Exploring in Alaska

Last week of July was spent exploring and crossing #42 of my list in Juneau, Alaska.
I'll be honest, I had WAY more fun than I anticipated and I learned a lot. I don't want to do several posts, so you just get one giant recap.  Below are my highlights:

incase you ever wondered where Juneau is on a map

Random facts I learned about Juneau. Alaska
1. It's landlocked thus the water keeps it mild- in the winter it never gets below 20 degrees.
2. Since its extremely south, it isn't that whole 6 months of light 6 months of dark, however its still much different from we're all used to. While there it was 16 hours of daylight (4:30am-9:30pm) and in the winter they get about 2 hours of daylight (although not pitch dark, more dusky when sun goes down)
3. Population of Juneau is about 30,000... the state of Alaska, 700,000.
4. Surface area of Alaska is larger than the distance from west coast to east coast
5. There are NO moose in Juneau. There was one spotted a few years ago, and it was the first sighting in over 100 years.
6. You won't find brown bears (grizzlies) in the city- there is an island called Admiralty Island that has 1600 grizzlies and only 500 people- I would NOT want to live there. Grizzlies will harm and eat humans, whereas black bears stick to salmon and berries.
7. We bought Alaska from Russian for just over $7 million back in 1860s
8. Kids (at least in Juneau) are in school from 7:30am - 6:30pm... after school activities are built into curriculum to make kids want to stay in AK after graduation.

Whale Watching

Mom and I had a whale watching tour scheduled first thing on day 1. I went whale watching this past October in San Diego, it was windy, rainy, and I got really sick. We only saw 1 whale, and a plethora of dolphins... kind of a bust. The waters in Juneau were extremely calm and there were a TON of whales out to view.  

• Juneau Alaska is apparently the only place in the world where humpback whales bubble feed. In short, a bunch of whales get together, blow some bubbles to catch the krill they eat, bubbles float to top, whales all come up and eat them. It was a sight to see and we were lucky enough to witness 8 of them doing this. Below is a video of them just passing through RIGHT next to my boat.  Our guides said they've never been that close in all their years, so I guess there is no need for me to ever go whale watching again!

Alaskan Brewery (for all my beer lovers) 

• Only brewery in Juneau, opened in 1986. It's one of the top 10 companies in US to work for.
• Every employee has the opportunity if they choose to try and create a beer- they get 1-2 months off their work duties and that is what they focus on. 2 of the current beers they sell were made by employees and not the brewmaster. If yours gets selected, you get to name it and design the logo.
• One of, if not, the greenest brewery in US. They patented a technology to take all the excess grain, filter it, and reuse it again for energy to continue brewing- nothing is wasted. Several other breweries have purchased this process to install as well. They also figured out how to re-use the CO2 emitted- don't remember that process, but their in works of patenting this as well. 

• Below is the small tasting room- throughout the building the walls are lined with unique beers that are no longer in production, and of course some that you can still purchase in the store. 

Mendenhall Glacier

• Glacier is behind us (obviously) The red and yellow lights from the sun are reflected off the ice, however the blue is absorbed, so when you're staring at the glacier it looks blue, however it is infact clear. Found out on the last day there are certain mountains behind the glacier you can hike up and actually walk on the glacier... next time. 
• Next to the glacier is Nugget Falls- the glacier is receding about 150 ft per year, so 4 years ago these falls were not here. 

• The lowest rainbow I have ever seen- simply gorgeous. 
• My attempt at testing out a panoramic app on phone to show falls and glacier  by merging two photos together that weren't necessarily lined up to do a panoramic. App is called Panorama. (and water is from the glacier, so it is FREEZING) 

Mt Roberts

• We took a tram up 1800 feet to Mt. Roberts- restaurant, nature center, gift shop at the 'base' and from there were trails you could climb to top

• Still some snow that hasn't yet melted (they had some snowfall in May) 

• TONS of other hikers out there- was envious of the men who were shirtless, it got so hot out and jeans were a bad choice 

• Mom and I in front of Father Brown's cross, overlooking the Gastineau Channel 

Glacier Gardens

• Gorgeous gardens at the base of a rainforest- took 4 years from the time of purchase, till the time it was opened to public 

• Inside the gift shop

• On the last day of the owner using an  excavator, something got jammed up causing it to jam.  Owner was so mad he used the excavator to pick up a tree and threw it--- it landed upside down and he has the imagination to see how it would make beautiful holders for hanging plants- thus idea was born. 

