This is a test of the emergency blogcast system.

Weather and Running

It's been a very odd summer.  For a while there in the spring, we had late frosts and late snows, and it seemed like warm weather would never arrive.  Then the past few weeks have been brutal, both heat and humidity wise.

I actually don't mind it.  We don't have air conditioning here, so it's been a dance of my husband's secret "Lock in the cool" skills as he opens the windows at night, and then I close them around mid-morning, before the sun comes up and heats everything.  The nights with a fan blowing on us have been comfortable.  I haven't lost much sleep.  At least not to heat.

Running has been ok.  I have gotten into a routine to run early in the mornings, or run in the woods on the weekends to hide from the heat.  The last full loop of Oil Creek State Park was brutal, but I think it has made me stronger.  I'm enjoying the adventure and challenge brought by the heat, because I'm nothing if not stubborn.

Today was lovely though.  I think mid 60s, breezy, overcast is my perfect running weather.  I wouldn't even mind cooler, but today... I got up, ran out the door, up the hill and away from town.  Along fields and past little country houses, smelling the scent of hay and sky and fields.  Oh and squished snails, but I didn't smell those, thankfully. Small barky dogs warned me away from their yards, and I ran and ran.

It was only 5 miles, but I made it back in time for my husband to get to work, and I was sweaty but not as hot or sweaty as I have been the last few times I've run.  I've been ok this summer, but this kind of day just makes me long for fall...

Run Between the Suns - 12 hour endurance trail race

So this past Saturday, June 30th - I wrapped up the month of June by completing my third ultra run, and my furthest distance so far - 40 miles in about 10 and a half hours.

I was excited, and not very nervous about this race, because it was being RDed by a friend and fellow runner from the area, Jeff Nelson, and his wife, Heather Nelson.  They put in a ton of work, and in the beginning, when they were first talking about putting the race together, I had said I would volunteer, but later, I decided it would be a good middle of summer test for me as I prepared for the 100k in the fall.

Friday night I had a good dinner of salmon, quinoa salad, and drank plenty of water.  I knew it was going to be a scorcher on Saturday, with predicted temps in the high 80s.  I packed myself 2 drop boxes with extra clothes and shoes, gels, enduralytes, plus a cooler with lots of ice and Gatorade.  I knew the aid station would be well stocked, but I wanted to make sure I had a reliable source of food and drink that I knew had no soy.  Soy has been giving me the "instantly run to the nearest bathroom" syndrome, so before races, I've been avoiding it like the plague.

So I had everything packed.  I even got my ipod ready.  The course would be a 5 mile loop, and if I was going to try for 40-50 miles, I wanted to be sure if I wasn't running with someone, that I had music or a podcast to keep me going.

So Jason and Eli and I woke up early and got down to the course.  It was great seeing so many people I knew, and once I had hit the restroom one more time and greeted some of the people, pinned on my number and reset my watch, we were off.  I fell into step with Katie, and we kept up a good pace and kept each other entertained.

And so it went.  First five miles we did in a little over an hour.  The course was hilly, but not terribly so.  I told Katie the hill size were pretty much perfect, because just about when I wished I was done going up a hill, it leveled off then went back down.  There wasn't much exposure to the sky, a few bits around a really beautiful and clear lake, but the cloud cover was holding, and the temperature wasn't awful, but I was sweating a ton.  I made sure I took enduralytes, drank, but not too much, and had a gel whenever I was feeling a bit hollow.

I didn't eat anything first time through the aid station, but I did hit the toilet, then we kept going.  10 miles.  We weren't passed much, and kept fairly steady pace.  I felt a little ick the second time through the aid station, hit the restroom again, and felt much better.  I tripped over a root on the third lap, but just got up and brushed it off.  Landed on my hands, not my knees, and I was fine.  I was feeling good, and Katie and I kept going.  We were caught up by a few of our friends, and it was nice to see and visit with people each time we came through the aid station.

15 miles.  I stopped and stretched each time through, sat down a bit, ate a bit.  The boiled potatoes with salt were my lifesaver, and so was the cold Gatorade.  I also took to dumping water over my head each time, which I think kept me refreshed.  I was already soaked with sweat anyway.  I also kept slathering sunblock on, even though the clouds were staying put.  The breeze was also very nice, and keeping us running strong.

