Day 75

On our first day we hiked up to the Blue Hole, a narrow canyon on the Upper Imnaha River on the east side of the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area in eastern Oregon.

 

 

 

 

Upper Imnaha River exiting the Blue Hole.

Ponderosa Pine Cone along the trail.

We had an amazing time camping for a few days along the Upper Imnaha River at the Indian Crossing Trailhead.  More photos to follow...

Day 74

Who kept the faith and fought the fight; The glory theirs, the duty ours. 

 Wallace Bruce

Troy and I spent today together, laughing and having a wonderful time outdoors. 

Pictures aren't great, but spending Memorial Day with my favorite person was lovely. 

We are going to be taking a short internet break starting tomorrow and while we won't be blogging, we promise to take a daily pic and catch up on the blog before the weekend!

Until then, have a wonderful week...may it be filled with much happiness and warm blue skied days for  everyone!

Till next time,

Romy

Day 73

*Warning - this post is going to be picture and mush heavy*

Troy completed in the Onion Man Triathlon today and he came out the gate a powerhouse.

Troy is wearing sleeveless wet suit with yellow around the sleeve. 

He had a swim that was nothing short of amazing. His time for a 1500 meters was 18.05. In layman's terms...he swam his a$$ off.

Start of the men's division.

Cycling, was 1.15...he was expecting a bit faster but the wind was blowing like crazy so even with a few extra minutes on his time, he was pleased.

Transitioning for run.

Troy will say that he wasn't happy with his run. He felt a bit dehydrated and he maybe didn't eat enough due to nerves in the morning but...he completed the 10k in under an hour.

Picture taken by a friend, thanks Kathy!

Well deserved drink.

Yesterday when we went for a hike, we went through part of the 10k trail and I pointed to a tree along the way and told him that when he passed it today to think about me waiting for him at the finish line and being so, so very proud of him.  Proud isn't even a strong enough word. Today was incredibly emotional for me, knowing how hard he worked...to see his commitment in completing this was pretty inspiring. The entire day I felt like my heart would explode with pride. 

Troy is a million different beautiful, inspirational things...today was a day that I know the both of us will remember for the rest of our lives. 

Congrats, my love...you are titanium for sure. Next stop...Ironman. 

Till next time,

Romy

Day 72

We went for a nice, long hike today at the nearby lake to enjoy the pretty day. Troy didn't want to push it too much with this being the big weekend, but staying home and doing nothing is typically not an option either of us enjoy. 

The hike was just awesome, we had a really good time ( I may or may not have stood on a bench dancing like a geek and singing a little, until I was informed that sound carries realllly well and people could clearly see us ) even though he pushed me to go up vertical like hills! He was awesome about being patient and gave me great tips on how to get up a steep incline using a climbing rest step. Once I started to get the hang of it, it was easy peasy to go up hills. I didn't even feel it at all. Oh and I wore my Vibrams and they did just awesome. The gravely roads never bothered me once and I loveee how great they feel. 

I have spent a lot of the last decade in poor health. A lot of ups and downs with various illnesses and there were many times that I never thought I would get through it and back to my "normal" self. I was half right. I got through it for sure but I am feeling much better than I ever have. Life is good. I was telling Troy today that I will never ever stop pushing myself physically because it is just a must in my life. If I can, I will. :)

So these roads you see here, aren't simply dirt trails to me. They are pure joy, because not only can I walk them....if Troy had wanted to run them...I could have. 

Okay, that's it for today. I think I have rambled enough!

Till next time,
Romy

P.S. Troy took all the pics!

Day 71

Full day! Luckily, the week is finally over. Troy and I went over to Bennington Lake today for a swim and little run, it was nice if not a bit chilly. His idea of taking it easy was a swim and a bike ride today. Sigh. I am not surprised though!

I had no idea what to take a picture of today because I didn't take my camera or cell to the lake and was whining about what to shoot. We were driving down the street to the sporting goods store and he said, "just stick your phone out the window and take a picture!". So I did. Impressed? Lol. 

I have to start getting serious about weights. I do so, SO much cardio and very little strength training which isn't good. So I spend a lot of time trying to sort out what I need and what I should be doing.

I know for sure what I don't need...

Who wears that! Who runs around with a Power Chute! Not me, that's for sure!



