Frantically Catching Up

I think I took the longest break from writing in this blog that I've ever done since its inception.   Here is  a recap of the latest activities in our family. 

New Year's Day:  Lance and I planned a getaway on Tide the Knott with Buddy and Bella over the long New Year’s Day weekend, but we had to abruptly cut our weekend short as I developed some horrible stomach flu that left me leaning over the boat vomiting.  I'm looking forward to 2016, but oh my goodness---our calendar is already so overbooked.  We have trips to Texas, Seattle, Big Sur, and India this year as well as a big Wade reunion in early September. I wouldn't have it any other way though. 

Guys Weekend:  At the end of January, Lance flew to Texas to visit lifelong friends. They spent the weekend drinking whisky, fishing, and doing some type of active shooter emergency management training.  They were trained by Boyd who is United States Border patrol.  I don’t know what lessons Lance learned, but I do know that in an emergency situation, there isn’t anyone else I would want to be with other than Lance. However, when he showed me the photos, I had a little giggle.  They looked liked overgrown boys playing.  Perhaps it is the setting? 

A Scare: Mia developed a horrific kidney infection that left her home from school for a week.  Tremendous feelings of guilt came over me because I gave her a hard time over her pathetic softball tryouts. I didn’t realize she was sick and assumed she was just doing a half-assed job.  She broke out in a fever later that day, which I assumed was due to a flu. After the fever didn’t abate, she was taken to the doctor who only made me feel worse for having not taken her in sooner. She had a severe kidney infection.  She had to go to the doctor’s for the next three consecutive days to get two painful injections in each leg. She was so lethargic and weak.  She had a fever for a week.  It was the worst I had ever seen my little girl. She is now infection free, but the issues with her reoccurring UTIs have been troubling and worrisome.  I just hope that it gets resolved soon.

First Article Publication:  I published my first article in a local city magazine.  It was on our trip to India and our efforts at the elephant sanctuary.  Moreover, Dylan received recognition in the magazine for his running achievements.  I was so proud of him.  He was interviewed by the magazine.  As a junior in high school, he has run 15 half marathons and was attempting his first full marathon, the LA Marathon, on Valentines Day.  The magazine mistakenly called him Dylan Wade, and unfortunately, I was blasted by my ex mother-in-law for this simple, innocent mistake made by another.  This incident caused a permanent rift in our relationship, which  at this moment, I have no desire to mend. 

Surf City Half Marathon:  I ran with Dylan, Jayson, and Siri in the Surf City Half Marathon.  This race marks the anniversary of my running as I ran my first half marathon here in 2010.  Siri is one of Dylan’s friends, and it was his first half marathon, which I gave to him as a Christmas present.  I was so proud of his accomplishment and am eager to support his running.  A group of runners met for dinner the eve of the race, and it was just such a positive social environment.  I love running because of the camaraderie that develops.

at the expo

Dinner on the eve of the race

finally! I was able to meet this awesome girl and runner from Canada!

what a pose!

after the run

Dylan got a PR on the course and Siri finished his first half marathon.  He is already signed up for OC Half Marathon.

It was the 20th anniversary of the Surf City Half Marathon, and they had an awesome medal to show it!

Dylan and I are Legacy Runners.  I have made it a Bucket List to complete a half marathon with him and my grandchild. Yes, I'll be 70 out there crossing that finish line....it will probably be more of a walk, but I'm doing it!

OCTA coworkers who ran the half marathon

Los Angeles Marathon:  Dylan and I have been semi-raining for the LA Marathon.  We started off disciplined in our training, but over the last month, prior to the marathon, our training schedule became erratic. We stuck to the long weekend run, but the runs scheduled during the week did not seem to happen.  Before we knew it, the LA Marathon arrived.  Lance, Dylan, and I drove to LA to the expo, and we were in for a special experience.  The Olympic Marathon Team trials were taking place in LA on Saturday (the day before the marathon).  We watched the race take off from our televisions at home.  When we arrived in LA, some of the slower women runners were seen, and we were able to watch part of the race.  When I say slower, these women are NOT slow.  We stood in awe watching them glide through the streets of LA.  The expo was right in front of the finish line for the marathon trials.  It was very exciting to be able to be a part of it.  We, of course ,were rooting for Meb, who placed 2^nd in the trials.

Olympic Trials.  Do you see Lance and Dylan? Lance is standing behind Dylan who is wearing the bright yellow sweatshirt.

At the start/finish line of the Olympic Marathon Trials

Got our bibs

I love the saying, "26.2 Miles of Greatness!"

After getting our bibs, we headed to Santa Monica.  We checked into our over-priced hotel which was literally right in front of the family reunion area for the race and just yards away from the finish line.  We walked over the to Santa Monica Pier for dinner. Dinner was Italian and we followed with monstrous funnel cakes for dessert.  Perhaps, it was not the most wisest choice before a race, but it was all so very good.

