Although I did not actually have four vacations, it felt like I did since I’ve had about four weeks off from posting here. Unfortunately, the funeral was very real and came at the worst possible time for me, and obviously, the deceased. Let’s catch up, shall we?
JULY 27 – AUGUST 10, 2019
RUNNING
Running has been amazing or horrible, depending solely on the weather and how much I had to drink the night before. Running on Cape Cod is usually amazing because I’m running to the ocean or by the ocean or with a view of the ocean and how great is that? Very great, except when the humidity is 97% by 6am which happened a lot.
Since it’s been several weeks since I’ve posted, I’ll just give you the highs and lows:
HIGHS
Sunday, July 28: Running 2 miles with my husband to the beach and back because we had a conversation almost the entire time. Winning!
Saturday, Aug 3: Hill repeats with ocean views! 4.75 miles with 8 x 30 second hill repeats
Tuesday, Aug 6: Long run from one ocean to another with a stop to bathe in the Chatham Bars Inn sprinkler. Sprinkler water is freezing and therefore, the best ever. 8.02 miles
Sunday, Aug 11: Woke up my first day back after vacation to cool temps and I felt like I was flying! I set a new threshold pace, fastest 5k (22:44), fastest 5 mile (38:27) and fastest 10k (48:21) of 2019. Take THAT humidity! 6.73 miles total
LOWS
Tuesday, July 30th: “mile repeats” turned into a death march because of the humidity and I ended up barely finishing 5.44 miles.
Thursday, Aug 1: “8 miles however you want” was a disgusting slog of 5.55 miles before basically submitting to dehydration and lack of sleep.
Friday, Aug 9th: “track session” was “I’m supposed to find a track on vacation?” and also “I feel like a bag of dicks so I’m doing 5.95 miles.” #sorrynotsorry
CYCLING
My new favorite bike in the universe is this beauty:
I loved this bike the moment I saw it outside Hood Bikes in Chatham and rented it for the week. I bring my triathlon bike on vacation but it’s not conducive to riding on the bike trail with my family.
I asked my sons what I should name her and Vaughn replied “it’s best not to get too attached mom.” He was right.
Other than family rides on the rail trail and riding to and from the beach, I rode my tri bike a few times and saw plenty of the Cape from two wheels.
Monday, July 29: 22.2 miles | 1:16:52
Monday, Aug 5: 19.1 miles | 1:12:12
Thursday, Aug 8: 25.7 miles | 1:28:34
SWIMMING
In case you don’t know, there is a shark epidemic on Cape Cod right now. Basically, since seals and sharks had been protected for the past 20 years due to overfishing they have now overpopulated and are everywhere on the Cape. One article I read said there are 150 tagged Great White Sharks in the waters off Cape Cod and an estimated total of almost 400.
At least four different beaches were closed due to shark sightings while we were there. One person died last summer and two others suffered life-threatening bites.
And people are STILL swimming! Near seals! And in wet suits making them look exactly LIKE SEALS!
Luckily we found a great beach that had a huge inlet so all the kids (and some adults) were able to safely swim, SUP and kayak all week with zero shark threats.
THINGS I LOVE
Obviously it’s great being on vacation for two weeks but, as any parent knows, when you’re on vacation with your kids it’s still work. I did laundry, made food, went grocery shopping, made beds, vacuumed and did all the other bullshit I hate doing when I’m home.
However, I went to the beach almost everyday, had fabulous dinners out almost every night, laughed harder than I thought possible and saw 13 sunsets.
I’m not complaining…very much.
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH
Having to cancel my participation in the Vermont 100on100 relay to go to my stepmom’s, mother’s funeral.
Before you get all judgey and freakish on me because there’s death involved, let me walk you though this. My stepmom’s mom was 93 years old. She lived an incredible life surrounded by tons of family both here and in Canada. She did not deserve the drawn out death she had which was spending the past four months in hospice. We need to seriously look at how we handle old age and death in this country but that’s another blog post. Moving on…
No matter how old you are, losing your mom is horrible and I feel for my stepmom, her sisters and her entire family. Gran Memere was amazing and my boys loved her.
