so i really miss seeing my Saturday morning running buddies :(
and just as i was thinking about training for the SeaFair marathon in Seattle (instead of the half marathon), my running took a sidenote when i got really sick for a couple of days. the sick where every single muscle fiber in your entire body hurts, and you can't eat, can't sleep, can't do anything except lay on the floor and cry. it was absolutely awful. i've had back problems since a high school car accident, and the vertebrae i injured is linked to the stomach, which is linked to my head, which is linked to my muscles. and basically, all of those shut down.
but i'm better now (i think).
i took a trip to Seattle for some fun with the Todd, and it makes me really excited to move out there.
packing up my stuff and getting ready to move is exhausting. and i went home to my parents farm for Memorial Day and was able to see some of my cousins i hadn't seen since my grandma's funeral last year. and lately i've been working so much that i feel like i live at Starbucks. and i've been getting ready for my friend's wedding this weekend, finishing up designing the wedding programs, etc. (and making sure i fit into my bridesmaid's dress).
other than all that...not much is going on :)
one last thing: Happy Running to everyone running Rock n Roll San Diego this weekend!!!!! can't believe that was a year ago when i suffered through that :) i do wish i were doing it again this year, though.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Oklahoma, you're OK!
Actually, better than just OK. The weekend in Oklahoma City far exceeded my expectations. It was GREAT.
Going in to the half marathon, my only goal was to finish under 2:00. I wore my GPS, but didn't even look at it once during the race. The primary concern was to just have fun and enjoy all that Oklahoma City had to offer us. We ran at a comfortable pace, singing songs, dancing (as much as you can while running) along with the music and just having a grand old time.
Finish time-- 1:57:24
I was certainly glad i did the half, because shortly after we finished, the temperature skyrocketed, leaving us concerned for our friends out on the marathon course dealing with the heat. But they all did great, and there's nothing quite like being rewarded for running a marathon than with a fresh-from-the-grill Carl's Jr Cheeseburger. mmmmmm.
And the main reason I enjoyed the weekend....running in remembrance of the 168 victims of the Oklahoma City bombing.
Before the race, the running crowd of 15,000 reflected during 168 seconds of silence. And we started off running past the Memorial. It was extra motivating during the run to see the 168 banners that lined the course, displaying the names of the innocent lives lost and seeing all the 'In Honor Of' signs on runners during the race.
Afterwards, we took some time to visit the Memorial and pay respect to the 168 victims. I'm really glad that I was able to finally visit the Memorial and get a better sense of Oklahoma's spirit of survival.
I admit, i've never been a fan of anyone who calls themself a Sooner (bad past experience at a KSU/OU football game).
My opinion has been completely changed.
The city was welcoming and had a clean, vibrant downtown area. There was also a Festival of the Arts going on Saturday evening that we went to. The supporters all along the race course were amazing and i've already deemed this as my favorite half marathon. I'd love to return in the future, maybe even run the full marathon.
Thanks OKC, you were great.
Friday, April 27, 2007
just me and the boys
it's that time again.
half marathon time.
only this is probably the least prepared i've ever been for a half. i've ran 8 milers on the weekends and mostly 4 and 6 milers during the week, but i haven't ran anything over 8 since the Olathe Half a month ago.
oh, i have no doubt that i'll finish....but if i finish under 2:00 i'll be happy. my endurance is not up to its par and i've convinced myself i'm out there more to enjoy Oklahoma City than to try and run a PR.
other than some slight apprehension, it should be an excellent weekend. just me and the boys.
have i mentioned that i'll be traveling in a van with 5 guys? and sharing a hotel room with josh? yeah, well i am. and i'm pretty excited about it.
as long as they all shower afterwards.
me and a van full of smelly guys is not my idea of a good time.
half marathon time.
only this is probably the least prepared i've ever been for a half. i've ran 8 milers on the weekends and mostly 4 and 6 milers during the week, but i haven't ran anything over 8 since the Olathe Half a month ago.
