Thursday, December 22, 2011

Months pass by in a blink of an eye.

The last few weeks have been absolutely crazy. I swear the only time I'm at my house is to sleep or shower. I honestly can't remember the last time I ate dinner here! I guess I can blame the time of year and mini vacations. Although I've been neglecting my resolutions I can say that I have been having a lot of fun!


Happy Calloween! Nope, I didn't misspell that, that's what we call Halloween now that Callen in around. This year he dressed up like a cow and Carly, Joe and I were cowpeople! We walked around Downtown Poulsbo. He was the cutest kid around for sure! 

On November 17th we celebrated my Grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary. Can you believe that? 60 year! The are so amazing and still in love! I'm so lucky to have such a great family. 
All because two people fell in love :) 
Original Wedding cake topper, 60 yrs later
Wedding day.
The first Captain Michelson
Love them!


We also celebrated Carly's Birthday! Hooray for not being 30 :)

And then there was Vegas...
We went down the weekend before Thanksgiving to celebrate my friend Jessica's
birthday. The four of us had a blast! Great time with great friends!
I also continued my conquering of my fears!
We ziplined over Freemont street!
I think I may have gotten over a least part of this fear!
And of course we had to get all fancied up and go to a show.
Le Reve was amazing! I had never seen an acrobatic water show before.

I'm also having a hard time coming to terms with the  kids around me getting older!
Maddie was a little toy soldier in this years Nutcracker!
She is only 7 but I swear the next time I blink she'll be 25!

And the Christmas festivities begin!
With Callen around it makes things so much more fun!

And of course there were Seahawk games!
Thursday night vs. the Eagles
Monday night vs. the Rams
We won both! and I managed to only slightly loose my voice!
Christmas celebration with my WWU girls!
I love the city this time of the year!

My Mom and I spent a weekend over in Seattle for our annual shopping weekend!
We went to see Cinderella (hence the crown!) at the 5th avenue with my Dad and the Perigards.
Now with all that being said I think I need to set some priorities here and really focus on making training for this marathon a priority. There is no 'winging' a marathon. You are either in or out, you do the work or you don't finish. Not finishing is NOT an option.

I was doing so well before Vegas! I'm a girl who thrives on routines and habits, good or bad, they truly dictate my life. Once I'm in a rut I stay there until I make some grand declaration for change, because you know I'm too stubborn to not do the things I resolve to do ;)

For now there, I'm just having some trouble breathing! I've got an awful cold! Most likely from the go-go-go and lack of sleep. I need to learn some better balance.... didn't I talk about that once?

I'm off to attempt some sleep!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Overdue.

I can't believe that September 28th was the last time I updated my blog. I was doing so well for such a long time! I really think it is this time of year that does it to me. I get so busy I don't have enough time to sleep, much less blog! I'm going to make a conscious effort to get back to it! I'm not sure if I lost all my readers or not, but I know I can count on my Mom to start checking it again. :)

So you know how much I like making lists, right? Well here are my major reasons/resolutions for my renewed blogging:

1. So everybody will quit bugging me about not blogging. (Not that I minded the bugging, it made me happy to know that people missed reading it!)
2. To keep myself accountable to my resolutions. (Since I haven't been taking photos of everything I've been eating... I've been eating terribly! Not cooking at home and eating things that I shouldn't be! I also need to refocus my marathon training, book reading, and general life improving.)
3. So I can remember what I've read.

So I'm not going to guarantee daily updates, but I would like to commit to more that once every three months!

Coming soon: Look for a really long post with lots of photos since September!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

A half-marathon is just a 5k race with a 10 mile warm-up.

On Sunday I completed my second half-marathon this year! Wahoo! See, sometimes I complete my resolutions.... and even blow them out of the water! The Bellingham Bay Half-Marathon brought me back to my old college stomping grounds. And boy it was great to be back! Weird.... but great! It is weird to have so many memories of a place that I really don't have many connections to anymore. Almost everyone I knew then has also moved... I guess that is one of the things that makes it so weird. All these people come together for just a short amount of time, share amazing memories from an important part of their lives, only to go there separate ways.

My Mom and I headed up to Bellingham after I got off work (hello outlet mall!) so we could spend all day Saturday hanging out.... well, eating at all my old favorite spots! The Bagelery, Mambo Italiano and of course the gelato place. I felt a little bit like I was visiting an old friend, one that seems the same but has changed too much for us to be really close anymore. The place we used to go after Intramural Softball games for beers is now an ACE Hardware, there are new buildings on campus, places have closed or changed ownership.... it doesn't seem like I've been away long enough for so much to change. But then I thought to myself.... look at how much I've changed in those few short years. 

So on to my race recap! 

I think I've mentioned before that the number one thing I hate when running is WIND. Hate it. Hate Hate Hate it. If I sense it is the least bit windy I take my running inside to the treadmill. The entire time I lived in Bellingham my number one complaint was how winding that place gets. Something about the hills, valleys and bay comes together for the perfect conditions to make wind. So of course I new that the likely hood of it being windy on race day were rather high. So although I was disappointed, I was not surprised to wake up to leaning trees and blowing leaves outside the hotel window. The only upside was that the rain held off.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn which offers a pretty great continental breakfast... but I stuck to what I knew, oatmeal. Ryan on the other hand went for biscuits and gravy with a side of bacon. I guess that just shows how unique runners can be!

