Bellingham Bay Marathon

For the last 18 weeks, I've been training to run the Bellingham Bay Marathon with my dad (my first marathon, his second). Now, 440 miles, 66 hours of running, and one black toenail later, I am done!

While I'm very excited to be checking this item off my bucket list. I am also proud that I was able to run all 26.2 miles today with my dad and am loving the R&R I've able to enjoy now that we're back at home.

First, I have to say how very proud of my dad I am. At 55, nothing phases him - this week alone, he didn't taper off his running like the training program suggested (i.e. 3 miles Tuesday, 4 miles Wednesday and 2 miles Thursday with 2 days of rest before the race). Instead, he ran three 10 milers this week. And it showed - the race didn't phase him. He spent much if joking with the volunteers, asking them if we were almost done at mile 3, if we were running in the right direction for the 5K at mile 17, and also, somehow, managed to find the energy to cheer other runners on along the way while high-fiving the volunteers. Unbelievable.

He finished the race in an amazing 3, hours, 56 minutes only to rest for about 5 seconds and turn around and run to find me a ways behind him and run the last 1/2 mile AGAIN with me. He is truly an inspiration and a hero - I admire him and am so happy to call him my dad.

We picked a great race and race day. It was sunny and cool and the course is beautiful - you run along the bay, through cute neighborhoods and along the Interurban trail. The views were spectacular and some of the houses we passed must have been valued at $10+ million. The course was was relatively flat. Seriously - the first half was almost completely flat except for a short hill around mile 9. There were a few rolling hills between 10-15, a short but super steep hill at mile 17, and a bit of a hill at 22 miles. Overall, I can't complain about the hills. The distance, however, was another thing.

Most people told me the last 6 miles would be the hardest...for me, I found that the last 8 miles the worst. I felt fine up until mile 18 - my pace was pretty good (I think around 8:45ish on average) and was able to find continued energy with Scott, Corey and my mom cheering us along around mile 16, but by mile 18, my feet started to get really tired. There were 3-4 times that I told myself I should just stop and walk for a few minutes, but knowing myself, if I would have walked for a few minutes and then would now have not been able to start again. Instead, I slowed my pace down (to a a slog (12+ minute pace) between miles 24-26) . Seeing my dad running back towards me, fists pumping in the air, helped me finish my last 5 minutes of running and our cheering section (Scott, his girlfriend Anya, Corey and my mom) helped me pick up the pace for a strong finish line cross. I was so happy to be done!

I came home to flowers and a delicious smelling candle from Joan (who watched the pup for us) and an adorable Relaxation Kit made by the fabulous Natalie Gossett waiting for me. After a delightful soak in the tub, I'm relaxing on the couch, thinking about taking a nice, long nap.

Thanks for everyone's kind words of encouragement and well wishes throughout my training and most of all, today. I couldn't have done it without y'all cheering me along! A special thanks for Corey for putting up my running schedule, including early wake-up times and long Saturday runs, even after he had to make the call not to run the half today due to bad knee pains in the last few weeks. I look forward to running a race with him in the future! (Maybe this year's Seattle half, the Huntington Beach half in February or the Napa to Sonoma half next summer!)

Here are some photos from our stay in Bellingham and of the race! (More of Bellingham can be found on my Flickr site. More of the race can be found on Corey's Flickr site.)

Corey and I outside Mambo Italiano Cafe, the location of our carb-loading dinner before the race.

Parents outside the restaurant - they took us out to celebrate my upcoming birthday. So delish!

Scott and his gf Anya - she was a saint to meet the whole family at once, put up with us crazies over dinner, and to cheer us on at the end of the race!

All ready to head to the starting line.

Told you - he had all kinds of energy to joke around and show off his high steps.

Dad crossing the finish line with an official time of 3:56:57!

Dad crossing the finish line a second time with me as we attempt a high-five. (Official time: 4:10:26)

Cheers to being done!

And here are some photos taken by the photographer at the race:

• Mile 11
• Mile 13
• Finish Line 1
• Finish Line 2
  

Another Yakima Trip

My aunt Karen, who we hadn't seen since our wedding, was in town from The Hague so we headed to Yakima to visit her as well as the rest of my fam.

Had a great, relaxing time as usual. Roxy, on the other hand, had a very active time - she absolutely loves playing in the wide open acre that is my parents yard. She recovered by sleeping almost the entire day on Sunday.

I didn't take any pics during any of our activities but Corey got some cute photos of Roxy and Maggie (my parents' dog). My favorites are below. The rest are on Corey's Flickr site.


