I Love Eugene!

We have been living in Eugene for a year and a half now. We came to Eugene in July, 2010 for Doug to start his career. The plan was a 2-year contract to see how he fits with the practice and how the practice fits with him. Now it's time to get serious about the long-term plan. And it looks like we'll be staying put. Official Eugenians. We are in the process of buying a house (hopefully the LAST time we have to go through this process in our lives) and making plans for permanency with Doug's work. I have to admit, I wasn't sure how things would work out when we first moved here. We had a bit of a rough start. But today as I was on my run I started thinking about things I love about Eugene. And really, there's quite a list! So today I'm sharing my "What I love About Eugene" thoughts...in no particular order.

Alton Baker Park and the riverbank trail--
recently underwater due to spring flooding

1. Ruth Bascom Riverbank Trail. This is where I do the majority of my running. http://www.ltd.org/pdf/RiverbankTrail.pdf  This trail system ROCKS! I can easily map out 20+ miles on this trail system...perfect for training for long races. It's just over 1.5 miles to the trail from our house so I pick up at least a small portion of the trail system on most of my runs. With 5 foot bridges spanning the Willamette River, we can create a whole variety to our runs as well. And there's just something about running along a river that brings a whole new element to the run.

2. Alton Baker Park. The riverbank trail runs through Alton Baker Park. But the park itself is huge and beautiful. I love people watching as I run through there. And believe me, there is also a whole new element to people watching in Eugene!

3. Wild turkeys. I love the wild turkeys that parade around the neighborhood, typically early in the morning. It's funny to watch the males with their giant feathers begging for attention. And I have to wonder WHAT is on some people's lawns that will make 20 turkeys hang out there for hours vs. the next house on the street. But they are ALWAYS at the same houses.

4. Deer. Not that I haven't seen deer before, though Doug often questions my ability to spot wildlife (a Leonard family skill I have not yet developed). Nevertheless, Eugene has so well preserved the natural state of the area that deer are often hanging around, too. I know they can make a nuisance of themselves, but it's sometimes amazing the places we spot deer.

5. Prince Puckler's Ice Cream. Yummmmm. The kids would love to stop every time we pass Prince Puckler's, the local ice cream parlor. http://princepucklers.com/ My favorite? Chocolate dipped bittersweet chocolate in a waffle cone. Who knew hard-packed scoops of ice cream were so delicious dipped! Dairy Queen has nothin' on Prince Puckler's!

6. Euphoria Chocolate. While we're on the subject of chocolate, I love dark chocolate caramels from Euphoria Chocolate. Doug's a fan of their hot chocolate, too. http://www.euphoriachocolate.com/

7. Cafe Yumm. And while we are on the subject of Euphoria, that brings me to Cafe Yumm...a unique Eugene-based restaurant with delicious yumm bowls (think layers of rice, beans, olives, tomatoes, avocado, and super yummy sauce). http://www.cafeyumm.com/ But truth be told, my FAVORITE menu item at Cafe Yumm is the chocolate chip cookie dipped in Euphoria chocolate. Oh so good. Last year on March 1st, Doug showed up with TWO chocolate dipped chocolate chip cookies for me from Cafe Yumm to kick off birthday month. He could have done nothing else the rest of the month--that was a home run gift! (it helped I had just finished a really long run and could justify TWO cookies in one day).

Saturday afternoon Duck game, Fall '11

8. The Ducks. I am listing "the Ducks" as an entry all on their own because well, they deserve it. It has been SO FUN to get Duck-Fever and cheer on the football team. You can't help but be a "Duck" in Eugene.

9. Autzen Stadium. Yes, Autzen gets its own entry because it is just cool. As the announcer says at EVERY football game,  "it NEVER rains in Autzen Stadium" (it pours touchdowns!). So much fun to be at Autzen for games. People say the Autzen crowd helps win football games. They are the LOUDEST fans around. But not just for football, I love how many of my runs take me right past Autzen. It's a beautiful stadium.

