An Ode to my beloved Honda

Rest in peace Vivi. You've always been good to me. I remember our first road trip together right after I bought you. We drove down to see Big D in California. Our first night I slept in your trunk w/the backseats down which you made suprisingly comfortable. I felt so safe with you. I had planned on us being together for a long time.

On Friday, March 14th our time together came to an end. You took a bullet for me not once but twice. I didn't realize that stretch of Military Road would be our last time together. I wish we could go back to California one last time and wind thru the Redwoods before parking on the beach to watch the sunset.

I saw the foolio coming from behind at a high rate of speed (most likely texting and driving!) I was in disbelief - why isn't he stopping? Why isn't he swerving? Then you and I were launched into oncoming traffic.

I think death, headfirst, by an old gangster car like an Impala suited you. You went out in style with a quick spin before coming to your final rest. I knew right away that you were gone. You had given your life for me so I could walk away. I had nothing broken, cut or fractured. You took it like a champ.

Big D and my Father arrived immediately to gather all the memories that were not damaged from the wreck. They stayed with me at the hospital and Big D even stayed the night after that to make sure I was OK. I'm glad they were able to say Goodbye too, and I'm glad they were there to help me with my premature goodbye to you as well.

My non-vehicular friends and family have been amazing I want you to know. They have given me so much help and support since you were taken away. They have made sure that I won't feel as alone or as lost now that you're gone. They have encouraged me to look to the future and have even offered monetary help. How did I get so blessed?

Big D is amazing - her and her family are letting me drive one of their vehicles in the interim. I want you to know that no one will ever compare to you. You grew up with me and were a big part of my 20's. Because of you I now know what I want in a car - I want another Honda just like you - is that even possible? You will always have a piece of my heart and when I go back to Cali it won't be the same without you there. Thank you for always keeping me warm and safe. I'm so happy to say that my beloved Honda Vivi had a glorious death so I didn't have to.

I love you Vivi!!

Third time wasn't so charming

I trained long and hard. I got up early every Saturday morning since Christmas and ran with Coach Shu ll (my brother). He pushed me and it showed. My legs got harder, hills got easier and long distance became more comfortable. I got used to the ice baths after these long runs and would ease the pain with mimosas(my favorite part of training).
All my brother wanted for Christmas was for me to run my third half-marathon with him. He warned me it was a hard course but it was his favorite. It wasn't ALWAYS easy training. I did have to call him a few weeks ago and apologize for telling him to "eff off" about 15 times during a hard run. It didn't phase him. But I just visualized giving him his Christmas present after saying "Eff You" - it just wasn't right man.
I did my last long run one week before the race and was so stinking suprised when I took off my shoe and saw a blood blister! First time people. I had no idea what to do with it. I think this must be what new parents feel like. I felt like if I touched it I was going to pop it.
I doubled up on the moleskin over the next week and pushed thru. I made meals that consisted of carbs, protein and fresh veggies/fruit. I drowned myself in water - hence I worked part time in the 3rd bathroom stall of the 955 Building. I got a sports massage and found out my achilles was super stiff (which explains a lot!), I schedule a SECOND massage for the day after the race, I was adament about reading my running bible and following it to a T. I was focused.
Three of four days before the race I started to feel sick - throat and ears. Dangit. I doubled up on the coldbusters. I cut back on training. I did the carboload the night before at Hotel Woodinville, watched an inspiring sports movie ("Who do you play for!?" "The legs feed the wolves", etc) and felt ready. I knew I could really push it at the race because training was over.
We left Hotel Woodinville late the next morning. Anyone that knows me and/or my family shouldn't be suprised. So when we hit traffic, 1/2 from our exit and 10 minutes before the start of the race, Coach Shu ll and I had no choice. We hopped out of the stopped vehicle and ran hard past all the cars. Then we had to run harder, up a long hill, to finally get to the start line with two minutes to spare. Great start!
I was feeling OK the first 6 or 7 miles. Coach Shu ll had to tap my shoulder perodically to remind me to slow down. I just was ready to get in the zone and flow of running. We'd slap EVERY kids' hand as we ran by them (thanks spectators for the cheers!) I'd keep Coach Shu ll up to date on my motivating music (Sabotage, Beastie Boys). Once mile 8 hit though something changed. All of a sudden I felt dizzy and nauseous. I was just maintaining moving my legs. Later Coach Shu ll conveyed to me that my face looked pale and sick therefore he didn't fight me when I asked to walk. How did I get thru the last 5 miles? I had no choice. But I was so stinking dizzy that I thought my head was going to pop off. I'd muster up energy to push myself up another hill only to fight off another bought of nausea.
We finally approached the end of the course. So tell me WHY we had to climb one last hill to get to the finish line? I need a comment card for these organizers! I really wanted to do a Zack Morris time out so I could just walk up the hill without humilitating myself in front of all the spectators and event coordinators. Here's my brother and I cresting at the hill:
To my delight I see my parents, sister-in-law (Coach Shu ll's wife) and my two favorite people Diane and Alan. I instantly felt better. I still felt nauseous but was ready for my post-race meal! Nothing sounded good but I ate. It was during Diane's strike out story that all of a sudden I felt drastically worse. Diane later told me that my face looked literally gray - not a good sign. Once I was able to make it back to Hotel Woodinville I got REALLY sick. Bad stomach sick. Remember that kind of stomach sick you would get under the age of 10? It was like that!
I think I emptied out my whole stomach and then some.
But guess what bitches? I still got a PR! Not the one that I wanted but it was still a PR.
As I sit heart typing this, and listening to my stomach growl (pepto is slacking) I'm feeling OK about it all. My blood blister did pop if you were wondering...I didn't take a post-pop picture but can send one upon request.
During the 10th mile I was having thoughts like "Why did I think I would run more races after this?? 4 half-marathons in four months? NO WAY. I don't even like running, this isn't natural..."
But now I need to redeem myself! Starting next week, after my week of rest, my eye is on the goal of redemption. The healthy half-marathon is next. Fourth time will be fantastic if not charming.
Thanks for all that you do Coach Shu ll and pushing me through. I couldn't of done it without you! Literally!