I got home from the Portland to Coast race about 4 hours ago. It was one of the most intense 37 hours I’ve spent recently. Our team, the ChevroLegs had 11 members, all women. We had 2 vans that carried us to our various legs of the race. These 11 women weren’t all friends when we loaded the van in the wee hours of Friday morning, some of us were barely acquaintances at the start of the race, but now I believe we have a connection that will last a long time. Truly, this is an amazing group of women dedicated to this event, and now to each other. And most of us are already on the 2010 team! Can’t wait. Next time, though, I’m bringing bug repellent.
The Portland to Coast race is the world's largest walking relay. It is 127 miles made up of 24 legs. We had a slap bracelet we used as a baton that we'd exchange at the beginning of each leg. Being women, we'd take the bracelet off a few yards before the chute and dry off our sweat before slapping it onto the next walker. It made me laugh every time. Bet the guys didn't dry off their sweat before passing it onto their teammate and I'll bet that teammate didn't care. Women care about sweat.
So why would I want to get up at 3 in the morning, travel for a few hours to wait my turn to compete in a relay race that takes us from the beautiful city of Portland, Oregon to the dreamlike town of Seaside, Oregon? Why would I want to be awake for a multitude of hours tending to women I hardly knew the day before, competing in complete darkness along narrow roads, sleeping (there really wasn’t any sleep but we tried) on the floors of vans, and eating food provided by the local equestrian club of whatever town we were in at the time? (Um, I didn’t ask what the food was at that point, I just ate and it was delicious.)
Why did we do this? Well, one reason is to challenge ourselves. We not only competed against our own abilities, but we competed against other teams while becoming a connected, solid, formidable team. And we not only started out as acquaintances or less, but during the race, the ordeal, the lack of sleep and food, the multitude of bug bites, managing porta potties in complete darkness and the tenuous terrain, we became linked, we became a team and we became friends. And that, my blog friends, is why I do this.
I love connecting with people. I like knowing who they are, where they come from and what they love. I like encouraging them to meet challenges and I like to receive that sameencouragement back. It is amazing being a part of a group like the ChevroLegs; a group of compassionate, fit, caring, focused women who want to become more than who they are right now even if it means giving up sleep and collecting a massive amount of bug bites, blisters and muscle pains from places they didn’t know they had muscles. . . .even if it means showering in facilities that we normally wouldn’t consider disrobing in, and blow drying our hair under hand driers in the public facilities . . . . even if it means walking desolate roads with only a head lamp, reflector vest, a can of mace and the baton that we need to get to our team mate so they can walk a desolate road with only a head lamp, reflector vest, a can of mace, absolutely no cell phone reception so they can deliver the baton. It is a challenge. You don’t want to drop the baton in a race, just like you don’t want to drop the baton in life. Why do I put myself through daily workouts and spending weekend mornings training and then eventually competing in events like Portland to Coast? One is to develop friendships with team mates and competitors that go beyond the normal day in, day out relationships. Another is to develop that friendship within me – the one that shows me what I am made of and what I can accomplish when I put it on the line. But mainly I do it to remind myself that I am carrying the baton everyday of my life, and it does matter that I carry it well to the next person, and that, when it is my turn again, to receive the baton with enthusiasm, dedication and the commitment to my fellow humans to carry it to the best of my ability. And that is why I race.
Why do I want to write? I get asked that question every so often. It isn't that easy to answer in a social situation without having the person start backing up and get very quiet. So I usually just say that it is fun. And it is fun for me so I'm not being dishonest. But it is so much more than that.
Sometimes I write to stop my analytical brain from crunching numbers. That crunching sound gets very annoying when I’m not at work and when it isn’t me eating some potato chips.
Most of the time I write because I want to break through the ice and see what is really going on down deep inside. Sometimes I amazed at what comes out when I do finally break through the ice. Other times I’m shocked that I was actually thinking/feeling/believing something I wasn’t aware of.
One thing I am sure of, it doesn’t matter why I write as much as it matters THAT I write. I will share some of these things with you in due time, but for now, I’m going to take some of that chipped ice and make a margarita. Crap, where did I stash that blender?
1. Working with Ellen Bass, Sage Cohen, Robert McDowell and Deborah Herman on poetry and writing.
2. Being part of The Grove finance team – that is pretty exciting
3. Driving my new car – it is pretty cool
4. Talking to old friends and meeting new friends – I love people 5. Black-eyed Susans in full bloom. BEAUTIFUL! 6. Having Sage Cohen ask for one of my poems. Wow!