oh, i have no doubt that i'll finish....but if i finish under 2:00 i'll be happy. my endurance is not up to its par and i've convinced myself i'm out there more to enjoy Oklahoma City than to try and run a PR.
other than some slight apprehension, it should be an excellent weekend. just me and the boys.
have i mentioned that i'll be traveling in a van with 5 guys? and sharing a hotel room with josh? yeah, well i am. and i'm pretty excited about it.
as long as they all shower afterwards.
me and a van full of smelly guys is not my idea of a good time.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
this day
this day...April 19...i'm not a fan of it at all. and i feel that more so than any other day of the year it always brings up a mixture of emotions for me.
most notable to many people is that 12 years ago the Oklahoma City bombings occurred and i can remember where i was, what i was doing, and how incomprehensible it was. i was in 7th grade social studies class when we were told about the bombing and watched in disbelief as the events of the day unfolded.
this is one of the main reasons why i really wanted to take part in the Oklahoma City Memorial (Half) Marathon next weekend. and in some small way, it's a chance for me to honor the victims and their families.
but this day...April 19...cemented itself as one of the worst days of my life when i was a senior in high school. i don't talk about it much, many of my close friends don't even know this part of my life. but every year it's an unavoidable sorrow that hangs over my head. and with the recent events at Virginia Tech and all of the bomb threats around this area lately, i can't help but weep.
my senior class was exactly one month away from graduation, we had just had our senior prom 'Heaven Awaits', and our close knit group of 88 students were loving life and looking forward to that last month before we all said our goodbyes and headed off on our separate ways.
but this day...April 19, 1999... this day would forever change us.
every year, the senior class would help participate in the city-wide cleanup. as part of our community service, we would assist the city workers in picking up unwanted large items that people put out on their curbs. it was a day to be excused from classes, get out and enjoy the weather, and goof off as we drove around town looking for garbage.
this day....it's still as vivid as the day it happened.....a group of about 8 of my friends had split into two trucks as we drove around and we were headed back to the dropoff spot to unload. we had to find spots to sit amongst the trash in the truck beds and i was in the lead truck, facing backwards, waving to the girls in the truck behind us.
we were driving down Main Street, they were sitting in their truck bed also, atop mattresses, chairs, boxes....Tara waved back and giggled.
and then the wind blew.
the gust caught the edge of the mattress she was sitting on. she was just a little girl and the wind flipped that mattress, knocking her off onto the pavement like a ragdoll. her boyfriend was sitting next to me, and we noticed that nobody in her truck had seen her fall, so we pointed and yelled that they wait for her to hop back on the truck.
but she didn't get up.
she never got up.
they life flighted her to Topeka, and we were sent back to school where we waited all afternoon to hear good news. it never came.
It didn't make sense. The truck was only going 20 mph, she only fell 4 feet. she was doing community service...one month from graduation...she was headed to college to be a teacher just like her mom.
Tara never woke up. She died that afternoon and our lives were forever changed.
There is a picture of Tara at prom, beaming from ear to ear, standing under the words 'Heaven Awaits'...and it makes me smile.
this day. April 19. it's a day of remembrance.
most notable to many people is that 12 years ago the Oklahoma City bombings occurred and i can remember where i was, what i was doing, and how incomprehensible it was. i was in 7th grade social studies class when we were told about the bombing and watched in disbelief as the events of the day unfolded.
this is one of the main reasons why i really wanted to take part in the Oklahoma City Memorial (Half) Marathon next weekend. and in some small way, it's a chance for me to honor the victims and their families.
but this day...April 19...cemented itself as one of the worst days of my life when i was a senior in high school. i don't talk about it much, many of my close friends don't even know this part of my life. but every year it's an unavoidable sorrow that hangs over my head. and with the recent events at Virginia Tech and all of the bomb threats around this area lately, i can't help but weep.
