The Green Girl's Updated Motivational Collage

The Green Girl decided the time had come to update her Motivational Collage again.

Since my last collage, I did manage to Say Goodbye. I mentally bid farewell to things I needed released from my life.

I did not re-Cisco certify and I've decided to let that one go for now.

I have started spending more time in the kitchen and I'm slowly learning how to prepare some basic dishes.

My updated collage reflects the following:

• Follow my heart
• Dream
• Accrue PDUs for PMP certification
• Find balance

In order to maintain my PMP certification, I must earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) per three-year cycle. This is achieved by attending Project Management Institute (PMI) events and certified educational courses.

The ॐ symbol represents my desire to find balance in my life.

For the most part, I'm a rationalist. Growing up, I was intrigued by the English scientist and philosopher, Francis Bacon, and his theory of empiricism. Empiricism is the view that knowledge is derived from experience.

I have a tendency to be overly logical and analytical and I find great comfort in mathematics and science - in proven fact.

Following my heart and dreaming are ways for me to work on expanding my reality.

If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts he shall end in certainties. Francis Bacon

The Green Girl's Virtual Run for Sherry Arnold

The Green Girl participated in the Virtual Run for Sherry Arnold which was held across the world on Saturday, February 11th.

At 6:30 am, on January 7, 2012, Sherry Arnold, went for a run in her hometown of Sidney, Montana. When Sherry never returned home, her husband reported her to the police as missing.

By 3:00 pm hundreds of volunteers were searching for Sherry. Only one clue was found, her right running shoe.

Her body was never found but a man confessed to her murder. Sherry had been abducted a mile from her house.

The Green Girl and her niece, Jade, honoring Sherry Arnold's memory with the Virtual Run for Sherry Arnold

I had never met Sherry Arnold. The incident hit close to home because I'm a runner.

I'm also a female who goes on the majority of her runs alone. And admittedly, mostly at night. Sherry vanished in the early morning.

I quickly discovered she was the cousin of one of my fellow running blogger friends, Beth from Shut Up + Run. Way too close to home.

Honoring Sherry Arnold's memory during the Virtual Run for Sherry Arnold

Sherry, I managed to get your bib on my niece, and then I ran to honor your memory.

Death leaves a heartache
no one can heal,
love leaves a memory
no one can steal.
Irish Headstone

XTERRA Boney Mountain 21k Trail Run Report

The Green Girl did the XTERRA Boney Mountain 21k Trail Run at Point Mugu State Park in the Santa Monica Mountains on Sunday, January 8th, along with a number of Sole Runners.

Buses at Paraiso Town Center

XTERRA coined this event as the 'Grand Daddy' of their eight race trail series.

Registration, bib pickup, and parking for the event was at the Paraiso Town Center. School buses transported runners to the starting area.

Coach Steve and the Sole Runners

The early morning sky was a beautiful shade of royal blue. The air was crisp and wind gusts sent chills through my body.

After being shuttled to the base of the mountain range, I met up with Coach Steve and the Sole Runners.

XTERRA Boney Mountain 21k Trail Run Starting Line

As we assembled in the starting chute, the race director offered a rather ominous verbal overview of the course and terrain.

Nervous laughter erupted throughout the crowd and then before I knew it, the race had started.

The Green Girl and Mentor Isabelle at the XTERRA Boney Mountain 21k Trail Run

My race strategy was to take it easy and enjoy myself.

One of the Sole Runners mentors, Isabelle, also had a similar plan in mind so we ran together.

The terrain was technical so we ended up walking more than we'd expected but the slower pace was welcomed as we were able to appreciate the breathtaking scenery along the course.

Sole Runners Brian and Stacey with their cowbells

Sole Runners Brian and Stacey rode their mountain bikes out onto the trails to cheer us on with their cowbells.

The trail varied from open fields to narrow paths to single track portions but was clearly and consistently marked.

The race was well supported with aid stations and medics stationed along the course.

View from the XTERRA Boney Mountain 21k Trail Run

The weather conditions were ideal. The cold morning had warmed into a bright, sunny, but not overly warm day.