7. Deb – she is a great hugger.
8. Being called a Warrior Moose – you kind of had to be there, but it was funny and endearing and still makes me laugh.(send me an e-mail if you want to hear the story)
9. M U S I C – especially live blues at the Calapooia
10. Training for the Portland to Coast race. What a wonderful challenge
The sunflower looked beautiful in my cobalt blue vase a golden halo of translucent petals reached away from the brunette hub as if trying to experience something more to touch one more piece of life An olive grey stalk sipped water a stalk that oozed out some of its life when I cut it to confine it in my cobalt blue vase
As the days pass the sunflower’s head bows the fibrous stalk bends as if the weight of the head is too much for it to bear. Petals that once were vibrant are edged in rotting brown the leaf is sagging too tired to salute any longer Scattered petals litter my table falling like tears surrendered not wanting to be imprisoned any longer in my cobalt blue vase.
When I was sitting in the sand box 20 years ago with my children, I could not envision a day when they would be on their own. I didn’t really try because the constant demands of parenthood kept me in the here and now (or the then and there since it was 20 years ago). I loved being a parent. I loved being the room mom, making cookies, working on projects, planning birthday parties, making their clothes, walking them to school, teaching them to ride a bike and eventually drive a car, and watching them grow into the wonderfully independent and happy adults they now are.
While raising children I, personally, became a rut lover. What I mean is that I wore the same type of clothes, never tried different foods, jewelry, clothing or shoes, and I was controlled by the clock and calendar. I was in a rut that worked for me. My time was consumed taking care of everyone else – band camp, grocery shopping, church, homework, science fair, vet appointments, work, military wife duties, chores. . . well, you know the list - that I just stuck with one thing that worked. I didn’t have to think about it so it was one thing off my list.
Kids just don’t leave, though. Like, they aren’t here one day and gone the next. It’s a gradual process. College is a gray area. They are kind of gone, but not really. This gray college time is good for everyone. It eased me into empty nest and it eased them away for parents. I called it Empty Nest Lite.
Then college was over. The kids were gone and I now had time on my hands. So. . . .now what? At first I was overwhelmed and wasn’t too sure what to do. Crying was an option, but I’m not a good crier. It was time for me to rediscover me and, boy, have I been having fun. My first goal was to try to live a life that my kids would want to be part of. That was a great start and a great idea to get things going.
So I lost 20 something pounds, started marathoning, joined some groups, and became a regular at some of the local venues. All of that meant new friends along with new experiences. My new friends helped me find some hipper clothes and cuter shoes, and encouraged me to experience new foods. I think I’ve finally found my style and I like it.
Then I discovered Facebook and started looking up friends from years gone by. Reconnecting with these amazing friends has been an incredible experience. These old friends reminded me of some of the things I used to do, like writing. I had forgotten how much fun and enriching writing can be. And music. I used to be so involved with music. I rediscovered blues and attend a blues jam once a week now. I’m not a participant, but an enthusiastic listener. I know all of the musicians and actually attend their concerts.
Anyway, it’s all a journey. I loved those sandbox days and wouldn’t trade them for anything. I loved the school days with all of the hectic schedules, fundraisers, volunteering and carpooling. I loved the college years and being part of intellectual conversations with my kids and meeting their new college friends. Whoa, that was so much fun!
However, I especially love now. My children have become my friends. They are amazingly strong, independent, courageous people. They are hard workers, happy, compassionate and funny adults who understand the importance of living life to the fullest. We talk about everything and I love that! I’m so proud of them and who they are. But mostly, I’m honored to be their friend.
Playing softball on Sunday -We won but that didn’t matter.It was just awesome to play with some old and new friends! In the pic is my boss, Sarah. She's a wonderful softball player
Being part of The Grove finance team – Awesome group of selfless people.Rock on GROVE!
BLACKBERRIES (need I say more)
Seeing Mary’s Peak on my way to work – Mary’s Peak is my favorite spot in the entire world.Waikiki beach is 2nd.
Red fingernail polishand blue eye shadow- (see #6)
Red, White and Blue Bunko- (explains the nail polish)I love playing Bunko with my friends and I especially love hosting! In the pic are my friends Joy, Hallie and Carole
Ballroom dancing class – I’m starting to get it!And wearing the right shoes and a twirly skirt makes it even better.
Posts from Jessica and Daniel on my FB wall – my kids are the most amazing people I’ve ever met.
Hazelnut coffee from the 76 station – I love being a regular there.I know everyone’s name and they know mine.
Windows down, music cranked up!Rockin’ home from work – there’s nothing quite as freeing!
. . .To live in the world you must be able to do three things: to love what is mortal; to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it; and, when the time comes to let it go, to let it go. Mary Oliver
acquaintances at the start of the race, but now I believe we have a connection that will last a long time. Truly, this is an amazing group of women dedicated to this event, and now to each other. And most of us are already on the 2010 team! Can’t wait. Next time, though, I’m bringing bug repellent.
peted against our own abilities, but we competed against other teams while becoming a connected, solid, formidable team. And we not only started out as acquaintances or less, but during the race, the ordeal, the lack of sleep and food, the multitude of bug bites, managing porta potties in complete darkness and the tenuous terrain, we became linked, we became a team and we became friends. And that, my blog friends, is why I do this. 
