Happy 25th Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary!

25th wedding anniversary – how to celebrate? Turns out our original plans wouldn’t work, either because things were reserved too far ahead for 4th of July, or too expensive, or wouldn’t fit in the middle of the week. But Reggie’s a very good sport – he agreed to do the Flat Half with me, on Sauvie Island just north of Portland.

Mind you, Reg hasn’t done any running since last fall, when he did do a little training for the trail run in California. So we did a test walk the Sunday morning before the 4th, with just a little running. He knew it was going to be slow. My friend, Sarah, was going to ride with us to the race – I just told him that I’d make sure Sarah had the keys, so she didn’t have to wait for us just outdoors (it was forecast to be hot).

I carried my camera, and we got lots of pictures of the race and us running it. Sauvie Island is mostly agricultural, with some beach accesses. Lots of lots of summer fruit here, all the way to corn in the fall. The Flat Half is once around the island; there is also a full marathon of 2 laps around the island.

Turns out, we took two vehicles, for Sarah ended up having to get back to Newberg before 11:00 – her finish times was 2:12.17 – she did great! Some more pics:

Halfway pic, beautiful wheat field, and a family farmhouse with the whole family cheering the runners (and obliging to take pics):

Going on south on the east side of the island -- there was no shade. The next water stop finally had cups again (the previous two had none -- thankful we carried our own G'ade)!

Around the far southern end of the road is a farm/fruitstand/craft store. They are one of the big sponsors of this race. The course goes through their gate and around the big barns. We wished it would run out along one of the rows of raspberries!

Every year the farm has a huge corn maze in the fall. We got to see some of the course -- the postcard in the goody bag (with a discount to this year's maze) shows last year's complexity. Time for some aerial photos to learn the course now!

About 1 mile left, is the bridge to get onto the island. There is another span being built, to widen the road. Lots of interesting construction going on, and great traffic control by the local police there:

The end is near! We could see the parking lot where the cars were, then the course goes around to come in the back side of the park. One of the ladies from my weight training class passed us out there...

The finish is at the park at the old farmhouse -- really pretty park.

This race has a history of being slightly disorganized. There were over 300 day-of-race registrants. They ran out of T-shirts, medals, and the second and third water stops – cups. Seems like that is something that could have had a quick fix, with the hot weather and that many more runners, and a small store on the island. We carried our own G’ade – something I learned my 2nd year running Los Angeles marathon on a hot day – the races often mistake how much people drink. This year, they had a volunteer after the chip removal writing down bib numbers, and they are supposed to mail the medals to us. Sarah and I were glad we picked up our shirts and chips the day before!

Post-race treat here really is a treat – strawberry shortcake! Mmmmm… They also have bananas and oranges and Gleucos and standard post-race food, but the strawberries are the best!

We had some strawberry shortcake, headed back out to the parking field. It took almost as much time to leave the field as it did to run the half-marathon! But we finally got on our way, and had our anniversary lunch at Sweet Tomatoes. That’s a post-race treat, too! Then home to get cleaned up, and we headed out with our daughters to the St. Paul rodeo, another anniversary tradition.

And after the rodeo, comes a great fireworks show!

Happy Anniversary to me and Reg!

My Time on the Run

Life is full—very full. Our oldest daughter is home for the summer, already getting work hours at the pool, already planning some house-sitting, already registered for summer classes at a nearby community college. Our younger daughter is finishing homeschool classes, and will be teaching and lifeguarding at the pool this summer, too. Plus taking drivers’ education and assisting with our church’s Vacation Bible School coming up end of July. So while I have to plan my running around work and school and making sure there are vehicles taking people places as needed, I definitely plan my running!

Running is my time. I really like the long runs – several hours, just me and my thoughts. Sometimes the mid-week runs are long runs, because of how full weekends seem to get. Sometimes (this is Oregon, after all) my long run is a wet one, even in June. But now the wet is OK – I can get soaked, and still be warm enough with shorts and T-shirt, and not need the Tyvek jacket or rain poncho like in winter. Sometimes the weather is hot from the beginning, so I have to stay flexible to allow more walk breaks, or to reroute myself for shade spots on the different roads.

