Fire in Oak Hill near Y was a little too close to home, literally

I just returned from a weekend in Austin. I had intended to leave Austin nearly 10 hours ago and as I opened the door of the house my mom and I both noticed a huge amounts of smoke, the smell of wood burning and a bazillion sirens going off. Cars were stopped on the hill, some blocking our driveway, others just trying to get by; as it turns out they had evacuated Callbram Lane. Emergency vehicles of all kinds were rushing by.

As the hours went on more even fire trucks came. I saw trucks from Westlake, Oak hill, Lake Travis and Austin. It was a crazy and awesome sight to see everyone working together. Smoke was everywhere and ash was falling like snow flurries. 

 

We got the voluntary evacuation notices and started to pack things up; computers, important documents, clothes, etc. We waited though, it seemed the fire had moved farther down the hill and over and our area was clearing up. It was unpredictable though, the wind was fierce, making it difficult for fire fighters to contain the fire. This is about the time the news picked it up, because the fire was close to the Pinnacle where ACC has a campus. 

People on their roof tops watering down their houses

Just as we were calling my dad to tell him things were ok and we were staying in the house, the power went out. Ok, NOT, staying in the house. lol 

Helicopter helping fight the fire

A fire fighter soon came to the house and said we should get inside because they were bringing large planes in to drop water and he didn't want us to get hurt. He said we could leave but we would need to hurry, before the planes started dropping water. So we gathered everything up and headed out. We are all safe, thank goodness!

The Austin American Statesman has a nice updated report on the fire and where it stands. At the moment there are several streets that have been evacuated and homeowners are not allowed to go back until tomorrow at the earliest. About 10 homes were destroyed and more were damaged. Read the story and updates here.

What to help those that were effected? There is a wonderful, Texas based, non profit organization that gives help to homeowners that have been impacted my natural disasters, Associa Cares. If you know someone that lost their home or their home was severely damaged, please contact Associa Cares and submit a request for financial or other assistance. 

And finally, before  I hit the showers and wash off the grime and smoke stench,  I just have to say thank you to all the fire fighters, police and other emergency response people throughout the Greater Austin area for doing such a wonderful job keeping everyone safe today.

I was reminded of a valuable lesson this weekend

I was reminded of a valuable lesson this weekend when I went to Pure Bikram Yoga in Austin, get there early. I use to get to yoga early, set up my mat where I wanted to and relax. I've gotten lazy, or maybe over booked, either way I was rushing to make class the two times I went this weekend.

This resulted in me being on the last row my first class and having to squish in for my second class; both not satisfactory to me.

As I was leaning over in Standing Head to Knee, I was thinking to myself, "darn it, I should have gotten here earlier, I can't see my knee!" I don't know how people manage to go through class on the third or fourth row, you can't see what the body is doing.

After mentally scolding myself for not getting there earlier, I decided to let it go. I accepted the challenge of being on the last row and tried hard to not let it steal my peace.

Then, because I didn't learn my lesson the first time, I got there right before class started again on the second day. I walked in and the sign-in sheet had 54 people on it. Oh dear! I hoped that wasn't just for my class, that maybe that was the sign in sheet from another class too but no, when I walked in, mats were literally mat to mat. I stood there and just stared for a second trying to quickly scan the room. Of course, as I would, no one looked at me, they didn't really want to have to squeeze in one more. Heck, I don't blame them, I wouldn't want to either.

After a few seconds and two or three more people coming in, people started to shift around and I found a spot on the third row next to the pole in the middle of the room. Could I see myself? Heck no. Did people sweat all over my mat and towel? Absolutely. Was I pretty sure I wanted to wash with anti bacterial soap after? Of course. Was it an awesome class? DUH! Heck YEA! Sweaty, energized, motivating class. Who cares I might have put my face in someone's sweat during Locust Pose. I struggled through class and gave my 100% and left satisfied and feeling great.

Next time you go to Bikram Yoga, or any yoga for that matter, try being in a place you don't normally set up. It will change your perspective and challenge you more in class. And for all you third and fourth row people that come to my classes, get up front, it will change your life. :)

3M Half Marathon, Austin, Texas

The 3M half marathon is this weekend in Austin, Texas. I'm excited to go down, Austin is a great place to run. Not that I'm running this weekend! I haven't serious run since the White Rock Relay Marathon. I find it hard to get motivated to run when my fingers and toes get frozen the minute I walk outside.

I have a friend running though, it is her first half marathon. I'm very exited for her, it is a big accomplishment. I know a few years ago when I ran my first one I felt amazing. It was a huge deal to me, it was the longest distance I had ever run and just months before I had never run more than a 5k and I'd never even run a full 5K without walking. 