I can't say enough about the Aid station.  It was amazing to come in and have bottles filled and anything we needed taken care of.

Jason had taken Eli off for a while (It's hard to entertain a 4.5 year old at an endurance event), but by the time we came in from our 5th round (25 miles) They were back.  I gave my kiddo a sweaty hug, then we were back to it.  Katie said she wanted to get 30, then would be happy.  I begged her to do to 35 with me, then I was going to walk one more loop to get 40.  The sun decided to come out then, at mile 30.  I was still feeling great.  A little sore in the hips, but each time I stopped and stretched at the aid station, I was good for another go.  Katie was getting a little down on the 6th loop, but she perked up again for the 7th, and then we met her husband and another friend on the 7th looped, and we walked the last one together, for 40 total.

I am so happy with how this event turned out.  The course was great - long enough to not be boring, but not too rough on the body.  I didn't need my ipod, because Katie and I chatted most of the loops, and kept encouraging each other along.  And hell if I didn't feel the best I have the next day after the race.  A little sore, but of my other ultras, this was the one I hurt the least after.  Was it the cool down loop?  Was it the stretching?  Did Laurel Highlands give me an extra kick in the teeth training wise?  I'm not sure, but I'm happy and still kind of... in disbelief that I ran 40 miles in 10 hours and 38 minutes.

It was an amazing event, and I'll be excited to do it again next year, and see if I can squeeze in 45, or maybe even 50...

Laurel Highlands 50k Race

 So I know I haven't posted in quite a while, but Saturday, June 9th was my second Ultra race ever, the Laurel Highlands 50k, and I think it deserved some attention before the entire day goes out of my head as if my brain was made of Swiss cheese, which in the few days following the race, it seems to sort of become so... but anyway, the RACE!

Above, I am all innocence and smiles and unknowing anticipation of steep climbs, beautiful vistas, and really lovely landscapes approaching.  Jason, Eli and I had driven down the night before, checked in at our motel, and then driven up to Ohiopyle, where the race starts to have a meal and check out where the race would start.  I really like getting an idea before hand where parking is, where I'm going to pick up my stuff, where the trail will start, all that stuff so I can sleep a little better the night before.  We hung out with the Youngs and the Gallagher's at the motel right before bed, I had a giant slice of Dan Young's famous chocolate cheesecake (which was heavenly).  Then we were off to bed around 9:30.

I slept ok for a few hours, then woke up at 2, nervous with anticipation.  I finally got up at 5, and started my routine, gearing up, deciding to wear black, even though I was slightly worried about the heat, rejecting the idea of carrying my ipod, making sure I had my drinks, enough gels, and my emergency Swedish red fish ration for the last few miles.  We headed down to the start (too early), got coffee and walked around.  People started to gather in droves around 7:00, so I visited with a few of my running buddies, including my friend Patrick who's been motivating me from New York state since last year's Oil Creek 50k.

 We grouped up a few minutes before the 7:30 start.  I clumped into the middle, waved to my husband and kiddo, and before I knew it, we were off.  I started out at the same pace as the people I was with, on double-track for about a quarter mile, until we reached the single-track where we climbed up.  Taking it slow was easy at that point.  I ran gently on any flats, but the first portion of the race was mainly a series of ups and downs, then more ups.   I fell in with a few of my NWPA Warrior friends, and we were going steady until about mile 6, where the trail took a decided upturn for the next 2 miles.

I was taking the hills easy, but moving steadily up them.  I wasn't really having too much of a problem with them.  I noticed that my GPS watch was decidedly behind the lovely little trail markers that appeared in happy yellow every mile.  I guess the elevation screwed the GPS up, so those markers were life-savers.  I ended up cheering whenever I saw them, sometimes patting them, and I think I only missed seeing number 13.

I took off a little fast after I reached the top of the ridge after mile 8.  I was feeling great, and really opened up on the downhills and the flats, passing a few people, and enjoying my "skill" on the downhills.  Little did I know that storming down those hills probably is what killed my quads for later in the day.  I had left one of my friends behind on the big hill, and she had said she would catch up with me later, but I spent mile 8-14ish mostly on my own.  I was doing well, enjoying the trail, enjoying the scenery, and bantering with runners around me.  I came to the first aid station, filled my bottles, ate a banana and had some caffeinated soda, but didn't linger.  I knew I'd probably camp out at the mile 19 aid station, and I wanted to make it there before the 6 hour cut-off, which I knew by this point, I would do, but the idea of not getting there had haunted me so long in preparation for the race, that I just wanted to be through there.

