I Gotta Run.

Today I had a bit of a running breakthrough. Since running in the Bellingham Bay Half-Marathon last September I've been in a bit of a running slump. Mostly just a total lack of motivation, for me running is completely mental. If I'm not committed to the a run, one mile can feel difficult. I remember freaking out before my first half, when just five days before I was supposed to be running 13.1 miles I could barely manage an easy 2 miles.

So today while I was running I thought a lot about what sort of factors go into making me feel like I had a successful run. Since you know how I feel about lists....

1. I gotta talk myself into the run well in advance. After all this time of training I'm still not completely comfortable running outside. The weather makes me nervous, cars make me nervous, and mostly I just hate people watching me run.

2. I've gotta be fueled up. This means food as well as hydration. The whole mental thing can precariously balance on whether or not I'm thirsty.

3. I gotta have my tunes blaring. I'm not always the best about charging my Ipod. Which is a shame considering I have such a hard time running without it.

4. I gotta feel like I gave it everything I had. If everything else is going well and I'm in the zone then the only thing left is just having the time to run your own race. I often only leave myself 30-40 minutes for an average run. This means I'm always struggling to run far enough or worried that I need to turn around soon.

All of these things eventually came together today during my run. I manage to do a pretty decent 7 miles. The best part was that I felt like I could have even managed a bit further. But if there is one thing I learned from all of last year's injuries its to take it slow. Up the miles slowly. I'm also reassured because when I got home I checked out my calendar and I'm only a little bit behind in my training. If I keep it up I should be able to stand at that start line with some confidence.

Basically what I've come to realize here is that I'm a freak. Seriously. I'm really weird about running. Major breakthrough.

Side note: I've taken hundreds of photos so far this year.... bit none since I've been back from Hawaii. You know I hate writing posts without photos. I was also looking back on posts from early 2011, when I was a good blogger, and miss all the random photos of nothing I took! Mostly the food shots. Maybe I'll start doing some more of that again.

What's this Blog About?

The original purpose of this blog was to keep myself accountable. It all started with four little resolutions. Three of which were very obscure; be more fearless, drink more water and travel more. The biggie for 2010 was to read 100 books. So the point of this blog was to basically remember what number I was on as well as to write reviews so that I can remember which books I've enjoyed. Since then this has really become more of a place for me to write about random things that are a part of my life.

I've gone through the weekly resolution phase, the cooking phase, the gardening phase, the take a photo of everything you eat phase, the travel journal phase, the eat clean phase, and of course the search for happiness phase. But one thing has remained constant in my life, the book phase. I know you're remember those three months when I didn't pick up a book.... honestly I may take a break from time to time, but books are this girl's best friend. 

So to be honest, I have no excuse as to why I haven't written a book review since July 12, 2011. 

Maybe it's because blogging is a very phasey (not a word... I know) thing for me?

Even though I joke a lot about how only my Mom reads my blog, I know (because you've been bugging me to blog more) that other people read this. I could post the question, "What is your favorite thing I post about?" but let's just keep this thing honest, I'll probably keep writing random things that pop into my head at random times. I've tried the whole post everyday thing and it just stressed me out. Also, it made it impossible to talk to friends because I had nothing new to tell them about. Every story I went to tell them they had already read about on here!

So I guess the point of this post is to say for the thousandths time that I'm not making excuses for my lack of posting (maybe a little about the books) and that I'll try harder in the future! So stop bugging me.... and bribing me by saying you'll vote me best barista this year! ;)

Instead of starting to get caught up on the book reviews.... I'm just going to list my five favorite books from last year.

5. A Game of Thrones

This book is in a word: Epic. There are so many stories here that are masterfully woven together creating an elaborate fictional world. Read it before you watch the HBO series because they follow it almost to a T.

4. Ultra Marathon Man

Dean is superhuman. There is no other way to describe it. He runs obscene distances fueled mostly by his love of running. I think he may be crazy, but he sure did inspire me. If he can pump out over a hundred miles in a go.... I think I can make an attempt at 26.2.

3. If I Stay

You knew there would a Young Adult novel on here didn't you? You know this genre is one of my guilty pleasures. This isn't the best YA book I've read, but it was definitely an entertaining read. 

2. Born to Run

I like to run. I like to read books that inspire me to be a better runner. This book was part story and part scientific research. I'm not on board with the whole barefoot movement. I think the shoes are gross and I hate most everyone's feet.

1. Water for Elephants

This was one of those books that I couldn't put down. That made me feel like I had lost a part of myself when I read the last page. Read this book.

I guess I may never be able to answer the question of what this blog is about. I guess just my life.... filter for the internet of course ;)

Welcome Home!

On our last night on Kauai we went out to a really nice dinner at Duke's. Except for a handful of times, we cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner inside the condo. I'm so glad we chose to do this. Not only did it help to keep cost down, but I felt sooooo much healthier. For the most part I ate the same way I would have at home..... Plus a couple extra Mai Tais and Coronas of course. 

Callen and I at dinner.

I'm not a big fan of change. Especially drastic change. So coming home to  SNOW and temperatures in the 20's was kind of a shock to my system! I can't complain though because I would have been very disappointed if I had missed the only snow of the year. It just wouldn't feel like we had a winter.

There is way too much snow coming down for me to feel safe driving!
Remember back to last year's snow adventure?

Went from sandals and shorts to beanies and boots!

Now that the snow has been replaced by our normal January weather, it's time to get serious about some of these resolutions!

Gem of a Beach.

