Boston bound!

I'm heading to Boston tonight on red-eye. I love and miss Boston! I miss fall. There is something about New England fall that you have to experience for youself. Feeling the crisp, cold air biting the tip of your nose, hearing the scattered dried leaves crackling at each step, admiring and smiling at the pumpkins on the neighbors' door steps, seeing your breath in the morning, being bundle up in long johns, knit cap, scarf, gloves, and a winter coat, smelling the cinnamon and apples cider. Yes, I miss New England fall. Of course, I don't miss it enough to want to live there. I'm a big chicken when it comes to the cold. 4 years of Boston winter was enough for me ;). Nevertheless, I'm Boston bound and can't wait :)!

sweetness

Happy thoughts... When I am with Luke, I think I'm in a dream (i'm not writing this b/c I know he reads this and probably my soul reader=)). He is incredibly thoughtful and definitely puts a smile on my face when I think of him.

Update on Audrey and baby...I saw Gregory and Audrey last night. They were in my neighborhood trying acupuncture to help induce contractions. Contractions are suppose to start within 12 - 24hrs after the acupuncture procedure. Audrey prefers this method than the western form of induction, more natural this way. Hopefully "baby girl" will come soon b/c she is having a major kicking party in Audrey's womb. It think she is destined to be a football player like her father ;).

crazy thoughts

Today, I was suppose to get a work call sometime after 2pm. I waited until 3:30pm, nothing, so I emailed my colleague to figure out what happened. It's now half past 5pm and I haven't heard back, very annoyed. I know I don't deal well with change. I guess when things like this happens, I feel disregarded and disrespected. Then I start to think of all these negative, unhelpful crazy thoughts. I think the next time I start to do this, I need to remember the world does not revolve around me and people are not trying to purposely hurt me. Sometimes I do feel that way=((not the world part, the hurt part). I can also try to pray. Yeah, pray what a novel idea=).

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
- Matthew 11:28-29.

still waiting for a call from Gregory...

traveling and running

I'll be heading out to DC in May (2006) for a friend's wedding. I've known Me(pronounced Mei) since first day of college. I met her at orientation and have stayed in touch the past 10+ years despite the distance.

I love traveling, but when you are traveling and training, it does make it difficult. So far, it's worked out. You just got to plan ahead. So, in May I have one of my long runs scheduled and I have to figure where and when to do the run. I found this awesome running route list from the DC road runners
SLR(saturday long runs). Now that's sharing resources!

the blues

I finished my first marathon about a week and a half ago. Now I'm in recovery mode and it hasn't been much fun. Actually, I feel the blahs and feel like a blob. After 18 weeks of getting up early on Saturday mornings and all the anticipation of the race, now it's over. You do end up asking yourself what next? I went swimming and did some strength exercise, but it's not the same as running. There is something invigorating about running, especially when you run outside along the Bay. I read in these articles that post-marathon blues are quite normal. Good to know.
Running Times Article
Joe Henderson Article
MarathonGuide.com Article


No call from Gregory, so assuming Audrey hasn't delivered or maybe Gregory hasn't found my cell phone number.

my sister

Went to visit my sister (Audrey) and brother-in-law (Gregory) today. Audrey is due this week. She's starting to feel some contractions. Audrey described the pain as a giant rubber band or spandex material fabric stretching across your belly and holding your belly down like a pair of pants that are way too tight. My sister is ready to deliver.

Slept in =)

This is the first Saturday in a very long time that I got to sleep in, no early morning runs. I will run later today about 2-3 miles. We are planning to run Anchorage Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon. That means our training will start on Feb 18, 2005. For now, it'll be yoga and strength training. This week I did feel my old pain creeping back in, so have to watch out.

I want to share my marathon photos. I've been testing out Flickr.com and shutterfly.com for sharing photos. They both seem difficult to navigate through. For example, Flickr.com has contacts vs. groups. The FAQ was confusing. In shutterfly, it took me forever to figure out how to add new albums to my collection. Hmm...maybe I should stick with Koadakgallery.com formally known as ofoto.com.

It's late for a Saturday morning, still need to brush my teeth=), so better get a move on.

Happy Friday!

Gerber Daisy from Luke.

Rose

"Of all the flowers, methinks a rose is best".
-Shakespeare

Portland International Rose Garden

a rose

Japanese Garden - Portland, Oregon

the garden had an amazing view of Mt. Hood, very peaceful place
Japanese Garden

5:12:21

The mile by mile report.
mile 1: 12:21:55 -stopped to tie right foot shoe laces
mile 2: 11:55:78
mile 3: 12:11:32
mile 4: 12:06:09
mile 5: 11:10:46
mile 6: 11:59:73
mile 7: 11:31:58
mile 8: 13:13:73 -1st portapotty stop
mile 9: 11:50:63
mile 10: 11:21:87
mile 11: 11:04:13
mile 12: 11:39:14
mile 13: 12:04:42
mile 14: 11:48:93 -2nd portapotty stop
mile 15: 11:49:37
mile 16: 11:36:32
mile 17: 14:11:74 -skin felt clammy going up the hill, slow down to walk (a lot!)
mile 18: 10:08:66 -downhill=)
mile 19: 12:07:18
mile 20: 12:02:22
mile 21: 11:22:59
mile 22: 12:28:14 -side stitches
mile 23: 13:12:20 -3rd portapotty stop
mile 24: 11:42:98 -side stitches, hill up to Steel Bridge
mile 25: 11:46:39
mile 26: 11:09:59 -feeling great
mile 0.2: 2:15:18

Breakfast at 4AM

Kashi Golden maple and brown sugar. It's really better than it looks.

Wahkeena Falls

water fall along the old Hwy 30 and Columbia River Gorge

45 minute wait and worth it!

Mother's Pumpkin Pancake

Northwest Cuisine

Higgins dinner with old college friends

High Maintenance Runner

Foam roller, tennis balls, and don't forget the SHOES!