More Than Just A Ski Run

Back in the day, my dad use to make my brother and I ski before we could do anything else (i.e. tube, wakeboard, etc.). We weren't huge fans back then. Obviously somewhere along those lines, all that changed. Neither of us would get on a tube or wakeboard if a ski was in front of us. So Dad, you did good. And as much as we didn't love that before, we wouldn't change that for a million bucks! Well, maybe Curt would but I've never actually asked him. Somehow I highly doubt it though.

Those ski runs back then didn't mean a whole heck of a lot since we were terrible, but it only prepped us for those future ski runs. And those ski runs now...they mean more than just jumping in the water and getting pulled behind a boat.

*They mean early mornings. Mornings before most people are awake and/or off to work.

*They mean new skills. "Pull to the hip." "Cut all the way through the wake."
"Stop bending at the waist."

*They mean day dreams. Dreams of pulling to the hip, a giant rooster tail, or being parallel to the water.
*They mean new ski gloves. Because I've learned the hard way without them.

*They mean wipeouts. Wipeouts that half the time we wish we had on tape because some of the crazy ways we've taken a spill.
*They mean learning to finesse backing down a truck with a trailer.
Let's just say some people are better than others. (One hint, I've got some practice ahead of me)

*They mean injuries. Pulled muscles, headaches, day-after stiffness, & large bruises.
You name it, we've all been there.
*They mean triumphs for the newbies. One ski or two, you were setting records for getting friends/family up for the first time this year!

*They mean big breakfasts at Mom & Dad's after some good ski runs. GF pancakes, sausage,
and eggs. A typical Dad breakfast.

*They mean family time. Father-daughter time, brother-sister time, father-son time. And sometimes we could get a few others in that mix (sister-in-law, aunt, or friends).

*But in the end, each of those ski runs, each of those wipeouts, each of those lessons learned, and all that family time...they mean the world to me.

So as we end the season (although there is a possibility of getting a few more ski runs in this month), I think about every run that got better, then worse, and better again. I think about all those times we had big homemade "Dad" breakfasts afterwards. I constantly think and actually can feel my muscles tighten in the way they should when I pull to my hip or pull myself across the wake. And while we're in the off season, I will think about how every time I went out there....I got to enjoy the ride.
And for that alone, I am truly blessed!

And to those who made their one time showing on the river for a ski run. Good job ladies!

To all the rides and time together during the 2014 ski season....you've been good to us!

Happy Birthday Dad! We love you to the moon and back!

♥T&C

HTC 2014: Summin' It Up

We survived HTC in case you all weren't updated via Instagram or Facebook. Sometimes I go a little post crazy so I'm not sure how you'd miss it anyway. But Hood to Coast...what a trip in so many ways! The literal trip was awesome. Driving across part of the State/running across part of the State, seeing some of the most beautiful areas while driving and running, and finishing up at the beach. Now that's a trip if I've ever done one! On the other hand, it's a trip in another way. Who signs up to run nearly 200 miles in total, to "sleep" in a van or to not sleep whatsoever in a 24 hour or more time period (which is closer to true), and to skim by on doing the most minimal hygiene while keepin' real close to 5-6 other individuals in the van? Nutty people and people who get talked into things way too easily...that's who gets roped into this thing. But I have to say, I haven't met a soul who regretted it. Some may not want to come back for another year, but they enjoyed the first and last Hood to Coast all at once.

Anyway, it was quite awesome to see everybody PR on not just their mile times but for some, it was the longest total time and miles they've ever run in their whole life. How cool is that? We were all super proud of each other to say the least! Scroll through the blog post to meet the team and read a few thoughts..or don't. Either way is fine with me.

The Squad

First we all started Crossfit together (crazy decision) and now we go and do this...

how nuts are we?

"Van 1"

"Van 2"

My Legs

(running legs, not my actual legs. Duh.)

Leg 0.

I may have looked like a hobo, but I managed to bike 5 miles to meet up with the van before takeoff

on a road bike with an incredibly heavy bag attached to me causing my head to be pushed forward, a food bag between my legs causing my legs to pump outwards, and a pillow that disabled me from being able to see behind me without falling off my bike. Let's just say I had to ditch a few things along the way and have a few trial and errors before I managed to leave my house.

But I sure made it and got quite the workout from it!

Leg 1.

4.84 miles. Flat with lots of stops for traffic lights and trail crossings. Run at dusk,

ended on a beautiful sunset.

13 road kills.

Leg 2.

4.14 miles. Small rolling hills at dawn. Chilly and foggy morning. Major traffic backup

and had to run 1-1.5 miles back to the van.

16 road kills.

Leg 3.

7.2 miles. A few rolling hills, then a gradual uphill for about 5-6 miles. Gravel road.

From hot and sweaty to foggy and cool.

53 road kills.

What It Means To "Hood To Coast"

you get to run for hours and hours and hours. Why would you not want to?

you get to spend time with awesome people.

you have so many laughs with these people that "tears" nearly run down your leg.

you get to be delirious with them.

you grow closer than you ever thought you would've.

they become your lifeline...because they do have to pick you up at some point at the end of your run.

In fact, you probably have never been so excited to see these people in your life up until this point.

you get to run in places and at times you most likely will never get to again.

you get to have little chances at sleeping, be a map reader at 3am, and be piled in a van

full of food and dirty clothes (and dirty people). Again, why would you not want that?

you get free entertainment along the way.

you get to be a driver stuck in traffic at some point or another (if you don't have a non-running driver)

and have plenty of time to think...or sleep at the wheel (kidding)

you get to eat your meals out of the back of your van and change your clothes

behind the van doors...praying that nobody has to see your bare cheeks along the way.

and some of us get to endure injuries other than the achy and sore feelings...

injuries like slicing your finger open with a knife.

and one of the best things...you get to see the end of the longest relay in the world!

The End

Reasons To Book A Night Stay After HTC ^^

-you may or may not feel like garbage

-you get to shower immediately

-you can sleep in something other than a van once you've eaten and showered

-you get to enjoy views like these, walk the beach the next morning, and take another nap if you so choose to

A Few "WHY'S"

(that maybe someone can answer for me)

-why is it that on the outside world we call a van, a van and a SUV, a SUV...

but once you get into HTC everything becomes "a van" when really it's still a SUV or car

or truck. Why?

-why don't the Honey Buckets further away from the start get serviced?

no TP and you're nearly sitting on someone's sh*t by the end of the relay because it's piled high.

-why do people think they can tell you when you should and shouldn't go to the bathroom?

somehow I kept overhearing ladies tell their team they needed to go to the bathroom and for some reason it was always the man in the group that would say "you should hold it until we get to the next stop" or "you'll have to wait, we don't have time for that."

(I'd like to tell them to shut it because since when did someone tell you when you can and can't go to the bathroom)

-WHY do people poop their pants when they have all the trees/bushes/poles to hide behind and just go?

I couldn't figure out why my last half mile smelled so bad...until I looked up and realized

what was running down the woman's leg. It's way easier to pop a squat somewhere even if you don't have toilet paper than it is to go in your pants, run in it for who knows how long, and ruin a pair of nice running shorts.

And I'm done...

That's all I can think of for now. All I have to say is that if you get a chance to do HTC, do it. Don't hesitate. Man up and go for it. You won't regret it...and if you do, don't come back to me and tell me.

Because you won't regret being with your team, you won't regret the experience...you just may regret the way you feel after all those runs and no sleep. But guess what, that all goes away and life goes on.

Nice job to both van 1 and van 2...way to kick some butt and finish strong!

There aren't enough words to say how proud we all are of each other.

#htc14 #motherofallrelays

♡Cori