Five Years Later

Five years ago, Matt and I arrived in Seattle. Sometimes, I still can't believe we did it.

Over the years, I've had a few people ask me what it was like to pick up and leave my home of two decades. What was it like to move across the country with no jobs lined up? What advice could I give someone thinking of doing the same?

Our arrival in Seattle: August 14, 2020.

I'm not sure I have advice, and 2025 is a very different animal than 2020, but on the 5-year anniversary of our move, I'd like to reflect a little on one of the biggest (and one of the best) decisions of my life.

Keekwulee Falls

In early August I had a special guest in town! An old colleague and friend from my teaching days was in Seattle with her son, and we made some time to see each other. Angela and Michael wanted to go on a hike, particularly one that didn't require hiking boots or poles. I sent them a few options, and they chose Keekwulee Falls.

What I read this month: July 2025

I have been in a reading rut this summer, probably because I've been focusing my free time on running and revising my own novel, but I finally picked up a book that hooked me from the first page, and managed to finish it in just a couple days, beating out the clock on the end of July.

I really need to learn to like audio books, because then I could stack the heck out of my habits.

Heather Lake Trail

I've been struggling with my energy, but I promised Matt we could hike on Sunday. His suggestions were daunting, so I came up with a few ideas, and we ended up deciding on Heather Lake. It was a tougher hike than I'd expected, but totally worth it.

I'm Training for a Half

Before the Snoqualmie River Valley 10k, I had planted the seed in Nick's brain that we should run a half marathon. He'd expressed interest in a 15k, but they're hard to find; and if you're going to run 9.3 miles, you might as well run 13.1. 

Train Wreck Trail (Whistler, BC)

After our difficult hike at Brandywine Meadows, Matt and I were planning an easy day of gondola rides and the spa, but Zoe had other plans. (Namely, refusing to be left alone in the hotel.) So, we decided to find an easy hike. We ended up at Train Wreck Trail, and I'm glad we saw it! This spot is more about sightseeing than hiking, but we continued along the trail for a bit after the titular train wreck, which made this feel a bit more hikey than walky.

The wreck is very cool. The abandoned cars have become a favorite of graffiti artists, and whatever trail organization oversees it has leaned into that, making the graffiti part of the draw.

Brandywine Meadows Trail (Whistler, BC)

Matt and I recently had our 15th wedding anniversary and decided to take a trip to Whistler to celebrate. We're not snow-sport people, so Whistler in the summer felt much more our speed. We intended to hike, enjoy the spa, and indulge in some great food.

We took Zoe along, which did curtail some of our plans—no worries, we'll be back in September to get the rest of our Whistler to-do list done—but we did manage a couple fun hikes! This is the first of the two.

North to the Future: Cruising to Alaska

At the end of May, we went on a 7-day Alaskan cruise for his mom's birthday. There was a time when Matt and I cruised a lot, but this was our first non-Caribbean cruise. I think this trip taught me I've outgrown cruises in general, and I'd definitely prefer to go back to Alaska without the time-constraints that naturally come with being on the cruise's schedule at each port.

That said, I keep referencing this cruise in posts, so I feel I should at least recap the highlights!

Fit by 40 update

I wish I'd had the appreciation for slow and steady progress in my twenties that I do now. It would have saved me a lot of grief and frustration.

Snoqualmie Valley 10k

I can't believe I worried this race would be hot and sunny. Instead, we got typical June-uary weather that arrived race morning and blew over by the afternoon. Just my luck!

Mid-Year Check-In

Somehow, it's late June, and 2025 is halfway over.

At the beginning of the year, I set some goals for myself, and I want to briefly check in on them to see how they're going and talk about some adjustments I'm making.

Snoqualmie Valley 10k Training Update

May was a weird month, somehow it's already mid-June, and given that the Snoqualmie Valley 10k is now a week away, I really wish the last few weeks had gone differently.

What I read this month: May 2025

This month I read some really great books. I purposely chose literary fiction this month because I've been thinking about reading like a writer; reading pulpy romance or mystery is fine, but it doesn't offer me much in the way of instruction. I wanted to read some stuff that would get my brain percolating. 

I was mostly offline the last week of the month because of the cruise, during which time I managed to read two books, bringing this month's total to four and doubling my yearly total.

Read this month: 4

Read this year: 8

Running from Gluten 10k

I'd like to start this race recap by noting that we had mild, sunny weather all week, and I was worried race day would be hot. Silly me. Race day was a lovely 55 degrees, with 92% humidity and constant rain!

That's what I get for worrying.

The Woody Trail at Wallace Falls State Park

Another gorgeous weekend, another opportunity for a hike! Last weekend we set out for Wallace Falls; I assumed it would be pretty easy, because after running my first 6-miler of training I insisted on it. I was wrong.

To race or not to race?

Next weekend, I've got the Running from Gluten 10k. I'm actually pretty excited because it's sponsored by the Celiac Guild and benefits the Seattle Children's Celiac Program. All the goodies at the finish line are gluten free! I've run many charity races, but none that ever impacted me so personally.

Anyway, I signed up for this 10k with the expectation to run it as a training run. With the Snoqualmie Valley 10k coming up in late June, I figured having a little extra incentive to ensure I actually worked up to 6 miles in training wouldn't hurt.

What I read this month: April 2025

This month's tome took all month to read. Actually, I think I borrowed it at the end of March, got a few chapters in, and then came back to it after a hiatus. I had to renew the loan when I was around the halfway point. This 600-page behemoth took actual concentration to get through. In some ways, it felt like work.

