Archives for November 2013

The TAPER to Seattle

November 22, 2013 by Kristen Leave a Comment

Today was my last semi-long run before the Seattle Marathon. I have to admit that I got a little emotional near the end of the run, not because I’m PMSing (TMI?), but because of the progress I have made over the past year. I’ve completed eight organized half marathons, over a dozen half marathons on my own, and several long runs ranging from 16 miles to 23 miles. And never shut down.

Now, as I near the end of my journey to the Seattle Marathon, I get to taper, rest, and let my body rejuvenate before the race. I also get to reflect upon and anticipate what will happen on race day. All this effort. All this energy. All this mental challenge. What will the outcome be?

As I ran today, I took the time to reflect on my training and how it would all play out in nine days. What I have come to realize is that every run I completed since March (when I started my 2013 training) has lead me to where I am today. EVERY SINGLE RUN is part of a gift I will give to myself on December 1. Whether three miles or twenty three miles, whether hot and sunny, or cold and rainy, whether I was having an “off” day or feeling like I could run forever, all of those moments WILL make me what I am during the run in Seattle. When that gun goes off at the starting line, I will be opening a gift, and inside that gift will be the culmination of every run during the last nine months…and that is awesome.

I took it all in today. It was cold…like, I can’t feel my feet cold. But I loved every minute. I was in my zone – happy, content, and thankful.

I ran through the Old Mill, up Reed Market past the Athletic Club, and turned on the path parallel to the Cascades Lakes Highway toward Mt. Bachelor. After a mile, I dropped down to the river trail and completed the loop around back to the Old Mill. Because of the cold weather I felt as though I had the entire trail to myself, only passing one other person (the cold and ice may have had something to do with it). For me, it was perfect.

I headed back up Reed Market onto Mt. Washington, and circled around back down Century Drive, eventually passing the Deschutes Brewery (I almost made a pit stop at the smell of hops), and back through the Old Mill. When I finished I was surprised to see that I had completed 9 miles at a 7:30 pace. I felt great. If only I can only feel that good for the Marathon – thank goodness for adrenaline!

Football, Arizona Sunshine, and Great Friends

November 22, 2013 by Kristen Leave a Comment

Another trip to Arizona and not a moment too soon, as the cold weather has officially struck Central Oregon. Justin and I hopped on the Bend -> PDX -> PHX flights Friday afternoon to visit our friends Kali and Matt, and to watch the Beavers take on the Arizona State Sun Devils. I love buying new books when I’m at the airport and finally purchased Ender’s Game so I can read it before seeing the movie. During our layover I also splurged on a margarita. We arrived late Friday evening, visited for a while, and enjoyed a glass of wine before heading to bed in preparation for the day to come.

Saturday morning started with a cup of coffee and a nice hike up the hill behind Kali and Matt’s neighborhood. It was a great way to see the neighborhood, get a little exercise, and capture a gorgeous panoramic view from the very tip top of the mountain.

After our hike we got ready and headed out for a little pre pre-game tailgating. First stop was brunch at Dick’s Hideaway. I was super impressed by how AWESOME this place was. The food was original and full of flavor and the mimosas were some of the best I have had. YUM!
After satisfying our bellies, we headed to The Yard for a little cornhole and social hour. I wish we had a place like this in Bend. It’s basically a gigantic, luxury backyard patio setting with nice couches, outdoor lights, heaters, and a variety of yard games. I don’t usually rave about bathrooms, but this one was noteworthy because there is a door for “women” and a door for “men” however when you walk through they lead to a hand washing area that is shared. It fools you into thinking that you went into the wrong bathroom. Love it!!! We played a few games of cornhole (mostly guys against girls) and lounged for a bit on the couches. The guys won, but Kali and I won the award for most improvement. That counts, right?

After stopping by the store to pick up some tailgating food and swinging by the house to get covered in Beaver gear, we were off to the stadium for some pre-game tailgating.

The sunset in Tempe that evening was gorgeous and we even got to see where the Ironman was going to take place the next day.

Tailgating was super fun. We were able to sneak our way into a prime location and meet up with a few other Beaver fans. Matt grilled a variety of sausages and Kali and I shared a yummy bottle of wine. Then it was off to the game!