It is amazing how much thinking gets done – thinking about friends and family and neighbors. Thinking about the next week’s schedule. Thinking about one of the kids in my swim classes, and how to give him confidence. Thinking about races coming up, and how to juggle the long runs with the shorter races. Thinking about how to juggle the laundry for the coming week. Thinking about when to get the next pair of running shoes before Portland Marathon. All kinds of thoughts. Meantime, I’m waving to all the cars that go by (hey, it’s friendly and it’s safe—I want them to see me). I’m talking to all the dogs and horses and sheep out there, and loving the horses that come to their fences to see me. Then sometimes the thinking gets interrupted…

A couple weekends ago, I was doing an out-and-back on one of my rural roads. Just got turned around, and there was a huge, black column of smoke. I could tell it was a structure, but with orchards and a hill in the way, couldn’t tell exactly what. But the general direction was one of my favorite old farmhouses! I do carry my cell phone out there, and tried to call 9-1-1. But the networks were busy. Everyone on the road about that time must have been trying to report the fire. I’d seen a fire truck about 90 minutes earlier, but it was not on an alarm—the driver waved and smiled passing me. I was sure I’d be hearing sirens soon. And listened, but just normal sounds. I finally got through to Reggie, who was working on our shop, to see if he could see it better. But he was closer to the ridge, so couldn’t tell where it was, but that he didn’t think it was the old farmhouse.

So I added 3 extra miles to my morning, and decided to go find out what was burning. Turns out it was a burn-to-learn, and it was an old farmhouse, but the next property over from where I first thought. When I finally crested the last rolling hill before, I could see high, hot flames. There were lots of fire trucks there; they’d even put up a big awning for shade in the front yard! And there were lots of spectators, watching the blaze, and lots of cars parked nearby. People like me went to see what was going on.
On my way up Killer Hill #2 (walking it, not only was it hot, but I hadn’t planned those miles) two of my neighbors passed with their kids in their cars. The kids were excited about the old house fire (I used to get fire nightmares as a kid – maybe they are tougher than me). The moms were making sure I really was out there to run, and if I wanted a ride home, it was available.

I didn’t take the ride. I enjoyed another 40 minutes or so of my time.

Oregon is beautiful!

Last weekend we had a change in plans, so took advantage of the time for some hiking and sightseeing in the Cascades!

First, we stopped at Little Niagara Falls -- a day stop on the way up Highway 22:

There was a patch of inside-out flowers near the parking area.

The river comes rushing around this corner, and goes into a narrow, rocky canyon. Most of it is blocked off, for too many lives have been lost there. Turn of the century, there was a little village and mill there...

The picture above is some of the old stone structure that looks like it used to be part of the walkway to the overlook.

Next came the hike. We got a permit and hiked into Pamelia Lake -- it's beautiful! Lots of wildflowers -- pictures are Bunchberry, Reggie on the old trail, looking up through the old-growth forest, a Fairyslipper orchid, yellow violets, some scrambling where the old trail got changed by glacier fall last November, Reg back on the old trail, and 2 views of Pamelia Lake.

This last picture is from Hunter Creek trail, where we found some rocks on which to eat our picnic lunch. See those big, fluffy clouds? By the time we finished eating, they were getting bigger and darker, and there was one thunder roll after another! Beautiful, but we weren't wanting to be out in a downpour, so we headed back the 3.5 miles or so back to the car.

Next stop was where the Metolius River emerges from the ground. It was still dark, with awesome lightning, but not real rain when we parked the car. So off we went, with photos: the full-size river from the beginning, a cute little chipmunk drinking from algae water (ewwww), and Ponderosa forest on this side of the Cascades.

Next, we thought we'd head back toward the Willamette Valley going over McKenzie Pass, but we got to Sisters and found out that the road was still closed due to snow. So, we did the next fun thing -- we drove down to Redmond then north to Mt. Hood. It was lightning and sometimes pouring rain almost all the way to Mt. Hood, but soon we could see that the mountain still had sunshine on it!

We drove up to Timberline Lodge, and admired the views. The lightning storm got closer and closer. We headed back down to Portland from there...

We got to see a lot of Oregon on June 2, 2007!

The Race Is On!

Walla Walla College 5K Fun Run. It’s a fun run, all right, a small mix of students and staff and alumni and community. It’s where I PR’d last year, 24:58, and placed 2nd woman overall. So I had a goal – place this year, too.

Alumni weekend last year was Reg’s 25th reunion, and this year, my 25th reunion. Our daughter is a freshman this year, so we’ve been up to the college more often, and seen old friends. Alumni weekend brings more friends; several who were runners back in college and still are runners today.

