Silver Falls (12/26/17)

These photos are from our trip to Silver Falls State Park in December! Stuff got in the way after the first of the year, and I never posted them.

Brad's sister, Jill, and her husband, Maroof, try to visit each Christmas from NYC. We like to drag them on an adventure, and last year it was a hike at Silver Falls on Dec. 26:

The crew, all bundled up:

Such a beautiful day with the fog!

Happy hikers:

Wondering what adventure this year's visit will bring :)

Garlic Fest 10K (8/11/18)

With Brad out on a climbing adventure on the last weekend of my summer break, I decided I needed to run a race! Mom and Eryn joined me for the Garlic Fest 10K in North Plains.

Racers ready!

The loop course has a lovely hill in the middle:

I slowed for the ups and tried to fly on the downs. By the end, I was less flying and more trying to hang on ;)

Free race pics are the best! I looked better than I felt :)

All done!

I finished in 57:33, a 9:16 average. My Garmin measured the course at 6.28 miles, bringing my  average down to 9:10. I took 6/26 in my age group, 37/161 for females, and 90/250 overall.

Eryn on the course:

Here comes Eryn, around the corner from the finish:

After she passed, I ran ahead to get her at the finish line:

YIPPEE!!!!!!

Mom on the course:

And here she comes!

Always run the finish:

Mom walked much of the course and found a fellow educator to chat with and pass the time:

After, we walked over a couple blocks to see the tiny parade:

Small-town parades are hilarious :)

Then we went to the festival area for some refueling. We all tried the "world famous garlic mashed potatoes":

We were so excited, but they were horrible! They were just instant potatoes with some garlic sprinkled on top. I didn't even finish mine. :( 

Then we shared a very mediocre elephant ear. The race was definitely better than the festival food. Next year, we'll stick to the running.

:)

5 on the 4th (7/4/18)

Holiday races are my favorite, especially this fun one in Wilsonville by ORRC. I wasn't feeling at all patriotic this year, skipping fireworks to attend a protest/vigil at Portland's ICE facility. But I had this amazing outfit, so I had to wear it for the 5 on the 4th:

I ran strong with Brad by my side and took second place in my division!

My twin approaching the finish:

I don't have pics of Mom's finish because I jumped in and ran with her :)

All done!

2nd Place!

The sweaty crew:

My time was 27:09, an 8:40 average. That earned me 55/143 overall, 17/74 female, and 2/15 in my division.

If you're looking for a fun 4th of July race, check out this one! We've done it several times now, and it's great :)