Unfortunately, Justin and I had seats in a different section than Kali and Matt, so we broke off to our respective seats until halftime. After a poor first half performance by the Beavs, and three touchdowns by the Sun Devils, we were a little over it. The group decided to take off and beat the rush of traffic (which was brilliant because we lost).

That night we all cozied up on the couch, had a delicious late night snack (bread, cheese, meat), and stayed up past our bedtime playing Cards Again Humanity. How can one little game provide so much laughter and entertainment??

The next morning Justin and I awoke early and while he took off on an hour long run, I curled up and read my book. I loved the quiet downtime. Once everyone was up and at it we headed back out to Tempe to check out the Ironman. What an event!!! I felt the adrenaline just walking around, watching the athletes, and seeing the spectators. Such a cool environment – – -SOMEDAY!!!
The next several hours were spent dodging orange cones (never again, Kali) restaurant/bar hopping and watching NFL football. We had some yummy tacos, a decent burger, and some of the best chicken wings I have ever had. It was one of those progressive food days – so worth it!

That evening we were all pretty “partied” out, so we ventured back home to the couch (this couch can hold like 20 people), watched a little more football, read, savored some ice cream, and watched Pacific Rim. Once the movie was over it was off to bed before an early rise and commute to the airport to fly back home. Sad to leave, as our time was short and went by WAY too fast!!! Looking forward to the next time!

The Wonderful World of Walla Walla, Washington

November 21, 2013 by Kristen 1 Comment

Recently, Justin and I headed up to Walla Walla, Washington, to mix a little work with pleasure. Justin’s agency works with the tourism industry and one of the hospital systems in Walla Walla, thus we get to venture up there from time to time. I love the small town charm and classy edge, not to mention it offers two of my favorite amenities – food and wine!

We had reservations at the historic Marcus Whitman Hotel, which is one of my favorite places to stay during a Walla Walla getaway. The Marcus Whitman is located downtown, steps away from high-end food and cute local shops. The tallest building in Walla Walla, this gorgeous hotel towers historically in the middle of town and brings a clock tower/brick style charm that can’t be missed (it actually kind of reminds me of the Tower of Terror). I love the big rooms and bathrooms, customer service, amenities, location, and AMAZING complimentary buffet breakfast. It is also host to The Marc Restaurant which is high end food at its finest.

Wine tasting is my favorite thing to do in Walla Walla, as it is home to some of the best Syrahs I have ever had (and I am a Syrah girl above all else). With more than 125 wineries in the region, the wineries and tasting options do not disappoint and stand up to some of the best in the world. Here are a few that Justin and I have been to that I would highly recommend to anyone visiting to do a little (or lot of) tasting.

VaPiano Vineyards – Justin Wylie, the winemaker, is incredibly friendly and makes some great Syrahs. While we were there during this last visit we were able to go behind the scenes and see the wine making in action! Hmmm, new item on bucket list is to swim in a huge barrel of wine – HA!

Sleight of Hand Cellars – Definitely one of the most eclectic wineries in Walla Walla, as you walk in you don’t know whether you are in a winery, record store, or magic shop. Trey Bush has really put a unique “stamp” on his wine and labels. There is always music playing as he has more than 850 records on display to choose from. P.S. Neil Patrick Harris is a big fan of SOFH, and the Funkadelic Syrah is AMAZING!

Saviah Cellars – This winery produces wine from some of the finest vineyards around the valley, and their grapes are sought after by many other wineries. In fact, the aforementioned Funkadelic Syrah is made with grapes from Saviah Cellars’ Funk Estate Vineyard, which is named after owner/winemaker Richard Funk. There are a variety of tasting options and they provide a fun atmosphere to mix and mingle with other tasters.

Adamant Cellars – I just love the elegancy of Adamant’s wine and tasting room, which is housed in a renovated U.S. Army mess hall out by the Walla Walla Airport. Simple and small, yet personal and divine. The Bijoux white blend is one of my favorites, and I bet the soldiers never thought their dining room would one day be an amazing tasting room!

Gramercy Cellars – Another one of the memorable experiences, the tasting room resembles a NY subway station with a northwest flair. The Syrah and Cabs are ridiculous – as in YUM!

