Favorite Quotes of Friends & Families ~ Thursday Thirteen

Tomorrow, we leave for the fourth annual BarCon, our annual gathering of friends (most from our elementary/high school years, others we've gathered along the road of life) for a weekend of games, fun, good food, and general chaos. In the beginning, our host, Bar, wanted to have a few friends over to relive some of his favorite childhood memories - when several buddies would gather to play Dungeons and Dragons or other popular games. Little did he know, that his idea would be such a huge hit with all of us... last year there were over 40 guests at the 'convention'.

Most guests crash upon the floor of Bar's 'hut'... others live nearby and thereby make the short commute... we, on the other hand, will be staying in a nearby motel this year (in years past we've stayed at Kong's - but since then, Bar and Kong have married and now share their residence)... still others attempt to stay 'up ALL night'.

Like a true convention for science teachers, pharmacists, computer engineers or otherwise... Bar sets up a website for registration. Upon arrival, those who have registered in advance are given goody bags (with candy, fun money - this year we'll get Space Bucks to go along with the 'BarCon in Space' theme, souvenir magnets, nametags and other nonesense). Throughout the weekend, guests can earn 'Space Bucks' for participating in games, helping with chores, bringing yummy goodies to share, winning games, hosting games, etc. On the final day, during the 'Blast Off BarBQ' - Bar facilitates an auction whereby guests can use their space bucks to bid on items (games donated by the corporate sponsor, t-shirts, etc.) It is a great weekend and is considered by some (my daughter) to be a national holiday!

My dad, who joins us for our annual camping trip every year, has remarked that even though we are speaking English, he sometimes has a difficult time deciphering what we are actually saying. Therefore, I thought I would share a list of 13 favorite quotes, in honor of Bar, Kong. Bef and all the other 'bar-ticipants' ...

1. "BarCon is all about Smoking, Drinking, and Babies." ~ Bot, in an attempt to describe BarCon to his wife and colleagues.

2. "Merrrrrr?" or "Bebe?" ~ Bef's standard greeting

3. "Updates?" or the variations "Your update?" and "What do you HAVE there?" ~ Bef

4. "People are *bleep* animals." ~ Tim, in response to seeing the horrid mess and filth in the bathroom one year at Indian Mary.

5. "I'm so *bleep* sick of all this technology." ~ Me, in frustration to not being able to simply turn the channel because there are 6 remote controls!

6. Random word dictionary:

• fish = water bottle
• on the realms = playing WarCraft
• lambis bread = ciabatta bread (as per DD, her favorite item on the buffet in Hawaii, Bef called it lambis bread in reference to Lord of the Rings and it stuck)
• ka ka, ka ka = time to wake up (originally stated by Bar?, attempting to imitate the crows that awake us in the morning at Indian Mary, it has since become our standard 'alarm clock sound' or when we generally want to pester someone)
• hut = one's home or house
• andre = giant or big
• larder or the Y2K = pantry
• geflings or dinkums = children
• artic = shower
• hit the links = disc golf

7. "I like octopusses. But I not like to EAT octopusses." ~ DD, in Hawaii June '06, shortly after she found her prized pink/purple octopus toy and in reference to trying octopus on the buffet earlier that day.

8. "If you do it right, you don't get wet." ~ Kong '07

9. "That's misery." ~ Bot

10. "I could eat." and the variation "What's Bef got in his larder?" ~ Wrench

11. "Let's get it over with!" or the variations, "I just want to get it over with." and "Get it done!" ~ BuD

12. "Maximize the fun!" ~ BuD '07

13. "Will ya spot me?" ~ Dic


Let me know if I missed any.... :)

Yucky Yucky

When I started running again 2 years ago, I assumed that as the kids grew, I'd get stronger and therefore pushing them in the jogger would get easier. This was true for only the first year or so. I seem to have reached a plateau. Some days, pushing the jogger is a huge struggle.

My training plan called for 8-10 miles (with 6:00 min total uphill time) today. My hip was surprisingly not much of a concern but I just didn't feel much 'umph' today. I felt fatigued, sluggish and slow. I managed to pull out just 6 miles at an average 11 min mile pace. Without the stroller, I average about 8:30, so this bothers me. Granted, I stopped a few times to rehydrate, pick a leaf or two for the kiddos and talk about the difference between simple and compound leaves, answer random questions, and assist them with their snacks - generally forgetting to stop my watch (oops!) so I would guess I my pace was a little faster than recorded.

Perhaps it was the heat (low 80s)? Perhaps I didn't eat well enough last night/this morning? Perhaps I was just tired in general? In any case, I want to do better but don't want to overdo it either. It seems I'm walking a fine line. Then again, aren't we all?

Do-Follow

Most blogs don't allow comments to count as links. For example, if you leave a comment on my blog and you have your own blog though I can click on your name to get to your blog, the search engines do not count that as a real link. However, there is a movement called "do-follow" where the HTML code in your template is changed to allow everyone who comments to get a link back to their own blog. I first learned about this at Scribbit.

Check out Randa Clay's site to learn how to turn off the "no-follow" for your comments and give those who comment a link or two--I did. It allows everyone who comments on your blog to increase their power with the search engines and reinforces our community a little bit more.

Hips Don't Lie

This past week started off well and I had every reason to believe that everything would continue. However, it was not to be.

On Tuesday, my grandmother came over from Eugene to see the kids and I in 1880. On top of having an overnight guest, upon request, I also invited my cousin and his wife over for dinner. Therefore, as is typical for a Tuesday, I didn't get my run in with all the other things that were expected of me.

I should've gotten up earlier, I suppose. In the end, I didn't get to run on Wednesday or Thursday either. It just wouldn't have been cool to leave my grandma alone so I could go run for a couple of hours. Besides, it was nice to visit with her and spend time with her. I don't see her often enough. When the princess was born, we used to meet her for lunch every Friday and visit all afternoon. I certainly count my blessings - I feel I've had the opportunity to get to know her on another level. :)

So come Friday, I decided to skip Masters swimming and run instead. The kids were already signed up for childcare - so I elected to run at the fitness center. I had intended on running on the trail but I discovered upon arrival that I neglected to bring the Garmin. The plan for today was 2 miles @ GP, 2-3 @ Tempo, and 2 @ GP. I wouldn't have a clue how many loops to do for 2 miles so I opted to hit the treadmill.

