First of all--I got the job offer that I wanted! I am moving into the corporate world for awhile--I accepted a job offer with Tommy Bahama. I am the new HR Assistant in their corporate office in downtown Seattle. It's going to be a big change, but one I'm looking forward to. I start on Wednesday!
I ran the Miles For Memories 5k race in Bellingham over the weekend. I set a PR (personal record) of 27:02--that's a pace of 8:42 per mile. This is about a 10 minute improvement over the first race I ran a year ago! I'm very happy with my improvement. I finished 9th out of the women, and 31st overall--there were 150 runners total. It was a perfect morning for running--sun was out and the air was crisp. It's also a nice course to run.
My stepbrother Kable, and his son, Spencer, also participated. Spencer is 6 yrs. old. He ran the entire first half--walked most of the 2nd, and ran the last quarter mile or so across the finish line. Then he was off to play soccer in the afternoon! I see a track career in his future! He was sure to tell his dad that if he could get a better night's sleep and if the race might be later in the afternoon next time, he was sure he could beat everyone!
Spent part of the afternoon visiting with my stepbrother's family, then had lunch with a friend in Fairhaven at the Colophon Cafe'. YUM! Then I headed down to Mt. Vernon to my sister's place for the rest of the weekend. Had a great visit, toured the tulips, hung out with my nephew.
Yesterday I did my long run in Mt. Vernon. I did 17 miles--winding through town, then west into the farmland, then east again--making my way back to my sister's house. It was a great run--I had fun touring the area. The weather was good, too--overcast, but warm and an occasional breeze felt good after several miles! I felt strong, and kept a good, steady pace. I finished in just under 3 hours--keeping a pace of 10:31. Next Sunday is 18 miles, and then my first 20 miler the following week.
We had lunch at the Skagit River Brewery with my Dad and Stepmom, Glory. I was starving--pretty good food, and good company!
Taking the immodium before my runs now has been a lifesaver! It works wonders.
We booked a house to stay in at Sunriver for the marathon weekend. It will be nice to have a private place with our own kitchen and hot tub, and access to the resort's ammenities! I'm looking forward to it!
Today is a rest day--I've been feeling pretty groggy all morning, but my legs feel great! Tomorrow will be a cross training and weight lifting day.
Off for a cup of coffee and some scrabble!
Monday, April 28, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Red Rover, Red Rover, Send a Job Offer Right Over...
I've been interviewing for jobs like CRAZY the last couple of months. I feel a bit like I've been through the ringer, but each time I get a rejection letter, I feel like I'm just one step closer to the right fit for me.
I'm kind of tired of the rejection letters, but in a way it's turned out that some of the jobs I've been passed over for, have turned out to be less of a dissapointment than I thought--with the exception of one--but now I'm waiting to hear final decisions from two different companies--and I have a feeling that they both are pretty interested. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. One is definitely more up my alley--but the other would be much more of a challenge. Both have their strenghts. Both have their weaknesses.
At the same time, I've kind of enjoyed being unemployed--but it also sometimes leaves me feeling like "what the heck do I do with myself today?" Don't get me wrong--there's plenty to do and I've kept myself busy, but I do miss the human interaction!
I spent the afternoon with my best friend, Andrea, and her two boys. They have FINALLY made the move to the Seattle area. A big transition for them, but one that I think they will be happy they've made. I'm so happy to have them close by, too. Her boys are so adorable, and have grown so fast. It had been almost a full year since I last saw them all. TOO LONG! I'm going to see them again tomorrow--and I made promises of a trip to the park!
I've found myself much more relaxed these days--after our trip to Oahu, and breaking away from Essential. I'm sleeping better, too! It's been a nice break. I do look forward to work again and starting something new, though.
Monday was a rest day as far as running goes. I did a little bit of walking, but nothing much. Yesterday I did 6 miles--hitting the streets around our apartment. It's exactly .6 mile from our apartment, South down Fauntleroy down to Juneau Street--so I ran back and forth between the two. The weather was great yesterday afternoon! Perfect. Not cold. Not hot.
