is that you, Spring?

It's beginning to look a lot like Spring here! Yes, it's very rainy still, but that's normal. In addition to the evidence seen above, I have spotted several robin red-breasts and a cherry tree showing the beginnings of leaves popping out. I do believe there's change a'comin'!

bodyflow

I joined the YMCA today! No, Fresno people, it's not gross like your Y, it's actually quite a nice facility with a pool, equipment, classes, etc... Also, no contract, and I managed to convince the person signing me up that I should qualify for the January promotion, which cut my sign-up costs considerably. They even have a financial aid program! Wow.

Today I joined in on the BodyFlow class for the strength-train portion of my training schedule. It was a small class (seven people, including the instructor) that is a combination of pilates, yoga and tai chi. Lemme tell you, it kicked my booty! The instructor was great about giving modification tips for "anyone new to it" (I learned after class that it's a pretty tight-knit group, and I was the only newbie there), and I made it through the whole class. I will be going back. Not tomorrow, though. It's my scheduled rest day.

For those of you interested, I forgot to mention in the previous post that I am following a training guide from the book Running for Mortals: A Guide to Changing Your Life Through Running, by John "The Penguin" Bingham and Jenny Hadfield. It's a great read, and has a ton of realistic, easy-to-understand information on how to build yourself up to running (or walk-running or run-walking) while lowering your chances of injury and burn-out. I highly recommend it.

goals etc

So by now some of you have heard that I've been working on goals. I hit a rough patch in the last few weeks/months, and after some deliberation, I've decided to do something about the funk I've been in. Here's my official announcement: I plan to run in the October 2011 Portland Marathon. To whatever end.

I'm starting small, with walking and strength training, as I still have my sore left foot, which will be surgeried in June or July. After that, I'll do my physical therapy until the doctor clears me to start training again. That should give me a year to train to run the marathon. It may end up being the half-marathon, but it will be that event.

Questions I've heard, and my answers:
1) Q: Why? Oh God, why?
A: Why not? I've been stuck in a place of mentally "hitting the wall" with a number of things, so I want to know what it feels like to "really" hit the wall. It's an experiment. And along the way, I'll get out and get some exercise, and hopefully get out of this rut.

2) Q: But your knees and feet are bad; how will you do it?
A: You can't eat an elephant in one bite, but you can eat an elephant one bite at a time. I have a great doctor for my feet, and a great physical therapist to guide me on the way. I'm taking a slow, commonsense pace that will make injury less likely. Also, I have a lot of pain now, and it's only going to get worse if I continue along the current path I'm on.

3) Q: Can I join you? (really, I've heard this)
A: Sure! We can share ideas and training stories, and anyone is welcome to register and run, or just come cheer me on. You're welcome to be a part of it.

Any more questions? Thoughts? Comments? Let me know...

Sizizis

I am currently at Sizizis, my favorite Olympia coffeehouse. Since I have not blogged in FOREVER, I thought I'd blog about Siz.

First, here is a photo of the outside:
Unassuming, right? Here's the inside:Magical, yes? And here is a photo of my stuff at the table. Note the sunshiny day in all photos...Some of the perks of Sizizis:
-- Open 24 hours of the day and night
-- Excellent coffee and pastries
-- wonderful baristas
-- Shared-table atmosphere (it's small, and usually crowded, so everyone shares tables and conversation)
-- Close walking distance to my abode
-- did I mention the pastries and coffee, and the 24 hour openness?

That's all for today. Feel jealous?

virtual xmas

kaia pics

I let Kaia (who is almost 4) take some photos with my phone. Here are my favorites:



I like her perspective.

olympians love their murals

so much that they create flat surfaces upon which to paint them...