The Oregon logo at Autzen Stadium

10. The University of Oregon. Okay, now the university gets its own entry as well. Because Eugene is more than just the Ducks and Autzen. I love living in a college town. It brings a lot of resources to the community and cool opportunities for our family. Last summer Zach attended basketball camp at the amazing Matthew Knight Arena with the U of O basketball team and coaches. Trevian's elementary school is within walking distance of the U of O. So they regularly have student teachers helping out at the school. And she has a few "walking field trips" each year to university museums and events. We've really enjoyed all the opportunities that come with having a university in our back yard.

11. Recycling. Yep. I have to admit this is one of the things that first made me nervous about Eugene. Everyone knows Eugene is liberal and granola-ish. And Eugenians are REALLY in to their recycling. Right after moving here, we attended a neighborhood picnic that was entirely green--a no-waste picnic. The neighborhood association provided actual tableware for EVERYONE and had a dishwashing station set up to wash your dishes when you were done. And there was plenty of composting bins available. What made me nervous was the compost nazi who was analyzing everything people put in the compost or recycling containers and was freaking out that some people were doing it wrong. Yet, I've come around. No, I don't compost...yet. But I'm good with recycling (our recycling can is 3 times the size of our trash can). And I carry 5 reusable shopping bags in my purse (stylish and cute ones of course). In fact, on a recent trip to Idaho, I whipped them out to bag my groceries while at Fred Meyer with my sister. She just shook her head and said "oh my...you ARE from Eugene." Yep.

12. The Ridgeline Trail. If running along the river gets old, there's always the Ridgeline Trail. 12 miles of true trail running (or walking or hiking). This trail system is so well maintained. http://www.eugene-or.gov/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_187742_0_0_18/RIDGE_map.PDF And the good news is that while we will be moving a little further away from the Riverbank Trail, we'll have the Ridgeline Trail nearby.

The kiddos take a break on a swing at Hendricks Park

13. Hendricks Park. This nature park is also just around the corner from our house. I run through it at least once a week. The rhododendron gardens are gorgeous and there are so many perfect photo ops in this park. I've often seen people hanging out on blankets just reading a book there. And I tell myself that someday that will be me. But I'm usually the one running.

14. Eugene Farmer's Market. I have to admit, I LOVED the Beaverton Farmer's Market. It was awesome. However, the Eugene market typifies Eugene. It's not quite as big as the Beaverton market, but you will see much more diverse offerings...some that just make you shake your head. Of course there is always a tie-dye booth available. And I learned from a friend that if someone offers to let you sample the "special" brownies he has in the back, you should probably decline...and definitely NOT offer them to your children.  ;-) But you can find some pretty cool purchases there, too.

15. Eugene Library. I really like the library system here. It's very similar to the Washington County library system we enjoyed in Beaverton. But my newfound appreciation for the library includes their Freegal access which allows you to download 3 songs per week for free. So cool! Totally current music as well as lots of older stuff to choose from.

Mt. Pisgah summit, above the fog. The stone podium is
a map of the area and surrounding mountain peaks.

16. Mt. Pisgah. I have to admit, it's only been this past winter that I developed a love for Mt. Pisgah. And it all stems from my ultramarathon in December. You'd maybe expect it to be a love-hate relationship, but truly it is just a love. I feel like I accomplished one of the most physically demanding things I've ever done there. Not only was it my first ultra, it was a kick butt HARD ultra! And I survived. I keep telling Doug I'm making him go run it with me...soon.

17. Hirons. Hirons is an independent local pharmacy/gift shop/post office. Actually, it is Eastgate Drug on steroids. I worked at Eastgate as a pharmacy tech throughout high school. Eastgate also had a post office and quite the assortment of random supplies, gifts, art supplies, etc. Going into Hirons reminds me of my days at Eastgate (if only they would play 1970's music to set the mood, much like the pharmacists did when I worked there...in the late 1980s and early 90s I note). Doug refuses to go in there--once was enough for him. It's definitely an experience, and a must-see visit when my mom comes to town (she worked at Eastgate too!)