Dinner at the Santa Monica Pier

chilling at this overpriced hotel

Santa Monica on a cloudy day

Dylan and I caught the 5:30 a.m. shuttle from the Santa Monica City Hall to Dodger Stadium.  I was nervous for both of us.  I felt like I was not properly prepared for the race.  Dylan did not want to run with me so when the horn sounded off at 6:55 a.m., we both began our own race.  I was able to run for about 13 miles before I began the painful walk/run procession.  I learned that I was not adequately prepared for the race. It was a completely different feeling than last year.  I wanted to get under five hours, but 2/3 in the race, the anguish I felt made me not give a damn about the time. I was miserable.  When I crossed the finish line at 5:05, the elation of completing a race was completely absent.  I felt like I just wanted to cry.  I hobbled over to meet Lance who walked me to the hotel lobby.  I sat there just waiting for Dylan to finish.  Dylan finished in 5:37.  I am proud of him.  Do I think we both could have done much better? Yes - no question about it, but they say for a first time marathoner, the goal is not to finish in a certain time but to cross the finish line.  It was also a very hot day with temperatures in the high 70s. I could make every excuse imaginable, but it all boils down to the undisciplined training.  Usually when I finish a race, I’m so intoxicated with joy that I’m eager to sign up for the next one.  This was the first time that those feelings escaped me.  Running is like childbirth.  It is one of the most grueling physical feats that I put my body through and in the moment, I’m in such pain that I feel like I’m dying.  After running LA, I was considering dropping from the Big Sur Marathon which is ten weeks from now.  However, a week later, the anguish of that day has dissipated and I’m thinking of next year.  Lance would kill me though.  He keeps asking me to stop.

Dylan and I at the start line at Dodger Stadium

very early in the morning and still looking sleepy, wearing Lance's throwaway shirts to keep us warm

Lance was laughing at me as I took this photo, but he doesn't understand that this is a ritual for runners before a big race. 

All done and with my greatest support!

A deceptive photo of a smiling me when I'm really wanting to cry.

16 years old and a marathoner!!!!!

Gryphons Basketball:  Lance and Dylan started another season of basketball, and once again, they have a great team. The Gryphons are in first place.  In the winter season, the first place team advances to play in the playoffs with other local cities.  This is their goal.  It is midway through the season and they are currently undefeated.  I hope they are able to maintain this streak.  Our family has gotten so involved with basketball that we try to recruit players.  We can freeze one player a season.  Additionally, Lance ordered this monstrous size team banner.  It really cannot get any bigger than what it is. We are the only basketball team that has the banner.  When we first put it up, I was embarrassed.  Fortunately, we are in first place so it looks actually ‘cool’. 

the banner

I am proud of the community service that both Lance and Dylan provide.  They are well known at the recreation center.  Kids who are not on their team this season always greet them with, "Hey Coach Lance and Coach Dylan..."  

One of the boys on the team had very, very worn out shoes.  The sole was basically halfway off and flapping.  He showed me his shoe at a game and told me his mother was going to get him new ones when she gets her tax refund.  I asked him what size he wore.  I then whispered to Dylan what his shoe size was.  They wore the same size!!  I asked Dylan if he would be willing to give one of his basketball shoes to this kid.  He did.  Dylan has countless basketball shoes from every pro basketball player imaginable.  He collects them and they are all in such good condition.  He gave the kid one of his older Derrick Rose shoes.  The kid was so excited to have these shoes, and I really felt proud of Dylan and his generosity. 

Lance is so involved with his team and that before each game, he feels sick to his stomach.  He told me, “I can’t handle this.  I feel so nervous before each game. I could never be a college or pro basketball coach. I would have to be on Prozac before every game.” He made me laugh.  Tomorrow, we play the second place team.  It is going to be the most anticipated game of the season because it is only this team that has a chance of really beating the Gryphons.

The Gryphons Team---I told them to look upset so that we could send the photo to Coach Lance who was in Texas and so that I could tell him we lost as a joke.  (We really won.)

India:  Lance and I bought tickets to India again.  Are we crazy? I don’t think so. There is something so very special about Wildlife SOS.  Lance and I will return in November, but it will be just us two.  I cannot wait to see my elephant and human friends again.

Upcoming Shoulder Surgery: Lance is also scheduled for shoulder surgery next Monday.  He has been in such pain due to a past shoulder surgery.  It has a grade three separation.  They cannot repair that, but they are going to go in and do some clean up which will help alleviate his pain.  I want both of us to be healthy so that we can enjoy a long life together.  Please say prayers for him.

Valentines Day:  Because the LA marathon was on Valentines Day, we didn't really get to celebrate the holiday.  Moreover, Valentines Day takes a secondary role in my life, because there is something much more important and celebratory taking place on that day.  It is the day of my baby boy Brandon's birthday.  Yes, he is not a baby anymore, but he will always be my little Valentine's Day baby.  When I woke up on the day of the race, he was my first thought and I sent him a little text message at 4 a.m.  We will not celebrate his birthday officially until next week when he has his big party. I did get him a Baskin Robbin's cake and we sang to him as a family this past week.