Vancouver Half Marathon - May 1, 2011

RACE DAY!!!!!

I've walked many half marathons but this morning was different....I was running my first half marathon.  It was a GREAT day - I felt amazing, I gave a two bird salute to my nemesis...mile 9, I finished strong and with a smile.  I am very lucky to have a great running partner, an amazing and inspirational coach, and great friends who support me in this crazy journey to seize the half ironman.

Step 1.  Run half marathon

Stay tuned for more fun and games.

 Stacy, Me and Sheena ready to go, bright and early!

 Sheena, Coach Lesley, me and Stacy before the start of the race

 Our pre-race warm up gear

 I felt like a giant tootsie roll

 Game faces....aka...tearing up a little before the race began. 

I felt pretty emotional that morning, the culmination of a lot of perseverance and hard work.

 Feeling good in the early miles

 Still feeling good after a few more miles

 FINISH!!!!!

 Post race laying in the grass....getting up was a bit of a problem.

The BEST ice bath EVER!!!!

Prosser Wine Weekend

A quick weekend trip to Prosser with the wine gals....

 Our first stop

 Being one with the wine barrels

 Horse Heaven Hills

  Grapes at the only vineyard we visited

 Loved the clouds

 I'm bringing my bike next time - isn't this the greatest stretch of road to fly down on a bike!

 Obligatory wine dog....she was such a sweety!

Our final stop

This was my first trip to Prosser and I wasn't sure what to expect.  It turns out that there aren't really any wineries to visit, it's all tasting rooms in two different areas of town. 

Definitely interesting but I really like to walk among the vines. 

A trip to Philly

Highlights from our Philly trip!

 Bike shop on the way to the Italian Market

 Flowers in the Italian Market

 Colorful fruit at the market

Michael and I found a great street with these mosaics all over the buildings - it was amazing!

 Chilly in the City

 This must have been the artists home....it was wild!

 Elfreth's Alley - the oldest street in Philly...with the skinniest houses

 Notebook from Lewis and Clark

 Staircase at the Masonic Temple.....I learned some interesting things on this tour....

ie...I cannot be a Mason.

 Top of the City Hall tower....on a rainy day

 Cool views even though the clouds were really low

 Just like Mona Lisa....this was a lot smaller than I thought it was going to be

 Taylor/Upston/Arosteguy tour time

 Independence Hall

Ben Franklin's grave site

We had a fun filled trip to Philly in April.  Great sights, great company and festive times with the Upston/Taylor/Gonzales crew.