The tale of two surfers......

Surfing has been one of those childhood dreams that I have had.  Even though I lived in Florida for 6 years before heading off for the ivory towers, I never learned how to ride the waves, but I always admired those that did.  I knew that they were seeking something more than just a thrill.  Surfers are also seeking a sense of serenity and balance that only those that surf can truly comprehend.  I remember on my morning beach runs taking a break and watching them paddle out over the breakers and hop on the small swells that we have on the Emerald Coast with ease.  I wanted so badly to be out there.  And now, years later after my return, Chris and I are finally taking on the waves together.

I must admit, it's a sport that is a lot more intense than I had imagined.  While in all reality 'doing less' will get you further progress on the board, it's definitely much easier said than done.  I am beginning to feel comfortable though out there on the board.  I bought a used 8'4" Blue fiberglass board and I feel confident when I paddle it out past the breakers.  On most days that is.  It's amazing how powerful the waves can be and though I try to 'duck' dive and 'turtle' dive my way out there, sometimes as I call it, the ocean simply just spits me back out.  And I go and take my designated spot on the beach with my board, a little water logged and wait for the ocean to accept me back. I get back up and continue onward past the breakers.  It's a fight, a battle in and of itself but once out there, it becomes more serene than I had imagined.  Peace, serenity and the openness of the ocean.  I feel slightly vulnerable but still in control as it is just me and my board patiently waiting to feel the energy of a wave underneath me that I can stand up on.  And there is the part that has of course brought me frustration, but also a new appreciation for patience. 

'Just stand up'.  That's all you have to do right?  Feel the wave and just stand up and ride it.  If only mastery came with that much ease.  I have done the half stand, the knee stand the stand and then fall after 2 seconds but still working towards the ultimate goal: riding the wave.  I can stand up on the 10ft. board with ease but the 8'4" board I have has proved to be a challenge for this beginner.  Chris and I have spent countless hours observing other surfers every move.  How do they paddle past the breaker, what is there timing when they begin paddling ahead of the wave, when do they stand up, do they ride it straight or take a side of the wave?  Of course not to my surprise, Chris has been the first  up on his board out of all of us and I couldn't be more proud of him.  He's a natural athlete what can I say?  I know my time will come, one session out there in the open ocean it will just click.  I only hope that that session is soon because I'd love to feel the satisfaction of the ride and not just the fall.  In due time though, in due time.

I absolutely love this quote that I found on a surfing blog.

"There are no more committed people on the planet than surfers. We fall down a lot. We turn around, paddle back out, and do it over and over again. Unlike anything else in life, the stoke of surfing is so high that the failures quickly fade from memory."
-Gary Sirota (surfer)


 It describes the epitome of what I have noticed in observing the surfer.  What other sport is it a requirement for you to constantly fall down, even when you are an expert.  I have snowboarded plenty but even the intermediate riders like myself can ride all day and sometimes not take a fall.  In surfing it's a requirement.  You have to fall down even on the most stellar wave in order to paddle back out there and catch the next one.  It's a sense of persistence, not fearing failure and the continual going down and getting back up process that makes me honor these individuals with the utmost respect.  And here is to Chris and I's journey in holding the coveted title of 'surfer'.....
|

Bikers on the Beach

Yesterday, I took Lauren on her inaugural adventure race training bike ride on the beach and let me just say, my sister's a natural.   She rode with ease and minus the initial pains in the glutes from adjusting to a seat the size of a lemon, she's ready for her next ride.  While logging miles on the beach doesn't compare to the technical rides that will consume much of our training for the Raid the Rock race in October, endurance rides are crucial to building the stamina that is needed to carry on during a 12 hr. race.  And of course it's not all physical stamina that will carry us and make us competitive in the race, it's a lot of mental fortitude as well. 
The scenery that encompassed us on our ride is something that even though we are both all too familiar with from our youth, it never seizes to amazes us.  Sparkling turquoise waters, stark white sand, amber colored sea grass blowing in the gulf breeze and protected nesting sea birds diving at our heads as we pass ever so   carefully through their territory. Its a feast of visual wonder for the eyes.  Tranquility for the mind.  Endorphins for the physical body.  13 miles of gorgeous riding and probably 60 oz. of electrolyte -filled, ice cold water later, we complete this exhilarating trip.  What a rus!  At this point in the afternoon the temps. are topping in the mid 90's.  What's phenomenal is that so long as you stay hydrated and keep the gulf breeze at your back, biking on the beach is in my opinion one of the most pleasant ways to enjoy the heat (besides surfing, but I'll talk about that later. :-)

