Summit Peak Half Marathon

Hannah and Eric run during the week at work and are generally in pretty good shape.  So, it wasn't a complete surprise earlier in the year when they set a goal of participating in a half marathon before the end of 2011.  So, as the year waned Hannah looked around for a nearby half marathon to participate in.  Having stumbled upon the Summit Peak Half Marathon in nearby Saratoga, she checked out the website and saw a bunch of smiling, happy participants; just what she was looking for.  They seemed happy.. so she signed up and then got Eric to come along with her.

On December 10th Hannah and Eric were off to the Summit Peak Half Marathon.  Julie and I were invited along as their support staff providing such important services as a ride to the race location, photography, in-race cheering and post race buffet.  We were honored to have the chance to participate.

The course map is shown below.


Now, right off the bat, there are some subtle clues that this might not be your normal, relatively flat, half-marathon.  For instance, the name of the race includes the words 'Summit' - which is not a word associated with low elevations.  Also, the word 'Peak' is used.  Another word not generally used together with the terms 'flat', 'level' or 'easy'.  A third clue might have been when you looked at the map and noticed elevation rings.  Many elevation rings.   Oh, at the race course is located in the Santa Cruz MOUNTAINS.

As we climbed up road to Sanborn County Park I think it started to dawn on the kids that this wasn't going to be a simple run in the park.  The windy, uphill road snaked through the redwoods until we reached our location.

Undaunted, the kids checked in and got their race numbers and prepared to get going.

As I was checking with the race staff to determine where we could go to cheer for Hannah and Eric it became obvious this was a unique course.  The race was run entirely on wilderness trails and there was only 1 place (at the half-way turnaround) where observers could park to encourage their racers.  At that point Julie and I decided to split up.  She would go to the turnaround in the car and I would take off (since it was more than 30 minutes to race start) on foot and go find a place along the course where I could take photographs.   So, armed with my camera I was off through the start and walking.

Immediately, I started to get concerned for the kids.  You see, after the first 100 yards or so the course starts a continuous upward track - relatively steep in many places.  As it turns out - this little chart - which Eric found after the fact - might have been very helpful as they were evaluating which race to enter ;)

As you can see - the course is a significant uphill for the entire first 4 miles.  Then, the course meanders up and down for the next couple miles - reversing the pattern on the return (it's a back and forth course).  In all there is over 1/2 mile of elevation change during the race!

I was able to cover the first 2.5 miles or so before finding a spot where I could get good pictures (and a good workout myself).  I worried as I waited for our racers to come by.

Fortunately, as I spied them down the hill on a switchback (note the narrow trail they were running on) they were in excellent spirits!  Note: the pictures are dark because it was early in the morning and in the middle of a forest.

As they came up the hill and ran by me they looked like they were doing very well!  I cheered them on and then they were off - continually gaining altitude!

Well, it was going to be awhile before I saw them again (they had to SUMMIT and then come back down) - so I moved my location down to about 1.25 miles from the finish (around mile 12).  I remember running a long, tough race and it was an incredible encouragement to me to have my family and friends there to cheer me on.  And there were so many random people along the course that would cheer for all the participants.  So, this was my opportunity to give something back.  Knowing I was one of the few non-racers on the course - I really got into encouraging every racer as they ran by.  It was an easy thing to do because having walked just a portion of the course I was incredibly impressed with anyone that would finish this race.

It was an inspirational moment to finally spot Hannah and Eric coming towards me.  They may not have noticed, but it really got me all choked up.   So - I snapped away with the camera and cheered for them!  Only a mile or so more to go... and it's all down hill!!  I knew they would be fine.  Don't they look great?!

In a flash they were by me and approaching the aid station.  A few gummy bears and a last drink of water and they were off - racing towards the finish and the achievement of a difficult goal.

As I started my own trek down to meet them at the finish I had a chance to reflect on their achievement.  I was absolutely certain they had no idea just how difficult this race would be.  I would guess they are both capable of running the distance on a relatively flat course in a couple hours or so - give or take.  This race would take them over 3 hours.  And yet, they kept their composure and seemed to actually thrive on the difficulty.  Also, they stayed together throughout.  That is an admirable trait - to come alongside your friend and provide mutual encouragement to achieve a difficult goal.  I was filled with pride as I returned to the start to see them reveling in their accomplishment.

Way to go Hannah and Eric!  You should be very proud of yourselves.

Can't wait to go to your next race!