my senior class was exactly one month away from graduation, we had just had our senior prom 'Heaven Awaits', and our close knit group of 88 students were loving life and looking forward to that last month before we all said our goodbyes and headed off on our separate ways.
but this day...April 19, 1999... this day would forever change us.
every year, the senior class would help participate in the city-wide cleanup. as part of our community service, we would assist the city workers in picking up unwanted large items that people put out on their curbs. it was a day to be excused from classes, get out and enjoy the weather, and goof off as we drove around town looking for garbage.
this day....it's still as vivid as the day it happened.....a group of about 8 of my friends had split into two trucks as we drove around and we were headed back to the dropoff spot to unload. we had to find spots to sit amongst the trash in the truck beds and i was in the lead truck, facing backwards, waving to the girls in the truck behind us.
we were driving down Main Street, they were sitting in their truck bed also, atop mattresses, chairs, boxes....Tara waved back and giggled.
and then the wind blew.
the gust caught the edge of the mattress she was sitting on. she was just a little girl and the wind flipped that mattress, knocking her off onto the pavement like a ragdoll. her boyfriend was sitting next to me, and we noticed that nobody in her truck had seen her fall, so we pointed and yelled that they wait for her to hop back on the truck.
but she didn't get up.
she never got up.
they life flighted her to Topeka, and we were sent back to school where we waited all afternoon to hear good news. it never came.
It didn't make sense. The truck was only going 20 mph, she only fell 4 feet. she was doing community service...one month from graduation...she was headed to college to be a teacher just like her mom.
Tara never woke up. She died that afternoon and our lives were forever changed.
There is a picture of Tara at prom, beaming from ear to ear, standing under the words 'Heaven Awaits'...and it makes me smile.
this day. April 19. it's a day of remembrance.
Monday, April 16, 2007
new toys
i like to prove myself wrong....
the thought of running in the snow on saturday morning actually exhilarated me, so on friday night i set my alarm for 6 am on saturday morning and made the sleety early morning drive out to Independence.
and i'm glad i did. we ran on a crushed gravel trail and there was some puddle hopping required. but after a while, it was pretty pointless to try and avoid them so i just splashed my way through the 8 miles. the rain/sleet dissipated after the first couple miles, and it turned out to be a nice, peaceful early morning jog.
plus, i got myself some new running stuff with our TNT alumni discount: Nike Tempo track shorts, Asics Hera running gloves, and some mmmm....Espresso Love Gu.
and finally spring has returned to its rightful owner!!
yesterday the temps were back in the 60s, so my roommate and i went on a bike ride. we stopped by Bike America on the way to the trail and i bought myself a Giro Transfer bike helmet so i wouldn't have to keep borrowing hers.
i don't have to work today so i'm heading out to enjoy the sweet, sweet sunshiney day. first to the gym, then out for another bike ride and run this afternoon.
the thought of running in the snow on saturday morning actually exhilarated me, so on friday night i set my alarm for 6 am on saturday morning and made the sleety early morning drive out to Independence.
and i'm glad i did. we ran on a crushed gravel trail and there was some puddle hopping required. but after a while, it was pretty pointless to try and avoid them so i just splashed my way through the 8 miles. the rain/sleet dissipated after the first couple miles, and it turned out to be a nice, peaceful early morning jog.
plus, i got myself some new running stuff with our TNT alumni discount: Nike Tempo track shorts, Asics Hera running gloves, and some mmmm....Espresso Love Gu.
and finally spring has returned to its rightful owner!!
yesterday the temps were back in the 60s, so my roommate and i went on a bike ride. we stopped by Bike America on the way to the trail and i bought myself a Giro Transfer bike helmet so i wouldn't have to keep borrowing hers.
i don't have to work today so i'm heading out to enjoy the sweet, sweet sunshiney day. first to the gym, then out for another bike ride and run this afternoon.
Friday, April 13, 2007
April's a Fool
Oh, that April....she's such a jokester.
