First 10K Race

July 4th marked my first race as a "runner." As part of our training, some of our team signed up for a race to test out the race waters before our actual event. We did the Pacific Palisades 10K. There were about 1,000 runners, some participating in the 5K (a nice pace through the Pacific Palisades neighborhoods) and some pushing on through the 10K which included a number of killer switchbacks in Will Rogers State Park, and one long hill in the last two miles. I learned a lot in the process about pacing, focus and how much running downhill hurts my left knee!

Seth (who was recovering from a cold funk) and Schmiegel cheered me on from the sidelines. It was a fun day, and big accomplishment for me. Next race up....the half marathon we've been training for!

The TRAIN TO END STROKE TEAM

What Happened to June?

Wow! I can hardly believe it is already July. And not even the beginning of July, we're headed towards mid-July. How do these things happen? The end of June brought the big celebration of my birth. I am usually much more excited about this birthday, but I really had some issues to work through with turning 30. Luckily, I have some great friends who cheered me out of my funk, and encouraged me to not look at what I haven't done in the last 30 years but at what I CAN do in the next 30. So, here's to the next 30! I'm sad to say I don't have one single photo of my 30th celebration :( but it was a GREAT weekend!

Back when I was still 29 (at the beginning of June), we were very happy to have the Lakers make it to the finals. No, we haven't become basketball fans. It just meant that Joya's work would bring her to LA for a week! Yay! It was a great week getting to spend some time with this sister we hardly get to see. Schmiegel was smitten with his Auntie, and I think she felt the same way. :)