A Mini Getaway to Seattle and Victoria, Canada

I look very, very tired in this picture.

Lance and I are accustomed to spending A LOT of time together.  Lately though, we have been juggling the demands of a very HECTIC schedule, and it has interfered with our “couple” time.  Our evenings are interrupted with shuttling kids to/from practice.  Lance has started coaching his sixth basketball team, and for a few weeks, both basketball/softball will overlap.  In fact, Lance will be coaching two basketball teams (Brandon and Dylan) this season.  My weekends are consumed with softball.  I cannot do much of anything else.  Lance still spends two weekends a month working on the boat. When we are together, we are both too exhausted to put time into us as a couple.

With all of this, we had a trip planned to Seattle in mid-June.  I had registered for the Seattle Rock and Roll Half Marathon a year prior.  It was so cheap that I couldn’t miss the opportunity.  It was just a quick three-day weekend getaway, and most importantly, it was just Lance and me.  No kids.  No dogs.  No other commitments.  Just us. 

We arrived in Seattle on Thursday morning, and it was the most beautiful day with bright, sunny skies.  I wanted this trip to not be about me so it was important that we do things that Lance loved.  Our first stop was at the Museum of Flight.  I’m anal and had an entire itinerary planned of when/where/what we would do.  My itinerary allowed two-hours at this museum, but Lance was in heaven, and thus, we spent much more time here.  I'll plan a very detailed itinerary, but I"m also flexible and adjust as needed.  I loved seeing his eyes light up at all the planes.  His extensive knowledge of planes is impressive.  Lance does not arrogantly display his expertise, but here is a man—in my opinion—who knows so much about so many things. 

This was the highlight for me at the museum.  We were able to walk through the interior of this Air Force One. 

 

Following the museum, we went to the expo to get my bib.  There was a soccer game at Centurylink Field, which made navigating the traffic a nightmare.  After getting the bib, I made Lance drive to Lakeview Cemetery so I could visit the graves of Bruce and Brandon Lee.  Many do not know this about me, but I collect “visits” of all the famous gravesites I have been to.  I know it is a little morbid, but I have pictures at the graves of such people as Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, Elvis Presley, James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Alexander Hamilton, John Keats, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Beethoven, Thomas Jefferson, JFK etc., etc. 

Our hotel was within a very short walking distance from the Space Needle so we checked in, ate a local sports bar, and called it an early night in preparation for what was anticipated to be a very LONG day in Victoria, Canada.

Lance made the plans for Victoria.  It is always me doing the planning, but this time, it was Lance’s baby.  Lance once had his yacht in a shipyard in Victoria so revisiting this place brought back so many memories.  He was very nostalgic.  We caught the Victoria Clipper, which is a 2:45 min ferry to the island.  When we arrived, we went straight to the shipyard, crossing the Johnston Street bridge.  (Lance and I stopped in the middle of crossing the bridge to say our vows.)  Lance recalled many fond memories of this bridge. When we arrived at the shipyard, it had changed so much.  We met one of the employees who talked to Lance.  I could see happiness and sadness in Lance as memories of the past surfaced.

The Johnson Street Bridge.  They are demolishing it this year, which is sad, as it is the first bridge this famous architect designed. He is most famous for the Golden Gate Bridge.   

Following the visit to the shipyard, Lance and I had afternoon tea at the Empress Hotel.  For me, this was the highlight of the entire weekend.  I am not a tea person, but I loved this experience.  It was the ambiance.  I just felt like I was in another time as we sipped on tea and ate delicacies on delicate china as a pianist played soothing music.  I am so easily influenced. When I returned home, I had to purchase my own little three plate tier so I could have my tea parties.  At the Empress, we said our vows again.

front of the Empress Hotel 

We took a tour bus that travelled around the city.  Lance had never seen these parts of the city. Though he spent summers here for three years, he never really left the shipyard or the main harbor.  We travelled through Chinatown and other parts of the city before exiting for Craigdarroch castle.  It is a historic home in Victoria that also served as a hospital and college.  Lance and I also had dinner at the small island’s Fisherman’s Wharf where Lance spent some time walking up the docks looking at the boats while I watched seals beg for food from tourists. I love Victoria.  It is a quaint city.  You felt like you were in Europe.

dinner at Fisherman's Wharf. This was the best meal of the entire trip for me.  

colorful homes on Fisherman's Wharf

We arrived back in Seattle after 10 p.m. and went straight to the hotel so I could rest before the half marathon.  Lance suggested I not run because rain was in the forecast.  He was almost able to convince me, but I knew I had come here to run, and after all, I was tired, but it was only a half.  No big deal.  The 7:00 a.m. start was by the Space Needle so I left my hotel at 7 a.m.  It was so close.  I was able to meet up with my friend Jacki from Canada.  (She invited me to stay with her in Vancouver if I ever wanted to do the Vancouver Half Marathon.  I liked that idea.)  I finished in 2:17.  It is not the greatest time, but after spending 16 hours in Victoria, I was very happy with my finish.  I had finished as it started to rain.  Seattle’s course was the best Rock and Roll course I had ever run.  I loved it.  It is a very beautiful city.