I warmed-up on the trail for 10 minutes and then came inside. It was a beautiful day so I was a little bummed. The treadmills here at the fitness center have more bells and whistles than the one at the motel in Medford. I was therefore able to set my pace exactly where I wanted it... 7.1 mph or 8:27 for Goal Pace with an 1.0 incline. [Using the link Wes provided when I returned home, the conversion chart shows this to be 8:25 min mile pace.] I then stepped off to get a drink of water, stretch a little, and switch treadmills (the one I started on had an awful squeak which the trainers addressed as I was on #2). I then did 2 miles at 7.5 mph or 8:00 (incline 1.0). Again, I took a short break for water and then resumed for 1 mile at 8:27. I decided to cut it short here (finishing with a 1/2 mile cooldown) because my left hip started bothering me quite a bit.

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It has been bothering me for several weeks now (I first posted about it on 8/1). I originally thought it might be due to my cycle but the nagging soreness has remained even after the moon has changed. I raced the Circle the Bay 30K and it bothered me a bit then, too. I therefore took the week that followed off. No running. I got a massage. But still, no change.

When I resumed training last week 8/13, the nagging pain has been there. It eases up as I get warmed up (usually within the first mile) and then doesn't really bother me again until the later miles. I popped into a running store the other day to inquire... it was suggested that since I had been doing quite a bit of hill work preceding the 30K and since it was a hilly course, perhaps I just overworked my quads and need to stretch more. I've been trying (still need to work on that).

It bothered me quite a bit yesterday, so I blew off the 45-60 min easy run. I wanted fresh legs for my long run today... especially because it was my long run that got neglected last week! Today's plan was 11 miles with a fast finish. DH accompanied me with the kiddos in tow (I love it when they come along - I know he has to pedal slower and stop and wait frequently - but it is great to have company).

As we got underway, my hip just didn't want to play along. It felt tighter, weaker than previously. Before I was even 100 ft from my door, I was telling myself to just go as far as I could... don't push yourself, don't risk injury. After a mile, it started to feel better. By mile 4, I was feeling pretty good. At mile 6, nature called. Thankfully, there was relief close by (soccer practice has resumed) and I popped in briefly. Even though the rest was brief, my hip started to tighten up so getting started again was tough.

DH could see my running form/gait was changing again (as it had when I first started) and he reminded me to take it easy. "You don't want to overdo it. Build it back up little by little." I took his words to heart and elected to call it a day at 9. I sprinted the last 4 tenths of a mile but I still did not manage to get a fast finish. Oh well.

I will be calling the Dr. though. It's time to seek a professional opinion.

Childhood Memories ~ Thursday Thirteen

Favorite Memories of Growing Up

1. Mudflats ~ I grew up in Bandon, Oregon ... where the Coquille River flowed into the Pacific. Just across the street from our home on Riverside Drive, we could access the tidal flats when the sun and moon played tug-a-war. My brothers and I would frequently walk out onto the mudflats to explore, look for crabs, and dig for clams. About 50 meters from the shore, there was a rock outcropping that was accessible only on a low-tide. We would all climb up and pretend to be pirates or shipwrecked merchants.

2. Tessmans ~ About a half-mile down the street lived a family of 7 (4 girls, a boy, and their parents). The older girls, when they came of age, were our babysitters. The youngest, Christy, would frequently accompany them - I loved this because it meant that I would have a girl to play with. Together with my 2 younger brothers, we would play Monopoly, Barbies, or Hotwheels. We built forts in the woods, explored the neighbors property, and would often walk to Wilson's Market, taking the shortcut up the hill behind their home and across the old school property.

3. Wilson's Market ~ Wilson's Market was located upon the hill and if we kept to the roads, it was about 2 miles round trip. We'd save our allowance or beg for a few quarters each from my mom. With the money, we'd debate whether it was better to buy one standard candy bar or a bunch of penny candy. Occasionally, we'd pool our resources to buy a box of doughnuts or cookies.

4. Cheese Factory ~ As we got older and our parents permitted us to roam farther from home, we enjoyed going to the Bandon Cheese Factory where we'd sample the many delightful cheeses and curds. From their large viewing windows, you could watch the workers as they made the cheese, sliced it into smaller bricks and packaged it for sale. They sold ice-cream there as well, and of course we'd use our money to buy a huge scoop.

5. Roadside Craft Sales ~ In the summer months, we would occasionally set up a lemonade stand to earn a little money. More frequently however, we would sell our home-made crafts (typically a piece of driftwood with lichen and a small plastic toy animal glued atop to create a miniature scene). We never sold very much but there were two sales that I'll remember always.

• A group of Canadian tourists were traveling through on their bicyles and gave us $5 in Canadian currency. As little kids, we were elated! The foreign bills were so colorful!
  
• The other sale was to our neighbor, Mr. Cole, who was like a grandfather to us. He bought a small piece with a plastic mouse perched atop some lichen. He displayed that 'sculpture' on his piano and as us kids got older, he would proudly remind us of the day he bought it.

6. Mr. Cole ~ Our 'adopted' grandpa. He will always be remembered for his kind spirit and generosity. Every Halloween, he would give each of us kids in the neighborhood a little baggie with a snack-size Baby Ruth, Snickers, and a box of raisins. Every day after school, we'd get off the bus, drop our backpacks on our doorstep and run over to his house. He would be waiting with Ritz crackers, Grandma's cookies, and fig newtons. In the summer, he had fresh strawberries almost daily. He grew them himself... he had a huge garden in his backyard.

When I was in junior high, he had sustained an injury on his shin which later developed into a severe infection. He had difficulty walking and thereby didn't get around as easily as before. Each day after school, I would come over to visit with him and help him with a few chores as well as prepare his evening meal for him. When he was younger, he enjoyed woodworking. To my surprise, for my birthday one year, he presented me with a small wooden chest that he made for me. I have it to this day and will cherish it always.

7. Mr. Luthold's Property ~ Mr. Luthold lived just to the north of us and had a significantly large property with rolling hills and meadows. There was a patch of small white flowers upon one hill that we came to call "Snowwhite's Dress". There was a small sand dune on his property as well and we would spend entire afternoon's sledding down the hill in cardboard boxes. As we got older, we even tried skiing down on makeshift sand boards.