The forecast for tomorrow morning:
This weather has just been hampering my running style. Since the Olathe Half almost two weeks ago, i've logged a total of 7 running miles. I took last week off from running and made myself run 3 & 4 miles on the treadmill this week.
April needs to get her act together and warm up. I have another half marathon in 15 days and need to get some longer runs in. The snow tomorrow morning will probably keep me from doing the 7 am run, especially since it's scheduled on a trail 30 minutes away. I'll have to motivate myself to get my running in by myself.
And I finally registered for the Oklahoma City Half this morning, so i can't back out now. Gotta deal with this wintery weather and get my butt running. I can handle another treadmill run for today...off to the gym i go!
The forecast for tomorrow morning:
This weather has just been hampering my running style. Since the Olathe Half almost two weeks ago, i've logged a total of 7 running miles. I took last week off from running and made myself run 3 & 4 miles on the treadmill this week.
April needs to get her act together and warm up. I have another half marathon in 15 days and need to get some longer runs in. The snow tomorrow morning will probably keep me from doing the 7 am run, especially since it's scheduled on a trail 30 minutes away. I'll have to motivate myself to get my running in by myself.
And I finally registered for the Oklahoma City Half this morning, so i can't back out now. Gotta deal with this wintery weather and get my butt running. I can handle another treadmill run for today...off to the gym i go!
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Greener pastures
A pleasant surprise after the half marathon
1st place in my age group!! I definitely wasn't expecting that, but my confidence sure is boosted because of it.
So today is my last day here at GlynnDevins Marketing. I'm a wee bit sad to leave some of my co-workers who've become my close friends over the past two years. But the joy of leaving this job that I have disliked for so long FAR outweighs any sadness. And I'm excited to just work at Starbucks and hang out with family and friends during this intermittent time before I move to Seattle.
It's definitely overdue that I leave here, I feel like I lost a lot of my intelligence and ambition while I worked here. Although, I do have to note that this is the place I met Josh, who has played a most integral role in my running life. So for that, I am happy. But lately, everytime I sit down at my desk, my head starts pounding, my eyes get spotty, and I get dizzy. This place is making me sick.
Time to move on to greener pastures.
Is it happy hour time yet?!!
1st place in my age group!! I definitely wasn't expecting that, but my confidence sure is boosted because of it.
So today is my last day here at GlynnDevins Marketing. I'm a wee bit sad to leave some of my co-workers who've become my close friends over the past two years. But the joy of leaving this job that I have disliked for so long FAR outweighs any sadness. And I'm excited to just work at Starbucks and hang out with family and friends during this intermittent time before I move to Seattle.
It's definitely overdue that I leave here, I feel like I lost a lot of my intelligence and ambition while I worked here. Although, I do have to note that this is the place I met Josh, who has played a most integral role in my running life. So for that, I am happy. But lately, everytime I sit down at my desk, my head starts pounding, my eyes get spotty, and I get dizzy. This place is making me sick.
Time to move on to greener pastures.
Is it happy hour time yet?!!
Saturday, March 31, 2007
low expectations
My quest for sleep is still ongoing....
Todd was scheduled to fly in to town on Thursday evening, but due to delayed flights in Seattle, de-icing in Denver, and a diversion to Omaha, he finally arrived early Friday morning around 2 a.m. Combine that with a 5:30 alarm this morning for the half marathon, and an early rise tomorrow to get him to the airport for an 8 a.m. flight, i am not getting caught up on my beauty sleep.
Since last night was a pre-race meal, I had to be careful about where we went out to eat. Not being a huge fan of pasta, I suggested that we get somewhere for sushi. We went to Kyoto japanese steakhouse and i ordered chicken teriyaki with assorted sushi. Protein, veggies, rice....that's a solid combination for raceday nutrition. Unless....the assorted sushi ends up being assorted sashimi (the raw fish on rice) instead of the rolls like i was expecting.
Oh well, its fish and rice, that's still good stuff...so i ate it. And then i felt tummyachey afterwards.