Race morning was warm and overcast. My warm up was running from the friends’ home where we stayed to the gym, where the race started, just over one mile. I was given bib #27, and I started checking out the other women runners and walkers, trying to guess my competition. I met Lindsay, for she recognized me from last year – I was her competition, for she’d finished just behind me last year. She’s a student, also training for Coeur d’Alene Marathon the end of May. There were lots of people mixing running and walking, for a large group from the college will be running at Bloomsday in Spokane this coming weekend. I wasn’t too worried about most of them, but there were some student girls who looked a lot faster than me!

We got lined up, and the race director reviewed the course. There were 2 changes this year. First, there was a new path across campus going around the Ad Building, the first building that was the campus way back in 1892. The last few years have had a different path, for the Ad Building was completely demolished and rebuilt, and the ribbon-cutting ceremony had been Saturday afternoon. The second change was finishing around the track, instead of on the road.

I love the small races – it took a whole second to get to the starting line! Lindsay took off; I know she wanted to stay ahead of me. There were several women ahead, but I passed all but Lindsay going up cemetery hill in the first mile. I knew I was second woman at the top, and I pumped the downhill, to get as much space between me and the third woman as I could. I’m not usually competitive like this, but know what? It was fun!

I reached the first mile in 7:50 – yikes, that was definitely too fast! But cruising the long downhill after the up felt so good. I got a pace song in my head to work on staying smooth (Clint Black’s “Summer’s Comin’” is my regular training song – helped my pace the rest of the run). I could see Lindsay still ahead, and knew that this time I wasn’t going to be able to catch her – she was doing great out there! I did plan to keep her in sight as much as I could.

We turned on Bade Street, now a long stretch back to the campus. No one passed me, but I passed one of the college guys here, who’d also started too fast, and was taking a walk break.

I looked ahead, and Lindsay’s group had already turned toward the Ad Building. I was watching for the new sidewalk that was supposed to lead to the back of the building, and was to be marked with a flour arrow. I didn’t see the arrow, but it turns out there was more than one new sidewalk, and I picked the wrong one! Oops, zigzag a little extra distance to get back on course. Whew! Water station behind the Ad Building. I took a cup, and promptly spilled it down my front. Hmmm…thicker paper cups don’t squeeze as easy to drink from, oh well. Took another cup and walked a few steps so I could get water in me. Then back on the run again.

Stayed on the right set of sidewalks now to get down to College Street, then around the corner onto Whitman Street. Passed another college guy doing a walk break Another long stretch here, going along the north side of campus and past several blocks of houses. We passed the street where I’d rented a tiny studio apartment my senior year. We passed a house with huge old lilac bushes that smelled wonderful running by. Down to where the elementary school was on the corner, turning left, now headed back towards the track.

As I ran down the street, I could see Lindsay and her group rounding the corner on the track. Got to where the gate in the fence was, rounded the corner and crossed the wet grass to the track, now running to the finish. I could hear footsteps behind me, and it was the second college guy that I passed. He was pouring it on with a sprint finish, passing me. I didn’t have much kick, just holding the pace was good enough for me! I finished in 26:56 on my watch, just over 27 on the clock.

Grabbed some water, walked to the gym and back to the track, and compared running notes with Lindsay. We cheered the other runners and walkers in; they all seemed pleased with their times.

When the director handed out the first, second, and third place awards, they were trophies this year. Cool! My first trophy! They had someone taking pictures of us receiving the trophies, women first, then the men. Then some fun, when the men discovered that they’d been given trophies with women on the top, and the women’s trophies had running men on the top – we all traded. Got my T-shirt and trophy and ran back to the house where we were staying, and I’m already planning some speed work next winter to go for placing again next year!

Beautiful day for a run!

Oregon in the spring can be any kind of weather. So when it's sunny and warm, we take advantage of it! I got to take advantage of Monday with a long run in Portland with runner friend, Lauren. The face behind us is a Starbucks wall mural -- he's not a runner!

Blue skies, popcorn clouds. We headed down to the river, crossed the Steel Bridge, and headed southward along the east side of the Willamette River.

There is a lot of bird watching activity on the east side. There were babies in this nest:

Crossing the river to the west side on the Sellwood Bridge:

The beaver sculpture had a stick -- not sure who thought the beaver liked the nuts!