8. Monopoly ~ During one particular memorable game of Monopoly (Life, Uno, or ??) - to be honest, I don't recall the exact game we were playing - all I remember is that I kept losing! I didn't win once! I was becoming very frustrated and made the announcement that if I lost again, I would jump out my window (we lived in a 2-story home). Sure enough, I lost again. They others wouldn't let me out of my proclamation and so I proceeded to climb out my window. My parent's room was below mine and their window was directly beneath my bedroom window - I was therefore able to step out and get my toe on the upper ledge of their window. Beyond that, however, I didn't have anything to get a hand on... I lost my nerve and feared I break my leg if I were to jump. As I struggled there, we heard the mill's whistle blow announcing the end of the day-shift. Dad would be home within minutes! Everyone grabbed my arms and pulled as I climbed in as best I could. It was a close call. :)

9. The Property Out 7 Devils ~ My parents purchased a 30 acre piece of property along 7 Devils Hwy (between Charleston & Bandon) when we were young. Over the years, they worked hard on getting the building permits to construct their dream home. My dad would spend every weekend out there making improvements (he built a cabin, a ric-rac fence along the main road, and cleared an area to build upon). While he worked, my brothers and I would spend the time exploring the forest... building forts, making trails, collecting amphibians and insects, and creating our own Terabithia (one of my favorite books from childhood). I know this is why I grew to love nature and science.

But shortly after they had blue prints for the house drawn up, the mill where my dad worked closed down. He had a hard time finding work as other lumber mills were in the same situation. As a result, economic & environmental changes forced my parents to sell the property. One of the hardest decisions my dad ever had to make.

10. The Dares ~ Due to our economic situation, we didn't receive an allowance. Instead, my dad would hire us to do odd jobs: we painted his flat-bed truck - with brushes!, we helped paint the side of the house (as far as we could reach, anyway), we stacked firewood, hand lettered signs for his one-man sawmill, and anything else that needed done. Our family vacations always involved camping in some remote location... while there were often extra jobs to do on vacation, Dad would instead dare us to accomplish some unusual feat... treading water in the lake for 45 minutes, swimming a specific distance without taking a breath, and the most bizarre, sticking our tongue out for 30 minutes! If we were successful, he would award us with the pre-determined amount of money. Originally, he said he would pay us $2 to hold our tongue out for 30 minutes. When time was up, only 2 of us had successed (I being one of them) and we convinced him it was worth much more than $2. He paid us each $5.

11. Walking on Stilts ~ Our Dad was very innovative and would frequently construct climbing structures, forts, and other toys that would rival anything you could purchase at the store. One of my favorites was a pair of stilts he constructed from wood and bolts. The step on the stilts could be adjusted to different heights to accomodate our different skill levels. I got to be really good on them and in order to get onto the 4' step, I'd have to stand on the bed of Dad's flatbed truck and step onto the stilt steps. We even got creative one summer and invited our neighbors to an 'Imaginative Circus'. My brother dressed as a lion

12. The Inner Tube Trampoline ~ One day, Dad brought home the inner tube from a huge truck. It must have been 5' in diameter and all of us kids could stand on it. As we awaited the bus each morning, we'd jump on it like a trampoline... alternately launching one another skyward.

13. Bedtime Stories ~ I would have to say that our nightly ritual Bedtime Stories is one of the most precious memories that I have as a child growing up. You might assume that my parents would read us a story from a book before they tucked us in for bed. But that isn’t quite accurate. After each of us kids had brushed our teeth and changed into our pajamas, we would all gather together on one of the boys’ beds and Dad would tell stories of what it was like when he was a kid.

He grew up on the outskirts of Portland and his family later moved to Gilchrest, where he spent his elementary school years. He would describe adventures he shared with his two older brothers and jaunts he experienced alone. Some of the most memorable tales are when he and his brothers tried to fly by fashioning wings from materials they found around their home and then jumping off the roof of the barn ~ I remember we tried to emulate them a few times from the roof of Mr. Cole’s garage! They pestered hives of yellow-jackets. They found old cars abandoned in the woods and dragged them home in attempts to repair them. Many times, he would share the same story over and over… we never tired of hearing about his days as a child. Everything seemed so different back then, so innocent and magical.

Bedtime Stories of times past is a continued tradition in my home. Many nights, rather than reading a story from a book, my daughter will request stories from when I was a little girl. I do my best to accomodate her, but I am not as good a storyteller as my dad. Perhaps it is an acquired skill and with practice, I'll improve over time.

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Have I Been Running?

Some of you may be wondering... with all my attention focused on homeschooling, have I actually been training? Well, yes! Here is a summary....

Mon 8/13 - 1800m swim (300m w/u; 5x300m odds straight 300, evens 4x75 medley)
Tues 8/14 - Rest
Wed 8/15 - 4x1 mile @ Cruise Pace (7:40) = 7:38, 8:30, 8:27, 8:32 all w/jogger
Thr 8/16 - 2 miles @GP (8:30) = 8.23, 3 miles @T (8:00) = 8.03
Fri 8/17 - 1850m swim (550m w/u; 3x10 min of 75m medley; 200m c/d)
Sat 8/18 - 5 miles on treadmill (1 mile w/u; 2.75 'cross country' - very hilly; 1.25 mile c/d)
Sun 8/19 - Rest
Weeks End Mileage Total = 26 miles

Mon 8/20 - 2350m swim (450m w/u; 300m w/fins; pairs of 300m, 225m, 150m, 100m)
Tues 8/21 - Rest

Most days were pretty 'normal' training sessions. I was disappointed with my cruise pace on Wed 8/15, but I can't bother too much as I have to consider that I was pushing the jogger. Thr 8/16, I intended to do another 2 miles @GP at the end but literally ran into a neighbor I had wanted to talk with in regards to Living History (she volunteers as well)... so by the time we finished our conversation, I had to get back to the kiddos (our sitter had another obligation).

On Sat 8/18, we were in Medford with just enough time to squeeze in a shorter run. I knew I wouldn't have time to get my long run (10 miles with hills) in on Sunday, so I chose the 'cross-country' program on the treadmill and tried to cover as many miles as I could. The simulated 'hills' were tough so while I was at a speed of ~6.5 on the flat surface, I had to decrease the speed to 4.5 to climb some of those hills. How does the speed on a treadmill translate to real pace, anyway?

