Running in Bear Country

I miss trail running... I was reminded how much this morning when I ran with a friend and we did a couple of small trails. Bear activity has been low this month (I think!) but I was reminded of this sign. Thought it would be fun to share! :-)

Holidays already. Really?

Happy Thanksgiving week, everyone! Can't believe the holidays are already here. And WHY do we say that every year? I guess as you get older, time passes more quickly. This year, I am amazed by a few things:

• How ecstatic I was to see my son skip from house to house on Halloween, dressed as an adorable Harry Potter.
• How annoyed I was to see several houses with Christmas lights on days after Halloween.
• How crazy the world is right now (no explanation necessary. Think economy, random shootings, desperate people... you get the picture).

Things to contemplate... small town living, fresh starts, the importance of family.

Yeah, I am a sap around the holidays. We'll stuff ourselves on Thursday, decorate for Christmas on Friday and I get to run another marathon on Sunday. Yey!

Peace to all.

26.2 Miles Down and on to a Vacation

My sister gently reminded me that I have not blogged since before the marathon. So here are the highlights and lowlights from the Inaugural Seattle Rock and Roll Marathon as I remember them (some things I just block from my mind):

• The picture to the right is a large bald eagle that calmly watched the 25,000 runners streaming by.
• I think I trained well enough, but trail running doesn't translate well to reinforced concrete
• Reinforced concrete is HARDER than normal roads
• Running with 25,000 people is freakin energizing!
• There were no bears on the route
• The bands were fun
• I had a sinus infection
• I took a new antibiotic
• Said antibiotic didn't agree with me and gave me stomach cramps
• Said antibiotics made me dehydrated which resulted in muscle cramps
• Salt packets from a bicycling medic solve muscle cramps
• The Alaska Way Viaduct is veeery long
• Completing a second marathon felt awesome
• Seattle stepped up for this event!
• At the end, ice was my friend and so was beer

This Friday, our little family is taking off on our Griswold Family Vacation... Yellowstone, Boulder, Steamboat Lake, Jackson, Grand Tetons, Big Sky and Glacier (pretty much in that order). It's the perfect blend of camping, staying with cousins, hotels and cabins. We are beside ourselves with excitement. This will be the first family vacation where we aren't flying somewhere or sticking to a certain schedule. If I can figure out how to blog from my iPhone, I'll post vaca updates here. I'll also be posting photos and status updates on Facebook at www.facebook.com/IngridOuglandSellie

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer so far!

26.2 miles with 25,000 of my closest friends

Tomorrow is the inaugural Seattle Rock and Roll Marathon. 26.2 miles of rock and roll, crowds, runners, tired legs, sore muscles, blisters and bleary-eyed smiles. Okay... that's just my personal experience. But... I'm looking forward to it. Okay, right now I am a nervous nelly and thinking about tomorrow makes me want to puke. I am looking forward to mile seven. That's about when the jitters go away and I find my groove. The crowd will be somewhat thinned out by then and my brain will find that happy place where I flit from thought to thought as my feet and legs take on a life of their own and just follow the course.

My mom and sister will be at the finish line cheering me on. They can walk on the ferry and then walk to the finish line to see me. I let Blaine off the hook because driving into the city and finding parking during an event of this size would be a sheer nightmare for him. There's a live band every mile along the 26 mile course and a huge celebration at the end, followed by a concert at Marymoor Park. I'm thinking that the one thing that will get me through the last three miles will be the free, cold beer at the end. Seriously, a cold beer at the end of a run like that is AWESOME.

I am incredibly proud of my friends Randi and Janet for running the half marathon, their first ever. They've trained hard (harder than me I think!) and they will be awesome. I am sorry I won't be at the finish line to cheer them on, since their finish line is my halfway point. I expect to see pictures, gals! The weather is supposed to be sunny and mid 70's. I am bummed about that. I was hoping for clouds and a few sprinkles. I run MUCH slower in the sun.

Okay, off to obsess over the course map and elevation chart a bit more.

Happy Friday!

