Miles, Miles, and Miles

I have always enjoyed running, something I can do on my own can normally be inexpensive, and feel that I'm not to bad at it.

I started running long distance my senior year in High School.  Was my first time every running any kind of long distances.  Always had a great time, maybe not running hills, but the enjoyment and fun our team had.  This continued on when I went to Okinawa where I ran my first Half-Marathon.  While there ran two Half-Marathons, never trained properly for either one, max miles I ran prior to any race was eight miles.  Finishing times were about 2 hours, not to bad!!

Not until moving to Korea is when I became I would say a bit of fanatic.  Have to thank a great friend Sarah, who a marathoner herself, invited me on a long run.  Once again hadn't really built up to the 6 mile run, but wasn't so bad.  That was the beginning.  I started running non-stop in Korea same 6 mile loop about 5-6 times a week.  (learned now, not the best training strategy) Either way, lead me to my best 5K 21 and something minutes, 1.5 mi run in 10:23, and best so far Half-Marathon 1:46 min.

Moving to Germany, I slowed my running, running 5 miles occasionally and enjoying 5K's

Moving to Colorado Springs, we read of the high fitness level that the city/state held.  Can be seen with the large number of events taking place each weekend.

About a month after arriving in Colorado, I ran my first 5K here in our small town of Falcon.  I was in the top three female's to finish, and was a great start to running in Colorado.

Running here can be a bit more difficult due to the higher elevation, it is important to train slowly and adjust to the elevation.

Panera Run was a 10K which all proceeds went to help Care and Share Food Bank/Shelter.  This was a 10K ran in Colorado Springs on a combination of gravel and black-top trails.

The color in motion 5K was something I signed up for on a whim.  This is a not a run you want to run a PR at, but to have fun.  Seen in my picture, my shirt was colored following the run.

The Denver Rock N' Roll Half-Marathon is something that I signed up for prior to moving to Colorado. I started training in July for the Marathon in October.  I trained well up to 7-miles, at this time my work scheduled changed and the training I did not complete throughout the rest of the months.

Still decided to run the Half-Marathon with my friend Molly.  We had a great time completing this run, her first half-marathon, my fifth.




















The final run, this year was also on a whim.  I heard about this 5K on the radio, and the attempt to set a world record on the number of Waldos.  All dressed in costume!  The world record was not beat, but we had a great time running the Waldo Waldo 5K.  This was held at the America the Beautiful park in Colorado Springs.

Have a schedule of events to complete this coming year, the first starting in January.  Arizona here we come.  Running the Phoenix Rock N' Roll Half-Marathon.  I have never been to Arizona, so look forward to visiting a new city, and having a great run.  Only issue I for see is the snow and cold in Colorado keeping me from running my long runs!!  I have a great running partner in Logan, and a motivator, keeping me accountable in my friend Molly, who is also training for this Half Marathon.

Back Home Memories!

There were two distinctive things this past summer that brought myself to remembering home.  Those were the El Paso County Fair and Penrose Rodeo.

The El Paso County Fair was about 15 mins from where we live, outside of Colorado Springs.  A small county fair with 4-H animal barns, carnival rides, and fair food.

The highlight that Sam and I went to was the Demo Derby held on Saturday night.  Below are a few pictures from the event.  All were taken with my iPhone so not the best pics but can see some of the vehicles.

This Demo Derby was pretty entertaining, each heat had no more then 7 vehicles, allowing a lot of room for each vehicle to drive around and get some good smashes in.  One great one was that of one person who had there car rolled on it's side, and in a final heat came back being the 2nd to last to be done.  

The State fair was held in Pueblo, CO which we did not make it to, maybe next year.

The Rodeo took place in July in Colorado Springs, no rodeo I have ever been at, as it was huge.  Saw some great performers by all the competitors and riders. 

Like I mentioned these two things brought back memories from home, especially the state fair and the atmosphere!  I grew up in the small town of Medford where the fair and rodeo were events that the whole town would be going to or participating in, in some way.  I haven't had these opportunities in the past seven years, great to see and experience them again, maybe in a slightly different way and different place.

Concerts

Since arriving in the state we have been able to see a number of shows here in Colorado!

