Back in Omak-avegas

We made it back to the OC after a fun weekend on the coast. I haven't run in 3 days. I am lacking motivation due to the overstimulation of my brain cells. Ok...I'm tired. I hate being tired. I took my second Biology exam today and I am really starting to get sick of the whole cellular respiration thing. Nothing but teeny tiny little diagrams to memorize. Ugh...ugh...ugh!

Congrats to Ved and Scooter McFlanigan on their the final move into their new place. It's so exciting. Now I got some Bremelo buddies. Rock on dudes!

I was thinking this morning that life just has a funny way of coming together. As much as I make fun of Omak I realize that it's really not so bad. I know that many people (especially my family) would have a difficult time adjusting to the rural life out here in the CEW . It's been quite a change from Oly...and I was glad to be there for a short visit...but it was nice to get back home. I guess that surprised me (the nice to get back home part) or maybe it was the lack of oxygen from being stuck in the car for so many hours... :). It could be the fact that once again Biology has my brain in knots. I dunno. I think this area is beautiful (somedays) . Ok so I miss sidewalks sometimes...but my feet and knees are happy for that when I'm not pounding seven miles on concrete.

Ok ok I'm going! I was using this blog entry as a stall tactic to put off my run but I'm starting to feel guilty. See ya on the flip side! Maybe the fog will lift from my brain and be sweated out.

My New Yummy Niece......

Meet little teeny tiny Joey.....She is the cutest and newest member of our family! I Luv Her!

I remember when......

I was thinking yesterday about how great our summers were when we were kids (my four siblings and I) and I really think we had it good. I don't know how my mom managed to truck us around every single morning and afternoon and then keep us busy until evening (oh yeah chores...haha). She would get us up by 7:00 am, pack lunches, stuff the van with coolers of food, make sure we had breakfast and teeth brushed, make sure we had all the beach essentials (floaties, shovels&buckets, towels, sunscreen, and extra change for ice cream) and we would then proceed to file in that damn ol Dodge van one by one. We were usually on the road by 7:30 so we could pull into the parking lot early and get a "primo" spot (one in which you didn't have to lug 80lbs plus of beach gear and five unruly kids across 5 miles of parking lot and two miles of good beach). We were always one of the first few cars there and the beach was empty and still a little chilly.

My mom always made sure we had extra cash for icecream, or fries, or italian ices. She also made us weird sandwiches during the summer months for some odd reason (like peanut butter and raisen or PB&J with carrotts, or the make you gag apple jelly or orange marmelade)(I cringe even to this day just thinking about choking down an apple jelly and peanutbutter sandwich). Thank god I had younger siblings that would eat anything (or else I could threaten/con them anyway). If I couldn't con someone to eat my tunafish and cheese sandwich I could always bury it in the sand...although I would occassionally feel guilty for wasting food while the "starving" kids around the other parts of the world were suffering. (damn my mom was good)!

After spending most of the day on the beach we would head home for some shade and so my mom could regain some sanity and hide in the house for some peace and quiet. We would gather up our goods, say goodbye to our friends, and hike back across the scorching sand avoiding all obstacles (people, towels, unbrellas, sandcastles)because by this time there wasn't a free spot left on the beach. We would "ouch ouch ouch" our way across the hot parking lot (I still don't know where my shoes were)and back to the car (where there were usually 5 cars scouting/waiting for our spot). We'd get home and change into clean clothes (after we showered in the OUTDOOR shower so as not to track miles worth of beach sand into my mothers immaculate house)(immaculate because she had five kids to clean it) and then hang out in the backyard and use our imagination. (we would get bored to tears of course and whine "MOM I'm bored what can we do" as to where my mother would stick her head out the kitchen window and say "There is no one here by that name....use the imagination that god gave you") Most times it was me trying to see what mess I could get my brother and sister into. (hey the big siblings get crap...so we gotta pass it on) My brother was the most gullable...haha...I could get him to swear out loud and he would get so busted.....everytime! I think one summer we even started up a "POGO" club.....since we all had POGO sticks. We would have races and do tricks and one day we would be in the world federation POGO league....dude we so rocked....ok we were serious GEEKs....but it was fun anyway.

If it wasn't the beach my mom was taking us to it was Scargo lake. Or we would ride the bike trails. Or walk from one end of Dennis to the other. We would walk to Captain Frostys or Grandmas house....we walked friggen everywhere...even if it was raining. Or we would take a trip to an Aunts house to visit cousins and other various family members. We were always BUSY....no wonder my mom was so happy when September came....

I loved my summers. We were never allowed to watch tv or hang in the house but my mom let us read as much as we wanted. I think they were some of the happiest times of my childhood. They were always full of adventure and fun and the only worries you had were being embarrassed by your younger siblings or parents.:) I feel lucky many days for many things....I guess today it was for my summer memories.

