It ain't Chinese algebra!

My right hip killed. Then it dawned on me that these shoes have over 1,100 miles. I think I'll toss them and see if that's the problem. Fingers crossed...

Ran through the nearby neighborhood before heading north on 164th, then looped through to Mill Plain behind Target before making my way home past Mt. View HS and the movie theater. 

Around Fishers Grove South. That place is a confusing maze. 3.3 miles is better than 0 miles I guess...

Fishers Landing to highway 14 then home. 

Ran a loop behind Target and then home via Mill Plain. 

Finally got out the door this morning. Rough week. Blah...

Pretty worthless week. Next two weeks might be fairly similar.

9 miles around Dallas, TX. I usually have a great sense of direction, even in a brand new city. Not so much today. Got all sorts of lost/turned around. Luckily I stumbled upon the hotel at 9 miles and I wasn't late for meetings. 

Just over 11 miles in Dallas. Ran past SMU to In n Out Burger, then back to the hotel. Feels like I strained my right calf. I had to walk/jog/hobble back. Not pleasant...

7 miles around Costco and the Wells.  Right leg felt much better.  Not 100%, but much better.

We stayed in Lake O last night and I was planning on running in my old stomping grounds this morning (Tualatin area). Change of plans and instead I had Andrea drop me off at the Fred Meyer just after crossing into Washington off of I-5. Ran home from there, mostly on Mill Plain. Felt good and the weather was great; t-shirt and no gloves.

Running just isn't fun when your body won't cooperate. Took a week off and my body still isn't happy. Pretty much my right leg, from hip to toes.

Ran to 34th, then Target, then home past TVC and Big Als.  Leg fet good, but that's to be expected after a week of no running.

Around Union HS. Leg still tight. 

Same story, different day. 

Running isn't enjoyable lately.

Blah. Every day this week was worse as far as my leg goes. Not many things worse than wanting to run far and your body not cooperating. Frustrating. 

Same story, different week.  This is getting old.  Right hip/hamstring/calf/knee/hip flexor all tight.

Behind the Wells and Grass Valley, then home. 

It snowed in Portland. It took me 90 minutes to get home from work when it should haven taken only 15 minutes. After dinner and watching basketball, I took out the garbage and the wind had stopped. Fresh snow, no wind and zero traffic; I had to go for a run. Ran the streets of Vancouver all by myself for 5 miles. It was awesome. So quiet, so bright from the reflection of street lights on the white snow. Loved it.

Winter wonderland #2. Not as fun as last night, but enjoyable for the most part. More traffic to deal with at 7, that's for sure.

Today was miserable I relation to the last two. The snow as fun for a couple days, but by today it had turned to ice in most places, and thick slush elsewhere. The NW is miserable after a snowstorm because the city does nothing to clear the roads. Just have to deal with the mess until it melts.

I ran today! Success. 

My leg felt good for the first 5, then not so much...

The best I've felt in 2+ months. Hopefully turning the corner. 

Felt good two days in a row. Knock on wood... Ran McGilvery to the church, then Mill Plain home.  Lots of rain and wind.

Around Costco and Union HS. Misty rain which made for an enjoyable run. 

Around fishers landing and then home via Mill Plain.

I ran South on 192nd to Highway 14 and back.

PM: 4 miles in Bend, OR.

8 miles in Bend, OR. The altitude kicked my butt. 

Around Mt. View HS.

Ran to the Timbers practice fields, then home via Union HS. 

I ran around the Costco and Grass Valley loop.  Just can't seem to get any more miles than 6-7.  But I suppose that 6 is better than 0.

Around the 'hood. 

Strong winds. Not fun. Cut the run short. 

Hotel treadmill in Princeton, NJ. Here all week. Bad weather will keep me inside all week. Yuck.

Treadmill in Princeton.

Treadmill. I don't think my achilles likes the treadmill. But I didn't pack warm clothing to run outside in the single digit temps. Poor planning on my part.

PM: 3.2 miles around the hotel and corporate offices. It was bitter cold and all I had was shorts and a t-shirt. Used some socks as gloves. Still too cold. First time I stepped outside since Sunday.

