I’m so blessed to be on vacation in Maui with my mom and 2 sisters today. My “sister,” Jill and I are both turning 40 this year. Her birthday was in July and mine will be in December. It’s easier to just refer to her as my sister so let’s just agree to that and not ask any questions. OK? Ok.
This amazing adventure kicked off a little less than a year ago. My Mom and Stepdad spent Thanksgiving on Maui last year. While they were here, they booked this trip for us. My Mom really wanted to do something special for our 40th birthdays so she figured prebooking a trip to Hawaii would do it. She called us and told us our flight numbers. I can’t think of many more generous gestures of love than this one – we’re all so grateful!
On Friday morning, Jill flew up from LA and I picked her up from the airport. She hadn’t seen my new house yet so it was really fun to have her join me to pick up my kinder from school and show her our house. The kids love their aunties so much! It was another joyfully precious moment when my other sister, Sandy, arrived Friday evening. Both kids were screaming her name and running around her in circles. They got so worked up with hugging that they were hugging each other…still screaming her name. You’d have thought they were getting ready for the vacation of their lives!
Saturday morning, our journey kicked off with a town car ride to the airport. Yeeaaaahhhh is all I can say. Big pimpin’ style.
Bit of advice? Next time you travel to Hawaii, fly Hawaiian Airlines. I had only ever flown United before and Hawaiian is amazing comparatively. The experience truly had an Aloha quality to which United just doesn’t even come close.
Arriving in Hawaii to meet my mom (who’d already been here for a week with my Stepdad to celebrate their anniversary, but who’d already flown home yesterday morning) was fabulous. She greeted us with orchid leis!
Over lunch we shared a bottle of champagne and a bunch of apps. Amazing.
The sunset we enjoyed later was a sight to behold. I’ve been to Hawaii several times before but I’m always struck by how colorful and magnificent the sunsets here can be. I think I took about 80 pictures.
This morning, Sandy and I went out for a run. I needed to have a “successful” run so I stayed out for 6-miles. I’ve been feeling really conflicted and confused about running. On the one hand, I really don’t “need” to run anymore. On the other hand, I feel a real sense of loss that my training journey is over and I feel like my day to day purpose is suddenly unclear.
I knew that this trip would be an important part of my Boston qualifying journey. I remember telling my mom when she booked it that I’d either be celebrating a BQ or licking my wounds that I didn’t get there. In reality, it’s kind of a bit of both. Running a marathon is something I had always wanted to do. The training and dedication that were necessary changed how I feel about myself. I know now that I can achieve ANY goal I choose to approach. I kind of already knew that but now I know for certain.
That said, I achieved the marathon completion goal, but not the BQ goal. And that really hurts. I need to repeat that. It REALLY HURTS. I really wanted to qualify for the Boston Marathon THIS YEAR. I’m really disappointed. And then I’m disappointed in myself for being disappointed because I feel like it was such a privilege to have had the time and other resources available to me to be able to train so much for a recreational activity.
The intellectual part of me knows that I’m being really hard on myself. But the emotions are still in there and I’m working through it. This morning’s run was the first run since my marathon that I felt like I had some running mojo. I maybe licking my wounds but I’m doing it with 3 of the most supportive and loving women in my life. I’m so fortunate to have a family like this. Without them and the rest of my beautiful family, none of this stuff would even matter.
So I’m working on it and I’m working through it.
As I do, I’m going to enjoy this Bloody Mary and soak up every moment of Hawaiian sunshine and female love energy that I can get. New goals are waiting for me when I touch down next week.
