She’s a Survivor!

October is breast cancer awareness month and in honor of all the ladies who have battled, let’s take a look at a survivor!

My work friend’s mom is a breast cancer survivor. 

A 16 year survivor.  Every year since she was diagnosed, she runs the Susan G Komen Race for a Cure in Newport Beach.  She runs with both her daughters, celebrating the blessing she received when she went into remission.

The race organization gives out beads to the survivors, one for each year they’ve beat cancer.  At first I thought she “earned” those beads the same way women do at Mardi Gras.   

Wear some pink to show your support! 

I want a “do over” proposal

Jeff, why didn’t you flash mob propose???  Why???

Of course I’m kidding.  Maybe.  Not.

Trail Training

Jeff and I are thinking about doing a trail race in November and decided before we fork over the money, we should try running on a trail first. 

Since I’m a big cheap-o, instead of making the drive into the park, Jeff parked at the bottom of the hill and we walked in the steep quarter mile walk. 

When we got to the entrance of the park we stretched and then began our run.  We were going to run out for 1.5 miles, turn around and run the 1.5 miles back in. 

Look how high we are!

Our goal for this run was to just get 3 miles done.  This was the very first time I’ve run a trail and the first in YEARS I’ve run hills.  The hills on the trail were rolling, but Jeff kept warning me that it was more downhill going out and then uphill coming back.

Off the main trail were a lot more steep trails that you can take.  We did not.  But Jeff did point out those that he rides on his mountain bike.  Good for him. 

We saw lots of little squirrels foraging for food. 

And then Jeff tried to school me on what poison oak looks like.  All I retained was something about 3 leaves on each branch…Note:  stay away from ALL bushes on trail runs.

We saw some animal tracks, thankfully not the animal leaving the tracks.  Those coyotes can be pretty scary.

And then it was time to turn around.  Cue the uphill. 

And Jeff was not lying.  It seemed like we had rolling hills the first half of the run but honestly, turning around it seemed like it was ALL uphill.  After a quarter mile of uphills, it was time for our first walk. 

To be honest, we did more walking than running on the way back.  At one point I may have misinterpreted a look Jeff gave me and started searching for a cliff to push him off.  No worries, we hugged it out. 

Sooner than later (thankfully!) we saw the park entrance and it was all downhill from there.  We finished the 3 miles in around 40 mins, which is pretty slow.  But now we have a base and it can only get better from there.

To the hills

Jeff and I have been doing the same 3 mile loop in our neighborhood for the last year.  In an effort to save ourselves from boredom, we decided to run Chino Hills State Park tomorrow. 

I’m a little nervous since it’s A) hills and B) on trails so Jeff took me for a ride through the park.

The view was so clear and pretty, but I’m still nervous.  Wish us luck!

Five Things I’m Looking Forward to in October

Happy October 1st!!  I cannot believe it is already October and there are only 3 months left of the year!  Is it too early to start decorating for Christmas?  No seriously.  Not joking.  Jeff?

I love that October is the kick-off to fall weather and fun activities.  Here are my top 5 things I’m looking forward to in October.

#1  Chicago

I have to go back to Chicago for work and am really looking forward to visiting the city in the fall.  The only bummer…going alone.  I will not know 1 person there and will be there for 3 whole nights.

#2  Pumpkin Carving

I like this mostly because we do it with the nieces.  They get to pick the design and we do the hard work. 

#3  Cooler Evenings

Love that it gets into the 50’s in the evening! 

#4  The Pumpkin Festival

The pumpkin festival is held at a local college and pretty popular for residents.  Jeff and I are hoping to go this year and maybe take along all four nieces? 

#5  Skipping the Haunted Hike

Because their version of “tame” is obviously not the same as mine.  And I really don’t feel like scolding some teenagers for talking to my nieces. 

Although, Brooklyn just said she wants to go and Kalea has ZERO recollection of the hike.  She keeps asking me, people were in bushes?  It was scary?  I want to see a ghost.  Whatever kid, trust me, you don’t want to see no ghost.