Treadmill 

Made it home to Vancouver last night. Feels good to run in my neighborhood and not on the treadmill at the hotel. Wells loop and costco loop. Best I've felt since October or September.

Ran to highway 14 off of 164th, then looped around McGilveray and the middle school. Home via Mill Plain. It feels so good to be running pain free after 5-6 months. 

Early run around Vancouver before Andrea took a flight to Kentucky. Gonna be a long week. 

Took the boys to Grass Valley and they played on the playground while I ran laps. Pretty choppy run, as I frequently stopped to check in with them and make sure all was well. Better that than no run at all.

Pushed Miles in the stroller whole the oldest was in school. Great weather today.

Ran loops around the neighborhood.  Lots and lots of loops.

Loops around the house, checking on the boys every 15-20 minutes. 

Looped around Target and then Union HS and Costco. Glad this week is over...

Around Target, Timbers soccer field and Union HS. Felt like junk. 

Wells loop to Costco.

Around Union HS, then to the Timbers soccer fields and home. 55 degrees and drizzly rain made for an enjoyable run.

Mt. View HS  to Target, then home. 

Ran the hill East of Costco, then back to Union HS and home.

Around the hood. 

Timbers practice fields, then camas medows cold course, and looped around to Grass Valley school and home. Weather said last night lots of rain and wind but I caught a perfect window and it was very pleasant. After I finished the wind started up and the sky let open with a downpour. Glad I went when I did.

Early fun before a airport departure. 

Awesome run around Boston. Ran from the hotel to the river, then along a path for 3 miles. Crossed over and came back and looped through MIT, then crossed back across the river and ran to Fenway Park, back down Beacon St to Boston University and to the Cheers bar. Eventually back to the hotel. No better way to see a city than by foot on a run. My favorite thing to do in a new city. 

Around the hotel in Boston. I went to City Sports and talked with Christy, the store manager. She hooked me up with marathon course knowledge, as well as a handful of free gear. She was amazingly helpful and generous to a complete stranger. Anyway, it just felt like good voodoo so.....I'm going to run the Boston marathon course tomorrow morning before my flight. Wish me luck!

I ran the Boston Marathon course this morning. It was quite the experience. Up at 5:15, ran 1.5 miles to the train station, took the train and bus to Hopkinton, arriving just after 7:00 AM. Used the bathroom, took some photos, then the fun began. I couldn't take too long as I had to check out of my hotel and get to the airport. However I did stop for photos now and again. Got a little tired around mile 22 but I was rejuvenated at mile 25 to know I was so close. Bummer that my Garmin died at mile 13-14 and my cell phone battery died literally at the finish line. Lame. Oh well. It was amazing and I finally have a desire to race Boston. Next year?

Walked 1 mile around the neighborhood. I've never felt so good after running 26+ miles. Granted, I ran slower than my typical race pace. Knees are a little sore, but that's about it. I'll run tomorrow to finish off the week. 

Union HS and back in the rain. Legs still feel the effects of Thursday morning. Monday should be better. 

I pushed Cameron around Mill Plain after work.

Ran to the Timbers practice field and back, then through the neighborhood to the south for 1 loop.

Union HS with a mile on the track, then home. 

Grass Valley and Wells loop, plus the Sharp hill.

Around the neighborhood, to Walmart, then a few more laps around the neighborhood. 

Fun run this morning. I ran a new course which it should do more often. I ran to costco, then along lake road to the bottome of the hill and the road T's by the lake. I took a right and ran into downtown Camas, and then made my way home via highway 14. Running on a highway isn't the most enjoyable and I was surprised at how busy the traffic was for a Saturday morning. Looped around Dorthy Fox and then home via 20th.

Along Mill Plain to Safeway, then around church to 172nd. Went south to 34th and then looped around HP to 192nd and home.

Target to stake center to Timbers to home. 

Union High School track and back.

Dorthy Fox and Grass Valley loop and then Union HS

Target loop

Timbers soccer fields to the Lacamas Trail. Ran along the lake to the end, then up the hill and past Grass Valley to 192nd. Ran south to highway 14 and up the big hill, then returned home the same way. Pace was 7:00ish the first 14 miles, then 6:15 and 5:25 the final two.