We got down to the race start with plenty of time and meet up with Nicole and Gary who also ran with us.

My Mom is the best race support a girl could ask for! Those Red Vines on mile 11 were clutch.

 And the race begins! It began right next to my favorite brewery Boundary Bay then down Railroad and out of downtown and towards the neighborhoods.
One of the best things a race can have are poles with your expected times on them. This helps to weed out the runners from the walkers. In this race everyone was just in a giant blob so getting past people who were slower than you was difficult. (Out of the way old people! hehe) 
Although my training this time was not as intense as before, I felt strong during the race. Ryan and I stuck together for almost the entire race. This helped to make the time go by much quicker than it did the first time. I usually don't like running with anyone when I'm training but I think it helps on race day. It also helps that the person you're running with knows you don't like to chat when you run. I was able to get into my zone and 'run my race.' 

Ryan running with me helped me to run a little bit quicker and I helped him go a little slower, so that we both finished feeling pretty good and....

I finished with a new PR!!!! (Personal Record)

So did Ryan!!!

My time for this race was 2:23:06

as opposed to my old time of 2:24:09 

A minute may not seem like much, but every second counts when your running for over 2 hours!

The highlight of this race had to be running with great friends in a city that I love and is familiar to me. It was great to call out "Look, Big Mammas!" When we went past the restaurant with famous giant margaritas. It was also nice to have an idea of how much further we had to run.

The low point of the race was the wind.... hello giant stick that flew into my leg and leaf thing that tried to stab my eye out! I also didn't enjoy the location of the hills! So late in the race! My poor legs!


 All four of us post race! Go us! This time around I felt pretty decent post race. I was really tired and sore, but I knew what to expect. Luckily I didn't end up with any giant blisters! 
 My tradition of painted-nails-with-medal-and-bib-number shot!
Pink was my power color!

Ryan and his sign! He made fun of me for yelling "Conquer it!" during the last few miles of the Discovery Trail Half.... so of course that is now our team mantra!


My senior year of college is when I started running. I began with the couch to 5k program, but soon after graduation my calf/ lower leg issues started and I quit running for over a year. So it felt awesome to return and conquer this run and the city!

Two days after the race I felt good enough to run! I knocked out a 3 miler today. I'm hoping to keep up the training even though I haven't signed up for my next race yet.

That reminds me, next Monday is my last Physical Therapy appointment! I get to graduate! We discussed it and decided that we have come to the point in my treatment where I know pretty much what I need to do to feel good and keep running. Which is getting a training program together that allows me to get stronger and also have enough time to recover. He recommended that I take long runs slow, as this is where I'll really build up my strength and muscle endurance. 

Good news, Good news!

In other good news... I'm kicking butt in my Fantasy Football league! Still undefeated! And in first place! This week I play my brother Joe..... Should feel extra great when I beat him! :)

Monday, September 19, 2011

There is no Arizona...

I like that country song.... Its not true though, there is an Arizona and it's hot. Unbearably hot this time of year. 

My friend Megan just moved down to the Phoenix area to get her masters at Arizona State University. Last week I went down to visit her. I don't know if you live in the Seattle area, but if you do... you'll understand why I didn't think we were going to have a Summer at all. May, June, July, and most of August were dreadful around here! So I planned my trip for September thinking i'd get a little bit of sun before Fall hit us. Well things finally warmed up here right in time for me to leave! So while I was in the sweltering, unforgiving Arizona sun.... of course Washington decided to warm up to a perfect 85! 

If you'll remember back to my last encounter with Arizona in 2010 I loved the April weather! It hadn't been hot in WA in a LOOOOOONG time and it wasn't ridiculously warm there yet. I think that I could be one of those old people who chases the sun... live in Washington during from the end of spring to Christmas then go south for the sun for a few months! One thing is for sure though, I could never live somewhere that maintained a temperature above 95 after midnight. No thanks!

Despite the sweat-inducing weather I had a great time down in the desert! It was relaxing and fun.

We went to an ASU football game versus Missouri. I had never been to a college game besides WSU, which has a much smaller stadium. The Sun devils managed a victory in overtime. It was a great game!

Megan and I after the game. The team had just revealed their new black uniforms so everyone wore shirts that said "Fear the Fork." Sometimes I wish I had gone to a big University that had so much school spirit instead of a smaller school that got rid of its football program.
The big cities down there are actually pretty close together. Megan lives in Mesa which is a little ways away from Phoenix. We did a day trip over to Scottsdale to walk around the shops and eat ice cream!

The weather down there was down right crazy!
We had several thunder and lightning storms that were accompanied by torrential downpours!
Have I mentioned before that I really really really like football?!
I originally was going to plan my trip to coincide with the Seahawks playing the Cardinals, but unfortunately that doesn't happen until January when I'll be in Hawaii!
But I still wanted to catch a game while I was there. And it was a great game!
Cardinals Vs. Panthers
Cam Newton had an amazing game for a rookie!
He broke Peyton Manning's record for most yards thrown!
September 11th tribute.

