Hello? Is this thing ON?

Wow!  When was my last post?  During the Reagan Administration?  OK, it wasn't THAT long ago, but it surely feels like it.  Where did the time go?  Last thing I remember, was the Run for the Roses in June, and meeting Stacie and Kim.  Next thing I know, I have just finished the Portland Marathon...slower than my first one.  Wait, is that right?  Yup, nearly 4 minutes SLOWER than my first one.  What the heck?  Did I crash out?  Did I hit the wall harder than last time?  Did I injure myself?  Stop for a beer at the tavern at about mile 19? (no but I did think about it)  And, why on earth would I say I had the BEST time ever?  Welcome back to the ramblings of me...

Run for the Roses, and I got to meet a few fantastic people.

I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, on the west side of the Cascades.  I like the rain.  I do everything in the rain.  It is a function of having grown up in the rain.  I firmly believe the State bird should be the SLUG, and the state flower is MOSS.  That or the razor fern.  I actually like ferns.  I move around, I have been in places that have two seasons, and in places with four, complete with snow and ice and such.  I, however, prefer to live here in the PNW, where we have four seasons, Spring (warming rain), Summer (warm rain), Fall (cooling rain) and Winter (cold rain).  Why would I want to live somewhere that averages three feet of rain a year?  Everything stays mostly green all year round.  I can run in January outside, and not worry about my water bottle freezing, and I can get out in July and August in the mornings and not fight with temps in the triple-digits.  What does this have to do with the race on Saturday?  Well, for the past few months, we have had temps that barely reached 60, Saturday was 60 at 7:00 am.  By the time the race was well under way it was hot to my moss and algae covered self.  But I still had a lot of fun.

Signage for Saturday!!

Who is going to be running in the Run for the Roses in Sherwood this coming Saturday?  I will be going out to get the stuff to make signs for the path.  Also, if you tell me which race you are running, I can make sure they are in good spots to give a little boost at the right times.  I will warn everyone that is running the Pikermi (13.1 miler) that the little climb up to mile 8 will be a bit of a tough one if you don't do hills often.  It isn't a huge climb it is just a bit steep for a short distance and everyone that runs it gives that little road a nod for being just a little tough.  Just leave me a comment or send me an e-mail at nstrickland007-at-gmail-dot com and let me know what name you want on the signs.  I am looking forward to possibly meeting some of you.

And for all the service members in all the countries in the world that have served ever, and especially those who served when our "leaders" were being less than intelligent, Thank you.  Your service allows me and all of us who post blogs from around the world to be able to do so.

Rum Run!!! OR How my kids didn't get their medals

This past Sunday was the 10 Cane Rum Run to raise money for the Children's Cancer Association.  A worthy cause, and one for which we are semi connected to.  You can read why here.  So the day dawned just about perfect for a race day.  It was overcast and about 50.  Nice weather for putting on the running shoes.  I was dreading the thought of having the sun come out and warming things up.  I put the finishing touches on the Strata that we would be eating for brunch and programmed the oven to start cooking while we were out.  The sitter showed up to watch Number 4, and the rest of us headed to the van.  All looking quite sporty in our black shirts.

Just a couple of weeks away

The Rum Run is next weekend, I have no idea if it is sold out or not.  But, the Oregon Run for the Roses in Sherwood is only a couple of weeks away.  I am figuring out how to build a "free standing" banner so that my girls can decorate it.  I thought it might be fun to have our blogger names {to protect the paranoid ;-)}on it.  It was just a thought and one that can be ignored if you choose.  I've had a bad training week, and am looking forward to re-booting this week. 

Cheers!

How to pick your race....

I posted a few months ago that I was looking forward to running the three races in Sherwood this year.  This is because I can walk to the start/finish lines.  I like to support my local races and they were fun last year, and I see no reason for this year's races to be any different.  HOWEVER, sometimes things get "picked for you".  This year, and maybe for many to come, I have a new race to run.  I joked about this race last week because I just can't see the name 10 Cane Rum without seeing "iocane" from the "Princess Bride".  BUT, there is another reason to run this race....their beneficiary; the Children's Cancer Association.  The reason this becomes even more of an importance, is that there is a tiny little girl that is fighting this horrible, terrible, insidious disease.  Her families story can be found here: http://anopportunityforjoy.wordpress.com/

Crazy is defined as....

Signing up for a race that is 12 months and a bit away.  Seriously, at 1:50 am on Saturday I mean Sunday morning I signed up for my third inaugural event.  How in the heck can I find new, never run before races more than once or twice?  I'm seriously thinking this is kinda cool.  I missed the Fueled by Fine Wine run last year, which ended up being fine since I was laid up with a bum ankle.  But, so far this year, I have nailed the first ever marathon from Vernonia to Banks put on by the ORRC.  And in a month the first ever Pikermi in Sherwood, for the Run for the Roses.  Like them on Facebook and if they hit 500 some lucky two people get in for free!