I went for a run today. I ran 8 miles. I've had this nasty cough now for about 3 weeks and every time I have to stop at a traffic light, I start coughing fairly uncontrollably until I get moving again.and when I realized this morning that the rain was really coming down, practically blowing sideways, I admit, I groaned.
I dressed with my wind and water breaker and headed out. I was drenched within minutes. I had to stop at the stop light and I read a sign at a local church that read "It's hard to be thankful, when you're grumpy!"
After reading the sign, the run became fun. I didn't care that it was raining anymore, it didn't matter that my hands were freezing. I thought it was funny when Barlow Girls song "Hello Sunshine" came on. Cute. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAVCU0BAHJs
Stopped staring at the sign, I remembered a time when I was a little girl. I absolutely loved to go out in the rain and come back in completely drenched. My parents never mind, well that's my memory of it.
And for the remainder of the run, I was that little girl and once again, running in the rain was fun again.

Gaining confidence

For todays trail adventure run, I once again wanted to run hills, different hills this time.

I chose Birch, Lower Mac, hill up to the Pitock Mansion and Firelane.

If you remember, Firelane is my goal. I want to run it, without stopping and at a reasonable speed. I have never run Firelane without stopping. It's located just slightly after mile 3 on Leif Erickson or near the Wildwood/nature trail intersection. It's .40 long.

When I left the house, it was 31 degrees.

In a nutshell, this is what I did. I started at Birch trail, ran down Birch, took a right towards the Stone house, ran up to the Pitock Mansion (without stopping), turned around, ran past the stone house, going up Wildwood towards Birch, all the way to the Nature Trail/Firelane intersection area.

By now, I have to say it started snowing, just a little and it was a mix of snow/rain.

I ran down Firelane, took a right on Leif, ran a tiny way on Leif, no more than .25 one way, turned around and started to head up Firelane. I said "attempt #1" I got about maybe .15 of the way up and my legs were completely burning, so I just stopped. I didn't start walking; I just stopped, caught my breath and started again. I kept going, without stopping, until I was almost at the top, when I felt the burning desire to stop again. I stopped, caught my breath and kept going all the way up to the top and kept running. I will mention that this was not a record breaking speed up Firelane, but it was the running motion.

It started to snow again and it kept getting worse and I think it's safe to say, I was running in a "almost" snow storm and it was starting to stick to the branches. I lastly ran up birch.

I quickly got in my car. I had a choice to make. I could either go down 53rd and turn right and go up Cornell and up to Sylvan or I could go left and go down towards Fit Right. I am a huge baby when it comes to snow. I hate driving in it and I have a huge phobia of driving in it, scares me to death and I instantly freeze up and freak out. I like to think that I am a fairly intelligent person, but I made a dumb decision. I went right and started going up the hill (Cornell) and the snow was sticking more and more to the ground. Well by the time I got to the stop sign, the ground was completely covered and I knew I would have to keep going up. So I finally got my brain back and turned around and went back the other way, where there wasn't much white at all.

I feel good. Nice run.

16 miles 3:36.

I am thankful for...

This is a picture of me, right after my brother "accidentally" hit me in the face with a wooden bat.
Old pictures of me(middle) big sister, brother and dad
I bought Brett this shirt. It says "chick magnet"It's funny because he has 3 daughters.
Old pic of Naomi in her tu-tu
My dad celebrating a birthday

A few weeks ago, my family got together at my parents home to watch the Oregon Ducks game. Sitting on the couch, my mom says, "at 1/2 time lets talk about what were going to do for Thanksgiving." I said immediately, "were all coming over to your house and we'll be here at 3, I'll bring the rolls."

In less than a week, it will be Thanksgiving. I can’t believe it is already Thanksgiving, it came so fast. While I used to think it was a bit silly to go around the room and the dinner table and announce what we were all thankful for. I am thankful. It’s a time to get together with your family, give thanks and of course eat too much. So, what am I thankful for?

My dad who had a stroke over a year ago, who dialed 911 himself, dragged himself to the front door and somehow unlocked the door to let them in. While it was the most difficult time for my family, we didn't know if he was going to make it. But he is still alive. The surgeon, who removed his blood clot, saved his life. He isn't the same, finds it hard to form words and I see sadness in his eyes. But he is still with us.

To my mom, she is the strongest person I know. She has had to deal with so much in her life and in the past year. She is a wonderful mom and person.

