Girls Weekend - Big Sur

Jennifer and I had a blast in Big Sur this past weekend.  We left at 4 AM on Friday, which would have really gotten us there early had we not been deep into conversation on Hwy 101 that we overshot our exit by 45 minutes!!  It was a little overcast with on and off showers.  The weather prediction for Saturday was sunny but showers again for race day Sunday.  We had a late lunch at a very cute Mexican food restaurant and then went to the spa Refuge.  Our race packets had two-for-one entry coupons.  We spent the afternoon lounging in the gravity chairs, hot saunas, and cool, warm and hot pools.  The cool pool was freezing enough - the cold pool was ridiculous!  The layout was masterful set in the forest with trees all around.  Outside there were fire pits to lounge by and piano music in some of the gravity rooms.  There was also a wet steam room w/ eucalyptus scents, but it was too hot for me and hard to breathe. 

We laughed because when we were checking in they had to go over the rules/policies and said swimsuits required.  We were grateful for that but were surprised about their silent policy and questioned whether we could not talk  In the end laughed again and rationalized that it would be easier to be quiet since at least everyone would have swimsuits on!   :-) 

Saturday we had a leisurely morning in our fabulous corner room overlooking the ocean.  We walked to café in Pacific Grove for breakfast and then went to the Los Lobos State Park.  It was a beautiful sunny day without any wind.  The park was gorgeous - emerald green and turquoise water, spring flowers - really the peak time to be there!  We walked a few trails and saw a few other runners out as well.  Saturday night after eating a pasta dinner we hurried back to the hotel to get some sleep!  We had opted to take the last bus from Carmel Middle School which left at 4 AM!!  To get there was about 20-30 minutes, assuming we didn't get lost and the signals for GPS/phone connectivity is spotty and unreliable.  We decided to get up at 3 AM and leave at 3:15! 

It was an hour ride from the parking area to the race start.  We got there with about 90 minutes to wait.  It was freezing but fortunately they let us keep our gear and drop our race bag minutes before the start.  At the start they had coffee, bagels, and fruit, plus porta-potties. 

The race was fun, but hilly and hard!  We both thought the big hill was probably 3-4 times Torrey Pines but what was difficult was the rolling up/down after ward for another 14 miles on very cantered roads making it more fatiguing for our legs.  While we did train on hills, we didn't do our long runs on 20 miles of never-ending hills, but rather a big hill and then flat.  Having 20 miles be the longest run is sufficient preparation for a flatter marathon course, but here at Big Sur at mile 20 I did feel spent.  Running the last 6 was mentally tough! 

The scenery was gorgeous  - when else can you run down Highway 1 without traffic and have those amazing views! The piano music was a really calming and beautiful - I think he was playing Richard Clayderman (a childhood classic memory - my parents' favorite).  They had speakers set up so you can hear the music before and after seeing the grand piano by the water.  That was a fabulous meditative and amazing moment - to be running, hearing the music and at the top of a slight downhills with views of the gorgeous coastline. 

The weather on race day was perfect - so again we lucked out!  No rain, no drizzle and no wind!  We heard while we were running that in years past this 6-mile stretch has had  head winds up to 30 mph.  Yuck!

My race was good and I was pleased with my time.  3:35.11.  I always feel like I could have gone faster.  Not walked as long while eating fresh strawberries at mile 23 or really walked through that last aid station before eyeing that sharp 100 ft climb and hill to the finish.  I was jittery and nervous so had to pee a couple times a the start just I could relax and hydrate sufficiently.  My time could qualify me for Boston and I ended up 11th in my age group and 43 out of women.  Not sure how many women there were but I believe there were 5000 entrants. 

After running my legs were really tight, specifically my right hip from the slanted roads.  I went straight to the massage tent as there wasn't a wait and got my bum and groin area stretched and rubbed.  It wasn't very intense which is good but climbing on and off the table was a little tricky!  Jennifer and I enjoyed a fabulous Bud Lite at the beer tent afterward, went back to the yummy Mexican restaurant (changing clothes in the bathroom) and then to the Refuge Spa. 

We both checked in with our families who were watching us along the race and my girls left a super cute Congratulations message.  My husband truly is fabulous for supporting me by letting me workout as much as I do and encouraging me to have a fun weekend with my really close friend. 

While Refuge was probably the best place to be post race, it wasn't as relaxing as the first time we were there.  Our muscles were revolting and seizing making it hard to just doze off or fully relax.  But we did the cool pool a few times and followed their recommended order of hot/cold/dry/heat routine a few times. 