What does a perfect beach day consist of? A good book, sunshine, some SPF 30, a Corona and hours of just sitting around listening to waves crash while soaking up all that heat!

Yesterday we found an awesome beach! Super close to Poipu too! Joe kept on calling it a "gem of a beach." So Dad naturally thought it's name was "Gemma Beach." It's actual name is Gillin Beach. Check out the secluded house you can rent.

Nook on the beach!

You're Gonna Get Wet, You're Gonna Get Muddy.... And You're Gonna Get Over It.

When do we learn to fear things? Yesterday morning I was watching my nephew Callen playing with my Dad. They were playing with one of those toys that you roll back to wind up and when you let go it  zooms forward. The first time Dad let it go off the table it almost smacked right in to Callen, but he didn't move. The second time Callen jumped out of the way. I think the basis for all of our fears comes from an experience. When we are born, we don't yet know that we should fear things. But when our parents yell at us to stay away from the oven or not to get too close to a ledge, we begin to understand that these things are dangerous. I'm guessing I had some experience that involved heights when I was younger.

In 2010 I made 'overcoming fears' one of my resolutions. After 2010 I moved this on to my list for life resolutions. I have a lot of fears... some of which I'm trying really hard to overcome.  Just last year when we were on Maui and going ziplining was brought up, the idea scared the crap out of me. We ended up not going that time, but later that year (with the help of some tequila) in Vegas I  did a short zip down Freemont Street with some friends.

Yesterday was the true test of whether I had really overcome this fear of heights....

Carly and I took a 3 hr. ZIPLINING tour! through the mountains on Kauai! We completed a total of four zips and one repelling line.

Naturally it was torrentially down pouring for the first half of the adventure, but at least this was our first taste of real rain on the island.

That's me!!!! way up in the air!
Who's afraid of heights?!!!!
Not this girl!

All harnessed up! 

Carly, coming in hot!!

Carly getting strapped in and ready to repel down!

There was a little bit of hiking as well.

Sisters!

The last line we did was by far the most fun! The first half was a little disappointing. Don't get me wrong, it was scary, just not holy crap I'm gonna die scary! The final zip we were able to go down side-by-side. Carly and I stepped up to be the first ones to go. The guy told us that we could go down either frontwards, backwards or flip upside down. As we got to the edge we decided to go backwards and attempt the flip. The guy then told us that if we wanted to really be badasses that we should jump backwards, put our hands behind our backs and try not to grab on to our rope when we went. The challenge was set! After a couple terrified glances between Carly and I the count down started.

1, 2...... 3!

There are about two seconds when you are literally falling (backwards.... hands behind your back) before the line catches you. HOLY MOLY! So scary! But we did it! Then I pushed back on the rope and was upside down! For about two seconds before I was right-side up. The line ends up stopping you then sending you back past the landing. At that moment I looked over at Carly who was upside down, obviously trying to right herself, and spinning. It was so silly I cracked up laughing for about 5 minutes hanging up in the air. To get down from this line the guy has to bring over a giant ladder for you to climb down. This was when I realized something. I'm not so much afraid of heights when I'm strapped to a bunch of lines and cables, I'm afraid of heights when they involve a ladder. Seriously. I don't like ladders. So I guess I kinda conquered a couple height fears yesterday.

We did that zip twice, the second time with a lot more gracefulness. And I want to note that only a couple other people on the tour attempted the backwards-no-hands-jump-then-flip-upside-down move.

Car Sick.

The plan for yesterday was to find a cool beach and snorkel. Of course plans change! The north side of the island has many beautiful beaches, but by the time we were finished exploring the weather had turned just cool enough that getting into the ocean wasn't on the top of anyone's list! We still had a full day of being touristy!

First stop was to the Kauai Wildlife Refuge and Kiauea Lighthouse.

Not sure it was worth the $5 entry, but at least it goes to a good organization.

Callen found a bird!

The lighthouse was neat.

I think this was called Anini Beach.
I could be wrong, we stopped at like 5 different spots.

It sure was beautiful though!

Then we drove through Princeville.
These are Taro fields. Soooo Beautiful!

The last "big" town before the end of the road is Hanelei.
This looked like it would be a great place to walk around and window shop.
Next year when my Mom is with us we'll have more pull over the guys!
After Hanelei you drive for awhile until the road just ends!
There is tons of hiking and waterfalls all around this area.
I thought this drive was more beautiful than the drive to Hana on Maui.

I think I could go a few days without being in the car now! Everyone got a little car sick on this winding road!

Give me Coffee or Give me Death.

Apparently we've had enough laying around! It is time to start seeing more of this beautiful island. Yesterday started off with a bit of rain. Just a mini torrential downpour. It kept me from running (oh darn!) but was finished by the time we were heading out the door. Our first stop was the Kauai Coffee Company. I was hoping to learn a little something....

This was a mini tourist trap. It would have been neat to have gone on an actual tour of the factories like they do in Tillamook, instead we watched a video then walked around some of the coffee plants.

There was coffee to taste!

They had a table for dark, medium and flavored roasts.

There were fields and fields of coffee.

They did have a guy out using the machine that takes the cherry off of the plant.

Then we went to a glass beach that was recommended by my bestie Ashley ;)

Lots of little pieces, I'm guessing most of the good stuff has been picked over by people.

The beach is so glassy because right next door is a factory.

Hawaiian cemeteries are pretty creepy.

Then we headed over to the Koloa Farmer's market.
It was an actual farmer's markets, not just a craft show with some produce like we have.
It was fun to look around at all of the different types of fruits....
And to get some fresh coconut water!

Another beautiful sunset!