A short distance from the lighthouse, there are stairs that lead down to some tide pools. We debated going down since we were walking like we were 80. I drastically underestimated what running 26.2 miles would do to me afterward. But considering we probably wouldn't be back there we sucked it up and went down to check it out. I was fascinated by how the ocean shapes all the rocks into perfectly round stones. As we walked closer to the ocean, they became smaller, but still perfectly round. Todd found a bunch of mussels growing on the sides of the big boulders. Although I thought they were gross, he liked them. 
We ate dinner at Georgie's (a local restaurant). It was a little later than our usual dinner time but it seemed like we arrived in perfect time. From our table we had the colorful view of the setting sun. I have heard about people watching the sun set before but I never took it so literally. The sun dips below the horizon in a matter of seconds. Todd and I watched the beautiful scene without uttering a word as our waitress waited patiently to take our order. One of God's wonders for sure.
The following morning we took a walk on the beach. The ocean is incredible. We found various ocean life that had washed up on the beach but mostly we enjoyed the water. Now that is something I could get used to.
As friends and family heard we were training for a marathon, most began asking me the same question, “Are you crazy?” and at times I would have completely agreed. There were even moments when I feared for what it was exactly I had got myself into. The first came when reviewing the training schedule and I saw our first long run was 8 miles. 8 miles? I hadn’t run 8 miles in 2 years. But we took the training head on – some runs were better than others, we learned things along the way like proper hydration and nutrition before, during and after long runs, and trained our bodies to run for hours at a time.
We recruited my mom and dad to ride their bikes behind us for water, Gatorade, and fuel snacks on our really long runs (16-20 miles). They quickly became known as “Team Broyles”. I cannot say enough about how much that helped both physically and mentally. The sacrifice on their part was huge – to spend their time helping us achieve our goal is one thing but how boring that must have been!! Todd and I have discussed many times how we couldn’t have done it without them. Thanks Mom and Dad –you’re the best!!
As race day approached, I got more nervous. Had we trained enough? Was I ready? We had booked our room at the downtown hotel sponsoring the event and arrived the day before to get our race packets and chips. They converted their entire parking garage into marathon headquarters, complete with the various athletic company booths and mazes to shuffle the over 10,000 participants through. It was a sight to behold. All the volunteers and event staff did an outstanding job. It was well planned and executed.
The morning of we walked 3 blocks to the start and we were off and running. Literally. Despite my nerves, I was happy to be running alongside my best friend and partner in crime. Another Todd and Karen’s big adventure. I wouldn’t have wanted to be with anyone else. He gives me constant encouragement and praise in life and definitely during every run. Between mile 17 and 18, I started fading – Todd was still feeling great so after a few discussions, I sent him on his way at mile 20. He finished in 4 hours and I was right behind at 4:09. I still can’t believe it.
I have been asked by more than a few what I think about running for that long. To be honest, I pray. I prayed before, during and after the race -- Lord give me air in my lungs, strong legs and a determined mind; help me make it. (And I never forget to thank Him after.) I think about my little girl – how much I love her, how she fills me up and watches over me, and how great it will be to see her again. I think about my good friend (and trainer), Mark, who has constantly pushed me to be better than I am. I think “I can, I can, I can.” It really all comes down to mind over matter. And before you know it, you’re crossing the finish line. What an amazing feeling.
I would be sorely mistaken to not post a huge THANK YOU! to my great friend Cassie Larson. She is a sheer genius when it comes to capturing life’s precious moments in pictures, arranging them in Photoshop, and sharing them through blogging. Over a year ago she helped me start my blog and has continued to assist me in learning Photoshop. She has created countless images from our maternity photo shoot to Kloe’s announcements, individual pictures of Todd and I to this awesome new header at the top of this blog. She has a real talent for all things creative, but more importantly she has taken time out of her busy life (raising 3 young boys) for me. So thank you Cassie for all your talent, your time and mostly your love.
