Hau'oli La Makuahine!!!

Happy Mothers Day, Mom!

Raising so many brilliant, good looking kids couldn't have been easy.  ;-)

Love,

Jon, Jolene, Joey & Joel

20 miles of smiles

I haven't written about running much recently (possibly because I've been totally sloughing off on my training for this race), but I just ran a 20-miler today, and OMG...best 20-miler EVER.  I can't quite pinpoint what made it seem so painless, but I think it was this:

Cool weather + salt pills + great running partner + reading Born to Run/possibly improved form) = awesome run

I don't think I've ever run such a pleasant 20-miler. Or even a 16 or 18-miler for that matter. I'm excited to see if I can maintain the same positive attitude/momentum on my 22-miler when it will no doubt be 10-12 degrees warmer. I want to be like a Tarahumara runner- do not fear the heat, eat the heat. If I can pull it off again, then it's settled- I'm doing another ultra someday.  :-)

Born to Run is an amazing read, and a must for any distance runner.  Not only has it influenced me to dream big, bigger than 26.2...but to also remember that the only difference between myself and any other ultra runner out there is not freaky genetics or corporate sponsorship...it's heart & a pure running form. If I want to run 30, 40 or 50 miles, I can.

And though I touched upon this on my previous blog post, the book has also made me want to try the hideous Vibram Five Fingers. When I first saw them a few years ago (though they've been around a lot longer than that), I was initially wary of another pricey fad shoe (I got suckered into buying $$$ MBTs that I was never quite sure worked). But this book lends great support to the idea that running as the human body was meant to run (that is to say, on flats vs. air cushioned heels) is not only healthier, but more pleasant/energy efficient.  Of course I'm oversimplifying hundreds of pages of research, but it's a definitely a worthy consideration/argument. The book basically paints Nike (they're the scapegoat in this book, much like McDonalds is in the fast food world) as the evil, profit-driven money whores who design shoes even though they know that they are not as good as flats.

And...get this...you didn't hear it from me though...*whispered tone* the book references the fact that a lot of hardcore ultra runners think that Dean Karnazes is a over-hyped up, publicity-seeking pretty boy!  Gasp.

See what I mean?  This book goes against the grain, peeps.


But I liked it.  It may have even helped me get over a mental block. If you're a half, full or ultra runner...give it a try.  :-)

The bright side

I'm a little bummed that Rich has to be at work two nights this week, is at Improv another two nights...and also works on Mothers Day.  Since we also had company last Mother's Day...I'm not too happy about our track record of taking away from my thunder/glory.  :-)  However, rather than wallow in my bitterness (which is somewhat irrational based on the fact that two of my friend's husbands work off island during the week), I'm going to try and focus on other things that are beautiful and supercalifragilisticexpialidocious:

• Ryan did awesome at his annual checkup today. As long as he doesn't get any shots (we return for those in a few weeks), he actually LOVES doctor's appointments.  He did great on his vision and hearing tests, and is now in the 60th percentile for his height, and 15th percentile for his weight.  Nice problem to have my boy!
• While we're on the topic of Ryan...he's also becoming quite speedy on his scooter.  Whenever he whips wildly around the driveway, I can't help but cringe thinking he's going to eat pavement every other minute...but he's great!  
• Ryan has finally taken an interest in putting together the wooden Thomas train tracks all by himself!  It's always a relief to see all the pistons start charging/working together in your child's head.  :-)
• This evening's run in the misty rain was AWESOME.  I don't mind squishy shoes, I don't mind wiping the water out of my eyes- I just love the lower body temperature/exertion.
• Jon Cryer (Alan Harper on Two & A Half Men) and Ty Burrell (Phil Dunphy on Modern Family)..they make me laugh hysterically.
• Celebrating fifteen years of marriage this month.  It wasn't hard, it wasn't easy...but it has made my life one hundred million times better.
• I love that my son loves maps.  It makes me think he might share our love for travel and adventure.
• My new Clarisonic.  It was admittedly a splurge, and it's too early to tell if it works yet, but I'd like to think that it is. I love feeling like I'm reaping the benefit(s) of a microdermabrasion without having to pay for it.  
• My TYR run shorts.  They're far from flattering to my figure, but they feel great and I no longer have to tug down my shorts 10 times an hour.  :-)
• Getting my annual mammogram done today.  I'm lucky to have access to healthcare.
• The BFF arrives in a few days!
• Rich's Improv group...it's made him happier and more balanced.
• Both VP Joe Biden and POTUS Barack Obama loudly and clearly announcing their support for gay marriage.  Hallelujah.  Here's hoping their endorsements will help pave the way to opening the opposition's minds to equality for all.  
• The recent nightly rain...it sounds lovely, it's turning Kona green again, and best of all- I don't have to water all my plants.  :-)
• McDonald's ice cream cones...say what you will about the corporate beast, they really do have the best cones.  
• My friends Yuri & Karen.  I love having a walking and a running friend.  :-)
• Sweet, fat, ripe blueberries.
• My current library read- Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen (Christopher McDougall).  I'm fascinated by the idea of running barefoot, farther than I ever have before.  I don't know that I'm brave enough to try (especially since I seem to be blessedly injury-free), but I agree with the rationale behind it.

