Blog

Goodbyes

This was a really long week. I can’t remember the last time I was as happy to get into bed as I was last night. It started about 10 days ago when my grandmother went into the ICU with internal bleeding and kidney failure. Loren and I went down to Laguna Woods to see her (and our grandfather and parents) on Monday. She was in bad shape, but when we left on Monday night, there was hope that she would stabilize and even be released. In the end though, it was all too hard on her and her heart gave out on Tuesday afternoon. We spent the rest of the week commuting down to Laguna Woods and spending time with the increasing group of family members who flew and drove into town. The funeral was yesterday. Despite the circumstances, it was nice to spend the week with the entire extended family.

My grandparents have been a big part of my life. They moved to Southern California soon after we did almost 30 years ago. I feel fortunate to be able to say that I got to share most of my biggest life moments with them. The picture up top is from one of our trips to their house in 2008. The one below is Elizabeth with them during the Alaskan cruise they took the whole family on in 2007.

She died too soon, of course. But I know how lucky I am to have had the time with her that I did.

You’ll notice that I still managed to get in some training this week. It meant early mornings and even longer days than necessary, but it was worth it to get the fresh air and to sweat out my feelings. Thursday morning’s Westridge run was my favorite session of the week. It was a beautiful morning, crisp air with clear blue skies. On the way back from Nike point, I ran down alone along the singletrack “rim” just above the fireroad. At one of the highest points along the trail, I stopped for a minute to reflect on the prior few days and prepare myself for Thursday and Friday. It was one of the only times during the week that I really gave myself the opportunity to quietly think. I said my goodbyes to Grandma and promised to do what I could to help the family get through the week and beyond. Moments like that, as much as any other reason, are why I run.

We’ll miss you Grandma.

Bike – Feb 15
Distance: 25.1 miles
Time: 1:31
Course: Griffith Park
Conditions: Sunny, high 50’s

Run – Feb 16
Distance: 5.7 miles
Time: 40 min.
Course: West Hollywood
Conditions: Sunny, high 50’s