Walla Walla Vintners – This winery has an old school, authentic country charm. It is a great place to bring a picnic and sit outside at one of the tables next to the vineyards. Justin and I have spent some time with Gordy Venneri, the winemaker, and he is just a gem. If you like a good, decently priced red wine, this is THE place to go!

K Vinters – OK, so lets just set aside the fact that they have a giant K on their wine label (no personal connection whatsoever), the Syrah and Red Blends are fantastic.

One of the things I love most about wine tasting in Walla Walla is the experience of talking one-on-one with the wine makers, who are often pouring in their tasting rooms. I love being able to learn about the wine that I drink (and who better to learn from) and seeing the actual production take place. Also, the tasting fees are $5 (at most wineries) and they either waive the fee if you purchase a bottle of wine, or donate the money to a local food bank. Why they don’t do this at other wine tasting destinations, I have no idea!

My second favorite thing about Walla Walla is the food! The town has been a finalist for the “America’s Best Small Town For Food” award two years running, and as a girl who LOVES to eat, there is nothing better than fresh, local ingredients and a wide variety of options. Justin and I have had a chance to eat out at several places around town and have yet to be dissatisfied. Here are a few of my favorites:

Olive Marketplace and Cafe

Green Spoon

Brasserie Four

South Fork Grill, Whitehouse Crawford, Bacon and Eggs, and Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen are also very notable.

And of course, once you have had enough food and wine, you can escape to the countryside for a walk or run that will not disappoint. The Walla Walla Valley is truly a hidden jewel, and given that it is only a four-hour drive from Bend, it is a place I will likely always visit.

20 Miles and Running Essentials

November 7, 2013 by Kristen 1 Comment

Today I completed my last long training run – 20 miles – before I officially start to taper for the Seattle Marathon. It was cold, rainy, windy, and a triumph over my mental doubts. Running alone for 2 hours and 40 minutes is tough enough as is, but add stinging rain and an unforgiving wind, it definitely challenges the limits of the mind and body.

One thing I thought about countless times throughout the run was the equipment and “essentials” that make running possible (and pleasant) for me. Although running is logistically something that anyone can go out and do, there are definitely elements that can make it a bit easier. I developed a list of my favorite running items and gear that make it doable and enjoyable.

Brooks Adrenalines: Running would not be possible without a great fitted shoe. Although they can be an investment, I do not suffer from any major pains and injuries, and the support they provide for my pronating feet is awesome! I highly recommend getting fitted into the right running shoes to prevent injuries and gain a little extra running confidence.

lululemon Cool Racerback: I must have seven different colors of this one tank. It is well made, comfortable, and a great length (especially for this tall girl). I wear one almost every time I run, whether layered under long sleeves or by itself on warmer days. These are always available at lululemon and are one of their more “affordable” options.

Brooks Utopia Softshell II: This amazing piece of clothing is essential for those super cold days (below 30 degrees) where snow and brisk winds are in the forecast. It is also fitted well, has a soft interior, and is cute to wear casually around town.

Nike Tempo Shorts: Although I prefer tights during the colder months, the Tempos are my favorite running shorts. They provide enough length and comfort for my legs and waist that I feel secure. Sometimes shorts are too short and I worry about the coverage. I don’t need to pull a Miley Cyrus, if you know what I mean.

iPod: This little device, though small, provides countless hours of entertainment and mental running fuel. I could not imagine running, alone, without my iPod and music. It keeps me energized, provides a little distraction, and gives me a little UMPH in my steps. The only time I do not run with music is during a race – I much prefer listening to the runners and spectators around me!

A few songs on my current playlist…
AWOLNATION – Sail
Imagine Dragons – Radioactive
Avicii – wake Me Up
Cazzette – Beam Me Up
Egine – Moon of Dreams
Robin Thicke – Blurred Lines
Katy Perry – Roar
Rihanna – Diamonds
Linkin Park – A Light That Never Comes
Pitbull – Timber
Kat DeLuna – Drop It Low
OneRepublic – Counting Stars

(If this list doesn’t get you going, nothing will)

Garmin Forerunner 10: Justin talked me into buying this purple beauty over the summer and I have yet to run without it. I love that I can see my time, pace, and calories all in one simple little package, and keep track of my running routes, distance, and elevation profile online. A great investment!