Todd got to go to a dental convention in San Francisco earlier this month. It was a great opportunity for him to get CE (continuing education) credits and go somewhere fun. Since I had never been to San Francisco before, I was very quick to respond with a “Yes!” when he asked me if I would like to go along. We stayed downtown at the Prescott Hotel; by Union Square and a short walk to the Moscone Center where the convention was held. I could not believe the shopping! There is every imaginable store from Louis Vuitton to Niketown, Barneys to Tiffanys, Saks, Nordstroms, Bloomingdales, De Beers, Ben Sherman, Crate and Barrel, and on and on. . .all within a few block radius. Simply incredible. Of course who can afford all that? I have no idea, but certainly fun to look.
We walked everywhere (well, only the safe places, Mom). I think we walked at least five miles each day. I had heard about the steepness of the streets but until you walk up one, you really have no idea just how steep they are. Whew! The first day we walked through Chinatown, on our way down to Fisherman’s Wharf. Just outside of Chinatown we pasted through several Italian blocks. Todd stopped short at a little bakery with the entire front window filled with pastries. He got a cherry turnover that was yummy – so yummy we went back two more times during our stay and enjoyed not only the cherry turnovers but the apple as well. When we finally reached Fisherman’s Wharf we ate at In & Out Burger -- Todd had it mapped out before we left Boise – a very tasty burger indeed. We toured Alcatraz and saw Al Capone’s cell firsthand. (I even got a picture of Todd inside one of the solitary confinement cells.)
The dental convention was quite informative. I picked my own seminars to attend from the schedule and learned a ton about insurance, collections and estate planning. I only had to text Todd a few times for the definition of terms like alveoloplasty. What?? We walked the floor where all the dental reps were ready, willing and able to hit you up with the latest and greatest stuff. I was overwhelmed to say the least.
Todd and I thoroughly enjoyed being back in a big city. It is fun to get “lost” in the crowd of people and observe all the sites. The diversity of cultures was also refreshing. Aside from the huge Asian population, we noticed many European languages spoken by those around us.
A couple of weeks after Kloe's first birthday, Cody (my brother) came out to our house to hang out. We were in the garage messing around -- Todd and Cody were doing pull-ups on our cool double chin up bar. My eyes were drawn to the inside of Cody's arm, just up from his elbow, to what appeared to be a tattoo. I immediately said, "Cody! What did you do?" because I know he doesn't have any tattoos. This got Todd's attention as well and Cody quickly pulled down his sleeve and said, "I don't want to freak you guys out." I had no idea what to expect other than he got some huge tattoo that went down half his torso. He pulled back his sleeve and Todd and I's mouths dropped. Tears filled our eyes next and we were utterly speechless. Wow.
Todd and I have received an incredible amount of support since we lost our little girl. It has affected people more than we could have ever imagined and the responses have been just as amazing. For Cody, who doesn't say a whole lot about it, to go down on Kloe's birthday and get a memorial tattoo just blew us away. So Kloe lives on -- and she will continue to do so in our hearts and through the stories we tell each and every day.
Todd has been talking about getting a new tattoo forever. . .well at least for the last eight months. He wanted to do something to memorialize Kloe but the biggest problem was who could meet his expectations? Of course it had to be perfect. He got his answer shortly after Kloe's first birthday when Cody (my brother) showed us his new tattoo. See the post. . .
We went to visit Nate Lauerman at Inkvision Tattoo in downtown Boise. We took him the picture of Todd holding Kloe's feet and the black and white version our great friend Cassie Larson made for her announcements. A consultation, and two sessions later Todd had a work of art on his arm. Nate did an amazing job -- the detail is incredible! Todd absolutely loves it.
My sister and her family came to visit in August. Bill, my brother in law, loves to mountain bike. He's used to riding the trails in Texas so we thought it would be fun to show him Idaho's version. My dad (who turned 60 in January) rocks it! He is in great shape or maybe it's more of his stubborn personality, but bottom line -- he doesn't quit. Todd took this picture of him when we stopped for a break. His intent, in the event that we killed him, was to give to my mom to show her he died happy. Todd smoked us all on the climbs, while Bill sacrificed his body on the downhills (he's crazy). All in all, a great day.