-Ingrid

Adventures in Running or... How Not to Piss Off Momma Bear in the Woods

I ran my favorite Beaver Lake Preserve trail loop this morning. It's a 1.2 mile loop through some really nice woods. I've always considered it a safe loop because it doesn't go too deep into the woods and you can see the backyard of a house and a golf course on part of it.

I was on my fifth and final loop when, through the music in my head phones I heard a very large snarl/growl. Right in front of me (about eight feet away at the most) was a black bear and her cub! DAMN! Thought I was a goner. The cub scampered up the tree right in front of me and the momma bear ran behind it but didn't leave of course, because she couldn't leave her baby. I slowly backed away then bushwacked through the woods to someone's backyard (I just happened to be at the part of the trail that was near someone's yard). Then I SPRINTED down their private road to the Beaver Lake road and made my way back to my car. My legs were all bloodied from bushwacking and my hands were shaking so bad I couldn't dial my phone.

Okay, so chances are slim I would have been attacked but when you are alone in the middle of the woods and you piss momma bear off, you never know, and there's no one around to help you!

So, I learned a couple of things from this experience:

1. When your life is in danger, your actions DO revert to Hollywood slow motion.
2. When your life is in danger, parts of your life DO flash before your eyes.
3. When you are running from a bear, you will not feel the pain of blackberry bushes shredding the skin on your legs until long after you are safe (and then you will be puzzled by the blood all over your knees. It will take several moments to put the pieces of that puzzle together).
4. You will definitely forget how to dial your iPhone.
5. You will sound like an idiot when you talk to the Department of Fish and Wildlife (Yes, I know now that there is a Website that documents recent bear activity and I know now that there were bear sightings in that area recently, but I'd just passed a woman and her poodle, for God's sake. I assumed it was SAFE, officer!)
6. Running with headphones in the woods is pretty stupid. Running without a bear bell and bear spray is even more stupid. Yes I own those items, Officer Wildlife, Yes I will bring them with me next time. Thank you Officer Wildlife.

I love wildlife and understand when I am in the woods, I am running in their territory, so I'm not at all incensed at this encounter. Just feeling a tad stupid for literally stumbling upon and scaring a momma bear and her cub. I DO know better than that.

I guess the silver lining would be that by the time I made my way back to the road, I had to run an extra mile or so to get back to my car. So maybe I can skip my run tomorrow?

Does Writing Euphoria Exist?

So, I'm training for my second full marathon. It's easier this time (knock on big ol' slab of wood). My goal is to train injury free... meaning no tendinitis, sore knee, pulled calf muscle, etc. etc. All my long runs are done on trails in the woods, which has significantly helped to keep all the aches and pains at bay. I've also finally reached what some runners call "running euphoria." No, I don't hallucinate and see margaritas up and down the trail while I run (although that would be great!) But I have reached a point where I am no longer breathing hard and feel like I can run forever, or until my legs collapse. It's really quite cool. I can, after an 18 mile run, stop and NOT be out of breath whatsoever! Of course my body is exhausted, but it's still really, really cool.

So my question is... does writing euphoria exist? Can I reach a point where I can write and write and write and not become mentally exhausted? And how do I reach that euphoria? 'Cuz seriously, I'd sign up... pronto.

In other news, Max is doing very well. We are treating his Cushing's Disease and he has his energy back, is happy and doesn't want to drink 50 gallons of water a day. Our son graduates from preschool in June. They do caps and gowns and everything. I think we are all seriously ready for a vacation. Two weeks after the marathon (it's on June 27) we are taking a two week vacation. This time no planes involved. Pure road trip, which should be fun. Of course I'll bring the laptop and get some writing done, and probably blog about the sites. Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Tetons, Jackson Hole, and all things Colorado. Yey!

Another Marathon, Max Update and Silly Family Stuff

I am nuts, but I've registered for another full marathon. I guess it keeps me disciplined. And I still can't get over that I gained 15 lbs right after my last marathon. Oy.

Max had another complete round of tests last week. The chest rads and ultrasounds show he is still cancer free (YEY!!!!!!!!!) but he does have Cushing's Disease...so we'll now be treating that and I'm not sure about the future of his agility career. I know he's ten years old, but he LOVES agility and LOVES running with me... so I will be sad if he can't do these things. Right now he has energy and is happy and jumps around and plays with his toys (and steals Brandy's hedgehog at every opportunity).