I few more miles along, and I caught up with my friend Patrick!  I hadn't know if he was in front or behind me, but we stayed together for a few miles.  He seemed to be doing really well, and we stuck together for quite a while.  When we got to a long climb a few miles before the second aid station, he stopped.  I stopped with him for a bit, but I was chomping to go, being the impatient sort that I am, and wished him well, and moved forwards.

I had caught up with one of my Warrior friends, Sean, and not long after, Shannon caught up with us as well.  We decided there is power in numbers, and stuck together.  They were both having issues with the killer hills, where as I was now having a little bit rougher time with the downhills.  We got to aid station two, hung out for a little while and fueled up.  A few people were asking about a gentleman named Patrick, and it was his family!  I told him I didn't think he was too far behind me.  The three of us shuffled out, knowing we only had 12 miles left to go.

Having company for those miles was invaluable.  Something I ate or drank at the aid station had not made my stomach happy, so it and I had a silent and angry discussion while I forced myself to go on.  I was not going to retreat into the shrubs while I was running with Shannon and Sean, though I did eye them a few times.  After a couple of miles, the feeling passed, and we continued to run/walk/climb, cursing hills, wondering why we do this to ourselves, but enjoying a vista here, a rock formation there, and the general wonder that is the Laurel Highlands.

We got to the final aid station, and I got a little of my wind back.  We made our way around the Seven Springs ski resort, oooing and ahhing over the views.  By mile 29, I felt like i was done.  I was silent, sullen, and slogging through the flats like i was made of disintegrating cheese.  My quads were killing, I was preferring climbs to downhill jolting runs, but I pulled it together at mile 30, and started to lumber in a plodding run while we wondered where in the heck mile marker 30 was.  After mile 30, we knew there was a turn off, but it was not showing up.  We were worried that we had taken a wrong turn, but suddenly, there was the sign, 50k turn!  We turned.  I heard my little Eli's voice clamoring, "Go Mommy!"  And that's what spurred me into the final sprint.  I came out into the clearing and got this mad adrenaline rush.  I just wanted to be done!  The people cheered at me sprinting around that corner, and I finished in 8:25:40.  Shannon and Sean were right behind me, and we shared a post-race hug, and right behind us - Patrick!  We had all finished.  We got really nice finisher's medals, pizza and colllllddd gatorade.  I was a happy girl.  I teared up as I greeted Jason and Eli at the finish.  I was so glad to be done, and ready to go home.  But I did love the run, I really loved Laurel.  Will I be back for the 70 miler next year?  I don't know...

Oil Creel 100 Trail Runs - 50k Race Report

Crossing the finish line at 7:15:20

Contemplating the race, after.

If you had told me two years ago I would be running 31 miles around my favorite hiking trail at that time, I would have laughed.

When I first heard about the Oil Creek 100 trail races in fall of 2009, I was overweight, and still recovering from a surgery to remove a bowling ball sized cyst from my uterus.  I had just recently been gifted a pair of the crazy vibram five fingers, and I was just getting into running.  I thought about volunteering, because I loved the trail, but I hadn’t even had one race yet.  I hadn’t even ran much more than a mile.

I loved trail running with my dog, and would get out whenever I could.  My running was sporadic, and sometimes half-hearted, but I decided to do the barefoot thing, and only run in the vibrams.  I didn’t start out quite as slow as I should have, but did ok.

Trail sign in Section 3.  My loyal hiking/running companion before I met the Warriors, Zoe.

I signed up for my first race in March of 2010, a 10k, the Leprechaun Leap in Erie, PA.  The first thing I realized is that running had a huge community, and that wearing only vibrams without socks in March in NWPA is crazy, and I’m surprised I still have all my toes.

I did well, and moreso, I liked it.  I spent the rest of the year, signing up for 5ks, making some PRs (after I knew what it stood for), talking a lot about my crazy shoes to people at the races, and running on trails whenever I could.  There weren’t many trails, so I was happy enough with back roads.  In September, I ran in my first official trail race, the One Tough Cookie in Warren, PA.  I did the best at that race than I had at any.  I knew I loved the trail running, but it just... clicked with that race.

