Travel Thursday: Exploring Oregon- Recap of Our Trip!

Happy Friday-eve! This is the second-to-last day of my official #funemployment. It’s crazy how much faster the week goes by when you’ve got a free schedule as opposed to working all week?! Not really sure why that is, but I’ve been able to get a bunch of things done this week (including almost all of my runs already)! I’ve got some quick pick-ups to do today and hoping the snow/rain will hold off before I can get my run in later this morning. I’m also still reminiscing on our trip last week to Oregon and thought it would be fun to share the trip with you! I did a bunch of research before our trip to see what was on a ‘must-see’ list for the state and the time of year that we visited.

Luckily, the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival was still going on and it was on the drive to Eugene from Portland. I highly recommend stopping here if you can. We got there around 11am on a Saturday (it was a bit rainy), but honestly the lines & traffic were nowhere near where I anticipated they would be. We spent around 30 minutes here, but I could seeing spending the entire day there (and SO many cute dogs were there).

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In Eugene, we were ALL about getting some delicious food post-Eugene Marathon and eating dinner at The Beer Stein did not disappoint. They had a crazy-good selection of beers, apps, and the steak salad really hit the spot (along with that delicious pretzel)! Highly recommend going here if Brewerys are your thing.

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The best place we ate at all week was at Off the Waffle in Eugene. We went to the one in South Eugene and it had a great super relaxed vibe. The waffle was absolutely INCREDIBLE. Perfectly toasted on the outside and sweet/sugary on the inside. We also walked across the street to the used bookstore (if that’s your thing)- it was HUGE and so many incredible deals. I wish we had one of these close to us.

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We left Eugene on Monday and traveled about an hour and a half west to Florence. We visited the Sea Lion Caves and it was AMAZING. I cannot believe that there were over 200 sea lions just hanging out along the beach area. So cool to see them in their natural habitat.

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We stayed the night in Florence at a hotel overlooking the ocean. Saw the most incredible sunset. It was perfect.

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We left Florence on Tuesday and headed up the coast towards Cannon Beach. This was the longest drive we had of around 3.5 hours. It was such a scenic drive of the ocean for the majority of it and we stopped along the way to see Heceta Lighthouse. The lighthouse was beautiful, but honestly the views of the ocean landscape and the seals were the best part (ha).

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We kept going along our drive and the Tillamook Creamery was on our route so we just HAD to stop. It was a huge cafeteria/gift-shop area and the amount of ice cream options they had was incredible. I got the S’mores flavor and it was incredible. My mom got the cold brew flavor and it was also delicious. We also got a grilled cheese, which was the creamiest, richest, cheesiest grilled cheese I’ve ever had.

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We stayed the night in Seaside along the ocean again (about a 1/4 mile from the beach area) and it was a great place to run along the beach and their boardwalk. Super cute homes there as well to look at. We went to Cannon Beach the next morning and that was so beautiful.

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The drive on Wednesday back to Portland from Seaside was pretty fast - around an hour. We stopped first at Blue Star donuts at one of their downtown locations. The donuts were pretty good- heavier than other donuts I’ve had- and really interesting savory flavors. It reminded me of some really indulgent cakes, where you can’t exactly finish the slice, but the bites you are able to have are real good.

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The last stop on our travels was to Columbia River Gorge and Multonmah Falls. SO stunning and the pictures do not do it justice. Unfortunately the hike to the top of the Falls was closed when we were there, but luckily the crowds were minimal and the drive to the falls from Portland was also extremely scenic. I could see spending several days here to visit and hike through all of the vast outdoor space this area had. I definitely want to go back.

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Feature Friday: I THINK I'VE LOST IT, Tell Me What To Do Next, and The Extra Mile By Pam Reed Book Review

Happy Friday! Wohooo. Finally! I can’t wait to sip coffee in my PJs this weekend! What is something you’re looking forward to this weekend? I’m all about sleeping in this week and will be getting in some speedwork this afternoon (3 x 1 mile repeats) and then I’m not sure what the weekend plans are yet! TBD. (almost typed TBD, which I’m pretty sure that makes no sense at all.

