Running Into the Wild

Against my mother's wishes, I am currently training for another marathon while I am up here in Alaska. Since I am determined to run a marathon in every state, I figured I should run it while I am up here. I will admit that it has been difficult to train with my work schedule and everything else I am trying to accomplish, but it has turned out to be such a blessing. My lovely roommate, Erika Ewing, also runs marathons (I believe she was sent to me from up above) and when we have the same scheduled days off, we venture off into the numerous trails and woods of the Anchorage area.

The first few runs were somewhat depressing as Anchorage had not quite leafed out in all its beautiful green lushness and resembled more of a brown sand bag with numerous dirt and twigs. The trails seems to change every time I run on them, getting progressively more green and full. Of course, there are always the tunnels with the train running overhead, random moose to maneuver around, sunsets, lakes and small creeks, bald eagles on the mud flats and airplanes flying so close I can feel the vibration from their engines. I realized today as I was running my standard 20 miler run before the race that I am so incredibly spoiled. Every time I go running, I am amazed at the beauty of the area around me and the peace and quiet of my surroundings. I've even run into people that were on my train car the day before on my runs. They give me time to think, breath deeper and expand the limits of my physical capabilities. I love my runs. They are my salvation. I don't need a marathon to get me out on the trails here. Actually, I can't wait to just go jogging without keeping track of time and distance and just enjoy the run for what it's worth....which is a lot.

Anchorage Away!

Like many before me, I came to Alaska with some sort of distorted and romantic view of life in Anchorage and the last frontier. With a month of reality behind me, I believe it is now safe to reflect on life as I have experienced it.

If first impressions were all that were ever taken into consideration, I don't think Anchorage would fair very well. At least not during the winter time. When I arrived, it was still cold, empty and winter was delaying its departure. The first reality check was my downtown apartment complex...aka "The Eagle Street Crack Hotel." Not kidding. Within the first week of staying there, our neighbors were arrested for using and/or selling illegal drugs and the police were frequent visitors. The wireless internet password is actually "callthecops." Yes, quite comforting to say the least...:) Mom, aren't you glad I didn't tell you any of this earlier? Oh, and apparently a 2-bedroom apartment here means they will place an extra bed in the living room. 7 girls in a 1 bedroom apartment is quite the feat if you ask me! It's pretty crazy, but the cheapest way to live in the downtown area. Fortunately, we do live close to the rail yard, have good water pressure and an apartment of guys across the parking lot to watch out for us. Blessings, blessings!

Work is not an entirely different cup of tea. Just add enough sugar to make it last 14 hours a day. I spent my first 2 weeks training and stuck inside a train that never left the rail yard. And when I say I am a "Car Manager," I actually mean I am a tour guide, waitress, custodian, mechanic, bar tender, secretary and computer technician all-in-one. And yes, I carry out all these duties on a moving train, which is harder than I ever thought it would be, but possible. I never thought I would be carrying cups of hot coffee down a train car aisle full of 88 people while picking up garbage, listening to Sally-Sue complain about being too cold, answering Billy-Joe-Bob's question about Alaskan foliage, and wondering if the restroom downstairs is out of toilet paper or if I should check the HVAC breaker. They say Alaska is a place of adventure. I think it is coming in a different shape and form for me...

My environment here is exactly the opposite of life in Provo, Utah, AKA "the bubble." Which is a good thing in many ways and quite refreshing; however, the f-word every 5 minutes, smell of smoke, drunks, crack addicts, long work days and the loud noises of the city streets and bar below my bedroom window do take their toll after a while. I have learned to find joy in small and simple things- like cute old people on the train that will talk to me forever about how they met and why they came to Alaska, my dear roommates that have a car to go to church and buy groceries, the beautiful sunsets that last an hour, trails everywhere for running and friends to go with, comfortable cafes with free wireless, yoga in the park by the lake on my days off and the amazingness of really good seafood. The trees are finally leafing out and flower baskets are being hung on the sidewalk posts outside as I type this. Thank you spring! (I know this sounds funny, since it is summer most everywhere else.) I have decided to let Anchorage have a small place in my heart and some space to grow...I think it will. In the meantime, my paychecks and tips keep me working, my roommates keep me laughing and the food keeps me moving. Nothing that a good hike won't cure...and there are definitely plenty of those to conquer.