Building a "Base" (aka wow I'm out of shape!)

     I had a whirlwind of a summer, marrying my best friend. Then we moved. Then the air quality was terrible from wildfire smoke. Basically, I didn't run too much towards the end of this summer, and my fitness suffered. I have new plan, though, to get back into running shape. 

First Run of Half-Marathon Training

     Great news! The air quality in Washington has cleared-up a whole bunch. We were able to leave the windows open all day today. It was so nice to breath fresh air! I was starting to feel suffocated inside with the windows closed.

The trail near my house. It was so nice to get to be outside without  smoke.

Wildfire Smoke and the Trip to Bozeman

This last weekend we went to Bozeman to visit family and friends. We went on a few day hikes and ate good food. We encountered a ton of wildfire smoke during the trip and came home to hazardous levels where we live. These conditions have led me to the decision not to run in the half marathon I had planned for the end of the month. Now, I need to come up with a new training goal!

Bride on the Run

  

     Craig and I are married! Our wedding day was a perfect. Being on the water, the location was serene; we were able to hear waves during the ceremony, which was short and simple. For the reception we also kept the decor simple, relying on the natural beauty of the location. We didn't go overboard and have any running-related items within our wedding, but I did insist on getting a photo of me wearing my running shoes under my wedding dress. 

Half-marathon Eve

At the finish of the half marathon in 2015

     Tomorrow morning I will be running in the Snake River Canyon Half Marathon! I am pretty psyched for it. This will be my third year participating. The prior two years, though, I was having severe shoulder pain. Now, I feel completely healthy! I am excited to see how I perform in comparison. 

8 mile long run & morning snow

     Yesterday, I made the decision to do my long run a day early on Saturday rather than Sunday. This meant that I would be running 8 miles on tired legs. Usually I like to have a rest day before long runs.

The reasoning for this was two-fold:

1. I checked the forecast and there was an anticipated 14 inches of snow beginning that night. There was little change I'd want to run in that. Usually I like to sit in bed all morning, sipping coffee as I watch it fall. 
2.  I was upset. I had woken up to not-so-great news. 

Ready to head out in 25° weather. Craig says this hat makes me look like a  "real" runner

My 10 favorite things about Pullman

     I came here for graduate school, and during my move I was already telling my dad about where I wanted to live next. I never intended to stay long, but it's been almost 4 years since I moved here. My only reason for staying has been to support Craig through his PhD.

     I wanted to to acknowledge 10 positives about living in Pullman, WA.

New job & the escaped mouse workout

     I found a new job! It's in a lab on the fourth floor of the same building where I worked prior. I didn't even need to interview or anything (huge relief). The downside is my employment is contingent on my new boss's funding so will probably only last a few months.

A Walk in the Snow

     I've been in a bit of a sad mood lately. I was basically laid-off less than a week ago, so I guess it's to be expected that I'm a bit down. A long walk in the snow at Kamiak Butte was just what I needed to lift my mood.

Resilience in Scientific Research

Lab-coat selfie!

     I've had a rough few months. Since August, my employment status has gone from employed in an awesome and challenging job, to struggling to hold on to a part-time job, and now to laid-off. Basically, the department I work for had mismanaged funds before hiring me, and did not realize that they did not have enough funding to support my position long-term. This is a super bummer because I really liked my job and my boss.