Target to Timbers soccer and home. 

To Union HS, 4 miles on the track, then home. 

Frontage road along highway 14 to the church, then home via Mill Plain. 

Ran around Fishers Landing and then to Union HS and home.

Big loop to I-215 and Fred Meyer, then home via Winco, Evergreen HS, Timbers, and Union HS. First 10 miles in 6:59/mile, then 6 mile tempo in 6:02, 5:56, 5:57, 5:51, 5:48, 5:26. Final mile in 8:25, nice and easy. Solid workout!

Lincoln City. Lots of rolling hills but it was beautiful. Ran past an LDS church on West Devils Lake road. 

Timbers soccer, Union HS, then home. 

Ran around Fishers Landing and then to Mountain View HS.

PM: 3.4 miles with Ryan as he rode his new bike. I pushed the other two in their stroller.

Timbers and Union HS

Around Mt View HS, Target, and Walmart. First 7 easy, next three in 5:51, 5:41, 5:17. Then slow .6 home.

Grass Valley to Wells loop.  Left achillies a little uncomfortable.

Big loop around Evergreen HS on a bunch of roads I've never ran on.  Woke up at 5:30 and couldn't sleep so I headed for my run.  Ran around Union HS, Timbers, and then north on a road before the church.  Only other time I've been on that road was when driving with a realator and looking at houses to buy.  Not pleasant memories...

Eventually connected up with 164th to 4th Plain, then took a gues on which street to head south on.  Otherwise, I'd be stuck on some major roads/free-way interchanges, etc over by the mall.  Anyway, I selected to right road and came past Evergreen HS and Winco before heading home via 172nd and Mill Plain.  I was planning only 17 with some tempo sections, but I wasn't feeling up to the quicker pace and I figured the time on my feet, at a slower pace, would be just as beneficial.

Averaged 6:48/mile for 20 miles.

Ran around Timbers and to the park in 172nd, then home the same way.

Target, Evergreen HS and Timbers, then home.

2 miles by myself, 5 with the oldest on his bike (half with #2 and half with #3), then 3 miles by myself.

Timbers to 164th, then looped through neighborhoods to Mill Plain and home.

Not feeling it today. 

I hit the wall. Last 4 were tough... Lack of food yesterday? Who knows. Similar route to last week. Up around 164th and Evergreen HS, across I-205 to SW Hospital and then home on McGilveray.

11 easy, then 5 miles averaging 6:00/mile exactly. I was going to jog 1 mile, then hit 5:30's for 17-20 but my body refused. Slowly jogged home instead. Averaged 6:58 for the entire run.

Union HS and Timbers. Feel better than Saturday but not 100%.

Ran over to Chucks, then around Target and home. 

Mt View to Target to Timbers. My body feels like junk again, just like it felt from September 2013 to February if this year. Not sure why it's regressed... Right hip and hamstring, left achilles.

Yesterday felt like junk. Today felt much better. Ran 9 easy then pushed the pace the final mile. Hit 5:10. Half mile cool down. Timbers, Target, Mt View and home.

3 miles in Sunriver. Haven't been sleeping well this week and it finally caught up with me. Just couldn't get up in time for a run before work started. 

Beautiful run in Sunriver as the sun came up at 5:15. Had the roads all to myself. 

Timbers, 164th to Target and home. 

Timbers and home. 

Union HS and Wells loop. 

164th dog park and home.

Walmart and many loops around the neighborhood.

Massive loop around 4th Plain to the Vancouver Mall, 87th TVC and McGillvery. Didn't hit the wall today so an improvement from two weeks ago. 

Ran the first 10 miles easy to the Best Western by the mall.  Around mile 7 I tried to eat a Stinger brand energy gel.  It made me want to puke and I could only eat 25% of it.  I grabbed a drink at ten miles and then started a 9 mile tempo back home.  The first was 6:08; typical for the first mile after easy ones...  Mile 2 was 6:28 as I gained over 150 feet in half a mile.  The next 7 miles were consistent between 5:50-5:30 each.  I was planning on doing ten tempo miles but with basically no fuel and just one small drink of water, there was no way I could muster out even one more mile at that pace.  Final mile in 8:something.  Averaged 6:38 for the 20 miles.

