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Tuesday, August 9, 2011

And the RACEs are ON!!!

So in my preparation for the upcoming half marathon there are a handful of 5ks/10ks that I’m looking at participating in. This will get me more used to the idea of race day, and how to prepare mentally and physically the day of the race. I mean, even if I train every day and am doing the work, come race day if I don't know how to pace myself with all the race day adrenaline, or eat the way I'm supposed to etc., its gonna be rough!


I’ve put the name of the run, the distance, the date and the website for each of the runs below. I wanted to put them out to see if anyone would be interested in participating in them with me, and so you can also keep track of all the races I'm doing! Plus its always more fun with a group of people!


You can do one, none or ALL! Just wanted to share the love! I've officially signed up for the first two runs listed (Covey and Athleta Iron Girl!) WOOHOO!!
Happy running!!
xoxo
Ames


Covey -5K Fun Run (in Woodinville – starts and ends at Redhook Brewery)
Saturday, August 20th
http://www.runforchildrens.org/Home.html


Athleta 10k/5k Run (Doing the 5k here!) – Green Lake!
Sunday, September 11th
http://www.irongirl.com/Events/Seattle.htm#axzz1TnBmnTIU


Project Athena 10k run – Marymoor Park
Saturday, October 1st
http://www.projectathena.org/seattle.php

Dawg Dash 10K/5K (doing the 10k here!) (UW Stadium!)
Sunday, October 23rd
http://www.promotionevents.com/dawgdash/


Green Lake Gobble (5k) – at Green Lake (obviously!)
Sunday, November 20th
http://promotionevents.com/Thanksgiving/reg.htm




Summer has ARRIVED! At least we hope!

Seattle is well known for the cloudy, overcast, rainy weather that dominates the skies for a majority of the year. Now contrary to what most people think, Seattle is not USUALLY that bad. It's not a place where it dumps rain EVERY day. Most of the time its got some overcast skies, with misty rain. Nothing that can't typically be handled by the average person.

Now obviously, in the March/April timeframe after a good 6 months of mostly overcast skies (even if its NOT raining), most Seattlites search out some vacation to a sunny destination to get a fix of vitamin D. Its a much needed weapon to combat the gray skies of Seattle. But summers here are what every Seattlite surges through the gray fall/winters for. The gorgeous clear skies, fresh air, sun that bounces off the MANY waterfronts around the city. On a clear sunny day there is NO OTHER place to be than out enjoying the city of Seattle.

Well..that is true MOST of the time. But this year has been SLIGHTLY different. Even from the most veteran Seattle resident I have heard the "This is NEVER gonna end! I need OUT! Is summer EVER coming?!" Rants. It was even so bad that by the end of July an article surfaced about how much true summer weather Seattle had incurred this year (with summer weather being designated above 80 degrees). That total was 78 minutes...and if you dropped the standard to 75....a whopping 18 hours! Not even a DAY! Holy crap I was thinking I'd pass out from reading what I already knew to be the ugly truth.

But, Seattle surprised us over the last week or so, and has given us about a WEEK of consistently sunny and upper 70 degree weather! Holy COW is it TRULY summer?!? Well, we shall see about that! Because as soon as I decided to write this lovely little post....Seattle decided maybe not. Cloudy overcast skies have returned, and we've been in the low 70's during the day, but by mid evening we're sunny skies and pretty decent weather.

Now that we're closing in on the middle of August....and what most begin to feel like the end of summer (Labor Day), we shall see if we get a late summer, or if it skips us all together.


Although....I'm already somewhat ready for hats and scarves and coats...the beauty of changing leaves and the glory that fall bestows upon the Emerald City. But I'll keep my mouth shut for fear of being stoned by those still patiently (or impatiently as the case most likely is) awaiting the arrival of summer.

Danielle's Visit to the Emerald City

One of my very BEST friends from back home (and by home I mean Vegas) came to visit the little place we like to call the Emerald City a couple weekends ago. It was a last minute trip decision, but I have to say it was one of the best weekends I've had in a VERY long time!

It was amazing to be able to have someone who has been in my life for so long come up and see what my life is like now. To see my new city and see all of the changes that are going on. Most of all, I love the fact that I can have one of my best friends come up, someone I haven't seen in over a year, come up and have it be as if NO time has passed. We are able to pick up and be the friends that we've been all along. And I am truly blessed to have someone in my life like that.

Our weekend was jam packed full of sightseeing and good times. We did the usual spots - Pike Place Market, the Waterfront, Alki Beach, Green Lake, Seattle Center and Space Needle etc. But we got to do a lot of things that not all of my usual visitors get to do. We were able to catch a free concert down on the waterfront (along with some TASTY bloody marys!), kayaked Green Lake, hiked Rattlesnake Ledge, wine tasting in Woodinville, and just relax and enjoy some BEAUTIFUL Seattle summer weather.

Danielle told me on more than one occasion that I'm crazy. (in a good way I think) Mostly because of how much we ran around while she was there. Pretty sure she told me I probably get more done in a day than she does in a week or month because I walk so damn fast. What can I say?! I like being on the go now! :)

Anyway - I have to thank Danielle for coming up and making it such an amazing weekend. It honestly was EXACTLY what I needed. An amazing friend to take my mind off the many things that have been running rampant around me. To allow me to just be me and enjoy myself, my friend and my beautiful city.

Love you lady!

Added some pictures below of my favorite moments :)
xoxo