Life lately according to my Iphone

There is just something about running in the fall that is just. so. perfect. I swear. Maybe it's the almost crisp air, or the sunshine that has been around these parts almost everyday these past few weeks. Or maybe it's how beautiful Lake Champlain is all the friggin' time. Seriously, I can't get enough of it. All I'm saying is that fall looks pretty darn great on Vermont. Makes me excited about leaf peeping, cider drinking, and pumpking carving (I may have gotten a jump start on the donut eating). Bring it on fall, I'm ready. 

Snake Mountain

In an effort to get back on the blogging train, here are a slew of photos from my recent sunset hike up Snake Mountain! Sometimes all it takes is a trip to a truly beautiful spot to remind you what a wonderful place you get to live in. Happy almost Fall!

 

The Wedding!

Two posts, one day? Sure, why not.

The weekend started off with a trip to the nail salon where we drank champagne, got our tootsies massaged and reveled in the beginning of an unforgettable couple of days.

Friday we spent decorating for the reception at The Barn at Boyden Valley before we headed off to the rehearsal and dinner in St. Albans. It was a whirlwind of a day with lots of hard work from everyone involved, including cookie baking, light stringing and ribbon bow tying expertise!

After a gorgeous sunset the bridesmaids + bride headed back to Smuggler's Notch for some beauty sleep before the big day.

Saturday morning Hana and I took a mini hike around the Smuggler's Notch village and ski lift area before we headed back to the condo to begin hair and makeup! 

The morning flew by and soon enough it was time to head to the church where Hana would finally become Mrs. Place!

^^stretch hummer limo shots

After a beautiful and heartfelt ceremony we headed back to the barn for a night of eating, drinking and most importantly, dancing!

Between the photo shoot in a field of snakes (just kidding, it might have only been one), the speeches, dances, food, tears, laughs, more dancing, cupcakes, stuffed mushrooms, baked brie, giant Jenga and catching the bouquet (woot!), I'd say this wedding won't easily be forgotten. On my drive home today I couldn't help but feel sad that the weekend was over and how it might be some time before I get to spend so much time with such an amazing group of people that I am lucky enough to be friends with. Part of me (a big part) just wishes I could play this weekend on repeat for ever and ever and ever.  I know Hana and Eric will be very happy together and I am so happy I got to be part of their celebration (thanks guys)!

So that's all for now. I'm going to continue crying into my salted caramel wedding favor and hope that when I wake up tomorrow we can do it all over again. But seriously, where is Hermione's time saver when we need it!?

P.S. You can take a look at some phenomenal photos from yesterday over here, or on Facebook over here!

Catch up!

It's been awhile since I've been able to update the blog. Partially due to laziness, but mostly due to the fact that the past month has been quite busy with some interviewing, hiking in the Adirondacks and most excitingly HANA & ERIC'S WEDDING! Can you see my excitement there? After a whirlwind week I finally have a few moments to upload some pictures to share with the blogosphere!

The week started off with the arrival of the out-of-town #1 Maid of Honor Jordan!

After a delicious brunch at Sneakers, we stocked up for a mini road trip and headed north!

After an overly anxious border crossing (what is it about those border agents and their prying questions) we hit a little traffic and finally arrived in Mount Tremblant. We planned to stay two nights at Plumes et Glisse while enjoying the day at a nearby Scandinavian Spa. We ate delicious gourmet breakfasts and dinners, toasted with champagne, did some early morning bachelorette strength training sessions and of course ultra-secret-never-to-be-talked-about-again bachelorette shenanigans! 

Here's a minor sampling to get your appetite going.

After a relaxing couple of days we headed back to Vermont to prepare for the weekend festivities (coming up next...)!

Life lately according to my Iphone

Weekending and Racing

Here are some photos from this weekend! There was a little bit of Farmer's Market perusing, some tasty treats and my very first trail 10K!

^^view of the boats from the Burlington bike path

^^peach and cheddar stuffed bread. So delicious.

^^pre-race photo.

The 10K trail race was part of the Stowe Trail Race Series and had a 5.5K or 9.5K option. I signed up for the 9.5K (close enough, right?) and arrived a tad early for this teeny, tiny race. I think it was a mix of being a rural Vermont trail race, but the laid back vibe was great and I loved every second of it. After picking up my bib, my dad and I went to the convenience store for a cup o' joe for him and a chocolate glazed donut for me (last minute carbo-loading). 

With 5 minutes to go all the runners gathered around the start area for a pre-race logistics talk from the race organizer. We were told that the 9.5K would be a second loop while the 5.5K runners would split off after the first loop towards the finish. Before I knew it we were off and running! The pack thinned out pretty quickly and I settled in behind Kelly, a woman I met earlier this week at the SkiRack Run Club (who also ran 75 miles last Saturday). The course was well marked, and followed a mix of old logging roads and wide hiking/cross country skiing trails. The first two miles were mostly uphill, but then we were rewarded with a nice winding downhill before the 5.5K split off. 

At the halfway point I had lost sight of Kelly and had been running alone for over 10 minutes. I picked up the pace and inched closer to passing Kelly throughout the second loop. I caught up with her just before the second big hill and after a quick "hello" I powered up the hill while she stopped to walk (I'm amazed she is racing a week after 75 miles, but hey, she's an ultra runner). I spotted another woman up ahead and set my sights on catching up with her. I was able to pass her as she stopped to walk and spent the rest of the race running solo. 

I only checked my Garmin a few times during the race (on the downhills of course, ha.) and really picked up the pace for the final mile as best I could (given the terrain). The funny thing about trail racing is that it feels like you're going so much faster than you actually are, but I did enjoy bounding over all the rocks and roots and just taking in the Mt. Mansfield scenery. 

^^Elevation chart

I crossed the finish line in 56:19, which I later learned was 19th overall for the 9.5K (out of 26 total, ha). After a couple of bagel slices and water we packed up the car and headed over the notch for the scenic route home! We stopped for some pastries and pie at the self-service pie shack in Underhill. Only in Vermont are strangers trusted to pay for specialty pies with the honor code. What a concept.