If anyone is running this weekend, good for you, hope it is the best run of your life! I'll be cheering you on and wishing you good thoughts each mile.

I'm running the See Jane Run Half Marathon in Austin, Texas

See Jane Run

Women! This run is for you! What a great way to celebrate being a women. This half marathon is in Austin, Texas on October 9, 2011. Click here to get more information and to register.

Trotted the Austin 5 Mile Turkey Trot in Record Time!

Austin 5 Mile Turkey Trot

My last running event was on October 23rd when I ran the Walk Wag Run 5; I wasn't expecting this run to go that well. One run every month doesn't bode well for good running times. But I surprised even myself with my lightening speed and energy. With more than 18,900 other runners, I ran the new 5 mile route with little to no issues and only had to walk twice. This for me is a huge success. I hardly ever run straight through and never can I remember running 5 miles without intervals. For some reason the energy of the other runners and the thought of eating mounds of turkey, stuffing and pie motivated me to run like the wind...or at least like a brisk breeze.

My brother and sister-in-law decided to volunteer for the event, which meant we got down to the event at 6:30 am for a 9:30 start. A bit early but when free parking is involved with the threat of 20K plus people running, getting up early seemed like a good idea. It worked out great, my bro and SIL ended up not having much to do until the race started so we watched turkeys being chased by pilgrims, encased men in body suits running amuke, grown men in turkey costumes and lots of ladies dressed as Indians. Running events seem to be a good reason to dress as one might not dress under normal circumstances. And why not right? Halloween is only one night and maybe one has more than one costume in the closet. What better time to wear that "fall inspired, turkey, Indian, Pilgram" outfit?

Austin 5 Mile Turkey Trot 

 The first mile was frustrating, there were too many people running and worse, people were walking with dogs and strollers so it was a lot of running in place, darting between wheels and tiny feet. Why do people that walk want to get up so close? Don't they know they are going to get run over my the runners? First mile I finished about 11:42...not my best time. As I looked down at my watch and saw the time and thought about the 4 miles ahead of me I thought back to my brother and our conversation earlier when he asked me what I thought I would run. I had said then kind of joking, if I didn't run less than 12 minute miles I should just stop running. Ugh...I typically slow DOWN when I run so starting off at 11:42 didn't seem like it was putting me in a good position.

I decided then to pick up the pace and just keep running to mile 2 and see where I was at I've forgotten what I ran but the point is I was still running! Two miles without stopping. Feeling on a high!

I ran to mile 3 without stopping in 32:42 which was so amazing. The route was still packed, it was difficult to get a good steady run in, a lot of run quickly around someone, slow down to wait for someone in front of you. But I kept going, rounded the corner onto 1st street and ran over the bridge. I saw my sister-in-law and brother at the end of the bridge cheering on the runners, waved and ran to the finish line. five miles in 50:54.

My best time ever! Less than 2 years ago I hadn't run more than a 5K and running 2 miles at a 12 mile pace wore me out. Now I am running personal records. I see 9 minute something miles in my future!

Yoga, Easter Style, Outdoor Shower and All

Happy Easter everyone!

I'm sneaking a moment to post on my blog while my Bro, SIL and the kids are at church...I missed going because I went to yoga instead at Yoga Groove in Austin. I know the moment they get home it will be chaos fo candy, eggs, bubbles, lots of kiddos and even more adults...I will be exhausted before it is all through. Glad I went to yoga early!

I went to Yoga Groove, it is the closest Bikram Yoga Studio to my Bro. Cosmo, the owner was there, we had a nice chat about me going to teacher training. Then as I was waiting for class to start and studying my dialog, he comes up and says "teach  me one." Oh dear....I think in my brain...what do I know? "ok, I know half moon pose." So he gets up and stands there...ok..here we go... "Everyone together, feet on the line, heels and toes touching each other.......and push and push and push." He smiled and was very complimentary, said I would do great a training. Yea! Always good to have postive energy and feedback.

I always love Yoga Groove, it has a sort of granola, laid back, Austin-y feel...it's well....groovy. The students are super nice, one even complimented me after class on my headstand. (I'm practicing moving my hands so I can work into Tiger.) And you gotta love the teachers, hard core, yet, laid back, great combo. One student in class said outloud, "move the water bottle." The teacher just said back, "Don't let it steal your peace, don't worry about the water bottle, just focus on yourself." I'm not sure the student appreciated it but I thought it was funny and accurate. How many times do we get annoyed in class because something isn't just the way we think it should be? For me...lots. It is a daily struggle to not get annoyed at the smallest of things...and I was thinking of that as the teacher said this. A good lesson to be repeated for everyone.