8.3 miles by myself and I struggled. Felt the effects from Saturday for sure... Came home and grabbed Ryan and he rode two miles on his bike as I finished my morning. 

Dog Patk to Target and Highway 14, then home through secret street in a Fishers Landing. Allergies are out of control....

2.5 mile into my run, I felt a sharp, searing pain in my left foot. I immediately slowed down and looked at what kind if rock I'd stepped on. No rock...but instead, it was a screw that went directly through my shoe.  I untied and took my shoe off to see that the screw was sticking through the sole 1/2 inch and my sock was bleeding. Good times... Luckily it happened across the street from the local gym in Camas and I hopped over, called Andrea, and got a ride home. Now I'm at urgent care getting a tetanus shot for the first time since 1999. 

Nothing.  My foot hurts worse today than yesterday.  It's to be expected, I suppose, but I'm dissapointed nonetheless.  Hopefully tomorrow...

Only made it 1 mile. Foot just doesn't feel ready to run on and I tend to err on the side of caution. 

Good long run. No tempo...just a long run on my legs. Finished just over 2:33 and now I'm tired. Foot is better (not 100%, but better). One more long run next week and then Seattle.

To the church, then behind Target to the dog park and Timbers, then home. 

Similar to yesterday, but in reverse. 

Wells loop to Grass Valley and Union HS. 1 mile on the track and then home.

Target loop to the dog park, then home. 

Around the neighborhood.

Last long run. Felt ok. Just ok... I went to the chiro yesterday hoping to feel like a million bucks today. No such luck.

172nd to dog park, Timbers, Union HS and home.

Timbers and back. Tired...

PM: A few miles with the boys in their bikes. 

Wells loop to Grass Valley and home.

Target loop to dog park, then home via 172nd. Easy or the first 9, then a 5:30 mile for the last 1. 

Mountain View HS and home. I slept like junk last night and felt the effects this morning...

Timbers, then Lacamas Lake trail and home via Grass Valley.

I ran to the dog park via Target and then my watch battery died.  Bummer.  Made my way home, measured the route, and realized I was short of my 10 miles I was shooting for.

Timbers and Union HS. 

Timbers to 172nd and home via Mill Plain.

Rest. Tried to sleep in but I was wide awake at 5:45. 

Fishers Landing and back.

I did not have fun. Haha. 2nd slowest marathon ever, I think.

3 miles in Sitka, Alaska with Jason and Jill. At least 3 more miles walking around totem poles later in the day.

3.3 miles in Ketchikan, Alaska with Dad, Jan, Jill, Jason, Randy, and Barbara. Lots if fun.

45 minutes on the elliptical. A few miles walking with the group in Victoria after dinner.

Timbers and back. My legs are still shot.

Timbers and back.

Timbers to 172nd and home.

Timbers to dog park and home via Olive Garden.

Timbers , dog park, Target and home (9.3 miles), then 2.5 miles w/ the kids on their bikes while I ran in a new pair of shoes. Trying out some Altra shoes I picked up at the Seattle marathon expo. I liked them...

Around the neighborhood. Right hamstring is giving me troubles again...

Long day, didn't get to run until 9pm. Managed just over 8 miles while people continued to light fireworks. Yesterday wasn't enough, apparently.

Timbers, dog park, home. 

Timbers, dog park, home. Again...

Grass Valley and Wells Loop. Something different!

Mt. View HS and north behind Target, then home.

Fishers Landing to Mt View HS and Target, then home.

Broke in a new pair of trail shoes. Ran around Lacamas Lake and down to Lower Falls. Good run. 

Drop the family off the airport and drove back to Camas to run the trails. Got lost a few times but eventually found the main trail. Enjoyable run. Bachelor for the next two weeks...

Down 192nd to Highway 14 and back. 

AM: Timbers and back. 

PM: Ran to Union HS, 2 miles on the track, then home. 

Timbers, dog park, Target, home. 

Around the neighborhood.  Right hip not happy in the slightest...

