Woohoo! It’s the first Friday of the month, which means it’s time to join Coco and Deborah for their Ultimate Coffee Date. I have plenty to share, so get out your coffee/tea and let’s get started.
In Tuesday’s post (“What’s Next?”) I mentioned that I had my eye on several races but didn’t feel the need to sign up for anything right away. Birchie commented “Ha ha I’m pretty sure that you DO feel the need to sign up for a race this very second! I always used to get a thrill from the moment when I registered for a race.” Well… OKAY. She was right.
I signed up for the Treasure Coast Ultra on November 9th. I chose it for several reasons, one of them being that it’s in a state park only an hour’s drive from my house. There’s a 6 hour and a 12 hour option, and I chose the 12 hour. You run multiple loops of a 5 (ish) mile trail for as long as you can/want to, up to 12 hours. I’m not sure yet how I’m going to approach it- run a 50K and call it a day? Go for a new distance PR (anything over 31 miles?) Or, run for the entire 12 hours??? I’ll decide when it gets closer. It all depends on how my training goes, and what else I have after that- I haven’t decided on my other races for the year yet. I’m excited!
Speaking of excitement, my son and husband are back from California. They were attending the International Trumpet Guild, an annual conference for trumpet geeks everywhere. There are concerts, competitions, master classes, exhibits, and my son’s trumpet ensemble- the same group that competed (and won second place) at NTC earlier in the year- competed in the “college chamber music” division.
THEY WON! Well- they tied for first place. They tied with a brass quintet from ICELAND, how cool is that??? It was an incredible experience, and so fun for my husband to be there to see it (I’m envious!)
There was a cash prize, which, split six ways, came to $550 apiece. Great! Now all we have to do is add another zero onto that, and it would have paid for the damage to his car. Sigh…
I might have mentioned that my son’s car “broke down” on his way home from college- but the truth is, he rear-ended someone. I didn’t want to incriminate him initially, but what the heck. He crashed the car, no one was hurt, the damage to the other car was minimal (they didn’t even want to call the police and my son just gave them $150) BUT the damage to his car turned out to be substantial. He needed a new radiator and a new part for the AC, in addition to the external damage. So, the lesson learned is- don’t buy a Kia Soul. They just crumble to pieces at the slightest bump! I mean, he was only going like 10 mph.
As you can see, our summer has really started with a lot of excitement, but as always you have to take the good with the bad, right?
What would you tell me over coffee? Any excitement to start your summer?
45 Responses
Congrats on signing up! I imagine that you’ll be spending a lot of time on your long runs imaging the different ways that you could run the race.
Congrats to your folks for the first place tie! And ugh on the car drama to start the summer. Sigh.
Thanks! I used to take my time signing up for races, but after getting shut out of that 50 miler I THOUGHT I wanted to do in May (in retrospect I think it was a good thing) I’ve learned my lesson.
Yay for registering for your next ultra! You know you’ve got to run at least one mile farther than your longest ultra. 😉
Congrats to your son and his fellow trumpeters! What a bummer about the car accident, that no way to start summer break.
You’re right Debbie- there’s no way I would stop at 31 miles!
Yeah, summer really started with a high and a low for us!
Oh, so sorry about the car. What a bother. Some of those cars are so flimsy! But congrats on the trumpet competition!
I’ll be so interested to hear about your approach to that race! It’s such an interesting concept for a race! Just keep looping!
Yes, I’ve never run a race like this. I think I’ll like it? I’ll find out!
Ooooooh your next race sounds fun, like a choose your own adventure type of event! I like the idea of fixed time races like that but the ones near me are all on flat dirt tracks that are a mile or less, and I think I would go crazy repeating that for hours, but yours sounds more interesting since it’s a 5 mile loop on a trail.
Congrats to your son but yikes on the car! My mom used to have a Kia Soul and I hated driving it because the blind spots were really bad. I got into a minor accident at the beginning of last year and fortunately all the damage was just cosmetic and I only had to pay the deductible, but I had to wait a few months to get it fixed because the body shops were all booked and then the shop took longer than it was supposed to to fix my car so I had a rental for 3 week, ugh! Cars can be so expensive!
Yes, cars have been REALLY expensive for us lately- the insurance situation here in Florida is not good.
I’ve always been curious about this race format, so I figured it’s time to give it a try. The loop is described as a “beautiful” trail- we’ll see about that!
Yay for a November race – I love how flexible that format is! And congrats to your son – what an exciting win! (and they got a cash prize?!?!!? How cool is that?) We are still in the midst of school winding down and recitals, so it doesn’t quite feel like summer yet. We still have a full week of school next week and a half day the following Monday…. Lil Momma has hit some bumps in the road with Matilda rehearsals (nerves are getting to her, sigh), so we are running lines all day every day and trying to get her to be angrier! It feels so counterproductive, haha!
