9/15- Lincoln Park in West Seattle

Ave of the Stars

Today's run was at Lincoln Park in West Seattle.  I haven't been to west Seattle very much so I was excited to see the area.   It was as beautiful as I expected.  We ran by the water for a good part of the time and the rest of the time it was by houses that sat on the water.  One thing I love about Seattle is the public art.  There seems to be more public art here then anywhere I've ever lived.  I saw several beach sculptures and art in yards.  There was one stretch which was called Ave of the stars.  There were star diagrams on the sidewalks.  I'm wondering if you can stand in that spot and see those stars.  It was pretty cool. 
We ran for 2 hours.  For me that was 8.5 miles.  I'm sure real runners would say that is super slow but me it was pretty fast.  I have been walking 3 minutes and running 2.  It comes out to a 14-15 minute mile. I would like to get it to under 14 minutes but at this point I would be happy at lower 14 . 
The drive home from West Seattle was super slow.  There was a ton of traffic and I have no idea why.  It probably took an hour to get home.  The problem with that was that when I got out of the car my legs were so sore and stiff that I could barely walk up to the apartment.  And on top of that, I then had to walk the dogs.   Ugghh.
My running partner, Martha, has been out for the past 2 weeks.  The Saturday I missed due to the whale watch, she hurt her knee.  I haven't seen our other running buddies for the past few weeks and am wondering if they dropped out.  It's not as much fun being on your own.   
I've raised just under $700.  I still have $1000 to go and only 2 months to do it.  I have to get busy!

View from the path

Cool trailer

This house had a dog statue on top of it. 

9/8 Marymoor park- 8 miles

Today we met at Marymoor park in Redmond.  I ran/walked 8 miles!  It took me 2 hours because I'm not super fast but I still did it.  I feel like if I can do 8 miles, I can do 13.  Half Marathon here I come!
The park wasn't super scenic.  We ran by the lake for part of the run but most of the view was blocked by houses.  Our timing also wasn't great.  The park was hosting a Run for Paws event.  Some kind of dog walk to  support PAWS which is a dog adoption agency.  Now I love a good dog walk, but at one point we were running back to our starting point and running against the crowd.  I could not even stay on the path because there were so many people and dogs.  That last mile was my slowest because I kept having to stop and move off of the trail to let the crowds pass.  
I left the park and went and got a pedicure.  I didn't really need one but my feet hurt and I wanted to soak them and the thought of having a foot massage was too good to pass up.
My donations went up over the past week.  Thank you to everyone who donated.  I'm getting closer to the goal.  IF you haven't donated, the site it on the left hand side of my blog. 
My goal this week, 2-3 practice runs at Greenlake and at least another $100 in donations.

View of the Lake

Old car on the side of the trail.  It was weird because all of the houses were
super fancy and then here was this old car. 

The traffic of the dog walk.

I gotta get movin!

HaHa!  This was me not too long ago.

9/2 - 3 miles at Greenlake

Before I get started on my journey- Thank you to everyone who donated to me this week!  I am now over $400.  I feel extremely fortunate to have such generous friends and family.  If you are reading this and you haven't donated, the site is to the left.  If you just can't donate, no problem!  I'm taking motivational donations also!

I was feeling guilty about missing the Saturday run so I hit Greenlake on Sunday.  The walk around the inside track is only 2.8 miles so you have to go a little past your starting point and then back to hit the 3 miles goal.  What I should have done was make the loop twice but I was anxious to get the the farmers market in Ballard.   I just adore a good Farmers market.
Greenlake is such a beautiful area.  The lake was already hopping with paddle boats and families spread out enjoy a late Sunday morning.  The weather was pretty darn perfect at noon- low 70's.  There are enough dogs and people to watch to make the walk wonderful.  I didn't run but I'm planning on another trip this week with a little running.
Next Saturday we have a 2 hour walk/run scheduled with the group which means about 8 miles for me (yes I'm a slow 14-15 minute pace).  I haven't  done more than 7 miles to date so I need to get ready!


The lake




Makes me want to sit down and read a book



Saw this cool looking Crane and 4 turtles sunning themselves.

flowers from the market

9/1- Whale Watch

So, I must admit that I skipped my Saturday group run to go on a Whale Watch.  I had no choice!  Kimberly and I had bought a Groupon for a Whale watch in the San Juan Islands.  They stop the trips on Oct. 1 so we only had a few weeks left to use it.  AND they only offer this particular trip on Saturday mornings.  The whale watch was totally fun and worth the money.  We had to drive about 1.5 hours north to Anacortes at the crack of dawn for the trip.  We saw several whales, seals, sea lions and bald Eagles. 
I'm making up for the missed run by committing to 3 long runs before next Saturday (long means 3 miles or more;) 

One of several whales we saw. 