Drove to Forrest Park for a trail run. The first 6 miles were kind of blah until I found the Wildwood trail and then things became more enjoyable. The final two miles or so my right hip gave me troubles. Frustrating...

Timbers, Dog Park, and home. 

To Union HS, around the track a few miles, then home. 

Around the neighborhood, to Fred Meyers, and home.

In Medford. Ran on the bike path to the baseball fields, then back to the hotel.

In Medford, around Walmart and Fred Meyers. Body feels good!

Ran the SOB 50K this morning. Had a blast. 12 minute improvement from 2012 after learning from my previous experience. Will write more when I get home. 

I ran this race in 2012 as a 'bucket-list' type of run.  It was my first ultra and while I enjoyed it, I never seriously considered running it again, especially after leaving the area nearly 1 year ago.  However, when a work trip to Southern Oregon became a reality the same week as the race, I decided to sign up and run it again.

Training has been so-so, and my pre-race trail running was essentially 1 long run last weekend, so my pre-race expectations were pretty low.  Three nights in a hotel prior to the race contributed to horrible sleep (as usual) so I wasn't sure what to expect.  I got to Mt. Ashland just a bit after 6 AM, grabbed my race number and after a few bathroom stops, I was ready to roll.  I started a touch faster than in 2012, but not by much.  I was in 20-25th place after 1 mile and 6 miles into the race my legs were feeling shot.  Not a good sign.  I kept plugging away, getting passed in the downhill portions like usual, until the aid station at mile 8.  This is where we began the 3 mile climb to over 7,000 ft elevation...  Perfect.  I caught quite a few guys during this stretch (5-6?) and then ran solo for much of the next 10 miles.  

Just as I remember from 2012, the course is absolutely stunning.  The views are incredible and breathtaking at the same time.  I hit the aid station at 21ish feeling pretty good.  Last time I hit the wall pretty hard after leaving this section with the 4 mile climb, so I made sure to hydrate well (coke!) and ensure my water bottle was full (ran out last time).  Immedietly after leaving the aid station, I put ear buds in and cranked Blink-182.  That, along with the coke and plenty of water, I cruised up the hills.  It was such a difference from before.  In the next 10 miles I passed 10-12 people--just cruising past them on the uphill.  However, that left me pretty spent for the final 4 miles where the course is exposed to the elements and the sun beats down something fierce.  I managed to hold it together though, and finished in a bit of a sprint (like 2012) to beat the first female who was right there as well.

I learned a lot two years ago and was able to utilize those lessons today (visor, coke pre-hills, M&M's, etc) which paid off.  I guess that's what happens when you run the same race twice... For some reason I rarely run a race more than 1 time, so usually this doesn't matter.  Anywho, I had a great time and could easily see myself running this race on a yearly (or semi-yearly) basis if the schedule allows.

More sore today than yesterday...

Giving it one more day...  Planning on a short jog Wednesday.

To the middle school track and home. Felt good for 3 miles, then my hip flared up the last bit.

Neighborhood.

Timbers and north to Evergreen HS, then home via Dog Oark and Mill Plain. Miles 11 & 12 were 5:35 and 5:28. Felt like my lungs were going to explode. I'm out of shape... Final 2.5 miles with Ryan as he rode his bike.

Timbers, dog park, and home. 

Timbers, Union HS, then a neighborhood loop w/ the boys on their bikes. 

Mt. View HS, Target, and home. 

Fishers Landing and home. Hip flexor was horribly tight. Painful...

5 mile warm up.

Huckleberry 10K

2.7 mile cool down.

Dog Park and back home. 

Timbers, dog park, home. 

Grass Valley and Wells loop for 7 miles, then a few miles with the kids on their bikes around the neighborhood.

Dog Park and back home.

Around the neighborhood.

Past Camas Medows to Lacamas Trail, back to the mail park/trailhead, then home via Grass Valley and Costco for 13 miles. Then 3 miles with the boys on their bikes.

Timbers, Dog Park, and home.

Timbers, Dog Park, Target and home.

Union HS, laps around the track, then home.

MV High School, then behind Target and home. Hip is hurting again after three days of feeling good...

To the church and back via 14 and Fishers Landing.