• Mom and I under one of the upside down trees

• Gorgeous waterfall, rocks, flowers--- truly sensory overload and photos just don't do it justice

Black Bear sighting

I always thought it would be cool to take an Alaskan cruise (and I'm sure it would be), however I learned that you only dock in a city for 8 hours then leave. I like how everything for my  mom was laid back and how we were truly able to explore lots of different aspects of Juneau. If I ever find myself back there, the only left to do would be to hike the other mountains and of course go dog sledding on the top of some of the said mountains. I'm so glad we chose Juneau as our Alaska trip and maybe some day I'll travel to another city within the Frontier state. 

Celebrating 'Merica

Despite my 'once a week' blogging, there is some actual running going on. I like how people re-cap what they did for week, so in the spirit of keeping me accountable- I'm going to start doing the same on Mondays. (I realize today is tuesday) 

Monday: Bootcamp followed by running with Fleet Feet- 4 miles

Tuesday: Fleet Feet Speed work at the track- 1.25m warm up, 6 400 repeats with 1 min rest in between, 1 mile cool down 

Wednesday: Barre fusion class--- helllllllo hips and abs 

Thursday: partied it up 'Merica Style 

Friday- It stormed thurs - sat, but somehow I did manage on Friday to squeeze in an 8 miler, but I didn't know where the sweat ended and the rain began.... I was a drowned rat. 

I was so excited that the sun was out and shining on Sunday I declared it pool day and skipped my run. 

Despite the rain, I had a really good 4 day 4th of July weekend- no races, just drinks, laughter, and friends. Nashville is ranked  in the top 5 firework shows in the nation... who has never seen them? This gal! I HATE large crowds and downtown is a nightmare, so I've always avoided them. This year my gf Emily threw a party in her condo which is located  in a trendy young professional area called "the gulch". You could see the fireworks from her back yard--- apparently rain + fireworks = LOTS of smoke, so they were hard to see. 

Playing around with Emily's belly dance props

look at all that smoke 

All night Nathan kept hitting on me and calling me his gf and by the end I was getting lap dances and he kept trying to sit on me--- for whatever reason I wasn't annoyed and found it humorous. This pic captures the essence of it all.

Even though I didn't run ON the 4th, I did get some use out of my awesome USA procompression socks

A bunch of us ladies carried on the celebrating the next night and went on the town


Saturday more drinking ensued with the roommate, bf, and his friends. After 3.5 years, we finally joined the beer club (UFO club) @ Flying Saucer- goal is to drink 200 beers over course of time- only allowed 3 diff beers to count a night. No cover at the bar, shirt, and once you hit 200 you get your name on a plate hung up and can throw a party and invite your friends to watch them put your plate up. you do also get little gifts along major milestone numbers. It will be YEARS before i finish, but thats okay


Once Sunday hit, I was BEERED OUT and just needed the lazy day at the pool.

Despite my low mileage week and more partying than I'm used to- my body just needed a break. My calf feels great and even though I felt like death the past 2 days running, that was attributed to humidity and not my body rebelling. Summer is officially here so I better get used to these temps QUICK 

Easter Egg Fleet Feet Run

I decided today that after my 4th consecutive Monday night group run with Fleet Feet, that this is going to be a weekly tradition for me. Every monday morning we get an email from the store co-owner about what the plans are for the evening run.

This morning there was mention that there would be an Easter egg hunt along the course and that every egg represented some type of prize you could trade in for at the end of the run!  I get excited about fun little runs like this, so I convinced highly suggested to 2 of my running buddies that they join in on the fun as well as introduce them to their first Fleet Feet group run.
Both from Ragnar Tennessee team- Mike

And Jason (also my co-captain / financial guru for Bourbon Chase)

They didn't want to run with me stating they were going to 'take it easy', and I didn't bring headphones with me thus it was a 'left alone with my thoughts' kind of run. 