After the race, our next event on the itinerary included brunch at the Space Needle.  This was on my bucket list, and I was able to cross it off.  What a view!!   Skycity restaurant revolves so you get the most glorious 360 degree view of such a beautiful city.  I love Seattle.  Lance and I said our vows here again.  When brunch was completed, we headed to the Museum of Industry so we could walk along the dock to view some more boats.  We spent some time in the engine of the Virginia (a steamboat), where Lance was in a deep discussion with the guide. He knows so much about boats as well as planes.

Our little tradition of renewing our vows is silly.  Perhaps, I shouldn’t call it a ‘renewal of vows’ but more of a ‘testimony and commitment to each other.”  I always teary eyed when we do this, and I could see it in his eyes as well.  I love my husband, and I just don’t know what I would do without him.

Lance thanked me for this….he said that he loved the fact that running takes us to these places that we truly would not visit without a race scheduled.  He is right.  When we arrived home, I felt an itch for our next runcation.   I’m thinking Chicago Marathon in October 2017.  We could combine that with a visit to see Joe and Karmen as well.  The lottery opens for Chicago early next year, and yes, I’m going to enter it.

Do we ever slow down? It doesn’t seem like it, and frankly, I’m ok with that. 

on the ferry to Victoria.

Memorial Day Weekend 2016

The only life I have right now revolves around softball.  I try to juggle and squeeze in previous commitments I had made, but it becomes a very daunting task.  Softball has absorbed our family life.  My weekends are normally occupied with house cleaning and errands, but now, it becomes a real struggle to just try to find the time to fit those simple, routine tasks into the schedule.

Mia completed in a Memorial Day all-star tournament.  She basically had games on Saturday, Sunday, and even on Memorial Day.  I love her team.  She is on a really good team with great teammates and such encouraging and supportive parents.  Mia has not been able to hit.  She has been struggling, and it’s almost painful to watch, but finally, at this tournament, she was able to make two successful bunts.  Several parents came up to congratulate me and share in this excitement.

  

Lance came home Sunday night.  Frankly, it is hard for both of us to be apart for more than two nights.  Three nights?  It just isn’t going to happen. We both suffer. We don’t sleep well. 

Lance and I woke up at 5 a.m. on Memorial Day for the Laguna Hills Memorial Day Half Marathon.  I was running while Lance was my support and enjoyed the finish line festivities.  This is the most meaningful race I have ever done, because it benefits the military, but also, because it is what the title says….a Memorial Day race.  When I crossed the finish line, we walked around briefly, and I saw all the photos of the men who gave the ultimate sacrifice.  I stood there quietly gazing up on their young faces. These men were 19 to 27 years old.  I just started to cry, and I felt an ache in my heart.  Lance told me that he too had tears in his eyes.  It was just hard, very hard.  I feel so grateful to our military and to their families. 

The half marathon was incredibly hill. My time was 2:22.  Yes, I was slow.  I have not been running.  I think I have run three times (all less than 6 miles) in the last month.   After the race, we headed to Anaheim Hills for Mia’s championship game.  While driving there, we entered a neighborhood for the wealthy.  We saw houses with private tennis courts and basketball courts. 

Mia’s team, Fountain Valley Pride, lost in the championship game.  However, they did receive second place trophies.  I’m really happy that she is given this opportunity.  It is very draining on the family, but it is a real special experience, which I am grateful for.  Next weekend, we travel to Carlsbad for another tournament. Yes, the team has a block of hotel rooms.  Somehow, in the middle of all this softball, I have to get myself down to San Diego for the Rock and Roll Half Marathon.  With very complicated coordination, I’m going to be able to do it all.

In the evening, we had a wonderful dinner.  Lance set the table and prepared everything. There was candles.  He can so be so incredibly sweet.  We sat at the table and said our prayers, again thanking God and our military men/women for their selfless service. 