My swim yesterday was awesome! 2350 meters! I've swam that distance just once before back in January. In terms of running miles... that equates to about 5.8 miles. Sweet! I started out with a 450 m w/u (mixed stroke) and then did 300 m with fins. Then Coach Bob described the plan for the day: 300 m - 300 m - 225 m - 225 m - 150 m - 150 m - 100 m - 100 m with 30 seconds rest between each. The 2nd one of the pair was supposed to be 5 seconds faster per 100 m but my lane didn't bother with keeping time. We just focused on 'going the distance'. I led my lane each time and I was tired and hungry when we finished (as always). :)

Romeo & Juliet

We met up with Bar & Kong this weekend in Ashland to attend the Oregon Shakespeare Festival performance of Romeo & Juliet. We 'bar-pooled' down from our motel in Medford, arriving in Ashland about 4:40. We walked around a little and then went into Dragonfly for dinner. "A fusion of Latin and Asian food explodes with taste and satisfies the senses.” We dined outside in the 'gardens' and enjoyed a leisurely dinner without interruptions by our little ones. It was wonderful to re-connect as adults! :)After dinner, we attended a 30 minute preface or introduction to the story, themes and characters of "Romeo and Juliet". I was very pleased that we attended as there was a bit of a surprise in this production that otherwise would have been curious. As Romeo & Juliet is a play about opposities (love & hate, light & dark, young & old, family duty & desire), the director, Bill Rauch, chose to showcase these differences through costuming. The older generation would wear 1800s Elizabethian era costumes while the younger generation would be attired in modern-day clothing (Catholic school uniform, short chifon summer dresses, blue jeans and leather jackets, soccer team uniform .... just as you'd see on the streets today). Typically, the Capulets and the Montagues are dressed in contrasting colors (reds hues for one, blues for the other)... but in this case, the families would be otherwise indistinguishable. We'd just have to get to the know the characters through their actions and words.

Before the performance began, we had time to enjoy dessert and cocktails at the Hong Kong Bar (within Zingaro restaurant). We aren't big drinkers - we rarely have cocktails - but this evening afforded itself to the opportunity so we all took part. Yummy! DH tried a Lemon Drop for the first time and asked if I knew how to make them - yes! It will be fun to try out my recipe. :)

The play began at 8:00 p.m. on the Elizabethian Stage (outdoor). It was a beautiful evening and we required just a light sweater for comfort. As the play began, I immediately loved the effect of the costuming! Mercutio, played by Dan Donohue, was one of my favorite characters... he was dressed in blue jeans and a leather jacket and had a tattoo on either side of his neck - (George Clooney style in From Dusk 'til Dawn). He was o convincing!

I bought tickets in December so our seats were fabulous. We were on the left side of the stage in the 2nd row... close enough to reach out and touch the actors (if we had wanted to) and to observe their makeup, but not in the vicinity of an undesired shower (in an effort to project their voices, the actors frequently spray spittle upon those in the first couple of rows).

During the intermission, I noticed two young boys in the row ahead of us. We asked their age and discovered the younger of the two just turned 6 and his older brother was 8. I was immediately impressed for their behavior was commendable. The mother explained that they had been studying Shakespeare for about a year and that they had wanted to come to a performance in 2006 but children under 6 are not allowed. I knew immediately that they were a homeschooling family. It was just a hunch and upon my inquiry, she confirmed my assumption. Bar, Kong and DH were surprised that I knew - it's not as though they had a stamp on their forhead. I just knew.

As we drove back to Medford that evening... we joked around about DHs speed walk back to the car (losing Bar & Kong along the way), our impressions of the play, our plans for breakfast, and other random things that came to mind. All in all it was a fabulous evening. We wish we had arrainged for a longer stay - the time to take in more of the city (Bar & Kong had planned a 'Backstage Tour' on Sunday morning but we had to decline as my mom wanted to get back home before dark and had a few hours drive ahead of her yet). Yet - to have even a few hours to ourselves is a treat. :)

Reasons I Want to Homeschool ~ Thursday Thirteen

Over the past week, I have been giving a lot of thought to homeschooling my children. I have considered it in the past but have never spent any significant amount of time researching, discussing, and planning as I have now (the reason why I haven't posted much this week). As I've started to learn more - borrowing books from the library, doing research on the internet, talking with other homeschoolers - I have become more and more excited about the opportunity.

The greatest thing about it is that my husband and his parents, as well as my own parents, are behind me. My MIL even said, "That is great! I know they would learn so much from you." It was certainly a morale-booster. :)

I've thus decided to post 13 reasons why I want to homeschool for T13 this week.

1. Spend more time together as a family. Children will bond more with siblings and parents since they will spend more time together playing, working, and helping each other.

2. Allow children time to learn subjects not usually taught in their school. Time is available for more nonacademic pursuits such as art or music. Children do not have to wait until they are grown to begin to seriously explore their passions; they can start living now. Children's education can be more complete than what schools offer. This leads to a richer, happier life.

3. Allow children to have time for more in-depth study than what is allowed in school. Allow children to learn at their own pace, not too slow or too fast. Allow children to work at a level that is appropriate to their own developmental stage. Skills and concepts can be introduced at the right time for that child. Learning can be more efficient since methods can be used that suit a child's particular learning style.

4. Spend a lot of time out-of-doors. Spending more time out-of-doors results in feeling more in touch with the changing of the seasons and with the small and often overlooked miracles of nature.

5. Children learn to help more with household chores, developing a sense of personal responsibility. Children learn life skills, such as cooking, in a natural way, by spending time with adults who are engaged in those activities. More time spent on household responsibilities strengthens family bonds because people become more committed to things they have invested in (in this case, by working for the family).

6. Children will avoid being forced to work in "cooperative learning groups" which may include children who have very uncooperative attitudes. Children will be more willing to take risks and be creative since they do not have to worry about being embarrassed in front of peers.

7. Peer pressure will be reduced. There will be less pressure to grow up as quickly in terms of clothing styles, music, language, interest in the opposite sex. Social interactions will be by choice and based on common interests. Friends can be more varied, not just with the child's chronological age peer group who happen to go to the same school. Children will not learn to "fit into society," but will, instead, value morality and love more than status and money. Children who are "different" in any way can avoid being subjected to the constant and merciless teasing, taunting, and bullying which so often occurs in school.

8. Field trips can be taken on a much more frequent basis. Field trips can be much more enjoyable and more productive when not done with a large school group which usually involves moving too quickly and dealing with too many distractions. Field trips can be directly tied into the child's own curriculum.

9. Volunteer service activities can be included in the family's regular schedule. Community service can be of tremendous importance in a child's development and can be a great learning experience.

10. Scheduling can be flexible, allowing travel during less expensive and less crowded off-peak times. This can allow for more travel than otherwise, which is a wonderful learning experience.