18. Spencer Butte. Spencer Butte is, well, a butte located at the south end of Eugene. It's a prominent landmark in Lane County and can be spotted from quite a distance away. I always know we are close to home after a road trip up to Portland when I can see Spencer Butte in the distance. There are a couple of ways to hike up Spencer Butte. Our kids of course prefer the steepest route, which is about 2,000 feet up in about a half mile or so. The trails have warnings to be on the lookout for rattlesnakes, which led to Doug having to carry one of our children (who shall remain unnamed) up about half the hike the first time there due to a rather strong reaction to seeing those signs. We still have yet to spy a rattlesnake (thank goodness) but we have met a VERY FRIENDLY squirrel at the top who was happy to eat fruit snacks right out of our hands (almost--but we were definitely more scared of him than he was of us).

The Suspected Arsonist

No school today for the MLK holiday. Which led to Terry wanting to spend time with his best bud Michael. Terry's and Michael's favorite thing to do (aside from video games)? Go to the local middle school to play football or soccer on the turf field. Which leads me to a complete side rant--


WHY do all middle schools in Eugene have turf fields??? Those things cost a fortune! Granted, I know it rains a lot in Oregon and turf drains much better than a grass field, so I do see some value in them in a rainy climate. But all parents should at a minimum be given an instruction sheet for how to deal with all the tiny pieces of rubber that get embedded in their children's socks and DO NOT come off even upon washing and the piles of them that sprinkle out across the floor when the kids get home and shuck the shoes from their feet. End side rant.


So today Terry and Michael made plans to meet up at the turf field. Michael's house isn't far away and he walks to the field when they meet up. Well, it was cold today (had there BEEN school scheduled today it likely would have been cancelled due to the dusting of snow we had last night). So Terry, getting tired of waiting at the field for Michael, decided to walk toward Michael's house to meet up with him. As he walked, he got colder. So he cinched the hood of his hoodie up tight around his head and stuffed his hands in his pocket.

As he walked toward Michael's house, he started down a path through a condo community that they normally walk through. An older woman (Terry said she was probably as old as Grandma...sorry mom!) came out of her condo and started eyeing him. He just kept walking. Soon he noticed he was being followed. Not just "hey that old lady happens to be walking the same direction as me, I wonder if she is following me" kind of following, but the "hey, that old lady is following me and jumping behind trees to hide from me whenever I turn around and look at her" kind of following. Sweet, thoughtful, well-mannered Terry was being stalked by an old lady. This just freaked him out and made him walk faster and probably made him "more suspicious" in this poor woman's mind.

The face of an arsonist???
Looks kinda like a mug shot!

A few minutes later, Terry arrived at his friend's house to find he wasn't home. Michael had been at a tutoring session at another house in the area and was planning to walk from there to the turf field. So the boys had not crossed paths. Terry turned around and headed BACK to the field. As he started back down the road, he was soon past by a VERY SLOOOOOOOOWWWWW moving police car. The police car pulled up beside him and the office inside gave him quite the lookover, before finally driving on. At this point Terry is pretty well freaked out. He's been stalked by an old woman and now the police are checking him out. Just then another car goes by and completely douses him in slushy winter puddle mess. Not his day. He made it back to the park to find Michael patiently waiting for him, but by then he was in no mood for soccer/football. He was wet, cold, and well, a little paranoid. So the boys headed back to Michael's house.

Upon arriving back at Michael's, Terry learned from Michael's parents that over the weekend, a house fire in the south Eugene area was labeled as arson. And "a white male with short hair, wearing what appeared to be a light gray hooded sweatshirt...was seen leaving the backyard shortly before the fire was reported." (according to the article in the newspaper on Sunday) Which of course, to a nice old lady in a condo complex, must have been our suspicious arsonist-in-a-hoodie looking son! Luckily he must've looked pretty harmless to the police officer.

So, while we definitely support reprimanding suspected arsonists, and hope that this one is caught soon, please know that Terry Leonard is NOT the arsonist on the loose in Eugene. But perhaps the little spook he got today will remind him throughout his life that it's never good to get in trouble with the law.   :-)

2011 Year of Races

I did not start out 2011 with any major running goals. So looking back over the year, I've ended up running much more than I thought I would, and some fun PR's to boot! I didn't document any of these races during the year, so I want to sum them all up here now.

