Hills, Humidity, and a High!

On the afternoon of April 12, I don't think I have ever been simultaneously so beyond elated and bone-weary exhausted.  And I was in a bikini.  Eating (wolfing down, really) a cheeseburger.  Now normally I would never admit that part about the cheeseburger, but I feel no shame or guilt because that morning I had just run the toughest and fastest 13.1 miles of my life.

Those feet were hurting!

Flashback to the morning of the race, and my best friend Naomi and I were fueling up on toast, peanut butter and a bit of crappy coffee in our hotel room around 6 in the morning.  And water.  Lots of water. The Zooma Texas Half Marathon was outside of Austin, Texas and we were back at the same hotel we had visited almost two years prior when we went on our own "mother's retreat."  This time we weren't sleeping in or staying up late, we were hydrating, debating race attire, and discussing our fueling strategy along the course of the race.  We were also avoiding much discussion or acknowledgement of any hills that we may encounter out on the course.  In my humble opinion as an Oregonian, Texas is one of the flattest places on this earth.  Driving across deep-in-the-heart of Texas, the only thing you see above the horizon are water towers, lots of them.  However.... we were technically in "hill country," whose hills are smaller than Portland's West Hills, but when you are running, any hill makes a big difference.  And so does humidity, especially to this not-so humble Oregonian.

The twins are ready to race!  Our room overlooked the finish line

It's bluebonnet time in Texas!

Our cheesy "mocktail" tea party picture

But let's flashback to a few months prior.  In January, Naomi and I were searching for a half marathon that we could run - our first race together.  And as I have already written about, we both really needed and wanted to run a half marathon in 2014, and doing it together would be so much fun.  Zooma Texas was the perfect race so we signed up.  It would be Naomi's third half marathon and my second.  We trained separately, but we would text about where we were on our training plans, chat on the phone about how our runs went, or send a funny running-related article or photo to each other.  We were both working hard to train for this race and excited to have a weekend away together, even if it meant we had to run 13 miles to do so!  Yet training in the winter was harder than we anticipated.  Dallas, where Naomi is from, gets quite a few ice storms and can be quite cold in the winter.  And our winter here in Portland was pretty dry, but then we had a major snow storm in February that lasted for days.  Add to that our husbands traveling for work and our kids getting sick (cause it's winter!), and getting in those weekly miles and workouts was a challenge.  But we kept at it.

Then I get a text from Naomi saying she had slipped on ice (yes, in Texas) and fallen on her tailbone!  She was in agony and with six weeks to go to the race and the miles ramping up each week, neither of us knew what was going to happen.  Should we cancel it?  Should we do the 10K instead?  It was just bad luck, but Naomi stayed so positive (at least she did to me!) about it.  I don't know how she did it.  Not only was she in constant pain for a few weeks, but she kept on trying to run.  After she saw her doctor and learned there was nothing broken, she started to relax and the running came along, despite missing a lot of long training runs.  But she is one tough mother, and I am in awe that she didn't just give up!  I am so proud of her!

Flash forward to the race....which went great!  Naomi and I kept the pace we wanted to, it was fun, and we were feeling good.   And despite the intense 70+% humidity and 70+degree temperatures...oh and a few hills, we finished the race strong.  The course was on country roads with some rolling hills that we did great on, only walking on the steepest ones.  But the last couple miles they had us looping around a golf course, and I have never hated golf so much in my life!  I knew I was near the end of my rope when I started getting mad and swearing.  I wanted to walk SO BAD!  But we kept at it.  It was kind of like being in labor, when Naomi kept saying stuff like "well, only a mile to go!" or "just about half a mile to go!" and I wanted to tell her to shut up but I was too tired!  (Sorry, Naomi).  All I could think about was where was the end and how I knew we had run near the finish line a while back and we were so close, but where was it?!?!  I think I closed my eyes or something near the last few hundred feet because all I remember was trying to get this thing OVER!  But we did it!  And even with the hills and humidity (which I wasn't used to), we ran it in 2 hours and 24 minutes.  Just typing that makes it sound completely insane to run for that long,...but that's what we did!

You don't usually see these guys at races in Oregon!

We got to run down AND up that hill!

VICTORY!

So back to that cheeseburger and bikini....man, it tasted good.  Good because I was sitting by a pool in the sun.  Good because I had run harder and pushed myself more than I ever thought I could.  Good because I was feeling a high on endorphins that I've never had before.  And good, great really, because I was sitting next to my best friend in the whole world...and we did it together.

Carefree in Mexico

My dad and I shopping in Barra

It's already been a month ago, but I will always have very fond memories of this quick trip to Mexico that I got to make at the beginning of April.  While I had (not so subtlety) been dropping hints about going down on my dad's boat again to cruise a bit with him, somehow the stars aligned and I was able to get away and make it a reality!