After relaxing as we could we went back to the fabulously located Borgs Hotel and had a sunset feast overlooking the ocean  - wine, cheese, salad and chicken curry spread.  Jennifer came quite prepared and we also located a Trader Joe's nearby.  We ended up staying up past 10 PM chatting about all subjects which was really fun!  Girl friends are the best! 

Monday morning we put on our wetsuits and walked to the beach in front of our hotel to soak our legs.  It was cold at first but after awhile our legs numbed up and we could be in there almost up to our waist.  A triathlete came by for a swim and said she looked up the temp on-line and that it was 53 degrees!  Wowzers - that is cold!  We drove back Monday on scenic Hwy 1 over the race course.  We stopped to take a few photos and had a lunch picnic and Julia Pfeifer State Park - gorgeous spot!  Driving back we stopped at Hearst Castle and were on the waiting list for the last 3:40 PM tour, but opted against waiting as it would have been a 2 hour ordeal and as it was we were already poised to miss traffic through LA and get home late.  The drive home was smooth and full of great conversation - we got home just past 10 PM.  What a fabulous weekend!!!  Thanks Jennifer!

post race ocean soak - water temp apparently 53 degrees!

driving home back over the course

balcony from our hotel room

Big Sur Race Photos

Jeff's only requirement was to have fun and enjoy the run.  He wanted a 'signature' pose - hands in the air.  Which now looking back on all the photos I took is pretty comical as I did try to look good for the camera, despite the hills.  :-)  It really was a gorgeous course and we llucked out with the weather.  My finishing time was 3:25 - pretty good - a Boston Qualifier! 

Easter Weekend

We had a great Easter weekend which started with gymnastics Saturday morning and then the community Easter celebration next to our house.  The girls had their own egg hunt/candy race by age group, face painting, pictures with the Easter Bunny and jump in the bounce house.  Saturday afternoon we went to the Activity Pool at the YMCA. 

Sunday morning came early for Morgan though we made her wait upstairs until coffee was brewed.  The girls had to come downstairs together as the Easter Bunny left bags of candy everywhere!  Like Morgan said, "it's like the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus came together!" when she was her awesome Hello Kitty bag stuffed with treats - sunglasses, shirts, goggles, pajamas and dental flossers (all things she needed!).  What a smart bunny!! 

We went to the early Church service and there they had another egg hunt  - this time hunting for the 7 UU Principles and when found you could collect your loot.  To get all 7 unique principles they had to work together in teams. 

After brunch at our favorite spot, Encinitas Café, it was nap time for the 3 girls (myself included).  Then Skype time with Nana and Kiki to open the awesome Princess and Hello Kitty baskets from Kiki.  They were filled with Frozen and Pinkaliscious books, coloring books, stickers and side walk chalk - AWESOME!!  We had a nice quick call with J&K and learned that they are having a baby GIRL - our girls are happy to have a girl cousin!!!   In the evening our good friends Jeff, Shelley and their beautiful 6 month old Hailey came over for dinner.

It was a great weekend!!

Spring Break - Disneyland and J&K

Morgan stayed in the Extended Student Services (ESS) program for Spring Break and loved it!  They played outside on the playground, did art projects inside and she knew everyone there.  It was only a few weeks before her break did I see the small sign on the door that they were closed Friday.  But I have vacation time and an accommodating supervisor that I was able to take the day off.  After teaching my 5:30 AM spin class, I took the girls to Disneyland and then up to LA to see Uncle John, Aunt Kaitlin and her beautiful baby bump, had a wonderful dinner and then drove home late to miss traffic!  It was a Fabulous Friday!! 

We actually went to California Adventure.  I bought the girls Signature Books and we did the Easter Egg hunt which was fun (huge Disney Eggs to find and put on our map for a little prize at the end).  At the very end of the day because of their GREAT behavior Morgan was allowed to use her tooth fairy money to buy a book, and I bought them each another princess reading book too!  We went on a few rides and saw the Aladdin show - a Broadway quality production. 

The ride to Marina Del Rey was smooth.  We met up with John in early afternoon.  The girls played   first getting their socked wet in the pool and making sock/sponge art on the sidewalk.  Which escalated to taking their socks off and getting their feet wet; then pants off and knees wet.  Of course knees wet on Morgan is buns wet on Bella! 

Kaitlin got out of work early which was nice.  She entertained the girls while John taught me to cook.  The girls loved Kaitlin's side braid so she made them matching hairdos.  Very cute!  The food was yummy and after dinner John and Kaitlin each helped Morgan write and color her own story books.  It was a great evening and the girls slept the entire way home!