Photos, a marathon, a trip to Victoria

I once again find myself horribly behind in blogging!

One of my goals for the summer is to take my camera out to practice taking photos. While it is a used camera I bought from a coworker, it is new to me. I’ve had it sometime. It was actually the camera I took with me to South Africa, but alas, I did not bring the correct lens so was unable to use it. I am enjoying using it.

I have been taking it with me and going on walks. I have been keeping a list of places I want to visit. So far I have been able to go to Kerry Park (I do want to go back in the evening), Volunteer Park, Pioneer Square, and just wandering about here and there on the waterfront, Capitol Hill, I.D. and Central District. You can find the pictures I took in the link below. I will do an Instagram post of some of my favorite murals from my wanderings soon. There have been so many popping up around the city.

 

https://latonjab.shutterfly.com/

Password: italia

In June, I did the Rock and Roll Seattle. It was my sixth half marathon. Next stop is the Seattle Marathon. I am still tracking to do two a year. I wouldn’t mind finding ones that are flatter though. I live in the wrong place to detest hills as much as I do. But it is part of my overall health journey: walking to witness.

 

In May, I went to Victoria for Memorial Day. My friend Alice has moved back to North America, so it was nice to see here. I was able to stay with her, and I plan on returning this summer for another visit. It was nice to have some downtime and catch up with a great friend.

I was able to drive up to the Vancouver area with Kim and Katherine to take the ferry over to Victoria. We left Friday late afternoon to catch the last ferry, but alas, we missed it. We expected the border to be crazy, but also kept running into traffic. We ended up staying the night in Vancouver. I need to go there soon because I forgot what an awesome city it is. It has such a great vibe.

 

You can photos in the same link as the Seattle photos.

I will try to get better at posting! I posted articles from the July issue of the Scroll.

Seattle Marathon

I walked the Seattle (Half) Marathon on Sunday. It was a last-minute decision. I am glad I did it even though I did forget how hilly it is! Between the Seattle and Rock N Roll Seattle, I prefer the less hilly Rock N Roll.

This race was the fifth half marathon (three Seattle and two Rock N Roll Seattle) I have walked since starting my fitness journey in 2014. Turning 40 that year really made me think about how I wanted the next 40 years of my life to be. One word that stood out was healthy. So if I can walk two half marathons a year and throw in some 5Ks, I think it will go a long way. There is an older woman I have seen each year at the Seattle (probably in her 60s or 70s), and I always try to find her at the start line. She moves. Her pace is a lot quicker than mine. She used to walk full marathons before knee surgery. I want to be like her when I grow up. I also saw a group of four women walking together who looked to all be 70+. Life goal!

As always, I loved seeing the different ages and body types. All with one goal: to finish. So whether you did the half in two hours or five hours, you finished! I was trying to make it to mile 10 before the first full marathon runner passed me on the way to finish. I was somewhere between mile 10 and 11 when it happened. Mile 10 is my favorite marker because I am just about there. I swear the distance between miles 12 and 13 seems so long! The last mile! And of course crossing that finish line feels so good!

Me at the start line and finish line.

 

Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday was motivation to do it. Plate number one followed by the smaller plate number two. Followed by a selection of desserts.

1st Thanksgiving – Exhibit A, AKA why I will always be full figured…resistance is futile

 

I also knew I would be having Second Thanksgiving on Sunday.

2nd Thanksgiving – Exhibit B, AKA why I will always be full figured…resistance is futile

If anyone is interested, I will be walking the Rock N Roll Half Marathon on June 18. Sign up and join me. I still think it would be cool to do the Rock N Roll Vegas, Dublin, Madrid, or Lisbon one of these years!

Seattle Half Marathon

I walked my third half marathon the Sunday after Thanksgiving. It was great to finish. This is my second Seattle Marathon. I luckily had dry weather for both. It was cold this year, but it was not as cold as last year. I am already signed up for the Rock and Roll in June, which will be number four!

