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River Swim - August 4, 2009

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 04:03:21 GMT

This is the Pilchuck River just west of Granite Falls, WA. Looking upstream...

Lots of foilage along the bank....

Downstream view....

Also downstream.

Fun swim, but cold! The current is very lazy, so you can swim upstream, then swim very fast back downstream. The water at its deepest is 4-5 feet--toward the south of the river. Very swallow on the southside where we entered.

"Tour de Whatcom" - Saturday, August 1, 2009

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 01:38:27 GMT

Paradise Valley Trail Run

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:46:49 GMT

Pretty trails...kinda dark under the trees...lovely ferns!

Nice out in the open here....

Lovely flowers!

Double Run Mondays

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:08:29 GMT

On Monday, December 1, the Star Trek Enterprise (in the form of a lenticular cloud) flew high in the eastern sky just after sunrise. Unfortunately, I was driving kids to school and couldn't photograph it. So these images off the web will have to do.

Since Monday, November 10, Tory started offering a 4 p.m. and a 5 p.m. running class--for those who want to come early and for those who can't come until later. Last Monday, November 24, and this Monday, the 1st, I decided to do both "sessions." Each time it was an out-and-back course, so what happened was that I jogged and chatted with Tory on the way, then on the way back I either ran by myself (with maybe a few extra "loops" thrown in) or accompanied one of the other ladies. Doubling was a real help for the week of Thanksgiving, because I missed my midweek run due to traveling. But I still got 11 miles in for the week. This last Monday I did nearly 6 miles by doubling. But the second session I mostly walked because I did the last half of the first session quite fast.

Next Monday is the last 5K class! (Sob...) We are supposed to meet at the Lynnwood H.S. track at 5 p.m. for our last run and then go to the Spaghetti Factory for dinner. Wonder how many will show up? On the 1st, including myself, only three ladies came at 4 p.m. and one other came at 5 p.m. The others either were unable to make it because of work, injury or other unknown reasons.

Runnin' & Liftin'

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 02:40:14 GMT

Last week I ended up focusing on running and strength training, because I could not, for various reasons (too tired, road construction, need to buy a new swim pass), make it to the pool. Also, I wasn't ambitious enough to get my bike out either. So I did my exercises in my cozy house, then 4 times last week, laced up my running shoes and hit the street or the trail.

My mileage totalled 15.92 at week's end, which was almost 4 miles more than last week, but what happened was my third run was supposed to be 6 miles, and I ran out of time and only did 5 (Thursday). So on Saturday, I finally did it--1 hour, 17 minutes, 52 seconds, including warm-up, cool-down and a walk break. (Next I need to register for the Marine's Toys for Tots run. I think I'll just do the 5K, because I want to try for speed!)

The weather this weekend and last was surprisingly nice. Beautiful sunsets. Also caught a beautiful sunrise last Thursday. And there's still blooms on my mini roses--in November!

Here, There, Everywhere a Ponytail

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:33:00 GMT

Today I had two appointments in town (dentist and chiro), plus did a little shopping. So I saw a fair number of people, but it was a lady with a blonde ponytail walking a dog along a major street on my way home, that started me thinking about ponytails. See, I made two new friends this summer--two ladies around my age that both have beautiful blonde hair and usually always wear their hair in a ponytail whenever I see them, and today it seemed that I kept seeing ponytails all over. (And I thought: when did ponytails get so popular?) When I see a long, blonde ponytail, I sometimes have to look (discreetly) a second time to make sure it's not someone I know. (And if the person is walking a dog, especially a tan-colored dog, I have to try to look a third time--but carefully, if I'm driving! And, unfortunately, today I was driving and couldn't make a positive ID one way or the other).

Also, I have to admit to a little bit of envy. My hair doesn't make a very impressive ponytail anymore (in my eyes), because my hair has thinned out. I used to have very thick hair, especially in my 20's, and during my pregnancies, but now I'm getting a little worried, wondering if this hair loss thing is going to continue on throughout middle age. (Perhaps I'll finally ask my doctor at my next physical; luckily I have a woman doctor, who is not a young doctor, and would probably understand about the hair thing.)

My younger daughter inherited my thick hair, while my older one's hair is finer. Of course, it's the younger one who is the most fussy about her hair and doesn't appreciate what gorgeous hair she really has--she complains she has "too much" and is keeping it cut now. I'd love to trade with her!

In memory of our veterans today....

Autumn Leaves are Falling: a November Afternoon....

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 22:35:10 GMT

...or Marysville Photo Jog. Starting at the Marysville Library....

Here I am trying to get a few rays:

Now around the neighborhood: lots of leaves!

A stream runs through it....

Now around the neighborhood: cute squirrel....

There are some spectacular trees in Marysville:

Now back to the library again:

Finished!

Running Class with Coach Tory

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:05:13 GMT

Meeting at Jennings Park on a beautiful autumn evening....

The Jennings Park rooster!

The path through the trees...running through the leaves is so fun!

Making it back up the hill.... Coach Tory cheering....

Autumn Sunshine

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 02:33:55 GMT

This week has been part summer, part winter! Sunday afternoon my family and I enjoyed a trip to Camano Island, enjoyed the old Camano Island State Park, plus checking out the new Cama Beach State Park.

The view from Camano State Park:

High tide....

Couldn't resist the flowers!

Driftwood fort...

And now the new state park....

There are lots of cabins on the beach to stay in. These are the "deluxe" cabins:

On Monday I enjoyed a sunny afternoon on the Centennial Trail, doing 6 miles total, including warm-up and cool-down. http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/training/index-weekly.asp?memberid=109262&year=2008&month=9&day=29

Next--at a lovely park just outside of Granite Falls (west side) on the FIRST day of October: I hiked the trails and jogged on the grass.

Can you believe the sunshine compared to the end of this week?

Husband's New Toy (and a more comfortable ride for me)

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 19:51:26 GMT

Last Saturday we traded in our old 1996 Ford F250 diesel for a 2006 Ford F250 with a V10 engine. Beautiful truck! Rides much better than the old truck and has lots of goodies like a 6-CD changer...only 21,000 something miles. A good deal except for having to drive down to Chehalis to get it. Oh, well, it was a good way to spend some time in the new truck driving home.