And Lauren got her longest run yet -- here she is, at the 9 mile mark!

Great day for a run -- we did a cooldown walk for a couple miles, and really enjoyed the time!

Race for the Roses 2007

Race for the Roses ½ Marathon!

This was a fun race – this year, shorts and long sleeves were fine, and I could’ve gone to short sleeves, but once we stopped that wind was a cold one! I went to the race with my friend, Sarah, and got to meet a new running friend, Maggie. Maggie had met the other half of Team Karen in Little Rock, so Karen D hooked her up with me. That was so fun – we ran and chatted the whole race, only a little walking on the steeper hill parts.

This race starts on the east side of the Willamette River. First you cross the Broadway Bridge, then do a long loop to the south, then a long loop to the north, then finish by running across the Steel Bridge to the Convention Center. You get to see a lot of Portland!

When we started, there was almost no wind – which was OK, for the last couple of years have been windy and wet both. The river looked so smooth on the bridge crossing. Going south along the river had some long uphills (that wonderful down on the St. Patrick’s run is up on this one). Lots of old homes, lot of spring flowers, lots of runners. Then back into town, where we realized how important we really were that morning – they stopped the MAX trains for the runners! Then zig-zagging through commercial and industrial road sections, till we were on part of the out-and-back section that the marathon course uses, just going opposite for the out-and-back. Maggie’s already made hotel reservations and will be back in October to run the marathon. Yeah!

One of the hardest mental parts of this race is that you have to go about a mile past the Steel Bridge, then come back to cross it for the finish. And while you are going past, you can see what a hill it is to climb for that last section of the race!

Maggie’s from Dallas, TX – she’s not used to hills. We walked that bridge to the first tower, then ran the rest of the way in. We even got exactly the same chip time: 2:13:33! Sarah was about a mile ahead of us – she did great, too!

The T-shirts are white cotton with the race logo and sponsors (which means I always get a large to sleep in, for the iron in our well water doesn’t keep white white). Finishers all get medals, and ladies get roses! J They had so many roses, they were giving them away several at a time – beautiful! Post-race goodies were oranges, bagels, Tillamook yogurt smoothies (we used to live in Tillamook, I love to support those dairies), Gleucose (that was the course drink – it’s OK, but I think I still like G’ade better). And Chipotles had a Mexican brunch for the runners – smelled really, really good, but I can’t eat like that after running. And my sis-in-law was having supper at her house later in the day, I saved my appetite for that. J

The three of us had a great time yesterday – this is a fun ½ marathon!

Juggling

Juggling, that's what it is! I ought to learn to juggle tennis balls – this month it seems like I’ve mastered juggling my schedule!

It is so nice to have spring really here – the birds, the spring flowers, earlier sunrises, and (usually) warmer temperatures for running. That all helps to make it easier to juggle the running schedule.

Last week and this week, my long runs have had to be run on midweek days. That’s because the choir I sing in had a full weekend of singing last weekend, plus with Easter coming, a full weekend of singing next weekend. Weekends are my usual long runs, but since I love singing with the choir, I’ll juggle the running schedule.

This morning my run was planning Friday’s long run. Last week my long run was on Wednesday, and while it went well, it wasn’t as long as I’d have liked. I’d just given blood, so was being extra cautious out there. The long range weather forecast predicted Friday as the best running day this week. And (juggling again) I knew right off it had to be Monday, Wednesday, or Friday because of my gym and swim lesson schedule (that can’t be juggled).

As pretty as it is in the spring to run up on the ridge, I chose my route instead to be running the 8 miles to town and back, with a few out-and-backs on side roads to get a total of 19 miles. Going all the way to town and back means I can’t let any distractions make it shorter, plus, I’ll have a couple of places for water fountains for Gu breaks. That way, I’ll just carry the Gatorade Endurance with me on the route.

Mind you, I might have to carry the camera with me, for rural Oregon really is beautiful this season, and for sure I’ll carry my cell phone. The other half of Team Karen, in Oklahoma, is always fun for a chat on a long run, and that will help keep my pace under control. The high temperature on Friday is supposed to be low 70s, the warmest yet this spring, and I like running in warm weather! It’ll be 50ish when I start, and that’s OK.

I got this all planned out on my run this morning, and coming home, passed one of the neighbors, Tom, out rototilling his garden space. And that’s a SURE sign of spring!