sit down and put your feet up.

Small spaces and small places require small coffee tables or a specially designed hand-crafted ottoman.

And so, with a few dimensions, we headed off to the great Home Depot. Then to Wal-Mart. And finally the fabric store. A few hours later, and I've got something to prop my feet up on. Or set my computer on. Or look at.

My first century!

I don't recall anything I've ever done for 100 miles, except ride in a car.  Previous to this, my longest ride was 42.5 miles, But now, I can say I've cycled 100, all in one day. Yesterday, myself along with 7 others (from work) took the "work"day to bicycle the beautiful coastline shore - leaving from the Marine Corp Base and headed to the North Shore and back. It was good training for a few of them who will be doing a major ride on the mainland later this month (Ride2Recovery). R2R sponsors a lot of our cycling stuff, like the cycle I ride, when I ride with them. It took us a bit of time, just under 7 hours or so, with a top max speed of 24 here and there, and some major headwind on the return. Riding 15 feet from the oceans' edge provided some beautiful views, along with brutal sidewind. It can be frustrating when the wind neither helps you going one direction or the other.... and now I know that there is such a thing as "up hill, in the snow, both ways!!" That can be so true. I wouldn't have pushed as hard as we did on my own, but I was riding with a few marines who have no threshold for pain. It's just go. So I just went. And it just was.

Hills are hard, but wind makes things harder. Sun is great, but you have to make sure you cover everything. I've found that you can't quite reach all the spots on your back yourself (at least, not that well.) No popped tires for me, no spills, no bandages needed. All in all, it was a fantastic ride, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, wishing that my brother in law and uncle could have come along (as cyclist themselves, they would have really loved it.) Upon returning, after a shower, a big hamburger topped with avocado  was in order, and that pretty much ended my night. My legs are still burning a little today, but definitely manageable. I'm starting to think I've found a new hobby.

Longest ride to date

Rounded up 2 guys from work to go for a ride this morning. We started at the Marine Corp Base and left heading south through Waimanalo, around the south shore to Hawaii Kai. And then back. Total mileage was 42.5 and it took just about 2:45.  Not bad for a first decently long ride! Much to learn, but loving the burn without the pain in the knees and ankles. We're talking about doing a 100mile ride in the next 2 weeks or so. Currently, I'm trying not to think about how far that is....

where did April run off to?

It's clearly been a while since I've taken the time to write or post a picture... So long, that blogger has went and changed things up on me. Hopefully you don't have any issues navigating my page. Much has happened in the last 3 weeks... But, as for now, I'm just going to toss some photos on here, and plan to catch up later.

Zach had an art show:

sunset at Ko'Olina

 Micki's birthday

taking up a new hobby perhaps?

got some serious shoes anyway...

 Allison & Ryan are leaving! :(

 their going away party

 Zach donated an art piece to St. Baldrick's:

children's cancer research... 

His piece was one of the bigger ticket items at the silent auction!

The bidding war at the end brought the final price to $110!

at the fundraiser: Team New Research 2, captained by my coworker Pat Tyrrell (in the green), who has a daughter named Haley with a rare form of cancer.... and his team of shavee's...

 i wanted to cry for this girl:

 donations to locks of love as well...

 Haley helping shave her dad's and uncle's hair.

 and one last day on the beach with Allison..

she leaves tomorrow.

Will miss that girl!!

a Good Friday

It's Good Friday, and it is a good friday.

It's not a federal holiday, so I had to make my appearance at work.

And today for work? Kickball. Followed by my first ever sailing lesson. Whoa baby! I'll write out more when I'm not wasting sunlight... for now, it's off to the beach!

Happy Easter!

Wahine Half-Marathon

This was Allison's first half-marathon...

and my third... and dare I say final...

 Allison and I before the 13.1 miles...

 only at mile 1 here.. still smiling.

 around mile 6 or 7?

  mile 8

 Feather boa and tiara station at mile 12...

 on the last leg mile

 dashing for the end.

No really. 

We kicked it in high gear and ended up dashing past this lady (exiting the photo in front of us) right at the finish line.

 Not my official time, but somewhat close...

 "Whew. Glad that is done. Hey, can you feel your legs? 

Mine feel like jell-o. Jell-o that hurts."

 Posing for our photo opp..

 Zach doubled as not only a great supporter,

 but a sneaky photographer.

Divas.

i'm learning me.

It's taken 28 years, and it has sort of just begun...

I'm starting to learn what I like, what I can do, and what just doesn't work for me. And I am starting not to be afraid to say it.

And what conclusion have I drawn lately?

I am pretty sure.... brace yourselves... I am not a runner.

It sounds good. It sounds like you're committed, you're doing something. You know how to mentally just keep going. I think I've always liked the idea of it, but never enjoyed the work. I guess that sounds like a lot of things in life.

This coming Sunday, just 3 days away, I will complete my 3rd Half-Marathon. And this Sunday when I cross that finish line, just as when I crossed every other finish line before, I will know and enjoy that "runner's high" that runner's speak of. Sure, once I am able to forget the pain and the sweat is wiped away, I am able to sense that joyful moment of "I just did that - bring on the next challenge, I can do anything!"... but I'm not sold on everything else about the "sport." For instance, my knees: My knees ache, throb, and have gone numb. My ankles pop (thanks Dad). When I think about running, I get tired. When a friend says "do you want to go for a run?".. a sigh pops into mind and I immediately want to reply with a "no!? who WANTS to go for a run? I guess I have to run now, so I can eat a slice of cheesecake later." Now, ask me "do you want to go for a walk?" and my gut reaction is "I'll be ready in 5 minutes. Should I meet you on the beach?"

Working out with the Marines, I'm noticing everyone has strengths. Sure, that's a common thought, but when you stop to really observe it, it becomes very apparent. One guy can run circles around me and excels at pullups, but put him in the pool and it's a brand new story. Coordination for one sport certainly does not necessarily equal excellence in another.

And so, I think I am ready to let it go. Still to ponder: Gardening... I haven't buried this one yet though, it may just be a late bloomer.

warrior dash survivors!

 We dressed up for the 3-mile-12-obstacle-run as salt and pepper shakers.

 and we finished the run looking like gravy.

 but we got the medals!

 oh, and the warrior helmets, too.

I finished in spot #658 out of 1824 women in my age bracket.

Finishing time was 47:04.

Click HERE to see the race map with the obstacles!