Rambling Anne

I've been a little out of it as far as blogging goes.  I've been a little preoccupied by one of the best tennis tournaments and I have been trying to wrap my head around the fact that it's nearing the end of January.  I'm honestly not sure how it happened, but gosh, I feel like I always say that once it hits the end of the month.  Real original, Anne.  Even still, I am thrilled it's almost February!  For the record, I do not think I have ever said that in my life.  I relate February to the worst month of winter, school, nothing to look forward to, etc.  Truly, I think the month is close to my least favorite.  BUT, this time, I am not in school.  I'm looking forward to traveling home for two weeks instead.  And when you ask me what I have been dreaming about most (because you always ask me that)?  Sure, I could say hugging my family, catching up with friends, or eating delicious home cooked meals made by my beautiful mother.  Except, I've really been dreaming about flannel sheets.  Yes, flannel sheets.  Warm, soft, aged, flannel sheets.  While flannel sheets are on my mind 75% of the day, I still am ecstatic to go home for all of those other great reasons!  I know that I will probably hit the worst of the weather but this time I am okay with it.  As long as I don't slip on ice and crack my elbow again like my last trip home.  That really was the ice-ing on the top of the cake.

Have a pleasant Sunday.  I'll be back tomorrow talking about my lack of running and 17 miler I have rescheduled for the morning.  I'm my own running boss...

       Best,
              Anne

Snow days

Hi there.
We have had a few interesting days in Seattle.  For one, it snowed a lot.  This means the city shut down almost completely.  Thankfully I did not have to  would never drive in such conditions so I was able to relax at the apartment as I watched the snow swirl in the bitter air.  I prayed that I would not see any accidents as I watched trucks turn and fish tail until they were able to drive properly on the road.  The problem is that Seattle does not prepare for this sort of snow/ice storm.  I never could understand that.  Sure, it doesn't happen often but it seems that each time it does people say that Seattle is not equipped to plow and salt all of the roads in a timely manner. If you keep saying that, doesn't it mean that for a few days every year or so, it's vital to clear the roads for a safe city?  Even still, I was grateful for a couple days to regroup.  To relax.  To stay warm.  To reflect. To walk around a calm and peaceful, snowy city.  To be.

We are back to rain now, but the feeling is comfortably familiar.  I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday and a relaxing weekend.  I'll leave you with a few nice images I found while I relaxed the past two days.

images via Pinterest

         Best, 

                Anne

Oh my darling

image via Pinterest

          Best, 

               Anne

Back to San Francisco I go

Hi guys, 

Sorry, I have been away but HEY I'm here.  Not much to report other than I am happy to have a flight booked to San Francisco the day before the marathon in Napa Valley.  I feel like I just decided I was going to run this marathon but here I am a month and some weeks away from running it!  Heavens to Betsy!  I'm truly excited to fly to San Francisco.  First, you know just how much I love airports!  Especially going to new airports!  In a pretty city such as San Francisco!  Gosh, I'm excited. Clearly. Second, I'll be able to see a friend in San Francisco and family before heading to Napa to prepare for the race.  I'm really gearing up for the post race wine drinking but even still, I'll prepare to the very best of my ability.  On that note, I better shower after my 6 miler.  By the way, I've missed you guys.

images via Pinterest

           Best, 

                  Anne 

Before or After?

For the past few months I have been eating breakfast after my workout in the morning.  I have never been that person.  I have been the person who opens her eyes in the morning and expects a bowl of oatmeal to be staring back.  I am not certain how this started but it hasn't changed me too much.  Since I wake up so early to workout, I end up eating breakfast at a "normal" time by the time I'm done. It has been interesting to do this while training.  Sure, if I end up running at 2 pm obviously I have already had breakfast.  This is just if I have to workout before I work in the morning.  Today was the same as the past few months.  I woke up at 5 am and had a 14 miler on the docket.  I did not have time to eat and digest prior to running, so I just went for it.  Honestly, it was no problem.  It reminded me of Jackson Browne's hit, Running on Empty (Stomachs).  That was precisely what I was doing. (I'm not sure if you are aware, but I have this...quirk.  I change song titles and lyrics to relate to anything I do or see or think throughout the day.  It's a problem, but we can talk about it more later). Even still, I survived my 14 miles and I only started to feel starving around mile 10.  Not too bad!  I was capable of powering through the last 4 miles and then it was time to eat some breakfast and start work.  It's truly amazing what you can accomplish when it's still dark out.*

          Best,
                 Anne

*Mom, I didn't run outside...don't worry.

A new spin on marathon training

Enjoy! (I am not enjoying this image though...)

       Best,
             Anne

2012

Happy New Year, friends!

I hope you all had a beautiful 2011.  So many things happened in 2011!  Well, I mean, I would hope so if there are 365 days to fill.  Last year I made a list of goals to complete. Here they are:

-Drink more water -You bet!

-Sleep more-Ehhh. Nope. I definitely did not. 

-Eat more spinach-Yup! Yum.

-See my sister get married-Perhaps one of my favorite goals to complete! I will remember that excitement forever. I'm smiling at the thought of it all. 

-Not pass out when I give my maid of honor speech-BARELY completed this. 

-Travel often-I traveled home. I went on a road trip down the coast. 

-Work harder-Daily. 

-Graduate-Au revoir, WWU! 

-Run a race-I ran, like, 2 marathons...

-Volunteer more-Cancer Education Center for the win. 

-Drive less-Yes! Living in Seattle requires less driving. I guess the road trip to California didn't help, but I think I still drive less. And the road trip was worth it, okay?

-Change the world-Not yet...

So not bad, huh?  I set some good goals that can be used time and time again.  I haven't thought about resolutions or goals, but I have thought about the new year. 

I love the new year. I find it so beautiful that for that brief moment in time, everyone is so hopeful.  You can see the optimism in their eyes and you can hear the inspiration in their thoughts.  A new year requires new experiences.  There is no way around it.  I'm so grateful that we can start a new year with a new outlook and a sense of excitement.  We are all on the same page and though each year brings about different moments of happiness, sadness, excitement, and fear, we will get through everything.  There are no alternatives...at least in my book.  I'm a few chapters into my book and I certainly do not have all the answers but I'm hopeful for a good ending when I do reach that point. 

Seattle was 50 degrees today.  I'm always the one who cannot get over gorgeous days.  After lounging on the couch with Rafa, I decided to walk to the sculpture park and watch the sunset. I was left with my thoughts and my mind was running crazy today.  Watching the sunset, the walkers, the runners, the bikers, the picture takers, and the dogs made me feel entirely peaceful.  I was so happy being there and content with all of my surroundings.  I was hopeful.  I am hopeful. 

As you all start a new year, remember to remain hopeful.  Each day will bring new ideas, new experiences, new laughs, new smiles, new tears, new problems, new answers, and some day they will turn old.  It happens with each year.  2011 has come to a close, and though it was a wonderful year, we will never have moments of 2011 that are new.  Those moments will happen now. They will happen tomorrow. They will happen for the rest of 2012.  Please enjoy this year and welcome every moment with open arms.  Stay happy and healthy.  Hug your family and friends every single chance you can.  Hugging should be easy if your arms are already open. 

        Best, 

               Anne