My five-year-old's favorite pastime, now that he's reading, is to read EVERY sign. Street signs, signs at the grocery store, etc. It's pretty cool but tends to make our trips out and about much, much longer. I don't want to discourage his reading but dang, Costco has ALOT of signs.

I just have to say, that if I had to pick one type of food to eat for the rest of my life, it would, without a doubt, be chinese food. Every. Day. Yum.

VOTE VOTE VOTE

I just mailed my absentee ballot. Tomorrow is the day! My stomach is in knots, but I'm hopeful the polls are right and we won't have a nail biter late into the night.

Please oh please don't blow off your vote tomorrow.

Now, back to my regular scheduled programming...I am back to my old work schedule, yey! This means more time to write, more time to blog, more time to run, more time to kick it with my little guy. I couldn't' be more happy.

I'm going to be all superstitious and not talk about The Road Home for awhile. When I have solid news, I'll post it here. In the meantime, I'm going to work hard on Take One (working title, novel #2).

Happy Monday everyone!

When, Oh When Can I Run Again?

Okay, so it's been less than two weeks, but still...today in physical therapy, I tried in vain to convince my PT that I can start running again...but he is just smiled and piled more ice on my ankle. Sigh. I am sneaking workouts on the elliptical at the gym though :-)

I'm a bit pathetic

I promised a blow by blow of the marathon...but between running, working more than usual, writing/revising book #2 and taking care of a sick four-year-old...well, excuses excuses. I will make a concerted effort to resume my regular blogging soon! Bear with me!

26.2 Miles Complete

Portland Marathon: Check! I am exhausted, but promise a blow by blow blog of the run...I have lots of gems to share. Until then, will tell you my favorite sign held by a woman at mile 18 or so:

"Your feet hurt from kicking so much ass!"

That sums it up...but promise more later. For now, I will relax with a glass of wine!

This is it!

Sunday is the Portland marathon. WHAT have I gotten myself into? I've done all the training, so I'm just playing the mental game now. We leave for Portland Saturday morning and stay through Monday. If I am still coherent, we will be able to celebrate Sunday evening.

Writing Update: Turned in revisions to my agent on Tuesday. Yey! Now back to the current project...need to get that one done by the holidays (self imposed deadlines are great, eh?)

Running and Revisions

That's what I'm up to, in a nutshell! I will have a revised manuscript to my agent by Tuesday, I think...and the Portland Marathon is Sunday. Yikes! Somebody deserves a big, icy margarita in about a week!

I'm also working full time this month and next to help a colleague out. I just LOVE having a full plate!

This Weekend

This weekend is all about revising and running. Running and revising. I'll probably throw a little house cleaning in the schedule just to mix things up. It's rainy this weekend, which I LOVE. Makes me want to curl up with my laptop in a coffee shop or on my couch and get some serious work done on the book (I'll have something soon Colleen, I promise!)

The real question is, do I succumb to my junk food cravings? Will it help the creative process, or am I just looking for excuses? Hmmm...

Indian Summer!

I haven't been very good at blogging lately. I am working more hours this month and next...and am in the final weeks of marathon training. Oh, and I've now got concrete revisions for my book, which I will complete in the next couple of weeks...whew!

It's mid September and we are expecting 80 degree temps. I am SO SO thrilled!

I ran 20 miles on Friday, my longest run yet. Now I taper until the marathon on Oct. 5. Hopefully all my aches, pains and injuries will heal in this time.

More later!

One Month Until Marathon Time!

I can't believe I am running a full marathon in a month. The Portland Marathon is Oct. 5. I am actually looking forward to it in an excited, stomach turning, nauseous kind of way. Last Saturdady I ran my longest EVAH. 18 miles to be exact. It was a total rush. But I just have one thing to say: Thank God for massage therapists. I'd be a cramped up, crippled ball of misery without them.

I'm also super excited that fall TV is starting up. Not that I have alot of time on my hands, but still...

