The Holiday Tree, A Bunny & a Nest

Yesterday was one of those runs which offered much to take joy

Bunny Foo Foo along the trail this morning.

in.  I'm not referring to a personal record; today was not my best running day--it felt like hell for most of the grueling 6.5 miles.  I'm referring to something much more special.  Yesterday I not only spotted a furry Bunny Foo Foo, but also spied an Osprey Nest, and my beloved Holiday Tree was all decorated for Memorial Day/4th of July.  

Osprey nest with Mom perched atop

What I love most about running is that you just never know who or what will cross your path, and you theirs.  Yesterday was one of those runs where every few miles I got to experience a moment of joy and awareness about the natural area in which I was running (and of course take a break from running to snap a pic).  Running is how I meet the world around me. 

Holiday Tree all ready for the Day of Red White & Blue

Team Congo PDX 2014 Supports 14 Women in the Democratic Republic of Congo

On International Women's Day 2014 (3.8.14), 132 runners and walkers gathered in Downtown Portland to support Women for Women International's program in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).  In all, the event raised more than $5,000 which was enough to sponsor 14 women

Photo taken by Alexa Brandt Photography

in Congo, who have recently been enrolled in Women for Women's one year program.  As a part of the program, sponsors can send letters of encouragement and support to their sisters throughout the year-long program.  

Here is where you come in, Team Congo PDX supporters. Over the course of the next year (May 2014 - May 2015), you will have the opportunity to send letters to our 14 sisters. Please submit your letters, no matter how long or short, as follows:

1) email: amandapdxrunforcongo@gmail.com & title your email: "Letter to WfWI Sister"

2) Or you may submit your letter(s) via our website "Contact Us" page.

We will make sure to send your letters to our sisters, and will share their responses on our Facebook page, and via email. 

Thank you to all who came out to support us this past March. Without your support we would not be able to impact the lives of 14 women in DRC, and we are proud to be able to support these wonderful 14 women! 

In order to protect the identity of our sisters, personal information such as photos, etc. will only be shared with supporters via email.  

10 Cane Rum Run: PR Sunday

I ran in my first race in 2012, the Shamrock 5K.  My pace was around 8:45 min per mile, and I was proud as I was just recovering from an IT band injury 10 days before.  Fast forward to May 25, 2014, to the 10 Cane Rum Run by Energy Events.  My 9th official race, and 2nd 10K.  

Venue- Tualatin Commons offer a nice reflective view.

Today was awesome.  The weather was perfect, the venue was spacious and had a sense of calm despite 1,500 other runners/walkers, there were cute baby ducks, the course was a nice mixture of park, trail, and road, & I hit a personal record (PR). My first sub 8 minute 10K, heck race, ever.  

Official Stats
Overall time: 0:49:21 

Photo taken by John Ulrich

Pace (chip time) 7:46 min/mile 
Gender & Age (35-39, F): 3/67 
Overall 10K (M&F): 72/567
Overall 10K (F): 17/361  


Here's the thing, I didn't feel any different out there on the course today than I did when I ran my first race back in 2012, and that's the magical thing about running.  No matter your current ability, or in some cases your ability on any given day, running always just feels like running, and like a race against your last PR self.  

Out there today I started out strong at 7:26 min/mile, but at about mile 3 I decided to slow it down, and settled in on 7:55 min/mile.  Every now and then a fellow runner would pass me by, but I focused upon my settled pace, and enjoyed the course. For a few long minutes I felt like stopping, but persisted anyway. A long steady hill greeted us between miles 4 and 5, but shortly after mile 5 it was a low grade down hill, and once the left-hand turn to the finishing lap around Tualatin Commons was in sight, I bolted, passing a runner who had passed me around mile 4.5.  I gave it all I had straight to the finish. 

The course, as mentioned above, was a lovely mixture of park, trails and road.  The 10kers had 2 water stations (one at 1.5 miles and one at mile 4), and although it was not the toughest course I've ever run, it did provide some challenge with a long low grade hill near the end of the course.

The after-event venue was lively with music, great food, and the very popular beer garden. The atmosphere was family friendly, complete with a kids play area (including bouncy castle), I enjoyed my post-race peanut butter and bread treat, free Jamba Juice peach smoothie, and guzzled my water.  

The goodie bag each participant received was filled with not only an event tech shirt, but also a bottle opener, coupons, treats, and Advil, which thankfully I did not need!

Race Swag galore!

The only drawback to the event was that as the 10k and 5k finishers entered the final lap around Tualatin Commons to the finish line (each entering from a different direction), they bottle necked in a narrow space at a point when many runners were trying to bolt it to the finish. Several of us, myself included, got stuck behind some other finishers, but with some creative maneuvering we were able to get around and race to the finish.

It's safe to say, I'll be back next year. 

The Holiday Tree - An Update

A while back I wrote about what I've named Canby's Holiday Tree(http://amandapdxrunforcongo.blogspot.com/2014/03/hidden-treasures.html), and I'm tickled that the local paper ran a story on this treasure of a tree, because it's nice to see it get some attention!

