Shifting gears.

Back in the summer of 2008, I started blogging as a way to keep family and friends informed about our adventures while living in Dubai.  When we unexpectedly returned home in the summer of 2009, my blogging clearly became less and less of a priority as we were able to see our friends and family again on a regular basis.  Facebook has become the website de rigueur for family photos, and I've been contemplating the desired focus of my writing.  So, to that end, I am pleased to say that I am moving on to another blog.

Soon, if you're interested, you'll be able to catch my thoughts on academic librarianship and my midlife career change with sprinklings of my interests in running and photography here:

http://midlifebrarian.wordpress.com/

Hope to see you there!

Hello Seattle!

Here's a photo tease from my Seattle trip to visit Natalie. I had an amazing time!  Stay tuned for more!

After the See Jane Run 1/2 Marathon

Poppies in lavender

Memorial Day Weekend 2011

This weekend, we had the luxury of time and few commitments.  It was filled with a little adventure, some family, some friends, and the chance for everyone to also get some "me time". 

On Saturday, I ran at Peace Valley with the AARC for their annual Memorial Day traveling fun run.  I arrived at 7am to squeeze in an extra lap with some other runners.  The rest of the group arrived at 8am, and after we all logged our miles, we enjoyed lots of running talk while we munched on bagels, fresh fruit, coffee and other goodies.  If you are in the Ambler area and looking for a friendly bunch of runners, I can't say enough about how wonderful this group is.  Although I haven't run with them as often as I'd like, I always have a great time and feel welcome.  All totaled, I am guessing there were 20 or 30 of us that descended on Peace Valley Saturday morning.  One toddler remarked to her parents "there must be a runners' parade!", as we all ran by.

Saturday afternoon, we enjoyed a visit with by my sister-in-law and her family.  I love seeing Alex and Tyler interact with their almost 2 year old cousin.  It was a nearly perfect summer day involving riding bikes to the park, playing with water guns and lots of great BBQ food.

Sunday morning, I met up with more folks from AARC to run near Philadelphia.  Six of us met at 7am for some hot, humid hills.When I say hills, I mean HILLS! 

But enough boring running details....

After the run, I met Scott and the boys for breakfast at IHOP, grabbed a shower, and set off on our next adventure to the Morris Arboretum.  The heat and humidity didn't stop the us from having an enjoyable day exploring the grounds of this treasure.  The arboretum began in 1887 as the summer home of John and Lydia Morris, and in 1932 became the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania.  Along with an amazing collection of the usual things you'd find in an arboretum ~ trees, roses, ferns, etc., there is an exhibit titled "Out on a Limb" that simulates being in the forest canopy, a garden railway, and several monumental sculptures.  We all give it a thumbs up as a family activity.

I could have sat here all day...

Robin's nest in Out on a Limb.

The Garden Railway

Pumping water at the log cabin.

But wait, there's more!  Sunday night we lined up a babysitter for date night, and we went out to dinner and a movie.  We ate at Arpeggio in Ambler. Yum!  Afterwards, we joined throngs of other moviegoers and laughed till our cheeks hurt at Hangover 2.  There was not an empty seat in the house.

And then came Monday.  Somehow, I managed to sleep in until...  9:40am!  I woke up a few times, hearing the pitter patter of various feet, but I fell back to sleep.  I was in a fog, and fortunately we did not have any plans until the afternoon.  We spent the morning around the house, accomplishing some things and relaxing.  Later, we were thrilled to head over to our old neighborhood to have dinner with friends while the kids ran around their yard battling with water guns. 

That brings me to now.  I'm exhausted.  It's been an amazing, fun weekend.  I am so thankful for those that served our country, especially those that made the ultimate sacrifice, so that we may enjoy the freedom we do.  Happy Memorial Day.

Photo Frenzy

If I had a few hours that I had to spend by myself to do whatever I choose, I’d split the time between running some trails and taking some pictures.  The macro lens I purchased this year hasn’t been used as often as I’d hoped it would, but it has certainly upped my photography game.  In reviewing my photos over the last year, here are some of my favorites.  Enjoy!

En Garde!

I find that one of the most difficult tasks I face as a parent is helping Alex and Tyler find their passions.  As a kid, I dabbled in lots of things (picture baton twirling, gymnastics, dance, bagpipe playing...) but never really found, or was encouraged to stick with, a lifelong hobby or sport.  Of course, now I have my running.  In this era of overscheduled kids, Scott and I consciously help the kids pick and choose activities to try in small doses, careful to encourage their stick-to-it-ive-ness but also recognizing when the activity really isn't their thing.

