Workouts 24th-30th

Monday 24th- run 3 miles, swim 2000M (1.25 miles, yes this is now the furthest)
Tuesday 25th- run 5.25..OUTSIDE
Wednesday 26th- swim 1600m (1 mile)
Thursday 27th- REST
Friday 28th- 8 mile treadmill,  weights (arms) SMOKED IN AGAIN
Saturday 29th- Bike 26 miles (lovell, April/Anna, Du hill, back Sleepy Hollow) FRESH AIR
Sunday 30th-  7 mile trail run

Day # too long....

For those that don't live here, this is what it's been like for almost 3 weeks now.  We had wind on Tuesday and a few hours of reprieve where our air quality was unhealthy for sensitive groups.  It didn't last long, we are back to hazardous.
I have lived here through many fires, but NEVER has this lasted so long.  We are making escapes on the weekends to the mountains that aren't burning.  A lot of friends are heading West to Seattle, but  I don't like sitting in a car for hours, I don't like traffic or crowded places, and I DO NOT enjoy shopping whatsoever.....I just want to be outside, so I will save that trip for total desperation! It's getting more and more difficult to find those smoke free hikes.  You have to check where the fires are burning and what direction the wind is going.  So in other words, if you can find any area (likely on Stevens Pass) to hike, you just have to make sure neighboring fires aren't smoking it in.
Here's what I do, I run on the treadmill, and because I don't have tv, I am catching up on all HGTV, I am swimming, which has been my favorite activity in this mess.   I've taken to shopping for things I don't need online, baking....oh and booking vacations to sunny destinations.  This smoke is getting expensive!

View to the South from my house...can you see the hills?  Not so much

View to the North at 9:30 am, they tell me the sun is out

Start of Fall, and Soup Season

This was last nights dinner.  It's such a yummy and easy soup to make, and better yet, my kids love it.  My parents resurrected my grandma's old garden and dropped off an enormous bag of veggies so  I put them to use. I got the recipe from my friend Amy's blog a few years ago.

This is the recipe for Cabbage Patch Soup (keep in mind you can alter it any way...I happen to add many more carrots and corn).  Makes a large quantity, so this time I froze some.  Have never done that before, so I have no idea if it works...we'll see!

1lb Ground Beef
1 cup Chopped Onion
3 stalks Celery
1 Carrot (I do 4-6)
1 tsp Garlic Salt
1 16oz can stewed tomatoes
3 beef bouillon cubes
2 Tablespoon Chili Powder
1 tsp Oregano
1 tablespoon Parsley
1 can light red kidney bean
1/2 a large head of cabbage
6 cups of water

Brown beef, chop all veggies while its browning, add all ingredients together, simmer for 1 1/2 hour! Viola!

Perfect Morning

 I love our late start Mondays (I do late start for myself on Mondays as well).  Get up while the wee ones are asleep, get my coffee going, start breakfast (today's menu: egg and bacon bagel sandwiches), chill with the kids...no rush!

Found this quote this weekend too.  I love it, and at this point in my life it feels spot on!  Happy Monday!

I believe the ultimate source of blessings is within us. A good motivation and honesty bring self-confidence, which attracts the trust and respect of others. Therefore the real source of blessings is in our own mind- Dalai Lama



I LOVE coffee!

Workouts 9/17-9/23

Monday 17th- 9 dreadmill miles
Tuesday 18th- 6 dreadmill miles
Wed-Friday....was in Vegas and first time ever on vacation didn't pack workout stuff....
Saturday 22nd- hike/run 8.5 miles (ran 1.5 miles to trailhead, hike 7 miles with family)
Sunday 23rd- 11 dreadmill miles.....please smoke go away!

