Hi everyone! I’m happy to report that things have been going really well lately! We are starting to settle down here in Seward. Today actually marks 1 week since we moved here, and we’re doing pretty well! It’s really a good thing that we came here so early, because there are so few staff members here at this time and making new friends has been pretty easy. Last Friday we went bar hopping with 5 of our coworkers (that’s basically all of the customer service agents plus a few deckhands) and had a blast! Andrew and aren’t big drinkers so we mostly just socialized, but we had fun getting to know our coworkers. We also met a bartender from State College, PA who moved up here 5 years ago. She had great hiking recommendations and was literally so excited that we’d moved up here from PA! It seems like when we tell people that we moved up here, most of them are really excited for us and give us tons of recommendations. I love it! People here are seriously so friendly!
This weekend we started working real shifts at work and did a pretty good job, although I’m still a bit confused by all the tours and the booking system. And this is just the base level of my job, my actual position is way more confusing and difficult! Learning a new job is not really fun, so I’m looking forward to the time when I can just work without having to be terrified that I’m making a mistake! We also went back to Anchorage on Saturday for some supplies and it really hit me for the first time that we actually live in Alaska. It felt like a “vacation” driving up here, but now that we’re doing normal things like working, cooking meals, and running I’m starting to realize that this is our life now! It’s crazy! Especially when we saw this sunset on the highway at 10:30pm:
Late sunsets last longer too!
Since my last post, I’ve run 2 other times. It finally feels like I’m getting back to normal with running which is the best feeling on earth! I’ve realized that the burning feeling in my lungs is due to the colder/windier weather when I run (yesterday it was 45 degrees) and since I haven’t done that in Philly for a while my lungs need to get used to it again. Knowing why my lungs hurt makes me feel more comfortable running, and it also helps me get out the door to run since I know I need to run more to get used to it. It’s also nice that I’m quickly seeing improvement in my time – since last week’s terrible first run I’ve cut 4.5 minutes off my 3 mile time! I don’t feel as sluggish and I think that’s because I’m getting normal sleep and eating better. Veggies are great 🙂 I’m also finally getting those post-run happy endorphins again and feel that I’m able to use my runs to zone out and forget about everything. I was feeling pretty awesome about running yesterday (a sub 30:00 3 miler! Yay!), until I remembered that I signed up for the Her Tern Half Marathon in Anchorage on July 19th and should probably start training for it. After taking a look at my trusty half marathon training plan by Hal Higdon, I realized that I’m technically in week 3 already and should be doing a 5 miler this weekend! That sounds fine with me since Andrew is working on Saturday and I’ll need something to do, plus the sunny 60 degree weather will be back by then! Right now we’re getting what people call “typical Seward weather” which is 40s/50s and rain. We’ll see if I actually make it out for a run in the cold rain this week or if I do some Barre3 online workouts instead (hey, I need to cross train right?). After the Love Run Half in the rain I’m kind of not sure how to feel about rainy runs, but I do know that I’m glad I brought two pairs of shoes in case one pair gets wet!
You can barely see the mountains but it was still pretty!
It’s nice to feel like I’m starting to get back into my old routine – work, dinner, run, blog or go out with friends, sleep. While I’m looking forward to adding some nice long hikes into my life, I’m happy that I’m finally feeling back to normal after such a crazy month of moving. Seward is such an awesome place and I’m so happy that we’re here! And I’m really happy to be feeling like the old Kristen K. again 🙂
What’s your favorite half marathon training plan? Do you like to run in the rain? Any advice for my impending cold/rainy runs here in Seward?
Mom in the Mtns 
That is so exciting that you are starting to feel at home! I can’t imagine moving to Alaska especially when everyone is in pa! But you have Andrew 🙂
Yeah, that’s the part that makes it all worth it! We miss our family but we are excited to start our own lives in a new place. I couldn’t do this alone though!
Yay for settling in! It looks beautiful there!!