The best part of class though was AFTER class when Cosmo handed me a towel and said I could use the outdoor shower. "Outdoor shower?" I asked. "Why do you have an outdoor shower?" His response.... "because." Classic. As I hesitate and lean in while at the same time not really leaning in, he said "just get in." And under the full shower spray I go. It was cool and refreshing, perfect after a hot yoga class. What a great idea! All you really need after yoga is a rinse off and why not do it outside? I better is is awesome on a hot summer day, the cool water must feel amazing, I will have to come back in the summer.

I better take a real shower now before the house is full of people again. Hope everyone has a great Easter!

Bikram Yoga on Christmas Eve, a New Tradition

I went to Bikram Yoga today, love that the Austin Bikram Yoga Studio had several classes today, it gave me an opportunity to get some holiday stuff done and still make it to yoga. I've been sick with a nasty head cold for the last few days so I haven't done much but eat and sleep. I've been feeling piggy and sluggish, was SO glad to finally feel well enough to go to class!

I went to the new downtown studio on 5th street in Austin. It was a full class so I quickly set up my mat and set out my package of kleenex in case my nose decided to act up. Class was just short of wonderful, which, for being sick is really very good. I did all of the standing series, only not fully staying in Standing Bow Pulling Pose, but I at least DID all the postures, a mile stone for me in my sickly condition.

I was really quite impressed, I thought I would have a mildly adequate class since I hadn't been since Saturday and I was still under the weather. Instead I had a pretty strong class with only minor setbacks. My equilibrium was off so my balancing series was not as good as it could have been and my shoulder and back muscles were noticabley sore from laying around for the last several days.

From YOGA

In the floor series I was shocked at myself when we did Full Locust Pose and my chest shot up like I was going to fly off the ground. I was like Whoa! what is that?! Catherine the teacher even said I looked good! It was so weird, like my body picked that moment to say it was fine and on the mend. Second set I thought, lets see how high I go, maybe that was a fluke. And then boom, second set, same thing, wham....flying again! This is the type of thing that make the body so amazing, you can be sick and not have practiced in days and yet the body remembers and when it wants to show off, well, it does.
Now off to enjoy Christmas Eve with the family. Enjoy your holiday and don't forget to go to yoga! Namaste

ACL Fest Shells Out Some Awesome Music

Austin weather holds out, first day of ACL Fest is a success.

As I sit under the big tree we always use as a haven, waiting for Kings of Leon to start, I can't help but reflect on the day. It started with great music at a local restaurant, Threadgills, breakfast at Austin Java and finished at one of the best outdoor concerts ever, ACL Fest.

Threadgills and local radio station, KGSR, held early morning "sampler" music sets spotlightinging several ACL Fest singers and bands. Donations of $5 got you in, a breakfast taco and coffee, what a deal! Today's performance donations went to HAAM, Health Alliance for Austin Musicians.

We saw performances by The Greencards, Tom Snider, The Walkman and Mediski, Martin & Wood. My favorite had to be the Greencards. I saw them several years ago and loved them. Tom Snider was very funny, would recommend him if he is playing a gig near you.

After Threadgills, we decided to grab a parking spot close to the festival and walk to grab a bite to eat at Austin Java. I had a yummy breakfast burrito, my second of the morning in case you were counting.

We made the short walk to the festival and waited for the gates to open. As we heard the Starwars theme, the indicator the doors are open, I saw people rushing down to the Livestrong stage and to our tree haven. It was an funny sight for sure. By the time we got in the tree where we sit was almost full and the music hadn't even started!

There was good music like Nelo, The Greencards and Reckless Kelly and not so great music like Bassnectar or pretty much anything else on the Dell stage. One exception is Sound and the Jury, they were on the Dell stage early and were great to watch and had good music.

Its good to have a haven to sit and relax. As sit here and I look around and see people hurrying to Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Kings of Leon and I'm pleased I feel totally content in my chair listening to the music from afar, under the tree. What a beautiful way to end the day.

The Week of Two Ten's

Here is an exert from my marathon experience earlier this year. My Team in Training group was running 20 miles this particular weekend and I was in Austin so I ran with my friend Ginny and we didn't like the idea of running 20 miles so it became our weekend to run two ten mile runs back to back. The mind is a powerful thing!

5/11/09 - The Week of Two Ten's. My friend Ginny and I are running the San Diego Marathon together at the end of May. She has been training on her own but matching the Team in Training schedule and decided to come to Austin with me to run 20 miles this past Saturday. In talking, we decided 20 miles was too much and way to overwhelming and we would rather run 2 - 10 mile segments. So it was the weekend of Two Ten's. Our first mistake might have been not running on Thursday like we were scheduled, instead we ran Friday morning. I wear so much technical equipment on my arms, I managed to chaff the inside of my left arm pretty raw. Who would have thought I would need Body Glide for just three miles?! I put Neosporin on it and tried to let it air out and at least scab over but I sweat so much I knew Saturday was not going to be very fun. Then, some how on the way down to Austin Ginny and I managed to damage ourselves even more, she with a pinch mark from the seatbelt that welted up and me with a large scrap on my leg. We looked like we had been through the ringer and we hadn't even run yet!

