The Great Brain 5K Race

I’ve always had this fear that my alarm would not ring, and I would sleep through a race.  I admit that I have even set two alarms (one as back-up) for my big races (LA Marathon).  I have been running for five years, and unfortunately, this fear finally became a reality last week. 

I signed up Mia and I for a local 5k race.  It was right in our city at Mile Square Park, and it benefited Alzheimer research.  Truthfully though, the reason I signed up was because I knew Mia had a chance place for her age category.  Most races categorize her in the 13 and younger age group. She cannot compete with 13 year olds.  The Great Brain 5k race had her in the age group of 9 and below.  She stood a fair chance of winning. 

Well, our morning started off in a panic.  My alarm did not ring, because quite honestly, I forgot to set it.  We woke up at 6:38 a.m. for a 7:00 a.m. race.  I panicked when I saw the time.  Mia and I rushed to get dress, and we rushed into the car to drive the short distance to the race.  We didn’t brush our teeth or comb our hair.   I did not get my cup of coffee. We had not even picked up our bibs.  When I parked the car, we got out and ran to the bib pick up.  We grabbed our bibs and then ran to the start line just in time to take off.

The race was small, and Mia was the only girl in her age group so naturally, she got first place.  In that circumstance, the first place medal is meaningless.  However, the medal does have significant meaning. There were several boys running the 5k and a girl who was 12.  Mia beat every kid (boy/girl) under the age of 13 who ran the race.  I was really proud of her.  She complained.  She was tired, but she continued.   

Two medals in one race

with one of our medals--before it was announced Mia placed first. 

Mia will never let me beat her.  I run ahead of her, trying to pace her. She tries to keep up, but as the finish line comes in sight, she takes off ahead of me.  She has to cross the finish line first. 

My friend told me that my kids are going to have to seek therapy because of the pressure I put on them with running.  Mia wanted a haircut, and I told her she could get one if she put in 100 percent effort in the run.  Later that day, I began to question if I was being too harsh….if I was putting my own passion into her?  I asked her, “Mia, do you want to continue running?  You don’t have to….you could stop. I won’t get upset, honey. I promise.  If you don’t really enjoy it, you don’t have to do anymore races.”  She looked at me and coyly smiled, and said, “I want to keep running.”  I asked her, “why? Is it because of the medals?” She smiled even wider and nodded.  Like all runners, Mia hates running, but she likes everything else about it.....the medals, the pre-race and post race celebration, the runner's high you get.  You get addicted to all those things. 

Not only did she wake up at 6:38 to run 3 miles, but she played two softball games in the hot sun that afternoon.  She is a fierce athlete.

Three more weeks, and the kids and I are running the Long Beach 5k, which runs through the Aquarium of the Pacific. Another race and another medal for my girl.....

And So It Begins....The First Day of School

It is official.  This week marked the beginning of school for all the kids.

Dylan started his junior year of high school in late August.  It is hard to believe my son is 16 and in 11^th grade.  He is nearing graduation and will soon be college bound.  Dylan is still on the wrestling team.  He has chemistry this year as well as cooking.  He started the school year with good habits, and every night, I see him at the kitchen table doing homework.  I have been repeatedly reiterating how important it is that he stays on top of his academics especially since we have an upcoming trip to India which will result in a five day absence from school.  The one thing I think that has been a big improvement between modern day academics and that of the past is that parents can be very in tune with their child's progress.  The teachers use a website to post assignments and grades.  Like the crazy, obsessed parent I am, I check the website several times during the week.

Dylan has expressed an interest in becoming a teacher, which I think he is very well suited for. 

Dylan dressed for his first day as a junior. 

Brandon is now in his last year of elementary school as a 5^th grader.  Next year, he will be in middle school.  He has the same teacher he had as a third grader, which we welcome since she is our favorite teacher.  I have no doubts that Brandon will continue to excel with minimal effort.  I’m trying to encourage him though to run for student council.  He hasn’t been too receptive to that idea.  I'm trying to prepare him so that he has the skills/experience to create an incredible resume in high-school so that he can qualify for as many scholarship opportunities as available. He wants to enter the corporate business world.  I'm still encouraging him to be a doctor. 

Brandon is small and looks more like a 4th grader. 

Mia started third grade, and though I don’t know much about her teacher, any teacher is better than the one she had last year.  It is hard when you cannot stand your child’s teacher.  Perhaps, I may be harsh with my words, but I’m not shy to admit that both Lance and I strongly disliked Mia’s last year teacher.

Mia wants to be a veterinarian.  She has a passion for all animals.    

My beautiful 3rd Grader

Outside her classroom door

The school year has begun, and I am excited for the kids and for all the things they will learn and do.  It is going to be a fun year!

Mia got a new backpack this year.  Jansport with kitties.  She loves animals. 

2015 Labor Day Weekend Recap

Happenings over the Labor Day Weekend:

Conquer the Bridge Race

The last two weeks in Southern California have been unusually and unbearably hot and humid.  Today, it is currently 96 degrees.  Ugh.  What happened to the great California weather? Over Labor Day weekend, I scheduled the family for another race; “Conquer the Bridge” is a 5.3 mile race that crosses over the Vincent Thomas Bridge in the San Pedro Harbor/Port of Los Angeles.  The Vincent Thomas Bridge is the 4^th largest suspension bridge in California.  I notice it because of its green color.