Random Monday Things

It's Monday, it's raining and I'm lovin it. Maybe because I grew up in Seattle I have a twisted sense of what I think is good weather? But after too much sunshine, I welcome a couple days of good, hard rain. After all, it's what makes this part of the country green! And...the rain always gives me a better time on my runs. Yesterday I had an awesome 12 miler in the pouring down rain. It was GREAT. Other random things for a Monday:

• My 4-year-old learned how to lock the bathroom door from the outside, so no one can get into the bathroom. How'd he do that?
• The dogs have decided the pigeons who keep visiting our pond are pure evil, and sound the Labrador alarms with great gusto every time they show up. It's quite rattling to the nerves.
• Max is back in agility after his surgery. He still looks like a patchwork quilt, but the hair is starting to grow back. I can't wait until we're competing again.
• The PGA tournament this weekend was fun!
• Someone on my runner's forum said duck tape for my blisters is the ultimate solution. Is there anything duck tape can't do?
• My son is still completely enamoured with Curious George. Does anyone think the man with the yellow hat is a bit odd? Maybe I've just been watching too much. I really should be writing.
• Countdown to the Portland Marathon has begun. It's less than six weeks away (gulp).

Happy Monday to everyone!

I'm Committed!

Okay, I did it...I registered for the Portland Marathon on Oct. 5. It's a fun marathon, so I hear. Live music all along the route, interesting course, high number of women participants (54 percent, or something like that). The Husband and I will drive down together on Saturday morning and spend the day kicking around Portland after I pick up my race packet. We are also going to stay Sunday night so we can hit the town after the marathon (if I am still coherent). then Monday we will drive home through eastern Oregon so we can see the fall colors and buy fresh apples from a local orchard. You really haven't had an apple until you've had one straight off the tree from an orchard in eastern Washington.

Had a great run tonight. It was blustery, rainy, cool. Perfect weather for a long run. Kind of sick of running in the heat, so it was a nice reprieve. I took each dog out for 2.5 miles each (they like to run seperately), then ran the final 3 by myself.

Song that pushed me on the last mile: "Highway to Hell" by AC/DC (Seriously!)

Dang, it's HOT

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE sunshine and high temps. But the air is just not moving out there. We need a good old fashioned thunderstorm to freshen things up (after I give Brandy an herbal tranquilizer, so she can handle it).

The Husband is off playing poker tonight and The Son is passed out already after a hard day of playing in the wading pool and sprinkler. So...I have an nice, quiet evening ahead of me, YEY! I'm planning a big pasta dinner to gear up for my 16 mile training run tomorrow. I may even rent a cheezy chick flick. I know, I know...my life is SO exciting.

I'm 40 and it's Raining

Happy birthday to me! My husband thought it was funny last night to count down the remaining 30 minutes of my 30's. We were trying to get caught up on Mad Men episodes and he kept looking at the clock and announcing, "25 min left, anything you want to do while you're still in your 30's?"

We're having a party tonight, about 25 people. I had wanted to decorate the backyard and patio with lanterns and tiki torches but alas, it is RAINING. Sunshine all week and then RAIN on my birthday. Sigh. Ah well, at least the house is clean. In addition to the piles of food we will serve, we also have a chocolate fountain. Yum!!! (Can I fire it up for breakfast?)

Week in Review
Max is CANCER FREE. We got his lab results back and they got it all. He had a follow up appt yesterday and he also got his stitches out and got a blue bandanna for being a good boy!

I rediscovered my Facebook account and am now trying to keep up with it. Apparently, it's also on my Blackberry.

I took my son to an outdoor concert Tuesday and he danced the entire 1 1/2 hours. Seriously, when he's old enough, he's going to want hip hop classes. He also asked several times why we couldn't go get his guitar so he could play on stage with the band. He's FOUR.

I didn't write much on book two. I need a schedule to keep me on track.

I ran my longest training run yet, 15 MILES. I did it yesterday so I could party this weekend without a long run hanging over my head. The Portland Marathon is less than two months away.
They announced the Rock and Roll Marathon is coming to Seattle in June. Woohooo!

I'm older now.