This is book three in a four-book series, and I've been waiting for its release since absolutely devouring the third book in March 2023. I really like this series, and I've grown attached to the characters. I have some gripes, but overall I enjoyed this book and I loved the ending. I'm so excited to see how everything wraps up in book four, which is due out...who knows when.

Books read this month: 1

Total books this year: 4

I'm Doing Something Right

(As usual, this progress update will discuss weight, body fat percentage, diet, etc)

Last month, my InBody scan showed I'd lost weight, but it was mostly muscle. So for the last month, I've changed my approach. I stopped using Noom, which was starting to feel tedious. I let myself indulge. I enjoyed two Passover seders without a concern in the world. I added snacks back into my daily habits, ate Passover leftovers (including cake every night) and basically ate however I wanted. I tried to prioritize protein, but I didn't actually track it. My lower back was hurting so I skipped a few runs and workouts. 

And somehow, the  numbers on my InBody scan were...good.

Lake Twenty Two Trail

I had Thursday and Friday off work last week, so for once we planned ahead! When I told a few friends we were hiking the "Lake Twenty Two Trail", I was surprised by how many people said it was their favorite. I expected such a generically named trail to be relatively unknown and unremarkable. 

I was wrong!

Time Does Fly

I got a massage this week. It's been awhile since I've gotten one and my lower back and right IT band have been nagging me for weeks. I finally figured out it's my shoes—time for a new pair—and decided a massage was in order.

A colleague recommended the place I went and it was excellent. On my intake form, I always note my bilateral fasciotomies as a past injury, and it never fails that the massage therapist wants to know about it. I mean, they know so much about muscle and fascia, I understand the intrigue! 

Anyway, after I finished telling her about my CECS and fasciotomies, she asked when all that was. I said, "2017" and she said, "Wow, you're almost at 10 years!"

Cherry Creek Falls Trail

This has been a rainy early-spring, but last weekend we got lucky with sun on a Saturday when Matt wasn't working. That's a rare occurrence these days, so we took advantage of the weather and found a near-ish hike with a good waterfall at the end.

10k Training and Fitness Updates

After finishing our 5k earlier this month, Nick immediately signed up for the Snoqualmie Valley 10k and I, of course, agreed to join him. Despite having run dozens of them, the 10k is my least favorite race distance. But it is fun to have a race on the calendar that requires training, and it's really fun to watch another friend get sucked into the wonderful cult that is running.

Hot Chocolate Run 5k

Let it be known that one of my favorite things in the world is joining a friend for their first race! On Sunday, it was time to join Nick for his first 5k...and he's already talking about what comes next!

Running, addictive? Who knew.

What I read this month: February 2025

I barely squeezed a book in this month. February is always a busier month because of my birthday, but this February especially felt slammed. Still, a book is a book.

Books read this month: 1

Total books this year: 3

The wake-up call

When I joined the gym back in September 2024, I didn't have a real goal in mind other than to build some muscle. In November, I got on board with my sister's goal to be in the best shape of our lives by 40. But it wasn't until late January that I finally realized I needed to do more than workout consistently: it was really time for me to take my diet into account.

And for the first time in my life, I'm doing it for the right reasons.

Warning: This blog post covers body image, weight, calorie counting, eating habits, and all the sensitive topics that come with all that.

My Better Half 5k 2025

I almost didn't sign up for this race, but I couldn't let my birthday tradition go. Because I didn't exactly have time to train for a fast or impressive 5k, my mindset was complete, don't compete. I wanted to run this race, but I didn't want to race it.

What I read this month: January 2025

In the middle of January, I suddenly realized I hadn't read a book yet and was starting the year on a bad note, especially since one of my goals this year is to replace doomscrolling with reading. (Ask me how that's going...)

Imagine my surprise when I plowed through the first book to come off hold on Libby and realized my momentary panic about the month being almost over had occurred on...January 7.

January is truly the longest month. Anyway, here's what I read this month!

Books read this month: 2

Total books this year: 2

Rosario Head Trail: Lighthouse and Lottie Point (Deception Pass)

This winter has been relatively dry and sunny, which has allowed Matt and me to try this new-to-us thing called "hiking year round." The last two weeks have been cold (like, 30°s kind of cold) but so incredibly sunny and cloudless that staying inside almost feels illegal.

Our latest winter hike took us to Deception Pass. Matt has paddled there before, but I've never been. We chose this particular hike because my thighs were comically sore from squats the previous day, and I agreed to a hike only if the elevation was extremely moderate.

A couple 5ks

Over the last few weeks, I've wrapped my head around my current struggle with running. For awhile there I really didn't miss it, and I began to think I may give it up entirely for the foreseeable future. But running is the only time I get to see Sarah, and I value the consistency of this little slice of socialization. I never regret a run after it's over. As I started fitting running back into my schedule, I remembered how much I love it, and then I genuinely did start to miss it. But I was still happy to cancel, secretly dancing with joy anytime Sarah had to back out, giving me an excuse to do the same. Why?

Looking back and planning ahead

This is how I ended my 2023/2024 post: "In 2024, I'm looking forward to more. More writing, more reading, more running, and more adventures. I can't wait to see what the year has in store."

2024 was a rough year in many ways, but overall I have to say I'm pretty happy with how it shook out. Personally, I had more ups than downs, and these days focusing on my day-to-day is how I keep things positive. I'm going into 2025 with a few goals—one might even call them resolutions—in mind.