Tryon, My Savior

Life, it is a changin'... 

I haven't run at Tryon in probably at least a year.  I first discovered it back when my then-husband was traveling every week for work.  The first time Onya and I ever ran there, it was a wet, rainy day much like today.  It may have even been in March.  We raced up and down those paths and we both had mud splattered from head to toe.  We were both beaming by the time it was done. 

Today, all I could think about was getting out on those muddy trails.  I obsessed all day at work.  After too much time off and way too much time since I've been on a trail, it seemed like the most wonderful idea I've ever had.  Knowing that it gets ridiculously slippery with all the amounts rain we've had lately, I decided that we'd just go two miles.  Sadly, Onya has aged about three years (not that I haven't...) and I was just recently informed by my vet that she's overweight.  Needless to say, there wasn't nearly as much racing up and down the trails...  but we did have a great two miles. 

We splashed.  We slipped.  We waded through the parts of the trail that were like small creek beds.  I reflected on how drastically everything can both change and stay exactly the same.  Onya is my love, my rock and my inspiration.  The trails feed my soul, calm my mind and remind me that I am strong.  As the rain washed away my tears, I realized that I've been off course for too long.  It is time for me to put one foot in front of the other and see just how far I can get on my own. 

I have a feeling that I'm going to look back on this time in my life and know that Onya and Tryon were driving factors in my grief, sadness, healing and ultimate recovery. 

Frozen Toes!

We had a rare snow day today!  If there's one thing you need to know about the Pacific Northwest, or at least Portland, it's that we entirely shut down with just a trace of snow.  Which I really, really love...

The snow started falling in earnest around 8am here in Lake Oswego so pup and I decided we had best get out in it!  For the first mile or so, my toes were really hurting.  Lately, my feet have been struggling to handle running again.  They feel sore and not very flexible.  In the past, when my feet got cold, I'd just flex the toes to kind of warm them up.  I could do that every couple of minutes and that would be sufficient to keep them comfortably warm-ish.  But, perhaps related to the soreness and lack of flexibility, that wasn't really doing the trick this morning.  I considered turning around but realized I was actually almost a mile in and only had two more to go so I figured I could tough it out. 

As we were getting to the second park on our standard three mile route, there was a sweet puppy playing fetch in the cul-de-sac with her owner.  As we headed into the park, she decided to come along and she ended up staying with us the whole way through and back out.  I wasn't too worried because the trail is only about a quarter mile long ending in a small loop and you can only get out of the park by going back the way you came in.  I also figured that her puppy-papa wouldn't be too worried either and Onya loved the company. 

After we reunited the puppy with her owner, I noticed that the snow seemed to have turned into more of a freezing rain and that the sidewalk was starting to get a little slippery.  I was careful to pay more attention to my footing which was especially important because the rain was turning the snow that had fallen into little translucent pellets of slickness.  I about ate asphalt crossing a fairly major road in our neighborhood not long after.  When I was about a block or two from home, the heavy, fat flakes started falling again.

By this time, my feet and toes had finally stopped hurting but they were pretty numb as I took off my Fingers.  When I was showering, they were painful little bundles of burning and itching.  I can't wait for my feet to adjust back to running in Fingers!!  Feet aside, it was a great run in some fun and unusual weather. 

More Biking

Wool hat, Oakleys, helmet, wool chute, gloves, wool long sleeve, tech shirt, fleece jacket, thick running tights, thick running socks, ENDs. 

I bundled up for today's bike ride and, I'm excited to say, I did not freeze.  But that's still not the same as not being cold...  so I'll be bundling even more on my next ride!!  The picture in this post is of how much clothing I was wearing.  It probably didn't help that it was super windy out either.  The entire 'out' part of my ride was against the wind.  The paths were littered with pine cones and downed branches, too, as if I need MORE bike challenges!!

I still haven't figured out how to signal.  I don't know which arm I'm supposed to use but that's kind of okay because I'm really not ready to take a hand off my handlebars yet!  On Sunday, Ty commented that I'm the most cautious bike rider he's ever seen.  Although, it should be noted, that he was biking WITHOUT BRAKES.  So I guess that makes him the most reckless. 

I did pass two other bikers and they both gave me a wave which I really appreciated.  I'm still slow and wobbly but I'm getting better at using my gears.  And I feel like I'm getting faster...  and it's taking longer into my ride before my legs feel like they're just going to fall off. 

All in all, I'm really glad that I'm making myself bike for crosstraining. 

Jess Bikes Too!

Who knew?!?!  The last time that I was on a bike was about 2 1/2 years ago...  and the last time before THAT was probably 20 years prior!!  If you follow this blog, you know that I'm trying be more well rounded during 2012 - the year of balance.  I've decided that I need to do more than just run so, until Shamrock, I'll be incorporating two biking days into each week.  Then, after that, I'll cut back to just one day so I can add a day of running for marathon training. 

I was pretty nervous about my first ride and it was compounded by knowing that I had to do it solo.  I could have bagged the whole thing for a couple of reasons...  first, it was lightly sprinkling and, second, my bike tires were flat.  Seriously, though, you shouldn't count as a Native Oregonian if you can't do things in the rain.  I got the bike pump out and, after a little trial and error, figured out how to pump my tires.  So, I headed out...

I debated which route would be best/easiest all day today and then I totally abandoned my plan in the heat of the moment in favor of a route that I am familiar with.  I ended up riding for 28 minutes when my training plan called for 30 minutes.  All in all, I consider the entire endeavor a win.  Here are some things that I found are different than running:

• I need to dress much warmer for biking than I would for running.  My car said mid-50's on my way home so I donned some capris, my fingers, a cute biking Icebreaker (short sleeve), a sleeveless rain slicker thing and my running gloves.  I was freezing the whole way and, 50 minutes later after a hot shower, I'm still freezing!  Although, I'm sure the deluge that started about 5 minutes in and lasted the duration didn't help.
• Fenders are necessary.  I'll be purchasing one ASAP because the cold, rain and being under dressed was seriously compounded by my sopping wet butt!  BRRRR...
• Bikes are even less visible to drivers of luxury SUVs than runners - who knew!?!? 
• I need a few supplies besides just the fenders - a light, a rack, a small pack...  bike shorts, a visor for my helmet to keep the rain from blinding me... 

If anyone reading this has any excess biking gear that they'd like to pass my way, I'd sure appreciate it!  Ty and I are heading to downtown LO to check out a pub and attend a Meet The Brewer event tomorrow night.  Hopefully we'll have enough time to get there early so I can check out some supplies at the bike store down the street.  And at least buy fenders! 

WTF, Austin!?!?

Chance of snow in Austin today!!  The 10 day is showing warmer temps but I can already predict that this race is going to be very tricky on the packing front...