I guess it began last spring when I tried to strong arm Doug into running a marathon with me. I wanted to put in for the St. George Marathon lottery. Doug said he would run that marathon with me if we got in, but he was CERTAIN we wouldn't. And he was right...no such luck for 2011. The good news is, St. George has a "third time's the charm" rule and we are guaranteed a spot in 2013 if we don't get accepted for the 2012 race. So he's going to be putting in 26.2 miles SOMETIME in the next two years. :)

When we didn't get in for the St. George marathon, I figured I would wait another year. But my friend Laurie offered to train and run a marathon with me. She's a much better runner than I am, and I knew I would be challenged to keep up with her. But I'm also not one to be left behind--so I took her up on her offer. And we registered for the http://www.columbiarivermarathon.com/ in October 2011.

Meanwhile, a trip for work took Doug and I to Vermont in May. And part of the trip included running a half-marathon in Middlebury, VT. The Middlebury Maple Run was one of the prettiest courses I've run. It was beautiful Vermont countryside and even included running across a covered bridge. How can you beat a race with a covered bridge?!? It was a challenging course, but I managed to get a half-marathon PR of 1:46:23, an 8:07 pace. Doug joined me in the race, his second half-marathon. And he achieved a PR as well!

August brought our 5th consecutive year of the Hood to Coast relay. This year we shook things up a bit and were the 2nd van. We've been Van 1 the previous 4 years. It was fun to see a different part of the course and do some new runs. I ran leg 9, with a total of nearly 20 miles between the 3 runs. Doug ran leg 11, with almost 18 miles of running. We had a great group in our van, too. The only bummer was the EXTREME overcrowding this year. They added a bunch of extra teams which created a log jam near the finish. In fact, we didn't even make it to the finish line before our final runner (Doug's brother Ryan) got there. We sat in traffic for almost two hours, arriving at the finish line close to 90 minutes AFTER our team finished the race. But Doug and I both ran well, turning in splits for each leg that were the best times we've ever run during Hood to Coast.

That's me in the way distant in white/blue getting ready to hand off. For some reason we don't have any really good H2C photos this year. :(

With Hood to Coast behind us, I got serious about my marathon. Training with Laurie really pushed me. She introduced me to speed workouts, something I'd never done before. We had a training plan to follow, which included either a tempo run (a run in which you do a mile or so warm-up, then run 5-6 miles at a set pace--a rather fast one, followed by a cool down) or mile repeats each week (a workout with 1 mile warm-up, then 3-4 1-mile intervals at a really fast pace with 1/2 mile recovery between each mile). Those were the most challenging training runs I've ever done, but they really made a difference. Laurie and I set a goal to run the marathon in 3:50. For me, that would be almost a 40 minute improvement over my first marathon.

The marathon was in Umatilla, OR, right on the Columbia River. It was a beautiful area and one of the perks of the race was running ACROSS the dam into Washington state for 7 miles of the race.

Ready to run--tutus and all

Oh, did I mention we also ran it in tutus? Laurie won her tutu on a running blog and planned to wear it for our race. So I got me a tutu as well. Half way through the race, Laurie said "I feel like wearing a tutu is cheating....everyone is cheering for us more than anyone else!" We were affectionately called the "two tutu girls" throughout the race and got lots of kudos.

We started out really strong and were well ahead of our goal pace. At 11 miles we were sitting at an 8:20 pace, which was awesome! And then everything changed. at mile 11 we hit the Lewis and Clark trail, right along the Columbia River. It was a very scenic part of the race, but it was also torturous. We had 10 miles of GRAVEL and SAND. Not something we had trained for.

Finishing the first 5 miles of the gravel trail

My favorite photo of the whole race--that DARN gravel and sand!

 Coming out of the gravel trail at mile 23 (there was 5 miles of gravel followed by a mile out and back, then 5 miles back on the gravel trail), our pace had tanked. We went from the super fast 8:20 average pace to an 8:44 pace. And THAT was our OVERALL race pace. Still 3 miles to go and no time for fading. Oh, and there was still THE BIGGEST HILL of the race to tackle. Seriously.

Almost done... 

Finished!!!

