2014 Wrap-Up

Finished up the running year with a nice, chilly, sunny 7.6 miles out though the Commons and Coleman Farm down to the ocean this morning. The sunlight shimmered off the ice on the marsh edges, and hoar frost along the thin path through the woods crunched beneath my feet. As I ran back to the parking lot, I was doing a bit of math in my head and realized I was going to need to add on a few tenths if I wanted to get to a round number this year :) So, I did a few laps around the parking lot to finish up the year with 1,702.00 miles. Compared to many of our running friends, that is not a lot of miles, but when I look back over the log books from the past six years, I see a slow and steady increase of miles (with the exception of 2009 :)) and that makes me pretty happy. It was a good running year, full of challenging races and some fun miles run solo and with friends out in the woods and on the trails. And I certainly hope to continue the trend next year!

So, here's to a 2015 filled with many miles, laughter and good time with family and friends!

Happy New Year, everyone :)

2014 Strava Data:

Miles run - 1702.00
Days run - 228
Time run: 290 hours 14 minutes
Elevation gain: 73,999 feet

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And for the files, previous running log data:

2013 - 1557.75
2012 - 1400.00
2011 - 1375.00
2010 - 1100.00
2009 - 675.50 *pregnant/Sam born
2008 - 1112.00

A Few City Days

Sam and I journeyed to Staten Island on Saturday with my parents to spend a few days at my sister's. What is normally a 6-hour drive turned into an 8 hour and 15 minute drive. Ugh. Luckily, Sam is a pretty amazing traveler and really was great all day. But man, were we all happy to arrive! :)

Cute little traveler :)

Sunday morning, I got out for a run in the drizzle, running two "laps" around Kristen's neighborhood, for a flat 4.3 miles. Then we had a busy day celebrating Morgan's 9th birthday. The afternoon was filled with pizza and cake, presents and balloon games with the 2nd cousins, plus of course, some wrestling and games with Uncle Sean (well, he's my cousin, so really First Cousin Removed Sean, but that is a bit harder to say!), who is really like a big kid himself :)

Happy 9th Morgan!

Birthday Girl!

Cousins

Sam and Morgan

Waiting for cake!

So much fun!

Yesterday, I headed out for a more exploratory run, running up Lighthouse Hill and checking out the fancy house on the hill, stopping to take photos of historic Richmond Town, and even hitting a short trail for a bit of dirt beneath my feet. A nice 3.7 miles before we headed out for lunch and a visit to the Children's Museum for the afternoon.

Suburban vista

Morgan's school

Huh....

Staten Island Coast Guard Lighthouse

The Red Trail

Woods

Do you see the deer?

Beaver!

Stream crossing ;)

Historic Richmond Town

I sure hope it's sanitary...

Excited for the Children's Museum

Cuties :)

Bowling!

Nice throw!

Huge domino fun

"Jenga" tower

Crash!

AHHH!

Broadcasting

Jungle fun

Puppet show

This morning we flew back to Portland, and while we had a great visit and Sam really loved getting to spend time with Morgan, it sure is nice to be home!

Sunshine and Quiet

Snuck out of the house this morning around 8:15. My dad had just woken up, but everyone else was still sleeping. Headed over to Bowdoin and out on the trails through the Commons. The sun was shining and it was so bright that it was almost hard to see in spots! But I am not complaining - so happy to see blue sky and sunshine! Some decent spots of ice, as usual, throughout the Commons. The trails there get a lot of traffic and it is almost always icy as we head into winter. Glad to be wearing my screwshoes, for sure! Once I got out onto the Coleman Farm trails, the ground was completely bare. It was quiet and peaceful out in the woods, and as always, there was a wonderful view at the end of the loop.

Got in 7.3 miles right at 10:00/pace. A lovely way to start the day.

Merry Christmas!

A wonderful day spent with family and friends. No snow and no running, but a lot of fun, food and laughter! Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas Eve

Much baking and cooking and excitement about Christmas today. Also much rain and mist and general yuckiness outside. I did get out around 10:00 am in between gingerbread and lasagna making for a run. Of course, I missed the window of just a little mist, and things went into full-on rain mode while I was out there, although I stayed fairly comfortable for the majority of the run. Things were sloppy, mushy and icy out there but I got in a nice hour/six miles before coming in for a nice warm shower! Then it was back to getting the presents set under the tree and finishing up the cooking. A good Christmas Eve spent at home!

Decorating gingerbread cookies

Reading "The Night Before Christmas"

Getting things set for Santa

All set up

Gigi checks out the loot

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!