Air..more air please

I was lucky I spent 4 days away from the smoke, but my kids have been in it for almost two weeks.  We  felt it was important for them and the dogs (sorry Obie) to get some fresh air AND exercise.  We took off to Lake Valhalla, this is in Logans's word "super easy hike",  perfect for kids and a wonderful trail run for adults.  The elevation gain is gradual and spreads out over three miles, once at the lake you descend another half mile to the beach spot which is good for a picnic.  I will say it doesn't have the "wow" factor that some of the other hikes to lakes have (see previous post on Minatour, so far my favorite), but again it is the perfect hike to take your kids on and them enjoy it!  Wenatchee outdoors is my favorite sight for looking up the hikes.  They give a fitness and skill rating to each hike, this one was a 2,1 (1 being the easiest and 3 being the hardest) their distances are sometimes a little off, but the descriptions are always spot on!
The fresh air was good, and hiking with my kids, well priceless!

You think Kaiser might want to sit with Lo

First sight of the Lake

They're ready for lunch too

love sharing this with these two

Two jokesters I can't get a decents picture of together

Sign of a good hike

The Perfect Mini Trip

Rick and I took off to Las Vegas for a few days (no we didn't get hitched)!  It was a much needed break from the smoke, granted I know that sounds odd to go to Vegas for a break, but compared to home it was a dream....and I would highly recommend staying at the Trump, it's a smoke free, casino free hotel right by the Wynn.  Gorgeous, all suite rooms!
The last 2 trips to Vegas have been my favorite.  Three years ago a large group of us went down for the Rock and Roll half marathon, and had a fabulous time.  This time I was there for Interbike, a conference of everything new and exciting in the bike world.  Interbike was fabulous, cross Vegas a blast (cyclo cross race) and seeing and hanging with all the Wenatcheeites (and a couple Richlandites!) down there comparing notes, was really fun, however being that I had been couped inside for nearly two weeks I thought giving equal parts time to the conference and pool was a great idea!
It's also good to have a great travel partner!  In the last year Rick and I have taken a variety of trips together,  it's a good thing in my book to be travel compatible!

LOTS of this

I may have stayed at the pool and missed George Hincapie, but came over to find Mario Cipollini...mmmm!

6000ft, Closer to Fresh Air

Rick and I loaded the dogs up in an attempt to be outside and away from the smoke, took off to Lake Minotaur and Lake Theseus.  Truth is, I am really glad the kids weren't on it with us.  You gain 1000 feet in the first mile (total gain to  lake Minotaur is 1500 ft in 1.75mile, elevation 5500).  Trail is narrow and steeper than I guessed.  This was a clear case where I misjudged, looked at the distance and thought, piece of cake.    Once you're there though, it's unbelievable.  You reach Minotaur first and it's breathtaking, by far my favorite lake yet, from there we hiked around the lake and back, to cross over a stream to hike up the next hill to see Lake Theseus, again breathtaking.  Summit of Labrynth is just beyond, another 1.75 miles (all the trails leading from Minotaur are relatively flat at this point).
The hike to the lake was not technical, just...steep!  There's not really a hike I can compare it to, but compared to Colchuck which is longer, it makes Colchuck seem easy!  I'd say the closest I could compare it to was Mt Sauer (you gain 2000ft in 2.5 miles).
I'm not saying kids couldn't do it, in fact I know mine could....I just do think my 10 year old would love it as much as I do!

First view of the lake

Happy Dog!

Sitting on the rock thinking it just doesn't get better, when Rick pulled out Hot Tamales for me!

Pretty sure Kaiser was wondering when he could swim again

View of Lake Theseus

Workouts 9/10-9/16

Monday 10th- Recovery run 4.5 miles (had I known I'd be smoked in the rest of the week I would've done more)
Tuesday 11th- Run 5 mile(treadmill ....YUCK), weights 35 minutes
Wednesday 12th- Swim 1700M  (Yes this is the furthest ever, it's getting better)
Thursday 13th- 1 mile jog warm-up, 10x400's with a 90 second job in between
Friday 14th- 1 hour on the bike trainer (Yuck again, and not very productive)
Saturday 15th- 5.25 mile run on the dreadmill (this is NOT working for me), 1600 (1 mile) swim
Sunday 16th - hike 5 plus miles, 2000 feet elevation gain, first 1000 in the first mile...STEEP

Over It

The fires around Wenatchee started last Sunday (as we were trying to head out to hike Labrynth).  I like to think I have actually remained in OK spirits with it.  Originally it was a low intensity burn, which is quite beneficial to nature.  However yesterday we were entirely socked in with smoke.  My house and car wreak of it.  All working out has been indoor, not fun.  Then today as I drove home from the gym, the smell of smoke in my  car actually made me sick to my stomach!