A few months ago I saw a flyer for an open house the the Bucks County Academy of Fencing.  They recently opened a branch of their organization in Hatfield.  Knowing Alex, his fascination with light sabers and Nerf guns, and his appreciation of strategy games, I made a note that perhaps it would be worth a visit.  Almost 2 weeks ago, while I was working one weekend, Scott took the boys to an open house at the Academy.  When I returned home,  this chalk drawing was in the driveway:

The best part of the drawing was the faces behind the masks:

Can you tell that that the open house was a success in piquing the interest of Alex?  Much to Tyler's dismay, he isn't old enough to fence, and in some ways I am glad.  I am hopeful that Alex will find a sport that he loves, much in the way that Tyler has developed loves for soccer and tennis.

This week, the real deal started.  Alex has his own fencing glove and officially started class.  If I say so myself, he looks quite dashing.  I have a feeling that the history, strategy, balance and weapons of fencing will hook him.

In my wildest dreams, I never envisioned I would have a red headed, viola playing, fencing son.  How cool is that?

November 7, 2010 : Happy World Run Day!

I celebrated World Running Day by marathoning in the city where the “world comes to run”.

On Saturday, I ventured to the Expo at the Javits Center.  Slightly disappointed that the only official race shirts left were in unisex sizes L and XL, I was forced to purchase additional gear with the NYC Marathon emblazoned on it.  Terrible, I know.  My favorite purchase was this Sugoi shirt and arm warmers with the skyline and a bright yellow cab.

After doing my part to stimulate running gear sales, I left the expo to head back to my mother in law’s apartment on 69^th Street between 1^st and 2^nd avenue.  You wouldn’t think this would  be a challenge for someone that lived and worked in New York City for seven years, but I’ve been known to develop severe direction dysfunction when I am excited or nervous.  Hmm.  NYC marathon the following day… check for both of those emotions.

I exited the Javits Center walking in the correct direction.  I was chatting with Monika and Natalie on the phone, and although I missed the entrance for the first subway I could have taken, I made it onto a second, heading in the proper direction… uptown.  I exited the subway at the correct station, I looked to one side and thought I saw Central Park, so I started off in the opposite direction.  Unfortunately, I was heading west instead of east, and when I caught a glimpse of the actual park, I laughed to myself, called Scott and turned around.  Duh.  At least it was not as silly as the time I was heading to a Rangers game from Connecticut and ended up in Queens instead of Manhattan.

Eventually, I made it to my mother in law’s place.  We got the kids settled, and I prepped some of my race gear.  D Tag on my shoe, check.  Gels in my race belt, check.  Race number on my race belt, check.  We kissed the kids good night and left to head a little farther uptown to Scott’s cousin’s apartment.  Staying in the apartment of a 20 something bachelor in NYC was a trip.  He even left us snacks and beer.  I made a final decision on what to wear, laid everything out for the morning, and crashed for a surprisingly good night’s sleep.

The race does not always belong to the swift but to those that endure to the end.
From a carpenter's shop window on 1st Avenue.

I awoke even before the 5am alarm from some crazy dreams.  In one dream, I was at the race start and ran into some friends from Connecticut.  In another dream, I was hanging out with someone I worked with over 10 years ago at Corsearch.  

The walk from the 4/5 to the Ferry.

Race morning, we were heading to the subway by 6am.  Despite some confusion about whether or not the 4/5 was running, Scott and I caught one heading downtown after a short wait with a dozen or so other runners.  My personal escort to the Staten Island Ferry ensured there was not a repeat performance of my direction dysfunction.   Scott delivered me to the Staten Island Ferry in plenty of time for my 7:15am departure, which turned into a 7:45 departure because of some ferry issues.  Throngs of runners queued up at one gate, only to find the ferry docking at the opposite end of the terminal.  As we pushed to the other side, they announced closing the doors, and we had to make our way back to the area where we were standing in the first place.  I think the ferry operators were just having a little fun.

The Lupus Butterfly

Once on the ferry, I sat upstairs in the center of the boat, across from a quirky Brit painted yellow and dressed as a butterfly.  For real.  He was running his 18^th marathon and raising money for Lupus research.   The race was filled with costumed runners, some of whom were also raising money for various truly noble causes.  Gumby, Superman and Gene Simmons were there.  So was Coatman.  He ran in his coat, carrying a butler’s tray with drinks glued to it.  There were jogglers, too.  As if running a marathon isn’t enough, picture juggling through it.  Seeing how many runners raised money for charity was definitely inspiring.  From injured firefighter funds to NF research, runners on Sunday spread a lot of good through the world.

Ready to board.

Also among the runners, were some celebrities.  Some ran more than others.  I had the pleasure of seeing Edison Pena (5:40:51), one of the rescued Chilean miners.  I also passed Veronica Webb (4:59:12) in Central Park.  Other celebs in attendance included:

Bobby Flay (4:01:37)
Anthony Edwards (4:04:45)
Jared Fogle from Subway (5:13:28)
Meredith Viera (5:59:00)
Robin Quivers (6:09:00)
Al Roker (7:09:44)

Where's Cathy?