Life feels better already.

San Fran Trip Outtakes

Every time we take a trip, I find a few more photos I forgot to post (usually because they're taken with Rich or Joey's iPhones, and are therefore a little blurry).  So here are a few more pics of our trip to San Fran (& from Rich's mom's visit).

The cable cars at Union Station

Chillin' in the yurt

At the Academy of Science, trying to fit in with all the other nerds.

More Yosemite

Grandma Judy with Ryan (who always looks so cute rockin' his goggles).

The early birthday celebration for Ry on Grandma Judy's last night in Kona (he opted for candy apples over a cake).  :-)

Now that our winter and spring travel has come and gone, I haven't really thought about what we're going to do this summer. School ends at the end of the month, which means Keni & Riki leave for Japan for the summer...and two of Ry's BFFs also leave for a month as well. So he and I need to come up with a few projects and ideas for the summer. Right now all we have in the pipeline is Ryan's birthday party (mid-May), our 15th anniversary weekend at the Hilton (late-May), the Kona Marathon (later June) and a 5-day trip to Oahu (late July).  So we've got about 60 other days to fill up.  :-)

I've been tossing a few ideas around for Ryan- gymnastics? horseback riding? swimming lessons? golf? I like the idea of him being exposed to new and rewarding adventures, but without the intensity of three-day a week practices (gymnastics)...or having to auction off vital organs (horseback riding lessons & private swim lessons...our community pool's only swim instructor left the island)...or excessive sweating (golf).  So what I'm really looking for is a laid back, cartwheel-flipping equestrian who likes to hit the links & pool to move here, befriend Ryan and I, and teach him everything they know...for free.  And preferably in the form of a good looking male from Sweden, early to mid 20s.  Single. With loose morals.

See?  Summer plans done.

Grandma Judy in the hizooouse...

One day after we landed back home, Rich's mom flew out to celebrate an early birthday with Ryan.  So we've been taking her to a few of the places that we didn't take her to last year, like...

The petroglyph fields in Waikoloa

Ryan showing Grandma Judy how to live the good life...

Which includes downing a delicious Lava Flow...

Or in Ryan's case...a blue slushy.  But I bet you didn't even notice that it was blue.

Beautiful Hapuna beach...a half mile long of fine, white sandy beach, crystal clear blue water & best of all...naturally heated warm water showers!  :-)

The whole family came out to join us, including Keni & Riki!

The rarely seen (on this blog!) parents of Keni & Riki...my sister in law Mika & my brother Jon.

Ryan, Riki & Rich turned me into a mermaid!

Tonight Rich, his mom and mine are all at a performance of Shakespeare's The Tempest, but I couldn't make it ...and nooooo, not because I don't get Shakespeare (please, I was in onners English all for yeers of hi skool)...its because they don't serve buttered popcorn.  A girl has gotta stand her ground, you know?

San Francisco Days 8, 9 & 10

After leaving Fairfield (which btw, I've decided is where I want to live someday since it's nestled in the most beautiful green valley you've ever seen and is less than an hour from San Francisco), we headed back to the city to chill.  I believe we left the house only once that day, and only to take Ryan on the Muni to Golden Gate Park (still my favorite).

The next day, we took BART through the underground tunnel across the Bay over to Oakland so we could check out Fairyland.  It's a place that I've previously checked out/Yelped and decided not to go to because it sounded a bit dated and a bit too hippy-dippy, airy-fairy for me.  But when I found a Google Offer (their version of Groupon) for it, I figured it was fate and said why not?

I'll tell you why not- it's too dated, hippy-dippy and airy-fairy for me!

Okay, just kidding.  Sort of.  The park is from the 50s and has maintained its original whimsical charm.  Which is PR speak for- the park is broke and run down.  :-)  However, kids love it. They love the simplicity  (its small, uncrowded and has only four rides), they love the magic show and puppet show (which offers an entirely different experience than the usual high tech 3D & 4D experiences).  Kids don't care that the rides are very basic, or that the paint on the buildings is faded and peeling. So in that respect, I can appreciate the different perspective and experience that Fairyland offered.  That being said, I'm not sure I'd return, but I'm glad we went.  ;-)

I'm not sure what made him decide to strike a pose in this mini chapel, but I'm pretty sure sexy poses are not allowed in churches.  Even mini -ones in Fairyland.

