Maui Xterra and living FREE

We were ready to experience Maui, ready to experience Xterra, and ready to cheer on our friend John . We spent a week in Maui, enjoying life, enjoying a vacation without bikes or racing. No pressure. The week leading up to race day was spent at happy hours, in the sunshine, and at the beach, oh and a ton of sleeping. (laughing so hard it hurt!)

We giggled, laughed, and enjoyed the little things, like water slides and crystal clear water and view....this was so important because lateley things have been stressful.... with the minimal training, the body changing and just the fact that life has been "different". This vacation was exactly what we needed. For the first time in a long time I was able to feel free, able to feel a little more like myself.

(Mark was convinced the fish was trying to eat him!)

The non-racing idea didn't last long once we found out there was a 5k and 10k race on the course. We just HAD to experience the terrain, the course, and the challenges that were to be faced on Sunday. So we signed up. I have not ran a step in over 10 weeks so I just went with walk/jog in mind (against doctors orders...BUT I have been SO SO SO good in listening). Really those climbs were so big that walking was all that needed to be done.

I know you must be thinking that I was pushing it because I got a second place podium for the division...which I am happy about, but truly all these "fasties" were in the 10K. I was beat by TEN kids under the age of 13 (I was racing a kid that came up to my hip).

Mark LOVED the race, and was soaked from running along the shore line. But managed himself a 3rd place division slot. However, he is most proud that he got to share in the spotlight on the podium with Yvonne.


The $25 entry fee was nothing when we look at all the perks that came with this race, we each received:
A race shirt
Box of GU
$25 g.c. to Lulu's (not lululemon ;))
6 pack of Gatorade
Pound of Kona Coffee
Coffee Mug

A huge highlight of the week was meeting up with my long lost pal Tracy! It was like we had seen each other every day for the past two years!

We dined to the nines and failed to skimp even in the slightest at Fairmont thanks to our friends the "Swistaks" (and fab bridesmaid!)
(Beautiful sunset!)
The event Xterra event itself was so low-key, so beautiful, and so fun! John had an amazing race at Xterra (and thank you for the beautiful stay), although we could barely recognize anyone with their faces covered in dirt "masks". He has intrigued us all to participate next year...hmmmm...

To living life and to being "free"!