Post-Season

Post season doesn't happen with the Seattle Mariners.

But, I finally went to a game this year.  Free tickets.

Great seats.

But as other teams go onto into October, the Seattle Mariners will just fade away.

Murphy's Day.

Explorer Society

Willa is an explorer.  She loves to explore only if I or her pack are around.  But she still loves new experiences.

With a lab, it's walking a fine line.  Between security and new.

Sounds a lot like me!

Hmmmm.

Nature.  Nurture.

Murphy's Day.

Yoga for Dogs

Ok, in my limited knowledge of yoga, this isn't a pose.  But what strikes me is how "blissed out" Willa seems to be in this pose.

Totally happy is what I strive to achieve as a dog mother.

I'm close to that goal with Willa.

Murphy's Day.

And Then the Weather Changed

While we were walking on Friday I felt a few rain drops.  And by the time we were done with dinner, it was pouring.

We went from summer to fall over the weekend.

And the girls didn't miss a beat.

Murphy's Day.

Becoming Best Buddies

It's so interesting, pack dynamics.

The young pup is working her way into Sage's heart.

She plays with Annie Oakley.  But she is gaga over Sage.

I think she thinks she is in a reality TV: Apprentice Top Dog.

Murphy's Day.

Staying Home

It's become quite rare for us to stay in Seattle on a weekend.

But we did.

The girls were more than a little bored.

So was I.

Murphy's Day.

Hood to Coast 2013 -- Bottom Line

Bottom line?  It was about spending three days with this crazy bunch of folks.  And I would do it agains in a heart beat.  In fact, I'm already out on the roads training.

Insane?

No one said I was normal.

I mean, I am owned by 3 labs!

Murphy's Day.

Hood to Coast -- 2013 Did I Mention No Sleep?

The thing about Hood to Coast is it is more than a running endurance test.  It's a test in getting along with 6 people in very closed quarters.  It's a test of physical endurance on little if no food, sleep, routine, family, friends.  It's being in the "elements."  It's insane.

Of course, our sleeping was hysterical.  Our first attempt was in front of a fire station during a rain storm!

And this was our second.

Notice, I am taking the picture!

Murphy's Day.

Hood to Coast 2013 -- Running Forever

I usually run with one of the girls at least once a week.

The whole time during this race I kept trying to imagine a leash in my hand.

But then that meant I had to imagine one of them trying to chase a cat or squirrel while I was holding on tight.

Murphy's Day!

Hood to Coast 2013 -- You're Not in Wisconsin Anymore!

Did I mention the Wisconsin connection?  I had to ride in a van with this duct taped to the side...

So, we left Seattle and got to what is called a "major exchange," in Sandy.  Meaning, Van 1 met Van 2.  Runner number 6 came in and gave off to our van and our runner number 7.  We were off.  This was all new to to me.  The craziness of the vans, all the runners, the exchanges.  But I quickly got into the vibe and energy.  We were off with our runner, Richard, who is older than me, but oh-so much faster.

We piled into the van and raced to Richard's finish where Joe took over...and on it went to my first run, at 10:30 at night.

I had no idea where I was, but knew I had to run about 6 miles.

Safety vest.
Lights.
Headlamp.
Watch.

In comes Brad, the "baton" is given to me, and off I go down a trail.  Me and no one else.  Running with the moon, the smell of willows, a few homeless men, and occasionally a volunteer at a road crossing.  It was pure magic.  I had to convince myself not to run too fast, after all in a few hours I had to run 7 miles, mostly uphill.

Even though no one was around I felt the energy of my team, of the whole experience.  Out there in "the world" there were runners pounding the streets, the trails, just like me.

And I came to the finish, handing off the wrist band to Dave, and I was "collected" by one of the guys from the van.  Off to another exchange.

And I was "into" Hood to Coast.

Murphy's Day.

Hood to Coast 2013

I haven't written all that much about the race, primarily because this is a blog about dogs.  But, I was away from "the girls" for two nights and envied people on Cannon Beach with their dogs, so surely this qualifies, right?

Hood to Coast.  The Mother of All Relays.

My friend, Tad, had talked about this relay race for years.  And even though I have run almost every day for over 30 years, I never thought I could or would do a relay from Mt. Hood to Seaside, Oregon.

Last April, Tad asked me to join his team.  His team...a bunch of former track stars from Wisconsin, Williams, West Point, Santa Clara...this year they were adding two women, which means we were still going to run in the "open" group, we were going co-ed!

So, after thinking about for, oh, a minute, I agreed.  I haven't done anything like this in ions, but I wanted a challenge.

Ok.

198 miles.  12 team members.  2 vans.  Each of us run 6 legs.  Average mileage per leg: 5 miles.  Race never stops, so you run like crazy all over northern Oregon for 24 hours.

What's not to like?

I was going to run legs 10, 22, 34.  Moderate, hard, and "easy."

I was in Van 2.

Our start time was 3:15.  Which means the race organizers thought we were fast, but not an elite team, but still fast.  Slower teams start earlier, with the earliest start time at 6:00 AM.

Oh dear.  I am slow.

Murphy's Day.

When Did I Get to Be So Old?

Tonight is my high school reunion.

I am not saying which one.

But if I go, it will take a lot of these to get me through it.

So appropriate that it's on Friday the 13th!

Murphy's Day.

Long Shadows

The days are getting shorter.

And the girls seek out the small patches of fleeting sun.

Murphy's Day.

Hero Dogs of September 11

Let's pause for a moment to remember all the dogs of September 11, 2001.

This is why there is such a bond between humans and dogs.

We give everything for each other.

Murphy's Day.

Sibling Rivalry

Willa is one of the most self-confident dogs I know.

That said, if Annie is getting any amount of special attention, Willa is there.

"How about me, Mommie?"

I have two hands, which means Sage frequently gets left out.

Murphy's Day.

Weekend Relaxation

Despite being gone for a few days, last weekend wasn't the most relaxing.

So I took the time this weekend to recharge and get some lab affection.

There is nothing better.

Murphy's Day.

Not Much Better

Than Sage on a rock...enjoying her "after swim" party.

Murphy's Day.

Pensive

Upcoming high school reunion that I would love to miss.  Been thinking of where I could be...like here?

Then old friend who I haven't heard from in decades finds me.

Still am thinking standing in a lake is far far better than being in a room with people I haven't seen in way too many years.

Murphy's Day.

Where's the Fish?

The girls, as always, helped me in fishing.

Or, they helped the fish.

Murphy's Day.

Back to Lake Valhalla

Who-hoo!  Long weekend meant another hike.  So we got our small fly rod and decided we needed to chase come cutthroat trout at Lake Valhalla.

Nice way to turn the corner to September.

And the whole time I was hiking I was thinking: "man, those Larches will be golden in a few weeks."

Time flies.

Murphy's Day.