Disneyland!

Last year when Julie (Logan) Winslow got married we got tickets to visit Disneyland the day afterwards (she was married just down the street).  Well - what we didn't plan for was the torrential downpour that would accompany the weekend - washing out of trip.

The pre-paid tickets were good for a year, so as the Winslow's first anniversary approached it was time to get back to Disneyland for a visit.  So, we loaded Jon and Rachel, Hannah and Eric and Julie and I and headed off.

Here we are arriving Saturday morning!

Hannah just had to have this sequined set of mouse ears.  Doesn't she look like she's having fun?

We've never been to California Adventure Land - but we got park hopper passes and were off to that side of the park in the afternoon.  One of the rides the kids and Julie tried was California Screamer.  And a screamer it was!  The rides takes off like a aircraft leaving a aircraft carrier.  This is a picture taken about 1 second into the ride.  Look at Julie!!  Hahaha!

Here's Eric trying his best to free Excalibur.  A nice try.

It wouldn't be a Henderson vacation without a jumping picture... now would it?

Here's the kids getting ready to go on Space Mountain.  Yep, Julie and I too!

Hannah just loves visiting the Princess Fantasy Faire to hang with her sisters.  Here she is with Julie and Rachel and Eric as well as Mulan, Ariel and Belle.

Jon and Rachel stopped to get their picture taken with a couple of the Car's stars.

 Rachel as a wookie?  Hannah and Eric waiting to get on the Star Wars tour.

Interestingly, the day we went they were taping their Disney Christmas Day Parade for broadcast Christmas morning.  Because you're supposed to believe it is actually a live event - they had to tape in during the morning.  Saturday it was.  So, look for us on TV.  ok?

All in all it was a great day!

Father's Day Inter-league Baseball Outing

Inter-league baseball is special in the Bay Area because the Giants (National League) and A's (American League) are right in our backyard.  And Father's Day weekend makes it all the more fun to participate.  So, you can imaging how excited I was to hear I was getting an outing for Father's Day.  Niiicccceeeee!

This time the game was in Oakland at the Coliseum - home of the 6 time world champion A's.

 
Julie and I arrived a bit early - so we had a few minutes to check out the stadium.  I've been there before - but I can't actually remember going to a baseball game at the Coliseum.  So, we walked around the facility.

When we got back to our seats - Hannah and Eric were there!  Surprise!  A very happy one.

Check this lady out.  Unfortunately, I didn't get her name.  But, she turned 100 recently - and they honored her with a ride around the stadium and an opportunity to throw out the first pitch.  This is her underhanding a sweet throw into the catcher.  I hope Julie is that cool when she gets to 100.

Baseball is about the game and the food ;)  So, once the game was underway Julie and Hannah set off to get us some refreshments.  Here she is coming back to our seats with the mother load!

It was beautiful night for baseball.

Except - by the end of the game we were all beating our heads against the wall - much like Pablo Sandoval below.

A final picture.  Hannah was totally jealous of this kid's glasses.  They are sweet!  Maybe a future birthday present ?!?

Family Update via Karen and Andy's Wedding!

I haven't yet communicated with the bride and groom  - and don't like my chances for the next few days :). 

So, I'm not going to post any pictures of the bride and groom.  But, we here at Team Henderson do want to officially congratulate Kandy (Karen + Andy) on their sweet wedding.  We had a blast.

Additionally, we can take advantage of their delightful soiree last Sunday to offer up a little family update. 

Did we mention that Hannah's (finally!) back in California?  Well, after having trekked across Europe and most recently the heartland of America with Eric she (and Eric) arrived back home last Friday.  Clearly, my beautiful daughter is no worse for the wear!  And mom is soooo glad to have her back.

Here's a picture of the usual suspects.  It's rewarding to look at a picture like this and realize that we have been so blessed in our lives.  This picture is a fitting juxtaposition of lifelong friends, family and the new.  We take none of them for granted.

And speaking of new ... I don't think we've had a picture of Julie and Evan and baby James yet.  I guess this one should be titled 'introducing baby bump James Winslow'. 

Yeah, yeah, yeah - I know it seems like 2010/11 was/is all about the Logans.  After all, Julie and Evan got married last December, Tim and Barbara in March and now Karen and Andy in June.  Sadly, I think we've plumb run out of Logans to get married.. but let's just say.. they still look like they're all having fun.

Should we call these 'agony and ecstasy?  Or just super cute?

Where will life take us next?