This relay is not just a race. I’ve been training for several months, one teammate flew in from California (and stayed at my house) to participate, all of the teammates stayed at my condo in Vermont where the finish line was and they needed to absorb the 16 or so miles that were designated to me. The worst part was I missed out on a weekend with some of my best blog friends and incredible experiences and stories that they now have of one epic weekend.
When something like this happens, it makes you stop and think about a lot – life, death, support, what matters most vs what you “should” do – and the answers are not always clear or always what you want. I’ve learned enough in studying counseling and being in therapy that there are many layers here and only time will help sort it all out.
At the end of the weekend I realized it was a lose/lose situation (thanks Laura!) but family always has to be first. I have a wonderful relationship with my stepmom that I have worked hard for over the years and it was only made stronger on Saturday. That will always be a win.
**Lastly, our team came in 2nd and obviously, when we race again next year and I can join them we are going to win the whole damn thing! Nicely done ladies!
READING
While on vacation I was finally able to read “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens. It was everything everyone says it is – brilliant, captivating, unique, and just an incredibly well told story with an in-depth look at the Carolina coast in general and the marsh land specifically. The main character is one of the most interesting I have ever read and, although it seems like everyone is reading (or has already read it) I still highly recommend it.
I also started reading “Where’d You Go Bernadette?” by Maria Semple and it’s hysterical! I cannot wait to see the movie.
RANDOM PHOTO FROM VACATION
While taking a lovely walk though Chatham on the Cape, my friend and I came across this sign on a meticulously manicured lawn…
We came back with a sack of treats for Nola, lest she get too fatigued from her duties.
Until next time…
Did you take a summer vacation?
Ever have to chose between a funeral and another commitment?
Read any good books over the summer?
You were definitely missed so freaking much over the weekend! It was a lose/lose situation no doubt. I can’t thank you enough for letting us stay at your condo. It was perfect! And hell Yes to next year! I’ll make sure I won’t be in ultra training so speed work will be back in the training plan.
Thanks so much for saying that Angela! I really hope we can all make it next year because I know we can WIN!! And also, it just seems like an incredible time and race!!
I saw the race pics on IG and wondered where you were. I’m so sorry for your loss. What a special woman. I definitely heard of all the shark activity on Cape Cod and I can’t believe people would still choose to swim. I do love the kayak pic of your boys though! And now I want a cruiser bike too!
It was terrible timing but thank you Marcia!
People are insane. I really could not believe the amount of people swimming WAY out from shore.
And I’m still trying to figure out why I need that bike in my life year-round 🙂
So sorry to hear about your loss and yes a lose lose situation indeed. Being on vacation is for sure still work for parents. Looks like you are making the most of it though. Those sharks are scary!
Yes, exactly what you said. Thanks so much Deb!
A trip to the Cape sounds great! My in-laws have a spot in Brewster where they spend the summer away from Florida and we try to get up there every few years. It is incredible.
Bernadette is well worth the read and watch. Saw it yesterday with my girls and Cate Blanchett is brilliant as Bernadette. Enjoy the read!
We love Brewster and I especially love The Woodshed for late night music 🙂 That is awesome you get to stay there once and a while.
I didn’t realize how many years ago “Bernadette” was written! Cannot wait to see the movie and see how they film that house!!
I need that dog sign stat for my front window! LOL
Sorry you had to miss your relay. I saw all the pictures and was wondering what happened to you! I love that statement ‘lose/lose situation’. There was no good choice here, but you made the best worst choice, right? Family does come first. I think it’s always hard to miss out on a good time. When work wasn’t going to let me go to camp, I had the biggest meltdown of my adult life. Ok, I’m exaggerating but FOMO is real and it’s hard.
Reading Running with Sherman by Christopher McDougall (pre-release) and it’s right up your alley…Allie…see what I did there…groan…
OMG yes you do!!! LOL!!
I definitely had the most epic meltdown of my adult life over missing the relay…and my therapist was on vacation!! How dare she!! Good to know there are other adults having meltdowns too 🙂
I will definitely look up that book as I am currently without one!
Thanks so much Wendy!!
