What's Your Dream?

Over the last couple of years I have been officially a part of a couple of running groups in the Seattle area. One of which I officially joined this week, Eastside Runners. Over the last couple of years I've never really been able to attend any of the group runs held by Eastside Runners or the other running group I'm a part of, the Seattle Green Lake Running Group. So a few weeks ago I decided I had enough of the "left out feeling" that I was getting from all of their happy social media. So I decided to take matters into my own hands and I created a run that will be starting in April on Friday mornings which I can attend. It is a little bit nerve-racking creating something new not knowing if anyone actually partake. But I must say I'm not doing this alone, Liz, a member of East Side runners and the Seattle Green Lake Running Group has graciously volunteered to help me co host the Friday morning runs. I'm very excited about this and can't wait to get it ...

What are some of the destination races that you have taken part in ? Or where would you like go ? There are a couple of places that I'd like to go, including the NYC Marathon and the London Marathon but I can't see that happening any time soon. I don't really want marathons to be my main race distance either, I am happy with 13.1 miles, that seems far enough for me most days. I feel like some people in the running world look down on me for not running fulls but I try to ignore them the best that I can. I think it is still an accomplishment to even get out there and try. Plus I enjoy the half marathons, anything longer than that and it usually stops being fun. Basically what I am trying to say is, do what you enjoy and not what others say you should do, but still get out there and be active! Keep on Running!

Wow, is pretty much the only way to describe today. Anthony and I woke up at the butt crack of dawn and headed down to the city of Tacoma for the St. Patrick's Day Half Marathon. After making a much needed pit stop at Starbucks for breakfast we arrived in plenty of time to pick up our race packets and get ready for the run. This run was especially memorable because it was Anthony's very first half marathon! Looking forward to this day all week I kept checking the weather report only to be met with dismay. 100% chance of rain. The weather report didn't let me down. It seemed as if we were met with more than 100% chance of rain and were out matched by the crazy wind! We were all lined up and ready for the race to begin and we were already thoroughly wet and my feet soaked. The weather didn't seem to phase Anthony, thankfully! He faced the run without hesitation. We started off with the 2:10 pace team. I was pretty excited about running with them but my excitement quick...

That's definitely what happened last night when I went for a run after I got off work. So excited was I to be running in the sunlight after work and there I was not even a quarter mile into the run on the ground in pain. There was a crack in the sidewalk that I didn't see and when my toe met it I met the ground.  I hit my knees first and then my hands and somehow also managed to hit my hip and smash my phone. Thankfully I was able to mostly walk it off and we still got another mile and a half of a walk in. And my knees only are missing a tiny bit of skin, so I think I faired alright. Of all of the running that I've done I can't remember ever falling like that. But I guess it's bound to happen. I hear stories of people falling all the time. And with how clumsy I am I'm surprised that it doesn't happen we more often. Well, it's the next morning and I'm feeling alright, just a bad bruise on my left knee but I'm walking fine and feeling fine which is...

Night runs like this are a blast! I am very excited for daylight savings. Why? I currently get off work at 6:15 pm and get home around 6:40. Meaning it is completely dark by the time I get home! Now the sun will be setting at 7:04 tonight and by the end of the month it'll be almost 8:00 by the time it sets. Which means that's time for me to go for a run after work when it's not completely dark! It also means less treadmill time and real pavement time. I am really excited for this! I get off early on Sundays so I will be able to hit the pavement by 6:20 tonight. :D  How I wish I looked when running :D Later this week I also have on the docket the St. Patrick's Day Half Marathon in Tacoma. I am really looking forward to this race too. I have a really fun outfit in the works for it.   This finish line for the St. Patrick's Day Half.  Keep on Running!

This week Anthony had his first business trip with Amazon and I was able to tag along! We packed up and headed to Kennewick, WA. I was able to find what seemed like the perfect pass time while Anthony was busy working. A trail to run on! The Sacajawea Trail to be exact. I was pretty excited for a new place to run. When I got the chance I searched out the trail and headed out on my run. It was sunny and beautiful alone the Columbia River. But my run quickly turned a bit sour for me. It wasn't a trail like I am used to at all. It weaved back and forth from the waterfront (which was nice) to the road where I had to run on the shoulder and choke on the exhaust from passing vehicles.  This was very discouraging for me, so much so I didn't take my second day there and spend it on the trail. Instead I went and road one of the most beautifully preserved carousels I have ever seen! The Carousel of Dreams in Kennewick was originally built in 1910 but looks like it is bran new. I am so...

Where to begin... The very idea of running for Chocolate is a wonderful one! I saw this race and just had to sign up, there was no question. The expo was fun but considerably smaller than I thought it would be considering the size of the event. There were really great photo ops and they even had volunteers out helping race participants capture their Hot Chocolate memories. They also had a chocolate fondue station with mini hot cocoas as well. That was pretty nice. The only thing negative about the expo was their lack of directions to get to it! There weren't any signs around the Seattle Center either pointing towards the packet pick up despite the huge number of volunteers wandering around setting up for the big event. We had to make a full circle before we found the expo (under ground and only one sign saying packet pick up) but we did eventually find it! The info that was distributed for race day said to be at the race area by 6:30 for a 7:55 start. I thought that was a bit ear...