July

My apologies.  I have been swamped with work and mortgage stuff for the last several weeks, so much so that I found myself without ample time to sit down and blog.  This simply means I have a lot of catching up to do.  So, forgive the brevity regarding some areas you may have thought would have had expansive posts (like my trips to Central Oregon, Sonoma and Chicago) – I will post pics and little tidbits.  I hope that will suffice. 

Let me start by telling you how fortunate I am to have the aunt and uncle that I do.  I know my appreciation for all things nature must come from my Warner side – and it was more evident than ever on this particular trip to Central Oregon.  My aunt and uncle purchased a home in Redmond about 2 years ago, still maintaining a condo in the Portland area, as well.  This meant I managed to get the best of both worlds on the trip. 

I landed in Portland and was immediately whisked off to a delightful wine bar that overlooked much of Portland.  And the following day (after a brief trip to the Nike employee store – SO COOL), we took the 4-5 hour drive from Portland to their home in Central Oregon. 

A lot of people think of Oregon as being lush with green because of all the rains, but Central Oregon is actually the high desert – so it reminded me a lot of Flagstaff and Pinetop, AZ.  It was stunning.  I had made a plea for great trail runs and craft beer before booking my flights – and Bruce and Pam made sure that’s exactly what I got. 

Morning #1 in Central Oregon, Bruce awakened with me at 4am so that I could see the sunrise over Smith Rock and enjoy my first incredible trail run.  It was a 4.5 mile route that went from the top of the park’s parking area, down to the base of the rock formations, over the Crooked River, hugging the side of the rock, and eventually up and over to the front side of the formation.  After 2.5 miles you start to climb the 800 feet of elevation – which isn’t even a ½ mile in length.  I remember wondering if I’d ever be able to stand up straight again.  Here are some take-aways from that trail run.

You can see the trail going down. then it crosses the river and goes along the interior.

About 2/3s of the way up the 800 feet of climbing

The front side, coming down.

Morning #2 I needed to get a 10 mile run on the books, and fortunately, Bruce and Pam have a gorgeous trail-riddled canyon IN THEIR BACKYARD.  So, I invited my uncle to sleep in, and I headed down to the canyon for 10 miles of splendor.  It was, once again, only 60 degrees and lovely. 

Their back yard - canyon

A paved path inside the canyon

In the midst of all this trail running and site seeing, I managed to hit 6 Oregon Craft Breweries: Full Sail, 10 Barrel, Three Rivers, Deschutes, SunRiver and Crux!  Pam commented at one point that she enjoyed the tour of breweries and tastings – as she really uncovered her beer palate.  I have such a cool Aunt! 

On my 4^th day in Central Oregon, Bruce took me to Shevlin Park in Bend.  I don’t know that I have ever seen anything so spectacular, in my life.  I had read up on the trail for a couple of days preparing myself for turns and trail splits, in an effort not to get lost on the 6 mile loop around the park, but it didn’t seem to matter.  Within moments of hitting the trail, I had taken a wrong turn.  I still don’t know whether I am disappointed in my navigation skills or not.  I saw rivers and mountains and beauty like none other.  I went out on one set of trails for just over 3.25 miles before deciding I should turn around and head back.  I got a bit lost on the way back, but knew that if I kept the river on my right, I would eventually find my uncle, again.  And, I did.  I was in heaven!  It made me seriously consider moving. 

The river I kept to my right on the way back down.

Lost, but really didn't care at all.

On my last morning with Bruce and Pam, I headed back down into their canyon for another set of trails.  It was simply delightful and refreshing.  I wiped away several tears as I boarded my flight out of town that morning.  THAT felt like home to me.

Our last evening together - a friends back yard (Uncle Bruce and Me)

Aunt Pam

The Warners with Bell, the fantastic pooch

And the sunset as we drove home -- SERIOUSLY!

After a day of flight hell – I landed in Oakland, California where my good friends Mike and Hannah picked me up for a couple of days in Sonoma.  We drank a lot; I ran a bit in the hills of wine country, and we even managed to hit my 7^th Craft Brewery – Lagunitas!  It was a lot of fun – but after those 10 days of wine and beer (and running), I needed to dry out.

Here are some shots from Sonoma –

Hannah and me on the grounds of the Gary Farrell Winery

Mike, Hannah and me -- Williamson Winery Tasting Room

Only back for a few days, I was already jonesing for the trails.  It was 115 degrees in Phoenix most days, but I figured it would be better to have beauty on my runs, than misery on the streets.  So a few days after arriving back in town, I headed out to Pass Mountain to hit the 7.5 mile trail.  86 degrees made it tough, but it was as gorgeous as ever. 

Backside of Pass Mtn

Then, I met up with my former Spin Instructor, Steve, and his riding group on Sunday for a 45 mile ride around South Mountain.  That was certainly the highlight of that weekend.  I was super nervous that I would get dropped within the first several miles, but the group was a wonderful group for me.  Our AVS was right around 20 mph for the entirety of the ride – save the long haul uphill at mile 23.  I impressed myself by having the capacity the whole time to carry others on my wheel. 