Here is what I wrote on Facebook:
Excited to say, I beat my half-marathon goal walk of 3 hours and 30 minutes, and I finished in 3 hours and 25 minutes. As I was walking, people would pass me, or I would pass them. I kept thinking, “The race is not to the swift.” I just needed to finish my race. I walked together with two different women for periods of time. One was walking much faster than me, so eventually I was like go ahead. The other was walking too slow, so eventually I was like I am going to walk ahead. LOL. But in life, I would encourage you to find your stride and pace and walk in it. I know at the end (whether it’s a race, a season, or my life), I just want to keep my course. That’s my word for today.

Nita and I before the race. She ran, and I walked.

During the first mile, Gabriela met me to say hi. She also gave me a nice snack bag. Thanks, Gaby!

Rock and Roll Half Marathon

Before I began my health journey, doing a half marathon was on my bucket list.

As you know, I did the Seattle Half Marathon in November. On Saturday, I did the Rock and Roll Half Marathon with Des, Kenna, and Janice. If anyone had told me I would do two half marathons in seven months, I probably would have laughed. But here we are, and it feels good!

It’s just such a great feeling to cross the finish line. It’s a sense of accomplishment. As you move from the one mile marker, to two, and so on. There’s a point where you realize you are more than half way done. Then you are like two more miles, then one more mile. Then you see the finish line and get that last-minute adrenal rush. Not sure what the next one will be, but here’s to the next!

With Des and Kenna before the race

With Kenna, Janice, and Des before the race

With Janice and Des near the starting line

With Kenna during the race

Rock and Roll Half Marathon Finishers!

St. Patrick’s Day Dash

I ran the St. Patrick’s Day Dash for the fourth time. I like the event. It’s a 5K, no fuss, no muss.

It was raining the entire time, but that didn’t stop people from enjoying themselves and displaying their wonderful outfits. I need to buy some socks or something to sport next year.

Me, Erica, and Kim

Next up is the Rock N Roll in June. I saw a schedule, and they are actually international. There are races in Madrid and Lisbon. The one in Lisbon is around the time I will take my vacation. Something to consider!

Marathon Number Two

Today I signed up for my second marathon. Please know that by default when I saw marathon what I really mean is half marathon and what I will be doing is walking!

I registered for the St. Patrick’s Day Dash a while back so getting in shape continues.

Can’t wait to walk across the finish line in both!

Can’t wait for the Rock and Roll in June!

Seattle Half Marathon

I walked my first half marathon! It was a lot fun and not as bad as I though it would be!

It felt really good to accomplish something like this!

My teammates Steve and Devlin ran the half marathon!

Ladies who walk: me, Candy, and Erin

Two Mile done!

Somewhere around mile five.

Somewhere around mile eight or nine

Mile Ten

We can taste completion

We are the Champions!

World Concern 5K

I am on track with my volunteer goal this year. I’ve volunteered my time five times (I think) and have done a couple of walks for charitable causes. This is me and my friend Meagan as we did a World Concern 5K to fight human trafficking.

Meagan and I

I am the Cure

Last Sunday, I took part in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. My job had a team that was co-captained by two breast cancer survivors. One of my coworkers is in chemo right now for breast cancer, and one of my friend’s mother is a survivor.

The first thing that struck me was the number of people who took part in the walk. A voice inside my head kept repeating this is only one type of cancer.

As I walked, I was moved to see breast cancer survivors surrounded by their daughters, granddaughters, husbands, etc. I was also struck by the families who came together in honor of a loved one who passed away from the dreaded disease.

It was a pretty emotional morning, but I felt like I was taking part in something way bigger than me. I felt like I was walking in a community even though I didn’t know most of the people around me. We were all there for the same purpose and cause.

When I first woke up, a part of me lazily wanted to sleep in. Then I realized I had made a commitment to take part in the walk. I had an obligation to the people who donated money on my behalf and an obligation to the word I had given my coworkers that I would participate.

I am glad I got over myself and my own wants/desires in order to be part of a community.