Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Fitting in Fitness

Today I am trying out something new and linking up for the first time with Nicole and Jessica Joy for their The Fit Dish Link-Up every Tuesday. 
The Fit Pepper
This week the topic is "How Do You FIT in FITNESS?". 


With training for the Wineglass half marathon, I have to fit in fitness. Right now I follow Hal Higdon's Intermediate training program. I find that following a training program helps in motivation to get myself moving. I know that if I don't do the workout, it will affect how I perform on my half. I can't always follow it exactly so tweaks are made here and there, but I follow it for the most part. With both kiddos in school on 3 mornings of the week, I try to get my running workouts on those days so I can get outside and run. I love running outside especially because I live so close to such an awesome trail to run on.

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Community and Staff Day at Princeton Football

On Saturday we headed into Princeton for Community and Staff Day at Princeton Football. It was really nice as tickets to the football game were free for Faculty and Staff plus there was going to be a post game fireworks show. With the kiddos getting interested in football (because Daddy watches it often) we couldn't miss it. Free is always nice. :) When we told the boys we were going to a football game they were so excited for the game. Another thing that was nice was they also offered a sports clinic for kids where Princeton student athletes helped introduce sports to kids in a fun way. 


Thursday, September 25, 2014

TBT Hiking Post From Hubby - Climbing Mt. Rainier

It's Thursday!! That means another Throwback Thursday post from Hubby. Today's post is a very special post. If you live in Seattle or have ever been to Seattle, you most likely have heard of Mt. Rainier. It is the highest peak in WA and it is a beautiful mountain especially on a clear sunny day. Below is our experience climbing the massive thing. This was by far the hardest thing I had ever done at the time. I felt it (fatigue probably due to not much sleep and my adrenaline wore off) especially on the way down from Camp Muir to Paradise (the parking lot). However it was well worth it and an experience I will never forget. Sometimes when we go back to Seattle, I look up at the mountain and can't believe we were at the top! 

Mount Rainier, August 1-3, 2007


Just about every hiker in the Pacific NW aspires to climb Rainier at some point in their life. Sharon and I are no different. I had wanted to climb it even before I moved to Seattle. The problem is that Rainier is not an ordinary WA state mountain. It is glaciated volcano with steep slopes and large crevasses. This makes Rainier a technical climb rather than a hike. Fortunately, Sharon and I were able to go with a group of friends and friends of friends with vastly more experience than us. The three rope leaders had approximately 80 successful summits combined. Sharon and I also spent the months before our attempt "training" with appropriately difficult hikes (I use quotes because we would have done these hikes even if not planning our Rainier trip) and general aerobic work at the gym.

Monday, September 22, 2014

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Fall Fun! Apple Picking with the Kiddos at Terhune

Fall is pretty much here (September 23rd to be exact), many things come to my mind when I hear the word Fall. First of all school has started, the weather gets a bit cooler, the leaves start changing color, apple picking, pumpkin patches too, but we'll get to pumpkins next month. :) This year, my 3 year old actually asked about picking apples this year so of course we had to go. 

Both boys were excited in the morning about going. We headed out to the local orchard, Terhune Orchards at Van Kirk Road, and saw that many others had the same plan. There were many out today wanting to pick apples. 

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Beat the Blerch Virtual Run

Today I participated in the Beat the Blerch Virtual Run. I signed up for the virtual run back in July. I am a fan of the Oatmeal comics and was excited that there was a run back in my home state of WA called Beat the Blerch. It was so popular the run sold out fast! Fast as in 20 minutes after registration opened.

I mean who wouldn't want to run in a race that had large quantities of birthday cake at every aid station, in addition to Nutella and magical grape beverage. They also post on their site that there may or may not be actual Blerchs in fat-suits chasing you throughout the race. Sounds like such a fun race, so when they offered the virtual run, I took the opportunity to participate in spirit. Plus from their site I saw that a percentage of the proceeds go to the Washington Trails Association and the National Wildlife Federation so that made it an even better reason to persuade me to do the virtual run.

I received my virtual race kit earlier this week and was happy with all the goodies. There were gummy bears, cupcake frosting flavored lip balm, a magnet, stickers, and of course a shirt, bib, and medal.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

TBT Hiking Post from Hubby - Kendall Peak & the Katwalk

It's Thursday!! That means another Throwback Thursday post from Hubby. Today's post is our hike to Kendall Peak and Kendall Katwalk. Enjoy!

Kendall Peak, July 29, 2007
The trail starts out on part of the PCT or Pacific Crest Trail. Then from the trail starts an unmaintained scramble to the top of Kendall Peak.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Build-A-Bear Workshop A Great Experience! #BuildABearFriend Review

Last week was my 3 year old's first week of Preschool and I wanted to reward him with a special treat for doing such a great job. I had received a free $40 gift card from Smiley360 to try out Build-A-Bear and knew this we would be the perfect opportunity to try them out without having my 5 year old son wonder what was up. :)

It's so nice to have just my 3 year old with me a couple mornings a week so with Friday being one of those days, it was just me and the little guy. On the car ride to the mall, I told him that we would be going to Build-A-Bear and that he would be able to choose any bear. He was so excited! 

I had never taken my boys to a Build-A-Bear Workshop but have heard good things. The store is great! Definitely a bright and happy place! My 3 year old immediately saw the bear he wanted in the window. He saw his favorite superhero Spiderman! He definitely knew what he wanted right away so it was easy from the get go. 

Monday, September 15, 2014

Half Marathon Training Week 9: 9/8-9/14

Here's a recap of last weeks workouts:

Monday 9/8 - Rest
Tuesday 9/9 5 mile run on the D&R Canal Trail.