11. Testing is optional. Time doesn't have to be spent on testing or preparing for testing unless the parent and/or child desires it. Observation and discussion are ongoing at home and additional assessment methods are often redundant. Testing, if used, is best used to indicate areas for further work. Grading is usually unnecessary and learning is seen as motivating in and of itself. Understanding and knowledge are the rewards for studying, rather than grades (or stickers, or teacher's approval, etc.).

12. Family will not be forced to work within school's traditional hours if it does not fit well with their job schedules and sleep needs. A more relaxed, less hectic lifestyle is possible when families do not feel the necessity to supplement school during after-school and week-end hours.

13. I enjoy learning alongside my children. Seeing their eyes light up with excitement. Most definitely, it is fun.

As I proceed, you can be assured that I'll share our activities and endeavors with those interested. I'll likely create a 2nd blog that focuses on our 'school'. :)

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Words to Live By

GB recently posted these words on a forum thread at Runners World. They were inspired by her recent loss of a dear friend. The words touched me and I wanted to create something to remember them.

Circle the Bay ~ Results

The full results have finally been published and I now know how I finished in comparison. There were 23 female runners in the individual 30K. Amongst them, I was 5th! In my age division, I was 3rd of 9.... definately a competitive division.

# Female Competitors per Age Division

14-18 years 1
19-24 years 1
25-29 years 1
30-34 years 5
35-39 years 9
40-44 years 3
45-49 years 2
60-64 years 1

... an interesting bell curve. I enjoyed this race very much. Due to the small number of participants, there is strong potential for placing well. I hope to run this one again next year. :)

I'm So Excited !

I got the green light to train for CIM!! I'm registering as soon as I post this. :)

Now I just need to get off my lazy butt. I still haven't done anything physical this week except my Mon swim and a massage on Fri (which was great, btw). My hip/back are much better. With a new goal, I've definately got focus and a re-newed drive.

Resting and Rejuvenating

I haven't run since the Circle the Bay on Saturday. My hip & lower back have still been bothering me just a bit. It is strange... when I'm moving about, I hardly notice it. But when I've been sitting or laying down for a while, and I go to stand and walk, it feels a little 'weak'. As though it might not support my weight... but there isn't really any pain, per se. Just an odd, achy muscle. My girlfriend, Deb, says I likely pulled a tendon or a muscle. I think she's right so I've been taking it very easy.


I swam on Monday (1600m) and it felt good ... a great recovery workout. Otherwise, I've been quite lazy. I intended on doing a couple short-easy runs on Wed and Thr and then swimming with Masters today - but, I've talked myself out of all it... choosing to work on creative projects and planning for DDs party. I have a massage scheduled for this afternoon (belated Valentine's gift from DH) - I'm hoping my hip/back will feel better thereafter. We'll see.


Meanwhile, I have been trying to decide which marathon to register for Fall. The top 2 contenders are Humboldt Redwoods (Oct 21) and California International (Dec 2).


Humboldt +
Closer - Less travel time
Beautiful course
Many positive reviews
It's in October (easier to train for)
Cool T-shirt (really - should it matter?)


Humboldt -
Virtually no specators


California +
GB is running it & I'd get a chance to meet her :)
Relatively all downhill
Many positive reviews
B! and L could potentially come to cheer me on


California -
It's in December (harder to train for)



Oh! Decisions. Decisions.

Collections ~ Thursday Thirteen

The theme this month for Scribbit's monthly writing contest is 'Collections'. I thought I'd create a list... and thereby tie it into the Thursday Thirteen Challenge this week.

1. Insects ~ I originally started collecting insects to use in my classroom. I taught elementary science to 4th, 5th and 6th graders for four years. Each trimester, the students were required to do a science project that accounted for 25% of their grade. In the fall, 5th grade students did traditional insect collections (or suggested variations: photographs, illustrations, live habitat, etc.). Since then, I've continued to add to my collection and display the colorful specimens in shadow boxes. My daughter even has a collection of her own!

2. Lapel Pins ~ While attending the NASA workshop, we attended seminars to familiarize ourselves with each of the major projects at JPL. The scientists and engineers facilitating these teacher training seminars gave each of us lapel pins to commemorate the project... Stardust, Cassini, Discovery, Jason, Mars Surveyor, Topex/Poseidon, etc. Thus, the beginning of my lapel pin collection. Now, I collect pins to commemorate our vacations, memorable times in my life (OSU), and some are gifts from friends/family. They are placed in a shadow box... but I've yet to find a place to hang them.

3. Prince Albums/CDs ~ I've loved Prince since Jr. High and started buying his albums through Columbia Records Mail Order (remember them?). Since then, I have tried to obtain every track he has released - whether on LP, 45, or CD.

4. Pine Cones ~ I am a naturalist. I love the outdoors. I love nature. I love learning about the natural world around us. Many of my biology courses at Oregon State were in Cordley Hall... within which is an impressive ornithological collection. I enjoyed spending a few moments between lectures admiring this collection, marveling at the diversity of the planet. When I started teaching, as with insects, I started collecting pine cones and other natural specimens to use in my classroom. Many of which are now used to decorate my home.

5. Christmas Tree Ornaments ~ While on vacation, I always purchase an ornament to hang on our tree as a memento of our trip. I try to avoid the 'touristy' type of ornaments, however, and attempt to find something that is more representative of the region/state.

6. Finishers Medals ~ What runner doesn't collect and display their finishers medals? I have just 4.... Haulin' Aspen Half-Marathon '06 (a cow bell!), Portland Marathon '06, Eugene Half-Marathon '07, and Circle the Bay 30K '07.

7. Seashells ~ Another collection inspired by early naturalists. I used to accent my collection by purchasing shells at gift stores until I learned how many of these are obtained. As with insects, I now only collect those which I've been lucky enough to discover that have washed ashore due to natural circumstances. I also collect sand (in small jars or film canisters) from all over the world. Comparing samples and looking at them beneath a microscope is a great learning activity.

8. Bird Nests ~ And yet another.... I've been lucky and a couple of my nests have the remains of robin egg shells. I even have a hummingbird nest, an egg, and two real hummingbirds that I've put together on a small wreath with silk flowers (they are small enough that their feathers conceal the blemishes - both were found lying on a trail and died of unknown causes).

9. Autographs ~ I don't think I'm alone here... when presented with the opportunity, I enjoy meeting famous people and I will politely ask for their autograph. With one exception (Seeing Stone Phillips from Dateline aboard a Horizon Air flight and asking for his autograph while we all waited for our luggage), I've only had these opportunities at book signings or author talks where an organized signing took place. Some of the talented people I've met are Jane Goodall, Bill Nye, Barbara Morgan, Kenny Moore, and Buzz Aldrin.