The first one we saw was of One Republic and Sara Bareilles in September, at the well known Red Rocks Venue.  Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater is located about 1 hour 20 mins from our house, and is a site to see.

From Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater Website-  At 6,450 feet above sea level, Red Rocks Park is a unique transitional zone where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains. The diverse environment allows visitors to see plants, birds and animals of both regions.  Red Rocks Amphitheater is a geological phenomenon – the only naturally-occurring, acoustically perfect amphitheater in the world.

Built by the Civilian Conservation core, beginning in 1927 and finishing in 1941.  Musicians such as U2 and Sting have preformed here.  

It is a beautiful site to see here in Colorado.  I do believe we will be back there for more concerts.  

The show was great to see in the venue, I did not realize prior to going how many songs song by One Republic and Sara Bareilles that I knew.  Both were great performances.

The next show we went to was in Denver at the Fillmore Auditorium.  This show was on a whim and did not know about it till the day of.  we saw the Colorists and Naked & Famous.  A former co-worker of Sam's just arrived into Colorado Springs and found this show happening in Denver.  It was very convenient as Sam and I were on our way to Denver for the Weekend already. 

This was an awesome show, I know have found more music to listen to and am getting pretty good at picking out there music on the radio.  We both are enjoying the opportunities we have for some of the convinces here in the United States this being one of them.  Live music and concerts at all times for reasonable prices.

Oktoberfest Colorado Springs 2013

Our first Oktoberfest since living in Germany.  We both didn't have very high expectations for what we would expect for Oktoberfest.  Really can't get any better then the real deal in Munich or Stuttgart Germany.

We gave it a shot and had a good time!!

Oktoberfest in Colorado Springs was the last weekend of September and held in a parking lot of a mall in town.  There were carny games, food, booths, music, and of course Paulner Beer!!

Sam Photo Bombing a nice picture of our friends Molly and Marshall.

We heard of Oktoberfest by luck.  We have a trip planned with the local ITT for haunted houses in Denver Sat Oct 26.  While purchasing our tickets saw a sign for Oktoberfest, worked out well as we got these tickets for free.  Got to enjoy some good German beer, and German food (with an American twist to it).  Sam and I also got to get out the Lederhosen and Dirndl to wear!!

The frog is a win of one of the carny games, and we must thank it for Sam's luck in winning a beer mug!!

Welcome Logan

We have had Brooklyn for about two years and love her to death.  She is the best little companion to have around and a great lap dog.  Sam and I have been talking for the past few years about getting a larger dog, we were ready for the second pup.  

Arriving here, I located a local shelter that rescue's Puppy Mill Dogs, and finds them good homes.  I have been volunteering there about a month now and have gotten to interact with many Pups.  Many are skittish and timid and don't understand play or treats.  Many are afraid of males.

There were a number of large dogs available, but choosing the right one that works with us and works with Brooklyn was the challenge.  We were down to three.  Two Siberian Huskies and a Labrador/American Pit Bull Mix.  Our choices went down quick as the first Husky was adopted just the day before.  The Pit Bull Mix was a great friendly dog, but had injuries that we were not sure would work in our house.  All the hard wood floors and stairs would not make his adjustment easy.

We found Lobo (Now known as Logan).  He was very timid when we first met, even more timid around Sam.  At just a year old he still a puppy and years a head of him, we wanted him and Brooklyn to meet.

Brooklyn being the submissive dog she is, did not have any issues with him and vice versa.  He was going to be ours.  We are coming up on a week having him at home and overall things are going well.

Being from a puppy mill, these pups have very little human interaction no playtime, limited exercise, and really no training.  He has done amazing with potty training, he does do some marking in the house, but our house is protected by the Belly Bands he gets to wear when inside. Short amount of time a day the belly bad comes off inside and he gets watched closely.  

He has learned sit, shake, and working on lay down!!  Yesterday, he made it down to the basement on his own.  Besides potty training, the biggest issue we have is walking him.  He and Brooklyn go on about three walks a day.  He being the husky likes to pull, A LOT!!  This will be the biggest challenge I believe in his training, in addition to meeting strangers

Brooklyn and Logan are a bit indifferent to each other.  Logan likes to play,  Brooklyn not so much, she tries to stand up for herself against him to tell him no, but the message is mixed as he still wants to play.  One day he will get it.  Still no aggressiveness towards each other, just wanting to play.  

