Adventure Day

Excited!

  

Yesterday was a good day! Brian and I both got to sleep on till 8:30AM which never seems to happen! We then pack the cooler, loaded up the car and headed up to the mountains for an adventure!

 

My Guide[/caption] Brian grew up here in the Methow Valley and he knows it like the back of his had. I am lucky enough to be married to Brian and have my own mountain guide at hand everyday! Brian gets very excited about heading up into the high country!

The Views are absolutely amazing on all sides and the weather was perfect! Brian and I both opted to bring our light-weight Salomon Tech jackets which were good sun and wind protection. After long climbs we could simply wrap them around our drink belts and continue to move fast.

Cruising

Brian "cruising" he doesn't even sweat when he runs with me!

Gorgeous running at 7,000 feet

I on the other hand just try to keep up!

Especially when things get technical. After yesterday's run I now have a new level of comfort when running in the mountains!

One of the three peaks we reached. This one had beautiful views of Mt. Baker and Mt. Shukstan.

After a long day in the mountains we were excited to rinse off in the swimming hole.

As you can tell it was a little colder than we expected. After "icing" our legs and bodies we headed back to the yurt to make meatloaf for dinner with the Gregg Family! Such a good day and I feel like the luckiest girl in the World!!!

Methow Valley Living + Training

Sprinting up one of the many steep hills here in Washington

 I have been in Washington State for 3 weeks now and I can tell that my training here has been making a difference. Brian and I are working with a local coach and learning all kinds of new approaches to training. After 8 years of living in the Twin Cities and training the same way, both my body and mind have enjoyed the new regime.

Brian leading the way along the Mazama Community Trail with the Cascades in the Distance.

 

 

 

 Brian and I were together for a little over a week before he had to take off for a training camp in the Midwest again. I loved having him around to bring me to some of the most spectacular scenery I have ever witnessed on a run. Without him here I mostly run alone and freak out about the wildlife I see along the way. My wildlife encounters have quadrupled this year and it is a direct result of me traveling to Colorado and Washington instead of staying in the Midwest. Needless to say I am still not sure I have the correct protocol down for when I encounter a bear.

What a girl from the City does when she sees a Bear!

The Methow Valley is filled with Horses! It seems like most people own a horse and some own 50! I enjoy watching them in the fields while I am running. I came across these two pregnant mares who were lending each other a hand, or mouth, for some itchy spots they couldn't reach on their own. Clever Teamwork!

I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine :)

 Brian and I together in the Methow Valley has been great for the local ski team kids. We usually get to train beside them on the track or in the gym a few days a week. There is no better way to learn then by surrounding yourself with those who are better. The young athletes have jumped in with us willingly and I think the results will show the great benefits from or training together.

Trail work for the Local Methow Valley Ski Team

 No life in the North Cascades would be complete without living in a round tent, otherwise know as a Yurt! Brian and I are staying in a 300 SQ/FT yurt that chad, his twin brother, has lived in for the past 5 years. Chad got a new job in Seattle and offered the yurt to us for a place to stay. The yurt is incredible because you never realize how small a space you can live in until you live in a really small space and it WORKS!!!

My new Residence for the next couple of weeks!

Inside "Yurt Life" Everything has it "special place" in such a small space!