Eating for two

Tonight was my companies Christmas party. The party was a murder mystery party. I had never been to a murder mystery party but it's like a play where the audience is involved and you are on teams to try to find out who is the murderer. Anyway, So I go up to the buffet and get a rather large plate of food and sit down. One of the characters from the mystery comes up to the microphone and says "I have an announcement to make! This young lady is eating for two!" He then turns to Jeff and says "you must be the lucky man." I turned beet red. Note to self: stay away from runner sized portions at murder mysteries :)...Oh and just to make it clear- I'm not pregnant even if I eat for two most of the time : )

sooo Portland

I called Columbia (the employee store is close to where we live) to make an order and when I gave him my address he said “get out- you’re from Portland? Do you know it’s snowin’ on Mt. Hood right now?” We then chatted for a while about the ski conditions. This was such a quintessential Portland experience. Number 1: it’s pouring rain right now and everyone is happy because it’s snowing on hood. Number 2: He was in no hurry to put in my order…people are so friendly and laid back here. I love my new city.

Got our tree and Lodge Style Christmas Party

This weekend I was on call for work. We were about to head out to get our Christmas tree at 2PM when I got a hospital call : ( I got back from the call at 4PM at which point we left straight to get our tree (it was pouring rain and pretty dark but we were determined: ). The place we went had over 2,000 trees! We took a hack saw and set out. Jeff started singing "Oh Christmas Tree! Oh Christmas Tree!" And then I heard a holler! I found it! The perfect tree! I came running and agreed it was a beauty :) We then enjoyed some hot cocoa by a bonfire at the tree farm. Awww- life is goood.

We then got ready for a Lodge Style Christmas Party (come dressed in post ski attire)! It was so fun!

Off season- it's called goals on the back burner- friends and fam on the front burner

Today I went snowboarding with my husband and our good friends Laurel and Juston. I had a blast. We skied from open to close. Sunday I slept in and had a lazy morning with Jeff before Church and then we went Christmas shopping and then to a Christmas party. A weekend like this did not exist when I was in the heart of marathon training. To be honest I love running and there have been a few times that I might have chosen a run over a holiday party- I know I'm unique :). However, right now is not the time. When people talk about taking time off after a marathon, it's often talked about for it's benefits in recovering properly and allowing the body to continue to improve. However, in my years of running it hasn't been until the last couple years that I have really realized the most important part about downtime. It's the time you put your goals and ambitions on the back burner and put the ones that you love on the front burner. During training you have to make decisions that are going to help you reach your goals. You can bend a little in training but not very much. You can't do this all year! During the months after the marathon it's the time that you can be completely flexible and really put others above yourself. If you need to be goal oriented about it.. Think about it as strengthening your support system and relationships rather than strengthening your muscles. It's so important! (And..I mean who doesn't enjoy spending time relaxing with friends and enjoying some other sports : )

(with my guy before a party)

(ski day)

(a rather HUGE Italian sub....that we shared)

My secret: the 5 dollar full body massage

I really love massages.  However I've only had two in my life:(.  They are just not in the budget.  However I have my own way of giving myself a massage after a marathon that feels amazing.  It's called swimming!  For 5 dollars you can go to a public lap swim pool.  I swim for 25 minutes.  When you swim you are dragging your body through the water which massages and lengthens your muscles...and it's fun!