Till next time,
Romy

Day 70

Unsettled weather which is very fitting for an unsettled week.  Not exactly what I was hoping for in the week leading up to the triathlon, but life is kind of like that sometimes.  Sunny weather on the way!


Troy
Droid

Day 69

I have had this rosary hanging in all of my vehicles for the last um....19 years or so. I like looking up and knowing it is there.

I am for sure not the best Catholic ever but I have very strong faith. There isn't a day I don't take a few minutes to give thanks and whisper a prayer or two for loved ones and those that I know need them. I rarely discuss religion because it is a private and personal thing. People believe what they believe in and as long as they respect my views, I will respect theirs 100%.

Faith is a knowledge within the heart, beyond the reach of proof. 
Khalil Gibran 


Till next time,
Romy

Day 68

Happy Tuesday! Good day today. A bit of rain but I was able to get in a nice run. I didn't go as far as I wanted to today but it was still pretty decent. Troy came home from work and we went to Bennington Lake so he could practice for his triathlon this weekend. There were no angry fisherman anywhere in sight!
I can't believe it is almost here! Troy has been preparing for it by working out 3-4 hours a day for the past few months and to be honest, I am in awe of his dedication. He is pretty amazing.

After a quick bite to eat we went over to Rite Aid and I snapped a quick cell pic of all the pretty flowers outside. They almost made me wish I had a green thumb so we could plant a bunch of them but the reality is that I just don't. Plus, the thought of possibly touching worms while digging in the soil pretty much ensures that I will never have a green thumb.  I know I can wear gloves but no. Just no. Ick.

That's it for me today. I am off to watch some tv and spend time with my better half.

Till next time,

Romy

Day 67

Sooo much rain today. I was able to get a run in during a brief pause in the wet weather but Troy wasn't as lucky. He came home looking like a drowned rat after his run.

Pic today is simple enough...pretty tree in the rain. The end.

May you always have walls for the winds, a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire, laughter to cheer you, those you love near you and all your heart might desire. ” 
-- Irish blessing.

Till next time,
Romy

Day 66

What a morning! We went to Bennington Lake this morning to do another run so Troy could practice for Onion Man which is next week already. While he was standing there looking out at the water, I took a quick shot and I love how it came out. I assume he was thinking about how cold the water would be.  Brrrr.

When I took the pic, I had no idea what was about to happen. A few minutes later when walking down to the boat ramp, a man that was there fishing with his wife let every one within a 1/2 mile radius know how displeased he was with anyone getting in the water to swim. My husband kept his cool during the "conversation" and never raised his voice. I wish I could say the same for me. Ahem. I may or may not have had a few things to say to the angry fisherman. Maybe. About an hour after we left it was just funny. We have spent the rest of the day repeating one of the angry fisherman's lines and then cracking up.

I would share what I said to him and what his line was....but this is a PG blog.

Till next time,
Romy

Day 65

Beginning the taper before the Onion Man which is less than seven days away!  Instead of a long training ride Jeremy and I had a nice mountain bike ride up to Bennington Lake.

Troy
Droid

Day 64

Such a nice day today! Watched a fun movie, saw a guy running around in leather pants with only suspenders on playing a saxophone, went for drinks with Troy AND got carded. Seriously? Does it get better?

Till next time!

Romy

Day 63

After work I drove home picked up my bike and of course my new shoes that Romy gave me for my birthday/anniversary gift and headed out for a 45 mile ride with one of the local bike shop groups.

Best part of the evening...Romy taking me out to DINNER!!

 After the ride I was a little hungry.

Running, biking, and swimming through life,

Troy
Droid

Day 62

It happened.

Let's not discuss the amount of nagging from me it took for him to agree to getting them. I will never in my life understand why someone would not want new shoes. I don't care if they are for dancing, or ditch digging. New shoes are new shoes.

Btw, he said the little hint of yellow on them is homage to his antiques. Sigh.

I have this feeling that I better get used to looking at these, he may have them for the next 25 years.

Till next time,
Romy

Day 61

Gracie <3

Till next time,
Romy

Day 60

Last night, Troy and I were sitting around watching tv and I was feeling really restless and just had to get out for a bit so I asked him if he wanted to go for a brisk walk with me. He did and off we went. We walked over to Mill Creek Trail and he showed me where he goes bike riding with Jeremy. The sound of the water drew me in like a moth to a flame. This morning all I could think about was going for a nice long run next to the water. So I did!