After the new year I ran more.  2011 would be the year of the runner. And I decided I wanted to go back to the trail I had loved to hike so much, and add some speed to the love for it.  Registration for the 50k opened in March, and I knew I could train for it.

I ran.  I ran in the snow, I ran more races, I ran in the sleet.  I upped my mileage.  I still was running strictly in the five-fingers.  I was comfortable in them, and after I started wearing socks, I didn’t have any blister issues.

Train tracks near Aid Station #3.

In April, I drove down to run the bike trail in Oil Creek State Park.  I wanted to be down there, but I didn’t want to run the trail yet.  I wanted to make sure I could up my mileage before I started really to train on the trail.  I ran 13 miles that day, and met Thea Wheeling, as I was setting off, who told me about the Warrior group when she found out I was training for the OC100 50k. She told me to check it out on facebook, that they did training runs and had get togethers and things.  I said ok, and I did my run.  I pushed hard to get thirteen miles, but I felt good - it was as far as I had ever run.  

I got home, took my first ice bath, and tried to find The Warriors on facebook.  Do you KNOW how many groups are named the Warriors on facebook?  I was feeling a little lost about it, when I got a friend request from Thea!  And I found the group through her!  

In late May, I went for my first group run.  I was nervous.  Aside from dragging my husband on a few miles, I had never run with anyone, except alone in road races.  After some introductions, we set off on the trail.  I chatted with a few folk, but mostly ran my own pace.  I remember Rob and Thea - and I remember this crazy guy in a long sleeve red shirt (Tom Jennings) passing me.  I passed a bunch of people, who commented on my crazy shoes, and it was so muddy that spring, I left some very strange footprints on the bridges and through the Mud.  I ran 15 miles on the trail that day.  I bonked my toes, I fell down several times, but I had a great time!  My addiction was complete.

I joined the Wednesday Warrior running group, and faces and names gradually came together.  I knew who the people I would never catch up to were, I knew the people who i could run with if i pushed hard, and I found the people who were just my perfect pace.  I found out that you get very close to your trail friends very fast.  I found out that people who you hardly know can be the best people you ever meet in your life.  All because we all like to put one foot in front of the other and run like we were kids, or animals, through the woods and fields and streams and swamps.

Greeting Dad and Eli at aid station 2.

 Needless to say, I loved it.  My husband couldn’t keep me off the trails, and my training soared.  I still ran roads during the week and on some weekends.  My mileage went up.  I hit 17 miles, then 22.  Most times I ran with someone, or started out alone and ended up with people.  I now had a social outlet that combined something I loved to do, with people who loved to do it too.  And we talked about everything.  

Sometimes I just ran alone on the trail, but when I knew someone was out there behind me or in front of me. Finally I got up to 26 miles, the full loop of the park.  Everyone was telling me I was ready.

My family thought I was a little... odd.  My brother had started running road marathons a number of years ago, and I have to say (Sorry Drew), but half of the appeal of doing the 50k, was that it was longer than a marathon.  I would tell people how far I was running, and they didn’t get it.  My trail buddies understood.  I loved running with the different people on the trail.  Each person I ran with, gave parts of the trail new personality to me, more than hiking or walking alone ever could.  I heard stories and advice, was helped when I was low, and helped other people when they were.   How can you explain to friends and family that don’t run, how you get to be so close to people that you’re “only” running with.  People that you spend 6 or more hours with in nature, doing something you love.  There’s a closeness and intimacy that is like a sibling relationship.  They became family.

I was ready.  I had trained.  I got frustrated, I took days off, but I was there.  Race Day.

Overlook in Section 2 to the bike bridge.

I found myself in an interesting position the night before the race.  I drove down, expecting just to pick up my packet, then go home and hang out with my Dad and husband and son, who would all come down for the race the next day.  But I kind of... threw myself into it.  I had made myself available to volunteer.  Had been planning on volunteering for the race, but was never really assigned.  Being 45 minutes away from the trail on top of job and baby and house duties made it hard to get down for anything other than the weekly training run.  So I asked where I was needed, and helped out a bit the night before.  I took some pictures, helped some people out, and felt how good it was to be involved in this community of racers and supporters and volunteers.  I even volunteered to pace a 100k runner after I finished my race. (Boy what was I thinking).  