It really is! Every day I’m in shock that this is the view I get to look at! Some girls at work who grew up in Seward were laughing at me today because I was so excited about a bald eagle that I saw in the parking lot. It’s crazy that that kind of stuff is considered “normal” up here!
I have heard Alaska is breathtaking… I am glad you’re starting to feel more comfortable and at home.
It is! The first time we came here we fell in love. The pictures don’t do it justice at all, the mountains are just so big!
I’m glad you’re feeling settled now! It’s funny, whenever I move somewhere new it almost feels like a vacation until I start doing the mundane tasks like cooking and working too!
I recently got promoted and am learning all kinds of new stuff since the promotion is in a different area than my previous position- I agree that learning a new job isn’t fun. It’s tiring, and I’m waiting for it to feel like a routine!
My fav half marathon training plan is from Run Less, Run Faster, but I’ve heard good things about Hal Higdon too. Good luck with your 5 miler this weekend 🙂
Haha yeah the first time I cleaned the bathroom I was like “Oh yeah, this is my new home!”. It’s also nice becoming a regular at the smoothie place, I feel like people are getting to know me as a person who lives here and not as a tourist! And thanks for the half marathon tip! I should definitely look into that, especially since I want to run faster! And good luck with your new job! New jobs are so stressful but I guess we’ll like them in a month, right?
i’m so glad you’re settling in nicely and that rough drive up is behind you guys. i’m sure you’ll have no problem getting those 5 miles in, but in any case, good luck!
So are we! What a rough week! I’m not sure how the 5 miler will go but I’m going to get my foam roller ready just in case 😛 I just don’t want to do too much too soon but I’ll take it easy!
State College! I combine multiple half marathon plans into one. Usually I need to work around my schedule (I have off on Fridays so a rest day then doesn’t work for me).
That’s a good idea! I also switch days around in my training plans – not every week is the same for me so I can’t really commit to one pre-made plan. Did you go to Penn State?
How exciting!! I don’t have any rainy run strategies besides layering! I too use Hal Higdons training plans. He’s great-I can’t wait to hear more about AK!
Yeah, putting on a rain jacket is all I have as well. Well I guess I’ll have to figure it out soon enough! I love Hal Higdon’s stuff too, I’m afraid to try anything else!
This makes me smile so much. ❤ I'm so glad you guys are settling in and everything is starting to feel like your new normal! I really loved that feeling when I moved out west. These pictures are spectacular! What a beautiful place! I can't wait to see more of it and hear more stories!
I never did a half with a training plan, but I'm using a modified Higdon for the end of my marathon training and I really like it. 🙂 Good luck with your run this weekend! Your lungs just need some time to adapt I'm sure.
I’m sure I’ll have millions more pics to show 🙂 And I kind of hate you for never using a training plan for your half marathons! How are you so good at running? You need to share your skills with me!
I’m LOVING these pictures!!! Keep them coming 🙂 And it’s wonderful that you are starting to get back into a routine…and starting to get settled. It’s always nerve-wracking when you do such a HUGE move…but you do have a pretty spectacular place to explore!! I love reading your blog and want to pass on the love…so I’ve nominated you for a Liebster Award on my blog Daydreams & Shoestrings: http://daydreamsandshoestrings.com/2014/05/07/liebster-award-round-2/
Oh I will keep the pictures coming 🙂 And my Liebster post will be out tomorrow!
I don’t think I could ever pick up and move across the country- you are my hero! Good luck training for your half 🙂
Oh my god you have no idea how much this comment made me smile! I don’t feel like a hero, I feel like a really stressed out mess of a person 🙂 It’s hard but the views and the thought of all the adventures we’re going to have make it worth it!
Welcome to Alaska. You’re going to love it here.
Glad to hear things are settling after such a huge change. Excited to read about it having just come across your Twitter and blog.
Weather sounds just like you need to plan for March back in PA.