We had discussed our route and decided to stick close to Town Lake because several running stores provide water and it is fairly safe. It was abnormally hot and humid, only adding to the joy of running Two Ten's. Our plan was to run up Congress, around the capital, down to the lake and around the lake twice.

Somewhere around mile 14 or 4 of my second 10, I knew my knees were really mad and the remaining 6 were going to be pretty tough. But I was on the downward slope so I kept going. The nice thing about the Nike ipod sensor is the count down of miles so it tells you how much more you have to go. The down side is it tells you how much farther you have to go. Pushing the button every few seconds doesn't make it tell you less distance faster...it is very methodical that way. Mile 18 I realized I had gone as far as my last long run and I only had two more miles to go. That isn't hard right? Two miles, less than a 5K...easy breezy. As my watch beeps for me to run another 5 minute...I winch at the thought of picking up my legs one more time. My walk is more dragging of my feet and I notice my shoes are covered in dust from the trail.

I managed to get all the way around the lake twice and had about a mile left. I ran up Congress and around a few buildings, well, walked/hobbled around a few buildings and was never more happy than when the ipod said I had completed my workout! Such joy! I had made it! Two Ten's!

The Week of Two Ten's

5/11/09 - The Week of Two Ten's. My friend Ginny and I are running the San Diego Marathon together at the end of May. She has been training on her own but matching the Team in Training schedule and decided to come to Austin with me to run 20 miles this past Saturday. In talking, we decided 20 miles was too much and way to overwhelming and we would rather run 2 - 10 mile segments. So it was the weekend of Two Ten's. Our first mistake might have been not running on Thursday like we were scheduled, instead we ran Friday morning. I wear so much technical equipment on my arms, I managed to chaff the inside of my left arm pretty raw. Who would have thought I would need Body Glide for just three miles?! I put Neosporin on it and tried to let it air out and at least scab over but I sweat so much I knew Saturday was not going to be very fun. Then, some how on the way down to Austin Ginny and I managed to damage ourselves even more, she with a pinch mark from the seatbelt that welted up and me with a large scrap on my leg. We looked like we had been through the ringer and we hadn't even run yet!

We had discussed our route and decided to stick close to Town Lake because several running stores provide water and it is fairly safe. It was abnormally hot and humid, only adding to the joy of running Two Ten's. Our plan was to run up Congress, around the capital, down to the lake and around the lake twice.

Somewhere around mile 14 or 4 of my second 10, I knew my knees were really mad and the remaining 6 were going to be pretty tough. But I was on the downward slope so I kept going. The nice thing about the Nike ipod sensor is the count down of miles so it tells you how much more you have to go. The down side is it tells you how much farther you have to go. Pushing the button every few seconds doesn't make it tell you less distance faster...it is very methodical that way. Mile 18 I realized I had gone as far as my last long run and I only had two more miles to go. That isn't hard right? Two miles, less than a 5K...easy breezy. As my watch beeps for me to run another 5 minute...I winch at the thought of picking up my legs one more time. My walk is more dragging of my feet and I notice my shoes are covered in dust from the trail.

I managed to get all the way around the lake twice and had about a mile left. I ran up Congress and around a few buildings, well, walked/hobbled around a few buildings and was never more happy than when the ipod said I had completed my workout! Such joy! I had made it! Two Ten's!

I Have Officially Run in My First Marathon.

4/13/09 - I have officially run in my first marathon. Granted, it was a half, but for those of you who do not know, that is 13.1 miles! I decided to run in the Big D marathon/half marathon after I realized I could not ride 30 miles and run 13 all in the same day. The Big D half marathon was my answer! So I ran Sunday, April 5, 2009 13.l miles and finished in 2 hours 40 minutes 23 seconds. This time is the fastest run I have had to date! Running with others really made a difference, I think this was a good test for how San Diego will go.

I also ran 13 miles this past weekend in Austin. It took me 4 minutes longer but in my defense, I had more obstacles and no gum! Gum you ask?! Well, apparently gum is the magic to running long distances, that and an ipod with great music. I got started and ran about 5 minutes and realized I had not remembered gum. I toughed it out but honestly, I'm not sure those around me appreciated it. I found myself humming and grunting a lot which I don't recall doing when I have gum. So, must remember gum!

And oh, the knees! Goodness! I am normally not prone to injuries which I attribute to the yoga I have been doing but lately on long runs my knees ache and have a hard time working. So if you see me hobbling around, just know it is because I probably ran over 13 miles!