Over 45,000 of us pounded the streets of New York, as a tsunami of runners through every
borough.  It was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.  I had watched the marathon before, and even volunteered at it, but nothing beat running it myself.  The energy of the crowds was overwhelming at times, the volunteers were gracious and encouraging, and the city was stunning.  From the thrill of crossing the Verrazano, I saw historic neighborhoods in Brooklyn, 2 bagpipe bands, karaoke singers, Queens residents handing out paper towels, orange slices, bananas, and Halloween candy, a  gospel choir in Harlem, and throngs of people lining 1^st avenue and 5^th avenue, all the way back to Central Park ~ one of my favorite places in all of NYC.  The crowds cheered for friends, family and strangers all the same.  Just amazing.

Scott was waiting for me a mile after I crossed the Pulaski Bridge into Queens.  His giant, singing balloon was just the thing for me to spot him effectively.  After I passed along some sweaty hugs and kisses, I jumped back into the race.  At 1st Avenue and 69^th, Alex and Tyler were lined up with Rachel and her friend Elayne for further inspiration.  Finally, in the home stretch in Central Park, I saw Scott, Rachel and the kids one last time around mile 25.  Once again, the balloon helped me spot them.  Knowing they were all there made my heart soar.  Goofy, I know, but it meant so much to have their support on race day.

Thank you, NYC!

The finish was mine alone.  The cold weather had knocked the wind out of me a bit from the start.  Potty breaks slowed me down after the half way point, and my knees were achy by mile 18.  I pushed on, taking bananas and walking through some water stops.  Two little known facts about me are that I cannot run (or walk) a straight line, and I cannot drink and run or  I end up with water or Gatorade up my nose.  With a half mile to go, I started to sprint as best I could.  With the finish line in sight, I couldn't believe it was over already, although I was grateful for the end.  As I dashed across, my smile was wide and my arms were raised exuberantly.   I did it, and I had a blast.

I didn’t qualify for Boston.  I didn’t break 4 hours.  I didn’t finish faster than my marathon in Vegas last year.  I soaked up every second of the experience, and I will never forget it.

Maybe, just maybe, I’ll run the streets of NYC again sometime.

Now, my sights are set on the Philadelphia marathon on November 21st.  Two marathons, two weeks apart.  Ambitious, I know.  In Philly, I have the option to run the half instead of the full marathon.  I'm leaving the decision up to my body on race day.

Many thanks to Scott, Tyler, Alex, Rachel, Elayne, Jason, and Maddy for all their supportive efforts during the NYC marathon race weekend.  You guys rock!

Place	Gender Place	Age Place	Runner No.	First Name	Last Name	Age		State/ Country		Finish Time	5 km
21879	5503	949	41369	CATHERINE	OGUR	39F		PA	USA	04:19:44	00:28:19

10 km	15 km	20 km	13.1 mi	25 km	30 km
00:56:31	01:24:48	01:56:34	02:03:09	02:27:59	02:59:50
35 km	40 km	Minutes per Mile
03:34:21	04:06:48	09:55

I'm in a New York state of mind.

For those that bore easily of perusing my running tales, read no further. :-)

I am SO EXCITED! For more than 15 years, I hoped that I would someday run the New York City marathon, and in 'ess than 48 hours I will be standing on Staten Island with 41,500 other kindred souls getting ready to literally rock the Verrazano Narrows bridge and run through the greatest city in the world. I can hardly believe it!

Two years ago, I was living in Dubai. I hardly knew anyone. I was almost 40 pounds heavier. I had read about the Dubai Road Runners before I moved, and I had been debating about trying to run with them. In my usual fashion, I was hesitant to show up at a group outing where I knew no one. Then, a twist of fate landed me on Natalie's blog. I was looking for gardening advice in Dubai, and Google directed me to her. Further reading uncovered that she was also a recent transplant from the US, had 2 kids and was a runner! A few posts on her blog later, and we were having coffee. Before I knew it, I was logging miles with her at the weekly Predictor run at Safa Park with the DRR and drinking lots more coffee. We drank so much coffee together that her kids dubbed me "Auntie Coffee". Our running outings included the Dubai 10k (after which we watched Haile cross the finish to win the Dubai Marathon), several Mina 10ks, and my first ever 10 miler in the deserts of Mirdiff.

A big THANK YOU to Natalie and the DRR for inspiring me to get moving. I am forever grateful to Natalie for believing that I could be a runner again and to DRR and Graham for providing me the venue to make it happen.

An even bigger THANK YOU to Scott, Alex and Tyler for supporting me through all the training, for understanding the positive influence running has on my life, and for giving up a few hours of wife and mommy time each week, so that I stay sane. My Ogur guys are the BEST!

Bring it ON!