***(This is a special post for my little brother...who has grown up and now has a family of his own. He has turned out to be a wonderful, decent human being despite living in a household of all girls....and a mean big sis who harrassed him to no end....still does!!!!)*** Congratulations....Steph and Joe...and welcome into the world little Joey girl. (and yes that is a picture of my 30 year old brother when he was in a diaper....it's faded to protect his identity.......)(NOT....)

Signed, Sealed...now time to deliver

I am now registered for the 2006 Seattle Marathon. I know...I know...your like "more running" blabber. Ugh! But now it's a committment...I have no choice but to show up. I think I need to pee. I'll probably show up at the starting line wearing a Depends.......

Good Run

I had a great run yesterday. It was only a short 3 miler but I felt pretty good as I breezed through it. It's starting to be one of the best parts of my day lately. For the first time in a while it didn't even feel like I was running. Staying hydrated along the way made a huge difference (duh). I've just always had a hard time sucking down a bunch of fluids while I'm exercising. I never liked that sloshy feeling in my stomach.

Todays "mini" triathlon day after I get through with school and work obligations. I'm going to run a timed mile, bike and swim this evening. It's good to keep mixing things up to work other muscle groups and keep the workouts interesting. As of this week I have just under 18 weeks of training to go. From this point November seems like a longs ways away.....but I know if this year continues on as it has been it'll be here in a blink.

Summer is racing right by.......vroom vroom

I just got out of class. Today we were learning about how cells utilize and tranfer energy. I think it all started with the instructor making the ol Charlie Brown noises(whah...whah,whah...whah...first and second laws of Thermodynamics...whah....whah...active transport across membranes....ATP whah....so on and so on). My instructor is actually pretty funny and the class is interesting but after four plus hours of all that biology I think we were all ready to vomit. The next test is next Monday. We just took a one for godsakes...I need to study. I should be doing that right now but I needed a little teeny TO. Who wants to study Biology on a beautiful afternoon off? Thats what I thought.

I need to get my run in too and it's going to be fun now that it's 100 degrees. It's hot here in the OC and thats no joke. Thank god for the Camelback. You sweat all the fluid out of your body in about five minutes in that heat. YUCK!

I am just starting to enjoy the summer and it's not fair that it's going to be over so soon. I had a great time at the drag races and I'm sad that the weekend flew by so fast. (minus the 90 degree weather in the GiHa) (and the fact grown adults were actually swimming in a rubbermaid bin out of pure desperation). And a side note/word of advice for anyone that cares....don't eat 6lbs of hamburger on a hot summers day....spare yourself of the agony.

Good Friday

Thank Buddha it's Friday! Yay! Yesterday was a great day......and the workout felt good. I swam laps for a half an hour then biked up the mongo hill going towards Disautel Pass. At least it felt mongo as my thighs burned and tears rolled down my cheeks (ok I threw that in for dramatics). I called Jake from the top (ok near the top) as I was overlooking Kruse street. He was on his bike and on Omak River Road when he answered.....fortunately he was wearing red so that I could see him (which was barely....as he was a red blur far far away) (aren't cell phones great!).

I'm off to get my run in for the day...it's like 1000 am and it is almost 90. I'll be sweatin bullets I'm sure. I still have a serious case of "runners" toe....in which the nail has almost completely come off at this point.....and it looks disgusting. At least it doesn't hurt anymore now that the infection is gone. I somehow managed to get a blister under the toenail and took care of it myself....(which your NOT suppossed to do) got an infection....but killed it by soaking the toe non stop in hydrogen peroxide. Good job nurse ninnie (patting self on back then kicking self in butt for being stubborn and refusing to see doctor....yet again).

Here are some pics from yesterdays ride.





Just click on pic for a larger view. And a round of Good Fridays to everyone!

Time to get Serious

Well I officially have started my training. Actually I have 3 weeks of "pre" training to do first and then 16 weeks of "the" training. I'll either cross the finish line or die trying. I found this great training guide that is very inspirational and I am excited to get going.

Ahhhh you say. Weren't you "training" before? Yes and no. I have been running to build up my mileage and mentally prepare. But now this plump lil Irish gal will be going beyond the limits of the half marathon. 13.1 miles (spit) will be a drop in the bucket after Sunday November 26, 2006. No more training the Irish way......drinking brewskies and smoking ciggs before I head to the starting line. (Hey those guys that ran the first Boston did it....drank, smoked, and ran barefoot...haha.... ok so they had slippers on). I am as ready to do this as I ever will be. (double gulp) It has been on my life "to do" list since I was 14. Thats almost a procrastination of 20 years. It's time.

I registered for for the Chelan 10K and the Leavenworth half marathon last week. I figured it couldn't hurt to get a few races in, in between. I think Leavenworth is going to be another hilly one and it will probably whoop me but once again I will be able to see where I'm at. Chelan is in September and Leavenworth is in October (duh).

I found the funniest thing the other day when I was looking for some paperwork.






It was the "Jenn's" workout sheet. I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants when I saw it. We were quite the pair of chicks over at the "Y". We were horrible...we made fun of so many people there. They were snooty....they deserved it. I love the fact that I was running a 13 minute mile....Wow! Too funny...and then after a hard ass workout we would end up in the parking lot smoking. Those were the days...hahaha!