I will post periodically about his progress, it will be a project which will require a lot of persistence and patience.  We are both very happy to give hime a new home.

We will have a new family picture soon!!

To learn more about Puppy Mills, and the rescue where we got logan check out the link National Mill Dog Rescue.  

Our time in Colorado

Our time in Colorado has been pretty interesting.  We have done and seen a lot since we moved here the beginning of June.  We have also had some bad luck and new experiences we were not expecting so soon to our arrival.

The week we moved into our new house, the Black Forest fire began.  The black forest is about 10 mins from where we live.  Our community was not touched by the fire but were affected.  A number of homes were in the pre-evac area including ours.

Due to being in the military precautions were taken and we were told to evacuate.  For the next four days we stayed at a friends house.  Great to know people when we moved here.  We really did not have much at all to pack up in the house so easy to make those decisions.

These photos taken from our backyard looking North towards the Black Forest.  There was horrible smell in the air and did not want to have windows open at all during this time.  

While staying in our friends house, Sam and I took turns staying with Brooklyn and going into work.  Thursday I was unfortunate enough to get into a minor traffic collision with an older vehicle.  I was of course in our new 2013 Audi when this happened.  There was minor damage to the driver side fender and mirror, but sure startled me.  The driver claimed the breaks went out on the vehicle causing the erratic maneuver through traffic. We found out about a month later that the vehicle was not insured and our insurance would be covering the repairs.  This was unexpected expense upon arriving to include settling in.  

To continue on our unfortunate and unexpected, our home was struck my lighting or surge of lightning to cause damage to a number of electronics.  Including the garage door, PS3, dishwasher, and list continues.  Once again unexpected, but being homeowners we are prepared with savings but not always liking the unexpected.

Sooo with the summer coming to an end lets see what the fall and winter bring us here during our first here in Colorado.

I didn't do so well posting during the week last week but my next post will explain our new four legged addition to the family.  

Moscow and St Petersburg

  Has been a few months since moving to Colorado and even longer from our final European vacation.  Our final huge trip we embarked on was visiting not Europe but a neighboring continent: Russia.  We did not go this trip alone, little daunting.  On my trip to Kiev I meet a number of great people who also enjoy traveling an the idea came up to plan a trip to Russia.  The on base tour service planned all for us to include travel to throughout and back.  We had guides throughout the trip.  THe trip was a bit pricey but well worth it.  Possibly a once in a lifetime experience.


Since it has been some time since the trip, I have to refer to our itinerary we were given prior to the trip.  thankful for archived e-mail to store these things.  I would say %60 of the people on this trip were also on the trip to Kiev, a total of 22 individuals.  A great group of people ranging from civilians to Army and Air Force active duty members.

One of the first things we did when arriving was take a tour of some of Moscow's elaborate Subway stations.  very unique part of a tour but gave us a great basis of how we could get around on our own in the city.  We made our final stop with the group near the Red Square.  This is one of the first pictures I took in Moscow.  We were able to tour the Kremlin with a tour guide, and our final night in Moscow we saw a Russian Ballet in the Kremlin theater.  Sam wasn't too thrilled about the Ballet, but when in Russia.

They are everywhere.  We also saw and had Starbucks and got our Hard Rock glass in Moscow!!

St Basil's Cathedral, a beautiful cathedral  with many differences to those in the Ukraine.  Sam and I decided we would skip seeing the inside as there were a number of cathedral's  on our tour itinerary, and since being in Europe, after so many  cathedral tours, a number  of them start to look the same.

A picture of the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown.  I was very surprised to see this, very similar to the ceremony done in Arlington Cemetery for the Tomb of Unknown.

Additional sites that we saw in Moscow was Lenin's Mausoleum, GUM, Tverskya Boulevard, Cathedral of the Savior, New Maiden convent, Sparrow Hill and Lomossov University.

During the trip I learned a lot about the  Russian Royalty throughout the century's to include Peter the Great.

I had to take a picture of this tree, this has become a tradition in recent years in Moscow.  On wedding days, the Bride and Groom will attach locks to these trees.  It is very neat to see as Sam and I have seen this in many countries and continents.  To include Tokyo, Japan, Seoul Korea, and Prague Czech Republic.  