10. Handkerchiefs ~ I can't actually take credit for this one... my grandmother recently gave me her handerchief collection. There are 18 handmade handkerchiefs displayed in a myrtlewood shadow box that her second husband made for her. In the collection, there is a silk handkerchief over 100 years old that features hand embroidery made by her grandmother, several organdy handkerchiefs with hairpin lace, and a 75 year old handkerchief holder (like a small hand purse). It is a beautiful collection and one I'll cherish always.

11. Photographs ~ I love taking pictures. We purchased our first digital camera in Aug of 2002 (Canon Powershot G2) - just before our daughter was born. Since then, the quality of my photograhs has increased ten fold! We have over 8500 images! I love the digital format as it allows me to see the image I've captured immediately and thereby make any necessary adjustments. I enjoy reading the articles in scrapbooking magazines about photography and would love to someday take a class to further my skills. We just upgraded our digital camera (Canon Powershot S5 IS) and I look forward to exploring its new features. Many professional scrapbookers rave about the Canon Rebel or Nikon D2X but I seldom used the special features of the Powershot... so I know I wouldn't utilize them on the Rebel. We had been very happy with the G2 so we figured the new version would suit our needs perfectly.

12. Scrapbooks ~ While most people with digital cameras today fail to do more than download them onto their PC, I scrapbook them. Initially, I would print out the images I wanted to use to tell a particular 'story' (Baby's First Tooth, Christmas Eve 2004, or Hawaii Vacation 2002) and then I would take them to the scrapbook store to purchase papers and coordinating embellishments. I've since evolved and I now create my pages digitally... much faster, less messy, and less expensive. I have over 20 albums... most of which are completed but a few are in-progress. I generally scrapbook chronologically but have recently begun to create more thematic albums. I also enjoy creating albums for friends & family as gifts. As an avid scrapbooker, it's no wonder I collect photographs.

13. Family Stories ~ This may seem like an odd thing to collect. I organized a family reunion for my Dad's side of the family a few years ago. As planning was underway, I wrote to everyone and asked that they take a few moments to write down fond memories they had of growing up, family traditions they recalled from their childhood, memorable experiences or adventures their parents had shared with them, etc. Some submitted a brief paragraph written by hand, while others gave me lengthy narratives typed out in an essay. I encouraged them to send photographs to accompany their stories. I spent many hours with my grandmother going over our genealogy and gathering factual details about my ancestors. I then compiled all these stories and photographs into a Family Legacy Album, a collection of scrapbook pages and stories that I archived on a CD for everyone attending the reunion. As you can imagine, this was a huge undertaking and is still in progress. Surprisingly, only four of my relatives contributed to the project, therefore there are many holes or dead ends in the story.

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Submitted to August Write-Away Contest 9th August 2007. Thursday Thirteen graphic banner provided by Serenity.

A Salute to Barbara Morgan

While I was teaching, I was a member of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and as such, had the opportunity to attend many state and national conventions. I attended a few math and reading conventions as well, but the NSTA conventions were always more enjoyable, at least for me. There were more sessions. More engaging keynote speakers. The exhibit hall was actually a little overwhelming and I generally spent an entire afternoon browsing the booths and collecting all the freebies.

When I first started teaching, I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with some remarkable science teachers in my district and the neighboring district to the south. :) One of the most influential teachers I worked with was George Tinker, the biology teacher at Marshfield (Steve Prefontaine graduated from MHS in 1969). It was through him that I learned of the many opportunities available to teachers - grants & awards, paid summer assignments (TOSAs), corporate & government teacher workshops (NASA, FDA, etc.), and community partnerships for the classroom.

I started to apply for grants and summer workshops. In June 2000, I was selected to participate in a 2-week teacher workshop at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California (all expenses paid)! It was a chance of a lifetime and it opened many doors for me. That summer marked a big transition point in my professional life - I was no longer the elementary science specialist - in the fall, I would become a 5th grade classroom teacher. It was a board decision based upon legislature funding and budget cuts - it had nothing to do with me - but I was feeling down none the less.

Interacting with other elementary teachers who had strong interests in science and meeting all the engineers and scientists at JPL (all of whom thanked us - for it was teachers like us who had inspired them to pursue careers in science) lifted my spirits.

In March of 2001, I attended the NSTA national convention in St.Louis, Missouri (most of my trip was funded by an award I received from CIBA and the Council for Elementary Science Instruction or CESI). The highlight of the trip was the CESI luncheon. Shortly after our arrival, DH and I were ushered to a table that had been reserved for us and several council members. I was introduced to Barbara Morgan and several council members. Everyone was genuinely excited to meet me. It was a strange feeling... everyone was giving me hugs and shaking my hand. The CESI/CIBA award, I learned, was their highest honor and Barbara Morgan was a past recipient.

When I was finally able to sit down and take a moment to look over the agenda, I discovered that Bill Nye was also being presented an award. There were over 400 people at this luncheon - including a few JPL teacher alumni from the previous summer. When Barbara Morgan gave her address, she said, "Isn't it wonderful to have bright, young people like ... ..... teaching?" She actually used my name!! I was so honored.

Let us all salute Barbara Morgan, a former Idaho elementary science teacher, and her launch aboard the space shuttle Endeavor. Morgan is one of seven STS-118 crewmates selected for the 11-day construction mission to the International Space Station (ISS), scheduled to launch today, Wednesday, August 8.

In the words of Bill Nye, "Science is what keeps the P B and J in teaching ... the Passion Beauty and Joy."

Read more about Barbara Morgan and her upcoming space flight.

Public Pool or Private Party for Seniors??

The kiddos and I went to the public pool & fitness center yesterday (part of our regular routine). When we arrived, all the 'family changing rooms' were occupied and there were 3 families already waiting in line. As we were simply going to change out of our street clothes and into our swimwear [a quick 5 minutes or so - we're not up to triathlon transitions just yet], I opted to use the women's changing room rather than wait and have to hassle with potential issues of my son running off, getting into other people things, etc. He is just 2 so you can imagine how he likes to wait. Besides, we were planning to meet a friend and her boys for a playdate and we were running a little late as it was.