Vincent Thomas Bridge

Dylan and I ran this race back in 2010.  It was Dylan’s first race.  I have not done the race since because medals were not given.  It wasn’t until recently that they started to give out the ‘bling’. I admit.  I’m pretty terrible about it.  I refuse to do a race that offers no bling at the end.  There is a race I would love to do that runs across the Coronado Bridge, but they don’t give out medals, which means---yep, you guess it. This girl isn’t running it. 

The Vincent Thomas Bridge never shuts down except one day a year (Labor Day morning) to allow runners to cross it.   It was the worst weather to run in, and there was only one water stop during the entire race.  Dylan ran solo while I ran alongside Brandon.  Mia and Lance did the 5.3 miles together. Brandon finished in 1:03 placing 15^th out of 56 runners in his age group of 10 – 13 year olds.  It isn’t the best time, but considering the heat, he did extraordinary. He complained the entire way about how hot it was, how he needed water, and yes, let’s not forget….how his feet felt like knives every time he ran.    It was probably in the high 80s at 8 a.m.  Mia and Lance walked the entire course.  Mia told Lance, “I like running with you better because you let me walk.  Mommy gets mad if I walk.” 

Mia and Lance on top of the bridge

View of the Port of Los Angeles

Is that walking, I see????!!!!!!!!

I love this photo of Brandon 'conquering the bridge'.  It is a steady climb up. 

Family selfie with the bling!

Another family run completed.  Look how thin Lance looks! He has lost 20 lbs

After finishing and waiting for what seemed forever, I called Lance, wondering where they were.  He told me when his phone rang, Mia asked, “Is that Mommy?”  Lance nodded.  Mia continued, “She is going to be mad at us because we are walking.”  We were supposed to tour the USS Iowa after the race, but we were just too hot to do anything so we went to Stonefire Grill for a late breakfast.  It’s a tradition with us. After a run, we go eat.  When we returned home later, I asked the family, “Who wants to do a Starbucks run?”  I was craving a green tea Frappucino.  Mia replies, “Is there a medal?” I guess I have the girl trained properly. 

Mia is scheduled to do another 5k race this weekend within our city to support the Orange County Alzheimer Association.  She has a great chance of placing in her age group (9 and below) and winning another medal.  Normally, she runs, she is placed  in a  group of 13 years old and below, and she simply cannot compete with 12 and 13 year olds.

I like doing these races with the family.  Lance said he loved the race, walking on the bridge and being over the water.  He would definitely do it again next year. 

Visit from Leroy and Family

On Saturday morning, I received a message from my sister, Yvette, asking if I was joining them for lunch when my brother Leroy visits.  I was very surprised.  For some peculiar reason, I do not receive group text messages from my brother so though he tried to communicate to me, I had no clue he was coming.  Fortunately, I had nothing major planned and was very happy to spend a few days with him, my sister-in-law Masha, and my three nephews Aiden, Thomas, and Oliver. 

Aiden is very skilled soccer player.  He comes to California annually to participate in a soccer camp, but this year, he made another visit to California because he is in a travel team.  They were competing in a tournament in Huntington Beach for the weekend.   We went to watch him play, and ugh! HORRIBLE HEAT, but I loved watching him, and I was actually getting into the game.  His team unfortunately lost all three games.   Mia now wants to play soccer.  Normally, she is in yearlong softball, but perhaps next fall, she can do a season of soccer.  We went to eat Pho for lunch, which reminded me of my parents.  If they were alive, we would have all gotten together for a nice bowl of Pho (even in the heat).  I got to cuddle with Thomas who is now 5. Oliver didn’t want to have anything to do with me, but I was able to steal a few kisses here and there. 

at the sports complex watching Aiden's soccer game--a selfie with my two little nephews

Three cousins who are within three months of age of each other...as infants and as 10 year olds. 

The Fellows-Tran grandchildren

Pho for lunch

It was great seeing them.  Hopefully, we can get out to Vegas next Spring. 

Update: Tide the Knott

With basketball season done (for now), Lance now has his weekends back to work on our boat.  Basketball season interferes with the boat project because of Saturday’s games.

It isn’t easy for us as a couple.  We spend two weekends a month apart.  I miss him when he is in San Diego, and he misses me.  I guess the separation serves a purpose by rekindling the fire in our romance. Absence does make the heart grow fonder.  I don’t get to go down to San Diego that often because of the kids’ activities, the dogs, and the household needs.  When I do go down, it is with Buddy and Bella, and frankly, when the dogs are on the boat, Lance can’t get any work completed.  They are attached to his side-- making it impossible for him to work.

He usually departs on Saturday morning (sometimes Friday) and comes home early Sunday evening.  I could hear the excitement in his voice as he eagerly shares with me photos and a detailed account of what he accomplished that weekend.  I look at the photos, and I praise him, but I don’t think he realizes how much respect I have for him, aside from being my husband.  I continually am impressed with his talent and skill.  My husband is like no other.  He is intellectually brilliant, and his talent at engineering, carpentry, plumbing, electrical is equally impressive. 

Lately, he has been focusing his attention on the bow. You hardly even recognize the old, rotted bow after he rebuilt it.  I’m proud of you, Lance.  I cannot wait to spend every second of every day with you.  Yes, I want to be with you ALL THE TIME.  I love our boat.  I love all the care and attention you put into it.  This boat means so much to me, because it is a part of you, and I love you so very much.

rotted wood

starboard side being rebuilt

Cap rail needs to be installed on Starboard and deck needs to be finished

Deck being installed