If you're lucky enough to be in the mountains, you are lucky enough.

When something bad happens, you have three choices: let it define you, let it destroy you, or let it strengthen you.

Monday, August 21, 2006

A blissful weekend

It is actually pretty nice not to train too hard for anything in particular…

I woke up on Saturday morning at 7 am. After having alarm set at 4:30 am every day, week or weekend, it is a sleep in! No crazy long run in the plan, no race, no obligation to meet anybody in a middle of a forest…After spending an hour sipping coffee, I woke up Oleg and we drove to Tryon park for a couple of hours of run. After the first few minutes we parted our ways – Oleg is a faster runner, and I never feel comfortable anymore running with him, unless it’s a 30 miler. It was peaceful, the weather perfect, and lots of people on trails (considering how late it was for my usual run, I was quite surprised to see that much traffic). I ran at a very good clip, never broke into a walk and was very happy about the whole thing. Wonderful! I am getting back on track. It felt really good.

As we made it home and showered, the idea was to go Portland to Saturday market. Don’t laugh, but I don’t think I’ve been to Portland much over two years we live here. It’s always work, run, home. Never play. So the whole place was a discovery for me, with shops, lazy walk, food courts and live music. We then put down a blanket and read books for an hour. Ah, perfect day…

Sunday went just as slow and nice. We decided to make a trip to the beach. Drive took us a better part of 2 hrs, but was worth the time. We found a beautiful isolated spot between big rocky hills and spent about 5 hrs doing nothing. At first it was rather cold, as we keep forgetting we are on West Coast now, and beach is not hot and sunny, not to mention the water is freezing and the waves are high. But after 2 pm the sun came out, and it gotten better. Stephen loved it the most, hard to pick between the sand and the ocean.
The weekend ended with me giving two of my boys a haircut - I've been doing it for all of them since the day we married (and had kids soon thereafter). It took some practice and ugly looks before it gotten close to perfection:)

I am back to putting more effort into exercise routine and making plans (keep my fingers crossed) for a couple of things still this year. I won’t spill the beans, although some of you know it. I am also thinking of where I want to run next year - like really badly, so I pick a fewer things to spend less time away from home, but be happy. I might not even apply for WS100 and take a break for a year. There are so many trail runs I would like to get to!

I am also getting out of comfort zone here. First I took off all my piercing – you know, the image thing. How I wanted to be cool and popular when a teen and never was, so I was trying to get it been an adult. Gone. Skirts, blouses and nice earrings (eek!). Tattoos are permanent though. I asked Oleg to put a password on Internet at home so I don’t get attached surfing the Web. I got out my old cook book and already we used a real recipe to make chicken (as opposed to “throw it on a skillet or in the oven”). Our backyard has two wonderful fruitful pear trees, so I am up for jelly-making soon. School starts in 2 weeks – yay, homework! And the soccer practice began 2 weeks ago, so I am a soccer mom this season. Life is good. Now, next step will be to think of what I want to be when I grow up:)

15 comments:

Wes said...

I heard that lounging on the beach is conducive to repairing torn muscles. Good for you. I'm a soccer mom too! Anytime you want to exchange stories, lemme know :-) Oh, and don't ever grow up. It's really not about being cool, just happy...

Anonymous said...

A quiet weekend is food for the soul. Good to hear the healing is working. Hope to see ya on the trail soon.

Legs and Wings said...

You sound refreshed. I think it's good to do nothing and not have to train for anything in particular.

Anonymous said...

Olga, sounds so nice and comforting. The beach, ahhh! I miss it. (Grew up on the coast in CA.)

It's a big deal in our house when we actually put chicken in the skillet or oven. Mostly, we purchase pre-cooked meat (or tofu) so all we have to do it nuke it. (Well, the tofu I often scramble with veggies, mmm.)

Getting back into the exercise routine will feel nice, I'm sure - sounds like you had a good run on Saturday, was it mostly pain-free? Glad you are healing well.

Always fun to think about career choices...

Backofpack said...

Olga, that sounds like a wonderful weekend. It sounds as though you are really refocusing in your life - that is cool. I'm ready for real recipes again too - I cook fairly well through fall and winter, but toss it all out the door in summer. We are too busy and too rushed! Plus it's too hot to cook. It won't be long though and casseroles, stews, soups and chili will be back on the menu. Yum! (Oh, and post a picture of the skirts and blouses!)

Sarah said...

That sounds like a great weekend! : )

I've lived here 12 years and there are still a lot of things I haven't done.

Anonymous said...

I like the new laid-back version of you. Sounds like you are rediscovering some things that make life rich and rewarding. Glad you are healing too and able to run.

Sarah Elaine said...

What a wonderful weekend. I sense a re-awakening and re-discovery. You sound very centered and strong.

Jack said...

Sounds like it was a great weekend. I think it's good to slow down a little once in awhile, to rediscover past activities and just regroup for the next surge forward.

Ironayla said...

What a great relaxing weekend! I haven't been to the beach in a while... glad the sun came out for you :)

I hope you have a good time chatting with Michelle and running with Rob this weekend! During the WR50 I told Michelle I think we were too nice to Rob. He needed you to push him :)

King Arthur said...

It's great to see that you are back running from your injury. Maybe I'll see you at Hyak when I come thru.

Ryan said...

I like the relax more run less plan =) Happy to hear things are going well!

Take care!

Kim said...

Sounds like a weekend that you needed. It sounded wonderful!!

Rick Gaston said...

Wow, a nice change. Having the time to do nothing important is a small vacation. You sound relaxed and comfortable.

Thomas said...

I feel relaxed just reading your post.