I timed myself doing a 5k and made it just under 27 minutes. That is under a 9 min. mile average! I did 5k pace, then ran 3 miles at a slower pace. I'm running a 5k race this coming Saturday--the "Miles for Memories" 5k up in Bellingham. It's the very first race I ever participated in last year, so it's kind of a special event for me. Last year I ran it in about 36 minutes--about 12 min./mile. I'm excited to see what my official time will be. I'm hoping to make this an annual event for myself--a reminder of the work I've done, and a goal to keep in mind each year and to keep me focused on my health!
Kable (my stepbro) is going to participate, too. He did it last year. So did Cory, but he will be off in Toronto this weekend. Kable beat both of us last year--without ANY training whatsoever. Not this year though--I'm going to blow him out of the water! :-) Though....to be fair....he has shin splints and recently had surgery, so it may not be a fair competition.
This evening will be a cross training workout at the gym--probably the eliptical and/or the stair stepper, and a bit of weight training. Tomorrow I'll do an 8 mile run at easy pace. Friday will be a rest day, then the 5k Saturday, and 16 miles on Sunday in Mt. Vernon with the help of my wonderful seeeester!
Tomorrow is Cory's bro's b-day (Joel), so we'll be heading up to see him in Everett for dinner, and then head to his place to watch LOST!
Off to pick up the Mr. from work! Keep your fingers crossed on these job apps!
Peace Out Homes
I'm kind of tired of the rejection letters, but in a way it's turned out that some of the jobs I've been passed over for, have turned out to be less of a dissapointment than I thought--with the exception of one--but now I'm waiting to hear final decisions from two different companies--and I have a feeling that they both are pretty interested. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. One is definitely more up my alley--but the other would be much more of a challenge. Both have their strenghts. Both have their weaknesses.
At the same time, I've kind of enjoyed being unemployed--but it also sometimes leaves me feeling like "what the heck do I do with myself today?" Don't get me wrong--there's plenty to do and I've kept myself busy, but I do miss the human interaction!
I spent the afternoon with my best friend, Andrea, and her two boys. They have FINALLY made the move to the Seattle area. A big transition for them, but one that I think they will be happy they've made. I'm so happy to have them close by, too. Her boys are so adorable, and have grown so fast. It had been almost a full year since I last saw them all. TOO LONG! I'm going to see them again tomorrow--and I made promises of a trip to the park!
I've found myself much more relaxed these days--after our trip to Oahu, and breaking away from Essential. I'm sleeping better, too! It's been a nice break. I do look forward to work again and starting something new, though.
Monday was a rest day as far as running goes. I did a little bit of walking, but nothing much. Yesterday I did 6 miles--hitting the streets around our apartment. It's exactly .6 mile from our apartment, South down Fauntleroy down to Juneau Street--so I ran back and forth between the two. The weather was great yesterday afternoon! Perfect. Not cold. Not hot.
I timed myself doing a 5k and made it just under 27 minutes. That is under a 9 min. mile average! I did 5k pace, then ran 3 miles at a slower pace. I'm running a 5k race this coming Saturday--the "Miles for Memories" 5k up in Bellingham. It's the very first race I ever participated in last year, so it's kind of a special event for me. Last year I ran it in about 36 minutes--about 12 min./mile. I'm excited to see what my official time will be. I'm hoping to make this an annual event for myself--a reminder of the work I've done, and a goal to keep in mind each year and to keep me focused on my health!
Kable (my stepbro) is going to participate, too. He did it last year. So did Cory, but he will be off in Toronto this weekend. Kable beat both of us last year--without ANY training whatsoever. Not this year though--I'm going to blow him out of the water! :-) Though....to be fair....he has shin splints and recently had surgery, so it may not be a fair competition.
This evening will be a cross training workout at the gym--probably the eliptical and/or the stair stepper, and a bit of weight training. Tomorrow I'll do an 8 mile run at easy pace. Friday will be a rest day, then the 5k Saturday, and 16 miles on Sunday in Mt. Vernon with the help of my wonderful seeeester!
Tomorrow is Cory's bro's b-day (Joel), so we'll be heading up to see him in Everett for dinner, and then head to his place to watch LOST!
Off to pick up the Mr. from work! Keep your fingers crossed on these job apps!
