At some point, too, I also gave this Amphipod water bottle system a try. I'm not sure what's changed because this water bottle/waist pack thingy has never bothered me before today, but today it just gave me fits.

So after my training walk today I decided to stop by REI (in Portland's newly-swanky Pearl District) to see if I could find a replacement bladder for my old Camelbak, along with a cap - since today was raining and I ended up pushing water out of my eyes the entire walk! I found a nice sales clerk to help me find the Camelbak stuff, and discovered that the bladders themselves are the bulk of the cost of these systems. The bladder, for instance, was $25, and a full system comparable to the one I had before was only $10 more than that! So I decided that, since I knew I already liked the system, I may as well get the full system - particularly since they had a nice new style in a very pretty periwinkle color. So we'll give this a try next week. The additional advantage is that it holds 30 more ounces than my Amphipod bottle pack and has a nice little pocket for keys and a pack of gummy bears or Gu, should I decide I need that.

Other interesting things this morning:
a) By chance, I met Scott from I'd Rather Be Running. I was chatting with Sarah, a gal I know through work, and he came up and started chatting with her. He's mentioned MeetinPortland a couple times on his blog and they'd apparently done a run together with that group. So I put 2 and 2 together and asked if he was the author of that blog. I introduced myself as Zee and there were OHs! all around. (Yes, Portland is a very small town at times.) Anyway, so the three of us chatted for a while before the seminar and our runs/walk.

b) As I was walking along Naito Parkway on my way back to the PFit meeting place, an old friend (a guy called Bert) from previous Portland fit years ran by me. He slowed briefly and we exchanged a few "hey, how are you!" words and then he ran off. I was hoping I'd see him after I returned but alas, I didn't... maybe next week. Still, it was great to see him even briefly...

c) There was a nice guy, whose name I don't recall (if I ever even knew it, that is) who worked at The Portland Running & Walking Company whom I used to talk with frequently before and after runs, a few years ago... (They set up a tent every week and sell running-related stuff...) I didn't see him at the PRC tent last week and assumed that he was either off that week or no longer working for them, or something. At any rate, he was at the PRC tent this morning when I went up to look at a couple things. I was pleasantly surprised to see him and even more surprised that he remembered me! (I'm not sure he ever knew my name either...) But he asked how I was and we exchanged a few words before I had to run off to the seminar.

So despite the rainy dreary day (which is better than walking in 80-degree heat, to be fair) it was a very nice morning. I'm headed to a much-needed meeting (I'm starting to question the purpose of life and whether I'm making a difference in the world... it's time to get a dose of reality. :) this evening and then out to dinner with one of my favorite people. We've both been busy busy busy lately so it will be a wonderful treat to catch up with her and hear how things are going and see her new tattoo!

Happy Saturday, everyone. I'm feeling uber-grateful and content today and hope you all are too! Gratitude is a beautiful thing - especially for reminding myself that I am but a small part of this world!

Anyway, I am pooped. Time for a nap!