My dad needed to bring his boat back from Barra de Navidad, where they keep it during the winter, and up to Puerto Vallarta, where it is kept the rest of the year.  Being that I can't just take "vacation" days from my job, made it pretty unrealistic that I could go.  But somehow, my very sweet husband insisted that we make it work.  And despite my babysitter canceling at the last minute, I was still able to go away for five days to a place that is really special in my heart.  Once again, the generosity of many wonderful people in my life (my neighbor, Sarah; my best friend's sister, Michelle; my sister-in-law, Kim; and Sam) made it possible to go, and even more importantly, remind me how much people care about me and want me to be happy.

The marina at Barra de Navidad

It's hard to put into words how being with my dad in his "happy place" makes me equally happy.  I have been lucky enough to go to Mexico quite a few times, particularly Barra and Puerto Vallarta, so it is very familiar and I feel quite at home there.  It's fun to speak Spanish and of course get some sunshine.  However, this time I got to stay on the "Carefree," my dad's boat, and help him take it the 100+ miles up the western coast of Mexico.  I love being out at sea, being miles from shore, watching out for sea turtles in our path, seeing an occasional whale jump, and watch sea birds soar past. And the fact it makes my dad so happy and at peace is the best part about it.  Even though my dad has macular degeneration, and his eyesight is gradually worsening each year, he can still maneuver the boat and enjoy cruising, so long as he has some extra eyes to help him out.

Carefree....but not repair-free!

Salud!  The crew toasting to a good trip

Local fishermen in a panga

A brown booby checking us out

My almost-brother-in-law, Roger, joined us, which was wonderful since he has had a lot of sailing experience.  If it were just me and my dad making the trip, I would have been a lot more stressed, but having a third pair of eyes and hands was ideal.  It also gave Roger and me a chance to get to know each other better (even though I think he is pretty awesome already!) before he and my sister, Erica, marry this August.

Like any trip involving any boat, things are unpredictable.  Stuff breaks.  Repairs need to be made. The weather turns.  Plans change.  Roger and I only had a short window of time to be gone and to make the trip to Puerto Vallarta, so we didn't' have the luxury of waiting for the perfect weather conditions.  It had been pretty windy most afternoons, and heading north up the coast you head against the wind and seas.  My dad, the ever patient boater, would have preferred to wait until things were a bit calmer, but unfortunately we didn't have time.  So, after we got a few provisions and checked out with the port captain in Barra, we planned to make the two day trip north, stopping to anchor one night.

Well, despite us getting ready to leave at sunrise, the Carefree wasn't quite ready.  The stabilizers (wing-like things on the hull of the boat that keep it from rocking a lot in rough swells) were malfunctioning.  Roger spent some time in the engine room, and after getting squirted with a lot of hydraulic fluid, he determined that they were not going to work.  That was ok, because we can cruise without them, although it would be a bit rockier.  However, we couldn't have fluid squirting all over the engine room.  Clearly, we needed a part for this valve...and where in the world would be find it on the day of the trip in this tiny Mexican town?  Well, thank goodness my dad had his "nut bucket," or whatever he calls it; full of odds and ends bits of screws, nuts, fittings, etc.  Lo and behold, there was a cap that was just the right size.  With Roger and exchanging glances (and hope that this was all going to work), we got it fixed and headed off!

Roger and my dad on the water taxi in Barra 

Needle in a haystack: Roger searching for the right part

(Finally) leaving Barra to head north

I spent so much time as a child boating with my parents that it was so comforting to be back doing something I haven't done in more than a decade.  (I have been to Mexico recently, but after kids, I haven't been able to go out cruising on the boat with my dad.)  It was wonderful!  Hours chugging along the ocean may not be a lot of people's cup of tea (like my husband, who gets sea sick), but it is a pretty amazing experience.  Being away from land, seeing the vastness of the sea from one little corner of the ocean, observing beautiful wildlife, and being unplugged from the rest of the world gave me some much-needed perspective on life and time.  Time with my dad, most importantly.

On watch and off the grid

The most incredible sunrise I have ever seen

Schools of rays in front of the boat

We saw thousands of them - and they swam away fast! 