The skies were clear enough to afford us a view of the city in the distance.

Towards the end of the course, we crossed a shallow, rocky creek.

Shallow, rocky creek

We balanced carefully on the rocks to keep from stepping in the mud.

As we approached the Finish Line, Sole Runners cheered loudly for us. Brian and Stacey were there, cowbells in hand.

The race officials let us know they'd run out of medals but would send us one in the mail. I assured them it was not a big deal.

The Green Girl carefully balancing on the rocks across the creek

The post-race party was held at Coach Dianne's house.

Along with Coach Steve, Coach Dianne leads the Newbury Park Sole Runners training group.

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves as we indulged in fresh fruit smoothies, pizza, and delicious Mediterranean food.

Coach Dianne's house

Coach Dianne's backyard overlooks the Santa Monica Mountains so we were able to gaze out at the trails we'd just covered as we were eating.

Trail running is good for the Green Girl's soul.

The Green Girl 'Tagged' - 11 Random Things

The Green Girl was thoughtfully 'tagged' by Lauren from Lauren on the Run and Kate from See.Kate.Run for a random meme.

Thank you, Lauren and Kate!

Rules

1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself.
3. Answer the questions set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them you've tagged them.
6. No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people.

I'm going to go ahead and break these rules by choosing to ignore the last three.

11 Random Things About The Green Girl

1. I'm running the Rocky Road Marathon in a couple of weeks to try and qualify for the Pikes Peak Marathon by running a sub-5:30.
2. I'm running the LA Marathon next month to raise money for Tumani for the Future.
3. I don't own a television, couch, desk, chairs, or a table. I only have a bed and a punching bag. (Jill from Run With Jill will attest to this.)
4. I'm scared of all animals. I don't want them to touch me.
5. I've visited 36 states and 14 countries.
6. I'm obsessed with forest camouflage.
7. I'm obsessed with duct tape.
8. I'm obsessed with forest camouflage duct tape.
9. Pretty much my entire life is documented in photographs.
10. My biggest guilty pleasure is chocolate covered gummy bears. I'm not a big fan of chocolate and I don't like gummy bears but combine the two and I'm all over it.
11. My dream is to participate in a race with my niece, Jade.

Questions from Lauren from Lauren on the Run

1. Short shorts or long shorts? Long shorts
2. How do you recover from a tough long run? Hot shower and a nap
3. Favorite brand running shoe? New Balance (it's the only brand that fits my small, wide foot)
4. Longest distance ever run? 26.2 miles
5. What would you do if a rattlesnake coiled up to strike a couple feet from you? Start screaming and sprint in the opposite direction
6. For women – do you wear make-up? For men – do you remove hair from anywhere other than your face? For special occasions
7. Do/did your parents, guardians, siblings, children run? Nope, only me
8. How many days is your longest running streak? No idea. I try to alternate running days.
9. Would you rather run in extreme heat or extreme cold? Extreme cold
10. If you had to watch the same movie ten times in a row, what would it be? Buzz Lightyear of Star Command
11. Vanilla or Chocolate ice cream? Swirl

Questions from Kate from See.Kate.Run

1. Where were you born? Portland, OR
2. What is your favorite way to relax? A long run
3. What is something you did as a child that you got in trouble for? I tried to make applesauce in the microwave and the apples caught on fire
4. What was the BEST race you ever ran and why was it the best? Long Beach Marathon 2011 because in one race I crossed two items off my Running Bucket List - outrunning Mr. Green Garmin's battery life and running a sub-6 hour marathon.
5. Which do you prefer - ocean or mountains? Mountains
6. What is the furthest you have ever traveled from home? Not sure. I tried to look at a map but I can't tell which country is furthest from me.
7. What is your favorite restaurant? Los Compadres
8. Would you rather be able to teleport or be able to turn invisible? Teleport

9. What is your favorite body part? My core
10. What is your favorite song to workout to? Summer 2010 by DJ Tiësto
11. Would you rather run trails or the road? Trails