Burt’ s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm: The most soothing, wonderful coating for lips that are facing water depletion and that constant inhale of air. I don’t leave home without it.

Extra Spearmint Gum: I cannot run without gum. Period! And I’m a two piece kinda girl.

GU/Gels/Blocks/Fuel: Anytime I am upping my mileage and run more than 8 miles at a time, I always carry a caffeinated Gu or other gel. Who knows exactly what they do for my body, but mentally they get me charged for the next round of miles.

I love that running is a sport you can make your own. These are the things that make running fun and possible for me… what are your running essentials?

Happy Dirty Girls Half Marathon

November 3, 2013 by Kristen Leave a Comment

Yesterday I completed my 7th race of 2013 at the Happy Dirty Girls Half Marathon in Sisters, Oregon. A fairly new trail run organized by Lay it Out Events, this event is primarily catered to women, featuring girlie goodies at packet pickup, male pacers dressed in sparkling skirts, and girl power music blasting at the finish line. Although there were a couple of kinks to work out, I found this to be an enjoyable run and well organized experience.

I picked up my race packet at Footzone on Thursday, which was a nice alternative to driving out to Sisters on Friday. There were all kinds of goodies in the packet bag including a shirt I will actually wear (super comfy), socks, coupons to local shops, a rope of licorice, snacks, and my race number. Packet pickup always gets me fired up!

On Saturday morning I went through my typical race day routine. Because the weather looked a little uncertain, I had a harder time figuring out how to dress and layer. I settled on tights and two long sleeve shirts, which I would later regret. Given that the weather was supposed to hover around 40 degrees, potentially spit rain, and bring strong winds, I didn’t want to risk being a frozen icicle. Once again, Justin proved to be a huge support giving me a good luck card, driving me out to the starting line, and waiting in the rain for me at the finish.

As this was a point-to-point course, the start of the course was a few miles up the scenic Three Creeks Lake Road. Runners could take one of several shuttles from the finish area to the start line, or get a ride from family/friends. Justin dropped me off in time to use the porta potty, get in a good stretch, and line up near the front of the first wave. At 9am, under a blue sky and warm sun, we were off!

After a speedy first two miles, I quickly became uncomfortably warm in my double layers, and shed my outer shirt upon arrival at the first aid station. I was glad that the race organizers were able to collect gear and bring it to the finish area after – a lot of runners took advantage of this!

There was quite a bit of uphill between miles 2.5 and 7, with the occasional quick downhill to rest the lungs. The views were some of the best I have seen on a course and at one point a large rainbow fell from the sky in the far distance toward the Cascade Mountains. About an hour into the run the wind started to pick up, bringing with it the clouds and rain. It would be a wet finish!

The event organizers did a really nice job marking the course with neon flags and directional arrows, however may not have taken into account how the weather would affect them. Justin walked the last 1.5 miles of the course backwards from the start early on, and repositioned a few directional markers that had been blown over from the wind. There were a few places along the course where this had happened, including near the finish were the first runner to finish ran past the turn because the sign had fallen over, leaving it pointed in the wrong direction.

Nonetheless, I would have been lost for days if it weren’t for the countless flags marking the course.

The mile markers were also another “hit” in my book. Each marker was well positioned and displayed an inspirational quote to keep runners motivated along the way. I really enjoyed reading them along the way.

If I could have changed one thing about my own personal run, I would have elected to use my iPod and listen to music. I found myself alone for a majority of the run and was only in close proximity to other runners at the beginning and a few times throughout. Because this was not a spectator friendly course, there were no cheers or people along the way to give me that extra push. However, at mile 12, I was greeted with a message written in the dirt from my husband “I heart 178,” which made me smile and kept me going.

The last few miles were cold and wet. The rain really started coming down and the wind added to the sting. By the time I reached the home stretch to the finish line, the pavement was covered in water and my grey shirt had turned black and heavy, soaked with water.

I crossed the finish line with a time of 1:40:41, my second best half marathon to date. I was happy to be welcomed with a finisher belt buckle and a few compliments from a couple women who had finished before me.

Justin and I immediately went to the car so I could change into warm, dry clothes. We then proceeded back to the finishing area where we talked with friends, supported other runners coming in, and awaited the posting of results. I enjoyed the Knotty Blonde from Three Creeks Brewery and we both shared a little pumpkin and squash soup.