The night ended with us watching Game 7 of the Western NBA finals.  My OKC Thunder team lost, and I was very sad.  I get so wound up with these basketball games.  I don’t know why, but I do.

30th Anniversary Navy Bay Bridge Run

Start Line (Showing our support with our Navy shirts)

I guess you can say race medals are the equivalent to ‘participation trophies’.  You didn’t win the race.  You didn’t come in first so when you cross the finish line, you are basically getting a participation trophy.  I still value it though because most races are a challenge, and each medal I receive has a unique experience and memory associated with it.   People can say what they want about it, but for me, my race medals are something I collect (like some collect stamps, coins, dolls, baseball cards), but it also something I take pride in.  Frankly, I won’t do a race without a medal.

This year was the Navy Bridge’s 30^th Annual Race, and it is a race that I had been wanting to do, but never did. Why? No medal. However, because it was the 30^th anniversary, they gave out medals, and I was very eager to sign up.  What makes this race unique was it offered an opportunity to run across the famous Coronado Bridge.  More importantly, it also benefited our service men.

It was a short four-mile run so I signed myself and all the kids as well as my nephew Jayson.  We drove down to San Diego at 5 a.m. Sunday morning.  Dylan was the one who actually drove us to/from San Diego.  He is a very good driver even though he drives like a grandma.  At 5 a.m., there was no traffic and Dylan was barely doing 60 mph. I’m not complaining.  I’d rather him be cautious.

I have been running with Mia for two years, and this was the first time this happened! I lost her shortly before we reached mile 1.  I made the mistake of allowing her to run with her IPod so she didn’t hear me tell her that we were going to stop at the upcoming water station.  She kept running, and I turned around to give her water, and I could not find her.  It was horrific.  I began to frantically look for her.  I stood up on a curb with my eyes searching through the crowds of thousands of runners.  I could not find her.  I immediately called Dylan, hoping and hoping he would answer his phone.  Dylan, Brandon, and Jayson ran ahead of us, and I estimated they must have been at least a half mile ahead of us.  Fortunately, Dylan answered the phone. I told him to stop running and stand with Brandon and Jayson on opposite sides of the bridge and watch for Mia. 

I was so scared, but I hoped Mia would continue to run towards the finish line.  About 5 – 7 minutes passed, and I finally received the call that they had found her.  What a relief!

When I had caught up with them at the finish line, I asked Mia if she was scared, and she didn’t respond, but gave me an acknowledging look.  I will never let her run with music again, and I also spoke to her about what I wanted her to do should this ever happened again (which it will not). 

The boys’ time was not their best as they spent a great deal of time looking for their sister.  Mia placed in the top 17 percent for her age group of 12 and under.  She averaged 11:46 min mile. 

One other side note----they posted our photo on their Facebook page.  I guess they liked our matching Navy shirts. 

Fountain Valley Pride

Mia with her "main" uniform and all start bat bag

Softball All Stars is I-N-T-E-N-S-E!!!!  There is no other word to describe how absolutely hardcore it is, and basically, your life, the life of your all-star, and the life of the entire family revolves around softball.  Please don’t think I’m complaining about it, because I am grateful that Mia has this opportunity, but I’m also grateful that it is only for two months.  I don’t think I could continue at this level of intensity all year around.

You see,  Mia practices four days a week for two hours.  She practices from Tuesday – Friday from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.  She doesn’t eat dinner with the family.  In fact, her dinners are consisting of quick, simple dinners.  Lance and I rotate on transporting her to/from practices.  In addition to the practices, there are tournaments every weekend, and the tournaments are basically an all-day event.   It involves traveling to different counties as well.  You want to do something on the weekend? Well, you can forget that.  I'm grateful though I have Jacob (her dad) to share in the responsibility of taking her on some weekends.  We are only into our third week of softball, and I am very, very tired.  Mia does not complain, which shows me, she is enjoying it.  She does seem tired, and basically, other than school and softball, she has no life.  Sometimes I wonder if the intensity is a bit much.  These are only 7,8, and 9 year old girls.

Fountain Valley has a reputation as being one of the best softball programs in Southern California so it was a bit surprising that we lost three of our four games at last weekend’s tournament.  Mia is one of the less skilled players on the team, but don't take that as saying she is not good. She is good, very good.   She made gold, and these are the best of the best, and for her to make the top team was and is a really big deal.  The Fountain Valley All-Star Gold Team name is "Fountain Valley Pride".

Mia with her teammates in her alternate uniform

Day 1 of her first tournament

Day 2 of her tournament

So if you wonder where we will be this weekend, it will be on a softball field.