Yet another reason my sleep was not too pleasant.
But by the time we got to the start, i was feeling good. The forecast called for 60% chance of rain, and it was a bit chilly waiting for the gun, but once the race began, i was glad i opted to wear shorts and a sleeveless top. Stupid Kansas mugginess. And stupid Kansas wind (at least it was at our backs for the last 4 miles).
The course was actually decent, hardly any hills and the hills that were present were just tiny ones.
The things I didn't like about the race were:
1. Running the 5K, 15K, and half marathoners all together. At the beginning, this messed with my pace b/c being mixed in with runners who are all going different distances, my competitive nature took over so i was running a faster pace to keep up. I told myself to slow down after the first half mile, b/c i still had over 12 miles to go, not 2 miles.
2. The out-and-back part around the Great Mall of the Great Plains was windy and long. Thankfully, i had Todd and my brother out there cheering for me and the way that part of the course was set up, I got to run by them 3 times. And i also got to see my pal Courtney as we were crossing paths on the loop, she's always a bundle of cheer and super supportive.
3. The finish was uphill. No other explanation needed.
But overall, i liked this half marathon quite a bit, it definitely helped that i had a great support staff out there cheering me on. (THANK YOU guys)
i went into the race just aiming for a sub-2 hour, not feeling quite as ready as I have been for my prior half marathons. And oh what a pleasant surprise when i got myself a little thing we like to call....a PR! see what happens when you have low expectations?
1:47:52 (at 13.1 miles on my Garmin). the finish line registered at 13.4 miles and i haven't seen the official time posted yet, but it will still be a PR regardless.
Todd was scheduled to fly in to town on Thursday evening, but due to delayed flights in Seattle, de-icing in Denver, and a diversion to Omaha, he finally arrived early Friday morning around 2 a.m. Combine that with a 5:30 alarm this morning for the half marathon, and an early rise tomorrow to get him to the airport for an 8 a.m. flight, i am not getting caught up on my beauty sleep.
Since last night was a pre-race meal, I had to be careful about where we went out to eat. Not being a huge fan of pasta, I suggested that we get somewhere for sushi. We went to Kyoto japanese steakhouse and i ordered chicken teriyaki with assorted sushi. Protein, veggies, rice....that's a solid combination for raceday nutrition. Unless....the assorted sushi ends up being assorted sashimi (the raw fish on rice) instead of the rolls like i was expecting.
Oh well, its fish and rice, that's still good stuff...so i ate it. And then i felt tummyachey afterwards.
Yet another reason my sleep was not too pleasant.
But by the time we got to the start, i was feeling good. The forecast called for 60% chance of rain, and it was a bit chilly waiting for the gun, but once the race began, i was glad i opted to wear shorts and a sleeveless top. Stupid Kansas mugginess. And stupid Kansas wind (at least it was at our backs for the last 4 miles).
The course was actually decent, hardly any hills and the hills that were present were just tiny ones.
The things I didn't like about the race were:
1. Running the 5K, 15K, and half marathoners all together. At the beginning, this messed with my pace b/c being mixed in with runners who are all going different distances, my competitive nature took over so i was running a faster pace to keep up. I told myself to slow down after the first half mile, b/c i still had over 12 miles to go, not 2 miles.
2. The out-and-back part around the Great Mall of the Great Plains was windy and long. Thankfully, i had Todd and my brother out there cheering for me and the way that part of the course was set up, I got to run by them 3 times. And i also got to see my pal Courtney as we were crossing paths on the loop, she's always a bundle of cheer and super supportive.
3. The finish was uphill. No other explanation needed.
But overall, i liked this half marathon quite a bit, it definitely helped that i had a great support staff out there cheering me on. (THANK YOU guys)
i went into the race just aiming for a sub-2 hour, not feeling quite as ready as I have been for my prior half marathons. And oh what a pleasant surprise when i got myself a little thing we like to call....a PR! see what happens when you have low expectations?