Shortly after first mile we hit a trail which is where all the eggs were 'hidden'--- it actually took me quite some time till I came across the first one (can only take 1).

The fun was short lived as we finished up the trail and made our way onto the same street near work that I run often. Although the weather was absolutely pristine, I just wasn't feeling the run. My legs were like bricks, my breathing was off, and I was exhausted. The last few weeks I've been internalizing a lot of stress, and its starting to take its toll--- I broke out in shingles on Thursday and every day has been a struggle mid day to not want to nap. I went straight home from work today and took a quick 1 hour nap before the run and I still don't think it helped :(  In all honestly if I hadn't talked Jason and Mike into coming, I would have skipped out on the run entirely. 

Am I alone on this, or do you have weeks where your energy is zapped?!?!

I've been working a lot on my mentality "if i'm out here, I might as well give my all", so despite not feeling the run, I did opt to do the longest route being offered for the evening -5 miles. I know, I know its not a lot, but its so tempting to do a shorter run to beat everyone back and get your beer and food first. 

Route was shy of 5 miles, finished at 4.8 with an 8:30 average. I think its ridiculous how slow I felt and still pulled a descent time (small victory) 

Jason and Mike decided on 3 miles, so they already had a table and a pitcher of beer waiting. I knew there was a reason I liked them. I traded my egg for my prize- 2 sports nutrition items

I chose 2 'new to me items': Honey Stingers and blue cliff shot blocks---everything blue always seems to be good, so I hope they don't disappoint. I love trying new types of refueling nutrition, so I'm anxious to give these a go. 

Are you a creature of habit with your sports nutrition, or do you like to add new rotations/ flavors to the mix?

I recently discovered powerbars coco cola flavored electrolyte gummys... PURE HEAVEN 

Both boys won free draft beers so we chatted, drank, gorged on some guac and chips... and complained about work (we all work together).

I got a lot of my compliments on my outfit, saw KIM's post today about breaking in her new skirt, so figured I'd do the same! (we texted 2 weeks ago which ones to buy so we could match for our upcoming races with one another) Kim, what do you think of this outfit for Cinco de Mayo?!? Ole!! (or if you prefer something red, white, green, and maybe gold I'm sure we could come up with something) 

Even though I felt less than stellar tonight, I'm glad I went. I love my Monday night runs because its a great way to catch up with friends, get in a run I would have otherwise skipped, and get to meet new runners every week. (the free stuff is an added bonus as well)  If you don't already, I highly recommend looking into a local running club in your area--- its been highly motivating for me to add it into my "fly by the seat of my pants" schedule so at least I know Monday night is booked up. 

Never too old for firsts

Aside from being sick, thus not being able to run (which is a whole different tangent on its own), the last few days have been filled with firsts for me! 

1.) Friday,  I FINALLY checked out a local brewery, Jackalope, which opened almost a year ago downtown by 2 females. Due to it being so new, they are only open on Fridays from 4-8, which is why I just haven't had time to go.  Ashley R is literally the only Nashvillian I know that has tried it out, and despite her saying it wasn't that great, I still wanted to at least say I went. 

The decor was rustic / hunting with Jackalopes everywhere...

Once you took a closer look at a lot of the photos, they've been altered to have famous people in the photos, different sayings, or just some other random object thrown in there. My favorite was "Do Epic Shit" as well as next to it (not pictured) was a Bob Marley secretly placed in a woods scene. 

Each table had some type of quote burned into it... which I thought was kind of cool 

2.) The other unique part of this bar, they have a separate room where you can go and play board games while drinking your beer--- umm just what I wanted- beer + pretending like I'm a kid again?!?!

What did we decide on?!?!