Mill Plain to Winco and Evergreen HS, then home via Timbers. First 11 easy then 5:40, 5:40, 5:30 for final 3 miles.

Just under 1 mile with the boys/bikes.

Timbers

Union HS and then Fred Meyer.

Grass Valley Loop. 

North Target to the dog park and home via 172nd. 

Around the neighborhood.

1 mile warm up. 

Race

1. 5:42

2. 5:46

3. 6:02

4. 5:43

5. 5:40

6. 5:37

7. 5:39

8. 5:40

9. 5:41

10. 5:51

11. 5:30

12. 5:32

13. 5:30

.1. .29

So, it took me a week to bother even looking at my mile splits.  Not that I was bummed about the race (the opposite actually--I was 2 minutes faster this year compared to last year) but I've been busy.  Anywho, after looking at each mile, I'm VERY pleased with this race.  2014 hasn't been that great for training so I'll just take what I can get.  Had zero expectations going into this race.  Just wanted to win, whatever time that took.  The first couple of miles I ran with a group of guys, but then on mile three at the hill by Dr. Black's office, I seperated from the group (despite the slower mile).  Never really pushed the pace; just ran easy and in control for the majority of the race.  Especially pleased with the final couple of miles where the course loops around the trail system by the VA, the HS, and back along the river.  I think the cooler weather this year had a lot to do with me feeling more comfortable and running a faster time.  Last year was brutally hot.  2nd place was about 5 minutes behind me, so much of the run was a solo tempo type workout.  Anyway, good day for a run.  Didn't bother to run a cool-down.  Just waited an hour or so and then ran the kids mile (1.4 miles to be exact) with Ryan.  He did great and only stopped twice.  The longest he's ever ran!

1.4 mile kids run with Ryan. Impressive race for him!

Timbers, dog park, home.

Ran 6 with my dad towards union HS, Mill Plain to Target and home, then 2 with Ryan on his bike.

Costco, Grass Valley loop to Wells and home.

MVHS, Target loop with Dad.

Fishers Landing to Fred Meyer and home. 

MVHS to Mill Plain and Chokolav, then Evergreen HS, dog park, Timbers and home. 

Timbers, Dog Park, home.

Union HS and back, with a few laps around the track in the middle.

Grass Valley loop to Wells and home. 

Nada. Didn't feel like battling the 25 mph winds. 

Around the neighborhood again and again. 

5 miles on the trails at Camp Alpine with my Dad. 

Dog Park, Timbers, then home. 

Timbers, Union HS, and home. 

Union HS and then a Grass Valley/Wells loop.

Mountain View HS, Big 5 and home. Walked the last 1.5 moles because of pain in my lower back. Tweaked it yesterday somehow (shoes?) but thought I was feeling ok. 

Well, that was disappointing. It's been three weeks..... I tried to run twice in the past two weeks and couldn't make it out of my neighborhood before returning and walking/limping home. Finally this week my back and hip loosened up. I really wanted to run yesterday but I figured I'd give myself one more day of rest.

I made it one mile today. Small victory I suppose. The pain today wasn't in my glute like the past two times, but rather tight on my spine. Previous two times it was a sharp pain with each right foot strike, but today was more of a dull pain with every step. It's been an hour since I finished and I'm not limping, so again, small victory I suppose. Fingers crossed I can go again tomorrow.

Injuries suck

Frustrating.  Ran up 192nd to Walmart and felt good but then, just over 1 mile into the run, my right hip started hurting with each and every step.  Slowly walked home with my tail between my legs.  Pain in each step.... The improvement I felt this week seems to have been a false sense of hope and instead, I feel like I did 3 weeks ago.  Pain in my right glute each and every time my right foot touches the ground.  At this point, there's no possible way I'll be running the half marathon next weekend.  And that, boys and girls, is why I hate pre-registering for races........

Ran up to Walmart and Home Depot and back. Pain in my hip/glute but it was bearable. Can't tell if that means I'm improving or not. A couple miles are better than nothing...

Ran to Big Al's and back. Halfway home I had to walk. 4 weeks wasn't enough rest apparently so...I'm just going to accept it and sleep in for the foreseeable future. 