Peace Out Homes
Monday, April 21, 2008
Hawaii vs. Seattle
Again, nearly a month has passed since I've posted. A lot has changed in the last several weeks--leaving me with a bit more open time (though I have plenty of things to get done), but hopefully I can pay a little more attention to updating this site!
I left my job at the bakery--my last day with Essential was April 4th. It's kind of strange--it's a good thing, but I do miss it some, too! I gave my notice in January, so when the time finally came to clear out my desk, it seemed a little surreal. I'm definitely on the hunt for employment. I've had quite a few interviews, but no offers yet. Though I have a 2nd interview with a marine transport company this week--and a first interview with Tommy Bahama, too. Both positions are in Human Resources. It's an exciting time for me--new beginnings!
Cory and I spent the last week in Hawaii--Oahu specifically. It was FANTASTIC! It was a much needed vacation--hard to come back to WINTER weather.......in April. It's almost MAY for God's sake! We had so much fun exploring the island, eating good food, drinking fancy drinks, and digging our feet in the warm sand. Thoughts of moving to a warmer climate someday were solidified during this trip. Someday.
I adjusted my running schedule so that our time in Hawaii was a recovery week. Running in Hawaii was incredible. I did one morning on the treadmill in our hotel because I got started late enough that it was a little too hot for me outside. But I took advantage of those 70 degree early mornings for sure! I can't tell you how wonderful it felt. I pretty much kept to the same route: From our hotel (Aqua Palms and Spa), up Ala Moana Blvd, Right on Kalakaua Avenue for about 2 miles down through the fancy resorts, past Waikiki beaches, all the way down to the end of Kapiolani Park (near the base of Diamond Head), then turned around and went back to the hotel. The route is about 5 miles total. I did two 5 milers and a 10 miler using this route. The temperature was perfect for early morning running--not too warm, a nice breeze coming from the North--lots of water stops along the way, so no need to carry anything. It was ideal. It was probably close to what running in Sunriver, OR might feel like in June--though a bit more humid.
Then there's Seattle. 30/40 degree weather. Rain. Wind. Snow..........SNOW....in late April??? I hate to complain, because I just had a fantastic vacation in the tropics. But I'm sorry--I am so tired of being cold. It's uncomfortable--and makes the training much more difficult (more planning ahead--layering, what to carry, do I bring my hat? My gloves?) Take yesterday for example--it was snowing in West Seattle around noon. Then the sun came out and the skies were clear. I started my run a little after 3 pm with bright, clear skies. It was cold and crisp outside, but okay to wear short pants and a long sleeve shirt. An hour into my run the wind picked up and the clouds started rolling in. Soon my hands started to turn red from the cold, and then they started to go a little numb--they felt like pins and needles. I did get the full 14 miles in though--I was miserable the last 20 minutes when the rain started to fall.
Whine, whine, whine, whine, whine!
Whaaaaaaaaaa!
Okay. I think I got it out of my system. Thanks for putting up with me!
So--I've officially registered for the Pacific Crest Marathon! No turning back now!
I've had to make a few tweaks to my schedule, but for the most part I'm right on track. I have a 16 miler next weekend, 18 the next, and then my first 20 miler the following. I'll be up in Mt. Vernon next Sunday for the 16 miler. My family is going to help me out--that will be very cool! Cory will be in Toronto for the film festival next weekend--very cool! Wish I could be there to support him, but I'm so glad he is able to go!
My hip seems to be doing great! The stretches and strength training seem to really be helping--pretty much not an issue anymore--but let's hope it stays that way! Besides the tormenting weather yesterday, I felt GREAT during my run. I had an 18 miler about 3 weeks ago that was TERRIBLE. I had major stomach issues during the entire run --I finished it, but it was a struggle. I think I've found a good solution for those issues. Recommended in several books, and in the latest issue of RUNNER'S WORLD: Pop a couple of immodium AD's pre-run.....it certainly worked yesterday, so I think I'll keep up with that regimen. (Again, sorry to be so blatant about it, but it's certainly a major issue I've had to deal with during my training).