One of my favorite childhood games. Downside is that it was the new version. Why do you have to change a good thing?!?! They revamped the way all the characters looked, got rid of a few, then had to make it "politically correct" by adding in an Asian girl and a black boy--- I'm all for diversity, I just hate when things get tampered with that you're used to. 

The original will always be near and dear to my heart. I heard they are making a Candyland movie--- lets hope its the original and not the new version

For those who remember, my team dressed up like Candyland at work ... now whats more fun to dress up as

This

OR THIS

Correct Answer 

Jolly and Princess Lolly

Off my soap Box... 

So aside from the decor, I was severely disappointed in the beer Jackalope brews. I tried a few of their beers, and each one was more disappointing than the previous. The last one I drank, Rambo Red, seriously tasted like Band-Aids. YUP, you heard that right, Band Aids. I am  thoroughly impressed with myself that I actually finished the beer- ick. Due to them still finishing out their first year of brewing, I will give them the benefit of the doubt and perhaps try again at a future date, for now though, I'm steering clear. 

Next up:

3.) First time trying Thai food- crazy right!?!? The Smiling Elephant is a small local restaurant in the area which is generally hard to get into right away due to their amazing authentic thai food + small seating area

I got the Gai Ying (no picture) but chicken sauteed with cilantro and garlic (oh how i love love love garlic) served with sweet and sour sauce and jasmine rice. There was so much flavor in the chicken, I didn't even use the sweet and sour sauce!!! 

4.) and 5.) Lastly B and I went to my favorite local Nashville downtown restaurant / bar, Past Perfect before the Predators Hockey Game on Saturday. 

I normally always stick with beer, BUT in the spirit of trying new things I ordered a Pink Lady, a gin based drink

as well as a Bison burger called the Hangover...

It was delicious- much jucier meat than beef... looking at this I realize I need to kick this sore throat in the butt so I can run again. 

So that was the excitement of my weekend--- unless you consider attempting to go to bed at 7:15 Sunday because you feel like hell exciting... if you do, well then there was that too. 

Tangent Tuesday

Lately my blog has been race reports from the weekend, with maybe one post in between the reports. Since I have no races scheduled (yet) till August, I PROMISE to be better about posting.

1. Thanks for everyone's kind words on my MIA post about making changes- in the end I need to focus on ME!
2. I did indeed find a new place to move and will hopefully be in my new digs by July 1- super excited because they have 2 pools- one of my favorite warm weather past time = a pool + book or good conversation + adult beverage... so much so, I noticed a pattern with some of my photos (in order of recent to oldest)

Drinks in hot tub at resort in Disney World 

B and I getting ready to head to pool in Disney World

Cabrewing last summer in Louisville 

Laying out in parents pool last 4th of July

drinks @ pool in Costa Rica 2 years ago

Cheers from Costa Rica

Cabrewing 3 years ago

3. I finally hit 300 miles the other day for the entire year. Its crazy to me how January I ran 105 miles alone, and then February and March I was out of commission (except races) due to injury. I'm FAR from my goal to run 1000 miles in 2011, but I think I can get there if I just get my butt in gear and go to the gym when its too hot to run outside. 

4. Tomorrow is my last day of work for the week- I love 3 day weeks- because I'm leaving for Bonnaroo Music Fest tomorrow evening, and won't be back till Monday morning. Nothing like little showering, blazing heat, good bands, scarce food, drugs everywhere (i don't use, promise), hippies, etc. I went last year and decided to go this year only because there were no other summer concerts I could attend- Excited to see Mumford and Sons, Black Keys, Girl Talk (my go to running music), Florence and the Machine, Arcade Fire, Eminem etc. Here are some photos from last year...

The infamous Arch into one of Bonnaroo's entrance

Me and Tiffany, one of my campmates (I promise my stomach is better this year)

you are NEVER too old for a slip n slide

the famous fountain that a lot of people bathe in 

during one of my fave bands- Edward Sharpe and Magnetic Zeros

View of the cars and tents that are EVERYWHERE 

the party bus- they drove all the way from Cali.

This year I'll take much more exciting photos. I won't have blog access for a week, so everyone enjoy themselves and I look forward to catching up later on monday!