Chicago day 3

Thank You Chicago for being such a great host. We truly loved visiting you and we hope to come back in the summer time. I feel I have to run the Chicago Marathon now too. This was a very memorable 100% family vacation and I am so grateful for the great food the cold and feeling the buzz of your city..
Sincerely,
G

Exploring Chicago day 2

We arrived at the zoo at noon. We heard we needed to check out the buildings and the old fashioned feeling of the Brookfield Zoo. This zoo had a vintage feel to it for sure.

So we did.. I have to tell you that it excites me to know that my kids will remember the time spent with my dad and how much closer they are to him because we are here together.  

We find that having a camera can be fun ..When the seals wont come close to you..Then you pose !

I love this picture of them running to the Ferris wheel. Its so cool to be a child and to see the Ferris wheel and then you just run as fast as you can to get in line ..The anticipation of going on a ride is so magical when your little..I hope they never lose that feeling.

There were not a-lot of people there maybe 50. It could be because it was cold or maybe because everyone knows that most of the animals are sleeping here during the winter. 

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I love this picture..They are hugging my dad and wanting to be next to him. I am sure he felt the love.

The zoo was fun but being together was special. My kids have behaved so well and everyone seems happy..I am grateful for all this time we are having together.

Qiuck update from Chicago

A couple pictures from our day yesterday..
Hope your warm because its cold in Chicago...

On my way to Chicago...

I am on my way to Chicago right now. I am sitting on the plane blogging. I think that's kinda cool. We are going on a little sight seeing get to know the town vacation. I am excited and my kids are too. We have lots of plans. I have never been to Chicago and according to many people there is lots to see. My dad is also here sleeping right next to me. Yesterday morning I went to Cross fit in Encinitas and my entire body hurts. I know lots of people don't like Cross fit but I have to say that I have never done any type of exercises that has such a great result in such a short amount of time. I really wanted to work out because last night we had a huge dinner at my brothers house and I wanted to make sure I tasted everything guilt free.

I have a couple really cool things to look forward too .
Next week I have an Art Retreat..
oooohhhhhh
Then I am doing this really cool running challenge for the month of December..I will tell you all about later..
Have a great day and I will be back to share Chicago with you later..

Making time..

Making time to be creative is really hard this time of year so I was happy when my girl friend asked me to help her get a project done for our Art Retreat next week.
Seaside Soiree.
I was also happy because guess what I had not started on my project either. So as it turns out last night I made time to create.
I really do wish I had more time at home and less driving that way I could just make stuff but then again I have a great job and I can pay my own bills so maybe what this is creating is a very grateful heart when I do get to just make stuff.

My Girlfriend made the prettiest mermaid and I made a mermaid momma.. I am not done with her yet but she is coming along perfectly..

Hope you day is going well..

and 

Happy Thanksgiving. 

Gratefulness

Thanksgiving is right around the corner..We are all reminded that this is a perfect time to be still and realize all the little things and big things we need to be grateful for .
I am grateful for early bed times for both my kids and myself.
I am grateful for the smell of coffee in the morning.
I am grateful for snail mail , candy bars and flips.
I am also grateful for never ending hugs , clean sheets and pink candles. I am grateful for funky dresses and yellow tights. I am also super duper grateful for my sister. Everyday she is here with me is a blessing. Grateful for life and pretty orange nail polish. Big smiles and kisses.

Post Event Blues

I am sitting here in my house and I am feeling so grateful for my experience last week. I am also feeling sad that it has passed:(
 Is this what they call post race blues or is it that I feel really lucky that I got to spend time with 11 cool ass people. I think it's both... You know how the older you get the harder it is to meet people, especially people who are genuine, real, kind and caring? Last week taught me a couple things about life outside of running.  Ironically the were lessons taught to me by this amazing sport.  The first lesson I learned is to be a better active listener.  The second is don't be shy.  I feel people just want to find good friends. Lastly, is to just be aware of how incredibly lucky I am. I had a great time running with my dad and I cultivated some really cool relationships.  
Last weekend was so great.  I ran in the middle of the night with this amazing skyline in front of me.  Off in the distance were the lights of Las Vegas.  I had cool peeps checking in on me to make sure I was OK.  I pretty much got to experience my favorite hobby ever
under amazing conditions..
Hello Universe and Thank You !!! 

 I wanted to share this video because this is how I felt when my dad was running..

