USMC Heartbreak Ridge 1/2 Marathon 2012 - Part 1

This was our whole reason for the trip.  Okay, maybe not the whole reason, but it was the original excuse for a trip down to see the kids.  Since Corb and I have both been training for the full next month, this seemed like a great one to add to the calendar.  Flights were booked and time taken off work so when it became obvious last month that I was taking a break from training, we were still fully committed to coming.  Fine by me - since this would be both Corbin and Karalee's first half's and if I couldn't run it with them, then the next best thing was to be at the finish line!!

As with any good event, they usually plan a children's 5k or 1k walk or something with it to get the kids involved and MRSOC didn't disappoint!  Chloee was so stoked for her race she could hardly stand it!  She was planning on me running it with her and there was gonna be no stoppin the two of us!  I just realized that I have a lot of !!! in this paragraph!!  Whatev's - we are excited over here.

Registration was at 6:30am, which seemed kind of late to me since usually most races would already be well under way by the start time of 8:30 of this one.  I worried for those on the course in the heat, but at least the kids were first.

Bib pinned on and ready to go!

Their course was 3 laps around the parade deck.  After a moment of silence for 9/11, colors and the USMC song, they gave some final instructions to the kids.  1,2 or 3 laps but no more, bigger kids to the front so the little's didn't get trampled and to have FUN!

(colors - some serious thoughts coming in a future post)

pre race hydration

Good to go!

I let Chloee position us, asked her if she wanted to do the full three (got the nod - yes), and then waited for the horn.

That girl took off!  She is a runner - through and through a runner!  Can I tell you how happy that makes my heart?  She found her stride and stayed with it the entire time,  I just kept up with her.  The crowd was fabulous in cheering each and every kid!  Nothing like a man in uniform telling a child how wonderful they are and encouraging the with a strong look in the eye.  After the first lap and I realized that she was not slowing and HATED getting passed by bigger kids (she would speed up and my heart would laugh at her competitiveness), I told her that if she let go of my hand she would be more efficient and faster.  Nope.  Clutched tighter.  Twice more I suggested a change in her form and using both her arms, but the idea fell on deaf ears.  We were running it together!

On the last half of the third lap, she asked to go another round.  I reminded her that we weren't allowed to and I have to admire the fact that she wasn't even panting, just a nice easy breathing through her nose.   I showed her a trick in picking a person a short distance ahead and sprinting to pass.  She really didn't need much encouragement there, she spotted the pink shorts up ahead and went for them!

As we turned into the finisher's chute and crossed the finish line where MRSOC were waiting to place a medal on her neck I could almost feel her mixed emotions seeping through.  Excited at finishing and finishing so strong, and sad that it was over already.

Her parents were so happy - reminding her over and over again how great she did.  She had set a goal to run a race, win a medal and she followed through.  Life lessons in running start right at the very beginning eh?

Girl is a runner.  Plain and simple enough.  A runner.  Think don't make my heart a little bit happy?  Heck yeah!

Knuts for Knotts

Corb finagled a day off and Splenda Daddy treated us to Knottsberry Farm.

Granted, I'm not a huge fan of amusement parks and there are very few rides that I'll even consider, BUT I am fan of seeing my chickens have fun so........ sickness be damned, we WILL have a great time!

Too many pictures before we even get in the park?  Prolly.....

It was the perfect day to go.  Literally deserted.  The kids went from one ride to another, with no wait. 

I take that back, I did go on the log ride (see above pic proof) and the first time, we waited a few minutes - maybe 5.  The other ride I did was the train and we waited about 15 for that. 

Other than those two times, they walked right onto rides and many times rode them again because there was no one else in line so the operator let them just stay on!  SO GREAT!

Thanks for the kicks and giggles guys!

How do the Cat's play when the Mouse is in school?

By a lot of this'n and that'n

First we have to get the stinker to school and in class

(she likes to show California where she lives, Nevada "where Rosa lives" and Utah where Mimi and Poppa live)

Next up - a run.  YES I SAID RUN!  I did it! Only 2 miles of actual running, but I did it!  And it felt great!

(In my little 5k loop, there is an overlook to the ocean and this cool monument)

Then a little beach time

This is an amphitheater that they have daily work out's on.  I love the bleachers painted in a flag

Couple of shells I found - but overall quite disappointed with the dirty beach.  It smelled of oil and had black streaks all through the sand at the shoreline.  Made me homesick for Cancun, and more than a little excited for St Thomas.  But the crash of the waves?  Universally a beautiful sound!

Some farmer's market

I'm sure the vendors just love me touching everything.  There were some VERY cool stuff and we tried some great things.  Marinated garlic cloves, spicy hummus, perfect salsa and Splenda bought some fresh grapes.  I think I am a new fan of the farmer's market!

then various errands which included going on base and quickly going back off.  Totally forgot about the strict dress standards and appearances while on base.  Do they make sense?  Not all the time, but they are the rules.  From finishing our runs until afternoon, we just kept going - no clean up just getting stuff done.
So when we pulled in the commissary parking lot to meet Corb for lunch, I wondered why we were getting all the looks while walking towards the meeting spot.  (I thought it was just my awesome guns). I could see it the minute I saw Corb's face that there was a problem and it wasn't a little one.  NO PT (physical training) clothing on base if you are not actually in the process of PT.  Plain and simple, we were still all in our workout clothes.  No go.  We were being looked at weird because we stood out as clearly non-compliant.  Two seconds later we hustled back to the car and off base to find some lunch and finish the errands.