For some reason, this reminds me of a school portrait like a little kid would get and cracks me up every time I see it.

Tons and tons of grass makes for a very happy puppy.

We haven't seen Maggie (who's 13 or so) this active and happy running around in forever.

Just a little leapin' through the yard.

Seahawk Sundays are Here

Those of you that know Corey know that he loves (seriously, loves) his football. Though fantasy football and pre-season activities started about a month ago, the first 'real' Seahawks game was today. Normally, he'd be hunkering down to watch the game from our couch, but he was able to finally snag season tickets this year so my mom and grandma came over to spend a girlie day with me and my dad headed to the game with Corey. With sunny skies and temps around 80ish, it was the perfect day for the official season opener.

Before leaving for the game, he and Roxy spent some quality time together in their Seahawks jerseys, praying for a Seahawks win.

Roxy actually really does calm down when watching games with Corey.

And as you can see, too much football makes a girl tired. I like to tell Corey she takes after me - football Sundays are perfect napping days.

Bumbershoot 2009

Most years, I check out the Bumbershoot schedule and don't see many groups that I recognize or care to see; however, this year was a different story. There were great line-ups planned for all three days and a group of us (Lisa, Chris, Natalie, Corey and I) decided to go the day the Black Eyed Peas were playing.

Best part? T-Mobile gives employees tickets so Corey and I were able to go for free!

Only downside? Back when we decided to go a few weeks ago, it was probably 85 degrees but this weekend rolled around and the rain and cooler temps took over. Surprisingly, it didn't seem to keep many folks away. I guess us Northwestern-ers didn't mind a little rain since most of us have the gear to keep dry.

Having never been to Bumbershoot, it was fun to walk around and people watch, eat lots of yummy food and hear a few different groups performing. Topping it off was the Black Eyed Peas performance. I'd never seen them live but they put on a really good show even though they had a few sound issues.

So glad we were able to get out and see them today!

Mmm, gotta love the yummy food.

This is what Corey had after having 'lunch' at home. Can't imagine the size it would have had to be if he'd skipped 'lunch' entirely.

Setting up for the show in the rain. Serious fans up front endured 2+ hours in the rain waiting for it to start.

Bumbershoot gang - Corey, Lisa, Natalie, and Chris.

Guy in the middle of this makeshift stage was an interpreter for the deaf / hard of hearing. It was amazing to watch them sign the lyrics. Must be a hard job, though this guy looked like he was loving life.

Black Eyed Peas take the stage in front of a huge crowd.

It was a great day for people watching.

Finale song? 'I Gotta Feelin'. My fave!

Birthday Celebration Continues

Though we celebrated Corey and Natalie's birthdays last weekend at the Reeders', Natalie came up with a plan that would allow us to continue the celebration of Corey's birthday and allow us to see some work they recently finished at their house (which turned out amazing!). So last night, we headed over to their house for a surprise birthday dinner for Corey.

Joining us for the festivities were the Reeders and Bishops. We all bonded over some yummy Ezell's, chowed on some delicious chocolate cake and watched Duplicity.

Thanks to the Gossetts for hosting another fun evening with good friends. What a great way to kick off our long weekend!

Host Natalie bringing in the yummy birthday cake...

Blowing out 33 candles = lots of smoke.

Reeders

Bishops

Me with the birthday boy.

Happy Birthday to the World's Best Hubby

Today is Corey's 33rd birthday and with that comes a celebration of sorts! I'd say it was a pretty good overall, especially considering they threw him a party at work (that included a home made lemon meringue pie and the gift of a new pair of trail running shoes) and he had a date with both Mrs. Morans (that would be his mom and I)!

He made it nice and easy on us - he wanted to go to Paseo's (read: very good, yet extremely casual / laid back) and chose a dessert from Trader Joes over a homemade goodie. What did I get him as a gift, you ask? A Hugo Boss suit (his first...and last), which he's been asking for every year since we met.

Here are some photos from the evening. Happy birthday, sweetie!

Super cute Burberry pullover from his mom...

What could my wife have gotten me?

Finally! The blasted Hugo suit I've been asking for for years!

Checking out how the suit fits. I'm told that, given the fit / style, it's more of a 'social' suit vs. a business suit. I guess this means he will be wearing it every time we attend a social function (i.e. Chipotle dates, BBQs at our friends' houses, etc).

Roxy's way of partaking in the festivities.

And a cute pic of mother and son to wrap up the night.