A 12 foot manta ray right next to the boat

This trip had a little bit of everything - ups and downs, but mostly great.  We had a lovely evening anchored in a bay at Chamela, about a third of the way into our trip.  I haven't slept on the boat while it was rocking me gently to sleep in a very long time.  We had a bit of nighttime cruising.  In order to avoid the afternoon winds as much as possible, we left Chamela at 5:00 in the morning well before the sun had come up.  Cruising at night, depending on radar to see, is both bit nerve-wracking and exciting. Fortunately, the only eventful part of it was getting to watch an incredible sunrise over the mountains that seemed to last forever, changing colors and glowing more and more intensely.  We had lots of wildlife..in our way!  In addition to keeping an eye out for running over sea turtles lolling in the water right in front of our boat (you would think they would hear us coming sooner), we cruised through a school of thousands of small brown rays.  They were everywhere for a mile or two, and fortunately would dart away as we got close.  Later, as we got close to Puerto Vallarta, we cruised by an enormous manta ray.  And we had some wild seas, as well.   The second day we had a lot of sea to cover and the wind picked up in the afternoon.  It was rough.  I don't mind waves and I don't get sea sick, but when water is splashing up over the bridge (the top deck) of the boat and getting you wet, waves are thumping hard against the hull of the boat, and you hold on for dear life when walking around the boat, it isn't quite so much fun.  Fortunately, as my dad reassured me, the boat is designed for that kind of weather and handled it fine.  I was just thankful when we rounded the point and entered the Bay of Banderas, where Puerto Vallarta is located.  And once again, my dad maneuvered the 50 foot Carefree into a narrow slip in the marina with the greatest of ease!

The tiny Carefree next to a mega yacht 

Another successful voyage on the Carefree!

Pancho, who has taken care of the boat for 20 years 

Carefree in Mexico with my dear Dad!

The Silver Lining: 2013's Top Ten

When New Year's Eve rolled around I was pretty fed up with 2013 and excited it was finally ending.  It had been a tough year for me personally, and also for many people around me who were dealing with a lot of very sad events.  But now that I am happily settling into this new year, I can look back and see a lot of great moments of the past year.  I can also see that while my mind says it was a 'bad' year (it was 2013 after all), it really was just a journey for me that taught me a lot and has brought me to a much happier and relaxed state.  Thank goodness!  And even though the journey will continue for a long time, I know that I am blessed to be here at all.  So here are my top 10 favorite memories of 2013 that will bring me joy for many many years to come, long after I forget why last year was so hard.

My happy place - my dad's boat (before Morgan got queasy)

1.  Barra de Navidad:  Last January, we spent a week in Mexico in this cute little town (with a nice resort) and had one of my favorite family vacations ever.  Old town Mexico, a beautiful hotel, time with my parents on their boat, adventures with the girls, sun and margaritas, and even meeting new Irish friends, it was a fantastic trip!  Sadly, I never got around to posting memories of the trip last year, but maybe I will one of these days....  And we also hope to go back next year, if it all works out!

Street side kiddie rides

Daddy's happy place - the swim up bar

Sunset, sand and cerveza!

My Dad's happy place - boating in Mexico 

Morgan's first horse ride

2.  Time with Aunt Kay and Uncle Hans:  Last March, we spent a long weekend in Sisters at my aunt and uncle's house.  We always love going over there to play with the donkeys, horses, and dogs in beautiful Central Oregon.  Plus it is is always fun spending time with Kay and Hans, who are so supportive, positive, and amazing hosts.  I realize I didn't post about our time there last spring, so it means even more to me now because in mid-December, my aunt had a stroke.  While she is back home recovering, after three weeks in the hospital, she is still going through therapy and they are adjusting to a new kind of life.  She (and all of us) are extremely lucky that she can still speak and can walk with help.  She can't use her left arm, though, (fortunately, she's right-handed) and the stroke has affected her memory and personality in different ways.  So while we are so very thankful that she is still with us and recovering well, it makes our past visits with her even more special.

Hans and Kay get Morgan situated on Chief

Sasha plays with Jazzy and Luna

Sasha laughs at the horses whinny

At home with Aunt Kay and Uncle Hans

3.  Time with my BFF:  Every year that goes by, I seem to miss Naomi more and more.  So the times that we do get to spend together, are even more special.  I was lucky to see her three times in 2013!  I was blown away when she appeared on my doorstep for my birthday in April. The girls and I had a fantastic time visiting her in Texas in May.  And her visit to Portland in July was the most important, though the hardest of all, as she said good-bye to her dad, after a very long illness.  She still continues to amaze me, and we keep on growing up together as life throws all sorts of things our way.  I can't put into words how thankful I am for her friendship.  (And we have a fun adventure planned in 2014 - more on that later!)

4.  My First Half Marathon:  You can read more about that here, but looking back, this accomplishment was so important to me in 2013 in so many ways.  I didn't realize when I signed up for it (or perhaps I did) what a transformative process it would be for me.  That smile in this photo says a lot!

5.  Seeing my girls blossom:  I'm still as lucky as ever to get to witness and guide Morgan and Sasha along on the journey of life.  And I appreciate my role as a mom more every day, knowing that no one will ever have the connection that I have with them.  I am so proud to watch them grow and change (although it can be very bittersweet at times!) both as individuals and as sisters.   With both of them beginning new schools as well as strengthening their sister bond, it was another very humbling year.   They are blossoming in so many ways - Morgan with soccer, gymnastics, kindergarten and a growing circle of friends, and Sasha coming into her own as a playmate and a strong member of our family with opinions and a unique point of view.  They continue to teach me so many lessons, most importantly to get out of bed every day (early!) and keep on living and learning and growing.  Life is too short and moves too quickly to feel sorry for yourself.

