Honey Hustle Virtual Half Marathon, Houston, TX, September 19, 2024

Race #99

Well, I wish I was writing this blog entry for a race in August, to keep up with Mikie’s goal of 100 Half Marathons by his 75th birthday, but I will explain why that isn’t the case and why I had to postpone his goal slightly (which I really struggled with, but I know he understands). In August, I had the opportunity to take a trip to Colorado and spend time in Breckenridge with my friends Michelle and Tom and with my nephew Hunter. We had a wonderful time and we filled each day with hikes and adventures, which reminded me so much of all the Colorado adventures that I had with Mikie. About 5 minutes from where we were staying was the trailhead for Quandary Peak, which sits at 14,271 feet. In Colorado, we call mountains that are above 14,000 feet 14ers. Hunter asked about it one day and I was explaining to him that it was a great accomplishment to hike to the summit of a 14er. I had done it several times before (although I seemed to forget that I did that in my 20’s and 30’s) and he suggested that maybe we could try it. Not remembering that I was now in my 50’s, I said, “Sure!” So, we planned our hike for our very last day in Colorado. We started a little later than we should have (I should have known better as I knew about the afternoon storms that would roll into the mountains), but we started our hike and made it to the top in about 4 hours (just a note that Hunter probably would have made it in a lot less time, but he kindly waited for his older aunt to make her way up the mountain). It was tough, but I was so excited to have made it! As we were taking pictures at the summit and enjoying our success, the afternoon storm clouds started to roll in. I knew that we would be okay as they were far enough away that I felt we would make it to tree-line in plenty of time. But as the thunder started clapping in the distance and a few rain drops started to fall, we worked to quicken our pace down the mountain l. About half an hour down and while we were still in the midst of all rocks for a path, I slipped on a rock that was wet with the drizzle and went down, hitting my ribs in the back on that big rock. I have never broken or bruised my ribs before, but had always heard that it could be really painful…now know how true that is! But I knew that the clock was ticking for us to get down to tree-line, so I got back up and was very grateful that I could still walk and get myself back down the mountain. It could have been much worse! I think being in a little bit of shock helped me make it for the next 3 hours, but each step reminded me that I wasn’t going to make it off this mountain unscathed. We finally made it back to the trailhead and as I Googled broken and bruised ribs, I realized that there wasn’t much that I could do for them, other than rest. Well, that wasn’t going to happen as we still had two more days of driving and sightseeing as we made our way back to Texas. The next week, and back at home, my doctor confirmed with an x-ray that they weren’t broken, only bruised, but she said that I needed to rest and not do any running for the next two weeks. I was going to run my virtual half marathon for August when I got back from the trip and given that there was only a week left in August, I knew that wasn’t going to happen. 

Me at the summit of Quandary Peak

So after a few days of working to reconcile in my mind that I wasn’t going to make Mikie’s goal in time for his birthday, I made peace with it and started looking for a race in October or November that could be #100. And I found the perfect race…on November 10th, I will run the Monterey Bay Half Marathon in Monterey, California and that will be Half Marathon #100. The race will run mostly along the coast of the Pacific Ocean in one of the most beautiful areas in the state…I know Mikie would approve!

Now back to Race #99…I started at 5:30am to try to avoid the heat. As the sun rose a little after seven o’clock, I was treated to an absolutely gorgeous sunrise that turned the sky around the most beautiful shades of pink and orange. And as I traversed past one section of the running path that lets you peek into the Memorial Park Golf Course, with the sunrise in the backdrop, I looked over and the golf course was covered in a soft mist. It honestly looked magical and as I looked closer, I know that I saw Mikie there. I know he wasn’t really there, but I take solace in picturing him in different places. It keeps him close to me.

“Without you in my arms, I feel an emptiness in my soul. I find myself searching the crowds for your face - I know it's an impossibility, but I cannot help myself.” ― Nicholas Sparks, Message in a Bottle

I finished this race in 2:50:36, my slowest time since I started this journey one year ago today, but that’s okay…I finished it and I felt Mikie smiling down on me and that’s what counts the most!

This race benefits the Bee Conservancy, which helps to better capture the work protecting all bees and securing environmental and food justice through education, research, habitat creation, and advocacy.

Give a Hoot Virtual Half Marathon, Houston, TX, July 18, 2024

Race #98

On July 18th, I ran a virtual half marathon to get me one race closer to #100. Summer in Texas can be brutal and I didn’t want to travel for this race, so I knew that a virtual was my best option. I started at 5:15am but it was already 78 degrees with 90 percent humidity. My knee was better but with the heat, I hadn’t trained very much, so I knew from the start that this race would push me. I definitely needed some inspiration on this day.

I had found a quote recently that really spoke to me and I thought about it a lot during this race…

"You gave me a forever within the numbered days…"~ John Green, The Fault in Our Stars

Mikie and I often said “I love you forever” and I think when I used to say that to him, I thought of it as an infinite statement. But when you lose your soulmate, you realize that although you may still love them forever, they aren’t physically here to receive that love and they are no longer here to physically give you their love. It can feel like forever has become finite because although we always knew our days would be numbered, we thought we would have so many more of them. So instead of feeling cheated of more days, I am trying to recognize that Mikie gave me forever in the days, months and years that we did have together. I can’t say that I do this well every day, but I try to do it more each day than I did the one before. I love you forever, Mikie ♥️

This race benefits the Florida Wildlife Hospital, which has rescued, rehabilitated, and released thousands of sick, injured, and orphaned native Florida animals. FWH is available 365 days a year to admit wildlife patients. They care for more than 5,000 patients per year.  There is never charge for animal care but they receive no state or federal funding.