Steve had done a huge ride the morning prior climbing over 10,000 feet in preparation for a big race in Colorado.  Another gal, Laura – aka Raleigh Girl, showed up on a freakin’ mountain bike and held her own for the whole ride.  I have mentioned her a few times in this blog, as she is one of the few people in town who also rides a Raleigh road bike.  She, too, is training for the Leadville race in a couple of weeks and needed the miles on her mountain bike.  She’s a ball of energy and a lot of fun.  It was nice to finally get a chance to ride alongside her – as I have only ever seen her providing road support for the road races and tri’s I participate in. 

I buddied up to a gal named, Jane, at the very start of the ride – but admit that her M-Dot tattoo on her leg was terribly intimidating.  Her $5000 bike made me bite my nails a little lower as well.  In fact, everyone on the ride intimidated me at first, but I really held my own and finished strong.  It was certainly one of my prouder cycling moments – without Matt at my side.  He’s always been the one who said I could hang with the big-boys/girls – I just didn’t believe I could do it without his support.  And there I was – standing tall at the end.

The group

Laura (Raleigh Girl), Spin-Steve and Me - post ride

A few days later, Anne, Loretta, Amy and I left for a 3 day trip to Chicago for the ½ marathon.  We had a great time – even though no one did particularly well on the run.  We shopped, laughed, ate and drank – and really just cherished the time together.  Here are some highlights!

Chicago Waterfront with the skyline

Breakfast

Harry Carey's

Starting line: Loretta, Mer, Amy and Anne

I did manage to find Matt on a brief trail run, earlier this week.

And then he helped organize a little group ride among work colleagues for yesterday morning.  It was nice to be out there chatting away with him, like we’d done in months past.  Our training is taking us in different directions – but these group rides are super encouraging.  I also blew a tube within the first 5 miles, yesterday, so having Matt and others around to assist with the change was fantastic!! 

Chauncy, David, Mer and Matt

After the 35 mile ride out to Maricopa and back with the boys, I hit the streets for a short run -- just to make sure I could still do it.  The clouds were present and the humidity nearly 100%, but I pulled a 2.5 mile loop back to the park 'n ride with no difficulty at all.

Bug-riddled, post run happy face

This morning I took a deep breath and headed to Masters Swim.  I have been saying for weeks that I needed to get back into it, but kept hoping I could improve my times with articles and YouTube videos.  Alas, I know I need help. 

I met the new Masters Swim coach at 6:55am and she told me to get in the pool for 200 meters to warm up.  After 150 meters she snapped “Meredith, stop!” I gasped and did – “You’re doing THIS!” (showing me how I bring my hands to nearly a point in the center of my body with each stroke)  “You need to do this!” (reaching out in front of her body, keeping her arms parallel with the side of her body, pulling back.)  “Reach, glide, Reach, glide.”  Off I went.  As I came back to the edge of the pool, she said “MUCH MUCH better!”  I glanced at my watch – and damn – she cut a lifetime off my 100 meters in just a few words.  I am so grateful. 

After that she asked me what other strokes I knew.  I shrugged, “Um, breast-stroke and I might be able to fudge my way through the back-stroke, if you made me.”  “Ok, I’ll make you.”  Nearly swallowing water from fear, I pushed off the wall and immediately was told to stop.  I came back to the edge of the pool and she explained my shoulder rotations and my breathing.  The after 100 meters, or so, she told me I was sinking and to focus on keeping my hips up and my legs kicking at water level.  Oh my heavens, this shit was hard. 

I think I worked on my backstroke for 20 minutes before she allowed me to stop, complimented me on how quickly I learned and moved me on to the breast-stroke.  (sad face)  I just wanted to go fast – she wanted to give me new strokes so I would finish an Ironman one day.  I knew she was right, so off I went, showcasing my (evidently) disasterous break-stroke. 

Again, “No, Meredith, all wrong.  Your kicking is uneven.”  (she sits in the chair and explains my legs and my kick – it looks impossible)  Then she gives me a noodle and refuses to allow me to use my arms.  I struggle for hundreds of meters getting correction after correction and finally she allows me to add my arms.  I do so for 50 meters and I hear, “Meredith, get out of the pool.”  Shamed, I am forced to watch my nemesis, Dan (you all remember Dan – he and I nearly killed each other in former Masters swim classes – and I think he hates me.)  Dan has perfect form.  “Watch his arms; he can see his hands with every stroke.  Now get back in and try to put it all together.”  I try and I try, but with every good stroke there is an equally bad one.  Trying to fix 35 years of bad breast-stroke habits is going to be work. 

With 7 minutes left of class and an exhausted Mer, she asks, “would you like to do freestyle for the next 200 meters?”  “Would I?????”  Like a puppy with a new toy, I pushed off the wall, using the new reaching, non-cross-body method and my 2:30/100 meters was a 1:55 with ease.  It was a wonderful way to end the class. 

Yep, I will be back next Saturday for more humiliation and abuse.  I promise.