Monthly Archives: September 2011

Unplugging

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I need to unplug from this blog and from other time-traps for a while: Facebook, Google Reader, Pinterest, etc.

I have cleared my Google Reader, Facebook hasn’t been opened in a few days, and there probably won’t be a blog post until the weekend.


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(Source)

When I truly have free time, I will spend time on these sites, but they have just became another item on my to-do list, which is not healthy.

I wish there were more hours in the day—extra hours that would allow me to spend time on these sites, but unfortunately (and fortunately) there are 24 hours in the day—no more, no less!

There are more important things in my life that I have been sacrificing lately:

- sleep

- running/stretching

- time with Craig

- making healthy meals

- work

And with my overall stress running high, I need to take some time for myself! I think you’ll understand. ;)

Kenai River Marathon Relay 2011

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Running relays are so much fun!

If you have never run a relay, you definitely need to!! Even my husband—who is not much of a runner—enjoyed himself! :)

Team: Snot Rockets


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(L-R: Greg, Katie, me (Michelle), and Craig)

On Saturday, Craig and I drove down to Kenai, Alaska to run the Kenai River Marathon Relay.


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It was a gorgeous drive down there, but there is NO green left on our trees here. And with a temperature of 35* this morning, it reminds me winter is all too close!

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The race started Sunday morning at the Kenai Visitor’s Center.


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There were 4 people on our relay team, working together to run 26.2 miles.

Even Craig committed to running a leg! I don’t think he knew what he was getting himself into!

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Greg was our first runner, running 5.7 miles.


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We are pretty sure this was the smallest marathon ever! There was maybe 40 people at the start of the marathon and marathon relay!


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It was chilly at the start—only about 40*!

Ha! I love this photo of Greg. It looks like he is waving to all his fans!! :)


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We stopped at various places during Greg’s leg to cheer him on.


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He average about 8-minute miles, which was awesome considering he hadn’t trained much!

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Then it was time for Craig to get ready to run.

I don’t think that excited face lasted too long after he started running. :-?


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It was a gorgeous fall day. . . . crystal clear and beautiful scenes of the mountains in the background.


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Waiting for Greg to finish.

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Then it was Craig’s turn to run.

Craig actually ran the 2nd longest leg at 6.7 miles!! Go Babe!


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The classic thumbs up and open-mouth smile pose.

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Here he comes!

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I ran with Craig for a little while to give him a pep talking. I could see he was struggling, and he still had 3+ miles to go. :-?

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Almost done!

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Hand off to me.

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And I’m off!

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Woo! Hoo!! You finished, Craig!!

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And still smiling after he was done?!?! That’s always a good thing!

He should be smiling. . . he ran the ENTIRE way without stopping! With absolutely zero training! I’m impressed!

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This is me at the beginning of my 6.5 mile leg with a beautiful view of the mountain in the background!


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Through the tunnel.

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I felt pretty strong during my entire leg. I averaged about 7:20 minute miles.

I think this distance is my best distance. . . . something around a 10K.

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Then it was time to hand-off to our 4th and final runner: Katie.

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Katie ran 7.3 miles and is a Boston Marathon finisher!


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She got a whole bunch of “kills” (i.e. runners she overtook)!


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Going strong the whole way!


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Finish line. . . .

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Overall, our team’s time was 3:44.

I am so glad Craig ran with us! It was great sharing in the same hobby!

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After a shower and getting warm, dry clothes on, we went to St. Elias Brewery to get some grub.


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Pizza stone oven. I loved watching them make the pizzas!

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Fun, eclectic decor.

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Craig and I split The Farmer’s Cobb salad, which was HUGE. I totally forgot to get a picture.

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We also split a Hawaiian pizza with caramelized onions.

Both the salad and pizza were very delicious! Some of the best food in this area of the state.

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Good times with friends!

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We had a couple of “only in Alaska moments” during our trip.

When I was pulling into a parking spot to pick up our bibs, I heard my car hit something and immediately thought I hit the curb. When I stepped out of my car, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this huge moose bone laying on the ground!


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While I was running my leg of the race, Craig snapped these pictures of a dead moose being hauled away in this truck!

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I know it is kind of hard to see, but I can only imagine how crazy it looked. (I’m still not used to these things.)


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What a great weekend running with friends! It doesn’t get better than that! :D

On Being Passive

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I know we are all different.

That’s good, and I think it helps this world go ’round.

However, when someone at work told me I need to work on not being so passive, I got a little offended.

I guess I don’t see my passiveness as a bad thing. It is who I am, and I’m okay with it!

Someone who can relate to this is my sister (a.k.a. my clone). Her and I–no matter how far apart we live–are in constant connect through ESP. (There’s just no other explanation. ;) )


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We were talking the other day—not through ESP but on the phone—when I told her how I kind of got in trouble for being too passive at work. I didn’t necessarily “get in trouble,” but this person commented that I am too passive, and I need to work on this flaw of mine. When I was told her this, she immediately said a very similar thing happened to her at work (imagine that!).

We will both be the first to admit we are not outgoing people. We often will sit back at a social gatherings and “take it all in” rather than feel the need to be the “life of the party.” (This is definitely contingent upon who the people are, the size of the group, and topic of discussion.)

We would rather let those people who “need” to be the center of attention do their thing because we realize this is their source of energy.

What frustrated us the most about our situations was the fact that our bosses had a hard time accepting this trait and instead wanted us to change.

We understand the need to be a leader or step-up-to-the-plate at times (especially in a work situation), and we are definitely able to do that.

So to all those people who see our passiveness as a bad thing:

You see us as being passive, we see it as being nice!

We just want to be accommodating and not make life more complicated than it already is. We can go with the flow and won’t make a big deal out of something that doesn’t need to be a big deal! We will let those of you who are more outgoing than us have your limelight, and we will speak up if we feel strongly about something!

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Craig and I are running a race tomorrow!

Wish us luck. . . . actually, wish Craig the most luck because I can’t remember the last time he ran!