So sorry you had to miss the race… I saw some pics of it on IG, but I do think you are right – you did this for your stepmom and I don’t think there is any other choice. I have Where the Crawdads sings purchased and ready to read after I finish my current book which I don’t love – Maybe you should talk to someone by lori gotlieb…. It is ok but not sure what all the hype was – it is going very slow. My runs have also been weighed down with wine and heat… sigh.
It really was the only choice but that did not make it an easy one. *sigh*
I can’t believe you don’t love “Maybe You Should Talk to Somebody” really? I loved it and really loved the director’s storyline. I don’t think you have gotten to the meat of it yet – hang in there.
Hope you still have wine but your runs get better 🙂
Definitely a lose/lose situation but absolutely yes, family comes first. But that doesn’t make FOMO any less real. My husband was wondering what the hell I was doing glued to my phone for updates and I was wishing that I was in Vermont running and sweaty instead of with my whiney children lol. But we won’t even talk about the state of my running right now. Also, I keep picking up Where the Crawdads Sing at the bookstore and putting it back but now I know that I should just buy the book. Thanks for the rec.
Oh the FOMO was hard core Christine!! I know you understand. I had FOMO looking at all your pictures too – geez!!
Definitely pick up Where the Crawdads Sing – totally worth the $$$.
So sorry for your loss and yes I completely agree with you about how old she is managed. It’s not fun at all. I’m also sorry you had to miss the race but life called. In other news, you LOOK great so there’s that. Xoxo
HAHAHA – you always find that silver lining 🙂 Thanks so much Nellie!
I’m so, so sorry for your loss and for having to miss on the relay. Family comes first but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t stick to miss out on friends.
I just read “The Happiest Kids in the World” and now I’m obsessed with getting a new bicycle (I have a hand-me-down cruiser that is NOT as nice as the one you rented!) and a child bike trailer.
Exactly!!
And when I read that book I wanted to move to Sweden so…:-)
Thanks Laura
So THAT’S where you were. Like everyone, I’d seen the Insta pics and was wondering why you weren’t there. Four years ago, my MIL passed away the week of a relay I had on the calendar (with several co-workers). Unfortunately, I was not close to her, in any regards, but there was no way I could be a no-show for her funeral. I should clarify… I did love her, but I didn’t like her much. None the less, family does always come first, so it wasn’t really up for debate. Sorry for your loss…of your special step grandmother, and for having to miss out on the relay.
You SO understand!! I’m sorry you had to miss out on your race – it’s so hard, right? Doing the right thing does not get easier as an adult.
Thanks so much Kim!
I really want to read “Where the Crawdads Sing” too but I’m determined to get the book from the library… and it’s quite popular so it might be months before I get off the waitlist 😉
And to echo everyone, I’m sorry for your family’s loss. I’m sure that’s not exactly the ending you had thought your vacation would take…
It will be worth the wait!
Thanks very much. Now that it’s over I can look forward to next year and hopefully doing it in 2020!
I agree – definitely a lose/lose situation. Sorry for both 🙁 Your vacation sounds wonderful. Summer get aways are the best. I did take a long trip in July to Hawaii. A bucket list trip for us and it exceeded my expectations. I love the bike!
Hawaii is my absolute favorite!! I keep asking my husband when can we go back?! We’re waiting until the boys get a little older so they can fully appreciate it 🙂
I am sorry for your loss and that you missed the relay. 2nd Place? That is awesome!!! Years ago I read “Where’d You Go, Bernadette?” and had no idea there is a movie now. I have to check it out!
Thank you. And yes, they killed it…and I’m sure we can win it next year 😉
I had no idea until after I read the book that its several years old. You have to see the movie just to see how they build that crazy house!
Sorry about your stepmom and yes we do need to change how we handle death in this country.
On a positive note, I love The Cape and your vacation looked amazing! I have a Townie that exact color, love that bike!
Thank you.
The best bike color hands down!! Glad you have someplace to ride yours year-round 🙂
I’m so sorry for your loss and that you had to miss your much anticipated race. How amazing that your team placed second – next year you’ll kill it!