Once the results were posted we ventured over to see that I had finished first in my age group and seventh overall. We waited around for the awards ceremony, but it was a little unorganized and they informed us that they had misplaced the awards and would send them via mail. Um, okay…

All in all it was a pretty great event and one that I would likely consider doing again in the future. And now, onward toward the Seattle Marathon on December 1!

Adventures in the Steens

November 1, 2013 by Kristen 2 Comments

Everyone has that one place they seek out for relaxation, down time, and quiet from the demanding world around us. For me, this place rests in a nice comfy cabin below the Steens Mountains in Eastern Oregon. Justin introduced me to the Miller Ranch in 2010 – a place we have been a number of times with friends and a place where we have escaped to when we just want some quality time together without distraction. This is also the place where we were engaged in 2011, thus it is extremely important to both of us.

Miller Ranch is located four hours from Bend, and the directions to get there are pretty easy: head east for about two hours, turn right in Burns, and head south for about two hours. This beautiful house, which was partially built by my husband, is surrounded by miles of flush desert, erupting into vast mountains nearly 10,000 feet high that encompass the area.

The views are endless and change moment by moment throughout the day with the movement of the sun, clouds, and wildlife. Yes, at any moment you can glance out and bear witness to herds of antelope, deer, a variety of birds, and the occasional coyote or snake.

In the past we have spent countless hours exploring the countryside, visiting various hot spring locations, arrowhead hunting, wildlife viewing and bird watching, shooting at various targets, and unwinding in the Eastern Oregon sun.

During our most recent visit, Justin and I took a cruise out to the Alvord Desert. This dry lakebed extends for miles in all directions and makes you feel unrestricted and free. It is one of the most beautiful places my eyes have ever seen.

Following our desert drive, we took a hike up an old, untraveled road into one of the canyons along the wall of mountains. The road led us along a flowing creek, surrounded by bright aspen full of autumn colors. Along our two-hour adventure we witnessed gorgeous views, interesting trees and rock formations, and even met a green friend.

Every time we head down there, some new and unique experience awaits. Once it was punching a hole in the car’s oil pan and spending a few afternoons patching it in the shop of a neighboring ranch. Once it was finding a humongous arrowhead perfectly intact, just lying on the desert floor in plain sight. And this time it involved riding in the cab of a hay baler while Justin rode ahead of me in the cab of the hay raker.

We got a call from our friend Wade, who was en route from Bend with his wife Gina to meet us for the weekend. Wade’s parents own Miller Ranch, and the rancher next door had noticed our vehicle parked in the driveway. He asked Wade to in turn ask us if we’d be willing to bring a 12-pack of beer out to him in the alfalfa field he was haying, so he wouldn’t have to stop working.

Happy to oblige, we drove up the road to the ranch house, let ourselves in, and found our way to the walk-in cooler. Before we knew it, we were driving through the middle of an alfalfa field and dropping off some cold happy hour beverages for Mike Davis and his neighbor who was helping bale hay. They took us for a loop around the field in the baler and the raker, and I am now proud to say that I know all of the inner workings of a baler and the nuances of haying.

Wade and Gina met us later that afternoon and we relaxed, enjoyed a home cooked meal, shared great conversation, and started the first season of Game of Thrones. It was truly a comfortable evening.

The next morning, following a warm cup of coffee and quiche breakfast (my first quiche!!! Yes, I know…), we all journeyed out in search of arrowheads. You could search the ground for hours and only sweep over 1% of the land. We spent about 3 hours roaming around, eyes to the ground, seeking the perfect piece. As a group we found numerous chippings and parts of several arrowheads, but Justin was the only one to find one that was largely intact. It was sunny, warm, and beautiful nonetheless.

That afternoon was spent in lounge mode as we ate well, caught up on life, read various books and magazines, nibbled on some yummy brownies (courtesy of Gina), enjoyed the scenery and sunset, and indulged in more Game of Thrones.

That type of weekend is absolutely needed every once in a while. I was glad to finally spend some one-on-one time with Wade and Gina to get to know them better. Now, as always, I look forward to my next trip out to my Oregon paradise.

Archives for November 2013

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