Approx 128 days till Seattle. 18 and a half weeks. Time to put the grindstone to the nose. :)

There's this Redheaded girl I know......

There is this redheaded girl I know....Her name shall remain nameless....she is my bestest friend and she rocks the casbaaaaaa. I can't believe how long we have known each other! The funny thing is...it seems like just yesterday when I heard those flip flops walking through the door. :)

Back from Big Sky Country

Today I will be back on the road. I have been on a little vacation from the running and letting my feet recover. Took my first Biology test today. I am always superstitious about revealing how I did.....but I think I did Ok. I'll find out for sure on Wednesday. Montana was beautiful and I miss it already. Got to go and see how my legs are working. :)

Seafair 1/2 Marathon

I made it! I wasn't sure how the race would turn out but I crossed the finish line. That course was a KILLER. It turned out to be nothing but hills. I mean there was a hill that you had to crawl up right before the finish line. I was a hurting unit at the end. I can admit it.

I think Jake is the sweetest person in the world and I just needed to say that. He was very supportive and understanding. I tend to be overly anxious and a little crabby when the pressures on......Ugh. :) My time wasn't the greatest (2:32) but I am ok with that. My last half was 2:17 but there were not nearly as many hills. Besides this was to see where I was and give me an idea on what I need to work on.

The first ten miles were a breeze. I felt great and I had no pain. Right before I hit mile 11 I started to feel like my legs had turned to lead. I was hurting. The last two miles really were the longest.....I was so happy to climb that last hill and run into the finishing "shute".

Side note: The day before your race...................
1. Don't go out and drink
2. Do stay hydrated
3. Breakfast....breakfast....breakfast
4. Probably skip the badminton
5. Go to bed and get more then 5 hours sleep

I learned some big lessons this weekend. Unfortunately it had to be the hard way.

I (heart) Huckabees

We finally watched it. Everytime we went to check out videos we just bypassed it in puzzlement and curiosity. It actually was very funny. In a weird way of course. But weird is the new funny. Good movie in good company. Tomorrow I go back into the pool for more "old lady laps". Hopefully after this summer I will see some improvement. And hopefully I won't kill my ankle before Sunday. God I sound like a wimp. I was tired today. It was another drag day. Hopefully I can feel reenergized after a good nights sleep.

We had a big fire in the OC last week. The mill just down hill from us caught on fire. The whole town decided to park and watch it burn. I saw today that the story even made it into the Olympian. Good thing Home Depot is coming in....seems a little fishy.

Todays Run.....Kermel Grade

AKA either your heart will break or burst hill! Today is hill training day! Yahooooo.....cough cough, sputter. I just got out of a 4 and a half hour biology class and my brain is mush. Proteins, amino acids and polypeptides are melding and melting inside my head right now. Good thing DNA is a solid structure or I would be sitting here in a coma. Now it is time to gear up for some grit and sweat. For those of you not familar with Kermel grade......please don't try this at home unless you are not faint at heart and are well hydrated. Wish me a broken leg, foot, ankle.......anything to get me out of this workout.

Stealing...

Ok....I'm up at one in the morning and I was surfing the net. (imagine that) So I run across this blog called the OC....Okanogan county. So it's like a rip off of the OC....you know from Cali. Orange county...duh. Well I am stealing the idea. See people Omak is cool. We got our own OC right here in the heartland. So eat your heart out! And we're getting a Home Depot. Don't hate.....just appreciate!

Injured

Well my chicken is no longer. I should have known but I thought we'd have a chance at a long life together. I fell in love with a bird. Who'd a thunk it! Don't ask about the particulars.....it's really to hard to talk about. (sniff).

I hurt my ankle swimming on Thursday. I think I just over "flexed" it somehow. I went out to run Friday morning and OUCH it hurt like hell. It scared me just a little because I didn't expect it. I had to take these past few days off to heal up. I have this damn race coming up next weekend and this is no time to be slacking. But come what may.....I will be crossing the finish line if I have to crawl across it.

Today was fairly uneventful. Work was crazy. I thought it was a full moon but when I looked up at the sky tonight I saw that this wasn't the case. I walked this morning and a little this evening. Mostly to clear my head but also to get some kind of workout in. It is hotter than a mad hatter here and the dogs look like they are about to die. The cat hasn't moved for days. I had to poke her to make sure she was still breathing.

I miss my baby bird and I had just gotten used to waking up a few times throughout the night for the feedings. Wherever he is I'm sure his little quail soul is in a better place. Maybe he died
of lonliness.....I just don't know. Regardless of the reason he did teach me some valuable lessons. Mostly I realize that you should leave wildlife alone. I know now that it's not fair for the animal (or bird) to take it out of it's natural habitat. I am bringing him back to his birth place tomorrow to give him a proper fairwell. He deserves that much at least.

Fly on little bird......fly on!