Alaskan Adventure: Denali Round 2

As the skies were beginning to clear we made our way to a rest stop/tourist stop I wasn't that interested in the books or post cards, but the animal antlers were calling my name...

That thing was HEAVY... and it was only one. I couldn't imagine having two and then having the neck strength to actually move.

Moose impress me.

turning into a dall sheep.

no. big. deal

The to Jon's dismay I made him get involved.

he wasn't as excited as i was.

shocking, i know.

but my niece grace was MORE than happy to oblige her crazy aunt!

Ok, see at the very top of the clouds this white peaks? 

Yeah, that's Mt.McKinley.

Apparently, we were extremely lucky to see even this much of the mountain.

Like 90% of people that go, rarely ever even see the mountain.

John (the wheezing bus driver) explained this would be our last shot of it most likely, so we took pictures like crazy. 

Oh hello mr. grizzly!

The half way stop at Wonder Lake

The siblings

Becca and two of her girls. Sophia and Grace

Moose!

Later in the afternoon the sun relay started to break out and it was gorgeous view after gorgeous view. 

So as I was taking pictures out the bus window, I snagged a glimpse of a larger snow capped mountain behind us.

I, being the nice sister I am, abruptly woke up my brother Nate asking "Nate! Is that Mt. McKinley?? Is it??"

Why yes, yes it was :)

(this is without the zoom. that mountain is still HUMONGOUS)

So despite a dismal morning and a little bit of disappointment at not seeing the mountain clearly.

I'd say we got our money shots in, and the 11 hours on the bus were MORE than worth it to see that massive, snow capped mountain!

Eleven

Considering I started this blog as a way to keep track of my running I haven't been recording much of that. Last week was CRAZY and running was just not happenin' during midterms. So friday I decided to head out for four miles, and it. was. awesome!

My legs were fresh, I was breathing easy, and I was FLYING!

I figured since my 4 miler was so fantastic that of course my 11-miler on Sunday would be easy peasey. Especially because my 10 miler last week was incredible.

So with my spirit high and a positive attitude I set out.

I love the S. Platte River. It's gorgeous scenery and I love that people just chill out and fish :)

This is part of the trail that I will be running along for the 1/2 I kept picturing myself here in 3 weeks, I was feeling strong, I was going to CONQUER this in the next few weeks.

I was feeling FANTASTIC.

How could I not with the mountains in the background?

I felt my energy sink at around mile 5 so I decided to try something new!

Last week I tried Clif Gu shots.

I'm attempting to find something to give me a boost during my 1/2 and I want to test it before the actual race.

The Gu shots were good... but the gel wasn't the best texture

The Shot blocks were good too, but i didn't feel like I got the same burst of energy with them

So close to home... and yet still 5 miles from being done.

This is where things started to fall apart.

Mile 6 is typically my worst mile, but in all my previous long runs around mile 7-8 I pick it up and finish strong...

Today.

not.

happening.

I couldn't breathe if my life depended on it (which i found out, it very much does)

my lungs felt like they were being crushed, and my legs were really tight (darn you yoga!)

It was looking not so fantastic, and then the wind picked up... thanks for that one.

I just kept holding on until I saw this beautiful sight ahead of me :)

my fabulous hubby and our friends dog Remy.

We're helping take care of Remy this weekend so I figured she would want to join me for part of my run.

Thank goodness for Remy!

She was literally pulling me for the last 2 miles. 

And those last two miles were ROUGH

I'm praying this whole "off" run thang is over and done with.

I don't want it showing up again for the 1/2.

I will say I was quite proud that I didn't totally lose it during the run. In the past there would have been tears, frustration, and a sense of failure.

This time around I just walked when I needed too and kept reminding myself that it's ridiculous to expect every run to be great. It just doesn't happen, and I need to be ok with that!

Let's just hope the 12 miler this weekend goes a bit better :)

prayers and advice are more than welcome!

Feathered Friends

Wow... could I be any worse at this whole blogging thing right now?

I feel like our last week has been a whirlwind of activity, between visiting friends in the cities and making our way back up to Duluth and finally resting a bit I actually feel like I may have the energy to post up some pictures!

Since the last time we were on the farm there have been a few new additions. Clucking, crowing, egg laying, squabbling additions... and I LOVE them :)

I'm sorry, but how stinkin cute is their little house!?

complete with little icicles :)

I actually thoroughly enjoy trompin into this little coop and finding eggs :) and then being surprised by the hen that's still laying and getting freaked out that it'll peck my eye out...

am I the only one freaked out by that?

Also, my mother felt the need to give the warning that the rooster may fly at you and attack your back... ummm what!?

having fun feedin' 'em and being semi freaked out about being attacked.

The Colonel and his ladies

And this little one doesn't cluck or crow... but isn't he adorable?

I love the new additions the farm as long as the don't decide to attack :)

Finlandia:3

After all the packing, cleaning, traveling, and day trips this weekend we got to spend the day just relaxing at Joel and Miia's. Our day looked a little something like this...

I got my first run in out on the trails. It was a GORGEOUS outside, and I was so ticked that I left our little point and shoot in the house.

We did copious amounts of laundry. I'm already missing our dryer in Korealand, I thought we were done with our hanging ways!

and we walked to the mall and did a little of this :) 

(we also entertained Kosti for the morning)

Joel caught us on our way back up from the mall and we of course ha to watch some Family Guy, while I started preparing...

this...

Who doesn't love apple crisp on a cool fall day!?

Then it was time for a Kosti walk. Thankfully I did bring the camera this time around so you can see my running route as well!

      

I call this the "face off"

 

a lost mitten :(

When you kick the leaves, Kosti attacks your feet ... we had a little tooo much fun with this game.

 

and just in case you didn't know, if you don't pick up your pet's excrement children will play and frolic in it.

Although fall typically means death, I think that some plants look even better in their dried and twisted state.

 

Mario mushroom anyone??

and of course we had to end our night with...

the perfect fall day!