Catch-up Day

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Michelle

Today was the second day in a row I ran 10 miles, and my legs were definitely feeling it today.

I stilled managed to put my mind over the matter and get all 10 miles done in 1:24.

I am really liking my new shoes! Saucony Ride 4

They have ample room in the toe box, they hug my foot nicely, and they have the perfect amount of cushioning for me.

After my run, I took my aunt to the airport so she could catch her flight back to Minnesota.

It was great having her here! I saw and did things I haven’t done since living here:

Potter Marsh, the beautiful flowers downtown, and the Wells Fargo Alaska Native Muesum

Denali National Park

Cruise through Resurrection Bay

Afterwards, I met up with my friend Katie and did a little shopping.

Even if I am not in need of a new pair of running shoes, I always have to stop and check out the new models.

This afternoon I have been busy playing catch-up:

- cleaning

- doing dishes

- organizing

- reading blogs

- laundry

I love order in my life. I get a little anxious when the apartment isn’t picked up, I have a long cleaning list, or things aren’t in their proper place.

But I feel better tonight!

Last week, I mentioned that Swanson Health Products gave me a $25 gift certificate to spend at their online store. I reviewed two of the products already (Vita Coco and Burt’s Bees Lip Balm), but I also picked out this hand soap.

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Hand Soap – Lemon Verbena

Overall, I liked the hand soap, but I didn’t love it. A lot of the time, whether or not I like a hand soap comes down to the scent, and I just wasn’t a fan of this scent. Don’t get me wrong, it was a horrible scent, it just wasn’t my favorite. (I’m not sure this is always a good reason, but it is what it is.)

I do love that it is an eco-friendly soap, biodegradable, and contains naturally-occuring essential oils.

And don’t forget. . . .

And if you interested in getting some free Swanson Health Products goodies to review on your own blog? Then check out the Swanson Health Blog for all the details.

Craig had to work late tonight, so I’m chilling by myself. I’m sad because we haven’t spent hardly any time together for the last 5 weeks!! Hopefully he’ll be back soon!

Terrific Tuesday

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Michelle

Today was my aunt, Sue’s, last day in Alaska, so we took once last opportunity to take a hike.

(In the background is the city of Anchorage.)

My hiking partners: Sue (my aunt) and Kelly (my mother-in-law).

We headed to the Glen Alps Trailhead (which I’ve never heard anyone refer to this area as) in the Chugach State Park.

We chose to do some hiking along Powerline Pass.

Powerline Pass

We crossed a bridge. . . .

that went over Campbell Creek.

We had a lot of fun talking and hanging out. We even saw a wolverine while hiking. This was the first time I saw a wolverine, so that was exciting!

(Source)

My hiking partners: Kelly, Sue, and myself.

Afterwards we went to Starbucks.

I ordered a chai latte and had some trail mix I brought from home.

Trail mix: walnuts + pistachios + raisins + dried cranberries

Before I knew it, it was time to meet Craig at Bear’s Tooth for dinner.

My aunt wanted to take us out-to-eat for hosting her while she was here. We happily obliged!

I ordered the Yogurt and Dill Salad with blackened tofu on top.

I had this salad the last time I came and absolutely loved it and have been fantasizing about it since, but the salad I had tonight was nothing like I remembered. It was a shame, but it was still good nonetheless.

Craig ordered a good stand-by: the Potato Burrito.

Sue had halibut with a mango and kiwi salsa. It was excellent!

Craig and I

Sue and I

Before heading home, we couldn’t let Sue leave without experiencing a trip to Yogurtland at the airport.

In and out in 30 minutes or less so we don’t have to pay for parking. We have it down to a science!

I get more and more chocolate based treat on top every time I go.

~~~~~~~

Workout

Distance: 10 miles (5 miles tempo run)

Time: 1:22

(8:20 minutes/mile on the way out; 8:00 minutes/mile on the way back)

I felt good, and I was glad to get the miles in!

Seward, AK

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Michelle

Today started bright and early. . . . .

I may or may not have run 7 miles (60 minutes) before 5 a.m. this morning.

(Don’t worry, Mom, it was brighter out this morning than it is in the winter.)

I normally am not quite that crazy about my running, (Okay, yes I am.) but I wanted to get back to my Monday – Saturday routine of running because these past fews weeks have had me running on a wacky schedule. I can change things up for a while, but I always revert back to my normal schedule. So that meant I had to get up bright and early in order to get a run in this morning.

The reason I had to be up early was because my aunt, Sue, (who is visiting for a couple of weeks) and I had a train to catch to Seward, AK.

I enjoyed my favorite on-the-go breakfast on the train this morning:

- decaf iced coffee prepared last night

- overnight oats prepared last night

We rode the train to Seward (4.5 hours) and saw some beautiful scenery along the way.

Views looking backwards out the very last car.

My aunt, Sue, enjoying the scenery.

A glacier we saw along the way.

When we arrived in Seward, it was time to board our boat we would be riding for a cruise around Resurrection Bay.

We rode the Chugach. (It comes from the name of the mountain range surrounding Anchorage.)

My aunt, Sue and I on the boat.

As we left Seward, I saw the first place I ever camped in Alaska—four years ago over Labor Day weekend.

See where all the RVs are lined up along the water’s edge? That’s where we camped, which definitely had a cool view, but we were camping in a parking lot, and all I could think was, “this is how you Alaskans camp?” (It isn’t—except here.)

We saw a lot of wildlife during our cruise.

I apologize if some of the animals are hard to see. Most of them were still pretty far away, so I did my best to zoom out as much as possible.

Bald eagles.

Sea Otter.

Sea lions laying on the rock. (brown lumps on center rock)

Humpback whales.

We also saw dall sheep and puffins, but they were way too far away to take pictures of.

We stopped for lunch at Fox Island.

We had a buffet-style lunch complete with salmon and prime rib. I am not a big fan of either, so I opted for the vegetarian meal, which was veggie lasagna. (I forgot to take a picture.)

None of the food was outstanding. It was mass-produced food, what can I say?

Me on Fox Island.