What, she’s supposed to be playing an angry character? Have you seen Tootsie? I’m thinking of when Dustin Hoffman is helping Terri Garr’s character to audition for the role in the soap, and he comes along to enrage her.
It seems like school has been out here forever- but this is just our second week of vacation. I can’t imagine having another week, but I know a lot of schools up north are on that schedule.
I know exactly the scene, it’s amazing! Heck, the whole movie is just my favorite.
Wow. Yes. Lots going on. Good and bad.
The good. Congrats to the trumpet players. And to you for signing up for a race. My friends recommended Colt 45.
My marathon is that weekend too.
Darlene, Colt 45 was another one I was considering! The date wasn’t as convenient for me though. It sounds like a great race.
I think your marathon is the week before my race.
Wow. Yes. Lots going on. Good and bad.
The good. Congrats to the trumpet players. And to you for signing up for a race. My friends recommended Colt 45.
My marathon is the weekend before. Fun times training.
Congrats to Paul! That is awesome!! Ugh that really sucks about the car. That seems like a crazy amount of damage for a little fender bender. But the cost of repairs can add up. Did I tell you that in November, after I was blissed out from a massage, I backed our weeks out Rav4 into a pillar of a parking garage?? I can’t remember how much it cost but it was probably $3-5k (I blocked it out). Gah. I’m still kind of nervous to drive the new car. I haven’t driven an SUV before it’s quite an adjustment from a small sedan and I’m paranoid I will do something else. Even though I am a cautious/decent driver. I had never had a single incident w/ my Camry that I had for 8 years!
That is exciting that you signed up for a race and that it’s close to your house. I am all about convenience right now. I keep poking around for 10 mile races but am coming up empty. It is sort of an odd distance. I don’t feel like I am ready to do a half and I don’t really want to pay money to race a 10k when I can just do that on my own on a Sat morning?
If we were having coffee I’d tell you how fun it was to meet Birchie in person this week and then I would probably whine and complain about this godforsaken flare that won’t go away and is now worse since I lowered my dose of steroids. But at least I don’t feel super jittery and like I might snap at the smallest thing that happens… Roid rage is REAL.
Oooh! I was thinking you were the “mystery blogger” Birchie was going to meet!!! How fun.
Oh, that story of the Rav 4… I feel you. After the accident (that I caused) in September of 2022 I was afraid to drive for a while- especially at that intersection. Car repairs are EXPENSIVE!!! And our insurance situation is a mess.
When do you start your infusions? That should help this ongoing flare, right???
Wow – so much happy stuff here (car issues aside). That is AMAZING that your son + his group tied for first. What an accomplishment.
And I’m beyond happy you signed up for another race. I think you’ll love having that to look forward to and it’s a new style of race which is fun and a bit different in terms of planning and execution.
Cars are money sinks. I hate that we need vehicles – both environmentally and frugally – but…we really do in the modern age (especially if we don’t live in a big city where public transit is easy to use). We just got a second vehicle as we’ve been down to one for 6 months. I HATE that we now have to upkeep two cars (both used with over 100,000 kilometers on them already)…but I am going away on a little trip next week and that’s only possible because we have two vehicles again, so I’m not complaining too loudly.
Yes, I had the brief thought, could I just ride my bike everywhere? No- no, I can’t. SIGH!!! It’s not just the car repairs, it’s the insurance…. ANYWAY, like you said, lots of good things to focus on. And… I’m excited by this mention of a “little trip” for you- I can’t wait to hear all about it.
Woot! Woot! Congrats to your son! And congrats to you for a new race to plan for! It’s convenient that it’s so close to your house so you won’t have to do the whole thing where you finish your race and eat an entire bag of Fritos.
The blower for the HVAC in our new car stopped working and my husband took it in for repairs and just that was $600. So much money.
(This is a story I am leaving here on your blog because I think it’s a safe place my husband will never find. On Memorial Day, I was driving on a busy road in Grand Rapids, Michigan after having met a friend for brunch and I was about to get on the interstate to head back to Wisco. And while I was at a red light, the lady behind me hit me. I was stopped and she couldn’t have been going that fast. I did get jolted forward and everything in my car was pushed forward, too. I pulled into a parking lot and so did she and our cars were fine. And so I got her phone number and left. No police, no nothing. I didn’t tell my husband because he would have freaked out and involved insurance and nothing was really wrong.
Except. My neck hurts? Like all the time? And my husband is all “what did you do to it?” and I have no answer. I mean, I KNOW the answer, but I can’t tell him because I know his reaction…ugh. I really never keep secrets from my husband and the guilt over this is pretty intense. I might have to just come clean.)
Okay Engie, you have a dilemma here! I will say one thing- I don’t know what it’s like where you live, but our car insurance here is terrible. I just found out that if you’re involve in an accident EVEN IF IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT, it goes on your record and the insurance companies will hold it against you. We just got canceled by our insurance (and we didn’t even report the latest fender bender.) So- there really is a good reason NOT to involve the police. I could go on a whole rant about this and maybe I will on the blog someday. Let’s just hope your neck feels better soon, without you having to confess all.