Last outside run....Monday

Then this started...from Ricks backyard, no zoom

Lots of this, plus is I am catching up on seson 3 of True Blood (I'm a little behind)

Today it is a little better.  Still can't see the hills, this is not fog but smoke.

Rick and I head for Las Vegas in a couple days.  We're staying at the Trump Towers, a smoke-free hotel, I can't believe I am actually going to Vegas to get away from smoke!

Fitting it all in

Posting my workout schedule holds me accountable.  It's much easier to skip a workout if I know nobody but me knows it, so I post it.  It also lets me have a record of what I am doing.  For example this week I have been wiped!  Flat out exhausted, looked back on last weeks workouts and did a 60 mile ride one day and a 10 mile run the next, it explains things, and serves as a reminder to take it easy once in a while!
I get asked when I can fit it all in.  One skill I certainly have is time management!  I'm also a prioritize.  Most important is time spent with my kids, work and workouts come  after this. 
My schedule before Lo was in school looked NOTHING like it does now.  I would go to the gym and lift weights once or twice a week and mostly just walk with the stroller and my dog for cardio.  I was more than ok with this.  Having kids 5 years apart it felt like that time with Luke went in the blink of an eye.  I knew one day I would have time again to do other activities, but that was my time to be a Mom.  I worked a similar schedule as I do now, so afternoons I wanted to be snuggling with my girl.

Now I can  fit the work outs I do in, because I have an unconventional work schedule and my kids are in school full time.  It is RARE that I work out when my kids are home, with the exception of an early morning run here or there.  Cycling requires so much time, so it happens afternoons and Fridays, I can combined swimming, and running, or weights and running in my 3 hour afternoon window before Lo is done with crossing guard.  Weekends with the kids, unless they both end up at a friends, it's usually a light run and an off day and weekends they are at their dads, I maximize my workouts and get a long run and long ride in....

Fire Trumps 10 on 10

Mary sent plenty reminders for us all to do the 10 on 10.  I had decided Sunday would be the day I would do mine.  Got up at 6 am, made coffee, packed sandwiches, gassed the car, picked Luke up from his friends, grabbed Rick and were on our way to hike to the top of Labrynth Mountain, on the way down 5th Street we were passed by 3 firetrucks, not a good sign.  This made Rick nervous so we turned back, good thing too, within hours the hill behind his house was engulfed in flames.  Hike was scrapped and fire proofing was in place!
As for the 10 on 10, I took a photo of coffee and kids and dogs in the car.  Since my 10 on 10 should've been on the hike,  I will still do it, but go with 10 of my favorite shots from some of the hikes this summer (not exactly a real 10 on 10, but it will have to do).
I enjoy hiking, but what I truly enjoy the most  is being able to share this experience with my kids.  I know these beautiful areas exists, but to see it through their eyes is the real experience for me.  Most of the hikes are suitable for most kids 6 and older. Colchuck being the longest and most technical, and Sauer Mountain you do gain over 2000 feet elevation in 2.5 miles. If you have little ones or new to hiking I highly recommend Lake Clara and just a little further Lake Marion. They are close to town, easy to get to and beautiful! Happy Hiking.

Sauer Mountain end of May



Sauer Mountain

This was a trail near Sun Mountain in Winthrop (more like a nature walk)

Suspension Bridge Mazama

Eightmile in June or July

Enroute to Lake Colchuck July

Lake Colchuck- July

Colchuck

Lake Clara- June

 

 

Lake Clara- June

Workouts 9/3-9/9

Monday 3rd- 4.75 mile run
Tuesday 4th- 5.5 mile am run, 22mile afternoon bike
Wednesday 5th- 1 mile swim
Thursday 6th- Run total 7.5 miles (4.5 in the am, 3 in the afternoon), weights at the gym 30 minute
Friday 7th- Bike to end of Icicle Road and back 60 miles
Saturday 8th- OFF
Sunday 9th- Run 10 miles (1 hour 26 minutes, not my fastest time, but was able to settle into a nice rhythm and felt good)

