.:my LAST 1/2 marathon:.

when i signed up for this race, i didn't expect it to be my last one. while i wasn't surprised when my doctor told me that after this race i needed to quit running and take on less impact activities,  i had a 'minor' freak out. what was i going to do with all the time that i had spent running? how was i going to stay in shape and more importantly, how was i going to 'escape' to keep my sanity?'.

i began cherishing every training run and every run resonated emotions that i have ever noticed before. i found myself in tears, more than once, running my typical route to my typical playlist not only realizing that these moments were limited, but also frustrated. i was frustrated that my knee was having a hard time keeping up with the rest of my body. i knew my knee was bad, but apparently, i was ignorant at how rapidly it was deteriorating with every mile that i had ran. as the run became closer, my training transitioned to the elliptical. three weeks before, i was feeling confident that i would be able to at least finish strong....and then i got sick with strep and a double ear infection. needless to say, by the time i hit the starting line, i wasn't running for a PR anymore, i was running to finish. my only goal now was to run the entire way.

the morning of the run, my mom, brother and i drove to the starting corrals (in a Camaro, might i add-my brother knows people, nbd). we stretched, hit the restrooms and said a prayer before joining the rest of the runners. my brother headed to the front of the pack, knowing he was going to kick ass, while my mom and i hovered in the 2 hour time group reminsicing about my first race, our first race and how this crazy world of running brought us closer. 

the course was absolutely breathtaking. from the streets of Vancouver, to the Redwood trees of Stanley Park and along the seawall of the coast, the views were spectacular. Lululemon did a great job keeping us entertained along the 13.1 miles. there were neon people rappelling off the Lululemon factory, mermaids hanging out by the bay and our turn around point was in front of the FIRST Lululemon store, cool, right? thank goodness the views were great because it helped take my mind off how not in shape i was. even after 6-ish ibuprofen, my knee was stiff and sore by mile 4 and it all went downhill from there. i honestly can't even remember our time, it defintely wasn't a PR, but i ran the entire way, thanks to my mom! my mom was an awesome companion, either staying by my side or going ahead a few steps to keep pushing me. and my brother? he killed it coming in around 1:36. what a stud!

of course, i have pictures to share:.

obviously, still feeling good....

in the zone:.

contemplating how much that sucked...

his first and last time coming to my running events

we did it!

honestly, i thought i was going to have a lot of emotions over not running anymore, most of them being sad, but the way my body felt after this run made it easier to walk away. it's been 6 weeks since i last ran and my knee has never felt better (ok, maybe it did when i was 14). i am grateful for everything that running has done for me. from weight loss, to being a great transition out of competitive sports and to seeing beautiful scenery, i realize that i am stronger mentally and physically to move on yet again to something better for my knees. as my brother keeps getting himself more involved in the running world and my mom continues to succeed in her journey, i'm not jealous or bitter, but i am happy for them. i hope running brings them all the things that it brought me.


always striving for more,
dee b.

.:Summer Vacation 2012:.

i have been trying to think on how i want to recap our vacation in Seattle and Vancouver last month, but i decided the best way to do that is through pictures!!!! you guys don't want to read a novel on how awesome it was, you'd rather see it, right???

SEATTLE:.

lovely link ride in Seattle after being up since 3:30 a.m.....

visiting Pike Place Market made the long day of traveling worth it! 

we HAD to wait in line to get coffee at the very 1st Starbucks....

Vancouver:.

we drove across the border to Vancouver.....in a mini-van.....

Canadian money is WAY prettier than US

our home for the week

Stanley Park:.
from Redwoods to walking along the bay, the sites were breathtaking. we decided to rent bikes and explore....

Whistler:.

although we had to pile in the mini-van for a 2 1/2 hour drive to Whistler, it was the highlight of the vacation for all of us. while i could have done without the gondola rides and being suspended higher than comfortable, the views were completely worth it! 

home of the 2010 Winter Olympics. 

my oldest (yet little) brother.

party's here!

unbelievable, right?

wishing my feet were on the ground at this point.

another highlight for me was having the BEST mocha at a small shop called JJ Bean. we found it in the corner of the farmer's market on Granville Island. i had to make a special pitstop to get another one before we left!

this picture isn't great quality, but this was at dinner our last night in Vancouver. we haven't gone on vacation as a family for a few years and this was a first having all of us bring our significant other. honestly, i couldn't have imagined a better time! 

another highlight: this was mine and drew's first time going on vacation together. between catching flights, navigating in a new city and spending a lot of money traveling with someone, especially a significant other, can be nerve-wrecking. again, i couldn't have imagined a better vacation with him. we made so many new memories and inside jokes; he is the best traveling buddy, ever! i am really hoping we can afford to start traveling more soon! 

i am sure some of you may be wondering how the magnificent Inaugural Lululemon Seawheeze 1/2 marathon went, but unfortunately, you will have to wait for the next post. i have more pictures and stories to capture my last 1/2 marathon! i truly promise it won't take me long to get that post up, but until next time....

always striving for more, 

dee b.