Race day, I woke up, drove myself down.  I had slept pretty well.  It was interesting.  I had been all nerves for my own race right up until I had volunteered to be a pacer.  All my nervousness evaporated, because I was more worried about being in shape to do a good job of co-pacing an 100k participant, than I was about my own race.  And I wasn’t worried about finishing.  I had trained and was ready.

I started out with two of my warrior friends.  We were shooting for 8 hour time frame, and by the time we had gotten a few miles in, I was warmed up, and chafing a little at the bottleneck we were in.  I... found it difficult, after running on the trail so much throughout the spring and summer and early fall to slow my pace down.  I knew the trail.  It was my trail.  So I started passing.  I figured Cristin and Jake would catch up.  I would just pass a few people, and they would pass them too, and they would catch up and we would run together more later.

I kept passing.  I would call out a please or thank you as I went.  I looked down at my pace and saw I was running under 10 minute miles on the flats and downhills.  I grimaced internally.  I knew I would wear myself out well before section four, but i felt so good, and I just wanted to run on my trail.

Section 1 - first mile in, right before the sign in box.

I had different running companions through the sections, and I kept playing trail guide.  I don’t know if it was helpful, but I wanted to help.  We made it to Aid station 1, and I had some gatorade, and moved on.  I was happy, because I saw a lot of my warrior friends who I had run with throughout the year during the course of the race.  I kept on top of my water and food, and I felt really really good.  

I flew through section two, pointing out “Magic Bus Hill” where the empty shell of an old bus sits.  Near the end of section two, where the long downhill starts, I just let myself go full out.  I pulled away from people and could feel aid station 2 getting closer.  I breathed in the woods and enjoyed the quiet and the beauty and the adrenaline.  My toes were starting to hurt a bit though.  Which was worrying me. The strike point on my toe and ball of my foot were feeling a little hot, so I planned to change socks and shoes and re-glide my feet.

I came out on the road near Petroleum Center, and just enjoyed the festiveness of the race.  I followed the flags to Aid Station 2, and was greeted enthusiastically by Tom Lane, dressed as Mayor of Funkytown.  I was laughing and grinning as people handed me my drop-bag, Tom Lane filled my hydration pack, and I gobbled down a grilled cheese and changed my shoes and was on my way.  I wish I had stayed a little longer, but I knew everyone had a job to do, and mine was to keep going.

I was heading out and across the road up to the trail, when I heard my name.  I turned around, and I saw my family waving me down.  My dad and husband and son had come down to surprise me.  I gave them quick hugs, thanked them for seeing me here and that I would see them at the finish!

I felt a bit ill climbing up that first hill on section three, but once I was at the top, I started running again, a little more slowly this time.  I had gained a few running companions and was pretty happy to have someone to talk to and run with through the long agony of section 3.  A few miles into section three I took a nasty tumble, landing on my right hip, but bouncing up and brushing off without really stopping.  The gentleman I was with asked me if i was ok, but also said I was up so fast I nearly bounced.  I felt ok, just a bit bruised on my hip, but I also felt a bit out of whack.

Pine tree path - section three - one of my favorite areas.

We got to the boy scout aid station at cow run, where I giggled at the signs that were set up, and had a gu and a gatorade and we headed back out.  I was struggling more to keep up with the guys I was running with, not on the downhills or the straight-aways, but walking the hills, and being vertically challenged were having their toll.  My right knee hurt, and my left hip ached, more when I walked than when I was running, so I tried to keep up as much running as I could.  I passed Katie and Lindsey, more friends who were working down their 100k first loop.  I hugged and cheered them on, told them how great they looked, then I kept moving.  I was worried if I really stopped, I would stiffen up, and not be able to get going again.

We burned down the last hill into aid station three, and I was hurting a bit more by that point.  I rushed through, grabbing some food, knowing there was a couple nasty hills ahead.  Section four is my favorite though (I kept telling myself that over and over, in case I forgot in the ire of the last few miles), and I knew it would go fast.  The pain in my hip and knee were worse, and I went alone for the first mile or two, then a few of the guys I had been leapfrogging with during the day caught me, and I stayed with them.  I had to stop and fill my pack at an unmanned water station, because I had forgot to at aid station three, but I knew there that we were only 4 or so miles from the end of the trail, 6 miles from the finish.  Two of the guys I was with took off, wanting to try for under 7 hours finish, and a very nice guy named Steve stuck with me the rest of the way.  It was his first Ultra too, and we kept each other going.  By the time we came off of the trail, I had to push myself to run, so we half ran, half shuffled around the dike loop, then onto the last mile of the bike trail, which went more slowly than the rest of the race.