To my husband who loves me even when I don't deserve it. He has a very kind and gentle heart. He could have shut the door to our relationship long ago, but didn't. To my husband who never complains about the long hours that I am away from home, so that I can pursue my hobby.

To my God, who has never given up on me. He has always loved me, who turned my life around and saved me from heartache, bad decisions and anger.

I am thankful for my 3 children. They bring silliness to my life and unconditional love. I'm a pretty serious and analytical person. But when Kayla grabbed on to the mannequins leg and yelled very loudly "mommy, mommy, there you are mommy!" How can you not laugh? There are moments like this that fill my life. While they are getting older and are now fighting over the bathroom, they are all cherished.

To my brother, sister and extended family. We live close to each other, within 45 minutes. I don't mean to draw attention to just one person. But, my brother....a Steve, I've had a bruised face from you, I still have the scar from the pencil that got stuck in my arm thanks to you, you are the loudest one in the family and the funniest, but without you, life would be so boring.

To all my close friends whom I share a very close and personal bond with. You really get to know someone when you run with them for 3-6 hours.

To all the wonderful people that I have gotten to know through running. There is a reason that I like to add everyone that I am running with in a race. I get emotionally attached to all my races and I like to share the experience with others.

And of course to running. It's taught me so much. It's taught me patience, discipline, not quitting, pain management, overcoming fear, confidence, courage, strength....

Happy Thanksgiving

"I miss you Naomi?" said Dave Salesky.

A couple of months ago, my daughter Naomi took an airplane adventure ride news reporter Dave Salesky from the channel 2 news. Ever since then, she is glued to the TV when he comes on to report on the day’s weather. Tonight she said, "I just wish he would say I miss you Naomi in to the camera."

Trail warriors, a fable

If you never seen the movie Big Fish, I highly recommend it. Below you will find a description and the movie trailer for a preview. It is my favorite movie.

Big Fish is a 2003 American fantasy comedy-drama based on the 1998 novel of the same name by Daniel Wallace. The film was directed by Tim Burton and stars Albert Finney, Ewan McGregor, Billy Crudup, and Jessica Lange. Finney plays Edward Bloom, a former traveling salesman from the Southern United States with a gift for storytelling, now confined to his deathbed. Bloom's estranged son, a journalist played by Crudup, attempts to mend their relationship as his dying father relates tall tales of his eventful life as a young adult, played by Ewan McGregor.

I myself have been telling "crazy" stories to my girls.

I've told the story of being swallowed by a whale. It happened like this, short version. I was running on the beach, when all of a sudden a huge tidal wave came and sucked me into the sea. I was drowning when a huge whale came and swallowed me. I was inside his belly when I met a mermaid who also got swallowed. I said "I am so glad to see you, how are we going to get out of her?" She couldn't come up with any ideas and so I suggested that we lite a fire and hopefully with the smoke and heat the whale will spit us out! We lighted the fire using pieces of wood the whale had swallowed and sure enough, within minutes that whale spit us both out. The mermaid swam us both to shore. Well that whale even waved goodbye.

I've told the story about almost being attacked by an alligator. I was running in Africa, probably a little to close to the water when all of a sudden this huge alligator came up from the water and tried to eat me. I wrestled with it for awhile and when the silly thing finally had enough and gave up, I shook hands with it and was on my way.

But my greatest story that I've told is still ongoing and it is a true story. It is the story of the trail warriors. They are little men, about 3' tall that have built their homes deep in Forest Park. They wear blue jeans, red shirts, cone hats and they old with long, white wispy hair. They love to greet me when I come to the forest and even run and chase with me sticks when they think I look tired. They don't normally hit me with the sticks, but have. They even call to me when I am not up in the forest, I can hear them often.

My good friends have even seen the trail warriors; they too have been chased by them.

If you too happen to see the trail warriors, please say hi for me.

4th Official Ultra for 2010

I've made the decision to run one more ultramarathon for 2010. I am turning 36 on December 2nd, so I am going to run 36 miles on December 26th. This will make my fourth ultra this year, 2 50K's, 1 50 miler, 1 36 miler. The course is open for 6 hours and I will have to run a 10 min/mile. I believe I can run 36 in that time frame. Even if I don't and need a little more time to finish, I was told that I won't get kicked out. It is a public park after all.

"Live your life asking for forgiveness, not permission."

