Finally!

We have been waiting and waiting and waiting for our engagement photos, and today we finally received them today.

As Chris knows, it's not often I like photos of myself, but I love this one. It captures exactly how I feel about him.

Orange County Half Marathon

Every August, the high school girlfriends gather in some sunny locale for an annual catch up and a lazy weekend in the sun.

Last year, while lounging poolside, harassing some poor fools from Orinda drinking Chi Chi's, my then pregnant girlfriend Cheryl declared that we all had to run a half marathon in 2010. Then and there we decided to do the Orange County Half Marathon, to be held May 2, 2010. I registered while sunning poolside.

Flash forward 8 months (Cheryl now has six month old twin girls!) and I found myself arriving in Orange County to meet my friend Lindsay for our 2010 girls weekend adventure. Typically we would all stay together at our chosen hotel, however this year Cheryl opted to stay at home with the twins.

On Saturday, we all met up at race registration. It was so fun to watch Lindsay and Cheryl get excited for their first half marathon. Armed with our timing chips and race t-shirts, we headed off for some quality catch up time while partaking in one of our favorite group activities -- shopping -- at one of my favorite all time shopping locations -- Fashion Island.

I have no idea where the day went, but all of a sudden we realized we all needed to start thinking about turning in for our very early morning the following day, and Lindsay and I rushed off to locate some sort of acceptable pre-race breakfast.

Sunday morning came early, but I was excited for the run. I think Newport Beach is a beautiful area, so I was looking forward to exploring the area on foot, which is my favorite way to explore a new area. After being dropped off at the starting line by our hotel shuttle driver, Lindsay and I located Cheryl while we waited for the start. As the appointed start time neared, I headed off to for one last pre-race bathroom break, only to discover the line was a mile long and there was no way I would make it through the line prior to the race start. No bother - as a 7+ year triathlete, quick stops in local bushes are a common practice.

This quick bush stop turned into quite an event, however, as the moment I exited the local bush I ran right into one of my clients, who was just getting out of his car.

Client: "Where are you coming from?"
Me: "No where in particular... just heading to the starting line."

Nice.

I was unsure prior to the start if we were going to try to run together, or run on our own. We decided to run together, and to take it as it came.

Shortly after 6:40 am, we were off.

About a mile into the event, I realized we would NOT be running together. Cheryl took off, and I chased after her. I ran with her until the 2nd mile marker, when I realized I was running in zone 4 -- definitely NOT coach approved. At that point I wished Cheryl a great race and fell back into a zone 2 pace. I was thankful I had the foresight to bring my iPod as I fell into a grove and ran my own event.

The run was STUNNING. The course started at Fashion Island and then wound through Corona del Mar, while overlooking the Big Corona del Mar State Beach and the Pacific Ocean. The course then traversed down the coast, past Newport Harbor, and then around the Newport Back Bay, ending at the OC Fair and Event Center. It was quite scenic and just a lot of fun.

I felt strong on the run - something I haven't felt in a long time on a run over 10 miles. The sensation was quite welcomed, as it made me excited for the final four months of my Ironman Canada training.

We all crossed the finish line in various mental states. Lindsay was thrilled to have come in under her time goal, Cheryl was frustrated to have just barely missed her goal (by about 90 seconds) and I was excited to have met my goal of beating my half marathon time from the prior weekend. Regardless, it was a wonderful day, particularly when Cheryl asked me to be a godparent! I was so honored and am so excited.

I am so blessed to have such special women in my life.

Just for Samantha...

Chris and I finally were able to sneak away for a weekend and headed to the coast.

We opted for a weekend in Big Sur and were delighted to learn upon our arrival at our destination that a rumored new couple was staying there as well - Alex Rodriquez and Cameron Diaz.

It appears the rumors are true.

The Wonder Years

Chris and I headed to the Napa Valley yesterday to scout wedding locations, and while there we just had to stop at Bouchon Bakery for some delicious treats.

As we were approaching Bouchon, I immediately recognized the gentleman of the couple in front of us. I squeezed Chris' hand REALLY hard, to which he responded, "WHAT?"

"Look!"

There were come cyclists snacking on some treats nearby... "At their bikes?"

"No, the guy!"

"Who is it?"

"Fred Savage!"

We laughed.

I'd actually seen Fred before, frantically running around his freshman year dorm at Stanford in his pajamas, as my sister lived in the same building.

Chris spent the remainder of the day singing the Wonder Year's theme song and Thomas Keller remains a god.

Ironman Canada Training

Training for Ironman Canada officially started this week.

I realized after a not so great year of racing that I just don't motivate myself and I hired a new coach. Workouts started on Tuesday and I have jumped in with both feet.

December is going to be a not so fun month, filled with what Chris and I call "heart rate restriction" workouts, but I am excited at the possibility of a 2010 personal record, both in the half and in the full distance Ironman events.

In 2010, I am registered for the Oceanside 70.3 in March, the Vineman 70.3 in July and then Ironman Canada in August. I am also very excited for a fun half marathon in there as well, as me and two of my dear friends from high school are doing the Orange County Half Marathon in May.

I'm even more excited for our wedding sometime during 2010... but first we need to figure out when and where!

Thankful

I have always felt I have been blessed in life, but this year I feel especially blessed.

I have a wonderful, loving family. I have my health. I have a job I love, even when the hours are long.

And now I have a fiance that I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Halloween

Chris and I have created a tradition of holding a pumpkin carving contest, just the two of us, each Halloween. It gets ugly. The smack talking starts early and is brutal. This year was no exception.

I fear I lost this year, as it took FOREVER to carve my huge pumpkin, and I grew frustrated. The pumpkin walls were very thick and our little carving tools did not go all the way through. Due to my novice cleaning of the pumpkin, I essentially had to carve it twice - once on the service and then again to cut all the way through. Chris was able to carve TWO pumpkins in the same amount of time it took me to do one.

Regardless, it was a wonderful way to spend an evening, and we are still munching on four varieties of roasted pumpkin seeds.

Too bad we had ZERO visitors seeking candy on Halloween.