We spent the rest of the day relaxing, playing with Chlo, dinner out and watching Obama speak.  I could write a whole post about how I feel regarding THAT, but not now.  Instead, just basking in the fact that I could spend a day just tootling around with Splenda and my DILove in the SoCal sun.

And really who doesn't love a sleeping child?

In the wee quiet hours of the morning

One of the things I enjoy about being in Chloeefornia is the time difference between here and Utah.  Sure, it's only an hour but it means that I naturally wake up earlier than everyone else (Splenda Daddy included) and can sit quietly, watch the sky gradually light up and listen to the birds.  Blissful I tell you, sweet and utter bliss.

I love the humidity. I forgo my flat iron and just work with my hair the best I can, but tell myself  "it's vacation" so who really cares?  That thick air is like a comfort blankie for me.  Clearly I live in the wrong place.  I do love the desert but if  I had to choose, I think I would swing for the sea level.

I swallowed a camera Tuesday.  It's took pictures all the way through my intestinal system.  Isn't that exciting?  Don't be jealous.   Okay, you can be slightly envious.  Especially when it eventually comes out the other end.  TMI?  At least I don't have to retrieve it.  It's a disposable camera.  AND, I can sleep knowing that the one I swallowed wasn't a reused one.  So there's that.

No further to getting any answers on my gut.  The nausea is awful.  The pain - intense at times.  Let's be honest (like I ever sugar coat things anyway). Now we are questioning the diagnosis of Gastroparesis but since it is such a variable disease and can have false negative tests all the time, and they currently can't find anything out - it seems to still be the default  diagnosis.

That sucks.

On the other hand - right now, being in Oceanside is a fabulous distraction!  The kids have a new home.  A HOME I TELL YOU!  3 bedrooms, 2 and half bathrooms, the deck goes right into their backyard which is the playground.  The playground is surrounded by all other homes so every kid can come out, play and still be watched by every other mom/parent in the neighborhood.  Last night Splenda was out there and heard a detached voice,  "Aaaannnnnthony....share the ball!"  Eyes are watching I tell ya.  It was kinda cool.  And of course, Anthony immediately shared the ball.  No questions asked.  You can sit and hear the children play, hear them called home for supper at dusk.  I love it.  It reminds me a little of how it was when my boys were growing up and every mother was watching out front.

The neighborhood is lovely.  Great homes filled with great people.  Based on Corb's last promotion it qualifies him for an upgrade in housing.  Because of some other circumstances in play, he ended up with other officers. NCO and not.  There is a difference.  A good one.  Chloee is simply THRIVING!  A great neighborhood with lots of friends, a fantastic school, safety, structure and most importantly the most love I can ever imagine poured out on this girl!  I even think about it, and I get all teary eyed.  If you would have asked me 2-3 years ago if I could have ever imagined this day, these circumstances for my lil brood?  I would have never dreamed it.  Yet.  It's here.  Right now.   I couldn't feel more blessed.

Have I mentioned before that I love Camp Pendleton?  If not, I do.  Love it.

Hoping to hit a Walmart today, get a few supplies and then wait at the school yard for that moment when my favorite girl bounds out of class, backpack on and ready to hold hands while we walk home.

Life isn't perfect right now, but it's pretty damn close.

I woulda never thunk it!

When I went to Tuffy's senior year spring parent teacher conference, I literally cheered and danced my way through the halls and out the door when it was all over. No.More.School crap.  Ever.

And then what do I hear when we get settled in for a long weekend in Chloeefornia?

Back To School Night!!

I will gladly admit that I was excited to be invited to go check out her school, her teacher and fellow classmates.   And the best part?  I could sit quietly as an observer and not need to ask any questions, gather any information, or sign a volunteer sheet.  Hell, I didn't even have to introduce myself to anyone.  I could just watch and bask in the happiness of seeing my son carry on the tradition of being an involved parent.

Had to don some shades first

(she takes a good pic eh?)

Their new home is literally just around the corner from the school, so we walked over and spent the first few minutes listening to the principal out on the playground

And then it was time to hit her classroom 

Don't let the few kids fool you.  This school has FIVE kindergarten classes.  FIVE!  With over 30 students each.  Because base housing is so fluid, they generally have no idea from year to year what numbers they are looking at, and this year took them by surprise.

The teacher introduced herself and at first, I was not overly impressed.  But, the longer she spoke and more background she gave and then reviewing the SYLLABUS.....I was stoked.

Seriously, the outline for the year was 6 pages or more.  The goals and expectations are high but completely attainable.  

I snapped pictures while Chlo's parents took time to speak with the teacher

Hearing the background and experience of her teacher was a very reassuring thing.  Military daughter, military wife and a long time educator.  She "gets" military children and their oftentimes unique education needs based on their transitory lives.

So excited for Chloee!  And even better, here it is a full day kindergarten which is just what she needs! Ever since Challenger, she has been ahead of the curve and ready for a challenge.  I think this teacher is the one to bring it!

Happy back to school Chlo!