Beautiful section of trail - I'm pretty sure this is section 1, but not positive.

We came off of the bike trail onto the road, and I could see someone waving at me.  Jason and my Dad and Eli had come up the last quarter mile to meet me.  I was so happy to see them...  My dad was carrying Eli, and I could hear him yelling “Go Mommy!  Go Mommy!” and Jason was trying to snag as many photos as he could while i was shuffling my way to the finish.  I picked up the pace and finished smiling, a little choked up by what I had done.  I finished in 7 hours and 15 minutes.  I was totally stunned by my time.  I had hoped to finish in 8 hours.  I had burned through the trail, and ended up finishing 43rd.

I found a bunch of my friends that had already finished, and a few that had dropped out of the 100k because of pain.  They amazed me that they could even try that distance.  I was finding it hard to imagine going back out on the trail after doing what I had just done, and going back out bravely and eagerly and doing it again.  My respect for my running friends increased.  I ate some food and socialized with my family for a little bit, then had a nice hot shower, and a massage to work the pain out of my hip and knee.  It worked to a point.  My feet, in the vibrams felt really good for holding up on rocks roots and mud for over 7 hours.  But I still had someone to pace through the night.

My family fled back home, and I said goodbye to my Dad, who would be leaving for Florida the next day.  I was so happy he had come up and saw me doing this crazy thing.  He had even managed to meet up briefly with Scott, who had gone to college with him.  Scott had looked great going back out on his second loop of his 100k as I was just finishing.  I visited more, then I went to try to find out when the woman I would be co-pacing with Thea had last checked in.

Slight uphill in Section 2.

When I found she had checked in last at AS3 at 2, I hung out, visited more, helped at Aid Station four, and just wandered back and forth, having an amazing time.  I saw people running through the gamut of emotion.  Some were radiant, glowing with accomplishment.  Some were down on themselves for not accomplishing what they had desired, even if they had accomplished so much to those around them.  Some were focused, like the runners coming through Aid Station 4 on their final loop of the 100k or 100 mile race.  Some were in pain, the edge of their agony cutting sharp angles to their words and expressions.

I was walking back and forth through the school when a friend told me the woman I was pacing had just come in.  I went down and found her, and she admitted she was considering dropping.  I told her I would support whatever she needed to do - that I was ready to pace her through part of the night if she needed me.  At 68, she was proud of the loop she had run, and not at all confident about her eye sight in the dark.  She decided to slip out and spend the next day with her children and grandchildren on the way home.

I have to say, though I would’ve pushed myself to pace for her, I was relieved.  I spent the rest of the night working at aid stations, helping runners, sitting in front of fires and being social.  I ended up driving home around 3 in the morning, and got to see my dad off.

Over the course of my training I dropped down to 145 pounds.  I feel athletic and strong.  I still have the edges of feeling overweight and slug-like at times, but if i get off my rear and go for a run, I really know I have changed myself.  

A week later, and I have to say, I’m really looking forward to the next race.  Maybe a 50 miler this summer.  Maybe the 100k next year?  I feel a little bit of let down for being done with something I worked on for six months.  But I’m ready for a new goal and new challenge.  Because isn’t that what life is about?  Challenging oneself?  Putting one foot in front of the other?  Being happy and social and feeling good?  I’m ready for the next trail.  I’m ready to explore.  I’m ready to run.

Crossing the finish line - happy.

What a difference a couple of weeks makes...

I can't believe we're almost done with June.  My garden is going crazy, and I love it.  I haven't been as good about doing stuff out there as I have been, but there isn't much to do but water and watch and make sure nothing is eating the plants.

I've been training for an Ultra-Marathon, a 50k, that I'm going to be running in October.  I ran my first half marathon last weekend, and yesterday I ran 17 miles on the trail, the furthest I've ever run.  So today I'm tired, but it's a good sort of tired, and I just walked around and checked out the plants, to make sure nothing bad is happening.  Looks pretty good all around.