The Dragonfly Virtual Half Marathon, Houston, TX, June 2, 2024

Race #97

To commemorate the day that Mikie left us, I knew I wanted to run a half marathon and there were no races locally and I wanted to be home, so I decided to run a virtual half marathon at Memorial Park. I started at 6:30am (and it was already 78 degrees with 75% humidity 😳) so I ran a hot race but luckily there was total cloud cover, so the sun wasn’t out (thanks Mikie for watching out for me). It was one of my slowest times (2:42:02) but I am happy just to have finished!

It was the perfect place to start out this day (which was sad, but I was working to not get too sad). For the last year, I have been training mostly at Memorial Park, which is where Mikie and I ran for the last five years of his life and where he ran quite a few virtual half marathons. When we would train, we would usually go in the evening. We would drive over in his little Fiat Spider with the top down. During that time, I was almost always slower than he was and so when he would finish, he would wait for me at the end and when I got to where he was waiting, he would always give me a high five. He was always so supportive and encouraging, even when I was struggling with my running.

Now, when I go to Memorial Park, either for a training run or for a virtual half marathon, I can feel his presence all along my route. I picture him along the way, sitting on benches or standing among the trees. And I talk to him…it’s been my therapy for this last year. I have times when I am mad at him for leaving me and times when I ask him to help me get through each day. I know that if he had the choice, he wouldn’t have left, so I am never mad at him for very long. I am still struggling with why, but he helps me accept the thing that I cannot change. I have come to understand that in life you can experience a loss that is hard to explain and that can sometimes keep you from moving forward. But when we are in that situation, we have two basic choices…stay stuck in the grief and sadness and let it keep you from moving forward or figure out how to live with that grief and sadness so that you can still live your life and find happiness where you can. So I choose to make room in my heart for the grief while it heals and creates scar tissue and build new memories around it. But I will never “move on” and I know that I will never be the same person that I was before. But that is okay because the person that I am now carries all of the love that I have for Mikie and all the love that he had for me.

"They that love beyond the world cannot be separated by it. Death cannot kill what never dies."~ William Penn

This race benefits the Dragonfly Foundation, a charity that delivers the best emotional, relational, and practical support systems for families affected by pediatric cancer.

My next race will be a virtual half marathon in July…details forthcoming.

OC Half Marathon, Newport Beach, CA, May 5, 2024

Race #96

On May 5th, I ran the Hoag OC Half Marathon in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, California…two spots that were very special to Mikie. This was my first half marathon run in California and this was a race that Mikie had run in the past, so that made it even more special to me. This was also the first race that I got to run with my California bestie, JJ. She has been training with me throughout this process and has been a huge support for me, not only in my running, but as a great friend! And I also got to spend time with my sweet friend Tam and stop by Encino and have lunch with Mikie’s Aunt Louise and his cousin Lori. What a blessing!

The weather couldn’t have been more beautiful on this day…it was a crisp spring day and the sun was shining. I always feel Mikie with me at every race, but I could really feel his presence for this one. The race started in the heart of Newport Beach and about a mile of the race was run along Ocean Drive, past Corona Del Mar Beach, Inspiration Point and other beautiful spots and as I ran along, looking out at the Pacific Ocean, I will admit that tears started flowing. I tried not to cry too hard, otherwise the other runners might think I was hurt 😆. But as I ran and looked out at the ocean, I could see Mikie on his boogie board, chasing the waves and looking for just the right one. Getting back to his beloved ocean always renewed him. He felt such peace in the salt water and he had so many wonderful memories of growing up in the water. I loved to hear him tell stories about those escapades! 

My next race is going to be a virtual half on June 2nd to commemorate the day that Mikie left for Heaven.

Hapalua Half Marathon, Waikiki, HI, April 14, 2024

Race #95

I ran race #95 on a gorgeous day in one of the most beautiful states in the United States, and on the island of Oahu. The scenery definitely made the race a little easier than normal…it’s hard to have a bad day in paradise. I came to Hawaii with my nephew Hunter, and we got to spend a week there, seeing the sights and enjoying many fun adventures. But the real task at hand was running Half Marathon #95. The race started right off of Waikiki Beach, and I was definitely feeling good being so close to Mikie’s beloved Pacific Ocean. It was a mostly flat race, except for a long climb at about mile 10. Mikie was definitely there to give me a big push as that is a tough time in the race for a hill. I finished in 2:41:18, which strangely enough, was the exact time of the half that I ran last month.

The only other time that I have ever been to Hawaii was with Mikie, almost 20 years before. I found some of the pictures from our previous trip that I hadn’t looked at in a long time. I was actually able to recreate one of the pictures taken of Mike. It was actually taken very close to the start of the race. It’s amazing the serendipity of life sometimes, but it was beautiful to look back on memories that I now hold even closer.

I also knew that I wanted to spread some of Mikie’s ashes in Hawaii. It wasn’t one of his requested places, but since I was there, I thought it would be a perfect place to honor him. On our trip there, we went to many beaches along the North Shore and every evening, we would make sure that we were sitting on the beach at sunset. One of those beaches was Sunset Beach and I knew that would be a beautiful spot to spread his ashes and I wanted to do it at sunset. Sunset Beach is also known as a true surfer’s beach and because of its location, the waves are epic, so that’s also made it the perfect spot! The day that we went, the waves were pounding the shore and the sky had lots of beautiful clouds. I know that Mikie was smiling down on me while I left part of him in the crashing waves on this spectacular beach.

My next race is the OC Half Marathon in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa in May. Mike had run this race back in 2007, so this will be another special race, 17 years after he ran it.