I lost Laurie when I stopped for water at about mile 19 and she kept going. She stayed about 30-40 seconds ahead of me, but I never could catch her. We both plugged along though and were overjoyed to finish right on target! Laurie came in just under 3:50 and I finished at 3:50:11, which I vote is right on target for a 3:50 finish. Laurie is a much more dedicated blogger than I am. You can read Laurie's race report here.

You would think after the marathon I would have had enough. But no...

During one of our marathon training races, Laurie and I started discussing ultramarathons. We both agreed that MAYBE SOMEDAY we would do an ultra. We rationalized that people often WALK during ultramarathons. And anything LONGER than a regular marathon is an ultramarathon. So we could start with the entry level 50K race (31.2 miles). What's another 5 miles beyond a marathon, right??? I came across a really nice 50K scheduled for September 2012 that I thought would be good to try out. But Laurie searched harder than me and came up with the Frozen Trail Run Fest in December, just 2 months after our marathon. Again she said "we're already in marathon shape, what's 5 more miles?" Well, we discovered exactly what 5 more miles is--a KILLER. 

Ready or not...

The race was at Mt. Pisgah in Eugene. I'd hiked there with a field trip for Trevian's class once before, but soon learned the field trip stayed mostly on the FLAT part of the mountain. The race course was 4 loops around and OVER the mountain with a total elevation gain of 4000 ft. 4000 FT!!! 

Looks like fun, doesn't it??? As we lined up at the starting line, all 27 runners, the race coordinator explained "you'll do base loop 1, followed by base loop 2, then base loop 1 again, and finish with the summit loop. And you're welcome!" Seriously--27 miles into the race and you have to climb the summit of the mountain, a 1000 ft elevation gain in 1 mile. What were we thinking!?! 31 miles of trail running in the cold, muddy, Eugene winter. What fun.

The race started out great and we finished loop 1 faster than I thought we would. Loop 2 was mentally really tough for me. I think it was because I knew we still had 2 more loops to go, one of which I had already completed. I kept wondering how I was going to finish if I already wanted to be done, only 13 miles in. But we got through it and headed into the 3rd loop. After about 19 miles, Laurie and I started to separate a bit (did I mention Laurie ran this race 16 weeks pregnant?!? yep!) Just as I started loop 4, my cell phone rang. I had my phone with me just to take pics, and just in case I needed to call for a rescue. It was Trevian. She wanted to know if we could go to the bookstore when I got home. Yep. 24 miles into my first ultramarathon I was fielding phone calls about going to the bookstore. But I was glad to just be talking to someone and verifying that I was indeed still alive.

Approaching the summit of Mt. Pisgah

A few miles later, as I approached the summit of Mt. Pisgah, I was debating in my head if indeed this race was THE MOST DIFFICULT thing I've ever done in my life. There are those people who would debate that childbirth is harder. At mile 28 of this race, I'm not sure that I agreed. I was 6 hours into the race (how many people labor for fewer hours than that during childbirth? LOTS!) and every part of my body hurt, right down to my brain cells. It was just as painful mentally as physically. And there was no epidural or painkillers for the race. Plus, it's been 9 years since I gave birth, so that memory is a bit more hazy.

At the summit, emerging from the fog and looking out across the valley

And, just like with childbirth, when I reached the summit and I knew the hard part was over, I started to cry. Yep...just a bit...but I cried. I wasn't sure if it was because I was grateful to still be alive or if it was because the view was so beautiful (the whole race had been foggy and cold), or because it was all I could do. But I cried. And then I took off to find the finish line, which was just a couple miles away.

Laurie's muddy feet--31 miles of muddy trail just like this

Well, Laurie and I didn't have nearly as ambitious goals for the ultra as we did for our marathon, especially given the difficulty of the course and the fact that it was our first ultra. But our hope was to finish in under 6:30. Yep--six and a half hours. I was running for six and a half hours. As I came around the final corner to the finish line I could see the official time clock. I was going to make it. Official time...6:29:18. Woohoo! 

So, 2011 brought me a half-marathon, Hood to Coast relay, my second marathon, and first ultramarathon. More running than I would have ever guessed. But it was a great year with great races. I enjoyed every bit of it (in the end that is, after surviving each race) And guess what--Doug's considering doing an ultra with me this September (and the St. George marathon if we get in)!

