Girls Gone Wild (err...hiking)

Alison and I hit the trails today for some hiking fun while the boys went and rode their mountain bikes.  We headed south of Norman, OK to Lake Thunderbird- Clearbay Trail.  This is a fabulous area of the metro area.  The trails are super long (16 miles total) with lots of climbing and descending.  Well, lots by Oklahoma standards, that is. 

The sky sure was pretty with all those wispy clouds floating around

Alison and I before the hike began

 Before we took off, the boys got on their bikes and readied themselves for 3 hours of some tough riding.

We hit the trail about 12:30 and boy were we glad that we decided to go for some trail hiking instead of some other activity that didn't allow the trees to block the wind for us.  Wind was out of the south at about 30 mph.  Eek!  We sure felt the breeze, even in the trees, and although it provided a nice breeze to keep us cool, we sure didn't mind using the trees as a little windblock. 

Alison 'on the trail'

 So the trails aren't exactly what you would call "pretty" this time of year.  The leaves are all dead (what leaves are still on the trees) except for the occasional pine tree in the woods.  We didn't see one creature out there either- believe it or not.  Not one squirrel, not one deer, not even one little bug.  I suppose even they decided it wasn't the best day for being out and about.

We finished our hike in about 2.5 hours.  We didn't go very far, just took it at a casual pace (Alison *is* 7 months pregnant after all- even tho you would never know it by the size of her teeny belly or the stamina she still has).  We made it about 6 miles.  We enjoyed every minute of it.  Great times that must be had again sometime soon!!!

Good times!

Meet Kona

Here is our newest addition to our family.  5 year old Kona.

Her name is Kona- named after the place where we would both like to race one day (Hawaii Ironman World Championships).  In the triathlon world, when you mention the word Kona- everyone knows what you're talking about.  "You went to Kona" doesn't  mean you vacationed there- it means you raced there. 

I adopted her from the Oklahoma City animal shelter.  We lost Max in late September, and after our Golden, Jimbo, was showing major signs of depression we thought he needed a pal.  I went to the shelter and picked her out.  She was sick with heartworms, but I knew we could help rehab her.  She had the sweetest face, and just called out to me to take her home.  Bonus for us October was half-price adoption month, so I was able to take home a pup who was spayed, treated for heartworm and given her shots for only $25.  OKC is a kill shelter, so I felt much better about going there instead of a no-kill rescue.  At least I know I saved a life. 

Jimbo absolutely hated her for the first couple weeks.  Would growl, snap and bite at her.  He's gradually coming around.  They have even been seen playing together in the backyard, and once he helped her escape from her little dog run that she had to be kept in during her heartworm recuperation period.  They're not like peas and carrots just yet, but I'm hopeful.

I can't wait to take her out running with me.  I think she'll be a great running partner.  She came to us already knowing some commands, and she's a quick learner. 
We're very blessed to have such a sweet dog in our care!

 Kona in the car on the way home from the shelter, but after a bath at the dog wash.

Reflections on my 24 Hour run- last month

Well it's been a month since my 24 Hour race, and I'm just now getting around to telling you about it.  I suppose I've been... busy??  Nope- that's not it.  I've been lazy.  Yup- that's it!

It was a LOT of fun.  Putting it into a well-written story is useless.  All the memories are there, they just exist in short little bits and pieces.  Here are some of those pieces:

**morning started  out rough with my newly adopted dog having a seizure and me not knowing what it was.  Took her to the emergency vet and was subsequently late for the start of the race (well, made it just as the gun went off).
**first 5-6 laps were slow and lethargic.  Couldn't get my mind into the race with the worrying over the dog.  Super Steph went home to get Kona and brought her to the race.  Love my friend!
**Day was windy, but not in the trees on the trail.  Weather was perfect!
**walked all throughout the day.  Stopped and rested at each lap (and petted Kona).
**sun went down and I went on.  Took two 1.5 hour naps throughout the night.  Got VERY cold overnight and had to layer a LOT.
**blisters on the balls of both feet caused me to have to stop much sooner than I was ready to.  Had to call it quits at 6 am with 20 laps in (40 miles total).  Nothing else on my body hurt, but the balls of my feet.  I was devastated to have to stop, but I had no choice.  The last lap took me 1:20 to complete (2 miles).  I had no choice.
**it was the most fun I've ever had (maybe except Ironman).  I will do it again next year.  I will make it much further next year.

I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story.