Mary Mary Why Ya' Buggin'

 This is what it looks like to step out of your comfort zone. I signed up for a five week spring trail running series the beginning of April put on by Ardor Trail Running, in Newport, Oregon. I'd seen in the past that the local running club offered a trail running series but it never worked with my schedule. Last year I was dealing with hamstring issues and was not running.                                                 Photo: Ardor Trail Running  This year I saw Ardor Trail Running created a Facebook event. I immediately knew this is something I wanted to do. My sister-in-law, Paige and I ran our first trail race last October in Molalla, a 5k in the Molalla Corridor put on by the local running club. It was a super fun race. We both had a blast. I signed up then saw that the longest run was going to be six miles and the elevation that we would be running. Then I got nervous. I didn't realize it was an actual timed "race," complete with a number until the

My third triathlon happened last weekend in Stayton a.k.a "CountryLand." Stayton Sprint Triathlon~500 meter swim, 14 mile bike ride and 5k (3.1 mile) run. This particular race has been my goal to do after my Melanoma diagnosis. This race is like coming home to me as Mr. W and I used to live in Sublimity/Stayton before we moved to the Oregon Coast 8 years ago. My mom grew up in Sublimity, "CountyLand" will forever be home to me. I am happy to cross this off my "to one day do" list.      Coming out of the swim Going into this race I was not nervous at all. Crazy as in the past, I am usually a bundle of nerves  before a race. I was looking forward to seeing how my swim and bike legs were going to be since  I've been swimming and spending more time on my bike on the open road. The bike course was flat and through beautiful Willamette Valley. Not a soul around me, I passed a few people early on and again closer to the end but for the most part i

                                My grandma Evelyn, my maternal grandmother and me when I was a few months old  The year is 2001. It's a hot August night. Mr. W and I are out to dinner with friends when I get the phone call from my mom that my grandmother is entering the hospital and is going into emergency surgery. Mr. W and I are still newlyweds, a few months from celebrating our second anniversary. After my year of being Mary Poppins on the East Coast. I was in no hurry to have a baby.                                         My grandma and I before I left for my honeymoon Fall of 1999.  As the days progressed, it was clear my grandma dying. The same nurses who were delivering babies where also caring for my dying grandma. I began to eagerly anticipate walking past the nursery each evening when I'd come visit my grandma to see how many babies were born since my last visit. My mom who was a nurse, knew it was time to tell her mother that it was okay for

I just completed a Hospice training earlier this week that has left me thinking about holidays, especially the grief that forever surrounds holidays once you have lost a loved one. Mother's Day is in a few days. I as grow older I realize that I really don't like holidays. I know that sounds harsh but coming from a type A, perfectionist I don't like the undo stress and unrealistic expectations that holidays conjure up. With the recent passing of my father-in-law, holidays this year evokes sadness. What I do love is being around my family and impromptu celebrations. Like my older daughter shaving off a few minutes from her 1,500 meter time and my youngest daughter finishing her 5th grade math curriculum a month early. Both of which I know my late father-in-law would be extremely proud of. The yearly tradition of celebrating Mother's Day and Father's Day is breakfast in bed followed by a day of leisure. Sunday I have a four mile run scheduled, then I am looking for

I apologize for taking so long getting this blog post together! Last month I ran the Bridge to Brew race in downtown Portland.  It was so much fun! I did this race back in 2013 with my sister, SIL and friends.  Then it was at a different location, at the Widmer Brothers Brewery. This year was much, much bigger! Like the last time I ran Bridges to Brew I got to spend the weekend with my BIL & SIL and see my nephews, always a treat! Mr. W was traveling shuttling Olivia to a weekend basketball tournament in Albany. I was super excited and surprised to see him standing at the finish line. He was able to snap these pictures of me as I crossed the finish line. I love Portland so much. The city has such a great vibe. The race was large. It took me almost five minutes to cross the start line once the race officially started. There were so many walkers it was difficult to maneuver around them. I knew this race wasn't going to be my best time. I was excited to have the opportuni