Archive for December, 2008

We’ve spent almost an entire week in Idaho, mostly relaxing indoors due to the cold temps and snowy/slushy/icy roads.  This was only the second Christmas in my 26 years that I didn’t get to spend with my family (the other time was in high school when I went skiing with my friend Catherine), so it was a little sad for me being away from my childhood home.  

A quick post from Post Falls, Idaho where we are spending Christmas this year with Todd’s parents.

We packed like sardines on the bus to the airport, braved the winter weather and crazy busy Christmas travel frenzy, and arrived in Spokane yesterday afternoon.  Thankfully, we had no travel hiccups whatsoever, but were welcomed to Idaho by 9 degree weather.  BRRR!  

I have certainly lost much of my midwestern tolerance for cold weather by spending the past two winters in Seattle.  But I’ll survive.  The beauty of northern Idaho makes up for the frigid temps.

There is already over 3 feet of snow on the ground, and we’re supposed to get another 8-12 inches tonight.  One thing is for certain—we will be enjoying a lovely White Christmas! 

Merry Christmas!

that’s right. get excited, because today brought a fierce snowstorm to the Seattle area.  

And by ‘fierce’, i mean the equivalent of a minor Midwest snow. Nothing that would’ve ever caused much excitement or chaos in most parts of the country, but here—it’s different. 

The city pretty much shuts down.

Schools, stores, offices and streets are closed.  People ski down the streets or slide on the sidewalks like they’re ice skating.  You won’t see many cars or buses attempting to drive without chains.  

Apparently snow is rare here, even though we are the northernmost major city in the U.S.   But as a result of not being accustomed to snow, the city is under equipped to deal with conditions.

I don’t mind…..I love it.

Todd was working remotely from a downtown Microsoft office so we met for lunch.  And I was able to take advantage of the quiet streets and empty stores and get some Christmas shopping and snow trekking done.

(you know, other than world peace and time with family & friends and all that jazz)

Pretty please…..

My cell phone is so scratched I can’t even read the screen in some places. And my current contract is up in 5 days.  Plus, the iPhone is just so pretty.  And necessary, of course.  I need to track the buses and the weather in Seattle, Idaho, Kansas and know where the nearest coffee shop is when I’m lost and find a recipe for dinner when I’m standing in the grocery store aisle and…..the possibilities are endless!

Sure, I want to fit in with the ‘cool people’ and have the newest gadget.  Sometimes I’m the only one who doesn’t have their nose buried in the colorful screen, tuning out the rest of the world; and I just feel silly.  But really, when was the last time I got a shiny new toy—aside from engagement and wedding rings— just for myself???   

So Santa (and elves), if you think I’ve been good this year, maybe you can give me something fun to play with.  (And use to call people, of course.)  I promise not to buy any silly apps that cost more than $2.99.

Just one request.  Stay away from Wal-Mart.  

Gross.  

You’ll only save a measly $2.  Less than the cost of MonkeyBall.

Wow, I realized I haven’t written a race recap post since Dallas, almost a year ago.  I guess that somewhat obviously means I haven’t ran any races since last December….which makes me sad.  

Oh well, I quickly get over my sadness when I think about all the other exciting things I had going on in the past year that made me a little bit ‘distracted’ from entering any races. 

With our recent move, I also got a bit distracted from doing any quality runs and/or gym visits during the week prior to the race, so I was a tiny bit concerned about my performance in the half marathon.  I told myself not to really set any finishing goal, but would be happy as long as it was under 2:00.

The 1/2 marathon started at 7:30 on Sunday morning, so I rolled out of bed at 6:45, ate some oatmeal, put on my gear and headed out the door at 7:10, walked the mile to the starting line and found a spot in the pack as they were finishing up the National Anthem.  Stood around for 2 minutes and then we were off!  I don’t like showing up early only to wait around and get anxious (or perhaps I just wanted to sleep in as late as I could).

By the time I got to the start, I was already warm and wishing I had worn a t-shirt or tank top instead, as it was unseasonably muggy & humid for a late-November race.  But I won’t complain, because it was 53 degrees and great for running.  

Todd cheered me on at mile 1, and after a quick stop for a kiss, I enjoyed the next 12 miles just running by myself and enjoying the atmosphere.  

As I mentioned, I wasn’t aiming for a goal—and certainly not one that would require me to actually push myself. But I was feeling great, and since the first 7 miles were relatively flat, my pace was averaging around a 7:45 mile. So I figured, why not keep it up and push myself up the hills and maybe surprise myself with a nice finish time?

I’m proud of myself.  I ran smart.  I knew when the hills were coming and I tried to conserve my energy as people were flying by me.  

I smiled.  

I knew….I’d pass them on the incline.  And I didn’t start getting excited when I saw the Space Needle 2 miles before the finish, because the silly race organizers put a not-so-pleasant hill about 1/2 mile before the finish and that killed me last year.  Not this year.  

I kept my eye out for Todd, who was just around the last corner, did a little leap and headed to the finish line.

1:46:09  (i think maybe the leap cost me a good 9 seconds….)

That’s a personal best for me.  Who would’ve thought?  

Certainly not me, but I was very excited because there weren’t very many runners inside at the post-race food stations yet, so I was able to avoid the annoyance of a hungry, sweaty, tired crowd of people.  I met Todd back out on the stadium infield and then we walked home, stopping along the way to cheer on runners and see the marathon leaders head towards the finish.

It’s nice having the Seattle Marathon so close and convenient to our apartment, it’s not very often you can head out for a race with only your house key and the clothing on your back.  I’m already excited for next year. I’d like to do the full marathon, but when I enjoy the half so much, I figure ‘why let go of a good thing? ‘