Just a housewife...with a blog.

Welcome to 2012! And welcome to Heather's effort to do a better job blogging. In the past I've had many excuses in my mind as to why I was such a slacker on our blog. But truth is, I read other people's blogs and wish I was doing a better job. So it's not that I don't want to blog. Actually, I really want to blog because I feel like it is a good way to keep a family journal. I don't care if nobody ever reads it. And Terry has informed me MANY times that I am in no way funny, so I know people likely won't be reading for my humor and wit! :) I just want to do a better job documenting life at the Leonard house.

So this year is starting off with the big news that most everyone knows by now...I quit my job. Yep! After 11 years, I called it quits. It wasn't an easy decision. And I could probably write numerous blog posts on the reasons why and how I arrived at the point of quitting my job at the end of 2011. But suffice it to say, I quit. This decision didn't come without some interesting reactions from the family however...

First of all, yes, Doug and I consulted together on this decision. But we didn't reach it without Doug recalling what happened the LAST TIME I quit my job. That was in 2000, and was warranted due to a cross-country move to Vermont for Doug to go to medical school. I quit my full-time job, had a baby (Zach), and moved across the country in a 2-week time span. I lasted 6 months. Doug more vividly recalls what transpired that led me to look for a job. But it went something like me meeting him at the door one night with a crying toddler, a crying baby, and a crying mom muttering something about how he has 90 built-in new friends in this strange town, while I just have a 2-year-old and a 6-month-old, my brain is turning to mush due to repeated viewings of Barney and Airplanes for Kids (which truth be told, that airplane video was the GREATEST thing ever and I have saved it to this day because it probably is what maintained my last thread of sanity during those months), and that he COULDN'T POSSIBLY find anything sexy or attractive about me because I spend all day covered in spit-up and and other tiny child messes. It was a bit for him to take in. In hindsight, there are better ways to inform your husband that you need an outlet or a hobby. Nevertheless, I found a small part-time job that was just the outlet I needed. And it has followed me everywhere for the past 11 years. This time around, I told Doug we'd just try it out and see how I do. It's a different time and I'm in a different place in life (as is he and as are the kids).

Zach 11-years-old now

When I informed the kids that I was quitting my job, it was a bit more interesting...Zach asked what he was supposed to tell people now when they asked him what his mom does. I asked him what he was telling them now. He said "I tell them that you are a dietitian." I said "well that hasn't changed. I'm still a dietitian. And I'll be working on small projects here and there. So you can still say that." That seemed to satisfy him.

Terry's reaction was that of a 14-year-old...he promptly asked me to go to the store to get something for him. And then added "and don't tell me that you are too busy because I know you don't have anything else to do now!" Nice Terry. For that, I'm sharing your "look I got braces today" photo!

Terry and the new braces

But the most surprising was Trevian's reaction. I really didn't expect it at all. When I told them that I had quit my job, tears welled up in her eyes and she got a very worried look on her face. And she asked "Does this mean you are JUST going to be a HOUSEWIFE now?!?"

WHAT???? Where on earth did THAT come from? I don't believe that in any way I have raised my daughter to think that women HAVE to work, that there is no value in being a stay-at-home mom. And I've always worked FROM HOME and mostly while the kids are at school. So it's not like I've ever been "gone to work." Plus, she's ONLY NINE!!! How does that come out of a 9-year-old's mouth?

Miss Trevian

So, we are working on the image of the "housewife" at our house. And I am working on acclimating to being unemployed. This is really the first week of a regular home routine/schedule since I finished working, due to the holidays and the kids being out of school for so long. But I'm finding my way. I've made dinner EVERY night this week (even put up 6 freezer meals in the process). I've dejunked the kids' toy boxes (shhh...don't tell them). I've washed most everything I could put in the washing machine. I'm reading a couple of books here and there. Oh, and I've got about 5 different "words with friends" games going on my phone. I'm finally tackling some projects that I've put off for a while (like blogging) and plan to do some backdated blog posts to catch up on key things I want to document on the blog.

So here's to the new opportunities of 2012! And here's to being "just a housewife."