When I entered the locker room, there were two elderly ladies just near the door who were engaged in a conversation. One says to the other, "I just don't see why they can't use the family changing rooms?" We had just walked in, so I knew they couldn't have been talking about us but I chose to interject anyway - we were right next to them on the bench so it was impossible to pretend I didn't hear. "All of the family rooms are occupied and there is a long line."

Other than glance in my direction, neither woman responded to me. So the kiddos and I proceeded about our business. Their conversation continues... one says to the other, "Well I wouldn't think they'd want their boy to see other women nude." I choose to interject again - "My guy is only two. He is too young to really even know there is a difference." The woman who made the comment walks to the mirror (behind me). The other woman peeks around the divider on the bench and says, "I've had 3 children and I'm not concerned. I think it is healthier now how children are raised. When I was little, I never saw my parents naked and that created issues for me later. I think it's good that the younger generation is more open."

The other woman pipes up again and says, "Well I didn't have children and I am just not comfortable with children seeing me naked." I chose to keep my mouth shut again - perhaps I should never have spoken in the first place. I start to talk with the kiddos about 'nothing' just to distract myself. A few moments later, DD starts to sing softly (I don't recall her words - I think it was mostly humming) while DS is beginning to follow suit. Neither of them are being very loud... acceptable indoor voices... when this lady speaks up again, "Can you please just be quiet? This old lady would just like some peace."

Again, she is behind me. I don't see who she is talking to directly. However, I can only assume that she is referring to us... I hurry the kids along and try to get them to shush. DD doesn't understand... I ignore her questioning and I explain to her when we get outside the locker room and walk to the pool.

This interaction really bugged me. I don't know why I always back away from confrontration not knowing how to react, what to say. Later... the scenario plays back through my head and I can think of all kinds of responses. I'm kicking myself. Wishing I had said something else to stand up for myself and other parents.

This is a public facility!! If she wanted privacy, go to the Athletic Club or.... wait in line and use the family changing room yourself ! There is no regulation that requires families or small children to NOT use the women's (or men's) changing room. Besides, it is not like I brought in a teenage boy to oogle her? Both of the kids were well mannered. They did as I asked them and used indoor voices. This is a multi-generational facility supported by my tax dollars. If you don't like it... pay the premium to go elsewhere.

Am I wrong?

Strongly Considering ...

Sunday, October 14, 2007 Long Beach International Marathon

Sunday, October 21, 2007 Humboldt Redwoods Marathon

Sunday, December 2, 2007 California International Marathon

Haven't yet approached DH to negotiate.

Circle the Bay ~ Race Report

A Beautiful Day! A Challenging Course!

We left Central Oregon at 8 p.m. on Thursday night. Certainly not typical for us but I wanted to get a good days rest on Friday and I knew the kids would sleep better on the way if we left at night rather than in the morning. Besides, they were eager to go, "Grandma & Papa miss me. I want to go tonight. I can't wait for tomorrow."

DH wasn't too pleased - I snoozed a little on the drive over - and he was tired himself. In retrospect, we should've waited. We didnt' arrive until nearly midnight! I apologized then and do so again here, publically, "I'm sorry, honey."

I had a difficult time getting to sleep on Friday night. I was actually a little nervous about the race. I had high hopes (wanting to finish in ~2:30) and was concerned about a few variables I hadn't quite anticipated (my nagging hip, a recent visit from Mother Nature that would prove to leave me drained, warmer temps than typical for the coast, and a hilly course).

We arrived at the start around 7:30 a.m., picked up my bib, and immediately hooked up with Bar and Kong. The kiddos stayed home with Grandma and Papa - they planned to pick apples and walk to the park. Fun for them - less stress for us. :)

Not only did I grow up here, but I taught for 6 years in the school district and DH was the pharmacy director before we moved to Central Oregon - so I saw many familiar faces in the small crowd. Several whom were former students (one of which went on to win!). I even bumped into my cousin (on my mom's side) and his family... their youngest was running the first leg of the relay option.

As families grow and circumstances force us to move away, it is sad that we often grow apart. I seldom see many of my cousins - if we are lucky we get together once a year at Christmas. Sometimes I catch myself wishing things could be as they were in the past - but even in the 1800s, many families that chose to emigrate on the Oregon Trail knew they wouldn't see the loved ones they left behind again.

The race was small - I'm guessing about 60 participants [I don't have an official count or results just yet - I'll post more as soon as I learn more]. The weather was beautiful - a little unexpected for a coast that is known for foggy, overcast mornings. After the start, runners proceeded through the park and under the bridge to the west side of highway 101 where they then proceeded south.

Kong and I ran together for a short time - we both had different expectations/goals - so we wished one another luck and then proceeded to run our own race. Shortly thereafter, I ran alongside another woman for the first 4-5 miles... she asked me almost immediately what my expected finish time was... when I told her, she said, "Oh. I guess I'll see you at the finish then." But she soon thereafter decided to stay with me... she said, "Since you are a local, I guess I'll try to stay with you so I don't go off course and get lost." We chuckled. For a while, she was even ahead of me - as I was watching my Garmin and trying to stay around an 8:15 pace. I lost her after we passed Fred Meyer and approached the first hill, Bunker Hill.

I saw my dad at 7-11 and got a big, encouraging hug. I was so happy that he came out to cheer me on. It certainly means a lot when friends & family support you. DH drove along the entire course, stopping periodically to take photos of Kong and I. Very cool!

He captured some great shots (and of course a few with horrid facial expressions - so I deleted those - no sense taking up space on the hard-drive). We just got a new camera (Canon Powershot S5 IS) so he played with the settings as well. The 'sports' setting allowed him to capture me 'in action' and so I've tried to put them together so I can analyze my running form.

At the 7 mile marker, I was running about 1 minute ahead of my plan. I hadn't reached the 'hilly' segment of the course yet so I was pleased with this. Just before the 9 mile marker, I started to get a little chaffing in my underarm area - new top! I should've known. I wanted to wear something a little flashy - DH had remarked during the Smith Rock 15K a few weeks back that he had a hard time finding me because I wore a white t-shirt like everyone else. So a few days ago, I treated myself. I wasn't able to find anyone with Vaseline or BodyGlide, but fortunately a bystander did volunteer her chapstick (I scraped off a bit off the top with my finger). Relief!

About 11-12 miles in and my back and hip started to really bother me. When this set of photos were taken, I asked DH if he had ibuprofen... he didn't but was able to get some from a friend who lived in the area... he met me a few miles down the road with water and drugs! :) I drank a little Poweraide at miles 3, 9, and 15... I consumed 3 Clif Shot blocks with a little water at miles 6 and 12. Just the boost I needed to stay strong, although my pace started to slip a little (typical for me - I always wane in the middle).

