Vondelpark Loop X 3

Yesterday was our third year rocking the Vondelpark Loop. We missed some beloved running partners, including good friends and Dad, but the endorphin high left us with nothing but smiles.

Running Full Tilt in Pisa

I'm thinking the engineers in Pisa have some explaining to do.

We're all aware of the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa, but unless it's all in my head, I swear I ran past a number of additional "leaning" towers on my morning jog through Pisa.

Tell me I'm not crazy.

Seriously?!!?

Loving fall in Pisa. Great run.

My Boys Rock!

Last weekend, RS and DS proved they're no couch potatoes.

DS enjoyed a personal best running the Amsterdam half marathon, beating his Paris time by TEN minutes. 1:47!  Really incredible progress in just one year of running. We're all super proud of him.

Meanwhile, RS grabbed his football kit from this summer's AJAX camp, and participated in an intensive one-day clinic last weekend. This clinic is all business, no goofing around. RS was quite happy to see he had the same coach again, and that there was at least one furry newcomer. Proud of your commitment and enthusiasm RS!  You're my fancy feet.

Mud Honey

Mud honey.

D'oh. I mean, Mud Master.

DS ran a crazy 12km run through the mud last Sunday, which seemed to involve more climbing and hanging and swimming through the mire than actually running in it.  So impressive.

This is SO not my thing!  DS asked me to be his partner, but I kind of thought NFW!

Way to go DS.

Next up for DS:  Amsterdam Half Marathon on October 18 . . .

If you're at all interested in the near-if not-actual electrocution, drowning, and cutting aspects of this race, definitely check out the after-movie!

https://www.facebook.com/mudmastersnl/videos/vb.291504114239728/967417759981690/?type=2&theater

One More Dune Deep Thought

The dunes are undulating, with frequent but not very steep hills. Running the dunes, I had to work hard to run up some hills, but I was quickly rewarded with a downhill or a straightaway where I could catch my breath and take time to feel good about what I had just accomplished, while still running.

This got me thinking more about my life again, the need to identify my most important goals and then to break them down into smaller, achievable steps. So often I feel crazed jumping from one thing to another (because multi-tasking is a badge of honor nowadays) and overwhelmed in my efforts to find the critical path to my most cherished goals. 

My run reminded me to start breaking things down, into smaller hills, and to take stock of my progress at the crest of each metaphorical hill. And to always visualize the reward whether it's a downhill, a straightway, or maybe even a cutie offering me a flower as I come over the top.

Doin' the Dunes

After a very busy few weeks, I'm happier than ever to be recharging my battery with a family road trip through Holland. Summer has arrived!

Sort of. After sweating through 90 degree days in the sweltering city, we've now arrived in the coastal region of Zeeland in southwest Holland where it looks like rain and wind for next few days. So it goes. On the upside, we're getting a very Dutch holiday with the these weather mood swings. 

Zeeland is known as much for its beachy resorts as it is for its ravaging storms, and was the hardest hit region during the tragic storm of 1953, which killed over 1,800 people. Since then, monumental efforts have been made to reclaim the land with canals and dams so that kind of devastation never happens again. The results changed the landscape forever by creating major wildlife haven and destination for all types of water sports. 

I ran the dunes this morning and thought about the power of the sea and the protective quality of the dunes and about the concept of reclamation. It feels like a new chapter has been brewing in my life, and perhaps the start of summer will be the first phase, a conscious phase, of this process. One of reclaiming my time and protecting my energy and creative space. Because the power of the to-do list is just like a raging sea, always pushing.  

Nike 10K - Amsterdam

What an old woman I am!  9:00PM feels so late to go run a 10K. I guess, however, here's no resisting the excitement of a NIke's Women's Race.  It's been a few years since I've done a Nike race . . . it was back in 2011 that D and I ran the San Francisco Nike half marathon on behalf of LLS and our friend, Patrick.

D couldn't join me this time (all girls), but as always he was my biggest supporter.  So happy he was there, for I knew no one until bumping into friends after the race.  Thanks, husband, for pumping me up.  xoxo

What a high to to find D, and this gal pal, at the finish line. So proud of SF, who ran her personal best at 41:47 (holy s**t)! 

And proud of myself, for besting by best 10K time ever!  Woo hoo!

Staged Run

Back on land, the first thing Doug and I did was go for a run.  There was an eight-mile loop on the peninsula in Kas, which just about got the better of us since we've all but forgotten about heat and hills while living in Amsterdam.

It was no ordinary run as we found ourselves on the stage of a Hellenistic theater at the finish line.  I wonder who else ran these steps back in B.C.

Can you see me way over there?

Still smiling.  Sort of.  More of a grimace, really.  If it weren't for the stunning scenery.

Finishers!

One week ago today, Doug and I ran the Paris Semi Marathon.  The tag line to this marathon is "spring challenge," and at 65 degrees and sunny, it was as though the weather itself was up for a challenge.   First sunny day in Paris in weeks, apparently.

I've run a number of 1/2 marathons in the past, but have always wanted to run the Paris race.  What a dream come true to do it while we are living in Europe, and for Doug and I to get to do it together.

Three easy hours by the train from Amsterdam, and voila!  43,000 runners.  13.1 miles.  4 days in Paris.  

Abby & Reese LOVED the expo village.  What's not to love with so much swag.  Everything from free balloons to free bananas.  They wrote sweet notes to us on the dedication wall.

Coincidentally, some good friends from San Francisco found themselves in Paris at the same time.  We spent a sweet day at Jardin des Tuileries, happening upon a fabulous and fabulously-French lunch, and then capped it off with a visit to the Musée de l'Orangerie. 

And, quelle surprise!  These two NoCal buddies ran the 1/2 marathon too!  They didn't have bib numbers, but jumped in at the end of the pack, ran, and then joined us for a celebratory dinner afterwards.  They're both amazing runners, but so impressive to do it on the vacation fly.  Love it!  Thank you CW and GRW for a great weekend in Paris!   Hoping we'll see you in October for the Amsterdam 1/2 marathon . . .

We spent one of our two remaining days at Jardin d'Acclimatation, and the final day on a quiet, cloudy walk around Montmartre before catching our train home.

Nothing beats the Jardin d'Acclimatation for old school charm.  The rides are perfect for the under 10 crowd; the park is green; and the games lack any "shazam" factor and are sweetly simple.  It reminded me of my childhood and summer carnivals.  Big treat for the kids.

Montmartre:  The Sacre Coeur and macaroons for the ride home.