These pictures are of the Summer Palace.  This Palace was almost completely destroyed during World War II but has been magnificently rebuilt to look almost exactly of what it did when it was used by Royalty.  We also toured the Winter Palace in the St Petersburg, which housed the Hermitage Museum.  

We made our trip to St Petersburg via train, that left Moscow about Mid-Night arriving in St Petersburg at 7 30 am.  My first overnight on a train, defiantly an experience.  Our hotel was at the end of one of Moscow's busy streets, easy access to all sorts of food and stores.  And many sites.  

A photo of the World War two memorial in St Petersburg.

Other sites that we saw in St Petersburg include the Palace Square, Peter I Statue, St Isaaks's Cathedral, Nevski Prospect, Smolny Institute and Convent, artists Square, and the Field of Mars.  Additionally we spent a morning in the Peter and Paul fortress where the city of St Petersburg began.

That is a brief overview of our trip to Russia, defiantly a once in a lifetime experience and soo happy we did this in our last couple of months before leaving Europe.  A bit bitter sweet knowing that we would be leaving so soon, but with so many memories!!

If anyone wants to see more photos of our trip let me know I have a lot!!

Graduation

It was a few months ago, more like 8 months, way back in February when I official completed my Bachelor's degree.  Since completing my Bachelors degree all online via distance learning from my school here in Colorado Springs, there wasn't much of a thought of graduation.  It worked out so awesome that we were moving to Colorado Springs and that my graduation ceremony was scheduled for the weekend after arriving.

My official diploma was mailed to me while still in Germany.  Graduation Regalia was mailed to my Aunt here in Colorado to ensure it made it here and did not get lost on it's trip to Germany.  Also saved me some room in my luggage.

The weekend was very exciting my parents flew down from Wisconsin to join me in the great celebration. As part of the graduation weekend I was given a ticket to the Rockies game and discounted tickets for my guests.  We enjoyed the game, hotdogs and beer on a beautiful Sunny evening.  

I have more pictures, not all sure where they are at but this is one of me with all the graduation get-up.  I wore two cords, one for honors, and second for Military Service.  There ceremony was quite long, starting with the doctorate, master, bachelors, and associates degree presentation.  It was well worth it and was very happy to have the opportunity to participate in my graduation ceremony.

All three of my degree are now frame displayed proudly in my office in our new house.  Happy to be done with my Bachelor's but I am seeing that school never ends and always new things to learn.  Before starting on my Masters Degree, I want to spend more time studying for my next rank as well as take a Photography course or Personal fitness certification course.  So many options out there.  

Colorado Here We Are

It has been a long time since writing on the blog.  Honestly can say I forgot about it for a while!!

With moving in, starting our new jobs, discovering all that Colorado Springs has to offer, safe to say we have been Busy!

We arrived in Colorado Springs on June 7, after our flights from Germany and our very short stay in Texas, where we picked up our Car and Brooklyn (Spent a month with Sam's parents during our move).  We made the long very boring trip from Dallas to COlorado Springs in a day, with our house keys waiting for us!!  It was great to be able to move right in, no hotels!!  My House hunting trip really paid off!!

Happy about the really easy move in, but we did have to wait almost two months for our TMO to arrive from Germany!!  We have been in our place with all our stuff about a month now!! Today all the boxes were unpacked, and 95% of the pictures are hung!!  Small steps at a time.

With our move to Colorado, we have been privileged to meet some great people and as well sooo many new places to see.

In the coming weeks I will do my best to begin posting on my blog consistently to catch up for all the things we have done.

Happy Labor Day!!

We Are Moving

Been a while since posting on the blog.  This will be a short post, but I hope to have a blog post up this weekend about our trip to Russia.  Our last European trip before we leave.

Many of you know, Sam and I are due to move this summer.  Now that we are within 30 days of leaving Germany, we are on the way out.  We are moving this summer to Colorado Springs, Colorado. In the past two months I have traveled to Colorado Springs and went house hunting.  Found a home are in the process of completing all the paperwork and looking like we will be able to move in when we arrive. Pictures will be posted once we get moved in.

Additionally one car has been shipped to the states and will be ready for pick-up when we arrive in Dallas.  In Dallas we will also be getting Brooklyn.  She left yesterday morning 3 May, and has made it to Texas.  She is now a world traveler and immigrant to the United States.