Canby Herald, April 9, 2014 (page 15)

Even better, I received an email from someone who knows who's responsible for the decorations! They wish to keep the magical mystery but here is a snippet of what they sent me:

 "...I saw your article about the little tree. Thanks for noticing! I don't decorate it but I know who does... It's more than one person... A cute story really  ...I'm so happy the little tree got some attention..."

So, if you have an opportunity, please do take a stroll, bike it, or go for a run & see this wonderful little tree!
   

A Runner's Ode to a Tree

One cannot always explain what makes something their favorite.  It just is. While I have more than one favorite aspect of my various running routes, one which strikes me the most is my favorite tree along my usual weekend running route. 

Taken one frosty January 2014 morning

There is just something about this tree that strikes me. I never tire of seeing it, and in fact enjoy seeing it in it's various phases throughout the year.  And so I imagine that if this lovely tree could talk, it would offer the following to all who pass by:

Dear Friend,
Stand Tall and Proud
Sink your roots deeply into the Earth
Reflect the light of a greater source
Think long term
Go out on a limb
Remember your place among all living beings
Embrace with joy the changing seasons
For each yields its own abundance
The Energy and Birth of Spring

Photo taken March 19, 2014

The Growth and Contentment of Summer
The Wisdom to let go of leaves in the Fall
The Rest and Quiet Renewal of Winter
Feel the wind and the sun
And delight in their presence
Look up at the moon that shines down upon you
And the mystery of the stars at night.
Seek nourishment from the good things in life
Simple pleasures
Earth, fresh air, light
Be content with your natural beauty
Drink plenty of water
Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes
Be flexible
Remember your roots
Enjoy the view!
~Poem by By Ilan Shamir ("Advice from a Tree")

And so I shall take this advice and reflect up on it each time I run by this wise looking tree, which for a reason I cannot quite explain strikes me with wonder and awe each time I pass by. 

Photo taken March 29, 2014

Hidden Treasures

Most everyone who knows me, knows that I am a running nerd.  

Holiday Tree along the weekend path I run

One of the aspects of running I love the most is that you just never know what hidden treasures you'll discover when out on a run. 

Every weekend I like to get in one long run, and my long run typically takes me to a pedestrian path which infuses my run with nature: trees, flowers, critters, and the holiday tree.

I first noticed the Holiday Tree at Christmastime one cold and foggy morning, and of course took a photo.  

Holiday Tree at Christmastime

Christmas came and went, and I was excited to see the tree all decked out for Valentine's Day! I snapped another picture, and began to notice a pattern with this wonderful tree off to the side of the pedestrian path. 

Holiday Tree ready for Valentine's Day

Expectations for St. Patrick's Day were high, it did not disappoint for come March the tree was in top top shape for the day of pinch-me-if-I-don't-wear-green! 

There will be no pinching This Holiday Tree!

I have no idea who decorates this tree, but as you can see from the first photo above, the Holiday Tree is ready for Easter, and in fact as I approached it on my run this weekend, I actually exclaimed out loud, "Yes!" as I realized my favorite little tree was sporting Easter decor.

Here's to hoping come 4th Of July this humble Holiday Tree is trimmed in red-white-and-blue.

Aurora Chorus, The Rising of the Women Is the Rising of Us All Collaborates with Team Congo PDX

We are excited to announce that Team Congo PDX is collaborating with Aurora Chorus on International Women's Day.

Aurora Chorus invites Team Congo to an International Women’s Day concert, The Rising of the Women Is the Rising of Us All, on Saturday, March 8. A chorus member will be on hand at the run with tickets and information. Aurora is donating the proceeds of the first 25 tickets sold at the run to Team Congo, and will have materials on Women for Women International available at the concert. Tickets are $10; see below for more details. 

 In this concert, Aurora will present voices from the past – women such as Abigail Adams, Virginia Woolf, and the South African women who first challenged apartheid. We will also look to the future with the world premiere of “I Am Malala,” featuring the words of Malala Yousafzai, the 16-year-old Pakistani girl who has taken a lead role in fighting for the right of every girl to receive an education, set to music by our director, nationally renowned choral composer Joan Szymko. Guest artist Anne Weiss will close out the concert with a set featuring her unique musical style inspired by folk, blues, and gospel, among other influences. 

Szymko spoke of her inspiration for writing "I Am Malala":  

"The name of the piece, “I Am Malala,” is the name of her memoir. And when she was shot, there were a lot of young people around the world standing up saying, “I am Malala. We’re all Malala,” with the idea that violence cannot stop the human spirit and the will to better oneself. For the text, I watched a lot of Malala on YouTube, selecting quotes and crafting a lyric. “I am afraid of no one” comes from a longer quote. She said, “I don't mind if I have to sit on the floor at school. All I want is education. And I'm afraid of no one.” And really, if you’ve been shot in the head and you survive—if you face that and come out on the other side—what happens to fear?" 

For the full interview, visit the chorus website at:  www.aurorachorus.org


Details:
Aurora Chorus, The Rising of the Women Is the Rising of Us All
Saturday, March 8, 7:30 p.m.
First Congregational Church, 1126 SW Park Avenue, Portland, Oregon
Tickets, $12, are available online at www.aurorachorus.org or by phone at 800-838-3006
Tickets will also be available at the door
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1444063655823168/