1:47:52 (at 13.1 miles on my Garmin). the finish line registered at 13.4 miles and i haven't seen the official time posted yet, but it will still be a PR regardless.
Monday, March 26, 2007
woe is me.
sleep is definitely NOT overrated.
i can get by with 5 or 6 hours of sleep. i cannot get by with 3 hours of sleep. especially if i have to run the next morning.
such was the case this past friday night. i worked at Starbucks until midnight, then I went home to find a party at my house with loud people, loud music, and no chance at all of getting any good sleep. i knew of this party happening beforehand, so it wasn't just a random surprise, but combine that with being woke up a couple hours later by the bar-goers, it just once more reinforced my desire to live by myself. roommate-free.
i am a person who needs space.
i need quiet time.
i need my sleep. even if it's only the average 6 hours i get on a regular weekday.
i managed to drag myself out of bed at 5:15, planning on running 10 miles. i was struggling to run 8. it was a very non-energetic, non-pleasant run, and very humid.
i guess it was fine i only ran 8 though, since the Olathe half marathon is this saturday, so i was actually on schedule for 'tapering'. but still.....sleeeeeeeeep. good sleep would've been nice.
the weather has been so nice (despite the humidity and gusty winds) so yesterday i decided to dust off my bike and take it for a spring spin. i rode 4 miles from my house, where i hopped on the Indian/Tomahawk Creek trails and biked on them for 15 miles before riding the 4 miles back home.
23 miles total. and a very sore bum today.
here's some pics i took during my ride.
me and my awesome helmet head and a springy creekside pic of my $15 bike:
i can get by with 5 or 6 hours of sleep. i cannot get by with 3 hours of sleep. especially if i have to run the next morning.
such was the case this past friday night. i worked at Starbucks until midnight, then I went home to find a party at my house with loud people, loud music, and no chance at all of getting any good sleep. i knew of this party happening beforehand, so it wasn't just a random surprise, but combine that with being woke up a couple hours later by the bar-goers, it just once more reinforced my desire to live by myself. roommate-free.
i am a person who needs space.
i need quiet time.
i need my sleep. even if it's only the average 6 hours i get on a regular weekday.
i managed to drag myself out of bed at 5:15, planning on running 10 miles. i was struggling to run 8. it was a very non-energetic, non-pleasant run, and very humid.
i guess it was fine i only ran 8 though, since the Olathe half marathon is this saturday, so i was actually on schedule for 'tapering'. but still.....sleeeeeeeeep. good sleep would've been nice.
the weather has been so nice (despite the humidity and gusty winds) so yesterday i decided to dust off my bike and take it for a spring spin. i rode 4 miles from my house, where i hopped on the Indian/Tomahawk Creek trails and biked on them for 15 miles before riding the 4 miles back home.
23 miles total. and a very sore bum today.
here's some pics i took during my ride.
me and my awesome helmet head and a springy creekside pic of my $15 bike:
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Catching Up
i'm so far behind on my blogging...let me do a quick summary....
I was on a running rampage last week. I enjoyed my 12 miler on sunday so much that i did 6 miles tuesday and 8 thursday on that same route.
In other news, last week i was offered a job at Starbucks. My friends say they've never heard someone so excited to quit their full-time job and get a part-time one. Clearly a sign that I hated my job. Actually, hate (present tense) my job since i'm still working there for 3 more weeks.
Saturday morning was a scheduled 14 miler starting at 7 am, but i had to be to a Starbucks Experience workshop at 9 so i started my run at 6 instead. The time crunch made me run faster than i wanted and i was only able to run 12 in order to go home, shower, and make it to the workshop on time. Despite spending 5 hours inside on a lovely saturday, the Starbucks class was pretty fun.
but the best part of saturday was another get-together at Paul & Brita's with Team in Training friends. When Brita was going through chemo, her friends brought her some wigs...some CRAZY looking wigs. perfect for Guitar Hero and Karaoke. This is Courtney and I rockin' the wigs and playing Sweet Child O' Mine. I don't want to brag, but i looked pretty hot with a mullet.
and another of us just looking, um......'special'.