2 miles with my Dad.  Hip still hurting.  This is frustrating

Ran around Fisher Basin Park while the kids played.  Felt good at first, then not so good, then better.  Quite the eventful mile...

Better

Fisher Basin Park, behind Costco, and home via Walmart.  Better again.

Not good. 

Ran to the movie theater and home via Big Al's. Painful. 

Drove to Timbers and ran 3 miles on the grass. Didn't make the hip/back feel any better/worse. 

Ran to Union HS and back. Best I've felt since te middle if September. Not 100% but maybe 75%. And I'm now slow...

Loop around the east roads behind Mio Sushi.

Similar loop to yesterday. Felt even better today. Hip pain gone for good?

Fred Meyer, movie theater, Big Al's.  I think I over stretched yesterday so my hip felt funny, but when I ran everything felt fine. 

Around the neighborhood. I'll try for 6-7 miles tomorrow to test the hip a bit more. 

Ran to highway 14 on 164th, then north to Fred Meyer and Big Al's, then home. Longest I've ran in 8 weeks. Felt decent in the hip. No pain, but just tight and 'funny.'

Ran to Timbers and back. Hip didn't feel great. Surprising after a weekend of rest. 

Around Fishers Landing elementary school and home. 25mph winds made for less than ideal running conditions. 

After work, in the ice and snow. Better than nothing...

Ran to Union HS and back. Pretty lame week. Busy with work the last two days, massive wind storm (coupled with freezing rain and snow), made it hard to run much. On the bright side, zero pain in my hip. Awesome. Now I just have to get into shape....

North around TVC Tech Center and home via Walmart. Hip felt great! 

To Mt View HS, movie theater, and home. Cold. Hip still good. Hit $500 for the year.

To Les Scwabb and Wells Fargo, then back home. 

Around the neighborhood. 

Fishers Landing to 164th and Mill Plain, then TVC tech center and Walmart, then home. 

North of Tech Center TVC and home via Walmart.

To Union HS and up the hill, then back.

To church, middle school, and home via Mill Plain.

Lacamas Trail with Dad and Jason. 

MVHS, Target, and home. 

Fishers Landing to 164th and New Seasons, then Big Al's and home. 

TVC Tech Center to dog park, then home via Timbers.  

Timbers, Union HS, and home. 

Les Schwab, QFC, and home. Windy. Not pleasant so I cut it short. 

Neighborhood again and again.

Union HS, Timbers, Dog Park, home via 164th. 

Around Disneyland. 

Around church, Chucks, Charles Schwab, and home. 

Costco, Skyridge, and home.

Mt View HS, Target, and home. Found a $10 bill just outside my neighborhood. 

Fishers Landing 

Mill Plain to Winco and Evergreen HS, then home via Timbers. 

TVC Tech Center north and home. 

Near MVHS, movie theater, and home. 

Costco, Skyridge MS, and home.

Dog Park, neighborhood to the west, and home.

Around the neighborhood. 

To Walmart on Millplain and back. Lots of rain...

Dog Park, timbers, home. 

Movie theater and New Seasons with my dad, then out and back on 20th.

Grass Valley Loop

W/ Dada on hill to Prune Hill Elementary, then looped north to 20th and home.

MVHS, Target, home. 

Fishers Landing, then 192nd to Highway 14 and back.

Dog Park, Timbers, Home.

Walmart, TVC, Big Al's and home. Freezing cold. Bitter wind made it feel like 17 degrees. Not fun. 

Highway 14, then big hill to Prune Hill Elementary, the home via Wells. Found the usual, plus $1.15 in bills and coins.

my year was pretty blah. Mileage was quite a bit down from the previous 2-3 years. Just ran a few races. I won two half marathons and top 10 at Seattle RocknRoll, but the races was pretty miserable. Just didn't have the proper training to do well I guess. SOB in July was awesome though and reinvigorated my love of trails. I think I'll shoot it 2-3 ultra races in 2015. Lastly, I found $607 in bottles which is pretty crazy. That's over 12,000 bottles I've picked up from the streets in 12 months. Haha. I would have easily hit $700 if I hadn't injured my back in September and October. Hopefully 2015 is even better.