The hills come on in the last 4-5 miles. I was feeling very fatigued but hung on. A relay runner with a Eugene 1/2 marathon t-shirt passed me about this point and I really wanted to stay with her - I knew she was running on fresh legs but I decided I wanted to finish before her. I kept her within eyesight and finally caught her in Glasgow shortly after I saw my dad again (as I said, seeing friends/family along the course is a great ego-boost and motivator). :)

When I started across the McCullough Bridge, I could hear another runner breathing down my neck. I assumed it was the woman with the Eugene t-shirt, but the photos later revealed it was another woman. Her presence though, helped to assure that I finished strong. I had my usual strong kick left and pushed it to the end.

Unfortunately, I didn't achieve my time goal... I finished in 2:44:13 which put me in 3rd for my age division (average pace of 8:46). I don't yet know the overall results but I am very pleased with my efforts. It was a beautiful and challenging course. I will definately run this one again. As of yet, I haven't decided what will be my next big race. Stay tuned. :)

New Hairstyle

I've procrastinated on posting this solely because I haven't taken the time to take photos... I got my hair cut on 7/26 quite on a whim. The night before DH and I had gone The Fray concert and while there I admired the hairstyles of several women with similar cuts. Having a clear idea of what I wanted, I visited my hairstylist on Thr and described the cut. As she cut the sides, I suspected she was cutting shorter than I had described but I didn't say anything. I didn't have my glasses on so it was hard to tell.

When she was finished and I put my glasses on again, I could tell immediately that it was shorter than I had initially desired. As I played with it though, I liked it immediately. It is the same cut my little princess used to sport a year ago (she has since grown hers out long)... it's called an 'A Line' cut. It is totally me. I love it.

I don't have good photographs of the hairstyle just yet - I felt inspired to post today by Neese, who is now sporting a new posh style herself. :) Completely coincidental! This photo was taken on Saturday during my race - as evidence that it is indeed short. I'll edit this post soon with better shots.

Tempo Love

With my race this weekend, I tweaked my plan today a little so I wouldn't overdo it. I want to be well rested and antsy come Saturday at 8 a.m.

I did a 1/2 mile warmup and then started a 4 mile Tempo run. Initially, I intended on doing 2 miles at Goal Pace (8:30) and 2 miles at Tempo Pace (8:08). When I hit the lap button at 2.55 miles, however, it read 16:02 (8:01). Seeing as I went out fast, I thought I better up the pace for the last two as well. At 4.55 miles, the Garmin declared 15:27 (7:43). Very cool. I finished it all with a 1/2 mile cooldown and then I hit 'the arctic'.

I'll be off for the weekend but will post a race report when I return. Good luck to all of you who race this weekend - my thoughts are with you. May we all be speedy & strong. :)

County Fair

As a child, I loved going to the county fair. It was an opportunity to see friends I hadn't seen all summer, enjoy yummy calorie-rich food (fry bread, caramel apples, cotton candy, yakisoba noodles & teriyaki chicken on a stick), marvel at the crafts and floral arrangements.

Since my little ones were born, we've gone to the fair annually but we spend most of the time looking at the animals, we take in a few of the exhibits and then depart after a bite to eat. As the kids have been getting older, we spend a little more time and enjoy more of what the fair has to offer. My daughter loves the rides... and come to discover, so does my son (a little timid at first, he declined the 'tiger roller-coaster' - but brave and outgoing after his initial ride). It was a lot of fun watching them - a good test for Disneyland in October. :)

The kids enjoyed 7 rides a piece and then we all got something to eat for dinner. The kids chose "Corn-Dogs, Fries & Soda" - a special time so we treated them to soda. The little guy is using his words more and more now and it is so cute to listen to him verbalize his desires. I love the way kids pronounce words...

After we gorged ourselves on yummy fair food - we went in to enjoy a concert... Eddie Money! Some might guess I'm too young (thank you, btw) to know who he is... but I love his music. It was great to see him perform live - he can still 'kick-it'. The kids didn't like the music so loud - we therefore didn't stay for the entire performance (unfortunately) but when we were there, they danced and shook their little booties! Too cute! :)

We then got Shave Ice and walked around a little before going into the exhibit hall to see how our princess did with her entries (and mine). :)

The Princess
scrapbook page - 2nd place
needlework - 1st place
photography (series of 6) - 1st place

Me
scrapbook page - 3rd place
pine needle basket - 2nd place
photography (computer manipulated - adult novice) - honorable mention
photography (storytelling) - did not place

My guess is that DD would have placed better with her scrapbook page had she hand-wrote the journaling (instead, I transcribed what she told me). She was the only entrant for her age-group in needlework. I hope she does this category again. I love hand-embroidery and I think she could do so well.

There was only one other entrant for pine needle baskets... her basket stood about 1-2 feet tall (resembling a tall vase) and had a lid and braided twine around the outside. It's no wonder I took 2nd... I chose to enter the 1st basket I ever created and it was rather small. I plan to enter this category again in '08. For my scrapbook entry, I went with "Autumn Apples" as it seemed to be the one for which most people (both online and in person) voted. It was the only digital scrapbook page - I think that may have hurt me a bit. I'm perplexed by the photography (computer manipulated category) - I could only find one other entry. I'll likely enter this category again as well. It's fun. :)

And now... the winner of my voting contest...

...I put the names of everyone who submitted a vote to help me choose the scrapbook book page for the fair into a bucket, mixed 'em up and drew out the winning entrant...

Amaras_Mom

Congratulations! Your prize - a Digital Scrapbook Page

Just email me 1-4 related photos and a brief description (for journaling) of the 'story' and I'll email you back an image suitable for printing. :)

A Litte Nag...

This past week my left hip joint has been nagging me just a bit. When I run, it eases up and is less noticeable after about 5-10 minutes so I am not too concerned. I have a feeling it might be due to my cycle (sorry to mention it, guys - but it does play a big part in training). Typically, it's my lower back that bugs me this time of the month, but that seems to be less so. ???

As such, I am even more nervous about this upcoming Saturday. There a number of my running friends (Wes, Donald, and Kong) also doing a race this weekend though - so there should be many good vibes in the air. :)

OSN: Monday 1950m swim
ORN: Wednesday 4 miles easy

July Totals:
Running Miles 124.9
Swimming Miles 9.17