This post feels a little disjointed, and I feel like I'm forgetting something--however I've already written a novel, so it's time to sign off for now. I will try to be better about posting regularly again--especially since we're down to the last 2 months before the race! Time should allow it now!
Health and Happiness to all!
I left my job at the bakery--my last day with Essential was April 4th. It's kind of strange--it's a good thing, but I do miss it some, too! I gave my notice in January, so when the time finally came to clear out my desk, it seemed a little surreal. I'm definitely on the hunt for employment. I've had quite a few interviews, but no offers yet. Though I have a 2nd interview with a marine transport company this week--and a first interview with Tommy Bahama, too. Both positions are in Human Resources. It's an exciting time for me--new beginnings!
Cory and I spent the last week in Hawaii--Oahu specifically. It was FANTASTIC! It was a much needed vacation--hard to come back to WINTER weather.......in April. It's almost MAY for God's sake! We had so much fun exploring the island, eating good food, drinking fancy drinks, and digging our feet in the warm sand. Thoughts of moving to a warmer climate someday were solidified during this trip. Someday.
I adjusted my running schedule so that our time in Hawaii was a recovery week. Running in Hawaii was incredible. I did one morning on the treadmill in our hotel because I got started late enough that it was a little too hot for me outside. But I took advantage of those 70 degree early mornings for sure! I can't tell you how wonderful it felt. I pretty much kept to the same route: From our hotel (Aqua Palms and Spa), up Ala Moana Blvd, Right on Kalakaua Avenue for about 2 miles down through the fancy resorts, past Waikiki beaches, all the way down to the end of Kapiolani Park (near the base of Diamond Head), then turned around and went back to the hotel. The route is about 5 miles total. I did two 5 milers and a 10 miler using this route. The temperature was perfect for early morning running--not too warm, a nice breeze coming from the North--lots of water stops along the way, so no need to carry anything. It was ideal. It was probably close to what running in Sunriver, OR might feel like in June--though a bit more humid.
Then there's Seattle. 30/40 degree weather. Rain. Wind. Snow..........SNOW....in late April??? I hate to complain, because I just had a fantastic vacation in the tropics. But I'm sorry--I am so tired of being cold. It's uncomfortable--and makes the training much more difficult (more planning ahead--layering, what to carry, do I bring my hat? My gloves?) Take yesterday for example--it was snowing in West Seattle around noon. Then the sun came out and the skies were clear. I started my run a little after 3 pm with bright, clear skies. It was cold and crisp outside, but okay to wear short pants and a long sleeve shirt. An hour into my run the wind picked up and the clouds started rolling in. Soon my hands started to turn red from the cold, and then they started to go a little numb--they felt like pins and needles. I did get the full 14 miles in though--I was miserable the last 20 minutes when the rain started to fall.
Whine, whine, whine, whine, whine!
Whaaaaaaaaaa!
Okay. I think I got it out of my system. Thanks for putting up with me!
So--I've officially registered for the Pacific Crest Marathon! No turning back now!
I've had to make a few tweaks to my schedule, but for the most part I'm right on track. I have a 16 miler next weekend, 18 the next, and then my first 20 miler the following. I'll be up in Mt. Vernon next Sunday for the 16 miler. My family is going to help me out--that will be very cool! Cory will be in Toronto for the film festival next weekend--very cool! Wish I could be there to support him, but I'm so glad he is able to go!
My hip seems to be doing great! The stretches and strength training seem to really be helping--pretty much not an issue anymore--but let's hope it stays that way! Besides the tormenting weather yesterday, I felt GREAT during my run. I had an 18 miler about 3 weeks ago that was TERRIBLE. I had major stomach issues during the entire run --I finished it, but it was a struggle. I think I've found a good solution for those issues. Recommended in several books, and in the latest issue of RUNNER'S WORLD: Pop a couple of immodium AD's pre-run.....it certainly worked yesterday, so I think I'll keep up with that regimen. (Again, sorry to be so blatant about it, but it's certainly a major issue I've had to deal with during my training).
This post feels a little disjointed, and I feel like I'm forgetting something--however I've already written a novel, so it's time to sign off for now. I will try to be better about posting regularly again--especially since we're down to the last 2 months before the race! Time should allow it now!
Health and Happiness to all!
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