Dressing like their American Girl dolls.

Beach house sillies

Mother's Day dress up with Avery

Playmates

Soccer stud

Tiny Gymnast

In my grandparent's beach house, that was sold this year.

Off to school!

Sweet Sisters - Fall Portraits

6.  Getting Strong, Inside and Out:  In August, I signed up for a morning boot camp class in Laurelhurst Park.  I had never done boot camp and was kind of scared.  But it was an awesome group of women in an awesome location on awesome summer mornings, and turned out to be an awesome decision.  I learned what 'burpees' are and how to sprint with 100% of my effort.  I learned that I could hold a 2 minute plank if I put my mind to it.  I learned that after having babies and struggling with regular back pain, strengthening my core muscles made a huge difference.   I learned that there was joy in being up and out the door before the sun (or my kids) were even up.  I learned that working out and laughing with other women is almost as good as a night out with girl friends.  And I learned that inside of me there is a strength, both physical and mental, that I never knew was there.  I have continued to go to boot camp, usually once a week, through the winter at an indoors location, with the same teacher and same moms.  And I'm still getting stronger every time.

The Three Arch Rocks from Cape Meares

7.  Beach Therapy:  I have written about Oceanside sooooo many times here, so I don't need to go into detail about that.  But visiting the beach every time fills me with peace, relaxation, and comfort no matter what I am going through.  And spending it with my family make it even better.

Chalk art on the the patio....

...and cigars on the deck.

Morgan and Gramma Gail at Cape Meares Lighthouse

A gorgeous day at the beach!

Ain't that the truth!

Hiking, chatting and laughing.

8.  Girls Weekend in Tucson:   Sometime last year, a good college friend of mine suggested a girls weekend for a group of 6 of us in honor of it being 20 years (!) since we started college together at Willamette University.  It ended up with 4 of us, staying in Tucson, Arizona in November at one of the girls' homes.  Tucson was sunny and warm, and in addition to just being lazy and relaxing, we also saw some pretty cool things.  We visited the Saguaro National Park and hiked around all kinds of cacti.  We toured the San Xavier del Bac Catholic mission that was built in the late 1700s.  We ate some amazing Mexican food (though I regretted that Sonoran hot dog at 11pm).  We went to a movie and got pedicures on the same day, and participated in Tucson's All Souls Procession that honors the dead.   It was so nice to get away and just have time to be girlfriends again.  Three out of four of us are married with kids, and getting the chance to catch up on life, chat, laugh about old times, and just hang out together was so wonderful.  There is something special about being just with other women, just like we were back in our sorority in college, that left me feeling refreshed and with a new perspective on life.  I came across the quote after that trip: "Good friends are like stars.  You don't always see them but you know they are always there."  So true.

Happy Hour with Kristi, Katie, Amy and I

San Xavier del Bac Mission outside of Tucson

Saguaros everywhere!

The desert is so amazing

All Souls Procession 2013

We joined in with our own All Souls face painting

9.   Disneyland:  I already posted about all this magic, and it definitely was the highlight of 2013!

Away we go!

10.  San Francisco with Sam:  Technically, this was in 2014, but Sam and I got to get away to San Francisco for a long weekend in early January.  We were lucky enough to have a posse of sisters, aunts, and neighbors to look after the girls while we were gone (thank you all!), so that we could have a bit of time away just the two of us.  Sam was in SF for work, so we spent part of the weekend with his colleagues and a few former MBA students.  They are all wonderful people who think the world of Sam, so it was fun for me to see what an impact he makes at the University.  We had fun visiting Sam's cousin, Alison, and her husband Dan (and their friends too) at their beautiful home in the Mission.  They were awesome hosts and it was fun spending an evening with them.  After the most challenging year of our marriage so far, we really appreciated time just together, just for us  - at our own pace, not the pace of parenting and school and kids.  One sunny day, we spontaneously took a ferry to Sausalito, a charming town across the bay.  It was a rare moment of being impulsive (complete with Bloody Marys), and it was definitely the highlight of the trip.  That day, and the trip, really gave us a chance to catch our breath in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.  And it was a wonderful way to begin a fresh, new year!  2014 is going to be great!

The Golden Gate Bridge

Sunshine and the Bay Bridge - from the Embarcadero 

Ferry ride + Bloody Marys!

Afternoon sun and the Transamerica Building

Chinatown

A happy day to remember...

**Note: In honor of a new year, I have changed the format of the blog.  It was in need of a freshening up.  There are some aspects of this layout I really like and others not so much.  What do you think?