It was cool to see another stadium.... but I will say that the Cardinals fans are really lame compared to Seahawks fans. The stadium is a dome (thank goodness I loved the A/C) and they still weren't very loud! 

On the way home he encountered a dust storm.
Down there they call them.... Haboobs.
Such a funny name.

Driving into the storm.

Next on our adventure list was a day trip to Sedona!

The drive was about 2 hours.... made me glad we didn't decide to drive all the way to the Grand Canyon like I had wanted!

The area around Sedona was beautiful.

Red Rocks.



The actual town of Sedona was nice. Lots of shops with the same stuff.... and tons of physics.

All in all it was a great trip!
I am glad to be home though. I need to focus on getting back into a routine.... just to leave again this weekend for my half marathon! In other exciting news.... I am on top of the leader-board in my fantasy football league! I don't know if I mentioned this before... but I was terrible last year. So my two wins this year definitely tie how many wins I had last year! I'm trying to enjoy this moment because you just never know how the next week is gonna go! Wish me luck!

Monday, September 12, 2011

A lot can happen in 13 days....

I'm not sure that one of those things is going to be me becoming reading to RUN another half marathon! Thats right... I have 13 days until my next half in Bellingham. I went about training this time completely different than the first time around. By different I mean I didn't really do much training... Sure I ran (some) but beyond that I haven't really been completely committed to this race. Which now, 13 days before, makes me nervous and kinda sad! I'm still going to do it. I just don't know that I will do it as well as I did in June.... or that I will feel as good about it.

For the last race I ran regularly (through a lot of pain), I gave up coffee, alcohol, gluten, dairy and most junk food.

This time... I took a vacation to visit my friend Megan three weeks before the race and ran once, ate tons of pizza, frozen yogurt, coffee, alcohol, and more candy than I care to mention!

Since I've been hiking so much I know that I am in some shape.... but its different. At least I know I can walk the 13.1 miles! I'm doing this race with two of my best friends... and I don't think they have been training very much either so at least we will all be in the same boat!

Don't get me wrong here, I'm excited for the race... And I plan on giving it my all!

On a positive note... Since I've been running less I've been in less pain! The last two times I've been running I've manage 5 miles... next time I'll try 8. The 5 has felt good, I've just had to stop because of time restraints. And on an even more positive note, my pt called and my orthotics are in! I've been without them for almost a month because they were giving me blisters! Hopefully I can get used to them in time for race day!

I need some ideas here.... Last race my power color was purple, should I stick with it or switch it up? I think I'll stick with my mantra of, "conquer it!" worked so well last time around!

Hopefully I look this happy at the end of my next half!

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Let's Catch Up.

Instead of feeling guilty about not blogging about my recent adventures.... I've decided to just do a little photo journaling about everything that I have been up to! It has been a busy busy few weeks with lots of adventures with family and friends. Mostly hiking, Mariners games and if you didn't already know..... IT'S FOOTBALL SEASON! Which basically means that I will be a terrible blogger, friend, daughter, sister and cousin for the next few months. Don't say I didn't warn you, because when it comes to football season let's just say I'm intense!
Mt. Ellinor! August 8th
That's right.... AUGUST! Look at all this snow! We couldn't even make it to the top!
Mariners game for my brother's birthday!
That's what we call some rally hats!
Too bad they lost!
August 17th
One of the best hikes I've ever done!
Check out these wildflowers!
Middle of August is the best time for this hike.

On top!
The clouds engulfed us by the time we reached the top!
It was super eerie but sort of magical too.

August 25th Marmot Pass

More beautiful flowers!
This was the perfect day for a hike, completely blue skies and warm temperatures!

The pass!

After hiking over 5 miles we felt very accomplished at this point....
But there isn't too much of a view from the pass, so we decided to extend our hike by a thousand feet to get a better view!
Buckhorn Mountain!
A side trip with an amazing view.
You could see all the way from Vancouver Island to Mount Rainier!
So peaceful on top!
Ended up being about a 12 mile hike!

Mariner's game with Katy!
Thanks Boeing! The Mariner's still didn't come through with a win though.

The Kitsap County Fair!
Lots of fair food and my very first Rodeo!

Are you ready for some Football?!
My first ever preseason game!
September 2 vs. the Raiders
Great time and a Seahawks WIN! Wahoo!

Tubal Cain Mine/ Tull Canyon September 5th

This was a pretty easy hike until the last mile which felt pretty straight up!
This photo is of a B-17 plain crash that went down in the 50's.
I wish I could have appreciated this more but as we were walking out into the clearing I got stung by a bee!
My Dad, aunt and grandpa are all really allergic so I was nervous since I hadn't been stung since I was little.
Thankfully I'm not allergic!
There were also thousands of mosquitos up here in this swampy area.
It just got warm in Washington so now all the bugs are out!

So that is a taste of the recent happenings in my life!
Now that I have gotten caught up I can think about blogging more often!