Santa Barbara Wine Half

-edited to add photos at the end of the post-

Oh my goodness, we had so much fun! Before I get to all that though a few thank you's. Dad for gifting me the registration, Mark/Jan and Gentry for making sure Sky was taken care of while I was gone for 4 days!, Michelle for committing to going with me, Bob for supporting her in training and being single Dad for 4 days, Kim (and boys) for sharing your living space with us, and making us feel welcome, and Amy for hosting the gang on the farm while Michelle and I were running our hearts out!

It was funny to me that, but a blessing really, that it was overcast and cool the whole time we were in Santa Barbara, but it was sunny and 80 back home. Thankfully we like running in cool weather so it worked out perfectly.

The race itself, and Destination Races in general were pretty great. The second half of the race is where all the hills are, and the majority of the elevation gain is between miles 6 and 7. Like, almost all the elevation gain is on crazy steep mile long hill right at mile 6. That sucked, but it is what it is. We got it done and we finished, and Michelle got a big PR out of it, so that's awesome! I had trouble with the heat towards the end (it cleared up and the sun came out), and tummy trouble after accidentally taking in nuun instead of water. But, I stuck with it and got my 2nd best half time, so I'm happy with that.

Even better, nothing from the car accident popped up after. I feel like I'm back, and that's all I really wanted out of this. I wanted to feel like I was back to normal and could run without worrying about flaring anything up.

Finisher medal and commemorative bottle of wine, that we had to drink before flying home since you can't carry one wine. BTW - that medal caused security issues at the airport. It was mildly amusing.

I don't have any before, during, or after pics of us because I didn't run with my phone. Michelle took some, but blogger doesn't like the download of them, so unless you want to follow her on IG or twitter you won't get to see them. :(

The race actually isn't anywhere near Santa Barbara. It's up in farm country near Solvang, a Bavarian town in the Santa Ynez Valley. Beautiful vineyards, orchards, and farms from start to finish. It made for scenic running, and plenty of distraction which was nice. I can't speak highly enough of Destination Races and how spoiled they made us feel. 

While this was the most expensive race I've ever done, it's easy to see what that money gets you. I could get used to running like that! :) The best part was the emails they sent letting you know you stated the race, your 6 mile split, and your finish time. It was really nice to have an instant email with our finishing time rather than having to wait to look it up later. The expo, shuttle to the start, finish line/wine tasting area were all well done, well marked, and so much fun. From start to finish we felt pampered and like every penny had been well spent. 

Enjoying our celebratory glass of wine in the wine garden.

 For once it's a race shirt that fits, and I love the grape cluster bib!

While I have a few things to work on/figure out before running any more half's I'm already planning on saving my money and registering for the Woodinville Wine Half Sep 2016. I'd love to run with Destination Races again, and it's only a few hours away rather than a few states away. :)

The rest of our time was spent visiting with Kim, and enjoying Santa Barbara. 

 Enjoying a walk on the beach that evening. 

Easily the most active I've been post half and you know, I think it works. The leg and knee pain was gone fairly quickly, and while my legs were still tired, they were not all that sore. 

 Sweet little flower growing up through the cracks.

 Not a bad way to enjoy our last lunch in Cali. Kim was able to get away from work for a bit for a walk on the beach before we flew out.

 I now have dreams of stepping out my back door and picking fresh lemons off my lemon tree. So fresh.

 Mimosas the day after, and the best pulled pork nachos I've ever had, not to mention the prices were similar to Tacoma, and that's saying something if you know how pricey SB is!. Santa Barbara Brewing Company

I was so hungry after this race. I usually am after every race, but I was ready to eat full meals every 30 to 45 minutes this time around. And, the funny thing is my taste buds were a mess. None of the wine at the wine tasting was good, I dumped it all, and believe me when I say I don't dump wine. We went to an Irish pub for lunch after and I ordered a Ruben sandwich, my all time favorite, and I hardly ate any of it because it didn't taste good. The beer was good, and oddly enough the asparagus pasta Kim made us...I don't really care for asparagus or tomatoes, this pasta had both, and I LOVED it! I mean, I could have eaten it all by myself! It was sort of crazy really. I don't crave sweets either, but we felt the need to go get cake at a GF/Vegan bakery we found. It was perfect.

 Raspberry lemon and Berry patch cake...amazing! Lilac Patisserie

Legs up and enjoying 805 Blonde at Fitzpatricks Irish Tavern in Solvang. At this point we'd been up since 4 am (7 hours) and finished the half...I was ready to fall asleep.

The pillow cocoon Michelle built. Easily the best sleep I've had with all the pillows and comfy bed, plus no munchkin waking me up.

Racing aside, it was refreshing to get away for a few days. Enjoy my own schedule and whims, and have time to spend with Kim without the distraction of being Mommy. Everyone needs a reset and this was exactly that. I came home feeling refreshed, rested, and ready to get back to "real" life. 

Next up Rainier 2 Ruston Relay in a few weeks. Another bucket list race!

Got the photos to work...thank you Michelle for sharing!

 Start Line.

 Finish line!

Yummy asparagus pasta and wine...I think I had 4 bowls of it!