Deception Pass Bridge

The sun came out and the water looked like diamonds

Sea Lions sunning themselves

me on Deception Pass bridge

Enjoy the nature photos!

8-25 6.65 miles

Yesterday we were out in Renton for our walk/run.  We did just under 7 miles.  Actually 6.65 miles if you want the exact number.  This time I walked with Martha for half of the walk and then Leslie and Sandy joined us for the 2nd half.  We didn't do very much running so our time was a bit slower then the time I had last week. 

I wasn't crazy over the location.  It was our first time at a place that I didn't find very motivating.  It was at Lake Youngs in Renton.   But I never saw the lake!  We were on a path that ran  outside of a fenced off area.  There were plenty of hills to prepare us for the hills of Seattle.  But the path was single file for part of the time and because of the fence, you couldn't really see much.  I didn't even take any photo's because there was nothing to photograph.
I did get a blister on my toe.  Not good!  I thought I had something in my shoe because I could feel this irritation.  I thought it was sand or something.  When I took my shoe off, there it was.  I big water blister the length of my 2nd toe. 
I will miss the group next week because I'm doing a Whale Watch with my friend Kimberly.  That means I have to make it happen during the week.  I'm going to try to hit Greenlake at least 3 times. 
Number 1 goal this week----  FUNDRAISING.  I am way behind.  My goal was $1,000 by the beginning of September and that has not happened.  Focus!

7 miles

On Saturday August 18th we did our longest run yet.  7 Miles!   It was a weird practice for me because I had been gone the 2 previous weeks and didn't get a lot of practice it.  Plus it had been in the mid 90's for 2 days which is super unusual for Seattle.  The training group decided to make a 7am optional start time.  I choose to show up at the usual 8am.  But my walking/running mates choose the 7am.  So, I arrived at Kirkland and took off on my own.  It actually wasn't bad doing it on my own.  It gave me a lot of time to think.  But the time goes faster when you have others to talk to so I missed my group.
But, I was proud of myself for finishing the course.  That is over half way to the Half Marathon.  Not long now! 

A rabbit on the path

Kirkland public art

More Art

The run

Vacation!

I did my annual trip back east to visit the family the first week of  August.  I stayed with my little sister and her family in Northern VA.  Love getting to see the kids for a week but I sure hate that it is only once a year.  Mom and dad drove up mid-week which was really nice.  I just saw them in June so we didn't feel quite so disconnected. 

I told Michelle that at least one day we needed to do a long walk so that I didn't feel like I was falling behind too badly with my training.  Truthfully we should have done 3 or 4 but I didn't think that was very realistic.  On Monday morning, the family headed to Burke lake to walk around it.  It is approximately a 4 mile walk so it fit in perfectly with the training schedule.  We started way later then we should have and the temperature was climbing up to the mid 90's.  Plus, the humidity is CRAZY in VA right now.  By the time we made it around the lake, I was soaked with sweat.  I hate that!  I felt sticky and nasty.  We piled back in the car and went for chili dogs.  How else to you celebrate a 4 mile walk?  Overall and nice day and wonderful bonding time.   I love my Virginia family and sure wish it was a little bit easier to get across the country.  In the meantime, thank goodness for e-mail, facebook and text messages.


Connor on his bike



Brooke on her bike

The Family

Saturday July 28

Martha, Danielle, LouLou and Me after 5 miles!

Today we did just over 5 miles at the Arboretum, Lake Washington.  Martha, Danielle and LouLou (Danielle's daughter) and I did a combination of run/walk.  Still way more walking then running but we are getting there.  We need to start increasing it a bit more or it will take us 4 hours to do the half!!  
Ally, my mentor, invited me to join a group of them for breakfast.  I didn't know anyone else in the group but decided to join.  One of my reasons for joining this program was too meet people.   I figured this is how it's done.  There were 10 of us total and it was a lot of fun.  Of course I don't remember any ones names except for Ally and her husband Zack.  I believe the guy who sat across from me is Bruce.  He was running that evening in the Seafair 5 K.  I wish I had seen the race because I understand a lot of people dress like pirates and run.  Nothing like a running pirate. 


Salted Caramel and Chocolate Coconut cupcake

 After breakfast I picked a couple of Cupcakes from the little bakery on the corner.  Then headed for a pedicure.    After a stop at Target and walking the dogs, I checked my pedometer and it showed 7.5 miles.  16,500 steps for the day is not bad for a couch potato. 
Next week....  vacation.  I will need to run on my own.




This house was on our route.  Love the yard