ashleyd /

Running, Drinking and Eating in Seattle

it’s only 9:52 and though the sun is barely setting in Seattle, both me and my hosts are in our separate beds ready for a long night’s sleep.

This weekend, while nothing short of amazing has been a bit exhausting in the best of ways.

We’ve run 2 races together within a 24 hours time period, shopped our heart out at the outlets including stops at some of our favorite stores, enjoyed delicious seasonal food, and barely stopped walking the hills and cozy streets the whole weekend!

Our first race, yesterday’s Iron Heart 8 miler was a PR and today’s was my first time participating in the Susan G Komen 5k.  It was a wonderful community event and everywhere we looked there was inspiration from large teams, survivors, family members, and even men running the race in tutus and large pink bras!

IMG_2743IMG_2748IMG_2750IMG_2751Amy’s husband Ryan was part of his company’s corporate team for today’s race and invited me to join as soon as he knew I was visiting. Two races in 2 days was a fun challenge even though today’s 5k wasn’t quite as speedy as yesterday’s race. We ended up running it at an average pace of 9:48 which felt just fine since we were handed two whopping long hills and both of us were a bit fatigued from yesterday’s long list of activities which included lots of fresh air and more than a dose of delicious wine.

Speaking of wine, I guess I owe you some fun pictures from yesterday’s adventures around Woodinville, a local suburb of Seattle which features tasting room’s from many different Northwest vineyards.

We visited three tasting rooms:

Chateau St. Michelle

IMG_0726IMG_0730IMG_0732IMG_0738winerypicIMG_0742

Zerba, which recently won 2011 Winery of the Year

IMG_0745IMG_0751

and last but not least, Novelty Hill Januik Tasting room which won for most fun!

IMG_0752IMG_0755IMG_0760IMG_0761IMG_0762IMG_0764

We capped our wine and running off with amazing food which I’ll tell you about when I do a quick review of the different restaurants and cafés I experienced this weekend. Suffice it to say that everything has been divine and I’ve loved my share of fresh salmon!

IMG_0771IMG_2752IMG_2755IMG_2759

Question: What is your favorite city you’ve ever visited?  Seattle may be my favorite domestic city due to the wonderful food scene, plethora of outdoor activities, and believe it or not, the weather. The summer makes up for the cool and moist winter weather! But, as Amy says, I haven’t lived through a winter here.

Share Button
Follow:
ashleyd /

Iron Heart 8 Miler Race

Happy Saturday!

Last night Amy and I headed to one of Tom Douglas’ new restaurants, Cuoco, for a pre-race Italian dinner. As soon as we walked in and saw homemade pasta being freshly made we knew this meal would be amazing.

IMG_2706IMG_2707

We started with a glass of prosecco to celebrate a wonderful girls weekend and Amy’s recent graduation from University of Indiana’s MBA program !

IMG_2711

Their Dahlia workshop “house loaf” complete with olives, olive oil and rosemary lardo was a delicious way to start our meal.

Deciding on a pasta choice wasn’t the easiest feat though I was a bit disappointed to see that many of them were very heavy which isn’t always the best for pre-race dinner. But, thanks to their evening special, we were able to settle on two pastas which we shared-  wheat spaghetti with clams, garlic, bread crumbs  and along with a truffle pasta complete with an egg mixed into the pasta and mushrooms.

IMG_2712IMG_2714

Both were divine but we couldn’t finish either portion.

This morning we woke up to overcast skies and a few drizzles, typical Seattle weather. Knowing that we’d warm up on the course, we both wore crop pants and short sleeve technical t-shirts for the race which was held at Marymoor Park out near Redmond, Washington. The race featured 8 mile, 4 mile and 1 mile races all within an hour of each other, between 8:30 and 9:30 this morning.

IMG_2717

The lush park was the perfect setting for a small race as it had plenty a restroom area complete with 6 bathrooms, a small starting area, easy parking, and fed right into Seattle’s Burke Gilman Trail which served as our course. IMG_2719This out and back course was perfect for a PR- primarily flat, scenic, paved, and featured 3 water stations at mile 2, 4, and 6. The weather was around 60 degrees and featured a runners favorite thing; light rain drizzle which kept us cool.

IMG_2718IMG_2720

They also had the perfect finisher’s fuel at the end- banana and Muscle Milk Light!

IMG_2721

Once we finished I had a chance to review our splits on my Garmin which we’re pretty epic considering our fast start due to excitement and Amy’s speed.

8 miles- 1:14:37

  • Mile 1      8:46
  • Mile 2      9:12
  • Mile 3      9:24
  • Mile 4      9:48 (dying!)
  • Mile 5      9:55
  • Mile 6      9:57
  • Mile 7      9:49
  • Mile 8      9:20

Overall this was a great race that I’d do again in a heartbeat and recommend to anyone in the Seattle area! Even better it is a race with a cause, cardiac charities.

Share Button
Follow:
ashleyd /

TGIF

Okay, how about that for a flashback. How many of you all grew up looking forward to Friday night sleepovers filled with Step by Step or Boy Meets World thanks to ABC’s TGIF lineup?

I’m not only thankful it’s Friday due to the long work week but also due to the fact that I get to spend it in Seattle with one of my best friends, Amy!

I flew out here yesterday evening on a less than stellar Delta flight which left lots to be desired aesthetically but delivered us safe and sound to Seattle by 7pm Pacific time.

IMG_2673

Dinner was enjoyed over this month’s Health magazine along with a side of Bob Harper’s new book which I am enjoying more than I expected!

IMG_2669IMG_2671

Thanks to the lack of internet amazing water bottle which was part of the Fitness Magazine’s Meet & Tweet swag bag, I arrived in Seattle feeling hydrated and rested.

IMG_2674 (800x800)

We spent the evening catching up and enjoying the cool weather during a short walk with their cocker spaniel, Charley. Though this isn’t my first time to Seattle, I am forever amazed by the lush flowers throughout the neighborhoods! Oh, and if you’ve never introduced a dog to a tetherball, I highly recommend it!

IMG_2675 (800x600)IMG_2677 (800x600)IMG_2679 (600x800)IMG_2683 (481x481) 

I stayed up until 10:15 Pacific time in hopes of resetting my body clock since I’m going to be on the West Coast for 8 days due to next week’s business travel which will take me from Seattle to Portland and San Francisco.

The plan was successful as I woke up at 5:15 ready for an hour walk/jog through their adorable neighborhood.  The weather was cool and damp but the rain held off for our walk which was greatly appreciated.

IMG_2684 (800x800)IMG_2685 (800x800)IMG_2687 (800x600)IMG_2688 (800x600)IMG_2691 (800x600)

In honor of the Runner’s World Run Streak, we jogged about a mile throughout our walk which was a nice way to wake up and shake out my legs after yesterday’s personal training session and the long flight.

Today has spent working hard at the local P&G office except for a lovely lunch break with my long lost friend Emily! We had a wonderful time catching up over lunch at Panera while Cullen kept us company.

IMG_2696

IMG_2698 (800x600)IMG_2700 (800x600)

Check out that picture on the right. I was amazed to see that they not only had a recycling bin but also a compost bin next to the trash can! Dorothy, we’re not in NYC anymore!

We’re heading out to pick up our race bib for tomorrow’s Iron Heart 8 mile and then enjoying a girl’s dinner at Cuoco, a new Northern Italian restaurant by Tom Douglas. Bo and I enjoyed dinner at a few of his restaurants when we were here last year so I’m hoping this meets my expectations based on our experience at Dahlia Kitchen and Etta’s!

What was your favorite TGIF show?

Share Button
Follow: