Focus

Focus your energies not on what you want to change but rather on what you want to create.

Several weeks ago I posted a note on moderation - Is it good? Is it bad? I think it just is what it is. Sometimes that is a good place to be.

I think right now there are much more exciting things to do with my life than that. I'm not into moderate right now. I'm into something much bigger than moderate. Let's see where it takes me!

Did Belle Really Think This Color Looked Good?

Happy Halloween! I think no one can pull off this yellow besides my beautiful daughter!
Can I just tell you how in love I am with her? She is one of a kind, for sure. I think God gave her to me to make me laugh more.

1, 2, 3, 4...I'm working my back in my own door

Haha - 4 reps would be a miracle at this point. BUT...I will conquer my new "Iron gym"!! I must pass through that doorway about 30 times a day - now it's got some potential to be a productive doorway to my very strong sexy back (positive reinforcement talk goin' on here!).

Local Inspiration

The first pic is the winner in my height class at the 2008 Emerald Cup.
The second pic is the winner in my age group (Masters 40+) at the 2008 Emerald Cup.
The third pic is Lori from my gym taking 2nd of 18 in the Masters 40+ this year.
The fourth pic is Brittani from my gym taking 3rd of 11 in the Masters 35+ this year.

I need to get my butt back in the gym.
I need to get my butt back in the gym.
I need to get my butt back in the gym.

Spongebob Karatay

Kiara Tackles the Trails - Trail #9 Riverside Trail

Kiara Tackles the Trails - Trail #9 Riverside Trail

Today was so beautiful that I had to take the drive out to Riverside Trail. The drive is about 55 minutes which in my opinion is a pretty long distance to drive for a run that would probably not last much longer than that, but the drive was beautiful with all the leaves changing colors. It was so windy that I could barely keep the truck on the road.

We got to Rainbow Campground to find the road and camp locked up - my first moment of unease. We found the trailhead and took off jogging. We were only about 2 or 3 minutes in when I started to get scared. I have never been on a trail this deserted before - not a soul - and no reason to believe anyone would be turning up from the looks of it. I don't know if it was only getting 4 hours of sleep or what, but I was FREAKED OUT! If it hadn't been for poor Ki already having spent almost an hour in the car in anticipation of a run, I would have headed straight back to the truck...but...I couldn't do it to her - so fully expecting to be captured, mutilated, and killed by some creep in a mask, I kept on going.

The saddest part is that this is possibly my favorite trail to date. It was really soft and covered with pine needles and not many rocks. We would come out into the sun with a view of the river before heading back into the trees and there looked to be some great swimming holes. I can't wait to run this trail again (the full trail...I did eventually become so anxiety ridden that I turned us around screaming up the trail as fast as we could go) next Spring and next Summer for sure - can't wait to hit the swimming holes! I can picture doing an out and back and back out to the swimming hole again for a 16 miler with a nice long swim break before the final 4 miles. Not doing this one alone again - shudder.

Sorry, these pics do not do this trail justice. It was beautiful!

View From A Bed

I can't imagine a better way to start my day than my view of Mt. Hood from my bed. This is out my bedroom window this morning. I AM SO LUCKY! God is GREAT!

My Blog Lost It's Way

I was reading Kristin's blog today about a bike ride she was on this week...a ride that made her whole, if only for an instant: ~
"...and for a moment I could hear nothing but the rushing wind and feel the breeze kiss my face in a rush of excitement. I closed my eyes for a moment and realized for the first time in 24 hours that I was thinking of nothing. Not planning, not hurting, just experiencing that exact moment in time.

Where it was just me and the wind.........like old friends.

My brain flickered to a time when I would ride my bike down the big hill on my street when I was a child. Back when it was still 187 Vestavia Hills and Laurie Lou's dad was still alive. The Alabama sun was warm on my sunkissed skin and skinned knees. Just tossing my head back and laughing, relishing the speed and the feel of the wind. Thinking of nothing, just being.

For a moment, just a moment, I did not have this new knowledge that my mom was sick. Very sick. That there were "a lot" of new legions on her brain and brain stem. That there was nothing I could do about it. For a moment I was just being... feeling sure there would still be a mom there fixing a peanutbutter apple for a snack when I got home from playing outside.

I was beautifully distracted by the woosh of the wind in my ears and the sun on my face.

For a moment, just a moment, I was whole."

Kiara Tackles the Trails #8 Milo McIver State Park

Ki and I got our new forest pass in the mail this week and wanted to head to a new trail today, but Mimi got super sick last night and I decided we should stay closer to home so she wouldn't be without Mama for too long. Someone at dog park had mentioned McIver Park to me last week and since it was a quick 25 minutes to get there, we chose to stray from our Best Oregon Trail Running book this week.

It took me a bit to find the right trail. We spent some time getting lost at the river and then made a side trip through a service road where we came nose to nose with three dear. Before I could get my camera out of my pocket they were down the road and flipping their tails at us. If you click on the 4th pic, you can see them running from my blood thirsty dog.

We had lots of fun on the equestrian trails. Avoiding the humongous piles of horse shit made for an even more interesting run. After awhile, I just side stepped the super humongous piles and didn't worry about the five pound dumps. Ki thought they smelled delightful.

We came to several spots where the sun was shining through like a little taste of heaven. Priceless.

We went across three wet mossy bridges in a row and I kid you not, I attempted the splits on all three and pulled my groin every single time! When will I learn? Walk...walk slowly...hold onto the rails!

Ki took a dip in the river even though it was only 45 degrees while we were out. She did NOT get in a 2nd time ;o)

I am so glad we made the trip out to Milo McIver today. I have found a great close to home campground for the kids and I next summer!!

Dad and Bro

I love this picture of Dad and Ron and just wanted it up here to start my week off and remind me of my goals.

Dear Husband,

Dear Husband,
I love you.
Julie

Kiara Tackles the Trails - Trail #7 Angels Rest

Ki decided it was time for a new trail today before the snow arrives so we hit Angels Rest. It was really not the best day to hit this trail because the summit is all about the view on a nice day, but today it was rainy and cloudy and WINDY up there. Despite not having the best view that we could have had, it was a wonderful trail!!! It's all uphill so at the turnaround point it's all downhill... and downhill with a sled dog can be pretty funny (funny for the people seeing me being pulled to my death with no idea of where my feet will land next). It wasn't too muddy though, but I still managed to twist my ankle good. We hiked rather than ran up for the most part, more opportunity for talking with people for sure. The most interesting group was made up of 4 or 5 guys who told me they were Pavarotti's nephews and they were going to sing opera at the top. I waited around for them but they didn't show. Never ran into them on the way back down either, so either they all went over the edge or they wussed out before hitting the top.

It was a technically tough route because of Ki ~ So MANY rocks to trip on when being pulled on my leash...ahem...I mean her leash! That first pic is actually part of the trail towards the top of the climb.

The last two pics are Mai performing her new love ~ The Ballet. She is sooooo Mary Katherine Gallagher. It's really amazing to watch ;o)