Mill Creek Trail

It was so, sooo warm that I was sweating buckets within the first mile. Gross but true. You can't really see the trail in the picture I took but it is such a wonderful place to run. It is wide enough for runners and cyclists, just perfect. I think I found a new favorite route!

Till next time,
Romy

Day 59

Balloon Stampede Weekend! 
We woke up early this morning to catch the launch at the fairgrounds. I set up my first shot then realized that I left my camera battery at home in the charger...not good!  We finished watching the launch then quickly drove home to grab a battery then made it out to catch the balloons landing in the nearby wheat fields. 

Now, off for a swim and run.

Troy

Olympus E-30

Day 58

Gorgeous day! So much running around, so much sun, a bit too much eating and we bought a new bed. I'll show you pics when we get it delivered next week. Can't wait! In the meantime you can enjoy these pretty pics from Whitman College campus that is right down the street from us. I realize they would be so much prettier if I had my camera with me but I always forget to grab it when we run out of the house. Boo.

                             

Till next time,
Romy
droid

Day 57

Jeremy <3

This weekend promises to be a lot of fun! Walla Walla Balloon Stampede , Farmer's Market and bike rides.
Right now we are getting ready to watch Paranormal Activity and not to mention any names (see picture above) one of us seems a bit nervous about it.


Till next time,
Romy
droid

Day 56

Definition for Antique

1. Belonging to, made in, or typical of an earlier period. 
2. Of or belonging to ancient times, especially of, from, or characteristic of ancient Greece or Rome.
3. Of or dealing in antiques.
4. Old-fashioned: wore a suit of rather antique appearance.

My husband's cycling shoes are...antiques. I was giving him crap about them today and he was kind of huffy about it and informed me that they were just fine.  He came home from a long bike ride and told me ...proudly....that not one but two of the guys he rode with complimented him on them! By compliment, they said..."hey, I had those in the mid 80's, great shoes!".

This week he is going to get new ones, even if it kills me.

p.s. He just saw the blog and said..."you could have at least taken a better picture of them!" Yeah babe, THAT would have made a difference. :/

Till next time,

Romy

Day 55

Ohhh, excuse how dark the pic is...I took it with my cell phone and am just too lazy to retake another one. Hey, at least I am being honest!

My youngest sister, who is also my very best friend, and I have a matching tattoo on the same spot which is on the inside of our right wrists. The tattoo is a Mayan glyph Lamat that signifies learning to love or, in older times, vitality and rebirth. The design we have, the idea of love and rebirth is strengthened by the turtle pattern, which symbolizes fertility and family.  It is also about learning to love yourself as you are. It is perfect symbol in every single way...starting with the fact that we are  part Mayan all the way through the strong family ties and accepting the person you are with all your beautiful flaws. 

     

Isn't that what life is about? Family and love? I think so. 

Till next time,

Romy                                                                

Day 54

Troy usually does the blog Tuesday's and Thursday's which is kind of funny because those are his most intense work out days. While we both spend an awful lot of our time working out, he trains a bit harder than I do. Not to mention  he also has a very time consuming career, a teenage son and a wife who is very high energy.  So sometimes, I take over the blog on those days too.

Tonight when he got home from a 37.6 mile bike ride, after waking up at 4:30 am to go swimming and spending ten hours at work... he asked if I wanted to go out for a bit to relax. Oh yeah, time with the husband after the day I had? YES!

Holding hands and talking over some coffee (and water) at a local diner was not a bad way to end the evening. Nope, not at all.

Till next time,
Romy
droid

Day 53

Troy is starting to acquire quite a collection of tees from various swim meets and triathlons!


Till next time,
Romy

Day 52

Summer sun and water fun is coming soon!

Till next time,
Romy

Day 51

Finishing the swim segment and heading into the swim/bike transition out the doors to the left.

Walking back to the start finish line after sprinting to the finish.

Another sprint triathlon (Whitman College Spring Sprint Triathlon) completed and more training for the Olympic distance triathlon that I'm preparing for at the end of May.  Tomorrow...more training.

Troy
Olympus E-500 (A big thank you to Romy for taking excellent shots!)

Day 50

What it really looked like before I messed with it.

Yahhh, for playing with filters!


Till next time,
Romy