So yes I am feeling a little sad that it has passed. My heart does feel really grateful for the experience.. I am happy that I was not shy about taking pictures.  When I can look back at them I smile. I want to share our group motto.
"No Loffer left behind."
 We are a normal bunch of people who run at all paces. OK not all paces we are not slow we run at the perfect pace. What is that pace?  It's whatever pace your are at .. They try hard to treat each other with respect. They show up for each other. Relationships are the most important part of life. The people we meet, the people we let in to our lives.  That's what life is all about shared, experiences. God knows we all have enough bad ones experiences so when you have a chance to be a part of something special don't think about it. Just do it ! You might just find a group of really nice people like I did. 

I was crazy happy to come home to my little munchkins. They make post race blues go away fast. I hope you are warm and thank you for stopping by and reading my blog all these pictures were taken on my I-phone.
Happy Running

Ragnar Race Report.

The Loffers
That is the name of this really funny group of runners. We made our way to Las Vegas Thursday morning. Our mission was to run the Ragnar Las Vegas. 12 people running 200 miles in 24 hours.

So on our way we go. The way it works is there are 12 people and two vans. 6 people per van. Van 1 gets the first 18 legs and then we hand of the bracelet to Van 2 they run the next 18 and so on. There is not much sleep going on because when you drop of your runner you need to support him or her. 

SKI RESORT START
This year’s Ragnar Relay Las Vegas course is even more scenic and runner friendly than ever.  Teams start at the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort on Mt. Charleston and run down from 8500 feet into the valley below, taking in the views and conquering the challenging terrain.

It was so so so cold. Here we are its 7 am and its like 30 degrees it's also super windy..My poor dad had the first leg and he was also really sick but its a team run so he ran anyway and we hoped he would be ok.

and there he goes of like The Flash. Its very cool watching your dad take part in such a challenging race with you. I cried when I saw him go because I love  being such a huge part of his life. We do things together and the result are great memories.

I want to tell you my dad killed it. He finished 8 minutes ahead of his scheduled time and he did not get sick until after he was done.

This is Gil our team captain. 

This is Natalie and Victoria and Christine. They were in my Van. Van 1 thats the one I was in was made up of 4 girls and two men. Gil and my dad. You can tell in there smiles how lucky we were feeling.

The whole team thing really came through in our Van. You cant tell but Natalie at this point had torn something in her foot but she was a trooper and finished her leg. This was the only leg she would run during this trip. She was injured really bad but she still stayed in the Van for 24 hours helping out and cheering us on. That says a-lot about a person. She is a great team member.

This is me. I think this picture says it all.

I am a happy girl right now.

This is the exchange ...Hanna was in the other Van she is the girl with the turquoise head band. She was the youngest runner with us. She was also an amazing runner. Her mom was with her in there van and they have a really sweet relationship. I hope one day I can run with one of my girls.

I love this picture its Victoria handing of to Hannah.

After we finished our first turn we go back to the van hang out and wait a couple hours .. We eat and talk then eat some more. I almost forget you take as many naps as possible.

 It was so cold.

The sky was beautiful. The night was cold but so clear. You could see all the stars. I really liked the fact that this was more like an adventure run.

This is Christine..Cold and happy.

This is me before my night run. I was so cold I had on 3 shirts and gloves and a north face hat and a north face jacket. I have not done much night running so yes I was super duper over dressed. I got to mile 2 and I had taken of my jacket and shirt and hat. My peeps had great van support they met me soon and took all the extra clothes.. Lesson learned when running one warms up really quickly.

Now its the next day and leg 3 is under way...

This is Gil.. I am telling you running makes you want to jump with joy.

Here I am again. My last leg was 10 miles and I was sad that this whole experience would soon be over..So I told myself to take it easy and just be present. 

Thats me in the blue. I had about a mile to go and I passed the girl in front of me and did not let the bald man on left pass me. I feeling a little competitive..It was fun.

The terrain was beautiful. Las Vegas is pretty nice.

This is the finish line and that Anita on our team crossing the finish line .

Here is my killer medal. Its a bottle opener too.
I really like doing this but you have to be a part of 12 people you like. You end up spending a lot of time with your group member in a really small space. You have to work well together and be willing to help out every chance you get so that its a good experience for everyone..This race is a-lot of work.. I ran 26 miles  and that as not as hard as not sleeping to much and having to be in a van for so many hours. Your body get tight. I am really lucky I was able to be with such a cool group of runners and that we all got along.  Running can take you many places and this time it took me to vegas...