Family, Friends, Faith and Love

Sitting here tonight in full appreciation of all life has given me.   I have a renewed faith, amazing family that is always there for the kids and me,  the best friends a girl could ever ask for, and a love I never thought possible.  When you are comfortable with yourself, life has a way of opening doors you never thought possible.
I am thankful tonight to be in this place in life.  I am thankful for the women that came forward and spoke certain truths about my past relationship.  It gave me closure to the past, that I didn't know I needed.  I am thankful to have the mindset to listen, really listen to those that have been through similar events, and said "you will be ok".  I am grateful for a friends honesty in her fight against cancer, it puts my life in perspective.  I  am thankful I am able to appreciate all that is good in my life.  Life goes by fast, and one day your life is turned inside out and you have no idea how you got there.  Stopping to really, and I mean REALLY do some thinking about what you want out of life, and what is important is good.  A friend recently told me it's about 2nd chances.  Not a lot of us are given 2nd chances, or maybe  more fortunately most don't need 2nd chances.  I was given a 2nd chance, one that I didn't  know I needed.  I am a better person for it.  I am appreciating life everyday, the big and small.  Taking opportunities to experience it from a different view.  Breathing fresh air.  Slowing down, letting little things go.  And really, really looking at the people in my life and appreciating them. 
Life is good, and loving life is even better.

Two Wheels

School has started and I have decided to still take off Fridays.  The plan is to use it as a me day.  Life certainly evolves, when my kids were little my afternoons and days off meant extra snuggles on the couch, a picnic, a park date or a walk in the stroller.  I now have two very busy kids, in school all day. In an attempt to let them chill on the weekends (Lo especially) I usually clean and do yard work on Saturday if we have nothing going on, so I am taking Fridays to bike all day and in the winter ski all day!
There's not many women that I can say lets ride to the end Icicle Road and back (60 miles), but I got a text this week from one them saying she could ride whenever.  I immediately threw the idea for Fridays ride out, and without a second thought she was in!  I love it.  M is a great riding partner.  She's a stronger rider than I am, so going out 60 miles with her I know we will keep the pace up.  We both LOVE to ride in the area,  and we love being strong women cyclist.  It was funny but I was thinking on the bike, lately I haven't been able to get in a groove with long runs, and struggling to get in the mindset to do it, but the bike is a whole different story, I love nothing more than having the time to be able to go on a 3 hour plus ride.  I enjoy EVERYTHING about it!

On a little bit of a side note, this is my 5th weekend in a row with Luke.  It has been so nice to have that consistency here.  Parents, I get needing a day to yourself here and there, but when you don't get the choice of when its not quite the same.  When your child's in High School you take whatever time you can get!

Could not wait for this!

Race and Mini Vacation

We packed up Friday and took off to the Tri-Cities.  I had a race with the girls on Saturday, the Titanium Man.  Ricks Mom, and one of his Sisters lives there, so its a great excuse to spend the weekend.  It was fabulous, the entire weekend.  I came back Monday rested and relaxed!  Another bonus, Luke had his X-country TT on Saturday so he stayed Friday night with my parents, we were going to meet half way on Saturday but they decided to drive on down and got to join all of us for dinner! 

On the road

Fun lighting for photo taking, from the truck!

As always!

Race morning...Jason and I waiting for the Larsen sisters!

Cheering Squad

There is a story behind this race, but  at the end we love doing it and love each other!



Pretty good way yo spend the day



Luke's first time wake boarding, thanks Greg!

Workouts 8/27-9/2

Monday 8/27- Bike 30 miles
Tuesday 8/28- run 1 mile to canal, start 8x400 on canal with a 30 second jog in between, 1 mile run home from canal,  bike 18 miles
Wednesday 8/29- Bike 26 miles
Thursday 8/30- swim 1200...semi easy (only semi because swimming is never easy for me)
Friday 8/31- Easy hour spin on the bike
Saturday 9/1- 25 mile TT 1:09:52
Sunday 9/2-  Sleep in, drink coffee kind of day!