We're BaaaAAAck

And welcome to the rain. Ugh.  At least the rain in Barbados was warm.  We are freezing our butts off here! And it looks like we might have left just in time anyway.  Hurricane Tomas is making its way through the Caribbean and although Barbados didn't get hit directly from what I can tell, I think they are getting a pretty good storm.

Our trip was great and we settled quickly into island life.  We enjoyed being able to swim every day, take a nap when we felt like it and just hang out.  We took a five hour sailing cruise on a catamaran and got to snorkel with turtles, which was a huge highlight for me.  We rented a car for the day to see the island and that was an adventure since they drive on the left!  Jay did great though.  We will go back to Barbados for sure!

Welcome Home!  My first coconut water.

Ahhhh, this is the life.

Old rusted shopping cart buried in the sand.

Surfer's Bay

Pretty sunsets.

Fish Fry Friday in Oistins.

I ordered the Red Snapper and got the WHOLE fish.  It was very yummy.

Catamaran sailing trip on the West Coast.

We snorkeled with turtles!

Jay ready to go in our little rental car.

Bathsheba

Goats everywhere. I love goats.

Cow with palm trees in the background.  Just like we see everyday...

Cove Bay.

Our little rental car.  So little power we could barely get out of our own way as Jay said.

Little Beach blow holes.

Hi Baby David

So lovely to meet you! Thanks for making your arrival before I left for Barbados. Oh, and I am pretty sure your mama is happy you came too. :-)

10-9-10
3:50 a.m.
9 pounds 9 oz 22 inches

One For the Record Books

Well, it is finished for another year.  The Oktoberfest Marathon.  Or in my case, half marathon.  I am not quite ready to tackle the beast that is the full marathon...yet.  Myself and approximately 1,999 other runners came out on Saturday to run.  And run we did.  

 

This was Desiree and Kyla's first half, Emily's second, and my third.  I was the seasoned pro of the group...HA!  We all had great runs: all three of them finished in under 2 hours.  Heck yes! You go girls, you seriously rocked it.  And I finished about 3.5 minutes faster than my best time to date.  I was happy to get a personal best, especially on this course, which is anything but flat.

I want to thank Kyla's husband, Dean, and sister, Laurie, who got up early to drive us up there, take photos and schlep our gear from the car to the start, back to the car etc.  What would we have done without them?  And all of the volunteers.  They are there early and stay late.  They give us water and pick up our cups we throw on the ground.  They give us Gu at mile 9 (thank goodness!) and cold sponges because it is so hot.  They cheer us on and remind us we CAN do it even though we want to call for backup.  Volunteers help make the day great.

Desiree, myself, and Kyla arriving bright and early for the run.

Nothing says race day like the line of "honey buckets".

Look at all the people.  Awesome.

Kyla, myself (so excited!), Desiree, Emily

Here we go girls! Good luck!

Ready...Set...GO!

Hooray for Kyla! She is an animal and finished in 1 hour 46 minutes. Whoa.

Phew! 13.1 miles: check. Me, Desiree, Emily.

The one and only Munchen Haus.  The place to celebrate.

Hi Sister! Thanks for your support!  And....ummmm...the beer. :-)

Yes! Desiree's second bratwurst.  I got her hooked last year after the run.

Me and the hubs.  He was jealous of my medal and who wouldn't be? It is a bottle opener!

Jay, Carla, Aaron.  A successful Oktoberfest celebration!

Saturday was fun.  I had a blast.  Yes, even the running part.  I was with friends, it was a beautiful day and I had the opportunity/ability to participate in something I have come to love.  It also marked the first race since founder and co-organizer Ted Finegold passed away at age 43.  I didn't have the opportunity to meet Ted, but I knew who he was.  When I heard about the "TED" shirts for race day I jumped at the chance to get one.  The back said "I run for Ted Finegold".  Running the course and seeing other "TED's" out there, hearing people yell "Go TED!" was an incredible experience.  I often wonder why I run.  Saturday reminded me.  Runners are a community.  I might not have known even a quarter of the people there on Saturday and yet it doesn't matter.  We are all there for our own reasons with our own goals, but we take the time to support one another and celebrate our accomplishments.  

This run was for you Ted.  I would never have run a half if it wasn't for your dedication to the sport and bringing two marathons to the Wenatchee Valley.  Run on.