Wow, congrats to your son (and his trumpet gang) for their success! And, my condolences for the car situation. I may have told you (?), but in June of 2016 I did a 12-hour ultra very similar to the one you mentioned. Mine was a 1-mile loop, though. It got a little monotonous, but was very manageable in terms of fueling & breaks (walking & rest) through those 12 hours. There’s a recap (in my blog archives) if that’s of any interest.
Oh yes I think I do remember this!!! I’ll look at your archives. A one mile loop would be hard.
Ha! I’m sure you feel better with a new race on your calendar!
Congrats to your son — that’s amazing.
It seems even minor collisions can crumble cars — gone are the days of rubber bumpers and solid fenders that could withstand impact . Glad no one was hurt.
Yes, that’s the important thing of course- no one was hurt. I have to remember that!
Ha! I’m sure you feel better with a new race on your calendar!
Congrats to your son — that’s amazing.
It seems even minor collisions can crumble cars — gone are the days of rubber bumpers and solid fenders that could withstand impact . Glad no one was hurt.
WOW 12 hours!!! that sounds fun. and weather might be decent by then (or not . . as you know 🙂 ). Excited to see what you will do for training but since it’s Nov you can do some different stuff the next couple months I imagine!
Yes, there’s hope that the weather will be decent. LIke you, I’m focusing on strength and speed for a little while now. I won’t do long runs for a couple months at least.
If I were ever to return to running, it’d be nice in a state park. <3 I hope you have a great race — it sounds beautiful! :]
Congrats to your son! That's so awesome! :]
Thank you Farrah! And, this park does have some beautiful trails that I rarely run on. It’s just a little too far away to get there on a regular day.
Congrats to your son and his team for winning. Tough competition I am sure. November is a great month for running and racing so I hope it’s a little cooler for you then too. I totally know you would sign up for another race immediately. Ride the. Wave!
Thanks Deborah! There’s hope that our weather could cool down by November- or it could be 95 degrees. We’ll see!
Woohoo, congrats on signing up for a new race. I am so bad signing up so far in advance for races.
Congratulations as well to your son’s trumpet ensemble… what an exciting competition and to tie for first place. That’s amazing. I am sorry you weren’t able to be there in person. And a bummer the price money didn’t pay for the car repair.
Yes, if the prize money had paid for the car repair, it would really have tied everything together beautifully. Oh well…
Congrats to your son and his ensemble!
And yay for a new race on the calendar!!
Thanks Michelle! And, yes, it’s fun to have a race on the calendar.
How exciting to have a big race on the horizon! Congrats to your son and the rest of the ensemble. I’ll bet that convention was lots of fun. Bummer about the accident. Glad everyone is ok although it sounds like the car is not. Sigh.
Yes, they had an amazing time at the convention- bonus points that it was in LA, so a very different feel from South Florida!
Congratulations to your son—that is amazing. Also, congratulations to you for signing up. You definitely like to have a goal to look forward to. The car, though, is a pain. Did the other car have a towbar? Often, that causes more damage than you would expect. I had someone just roll into my old car with a towbar and it went through his bumper bar. He was driving a convertible with the top down so I got out to talk to him and he just sat in his car and claimed that he hadn’t hit me. When I explained that my towbar had punched a whole in his bumper bar, he still maintained he hadn’t hit me, so I got back in my car a kept going. It was a very bizarre experience, to be able to see the evidence and have someone maintain that I was wrong.
Huge congratulations to your son! That’s amazing! Not so amazing about the car. I’m glad no one was hurt, but that’s some substantial damage.
So excited to hear about how you go into this race! There are so many options and no matter what you choose, it will be great, I’m sure.
Yay for a new race to look forward to! That’s really exciting.
And congrats to Paul for the competition. What a great accomplishment!
But eeeeks about the car. I have a Kia Soul and I *love* my Soul so I guess I just have to hope I never get into a fender bender, lol.
i’m excited for your ultra and what you decide to do!!
congrats to your son – that’s a pretty cool award! and nice they got some cash too! bummer though about the car 🙁
Yay for signing up for another race! I can’t wait to know what you decide to do.
Congratulations to Paul!!! That is so impressive. Well done, I love the pictures of the guys performing.
If you and I had coffee, I would share about my daughter Lyra and her piano lessons. She is plugging away, we will have lessons in the summer so that she doesn’t lose her skills. I would also share that I wish my son Rainn were interested in a musical instrument. But then- he is only 4, while L is 6. Maybe next year.
Congrats on signing up for your next race and Paul’s trumpet award.
(Boo on the accident–my oldest had as similar accident that totaled the car we’d given them a Toyota Highlander Hybrid. What even worse, IMO, is that now they don’t want to drive and take public transport everywhere, which adds hours of travel to the simplest errands!)
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