I was on a running rampage last week. I enjoyed my 12 miler on sunday so much that i did 6 miles tuesday and 8 thursday on that same route.
In other news, last week i was offered a job at Starbucks. My friends say they've never heard someone so excited to quit their full-time job and get a part-time one. Clearly a sign that I hated my job. Actually, hate (present tense) my job since i'm still working there for 3 more weeks.
Saturday morning was a scheduled 14 miler starting at 7 am, but i had to be to a Starbucks Experience workshop at 9 so i started my run at 6 instead. The time crunch made me run faster than i wanted and i was only able to run 12 in order to go home, shower, and make it to the workshop on time. Despite spending 5 hours inside on a lovely saturday, the Starbucks class was pretty fun.
but the best part of saturday was another get-together at Paul & Brita's with Team in Training friends. When Brita was going through chemo, her friends brought her some wigs...some CRAZY looking wigs. perfect for Guitar Hero and Karaoke. This is Courtney and I rockin' the wigs and playing Sweet Child O' Mine. I don't want to brag, but i looked pretty hot with a mullet.
and another of us just looking, um......'special'.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
All By Myself
i missed the team run on saturday morning because i was still in Mississippi. And since i had the Olathe Half Marathon coming up in 4 weeks, i knew i needed to get my mileage in. It was supposed to be an 'easy' day of just 6 miles, so i wasn't too dreadful of having to run by myself.
i decided to take advantage of the nice warm(er) spring weather on sunday afternoon and do my 6 miler. i ran my usual path down Mission Road to 71st St, but decided to mix it up a bit and run ALL THE WAY to Missouri. (ok, it's really not that impressive since i live less than a mile from the Kansas/Missouri border). But for no apparent reason, I always run on the Kansas side. Not today.
I was feeling good. I think I'll run 8 miles instead of six.
I ran down Ward Parkway and i kept going. and going. and going. Until suddenly i was at 51st Street on the edge of the Plaza and had no more sidewalk and too much traffic to run on the street. i turned around and headed back. I would've finished at 10 miles if i went straight home, but the weather was so nice and i didn't want to stop so i ran around the Mission Hills area a couple more miles.
12 miles. ALL BY MYSELF.
actually i think it was more like 12.5, but who's counting? (i am)
I'm totally good-to-go for the Olathe Half, and i ran 6 miles last night down the same route. It's a hillier route than i normally run, but i think i like it. Just as our high school cross country mantra said: Hills are our friends.
My trip to Mississippi was fabulous, hopefully i'll get around to writing a recap of that sometime soon.
i decided to take advantage of the nice warm(er) spring weather on sunday afternoon and do my 6 miler. i ran my usual path down Mission Road to 71st St, but decided to mix it up a bit and run ALL THE WAY to Missouri. (ok, it's really not that impressive since i live less than a mile from the Kansas/Missouri border). But for no apparent reason, I always run on the Kansas side. Not today.
I was feeling good. I think I'll run 8 miles instead of six.
I ran down Ward Parkway and i kept going. and going. and going. Until suddenly i was at 51st Street on the edge of the Plaza and had no more sidewalk and too much traffic to run on the street. i turned around and headed back. I would've finished at 10 miles if i went straight home, but the weather was so nice and i didn't want to stop so i ran around the Mission Hills area a couple more miles.
12 miles. ALL BY MYSELF.
actually i think it was more like 12.5, but who's counting? (i am)
I'm totally good-to-go for the Olathe Half, and i ran 6 miles last night down the same route. It's a hillier route than i normally run, but i think i like it. Just as our high school cross country mantra said: Hills are our friends.
My trip to Mississippi was fabulous, hopefully i'll get around to writing a recap of that sometime soon.
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