Pretty in Pink

Earlier this month, I decided to buy myself a sewing machine. I've been playing around with it a bit, trying to teach myself how to sew... at least a little bit. I've been wanting to sew a costume for Ella for a while, but it seems I waited until the last minute. So as a break yesterday, I made a trip to Goodwill and found lots of hideous things to alter into something a little more wearable. One of these items was a very large pink shirt with interesting detail at the neck. I cut it apart and made this little dress—hope it fits (I didn't use a pattern)... and that Ella agrees to wear it :-)

Made it!

After months of training, I finally finished my first half-marathon! Woohoo!!!

A little background
I have been running forever. I remember showing up to local races before I even went to kindergarten. It was just something my family did. And, when it came time to start sports, I was encouraged to join track. I hated track. Abhorred would be a better word. The individual races (and pressure) were way more than I could take. It was really just a way to keep in shape for basketball. So when my senior year in high school rolled around, I decided I was through with it. Running was not for me. I just wasn't motivated enough to be competitive. So I gave it a break. No races for years, just a casual run from time to time to keep in shape.

Then we moved out West last year. A few weeks after getting here, I went in for a yearly check-up. And when I stepped on that scale, I was appalled—I weighed the same as I did four months pregnant. I'm still not sure how it happened. I was going to the gym regularly, lifting weights, etc. So I decided to start running again. First I started with just a few miles a few days a week, until I was up to running six miles for my long run. I even entered a few 5k races in the spring.

In June, my friend Kathy (marathoner, ultra-marathoner, runner extraordinaire) suggested a half-marathon. I was a bit skeptical, but decided I was up to the challenge. So, I read through a few training programs and decided to give it a try. I've never run so much in my life—not even in track. But it was so much more enjoyable because I was doing it for myself. And I'm happy to say that I'm in better shape at 30 than I was at 20... and I just so happen to be fifteen pounds lighter :-)

The race
The half-marathon was this Sunday in Portland. I took the train (yay Amtrak) down there on Friday to meet Kathy. We stayed at the Edgefield (McMenamin's) in Troutdale. I LOVED IT! I can't believe we never went there when we were in college. Restaurants, bars, spa, golf course, movie theater, soaking pool, winery, brewery, and distillery—all on the property. Excellent! Then we walked around downtown Portland on Saturday. Oh, how I miss that place! The race was Sunday morning at 7:30—early enough to see the sunrise. We had perfect running conditions and beautiful views of Mt. Hood. Somehow I managed to enjoy myself and not get hurt through the entire 13.1 miles. In fact, I felt great. I've never run that far before—not even in training. So, when I realized I was going to finish even faster than I had hoped, I ran with a huge smile on my face (for at least the last three miles). I came in at 1:39.34—a 7:36 minute/mile pace. I couldn't believe it! I even think I could do it again—soon, but not too soon :-)

Afterwards, Kathy and I grabbed a beer and had a chiropractic adjustment—all free after the race! I was a bit sore yesterday, but am thinking that having someone crack my bones may have been the culprit, as I'm feeling much better today. I'm even back to running (four miles today)... just don't expect any marathons out of me.

Cousins

A very welcome visitor

This week, we have the best little visitor—Cousin Phoenix! Ella is so excited to have him staying with us—we haven't seen him in nearly a year. He'll be turning 2 next week, but he's already as tall as Ella. Phoenix is the sweetest boy ever—very polite and very talkative. He likes to say "here we go!" and "awookit" (oh look it) and it just melts my heart :-)

Ella's been very helpful and likes to boss Phoenix around just a little bit. I have lots of photos to share and will get them up soon. In the meantime, here's a little video.

Oregon

Sportin' some new Beaver gear.

Watching cartoons with Grandpa OG.

Hanging out.

Gettin' serious about cribbage.

You lookin' at me?

We had a wonderful time in Oregon. It was great to get away, but there always seems to be so much more work after vacation...

Ella enjoyed hanging out with Grandma Lou and Grandpa OG—putting on her makeup (make-muck) every morning and watching cartoons. She even got to watch "The Lizard of All" (The Wizard of Oz) and really liked it. Ella doesn't seem to get scared very easily, unlike her mother.

After our stay in the southern part of the state, we stopped by Corvallis. It's so crazy to see how much has changed. And how much hasn't. We stayed in a hotel adjacent to the apartment complex we lived in for three years—it was built on what used to be a gravel parking lot during our time there. The town also seemed to get a little more "commercial", with mainstream stores and restaurants it lacked several years ago—not necessarily a good thing. But, the downtown is still cute and quaint and my favorite restaurant, Nearly Normals (all vegetarian!) is still there!

I felt strangely out of place on campus—the old lady crashing the youngins' party, but I'd definitely like to make it back there soon. ;-)

Back in Action

We're back home after several days in Oregon—down to Applegate to visit Brady's grandparents, and then up through Corvallis for an alumni event. More later—really... just busy this week!

Betrayed... a little rant

I'm not meaning to be Debbie Downer here, but I received a bit of discouraging news yesterday and am hoping that "putting it out there" may prove to be a bit cathartic. So please, bear with me.

On Tuesday, I went to my ob/gyn for a yearly checkup and while making my appointment, I asked that some blood be taken, mainly to check my cholesterol. They were very hesitant to comply and agreed only when I divulged my family's history. You see, my dad had a heart attack before he turned fifty. And his mother died of a stroke when she was 43. These facts have always remained in the back of my mind... and yet I had not had my cholesterol checked in over a decade.

Long story short, a nurse called me yesterday with the results... my cholesterol is too high—overall, ratio-wise, the whole kit 'n' kaboodle. Then she proceeded to recommend that I increase my exercise. Had we been talking in person, I would have had to restrain myself from punching her in the throat. I told her, in the nicest way possible, that her suggestion was ridiculous. I had just gotten finished with an 11-mile run. I exercise at least five times a week. If I exercised much more, I wouldn't have time for other things... like interacting with my family, work, sleep. To put it mildly, her advice really pissed me off.

Next came the whole diet spiel. Try eating less meat, more fruits and vegetables, etc. Really, lady? Are you REALLY saying this to me? So I told her that I have been a vegetarian for nearly thirteen (THIRTEEN!!!) years. I haven't eaten fast food since high school. I cook almost every night. I go to the farmer's market every week. I eat only organic everything, use only low-fat dairy products, consume fiber like there's no tomorrow.

So finally, she gave up. She said, "We suggest you see an internist because it sounds like you'll probably need medication." And that's that.

Betrayed.

Betrayed by the body I have been so good to for so many years. Genetics trump lifestyle. Millions of overweight Americans gorging themselves on hamburgers, their only exercise coming from the walk to and from the fridge—they don't have cholesterol problems. But I do. It's maddening.

So what now? For starters, I am going to try a vegan diet—no more milk, no more cheese, and definitely no ice cream. And I'm going to see an internist. But I am NOT going to take medication for this. Not now, anyway. I hope it doesn't come to that.

I'll let you know how it goes :-)