The raised bed area from the backyard, looking lush.  And Zoe is making sure it's chipmunk free.

Spinach.  I've been harvesting a few leaves at a time and putting it in salads.  Mmmm.

Rest of the lettuce, looking good. Harvested and ate some for dinner.  Again, I just pick off a few leaves here and there to mix together.  Nothing like home-grown lettuce.

Unless it's accentuated with home-grown broccoli.  I harvested a couple smallish heads yesterday.  They were tasty.  They were also starting to bloom, so I knew I better eat them.

The tomatoes are getting jungle-ish.  I keep snapping off suckers, but I know I'm not going to be able to keep up. 

Some little green tomatoes peeking out.  Another week and these should be ripe.

First few Zucchini are ripening.  I won't let them get too large.  Giant zucchini are bleh.

Cabbage had a few worms on it.  I squarshed them!  This is my first year growing cabbage.  I hope it works out.  Mmm home-made coleslaw.

The sweet-corn is doing pretty well.  I replanted a few that didn't sprout, and they're coming up too.  I'm very excited for sweet corn.

Potatoes are growing slowly this year.  Probably because I found them shriveled up in a container in the beginning of June.  Here's hoping.

Lightning bug!

Yay!  My roses are looking sooo nice.  I'm not sure if I'm going to worry about re-blooming or not.  They're so pretty even for the little bit they bloom...

Asian Lilies are blooming, just.  I'm glad I found this orange version last year.  Now I'll have some really nice yellow and the orange ones blooming through the beginning of July.

I really love all this creeping thyme.  I'm hoping I can incorporate it into the yard somewhere... Right now it's very happy at the front of my flower garden.

Lavender is blooming.  I hope the sweet woodruff doesn't drown it out.

Astible.

Brunnera Macrophylla - Jack Frost.  I love how the flowers look like forget-me-nots, and the foliage is beautiful.  It went into my shade garden.

We're eating more stuff out of the garden.  Harvested a bunch of herbs and made a herb rub for turkey tenderloin tonight using rosemary, thyme, minced garlic, salt and pepper and olive oil.  Rubbed it on generously and grilled.  It was really delicious.  I surprised even myself.

The garden grows...

The garden is looking better and better.  I decided to move a few tomatoes out of one of the beds that wasn't doing quite as well, and am trying my hand at growing sweet corn instead. 

Here are my neat rows of corn... I shouldn't have too much trouble with wind pollination, and I can always break a tassel off and self pollinate (so my friend tells me).  I'm excited about corn growing in the back yard.  We'll see if I planted too late, or if my little corn will be "knee high by the fourth of july" which is always something I've heard around here.  And really, how high is an elephant's eye?  I'll have to find a way to measure next time I get to a zoo with elephants.

I found some old wooden pop-crates at a garage sale last week.  I put potatoes in one, and paired some tomatoes in the other.  I think they'll be happy.  They were a little droopy yesterday, but had perked up by this morning.

Stupid cucumber beetles got to the zucchini.  I'm guessing that they rode along on this seedling from the nursery, since I had no issue with them last year.  This (and my roses) I sprayed with an... um.. "safe" insect killing soap something something, and I haven't seen the little guys for a while.  I tried to hand remove them at first, but they little suckers have wings, and I couldn't get them!

My broccoli has been doing great.  I check it and hand pick off any cabbage worms I find.  I can see the first little tiny heads of broccoli peeking up out of the centers.

I'm going to have an amazing amount of black raspberries this year.  They're just finishing flowering, and I have clumps of them around the yard, against the fences, along the back brushy area.  I can't wait to taste them.

The garlic is getting giant.

Tomatoes are leaning towards the sun.

Lettuce isn't doing quite as well as last year, but still going to have a good amount I think.  I think I'm in the mood for salad for lunch.

Wild strawberries I moved into one of the beds.  They'll be small but if they work well I might try getting some strawberry pots and plants going next year.

My Japanese painted fern is so pretty...

Chinese Weeping... something?  It smells amazing.

Roses should bloom any day now, if the white flies and worms and other bugs stay away.

Lupine.

Daisies and Coleus in an old bucket.  Yay!

Now off for a hike!