I am late writing this on Friday but am still dating it as this past Wednesday.
Liza’s race was last Thursday and Brendon and I got up in the early hours to drive into Kona with her. There was a steady stream of cars going in at that time and I am certain most cars were filled with athletes and the entourages. The highway shut down shortly after we got to town as the race itself took place largely on that Queen K highway - the biking and running. We dropped her off, got parked and made our way thru the crowds to get a view of the bay where they would do the swim. It was electric with excitement. The Hawaiian drums were going and so was my heart. We ended up standing by Liza’s age group. I moved my way down so she could see we were there and when she looked up to see me, she got a little emotional. They swam out, then lined up treading water until the starting horn blew. They swam into the oncoming ocean swells and out in front of our beautiful hotel where Tom and I started our honeymoon. Who would have guessed we would have our baby girl out on that ocean doing this swim 52 years later. So glad Tom could experience this with her. He loves Hawaii, he loves adventure and most of all he loves Liza and I am certain he didn’t miss a minute of the excitement.
We moved to another location so we could see her start the bike portion of the race. Her swim was ten minutes longer than usual which they said to expect. We were able to see her go passed us twice as she moved thru town and headed for the highway. She had done a short swim in the bay, a short bike on the highway and a short run on the route. She and I had driven up to Hawi on the mountain where the bikes turned to come back. She was acquainted with what was to come and I knew the highway and area well so somehow that calmed me a little. It was the heat and sunburn potential that I feared. We picked up Ted and Alyssa’s boys and brought them back to our place and kids and all the children played at the pool and the pool area. I made them lunch and we drove down to the highway to see her pass by on her return bike ride to the town.
We packed everyone up and taking the back roads, due to the highway closure, made our way closer to town and another location to see her on the run. She passed us and the kids ran along beside her for a bit and then she was off out onto a flat hot area. When she returned she was walking but got running again as we cheered her on. We took Ted and the kids home and made our way back into the middle of town and the finish.
We parked again and walked thru streets and then thru crowds to reach the finish line. It was not long before we saw her coming, still running, and we cheered her in. So exciting and well done. She had thrown up near the finish which dehydrated her but she made it to the end, requiring IV to get fluids back into her before she could get to us. She was burned and she was dehydrated. The Hawaiian sun and heat had done their thing but she was in good spirits and finished in the 50 percentile of her group. A great feat at the world level. We were all exhausted.
Liza’s sunburn was the main thing bothering her the next day but we went shopping for the children to get the things they had hoped for on their trip. Liza and Brendon took Breya and Keaton to swim with the manta rays later that night. You have to wait until dark and they take you out in the ocean.
Liza and Brendon were up early again to see Alyssa’s Patrick off on the men’s race Saturday morning and the kids and I stared packing up and trying to eat up all the food. We got to the airport, again on back roads and following a lineup of cars. We checked in separately as we are on different flights. I stayed with them after checkin until they left and I then went to my gate to wait for a few hours. I had to help a confused little lady who had missed her flight and was now taking mine. I sat by two young adult girls to Denver, one from Toronto and one from Salt Lake. I changed to my Vancouver plane in Denver and sat by another young adult girl. I felt like the Lord blessed because I was feeling lonely and those three girls were alone as well.
Cindy was there to pick me up in Vancouver. I didn’t go to church as I had only a half hour to get ready. I unpacked and showered and Ross and Sarah brought my puppy on their way to Sarah’s father’s. Kona was so excited to see me so that made me happy. Cindy, Paul, Sam and Bryson brought Thanksgiving dinner over to my house later which was so lovely. Bryson is here for Thanksgiving. Paul set me apart for my new calling.
I have been trying to get business and other things done this week. I had my first meeting with with the Stake YW Presidency on Wednesday. I have so much to get up to speed on - all the changes in the program, all the digital information available etc. I will do my best. Breya and I both have colds this week. I guess it came from sharing a room and bathroom. What a week!
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