Hey let’s change the subject and look how cute Stella is!

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Also I signed up for another race lottery last week thinking that I won’t get chosen (I did this a few years ago and didn’t get in)

Typical runner—> Hey! There’s a race lottery! Let’s put my name in because I never get chosen for ANYTHING! Yeah…except I guess 2019 is my year?!?

Chicago lottery - got in.

NEDD Mt. Washington Road Race - GOT IN!?!?

I’m so excited, but also equally TERRIFIED! It’s 2.5 weeks after my 50 miler, so I’m honestly just planning on using my fitness from that (I’ll start incorporating more treadmill hikes on my ‘off running days’/ after treadmill runs for a few minutes) and will do very little running post-50 miler before the race. I don’t really want to start doing any sort of running until mid to late July after my race (they say it takes your body the same amount of days to recover as you ran.. so 50 miles ran ….50 days to recover —> which puts me somewhere near the beginning/ to middle of July).

Watching this video of the race gave me goosebumps of both fear/excitement. Average 12% grade over 7.6 miles.. I totally got this…….

I recently finished The Extra Mile: One Women’s Personal Journey to Ultra-Running Greatness by Pam Reed.

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I really love to give good book reviews and very rarely do I like to see anything as ‘negative’, however this book was not the best. I 100% respect and appreciate Pam’s honesty and think she absolutely incredible for everything that she has gone through (she really DOES have an incredible story!). Unfortunately the writing in this book just didn’t do it for me. It seems to jump around a bit too much and there isn’t enough ‘cohesiveness’ throughout the story to have hooked me. Some parts really are great, but she never really tells any secrets to her success in ultra-running (she says that she isn’t anything special —> she’s FINISHED Badwater 5 times including winning it all twice?!?).

She does describe more about her eating disorders, which I really appreciate her honesty and openness. If there was a bit more flow through the book, I think I could have really gotten into it. I still really loved her personality and think that she is an amazing runner, just not quite the book for me!

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3 things you’re doing this weekend?!? —> sleeping. lounging in my PJs. Hopefully going skiing!

Favorite time of day to run? —> there’s nothing like an early morning run for me.

OK well since I’m clearly on a lottery-entry streak…tell me what race lottery I need to enter next!

I'm Very Upset About This & It's COLD.

I just heard the news and I’m pretty upset by it.

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BUT then I just saw on the news this morning that it actually isn’t until January 1, 2019 SO that’s a bit of a relief. We have definitely watched the full seasons through at least 5 times. It’s one of the best shows (in my opinion) to just have on, get a few laughs, and get some chores (or dinner or laundry) done.

Also my view while writing this post this morning is my second-favorite way to start the day (after a run ofcourse…). I’ve really been loving my Oiselle camp cup- it keeps my coffee warm in the morning when the air in our house is still a bit chilly (also sitting under the heated blanket helps keep me warm as well ; ) ) …. It looks like they discontinued the camp cup, but I’ve linked to something kind of similar!

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It has been SO cold here lately. Currently 3* outside this morning. I’ve been waiting to do my runs later in the day (because I’d rather run outside than on the treadmill if I can), but it’s still only in the low 20’s later in the afternoon. We’ve also been getting some snow showers (nothing too crazy), but it sure does make the core trail look so beautiful!

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Also- it’s National Cookie Day. I have to know. What cookie is your favorite?!? I love either chocolate chip, oatmeal chocolate chip, or vanilla bean joe joe’s from trader joes (they are unbelievable- think of a golden oreo, but way better)!

Happy Colorado Gives Day! I love this state and how they dedicate a special day to support your favorite local charities. Do you have something like this where you live?

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Where do most of your runs happen in the winter- outside or on the treadmill?

Favorite Cookie?

Favorite show you’ve been loving lately?