Martha's...Austin...UT

I was very slacking on training for this 20 mile relay that my husband and I ran the day after Valentines day.  It all started in 2008 I believe when I needed to find something that would make me keep in shape and run through the winter months.  In Martha's Vineyard they have a 20 miler that is a Boston prep run.  In checking it out and it just so happened to fall on Valentine's day.  So for our anniversary that year I gave Kevin the wonderful gift of a Valentine's day get away, with a 20 mile run included.  He was thrilled.  ;)

So the first time we ran Martha's it was together on Valentine's Day. You have to take a ferry over to the island and then walk to your hotel.  We went on Friday night and stayed at the Mansion House in Vineyard Haven (just 2 min. From the start of the race).  During the tourist season (june-sept.) the hotels are really pricy, but during February the rooms are priced quite nicely.  We went to the Black Dog for dinner and had a lovely time.  The weather was a little icy, windy, super cold.  I believe around 15-20 degrees.  We just bundled up and endured.  It turned out to be an amazing race and one that I was so glad to share with him.  We ran the first 10 miles together.  We saw people running together while holding hands and that was just not for us.  At mile 10 we got our picture taken running together (it was nice and sunny...we both had sunglasses on) and then he gave me the go ahead to "go on ahead". I then picked up the pace and finished strong.  It was a great race. And we then were able to return to our hotel, shower, walk the shops, eat dinner and spend the second night.  It is a romantic get away (if you don't mind running 20 miles in the middle of it).

The next couple of years we were quick to invite all of our running friends and their spouses.  It became a fun get away for all of us.

Well this year I have been having problems with my foot and have not been able to train like I normally would.  So...Martha's decided to add a relay.  I jumped right on it knowing I could pound out 10 miles with a hurt foot or not.  I also had to sign up my wonderful husband that has not really been running a lot as my partner.  Can I tell you again how thrilled he was?  ;)

We ended going with my good running friends Yuki and Sue and their husbands along with Jayne and her husband.  Here we are bundled and ready to run in the 20 degree weather.

 Kevin, Kelly, York, Jayne, Sue, Yuki, Eric 

I do have to say that we had a great time.  Kevin started the relay and ran 10 miles along th coast in pretty decent weather.  By the time he passed off the baton to me it began to blizzard.  It was quite the experience.  Jayne and I had a plan, because she was running the full 20 miles she would stick by kevin the first half and then I would be able to finish the second half with her. It worked out perfectly, kevin passed the baton to me just as Jayne passed so I was able to finish with her.  This to me was not a race...Kevin and I were not in the greatest shape for it, so it worked out great to just finish with a friend and get her through her 20 miles.  It was so enjoyable, even though the snow began at mile 2 for me (12 for Jayne) and really pounded us the last 5 miles.  What a great time I had with a great friend.  Afterward we all went to Sharky's for dinner (minus Jayne and York.  They were the only ones that ran the full 20 and were kind of tired).

Zach is Sue's husband and drives the vehicle for us every year.  He is an amazing support crew.

We were trying to head out of the Cape that night and get home so we could attend church in the morning, but ended up getting the last ferry off of the vineyard and then got stuck staying at a cute little inn on the Cape. The bridges were closed down because of the 50 mile gust of winds.  Who knew that bad of a storm was going to happen? We made it back the next day to church a little late, but in plenty of time for the baptism.  It turned out to be a very memorable weekend.

The next weekend I traveled to Austin, TX to see my little nephew and sister and family.  They bought a home there that I was able to see and also my parents were down there renting a house for the month so I was able to see them as well and stay with them.  It was so much fun to see their home, hang out with them, have dance parties and go to the park with the girls, Zumba with Cami...trying all the yummy Austin food.  My favorites were the baja shrimp tacos at Torchy's and the Gordough coconut and chocolate donut I shared with my mom. It was also fun to finally run in the sun while I was there.  The weather was amazing.

Me (holding Oscar...we have matching outfits on, Maya and Amelia)

Me and Cami. She is an amazing mom.

Mom and I standing on a hill overlooking Austin (I am wearing flip flops...yay!)...holding my buddy Maya's hand.

Amelia and her amazing smile...

I then headed to Utah to visit my sister, Ginger and her new baby.  They traveled there from South Dakota so I could meet her. It was fun to hang out with the rest of the gang and do some pre-mission prep with Brooke.

An usy (like selfy) with my crazy Brooke and new niece Lottie (named after my grandmother)

Brooke just got her mission call the Nicaragua, Managua North, Spanish speaking and will be reporting to the Mexico City MTC on May 14. She finishes up her finals at BYU on April 22. She does not have a lot of time to get prepared for her mission.  She will fly home on April 23 and then turn around and leave us for 18 months just 3 weeks later. We had such a fun time together shopping for outfits that would work in weather just 90 miles from the equator.  She is very excited and I am excited to be included in her adventures. The exciting thing is that she will be able to be in Mexico with Sadie her favorite cousin for 5 weeks.  Sadie is going to San Fransisco/Oakland, CA Spanish speaking.  It was fun to shop and hang with Sadie and Rachelle before I had to leave.

Rachelle (Paul's wife), Kelly, Paul, Kent, Heather, Crystal, Darren (Crystal's husband)

Ginger, Bennett and her husband, Sam

The great thing about this trip was I was able to see all seven of my siblings and all of my nieces and nephews.  I miss them so much. It was a great trip and very hard for me to leave them all and return back home to NH and to our stormy, frigid weather.

It was fun to see and meet Brooke's roommates and friends at BYU. I also got to go to her ward with her and meet her bishop.  She is so ready to go on her mission. I just hope she can concentrate enough to finish out her freshmen studies before she leaves.  

I love this girl...my Brookie.