  As we ride home in the truck, bikes in tow and cherry flavored Sport Beans in our mouths, I think we both realize how fortunate we are to share our love of exercise and the outdoors with each other.   The most rewarding part of our trip?  It's just the beginning of many, many more rides to come.

"He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life."
-Muhammad Ali

"No Dogs Allowed on the Beach".....but we are such rebels...

I understand that the panhandle of Florida boasts some of the best beaches in the world.  I also understand that we as citizens want to do everything in our power to maintain those beaches.  But what I guess I am confused on is how we are letting oil seep onto our beaches but yet we can't allow our dogs to make a few footprints in the sand and enjoy an afternoon of frolicking in the water. Problem solved, we create our own private dog beach. 

Lola and Toga are in heaven on our beach days.  I think by now they know where we're going when I roll the windows down in the truck and let them breathe the warm sea-salt air.  Thankfully by now they have developed a love of two seperate fetching toys-Lola has her sticks, and Toga has her balls.  While I don't quite have the 'i-can-throw-half-way-across-the-intercoastal' throw like their dad, I try my best to give these two several hours of good fetching.  After all, it's in their blood, in their DNA. 

They are labrador retrievers designed to fetch anything and make their way through water with ease.  Their instinct tells them on days that we're on the beach that this is where they belong. 
 My dad informed me of a book that I need to add to my reading list called 'Waterdog', one of the first books written about how to train a lab.  While we aren't intending to have hunting dogs, we want to have two dogs that are as much in tune with their instincts as possible.  Plus, training our dogs will be perfect practice for when we're training our two-legged child someday way down the road.

On another note, I can't help but think ahead to our next Adventure Race in MO, Sept. 24th which is the Berryman Adventure Race, 12 hr.  I've been dying to do this coveted race. And then of course there's the Raid the Rock Race on October 7.  It's an 8-12 hr., 50 mile + course that will be Lauren's inagural Adventure Race.  We have 3 months to all get our training act together and I'm siked.  So much of my adventure race quest has been undocumented be it the training or the actual races, so a part of me feels this strong desire to keep track of training days, both good and bad, in order to reflect back on how to better our training and also what we've been doing right!  Easier said than done I know but I am up to the challenge.

First order of training....hot, humid and long summer bike days!

Sweet Summer Hydration......

I'm the first to admit I love a good drink.

 I love the taste of a beautiful concoction and savoring the perfect blend of flavors.  So recently, I explored several cocktails that I have discovered-the wine margarita and the delectable orange crush.  I must lend credence to the places where my inspiration came from: The Cactus Flower for their amazing wine margarita, so good that you will even find me sharing a carafe with my sister or mom at lunch, and Mainstreet Cafe for their 'Florida-in-a-cup' so I have so fittingly nicknamed it-aka, the Orange Crush.

So without further adieu-behold the recipes which I am working on perfecting:

Wine Margarita (make this for a group of friends on a hot summer night....)

750 ml of pinot grigio
2 cups fresh lime juice ( i used Simply brand of lime juice)
5 limes, squeezed
1 cup orange liquor (grand mariner rocks!)
margarita salt
crushed ice

Mix all ingredients in a pitcher and pour over crushed ice into wine glass for a different flair! My new favorite twist on one of my favorite summer drinks!

Florida-In-A-Cup (taste the Sunshine..:-)

1 oz. vodka
1/2 oz. orange liquor (grand mariner rocks!)
1 1/2 fresh squeezed orange
soda water
crushed ice

add vodka, orange liquor and orange juice to shaker and shake it up.  Add mixture to highball glass over ice and then add soda water to brim.  ENJOY!