Loving the carousel (four times...)  

Every time we go to San Fran, we have a tradition of Ryan falling asleep in my arms on the train.  I thought this trip he would finally outgrow that...but to my delight- not yet!  Nearly four years old and still going strong!  (This will be harder to get him to do when he's fourteen, but that's what crushed Benadryl tablets and fizzy soft drinks are for.)

Our last day in the city was probably the best one.  We got to spend the whole day with Joey & Marc, first hiking up to the Golden Gate Bridge from Crissy Field...

And then walking across part of it so Ryan would get to experience that.

On our way back down, Ryan made a new friend on the trail.

An hour later, Joey & Marc took Ryan to the Academy of Science to check out the giant fish (which someone was clearly impressed by), the rain forest, butterflies, the sting rays, and...

The white crocodile (I think its a rare albino)...

And then we capped off the day in beautiful Golden Gate Park and read each other some vows to celebrate fifteen years of marriage.  :-)   The original plan was to do it under the blossoming cherry blossom trees, but we got lost and improvised in this forest instead.

Marc, Joey and Ryan all patiently sat on a log to witness our mini-ceremony and were clearly, all very deeply entranced and moved by our vows.

So all in all, we had a wonderful trip.  We enjoyed perfect, San Francisco weather, played in the snow at Yosemite, slept in a yurt, saw some kids dancing in the park late one night with a disco ball they strung up on the children's swings, renewed our vows in a park at sunset, enjoyed Indian, Egyptian, Mexican and Japanese food...

That's not the say the trip was 100% perfect...there are always few little hiccups. Rich & Ryan got sick, two homeless people yelled at Ryan (he is apparently responsible for the train not being on time, and taking up too much space on the sidewalk), we got stranded downtown one day after a man fell on the tracks and they shut down the muni to do the ahh...body retrieval.  We also witnessed a man...um...expire at Golden Gate Park one evening.  But all in all...nothing outside of the ordinary for zany, freaky, beautiful San Francisco. So thank you City of San Francisco & Handsome Uncle Joey (he has his three nephews call him this...I only wish I were joking) for another amazing adventure. Can't wait until the next one...in two months.  :-)

Just kidding!

San Francisco Days 6 & 7

Okay, so I may have exaggerated a little in the previous post.  There were no bear attacks that night, or the next (which for the record...was much better once the initial fear dissipated. Oh, and also because I downed a powerful sleeping pill. That might have had a little something to do with it.)

In case you were wondering- here's what the yurt looked like on the inside.

[And yes, Ryan is wearing only undies. Even on top of a very cold mountain. As my brother Joey pointed out, "I used to think Ryan wore nothing but underwear because Hawaii is so hot...I can see now that's not the case."]  ;-)

Our second day there, we returned to the park, so we could...

Get the obligatory park entrance sign picture!  (Ryan was snoozing the first day we passed it.)

Go bear hunting!  No luck on that front, but we did find an old, abandoned  helicopter that Ryan clambered up into and excitedly exclaimed (and I quote) "This is in tip top shape!"  Hmm.  

See plenty of deer!  There is no shortage of deer in the park.  I think we spotted deer every hour.

Play in the snow again!  (Psst...great aim for a 3-year old, right?)

Make snow angels!

Play mini golf (Ryan's first time)! 

The next day we checked out of our yurt and made the long drive back down the hill (this time, with half a Bonine in my system...as I really wanted this to be a rare, puke-free vacation).

Not the best wing man on road trips.

But instead of heading back to the city as planned, we decided to make a spontaneous trip to Fairfield. We figured we'd use the side trip to could soak up a little extra culture...because what's that saying by Seneca again?  Ah yes... Travel and change impart new vigor to the mind...  

So what did we do?

We hit up McDonalds, the JellyBelly Factory and an outlet mall! Woot! Woot!   I felt smarter instantly.

In our defense...the little guy sat in his car seat for a very, very long time.  And I don't think there is ANYTHING this child loves more, than a grimy, 90-degree, bacteria infested McDonald's play land.  Nothing.

Astute, loyal blog readers may remember that we were just at the Jelly Belly Factory last year.  Astute, loyal blog readers may also know that we are total suckers for our little guy.  So when somebody piped up from the backseat and asked if we could go again, Daddy practically swerved and did a 180 on the freeway so we could back head over there. 

Because we were at the outlet mall for so long (there was a New Balance & Columbia!), we spent the night there.  Here's a picture of our son enjoying a little siesta on his bed. Clearly he had a rough day eating fistfuls of jellybeans and all...