Event Details:

OPERATION JACK NORTHWEST RUN

---

Sam Felsenfeld has been on a mission in 2010, his goal has been to raise money and awareness for autism. His son, Jack, is severely autistic and his goal this year is to run at least one marathon every week for a year (61 total for the year). This mission started on January 1st in Texas and will be completed on December 26th in California. Some of his supporters in the northwest are going to be running on December 26th (the same day Sam finishes his journey) in tribute to his mission. Whether you�re a marathoner or just a casual runner come join us as we celebrate Sam's achievement. We ask that each runner completes at least 6.1 miles, but the course will be open for 6.1 hours.

If you would like more information about Operation Jack and Sam�s journey, please visit his web site. http://www.operationjack.org

---

Date of Event: Sunday, December 26, 2010

Time of the Event: Starts at 8:00 am and ends at 2:06 pm. Feel free to run as much or a little of the six hours that you like. We will be having a pre-race briefing at 7:45am.

Location of Event: Summerlake Park (11450 SW Winterlake Drive, Tigard, OR 97223). We will be meeting at the covered area for the start/finish area.

Parking: There is a parking lot located on Winterlake Drive just past the covered area. There is also streetside parking.

Distances: The event is open for six hours, but that doesn't mean you have to run six hours. We do ask that you run at least 6.1 miles.

Volunteers: We could use volunteers to help keep track of laps and man the aid station. If you can volunteer or will be bringing a volunteer please e-mail me at 26freak@gmail.com

Entry Fee: $20, all the proceeds will be donated to Operation Jack, and we will also be taking donations for Operation Jack at the event. You can register online here: https://www.signmeup.com/73067.

Race Shirt: If you would like a shirt, you can add a shirt for $5. Shirts will be available for anyone registering before December 15th.

Packet Pickup: Race packets will be available before the event between 7:00 am and 8:00 am.

Course: The course will be a 0.95 mile loop around Summerlake Park. Each loop will start and stop at the covered area. In order to complete 6.1 miles, you will run 6 laps followed by running 0.2 miles to a turn around and back to the start/finish area. A half marathon can be run by completing 13 laps followed by running 0.38 to a turn around and back to the start/finish area. A marathon can be run by completing 27 laps followed by running 0.28 miles to a turn around and back to the start/finish area.

Course Closure: This will not be a closed course. You will need to yield to other runners and walkers.

Personal Gear: We will have plenty of space for you to store your personal gear at the covered area. We will not be responsible for your personal items. That said please keep your valuables in your car.

Weather: Late December will likely be cold and possibly wet. The average high is 45 degrees and the average low is 35 degrees. So be prepared.

Aid Station: We will have a fully stocked aid station at the start/finish area. We will have plenty of water, sports drink, chips, cookies, candy, fruit, etc.

Awards: Each runner will recieve a finishers medal. There will also be a special award for the top male and female runners that run the most miles in the six hours.

Race Results: Results will be compiled based on how many laps you complete. So the person who runs the most laps (or miles) in six hours wins.

---

If you have any questions or comments please contact the race directors, Steve Walters or Debbie Bosilevac. Steve can be contacted at through e-mail at 26freak@gmail.com.

The dog

So I am doing something I don't normally do, writing in my blog while still having my morning coffee. This should be interesting. Luckily because of spell checker, everything should be spelled right.

My whole family has a cough and we've had it forever. With Delsym at $9.00 + per bottle, this cough is turning out to be very expensive.

I woke up last night with a coughing fit, took some more Delsym even though it wasn't time yet and grabbed a cough drop and went to bed.

At this point, really that's all that's wrong with me. Well I am really tired.

I want to go up to Wildwood today and run hills.

Last month I took a self defense class and the deputy Shane scared me a little so I've been hesitant to go up to the forest alone. Combined with the fact that it's been 2 weeks since running my 50, I've made the decision to bring my dog. It's been awhile since we've ran together, so it will keep my miles low. No more than 10.

The dog has ran 24 miles with me and he is extremely hyper, I'm sure he will love it. It's always an adventure when you run with your dog. Not sure how good he is at protecting me. He at times will be hesitant to run by someone, he senses something about the scary man, but hello I have to walk by the scary man and grab the dog by the scary man again! He loves to stop and pee on everything. I once counted that in a 10 min period of time, it was 6 times! He doesn't need a leash, but with the "park rules" I will at least bring one. His good qualities? The dog can run 24 miles and he normally stays right behind me.

We'll focus on hills and maybe just have some fun.

I ran 10 yesterday, why push it?

Photos from the Autumn leaves 50 miler