The Beauty of Acceptance

We all like to be in control, or think we are in control, but the reality is there is a lot in life we have zero control over. The beauty of accepting that is way less stress! 

I had let myself get stressed out about the SB race, and traveling to it. Will I get air sick and even be able to run, will it be to hot, will the training come together for me, will I forget to pack something I need. I had will I'd and what if'd myself into being stressed out to the point of not being all that excited about it. 

It was frustrating feeling so out of sorts about something I wanted to be excited about. So, I focused on what I could control...my training runs and getting as many in as I could, packing days early and making sure I have the items that I can't easily replace in the bag and ready to go, making sure I take my motion sickness meds and drinking plenty of water leading up to tomorrow, and not worrying about the weather/heat. I can't change the weather, and I can't even do all that much about air sickness. It happens, or it doesn't regardless of the medication being taken. Do what I can do to give myself the best shot and let the rest of it float away and not worry about it. 

Instead I'm thinking about how much I do enjoy flying (even with the potential for motion sickness), how even though the training cycle wasn't perfect I'm feeling the best I have since the car accident and actually feel ready to run, I will be in beautiful SB drinking wine & enjoying girl time with Michelle & my SIL, I'll have time to read without a munchkin interrupting every few minutes. Rather than worrying about what may or may not go wrong I'm thinking about everything that will be right, and I'm so excited! 

Better yet, it's the day before flying, and I'm as ready to go as I can be until it's time to put the final few things in the bag tomorrow morning. No stress here, and that's beautiful indeed. 

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I've been meaning to share this Seafood & Chorizo recipe for weeks. The problem is it's a Cooks Country recipe that is protected, meaning you need to pay for access to the site. I don't want to go to blogger jail, so won't share the recipe here, but if you click on the link it takes you to a 14 day free trail. It's worth it just for this recipe alone, but while you're there print/download as many of the other ones as you can because if it's there on the site it's good! When I try something new, and Sky gobbles it up, it's a keeper for sure!  

The stew...Sky actually did most of the cooking.

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A few random pics for you...

 We stopped at Tucannon Cellars on our way to plant the vineyard. Had to have a little Rose` before the work started! 

 How we road trip.

The road to E Wa.

Life Around Here

It seems like there are two speeds around here...full throttle red lined, or school zone. Go, go...no wait I need cuddles and a blanket. Chase me, chase me...I just need a book and water. The funny thing is it's not always Sky saying those things. :)

Oh the taper, most runners hate it, but I love it. I'm usually ready for a break and rest. This training schedule though (mixed in with trying to fit normal life stuff in) is so busy. The miles may be less but it's still more running per week than I actually have time for. It's been a struggle. And, in an attempt to make it all work, I ran after fasting for blood work, and even though I had a little to eat before running let's just say the results were not good. I'm fine, but I will never run on a fasting day again, ever.

I was not happy with how much this 5 mile trail run kicked my butt. I'm glad the rest of the afternoon/evening was full of relaxed cuddles and not much else. On a side note, don't fast, eat very little, run in the sun, and then re-hydrate with more wine than water. Just don't do it.

Silas knows how to cuddle!

Those two...I adore them.

While I didn't get every single training mile in I should have this week, I got in as much as possible, and feel good about what I did manage to do. My biggest goal was to be done running by today since we are heading out of town to help plant my aunt and uncles vineyard. In blazing hot sun, and I just don't feel the need to mix in running to that situation. I will be wallowing in the sunblock...last thing I need is a sunburn before flying to SB and running in the sun there! 

Once we get home it's time to fit in a few more runs then fly to Santa Barbara! It's going to be busy the next week or so, but thankfully it's all coming together. And, most importantly the last two weeks of training transitioned from "I don't feel confident about this half at all" to "I got this, I feel good, and am finally excited"! 

Just in time for race day!

Have a great weekend!

Santa Barbara

We headed to Santa Barbara from Walnut Creek to spend time with Mark's sister Kim and her boys.  Oh my goodness I'm in love!  The sun.  The sand.  The warm, but not too warm temperature.  The Mission(s)! 

It was my first time there and I'm can't wait to go back!  In fact I'm saying here and now I will be running a race in SB next year!  Kim said I can stay with them any time and I have a ton of airline miles to use.  So, SB here I come! 

Kim is one of those people you can sit and talk to for hours days and never get bored.  I love every second I get to spend with her, and once again Sky loved having three older cousins to interact with/torment with love and affection.  :) 

Mark and Sky looking at the ocean.

 

First thing Sky did was turn it into a nude beach.  That girl can strip her cloths off faster than I can stop her. 

 

 

Lunch on the beach!

 

We crammed a lot into a small amount of time.  We managed to hit the beach, shop downtown, see a little of the boardwalk, and have lunch on the beach before we hit the road again. 

 

Thank you so much Kim for letting us stay with you.  I can't wait to come back and visit again! 

 

Anyone know of a must run race in SB?



Hello From The Road

Just a quick post to say we are having fun!  A few pics from the road...Beach in Santa Barbara, run with my sister, and lunch break for Sky.