This coming week we pack out and the journey will begin.  Living out of our luggage for about two months!!  Adventure

I will do my best to continue to write of our adventures on our blog throughout.

Have a great weekend!

Luck of the Irish

Sam and I decided to take a trip to Ireland in February.  We knew a lot of people that were going for St. Patricks day in March, but to avoid long lines and tons of people we enjoyed Ireland a few weeks before the festivities.

We saw and enjoyed many of the great things Ireland has to offer.   We left really not having a plan to what we were going to do.  Very similar to our trip to Rome last year.  This was the first time staying in a Hostel.  We stayed at Jacobs Inn, very happy with the facilities clean, and comfortable.  We stayed in a room that can hold four people.  three of the five nights we had room mates.  Not sure if we will do it again, but did save us some money on the hotel stay.  And really we hardly spend much time in the hotel when visiting a city.   

From our Hostel the main road with walking streets and shops was a 10 min walk, lined with pubs and restaurants along the way.  OUr first evening we did quite a bit of walking getting our directions correct and finding out certain places that were a must see list while in the city.  One being the Guinness Storehouse.  Above are a few pictures that we took while at the store house and on the tour.  At the end of the tour we were given a pint of Guinness.  

I found it quite unique that Guinness has been around longer than the Country of the United States!!  In 1759 Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000 year lease on the St. James Gate Brewery which vistors can see while at the storehouse.  

I do have to say I am not usually a Guinness drinker but it did taste pretty good in Dublin!!

A number of the sites in the city were reachable by walking, others were a bit further away.  We used one of the hop-on hop-off tour buses to get to a number of the highlighted areas.  The building above though was a very short walk.  It is part of Trinity College.  Neither Sam or I really knew anything about Trinity College or its history.  It is a remarkable area of Dublin with a lot of history amongst the growing city. 

A large amount of Ireland's history relates to the 1916 Easter Rising which took place in Dublin.  We were given a lot of history about the 1916 rising where it took place and why.  the pictures above are of the Kilmainham Gaol, which was the location where prisoners from the Easter Rising were kept and executed.  

We also went to the Jameson Distillery, which was the original location of the distillery when Jameson Whisky was first made.  It now is only for tours.  Here too did we get to try Jameson following our tour.  I am not a fan of Whisky but when mixed with Ginger and Lime, it is pretty good.  Jameson is well known for its triple distilled.  Unlike Scotch or American Whisky.  It is has a much smoother taste.

Only Church/Cathedral we saw on our way to Belfast.

We had the opportunity on Wed to leave the city of Dublin and go to Belfast.  Unknowing to myself I did not know the difference between Northern and Southern Ireland.  Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and uses the Sterling currency.  There are very few differences though between the two areas.  There is a lot of history though in the city that we were given information about.

The city of Belfast was and still is a large part of the revolution and Ireland becoming it's own state disconnected from the United Kingdom.  Our guide mentioned too us that not over ten years ago he would not be able to complete trips such as ours to Belfast due to the restrictions and road blocks on the way to Belfast.  What we saw of the city was nothing different from any other European city that we have been too.  It was a great opportunity to visit the city and learn of its history and the Island of Ireland's History.  

The highlight of going to Dublin was to attend the Titanic Belfast exhibit.  Belfast in the early 1900's was built in Belfast.  This exhibit is built on the dry docks where the titanic was built so many years ago.  The exhibit is less than a year old and provided a great overall of the city of Belfast during that time the building of the Titanic, it's interiors, and the voyage of Titanic.  This was a must see and was great opportunity to get out of the city of Dublin.  We enjoyed a great lunch in the city and many sites.

The picture above is of one of the parks inside Dublin.  We were lucky during our week in Dublin to have beautiful weather and did not have to worry about any rain.  We were told that weeks like that were very uncommon.

Along with the many alcoholic beverages we had while in Ireland we also had some great food.  Traditional Irish breakfast, fish, mussels, steak, and chips!!  There really was no food I did not enjoy and tried everything that I could.  Happy to have enjoyed a city where we could understand everyone we came in to contact with.  We haven't yet made it to England or Scotland but maybe next time.

So many places we haven't gotten too.