National Walk at Lunch Day

Did you get out and walk at lunch Wednesday? I couldn't resist!

:)

Kickboxing is a family affair

You know how I'm always trying to make everyone do stuff with me? (My friends and family are rolling their eyes right now because I harass them constantly!) :)

Earlier this year, my cousin, Jessie, started kickboxing with me at Fierce Fitness. She loved it so much that she started bringing friends - and her sister while home on spring break:

 My mom has also joined the gym, adding a once-a-week kickboxing class to her routine:

Yesterday, Aunt Kari called Mom to see what she was doing. Mom's reply: "Heading to kickboxing." Kari's response: "Crap" - or something along that line, possibly more colorful ;)

Apparently, Jessie had convinced Kari to attend class if Mom was there. HA!

And she survived!!!!

So seven of us at last night's class were either friends or relatives... don't you think I should get a finder's fee or something?!?! ;)

I love kickboxing, and it just fills my heart to see people I care about finding joy and fulfillment at Fierce, too!

No. 17

No. 17 was Julie and Julia by Julie Powell from the freebie pile at work:

It's the memoir that became the movie with Amy Adams and Meryl Streep. Powell decides to cook every recipe in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

I really liked it! Powell has an interesting writing style, and I enjoyed her honest voice. But I made the mistake of Googling her before I finished the book. I found out some things that sorta soured me toward her. But still, the book was a good read. Also made me realize that I could never eat French food - too much nasty animal products!

:)

Adventure Thursday is back!

Adventure Thursday is back (along with Adventure Friday!)

Dad and I fell off the wagon in the fall. I've missed our adventures and have been trying to get things going again.

He walked over last week for a lunchtime walk in Cook Park. Then he returned Friday for a bonus round:  

Here's to many adventures ahead! :)

Beach weekend adventures

Our schedules have been packed in recent months. So awhile back, we looked for our first open weekend and booked my grandparents' beach house for a getaway. That weekend finally arrived!

On the way down, we stopped for a short run on the Wilson River Trail. The predicted stormy weather never materialized, and we had a gorgeous run to Wilson Falls for 4.25 miles in all:

Our big event of the weekend was running and biking on Bayocean spit. Brad's wanted to take out his new bike, and I needed a long run for my half-marathon training. So he rode back and forth, practicing tricks and such while I ran to the end of the spit and back... and then to the road and back... and then out about another mile and back to the car... 12 miles in all!

The temp was perfect! It was a bit breezy, and a couple showers passed through during my 2-hour outing, but you'll hear no complaints from this runner!

Sunday was a lazy day. After almost 40 miles last week, I was pooped. So my only outing was a walk to the top of Maxwell Mountain:

Of course, Brad rode his bike :)

On the way down, I hung out with this little guy for a bit:

A wonderful weekend of adventure :)

Seahawks 12K Run at The Landing (4/17/16)

Last weekend was the Seahawks 12K Run at The Landing, and I gave up a PR to see some players. And I have no regrets!

Last year, I rounded the corner at the Seahawks training facility and realized there were players handing out water! I had no idea that was going to happen, and I took just a quick moment to take it in. This year, I brought my camera and planned to spend a bit more time.

But first... our Renton hotel was about 3.5 miles from the packet-pickup spot, so Eryn, Dad and I walked there Saturday night. Then after dinner, Dad drove the car back while Eryn, Mom and I walked back. Mom couldn't resist: 

Thankfully, the whole weekend was way, WAY less eventful than last year when the train broke down, the hotel was overbooked and we couldn't get breakfast. Everything went smoothly, and we arrived nice and early Sunday morning for the race. Dad hung out while the ladies waited in the potty line:

Tutus for everyone!!

Family picture:

Wait - show the tutus:

How about heads and tutus?!

Dad wimped out and opted for the 5K, which started a bit later. Time to get in the corral:

Lots and lots of fans - SO FUN! KJ Wright was at the starting line, sending off each wave of runners:

I didn't look at my watch the whole time, running only by feel. I also didn't have my PR time in my head, so that couldn't influence me. I started very slow with the heavy crowd and then sped up as I could. Then, as planned, I got out my camera at the training facility and enjoyed the moment: (anyone know who these guys are???)

Helmet car:

I pushed hard on the way back and came in at 1:09:25. Felt great!

Also, they seriously streamlined the finish chute by ditching the shoe tags. HUGE improvement over last year!

Love running in my tutu - and matching racing flats :)

Perks of finishing later than most: leftover free food:

Actually, we all walked back to the finish chute and scored tons of leftovers bagels:

The family that tutus together...

After showers at the hotel (late checkout for the win!), we refueled at Tommy's Cafe. YUM!

My stats:
655 out of 3,199 overall
45 out of 342 females 35-39
196 out of 1,995 females

Our friend, Tera, KILLED it and was the 10th woman overall! WOOHOO!!! She's amazing :)

My splits:

• Mile 1: 9:53
• Mile 2: 9:30
• Mile 3: 8:47
• Mile 4: 8:37
• Mile 5: 10:04 (Seahawks!)
• Mile 6: 8:35
• Mile 7: 8:37
• Mile .66: 7:52

I was much slower at the beginning this year because I started in the last wave with the strollers and dogs and walkers. And I took longer with the Seahawks in mile 5. But other than that, I was faster! In fact, I placed much higher in all categories. And I am perfectly happy with giving up that PR for the experience :)

Click HERE to watch me cross the finish line!

We'll be back next year!! :)

No. 16

No. 16 was Death in a Cold Dark Light by Francine Mathews:

I thought this was a good mystery about three murders in Nantucket. The main character is a competent women police detective who doesn't get herself into trouble while solving the crime.

I most often read in bed at night, and I had a little trouble following this one at first. Perhaps my brain was just too sleepy.

Also, one of the villainous characters is named Hannah. I've read a whole series where the hero is named Hannah, so my mind had a little trouble with that one :)

Autism Awareness 5K (4/15/16)

I got to spend my lunch break doing something pretty great Friday: the second-annual Autism Awareness Run/Walk 5K!

The event is hosted by Tigard High leadership students and held at Cook Park, just down the hill from the school. It's the end-of-the-quarter teacher work day, so students and staff were free to attend. As with last year, great attendance!

My CE2 students Katrina and Marissa joined the fun:

Of course, Eryn and I couldn't turn down the chance to race!

Nice job, Marissa!!

Mom, Dad and Donna walked the gorgeous course:

Since she's now retired, I invited Donna to join the mid-day event. Good crew!!

So proud of my THS students, staff and Tigard community for stepping up for this important cause! Can't wait for next year :)